Teaching a Pre-Schooler to Read for The Washington Post

During an observation day at my son’s yochien, my friend translated for me that the teacher was splitting the kids into two groups: those who could read, and those who were still learning. Much to my surprise, my three-year-old American son fell into the first group. MBH and I were delighted, and more than a…

My Best Productivity Trick for TODAY

MBH likes to call me the laziest productive person he’s ever met. It’s true. I do love me some naps. Fiercely. I’ve also learned studied two languages, written four novels, traveled around the world, launched a popular travel blog (it’s this one!) and am raising two wonderful kids, who are still little enough that when I…

Thoughts at POPSUGAR on Moving Back to America

The Washington Post reported — two years and an unbelievable 101 school shootings ago — that many American expats in Japan are reluctant to return to the possibility of gun violence in the United States after experiencing its absence. I’m definitely one of them. Our time in Japan was marked by such amazing people, wondrous…

How Japan Prepares Its Children for Independence – SavvyTokyo

I couldn’t be more thrilled to write a monthly column for SavvyTokyo on parenting in Japan. The culture and community mindset is so fascinating to me, and I see so much I’d like to emulate in raising my own children. Teaching them to be confident and independent is a major quality we noticed right from…