Early Parenting : Blog : The Slow Family Movement Has Officially Begun!

The Slow Family Movement has officially begun!

The Slow Family Movement is a revolution in the way we think about, embrace and implement family living.

It was born out of our belief that family life is being hijacked by society’s messages that more is better, faster is greater and that you and your children are at risk of being left behind, unless you buy in NOW.

It is about allowing family life to unfold in a way that is joyfully and consciously connected. This means slowing it down, finding comfort in the home, and creating the space to see and honor the family as an entity, while simultaneously keeping sight of each member as a unique and valuable individual.

We believe that family life can serve as the incubator for deeper compassion, creativity, love, harmony, humor, appreciation, forgiveness, respect, fun, ingenuity, conflict resolution, peace, friendship, growth, communication, self-care, emotional intelligence and, perhaps above all else, true, unending and powerful joy.

As we intentionally give value and space to family life, we are thereby creating a force — with a sum greater than its parts — that can then flow out into the local and the global communities.

We hold this as truth, that the peace and the harmony we want to exist within the world, can be created within the family first, by bringing it home and lovingly, consciously and intentionally slowing life down.

Comments

1. LisaFreeman says: Apr 26, 2008

   This is wonderful! I would love to see the theory extended to older kids as well. My two boys, now 7 and 10, have been raised slowly, with many years of nursing, lots of carrying and exploration and time. Now that they are a bit older, we all feel bombarded with the pressures of homework, playdates, school activities, etc. I'm pushing back, but it feels like pushing against a tsunami. My kids feel the struggle too. I'd love to hear about ways older families can maintain the balance ( or find a new kind of balance) that we had when the children were younger.

2. Gynomite2000 says: Mar 27, 2008

   Ahhh, the SFM. Count me in! This is what I experience as "Baby Time," living in the Eternal Now. I love every word of this manifesto. It gives me great relief just to read it. So thank you for putting this into words.

3. TMK says: Mar 9, 2008

   I didn't have a comment last week when I read your msg about going slow. But I knew the words were starting to sink in, because here is what I said to my son when he spilled drink mix on the counter: "Take your time. It's yours. Take it!" :)

4. triciameyer says: Mar 4, 2008

   Much needed this evening. Thank you. Love, A Slow Family of 3

5. KarenHeidrickvanWisse says: Mar 3, 2008

   So true! I am trying to live this everyday and would join any movement - no matter how slow - of people wanting to make this change. Imagine if every child had a family like you describe. I am fortunate at the moment to have demoted myself into a position where I have the days free to be with my daughter and do not have to bring work home. The other day when she was walking v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y up and then back down the stairs - I thought - how many parents have the luxury of being able to say - I have absolutely no where else I need to be at this moment. I feel so fortunate to be able to give my daughter the attention she needs - to see her - so she can unfold at her own pace. "If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, There must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart." -- Lao Tzu

6. MeganBaylesBartley says: Mar 3, 2008

   Carrie, this is GREAT! I am on board with this philosophy and strive to use it in my own life.

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