A weekly list of things I love and what’s going on with me.
This article on Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century pressed all my buttons–I recognize myself and our family a little too much in the descriptions, and it disturbs me.
Not that our house is super-cluttered, far from it. We can clean up pretty well when we are about to have guests over. But we are definitely missing some organizational systems to support our everyday lives and the things that matter to us. Part of that is just a lack of time to fully settle in, I moved in here in 2009 and we had Z in 2010, so we’ve been busy! But I would like to make some progress on this over the next few months.
On a related note, an update on Simplicity Parenting (the book) and simplicity parenting (not capitalized, just the concept): I mentioned here that I was excited to start reading Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids–but I still haven’t finished it. Usually I devour non-fiction books in a matter of hours, so it’s strange that I haven’t–but honestly, the writing leaves a little to be desired, so I’m admitting now that I have officially abandoned it.
Don’t get me wrong, I love love love the ideas presented, I just can’t get through the book even though I so wanted to. Anyone have a recommendation for something similar? It doesn’t have to be an official “Waldorf” book, just anything about how our home environments affect our children. I like everything from theory to concrete action steps, it just has to be a good (clear) read.
Also, just in case anyone is interested in Simplicity Parenting enough to attempt to get through the book–let me know and I’ll send it to you (in the US, at least).
And finally, no poo! I’m not talking about actual poo (although that might be an appropriate rallying cry for a parent-of-a-toddler)…I’m talking about going without commercial shampoo and conditioner. I have been no-poo for a while now, almost a year at least, and my hair feels and looks great.
This ebook is full of great information and natural beauty recipes–it was super-helpful and I highly recommend it! But I went even more basic, and only use baking soda and apple cider vinegar on my hair. I’ll do a post next week showing my system. It is super easy and cheap, and of course totally non-toxic.
What’s up with you this week? Do the descriptions of cluttered American homes push any of your buttons?…How’s your hair?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I just started doing no poo this week. Crazy that you posted this! My hair is a disaster, but I hear that is a phase. Fingers crossed.
Oh the Waldorf Books. Well, I’ve read my share. I actually found Simplicity Parenting to be the easiest read. The others I have read that you could try at the library are in order of liking: Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, You are your Child’s First Teacher, and Heaven on Earth. I also have a book called Natural Childhood that I really like. Lots of crafts, ideas, ect. (http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Childhood-Practical-Holistic-Developing/dp/0020207395/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343712290&sr=8-1&keywords=natural+childhood)
Another good checkout is Waldorf Education- A Parent’s Guide.
With all of these books I would check them out from the library to see what you think before buying. Just a suggestion on that.
Oooh! This is super-helpful Carrie Anne! Thank you! Going to the library website now to see if they have any of these….
And hang in there on the no-poo, it’s worth it I swear!
Thanks for the link to the article – very interesting! I like the correlation they found between the refrigerator and the rest of the home. My friends always comment on how “simple” or “tidy” my home is, and I do keep it picked-up because clutter makes me crazy, but just don’t look too closely at the floors! I seem to favor organization over actual cleanliness. Also, we’ve moved a few times during the last few years, and every time we purge all the things we don’t use, so as of right now we really are doing okay on possessions. I’m pretty notorious for putting toys into Goodwill piles regularly, too. Luckily my kids are too young to notice yet.
I used to be no poo! I don’t know what happened, I think I started alternating with using shampoo, then just liked the experience of using shampoo. But I have to wash my hair every day using shampoo, unlike no poo, so I’m just about ready to go back to that!
It’s funny, I am the same way–clutter brothers me to no end, but not actual dirt (well not as much!). My husband is the opposite–I’ll say “we need to clean!” and his response it to get out the vacuum, whereas I want to tackle the piles on the dining room table.
oh, books! I love Positive Discipline, for very good how-to’s, and also check out Everyday Blessings by the Kabatt-Zinn couple. good stuff.
Thanks Jess! I will check them out