A little peak into our small but beautiful playroom, out of all the rooms in my apartment it is the room I love the absolute most to be in, and my kids agree. The energy there is just so peaceful and positive.

If you scroll down this post you will see two photos of my 4.5 year old daughter proudly wearing her brothers clothes. For a few weeks, my little girl who would always (and I mean every.single.time) choose to wear a dress or a skirt for the day wore nothing but shorts and t-shirts.
But what does that matter? (Well, first of all it actually doesn’t…) BUT it does help me make a point about labelling!

I was in the park with my family last weekend.  In the middle of the park stands this beautiful, big tree.  Its large, sturdy branches grow close to the ground and you usually see the tree full of climbing children, finding their way up and down the trunk, focused and fulfilled by the wonderful task of tree-climbing.

“How would one respectfully limit screen time?  I did not use to give my now 25 month old screen time, but now that I’m pregnant with number 2, for my sanity, I’ve been indulging her.  However, I do want to limit her and always set a time frame or a number of videos she can watch. 

“Babies have a right to cry, and feel what they feel, with the knowledge that a kindly adult is there to help if possible. Accept the feelings of your baby, positive as well as negative.” – Magda Gerber

RIE stands for “Resources For Infant Educarers” and is often known as Respectful Parenting. RIE was brought to the U.S. by infant-development expert Magda Gerber in 1978. Magda Gerber, born in Hungary, had previously worked closely with paediatrician dr. Emmi Pikler and from that experience she framed the RIE approach that refers to giving babies more independence, allowing their natural abilities to flourish with minimal intervention and respect.

I was in a beautiful toy store with my 3.5 year old daughter last weekend. After spending some time browsing around the store, looking at different toys and objects, she found two beautiful swans that lit up, sort of like a cozy night-light, One was pink, the other, white, and she was obviously captivated by them. She played with them the whole time we were in the store – so focused and peaceful. It was lovely.

As Peaceful Parents we don’t punish, lecture, manipulate or teach children “a lesson” in the traditional way when it comes to setting limits. At the same time, we who practice Respectful or Peaceful Parenting know how important it is to our children’s well-being and happiness to set clear boundaries and limits. To feel securely rooted, children need limits.