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About Campfire Stories

“Even in an age of computer games and electronic toys, you can’t beat a good story – especially when it is offered by a caring adult.” So said William Bennett, author of “The Book of Virtues,” prompting me to reflect on all the stories I have seen unfold over my years of working with children and families (About Marla) and to realize that I could use many of these as examples of what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to raising resilient, independent, self-disciplined, and happy children. With the backdrop of current news, societal trends, and the latest research, I seek to prompt the best parenting decisions to help parents nurture productive, connected children who can navigate the world on their own. Not surprisingly, the campfire metaphor is ideal, since the camp experience itself is so conducive to building these youth development assets. So please join the conversation, either by commenting on a post that resonates or riles, or by e-mailing me with comments or ideas at blog@MarlaColeman.com.

Recent Entries

  • Kids are Not Miniature Adults

    "...Cleared for take-off... Adios amigos." Well, I couldn't have orchestrated a better example of blurred parenting boundaries if I tried! It was the Today...

  • Questions are Magic

    As a camp director who has worked with children at summer camp for 30 years, I've known intuitively and anecdotally what I heard last...

  • Emotion Coaching

    Simple modifications in our approach to raising children can make us significantly better parents and our children substantially happier and more successful. Two sea-change books...

  • Overparenting - Can You Resist its Forces?

    Overparenting: It's not a new topic for me, but it certainly is a favorite one! I think that's because I was guilty of it in...

  • The Experiential Classroom: Camp

    The Great Education Debate If you've been reading Campfire Stories, then you already know how I feel - as an educator and camp professional who...

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