Meagan Rose Wilson Gr

Meagan Rose Wilson Gr

Meagan Rose Wilson Gr

Striving to create a family life that nourishes body, mind and spirit and honours our infinite interconnectedness.

Journal

Caregiver’s Balancing Head, Heart and Hands

In Waldorf Schools you will hear the expression “head, heart and hands” used to explain the faculties of ...

Simple Preparations for Hanukkah

I am passionate about renewing the festivals that are important to us so that we celebrate them in ...

Simple Preparations for Meaningful Gift Giving

In our home we try to keep gifts simple, small, meaningful, purposeful, and quite often handmade, as well ...

Instagram

It took me over 3 years to finally understand the

It took me over 3 years to finally understand the art of sourdough making. The process is really analogous to how I attempt, fail and then try again with most things in my life. Perseverance over perfection is what moves me to wake up early and meditate even though I haven’t in a week. Perseverance over perfection is what pushes me to keep planting pumpkin seeds every year even though we’ve only had a handful of successes despite years of attempted growing. Perseverance (and privilege) over perfection is what drives me to be more conscious of our clothing choices yet to still top up at GAP if we need to. Perseverance over perfection is what has slowly manifested over ten years, our mostly homemade, natural cleaning supplies while simultaneously always keeping a bottle of bleach in the back of the cleaning cupboard. Perseverance over perfection is what I ask of my five-year-old when I insist she have just one try bite of salad because in my experience it takes at least 10 (more like 25!) different “trys” of a food for a little one’s tastebuds to adapt to it. Perseverance over perfection is a mantra that keeps me accountable and is all-forgiving at the same time. If you’re struggling to keep a habit or meet a goal, just remind yourself that you’re on a long journey and today you can still move forward, if only you take but one little step. 🌼

Dear Waldorf-Inspired White Parents and Followers:

Dear Waldorf-Inspired White Parents and Followers:Below are some questions I am currently holding and working through at the moment, specific to parenting and my participation in #waldorfeducation. I implore each one of you to do the same.My dear friend, Ashley @mayashleyj very patiently reminded us today, that our anti-racist work is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. With babes on our hips, dinner to be made, budgets to be kept, homeschooling lessons to prepare…we must not forget what should be the most important part of #ourdailyrhythm: setting aside time each and every day to engage in active anti-racist work- dismantling the systems of oppression within ourselves, our homes and communities. Today, I remind myself and you, that this work is so much more important than the laundry, the dinner prep, the craft-of-the-day, our morning meditation and cleaning up the toys. This is the daily work that I am ashamed to say, we have all neglected for too long. This is the work the world’s children need above anything else. Everything else is a privilege.Here are some questions I am actively engaged with right now. ◼️ Am I actively, authentically and consistently in community with people of colour in my community- at my children’s school, in my neighborhood, in my city, within my religious or spiritual sphere?◼️ How am I holding my local government, police force, community centre and local businesses accountable? If I’m not, what do I need to do to be more actively involved in dismantling systemic racism within these social structures?◼️ How am I actively dismantling systems of oppression, harmful Eurocentric concepts and toxic white culture within the #waldorfeducation movement?◼️ Am I consistently engaged in daily anti-racist, anti-bias work and always compensating Black Educators, POC and Indigenous folk for their resources, their time and their contributions?◼️ How might I be negatively fueling and supporting out-dated, divisive and/or colourblind Waldorf “ideals”, rituals, festivals and practices?◼️ What can I do daily to further this much needed anti-racist work within the Waldorf movement?(Continued in the comments)

Charlotte’s Web is the most perfect Spring chapt

Charlotte’s Web is the most perfect Spring chapter book for the early grades- easy enough for stronger readers to read independently and a simple enough plot for kindergarten and grade one/two children to listen along to. You can find many free online resources to help if you’d like to deepen your novel study. We didn’t use them this time, but @myhearthmagic has beautiful Learning Guides for a number of novels, including Charlotte’s Web. I intend on sampling some of her resources in the near future. I have compiled a Summer Reading list for each of my children. I’ll share them by grade in the coming days. What chapter books are you planning to read with or to your little ones this Summer? 🌻

I haven’t shared much about homeschooling the ol

I haven’t shared much about homeschooling the older grades, it’s all fairly new to me although our strong rhythm seems to carry even the oldest in the family. Our children’s school has provided assignments and guidelines but for the most part it’s up to parents to choose how much school work their children do during this time (there is already so much pressure on parents without the added pressure of being a teacher!). Grade Six curriculum involves a #mainlessonblock on Central + South American Geography. Pictured is my son drawing (freehand!), labelling and colouring both political and geographical maps of Central + South America. Next he’ll choose a country to research more deeply and engage in some creative assignments to help demonstrate his understanding of the research. We had a subscription to @letters.from.afar last year. I saved all of the letters in a folder which is now coming in handy as he sifts through some of the ones that came from South America. What grades are you homeschooling right now? If your children are normally in an institutional education setting, how involved are you in their sudden homeschooling? Are you feeling the pressures of balancing work and parenting? How much time are they spending online? Do you feel comfortable with that amount of time? Or perhaps you feel a bitter sweetness- both gratitude for the opportunity for them to connect with teachers and concern for the amount of sitting and screens they are exposed to daily? #waldorfeducation #waldorfhomeschool

I have been wanting to make a #windowtransparency

I have been wanting to make a #windowtransparency since my eldest was a toddler over ten years ago. But my to do list, and mothering, and fatigue and schedules and, and, and... meant I never quite got around to it. I finally sat down while my older two were doing some desk work the other day and spent the better half of the morning carefully planning and cutting this little snowdrop child out. It’s the smallest things that I find myself the most grateful for during this time of fear and uncertainty and this little creation is no exception. 💫☀️ #waldorfhomeschool #waldorfeducation

We named the sweet little girl Honey, because she’s as sweet as. And we named the other little one, Hope, because we all need to feel just that right now. 💫 Thanks for the name ideas Nessa @v.campion

“Crocus, crocus, waken up! Catch a sunbeam in yo

“Crocus, crocus, waken up! Catch a sunbeam in your cup!” ☀️ simple Springtime verse 🌱~ author unknown, artwork inspired by a wet-on-wet painting from pinterest 🌈 #wildandfreechildren #waldorfhomeschool #waldorfeducation

“H O P E, so vulnerable in her soft downy coat.

“H O P E, so vulnerable in her soft downy coat. Unfolding from the depths of Winter’s icy grip. Stop, look and take hold, she is all around us.” ~ a verse that emerged from my meditation this morning

This weekend we enjoyed all the therapy a big dump

This weekend we enjoyed all the therapy a big dump of snow has to offer especially at a time when many of us feel less than grounded in this unpredictable world. On Saturday, I resolutely pulled all my snow gear on and headed outdoors with the children excitedly following behind. First, we sled over and over down the biggest hill on our property enjoying the thrill of the race. Next, I felt inspired to clear a big space to build an open fire. With a rickety wooden sled we hauled some kindling and firewood to our chosen spot, cleared the ice and snow from a small patch of ground and then worked together to find dried grass and sticks to help feed the fire. It burned for quite a while as we enjoyed its warmth and when it began to fizzle we smothered it with snow, a small experiential lesson in chemistry. Finally, we played a game I recently learned @guelphoutdoorschool - similar to hide-and-seek. I’ll share it here because it was such a thrill for all four of my children ranging from 5 to almost 12.⁣OWL GAME ⁣🦉 One person is an owl who cannot not walk around but only pivot in my one spot using their peripheral vision to see and capture prey. ⁣⁣🦉 The owl closes its eyes and all other players are prey who hide within eyeshot of the owl (the prey must be able to see their predator at all times). ⁣⁣🦉 If the owl spots them they are called out and they became pellets observing the rest of the game at the owls’ feet. ⁣⁣🦉 If the owl can’t find anyone it closes its eyes again and allows 15-20 seconds for the prey to find a new spot to hide. ⁣⁣🦉 The winner is the one who is not found and is closest to the owl. We played this game for over an hour, the five of us. It really was so much fun. ⁣⁣⁣⁣A moment I will treasure forever- thank you Arlene and a Chris @guelphoutdoorschool 🤎🤎.

If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup

If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not "washing the dishes to wash the dishes." What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea either. While drinking the cup of tea, we will only be thinking of other things, barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus we are sucked away into the future -and we are incapable of actually living one minute of life. Quote from #thichnhathanh in “The Miracle of Mindfulness” #notetoself #buddhismformothers

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you who celebrat

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you who celebrate it in its many forms! 💕 Today we exchanged cards and kisses (chocolate kisses- an intergenerational family tradition) and have been enjoying a cozy snow day at home. Ralphie from @simplyonpurpose is sharing a free Love Language Quiz that each of your children can take so that you can learn more about them and how they most enjoy giving and receiving love. It is such a beautiful gift to know how to speak your child’s love language and I, for one, am very grateful to Ralphie for sharing this FREE resource! Click over to her to find it. 💗

Our little toy room is ready for one of our final

Our little toy room is ready for one of our final parent-and-child classes tomorrow. I have decided to close the doors to this little weekly group, beginning in the Spring, to make room for new plans and intentions for both me, my family and you (yes, YOU!). It has been such an enriching experience working one-on-one with local families and I am so grateful for the opportunity but what I have come to learn is that I do enjoy the freedom that this virtual space gives me to work at home in my own time while still being fully present for my growing children. Thank you all for sticking around despite the constant reimagining, reworking and reclaiming of my little virtual corner. I am honoured to be in community with you, both online and on the ground. 💫

Sharing a video on #waldorfwindowstars by lovely S

Sharing a video on #waldorfwindowstars by lovely Sarah from @bellalunatoys in my stories today. They are such a simple craft that bring warming bright colour to the grey days. This is a calming activity for parents who are looking for something meditative to do or for older children (6+) who are working on fine motor skills, patience, focus and precision. Head to my stories to learn about all you need to create them.

Valentine’s Day has never felt commercial to me.

Valentine’s Day has never felt commercial to me. ❤️ It seems to come at the perfect time each year- a warming antidote to the long Winter with Spring celebrations still a couple months away. Sometimes we make homemade cards with construction paper, glue, glitter ✨ and coloured crayons but this year I wanted a little help with premade cards. At the local shops all the modern cards I found were centred around children’s media programs with an assortment of cartoon characters. So I searched @etsy for some vintage cards (which also happened to feel like a more eco-friendly option ♻️) and bought an assortment of adorable cards and envelopes from the 80s- sweet and simple with a touch of loving kindness- just as they should be. 💌❤️

Reading not quite as fast as my TBR pile adds up.

Reading not quite as fast as my TBR pile adds up. I draw a lot of reading recommendations from @theconsciouskid for my children & @reesesbookclub, @beautiful.bibliophile, @ameriesbookclub and parenting recommendations from @simplyonpurpose for myself. I just finished The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline and am currently reading Daring Greatly by the incomparable, @brenebrown as well as The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (for grades 5-7) which came highly recommended by my son. What are you reading? And more importantly, where do you get your reading list from? 📚

Something about an apple cake that makes a crisp W

Something about an apple cake that makes a crisp Winter day feel warm and delightful! We have been mostly #glutenfree for many years now and as a result, I have played with many different types of flour. I can honestly say after many disappointing trials and errors, the only gluten-free flour I use and LOVE is @pamelasproducts. Their 1:1 works as a substitute for everything, their bread mix is 🍞👌, but it’s their pancake mix that never ever disappoints! You always ask for my recipes so I will try to share BUT I am not much of an exacting baker. I go by feel and mood so these are approximate measurements!! 🍎 2 1/2 cups @pamelasproducts Pancake Mix🍎 4-6 TBS ground cinnamon 🍎 8 TBS melted butter or coconut oil🍎 2 eggs🍎 1/2-3/4 cup maple syrup🍎 3/4 cup apple sauce 🍎 2 peeled and sliced applesMix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, add them together until we’ll combined- batter should be slightly thicker than pancake consistency. Grease a pan, pour batter in, add apples to the top and bake at 350-375F for 25-45 minutes depending on the depth and shape of your pan. A knife or fork should come out clean when it’s cooked. #notanad just love @pamelasproducts !

In the midst of winter, I found there was within m

In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible summer. | Albert Camus

Do you have a drawing corner set up for your child

Do you have a drawing corner set up for your children? There isn’t a day that goes by without our little ones making a card or drawing a picture or binding a whole book! It helps that the younger ones want to imitate their older siblings “work” but what I think is even more key if you’d like to inspire a not-so-enthusiastic artist, is to make sure the work space is clean, clear and inviting. Every evening I make sure the crayons are properly put away on their stand, clearing off anything that piled up (scraps, toys, scissors etc.) and that the clean paper is in a neat pile (sometimes this involves me flipping over old drawings and putting them back into the new pile). When they come down in the morning their table presents many fresh and new opportunities.

The new year brings a welcome mental cleanse for m

The new year brings a welcome mental cleanse for me in the deepest, darkest part of Winter. I don’t goal set per se, but I do journal my intentions and take the opportunity to reprioritize my time in a way that feeds and nourishes my body, soul and spirit. This past year I have focused more than ever on physical health- weight lifting a minimum of three times a week, taking supplements and clean eating. Weight lifting is phenomenal for those who suffer from anxious thoughts (🙋🏼‍♀️)and as an added bonus, my energy levels and core strength have significantly increased. I also set a few intentions in regards to creating more opportunities to come together in community with others whether hosting dinners more often or farmhouse music nights. I would love to manifest an abundant regenerative garden this Summer. What are some of the seeds you’re planting right now that will blossom into ‘new beginnings’? |Calendar from the ever-inspiring @morganharpernichols

We just returned from some sunshine ☀️ and I a

We just returned from some sunshine ☀️ and I am already feeling my immune system being challenged by this cold dreary weather. At the first sign of a virus I turn to the most classic of kitchen remedies- honey, ginger, lemon tea on repeat all day long. Today I added some thyme which contains antiviral + antibacterial properties + has been used traditionally to calm coughs and soothe sore throats. I also took a heaping tablespoon of my homemade elderberry syrup made with berries straight from our garden this summer. What do you make from your kitchen apothecary when you’re feeling down? We can all benefit from simple traditional recipes made in the comfort of our own homes. 🍊 🍋 🌿