By Stephanie Thomas
Every now and then, I reminisce about Trash Can Basketball. Have you played? My cousin, Brock, made it up one summer when our parents were busy battling it out in an extended-family Canasta tournament and we kids were left to entertain ourselves. Here’s how it goes: Find yourself an empty bedroom with an empty trashcan […]
By Stephanie Thomas
On his seventh birthday, our oldest son unwrapped a simple red book light and a whole lot of freedom. We said, “You’re getting so big! We’re going to let you decide when you’re ready to go to sleep at night.” And then he did this thing he does when he’s excited (which is often): he […]
By Stephanie Thomas
In honor of Read Across America Week, I’m going to share my favorite guilty pleasure purchase with you. Any guesses? Nope, not shoes. I’m a two-pairs-should-do-it kind of gal. Not purses, not makeup, occasionally nail polish, and maybe a kitchen gadget here or there. But do you wanna know what really sucks me in? What […]
By Stephanie Thomas
Kids love to float through phases, don’t they? Interests change, abilities grow, and challenges that once seemed insurmountable eventually become old news. And so, our parenting goes through phases too. In a matter of moments, we move from cradling our little ones with the utmost care to chasing them down the hall to wrestling them […]
By Stephanie Thomas
As adults, we know our way around goal-setting. Many of our goals merely float around in our brains. Some goals make it on paper. Fewer still get checked off. But it’s those few that we’re often most proud of—and the journey they took that we’re most grateful for. Why should grownups have all the fun? […]
By Stephanie Thomas
Two months ago, the first Christmas catalog of the year arrived in the mail. Per tradition, I tossed it on the kitchen table with a blue and green marker—different colors to designate the interests of each kid. It didn’t take long. Within minutes, every item on every page sat inside a crooked circle—or two. And […]
By Stephanie Thomas
How are you doing these days? Okay, that was a loaded question. Here we are in September, facing the most unprecedented school year of all time, and I’m asking how you’re doing. Feel free to scream, cry, or laugh in response. You won’t be alone. The majority of parents I talk to are overwhelmed. When […]
By Stephanie Thomas
Quick survey: At the start of the new year, when you made your resolutions, where did “homeschool the kids” rank on your list? Maybe you’ve been rolling the idea around in your head for a while, wondering how it might work and when you should go for it. Or maybe the thought of becoming your […]