Parenting

I had waffled for the last few weeks over whether to buy the cheap Easter egg dyeing kit but opted instead this year to give natural dyes a try. The kids and I boiled some eggs (both white and brown), mixed up some new natural dye concoctions, got out some crayons, and set to work.

Doing a little bit of research on the computer and surveying my own cupboards, I chose paprika, coffee, hibiscus tea and beet juice as our samples for our first year of natural egg dyeing. For the beet juice, tea and coffee I simply mixed in a tablespoon of vinegar. For the paprika, I mixed about 3 heaping teaspoons with a cup of water and a tablespoon-plus of vinegar. The kids all helped mix while I helped hold the cups steady so we wouldn't dye the countertops!

Get practical ideas for interacting with children when Faith speaks about 5 Ways to Transform No into Yes at the National LifeWays Conference on May 18th, 2013.  She will also offer an afternoon workshop on Allowing Children to Help, looking at fostering competence in children.

High Expectations vs. Unrealistic Expectations

I was talking with a friend who doesn’t spend regular time with children the other day, and he said, “Isn’t the key to having children behave just to have high expectations?” I laughed, and said,

“Well, having high expectations is important, as long as they’re not unrealistic.”

“Oh,” he replied. “Well, how can you tell the difference?”

Pamela writes:    Whenever I think about my four granddaughters, all born between Michaelmas and Easter, I smile with deep joy and pleasure. Who would have thought that I would have the priceless opportunity to relive the wonders of birth and babyhood, to share in those seemingly moment-to-moment miraculous transformations as each of them has developed into healthy young girls - now 8, 6, 6, and 6. I have also rediscovered my own childhood from a new perspective as a grandmother, reminding me of my very first Anthroposopohical read back in 1972: A.C. Harwood’s The Recovery of Man in Childhood. Although it is a close call, in some ways, love is really lovelier the second (generation) time around...if nothing else, there is a bit more breather space for observation and a few less sleepless nights!

Cynthia writes: It's happening! The conference we have been thinking about and hoping for over the past few years is coming to California this spring, co-sponsored by Marin Waldorf School!   

[Editor's Note: This article explores personal experiences with two of the attributes of "The L.O.V.E. Approach to Discipline" developed by LifeWays founder, Cynthia Aldinger.  To learn more or to share your own experiences, see information at the end of this article.

L - laughter and listening
O- order and objectivity
V - versatility and vulnerability
E - enthusiasm and energy]

Today as I lie next to my sleeping eldest child, watching her breathing calm and her sweet hands twitch from dreamy wonder, I whispered an apology. I had grown impatient with her just before she fell asleep. Ellia, four-and-a-quarter years old, is my deeply sensitive thinker of a child with a stubborn streak. More often than not, she resists napping.

Sometimes it seems as though I am in a time warp.  It's as if toddlers have the power to bend, shape and shrink time until it nearly disappears.  I wonder how I will ever manage to do all the things I need to do and at least a few of the things I'd like to do. I have lots of creative projects I'd like to start and others that I'd like to finish.  A lovely wool romper sits patiently awaiting more rows of stitches.  There is a basket of stained clothes ready to be dyed that I am eager to tend to.