Our Aunt sent us this link to a petition requiring pornography to be an "Opt In" only feature with all internet providers, in order to better protect our children and families through their internet use. If you agree with the petition, please sign it and pass on the information to your friends!
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/require-porn-be-opt-feature-internet-service-providers-rather-standard-feature/GF1RkqpJ
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Teaching Children To Be Independent
At our October meeting we discussed "The Plan" based on Merrilee Browne Boyack's book The Parenting Breakthrough.
1--"The Plan" is to introduce the child to the task you want them to gain independence on far in advance. Ideally, use the summer to teach these skills. Select the "trainer." This could be you but could also be a cub scout leader, or an older sibling. Hold several "training sessions" then follow up with "practice sessions." Use a 5x7 card to write out specifics. For instance, cleaning your room includes: make your bed, clear your dresser off, dust, empty garbage can, vacuum, etc.
In introducing "the plan" she suggests to start during the summer, remember BALANCE, tie the passing off of training of items as privileges (great for teens--example, babysitting). In her family, they paid allowance until age 12 and then the children were responsible for making their own money. She also suggest using rewards...points to earn something as a family, marbles in a jar (or removed when things aren't done). She points out that although the children are capable of completing the task on their own, it does not necessarily mean they always do it. Example: they can make their own lunch but you do it for them occasionally.
2--Allowance
--For chores or not??? Chores are a responsibility of being part of a family
--Money chores--outside stuff. Pinterest has a board where all the available money chores are posted with the money then can earn
--How much to pay them and when?? Ms. Boyack suggests $1/per month of each year of age (6 year old gets $6 per month) paid on the first Saturday of the month so concepts like give (10%), save (20%), spend (70%) can be taught.
--Spending allowance--Amber shared her joy when she watched her son get in line for smoothie only to return empty handed. When asked why, her son said "that was too much money to spend on that." Some of us have kids who burn through whatever money they get but we have to let them experience in on their own.
We discussed how allowance/chores varies for every individual family. Christina's kids are not given allowance but earned marbles for doing chores and could pick something out of the treasure box once they got to 10 marbles. When asked what to about kids wanting things and they don't have allowance, she said she would have the kids write their requests for birthday or Christmas and that is when they got those things. A great idea Marci shared was to take a picture of your kid in the store with the toy they want. Then you have a reminder of what they want for birthday/Christmas and it satisfies their desire for gratification. I've used this idea already with my youngest greedy child and IT WORKS!
Morning helps:
Have a list with a check off of what they need to accomplist (buy cheap frame and use dry erase for the checks on the glass
or
set a time so kids can watch it and know how much time they have left
What happens if your kids refuse to get ready? Take them to school in their pajamas (let the office know why)...that will only happen once:)
Great idea from Heather to encourage saving money. When her kids get money for birthdays or Christmas, etc. whatever amount they save she matches and then at age 18 she will match everything in the account once again.
The link once again by Ms. Boyack for about what your child should be accomplishing at various ages: http://www.boyacks.com/Merrilee/The%20PLAN.pdf
To help children become independent in making school lunches, Heather posted this list in her pantry to help guide their packing.
Drink
Capri Sun
Juice
Gatorade
Water
Protein
Meat/cheese sandwich
PB sandwich
string cheese or cheese stick
pistachios or almonds
beef jerky
hard boiled egg
Fruit/Veggie
Fruit cup or applesauce
Fresh fruit (orange/apple/grapes)
Carrots/celery
Banana
Treat/Carb
Chips
Treat
Pudding cup
Ritz or graham crackers
I love this!!
Finally, we discussed the following quote
"Self-sufficiency is the yard stick to self-esteem. The road to self sufficiency is paved with frustration, disappointment, failure, falling flat on one's face, and other equally 'unhappy' experiences. We cannot afford to deny children with these things." --John Rosemond
How true that is! It is difficult to watch our children struggle but if we want them to have self-esteem they must feel capable!
1--"The Plan" is to introduce the child to the task you want them to gain independence on far in advance. Ideally, use the summer to teach these skills. Select the "trainer." This could be you but could also be a cub scout leader, or an older sibling. Hold several "training sessions" then follow up with "practice sessions." Use a 5x7 card to write out specifics. For instance, cleaning your room includes: make your bed, clear your dresser off, dust, empty garbage can, vacuum, etc.
In introducing "the plan" she suggests to start during the summer, remember BALANCE, tie the passing off of training of items as privileges (great for teens--example, babysitting). In her family, they paid allowance until age 12 and then the children were responsible for making their own money. She also suggest using rewards...points to earn something as a family, marbles in a jar (or removed when things aren't done). She points out that although the children are capable of completing the task on their own, it does not necessarily mean they always do it. Example: they can make their own lunch but you do it for them occasionally.
2--Allowance
--For chores or not??? Chores are a responsibility of being part of a family
--Money chores--outside stuff. Pinterest has a board where all the available money chores are posted with the money then can earn
--How much to pay them and when?? Ms. Boyack suggests $1/per month of each year of age (6 year old gets $6 per month) paid on the first Saturday of the month so concepts like give (10%), save (20%), spend (70%) can be taught.
--Spending allowance--Amber shared her joy when she watched her son get in line for smoothie only to return empty handed. When asked why, her son said "that was too much money to spend on that." Some of us have kids who burn through whatever money they get but we have to let them experience in on their own.
We discussed how allowance/chores varies for every individual family. Christina's kids are not given allowance but earned marbles for doing chores and could pick something out of the treasure box once they got to 10 marbles. When asked what to about kids wanting things and they don't have allowance, she said she would have the kids write their requests for birthday or Christmas and that is when they got those things. A great idea Marci shared was to take a picture of your kid in the store with the toy they want. Then you have a reminder of what they want for birthday/Christmas and it satisfies their desire for gratification. I've used this idea already with my youngest greedy child and IT WORKS!
Morning helps:
Have a list with a check off of what they need to accomplist (buy cheap frame and use dry erase for the checks on the glass
or
set a time so kids can watch it and know how much time they have left
What happens if your kids refuse to get ready? Take them to school in their pajamas (let the office know why)...that will only happen once:)
Great idea from Heather to encourage saving money. When her kids get money for birthdays or Christmas, etc. whatever amount they save she matches and then at age 18 she will match everything in the account once again.
The link once again by Ms. Boyack for about what your child should be accomplishing at various ages: http://www.boyacks.com/Merrilee/The%20PLAN.pdf
To help children become independent in making school lunches, Heather posted this list in her pantry to help guide their packing.
Drink
Capri Sun
Juice
Gatorade
Water
Protein
Meat/cheese sandwich
PB sandwich
string cheese or cheese stick
pistachios or almonds
beef jerky
hard boiled egg
Fruit/Veggie
Fruit cup or applesauce
Fresh fruit (orange/apple/grapes)
Carrots/celery
Banana
Treat/Carb
Chips
Treat
Pudding cup
Ritz or graham crackers
I love this!!
Finally, we discussed the following quote
"Self-sufficiency is the yard stick to self-esteem. The road to self sufficiency is paved with frustration, disappointment, failure, falling flat on one's face, and other equally 'unhappy' experiences. We cannot afford to deny children with these things." --John Rosemond
How true that is! It is difficult to watch our children struggle but if we want them to have self-esteem they must feel capable!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Dear Parents with Young Children in Church
This doesn't touch too much on our topic for October, but a friend of mine sent it to me, and I was really grateful! So here's the link to anyone who needs a pick-me-up after the Sunday morning wrestling match. :)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-bruesehoff/parents-kids-church_b_3909085.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-bruesehoff/parents-kids-church_b_3909085.html
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Teaching Children Responsibility
A big THANK YOU to Lillian who shared her wealth of knowledge for all things technological at our last meeting and for all of the great insights and discussion points. I always leave feeling ready to take on motherhood with more purpose!!
Our October 3rd meeting will be focused on Teaching Children Responsibility. If you see any great ideas or articles on that subject post them so we can all get our gears turning. Here is the link to a website that has a Plan to help your children reach independence. Amber J. forwarded it to me and I've got some work to do at our house!! Here is the conundrum we currently find ourselves in as well: do we pay them based on the work they do, including things like making their beds, brushing teeth, etc. teaching them that if you work, you get paid or do we have expectations that are part of living in this family for instance taking out the trash when mother ask and then they get paid for "extra work?" I'm really looking forward to hearing all your good ideas!!
Also, since school is in full swing, if you're up to it bring a family favorite after-school snack to share and be prepared to create some "lunchbox love" to stick in your kids lunch boxes.
One more food-for-thought article sent on by Anna here .
Happy (almost) Fall!
Our October 3rd meeting will be focused on Teaching Children Responsibility. If you see any great ideas or articles on that subject post them so we can all get our gears turning. Here is the link to a website that has a Plan to help your children reach independence. Amber J. forwarded it to me and I've got some work to do at our house!! Here is the conundrum we currently find ourselves in as well: do we pay them based on the work they do, including things like making their beds, brushing teeth, etc. teaching them that if you work, you get paid or do we have expectations that are part of living in this family for instance taking out the trash when mother ask and then they get paid for "extra work?" I'm really looking forward to hearing all your good ideas!!
Also, since school is in full swing, if you're up to it bring a family favorite after-school snack to share and be prepared to create some "lunchbox love" to stick in your kids lunch boxes.
One more food-for-thought article sent on by Anna here .
Happy (almost) Fall!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
The day I stopped saying "hurry up"
I am sure a lot of you Mama's out there have seen this blog post going around, but I thought it would be an appropriate link from our blog! It's a great read if you haven't seen it yet. Especially as we are starting the first week of school!
http://www.handsfreemama.com/2013/07/16/the-day-i-stopped-saying-hurry-up/
http://www.handsfreemama.com/2013/07/16/the-day-i-stopped-saying-hurry-up/
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Excellent article
We're all at least half-through the summer and, honestly, it's been harder than I imagined it to be!
This article is inspiring and a great reminder that children will be children.
http://powerofmoms.com/2013/07/reality-check/
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