Photo by Rev StanWhen we grow plants, we give them what they need to grow and be successful: sunlight, water, supports, fertilizer, and other nutrients. If they are having trouble growing, we look to see what else they may need or what we need to change. We don't blame them when they fail. Instead we... Continue Reading →
I am proud and honored to be volunteer with the Natural Parents Network (NPN), a community of natural-minded parents and parents-to-be where you will be informed, empowered, and inspired. When you visit the NPN’s website you can find articles and posts about Activism, Balance, Consistent Care, Ecological Responsibility, Family Safety, Feeding With Love, Gentle Discipline,... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the Safe Cosleeping Blog Carnival This post was written for inclusion in the Safe Cosleeping Blog Carnival hosted by Monkey Butt Junction . Our bloggers have written on so many different aspects of cosleeping. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants. *** Photo by... Continue Reading →
Photo by Denise CrossWith the increase in eating disorders and childhood obesity, healthy eating is a concern for many parents. However, if we truly want our children to make healthy choices in regards to eating, we must first take a step back and allow them to make choices. Certainly we can, and should, share with... Continue Reading →
I-messages seem simple enough, but the benefits that come from them are anything but simple. We are more likely to influence another person to change an undesired behavior by using I-messages. Because they are less threatening, I-messages are less likely to provoke resistance or make the other person feel bad. We place the responsibility for... Continue Reading →
Conflict is a course of life, occurring whenever two parties have different agendas or different perceived agendas. What matters is not the conflict itself but how that conflict is resolved. Parents don't have to resort to win-lose methods with either the parent or child winning while the other loses. When parents work together with their children,... Continue Reading →
Photo by Dru Bloomsfield"You aren't listening to me." "Please listen." "Listen to what I am saying." Most parents have uttered, or at the very least thought, one of these phrases or something similar at some point. It's usually said in frustration. However, when we say this to our children, we don't really mean that they... Continue Reading →
Photo by Murray Barnes Balance is a continual process. In order to stay balanced, we must be constantly shifting and adapting to even small changes in the environment or situation. When something changes, we must also change in order to maintain our balance. If we don't, then not only do we lose our previous balance, but... Continue Reading →
If I could only recommend one book about homeschooling to someone, it would be Laura Grace Weldon's Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything. There is something for everyone in this book, whether a homeschooling veteran or someone who is contemplating whether or not to homeschool their children. While the book is unschooling-lite, families of all styles will... Continue Reading →
Photo by Paul AloeWith each new sunrise, we are given a fresh new day. With this renewal comes fresh opportunities to savor ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around house. Morning is a sacred time, as we awaken and ground ourselves in the new day. As such, we can set the tone for the... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 