Happy August! I hope everyone is enjoying the dog days of summer. My favorite part of summer as always been sending my kids off to sleep away camp for 7 weeks for many years. I know how lucky I am to do this, and I appreciate the time! However, this summer was the first in 8 years that I had a child home. Jack, who is now going to be a senior in high school (??) spent a couple of weeks at a college program but was home most of the time. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was to have him around. We went to dinner, toured some colleges and enjoyed each other’s company. I thought I’d be so sad that they were growing up, but I now realize it’s okay and I just love them even more for the awesome adults they are growing up to be. Jack is a smart, thoughtful, focused, young man – much like the little boy version, minus the incessant talk of trains!

Ava, 15, was away and having the time of her life at camp and out exploring our national parks in CO, CA, NV and UT. I haven’t spoken to her much, but I get pictures and I’m blown away by how I can actually see her changing. She will be home on Sunday, and I think I’m going to have to take some time to get to know this young lady. I see in pictures a free-spirited young woman whose essence and energy comes shining thru my screen. I would like to take credit for her disposition, but I can’t. I was an insecure teenager; worried about everything from my flat chest (yes, I had one 😊) and my feathered hair. I see in Ava a girl who is comfortable in her own skin. In today’s world, I realize just how rare that is. With social media taking over her generation, I hope she will continue to navigate this world with the ease and confidence she seems to naturally exude.

So, as we all gear up for Back to School, lets collectively celebrate our children! Let’s help them put down their phones and see the world with their own eyes to explore and grow. Let’s help guide them to ensure they understand just how amazing each and every one of them are. They don’t need “likes” to know that – they just need their Moms!

And, remember to use Rosemary Repel every day. BTS is also the favorite time of the year for lice to visit!



Risa Barash, Founder & Owner & the entire Fairy Tales Hair Care Family