I used to believe that public education was the right spot for almost every family.

There have been many times over the course of my career where I’ve recommended that a family who had previously been at an independent school try their local public school instead.

Because I believe in public education. And I think that for many families, the public schools have historically been able to offer services that independent schools just don’t have the resources to support.

And I still believe that … BUT … now that recommendation comes with a caveat.

A week and a half ago, I heard Dr. Miguel Cardona talk at the Salisbury Forum.* Dr. Cardona went from Meriden public schools to becoming Connecticut's youngest principal at 27, to serving as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education, so his case for public school wasn't theoretical. It also wasn't rosy about money or resource allocation.

An educational consultant on why school searches fail when parents build the list from the outcome backward, and what to do before you look at a single school name.

Before you start touring new schools, work the problem where you are. Seven reasons to stay, what to try first, and how to know when a change is warranted.

Four generations of mothers and daughters taught me you never fully know the people you love most — on secrets, letting go, and loving across the gap.

I sent my son to residential treatment at 11. Years later, we walked The Frick together. For any parent in the hardest part: you have not lost your child.

A therapeutic consultant explains why kids with ADHD and autism get labeled with PDA, why lowering demands backfires, and how to tell can't from avoidance.

Why do some teens and young adults refuse help for addiction or mental illness? Honest guidance on denial, rock bottom, and what parents can control.

A mother and educational consultant on high-potency THC, the teenage brain, and psychosis risk, and the research I wish I'd had when my son was using.

Is your teen or young adult overwhelmed by today’s zero-mistake world? This article explores the rising cost of perfectionism and how parents can support a young person in an unforgiving and uncertain future. Discover ways to help young people navigate high-stakes pressure, survive failures, and find room to breathe.

Discover the transformative power of play for children facing developmental hurdles. In this inspiring chat, pediatric speech pathologist Carly Siebald and educational consultant Rebekah discuss how infusing play into daily routines fosters creative problem-solving, joyful de-escalation, and deep skill assessment. Learn how to look past the worksheets and unlock your child's true potential.

How to reduce screen time and bring daily presence into family life. Practices include shinrin-yoku, technology boundaries, and daily ritual.

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Free play, extended recess, and open-ended materials create the conditions for children to build the essential skills needed for healthy adulthood.

When your child refuses to fit the mold, it can feel like failure. It might be the most important invitation you'll ever receive. On embracing your child for who they are — and what it asks of you.

… After recently listening to Holman’s book, narrated in a delightfully playful way, I found myself feeling inspired to bring more play into my own life. I am moving, thinking, working, and parenting a little differently, and hopefully for the better. I am finding more ways to bring a playful energy into my interactions with others, and those moments feel more connected and more fulfilling.

When there is no right answer, families don't need more information. They need someone to hold them in their grief and sorrow. On what that kind of support actually requires.

AI can tell you to use cold air for croup at 2am. What it can't do is sit with you when your teenager is falling apart and you need to stay present. On the limits of AI in parenting — and what no tool can replace.

When a therapeutic program placement fails, the child rarely thinks the program was wrong. He thinks he failed. Again. On the real cost of the wrong fit — and what it takes to get it right.