Tag Archives: children

On Being a “Ramp Agent” Parent

My husband and I are in what I consider to be the middle years of at-home parenting. By at-home parenting, I am referencing the idea that once you become a parent, you are always a parent, but it is only … Continue reading

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On Walking to School

Do you know Lenore Skenazy? I know many of you do. She is a Mom living in New York City, raising children in New York City. A few years ago, she coined the term “free-range kids.” The sub-title of her book … Continue reading

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On Twenty-First Century Learning

My grandmother, Dorothy Esther Roush Kuhlmann, grew up on a dairy farm in central Michigan. Her father, John Gabriel Roush, grew up on a grain farm, but decided with his wife, Emily Ann Gray Roush, to start a dairy farm … Continue reading

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On Helicopter Parenting

Helicopter parenting is an interesting term du jour. I’m not sure when I first heard it: perhaps a year or two ago. My favorite on-line encyclopedia tells me that a: Helicopter parent is a colloquial, early 21st-century term for a … Continue reading

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Aidan’s Questions

I came across this (former) même the other day and was amused. Aidan is my youngest. He’s 9 now (almost 10), but he was about 5 or 6 when he answered these questions. I find them sweet and developmentally fascinating. The … Continue reading

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A Christmas Story

If you have a few moments today, you and your children might enjoy this sweet little interpretation of the Christmas Story. It will inspire you and make you laugh. A Christmas Story I wish you and your family a lovely, … Continue reading

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Thoughts on His Confirmation, from Mom

This is what I read to Austin on the afternoon of his confirmation: Austin Gray Merck My firstborn. Your arrival made me a mother, which has been the greatest joy and the greatest challenge of my life. Fourteen years later, … Continue reading

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Thoughts on His Confirmation, from Dad

The next installment of our Confirmation presentations is from my husband and Austin’s father. This is what he read the afternoon of Austin’s Confirmation: On the occasion of your confirmation, I would like to offer a few thoughts about how important … Continue reading

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The Confirmation of His Baptismal Vows

Our oldest son, Austin, was confirmed last weekend. Hal and I did not grow up in a tradition with confirmation, so this was a new experience for us. We were impressed by how Austin chose to embrace this opportunity to … Continue reading

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Advent for Families

This Sunday is New Year’s Day for Christians, the first Sunday of Advent. I am the Director of Children’s Ministries at our church, All Souls Anglican Church (www.allsouls.com). Yesterday, I sent out some ideas to our parishioners regarding how families might … Continue reading

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