Full Circle Child Blog

   Last week the kids and I returned home from two weeks and 4,000 miles traveling out west to Washington state and back.  We had a nice visit with family and a total of seven days on the road.  Hearing (or reading) about seven days on the road with three kids might make some question my sanity in making the trip or since then.  However, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.  The trip was, of course, cheaper than flying and renting a car, etc.  But the mountains, rivers, sunsets, and geological wonders we were able to enjoy together were absolutely priceless.  It has always been a dream of ours to buy an RV and travel around the country, but doing so when the kids are grown seems backwards to me.  Our American dream is to live life to its fullest and enjoy this beautiful and wondrous world together, not live to work.     

I used to think that in order to be a good mother I should have my life figured out, a career, a set path.  Attending college while raising three kids made me feel like I was going backwards to finish something I should have already done.  Now I realize that what I am learning may actually benefit my children much more than if I had learned it before having them.  It’s as if we are on a journey together; one of self-discovery, knowledge and the inter-connectedness of our world.  I am learning to appreciate and be inspired and find my place in the world.  And this place is not separate from my children, just as it it not separate from the environment and all others living in it.  It is important that my children learn how they are connected to everything else and that they have the power to change our world for the better.  The realization that learning does not only take place in an institution, but perhaps even more in the natural world has helped me to begin on a path with my children, which is lined with wonder, inspiration and hope.

 Join us as we experience nature together–http://www.fullcirclechild.com/ExpNature.html

Yesterday was an unusually beautiful January day with the sun shining and temperatures reaching over 60 degrees!  We spent much of the day outside, visiting a park, the woods, and our backyard.  At several points, I became aware of my mind wandering away from the moment, focusing on work and other projects that needed my attention.  I had to turn off those voices and focus on being in the moment with my family.  I think many of us deal with these voices and feelings that we should constantly be multi-tasking and “accomplishing” something.  How do you handle it when these “voices” take over?