LIMIT YOUR CHILD’S SCREEN TIME. When you limit it, you are freeing up precious time that your child can relax, reconnect with siblings, be creative, read or engage in enriching activities. A typical child spends more that 1680 minutes per week in front of the TV and yet only three and a half minutes in meaningful conversation with a parent. Eliminate the distractions in your home and you will see how much easier it is to keep your kids Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Cozy. You’ll be amazed at all of the activities happening around you–all because those little boxes have been put out of business. You can absolutely do it!

YOUR CHILDREN CRAVE YOUR ATTENTION AND THEY”LL DO MOST ANYTHING TO GET IT. If it means fighting with siblings, whining, yelling at you, or disagreeing with every word out of your mouth, they’re learning how to get what they need or want. If yelling at you worked in the past, guess what? Your clever child is going to do it again, and again, and again. The ticket to eliminating unacceptable behaviors and encouraging cooperation is to praise healthy and acceptable behaviors. Recognize cooperation and team work and give your kids what they want–ATTENTION–POSITIVE PRAISE. “You boys had so much fun playing, good for you!” or “I like the way you helped mom unload the groceries. What a help!” or “You guys are a great team, I like the way you helped your brother with his shoes,” etc. You can never offer enough genuine praise. Your kids will thrive and so will you. You can absolutely do it!

TREAT YOUR DAUGHTERS THE SAME WAY YOU TREAT YOUR SONS. When you send the message that their gender does not determine their value, success, or happiness, your kids will grow up believing that it’s their abilities that matter, not whether they are a boy or girl. Boys cry, girls run fast, boys like pink, girls can lift heavy objects, boys enjoy cooking, girls like blue, and the list goes on and on. Praise creativity, curiosity, strength, compassion, and sensitivity. Allow your child’s interests and passions to determine their journey, not society’s perceptions of what success looks like for a boy or girl. Your kids are so much more than that!

HOW YOU THINK, MATTERS. If your children believe they can, they will! A simple strategy to raise your kids with self confidence, self esteem, and critical thinking skills is to encourage THEM to find a solution–not you. No matter your child’s age, It’s easy to want to jump in and solve all of life’s problems, yet how will your kids learn that they are capable unless you allow them to self advocate and do for themselves? How will they know that you think they are capable if you do everything for them? Before you jump in to “solve,” ask them, “What’s a solution?” and then listen. You will be amazed at what you hear. Praise their ingenuity and creativity and then praise the process they implement to achieve their goals. Your kids will inspire you!

DARE TO DREAM AND TALK ABOUT IT! Life is busy, I know–the kids need new shoes, a ride to practice, and dinner is in 30 minutes, yet don’t let the demands of your growing family derail your passions and interests. You can raise a happy, healthy, and successful family right alongside your dreams. In fact, as you reach each goal on your way to achieving your dreams, you will have the most precious fan club cheering you on– your family! Make your dreams happen, you are worth it!

GOOD FRIENDS ARE A NECESSITY TO LIVING A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE. Your time and energy are your most precious resources, when you spend them to build friendships, you are giving yourself one of life’s greatest treasures. A genuine friend will listen, guide, support, and love you throughout all of life’s ups and downs. Friendships are worthwhile, both to you and your family. Enjoy the love of friends. You are worth it!

MAKE TODAY THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Give yourself grace for those moments over the weekend where you were less than kind, patient, or loving. Today is a new day. START FRESH! Apologize to those whose feelings you may have hurt. Make it simple: Please forgive me for yelling at you. I am ashamed how my anger hurt you. I am going work on being a better listener.” Do you forgive me? It’s important to take ownership of your choices and then ask for forgiveness. No one “made” you behave badly. You are human and not all knowing and all doing. Even parents make mistakes.

TAKE BREAKS. The more energy and enthusiasm you have personally, the more you can give your kids. Don’t be ashamed, feel guilty, or feel undeserving of time away from your family. When you renew yourself and invest in your personal wellness; mentally, emotionally, and physically, you are sending a healthy message to it’s importance. As you go through your busy days, remember that you need to “Live the life you want your kids to live!” Taking care of you will increase the likelihood that your kids will do the same when they are parents.

ONE OF THE QUICKEST AND EASIEST WAYS TO RECONNECT WITH YOUR KIDS AFTER A LONG DAY IS TO READ TO THEM. No matter their age, snuggle them close. The warmth of your touch and voice are calming and your love instantly renewed. Your sweet voice erases most of their days’ sadness and stresses away. All becomes right with the world. At the end of the day, your treasure; the love of your family surrounds you. Now the trick is to stay awake long enough to finish the book. Make it a great day!

‎”SELL THE DREAM!” If you want your kids to live, a happy, healthy, joy-filled life, you need to live it first. Live it and then talk about it. Share why your morning or evening run is so important to you? Why do you hire a sitter to make it happen? Tell your kids how great it feels to exercise and sweat for reasons other than chasing after them at the park. Why do you go out on dates with your spouse/partner or out with friends? Explain that those relationships are important and make you happy –Spending time and energy to nurture and grow them is healthy and smart. Your kids are watching you live your life and learning what is important, who is important, and how you honor those things. “LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO LIVE!”