How do you incorporate the Waldorf "way" into your home? Your life, your possessions? Do you throw out all your plastic? I'm having problems finding a site that gives ideas on how to incorporate Waldorf into everyday life (aside from kids' stuff).

I have thrown out a lot of the kids plastic, but I can't bear to part with it all. My frugal side won't let me. I'm not going to throw out a plastic Fisher Price parking garage I got at Goodwill for $3 just so I can replace it with a wooden parking garage costing $35. Especially when my kids still write on their toys, LOL.

And I use tupperware. And plastic bathroom accessories.

Basically, I'm looking for ideas, links to websites (except for waldorfresources, I've got that one bookmarked, but it seems geared towards kids issues). Thanks!

there's a lot of good stuff to read at http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com You don't have to homeschool to find useful info there.

I would venture a guess that most people that try to incorporate waldorf philosophies into their lifestyle still have some plastic in their home. I generally don't buy plastic toys (I prefer more natural toys for a few different reasons) but we have a few. Ds got a magnadoodle for Christmas (he enjoys writing on things that he shouldn't) and dd received an Ello set....both from the ILs. Aside from the fact that they are plastic I can't see any reason to object so I don't.

edited to add...IMO it isn't an "all or nothing" kind of thing. If some waldorfy things appeal to you then incorporate them. If some seem a bit much to you, ignore them. No one's keeping score as far as I know. :)

I love classic, natural toys and we have many lovely things that have lasted for years. My mother bought my almost 15 yr old the wooden Julianna's Kitchen from the old Hearthsong catalog the Christmas he was 18 mos. All 4 of my children have played with that, and it is prob my 4 yr old's fav toy. So, if you do start adding that kind of thing to your home, they are heirlooms- your money will be well spent. We have a nature table, we have silks, natural art materials etc.

However, I am not sure how to completely eliminate plastic toys as they get older, nor am I sure I would want to. I may not love millions of lego or playmobil everywhere, but they are also classic toys that have stood the test of time. (I won't complain again about the talking neo pets. :rolleyes: my two middle children seem to be getting a kick out of, or the bionicles they are playing with right this second lol ). I try to be very respectful of my kids play and play 'tools'.

I particularly like the rhythm & pace of waldorf. I like that play is so important and letters and numbers in the early years are put on hold. Of course I would respect if a child of mine wanted that at an early age. but I like that childhood is seen as time of peace and play.

Laurie

Im glad you posted this question mama. I too would like to incorporate more of a Waldorf style into our everyday life. I found some great books on Waldorf preschool activities and planned to order them but now can't find where it was. I want to start now while the kids are still young so it becomes "a way of life".

If I find the names of the books I will post again.
Good luck,

Christine

We have a lot of natural toys and plaything, however we have not completely eliminated plastics from our house. We do have a plastic barn that the girls love, and we'll keep that until we can replace it with a wooden one...

We've set up our playroom so we have most of the toys on wooden shelves and in baskets. I also have little baskets filled with acorns and pinecones and balls of yarn to play with.

We try to have a nice rhythm to our day. We do a morning circle with verses and so on. We try to bake and paint regularly.

I agree with Dannielle, in that it is not necessarily an all or nothing day... I doubt we'll ever get to a point where we have only natural material in our house, but we do what we can, when we can...

And I have found a wealth of info at www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com

nak-but i'll try. for us, a lot of it is a simple recognition of nature's bounty and the rhythmic cycle of life. we bake together, take walks together, garden together and always eat breakfast and dinner together. we focus a lot on simple values and responsibilities. we try to teach respect for mother earth above all. but we are neither a quiet nor a serious household. it is all a matter of degree. when the boys were little, we had virtually no tv. but dh and i have always loved computer games. the boys watch some pretty wild tv (more along the lines of the simpson than mindless cartoons, although some of that creeps in, sadly) and we all have evil, goofy senses of humor. we are as likely to play nintendo games together as sit down and read together -- and although part of me doesn't like that, i think it's quality family time when we're all together laughing.

we aren't big on plastic. we use cloth napkins, china at dinner and real glasses. i don't have alot of plastic toys, but i don't mind a few barbies, althouogh i've banned all the barbie "goodies" and ellie knows she can play with the dolls, but all that little junk goes straight into the trash. and the kids clearly prefer stuff like wood blocks, books, playsilks, swinging from the trees, lol, etc to whatever junky stuff makes its way in.

do you waldorf school? it's fun to get ideas from other families and incorporate them however it works best in your lives. i generally bake our bread and cook completely from scratch, but, ssshhhhh! i also make lots of sweets which is definitely not waldorfy.

this is how i've lived pretty much my whole life except for a couple of post law school years when i was dreadfully materialistic. it's not purist, and would probably offend some people who followed anthroscopy strictly, but the way i look at it, it is a matter of what works for my family and makes us happy. and although i would happily chuck everything and live on a farm, and grow my own food and make all of our clothes, dh has a foot in the world and likes his computer games and that really doesn't bother me at all.

this would be a fun ongoing discussion, of things we incorporate into our lives that help us feel more in sync with the rhythm of nature around us. since we've spent the morning planting trees (dh's christmas present to me!) and doing some artwork together (i left that out, but painting and crafting together is a big deal in our house) i am feeling very in touch with my inner goddess right now, lol.

Originally posted by elliebelly
i generally bake our bread and cook completely from scratch, but, ssshhhhh! i also make lots of sweets which is definitely not waldorfy.



Actually, Steiner felt that most kids should have sugar - puts some fat on them, gives them some energy and enlivens them up a bit. I'd look for the passage right now, but, we have a house full of relatives right now.



I found that having a Waldorfy house was a gradual process. We discovered Waldorf about 9 yrs ago. The more we incorporated Waldorf into our lifestyle, the more our house changed. And, it is important to remember that there is not one, correct, "Waldorf-y" way to decorate a house or raise your kids. As long as you are guided in your heart and mind by the Waldorf/Anthroposophical ideas of how your children grow and develop you will develop your own Waldorf-y ways for your home and family. (I hope that made sense.....)

Originally posted by )O(Meeshi)O(
We have a lot of natural toys and plaything, however we have not completely eliminated plastics from our house. We do have a plastic barn that the girls love, and we'll keep that until we can replace it with a wooden one...

We've set up our playroom so we have most of the toys on wooden shelves and in baskets. I also have little baskets filled with acorns and pinecones and balls of yarn to play with.

We try to have a nice rhythm to our day. We do a morning circle with verses and so on. We try to bake and paint regularly.

I agree with Dannielle, in that it is not necessarily an all or nothing day... I doubt we'll ever get to a point where we have only natural material in our house, but we do what we can, when we can...

And I have found a wealth of info at www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com

Meeshi,

Can you share more on your morning circle with verses? I'm curious for more iinfo on that!

I agree about doing what you can when you can. We finally have more natural and open-ended toys than non-natural and restricted ones, but it has taken a number of years to get there, KWIM? And we still have the plastic little tykes kitchen....waiting until we can replace it with one that my dh can build. (hopefully this summer)

But, I have need for a LOT of improvement in many ways and areas, just taking it step by step.

Anyway, Meeshi, can you share more about your daily circle and verse time? I am hoping it is tied into your spiritual path. I'm having a difficult time finding daily ritual ideas with children now that I am not longer in a organized religion, KWIM?

You can PM me if you want so I don't de-rail this thread, I do really want to get your suggestions.

Michelle

We do a morning circle with finger plays, songs, and verses as well as verses for bedtime, clean up, meals, etc. We also sing the same "good morning" song as each person wakes up. I pull together verses for circles, etc and we repeat the same ones for a few weeks or even a couple months. Some of the verses I choose are seasonal. Some are just cute/fun. Some relate to our Christian faith.

:)

I'd like to hear more about the daily routine, too, as well as verses.

Originally posted by Momof6
Meeshi,

Can you share more on your morning circle with verses? I'm curious for more iinfo on that!

I agree about doing what you can when you can. We finally have more natural and open-ended toys than non-natural and restricted ones, but it has taken a number of years to get there, KWIM? And we still have the plastic little tykes kitchen....waiting until we can replace it with one that my dh can build. (hopefully this summer)

But, I have need for a LOT of improvement in many ways and areas, just taking it step by step.

Anyway, Meeshi, can you share more about your daily circle and verse time? I am hoping it is tied into your spiritual path. I'm having a difficult time finding daily ritual ideas with children now that I am not longer in a organized religion, KWIM?

You can PM me if you want so I don't de-rail this thread, I do really want to get your suggestions.

Michelle

I'd like to hear more about routines and verses too! I know soooo little about Waldorf yet, but I'm eager to learn.

Thanks,
Shelly

I have two dinner time 'prayers' that we say when we light a candle

We gather 'round this table
Our bodies are renewed
Our hearts appease their hunger
For we feast on more than food


May faith in the spirit of life
And hope in the community of earth
And love of the sacred in ourselves and each other
Be ours this day and in all the days to come
(This one is also good at bedtime or in the morning- this is our affirmation at our UU church that we 'borrowed")

I also say (more like chant) this one to whoever will listen in the morning. (which I changed and ripped off of a spring pentatonic song)

Wake up , wake up
all you little children
Sun light sky bright
Morning time has come

I work at a Waldorf school. I am the Parent & Infant teacher, and I run the After-Care Program, and sub in all of the grades and kindergartens. My daughter also goes to the school I work at. I love my job! I've been in many Waldorf homes and I can tell you that most are similar to a lot of my other friends homes. Many have t.v.s and plastics in them. The Waldorf homes usually have a nature table and more wooden or hand-made toys. I know that one thing that is stressed is that the child or children have one or two high quality, hand-made toys versus many toys that mass produced (plastics). This is for several reasons- first many of the plastic toys over stimulate children with all the lights and noise- imo these talking, flashing toys somewhat contribute to the higher rates of inability to concentrate in children- ADHD/ADD-like symptoms. I think it's just too much for them, but I know other people have other opinions on this, it's just mine. Another reason to limit the toys is that children with less toys tend to use their imaginations more and are involved in more creative play with natural objects they find outside. I can't tell you how amazed I still get when I see little fairy dolls made from leaves and sticks!
Plastic toys emit gasses, although you can buy some now without the chemicals, I know in my program we really advocate toys as close to nature as possible and plastics aren't that way.

Waldorf toys are expensive, but they are also very easy to make. Playsilks are super easy to make and you can get supplies from www.DharmaTrading.com or www.thaisilks.com . Plus it's a great activity for you to do with your children.

I just learned how to make Waldorf dolls and I think they are fairly easy to make, especially if you have someone show you how to do it. You can order kits from www.joysdolls.com or from www.magiccabin.com ( I think that is the site url- its Magic Cabin).

Bean bags are very easy to make and babies and kids love them!

I personally don't have much plastic in my home, but it has more to do with being a potter than it does with being into Waldorf philosophy. You were asking about incorporating more "Waldorf ways " into your house without spending a lot of money? You could try Goodwill and The Salvation Army. I always see pottery dishes there, nice baskets, ect. there and it doesn't cost a whole lot. You could go slow- buy a ceramic mug and get rid of a plastic cup as you can. Another way to add more of a Waldorf element to your home is to paint it! Steiner said that children need to have certain colors surrounding them- for instance younger children need warm colors- yellows and oranges. These colors help to relax children- I know it seems opposite but it has to do with the complimentary color effect. Older children should be in blue or green rooms. I love the lazure paiting style. It's so gorgeous. I want to do my bathroom and my studio in this style!. Here are a few links:

http://www.lazurebylogsdon.com/ -- this site tells you about the effects this kind of painting can have on your home and health.

http://www.lazurepainting.com/upgrade/aboutlazure.html

http://www.lazurepainting.com/upgrade/moods2.html -shows interior space done with this method. I love the playroom and the draping fabric!

http://www.lazure.com/

You don't have to necessarily use lazure paint to get the effect at your house. I think at our school they mixed clear glaze with acrylic paints and sponged it on. If I have time when I go back to school, I will take a pic of my room. These are sooo beautiful.

Here are my favorite sites for general waldorf info:

http://www.bobnancy.com/bobnancy.html

http://www.waldorfworld.net/

http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/sitemap.htm

http://www.anthroposophy.net/

Another decorating idea is to drape cotton guaze on your ceilings, or as a border around the ceiling and wall line, or as drapery for windows. We use guaze in every room, but especially in the early childhood rooms.


Oh and here is an EXCELLENT resourse for stories and poems for circle time. It's has Waldorf books online for free, typed out by volunteers. I'm working on one right now for the site, if you can type fast I highly encourage you to volunteer, it's such a great resourse! It's called the Baldwin Project:

http://www.mainlesson.com/main/displayarticle.php?article=christmas


An excellent book is called The Incarnating Child- I can't rememeber the author but you should be able to find it at amazon.com.


If you'd like additional ideas for songs or rhymes for transition times or ideas for decorating, feel free to pm me. HTH!

Whoops! Sorry, I never came back to this thread!!

When we do our morning circle, I light a candle and we stand in a circle (or triangle, becuase there's three of us) and do our morning verses. There's are *so* many different verses, I couldn't possibly type out all of them.

One we do every morning, though is a little salute to the sun. There are actions that we do along with it as well.

I am the Mother Sun
I carry the Earth through all the night, and through the morning's birth.
I hold her safely and upon her do shine.
So all that is living can grow up fine.
Human and animal, flower and stone,
All share the light from me alone.
Open your heart like a little cup.
With my bright light I shall fill it up.
Open your heart, child so dear,
that we may become one light here.


Kaya's favorite verse is:

Chickadee, chickadee
Flitting through the snowy tree.
With you cap and scarf of black,
sweater grey upon your back.
You're warm and happy in the snow,
and when I hear your call I know,
My little friend has come to say that
Wintertime is fine for play!
I know that the www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com site has a bunch of verses.

bad kayasmommy! now i am wanting to repaint my whole house. you are a very bad influence mama, lol. thanks for all the links.

i want to be you when i grow up! my goal in life is to train to teach at a waldorf school when my kids are older. (but then you know that already)

lol...I knew better than to click on those lazure painting links!

I plan on doing something similar when dh finished with the basement...we'll have a big play/school room that I want to paint with a blend of warm colors.

I would love a whole houseful of walls painted that way but dh would never go for it.

I love that lazure painting, that's really great. I'm going to have to read more about it.

Thanks for all the great info.

Thank you!! All of you mamas. :)

You all gave me the energy to finally finish a book I've been reading slowly that has Steiners lectures (some of them) in it.

We have a playroom with drab walls that I need to paint too!!!

Thank you all for inspiring me.

Hugs,

Michelle

I am so mad at myself. I bought "Children at Play" new at half.com, then when I went to read it over the weekend I can't find it! I called the library to see if I had accidentally returned it with my books, but they said no. I am bummed. I probably tossed it with the paper.
I am definitely going to get started on circle times and singing, along with our bread/cookie making. Tonight we're making a cheese ball - does that count? LOL.


Melanie

Joyce, Someday you are going to make an awesome Waldorf teacher!

I think that the school gets their wall paint from Paper Stone and Scissors -it's 5 am and I'm not thinking straight but it is something like that. It is listed in their catalog as paint that you can use for walls when mixed with a glaze. I think it was somewhat reasonable. I can barely look at those links either! It's such a beautiful style of painting!

Some girlfriends and I are planning a "lazure painting co-op" of sorts. We're gonna hire a local lazure artist to teach us the basics (while we paint one mama's playroom) and then we're going to help each other paint one room in each of our houses. We'll see how it goes. I am so excited to learn. I'll try to post some pictures as the process moves along. Hopefully we'll all have some beatiful rooms when we are all finished. :)

I found the site I was trying to remember. It is, www.rosiehippo.com

They have a wonderful collection of books. And awsome toys.

Christine

Hi, everyone! This is a great thread and I'm responding mainly so that I won't lose it, hehe. I don't have time to read everyone's post thoroughly right now, so I want to come back to it later.

I just wanted to say that I feel it's more about what you do than what you have , KWIM? I think some of the other mamas have elaborated on this with their activities such as circle time, saying grace at mealtimes, etc. Having a nature table has made a big difference in our home.

I think generally trying to simplify, create beauty and peace in your home, create meaningful rituals and routines, both daily and seasonal, all contribute greatly to realizing a "Waldorf" vision of home life. You don't need to have all natural toys or eliminate plastic completely, but those things may be long-term goals to work towards.

One more thing, when Lucy was about a year old we stopped watching TV while she is awake. I wish we'd done it sooner, but I don't beat myself up over it. It has done a lot to bring more peace to our home. And we're not super-strict about it, either, once in a great while the TV is on a little bit while she's awake, but this is rare. We hardly ever watch TV and it's been very good for us.

I wanted to add a little something about waldorf toys. I often hear/read people say that they think waldorf toys are lovely but they're too expensive and they could never afford all natural toys. If you are trying to create a more "waldorf" home life that is simply not true. The goal behind toys is not merely for them to be natural but for a child's play area to be mindfully simple...free of the clutter of an over-abundance of toys. A few, well chosen natural toys go a long, long way.

Also, while Magic Cabin, Hearthsong, Rosie Hippo, etc have some wonderful toys it is very possible to outfit a child's play area with beautiful toys without ever ordering from any of them.

I HIGHLY reccomend the book Toymaking With Children by Freya Jaffke. It really opens your eyes to the possibilies of sticks, yarn, pinecones, seashells, an odd piece of wood, etc. It shows how to make a variety of simple dolls, puppets, and marionettes. It shows how to carve dishes, bowls, spoons and scoops, and some animals. It shows how to knit some animals. It shows how to make wonderful blocks from logs and sticks. And more. (it also shows children playing with these items)

Playsilks are wonderful but cotton is also a natural material. Hemmed edges are nice but children don't care if the edges fray a little. Many things (baskets, wooden bowls, tablecloth turned playcloth, fancy doilies, a little vase for yard picked flowers, odd metal trays, little brass bells, etc) can be found very,very inexpensively at thrift stores. Or, if you really like the look of playsilks but find them outside your budget go to www.dharmatrading or www.thaisilks and order some blanks and dye them with simple kool-aid. Metal cookware (small pots, whisk, spoons, etc) can often be found at dollar stores for little money.

Playstands are a great versatile thing. Many mamas here have shown that they are easy to make for not a ton of money.

There are free instructions posted on the sewing/crafty FAQ section for nature table dolls, bendy fairies, wool balls, bendy mermaids, crocheted kittens and chickens. The materials for these are not very expensive. When you pay someone else to make them you are mostly paying for their time.

The same goes for Waldorf dolls. They take quite a bit of time to make. They are not overly difficult. Many mamas here have shown the dolls they've made their children. Their first attempts are wonderful. They may not be 100% perfect but it's the imperfections that give a doll personality.

A basket can be a doll cradle.

Also, how many dolls does a child need? Do they need a new doll every Christmas and birthday or is it prefferable to have one or two...maybe 3 (acquired over the span of their childhood)...dolls that the child has had a real chance to bond with? (just some food for thought...)

Fancy wooden play food is nice but not essential to waldorf play. REAL beans and pasta work well. As do acorns, chestnuts, fruit pits, small pinecones, rocks, etc. It's very easy to create some simple fruits and veggies from felt or wool. My kids can often be found *cooking* a beanbag.

Anyone can make finger puppets. The can be knitted, crocheted, made from scrap fabric. The easiest to make are from felt. Get the kids involved in making some finger puppets.

Anyway, my point is that waldorf toys are not necessarily expensive. Most are simple to make or gather. We add a few choice purchased (or traded for) pieces at birthdays and holidays but by and large most things here are handmade or from the thrift store.

And if the thought of making something completely overwhelms you...come hang out at the sewing or crafty board. We're all learning new skills every day. It's all a process...a pretty fun process at that! And there's always someone to guide you if you get stuck and pat you on the back when you've finished. :D

edited to add: I'm sick and fuzzy brained so if this come across as pushy I don't mean for it to be. If you're happy with a house full of plastic toys...great. I'm happy for you. No judgements from me. But if you're looking to slant your homelife the waldorf way I just wanted to point out that it's not a requirement to spend a ton of money on fancy toys.

bump-cuz I spent a lot of time typing that all out and more people need to read it. ROFL! (maybe even respond...) :p

Danielle,

thanks for taking the time time to share your thoughts. you have given me much to think about.

LOL! You didn't *really* have to respond. I was just being a pitb. :)

Danielle,
Can you help me find the sewing/crafty FAQ section.
Thanks:)

Great post Dannielle! :)

sure :)

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=79

at the bottom right corner there's a drop-down menu that says "last 5 days"...change it to "the beginning" and click "go". Then all the posts will show.

danielle, thank you, that was a very thought provoking post. and thanks to whomever started this thread it has really given me pause. I am sitting here wondering how to compromise, I prefer natural toys when possible, but Robyn (almost 6) loves tiny things, polly pocket type things, small small accessories, not neccessarily small -bendy type-dolls. I guess I will try balance for now. or maybe she just needs more bendy tyoe dolls? hmmmmm
anni

Did someone already send this to Margaret to be saved?

Thanks!

A book I would suggest reading is Work and Play in Early Childhood, by Freya Jaffke. Each time I read it I get more out of it. Maybe for yourself, Homemaking as a Social Art- Creating a Home for Body, Soul and Spirit by Veronika van Duin. How you take care of yourself and your home is very important in creating a "waldorf" home. Child live in imitation, strive to be worthy of imitation, as I am sure you are. But really what does that mean?
If I just have moments each day that I can say yes, I am worthy, I feel I am doing my job right.
Spend as much time as you can being totally present in the moment with your children.
(gosh, don't mean to get all preachy)
trisha

This thread is really turning into a great resource for parents who are Waldorf homeschooling or trying to incorporate more "Waldorf ways" into their homes!

I've been reading this book- I can't find it right now to get the exact title and author but I'll look later and post it. It's about Waldorf philosophy as it relates to parenting children 0-7yrs. It talks about the high importance of rhythm and ritual in the home and the place of the mother and father. There is such an importance placed on children being able to play freely and creativley and also on the parents being role models- so it is good to have the children playing while the parents go about doing "adult work" . I think, truely, that a Waldorfy home is based more on ideas and practice than what it looks like, although there are very valid points for the natural environment and toys! I don't know if I'm typing this out very mindfully right now, I certainly don't want to sound like a know-it-all on Anthroposophy because I'm just getting started on learning about it and my gosh it's a very vast subject, lol. I think to try to think of all the things you could or should do is fruitless. I personally try to really work on the rhythm and natural balance of the day. I follow a pretty loose parenting style, what I mean is that I don't have my kids on very tight schedules and I'm pretty spontaneous naturally, BUT my kids both thrive on rhythm to the day- even if it is loose. I think someone else might have said it already or I read it in my book but the rhthym really could be as simple as Monday is baking day, Tueday is Nature Walk day, Wednesday is Natural Crafts day, ect. and added with a morning circle and lots of singing throughout the day. Children remember the days by what they do and they look forward to them and come to trust in their schedule and it can be very beneficial for them in their physical, spiritual,and intellectual growth.

Edited because I wanted to add some songs we sing at school and at home!

At snack and lunch, we sing or recite one of these:

The earth has felt the sunshine, the flowers open forth and I sing to you a song of joy for all that lives upon the earth. The birds, the beasts, the flowers, and I sing to you a song of gratitude for all that lives upon the earth.

Or

Thank you for all my hands can hold,
Apples red and melons gold,
Yellow corn both good and sweet,
Peas and beans so good to eat.


And this is one of my favorite songs that honors all four seasons. It's from Sing a Song of Seasons by Mary Thienes-Schunemann ( A Naturally You can Sing production).

This is my trunk, I'm all tall, tall tree. In the spring-time the blossoms bloom on me, they o-pen, they o----pen.

This is my trunk, I'm all tall, tall tree. In the summer the breezes blow through me. I b-end. I b---end.

This is my trunk, I'm a tall, tall tree. In the autumn the apples fall from me. They d-rop. They d---rop.

This is my trunk, I'm a tall, tall tree. In the winter the snowflakes fall on me. They f-all. They f--all.

And also from the same book, a song that I wish would happen around here soon, lol.

Winter goodbye,----winter goodbye, --- You may no longer---stay, Springtime is on it's---way, Winter goodbye,---winter goodbye.

You can change the words for all of the incoming seasons, also.

Oh Amorenna, please post the name of that book when you get a chance. It sounds wondeful!

I pm'd Margaret and asked her to save this thread to the FAQ's.

I really want to start incorporating these things into our lives. I'm in school so my ds goes to a Montessori school (no Waldorf around here) so unfortunately we have to have a schedule.

Great ideas, keep them coming!

I agree so strongly that being a Waldorf parent is more about the parent's approach towards life and their understanding of their children than what the house looks. I have some friends who have perfect looking "waldorf-y" houses. But their lives are so frantic and they are so distracted that their is no warmth or soul in their houses. Over the years I have come to beleive that one of the most important contributions that the mother can make to the family is being the "spriritual housekeeper" of the home.

My eldest's kindergarten teacher gave me this verse by Steiner when Zach was in her class years ago. It has been an invaluable resource to me - I use it in my daily meditation to help me stay focused as a parent. (It is actually taped to the refrigerator!) I have since found out that it is traditional for Waldorf kindergarten teachers say this verse before the kids arrive at school. Anyway, I hope some of you find this verse as useful as I have. It has gotten me through many trying times!

Quiet I hear within me.
I hear within myself
Forces to make me strong.
Now will I be imbued
With their glowing warmth.
Now will I fill myself
With my own will's resolve.
And I will feel the quiet
Pouring though all my being.
When by my steadfast striving
I become strong
To find within myself
The source of strength,
The strength of inner quiet.

R. Steiner

thank you for sharing that verse...it's beautiful.

maintaining a rhythm all day long (I'm good til about 2-3:00) is something I really struggle with. I often feel pulled to my own projects and I find it hard to stop and transition myself back into their world. Looks like I've got myself a new year's resolution.

Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, by ? Patterson is a good book too.

trisha

Originally posted by Dannielle
thank you for sharing that verse...it's beautiful.

maintaining a rhythm all day long (I'm good til about 2-3:00) is something I really struggle with. I often feel pulled to my own projects and I find it hard to stop and transition myself back into their world. Looks like I've got myself a new year's resolution.


I so empathize. There are some days when I totally "lose it" due to other things that are affecting my mood or pre-occupying my thoughts (usually things that I want to do or adult worries...) When I get to that place I find it so hard to re-focus myself. I am trying to be more aware of the signs that I am getting to that place so I can avoid getting there at all, but there are those days......(especially with a choleric three year old!)

Thanks for this thread mamas,

I realized that I do have a rhythm and a morning "circle time" but not literally.

I've always sung special wake up songs unique to each of our children. (that I make up for each of them personally) and we awaken to greet the day the same way.

What I need more suggestions for is actual more along the lines of a spiritual morning routine. If any Wiccan or pagan mothers are reading this who do have some simple morning chants or rituals, will you please PM me? There is just not much info or support out there for those parents of these religions.

I'd love to especially have one to greet Father Sun daily and one to say goodnight to Mother Moon each evening which would serve as A.M. and P.M "prayers".

Thanks,

Michelle

I'm always looking for new places to talk about the Waldorf style of doing things and to get new ideas. Here are 2 places I get alot of ideas -- both are Yahoo groups that I joined on a no-mail basis (I just go browse the archives for stuff like "bean bags" or "lazure" or whatever):

groups.yahoo.com/group/waldorfhomeschoolers/ this is the group associated with Kytka's waldorf homeschoolers website.

groups.yahoo.com/group/WE_HS/ this is associated with the Waldorf Resource folks.

I suspect you could find some poems and rituals in these archives, Michelle, as the groups do include families of various faiths.

There's also an e-group from St. John's that I don't belong to...you can find a link to it at www.openwaldorf.com It sounds like it would be an amazing resource, but I don't have time to read everything!

Gail

I found the book I'm reading. Dh "stole" it and left it where he was reading it last! It's called Rudolph Steiner Education - The Waldorf School, written by L. Francis Edmunds. It doesn't have verses in it, but it's an interesting and quick read. Does anyone else here feel that some of the Waldorf books out there sort of go against attachment parenting in a way? In one of my books, it suggests letting a baby cry if the baby has been fed, has a clean diaper, ect. In another one there is a suggestion to have the baby spend a lot of quiet time alone in his or her crib or bassinet. I sort of take what I need from Steiner's lectures and books and toss the stuff I disagree with, but it does seem like in some ways I'm doing the exact opposite of what he suggests for babies.

Amoreena~
"Does anyone else here feel that some of the Waldorf books out there sort of go against attachment parenting in a way? In one of my books, it suggests letting a baby cry if the baby has been fed, has a clean diaper, ect. In another one there is a suggestion to have the baby spend a lot of quiet time alone in his or her crib or bassinet. I sort of take what I need from Steiner's lectures and books and toss the stuff I disagree with, but it does seem like in some ways I'm doing the exact opposite of what he suggests for babies."

Maybe you could use Steiner's approach to caring for babies as a springboard for thinking about the importance of AP.

I remember reading in another book about the concept that children, even young babies, need to be left alone once in a while to develop a sense of individual competence and communion with the world. Maybe this idea grew out of what Steiner was suggesting. It made me think about this and I really decided that most of the time, especially when my baby was very young, she needed me with her more than she needed her own space. The important thing was to think about it and decide what was right for my baby and me.

Steiner had some really good, sound, proven ideas about how people grow and develop physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But perhaps he wasn't right 100% of the time. I think even very commited and knowledgable Steiner followers don't follow all his recommendations all the time.

Danielle~
"thank you for sharing that verse...it's beautiful.

maintaining a rhythm all day long (I'm good til about 2-3:00) is something I really struggle with. I often feel pulled to my own projects and I find it hard to stop and transition myself back into their world. Looks like I've got myself a new year's resolution. "

Mimmy~
"I so empathize. There are some days when I totally "lose it" due to other things that are affecting my mood or pre-occupying my thoughts (usually things that I want to do or adult worries...) When I get to that place I find it so hard to re-focus myself. I am trying to be more aware of the signs that I am getting to that place so I can avoid getting there at all, but there are those days......(especially with a choleric three year old!)"


Maybe I'm really off base in the way I do things, but I try to achieve a balance
every day between spending focussed time with Lucy and time to do things I need and want to do. I think I could certainly be more centered and calm a lot of the time (nap times and bed time when I want her to go to sleep so I can get something done, I lose my patience). That's something I need to work on, and I love that verse....

Am I wrong to feel like Lucy can and should learn to fit into the rhythm of the household, even when it's not revolving around her? ie I need to stop reading to her so I can go and cook dinner; we need to stop playing so she can take a bath and get ready for bed, etc. Maybe a lot depends on how many children you have and their ages. Maybe you're talking more about actual homeschooling scenarios where you are, in effect, the teacher, and therefore need to be devoted to that task. If not, maybe it would help to give yourself some space to think about and do your own things at certain times during the day (as part of the rhythm of the day) so you don't feel stressed when your mind starts to wander.

Can I say I love this thread! Thanks!(((((

Oh yes, I agree, I don't think he was right 100% of the time and I don't think all of what he wrote applies to life today. I guess I'm just trying to come to terms with some of the things that I see that I feel are a little more mainstream (although, I'm not sure if that is the right word exactly) than my personal parenting style. Then, teaching a Parent & Infant class in a Waldorf school when I don't necessarily agree with some of the literature . Like the other thing was that he initially suggested only breastfeeding until 4 months, then 9 months at a later date and now it's pretty open but many of the books suggest weaning at around age 1. Although, many, many of the parents at the school nurse much longer 2 or 3 yrs. The literature about nursing is changing a lot recently to encourage and support mothers to nurse longer....I just had a discussion with a friend who I see as being the most Anthrosophosically (not sure if that is actually a word, but I'll use it) knowledgeable person I know and she said that some babies weren't born to be leaders and those babies tend to nurse longer (according to Steiner). Which I disagree with, I guess. Some babies need more earlier in life and some later as older children, I think.

Sorry, I don't want to turn this into a deep discussion on Steiner philosophy and parenting...I just think about this, more now that I have been really reading a lot of Waldorf books as I try to decide if I am going to go through formal Waldorf teacher training.

Jeanne, I think that part of the rhythm of the day includes "adult work". Steiner felt that it was important for children to see the adults in their lives as role models for imitation and that it is highly beneficial for children to see parents fullfilling adult work, which could be knitting, or cooking, or cleaning. Can you bring Lucy into the kitchen with you while you make dinner and let her play on the floor? Or read half of the book before making dinner, and the other half after dinner?

As far as anti-AP parenting practices, as far as I understand it so far, I think that Steiner's point was that kids need to shed many "inherited forces" and develop as their own person and much of the spiritual and physical prepatory work for this transition is done in the first 7 yrs. So, many people interpreted that to mean to have the child start seperating from the mother asap. I've talked to several Anthro nurses and doctors about this, and although some still stick to the traditional wean early and no family bed opinions, most I talk to these days say to keep this concern (about inherited forces) in mind, but to do what you think is right for you and your child.

And as Jeanne said:
"Am I wrong to feel like Lucy can and should learn to fit into the rhythm of the household, even when it's not revolving around her? ie I need to stop reading to her so I can go and cook dinner; we need to stop playing so she can take a bath and get ready for bed, etc. Maybe a lot depends on how many children you have and their ages. Maybe you're talking more about actual homeschooling scenarios where you are, in effect, the teacher, and therefore need to be devoted to that task. If not, maybe it would help to give yourself some space to think about and do your own things at certain times during the day (as part of the rhythm of the day) so you don't feel stressed when your mind starts to wander. "

I totally agree with you - my point was that on some trying days I just cannot get focused on the child - even when it is their time. My kids know when it is time for chores, errands, mommy-time, etc. That's one of the best things about having a rhythm - we can get things that have to be (or should be) completed done with a minimum of stress. They need to see us working on household chores and things for ourselves.

And as far as "what Steiner said" - I think that it is important to remember that a big part of Anthroposophy is developing ourselves spiritually and intellectually - we all are evolving. Steiner was a wise man, and he said alot of insightful things (as well as some not so insightful things) but I don't think he ever intented for people to just take his word on things, but to meditate and study and take what you feel is true in your heart and mind. kwim?

BTW, I love this thread also. In the past I have been hesitant to discuss Waldorf at Amity's as most of the threads ended up taking an anti-Waldorf tone. I am glad to see that this one hasn't.

:)

I also take what Steiner says with a grain of salt. Some of what he says is a reflection of the time in which he lived.

Homeschooling is what makes it easier for me to maintain a good rhythm until 2-3:00. After that the kids run off to play together. I usually have a computer break. Then we all do some chores before dh comes home at 4. The kids spend some time with Daddy while I go to the post office or work on a project.

Then comes dinner. I'm working on reeling this one back in. During December I was just too busy with holiday orders. I worked on my orders from about 4:00 until I went to bed. I had dh bring home fast food most nights. If he didn't we had sandwiches. Bedtime routines got tossed out the window.

So, I'm working on dinnertime being special....with a real meal, setting the table with placemats or a table cloth and a candle, a blessing. And I'm working on bringing back a bedtime routine with books read together in bed and our nightly verses recited while holding hands and ended with a big group hug.

I also used to take the time to set an evening mood in the house. I'd turn off unnecessary lights, light candles, pick up clutter, get beds ready....maybe play some soft soothing music if there's too much *energy* around....or engage the kids in a relaxing craft or puzzles.

That's what I'm working toward bringing back. I don't believe it's my job to be my children's playmate. I do play with them when they ask but it's not often. I think they tend to use playtime as a break away from me LOL!

Thing do run much more smoothly when I take the time to be the *keeper of the mood of the house*. It is easy to slack on this because it's hard to not get caught up in the overall mood of the house.

For instance, say it's around 5:00. The kids are starting to bicker. Dh is sacked out in front of the tv. It's time to start getting dinner together. *If* I allow myself to get caught up in it I might find myself yelling at dh to go deal with the kids because I'm trying to make dinner. Then he's crabby and doesn't deal with the kids well and the whole thing escalates. *If* instead I assess the situation as *keeper of the mood* I would maybe respond by remembering dh had a hard day at work. I might give him a hug and let him know dinner is in the works and remind him he might want to get in the shower (he works outside and a shower always perks him up). Then I might get the kids and have them help with dinner and setting the table (definitely more work for me but gets them focussed on a task and is a teaching moment).

It is a lot of work to be mindful of how just my attitude and my actions can affect the whole family. I'm sure it will always be a work in progress...LOL! But this is what I'm trying to focus on right now. Hopefully that's more clear. :)

"Jeanne, I think that part of the rhythm of the day includes "adult work". Steiner felt that it was important for children to see the adults in their lives as role models for imitation and that it is highly beneficial for children to see parents fullfilling adult work, which could be knitting, or cooking, or cleaning. Can you bring Lucy into the kitchen with you while you make dinner and let her play on the floor? Or read half of the book before making dinner, and the other half after dinner?"

Yes, ITA. Lucy does, indeed, play on the kitchen floor a lot (while I'm in there). Also, her daddy works at home, so he is available to "take over" when I need to go do something else. We have a small house, so she definitely observes and imitates us cooking, cleaning, etc.

We haven't really begun establishing solid routines yet other than nap time, bath time, and bed time. I'd like to get her outside to play at a certain time each day. My husband usually takes her to the playground while I'm at work. Anyway, my point is we pretty much let her follow her muse, so to speak, in terms of mixing play with reading, nursing (usually read and nurse at the same time, unless it's daddy reading;) ) and other activities. I figure she'll need more structure as she gets older, and we'll gradually add more.


What I've understood about Anthroposophical opinions on breastfeeding is that around the first birthday, when the child begins to walk and be upright, he reaches a significant milestone in separating from his mother, so maybe that would be an opportune moment to wean. But, I've also read that the child is still housed within the mother's "etheric sheath" until about age three. So, I figure, if the child is still spiritually connected to the mother, weaning could wait until that age when spiritual separation is complete. Does that make sense? I'm not saying I'm definitely going to wean Lucy when she shows signs of spiritual separation from me, but rather that maybe the two things will naturally go together. Anyway, just wanted to share my thoughts on the matter....:)

Originally posted by Dannielle

Thing do run much more smoothly when I take the time to be the *keeper of the mood of the house*. It is easy to slack on this because it's hard to not get caught up in the overall mood of the house.

It is a lot of work to be mindful of how just my attitude and my actions can affect the whole family. I'm sure it will always be a work in progress...LOL! But this is what I'm trying to focus on right now. Hopefully that's more clear. :)


Yeah - ditto for me - :D - that much more clearly describes what I was getting at in some of my posts.

Dannielle - You are very insighful and wise mama! :)

I have been reading this thread while at my parents in NY and keep coming back to it, and I'm glad.

Thanks for your last post, Danielle. I struggle with the exact same thing, but you framed it so perfectly..."keeper of the mood." As mothers we do hold a special role in the family and this captures the crux of it. We are the mirrors through which our children see themselves, and we have a strong influence on their perceptions of life. How we act during challenges gives them guidance on how to respond when they face challenges.

I don't have much to contribute right now, and I am super busy getting caught up on work and house after 2 weeks away, but I didn't see Seven Times the Sun mentioned. It's a great book with rhymes and verses for each transition of the day, as well as general thoughts on creating a flowing rhythm to the days and weeks.

I wish I had more time to post. :) Maybe in a few days.

Jeanne, as for when to wean. IMO that's something that is between you and your child. Personally, I didn't base my decision on when to wean on Steiner, or my pediatrician, or my MIL (LOL). I followed my heart and my child's lead and he weaned peacefully at 33months. I'm sure there are those who feel it's more appropriate to follow Steiner's suggestion to wean by one year. My son wasn't one of them ;)

Ds is 3 1/2 and is just starting to wean. We tried to wean him before he was 1 and then again when he started walking; but, he wasn't having any of it (he is a very stubborn little dude). So, for all of our sakes, we finally decided to allow him to wean when he wanted to (although we have been gently encouraging him to wean for some time). Most of my Anthro friends weaned their children around 1 or so although I was just surprized to find out that a friend of mine weaned her dd at 3 1/2 - and she's an early childhood teacher.

Oh, and for the sake of full disclosure, dh is a Waldorf class teacher (currently 6th grade).

Kathy,
I'm glad to hear that your family is following a weaning time that fits your son. At the school I work at, I think all of the teachers with children weaned around a year, but many of the mothers weaned much later. I'm not so into Anthroposophy that I follow everything Steiner ever said and like you, my son is a "very stubborn dude", LOL. I feel like he'll never give up nursing, although I would like him to cut down. He still needs/wants to nurse more than he wants to eat real food, although very slowly he is eating more solids.

This is sort of off of the recent topic, but at another forum I belong to, a Waldorf homeschooling mother said that knitting (or crocheting or other handwork) replaces the esoteric energy lost by caring for children all day. I found it so interesting because since I've had Saige, I've been knitting or crocheting non-stop...somedays more than others. Does anyone have any more information on this topic?

I get overwhelmed sometimes reading so much about Waldorf Education! Does anyone else feel that way? It's just soooo much info for me to process sometimes! I guess I'm more into the aspects of it that focus on reverence for nature and I really like the focus on natural and home-made playthings and also the music, lol. I could learn new songs to sing all day!

Originally posted by kayasmommy

This is sort of off of the recent topic, but at another forum I belong to, a Waldorf homeschooling mother said that knitting (or crocheting or other handwork) replaces the esoteric energy lost by caring for children all day. I found it so interesting because since I've had Saige, I've been knitting or crocheting non-stop...somedays more than others. Does anyone have any more information on this topic?




Gosh, with the day I had today, I'd better knit a sweater tonight! :D I've never heard that, but, I'll ask some friends. I wonder if it really is more doing something physical that you can zone out on (than knitting or handwork specifically). I found that playing my banjo really re-charges me.

Originally posted by kayasmommy

I get overwhelmed sometimes reading so much about Waldorf Education! Does anyone else feel that way? It's just soooo much info for me to process sometimes! I guess I'm more into the aspects of it that focus on reverence for nature and I really like the focus on natural and home-made playthings and also the music, lol. I could learn new songs to sing all day!

I go in phases. The last few years (since Izzy was born) I re-read alot of books on early childhood (and made lotz of new toys :) ), before that I was on a jag studying biodynamic farming and anthroposophical art. But now I am re-reading the basic anthro books. Currently I am plodding away at "The Philosophy of Freedom". After I finish that I think I'm going to read some of the books there are on the teen-age years as my ds #1 is almost there - eek!

I don't know if it replaces lost esoteric energy or if it's more of a mental escape from reality...lol. Whatever...it works for me. :)

I would imagine you'd have to be the sort of person who find handwork relaxing/rejuvenating in the first place. I've met many people who find it extremely frustrating. Don't think it would work for them.

In "You are your child's first teacher", Rahima Baldwin Dancy emphasizes the importance of mothers engaging in some kind of creative work every day to recharge their spirits. It doesn't have to be handwork, but can be painting, drawing, writing, pottery, anything creative.

I happen to love knitting, but I usually try to go out to the garage to make glass beads, or I make jewelry while Lucy sleeps, or sometimes I paint. I've also made quite a few dolls in the past few months for Lucy, her cousin, and some other babies we know. I am also lucky that the work I do for a living is also a creative outlet for me. I find creativity in massage!:)

Would anyone like to suggest some Anthroposphical/Steiner/Waldorf essential books? I've really read very little and would like to read more! Thanks!

I can tell you a book I am going to read(thanks nanci!)
Understanding Waldorf Education-teaching from the inside out, Jacvk Petrash
Waldorf education a Family Guide, Pam Fenner is a good informative book, covers festival and home life.
Mothering with Soul, ? Salter(lent my copy out :( ) this is a book about child bearing and the changes related.
Again I would suggest Work and Play in Early Childhood, Freya Jafke, right now this is my favorite book!
The book they used to call study of man. Now its called Foundations of the Human Experience. Any special aspect of Asthroposphy you are intrested in? education?
trisha

I just finished reading Understanding Waldorf Education by Jack Petrash. It's a good book to read initially, I think. It's more of a kind of book you might want to read if you are thinking about enrolling your child in a Waldorf school because it gives a good look at the grades. I think I already mentioned this book, but I really, really liked The Encarnating Child- it's another book about Child Developement for ages 0-7, focused primarily on the early years. I borrowed it from our school library so I don't have the author but I think you can get it on Amazon or actually Barnes and Noble online has a ton of Waldorf books, including all of the books teachers read in training.