This is from the course, i have just finished.
Another group is starting soon with a free introduction call to begin with
x

Donna here letting you know about another fantastic opportunity to bring
mindfulness and simplicity into your home.

I am offering a *free* call this Thursday, Sept. 1
“Why Simplify? Intro into Simplicity Parenting”

Here is the link to register:
http://theparentingstudio.com/whysimplify/

The core problem Simplicity Parenting addresses is the
“too much-too fast-too many” syndrome so prevalent
these days in our popular culture. Did you know that
children have lost more than 12 hours of free time in the
past 20 years?  Where did it go?  More activities, more stuff
and just being on the go.

Join the s-l-o-w parenting movement and learn ways to simplify and
slow down your home environment, create predictable and connecting
rhythms, simplify your child’s weekly schedule, and find benefits to filtering
out the adult world to you young child.

Simplicity Parenting Support Group
starts Sept. 15

This 6-week group is an effective blend of support, learning
and discussion.  It is an interactive and “hands on” time where
you will learn to:
*understand the four realms for simplifying
*learn how to design a plan with your co-parent or friend
*build new connections by tweaking conversation skills
*explore your family values & parenting styles
*build your confidence to make the changes you want to see

Click here for more information on joining our group starting
Sept. 15

The*free* call on Thursday, Sept. 1 will give you a sneak peek
into these groups and answer the question “Why Simplify?”
Here is that link again to get registered for the call. There will be
a recording sent out if you cannot make the live call, so register
to make sure you get that sent to you.
http://theparentingstudio.com/whysimplify/

Shine on,

Donna

Angiegw - 12 August 2011 01:03 PM

I haven’t got to the part aout not involving cildren in adult issues yet (I find the book a slow read too - I am persevering with it on and off, but it’s not one I enjoy), but that isn’t something we will be implimenting. I firmly believe that Grace is a member of our family and should be involved in family decisions to the best of her ability. We listen to her opinion and take it into consideration - it doesn’t neccessarily get the same weight as ours (she is two and doesn’t see the long-term implications), but it is definitely listened to. For example, when we veiw houses/flats, she comes with us and tells us what she likes or doesn’t like about the property. One place had a noisy, aggressive sounding dog next door and she wouldn’t set foot in the garden.That made our decision for us, as a garden is really important to her. Had we not taken her along, we may not have noticed that and may have struggled living there.

I don’t like the idea at all that children should be shielded at all costs from negitivity - it seems very old fashioned, and I’m very aware of my dad, for instance, not being told that his mum was seriously ill until she died, and then not eing allowed to go to the funeral. Of course children should be allowed to be children, but not to the extent of living in a little fantasy buble where nothing bad ever happens…. Being part of adult decision making seems to actually empower children, rather than scare them.

Angie

I totally agree, Angie (am jumping in here without reading the rest of the comments which come after since there is 5 minutes til I have to leave for school run!!  But have just bought this book and am interested in everyone’s opinions…) - the way I was riased was that we have big family talks at the dinner table and I remember being very aware (too aware) at age 6 or so, that nuclear power stations were bad and could leak, that someone in America/Russia could press a button and wipe us all out, Oh and black holes in space could swallow the whole planet up.  I was (and still am) a bundle of nervous energy.  I think it depends on the child though; my younger brother is very chilled about life in general so…but because we don’t know how our kids are going to be I think its as well to protect as much as we can until they are old enough emotionally to handle things.  My eldest is 5 and I can already see how he worries about things.  If he asks questions I do answer honestly but provide enough info to satisfy his desire to know at the stage he is currently at, IYKWIM?  Right, dashing off as usual…will read the rest later! x

Are there still folks up for a discussion on this - I just received the book today (from a GP mama) but reading your comments sounds a lot like what we do anyhow, it’ll be interesting to see…

TBH I DO shield my children from the badness of the world (they are 5 and 2.5), I feel that they don’t have the concepts to understand a lot of things, I’m not sure even if I explain it and my eldest could repeat it parrot fashion that she would REALLY understand what a government is for example. I’ve been thinking a lot about this because I am a very political person and would like to go out to support the strikes next week however this would mean taking my girls along with me and I know that Nancy would see it as walking down a road holding a banner, Sadie would ask questions and I do wonder if I could explain it anyway that might make sense to her. We don’t have a tv but she did sneak up on me watching footage from some UNCUT protests in the summer and struggled with the idea of police stopping the good guys do their thing, because they are told that police are there to stop bad things happening. I have been reading The Last Wild Witch which I hope will help with some of those contradictions between being a good citizen and being a morally good human being.

But then she is rather extraordinary in that she was raised up a mountain and really had not inkling of the modern world until she was 3.5, when she landed in rural wales, which is still a long way from a lot of people’s realities. She still doesn’t really understand, or have any memory of what a city is for example. I figure there is time, and once that innocence is gone it’s gone