“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” I was recently reminded of this old John Lennon quote, but it had never struck me as so true as it does here and now in my life as a parent. There are so many schedules, plans, activities, theories, ideas, dreams, and narratives that my adult mind so easily gets tangled up in that I can miss what’s happening right here, right now: life. I might over-schedule a series of “festive activities” and feel disappointed that my family doesn’t appreciate how hard I’m working or resentful that my kids are too strung. I can fall into visions of ..read more

  Detail from “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman Tis the season for slow mornings and cozy evenings, for rich stories and deep dreaming. Here are a few of our family’s favourite books for this sweet season: For babies, toddlers and kids up to five years old (and, of course, beyond): Winter by Gerda Muller. Wordless, wintery wonder! The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. The beauty and curiosity of an ordinary day. Red is Best by Kathy Stinson. Always a hit for those who like to dress themselves! Alfie’s Christmas by Shirley Hughes. Alfie’s experiences as a three or ..read more

“The Snow Lady” by Shirley Hughes Montessori wrote a lot about inner preparation of the adult, meant to culture the sensitivity, peace, and curiosity that is best suited to meeting each child. Whether you are motivated to prepare for the children in your life, or to cultivate a bit of space in your own heart this season, you deserve to move at your own pace, even in December. Pour a cup of tea and read an article; fill the sink with warm soapy water and hit play. Here are a few bits of space and wonder I’ve gleaned on the web lately: Shirley Hughes’ BBC Woman’s Hour Takeover  I have such a f ..read more

This July, our family spent a few weeks on-board an expedition ship called the Ocean Endeavour, on an Adventure Canada trip that travelled from Iceland to the western shore of Greenland. In the company of 140 other travellers, we had meals and slept aboard the ship, and spent most days ashore for hiking or wild hot springs or checking out archeological sites, which we reached via rubber inflatable zodiac boats. It was literally epic. On a trip like this, there weren’t many stores along the way, and limited wifi or mobile data. Travellers of all ages really had to depend on what we’d packed to ..read more

As I write about deepening my practice of Montessori philosophy, this blog often winds up focusing on presence, attention, and mindfulness — and that’s where I land on Earth Day, too. How do we parent in these times? How do we show up for our children? How do we show up for the earth? We are, of course, of this Earth and in relationship with the community of natural things, whether we know it, acknowledge it, feel it — or not. The reality of the current and ongoing ecological crisis is dire. As adults, that’s something we need to be present with, and take immediate action on. It’s our role to ..read more