This fantastic poster says it all: #LetThem ! Let them — our kids — do it, go for it, figure it out, fail, build courage, GROW! It’s free at Let Grow. Click here!
Author: lskenazy
“Parents who once spent time on their own pursuits, existing on the periphery of their children’s free time, now spend it supervising, driving, and advocating,” writes mom Lizzie Heislet over at Let Grow. Click here to read how to gently start reversing the intensive parenting trend and creating community. Photo from Unsplash by @allahetman
This actually works, so rejoice! (Or beware.) It’s a Mug Cake recipe any kid can make in just a few minutes, if you’ve got a microwave. See the recipe and video by clicking here, which leads to Let Grow!
As mom of two Amber Roshay writes at Let Grow today: “Some believe a toddler shouldn’t cry. Others judge rather than empathize… And some call Child Protective Services for child neglect.” Read her story — including what happened when a caseworker visited Amber’s home, solely prompted by the report of a kid crying — by clicking here. Photo by RobinHiggins (pixabay.com)
One gym teacher realized that his dreams of making kids active, creative, energetic, cooperative and happy couldn’t happen in 25 minute chunks unless…he changed the class entirely. Here’s his Let Grow essay on how he did it. Feel free to share with other teachers! gym class sepia
A full 23 signs — a couple fake, most real — that take overprotection to the extreme. Laugh until you realize…uht oh. Click here to see them at Let Grow.
Kindergarten teachers AND their students are sick of the outlandish standards imposed upon them. Pushing kids to read sooner doesn’t mean they become smarter — or even better readers. One teacher is urging her compatriots to join the “Close your door and teach” movement. Her essay is at Let Grow — click here!
I hadn’t thought about it, but this Let Grow piece points out that at family reunions, kids play in mixed-age packs and the parents — busy catching up — let them loose. It’s like time travel back to an ’80s childhood for everyone. Read it here.
This helpful piece over at Let Grow has suggestions on how to get special needs kids cooking. For instance, have your kids (special needs or not) cut vegetables using a serrated knife, because it is less likely to slip. I realize that is pretty basic, but some good advice is just that!
New technology brings new norms. The telegraph allowed us instant communication across long distances. The TV allowed us to sit at home and be entertained. And Life 360 allows — normalizes — us to believe that our kids must be supervised remotely all the time, or they’re in danger and we’re not doing our job. My take on the phenom is over at Let Grow. Click here!