Comments for Jenn At Home

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by Jenn (@ Home)

Jenn (@ Home) — Tue, 29 May 2012 04:37:11 +0000

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has both read and responded. It has been entirely humbling to come home and find that my experience has struck a note with so many people, including a number of individuals I both respect and admire. Seriously, thank you for all the kind words!

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by shannon niebuhr

shannon niebuhr — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:29:13 +0000

You brilliantly and humbly explain how to simplify the interaction between parent and child: by eliminating “OK,” you re-instate the natural hierarchy. Well explained! I think putting the parent back in charge (gently) helps kids feel safe.

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by Sarah MacLaughlin

Sarah MacLaughlin — Mon, 28 May 2012 05:05:35 +0000

Great post! I love that you advocate for trusting your child when you say: “But when it comes to things being okay, I’ll let him be the judge of that.” I am always reminding parents that they should trust their children! I write about dropping the questioning “okay” at the end of directives in my book: What Not to Say: Tools for Talking with Young Children…love all these other ways that okay is not okay!

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by Jen Stark

Jen Stark — Mon, 28 May 2012 02:08:46 +0000

I was telling my husband just last week how I knew I was asking my 8 month old for her okay to get her out of the bath, (‘One more minute then it’s time to get out, ok?”) but had no idea how to change. Thank you so much for this, I now know what to say instead!

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by Alaine Angela May Booth

Alaine Angela May Booth — Mon, 28 May 2012 01:20:43 +0000

Love your idea of replacing “okay” with “understand”. I too try to be accurate in my use of language with my baby boy. It has illuminated how many lazy habits have crept into my speech. Just another way babies make us better.

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by V

Sun, 27 May 2012 19:16:10 +0000

Making it a point to wean myself off of “okay” today! I never thought of saying, “It’s okay,” as invalidating a child’s feelings or experiences but thought it would be comforting to hear that I wasn’t mad. I will definitely be more careful about this now. Thanks for the insight!

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by Shannan

Shannan — Sun, 27 May 2012 17:45:25 +0000

As a preschool teacher, I am constantly thinking about these things! Once you break the “okay” habit, you really don’t miss it. And when I explain it to other adults, they often seem surprised by how simple yet effective a change it is. Thanks for explaining it so clearly!

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by theteachertom

theteachertom — Sun, 27 May 2012 16:45:10 +0000

It’s so important to listen to ourselves as we speak with children and as you mention, especially those questions at the end of sentences that are not really questions.

Comment on Okay? Not okay. by Danielle

Danielle — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:18:38 +0000

This is so inspiring! The power of words is something I forget daily, thanks for the reminder to be deliberate.

Comment on Why I’m considering homeschooling. by future.flying.saucers

future.flying.saucers — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:02:39 +0000

There are a ton. Here is my scope and sequence for this year:
http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/homeschool-interests/scope-and-sequence-2012/

Also, go to here: http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/favorite-websites/teaching/
and go down to where I have curriculum. Take a look at some of the other stuff on there too. I’ve listed some of the best resources I’ve found so far.

It’s at least a start. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!