The Joy of Boxes, The Joy of Imagination

I have been enjoying watching Baby Bear play with a variety of boxes, over the past few days. The first was a giant box from our new dryer, which promptly became her new house. Today, an empty cracker box became a bed for a stuffed friend- a clean rag became the blanket.

It makes me think about the many times I've thought "Oh, Baby Bear NEEDS this toy or that toy... she'll just LOVE it!" Only to have the object met with mixed reviews. The best toys in the world, it seems, are the ones conjured up by a 2-1/2 year old's imagination.

Baby Bear constantly teaches me lessons about what's truly important in life and how little we actually need. The cracker box was later used to practice her scissor-cutting skills, and I didn't even need to worry about Baby Bear "destroying" her expensive (and apparently unnecessary) things. :)

Blessings,

Mama Bear

Waldorf and Weaving

Baby Bear started participating in a parent/child Waldorf class this week. For those unfamiliar with the Waldorf philosophy of teaching, here's a useful link:

whywaldorfworks.org

The class focuses on the importance to young children of finding rhythm in life-- Ecclesiastes comes to mind. Waldorf schools like to teach about seasonal changes as well as the day to day tasks we do as we go through our lives. There is truly a purpose to everything under heaven!

One of the activities we did during class consisted of the parents doing a "meaningful work" task while the children played near by. In this case, it was sewing. There were sewing/threading boards available if the kids wanted to give it a try, but mostly it was about watching us, their parents, perform necessary tasks. It got me to thinking how, not too long ago, Baby Bear would not let me think of sitting and doing something that didn't involve her. She's now matured to a point where she understands that she can play quietly by herself, or just watch me, and that it's perfectly okay! I remember when I never thought we'd get to this point. Time does certainly fly!

Later in the week, Baby Bear and I had a Waldorf-like moment when we went out to Grandma Bear's pasture. I sat and wove Baby Bear a basket out of twigs while she played near by, "baking cakes" out of hay and tree stumps. It was a truly delightful afternoon! This was my first attempt at basket weaving-- I will have to go into more detail about that, at a later date.

Blessings,

Mama Bear

Consistancy and Persistance

Before Baby Bear was even born, I knew that Attachment Parenting was a good fit for our family. Allowing her to become emotionally secure through her trust in us, her parents, before expecting her to trust the world around her made (makes) sense to us. At nearly three years old, she still sleeps snuggled, safe and warm, between us, and nursing is still one of the greatest joys of her life. She knows she can trust that first, important connection to me, even when the rest of the world seems too big or too scary.

Despite all this, I seem to have lost my way, somewhere along the line, when it comes to Attachment Parenting. I find myself listening less to her feelings and expecting more than maybe she's comfortable with. I find myself speaking more sternly than I'd like and taking a "because I said so," attitude. It was much easier when I felt she was too young to listen; it's hard to remember that she's still, technically, in her infancy and that I simply need to remain consistent with my expectations for her. She'll eventually catch on to what I expect and need.

A great example came the other day, when I noticed Baby Bear taking off her shoes and coat at the door. I've never instructed her to do this small thing- we are just in the practice of doing it- and she caught on all on her own, without a word of direction.

There will always be days when I'm stressed and my temper is short, but I can't get too down on myself (and neither can you!). Parenting, so it seems, is a never ending learning experience. If I simply remain consistent (and persistent), Baby Bear and I will survive the experience just fine.

What are your biggest struggles with parenting? How do you get through the ups and downs?

Blessings,

Mama Bear

Blessings of Family

For the past two months our little family (three people and two dogs) has lived in a variety of interim housing while in search of a house to purchase. After closing on the sale of our former home, we we're given the opportunity to live in a tiny one bedroom apartment, on a month-to-month basis, until we found a new place. Our new next-door-neighbor was displeased with the management’s decision to allow us to keep dogs in a "no dog" building, even temporarily, and made life very difficult for us (picture woman standing in hall outside our door yelling "you don't belong here!"). We moved out after three weeks, when we could no longer take the anxiety we we're feeling and, apparently, causing.

Next, we moved into the studio that houses my husband's business, for approximately four days. With no shower and no kitchen, it became clear all too quickly that we needed something more "home-like."

So, finally, we decided to take my mother-in-law up on her offer to share her home. What a blessing! After the chaos and drama of moving, it truly felt like we had come home. I now have a greater appreciation for cultures that traditionally house a large, extended family on one property. I enjoy chatting with another woman as I go about my day; sharing the ups and downs on a more intimate level than phone or email can provide; sharing not only chores but laughter and secret frustrations only understood by another woman who’s already been where you are.

As excited as I am to be back in our own home, with our own belongings, I will truly miss and treasure my time spent here. I thank God everyday for providing my family this peaceful retreat in the midst of a very chaotic transition. I’m searching for just the right way to show my appreciation to mother-in-law, as well. Any thoughts?

Blessings,

Mama Bear