I once asked my friend, who was formerly a counsellor, “Why are you doing this Jimmy? Willing to come out all hours to listen to me cry and be so angry? I don’t understand!”. His simple reply was “One day you will understand.” Until a few years ago, I still couldn’t understand at all whyContinue reading “Why Put Up With Me, Tears and Anger and All?”
Tag Archives: Parenting
When Bedtime Becomes a Crying Ritual: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Bedtime has a way of revealing truths that stay hidden in the busyness of the day. For many parents, it’s the moment when a child’s unmet needs and deepest longings surface—not in words we can easily solve, but in tears that ask for closeness and reassurance. In my home, bedtime often means lingering at theContinue reading “When Bedtime Becomes a Crying Ritual: What Every Parent Needs to Know”
Three Little Whirlwinds and a Messy Home: Finding Peace in the Chaos
We often think of tidying as a skill that must be drilled into children—another responsibility for parents to enforce alongside table manners and bedtime routines. Yet what if tidying is less about constant reminders and more something absorbed through experience, modelling, and natural curiosity? Much like learning to read, children don’t necessarily need pressure toContinue reading “Three Little Whirlwinds and a Messy Home: Finding Peace in the Chaos”
Gentle Parenting & Unschooling in Public: Navigating Judgments and Staying True to Your Values
Dealing with External Pressure: Staying Confident in Your Gentle, Unschooling Family Choosing gentle parenting and unschooling means forging a path guided by empathy, respect, and trust in your child’s innate curiosity. But what happens when your approach is met with skepticism, criticism, or unsolicited advice from others? This blog post delves into the real-life challengesContinue reading “Gentle Parenting & Unschooling in Public: Navigating Judgments and Staying True to Your Values”
Parenting Outside the Lines Poem: The Messy, Unseen Truth Behind Raising Kids (and a Business) Your Way
Parenting is never easy—but when you’re doing it differently, it can feel downright impossible. Add running a business to the mix, and suddenly you’re juggling tantrums, staff call-outs, and the never-ending pile of laundry. In the thick of it, love often feels lost in the chaos, and it’s hard to know if you’re even doingContinue reading “Parenting Outside the Lines Poem: The Messy, Unseen Truth Behind Raising Kids (and a Business) Your Way”
Not Just Homeschooling: The UK’s Child-Centred ‘Home Education’ Movement
There is a nuanced distinction in terminology and philosophy between the US and UK approaches, emphasising that in the UK “home education” is a broader, more flexible, and child-led concept compared to the more school-like connotation of “homeschooling”.
Home Education: When Community Looks Different—Honouring Every Child’s Path
While home education collaboratives are often celebrated for their vibrant community and social opportunities, the reality is that every family’s journey is unique—especially for those with shy, sensitive, or introverted children. The stereotype of the isolated homeschooler sometimes fits, not because home education is failing, but because some children simply thrive in quieter, smaller settingsContinue reading “Home Education: When Community Looks Different—Honouring Every Child’s Path”
Poem: Splitting In Three
Bedtime in our house has always been a journey—sometimes sweet, often challenging, and lately, more emotional than ever. As a parent of three, I’ve found myself pulled in different directions, wishing I could be everywhere at once to comfort each of my children through their nighttime fears and worries. Over the years, we’ve tried everyContinue reading “Poem: Splitting In Three”
Poem About Unschooling: The Way We Wander
In a world that often measures success by grades and schedules, unschooling offers a gentle, heart-centred alternative that honours each child’s natural curiosity and unique path. For our family, this approach means embracing learning through life’s everyday moments—whether it’s picking up litter to protect wildlife, exploring new places, or simply playing freely and safely atContinue reading “Poem About Unschooling: The Way We Wander”
Hold Onto Your Kids: An Ode to Dr. Gordon Neufeld
Why I Hold Onto Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s Wisdom: A Poetic Tribute In a world where childhood often feels overshadowed by peer pressure and social calendars packed with endless play dates, it can be challenging to share a different perspective on what children truly need to thrive. For over two decades, Dr. Gordon Neufeld has beenContinue reading “Hold Onto Your Kids: An Ode to Dr. Gordon Neufeld”
Gentle Parent 