It seems to me there's a dwindling of teaching children to say 'please' and 'thanks'. Particularly when it comes to the latter, I know how fine I feel when a child thanks me properly and with genuine gratitude. And yes, I think this is something that needs to be taught.
Gratitude as we know from different sources, can be a powerful force in our lives. In Canada, coming up right this weekend, we'll have Thanksgiving Day, which offers us the opportunity to count our blessings and be grateful. A simple grace before the meal is surely appropriate. Children will pick it up, if we grownups hold true thankfulness in our hearts.
The thing is, opening oneself to gratitude helps the soul become receptive so that benevolent spiritual beings can approach, and be there for us. In my experience, the spiritual world responds with such bounty when even the smallest effort of recognition is given.
So, dear readers, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. See you on the other side!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tucking in
Three snippets on this subject:
At this time of changing seasons, it's easy for the children to get chilled. So an undershirt is a good idea. A teeshirt that's not too large can be a good substitute, provided it's tucked into pants. This makes a huge difference to how warm you feel, as I discovered yesterday for myself when I went on my bike ride.
Tucking a child into bed at night seems to be a fading trend, thanks to the preponderance (and convenience!) of duvets. But the trouble with duvets is that they easily slip to one side, or even off the bed. So it's good to check after your child has gone to sleep. You can tuck in around the feet, at the sides, or at the bottom of the bed.
Lastly, I'm thinking about tucking into food. The other day Curly-Locks came for lunch. We had one of those boxes of organic salad that consist of different small, soft lettuce leaves. I added our (always home-made) vinaigrette, but when Curly-Locks took a mouthful he said 'Yuck', and wouldn't eat any more. So I puzzled over this, because usually he loves our salad. Eventually I came to the conclusion that his repulsion had to do with texture rather than taste.
Which is not to say that small kids don't like 'soft'. But I do think that often, texture is the more important factor when it comes to their tucking in to food.
At this time of changing seasons, it's easy for the children to get chilled. So an undershirt is a good idea. A teeshirt that's not too large can be a good substitute, provided it's tucked into pants. This makes a huge difference to how warm you feel, as I discovered yesterday for myself when I went on my bike ride.
Tucking a child into bed at night seems to be a fading trend, thanks to the preponderance (and convenience!) of duvets. But the trouble with duvets is that they easily slip to one side, or even off the bed. So it's good to check after your child has gone to sleep. You can tuck in around the feet, at the sides, or at the bottom of the bed.
Lastly, I'm thinking about tucking into food. The other day Curly-Locks came for lunch. We had one of those boxes of organic salad that consist of different small, soft lettuce leaves. I added our (always home-made) vinaigrette, but when Curly-Locks took a mouthful he said 'Yuck', and wouldn't eat any more. So I puzzled over this, because usually he loves our salad. Eventually I came to the conclusion that his repulsion had to do with texture rather than taste.
Which is not to say that small kids don't like 'soft'. But I do think that often, texture is the more important factor when it comes to their tucking in to food.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Do your children a favour, and watch this.
This came to me via a wonderful mother of seven. Merci, Blondine!
It's about one school's policy on media, but contains a message we parents really, really need to see and hear.
I think it speaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge5G_cYpj8g&feature=share
It's about one school's policy on media, but contains a message we parents really, really need to see and hear.
I think it speaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge5G_cYpj8g&feature=share
Monday, October 1, 2012
More on electronic force fields
Twice over the past few days, this subject has come up for me. First of all, as I was listening to the radio. I heard someone state something like 'the negative effects of electronic forcefields is still a controversial subject'.
Climate change, anyone?
And then I received an email. I encourage you to click on the link below.
http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/81081/Utility-sale-whistle-blower=
You know, I don't think I truly considered the impact of a baby monitor. I was more focused on thinking how not having one can contribute to the development of a mother's instinct. But, being fully aware that it's not easy to hear in a multi-storey house, I confess I made use of one while doing overnight babysitting for the grandsons.
As Rudolf Steiner, the spiritual pioneer who brought so much to help us in our time, pointed out: We are all subject to the karma of our age. Technology is here and can provide us with useful tools. However, when it comes to caring for small children, the best thing is to be vigilant. Truly, when it comes to negative effects that are possible to avoid, we'd rather not be sorry later.
Climate change, anyone?
And then I received an email. I encourage you to click on the link below.
http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/81081/Utility-sale-whistle-blower=
You know, I don't think I truly considered the impact of a baby monitor. I was more focused on thinking how not having one can contribute to the development of a mother's instinct. But, being fully aware that it's not easy to hear in a multi-storey house, I confess I made use of one while doing overnight babysitting for the grandsons.
As Rudolf Steiner, the spiritual pioneer who brought so much to help us in our time, pointed out: We are all subject to the karma of our age. Technology is here and can provide us with useful tools. However, when it comes to caring for small children, the best thing is to be vigilant. Truly, when it comes to negative effects that are possible to avoid, we'd rather not be sorry later.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A seasonal suggestion
I don't think this needs any explanation!
I'm gearing up for a longer post, maybe next week, but meantime I have to be busy with promotion for my novel 'Cape Town'.
http://www.tinyurl.com/9dacpez
I'm gearing up for a longer post, maybe next week, but meantime I have to be busy with promotion for my novel 'Cape Town'.
http://www.tinyurl.com/9dacpez
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Change of season
The equinox has passed and we're now officially in the fall.
For a change, here's a letter from Cheryl (actually an email) that I wanted to share with you:
I have to tell you (the Blue-eyed Boy) was so sweet on our walk on Saturday. He was collecting leaves for nature crafts and he says that Autumn is his favourite season because it reminds him of Nana and he misses that time with you.
How touching is that?
Now, to my shame, I have to confess my efforts in the direction of honouring the season through arranging a nature table and collecting leaves, pine cones and so on, were pretty minimal. However, what does Cheryl's note tell us? That even this small nod to the season was incredibly important for a small grandson.
To experience the cycle of the year as fully as possible is a help to us all, but specially for the children who are still learning how to be on the earth. Nurturing their natural connection with nature will lead to a strengthening for their whole lives.
For a change, here's a letter from Cheryl (actually an email) that I wanted to share with you:
I have to tell you (the Blue-eyed Boy) was so sweet on our walk on Saturday. He was collecting leaves for nature crafts and he says that Autumn is his favourite season because it reminds him of Nana and he misses that time with you.
How touching is that?
Now, to my shame, I have to confess my efforts in the direction of honouring the season through arranging a nature table and collecting leaves, pine cones and so on, were pretty minimal. However, what does Cheryl's note tell us? That even this small nod to the season was incredibly important for a small grandson.
To experience the cycle of the year as fully as possible is a help to us all, but specially for the children who are still learning how to be on the earth. Nurturing their natural connection with nature will lead to a strengthening for their whole lives.
Monday, September 24, 2012
The importance of pre-views
I've written before about soul shocks, and how it's important to avoid these. Unfortunately, that's becoming more and more difficult in the times we live in.
The other day I took up a new book to read to Curly-Locks, who's now four years old. My husband bought it, and the publisher is a trusted one. So I didn't think to flip through it beforehand. And so we arrived at a page which brought a shock. The illustration was of Jack Frost, but the white stick figure had a frightening aspect. I felt Curly-Locks's shock go right through me. We moved on as quickly as possible. Too late to avoid the shock, sadly.
My mother told of an illustrated Red Riding Hood that she used to read to me, and how I could never get past the picture of the wolf. Although I don't remember the image, I still remember one of the nightmares it engendered. The story itself didn't bother me.
Then there are birthday parties. They can be a minefield. When my children were small I always checked with the parents to find out what, exactly, would be happening. Better to be cautious beforehand than regretful afterwards.
Movies are the other things I strongly suggest you look at before your children do. The most innocent of titles can be problematic. I remember back in South Africa going to see 'The Gods Must be Crazy', a very amusing film that seemed to hold no danger. But somewhere along the way terrorists with guns broke onto the screen. Not what you'd want your children to witness.
It's good to be vigilant, even though this may mean spending extra time. That time spent will be worthwhile, and your children's development made healthier for it.
The other day I took up a new book to read to Curly-Locks, who's now four years old. My husband bought it, and the publisher is a trusted one. So I didn't think to flip through it beforehand. And so we arrived at a page which brought a shock. The illustration was of Jack Frost, but the white stick figure had a frightening aspect. I felt Curly-Locks's shock go right through me. We moved on as quickly as possible. Too late to avoid the shock, sadly.
My mother told of an illustrated Red Riding Hood that she used to read to me, and how I could never get past the picture of the wolf. Although I don't remember the image, I still remember one of the nightmares it engendered. The story itself didn't bother me.
Then there are birthday parties. They can be a minefield. When my children were small I always checked with the parents to find out what, exactly, would be happening. Better to be cautious beforehand than regretful afterwards.
Movies are the other things I strongly suggest you look at before your children do. The most innocent of titles can be problematic. I remember back in South Africa going to see 'The Gods Must be Crazy', a very amusing film that seemed to hold no danger. But somewhere along the way terrorists with guns broke onto the screen. Not what you'd want your children to witness.
It's good to be vigilant, even though this may mean spending extra time. That time spent will be worthwhile, and your children's development made healthier for it.
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