Color My World

Kids & Cabin Fever

2012-12-30T15:51:00.000-05:00

Got Cabin Fever? …

You’re in good company! Let’s get right to some ways to work around it, yes?

The goal here is to make it fun AND productive … AND to build special bonding memories with your kids.

AND, if we make it easy to plan and execute, well … that’s just plain genius! So, get your genius on, and let’s build some golden memories while we wait for the snow to melt.

Keep in mind that the prep time can be as fun and valuable as the actual project, so pay special attention to those moments … great conversations can happen while doing the little things. That’s a creative way to get to know what’s in your kid’s head and heart casually … without them knowing it.

Building special moments with your kids while making birthday cards for friends and family members is the perfect way to combine fun and productivity. You are about to embark on a project that will make you proud now, and it will make your heart smile for the rest of forever!

Here’s a simple way to make that happen:
You will need:
o Your birthday calendar and address book
o Paper: various colors and textures are great, but plain paper works just as well, and you can spice it up yourselves by getting creative together!
o Pens, crayons, markers, even paint (depending on child’s age … finger paints work well for younger kids)
o Stickers, glitter, feathers, decorative scraps of just about anything
o Glue, scissors, tape, etc.
o Envelopes and stamps
o Imagination

• Make a list of upcoming birthdays; decide on whose card you will work on, then begin by folding your paper and writing their name vertically down the left side on front of the card. Use each letter of their name to write a word, sentence or poem about them. Remember that poems do not have to rhyme.

• Now write your birthday wishes on the inside of the card and decorate it with the fun items you gathered (above).

• Sign and date your card and put it in an envelope. Address it, stamp it (unless you are using Forever stamps, you might want to hold off on the postage stamp)

• Now you just file your cards away until it’s time to mail them! I use an accordion style folder with months labeled on the tabs to keep ours organized.
If you don’t have the time to do cards for the entire year, you can chunk this project down and do it quarterly, monthly, or whatever makes the best use of time for you and your family. My guess is that if you spread it out and schedule periodic times, it will become time that you and your kids will look forward to with great anticipation!

Wasn't that fun? ...

Now you've earned a cup of tea!

Enjoy,
Mama ;-Deb

Extracurricular Activity Overload~

2012-12-09T10:08:00.001-05:00

This post was inspired by a listener of one of my weekly radio segments in Newfoundland. A mother wrote to the show's host asking about her 11 year old daughter who wants to sign up for everything; sports, music, art, any lesson or extracurricular activity she hears about she wants to try. The problem is that she never sticks to anything. At first the mother thought she just hadn’t found her “niche” yet, but after dozens of classes and thousands of dollars, she just can’t keep this up. Can we help?

My answer ... Yes! We can help here, but let's take a deep breath to help ease the frustration before we examine some simple solutions that might be being blocked by the haze of the overload.

OK, so you know that it is music to my ears when a child expresses an interest in extracurricular activities … especially those of an artsy nature! However, we must be just as sensitive to activity-overload as we are to coach potatoes who don't want to try anything!

It is important to help ‘round out' our children without burning them out. And yet it is not always easy to strike a healthy balance while doing so. We will address the issue of encouraging a 'disinterested' child in a future segment; for now, we will answer this mom, and try to find creative ways to get to the root of why her daughter wants to try so many different activities. And, just as important, why she doesn't want to stick with her commitment to pursue them.

You know that I love the toddler mentality which always asks, "WHY? WHY? WHY?" … The reason I love it so much is that it represents a natural and yet-unbiased curiosity which helps children learn, form and grow through the answers they get.

Exploration builds imagination which results in creativity. So, let's explore just a select few possible reasons, imagine what it might be like for this young lady, and then get creative as parents ... looking for answers to every "WHY?"

In this instance, this mom might find that her daughter's desire to enroll in so many activities stems from peer pressure. It could also be from a need to fit in to a particular group (band, chorus, cheer leading, etc.), you know that need for acceptance is so important in formative years … It could also very well be that ‘not fitting in’ to that particular group creates a lack of confidence resulting in a beeline to the exit door.

Often, a lack of self-confidence builds a downward spiral when a child finds that something is not coming easily to them. If this is the case, there are two angles I'd like to examine here; one is the fact that building her self-esteem can help in bigger ways than you can imagine (more on that later), and the second is to focus on nurturing something at which she is good at doing.

That second one is important because we tend to shy away from that which we do best since it comes too easily to us, and so we discount it. We often feel that if we are good at something, it must be common to everyone. That is not so; in fact, that at which we are good is usually our greatest gift meant to be shared with the rest of the world.

Here is where self-esteem building is critical. We must find ways to let our children know that they are great at something. This does not mean building false hopes; instead, be real about acknowledging their greatness, and also teach them to laugh when they flop. I believe that one of the most important things I taught my sons is to laugh at themselves first, before anyone else does because two things are certain; one, someone WILL laugh at you, and two, it won't hurt so bad because you already beat them to it ... At that point it's old news, right? ... And so you move on.

As parents, when we tell our children that they are good at something, we are often met with resistance because we are their parents, and they feel that we are 'supposed' to tell them how great they are. This is partly true; however, instead of telling them only with our words, we must demonstrate to them how and why they are great at _______.

I find that using other people in similar circumstances as examples is helpful because a third-party approach tends to remove the personal feelings and emotions from the situation. Sometimes that's best done in reverse by pointing out how they would not be perceived as _______ if they were not great at ________.

When a loving parent is doing more than puffing up their chest and simply telling their child how great they are, but instead, is pointing out facts in a conversation, it gives the child something to think about ... and they will ... on their own. There is no need for a response from your child here. (This is the point where you can leave them alone to do that thinking.)

No hovering, please~

Revisit the subject on a separate occasion. There is no need to try and get it all in during one conversation ... In fact, that is a sure-fire way to get them to tune out completely, and you will lessen your chances of ever being heard.

This approach builds independent thinking skills and self-esteem. Since the three main ingredients to building self-esteem are empathy, forgiveness and gratitude it helps to highlight these in your conversations. Show empathy for the field-goal kicker who had an entire game resting on his shoulders, only to miss the goal in the last seconds of the game. Instead of trash-talking, show forgiveness if this happened with YOUR team. And show gratitude for the points he did score in the game.

Similarly, when you interject these into your own daily activities with your child, and with your own personal and professional pitfalls and accomplishments, you are clearly demonstrating that this is real life, and this is how you successfully navigate through. This will instill self-esteem.

No matter what else you do, the most important element in developing self-esteem in your child is to be the example; walk, talk, do everything with empathy, forgiveness and gratitude.

That is a recipe for success for everyone! And it will help your child find their 'niche' a little more quickly, and on their own, yet with your loving support.

You know how I know this will work? Simple ... just look at how well you've done so far. Your child is great at many things, and I'd like you to take a moment to write down just a few of them ... Go ahead, write. OK, I'll accept just thoughtfully pondering it in your head.

I'll wait while you do so ...

I know that you've got a pretty good list going there, and you see, those things didn't just 'happen' ... It is not a coincidence that your child has so many great qualities; it is because of what you have done so far. You are better than you give yourself credit for, or you would not be worried so much about this, right?

Now, go do something wonderful for you ... to acknowledge and celebrate your great parenting skills. Sip a cup of your favorite tea, soak in a bubble bath, or call a friend you haven't laughed with in a while.

Have the confidence that because you are a great parent, this too shall turn out well. And if it becomes more than manageable, I know that you are smart enough to know, yet I will give you this gentle, loving reminder: seek outside help. Great and successful people have coaches, therapists and counselors to help them achieve greater success.

I believe in you~

Love,
Mama ;-Deb

How to Switch From Vacation Brain to School Mode

2012-09-04T11:37:00.000-04:00

Transitioning kids from summer fun to a school year structure does not have to be difficult!

With the anticipation of a new school year comes the rites of passage that go along with stepping up a grade, or walking into a new class or school, or perhaps even starting school for the first time ever. So often, we focus on the ceremony of shopping for a new wardrobe, backpack, binders and markers, but we forget that we should spend some time acclimating our kids' minds for the classroom environment.

This doesn't mean we should hold mock school sessions at home for a month prior to the first day of school; we can ease their minds into 'school mode' without them even realizing it. You simply have to prepare a little and before you know it, you'll be slipping lessons into your everyday functions and passing them off as mere fun! Isn't it a delicious thought to be able to fool your kids into learning something? Well, it might be way easier than you thought possible.

The three most important things to remember are:
1. Make it fun!
2. Make it Fun!!
3. Make it FUN!!!

The fourth thing … dab their baby toe in first ... ease them back in ~ and yes, MAKE IT FUN!

Below are some quirky yet entertaining brain exercises for every age group.

Young kids:
• A trip to the ice cream stand(!) … or their favorite restaurant! … Woo-Hoo!… hold on, there is one caveat: everyone must only use their non-dominant hand (if you are right-handed, you must eat with your left hand and vice-versa).
• Folks at your neighboring tables might think you are nuts; however, those with kids will thank you when you explain what you are doing.
Benefit: This is a great exercise to engage both sides of the brain to get them working together to prepare for the transition to school-brain.

Tweens:
• Of course, most tweens will also enjoy a trip to the ice cream stand or their favorite restaurant to eat with their non-dominant hand. However, we might need something a bit more challenging at this age level.
• If that is the case, play some fun word gameswith them to get their brain juices flowing. For instance, have them try to say their name backwards, then have them spell it backwards. Still using their name as the template for brain engaging fun, challenge them to hold an entire conversation over dinner while beginning every sentence with a word that begins with the first letter of their first name. For example, Debbie must try to begin every sentence with a word that starts with the letter ‘D’ … Do you understand what I mean? Did you try it yet? Don’t knock it till you try it. Difficult, huh?
Benefit: Nurtures creativity and independent thinking skills while engaging the brain in a 'working' mode.

Teens/Young Adults:
• This one might take a little homework on your part; however, like most activities involving our kids, the older they are, the more involved it typically becomes. Focus on something that your child is really into … music, reading, sports, etc. Research the newest/latest happenings which revolve around that particular subject and start asking them questions about it. For instance, if your kid loves baseball, identify his/her favorite players, ask them to recite their stats (RBI’s, ERA’s, number of home-runs) for the current season; if they are not a rookie, how do their current stats measure up to last season? What is their team’s current record; wins, losses, ties, and placement in the league. Quiz them on these stats. Same for music; pick a favorite singer or band, and their newest album; name all the songs on the CD; which were hits? Do they know their placement on the charts?
Benefit: Gently wakes up the sleepy-summer brain, and gets your kid thinking again.

These might seem like rather ‘mindless’ exercises; however, the goal is to get creative juices flowing to encourage their own individual learning styles. There is no better way to do that than to appeal to them with something that lights up their eyes, and to do so in a comfortable environment. Remember, you’ve got to keep their head in the game, or it won’t do any good.

Although there are many benefits to each of the examples above, the byproduct is that you will be spending top-quality time with your child. Keep in mind that free creative playtime is a great way to learn what is in your kid’s head and heart, no matter how old they are! ... BONUS!

Gotta run now, I think I just heard the class bell!
;-Debbie

Mom's 5 Year Old Loves to be Outside...

2012-07-16T12:34:00.001-04:00

Today's post comes from one of my radio interview listeners~

Question:
"I'm a stay at home mom with a 5 year old who loves to be outside. After a few hours, I'm tired and want to come inside; he cries and throws a fit. Help!"

Response:
As with most of my responses, I feel it's important to try and discover the reason for the fit; then it's typically easier to find the fix. In this case, we are thinking that this mom's son is having too much fun playing outside, and he equates going inside to putting the brakes on the fun.

With that said, perhaps it would work if, before going outside to play, Mom does a little pre-planning ...

Since we are talking about a five year old, we will use the outdoor activity of digging in the dirt as an example; however, you will be able to restructure this around many playtime activities. Before going outside, explain to your child that you are going to play together, and that you are going to plant some veggies or herbs or whatever ...

In advance, set up a play station (notice there are no title caps there!) inside by covering a table with newspapers, and arranging clay pots or plastic containers from last night's take-out. Then, head outside with some plastic containers and digging equipment. Remember to have fun with this ... and make it last for as long as possible. Look for worms, bugs, whatever ... and remember, it's OK to be grossed out by them, Mom!

Then, carry the fun (bug-free dirt, seeds, or small plants and roots) into the house. Now you can spend as much time as possible inside ... but still playing and having fun together. This will accomplish several things; my three favorites for this scenario are:

1. Distracting from the fact that you are coming inside,
2. Slyly demonstrating an indoor/outdoor connection, and
3. Teaching by turning this into a 'disguised' lesson in agriculture!

Later, as you watch your plants grow, you can build in nutritional lessons. And even later, cooking lessons as you use your homegrown ingredients!

Hint: if you are like me, and don't have a very green thumb, herbs are a great option ... especially hearty ones that grow under almost anyone's care :). I loved to do this with mint which grows like the weeds most people try to get rid of! We experimented with fresh-squeezed lemonade, fresh-brewed iced tea, and even cooked dishes!

Have fun with this, and please let me know how you spin this to work for you!

Meanwhile, happy digging~
;-D

Is Your Antenna Up? ... What is Your Parenting Style?

2012-07-02T11:24:00.001-04:00

(OK, for those of you who don't recognize the image here ... they were called 'rabbit ears' back in the 'dark ages!' ... I will now choose to ignore the fact that I just dated myself, and will start right in to my article ...)

I don't know about you, but I believe that we have a tendency to make the simplest things in life so darn difficult! Parenting is one of those things ... and, well, perhaps it is at the top of my list because I am a Parenting Coach; however, it does seem to be a very common issue. With that said, I think it is important for us to acknowledge that we are all just doing the best that we can. And, for those of you who are looking for ways to improve that, kudos! Your antenna is up, and you are tuned in ... so, what exactly are you supposed to be listening for?

If you are like me, 'information overload' does one main thing ... it shuts me down. Once my brain gets over stimulated, it seems like there is no returning to rational thinking. As a result, I like to break things down into a simple formula, with a clear goal at the end.

Perhaps our goal here should be to merely get to know the different types of parenting, and try to fit yourself into one of those categories. Once you do so, you can then decide if that is where you want to be; if not, you can see what you might want to do differently in order to get the results you'd like to see in your child.

That might sound simple enough until you begin researching ... Well, I've done a little of that, and simplified it so that I could apply it to real life instead of the clinical studies. Here's what I've come up with:

While psychologists have designated three main types of parenting (Authoritarian, Permissive and Authoritative) in real life, we see that some parents are a combination of 2 or all 3, given the circumstances. Sometimes, you will have different methods between parents under the same roof, or with a split family.

This morning, during a radio interview, the show's host asked me the difference between Authoritative Parenting and Positive Parenting. I thought this would be a good time to lay this one out for a quick read. By definition, Authoritative Parenting is basically a form of Positive Parenting.

It is not my goal to debate parenting skills here. Again, instead, I am merely outlining the information, and giving you pause for thought.

Of the three types of parenting styles, the Authoritarian parent typically enforces strict rules with no input from children, their emphasis is primarily on bad as opposed to good behavior, and punishment is usually severe. Children rarely receive rave reviews for good behavior and may tend to have low self-esteem or may turn out to be very aggressive later in life.

Permissive Parenting is where parents let children have free rein; rules made are not consistently adhered to, and the parent gives freedom to the child without proper guidelines on what is right or wrong. As a result, children may find it difficult to follow rules in a different environment like school.

Authoritative Parenting is where the parents set rules and involve their children in making those rules. They reinforce good behavior (rewarding it), while correcting in a positive vs. focusing on repercussions of bad behavior. They monitor their child’s behavior closely, finding opportunities to "catch" good behavior as often as possible, and they communicate in a clear manner what is expected from the child so they understand the difference between good and bad behavior.

Again, Authoritative Parenting is really just a good example of positive parenting. With this approach, children tend to grow up with appropriate behavior ingrained in them, which helps enable them to fit in most environments and perform well in whatever they undertake. They also demonstrate traits like honesty, respect, and integrity, and are less likely to break rules. Benefits of positive parenting are clearly important in molding children to live up to their full potential and become worthy members of society. These are characteristics of a child with high self-esteem.

As a Certified Self-Esteem and Parenting Coach, I can go on and on about the benefits of raising a child with high self-esteem; however, the purpose of this article was merely an opportunity to get your wheels spinning and raise your antenna a little more. Once you are able to tune in to what is going on around you, and examine how you are reacting, you can choose whether or not adjustments are needed to help ensure that you will get the results you are hoping for.

When you are satisfied with those results, you've got a happy child, and well ... that makes for a happy parent!

Here's to happy parenting~

;-Debbie

No More Pencils; No More Books ... Well, Sort Of~

2012-06-04T10:15:00.005-04:00

As if the end of the school year isn't enough awesomeness for students ... how about making it more special for them? Look, they don't have to know that this is also a little scheme to keep them busy and out of your hair for a while now that they are home for summer break! (We'll keep that as our little secret!)

Yes, this little project is going to occupy them for a while; however, the true purpose is to create golden keepsake memories of this school year. Although their rooms are no doubt filled with mementos and souvenirs from fun times had, this will be their own personal recollection, from their eyes, from their hearts, and yes ... from their minds. It is a sneaky way to keep the mental wheels turning during break.

If you are a regular reader of my articles and posts, you know that my method of engaging little brains is to give them a subject that lights up their eyes, and makes their heart sing. We've got to make it personal to them, and it's got to be fun ... after all, this is summer; this is break time; this is the 'no work zone' for the brain ... yeah, right. Don't worry, they are easier to trick than we sometimes think.

It is good to do this early in the break while their memories are fresher, and while their level of excitement is high. No doubt they are excited about summer, and trust me, there is a lot of talk right now amongst them and their friends about every event that occurred this school year. This is a fabulous way to capture that excitement and passion!

Depending on your child's age and your schedules, this can be accomplished in phases or all at once. Either way, here is a brief outline from which you can work. I love outlines because they give a little direction while allowing creative freedom! In fact, I love outlines so much that the entire project is built around one :).

• First, ask your child to list out some memorable events from this school year whether it was as big as the prom, or as small as a sleepover. There really are no small memories when they involve fun times or matters of the heart.
• Ask them to arrange those memories in order of when they happened, creating a sort of timeline. Each event at this point should be numbered in outline form, as each one will be the title for that category.
• Then ask your child go through, and under each category title, bullet out (A,B,C…) certain details from each event. It is most effect in this phase to only use one word to quickly jot down seedlings of ideas.
• Next, they will go through the outline, beginning at the top, and turn each bulleted item in to a sentence.
• Later, they can sequentially turn each sentence into a paragraph.
• Eventually, it will become apparent that this ‘outline’ is turning into a book.

You see what we did there? ... Yep, we just helped them write a book about this school year, and what they learned personally. This is a book about their personal growth this year, from their heart, through their eyes. It will help the lessons sink in, too, because they don't really know that it is part of the purpose here. This is much better that the class yearbook, yes?

Now you can simply keep this in raw form, or you can go to whatever extent you choose to bind it professionally. I’ve got plenty of input here if you’d like … just feel free to contact me and I’ll be more than happy to share my thoughts and experience with you. However, if this is as far as the project gets, know that you’ve accomplished a few pretty important things already.

Your child used his/her brain (both left AND right … which makes me happy!), they relived memories which are important, they memorialized some big events as well as some ‘small’ happenings which could be huge turning points, this helped some important lessons sink in, and (last but not least!) they were busy (AKA out of your hair!). This is not just a great way to turn idle moments into productive time spent for today, it creates golden memories for tomorrow … in keepsake form!

This just might be the way you choose to begin each summer from now on! Regardless, make certain you enjoy today's moments with your kids, soon these mementos will be all that's left of their childhood!

;-Debbie

Mom/Dad ... Can we Talk?

2012-06-01T11:41:00.000-04:00

What do you do when your child tells you something that stops you in your tracks? Whatever it is, perhaps it's a deep, dark secret that you never expected; perhaps it's a lifelong dream that you would never have guessed; perhaps it's _________________. Fill in that blank with whatever it could be that you just did not see coming.

What do you do? Well, I hope that first, you hug your child, let them know that you LOVE them, and then thank them for telling you. That's big, don't you think? Sometimes we allow ourselves to get hijacked by shock, fear, drama ... when what we really should do is look at the real, simple, raw truth first: Your child trusted you enough and had the hutzpah to come to you with his/her issues. Second, and I'm going out on a limb here, but ... whatever the issue is, I'm guessing that it did not change your love for him/her. Please say that out loud to your child.

Then you can begin laying whatever groundwork is needed to deal with whatever issues surround the circumstance at hand because only then are you doing it openly and knowingly with unconditional love and acceptance. Although you might not understand, and perhaps you don't fully accept whatever 'it' is, you have at least accepted the message at this point, and sometimes that is all that is needed ... for now.

Like anything else, you will navigate through this one step at a time. Seek professional help if/when needed, but please, oh please, never lose sight of the fact that you LOVE this child ... and please, oh please ... don't let them lose sight of that fact, either!

If your child has not opened up to you, yet you suspect there is something they are trying to broach, perhaps you can just periodically mention that you sense something 'in the air' and want him/her to know that you are there when they are ready to talk. Although it might take a while, at least they know that you are 'in tune' and open for reception.

Even when they feel that they are ready to share, they might have difficulty beginning; it might help if you simply put your hands on their shoulders and tell them to just say the first word, and the rest will flow. Now, listen ... really listen ... with an open heart. Don't be shy about asking questions ... just be aware of how a barrage of questions might make them feel. Respect is a huge component to open lines of communication. You've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.

If you are an avid reader of my posts and articles, you know my 3 steps to open communication:
-Levity
-Brevity
-Common, everyday chit-chat

Try to keep it light, short, and not so oppressive. Who wants to 'open up' to a long, dark 'talk?' It's the common, everyday chit-chat that breeds comfort and continued communication. That's the space where the best relationships are formed.

With that said, perhaps you can let your child know that you have a ton of questions swirling around in your head, but you don't want to deluge him/her. Suggest that you select three questions each week to ask so that this is not the only thing you talk about with him/her. This will help you home-in on what is important to you, and it will help ensure that your relationship remains solid. The foundation of your relationship was built upon a lifetime of experiences, and I'm guessing that you don't want this newly discovered circumstance to become the focal point of your relationship from this point forward.

You may have to remind yourself to continue to nurture all elements of your relationship as you always have. Put effort into doing what you have always done with your child; don't make this situation all there is to your time together, and try not to bring your questions and comments into every conversation. It is important not to lose the connection you already have while building a connection to work through a new situation.

And, whatever else you do, please remember to continue to build your child's self-esteem. This will help ensure that s/he has the tools to navigate through life successfully, and with velocity! There is no better time than now to work on that!

As always, feel free to email me (harmonypublications@hotmail.com) if I can be of further help to you.

Until next time, here's to just loving our kids~

;-Debbie

Teaching Children That Kindness Works ...

2012-05-16T09:48:00.001-04:00

It's not OK to accept anything less from others. Our children deserve to be treated with kindness; however, we know that we can't control what others do ... we can only teach our children how to behave.

With that said, when our children are fully aware of the concept of living with kindness, chances are that they will not accept anything less. And, when they possess high self-worth combined with high self-esteem, they are armed with the right tools to help them navigate through their world when not-so-kind people and situations present themselves.

And how about the 'be cool.be kind' campaign in the photo above? That truly is cool!

One of my favorite quotes is, "To know is to understand." When we take the time to 'know' and understand why someone might act a certain way, we come at the situation from a more empathetic angle, and are more apt to be resolution oriented.

In my recent article for Best Ever You magazine, I delve into some important steps we can take to help build those qualities in our children. Click here to read the article in which I interview Dr. Joe Rubino, highly respected Founder of CenterForPersonalReinvention.com and Creator of TheSelfEsteemBook.com and HighSelfEsteemKIds.com

I believe you that once you are in the 'know' you will understand how to help your child become resistant and resilient to the not-so-kinders of the world.

Wishing you a peaceful and kind day,
;-Debbie

Permission to Play~

2012-03-25T09:32:00.000-04:00

Yes, playing is fun; however, it also has a deeper purpose. Playing helps develop imagination, creativity, problem-solving and independent thinking skills. These skills help children (and adults!) become better innovators by using their innate abilities to create.

Most of us feel the most alive when we are creating something from the depths of our 'selves' because we are living true to our authentic selves in those moments. Whether we are writing, drawing, painting, working with clay, or cooking the best meal ever, we are creating with a passion which burns from the depth of our soul, and when we produce the end result, the fruit of our labor, that feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment is unmatchable.

Let today be the day you plant a seed to help your child grow into their truest, most authentic self. Today, spend time with your child letting free creative self-expression flow through playful activities. Perhaps you can dance together in the rain, build a castle in the sand, draw pictures, jump rope, hop-scotch, do somersaults in the yard, whatever ... just play!

Allow yourself to feel free when you play, and ask your child in that winded, out-of-breath moment, how he feels right then. Let him tell you the feeling in his belly as he was rolling down the hillside, or how he felt when he stood back and assessed his castle in the sand. Take photos, and write down what you feel are important parts of the conversation so that you not only remember them, but so that you can relive and share them with him later.

The beauty of these magical moments is that they become golden memories for a lifetime. And, let's not forget their deeper purpose ... they help develop innovative abilities, especially when we take the time to briefly document the moment and talk about it later. This not only subtly reinforces the hidden lesson when we relive and discuss it later, it is yet another magical moment which produces another golden memory!

Now, go play! ... You've got permission~

;-Debbie

Teach Your Kids How to Save a Few Cents While Letting Them Design Potpourri Scents ...

2012-02-22T14:34:00.000-05:00

As spring teases us with a few brief moments of sunshine and warm breezes (between the snowflakes!) you might start to think of fresh scents that naturally fill your home during the warmer months. You might also want to get a jump start filling your home air with some of those refreshing scents without having to burn candles or spray aerosols. Here's a relatively inexpensive way to get your children involved in creating some of their own scents to fill the air in your home tonight.

Lay out some options from which your child can choose his/her favorite scents and build a stove-top potpourri. Of course, you will have to man the stove, but the fun part is picking, choosing and building the layers of aromas to enjoy together! I like to use a small pot filled only about 1/3 of the way with water which I bring to a slow boil, then reduce to a very low simmer before adding my choices of scents. I leave the lid off the pot so the steam fills the air with wonderful freshness!

This is a great way to use items that might be nearing the end of their useful life on shelves, in fruit bowls and in the fridge. For instance, lemons, limes, oranges that might not look very appealing to eat will get a second chance at life when sliced up and put in the simmering pot of water. Add a cinnamon stick, some cloves and a few allspice pods, and smell the wonders of nature as if the spring breeze was already blowing through the curtains ...

Needless to say, you can add and mix a variety of items from your pantry, spice rack and essential oil collection; however, I like to use up things that might otherwise get pitched before resorting to my good stock. For instance,when my baking liquids (vanilla extract, almond oil, etc.) are nearing their expiration dates, I will add a few drops into the water for another layer of heavenly scent. I also look for certain ingredients which I don't use as often; this might include anise seeds, vanilla beans, licorice root, ginger, etc. Sometimes these items are in seed or root form, some are powders or liquids, but most of them should be replaced every year or so, otherwise they lose their potency or simply become stale. Whatever the case may be, this is a great way to give them new purpose rather than tossing them away.

The goal here is to teach your children the value of finding a new use for things, and to get creative from an artistic point of view while spending quality time together and building memories for tomorrow. Talk about which smells might mix well with others and make notes about the smells you really like together as you experiment. That way, the next time you try this together, you won't have to guess the combinations you liked the last time. (Nudge, nudge ... this is also a sneaky way to get your kids to journal about the experience!)

You will love reliving the moments from your previous potpourri encounters when you refer back to your journal and add more to it each time! Don't forget to make sidebar notes about the discussions this experience sparked ... these are priceless 'snapshots' you'll love to read about many years from now!

In summary, this simple little exercise will create bonding time for today, along with golden memories for tomorrow. It is also a valuable lesson in re-purposing items instead of throwing them away. And, of course, it also adds a breath of fresh air to your home, and is a great antidote for cabin fever!

Enjoy,
;-Deb

Mold a Child's Character & Be Part of The Future

2012-02-02T09:51:00.001-05:00

By helping launch Harmony Publications' newest release, 'A Friend Indeed' ... which is sure to be a future classic(!) ... you get to choose from over $6,000 in FREE BONUS GIFTS for yourself, or to give as gifts throughout the year!

What can I say, today is my birthday, and I'm feeling 'gifty!' Actually, it's my colleagues who are being the most generous ... you've just GOT to check out the amazing bonus gifts they are offering to show their support simply because they believe in this book so much! Now THAT'S powerful, yes?

Whether you have children of your own or not, I’m certain that you understand the importance of showing children that since we share this world with others, we must learn to be compassionate and kind. And, that when we live with pure intentions and a genuine concern for others, we are living as “A Friend Indeed” which is beneficial to others, as well as fulfilling to our own soul, and everyone wins!

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ~Dalai Lam

Hey, I think he read “A Friend Indeed!” ;-D

"A Friend Indeed" is a hardcover, full-color picture book which ignites the reader's imagination from the very first page while demonstrating compassion and kindness in a setting which is perfect and comfortable for children ages 4-8. The story, although sweet, does not stop there. This ‘Good Samaritan’ tale is based on animals in the jungle. The fun, underlying nutritional messages which are woven into the story, subtly reinforce the value of nourishing our bodies as well as our souls, and each element in the story artfully assembles critical building blocks in character education which are so important in developmental stages of a child’s persona.

The talented author, Carma Lee, is a gifted dancer/choreographer, as well as a brilliant writer.

She has worked with children in academia as well as arts, and blends the two beautifully. Carma knows the importance of creatively engaging children and keeping them entertained while they are learning … and she accomplishes all of this in, “A Friend Indeed.”

Children are sure to fall in love with Jo-Jo, the monkey while they echo praises of Lola, the singing butterfly. They will be dazzled by Ruby, the Scarlet Macaw, and will adore Shay, the African elephant. However, it is the lessons they learn from Sly and Slick, the slithering snakes, and the compassion they learn from Dino the dancing dragon that will last a lifetime!

Yet, adults see the value from a different vantage point. We recognize the significance of finding that perfect book which will inspire, mold, and become a classic of its generation. This is that book.

Look, we all have children in our lives in some capacity or other, and whether we are aware of it or not, we impact their lives. Sometimes our impact is obvious, and sometimes not to us; however, it is often the small gestures that make the biggest impact. Your small gesture of gifting a special child with this book can be one of the most valuable elements in their world.

If you have the good fortune of knowing a special child, why not take this opportunity to instill values that make a difference. Chances are, you'll be remembered forever as the special person who bought them their favorite book! ...

And, if that's not enough, how about this to sweeten the pot? ... When you purchase the book during its special launch ~TODAY, you not only make a special child happy, you also win by receiving BONUS GIFTS WORTH OVER $6,000~

Yep, you read that right! Purchase a copy ~ or several copies ~ of 'A Friend Indeed' TODAY, and you get to choose free gifts from sponsors who believe in this book so much, they are offering you BONUSES just for purchasing the book TODAY! ... You can CHOOSE AS MANY OF THE FREE BONUS GIFTS as you'd like ... EVEN ALL $6,000 worth. It's our way of saying "Thank you for being a priceless mentor to a special (and LUCKY!) child!"

Here's the link ... check out all those free bonus gifts!!! BONUS LINK

We, here at Harmony Publications, thank you very much ... but not as much as the special child in your life will thank you for years to come!

It feels so good to make a difference in a child's life~

;-Debbie

Creative Parenting

2012-01-14T10:07:00.002-05:00

Let's talk about how to spend quality moments with your children today which will become golden moments tomorrow!

And you don't have to 'find the time' or spend a dime!

www.motivationmarathon.com

I'm on Sunday, 1-15-12 @ 1:00pm EST. Join me for tips, tools and strategies to make the most of the time you spend with your kids. These are nuggets you will be able to work right in to your everyday life!

And you will want to check out what my colleagues are sharing to help you live a Happy YOU Year!

There are tons of free gifts, and registration is FREE, too!

If you can't listen live, you can listen to the downloads later.

I hope to 'see' you there~

MotivationMarathon.com

;-Deb

Fun Snow Idea!

2012-01-05T10:48:00.000-05:00

In my corner of the world (Western Pennsylvania), this far into the season, we've typically been buried in so much snow that we are tired of it by now. We usually suffer from 'Cabin Fever' November through March, and some of my best nuggets of advice for parents have been about finding creative ways to recover from that.

This year, however, winter has been unrecognizably warm and mild. It's January; we just had our first semi-significant snowfall, and if the traffic reports are any indication, I'm afraid that we are losing our grip (pun intended) on winter 'know-how.'

I'm not only afraid that we are 'slipping' (yep, intended) on our ability to drive well on snow and ice; I'm afraid that we might forget how to simply have fun with it! Now, if you follow my posts regularly, you know that I not only share my tips on creative parenting, I look to the kids of the world for creative ideas on ways to interact with them. They do lead us well if we are paying attention!

With that said, I've learned from my kids that it really doesn't take much to have fun. We adults typically make things way more difficult than they need to be. As a result, one of my favorite pieces of advice for parents is to 'Lighten up!' Act like a kid ... enjoy the simple things with your kids. You will not only have fun in the moment, you'll build memories that will be cherished for a lifetime!

Now, in my opinion, THAT is parenting at its best! And so, I am passing along this link I just came across; it's one of the most fabulous, and simple ideas to take advantage of a new snowfall. Click this link to LEARN HOW TO MAKE SNOW ICE CREAM! ... Yep, you read that right!

If you've got snow outside your door, don't dread it ... go collect some. Put it in your freezer, and make ice cream when the kids get home from school today!

Woot-woot! Hey, the snow has to be white, but the memories will be golden!

By the way, if you don't have snow outside your door, I know where you can get some! ... Or, you can grab some white paper and scissors to cut out some snowflakes to decorate your windows and pretend ... Let your imagination soar, and ask your child to tell you a story about what s/he would be doing right now in the snow. Take turns giving input in the story; don't forget to grab paper and pen, you will want to read this in ten years! ... Now that's gold!

;-Deb

Relieve Holiday Stress With a Giggle

2011-12-11T15:51:00.001-05:00

No matter how busy your days might be this holiday season, do yourself a favor and spend 10 minutes talking with a child before bedtime. If you don't have any kids, visit a neighbor, call a grandchild, niece, nephew, or cousin ... just chat with them and feel the honest love.

Ask them simple questions like, "What was your favorite part of today?" And listen, really listen to their response; it will help you realize what is important, and it will make them feel special because you cared enough to ask.

If you really want to enjoy the call, find something silly to say that will make them giggle ... a child's laughter is truly the the most soothing music the soul could ever hope for.

This really is a simple way to help relieve some holiday stress and put the emphasis back in the right place.

It's all about connecting ... most kids are easy to connect with, and the rewards are beautiful~

I hope you share many giggly moments this season,

;-Deb

On The Road ...

2011-06-20T09:56:00.001-04:00

But wanted to pass along this fabulous info about the importance of self-esteem in our children.

When I return home, I'll be prepping to head back on the road again, this time my youngest will be joining me for some fabulous one-on-one time on a working vacation. We're headed to Chautauqua Institution ~ on beautiful and peaceful Chautauqua Lake ~ in upstate NY where I will be teaching again this summer.

I hope to see you somewhere in one of my workshops or at one of my book signings during my travels~

Until then, remember ... "It's never wrong to write!"
;-Deb

Memorial Day ~ Not Just a 3-Day Weekend

2011-05-29T11:53:00.000-04:00

The word 'memorial' is defined on dictionary.com as follows:

"Something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday."

And so, on this 'holiday' weekend, I offer this tribute to preserve those memories:

An Absolute Salute

We enjoy the freedom for which you serve
With a three-day weekend that YOU deserve

With picnics and parties in parks and backyards
While you continue to bravely stand guard

It hardly seems fair, though it stands true
We enjoy freedom which was earned by you

'Thank you' certainly isn't enough, yet it's all we have to give
In return for your service for the life we get to live

Though our thanks are merely words, they are filled with adulation
And heart-felt gratitude from our collective nation

We honor you and pray for your safe return
With grateful hearts and ardent concern

Wishing there was something we could do
To better show our appreciation of you

Until the day that we find a way
To properly thank you, we'll humbly pray

For a peaceful retreat, and the war to end
And your safe return home to family and friends

And to the soldiers you have stood beside
Who died for our country with bravery and pride

We bow our heads with a huge heavy heart
And hope, with empathy, to impart

Upon the loved ones they've left behind
In their selfless effort to better mankind

Our intention to forever honor and embrace
The biggest sacrifice which you face

Every day, every night
You will forever bear this plight

But you bear it not alone, you see
You are forever in our company

Though we may not now each others' face
We honor you and yours with love and grace

Please know that on this holiday, one thing is absolute
It is you, and your loved ones, who WE proudly salute

~With sincere gratitude ...
Debbie Mancini-Wilson
xo

Helping Kids Deal With Trauma

2011-05-26T10:18:00.015-04:00

My heart and prayers are with everyone who is affected by recent tragedies.

When something unexpected hits, we are often thrown into automatic pilot. Although that can be the best way to forge through trauma, and dig our heels in so that we can move forward, it can also hinder other important abilities.

Auto-pilot can have a tendency to impede feelings as it overrides emotions and gives us the tunnel vision necessary to muscle through tough times. However, our feelings and intuitive nature are critical ~ especially when children are involved ~ intuition really should not be ignored.

Our most important role is nurturing and nourishing our children. As difficult as it can be to step outside our role of 'handling' things, sometimes we must simply slow down enough to pay attention. That's when we see signs that can direct us to the path we must follow in order to lead our children to a peaceful place.

Parents, mentors, please make the time to pay attention ... here's a link I recently came across that looks like a great resource. I hope it helps you see signs and make a difference:

(Sorry, I just couldn't get this link to go 'live' but it works if you copy & paste.)

http://www.facebook.com/kidlutions?sk=wall#!/notes/kidlutions-solutions-for-kids/hope-helping-kids-in-the-aftermath-of-a-tornado/10150197563616889

XO
;-Deb

Creative Parenting ~ Motivation Marathon

2011-05-04T10:41:00.002-04:00

You are invited to this FREE Motivation Marathon on Saturday, 11-June-11. As one of the 8 panelists, I am honored and excited to bring you some of the most comprehensive self-help tips and techniques in one place!

My topic is Creative Parenting; my goal is to help bring a balance to your professional life and your personal life. We will discuss how to accomplish some of the most important components of parenting using fun, effective exercises that can be integrated into your everyday life!

You don't have to 'find' the time or spend a dime to build a better relationship with your kids! My proven techniques will help you live more authentically and happier while helping you pass the same techniques along to your children. Isn't that what parenting should be?

Now, let's project out several years from today ... Don't you want to look back upon these days with fond memories as you watch your kids live a successful and fulfilled life? And you smile as you reflect because you know that things turned out this way because of your desire and ability to design authentic paths through open communication and mutual respect with your kids.

Join us for the first annual Motivation Marathon and learn how to design and pave that path while putting the fun back in parenting.

Speaking of fun ... here is a fun little acronym I use to describe parenting from my perspective ... and hopefully through the eyes of my kids when they look back at me:

Proud
And
Respectful
Encouraging
Never judgmental
Trusting

That's about all any of us can hope for, yes?

;-Deb

Easter Egg Hunt for Kids With A Fun Twist

2011-04-12T13:35:00.006-04:00

CREATIVE PARENTING ~ VIDEO CLIP

Imagine …

It’s Easter morning, the egg hunt is over. What’s that noise? It’s certainly not the normal sugar-induced-race-around-the-house-finger-painting-the-walls-with-chocolate-stained-fingers noise that typically follows the traditional egg hunt.

No, this year it’s the sound of quiet giggles. You inch your way closer to their bedroom door and hear … friendly bartering for tickets? You shake your head to clear the obvious static and lean in a little closer … Surely they are fighting because one of them ate all of his favorite peanut butter chocolate nuggets and ‘conveniently’ forgot that the green basket belongs to his brother as he ‘innocently’ helped himself to a another.

You brush off the fleeting thought that perhaps your hearing is failing already as you adjust your Mommy Antenna to hear more clearly. There, now you can hear, the sounds of … yes, that IS quiet giggling and friendly bartering!

Panic sets in! Who stole your kids and replaced them with what sounds like gentle, joyful, well-behaved negotiators?

Pouncing through the door, you see them sitting on the bed with piles of little strips of paper on their laps, offering to swap a ‘stay up late’ ticket for a ‘trip to the ice cream stand after dinner’ ticket. Ahh ~ you smile, pat yourself on the back and head downstairs to reward yourself with a celebratory cup of tea as you remember your stroke of genius.

This year, you decided to do an Egg Hunt With a ~Twist~

Here are the easy steps you followed:

You gathered 3 simple things ~ well, 4 if you count the hot cup of fresh-brewed tea to sip on while you worked:

1. Inexpensive plastic (pull-apart) eggs in various colors
2. Small strips of paper to make ‘prize’ tickets
3. A list of ‘prizes’ to write on those strips/tickets

A few suggestions:

"I get to choose family entertainment this weekend”

"I get to pick what’s for dinner tomorrow night”

"I get to stay up 15 minutes late tonight”
(of course all with a disclosure ‘can only be used with parental consent’)

You also threw in a few dollar bills and coins

Then you followed these simple instructions:

You separated eggs into color groups to make it fair for different age groups

For instance:

Older kids can only cash in red, yellow and green

Younger kids can only cash in blue, pink and purple

You then assembled prizes in equal amounts for each age group

Putting the same amount of each ‘prize’ tickets and cash in both color groups so that each group has an equal amount of the same prizes

For a large age difference, you decided to hide the older kids’ eggs in higher places to keep it simple

This way, if older kids snag some of the younger group’s eggs, you’ll know by the colors, and you can throw back anything from their basket that is not in their color group.

Done! Wow! … That was just too easy!

All that remained was to hide the eggs before the cousins got there on Easter morning. You sipped your cup of still-warm tea knowing already that this was going to be your favorite Easter ever!

What you didn’t know yet was that it would quickly become your kids’ favorite, too. This egg hunt will have them begging every Easter for ‘tickets’ instead of candy as they will LOVE ‘cashing them in’ throughout the year!

Bonus factor:

You never dreamed that these tickets would become such hot commodities in your house or that they also proved to be a fabulous lesson in economics. Your kids will quickly learn value by trading certain tickets for those more precious to them; they will cherish and keep them in well-designed hiding spots waiting to be ‘spent’ very wisely throughout the year. In fact, you’ll soon consider putting expiration dates on them when you learn that your kids are hoarding them from year to year!

Smile factor:

Fast-forward about 15 years into the future … when your 20 year old son, home from college on spring break, pulls a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket after dinner and smiles a warm, knowing smile while he hands it to you before clearing the dishes from the table. Yes … he’s finally clearing the dishes without being poked and prodded! But refocus for a moment here, please! … You curiously unfold the paper to discover a 15 year old ‘stay up late’ ticket he just found ‘hidden’ under a loose piece of carpet in the corner of his closet!

Well played! Enjoy the memories, and this moment, while sipping your after-dinner tea. Now, wipe that tear, Mom … Oh, and Happy Easter, genius!

;-Deb

P.S. You can catch a glimpse of me demonstrating this on a CBS morning show here.

How to Make The Most of The Time You Spend With Your Kids

2011-03-28T15:45:00.000-04:00

The next time someone tells you to go fly a kite, know that they must love you! ...

Otherwise, they'd be more likely to tell you to schedule a time to do something of 'quality' with your kid.

Okay, perhaps that was a wee bit tainted with intolerance; however, I respectfully ask that you hear me out. I seriously think that most of us try too hard to do what really does come naturally ... if only we'd just stop trying.

Most parents ask me to help them make the most of the time they spend with their kids. There truly seems to be a chase for some magical way to manufacture some mysterious thing called 'quality time' with our kids.

Actually, there is one magical key to unlock the 'quality time' door ... Now brace yourself here, I'll say this as delicately as possible.

I've got lots of suggestions; however, my #1 simplest-sure-fire-way-to-good-old-fashioned-quality-time is, (drum-roll, please...) “Lighten up!”

Yep, that's it! ... Lighten the heck up! Often times we make more of a project out of parenting than we should. Yes, there are times when we must put on our game face and address something in an authoritative way. However, is it always necessary to be in charge and in control with our kids?

Now, I’m not talking about life altering situations, I’m talking about planning your normal day or outing. Most of us are scheduled from the time we wake up until the time our weary bodies hit the mattress 16 or so hours later! And our kids’ lives are just as scheduled!

When was the last time your kid played a ‘pick-up’ game at a local ball field? Oh, wait … even the ball field is ‘scheduled’ these days, right? It seems that everyone and everything is 'managed' today. Chances are that your kid’s friends don’t just stop by with a bat over their shoulder asking if Josh can come out and play. They’ve showed up at a designated time for a SCHEDULED play date.

Most of the scheduling our kids are subjected to is because the adults involved (either supervising or transporting the kids) are so very busy that everything must be arranged and fit in to our schedules. As a result, most kids (and adults) today don’t know much about leisurely hanging out in a comfortable fashion. There just doesn’t seem to be much room for simply being 'leisurely' ... and that is just tragic to me!

In fact, the word leisurely has even gotten sort of clumsy to say; you'll see what I mean if you go back to the previous two sentences and reread them. Are we even losing the ability to merely say the word?! Suddenly, the word 'tragic' is not strong enough! ... We are in a state of emergency ... albeit a leisurely one.

Therefore, I propose that you just take one day to try my #1 rule, and simply LIGHTEN UP! … Lighten up your schedule, lighten up your attitude, and I’m going to bet that you will lighten up your heart.

If you are like me, you will need at least a sketch of an outline so that you are not completely shooting from the hip and sitting around the family room asking, “Well, what do you want to do today?” Chances are that the only answer you’ll get besides shrugged shoulders is, “Dunno, what do YOU want to do?” Thus, it’s good to start with a few ideas and adjust as you go along, but it is important to keep in mind that you plan to adjust as you go along.

Remember that the goal here is NOT to stick to a schedule. With that said, begin by each preparing a list of possible things to do, then go grab a breakfast smoothie and have at it! It might be nice just to set out on foot with a note pad and a camera in hand; when you see something interesting, stop and take a picture then make some notes to document your questions and comments. This might just take you right back home to your computer, or to a park bench with your laptop researching something you two just HAVE to find out about.

It might also bore you to tears of laughter! And when you dry your eyes, you might decide to head to the zoo, museum, or a local farm to pet the animals! Either way, notice that you are actually spending time together … cherish it, and journal about it so that you can enjoy it again later, when you set aside more ‘nothing’ time and no one is around to spend it with.

The memories are almost as much fun as the experience, and if I were you, I’d scoop up as many opportunities as you can to create those memories. These times don’t last forever, but they certainly can live on…

I wish you lots of ‘nothing’ time this week~
;-Deb

Tsunami Effect on Our Children

2011-03-15T11:28:00.011-04:00

Do you find yourself looking at things with more intensity after watching the devastation in Japan following the Tsunami? It truly leaves me filled with my own earthquake of emotions to process. Can we ever really know the feelings of those who survived? Is there a way we can help, I mean REALLY get in there and help, while still maintaining our lives and taking care of our own businesses and families? And the unthinkable question of how we would feel if such an atrocity hit closer to home.

As a writer, many words come to my mind in times like these; however, the one I find myself repeating is, 'unimaginable.' That just about sums it up for me; however, it is so very real to our brothers and sisters in a far-away land. If nothing else, such horror does bring us a little closer, and although that is a good thing, it gives pause to the question, "Why does it take something so horrific to bring people closer together?"

With that said ~ or asked ~ today's blog post delivers ways for us to get a little closer now. Since I primarily deal with families, parents and children, I focus here on ways to help the kids in your life deal with their emotions after something so devastating.

Let's face it, the media is great at supplying immediate ~ and very graphic ~ details of current events. If we adults are left with a barrage of questions after watching the news unfold, what must our children be thinking and feeling? And better yet, how on earth do we broach the subject and get our children talking openly about their feelings?

Well, below is a quick laser tip that might help you find out how a child in your life feels about this latest tsunami. You might find that your child has processed things well enough already. You might learn that your child is a little stressed about things, and you now have tools to help them process their lingering emotions. Or, it might be evident that it's best to get your child to a professional who can help at a deeper level.

Some might also find that their child has a real interest in helping the survivors, and this is a great time to put together a plan that you can do together ... whether it's collecting clothes to send over, or you matching their allowance money to donate, or, or, or ... the possibilities are endless. The beauty is that you now know, and you now have tools with which to build greater character in your child.

LASER TIP:
• In a casual and familiar atmosphere (when you typically spend quality time with your child) begin an acrostic word exercise by writing the word tsunami vertically on a piece of paper ~ as shown in the example below. Then, also as shown below, ask your child to write (or if too young to write, ask them to say out loud and you write) a word or two that begins with each letter of the word:
o Terrifying
o Scared
o Unsure
o Not safe
o Awful
o Many died
o I’m worried

• Now, ask them to elaborate on that word by turning it into a sentence. You can ask them to explain what, in particular, is terrifying about the tsunami. Then work down the rest of the letters in the word:
o Terrifying waves and water everywhere.
o Scared that it could happen to us.
o Unsure of what happens to children who can’t find their parents.
o Not safe to stay in their home anymore.
o Awful to think about it happening again.
o Many died and many kids lost their parents.
o I’m worried that we might not be safe.

• At this point, you should have plenty of information about what your child is thinking and feeling. You can begin dialogue by going through each line and discussing things that might help ease their mind. If your child wants to do something to help, put together a plan together ... this is quality time at its very BEST!

Finally, if you see a pattern which indicates that it might be necessary to seek professional help, do so quickly, and make certain to bring along your acrostic word exercise. This is a great tool to help the therapist/counselor help your child more effectively.

It is my hope that this simple activity will prove to be a way for you to get inside your child's head and heart. Once we know what they are thinking, we are better equipped to help them if needed. I also like to pass along other websites and tools that I come across which I think might be helpful ... and so click here for another helpful article you might want to read.

As always, feel free to leave a comment here, or email me at harmonypublications@hotmail.com if you have a question, something to share, or a topic you'd like me to address here.

;-Deb
"It's never wrong to write!"

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

2011-03-01T00:55:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it's because I'm eternally stuck in fourth grade ... but I LOVE Dr. Seuss! This week is one of my favorite weeks because the celebration of his birthday on the 2nd of March brings people, big and small together in a carefree way.

His work is ... well, not WORK at all. His words are play, everything he wrote screams, "PLAY!"

I guess it's that whimsical, fun, dare-you-to-find-something-serious-here sort of way that he approached every story, every poem, heck ... practically every word he ever published!

And so, with respect to the master himself, in honor of his life, and in acknowledgment of his accomplishments, I hope you snuggle up with some little someone special this week as we celebrate Read Across America. I will be celebrating with countless students as I begin another busy week, but first I leave you with my own Seuss-inspired words of play:

Would you set aside some time
To read or write a special rhyme?

This would be the perfect week
To write the words you might not speak.

Some say writing is like baring your soul
I guess I'm a bare-naked writing fool!

I hope you like my words, I do
That's why I share them here with you.

It is my hope that they bring you glee
And make you want to share with me.

So, leave a note, in rhyme or not
For me, it would just hit the spot

To know that I've inspired you
To celebrate the master, too!

You see, I have no cat
Sitting within my hat

But there's one thing I must say
That on this very special day

My hat is tipped in reverent praise
At every word, in every phrase

To which Dr. Seuss crafted oh, so well
Please, go and read, and write and tell

Tell every child you see today
That they should write their own heart's way!

For that would make the master proud
Now, write and share, and read aloud

Ahh! Tapping keyboards and drinking eyes
The sights and the sounds of growing wise!

I remain in awe~
;-Deb

How you can turn the Steeler’s trip to the Super Bowl into creative family-time in your home!

2011-02-04T14:35:00.005-05:00

Here are some FUN AND EDUCATIONAL IDEAS that incorporate Steeler history facts into your Family Super Bowl!…

The object of this game is to score as many points as possible by answering the game questions as well as the extra point kick. The person with the most points wins.

* You can design your own questions, or go use this list of Q&A’s I've designed for you. Choose as many or as few questions as you feel appropriate. You’ll want to keep the degree of difficulty fair so that every family member has a fair chance.

* Perhaps you can vote whether or not everyone is allowed to research answers (computer).

* Decide on the winning prize: most correct answers

-gets to choose game day snacks

-receives a 'Family Champion' Steeler jersey (with family name on it)

-is relieved from chores that week

-or, or, or…. You decide!!!!!!!!!!!

Scoring is similar to football; the main-drive question is worth 6 points, there is an extra point kick question if the main-drive question is answered correctly, and some have a 2 point conversion question.

1. How many Super Bowls have the Steelers won?

a. Answer for 6 point TD: 6

b. For an extra point kick:

i. How many Super Bowls have the Steelers played in? 7

2. What was the original name of the Steelers?

a. Answer for 6 point TD: The Pittsburgh Pirates

b. For an extra point kick:

i. What year did Mr. Rooney change the name to The Steelers? 1940

3. What are the diamond shapes on the Steelers Logo called?

a. Answer for 6 point TD: Hypocycloids

b. For an extra point kick:

i. What do their colors represent?

The 3 materials used to produce steel:

· Yellow: coal

· Orange: ore

· Blue: steel scraps

4. Who made the Immaculate Reception?

a. Answer for 6 point TD: Franco Harris

b. For an extra point kick:

i. What year? 1972

c. For optional 2 point conversion, answer year and (1 point ea):

i. Who did they beat in that game? Oakland Raiders

5. Who invented the Terrible Towel?

a. Answer for 6 point TD: Myron Cope

b. For an extra point kick:

i. What was one of Myron’s famous sayings? Yoi! Double Yoi! Triple Yoi! Okel Dokel! Hum-Hah!

c. For optional 2 point conversion, give another of Myron’s quotes (1 point each).

6. Was Art Rooney, founder of the Steelers, ever elected in the Football Hall of Fame?

a. Answer for 6 point TD: Yes

b. For an extra point kick:

i. What year? 1964

7. Who’s the most dedicated fan in your family? (this one is a ‘gimme’ so everyone can score)

a. Answer for 6 point TD: Mine; we are all fans, but the craziest is a tie between my 2 nephews (Joe and Mike).

b. For an extra point kick:

i. Why? Joe lives in MD, has season tix and drives in for every game. Mike and his wife Ashley played the NFL Song as the bridal party entered the reception waving Terrible Towels at their wedding during the Steeler’s trek to the Super Bowl XL (40) in February ’06.

Now, add up the scores, and see who won! If there’s a tie, you’ve obviously go some pretty dedicated fans, and you might have to resort to a speed-answer round where the one who answers the bonus question first wins in overtime!

Got Cabin Fever? …

2011-01-15T10:41:00.012-05:00

You’re in good company! Let’s get right to some ways to work around it, yes?

The goal here is to make it fun AND productive … AND to build special bonding memories with your kids.

AND, if we make it easy to plan and execute, well … that’s just genius! So, get your genius on, and let’s build some golden memories while we wait for the snow to melt.

Keep in mind that the prep time can be as fun and valuable as the actual project, so pay special attention to those moments … great conversations can happen while doing the little things. That’s a great way to get to know what’s in your kid’s head and heart in a casual way … without them knowing it.

Why not build special moments with your kids while making birthday cards for friends and family members whose birthdays are coming up? This is the perfect way to combine fun and productivity; you are about to embark on a project that will make you proud now, and it will make your heart smile for the rest of forever!

Here’s a simple way to make that happen:

• You will need:
-Your birthday calendar and address book
-Paper: various colors and textures are great, but plain paper works just as well, and you can spice it up yourselves by getting creative together!
-Pens, crayons, markers, even paint (depending on child’s age … finger paints work well for younger kids)
-Stickers, glitter, feathers, decorative scraps of just about anything
-Glue, scissors, tape, etc.
-Envelopes and stamps
-Imagination

• Make a list of the upcoming birthdays; decide on whose card you will work on, then begin by folding your paper and writing their name vertically down the left side on front of the card. Use each letter of their name to write a word, sentence or poem about them. Remember that poems do not have to rhyme.

• Write your birthday wishes on the inside of the card and decorate it with the fun items you gathered (above).

• Sign and date your card and put it in an envelope. Address it, stamp it (unless you are using Forever stamps, you might want to hold off on the postage :).

• Now you just file your cards away until it’s time to mail them! I use an accordion style folder with months labeled on the tabs to keep ours organized.

If you don’t have the time to do cards for the entire year, you can chunk this project down and do it quarterly, monthly, or whatever makes the best use of time for you and your family. My guess is that if you spread it out and schedule periodic times, it will become time that you and your kids will look forward to with great anticipation!

One of the great things about this project is that it can be adapted to fit any age!

Now, go create some special moments, save money on cards, and give the gift that just keeps on giving ~ smiles, love and memories for a lifetime!

;-Deb
"It's never wrong to write!"

Get Creative With Your Kids For The Holidays

2010-12-07T12:12:00.005-05:00

Light up your kid's eyes and warm your friends' & family's hearts with thoughtful, useful gifts made with love~

I'll bet your kids would rather roll up their sleeves, have fun, get dirty and creative with you instead of going shopping at the mall for gifts this year! It's certainly worth a try!!!

Below are three ideas for homemade gifts that will not only be fun for you and your kids to make, your friends and family members will appreciate them more than most store-bought gifts!

The really great 'hidden' secret to making these is that you are spending quality bonding time with your kids and creating priceless golden memories of a lifetime! The ‘prep’ work and follow-up plans can be as fun as actually making them…
And, they are NOT your typical handmade gifts … these will truly be enjoyed!

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves? I am giving a brief overview here to keep things simple; if you would like more details or specific recipes/instructions, please email me at harmonypublications@hotmail.com and I will be happy to share them with you!

1. Meal-in-a-jar: (The busy folks on your gift list can relax; you’ve got dinner covered!)
a. Potato & Onion Soup
b. Cornbread Muffins
c. Salad Dressing
i. The ingredients are simple and few. Simply mix specified amounts of each dry ingredient and place in jars with home-made labels ‘from our family to yours.’

2. A Cup of Cocoa: (A quiet moment to warm a friend amid the hustle-bustle!)
a. Mug
b. Measure out powdered hot chocolate mix in small plastic bag and add a few mini marshmallows
c. Tie bag with holiday ribbon and stuff it into the mug
d. Make homemade ‘To’ and ‘From’ tags and tie to mug handle

3. Tea-light Candle Holders: (Light up someone’s holiday with love!)
a. Save tin cans. Make design templates to stick on can. Mom or Dad hammers holes around the designs then removes templates from cans. Kids spray-paint cans in festive colors then sign and date the bottoms of cans. Place small candle in and watch the light shine through the holes.

I can say from experience that the folks on your gift list will LOVE these ... ALMOST as much as you do!

Remember, these weeks of holiday preparation hold just as much fun for you to enjoy as the actual holiday does!

It is my wish that you find joy in the simplest moments ... they are really practice for the bigger moments to come!

Now, go build some great memories~

;-Deb