From the day we are born, we spend our lives learning. We observe those around us. We learn to sit, crawl, walk, and talk in some order. We learn to navigate the world around us by interacting with it and with others. We gain experiences, learning from each one. By the time we reach adulthood, we have... Continue Reading →
sometimes I like to curl up in a ball…
Today is my youngest niece's first birthday. As part of her birthday gift, I was looking for the board book version of Vicki Churchill and Charles Fuge's book, Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball. This has been a favorite book at our house through the years. I think we are on our second or third... Continue Reading →
the frenchwoman in war-time…
I came across this propaganda poster in a museum one time. It took me a while to track it down. I knew it had a picture of a woman breastfeeding and that it was from WWI. I eventually found it at HistoryNYC. I love the poster. It speaks to me as a woman and mother.... Continue Reading →
positive discipline…
In her book Positive Discipline, Jane Nelsen approaches the topics of gentle and non-punitive parenting from an Adlerian point of view. She introduces the four R's of punishment - resentment, revenge, rebellion, and retreat - and focuses her version of positive discipline as one which works toward mutually acceptable goals and solutions. The book has a lot... Continue Reading →
happy valentine’s day…
Our family celebrates Earth centered holidays, but for some reason, I never seem to be able to get everything together and organized for Imbolc, the holiday that both Ground Hog's Day and Valentine's Day stem from, on February 2. So every year, we push it off and celebrate closer toValentine's Day. This year, I wanted to make the... Continue Reading →
a matter of trust…
This post is part of the 2010 API Principles of Parenting blog carnival, a series of monthly parenting blog carnivals, hosted by API Speaks. Learn more about attachment parenting by visiting the API website. My husband and I are researchers. Before we we decided we were ready to become parents, we researched. We read books... Continue Reading →
ultimate temper tantrums…
Yelling, hitting, threatening.....When our children do these things, parents refer to it as temper tantrums. When parents do these things, those same people refer to it as discipline. The fact of the matter is, they are both the same thing - a call for help. When a person feels overwhelmed or frustrated, they feel out of... Continue Reading →
filling up with love…
Sometimes, when I am out of sorts with one of my children and we aren't connecting very well, I gather the child up in my arms and onto my lap. I might say in a funny voice, "I think you need filled up with love." Sometimes they argue a bit. Othertimes they just feel relief.... Continue Reading →
throw your tooth on the roof…
My 7 year old has a loose tooth. It isn't terribly loose, so I don't think it will be coming out for quite some time, but it is loose none-the-less. The first loose tooth is a sign of coming change. My child is growing up. It's new and exciting and bittersweet. We weren't certain what... Continue Reading →
labor support…
Welcome to the February Carnival of Natural Parenting: Love and partners! This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month we're writing about how a co-parent has or has not supported us in our dedication to natural parenting. Please read to... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 