so I have been meaning to write more but alas. been crazy busy. Before we head on into September and our next theme I have a few more ideas that I have been wanting to share.
One of the things I love about my church is that for the coming of age classes, when the kids are becoming full members of the fellowship community they go visit other churches/temples/ places of worship. They do this with a mentor from the fellowship who is not related to them. I think this is a sweet and loving idea. I like that they can see the options out there and choose what is right for them. I encourage everyone whether you attend a place of worship or not to go visiting. If nothing else it should teach us all a little more about religious tolerance and I think this world could use that.
I have talked before about letting kids see you live your life. Some times even things that are not great have to be shared. On a very personal note I have been struggling with depression. Maybe post partum maybe not. This is going to have an effect on my life and of course my family. While my daughter is still very young and may or may not understand it yet she can feel when mommy is tense and cross. For me what I have done is acknowledged my feelings, talked to her about it, and made a plan to take better care of me. I don’t mean that I tell her I’m depressed but I can tell her that I am sorry I’m tired or whatever it is and that I love her very much and that I am completely happy with her. I can also play the game with her that a dear friend of the family taught me in kindergarten. Oprah calls it attitude of gratitude. List 3 things you are grateful for. My family friend used to ask me. “what 3 things did you like about school today? Not counting lunch or recess.” So I can tell Rose “I’m sorry mommy is a little sad today but it has nothing to do with you. I love you very much and you make me happy. What other things make us happy.” I can list off my 3 to her and when she can talk she can list things that make her happy too.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
little bits of spirit
As I said before I think that spirituality is about a personal relationship. While it may be based on your particular religion it is much deeper then that. Just because it is deep doesn't mean it is complicated. Let you child see the things you do every day. for example I often give a few words of praise and light a candle before I start to cook dinner. Let your kids participate in your life.
hit the books
always a good choice and a favorite activity for kids and parents. for younger kids you can read to them, but as the kids get older you can take turns reading. Switching off every paragraph of page so that everyone is actively involved. Besides all the wonderful things reading with your kids does for their development, It is a great way for you to learn how and what they think about things. At the heart of activity is really just a way for you to connect with your child.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
spirituality and kids
Today lets think about spirituality a little. No matter what religious beliefs you do or don't ascribe to spirituality is more personal and in my opinion like you own private relationship with the divine. I vividly remember at 13 when my mother told me she thought I needed more spirituality in my life.
Perhaps during journal time today you can ask you child to write about their spirituality. How do they feel about it? Are they confused by it? In what ways does spirituality take shape in their life? Again for the little ones they can draw their thoughts, feelings, story in a journal and for the really little ones just talk to them about it. I am constantly talking to my daughter. Asking her questions (that she can't answer because she can't talk yet) and explaining why I am doing something. It may be crazy, but I really do think she soaks stuff up.
Perhaps during journal time today you can ask you child to write about their spirituality. How do they feel about it? Are they confused by it? In what ways does spirituality take shape in their life? Again for the little ones they can draw their thoughts, feelings, story in a journal and for the really little ones just talk to them about it. I am constantly talking to my daughter. Asking her questions (that she can't answer because she can't talk yet) and explaining why I am doing something. It may be crazy, but I really do think she soaks stuff up.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
August
This month’s theme is Spirituality and Feelings.
I think as you help your children learn to express their feelings in a positive way it is a great time to do a little check in with you and pay attention to how you manage your feelings. You are after all the biggest role model in their life and some time what is caught is so much more important then what is taught.
The first activity is to journal your feelings. This is something you can do together with your child. Take a few moments every day to talk to your child about how they are feeling and why. Ask leading questions like “tell me more about that”. Give your kid a child a journal where they can write down all their thoughts. Let them know that it is for their eyes only so they can fee free to express what ever they wish. Perhaps you can even set a time and you can write in your journal while they write in theirs. This is of course for older kids but younger ones can draw how they are feeling.
Even younger kids can play the face game with parents. You can make exaggerated faces (i.e. huge smile) and ask how am I feeling? Do I feel happy? I’m smiling because I’m happy and I’m happy because…
.
I think as you help your children learn to express their feelings in a positive way it is a great time to do a little check in with you and pay attention to how you manage your feelings. You are after all the biggest role model in their life and some time what is caught is so much more important then what is taught.
The first activity is to journal your feelings. This is something you can do together with your child. Take a few moments every day to talk to your child about how they are feeling and why. Ask leading questions like “tell me more about that”. Give your kid a child a journal where they can write down all their thoughts. Let them know that it is for their eyes only so they can fee free to express what ever they wish. Perhaps you can even set a time and you can write in your journal while they write in theirs. This is of course for older kids but younger ones can draw how they are feeling.
Even younger kids can play the face game with parents. You can make exaggerated faces (i.e. huge smile) and ask how am I feeling? Do I feel happy? I’m smiling because I’m happy and I’m happy because…
.
Welcome.
This blog is dedicated to my (and our journey) celebrating life with our kids. Nurturing them and having fun. We all want our kids to be healthy and happy and to grow into healthy and happy adults, but some times it can be harder then it sounds. I hope you will use this as a jumping off point. A place for ideas that you can take and bend and expand and make them work for you kids and family.
Because there is so much I want to do and share with my daughter, and because I can be what I lovingly call grasshopper brain, I have decided to give each month a theme to focus on. Each theme can be explored with any age child. I will try to offer up suggestions of activities from baby to young adult and up. Activates will include some one on one time with a parent, family activities and community activities.
So welcome, and let the journey begin.
Because there is so much I want to do and share with my daughter, and because I can be what I lovingly call grasshopper brain, I have decided to give each month a theme to focus on. Each theme can be explored with any age child. I will try to offer up suggestions of activities from baby to young adult and up. Activates will include some one on one time with a parent, family activities and community activities.
So welcome, and let the journey begin.
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