I’ve heard this too many times, that kids need to be bullied to learn to deal with difficult people.  That’s bullsh!t.  I have yet to meet one parent who has actively introduced bullies to their children.  If it’s that important, I think it would be a factor when people choose a school. ‘I can’t send my kid to XYZ School – there just aren’t enough bullies!’  Schools can be rated on how likely a child is to be bullied and all these parents who are so concerned about learning to …

1.  School Recess Improves Behavior
No big shock here.  You can pick & choose the basic reasons why – all work & no play makes Jose a dull boy?  Or perhaps that punishment doesn’t work?  (see Alfie Kohn’s Punished by Rewards)  Or, as many critics of homeschooling say, that kids need school to be ‘socialized’ – then perhaps they should be allowed to be social instead of cooped up in a classroom being trained for a cubefarm.
2. Too Many Online Friends? Time to Delete
I’ve never quite gotten the whole concept …

Our recent disagreement with neighbors regarding a trampoline and safety expedited involving our son in his first activity – gymnastics.  The idea had been tossed around for months and the trampoline issue made us act.
I admit that I had some concerns leading up to the first class.  M’s used to doing his own thing and being himself – how would he respond to being in a more structured environment?  He’s also quite shy AND very excitable.  I wasn’t sure how it was going to go.
I resolved to watch but stay …