Posted by mestarr | 5 Comments
May I Please Be Excused?

Today, with the help of a loving witness, friend, and assistant searcher (all the same person), I learned something new about myself. It took a while to get there, and it wasn’t very pretty for a moment or two, but I uncovered a very old desire to “be excused.” From what, you ask? Apparently whatever I damn-well please. Just because I’m me – and I’ll tell you whatever story will convince you to agree, or at least let me off the hook. There is a slight element of ‘please feel sorry for me’ in there, too.
Posted by mestarr | 5 Comments
Why must children “perform?...

Can you just see adults sitting around a table asking, “Well, did you learn your periodic table?” Why do we feel the need to interact with kids this way? Schooled and homeschooled kids alike, I see them being asked to perform wherever they go. “What did you learn in school today? What’s 3 times 3? How many stars are on the American flag?” And of course, the kid version of “what do you do” is “what grade are you in?” Are we thinking we’re helping them?