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Summer Break

 In my teaching days, a certain group argued against the word: "No!" 


When you're making your class rules, try not to focus on proscriptions. Instead, be positive. Focus on the *good* things we *ought* to do....

At the time, I thought this was a nifty idea--but, now, as a parent, I realize that the idea is nonsense. "No" is popular for a reason.

When Andrew Rannells was walking his grade-one nephew to the 9/11 Museum, that nephew decided to "go boneless" in the middle of an intersection. He just became a puddle of jelly. And Rannells panicked, and he whispered: "Don't be an asshole. Get up." The words were exactly right. The crisis was then averted.

Lately, when my son exhibits a certain kind of energy around his sister, I calmly say, "Don't be a pest. Don't be naughty. Don't be mean."

These vague, lazy sentences seem to work very, very well. My child gets the message.

Jane Fonda wants you to understand that "No" is a full sentence--and I firmly agree.

This is my Summer of No, and I'm sort of enjoying it.
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