Christmas morning. At long last. Safe to say, nothing in Cat’s life up until now can begin to compare with today’s excitement. A month of growing anticipation. Surrounded by Christmas everywhere, wherever we go. Go to the store and it’s suddenly become a Christmas wonderland. The plaza where she rides her bike is decked out in … Continue reading “Christmas Feelings”
Author: eilonwy902
Christmas Unicorns and the Certainty of Death
Christmas is coming, and my family absolutely loves Christmas lights. I leave the job of putting up the lights in Dove’s capable and enthusiastic hands. Each year, he puts up the lights that we already have, and adds something new. This year was the first that he selected one of those inflatable lawn decorations. A … Continue reading “Christmas Unicorns and the Certainty of Death”
TV All Day Long
What if she just watches TV all day? It’s one of the most common concerns about unschooling. The assumption is that given the opportunity, kids will simply consume TV or video games all day long in lieu of doing anything productive. The unschooling position is that screen time, even a lot of screen time, is … Continue reading “TV All Day Long”
Snow Wolves
It’s cold this morning. Cat has been fairly obsessed with riding her balance bike lately, clocking in at least 2-3 hours a day riding around the yard. She was ready for another ride after breakfast, so we bundled up and out we went. Cat biked around for a bit, but discovered that the cold was … Continue reading “Snow Wolves”
Cucumber Kitty Defense
Cat was crying – shouting in frustration and panic. I immediately went to investigate. She was in the kitchen, holding a plastic garbage bag in front of her legs and trying to fend off the kitten, who was engaged in a frenzied game of trying to get her toes through the plastic. When she saw … Continue reading “Cucumber Kitty Defense”
One and Only
Cat is an only child, and now and again we get comments. “Lucky kid.” folks sometimes comment. “She gets her parents’ attention all to herself.” And they’re right. Cat definitely enjoys having both of us to herself most of the time. “Poor kid.” they say. “No brothers or sisters to play with.” And they’re right. … Continue reading “One and Only”
Choose Again
My husband Dove and I dated for several years before we got married. About a year into our relationship, he described his life motto to me – the personal philosophy that he held to the most closely. His motto was “choose again”. He had observed that much pain and unhappiness in the world seemed to … Continue reading “Choose Again”
Cheesecake and Screen Time
I want you to imagine something. Imagine that the Cheesecake Factory decided to have a very special promotion. For one weekend only, diners are invited to enjoy unlimited cheesecake. Any variety. All for just 3.99. Imagine the insanity that would ensue. There wouldn’t be crowds, there would be mobs. Let’s say the restaurant miraculously figured … Continue reading “Cheesecake and Screen Time”
Fireworks: Risk by the Numbers
Ah, the 4th of July in America. Our special day to celebrate the wonderful freedoms that some of us enjoy. Proud traditions of blowing things up. Cat is already beginning to thoroughly enjoy the yearly visit to a big tent to go buy large numbers of small explosives with her daddy. But are they … Continue reading “Fireworks: Risk by the Numbers”
Blocking the Slide
Who is the better parent? The parent following along and playing with their kid at the playground, or the parent sitting on the bench, staring at their phone, more or less ignoring their child while she climbs and plays? My answer is, of course, I have no idea. There are far too many variables for … Continue reading “Blocking the Slide”