BEDTIME(A poem for the end of the day)
The evening is coming, The sun sinks to rest; Straight home to the nest. "Caw!" says the rook, as he flies overhead; "It's time little people were going to bed!" The flowers are closing; The daisy's asleep; The primrose is buried In slumber so deep. Shut up for the night is the pimpernel red; It's time little people were going to bed! The butterfly, drowsy, Has folded its wing; The bees are returning, No more the birds sing. Their labour is over, their nestlings are fed; It's time little people were going to bed! ~Thomas Hood
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Childhood Memories and Thoughts on Parenting in a Difficult Time
By Anne McCarthy Lately, I find myself pondering what memories my daughters will have of their childhood when these days of magic and play have become past. What will they remember of their Dad, of me, their grandparents, of family and friends we hold dear, of places we spend our time? Or more specifically and in the spirit of the time: What will they remember of this strange episode we’re living through, where things fluctuate between feelings of paradise on the one hand—long wanders through the hills, family togetherness, morning to evening play outside— to a subtle but pervasive anxiety on the other. All this raises yet other questions for me: Am I doing a good job at this parenting thing? Am I shouldering the burden for my children in a way that allows them to stay light and (relatively) worry-free in a time of crisis and isolation? To ground myself, I think back to my own childhood—to my favorite memories of a time where someone else carried the weight of the world for me. For me the best way in are olfactory memories, those linked to very specific smells. Many of these memory triggers I know and seek, others are unexpected memory gifts, that instantly and out of nowhere transport me to a different time and place. Growing up in Europe, where food is tradition, food is family and love, many of my triggers are of course food related: onion frying in butter is the quintessential “dinner is cooking” smell that conjures up feelings of comfort and memories of a family gathered to talk and eat (now add mushrooms to that, and we’re going places); bone broth simmering on my stove puts me right into my Oma’s kitchen where good food was always just a spoon away, served up with stories and laughter. Okay now I’m getting hungry… Nature smells are of course the next big memory train ticket: apple blossoms, lilac, hay meadows, sweet grass and wet leaves, to only name a few of my very, very favorites. These scents I hold dear, they are my keys to a treasure chest of memories locked deep inside, waiting to be opened when I most need it: At times like now, that feel so surreal and strange, when grounding is needed to preserve my sanity. Undoubtedly my kids will have other smells to guide them back: maybe rain and sage, woodsmoke, dusty juniper? Their bone broth scent memory will perhaps remind them of how I make them smell the pot and say “It smells just like Uroma’s kitchen” … who knows? After going on that journey I feel much better. It seems as long as there is good food, ample time outdoors and love my kids will be just fine—filling their treasure chests not with a perfect parent or a perfect world, but instead with a deep sense of belonging: belonging to family, to community, to nature, to this Earth. Now I’m off to my kitchen to cook up some memories and breathing much easier. What smells trigger your favorite childhood memories? What do you remember of times spend outdoors growing up? Have you ever climbed a tree? Picked berries? Waded a creek? Buried yourself in a pile of leaves? Remember what that smelled like? hmmm.... Did you know there is a moth in Madagascar
that drinks the tears of sleeping birds? This moth is called, Hemiceratoides hieroglyphica Parent Survival Kit Resources, Links and Stuff to Support Parent Survival "We Got This!"
Cherish Bedtime... Pro-tip#1 It's been said that being at home with the young ones can make days feel like years and years feel like days. At bedtime, make an agreement with yourself to cherish what sometimes feels like a daunting chore...bedtime. Tell yourself, It's not forever, it's just for now. If you are calm, instead of preparing for a power struggle, you might find peace in the process (I know, easier said then done, but give it a try). Heather Boyd, OT is a wonderful resource for parenting and sleep. Here's her link: https://www.heatherboyd.org/blog Check her out on facebook as well. Want to create ritual at bedtime? Pro-tip #2 - Use "The Rose and the Thorn" practice of sharing what was the best part of your day and what was the hardest(not to be confused with the worst). Light a little candle with your child, allow each person to share the rose and the thorn of the day, then have the child blow out the candle and crawl into bed. ZZZzzzz.... Pro-tip#3 Use the personal bedtime story written above ;) or the Bedtime poem read out loud once young ones are tucked in. If you need any specific survival tips, feel free to email us, we got your back! Your Child’s Personal Bedtime Story
By Heather Young As a bedtime story for your child, recollect the activities of his/her day in a story format. Begin the story with descriptions of your child, the main character. “Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved to collect rocks and climb trees. She lived with her mama, her daddy, and her baby sister in a little blue house with a big oak tree in the front yard….etc.” Continue with a retelling of the story of your child’s day, including as many details big and small about what happened that day as you can recall. Amplify the goodness that the day held. Your child will have fun adding what she remembers and correcting you when your re-telling does not match her recollection. End the story with what is happening now, e.g., the child is safe and warm and is getting tucked into bed with snuggles and hugs by her mama/daddy who loves her more than anything in the whole wide world. Children love to be the main character of a story. It makes them feel seen and heard. In fact, no matter our age, ordering the events of the day by recalling them at bedtime and feeling the fact that we are here, at the end of our day, safe and warm in bed, with all that we need in this moment, is a soothing way to end the day. When you look really closely, all mirrors
look like eyeballs. What room can no one enter? A mushroom What kind of hair do oceans have? Wavy What fish only swims at night? A star fish What invention lets you look right through a wall? A window By Tyler Starbard, Dandelions teacher
Take a look at all the various pieces of debris on the ground around you somewhere outside. Notice how many there are, and all of their shapes, sizes and types. Now seek to rearrange them to build a face. At first you may just see sticks, pebbles, leaves, and seeds; but suddenly an eyeball pops out at you, then a second, and probably a third if you are aiming to create a triclops. Before long you are intently scanning for that perfect smile shaped twig or the right material to use as hair, along the way you may pause to say hi to brother ant and might even get down on your knees for a closer look. The pieces come together and take on an earthen character, and just like that you’ve built new relationships with the world around you. The Elm tree becomes the Eyeball Seed Tree and the name opens a deeper relation to that species. Empathy then grows for the often overlooked tiny pieces of Earth. Enjoy the simple details in a creative new way. This activity makes both you and the face you have built smile. Express yourself and let your child take interest through seeing the fun in turning rocks into noses! Now I Know My ABC's... Pro-tip#1 Pause to remember your ABC's Awareness ~ Breath ~ Connection A is for Awareness - Become aware of what is here in this moment through all your senses. 1) Outside your body - What do you see? Hear? Feel? Smell? Taste? 2) Where your body and the outer world make contact - Where is your body making contact with physical support? (e.g. the ground beneath your feet, the chair you are sitting on). 3) Inside your body - When you sense internally, what sensations do you notice? B is for Breath - Where is your breath moving your body? What are the sensations and qualities you sense in your breath in this moment? In what ways does your breath respond when you bring your awareness to stimuli from outside your body, points of contact between your body and the outer environment, and inside your body? C is for Connection - Connect with feeling contact with what's supporting you. Connect with your breath. Connect the outer with the inner and notice how they affect one another. Connect with any other resources you have for feeling grounded, connected, supported. From this more resourced place, connect with the person you are with. ~By Heather Young Want to improve your mental and physical health? Pro-tip #2 - Laugh At Yourself! The benefits of laughter are instantaneous. Research shows it greatly reduces stress and strengthens your immune system in the process. Laughter reinforces social bonds and is essential for survival. In an article by John Haltiwanger published in Elite Daily, Haltiwanger states: "Laughter sets the spirit free through even the most tragic circumstances. It helps us shake our heads clear, get our feet back under us and restores a sense of balance. Humor is integral to our peace of mind and our ability to go beyond survival. Laughter is vital to our sanity and longevity!" In honor of the poets, we will share a poem in each issue through the month of April. If you would like us to post a poem or drawing by you or your family, please send us an email! Thank you :) IF YOU FIND A LITTLE FEATHER
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AuthorWild Roots staff authors include Erin Boehme, Lia Grippo, CJ Cintas, Anne McCarthy, Tyler Starbard, Jenn Sepulveda, Heather Young, Amalia Smith Hale, Natalia Pareja... Archives
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