Screened In Back Porch: parenting

Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Wild child

I like Anne Hart's blog: SouthernMamas.com. She always has the scoop on things to do in Savannah for families, and lots of other relevant content for moms. For example this post: Skidaway Island outdoor activities listed for this week.

Thanks, Anne, we're overdue for a trip to a state park - great listing!

I'm jump at an excuse to go in the woods, long ago realizing that city kids need their nature-time scheduled. Though it does feels odd to me, the same way playdates felt like an awkward way to socialize. But here in Savannah, we have no kid neighbors or cousins, and all our friends with children live in far-off areas of town. So we schedule free time for running around and playing pretend. And we schedule for trees and dirt.

Luckily, Savannah is tucked between a lot of wild environments. The beach landscape is a festival for the senses no matter how many times you experience it. And the marshy forests that bridge the barrier islands are dramatic and fertile. Skidway Island State Park has a trail we love to trek for our dose of moss-draped palms, muddy crab homes and a cycle of blooming brush.

It's too hot for the newborn and her milk supply to attend the events this weekend; but a springy, muscle-growing five-year-old is soon going to spend his days in a kindergarden classroom, now is the perfect time for a wilderness visit with dad.

Related: Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder if you're not already inspired to make sure kids you know get their regular diet of nature, this book will remind you of the importance of spending time under the trees.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Best Parenting or New Mom Book?

As a book lover convinced that all questions and problems can be discovered through careful research and reading, when I had my first child I spent a lot of time finding books to help guide my parenting strategies.

The Baby Book by William Sears is one of my top recommendation to new parents. The first time I heard the term "nighttime parenting" was from this book. Not only did Dr. Sear's advice affirm my instincts that babies needed attention and love not just in the day, but also through the night. But he gave real strategies for making this time more loving and relaxing for both mom (dad) and baby.

There is a lot of practical advice in the book, dealing with bathing baby, immunizations, personality types, etc. It's a go-to sort of manual that works like the Dr. Spock books of an earlier generation. It's hard to imagine how many little questions you'll have throughout the early years, but it's nice to have a place to find answeres. By the time I was ready to pass my original copy on to friends, it was well-worn and only a bit stained with pureed carrots.

I'm always looking for more smart books about raising kids. Especially now that we've entered the school-age years, I'd love to find some good books for that age group.

Please share your recommendations!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Book for parenting elementary age to teen age kids

I was surprised to like this book. Sometimes when parenting books seem ultra-modern (lots of chapters about texting and Facebook) I think they're out of touch with some core values and ideas about human behavior.

Childhood Unbound has been a refreshing read. Although our kids aren't even in first grade yet, Ron Taffel is preparing us for the teen years. He calls the children of today the "freest generation" and notes that while the classic generation gap has disappeared, young people today are increasingly savvy to the apathy and in-authenticity from their parents. He calls on parents to stop over-protecting kids from sincere reactions and emotions, and says to be direct and 'real' will speak louder than all the psychological tricks taught in the other books.

I really enjoyed Taffel's advice to notice and protect your children's natural conversation style and space. My son likes to open up about school and his questions about life at bedtime. Now making sure we have plenty of relaxed time for these conversations before sleep is my goal. Instead of pestering kids for information when they're not wanting to talk, watch for the time when they're willing and eager to share.