The Year of the Doll House
Written by admin on December 14th, 2007is the thought that came to me.
“House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.” Proverbs 19:14
It’s what I have been saying I’d write more about later. There are so many wonderful thoughts I can share with my daughter as we work on her doll house and play house through the year of 2008. (But why wait? I started this in earnest a few days ago. ~:-D )
“Wisdom hath builded her house…” Proverbs 9:1
Year of the Doll House. It’s like a plan — a vision, a goal, whatever is best to call it — for 2008. Since working in the bakery, I have gained a new view of my daughter. I have a perspective that I did not have before. I am away from her more. She is spending more time with her papa and her brothers, so that’s good, but I see clearly that she needs me, too.
“Every wise woman buildeth her house…” Proverbs 14:1
Therefore, when I am with her, I want to really be present with her, in heart and mind, and not consumed with thoughts of things that I want to be doing for myself.
As we worked together – almost cheek to cheek — setting up her new doll house, it occurred to me that this might be the last year she even wants to have anything to do with dolls or doll houses. Similarly, my window of time of strong influence over her thinking and her habits is small. Playing dolls with my girl is going to be at the top of my priority list for 2008. Staying close to her is what’s really at the heart of this.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household…” Proverbs 31:27
When I’m not home — when I am at work — I want her to know that I didn’t just leave without thinking of her. Every day — every day — I want to have a special something for us for the doll house. It may be a little cup for the table that I have left waiting for her to play with while I’m gone. It may be a note from me about something one of the dolls did that she needs to look into further. ~:-D It may be only a thought shared about what it means to build a house.
Every day. Can I be that committed to something?
“…but the house of the righteous shall stand.” Proverbs 12:7
It may be an hour of special doll house play, or shopping together, or making something new. But I want to have this special doll house bond for 2008. She will remember playing, but she’ll remember the thoughts we’ve expressed to each other even more.
I really wanted to share this idea with you. Perhaps this will appeal to your heart too… I’ll keep you posted on our doll house lessons.
I have added The Year of the Doll House as a category (see margin) so that you can easily keep up with all posts related to our grand adventure! Also, feel free to use our Year of the Doll House thumb image in the margin, link it back to this post (http://www.amothersjournal.com/?p=263), and join us! There are more thumb images here.
Lynn
The Hundred Dresses
The Family Under the Bridge
Caddie Woodlawn. With the Wisconsin big woods theme, goes along great with a FIAR study of The Raft.
A Year Down Yonder
A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning
Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study With the Gentle Art of Learning: A Story for Mother Culture. Sweet fictional story about a newly homeschooling mother who incorporates nature study.
Nature Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make With Mother Nature's Help
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady
At Hanka's Table
The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition
Awakening Beauty the Dr. Hauschka Way
A Redbird Christmas: A Novel
The Usborne Internet-Linked Book of Knowledge
What Your Fifth Grader Needs to Know
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
19
AM
Lynn, that is so very inspiring. Thank you for the wonderful idea. Dd is getting a doll house for Christmas from her grandparents. What a wonderful idea on how to train her to be a homemaker. WONDERFUL! I will join you on this journey. Thank you Thank you!
19
PM
I am so glad you are joining us! Maybe it’s just because I am paying closer attention, but we have really exchanged some nice thoughts while we are playing. Also, I overheard her tell a friend yesterday, “my mom will play dolls with me!” Lynn ~:-D
21
PM
This is SOOOOO cool. I have a dd with three brothers and a dollhouse that gets little use these days (too much star wars in her life!). I had been thinking of different things I could do with her and I really want her to play dolls more often again.
Alana explained it on her blog so I thought I’d check it out. What a fun way to accomplish both of those goals!
Can you do it everyday? I’m not so sure I can!!
Heather W
27
AM
I am going to try for every day. I think I can, I think I can. ~:-D
LOL
9
AM
This is exactly what I felt God saying to me last month! I kept thinking that I should be spending more time with my daughter just playing with her Barbies. I remember I used to always ask my Mum to play with me, and loved it when she took the time to do this.
I now feel like coming across your blog is another nudge, a reminder to take the time this year to play.
Thanks for sharing and I’ll be writing a post and linking to yours in the coming week
Blessings,
Joy
9
AM
Joy, I am so glad you are joining us! Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I enjoyed visiting your blog as well and will keep up with you through the year. Lynn