Avant Parenting Archives
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Avant! Welcome to my parenting blog archives
As you can see by the dates below, this blog is no longer being updated. However, there’s lots of good stuff here, much of it as true now as when it was written. Please feel free to browse, or follow these links: One last piece of parenting advice: Enjoy today even if it’s a rough…
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Real chemistry for kids
Once upon a time, learning the details of the elements was “serious science” and left for older students who had the math skills for chemistry. But these days, parents and educators are seeing the value of teaching kids to enjoy science well before they are able to delve into the details. I was very impressed…
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“From School to Homeschool” now available
My book, From School to Homeschool, is now available as a pre-release direct from the publisher, Great Potential Press. It will be available from retail stores and as an e-book after November 1. This book stems from my experiences as a “reluctant homeschooler.” When my younger child dragged me into homeschooling, kicking and screaming (that’s…
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The wonderful world of Diana Wynne Jones
In the past, my kids and I had read a couple of random selections by the recently deceased British author Diana Wynne Jones, but we had never gone in depth into her large body of work until this summer. We were inspired by our book club, when another mom took a guest turn and announced…
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Book Review: A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children
Parents often wish their children came with an owner’s manual. If there is anything that comes close to being an owner’s manual for parents of gifted children, this book is it.
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The 15-minute learning window
I was at the river the other day with hordes of other homeschoolers, splashing around and having fun while our public-school brethren are going full-swing into homework and test preparation. A mom who is starting her homeschooling life this year with her 8-year-old daughter asked a very good question: What with all these fun activities,…