Angel Violet

How to get kids to talks what every parent should know

September 26, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

children + communication,children+ feelings, conscious parenting

“How to get kids to talk about school: what every parent should know”

by Teachmama is a great article on a variety of practical ways to open communication with your children.

“How to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know School is underway for us, and what I’m realizing more and more is that it’s sometimes tough to get my kids to talk about school. As a parent, I’m curious. I want to know everything:

Who did they sit with at lunch?
Who did they play with at recess?
How do they like their tablemates?
What book did they start in Guided Reading?
Who hosted the morning tv show?
But it’s hard. The kids are tired… read more at
http://teachmama.com/get-kids-talk-school/#_a5y_p=2318968

Have a great conversation,

Bonnie

How Was Your Day?

August 25, 2014 By admin 2 Comments

Connect To Your Child and Get The Real Scoop On What’s Happening

How was your day?

How many times have we used the “How was your day?” question to pry information from our kids, grandkids or even our spouses and they responded only with a vague “Fine”? Alternatively, how many times do we absentmindedly ask

children communication, children's feelings, kids emotions, children & positive psychology, conscious parenting — What are your three favorite things from today?

“How was your day?” and then we stop listening? We’ve all done it at some point.

With a new school year starting, what can you do to connect to your child and get the real scoop on what’s happening in your child’s day and possibly nip a problem in the bud?

Asking “How was your day?” really is a great way to start, but it’s what you do next that makes the difference.

If they simply answer “Good” or “Fine”, use that as a perfect lead-in to find out what was good or fine. Ask “What three things were good or fine?” or “What were your three favorite things about today?” If your child is a preschooler, you may only want to ask for one or two favorite things. (In the next blog we will talk about what to do if it has been a yucky day). Now pay attention to what your child says. Listening with your full attention, even if you are driving or cooking dinner, deepens your connection to your child. As you make this closer connection by listening, focusing on them and responding specifically to what they are sharing, you are more likely to get cooperation from your child as the day and evening continue.

If you have more than one child, this approach also reinforces the wait-your-turn rule, yet strengthens the connection between your children. Notice what they focus on. If snack or play is their favorite time (or math or science class), ask them more questions. You may learn things you didn’t know. Be playful if you hear the same responses day after day; help them look for other things — even small things — that they like or enjoy. Challenge older children to come up with something new each day. Be sure to share your own favorite things for the day, too!

Focusing on what you enjoy – the positive – starts to cultivate gratitude. It’s so easy for all of us to place emphasis on what is not working. There are challenges in everyone’s day; it’s a part of life. However, when you end the day on a negative note, it sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Who intentionally sets out to have a yucky evening with family? No one! So as you focus on how beautiful the sky was in the morning or how you enjoyed working with one of your workmates — and encourage your children to do the same — it sets the tone for both you and your children to have a pleasant evening instead.

Be creative! Ask questions and remember to really listen. You are modeling great listening and communication skills as you strengthen your connection with your children.

Post and let us know what some of your children’s favorite things are.

Loving the fun of listening to children,

Bonnie

PS If you don’t have children, at the end of each day think of your three favorite things from the day! Be playful your inner child loves that!

Don’t Let Stress Rob You or Your Children of Summer Relaxation & Fun

July 16, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

Don’t Let Stress Rob You

Your Children of Summer Relaxation and Fun!

Summertime, the season of sun, fun, and relaxation … or is it?

How relaxed are you if your vacation preparations have left you depleted, stressed, and exhausted before you even reach your destination? How much fun are you having if your kids are treading on your last nerve once you arrive? You’re not alone if you feel this way.

It’s easy to fill your (and your children’s) summertime schedule with so many activities that it seems like the routines and confines of school never ended. Your to-do list has no end, technology doesn’t shut down, and it’s easy to clutter your days with busyness. It’s also easy to forget the natural rhythms of rejuvenation, fun, and relaxation that are supposed to come with the summer season. Don’t fall into the trap of robbing yourself and your family of true summer relaxation and renewal.

relaxation and kids, parenting and kids, summer fun and kids Many women ask, “How can I take care of myself and my family in a healthier way? How can I calmly raise my family without falling totally off the grid?” As you know there isn’t one simple answer. The good news is summer is a perfect time to make small positive changes and create relaxing and fun rituals that reap huge benefits. You aren’t competing with school-related activities and homework and your children are more relaxed, open, and willing to try new ideas. After practicing these activities over the summer you can carry them into the school year to help relieve the stress of everyday routines.

Relaxation: Play the Wiggle-Still Game
A great way to relax, reconnect with yourself and your child

children relax, child meditate, build child parent connection

A favorite game in our family is “Wiggle & Quiet Game.” We play this game after school and Mom and Dad can join in after a busy day at work. Everyone lays on the floor to “get the wiggles out” anyway they want. As you release all your wiggles and giggles the extra energy goes into the ground. You can’t help but laugh at yourself and each other as you do this. Then change the game and see how still you and your child can be—as still as a flower, a rock, a tree. Use your imagination and quiet your mind. With toddlers it may last only a few seconds; but no matter how old you are, you’ll be surprised how just a few minutes of wiggling and laughing followed by quiet time reduces stress and calms the body and mind.

Make a game out of it by tracking the “still” time. Each child has different abilities in this game but everyone wins. Help the little ones count, and at the same time build their math skills. Create a colorful graph of each child’s “still” time and track how much they can increase their “still” time. When you relax, you connect to your inner knowing. As you play this simple game with your child(ren) you’re building self confidence and resilience.

For women who don’t have children (or any at home right now), delight your inner child with some wiggle and quiet time.

Rejuvenation: Create calming rituals as an antidote

for the “new normal”

In light of the “new normal” of our constantly changing, non-stop lives, it’s imperative for our own health and happiness—as well as that of our children—to create regular times of quiet rejuvenation. If you’re a mom, finding the time can be very challenging. However, it’s critical to regularly carve out short periods (even ten minutes) of self-nurturing time for yourself … without the kids.

An opportunity to rejuvenate ( Not for writers only)

You are invited to enhance your relaxation by listening to the Writelighter Radio Spa hosted by Eleyne-Mari on Within Radio. The May 26th radio show features inspiring and relaxing music, a small segment especially for writers, two interviews, a writing detox, a guided meditation, and a beautiful Garden Labyrinth Meditation. Listen to the whole show and check out the spa as Eleyne-Mari’s calming voice guides you through laughter, meditation, and the interviews

I was fortunate to be interviewed about my inspiration for writing the children’s book Angel Violet’s Magic Wings. http://tinyurl.com/inspireradiointerviewonly– (18 minutes). The second interview was with Carla Golden, a massage therapist and a spiritual nutritionist, who shared amazing information about her journey with food.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/within-radio/2014/05/26/writelighter-radio-spa

Download or listen to the complete program, or choose any section for a relaxing summer treat.

How are you relaxing this summer?

Have you found moments of relaxation for yourself and your children? I’d love for you to post your summer fun, quiet, and relaxing rituals. Please post and share your fun time activities and games of the summer!

Enjoying the season of summer fun and relaxation,

Bonnie

PS Please post your comments, ah has and other thoughts about Inspire Radio’s show.