Developing Successful Adults!

What life skills can you teach your child today?  

 There are many chores that children can do around the home. Not only do chores prepare children for independent living, it teaches responsibility and assists in developing a positive self esteem.  Create the motto, "a family that works together has more time to play together".  Do not make chores a punishment or dreaded task, but simply a part of everyday family routines in which everyone pitches in.   

Make sure chores are age appropriate.  For example, it would be inappropriate to say, "go in and clean your room" to a 4 year old.  They would not know where to begin.  But, breaking it down into manageable tasks and slowly teaching where toys are stored.   Make sure to pitch in and help too, especially at the beginning.  This will help teach responsibility.  Instead say, "pick up all the blocks"  then check that job before assigning the task of picking up all the cars, etc.  Having containers that are labeled with photos that match a shelf with the same photo makes picking up toys a fun and achievable matching game.  Toys boxes just "ask" children to dump everything out to see what is in the bottom of the box!

Here is a list to help you think of ideas that are age appropriate.  Remember, trust, but validate.  They are after all still children.  Children need to be coached, taught, encouraged, praised and checked .  

Do not expect perfection.  DO expect to check and  follow-up.  

Source:  http://www.flandersfamily.info

Inspired by the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky Baxa

Available from http://www.Amazon.com

in both paperback and electronic versions.

Blog posts are many times an extension of this book. 

We started at 500+ and are counting upward and onward!

The 21st Century Parent Challenge

Take the 21st Century Parent Challenge...

Today, have you:

...looked at your child in the eyes ?

...smiled at your child?

...shared a laugh?

...shared some un-interrupted time together?

...turned off all electronic devices and had a face-to-face conversation?

...listened to your child's hopes, dreams and fears?

Poem's Source Unknown
Photo source: www.mar.henderson.k12.nc.us

Inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky Baxa

Available from http://www.Amazon.com

in both Kindle and Paperback versions

Let Them Be Kids!

When my children were between the ages of 4 and 9 we lived in a place that was very flat geographically.  However, we had a ditch in our front yard that collected with water when it rained.   The boys would watch it fill with anticipation  and as soon as the storm would pass they threw off their clothes, pulled on their rubber boots and headed for the ditch. 
Squeals of delight and fun would follow.  They would come in exhausted, tired, dirty and happy.  Their underwear would be quite gray, but their radiant smiles brightened the room in contrast,
making the dirt an unimportant factor.

I  remember playing as a child in the water filled potholes in the driveway after a summer rain.  If it was a light rain with no thunder and lightning we would stomp around in the puddles under umbrellas.  My cousins and I would hop and splash and fill the air with laughter.
There were few activities as much fun. 

It was that simple, spontaneous play that created fond memories of being a child.

My husband questioned my judgement in allowing this activity.  He had grown up in the city with no water filled pot holes in the driveway and ditches in the front yard. However, after viewing the first session of such delightful, simple fun, he joined the activity! 

Clothes will wash and dry.  Dirt is not a permanent problem.  Relax and have FUN!

Children are the best inventors of fun and creativity...if we let them.

Of course, we must always watch, be mindful of safety and use common sense!

Play with your kids!

Play is a child's work.
Play allows children to be creative.
Creative people think out of the box and become successful, productive, self-sufficient adults.

What will you do today to have fun with your kids?

Follow their lead and jump into the fun!

I LOVE this photo!  Thank you to whomever took it.  The photo source is unknown, as I found it on a face book post. 
If you know the photographer, please share and we will give the credit due on this delightful photo!

Inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky Baxa

Available from http://www.Amazon.com

in both Kindle and Paperback versions