Monthly Archives: October 2010

Boys Babysitting: Kim Was Right.

Last autumn, we were at our local park with our neighbor, Kim and her children, Jessie (3) and Ben (4).  It was one of those outings which unfolded smoothly (no screaming, no bleeding, no excluding).  Little Jessie informed my 11 … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching Social/Emotional Skills | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Family Train Trip

When we stepped up onto the California Zephyr in Denver one hot July evening, my family had no idea what to expect. I’d booked the trip on the strength of fond childhood memories of chugging up the Northeast Corridor in … Continue reading

Posted in Family Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

An Attitude of Gratitude: Teaching Children to be Grateful

I dread the school Book Fair!  Three times a year some company sends our elementary school a sort of “Book Fair in a box” which is set up in our library. I realize these Book Fairs make money for our … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching Social/Emotional Skills | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Contagious Bicycling: Our Behavior Can Affect Others We Don’t Even Know

Remember those superlative awards given out senior year of high school – Most Individual, Most Spirited?  The other day while engaged in a rather mind-numbing task, I designated some of these to my family members – Most Likely to Break … Continue reading

Posted in Active Kids & Families | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Imaginary Enemies: The Importance of Losing All Track of Time

I looked out into the backyard a while back and saw Stephen, my 10 year-old, flying across the grass on a yellow Hippity Hop, scowling fiercely. He wore his bike helmet and a knight’s breast plate made of plastic. He … Continue reading

Posted in Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments