Trick-or-treating is not the sole focus of Halloween for our family. Instead, we seek multiple ways to encourage natural, local, fall-themed fun.  Read More…

4 Comments | Posted in Balance, Consensual Living, Ecological Responsibility, Green Living, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living, Love of Nature, Parenting Philosophies, Radical Unschooling

“I need you to help me,” he was complaining, as usual, even as he was putting pieces of the puzzle together with no hesitation. This time, however, I really heard the message underneath his words. It wasn’t a message about helplessness, but about connection.  Read More…

2 Comments | Posted in Consensual Living, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

Embrace your child for who he is, including the strength and determination that are a beautiful, if occasionally inconvenient, part of his character. As that strong will grows and is guided by love, mutual respect, collaboration and shared wisdom, your child will change the world.  Read More…

12 Comments | Posted in Attachment Parenting, Consensual Living, Gentle Discipline, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

Our society has conditioned us to consider the convenience of other adults above the well-being of children and take the side of the teacher, doctor, dentist, when there is a conflict. I am so glad this time I chose to listen to my daughter.  Read More…

31 Comments | Posted in Attachment Parenting, Consensual Living, Family Safety, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

When we stop to examine why it is that we want our children to do what we say, we’ll find there are varied reasons.  Read More…

2 Comments | Posted in Consensual Living, Gentle Discipline, Parenting Philosophies

“Who enjoys my company?” my son would ask whenever we were at the table, and he’d laugh when my husband and I raised our hands and said, “I do!”  Read More…

3 Comments | Posted in Consensual Living, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

Amy provides a summary of insights received from watching Alfie Kohn’s Unconditional Parenting DVD.  Read More…

7 Comments | Posted in Attachment Parenting, Consensual Living, Gentle Discipline, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

Amy explores the tendency to control children through looking at the definition of authority while offering simple examples of how to address behavior without shame.  Read More…

6 Comments | Posted in Attachment Parenting, Consensual Living, Gentle Discipline, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

This week we asked you to share fashion sense with us. Read more about consensual living on our resource page. Link up!  Read More…

4 Comments | Posted in Consensual Living, Parenting Philosophies, Wordless Wednesday

Growing children is not so different from growing plants. Mandy shares why.  Read More…

2 Comments | Posted in Consensual Living, Gentle Discipline, Parenting Philosophies