Summer is a time for family gatherings. It is also a time for occasionally intriguing, sometimes contentious conversations on the art of child-rearing. One of these lively discussions occurred between my brother and me while observing the penguins at the zoo with our children last July. Is it bad parenting? Nearby, we heard the sound …
Gluten-free Granola
Homemade gluten-free granola is great because you can adjust it to your liking. I find that store-bought granola is often very high in sugar so I use unsweetened applesauce as the sweetener. Sometimes after it has cooled I will add some cacao nibs or even some dark chocolate chips. Feel free to add what you …
Healthy School Snacks
Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer. It also marks the time when many parents begin getting their kids ready for the new school year. We all know how consuming this can be, especially when it comes to finding healthy school snacks. At this time last year, I found myself trying to fulfill an …
Heart Advice for Difficult Times
Loss is never easy but maybe we can try to compensate for grief by finding the joy in what was. I’m thinking of everyone who grieves on this day and wishing them peace. When I’m struggling, my favorite book is When Things Fall Apart–Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron. She has a very …
Tuesday Afternoon. One Week Before School Starts
I catch myself in the three-way mirror outside The Gap dressing room where my 12 year-old daughter is trying on back-to-school clothes. ‘Who is this woman?’ I wonder as I roll my shoulders back and suck in my stomach. ‘When did I become the grown-up? I look tired,’ I think to myself, ‘School starts in …
Our Waldorf School Perspective
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. …
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 …