The Hectic Life of a Waldorf Homeschooler

These past couple of weeks, just keeping to any semblance of our daily rhythm has been about all I can manage. The very least I've been able to do is to keep to this rhythm, even if it has meant sacrificing most of my writing time to get some sleep.

For the younger ones, as well as for the adults, a little lost in the busyness and the changes, this means the difference between well-being and chaos.

Lily and Aragorn...are in Paris, with their paternal grandparents. From the photos, they look a little tired but thrilled to be there. Thank you, Mamie and Papy! Getting them off to France for a long visit was the next thing to be done after ITBS testing, work, a surprise visit from out of town friends, and Easter with the whole family.

Being a gracious hostess (well, as gracious as I get, which means the guests get fed and don't have to search for the toilet paper) and sort of normal mother has taken all of my time, but it was exactly what I wanted to be doing. The joy and building of community we reap from it makes it very much worth it.
Taking a week to prepare our home and hearts for Easter and the coming separation from my munchkins really was lovely. There is a sense of accomplishment in doing something right.

This holding of rhythm that embodies the spirit of Waldorf is essential to living a life of relative calm with children. When they know what to expect each day and each season as it comes and goes, a child's sense of security in the world as a changing yet constant one gives them confidence and peace of mind.

My youngest three miss their older siblings immensely. They are a little more demanding, a little bit sad, but not overly so. Their world remains much the same as it always is; morning routine, lunch, afternoon quiet and play time, dinner, story, bed. Steiner embraced the daily and seasonal rhythms as a way to create  security in what was still the war-torn, post WWI Germany. Life is a little like that today; so many activities and commitments, advertisements for things we are urged to desire, screen time that can make one mindless with the ease of the absence of true human interaction. 

We counteract this world with time in nature each day, focused, age-appropriate activities and strong rhythm. Arthur and Alienor keep to their respective 1st and 4th grade studies, music and kung-fu, Puck to his helping in the kitchen, reading time with mama and drawing with whoever happens to be near enough to be handed a pencil. 

Lily and Aragorn in France will soon be at their grandparents' house in the Southwest, firmly entrenched in the normal rhythm of life there. They know what to expect each day and what is expected of them. They will, I hope, have a blast; enjoy yourselves, sweeties!