I was there the first time she used. I actually gave her access to her drug without realizing what I was doing. And it took just a few times to get her hooked. I was a complete enabler. This fall, my daughter became dangerously addicted to grades. If I hadn’t watched Race to Nowhere last… More My Daughter Became an Addict in Sixth Grade

The coolest thing happened yesterday. I didn’t expect it to be cool. I thought it was going to be a nightmare. But man, it turned out awesome. Imagine, it’s Monday: the day after Halloween (where we somehow picked up two extra kids along the way who ended up back at our house to watch the… More Students Helping Students: They Can Lift Each Other Up (Academically)

While I was watching the Giants take game three last night, Katie was focusing on “groking” what she had learned in PE this week in preparation for Friday’s big (first) dance! At the commercial break, she dragged me into the office where she had laid it all out on our white board (they are closet… More First Middle School Dance Comes with Instructions! You Gotta See This!

I woke up yesterday fired up. Fall – my favorite time of year! I had scoped out an event at our local crafts store, Beverly Fabrics, and I knew Katie was going to love it. They were offering small craft projects of the fall variety with a hint of Halloween thrown in. This would be… More The Sheer Pain of Being a Tween: So Simple but So Awful

Ahhh, bullies. We have managed to get through six years of school with very few incidents of bullying. But now Katie’s in middle school and the landscape has changed. Thankfully, we started reading Queen Bees and Wannabees together just before school started. What a great book. We are only about half way through (homework is… More We Enter the World of Queen Bees and Wannabees (and Bullies)

Okay, so I talked about how much I miss home school and already ranted about one of the things that worries me about being back at public school, but to be fair, there are so many things I am truly appreciating about being back I wanted to share my list. So here goes! My daughter… More We’re Back! Five Things I Am Loving About Public School

Where else can you see piggie butts! We are so very lucky to live in a county that still plays host to an annual county fair. I hear fairs are closing down all over the United States and I think that’s just a shame. There’s nothing better than the sites, sounds and smells of agriculture,… More Local County Fair Delivers Food, Fun and Self-Esteem

The “Study Nest” where it all happens! I know it’s temporary, it will pass, but today I got a kick in the teeth that reminded me of why I pulled Katie out of public school in the first place: she came home defeated. She worked really hard on some homework, I checked it, it was… More I’ve Got the “Oh Crap We Are Back in Public School” Blues…