It was almost a year ago that we participated in the Healthy Families Conference in Vancouver, BC. It was a pleasure to meet Peggy O’Mara, editor of Mothering Magazine – looking again now at her thoughts on building community, it seems appropriate to share them here:
O’Mara proposed that within each circle of parents is the smaller foundation community of the family itself. We were touched by her sharing of home as a sanctuary - the place where we feel safe enough to let our guards down and be vulnerable, fall apart, and then regather. Within this sanctuary of the family we can put into place elements to facilitate this sense of safety such as privacy, beauty, quiet, regular meals, and freedom from overstimulation. With this strong foundation we are then able to reach out and contribute to our larger community of families, building the social web that will support us through the years to come.
Read More from Peggy on Community -
Click here to go to the Mama Renew blog…
Those of you who say Yes will be surrounded by stunning 
February 1st is the festival of Brigid, called Imbolc, which translates as 
Winter can be a long and cold time. It can bring isolation for some, and getting out of the house sometimes feels overwhelming (20 minutes to put on snow pants, hats, gloves & boots and then they announce they have to pee – been there? I have…) Spring is close, but it may not feel close enough. Our culture is woefully lacking in ways to honour this transition from winter to spring, helping us feel the warmth that is ahead. Here are a few ideas of our own:
© 2009 Mothering Magazine