Comments on: Engagement, Ritual, and Work (video) http://naturalpapa.com/fatherhood/engagement-ritual-and-work-video/ Fatherhood and natural parenting from the perspective of a tree-hugging dirt worshipper Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:39:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: nan http://naturalpapa.com/fatherhood/engagement-ritual-and-work-video/#comment-2663 nan Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:42:45 +0000 http://naturalpapa.com/?p=1141#comment-2663 When we err, it's important to let them see you cop to it, then bounce back. I always apologized to my kids for my mistakes, too, like if I lost my temper or if they caught a discrepancy. I tried to be humble and real, not some inaccessible monster. I am far from a perfect parent, but I know my kids respect my struggle, choices and independence. When we err, it’s important to let them see you cop to it, then bounce back. I always apologized to my kids for my mistakes, too, like if I lost my temper or if they caught a discrepancy. I tried to be humble and real, not some inaccessible monster. I am far from a perfect parent, but I know my kids respect my struggle, choices and independence.

]]> By: Derek Markham http://naturalpapa.com/fatherhood/engagement-ritual-and-work-video/#comment-2655 Derek Markham Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:37:49 +0000 http://naturalpapa.com/?p=1141#comment-2655 Thanks, Nan. I've found that it's hard to both set a good example and to also be fully human (capable of making mistakes, changing our minds), yet I believe that when our kids see that we aren't perfect, they still respect us (maybe even more). I appreciate the feedback! Thanks, Nan. I’ve found that it’s hard to both set a good example and to also be fully human (capable of making mistakes, changing our minds), yet I believe that when our kids see that we aren’t perfect, they still respect us (maybe even more). I appreciate the feedback!

]]> By: nan http://naturalpapa.com/fatherhood/engagement-ritual-and-work-video/#comment-2653 nan Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:29:18 +0000 http://naturalpapa.com/?p=1141#comment-2653 Derek, thanks for being so open with your thoughts. It's magic. As a single mom for most of my kids' lives, I had to undo the materialism their dad was teaching them. I have always been a hands-on person, lots of crafts, lots of homemade things. I made sure to make one major thing for them for each holiday and birthday to show them that not everything came from the store. And I explained that to them as well. Now they make things as gifts for family and friends - books, pictures frames, and so on. As my kids turned into teenagers, the most rewarding thing I saw (and they are still young at 15 & 19, so I'm sure there's more to come) was that they were not shy around people they did not know, my friends. They were polite, shaking hands, introducing themselves, and answering questions adults asked them. I did not teach them this. They learned through my example. That was huge for me and showed me that my life and lifestyle would rub off on them more than what I could actually 'teach' them. I'm with you on doing tangible things with them to foster their self-esteem, since being online does not show them a thought process or creative process, even though it is full of that for us. Mainly, set an example that you would be proud of them following. If you are kind, loving and creative, they will be, too. Derek, thanks for being so open with your thoughts. It’s magic.

As a single mom for most of my kids’ lives, I had to undo the materialism their dad was teaching them. I have always been a hands-on person, lots of crafts, lots of homemade things. I made sure to make one major thing for them for each holiday and birthday to show them that not everything came from the store. And I explained that to them as well. Now they make things as gifts for family and friends – books, pictures frames, and so on.

As my kids turned into teenagers, the most rewarding thing I saw (and they are still young at 15 & 19, so I’m sure there’s more to come) was that they were not shy around people they did not know, my friends. They were polite, shaking hands, introducing themselves, and answering questions adults asked them. I did not teach them this. They learned through my example. That was huge for me and showed me that my life and lifestyle would rub off on them more than what I could actually ‘teach’ them.

I’m with you on doing tangible things with them to foster their self-esteem, since being online does not show them a thought process or creative process, even though it is full of that for us.

Mainly, set an example that you would be proud of them following. If you are kind, loving and creative, they will be, too.

]]> By: Derek Markham http://naturalpapa.com/fatherhood/engagement-ritual-and-work-video/#comment-2650 Derek Markham Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:12:08 +0000 http://naturalpapa.com/?p=1141#comment-2650 Thank you , Heather - I'll definitely take those ideas to heart. Thank you , Heather – I’ll definitely take those ideas to heart.

]]> By: Heather http://naturalpapa.com/fatherhood/engagement-ritual-and-work-video/#comment-2648 Heather Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:39:54 +0000 http://naturalpapa.com/?p=1141#comment-2648 Sat Nam Natural PAPA GREAT Video!! Especially for not "being prepared"... I thought it was very engaging. As far as engaging with my children... as a working mama I also find my self saying later, later, later.... The one think that I do count on is dinner time. Dinner is the closet thing I have come to Ritual... I have intentions of doing yoga everyday with my family as a ritual but that doesn't seem to be supported in my current lifestyle.. I am working on changing that. I love the idea's your family came up with!!! As far as your children being involved with your work why don't you include them in a video at some point, to teach us about parenting techniques, or show off some of your children's creativity, or maybe for one of your ritual's we can get an idea of how you do it... or maybe we can see a 5 year old perspective on life.. asking kids a question to be answered on film can always be fun... That's all for know .. keep the Vids coming... Sat Nam Natural PAPA

GREAT Video!! Especially for not “being prepared”… I thought it was very engaging. As far as engaging with my children… as a working mama I also find my self saying later, later, later…. The one think that I do count on is dinner time. Dinner is the closet thing I have come to Ritual… I have intentions of doing yoga everyday with my family as a ritual but that doesn’t seem to be supported in my current lifestyle.. I am working on changing that. I love the idea’s your family came up with!!!
As far as your children being involved with your work why don’t you include them in a video at some point, to teach us about parenting techniques, or show off some of your children’s creativity, or maybe for one of your ritual’s we can get an idea of how you do it… or maybe we can see a 5 year old perspective on life.. asking kids a question to be answered on film can always be fun… That’s all for know .. keep the Vids coming…

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