Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Yarn Along

Playing along with Ginny again.

YarnAlong_110316

Knitting :: a Wurm beanie that was supposed to be for me but has turned out so small I'm hoping it will still be large enough to fit Charlie. This comes (again) from jumping straight in without doing a gauge square and using Granny's hand spun mystery ply wool. When will I learn?

Reading :: two books to help me with parenting once I have a walking talking little person, and loving them both. While How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is specifically dealing with Children Punished by Rewards has chapters focused on both Children and adults. Such interesting books saying similar things.

The gist of Punished by Rewards is that rewards are the other side of the punishment coin and just as manipulative and ineffective a way of controlling people as punishment. Rewards may appear to work in the short term,but actually have the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve in the long run because extrinsic motivators reduce intrinsic motivation and the desired result ends up being viewed as an obstacle to a goodie (reward). I think this book should be on the reading list of every teacher and manager of people. I'm just about to start the second half of the book where it discusses alternatives to using punishments and rewards.

I'm happy to have found How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk because its based on respect for children and their feelings as people not just little beings to be controlled but gives you effective and respectful ways to communicate with kids so they aren't little brats embarassing you at the supermarket (I'm totally frightened of being the too soft mum who can't control her kids). The opposite of "because I told you to" parenting without the use of punishments or rewards! So easy to read and has great examples of the principles being used by real families.

What are you reading? Any favourite parenting book recommendations?
Hop on over to Small Things to check out other Yarn Along'ers

Mx

10 comments:

  1. The Alfie Kohn book forever changed the way I taught in the schools and raise my children. My students respected me in ways that was different from my co-workers.
    Another interesting concept in his books is the fear of scarcity that leads to competition. (I think that is in his "No Contest" book.)
    There are some aspects of his teaching, though, that puts him on one end of the spectrum.
    His other books are interesting too. I see he's written some more that I need to check out.
    Enjoy reading!

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  2. I knitted a hat that was Huge because I didn't do a gauge swatch--I learned! Regardless, the pattern looks interesting. I think I will add that to my list of 'to knits'. Thanks.
    Warmly,
    Tracey

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  3. Excellent books!!! And the beanie looks so soft and cozy :).

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  4. Two excellent books. Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Those sound like great books!! Thanks for sharing about them!
    The beanie looks great - even if it is small...I'm lucky to have lots of heads to try things on so hopefully my mistakes end up fitting someone...

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  6. Maggie, thank you for the comment you left on my blog. I didn't even think about it when I took the shot, but you are correct-it is a picture of bamboo yarn on bamboo needles. Too funny.
    Warmly,
    Tracey

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  7. What pattern are you using? If it turns out small enough for a 12 month old it is just the thing I'm looking for to go with my Little Sisters Dress posted in March 2011. Let me know!

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  8. Granny's mystery yarn looks amazing though! What rustic colors...

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  9. thanks for the comments. yes, i'm very cold. this victorian summer/autumn is sitting around 20-22 at it's highest, with lows of 10 and 12. it's too cold for march! and to think, we had black saturday two years ago!
    i don't really mind the cold weather though.
    i hope you weren't affected by the bushfires in W.A. this year...
    best wishes x

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