Coming back home...

My friend and I were talking today about how hard it is to take a less popular path in life such as choosing Waldorf Education for our children as opposed to Mainstream. We attended a Mary Willow Parent Evening at school last night which was outstanding. See www.plumparenting.com if you are interested. The topic arose about how we cope as parents when our children are exposed to values and behaviours that are not in line with our beliefs and boundaries that we practice in our own homes. This issue obviously struck a note for many of us. The way of life we choose for our children at home and in education is often misunderstood by many people around us and close to us. So I find I am often in conversations with others where the thought of explaining our choices is painful and I rather not go there. And certainly giving these people small snippets of the huge picture that is Waldorf Education doesn't do it justice. I have been told that people need to find it for themselves. So when family and friends see your path in not so supportive ways or worse with little interest, it can be exhausting, isolating and frustrating. SOOOO all the more reason for having a brilliant network within the Waldorf community. People who have chosen to step outside the box too. People who understand and are passionate about this. We need to have opportunities available to build these relationships with each other. To me some days stepping into the school grounds or a meeting or just seeing someone out and about from the 'community' I feel like I am home. I can breathe easy and feel like we have got each others back. It doesn't always go smooth sailing...don't get me wrong...sometimes there are judgements within the Waldorf walls depending on how 'Steiner' your life practices are in the clothes you wear, the food you eat and words you use...but nevertheless I will take this community and embrace it and strengthen it with all my might... This is definitely one of my life purposes!!! I feel more at home here than I do anywhere else especially with my children.