Mothergarden welcomes Brenda Gilbert of "For Crying Out Loud" Monday Jan 4

generously sponsored by:

Mothergarden, Nurture's growing free drop-in group for parents & children, invites you to a free discussion on Monday, January 4 at 11am with Brenda Gilbert about Project "For Crying Out Loud," which aims to inspire parents to be calm, empathetic, present, and connected when children express emotion. Brenda believes that when this naturally happens, adults and children are content, satisfied, and fulfilled during and after intense emotional moments. You can learn more at http://simply-connected.org/wb/pages/project.php.

Mothergarden is held every Monday from 10:30-noon at Nurture, 1614 NE Alberta St. Parents, partners, expecting parents, and anyone who is interested in creating a parenting community are all welcome. For more information: www.nurturepdx.com/mothergarden. Thanks also to our generous sponsor, Grasshopper.

Introducing Nurture's E-Center!

I would like to introduce our newest Nurture offering...our e-center forums.

I have been a member of a couple of mother-focused forums and have really appreciated the connection, ideas, and support I have received on them...especially during the times in my life when getting out was difficult or late at night as I held my infants to get them back to sleep (typos are welcome on our board!). And because Nurture is all about supporting mothers and families, I wanted to create a space that would extend that support beyond our building, a space that can be accessed anytime.

So, here it is, after months of researching the best way to provide an e-space, it is up and running. I hope it grows and becomes a space where families can find support and community...an e-village, if you will.

We have several categories up, and suggestions are, of course, always welcome...there is even a suggestions forum to provide a place for you to share your ideas or needs for both the e-center and Nurture the center. I hope that you will join us!

Children's Book: Stone Soup

Jon J. Muth's community-building Stone Soup is my favorite version of this tale. Set in China, three monks, Hok, Lok, and Siew are roaming about the misty mountain paths, come across an insecure village made weary by war, famine, and floods. The monks start a pot of stone soup in the village square and the villagers respond, first with curiosity and then with generosity, to the subtly disguised lesson of cooperative spirit. Muth has filled this book with symbolism both in the story and in the illustrations.

In his informative author's note, Muth shares his inspiration for this book,

There have always been Zen poet monks wandering through cloud-embraced mountains, and it seems to me they must have at least once found a village with sad houses and done just what Hok, Lok, and Siew have done here.

At Nurture we have just started a small pot of stone soup; it is not quite boiling. Come by for a bowl and fill your community spirited heart.