My son was 8 years old when he started studying the violin with a teacher who adhered to the Suzuki method. A lot of other kids we knew were studying Suzuki and at first it seemed sweet; the parent taking the lesson alongside the child and then practicing together. But after a few months, it became a source of conflict, both internally for me and between my son and me. Read More
My son starts 9th grade next week, and I’m being pelted with emails from parents about figuring out all the logistics involved with entering high school. Questions like “where do we order gym uniforms?” “What about lunch?” “Where is the best spot to drop them off?” “Who has a supply list?” and even “how do we sign-up for their sports activities?” are clogging my inbox right now. Read More
It worked. My 15 year old daughter has “done nothing” this summer and it has actually turned out to be worthwhile. By February I had a whole summer planned for her of classes, camps, volunteering and travel. She was thumbs down to anything and everything. Read More
As the oldest of four children, I am not sure if I was born with an innate desire to “do it myself,” or if my parents instilled in me the importance of knowing right from wrong and taking responsibility for my decisions. It was probably a combination of both. Read More
On my to-do list today was a project that involved hanging bee/wasp catchers in the garden. I went to start the project, but then stopped. Read More
A profound shift is taking place in me and in our family this week, thanks to How to Raise an Adult. I have always prided myself on being a loving and giving parent. I put my career on hold in order to be more deeply involved in my kids’ lives (ages 13, 11, and 8) — leading their scout troops, driving on their field trips, reading their favorite books with them, cooking, cleaning, walking/biking/driving to and from their activities, and giving them independence when they ask for it, but only then. Read More
I believe there are so many “helicopter Moms” in the Bay Area because we are taking our corporate skill set and using it to raise our children. Read More
My daughter dressed as a garbage can for Halloween. Amidst a sea of Disney princesses, witches, and SF Giants jerseys, Brittany wore a costume of her own design: a plastic garbage can (new, in our defense) carved out at the bottom, black leotard adorned with trash from the recycling bin, green suspenders, and a garbage can lid affixed to her bike helmet. Not your typical Halloween attire for a fifth grade girl, but Brittany was undeterred. Read More
So here we are, on the road again. Waiting for another flight, this time here at Heathrow, listening to the constant murmur of people in motion. My kids have just gone through security like pros and are headed off to buy snacks, cash that they exchanged themselves in hand. They know the routine. I am in awe of my little travelers. Read More
On the morning of my son’s second-to-last day of school, it occurred to me that it would be productive to start a conversation about my hopes for next year and what would be different. Read More
Help build our community of folks committed to #raisingadults by sharing an “aha” moment other parents can learn from. Maybe you realized you were overprotective and decided to give your kid some space. Maybe you noticed you were dictating your kids’ choices for them and decided to hang back and let them decide. Maybe you realized you were acting more like an assistant than a parent and you decided to let them be responsible for their own stuff. Whatever your “aha” moment was, we want to hear it!