Recently my friend Brent shared with me a story about his 11 year old daughter, Taite, He said, “I know you are going to love this story.” He was right. Taite was given two birthday gift cards to Target. Coupling those with a little additional cash, she was eager to spend her booty on several different items. Accompanied by her dad, she relished her journey around Target, perusing her many choices, carefully collecting coveted items in her cart, and painstakingly keeping a running tab. … [Read more...] about Taite’s Tutorial at Target
The Height of Mother Love
This time of year when teachers ask their young children what each is thankful for, a good 90% respond enthusiastically, "My mommy!" It's not only that kids are copycats, saying just what the child before him has said, it's also that kids get it. They really are thankful for their mommies. (Forgive me, Dads. I am taking editorial license for the purpose of this blog. But I do not for a minute underestimate your importance and love for and by your children.) Forever, the mother-child bond … [Read more...] about The Height of Mother Love
Putting the thanks in Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, most of us firm up plans for "the feast." At whose house will it be? What will I bring? What's the best sweet potato recipe? Then the day comes and it's all about rush-rush, clean the house or clean the kids, cook the food, set the table, get everyone dressed...and then it's over. Maybe the kids talked about Thanksgiving at school. They told the story (remembering the Mayflower, the pilgrims, the Native Americans--Indians is not pc). They planted corn, made … [Read more...] about Putting the thanks in Thanksgiving
Knowing if a movie is okay for your child..and for you
In my last post, I addressed balancing a child's media diet--how much and when. As challenging as that issue is, it is almost easier to address than the question of content-- what media is okay for your child. In today's world of so much, so young, deciding what is okay and what isn't can be daunting. Remember how many of you thought Baby Einstein was a good idea? Now parents are scrambling for a refund. Who knew? (By the way, I did, and I have been steering parents away from Baby … [Read more...] about Knowing if a movie is okay for your child..and for you
Balancing Your Child’s Media Diet
Would you allow your child to eat and eat and eat, whatever and whenever he wanted? Of course not. It’s not much different with a child’s media intake. Just like a parent implements portion and quality control with food, so must he implement the same controls with media. It is a child’s rightful job to try to get the very most of whatever he likes the most, be it candy, television, computer time. It takes many years for a child to develop the ability to see the big picture, thinking about … [Read more...] about Balancing Your Child’s Media Diet
Stop Screaming at Me!
You asked your child come to dinner, and he didn't respond. So you ask him again, this time with a voice that's quite clear, direct, and firm. "Put your Leggos down and come to dinner now, please." And your child responds, "Stop screaming at me!" You are quite sure you didn't scream, you didn't even shout or yell, but it sure sounded that way to your child. He didn't even hear your words. Very often parents are not aware of the power of their tone. But children hear tone more loudly than … [Read more...] about Stop Screaming at Me!