children
I love them
I work daily with them as nanny, teacher-mentor, photographer
I am witness to their
expressions, feelings, needs, play
they shine most when they are free to be themselves
they have taught me how to re-learn everything
Firemaker has changed my life and my understanding of children
here we have space, freedom and nature
and something else, a village of attachment
the loosely linked arms that surround our children here
allow them the most incredible learning, play, self-exploraion
a very different socializing happens here
it is bonded, it is creative, nurturing, free-range!
belonging, and free to be both autonomous and competent
children show us through service, through freely giving of themselves
shining from the inside out.
beautiful mamas! beautiful papas!
parenting cracks us open
especially for us mamas,
it remakes us!
as a mama and caregiver I have immersed myself in the stories of women, family, bonding. attachment, compassionate parenting, alternative modes to education, healing, conflict resolution, NVC, I have read and and read, observed many many children
and I have come to understand a thing or two
how we parent IS how we change the world, how we teach, mentor, auntie, grandparent, care for children IS how we change the world,
how we attach, how we create stories of belonging, purpose, meaning, how we cherish our place and all our relations, and the unique and stunning gifts of each,
how we love, forgive, express gratitude, express boundaries and needs, accept, defend, hold on, release
ourselves, our children, our partners, friends, colleagues, students, neighbours
IS
HOW
WE
CHANGE
THE WORLD
I am so grateful to all the incredible children, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunties, uncles, teachers, mentors and community that I ahem had the great honour to learn from and observe, celebrate with my camera eye.
Thank You.
Belidna