My children really wanted to plant something in our large pot and place it on the front porch. When plants began to go on clearance a little into the season, we started keeping an eye on them. When it seemed they had reached a low, I let my children pick out enough plants to properly... Continue Reading →
Photo by Justin LoweryI've often heard parents rationalizing punishments and rewards by citing the real world. When the kids grow up, they'll be in the real world. In the real world, they'll have to get a job and then, they had better be prepared. Punishments and rewards are everywhere, in the real world. This misses a... Continue Reading →
The pirates have invaded! Our theme for July's Families, Create! Make and Play Carnival was "swashbucklers," and almost every participant celebrated their inner adventurer by creating something related to pirates. Check out what Families Create! participants created this month: With cat-like tread, upon their way they steal, Zoie at TouchstoneZ's sons are inspired to perform... Continue Reading →
Behavioral training uses punishments and rewards in order to extract desired behaviors from the subject in question. Numerous studies support that the use of punishment in children, regardless of whether or not the punishment is physical in nature, has detrimental effects. Besides dissolving the connection between parent and child, punishments do not help the child to do better... Continue Reading →
My children were so excited about cooking over our new fire pit, that they decided we really needed some marshmallows. Our marshamallows turned out not to work very well for roasting, as they melted off of the roasting sticks. However, they were light, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. 2 Tablespoons unflavored gelatin 8 Tablespoons cold water 2 cups... Continue Reading →
I am privileged. It's a fact we don't often talk about or that we often don't even acknowledge. However, whether we notice it or not, privilege is very much a part of our lives and impacts our decisions. I am white. While that shouldn't make any difference, in our society it does. It means I'm... Continue Reading →
It was one of those idealistic parenting moments. I was in the kitchen washing dishes, and all four of my children were happily playing together in the living room. The game of the moment was a pirate one, and there were plenty of giggles amidst the "Arghs." In one of my glances, I saw my eight... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the April Carnival of Natural Parenting: Compassionate Advocacy This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared how they advocate for healthy, gentle parenting choices compassionately. Please read to the end to find a list... Continue Reading →
Once upon a time, tape had a near immortal life at my house. I rarely used it, and it sat quietly in the basket on the fridge, contemplating the meaning of its existence, perfecting its stickiness, and preparing for when it would be called upon to stitch together paper. Then I had children and those children... Continue Reading →
I love making crafts from my children's artwork, and we have plenty of artwork around our house from which to gather inspiration. We had three wooden eggs in our stash of art and craft supplies, and I thought that was perfect for my trhee older kids as we prepare for Ostara next weekend. When I... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 