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Risking It

How taking chances helps us become bold, find passion and build resilience

Education
Academic Achievement Isn’t the Only Way to Succeed

Becky Diamond on April 11, 2023

Too many school age kids get the wrong message. Getting straight A’s isn’t the way to win in life. The real road to success is wide open.

Too many school age kids get the wrong message. Getting straight A’s isn’t the way to win in life. The real road to success is wide open.

Forgiveness
Are Moms to Blame When Their Kids Behave Badly?

Becky Diamond on January 30, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Moms are shamed when kids act out. But unwelcome behavior isn’t necessarily willful disobedience. It might be a sign of a courageous kid and a brave mom.

A Personal Perspective: Moms are shamed when kids act out. But unwelcome behavior isn’t necessarily willful disobedience. It might be a sign of a courageous kid and a brave mom.

Stress
Students Need More Support. That's Not Coddling.

Becky Diamond on November 29, 2022

Students need more than determination to put mind over matter in school. I tweaked my curriculum and helped my students succeed. I don't consider that coddling.

Students need more than determination to put mind over matter in school. I tweaked my curriculum and helped my students succeed. I don't consider that coddling.

Stress
The Battle Over Homework Has Begun—I Win By Not Fighting

Becky Diamond on September 19, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Struggling over schoolwork stinks, for my son and for me. I’ve learned that sometimes, in serious situations, it’s good to laugh a little.

A Personal Perspective: Struggling over schoolwork stinks, for my son and for me. I’ve learned that sometimes, in serious situations, it’s good to laugh a little.

ADHD
Going Gluten-Free Saved My Son and Me

Becky Diamond on July 11, 2022

Personal Perspective: My son struggled in school, and it wasn’t ADHD. It was celiac disease. Learn more about how biology drives behavior.

Personal Perspective: My son struggled in school, and it wasn’t ADHD. It was celiac disease. Learn more about how biology drives behavior.

Fantasies
I Met “Maverick” and Fell for a Romantic Fantasy

Becky Diamond on June 9, 2022

I fell for a fighter pilot fantasy that was a romantic illusion. But accepting red flags as reality and facing a painful truth allowed me to find true love.

I fell for a fighter pilot fantasy that was a romantic illusion. But accepting red flags as reality and facing a painful truth allowed me to find true love.

Play
Rules Are Overrated: My Son Is a Disruptor, So Am I

Becky Diamond on May 5, 2022

A Personal Perspective: I'm tired of feeling judged as a mom so I’ve stopped worrying about what other people think and started to feel free.

A Personal Perspective: I'm tired of feeling judged as a mom so I’ve stopped worrying about what other people think and started to feel free.

Parenting
 5 Reasons I Won’t Say "Should" to Myself or My Son

Becky Diamond on December 15, 2021

Motherhood is hard and telling myself I should do it better isn’t helpful. I’ve stopped saying should and started feeling happier, healthier and more secure.

Motherhood is hard and telling myself I should do it better isn’t helpful. I’ve stopped saying should and started feeling happier, healthier and more secure.

Fear
Body Armor Isn't What Makes You Feel Safe In a War Zone

Becky Diamond on November 10, 2021

It’s hard to imagine feeling safe in a war zone but U.S. troops showed me that leaning into risk and overcoming adversity can help us feel secure.

It’s hard to imagine feeling safe in a war zone but U.S. troops showed me that leaning into risk and overcoming adversity can help us feel secure.

Confidence
How a Cancelled Wedding Turned Me Into a War Reporter

Becky Diamond on October 15, 2021

Being comfortable feels good, but opting into activities that make you nervous can result in unforeseen growth opportunities. Becoming a war reporter helped me become braver.

Being comfortable feels good, but opting into activities that make you nervous can result in unforeseen growth opportunities. Becoming a war reporter helped me become braver.

Stress
Why Do We Say Everything Is Fine When It Isn’t?

Becky Diamond on September 21, 2021

Why does it feel taboo to talk about struggling? As a war reporter, I learned about the strength it takes to talk about a painful experience and why it's healthy to open up.

Why does it feel taboo to talk about struggling? As a war reporter, I learned about the strength it takes to talk about a painful experience and why it's healthy to open up.

Stress
Can I Avoid Back-to-School Stress?

Becky Diamond on August 23, 2021

Is getting your kids back to school stressful? I’m finding ways to calm down, by focusing more on the moment and less on the future.

Is getting your kids back to school stressful? I’m finding ways to calm down, by focusing more on the moment and less on the future.

Resilience
Taking Risks and Dabbling in Danger Keeps My Son Safe

Becky Diamond on July 22, 2021

Why keeping our kids away from danger and distress is doing more harm than good. How risky play helps kids build resilience and flexible thinking.

Why keeping our kids away from danger and distress is doing more harm than good. How risky play helps kids build resilience and flexible thinking.

Play
When Children Aren't Like Their Parents

Becky Diamond on June 17, 2021

Are kids like their parents? I wasn’t. I used to feel like a foreigner in my family. And then I had my son and started to understand the power of nature versus nurture.

Are kids like their parents? I wasn’t. I used to feel like a foreigner in my family. And then I had my son and started to understand the power of nature versus nurture.

Play
All Work and No Play in Kindergarten

Becky Diamond on May 27, 2021

Kindergarten is no longer free-play and finger-painting. The focus is academics and the pressure is real. It’s time to consider a course correction: less pressure and more play.

Kindergarten is no longer free-play and finger-painting. The focus is academics and the pressure is real. It’s time to consider a course correction: less pressure and more play.