by Lucille Freeman | Aug 27, 2025 | Life lessons, Parenting
Even after two decades of teaching, one of the most cherished times at school was DEAR time – Drop Everything And Read. When I started as an educator, I was mindful to schedule this activity right after lunch as part of the classroom routine. After settling down,...
by Lucille Freeman | Jul 15, 2025 | Life lessons, Parenting
Nine-year-old Cassandra sat in the Auditorium Theater in downtown Chicago alone, waiting for the thick maroon curtains to open. On an ordinary Saturday afternoon, she would be busy cleaning her room, watching television, or fighting with one of her four siblings. But...
by Lucille Freeman | May 16, 2025 | Children, Life lessons, Parenting
The sun beamed across the thick green grass on this perfect summer day as my son-in-law and daughter walked their four children through the zoo. Mikayla was a toddler in a stroller. A goose came up to her and just stared at her, and she stared back at the goose. In...
by Lucille Freeman | Apr 16, 2025 | Life lessons
My class in music appreciation came from my parents. Our home was full of a variety of music: classical – Mario Lanza filled the living room with Be My Love or Andy Williams reminded us that This Land is Mine as we washed dishes or prepared for bed. Not only were the...
by Lucille Freeman | Mar 18, 2025 | Life lessons, Parenting
Superman, Wakanda Forever, Batman. Kids love superheroes. Have you looked and searched for the superhero in your child? What are his strengths? What are his superpowers? Focusing on another’s strengths helps them to amplify it and sometimes even places it on their own...
by Lucille Freeman | Feb 5, 2025 | Blog, Life lessons, Parenting
What if you were told that 70% of American children are not literate? You would probably snap back, “That’s not true! Unbelievable!” But it is true if you consider financial literacy. According to experts, as many as 53% or more of American adults are financially...
