tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post114082678690524383..comments2023-11-05T07:22:58.867-05:00Comments on Wide Open on the Mommybahn: Ennui-ui-ui All The Way HomeTestdriverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03596324722878187186noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-77454420384528174042010-07-08T22:52:07.467-04:002010-07-08T22:52:07.467-04:00PS Here is a site for more information on Montesso...PS Here is a site for more information on Montessori and materials you can buy or use for ideas.http://www.michaelolaf.net/FAQMontessori.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-17157798990774799732010-07-08T22:48:40.190-04:002010-07-08T22:48:40.190-04:00I am an AMI (Association Montessori International)...I am an AMI (Association Montessori International) Assistant to Infancy trainer in training for the 0-3 year level. I have been involved in Montessori since I was 2! I am so happy to hear many people implementing the methods that Montessori and her colleagues observed to aid the development and self-condidence of children under 3. Even before sitting, the child still needs stimulation visually with mobiles, physically with grasping materials and gross movement possibilities as well as auditory and language materials for the development of language and pitch. There are so many real, everyday experiences the child can glean from that there is no need for fantasy and entertaining. Real communication, nature and life in general is any child's true key to develop his potential. Thanks for your blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-48194739661551401402009-06-25T12:30:03.626-04:002009-06-25T12:30:03.626-04:00Like Rachel, we happened upon Montessori after we&...Like Rachel, we happened upon Montessori after we'd already been leading some of the principals. We didn't use a weaning chair...Lily was in a high chair to eat, so that we could enjoy meals at the same table. As soon as she was comfortable enough climbing up in a "big" chair, we ditched the high chair and opted for a family meal with Lily sitting on a thick cd case (I know, not exactly montessori, BUT cheaper and still child-led and fostering independence). She also has a table in the kitchen for breakfast and lunch.<br /><br />I love your blog and now remember why we chose a simplistic style for ourselves and our kiddo. I, too, have been tempted by the modern baby bassinet that's way out of our price range and your blog helped me cross a few things off my list for kiddo #2. Thanks.Gailnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-77940883371356863072009-03-28T11:32:00.000-04:002009-03-28T11:32:00.000-04:00I know I'm reading this years after you wrote it, ...I know I'm reading this years after you wrote it, but I find it very compelling. My husband and I opted out of the typical baby gear (no mechanical seats or toys, no plastic toys, no crib or changing table, etc.). Not because we're following a particular philosophy, but because we see those things as tacky, harmful, or unnecessary. Now that Massimo is 10 months old I'm reading more about Montessori and thinking it would have been so much easier to tell everyone we're following Montessori rather than just saying we don't like x, y, or z! I think most of our friends and family think we're a little off. Sigh. <BR/><BR/>That said, there are definitely elements of the Montessori philosophy that don't mesh with how we see things. Bouncing is good, important even. Have you read "What's Going On In There?" by Lise Elliot? Chapter 6 is about vestibular stimulation (the result of bouncing, essentially) and why it's so good for babies. We also co-sleep (which we all love). And we wore him quite a bit when he was younger. AND we have a high chair. The nifty Ikea one, since we do baby-led weaning and it would be rather difficult for him to feed himself without it. We also believe it is important for him to eat with us and be part of the family, rather than sit by himself at his own table. Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks for the thought-provoking post! I'm slowly making my way through your archive...rachelhttp://littlerinch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-24067622239875273532008-08-21T15:10:00.000-04:002008-08-21T15:10:00.000-04:00Love love love your blog! We are in the process o...Love love love your blog! We are in the process of montessorizing ;P our nursery. I really love the rug you have may I ask where you got it?<BR/>Thanks, SherylAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-32184288142008102042007-11-04T20:33:00.000-05:002007-11-04T20:33:00.000-05:00Hi, Katie--The best substitute I have found for th...Hi, Katie--<BR/><BR/>The best substitute I have found for the weaning table is one of those little lap tables with the folding legs that you're supposed to use to serve your husband breakfast in bed ;)<BR/><BR/>I used it in combination with a bumbo seat as a weaning table at my parents' house. It worked just fine until she outgrew the bumbo. By then, a regular infant/toddler table and chair (they're really cheap at IKEA) worked out great.<BR/><BR/>best of luck with the weaning table. Ours continues to serve in many capacities!!<BR/><BR/>AmandaTestdriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03596324722878187186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-17062304056935280272007-11-03T23:47:00.000-04:002007-11-03T23:47:00.000-04:00The weaning chair...I'm Montessori trained at the ...The weaning chair...<BR/><BR/>I'm Montessori trained at the Casa level and trying to raise our first child in line with the Montessori philosophy. I've done some reading for the infant/toddler but have yet to see anything put into practice. I'm struggling with trying to convince my husband (and all our extended family!) to take an 'unconventional' approach rather than stick with the default. Our son is now four months and I'm looking ahead to the introduction of other foods. What has been your experience with the weaning table? I'd love to find an inexpensive way to do this, as my husband is a full-time student and we don't have money to purchase the materials I'd like to use. Any suggestions for a creative way to do this? (I'm a thrift store shopper as well and looking for a suitable "coffee table" or similar to use for the table, but haven't been able to find anything to use for the chair yet.) Any suggestions would be most helpful!<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17528842916241411875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-3292360825845946262007-03-04T23:33:00.000-05:002007-03-04T23:33:00.000-05:00To the parents 6 month old: You need a weaning ch...To the parents 6 month old: You need a weaning chair *sturdy design, arms for support, and abay can crawl into it* and small table for Montessori solid introduction. These can be purchased from the Michael Oleaf 0-3 catalog (I think a few other places too but not certain). I couldn't afford one at the time myself, so I ended up feeding her on the floor (kosher in many countries but makes for big messes) Now that she's bigger and walking, I have a simple table and two chair set from Ikea and she feeds herself pretty independantly. My dd is currently 25 months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1147834702769096432006-05-16T22:58:00.000-04:002006-05-16T22:58:00.000-04:00Hello,I also found this blog randomly and interest...Hello,<BR/><BR/>I also found this blog randomly and interestingly, I share many of your concerns. I am interested in Montessori and AP. My baby is now 6 months and we have begun feeding him solids. I want to buy somewhere for him to eat and I cannot seem to find anything frm Montessori to accommodate this. What have you done in this regard?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1142268346407311372006-03-13T11:45:00.000-05:002006-03-13T11:45:00.000-05:00I agree completely. You have to have an intuitive...I agree completely. You have to have an intuitive, holistic approach, and you have to believe in what you're doing.<BR/><BR/>I really love the idea of independence and choice for the child from the beginning, and I believe that simplicity and clarity are essential to the child's ability to understand her environment and to be empowered by it. Congratulations on your first baby-I hope it all goes well for you.<BR/><BR/>If you get a minute, please let me know what Montessori elements you're using and what you're leaving out of your home environment. I'd love to have another Montessori perspective!Testdriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03596324722878187186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1142102766016168212006-03-11T13:46:00.000-05:002006-03-11T13:46:00.000-05:00I have been reading about montessori for a year or...I have been reading about montessori for a year or so and now that i am having my first child, i am trying to follow it but not down to the last detail. One of the most important things to remember when using montessori ideals is to just do what you feel comfortable with and what makes sense to you. Understanding the reason behind the floor bed, weaning chair and absence of loud senseless toys will help you make better choices that will benifit your child. The whole method is very common sense orienented. Too many parents today design their childs room around what they like and think is cute rather than what is best for the child, and we can all agree that we want whats best for our children and our families.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1141453738230043132006-03-04T01:28:00.000-05:002006-03-04T01:28:00.000-05:00Oops! Time for a philosophy post!Oops! Time for a philosophy post!Testdriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03596324722878187186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1141153552957195352006-02-28T14:05:00.000-05:002006-02-28T14:05:00.000-05:00A very interesting post. Not sure I really unders...A very interesting post. Not sure I really understand the whole philosophy. I'd be interested to learn of the reasons behind the non-soothing, non-stimulation stuff. I guess it seems to go against all that is instinctual to me. And I'm not one to believe in attachment parenting either! I can't imagine what someone like that would think. <BR/><BR/>Again, interesting post.<BR/><BR/>Pip<BR/><BR/>www.pipandtom.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1140899488507103162006-02-25T15:31:00.000-05:002006-02-25T15:31:00.000-05:00Now I know why babies need grandmothers and fortun...Now I know why babies need grandmothers and fortunately she has two, both willing to let her taste of all the forbidden fruit!<BR/>We'll make sure she grows up to be as wonderful as we and you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1140886365765148062006-02-25T11:52:00.000-05:002006-02-25T11:52:00.000-05:00Well Mama c-ta, if it gives you hope, I can tell y...Well Mama c-ta, if it gives you hope, I can tell you that I am not high-end. Almost everything in our house is either a hand-me-down from my architect father-in-law (the really good stuff), from the thrift store (a lot of very cool stuff), or from Ikea (the necessary, practical stuff). <BR/><BR/>Of course, our thrift-shopping habit makes for a catastrophic clutter problem, which is relegated to copious shelving units (no closet space!) and our packed basement-through which I continually struggle to maintain a carved-out path to the laundry room. Believe me. "Design Within Reach" is a cruel joke.Testdriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03596324722878187186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1140877610864401992006-02-25T09:26:00.000-05:002006-02-25T09:26:00.000-05:00Hey glad you found me, sorry if I give you the wro...Hey glad you found me, sorry if I give you the wrong link before!<BR/><BR/>I didn't really have time to thoroughly read this post b/c I have one of those kid-things calling for me but I NEED to come back and read all of this! For one as I've stated before we're interested in Montessori and it's really enlightening to hear how to incorporate the method into everyday living. 2: I've struggled and struggled w/all these modern day convenience contraptions for babies and flashy toys. I hate them, feel guilty about using them but get suckered in, especially when Julian's face lights up. But if it makes you feel any better I have a bouncy, swing, all that garbage and I've still had to hold him almost non-stop, rock, bounce, hold, nurse (allll day) lull him myself, nothing replaces Mama I've learned. all that garbage allowed me maybe 15 minutes out of my day where I could colapse from exhaustion. Not worth cluttering up your home for a measly 15 minutes. <BR/><BR/>3rd, I love modern/minimalistic interior design. My passion and what you have here is amazing! Exactly what I'd love to have but the pack rat in me hasn't quite mastered it yet and I've learned all that simple stuff is way out of my price range (drool over modern seed daily). I want high quality modernist design w/Ikea pricing. Hard to find. <BR/><BR/>OK, I'll be back, funny how I have learned to type 300 WPM when a baby is calling me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21595148.post-1140827134305547292006-02-24T19:25:00.000-05:002006-02-24T19:25:00.000-05:00I found your blog randomly and thought this was a ...I found your blog randomly and thought this was a very interesting post -- both my children are in a Montessori preschool and we are currently agonizing about what to do with number one son for first grade. I will come by again, if that's okay, and follow the futher adventures of crusing on the Mommybahn.Francescahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07892273762273248682noreply@blogger.com