Television, Destroyer of Worlds

Well, it's been a long time coming. The dying pains of our Television have been loud and agonizing...we've tried to kill it several times, but as anyone who's tried to kill one knows, they don't die easily. It kept gasping back to life posing as a helping hand in "emergencies". Lately, after dealing the Television a crippling blow and regaining our freedom, a round of Chicken Pox kept us housebound & miserable for four weeks, so Humble broke down and let Itchy & Grumpy bask in the hypnotic, serotonin producing glow of Dora and Bob the Builder. Late at night, Humble secretly became addicted to Grey's Anatomy, so much pleasure..so much shame. Feeding on our life energy, the Television grew stronger...before we knew what had hit us, we were using it to tranquilize our children so we could talk on the phone in peace or have a shower in peace and suddenly, after the Pox was gone, we realized the kids had gone over to the Dark Side and were now defending the Television! We battled for their souls (and ours) on a lonely plain, and upon our return, found a way to sever the Television from its Power Source. We have cast the demon out, and we fear for the poor soul who happens upon it, and takes the Creature in. BEWARE!

Musings on Mindfulness

Taking care of Young Humans is a crazy big job. You are their Expedition Guide, Partner in Amazement, Comforter, Explainer of Things, Kisser of Owies, Provider of Grub and most daunting, Role Model.

"If you can't be a good example then you'll just have to be a horrible warning."
--Catherine Aird

When your first kid is born, you imagine you still have plenty of time to reach your full potential, cast aside your bad habits and achieve enlightenment. They'll never see your bad traits because by the time they're smart enough to notice them, those traits will, of course, be gone. You will be calm and ordered, radiating a gentle white light. All the little woodland creatures will creep out of the forest to be in your presence, and birds will alight on your shoulders. You have found a way to live joyfully in the present moment, aware of - but not disturbed by, impermanence. You have also learned to cook like Nigella Lawson.

They grow too smart, too fast. Before you have finished... er... started...your spiritual journey, they are on to you. Like little spy cams they record and play back your faults, on a big screen. You realize that many of the things you like about yourself (your capacity for abstract thought? your ability to place accents? your knowledge of current organic food standards both at home and internationally?) are not the things they are soaking up. They play back your impatience, your opinions, your occasional unfortunate word choices. They roll their eyes like you, they yell "Bloody hell!" in public and they refuse to wear their mittens because you don't wear yours.

It's daunting, and it's also an unprecedented opportunity to get a Firm Grip on what you actually do in the world, that people see and react to. Having children is like having the Universe rap you on the head with its big stick over and over again. Like having tiny Zen Masters teetering around your house, if Zen Masters were covered in icing, paint and sparkles... and yelling about boogers. To live mindfully, that is now the goal. To understand finally, that these small moments - the peeling of potatoes, the wiping away of tears - are all we have, the actual Stuff of Life, happening right now. These moments can't wait for us to perfect ourselves. When sweeping, sweep. When painting, paint. When cleaning up toddler puke, clean up toddler puke.

"How do I achieve enlightenment?"
"Have you finished cleaning up the toddler puke?"
"Yes, master."
"Then wash your bucket."

HW

Welcome Fellow Explorers

We have succumbed to the Lure of the Blog to allow you - our far-flung family and friends - to share in our homeschooling journey whenever it floats yer boat to check in.

It is our hope that all of you will share your special skills and gifts with us at some point over the next 20 years... so if you don't have any, better take up bricklaying or astronomy or cake decorating now.

WINTER 2006

Our highest endeavour
must be to develop free
human beings
who are able of
themselves to impart
purpose & direction to their lives.

Rudolph Steiner, founder of Waldorf education

Here we are - at the very beginning of our homeschooling adventure. After years of research and scribbling in notebooks, falling down rabbit holes and being struck by lightning, Humble Woodcutter (HW) has finally arrived at a philosophical and practical jumping off point.

If you yearn to know more, check out our Groovy Links, which will give some basic info about our primary influences. They are listed from most influential to least. (NOTE: LINKS HAVE BEEN REMOVED JAN. 07)

As winter closes in, we are concentrating on getting ready to move north of the city, back to small town life, tire swings, open spaces and visible stars at night. HW scrutinizes each potential property for its Tree House Potential, which real estate agents always overlook for some reason...

A Christmas playroom revolution is also in the works, and with Santa's help we'll transform Technicolour Plastic Land into an oasis of playthings handmade with love (by humans!) from natural materials - wood, cotton, silk, jute, metal, beeswax etc. After Christmas we will begin a relaxed and natural introduction of some Waldorf-inspired preschool activities, such as baking bread together on a regular day each week, storytelling (as opposed to reading out loud), and the use of learned verses to accompany handwork.

Thanks for hanging out, and we hope you'll be back for the next exciting installment as we wander, amazed, in the universe.

Peace,

FREE RANGE KIDS HOMESCHOOL



PS. Did you know that Albert Einstein was homeschooled? Alexander Graham Bell? Thomas Edison? Hans Christian Anderson? Agatha Christie? Hawkeye? Mozart? Lincoln? Florence Nightingale? It's true, baby!

Check out all the Famous Homeschooled People here, and blow your mind!

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/notable.htm