Have you read

Yesterday I shared this photo with you as part of our ongoing Photo a Day Project on Instagram. Children don’t need non-stop preposterous yes, yes, yes, for a full day. Children need a lifetime of small “yes moments.”

Below are 5 Tips for Saying “Yes”:

1. Keep an open schedule. If you are constantly rushed from one thing to the next there is no time to say “yes.” Leave gaps in your schedule for uncharted adventure.
2. Pause before saying “No.” This week the girls and I found a sandy nook on the river. When they asked “Can we get wet?” my immediate thought was, “No.” Train yourself to pause before blurting out “No.”
3. Ask yourself the following questions before responding to your child’s request:
   Will saying “yes” hurt or bother anyone?
   Can the child learn anything from the situation?
   Does it really (really) matter one way or another?
4. Give them the responsibility of their choice. In the photo above it was a windy 70 degree day and we were a good 20 minute hike from the car. My response? “You’re welcome to play in the water as long as there are no problems walking back to the car.” We then proceeded to enjoy 45 minutes of unplanned relaxation. The girls created a little town with twigs and sticks while I sat on the shore and read my book. Their giggles were priceless.
5. Reward good behavior with more “Yeses.” The entire walk back to the car I didn’t hear an “I’m cold” whine or a peep of complaint from either girl. Will I be more likely to say “yes” next time they ask to take a quick dip? YES.

Homework: Take a mental note of how often you immediately respond “No.” Practice pausing.

WARNING: Saying “yes” may make you feel physically uncomfortable. Go for it anyhow!

Would you share some of your “yes” stories with us? Saying “yes” doesn’t come naturally for me. I’d love to hear additional examples.

PS: Don’t miss future posts and projects! Be sure to sign up for our RSS feed or connect online:

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{The best beach toys? Sticks, rocks, leaves… freedom & time}

Below are 20 of the latest photos added under #develop366, the set updates every 5 minutes.
Add the tag to your image descriptions or the comment section of Instagram to see them showcased here each week.
See all of the Develop & Inspire Project 366 Instagram images or click here to see the full collection of Flickr images!
Click any image below to enlarge.

Instagram Reminder: Be sure to tag your photos with #develop366 on Instagram.
This will help group members find each others images.

Curious about our Develop Instagram Project? Check out some past posts:
The Gift of an Ordinary Day
Side Effects May Include…
Life Passes in an Instagram

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Malia graduated from the University of Arizona with an honors degree in Elementary Education and received a Masters in Education from Stanford University.  In 2011, she was named a National Board Certified Teacher – the highest level of certification a teacher can receive. Not only are her ideas fun, but we know she is a trustworthy source too.

Check out the adorable activity below. If you are interested in more, sign-up for the Playdough to Plato newsletter or find Malia online on Facebook & Pinterest.

PS: Don’t miss future Let’s Lasso the Moon posts and projects!
Be sure to sign up for our RSS feed or connect online:

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There’s something magical about children’s writing. Maybe it’s the simple illustrations or the creative spelling of words. Or maybe it’s the unexplainable way that five-year-olds can turn embarrassing family stories about burned Thanksgiving turkeys into funny, treasured memories.

When I taught kindergarten, I particularly loved watching my students move through the first two stages of writing. They began by drawing pictures. They could make a sun, sand and ocean waves perfectly capture their family trip to the beach. And then something clicked and they would begin adding letters and words to their illustrations. Teachers call this labeling and seeing it for the first time always made parents beam with pride.

My favorite way to introduce labeling to children is an entertaining post-it game that I affectionately call “Stick It!” To play, brainstorm body parts with your child and write each one on a different post-it. Draw a simple picture to help your child remember the word that is written.

Next, tell your child that she is going to practice labeling her body by sticking the post-its in the right spot. It may help to point out the helpful picture clues you drew so that she learns how to “read” the post-its on her own. The game ends when all of the post-its have been attached to the right body part.

Play the game several times and then invite your child to “write” a story of her own by drawing a picture of a recent family event. The topic could be as normal as taking a walk with the dog or as extraordinary as visiting Disneyland.

After your child draws her illustration, explain that writers label their pictures just like she used the post-its to label her body. Encourage her to add two or three labels to her picture. She might include a single letter or could chunk several together. Whatever she writes down, it’s worth celebrating. Labeling shows that your child is taking her next step in writing.

Oh, and I should mention that even though my 2.5 year old isn’t ready to label his stories, he loved playing this game too. I read each word, pointed out the matching picture and then he stuck it in the right spot. His smile says it all. This is a must-try activity.

What other writing games do you play? Share in the comments.

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More About Playdough to Plato
Malia is a wife, mom, Martha Stewart fan, travel lover and the blogger behind Playdough to Plato – a site showing you how to teach your child to read in 20 fun-filled minutes a day. Stay up to date on her latest literacy posts by subscribing to the Playdough to Plato newsletter and following her on Facebook and Pinterest.

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Three ideas from last week’s Kids Co-op that you don’t want to miss are:

1. Raise a Boy :: Fruit Smoothie Popsicles… Yum! (featured below)
2. Just for Daisy :: Rainbow Dyed Pasta
3. Make, Do & Friend :: Five Playful Tools for Calm Down Time

What are you looking forward to most this weekend?

Catch you on the flip side,

PS: Don’t forget to stop by and like the Kids Co-op Facebook page. We share fun ideas all week!

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You can join the Kids Co-op in two ways:

1. Add a link to your play-based post here and have it shared on all the other blogs who are hosting. Please share a link to this post on your blog, facebook or twitter and invite your readers to join in with the idea swap.
2. Become a Kid’s Co-op host yourself. We would like to grow the link-up as a collaboration of child-focused bloggers. If you’d like to run the Kids Co-op link up along with us and feature it on your blog each week, get in touch and join the gang.

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Notes to Fellow Bloggers:

• We are looking to team up with other fun kid’s blogs to create something we fondly call the Kid’s Co-op. A weekly group of blogging parents who do a joint link-up with their readers to showcase some of the hippest kids projects out on the web. Blogs of all sizes are welcome. If you are interested, request to join our private Facebook group by clicking here.
• Stop by every Friday and add your link. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the community, so it’s like linking up to multiple parties at once! We currently have 20+ bloggers participating.
• Each week we will try to choose favorite posts to feature. By linking up, you are giving us permission to use an image and link back to you (if featured). You will also get a ‘Featured on’ button to proudly display on your blog.
• Visit other posts that catch your eye. Keep these other bloggers inspired by commenting on posts that you find interesting or creative.
• The Kid’s Co-op Members will be reviewing links and sharing their favorites on our group Pinterest board which has over 350,000 followers.

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/WelcomeToTheKidsCoop"><img src="http://letslassothemoon.com/images/badge_coop_play.jpg" alt="Lasso the Moon" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Instagram Reminder: Be sure to tag your photos with #develop366 on Instagram.
This will help group members find each others images.

PS: Below are 20 of the latest photos added under #develop366, the set updates every 5 minutes.
Add the tag to your image descriptions or the comment section of Instagram to see them showcased here each week.
See all of the Develop & Inspire Project 366 Instagram images or click here to see the full collection of Flickr images!
Click any image below to enlarge.

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Today we are proud to be sharing 5 Tips for an Unforgettable Day at the Beach over at Melissa & Doug.

Do you have a surefire approach for a great day at the beach?

Share your secrets to being a Creative Beach Mama!
Do you bring sand tools? Do you have a favorite easy-to-store snack? Do you have specific beach rules or do you allow your child the freedom to roam? Do you let your kids enjoy the company of their peers while you sit on the sideline or do you get down into the sand and have a blast with them?

Let’s chat in the comments,

PS: Don’t miss future posts and projects! Be sure to sign up for our RSS feed or connect online:

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2012 Blog Ambassador
Let’s Lasso the Moon is proud to be part of the 2012 Blog Ambassador program. We worked hard alongside Melissa & Doug to explore fun ways to keep children inquisitive and to promote classic creative play. Click here to read our full sponsorship disclosure.

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Three ideas from last week’s Kids Co-op that you don’t want to miss are:

1. Plain Vanilla Mom :: Butterfly Footprints (showcased below)
2. So Says Sarah :: Fine art for kids – Balance with Ted Harrison
3. You’ Thank Me One Day :: A Smurfy Fairy Garden

What are you looking forward to most this weekend?

Catch you on the flip side,

PS: Don’t forget to stop by and like the Kids Co-op Facebook page. We share fun ideas all week!

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You can join the Kids Co-op in two ways:

1. Add a link to your play-based post here and have it shared on all the other blogs who are hosting. Please share a link to this post on your blog, facebook or twitter and invite your readers to join in with the idea swap.
2. Become a Kid’s Co-op host yourself. We would like to grow the link-up as a collaboration of child-focused bloggers. If you’d like to run the Kids Co-op link up along with us and feature it on your blog each week, get in touch and join the gang.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Notes to Fellow Bloggers:

• We are looking to team up with other fun kid’s blogs to create something we fondly call the Kid’s Co-op. A weekly group of blogging parents who do a joint link-up with their readers to showcase some of the hippest kids projects out on the web. Blogs of all sizes are welcome. If you are interested, request to join our private Facebook group by clicking here.
• Stop by every Friday and add your link. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the community, so it’s like linking up to multiple parties at once! We currently have 20+ bloggers participating.
• Each week we will try to choose favorite posts to feature. By linking up, you are giving us permission to use an image and link back to you (if featured). You will also get a ‘Featured on’ button to proudly display on your blog.
• Visit other posts that catch your eye. Keep these other bloggers inspired by commenting on posts that you find interesting or creative.
• The Kid’s Co-op Members will be reviewing links and sharing their favorites on our group Pinterest board which has over 300,000 followers.

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/WelcomeToTheKidsCoop"><img src="http://letslassothemoon.com/images/badge_coop_play.jpg" alt="Lasso the Moon" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Instagram Reminder: Be sure to tag your photos with #develop366 on Instagram.
This will help group members find each others images.

PS: Below are 20 of the latest photos added under #develop366, the set updates every 5 minutes.
Add the tag to your image descriptions or the comment section of Instagram to see them showcased here each week.
See all of the Develop & Inspire Project 366 Instagram images or click here to see the full collection of Flickr images!
Click any image below to enlarge.

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Do you ever feel like your mind is spinning its wheels?

My mind runs non-stop. Last summer my brain even started running marathons while I slept; this is when I realized things had to change. A doctor at the sleep disorder center recommended I attempt meditation during the day to help me sleep better at night.

The thing is… if you can learn to control your mind and its movement you get a lot more than peaceful sleep: it helps you retain details, it helps you stop work thoughts from invading your private moments, it even helps you keep your cool at 8:45pm when your child demands they need that 34th cup of water before bed.

Sounds simple right?

I double-dog-dare you to try this
5 minute meditation today.

Wasn’t it challenging? It takes practice, but the benefits are wonderful (especially for parents). If you’d like a free audio copy of the Diana Winston meditation above, UCLA offers her entire series for free on iTunes. Now the real trick is to find five minutes in the day just for you. Trust me, you deserve it. Find it.

Do you already meditate? I’d love to hear any additional suggestions you have below. Do you have a favorite time of day? A special spot in the house? How long have you been practicing? How do you make it a part of your everyday life? Do you involve your children? Let’s chat in the comments.

Namaste,

PS: Don’t miss future posts and projects! Be sure to sign up for our RSS feed or connect online:

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Photo Credit: Thanks to Darin Moran for the creative commons use of the adorable photo above!

Dear You.

Dear wonderful, sweet tired, worn-out You.

Sit down. Rest.

Clear your mind of all thoughts.

Forget the morning’s drama. Forget the battle cries. Forget the way things just didn’t go well this morning.

Rest. Let go of the day’s worries and stresses. Just be.

Know this. Know just this.

You are doing a great job.

In the middle of all of what you see as mistakes and failures and imperfections there is so much perfection and beauty.

You are their Sunshine. Their umbrella. Their warm blanket. Their hand to hold.

You are their patient. Their student. Their baby to babysit. Their fellow swashbuckling pirate.

Their monster-scare-awayer.

You are not told it enough but you are loved.

You are loved for how, at the end of the day, you make everything better with a single kiss and a bedtime story.

Love you to the moon, and back.

You are loved for your gentle touch and playful laugh even when all you feel like doing is taking a nap.

Sleep little baby don’t say a word.

You are loved for how you bring everyone together by offering a nourishing meal, a good night’s rest, clothes that match, games to play, piles upon piles of books to read.

You are loved for making sure everything is just the way it needs to be. Always. Day after day. Season after season. Year after year. Phase after phase.

In the middle of what you see as mistakes and failures and imperfections there is so much perfection and beauty.

You.

Your warmth. Your security. Your faith. Your trust. Your love. Your give-everything-you’ve-got heart. Your it-will-be-ok messages. Your eat-your-veggies please pleas.

There may not be a village holding you up.

There may not be a village patting you on the back. There may not be a village giving you a break. There may not even be a village there to catch you when you fall.

Catch yourself.

Catch yourself doing things right. Catch yourself doing things well. Catch yourself being full of love.

Catch yourself doing your very best.

Appreciate yourself and all that you offer to the world. Show yourself the love that you’ve been longing to receive. Immerse yourself in the joy of living as a precious gift to yourself.

Wear the crown of Mother proudly. Let it shine upon your kind soul and light up the world as much as you light up your children.

And at the end of the day, you will be there.

You.

Even when they are gone. Even when you are apart. Even when times are hard.

You will always be their mother.

And everyone is just fine. They are doing great. They are wonderful. Amazing.

Because of you.

Oh yes … because of you.

Isn’t that lovely? Thank you for inspiring us and agreeing to let us share your words with our readers. Subscribe to Awesomely Awake and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget to follow Shawn on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as well. Be sure to follow our shared Parenting with Presence board on Pinterest for tips from Shawn and Let’s Lasso the Moon!

Thank you to Tiffany over at Develop & Inspire for the beautiful photo. Although my “babies” are no longer small this image pulls on my heart strings.

Happy Mother’s Day!

PS: Don’t miss future posts and projects! Be sure to sign up for our RSS feed or connect online: