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Adventures in Homeschooling
by Jenny Lind Schmitt
Jenny Lind Schmitt writes about her exploits as a homeschooling mother of four. See full bio

Lifestyle Design

November 24, 2009

Growing the Habit of Gratitude

"Fostering gratitude" is easy to say and harder to do. How do we practice on the little things, so that our mindset is one of thankfulness even when the stakes are higher? Is it possible to develop a habit of gratitude strong enough to endure even when there's no longer the money for cell phones and delivery pizza or when the medical procedure didn't go as planned? Read More

November 17, 2009

History Class: Berlin, 20 Years Ago

One week ago at dinner we were discussing the news headline of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The children wondered what that was and why they should care. Zeus and I began explaining about the end of World War II and communism and the Cold War, and quickly we could see that it was a hefty topic for taco night and kind of tricky to explain while passing the cheese and salsa around the table. So I opted for telling a story instead. Read More

November 5, 2009

It's Time to Be SAD

In my struggle with depression over the years, I’ve learned that this time of year is particularly tricky. I can’t waste time mourning the departure of the sunlight like some neo-pagan druid person, but I also can’t give the gloom any quarter or its tentacles will sneak up on me and pull me down to a place it may take months to get out of. And so, it’s time to review the tools with which to fight back. Read More

October 28, 2009

Blogging the Wild Thing

I've been thinking a lot lately about why we read blogs. And why we write them. I have to admit it, several years ago when I first heard about the concept of blogs and blogging I thought it was terribly narcissistic. Why would someone write something by, to, for, and about themselves? Read More

October 20, 2009

My Own Private Olympus

I feel that I should like to be Goddess of Afternoon Naps or Goddess of Dinner Effortlessly on the Table. But apparently these are not qualities that the Ancient Greeks exalted to the Olympian level. Read More

October 12, 2009

Columbus Day for Beginners

What we were doing for Columbus Day? Would I teach my kids about Columbus as courageous explorer or obnoxious conqueror? Should he be celebrated or despised? What about immigration? Manifest destiny? Read More

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