"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."
Words of Wisdom by Burton Hillis
A wonderful reminder at this busy time of what this season is truly about: love. Don't get swept away by the materialistic ads and end up buying more than you can responsibly afford. Instead, make lasting memories by sharing quality time with family and friends. There are so many activities you can enjoy in family togetherness that are free: play a board game while enjoying hot cocoa and home baked Christmas cookies; let the kids camp out with pillows, blankets, or sleeping bags under the Christmas tree, falling asleep beneath the sparkling lights (be sure to unplug the lights once the kids have fallen asleep); put on knit hats and mittens and go Christmas caroling around your neighborhood (let your kids invite a friend to come along and sleep over); bundle up and take a walk or a drive around town to look at Christmas lights and decorations your neighbors have put up; spend time as a family volunteering to help package food, wrap or deliver gifts to less fortunate people - there are many organizations to choose from that are looking for extra hands and hearts at Christmas time!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Parenting Quote for the First Week of December
"I want my kids to become the best originals they can be, not modeled after what I think they should be, or what others think they should be, but what they have been created to be."
Words of wisdom from a very wise but anonymous author.
As hard as it may be to do at times, as parents we must refrain from comparing our child to others - whether they are siblings, or classmates. Each child is an individual, and praising your child's accomplishments and talents is so important in encouraging your child to become his or her best.
My son was once on a little league baseball team, and the coach was the father or a mildly mentally retarded boy who was also on the team, though he was two years older than his teammates. He was their miracle child - after many miscarriages, his mother was able to carry this baby into the fifth month, when she suddenly went into labor. He was born in an ambulance enroute to the hospital, and spent months in the NICU. His parents were told he had less than a 30% chance of survival, yet he lived and grew into a happy, healthy boy though small for his age and with impaired intelligence.
When this boy hit his first single, his parents went wild. They were so completely thrilled with their son's achievement, and it was such a beautiful thing to watch! It didn't matter at all to them that other kids were hitting home runs; they never compared their son to others. It was a wonderful lesson for me as a young mother, and I have returned to that memory many times throughout my parenting years for inspiration.
Words of wisdom from a very wise but anonymous author.
As hard as it may be to do at times, as parents we must refrain from comparing our child to others - whether they are siblings, or classmates. Each child is an individual, and praising your child's accomplishments and talents is so important in encouraging your child to become his or her best.
My son was once on a little league baseball team, and the coach was the father or a mildly mentally retarded boy who was also on the team, though he was two years older than his teammates. He was their miracle child - after many miscarriages, his mother was able to carry this baby into the fifth month, when she suddenly went into labor. He was born in an ambulance enroute to the hospital, and spent months in the NICU. His parents were told he had less than a 30% chance of survival, yet he lived and grew into a happy, healthy boy though small for his age and with impaired intelligence.
When this boy hit his first single, his parents went wild. They were so completely thrilled with their son's achievement, and it was such a beautiful thing to watch! It didn't matter at all to them that other kids were hitting home runs; they never compared their son to others. It was a wonderful lesson for me as a young mother, and I have returned to that memory many times throughout my parenting years for inspiration.
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