by supertwigs | Aug 19, 2011 | Education, Goals, Nature, Parenting, Photography |
Life has been getting in the way! Summer is such a wonderful season, and I’ve got to admit I have just plain been having fun. But, the past few months have been big ones in terms of life change, and growth, too. I figure it’s time for me to record these things, and, so, here it goes.
As the year has progressed a few priorities have come to light for me.
- To be a stay-at-home mom. Learning and living with my kids, daily.
- To be a homeschooler. An extension of the first.
- To explore creative options for work, and to continue to use my expertise, while stretching myself.
- To spend more time outside.
To this end:
- The kids and I have been playing outside almost every day. The wonderful therapy of sunny (or overcast) summer days, woodland walks, exploring and bike riding has been, well, wonderful. (An exciting side benefit has been all of the new photographs I’ve been inspired to take while breathing it all in).
- I resigned from my full-time job, instead working on call every once in awhile. I still get to be a librarian, and I get to appreciate being at work, because I don’t resent the fact that it is taking me away from my children everyday.
- I have embraced the idea of homeschooling, and have been doing tons of reading, research, and learning with my kids.
- I have started a brand new form of work: The Homeschool Co-op. Combining my expertise as a librarian (research, writing, reader’s advisory skills), and my passion for homeschooling, I have started a brand new business. In essence, it’s an online homeschool co-op: a place for people to share their passions & expertise with one another. It’s part blog, part social network, part resource sharing & book recommendation, and a large part heart.
If your interest is homeschooling – check it out (www.thehomeschoolcoop.com). I’d love to have you join our community.
This entire year has truly been a process of growth, rediscovery and refinement.
When I stopped to consider why I started Middlemusing, and what I’d like to continue using it for, I realized something. I started this place for myself. A place to record my personal growth and acheivement. Although my children often overlap with this, Middlemusing is not solely about them. Nor only about my family.
So, I have also started another blog,
seaandforest.com. If you want to check out my family’s home learning journey, follow us here. It’s in its infancy, but I’ll be tracking our progress together and sharing our discoveries. As for my own personal journey (literary, creativity, goals) I’ll continue to be charting it here. So (breathe a sigh of relief if you like), those of you who aren’t so interested, don’t have to hear about my kids all the time (just sometimes).
Many thanks for reading, and here’s to an invigorating fall (always a season of new beginnings for me, but that’s the subject of another post).
If you’ve had any major (or minor) life changing decisions of late, I’d love to hear about them.
by supertwigs | Jul 29, 2011 | Education, Goals, Health, Parenting |
I just finished reading a book on Waldorf Education: Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, by Barbara Patterson and Pamela Bradley. I’m still digesting everything (I felt like there were a few too many theories stated as fact), but I did love a lot of it. One of the key tenants of Waldorf Education is the idea of consistent rhythms. That is, that children function better and learn more effectively if they know what to expect from their day / week / year.
The idea of seasonal rhythms is so wonderfully appealing to me. The seasonal celebrations of things like summer berry picking and beach combing, making pies and hot soup in the fall (not that I ever actually make pies), picking out a Christmas tree (and spending hours making presents every year), planting flowers in the spring.
But, I have to admit, my daily & weekly rhythms could use improvement. I try not to schedule too many things into our family’s life (trying to leave room for creative, free play and spontaneity). However, after reading Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, I have been inspired to consider my days more deliberately.
In a Waldorf classroom, kids start every day with a story and song time. They spend time free playing, and come together for lunch. They watch their teacher accomplish her tasks, and help as necessity and interest dictate. In a Waldorf-inspired home, families come together to eat meals, have a regular bedtime routine and regular outside play time. Throughout the week, kids learn the days of the week through the weekly rituals and routines that are accomplished.
I think I could learn from this. Perhaps I would be more on top of my housework if I made a regular effort to clean certain days, or at certain times. Perhaps I could regulate my children’s blood sugar levels (and, therefore, moods) by being more deliberate about eating at the same time every day. And by honouring quiet time. Being more deliberate about play time, too. Allowing myself to play with my kids, because I know that some of my work has been done.
I know we have rhythms. Our morning and bedtimes routines are pretty predictable. And they work. I am just wondering what kind of peace I could give myself by becoming more aware of the rhythms of our days, and more specifically, our weeks. Perhaps I’d have more space (both actual time, and clarity of mind) for my own creative goals, too.
Anyone have this nailed down? Brilliant thoughts (or even not so brilliant thoughts) on rhythms in the home – bring them on!
by supertwigs | Jul 1, 2011 | Books, Creativity, Education, Environment, Goals, Health, Literature, Nature, Parenting, Photography, Writing |
First off, I am at the conclusion of a wonderful day.
I spent the day with my children, enjoying the Canada Day celebrations in our town (happy birthday, Canada!). For some reason, I felt centred today. Relaxed and able to embrace things like dawdling (and having to carry my 3 year old around), making lunch (actually enjoying the down time of preparing a healthy meal for my family) and having no particular purpose or goals for our time (outside of enjoying ourselves). Me at my best. And (surprise, I know) I got my son at his best this way, too. I can’t really recall, but I’m going to say it was a day without tantrums.
My last post was about re-focusing on my goals. After all, tracking my goals is one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place. So, to follow up, I took a look at the goals I have set for myself since the new year:
1. Create a creative space (a place in my home where I can feel inspired and do good creative work)
2. Daily tea ritual (enjoy a cup of tea, centre myself, and remind myself of what really matters, daily)
3. Carve out an hour a day for myself (most often I seem to use this to blog, or read)
4. Focus more on self-care (to stave off “dead-eyed Mom” syndrome)
5. Write poetry (an ode to my high school self)
6. Contribute to MCP Project 52 (in a effort to practice photography on a weekly basis)
7. Write a novel (in a month)
8. Start (and, presumably, continue) running (Hmm… maybe there’s a loophole here)
9. Write at night (after the kids are in bed – the only sane moment of my blissfully chaotic days)
10. Early to bed, early to rise (okay, I only flirted with this one, but darn if it doesn’t keep rearing it’s ugly head)
11. Write a guide for Canadian homeschoolers (a goal that has grown and morphed, but remains)
12. Chart my journey with the earth (as in, create greener habits, and keep track of my progress)
13. Embrace thrift (buy less, play more!)
14. Become a professional mom (but remain constantly learning)
15. Start a family nature club
16. (I think this is my favourite one) Remember to be constantly amazed!
Which brings me back to (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti…)… my wonderful day.
I think I did it today – I remained constantly amazed. I loved watching my kids interact with the world today. I was present, and I so enjoyed their company. For themselves. As distinct and beautiful beings. And, in doing so, I enjoyed myself so much more.
I recall, when starting out on this blog, that I wanted to live a life that followed both whims and passions. Re-reading my goals for the year, I think I have happened upon just that. I have delved into things I had only dabbled into before (nature appreciation, homeschooling, writing, personal health). These whims have morphed into passions, and intersect in the most remarkable ways.
So, for the rest of the year, I will focus on those stated goals and habits I feel compelled to work on. But, I will also remain open to new whims. Because I couldn’t have predicted what life has thrown at me so far this year, and I don’t think I would have wanted to. There has been so much wonder and beauty in the discovery.
And now for a (short) book recommendation. Read Toot & Puddle: On Top of the World, by Holly Hobbie, and love how the random whims of these two pigs lead them to Nepal. I hope to be so open to life’s adventures – both little and large.
And so. How does goal-setting work for you? Do you have an encouraging story of whims and passions to share?
- Cultivate Your Passions. (happiness-project.com)
by supertwigs | Jun 4, 2011 | Education, Goals, Parenting |
Found this photo from Wikipedia. Seems fitting. Doubt there will be any perfect swan dives for me either.
It is official. I have resigned. I am entering the official realm of the “professional Mom.” I hardly know what this means, but I am both excited and terrified by it.
I have known for awhile that I wanted to be a “Home Mama.” I wrestled with it after the birth of my first child, but, after my second, knew it was the right choice for me. I so want to be there for the little moments with my children (I know it’s silly, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for missing my son’s first steps while I was at work). I am just so darn excited to learn, live and grow with them.
I am a professional librarian. I love my work. It is meaningful, engaging and inspiring, at the best of times. It is something that I am passionate about. And I don’t intend to let my skills and interests go idle. I am still going to find ways to gather, organize and disseminate information (all you librarians out there understand that – anyone else, trust me, the applications are endless). And, I am still going to read (a lot). Mostly, I am going to keep learning. Because that is what being a public librarian is all about, in my humble opinion: promoting, encouraging, and living lifelong learning.
So, in my new role as professional mom, I intend to continue this. I will just do it alongside my kids. I don’t know what this means, yet, exactly (homeschooler? Mompreneur? Crazy cat lady?). But, I do know that I won’t regret the time spent with my kids. Even on those days that are less than perfect (because, let’s be honest, those days outnumber the others). And even though simply going to work would be a whole lot easier (in many ways).
Do I know where my income will come from? Not precisely (although I have some ideas). Does this scare me? Absolutely. But, one thing I know, I am ready to embrace this new challenge. So, here I go, leaping in with two feet. Running, diving, and, yes, holding my breath.
by supertwigs | May 11, 2011 | Education, Parenting |
(FYI - Not a real cell phone!)
I just had the most delightful conversation with my 3-year old son.
The application of his logic never ceases to astound me. When I stop and think about it (when I allow myself the time), I remember that children are pretty amazing. If adults were able to apply their knowledge like a child, just imagine how brilliant we would be. Children own their knowledge, understand it, and experiment with it. Their creativity allows them to learn with such amazing growth and speed. I love it!
The conversation went something like this:
Mommy and Daddy were measuring Dylan on his growth chart. We told him how he will grow up to be so big and strong and healthy. After all, he’s grown another inch since we last measured!
“I’m very strong. I could lift Mommy in space,” he responds.
“That’s true,” says Daddy.
“Yeah, because gravity wouldn’t be pulling on me in space.”
“And you’re also a smart boy,” I say, smiling. Then add, “and I could lift twelve Dylan’s in space!”
Dylan thinks about this for, oh, a second.
“Mommy, you don’t have all of those arms, like an octopus.”
Good point. 3-year-old logic got me again.
“You’re right. I guess I could lift two Dylans, then.”
“One in each arm,” finishes Daddy.
And that’s how we said goodnight.
Here’s to a little boy who’s growing bigger, stronger and healthier every day.
by supertwigs | Mar 31, 2011 | Education, Goals, Parenting, Writing |
I have started a new project. Recently, I have been doing an extensive amount of research on homeschooling, to see if it is something that I would like to do with my children. The more I read and hear, the more I like it. I am a bit of an idealist, and it sounds so wonderful to me. Taking the learning journey with my children, and helping them make the most of their lives. This, of course, can be done in a number of different ways. Homeschooling being just one of those.
Through all of this research, I have discovered a few things. There are a pile of other people out there doing the same thing. Wondering and researching the same things. And, that there is relatively (in comparison to what is available for Americans – much of which is still applicable here) little information out there specific to Canadian homeschooling parents. Less for Canadians who are considering homeschooling.
So, I have taken on a new project. I have decided to compile what I am finding into a homeschool Q&A for curious Canadian families. To save others the work of doing all of this research (which I, as a librarian, love, but others might find frustrating and tedious). Making resource guides, after all, is what librarians do.
I don’t know what the final product will look like. I am starting with the concept of a short e-book. I am looking at homeschooling from the perspective of a prospective parent to prospective families, so the end result might be a bit different from what’s already out there. Or at least, a neat and tidy starting point.
I can see the project becoming huge, but, for now, I am just working with what I already know, and what I have found. It is my way of keeping in touch with my academic roots. It feels like I am writing an academic paper all over again. Which is really exciting. (Sorry if that sounds lame to some of you).
I guess you could say I am already homeschooling my 3 year old, as he has yet to go to preschool (if at all, the jury’s still out). We do so much home learning that it’s hard to call it anything else. As I imagine most families with kids under 5 do (but that’s the topic of another post).
Any Canadians out there with ideas, thoughts or resources they love, please let me know. If you’re not Canadian, but you’re a homeschooler, your thoughts would be much appreciated as well. Or favourite blogs. Of which I am discovering new ones everyday. There are so many interesting, intelligent, inspiring homeschooling families out there.
So, another exciting venture for me. Following those whims and passions sure is keeping me busy these days.
Hi! I’m Kelly Woods, writer, mother & librarian. I write about beauty, creativity, green living and lifestyle design to help others live a life of inspiration, too.