If you Google “opting out” and “parents” you’ll get over 3 million responses that focus primarily on standardized tests and vaccines. Nope, not my topic! I want to talk about opting out of the everyday things that parents are “expected” to do. I’m not sure who wrote the imaginary rulebook, but shouldn’t we all get to write our own rules? I have veered from many traditions and for many different reasons–mostly time, money, and principle–but the list below is specific to my family.

School Pictures – Having the 8x10s lined up on the walls of the staircase was the thing of the 1970s, but [Read more…]