Volume 1 Issue 13 - August 4th, 2025

“Here’s what I know: Time must be explicitly managed, like money. You can always change your plan, but only if you have one. Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things? Develop a good filing system. Rethink the telephone. Delegate. Take a time out. Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.” - Randy Pausch

Happy Monday!! Can you believe that it is almost August?!?! This year has been a cluster and a half, but we're still here!! How is back-to-school prep coming? Lots of things are getting added to our calendar and it becomes more important than ever to start learning how to balance and keep all the plates spinning. Let's set up a call this week to plan out your goals and set some routines in place to help build the structure we crave with the flexibility needed for life.

What's the Buzz?

Grab the fam and gather 'round the kitchen table! It's time to go over what this week is going to look like. Here's what's happening across our communities this week:

On the Home Front - National News & Your Family's Well-being

Oh my goodness, there's quite a bit happening that could impact families across the country this week! As Jess C's Mom and a family advisor, here's what caught my eye:

Key National News Affecting Families

• The "Big Beautiful Bill" is a new law that includes some pretty significant changes, especially for families and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Here's the scoop on what it all means:

  • The Child Tax Credit is changing. Under the new law, the credit has gone up to $2,200 per qualifying child. Before this, it was up to $2,000.

  • But there are new rules. The extra $200 only applies to the nonrefundable portion of the credit, which means your taxable income comes into play.

  • Who can claim it has also changed. To get the credit, parents or guardians now need a Social Security Number (SSN). This means some families, specifically those with non-citizen parents, who used to qualify for the credit, might not be eligible anymore.

  • A new savings account for kids. The bill also created a "Trump Account," which is a new type of savings account for children. Any child born between 2025 and 2028 will get a one-time deposit of $1,000 from the government, and parents, relatives, or others can contribute up to $5,000 a year to it. The money in the account can grow tax-deferred until the child turns 18.

  • What about other tax cuts? The bill also makes some of the tax cuts from 2017 permanent, like the lower income tax rates and a higher standard deduction. For taxpayers who don't itemize, they can now deduct charitable contributions up to a certain amount.

• There's a new Surgeon General's Advisory that talks about how much stress parents are under, and how that can affect a child's long-term health. It highlights that parents consistently report higher stress levels than other adults, often feeling overwhelmed. The advisory mentions things like financial strain, the demands on their time, and the pressure of technology and social media as major stressors for parents.

• Additionally, there has been some serious talk about how some teens are turning to AI companions for friendship, which is raising concerns about data privacy and the replacement of human connection. It's something we should all be thinking about as we help our kids navigate the digital world.

It's a lot to take in, isn't it? As a family advisor for The Hive Social Garden, my goal is always to help us all stay informed and connected so we can navigate these things together. Remember - "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Things in the House

The House of Representatives is scheduled for a "State Work Period" from August 4th to September 1st. This means that Representatives are in their districts for about a month. This is a great time to connect with your Representatives while they are not having to deal with life in Washington, DC, so if you have something on your mind, now would be a perfect opportunity to get in touch!

What the Senate is doing this week?

The Senate is a whirlwind right now! It seems like they're in a bit of a deadlock. Normally, they would be on their August recess, but it's been delayed because of a big disagreement over confirming President Trump's nominees.

Here's the gist of what's happening:

• Confirmations are the main issue. President Trump wants a bunch of his nominees confirmed, but the Democrats are slowing the process down. They're forcing procedural votes on almost every nominee, which is a much longer process.

• Trump is pushing hard. The president has been pretty vocal about it, saying the Senate "must stay in Session, taking no recess" until all his nominees are confirmed.

• A deal fell through. There were talks between the Democrats and Republicans to confirm a batch of nominees in exchange for releasing billions in government funds, but President Trump ultimately "nixed the deal".

• Possible rule changes are on the table. To try and avoid this kind of stalemate in the future, Republicans are considering changing the Senate's rules to make it easier to approve nominations quickly.

• Some nominees were confirmed. Despite the back-and-forth, some nominees did get confirmed, including a few for the Defense Department and some ambassadors.

• The Senate is adjourned until September 2nd. After the negotiations fell apart, the Senate adjourned until September, so the rest of the nominees will have to wait.

So, as you can see, it's a pretty tense situation with both sides digging in their heels. It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder how anything gets done, but it's a big part of how our government works, and it affects everything from who's running government agencies to what's going on in other countries.

Around the World - Global Events with Potential Impact

It's easy to get caught up in our own lives, but what happens globally can definitely ripple out and touch our families right here at home.

• The big one making headlines right now that could really affect families is the ongoing issue with President Trump's tariff policy. There's a lot of concern that these tariffs are slowing down the economy and causing prices to go up on everyday things, which can be a real hit to the family budget. In fact, one analysis from the Yale Budget Lab predicted that the price increases could cost the average household an extra $2,400 in 2025. They're saying these tariffs could raise the cost of groceries and other household essentials, and even some government officials have reportedly started stockpiling in anticipation of shortages and price hikes.

• Another global issue that's literally hitting close to home is the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. It's been causing air quality concerns for millions of Americans, especially in the Midwest and Northeast. That's something all of us need to keep an eye on, especially for our kids and family members who might have allergies or breathing issues. You know, you have to check those air quality maps before letting the little ones play outside.

• Finally, there are some really serious and heartbreaking stories about global conflicts, like the war in Ukraine. One report noted a particularly deadly attack in Kyiv where three people died and many more were injured, including children. And there's also news about a new envoy heading to Russia this week to try and resolve the conflict. While it might feel far away, these kinds of conflicts have a huge impact on global stability, and it's always good for us as parents to be aware of what's happening and how it could eventually affect the world our kids are growing up in.

Things to Keep on Our Family Radar This Week

It's always a good idea to keep an eye on what's coming up so we can plan our week. From what I'm seeing, the weather is the big thing to watch out for across the country.

Here's what you should keep on your radar:

• Weather, weather, weather! There are a lot of different weather warnings in effect. We've got severe thunderstorms and flash flooding to worry about in some areas, and extreme heat warnings in others. It's a real mixed bag.

• Wildfire smoke is still a concern. The smoke from the Canadian wildfires is still causing poor air quality in the Upper Midwest and the Northeast. It's definitely something to check before you let the kids play outside.

• Severe storms are moving across the Plains. There's a risk for severe gusts and hail, especially from the northern Rockies into the Dakotas and the central/southern High Plains.

• The tropics are getting busy. It looks like hurricane season is starting to ramp up, so that's something to keep an eye on for anyone living near the coast.

It's a lot to keep track of, but staying informed about the weather is one of the most important things we can do to keep our families safe. Make sure to check your local weather service for the most up-to-date information for your specific area!

Jess C's Mom's Two Cents

My two cents for this week is all about finding your "hive." You know, that community of people who support you, whether it's for something big like navigating family life or something small like sharing a hobby.

In this ever-evolving world, it's so easy to feel like we're doing it all alone. We've got so much on our plates, from managing household budgets to keeping up with our kids' busy schedules, and it can be a lot. That's why building a strong community is so important.

The Hive Social Garden is all about that—creating a place where families can connect and help each other out. It's about finding that group of people you can share your experiences with in a non-judgmental environment. Whether it's through a local community event, an online group, or just a few friends you can text for support, having that "hive" is like a safety net.

So, my advice for the week is to reach out. Say hello to a new neighbor, join the Hive Social Garden's new platform - Storyteller Energy, or just make a plan to have coffee with a friend you haven't seen in a while. You never know what kind of support system you might find. It's a small step, but it can make a world of difference for you and your family.

Upcoming Events for The Hive Social Garden

• The Mysterious Bea-nedict Society - First Monday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on August 4th for mentorship and coaching

  • Queen Beas (25+)

  • Queens-in-Training (age 18-24)

• Sowing Circles - Second Thursday of Each Month at 8 pm EST in the Hive - Join us on August 14th for Show and Tell what you are working on in your garden. Whether crafting or planting, we love to share our creations!

• Femme in STEM - Fourth Thursday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on August 28th!

• The Honey Bea Coven - Third Wednesday of Each Month at 1700 EST (Link will be emailed) - Join us on August 20th

  • Sparks (age 14-17)

  • Tinker Fairies (age 5-13)

• Byte-Sized Adventures - Planned adventures in time and space, exploring quantum intelligence, social engineering, and sustainable globalization... To come play with us, you have to find us first

  • Pokemon Go August Community Day August 30th

• Virtual Summer Camp is in full swing!! - The goal is to fund our Mobile Innovation Center while educating the public on how to secure their private information and intellectual property, share their experiences in non-judgmental environments, and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all. All of this is part of our larger goal of helping work towards the United Nations Sustainability Goals for Agenda 2030.

Additional Services Available to Members of the Hive Social Garden (Let me know if you'd like to get started with these):

• Family Album - Organize your pictures and share securely with family!! Also order photo gifts.

• PrivacyBee - Cleaning up your digital footprint and protecting you against spam, doxing, fraud, scams, extortion, identity theft, and cyber bullies!!

• Monarch Money - Budgeting and Savings!! Protecting your bottom line from subscriptions that you no longer use, are of no use to you, and are difficult to cancel because you have to make 47 calls to cancel.

• Communitique - On Communitique, you can find new or well-maintained clothes in your fit and style for free, and easily pick them up in your area.

Have a fantastic week, everyone!