If you’ve been a homeschooling or unschooling parent for a while, you are probably already familiar with people commenting on and questioning your choices, or trying to single-handedly determine your child’s level of knowledge on the spot. Next time you find yourself in the line of fire, try one of these responses. 1. What about socialization? That’s funny. When …
You can homeschool in less than 2 hours per day
When someone first envisions homeschooling, the first thought is often a family replicating the school environment at home. Lessons start promptly at 8:30am, with children working studiously around the kitchen table until a break for lunch at noon. After the lunch break, lessons continue until 2:30pm. Then the homeschool day is over. But, for a large and growing number of …
I don’t play with my kids. Here’s why.
“Mama, will you play on the train with me?” my daughter asked, lining up the dining chairs to form a line of seats. “Sure! Where’s my seat on the train?” I responded, thinking we were about to engage in some good, old-fashioned pretend play together. This is what childhood is supposed to be all about, right? “You can sit riiiight …
Dear Attachment Parent: How do I explain a pet’s death?
Dear Attachment Parent: Our family dog just died and I don’t know what to say to my 4 year old. How do I explain this? Losing a four-legged family member can be heartbreaking. While we are coping with our own sadness, we parents also have to figure out how to help our kids navigate sadness, possible confusion, and questions about …
Is Your Child Afraid of Fireworks?
We sat in a mass of people blanketed over the sweeping lawn. Everyone staring up, ready to ooh and aww over the light show that was about to begin. Fourth of July fireworks never fail to disappoint. Then, without warning, we were under attack. People all around us started screaming and running. My partner and I scanned the crowd in …
