Thought of the Day - 10/9/10

The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate . . . the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.

~~ Abraham Maslow ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/8/10

Love is something eternal, the aspect may change, but not the essence.

~~ Vincent Van Gogh ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/7/10

We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.

~~ Dwight D. Eisenhower ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/6/10

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.  For love is the beauty of the soul.

~~ St. Augustine ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/5/10

Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.

~~ Bo Bennett ~~

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Tips for Parenting

Top Ten Tips for Parents of Children 6 - 12 Years Old

10.  Make your rules fair and consistent.  If you allow your child to break the rules, you send the message that rules are made to be broken.

9.  Your child needs your time, love, and guidance, even when she acts as if she doesn't care what you do or say.  Spend time with your child.  Take her to the grocery store, make dinner together, and talk about what she's watching on TV.

8.  Preteen kids are all about contradiction.  Their bodies may be maturing but they are still capable of having temper tantrums and need parents to remind them to take a bath/shower.

7.  Children at this stage are concerned about justice and following rules.  They see the world in black-and-white terms.  There are no gray areas!

6.  Peer pressure becomes very important during these years.  Don't downplay your child's wish to "fit in."  Get to know your child's friends and their parents, and keep tabs on where your child goes when he leaves the house.

5.  Help your child manage emotions and control his anger.  It will be an important skill for success later in life.

4.  Preteen kids can drive parents crazy by saying "I forgot" to almost every request.  They get sidetracked easily and often lack skills for organization.

3.  Offer lots of alternatives to TV and video games -- board games, books, sports, cooking, bike rides, walking, instruments -- to get kids active.  Praise kids when they choose these activities.

2.  When your child is in school, he will be exposed to lots of different people and experiences.  Teach your child how to be safe in the outside world and how to ask for help when she encounters problems at school or in the community.

1.  Don't wait for your child to learn about sexuality and drugs in school.  Educate yourself, and your child, about the change taking place in his body and how to resist peer pressure to use drugs or have sex.  Don't be afraid to share your values with your child and let him know what is important to you.

Thought of the Day - 10/4/10

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

~~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ~~

Test Your Parenting Knowledge

True or False?

1. Most children would do almost anything to get the attention of adults they love.
2. By the time a child is two years old, he understands, at least, 200 words.
3. Young children don't pay attention when adults around them are arguing.
4. Law states that children cannot stay alone until they are 12 years old.
5. When parents divorce, it's a good idea for them to confide in their children so the kids understand what the parents are going through.

Answers

1. True -- Even when children misbehave, they are getting attention from adults around them.  When we give them attention for good behavior, it's more likely they will continue to behave appropriately.
2. True -- Most children understand up to 300 words by the time they are two years old.  Children understand many more words than they speak.
3. False -- Kids see and hear lots more than we'd sometimes like.  Even if parents  try to hid what's going on, kids usually understand much more about adult tension than we might guess.  It is important to handle disagreements with as little yelling as possible and with absolutely no violence.
4. False -- There is no specific age stated in many states' laws.  Parents need to consider many factors before leaving a child alone after school or while they are out for the evening.  The age at which children can stay alone varies based on the maturity of the child, the home environments, expectations of parents, and other factors.
5. False -- Parents should give children age-appropriate explanation for the changes in their lives but not take the place of adult friendships for support.  It's important that kids not feel that they have to take care of their parents when the kids need help themselves.

Life Journal #1

Today's date:  10/3/10

Today I feel good about:  getting all of the laundry done, scrubbing the entry way, spending time with Cassandra going through books, not losing my cool with Cameron, getting some more stuff better organized.

Something new I experienced today:  An email from an old friend.

Today's news and weather happenings:  I didn't listen to the news today.  The weather is cold, raining, chilly.

People who touched my life today:  Cassandra helped with chores around the house without a fuss.

I was fortunate to receive today: Kisses and hugs from Cassandra, phone calls from my boyfriend, the grace of God to live another day.

What I did to touch someone's life today:  Prayed for others.

Plans for a better tomorrow:  Prayers that Cameron will be in a better mood.

Notes and Thoughts: 
Killing bugs and spiders is not in my job description (as a single mom).  Ugh. 
The sunsets are beautiful.  Need to take more photos of the sunsets.
I love Alan Free with all my heart!

Won't you join me in journaling your day?  Let me know in the comments section if you do this life journal so I can visit your blog.

Personal Life Journal

This is something I started a few years ago and, though, I do not write in this journal daily I do use it on a regular basis.

Feel free to use this journal in your life.  It helps give a new positive perspective on your life.  If sharing this with others, please give me credit as the author.


Today's date:

Today I feel good about:

Something new I experienced today:

The latest with friends and family:

Today's news and weather happenings:

People who touched my life today.

I was fortunate to receive today:

What I did to touch someone's life today:

Plans for a better tomorrow:

Notes and Thoughts:

School Evaluation

Nine out of ten students attend public schools, so parents need to speak up on issues affecting their child's classroom.  Learn how to advocate for public education and reach out to elected officials during Give Kids Good Schools Week -- October 10th through 16th -- by going to Give Kids Good Schools.  You can also see how your child's school stacks up against the rest.

Thought of the Day - 10/3/10

Nothing is more important than human relationships.