lestermom (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} lestermom) wrote,@ 2008-10-09 12:04:00 |
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My Dad Enjoying Life
My dad just spent three months in Idaho with my cousin Pamela. She has an ideal situation for him during the summer months: there were warm,sunny days, but not too hot. She lives in a small town, with paved roads, and easy access to the market, post office, and library. My dad bought a beautiful adult-sized tricycle with a basket to toodle around town in comfort and safety whenever he felt like it. He loves the freedom of being able to get to town on his own steam, and he likes feeling independent. My cousin runs a cool daycare. As everyone knows, I'm not a fan of daycare, but this one is outstanding for those who have to have it. Here is an excerpt from her website:
Here "we 'love the children up' in an extended-family sort of way. In a free play setting, we mentor as needed to support the strengthening of social and emotional intelligence. Children are well fed and well rested and they practice and hear kind, respectful interactions/conversations all day long. Brain research now shows that this is the optimal environment and situation for children’s brain growth.
We also aim to assist the practice of the brain’s natural ability for subtle awareness, and for that reason we are a technology-free zone—no bleeping, no flashing, no battery operation and certainly no TV or video time. The resulting rich fantasy play of these children is a joy to watch."
So my dad has been surrounded by children every day of his visit there. They call him "Uncle Bob" (which is what Pamela calls him). My dad is 89 years old, and I think the daily attentions and the doting on, by small children, was very, very good for him. (Pamela told me that they loved pretending to "put him to bed" like a baby every day by covering him up and telling him "night night". Knowing him, I'm sure he willingly went along with this kind of play. He wrote to me frequently of the fun he was having hanging out and playing with the kids. Here are a few pictures to give you a feel for what life was like for him there. It reminds me so much of him playing with our kids when they were small. My kids loved their "Grandpa Bob"!
My dad just spent three months in Idaho with my cousin Pamela. She has an ideal situation for him during the summer months: there were warm,sunny days, but not too hot. She lives in a small town, with paved roads, and easy access to the market, post office, and library. My dad bought a beautiful adult-sized tricycle with a basket to toodle around town in comfort and safety whenever he felt like it. He loves the freedom of being able to get to town on his own steam, and he likes feeling independent. My cousin runs a cool daycare. As everyone knows, I'm not a fan of daycare, but this one is outstanding for those who have to have it. Here is an excerpt from her website:
Here "we 'love the children up' in an extended-family sort of way. In a free play setting, we mentor as needed to support the strengthening of social and emotional intelligence. Children are well fed and well rested and they practice and hear kind, respectful interactions/conversations all day long. Brain research now shows that this is the optimal environment and situation for children’s brain growth.
We also aim to assist the practice of the brain’s natural ability for subtle awareness, and for that reason we are a technology-free zone—no bleeping, no flashing, no battery operation and certainly no TV or video time. The resulting rich fantasy play of these children is a joy to watch."
So my dad has been surrounded by children every day of his visit there. They call him "Uncle Bob" (which is what Pamela calls him). My dad is 89 years old, and I think the daily attentions and the doting on, by small children, was very, very good for him. (Pamela told me that they loved pretending to "put him to bed" like a baby every day by covering him up and telling him "night night". Knowing him, I'm sure he willingly went along with this kind of play. He wrote to me frequently of the fun he was having hanging out and playing with the kids. Here are a few pictures to give you a feel for what life was like for him there. It reminds me so much of him playing with our kids when they were small. My kids loved their "Grandpa Bob"!
