Every Family Should Have Their Own "Family Manifesto"

I was going to do both a family manifesto and one for our homeschooling, but they are really one and the same, so I will share with you our Family Manifesto and encourage you to create one for your own family as well.

This is different than the Family Values Shield that I was teaching as a Simplicity Parenting Coach. That is still very valid and very useful - I highly recommend it and still use it as a key framework of our home learning life. You can revisit that in the Intro to Simplicity Parenting Class I teach in another blog post.

MANIFESTO
First, let's fully define manifesto and make sure we completely understand the scope and the purpose of doing this important action.

man·i·fes·to

ˌmanəˈfestō/

noun

noun: manifesto; plural noun: manifestos

1. a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.

   synonyms:

   policy statement, mission statement, platform, (little) red book, program, declaration, proclamation, pronouncement, announcement "a party manifesto that would change the course of world politics"

Origin

mid 17th century: from Italian, from manifestare, from Latin, ‘make public,’ from manifestus ‘obvious’ (see manifest¹).

 

Notice it is something that has come to life, it's become "publicly" obvious. To make clear and manifest in your daily life through daily habits, thoughts, actions, words, behavior and teaching style - that's the beauty of having a Family Manifesto.

To be clear on what is truly important to you and your family, to know what you feel is good and bad,  right and wrong,  to have a common understanding of what makes your family your beautiful, unique wonderful family - that's the gift of having a Manifesto. Your Manifesto can set the tone for our lives and is essential to the energy we each bring to the family dynamic and thus the world. Yes, it's that important!

Write down everything that is important to you as a mom, parent, teacher, all the things you think are right about family and what's wrong with family today. Include what you value - all of the things most important to you for you and your family.

 

Write down your values (Peace?  Kindness? Nature? Harmony? Patience? Recognition? Freedom? Financial Abundance/Freedom? Creativity? Trustworthiness? Competence/Mastery? Clean/Simple/Sustainable?

Write down your priorities? (sports, music, dance, skills - what specifically?)

What makes your family special, unique? (do you all play an instrument? Charades every Friday? Pets? Entrepreneurs?)

What activities are you doing? (Beach? Hiking? Mountain Biking? Skateboarding? Computer programing? Building things? Music? Traveling? Service? Group activities?)

Defined by your faith? 

Financial responsibility?

Fun, Joy, Peace, Connection, Intimacy, 

Group activities, going to the beach? 

 

Include your children in this - if your children are over 4 I think they can share what's important to them. When I first asked Ryder this about 8 years ago (when he was about 4) he said, I need peace and quiet. To this day, he needs his peace and quiet, to read and relax. That is what restores him.

For Dax, it's totally different. He needs Connection! I work dilligently to make sure he receives this in ways that nourish him. 

 

Make sure each family member is heard, understood and contributes in this creation of your beautiful and unique family Manifesto.

After a trip to a family NVC (Non violent communication) camp when my boys were 5 and 7,  I became so much more aware of my own true needs and vigilant in understanding  what my children's true needs were and not forcing what I thought they should think and feel. It's helped me expand so much as a woman, mother and human.

All right, now that you've written this out. Make it beautiful

To be clear on what is truly important to you and your family, to know what you feel is good and bad,  right and wrong,  to have a common understanding of what makes your family  - your beautiful, unique wonderful family - that's the gift of having a Manifesto. 

 

It's so easy to get caught up comparing, but life is too short and moves too quickly. Get in touch with what you truly want for yourself, your family and allow for each individual to contribute. 

 

The Manifesto can set the tone for your life and is essential to the energy each brings to the family dynamic and thus the world.

 

Put this together with your Families Values Shield and review it at least once a year! Make it a special night where you reconnect to your vision and your values and most importantly to your Family.

 

 

6 Ways To Get a Handle On Having Multiple Grades in Homeschool

Now that we are a month in to our "school" year, I'm amazed at how different this year is compared to the last few. Ryder is in 7th Grade and Dax is in 4th. They are both VERY different individuals with different needs, different strengths and different challenges. I think that unless you have an only child, we are all going to run in to this little challenge.

If nothing else - well, it keeps us on our toes right!?

*I often wonder if Ryder is so far along because he was an only child for nearly 3 years before Dax was born. And then Dax didn't get near what Ryder did in terms of 1 on 1 attention and time. (Sorry Dax!) Do our children develop because of the environment or adapt their natural tendencies to the environment? Discussion for our next Tribe call perhaps? *

KNOW YOUR OVER RIDING GOAL
What I do know is that it's a good idea to keep our eyes on the overall goal and outcome while also being focused enough to make sure the step by step details of learning and development take place.

Since I knew I wanted to homeschool even before I had children I had a long term view of what that outcome would be. I still hold to that vision and I think it's vital especially when things go topsy turvy.

Try this meditation: in a quiet space where you won't be distracted, breathing deeply, relax your body and let your mind focus on your breath. Go forward in the future and see your children at "graduation". In your best outcome dream, what are they saying to you, what are you seeing, hearing, feeling as they speak, interact, etc? Write all of this down. Now, reverse engineer it.

Mine went something like this: my boys strong, vibrantly healthy, whole and happy. Focused and making genuine eye contact and confident in their own body, space and energy. Listening to another and understanding and compassionately acknowledging but not having to agree but be present to any situation and make an intentional decision that is for highest good and best outcome. They are clear on what their desires, dreams and purposes are. They are emotionally, mentally, spiritually fulfilled from the inside out. They consciously make decisions for their highest good and best outcome and have their own Tools (P.I.L.O.T. Method applied yay!!) I am so proud and love hearing them play their musical instruments and feel they can learn anything they desire at any time and have the ability to resolve any problem, challenge, difficulty that could arise now or in the future. They choose their friends wisely. Well, clearly I could go on! So my reverse engineering of this is what we do day to day, week to week, month by month and year by year. It's much more fulfilling and fun this way.

ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
With the amount of distractions in our lives as parents and teachers, I think it's easy to let little challenges to become big problems.You just have to do this, and it's a daily thing. PRUNE the vines!!

TAKE DAILY ACTION
Even with all I know from my business in the body and mind/spirit development, it is still a struggle for us to get the movement in now that the digital age has taken on it's own life. While I truly love the access to information, it gets frustrating to play digital police. So before the digital world comes on here - we have to have done our  1X10X10  - it's a game where we do a sun salutation, a series of X tables with movement, play twister or some other movement game of the boys' choice - nerf wars included.

ROUTINE, RHYTHM,  RITUAL
Keeping the rudimentary components in at any age is imperative. Rhythm of the days, months, seasons and a simple routine of focus on the 3 big targets for the day.

We set our routine a while back, I have to shift things for clients sometimes but we always get back with an anchor in the day. Meal, meditation, transition song, training routines, candle and song, game, etc.

PRACTICE
 Daily practice makes a big difference in the long run. While I do mean music, math (x tables), form drawing, movement, French or other language, grammar, periodic tables...whatever else you are learning that requires progression is great to use for PRACTICE time, I'm talking about LIFE too!
We have to PRACTICE today, a life we want to lead with the idea on the outcome we want tomorrow.

FAITH!!

Above all, hold to the faith that you are doing the right thing! You can do this! You are smart enough. You are strong enough! You can and you WILL succeed and so will your children!!

Ok, Let's get to it!

Love and hugs!

Week one homeschooling 7th and 4th grade

7th Grade -

Ryder read Call of the Wild
work on shifting focus to far further away and long distance away

We have begun the first block of the year - Middles Ages -
Life in the middle ages, Feudal system, 


Art: We are focusing on perspective drawing to build up to Leonardo da Vinci

Copy work: "Perspective is the rein and rudder of painting." Leonardo da Vinci

Review of math - long division, multiplication of 7 figures, averages.

Word of the day - non-sequitur
Yoga
Aikido
Violin

French -
What?  Quelle
Why? Pourquoi

Dax  - 4th grade

review of 3rd grade math adding 3 numbers, adding 5 and getting the averages.

form drawing, compass rose geography and map making preparation

Native American and animal studies.

Turtle, tour of tortoise at Grandma's house
Yoga
Aikido

Piano

Russian word PREEVYET (hi)

Fall Menus: Easy Planning for Well Nourished Bodies and Minds

As I breathe in the fresh, crisp late September air in the magnificent Pacific NW I feel so much appreciation for the little things in life that sometimes pass us by so quickly.

The boys are with their pop for a few more hours, so I've completed most of the Sunday chores including grocery shopping and planning for the weeks self care, study, work and targets to hit.

One target was to set up the menu for the fall season.

Here's what I've got so far:

Sunday: Chili night, with cabbage salad, corn fritters and iced or hot as preferred herbal tea infused with cinnamon and orange peel.

(this is always a favorite and is easy when we invite family and friends over for Sunday meal together)

Monday: Roasted sweet potatoes (beets and parsnips if still available) Black beans and Brown Rice, Stir Fry Chard/Greens

Tuesday: Taco Night - super easy night, diced veggies, ground meat with cumin and more Spanish style seasonings - we have game night too so this is more fun. Ryder can usually handle this meal prep on his own. Dax has table setting. We all clean up together.

If I have Lodge (Peninsula Odd Fellows Lodge meeting) the boys will likely go to Chipotle or Chucks for dinner with their dad.

Wednesday: Nori Rolls, Miso and Edamame - we usually stuff the nori with avocado, chopped carrots, grated ginger, scallions, smoked salmon, cashew spread. This is singing performance night so we are doing a few karaoke tunes and getting our "recognition" need met ;-). Plus it's super fun.

Thursday: Soup Night!! "Stone Soup Pot" - we use to do home made bread, even millet sour dough. It's not going on the list this year. Maybe 1 day this season we'll bake cinnamon rolls. Pizza night covers the baking this year.

Friday: Pizza night - home made - we get creative. Cauliflower crust is actually really darn good. We don't do dairy for Dax so we make it up in other yummy ways. I'll post pics of the experiments as we go through the rest of the year.

BREAKFASTS:
In rotations:

Steel cut oats, soaked from night before, raisin, date, nut, toppings.
Egg souffle - 3 ingredients yum
Stewed Apples/Pears with Clove
Carrot "cake"
Mighty Fine
Bone Broth Deluxe

During the day/Lunch:

Green Drinks - basically juiced greens, carrots, etc. Whatever needs to be juiced...
Large chopped salad with a variety of veggies and  6 tastes - bitter, sweet, salty, astringent, pungent, sour.
Guacamole, Salsas for salad dressings, Leftovers on the table from night before.

This is the biggest meal - sit down and regroup time. Transition from the morning focus work.

We drink distilled or pure water and herbal teas.

We occasionally drink kombucha - not making it right now as the weather changes and I have more fermented foods we can eat. When it's really cold I'll made golden milk - recipe and pics I've posted for years on the feed. But I'll link back to it if I think of it!

Ok, pretty simple. None of the above need recipes as they are pretty self explanatory.

2017/2018 Summary

Over the summer of 2018 - Both boys swam daily, rode bicycles, continued animal care for GiGi, Hobbs and Jade, Dax began piano, Ryder continued violin, daily reading and completed summer reading programs, Ryder won $10 gift card from writing a review for books at Ledding library, Aikido summer camp next level of belts, RBTI training in Wenatchee met Michael and Zacchariah - homeschoolers and pen pals, Flag Football, Boy Strength Camp, studied handbook and learned TRs, Tone Scale, Communication Cycle, Kayaking with their dad

As I finish up the last details on the 2018/2019 year I have left this piece the end. I have not been inspired to write here or to keep things documented in this space for some time. While I am so grateful to have the previous years of postings for us all to look back on, the past couple of years in terms of my family have been miserable for me personally in terms of what my original dreams, goals and desires were.

Every day is a new day. It's a new adventure. It's a new experience.

Navigating each new day and each new emotion, thought and experience the boys  go through during these transitional times. Decisions I now make based on what would bring the most stability in this moment. Would I stay here - it's very expensive to live here - single mom budget, so difficult, the boys growing, so much to buy food every day at the store as much as a week in 1 day. Oh WOW! So much!

The car accident with Kelly and the boys. I still feel resentment there, my new van, my boys being endangered and the horrific experience of a brain injury for Dax. It's truly been the worst of it all. Not a moment in our lives will be the same - Dax is different. Fragile. I don't want to say broken. But the day to day experience of this beautiful boy and the pain - my whole life is to help heal pain and now every day I face this with Dax. There is just so much entangled for me with this - what could I have done differently. What if..., what if... Little good does any of that do. And my goodness we are so lucky that it wasn't worse.

I ask myself, did I create all of this? When someone in my life says "well you got what you wanted" and I hear it as a snide remark.  Is this really what I wanted? IS that the kind thing to say? No. So I will recognize the person who says such things and not own that.

I am deeply sad that our family is no longer whole - that the dream of a loving, harmonious marriage and family and home life is now different. Not shattered - that's not a workable thought process. But it still hurts. It still feels sad.

While there was a part of me that was certainly miserable in the marriage, we had created a tolerable routine. To not have to fully have been the primary bread winner on top of being the teacher, healer, cook, cleaner, accountant and everything else that goes with being wife, mother, homeschooling teacher was something I knew would be tricky. We both knew and so we stayed in the marriage much longer.

So there is still a lot of my personal healing that needs to occur after 17 years being together, dependent on one another for communication, connection and that we did have the common interest for well being for our children. Although we have always had different ideas of what that means - it was a common ground.

There is just so much that must be processed. I must get the support I need  - from my homeschooling connections, from my fellow teachers, from the right areas. What will support me so I can best support these boys?

Michael - my father in law - grateful, knowing that he is another who cares for the boys and for me and it's unconditional. That's a gift.
Melisa at Waldorf Essentials - a BEACON - so grateful.
Denice - Ryder's Violin Teacher
Dax's Piano Teacher - she is a true Godsend and big blessing to us all.

These are such amazing support systems to me and boost me up -

My clients - they support me thank GOD so I can support my family and keep food on the table.

This I am grateful for... So much. Too much right now. I dont' want another year to pass without me writing about all of the wonderful things with TRIBAL Academy. Daily it's our life and our ritual and I want to look back on this time and review it with the boys some day and talk about it as a good experience that we all grew from.

That's my prayer.

Framework, Vision, Priorities for Home Learning and Block 1 Details

 Daily:
Yoga
Tai Chi
Nature Walk - continuation of herb fairies and review sketch journal identifying
Eurythmy
Spelling Practice
Moral Practice
Math Basics
Music Time
Silent Reading
Read Aloud
Poem and Tongue Twister
French and Latin basics
(Truth, Responsibility, Integrity, Basics, Arts, Language)

Celebration of Mabon/Fall Equinox  September 21 ending with Michaelmas 29 September Dax's 10th birthday celebration At Mabon, the day and the night are equal in length, in sublime balance. For many locations, Mabon coincides with the final harvest of grain, fruits, and vegetables. Mabon, also called Harvest Home, is the time of thanksgiving. The beauty and bounty of summer gives way to the desolation of winter, and the darkness overtakes the light.

Each block this year has it's own academic goal. 
Grade 7
Block 1 - History Part One A & B Late ME and Crusades
Black and white drawing and shading
Algebra and Simple equations
Music - Gregorian Chants
Silent reading (see book charts)

Grade 4 - Block 1 
Native American Culture and Myths
Animal Signs
Native American Crafts
Soprano voice and recorder
Read Aloud - McGuffy
Sara Books - bedtime story 

Artistic Goals: Glass building - group class with artistic teacher in Ridge field, fundraiser for this class
Book 2 Violin recital for Ryder


Moral Goal:

Using the Way to Happiness curriculum and finishing Handbook with a focus on the tone scale and vibration scale and being able to correctly assess their own as well as other's tone level and apply tools to handle suppressive, antagonistic (bullies) and competently stay at cause.

Continuation of NVC - needs and feelings. Expressing needs

Clearing aura, astral and energetic fields

Skill Builders:
jump rope, climb, pull, bounce, throw, skip, gallop, grapevine, stepping patterns, tag/chase, running
Basketball, Pool, Swimming, Bike Riding, Flag Football, Aikido

Poems:
Action Rhymes and songs
Tongue twister

Games: Cash Flow, Double Shutter, Clue, Charades, Chess,

Learning Space:
Quiet sacred space with peace chair, candle and bell

Rituals and more rigid habits
Free time schedule -

Self Care:

Meditative Practice
Study Practice
Self Time

Woodworking,
cooking
drawing
Basics -
dance
spelling and math
nature
handwork
foreign language - focus is on Latin and French
winds - flutes
strings and piano

house work
yard work
animal care
extra cleaning

Home Space Setting:

learning space, equipment
art supplies
rotated options
gathering space

Ryder - eye development exercises


Dax - priority of healing from brain trauma -
Weekly chiropractic care for neck and spine
Weekly Bowen treatment
Weekly Cranial Sacral Therapy
FE and TFT Therapy
Following RBTI protocol with RBTI practicitioner Micheal
Brain Gym components - balance left and right brain

Matthew McConaughey - This Is Why You're Not Happy | One Of The Most Eye...

7th Grade Reading List

Around the World 80 Days - Jules Verne

The Ark - Margaret Benary-Isbert

Arm of the Starfish - Madeleine L'Engle

Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents - Terry Pratchett

And Now Miguel - Joseph Krumgold

Adam of the Road - Elizabeth Gray

Banner in the Sky - James Ramsey Ullman

Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses - R.L. Stevenson

The Black Pearl - Scott O'Dell

Born Free - A lioness of Two Worlds - Joy Adamson

Bread Sister of Sinking Creek - Robin Moore

Brother Dusty Feet -Rosemary Sutcliff

Bud, Not Buddy - Christopher Paul Curtis

Call It Courage - Armstrong Sperry

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch - Jean Lee Latham

The Cay - Theodore Taylor

The Chemical History of a Candle - Michael Faraday

Crispin: The Cross of Lead. (continue the series) Avi (Edward Worthing Wortis

Changeover, A Supernatural Romance - Margaret Mahy

The Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury

Dark Frigate - Charles Boardman Hawes

A Day No Pigs Would Die - Robert Newton Peck

The Door In the Wall - Marguerite de Angeli

Famous Experiments You Can Do - Robert Gardner

Downriver - Will Hobbs

Flour Babies - Anne Fine

Freedom Beyond the Sea - Waldtraut Lewin

The Ghost Belonged To Me - Richard Peck * and other books by Richard Peck

The Haunting - Margaret Mahy

The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley

High Deeds of Finn Mac Cool - Rosemary Sutcliff

Homecoming - Cynthia Voight

Holes - Louis Sachar

J.R.R. Tolkien series - finish with Ryder

I, Juan de Pareja - Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

It's Like This Cat - Emily Cheney Neville

Ivanhoe Sir Walter Scott

Johnny Tremain - Esther Forbes (in 6th)

Journey to the Center of the Earth  - Jules Verne

The Kings Fifth -Scott O-Dell

The Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle

A Long Way From Chicago - Richard Peck

The Great M.C. Higgins - Virginia Hamilton

The Morning Star - H. Rider Haggard

The Mystery of the Periodic Table - Benjamin D. Wiker

The Other Side of Truth - Beverly Nardoo

The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton

The Owl Service - Alan Garner

Queens Own Fool - Jane Yole

Rime of The Ancient Mariner - Samual Taylor Coleridge

Prince and The Pauper - Mark Twain

Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman

Science Experiments You Can Eat - Vicki Cobb

The Second Mrs. Giaconda - E. L. Konigsburg

Shabanu - Suzanne Fisher Staples

Shark Beneath the Reef - Jean Craighead George

Silent to the Bone - E. L. Konigsburg

Slake's Limbo - Felice Holman

Stowaway - Karen Hesse

Summer of Swans - Betsy Byars

Tales from Shakespeare - retold by Roger Green

Tales from Shakepeare - Charles and MAry Lamb

Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

Tisha: the story of a yound teacher in the Alaska Wilderness - Robert Specht

The Trumperter of Krakow - Eric Philbrook Kelly

Up a Road Slowly - Irene Hunt

Walk Two Moons - Sharon Creech

The Wilerness Tattoo - Wiliam O. Steele

The Witch of Blackbird Pond E. G. Speare - (read aloud in 6th loved this - can on his own this year)

With Pipe, Paddle and Song - Elizabeth Yates

The Wizard of Earthsea (trilogy) Ursula K. Le Guin

Wolf - Gillian Cross

A Wrinkle In Time (AND SERIES) - Madeleine L'Engle (read aloud when they were younger, good for Ryder to read the series on his own)

The Yearling - Marjorie Rawlings

Natural Learning is Always Happening If We Allow

Dax has always had natural attraction to birds. Countless now that he has been a part of rescuing. But each one special and unique.

Another experience began last night. As I was taking them to see their dad we were walking up the steps of the apartment building and found a lame young bird.  Instantly I knew it was for Dax and I stepped aside and worked with Dax to investigate what we could do. The young bird had what looked like thick glue covering the left side of his body and his wing was gummed up. It wasn't until later that I noticed his beak had also been glued shut.

This was appalling but I kept my opinion to myself and went into triage to save the bird. Having Dax assist.

We began cleaning his wings and were able to get his beak unstuck so he could drink. 

He survived over night and was chirping this morning. We called Audobon at 9am and needed to verify that he was a native. He in fact was a Junco Sparrow - native to the PNW.

Unfortunately the little guy did not survive. The glue was a poison, this is from traps that many apartment complexes set out because birds will nest in rafter and beams and tenants complain.

I am saddened by this. My son and his dad are angry by this. Whatever the emotion, this is needless suffering of life and another example of the lack of connection humans have with their surroundings and nature. 

I am grateful that Dax is aware of life forms of all types and respects and honors without the need to kill because it might poop on a car.

I take a breath and a moment and we say a prayer as we rest this precious life form back to Mother Earth.

Does How We Treat Children Determine How They Develop Into Adults?

Yesterday the boys and I spent most of the day at the Odd Fellows Lodge. The nearest local lodge that I am a part of is in Portland, across the bridge from where we live.

My boys were patient and supported me while I had volunteer work to do there and they also helped me help in the kitchen for the odd ball fundraiser for the ball.

Now I have a few questions:

When we treat children as second class citizens - how do you think they will behave?
When we disrespect children how do you think they feel?
When we assume they are incapable - what do you think they assume about themselves?

One of the core reasons I finally divorced my boys' dad is that he considered these boys to be troublesome creatures who should be seen and not heard. To be sat in front of the zombie box or other zombie device and kept quiet and out of trouble. Because he was too focused on his delusions he could not take the time, effort or energy to teach them or model for them what a real gentleman, a kind human being, someone who cares for humanity and gives a damn about our world. The moment they are with him, his phone goes in their hands. Maybe he thinks this is what they want, but I believe it's more so his way to "control" them. It frightens me to think that is what goes on throughout our world nowadays.

I know it is clear I have a strong viewpoint on this enough that I'm actually writing this blog post on it. But I'm furious and I've consciously made the choice not put up with so much bull any longer. At least I can blog about it if nothing else. Thank GOD for free speech. I will no longer smile and not say a word about injustice. Nor will I just push it off and say - this too shall pass. Sure, it will pass. No question. But in the meantime I let an injustice go by? NO MORE? If we let the little injustices go what do we do with the big ones? There is WAY too much injustice in the world today!! WAY TOO MUCH! Don't even get me started on our "health care system".

Because folks we are creating our world, we've been creating our world, we've been reasonable far too long and it's way past time that we start standing up for the right. I WILL fight for the RIGHT!

Children are our future. They are the most important places for us to put our energy. Second only to what we are doing, saying in our own lives - because children are learning what they live.

What I see in our world today frightens me. Our children have so few quality role models.

I am hyper aware of how and what I do with my boys. How I act around them - and I do fall short far too often. This frustrates me to no end. But I am always willing to take personal responsibility and never will I blame another for my short comings. I will improve in any way I can for the greatest good for the greatest number as that is a core value my parents taught for me. Sadly, they also modeled one for all and none for themselves. That buck stops with me!

Since my children were babies, I would bring them with me wherever I went - to help, to serve. FAITH, FAMILY, SERVICE - my core values. Do you know yours? Do your children?

My boys observed me mowing lawns, helping neighbors, helping others, yes even strangers, cooking in the kitchen which had Ryder at 2 years old capable of making pancakes and loving every minute of it.

Both of my boys have served those without shelter, have served in kitchens and helped so many without being told. They are aware of those who are without shelter and mindfully seek out ways to help another. They are not oblivious of the challenges our world faces but they are not burdened with this because they are willing to do something - even if it is to pick up 1 piece of trash, to wipe off one table, to serve another with a kind word or a silent prayer.

What took me aback was a fellow odd fellow whom shares the purpose to help, to "educate the orphan" -  was outwardly rude to my children whom were helping in the kitchen for a big fundraiser event for the group. While they were also being youthful they were not disrupting anyone or anything,  they in that moment didn't have their arms up to their elbows in the sink washing dishes or cleaning the spinach or helping in some other way.

That was unacceptable to me. Especially because I give so much of my time and energy as well as money that I personally don't have to spare as a single mom.

It really was too much and made me realize that I do not have to be a martyr. That there are other ways we can help without taking ourselves down or making us feel like second class citizens, inadequate or unworthy.

When your help is made to be bad or unworthy - how do you feel? Well, believe me children feel it, and it's a major impact. I speak from personal experience.

I write this because I am personally pissed right now.

We worked for another hour or so, completed our "shift" and then we left the ball before it even started.

There were several absolutely wonderful and caring people who went out of their way to meet my boys and be kind to them and wow does that stand out. That simple gesture of kindness. The lead chef, the very talented actor, the chaplain - so kind and supportive and setting a wonderful example for my boys and for ME!

Juxtaposed to the out and out rudeness and put downs that they didn't belong. I had to get out of there as fast as I could because I was fuming.

You know, my parents gave so much of their time, energy and money to the church we "belonged" to when I was a child. We experienced much of the same.

 Those that are kind to children and treat them as human beings who are just as worthy to be, do and contribute are the real heroes in my book.

Anyone can put down a child to fill themselves up.  But as I write this I just realize that those people who feel they have to do that are the sad creatures.

So I will clear my boys and myself, for this anger is strong and it stems deep from my own childhood wounds.

But NEVER forget - children ARE worthy. And if they are not there is something wrong with YOU.

We talked about what happened on the way home and when we got home my youngest son, 9, said, "Mom I really want to serve you and Ryder. Please sit down and relax and let me make dinner."

This precious wonderful boy set the table beautifully, then made an awesome salad and pizza and  served us a 4 course meal from a place of joy, kindness, giving, generosity. And it was clear he felt empowered and deeply fulfilled because he was allowed to contribute.

THAT MY FRIENDS IS WHO CHILDREN REALLY ARE. If we only allow them and acknowledge that rightness in them.

March - we've been studying geography

the Earth, terrain, tectonic plates.

Most of Ryder's spelling words come from the current main lesson.

DAX - we have continued weekly Dr. visits for his brain injury. He has continued to improve and is nearing the level of pre-accident in his reading. But what that means is he's reading at his 7 year age and sometimes this triggers fear in me which triggers doubt and other emotions I haven't fully cleared.

But...he is improving, so that's what counts. We are nearly complete with the McGuffey Primer which is what we started and were nearly through prior to the auto accident in 2016.

Working with his brain and doing as much as I can from the physical and energy, as well as nutrition to help him shows me how much we as a society are missing the boat by not taking in a holistic, integrated approach to our children's education.

Daily -

Sleep is crucial. It's still a challenge when they return from dad's weekend. It's like a detox mode and they usually sleep 10-12 full hours after a weekend with dad. That is likely the media/digital devices as much as the lack of sleep and outdoor play time.

New Beginnings and Transitioning from 6th to 7th Grade with Ryder

We've been spending the last month reviewing "6th grade" with Ryder. He's ready to progress and there is no reason to hold him back. While he's not specifically studious, he grasps knowledge very rapidly and his comprehension and understanding comes easily. I have a concern that it is without depth, but as I observe, that is more because of his youth and lack of experience. That experience will only come with time.

It is like watching myself as youngster. So much quiet curiosity. Ryder's qualities and needs remain steadfast. He is still vibrant with his energy but prefers comfort and security. As we continue to balance our energy in the home both boys thrive.

I had been concerned that divorce would be disastrous to the boys and our family unit, the most vital parts of my life, but it's been a smooth transition over all. Staying in the town home and keeping our daily anchors has been key. I intentionally made the experience of the divorce as positive as possible. It anchored around a dessert - not my best. Why does that still hold a power. Treats? To soothe the pain. Ugh. Ok, I'm aware. It's another mindfulness piece.

Time to settle in and drop anchor.

I will reinforce our anchors which consist of

Digital Sunset. We must turn off all digital devices by 6:30pm and settle in - I'd like to start this at 6 but I still have evening clients and the Odd Fellows lodge meetings 2 times a month and this disrupts the flow. By fall I'd like to have all my evening clients/classes handled by Yogilachi certified trainers.

Meal times returning to the GAPS diet and nourishing snacks they can easily access on their own.
7:00AM/11:00AM/3:45PM Main meal times. This is probably most important to Ryder but Dax needs this as well. Sitting down to our table, cloth napkins, blessings and candle - this ritual is not only nourishing but so healing. I cannot let this fall out. I recommit to this as a priority even if it's a simple meal.

BEDTIME boys just do so much better being in bed with a song and story by 7 and asleep by 7:30. For my own well being I must get to bed by 8pm. Waking at 3:50 daily is the only way I can get everything done that is important to me to get done so I must continue to prune the vine of seemingly urgent yet not so important activities.

I will continue to hold to the vision of an optimal home life as well as building TRIBAL Academy as a holistic community learning center with at least 6 acres! With a support team - I need help with cleaning and meals. There must be others out there who need and want an intentional community. What would it be like to have a supportive and loving community cohesively co creating harmony? What a beautiful dream.

The more we progress with our "home schooling" the more joy I find in my own life. There is just so much to learn and enjoy and explore and discover. To watch the boys unfolding in their unique expression is my purpose right now. That I must remember no matter how chaotic things feel with being a single parent, I can do this and it's worth everything when I hear connected, calm, happy human beings thriving. That's worth everything.

RYDER: Both boys still gravitate to the digital world. Video games. Ugh. Still a challenge. I'm still vigilant on the cause and effect. There is no question he has more sensory issues after video game time. Isn't the enough evidence of it's destructive effect? How can comfortably allow my child to be "poisoned" even just a little. It's like sugar and processed food - all in moderation? Am I being "extreme" when I choose to be unreasonable with their mental and physical health and wish to have no video games and no sugar? It's unworkable in our culture today. So, I must adapt and work to bring understanding for them as well as myself. There will always be an effect. The question is what kind of an effect do I wish to bring. I suppose the day I delete facebook and pinterest searches and eliminate my chocolate bar I'll be more confident in telling the boys no more video games.

So many wonderful books for 7th grade  - I will post a separate list for this grade.

We are moving forward with Waldorf - using Earth schooling and Waldorf Essentials additionally

French 1
Spanish 1
Latin 1
Violin Book 2 **
Piano 1 - 
Aikido - Purple belt progression
Trackers - *****
Hand work - knit socks
Pottery - kiln - Vancouver downtown shop **
Modeling in clay - daily for clay demo
word clearing and study technology becoming second nature - use of dictionary without the internet please with demo kit
Perspective Drawing
Vimala Handwriting
Spelling and word clearing from McGuffy 6
Emerson and Longfellow - memorization
Shakespear's Hamlet - 1 scene performance, monologue
Fundamentals and main lessons in:
Early settlers
Late ME and Crusades
Chivalry and Reformation
Martin Luther
Age of Exploration
Joan of Arc
Geometry
Science: meteorology, astronomy, physics electricity and magnetism (lot of Tesla) field trips here
Physics Machines, influential scientists
Chemistry
Atom board and element cards
Astronomy - TELESCOPE investment

Cash flow game - weekly - business plan and game completed
Checking account maintenance and empirical practice of interest and compounding interest
Begin basic investing
Math bascis from Werner Arithmetic plus math curriculum in WE and Earth
Visit Phoenix - in winter - build a computer with Uncle James?
Learn Zen tea ceremony with Uncle Joe

Let's cover the state of Washington, visit national parks within- geographically - can we cross over to Canada? What's there for us to see and learn about? Currency? Math for calculations, differences in government. Let's learn about the differences in these two countries.

Continue with RBTI, Anatomy lessons and movement using Yogilachi and eurythmy.
Neville studies. Practice. Vision.