This post is part of a series on Thrive by Arianna Huffington. Please read the first post here and the second post here and then join the conversation. Thrive highlights “the third metric for success” which is well being, wisdom, wonder and giving, working towards over all and holistic wellness. As I continue to ponder this “metric” within the context of family life, I have been hitting against the idea that “well being” is really not an attainable goal... Read more
I read this article (Steve Jobs Was a Low-Tech Parent) in the New York Times a few days ago and have been mulling over some of the highlights for a few days. Interestingly, it wasn’t necessarily the broader points about boundaries (while allowing for the reality that we live in a technological world) or the final note that Steve Jobs home encouraged educational discussions over dinner and family time that were the most memorable (although I was thrilled to read all of it,... Read more
The issues brought up in this article in which a Texas woman was visited by CPS for allowing her child to play 150 yards from her house completely freak me out. I don’t know any details about this particular case other than what is in the article, but I often have fears about letting me kids walk down to a neighbors house without me. What if someone calls the police? We have another homeschooled 10 year old on our street,... Read more
With the chill in the air and a warm pot of soup simmering on my stovetop this morning, Autumn is coming alive in our world and in my heart despite not yet starting officially. The season awakens in all that surrounds me. Football games are endless on TV and on the field as my second oldest commences his first flag football season (Go Browns!). Soccer Saturdays are in full swing as my #1 and #3 play for rec teams in the area (Go Bengals! Go... Read more
This catalog came through our mail slot today and I barfed. It is still (technically) summer. My kids are wearing shorts and flip flops and playing in the sprinkler in the afternoons. And last winter was one of the snowiest, coldest winters in Philadelphia history. Also known as “the winter that crushed all the mothers.” The cinnamon-scented pinecones and Halloween decor that showed up in stores back in August seemed overeager. This magazine cover is just insensitive; how about giving mid-Atlantic families a couple more months... Read more
I was so glad to read J’s post yesterday, because her thoughts about family meal time fit in perfectly with striving for Well Being, the first pillar of Thrive. With back to school time upon us, Autumn is a great time to think about habits that lead to Well Being and help set us up to Thrive on good days and bad. Thrive includes lots of advice and evidence about our need for the right amount of sleep each day. ... Read more
I’ve been taking a break from blogging to tend to the regular demands of family life. I am resurfacing this morning to share a booklist. I compiled this booklist in response to a Facebook challenge from my sister. It was a fun exercise. This is not a list of the best 10 books I have ever read, but rather the most influential. And so much of how a books hits you is related to where you are at a given... Read more
I would put good money on the fact that since many of our families are busy, busy, busy, many mealtimes are often hastily cooked and dolled out, especially dinner. As such, I found this post on slowing down mealtimes (from Haley over at Carrots for Michaelmas writing as a guest on Kitchen Stewardship) really refreshing. When I was young, even with many activities, my mother still tried to have most of our meals sitting at the dining room table. I didn’t fully... Read more
This morning, I heard one of my children telling her siblings, “Guess what?! Mommy had the baby and she is awake downstairs right now!” To which I heard another sibling respond, “Really, the baby is here?! Really?!” Another child quickly chimed in to say, “No way, Mommy wouldn’t be back from the hospital yet, don’t believe her.” Oh boy, the sibling love is strong at our house 🙂 In all honesty, the excitement is building, and everyone is ready for this... Read more
I know I am probably the last of the families here to return to school, but we did finally return to school this week. It has been a wonderful week for my two school-age children. Even our kindergartener who started half-day kindergarten today was beaming ear to ear. The week has been a bit tougher for my three year old and me, however. We both miss his older siblings and wish they weren’t gone for most of the day. My three... Read more
Building Cathedrals
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