Sometimes parents get so caught up in the physical acts of parenting, that they forget about the emotional acts of parenting. Becky Bailey presents the idea of making rituals in order to reconnect with our children in her book I Love You Rituals. While much of the book is targeted to parents and caregivers with young children,... Continue Reading →
stagnant versus dynamic parenting…
I like to read books about topics which are pertinent to me. This includes parenting books - specifically non-coercive or consensual living books. I feel that I am a better parent when I am actively seeking growth - as a parent and as a person. When I read the books, I'm not looking for someone... Continue Reading →
snot sucker…
I am not a fan of nasal aspirators. My children have always hated them, but something has to be done when your little nursling is all stuffed up. We've always tried to be as gentle as possible, use saline solution (I recommend Little Noses due to the small kid size tip), and talk through the process.... Continue Reading →
half pint milk bottles…
We used to buy all of our milk at a local dairy. It was hormone free and came in glass bottles. There is just something about buying milk in glass bottles that makes it more fun. We loved buying our milk there. The only bad experience we ever had was the one time at the... Continue Reading →
it’s not the stork…
Due to recent discussions and inquiries about sex at our house, I had requested the book It's Not the Stork by Robie Harris from our local library. Based on some of the reviews on Amazon, I was expecting a book for older kids and was a little surprised to see the circle on the front as saying it... Continue Reading →
real world immersion…
The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself. - Henry Miller This is what simple living, or simply living, means to me - enjoying, relishing, and enveloping myself in life. I have a habit of multi-tasking, but I find I enjoy life... Continue Reading →
today’s kids…
Gone are the days of silent children standing still in a line at school. They no longer blindy accept just any order from adults. They have opinions and a voice. I often hear parents, or grandparents, or the gentleman at the grocery store complaining that kids today aren't the same. Back in their day, kids... Continue Reading →
the five love languages of children…
The Five Love Languages of Children, by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, is not in and of itself a book about consensual living. It does skirt the issue of consensual living, though, and has merit for some parents. The book as a whole would be stronger if the authors had chosen to make the book... Continue Reading →
the illusion of control…
Adults utilize many different methods in order to control the behavior of children, whether through punishments or rewards, in an attempt to have what they deem are respectful and well-behaved kids. What I think many of them fail to realize is that one can only truly control one's own actions. We can never completely control another... Continue Reading →
let’s talk about sex…
Let's talk about sex, baby. Let's talk about you and me. Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be. Let's talk about sex. In early highschool, I had a friend who sang this refrain to me every time he called me...until the day he accidentally sang it to my... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 