Day 341 - Sunday - December 7
Picked up these foam number tiles for free.
I plan to use them for flooring in the playhouse.
Showing posts with label unschooling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unschooling. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Mamatography 2014 - Week 50
In memory of Norman Bridwell, author who created Clifford the Big Red Dog, who passed away this morning at age 86. My kids have all loved Clifford.
Picked up these foam number tiles for free.
I plan to use them for flooring in the playhouse.
Picked up these foam number tiles for free.
I plan to use them for flooring in the playhouse.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Put your boots out: It's Nikolaustag!
Every year, Hobo Mama posts about her family's St Nicholas Day celebations after the fact. I kept suggesting it would be better if she could remind us all beforehand so we could join in! Last year she did it, just for me!! We didn't get much notice, but we got a little. This year, I'm republishing her post (with permission) as a guest post and with more notice!
So: Let this be your reminder! Put your boots out December 5th and Saint Nicholas might just stop by to tuck some shiny little goodies inside!
(Unless you've been naughty, of course. Then all bets are off.)
Since we speak some German at home, we like to learn about the culture as well. That's why we celebrate Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, each year.
Because the feast day of Saint Nicholas is December 6, empty boots (Nikolausstiefel) generally go outside the door the night of December 5, the eve of Nikolaustag (Nikolausabend).
Nikolaus is sometimes accompanied by a servant named Knecht Ruprecht, who hauls the bag and does some of the work of sussing out whether children deserve gifts or chastising. In some regions, children are literally quizzed or asked to perform some religious feat. Since we skip the whole naughty-or-nice bit with Santa, too, we just assume boots are going to be filled.
And they always are!
When I lived in Berlin in junior high, I always spent the night before Nikolaustag with a German friend and her family. Her mom did Nikolaustag up right! Just as we do here, they lived in a unit in a larger building so our boots (or shoes) just went in the hallway instead of outside — but Nikolaus always found us, anyway.
Usual gifts are fruit, cookies, nuts, candies, and little trinkets — much like a stocking. Kids are theoretically supposed to shine their boots first, but fire boots don't shine very well. You can also leave a carrot for Nikolaus' horse, but how would a horse get up our stairs?
When we can't locate boots, we go with shoes. Nikolaus is cool with that.
I love looking back at Alrik's baldie-mullet phase. I bet even at 2 years old, he will be thrilled to receive toothbrushes, an orange, and string cheese. Easy-peasy.
Photo by Richard Huber
Here's what a traditional Nikolaus looks like — a bishop, you see, same as the original Nikolaos. He's tall and thin with a white beard. This fourth-century Greek saint is the basis for various St. Nicholas celebrations around the world as well as the branching out into Good Ol' St. Nick:
I think St. Nicholas Day is a nice time to remind kids to be secret Santas themselves — looking for little ways they can give at this season and the rest of the year, too. Maybe they could leave a little gift for a sibling or do someone else's chore without being asked. You could choose a giving tree or other charity in your town to brighten up someone's Christmas. You could prettily bag some clementines for friends to leave at their door, ring the bell, and run. You could choose a far-off loved one to receive a surprise care package. I was thinking a nice Nikolaus twist for us would be to make and leave goodies and an explanatory note at our neighbors' doors — even if they forgot to put their boots out!
For some extra fun, you could incorporate some other activities into your celebration:
Nikolaustag is fun and cultural. Give it a try with your kids this year!
Lauren blogs at Hobo Mama about natural
and attachment parenting and is the co-founder of Natural Parents Network. She lives and writes near the beach with her husband, Sam, and their sons: seven-year-old Mikko, three-year-old Alrik, and newborn Karsten. Lauren happily shares her knowledge of German customs and language with all three.
This post originally appeared on Hobo Mama.
So: Let this be your reminder! Put your boots out December 5th and Saint Nicholas might just stop by to tuck some shiny little goodies inside!
(Unless you've been naughty, of course. Then all bets are off.)
Since we speak some German at home, we like to learn about the culture as well. That's why we celebrate Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, each year.
Because the feast day of Saint Nicholas is December 6, empty boots (Nikolausstiefel) generally go outside the door the night of December 5, the eve of Nikolaustag (Nikolausabend).
Nikolaus is sometimes accompanied by a servant named Knecht Ruprecht, who hauls the bag and does some of the work of sussing out whether children deserve gifts or chastising. In some regions, children are literally quizzed or asked to perform some religious feat. Since we skip the whole naughty-or-nice bit with Santa, too, we just assume boots are going to be filled.
And they always are!
When I lived in Berlin in junior high, I always spent the night before Nikolaustag with a German friend and her family. Her mom did Nikolaustag up right! Just as we do here, they lived in a unit in a larger building so our boots (or shoes) just went in the hallway instead of outside — but Nikolaus always found us, anyway.
Usual gifts are fruit, cookies, nuts, candies, and little trinkets — much like a stocking. Kids are theoretically supposed to shine their boots first, but fire boots don't shine very well. You can also leave a carrot for Nikolaus' horse, but how would a horse get up our stairs?
When we can't locate boots, we go with shoes. Nikolaus is cool with that.
I love looking back at Alrik's baldie-mullet phase. I bet even at 2 years old, he will be thrilled to receive toothbrushes, an orange, and string cheese. Easy-peasy.
Photo by Richard Huber
Here's what a traditional Nikolaus looks like — a bishop, you see, same as the original Nikolaos. He's tall and thin with a white beard. This fourth-century Greek saint is the basis for various St. Nicholas celebrations around the world as well as the branching out into Good Ol' St. Nick:
He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas, itself from a series of elisions and corruptions of the transliteration of "Saint Nikolaos." {Wikipedia}
I think St. Nicholas Day is a nice time to remind kids to be secret Santas themselves — looking for little ways they can give at this season and the rest of the year, too. Maybe they could leave a little gift for a sibling or do someone else's chore without being asked. You could choose a giving tree or other charity in your town to brighten up someone's Christmas. You could prettily bag some clementines for friends to leave at their door, ring the bell, and run. You could choose a far-off loved one to receive a surprise care package. I was thinking a nice Nikolaus twist for us would be to make and leave goodies and an explanatory note at our neighbors' doors — even if they forgot to put their boots out!
For some extra fun, you could incorporate some other activities into your celebration:
- Polish or give a good scrub to the boots or shoes you're going to put out!
- Make your own boot craft — sew together two pieces of fabric or felt in a boot shape, or cut out a boot shape from construction paper and decorate.
- Bake cookies in the shapes of boots and mitres (bishop's hat).
- Draw Nikolaus in his red robes with his tall hat, long beard, and staff.
- Head to the St. Nicholas Center's kids page for printable crafts, story videos, and online games.
- Sing traditional Nikolaustag songs, such as "Lasst uns froh und munter sein" — both the German lyrics and an English translation are available here, along with recorded versions you can listen to and use to sing along. Here's sheet music of the melody if you or your children want to pick it out on an instrument. "Kind Old Man St. Nicholas" is an English version of a traditional German song. Here's the German and English and audio file for "Kling, Glöckchen" ("Ring, Little Bell"), a traditional song that's pretty fun to sing. Here's a more recent Nikolaus-Lied in German.
- Listen to German natives sing songs of the season, such as this Nikolaus-themed mp3 album, Kling Glöckchen Kling
that features the song "Nikolaustag."
- Read a St. Nicholas story, such as The Fiercest Little Animal In The Forest
or The Gift from Saint Nicholas.
- Bake something Germanic and yummy — maybe these Nutella & cinnamon cookies, hazelnut macaroons, traditional Pfeffernüsse (pepper nuts), Nikolausschnitten (fruit dainties), Schokoladekugeln (chocolate balls), marzipan carrots and potatoes (for the horse — but really for you), or bread baked in a boot shape and decorated with sweets. For breakfast or a less sugar-heavy delectation, slice and alternate bananas and strawberries in the shape of a staff or fry up some egg-based Pfannkuchen (pancakes).
Nikolaustag is fun and cultural. Give it a try with your kids this year!
Lauren blogs at Hobo Mama about natural
and attachment parenting and is the co-founder of Natural Parents Network. She lives and writes near the beach with her husband, Sam, and their sons: seven-year-old Mikko, three-year-old Alrik, and newborn Karsten. Lauren happily shares her knowledge of German customs and language with all three.This post originally appeared on Hobo Mama.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Which comes first, social skills or social life?
Welcome to the August 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Friends
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared stories and wisdom about friends.
How do you teach a preschooler to be a friend that others want to have? I mean, our daughter is nearly 5. She only rarely uses her manners without being reminded. I realize that most kids don't really care about manners, but... she cries and screams on occasion. She cried at our unschooling coop last week because a girl wouldn't let her play with a toy that was special to her. She cries and screams when its time to leave an event that includes other children. I try to give her a countdown, I try to soothe her. None of it makes much difference. It seems like the only thing that helps is if we have something exciting to go do afterward, especially with a friend. That can't happen every time, its not possible. You have to go home eventually!
There is one girl that she thinks of as her best friend. I would like her mother to become my new BFF as well. They are the most peaceful people I have ever met! But the little girl doesn't want to play with Sasha... not until she moves past her "loud phase." It breaks my heart - for both of us. Sasha asks me, often, when we're going back to her house. How do I help her understand? How do I help her learn from this? She's never been terribly empathetic or even sympathetic to others, so there's that hindrance as well. Its only been recently that she even started to notice if I'm crying.
Ronni had a "bestie" by the time he was 2.
Perhaps getting an extra early start helped.
All that said, I think she's just still at a phase where her emotions are bigger than she can manage. And when they hit her - she lets the world know! There are a couple of other girls in our circle close in age that are equally emotional (and loud). This helps me to realize and recognize that she is at a "normal" stage of development. I want to support her expressing her emotions, but... I also don't want her to be a friendless outcast. The screaming isn't pleasant for me, either!
Is it possible to hold off on a social life until social skills are in place? I don't think so. But how do you maintain a social life for a child with poor (or undeveloped) social skills?
Visit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
- Sibling Revelry — At Natural Parents Network, Amy W. shares her joy in witnessing the growth of the friendship between her two young children.
- Making New Mama Friends — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama muses on how she was able to connect with like-minded mamas and form deep friendships both in 'real life' and online. Learn how these life-long friendships, both between Jennifer and other mothers but also between Jennifer's daughter and the other children, formed and flourished.
- Family, Friends and Family Friends — Vidya Sury at Vidya Sury, Going A-Musing, Collecting Smiles is reflecting on family friendships, past and present.
- Arranging friendships in a modern world — From a free-range childhood to current parenthood, how can an introvert like Lauren at Hobo Mama navigate the newly complicated scheduling of playdates and mom friends?
- Mommy Blogs: Where Moms Make Friends — Mothers make friends with other mothers in new ways. The options from earlier decades remain, but new avenues have sprung up with mommy bloggers. Laurie Hollman, Ph.D. at Parental Intelligence shares her thoughts.
- Friendship and Sacrifice: Guardians of the Galaxy — Shay at 4HisGlory learned that friendship lessons can be found in unlikely places, like blockbuster summer movies.
- Friendship - Finding, Forming, Keeping, and Wishing — Life Breath Present's thoughts on finding, forming, keeping, and wishing for friendships as an introvert.
- Consciously Creating My Community: Monthly Dinners — How have you intentionally created community? Dionna at Code Name: Mama's goal for the year is to cultivate community. One way she's done that is to help organize two different monthly dinners with friends.
- Adults need imaginary friends, too — Tat at Mum in Search shares why it's a good idea for adults to have imaginary friends. You get to meet Tat's friend and download a playbook to create your own.
- Friends Near, Friends Far — Kellie at Our Mindful Life helps her kids keep in touch with friends 600 miles apart.
- Which comes first, social skills or social life? — Jorje of Momma Jorje frets about whether her daughter can learn social skills without experience, but how to get good experience without social skills.
- Snail Mail Revival — Skype isn't the only way to stay in touch with long distance friends, That Mama Gretchen and her family are breaking out the envelopes and stamps these days!
- Montessori-Inspired Friendship Activities — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now shares a roundup of Montessori-inspired friendship activities for home or classroom.
- How I used the internet to make local friends — After years of striking out at the park, Crunchy Con Mom finally found some great local friends . . . online!
- My How Friends Change — Erica at ChildOrganics knows entirely too much about how to comfort a friend after a loss.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Mamatography 2014 - Week 19
Day 124 - Sunday - May 4
Sibling Mirror Play
That boy is a blur, I tell ya!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Mamatography 2014 - Week 11
Day 54 - Sunday - March 9
Does it get any cuter?
Spencer loves to wear other people's shoes.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Mindful Learning
As parents, we think a ton about how our children learn, and what our role is in facilitating and guiding their education. That's why I'm happy to be an affiliate for this new eBundle on Mindful Learning!
The Mindful Learning eBundle holds 6 carefully selected learning resources, with a focus on early reading (handy if your little one, like mine, is extra interested in letters and reading). This is a practical bundle with over 1,200 pages of learning fun and numerous printables.
If you're stuck in a homeschool rut, if your child keeps asking for fun learning activities and you've no inspiration left, or you just want to refresh your learning approach? This is THE BUNDLE you need for countless hours of learning fun!
So what's in this bundle?
The Third Edition of the Montessori At Home! eBook is the most complete resource available for parents who want to do Montessori activities at home with their 3-6 year old children. This full size, 512-page, $10.95 PDF eBook looks great on all computers, and is optimized for viewing on the iPad. Hundreds of full color photos and links to blogs and videos expand on the information in the eBook, providing a unique resource for parents. Instead of spending months of time during your child’s most formative years researching what to do, you can start doing activities in 1-2 days and have a complete plan at your fingertips for moving on. Over 4000 parents all over the world are using Montessori At Home!
The first chapters contain exactly the information parents need to know to get started quickly and with a firm understanding of Montessori. They include information on Maria Montessori and her observations of children, the neuroscience of early childhood, implementing Montessori principles in parenting, and using learning materials at home. Clear descriptions for over 300 activities and hands-on materials follow in the areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Art and Music, Digital Life, Science, Language, and Mathematics. Complete sequences for teaching your to child to read and master Montessori math are included. Recommendations are also given for over 225 of the best tablet apps for preschoolers, along with guidelines for safely introducing digital learning to children. 76 pages of free printables are included, as well as the eBook.
You Can Read is a simple sight word program developed with younger readers in mind. Children learn to read at different ages and some show the reading readiness signs at much younger ages than others. These children are ready to learn words and reading skills, they just aren't ready for complex worksheets and activities often available to children who are a bit older when they are learning. Carisa created this program for children who are showing reading readiness signs at a younger age, approximately ages 3-5. Older children can use these printables and activities also; they were just created with a younger reader in mind!
The printables are based on the Dolch Pre Primer and Primer Sight Word lists, as well as a few I added in, for a total of 72 words. To see the entire word list, and list of activities included in each set, see the You Can Read Information Page
Everyday Sensory Alphabet Activities is your go to solution for wriggly jiggly children who want to craft and play with alphabet activities that focus on the process along with audio from educators about alphabet learning to set things going in the right direction.
Follow raising playful tots on Twitter - Facebook - Pinterest
What if you could get your reluctant reader to love books?
Kids don't like to read for four reasons: too tricky - too blurry - too boring - too sitty.
Discover why your child doesn't like to read … and what to do about it!
Then turn it into Book Love!
In Book Love, you'll find lots of unique, fun, and exciting ideas for your child based on why he or she doesn't like reading. What else will you find in Book Love? - book lists by interests (with links) - alphabet and phonics activities and crafts - sight word games - favorite reading products - rhyming word play games - printables - and more!
Do you want your child to love reading?
Then you need this book.
A Practical Handbook on Learning Without School: People who feel drawn to the philosophical principles of unschooling often ask 'How do you unschool?' While acknowledging that each family approaches the unschooling lifestyle from a unique standpoint, I offer the details of my family’s experiences, along with specific advice for meeting legal requirements without sacrificing your ideals.
More info here.
Are you a homeschooling parent, or do you want to be? Maybe you wonder how learning can fit into everyday life. Or maybe you’re sure it can, but some days you and your child simply run out of ideas of what to do that’s not the same old-same old.
This sale lasts for only 4 days, so you'll have to be quick! The sale starts Sunday, August 25, and ends Wednesday, August 28! Buying this bundle is a great way to support this site, since I earn an affiliate commission for each sale through the links here. I would never share a product or book that I didn't think fit here, though. I hope you enjoy this series, too. Thank you!
The Mindful Learning eBundle holds 6 carefully selected learning resources, with a focus on early reading (handy if your little one, like mine, is extra interested in letters and reading). This is a practical bundle with over 1,200 pages of learning fun and numerous printables.
If you're stuck in a homeschool rut, if your child keeps asking for fun learning activities and you've no inspiration left, or you just want to refresh your learning approach? This is THE BUNDLE you need for countless hours of learning fun!
Grab your chance to get these six fabulous e-resources at 75% off! That's only $12.50 USD for over $50 worth of learning materials!
So what's in this bundle?
Montessori At Home! by John Bowman of Montessori at Home, 520 pages and numerous printables, value $10.95
The Third Edition of the Montessori At Home! eBook is the most complete resource available for parents who want to do Montessori activities at home with their 3-6 year old children. This full size, 512-page, $10.95 PDF eBook looks great on all computers, and is optimized for viewing on the iPad. Hundreds of full color photos and links to blogs and videos expand on the information in the eBook, providing a unique resource for parents. Instead of spending months of time during your child’s most formative years researching what to do, you can start doing activities in 1-2 days and have a complete plan at your fingertips for moving on. Over 4000 parents all over the world are using Montessori At Home! The first chapters contain exactly the information parents need to know to get started quickly and with a firm understanding of Montessori. They include information on Maria Montessori and her observations of children, the neuroscience of early childhood, implementing Montessori principles in parenting, and using learning materials at home. Clear descriptions for over 300 activities and hands-on materials follow in the areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Art and Music, Digital Life, Science, Language, and Mathematics. Complete sequences for teaching your to child to read and master Montessori math are included. Recommendations are also given for over 225 of the best tablet apps for preschoolers, along with guidelines for safely introducing digital learning to children. 76 pages of free printables are included, as well as the eBook.
You can Read! by Carisa of 1+1+1=1, over 300 pages, value $10
You Can Read is a simple sight word program developed with younger readers in mind. Children learn to read at different ages and some show the reading readiness signs at much younger ages than others. These children are ready to learn words and reading skills, they just aren't ready for complex worksheets and activities often available to children who are a bit older when they are learning. Carisa created this program for children who are showing reading readiness signs at a younger age, approximately ages 3-5. Older children can use these printables and activities also; they were just created with a younger reader in mind!The printables are based on the Dolch Pre Primer and Primer Sight Word lists, as well as a few I added in, for a total of 72 words. To see the entire word list, and list of activities included in each set, see the You Can Read Information Page
Everyday Sensory Alphabet Activities, by Melitsa Avila of Raising Playful Tots, 99 pages, value $9
Everyday Sensory Alphabet Activities is your go to solution for wriggly jiggly children who want to craft and play with alphabet activities that focus on the process along with audio from educators about alphabet learning to set things going in the right direction.
Follow raising playful tots on Twitter - Facebook - Pinterest
Book Love: Help Your Child Grow From Reluctant to Enthusiastic Reader, by Melissa Taylor of Imagination Soup, 130 pages, value $9.97
What if you could get your reluctant reader to love books?Kids don't like to read for four reasons: too tricky - too blurry - too boring - too sitty.
Discover why your child doesn't like to read … and what to do about it!
Then turn it into Book Love!
In Book Love, you'll find lots of unique, fun, and exciting ideas for your child based on why he or she doesn't like reading. What else will you find in Book Love? - book lists by interests (with links) - alphabet and phonics activities and crafts - sight word games - favorite reading products - rhyming word play games - printables - and more!
Do you want your child to love reading?
Then you need this book.
Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning, by Sara McGrath, 120 pages, value $4.99
A Practical Handbook on Learning Without School: People who feel drawn to the philosophical principles of unschooling often ask 'How do you unschool?' While acknowledging that each family approaches the unschooling lifestyle from a unique standpoint, I offer the details of my family’s experiences, along with specific advice for meeting legal requirements without sacrificing your ideals.
More info here.
What Will We Learn Today? Easy Homeschooling Activities, by Lauren Wayne of Hobo Mama, 154 pages, value $5.99
Are you a homeschooling parent, or do you want to be? Maybe you wonder how learning can fit into everyday life. Or maybe you’re sure it can, but some days you and your child simply run out of ideas of what to do that’s not the same old-same old.That’s where this book comes in. It’s an ideabook of more than 550 fun and creative ideas that teach and reinforce learning under eight key curricular subjects. Whether you’re homeschooling, unschooling, or regular schooling, your preschool and school-age kids will enjoy these quick and fun activities that engage their minds and creativity.
The ideas are time- and child-tested activities that our kids enjoy. For them, there’s no division between “learning” and “life” — it’s all of one piece. These idea-joggers use very little in the way of special materials or money but give a lot in terms of natural learning and family connection.
This sale lasts for only 4 days, so you'll have to be quick! The sale starts Sunday, August 25, and ends Wednesday, August 28! Buying this bundle is a great way to support this site, since I earn an affiliate commission for each sale through the links here. I would never share a product or book that I didn't think fit here, though. I hope you enjoy this series, too. Thank you!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Mamatography 2013 - Week 33
Day 223 - August 11
We had this crazy phenomenon after camping. I froze the jug of Koolaid, then we used ice for a couple of days. It took a couple more days for the ice to melt away from the jug.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Self Image has to Come from Within
Welcome to the October 2012 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Instilling a Healthy Self-Image
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared confessions, wisdom, and goals for helping children love who they are. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
***
What can we actively do to encourage a healthy self image? I try to set my kids up for success, for starters. I set them up with tasks or experiences that I know they can tackle with success. I comment when they accomplish things. It doesn't have to be a compliment, though. I don't want their self image to be reliant on outside opinions - that isn't self image. I spent too many years relying on someone else's opinion of me for my "self worth."
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Mamatography - Week 21
Day 141
(05/20/12)
Friday, December 30, 2011
Free Play, Accidents, and... the Fridge?
NOTE: I wrote this article back in February 2011 to submit to another site. I never did finish it... until I was preparing for my babymoon!
My daughter certainly isn't short on toys. She even has enough that I rotate them out for her. However, I am all about free play with things that aren't considered toys. You know, real life stuff. There are some dangers there, though. For instance, what kinds of plastics do they use to make an oil funnel?
When we picked one up while shopping, Sasha loved playing with it in the basket. Once we got it home, it just made sense to let her have it for a couple days before using it (especially considering how lazy we are about the truck). Then she was walking with it and tripped. The small end of the funnel hit right in the center of her forehead. Ouch! Poor dear had a small circle on her forehead for a couple of days.
We haven't had any hospital visits from dangerous toys, but then we try to use common sense and we watch her more closely if it is something that isn't already "baby friendly."
One of Sasha's favorite places to play lately? The refrigerator! So what do you do if your kid wants to play with your groceries? Well, I've let her. It started with moving things to different shelves. Then she started just pulling stuff out and putting it on the floor. Still, I let her play in the fridge for a few minutes at a time. She enjoyed it and no harm done. Until I found a package of Laughing Cow Cheese and a container of cucumber sticks in a cabinet. Ew! So we still let her play in the fridge, but we have to keep a closer eye on her.
 Sasha (1½yo) in the FridgeFebruary 2011 |
She seems more familiar with the fridge contents now, including what she can generally have. So now she asks us to open the door and gets out my Garlic & Herb cheese. She closes the door, then hands it to me. I get her a bite of cheese, hand it to her, seal the bag, hand it back, and open the fridge again. She puts the cheese back where she got it and closes the door again. It makes for a fun little game and encourages me to have more snacks readily available for her. (Have suggestions for me?)
This game has also now carried over a bit elsewhere. We kept our kitchen garbage can on top of a step stool... until she got tall enough to put toys into it anyway. Now the trash can is in the pantry. I can give her any garbage and ask her to throw it away. Once I open the Pantry door, she will throw it away and close the door.
I am not real sure what, exactly, she is learning through her free play choices, but I try to remember that most anything she does is teaching her something.
What strange things have become toys in your household?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday Surf
Moving this weekend, so had to plan ahead again. I did find some goodies for you, though!
- Sasha is 2 years old and has been able (at least occasionally) to count to 10 completely on her own. She has always loved to hear me count or even count backwards. So... do you think she is genius material? Check out How to Spot a Gifted Toddler. It isn't what you think, I promise.
- And speaking of being advanced in math, check out Education & Wage Slavery: Hand In Hand? I don't want to raise my kids to blindly follow authority, which is what I feel public school teaches. This article goes into other reasons the system doesn't really work for the people.
- Did you know that 16 states plus DC have legalized marijuana for medical use? It seems ironic to me that even Washington, DC has it, but so many states don't. Looking to relocate? See the list and laws in each state.
- Do you remember the show Sister Sister about the twins separated at birth and then they found each other? They wind up living together, even though their parents (a single father and a single mother) don't get along. Anyway, those twins now have a reality show and in case you hadn't heard, they caught the breastfeeding world's eye recently! Check out the details here.
I hope you're having a less eventful (or at least more relaxed) Sunday than I am! What interesting web pages have you read this week?
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday Surf: Jinxed Myself
So I just HAD to go and suggest 7 per week, right? I jinxed myself into not having enough to fill 7 slots. Still, what I have was worth sharing...
Really, I managed to squeeze 6 links into the 2nd on the list, so officially I included 7 links, right? Just go with me on this one, k, thx!
- The stories of 3 unschoolers and how they're making their dream careers into reality. This article also includes some examples of how unschoolers can get into college. This had been a concern of mine, so I really appreciated this one: Zero Tuition College: The TEDx Talk.
- There has been lots of talk lately about traveling, probably with the upcoming holiday. First, there was a guest post (Natural parenting & air travel with young children) on HoboMama. Then there was a joint giveaway with Hobo Mama Reviews and Natural Parents Network: My Pocket Games or I Spy Sensory Stick (great for travel)! And finally, Hobo Mama wrote about her experience with the invasive new TSA screenings for children and pregnant women. All of these lead me to want to share the actual link (I'm getting to it!) here: 4th Amendment Wear. It is underclothes for children printed with "Read the 4th Amendment Perverts" in metallic ink. They also offer adult wear that has the entire 4th Amendment on it.
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, meant to prevent unwarranted search and seizure, is readable on TSA body scanners.
This looks like great passive aggressive protesting, if you actually will go through the scanner.
 Metallic Ink-Printed Underwear |
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Following a Chain of Inspirations
I'd say it all started about a year ago. I was newly into Elimination Communication to go along with my new baby. Somehow I stumbled upon Hobo Mama's blog. I don't recall what search I did or what link I followed, but I immediately appreciated her honesty and writing style.
I soon created my own Blogspot, mostly so I could have a pic next to my comments on her blog! Then it evolved into a place to blog about Sasha's food experiences. Then I wanted it to evolve more, into something similar to Hobo Mama's blog. I already have a LiveJournal where I journal more personal stuff about all aspects of my life. I've had it for years and even have a project running (though currently paused) where I am entering my diary entries from my childhood! (Yes, this includes the extra embarrassing ones from my teen years.)
I half-jokingly volunteered to be a guest blogger (she was requesting volunteers!) on Hobo Mama's blog, thinking I surely didn't have enough experience or something. She gladly accepted my offer and I was SO excited and flattered!
Hobo Mama teamed up with Code Name: Mama to create the Carnival of Natural Parenting. Mind you, I don't think I had ever heard of this kind of "Carnival," though I recall when Web Rings were big. As I read Hobo Mama's Carnival posts, I also followed links to read (and comment!) on others. I also enjoyed her Wordless Wednesday posts and the links to others. I toyed with the idea of participating in a Carnival of Natural Parenting.
Finally, I did it. I signed up. Mind you, I wrote the piece (in one sitting!) and then submitted the form. After all, I didn't want to volunteer without knowing I could put out the material!
I have now participated in the last two carnivals. I post WW weekly and am starting to put together a weekly Sunday Surf. In the back of my mind, I hope Hobo Mama isn't creeped out thinking I'm stalking her. She simply inspires me!
Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama had another joint venture: The Natural Parents Network. I have been trying to volunteer, but haven't really had the time to commit to a project for them, though my nursing "better than candy" pic was featured on their first WW post!
Meanwhile, it seemed I kept stumbling onto blog entries and links about unschooling. I was doing some real soul searching about my current career path and the minimal time I am getting to spend with my family. I had all but decided to unschool, but didn't feel it was an option for us with me working FT outside the home. While reading on The NPN one night, I followed a link to someone's blog. As I said in my recent Educating Our Children - Huge Decision post, I came upon an article: It was 5 Things Your Unschooler Needs to Know on Enjoy Life Unschooling. This article was my final straw for this topic. I knew I needed to find another way to support my family, a way to do it from home, so I could unschool. It was time to stop accepting and assuming that I had no other option than that hell hole that steals me away from my family for 40 hours every week. I dove into researching my options. I have worked from home before (for 8 years), I was sure I could do it again now!
Then, in a recent Sunday Surf, Hobo Mama linked The Organic Sister's blog entry on Unjobbing. Wow. Very much like the Unschooling article had been a wake up call, so was this article. I had never even heard of Unjobbing, but it made sense! I linked both of these last articles in my Sunday Surf: First Edition. I think this makes the third time I've mentioned at least one of them.
Since then, I've contacted The Organic Sister, followed links to more blogs, and done research on how to do what she and her family do: unjob and unschool, from their adventure on the road! I have always envied people that were brave enough to pick up stakes and move to a new town. I've been jealous of people that make the time and save the money to travel. I want to see the country, too, and maybe even the world!
Based on so many things I have been reading, I knew I could find a way. I dug out some sticky notes and a highlighter and started making myself notes. I wanted a budget I could SEE, a visual representation of how much money we have flowing out of our account. I have these sticky notes of bills in groups of entertainment, utilities, etc. And then I have another area, my sticky notes of "to do's," ideas, and things to consider further. It is kind of like my living Vision Board. I got that idea from The Organic Sister, too. I've been reading her back-issues, if you will. I got to one of her monthly listings of sponsors and while I'd seen her links before, one caught my eye: Extended World Travel. (That link and the one in my side bar is my own affiliate link now.)
I read the entire page. It was a long ad! But I was... inspired. I'm trying to trim my spending, but something told me that this eBook was worth the cost. I hoped I was right! On a whim, I bought the book last night. I immediately began to devour it! I stayed up and read 2/3rds of it last night. I had to tear myself away to get some sleep, since today was my early day at work!
I finished the eBook in no time! This book has some amazing resources for making my dreams come true! I was right on that gamble, it was worth every penny! I am on the right path and now have more resources at my disposal. I've set myself a sort of deadline, though we've got to work out another pregnancy with that plan, too. Today I've added pictures of places I'd like to take my family: Oregon, Florida, and the Grand Canyon for starters!
My current plan is to hit the road by next Fall. However, we have planned for me to be quite pregnant at that time. We have more research, saving, and decluttering to do! I've already started getting rid of things! Hopefully I'll have even more fans in the next couple of years and can start visiting YOU, too!
I soon created my own Blogspot, mostly so I could have a pic next to my comments on her blog! Then it evolved into a place to blog about Sasha's food experiences. Then I wanted it to evolve more, into something similar to Hobo Mama's blog. I already have a LiveJournal where I journal more personal stuff about all aspects of my life. I've had it for years and even have a project running (though currently paused) where I am entering my diary entries from my childhood! (Yes, this includes the extra embarrassing ones from my teen years.)
I half-jokingly volunteered to be a guest blogger (she was requesting volunteers!) on Hobo Mama's blog, thinking I surely didn't have enough experience or something. She gladly accepted my offer and I was SO excited and flattered!
Hobo Mama teamed up with Code Name: Mama to create the Carnival of Natural Parenting. Mind you, I don't think I had ever heard of this kind of "Carnival," though I recall when Web Rings were big. As I read Hobo Mama's Carnival posts, I also followed links to read (and comment!) on others. I also enjoyed her Wordless Wednesday posts and the links to others. I toyed with the idea of participating in a Carnival of Natural Parenting.
Finally, I did it. I signed up. Mind you, I wrote the piece (in one sitting!) and then submitted the form. After all, I didn't want to volunteer without knowing I could put out the material!
I have now participated in the last two carnivals. I post WW weekly and am starting to put together a weekly Sunday Surf. In the back of my mind, I hope Hobo Mama isn't creeped out thinking I'm stalking her. She simply inspires me!
Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama had another joint venture: The Natural Parents Network. I have been trying to volunteer, but haven't really had the time to commit to a project for them, though my nursing "better than candy" pic was featured on their first WW post!
Meanwhile, it seemed I kept stumbling onto blog entries and links about unschooling. I was doing some real soul searching about my current career path and the minimal time I am getting to spend with my family. I had all but decided to unschool, but didn't feel it was an option for us with me working FT outside the home. While reading on The NPN one night, I followed a link to someone's blog. As I said in my recent Educating Our Children - Huge Decision post, I came upon an article: It was 5 Things Your Unschooler Needs to Know on Enjoy Life Unschooling. This article was my final straw for this topic. I knew I needed to find another way to support my family, a way to do it from home, so I could unschool. It was time to stop accepting and assuming that I had no other option than that hell hole that steals me away from my family for 40 hours every week. I dove into researching my options. I have worked from home before (for 8 years), I was sure I could do it again now!
Then, in a recent Sunday Surf, Hobo Mama linked The Organic Sister's blog entry on Unjobbing. Wow. Very much like the Unschooling article had been a wake up call, so was this article. I had never even heard of Unjobbing, but it made sense! I linked both of these last articles in my Sunday Surf: First Edition. I think this makes the third time I've mentioned at least one of them.
Since then, I've contacted The Organic Sister, followed links to more blogs, and done research on how to do what she and her family do: unjob and unschool, from their adventure on the road! I have always envied people that were brave enough to pick up stakes and move to a new town. I've been jealous of people that make the time and save the money to travel. I want to see the country, too, and maybe even the world!
Based on so many things I have been reading, I knew I could find a way. I dug out some sticky notes and a highlighter and started making myself notes. I wanted a budget I could SEE, a visual representation of how much money we have flowing out of our account. I have these sticky notes of bills in groups of entertainment, utilities, etc. And then I have another area, my sticky notes of "to do's," ideas, and things to consider further. It is kind of like my living Vision Board. I got that idea from The Organic Sister, too. I've been reading her back-issues, if you will. I got to one of her monthly listings of sponsors and while I'd seen her links before, one caught my eye: Extended World Travel. (That link and the one in my side bar is my own affiliate link now.)
I read the entire page. It was a long ad! But I was... inspired. I'm trying to trim my spending, but something told me that this eBook was worth the cost. I hoped I was right! On a whim, I bought the book last night. I immediately began to devour it! I stayed up and read 2/3rds of it last night. I had to tear myself away to get some sleep, since today was my early day at work!
I finished the eBook in no time! This book has some amazing resources for making my dreams come true! I was right on that gamble, it was worth every penny! I am on the right path and now have more resources at my disposal. I've set myself a sort of deadline, though we've got to work out another pregnancy with that plan, too. Today I've added pictures of places I'd like to take my family: Oregon, Florida, and the Grand Canyon for starters!
for the huge trees! | Sasha can meet Daddy's family | a majestic view I want to share with my family |
My current plan is to hit the road by next Fall. However, we have planned for me to be quite pregnant at that time. We have more research, saving, and decluttering to do! I've already started getting rid of things! Hopefully I'll have even more fans in the next couple of years and can start visiting YOU, too!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday Surf: First Edition
I've been wanting to pull off a Sunday Surf and have been working towards the idea. I started a "Weekly Link List?" folder for bookmarks that might make the cut. This list may be short, but I like this idea... not only for sharing, but also as a reference back to the links for myself! This first list also took me more than a week to put together, but I would like to try to do this regularly, so I hope I get better at it!
- The Natural Parents Network just launched and I'm excited about it! The site offers great articles and links as well as an actual forum for connecting with our community!
- Each time I've had a new baby, I've had to lower my standards. This post by Goofy Mama is another of many where I've seen other mothers confess how rarely they shower after having a baby. This is a thing I'd found fairly embarrassing, so all the posts I've seen lately on this topic have been very reassuring. And now I can call it being green, too! Thanks go out to Hobo Mama for this one.
- I've recently taken up making bento lunches as a hobby. I've been reading so many sites and looking at pics and checking out recipes... I'll probably share some of those links eventually unless I create a separate blog for bento. That said, this recipe for Sandwich Sushi is so cool! It is one of those ways to make veggies fun for kids. My 12yo, however, didn't care for it. I love it! It is a great bento ingredient!
- 5 Things Your Unschooler Needs to Know was included in my post Monday night. However, it bears mentioning again. I'm in a phase right now where I am reevaluating my priorities. I feel like I've made some pretty big decisions this week to make some major changes in my life and my plans. This post helped me along this path.
- I am subscribed to a LiveJournal community for hand made gift ideas. And Giftmas is right around the corner! However, I followed a link on Hobo Mama's blog tonight and then clicked on a link there... I often surf around the world one link at a time like this! Anyway, this felt fairy house (tutorial) is such a neat and easy-looking project! I think my niece might love one for Giftmas!
- To go right along with my big decisions of late, Hobo Mama shared an awesome link today about Unjobbing. I had never heard the term, but it makes sense to me. You can, of course, read more at the link, but it sounds a bit like unschooling. I think I'll be researching this more as I try to find a solution to my 40-hours-away-from-home issue.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Educating Our Children - Huge Decision
In September, I read Hobo Mama's September Carnival of Natural Parenting submission titled Too lazy to unschool? At the time, I could so relate to what she was saying. I actively homeschooled Ronni through first and second grade. It was a lot of work! I didn't use any set curriculum across the board, but rather researched each subject. I chose a different curricula for several subjects, but with others I chose to "wing it." So yeah, it was a lot of work! I worked from home full time. So while I was busy working, I was also present. That is a very key word in my head these days.
I currently work full time outside our home. My husband works part time for the same company. I get insurance benefits which are a must for my not-so-healthy husband as well as our plans to reproduce again, though I do also have an Indian Health Card available to me.
Sometimes it breaks my heart to leave home for work. Sometimes I see that it affords me the sanity of not becoming entirely obsessed with my family. I believe I may have been overly obsessed with my older child when she was a baby. Also, I make more money than my husband. My plan since Sasha was born is for us to get to the point that he can quit work entirely and be a full time stay at home dad. I have hoped that he would be willing to learn how to cook at that point. :-P (He already does most of the cleaning around here!)
However, our workplace is about to start offering insurance benefits to the part time people! That still leaves my salary. I've worked from home before. It is difficult to find situations that will allow for that, but it can be done. Sometimes I think I've given up too easily on the dream of working from home.
This evening, I was reading an article on the new Natural Parents Network and followed a link to a commenter's blog. From there, I followed another link and wound up reading 5 Things Your Unschooler Needs to Know on Enjoy Life Unschooling. No shit, this single post (and the comments) may change my life.
Why NOT look for ways to change my (and my family's) life in big ways? I WANT to spend more time with my family, but I let work get in the way. It is harder to find ways to change that, but not impossible.
Very specifically, though, I'm quite interested in unschooling. I worry that we'd be lazy and never do anything. But at the same time, I know how I am. I know I enjoy presenting opportunities to my children. Opportunities for new interests. Maybe it really would be okay for us. I've submitted a question to the writers regarding grown-up unschoolers. I look forward to their response and will likely broach the topic to my always-very-supportive husband soon.
Unschooling just seems to be such a natural progression of all the hippy choices I've already made in our lives: breastfeeding, child-led weaning, child-led introduction to solid foods, elimination communication, even the way I approach signing with her. I already *know* we don't want to send her (or any future child) to school, but... is unschooling for us? I'm going to figure that out.
In the meantime... is there a career change in my future? can we find a way to live further away from town? might we even leave the state?! I am always in awe of people that make these kinds of major changes in their lives, especially moving across state lines. I have lived in the Tulsa area for my entire life! Is it time fora some changes?
I currently work full time outside our home. My husband works part time for the same company. I get insurance benefits which are a must for my not-so-healthy husband as well as our plans to reproduce again, though I do also have an Indian Health Card available to me.
Sometimes it breaks my heart to leave home for work. Sometimes I see that it affords me the sanity of not becoming entirely obsessed with my family. I believe I may have been overly obsessed with my older child when she was a baby. Also, I make more money than my husband. My plan since Sasha was born is for us to get to the point that he can quit work entirely and be a full time stay at home dad. I have hoped that he would be willing to learn how to cook at that point. :-P (He already does most of the cleaning around here!)
However, our workplace is about to start offering insurance benefits to the part time people! That still leaves my salary. I've worked from home before. It is difficult to find situations that will allow for that, but it can be done. Sometimes I think I've given up too easily on the dream of working from home.
This evening, I was reading an article on the new Natural Parents Network and followed a link to a commenter's blog. From there, I followed another link and wound up reading 5 Things Your Unschooler Needs to Know on Enjoy Life Unschooling. No shit, this single post (and the comments) may change my life.
Why NOT look for ways to change my (and my family's) life in big ways? I WANT to spend more time with my family, but I let work get in the way. It is harder to find ways to change that, but not impossible.Very specifically, though, I'm quite interested in unschooling. I worry that we'd be lazy and never do anything. But at the same time, I know how I am. I know I enjoy presenting opportunities to my children. Opportunities for new interests. Maybe it really would be okay for us. I've submitted a question to the writers regarding grown-up unschoolers. I look forward to their response and will likely broach the topic to my always-very-supportive husband soon.
Unschooling just seems to be such a natural progression of all the hippy choices I've already made in our lives: breastfeeding, child-led weaning, child-led introduction to solid foods, elimination communication, even the way I approach signing with her. I already *know* we don't want to send her (or any future child) to school, but... is unschooling for us? I'm going to figure that out.
In the meantime... is there a career change in my future? can we find a way to live further away from town? might we even leave the state?! I am always in awe of people that make these kinds of major changes in their lives, especially moving across state lines. I have lived in the Tulsa area for my entire life! Is it time for
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