What does it take to be a "good" mother? It's complicated, right? Is "tough" love, good love? How do we give our children freedom, while instilling responsibility? When do our good intentions become unhealthy actions? These are just a few questions that came to mind as I read through the following books that portrayed a mother … Continue reading Motherhood and Modern Miss Mason

Our family recently attended the Peru exhibition at the British Museum in London.  It's our habit to read the introductory sign together and then, in an effort to keep them engaged, I come up with a focus question that the kids should be prepared to answer when we get home. Since the introductory remarks mentioned … Continue reading Is happiness the key to success?

Here we are in February where, once again, millions face the reality that they cannot achieve their New Year's resolutions. Is the solution to simply show more grit? It’s not just how hard we try At least some (if not all) of our inability to follow through on our goals may be traced back to the … Continue reading Grit is only effective when put in its place

A traditional education In high school I trudged through two years of physics and one year of chemistry. I had no real interest in either of these subjects but, at the time, that detail seemed irrelevant. I was told these courses would "look good" on my university transcript.  I was told that they would raise … Continue reading An education devoid of connection is one devoid of purpose.

Perhaps it was because we had just experienced the festivities of the half-marathon in our town, but after reading the Tortoise and the Hare for what seemed like the millionth time, its moral seemed to fall a little flat.  Since when does “slow and steady” ever actually win the race?   Theoretically, I understand that … Continue reading We all know that “slow and steady” wins the race. (But does the winning really matter?)

Britain's youngest Olympic medalist, skateboarder Sky Brown, also happens to be an autodidact. "I just learn tricks off YouTube," said Brown in 2019. Her father concurred by adding, "Her friends are all [at the skate park] so it's more like just playing with them. It's not serious. It's not 'going to training'." No coach, just … Continue reading Is it really that hard to teach yourself?

Education is a big deal for me.  Not the institution, but the actual learning.  I LOVE to learn.  About everything.  Mostly about how to learn. Having graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, I was convinced that a "good education" was the answer to all of society’s problems, and I was about to inspire hundreds of children to go … Continue reading When a teacher admits, “I didn’t sign up for this”.

"How old is she, again?” I asked.   "She just turned 3.”  I watched as she kept climbing until she neared the thinner branches toward the top of the tree.  Her mother was standing beside me, looking only a little concerned, so I tried to make my face look as calm as hers. What was … Continue reading Free-range kids: Do they still exist?

What if there was a way for your children to be more motivated in their learning AND to take on more responsibility in achieving their learning goals?   In our home, we have found a simple way to do just that.  It may look like a page out of a typical school diary, but this … Continue reading What happens when kids take ownership of their learning?