Happy Wednesday,

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. While we did not get out to trick-or-treat last night, we were a hit on the trick-or-treating trail. Not only do we have a 10 foot inflatable illuminated ghost outside of our house that everyone was taking selfies in front of, but I also was solo parenting while a group of folks rang the doorbell and it was at a… less than opportune time. I was in the middle of changing a huge poopy diaper, which meant that in under 30 seconds, I was able to put on a fresh diaper, sprint with my daughter in one arm to the door, open it up while holding back my two dogs with the other and slide a plate of treats to the kids. I think I put on quite the show.

Anyone else have any wild stories from last night? Hit reply and let me know!

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One Big Idea

The New Educational Frontier for American Families

Once seen as a much less common choice, home schooling has recently undergone a seismic shift, emerging as a dominant force in the American educational landscape. It's a revelation that defies past expectations and reshapes the future of how we’re thinking about educating our children. In the thick of the pandemic, parents across the country—from bustling boroughs of New York to the sun-drenched streets of Florida—turned their homes into classrooms. This wasn't merely a temporary pivot; it has burgeoned into a sustained movement. A meticulous analysis conducted by The Washington Post unveils this truth: Home schooling's growth has eclipsed that of both private and public schools, signaling a profound transformation in parental choice and educational freedom.

This expansion of home schooling isn't just a set of statistics; it's a story about families taking the reins, about communities adapting and evolving. It’s about co-ops flourishing in Tampa to rival the offerings of traditional schools, about parents in Kentucky and New York crafting education tailored to their children's unique needs. The rapid rise reflects a collective yearning for a different approach, one that may not be without challenges, but promises a personalized education. For new parents considering this path, the rise of home schooling represents a bold reimagining of learning environments, driven by a desire for autonomy and a response to the diverse needs of children. It's an invitation to explore an educational choice that is no longer the road less traveled, but a bustling highway toward an innovative future.

Trending Stories & Insights

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• Businesses are increasingly taking on the national child-care crisis themselves. Employers around the country are opening day-care centers in unexpected places: at a chicken-processing plant in Tennessee, an airport in Pennsylvania and a Wisconsin charter school

• Now that Halloween has come and gone, here’s another reminder of why it’s always worthwhile to look through your kids candy haul: Cannabis-infused fruit chews were found among candy that elementary school children received at an event organized by their local PTA this past weekend

Tip of the Day

• Here are some ways to assess if your kid is ready for a smartphone based on personality, developmental stage and maturity. Yes, it’s an article sponsored by Verizon, but I promise the author is an expert and the content is worth a read

Here’s a dad joke

What sits on the seabed and has anxiety?

Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer!

Time(out) for Memes