Just wanted to say: I just talked to Gabby this morning (booked time with her before the holidays) and it was absolutely delightful. If anyone is on the fence about it, it was well worth it to me. I feel re-energized, like I have some research to do, and also grace for myself as someone who, similar to Gabby, has *many* different interests! Gabby, so thankful for your wisdom and can't wait to read your parenting book!
I am a paid subscriber, but changed my email address to cgstbs100@gmail.com. (from cgs100@msn.com) . I now can not sign in to either account. I am so computer challenged & realize I am probably the problem. I am wondering if you have any suggestions? My renewal date is the middle of March & want to make sure I automatically can renew with the new email & that I am listed as a paid subscriber. THANK YOU for your input!
Our “Santa” has always left the kids a letter which includes some acknowledgment of things they did well this year. As the years have worn on, and the kids have gotten to be teenagers and young adults, Santa has gotten more and more garrulous—commenting on the state of the world (Mrs Claus got the elves involved in canvassing for her favorite candidate, the elves joined Starbucks in unionizing, etc), and basically summarizing our family’s year for us before hopping back on the sleigh to finish his trip. The letters have ballooned out to over 4 pages some years. It’s a great record of our year and my husband takes his job very seriously. We’ve got them all in a binder—only missing 2009…..hoping it turns up one day.
A high school graduation in France!!!! Such a great thing. My brother went to the local French high school and I thought it was disappointing that he didn’t have a proper graduation. (I had one because I went to the American School of Paris - we didn’t have caps and gowns though because they got lost in the mail.)
I tell you I was practically in shock. We've lived here lots of years and have never seen anything like this. I don't know what the plan is for the 2024 graduates, but Betty is a senior and I hope she gets a similar graduation ceremony.
Gabi, I am so curious, do you find the choosing, applying, financial aid application-ing of schools outside of the US more difficult, the same, easier? Our only is heading off to college in September. This has been a massive undertaking for us, especially because we homeschooled K-12. She started off considering schools as far from us as a several hour plane ride, but narrowed the list to include only those within a five hour drive. We live in NH. Her list was 33 schools long at the start. She only managed to narrow it to 20. I am wondering if she should have/could have considered schools overseas. Maybe for grad school. (She says she wants to go; time will tell.)
She does say she is very excited to do a semester abroad.
Applying for schools really is a massive undertaking! Sounds like you've made it through the worst of it, so huge congratulations are in order.
The process for applying to International schools is different than the U.S., but similar. And each country can have a different process, plus each school within each country can have a different process — so it's definitely best to narrow it down to a specific few. One thing I've noticed: only the U.S. schools seem to request letters of recommendation.
On this topic, as Ben Blair and I finish our parenting book, we were thinking it might be helpful to host some sort of online parenting class with some of the topics we cover in the book. Maybe a series on applying to college (in the U.S. and out) and different college paths our kids have taken, would be helpful.
That would be helpful! We are almost at the end of undergraduate school choosing but would be interested in hearing about your experiences with applying for graduate schools in the US and abroad! Thanks!
I also love the Slow Horses series! Phenomenal, engaging acting and clever plots. The seasons are based on the Slough House book series by Mick Herron - the books are also outstanding.
Hi! I'm curious...do all six kids maintain your family's Mormon beliefs and traditions? Are any of them atheist, agnostic, or something else? Is religion a sore subject for any of them? Thanks!
It seems unlikely that Oscar's school put this one together on such short notice after Macron's press conference, so I guess they already had something brewing? Who knows. In any case there's a good chance Flora June will get one too!
I do hope French school institutions try to create a ritual that goes beyond copying American ceremonies, though. And I'm glad Oscar got to enjoy this celebration!
Just a quick but huge thank you for writing “Ejaculate Responsibly”. I zoomed through it in 90 minutes and quickly passed it on to my sister. Just what our current chaotic world needs!
We have watched all seasons of Slow Horses and really enjoyed. Can be a bit violent.
wow I just ordered that shirt and it came out to $13 with the promo code? Is this real life?
Score!! I love when I can find a good deal for you and a great item.
Re Slow Horses: you can almost SMELL Gary Oldman through the screen. We enjoyed all seasons though!
Seriously. I want him to wash his hair so badly.
Just wanted to say: I just talked to Gabby this morning (booked time with her before the holidays) and it was absolutely delightful. If anyone is on the fence about it, it was well worth it to me. I feel re-energized, like I have some research to do, and also grace for myself as someone who, similar to Gabby, has *many* different interests! Gabby, so thankful for your wisdom and can't wait to read your parenting book!
Oh Maggie. That is so kind of you. I loved our chat today. I'm so glad you booked a call!
For anyone interested in booking an Office Hours meeting with me, I'll announce more meeting times soon.
Dear Gabby,
I am a paid subscriber, but changed my email address to cgstbs100@gmail.com. (from cgs100@msn.com) . I now can not sign in to either account. I am so computer challenged & realize I am probably the problem. I am wondering if you have any suggestions? My renewal date is the middle of March & want to make sure I automatically can renew with the new email & that I am listed as a paid subscriber. THANK YOU for your input!
Cathilee Sharretts
TAH DAH I think I figured it out!
BTW how handsome does Oscar look! Fab Photo
So glad you figured it out! Glad to count you as a subscriber. Thank you, Cathilee.
Congratulations Oscar 👏 he was wise to fly on Saturday. There were a lot of delays yesterday with Isha stopping by 🌬
Re: holiday journal
Our “Santa” has always left the kids a letter which includes some acknowledgment of things they did well this year. As the years have worn on, and the kids have gotten to be teenagers and young adults, Santa has gotten more and more garrulous—commenting on the state of the world (Mrs Claus got the elves involved in canvassing for her favorite candidate, the elves joined Starbucks in unionizing, etc), and basically summarizing our family’s year for us before hopping back on the sleigh to finish his trip. The letters have ballooned out to over 4 pages some years. It’s a great record of our year and my husband takes his job very seriously. We’ve got them all in a binder—only missing 2009…..hoping it turns up one day.
What a treasure for your family! I love that idea so much.
A high school graduation in France!!!! Such a great thing. My brother went to the local French high school and I thought it was disappointing that he didn’t have a proper graduation. (I had one because I went to the American School of Paris - we didn’t have caps and gowns though because they got lost in the mail.)
I tell you I was practically in shock. We've lived here lots of years and have never seen anything like this. I don't know what the plan is for the 2024 graduates, but Betty is a senior and I hope she gets a similar graduation ceremony.
I hope so too. Hopefully it was such a success that they will.
Gabi, I am so curious, do you find the choosing, applying, financial aid application-ing of schools outside of the US more difficult, the same, easier? Our only is heading off to college in September. This has been a massive undertaking for us, especially because we homeschooled K-12. She started off considering schools as far from us as a several hour plane ride, but narrowed the list to include only those within a five hour drive. We live in NH. Her list was 33 schools long at the start. She only managed to narrow it to 20. I am wondering if she should have/could have considered schools overseas. Maybe for grad school. (She says she wants to go; time will tell.)
She does say she is very excited to do a semester abroad.
Applying for schools really is a massive undertaking! Sounds like you've made it through the worst of it, so huge congratulations are in order.
The process for applying to International schools is different than the U.S., but similar. And each country can have a different process, plus each school within each country can have a different process — so it's definitely best to narrow it down to a specific few. One thing I've noticed: only the U.S. schools seem to request letters of recommendation.
On this topic, as Ben Blair and I finish our parenting book, we were thinking it might be helpful to host some sort of online parenting class with some of the topics we cover in the book. Maybe a series on applying to college (in the U.S. and out) and different college paths our kids have taken, would be helpful.
That would be helpful! We are almost at the end of undergraduate school choosing but would be interested in hearing about your experiences with applying for graduate schools in the US and abroad! Thanks!
I also love the Slow Horses series! Phenomenal, engaging acting and clever plots. The seasons are based on the Slough House book series by Mick Herron - the books are also outstanding.
Really clever! The show has kept me engaged. And I didn't realize there was a book series behind it, but that makes sense.
Thanks for the Madewell tip! Love Slow Horses. The books are better, I think.
Good to know.
Hi! I'm curious...do all six kids maintain your family's Mormon beliefs and traditions? Are any of them atheist, agnostic, or something else? Is religion a sore subject for any of them? Thanks!
You're in luck, Amy. There is an essay in our upcoming parenting book on this exact topic.
I love the photo of your son! Very nice!!
On Oscar's bac ceremony: Emmanuel Macron held a press conference last week where he announced (among many other things!) that such ceremonies would now be held at the end of both middle school and high school. The idea is part of a plan to strengthen people's relationship to and respect for the education system. You can read about it here, for example, if you'd like: https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2024/01/17/service-national-universel-uniforme-education-civique-theatre-les-outils-du-rearmement-civique-voulu-par-emmanuel-macron_6211282_3224.html
It seems unlikely that Oscar's school put this one together on such short notice after Macron's press conference, so I guess they already had something brewing? Who knows. In any case there's a good chance Flora June will get one too!
I do hope French school institutions try to create a ritual that goes beyond copying American ceremonies, though. And I'm glad Oscar got to enjoy this celebration!
Apparently much of Ireland was temporarily routed to Paris on Saturday, so I guess Oscar was lucky!
Just a quick but huge thank you for writing “Ejaculate Responsibly”. I zoomed through it in 90 minutes and quickly passed it on to my sister. Just what our current chaotic world needs!