What if they learn without doing the worksheets?

Over at the new blog “Robin’s Blue Skies”, there is a wonderful post about how kids learn in the real world vs. workbook learning. I know people who are “school at home types” and I know that some of them think the idea of not having the kids sit down to do their school work for several hours every day seems crazy. However, if my … Continue reading What if they learn without doing the worksheets?

Homeschool Prom

Here’s a nice little article about a homeschool prom held outside Chicago. I loved this: “I don’t know how these people learned this,” the Elmhurst teen said, motioning toward a huddle of other students bouncing to the beats of a Ciara CD. Freshman Michael Naskrent, a home-schooler whose dervish-like twirls set his loosened necktie flapping, later whispered his secret to looking so good his first … Continue reading Homeschool Prom

My beautiful, darling, sweet daughter . . .

began our day by throwing a major fit because I gave her a cup of milk rather than juice. Silly me. A few minutes later, she climbed into my lap with her blankie and spent 5 minutes cuddling and sweetly cooing at me before toddling off to wreck havoc throughout the house. Life with a young toddler! 🙂 Continue reading My beautiful, darling, sweet daughter . . .

One for the “Duh!” department

On MSNBC.com, they’re reporting on a study which found that “Sexually charged music, magazines, TV and movies push youngsters into intercourse at an earlier age“. They think this is because being surrounded by such media influences create a “norm” of early, frequent, fun and consequence free sexual activity in the minds of young people. Gee – ya think? Continue reading One for the “Duh!” department

One for the "Duh!" department

On MSNBC.com, they’re reporting on a study which found that “Sexually charged music, magazines, TV and movies push youngsters into intercourse at an earlier age“. They think this is because being surrounded by such media influences create a “norm” of early, frequent, fun and consequence free sexual activity in the minds of young people. Gee – ya think? Continue reading One for the "Duh!" department

Raising independent kids

Just last week at the YMCA, I watched my 14 month old daughter wander away from me to greet people walking into the building (and maybe figure out an escape route) and I joked with my friends, “It’s so sad how kids never learn to become independent unless you put them in daycare.” I, of course was being completely sarcastic. Unfortunately, there seem to be … Continue reading Raising independent kids

What’s happening to boys?

I’m sure everyone and their brother will have something to say about this Washington Post column today entitled “What’s Happening to Boys”, but I’ll go ahead and add my $.02 anyway. Boys aren’t doing well in our society today. 90% of Ritalin prescriptions are given to boys, they are more likely to drop out of school, be suspended or expelled, commit suicide, less likely to … Continue reading What’s happening to boys?

Miss Manners’ take on “boomerang kids”

A few days ago I wrote about re-thinking our assumptions regarding young adults living with mom and dad. Today I came across a column Miss Manners wrote about the attitudes of parents and children facing a return home upon completing college. Her take is that the assumption that as our kids grow, they will come to have disdain for us is damaging to the parent … Continue reading Miss Manners’ take on “boomerang kids”

Miss Manners’ take on "boomerang kids"

A few days ago I wrote about re-thinking our assumptions regarding young adults living with mom and dad. Today I came across a column Miss Manners wrote about the attitudes of parents and children facing a return home upon completing college. Her take is that the assumption that as our kids grow, they will come to have disdain for us is damaging to the parent … Continue reading Miss Manners’ take on "boomerang kids"