Living Unabridged

Can you believe tomorrow is February 1st? Where did January go? (You can find a review of what happened here at Living Unabridged in this post: Life via Blog: January.)
I found so many great posts and articles this week so let's get on with the links:

Learning

• Ten Obvious Truths About Educating Kids That Keep Getting Ignored by Valerie Strauss in The Washington Post. No matter how you choose to educate your children, you ought to read this article. (I can't help but point out that homeschooling does not keep ignoring most of these truths, but then, I'm hardly unbiased.)
• The Holy Grail of Classical Education by Andrew Kern for CiRCE Institute. I'm pretty sure I only ever understand a fraction of what Kern (and his fellow CiRCE writers) are talking about, but I enjoy the challenge.
• Tsh's World School Day Day in the Life (with a 4-, 7-, and 9-year old). What an inspiring experience (must contain my blossoming envy and covetousness!).
• Raising Readers: The Example of an Older Child by Amy at Sunlit Pages. (You might also be interested in my January series: 5 Days of Raising Readers.)

Living

• My Secrets to Taking Common-Sense Care of Your Child at Home by Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter. I love Leila's posts. So much good sense coupled with such a friendly tone.
• Social Science Says Lasting Relationships Come Down to 2 Basic Traits by Derek Lovell. This seems like common sense too, but maybe it isn't today. (A good set of books to read about this might beThe Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference and The Good News About Marriage: Debunking Discouraging Myths about Marriage and Divorceboth by Shaunti Feldhahn. You can also find my review of the 2nd book here: Book Review - The Good News About Marriage)
• Why You Should Let Your Kids Learn to Walk Without You by Rich Cromwell in The Federalist. My husband and I are pretty laid back parents. These days we're less afraid for our kids and more afraid that someone will call CPS when they see our kids being kids. (Things like: exploring our back yard complete with ravine behind our neighborhood, riding bikes, walking down the road to a friend's house unsupervised, etc.) Yes, we want our kids to grow up safe and sound. But that's the point. We want them to GROW UP, not remain infantilized and cosseted forever. [/soapbox]
• Related: Kids are Casualties in the War Against Self-Reliance by Stella Morabito also in The Federalist.
• Why Scruffy Hospitality Makes Room for Friendship by Jack King. Loved this post (all except the parts that mention alcohol since we don't drink)and it reinforced something that Philip and I are trying to be more intentional about in 2015.
• My Baby's Heart Stopped Beating by Jasmine Holmes. I have been here and it is so much harder than you might imagine if it hasn't happened to you.
• Being Strong Doesn't Look the Same for Everyone by Rachel Wojnarowski. Such encouraging words!
• Do You Believe God Will Save Your Kids? by Tim Challies. Good reminders here.
• Four Things Your Child Needs More Than a Big Birthday Party by Jayme Metzgar in The Federalist.

Loving

• The Cadbury Debate: What Will Become of our British Sweets? This Hershey's stranglehold on American candy (and chocolate specifically) has got to stop. Seems to me that Hershey's is worried because they're producing an inferior product. And seriously, how big of a challenge could British chocolate be, anyway? (I am obviously not unbiased in this story either. I loved the chocolate we ate when we were in Britain and I've enjoyed finding some of the items here occasionally.)
• All My Issues with the "Goodnight Moon" Bedroom from The Ugly Volvo. Language warning but this one really did make me laugh out loud (as opposed to just LOL-ing).
• Don't Look Now But You are Being Followed by Dan Balow. OK, I don't "love" this. It makes sense, but it also gives me the creeps. (And for all of those readers who thought ereaders were their chance to read books they normally wouldn't, because no one else would see the cover, well, so much for that plan. Nothing is secret.)
• Why the Prosperity Gospel is the Worst Pyramid Scheme Ever by Nicholas McDonald at TGC.

That's it for this week. (Actually, I had a few more saved, but I think that's more than enough for one week.)
What caught your eye?

Don't forget your chance to attend a live webinar about homeschooling with a Middle School and High School focus. (If you're wondering what a webinar is or what this one will include, you can find out here: Attend a Homeschool Conference from the Comfort of Your Home.) There will also be mp3s available with purchase, whether you can attend the webinar or not: