In her book, Children as Teachers, Margaret Lester describes her personal miracle—the opportunity to found and direct a “new-thought” pre-school in Honolulu, Hawaii, in the early 1970s. 

There, in a tiny arena, “guilt-free” parenting, unconditional love, agreements, choices, and natural consequences ruled. In that environment, the children, each in his or her own way, resisted, tested, struggled, or didn’t, and eventually thrived. The stories of the children unfold exactly as Marge experienced them. 

While often funny and charming, there is plenty to provoke thought. One is captured by Marge’s amazing ability to isolate her own judgments and fears as a caregiver to provide space for the children to experience the natural results of the choices they’ve made. Through these accounts, accompanied by Marge’s thoughts and insights, the reader glimpses the children becoming the teachers and the birth of “guilt-free” parenting. 

This short book of stories is easy, entertaining reading, and a painless introduction to a thoughtful way of relating to children.