By Elena Czarnowski s a mom and educator, I spend a lot of time thinking about the skills kids truly need for adulthood. I’ve taught students for years in complex subjects like engineering and mathematics, and I always assumed I would naturally know how to teach my own children the important things too. But then came real life. There I was one afternoon, a tired mother of three boys, standing in the self-checkout line while one of my sons pointed to the cheap candy and checkout treats. At first, I tried to say no. I knew it wasn’t necessary. I knew it was just impulse and marketing. But exhaustion has a way of softening even the strongest intentions. And at that moment, I caved. I let them grab whatever they wanted just so e veryone would settle down and we could make it out of the store. A 96 Hawaii Parent May/June 2026
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