So, this is the area of the blog where I am going to be posting articles, quotes, things of interest about the topic of parenting.
During my time as a parent, I've looked at lots of different models of parenting, starting with the Gina Ford "Contented Baby" regime when Thaine was tiny (and I knew no better), moving through the Supernanny advice, viewing (with horror) the strict biblical discipline styles, and then finally, finding my home amongst the Waldorf schools of advice, where gentle parenting, attachment to the child, loving kindness and preservation of the magic of childhood were all esteemed.
I've also widely read up on the subject of unschooling and the style of parenting that accompanies this. Essentially, for those not familiar with the concept, it is about giving the child freedom, trusting that they are able to make the right choices, if left to make those choices and given loving guidance and supervision when necessary.
To read all the parenting articles: click on the label Parenting
I now find myself somewhere between the two. For various reasons, homeschooling and thus, unschooling is not the right option for our family, and as such we could never be strict unschoolers. Additionally there are certain parts of unschooling that I can find room for in my heart or my life, coming as I do from the Waldorf background, so there remains limited TV in our house (for all of us, the TV is rarely on in the day); we are committed to healthy living and health food choices, although we have many yummy treats, junk food and processed foods are not going to find a place in my home or my body.
In essence I seek to combine what I see as the best elements of these two theories. There are many overlaps between them, many points on which they concur, from respect for the child, to gentle treatment. Where there are differences, I follow my heart, my mumma instinct and I seek to be the best parent that I can be in the moment that I am in.
