Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Books, Parenting
Know any kids who have a tendency to say mean or unthoughtful things to their peers on occasion? Familiar with any siblings who just HAVE to get out that zinger of a stinger, as if putting the other down builds him or her up? If your frustration is building because of the constant verbal jabs flying around you, then you might be interested in something I stumbled upon; one simple concept (a bucket) that might just be your lifesaver!
The concept comes from the best-selling children’s book, “Have you Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids.” Don’t let the kid part fool you – they say this book is for ages 4-9, but truly this book is for EVERYBODY. It’s easy to understand, simple to do, and it really works! In my current chaotic, busy life, that is music to this…
Letter to Santa
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Parenting
No zip code needed for this one!
When I told the kids our plans for the holidays last night, I expected excitement, possibly some cheering, definitely lots of gleeful chatter. I did not expect the solemn looks on their faces as they continued to sit there in a quiet stupor. Finally, my Little One spoke, in a voice that was almost a whisper. “But Mama,” she asked, “What about Santa? If we go away for Christmas, how will he know how to find us?”
Immediately my son – never one to stay out of a conversation for long – and obviously having had some time now to process all this – spoke up. “No – here’s what we need to do,” he said in his authoritative tone, sounding well past his 9 years of age. “You put a box by the front door, and then Santa can just leave the presents there and we get…
Should Older Boys Be Allowed in Women’s Restrooms?
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Parenting
What’s HE doing in here??
I cringed as I felt the hostility directed toward my son and me. As our turn came up and I directed my children into the now vacant stalls, I wondered if I should address the middle-aged sourpuss whose only fault was perhaps saying her thoughts out loud. It was a split second decision and I chickened out went about our business and left without trying to enlighten her in any way.
I resented that lady’s comment and her tone – and how without thinking she embarrassed my son and irritated me – at the same time, I get her point. It is a bit unnerving to see older boys (past the age of 5, let’s say) in the women’s restroom. Little boys seem oblivious to it all, but older ones appear out of place. There is a bit of awkwardness that we all experience and I understand why that woman felt an
…
Teachable Vacation Moments – But for Whom?
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Parenting
You take a trip, your kids do great, and on the last day you let them pick out a special souvenir. Sound familiar? But what happens if they lose that souvenir before they ever get home? Let’s say it gets left behind, at the hotel or on the airplane. Your child gets home, eager to use it and it cannot be found. The house gets searched, the car gets searched, the backpack gets checked over and over again – but alas, it’s not there. Tears fall, his heart breaks, until a light bulb goes off in his head: hey, I wonder if I can find it on Amazon?!
You know as he sits there clicking the mouse what the search result will be. Yes, he will find it there – at even a slightly better price than you paid (thank you very much) at the gift shop. But that isn’t really the point – is it? The point is…
Progress Reports: Do Parents Make the Grade?
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Parenting
Progress Reports from our elementary school went home last week. Unless you were like me and didn’t actually receive it until today – a full week later – when the teacher made us a second copy (as the original seems to have gotten lost in the Black Hole otherwise known as my son’s cubby). Interestingly, this particular progress report has made me pause in a way none other has before and this Zen Mama Wannabe cannot help but wonder: what is more telling – their actual progress or our reaction to it all?
For example, is it just human nature to skim over all the high marks and go immediately to the one or two areas that aren’t given an outstanding score? Excellent, excellent, excellent, needs improvement, excel….. WHAT WAS THAT? NEEDS IMPROVEMENT????? Suddenly the lights dim and the spotlight shines on the area(s) that aren’t perhaps quite up to snuff. Thoughts immediately race toward what we can do to…
Can Your Kids Pass the Test?
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Health, Parenting
Ready for the latest IQ test for your kids? It is an easy one; all you need are 10 items, presumably easily obtainable in grocery stores all across the country. It is a simple quiz of identification: can your child correctly identify each of the 10 items?
* Sweet Potato
* Broccoli
* Eggplant
* Tomato
* Carrots
* Bell Pepper
* Brussels Sprouts
* Asparagus
* Onion
* Spinach
One point for each right answer. Bonus points if your child can not only identify it, but eats it on even an occasional basis. What do you feel would be an acceptable score? Is it fair to say “failing” would be getting less than half right?
Guess what? Our kids are FAILING. Across the country, they are FAILING. If this was a math test, adults would be up in arms. If this was a reading comprehension test, parents would be…
Your Grandparents Knew it — Why Don’t You?
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Buzz, Parenting
The report has made headlines this week. No – not the damage assessment from Haiti. Not the latest unemployment numbers or the polling numbers from the Massachusetts special election. No, in the midst of all that, come these findings that are shocking parents across the country (and if they are not, they should!!)
U.S. Kids Using Media Almost 8 Hours a Day
Yep – do the math: nearly 8 hours a day times 7 days per week equals more time than most adults spend in a full-time job! Seriously.
As the report’s co-author Victoria Rideout, vp and director of the Program for the Study of Media and Health at the Kaiser Family Foundation says:
Anything that children spend that much time doing is something that needs to be studied. Media use is neither inherently good or bad, but from a health perspective there are a lot of things to think about.”
The first thing to think about is WHERE ARE…
The Confidence of Youth
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Gems, Life, Parenting
Definition of CONFIDENCE (noun): 1. full trust 2. self-reliance, assurance or boldness
Look at the children around you. Especially the young ones. So often they are just bursting with confidence. You see it in how they swagger, with their heads held up high. You hear it in their voices, for their words carry little doubt in terms of what they feel they will accomplish. You feel it in their dreams and plans for the future. Kids talk of being professional athletes, famous actors, inventors, leaders, etc. They dream big dreams, with all the belief that if they want it, it will come true. So what happens along the way?
On Friday, my son auditioned for his second musical production at our local theatre. Two days later, the call back list was posted on their website. I held my breath as I waited for the page to load. They are quick to say being asked to the call backs does not…
What do you Remember and Love most about your Mom?
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Parenting
“What do you remember and love most about your mother?“
I saw this note posted on one of the message boards I subscribe to and it got me thinking. It is fun exercise to do both in remembering back to your own childhood and also in terms of the children currently in your life.
We put so much effort into some things….spending obscene amounts of money making sure the birthday party is just right – be it for a 3 year old (seriously) or a Sweet 16 teen, planning the family vacation so it will be enjoyable for the kids, signing up for all the after-school activities they could possibly want to do – and then a few more just to keep them well-rounded and having fun…the list can go on and on.
But when our kids look back, what is it that they will really remember? The amazing DJ you just had to hire for their party, or snuggling…
Being Smart vs Working Hard
Posted by Zen Mama Wannabe | Filed under Parenting
We just figured out Blue’s Clues
We just figured out Blue’s Clues
We just figured out Blue’s Clues
Because we’re really smart!
The dad ran over and shut off the TV when he heard the popular jingle and gave his 3-year old daughter HIS version of the song:
We just figured out Blue’s Clues – Because we worked so hard!
“No no, Daddy,” his daughter exclaimed reproachfully. ”That isn’t how it goes!”
Well, it should be, as far as he’s concerned. Of course, when he recounted the story to us, an auditorium packed full of parents, we all chucked – but his view has stuck with me ever since.
You see, popular wisdom of late has been that you tell kids they are smart. A Columbia University survey says over 85% of parents feel that way. After all, we want to build them up, not tear them down. But this dad’s contention, as well as many other experts in…
