Discipline and Individual Choice

The word 'discipline' often brings to mind images of harsh punishment, unreasonable restrictions and an approach to parenting that is cold and insensitive. As a result, many parents will accept the false alternative of being excessively permissive.

Communication

Few subjects in parenting are as fundamental, or as important, as communication. Humans function so much by language, whether implicit or explicit, that learning how to communicate effectively affects virtually every other sphere of family relations.

Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry - conflict between and among brothers and sisters - can take all the forms that occur among adults: loud arguments, sports competition, physical fights, property destruction, etc. As the list suggests, some forms will require parental intervention, while others may be safely left to the kids to work out for themselves.

Punishment and Objectivity

In parenting circles, the word 'punishment' often brings to mind 'corporeal punishment' - spanking, slapping or other forms of physical action. One can agree that such behaviour is counter-productive in rearing a healthy child, while at the same time avoiding the false alternative of excessive permissiveness.

When Parents Disagree

Sometimes it's surprising that the divorce rate isn't actually higher than it is. Assuming it isn't just inertia on the part of the 54%, it's a tribute to the willingness of so many couples to work out their differences.

Adoption Challenges

Adopting a child may be both a long train of practical and emotional nightmares and the fulfillment of a dream.

Do It Yourself Education

In considering homeschooling, a kind of do-it-yourself education, one of the first questions to ask is: Who is the 'you' in 'yourself'? Parents have busy lives, earning a living and pursuing other important values that benefit them and their children. Making time for giving a proper education at home, especially for single parents, can be difficult. What to do?

History of Homeschooling

Taking into account that schools are a realtively modern invention, children have been home-schooled until the late 19th century. From then, laws compelled children to go to public school. However, public schools were not seen as the best option for the early advocates of homeschooling.

Homeschool Approach

There are a dozen popular approaches to how to design a homeschool program for a child. They range from highly structured courses, to no structure at all.

Unschooling

Unschooling is an approach to homeschool education that represents the most unstructured approach to learning. It means, as the name suggests, not designing a curriculum at all. Instead, the child is allowed to explore any and all interests, at any pace and in any order they choose.