Waldorf Homeschoolers Thread - Page 9

[mamaofthree]

we got rid of tv years ago, yet the computer still is here. it makes me crazy! if it wasn't for dh needing it to do his on line work i would not have it either. (although i would miss mothering. lol)
some days it becomes the complete focus of the kids, is it time to get on, how long is my turn, etc. we have had times when we went weeks without the computer, yet it always creeps in. dh uses netflix and hulu for tv time for the kids when i go to work (which makes me NUTS! : ) the little guys just act so crazy with too much screen time. i wish he got that. ugh! (ok done ranting. lol he is a good man, just that one thing! ack! lol)

h

[fivepointedstar]

Interesting to see how many of us start with a morning walk! It feels like the perfect transition to schooling for us. All of our cares and worries melt away when we enter the woods near our house. We also bring our dog and now, while we're studying botany, we're doing quite a bit of our lesson outside.

I wanted to reply also regarding the "This is boring," issue. My youngest (who is so accustomed to having his older brother and sister around to entertain him) used to often complain of being "bored." One time I replied to him with, "What? You're only 5, you're not allowed to be bored yet." He thought it was the funniest thing and ever since that's been our little joke. If he ever says it now I look at him ready to tell him he's not allowed and he laughs saying, "Moo-oom." I've also replied with, "Oh, do you want me to do a little song and dance number to make it more interesting?" Sometimes a little humor prevents me from getting frustrated and helps to diffuse the situation a bit.

As my kids have gotten older I have been more matter-of-fact with them and let them know that complaining of boredom while you're in the company of another person is actually quite rude. My older children just aren't allowed to say it. I suppose this is a little bit different than complaining about a lesson being boring, but students in a classroom would not be allowed to tell their teachers that the lesson is boring because it would be disrespectful. Anyway, what's usually happening is that it's boring because they haven't engaged. As soon as they engage with the lesson it becomes interesting to them in at least some way -- the trick is to find that shortest path possible towards engagement.

[mary3mama]

A few years ago as my eldest was complaining of being bored for what seemed like the 3-millionth time that hour, I said to him (completely off the top of my head)

"A bored person is a boring person. If you are feeling bored then it is a message from yourself to stop being boring and DO SOMETHING."

He looked at me for the longest time, being like 8 at the time, and then said something like, "hmmm, that's interesting," and wandered off. I found him curled up on his bed with a good book just a few minutes later. He looked up at me and said, "I'm not bored anymore...I figured out what I wanted to do."

Since that day I've had moments where I felt bored, recognized the feeling, and decided that I wanted to stop being boring and do anything.

I gotta say, eldest child never, ever says he's bored anymore...and if it slips out, he looks at me, winks and takes care of it himself.

Now this might not work for the littlest among us, as they aren't as capable of this thought process -- but it is empowering to them to realize that they are in charge. And it is a great relief for mama to not always be responsible for curing a case of the 'creeping borings'

[eastkygal]

mary - Thanks! I was kind of concerned that adding in the personal growth along with our weekly updates and such might overwhelm this thread, but if you don't think so, I'd be fine with keeping it here. I was kind of thinking of inviting the school Waldorf folks to that thread as well who are in early childhood stages. Not sure.

I'll let everyone know when I decide what to do.

I read the first two chapters of Heaven on Earth last night and I begin reviewing our rhythm tomorrow.

TV - We have been back and forth with our TV viewing. I can say that at some points DD1 has watched way too much for my tastes. We have expressed to people that we'd like her not to watch, but our parents don't care and let her do it anyway. So, for now, we do TV on weekends where she gets to watch one or two shows and I try to make those on days she visits grandparents. Sometimes we'll do a movie night here. We don't have cable, but we have Netflix. DH and I enjoy movies so much and that is what we like to do together for together time. I don't foresee us ever not having a TV in the house, but we do only have the one small screen.

Computer time is something I want to work on. I still do computer work in front of my girls. I'm a writer too and maintain a blog about parenting, homesteading and such, so it requires some computer time, but I'm trying to re prioritize that during their early childhood. Maybe focus on the blog, and save my other writing for special times when I have found free time to be filled. ???

[pampered_mom]

We've been phasing things in a little at a time so far - this week I've decided to add the rest of the kindergarten type things. Since dh works on a rotating schedule today was our "first" day. I went for very laid back - doubt that ds really knew that anything was different.

Both ds and dd brought me book after book after book to read this am. At the end when ds was going for another I told him I was going to tell him a story - "The Magic Porridge Pot." He listed very intently (I changed it up a bit so there were parts he could relate to). When the story was finished he seemed satisfied and headed off to a different part of the room play. About 10 minutes later he pauses, looks at me really thoughtfully and then tells me that in the story the Daddy came home to help clean up the porridge as well as a few other details about the neighbors. It seemed that even though his play was completely unrelated the story was still very much "living" with him.

TV - We only own one TV and it's in the basement - I think this helps quite a bit as it's definitely out of sight, out of mind. Ds has seen some TV, sometimes more than others (like when someone's sick or something), but for the most part doesn't really ask to see it. We will on occassion watch TV as a family maybe once a week - it's typically to watch a movie (no commericals and when it's done it's done) and eat pizza.

Given that my kids are so young (4 1/2 and 20 mos) "educational" programs/videos/etc aren't really appropriate for them developmentally - same goes with the computer. When they're quite a bit older both "educational" programming and computers will be something we'll add in on a limited basis, but certainly not for several years.

I work really hard not to be on the computer around my kids. I've been finding somewhat that our days go smoother if I avoid being on the computer, even while they're napping. That leaves after they go to bed which tends to pack quite a bit into my night hours, but even still it seems like the day flows more smoothly.

[DaughterOfKali]

I'm starting to research different homeschool approaches and Waldorf is on my list. Yay for this thread!

[mamaofthree]

HI DoK! :

h

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

I'm starting to research different homeschool approaches and Waldorf is on my list. Yay for this thread!

DoK! May this thread give you as much inspiration as you've been giving to me.

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

HI DoK! :

h

Hi Mama! I've missed you!


Thanks for the welcomes!

[IrishGirl76]

Canadian Waldorf Curriculum?

Does anyone know if there is a Canadian Waldorf homeschool curriculum available? I've been eyeing Oak Meadow, but would prefer something Canadian if it's available.

[LuxPerpetua]

Since there has been some TV discussion, would you ladies mind if I bragged a bit? This week we are in the process of converting our TV stand that my grandfather made into an aquarium. I soooo excited, as is dd! : We have actually been TV-free for a year, and we have been limited TV since dd's birth (no cable, just the occasional DVD while dh was finishing grad school and I HAD to have a break). We haven't watched anything in such a long time and I hated having that huge wooden stand in our den for no purpose (it has cabinets to close so the TV wasn't visible, but the stand itself is huge). Finally, dh and I decided we needed to "re-purpose" that stand and the idea of an aquarium just sprang up. DD, like all kids, is fascinated by fish so she's all on board with the idea. Our TV now rests in the back of our closet. I wish I could sell it but my parents bought it for us in the first place and they would get all ticky if we sold it (even though they know we don't watch it!). I can't wait to get everything up and running for the aquarium and bring some more natural peace into our lives!

(I'm so thankful that I can post here and no one will say, "Why are you trading your TV for an aquarium???!!!" as if I have 3 heads.

[kittywitty]

I am having some issues with schedules and rhythm. I have decided on Waldorf again this year after we've been going back and forth a lot. I have been trying to get a good rhythm/schedule to our days going and it has been complete and utter chaos. We either just don't get around to doing anything until late (seriously-2 hours to eat breakfast and get dressed???), or they just don't want to do anything at all. I don't *make* them do anything, but it is upsetting after spending so long planning and doing all these things that they have asked to do, are interested in, and it just ends horribly.

I try to use the workboxes to keep them busy to work on them one on one and they just end up on the computer or fighting. I see all these sample schedules/routines with Enki and on peoples' blogs and just don't understand how people keep their days so simple and uncluttered and peaceful. Is this even possible with 4 kids? Or a household with at least one very hands on child that won't let you read or do anything without her practically clinging to your head?

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by LuxPerpetua

Since there has been some TV discussion, would you ladies mind if I bragged a bit? This week we are in the process of converting our TV stand that my grandfather made into an aquarium.

(I'm so thankful that I can post here and no one will say, "Why are you trading your TV for an aquarium???!!!" as if I have 3 heads.

LOL! What a great repurpose.

And, yes, people will act like you've grown an extra head (or two) sometimes when they learn you don't have a tv...except in waldorf circles where it is entirely understood.

[mary3mama]

Oh, and while we're on the 'screen' subject. Am I the only one that finds it completely annoying and irritating when a restaurant has tvs on all over the place, frequently with a different thing on each one?

I can't stand it and I tend to not go back to a restaurant again after that. One of the reasons we eat out when we do is to spend time together and having a screen flickering is so distracting!

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

I see all these sample schedules/routines with Enki and on peoples' blogs and just don't understand how people keep their days so simple and uncluttered and peaceful. Is this even possible with 4 kids? Or a household with at least one very hands on child that won't let you read or do anything without her practically clinging to your head?

What are the ages of the 4 children? That might make a huge difference to what others would recommend.

Mine (like in the sig line) are 10, 6 and 2. The 10yo is the only one with academic work. The 6yo's 'work' is kindergarten stuff...and the focus there is on rhythm and doing things. But the 2yo frequently makes up for the ease I have with the other 2.

Our rhythm works, I think, because of the longish nature walk we take every morning. I didn't want to go this morning because I was tired and achey for some reason...but I knew not to mess with a good rhythm once it was started. And that seems to be key for us. The nature walk, our 'walking circle time' gives us time to get out wiggles, spend time together, talk about the seasonal changes, talk about our day, play random music...etc. So that when we come home they are ready to sit and listen to me tell a story or read a book. Screens are NOT involved at all and I find that my particular brand of monkeys becomes uncontrollable and whiney if they have any screen time.

It's not easy every day. My eldest finds SOMETHING about his daily work that he hates...regardless of what it is. My two littlest ones seem devoted to taking apart the living room when I work with the eldest. Lunchtime seems to come too soon. But we get it done and they seem to be getting acclimated to this new way of doing the days.

[LuxPerpetua]

Originally Posted by mary3mama

Oh, and while we're on the 'screen' subject. Am I the only one that finds it completely annoying and irritating when a restaurant has tvs on all over the place, frequently with a different thing on each one?

I can't stand it and I tend to not go back to a restaurant again after that. One of the reasons we eat out when we do is to spend time together and having a screen flickering is so distracting!

I totally agree! I'm not even sure I understand the purpose of having those because usually the sound is turned down anyway. I try and avoid places like that myself. Urgh.

[mary3mama]

Recently we went to a restaurant we've been to several times before...it's just a little family diner. But they seated us in a different room than we'd been in before, and there was a tv suspended near our table. The sound was off and they had some sort of nature show playing. Even though I didn't like losing my family to the flickering toob, I thought, ok, at least it is not a horror movie or spongebob squarepants.

Two minutes later one of the hostesses saw my children looking up towards the tv and said, 'oh, let me turn on something for your kids to watch!' And before we could stop her, she got up on a chair and switched the channel....
to...you know you can see this coming...spongebob squarepants. Argh!

Thankfully our food came pretty quickly and I was able to re-engage my family in 'family time.'

Why do people see children and automatically think, 'here, let me put on some mindless animated drivel?'

Ok, sorry, there's my 'I hate tv' rant for the day.

[kittywitty]

I guess ages would make a difference! Mine are 8.5, 7.5, almost 5, and 1.5. So we are doing 3rd, 2nd, and Kindy (by request since her cousin is now in Kindy-which means reading books and doing crafts). We do lots of movement activities and EduK throughout the day b/c I have two kids with sensory issues and we need to do them a lot to center.

My 1yo we call Hurricane Ari if that gives you a feel to how it is with her around. She is very attention-grabbing and destructive. Love her to death but getting anything done with her around is nearly impossible. I've resorted to Dora videos just to get literally 5 minutes of quiet.

I think computer time is a big one-either me or the kids are usually on here. Getting rid of it entirely won't work in our family, but I think giving a strict limit and only at certain times will probably help.

We do go on a long daily walk before we do anything else. It seems to help vs. when we don't but today they just wanted to run two blocks ahead while I had an adventure walk planned and it was frustrating.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by mary3mama

Why do people see children and automatically think, 'here, let me put on some mindless animated drivel?'

I hate tv, too. But I'm fairly addicted to watching it in moderation. I think that attitude is one of "I don't want to hear your kids so I will zombify them". I hate tvs at restaurants, too. We don't have cable but rarely watch a movie during dinner very informally if it's been a really long hard day. But it makes me sad that so many families can't imagine turning off the drivel and having time together.

[eastkygal]

Personal Growth for Waldorf Mamas

I've decided to keep the discussion here for the personal growth topic as I haven't had a big response. It fits...
I'm working through Heaven on Earth, and Rhythm is my first area of concern in our house. We do okay, but not great. Bedtime is the worst. Very inconsistent and neither of my girls sleep enough. So, I'm starting there. 8pm is lights out. Tonight DD1 was asleep within 10 minutes of lights out. DD2 I rocked for 20 minutes, put her down to sleep, five minutes later she was awake again and in the living room next to me on the couch. This is the way it goes. DD1 still more often than not wakes in the night and comes to our room as well. I'm keeping with it though. I'm not giving up.

Also, taking joy in my homemaking is an area I need to work on bad. I resent cleaning mostly. I didn't have a healthy example of anyone doing it without it being some kind of obsessiveness with it or anger when I was a child. Now, I have looked at it as something in the way of me being able to work on my writing, or something I've viewed as more important. So, it's a bit about coming to terms with my role as wife and mother. Don't get me wrong. It's just I haven't wanted to put off other goals, but I am realizing I have to and should because they are taking time away from the proper care of my children and my home. So, finding joy in my homemaking and homesteading, instead of rushing through chores, and letting them make me angry. My children need a good example of meaningful work. Housework does have meaning. I've been blogging a bit about it.

That's it for now... I have a new 10pm bedtime too, so I'm out for tonight. I have to direct you to some photos of the girls' room sometime soon for ideas.