Kind Kids -Children See, Children Do

A few years ago, I was getting an antique delivered. We were all excited about it's arrival. The kids were small. When the driver pulled up, we all went to the door, only to hear a rather loud crashing sound. He had dropped the peice. This was probably 100 years old. I felt it, the brewing rage inside me. I was furious and my tone reflected that.

But something happened. I looked down at my kids and through some miraculous intervention, I stopping and in that instant I knew I had to decide who I was going to be. And I was able to stop it. Really, suddenly the anger was gone and the man was so humbled and he came back the next day and replaced the broken glass. There was a tiny nick in that peice, but it was worth everything that my kids could look at me and not see someone who frightened them, someone who told them to manage their feelings only to yell.... that nick didn't bother me at all. Not one bit.


Check out this video, its one of my favorites.

Ask, Don't Assume

I have always assumed the most important things my kids wanted for Christmas and the holidays is a giant pile of gifts, that a lot of small things with good playing power would be preferred to a large gift. But you know what happens when you assume...

A week or so ago, my son went to a birthday party and the little boy only received one big gift from his parents. My son was smitten. I asked my kids for the first time if they would like one large gift or a bunch of smaller gifts. Surprise! They both wanted one larger gift!

So, that was a shocker. I guess my point here, is don't assume! Your kids are people who will continue to develop and change. Consider keeping the line of communication open on the questions that you normally would just assume.

Think about it and see what impact you can have!

Maria

Polite Kids - Table Manners

I just found this wonderful new blog called Hybrid Mom. Hybrid Mom has a fantastic acronym for table manners. Take a look!

POLITE
Pull out the chair and sit squarely in the seat
Open napkin and put it in your lap
Let the host start eating before you do
I use silverware correctly
Talk to others and make nice conversation
Excuse yourself before leaving the table




Hybrid mom, you are brilliant! Thanks for a great tip. And here is my two cents. Every day all through the holidays....that will give you a good month, repeat the acronym POLITE at each meal and what the letters mean. The kids will get it committed to memory and and so will you. In no time you can have those dream kids you are desperately hoping for at dinnertime!

Check out Hybrid Mom's full article and blog page here!

Bonding - Family Reads

Why not pick a classic book favorite of yours and develop a "family reads" time of day? Right now, my son and I read every nite at bedtime. It has been a Percy Jackson fest. But we both look forward to our time together.

In the past, I have read Island of the Blue Dolphins with my daughter, Jonathon Livingston Seagull with both my kids. Can you believe my son got the symbolism?

This holiday season as the air gets cold, why not light a fire and read some of your favorite stories with your kids?

You might just open up a whole new world - for all of you.

Remember to believe in the value of your every contribution!

Maria

Bonding - Me and You and You and Me

Here's a quick tip. Find one thing that you can do with each of your children. It is something that just the two of you share. Simple. I am teaching my youngest chess. It's great. He's learning how to think critically and we have something really intimate to share.

Find one thing that the two of you share and protect it. I remember watching ER every Thursday night with my step-daughter. We would curl up under some covers and watch it every week. It was "our thing".

This is a great way to bond, have fun and take a time out in an all too busy world.

Have a great week and remember the power of your every contribution!

Maria

Back to School Tips

Back to school is the time to put some structure in place. Take a look at these three simple ways to get back to the grind and be more organized.

1. Have kids lay out clothes each night.

2. Create an AM and PM checklist for the kids. Hey, while you are at it, make one for yourself.

Ideas for AM/ PM checklist:

Straighten room
Put away dirty laundry
Check backpack
Lay out clothes
Make bed


Make lunches at night, not in the morning! But here is the news. Do NOT put the lunches inside an insulated lunch box in the fridge. The insulated bag will keep the cold of the fridge OUT. Those lunch boxes are fine if you use them for the 2-3 hours before lunch but will prevent the fridge from doing its job overnight.


Put a few systems in place. Your kids might moan and groan at first, but guaranteed, they will feel more in control and happy once they adjust!

Maria

Parents Can Have Summer Fun, Too!

Summer is coming to a close already. Have you been able to stop and do some special things with the kids? Here is a list of things to get your creative juices flowing. Summer is a great opportunity not just to be with our kids, but to be one, too.

Get to a pool. And why not do cannon balls with your kids?

Go out for ice cream and wander through your downtown or one of a neighboring town. And make sure you get a cone for yourself!

Go to the local pet store and play with the puppies. You can even talk about the breeds with the kids if you want to make it educational.

Find a water park and make sure you go down some of those slides, too.

Spend an afternoon at the library with the kids. Come back to the house, bake some cookies and everyone can read their new stuff and nibble. No TV!

What can you come up with in the dog-days of summer to do with your kids?

Maria