Comments on: A Feasible Way to Really Know a Child (Guest Post by Rachel Macy Stafford)

By: Khryzialyn Ciar

Khryzialyn Ciar — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 11:56:42 +0000

It feels so good to know that you know your child than anyone else. We need to be part of their world as they also became part of our worlds. It is such a glimpse of their life that they are children, so why can’t we be kids too? In this way, they can get closer to us, and we can know them better as what we want to happen. Just like what I have to my application that is the Child recorder app, I was able to recognize the emotion of my child with the way she cries, with the sound and loudness of it. By this, I was able to know the appropriate action to be taken and how will I stop her crying. Thank you so much for this post.

By: Erika Cedillo

Erika Cedillo — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 18:47:49 +0000

Another absolutely wonderful post!!!
This summer we visited our family in Mexico City, we now live in Vancouver, Canada so this was a very much awaited visit for us and our family there. One of my silent wishes was to splash with my daughters (2 and 6) outside in a typical summer rain fall while we were there. It was not until our last days when there was this strong rain fall, the 4 of us were outside splashing and giggling under the rain and I felt my heart boasting in joy. It was stepping into Kids world and this was a piece of my own little kid world I wanted to share with them and is one of my very special memories of this trip.
I loved when you say “take every request for time an attention as a priceless invitations”… I will do that and be more present with them… thank you Rachel and Janet 🙂

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 06:51:04 +0000

Dear Rachel and Janet,
Thank you so much for this beautiful post. It is such a good point that we need to step out of our worlds and enter their worlds. This was one of the hardest aspects of parenting for me – as you say, to let go of our own agendas, preconceived notions, and preferred interests.

A few weeks ago, my 3.5 year-old son and I visited a wonderful gristmill where they had activities and a tour for children. He was one of the youngest children there. For about ten minutes, he was enjoying the tour, but then said to me, “Mommy, I have had enough. Let’s leave.”

Before learning about RIE parenting through Janet’s blog, I probably would have insisted that we finish the tour. I realized though that he was communicating his needs to me and I needed to respect that. We left the mill house, and in the pouring rain, discovered puddles, a tunnel, and a beautiful pond. He danced in the rain. I’ll never forget that moment of seeing him dance and watching the rain splash on the pond with him. We were both soaked and experiencing such joy and peace! It was definitely Kid World, and a bit of heaven, I’m sure! Thank you for your wisdom!

By: John S Green

John S Green — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 20:12:43 +0000

I love Kid World. Kid World is where peace is and smiles grow wild.

I just finished reading Hands Free Life and now it sits on my writing window ledge marked up from intro to conclusion. I loved it and will share it like crazy.

P.S. I am an Avery kin-spirit

By: Becca Gullion

Becca Gullion — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 19:26:51 +0000

I find your website and books extremely helpful and useful in my role as a parent. Thank you for providing me with new insight and solutions for respectful parenting.

By: Julinda

Julinda — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 16:02:30 +0000

I just wanted to point out that when someone is 5 years old, they are in year 6, their 6th year. (When they are born they are in their first year, when they turn 1 they are in their second year, etc.) But beyond that nitpicky point of fact, I love the article. I just hope it’s not too late for me! I occasionally venture into my kids’ worlds but mostly I’m busy and distracted. They are 9 and 15.