A letter to my daughter about fighting back
I was absolutely struck by this recent piece by Sarah Tuttle-Singer about teaching our children to fight back — within reason. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the rules of parent and personhood: be nice. Try again. Make friends. Share.
Sometimes, even though those rules are still very important, being nice isn’t the appropriate response.
How To Train Your Robot: how I teach kids to program without computers
Last April, I taught six kids of ages 5 to 7 how to program. “In what programming language?” you may ask. Well… I didn’t use a programming language, at least none that you know of. In fact, I didn’t even use a computer. Instead, I devised a game called “How To Train Your Robot.” Before I explain how the game works, let me tell my motivation.
Family photo session round-up and more tips for rocking your own photos
Family portrait sessions are one of my favorite things that people do — there’s no better way to capture where your family is at the moment. The sessions are also super diverse — you can shoot in the intimacy of your home, at a park or playground you frequent, or anywhere.
Reactive Attachment Disorder: bonding with a wounded child
Progress took time — and the work of staying bonded with a wounded child is a life-time endeavor. That’s okay though because Julia has stepped out of the danger zone. She’s taken off her helmet and armor. She has let me become her mother.
What watching a five-year-old break a board taught me about life
The other evening, I went to see the five-year-old I take care of test for her yellow belt, the second level of karate. All the athletes were very talented, and you could tell they had been working hard. But then came the part I’m not sure Sophia was expecting: breaking the board. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure if she could handle it.
My badass seven-year-old hero saved the chickens — and his mom
Everyone wants to be a hero — a badass. Few things compare with that feeling of knowing you were there, just at the right moment, and completely changed the outcome of a situation doomed for darkness. I could argue that maybe it’s this need that fuels motherhood, because being a parent requires being a badass many times a day.
I had to ground my step-son for the first time and it made me feel like a “real” parent
I love my little man. He’s seven, and while not mine by birth, he sure as hell is mine by love. The four of us parents, (mom, step dad, dad, and me — step mom) get along pretty well, and while we disagree on some things, we try to compromise and present a united front. Usually, this isn’t too hard — he’s a good kid, hardly ever misbehaves, and for the most part a good talk will prevent any major infractions of the rules. That is, it was easy until yesterday.
Watercolor leaves: an art project for elementary schoolers
This is a simple, yet lovely art lesson that builds upon the principles of watercolor applications. My fifth grade students used liquid watercolor paints, “black” glue (white school glue mixed with black paint) and 9″ x 12″ 90 lb watercolor paper to achieve this lovely project.