As I mentioned yesterday, courtesy of my Internet provider, I was able to go through a stack of books and magazines on the corner of my desk. The November 2009 issue of Parents magazine had several pages turned down, so I looked to see what had piqued my interest whenever it was that I read the magazine. The article entitled Life in the Slow Lane by Doug Most was bent on every page! (I checked to see if I could link to the article yet, but the website only has up to July on-line.)
The message is really nothing new . . . lots of parents want to slow down their lives and the lives of their children, tips on how to do it, etc. But what I really loved was the link to the Slow Family Living website, a really beautiful website with numerous suggestions, ideas, e-books, workshops and classes. (This also reminded me about my post on bumbling.) Although it might be a bit late now, you can order and download their e-book, Creating YOUR Slow Holiday. Might need to get that to look at next year! There is a section about creating your family mission statement which I think is a fabulous idea! I see that as such a great way to have a conversation (or two or three!) with my husband about this family that we are continually creating! I also think that one of the best things about this website is that they advertise Brain, Child magazine, truly my most favorite magazine at this time. I only wish that it came out monthly instead of quarterly!
For me, in spite of the blogging about Hundred Dollar Holiday, there is something in the air that is really starting to stress me out! Maybe a few more deep breaths and a little more yoga will help! Or a few more trips to Slow Family Living!
So glad you found our site! Which in turn allowed me to find yours. Great posts and ideas for living a slow and connected family life. I just blogged on my own personal blog as well about creating connection this Christmas - you can read it at my blog... http://www.bernadettenoll.blogspot.com Enjoy the rest of the holiday!
Posted by: Bernadette | December 28, 2009 at 10:33 AM
There's an article about the changing of consumerism via heavy job loss in the newest Utne Reader. I feel your blog knitted into it pretty well. I've always been a believer of having less in order to live more. If one works slave-like hours to have a larger home, a newer car, or whatever, we spin a web of things that require constant hours of work in order to afford them. Then, like right now, when there is a downturn or a job loss, then people go under. Stress levels rise and in turn, children and spouses are abused. Desperate people do desperate things. I've had the blessed opportunity to stay home with my children and work at the same time. It would be easy to write that I'm "lucky", but luck had nothing to do with it. We don't have a big house, we don't have a new car, we don't go on vacations that don't involve sleeping bags, we don't go out to dinner, etc. And yet, our quality of life is superb. My children and my spouse and I are happy.
Great post, Kim.
Posted by: bronwyn | December 19, 2009 at 02:45 PM