Identi-key Crisis

By: Sandra L. Churchill Somewhere on this weekend’s to-do list is a little “key surgery.” Two things gave this task a coveted place on my trusty notepad of action items. First, a kindly librarian in our tiny town frowned in disapproval when I hefted my numchucks-sized wad of keys on the counter in a quest … More Identi-key Crisis

Gratitude Attitude

By: Sandra L. Churchill “You get what you get and you don’t get upset.” This is a favorite saying that a kindergarten teacher friend of mine shares regularly with her young students. This simple reminder for boys and girls to appreciate whatever color construction paper or whatever prize they are given is one that has … More Gratitude Attitude

Costume Character

By: Sandra L. Churchill Another Halloween has flown by and memories of costume challenges, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating will be scrapbook-ready when I have a moment to download the latest pictures. It occurred to me that costumes have been central to our family fun and teamwork over the years. We have sewn, glued, painted, beaded, … More Costume Character

Choosing Respect

By: Sandra L. Churchill Recent encounters at playgrounds, grocery stores, and libraries have brought me into conversations with parents who work full-time, part-time, or as stay-at-home moms and dads. I frequently connect with homeschoolers, traditional schoolers, and private-schoolers. My teaching and playdates span accommodations for ADHD, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerance, and I observe discipline styles that … More Choosing Respect

Happy Campers

By: Sandra L. Churchill My husband and I are often greeted with bewildered looks when we confess our love of camping. Truth be told, we’re not diehard, sleep-on-a-rock-by-a-river types who frequent the most rustic of trails with no access to a bathroom. We love to camp in “moderate conditions” as a family. Some would even … More Happy Campers

Puzzle Time: Piecing Together Family Memories

By: Sandra L. Churchill With eagle-eye precision, our oldest daughter slips a turquoise blue piece into place, finishing a much-anticipated sky section of a vibrant Peanuts scene for her Charlie Brown fanatical mom. We pushed closer to the scene before us, nearly elbowing each other into place as we jockeyed for position to complete our … More Puzzle Time: Piecing Together Family Memories