Let’s be honest for a minute. How many of you had a good experience with math when you went to school? I know I didn’t, and it’s really unfortunate because I think I could have loved math. I used play all sorts of counting games as a kid: counting my steps, counting coins, doing it in groups of 2, 4, …
I Let My Son Play With A Tampon
I was 14 years old. I hadn’t started my period yet. My mom and I were at an event and I noticed something fall out of her purse. I saw the man behind her look at it, then immediately look away as if sparing her. I saw that it was a little blue wrapped underwear liner, so picked it up, no …
Why I Let My 5 Year Old Use A Sharp Knife
My five year old loves to help. REALLY help. Not in the ‘here’s bowl for you to pour some flour into’ kind of way. She wants to be a part of the real work we do. We run a business and when she comes to the shop with us she sweeps and mops the floors, she washes walls and cleans …
I teach at a university and I unschool my kids
I’ve been in school almost my entire life. I started preschool shortly before turning 3. I started elementary school at age 6. I followed the standard path through middle school and high school and then went directly to college. After college I earned two Master’s degrees and then a PhD. Even after that I didn’t want to leave. I now …
How we found balance with screen time
Like any 1980s child, I grew up watching TV. And not just the occasional commercial-free documentary for its educational content. We’re talking Looney Toons, Nickelodeon shows with the apparent sole purpose of broadcasting green slime dumped on people’s heads, and the same Disney movies hundreds of times over. It was fun. Sometimes it was boring. I believe it was referred …
I Don’t Know If I’m Cut Out For Homeschooling
I was at a friend date today with three other mothers. None of our children attend public school. We got onto the conversation of schooling our children. One mother said, “I have a great support system, but sometimes my in-laws will make a comment that clearly tells me they aren’t so sure about this whole not-going-to-public-school idea. It allows that …
I Encourage My Child To Tell Me No
Morality is doing what’s right no matter what you’re told. Obedience is doing what you’re told no matter what’s right.
Penis And Vagina Are Not Dirty Words
This article was originally titled, “Why Penis and Vulva Aren’t Dirty Words.” I changed it because even though “vulva” is correct terminology, we are much more accustomed to hearing “vagina.” The vagina is actually the canal that connects the uterus to the outside world. The cervix protrudes into the vagina. The vulva is the entire female external genital “package” containing …
Why I don’t teach SCLANs (shapes, colors, letters, and numbers).
What do you want most for your kids? To be happy? Successful? Generous? Inspired? Fulfilled? When was the last time you felt all of these things? When was the last time you felt invigorated? The lucky ones among us will recall the glorious days of summer break as kids, when we couldn’t wait to get started on building, reading, moving, …
16 Autumn Sensory Activities
Messy play is one of my most favorite activities! Combine that with fall and we are in for a sensorial treat! Give me tiny hands covered in paint. Playdough underneath fingernails. The crackle of freshly fallen leaves. Cinnamon, apples, pumpkin. I love fall! Here is a list of 16 activities that are simple, inexpensive or free, and hands on fun! …