In our house, it has been one busy spring...you may be able to relate. In addition to our daughter's health challenges our eight-year-old boy, John, has had a rough time too. John is dealing with a weather anxiety.

During the first big thunder storm last year, it's like a switch flipped. Since then he has not wanted to go outside if its cloudy, for fear it would turn into a bad weather day. If it was raining, he did not want to go to school. Needless to say, it added a 10% stress to our morning routine especially since this year has been the rainiest year ever here in Regina, SK. John sees a counselor which is helping but he was still so fearful o f  "what if it rains once I get to school?" I called John's teacher and explained our situation and she said in her calm way, "No problem, I'll just let John stay in at recess if he is feeling stressed." In one call, she took away a huge challenge for us. Whenever John would feel stressed in the morning, I would say, "No worries John, remember what Ms. Merk said. You can stay in if you need to." He would take a deep breath and off to school he would go.

I love one-on-one time with our children. At a time in our house where we are dealing with a few "10%" situations, I find the focused one-on-one time to be a real "fill-up" for us. I like to unplug technology whenever I can and just sit and "be".

I had a gift of time this week with John. There is nothing better than spending time alone with the nicest boy I know. He and I woke up before anyone else and he wanted to play a game called "The Family Dinner Box of Questions". It is a deck of cards that asks unique questions to get dialogue going around the dinner table. We love playing it and hearing about "What wild animal would you keep for a pet?", "Using one word, how would you describe your family?", etc.

The question on my card to John was, "What teacher has had the greatest impact on your life?" Without a second of hesitation he said, "Ms.Merk". He went on to explain in great detail how supported he has felt and what a friend she has been to him when he really needed one. He told me "I will never forget her Mom and all she has done for me".

Her choice to be patient and loving added a 90% to a spring with 10%'s. I am so grateful for her.