June feels like it has really crept up on us. I spent May mostly observing the kids with no formal plans and a huge list of housework/practical life things to do before baby arrives.

Last week I had a burst of energy and ‘planned’ June in terms of our home-ed days, and booked myself some space to nourish my own learning too – something I always know the value of, but never more so than when I let it slide and then pick back up. So our month looks simple really, and I am really excited for it; not least because by the end of the month I’ll be reaching my due-time, and be getting ready for our newest arrival.

June brings sunshine, probably rain (lets face it, I’m still in the UK!) and lots of time for slowing down, walking barefoot, reading and play. I’ve booked myself onto what’s promising to be a wonderful EFT course and so Harrison is taking the kids to the zoo – I am a little jealous – for the normal animals etc but mostly because they have an invertebrates section that I think Theo and Ila-Rae will LOVE! Millipedes and Hermit crabs are my anticipated favourite but honestly I don’t know what they will find wonderful and what might be too much – but because this is a planned trip, I’m leaving lots of scope this month to discuss their zoo trip. I haven’t planned activities but a minibeast hunt, observation and possibly some documentaries and crafts are all in the back of my mind.

Aside from minibeasts, construction vehicles are a strong trending interest for Theo right now, so I am searching for a home-made crane craft and have ordered play sand for the garden. Construction of course lends itself to various conversations, but right now I am hoping to gently focus on balance and counterweight which he is naturally exploring with his duplo creations, and will try creating some play invitations for them to enjoy.

The 20th/21st is Litha, celebrating the sun and summer solstice on the 21st (we have never before celebrated pagan festivals so I am tentatively researching and figuring things out as we go). As a fairly secular family, my goal is to help us tune in to natures rhythm and celebrate these markers slowly as we learn.

“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June.”

 L. M. Montgomer

That’s as much as I’ve planned. It’s loose, guideline(ish) and very relaxed. I have hopes to read a little more, and introduce a monthly poem, but I’ve come to realise that though I enjoy the idea of morning time or tea time reading etc, my kids aren’t happy with it… so for now, I’m dropping all agenda and really trying to hone in on what works for us. I never thought I’d consider us an unschooling family but I really do feel like we are more and more going towards that route – because though it’s early years, I am already having to let go of so many of my own ideas and plans – and when I do, they are happier for it, and so we all are.

“June has never looked more beautiful than she does now, unadorned and honest, vulnerable yet invincible.”

Marie Lu

As the month draws its close, we are expecting a visit from my parents (happy dance!) and we enter the 37th week of this pregnancy. Weeks mean very little, but knowing this is an NHS safety marker has been a big thing for me, because our planned homebirth means that I really do want to be within the weeks that will create as little stress as possible.

I have baby clothes to fold, and a plan to fill our new chest freezer with meals that are wholesome and require little extra for those early postpartum weeks. I’ve got plans to create a little ‘goody bag’ of crafts and treats for the kids too, and have been chatting to Theo about birth, placenta delivery and how mummy’s body will need a few weeks of slow movement before I can run around with them again. It’s been hard as I’ve got heavier to run and jump and chase, and so I am deeply looking forward to the freedom that will come with my postpartum body.

So our June looks slow and sweet, with big plans and small plans; but overwhelmingly a feeling of letting go. The comparisons I had begun to build over April and May were creating a lot of self-directed pressures to have boxes ticked or activities planned… but stepping back and planning a little, I can see how much is really already going on. It’s enough.

Enough is better than too much. Enough is all we really need.

Xoxo

Rohana