{"title":"Parenting Books \u0026 Activities","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePractical parenting materials for ages 6–14 by Lena Mintz (creator of Mr. Mintz). The book \u003cem\u003eOn the Glide\u003c\/em\u003e gives parents protocols for the tween and early-teen years — for when intuitive parenting stops working. The companion printable Blueprints turn each concept into a hands-on activity you can do with your child.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"geodesic-dome-a-printable-family-activity-ages-7-14","title":"Geodesic Dome — A Printable Family Activity (Ages 7–14)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA printable 5-page PDF that turns a simple dome-building activity into a structured exercise in parent-child teamwork. The child takes the lead. The parent holds the structure without intervening. The dome is the vehicle; the role practice is the point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Blueprint 00: Geodesic Core — the first in The Family Project series by Lena Mintz, designed as a companion to the parenting book On the Glide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0103\/4846\/2142\/files\/geodesic-dome-printable-pdf-inside_480x480.jpg?v=1779151630\" alt=\"Inside the printable family activity PDF — pages showing materials list, building sequence, and stress tests\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWHAT YOU'RE REALLY DOING\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the surface, you and your child build a geodesic dome out of 30 straws and 12 marshmallows. Underneath, you're practicing the single hardest move in analytical parenting: holding the structure while someone else makes the decisions. The dome will wobble. The instinct will be to grab the wheel. The Blueprint shows you what happens if you don't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0103\/4846\/2142\/files\/parent-child-building-dome-activity_480x480.jpg?v=1779151630\" alt=\"Completed geodesic dome built with straws and marshmallows, one orange accent strut — family activity outcome\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWHAT'S INSIDE (5 PAGES)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Phase 01: Bill of Materials \u0026amp; Roles. What you need, what each person does, and what \"constraint failure\" looks like when a parent intervenes too early.\u003cbr\u003e— Phase 02: Assembly Sequence. Three construction phases with specific protocols for parent restraint at each step.\u003cbr\u003e— Phase 03: Crash Test Protocol. Three physical diagnostics that translate the dome's behavior into parenting principles — micromanagement creates fragility, isolation creates fragility, shared ownership absorbs pressure.\u003cbr\u003e— System Exit. Connects the completed activity to additional materials in the Parenting collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBEST FOR\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Kids ages 7–14, one parent + one child\u003cbr\u003e— Parents reading On the Glide — or anyone looking for structured, non-feelings-based parenting tools\u003cbr\u003e— Total time: 60–90 minutes including diagnostics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMATERIALS NEEDED\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— 30 struts (paper straws, craft sticks, or pencil cores)\u003cbr\u003e— 12 connection nodes (clay, strong tape, or marshmallows)\u003cbr\u003e— 1 accent strut in a contrasting colour — this is the \"Drag Vector\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0103\/4846\/2142\/files\/geodesic-dome-built-with-marshmallows_480x480.jpg?v=1779151630\" alt=\"Hands building a geodesic dome from straws and marshmallows — parent-child family activity in progress\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFORMAT\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePDF, 5 pages, designed for home printing on A4 or US Letter. Instant digital download after purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFROM THE SYSTEM\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlueprint 00 is the foundational unit of The Family Project — a series of operational activity blueprints by Lena Mintz, creator of Mr. Mintz. Reading On the Glide first is helpful but not required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQUESTIONS PARENTS ASK\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat age is this activity best for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAges 7–14. The activity requires fine motor control to handle struts and nodes, plus abstract thinking to follow the role-practice structure. Younger kids can join if an older sibling takes the Manager role.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long does it take?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e60–90 minutes total. About 45 minutes for the build, plus 20–30 minutes for the diagnostics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat materials do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e30 struts (paper straws, craft sticks, or pencil cores), 12 connection nodes (clay, strong tape, or marshmallows), and 1 strut in a contrasting colour. Everything is household-available — no special purchase required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to read On the Glide first?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The Blueprint works as a standalone family activity. Reading On the Glide gives you the deeper parenting framework behind the role dynamics, but you can run the activity without it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a STEM activity?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt uses STEM principles (geodesic geometry, structural engineering, stress testing) — but the purpose is parent-child role practice, not science education. The dome is the vehicle; the role dynamic is the lesson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I do this with more than one child?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The older sibling takes the Manager role; the younger child takes a supporting \"Logistics\" role (sorting materials, holding pieces). The parent stays Consultant, not intervener.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr. Mintz: Easy Crafts and Activities for Kids","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46856915681438,"sku":null,"price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0103\/4846\/2142\/files\/geodesic-dome-family-activity-cover_50a4f79c-c894-4cf2-82f7-1fb9abde37b7.jpg?v=1779151775"},{"product_id":"on-the-glide","title":"On the Glide — The Practical Parenting Guide for the Tween \u0026 Early Teen Years (Ages 6-14)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA practical parenting guide for the years when intuitive parenting stops working — written for parents navigating the tween and early-teen years (ages 6–14).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is On the Glide by Lena Mintz. It treats parenting like a system: assessment, protocols, diagnostics, course corrections. No \"trust your instincts.\" No 10-step listicles. Operational material designed to be applied to specific situations, not read once and forgotten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWHAT THE BOOK DOES\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe years between 6 and 14 are when the parenting model has to change. Old strategies stop working. Kids start asserting autonomy. Control fails. On the Glide gives you a framework for what comes next — how to step from \"driver\" to \"consultant\" without crashing the system mid-flight. Why everything that worked before stops working, what to put in its place, and how to recognize the signals that you're slipping back into control mode.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWHAT'S INSIDE (14 CHAPTERS · 4 PARTS)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePART I — THE BASICS\u003cbr\u003eSystem assessment · why control fails · the gap · reset protocols\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePART II — THE MECHANICS\u003cbr\u003eRuntime steering · momentum · social OS · identity \u0026amp; belonging\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePART III — THE EXPORT\u003cbr\u003eThe long game · self-steering · autonomy under pressure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePART IV — THE ARCHITECTURE\u003cbr\u003eReturn architecture · role shift · burnout · the launch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBEST FOR\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Parents of kids ages 6–14, especially during the tween and early-teen transition\u003cbr\u003e— Analytical parents who prefer frameworks to feelings\u003cbr\u003e— Readers tired of generic \"be present with your child\" advice\u003cbr\u003e— Parents who like to highlight, mark up, and re-reference their tools\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFORMAT\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaperback. 330 pages. Printed on quality paper, designed for highlighting, margin notes, and re-reference. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eREADER BONUS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside the book, a code unlocks free access to The Glide Toolkit — a 7-sheet printable companion PDF that distills the book's protocols into operational sheets you can keep where you'll actually need them (kitchen, car, homework station). Available only to book readers as a post-purchase bonus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCOMPANION MATERIALS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— The Glide Toolkit — a 7-sheet printable companion PDF, free for book readers via access code inside the book\u003cbr\u003e— \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mr-mintz.com\/products\/geodesic-dome-a-printable-family-activity-ages-7-14\" title=\"Geodesic Dome — A Printable Family Activity (Ages 7–14)\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Family Project Blueprints\u003c\/a\u003e — printable family activities, sold separately. The first is Blueprint 00: Geodesic Core (a parent-child dome-building activity for ages 7–14)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQUESTIONS PARENTS ASK\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is this book for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eParents of kids ages 6–14 — the tween and early-teen years, when intuitive parenting starts to fail and old strategies stop working. Especially analytical parents who prefer frameworks and protocols over generic emotional advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from other parenting books?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn the Glide treats parenting like a system, not a relationship. Every concept is operational — designed to be applied to a specific situation, not read once and forgotten. There is no \"trust your instincts\" advice in this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to read the chapters in order?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The four Parts are sequential (Basics → Mechanics → Export → Architecture), but within each Part, chapters work as modular protocols. Many parents read the Basics straight through, then jump to specific chapters as situations come up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the Glide Toolkit and how do I get it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Glide Toolkit is a 7-sheet printable companion PDF — a set of operational sheets that distill the book's core protocols. It's free for readers of On the Glide. Inside the book, you'll find a QR code and a download link. It's not sold separately — it's a post-purchase bonus for book readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this help if my child is already a teenager (15+)?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePartially. The book covers ages 6–14 in depth. Some Part III material (autonomy, self-steering) applies through later adolescence, but a dedicated volume on the 15+ years is in development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a Kindle or audiobook version?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — Kindle and Audible editions are both available \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4dPHCGe\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"On the Glide: Raising Kids Who Stay Close as You Step Back — The Practical Parenting Guide for the Tween \u0026amp; Early Teen Years (Ages 6-14)\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eon Amazon\u003c\/a\u003e. The paperback edition is sold here on Mr. Mintz — designed for highlighting, margin notes, and easy re-reference, with the Glide Toolkit reader bonus included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr. Mintz Crafts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46857102524574,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0103\/4846\/2142\/files\/on-the-glide-parenting-guide-book.jpg?v=1779155297"}],"url":"https:\/\/mr-mintz.com\/collections\/parenting.oembed","provider":"Mr. Mintz: Easy Crafts and Activities for Kids","version":"1.0","type":"link"}