Welcome to the December Carnival of Natural Parenting: Let's Talk Traditions This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants. *** Traditions are important. They give us... Continue Reading →
There aren't many books available for children whose families don't celebrate Christmas, or at the least Hannukah. Children in families who believe differently are often at a loss as to how they fit in with the nonconscious religious ideology which surrounds us. A Solstice Tree for Jenny by Karen Shragg tries to bridge that gap.... Continue Reading →
I proposed a "mom swap" for our attachment parenting group in order to give each other a little pampering. Items had to cost less than $2 a person. 10 people signed up, with 6 of us signing up for a second item. We swapped at the ornament swap. I gave bath bombs and all natural chapstick. I... Continue Reading →
Last Friday was the handmade ornament swap we had with some of our local attachment parenting group. I made four different ornaments to participate in four groups of ten. I received quite a few lovely ornaments in exchange. This picture was taken by one of the swappers, Shawn. A few of my favorites include a... Continue Reading →
As part of our Solstice calendar, the kids and I spent an afternoon cutting out paper snowflakes. I think perhaps I enjoyed making them more now than when I was a kid. Here are a few of our creations: Our children don't expect holiday fun to cost money. They only want to spend time with... Continue Reading →
It was more difficult finding gifts my three year old could make his siblings. We finally decided on streamers made from wooden rings and ribbon. When we went to the store to purchase the supplies, the lovely wooden rings shown as available online were no where to be found. Determined to find an alternative, my... Continue Reading →
Before my husband and I had children, we discussed how we planned to handle various aspects of holidays. We aren't Christian and don't celebrate Christmas, so it only seemed natural to me that we wouldn't bring the commercial aspect of Santa Claus into our home for the Solstice. It wasn't something I would miss. Not only... Continue Reading →
I think everyone I know has been approached by a stranger on the street at some point in their lives - asking for food or money. At the very least, we are aware of people with signs asking for help as we drive by. While there are many people who ask for handouts as a... Continue Reading →
My six year old decided to make pillowcases for her siblings this year. The project began with a one hour trip to JoAnn's. She put a lot of thought into picking out the fabrics she used. At home, I helped her make a pattern and we began working on them. When I first learned to... Continue Reading →
Today's activity on our Solstice Calendar was to make a wreath for our front door. I had originally planned something a bit more modern, but budget and time constraints, along with the fact that our steel door can get very hot in the sun (my original plan was edible), dictated some changes. I cut a... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 