In what ways will you treat your children differently from how your parents treated you? If you've already raised children and could do it again knowing what you know now, what would you change? The Legacy of Parenting It's fascinating how the question of parenting consistently evokes deep reflection, regardless of whether we have children … Continue reading Question of the Week #435
Parenting
Question of the Week #397
From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: Do you think kids should be sheltered from unhappiness? What experiences from your own childhood have proved most valuable? What were the most difficult to overcome? Were they happy or unhappy experiences? Note: I answer this question not as a parent, but as an outsider who has worked with … Continue reading Question of the Week #397
Things You’ll Wish You Knew Before You Start Parenting: A Journey of Surprises
Parenting is a profound and transformative journey that fills lives with joy, challenges, and endless surprises. From the moment parents welcome a child into their lives, they embark on a path of growth, learning, and uncharted territory. A parent who has navigated the highs and lows of this incredible journey has gathered a wealth of … Continue reading Things You’ll Wish You Knew Before You Start Parenting: A Journey of Surprises
There Is No Parenting Handbook
I recently had a conversation with my friend Megan about parenting. Honestly, I'm never sure how much input I have a right to give in regards to parenting, seeing as how I have zero children myself. But the background I've had in school counseling and children's ministry gives me something of a unique perspective on … Continue reading There Is No Parenting Handbook
Working Late
This is a tale of Christmas past. It's a story from a once upon a time when I worked retail at the Old Navy. Most of what follows is true. Some of it is an exaggeration. The store stayed open later during the holidays to accommodate shoppers who were unable to get their shopping done … Continue reading Working Late
New Tales from Old Navy: Again with the Bad Parenting
Just when I think for sure that I've met the most obnoxious child in existence, someone would bring their kid into my store and prove me wrong. I'm (sort of) exaggerating. Honestly, it's not so much the kids that I had an issue with. It was their parents. Unless you're new to this blog, you've … Continue reading New Tales from Old Navy: Again with the Bad Parenting
Things I Learned While Working Retail
I worked in the world of retail for a couple years after moving to the New River Valley. It was a dirty job, but it was a necessity. That extra paycheck was needed to help make ends meet. Over the course of my first few months working part-time, I made some observations. They include, but … Continue reading Things I Learned While Working Retail
Nap Time
Welcome to In the Words of a Non-Parent! The part of the blog where I, a non-parent, give parenting advice to parents. Today we explore what happens when your kids just won't go to sleep. It's frustrating, right? So you've put your toddler down for his or her afternoon nap and the kid just won't … Continue reading Nap Time
In the Words of a Non-Parent
Today's blog post comes as an idea from my friend Jessica. She suggested that it would be interesting to hear parenting advice from someone who isn't a parent. With as much time as I've spent among families and working with kids, she felt that I could offer some unique insights into the art of raising … Continue reading In the Words of a Non-Parent
Change of Plans
This post was written in a time when I was still a counselor working in a first grade classroom. Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, the blog post that I had originally planned to post today is being preempted. Today's post was going to be about the first grade class that I observe and … Continue reading Change of Plans
The Confusing Middle 