• Created on 9/18/11 by AdinaL

Bonobo Pan paniscus. Image from Wikimedia Commons I’m waiting in a movie theater line behind two women who are clearly friends. And rivals. “Max won front line seats to this weekend’s game. It’s the first month the school is offering prizes for the highest overall score and Max is their first winner. Already we can see the advantages of this new school.” “That’s so nice for him. Jeffrey really prefers playing football to just sitting there watching it. The coach keeps telling us that Jeffrey is a natural and sure to get a Big Ten... read more

• Created on 9/2/11 by Melanie Mayo

Hurricane Irene swept up the East Coast and through Vermont, leaving so much devastation in her wake, particularly in the southern half of the state. Bridges and roads have been completely washed out, whole towns have been left stranded and in need of food and clean water. Families have been displaced, schools have been delayed. Where we live, we experienced a lot of rain, very little wind and the river crested at about 19 feet in town. Downtown flooded in all the usual spots, then receded. We were very lucky. Those in the southern part of Vermont, towns such as... read more

• Created on 8/31/11 by Melanie Mayo

When the fabulous Tracy Mayor pitched her feature on parenting after an apocalypse, I was couldn’t wrap my head around it. As much as I love her writing (and postapocalyptic fiction like The Hunger Games series and Oryx and Crake), what would it be? A series of interviews with assorted conspiracy theorists? An in-depth look at all the stuff you can do with duct tape and batteries? Last week, the East Coast saw an earthquake and a hurricane. Tracy’s feature was very much on my mind. “What if we’re raising our kids to succeed in a George Jetson kind of... read more

• Created on 8/27/11 by Cynthia Mosher

…to hang on to at least some of the many thousands of drawings and paintings your child will make over the next few years. Right now it might seem like the artwork is no big deal, there’s so much of it—but I’m over here in your future, telling you that these drawings will become real treasures for you down the road! And a tip: After a drawing is finished, ask your child to tell you what’s happening in the picture and write it on the artwork itself. Then date it. And put it somewhere safe (after some time on the fridge, of course!).   Above: A... read more

• Created on 8/3/11 by Melanie Mayo

By Jessica Williams, www.LoveParentingLA.com   I had a lot on my mind this morning and some of it threatens my equilibrium and presents as unequivocally stressful. And, despite the fact that there are more pressing problems worldwide, and that there are many blessings to be counted on a daily level, in my micro world, there is a lot going on and this morning it was getting the better of me, causing me to be distracted and on edge.   And, so, I humbly asked my three children, ages two, five and seven, if they might see to it to... read more

• Created on 8/3/11 by AdinaL

Oh, Vero Beach, Florida: we meet again. My family and I are on our annual pilgrimage to see my in-laws. It’s a particular sort of vacation, one that gives you one type of freedom (kiddo with the grandparents while a do-not-disturb sign hangs on the hotel room door in the middle of the afternoon, if you catch my drift) while robbing you of another (dinner is at Grandma’s—you will have the Cornish game hen). My husband’s family has been coming to Vero Beach since 1918. My son Caleb is the sixth generation to come here. Which makes me connected to the... read more

• Created on 7/28/11 by Cynthia Mosher

Here is a go-to list to empower children when a parent has to leave town. Many parents have to leave town routinely for work. Many children exhibit clinginess, withdrawl or acting-out behaviors in response to feeling out of control of this situation. Creating ritual around this event can help children process their emotions and feel safe. These tangible exercises serve to give children a sense of control over the powerlessness they may feel. These rituals give the child something to look forward to whenever a parent gets ready to leave... read more

• Created on 7/26/11 by Cynthia Mosher

By Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook. Did I do the right thing?   I posted yesterday about my experience stopping a drunk driver, exploring not only the experience, but also my struggle in the days afterward regarding the impact on my children who were left to watch without the support they deserved in that moment. “They saw it all – they saw both their parents step forward and take responsibility, and they saw both their parents being beaten by a woman who was too drunk to listen. They’re old enough to remember this... read more

• Created on 7/25/11 by Cynthia Mosher

By Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook. Late Saturday night my mama bear emerged. We had just finished a glorious day and evening at a folk festival, returning home far after bedtime with two tired children in arms. While waiting for the shuttle a drunk woman arrived, muttering and stumbling about. Out came the car keys for her car, strangely parked just there, and I stood stunned that with over 20 bystanders, nobody was taking action. A moment’s hesitation as she got in, and then mama bear arrived. Stepping boldly forward... read more

• Created on 7/13/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Terri Goodwell Web Exclusive We’ve all known sensitive, shy kids. These are the introverted ones who hang on the fringes of the group. They are the ones we often call “slow to warm up” because they look very carefully before accepting new people, places, or things. They are the children who avert their eyes when spoken to by a stranger and shrink away from being the center of attention. Because they typically act quiet, clingy or anxious in unfamiliar social settings, the general consensus is that these kids are fearful and lack confidence. Unfortunately, by... read more