Mind images

I seldom watch TV. This is mainly because, like alcoholic drinks, they interfere with my meditative life. And that's much more important to me than any television program. But also, I have difficulty in getting rid of the images. I noticed this also on my recent flights where I watched a couple of films. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that the back-of-the-seat video screens are so close to you, so 'in your face'. And, incidentally, I noticed many people who were sleeping but who hadn't turned off their screens. Mostly I think it's because it's not always so obvious how to do this. But I felt sorry for one young man who, to get away from that unhealthy light, had pulled his blanket over his head.

So what has this to do with small children? As you probably know, the best thing is not to expose them to any kind of screens whatsoever. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more difficult as more and more technology is invented and we make more use of it. Which is not wrong, of course.

Just try to be as aware as possible and to make the exposure as harmless as possible.

I'm reminded of the anecdote told years ago by Francis Edmunds, founder of Emerson College in England. He loved the way one young boy said, "I prefer radio to TV because the pictures are so much better!"

Good toys R worth it

For Christmas we bought the boys some Stockmar watercolour paints. Then I bought a set of wooden houses etc and a set of three simple puzzles for them to play with when they come to us. The Blue-eyed boy wanted to take the former home. I explained they were for here and asked what he'd play with if he took them home. "The old toys" was the answer, said in an 'obviously' kind of voice.

Good wooden toys can be expensive. But they're worth it. Many of ours are already 'second generation', and will one day be handed on so other children can play with them and enjoy them. Here's what the Blue-eyed boy created when he came to spend the day with us on Monday.

And as for the puzzles, Curly-Locks was delighted to discover he could do them (with a bit of a struggle) 'all by hisself'.

What's the use of doing jig-saw puzzles you ask? What I can tell you is that their dad is an expert at packing a whole lot of stuff into the trunk of the car!

Sometimes, you need to be a detective.

Life is settling down after all the varied experiences of Christmas and the Thirteen Holy Nights. To reconnect with my grandsons after having been away for five weeks, I first had the Blue-eyed Boy for the day, and then Curly-Locks.

The Blue-eyed Boy started complaining that his hands were itchy. I wondered why, and then remembered that when I visited the washroom I'd seen the toilet brush lying on the floor, out of its holder, lying on the floor. So I asked, "When you went to pee, did you touch the toilet brush? Because if you did, it's got chemicals on it."

Yes, I use an 'eco' cleaner, but still...

And yes, he's supposed to wash his hands each time, but I hadn't checked.

He answered, "I knocked it over by accident." Then he thought for a minute or two and admitted, "Maybe I did touch it."

Aha! So we washed his hands properly, put on some cream and all was well.

Sometimes we grown-ups need to be detectives!

A Simple Gift

I swept the kitchen floor this evening. As I enjoyed the rhythmical, calming activity, I got to thinking how I regret never having found a nice, small broom to give to the Blue-Eyed boy or Curly-Locks. Its really a shame. Yes, I discovered a couple of different models in the toy shops but always so unnecessarily cold, and stiff bristly. And artificial. Just couldn't convince myself I wanted to spend my money on them.

What I should have done was gone to the hardware store, bought a smallish broom and simply cut down the handle. That's what Helen did for her boys. They loved their brooms and felt proud to be able to help.

Sometimes it's the simplest gifts/toys that are the most successful.

Picking up a thread

The title I've just written reminds me of my mother. She had a few superstitions and one of them was that if you picked a thread off someone else's clothing, that would mean good luck. Provided they didn't thank you!

Many's the time, however, that I've thanked my mother. You could say I 'got lucky', but it's far far more than that.

In any case, it's about parents that I want to talk today.

Recently I wrote about the karmic connections children have with their parents. What I want to bring to you now is one of the first ideas (I would call it a truth, but leave it to you to live with for a while and see if it resonates for you) I heard about when I came into this way of Magical Motherhood. This is that children choose their parents. While still in the heavenly world, we see which mother and which father will best serve our needs and the development steps we need to take in our forthcoming incarnation. And we help bring the couple together!

Now of course, none of us is perfect, so not everything we as parents give to our children, not all the ways we treat them, or the habits and traits we pass on can ever be ideal. Nevertheless, it can be affirming to know that we are the chosen ones, the couple who can best guide and bring up our children.

So, dear readers, when you feel you fall short, remember this and take comfort.

Living with the festival year

"Will you be having a sleigh ride this year?" My husband asks our overnight visitors, a note of hope in his voice.

"Most likely," comes the answer.

Yes, you'd be right in thinking this is a bit of a festive tradition for our friends. Right now, as we look towards the first Sunday in Advent and the weeks that build up to Christmas and the thirteen Holy Nights,  I wanted to write a little bit about festivals in general and why observing them is helpful for children.

What springs immediately to mind is the fact that rhythm sustains us. So, in living with recurring festivals we lay a good ground for the child's sense of security and joy in life and the world. Festivals can be deeply nourishing for the children's souls... and for ours, for that matter. But traditions and events and celebrations don't have to be big or elaborate. Sometimes just a few small efforts are enough to set the mood and open the heart.

But be aware that how you begin is how and what the small children will expect next time too, and probably into the future.

On Sunday I'll hang up this painting. It was done by our younger daughter while she was in primary school. Wet on wet water colour is fine, but when our basement flooded it suffered water damage, as you can see. Nevertheless, her depiction of Mary wandering over stars and gathering threads of starlight for her little child, is one we love to live with during Advent and the Christmas season.

Making magic

"Advent is my very favourite time of the year," says my dear friend and overnight guest. And, having stayed with her around this time, I know why.

She's lucky enough to live on a large piece of land. I've accompanied her into the wild to pick red dogwood branches to decorate outdoor urns and indoor spaces. In general, her home is redolent with all the best things about the run up to Christmas. It's a wonderful time for children, and I don't mean because Santa will soon be here with presents.

In England, this coming Sunday is traditionally known as 'Stir Up Sunday'. It's the day when Christmas cakes and puds need to be made... ahead of time, so the flavours can blend and mature.

I'm sure you know that small children love baking. It's surprising how much they can manage to 'help' and how much they gain from it. I remember when I taught the Blue-eyed boy how to crack and egg. After doing it and thinking about it, he turned to me so sweetly and said, 'I love you, Nana'.

Food for the soul, for sure.

(more on making magic in the next post)