Elbow Room

Yesterday, I had a kid home from school with strep throat. She’d already been to the doctor, so she was … More

Read it and Weep, or What Have We Wrought?

“The Overprotected Kid: A preoccupation with safety has stripped childhood of independence, risk taking, and discovery—without making it safer…” (The Atlantic, … More

Slice of Life

I haven’t read the book yet (it comes out today), but this is from Sunday’s NY Times Q & A … More

Treading Water: or, The Deep End

This is it, then. The lovely nutmeat of the summer. The musty smell of tomatoes pulled from the vine; the … More

The End of the World as We Know It?

So… Elder Girleen’s elementary school is holding a Walk to School Day next month. Because… Well, you know. Kids don’t. Walk … More

In the Trenches

Mildly (it’s to be hoped) entertaining anecdotes about squirrels and cupcakes set in playgrounds aside, I’ve spent a heck of … More

Word of the Day

Abnegation. A word I’ve never had the slightest opportunity to use. Denial, the dictionary has to say about it, particularly … More

Food For Thought…

First grade. Those first few weeks as the family transitions back into the school year schedule can be a killer. … More

Cooperation/Corporation, Continued

Spring has sprung here in the ‘hood. Painting crews are blasting conjunto music while they scrape and prep houses in … More

Cooperation/Corporation

Part One Mornings when I take Elder Girleen to school, I usually hang around for fifteen minutes for Morning Meeting, … More