Parenting reflections Archives ~ Page 3 of 18 ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts

Our low media home

For years I thought about going screen free.

But to be honest, I was scared to do it. Would it mean I *never* got a moment to myself again

{and such moments were few and far between already!}

The start of this year presented a new opportunity though. Ruby was about to start Waldorf preschool and Max was going into Grade 2.

Jason and I talked about how the year was going to go, and I just threw it out there

What if we go screen free? Or at least television free?

And without any need to really discuss why we would do this, Jason said

Let’s do it.

And so we did.

This means that during the week there are no children’s television shows. And there are no movies for the children.

We still watch a family movie on Saturday night ~ movie night! Because this is part of our family time.

We are making memories watching these fun movies together, while we eat popcorn and homemade pizza! {maybe in the other order *wink*}

And Jason and I still watch a show or two after the kids are in bed.

An exception I have found that works for us is when the children are sick.

When they are sick we do allow screen time. I feel like it is almost the only way I can get them to rest! To be still.

And we are comfortable with this compromise {and we know it won’t be right for all families}

So how did the children respond to the change?

I was A-M-A-Z-E-D. They simply accepted it.

I think this shows the value of a clear boundary {mind you, this doesn’t always work!}

Once we told them what our new screen rules were, that was it, that was what we do.

Now I wish we’d tried this years ago.

It makes for a much more peaceful home. The children transition from school to home by having a snack, drawing, looking at books. And playing.

Funny isn’t it.

It wasn’t that long ago that I shared our approach to letting the children watch television.

And now, here we are *grin*

You can read what Steiner said about television here. And about the impact of television on child development here.

??? You can see more snippets of our days on Facebook and Instagram ???

Happy days, Kelly

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June 13, 2016 by Kelly

Waldorf birthday presents for a two year old

This is a sponsored post

For us, Waldorf inspired gift giving is about less is more.

{This is not something I am always good at, because there are so many lovely things!}

So, we follow the gift giving philosophy of ‘something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read’

We also look for beautiful natural materials that will meet the children at their developmental stage.

So for Teddy, who is turning two, that means gifts that meet his desire to imitate.

Something he wants

Teddy loves dogs. You should see him ‘talk’ to Lucy the dog next door through the fence. It is like he is having a whole conversation!

So when I saw this adorable St Bernard Ostheimer dog it was like it said ‘woof, choose me’ *wink*

And the horse companion will be wonderful for playing with our farm mat.

Something he needs

Teddy loves to help tidy up and even tells us what we need to do next! Whether it is put out the bins or put the dishes in the dishwasher.

And he watches his dad and I sweeping and wants to do it too. So this little child sized dust pan and broom will be just the thing.

It’s funny, before discovering Waldorf I would have thought a gift like this was not only boring but also not very nice. But seeing him work with us to tidy up, I know it will be loved.

Something to wear

A clever friend of mine makes the sweetest little boys pants. With adorable whimsical fabric pockets. So for Teddy’s second birthday I asked if she would make us some new ones for our growing boy *grin*

Aren’t they adorable!