When someone first envisions homeschooling, the first thought is often a family replicating the school environment at home. Lessons start promptly at 8:30am, with children working studiously around the kitchen table until a break for lunch at noon. After the lunch break, lessons continue until 2:30pm. Then the homeschool day is over. But, for a large and growing number of …
Dear Attachment Parent: Can I Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?
Dear Attachment Parent: My first baby is still breastfeeding around the clock. We would like to have another child, but I don’t want to wean! Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding? Yes, you can absolutely get pregnant while breastfeeding. Most of us have her the tale of a couple who thought breastfeeding equals contraception and who now have two children …
Eight ways to respond to unwanted parenting advice
Having a child and taking them out into the world can sometimes feel like an invitation to have others comment on your parenting decisions. With parenting, as with any endeavor, it’s important to be open to new ideas, to listen, and reflect. At the same time, we all know that a lot of the advice offered out there isn’t coming …
Is An Achievement Mindset Hurting Our Kids?
The need to achieve — to succeed — is all around us. At my two year old’s ballet class, one mother and son were watching through the window. The boy remarked, “That teacher isn’t letting her play. That isn’t very fun.” The mother responded, “Good. She needs to learn how to do it right so that she can move up …
Dear Attachment Parent: Is my baby growing well?
Dear Attachment Parent: Help! I’m not sure my baby’s growth is on track. What should I do? Note: We are Pocketful of Pebbles are not medical doctors, so we always advise getting a professional opinion if you are concerned about your child’s health. Unfortunately, not all pediatricians are up to date with accurate information, especially when breastfeeding is involved. Our …
How to Make Paper Mache Planets
We are child-led homeschoolers. My 6 year old decided that this month he wanted to learn about outer space. So off to Pinterest I went to look for ideas to make learning about the universe exciting and interactive. My kid said that he wanted to bring the planets into our house. I started brainstorming ways to do this. We could …
Where are the Kids? Bringing Play Back to the Streets
We all know that play is the work of children. If that is not already a given for you then you need to read THIS. And THIS. And watch THIS. And the many, many more studies and articles that point out the importance of play for kids and why we are causing serious damage by not giving them the time …
Celebrating Autumn: A New Season is Here
Autumn arrives today in North America; the Autumnal Equinox. Leaves are changing, temperatures changing, daylight and darkness are changing. So much change happening. I love it! I love the briskness of the air, at least here in the Pacific Northwest, the bright leaves, the mix of rain and Sun, the smell of nature wafting through the atmosphere. With these changes, …
Nature Hike: An Unschooling Day With Sam
Hi lovely community! We are starting a new weekly post series; peeking into the lives of our writers. We always enjoy seeing glimpses of other mamas living their day-to-day, so we want to share what our life is like without a bunch of bells and whistles. Sure, some posts and activities may be more extravagant than other days, but …
Back to school? When homeschooling doubt strikes
It’s the MOST wonderful tiiiiiime of the year. Nope, it isn’t Christmas. It’s back to school season. For many families, this is the time of year that feels magical. There is excitement in the air. There are shopping trips. There is preparation. There is buzz and hope and possibility. It begins with the lure of the school supplies. You see …