Working Yourself Out of a Job

In a recent episode of the podcast, “A Slight Change of Plans,” Dr. Maya Shankar interviewed author, television host and fellow podcaster, Kelly Corrigan, about all the feelings that come with emptying the nest. As the mother of two daughters, Corrigan always knew, intellectually, that the job of parenting is essentially to work herself out of a job. We teach our kids to study, to work hard, to develop relationships, to make and achieve goals—all with the objective of our children being successful in the world—without us.

“They became their own people,” Dr. Shankar said to Corrigan of Corrigan’s daughters who are now grown. “You’ve written elsewhere that their parting from you marks the ultimate success. That is the end goal. And yet, the reality of it totally knocked your socks off.” “Yes, exactly,” Corrigan responded. “There was no change of plans whatsoever. The day they were born, this is what we would hope for.” Yet, earlier in the conversation, Corrigan shared the heartbreak of dropping her younger daughter off at college—the end of her mothering life as she knew it. “This [mothering] is the part of life that I was looking forward to the most, and today is the end of it,” she shared. “And there will be great things, of course. So much good work to do, so many people to love and help. I get it. But this is what I wanted the most, and today it’s changing forever. We’re never going back.”

In a way, the arc of parenting is a pretty raw deal for parents—we give everything, only for our precious charges to ultimately leave. On the other hand, beholding the beauty of our children creating a life of their own, even with some messiness and some mistakes, is truly a privilege. Wherever you are on your parenting journey, take time to be grateful for the privilege of loving, protecting and guiding a young person on their own individual life path. Even if it means you are guiding yourself right into retirement.

This month, learn the inspiring story of a mother and son who are fighting for a cure to a devastating disease, in a way they couldn’t have imagined possible (page 12). Plus, explore some of the most unique getaway locations in Southwest Washington (page 26) and face your fears with high adrenaline sports that are the perfect mix of fun and fright (page 20).

Volume 22, Issue 5

Publisher Julie Buchan

Julie@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

(360) 882-7762

Editor Nikki Klock Nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Associate Editor Sarah Mortensen Sarah@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Graphic Designer I-Shüan Warr Ishuan@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers Emily Corak, Kristen Flowers, Sarah Mortensen

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Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC and staff do not recommend or endorse any service, product, or content represented in this magazine or on our website. The sole purpose of this publication is to provide information on available services and/or products. It is the consumer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of information given. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC, and/or Julie Buchan and Nikki Klock and staff do not assume and disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by error or omission in this magazine or on our website. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

On the Cover:

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary

Spanish/English Dual-Language School Set to Open Fall 2023

Following an October 2021 groundbreaking, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary in Hazel Dell is nearing completion, and is now set to open for the 2023-24 school year. “RBG” which will be Vancouver School District’s first school that is entirely a Spanish/English dual-language program, and one of Vancouver School District’s first two elementary choice schools with no “neighborhood school” boundaries—the first of which is Vancouver Innovation Technology and Arts Elementary (VITA) in Downtown Vancouver. Interested students across the district are encouraged to apply for admission to the school, which will start out by offering just two grades. “Since starting bilingual education at an early grade is essential for success, RBG will enroll students in kindergarten and first grade the first year it is open,” according to the school’s website. “Grades offered each school year will expand as the students progress until all grades preschool through fifth grade are offered.” Transportation will be provided for students who live within Vancouver School District. Sarah Flynn, previously at Sarah J. Anderson Elementary when its Spanish/English program was introduced, has been named the school’s “planning principal,” a title designating a principal overseeing the organization and preparation of a school before its opening. Once the school opens, Flynn will remain principal.

“Students will be selected using a blind lottery process,” said Vancouver Public Schools’s executive director of communications, Jessica Roberts. “The selection process for all programs of choice, secondary and elementary, assigns a set number of openings based on the student’s neighborhood school’s population size and factors of that school community. This selection process is an effort to assure that enrollment within programs of choice mirrors those of the district.” Applications for entry into the school are open through May 12, 2023. Find more information, including application details at Ginsburg. vansd.org