Even Permanent Ink Fades Eventually

Who forms a child’s self-concept in the worst way possible on purpose?

When We Tell Our Stories

No one is judging you for your story and your choices. They’re just telling their own.

What Fundamentalism Taught Me About Being a Good Mom: Evie’s Story

After becoming a new mom, I have been realizing how many bad mom- good mom rules have been thoroughly ingrained into my being because of my fundamentalist upbringing

Parenting Beyond Our Past: A Resource Guide

I thought I’d put together a resource for those of you who, like me, want to do differently for our kids.

In Which Children Are People Too

“I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is this: What is my parenting goal?”

Friendship and Parenthood

“I wish that myself as a child could have known that a good future was coming, so that the dark nights didn’t seem quite as cold. However, the coldness of the past makes me value even more the warmth of friendship now.”

Thoughts From a Regretful But Healing ATI Mom

“I’ve thought about writing ever since I stumbled upon this site. I am going to be short, although I could share my thoughts and reflections for hours. I am a college educated capable mom of 58 who has seen my life, and the life of my children, turned upside down as a result of, at least in part, our years in ATI.”

Snake Oil Homeschooling: The False Promises of Fear and Control

“Good, well-meaning Christian parents want their children to thrive in good Christian ways. Rules or formulas give a sense of security. But that desire for security goes haywire when coupled with your worst nightmares, when those nightmares lead you into artificial and stagnant legalism with the false hope of perfect kids.”

Raising Aria Rose: Christopher L. Stollar’s Thoughts

“Even before our daughter was born, people were telling us how to raise her. Some said we should home school. Others advocated for public school. Then there were those who railed against day care. And vaccines. And infant formula. To be fair, these people probably only wanted the best for our child, Aria Rose. But my wife and I started to see a dangerous pattern in this type of advice.”

Corporal Punishment and The End of The Red Stick: Heather Doney’s Story, Part Two

“The red stick had started out as a handle to a child-size broom and then when the broom broke 25 years ago, it became a toy (a walking stick, a bat, a pretend sword) left in the yard until my Dad picked it up off the patio one day, tapped it against his palm a few times and said, ‘This would make a real good spankin’ stick.'”