Category Archives: Parenting

The Peer Pressure I Will Not Succumb To

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

“30 minutes a day.” “1 hour a day” “Only on the weekends; and only for an hour or so” These are the statements I’ve heard from parents concerning playing video games.  I totally “get it” – but I don’t limit … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, Parenting, Reading, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

A Leap of Faith – A Series on Progressive Education

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

Originally posted on The Mercenary Researcher:
Jumping Across the Abyss to Progressive Education “We destroy the … love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small, by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and…

Posted in Blogging, Childhood, Children, Education, Humor, Parenting, Philosophy, Progressive Education, Society, Teachers, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Plastic Magic

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

“I don’t believe you.”  I think I said this a million times. “It’s true,” my mother, obviously exasperated with my disbelief, replied again and again. “Are you sure? Are you really sure?” “Yes. Yes, I’m sure – I wouldn’t lie … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Education, Family, Humor, Language, Librarian, love, Parenting, Random Thoughts, Reading, Relationships, Story, Words | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments

Whirlpool Sploosh Ball Wars Update

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

Greetings People, I know it’s been a while since I posted.  There’s actually a reason, besides the obvious one, that my brain no longer works correctly.  I, too, was worried about that for a while ~  But stay tuned, all … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, Family, Health, Injury, Mental Health, Parenting, Philosophy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Whirlpool Sploosh Ball Wars – Therapy in Action

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

We have a round pool. An above ground round pool. It is much, much, much fun. We’ve had these kind of stanchion pools for years now – and having a pool available in the Tucson’s summer heat is most desirable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, coping mechanisms, Family, Health, Humor, Mental Health, Parenting, Philosophy, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Life in the Furniture Store

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

My mom is a HARDCORE shopper – and by hardcore, I mean anyone that shops more than me. And by ‘more than me’, I mean anyone willing to stay in a store beyond the absolute minimum time it takes to put … Continue reading →

Posted in Aversions, Childhood, Clothing, Family, Humor, Parenting, Philosophy, Random Thoughts, shopping, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 100 Comments

The Five Second Rule Fail

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

My husband and I feel very differently about ‘the 5 second rule’ – come on, you know what it is…the rule that food dropped on the floor is edible if picked up within 5 seconds (as long as it’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, Eating, Family, Food, Humor, Parenting, Story | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments

In Response to the Woman in the Ice Cream Shop

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

That’s my alternate title to “An Open Letter to the Woman in the Ice Cream Shop”… It was 2008, my 6 year old son and I were in a Baskin-Robbins, it was his first visit to an ice cream shop … Continue reading →

Posted in Aversions, Childhood, Children, Cooking, coping mechanisms, Eating, Education, Food, Food Allergies, grieving, Health, Parenting, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Giving the Gift of Sound and Vision (and Movement)

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

I have a really, really, really amazing husband.   Really, he’s amazing.  One of his most amazing traits is gift giving.  He’s freakin’ fantastic at it.  I think it’s because he’s an observer. There’s not a lot of talking when he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Biking, Children, Family, Health, Humor, love, Parenting, Random Thoughts, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 58 Comments

A Leap of Faith – The Week Wrap Up!

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

The Wrap-up and a Huge THANK YOU! “Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.”  ― Leonardo da Vinci This last post wraps up my series on A Leap of Faith – Jumping Across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, Education, Family, Guest Blogger, Librarian, Parenting, Philosophy, Progressive Education, Teachers, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments