We attend a Waldorf school for my son (almost 10), who is recovering from autism, and my daughter (7) who is neurotypical. I could not be happier! As we navigated the best educational choices for our children, we struggled like many families do, to find the right fit. We began in a traditional public school. …
MOTHERHOOD
Transitions and Expectations: Handle Them Like a 3 Year Old
As a determined, chubby-cheeked three year old, I strong-armed my parents into sending me to a private pre-school. My brother had gone there the year before, so in proper toddler fashion, I felt like it was my turn. I didn’t care that it was way beyond my parents’ budget or that my mom would have …
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When Unschooling is the Right Choice
Starting with the disclosures, both of my parents taught public school for their entire careers. My mom ended her career in administration as a principal. My brother and I were hugely successful in the public school system. We got good grades and played competitive sports. We enjoyed clubs, friends, and fun times and went off …
School Choices: Mistakes and a Leap of Faith
When my boys were ready, I didn’t focus on a wide range of school choices. I had preconceived notions about the kind of place they should attend. These ideas were shaped by my own experience. My father worked for IBM. We moved a lot, and I attended many kinds of schools (public, private, boarding, alternative) …
School Choices: Life Was Simpler Then
School… then I remember elementary school. It was my world. My parents took great care in raising me, but they knew little about my day to day reality in school. They met my friends and attended teacher conferences. They heard occasional tales of woe, boredom, or triumph, which punctuated a seemingly uninterrupted sequence of days between early …
Five Reasons to Send Your Kids Outside to Play
My childhood afternoons in the 1970s were spent mostly outdoors. I played with my brothers and neighborhood friends, riding our bikes around, playing tag, or hanging out in a thicket of woods behind our house. The woods were tiny, but to me they seemed immense and full of surprises: berries to decorate a mud cake, …
Ten Ways to Get Kids Outdoors
A few days ago, we talked about important reasons why kids should spend time outdoors every day. Today we’ll learn about how to get them outdoors. Here are some time-tested ways to get kids outside and having fun. Go on a bug hunt: Discovering and observing bugs is a great way to teach children that they share …
Breastfeeding In America is Dangerous + Obscene: Part 2
Yesterday we were talking about how moms who breastfeed in public are terrorists but women who show off their breasts for men are sexy. The media and societal assault on breastfeeding in America show just how far removed we’ve become from understanding the fundamentals of who and what we are. Maybe all our modern technology, …
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