I hope you all have a had a wonderful start to this New Year. I know I’ve had plenty of reasons to consider how truly blessed I have been and continue to be. One of those blessings is this blog, or more to the heart of it, its readers. And so I thank you for the role you’ve played in blessing my life.
Taking a bit of a writing break was good for me to refocus and to make me hungry for the writing process. I also greatly appreciated getting some really helpful feedback from some of you in the comment and emails you have sent. So I’m excited to be jumping in for another great year here at Not Just Cute and wanted to share with you a few of the things you can look forward to finding here in 2013.
Read Along Selection: Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Between requests for more nature connections and the enthusiasm that follow our last read along selection, I’ve decided to feature Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv as this year’s read along selection. We’ll start reading mid-February, so pick up your copy now. You can pick it up from my affiliate link at Amazon here
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder is a fantastic book about the powerful human need for nature experiences, one I’d recommend to all parents and teachers of young children. It’s also one I feel compelled to re-read as the pull toward screens seems to be increasing in my own family.
I’m also picking up Richard Louv’s other book The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age
Building Strong Boys Project
Another project I’m launching this year is one focused on building strong boys. I’m not talking strong in the Mr. Universe sense, but in the strong, healthy, and resilient sense. I still assert that there are far more inspiring, amazing boys and young men out there in the world than not, but many events in the past years (and the fact that I’m Mom to four boys) has caused me to feel compelled to explore factors pertinent specifically to the social, emotional, and mental health of boys and young men. I’ll be exploring the topic throughout the year with a monthly feature and some great guest input.
Your Old Favorites
Of course, I’ll also be continuing with the other components of Not Just Cute, including more sessions of the Parenting with Positive Guidance Ecourse (set to reopen for registration soon!), Weekend Reads, Monthly Thematic Preschool Study Units, First Friday Q&A Videos, and plenty of informative articles, useful resources, and meaningful activities.
I’m excited for this new year for Not Just Cute! I hope to see you here!
*PS – I’m being featured in the Bundle of the Week’s motherhood and parenting bundle, brought to you by Mandi Ehman of Life…Your Way. This entire ebook bundle focuses on supporting you in your most important work, and costs less as than one ebook on its own! Only $7.40 for all five! This is a great package you don’t want to miss out on. (My bias toward my own book is obvious, but I’m also a big fan of Jamie Martin, particularly her book Steady Days, which is also featured here.) The offer only lasts through this week. Get your bundle here.
(Post contains affiliate links to resources I truly think you’ll enjoy.)
Exciting! It’s been a while since I read this and it is worth reading again.
Like others, I look forward to the weekend links and thematic units as well. As a parent without a background in education or human development, I also appreciate articles like “emergent literacy skills” , “culture of literacy” and others that explain the development/education process.
You’re a big fan of Steady Days?! So blessed to hear that, Amanda.
jamie
Oh, absolutely! It was one of the first ebooks I ever purchased, and it was fantastic! I only wish I implemented it as well as you have!
I’m horrible at read-alongs, but I’m going to give this a shot. I’m also looking forward to your strong boys series. And the first fridays. I always get a little sad when it’s a first friday and there’s no video. Happy New Year!
Really looking forward to your strong boys series.
I spent a lot if time and energy trying to work out my twin girls and how best to patent them, and since my boys are ‘eadier’ I tend to think less about them… But I’d like to take the time to really focus on their needs and how I can best parent them too.
Waiting with baited breath to read your wisdom.
Looks like 2013 is going to be good! Can’t wait to read what’s in store.