Parenting is not rocket science, but this is one not-technical mama's experiment in raising curious, adventuresome explorers.
Whew, do young kids even have any? Sometimes they seem the most irrational creatures, zero logical reasoning ability, just storming whirls of pure emotion--high highs and low lows. My 18-month-old has fully entered this phase and now throws himself down with loud wails whenever he's told not do something (which is often with an older …
Continue reading [Analytical Ability] Education Series: Part 3
Our resident rocket scientist (a.k.a. Jonathan, a.k.a. Dad) was recently motivated by a fun conversation with our 4-year-old (a.k.a. Eddie) to order some strong magnets from some online source (cheapmagnets.com or something). I'm pretty sure the idea was to demonstrate how a simple electromagnetic motor works or something like that. When they arrived, Jonathan was …
Working well in a team is a skill our kids need. Like, need. No matter what they do down the road, teamwork will 100% be a part of it. If not in their professional lives, hopefully as parents or citizens or competent contributors to society. And think about it, living in a family is a …
When I invited you to join me this summer and make our homes these Grand Central Stations of learning and growing, I threw out a few things I'd like to think about and intentionally sprinkle into all the fun activities planned for this summer (and beyond!). It sounded a bit like what one might find …
Continue reading [Effective Communicators] Education Series: Part 1
Science is so cool. Sometimes it feels like magic. But it's science, so here's the explanation for what's happening in this fun experiment. It took only a few minutes to round up these household items and completely wow my 4-year-old: a clear bowl, a clear pitcher, a tealight candle and lighter, and food coloring just …
I sat through a talk yesterday meant to equip mothers of young children (birth-5 years) to fully engage in their kids' education. We were challenged not to force formal education on our babies, but create an environment of learning from the get-go of their young lives. It was not about when to start teaching letters, …
Are you the type of family that will wake even the smallest children during the night after working hard to get them to sleep through the night just so they will undoubtedly respond rather apathetically to whatever once-in-a-life-time experience happening at such an hour? We are that family! Xanderman had a rather tough time sleeping …
I've been wanting to do the classic vinegar and baking soda science experiment for ages, so when I came across this spin on it by The Dad Lab, it was on! We tackled the project during little brother's nap, always prime time for things in which he'd feel the need to participate. I felt slightly …
Living in the city, there is high priority placed on playtime in greenspace for our kids. For calling Los Angeles home, we are so privileged to have access to more than concrete and asphalt. Parks are plentiful. The mountains and beaches are not far. Diverse hiking trails abound. Botanical gardens offer affordable memberships. We're even …
Having grown up on the prairies of the Midwest, living in the shadow of the San Gabriel Mountains is a treat. Their looming presence is such a constant, anchoring beauty. They turn green with the winter rain, sometimes wear the clouds like a blanket in the early morning hours, and reflect the sunset colors in …
Launching Rocket Babies 