Category Archives: Parenting

How Family Meetings Look at our House

Summer is definitely over.  Sometimes it feels like we have four seasons in our family – winter, spring, summer, and chaos – or back to school season.  Don’t get me wrong, I love it when my kids return to school, … Continue reading

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Sharing Vulnerability with Kids

Vulnerability.  That feeling of being completely exposed, clueless, clumsy in front of others.  Our kids may be better at vulnerability than we adults are.  Growing up requires them (forces them) to learn new skills and experience novel situations all the … Continue reading

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How a Child Gets from Boredom to Creativity

I love the concept that a bored child, if left alone, eventually finds his or her way to creativity.  Whenever I read about this, as a mom I am filled with renewed hope and energy. “I’m going to let the … Continue reading

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To Err is Human: 5 Ways Your Mistakes Can Make You a Better Parent

Please tell me something like this has happened at your house too.  Two weeks ago my husband Todd was sick with a flu that snuck by the flu shot mix this year.  He felt terrible for over a week, poor … Continue reading

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Promoting Your Child’s Passions

On our vacation to the East Coast last summer, I spent time with my childhood friend, Virginia, and her 4 kids.  Her oldest child, Micah, had just turned 15 when I saw him.  I don’t usually expect 15 year-old boys … Continue reading

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Trading Intangibles: The Parenting Strategy We’ve Been Waiting For

When my daughter Annie was 8½, she began noticing people’s earrings.  “Mama, did you know so many people had earrings?  I like the dangling kind best,” Annie informed me.  Not long after she made the tentative comment, “Maybe some day … Continue reading

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Why Is the Transition to Summer Always Harder Than I Expect?!

One summer when my sons were 2 and 4, my sister, Heather, came to visit.  At that time we lived in a small apartment near the university.  Due to the size of our home and the wattage of our children’s … Continue reading

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Summer Updates

Due to my expanded summertime childcare hours, part two of our D.I.Y. home project, and a train trip to San Francisco, I will not be posting for the next two weeks.  In the meantime here are some updates people have … Continue reading

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Natural Consequences Are Painful to Observe

“I think I’m going to miss you guys a little, but mostly it will be really fun.”  These were Daniel’s parting words as he left with his grandparents for a week-long trip to Yellowstone. Elderhostel, recently re-named Road Scholar, organizes … Continue reading

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Raising Your Spirited Child While D.I.Y. Remodeling

When my son Stephen was a year old, I visited my aunt and cousins in Seattle.  While we toured their recently renovated home, my aunt commented that kids have different “space needs” as they grow, and ideally one can expand … Continue reading

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