In conversation the end results depend not on what one says but on what the other hears.

Stripped from context, once a good quote lands in a reader's hands it has great freedom.

Conversation. What is it? A Mystery! It's the art of never seeming bored, of touching everything with interest, of pleasing with trifles, of being fascinating with nothing at all.

There are a huge number of distractions while in the vehicle, which could be eating, conversation, any kind of communication device, disciplining children and even reading, but there are a number of outside distractions too such as watching road construction and cows in the field.

That conversation was to promote an understanding between the two groups that were at odds with one another. At no time did anyone at the school make a blanket statement about not speaking Spanish. This is not something we take lightly.

Ask your child for information in a gentle, nonjudgmental way, with specific, clear questions. Instead of “How was your day?” try “What did you do in math class today?” Instead of “Do you like your teacher?” ask “What do you like about your teacher?” Or “What do you not like so much?” Let her take her time to answer. Try to avoid asking, in the overly bright voice of parents everywhere, “Did you have fun in school today?!” She’ll sense how important it is that the answer be yes.