Tag: childhood development
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The Importance of Allowing Your Children to Experience Boredom
Get Pregnant Fast In recent years, there has been a growing fascination with the connection between creativity and boredom. The poet Joseph Brodsky famously referred to boredom as a “psychological Sahara” that begins right in your own bedroom and stretches far beyond. However, it is through that very boredom that our creative spirits can flourish.…
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Why I’m Raising Children to Be Independent Thinkers
Get Pregnant Fast When I reflect on my own upbringing, it’s clear that conformity was the name of the game. I was expected to dress a certain way, share popular interests, and engage in the same weekend hangouts as my peers. This pattern persisted until graduation, when everyone went their separate ways—some to college, others…
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Why I Embrace TV Time for My Kids
Get Pregnant Fast As a parent, I’ve come to terms with my philosophy on television consumption. While many experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, warn against screen time—especially for younger kids—I find that this caution doesn’t apply to my older children, who are more than capable of selecting their own shows from the myriad…
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In Silicon Valley, Even Second-Graders Are Entrepreneurs
Get Pregnant Fast In the heart of Silicon Valley, the playground has transformed into a miniature marketplace where even second-graders engage in business. At one end of the play area, a cluster of seven or eight trees stands tall, each representing a unique storefront, with kids taking on roles from shopkeepers to customers. The value…
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Our Kids Don’t Need Pedal Desks, They Need Recess
Get Pregnant Fast In a Kentucky elementary school, a teacher recently received a $12,000 grant to install “pedal desks” in her classroom, allowing students to pedal while they work. According to Ms. Emily Johnson, the kindergarten teacher, these desks help keep children engaged when they get tired of staying still. But let’s be honest—shouldn’t we…
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5 Body Image Concerns That Have Me Anxious About Puberty
Get Pregnant Fast I often find myself wishing I could wish away my fears about my daughter entering puberty. The thought of her experiencing those awkward changes is enough to send me into a tailspin. An armpit hair on my 8-year-old? Seriously? I wasn’t prepared for this phase of motherhood, and it’s a ride I…
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How a Year in the Middle East Prepared My Son for Middle School
Get Pregnant Fast There he is, my son, standing confidently on his first day of middle school, eagerly awaiting the bus at the end of our picturesque Vermont lane on a beautiful autumn morning. His smile radiates confidence; it’s as if he’s about to take on the world. There’s not a hint of apprehension on…
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Navigating the Growing Pains of Middle School: A Parent’s Perspective
Get Pregnant Fast He wasn’t an easy infant, nor a simple toddler, and even as a child, he’s always presented his fair share of challenges. But as he has matured, the nature of those challenges has shifted into something more manageable. Today, I take pride in being his parent—a relief I can hardly express, and…
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No More Homework for My Grade-Schooler: Why I’m Opting Out
Get Pregnant Fast Research indicates that homework offers little to no advantages for young children, so why are we insisting they complete it? As a parent of elementary-aged kids, I’ve made a clear decision: they won’t be doing homework. The reason is simple: schooling is compulsory, but homework for little ones isn’t mandatory. After spending…