Waldorf in the Home

Enjoying Your Daughter At Any Age!
by DeAnna L'am

One of my mentors said to me many years ago: "It's great to work on cleaning the barn, but don't forget to RIDE THE PONIES!"

Are you so busy reminding your girl of her homework/ chores/ the need to get-out-of-the-door, that you don't have time to enjoy her anymore??? If you wonder where did all the joy go, now that your girl is approaching puberty, read on...
When I heard myself sounding like an old tape-recorder reminding my daughter Ellah (9) of simple things she needs to do every day, I decided to start taking walks with her.

We bundle up every morning before school, and go for our special time together. We pause as we enter the walking trail, and thank Mother Earth for her beauty. While Ellah skips, hops, and jumps around me, I take my "power walk." We invent little songs and pacing-rhymes; we open our eyes to see the skies, our ears to listen to birds, and our hearts to take in the beauty. I enjoy my daughter's company immensely on these walks, as well as get my exercise!

How can you implement this with your girl (or children)?
What allows me to enjoy my girl's company so much is the fact that we are spending special time outside our family's daily obligations! There are no dishes to wash, no chores for her, no phone calls or email distractions for me...

Create a daily, weekly, or any recurring occasion for you and your girl to spend one-on-one time outside of the home. It is important that you are both away from your daily environment and the myriad of things that demand your attention. The quality of this time is initiated by the virtue of scheduling it! This demonstrates to both of you how important your relationship is...
If you have more than one child, devote shorter one-on-one time to each, on a regular basis. Your exclusive attention will matter far more than the length of time you spend.

MODELING VERSUS TELLING

On my walks with Ellah I give voice to my enjoyment of nature; I breathe deeply and speak my appreciation of what I see. When it's time to turn back I announce this to the trees, and ask that one of them draw my attention and give me a message. Ellah was so taken by this on our first walk, that she now gets four or five messages from trees every day! I don't need to give her speeches about how alive nature is, or how it speaks to us if we listen. This would have sounded like a lecture! Instead, I model what I want her to know.

So many Moms tell me their daughters don't share anything with them. Well, do YOU share with your daughter??? Do you model the behavior you would like to see?
The shift from "Telling" to "Modeling" is a small but profound one! It will make the difference between your girl tuning you out or walking away, to her listening, and sharing her experiences with you!

Cultivating this practice is particularly important as your girl approaches puberty (and even more so if she's already there!) Taking a walk, or setting aside regular times for the two of you alone, will give you the opportunity to speak with her about tender transitions in her body and heart.

"But where do I begin to talk with her about THIS???" you may ask...
I am very excited to let you know I'm working on a special offering that will help you stop worrying about "The Talk", and start talking with your girl! I am sooo excited about it! I can't wait to share it with you... so stay tuned, I'm putting the finishing touches on, and when I'm done -- you'll be the first to know!

~ DeAnna L'am, speaker, coach, and consultant, is the author of Becoming Peers - Mentoring Girls Into Womanhood. Her pioneering work with mothers and coming-of-age girls has been transforming girls' and women's lives around the world, for over 20 years. To jump-start your relationship with your daughter, and to receive FREE tips now, go to: www.deannalam.com
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© 2009, DeAnna L'am, Red Moon ~ Cycles of Women's Wisdom. Used with permission.

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A St. Nicholas Story
The Fiercest Little Animal In The Forest
Book by Terri Reinhart; illustrated by Patrick Reinhart

Terri Reinhart spent 18 years teaching kindergarten at the Denver Waldorf School. One of her favorite duties as a teacher was telling stories. She relates:
"The image of this pine marten came to me one morning after I had been struggling to find just the right St. Nicholas story to tell to my kindergarten children. I could almost see this little creature in my imagination carrying the gold coins in his teeth and dropping them into the stockings. When story time came, I just started speaking the story and I allowed the pine marten to lead me. The story in this book is what resulted. This is the first time it has been published in book form."

The story is delightful, and the illustrations by Patrcik Reinhart bring out the charm of this story that will delight young and old alike. Through a simple tale of St. Nicholas bringing food and gifts for the poor, the book tells how the little pine marten stopped being so snarly and served the good saint.

The paperback book, in full color, costs $12.95 and is available from https://www.createspace.com/3408785 as well as other sources. Highly recommended!

About the Illustrator: Patrick Reinhart graduated from Beloit College with a degree in Studio Art. He has exhibited his artwork in the Wright Museum of Art in Wisconsin. Patrick has designed for the Authentic Travel magazine, drawn caricatures, created websites, and designed tattoos. His first love, however, is illustrating children's books.

"Mothering and Spirituality:
Resourcing Feminine Wisdom"
April 24-25, 2010
Sacramento Waldorf School

Join us for two days of inspiration and renewal, with keynote speakers and workshop presentations around the theme of accessing our feminine wisdom in mothering and all of life. In addition to exploring the feminine aspects of spiritual life, there will also be workshops on other aspects of parenting, Waldorf education, and home schooling.

With featured speakers:
Regina Sara Ryan, author of The Woman Awake: Feminine Wisdom for Spiritual Life
Carol Lee Flinders, author of At the Root of this Longing. Reconciling a Spiritual Hunger and a Feminist Thirst
Nancy Jewel Poer, wise elder and educator, videographer and author of Living into Dying
Cynthia Aldinger, founder and director of LifeWays North America
Rahima Baldwin Dancy, parenting educator, midwife, and gerontologist

A complete brochure and secure online registration are available by clicking on "More Information" in the column at right, and then clicking on the link to the 8-page brochure (near the top of the page) and then on the secure on-line registration form (pay with your credit card or fax or mail in the registration form).

In conjunction with the spring conference, we will also be offering a
Teleseminar with Regina Sara Ryan, interviewed
by Rahima Baldwin Dancy, discussing topics from Regina's book,
The Woman Awake: Feminine Wisdom for Spiritual Life
12 monthly conversations starting January 6, 2010 (join any time)

Order now: The Woman Awake ($19.95 +s/h)

For the teleseminar, described below, register using the link in the right-hand column of this blog.

Get a head start on the conference theme by joining Rahima and Regina for a series of weekly conversations around the twelve chapters of Regina's book, The Woman Awake: Feminine Wisdom for Spiritual Life.
One--The Awakening/A Path of Annihilation Jan. 6, 2010
Two--The Desert Path: Silence, Solitude and Prayer Feb. 10
Three--The Path of Waiting/The Way of Surrender March 10
Four--The Path of Mother April 7
Five--The Path of Compassion May 5
Six--The Path of Darkness June 2
Seven--The Path of the Warrior/The Way of Power July 7
Eight--The Path of Service August 4
Nine--The Path of Art and Inspiration Sept. 8
Ten--The Path of the Body/The Path of Sex Oct. 20
Eleven--The Path of Devotion Nov. 24
Twelve--The Path of Community Dec. 15, 2010

Participate in the live conversations with your questions, or listen at your convenience to online recordings available with a password. Live interviews will be Wednesdays from 7-8 pm Pacific Time. If you miss a session, you can dial in at your convenience and listen to an online recording of the conversation.

You can join at any time. Registration is $10 per session in blocks of 4. Get started reading this inspiring book now, and register for the series of stimulating conversations:

Order The Woman Awake ($19.95 +s/h)
Register for the teleseminar in the column at right.

The Woman Awake. Feminine Wisdom for Spiritual Life
Book by Regina Sara Ryan

Over the course of 15 years, Regina Sara Ryan, a former Catholic nun, began her search for the "feminine face of God." This book is the result of that search. Stories of her own compelling journey are intersected by those of 24 great women of spirit who guided her through inspiration, or touched her by their personal presence, including:

Parenting with Spirit [3-workshop set]
Three Workshops by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

These three workshops explain and further develop the themes in their book, Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood.
The first CD covers "Working with the Spiritual World." In this workshop, Cindy and Joya focus on the reality of spiritual guidance and ways to connect to this source of inspiration and support in daily life. Working with music, meditation, discussion and artistic process, they develop a practice for ongoing dialogue with the angelic realm.

The second CD on "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills" covers how children develop through the three 7-year periods and ways to work with developmental forces in parenting. The focus is on discovering how age-appropriate communication and mirroring can improve the parent-child relationship. Discussion time is included to assist with practical application.

The third CD focuses on boundaries, tolerating negativity and Waldorf-inspired discipline strategies for each 7-year period. Discussion time is included to help with practical application.

Order the 3-CD set and save $5! You pay only $32.50 instead of $37.50, if purchased individually.

The next chapter, "Discipline Skills for Parent-Child Conflicts," focuses on age-appropriate communication skills and strategies, and ways in which these need to change as your child grows and matures. Working with the spiritual world is also discussed, along with tips for co-parenting and single-parenting. The book ends with extensive appendices on therapeutic stories, suggested reading, and community resources.

I highly recommend this book! It is short--only 60 pages, spiral bound--but it's hard to find this information in such a concise, clearly written format! --Rahima

About the authors:
Joya Birns and Cindy Brooks co-lead the monthly support group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School ("Parent Circle") and various workshops for parents. Joya previously taught early childhood and handwork classes in three Waldorf Schools and has worked with parent groups since 1982. Cindy received her MA in transpersonal psychology from Antioch University--Seattle in 1990. In 1995 she completed a two-year training in sandplay at the Child Therapy Institute of Marin and was licensed as an MFT in California in 1996. In 2003 she graduated from the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training and has worked with the Care Group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School since 2003.

Parenting with Spirit: Working with Negative Behavior in Children
Workshop by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

This workshop focuses on boundaries, tolerating negativity and Waldorf-inspired discipline strategies for each 7-year period. Discussion time is included to help with practical application.

This workshop accompanies and expands on Chapter 4 in their book, Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood ($15). Other recordings of Parenting with Spirit workshops that we offer include "Working with the Spiritual World" and "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills."

Audio recording in CD format, $12.50

Parenting with Spirit: Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills
Workshop by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

In this workshop, you will review how children develop through the three 7-year periods and learn to work with developmental forces in parenting. The focus is on discovering how age-appropriate communication and mirroring can improve the parent-child relationship. Discussion time is included to assist with practical application.

This workshop further develops themes outlined in their book Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood ($15). We also offer two other Parenting with Spirit workshops by Cindy and Joya, "Working with the Spiritual World" and "Working with Negative Behavior in Children."

Audio recording in CD format, $12.50

Parenting with Spirit: Working with the Spiritual World
Workshop by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

In this workshop, Cindy and Joya focus on the reality of spiritual guidance and ways to connect to this source of inspiration and support in daily life. Working with music, meditation, discussion and artistic process, they develop a practice for ongoing dialogue with the angelic realm.

This workshop expands on Chapter 5 in their book Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood ($15.00). We also carry two other CDs from their workshops on Parenting with Spirit: "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills" and "Working with Negative Behavior in Children."

Audio recording in CD format, $12.50

"Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood"
Book by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

Cindy and Joya have written a much-needed book describing the three phases of childhood and ways in which effective parenting skills change in response to children's changing levels of development. The seven-year phases of development are described in the chapter on "Working with Developmental Forces in Parenting," as well as ways to influence children when they are centered in imitation (bith-7), admiration (7-14) and individuation (14-21).

The next chapter, "Discipline Skills for Parent-Child Conflicts," focuses on age-appropriate communication skills and strategies, and ways in which these need to change as your child grows and matures. Working with the spiritual world is also discussed, along with tips for co-parenting and single-parenting. The book ends with extensive appendices on therapeutic stories, suggested reading, and community resources.

The book is short (only 60 pages, spiral bound), but it's unique in presenting these ideas in such a concise, clearly understandable and practical way.

Cindy and Joya offered three workshops on "Parenting with Spirit" at our 2009 conference on "Educating Our Children--Changing the Future" in Fair Oaks. All three are available to purchase in CD format. The first session focuses on "Working with the Spiritual World." The second will help develop "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills." And the third considers ways of "Working with Negative Behavior in Children." All three expand on the themes developed in the book.

About the authors:
Joya Birns and Cindy Brooks co-lead the monthly support group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School ("Parent Circle") and various workshops for parents. Joya previously taught early childhood and handwork classes in three Waldorf Schools and has worked with parent groups since 1982. Cindy received her MA in transpersonal psychology from Antioch University--Seattle in 1990. In 1995 she completed a two-year training in sandplay at the Child Therapy Institute of Marin and was licensed as an MFT in California in 1996. In 2003 she graduated from the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training and has worked with the Care Group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School since 2003.

To order the book "Parenting with Spirit," click on the button below. We also sell three CD recordings of workshops by Joya and Cindy on Parenting with Spirit.

Book (60 pages, spiral bound), $15.00
U.S. only. INTERNATIONAL, order here.

Teaching Children to Write with the Vimala Alphabet
Workshop by Jennifer Crebbin

Teach your child letter forms that support open and honest communication, being of service, engaged will power, and more. The Vimala alphabet is being used in many Waldorf schools, and through this video you will learn about teaching these forms to your child.

Video recoding in DVD format, $20.00

Changing Our Words--Changing the World
Workshop by DeAnna L'am

The words we speak can wound or heal. Become aware of the assumptions that inform your communication, and the needs behind them, to alter family and community environments into ones where everyone's needs are met.

Audio Recording in CD format, $12.50

"Re-imagine Money: Toward a New Economic Citizenship"
Keynote Address by John Bloom

Money reflects the architecture of human experience, our interior and exterior spaces, and the intersection of the two. This presentation looks at the opportunities we can take to reimagine those structures, to transform how we think about and transact with money as a step toward positive economic practices. By transforming ourselves in community and aligning our deepest spiritual values with our economic citizenship, we will lead the next generation to a freer and hopefully more enlightened relationship to money and the world of finance. In addition to the presentation, dialogue with the audience is included.

Audio recording in CD format, $12.50

"How Would Our World be Different If...."
Keynote address on Mentoring Youth into Adulthood
by DeAnna L'am

How would our world be different if adolescent children were witnessed, cherished, and celebrated as they transition into adulthood? Since most of us have not been welcomed into adulthood as teens, our best intentions draw from a blank space within us. We must nourish the parts of ourselves that were left wanting in order to navigate and chart the unknown waters of mentoring our youth. This talk is intended to inspire you to embark on this demanding yet exciting journey.

Audio recording in CD format, $12.50

"Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability"
Keynote Address by Lisa Bennett

Lisa Bennett, communications director for the Center for Ecoliteracy, discusses the hopeful new movement that is rising in schools across North America in response to the environmental challenges we are facing . Addressing these issues will require leaders and citizens who can think ecologically, which means: Schools need to prepare students who understand the principles by which nature sustains life and have the values, ability, and courage to act on that understanding. Lisa also discusses ways in which Waldorf parents and educators can participate in (and already are advancing) this important new movement in education.

Audio recording in CD format, $12.50

"Sharing the Joy of Nature"
Keynote address by Joseph Cornell

This recording of Joseph Cornell's keynote address at the "Children, Nature and Us" Conference provides many nature activities you can use with children and adults to increase awareness and enjoyment in nature. He demonstrates how to attract birds, how to one the senses by "being a camera," and many other enjoyable activities. Joseph also includes uplifting stories and insights from the lives of great nature mystics, including John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, and others. Lively and entertaining, with many practical applications.

Video recording in DVD format: $20.00

"Developing Healthy Sensory Integration
through Outdoor Play"
Workshop by Nancy Blanning

Outdoor play in the natural world has supported sensory development for ages, and we need to reclaim this connection. Nancy takes participants on a playful walk and then explores the senses of touch, self-movement and balance, and ways to use the natural world as our playground for children's healthy development.

Video Recording in DVD format: $20.00

"Educating Our Children--Changing the Future" will be the theme of the annual spring parenting conference April 25-26 at Sacramento Waldorf School, sponsored by Informed Family Life.

We are living in times of tremendous change and challenges that call upon us to educate our children to have both new ways of seeing and creative thinking. What do children really need to be able to meet the problems they will be asked to solve as adults? How can we keep their idealism alive and provide the skills and abilities they will need to develop new ways of living sustainably?

This conference will offer more than three dozen workshops on social change, sustainability, parenting, home schooling and Waldorf education, which was founded out of an impulse for social change and cultural renewal. It will bring together keynote speakers from various social impulses:

"The Blessings of Change" will be discussed by Shea Darian, author of the new book Living Passages for the Whole Family, as well as Seven Times the Sun and Sanctuaries of Childhood: Nurturing a Child's Spiritual Life. Shea will explore the transformative power of blessings in family and community life, and how meaningful rites of passage from birth to adulthood help us and our children to live joyfully in the present, heal and celebrate the past, and foster courage and hope for the future. Shea is the mother of two grown daughters who attended Waldorf schools.

Lisa Bennett, Communications Director at The Center for Ecoliteracy, will share the principles and exciting applications of their program "Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability" as it is being taken up by school communities across the country and around the world. Lisa is a researcher and writer, and has spoken at the National Press Club and appeared on the BBC, C-SPAN, Hardball, and many other programs.

John Bloom is Director of Organizational Culture at Rudolf Steiner Foundation Social Finance. He will share from the work he has been developing with the Transforming Money Collaborative as well as other educational programs addressing the intersection of money and spirit in personal and social transformation. RSF Social Finance provides innovative investing, lending, and philanthropic services to promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Focusing on the tremendous changes in adolescence, DeAnna L'am will address the question, "How would our world be different if adolescent children were witnessed, cherished, and celebrated as they transitioned into adulthood?" DeAnna is a Waldorf parent and the founder of Red Moon--Cycles of Women's Wisdom™. She was the first to bring Rites of Passage work to mixed groups of Jewish and Palestinian women in Israel/Palestine, her country of origin. Her work helped participants bond as women beyond all political differences and artificial divides. DeAnna trains Red Tent facilitators, helps reclaim and renew Coming of Age traditions, and works internationally to inspire and equip adults to assume the task of Eldering our children. She is the author of Becoming Peers, Mentoring Girls into Womanhood.

You can join more than 250 like-minded parents for a weekend of inspiration and renewal by clicking on the conference link in the column at the right. It will take you to an information page with links to the complete 8-page brochure and secure online registration. Or you can call Informed Family Life at 303-546-0070 to request a brochure be mailed to you, or if you have any questions.

"Connecting Children and Nature"
Workshop by Jill Dreves

Explore your connection to the natural world and how it impacts your child's. Based on the work of Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) and the work of the Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery in Nederland, Colorado, Jill shares the current trends and research on the importance of connecting children with nature. Participants also make a biodome, a great project to do with your children.

Video Recording: DVD, $20

"Can We See with Fresh Eyes? Replacing Habits of Abstract Thought"
Workshop by Craig Holdrege

Do we encourage our children to enjoy the night sky, or do we explain how many light years away those stars are? To help our children have deep experiences of the world, we need to overcome our tendency to over-intellectualize--to explain and define. Can we learn to hold back, provide opportunities for quiet observation, and portray the world with open-ended concepts that can grow as children grow?

Audio Recording: CD, $12.50

"Inner Nature: The Four Elements and the Temperaments"
Workshop by Cheryl Mulholland

The four elements also appear within human nature as our temperament, with each person expressing an affinity towards earth, air, fire and water in how they think, feel and act in life. Understanding the temperaments can improve our relationships and parenting and help us guide our children with their strengths and weaknesses.

Audio Recording: CD, $12.50