Bermuda the Beautiful!

It was around 7am and I woke up on the ship and looked out of my window to see land in front of us. I quietly woke up Joe and he and I both gazed out of the window in amazment as we approached Bermuda. It was exquisite and I had a tear in my eye as my heart filled with Gratitude that we were on this adventure together. Bermuda was the highlight of our trip and to step off the ship with the families in our group and see all of the kids so excited was a better feeling than Christmas morning to me. It was just awesome....
Everyone had a great time snorkling, shopping and just being together as an Unschooling Community in a far away place.

As part of our first day in Bermuda, I spoke at a community center to a dozen or so families about Unschooling and respectful, peaceful parenting. One of the Bermuda residents invited me to come speak months before the cruise when they heard I was coming. I signed books and gave hugs. They were so hospitable and grateful that I was there. It felt so good to be there sharing my passion with others. It was a great experience!

It

Birds Fly, Fish Swim, Unschoolers Cruise!

Here is one of the bands playing on board the ship throughout our cruise. They were so fun and loved to see Orion dancing and clapping to their music!


Here we are dressed up on Formal Night of the cruise. It was so touching to see all of the Unschooling families part of our group so excited about this night. Everyone looked amazing! It was one of my favorite nights of the cruise.


Here is Franklin, our room attendant. He cleaned our room several times a day, whenever we would leave. When we returned there was some kind of cute towel animal waiting for the kids on their beds. Such a special touch to the cruise experience! One day he left a towel bat hanging from the ceiling! We laughed so hard coming into our room that night!

Rockin' the Boat with Unschoolers!

The Unschooling Adventure Cruise was a big success and so much fun! Planning and organizing our first conference was exciting and challenging, but worth the last 18 months of preparation.
The food was amazing! We all had lobster and shrimp on the final night, as well as desserts that our waiter brought without end. The ship itself took my breath away.

I remember talking to a few people last month about the cruise and they shared that they had no interest on being in such an "Unnatural" setting. I thought about what they said when we were on board. I have to say that I have never been so close to nature in the way we were on the Explorer of the Seas ship. There is no other feeling like being in the middle of the ocean with the wind in your hair. It was awe-inspiring. I felt one with the power of nature at every turn. I was changed after this cruise and my children were moved and inspired and so grateful for the experience!

The trip was the perfect combination of being in nature and being pampered. Cruising Rocks! I'm officially a Cruise Diva!

This April we will be hosting our second Unschooling cruise. This time it will be bigger and better! It will be a 7 night cruise with three ports of call. We will be cruising out of Texas and hitting the islands of Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico. Look out Caribbean! Here we come!

The Pace Car

Growing up my father was a mechanic and a weekend race car driver. For many years of my life I grew up on the race track and hung with the "Pit Crew" Being a race car driver is something I wanted to be as a child. I still get excited hearing loud engines and screaming fans.

Before every race the Pace Car limits the speed of the other cars. With few exceptions, competitors do not pass the pace car or other competitors during the period where the pace car is on the track. At the end of this period, the pace car leaves the track and the competitors resume racing.

As I was laying nursing Ivy this morning, I thought of how the pace of life with my children is very much like the race track. We all take turns being the pace car and setting the speed and tone of each moment that comes our way. It is a give and take that when we recognize how important it is to allow one another the role of being the "pace person", life goes much more smoothly.

As I was nursing her I was feeling anxious because I wanted to get back downstairs to have my coffee and check my email and pick up the house before everyone woke up. I was cranked up energetically, but she was desiring a pace that was quite the opposite. She wanted to lay, cuddle and stay in this slow pace for her moment of time with me before she dozed off again. I began thinking about how important it was on my motherhood path to surrender to and embrace others being the Pace Car and allow myself to be guided by the speed in which they need to live in the moment.

As I lay with her this morning I realized how this was all part of my Mothering Responsibility. It was my responsiblity to meet my children's needs, not just physically and emotionally, but in every ounce of who I am. Switching gears and shifting down is such an important part of my responsibility to my children. There are also times when I have to shift upward, but those seem to come much easier to me in who I am as a person.

Sharing the role of the Pace-Car is so important as a mother. Enjoying the pace at which my children set our moments, rather than just going through the motions has kicked it up a notch in my fulfilment as a parent too. Taking a deep breath, and knowing that we are *Here, Now* and nothing has to get done, there is no where I need to be but with them at whatever pace they choose in that moment.

When I notice that I need to down-shift to be fully present with my children, I take a deep breath and kiss their skin, or smell their hair. I smile at them and feel their energy and the pace at which they need me to be with them in the moment and I let go...

When they have the steering wheel and gearstick in their hands I enjoy the ride around the track. It's their turn to be the Pace Car. I crank my seat back and enjoy the wind in my hair...

Chemistry Play

Devin loves to do experiments. He always has. I can't tell you how many gallons of vinegar and boxes of baking soda we've gone through over the years! Our kitchen cabinets are not only for sustenance, but also everything is fair game for experimentation!

We took Devin's interest to the next level and bought him a truly cool Chemistry kit called, Chem2000! We've been doing some very interesting experiments this week!

Devin rocks Chemistry and Physics... I've learned so much myself exploring this passion of his together.

Outgrown Intensity

For years now I have written about Tiff's intense nature. She is turning 8 years old next Monday! I have to share that her sensitivity and intensity has faded so much as she has grown. She is so much like me and we are both very sensitive people.

I remember when she was only 2 years old, she used to scream for everything. She wouldn't let me brush her teeth and finding clothes that didn't annoy her was challenging. Everything seemed to be such a struggle. I never thought that I could have any other children with the intensity of her needs. It was more than I ever thought parenting could ever be...

I honestly could cry thinking about how hard it was to parent a child like Tiff was for years. Now, I am proud to say that Tiff can not be considered "Sensitive" or "Intense" anymore. I thought that I would be always parenting a child with unique needs, but not anymore.. The qualities that made her intense in the past have made her so helpful and focused on getting whatever it is she wants in life.

After 8 years with a child who screamed and cried and yelled to voice her needs, I realize that it was only such a short season in her life. We never punished her for the way she voiced her needs. We talked, explained, discussed, shared and connected. Tiff has grown to be the most incredible human being. When we honor our kids, wherever they are, and parent them respectfully and lovingly they learn that they can always count on us to love them unconditionally! Tiff, my darling, sensitive daughter is my best friend, and such a little advocate for respectful, peaceful parenting. She is truly the most kind, loving person that I know to others.

We were told by others that if we didn't punish her she would never grow out of it, or learn that the way she was communicating wasn't "appropriate". Well those *others* were wrong... You never need to punish a child for them to learn these things in life.

Tiff has an incredible altruistic quality and understanding of others needs.. I know in my heart that this is because we have always respected and met her needs as a person, as hard as it was to stay centered in the midst of her intensity. Tiff... my intense daughter has now outgrown the label of "intense" and "sensitive" and has come out on the other side.

Tiff is a Whole, Perfect, Beautiful Girl inside and out.

I love you little girl! I have always trusted *Who You Were*. It was all worth it.. You are the most amazing human being that I have ever met. I can't imagine who you would be today if I would have listened to others who told me to put you in school, and medicate you into compliance and obedience for the last few years. I am so glad that I listened to my inner knowing that All Would Be Well.

This is the last post that I will write about Tiff's former Intense nature. We are moving forward and leaving it behind. Her sensitivity is a gift and something I am so grateful for.

Fairy House Lane

Behind our house there is a magical little place. There are ferns carpeting the ground and vines that wrap around the pine tree. There is a mystical face in the tree and a canopy of trees overhead. We can this place, Fairy House Lane.
For years, every fall, we make fairy houses. Devin was really into it for a few years, but his interest has died off a bit. Tiff is the one who loves making them this year the most.
When the kids make fairy houses they sometimes leave berries out for the fairies and make them nice little beds. The fairies "thank" the kids by leaving little pretty gems and stones during the night. When the kids wake up they run out to see what the fairies left them.

It's been a tradition of ours every Autumn for 7 years now.
Building Fairy Houses is such a creative project. Fairy Houses are made out of items found in nature. Our land is covered in wild flowers, little stones, milkweed, shells that we have collected, feathers, leaves and bark... We have 43 acres of forest to build Fairy Houses. By the end of the season we have many on our land. We love to watch the first snow fall cover them with a white blanket.

In the spring thaw it is exciting to see the fairy houses again. Some are missing walls and stones, but there they ready to either take down, or rebuild. We use the same materials every year and add much, much more.

Here is Tiff's first Fairy House of the year.

Another year, and the tradition continues.

“We learn simply by the exposure of living, and what we learn most natively is the tradition in which we live.” David Gartener

Joyful Garden Art

The girls and I were feeling crafty today so I pulled out the clay and began creating!

I had the idea of making decorative plant stakes for our garden.

We simply made shapes and designs out of self-hardening clay. We then slowly and gently pushed kabob skewers through the bottom of our clay pieces. Finally we painted the stakes with water color paint while the clay was still wet to give a nice glazed look.

I plan on making these for Christmas gifts for family and friends this year!

I am grateful for creative ideas that are born in the moment of connection and Joy with one another!

Mud

We had a fabulous weekend with some friends of ours who came for a visit from New York. Our friends, Marla, Ken, Amy and Lily hung out with us, ate good food, laughed and just connected as families.

Every year in North Conway, NH, there is a Mud Football Championship. It's a really big thing around here. One of my children's favorite aspects of Mud Bowl is being able to use the football field full of mud for weeks afterward.

Yup, we brought the Briggs family to a giant hole of mud during their visit! They loved it!

Life With No Chores?

My children have never had chores. We have never had charts hanging on our fridge with certain household tasks for them to take care of with stickers as rewards.

Yet... Devin, Tiff, Ivy and Orion all help with the housework, because they want to.
How is this possible?

For one, when I clean and do the little tasks that I find necessary to keep our house organized throughout the day, I do so *Joyfully*. I never slam things around or get frustrated that toys are on the floor, or dishes are in the sink. I don't huff and puff and talk under my breath about being everyone's "slave". Who would want to help if I was obviously hating when I cleaned?

I truly feel *Gratitude* in my heart every time I clean or pick something up because I feel such love and happiness for having my family and for all that comes with having children. I see the little scraps of paper on the floor, or books strewn about and see the story behind them. I see the craft project that Ivy did, or the books that I read to Tiff and how much she loved them. I pick up or clean whatever needs to be done in the moment, unconditionally. I bask in the gratitude of our life together without feeling that they are responsible for the "messes" they make.

I value my relationship and connection with my children over the cleanliness of our home.
I think many times parents can think they have no choice but to coerce, reward or force children to do chores to instill "responsibility". I feel very differently about this. I feel that my children will naturally be responsible for what they feel a partnership in. Our home is their nest. It is a place that they feel is theirs as much as it is mine. They love their home. They see cleaning as just something to do that makes sense.

Last night the kids were all cleaning until almost midnight. Ivy and Orion cleaned windows and inside the fridge.. Devin mopped floors and Tiff vacuumed the whole house, including the stairs! It was a fun night of housework with music crankin' in the background. No power struggles. No threats. No punishments or tears. Just pure, authentic connection and fun as we clean together as a family.

Rockin' Rethinking Education!

We just got back from a week in Dallas, Texas where we attended the famous Rethinking Education Conference. I was honored to be a Featured Speaker this year.

Here is a video that Joe created to share the highlights of our amazing, experience!

Learning Music Naturally

A few weeks ago, we were attending the Northeast Unschooling Conference. Part of the weekend was a performance by a musical group, "Fishing With Finnegan". The performance was fabulous and I was so impressed with this joyful family of four siblings who play Irish, Scottish, English and American Folk Music.

After the show I was talking with their mother and she shared that none of the children had ever had music lessons. They always had instruments lying around as part of their lives and environment. She inspired me so much!

Just like we choose to surround our children with the written word, we also choose to surround them with music and instruments. We recently acquired a piano. From the moment Devin sat down in front of it, he began playing. I mean really playing! Joe and I looked at each other in amazement. He truly has a natural gift. He has no interest in music lessons at all. He is just enJOYing the experience of playing in his own way. His music is so unique, so beautiful and perfectly *him*. I would never want to rob that from him by having an "expert" tell him how and what he should be playing, unless it was something he really wants to do.

I love the beauty of *Trust* living this life. We never have to rely on "experts" to perfect our skills and talents, even in such areas as music. All of my kids will continue on their own paths of musical growth in the way that they choose to. Seeing this amazing band reaffirmed my inner-knowing of what we are humans are capable of. Musical talent isn't something "taught". It is something inside of those who choose to release and nurture it.

Preserving Babywearing Memories

I am one of those sentimental Moms who have a hard time parting with things from my children's babyhood. One item that I am very emotionally attached to my children's slings. They represent so much to me.

The first sling I ever bought was when Devin (who is almost 11 now) was only a few months old. I bought is used on eBay for $14. From that moment on, I have never been without a sling. It is the only baby item that I ever needed that wasn't already part of my body.

I had an idea to be able to transform my children's slings into something they can use for the rest of their lives. Last night I created a pillow for Devin and embroidered the years he was *worn* on it. It was a quick, easy project and one in which anyone could do. I used a sewing machine, but you can easily sew this by hand. Devin wanted his pillow very simple, but Tiff wants hers with fancy fringe and hearts and iron on transfers.

As I was creating his pillow, Devin came down stairs several times to see if I was done. He loves his new *Sling Pillow* and he slept with it last night. He is just as attached to it as I was. It was so Joyful to give it to him as a symbol of our connection and love together as mother and son. When I handed him this precious new creation, I hugged him, looked into his eyes and told him how much I loved the years I wore him all day on my body. He smiled and gave me a long hug and sweet kiss. He said, "Mom, thank you. I love you".

Babywearing is so much more than an easy way to carry our babies and children. It goes deep into who we are are women and as mothers. This transition from having our babies growing inside our bodies to wearing them on the outside of our bodies is natural and beautiful and a part of motherhood that I will always cherish.

Here is Devin with his new *Sling Pillow*.

I will be making one for Tiff next. She can't wait and wants to help with the project.
Ivy and Orion are still worn, so it will be a few years before I can transform their slings into such sweet keepsakes. Until that time, I will cherish every moment that I wear them.

Northeast Unschooling Conference - In Pictures...

Rockin' Interviews

This week I have been Interviewed 3 times about Radical Unschooling and my book. One was for the Baltimore Sun, which should be published this week.

The other two are here.

Holistic Family Radical Unschooling with Author, Speaker, and Mother Dayna Martin 25/08/2009 20:00 - 1hr30min Unschooling philosophy holds that children are natural learners, they learn all the time, and they learn most effectively through inner motivation. Unschooling children may use a variety of methods, including the use of conventional educational materials, to accomplish their learning goals. The key is that it is child-directed learning, or natural learning. The role of an unschooling parent is to support their children's interests, trust their children to make decisions for themselves, and help their children accomplish their goals, which may include answering questions, finding answers, giving instruction or guidance, and locating apprenticeship opportunities or other sources of knowledge and experience. "Radical Unschooling is an evolution of our understanding about learning and the rights and respect of children. We are on the cusp of change and many people are looking for alternatives to the traditional schooling model. With Unschooling, we are reprioritizing. We are taking back our freedom and putting happiness, connection and family first!" Dayna Martin.

Listen to this Interview here.

LeadingEdgeParenting
Radical Unschooling: Dayna Martin leads a Revolution
19/08/2009 19:00 - 1 hr
Just back from the first ever Unschooling Conference in London, Dayna shares the radical concepts based on the belief that children learn best when internally motivated. As keynote speaker of the conference Dayna is an expert on a movement that trusts children's ability to learn through their passions. What? No more tests? What a concept! Join us as we learn the connection between The Law of Attraction and Radical Unschooling.

Listen to this Interview here.

Rockin' the Log!

Last week was Madison Old Home Week. On Sunday there was a beach party with Dj and several different competitions and contests. Devin really wanted to compete in the log rolling competition this year. He never has before.

Before he competed he meditated. He really wanted to win, so I spent some time with him talking about his feelings and reminded him that he could *feel* what it already felt like to win and go into it with that feeling.

He also spent some time Segment Intending, which is is taking the time to pre-think certain segments of your day. Most people solely focusing on their big goals and dreams. Segment intending tells you to mentally walk through tasks that you have a certain goal with. This is exactly what many Olympic athletes do before they compete, although they may call it something different.

When it came time for the log roll, Devin was steady and relaxed and very Zen in his approach which was a stark contrast to the other boys his age with an aggressive, competitive attitude toward competing. My long-haired, sweet, smiling boy was so cute up there with all of the other boys. It was a day I will never forget.

Devin one 1st place and received his first trophy. He was so proud of himself, as you can see!

The Next Design Star!

Tiff has had an interest in fashion and clothes for as long as I can remember. She usually adds things to her clothes to make them more like *Her*. She adds yarn and ribbons and cuts things to fit a vision she creates in her mind. She loves hats, is crazy about shoes, and has a huge selection of hair accessories, make-up and jewelery.

I nurture this passion of hers in many ways. I bought her a professional style make-up and accessory kit. She keeps it so organized. We shop thrift stores for clothes and fabrics that spark her creativity.

I recently bought her something she just loved... A Doll Design Kit. The kit came with cardboard dolls, tons of fabrics, glue, beads and feathers among many other fabulous tools for her passion.

She spent hours designing the perfect clothing for each doll. I loved to watch her Sparkle when she measured, cut and glued the fabric to dolls.

One of my passions is to come up with new ways to nurture my children's interests. I love how their passions are always evolving, flowing and growing.

Three of My Favorite Childhood Toys

I remember so many toys from my childhood! I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites.

I remember the Christmas when I received my Strawberry Shortcake, "Berry Happy Home". I spent hours a day playing with this awesome doll house. I loved the porch swing!



This Barbie motorhome is set up almost exactly like our motorhome! (well the one we had before we hit the deer a few months ago). I can remember bringing it outside and playing with it for hours. One summer I wanted some money for something, so I had a little yard sale. I sold this for $5 to a girl next door. When my yard sale was over I regretted selling this so much that I knocked on the girls door and offered her $10 to buy it back. It was all the money I made that day. I SO loved this thing!



My sweet Holly Hobby Easy Bake Oven. My favorite thing to make in this was Saltine crackers with melted American cheese. I has this for years and I remember using it as a play kitchen too.


It's so interesting that one of my favorite toys as a child was my play kitchen and now that is what we have for a home business!

My dream home, RV and toy kitchen... I hadn't realized until now how so much of what I played with as a child helped to form who I am today!

The Sandcastle Contest

Devin and Tiff entered the yearly sandcastle contest at our local beach.

Joe helped Devin create a fortress and Joe's Mom assisted Tiff in her creation of an alligator.

They weren't upset when they didn't win. In fact, they were so happy for the winners that Devin went over to congratulate them!

Something Joe and I have lived for years and something we are seeing emerge in our children is that we..... Celebrate other's accomplishments as if they were your own.

The kids took just as much Joy and appreciation for someone else winning than they would if they won themselves. (Of course, I thought they should have won!) ;)

The Martin's Rock the UK!

London Unschooling Conference

One of the main reasons that we went to London was that I was invited to be the Keynote Speaker at the London Unschooling Conference. It was a fabulous experience and it was so amazing to meet so many families from all over the world.

There were Unschooling families from Germany, Italy, Hungary, India and the UK. Speaking in such a forum was so different and interesting. I was honored to be a voice and advocate of Unschooling at such a monumental, historical event.

European Transport

Experiencing British transportation was so different than what we are used to. We do not even have city buses where we live out in the country in New Hampshire.

From riding the rails of the trains to the hustle and bustle of the British Underground, our family experienced it all. The kids were in awe of the speed of the trains and the people crammed on the subway. We took in all in with great joy and enthusiasm.

Visiting Grandparent's English Garden Home

I will never forget when we stepped through the gate to my Mothers home in England. It was magical! I've heard so much about English Garden homes, but it wasn't until we arrived in Quadring, Lincolnshire that I experienced how amazing her home and back yard was.

The kids were in awe of their Grammy's home, gardens and fish ponds. I am so grateful for the time my children got to spend at their grandparents house enjoying yummy food and relaxing times together.

The Sparkling Martin's European Vacation

Traveling to Europe with four kids was easier than one would think. Where are together all day, everyday so, traveling was actually easy and fun.

We just returned from two weeks overseas. It was a very special time together because we got to see my Moms house in the UK and spend tons of time with her and my step-Dad. I was also honored to be the Keynote Speaker at the first ever Unschooling Conference in Europe on July 25th.

Here we are on the flight over to England. We were on the plane for almost 8 hours and the kids did great! We flew Virgin Airlines. The food was awesome and there were TV screens on the back of every seat, so the kids could choose from 50 movies and video games. It was luxury!

Where Have all the Kids Gone?

Almost every house on our street has kids. During the school year, we were the only house busting with delightfully loud sounds of kids playing in the leaves in the fall, sledding and building snowmen in the winter, planting gardens in the spring and screaming as they run through the sprinkler and jump on the trampoline in the summer.

When school ended this year, I was looking forward to our street coming alive with the sounds and sights of Joyful children riding bikes, having lemonade stands, playing ball and just enjoying their unstructured summer freedom.

It was a bit shocking to see a school bus drop off so many kids on our street at 4pm! I soon learned that these kids all go to a "summer program", which seems to be our cultures trend right now. The kids get on a bus at 7:30am and are gone 5-6 days a week all summer long, away from their homes in exchange for a very structured summer program, in which they are in the care of others.

I do understand that most people work full time, so they need a place to send their kids all day. I can respect that. I just had a moment of realization of how much times have changed since I was a kid. The days of living in the moment, barefoot all summer catching frogs, climbing trees, having impromptu picnics and games with my neighborhood friends seem to be over for most kids in our culture.

I am so grateful to be living the life that we are. It seems like unscheduled time is such a luxury for most families in this time in history.

Today as I sat with my children on a banket in the yard, our street was silent. As I gazed at my barefoot kids with jelly on their face, my son woke me from my trance and said, "What do you guys wanna do after lunch?" I smiled, knowing that they can do whatever they want to do.

For us, the summer has only begun.

~Dayna

A Worldwide Revolution!

I received the exciting news from my agent yesterday that my book, "Radical Unschooling" is now worldwide! For those from abroad who have been asking.... you've got It!

In the UK here

In Germany here

In France here

In Canada here

We have 18 reviews on Amazon already!
Check It out here!

~Dayna

Unerzogen

A few months ago I wrote an article for a German homeschooling magazine.

Today we got a copy of the magazine with my featured article, "Radical Unschooling". The kids thought is was SO cool! to see their picture in a magazine over the ocean!

Uncshooling is Illegal in Germany, which adds to the whole intrigue of writing for them.

I have accepted an invitation to have my book, "Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun", translated into German.

The excitement of living this life builds everyday, as does the voice that I speak in many different languages..

I have been contacted my publishers in Australia, France and Asia... and a few more countries.. The philosophy is growing and I am honored to be leading the movement...

Unschooling will change the World... How cool that our family can be such an example!!

Tandem Nursing Life

This is my second round of tandem nursing. Ivy is 4 and a half and still nursing as much as Orion does at 18 months. Devin nursed until he was four and a half.. That was SO long for me to nurse being a new Mom.... Never would I have guessed that I would be nursing a child well into their 5th year!

It feels so normal and natural though... when you are doing it. Ivy loves her "Nummies". Night time is challenging.. I haven't "slept through the night" in over 10 years! Yes... you read right... ten years since I slept without waking to nurse a child..

As a culture we are so conditioned to think that we "need" to sleep through the night to function that it becomes goal, even though it wasn't one that we set ourselves.. Our goals are set by others standards without living their *Truth* ourselves..

We are designed as women to wake frequently when we have kids.

We are so much stronger than we are given credit for as women! Our bodies, minds and spirits are designed to do this!! Once you step into this *knowing* and stop thinking that night waking is an inconvenience and accept how normal it is everything shifts, you stop suffering, and life becomes more joyful. I love my time when they wake at night.

Let's raise the bar of what is possible!

Natural Motherhood Rocks!!

Orion the Toy-Maker!

Orion is such an adorned part of all five of our lives.... When he looks at us and smiles, nothing else matters. He has a magic way about him. Such pure Joy in his little heart. Orion just adores his Daddy.

Joe works at home and most of the day he is next door creating awesome wooden toys... Orion loves to be with him watching what is going on in the shop. Devin was never really into this as a young boy... Orion is different. He loves playing with the tools and the wood, being part over every little thing that Daddy is doing all day.

His favorite place to be is on the bench where Joe sands and waxes the toys.. If you bought a toy from us in the last 3 months, you can be guaranteed that Orion had a hand in it's creation!

Orion is a big part of Willow Toys!

We love you Orion!! You rock our lives and we are so grateful for you little man!!

Mancala

Right now our favorite family game is called, "Mancala". It is an ancient Egyptian game that Devin fell in love with a few years ago when he was learning about Egypt.

Rules of the Game:

Each player "owns" the Mancala on his right and the six small bowls closest to him.

Player 1 starts by scooping up all the stones from one of his small bowls (players may never start from a Mancala or from the opponent's six bowls). Player 1 drops one stone into the next bowl on the right, one stone into the second bowl on the right, continuing around the board (counterclockwise) until he has no more stones in his hand. If Player 1 reaches his own Mancala, he drops a stone into it. Players do not drop stones into their opponents' Mancalas, they skip them and continue dropping stones, one at a time, from their hand until they run out of stones. Players take turns moving. At the end of the game, players count the stones in their Mancalas - the player with the most stones wins.

There are SO many games for our families to enjoy from all over the World! Why just settle for American games when there are thousands more to choose from?!

Look for us at the next Unschooling Conference near you! We may just challenge you to a game of Mancala!

Be a Good Consumer!

It was yearly evaluation/testing time in New Hampshire for homeschoolers. In the past we went the testing route for Devin. We worked through the test with him, but I knew this sent a subtle message that he wasn't capable, or that somehow we weren't being honest. It caused me a lot of stress to think about another year coming up with two kids now who are school age. I knew that I needed to do something different this year, that was more in alignment with who we are as a family.

We decided to hire an evaluator. I learned a lot during the process of finding one that was right for our family. Just like shopping for anything, it's important to be a good consumer. I called 2 evaluators and asked them each how they felt about Unschooling. Neither of them were very familiar with the philosophy and evaluated from a traditional homeschooling standpoint, meaning they wanted to see workbook pages, and completed "schoolwork" as part of their evaluation process.

I finally found one that was willing and excited to work with an Unschooling family. She seemed very open to learning about the concept. I could tell right away that I had found a match for us. I gave her my blog address for her to learn more and to see how we live our lives. This alone was our portfolio.

I was very upfront on the phone in how I believe children learn and that we do not keep traditional portfolios in the way that most homeschoolers do. I did however share that we would love to have her over to share how our kids do learn. I truly believed in my heart that if she came over and spent some time with us that she would "get it". She would see them reading, writing, communicating, using math, sharing about history, science geography. She would have no doubt that Unschooling is a valid and wonderful, way of life, without me having to translate things into "school-ese", or somehow have to twist what our kids learn into a box of "acceptable" catagories on a schools terms.

I believe in this life from the bottom of my heart. I believe in the way my kids learn as being the most natural, pure, loving and authentic path for them. I was sick of jumping through hoops on someone else's terms and definitions of "education".

In the same way I encourage couples to be good consumers in a hospital setting when striving for a natural birth, I now encourage others to be good consumers when shopping for an evaluator for their Unschooled kids. You do not have to ever lie, or be nervous about what you are doing and how your kids learn. As this way of life grows and spreads, which it is, like wildfire, the more options there will be for us when looking for evaluators. The market will get competitive and our options will open and we will be able to model honesty, clarity and the validity of this life to our children and others.

In the end, the evaluator was very impressed with how our kids learn. She became the student and my children were the teacher, as she spent time with us and walked around our home in awe of how hands-on and full of resources our home really way. She was a pioneer in her own right being willing to open her mind to see the learning in all that our kids do, in non-traditional ways.

I encourage others to shop around! Find the evaluator that is right for you and never settle for anything less than being strong, confident advocates for your children and rock on with the confidence and intensity of pioneers on the forefront of change.

Unschooling is valid. Unschooling is real learning, Unschooling is Freedom...

Unschooling is Here to Stay! Let's Pave the Way!

Swingin' In the Rain

It has been raining for weeks here in New Hampshire!

You reach a point when the weather is bad that playing outside is no longer conditional..

Devin and Tiff decided to make an swing from a tree right by our house despite the rain.

We had some friends over the other day and while they were here Devin said, "Isn't it amazing that the funnest things in life are so simple? We made that swing from some rope, and a piece of wood and it is just so fun!" Our friends looked at us and smiled and said, "Did you just hear what he said?" I smiled back and nodded.

The kids have spent hours using their new swing... I am so happy that Joe is always willing to assist the kids in their visions. He will stop whatever he is doing to help them at any time. Throwing the rope up over the tree and tying the knots, Joe was the man-power behind the kids idea. I love this about him so much!

It is so important to trust our kids when they have an idea, even if you can't tell how it's all going to play out. Just being there as their life-assistant is such a Joyful, important role.

Just one more thing I love about my role as a Mom to Unschooled kids!

Nature Rubbings

Today we explored a new outdoor project.

We created nature rubbings!

We used white paper and crayons to rub the texture of things like bark, leaves and rocks. The kids really enjoyed this activity and we used their finished rubbings to create unique works of art.

Young Euntreprenuers

The weather is warm here in New Hampshire and the kids wanted to make some money on their own. We decided to have another lemonade stand after last years success. This year we added fresh popcorn to their "menu".

One way in which my children never cease to keep me in awe is their ability to handle money. None of the kids ever had any kind of math lessons or workbooks, quizzes or instruction, but yet they have learned how to make change!

Last year I helped Tiff make change for people. This year she asked me not to help. No matter how much money someone would give her, she would know what to give them back. I thought this was so cool! Ivy and Devin helped her out, even though it was kind of her gig this year and the three of them were the cutest sight ever waving and smiling as cars drove by...

I am sure this was one of many lemonade and/or popcorn stands that they will have this year, but this one was special. It was a glimpse into their personal growth and ability in such a unique way.

Fire Play

Devin has been focused on fire lately. He wants to build fires everyday... sometimes three times a day! Luckily we have a lot of extra scrap wood that he can use.

Cultural voices scream at us from every direction that a child shouldn't be "playing with fire".

Devin has a primitive, natural, passionate curiosity toward fire and I we really want to nurture that.

I trust my son. I have seen the respect he has with fire and I know that even if I am inside he will be responsible. I am no more worried with him building fires than I am with anything else he chooses to do. Sometimes he will invite me outside to check out the fire he built. Today was one of those days...

I love the smell of smoke on his clothes after a day of fire building. I hold him close and hug his strong man-child body against mine and breathe in the scent of his passion.

My fear of him playing with fire is gone and the trust of his abilty with "dangerous" things such as fire is ever-growing. I look forward to soon hearing, "Mom! Come check out the fire I built!"

Book Success

Our book, "Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun" has been more successful than we had ever dreamed after only a week..

The response has been so overwhelmingly positive and I am so grateful to be able to bring this message to the World about the rights and respect of children.

I have had some great reviews on Amazon that I would like to share:

A monumental contribution to the evolution of parenting intelligence, June 19, 2009
By Barbara A. Lundgren "always rethinking" (colleyville, tx usa) - I loved this straightforward, wisdom-laden book of loving, respectful, intelligent parenting advice. Taken to heart, the information in this book will indeed revolutionize the way our culture views and treats children, and peace, empowerment and self-ownership will become the happy result.

Jennifer A. Croce "jencroce" (Billerica, MA) - I am new to unschooling and found this book to be exactly what I needed to help me know I am on the right path. Dayna is straightforward, honest and genuine. She helps you see the joys of unschooling and makes it seem completely natural. She also explains some of the obstacles and how to work through them. I highly recommend this book even if you don't live a radical unschooling lifestyle, anyone who reads it will benefit from it.

jilli - I just finished reading this and would definitely recommend it to anyone. I've read most unschooling books that have been written and i really think this book does a great job of explaining radical unschooling. It would be a good read for a seasoned unschooler or perfect for someone just learning about unschooling.

Excellent book about a free life, June 17, 2009

As an experienced Radical Unschooler I enjoyed this book VERY much. It rekindled the spark and passion in me that I have for living this life. An excellent peak into the real life of a Radical Unschooling family demonstrating that it is possible to live a joyful life with our children respecting them as human beings with idividual desires and dreams that they have a right to not only pursue but experience NOW. I recommend this book to everyone!! It totally opens the mind to the possibility that we can all be free and all of our citizens have the right to pursuing of their desires, not just those 16 and older. The ripple effects of having the opportunity to live this life are tremendous. Thank you Dayna for writing this book! You lay it out in an easy to read format that will inspire veterans and new comers alike!

I am so grateful for the wonderful reviews!

~Dayna

Discovering Great Artists

Today we all explored the many different Art Styles throughout history.

We learned about the Renaissance and Post Renaissance time period and created some lovely pieces that are now hanging in our home..

Tiff loved Picasso. Devin loved Da Vinci.. Ivy enjoyed learning about Van Gogh..

We have been very creative lately with all of the rain in New Hampshire and our home is brimming with beautiful art inspired by many artists throughout history.

I highly recommend the book, " Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art For Children in the Styles of the Great Masters" by MaryAnn Kohl and Kim Solga.

This is a fabulous book which shares the techniques of so many artists throughout history.

Replanting Herbs

Today my friend Lynette came over and brought us a bountiful assortment of herbs.. We had a great afternoon replanting them in big pots. Sage, Lemon-Thyme, Dill and Oregeno... Ivy was very excited to have fresh herbs for her cooking ventures and really enjoyed repottting these! We spent time researching what reciepes we could use them all in.. The kids are all excited to use them tomorrow for our meals..

Ivy's Passion

Out of all of our kids, Ivy loves to cook. She watches cooking shows with me, and asks me everyday, what we are making for meals.. Lately she has taken to role of the Martin Family Chef.. Even though she is only 4, she creates the most amazing meals!

Last night just topped them all! Sweet and Sour Pork, Corn on the Cob with garlic, chive butter, zucchini and summer squash with tomatoes and rice...

I am so in awe of her cooking abilities and passion at such a young age!

Here is a picture of the meal that she made entirely by herself.

She looks so very serious in all of her cooking glory.. She's focused on all that she is doing... I have embraced this part of her in every way.. Everyday we look through cookbooks and visit websites about cooking.. I plan on buying her her own child-sized utensils soon..

After she tried her pork she said, "This meat is so good... I would marry it!". She cracks us up!

Natural Math

Math and Numbers aren't something we every have to "teach" our kids. Numbers are part of our life and very useful tools to help us get what we want. They aren't separate from it.

Workbook pages and quizzes are never necessary, because I know that my kids learn about Math through living life rich with numbers..

Today Tiff wanted to know how many days until her birthday in October..

Joe sat down and created a graph of numbers so that she could figure out how many days, weeks and months it was until her birthday. They spent a long time talking and working through the numbers and because it had meaning for Tiff, she was doing addition, subtraction and multiplication very easily.

Internal Motivation is the Key to Learning.... This activity proves how easily a child can learn "math" because it isn't taken out of context. It has true meaning to my daughter.. and in turn, she learned so much...

Math isn't separate from life.... Math is part of Life!

Joyful Work

We had over 200 pre-orders for our book,

"Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun"

Since the books came in, we have been busy as a family signing, packaging and mailing them all.. It has been a really fun new chapter in our lives!

The kids have learned so much through the process of me writing a book. Through working with agents, editors and publishes, the kids have been by my side asking questions with interest. They have learned about perseverance and hard work. They have learned about the perfection or details necessary during the final process. They also helped to choose the cover photo...

The entire project was embraced and worked through with my whole family part of it. Completing the book was like giving birth to my 5th child... I am so grateful for the entire experience.

Slingin' Dreams

I can't belive that Orion is almost 18 months old! The time flies by and we are all growing and evolving as a family. I really want to capture this time in our lives as a family, where Orion is my last baby.

Today Orion was sleeping in the sling. Tiff took a picture of us. I will miss the last 10 years of slanging' babes.. I am rarely seen without a baby on me.. I can't imagine life without a babe-in-arms.. I do know however, that life will only get better and better....

Motherhood Rocks! This last decade has been the greatest, most empowering time of my life.

Nurturing Brother

Since Devin became a big brother for the first time, he has always been very nurturing to his sisters.. Devin loves caring for them and brushing their hair. Ivy told me that she likes Devin brushing her hair more than me, because he is much gentler..

Brotherly love is so sweet to witness. He interacts with his siblings with such care and love. I love to see them just *being* together.. Tiff waits for her turn when Devin is in a brushing mood.. He picks them out cute clothes and the girls embrace his choices. Devin is so adored by his 3 siblings!

Toe Jam!

Orion usually hangs out on the kitchen table when we are eating meals. This morning his little foot got smushed in my toast. It was so funny when Joe called it, "Toe Jam" We all started laughing.. I know that most parents wouldn't "allow" their kids to sit on the table, but for us, we know that Orion feels empowered at eye level with us. He wants to sit where all the action is, and we embrace this about him.

Like Father, Like Son

Devin stays up late with us after the other kids fall asleep. We love our one on one time with him watching movies and eating late night snacks.

We all get really punchy late at night and I can't tell you how many funny memories we have in the wee hours of the morning.

The other night I was cleaning the kitchen and Joe and Devin came in looking like this. I just about died laughing... I had to post a picture of them.

I love my hairy men!

Soul Sisters

Have you ever met someone that you just fell in love with? I don't mean in a romantic way. I mean in a friendship, adoring way. From the first conversation with my friend Barb, I knew we would become close friends. Barb is 20 years older than me, but I have never had so much in common with anyone before.

Last week Barb flew from Texas to New Hampshire to spend 3 days with me and our family. We had such a nice time! Barb brought the kids awesome gifts, which included a cool memory game, farting salt and pepper shakers, stickers and many other unique little fun things. She made Joe and I very cool, personalized coffee mugs with inspirational sayings and images. I use mine everyday.

It isn't often that someone comes into your life and really enriches it like Barb has mine. She is genuine, and kind and thoughtful. I admire her very much. She is a mentor to me. She founded the Rethinking Education Conference and has 3 grown children who were Radically Unschooled.

During her visit, we went out for Indian food, which was so delicious! We also visited a nice Mexican restaurant where we enjoyed chips and salsa and a few margaritas and beers. I wish we could do it all over again! It was rainy for most of her time here, but I liked the feel of being able to lounge around the house, cook, talk, enjoy a nice cup of coffee and just relax together.

At night, after the little ones were asleep, I would go over to the guest room in my jammies and climb into bed with Barb and we would talk and laugh. It was very special and a time I will never forget. I feel like I have known her for much longer than I have.

I am so grateful for my sweet friend. I cried when she left and felt an emptiness in my heart. I haven't felt that kind of pain for a very long time. I look forward to moving to Texas to be able to see Barb regularly. With our combined energies there is no telling what we can do or accomplish together!

Bold TV Interview

Here is my latest interview on BoldTV. I was actually asked to host my own show during the program, which is very exciting!
Details to come!

Join The Revolution!

I am happy to announce that we are taking pre-orders of my book, Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun.

The book will be carried on Amazon.com and in various book stores worldwide both online and brick and mortar, in a few months.

In the meantime, we are taking orders and will ship a small batch of books by June 8th, for the first 100 people that pre-order.

Are you ready? Order yours today!

In Joy & Gratitude, Dayna

Nurturing Powerful Creators

One important aspect of living this joyful Radical Unschooling life is that we understand that learning happens in all that our children do in life. I know that my kids interests and passions are the nucleus of their learning and joy, so I feel it is our job as parents to nurture this.

I feel so connected and in tune with my children when I am exploring and interested in what they love. Tiffs current passion are Webkinz. She loves the game and she loves to talk about them and visit Youtube to check out other kids collections.

I am very involved in my kids interests, in fact all of our lives are so intertwined that Devin even knows which book I am reading in the "Twilight" series. He is interested in my interests too. Our home is a swirling of passionate, excited energies from day to day as we discuss and experience one anothers joys with enthusiasm.

Our kids interests are at the top of our priority list and we find many different ways to bring more of their current interests into their lives. Even if we can't afford a new Webkinz for Tiff at any given time, we find ways to make the ones she has more enjoyable to her. Joe recently built her a Webkinz display case.

We researched Webkinz history and discovered that there are very rare Webkinz. The rarest of the rare ones are errors where the company sewed on two magic "W's" on the bottom, rather than the one. Once Tiff learned this she knew that she had to find one of these very rare critters.

She is a very powerful creator and she has a way of always manifesting whatever she wants in life very effortlessly. She basks in the feeling of already owning something, rather that living in the space of "lack" for not having it yet. This is her secret.

Joe and the girls were picking out my birthday present at Borders and were looking through the Webkinz bin. Sure enough they found one! A blue Rhino with 2 "W's"...

Joe called me and asked if I would look up how much one was worth. It was worth $90! Of course Tiff didn't want to sell it, but she was excited to find out how much it was worth "on the streets".

Life is magical. There are no limits on what we can have and what we can achieve. My children show me this everyday. We are never done. We are always growing and flowing and wanting more. I am so grateful for our path and our life.

Our New Toys

Our lives are a never ending stream of joyful adventures and activities. This year I wanted to add more fun stuff for us all to do outside together.

I jumped on Craigslist and found us a really nice trampoline for $150. I then found a great 90 foot zip line for the kids to soar fast through the air. They are so happy we added these fun additions to our yard. It has been non-stop fun for days for all of us!

Here is Ivy on the zip-line. We tied a rope to the handle so Ivy could reach because it is pretty high. Also, here is Joe catching some air our new 16 foot trampoline! I love this picture.
Our next adventure will be building an amazing tree fort! Any resources would be greatly appreciated.

Woodworking Days

Over the last few days Joe and the kids have spent a lot of time in the workshop.

Devin designed and made a gorgeous hanging shelving unit with closing door on the front. He wanted it to look old and had the idea for the pieces of wood screwed on the front with many black screws to give it a antique feel. I love it! He put some pegs on the inside to hang his necklaces too. Devin collects cool necklaces as souvenirs wherever we travel.

Tiff made a Hannah Montana box for her jewelery and Ivy made a colorful wooden sculpture.

The kids really fine tuned their woodworking skills over the last few days. They have a new confidence with the tools and it was fun to bask in their bright passion of creation!

Flowertopia

We collected many different types of flowers on our property yesterday. We were putting them in vases all over the house. Our home is filled with the scent of Lilac and Narcissus. I love that in the spring we can run outside and pick our own bouquets of flowers anytime.

Tiff had a creative idea! I looked over and saw her taking all of the flowers of the stems and layering them into a vase.

I told her how beautiful I thought her vase of colorful flowers were. I asked her what her creation was called.

She said, "Flowertopia!"

We all made Flowertopias after being inspired by Tiff.

My children inspire me everyday, in every way!

Endless Learning

Today was a typical day. We were all outside a lot. After such a long winter we are loving having more space to play and run around. We picked flowers, jumped on the trampoline, had good food, played games and relaxed together. Joe worked for a few hours and we were all out there much of the time, just hanging out in Willow Toys workshop.

Joe taught me how to drill holes for one of the wooden kitchens that we sell. I have never done that before and it was really challenging, but fun. It was very physical! I can appreciate what Joe does on a different level now.

Ivy & Orion had fun transferring scraps of wood from one bucket to the next. Tiff had fun playing in the kitchen boxes.




It was a day of new experiences and activities, and we never left home!

Christiane Northrup Endorses My Book!

When I was deciding who to send my manuscript out to for endorsements, a few people came to mind.

Dr. Christiane Northrup has been an inspiration to be since before I even had children. Her book, "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" made history and helped millions of women understand their bodies in a way that had never been approached before.

Later, when I was pregnant her work and advocacy of natural childbirth led me down a path of advocacy myself...

I believe that Dr. Northrup had much to do with who I am today.

I sent her my book, knowing how busy she was. I trusted she would totally get Radical Unschooling, if she could only read about it.

Boy, was I right! She sent me back a letter and an incredible endorsement which I am not revealing until the book comes out. She read the whole book, and loved it!

I am so honored to have her endorse my book, along with John Taylor Gatto.

How could I have possibly received two better endorsements?

Today, I am in utter bliss and basking in gratitude...

Ice Sculptures

Tiff and Ivy wanted to build an ice city to play on with their Littlest Pet Shop animals.

With this idea I thought it would be intersting to freeze several different containers of various shapes and sizes.

We had so much fun with this activity!!

Ivy's Babies

No, you are not looking at the props for the next Stephen King horror flick...

These are Ivy's beloved babies. No matter how many stuffed animals and various dolls she aquires, she always returns to her beloved baby dolls. She has had these dolls for years and just adores them.

She wanted to take a picture of them and add it to the blog tonight...

Natural Reading & Writing

Learning to read and write looks very different than traditional reading instruction when you are living a Radical Unschooling life.

We were raised to believe that we have to learn so much before we can learn how to read. We are led to believe that it is extremely difficult to learn. We are told that we need to learn all about nouns, verbs, sentence structure, punctuation, long and short vowel sounds, just to name a few things that are drilled into our heads as little children through worksheets and tests.

This idea of learning to read would be the equivalent of making a child learn all of the inner workings of a bicycle, from gears to chains, to tire pressure, to how the bike was painted to how the seat was made...... all before they learned how to ride a bike. It is just unnecessary.

Natural reading is such a different process than most would picture it. It is very much like natural weaning vs. forced weaning. There is such a huge range of times when a child is ready to read, just like weaning. Anywhere between 5 and 15 years old is all on the range of normal when it comes to learning to read.

Our kids learn to read because reading is a useful tool to help them get what they want in life. Our kids have learned to read simply by being surrounded with the written word. They have learned through immersion in a world of letters. We are there to read and write things for them whenever they ask. We read books together when they want to.

I have always trusted that my kids would learn to read when they were internally motivated to do so and when their brains were ready.

Right now Tiff is really into Webkinz. She loves to go into the trading room and barter her goods. Over the last few months she has learned to read and and write dozens of phrases. Her vocabulary is growing and she is reading, Joyfully and confidently.

Our kids have never had formal reading lessons of any kind, but can read...

How do ya like them apples?

Announcing "Radical Unschooling - A Revolution Has Begun"

This is the official announcement that my book, "Radical Unschooling, A Revolution Has Begun" will be out in less than a month!

It has been in the works for over 10 months and it is finally complete and ready for mass distribution!

I know that many people have been waiting for this and it is finally time to bring it....

I will be taking pre-orders for the book soon and you can email me at jd3martin@adelphia.net if you are interested in purchasing a copy. The website will be up soon and so will links on our other websites.

Thank you from all of us, for all of your support, encouragement and love... The Sparkling Martin's!

Here is a picture of the back and cover. This is a dream come true and a book that will make history as the role of parenting evolves and a shift in human consciousness takes place in regards to the rights and respect of children.

"Radical Unschooling - A Revolution Has Begun" will be available to purchase through various websites and Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in the upcoming weeks.

~In Joy & Gratitude , Dayna

Honoring Personal Style

I've always honored what my children are drawn to for personal fashion and style. All of my kids love expressing themselves through what they wear and they are all so different. When I bring them shopping I ask them what they like and what they are drawn to. When we try things on and they look in the mirror, I discuss the way the fabrics feel and if their clothes make them feel good about themselves.

Clothes shopping is really enjoyable for my kids. Adorning our bodies with beautiful fabrics and jewelery has always been part of our personal self expression.

When we went to Canada all of the kids loved shopping... We had fun checking out dozens of shops and Canada has the best shops for very unique fashions! We can't wait to go back!

Love & Flowers

I love this picture. The kids and I were holding hands around a tree in New Jersey and looked up at the flowers at the same time. The trees in NJ were beautiful and very different than we have here in New Hampshire.

There seemed to be flowering trees everywhere we looked! I never knew that New Jersey was so beautiful!

Fugitive Daddy

One our way home, crossing the border from Canada to the U.S., Joe gave our information/paperwork to the official there.

All of a sudden an alarm went off, police circled our vehicle, some with their hands on their guns.... Joe was asked to "put his hands where they could see them.... step out of the vehicle slowly......" They then proceeded to handcuff him and push him up against the car.

Tiff started screaming and crying... Devin started crying and my mouth is just agape, feeling like I was in a dream.... Tiff was begging the officers " to not take her Daddy to jail!!!" and the officers asked me to calm the kids down...

To make a long story short, they had the wrong... Joe Martin....It seems there are 17 Joe Martins "wanted" in the US right now... Crazy Shiznit!

One of the officers came over and apologized after Joe was released and explained everything to the kids in great detail. They listened intently to every word. I thought that was nice. He shared what "Routine Procedures" were and also why they hand cuffed Daddy. He also shared that he had two kids 7 and 10, and they too, would have been mortified if that happened to their Daddy. He was kind and respectful, which was interesting to see after his very different way of interacting when he was cuffing Joe.

It ended up being an opportunity which led to much discussion, learning and growing for the kids. Everyone was so grateful and relieved that the contrast after fear and intensity led to extreme Joy, silliness and relaxation for the rest of the trip home. I am grateful it happened.

The police let us know that it may happen again when we return from England, so to prepare and explain that to the kids. We have and they understand that it may happen again because, "Daddy has a very common name."

Our life is never boring...

Rockin' Conference Shots

The Great Big Happy Life Conference was so much fun... It was a great opportunity to connect with other Radical Unschoolers and to share what this life is all about...

I did the opening ceremony speech and I got a little choked up when I was sharing that it was so nice to be somewhere where we were totally understood and embraced. To be with others living an Unschooled life was so joyful and relaxing.

Here are some photos from the conference...

O Canada

We had the most incredible time in Montreal, Canada!

It was so much different than what we thought it would be. It was much more like Europe than America. Everything was in French, from the TV programs, to the food in the grocery store.

It was a complete immersion into the French-Canadian life.

We are very grateful to our friends Bea and Tobias for enabling us to experience life in another county. Tobias brought us everywhere, from playgrounds to ice cream shops, to Tim Horton's. It was a wonderful vacation thanks for our dear friends... The apartment was gorgeous and met our every need. The back veranda was delightful to relax and have morning coffee and the shower was like visiting a spa. It was heaven!

I've come to believe that travel is one of the greatest ways to embrace diversity and learn about other cultures. You can read about far away places in a book, but until you actually go there and smell the air, smile at the people, eat the food and touch the flowers and old buildings, you can't fully understand where it is you are reading about.

Living a free, joyous, Radical Unschooling life, we are able to accept offers to travel at a moments notice. I am so grateful that we are not tied to an institution that we have to ask permission to remove our own children from and explain orselves to anyone. Those with kids in school do not often see how much the institution controls their lives. I am so graeful that we are truly free, in the purest sense of the word. I wish everyone could know such freedom.

When we travel as a family, we love to learn everything we can about the culture. We researched the countries specialty foods before we left and tried everything we could get our hands on when we were there. From Poutine, to croissants, to gellato and pastries, we took it all in enthusiastically.

Devin wanted to spend time in Chinatown while we were in Montreal, so we made a day of it and tried all the food we could there. Bea introduced us to Dim Sum, which was delicious. We visited all of the shops and bought Devin a pair of authentic Chinese jammies. He loves them so much.

We also visited a famous bagel shop in Montreal. Montreal bagels are very different from NY style. They are cooked in a brick fire oven and we were able to watch how they were made. They were so yummy!

It was a great trip and one our family will remember forever.

We Love You - John Taylor Gatto

One of the highlights of my conference experience was spending time with John Taylor Gatto.

I enjoyed listening to most of his conference talk before Tiff needed me to help her with something and I left. Luckily we recorded his talk, so I can listen to the whole thing soon.

John is a very inspirational person who has helped so many learn the history and hidden agenda of schools. I was moved to tears when he was introduced, because his mere presence is that of royalty to many of us on this path.

John has been an supportive advocate and friend for a few years now. We appeared on Fox News together in 2008 speaking about Unschooling.

John is one of Joe's favorite writers and his book, Dumbing Us Down was so inspirational to him early in our parenting journey.

Thank you John, for your friendship and for your relentless inspiration for so many. Thank you for opening the eyes of the World so we can understand the institutionalizing of children today.

Great Big Happy Life Conference

The Great Big Happy Life Conference in New Jersey was so much fun.. We loved meeting with old and new friends. Danielle Conger, Ken & Marla Briggs and Cameron Lovejoy, among others, were a blast to spend time with!

Here are some pictures from our adventure. The first is the kids near the huge bell at the camp. I call the photo, "Unschooling: Let Freedom Ring!". The second is of me taking part in a drum circle on the last night after being handed a drum from Ken.

It was a very special conference with good friends, food and more opportunity for connections and personal growth.

Sad Passport Photos

Have you ever been told not to smile for a photo? Well, this is just what we had to deal with taking our passport pictures. The passport agency was very specific about not smiling. I am not sure why. All I know is, we had a blast trying to get some photos with serious looks on our faces. It was really funny. We had to take so many to get one without a smirk, or smile. Ivy just couldn't look serious, as much as we tried to explain it to her. Hopefully they take it anyway.

I told Joe his looks like it should be on a "Wanted" poster. How sad looking, huh? We

Bye-Bye Shoes!

The snow has finally melted. The flowers are blooming and my kids shoes are no where to be seen.

Who can resist those adorable little toes?! Call me weird, but I love my children's little dirty feet at the end of the day.

I wanted to share this interesting website about the *Truth* of allowing children to go barefoot.

"Your feet walk upon the Earth and through this your spirit is connected to the universe. Our feet are our contact with the Earth and the energies that flow through it. " Cherokee "Moonmaiden" Jenny Wallace

The Sparkling Road-Less-Traveled

The other night I was talking with Devin as he was playing his new game on the PS3. I asked if he wanted to bring it with us on our upcoming trip to NJ and Canada. He said, "No, thanks." When I asked if he was worried something would happen to it and he said, "No. I just know I wouldn't play it. When we travel I love to meet new people, learn the language, try new foods and do new things. I can play games anytime. When we go somewhere new, I have to soak it all in."

As a speaker and writer, we travel a lot. We are traveling once a month for the next six months in fact. Sometimes I am asked, "Do you ever travel without your kids?" I respectfully reply, "No. We are a package deal." Joe calls us a "6-Pack!"

I am so grateful that our children love to travel as much a we do. The girls have been packed for 3 days and Tiff was so excited that she vacuumed the car out yesterday to help get ready to leave.

Our kids learn so much from traveling. I love to look in their eyes as we drive through a huge city, or try new foods, or visit a cool museum or little shop. They get excited about statues, and bodies of water, new insects and animals. They are passionate little people and I am so grateful that my dreams in life involve my children's dreams and interests. It is the perfect merging of desires.

Our next adventure... The Great Big Happy Life Conference, then Montreal, Canada.

Our Orion

Here is a picture of Orion at 15 months enjoying chips and salsa, one of his favorites....

He is so loving and sweet, I just had to share a cute picture with family and friends to see how big he has grown!

I wish I could keep my little man bald forever!

The Decade of Devin

Today was Devin's 10th Birthday!

It was an exciting day which included a visit from his two buddies from Vermont, Xan & Elliot. They arrived last night and spent the night with their Mom & one of my best friends, Josha.

They woke up this morning, complete with wild-boy-bed-heads, and ran downstairs to watch Devin open his presents, which included a Playstation 3!

Every time I looked at Devin today, I remembered ten years ago, when I became a Mother for the first time. I'll never forget touching his warm, wet head as I was pushing him out. It was a profound moment. My life had such purpose and I felt a wholeness that I had never felt before. The love I have for him is indescribable.

Life has only got better and better every day, every month and every year since that moment.

Today was not only Devin's birthday, but the Anniversary of the day I was born a Mother.

What a day to celebrate!

Rockin' the World with Charlie Turtle!

Last year, at the Rethinking Education Conference, they had an area where you could take apart and rebuild new toys. I thought this was genius and such a creative way to recycle old toys!

At the Conference, Joe created our family mascot happily named, "Charlie Turtle". (He is made from two toys, a Ninja Turtle and a Charlie Brown figure.) He has been with us on every trip in the last year and Joe takes great delight in documenting Charlie's adventures.

If you ever see us on location, you can ask for Charlie's autograph.. He'll be happy to give it to you...

My favorite is at the Japanese restaurant. Our chef, Tom (yes Tom!) laughed at Charlie as he prepared our meal. You get a few looks when you are travelling and place a toy down in front of something to take a photo.

Yes, Joe has a twisted sense of humor and this is one of the many things we love about him.

So Ya Wanna Be a Rock Superstar?

Today I am very pumped, because I have learned that Guitar Hero has released....Guitar Hero Metallica!

I am so excited to get this and rock out to my old and new favorites from the most incredible band that ever walked this Earth.

I was 14 when I first heard them, from that moment, I was introduced to something to incredible, so powerful, my life would never be the same. Metallica was my intro into a whole new World of music. They were my jumping off point for learning to play guitar and for my passion for Heavy Metal music.

I want to thank them for always being true to themselves. They are the perfect example of how when something is new, it is rejected and blamed for the evil's in the World. In time, they have become cherished as a rock legend.

James, Kirk, Lars and Rob, (and Cliff & Jason), thank you. I know you had something to do with who I have become in life. Rock on my brothers!


















Dayna - Age 18

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet potatoes where on sale this week for .49 cents a pound! I bought about three dozen of them. It was fun to get creative and try out some new recipes.

This soup was so easy and delicious that I just had to share! My kids loved it and I've been sharing it with friends who stop by to visit.

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients

2 Tbsp (1/4 stick) butter

1 cup chopped onion

1 large garlic clove, chopped

4 or 5 large sweet potatoes peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)

4 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth or 4 boullion cubes (use vegetable broth for vegetarian option)

2 Tbsp cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup milk

2 Tbsp maple syrup

Celery leaves for garnish

Method

1 Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes.

2 Add sweet potatoes, chicken stock, cinnamon, and nutmeg; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes

3 Remove cinnamon stick and discard. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return to pot.

4 Add half and half and maple syrup and stir over medium-low heat to heat through. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Reality Blogging

When I add blog posts, it is often done in stages.
I usually wait until Joe is here, because I usually do not have much time during the day to add anything because we are busy living our fabulous lives.

Orion is usually on my lap, nursing while I blog. All of the kids help by picking out or taking the pictures to add along with my entries. Our "Sparkling" blog often turns into a family activity.
The reality of blogging with four kids, living an Unschooled life, is that I never know when my next blog post will be and that is okay with me. I trust that I will add more when I can, and when I have the inspiration to. My blog posts are never consistent, or something I get stressed about. I never plan what I am going to add. It is an organic, joyful process for me.

This blog is a sacred place for me to share my life with my family and friends. Thank you to those who continue to support and inspire me. The comments that I receive daily mean so much to us.

~In Gratitude, Dayna

Karate Gratitude

Last week I posted about our families "negative" experience with a karate class. I received an outpouring of support and love which I am so grateful for. It felt so nice to realize how many people care about us.

Since that time, my awareness of the situation has shifted. My inner process has led to reevaluate the experience and see it with new eyes.

I feel that I was riding low on the vibrational scale that week. I manifested the experience, which my sweet friend Elizabeth pointed out to me. I was fearing the situation and fearing that my kids wouldn't be respected and that is exactly what I experienced.

Today, I feel that I could have seen the whole thing so differently. Bringing my kids to a karate class with a karate teacher who was in the military for 7 years, was maybe not the best choice. It would have been like me bringing my kids to school and getting upset that they were being asked to do school work while they were there and feeling a victim for that.

The karate teacher called to me to apologize for singling Devin out and making him feel bad. She was having a hard day herself and was also riding low vibrationally. I know that she was volunteering her time to offer the class to the parents in the group. She also had very specific training to teach kids a certain way. It was a "tough love" kind of approach and this was the only way she knew how to lead the class. She did the best she could with what she knew. I still do not feel that the way to create kind, loving beings is through demmanding obedience, but I know that not everyone shares my belief about this.

The other mothers talking were just blown away that I would not force my child to stay in class. It wasn't about me. It was about them. I was showing an option that maybe they didn't consider before. Maybe because of my actions, they will have the courage one day to do the same for their child.

Sometimes we have what I call, "back-steps" on this Journey. It is easy to sometimes find yourself in the cultural mindset of victimization, especially living a life like this, because so few people parent this way. Our "back-steps" however, are usually followed by enormous leaps forward.

I am still very grateful to have respected my kids choice to leave. I will always support them in ensuring they receive respect. I am grateful for another opportunity to grow, learn and realize that the only person who can make me feel like a victim is myself.

Manifesting Travel

The combined intentions of my family are powerful!

We all love to travel. It is such an exciting part of our lives and something we can do anytime learning and working in Freedom.

The law of attraction is pretty mind-blowing even to me at times. Here is a little peek into what is possible when you set the intention and live a Joyful life...

We are speaking at the Great Big Happy Life Conference in NJ in two weeks. The conference is from the 28th-May 1st. Two nights ago, I received an email from a Doula client and friend, who invited us to come to Montreal, Canada for a week and stay in a fabulous furnished apartment! They rented it for the month for family, who aren't arriving their until the 10th.

Now, here's the incredible part, she offered it to us for.... May 1st! There are no coincidences! The very day we are leaving NJ! This blew my mind how seamlessly this who trip will flow. We will leave NJ and drive straight to Montreal where we will stay for a week in the most amazingly gorgeous apartment right in the heart of the city.

Our whole family is so excited to travel to Canada. We have never been and what an opportunity! The language the culture, the learning and growing and expansion that travel offers is like nothing else.

So, thank you to my friend, Bea and thank you Universe for another incredible travel opportunity!

Just when think that life couldn't get any better, BAM! The Universe kicks it up a notch!

Look out Canada... The Martin's are on their way!

Easter Joy

We had such a wonderful Easter. We woke up at 10am and followed the kids downstairs for and basked in the Joy of a sleepy-eyed egg hunt. Orion didn't really know what was going on, he just followed everyone around screeching happily.

We had a lovely turkey dinner, took naps ate turkey again.... It was a great day.

Here is what is left of the Easter Basket Cupcakes that I made for everyone.

Learning Clapping Games

I remember being on the playground at school and we had 20 minutes to do whatever we wanted for recess. One of my favorite activities were clapping games. I so enjoyed connecting with other girls in this way. It was great fun to see how fast we could get going while chanting clapping rhymes.

Devin, Tiff and Ivy have shown interest in learning the games I played as a child. I found a few websites which bring me back to the day when we were let free, outside in the sunshine after sitting at a desk for hours. I love passing these childhood rhymes down to my kids.

Here Ivy and I are sitting on the kitchen table clapping and chanting to "Miss Mary Mack".

Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack

All dressed in black, black, black

With silver buttons, buttons, buttons

All down her back, back, back.

She asked her mother, mother, mother

For 50 cents, cents, cents

To see the elephants, elephants, elephants

Jump over the fence, fence, fence.

They jumped so high, high, high

They reached the sky, sky, sky

And they didn't come back, back, back

'Til the 4th of July, ly, ly!

Late Night Easter Eggs

Coloring Easter eggs is a yearly tradition. I hard boiled 48 eggs and we created some beauties at 10:30 the other night. I love being able to do things together as a family into the wee hours living this Joyful, Free life and then sleeping in together until 11am...

The Sparkling Skydivers

To mute my blog background song, scroll down to the purple playlist on the right and mute.

Goodbye - In Arms Phase

Orion is the newest member of our family. He has been "in-arms" for a year now, and such a part of my body.. He hasn't ventured off on his own very often. The other day when we went to the Museum of Maine, it was so fun to see him interested and excited about so many things! He loved the water exhibit and the "Touch Tank" where he got to touch sea weed and star fish..

I can't belive how fast he is growing! Being my 4th child, the time is flying. Here is Orion checking out the water exhibit..

He had so much fun. I was so in awe of him as I watched him run from exhibit to exhibit.

We have plans for the kids to swim with the dolphins in Bermuda in a few months. Orion will be part of that excitement and Joy... I love that he is old enough to do so many new things.. He has began to separate from being in observing mode in the sling.. He is living and learning and growing... An incredible time for an Attached Mama!

Lockers!

Living this life with our kids, the only thing that they know about school is what they see on TV. Terms like, "Detention", "Recess" and "Test" are not part of their lives, so seeing this in real life is really interesting to them.

The other day we went to the University of Maine to visit their Planetarium. We walked around with our friends checking out all of the cool displays.. As parents we were all excited about the ocean life and solar system exhibits.. We looked into the glass cases in awe checking out the amazing specimens...

Where were our kids? Looking at Lockers with the same awe... and the same interest, because they are so far removed from an institutionalized life. Devin asked, "Do kids really put their stuff in there?". It was so intriguing to observe our kids.....observing school.... something so foreign to anything they know.

Passions of the Universe

I have so many interests as a woman and as a Mother. Most people know me as an Unschooling and Birth Advocate, but I have many other things that I am passionate about.

I love Astronomy and Science and I am a self-proclaimed sky junkie. I love anything to do with the stars and the Universe. It is such a part of Who I Am and my roots of becoming a Mother and Wife. I even won an award in college for my work in an Astronomy. It's funny because back in those days I was petrified of public speaking and almost passed out on stage accepting the award. I couldn't manage to say much of anything except quickly thanking Joe for helping with the housework while I studied.

I am in an utterly Blissful Place when I am exploring the Universe and I love hearing about the vastness of space and I get goosebumps when I hear about light years, or space time.

Tonight our family visited the Planetarium... We saw a special film on Black Holes.. Devin and Dakota enjoyed it, but the narration was a little complicated to follow. I was glued to the screens as I listened to the booming voice sharing about how black holes are formed, from dying stars. They collapse upon themselves and bend light. Amazing. One of my dreams and I have it on my vision board, is to visit the Very Large Aray in New Mexico.

Here I am in front of the am in front of the Incredible Star Projector at the University of Maine's Planetarium.

I loved being there, honoring my inner geek.

Here is a site that I love to visit if anyone is interested. It is the Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Free Time

Today Joe and Devin went for haircuts. (Yes, they still have long hair, but got their dead ends trimmed.. )

While they were there, they asked the hairdresser is her kids knew about Webkinz, (one of my kids current passion). She told them that her kids knew about it, but didn't have any "Free Time" to be able

explore what it was all about.

When they came home and told me about this, it got me thinking... Isn't the term, "Free time", contrasting to restricted or controlled time?

How has "Free Time" become a luxury?

Shouldn't we all have time to ourselves to do what we want and pursue or interests?

The idea that this 9 year old didn't have any "free time" was so interesting to me.

Our kids do not know the concept of "Free Time". There time is always, inarguable Free.... Their lives are their own, without having living someone else's agenda...

I am so proud that the term, "Free Time" isn't part of our vocabulary....

Life is Free Time...

Here is an image of what Devin does with his "Free Time", which is every waking hour of his life.

Sparkling Skaters

Every Saturday the kids go with Joe to the Ice Skating Rink. They usually get a pizza and enjoy skating to loud rock music... Orion and I enjoy a quiet evening home toether.

Ivy has especially enjoyed ice skating this year. She asks everyday how many days until skating.

Ice Skating with Daddy has proven to be a night of delight and connection with him. The snow is melting and the kids are excited about being outdoors more, so I am sure that ice skating will fade away for another year, but the kids and and Joe will have their special Winter memories.

The Babywearing Project

I started the Babywearing Project , featured on Mothering.com four years ago and I still give out baby carriers to those in need along with information and support about the benefits of babywearing. If anyone has a gently used baby carrier that they would like to pass on to another parent who can't afford one, please send it to:

Dayna Martin

c/o The Babywearing Project

196 East Madison Road

Madison, NH 03849

Joyful Easter Projects

Today the kids and I made some really sweet projects to celebrate Easter!

We first made birds nests out of clay and twigs. The we made sparkle eggs. We blew the insides out of the eggs by punching holes in either end of an egg and then blowing the yolk and white out of the egg. Then we painted the egg whites on the outside of the hollow egg and sprinkled on glitter to make them extra special.

This was such a fun project and I am so glad that the kids had another opportunity to celebrate the upcoming holiday!

Down With Obedience!

Let’s review the obedience model, which purports that something is wrong when a child is not obedient or conforming. So much so, that our culture resorts to drugging a child into obedience. This is stunningly disturbing that a school or parent would change the chemistry of a child’s brain to meet its own parental needs…the epitome of narcissism. Children are forced through punishments and rewards to act in a manner that is easy for parents. Such coerced behavior meets parents’ needs, but rarely takes into account the children’s needs. We need to look deeper and realize that we are not here to train our children to be obedient. We are here to raise free-thinking, strong, confident individuals.

As parents living the Radical Unschooling philosophy, we focus on the needs under our kids “behavior.” I put behavior in quotes because I feel the word itself is demeaning. I wouldn’t say to my husband, “Honey, I didn’t like your behavior at the store.” This doesn’t feel respectful to me and sounds like terminology used for dog training. For the sake of clarity, I will use the term in the following discussion.

Traditional parenting focuses on a child’s behavior. Living the unschooling life infers that we choose not to focus on how our child is expressing their needs or their behavior. I don’t judge behavior because I trust that our kids are doing their best through self-expression at any given time. Because parents stop a child’s behavior through punishment, they may feel that their job ends at that point. However the child’s need underlying his or her behavior was not met. In fact, correcting a behavior rarely meets a child’s need. We don’t listen to our kids. We just silence them and make them behave.

An important point to remember and internalize is that a child’s unmet need does not go away. Silencing the behavior does nothing for the child and only meets the need of the parent. The child’s need is still there, present, not getting met. How overwhelmingly frustrating for a child, or any human for that matter!

Do you know how maddening it is to ask someone for something you really need if you were tired and grumpy, only to have him or her say, “I don’t like the way you asked for that. Sit there for 5 minutes and be nice!” Moreover, they walk away and leave you. Can you feel that frustration build within you? Parents treat children this way every single day, and it warps them internally so much.

Again, the unmet need doesn’t go away. Often, the need morphs into another symptom like stuttering or nail biting or something more distressing. Then, we drug kids or bring them to therapy to do away with these troubling behaviors that WE caused! Their need does not go away because you force them to stop expressing it. If only their need was heard in the beginning. If only a child could truly have the basic human respect to be heard, this vicious parenting cycle would never have started.

You cannot punish children’s need out of them. Whatever inside of them needs to come out will do so if suppressed. The point is to notice the need, and when the need is met, then notice the child’s growth: “Wow. She did not scream for her juice that time. She asked me politely. That was awesome.” Just notice and be authentic. Be in the moment and be grateful.

~Dayna

Living With Balance

Traditional parenting focusing on controlling kids behavior and training them to be obedient. It is important to realize that the most important things for parents in a traditional paradigm is how their children appear to others and how convenient the child is to live with.

The traditional authoritarian parenting paradigm of solely meeting the parents’ needs, as marketed by the media, in books, and on shows like Nanny 911, are the norm in our culture. People coming to this way of life from the norm think that the pendulum must swing all the way in the other direction of being devoted to meeting the child’s needs only. Not so! Parents have needs, too. This is a big reason why I have heard parents say, “Unschooling didn’t work for our family.”

All that most people know is power ruling, rather than balancing and respecting equally the needs of everyone in the family. These parents surrender their own needs in place of running around meeting the needs of their children, while ignoring their own. They get burnt out quickly and in doing so, give up thinking that what they just did was Unschooling. Not so. They were only half way here! It is so important to take the responsibility to meet your needs. Modelling this self care and self love to our children is how they learn to honor their own needs and yours as well.

We live in that wonderfully balanced place where parents’ and children’s needs are met in harmony. I look at our lives as a little microcosm of world peace. Living this life means we are sharing how it is possible to be partners with one another. Everyone in our family, in our lives, matter and are important.

Midnight Butterflies

I was laying in bed last night, as I often do, awake with my thoughts.

As an advocate for the amazing life of Radical Unschooling with the Law of Attraction, I feel so much excitement about the future of parenting.

Almost every night, I wake up for some water. As I lay back down in bed I think about the upcoming day before me. I get so excited about what is before us, that I feel butterflies in my stomach. I never knew I could be so happy. I am so grateful for being on the path that we are.

At 5:30AM, I lay in bed, watching the sun peek through the curtains, and I thought to myself, I can't wait until everyone wakes up and we have another day together, pursuing our passions and exploring our interests..

I love our life so much.... I am in utter Gratitude for discovering the Secret to life and the Secret to Happiness for myself and for my children. Freedom, Connection and Joy as the priority, with everything else falling into place.

A huge shift in consciousness is happening and I am happy to help lead the way...

Forts of Joy!

All of my kids just love to build forts. For as long as I can remember they have used blankets and sheets to create their own little comfortable spaces. I am often pulled into the task of helping to construct their tiny dwellings.

Yesterday we built an enormous fort over in our playroom together. I love when I can get so into our task that I have just as much fun as the kids do. Time flew by and we created a fort with 5 rooms and used many blankets, play silks and sheets.

After we were done, the kids crawled into our tee pee and took a much needed cuddle together. Then we ate lunch in one of the rooms. We live life in the slow lane, enjoying our days together. It was so much fun connecting with them in this way.

Clarity Through Contrast

Over the last few years I have learned to embrace contrast. The concept took my some time to fully understand. One way that we gain clarity in what we want from life is to experience what we don't want. Contrast gives us the gift of clarity.

I notice when I am feeling contrast and through doing so, the contrast turns to clarity and then to *desire*. I have learned to use this tool in my everyday life which turns experiences that others would view as "negative" into opportunites for Gratitude.

I was talking with Devin, Tiff and Ivy today about contrast. We were talking about being grateful for contrasting feelings, contrasting experiences and contrasting emotions.

One way in which I decided to explain the concept to the kids was to share about contrasting colors. We spent a few hours exploring what contrasting colors were through art. Ivy, Tiff and Devin created their own projects where they experienced contrast, hands on, which tied perfectly into what we had been talking about.

I shared with the kids that being able to appreciate their health when they are sick is one way to experience contrast and truly feel gratitude for their healthy minds and bodies. Without contrast how would we ever appreciate anything in life?

Here is Ivy sharing the pictures that she created, with Contrast as the focus of her artwork.

Us Time

Our lives are inseparable from our kids lives. We are all together all day, everyday. Devin visits friends on occasion now that he is older, but for the most part, if you dropped by our house, we'd all be here to greet you!

One day last week Joe and I were feeling like we would love to have a quiet, romantic dinner together.

Having 4 children, and meeting their needs as well as our own takes skill and balance. We normally have some alone time after Tiff, Ivy and Orion go to bed, but lately everyone has been staying up late.

Getting an hour to ourselves to connect sounded heavenly.

After talking to them about our need to have dinner alone, we asked them how they would feel about us going out while they stay with family. Devin was fine with it, the didn't want us to go.

I think that most people wouldn't think anything of it to drive away leaving crying kids begging them to stay. I've seen the normality of this portrayed on TV and with friends. Everyone always says, "They'll be alright... just go..." This has never felt right to us. If our kids don't want us to leave them, we respect that. We've never left them somewhere if they didn't want to be there.

So, we talked with the kids and told them that we really wanted to be alone for dinner. Tiff had the idea to watch a movie in the living room and keep an eye on Orion while we ate so we could have the time we wanted.

It worked out perfectly! We had such a nice romantic meal and because we respected the girls need for us not to leave them, they in turn respected our need to be alone for this one hour.

Respect Begets Respect

Joe and I were very grateful for the creative way that we all worked together to have our needs met. It was a very special dinner. We know that there will come a time when the kids are ready to be left alone with others joyfully. We also know that once they all move out we will have the rest of our lives for quiet dinners alone. In the meantime, we will continue respecting their needs as much as our own. This Trust between all of us is the basis of our Joyful, Connected life.

What Recession?

I have many people email me about how Joe and I are coping with the Recession and ask if we use the Law of Attraction during these desperate times. My answer is always, "What Recession?"

Joe and I understand the natural ebb and flow of prosperity and flow with it. We are still steadily selling things through our business, Willow Toys, but we choose to lower our prices to reflect the economy.

This is important, because if you have a business and don't do this, you won't sell as much and hence feel lack. It's important to surrender and go with the flow. For example, a wooden kitchen that we normally sell for $250. we are now selling for $199. Don't be afraid to lower your prices. It helps everyone out. Do it Joyously!

Also, Here are a few tips to help shift your feeling during this time when most people are feeling lack.

1. Be grateful. You don’t want to do anything for an ingrate and neither does the Universe. Say thank you for what abundance and blessings you have received in your life and focus on them.

2. Be abundant. In interactions with others, give your heart to them. Love them. And love people you don’t even know that well, someone you have no ‘organic’ feelings for either way. An easy way to tap into those feelings is to think of the person that you love most in the world. Be happy for others success as if it was your own.

3. Give back. It’s different for everyone. Some people write, some cook, and some volunteer. Create. Creation is one of the most important parts of receiving abundance.

4. The Law of Conservation should be maintained. There is nothing wrong with trying to cut costs during a recession. Just do it from a place of abundance, rather than fear and lack. If you decide to cancel Nexflix for a few months, revel in the happiness of having that money in your pocket every month, rather than thinking about the fact that you don't have Netflix anymore and feeling lack from that.

Our Business and Our Family want to encourage you to not get swept up in the negativity and lack that many are feeling during this time in our economy. Trust the process. Know that it is normal and natural for the economy to ebb and flow in such a way. Prosperity and Abundance is everywhere.

Peace & Love, Dayna

Kickin' It With Paint

Feeling creative when we woke up, the kids and I decided to pull out or craft books and try something new today.

We found a cool painting project which came out beautifully!

Painting on to a piece of paper, we used water colors (I would recommend the tube kind, they came out better) to cover the entire sheet. Then we covered it in plastic wrap, let it dry and when we removed the plastic, pushed down and crinkled it a bit and Wow! What a beautiful work of art!

The kids enjoy taking on new projects often and I am so glad that we have such a huge library to draw ideas from.

Syrup Season

We are maple sugaring on our property this year! The kids are very interested in the whole process of making maple syrup.

Living in the White Mountains means lots of maple trees and luckily we have some friends with a sugar house. They tap our trees, we enjoy the benefits of free, fresh, delicious maple syrup, and the experience of watching how it is all done.

Today we learned how to tap a tree and also that it takes 30-40 gallons of sap to make only one gallon of maple syrup!

Drum Baby Drum

Throughout our vacation in Florida, we researched ways to facilitate Devin, Tiff & Ivy's interests. We went to many shows and took in a wide range of experiences with all of our passions as the center of our trip.

In Disney's Animal Kingdom, Devin found his bliss. There was a large area dedicated to many different kinds of African drums. Devin, being a drummer, wanted to spend a lot of time there. Devin tried all of the different drums, many times over, while I enjoyed a thick chocolate shake. (one of my passions ;)

While exploring this deep interest, he was so in the moment. So *Present*. I could see his Joy overflowing. Watching him doing something he loves reminds me that this is what we are here on Earth to do. Joy, Passion, Pleasure. Life is supposed to be all of these things, everyday!

On the ride home, Devin told us how grateful he was that we went to the drum area three times during our trip. He said he will never forget it.

Gratitude & Abundance

The ability to live in gratitude and abundance isn't something I was born with. I have learned how to reprogram my mind from 30+ years of cultural conditioning of living in lack and fear.

We don't realize that how we live and think is an option. We don't realize that we can change everything in our lives by learning another way to *Be*.

My kids know about the Law of Attraction, because they live it consciously. Words like *gratitude*, *manifest*, *reality* and *choice* are part of their regular vocabularies. Our children are part of the shift that is taking place right now.

I choose to live in abundance and I know that nothing new can come into my life unless I am blissfully grateful for what I already have.

Every morning when I wake up I say, "Thank you.. thank you" for my life and all that I have. Gratitude is a constant state for me, and because I am alignment with it, I am on a vibration to easily create more and more to be grateful for. It's that simple!

"Abundance comes only to those who already have it. It sounds almost unfair, but of course it isn’t. It is a universal law. Both abundance and scarcity are inner states that manifest as your reality. Jesus put it like this: “For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” - Eckhart Tolle, “ A New Earth – Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose”

Rockin' Conference Gigs

A fabulous part of our lives as Radical Unschooling advocates pioneering this movement, is traveling, and speaking at conferences. The kids love it and I am so grateful that our passion is shared by our whole family.

Some of our upcoming Sparkling Martin 'tour' engagements, where I will be a featured speaker are:

The Great Big Happy Life Conference- April 28- May 1, 2009, Lebanon, New Jersey

London Unschooling Conference - July 25th, London, England

Northeast Unschooling Conference - August 27 - 30, Wakefield, Massachusetts

Rethinking Education Conference - Septmeber 4th- 8th, Westlake, Texas

Unschooling Adventure Cruise - October 24th-29th, Bermuda

Unschooling Freedom Cruise - Feb 14th-21st, from Galveston, Texas to Cozumel Mexico, Caymen Islands, Jamaica

Come meet our family...

Become Inspired...

Learn how to Live the Dream...

Mobile Passion

Ivy loves to lay in bed and look up at her ceiling and gaze at the mobiles above her bed. Every since she was a baby she has had a fascination with them. She never slept in a crib, in fact we've never owned one, but once I learned that she loved mobiles I hung them over our family bed.

Over the years, I have found fun ways to feed her passion. We make mobiles out of anything we can think of. Tiny little stuffed animals, colored pasta, Littlest Pet Shop animals. We've even made a few together out of felt that we have hand sewn.

Every night before she goes to sleep she says goodnight to her mobiles and greets them when she wakes up.

I don't know how long this passion with burn within her, but for as long as it does I will be by her side, creating mobiles together in Joy.