Thomas Ramey Watson

teaching

What almost dying taught Tracy White about living

I thought I was leading the “right life”—prestigious college, fancy job in New York City, kind husband, happy child, good friends, nice house…then I got incurable cancer. The doctor thought I had 15 months to get my affairs in order. When bad stuff happens to us, even the most enlightened can’t help but ask, “Why …

What almost dying taught Tracy White about living Read More »

The opportunity to fail–the best gift we can give our children

Mo Issa writes: My parents gave me love, and lots of it, but often faltered in giving me direction. However, the best gift they gave me was the opportunity to fail, and then learn from those failures. That opportunity not only made me stronger, but also instilled in me a sense of responsibility and independence …

The opportunity to fail–the best gift we can give our children Read More »

How To ‘Break Up’ With A Narcissistic Parent

“Realizing and accepting that you have one or more narcissistic parents is a long and intensely painful road,” Julie L. Hall told HuffPost. “That’s because children, even adult children, continue to desire love and approval, often against all reason.” Ultimately, asserting low or no contact with a narcissist parent can be a healthy, liberating choice. …

How To ‘Break Up’ With A Narcissistic Parent Read More »

Who Gets to Choose Which Childhood Experiences Are ‘Appropriate’?

Fom Christina Berchini’s thoughtful article: Hard as some parents and guardians might try to shield their children from life’s difficulties and cruelties, other students bring adult issues to our classrooms. I certainly did. My students certainly did. An “appropriate” text, then, is also a text that honors this reality. Students who see their experiences ― …

Who Gets to Choose Which Childhood Experiences Are ‘Appropriate’? Read More »

8 Underrated Qualities To Look For In A Spouse, According To Experts

There are certain important qualities we’re taught to look for in our romantic partners: Are they honest? Are they strong communicators? Are they good at handling money? And the list goes on. But what about the less obvious signs that someone will make a great husband or wife? We asked relationship experts to tell us …

8 Underrated Qualities To Look For In A Spouse, According To Experts Read More »

The Fundamentalist Christian Chokehold On America

The fundamentalist chokehold on American politics seeks to destroy the religious and cultural plurality on which the country, and the Declaration of Independence, was based. These theological divisions – which pit believers against non-believers, and those who believe correctly against those who don’t – are a major contributor to America’s sharply divided politics. When someone …

The Fundamentalist Christian Chokehold On America Read More »