Chickadee Cheer
Bi-monthly Blog
Parents and Kids: Making "Rocks" a Priority
Join me in making “rocks” a priority! Make the most of your time and teach your kids to do the same.
Family, friends, health (spiritual and physical). These are things that are most important. None of these requires MONEY, but they all require TIME. To be sure, work, school, and our hobbies (passions) are very important, but pale in comparison. When we spend most of our time on: the least important things like television, video games, social media, cleaning, shopping, and so on, we are never satisfied, or really happy. (click the arrow to “read more” for all the good stuff)
Expression - Tips for Children and Adults
Behind the Scenes:
I have been thinking a lot about what I’m going to do for my new series of picture books. These will be shorter than my last series and are meant to appeal to younger kids. I will also be designing all-new characters and watercolor illustrations.
It’s amazing how much goes into one of these simple, short stories. They SEEM simple. But they’re really not. I’m learning a lot from classes from Arree Chung of Storyteller Academy. One of the things he says to do is a morning journal, or think about things on a long walk, and then write your thoughts down afterward. I’ve been doing this and it’s lots of fun thinking about times from long ago - when I was a kid. Some of these memories will likely become stories! But there’s more to expression than just memories… How can you encourage your kids to express themselves?
Tips on Teaching Kids to Respect Others
Most ideas for the character part of this blog come from my observation of people. I listen to others when moms speak of concerns they have at home. It’s not uncommon for kids to have difficulty is social situations with other kids. Although younger kids have issues sometimes with sharing, working, and playing together with other young kids, it seems some have to deal with bullying issues - a really hot topic today. And, as they grow into tweens and teens, they have increased group vs individual issues. It seems all is peaches and cream when your kids are together, and not-so-kind when the wavering friend is with other people. Jealousy, and other ugly problems rear their heads. I am not, nor pretend to be, a psychologist which may be exactly what the wavering friend needs - in addition to compassion and understanding.