Then there are\u00a0the entertainments. \u00a0Books<\/strong>, finger puppets<\/strong>, sticker books<\/strong>, rattles<\/strong> and nineteen different packaged snacks<\/strong> that you hope will buy you at least two hours.<\/p>\n Then you get on the plane, and hope for the best!<\/p>\n I remember these days so well.<\/p>\n Traveling with a young child can be challenging. \u00a0The first time I took a flight across the country with my six month old baby, I felt like I was preparing for the Olympics of motherhood<\/strong>.<\/p>\n So many new skills were required! \u00a0I broke in a new baby carrier, made homemade rattles out of spice jars and things I found in the garden, and practiced nursing discretely so as not to unnerve any conservative seat mates.<\/p>\n I was especially concerned about my suitcase, since I knew I couldn\u2019t safely lift it into an overhead compartment while wearing my baby.<\/p>\n I was talking through my nerves with a friend when she said something surprising.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d<\/strong> she said. \u00a0\u201cPeople will help you.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n I was shocked. \u00a0Not so much by the fact that she had said this, but by my own reaction to it.<\/p>\n Help me?<\/p>\n I mean, sure, they might offer<\/strong>\u00a0to help.<\/p>\n But they were strangers<\/strong>! \u00a0Was it really okay to get on a plane knowing that I wouldn\u2019t be able to do it myself? \u00a0Wasn\u2019t there something wrong with that?<\/p>\n My reaction showed me how highly I value self-sufficiency. \u00a0It was troubling, actually. \u00a0This would be me, thinking this. \u00a0Me, who thinks and writes so much about re-weaving the fabric of community, about rebuilding the village\u2026<\/p>\n I have devoted my life to service, I love creating spaces that encourage meaningful connection between\u00a0people.<\/p>\n And yet, when it came to the simple action of lifting my carry on into an overhead, I was completely imprisoned in the idea that I should be able to do it myself.<\/strong><\/p>\n Well, guess what I learned?<\/p>\n That myth, that we are and should be self-sufficient<\/strong>, even in such a seemingly small instance as an airplane flight? \u00a0It\u2019s just that. \u00a0A myth.<\/p>\n The truth?<\/p>\n It\u2019s okay to need help. \u00a0It\u2019s okay to\u00a0ask for it<\/strong>, and it’s okay to receive it.<\/strong><\/p>\n It feels pretty good, actually!<\/strong><\/p>\n Because these moments, when we are a little vulnerable\u2026 \u00a0When we are reaching past our comfort zone\u2026 \u00a0These moments can bring us back in touch with reality– a reality beyond \u201cmine\u201d and \u201cyours\u201d.<\/p>\n These are the moments that remind us of what it feels like to connect\u2026 \u00a0in way that can turn a stranger into a friend.<\/p>\n But back to my story\u2026 \u00a0Here\u2019s how that plane trip went!<\/p>\n I stood in line at the United kiosk, and when they called the first boarding group, I boldly went up to the front.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me,\u201d I said. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m traveling with a baby, and this is my first trip alone with him. \u00a0I wonder whether I might be able to board early, so I can try to avoid inconveniencing other people while we get settled.\u201d<\/p>\n The flight attendant glared at me and said, \u201cNo, you can\u2019t. \u00a0We don\u2019t do that any more. \u00a0You\u2019ll have to go stand over there.\u201d<\/p>\n She had spoken very loudly, and I knew that everyone in the line had likely overheard. \u00a0I felt absolutely mortified as I made my way over to where she had pointed me.<\/p>\n Then things\u00a0changed.<\/p>\n A woman standing in the line of people waiting to board walked over to me. \u00a0I think my face was bright red, and I was holding back tears.<\/p>\n In a strong Brooklyn accent she said, \u201cCome stand with me. \u00a0I can\u2019t believe she spoke to you like that! \u00a0She oughtta be ashamed of herself!\u201d<\/p>\n The woman was a retired ESL teacher who was around sixty years old, a strong, outspoken force of nature who had apparently appointed herself to be this new Mama\u2019s guardian angel.<\/p>\n And, because the universe sometimes works this way, it turned out that our seats on the plane were next to each other.<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the course of the flight, I talked with this woman at\u00a0length. \u00a0She shared with me about her children, now grown, and how she remembered what it felt like when she was nursing in the eighties, and people looked at her like she she should be ashamed for it.<\/p>\n She was once asked to leave a restaurant for nursing her baby. \u00a0She told me how she gave them a piece of her mind, and encouraged me to do the same.<\/p>\n The flight passed quickly, and was surprisingly actually enjoyable, though my arms got tired– my son, who was six months old, was in a particularly acrobatic stage and wanted to be held in a standing position the whole time he was awake.<\/p>\n When I got a little tired of holding up, this woman gladly took him on her lap, and entertained him. \u00a0By the end of the flight, he was completely comfortable with her.<\/p>\n As we began our descent, he was lying on her round belly, sucking on a large gold ring she was wearing, and cooing into her face.<\/p>\n So yes. \u00a0People will help you.<\/p>\n And it\u2019s a beautiful thing.<\/p>\n Because the thing is, we may not always act like it, but we are always\u00a0connected<\/strong>. \u00a0Just another grandmother there on the plane. \u00a0Just like my son\u2019s grandmother. \u00a0Just like my mother\u2019s mother before.<\/p>\n There are grandmothers everywhere. \u00a0Mothers everywhere. \u00a0Fathers everywhere.<\/p>\n So many people with the capacity to empathize and understand, because they\u2019ve been through it too. \u00a0They know what it’s like.<\/p>\n So, today I want to share a little something for your next airplane trip<\/strong>, on the off chance that you do not have a brashly helpful Brooklyn grandmother seated next to you. \u00a0Or at any rate to pass the time until you meet one! \u00a0LOL<\/p>\n This is a fingerplay, and it\u2019s one of my favorites. \u00a0It\u2019s a veritable magic spell. \u00a0It enchants children every time I use it.<\/p>\n Try memorizing it, and pull it out sometime, and you\u2019ll be amazed at\u00a0its capacity to bring delight, even in a difficult moment.<\/p>\n Or better yet\u2026 \u00a0The next time you are seated next to someone on the plane whose small child is having a rough time, share this little rhyme with them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Because, of course, then\u00a0you<\/strong>\u00a0will be that stranger.<\/strong> \u00a0The one who comes out of nowhere, and brings that little bit of magic that puts\u00a0things\u00a0in perspective.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code”]<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jRNnaUj1wzo” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen><\/iframe>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_cta admin_label=”Call To Action” url_new_window=”off” use_background_color=”on” background_color=”#9cd8a9″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”off” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” body_font_size=”18″]<\/p>\n If you enjoyed this post, here are a few ways to go deeper:<\/span><\/p>\n If you’re in the SF Bay Area, join us in person for:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] We\u2019ve all been there\u2026 You\u2019re setting off on a trip with your baby or toddler, and you\u2019ve thought of EVERYTHING. \u00a0You\u2019ve got the diapers. \u00a0The clothes. \u00a0The white noise machine. Then there are\u00a0the entertainments. \u00a0Books, finger puppets, sticker books, rattles and nineteen different packaged […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2113,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" We\u2019ve all been there\u2026 You\u2019re setting off on a trip with your baby or toddler, and you\u2019ve thought of EVERYTHING. \u00a0You\u2019ve got the diapers. \u00a0The clothes. \u00a0The white noise machine.<\/p> And let\u2019s talk about the entertainments. \u00a0Books, finger puppets, stuffed animals, rattles and nineteen different packaged snacks that you hope will buy you at least two hours out of the six you\u2019re flying.<\/p> Then you get on the plane, and hope for the best!<\/p> I remember these days so well.<\/p> Traveling with a young child can be challenging. \u00a0The first time I took a flight across the country with my six month old baby, I felt like I was preparing for the Olympics of motherhood.<\/p> So many new skills were required! \u00a0I broke in a new baby carrier, made homemade rattles out of spice jars and things I found in the garden, and practiced nursing discretely so as not to unnerve any conservative seat mates.<\/p> I was especially concerned about my suitcase, since I knew I couldn\u2019t safely lift it into an overhead compartment while wearing my baby.<\/p> I was talking through my nerves with a friend when she said something surprising.<\/p> \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d she said. \u00a0\u201cPeople will help you.\u201d<\/p> I was shocked. \u00a0Not so much by the fact that she had said this, but by my own reaction to it.<\/p> Help me?<\/p> I mean, sure, they might OFFER to help.<\/p> But they were STRANGERS! \u00a0Was it really okay to get on a plane knowing that I wouldn\u2019t be able to do it myself? \u00a0Wasn\u2019t there something wrong with that?<\/p> My reaction showed me how highly I value self-sufficiency. \u00a0It was troubling, actually. \u00a0This would be me, thinking this. \u00a0Me, who thinks and writes so much about re-weaving the fabric of community, about rebuilding the village\u2026<\/p> I have devoted my life to service, I love creating spaces that encourage meaningful connection to people.<\/p> And yet, when it came to the simple action of lifting my carry on into an overhead, I was completely imprisoned in the idea that I should be able to do it myself.<\/p> Well, guess what I learned?<\/p> That myth, that we are and should be self-sufficient, even in such a seemingly small instance as an airplane flight? \u00a0It\u2019s just that. \u00a0A myth.<\/p> The truth?<\/p> It\u2019s okay to need help. \u00a0It\u2019s okay to receive help.<\/p> Even if the people helping you are strangers.<\/p> It\u2019s beautiful, actually, to receive it.<\/p> Because these moments, when we are a little vulnerable\u2026 \u00a0When we are reaching past our comfort zone\u2026 \u00a0These moments can bring us back in touch with reality-- a reality beyond \u201cmine\u201d and \u201cyours\u201d.<\/p> These are the moments that remind us of what it feels like to connect\u2026 \u00a0in way that can turn a stranger into a friend.<\/p> But back to my story\u2026 \u00a0Here\u2019s how that plane trip went!<\/p> I stood in line at the United Kiosk, and when they called the first boarding group, I boldly went up to the front.<\/p> \u201cExcuse me,\u201d I said. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m traveling with a baby, and this is my first trip alone with him. \u00a0I wonder whether I might be able to board early, so I can try to avoid inconveniencing other people while we get settled.\u201d<\/p> The flight attendant glared at me and said, \u201cNo, you can\u2019t. \u00a0We don\u2019t do that any more. \u00a0You\u2019ll have to go stand over there.\u201d<\/p> She had spoken very loudly, and I knew that everyone in the line had likely overheard. \u00a0I felt absolutely mortified as I made my way over to where she had pointed me.<\/p> Then my fortunes changed.<\/p> A woman standing in the line of people waiting to board walked over to me. \u00a0I think my face was bright red, and I was holding back tears.<\/p> In a strong Brooklyn accent she said, \u201cCome stand with me. \u00a0I can\u2019t believe she spoke to you like that! \u00a0She oughtta be ashamed of herself!\u201d<\/p> The woman was a retired ESL teacher who was around sixty years old, a strong, outspoken force of nature who had apparently appointed herself to be this new Mama\u2019s guardian angel.<\/p> And, because the universe sometimes works this way, it turned out that our seats on the plane were next to each other.<\/p> Over the course of the flight, this woman and I talked at length. \u00a0She shared with me about her children, now grown, and how she remembered what it felt like when she was nursing in the eighties, and people looked at her like she she should be ashamed for it.<\/p> She was once asked to leave a restaurant for nursing her baby. \u00a0She told me how she gave them a piece of her mind, and encouraged me to do the same.<\/p> The flight passed quickly, and was surprisingly actually enjoyable, though my arms got tired-- my son, who was six months old, was in a particularly acrobatic stage and wanted to be held in a standing position the whole time he was awake.<\/p> When I got a little tired of holding up, this woman gladly took him on her lap, and entertained him. \u00a0By the end of the flight, he was completely comfortable with her.<\/p> As we began our descent, he was lying on her round belly, sucking on a large gold ring she was wearing, and cooing into her face.<\/p> So yes. \u00a0People will help you.<\/p> And it\u2019s a beautiful thing.<\/p> Because the thing is, we may not always act like it, but we are ALWAYS connected. \u00a0Just another grandmother there on the plane. \u00a0Just like my son\u2019s grandmother. \u00a0Just like my mother\u2019s mother before.<\/p> There are grandmothers everywhere. \u00a0Mothers everywhere. \u00a0Fathers everywhere.<\/p> So many people with the capacity to empathize and understand, because they\u2019ve been through it too. \u00a0And they know what it is like.<\/p> So, today I want to share something for your next airplane trip, on the off chance that you do not have a brashly helpful Brooklyn grandmother seated next to you. \u00a0Or at any rate to pass the time until you meet one! \u00a0LOL<\/p> This is a fingerplay, and it\u2019s one of my favorites. \u00a0It\u2019s a veritable magic spell, and it enchants children EVERY time.<\/p> Try memorizing it, and pull it out the next time your baby or young child is having a rough moment, and you\u2019ll be amazed at how, in the right moment, it can delight.<\/p> Or better yet\u2026 \u00a0The next time you are seated next to someone on the plane whose small child is having a rough time, share this little rhyme with them.<\/p> Do this, and YOU will be that stranger-- just like the woman who helped me on my flight. \u00a0The one who comes out of nowhere, and brings that little bit of magic that helps put everything in perspective.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[53,7,9,5,11],"tags":[62,102],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2106"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2106"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2106\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.noevenable.com\/singingcircles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/20140903_174727-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWherever you live, you can\u00a0download our latest\u00a0musical release<\/span><\/a> for families<\/strong>. \u00a0It’s free \/ pay what you want!<\/h3>\n
Meadowlark Music Class<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>for children and caregivers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Apple Star<\/a>,<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/b>our Waldorf Parent Child Class<\/b><\/h3>\n
Mothersong Chorus<\/a><\/span>, <\/strong>an\u00a0intergenerational singing circle <\/strong>for women and girls.<\/h3>\n