Parenting Blog Posts

By now, those of you whose kids didn't go back to full-time, in-person school have had a chance to see how this school-at-home thing works. For some of you this may have been no more than a blip, just a slight adjustment of your daily routine. You pretty much stay home anyway, and didn't have other big plans--in fact, you're finding that you actually kind of like it! You're thinking you might actually even continue homeschooling when it's all over! My guess, however, is that

Actors in any play have to know their lines (what they’re supposed to say) and cues (when to speak and enter, what to do, and where to be). Since you, the director, will already be familiar with the “script”, it will be your job to direct your little actors as they rehearse the action: When will they stand and stretch? When will they be able to speak or ask questions? What if I accidentally hit the wrong key and I "lose" the teacher? I’d recommend a “blocking” rehearsal a da

"A good director is professional--he's prepared beforehand, and is clearly in charge."

School is now at home for many of us. But we all know that "going" to school gives us a chance, physically and mentally, to set school apart from home. That's why I’m continuing to use the language of a stage-play; I want you to help both you and your child establish school as something that requires a different set of tools, language, and focus from your home routines, even though it’s happening in your home. You probably already realize that your posture affects your attitu

Many of you will be managing school at home this fall, at least for awhile. In my years homeschooling my five children I learned some helpful strategies for bringing order to potential chaos. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing five keys to peaceful and effective home education. TODAY, Key #1: Your attitude Your emotions and attitude have a powerful and direct effect on your children’s ability to focus and learn. As psychologist and author Erica Komisar says, childr

School will be starting again, sooner than we realize, and regardless of the format it's going to take, the goal is for our children to get an education. Notice the expression: "get an education" not "wait for the teacher to give them an education." Teachers often say they wish they could just use a funnel to pour learning into their students' heads. Having been my own children's teacher during homeschool, a fifth grade teacher in a classical Christian school, and a piano tea