Maybe it started when I started teaching. Maybe it’s just the way my dad’s stoicism shows up on my face. Regardless the why, I have a history of being in charge of groups of people where I’m not entirely comfortable and where those who are in the group are generally unaware of my discomfort. It … Read more
We went camping in northern Arizona last week, and aside from the fun stuff, I came home with two messages I want to share with you. The forests are giant tinderboxes We stayed in a pine forest, and the ground was coated in a spongy blanket of dry pine needles. Because gathering was permitted in … Read more
In a conversation on Zoom this morning, we chatted about staying on track with work and life. A system I guess-and-checked my way into is working really well for me right now and seemed to resonate with others, so I thought I’d share it with you. Take what resonates, leave the rest. First, I made … Read more
School has started or is about to start ’round here. For the moment, we’re all online, and many parents are struggling with the situation. Different households have different dynamics. Parents and kids have a wide range of personalities and interpersonal relationships. Be open to possibilities. Take what works; leave what doesn’t. As a teacher with … Read more
Procrastination has showed up in several podcasts in the last few weeks. The content has conflicted in some ways, but I took some bits from them and plan to use them. (Always: take what you can use and leave the rest.) These things are so obvious and fall into place so easily that I can’t … Read more
I’ve seen three people just today ask “What are you doing that’s working?” with regards to the kids being home. Here’s what’s more or less working here. Disclaimer: This is not meant to tell you what to do. Our situations might be entirely different. This is just what we’re doing that’s working (or that we … Read more
Here in Arizona, the governor recently announced that public school buildings are closed for the rest of this school year. (Schools aren’t closed; the buildings are closed.) Teachers and principals are still working. I’m sad for all of the kids and teachers and parents who had something in the fourth quarter to look forward to. … Read more
A common bit of eating advice is to make convenient the foods that you actually would like to be eating more of. Produce on the counter or in obvious places in the fridge. Junk food harder to get to, not noticeable as soon as you open the fridge or pantry door (if it’s in the … Read more
There is no shortage of parenting advice out there. Its quality varies, and its application varies. I’ve also figured out that many of the pieces that are excellent are applicable to all humans, not just little ones. Avoid saying “be careful.” Why? It’s useless. Give specifics. What do you actually want them to watch out … Read more
I am just a few days shy of a year of daily blog posts here. At the beginning, it was pretty easy, as the beginning often is. Because—exciting! And then it was less easy. Because—work! The last few weeks, there have been many days that, were it not for the streak, I wouldn’t have written … Read more