The Wilderness Awareness School has officially announced the retirement of the name "Anake Outdoor School" for its renowned experiential outdoor education program. Moving forward, the multi-month residential program will be known as "The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School." Organizers state that the rebranding is a crucial step in the institution’s ongoing commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as a deliberate effort to correct practices of cultural appropriation within its organizational branding.
Originally launched under the name Wilderness Awareness Residential Program (WARP), the curriculum underwent its first major re-naming in 2009 to become the Anake Outdoor School. At the time, the term "Anake"—a Kikamba word—was selected to pay tribute to the legacy of Ingwe, a co-founder of the school who maintained direct personal relationships with members of the Akamba people in East Africa. School leadership understood the term to mean "one who is ready to step into service for their community," and the title was adopted with positive intentions to inspire students embarking on intensive outdoor leadership training.
However, over the past several years, the staff and leadership at the Wilderness Awareness School engaged in deep institutional reflection regarding the origins and utilization of the name. Administrators ultimately realized that the organization no longer possessed the full story behind the term, nor did it maintain a proper understanding of its authentic cultural context. Furthermore, the school currently has no active members connected to the Akamba people or fluent in the Kikamba language.
Recognizing these realities, school officials determined that utilizing an element of an external culture without maintaining right relations with the people who actually live within that culture constitutes cultural appropriation. Despite the strong positive spirit the name evoked for hundreds of students and graduates over the years, the leadership concluded that the organization had a moral responsibility to release the name "Anake" from its identity.
The newly designated title, "The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School," has been chosen to better reflect the true nature of the experience itself. Organizers describe the program as a once-in-a-lifetime journey and an experiential deep dive into the core teachings offered across the entire institution. While the title is changing, the foundational curriculum, daily rhythms, and core intentions that have defined the program for more than 500 graduates will remain completely intact.
The program continues to serve as a vital space where participants connect meaningfully with themselves, their peers, and the living world around them. The educational framework aims to empower students to move forward into their lives with greater awareness, resilience, and connection to nature.
Reflecting on the nature of the experience, Rees Maxwell, a graduate from the Class of 2006, captured the philosophy behind the curriculum: "When we experience life as immersion, we aren’t only ‘in it’ – we are given the opportunity to experience being ‘of it’. Those special moments of being ‘it’ are moments of being beyond ourselves, where we are more than intimately connected to all things, we are all things. We are immersed."
School leadership emphasizes that updating the program’s title is merely one component of a broader, systemic effort to disentangle the organization from the subtle yet harmful effects of ongoing colonization. Institutional branding that incorporates language from external cultures while ascribing self-determined meanings to those words is a practice the school is actively working to dismantle.
Administrators acknowledge that this renaming is an essential milestone in the school’s ongoing evolution toward becoming a more liberated, equitable, and culturally responsible organization. At the same time, leadership stresses that the transition is part of a larger continuum of work rather than a single, isolated fix. The organization remains dedicated to expanding and supporting the equity initiatives it has formally established, recognizing that substantive institutional change requires sustained effort, accountability, and ongoing action.
Founded in 2003 with a deeply personal mission to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing systemic barriers to adoption, the organization Show Hope has spent more than two decades transforming the landscape of child welfare and family reunification. Established by founders Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, whose own life-changing adoption journey opened their eyes to the immense needs of orphaned children around the world, the organization initially set out to tackle a glaring and immediate obstacle: the high financial costs associated with the adoption process.
In those early days, the primary mechanism for driving change was the creation and distribution of Adoption Aid grants. These financial awards were specifically designed to bridge the gap for waiting families who longed to welcome home children through the miracle of adoption but found themselves stalled by prohibitive expenses. By lifting these financial burdens, Show Hope successfully cleared the runway for countless families, setting the stage for what would eventually evolve into a multifaceted global child advocacy ministry.
More than fifteen years ago, the scope of Show Hope expanded significantly with the launch of its second major programmatic area: supporting the vital work of the New Hope Foundation and establishing dedicated Care Centers in China. This new direction was born out of a profound calling—what the founders often describe as a distinct tap on the shoulder from God—to care specifically for little ones in China who were facing acute medical needs and specialized health challenges.
This chapter of the organization’s history took on a deeply poignant and enduring meaning in 2009. Following the tragic passing of their daughter, Maria, the family and the broader community rallied to establish a physical beacon of hope in Luoyang, China. Known affectionately as the "Big Blue Building," this facility was adorned with white clouds and featured a flower beautifully drawn by Maria herself. Standing tall in the Chinese sky, the facility became a testament to Maria Sue Chapman’s legacy, providing specialized care, safety, and love to vulnerable children who otherwise might have slipped through the cracks of the medical and social support systems.
Over nearly fifteen years of sustained love, community support, and dedicated financial backing, the impact of the Care Centers in China was monumental. More than 2,700 children received comprehensive, compassionate care within the walls of these facilities. Furthermore, more than 800 of those children transitioned from institutional care into the permanent love, stability, and security of a family through adoption. The legacy of the "Big Blue Building" demonstrated conclusively that specialized medical care combined with family-focused advocacy could radically change the trajectory of a child’s life.
However, the landscape of international child welfare is ever-evolving, and organizations dedicated to this work must frequently reassess how they can best deploy their resources to meet the changing needs of children and families. At the beginning of 2020, following extensive prayer, strategic evaluation, and careful consideration, Show Hope announced a major transition. The organization made the difficult decision to officially conclude its financial support of the New Hope Foundation and the Care Centers in China at the close of its fiscal year on June 30, 2020.
While the conclusion of this chapter was undeniably met with deep sadness, the leadership recognized a fundamental truth about organizational growth and ministry: certain chapters must come to a close and be planted deep within the heart in order for new seeds of hope to take root and flourish. The end of the China Care Centers program did not signal a retreat from the core mission of orphan care, but rather an opportunity to pivot, listen, and reimagine how Show Hope could serve the adoption community on an even deeper level.
Drawing inspiration from the original heart and soul of the Care Centers program—which had always centered on addressing the complex medical needs of orphaned children—the leadership team took a reflective step back to listen, dream, and hope. They began asking a pivotal question: What if the organization could continue to journey alongside children and families long after an adoption has been finalized, specifically by offering Medical Care grants designed to help offset mounting healthcare expenses?
This vision was brought to the leadership table, engaging the then-Executive Director—Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter, Emily Chapman Richards—alongside the broader organizational team. The process of shaping this new initiative was described as collaborative and inspiring. Building directly upon the extensive expertise, administrative rigor, and intricate processes already established through the successful Adoption Aid grants program, Show Hope found itself uniquely positioned to expand its financial assistance into the realm of specialized medical care. By introducing this new avenue of support, Show Hope prepared once again to address two of the most formidable barriers to adoption head-on: the initial financial costs and the ongoing medical and health-related expenses.
The development of the Medical Care grants program was not rushed. It followed diligent research, numerous in-depth conversations with pediatric healthcare professionals, and the accumulation of years of institutional experience. Through this exhaustive process, the leadership became thoroughly convinced of a pressing reality: families who have welcomed children impacted by adoption would undeniably benefit from additional, targeted support when trying to access quality care for complex medical and mental health needs.
The core hope driving this new initiative is straightforward yet profound. As families come to realize that these financial resources are available to help shoulder the weight of specialized healthcare, the leadership hopes they will feel profoundly supported and emboldened in their ongoing journeys to love well the children who have been entrusted to them through adoption.
Looking toward the horizon, the broader Show Hope family continues to expand as more children and families join the ongoing story. As the organization casts its vision wide for the Medical Care grants program, the founders and staff often reflect on the future with a sense of holy curiosity, wondering which children they will meet next and how many families they will be able to reach. In their most imaginative moments, they even allow themselves to dream about the future, jokingly wondering if there could one day be a figurative "Big Blue Building" right here in the United States, covered with white clouds and Maria’s signature flower.
While acknowledging that it is easy to get carried away by such grand visions, the leadership anchors itself in a steadfast trust in a very big God. Leaning heavily on faith for guidance, they view this next phase as part of a continued "Great Adventure." It has been described as the wildest and most rewarding of rides, made possible entirely by the unwavering dedication, prayers, and generosity of supporters, partners, and friends who have played a part in the story from its earliest days.
As this chapter unfolds and the organization looks ahead to the work that remains to be done, the call to action for the community remains as urgent as ever. Citing a favorite songwriter’s sentiment to saddle up the horses and blaze a new trail, the founders are inviting individuals, churches, and communities to step up and join the next phase of Show Hope’s journey by exploring how they can become a part of the newly established Medical Care grants program.
Moving forward into this next season of ministry, Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, alongside the entire Show Hope team, remain dedicated to reducing barriers, championing vulnerable children, and supporting families every step of the way.
For decades, many people have been introduced to the complex landscape of bereavement through a single, familiar framework: the "Five Stages of Grief." Comprising denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, this psychological model has become so deeply embedded in modern culture that countless individuals believe they are supposed to experience loss in a strict, orderly sequence and eventually arrive at a definitive final destination known as acceptance. However, for those who navigate profound personal tragedies, the reality of loss proves that grief rarely works that way.
For many bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings who have lived through the profound and permanent loss of a loved one, the traditional five-stage model can feel frustrating, misleading, and at times actively harmful. Rather than serving as a comforting tool to help them understand their internal world, the rigid structure often creates unrealistic expectations about what grief should look like, how it should manifest, and how long it should take to resolve.
The fundamental truth is that grief is not a series of boxes to be checked off on a list. It is not a process that follows a predictable path, and it certainly is not a condition or ailment that can be completely finished or cured.
The origins of this widespread cultural misunderstanding trace back to psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who introduced the five stages in her seminal 1969 book, On Death and Dying. Crucially, Kübler-Ross developed her observations while studying individuals facing their own terminal illnesses, focusing on how people process the anticipation of their own mortality. Over time, however, the model was broadened and generalized to apply to all forms of loss, particularly those left behind by bereaved individuals grieving the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, society gradually began interpreting these descriptive stages as a prescriptive roadmap that every grieving person was expected to follow.
This misinterpretation has left countless individuals grappling with internal doubt, wondering why their personal experiences do not align with the textbook trajectory. The answer, clinicians and grief support advocates emphasize, is simple: grief is not a linear process.
Anyone who has lived through significant loss knows intimately that grief is profoundly unpredictable. An individual may feel relatively stable and grounded on one day, only for an ordinary moment—a familiar song, a casual photograph, a birthday, or a fleeting memory—to trigger an overwhelming wave of sadness. Years after a devastating loss, tears may still fall unexpectedly. Moments of profound joy and laughter can, and frequently do, coexist alongside moments of deep heartbreak. Experiencing these fluctuating emotions does not mean that something is wrong with the grieving person; it simply means they are human.
Families who navigate these waters frequently share that grief moves more like a series of ocean waves rather than distinct, static stages. While those emotional waves may become less intense or overwhelming over time, they can still return without warning. Anniversaries, milestone life events, holidays, and everyday transitions frequently reopen emotions that never truly disappear. A parent whose child died twenty years ago may still choke up when speaking their child’s name aloud. A sibling may still feel the heavy ache of an empty chair at family gatherings, while a grandparent continues to wonder what milestones their grandchild might have reached in life. Far from being signs of unfinished grief or a failure to heal, these enduring emotional responses are powerful testaments to enduring love.
One of the most damaging misconceptions perpetuated by the stage model is the pervasive societal myth that grief has a clear finish line. Many grieving people face intense external pressure from society to "move on," "find closure," or simply "get over it." The popular perception of the five stages can unintentionally reinforce the belief that there should eventually be a definitive point at which grief is entirely resolved and left safely in the past. But grief is not a technical problem waiting to be solved. Grief exists fundamentally because love exists.
When someone of immense importance passes away, the nature of the relationship changes profoundly, but it does not disappear. Survivors continue to carry memories, unrealized hopes, future dreams, and deep emotional connections with those they have lost. The absence of the loved one becomes an indelible part of the survivor’s ongoing life story. For bereaved parents especially, no psychological stage can remove the stark reality that their child is missing from the world. No level of acceptance can completely erase the deep longing to hold them again. Instead of ending entirely, grief evolves. Survivors learn how to carry it differently, finding ways to integrate the loss into the fabric of their daily lives. They create meaning, build lasting memories, establish rituals, and maintain connections that allow them to move forward while continuously honoring the person who died.
Another significant challenge inherent in the stage model is the implication that grief should look and feel similar for everyone. In reality, the experience of bereavement is intensely personal and idiosyncratic. Some people cry frequently and openly, while others rarely shed a tear. Some individuals need to talk about their deceased loved one constantly to keep their memory vibrant, whereas others require long, quiet periods of internal reflection. Some find immense comfort and validation in organized support groups, while others discover a pathway to healing through writing, personal faith, artistic expression, time spent in nature, community service, or quiet, private remembrance.
There is no universal timeline for loss. There is no standard progression of emotions, nor is there a checklist for successful grieving. What matters most is not whether a person’s individual journey matches a textbook psychological theory, but whether they are finding healthy ways to navigate their loss while honoring their unique emotional reality.
Rather than viewing grief as a series of hurdles or stages to complete, many find it more constructive to think of grief as a lifelong journey of adaptation. Over time, many bereaved individuals discover that they possess the capacity to experience profound grief and genuine joy simultaneously. They learn that they can laugh again without loving the deceased any less, and that they can build meaningful, fulfilling lives while continuing to deeply miss the person who passed away. The ultimate goal of grief support is not to stop grieving altogether, but rather to learn how to carry grief alongside the ongoing demands of daily life. Some days, grief takes center stage, demanding full attention, while on other days, it quietly accompanies the individual in the background. Both of these experiences are entirely normal.
What many bereaved people eventually discover is that true healing does not mean forgetting. It does not mean achieving a clinical sense of closure, nor does it mean reaching a final stage where grief vanishes completely. Healing simply means learning to live with a profound love that no longer has a physical place to go.
Perhaps the greatest gift grieving individuals can offer themselves is the explicit permission to grieve in their own distinct way. There is no need to force personal experiences into five rigid categories, nor is there any utility in measuring emotional progress against an imaginary timeline. Guilt should not accompany the resurgence of grief, even when those feelings reappear years after the initial loss. Grief is not a psychological disorder that requires a cure, nor is it a routine task to be completed. It is the completely natural human response to loving someone deeply and subsequently losing their physical presence.
Recently, a conversation with a bereaved mother highlighted this exact struggle; she felt she was failing to progress because, three years after the death of her son, she still found herself crying daily and grappling with days filled with anger and frustration. Reassuring her that she was moving along at the exact pace she needed to for her own healing was an eye-opening moment for her.
The ultimate reality of bereavement is that grief changes, grows, and transforms across the span of a lifetime. It may soften in its sharpest edges, and it may become quieter as the years pass. Yet, for many people—particularly those who have endured the devastating loss of a child, a sibling, or a grandchild—it never completely disappears. And that reality is entirely acceptable. Grief is not evidence that a person is failing to heal or move forward; it is enduring evidence that someone deeply loved mattered immensely. And that love continues.
In the ongoing conversation about childhood literacy, academic achievement, and emotional development, educators and parents frequently focus on the profound benefits of reading. Over the past few months on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, discussions have heavily centered on how reading aloud benefits kids academically, how it develops their resilience, empathy, and virtue, and even how the simple act of sharing a book reduces physiological stress in both children and adults. However, the ecosystem of literacy is incomplete without examining its counterpart. Recently, the podcast turned its attention to the flip side of reading, diving deeply into the fundamental question: Why do we write, anyway?
Without writing, the literary world as we know it would cease to exist, leaving readers with no stories to consume, explore, or share. Yet, creating books for a broader audience is merely one facet of a much larger picture. Writing offers tremendous, transformative benefits to the individual who sits down with a blank page and puts pen to paper. In a recent episode, host Sarah Mackenzie and co-host Audrey explored the multifaceted reasons to invite children—and adults alike—to pick up a writing utensil and begin creating. The episode also highlighted a selection of favorite exercises and practical tips designed to get creative juices flowing for writers of all ages.
The connection between literacy practices and cognitive development is well-documented, but the act of writing engages a unique set of neurological and emotional pathways. While reading allows individuals to absorb narratives, empathize with unfamiliar characters, and explore distant worlds, writing requires the active generation of thought, structure, and voice. It transforms passive consumption into active creation. By articulating ideas, structuring arguments, or weaving fictional narratives, individuals learn to organize their internal thoughts and communicate them effectively to the external world.
Throughout the episode, the discussion emphasized that writing should not be viewed merely as an academic chore assigned in classrooms, but as a vital human practice that helps individuals process their experiences. When children write, they are given a low-stakes environment to test out ideas, explore complex emotions, and build a distinct personal voice. This process fosters a deeper sense of autonomy and self-expression, which naturally reinforces the resilience and empathy that advocates frequently associate with reading aloud.
Furthermore, the hosts addressed the intimidation factor that often accompanies writing. Staring at a blank page can induce anxiety for seasoned authors and young learners alike. To counter this, the episode shared engaging exercises and strategies aimed at dismantling creative blocks. By lowering the barrier to entry and framing writing as an exploration rather than a formal test, parents and educators can inspire a lifelong appreciation for the written word. These techniques encourage writers to focus on expression and imagination rather than immediate perfection, allowing creativity to flow more naturally.
As discussions surrounding education continue to evolve, integrating reading and writing as complementary pillars of literacy remains essential. The insights shared in this episode serve as a reminder that the act of writing is not just about producing a final product for others to read; it is a powerful tool for personal growth, self-discovery, and cognitive enrichment. Whether through journaling, storytelling, or creative exercises, the invitation to write is an invitation to engage more deeply with one’s own mind and the world at large.
For listeners and families looking to extend these conversations beyond the podcast, numerous resources are available. The Read-Aloud Revival platform offers continuous support for parents seeking to foster meaningful connections through literature. Among these offerings is a complimentary guide designed to help parents facilitate deep and engaging discussions about books with their children, titled "How to Talk with Your Kids About Books." Featuring practical strategies and video content, the guide provides simple methods for discussing literary themes even when parents have not read the specific books themselves, bridging the gap between independent reading and shared family conversations. Additional resources, book lists, and episode notes can be found directly on the Read-Aloud Revival website, where a variety of tools are accessible to support families on their literacy journeys.
In the contemporary landscape of maternity care, the prevailing clinical approach is often defined by the meticulous identification and mitigation of risk. Birth professionals are extensively trained to monitor parameters, assess potential complications, and prepare for the unexpected. While this vigilance is undeniably essential for modern obstetric safety, the medical community is increasingly acknowledging that an exclusive focus on what could go wrong often obscures the very conditions that foster health, trust, and the natural physiological progression of birth.
To address this imbalance, a growing movement is championing a model known as "salutophysiology"—a framework that invites a radical shift in the starting point of clinical care. By centering on the conditions that allow health to flourish rather than merely focusing on the prevention of pathology, this model offers a holistic lens through which to view the birthing experience.
The Origins and Philosophy of Salutophysiology
The concept of salutophysiology, originally theorized by the midwife Verena Schmid, draws its inspiration from the broader medical framework of "salutogenesis." Coined by sociologist Aaron Antonovsky, salutogenesis poses a fundamental question that differs sharply from the traditional medical query: instead of asking "What causes disease?" it asks "What supports health to flourish?"
When applied to pregnancy and birth, salutophysiology demands that care providers look at the entire landscape of the birthing person’s experience. It rejects the idea that physiology is merely a series of mechanical events to be managed. Instead, it posits that the body is inherently responsive and relational, deeply influenced by the emotional, psychological, and environmental cues of safety and support. By bringing these disparate elements together, salutophysiology provides a comprehensive map of how birth unfolds, moving beyond the binary of "normal" versus "pathological" to understand the nuanced continuum of human physiology.
Redefining the Environment of Birth
A central tenet of this perspective is the recognition that birth does not occur in a vacuum. A laboring person’s nervous system is in a state of constant, reflexive dialogue with their environment. Every sound, every interaction, and every clinical intervention sends signals that dictate the flow of hormones, the tone of musculature, and the body’s ultimate readiness for labor.
In a clinical setting where care is primarily driven by risk-aversion, these subtle physiological cues are often overlooked. When the focus is strictly on avoiding complications, the environment can unintentionally become a source of stress. For a laboring person, this perceived threat can trigger a sympathetic nervous system response—often called the "fight or flight" mode—which can, in turn, affect the progress of labor. Salutophysiology proposes a different path: by prioritizing the conditions that support physiological health, care providers can create a foundation where the body is more likely to function effectively, even in the presence of clinical complexity. This approach does not seek to ignore or diminish the reality of medical risk; rather, it aims to cultivate a physiological environment that is inherently more resilient.
Synergy with the Spinning Babies® Approach
The philosophy of salutophysiology finds a natural partner in the principles of Spinning Babies®. Long recognized for its emphasis on balance, movement, and the functional relationship between the anatomy and the birth process, the Spinning Babies® approach has always encouraged birth professionals to look beyond the mechanics of delivery.
By integrating salutophysiology, the Spinning Babies® framework is deepened. The two models share a commitment to viewing the body as a cohesive whole. Together, they guide birth professionals away from the urge to simply apply techniques—such as specific maternal positioning or maneuvers—and toward the practice of being in a responsive relationship with the physiology of birth. This transition is profound; it changes the clinician’s role from an external manager of labor to an informed partner who understands the body’s innate logic.
Bridging the Gap in Clinical Practice
For many practitioners, the most significant challenge lies in translating theoretical knowledge into real-time bedside support. The transition to a salutophysiological lens offers a practical solution to this dilemma. It fundamentally changes the internal dialogue of the birth professional. Instead of the anxious, hyper-vigilant question, "What should I do next?" the practitioner learns to pause and observe, asking instead, "What is this body responding to, and how can I best support that response?"
This shift from a posture of fear to a posture of trust is the hallmark of the model. It invites professionals to abandon the perception of the laboring body as a fragile, error-prone machine. Instead, they learn to view physiology as a robust, responsive, and capable system that, when provided with the right environmental and emotional scaffolding, is remarkably adept at navigating the birth process.
Professional Development and Future Learning
To facilitate this shift in clinical practice, Spinning Babies® has announced a strategic partnership with Anna Maria Rossetti to offer a specialized learning experience for birth professionals. This new course, titled "Salutophysiology in Pregnancy and Birth: From Risk-Focused to Health-Oriented Care," is designed as a collaborative effort between Spinning Babies® and SEAO (the School of European Midwifery and Obstetrics).
The curriculum is structured to explore the intricate connections between the nervous system, the birth environment, and maternal physiology across the entire perinatal period. A key feature of the program is the inclusion of live sessions, which are intended to provide practitioners with the space to reflect on their own biases, integrate new concepts, and apply these strategies in their actual practice settings.
Over the course of the program, participants are expected to gain a more sophisticated understanding of how to hold space for the physiological process of birth, strengthening their clinical presence and their ability to provide responsive care. This educational initiative serves as an invitation for birth workers to join a community of peers who are collectively interrogating the standard norms of maternity care and seeking to refine their support strategies.
Registration for the program is currently open, marking a significant step forward for those looking to align their clinical work with a model that prioritizes human physiology and emotional safety. By moving toward a more connected, responsive, and health-oriented paradigm, birth professionals hope to ensure that the journey of childbirth is defined not just by the absence of disease, but by the flourishing of health and trust.
Every parent feels an innate, powerful instinct to shield their children from pain, struggle, and discomfort. Whether a child is navigating playground politics, facing academic disappointment, or grappling with deeper emotional turmoil, the automatic parental response is often to step in, shoulder the burden, and smooth the path ahead. The underlying motivation is pure: seeing one’s children happy and thriving is every parent’s deepest desire. Yet, child development experts warn that this well-intentioned intervention frequently disrupts the natural course of growth, inadvertently robbing young people of the essential lessons that accompany hardship.
Giving children the space to fall down, experience discomfort, and figure out how to get back up on their own is fundamental to imparting two of life’s most critical traits: responsibility and resilience. Without the opportunity to face challenges head-on, children and teenagers are denied the chance to build the psychological fortitude they will need to navigate the unpredictable ups and downs of life.
To understand why struggle is so vital to development, experts often point to a classic, profound allegory about a boy and a butterfly. In the tale, a young boy discovers a butterfly cocoon inside his home and spends hours watching the insect struggle to force its way through a tiny opening. Exhausted and seemingly stuck, the butterfly paused in its efforts. Wanting to help, the boy took a pair of scissors and snipped a larger opening in the cocoon, expecting the insect to emerge effortlessly and take flight. Instead, the butterfly crawled out with a swollen, deformed body and shrivelled wings. It was entirely incapable of flight, condemned to drag its underdeveloped body along the ground for the rest of its short life.
The boy did not realize that the arduous process of forcing its way through the narrow confines of the cocoon was nature’s way of driving fluid from the butterfly’s body into its wings, preparing it for flight. The struggle itself was what gave the insect strength.
This dynamic mirrors human growth. When children encounter the inevitable trials of growing up—falling on the playground, facing rejection in team sports, failing an exam, struggling with job dissatisfaction, or even confronting grief and loss—the parental impulse to swoop in and make everything right can ultimately stunt their emotional development.
Child psychologists emphasize that fostering independence must begin early, shifting the focus from constantly helping children to encouraging personal agency and responsibility. Young children naturally gravitate toward responsibility, finding a deep sense of achievement in mastering new tasks. According to Melanie Kelly, a psychologist based on the Central Coast of New South Wales, engaging children in everyday household chores is a vital first step in this process.
Young children love responsibility, Kelly notes, because it gives them a chance to learn about both internal and external rewards. However, she stresses that the type of responsibility assigned must match the child’s developmental age. While modern parents often find it faster and easier to complete household tasks like cooking, gardening, and cleaning independently, excluding children from these routines misses a crucial developmental opportunity. Although involving children makes the process messier and significantly more time-consuming, it establishes self-confidence and teaches them what it means to be part of a team. It fosters pride in their own actions, encourages consideration for others, and inspires them to tackle more demanding challenges down the road.
As children learn to navigate responsibility and independence, they require consistent encouragement. This includes both external validation for their sincere efforts—even when the outcome falls short—and gentle reinforcement to keep trying. This supportive environment helps children build resilience, hone their problem-solving skills, and establish a baseline for grit and determination.
At the same time, experts caution against granting children and teenagers absolute freedom without appropriate guardrails. Maintaining a healthy parent-child dynamic requires clear boundaries, with adults firmly holding the ultimate authority. While a young child should be encouraged to brush their own teeth, manage personal hygiene, and help prepare dinner, that autonomy does not mean they are equipped to determine their own bedtime or safely navigate the digital world unsupervised.
As children transition into adolescence and young adulthood, the nature of the challenges they face shifts dramatically. Debates over manners and shared toys are replaced by romantic heartbreaks, peer pressure, and complex discussions surrounding personal values. Despite these changes, the fundamental parenting approach remains remarkably consistent.
Parenting expert and author Annie Fox, who specializes in healthy tween and teen development, advocates for giving adolescents the necessary space to grow. In her writings on the subject, Fox tongue-in-cheek refers to adolescents as "semi-formed humans," emphasizing that parents must allow them room to fully develop.
Creating this space mindfully requires a conscious shift in communication. Parents are encouraged to talk less and listen more, serving as a safe, available sounding board for their children. This does not mean parents must endorse or agree with every adolescent perspective; rather, allowing young people to speak openly without immediate interruption gives them the chance to hear their own ideas articulated aloud. It also provides parents with a valuable window into their teenagers’ problem-solving capabilities and limitations.
Furthermore, respecting adolescent boundaries is essential. While granting increasing privacy and autonomy can be uncomfortable for parents, young people need ample opportunities to make mistakes and experience the consequences firsthand in order to develop sound judgment.
Parents must also recognize the profound impact of their own behavior. Because children and teenagers constantly observe the adults in their lives, parents who hope to raise trustworthy, responsible, honest, and resilient individuals must actively model those exact values in their day-to-day existence. Authenticity is equally critical; acknowledging personal confusion, admitting mistakes, and offering sincere apologies demonstrates to children that adults are also works-in-progress. True growth, for parents and children alike, is about continuous progress rather than unattainable perfection.
Observing a child grow, learn new skills, and slowly shape the person they will eventually become evokes a complex mix of emotions for any parent. There is a natural desire to hold them close and shield them from the passage of time. Yet true parental love extends far beyond protection; it is found in offering children the world, along with the full spectrum of human experiences required to find their own footing in it.
As the crisp winds of October usher in a seasonal shift characterized by vibrant autumn foliage, pumpkin-flavored treats, and community festivals, families across the globe prepare for the arrival of one of the calendar’s most culturally prominent events: Halloween. For many households, the late-October holiday provides a straightforward outlet for creative costume-making, neighborhood socializing, and traditional candy collection. However, for a significant demographic of Christian parents, the annual occasion prompts deeper deliberation regarding cultural participation versus potential spiritual compromise.
The central question facing many believers each autumn remains straightforward yet complex: Should Christians celebrate Halloween? According to ministry leaders and family counselors, the answer is rarely a simple binary, instead depending heavily on individual family convictions, biblical interpretation, and the manner in which the holiday is observed. Rather than yielding to a universal mandate, faith leaders suggest that Halloween offers Christian families a distinct opportunity to model intentional decision-making, open family communication, and thoughtful engagement with the surrounding culture.
Understanding the Historical Roots of Halloween
To properly evaluate the holiday, families often examine its complex historical origins, which stretch back centuries before modern commercialization. Historically, the evolution of Halloween is tied to ancient traditions such as Samhain, a Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark, cold winter—a time often associated with the boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds. Throughout centuries, these observances mutated and interacted with various cultural shifts.
Around 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day, originally celebrated in May to honor Christian martyrs and saints. By the eighth century, Pope Gregory III moved the observance to November 1 to coincide with the autumn season. Over time, the evening prior to All Saints’ Day became known as "All Hallows’ Eve," which eventually contracted into the modern term Halloween. While ancient sacrificial practices eventually morphed into modern traditions like handing out candy, the holiday’s historical entanglement with paganism and themes of mortality remains a focal point for contemporary discussions within the church.
The Modern Debate: Rejection, Acceptance, and Redemption
Within contemporary Christian communities, responses to Halloween generally fall into three distinct categories: rejection, acceptance, or redemption. The debate is largely fueled by the holiday’s massive commercial footprint and its association with dark themes. In recent decades, Halloween has evolved into one of the most heavily marketed events of the year, bolstered by seasonal television programming, streaming releases, and retail spending that routinely crosses multi-billion-dollar thresholds in the United States alone.
Critics of the holiday point to its ongoing association with occult practices and modern spiritual movements. Advocates of Wicca, recognized as a contemporary form of witchcraft, view October 31 as a significant date when the veil between the spiritual and physical realms is believed to be thinnest. Furthermore, critics argue that the holiday promotes imagery, mischief, and behaviors that run contrary to Christian standards of conduct. For families holding this perspective, complete abstention or alternative church-sponsored harvest festivals represent the most faithful response.
Conversely, many Christians argue that letting children wear harmless costumes—such as superheroes or historical figures—and collecting candy from neighbors possesses no inherent evil. Proponents of this view emphasize that a child dressing as an astronaut or an animal is entirely distinct from participating in occult rituals. However, theologians and family ministry advocates generally agree that if Christians choose to participate, their behavior, presence, and witness should consistently reflect their faith in God and His victory over sin and death.
Examining the Biblical Perspective on Halloween
While the Bible contains no direct references to Halloween by name, Scripture offers overarching principles regarding how believers should interact with worldly celebrations, pagan influences, and practices associated with the occult. In the Old Testament, passages such as Deuteronomy 18:10-12 outline strict prohibitions against practices like sorcery, divination, and consulting mediums, establishing clear boundaries for ancient Israel regarding spiritual compromises.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses similar challenges in his letters to early Christian communities. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul writes, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." This foundational verse reminds believers that every daily choice, including holiday participation, should be measured by how it honors God and reflects His character to the surrounding community. Furthermore, passages in Ephesians 5 contrast the deeds of darkness with walking as children of light, urging believers to maintain discernment in their daily lives.
Scriptural accounts also address encounters between early believers and individuals practicing magic. In the eighth chapter of Acts, the narrative of Simon the Magician illustrates the danger of viewing spiritual power through a transactional or consumer-based lens. When Simon attempts to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Peter rebukes him sharply, urging repentance and a realignment of his heart. Later in Acts 19, new believers who previously practiced magic arts publicly burned their books, demonstrating a decisive break from their former practices so that the word of the Lord might increase and prevail.
For contemporary believers, these accounts suggest that the primary concern is not merely the external activity of walking through a neighborhood, but the internal posture of the heart, the nature of personal interactions, and the clarity of one’s Christian witness. Participating in neighborhood festivities can serve as a natural conversation starter, providing an avenue to build positive relationships with neighbors, coworkers, and local families who may be searching for deeper meaning.
Making a Faithful Choice for Your Family
Ultimately, church leaders emphasize that the decision to celebrate Halloween is a matter of personal conscience guided by prayer, study of the Word, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Families are encouraged to discuss their expectations, examine their boundaries, and arrive at a unified decision that aligns with their spiritual convictions.
Whether a family decides to participate by handing out candy and greeting neighbors, chooses to attend alternative church events, or opts out of the holiday entirely, the guiding principle remains the same. Ministry advocates stress that whatever choice a household makes, it should be approached with intentionality, grace toward those with differing views, and a consistent desire to represent Christ faithfully in the community.
Created as part of the broader Catholic Icing Monthly Membership initiative—developed in collaboration with Angie from Real Life at Home—the new printable resource aims to remove the intimidation and complexity often associated with liturgical living. The creators note that many families express a strong desire to celebrate the saints and incorporate the rhythms of the Catholic Church into their daily routines, but frequently encounter obstacles such as time constraints, a lack of organization, or simply not knowing where to begin.
To bridge this gap, the monthly membership program provides subscribers with a curated collection of themed materials, including home altar displays, prayer table decor, liturgical-themed recipes, coloring sheets, and children’s activity packets. However, recognizing the value of these resources to the wider community, the team has elected to make one of their most popular decorative calendar sets available to the public at no cost.
The newly released July printable features an 8.5 by 11-inch Litany of Saints calendar, listing a specific saint or blessed individual for every day of the month. Designed to match the visual theme of the July 2025 membership pack, the resource offers two distinct font choices to accommodate various aesthetic preferences and classroom environments. Educators and parents can easily frame the pages, display them on a refrigerator, or hang them on a clothesline display to ensure that the saints remain a visible and central part of the home or learning space.
Beyond the daily calendar entries, the month of July holds special significance within the traditional calendar of the Catholic Church, as it is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. The platform has compiled a variety of complementary resources, including paper crafts centered on the host and chalice, snack ideas, and interactive activities designed to help children connect with this monthly devotion. These materials are intended to work in tandem with the daily saint calendar, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for summer faith formation.
For families seeking a more structured approach to organizing these seasonal resources year-round, the initiative also highlights supplemental planning tools, such as the comprehensive liturgical living binder and ebook. Designed to house printables, feast day celebration plans, and sacrament anniversary records, the binder functions as a cumulative library that families can utilize and expand upon as their children grow.
The free July Saint of the Day calendar is currently being offered as an exclusive download for subscribers to the platform’s weekly newsletter. While recipients retain the option to unsubscribe at any point, the creators encourage families to remain connected to receive ongoing weekly updates, feast day ideas, and liturgical resources directly in their inboxes. The distribution process requires individuals to submit a request for the specific July file through the designated signup portal, ensuring seamless delivery even for existing subscribers.
As summer activities get underway, these newly accessible tools provide a flexible and engaging pathway for households and classrooms seeking to weave traditional Catholic practices into their everyday lives without the burden of extensive preparation.
Editorial note: Spoilers ahead for season three of “Nobody Wants This.”
In season three, episode two of Netflix’s virally popular romantic comedy series “Nobody Wants This,” dating podcaster Joanne, played by Kristen Bell, explains to her Intro to Judaism class what initially drew her to the faith. Sharing her perspective with the group as the rabbi’s girlfriend, she expresses her appreciation for the tradition, noting that she loves the rituals, the openness, the close-knit community, and the cozy vibes. The remark is immediately met with a sharp, deadpan quip from her conversion class nemesis, Sebastien, played by Andrew Rannells, who asks if that particular concept is written in the Torah.
This brief, witty exchange concisely encapsulates the broader tenor and evolution of the show’s third season, which premiered on Netflix. It serves as the key to why the 10 episodes succeed while simultaneously acknowledging a fundamental truth about the protagonist and the series itself: “Nobody Wants This” has finally become self-aware.
As much as Judaism has remained at the center of the narrative throughout the run of “Nobody Wants This,” portraying it authentically has historically not been the show’s greatest strength. Cultural critics such as Esther Zuckerman and Jessica Grose concluded after the release of the first season that the romantic comedy relied heavily on outdated and flattened stereotypes of Jewish women. The show’s creator, Erin Foster, even candidly admitted in an interview with Hey Alma that she was not thinking too deeply about the program’s depiction of Jewish women during its conceptualization.
Unfortunately, the second season proved even more problematic, lacking the necessary writing depth, character development, and narrative novelty to bolster its premise. It concocted a version of Judaism that was treated less as a rich, ancient religion to be explored with genuine curiosity and care, and more as an inconvenient obstacle to be maneuvered around, generalized, and laughed at. After an entire season of Joanne waffling over whether or not to convert with the indecisiveness of a trendy-brand literary figure, she ultimately reaches her decision after her sister-in-law, Esther, played by Jackie Tohn, tells Joanne she already feels Jewish. According to Esther, this feeling stems from a handful of exceedingly non-specific qualities, chief among them being warm and cozy.
That foundation provided a remarkably amorphous rationale upon which to base a life-altering decision to convert to a new religion, a critique echoed by Vulture critic Fran Hoepfner. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Steven Zeitchik similarly described the approach as Judaism treated like a hood ornament, consisting of superficial elements dropped in to make the audience feel like something substantive is being explored, while the show itself maintains zero interest in doing the actual heavy lifting.
Fast-forwarding to Sebastien’s snarky dismissal of Joanne’s reasoning in season three, it becomes apparent that the moment operates as a knowing wink from creator Erin Foster alongside showrunners Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan. The message from the production team was clear, and the critique had been received.
The resulting creative shift led to a season that leans directly into what “Nobody Wants This” actually does best. The most compelling conflicts the show has ever developed do not stem from the fundamental cultural differences between Joanne and her agnostic family and the Roklov family’s traditional Jewish lifestyle. Instead, the narrative sparks fly because Noah’s family presents a prim, highly unified front aspiring toward upper-class social conventions, while the Williams family represents low-brow, free-spirited, chaotic alternative energy. Viewers consistently return to the series because Noah is portrayed as both conventionally attractive and emotionally mature, and because the dynamic features a juicy, ongoing love triangle involving Sasha, played by Timothy Simons, Esther, and Morgan, played by Justine Lupe.
Season three delivers precisely on these comedic and dramatic fronts. Joanne firmly commits to the long-term future of the relationship by officially beginning conversion classes, and Noah responds in kind by proposing marriage. This milestone forces the Roklov and Williams families even closer together, generating substantial comedic friction. The current “Nobody Wants This” universe features Bina heavily inserting herself into Joanne’s wedding planning, going so far as to insist that Noah and Joanne exchange vows on the backyard basketball court so Eliezer—Noah’s childhood pet hamster, who is naturally buried beneath it—can bear witness to the ceremony.
At the same time, the relationship between Morgan and Sasha deepens significantly. This development unfolds first when a newly single Sasha moves into Lynn’s spare bedroom, and later when the two characters share an unexpected hookup during a business trip to New York City. Timothy Simons and Justine Lupe prove to be winning comedy partners, and stepping slightly outside the intense family dynamics provides them with ample room for comedic exploration.
By contrast, Joanne’s conversion classes are deliberately relegated to a handful of brief, punchy scenes. Rabbi Eden, played by Sarah Silverman, delivers short bursts of Jewish wisdom while Sebastien and Joanne engage in brief verbal sparring before the scene cuts away. By the eighth episode, Rabbi Eden is already wrapping up the Intro to Judaism curriculum, leaving viewers with little sense of how much narrative time has actually passed or how Joanne has actively grappled with the profound implications of living a Jewish life. Rabbi Eden mentions that each student will eventually meet with a beit din, a rabbinical court, but the audience never witnesses that pivotal conversation for Joanne, nor is the beit din ever mentioned again.
Presumably, the meeting goes well, because by episode 10, aptly titled “The Plunge,” Joanne completes her ritual immersion in the mikveh located in the Pacific Ocean. Voilá, the blonde podcaster once disparaged as an outsider has officially become Jewish.
In an alternate version of the television series, a deeper exploration tracking the rigorous intellectual and spiritual demands of converting to Judaism could have offered rich narrative territory. Scenes depicting Joanne preparing for, engaging in deep conversation with, and perhaps being constructively challenged by her beit din could have established genuine interiority and depth in her connection to Judaism. Perhaps concepts such as the Shechinah, representing the Divine Feminine, might have deeply resonated with this particular version of Joanne, or perhaps Judaism’s historic connection to the natural world and lunar cycles could have served as an appealing entry point. At the very least, a character like Joanne might have naturally latched onto the core Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world.
However, “Nobody Wants This” is explicitly uninterested in deepening Joanne’s relationship to Judaism outside of the immediate context of her relationship with Noah. Recognizing this reality allows for a smoother viewing experience. Looking back at how the show has portrayed Judaism in previous installments, attempting a sweeping theological exploration likely would not have yielded successful results. For many viewers, less is more when it comes to the intersection of Jewish identity and mainstream romantic comedies. Holding back on forced religious depth that the production is simply not equipped to support proves to be a wise and disciplined creative choice by showrunners Konner and Kaplan.
The moments of Judaism that do make it onto the screen in season three remain enjoyable to behold precisely because of their straightforward simplicity. In the third episode, Noah and Joanne host a hanukkat habayit, a traditional Jewish home dedication ritual. As family, friends, and even Joanne’s ex-partner gather, the couple affixes a mezuzah to the final unadorned doorpost in their home, marking the official beginning of building a shared Jewish life together.
The promise established during the hanukkat habayit finds its ultimate fulfillment in the season finale mikveh scene. As Joanne stands on the beach alongside Noah and Rabbi Eden in the closing moments of the episode, she articulates her conversion in direct relation to Noah and their anticipated future family. She explains that she wants their future children to understand they belong to something much larger than themselves or even their immediate family, and that when they inevitably feel lost, they will possess these ancient traditions to guide them. She then walks into the surf, removes her outer garments, dunks herself under the water three times, and recites the traditional blessings.
In both instances, the prayers are executed accurately, with notable credit due to Kristen Bell for her Hebrew pronunciation, the rituals are performed with clear intention, the values remain consistent, and the entire sequence feels entirely authentic to the established characters of Noah and Joanne. The emotional peak arrives when Joanne steps back onto the sand and Noah, visibly moved by the proceedings, asks her if she wants to get married right then and there. As the camera pans upward, zooming away from the couple exchanging rings on the sand, it becomes clear that “Nobody Wants This” has finally found its footing and is moving in the right direction.
When a breast cancer diagnosis is finally confirmed, the initial wave of shock, surprise, hurt, and deep anguish inevitably reverberates through the household. In the Islamic tradition, the family operates as a closely knit community within itself; as the saying goes, if any single part of that body is in pain, the entire body feels the hurt. Navigating this new reality requires immense emotional, physical, and spiritual resilience not just from the patient, but from every member of the family unit.
Fortunately, as in all aspects of life, believers have the enduring life example and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, to serve as a steady guide through times of crisis. A profound source of comfort can be found in the Holy Quran, specifically within Surah al-Inshirah. Revealed in Makkah during a period when the Prophet himself was facing intense emotional distress and heavy political and social opposition, the surah was sent down to offer divine reassurance and solace:
Did We not expand for you, your breast? And removed from you your burden, which weighed upon your back, and raised high for you your reputation? For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship ease. So when you have finished, labor hard, and to your Lord direct longing. (94:1-8)
This chapter of the Holy Quran imparts timeless lessons for families facing severe trials. Families supporting a loved one through a breast cancer diagnosis can take immense comfort in the divine promise that ease will inevitably follow hardship. In Islamic theology, this concept of ease—known as yusr—signifies outcomes that are not only achievable but also remarkably adaptive to human needs and limitations.
It is essential for caregivers and relatives to recognize that this ease can manifest physically, mentally, spiritually, or through a combination of all three dimensions. The key for families is to move forward following a diagnosis with patience (sabr), unwavering strength, and purposeful, compassionate action. This approach aligns closely with the wisdom imparted by the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who noted the virtue of a deliberate and gentle temperament. As narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas, the Messenger of Allah once said to Ashajj Abdul-Qais, "Indeed, there are two traits in you that Allah loves: forbearance, and deliberateness." Achieving the promised state of ease requires deliberate, measured actions that actively cultivate healing and comfort within the household.
One of the foundational steps in this supportive process is to begin with sincere supplication, or dua. During the prophetic era, when early believers were afflicted with illness and physical suffering, the Prophet Muhammad would bring comfort to the afflicted by visiting them personally. He would gently touch the patient or the area of concern with his right hand and invoke Allah for intercession through specific prayers aimed at holistic healing. One such widely taught supplication is: "O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the hardship and grant healing. You are the Healer, there is no healing but Yours, a healing that leaves no illness behind." Integrating this practice into the daily routine of caring for a breast cancer patient establishes a spiritual anchor for the entire family.
Alongside spiritual invocation, the practice of kind acts serves as an outward reflection of faith, sincere intention, and charity extended to one another. Kindness within the family structure—particularly during periods of profound trial, physical vulnerability, and emotional distress—acts as one of the most powerful mitigating factors members can provide to alleviate suffering. The companion Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad taught the believers a profound principle regarding mutual support: "Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens of the Hereafter." Whether through preparing meals, managing household chores, accompanying the patient to medical appointments, or simply offering a comforting listening ear, these everyday acts of service embody the highest ideals of Islamic compassion.
As families journey through the unpredictable trajectory of treatment and recovery, it remains vital to sustain this spiritual and emotional momentum. Regardless of whether the afflicted family member is a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, or even a male relative, a supportive household makes it a practice to conclude each day by asking for divine mercy upon them. This often takes the form of collective family supplications made during regular prayer times, echoing the beautiful du’as preserved in the Quran for parents and loved ones, such as the verse from Surah al-Isra: "My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was small." Through a harmonious blend of spiritual devotion, practical kindness, and steadfast patience, Muslim families can navigate the heavy trials of a breast cancer diagnosis while fostering an environment of profound healing, dignity, and grace.
