Comments for A Spirited Mind

Comment on Raising Musical Kids by Johanna @ My Home Tableau

Johanna @ My Home Tableau — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:31:36 +0000

I had not heard of this book (I can’t believe that actually!). Both my husband and I have Master’s Degrees in music and are very passionate about music. Taking kids to live concerts is SO important. It definitely gives them a love for music. I’m thankful my parents did that often and I know without a doubt that this is what helped me stay inspired. Going to check this one out! Thanks!

Comment on Simplicity Parenting by Monica

Monica — Sat, 19 May 2012 00:19:59 +0000

This book just made it’s way to the top of the list. I read it to my older girls and they completely agreed. Lydia suggested that whatever the kids don’t pick up in the first five minutes should be taken away, because all kids pick up what they care about. I think I’m going to apply that to all of the clothes on the floor in her room:) (and mine).

Comment on Raising Musical Kids by a. borealis

a. borealis — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:19:48 +0000

Ooooo! This looks interesting.

Comment on Simplicity Parenting by a. borealis

a. borealis — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:19:14 +0000

Clutter, without a doubt. Clutter, clutter, clutter, clutter. But tackling that mountain of toys sounds so harrrrrrrrd. I do purge on a semi-regular basis, but they are attached to so much of it (and will spontaneously enter misc. toys into their imaginative play). I guess that is where the concept of rotation comes in. But . . . my eyes roll to the back of my head upon contemplation.

The one thing I have implemented with success is keeping the activities/toys with itty-bitty pieces on the shelf, to be put back upon completion ASAP. But still. The clutter!

Comment on Simplicity Parenting by Johanna @ My Home Tableau

Johanna @ My Home Tableau — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:14:03 +0000

I just read this book as well and thoroughly enjoyed it. We live pretty simply and have very few toys. I am always promoting that, but he gave me some helpful tools when people ask me how to go about it.

I loved his ideas about rhythm. Candlelight was a new one for me as well, but we have tried it and does work! Amazing! I really loved this book. I thought it was a very common sense approach about how children need simpler lives. I also appreciated his thoughts on how we give children too much adult information too young. It made my husband and I evaluate how much we were discussing in front of the kids. While we didn’t think of it as stressful, I realized that sense it involves a potential move, it probably is stressing my kids out to hear us talk about it.
Thanks for the review!

Comment on Willpower by lizzykristine

lizzykristine — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:15:39 +0000

Sounds fascinating! I’m definitely going to add this one to my reading pile. Come to think of it, maybe I should first summon the willpower to finish all the books already on my pile….

Comment on Willpower by Catherine Gillespie@A Spirited Mind

Catherine Gillespie@A Spirited Mind — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:01:35 +0000

Hi Alison, I’m not on Goodreads, although I have considered it. For now, it feels like I don’t really have time for one more social media thing to keep track of and I note all of the books I read on my blog. But who knows, maybe I will change my mind!

Comment on Willpower by Alison S.

Alison S. — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:52:11 +0000

This is fascinating to me. Going to add this book to my to read list. Right now I feel so drained because I have a toddler and a 7 month old who for no reason I can figure is waking me up every 1-2hrs at night. Maybe that’s why snacking is such a temptation for me right now! By the way, are you on Goodreads? I would love to see your book lists if you are since I find myself adding so many of the books you review to my to read list.

Comment on Willpower by Heather L.

Heather L. — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:02:37 +0000

Aha! This is a concept I’ve been wrestling with and didn’t know how to describe it. Instead of willpower I’ve been saying “emotional energy”. I’ll have to check the book out…… I’ve noticed that rigidly sticking to a food budget this year is very draining — rather than “emotional energy” I think what I’m using is willpower and it can get wearing.

Comment on Willpower by Jen F.

Jen F. — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:43:17 +0000

No kidding, re: time, energy, willpower spent on debating about when it’s all right to eat the cookie! The waste of personal resources that go into playing around with stuff like that is huge when you’re better as an abstainer. (I also have to laugh because I am baking cookies for a bake sale later this week. I was wondering when to make them. Now I know – right before they’re leaving the house, as per policy…)

I like the verbiage “bright line policy” – nice visual to go with the concept. I’d never considered that making many other decisions in a day would wear down one’s willpower reserves, but it makes sense. I know that stress, low energy, headaches, etc. definitely affect my decision making on things like making healthy eating choices. And cultivating habits has a definite positive influence for me. I also hadn’t considered the amount of stress that “bright line policies” help me to avoid. Skipping the dithering is a good thing…! This was a great topic for a Monday – good time to think about what habits I might cultivate to help me accomplish some goals!