by supertwigs | May 16, 2011 | Goals, Parenting |
Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement, to look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; to be spiritual is to be constantly amazed. – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Completely inspired by this quote today. This is the way my three-year-old looks at life. Constantly amazed by every little thing, from looking for birds at the park, to watching semi-trucks zoom past on the highway. In our best moments, both of us are proud and amazed at his little sister: when she crawls on her hands and knees, or claps her hands, or does “the spoon trick.”
“Look at you, little girl!” we both proclaim (this is particularly cute coming from the mouth of a 3-year-old).
My daughter will be one next week. And I have made the huge decision to stay home with my kids, at least for now. In part, because I don’t want to take anything for granted. Every moment is precious. And, I want to share those precious moments with them. Now. Because (ain’t it true), they grow up so fast.
Life is fleeting. We only get one. So, as I continue to try and make the most of this one, I am going to remember to be constantly amazed. Anything less is not doing justice to the incredible gift of life we have been given.
—
Where do you find constant amazement? In your family? In the woods? In your relationships?
(For another reflection on this quote, check out this post at Rebecca in the Woods)
by supertwigs | May 15, 2011 | Books, Environment, Health, Nature, Parenting |
Yesterday I went to hear Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, speak in Vancouver. I picked up a few gems of information, and also picked up his new book, The Nature Principle. I’m sure his talk would have been even more inspiring had the event website given me the correct time (I did arrive in time to hear the last half).
Last Child in the Woods is a fantastic book about the way our children are missing out on critical experiences of nature. It changed and enlightened the way I want to parent my children. I am hoping the Nature Principle will further affect the way I want to live my life. So far, there is something fascinating on every page.
Like the study that found a 20 percent increase in a person’s attention span and memory after spending just one hour outside? Or the newfound condition called, “continuous partial attention.” Essentially, the effect of trying to do too many things at once – or focus on too many tasks, computer screens, thoughts etc. At least, that’s my interpretation. And I should know, because I’m pretty sure I’m in that state. All the time.
Like, right now. Typing my blog, thinking about what I read yesterday, listening for the alarm on the stove to go off (signalling that my chocolate brownies are ready to eat!), shoulders tight as I carry the tension of spending two hours trying to put my teething child to sleep… etc. My mind often feels like it is going in circles. Round and round and round. Full of ideas, but arrested by lack of time. There I am, listening to my child talking, and at the same time my mind is off, trying to figure out the latest WordPress formatting conundrum. If that isn’t continuous partial attention, I don’t know what is. (Luckily for both of us, my son rarely lets me get away with this. If I drop the ball, and neglect to respond appropriately, he’ll be sure to call me on it).
Louv suggests that the more time we spend with technology, the more time we need to spend in the natural world. To detox and reset. Put ours mind at rest. I, for one, am desperately in need of this.
Finally, he proposes that we need to develop a “hybrid mind” to thrive in today’s world. That is, a mind that is both good at technology (because who can really exist without computers these days? Rhetorical question, but I’m sure some of you can find an answer for that), and, immersed in the natural (substitute: real) world around us. That along with this techo-blitz we must strive to connect with nature in a way humans haven’t prioritized in a long time.
So, nature is the antidote to technology. And, if our minds can surf both waves, we will be uniquely positioned to thrive in this world.
I like these thoughts. They make sense to me. Because, although more than half of me wants to find a woodland hideaway and make it my glorious home, I have a feeling that I’d have to take my computer with me… Is that horrible?
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 | Apr 1, 2011 | Health, Parenting, Photography |
I found this lovely idea on one of my new favourite blogs, Wonder in the Woods. Nature Connections is a fun way to share a love of nature and outdoor play. The idea: you post photos of kids playing outside, once a month. So, I have a new challenge, a new blog button, and here is my new post.
Nature Connecting in the Month of March
We have a running bike, and my son, Dylan, loves to ride on it. He’s very proud of his helmet.
This one was taken when we took it to the zoo on the first sunny day of spring.
I’ve posted this one before, but since it’s my favourite photo from March, here it is again.
Cousin Ronan’s laughter always makes us feel great.
We went to visit my sister, and the cousins, who are only a few months apart, had a fantastic time playing together, as always.
The two little angels are so dear to my heart.
These really are the priceless moments.
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.
by supertwigs | Mar 25, 2011 | Goals, Health, Parenting, Writing |
When I was a little girl, we had a picture book called Animal Tales. One of those tales was about a pig. It professed that little pigs that went to bed early, and rose early would keep their tails curly. (Looking back, it sounds like a bit of a ploy to get one’s children to sleep early. Then again, no one wants their children to rise too early, do they?)
Yep, he’s another one of those proponents of early to bed, early to rise. He has 210,000 subscribers to his blog, so maybe he’s on to something. He’s also a man with six kids, so I figure if he can do it, maybe I can too.
Maybe. Not sure it’s something I want to work on yet. But, the article tempts me with it’s promise of a glorious hour of sipping tea and reading a book, watching the sunrise.
When you think about it that way, who wouldn’t be tempted?
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.