• Created on 6/27/11 by Cynthia Mosher

We want to promote kindness and non-violence, but sometimes it is not enough to tell a child to “be nice” or “don’t hit.” Children need an outlet, and they often need a bridge to get from overwhelmed into their centered-self. I will post another L.O.V.E. Parenting technique which contains many in-the-moment alternatives to hitting, biting, pulling, kicking, throwing, and spitting, soon. In the meantime, I want to offer the L.O.V.E. Parenting Mad Bag, which can help a young child transition out of their frustration. The mad-bag honors the child’s... read more

• Created on 3/28/10 by Mothering Editorial

I feel kind of silly asking this, but coming from a home/culture where babies and toddlers were put in play pens so they wouldn't get in the way, I just don't know the answer. It seems I know very well how to distract my children so I can get done what I want but not so much the loving attitude and daily routine it takes to raise happy, unconditionally loved children. I have read your book, loved it and was very inspired. Now I feel like I want to start over with my 4 year old and 19 month old, as I can see my previous ways of parenting are destructive and very... read more

• Created on 9/1/08 by Mothering Editorial

Naomi, would you write about time and energy management? With all the activities that my family feel are important to do and participate in for our family and our world, I and my husband feel perpetually behind and tired all the time. In my family, my husband and I share unschooling our two daughters, we try to prepare healthy food for I and my daughters who have many food allergies, and we share a college position including being performing musicians. We also spend time trying to build a community of like-minded families. Sometimes when I receive Mothering, I can... read more

• Created on 11/11/10 by mamazee

I dial a friend’s number and when the phone is picked up I say hello. There’s silence on the other end. Than a small voice, an under-eight-year-old voice, says, “Who is this?” Maybe it’s the question, or maybe the inflection, but it sounds rude. The appropriate response to “Hello” when you call someone is almost always “Hello.” Right? But kids don’t know that unless they’re taught. And telling your kids about good phone manners isn’t enough. In the moment they might feel shy on the telephone, or uncertain what to say, so you actually... read more

• Created on 9/17/12 by Laura Grace Weldon

Watch this darling math geek overcoming bullying by choosing self-acceptance. About Laura Grace WeldonLaura Grace Weldon is a writer, editor, conflict resolution educator, and marginally useful farm wench. She is the author of Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything. She lives with her family on Bit of Earth Farm. Check out life on the farm at http://bitofearthfarm.wordpress.com/ and keep up with Laura's relentless optimism at http://lauragraceweldon.com/blog-2/ Posted by: Laura Grace Weldon read more

• Created on 8/12/12 by Laura Grace Weldon

We’re laughing even thought it’s not quite the beat at our house. About Laura Grace WeldonLaura Grace Weldon is a writer, editor, conflict resolution educator, and marginally useful farm wench. She is the author of Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything. She lives with her family on Bit of Earth Farm. Check out life on the farm at http://bitofearthfarm.wordpress.com/ and keep up with Laura's relentless optimism at http://lauragraceweldon.com/blog-2/ Posted by: Laura Grace Weldon read more

• Created on 12/6/11 by Cynthia Mosher

one of my sheep warming up to sing at last year's Christmas pageant I ran into my friend and neighbor yesterday, and she asked if I’d be interested in co-hosting a Christmas caroling party. You mean, I asked, like a real song-singing, cookie-eating, wassail-drinking holiday party? Red faces, children underfoot, and lots and lots of music? Yes, yes, and again, yes! There are far too few occasions when we adults consent to get together and sing our hearts out, which is a shame. Apparently Pete Seeger proposes regular singalongs as the best way of... read more

• Created on 6/28/11 by AdinaL

Thank you to Terra Trevor, author of Pushing up the Sky: A Mother’s Story, for this guest post. An armload of bulgogi covers the grill and a circle of friends surround the barbecue. Everyone has a pair of chopsticks in hand and turn slices of the sizzling beef. A picnic table is laden with platters of pindaettok, mandu, heaping bowls of kimchi, chap chae, and romaine lettuce leaves with red bean sauce for dipping. There is plenty of sliced watermelon of course, and three rice cookers stand ready in a row. There is laughter around the table. After... read more

• Created on 2/22/11 by Cynthia Mosher

Lunch Rock Welcome to Part VI in the Feeding Your Children Series. Here are some “trouble shooting” tips: If you are knee-deep in habits that you regret, ease yourself out little by little. Understand that it may take time to transform your pantry and your eating habits. Use the language of impermanence around food. If your child proclaims she “hates broccoli” you can answer with “I understand that you don’t care for it today.” This leaves the future wide open; taste buds can change on a dime, especially for young folk. Continue to... read more

• Created on 10/31/10 by Jenny Rough

Breast Cancer Awareness month is over. I’d say the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation sure has done a ton of work. I mean, every time I turned around in October, I stumbled across the pink ribbon. It was printed on cereal boxes, stuck on gas cap covers, and incorporated into football player uniforms. One morning when I was visiting my nephew Noah, I opened a carton of eggs and the ribbon was stamped onto the eggshells. Even the White House in Washington, D.C. was the “pink” house one night. Infertility awareness isn’t doing as hot. This article describes how,... read more