My kids are constantly asked by others what grade they are in. When we first started homeschooling, they would turn to me with a helpless face that read, “Help me answer this please!” Then they would just simply tell people the expected grade according to their age. At the time I realized how uncomfortable the […]
What Does Achievement Really Look Like? Read More »
I know so many parents who would say that they try to appreciate each child as an individual, not comparing them to siblings or to other children. Yet, in the same breath, they also say that they worry about whether or not their children are “falling behind.” If it isn’t important to us that children
The Concept of Falling Behind Read More »
Can you remember a time when you learned something new or when doing or seeing something sparked an interest that excited you? Perhaps it was painting, or planting a garden, building a piece of furniture, or learning to play the guitar. When you realized how much this particular thing resonated with you, what did you
Slow and Intentional Wins This Race Read More »
A couple of years ago, my son started to ask a lot of questions about knives. Yes, that’s right – knives. He was pretty young at the time, so his fascination at first seemed peculiar to me. Every time I was cutting or chopping something in the kitchen, he would appear, asking me things like,
Fall and spring, spring and fall. These are two of my favorite times of year, and fall is definitely upon us! I love all things harvest, pumpkins, and cinnamon. Local markets are finally beginning to carry my favorite kind of squash (Delicata in case you are interested). Our diffusers are pumping out essential oil blends
How to Make Elderberry Syrup Read More »
Never would I have imagined that we as parents and teachers would have to fight for a child’s right to play. Sadly, #takebackplay is a trending hashtag in certain education circles. I am saddened not by the hashtag itself (I’ve used it too), but by the fact that we even have to use it. Play
Last year I had the pleasure of speaking at an annual dinner for homeschooling parents. It meant so much to be able to look at these parents in the eyes, and to encourage them in their educational journeys. This year, I am returning to the same event to speak and as I began to prepare,
We fell victim this year to the sneaky ninja virus lurking around every corner. You know the one. It takes down even the strongest of contenders, with a nasty attack to the back of the throat or chest. It’s the one that makes you feel like you’ve been run over three times by a Mack
Did Someone Say Flu? Read More »
I have a confession to make. My children were monsters the other day at the grocery store. There, I said it. You know, the kind you might have seen a few times in your life and inwardly cringed. Maybe you even gave the mom a disapproving look and wondered why she wasn’t “handling” her children.
Mothering Monsters Read More »
