Slowing Down
This month has been a lot about coming back to our roots, to what matters. As a family and as individuals.
We tried spending more quality time together, going out for walks, letting Arthur just enjoy playing with his trains, his cars… Trying to keep things positive and continue building connection. Something we believe to be extremely important after the difficult weeks we have following our big trip.
I have also decided to try to carve out more moments of self-care. This means, I finally began my post-partum physical therapy, and met with a group of mothers from the area a couple of times in order to chat and connect. March is my birthday month, so we also celebrated my birthday!
Our Adventures
Pairi Daiza
This month we visited the zoological garden, Pairi Daiza. Before the children were born we went *a lot*, afterwards we’ve been a few times, but much less. Well, as the entrance is free for little ones under three we made it a point to go before his birthday (next month). Arthur loves animals and you know what else he loves? Trains. And there happens to be a couple of old steam trains that tour around the park. The first hour or so we spent there we had spent more time at the trains that to see the animals! He is obsessed! But as it turns out, we heard some of the railway workers talk together and say that a parent once said they specially come for the trains for their little one! Needless to say that this outing was an absolute hit!
Celebrating!
This month I celebrated my birthday. It made me think of last year, at this time when we revealed the gender of J to our grandparents during my birthday celebration! And now, here I am celebrating my birthday as a mother of two (I sometimes still find it crazy to say this!). How quickly this year flew by!
In addition to my birthday we also celebrated carnival: in the city centre we came upon a parade organised for the Bolivian carnival (completely by chance!) and Manneken Pis was dressed up for the occasion. A’s school organised a sing-along and it was so fun to see our little ones sings these songs they know so well.
Reflections of a Parent
Even though we tried to slow down and fall back into a routine, we still had a lot going on! A had several school events, we had an activity nearly every weekend (though some were smaller events than others). But I suppose, in a way, they are part of our routine. We like to go out an about, to spend time with family and go on adventures. And in just a couple of days A will have two weeks of Spring break with me at home (after which I’ll start going back to work already!)!
That’s something I’m trying not to think too much about at the moment because last time I spent weeks and weeks worried and anxious about the transition back to work and spending the days away from my baby. I’m not sure it’s the right approach… but it seems to help a little at the moment.
Concluding Thoughts
Time. It’s untangible, yet we can measure it. It can seem to fly by, seemingly stealing precious moments away, but letting it go and savouring it can also allow healing.
We tried to focus as much as we could on giving ourselves time. Time to allow us all to find some balance again, this month. And I think we’re slowly getting there.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @littlemontessoribears, where you’ll get to have a continuous peek of our adventures!
Would you like more out of this blog series? I’m inviting you to join “The Audio Diary“, a private podcast, in which you can have an exclusive look, week-by-week for an entire year, into how a Montessori expert and mother navigates creating intentional spaces for baby, integrating Maria Montessori’s philosophy, while experiencing normal parenting challenges.
