What is important. What is doable.

I am reading the above book. I will try to keep track of some notes here. There is this quote from page 18, "What seems the most important is usually not; what is most doable is the place to begin. If. you do enough that is doable, you will get to the important, and your motivation will be fueled byyour success."

I think I try to tell this to my children, but I definitely don't do it for myself. I make countless schedules and routines. Yet, I have yet to work on the things that keep our routines from working. I think it would be better if I worked on improving mealtime and bedtimes. Bedtimes used to include candles and lots of books. Now they are usually TV with Dad at a horribly late time while Mom passes out in the bedroom. Dad misses this time, but no one is doing anything about it.

Communication, Parenting, being a Gentle Christian Mother

I sought out gentle parenting out of necessity.  I was raised in a non-gentle home.  When my mom remarried, I saw how a man could be gentle with his daughters.  He did well with me and I was a very rotten, very lost little 14 year old young lady.

I'm now the mother of four.  And, I still find myself reverting back to learned behaviors.  Things I don't want to do. Things I cannot do to my children.  Often I haven't taken care of things like proper meals and sleep.  And, yet I know there is more.  I know, for me, it's a spiritual battle.  The enemy does not want my family to be gentle and kind Christians.  He wants us to fall apart. He wants me to be angry and fearful.

So, I spend some time during my days to reflect.  Remember what my goals are in parenting.  Do you have goals in your parenting?  If you homeschool, do you have goals for your children?  Not the academic ones but the spiritual ones or the leadership ones.  The ones like I will my hug my children daily.

I'm currently reading this article.  It's a Waldorf article titled "Compassionate Communication."

This book is a great book if you are a Christian family.  One that feels like they aren't on track. One that struggles with their children's behavior.  Do you feel like you are all at odds with each other?  Do you keep asking for parenting help and everyone just gives you surface answers?  Do you want to dig down deep?  

Valentines

I usually blow off Valentines Day.  I'm not much of a romantic.  I don't like red roses or diamonds.  In fact, I would be insulted if I got a diamond much less had a husband who couldn't think up anything better to do than go out and buy some slave labor mass produced guilt by commercial....I'm ranting.  (My mother got married on Valentines Day.  Loves red rubies, hearts, roses, giant cards...go figure.)

But, I'm trying to stop being so cynical.  

Syrendell has some crafts for Valentines Day and Chinese New Year.

A sweet little heart felting project from 5 Orange Potatoes.

A post on loving your partner from Parenting Passageways.

Gnome's Home Radio show talks about Cultivating Love.

Valentines stained glass from a Little Nature Nest.

Brooms, Waldorf

Here are some of the things I've been gazing at lately...

 I really hope you do not mind me downloading this picture and sending everyone who actually reads this blog running over right now at this very moment to find something that will actually bring them some joy when they do that dirty little deed of sweeping.  Not only that, but it comes in a child size, too.  

Waldorf education.  I've been drawn to this for years.  I've put it off for different reasons.  I think it's time though.  I'm taking a few things with us that we have enjoyed in this homeschooling journey.  I'm packing them in a sweet basket and walking down a trail.  It's still homeschooling.  It's just going to be a bit more.  I don't know, meaningful.  I heard that voice that says jump.  Then I read a post I made when my oldest was much younger.  I realized I need to jump. I couldn't afford not to.  Grade 1 may not look like much.  She includes everything you need.  Stories, supplies list, examples of pictures.  I printed out the e-book.  I'm glad I did.  I just print out a bit at a time to read.  And, now I can print out the months outline and stories.  I wasn't sure if it's what I needed.  But, it's wonderful, amazing and everything you need to jump.  Everything you need to start.  The rest will come.  You don't need to be perfect. YOU NEED TO DO.

Better-Off and A Little Garden Flower....

I have to be careful.  I will take on a stack of books and not finish one single book.  I don't often purchase books though.  I think it's because, in the past I would devour them in two days and feel like I wasted money.  But, with more children and more to do, books often linger on the bedside table, in a kitchen nook, wander past the toilet, in a full laundry basket...you get the picture.  I renew them three times and pay my 30 cents in late fees.  I renew it three times a year.  Honestly....buy a book every once in awhile.  Savour it, enjoy it.

I'm really enjoying this book.  I'm so happy to have purchased it, too. I decided it's required reading for High School.  I actually thought it might be dry.  But, Amanda said she devoured it.  I appreciate his style.  I find myself literally laughing.  I don't mind reading it to my children (and yes sex is mentioned once).


My other purchase was A Little Garden Flower Grade 1.  I bought the E-book because I figured I could print just what I want and not get overwhelmed.  I've been wanting to go towards Waldorf for many years.  I'm a bit sad that I never just did it.  I had excuses for years.  But, maybe I wasn't ready.  Maybe I needed to work on myself first.  I needed to let go of stuff and attachments to things.  I needed to purge.