Intentional-ish

It took me a long time to learn this, you guys. An embarrassingly long time. If you're painfully late to the party like me, welcome. I read about men and women who gave all the credit in their lives to an 8th grade basketball coach or a high school English teacher.  I never understood how someone devoted themselves to running or making clay mugs or cooking Italian food and through that, found meaning and purpose.  How can something like a sport where you put a ball into a specific spot center your life?  How can learning to make cannoli make you a better person? I didn't get it.  Now, I'm starting to.  I am by no means a finished product- but I'm inpatient- so here we are. Ready? It doesn't matter what you're doing.  It matters who you are becoming. One more time. It literally doesn't matter what it is you're doing or not doing.  The only thing that matters is who you are becoming through it. Does watercolor teach you how to make a p...

It seems like I’m re-learning every piece of my faith, bit by tiny bit as I explain and answer my children’s questions.  What I’ve learned is this: If I can’t explain it simply, I don’t know the answer well enough. I’m deeply interested in how to bring true, authentic moral teachings to children in a way they truly understand , because then that will be a tool in their toolbox for the rest of their lives.  With that in mind, below is a list I’ve been contemplating- the Children’s Works of Mercy- ways for our kids to use their little bodies and little hearts in their everyday life.   Share the snack If a kid doesn’t have a snack, or doesn’t like their snack, or just had a snack but yours looks better- offer a piece, a bite, a smidge.  What does this look like in real life? Asking your mother to bring a large pack of granola bars into your classroom in case a student forgets.  If you or your child notices another child frequently without lunch/snack/drin...