Letting Go Resist the Urge to Overparent
family matters •••Are You Helping Too Much? by Cam Ragland I mustered up a fresh batch of courage after reading Lenore Skenazy’s controversial parenting book, Free Range Kids. According to the author, my idea of parenting was too restrictive and I had spent too much time worrying. So, as any overachieving mom would do, I set out to make some adjustments.My family was... Read More
Spot Moves: Abs, Butts, and Thighs On A Ball
Spot Moves: abs, butts and thighs on a ballBall Crunch Move 1Ball Crunch •Sit on a fitness ball with your feet flat on the floor hip-width apart. •Walk the ball forward until your lower back is supported. •Your chest should be above knee level. •Pull your navel in toward your spine. • Rest your head on your fingertips and let your elbows fall to the side. • Contract... Read More
Reading fights summer learning loss
I’m grateful and humble that my daughters enjoy reading. However, there are times when I fear the computer and other technology might be hampering their interest in reading. Since I’m a teacher and since it’s summer I’m really concerned about the amount of time they spend reading. Weak reading skills can result in a lack of comprehension, critical thinking, fluency and... Read More
Speak carefully, your kids are listening
The other day I overheard my daughters arguing about the childish behavior of one celebrity. “Anybody can make a mistake!” one argued. “Yeah well he’s old enough to not be having a tantrum for all the world to see,” the other retorted. “Look I used to have tantrums…does that make me a bad person?” “Used to?” The conversation dissolved from there, but ... Read More
Don’t be afraid to let kids fail
Teachers love it when parents are supportive and involved with their children’s schoolwork. It’s great to know there’s accountability and reinforcement at home because it helps us do our job. It also sends the students a message that their parents and teachers are on the same team. But when I don my parent hat, I wonder how much support is too much. I admit I’ve... Read More
Ms. Mom: Determined to Enjoy Every Stage
I was scrubbing black nail polish off my 11-year-old’s fingernails when it occurred to me that parenting has its joys at every age. Turns out she had polished her fingernails just before bed time and, of course, they got smudged while in the bed. She got up (mind you, not woke up) somewhat hysterical over the idea of attending school with smudgy polish. That’s a major crisis... Read More
No Wimpy Parenting, Part III
Sometimes there’s not enough of something, like discipline or relationship-building, as discussed in the previous entries on wimpy parenting. But here’s a case where there’s too much of something in raising our children. The whole notion of “express yourself and share your feelings” has gotten out of hand. Where is the line between allowing kids to... Read More
Cultivating curiosity in kids
Intellectual curiosity. According to Urbandictionary.com it is a desire to learn more about a person, or a thing, or a way of life. That’s what I love to see in my children and the children I teach. It’s exciting to come to school and work with students who are genuinely interested in learning. These are the kids who always have a thoughtful comment, always raise their hand... Read More
Enjoying life just because….
I was driving my 11-year-old home from school the other day when she asked if I would let her out so she could run the last four blocks. It was a cool spring day as she ran to the house, laughing and carefree while I drove alongside her. It was all I could do to choke back the tears as I watched her run, partly because she seemed so happy and partly because I wanted to freeze... Read More
Waiting to Exhale
Yes, this is me. And yes, I am praying – thanking God for allowing me to sit back in the “child’s pose” after working my glutes into a frenzy with enough back leg extensions to give me race horse thighs. Believe it or not, this photo was snapped as I took part in a beautiful surprise gift. Let me explain. “Something good is going to happen to... Read More
