Mom Behind the Curtain

every mom wants to be an all-powerful wizard

Resilience and Optimism in new Movies

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Cinderella Movie Glass shoe posterOver on the Mom Behind the Curtain, I’ve got a new post the Disney Cinderella movie, and now it relates to what I read in Mindset, by Carol Dwek. The ability to remain optimistic is important to develop if we don’t possess it naturally. Disney/Pixar has a new movie coming out this summer, Inside Out, that looks like it might provide some insight into this process. You can read my full post about lessons in optimism and resilience from Cinderella and Inside Out on The Mom Behind the Curtain. [link]

Media from Walt Disney Studios. I was not compensated for these movie reviews and bought the movie tickets myself. All thoughts and comments are my own.

To give, or not to give homework? That is the question

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A friend forwarded an article to me recently with the comment “I don’t agree with this, but you might find it interesting.”

I love having friends who disagree with me. I think it’s important, to constantly challenge my own decisions. It helps to surround myself with thoughtful people who are willing to discuss the pros and cons of a different issue, and the discussion is most informative when you think you fall on different sides of an argument. Sometimes a friend convinces me to change my mind. Sometimes I convince them. Most of the time we agree to disagree, but I think everything lives on in our subconscious and influences us later. What’s important, is that it allows each of us to thoughtfully consider and reevaluate our position.

In this case, the question happens to be homework. To give, or not to give homework. That is the question….

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Science in Strange Magic, the new animated movie from George Lucas and Walt Disney Pictures

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Strange MagicHow did we miss this?!? There’s a new George Lucas animated movie! Strange Magic, from Walt Disney Pictures, Lucasfilm Ltd. and released by Touchstone Pictures.

No one in this family had any idea this was coming. Granted, we don’t watch a ton of tv, but usually we know about every sci-fi and animated movie coming out. And anything by George Lucas would have definitely caught our notice, because, well – STAR WARS. We’re one of those families where not only dad, but mom as well, grew up as a Star Wars fan so the kids had no choice but to hear about it. Even if when we were talking about this movie my twelve-year-old did say, “Isn’t George Lucas dead?”…

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Best Books for Girls in 4th Grade – My Daughters’ Favorites

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In fourth grade, my daughters continued to add some series and authors to their reading list that they would enjoy for many years to come. Here are 11 of the best books for girls in fourth grade, my daughters’ favorites….

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What PSAT score is good enough to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship?

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Is my PSAT score good enough to qualify for National Merit scholarship? What score is needed to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship? That information isn’t easy to find, even on the internet. All the PSAT scores should all be out by now (schools receive the scores and decide when to distribute them) and a lot of students are asking that question. Even if it’s not their Junior year, some kids (or their parents) are looking at their freshman or sophomore scores and wondering if they have a shot at National Merit their Junior year….

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Best Books for Boys in 4th Grade – my son’s favorites

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In fourth grade, my son continued to read many of his favorite book series from the 3rd grade. But he added some new books as well. Here are 7 of the best books for boys, my son’s favorite books in fourth grade….

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Best Books for Girls in 3rd Grade – my daughters’ favorites

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By the third grade all of my kids were going strong with reading. The same might happen for your kids if you can find the right books! If you don’t read kids’ books for your own entertainment (I do!) you might have trouble coming up with some suggestions for your son. But better than my suggestions, are the suggestions of other girls. Here are 9 of the best books for girls, my daughters’ favorite books in third grade….

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Best Books for Boys in 3rd Grade – my son’s favorites

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By the third grade all of my kids really started to like reading. The same might happen for your kids if you can find the right books! If you don’t read kids’ books for your own entertainment (I do!) you might have trouble coming up with some suggestions for your son. But better than my suggestions, are the suggestions of another boy. Here are 8 of the best books for boys, my son’s favorite books in third grade….

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Best Books for Boys in Second Grade – my son’s favorites

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In second grade, readers can really take off. Or not. Don’t be worried if your child hasn’t turned into a reader yet. Just focus on making fun books available. If you don’t read kids’ books for your own entertainment (I do!) you might have trouble coming up with some suggestions for your son. But better than my suggestions, are the suggestions of another boy. Here are 8 of the best books for boys, my son’s favorite books in second grade….

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Best Books for Girls in 1st Grade – my daughters’ 7 favorite kids books

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In first grade, kids are just getting started with independent reading. If you don’t read kids’ books for your own entertainment (I do!) you might have trouble coming up with some suggestions for your kids. But better than my suggestions, are the suggestions of other kids. Here are 7 of the best books for girls, my daughter’s favorite books in first grade….

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