Category: Life Lessons

We need a big "thumbs up" statue in the U.S., too

These days, it can feel like you’re drowning in the news or in your social media feed. Based on the “news” of the day, it’s easy to be disheartened. To be pessimistic. To be jaded. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. We can fight to stay positive. To stay upbeat. To stay hopeful.... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
March 12, 2017 at 7:09 pm • 

Speaking with compassion: Sticks and stones can break your bones – and words can really hurt, too

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all heard the phrase, “sticks and stones will break your bones, but word will never hurt you,” at some point as a kid. I know I’ve heard it many times. And, I’ve caught myself echoing that same sentiment to my young sons. But, you know what? It’s... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
February 20, 2015 at 11:15 pm • 

“Mom, when are you going to stop embarrassing me in front of my friends?” An important parenting lesson I learned from my 6-year-old son

When I make a parenting mistake, I want to own up to it so my sons see that I make mistakes, too. And, boy, did I make one the other day. You see, I unknowingly brought up a very touchy subject for my six-year-old son. Yes, I’m talking about the number of teeth you’ve lost... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
February 13, 2015 at 9:21 pm • 
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A reminder to find hope within you - from my nine-year-old son

The conversations in our home have been rather deep these days – to say the least. With Martin Luther King Day coming up, we’ve been talking a lot about equality – and the times (past and current) when equal rights have been denied people based on their gender, race, religion or sexual preference. We’ve also... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
January 15, 2015 at 11:21 am • 

Reporting vs. tattling: Reminding kids to use the power of their voice to resolve conflict

Often, when I’m around large groups of children, I’ll inevitably hear several of them shout, “I’m telling!” Usually, their shouts follow some minor altercation – like after one child pulled another one’s scarf or one child drew on another one’s paper. Unfortunately, the chorus of too many shouts can tend to negate the importance of each individual... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
December 8, 2014 at 11:30 am • 

"But, mom, why not Hanukkah, too?" Celebrating winter holidays in our multicultural world

One question with six words has been on my mind for the last few days: “But, mom, why not Hanukkah, too?”  And, it’s all thanks to my six-year-old son. He uttered that one question with six words to me on Monday, November 3 – to be exact. It came right after our red shopping cart careened around a corner at a Target store near... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
November 11, 2014 at 8:51 am • 
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My son happily labels himself a “nerd,” but I'm not so happy about it

The other day, from the backseat of our car, my older son proudly declared that he’s a “nerd.” Being a child of the 80s, I remember finally being old enough to watch “Revenge of the Nerds,” and being happy that the lovable, smart but socially awkward “nerds” ended up “fighting back for their peace and... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
October 27, 2014 at 9:37 am • 

Class elections: Taking a small step toward social action at just six years old

When did you hold your first elected position? I can’t remember when I did, but I think it wasn’t until high school. And, I know for a fact that it wasn’t when I was six years old. Unfortunately, I can now say the same thing for my younger son. But, that’s not a bad thing.... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
October 20, 2014 at 9:06 am • 

Buying milk in a bag in Israel – and remembering when I first realized the beauty of travel

“Mom, in Israel, people drink chocolate milk out of a bag!” That one statement, excitedly yelled by my younger son as he got off the camp bus just a few weeks ago, triggered a memory I had long forgotten. And, instantly, I was mentally transported back to when I was a student participating in a... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
August 28, 2014 at 1:21 pm • 
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Lesson from the playground: We’re all different – and very much the same

Last week, I took my sons to a local park we hadn’t been to in a few years. I took them there to play and have fun, as to be expected. But, our return to the park provided us with an unexpected opportunity to discuss the differences and similarities among us, too. While my sons... Read more »
By Aimee Thompson,
August 25, 2014 at 9:48 am •