Update & Croatia Pictures

I found out yesterday that we have apparently had high-speed internet the entire time we have been in this temporary condo and we didn't know it. We have been using the slowest dial-up ever instead. So now that I can handle getting on the internet, I thought I would update everyone on what is happening with us.

We close on and move into our new house on August 29th. It is in a place called Naperville, Illinois which is about an hour outside of Chicago (by car). Charles only has a half -hour commute to work though because of the express trains that leave from here. That is great since his commute in London was a little over an hour. Naperville has been voted the #1 best place in America to live this year in Money Magazine. It has so much to offer. The city has a riverwalk (based off of the one in San Antonio), an historic village with restored homes and shops and actors re-enacting life back in the 1800s. It also has a great little downtown that is like a little village with a quaint feel and lots of shops (reminds me of Hampstead for those of you familiar with London). There is tons of green space and parks and the #1 library in the nation as well as a beach! We are excited to be here. As for the house, I will post some pictures of it, as soon as we get some.

Now I want to post our pictures of our wonderful, relaxing trip to Croatia. It was the most relaxing trip because the movers packed up our entire house the day before we left so we had literally nothing to think about but having fun. If I had to move again, I would do it the exact same way. We had such a nice time. Here are some pictures...



a beautiful view from one of the mountain villages (I forgot the name)

We rented a boat for the day and had such a nice time cruising around. In fact, we saw the most nudes ever. They were everywhere. Nudes riding bikes, nudes in boats, nudes on the beaches, nudes playing tennis, nudes walking the dog - you name it, it was crazy!

a village viewed from the boat

our fabulous boat/yacht!

At Simon and Hanh's house (where we stayed) they had loads of lavender which we cut and brought back to London to make lavender water and oil. The smell of lavender was very strong and will probably always remind me of Croatia. Abby and Sammy still shout out "lavender" when they see the purple stuff growing on the side of the road here.

Porec in the third largest Roman Colosseum in the world

dinner back at the house with the whole group

lavender in front of the house


Abby and Sammy getting ready for a swim

We were all amazed when Abby actually got in. She has refused to get in a swimming pool since she was six months old. This was a huge victory! Now we just need to put her in swimming lessons...

Porec

Rovinj, a village on the coast

eating lunch in Rovinj

Rovinj

Children: The Challenge -- Chapter One

I acquired a very good book recently called Children: the Challenge by Rudolf Dreikurs, M.D. I have been meaning to read the book from cover to cover for a long time now but I have only succeeded in reading bits and pieces of it here and there. So, I have made myself a goal to read at least one chapter a week and take notes. I will then post my notes or highlights on my blog to get any feedback from other mothers or childcare providers (or even those without children - anyone can comment). This way, I do all the reading and you get all the information without much work. Sounds like a good deal to me. So feel free to give me your opinion about anything that is presented in the book, whether you agree or disagree.

Chapter One – Our Present Dilemma

Adults are usually deeply disturbed at the notion that children are their social equals. They indignantly deny such a possibility. “Don’t be ridiculous. I know more than my child does. He can’t possibly be my equal.” No. Of course not. Not in knowledge or experience or skill. But these things don’t indicate equality-even among adults. Equality doesn’t mean uniformity! Equality means that people, despite all their individual differences and abilities, have equal claims to dignity and respect.

There is another factor that may play a part in our feeling that we must be superior to our children. We may have a hidden doubt of our own worth, a deep sense of not measuring up to our own ideals. Then a child, in his helplessness, makes a delightful object of comparison by which we can feel grand! But this is a false illusion. In fact, our children are much more capable than we are and tend to outsmart us on many occasions. Children sense their equality to adults and no longer tolerate an autocratic dominant-submissive relationship.

There is widespread confusion about the application of democratic principles. As a result, we have frequently mistaken license for freedom and anarchy for democracy. To so many, democracy means freedom to do as one pleases. Our children have reached the point where they defy restrictions because they assume their right to do as they please. This is license, not freedom. If each member of the family insists on doing as he pleases, we have a houseful of tyrants with resulting anarchy.
Freedom is part of democracy; but the subtle point that we cannot have freedom unless we respect the freedom of others is seldom recognized. No one can enjoy freedom unless his neighbor has it too. In order for everyone to have freedom, we must have order. And order bears with it certain restrictions and obligations.
To help our children, then, we must turn from the obsolete autocratic method of demanding submission to a new order based on the principles of freedom and responsibility. Our children no longer can be forced into compliance; they must be stimulated and encouraged into voluntarily taking their part in the maintenance of order. We need new principles of child-raising to replace obsolete traditions.