Always Learning

Welcome to the August 2015 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Life Learners

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have talked about how they continue learning throughout life and inspire their children to do the same.

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One of the things I think I am particularly good at is learning.  I am constantly learning something.  I read, and research.  Even if I am doing my research from articles posted by friends on Facebook, I am always open to new information coming in.  Sometimes there is a project that I am actively learning about, which my children are really able to see – like how to raise ducks.  Sometimes, what I’m learning is deeper, and they aren’t as able to see it or understand it yet – like white privilege.  And sometimes, the projects are so big that my children are actively included in my learning.

My latest big learning project has been my journey into essential oils.  I’ve used essential oils for years, but had never been able to harness the power of them to really use them productively.  I’d always used lower quality oils, and not really seen results.  But several months ago, I bit the bullet and bought some high quality oils from a reputable company.  The difference in the quality was so strong that I was immediately able to tell results from the better oils.  When I started seeing results, I began incorporating them into our daily lives, and the kids began learning about them as well, by extension.

It’s been really fun to watch the kids, following my example and learning to support their own bodies’ healing.  It is really rewarding to know that my entire family is being empowered by my learning endeavors.  And it is wonderful to know that my children are seeing my example of continuing to learn, no matter what stage of life I am in!  Knowing that they will think it normal to be open to new information really makes my heart sing.  I want them to be open to new ideas, and to continue to grow, throughout their lives!

If you’d like to learn more about essential oils, and how to use them to empower your own family, please like my Facebook page, Essentially Healthy Home.

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Visit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• The Financial Advice That Saved My Marriage — Shortly after they got married, Emily at Natural Parents Network and her husband visited a financial planner. Many of the goals and priorities they set back then are now irrelevant, but one has stuck with them through all of the employment changes, out-of-state-moves, and child bearing: allowances.
• Lifelong Learning — Survivor at Surviving Mexico–Adventures and Disasters writes about how her family’s philosophy of life-long learning has aided them.
• Inspiring Children to be Lifelong Learners — Donna from Eco-Mothering discusses the reasons behind her family’s educational choices for their daughter, including a wish list for a lifetime of learning.
• Always Learning — Kellie at Our Mindful Life loves learning, and lately she’s undertaken a special project that her family has been enjoying sharing with her.
• We’re all unschoolers — Lauren at Hobo Mama embraces the joy in learning for its own sake, and wants to pass that along to her sons as she homeschools.
• My children, my teachers — Stoneageparent shares how becoming a parent has opened doors into learning for her and her family, through home education and forest school.
• Never Stop Learning — Holly at Leaves of Lavender discusses her belief that some of the most important things she knows now are things she’s learned since finishing “formal” schooling.
• Learning is a Lifelong Adventure — Learning has changed over time for Life Breath Present, and she is more excited and interested now than ever before.
• Facebook: The Modern Forum — Dionna at Code Name: Mama explains why Facebook is today’s forum – a place where people from all walks of life can meet to discuss philosophies, debate ideas, and share information.
• 10 Ways to Learn from Everyday Life (Inspired by my Life in Japan) — Erin at And Now, for Something Completely Different offers tips she learned while living in Japan to help you learn from everyday life.