Tag: parenting
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Wide Open Love
Hey there my child– There is nothing you can do or not do that will make me love you less. I will not steer your choices or your interests by showing more approval for you when you make a certain choice over another. You do not need to sculpt who you are into a version […]
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Joy Stepping Stones
Note to self: Do what excites you, they say, follow your bliss. Follow the fun, follow the Joy, do what delights you– is it as simple as it seems?— to know how to, to remember how to, to give yourself permission to: tune in to Your Joy (big and little, large and small) Remember who […]
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Manifesto
Hello All– We are a Radical Unschooling family— We Believe: Children are People, who deserve to be given care, respect, guidance, support, and connection. Children’s opinions and feelings are valid and valuable. One of children’s main purposes is to PLAY and be celebrated and supported in their play. Play is one bold way for them […]
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When the Walls Fall Down
13 years ago, at a Zen monastery in Japan, I found out I was pregnant. Makes a pretty good opening line to a story, doesn’t it? Haha! I had been living and training there for nearly 5 years. It was the day after our monthly osesshin (7 day retreat). My period was late. I was […]
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The Storm and the Ocean Mother
Come to me with all that you are, child. Show me how you feel with strength and boldness and wildness and clarity. I can hold it all, child. I can hold all of YOU. Show me what you feel and I will remain calm, huge, wide, caring. I will not be offended. I will not […]
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The Tiger-Roaring Rose Dance
I want to tell you a story about my daughter, Rose. She just turned 12 years old. I remember the day she was born. I remember before she was born, the fierce tiger longing in me to be the best, most loyal, loving, dedicated mama I could be to this creature I had yet to […]
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Chasing the Perfect Birthday
My sweet girl will be seven soon. I felt myself get choked up over that fact while eating a bowl of oatmeal this morning. But the reason my throat got caught with tears in the middle of breakfast wasn’t about her getting older. It wasn’t because I felt overwhelmed with the passage of time or […]
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Life Lessons from a 2 Year-Old
There are days when I want a break from everything. Like today, for example. When I want someone else to convince my two-year old to wear a diaper when we go out, because the resistance she puts up to it is LOUD, and I am out of creative ways to respond to her. And can […]
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Gratitude
Last weekend, the Roshi was on the island, Shodo Harada, a Zen teacher who is Japanese, 73 years old and maybe 5’3″. I lived and trained with him in Japan for roughly 5 years in between college and children. Usually when he comes, he offers a weeklong retreat which I am too steeped in motherhood […]
Sparkle and Zest 