One deep breath leads to another one.

When I was younger I lived too much in my head and would look through the lens of what should be, or could be, or might be, instead of stopping for two seconds to consider what actually, at that moment, was. If I'm not careful I can be cranky before I know I'm tired, and head-achy before I know I'm hungry.

Now, while I'm taking stock of how and where I am, I take a deep breath while I'm considering it, and that one deep breath leads to another one, and no matter where I started, I'm better already.

SandraDodd.com/clarity
photo by Sandra Dodd, of a "dripping rainbow"
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Two for One

Pattern tiles, magnets, puzzles, kits and other such fiddlin'-around stuff are good for children and adults both. They create opportunities for parents and children to interact in wordless or talkative ways, as suits the moment.


Wishlists for Unschoolers
Scanner art by Sandra Dodd

Everyday Art

Something you can see from your computer is at the point where art meets technology, or tradition meets function or something. Perhaps it's your computer, or phone. Chair. A nice felt-tip pen, or a lamp.

Is there a certain spoon or knife or mug that people in your family especially like because it feels good in your hand, has a good balance or something? What about favorite towels or sheets? Pillows? Maybe discuss where these things came from, who made what kinds of decisions about them, and how rich the world is in design artistry of all sorts.

Everyday Art (on the Thinking Sticks blog)
photo by Sandra Dodd

Range of thought

My children discuss behavior and social interactions as easily as they discuss Nintendo or their own cats and dogs. When I was their age, psychology, comparative religion and anthropology were far in my future. My kids might not have much formal terminology, but they're extremely conversant and certainly can think in those areas without knowing they're too young (by the book) to do so. They understand well that there are many versions of historical events. They understand that there are different ways to act in different situations, and with people who have particular beliefs and preferences. Some adults could use knowing that.

SandraDodd.com/zeneverything
photo by Holly Dodd
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Find the Best

Find the best in each moment, the best moments in each hour, and by focusing on what is sweet and good, you will help others see the sweetness and goodness, too.

The quote is from an e-mail yesterday, and was made a bit more general.
A good link for it is SandraDodd.com/negativity
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Dads and unschooling

Usually moms find unschooling first, and understand it more easily than dads do. It does happen, though, that if and when a dad does find his way to appreciate the potential of unschooling, he can surpass the mom's understanding in no time.

What can help? Patience on the mom's part. No ultimatum. Ease in lovingly. Seeing other dads with their unschooled children has helped many, many fathers see a kind of relationship they had never imagined.

See words and images of dads here: SandraDodd.com/dads
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Logic

Where parenting is concerned, logic can be short-circuited by emotion or culture (or both).

Don't do things that don't make sense.

SandraDodd.com/logic
photo by Sandra Dodd