Play for our young children

"2007, the state board of education endorsed an initiative known as Ready Schools that had at its center the idea that schools should be made ready for children, rather than insisting children be ready for school."

I look forward to when more people in our culture become awakened to the fact that young children need to play, more than any academic "instruction."

http://leaders.edweek.org/profile/steve-oates-assistant-superintendent-of-elementary-administration-early-childhood-education/?cmp=eml-enl-eu-news1

Monrovia

What makes Monrovia, CA special?  

There is a downtown strip with mostly small, local businesses. There is restaurants galore, from sushi, Thai, Indian, tacos, a few pubs, and our favorite family-run Mexican restaurant, Rudy's. Rudy and his wife, their children, and their loyal staff all offer friendly service in a family friendly atmosphere. And the food is good, too!  Then there is Dollmakers' Kattywompus, or as we call it, "the toy store." I've never met a woman more passionate about toys than Cindy. She finds classic and unusual toys to fill any curious kid's desire. The store also offers classes from felting to singing, and the whole family participates to run the operation: yet another example of a hard working family that contributes to this strong community.  The skate shop, bicycle shop, coffee shop, and our favorite boutique, Charlie's House, also have added to our family's enjoyment of Monrovia.

The Library offers weekly storytimes that have included lively finger plays, open-ended crafts that appeal to multiple ages, and lots of moms, dads, grandparents and strollers. The summer library programs include reading programs with fun prizes, Lego building evenings, and science experiments.  

Library Park is a central meeting place for kids and their caregivers. Our two sons and their babysitter went to Library Park weekly for 2+ years and made memories that will last for years. Sunday evenings in summertime, you will find hundreds of concert-goers with blankets and chairs in front of the library stage enjoying music and community. The library lawn regularly has people blowing bubbles, playing games, and running around enjoying themselves.

Last but certainly not least, our family's Friday ritual for more than 3 years has been to attend the town's Friday night street fair and farmer's market. Every Friday, year round (all year!), vendors line a 4-block section of Myrtle Ave and sell food, handmade items, and other fun stuff.  There are at least 2 areas with live musical entertainment and all evening there are plenty of people to watch every Friday night.  "Festival Friday" has been our family's weekly highlight for years. I can't think of a recent Friday when we haven't announced to the kids that it's Festival Friday! Usually, they already know.

I'm sure I'm missing loads of important details here, but if I don't publish this entry tonight I may never do it!

We will miss you dearly, Monrovia, California. We will never be the same after having lived here.

Moving

We are relocating from a town we have grown to love. Right after we moved to Monrovia, CA, I felt it was different than any other town in which I had lived. It feels like a small town where you really know your neighbors. I remember walking down Myrtle Avenue soon after we had moved to Monrovia, and people were so friendly. They asked about our baby (then only a few months old) and about our recent move from Florida. On one particular walk to downtown/Myrtle, we were admiring a pepper plant in someone's yard as we walked by...the man came outside to say hi and to tell us about the pepper plant! I've known many friendly people in my life so far. But I've never known a town as friendly as Monrovia, CA.

Gordon Neufeld

I've recently been enjoying a new Happy Place: me...at the dining room table...with a jigsaw puzzle and an inspiring, educational video. I'm expanding my mind and studying something that inspires my daily interactions with people. I love puzzles and I love learning new things and hearing new ideas!

My parenting this week has been inspired by several Gordon Neufeld videos I've watched on YouTube.  The following videos, especially, have helped me to be a better leader this week. They are short and straight forward. Perhaps you may enjoy watching them, too.

Provide a Sense of Rest and Safety

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sBg08G6f-Qo

Bring Relief from Alarming Feelings and Build Resilience https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xH-yCqFgEjo

Gentle, Confident Leader

I realized today that, while I give our children lots of attention and love, I have work to do in consistently being their gentle, calm leader. After a relaxing weekend full of birthday parties and connecting down time, today I found it easy to be a calm, gentle leader. 

When I said no, I meant it and I stuck to it. When I spoke out loud of a plan, I had already thought it through and made the decisions. Negotiation was attempted, and tears were shed, but through it all, I maintained that I was the grown-up in charge.

This strategy took us through even a successful visit to the dentist, and I was the patient. The boys were calm and patient, almost the entire hour of waiting. And they got to see my teeth in a whole new way!

I think my decisive leadership was well-received. I hope we can continue on this path.