Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Inspiration

There are a lot of things inspiring me lately.

This interview with Dr. Frank Lipman about fatigue...physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. He talks about the rhythms of the body and how important they are. Very inspiring! Link

Another Inconvenient Truth. If it has to do with healthy food, you know I'm loving it.

This parenting advice.
"The single most important thing is to take time to LISTEN to your children – as fellow human beings, not just as your charges or pet projects. There’s a wise little human soul in there, ageless in heart even while young in time. Follow her lead. Listen to what she says and DOESN’T say. Don’t just manage her, but allow the things she’s interested in to open and energize your own heart. That’s the secret of eternal youth.

Second, don’t be afraid to be real with your children. I’m not speaking so much here about being honest with your feelings (that’s generally good, but don’t forget that as a parent you have a primary responsibility to hold a safe space for your kids, and your self-expression should never overwhelm or frighten them); rather, I’m talking about being transparent about what you truly love. For eighteen years my own mother managed, scolded, imposed manners, dragged us kids off to Sunday school, arranged lessons in necessary social graces, chaperoned parties and supervised homework. And yet, for all that gray blur of duty, the one day I truly remember from my childhood was the day she simply gathered up her beloved oil paints and marched us off to a local arboretum. As my brother and I explored the gardens, I watched her a short distance away, poised before her easel, golden sunlight streaming down her face, completely entranced in what she was doing. How I loved her in that moment! And the unspoken lesson on following your bliss has remained with me for nearly six decades."

All of these blog posts over at The Parenting Passageway:

Summer Planning: Waldorf and the Early Years

Common Toddler Challenges and How to Solve Them

Tripping Into the Toddler Years --Seriously, this one is so good!

Mindful Parenting

The Mini-Rant: What Are We Doing? Yeah, read this one too!

2 comments:

Heather the Mama Duk said...

Good parenting advice.

PureMothers said...

hi - just found you through your comment at Progressive Pioneer. I'm so glad I clicked! Can't wait to read more when my toddler is sleeping :-)

I have 1 child, home-birthed, don't vax, eat organic, attended 2 parent/toddler classes at Waldorf School in northern calif., blog at www.PureMothers.com.

What a happy accident to find you.