Tag: mommy
The Backseat Blues
I wrote a portion of the following article last year, but this year, it’s resonating again and just as important. Thanks for reading.
Parents. I woke up on this first day “back to school” not thinking of the child headed back, but someone else.
I’m truly not intending for this to sound preachy, or be a guilt trip to those that this will most likely resonate with. But more as a “something to ponder” as you head back into the next school year.
I’m thinking of that little one in the back seat. The little one holding your hand, who is getting dragged along for the ride. The one woken up from her nap to go pick up your older one at school. The one falling back to sleep in her carseat while you bring the older one to piano lessons or soccer.
When you had your first child, that child was the center of your world. You were there for every moment; every first. You took him to classes, mommy groups, and playdates. Then you had your second child. You most likely realized that you didn’t need to do ALL of those things the first time round. That being at home and playing in the grass was a GREAT way to spend the day.
But this younger child is an individual little human. A child that needs time alone with you. A child that needs your presence.
As a music therapist and educator, I immediately thought about something I read on first2000days.org. There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when he or she will begin kindergarten. During that time brain architecture is forming, creating the foundation for all future learning.
Wow. That sort of puts that time period in a quick little bubble, doesn’t it? As a mom of 2 teens, one who is now a SENIOR, I can most definitely say that it flies by faster than you can blink. I know, you don’t want to hear that because you’re EXHAUSTED. I get it. I remember those days well. The days where you were counting the minutes until nap time so perhaps you could go the bathroom alone. Seriously, I really do get it.
However, I’m really thinking about all those parents that I see in our Kindermusik classes with their first children. Parents that are truly present with them. Parents taking in every single second. Parents that say that the one hour they spent at Kindermusik each week was the most joyful and memorable time they ever had when their child was a baby and toddler. Parents we never see return when they have their second child.
Another bit that truly sat with me when I watched this video by the NC Early Childhood Foundation, is that “brains are built, not born“. Whoah! Of course that takes me right back in my brain to that little baby or toddler in the back seat. That little human who is depending on you to enrich their first 2000 days but who is only a passenger in their older sibling’s life.
Of course, I would love to see you enroll in our Kindermusik program, or one where you live because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful that curriculum is. But honestly I just want to perhaps suggest that you take one unplugged hour each day and devote it to being present with your younger child however you choose to spend it.
Have a fabulous return “back to school”.
Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Will. Holly is the Kindermusik International Brand Ambassador for the U.S., and always happy to collaborate with brands she believes in.
www.growandsing.com
Click here for offer for new families to Grow and Sing Studios.
How do I do it?
A Monday reflection from Owner/Director and Mompreneur Holly Lesnick:
I’m often asked how I can do so much or be so busy. How do I do it? How do I manage?
I usually just respond with “I’m not sure, it just works.”
But I’ve thought about it, and the truth to me is completely simple. First, let me explain for those that don’t know exactly what “so much” entails. I own Grow and Sing Studios. 13 years ago, after 2 years teaching Kindermusik for anther studio and as a music therapist on a break when my son was 6 weeks old, I created my studio which offered a very simple TWO Kindermusik classes per week total. I began this journey because I yearned for connections with other parents and through my first passion which is music it seemed like the obvious fit. I craved to be in a happy, smiley, positive place and so, I decided to create it for myself. At the time, my husband did wedding and event video – another happy, smiley, positive place as well. During the recession, his video business was affected, but somehow Grow and Sing Studios GREW. Not only grew, but won awards. Lots of awards. How is that? Through the years, I’ve added numerous locations and various classes, a wonderful staff, birthday parties, piano lessons, voice lessons… frankly the list is VERY long and could go on because not all things I tried, stuck. But, through it all, the goal was simple though I’m not sure I saw it yet. On the surface yes, it’s to earn more money and support my family. Of course that’s mission number one. It’s also to be the best I can be in my field. When I’m “in it” I’m trying to compete, be fierce, stay on the cutting edge of social media. It sometimes seems exhausting but my focus never wavers.
A few years ago we added our photo booth business. To some, this seemed REALLY random. To other’s their response was “here we go, Holly and Will are at it again”, but to the few who REALLY know me, it was, oh WOW this makes sense. Will missed his connections made when doing event video. He enjoys the excitement. I thrive on happy environments. What’s better to merge together than a photo booth business right? Each time I help Will with a photo booth job, one thing just screams out loud to me. Something that happens in every Kindermusik class, every birthday party, every staff meeting I lead, and every photo booth gig we do. LAUGHTER. Let me tell you, the LAUGHTER that spills out of that photo booth is contagious. It’s incredible. Seriously. If you are ever nearby a photo booth. Just go stand near it and listen. I PROMISE your day will become brighter.
On top of all of that, two and half years ago, I accepted a part time contract position with Kindermusik International as a Kindermusik University Coach. My task is to lead KU students through online business AND pedagogy courses, a 3 day face to face conference, and through a vigorous 1 month practicum to ultimately send them into their own journey of starting a Kindermusik Studio. I have students all across sthe U.S. and even some in Canada and beyond. It’s so rewarding helping others achieve their dream. While along the way there is a lot of fun, laughter and I get to work with some amazing Kindermusik professionals that are also part of the KU training team.
I feel like this is becoming a review of my resume. But ultimately, it’s just an explanation of how I do “so much”.
In the end, the most important job of all is being a mother to Anna and Aiden. What a journey parenting is. Oh the laughter. Oh the teenage angst.
Okay, so what do I thrive on, and keep adding to my life and career? LAUGHTER. SMILES. CONNECTIONS. I finally figured it out. It’s the constant guarantee in life full of variables. Is life an experiment? Well yes, we are always trying new things, testing the waters, figuring it out. But I’m starting to realize that if you can find your constant that makes you the happiest, you WILL succeed. And so, I finally figured it out. HAPPINESS is my dream. LAUGHTER is what I long for, and what I strive for each and every day.
May your week bring you much happiness, peace, success and many giggles.
Thanks for reading.
Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and in September will celebrate 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.
Your child loves music? You don’t say.
I woke up this fine Tuesday morning, after a nice Labor Day weekend with my family thinking about all the emails and messages I need to reply to. I’m so excited that many parents are investigating a musical experience for their child and themselves. It’s great. However, in reading these emails I am noticing a lot of the following.
“My son loves music.”
“My daughter loves to sing.”
“My child is always dancing.”
or on the flipside:
“I want to try to see if my newborn likes it.”
“I’m not sure my toddler will like music.”
I am not surprised at all to hear that a child loves music and that they like to sing and dance. It’s play, and it’s a child’s work to play.
However, I am surprised to hear that parents of small children want to try music to see if their child likes it.
Who doesn’t like music?
That is the question I asked myself this morning.
Did you know a study by Nielsen Music in 2017 reported that the average American listens to music 32 hours a week? That’s on AVERAGE. That’s a LOT of hours. Music is all around us. It’s in the background in the movies and shows we watch. It’s on in the background while we are doing work. It’s playing in the car. It’s playing in the grocery store. It’s everywhere.
Why?
Honestly, as a music therapist, I could go on all day on the healing elements of music. But I’ll give you a little list today that might help explain WHY your child loves music. Why YOU love music. Why music is everywhere.
First, music can improve cognitive function. Music ignites all areas of the brain. It lights it up, helps those connections, well connect. When parents say their child loves music I always think “of course he does”, because his brain is excited and it’s connecting through music in a way no other thing on earth could ever do. Music is rhythm and almost every function of daily living requires some rhythm. Walking, talking, writing, typing, running, throwing, kicking. All of it.
Another reason we love music is that it relaxes us. It’s scientifically proven that music reduces stress. By listening to music, the nervous system calms and recovers quickly from the many stressors in life. This is why in our classes, we work on the learned skill of relaxation while listening to music. We are teaching children early on to help their body calm and recover.
Have you ever tried to memorize something, and it just wasn’t sticking? But then, when you put the information into a song, or a rhyme, voila, you remembered? That’s because music has been proven to improve memory. Could it have something to do with the fact that our hearts have beats so we have an innate NEED for music and rhythm in our bodies and brains? I think so.
Music is also a great tool for managing pain, boosting mood, reducing depression and improving sleep. Who doesn’t like that?
I’m excited to reply to these parents who are in tune with the fact their children love music. However, in the future, I would love to get messages that read something like this:
“I know that music is one of the most important aspects of life. I’m ready to learn the many ways music benefits my baby, and what I can do at home when we aren’t in class”.
To everyone out there, I assure you, your baby will love it. After 15 years of teaching Kindermusik, I haven’t met a baby yet that hasn’t liked music.
Happy singing!
Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and in September will celebrate 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.
What onesies and Kindermusik have in common.
Okay, probably a lot. Onesies. Babies. Kindermusik.
Getting personal today. This girl is the reason Grow and Sing Studios exists because she is the reason I walked into a Kindermusik classroom when she was 3 months old. Why share this? Well, first of all, I love recommending local businesses. But more importantly, this picture, despite first appearances represents empowerment, acceptance, individuality, confidence and fun. My daughter Anna has been working with us helping with our online marketing which has been amazing. Need online help, ask a teen! Seriously!
Anyway, with some of the money she earned, she bought this very snuggly Batman onesie. I thought, hmm, okay whatever makes her happy. Last night, our family decided to go for some ice cream. She was snuggled in her onesie when the decision was made and asked if she needed to change. BUT before I could answer she said, “You know what? I’m wearing it, it makes me happy.” All I said was “yes, rock it!” You know what, she made people smile and she smiled during our entire ice cream outing.
She was my very first Kindermusik kid. Now she is a high school Junior. She is an incredible musician. She’s in leadership in marching band. She’s starting her dual enrollment courses at Valencia College.
She learned empowerment, acceptance, individuality, confidence and fun first and foremost at KINDERMUSIK. It shaped her for the amazing woman she is becoming. Hindsight as a mom, Kindermusik was the single best choice we made when she was younger.
By the way, the ice cream shop is Frozen Nitrogen Ice Cream near UCF. We love it there!
I would love to see you at a free preview class. Pressure free always. have a fabulous day.
Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and in September will celebrate 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.
Taking the backseat?
Parents. I woke up on this first day “back to school” not thinking of the child headed back, but someone else.
I’m truly not intending for this to sound preachy, or be a guilt trip to those that this will most likely resonate with. But more as a “something to ponder” as you head back into the next school year.
I’m thinking of that little one in the back seat. The little one holding your hand, who is getting dragged along for the ride. The one woken up from her nap to go pick up your older one at school. The one falling back to sleep in her carseat while you bring the older one to piano lessons or soccer.
When you had your first child, that child was the center of your world. You were there for every moment; every first. You took him to classes, mommy groups, and playdates. Then you had your second child. You most likely realized that you didn’t need to do ALL of those things the first time round. That being at home and playing in the grass was a GREAT way to spend the day.
But this younger child is an individual little human. A child that needs time alone with you. A child that needs your presence.
As a music therapist and educator, I immediately thought about something I read on first2000days.org. There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when he or she will begin kindergarten. During that time brain architecture is forming, creating the foundation for all future learning.
Wow. That sort of puts that time period in a quick little bubble, doesn’t it? As a mom of 2 teens, I can most definitely say that it flies by faster than you can blink. I know, you don’t want to hear that because you’re EXHAUSTED. I get it. I remember those days well.
However, I’m really thinking about all those parents that I see in our Kindermusik classes with their first children. Parents that are truly present with them. Parents taking in every single second. Parents that say that the one hour they spent at Kindermusik each week was the most joyful and memorable time they ever had when their child was a baby and toddler. Parents we never see return when they have their second child.
Of course that takes me right back in my brain to that little baby or toddler in the back seat. That little human who is depending on you to enrich their first 2000 days but who is only a passenger in their older sibling’s life.
Of course, I would love to see you enroll in our Kindermusik program, or one where you live because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful that program is. But honestly I just want to perhaps suggest that you take one hour each day and devote it to being present with your younger child however you choose to spend it.
Have a fabulous return “back to school”.
Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and in September will celebrate 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.
Voted “Best Music Class”
Parents picks winner 2009
We are proud to announce that we have won for the 2nd year in a row “Best Music Class in Orlando” in the Parent’s Picks awards by Nickelodeon at parentsconnect.com.
If you haven’t yet experienced a music class with Grow and Sing Studios, please come on down to our FREE DEMONSTRATION AND OPEN HOUSE EVENT on Thursday, August 20th!
10:30am – Demonstration class for Babies up to 18 months
11:15am – Demonstration class for all ages up to 7 years old
These will take place at our UUUS location near UCF / Oviedo. Directions can be found here! https://www.growandsing.com/location_kindermusik_orlando.php
We will raffle off prizes, sing songs, dance, play with scarves, keep rhythm with instruments, and much much more! Please email to let us know you are coming!
REGISTRATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED FOR CLASSES WHICH BEGIN NEXT WEEK!
To register click here: https://www.growandsing.com/register_kindermusik_orlando.php
Downtown Summer Classroom Details!
Hi everyone,
As we move into the HOTS months of Summer, we had to evaluate what would be best for our summer classes. The FUCO location classroom that we had been using is in an older portion of the campus, and the air just doesn’t work very well when it gets hot outside. It’s perfectly fine when its cool outside, but hot temps = hot classroom which isn’t good for dancing and moving about! :)
So.. we are taking a little move over to their main hall for summer and they are graciously letting us use their library! This is still on the same campus as before, just in a different building. It’s a WONDERFUL space, and we are really really grateful and excited for the permission to rent and use it!
It’s a VERY cool room, and we can adjust the air levels ourselves, so there is NO concern about it being too hot! Everyone will be quite comfortable. It’s a fully carpeted room as you can see below, and bigger than the other classroom.
I wanted to be sure to share this info with those who took classes downtown in the Spring session, as this could most definitely influence your decision to join us for Summer since it was starting to get hot in the other classroom towards the end of the session. :) Also, wanted to be sure those who are currently registered for summer know where you will be going!
We are VERY excited about this move for summer and we think you will be quite pleased! Because this classroom is bigger, we have decided to change the schedule a bit by removing the 1:30pm music class. The schedule can be viewed by clicking here. Downtown classes are listed as FUCO (First Unitarian Church of Orlando).
To join us for summer click here to REGISTER ONLINE
DIRECTIONS:
This classroom is in GORE HALL.
From Hampton Road, Make a left onto the campus and Gore Hall is directly on your left after the office. Go in the main glass entrance, and the Library is on your left.
From the Robinson entrance, go straight to the back parking lot and make a right. Gore Hall will be on your right. Go in the main glass entrance, and the library is on your left!
and now some pictures to get you even more excited!!!!
Summer classroom downtown
Enter here!
Amazing parking right in front!
We hope to see you this summer. If you are already registered, we look forward to seeing you for class #1 on June 12th!!
Best,
Holly Lesnick
Owner/Director
Please Vote for Grow and Sing Studios!
We were once again nominated for Nickelodeon’s Parent’s Picks awards! Please help us keep our title!! :) You can vote once per day. Click on the link below and vote vote vote!!!
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/orlando-fl-usa/best-orlando-music-class
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!
Holly
Maestro again!!!!!!!!!!!
Maestro Award
We proudly received the following letter yesterday:
April 1, 2009
Dear Maestro,
Congratulations on earning Maestro status for the 2009-2010 license year, which begins today, April 1, 2009! This recognition is for the educators who serve the most children, are the most masterful teachers, or distinguish themselves through outreach. This is an “august” group – the best of the best.
This mission, that we collectively call Kindermusik, couldn’t possibly have the breadth of benefit for children without you. I know you have made great sacrifices and applied liberal amounts of elbow grease to get to this level. I appreciate you and your efforts and will do everything I can to help Kindermusik serve your continued success.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of music and children.
Most sincerely,
Michael G. Dougherty
Chairman & CEO
We are excited and ready for Summer. Registration is underway. Click here for the link to the Summer page on our website!
All the best,
Director / Owner
Licensed Kindermusik Educator
Registered Music Therapist
Local Representative for the Central FL Partnership of Kindermusik Educators
https://www.growandsing.com