A title freely given to Lenore Skenazy when she dared to give voice to the idea of an alternative parenting style — A few days ago, after watching a historical documentary on world atrocities that had occurred in recent years, I happened to mention to my daughter that I felt incredibly sad about what is happening in the world. She reminded me about the beautiful things that are also happening, and though…

So despite the danger, returning home and being a family once more, is seen as the pathway to healing — This reflection was very much inspired by this story by Elaine Kasket, a psychologist who provided sanctuary for a Ukrainian family, who subsequently chose, despite her huge gratitude to Elaine and her family, to return ‘home’. I cannot even imagine the pain of women and children as they leave their…

And then crickets…and then… — Isn’t it fabulous! At one time most writers here on Medium would never have dreamt of being published authors. Well, they may have dreamt, but that is all it would have been, a dream., a hope…a bit like massaging a belief about winning the lottery! But now our friend TECHNOLOGY…

Try turning the other cheek instead…or watch out for the karma bus. — Why are people so easily motivated to dob, in the first place? I can understand annoyance, and in the heat of the moment feeling the power, but that feeling is almost always transitory, and if you ever respond to the feeling, it is often replaced with regret…at some time…some time…

The truth now revealed, JUST for you! — So now, Medium writers, gird your loins for the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! You are allowed to berate me if you felt I weaseled out of the truth. In this story, I painted three scenarios. The first was about John Lennon POSSIBLY being married to my sister-in-law, …

Was it that time of the month, or was she just born that way? — Hey you! Yes YOU, the one who negatively impacted my day. I hope you are feeling better about yourself. Something must have happened to you yesterday, you know, when you berated me for doing the right thing? Just in case you can’t recall I’m the lady who was doing the right thing. I was keeping to…

Says who? Explain that to the person right now clinging to life — “Who in licking her fingers, passes on, her germs to your confec-ti-on” This line of an Australia hygiene ad, just popped into my head as I ruminated on how best to start this piece of writing. For a long time my younger students would parrot that line to each other…

I hadn’t seen Kelly in twenty years and now I had a note… — Two days ago I got a FB messenger note informing me that Kelly had sent me a message. I was suspicious Immediately suspicious, (because we hadn’t been in touch in years,) I sent her a quick note, explaining I was pretty sure that she hadn’t sent the note, and that my contacting her…

And all too soon it will be time for them to flee the nest. You’ve done your job. Now it’s simply time to fly… — In this story by Marcus aka Gregory Maidman, he eloquently pens a letter to his two children who are on the cusp of adulthood. There’s a sense of regret from Marcus that hints of his intelligence (maybe parental expectations) being the determinant of his life pathway to date, one that…

It will be too late when it’s too bloody late…and all we have left are the ashes of our indulgence and neglect — What I am writing about today, I had planned to write yesterday, but suddenly one teaching experience popped into my head and I felt it was the perfect intro to what I want to share with you today. It’s about insects… Alright, so creatures never contribute to the mortgage, and they’re never invited…

While a whole world looked on in horror, unwilling or unable to respond. — Lifting his foot, he determinedly crushed it under his superior strength. One stomp and the dangerous beast was no more. And then he looked around for his appreciative audience. There was none. All eyes were flicking between the ground, or straight ahead, tension palpable. I walked towards him, slowly and…

…not because of the father’s mental health problems. It was all about manipulation and power, and utter, utter, control — The day Hannah Clarke and her children were covered in petrol, and torched inside their car by a vengeful father and partner, Australia stopped. Absolute incredulity that anyone could conduct such a violent, heinous crime. Not even the most vengeful of thinkers could imagine a father, forcing himself into a…

On new medication that promised hope, he was determined to improve. That involved his going to the gym regularly, which he did. — Though we know that dying is as natural as being born, the reactions to each are polar opposites. My friend’s husband James had a life-threatening condition, so It was inevitable that his disease would progress, as it did. …

We are also in the throes of an existential climate crisis, and people worry about petty things like an environmental ‘eyesore’ in a neighbor’s back yard. — The floods in Queensland and New South Wales have hit hard. Three times in 18 months, some residents have been flooded, seriously so, that they are considering alternatives. But there’s nowhere to go. There are no houses. There are no caravans.

It can be the greatest heart job you could ever imagine. Far from a Sunday school picnic, the humanitarian demands are there…always — “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” I just couldn’t resist sharing this story written by Orrin Onken, a now retired lawyer, who took his role of ensuring Sam’s welfare, seriously. He writes:

Suddenly the world becomes so much brighter, for a few… — Some ten years ago Rowen and Leanne Carter opened their caravan park in Tasmania’s beautiful Huon Valley. “Once the hub of Tasmania’s apple-growing industry, the Huon Valley has well and truly broadened its palate. “The apples have become cider, and fine wine pours from its vineyards, while fresh produce can…

Do we make ourselves happy first, or choose to be happy, and so spread happiness around us? — What makes for being happy? Is it, for instance, having everything that you want…enough money, success, lots of experiences? Or, is it making the best of what you have…even despite struggle? I suspect we all know the answer. Have you ever noticed? Have you noticed that happy people draw others to them, even strangers…

And Papuan males, for the first time in their lives, and in their own versions of the kilt, learn Scottish country dancing in bare feet… — In Celtic cultures, a bard is a professional story teller, verse-maker, music composer, oral historian and genealogist, employed by a patron (such as a monarch or chieftain) to commemorate one or more of the patron’s ancestors and to praise the patron’s own activities.

Disguised but determined, she paved the way for women today — “When it comes to longevity, surviving illness and coping with trauma, one gender comes out on top.” Let’s face it. For the most part women are significantly shorter than men. Our frame tends to be smaller. We don’t pack so many punches in lifting weights. Not many of us can…

Now imagine a home with windows where the only view was so disturbing it kept you awake at night. How would you deal with it? — Have you ever heard of a window tax? Unless you were living in the 17th century, or studied British history, that answer is, possibly never. ‘Imposed in England in 1696, the tax — a kind of predecessor of the modern property tax — was levied on dwellings with the tax…