Mediated Learning

Our homeschool facilitator, during his visit in November, suggested we explore mediated learning for Brendan as he begins grade one next fall. Having just read an introduction in our homeschool newsletter about it, I am very excited about this idea, not just for Brendan but for its implications in assisted learning for all of our children.

In reading about Mediated Learning at www.iclep.org I also came upon an article which further engrained my long-felt thoughts on early detection. Such a key part of our current medical model, "early detection is marked by the fact that the preventive steps to be taken may have iatrogenic effects, but compared to what might happen as the full fledged condition comes to expression, it can be considered a risk well worth taking, and to have a meaningful priority of action." Having seen first-hand the detriment of prophilactic interventions in normal physiological processes like learning and childbirth, I am vitally aware of the risks of 'early detection' as it were.

The article goes on to clarify, "the extension of the early detection model to areas related to the psychological, mental and developmental conditions of the individual creates a large number of questions as to the nature of the effects that early detection may have. There are two types of risk present in early detection. In the first type, produced by the use of minimal signs in order to form a diagnosis, the potential is there to over-attribute the meaning of certain signs..." Wow, how often is this very point seen in both developmental delays and birth? Let us not support the parent/child triad (or diad, if the case may be) by supporting the family, no. We must remove the child to a richer learning environment surrounded by others who have learning difficulties and trained specialists to guide them. Oh, and the earlier the better! The same goes for birth, let us take the smallest symptom or anomaly compared to "average" or "normal" paradigms and we must intervene! What about supportive care of the birthing mother within the wide range of normal?

Does anyone see the reasoning for both separation of a challenged child from the family unit or the constant prophilactic interventions placed on a birthing mother? I see it as two-fold. First it was seen as an improvement to expectant care, scientifically based (or theoretically so) of course. Slowly that evolved to a more potent reason, financial incentives. How can we make money supporting a challenged child or a labouring mother? Certainly not with a family-centered, hands off approach... let us intervene were possible to improve what is happening. But I digress...

Mediated learning can go both ways, but right now it will be a tool for this mother to support her languaged challenged child, born via cesarean section because of his mother's labour being atypical in length, within the family unit. This depite repeated pressures by specialists and society for a more institutionalized approach. Sorry, not in this family! We learned the hard way that institutions, while good in rare occasions, certainly will not be the standard way of doing things here. I am very excited about this opportunity to further support my children as they learn and grow to become strong individuals.

Educational Series

I am having too much fun, can I make money writing great informational handouts (or white papers or fact sheets, whatever you want to call them)? I just finished writing a complete set of handouts on prenatal exercise which include: Prenatal Exercise Overview, Stretching, Basic Exercises, Pelvis & Lower Back, Pelvic Floor, Abdominal Muscles, Abdominal Muscle Separation, Shoulders & Upper Back, and Legs & Calves. These will be part of my newly envisioned During Your Pregnancy series which will cover the unique experiences pregnancy brings to women. I have also finished Physiological Changes in Pregnancy, Posture, and Relaxation as part of this series with many more to come.

Not to leave it at pregnancy only, I am working on After Your Birth series of which I have fleshed out Postpartum Exercise, and Postpartum Recovery. These too will expand to encompass more great information for after the baby's birth.

The Fallout

Why is it that every time after a big event, or even a not-so-big event, I have a couple of days down time? I feel like I am coming down with something, and maybe I am. It is amazing how the absense of my favourite hormone, adrenaline, can send me into a funk. Regardless, I have been working on some GREAT information sheets about prenatal exercise, relaxation, the physiological changes of pregnancy, abdominal muscle separation, posture and more.

In talking to the chiropractor, wellness practitioner and massage therapist who I work with, I again heard of the need for women to understand that pregnancy is NOT a time to sit back and relax. Moreso now than ever, exercise is an important... no vital aspect of health and wellness. Not just for maternal health (bone density, spinal health, and increased weight concerns), though that is vital as it is also a direct link to fetal health, but for the pregnancy itself (avoiding PIH & GD) and fetal outcomes (dramatically reduced preterm delivery risk with all that entails). Vital information for moms who need to understand pregnancy is a normal physiological process - while being bombarded by the pathology of pregnancy and birth that oozes from almost every obstetrician I know.

Brain works

In reading Milliner's Dream today she asked a question, How smart is your right foot? Too much fun in learning how your right and left sides work together. Now try alternating, left foot and right hand or right foot and left hand. In our family some found no connection (foot didn't change direction) and others found they couldn't keep their foot from changing. Our brains are so amazing, some with right/left hemisphere's connected well and some with connections still in progress. Gotta love experiments like this for homeschool psychology and science.

Open House Today!

Our Immanuel Healthy Family Ministry Open House was today and we had so much fun! Presenting our ministry to our church congregation was our focus today and it was a wonderful way to inform everyone of what we have been working on and the new services available.

A lot of hard work lead up to this event and everyone pulled together beautifully! Linda, Immanuel's massage therapist, was also giving 5 minute massages and had great information on her Infant Massage classes for parents. Rachel's Vineyard (post abortion healing ministry) had a display and even Sandi, our postpartum doula who had a meeting today was able to postpone it and attend. Thus our entire ministry was there to answer questions and celebrate our Open House with all of our friends at Immanuel.

Our tables before the event, there was no way to get pictures after because it was so busy! We forgot the duct tape (the only tape that sticks to cinder blocks) so we had to put our sign on the table and the posters above, but everything else came together beautifully!

Deanna Rennich, our birth doula discusses the finer points of doula support with Cowboy Randy.

Immanuel's Healing Centre also had tables with their information available.

I am so excited about the success of this event and can't wait until our Healthy Family Fair in February when we officially launch our Ministry to the community!

Depression

I have been contemplating depression of late as my second son is doing his own healing from a depressed period this summer. Stemming from a few things, the biggest two being our two moves and the sudden death last fall of his uncle, he struggled with sadness, depression and memories which reminded him of what had changed and that he couldn't bring back. He withdrew to a certain extent from friends as well.

Depression is never an easy time and yet it is almost always a time of growth for that person and those around. Stepping back from life, reflecting on ourselves and our role in society and moving on to a better, clearer worldview is rarely a bad thing. Why then is depression so shunned?

Rather than avoiding the person experiencing this or giving advice such as "get over it" is never the right thing to do. Instead, support that person, talk to him or her and understand where that person is coming from. Refer to someone who can help such as a counsellor or pastor can make a world of difference.

My son and I spent a lot of time talking this summer as he worked through his emotions, his fears, his sadness. I gave him a journal to write in and he has been journalling since June, a huge support for him. We also visited our family physician to rule out any medical concerns such as thyroid. But most of all we talked, or he talked and I listened. He had many questions, quite a few that I could not answer, and that is OK. Knowing that there are not answers to every question is important too.

He still has his moments, but he is loving life now and the sadness is rarely present any more. He also is stronger and our family relationship is more wonderful for working through this together. My husband learned a lot about depression this summer and even found tools he didn't know before in working through and/or supporting someone who is depressed. A growing period for us all, it wasn't easy but it was worth it.

Do you know of someone who you suspect is feeling sad or depressed? Reach out to that person and spend time together, and just listen. It can make a world of difference.

Recovering...

As I slowly find and write what was lost during my JumpDrive mishap, I am finding treasures. One is a narrative by an anonymous midwife called The Vocation of Shiphrah. It discusses the peril Shiphrah faced when opposing the Egyptian pharaoh in Exodus and her own journey to midwifery through the births of her own children. Another is anecdotes, insights and notes from doulas around the world that I have clipped and saved in various locations on my computers.

But mostly, I am realizing that all that was important didn't go missing and what did wasn't something I couldn't replace in some way, shape or form. Sure the Immanuel Healthy Family Ministry business cards will take a bit to redo, the Teen Pregnancy Retreat information I will have to transcribe back into Word and the pictures of the church grounds will have be retaken. And that will wait for another day as I have more important tasks to attend to, like the upcoming Healthy Family Ministry Open House this Sunday and the online workshops I am writing for the Global Birth Institute.

Answer to Prayer

My last blog I eluded to a prayer request regretted. Let me explain what I meant. Our prayer request was simple, to ask if moving to Grande Prairie was by His hand or if God wanted us to stay in Spruce Grove. We prayed during an evening drive to Camrose and His answer was swift.

We were only at Allan’s parents for two hours when both Ryan and Brendan started throwing up from the flu. It came suddenly as we all felt fine all day. We tucked the two boys into bed with a pail at hand and a parent nearby to help if needed. The next morning Allan and Eric became sick with both staying in bed while Ryan and Brendan woke feeling fine. Later that afternoon I too became sick and Breanna didn’t at all.

How does this answer prayer you say? Because this is the very order in which each of us would be affected by a move. Ryan has been experiencing depression from the two fairly quick moves we have made in the last three years and another move would be very difficult for him. Brendan would love his GRIT DS (developmental specialist) who is working one-on-one with him for his language delays as GRIT is only available in the Edmonton area. They would be the most affected, and dramatically at that.

Allan knows that he would be moving to a very difficult store to manage because of the lack of managers and staff… similar to what he is working with now but on a more severe scale. Eric has made some great friendships here, something he wasn’t able to do in Lloydminster because those he did try to befriend were mean and hurtful. Though the move would be challenging, Eric and Allan would do fine after a while.

For me, I would miss Spruce Grove a lot but change refreshes me and I love the challenge. Finally, Breanna likely would not be affected at all because at two, life is an adventure and ties are to family not location. So our answer, quick as it was, was received with a thankful heart, even if it was the flu! The verdict: We will not be moving anytime soon.

Our only lingering concern was the effect turning down a move would have on Allan’s career. Allan’s district manager is OK with that so career concerns are gone, YAY!

When it rains...

I am very glad last weekend is over, I am still recovering and it’s Wednesday! We were anticipating a wonderful visit with Allan's parents at their home over the weekend. Everything was packed and ready to go when Allan returned home from work and we were off as soon as he landed. No sooner had we got on the road and everyone was settled in for the hour and a half drive when Allan told us of his day and the reason he was a bit late. His District Manager called him into his office just as he was leaving to ask him if he wanted to go to Grand Prairie, with a merit raise of course. He also asked that Allan not answer him immediately, but take the weekend to think about it. Great.

So we discussed the pros and cons of each of our options again, praying between discussions as to the path God wanted us to follow. I asked specifically for a strong sign that we wouldn't miss, boy was that something I regret now. We arrived and visited with Allan's parents for the evening, enjoying their company and taking sporadic breaks to arrange sleeping accommodations.

To make a long story short, Brendan and Ryan started throwing up that evening with Allan and Eric joining them first thing the next morning. I held out until the afternoon, just in time for our early drive home (we were planning on staying much longer). We only had to stop once for me to leave my lunch at the roadside, and I fell into bed the second we were home.

Sunday dawned with all of us feeling much better and off we went to church with my PowerPoint promo presentation in hand (on my jumpdrive) to announce Immanuel's Healthy Family Ministry Open House on November 20th. All we had to do was quickly add the soundtrack mp3 and show it during announcements. I was so excited! Alas, not reading instructions when using new equipment, the sound guy configured my jumpdrive, which had all of my current projects and the ENTIRE Healthy Family Ministry file on it. Yes, that means it was gone, including the last booklet in the Canadian Birth Professional series that I had almost completed. Yes I was freaking.

It wasn't a complete disaster, thank God. I opened my laptop to check to see if their computer just couldn't pull up the files and guess what I found? My book! I had been working on it on the laptop, closed the computer without closing down the program and it was all there! It didn’t have the last two hours I had done on Friday on another computer, but what a blessing it was to see it pop up, I tell you.

I have been working head down, bum up since then re-writing what I had lost, namely the PowerPoint presentation, and pulling lost files from different nooks and crannies in various computers, my outgoing email box and so forth. I have the important stuff, it is just to fill in the little things from memory and rewriting from pdf and hardcopy. See you when I come up for air!

Choleric Family

What do you do when you have an extremely choleric family? I am telling you it is not easy and I am finding that some strategies work great while others totally suck.

I have been pondering this as I watch our new GRIT Developmental Specialist working with Brendan. Extremely choleric, he demands that everything be done his way or it isn't done at all. Being that both Allan and I are of the same (or quite similar with me leaning a fair bit towards sanguine and him leaning a tad towards melancholy) we understand his personality and are able to give him the boundaries he needs, nay requires. Too many boundaries and his personality is quashed, leaving him with a mask, usually phlagmatic. Too few boundaries and he runs roughshod over everyone, demanding and beligerent in doing so.

Brendan's DS is a sanguine who wants him to enjoy his time with her, learning as he has fun. While that is awesome in theory, I am seeing this turn into his demanding everything be his way and on his terms (No, I hold my pencil like this) and his DS left wondering how she is going to address his needs within that context and being trampled by his strong personality (I am doing this, leave me alone). I will be having a talk with her about this on Monday (she is off today and tomorrow).

For those of you who may be feeling that this personality stuff is all Greek to you, take this personality test to find out more. Our family falls out like this (stronger personality first):

Allan - Choleric/Melancholy
Connie - Choleric/Sanguine
Eric - Sangine/Choleric
Ryan - Melancholy/Choleric
Brendan - Choleric/Melancholy
Breanna - Choleric/Sanguine