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Are swimming lessons necessary? An unschooling perspective

Living in Central Texas, getting out to water is a necessity for surviving 4 or 5 months of heat.  Fortunately, we have a variety of amazing swimming holes here in the Austin area. That also means there is a lot of pressure to learn to swim early. There are baby swim classes for kids as young as 2 months old. …

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The Art of Biting Your Tongue

So I’ll start with some short stories that illustrate a need to bite your tongue sometimes… Story 1 My 6 year old, 2.5 year old, and I are winding down for bed. Well, I was. They were running in circles on our giant family bed. As they sprint in circles, the littlest one falls over the blankets. Me: Oops, careful! …

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Is Your Child Struggling Socially?

Have you ever witnessed your child struggling with their budding social life? They might not be accepted because they look different, or communicate in a different way. Perhaps they get picked on or pushed around. What about when a group of kids doesn’t want to accept a newcomer, and that newcomer is your child? What if your child doesn’t pick …

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7 Uses for Breastmilk Beyond Breastfeeding

Breast milk. Liquid gold. Double lattes. Whatever you call it, this magical fairy juice has many uses beyond nourishing our babies. Here is a list of things that you can use breast milk for beyond breastfeeding your child. (NOTE: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE AND I AM NOT A DOCTOR. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN FOR YOUR MEDICAL NEEDS! SOME OF THIS …

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People Need to Stop Being Nice

“That’s not very nice.”   “It would be nice if you would do…”   “It’s nice to compliment people.”  24 “Not sharing isn’t nice.”   “It would be nice of you if you would work overtime for me this weekend.”   Nice Nice Nice. Nice means to be pleasant or agreeable.   Instead of saying “be nice,” how about we say …

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8 Ways to Cope with the Stress of Parenting

Being a parent has so many positives. But with those positives comes a big dose of stress, chaos, and pressure. Parents have to sacrifice a lot more than they did pre-kid days like sleep, privacy, wants, and, a lot of times, needs. You might find that some crazy things come out of your mouth, as well.   “Am I providing an …

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Detachment Parenting: How Did We Stray So Far From Humanity

It can be a difficult task, discussing parenting methods and tactics. People are often passionate and even more so, defensive. I want to open this article up with the idea that this isn’t a slap on anyone’s wrist saying, “bad parent!” but rather a piece to make you think, to encourage you to research, and to not just go with …

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Is Your Child a Perfectionist?

  A perfectionist. “A person that refuses to accept any standard short of perfection.” Does this sound like your child? Or you? Perfectionism seems to be an applauded trait. Of course, employers and schools would like their people to take particular care with their work and always turn it in without any errors. But there is a dark side to this. Fear. …

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You Know You’re An Attachment Parent When…

    Attachment parenting is a way of life that promotes a secure parent-child attachment. It is a belief that children are people too, that punishments are worthless, and that makes parents question and research everything they ever do. People that practice attachment parenting focus on nurturing bonds through empathy and closeness. Not sure if you practice attachment parenting or …

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From Gigs To Grocery Shopping Alone

Remember those pre kid things you did? The things that made you feel alive and free? I used to love sifting through op shops, going to gigs, travelling, and one of my all time favourites, drinking wine and eating chocolate while my housemates and I gave one another epic long massages. And I did them all without the slightest inkling …