They're superb. That's really a tribute to the parents and teachers.

Parents make tough calls every single day, and part of being a parent is knowing that sometimes the things you do will work and sometimes they won't work.

It starts with one thought and how you perceive the situation and what you think is going to happen. Your thoughts may be based on what happened in the past that wasn't positive or what you think is going to happen, but without any evidence that it will.

In the tradition of psychology, what the word shyness basically refers to is if someone is worried about how he or she appears to other people.

A number of families who attended Eighth Street are back as parents and teachers now. It seems that it is very common amongst people coming home - Ashley and I are not unique in that regard. Our parents instilled in us a sense of connection when we were young. It's great to see our daughter go to our school and encounter that feeling of comfort and camaraderie, that feeling of home.

[I asked some experienced parents what they do about this. They endorse the view of the best principals and teachers: Whatever the resistance, do your best to talk the problem out with the people at the school. Dick and Karen Reed, who have had two daughters in Fairfax County schools, say a face-to-face meeting with the teacher and the relevant administrator is best. You have to make sure the meeting does not end until the problem is defined and a solution agreed upon. Then, and this is the part that I was too lazy ever to try, the Reeds compose a summary of the discussion and the agreement and send it to the educators.] I don't accept corrections or edits from them, ... I do offer to meet again if they wish to change something.