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The Adventures of Plimoth Plantation

The Adventures of Plimoth Plantation As Told by the Mayflower Mouse

In Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving in 2021! 

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Watch Hannah's video...

 

Parents, Our First and Lasting Teachers

A rich resource of more than 100 easy, timeless ideas on building strong families, developing the academics, supporting the schools, and more.
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NEW in 2021

In Search of the Great English Writers: An Imaginary Journey Back in Time with Intrepid Reporter Nellie Bly

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First in the series

In Search of the Great American Writers: An Imaginary Journey Back in Time with Intrepid Reporter Nellie Bly

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John Adams: The Voice Heard 'Round the World

"This is an important work! It's a great story; I love it!"

Jean Fritz, award-winning children's author
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David McCullough & Hannah Carlson


Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough narrates Boston Landmarks Orchestra recording, “John Adams: The Voice Heard ‘Round the World” CD accompanies richly-illustrated children’s book. See more...

 

 

American Genius: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The life story of Longfellow is full of drama, romance, and tragedy.

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Yankee Doodle’s Pen: Wheatley, Washington, and Longfellow

Step back in time and discover what a slave, a general, and a poet have in common.

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Fostering joy within the family

The feeling of self-worth
The feeling of self-worth

Do you hear groans coming from some parents about the tasks and responsibilities of parenting today? What can be done when parental joy seems lacking? A complaining attitude and conversation can spoil the fabric of family happiness.

John P. Blessington, former director of education relations for CBS Television, thinks negative attitudes should be examined and smoked out if parents are going to act as contributors, not inhibitors, to family happiness.

At a conference for parents, educators, classroom teachers, and daycare specialists, he addressed this topic and elaborated on “The Joys of Parenting – a Nondrug Approach.”

As an educator and father, Mr. Blessington observed some common obstacles to family harmony. He said, “There’s something very wrong with giving children everything, then complaining how spoiled they are.” What we often are not giving them, though, is the feeling of self-worth. This quality is promoted by teaching children how to care for themselves and their home. These were integral lessons for our fore-fathers, taught at home through wood chopping, butter churning, and other survival skills.

Another complaint from parents, Mr. Blessington pointed out, is that “my children just won’t help at home.” He examined a few reasons this is so. Excessive homework assignments and after-school lessons or clubs often rob children of their free time to do and contribute at home. Joy is restricted if children are enrolled in music lessons, soccer, ballet, etc., because of a parent’s interest or ambition, and not their own. “We should slow down our pace and be a quiet leader for happiness,” he recommended.         Also, children cannot participate in a family if parents do everything for them. “Many mothers have a longer right arm from constantly picking up after everyone,” he smiled. “It’s a moral obligation to teach children the ‘wood chopping, butter churning’ chores of today.”

“There are fewer knobs on a washing machine than on a TV, yet some children grow up not knowing how to wash clothes, besides not knowing how to repair, manage, or maintain a home. As children gain in skill and self-confidence at home, then they’ll be prepared to do more for others. If they don’t seem to learn, then the natural consequences can often be the teacher.”

The former CBS executive added that parents often complain that children watch too much TV. His advice: “Find the good in TV and use it for all it’s worth. Don’t breed guilt into children.” Discussions, acting out programs, and adapting quizzes into game form extend its learning value.

 

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