» The Way of the Peaceful Parent. ‘… and she loved a boy very, very much– even more than she loved herself.’ ~Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree Post written by Leo Babauta. There is no such thing as stress-free parenting. A reader requested that I share my thoughts on stress-free parenting, as the father of six kids. Parents will always have stress: we not only have to deal with tantrums and scraped knees and refusing to eat anything you cook, but we worry about potential accidents, whether we are ruining our kids, whether our children will find happiness as adults and be able to provide for themselves and find love. That said, I’ve learned that we can find peace. Peace isn’t a place with no stress, but a place where you take the stress as it comes, in stride, and don’t let it rule you.
There is a Way of the Peaceful Parent, but it isn’t one that I’ve learned completely. The Way The Way is only learned by walking it. Greet your child each morning with a smile, a hug, a loving Good Morning! A candid list of things to do in the last weeks of... - Dear Baby. A candid list of things to do in the last weeks of pregnancy. I spent way too much time worrying about how many outfits I had for Everly, and that we had her nursery in tip top shape and a shelf full of things like diaper ointment, baby sunscreen, and 4 different kinds of pacifier - and most of it didn’t get touched for months and months after she was born. I basically refused to go into labor until I was satisfied with the pile of onesies and hair accessories I had for her. This go round, with lessons learned, I’ve been thinking about what I really, truly need to be doing to prepare for those first insane weeks once we bring Arlo home: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
What would you add to the list? Edit: I want to add some of the best recommendations from other moms as they come in. 8. Oh readers. 9. 10. Love, Out of the Mouth of Babes | The Primate Diaries. Extended breastfeeding is the norm in most human and primate societies. So why are we the weird ones? "Attachment (with respect to Martin Schoeller)" by Nathaniel Gold My son will be three-years-old next month and is still breastfeeding. In other words, he is a typical primate.
However, when I tell most people about this the reactions I receive run the gamut from mild confusion to serious discomfort. Their concerns are usually that extended breastfeeding could be stunting his independence and emotional development–the “Linus Blanket Syndrome” in the words of Michael Zollicoffer, a pediatrician at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. One thing I’ve learned in my research on human evolution is that people are quick to assume that what they do is “natural” simply because they don’t know of other examples where things are done differently.
How well does this prediction hold for our species? Figure 1. For Every Mother: 24 Questions to Seek Your True Self, Dreams and Goals | Mommy Labs - Creative Learning, Purposeful Living. Digg digg As the song “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac played on my ipod, its soulful words filled my heart with a dull ache – a misery that I could not recognize immediately but it did not seem a stranger to me either. I heard it once with moist eyes; the second time with a big lump in my throat; the third time around I just needed to connect with myself and figure out what was going on. And that’s when I opened the word document and started writing… [youtube] I request you to listen to this song even if you’ve heard before.
Thank ya, friends Sorry, I don’t intend to make you feel pensive but then this song is one of those that speak to our saddest thoughts and hence so sweet (“our sweetest songs are those that speak of our saddest thoughts”). Here are the lyrics to the song if you’d like to save… My Personal Interpretation of the Song The words from this song portray her life as though written for her. Yes, all of that is true. This is what a stay-at-home mom does all day | Parenting. I saw red when I read a letter to an advice column from a childless woman who suspects her friend is lying about being busy all day. "I'm feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy," she says, so "why won't my friend tell me the truth? " She wonders what are stay-at-home-moms doing all day that they can't call or email?
I know I'm preaching to the choir here, and the advice columnist seems to physically restrain herself from reaching out to wring the letter-writer's neck. Still, I thought I might detail a typical day alone with the kids. That way, when your friend whines at you for not answering her email about her roommate eating her potato chips (yes, that's real), you won't have to find the time and childcare to write her a reasoned response.
You can just forward this to her. Dear Person Who Wonders What SAHMs Do All Day: I love my kids, and I am so happy. 5 a.m.: Baby wakes up in crib and wants to nurse. Both kids wake up for real at 6:30. It is time for ballet class. Mommy With Selective Memory offers Crafts and Activities for Toddler and Preschooler, Keep Kids Busy, Improve Fine Motor and Sensory Skills. French Women Don't Have Mommy Guilt Mommy Guilt is terrible. Before I had kids, a friend told me that Moms never stop feeling guilty. I remember thinking she was crazy. "What on earth will I have to feel guilty about? " I thought. "That's absurd! " Then came the day when I had to hand my 12 week old baby over to the nanny. Now, three and half years later, the guilt still never ends but it almost amuses me. Imagine my surprise when I recently discovered that French women don't feel guilty.
Of American Moms, she says: "For American mothers, guilt is an emotional tax we pay for going to work, not buying organic vegetables, or plopping our kids in front of the television so we can surf the Internet or make dinner. Now, I have to admit that is a very true statement. "French mothers absolutely recognize the temptation to feel guilty. I have really embraced this concept because anything that promotes less guilt and more fun in life is something I can get behind! Did you enjoy my post? Blog Gadgets. Personal Interviews and Family Council. Here are a couple printables that are sure to enrich your family and children! Hop over to Creating Better Habits and read my article about how to incorporate them into your family :) I also have some great tips and suggestions about hosting your first Family Council HERE and your first Personal Interview HERE These printables go hand in hand with the teachings of Linda and Richard Eyre- parenting experts who have blessed my family beyond anything I could have ever hoped or imagined.
It is their books that got me started on my love (instead of frustration) of Early Childhood Development and all things parenting related. If you like these, check out my Family Planner printables as well. These go great hand in hand. I keep my Family Council and Interview pages behind the Sunday section so that I remember to do it that day. p.s. if you can't get my free printables to download (for whatever reason) email me (email is under the contact tab above) and I'll send you the PDF's directly. 15 Happy Ways to Teach Kids to be Grateful » A Holy Experience. Busy Kids = Happy Mom: Life Lessons for My Sons - notes from mom. 32 Reflections on Children, Parenting and Your Life. Learning Societies UnConference – Part II | Mommy Labs - Creative Learning, Purposeful Living.
Digg digg I went to the Learning Societies UnConference (read Part I – about being brave and breaking out of your comfort zone) to seek answers to some homeschooling questions, to meet people on this journey and to get ideas for other things that I’m seeking in life at the moment. I’ve found some of the answers and pointers that I wanted, but I have to admit – from all these, I found myself learning more and more about my self and reflecting on who I am, what am I doing etc. Sharing some of my profound reflections, that I came back with – from LSuC – about children, how they learn, how our own conditioning affect our parenting and much more. Also, get to know the books that have made a deep impact on me.
In my journey as a parent in the past six years, I’ve learnt one most important and valuable lesson. My child is her unique self but, she really is a mirror of me. The person she becomes – she may not have CHOSEN to be. Well, well…! Remember – “with great power comes great responsibility” Simple Ways to Show Your Kids You Love Them | Kid Scoop. Categories Get the Babble Newsletter! Parks & Travel Disney Store Featured Articles Quiz: What Type of Citizen Kid Is Your Child? I Don’t Love My Son More, but I Do Love Him Differently Than My Girls The 8 Coolest Snacks You’ve Ever Made with Goldfish Crackers 10 Foolproof Signs You’re Ready to Have Kids Popular Posts 6 Things You Should Stop Paying for If You Give Your Kids an Allowance Dear Mom of the Crying Baby on the Airplane 25 At-Home Science Experiments Yes, She’s on Food Stamps and No, You Shouldn’t Judge Her For It Kid How a Glass of Water Helped My Child Understand His Emotions Because understanding them is the first step towards controlling them. child development Posted 2 hours ago Why “Let Them Play” Is a Disservice to Early Education I'm well aware that my child is "only young once" — but that doesn't mean I shouldn't care about her education as early as possible.
School & Learning Posted 2 days ago I Want My Kids to Have Their Own Adventures, Not Watch Them on TV I was so naive. Popular Posts. What Ordinary Parents Can Do to Help Our Children Develop Self Control and Self Esteem. 10 Creative Ways to Make Time for Your Kids. For many busy parents, finding quality time to be with their kids can be a big challenge. I asked some of the busiest moms in the blogosphere to share their BEST tips for squeezing in quality time with their kids. You’ll notice how many of these busy moms don’t just “find” time to spend with their kids, rather they “make” time for them. Here are 10 creative tips that emerged: 1. Unplug – “Stop multi-tasking. When the kids arrive home from school I put away all phones and laptops and give the children undivided attention first.
“As my kids grow older they play much more independently. “I gave up my smartphone. 2. “I find that often ‘the 5 or 10min’ before we go anywhere or before bedtime or whenever, can be most precious – quality time isn’t about hours and hours of fun, but about ‘stolen moments’. “We love to run around and hug each other when the clock chimes on the hour. “My favorite time to connect with my toddler is during diaper changes. 3. “Put quality time on your daily schedule. A Parenting Moment: Are you raising me to DO good? Not just BE good? Pin It Do you ever look at the little faces staring up at you and wonder, "What am I doing? " As a first year classroom teacher I thought I knew everything. By the time the second year rolled around I realized there were a lot of really important things that I had never done during the first year.
By the time I was a third year teacher, I was painfully aware of how much I didn't know and how much I still had to learn. This is exactly how I feel as a parent. I do know two things though.1. I think about the second statement a lot. Here are four ideas that I came up with for helping teach my children to DO good: 1. I attended a presentation a few weeks ago by Torie Henderson called Raising Gracious Children. 2. Every single person counts- the rude person in the car next to me, the waitress that messed up my order... twice, or the person who rings the doorbell when my baby has just fallen asleep. 3.
It is so easy as a parent to notice the disruptive or negative behavior. 4. Raising Kids Who Get Along « mama smiles. One of my primary goals as a parent is raising kids who get along with one another. My three kids may all love crafts and creating, but they each have their own, distinct personality – and I’m certain that number four will be no different. And distinct personalities mean we get personality clashes! Thankfully, there is no question that they adore each other, and here are a few things we do to help them see one another as best friends: Family down time. What are your best tips for helping kids get along? 10 Tips For Raising Happy Parents. It’s no secret that parenting well is a complex art form and each of us brings our own unique style and beliefs into the day to day raising of the children in our lives.
But here are ten ways of thinking about your parenting career that can help, no matter what your style or the current age of your “baby”. 1. Your work as a parent needs and deserves lots of support from family, friends, neighbors, employers and the greater community around you. Your children need other caring adults in their lives and you need and deserve respect, rest, and relaxation. 2.
Parenting can be especially difficult in the same areas where you faced challenges in your own childhood. It’s not fair, but science demonstrates it again and again. 3. 4. Communication. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. For both children and parents. 10. { They are listening } So, this is part photography blog, and part mommy blog, and with this post I am attempting to give you a taste of both.
I was reading an article today, and found it impossible not to share some of it. Hopefully you will love it as much as I did, and put some or all of it to good use. With our busy, day to day lives, sometimes it is easy to forget to be really present and 'talk' to our children. Of course they know we love them, but sometimes we forget the things that they need to hear, and hear often. {19 Things we should say to our Children} 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. {*The original source for this article can be found HERE } Ü. 10 Ways to Nurture Positive Body Image for Your Daughter « Carrots for Michaelmas: Musings of a Catholic Wife, Mother, and Occasional Redhead. 20 Ways to “Reset” When the Kids Are Having a Hard Day | The Pennington Point. A few days ago (maybe more than a few, I lose track of time easily) I got a great question from Andrea. She asked, “Sometimes we get in a funk. We can run a stretch of days with everyone on edge and “bickery”.
It often starts with illness or a stretch of cold rainy days (no outside play), but somehow these sweet children become rather unpleasant to spend the days with….Do you have a secret “reset” button, or advice on how to get “back on track”??” I love this question. These are some thing I do when that happens: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. As you can see, the main focus of these activities is to stop what you are doing, stop rushing, stop being frustrated and spend a few minutes together doing something completely different.
Thanks Andrea for the great question! 15 Things to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed. 25 Rules for Mothers of Sons. Become a Hands on Mom with your Kids. 10 Compliments Your Kids Need to Hear. 100 Ways to be Kind to your Child. 25 things i want my son to know | Mommy OM. Rules for Mothers of Daughters. _30_day_mom_challenge_bw.pdf (application/pdf Object)