1. Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child
by Anthony Esolen
by Anthony Esolen
I really cannot say enough good things about this book. My husband received it as a baby gift (dad gift?) and while he read it promptly it took me over a year to pick it up. A person like me needs to read a book like this because it is all too easy to allow fear and anxiety to dictate how I plan to raise Leo and lose sight of the wonder of childhood and the need for kids to be kids, to let the wild in a little. This book had a bigger impact on me, though. It has been like a little wake up call - go look at the stars, start reading good books again, stop wasting so much time on TV and the internet (I know, I know - how ironic), etc. Anyways, I could go on forever but I think I have gone and gushed enough on this particular subject....
2. The Montessori Method
I have only just begun to explore the Montessori Method but for the most part I really love what I have found. I love the simplicity of it and how nurturing it feels. Obviously it doesn't work for everyone and I am not even sure if it will work for us, but there are some things that I have implemented already and enjoyed immensely. Who knew that Leo could be delighted and content for 30+ minutes doing nothing but playing with water or that a little container with rice in it could be a source of so much fun! It slows me down, too, and forces me to stop acting like an assembly line for his toys and just watch him and follow his lead. Am I going to ditch the toys he has and go on a shopping spree? No. Am I going to start acting like I just discovered "real parenting" and that anyone who does things differently is still in the dark? No. Am I going to read up on the philosophy and methodology? Honestly, not so much. I plan on doing just enough research to implement ideas, crafts, etc. that appeal to me. Eclectic parenting is what works for us.
3. Leo Sitting on His Own
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| big smiles for mama |
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| crazy, sweet little man |
I am getting way less sleep these days due to, well, I have no idea actually. Leo just isn't sleeping through the night (understatement of the year). Even so I am loving this stage! He is beginning to babble in new ways ("mamamama" | "bababa" | "dadada") and while that is super awesome, my favorite new development is definitely his ability to sit up by himself! And he loves it too, though he prefers me to sit right next to him.
4. Dishwashers That Work
It finally happened, guys. Our dishwasher WORKS!!!! It gets hot water and drains and everything! Who is the happiest homemaker ever? Me!
5. Roku
I can only imagine the expression you are giving the computer right now. But Hannah, you say, didn't you just say that you want to use less technology?! OK, yes, I did. Buuuuuuuuut that doesn't mean I am going to go all Little House on the Prairie and stop watching TV or surfing the web! It's all about moderation, right? OK, yes, so I struggle with moderation. What can I say - I'm a work in progress! Anyways, this little device is pretty cool. Since we can't pick up any local channels on our TV anyway and all we really use is Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon Instant Video, the Roku works really well for us. For Ben's sake I wish it had more by way of Sports (translation : anything by way of Sports) but it's still nifty not having to haul out the 'ol laptop and speakers, perched precariously on a TV Dinner tray (no way did we do that. nope. never!)
Alright, folks - thanks for checking out my blog and sorry I have been so AWOL lately. I hope you are all doing well and having a great week!
~ Happy Wednesday ~
