February brings to my mind hearts, flowers, reds and pinks, love and the respect that goes with loving someone or something fully, the beginnings and musings of spring coming. It can also be a hard month. February is the month in which nearly every family I know wants to quit homeschooling, and it often is the month where I feel like we must just keep going.
Having festivals to celebrate and be positive about can often be a lovely break to the somewhat dreary weather. I often find the rhythms of the day and the week to be grounding, but the calendar of festivals throughout the year is what brings diversity and love.
So, this month, in our family, we are celebrating:
Candlemas – February 2
Valentine’s Day – February 14
And really not much else. I always feel a little depleted this time of year, so I have decided to focus on self-care this month and not so many outside things to prepare for!
In school and circle time with our littlest guy, we are looking at candles and light and love, gnomes, and snowdrops (the flowers).
Things to love this month:
Fun things to do with children:
Make Valentine’s Day cards; plan little treats and crafts for Valentine’s Day; make window transparencies; dip candles; roll candles; play board games or card games with your children; draw, paint, model; whittle wood; make popcorn together; bake together; play in the snow – build snow forts; have snowball fights; snowshoe; downhill or cross country ski; ice skate on a pond; read and tell stories; build forts inside; take a walk outside in the cold – look for animal tracks or berries or birds or all of the above; knit, crochet, cross stitch, finger knit, spin, sew; sing and make music together – learn some new songs; clean, scrub, dust, work around the house – rearrange furniture; go bowling or find an indoor swimming pool to swim in; write letters to family and friends; write stories together; snuggle on the coach with hot chocolate and marshmellows; cook for a neighbor; find a place of worship to attend and get involved; throw a party; clicker train your dog, cat, or other animal; take care of plants; start seeds indoors when it it is time
Get Your Homeschooling Together:
The February Homeschool Rhythm Re-Check
Find out information about Waldorf homeschooling
After I present at a first grade workshop on the 18th, I will be full of homeschool planning for my own children. Hard to believe they will be in 10th, 7th, and 2nd next year!
Get Your Self-Care Together:
My self-care this past month included spending time with friends whom I love (and tea; tea is lovely). This month will include some couple dates out with my husband and friends, more friend dates, bubble baths, exercising, saying no to things that are draining my thoughts or energy, and clean eating. And probably more tea.
I hope you are having a cozy February full of love and possibilities,
Carrie
The Parenting Passageway 