Camp Arowhon
Parenting
I admit it: I was a pushy mom… perhaps still am
I was in a conversation, in a country not Canada, far away from home, with a woman. I told her an anecdote (subject not important). She responded: “Oh, that would be great for the essays.” Huh? Of course that went way over my husband’s head (more on that later, and no, he is far from […]
ContinueSex at camp?
Sex is such an interesting subject. We mostly agree it’s a good thing. Procreation aside, as parents we tend to think of sex as a delicious way to express and extend our love and intimacy together. But how about our kids having sex? Scary thought. More complicated. Some of us would like to put them in […]
ContinueA plea for vaccinating children, from The New York Times
The Vaccine Lunacy Disneyland, Measles and Madness JAN. 31, 2015 Photo CreditBen Wiseman Frank Bruni A FEW years back, an acerbic friend of mine who was a recent transplant to Los Angeles told me that she itched to write a satirical novel with the following narrative: A group of wealthy, educated people in Santa Monica […]
ContinueParenting the Stubborn Child
We all know this kid. This is the kid who says no more often than yes. This is the kid who always has an answer when you say it’s homework time, or time to turn off the TV. Or time to go to bed. And it’s never the answer you want to hear. This is […]
ContinueGoing on Vacation with Another Family? Read this!
Going on vacation with another family is an emotionally complicated pleasure. You know the upsides – It’s more fun for the kids, less child care work for you, and on a deeper level there is something incredibly fulfilling about the connections fostered by families. Being with another family for more than an afternoon or an […]
ContinuePerfectionism, an ill of the 21st century
I was talking to a distraught mom the other day, about her daughter who never feels good enough about herself. Funny (or maybe not so funny) thing is that the mom doesn’t feel good enough either. And she uses her daughter’s insecurities as a weapon to beat herself up. As in: The mom blames herself […]
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Arowhon in Action!
The first ever Arowhon in Action event this past weekend brought out 150 Arowhon campers and parents to pack bags of clothes and food for the homeless, decorate them in true Arowhon Arts & Crafts style, and have a lot of fun while we did it – not to mention candy floss, caramel popcorn and […]
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They Know What We Show
One of the most common phrases you hear during Arowhon’s pre-camp staff training is “They know what we show.” You can tell a kid 19 times not to do something but if they see their beloved counsellor doing it you can be sure they’re going to want to try it. This has become a relatively […]
ContinueWho chooses kids’ activities?
A mom I know is feeling distraught about her 15-year-old daughter’s gymnastics. But it could be any extra-curricular, it just happens to be gymnastics. This girl has been a terrific gymnast since she first hit the mat at age 5. Coaches saw talent and have been bringing her along for 10 years now. It’s part […]
ContinueThe Real Reason I Say No To Electronics
A Letter To My Boys (The Real Reason I Say No To Electronics) – by Renee Robinson Dear Boys, Do you remember the day we went to the drugstore and the lady said, “Wow, you are the first kids I’ve seen all day with nothing in your hands.” Remember how she marveled at how you […]
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