I haven’t done one of these in quite some time!
Here we go . . .
1- Amanda Rach Lee‘s Youtube channel. Canadian bullet journalist extraordinaire, she has now come out with her own line of journals (!) and I love her style. Her videos are very calming (to me) but also give me lots of ideas. Loved her latest Plan With Me (she started a new journal).
2- Kokuyu Jibun Techo Biz. Already thinking about your 2021 system? (I know some of you are). I am definitely going to continue bullet journaling but I am on the lookout for the perfect calendar sidekick. I was considering a Hobonichi weeks but the Kokuyu Jibun Techo Biz has the kind of weekly layout I prefer so . . . we will see!
3- How to Stop Losing Your Sh!t With Your Kids by Carla Naumberg. This came in from the library, disrupting the order of my 2020 reading plans.
That said, I think I kind of . . . needed it right now. I love how direct this book is and already have found some of the strategies helpful. I HATE yelling.
4- OUTSIDE. Okay this is not exactly a recommendation, but I have barely been outside this week and it feels terrible. I am determined to get in a walk at some point today.
5- School. I went and paid for C&G yesterday and now they are officially enrolled. C is going to attend an academic camp next week (just for one week) just to get a feel for what the environment/learning experience is like. He is extremely excited about it. I was relieved to see that everyone was masked and sanitizer was everywhere. We will see how things go. (Anyone have a favorite book on Montessori learning/philosophy? I am interested in learning more . . .)
Happy Friday, everyone. I have a lot of checkboxes for work and a slightly terrifying workout up ahead (#60!) but am looking forward to the day.
21 Comments
I tried the Jibun Techo Biz in 2019, but found it too cramped in comparison to a Cousin. I love the Weeks and was interested to see how you would use it since you like to plan your weeks vertically. There is an A5 monthly-weekly product called the Biz Grid that I ordered from Amazon Japan in 2019 for 2020 that has a vertical weekly layout. It’s very pretty and roomy. It’s basically a Cousin without daily pages, but it has a lot of notes pages in the back.
Did you find any good masks for your kids?
We have cubcoats masks for them! They have to be tied off to fit G but they are cute and soft.
So excited about AmandaRachLee’s new notebook. I have her bullet journal and it’s actually been a fun coloring exercise/great for when I don’t have the time/mental energy to make a tracker for habits, etc. The coloring part has been more soothing than I expected!
I liked the book Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies. It was a good primer on the Montessori method for me and gave some tips on how to integrate it at home.
I’m listening to the Montessori Toddler right now too. It’s been interesting! My daughter is starting daycare next month at a Montessori center, and so I’ve been curious to learn more about Montessori as well. I also like the blog https://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/ for quick ideas.
I just checked out that book from the library (e-book). I’ve been skimming parenting books for ADHD. (My kid doesn’t have a diagnosis based on last teacher’s form but is in therapy for these issues, per pediatrician’s suggestion) Always a struggle to know when MY behavior needs to change in order to help him change his… Being home during this time has exacerbated a lot of pre-existing issues, for sure.
@Gwinne My son has ADHD (and so does my husband) and I found Mindful Parenting for ADHD by Mark Bertin, a developmental pediatrician, really helpful. His book about neurotypical children called How Children Thrive is also great. Also helpful for all kids I think is one that SHU has mentioned before Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne.
I would love to hear your comments on the parenting book! This sounds like something I need and might just order it today. I feel like I lose my sh*t far too often with my boys (5 & 7). Have a great weekend!
I’m on a wait list for that book, so clearly it’s resonating with a lot of parents! I hate yelling and my kids definitely call me out on it. But omigosh, can you just listen the first time?!
For Montessori reading, “How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way” and while not strictly Montessori, many Montessori schools/teachers (ours included) use the Positive Discipline method. There are several different books for various age groups and I’ve found those helpful.
I love the Montessori philosophy and it sounds like it could be a good fit for your son if he needs lots of movement (my son is the same way!). It also fosters independent learning in that kids choose their work rather than a traditional school where it’s “reading time” and now it’s “math time”, etc.
Thanks for sharing your thought process and decision about enrolling your kids in school. We’re deciding on whether to send our 11 month old back to daycare and it’s tough.
Re: Montessori books, I would start with:
The Montessori Toddler (also simply a beautifully designed and typeset book I feel you would appreciate)
Montessori from the Start
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way
We keep a Montessori-ish house (26 mos old, 8 mos old) and these three books are my fave foundational-style texts. Dr. Montessori’s actual writing is interesting, but there’s a lot of it and it’s dense.
Feels like every parent could benefit from reading that book. I think many/most have used up most of our patience these days… Our 2yo is in the boundary pushing phase, which I know is healthy but it takes a ton of patience. I am very glad he is in daycare/school right now. I ask him, ‘would you do this at school?’ and he says no. And I honestly believe it… I think he’s this little angel at school and saves his defiance for mom and dad. 🙂
Your angel comment made me lol. We have three sons, including a set of twins. They are 24, 21 and 21 now. I distinctly remember having a parent teacher conference when the twins were around second grade and discussing this, lol. I remember the teacher told me that kids act out at home because they feel safe there. Not sure that is necessarily true in all circumstances, but it did help us through that phase.
Another favorite parenting line from that time was from a friend who reminded me that Loving, But Firm was important.
BTW, all three of ours are productive members of society now or on their way to that goal lol. It gets better!
I have a feeling I’ll become a loyal follower of Amanda Rich Lee (and thrilled to hear we live in the same city 🇨🇦)
I also need to check out the parenting book you shared. My 17 y/o son has ADHD and has been having more angry outbursts our lives were turned upside down in March. I hope it applies to older kids as well.
I need that book!!!! hahaha…. being locked at home 24/7 with kids really made me lose my mind and yell at day more than I can accept.
I could benefit from reading that book. Even if I don’t outright yell at the kids, my frustration often comes through with my tone of voice or sarcasm … and Griffin can definitely pick up on it (and then I feel really guilty). I have to do a reset or some kind of parenting book/course every year or so just to remind myself that I don’t want to be a yelling mom.
I just finished it. It was so simple but I think very powerful. Recommend.
there’s a great interview with that author on Moms don’t have time to read books (Zibby Owens’ podcast)
I just finished Carla Naumberg’s book, which I bought back when you made this suggestion and it was life changing. Great recommendation!
I LOVE my kokuyo jibun techo biz April start. I started using in march of 2022!