Unschooling Basics: Understanding What Unschooling Really Is

"Before I talk about what I think unschooling is, I must talk about what it isn't. Unschooling isn't a recipe, and therefore it can't be explained in recipe terms. It is impossible to give unschooling...

A Path Traveled Better Together (Cooperative Mamahood)

Freedom Together. It's not just for mothers in relation to their babies, and vice versa. I think Freedom Together is a way of seeing the world, a way of moving through life that embraces connection...

Are We Helping Our Kids To Be Happy? Reconsidering the Criteria for Joy

This year at my mother-in-law’s birthday, someone asked her what her birthday wish was. “For all my children to be happy,” she said resolutely. I hear the same sentiment echoed in my own mother’s words...

How Focusing On the Positive Shifted Our Experience of Discipline

Over the years of raising six children, my spouse and I have learned a very important aspect of caring for them: positive reinforcement works much better than disciplinary actions. Don't get me wrong, we've had...

In Her Own Time: Musing on Walking and Other Developmental Milestones

It was a simple, easy morning. We woke up a little extra chipper, worked our way up to and through a decently yummy oatmeal breakfast. She crawled and knee-walked around, particularly fascinated with two plastic...

Why Mommy Wars and What I Do To Stay Out of Them (Best I Can)

When I first thought about the topic of mommy wars, I pictured current social media: critical Facebook posts and parents tearing each other apart in the comments of a blog. This is what I've seen...

Working From Home with Kids (Ain't Easy!) - A Day In the Life

Each day starts about the same... slowly.  I'm not a morning person, and I never wake up "chipper" and ready to take on the world.  My boys will crawl into bed with me and often...

3rd, er... 4th time's the charm? Home Schooling, A Day In the Life

This year marks year 4 of us home schooling. Something I firmly believed would not last more than a year... and something I feel has had many ups and downs.... is way easier said than...

Why All This Parenting Style Stuff Matters Even When It Feels Like It Shouldn't

Today, I saw an intense image pop up in my Facebook stream, shared by a page dedicated to supporting mothers with breastfeeding challenges. It showed an emaciated mother with very little breast tissue (mostly skin)...