Wednesday, July 27, 2016

A VISUAL

I grabbed the paints out one day and roughly painted this image for our family.


I can't take the credit for it because I'm sure I read about it somewhere once and it seeped into my unconscious mind!




It doesn't really need any explanation, but it basically showed that Mummy is the hub of the family, each child is a spoke in the wheel, Daddy is the rim that holds us all together, and around us, within us, going right through the whole family is God.

xxxx


 

Sunday, June 26, 2016

The "Universe"?




I've seen, and heard people writing/saying things along the line of "The Universe will provide."  and "Throw it out into the Universe and see what it provides."

To me this is New Age, and extremely flaky.

It's also sad that people are learning to "trust" something that can't do anything for them - and in turn, teaching others to build their lives on very shaky ground.

God created the Universe.

God provides, or withholds according to his mighty, unfathomable wisdom.

The next time I hear someone say about the Universe providing, I pray that I might have God's wisdom and the right amount of boldness to respectfully question them on it.  I am genuinely interested in how people who believe this can explain it.

 

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Cozy Time - What Is It?


When I first heard of the concept of "circle time" as they might have in a preschool environment I wondered if I could turn that into something we'd like.

It took a bit of jiggling around to find a comfortable fit, and I took on board advice from another mum who'd tried it and found it raised her blood pressure too much trying to get her children to join in.
 

But here, in case it sounds like something you'd like to try with your children (all ages, just adjust it to suit) is what we have been doing on and off for a few years now.

Cozy Time

First we sing a song to mark the beginning of Cozy Time - just a little ditty I made up.

Then I launch straight into some finger plays, poems, songs etc.  Something like this:


Here is a tree with its leaves so green
(stretch arms out)
Here are the apples that hang between
(clench fists)
When the wind blows the apples will fall
(drop arms)
Here is a basket to gather them all
(pretend to hold a basket on your hip and gather apples)


 
(Mime appropriate actions)
High in the tree a little nest
Climb up softly, look inside
Hungry baby birds with their beaks open wide
I'll watch the little birdies grow, day by day
Until they spread their wings and fly far, far away



 
A little brown rabbit popped out of the ground,
(right index fingers pops up)
Wiggled his whiskers and looked all around.
(right index finger wiggles)
Another wee rabbit who lived in the grass
(left finger up)
Popped his head out and watched him pass
(right hand hops over left (wrists crossed)
Then both the wee rabbits went hoppity hop,
Hoppity, hoppity, hoppity, hop
(both fingers hop forwards)
Till they came to a wall and had to stop
(both fingers stop suddenly)
Then both the wee rabbits turned themselves round,
(hands uncross)
And scuttled off home to their holes in the ground.
(hands hop back and finish in pockets)

  

Five little peas in a pea-pod pressed
(clench fingers on one hand)
One grew, two grew, so did all the rest
(raise fingers slowly)
The grew and they grew and did not stop
(stretch fingers wide)
Until all of a sudden the pod went POP!
(clap loudly on POP)


(Heaps more fingerplays, songs and game ideas can be found in my soon-to-be-published book "Adventures In Natural Learning - Handbook")
 

This morning we were having Cozy Time and I watched our 18 month old toddling around the room, participating when he wanted to/ when he could.    I noticed that the children needed something they could move around to, stretch their legs and arms, so I started to sing "My pigeon house I open wide and set my pigeons free ..."   Our toddler  was suddenly very interested and watched two other boys who decided they'd join in with that one.   I was reminded once again how easily and joyfully a little child can learn things when there is no EXPECTATION on them to pick it up.

We often play some very simple games such as "Touch the ..." where I will name perhaps four or five items in the room, the child must repeat each item and then go and touch it.  Great for the brain.  This game can be extended by saying "Touch glass, wood, metal ..." etc or colours.    It truly is a game - not trying to force teaching.  And if the children arn't enjoying it, then it stops.

Another favourite game is when I gather random items from our junk drawer and put them on a tray.  I point to each item in turn and name it "scissors, glue stick, paint brush, wooden bead, little horse ..."  and then each child has a turn to close their eyes and guess which one or ones I have taken away.

So we play a few games - maybe a bit of baby sign language, or NZSL, a bit of French or German ... easy stuff, then I wind up by singing our final song, and a saying a prayer.

Something may come up when a child asks a question or shares a thought they've had - quite naturally, nothing forced. 
 
 



So that's our Cozy Time - it doesn't always work, and it doesn't always run smoothly, but I bring it in from time to time because it's actually quite fun when the children co-operate.

If your children have neurostruggles and neurochallenges then Cozy Time can be rather a stuggle and a challenge for a mummy.  

If your children are neurotypical then Cozy Time would be fantastic and rather easy and fun!

When I finished Cozy Time this morning I somewhat wearily went into the kitchen where our 20 year old was making himself a snack before returning to his work.  "Well done" he said quietly.  xxxxxx  Love him.

 

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Colour & Send Doodle Postcard Books - available now!!!



I have created these beautiful little doodle colouring postcard books for adults and children.

Some designs are intricate and fiddly, other designs are easier to colour - all are GREAT FUN!

They can be purchased via my facebook page : Doodles By Debbie Ball, or if you are not on facebook I have them listed on trademe too - search for Colour & Send Doodle Postcard Books.

Outside of New Zealand please leave me a message on this blog post with your email address and I'll contact you with our PayPal details.


 

 There are two books - each with 18 different images to colour.


If you are sending the card to someone who likes to colour - then leave it uncoloured!!

Just pop a stamp on the back, write their name and address and send!!



These postcards are printed on delightful card that makes colouring them a breeze!

Cost:   $12 for one book
or $20 for a set of two books

Postage $3 for one or two books
$4 for more than two books
 

I look forward to receiving your orders!


 

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS





Some years back I met a lovely lady in our local supermarket.  She was looking for nappies for a visiting grandchild - I looked like someone who knew about nappies and so she asked my opinion.

I realised she was German which was exciting because we'd just started learning German.   She asked me if I was a Christian (she had guessed because I home educated and wore a similar style of clothing to her home educating Christian daughter).  

We became friends, and visited together several times, learning a little more German each time.  We also learned that she and her husband (in her own words)   " ... had been Buddists, but now we are Christians!"  she said it with joy!  Her new faith and openness to things of Christ was refreshing and exciting.  She was excited to attend Bible studies and talk of many things to do with God.

Sadly, events in our lives prevented any further visits.

                              ***************

Last Sunday on waking I felt a strong urging from God to attend a church.  I asked God "Which one?".   I haven't attended our family church for many months now for various reasons.

I was pretty sure I knew which one I was to attend and I prayed "Please tell someone, ahead of time, that I will be there!"   When I told my husband that God wanted me to go somewhere, he said "Of course."  I said "Why did you say that?"  "Because you listen to God" he said.    Then he prayed for me, and I felt sure I knew where God wanted me.

So it was just myself, my toddler and my 6 year old who pulled up outside the old stone church on the other side of town on Sunday morning.  And the first people I saw getting out of their car was our German friend and her husband.  She was delighted to see me.  "You know we have a speaker here this morning?"  

"No - I didn't know.  God told me to come this morning."

"Ah, then it will because of the speaker."  She said with certainty.

I figured she was possibly right, and I was keen to hear what he had to say!

Church is not the easiest environment for our 6 year old who has Sensory Processing Disorder along with the family trait of Asperger's.  But he did his best.


Then during the message from the visiting speaker he said the most wonderful thing.

"Because faith without works is dead!  Works is the application of faith."

He said a little more to confirm that, and then said "Oh!  That wasn't supposed to be in my message - maybe that blessed someone?"   And I put up my hand.

Why was it a blessing?

For the last few years I believe I have received an unbalanced message on "faith and works".  Not, as you might think with the weight on WORKS.    Quite the opposite.

A teaching, a permission, to back off with the works, to take it easy with works ... its all about faith.

But what does James 2 say: 
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

I knew it, my family knew it, but it was a rich blessing to hear it via a man who was listening to God.

Having seen my German friend at that church, and hearing the whole message delivered by that speaker, I have much to think on.

 

 
        

Monday, May 2, 2016

WHAT DOES A "NATURAL LEARNING" CHILD LOOK LIKE?


 Our daughter is 13 years old.  She has always enjoyed a total "Natural Learning" life.

This is a list of a few things she's been interested in just recently.  All self-directed learning.

I'm putting this on our blog not to boast but to show people HOW MUCH much learning a child can do when they're not under pressure to PRODUCE something to PROVE they are learning, and when they're not driven down avenues they have no interest in, labouring hours and hours reading dry text books and writing papers ...

Not every child at 13 would be interested in researching and enjoying such a wide variety of things, sometimes I think she is truly the "poster girl" for natural learning.  And I enjoy that all the more because God only gave me one girl like this.  In fact, he only gave me ONE GIRL!   Our other six children are all boys.  But if they were to make lists of what they've been interested in over the last 8 months or so, I think I'd be pretty impressed with them too!



Late 2015

Manners and General Must-Dos of the 1900s
WWII and Winston Churchill
Royal Family
Natural Skincare and Health Supplements
Essential Oils
Instruments and Reading Music
Typing and Computer Skills
Natural Makeup
Scrapbooking
Embroidery
Needle Felting
Making Doll's Clothes
Soap and Candle Making
Knitting and Crochet




Early 2016

Childbirth and Motherhood
The Viking Age
Art
Natural Education and the reasons it Works
Foreign Languages
Making Short Movies
Gardening
Fitness and Exercise
Natural Health for Pets and other Animals
History of NZ and other Countries
Making Clubs
Discipleship
Jewellery Making
Interior Design
Acting/Performing on Stage
Maths
English
Stamp Collecting
Doodling
Birdwatching
Lettering and Hand Design Elements
Gothic and Medieval Castles
Making Blogs and Websites
Lecturing
Writing and Illustrating Books
Auschwitz











Present

Forensics
Special Air Service
Survival
Search And Rescue
SPCA
NZ Police
and Police Informants
Martial Arts
Self Defence
NZ Air Force
Civil Defence
Gun Handling and Target Shooting
Fictional Writing
Macro Photography
Bushcraft
Natural Disasters
Geography
Making Computer Games
Poisonous Plants and Animals
Persecution
Terrorism
Human Trafficking
Swords
Character Design and Animation
Designing Survival Electronics  -  i.e. GPS/Compass/Weather Forecast
Legal Studies
Armed Offenders Squad
International Contact and Codes

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Essential Oils

 
INFORMATION ON ESSENTIAL OILS
and how they may help ease anxiety in some individuals (this is not medical advice - use discretion)


A friend recently asked me if I knew anything about essential oils.

I only know a little, but I'm happy to share what I know.

I prepared the following information for a workshop on anxiety run by the Nelson Branch of Autism NZ some time ago.

**********************************



Pure Essential oils have therapeutic benefits. Perfume oils (inferior quality) can smell nice, but do not have the true therapeutic benefits. Perfume oils are often the result of further extraction after the pure essential oils have been taken from the plant – or can even be synthetic. The use of cheaper perfume oils, or cheap essential oils can be detrimental.

Look at “What Are Organic Essential Oilshttp://www.aromatherapyforchristians.com/organic.html
and also “Essential Oil Usage – What Are Essential Oilshttp://heritageessentialoils.com/usage.php

A Pure Essential Oil will always have the Latin name of the plant on the bottle, and will cost more than a perfume oil. Our research has lead us to mainly:



Available from Health 2000 shops, or
order online/over the telephone with Healthpost (based in Golden Bay) http://www.healthpost.co.nz
and 


 
Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson or order online (Consultations available)

The following information is from the Aromaflex website.

 ***** 
HOW OILS WORK

There are three ways oils enter the body:
  • Direct application to the Skin
  • Inhalation
  • Prescribed Oral Use 

Direct Application and Massage  

Blends and Essential Oils can be applied directly onto the skin for therapeutic benefits. The chemistry of the individual oils is absorbed through the permeable layers of the skin into the blood stream. This happens because therapeutic grade oils are small enough to penetrate through the pores and hair follicles on the skin, thus enabling them to be absorbed by our largest organ, the skin. The level and intensity of absorption is different for every person depending on health, skin type and dilution i.e you would not put pure essential oils on an open wound.
When massaging an area of the body you increase the circulation to an area which increases absorption. The heat created helps to transport the oils faster. Therefore, applying body blends after your shower when the pores are open, is a good option. 
Hydrosols 'spray' oils onto the skin for absorption. Hydrosols are a much diluted form of essential oils and are great for wound care, facial sprays and gargling in the mouth for sore throats and infections of the teeth.




 ****


 
Is it not necessary to do a great amount of research to benefit from the use of essential oils (unless you are a “research” person and you want to do the research!). A look at a couple of websites, or a consultation with an aromatherapist will give you a good idea of how oils may be able to help in the case of anxiety and ASD. The Nelson library has some good aromatherapy books. I recommend cross-referencing at least two or three sources when you are making a final decision on which oil to use.

Be aware there are warnings for the use of some oils (some should be avoided in pregnancy, some are phototoxic – do not apply and then expose to the sun - some are best not used for small children, some have high or low blood pressure warnings …) so if you are not being advised by a professional take care to read up a bit about the use of the particular oil you are choosing.


The Heritage Essential Oils website http://heritageessentialoils.com/ has information on each oil, and includes testimonials from people who have used them which is very helpful. I highly recommend the use of this website for information on the oils, and interesting advice from those who have used them.

For instance on the page for Vetiver oil I found the following testimonial:

  1. Vetiver on my 11-year-old son's big toe and diluted on his spine and/or brain stem work great for my son to calm his anxiety. Potential has worked well to curb his hyperactivity - just a couple drops/day of that on the back of his neck. When I do too much of either oil it seems to cause the opposite effect. Lavender has the opposite effect on my son and Cedarwood didn't do anything. He has sever ASD and epilepsy. - Sarah

Most people will say “Lavender is supposed to help you relax and sleep ...” but one of my children finds it gives the opposite effect, and it was good read this lady's report above that it does the same for her child – we are trying Vetiver and Frankincense together, in almond oil, instead.

Here is some information about both of these oils:



FRANKINCENSE

(not for use with small children)
Properties and Usage:
Expectorant, antitumoral, immunostimulant, and antidepressant.

Researchers today have discovered that frankincense is high in sesquiterpenes, which helps stimulate the limbic system of the brain (the center of emotions) as well as the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the human body, controlling the release of many hormones including thyroid and growth hormone. Frankincense is now being researched and used therapeutically in European hospitals and is being investigated for its ability to improve human growth hormone production.

The sesquiterpenes in Frankincense, enable it to go beyond the blood brain barrier. It increases the activity of leukocytes in defense of the body against infection.

Frankincense has helped with asthma, depression, and ulcers.  High in sesquiterpenes, it is stimulating and elevating to the mind and helps in overcoming stress and despair, as well as supporting the immune system.

Frankincense may also help with allergies, bites (insect and snake), anxiety, bronchitis, cancer, respiratory infections, diphtheria, skin issues, headaches, hemorrhaging, herpes, high blood pressure, inflammation, stress, tonsillitis, typhoid, and warts.

We have a small roller bottle (like a perfume bottle with a roller top) in which we have almond oil, plus 5 drops of Vetiver, and 5 drops of Frankincense. Our 6 year old asks for his oil when he is becoming anxious or angry (if he is able to remember), and I roll it onto the back of his neck. I do not overuse it as Frankincense is not advised for use with small children.


VETIVER
Properties and Uses
Vetiver essential oil is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is commonly used for painful joints. It is antiseptic, antispasmodic, a relaxant and circulatory stimulant.

Vetiver is used for ADHD, anxiety, joint aches and pains, depression (including after giving birth), insomnia, skin care such as for wrinkles, oily, aging and acne.

And another of our favourites, both for smell and therapeutic benefits:


MANDARIN
Properties and Usage
Mandarin is used as a digestive tonic, is anti-fungal and stimulates the gallbladder. It has a high limonene content, which has been studied for its ability to combat tumor growth in over 50 clinical studies.

Used for digestive issues, fluid retention, insomnia, anxiety, intestinal issues, skin (such as acne, oily, scars), stretch marks (especially when combined with another oil such as Jasmine, Lavender, Sandalwoods, or Frankincense). It is noted to help regulate metabolic processes and aid the secretion of bile breaking down fats.

Known as the children's remedy and is used to relieve tummy upset of babies and children. It is soothing and calming and sometimes referred to as the "happy oil."

We have made up a small bottle of almond oil with mandarin essential oil added to it. When someone is a bit anxious, upset, tummy achey or has an unspecified concern (very common with one of our children), I rub their tummy and/or back with this oil. The combination of the rub (for the children who like to be touched), the attention, the calm quiet moment, and the oil works very nicely.


Another of our children chose the Aromaflex “Uplifting and Soothing” synergy (mix) which contains orange, geranium and ylang ylang. We bought a small 5ml bottle - $13.00 - to see if it worked.

We used a small roller bottle ¾ full of almond oil, and then 10 drops of the “Uplifting and Soothing” synergy into the bottle. This has proved very successful in calming this child down when anxiety creeps or leaps up. One of the greatest successes has been in the supermarket – this was a very good test for the oil, and it worked.

***
It is important that the person likes the smell of the oils! Many of our children and both Mum and Dad are intolerant of synthetic smells – perfume, air freshner etc but high quality essential oils are totally different, and tolerated by almost all of us.

If the smell is not acceptable you can try putting the oils onto the soles of the feet (diluted with a carrier oil, with the exception of lavender which can be put onto the skin neat) in which case they are not so easy for the wearer to smell (depending on how sensitive/hyper-sensitive their “smeller” is!).


**************************************

 Hopefully you have found something interesting in this article.  I'd just like to add that if I were to choose my favourite five oils to start a collection I would have to say

1.  Lavender
2.  Tea tree
3.  Chamomile
4.  Frankincense
5.  Sandalwood