Family Minute #35

Are you raising wimps?

A recent article titled “Nation of Wimps” was featured in Psychology Today. The article warned of increasing depression and anxiety in children and young adults, and a delayed age in achieving traditional adulthood responsibilities. The culprit? According to the author, it’s parents who coddle their children too much—parents who don't let their children work through their own problems and face the consequences of their actions.

It’s ironic—the more you let your children face consequences and suffer in small ways, the happier and better adjusted they will be in life. So make your family wimp-free.

Remember your family first.

Family Minute #34

Are your children givers or takers?

Some people have a generous spirit, others don’t. But all of us, including our children, can learn how to give generously and responsibly. So call a family meeting and set up a giving fund for each of your children... it might be as simple as putting money in a jar. Let them contribute part of their allowance, or money from part time jobs. Give them some incentive by matching their contribution dollar for dollar. As their giving fund grows, help them to research and choose a charity or cause they would like to support.

When your children open their hearts to share, they’re changing lives for the better.

Remember your family first.

Personal Growth is Just a Hug Away

Thursday Thirteen #7

13 Things I Do Every Day

1. Thank God for another day.
2. Make breakfast for my children.
3. Help my children make their beds.
4. Encourage my children to do their bathroom routines.
5. Make my bed.
6. At least, one household chore such as vacuuming, laundry, scrubbing floors, etc.
7. At least, write one blog entry for one of my blogs.
8. Read my emails.
9. Go blog hopping &/or Internet surfing.
10. Make dinner.
11. Cuddle with my children.
12. Read.
13. Thank God that I survived another day.

For more fun 13 lists and see other participants, go to Thursday Thirteen.

40 Things I Have Learned When I Turned 40

I turn 41 at the end of this month -- two weeks from today -- and I got to thinking of all the stuff that I have witnessed, learned, and been exposed to during my forty years.

There are many people out there who are far more sage than I will ever be! Though, I do enjoy learning about what other people have experienced. As I head further into my fourth decade on this earth, I thought I would share some of what I have learned.

Please note that the ideas expressed below are purely my own and are not meant to offend in any way, but they are a reflection of what I have observed during the reality of my life thus far.

1. If you don’t believe in yourself chances are nobody else will either.
2. No matter what you do or how nice you are some people are not going to like you and that’s okay.
3. Acts of kindness can come from people you hardly know.
4. Public speaking is easy; effectively communicating your message to an audience takes hard work.
5. At the end of the day there will always be someone who is more intelligent, more creative, and better looking than you are so just do the best you can.
6. If you are not living in a war-torn, drought-ridden, famine- experiencing country you should consider yourself lucky and be thankful every day.
7. If you don’t like yourself today, start tomorrow by acknowledging that you are a good person.
8. It’s okay to pursue your own path to happiness.
9. Travel will change you in ways you never expected.
10. Failure sucks! But, not trying sucks even more.
11. Some of the nastiest human beings I have ever met presented themselves as all-knowing religious zealots.
12. In most circumstances, being a good listener is much more important than being a good talker.
13. Sooner or later you must be willing to take a risk.
14. Bad things can happen to good people.
15. Your pet just might be smarter than than you are.
16. Four-legged rats are a furry nuisance, it’s the two legged rats that are dangerous.
17. Bad jobs can be a great motivator.
18. Even a little bit of exercise everyday can make you feel better.
19. The Stillness Experiment is so simple and yet so overwhelmingly calming and brings a renewed spirit to your every day life.
20. You can’t take your money with you when you go so go ahead and take that trip, sabbatical, or mini-retirement.
21. Some days are just not going to be pleasant.
22. Faith -- no matter what your faith is; no matter what you believe in; no matter the name of your God -- can help you remain focused.
23. Every day you should have a list of goals, small and big.
24. There are some incredible, amazing, and truly inspirational people out there.
25. Often it will be the people who have the least that will offer you the most.
26. If you have a great idea, but feel overwhelmed and intimidated at the possibility of implementing it, don’t be afraid to collaborate with others.
27. Life is short; quit making excuses and get on with it.
28. Many people will expect you to fail. They don’t necessarily want you to fail, but they do not believe you will succeed, either.
29. It’s not fair but success in most circumstances comes down to who you know and not what you know.
30. Some goals take a lo-o-ong time to achieve.
31. Smiling is contagious.
32. It does not take much effort to be nice to someone. It takes more effort to be mad or hateful than it does to be happy or nice.
33. Buying more stuff does not necessarily lead to more happiness.
34. Most of the time your initial gut feeling is correct.
35. Clinical depression and mental illness aside, we have the ability to make a conscious choice every day to be happy or miserable.
36. We have the power to believe.
37. Prayer works!
38. Racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and hate mongering SUCK! There is no place for it in society.
39. Children are your most prized accomplishments!
40. Age is just a number and does not define you as a person.
    

How old are you? What are some of the life experiences that you have been through and what have YOU learned? Please educate me as I look forward to continuing my life in my 40s.

Family Minute #33

Have you tried on your stepchildren’s shoes?

To understand how to relate to your stepchild, you need to put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if your parents had split up? How would you feel if your parent had re-married? And how would you feel if you now had somebody new telling you what to do?

Getting a stepparent can be a big transition for a kid. So when they misbehave or aren’t exactly nice to you – before you lose your temper or take things personally, walk a mile in their shoes, and...

Remember your family first.

The Time Has Come

In the past I have mentioned to many of you that my financial situation is pretty bleak. I have done all I can to bring in money so I am on track with bills each month but I'm not having great success. I don't have the money to pay for the extras (though, they are necessities to me and not extras) so the phone, internet, & television will all be turned off sometime Thursday. I have to pay $90.00 by 5 PM on Wednesday, July 16th or get an extension of two days and pay $240 by 5 PM on Friday, July 18th. I will have some money on Friday but no way can I cover this (second) amount when I have two other necessary bills due on Friday as well. It could be a month before I am able to get things turned on again, probably much longer. I wanted to let you know why you probably will not hear from me for some time.

Thanks for your support and for stopping by my blog.

P.S. There are various posts already written scheduled to post at regular intervals. I hope to be back soon.

Family Minute #32

Do you have a GPS for your children?

Three thieves in Lindenhurst, New York stole fourteen GPS devices and were quickly apprehended when authorities used the GPS signals to track them. These bandits weren’t exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer.

Here’s a “GPS” device to help you keep track of your children.
G stands for Geography... know where your kids are going.
P stands for People... know who they will be spending time with.
S stands for Specifics... know what they will be doing and exactly when they’re expected to be home.

Know your child’s G.P.S. at all times! And remember your family first.

Computer Tips #13 - Click Save

When you download, click Save, not Run to avoid potentially downloading viruses to your PC. Doing this ensures that your antivirus software checks the files before you open them.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Kidisms

Jack, age 3
Jack was watching his mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: "Mom, why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?"

Steven, age 3
Steven hugged and kissed his mom goodnight. "I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."

Brittany, age 4
Brittany had an earache and wanted a painkiller. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration her mom explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?"

Susan, age 4
Susan was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my teeth cough."

DJ, age 4
DJ stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"


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