Category Archives: Parenting

Five Sanity-Saving Books for Parents of Young Children

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Suzita

My neighbor Kim (see Boys Babysitting: Kim was Right) suggested starting a neighborhood babysitting co-op. In the end three families were able to participate. We arranged for one couple to care for all seven kids one evening, every three weeks. … Continue reading →

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Our Narratives

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Suzita

My friend Renee’s son Ben is sixteen and a junior in high school. In his freshman year he joined his school’s crew team and has been rowing with them ever since. If you are from a land-locked or water-scarce place, … Continue reading →

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Lessons in Kindness Can Also Help Lessen Bullying

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Suzita

Years ago before I had kids, I worked at a college counseling center as one of my internships on the way to becoming a clinical psychologist. The following year I interned at a mental health center which served many similar … Continue reading →

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Negotiating with Kids

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Suzita

My sister’s favorite class at business school was a negotiation course taught by a guy named Stuart Diamond. She said one of the lessons she gleaned from his class was never to give up on a negotiation. There’s always a … Continue reading →

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Sibling Rivalry: Five Strategies to Reduce It

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Suzita

I was in the library a few days before Winter Break and ran into my friend Sherry, a regular Play. Fight. Repeat. reader. Being an astute parent, Sherry was aware that our upcoming school vacation with kids home for much … Continue reading →

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Wordless Wednesday #2

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Suzita

This year’s favorite ornament, handmade by my Swedish friend, Ulrika 2010.

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Wordless Wednesday #1

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Suzita

Wordless Wednesday is a phenomenon in the blogging world I just learned of.  It encourages bloggers to use a photo to express what they might otherwise say with words.

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Lizard Or Snake? Fascinating Gender Research about Children

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Suzita

“Mama, I’ve finally decided what kind of pet I want. Number 1 is a lizard and number 2 is a snake.” That was Daniel, my 10 year-old, the other day. By the phrasing of his question, you’d think I had … Continue reading →

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Imaginary Enemies: The Importance of Losing All Track of Time

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Suzita

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 →

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Counting Jumps: the Importance of Simply Giving “Time”

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Suzita

A catalog arrived recently, one of the few we still receive.  On its glossy front page was a family playing a board game together in their backyard.  I’d heard about this new game from a friend, one that’s fun for … Continue reading →

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