Grace Geller on June 24th, 2010
Today I celebrate my one hundredth week of posts. So what is so special about 100 that we choose to use it as a yardstick for judgment? Well, it is a nice round number. But why do we use the number 100 to judge: presidents, wars and businesses. Americans latched on to the significance of the number 100 most notably during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s term began during a financial crisis and he used the first 100 days of his presidency to implement bold changes. Since that time, 100 days has been embraced as an adequate time frame before rendering a judgment on an idea or concept.
So keeping true to my yogini ways I would like to take this opportunity to reflect a little on the path we have walked, and the direction for the future. I have consistently attempted to adhere to a weekly schedule of thinking about, writing, editing and finally posting my thoughts for this blog. I select topics that are reflective of the issues we humans face as we make our way through the very complicated task of raising the next generation. Sometimes the topics I present are a direct result of “If I knew then what I know now.” Sometimes they are the result of what I wish I knew and sometimes they are the result of direct observation of parents deeply entrenched raising their children.
Though I love writing the posts, some have proven easier to write then others. I know when I write directly from my heart, the post usually finds a place in your heart, which reinforces my premise that we are all the same. I have worked with families from all over the world and many different cultures. On the whole, I have found that we all strived to be the best we can possibly be. We all have times that we have failed miserably and hurt the very ones we wished to protect. Sometimes we harm through ignorance or neglect, sometimes it is a character flaw within ourselves, but no matter how hard we try perfection is unattainable.
No one raises the perfect child and no family is without its wounds and scars. Here is what I do know: Every day you must get out of bed and state your intention to do the best you can to face the obstacles that will arise throughout the day. Everyday you must arm yourself with patience, knowledge, dedication and a good sense of humor; so you will be able to meet the challenges ahead. Most days you will fall short of your intentions. And that is OK. You see it is not whether or not you get everything right, it is whether or not you put your best effort forward. Each day we learn a little more and we add a little more love, compassion and understanding to our stock pile of ammunition. Each day we try a little bit harder to do a little bit better. That is our work and it never ends. Welcome to the human race.
On Monday I will start on my 101st post.
Peace & Light,
Grace
Technorati Tags: 100, Families Today
Grace Geller on August 27th, 2009
The first week of school is just about over and the questions have begun to roll in. Some families have stopped in my office and inquired about their child’s first days. They so want to know that their child is receiving the education they enrolled them in the school for but their child insists on telling them “I played”!
For all intrinsic purposes they did play, and they played all day! Yes, that is what we do here; we play. Everything we do is through play. We play with blocks so we can really learn about symmetry and equilateral designs. We learned that you can put two geometrically same shapes together to make a new shape (two triangles equal a square); or that each side of a building must be of similar length in order to be able to put a roof on the structure. We learned that we have to use an accurate vocabulary to get what we need and we learned to confer with our peers in order to solve a problem.
During our Literacy program we learned that books follow a predictable pattern. There is a title page, an introduction, the middle and a conclusion. We will begin to use this same pattern when we write our own stories. By understanding the patterns we will come closer to deciphering the mystery of reading.
We sat and listened to a good book. If we listened well, we were able to picture the story in our mind and perhaps even predict the ending by the clues in the text.
While having snack, we practiced good manners. We learned to remember to say please and thank you and the importance of participating in the civilizing act of sharing a meal and engaging in good conversation with our new friends.
Outside on the playground we exercised our bodies and worked on our team building skills while we increased the oxygen to our cells and prepared our bodies and minds to take in more information. And yes, we played.
At the paint easel we painted with chubby brushes that fit snuggly in our like- wise hands and we learned how to use just the right amount of pressure to create a shape but not tear a hole in the paper.
They know that their new friend “Joey” wore a red sock and a blue sock and the grown ups thought that was a very funny thing to do!
But you all already know all that in your hearts; what you really want to know is: “Will my child know what I think is important?” The answer is yes; they will if you ask the right question. The questions need to be based on their day. Look at the lesson plan, (which should be posted outside your child’s classroom) and ask something like this: “I see you drew numbers in shaving cream; what was your favorite number to write?” Or “I see you heard the story Caps for Sale; was it funny? Did you like it? “What was the story about?” You see, our children already know so many things; it is us who need the education. We need to learn to ask the right questions because they are already very good at asking and answering questions.
So what did you do in school today? I played.
Peace & Light
Grace
Technorati Tags: Early Childhood Education, Families Today, preschool, success in school
Grace Geller on September 18th, 2008
Ok; I’ve been quiet on this subject for a long time. And those of you who know me know it hasn’t been easy! I can’t be silent anymore. A woman’s right to vote is part of the very core of my being. I am truly happy to see women coming of political age, but I am overwhelmed by the media’s misunderstanding of who female voters actually are.
You see, I have spent a lot of time talking to women over the last decade and through our conversations I believe I have a handle on the “Female Agenda”. Though I am happy to see the women’s vote becoming important to the major political parties, I am concerned that they don’t know what the “Female Agenda” is.
In my opinion the female agenda has nothing to do with having a uterus. Don’t get me wrong; I think it is time we had female representation in the White House, but only if it exemplifies our agenda. The “Female Agenda” wants environmentally sound policies, which will leave our children a better world then we found it. The “Female Agenda” wants to practice diplomacy and mediation to the max, before we commit the lives of our children to war. The “Female Agenda” believes in lending a hand to those who are less fortunate then us, even if we have to tighten our own belt to find the money or time. The “Female Agenda” believes in a fiscally sound budget and that sometimes we have to tell our children no, there isn’t enough money right now. If they truly want something they will have to work and save up for it; so should our government. The “Female Agenda” supports the dignity of all living things and their right to choose their own way. The “Female Agenda” believes you not only help the sick, but you help them make healthy choices. The “Female Agenda” believes that “if you do the crime you do the time”, but let’s really educate our children to what is right and what is wrong and hold them responsible for positive behavior early on. The “Female Agenda” is not interested in the “Good ole Boys” game. We have spent a century watching the building of one of the most advanced societies, thank you. But we get it now, and we want a new game. It is time for a revolution of thinking; we don’t just want a woman representing an enlightened society, we want the agenda to get it there!.
Peace to all, life to all, love to all.
Grace
Technorati Tags: Changing Times, Families Today, Female Agenda, Politics
