Posts Tagged ‘1 on 1 Parenting’
Saturday, June 13th, 2009
It seems that summers are getting hotter and hotter and busier and busier! With everything we have to do during the year, it flies by with lightening speed! Just as we survive the holidays, anniversaries and birthdays – summer hits! Here are just a few suggestions to make your summer easier:
- Drink plenty of water. There are so many options for fluid intake today. Water remains the number one best way to hydrate your body. It is important to teach your children to drink water – especially small children so they will grow into healthy water drinking teens and adults later. Simply drinking water makes you think clearer, helps with weight loss and keeps you hydrated.
- Begin every day with an attitude of gratitude! Being thankful creates a positive atitude…..which creates happiness…..which creates positive forward motion!
- Sit down and create a summer schedule for your children. If you don’t, you will spend the majority of your day being worried, frustrated and angry and your children will become resentful – all of which will create stress for you and your household.
- Make a list for your children of projects you want them to accomplish during their time off. Make sure they understand what is acceptable and what is not.
- Make a list of friends that will be acceptable for your children to hang out with or have over. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. No matter what happens or doesn’t happen – don’t forget to have some FAMILY FUN! It doesn’t have to cost money, you just have to be with your family .
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Encouragement, Enjoy Family Life, Family Training Night, Family Unity, Get Organized, Health, Parent Support, Parenting Tip, Spiritual Training, Willa's Tip
Posted in Enjoy Life, Family Training Night, Fitness, Get Organized, Live Healthy, Spiritual Training, Willa's Tips | 1 Comment »
Saturday, June 6th, 2009
My son had a friend spend the night last Friday – they are both 12 years old. They had a GREAT time sleeping out under the stars on the trampoline! I did my best to be non-intrusive, yet watchful… needless to say, no one slept very well. In the morning as they were sitting at the table, I overheard my son’s friend talking about how he was grounded for life! I couldn’t help wondering that if that were true, why was he at my house? I was quiet as long as I could, but felt I needed to ask why? He proceeded to tell me that he had taken his mother’s credit card and charged $40.00 on it on some internet game without her permission! He looked at me with his beautiful big brown eyes and told me that he had asked her first, but she had told him no. I asked him why he had been allowed to spend the night? He confidently replied that his mom never followed through with punishments, no matter what he did!
I had a choice at that moment, ignore the situation and let the boys carry on……or, I could choose to support his mother, possibly alienate my son for a day or two, and sit down for as long as it would take to discuss the situation with him in terms of right and wrong and send him home. I looked up across the table at my son. He was watching my every move and listening to my every word. I knew right then I did not have a choice. This would be a very big family value training moment!! I swallowed, put my arm around my son’s friend and began…
When it comes to your children’s friends, remember there are Moms at their homes wondering the same things you are and dealing with the same problems you are! If you are brave enough to stand firm for your core values NO MATTER WHAT, soon you will have those friends trained, you will gain life long friends in their mothers as you navigate these years supporting each other and you will also have their respect. More importantly your children will naturally begin to live those values because it is just expected…..it’s natural and a part of their everyday life because it is a part of your everyday life.
Teaching and training your children morals and values is accomplished best during the everyday, all day long little moments as you live them. Supporting the moms and dads of your children’s friends to the extent that support enforces your values will only add to your happiness and the happiness of your children.
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Family Differences, Family Training Night, Parenting Advice, Teen Health, Willa, Willa's Tip
Posted in Parenting Advice, Parenting Encouragement, Willa's Tips | 1 Comment »
Friday, June 5th, 2009
Take a deep breath, find a baby picture of your pre-teen and let yourself drift back in time to when your pre-teen was a baby! Remember all those warm, fuzzy moments that made you fall madly in love with that child. Forget what’s happening right now…..for the moment.
Now, close your eyes and remember yourself at that pre-teen age when everything was a crisis, right down to what outfit you would wear for the day, or who was saying what about whom and why? Open your eyes. How old are you now? You made it through it. Some of it was painful, some of it was crazy, but most of all you made it through all of it!
So, how do you minimize the pain and hurt of the pre-teen years for your child?Stay CALM! Whatever is happening that is disrupting a peaceful relationship with your pre-teen will work itself out one way or the other. Your only choice? To be calm, be a listener first and foremost and show an excessive amount of love – no matter how angry you may or may not be at them. In fact, the more angry you are, the more important it is to show that love.
I am NOT saying that whatever is going on might require stern punishment or major disappointment for everyone involved. But, you ARE in control of that outcome when it comes to whether your pre-teen feels that they were loved and supported through it or not.
AND THAT is the ONLY thing that will matter now and over time…
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Celebrate Family, Family Differences, Parenting Advice, Teen Health, Willa, Willa's Tip
Posted in Parenting Advice, Parenting Encouragement, Willa's Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Try to think way back to when you were a child. What was your summer like? What kind of games did you play? Nothing can compare to the feeling of freedom that summer brings. Even as an adult, I can’t help but feel a little more liberated as the summer months approach – even though it actually just brings more work with the kids home from school all day. This summer make a goal to spend extra time with your children. Get to know each one and make memories together. Blow bubbles, go swimming, go on a trip, or go camping in your backyard – especially if you have teenagers. This time will pass too quickly. Here is an idea for Family Training Night you might try to get the fun rolling:
Splash Tag
This is a spin-off of classic tag with a twist to accommodate those hot summer months.
What You Will Need:
- A big, soft sponge
- Several buckets of water
- A sense of humor
Bucket, sponge, and water for splash tag activity.
This is played a lot like traditional tag only the person who is “it” tries to tag running players with a wet sponge. The person who gets tagged with the sponge is “it”.
There is no denying who has been tagged, the wet mark on their back is a dead give away! This is a lot of fun for young children and older children alike. And don’t just watch, where is the fun in that? Besides, the secret to getting your teenagers to play, or do chores, or to participate in general is to see their parents doing – not watching. Let me know how it goes!
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Enjoy Family Life, Enjoy Life, Family Life, Family Training Night, Family Unity, One on One Parenting, Parenting Tip, Summer Tips, Willa's Tip
Posted in Enjoy Life, Family Training Night | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
Life has been especially crazy for me over the last couple of months. My family is growing, and with that inevitably comes growing pains. Relationships grow and stretch to new heights and interesting dynamics. New members of the family are always coming in, whether that is a welcomed friend or a wonderful new life. It never ceases to amaze me the extent to which human compassion, if cultivated, has the ability to expand and grow into true love for anyone it touches.
What a wonderful system to be a part of on this planet! Everyone belongs to a unit of people, their family, who are biologically programed to look like, act like, and in some cases even think alike. Families are so fantastically designed to help us care for one another in a way that can never be matched by any other sports team, school club, or organization we decide to become a member of. Differences within the family are inevitable. But, the similarities of those within members of the same family are spectacular strengths that should be celebrated. Everyone of us at certain times in our lives will reach for those familiar family strengths to get us through something!
So celebrate them today! Celebrate your distinguished noses, stubbornness, or incorrigible whit. Too often we spend valuable time together picking each other apart – or dissecting the one who is not there. Even as a parent we tend to focus on the differences with endless stories of, “when I was in school….”, or “that’s not how I used to do it.” Truth is, we are all individuals, with certain particular similarities either in character or physical likeness. Ultimately, however, it will be your spiritual belief system that will forever bind you together as a family, or tear you apart. Do you know what your family believes as a whole? Morals and values. What do yours look like and can you define them. Let your moral fiber be what weaves all the colors of your family together like a beautiful tapestry.
Teach your children what you believe about science, love, and religion. If done correctly, you will be amazed at how quickly they respond to and feel about the same things you do. As human beings with similar interests, physical structures, and demeanor you are destined to face similar challenges and successes. You are the only one that can really come close to understanding – even when your child may not think so. So celebrate the wonderful unit we call a family by teaching your children about all of the wonderful things you have in common – but most important, teach them your value system. Don’t leave it up to their friends, their school teachers, television, video games or the internet!
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Celebrate Family, Encouragement, Family, Family Differences, Family Life, Family Unity, One on One Parenting, Parent Support, Parenting, Parenting Advice, Parenting Empathy, Parents, Willa
Posted in Parenting Encouragement | 1 Comment »
Saturday, May 30th, 2009
If you have little ones, chances are leaving for a jog or the gym is a luxury you won’t get to experience very often. So how do you work off those extra pounds? Take your kids with you! Put them in the stroller, let them ride bicycles or tricycles while you jog. Find your local high school track. They are fenced and you can let your children run around on the field while you jog around the outside! Playground trips can also be turned into a fabulous work out. Be creative – who said being a mom can’t be fun? You will be accomplishing two very important goals: First, you will get into shape, and, Second, you will be ’spiritually’ training your children that physical fitness is important and creating what I call a ‘family value memory’ that they will never forget!
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Exercise, Health, Live Healthy, One on One Parenting
Posted in Live Healthy, Willa's Tips | No Comments »
Friday, May 29th, 2009
Keep all tax-related documents with the tax return for that year in one spot so that when the statute of limitations expires you can throw them all out without any searching or left overs. Use a large manilla envelope, a folder or an old binder! Anything will work as long as you are consistent in putting everything in your newly created tax spot. This will also relieve you of panic attacks over where the information is when you need it. Getting Organized means less stuff – especially paperwork. Less stuff and especially less paperwork stuff, means less stress and less headache!
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Get Organized, Money, One on One Parenting, Parenting Tip, Willa's Tip
Posted in Get Organized, Willa's Tips | No Comments »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Don’t expect your family to “just know.” Nine times out of ten we have no idea we have offended someone. If you are upset, let your family know and tell them why. This will give you closure, and help them realize what they can do better. Communication is critical! Learn to be open and honest with your family even when you are angry! This makes the moments of peace and happiness that much more enjoyable. This creates an atmosphere in your home that will feel safe for everyone not only physically, but most importantly, emotionally.
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Enjoy Family Life, Enjoy Life, Family Differences, One on One Parenting, Parenting Tip, Willa's Tip
Posted in Enjoy Life, Willa's Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Pay any tax deductible item by check or credit card when possible. It is much easier to sort these at the end of the year than with blurry cash receipts that may or may not survive. Credit Card companies will send you a report with each item already itemized into categories for you as will your bank. Becoming stress free financially takes practice and effort all day every day before it becomes a part of your nature. And…..if you haven’t already, it’s never TOO late to start.
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Family Budget, Family Life, Get Organized, Money, One on One Parenting, Parenting Tip, Willa's Tip
Posted in Get Organized, Willa's Tips | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Turn up your favorite tunes and get into some vigorous sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming. Housekeeping chores can burn a significant number of calories all along, but…..add some dancing, exaggerated movements and bingo! You become your own fitness trainer. So you get a clean house, a stress release, and a nice workout all at the same time – what more could you ask for.
Tags: 1 on 1 Parenting, Exercise, Health, Live Healthy, One on One Parenting, Parenting Tip, Willa's Tip
Posted in Live Healthy, Willa's Tips | No Comments »
