Responding to Boundary Violations Our rule about boundaries is not an easy one for the kids to learn. This is not one of those lessons that you teach once and move on to the next thing. It is confusing. It seems contradictory. Figuring out the nuances takes a lot of work. Maya is having … Continue reading “Boundaries, Continued”
Tag: Positive Discipline
We Begin with Boundaries
When other kids encounter the way our family works, they sometimes get the impression that our family has absolutely no rules. And compared to traditional education and discipline practices, it’s kinda true. The kids do have an unprecedented amount of freedom. But no rules? Not exactly. We do have one rule. A big one. And it … Continue reading “We Begin with Boundaries”
I Choose For Me
When Cat wakes up in the morning, I go into her room and we have a quiet chat about whatever is on her mind that day. She tells me what she dreamed about, and I remind her of what we have scheduled that day, if anything. A few days ago, she climbed onto my lap … Continue reading “I Choose For Me”
Surprise!
Last Sunday was a very rough day. Cat was in an extremely defiant mood. She placed a ball into her mouth. I asked her to take it out, as it’s a choking hazard. A minute later, she placed it back in her mouth, seeming to shove it in as far as she could. I confiscated … Continue reading “Surprise!”
Parenting on Purpose
Parenting is difficult. Teaching children is difficult. And our society makes it so much more difficult than it needs to be. Parents and caregivers use wildly different methods, philosophies, styles, and systems. Many of these parenting methods flatly oppose one another. It is not possible to make parenting or childcare choices that fit everyone’s … Continue reading “Parenting on Purpose”
Whatever She Wants
We are raising Cat according to a fairly unique set of parenting philosophies. We give her what many feel is an insane amount of freedom. She does not attend school, and never will unless she chooses to. Her education consists of ‘unschooling’, meaning that academic work is not required at any time. Any and all … Continue reading “Whatever She Wants”
Expecting Less, Getting More
Expectations are the enemy of parental happiness This is an idea I’ve come across in various places, and I find it to be absolutely true. Embracing the concept of unschooling has been a gradual process of letting go of any and all expectations I have about parenting in general, and education in particular. I still … Continue reading “Expecting Less, Getting More”
Walking a Mile in Cat’s Wet Shoe
An event occurred a few days ago that has led me to much introspection on behavior, and how I respond to it. I was at the pool with Cat and our good friend. We swam until we could both tell that Cat was completely exhausted and careening toward a meltdown. So we declared it … Continue reading “Walking a Mile in Cat’s Wet Shoe”
If You Get Your Shoes Wet…You’ll Have Wet Shoes
Consequences as Discipline Cat, Dove and I were walking in the park right after it rained. We approached a huge puddle on the sidewalk. From Cat’s face it was obvious she was pondering the question that almost all three-year-olds ponder at a moment like this. “Which method of puddle entry would create the biggest splash?” … Continue reading “If You Get Your Shoes Wet…You’ll Have Wet Shoes”