These 18 years have gone by so quickly and I can now officially share that choosing the “Waldorf Way” was the best decision I ever made. It was, at times, difficult. Many times I felt isolated, alone… I was militant in the beginning; sticking to the rules as though there did not exist compromise. I isolated family members with my rejection of their barbies and plastic toys, I scared them with my health and diet choices. When I moved to another country, they were terrified that we would not come back alive. Yes we did, and I succeeded in raising my children my way.

We don’t normally think about how difficult it is to go against the norm. To choose, perhaps, the less popular route. To be a pioneer… yet that is what those who inspire us carry within – a spark of leadership. The heroes and heroines that go above and beyond. In retrospect, I would not change a thing. The three home births, the decisions to raise my children purely with no additives, sugars, hormones, medicines. The years of nursing and family bed, the revolt against television and plastic toys. My children’s lived in the magical world of childhood, where their greatest toys were small baskets with special stones, feathers and little felted gnomes. Where they read for entertainment and made their own music.

Now, much older – they are all so talented and developed in a myriad of ways I see other children are not. They are all artistically and musically inclined. They carry a deep compassion and understanding for others. They care about the planet, the people around them. Zachary, the oldest plays piano and guitar. He is an excellent skateboarder that can soar over 14 stairs, rails and gaps. He has volunteered more than he has worked and he gives his time and his heart to others. The last two summers, he attended Anthony Robbins’ Global Youth Leadership Summit with 250 children from all over the world, setting a new paradigm of the world’s future leaders. Zanna, at 12, wrote a book to inspire girls called “How To Get What You Want For Girls” and maintains a blog, creates awesome animated videos and is often behind the scenes on photo and video shoots, always ready to lend a helping hand. And Zynnia, at 10 is known as “The Princess of YouTube” and even inspired a musician to write a song about her. She was honored by the Young Entrepreneurs Society and together with Zanna, they created and write at Sisters To Success.

Last summer we went to Los Angeles for an event and I was amazed at how non impressed they were with all of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Yes, it was fun to see the walk of fame, the Hollywood sign, the Chinese Theater… but they were more interested in the abundance of health food stores and people living green in the hills overlooking Malibu. They are “cool” kids, but in their own way – not following the trends or music that is the “flavor of the day”, instead they are highly intelligent and creative individuals who are aware of what is occurring in the world in a way that inspires them to be responsible and take action for change. To BE the change.

I could not be any prouder of myself, for honoring the time they were on “loan” from the heavens, and in my care… where I was able to learn so much from them. And I am extremely proud of them, for all they have become as a result of taking away the cultural influences that permeate nearly every inch of existence these days…

We still have our cherished wooden gnome homes and playclips, our beautiful and well loved wool dolls… and every now and again we re-read the Seven Year Wonder Book or Stan Bolivan and the Dragon… but for the most part, the Waldorf life I built and created for them, with an intent to nurture their souls and honor the divinity in them, is a part of them I know will always be the foundation and the fabric of the character they possess. The best part is, we still all walk the world in wonder. With a playfulness and innocence – yet an acute awareness that we are all pure potential and love, no matter what the illusion around us tries to sell us, or scare us into believing. I am blessed….