Category: Family
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Five Reasons I Vaccinate My Children

Over the last decade, the issue of vaccinations has developed into a postmodern debate in which we can express our personal opinion, but should not presume to suggest others should ‘come over to our side.’ The debate has flourished over social media, where parents can peruse opinion posts that reaffirm their values and then share…
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Charleston, South Carolina (Part II): Photographic Highlights

Fort Sumter. Familiar to all students of American history, the fort is located in opening to the channel across from Charleston. The first shots of the American Civil War were fired by Confederate forces firing on the fortress in April 1861. But this is not Fort Sumter. Ubiquitous signs in Charleston direct visitors to the…
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Charleston, South Carolina, Part I: The Guts of a City

Recent posts on willtravelwithkids have talked about the reality of sex trafficking, something the symptoms of which have become more and more apparent to me as we drive the streets in our own town or drive hours away to another city. Our children see these signs and related, intertwined issues, when we travel – drugged…
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The Coming – what it means to a slave of fear

The face of fear, of agony, has new features for me. Tears stream down her face as she recounts confusion, treachery, manipulation, physical bondage, unwanted touching. . . Her story tumbles out of her mouth like a river, eager to be released from the dam of shame. After being abandoned by her parents as a…
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The Magnificent Magnolia: Baobab of the American South

When we moved to this region of the United States, considered part of “The South,” I discovered the magnolia tree. Magnolia trees are the baobab of the American South. Distinctive and unique to this region, the massive blooms and richly colored foliage can be found in backyards and botanical gardens alike. The colors of the…
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Cast Out Fear – a post for autumn

Over the past two years, this post has become one of the most popular I’ve written. WordPress allows me to see how people find my blog – through search engines, Facebook posts and other online links – and this is one post people find through various searches on children’s literature and Barbara Cooney. Originally published…
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“Treasures” to toys

When we travel and stay with friends and family, we have time to do things I would like to do more often at home – like go on walks. Few other house responsibilities call and, without their regular schedule of activities and toys, I have to ensure the children have things to occupy their minds.…
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Part III: Fowl BRUTALITY in Lyon

While perusing the wares at the weekly international textile fair along Lyon’s Saône River, Little Man (11 months) let me know he was overdue for a feeding. Hubby took the girls exploring along the river walk while I found a bench in the shade. I got comfortable and baby started eating. . . and then…
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Part II: Beauty’s BOLLENE (or what it means to be French)
Mention any small, provincial town in southern France and we’re game to visit. The girls were content with our hotel in one such village, Bollène. They were content until the morning after our night in the ancient structure when we told them this was actually Belle’s village – a poor, provincial town in France. Then they were…
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Discovering Museum Reciprocity

Though living out of suitcases with no house to call our own on any continent, we are back in the United States. Less than two weeks in-country and I bought a membership to a local children’s museum. We are currently traveling up the East Coast and this membership is our ticket to free entertainment. With…