Hi, friends 👋🏽. I’m Stacy Casson, Chief Play Officer at Things to Think About. As a mom of five who also held a full-time job, I used to hold a PhD in creating chaos. Now, I help other busy, overwhelmed parents have peaceful evenings and avoid dramatic mornings. I discovered that by applying organizational principles through play, I could reduce my mental load, stop nagging, and finally move from overwhelm to action. You set the tone for your kids, and I can help you set a calm one. Let’s get started.
Celebrate Your Wins
Pause for a moment:
What’s one thing you accomplished this week—big or small?
- Did you trim your hedges?
- Say no?
- Maintained a streak?
Drop your win in the comments or share it with a friend!
My wins: My Virtual Playshop for A Clean Room, A Clear Mind was a success. Half of the participants left motivated and ready to clean their desks. I also announced my group coaching program, Let the Arrow Fly, to help parents move from doing to guiding. Reflecting on your wins helps to keep the momentum when you are lacking motivation.
Every week, we explore a Tarot card because Tarot is rich in symbology and helps us to tap into our intuition. Reflecting on the card and noting what comes to mind is a metaphorical form of brainstorming that can provide insights when problem-solving.
Card of the Week: The Hermit
I sometimes sit in my car for half an hour before I go inside my house because I want some alone time. Have you ever wanted to lock yourself away from everyone? I went back to my roots and pulled a Pokémon Tarot card from BlueberryBlanket. It mimics the traditional Hermit card by featuring an anglerfish playing the role of the old man carrying a lantern.
When my kids were little, I would hide in the bathroom and would often see a little hand trying to get under the door. I modeled the idea of privacy, and eventually, they appreciated having their own time. I’ve been testing my Calm Down Sessions for the past two weeks, and most parents never allow themselves “me” time. When your kid is crying because they want to spend time with you, even in the bathroom, you may be tempted to give in to keep the peace. You are missing an opportunity to help them learn how to deal with their feelings and to be more self-sufficient.
The Question Worth Asking
When do you give yourself permission to take a break?
One Small Experiment to Try This Week
The Hermit’s introspection and insights light the way for others. When you take the time to calm down and regulate your emotions, you teach your kids to do the same. You can say, “I am feeling a little overwhelmed (insert feeling), I think I’m going to take some deep breaths. Breathe audibly. If your kid asks what you are doing, you can tell them you are taking some deep, calming breaths. Invite them to join you. Next, tell them you are taking a break, set a timer for five minutes, and go to another room or take a short walk outside. Then come back to the room. Notice what shifts.
Ready to move from overwhelm to action?
If the Hermit resonates with you and you want to run and hide, the first step is to remember that your kids are learning from you. Let’s put on the oxygen mask together.
Book a Calm Down Session with me. In this session, you can allow yourself to surrender to a peaceful moment as we get to know each other and I guide you through a brief meditation. From there, we can see how I can help you on your parenting journey. People showed an average drop of 3-4 points in their stress or overwhelm levels. My clients often say that my soothing voice helps them feel calm and restored. Let me help you put on your oxygen mask. For my subscribers, use the coupon code BREATHE2026 and get $10 off your session now through the end of May.
