Star Reports

Last summer, after my daughter Rosalie was born, I was able to take three months off as paternity leave. It's the longest chunk of time I've ever taken off work, in my career — whether for vacation, leave or unemployment.

During that time, there's one new development that was invented that has had a lovely impact: the Star Report.

First, some background. During that summer, moments would emerge where the behaviour of our kids would devolve into chaotic nonsense. After a while, the options for discipline kind of disappear: asking nicely doesn't change things, threatening doesn't do anything, and still, the behaviour persists.

What to do? Around that time, Kendra and I had been reading a book. (I think it was How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk) (Sidenote: It worked so effectively that we have kids that are constant narrators/announcers/commentators of their everyday existence; we sarcastically/secretly wish there was a follow-up; How To Listen So Kids Will Be Qui…