A note about Waldorf guilt and the Waldorf police and a satisfying realization:  http://www.chocoeyes.blogspot.com/2012/02/mama-guilt-waldorf-police.html

A wonderful posts with a form for observation and assessment of the Waldorf student:  http://sweetpeasnursery.blogspot.com/2012/02/observation-of-children.html

I am thinking about fifth grade and gathering resources; I have most of our botany for the year planned out but here is a lovely link regarding Ancient India:  http://heirloomseasons.blogspot.com/2012/02/waldorf-fifth-grade-ancient-india.html  and some more Ancient Civilizations from a different blog:  http://homeschoolingwaldorf.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/more-ancient-civilizations/

Blessings,

Carrie

Did I  get up `early enough to feel steady, calm and unhurried?

Did I put on my apron or other attire to not only protect my own vital life forces whilst I am teaching, but also to set the stage that now we are in school?

Did I set the space of my work area where I will be with the children?

Did I center myself with a verse, a prayer, lighting a candle?

Did I cheerfully and lovingly greet the children for school?

Did we clean up at the end of school what could be cleaned up and close with a verse?

At the end of the day, did I review the day and meet my child again in prayer as to what that child needs from me in their  schooling, in their character development, in their life?  Was I prepared, and what could I do differently to be even more prepared?

Am I going to bed early enough to get up and do this again tomorrow?

Many blessings and much love,

Carrie

Today I am kicking off a week of posts regarding the topic of “Pondering” over at the Homespun Waldorf Winter Carnival.  Here is the link so you can check out my post and the forum:  http://homespunwaldorf.com/wordpress/2012/02/ponder-a-vision-for-your-family/

I like the Homespun Waldorf forum; it is run by mothers who are veteran Waldorf homeschoolers.  I enjoy that this forum is not connected to any particular curriculum, so mothers write very honest reviews of books and curricula and how it worked for their family.  There are also great threads on homemaking, and how mothers combine Waldorf with other methods.

Come join us to brighten up your winter days!

Many blessings,
Carrie

A list of encouraging things to say to your children:  http://parentingfromscratch.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/encouraging-things-to-say-to-kids/

Lessons about parenting from Nancy Mohrbacher on her son’s 30th birthday:  http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2010/10/15/process-product-and-personal-growth.html

…and I thank Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie for choosing to interview me for her Wonder of Childhood magazine…http://thewonderofchildhood.com/2012/01/carrie-dendtler-of-the-parenting-passageway/

Many blessings for your weekend,

Carrie

I wanted to thank the top 15 referrers to The Parenting Passageway for 2011, and I do hope my readers will check out these blogs and websites.  They are fabulous!

www.bendingbirches2010.blogspot.com  

www.catherine-et-les-fees.blogspot.com

www.mothering.com 

www.simplicityparenting.com

www.thewaldorfconnection.com

www.simplekids.net

www.ecomilf.com

www.picklebums.com

www.ancienthearth2.blogspot.com

www.localgrain.org

www.pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com

www.flowingwithmyducklings.blogspot.com

www.blumieboys.blogspot.com

www.jeefamily.blogspot.com

www.hiddendell.blogspot.com

My sincerest gratitude to all of my referrers, and to  all of you whom read The Parenting Passageway.  A most blessed New Year’s to you all.

Carrie

Here is a sneak preview for end of the year/January 2012 plans for The Parenting Passageway!

We will be finishing up our chapter by chapter look at “The Well-Balanced Child” and starting our NEW book, “The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work:  A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert” by John M Gottman, PhD and Nan Silver.  Dr. Gottman has, in 91 percent of the couples he has studied in three separate studies, predicted whether that couple’s marriage would succeed or fail.  This fascinating book was a NY Times best-seller and you can buy used copies so cheaply on Amazon or get it through your local library.  Here is the Amazon link:  http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0609805797/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325018006&sr=8-1

In January, we will also be taking a look at what I see as the foundation of successful homeschooling and parenting:  inner work and personal development, religion and the creation of family culture.  I have eight facets of family culture in mind to look at with you all in a very special series that I hope will get everyone thinking about providing a mindful vision for their own family life.

I will also be continuing the virtual tea regarding the pillars of Waldorf Education with Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie at Celebrating the Rhythm of Life/ Wonder of Childhood and with other bloggers who would like to join in.  Here is the link to Lisa’s latest tea post:  http://www.celebratetherhythmoflife.com/2011/12/lemniscate-and-senses.html

Many blessings,

Carrie

The winner of the Sparkle Stories giveaway, chosen by a random number generator,  is Star from Faerymother blogspot:  http://faerymother.blogspot.com/

Star, thank you for being my reader, and I  thank everyone for their interest!

Many blessings,

Carrie

This question from the field came in today, and I wanted to share it here:

Hi Carrie,
Do you yourself follow a 3-day rhythm for homeschool? I like the 3-day rhythm (we do a 4-day school week) but it seems all of the major waldorf homeschool curricula follow a 2, 2-day rhythm. I feel like a 3-day rhythm would give us more time to work with a story but worry we wouldn’t fit enough in in a year (this is my first year homeschooling). In first grade, would you just introduce one letter or number per week (with a 3-day rhythm) or would you cover more than that? Continue reading →

We are going to wrap up this chapter by taking a quick peek at the other nutrients mentioned:

Magnesium – is intricately involved in working with calcium and phosphorus. A deficiency in magnesium can manifest as over-anxiety, irritability, labile emotions, craving for sweets and alcohol, and stiffness of fine motor movements.   Kelp, fresh green peas, whole grains, nuts and seeds are sources.  See page 117 of the chapter for more information. Continue reading →

As generated by a random number generator, the winner is Irene!

Irene wrote:  congrats! <3 I would love to get some kite paper and make window stars to brighten up our home as the days get shorter and shorter and to give away as gifts for the Holidays.

Thank you Irene, and thank you all for participating, and all your kind wishes for The Parenting Passageway.  The past three years have been fun ones!

Much love,

Carrie