http://www.twotimestwentyfeet.com/p/hilfiger_s2010

saw it last Summer in Berlin

so much of what you’ve said here resonates with me – i love the idea of being non-conformist! i love the idea of living gently and parenting my two girls gently. i’m growing more and more in my understanding of what it means to be gentle – although from when my elder daughter was born (nearly four years ago) i knew that one thing i always wanted to do was to speak to her kindly – like i hope she learns to do. recently we were on holiday and i met a lady who asked “do you always speak to her like that?” (you know, after i said please and thank you…). that wouldn’t have been so bad, had she not followed it up with “come on, you can tell the truth…”. ummm… the truth is yes, i try to… *sigh*

i have a couple of goal for next year – one is to look hard at what i’m eating and move toward a more natural diet; one that relies less on refined stuff, dairy and meat (although we’ll keep eating kangaroo (we’re in australia, obviously…) for a couple of reasons i’d be happy to share if you are interested). another is to look into homeschooling options for 2011 – i’m not quite at the unschooling point yet… .

another goal is grow my hair long so i can get dreads. neeeeed dreads!

(oops! essay!)

~anna

I do have one point of contention though. While your family may have been in a more conventional lifestyle previously due to a need for meeting societal expectations, many others fear giving up the “security” you refer to for other reasons.

For many it’s not that they have accepted that “to be accepted, we must appear to be successful. We must own a house. We must own a new vehicle. We must have a job with a fancy title.” Rather, it’s that they are dependent on the necessities that their lifestyle and the accompanying “security” provide, like healthcare and medication, safe housing, access to healthy food, education, childcare, etc. Most of these are necessities, most for not just “a happy life,” but for life, period.

A lot of people in this country are struggling to get by. Trying to meet some arbitrary standard for status and societal acceptance is the farthest thought from many people’s minds. No doubt some live as you describe, but many do not, especially in today’s sociopolitical environment.

Best wishes to you and your family!

take care!