Exploring Excess

“A little dab’ll do ya!” Most of the preschool teachers I’ve worked and volunteered with used this catchphrase, or something similar, in their efforts to guide young children in their use of glue.  A little dot of glue is adequate to secure a square of construction paper, or a googly eye.  Using more is wasteful, … Continue reading “Exploring Excess”

My Path to Unschooling

No assignments.  No lectures. No homework.  No tests.  No grades. No academic work required, ever. Children are allowed to do as they will with their time.  There are rules that are in place for practical reasons, but within those rules kids are allowed to do literally whatever they want.  Screen time all day long? Go … Continue reading “My Path to Unschooling”

Stuck at home with kids? Try ‘strewing’

Schools throughout the country are closed.  Kids are home with their family.  And all of a sudden, my Facebook feed is filled with parents asking for help, seeking activity ideas for their bored, stressed children.  There are usually some wonderful suggestions – links to online resources, and suggestions of great activities like cooking together, play … Continue reading “Stuck at home with kids? Try ‘strewing’”

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”

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”