In Joy Montessori

Tula - 22months - for posterity:
She sees my grandmothers glass Bluebirds of Happiness on a high shelf.
"Mama, I want to touch the bird up high"
So I pick her up, and
"I see the beak"
"Jay jay jay" (the sound we mimic for blue jays)
I say - it's a bluebird of happiness so it might say - "cheerup-cheer-cheer-cheerup" like a robin
She says "and it builds a nest" and after thinking for a minute "flies and gets paper and thread and brings it back" (mamas mind is blown)
Then she of course takes one to the sink - gets down the stool, a cloth, wets the cloth, and washes it (I hear all this from my spot on the bed)
She brings it back - did you wash it?
Her: "yes, the head, and the neck, and the tail, and the beak"
Love my little nature girl.

But let us strive to pour into a single soul the keen spirit of sacrifice of a scientist and the ineffable ecstasy of such a mystic, and we shall then have the perfect spirit of our “teacher.”

Dr. Maria Montessori

The Discovery of the Child
Montessori-Pierson, 2007. p 10

This is such an important and critical piece of Montessori parenting - of parenting at all - our children are learning from us - they have big feelings and if we don't teach them to feel them without shame, with out us taking it personally- we are at deep risk of damaging our relationship with them and their future relationships with others. Don't let social scrutiny deter you from letting your child be themselves and supporting them in that.

"My dad always let me feel what I needed to feel, even if it was in public and embarrassing. I don't remember him ever saying "You're embarrassing me!" or "Dont cry!" It wasn't until recently that I realized how paramount that was for my own emotional development. Our children are learning and processing so much information and they don't know what to do with all of these new feelings that come up. I try to remember to make sure my daughter knows it's OK that she feels deeply. It's not embarrassing to me when she throw tantrums in the grocery store, or screams on a plane. I'm her dad…not yours. Let's not be embarrassed for our children"

I tried to stay off social media yesterday to connect with my family without distraction so I'm posting this today. Emily took this in Whole Foods. It's now one of my favorite photos ever of me and my dad.
Two men, standing together in silence, forever bonded by an unconditional love for both each other and this brand new, raw and pure soul who we would both go to the ends of the earth for. I can only imagine how many times I did this when I was her age. My dad taught me so much about what it means to be a man, but this post is about one thing and one thing only. Being comfortable in the uncomfortable. Something I grew up watching him do with me over and over again. There are no perfect parents, but one thing my dad taught me is to not parent based on what anyone else thinks. My dad always let me feel what I needed to feel, even if it was in public and embarrassing. I don't remember him ever saying "You're embarrassing me!" or "Dont cry!" It wasn't until recently that I realized how paramount that was for my own emotional development. Our children are learning and processing so much information and they don't know what to do with all of these new feelings that come up. I try to remember to make sure my daughter knows it's OK that she feels deeply. It's not embarrassing to me when she throw tantrums in the grocery store, or screams on a plane. I'm her dad…not yours. Let's not be embarrassed for our children. It doesn't reflect on you. In fact.. we should probably be a little more kind and patient with ourselves too. If we got out everything we were feeling and allowed ourselves to throw tantrums and cry when we felt the need to then maybe we'd could also let ourselves feel more joy and happiness. And that is something this world could definitely use a little more of.

"The Child's parents are not his makers, but his Guardians" - Dr. Montessori

Thoughts 🌺🌻🌸🌼🍄

Looking for organic newborn Montessori Materials? Here's a great resource!

Baby Burrows - Materials for Optimal Infant Development by BabyBurrows Browse unique items from BabyBurrows on Etsy, a global marketplace of handmade, vintage and creative goods.

Voices tend to rise with emotions - here's what happens when we don't try to take a step back from that.

What You're Doing When You Yell At Your Kid Getting loud doesn't make children hear their parents any better.

As we grow as parents it is so important for us to learn to interpret behavior as communication, the range of emotions as normal and valid, and to respond instead of react. Always observing, being friendly with our errors and theirs, and leaving space for connection and reflection.

No one is perfect, and no relationship is either, but in order to cultivate healthy relationships we must see them as two way streets and offer our love in supportive ways.

Here's a great graphic of ideas and responses.

What you see in your child might not always be obvious.

Get a printable copy here as part 1 of the quick 3-part Behavior Workshop! http://learn.lemonlimeadventures.com/finally-understand-baffling-overreactive-behaviors/?ref=3

Some recycled item fine motor work -

While the world goes crazy, tonight I find quiet solitude gazing at our daughters space in our tiny living room by glowing rainbow lamps - and our book shelf by iridescent light.

Need these for home and classroom stat!

Books About Islam and Muslims For Preschool We are coming up to Ramadan, which falls during the actual school year for the first time in awhile, and I'm hoping that means there will lots of amazing conversations happening with your students about the world's second largest religion, its history, and the people who follow it. The ill

A lovely article about the genius of a lovely friend of mine!

A Deep Understanding When I became a mom, I realized that it takes a parent to understand a parent. I have been blessed to have a worldwide community of Montessori-trained friends who are navigating the same beautiful…