Articles written by Sara Mcgrath

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About me - Sara Mcgrath

I live near Seattle with my husband and three daughters. I spend time exploring the area, hiking and biking, gardening, keeping house, and playing with the kids and cats.

I've written for various websites including Suite101 and Examiner and also for print magazines

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Education > Homeschooling Top 10 things homeschooled children and parents get to do while everyone else is in school: 2 of 41
1. HOMESCHOOLERS GET TO SOCIALIZE! I always laugh whenever I encounter an argument against homeschooling based on children's need to socialize - As if you get to do that in school?! As a formerly schooled child, I distinctly remember my teacher saying, "You're not here to socialize!" While most kids are in school and their pa... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Heaven, Hell & Afterlife Is Heaven a real place or a state of being?: 3 of 56
As a young teen, I spent a summer babysitting my younger cousins at their home. A poster depicting Heaven hung on their bedroom wall. It showed a cartoon castle of gold, nestled in the clouds, open pearly gates, etc. It looked just as my aunt and various Sunday school teachers had said it did. Their faith told them so.Despite... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Father's Day: 6 of 108
Memorial Day passed byThe day you diedI'm still reelingFrom the enormity of lossAnd then comes Father's DayI feel it againThat lossStill so freshBittersweetI feel like cryingTears of gladnessEnormous gladness for having youAs my dad More..
Health & Fitness > Pediatrics Do childhood vaccinations help or hurt the development of a healthy immune system?: 1 of 18
Afraid to vaccinate your children? Afraid not to? Both?Educating Ourselves About VaccinesBoth vaccines and the diseases they were created to suppress carry potentially disastrous and deadly risks. When we choose to vaccinate, as well as when we choose not to, we are making a decision that carries the risk of harm to our child... More..
Education > Homeschooling Should parents without a degree teach homeschool?: 3 of 53
Teaching degrees prepare teachers to administer curricula to large groups of children. Homeschooling parents have no use for this type of preparation. Teachers employed by schools must follow a standard, officially-approved curriculum regardless of their educational background. Homeschooling parents can choose to present thei... More..
Style & Beauty > Fashion Trends & Styles Should belt-less pants, showing boxers or a whale tail, be banned?: 3 of 49
Hear the moral outcry: Raise the waistlines! No more unwanted exposure to elastic waistbands! The outlawing of low-cut pants would, presumably, protect the potentially offended from unwanted exposure to . . . hip bones? I grew up in a city where women could legally go shirtless. My mother and I often passed a woman in the nei... More..
Sciences > Archaeology The difference between anthropology and archaeology explained: 1 of 12
By definition, archaeology is a branch of anthropology. However, outside of North America, archaeology is often considered a related, but separate field from anthropology.Anthropologists study humans, their origins, behavior, physical, social, and cultural development. Archaeologists focus on historic and prehistoric humans, ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Child Development Issues Why boys like "guns" and girls like "dolls": 2 of 20
The Nature of Girls and Boys"During about a quarter century," says Michael Gurian in The Wonder of Girls, "from about 1965 to about 1990, our society engaged in what is surely one of the most interesting social illusions in human history: that sex differences in neurology, temperament, psychology, biochemistry, and physiology... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Children's stories: 50 of 396
THAT JESTER IS NO FOOLIn a small, little-known country, King Clovis sat in the throne room of his small castle."I'm bored," he said to the boy who trimmed his toenails. "I wish my court jester had not quit his job.""Perhaps you could place an ad for a new one, Sire," the boy said."That's a fine idea!" Clovis said.Later that d... More..
Health & Fitness > Nicotine Dependence Should smokers bear the responsibility for the health risks of cigarette smoking?: 3 of 23
I see a lot of propaganda for both sides of this "public health" argument. Some examples: "The Anti-Smoking Conspiracy: Attacks on smokers destroy your liberties, too." "Kills everything within 40 feet." (An anti-smoking flyer featuring a grenade.) "Anti-Smoking Nazis Sig Heil Their Agenda." "Non-smokers have rights, too.... More..