Food, shelter, pizzazz

Seasons change, and creatures look for a place to be, near something to eat.

If you're providing food and shelter for your children, good job! If you can look cool while doing it, with a bit of style and pizzazz, bonus for everyone.

Fill your shelter with peace and patience.

Building an Unschooling Nest
photo by Karen James

Thank them

Joyce Feteroll wrote:

Thank them! Even if they haven't done it the way you would. Even if they've done less than you think they're capable of. Thank them. They've set aside time from something they find valuable to do something for you. Appreciate that they're willing to do that for you. The more they feel appreciated for what they choose to give, the more they will give when they're able. People want to feel they're appreciated.

—Joyce Fetteroll

SandraDodd.com/chores/appreciation
photo by Sarah S.

Automotive peace

Me, from a gratitude discussion in 2016:

Years back when I had three kids who ate in the van and cup holders would have ketchup in them and stuff, I dreamed of growing up and getting a nice Buick sedan when the kids were grown.

The other day Keith and I saw a nice Buick sedan. I said that was supposed to be my car someday, and Keith said still could be. But I think after this used minivan dies, I need to get another used minivan. And if pressed to choose a nice sedan right now, it would likely be a Hyundai Sonata.

I had not factored in grandchildren, or needing to take six people to a play or out to dinner.

I think I would rather clean ketchup out of drink holders and have people smiling and laughing in my used minivan than to have a quiet, soft luxury car I would need to fill with "no" and "don't."

—Sandra
Original (a few comments down)
on facebook

SandraDodd.com/gratitude
(the writing isn't there, but the warmth is)
photo by Sandra Dodd, in Old Town, Albuquerque

I had parallel-parked that van on a one-way circuit around the plaza. I parked in a tight spot, on the left side, and was proud. A man sitting on the bench gave me a thumbs-up for the smooth parking. When we came back, the other cars were gone so it didn't look impressive anymore.Chrysler "Town & Country" mini-van; nice auto.

Naturally sweet

Jo Isaac wrote:

[Benton] explores the evolutionary basis behind children's food choices—for example, babies and toddlers have an innate preference for sweet and salty flavours and avoid bitter and sour tastes. This is explained as reflecting an evolutionary background where sweetness predicts a source of energy, whereas bitterness predicts toxicity/poison.

He also discusses the evolutionary mechanisms that might explain why children avoid new foods (termed neophobia), particularly in toddlers. In our evolutionary past, avoiding new foods had survival value if it discouraged eating items that might have been poisonous, particularly at the stage when a child was beginning to walk. Benton stresses that "Parents need to understand that neophobia is normal."

—Jo Isaac
(PhD, Biology)

More here: SandraDodd.com/eating/research
photo by Cátia Maciel

Time flows

Every ghost town used to be alive.

Every "haunted house" was once new.


An abandoned car started with good tires, a running engine, and a happy owner.

Each adult was a child.

The flow of history
photo by Karen James
___

Kids these days

I believe that a focus on nature (often fantasy nature, as in Waldorf's magical forests) can have a detrimental effect on unschooling and on the relationship between parents and their children, when the children were born in the 21st century and would like to use the internet resources so readily available to them. Grounding, re-wilding, dancing with wolves, an "excessive admiration" of Walden Pond or Little House on the Prairie.... those things should be saved for single people or childless couples who won't be inconveniencing growing, learning children with it.

SandraDodd.com/fantasy
(slightly rough discussion, there)
photo by Tara Joe Farrell

Looking, where, and how

Karen James wrote:

When you look at your children, see *them*, not the ideas of peace, joy, success or failure. Notice what your children are engaged in. Join them when you can. If one of your children is cutting paper, quietly join in, even if only for a moment. When another child is playing Lego on the floor, get down there and put a few pieces together with her. One girl is drawing, do some doodles. One girl is playing Minecraft, notice what she's building. Ask her about it (if your question doesn't interrupt her). As you join your children you will begin to get a sense for what they enjoy. Build on what you learn about them.

There will be some conflict, and there will be times when you don't get it right. See those moments, learn from them, and then look toward where you hope to go. Whenever I'm driving on unfamiliar roads, I tend to look at the road right in front of the car. The twists and turns come up so quick, and I find that my grip on the wheel tightens and my heart races. I panic until I remember to look at the horizon. It's so remarkable how much more easy driving becomes when I take in a wider view of where I want to go. Take in a wide view of where you want to go, making little adjustments as necessary. It'll feel less frantic and less like you're at the mercy of every little bump or turn that suddenly appears. The ease and confidence that will gradually come will make for a smoother ride, for you and for those lovely little passengers you've been gifted to travel this journey with. 🙂

—Karen James
on "Always Learning"

SandraDodd.com/look
photo by Cally Brown