On 04 March 1800, Thomas Jefferson made an explicit case for public schools in his inaugural address. He had a civic purpose in mind, believing that our citizens needed the necessary skills in order to navigate our democracy. His view of what public school would offer and be was vastly different from the failing system currently... Continue Reading →
the question of why…
The first question most children ask is why? This simple question holds much power, for inquiry is about much more than yes and no answers. It is about discovery, asking and re-asking, synthesizing, and evaluating until we can reach an answer that resembles something close to the truth. Inquiry is more than merely an act;... Continue Reading →
empathic communication…
Empathic communication helps parents relate to their children in a caring and effective manner. Begin by listening. Listening is the beginning of wisdom. We cannot effectively communicate unless we first listen to our children so that we can know their feelings, point of view, and what exactly it is that they are experiencing. In order... Continue Reading →
labeling is disabling…
Children learn what they live. When children live with criticism, they learn to condemn themselves and to find fault with others. They learn to doubt their own judgment and to disparage their own abilities in life. Individuals who are often criticized learn to distrust the intentions of others and live with a continual expectation of... Continue Reading →
raising children who think for themselves…
I was excited to find Elisa Medhus's book, Raising Children Who Think for Themselves. Some of the many results of consensual living include children who think independently, are intrinsically motivated rather than extrinsically motivated, and who are competent and caring. The title speaks to me in a society where parents tend to micromanage and control everything... Continue Reading →
mutual respect and cooperation…
A recipe for mutual respect and cooperation: Children learn what they are living. Children who are treated with respect by their parents reciprocate that respect. Just as they are listened to, they also listen to others. When they are shown consideration, they in turn, show consideration for others. Cooperate with one another. When parents cooperate... Continue Reading →
our third birth…
The night before 03 July 2007, I got everyone to sleep by about 11:00 PM. It had been a very long day. I wasn’t consciously expecting to have a baby the next day, but I did a lot of things that evening by compulsion to be prepared. I didn’t feel like sleeping. My body had... Continue Reading →
curious george…
We have a copy of the book Curious George. It was gifted to us; we did not purchase it. I've always really disliked the book (and the entire series in general). Then one night, as I read it to my children, I had a very different thought about it. Could the author have actually been commenting... Continue Reading →
getting a pool…
One night in early March, as we were chatting in bed with our children snuggled up sleeping around us, my husband turned to me and asked, "So, when do you think we can get a pool?" I have to admit this took me by surprise. We had been discussing moving to a bigger home sometime... Continue Reading →
take time to listen…
As parents, we sometimes get wrapped up in the management side of life - making certain everyone has clean clothes available, food, running errands, cleaning house, etc. I find that when I start to shift more to managing life rather than living life, I tend to miss out on a lot of things. When my third... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 