Dandelion Bubbles

Just saying the words, doesn't make it true

Don't tell me you miss me.  Visit.

Don't tell me you love me.  Show me.

Don't say you support me.  Support me.

Don't pretend we're close.  Be close.

Whether you're a husband, wife, brother, sister, nephew, parent, friend...

Just saying the words....means nothing.  

After all, "Action is eloquence." ~William Shakespeare

 

 

Be like ME because being YOURSELF is a lot of work for ME

I was recently thinking about a boy from my second grade class -- not my child's class, mine.  I remember how he was always in trouble.  I also remember how he was so full of energy, had a nice smile and a great sense of humor.

I also remember the teacher had zero patience with him.  In fact, one day the teacher chose me to escort him to the principal's office because once again he had done something to annoy her (I can't recall what at this point).  We raced all the way there and I thought, he's actually fun!

He was labeled a trouble-maker. I think he was probably smart, bored, full of great ideas that no one bothered to listen to, and...here's the kicker...wasn't like the teacher and, more importantly, wasn't who the teacher wanted him to be.  

At the end of the day, this child wasn't a trouble-maker -- he was different and that annoyed the you-know-what out of the teacher.  Why?  Because it's what many see as more work.  Admittedly, as school budgets are cut and classroom sizes increase, teachers have their hands full, but at what point do we realize that trying to fit every child into the same mold is not the answer -- it's a problem.

 In far too many cases, I see the same sentiment with parents.  Be like me because otherwise you're causing me work and stress: the high-spirited child exhausts; the argumentative child requires lengthy explanations; the easily distracted child requires patience, and the creative, whimsical child who {insert cliche here} "marches to the beat of a different drum," at times, frustrates.  

Parents have been conditioned to think something is wrong with their child if they don't fit "the mold."   

The boy in my second grade class was all these things: high-spirited, argumentative, distracted, and whimsical.  Was he more work for the teacher?  Once could argue yes.  However, just think how things could have been different if instead of looking at him as a problem, she sought ways to celebrate and encourage who he was.  I know, hindsight is everything, but at what point do we start learning from past mistakes?  These many years later, I still see kids being treated the same exact way as the boy in my second grade class.  

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein

Einstein had it right.  However, in the age of standardized tests, over-scheduled kids, and dinners on the go, imagination has taken a back seat.

In a climate of "be like me because being yourself is a lot of work for me" there's little room for imagination.  That's why day-dreaming, doodling, questioning, wondering, hoping, inventing, and pretending does not fit within the mold -- after all, there's only so much room.

Breaking the mold.

We used to think that marching to the same drum was the right thing to do.  There was comfort inside the mold.  Predictability.  No ruffling of feathers (I know, another cliche :)

However, once we decided what we really wanted for OUR family and got the courage to ACT, the mold slowly began to break.  Today, my family day-dreams, doodles, questions, wonders, hopes, invents, and pretends.

The only molds around here are for cookies. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My 2011 Self

A friend of mine just asked me who I want to be in 2011.  Not that I have any grand plans to reinvent myself, but on a much subtler level, she wanted to know how I envision my "2011 self." 

We talked about it for a while, and here's what I see for myself during this year:

•Making choices based on what's right for my family and me, even if those around me don't understand or agree with my choices.

•Turning off the electronic devices.  I plan on picking up a book far more often than picking up my iTouch.  It's okay to be silent, still, and peaceful.  

•Adopting number 1, 6, and perhaps even 7 of Tara's (a.k.a. The Organic Sister) permissions for 2011 list, and keeping the other permissions tucked away in the back of my mind.  

•Closely following Dr. Weil's food pyramid.

•Doing Yoga.  My husband bought me a mat for Christmas and I intend to use it.

•Growing a garden.  My 2010 vegetable garden was a bust.  My 2011 vegetable garden will be brilliant!

•Taking more trips.  Day trips, hourly trips, minute trips.  Homeschooling gives us the freedom to explore.  Reminding myself that learning "outside the book" is far more valuable than we imagine.

In eleven and a half more months we'll see if I took this list to heart.  

 

Thankful for the little things

Tomorrow countless families will sit across dining room tables and tell each other what they are thankful for: family, friends, and good health will top the lists.  And those are all great things to be thankful for -- and I am. 

However, I realize that I also have a long list of little (tiny) things that I'm thankful for.  Everyday things such as:

• Perfectly ripe bananas
• Mandarin orange flavored selzer water
• Watercress
• Oversized sweatshirts
• Tea with lemon
• Christmas lights
• Happy houseplants
• Praying Mantis that visits our garden every fall
• Cookbooks
• 60 degree & sunny days in November
• Snowy days in February
• Black and white photos
• Puzzles with all the pieces
• Iced coffee
• Wishing stones
• Fires in the fireplace

After all, it's the little things in life that bring the most happiness. Happy Thanksgiving!

Appreciate the Fridge Magnets

I'm serious.  Appreciate the fridge magnets.  Those little letters and numbers we've all had (or still do) on our fridge.  We use them to spell our children's names, teach them how to spell dog and cat and put the numbers 1-10 in order.  And we've all complained at one point or another about the fridge magnets.  They're on the floor.  They're under the fridge.  I've stepped on the number 3.

Then we blink, our kids are older, and the fridge magnets are gone.

The magnets are replaced by our children's art.  Appreciate the art.  Finger paints, first doodles, first stick drawings, cut-outs covered in glitter -- all carefully hung on the fridge.

Then we blink, our kids are older, and the art on the fridge is gone.

The art gets replaced with school papers -- report cards, school pictures, spelling tests with stars on them signaling a job well done.  Your fridge is cluttered with it all.  Appreciate the clutter. Because before you know it:

We blink, our kids are older, and the clutter is gone.

I'm trying to fully appreciate the toys on the floor, the Legos under my feet and the spilled paint on the table.  I love that the top of my kitchen table more resembles a table for playing than one for eating.

Appreciate.  It's amazing how quickly we all move from magnets to art to school papers to a clean fridge.  I'm not looking forward to having a clean fridge. 

 

Sharing is Caring: Says Who

As soon as our little one's start playing with toys, we tell them they have to share them. Even their most prized toys, the one's they never put down -- "You need to share that."

Why?

I've always disagreed with the notion of "sharing is caring." {Sorry Care Bears, nothing personal.} After all, what makes my son's love for, and wanting to protect his Lego set any less real than my wanting to protect my laptop.  I've never understood why as parents we put expectations and requirements on our children that we would never expect or require of ourselves.

In my child's eyes, that plastic toy is just as valuable as my laptop.

I'm not saying that sharing isn't a nice thing to do.  I'm not saying that children shouldn't understand what it means to share.  But it should be done when the person doing the sharing actually wants to. It shouldn't be a demand.  And quite honestly, if you lead by example, your child will follow.

My children see examples of sharing everyday:  

Sharing with neighbors: Can I borrow your vacuum.  Mine just broke.

Sharing with friends:  I have an event this weekend and I have nothing to wear. Can I borrow that sweater of yours.

Sharing with your spouse:  I just made the best sandwich...would you like half.

Sharing with your child: Want to split the last apple with me.

Trust your child's own comfort levels.  Recently a friend stopped by with her two-year old son. He immediately gravitated towards my son's Lego truck.  My son casually walked over, politely took it from the two-year old and said, "Sorry, this is for ages 5 and up."  I didn't make him give the two-year old the truck back.  And I didn't make excuses for why my son took the toy.  I thought he did a great job explaining that himself.  Basically he was saying, that's mine, I really like it, and you're too young to play with it.

He's right.  I trust my children's own comfort levels. 

Immediately after taking the Lego truck away, my son ran up to his room and found a different truck that he didn't mind the two-year old playing with.  And guess what, the child liked it even better.

Trust. Respect. Step back.

 

 

Going green one unplugged coffee pot at a time

You don't need to install rows of solar panels in your back yard (although it would be very cool) or sell the SUV sitting in your driveway to start becoming more environmentally conscious (a.k.a going green).

Commit to adding one "green" act a day to your routine, and before you know it, you'll have a long list of things you do to help take care of our planet.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Cloth towels & napkins.  We said goodbye to both last year and have not missed them.  
2. Unplug the coffee pot.  That little digital clock on the coffee pot uses more energy than you think.  Check out this site that allows you to calculate how much electricity your household items use.
3. Water pitcher with filter.  One of the best things we've done is to stop buying bottled water.  Love my water pitcher!
4. Turn off the lights.  Obvious I know.  But look around your house.  How many lights are on right now that could be turned off.
5. Plant something.  Whether you have a large veggie garden or a simple window box with herbs, you'll love the satisfaction of growing your own.  Good for you, good for the planet.
6. Go organic.  Not sure why, start here
7. Teach your kids.  Don't just tell your kids to turn off the lights or to turn off the water while brushing their teeth. Tell them why it's important.  Pretty soon they'll be reminding you to unplug the coffee pot.
8. Put on  a sweater.  Before reaching for the thermostat, head to your closet.  The planet and your wallet with thank you. 
9. Learn how to clean green.  Vinegar, kosher salt, baking soda are just a few examples of products that can help keep your house sparkling.  
10. Support the arts.  You might be asking how supporting the arts is helping the planet.  Believe me, we do not want to live in a world void of artistic expression.  Support the museums and local artists in your community. 
11. Support open land.  These organizations (click here and here) are a great place to start.
12. Reusable shopping bags.  Again, obvious I realize.  However I recently had a man come up to me in the grocery store when he saw me with my bags and said {true story}, "You know, those things grow mold!"  I assured him my bags were mold free.  I occasionally throw them in the wash and I'm good to go.  Have had the same set of six bags for two years.

Unfortunately the word "green" has become a buzzword, quickly adopted by marketers hoping to take advantage of the green bandwagon they feel their customers are on.  Look closely before grabbing a bottle of cleaner simply because it has the word green on it.  Yes companies -- you know who you are.  

This is just a short (very short) list of some basic ideas, but we all have to start somewhere.  Would love to hear your ideas.  Please share!

Gifts for Kids for Under $20.00

I'm always on the lookout for good quality toys at decent price points, and to be honest, they're hard to come by.  I'm tired of oversized, overpriced and loud toys that don't seem to have any real point. Not to pick on Fisher Price, but this is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about:

It's the Imaginex Big Foot the Monster.  Toys R Us has it listed for $89.99, showing a list price of $109.99.  I've seen this thing in action.  It makes noise.  It tumbles around. Even if little ones are intrigued by it (after all, stores are calling it a "hot toy"), it carries a $90.00 price tag.  Buy them a brand new bike instead.  If something's being called the hot toy of the season, I tend to stay clear. These toys are usually hot today, luke warm by tomorrow.

Here's my go to list for children's gifts under $20.00.  Please keep in mind, the prices listed may change depending on where you purchase the product.  

LEGO.  As you may recall, I'm a big LEGO fan.  I realize Legos can be expensive, but smaller sets are available. For example, this Toy Story Woody & Buzz retails for around $18.00.

LEGO Duplo.  For the toddler, LEGO Duplo is a great choice.  This set of basic bricks retails for $20.00 and is a fun introduction to the world of building.

Mr. Potato Head.  Classic.  Durable. Still fun after all these years.  Enough said. (around 8-9 bucks).

Battery Science: Make Widgets That Work and Gadgets That Go, by Klutz (for kids 8+).  If you have a child that likes to see how things work, this is a fun, creative choice.  After building a small electric motor (everything you need is included), your child can have a blast turning it into a "snow machine," a "nervous noodler" and even a "swamp boat."  It's a available on Amazon for $14.93.

Jelly Cat Stuffed Animals.  The most difficult thing about Jelly Cat is choosing which stuffed animal you want -- they're all adorable!  I've bought Jelly Cat animals for both the young and old. Can't go wrong.  Prices range depending on which furry creature you choose.  Here's one of their bunnys -- this one is 12 inches tall and costs around $15.00.

Nesting Blocks.  Little hands love to build tall towers and knock them down.  Nesting blocks are great for this --they're colorful, sturdy, easy to store, and never get boring.  So go ahead and say "timmmmmbbbbbeeerrr!"  These Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks are available at Target for $11.99.

Books, books, books.  I've said this before; books rank at the top of my list for presents to give and get.  For your little one (up to age 7), please consider Dandelion Bubbles {a little self promotion}.  For an older child, talk to someone at your local bookstore.  They're usually very helpful picking out a title for you based on a child's age and interests.

 

 

Rocket Balloons with Pump.  This suggestion also appeared on my last year's list.  Who doesn't like to see a balloon soar high into the sky.  I always keep a supply of rocket balloons on hand...big hit with the kids and a play date favorite. ($9.00)

 

Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle.  Little hands (ages 3 and up) will have fun putting the 48 "jumbo" puzzle pieces together to form the solar system.  I think it's hard to go wrong with floor puzzles by Melissa & Doug, so just choose your favorite.  Mine just happens to be this one.

 

Why Homeschool?

I’ve never been one to raise eyebrows, not on purpose anyway.  So when the notion of homeschooling first entered my mind, the very first thought I had was, “Think of the eyebrows I’ll raise.”

But every time I tried to dismiss the idea of homeschooling, there it was, front and center in my mind.  I'd fantasize about what a typical day might look like, picturing my kids and me eagerly reading together, solving math problems, taking long walks in the woods and stopping every three feet to discover something new.  I was excited about homeschooling. I wanted to homeschool. 

So I did.

Internal Voice.  I’ve always prided myself on listening to my gut instinct, that internal voice that speaks to me whenever I find myself rubbing my neck or my forehead because something is just not sitting right.  It has served me very well over the years.  And when I’ve turned my back on it, the results usually weren’t pretty.  My internal voice was loud and clear.  Homeschool.

I find myself pausing for a second when people ask me, "What made you homeschool?" After all, nothing made me homeschool.  

It’s not my religious beliefs or a disdain for public (or private) schools, and it’s not that my job has me living in three different states at any given time. 

My reason for homeschooling is very, very simple.  I want to.  I'm passionate about it.  And more importantly, I think know I'm meant to.   

In closing, I'd like to thank my internal voice.  Once again, it has not let me down.

 

Happy Halloween