A couple of friends and I are starting a play groups for our kids (ages 13 months - 30 months). We want to make it purely an opportunity for them to have fun, and learn social skills in dealing with children older and younger than themselves. Could you give us some suggestions of activities that are age appropriate and how much structure the play group should have?
I am looking for resources on bonding with twins as I am expecting twins. I don't see much in the bookstores about bonding with twins and am wondering how this may be different than with a singleton. I also have a 4 year old.
Can you please give an explanation of the differences between Montessori and Waldorf education?
My 2.5 year-old son has recently begun insisting that I draw things for him during his painting or coloring time. He gets frustrated when he cannot draw or paint likenesses of various objects to his satisfaction. I firmly believe in open-ended art and the idea of art as a process rather than a product, so his frustration is distressing to me. He is drawing wonderful circles and spirals just like he should be at this age. He resists my attempts to encourage him to do his own artwork, and I am embarrassed to say that I get frustrated at his insistence that I do it for him. Where did his self-consciousness about his work come from? Is this normal? How can I encourage him to enjoy doing things himself and to not feel like he has to draw or paint?
I'm doing daycare for three other children (ages 2-5) so I can afford to stay home with my son, who is 3. How can I make what we do "more Waldorf?"
A friend of mine used an herbal remedy called 'cord care' to heal the umbilical cord of her first baby. The midwife used it and it worked beautifuly. She has moved away (the midwife) and I want to use it on my baby. Ever heard of it ? Know what might be in it ? Can I make it myself?
How would a Waldorf teacher deal with toy snatching between 2.5 year olds?
My boyfriend (soon to be fiance) and I have been talking about starting a family very soon, and we're both very excited about the prospect, but there's an issue we need to address. I want to have a midwife for my prenatal care and delivery, but my boyfriend is hesitant and wants to know that our baby and I will have every chance to be safe and healthy. Can you tell me somewhere to go (books, websites, etc.) to find information that will help assure (and convince) him that this is the way to go? He tends to be less than convinced if the information comes soley from groups of midwives, and I don't know how else to proceed.
I am pregnant for the first time (yay!). My health insurance is through a big HMO, and every time I interact with that huge system, I feel disempowered and furious--like my body is on an assembly line and there are powerless, uninformed (though well-intentioned) robots working on me a piece at at time. They each have only a teaspoon of information. Worst of all, there is no moment designed for anyone to ask me what I want for my birth experience. It is so frustrating, medicalized, and disempowering! What suggestions do you have to help me navigate this stupid system?
I am just four weeks pregnant (based on last menstrual period, so really just two-three weeks with baby). I am wondering when is the best time to contact a midwife or doula. I have an OB, but would really like to have someone else there with me (I spoke with a woman at the lab yesterday when I got my blood drawn and she mentioned that a midwife would be there for my entire labor, not just the five minutes the doctor will likely be there). I am already struggling with nausea, insomnia and muscle pain, and I was thinking that I might get greater support and information from a midwife or doula than from my OB (for instance, I ordered a book from this website that recommends herbs for specific symptoms, but my OB discouraged using the recommended herbs). Is it ever too early to get started on this? Thank you!
I live in England where children normally begin school at age four—this is full fledged academic schooling! My husband and I are fully convinced that Waldorf early years education would be of most benefit to our children and we do try to bring Waldorf into our home. However, our oldest daughter is due to begin school in September where she will receive formal academic instruction. We've explored all the alternative options available (there is no Steiner Waldorf school in our area and we have decided against home education) and come to the conclusion that the local school is how we must go forward despite our reservations. Besides leaving lots of space at home for creative play, what recommendations could you make to help us minimize or soften the negative impact of early instruction? Are there ways we can support and soften the negative impact our daughter's formal instruction at school by using Steiner Waldorf methods of teaching at home (especially in terms of literacy/mathematics)?
A year and a half ago, I received wonderful, skillful care from a local midwife and was blessed with an awe-inspiring homebirth experience. Having our first child at home felt so natural and comforting that I couldn't wait to call up my midwife and announce our plans for our upcoming pregnancy and expectant homebirth. However, the MD who heads the free-standing FamilyBirth Center has announced that (in accordance with recent ACOG dictates) this center will no longer offer homebirths. I am deeply dissappointed by this decision and although a natural birth center birth is still available, I feel my family is being deprived of the wonderful choice that made my first birthing experience such a cherished memory. How can I appeal to my midwife (and her establishment) to reconsider? What information could I provide them with that would serve in defense of the natural, beneficial act of homebirthing? How can I be an advocate for other women who wish to retain their freedom of choice in this matter?
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