People ask me if homeschooling is lonely. It was my main worry, too, at first. And, yes, when it was wintry dark and raining for days on end, I felt alone sometimes. But it was a chance to enjoy the solitude, recharge, and gather our energy for Spring. Actually, I felt more lonely before, trying … Continue reading
I recently wrote this reflection on my adventures in the Peruvian Amazon, and my reconnection with special friends from those days. Here are some vintage photos from the jungle archives, taken by Jose Choy-Sanchez, Rio Ucayali, 1999-2000! And Jose sends this, too, a little jungle background music to set the tone. The research team enjoying … Continue reading
Once upon a time . . . I was 22 and looking for adventure. As a girl I had always dreamed of the Amazon rain forest. After college, I found an American agricultural economist working in the Peruvian Amazon who was willing to take me on as an intern; all I had to do was get … Continue reading
Our family has stayed put for many months, to strengthen our household rhythms and to revel in what we have, our home. But two things are often missing for me: extended family or friends from the heart who have known me since childhood, and the rhythms of rural life. My husband and I are city … Continue reading
I feel most present and connected, most myself, when I am close to nature. Letting go of technology and other distractions. At peace with my thoughts, feelings, and loved ones. Nature isn’t just a place “out there” in the far, breathtaking wilderness. Nature is in the places we touch the earth and relate to her … Continue reading
Breathe. Phew. Here on week four I think we’ve hit our stride. I feel alive and awake to the moment. Finally. It started out extra stormy. My daughter woke up covered in hives in the night and no one slept well for a couple of nights. By Tuesday morning I was groggy and grumpy. When … Continue reading
Dear white parents touring the public schools, I believe that you don’t mean it to be as bad as it sounds. But when you say, “that school has too many Latin families for me,” or “I’m not ready for my child to experience so much diversity,” it does offend me. Think of the message it … Continue reading
In my experience, school has not been a safe place. There is school violence and bullying to start, but there is more. Feeling unsafe, sometimes physically, and often emotionally, I found school to be a place of conflict, antagonism, defensiveness, and isolation. Learning, too, but that took second. I started out in urban public schools. … Continue reading
I’d say my profoundest discovery about the postpartum period is this: human evolution has developed us mamas to empathize and identify with our new babies when they need it most. I’m talking about that feeling of rawness and overwhelm, like the world is too big, too bright, too loud. I wrote in the past about … Continue reading
Welcome to the August 2013 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Sibling Revelry This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have written about siblings — their own, their hopes for their kids, and more. Please read to the end … Continue reading
Chigüiri-cosas 