Even though we are just one month into 2021, it just now feels like we are starting a new year. With the new school term, schools either have gotten a handle on the online format, or schools are opening up, and it seems as if we can take a deeper breath. Fingers crossed that vaccine … Read more
Years ago, when my son was small, we began to realize that he was telling lies. He hadn’t done something wrong and wasn’t trying to get out of dealing with the consequences. He wasn’t boasting or trying to make himself seem more important than he was. He simply had an active imagination, and did not … Read more
After close to an entire year of staying close to home, if not actually in your home, it doesn’t look like we are going to be able to get out anytime soon. Usually, at this time of year, we’re planning for our festive season: family get-togethers, parties, or some way to celebrate the end of … Read more
When I was in the grocery store the other day, passing by the candy aisle, I heard a young voice, in a seriously loud whine – “And not only is this the last year I can trick-or-treat, but it is on a Saturday!” I knew that most areas have cancelled any plans to have children … Read more
When my son was little, he had a favorite toy which was a set of tubes and various other pieces which could be put together to make different forms of whistles or wind instruments. But he never used the toy that way. He would string the tubes together on a piece of cord or use PlayDoh© to … Read more
In the United States, we remember the destructive events of September 11, 2001 by giving to others in the form of community service. Children have served by cleaning up parks, working with the homeless, or going to nursing homes to brighten the day of those who live there. This year, many of the traditional forms … Read more
Everyone with any connection to students is trying to decide whether to go back to school, or not. There is no “one right answer,” but here are some of the factors to consider. Things you can’t control: What do we know about how the virus affects children? The latest research indicates that many children are … Read more
Halfway through the summer and what are your kids doing? They’ve been home so long that they seem to have done everything you and they can think of, and now you’re out of ideas. Here’s one that can apply to your family, to a small group of families, or to your neighborhood, depending on your … Read more
Think about all of the images of the horrific events of the past several weeks. These are burned in our memories, but also in the memories of our children. They see adults trying to make changes in the world, changes which will affect all of us, but children are not sure what the outcome will … Read more
I was in the grocery store the other day, standing in line waiting to check out. This store has spaces carefully marked off, so that we all can stay six feet away from each other. Behind me in line was a mother, without a mask I may add, with two children in two who were … Read more