Sometimes we accept the worst solution because we can't have the best. But the better thing is available and right in front of us. You decline $40,000 because you can't have $80,000. Because you can't save $20, you end up spending $30. You might stay up too late, and instead of going to bed, you… Continue reading Good Enough
Category: fractured
Schedule or Routine
I recently read a homeschooling book (The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart) that said that you should focus on routines instead of schedule. What's the difference between a routine and a schedule? It's time for some definitions from Google: A routine is "a sequence of actions regularly followed" A schedule is "a plan for carrying… Continue reading Schedule or Routine
Parenting Goals
Mostly positive attention for my kids Listening instead of lecturing Compassion and love Setting a good example Apologizing for my mistakes Guiding and helping more than punishment Always keep a respectful voice Yelling is only for emergencies Setting clear limits and rules Teach children what is right and what is wrong Never, ever help my… Continue reading Parenting Goals
Questions to ask for conversation
Is there anything new happening? What are some challenges you have right now? What sort of music do you like? What hobbies do you enjoy? Have you read any good books lately? Where did you grow up? Watched any good TV shows lately? What projects are you involved in? What do you like to learn… Continue reading Questions to ask for conversation
Technology
(written a few months ago) My five-year-old son had a meltdown today because I suggested he had to play outside before getting on the tablet. So I made a decision that we were going to take the week off of technology. The tablet is set up for educational purposes. The kid wanted to do math.… Continue reading Technology
A collection of thoughts
I think it's dangerous to make simple issues complicated or to make complicated issues simple. We like to do a lot of both, but we should try to remember the complexity as it really is. *** You don't discover who you are as much as choose who you are. I think it's dangerous to think… Continue reading A collection of thoughts
Stages of life
Baby. Incredibly fast learning and growing. Toddler and preschool. Discovery that there is a physical world. Elementary. Discovery of self in that world. Middle school. Loss of self as the world gets bigger and more metaphysical. High school. Rebuilding self in expanding circle. Young adult. Connecting with the world as it really is. Adult. Parent.… Continue reading Stages of life
Recent life hacks
Rituals are really helpful in order to express love. We love our children and our spouse and our family, but often we just think expressions of love will happen naturally and spontaneously. They don't. We have to plan it a bit. Love means that we always kiss each other good night. Or that we tuck… Continue reading Recent life hacks
Gratitude, Fear, and Perspective
Having less often means that you are more grateful. Isn't that silly? I just heard Brene Brown talk about how when we are really happy and things are going really well, we usually are expecting something horrible to happen. We don't let ourselves feel joy. We don't let ourselves be truly grateful for the absolutely… Continue reading Gratitude, Fear, and Perspective
The Lie of Happily Ever After
Marriage isn't about true love. It's not about finding the perfect person. It's about finding someone who has potential and a person we can grow with and improve. It's okay to marry someone with different strengths and weaknesses, even if some other people might feel that they are marrying up or down. Sometimes we just… Continue reading The Lie of Happily Ever After