Simplicity Parenting 101 {Giveaway!}

Hello, hello everyone! Picture me jumping up and down waving my wands wildly in excitement as I present to you an incredible giveaway offer by my friend from back home in Portland, Lisa Weiner, MSN Certified Simplicity Parenting Counselor. Lisa is one of those people that you just instantly fall in  love with upon meeting. Her wisdom and compassion in parenting (and so many other things!) has always blown me away, so of course when I found out about her online course I had to sign up. I haven't found the time or inspiration lately to work on my parenting, especially since we left our strong supportive community in Portland, and I feel like I am forgetting my core parenting beliefs. That is not a good feeling for this Mama! I know Lisa's encouragement is just what I need to get back on track and focus even more on what is important!

 I could go on and on about what makes this course so valuable for all parents but I will let Lisa explain it all to you (in a much calmer and more organized manner than I could do!):

How often do you take time to consciously develop and hone your parenting skills?
How often to think about your guiding principles as a parent? How often do you make space to reflect thoughtfully on your parenting and to consciously make changes to create more joy and connection in your family?

If you’re like most parents today, the answer to these questions is “not often enough.” And it’s no wonder! Most of us are so busy trying to keep up with the daily work of life and parenting that we spend almost no time developing our parenting skills, getting in touch with our inner-parenting wisdom or getting the support that we long for and deserve.
By signing up for my Simplicity Parenting class, you can help change all that.

As parents who have taken my classes can tell you, setting aside the time and space to explore parenting issues in a deliberate and supportive manner can be nothing short of life-changing.
As a result of my classes, parents experience:
•deeper connections to their children,
•increased clarity in their parenting,
•the ability to stay more present with their children,
•less struggles with bedtime, getting out the door in the morning, and other daily transitions,
•more connection over family meals,
•less battles over chores and manners,
•and many more of those small, joyful moments that all parents wish for.

What is Simplicity Parenting 101?
Curious about what we'll cover in Simplicity Parenting 101? This course is a comprehensive introduction to Simplicity Parenting and will get you started on the path of family life simplification. Throughout, Simplicity Parenting 101 weaves together the latest understandings from the worlds of brain science, psychology, education and child development, with practical, down-to-earth tips, resources and ideas.
Here's a quick curriculum overview:
Week One: Introduction, Why Simplify and Values Clarification
Week Two: Soul Fever and The Compassionate Response
Week Three: Simplifying your Home Environment
Week Four: Creating more Family Rhythm
Week Five: Taming the Family Schedule
Week Six: Filtering Out the Adult World
Week Seven: Moving Forward with Simplicity

Simplicity Parenting is for you if...
You would like to polish up those tools in your parenting toolbox (and add a few more new ones!) You have a child who is anywhere between 0 and 18 years-old, whom you would like to connect with more
You’re pregnant and want to “begin as you wish to continue” on your parenting path
You’re a step-parent and would like to learn how to best support your step-children
You’re a grandparent, or a grandparent-to-be
You’re a teacher - preschool through high-school - and would like to bring the benefits of simplicity to your classroom
You are a special auntie/godmom/second mom and want to keep up with the latest developments in brain science and child development
You’re a counselor or therapist who works with children and would like to be able to offer parents more ideas to help with their children’s anxiety or behavior issues

How Simplicity Parenting 101 works:
Class starts on Monday, April 4th, each week, for seven weeks, you will:
Learn at your own pace: Every week, you'll receive videos with teachings, exploration and stories about the weekly topic. View on your computer, tablet, or even smartphone at your convenience.
Dive deeper: You'll receive worksheets with activities designed to help you experientially explore the weekly topic, and to guide you through the process of crafting positive, sustainable changes to your daily family life.
Get specific, hands-on answers: Each week, you'll take part in a live group coaching session where we will learn ways to apply what we are learning to the nitty-gritty moments of family life. Got questions for me? This is where we'll work together to find your answers.
Join our vibrant parent community: You'll participate in a lively class forum where you can ask questions, offer support and share ideas, articles and resources. This is the "cozy coffee shop" of the class, where we get to "hang out", get to know each other and create community. I will be having my cup of tea in the forum every day (M-F) from 9:30am-10:30am PST and will be available then to answer questions, address themes and swap stories.
And more: You'll receive links to relevant articles, blog posts and other workshops and classes I recommend, as well as book, craft and recipe recommendations!

Lisa has very generously offered a place in her Simplicity Parenting 101 class to one of you lucky readers! The online class, valued at $250, begins this Monday April 4th. Also Lisa is offering 20% off with code SIMPLE-20

For a chance to win, simply leave a comment on this post! If you would like an additional chance to win:
-post this giveaway to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or your blog
-“like” Handmade Parenting on facebook

and please make sure to come back and leave me another comment letting me know you did so!

Please make sure you comment via intense debate and not via blogger on your phone. If you comment using blogger it gets deleted and cancels out all of the other comments in the process. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for understanding!

Comments will close on Saturday April 2nd and I will announce the winner within this post that night.


Comments closed! The winner is:

Eniko commented - Thank you for this generous chance!

Congrats!!I am emailing you now so you can register before class starts on Monday.       

Good luck everyone! I look forward to "seeing" you in class. Thank you, Lisa!

Simplicity Parenting 101 {Giveaway!}

Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture or two and share it with the rest of us by leaving your link below.
Yet another hat for baby! This is a project I have been working on at a snail's pace...literally. I started it when I was still pregnant with Baby F, I think even before we knew he was a boy. I am not sure what it is about it that has me moving so slow but I am just crossing my fingers that I will actually finish it before he is to big to wear it.

p.s. - It's the Beekeeping hat pattern. If I ever finish this one I hope to make some for my other children as well as myself. Eh, wishful thinking.

What are you working on? Happy creating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

Easter Wishes & New Corners

On Good Friday Happy Easter everyone!! I had high hopes of taking K to the Easter Vigil last night and really just celebrating Easter in a deliberate manner as we usually do but I forgot my own limitations. I should have been a bit more realistic, especially since we didn't do much for Lent yet I still hung on to hope. Oh well. Easter day was very simple this year but we still have the rest of the Easter season to celebrate it more joyously and deliberately.

I didn't drag my camera to Mass today knowing the church would be packed and that I would have my hands full so I don't really have Easter photographs but I hope Baby F in all his sweetness today will be enough. He is wearing a bib that the owner of our local baby/toddler consignment shop (that I only just now discovered!) gave him. I thought that was a kind gesture so he had to wear it for a bit today to show everyone it was his first Easter.

Oh, and the doll Rav notes here.  Pilot cap rav notes here.


On another note, I wanted to share a couple of new corners in our home. First is a corner in our bedroom. Baby F is all set up to play under the little play gym that all three of his siblings used as babies. It's in a dark corner but hopefully you get the idea.

I even vacuumed for you guys! Maybe I need to photograph my floor more often to inspire more regular vacuuming. He is not quite ready for play under it yet but he will be before I know it!

The other "newish" corner is my rocking chair in the front room. It has become one of Baby F's favorite places to nurse. I had my tree stump table for my water or tea but I wanted to do a bit more there. I decided the beautiful image of Jesus and Mary that once hung there needed to be placed in a more prominent area of the room, preferably a spot where I can see it from my chair while nursing, so I framed and hung up a favorite card reminding me to surrender to the moment. I also added some reading material to glance at from time to time as I nurse, although usually I am too caught up in admiring my little guy.
Wishing you all a beautiful season!

Easter Wishes & New Corners

playing catch-up

I realized that while I have not been able to post very often, Baby F is growing by leaps and bounds. I swear he grows each day. I am so very far behind in sharing photographs of him so I thought I would play a little game of catch-up and share some of those photographs now (minus the sweet ones from our friends visit because those deserve their very own post). Otherwise you would all be in for quite a shock when I post current ones! Plus, with our internet issues, posting photographs is much easier than trying to type up thoughts! Future Portland Waldorf School student <3 Go Wolfpack! Shirt made by our sweet, sweet friend. Double chin He loves the piano Knitting with baby Potato sack There. That's a bit better. Did you see him grow before your very eyes?

playing catch-up

Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture or two and share it with the rest of us by leaving your link below.


I finished up my midwife's gifts last week and dropped them off over the weekend. Hopefully she will get them this week (I dropped them off in their mailbox since we stopped by when they were closed). I hope they fit her soon to be born blessing!

In other news, our wireless router broke. The only way to get on the computer right now (and the past week or so) is to actually sit in our office/craft room with it plugged in directly. I had been doing all of my posts from my bed at night for the past month so that Baby F could sleep (as he wakes right up as soon as I leave). Trying to type with a fussy baby in my office doesn't work so well, as I am sure you can imagine. Definitely not complaining but just letting you know where I am at. So I ask that you bear with me as we figure out our wireless issue. I admit that I am rather enjoying the inability to access the internet so easily though. It's making me focus on so many other things that have been neglected.

What are you working on? Happy creating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

winter good-bye

Winter good-bye,

Winter good-bye,

You may no longer stay,

Springtime is on it's way,

Winter good-bye,

Winter good-bye.

winter good-bye

Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture or two and share it with the rest of us by leaving your link below.

I am actually still working on Baby F's Easter present but I couldn't get it out today to photograph without the children seeing so instead I am sharing the babywearing cover I am still very slowly working on. The part pictured is the hood. I am nearly done but I have a feeling it will still be awhile before I find the time to complete it ;)

What are you working on? Happy creating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

Family Run

I was hoping to post about Baby F's colic tonight and my personal journey of nursing with food allergies (and hey, a post about our friends' visit would be nice!) but it it'll have to wait until later in the week due to aforementioned baby with colic, internet issues and daylight savings time AKA thorn in my side. Newborn diapers drying in the sun. Is there anything cuter?!

Say hello to my new running partner (sorry, Nara): My view: I picked running back up today after months of going without. Of course the wind was incredibly strong making my first day back even harder but boy, it still felt good! I felt like a turtle in one of those old Warner Brothers cartoons. You know, the one where the turtle is all excited to race and he stretches his head out far to take off but his legs move in slow motion. Yeah, that was me. We actually did a family run (with Little L on his skuut) and even C and K were flying past me. I have a lot of catching up to do. Slowly but surely I will get my endurance back.

Speaking of C and K running, did I mention they ran in a 5k last month? They had so much fun. Our base hosts monthly 5k "fun runs". The 5ks are not competitive at all and really family friendly. We decided we would all do them each month. I never expected C and K to be into running, especially at their current ages, but they look forward to it. Perhaps because of my and Kevin's love of running (or really the stress relief that comes with it). Whatever their reason is, I am enjoying this new family activity.

With our very high hopes of getting K (and our other children) back to our beloved Portland Waldorf School in the near future, we have been keeping up with where her class is currently at (thanks to some of our friends who keep us in the loop). Well, not completely keeping up with pregnancy and now a new baby, but as close as we can get. Her class read My Side of the Mountain during the fall/winter and now K is reading it. I thought it would be a nice way of doing some of our school during my postpartum resting period. Of course that plan didn't actually happen and she is just now reading it. I have her read it out loud to Baby F and I but the book is so captivating that C and Little L come and join us, too. We end up begging her to read to us throughout the day. I think all four of us (maybe Baby F, too?!) can envision ourselves in Sam's (the main character) place. K has been taking mental notes of all of Sam's recipes, foraging tips, shelter building and so on. She tells me constantly that she wants to go visit Nana, Grandpa and her cousins in NY so she can run off to the Catskills and live in the woods like Sam did. I tell her only if I can come too! Even though this book is fiction, it reminds me a lot of Into the Wild. I can't say enough good things about it! I think we will have to get the other two books in the series after she finishes this one.

Oh and slightly random but the photos of K reading to Baby F reminded me that I wanted to share the diapers he has been wearing with all of you. My friend Elisa recommended them to me when Baby F was too small to fit into his newborn cloth diapers. They are called Naty by Nature Babycare and they are plastic-free! They are made from non-GMO corn and are completely breathable. I never knew such a disposable diaper existed. We have been using them along with his cloth diapers and he has not had one diaper rash yet.

I apologize for being all over the place. That seems to be the state of my brain at the moment.

Family Run

Bits and Pieces

Little L pretending to be the blood moon.

Little L has been obsessed with the moon - especially the blood moon after seeing the rare super harvest blood moon back in September. One night while the girls were with Kevin at AHG, Little L asked me to make him his own blood moon. He drew a pattern for me, picked out fabric and we got to work. It is a simple toy and I admit I would have never thought it, but he loves that moon.


A new to me sight. My other children didn't have pacifiers but my midwife suggested it to help with Baby F's latch issues (more on that later). I was glad I could find natural rubber pacifiers. So far it's a novelty and lasts all of ten seconds.
His eyes seem to be looking blue now! I adore the images of K with Baby F above. He has been rather colicky and in need of comfort and love from all of us in the evening hours (Baby F, that is. Although I suppose Kevin could use some extra love from us all, too!). The last photo of Kevin asleep sitting up while holding a swaddled Baby F pretty much sums up our nights lately. Sleep has become a luxury but that's okay, I can sleep when they are all grown. Right now I will soak up these fleeting moments, but perhaps with an extra cup of coffee!

Bits and Pieces