Photo Share: Lawn bowling and meeting new people.

Meeting new people is always a challenge, but I don't think we realise just how nice everyone is. If only we could orchestrate a reason to talk to each other. Enter volunteering and Young Professionals Network Bendigo. This evening it was lawn bowling, sometimes it talks, once it was a visit to the gallery with an exclusive walk through. It's gotta be good for the soul to be amongst it. 

If you're in and around Bendigo, get on board. Yes it can be daunting talking to peeps you haven't met before, but really, that's how most of our relationships start.

Do you have a good story about meeting someone new?

Jess.

Getting Organised: Food!

Reuben is fast approaching 5 months, and everyone is getting very excited about starting him on solids. I'm excited, but waiting until the moment is right, not too soon and not to late; goldilocks style.

First I have to get organised - I love that being prepared is the Montessori way. So here is my list of getting organised:

1. Cutlery - The best deal I've found is through I Am Montessori

2. Plates, bowls, shot glasses and pitchers... searching the op shops.

3. Weaning table and chair - My father in law is going to help me make it thanks to the patterns from Voila Montessori and I've ordered this high chair so Reuben can be involved in our meals.

4. Read everything I can on the topic - so far my list involves
Montessori Moms - who makes reference to this great article
How We Montessori
Vibrant Wanderings
Montessori.org - PDF on food.
Natural Parents Network
Michael Olaf

5. Watch for the signs Reuben is ready. See the Raising Children Network
- can sit up and hold his head when supported - check!
- shows and interest in food - he's looking at the cup/fork going from the table/plate to mouth - check!
- reaches out for your food - not yet
- opens mouth when offered food - not yet

6. Start thinking about Reuben's first foods. 

7. Start introducing water and juice (he's not ready yet!):

Do you have any good references or experiences? Get in touch in the comments or via email jessclairewhite@gmail.com


References:
http://www.iammontessori.com.au/products/kids-stainless-steel-cutlery-set-zoo-animals-d-line
http://www.voilamontessori.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Weaning-chair-VoilaMontessori.pdf
http://www.michaelolaf.net/08%20weaning1.pdf
Montessori Moms - who makes reference to this great article
How We Montessori
Vibrant Wanderings
Montessori.org - PDF on food.
Natural Parents Network
Michael Olaf
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/when_to_introduce_solids.html
http://www.limetreekids.com.au/product-soho-wooden-highchair-1319.aspx

Starting the Montessori Journey.

Journey; a bit of a naff way to describe it, but honestly, I can't think of a better word. My aim is to raise a child who is confident, curious and able. The journey is really about figuring out what works and how to get to the end point and all the ups and downs along the way.

And, it's a minefield out there. There is a humungous volume of information not only on raising kids, parenting, feeding, sleeping, disciplining, etc, etc, etc but Montessori too.

So this blog is to help me be organised, critical and reflective of the journey. I don't know what's best, I'm just figuring it out and hopefully along the way you, dear readers, will join me, help me and share your ideas.

My story is simple: I went to a Montessori Pre-school in 1987 with my twin sister, it was run by the most amazing teacher I have ever had, Tara. I have fond memories and when I was pregnant decided to look into it to see if there was anything in my area (Bendigo, Victoria, Australia) and to my surprise I found out there isn't. So I started reading and pinteresting and I found this wonderful community online.

Bendigo is a town of 105,000, a major centre in our state known for it's art gallery and gold rush history (and what you probably didn't know was the dim sim was invented here). There is so much to offer here and it surprised me that there wasn't the Montessori option. Maybe one day I might try and bring it to this community, but in the mean time I would love to start the journey and hopefully find some local Montessori inspired mummas along the way.

I have a 3 and a half month little boy named Reuben, a darling husband who loves everything I tell him about Montessori and a staffy-kelpie name Boston (who I am sure will pop up on this blog now and again).

What you can expect from this site is my experiences, reviews of books and websites, links to resources, some of my personal sewing projects, updates on our garden and hopefully some inspiration.

I'm excited. Lets Make, Grow + Share.

Get in touch: jessclairewhite -at- gmail.com
Follow my Montessori board on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aaahhhyes/montessori/