MSI Press Blog

  Much of Shane's education came from home schooling. On the one hand, it was a way to cope that schools had already skipped him four grades and could just not keep up with him; skipping more grades seemed insane. At home, he could work at a suitable academic level and not worry about being in class with kids much older and desks too big. On the second hand, he could get a more thorough and insightful education than he could at school, for a number of reasons. So, when Shane was ten and had completed 8th grade social studies at school and, for various reasons, including a recent move, found himself in homeschool once again, the next obvious was US History. But what textbook? Which viewpoint? Southerners and Northerners have differing understandings of Civil War history. American and Brits have different understandings of the War of Independence. And so on and so forth.  Since Shane was a quick reader -- he could easily finish a textbook in a month, an obvious solution was mult...

  Sibling rivalry is part of family life—an ancient dance of competition, comparison, and love. But when one child has special needs, that dance changes rhythm. The usual push‑and‑pull of siblings becomes layered with protection, resentment, pride, and empathy. It’s rivalry with deeper roots. 1. The Uneven Spotlight In families with a child who needs extra care, attention naturally tilts toward that child. Medical appointments, therapies, and emotional support can leave siblings feeling unseen. They may not resent their brother or sister—they may resent the imbalance. Parents often walk a tightrope between tending to one child’s needs and reassuring the others that they still matter. 2. The Protector Instinct Many siblings of children with special needs develop a fierce loyalty early on. They defend, explain, and advocate. Rivalry softens into guardianship. Yet that protective role can also feel heavy—especially when it replaces ordinary childhood competition. The sibling becomes p...

  Siblings are the first practice ground for empathy. They learn to share space, negotiate fairness, and test loyalty long before they understand those words. In every family, sibling relationships form the emotional architecture that lasts a lifetime — sometimes sturdy, sometimes cracked, but always foundational. Parents can’t force closeness, but they can design conditions where connection grows naturally. Start with shared identity Children need to know they belong to something larger than themselves. Tell family stories — not just the polished ones, but the messy, funny, resilient ones. When siblings hear “We’re the kind of family that helps each other,” they begin to act like it. Create rituals that make belonging visible Rituals don’t have to be elaborate. A weekly movie night, a shared bedtime joke, a family handshake — these small repetitions become emotional glue. They remind children that connection is a habit, not a coincidence. Rotate pairings In large families, allian...

  Today's publisher's pride is Andrew's Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain by Kristin and Andrew Wilcox, which reached #213 in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. and #235 in parenting children with disabilities on Amazon. From Amazon: Customers find the book provides brilliant insight into inattentive ADHD, with one customer noting it's a wonderful informative read for children with the condition. The book is easy to read and customers consider it a must-read. They appreciate its pacing, with one customer mentioning it's perfect for both parents and teachers. Book description: In this two-part book Andrew and his neuroscientist mom each tell their story about living with the inattentive subtype of ADHD. How do you survive life and middle school with an ADHD elephant in your brain? Kids with ADHD will relate to Andrew's reactions to everyday and school-related situations, like remembering to turn in homework, staying organized, and making friends. Usi...