Hello Folks Although we’ve had summer weather here in Los Angeles, we’ve just hit Spring! Happy Spring Equinox today! So, time for some spring cleani

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Hello Folks
Although we’ve had summer weather here in Los Angeles, we’ve just hit Spring! Happy Spring Equinox today! So, time for some spring cleaning, the best kind of spring cleaning. Cleaning out of some old ideas that aren’t working. Getting refreshed and refocused all over again. Reenergized and Rejuvenated.

I’ve had more than a couple of conversations with parents sharing about new behavior struggles with their children or older behavior struggles revived. Of course! It’s not the weather or just the astrological forecast; our children are living beings developing their own sense of self and ever evolving. I hope that we can say the same about ourselves. What better time to refocus and refresh!

Give yourself some time to reflect on what’s working and what’s not. Without judgment! Just stating the observation, like in the classes we have at Homeschool Garden. Pick 3 of your favorite things that bring you joy thinking about and 3 things that you would like to bring some of that joy to. Just breathe it in and picture it. Now really picture it! With stick figures, photos, cut and paste, to whatever degree your artistic fun takes you. The first step is always intention.

Now let it go. And enjoy the rest of your day. We will come back to that picture again, just not now. Give yourself a big hug from me (or from yourself). And listen to some wise words from my teacher…

Do less and enjoy more – Magda Gerber

Last month, I was drawn to Berne Brown’s work yet again. This time it was her book Daring Greatly. Dr. Berne Brown is a research professor, writer, and speaker. This book woke me up to some new ideas and re-amplified what I instill in the work that I do. This book is oozing vulnerability even more than her TED talk that went viral with over millions of views. TED talk She shares of her experiences with vulnerability and how she has grown from hiding from them to slowly and thoughtfully speaking them with such openness and tenderness. There are plenty of ideas for growth and how to do just that with self-compassion. Most may read and begin to connect with Brown’s experiences each nodding their own head and understanding, at least that’s what it was for me. I find the research valuable and yet the stories are so much more tangible. With my interests in psychology, you might think it was a predictable choice, yet I can’t think of anyone who could not benefit from this book. You don’t have to be a teacher, or parent to find this book insightful. A wife, a husband, a business owner, an employee, a grandparent, a student, and anyone else in relationship to another can benefit.

Brown is an intriguing writer as much as she is a speaker. She gives examples from her research that keeps it real sharing common struggles familiar to our social culture. Hearing experiences of men and how they experience shame, was enlightening. Having worked primarily with children and raising boys myself, it was new understanding I was gathering as a parent and as a woman. She draws in relevant topics, like bullying, gender biases, political cover-ups, cultivating accountability, innovation, and authenticity that snap our awareness to attention. Don’t let this gem get lost in your to read list and begin by being open up to a new understanding that can shift you and the relationships you are in, especially the one with yourself.

Need some encouragement to jump into it? Join us for our 1 hour teleseminar book study! http://www.eventbrite.com/e/teleseminar-book-study-daring-greatly-by-berne-brown-tickets-11003755529

We will discuss, share insights, and create new idea maps for navigating through transformation. Bring a pen, journal, and your phone.

Raising children who are hopeful and who have the courage to be vulnerable means stepping back and letting them experience disappointment, deal with conflict, learn how to assert themselves, and have the opportunity to fail. If we’re always following our children into the arena, hushing the critics, and assuring their victory, they’ll never learn that they have the ability to dare greatly on their own.
-Dr Brene Brown

Testimonial
“As a psychologist I know that children's sense of security evolves through their connection and identification with those who care for them. For this reason, we had very specific requirements for childcare for our daughter. We wanted her to go to a place that felt secure, homey, intimate, creative and above all, respectful. We wanted to find a place that not only respected the children as individuals, but that also help the group tougher as a community. When we found Homeschool Garden we knew that it was the right place for our family.
The teachers at HsG, especially Erica, embody respectful communication, clear expectations/boundaries and a containing, sturdy attentiveness. Emphasis is placed on attending to individual needs/desires while staying connected to the group and encouraging independence. The flow of the days at school have such a beautiful balance of freedom and rhythm. I found this especially true during drop-off times. There was room for me to stay for a short while, but clear ways to communicate to my daughter when I was ready to leave. Having the book to read was such a sweet way for my daughter and I to connect before I left, while also establishing routine around saying goodbye.
Although many of the practices at school were new to us (no diapers, asking her to put her shoes on, encouraging more independence, and verbiage like "I'm coming closer" and "I'm not offering that"), we saw how our daughter quickly seemed more confident and capable. Not only was she doing more herself, but we began to see her through a new, more capable lens. We have adopted many of these practices in our home and have seen how well they work for us at home too.
Our daughter was not the only one to benefit from the community at HsG. We felt instantly welcomed and connected to the other families, and truly seen and known by Erica. We felt that she really got to know our family. And we received invaluable support, advice and guidance from the parent teacher conferences, something we have not experienced in any other care setting before or since. The atmosphere at school felt like a home away from home for our whole family. We are truly sad to not live in the area anymore, as we can no longer be involved in this community and school on a daily basis. “

-Mallika Bush
http://marinacounseling.com/index-id-1-id_pages-70/

Homeschool Garden is committed to supporting families in an environment where they can discover, flourish, and grow together. We are a resource for parents and future parents, through our nursery school, workshops, parent and child classes, consulting and home and schooling cooperative.

Feel free to share this information with those you know.
With Gratitude,
Erica

Erica Orosco Cruz
Homeschool Garden
www.homeschoolgardensite.com
erica.homeschoolgarden@gmail.com

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