Parenting 2.0 Gathering On Life Skills - August 20 in Los Angeles

Calling all Life Skills Professionals in Los Angeles, CA! You are invited to attend a Parenting 2.0 Global Presence Ambassador Dinner on August 20.

Parenting 2.0 – Over 3,000 Members in Over 60 Countries

Human development professionals around the world are recognizing the power of linking arms to better support those who are on the front lines raising humanity. It is happening online through Parenting 2.0, LinkedIn’s top ranked parenting group with over 3000 members in over 60 countries. It is also happening in person, and we want to invite you to join the party.

Los Angeles Life Skills Educators Are Invited

Commencing August 16, Global Presence Ambassadors will be hosting Regional Events around the world to unify Life Skills Educators. Are you a Life Skills Professional in the Los Angeles area? Let’s get together! The Los Angeles Regional Gathering is on Tuesday, August 20. Join Parenting 2.0’s Global Presence Ambassadors, Julia Neiman, Douglas Baker, and me for a yummy dinner and a yummy discussion. We want to know who you are, what you do, and what lights you up. We will also share Parenting 2.0′s mission of children’s Life Skills Average one day being as appreciated as their Grade Point Average. We are on the lookout for synergy and are excited about learning from you and finding ways to collaborate. You can’t gather this many high energy visionaries and game-changers in a room without causing a few sparks to fly! Do I hear a bring it on?

How to Register

For more information and to RSVP, please contact me through this link or at (818) 392-8712. I can’t wait to meet you in person!

Be Part of Parenting 2.0's Los Angeles Event for Life Skills Educators

When we collectively move toward a common vision of retiring the passive educational paradigm of children simply “learning what they live” and embrace the wisdom of others (namely your wisdom, you brilliant Life Skills Educators, you), we can make a seismic shift in how we raise humanity. Are you outside the Los Angeles area? Find out if there is a Parenting 2.0 Gathering near you. Parenting 2.0 will be in Los Angeles on August 20. Wanna play?

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Secrets of a Happy Morning Routine For Kids Part 2

Are you wondering how to have an easier morning routine with kids?  I shared some practical parenting tips to get kids out the door and off to school in the morning in an earlier post, Secrets of a Happy Morning Routine For Kids Part 1.  In addition to those strategies, I wanted to share few of my secrets that have made our mornings fun, light, and on time.

My Secrets for a Happy Morning Routine for Kids

1.  Use an Analog Clock with Sticky Notes

Children, especially the younger ones, have a hard time pacing themselves and managing their time because they only live in the present moment.  There is only now, no past or future.  The idea that they need to get ready for school in an hour or less is the furthest from their minds.  Help them to get a sense of time by using an analog clock.  Use sticky notes to mark off when they need to accomplish steps, like 7:15 Wake Up, 7:20 Get Dressed, 7:30 Eat Breakfast, 7:45 Go to the Car.  Use words and pictures to illustrate the steps.  When they lag behind, say “look at the clock.  What does it say?”

2.  Use a Timer

When children are racing the clock, it becomes a game.  When it’s a game it’s more fun.  It’s amazing how quickly kids will move when a ticking timer is going.

3.  Sing

I wake up singing.  My son wakes up singing.  I know where we get it because my mom sings in the morning.  It lightens things up and raises our energy level.  If you are worried that you don’t have a good singing voice, sing anyway.  If you really are feeling insecure about it, then hum.  You will feel happier and more at ease and that happiness will be reflected in your child.

4.  Choose a Theme Song

When we head out the door for school, we have a theme song that we sing.  It’s a modified version of the Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling”.  We took a little creative license and changed some words.  In essence it goes like:  “I gotta feeling that today’s going to be a good day, that today’s going to be a good day, that today’s going to be a good good day.”  How could you not have a good day after that?

5.  Acknowledge Progress

Be sure to be your own best cheerleader and acknowledge progress.  No matter how slight, progress is progress.  Celebrate your wins.  Let your child know that the family is succeeding.  It reinforces your new pattern of being early in your morning routine for kids.

When you follow these tips, you can create a morning routine for kids that you and your whole family will love waking up to.

If you would like to stay in touch and receive other practical parenting tips, please fill in the box in the upper right hand corner.  You will get immediate access to the Parenting Presence Assessment and a special report to give you a boost.  I wish you all the best in creating a successful morning routine for kids in your home.

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Secrets of a Happy Morning Routine For Kids Part 1

Secrets of a Happy Morning Routine For Kids

Would you like to establish an effective morning routine for kids? Are you frustrated with getting your child ready for school? Do you find yourself nagging and dragging to avoid being tardy?

These practical parenting tips for a happy morning routine are fairly common sense. Having said that, I will be the first to admit that common sense gets overruled by panic when the clock is ticking, and you are afraid of being late. Rushing invites catastrophe mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Instead, play with these practical parenting tips for a smoother, easier morning routine for kids.

Practical Parenting Tips for a Happy Morning Routine for Kids

1.  Assign a Place for School Bags
Reduce stress by knowing exactly where backpacks, lunch boxes, and other school bags go.

2.  Use a Checklist
Have a simple list (with pictures if your child is still learning to read) that your child can reference for what to do to get ready the night before and in the morning.

3.  Pack the Night Before
If it’s not in the bag the night before, it’s not going. You may have to discipline yourself on this one.

4.  Prepare an Outfit the Night Before
It just takes a minute to choose outfits the night before. Take this a step further and set up outfits on Sunday for the whole week.

5.  Agree on a Procedure
Be clear about the procedure to follow to get your desired result. Do this when you are not in a rush. Set the intention to cooperate, be joyful, and be early because it’s better for everyone. Have your child participate in creating the procedure. That makes it easier for him to follow it.

6.  Allow Consequences
I calmly let my son know that I was committed to being on time and would take him to school in his pajamas if he was not dressed. The furthest I got was carrying him to the car and putting his school clothes beside him. He was in his school clothes by the time we got to school.

7.  Hold Your Tongue
Let your actions do the talking. Your lecturing and nagging just gets you all worked up and drains your energy. Decide what you are going to do and follow through without a monologue.

Following these practical parenting tips can make for a smoother morning routine for kids. Give them a try and see what happens.

While these practical parenting tips can help speed you and your child along in the morning, I would also like to share few of my secrets that have made our mornings fun, light, and on time. Check these out in Secrets of a Happy Morning Routine For Kids Part 2.

If you would like to improve your ability to stay present and enjoy your mornings instead of worrying about the future or feeling guilty for not being as prepared as you would like, please fill in the box in the upper right hand corner. You will get immediate access to the Parenting Presence Assessment and a special report to give you a boost. I wish you all the best in creating a successful morning routine for kids in your home.

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How To Maintain Consistent Discipline For Toddlers

As much as I would like to remain consistent, there are times when I want to throw discipline for toddlers out the window. My daughter is three years old, and I am completely enamored by her. I am already noticing her new patterns of crying to get her way, putting her hand on her hip, saying no, and repeatedly asking for what she wants. She is tenacious, tireless, and way too cute, just like every other toddler out there.

I am usually very consistent in using Authoritative Parenting methods.  In the last couple of weeks, we have found ourselves right in the middle of situations where I have given in and let her have her way. I have no regrets, but that could change. Anyhow, I wanted to share these situations with you, just in case you have some of these occasions coming up, so you can be prepared.

The Hardest Times to Maintain Discipline for Toddlers

Holidays

Holidays seem to be more and more commercial, and the candy industry is jumping all over this. We just celebrated Easter, a very solemn and sacred Christian holiday. There was a simpler time when kids got their kicks decorating and dying hard boiled eggs, and going on Easter egg hunts for them. Now, it’s all about the candy-filled plastic eggs.

Birthday Parties

Sugary treats and salty, fatty snacks are abundant at birthday parties. I am not about to make a scene with strict discipline for toddlers while temptation abounds. Also, there are usually favorite toys in high demand. Taking turns is not as democratic when there are several toddlers vying for the same toy. I ran into a standoff or two with my toddler.

Grandma’s House

Grandma’s house, Grandma’s rules. Sometimes that means fairly good discipline for toddlers. Sometimes not. In any case, she’ll never tell, and that’s fine. Grandma’s prerogative.

This all converged with an Easter time birthday celebration at Grandma’s house. It was a triple whammy!  Here’s what we learned so we could maintain consistent discipline for toddlers.

• Have clear expectations, and let your kids know what they are.
• Give yourself permission to not have to be perfect.
• Fill up beforehand with growing food. Remind the kids about healthy choices and have them available. Commit to returning to healthy eating habits afterward.
• Indulge Grandma. She means well. It’s her way of showing love.
• Decide on the appropriate serving size and recommended daily allowance for the candy and hide the rest.
• Let them play outside to burn off the sugar.
• Keep an eye on the kids, and set safety limits. They might not appreciate your stopping their horseplay or protecting their tummies from aching, but draw the line for their good.
• Let kids know what is and is not acceptable behavior and be prepared for outburts affected by the sugar. You might want to have the ear plugs handy.
• Know when to call it a night. Tomorrow is another day.

Discipline for toddlers can be challenging, but you are up to it.  Stay vigilant and consistent. If you do a good job, you might want to reward yourself with a chocolate bunny.

If you would like to learn more about how personal growth can support and encourage you as you follow through with discipline for toddlers, please fill in the box in the upper right of this page. I wish you all the best in your growth as a parent.

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Why Mothers Day Books Are Great Gifts

Mothers Day books are a great gift to give to the moms in your life.  Each year givers are challenged to come up with something special and original to honor their mothers.  It can be a daunting task.  However, giving Mothers Day books is a very effective way to make a great impression.

Mothers Day Books Add Value

First of all, you are giving something of intellectual value.  Mothers Day books are educational, entertaining, inspirational or all of the above.  Non-fiction can be humorous.  Self-help can be encouraging.  Parenting books can be productive.  I personally would lean toward books that are encouraging and inspiring.  Most moms could use a lot more encouragement and inspiration.  Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs on the planet.  For added effect, choose a pretty book with bright feminine colors.  It catches the eye and says “gift” instead of “textbook”.

Mothers Day Books Will Last

Second, giving Mothers Day books will pretty much ensure that you will be remembered for that gift for years to come.  Very rarely do people throw books away.  They also hold up very well compared to flowers and candy.  You also get to inscribe it.

Write something that is personal that really acknowledges the receiver of your gift not just for Mothers Day, not just for being a mom, but for being a great person overall with many different dimensions to her life.  Write a line or two about something specific that you admire about her or that you are especially grateful for.  Close your inscription with love and admiration.  When you sign your name, make sure your name is signed clearly and is easy to read.  A squiggle can be interpreted as a sign of carelessness.  A legible signature demonstrates intention and care.  You definitely want the recipient of your gift to know that you care.

Mothers Day Books Can Be Shared

Lastly, when you give Mothers Day books, you also have the added potential of the book being shared with others.  When that happens, not only will the new readers benefit from the gift you originally gave, the giver also gets to experience the joy of giving.  And because you inscribed it legibly, you get additional credit for giving such a great gift.  Who knows?  It may even become a treasured possession and end up being an heirloom that is passed down to generations.

How To Present Mothers Day Books

To increase the perceived value of Mothers Day books, be sure that you present it appropriately.  Put it in a lovely gift bag with lots of tissue paper.  Handle it with care and be sure to pause, look deeply into her eyes, take a deep breath, smile, and tell her Happy Mothers Day.  Finish the presentation with a hug and kiss.

If you would like to find out more about how to enhance your presence and connection with others, please fill in the box in the upper right of this page.  May you have a great time with your Mothers Day books and a great day celebrating motherhood!

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Positive Discipline Makes You A Better Parent

Positive Discipline is a very powerful way to teach children to be responsible.   One of its side benefits is that it makes you a better parent.  Yes, I am referring to how it makes you more effective and how you become more skilled at getting your children to cooperate.  Jane Nelsen's work teaches that.  But primarily, I have found that Positive Discipline also gives you an opportunity to grow your character and become a better parent and person.

Positive Discipline helps you be more loving and patient.

I believe that all parents love their kids.  Sometimes that love gets strained when kids misbehave.  Positive Discipline teaches that a misbehaving child is a discouraged child.  Read that again slowly.  How does it feel?  As a parent, I have wondered if my child had malicious intent.  When I think that thought, I become angry and vengeful.  I start having feelings I don’t want to have as a parent because they lead to more angry and vengeful situations.  When I think of my child as being discouraged, I feel compassion.  It softens my heart.  It makes me more loving and patient.  It keeps me in line with my parenting intentions, so I don’t do things I regret later.  This method of child discipline keeps you grounded in love.  When you come from love, you are coming from the most powerful position on the planet.  It is a pure and noble position of strength.  Your children will feel it, and more importantly, you will feel it.

Positive Discipline clarifies your intention.

My intention was to have positive, successful, responsible kids.  So I wanted a way of disciplining children that would help me create that result.  To achieve a particular result, you must be clear about what you want, and then follow a plan to get there.  It helps when other people have walked that path before you and can teach you how to create that result.  When I first heard about Positive Discipline, I thought to myself, I want positive kids, so Positive Discipline sounds like a match.  As I studied, and more importantly, applied Positive Discipline, I found that it was a match.  I felt great using its methods.  It felt great knowing that what I was doing was designed for a positive outcome.  Just having a name for what you are doing helps you to be clear about your intention.  Your kids are relying on you to be clear so that you can support their growth and development.

If you would like to know more about Positive Discipline and how it aligns with being a Present Parent, where you are fully present for and with your kids, just fill in the box in the upper right corner of this page.

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Parents Help Children Get Ready For Kindergarten

How can you help your child get ready for kindergarten?  Barbara Allisen has the answer.  I had a chance to chat with Barbara, a kindergarten teacher, author, and speaker.  She helps parents and care givers support children ages 0-6 years old to be powerful learners.

We had a wonderful conversation about how kids can get ready for kindergarten, and I came home with an autographed copy of her book, 123 Kindergarten.  Thank you, Barbara, for your generosity!

What Does It Take To Be Ready For Kindergarten?

It turns out that being ready for kindergarten is not about knowing your letters and numbers.  It is about inspiring a love of learning, curiosity, and confidence in our children.  The heavy push for academics and scholarly settings for preschool may have some fans, but remember that success and being ready for kindergarten, and then eventually college, is most closely correlated with a love of learning, knowing how to learn, and confidence in their ability to learn.

In her book, Barbara talks about self-help skills and emotional readiness, communication skills and language readiness, social skills, physical development, and academic readiness.  There is quite a bit involved in being ready for kindergarten.

Barbara has a host of resources to help parents help children to be ready for kindergarten.  Her website is 123Kindergarten.com, and every day on her blog, she posts a “Play of the Day”.  For those of us (meaning me) who are play-challenged, the “Play of the Day” is a great head start.  She also has a Radio Show on Mondays at noon Eastern called “Learn and Play with Mrs. A” on the Rockstar Radio Network.

I recorded a short video with Barbara so you can get a sense of her passion and spirit.  She wears her mission on her sleeve, literally.  Well, actually it’s not on her sleeve, but on her clothing.  You will see ABCs and 123s on her apparel because she is a living, breathing testament to success and being ready for kindergarten.  Those letters and numbers are also an invitation to parents to engage her in conversation about this topic which is so important to her.  She wants every child to succeed and is giving parents and care givers the tools to support them.

The tools are there for you.  Give your children what they need to be ready for kindergarten.

To get access to parenting resources, to find out how to be ready for kindergarten or to increase your presence as a parent, just fill in the box in the upper right corner.  We wish you all the best in your journey as a parent.

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