Saturday, August 20, 2011
Summer vacation
My apologies, dear Readers. I'm relishing the summer, busy with other writing, but hope to be back next month. Till then, take good care.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Struggling can be good
Last evening we had a lovely, unexpected visit from Curly-Locks. Although, it didn't start off so happily because he came to us because he had an ear-ache. The rest of the family and visitors were off elsewhere.
At first he only wanted to sit quietly and have me read a couple of his favourite books for him. Fortunately, Apis Levisticum soon had him feeling better and as the evening was warm and completely still, when he wanted to play outside, I felt that was okay for him.
And then I had an idea. Cheryl's birthday will be coming up before long and why not let Curly-Locks plant some radishes to give to her? Yes, she likes them, and they're fast.
So that's what we did. Then they needed watering. This summer we have water restrictions in our area and we're making use of our waterbarrel. Oupa fixed a short length of hose onto the tap, and we fill the watercan from there.
Curly-Locks decided he was going to do this all by himself. First of all, the tap was tight so he had to battle to open it. I stood by, so tempted to help, but holding back. Lo and behold, soon he succeeded and managed to turn it off properly as well.
He syphoned water into the can. "It's heavy," he said. "Can you manage?" I asked. "Yes." So, getting totally into it, he watered the newly planted seeds, the flowering beans and the fruiting tomatoes.
We both came back inside with a sense of accomplishment.
Sometimes it's hard not to step in and help, but it's hugely advantageous to the child if he or she can struggle a bit... and often succeed. If help is needed, that's okay too because already they've put their will into the task. A good lesson and practice for later on in life.
At first he only wanted to sit quietly and have me read a couple of his favourite books for him. Fortunately, Apis Levisticum soon had him feeling better and as the evening was warm and completely still, when he wanted to play outside, I felt that was okay for him.
And then I had an idea. Cheryl's birthday will be coming up before long and why not let Curly-Locks plant some radishes to give to her? Yes, she likes them, and they're fast.
So that's what we did. Then they needed watering. This summer we have water restrictions in our area and we're making use of our waterbarrel. Oupa fixed a short length of hose onto the tap, and we fill the watercan from there.
Curly-Locks decided he was going to do this all by himself. First of all, the tap was tight so he had to battle to open it. I stood by, so tempted to help, but holding back. Lo and behold, soon he succeeded and managed to turn it off properly as well.
He syphoned water into the can. "It's heavy," he said. "Can you manage?" I asked. "Yes." So, getting totally into it, he watered the newly planted seeds, the flowering beans and the fruiting tomatoes.
We both came back inside with a sense of accomplishment.
Sometimes it's hard not to step in and help, but it's hugely advantageous to the child if he or she can struggle a bit... and often succeed. If help is needed, that's okay too because already they've put their will into the task. A good lesson and practice for later on in life.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Another quickie
The Blue-eyed Boy loves stories. Don't we all? He loves to be told a story, but he also loves books. At 5 years old he can already enjoy the kind where Dad reads a chapter a night.
So here's a recco: Recently Allison Utley's 'The Adventures of Sam Pig' was a great success.
p.s. And no, he hasn't been taught to read yet. More, this won't happen any time soon. Think about it. What happens once you can read? Your eye settles on letters, words and willy-nilly the sense, news, emotions they contain enter your brain -- and your soul. Truly, reading is a kind of trap (much as I love it!). Small children need the chance for their minds to be free and unpolluted for as long as this is possible.
So here's a recco: Recently Allison Utley's 'The Adventures of Sam Pig' was a great success.
p.s. And no, he hasn't been taught to read yet. More, this won't happen any time soon. Think about it. What happens once you can read? Your eye settles on letters, words and willy-nilly the sense, news, emotions they contain enter your brain -- and your soul. Truly, reading is a kind of trap (much as I love it!). Small children need the chance for their minds to be free and unpolluted for as long as this is possible.
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Magic of Play
A wonderful young woman has been caring for the grandsons, granting me time to concentrate on my other writing. But this also means I haven't had the inspiration for blogs happening right before my eyes.
Anyhow, last night we had the whole caboodle -- family plus two -- to Sunday dinner and a good time was had by all. As our dining table can't accommodate more than six people, the boys had to eat separately. Curly-Locks knew exactly what he wanted. He bustled about, carried a small table down from the deck to the lawn and arranged it table and two chairs under the maple tree. I brought out mats and cutlery and his brother took their places. Cheryl sat outside with them for a couple of minutes, to see that they started eating properly, but she soon left them to it. They were fine. She told me later that was one of her favourite things to do when she was a child... eat outside, just the children.
Soon after they'd done eating, they came inside and began playing so wonderfully. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to experience this. It hasn't been easy for the Blue-eyed Boy to come to terms with a sibling taking up 'his' space, but things are different now. Helen actually told me that, with her boys, they only really started playing together when the younger could talk well. And I think that's the secret. Partly. I believe it also helps that they have minimum access to television and other media.
I have to say, I believe we are truly fortunate when our children can play. More and more recognition is being given to this. Last weekend, I ran a workshop on creative writing and I realized again how much a playful attitude helps. As adults it helps keep our thinking mobile and gives easier access to our creative imaginations... something so valuable for the future of our world if used in the right way.
Anyhow, last night we had the whole caboodle -- family plus two -- to Sunday dinner and a good time was had by all. As our dining table can't accommodate more than six people, the boys had to eat separately. Curly-Locks knew exactly what he wanted. He bustled about, carried a small table down from the deck to the lawn and arranged it table and two chairs under the maple tree. I brought out mats and cutlery and his brother took their places. Cheryl sat outside with them for a couple of minutes, to see that they started eating properly, but she soon left them to it. They were fine. She told me later that was one of her favourite things to do when she was a child... eat outside, just the children.
Soon after they'd done eating, they came inside and began playing so wonderfully. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to experience this. It hasn't been easy for the Blue-eyed Boy to come to terms with a sibling taking up 'his' space, but things are different now. Helen actually told me that, with her boys, they only really started playing together when the younger could talk well. And I think that's the secret. Partly. I believe it also helps that they have minimum access to television and other media.
I have to say, I believe we are truly fortunate when our children can play. More and more recognition is being given to this. Last weekend, I ran a workshop on creative writing and I realized again how much a playful attitude helps. As adults it helps keep our thinking mobile and gives easier access to our creative imaginations... something so valuable for the future of our world if used in the right way.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Summer traffic
Too many distractions at this time of the year mean that I don't have so much time to think or to blog. So, posting will be sporadic for a while, and I apologize.
Meanwhile, here's a smile for you:
We're driving with the grandsons in the car... or rather, we're at a standstill on the way home.
"Move! Stupid traffic," shouts the Blue-Eyed Boy. "Move!"
Gently, Oupa explains that this is not a good way to talk. But while he's doing that, lo and behold, the traffic starts to move forward.
"But see?" says a rather baffled child. "It worked!!"
Meanwhile, here's a smile for you:
We're driving with the grandsons in the car... or rather, we're at a standstill on the way home.
"Move! Stupid traffic," shouts the Blue-Eyed Boy. "Move!"
Gently, Oupa explains that this is not a good way to talk. But while he's doing that, lo and behold, the traffic starts to move forward.
"But see?" says a rather baffled child. "It worked!!"
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Names
I devoted some space in one of the Magical Motherhood Letters to Cheryl about naming a child. Now I can't resist commenting on the choice Victoria and David Beckham made for their much-longed-for daughter. As one article pointed out 'Harper Seven' reflects the trend away from girly-names.
Well, it's individual, certainly. Maybe there's even something musical there to tie in with my previous two posts? Can't be bad to be a harper... in fact, rather lovely. But Seven? I simply can't get my head around that. It's as bad as calling your child by two letters of the alphabet, like T.J., something that's also happened.
Adam and Eve were given the great privilege of naming the animals and the plants. Also in the Bible, St. John's gospel begins with: 'In the beginning was the Word'. These days words have fallen far from their heavenly origin, but we can still use them and name our children with good intent, consciousness, and an artistic feeling for what the child might need.
Sounds are what it's all about, surely. For me, it was an amazing and revelatory experience to see my children's names done in eurythmy. And helpful for me to do my own, I should add.
These are my reactions. Overall I'd say it's important not only to think of the child and what would be a helpful name for him or her to carry through life, but also to consider how others will react.
Well, it's individual, certainly. Maybe there's even something musical there to tie in with my previous two posts? Can't be bad to be a harper... in fact, rather lovely. But Seven? I simply can't get my head around that. It's as bad as calling your child by two letters of the alphabet, like T.J., something that's also happened.
Adam and Eve were given the great privilege of naming the animals and the plants. Also in the Bible, St. John's gospel begins with: 'In the beginning was the Word'. These days words have fallen far from their heavenly origin, but we can still use them and name our children with good intent, consciousness, and an artistic feeling for what the child might need.
Sounds are what it's all about, surely. For me, it was an amazing and revelatory experience to see my children's names done in eurythmy. And helpful for me to do my own, I should add.
These are my reactions. Overall I'd say it's important not only to think of the child and what would be a helpful name for him or her to carry through life, but also to consider how others will react.
Names
I devoted some space in one of the Magical Motherhood Letters to Cheryl about naming a child. Now I can't resist commenting on the choice Victoria and David Beckham made for their much-longed-for daughter. As one article pointed out 'Harper Seven' reflects the trend away from girly-names.
Well, it's individual, certainly. Maybe there's even something musical there to tie in with my previous two posts? Can't be bad to be a harper... in fact, rather lovely. But Seven? I simply can't get my head around that. It's as bad as calling your child by two letters of the alphabet, like T.J., something that's also happened.
Adam and Eve were given the great privilege of naming the animals and the plants. Also in the Bible, St. John's gospel begins with: 'In the beginning was the Word'. These days words have fallen far from their heavenly origin, but we can still use them and name our children with good intent, consciousness, and an artistic feeling for what the child might need.
Sounds are what it's all about, surely. For me, it was an amazing and revelatory experience to see my children's names done in eurythmy. And helpful for me to do my own, I should add.
These are my reactions. Overall I'd say it's important not only to think of the child and what would be a helpful name for him or her to carry through life, but also to consider how others will react.
Well, it's individual, certainly. Maybe there's even something musical there to tie in with my previous two posts? Can't be bad to be a harper... in fact, rather lovely. But Seven? I simply can't get my head around that. It's as bad as calling your child by two letters of the alphabet, like T.J., something that's also happened.
Adam and Eve were given the great privilege of naming the animals and the plants. Also in the Bible, St. John's gospel begins with: 'In the beginning was the Word'. These days words have fallen far from their heavenly origin, but we can still use them and name our children with good intent, consciousness, and an artistic feeling for what the child might need.
Sounds are what it's all about, surely. For me, it was an amazing and revelatory experience to see my children's names done in eurythmy. And helpful for me to do my own, I should add.
These are my reactions. Overall I'd say it's important not only to think of the child and what would be a helpful name for him or her to carry through life, but also to consider how others will react.
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