The Nine Year Change

My oldest son will be 9 years old in June. He has suddenly become critical and somewhat moody. I am so glad that I have articles like this one to turn to.

This article by Rahima Baldwin Dancy on "Parenting the Nine Year Old" describes the developmental changes of the nine-year-old child and how parents and Waldorf education meet this psychological stage. It first appeared in Mothering, Summer, 1989.]

Parents of nine year olds often wonder, "What is happening to my child?" Children at this age can become very critical and argumentative, or very moody and withdrawn. Nightmares, irrational fears, headaches and stomachaches often arise. Some children feel as if no one at school likes them, or others become suddenly self-conscious about being rich, poor, or otherwise "different." Parents may be accused of being unfair or of not understanding, as the child rushes off and slams his or her door.

Searching for an explanation for the changes in behavior, parents sometimes blame a new teacher, a recent move, changes in the family such as separation or the birth of a sibling, or simply "growing pains". An understanding of what is actually taking place can help us avoid needless worry and provide the support and guidance that children need during this time.
What is Happening? The special needs of the nine year old are the result of an important change in consciousness that marks the end of early childhood and the transition to a new developmental phase. Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, states, "In the ninth year the child really experiences a complete transformation of its being, which indicates an important transformation of its soul-life and its bodily-physical experiences."

Earlier, before the age of five or so, the child has a dreamlike state of consciousness in which the outer world and inner experience end to flow together. Outer events are not "observed," but are deeply taken in through unconscious imitation. Whereas babies learn nearly everything through imitation, kindergarten-age children continue to imitate many aspects of their world, such as the movements of the teacher or parent.

The Informed Family Life

To read the rest, click on the link above.

Walternatives- Sorry about the link missing- I've been counting too many raffle tickets the last few days for the school auction. It's there now. ;-)

School Auction Angst

Please forgive me if this post is garbled and disjointed (like that isn't EVERY post!).

I have spent my entire day searching for businesses and local craft makers to donate an item, any item, to our school auction. I have never been such a sensational flop at ANYTHING! ONE person gave me a ten dollar item for the school to auction off!!!!

It used to be that I was a familiar and respected person in this community. When I was a "Top Producer" everyone came to me for a donation or to advertise in their football, soccer, baseball, cheerleading, Little Miss CA pageant, doula education calendar, newsletter, website whatever! I guess I was a total sucker and always felt that if you were a success and it was thanks to your community and sphere of influence that it was a good thing to give back to that same community or persons responsible for the referral. We are here to make the world a better place aren't we?

"Sorry, I just can't help you. We are really hurting right now."

In fact!!!! In fact!!!! I just had a former employee contact me to donate to her homestudy to adopt her grandson. What did I do? I told her I would send her a check!! Do I have tons of money? No! The last time I received a commission check was MONTHS ago. I have three children who go to an alternative school where tuition must be paid etc. etc etc. I HELP WHERE I CAN!!!!!

Is everyone ready to go under in this County?

I suppose it has to do that there are very few "mom & pop" stores or any independent anything. In the last two years we've had three Starbucks open. Walmart. Mervyn's. Applebees. Gottschalks. Longs. Albertsons. Pac N Save. Staples. None of these people will donate to a PARTICULAR school. They must "blanket" the entire community's schools. Um, our Waldorf School has NEVER received money from these corporations.

The school has reached out to the children who want and deserve an education that focuses on ethics and strives to encourage social and environmental responsibility. That means ALL kids who apply whether or not they can pay the "suggested" tuition. Our school is now in financial straits and needs help. Where are all the supporters of the environment and independent schools? There is not a one here.

I have directed people to the site http://www.awsna.org/ if they have any questions regarding the schools base and curriculum. I have also given them the website for OUR school (that I don't feel comfortable with listing here). The school is Non Profit. This donation is tax deductible!

On the main page of the school's website it states:

"SWS" is dedicated to cultivating the capacities of each child through a developmentally respectful education based on the work of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf Education. We create an environment that respects the individuality of each child, their higher spiritual nature and their connection to the world as a whole. The "SWS" strives to create a community of caring adults who are committed to self-development, social responsibility and servant leadership.

In our children lies the hope of humanity.

How can people NOT respond to this?

I am appalled at the callousness of the business people in my HOME town.

Do our children have an opportunity for a QUALITY education anymore?

ps- the picture was done by a student. The school goes K-8 and also has a nursery program.

End of the Day Verse

Taken from my children's Waldorf School Newsletter

To wonder at beauty

Stand guard over truth

Look up to the noble,

Resolve on the good;

This leadeth us truly

To purpose in living,

To right in our doing

To peace in our feeling

To light in our thinking

LILIPOH

Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness





LILIPOH is a unique quarterly wellness magazine dedicated to The Spirit in Life. Geared to a wide readership, we specialize in the anthroposophical approach to life as it is brought forth through health, homeopathy and naturopathic medicine, Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, nutrition, the arts, community life and more! Abundant with lively articles by healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, farmers and progressive thinkers, LILIPOH adds a whole new dimension to healthier lifestyles and a healthy environment.

LILIPOH offers hope and courage in:

• dealing with illness as a phenomenon reflective of the soul and spirit as well as the body.
  
• the important subjects of education and care of children amidst a world wrought with materialism.
  
• understanding our relationship with the natural world through farming, gardening and nutrition.
  
• explorations of social alternatives that acknowledge the spirit in life.

Click on the Title for a link to the mag's website.

I want to share the morning verse my daughter recites every morning in kindergarten.

Our hearts open wide,

Light streams deep inside,

Stars, moon and sun,

Shine on everyone.

One earth we now stand

Giving all our hand:

Good Morning, dear friends

Developing Creative Minds in a Wired World - The Latest in Brain Research

Been reading a lot on TV & Kids lately. You all know what my family has decided- no TV for the kids (though yes- I fall down and get a Disney Movie or two) but nothing really outlandish. I have been given a chance to go to this conference in San Rafael. I am really pretty dang interested.

My husband and I are Pop Culture/TV Generation kids. Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Magnum PI, All in the Family- those kind of shows. Remember them? I would actually skip school in high school and stay home and watch AMC. I was totally hooked on those old black and whites. All day with the MTV. That was my childhood. Yes- I DID go outside to play. But was it good for my creative process? Did I have a hard time differentiating between the real and virtual world? I have no clue.

Here is a link to the Conference if you're interested.

I wish I went to a Waldorf School

"Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who, of themselves, are able to give purpose and direction to their lives." - Rudolf Steiner




I freely admit I've been acting a little weird lately. Feeling a little weird. Maybe in the next few days I'll be able to pull myself together to write a clear, concise post about what the hell is going on.