At The Movies With The Kids

The day was absolutely freezing, first week of the school holidays. So what do you usually do, go to the cinema.

Myself, my mother and my daughter took all four children (ages 4-10) to see 'HOP'. Appropriate as easter is only two weeks away. Would not have said it was the best kids movie I have ever seen, but not bad.
It started slow and I feel it lost most of the audience about half hour into it.
Children all through the cinema were starting to fidget and start talking amongst themselves, not a good sign.

The kids wanted to sit on their own, so they sat in front of us eating popcorn, as you do at the movies, best part of it.
No matter how many times you ask before the movie starts "Do you need to go to the toilet?" sure enough, half way through they need to go.

Children get on very well, being cousins. The two older boys just talk none stop and the two little girls, well I can see them being great mates when in their teens, both looking out for one another. One is a little shy, where as the other is right out there, no shyness in her at all. She is four and told her mother to stay home, she wasn't allowed to come to the cinema. Very independent.

A great day had by all. Pity it was so cold.

children

A Functional Family Is A Healthy Family

Do you think you have a functioanl family?
Most of us believe that our family is running along quite nicely but perhaps if you really look into it, probably not.

Tips for a functional family-
1/  How often do you sit down as a family for a meal? Set the table together, prepare the meal, or do most just grab and run in different directions. Eat dinner in front of the television.
Try to organise to sit and the table to eat meals, this is quality time that can be spent together, sharing each others journeys throughout the day.

2/ Communication, this is a must for any family. Listening to others problems and helping to solve them together.

3/ Privacy, everybody is entitled to their own space. People need time out from one another. Knowing the telephone coversation they are having with a good friend is not being listened to, not having correspondence opened.

4/  Spend time together as a family. This could be having a film night with popcorn, letting the kids choose the movies. Going camping or fishing, cooking, day to the beach, sporting event, a picnic at the park, all this is quality time. Life can be busy and sometimes we just get caught up in the ride and forget to step back and smell the roses.

5/ Let others have opinions. Openly putting an opinion out there without feeling as though they will be critised.

6/ Knowing what is right and wrong. Explaining about right and wrong, stealing is not acceptable and hitting another is frowned upon. Treating people with respect in a family helps it to run smoothly.

A family is a working system and when all the cogs don't work together it can fall apart.

parenting

WII in The Household

That's right I just got a WII for my birthday, I know, your all thinking "oh my god, she's old and has a WII.
My brother said "what the hell, your not fifteen you know."
But truly I bought it for exercise and entertainment for when my nieces and nephews come and stay. The Michael Jackson game came with it and I haven't stopped dancing since I received it. Has to be good for you.

My little nephew, who is seven, heard that I had a WII. The first thing he said was "I bet I can beat you."
So I told him I was going to practise all week. (He and his sisiter are coming to stay on Saturday night.)
So here I am madly practising wakeboarding and basketball. What a sight, the old jump shot is not how I remembered it to be.

Bring It On I Say.

children

Depression in Children

I am sad, so very sad.
Yesterday I went on to a social network and read a lot of questions from people.
Now most of these people were teenagers, no surprise there but I nearly cried when I read some of these questions these kids were asking.

Many were asking if they should keep on living, should they go on because they do not fit in, they are alone, nobody treats them well, nobody listens to them.

Think about this for a minute, yes, you the parent.

Have you ever just sat and listened to your child?
What they are asking, do you understand them, do you see them hurting inside, because some of these kids could be yours.

I truly do not want to hear of another teenager commiting suicide.

KIDS HELPLINE   1800 55 1800 (australia)

parenting

Japan in Crisis

All our thoughts go out to all those people affected in Japan.
May God keep you all safe from any other disasters. (Nuclear Meltdown)
This also raises the question
"Do we really need nuclear plants?"

Some good news, they have just discovered a four month old little girl in the rubble. Lets hope there are a lot more miracles to be had.

Good Luck to you all.

Check Out My Lense

I just wanted to tell lyou about my squidoo lense that I created.
Check it out and leave a comment if you like.
CUTEST PHOTOS

Parent-Child Communication Checklist

Author: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.


In the wake of our fast-paced, technology-driven society, parents may find it harder than ever to communicate effectively with their children. While your language and style may change based on the age of your child, these tips are designed for a lifetime of effective family communication. And remember, if communication hasn't been your focus until now—it's never too late to start! Below are 16 "touch points" designed to provide parents with effective ways to engage with your child, not once, but each and every day.



Check the numbers that you practice with your family and consider building some new touch points into your daily routine.



____1. Show that you value good communication by sharing something every day. Share what's in store for your day, and ask your children to do the same.



____2. Send the message that home is a safe place for unwinding, regrouping, and sharing. Children should never feel that they must be guarded in their own home. Home should be your family's central system of support.



____3. Communication doesn't have to be a chore. But chores are a great way to engage in communication. Turn the weekly chores such as folding laundry or doing the dishes—into an opportunity to share the workload—and spend time together.



____4. Put down the mobile devices at the dinner table, in the family room, or wherever there is an opportunity to converse face to face. Have a "cell phone drop" if need be.



____5. Day trip. Plan a surprise day-trip for your children. If they are younger, you might give them clues as you go to keep them guessing. If they are older, you may ask for their input as to where they might like to go. This doesn't have to be far away, and it doesn't have to be costly. A day trip is a great way to pull your family away from outside distractions, and provide a venue to focus on each other.



____6. Hold a "Best Story" contest. Story of the week. Story of the month. Story of the year. Everyone loves a good story, so why not make storytelling a part of your family's traditions? Set guidelines such as, "Your story has to be real" or "Your story has to be made up—the more creative the better!" The "winning" story can be highlighted on the fridge or in a special place of honor. Stories might include positive—or negative situations—whatever a family member is comfortable sharing. The point is for parents to show children that family matters.



____7. Never underestimate the power of game night. A quick board game can do wonders to reinforce the importance of together time, and you will learn a great deal through observing how your child handles winning, losing, and playing the game.



____8. If your child has important news to share, avoid letting anything from a phone call to the television distract you. Showing your child that he or she comes first sends a powerful signal of where your priorities lie.



____9. Ask quality questions such as, "How do you think you did on your science test today?" or "What was the best part of your day today?" Be prepared to offer your stories as well.



____10. Be an active listener. Listen—really listen to what your child is telling you. If the story takes some twists and turns, settle in and enjoy the ride. Don't interrupt or offer a quick ending to a drawn-out tale. Giving your child this opportunity for expression is a great way to build your child's confidence and self-esteem.



____11. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. As parents, we are always free to say, "Because I said so!" but with the exception of situations in which health and safety are at risk, creating an opportunity to dialogue with your child takes your son or daughter beyond doing what you've asked and being empowered to communicate effectively. Humans respond better when they understand the reasoning behind a request. And if you've said something you didn't mean, offer an apology. "I'm sorry" is a powerful statement that demonstrates to your child that you are human, and you are confident enough in your parenting abilities to admit when you have made a mistake.



____12. It's all in the details. Consider your choice of words. If you are a parent who is filled with negatives or put-down words, directed toward yourself or your family members, this is the image your child will begin to take on. Like self-talk, family talk becomes an important means of shaping our environment. Choose empowering words and positive phrases.



____13. When you catch "good communication" happening in your home, reinforce this behavior by acknowledging the act and publicizing this within your home (e.g., "Thanks to Martin for telling Dad that I was stuck in traffic. And thanks, Dad, for picking up this delicious Chinese take-out.")



____14. If your child comes home with a problem, use this as a chance to shape a solution together. Avoid jumping to conclusions. Hear your child out, then talk it through.



____15. Humor is your family's secret weapon. Find humor in life and teach your children to learn to laugh at themselves. Had a bad day at work? Just retelling the things that went wrong can turn an awful day into a lighthearted moment with your family.



____16. Tell your children you love them. Children are never too old to hear, "I love you"—and they are never too old for a sign of affection. While older children may have outgrown your kisses on the playground, they haven't outgrown the need for verbal and nonverbal signs that you are there for them. Make a hug or a kiss a part of every day.



Happy parenting!




Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/parent-child-communication-checklist-4219713.html


About the Author


Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D. is an educator, author, and communications coach. She is author of the children's book Bumblelina (2010), the first in a series of books for preschoolers based on life lessons including friendship, sharing, respecting the environment, the importance of trying, and more. For more information, visit www.Bumblelina.com or www.SherrieMadia.com.