Time

Earlier this week, I had the chance to see the powerful and important documentary, Race to Nowhere.

Director Vicki Abeles, motivated by the stress and anxiety felt by her own children, has started a nationwide conversation about the pressure filled society in which we are raising our children. The stories and statistics presented were truly depressing. I walked away from the film knowing that I had to do something. I have disagreed with the culture of schools since the passage of No Child Left Behind and this film gave me all the information that I need to start my own personal revolution. Fortunately, many others agree with me and we will be showing Race to Nowhere in Ridgewood soon.

As the week progressed, I have paid careful attention to the girls. I have given them time and opportunity to explore and be the young children that they are. Tonight, we lived another example of what children will do when they are given time.

At the end of Katherine's bath tonight, I squeezed some water out of her hair before reaching for her towel. Ten minutes later, Katherine finally climbed from the tub after squeezing her hair, shaking her arms and rubbing her belly. She was determined to get totally dry without the use of her towel.

While this is not an experiment that any adult I know would take on, it meant the world to her at the time. And fortunately, I gave her the time. Who knows what she learned but I know it was much more than she would have learned if I had rushed her dry.

A Stolen Post

Before Thanksgiving, I will have given two new presentations, begun teaching a child-parent literacy class at the YWCA and delved into the world of book reviews as a panelist for this year's Cybils awards. In the midst of all of this, I am carrying around some guilt for letting Love Bug go so... a quick post. And really, it's not even mine. I am going to steal the funniest post I have read in a long time.

If you're looking not only for a mini-parenting lesson but also a really good laugh, go here to read my wonderful friend Sara's post about manners.

Enjoy!

A Bonus Day

Last week, my mother in law called to see how we would be spending our Columbus Day holiday. We brainstormed many options including a trip into the city but each choice had the possibility of lots of crowds and even more traffic. Suddenly, she had a brainstorm... the beach. We are only an hour away from the closest beach and we are all huge beach fans so...why not.

The girls were pretty confused but I explained that we could walk on the beach, build sandcastles and maybe even get ice cream.

And then the day arrived and it was sunny and seventy five degrees. As my mother in law explained as we all dipped our toes in the ocean, the girls in bathing suits, the day was what her uncle would have called a 'bonus day.'

And I know that I for sure will look back on this day when the snow won't stop falling this winter and remember that we did indeed get a bonus.

Smart

I love it when four year old children make simple statements that just sum it all up... Tonight we were talking about a friend of ours who is a wonderful cook. Rob asked if, in addition to clearly being a talented cook, this woman also enjoyed cooking.

Before I could reply Katherine said, "If you like to cook, you cook more and you get better at it."

Well, of course. Truly the answer to much of life.