30 Seconds for Hope: Everyone is significant. Even though children don’t contribute much to society (except for contributing messes to clean!), every child has intrinsic value. As I watched my first mentor create enjoyable activities Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #1 – A Lesson from the Nursery”
Category: Time to Refresh
Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #2 – Two Words
30 Seconds for Hope: Do you ever wonder if you are following the right path on how to raise a child? Do you feel mystified by all the conflicting advice? For every question you’ve ever asked, it seems a multitude of answers abound (which can be so confusing). Yet all over the world Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #2 – Two Words”
Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #3 – Stop and Stoop
30 Seconds for Hope: Do your children talk almost non-stop? Do your ears get tired? The prattle of children can feel like background noise that’s always there (and readily tuned out). Yet we know that kids express things they consider valuable, so how can we hear their heart? A friend gave me two keys Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #3 – Stop and Stoop”
Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #4 – Don’t Be Shocked by Normal
30 Seconds for Hope: I have learned so much from moms who mentored me. One of them, Mardean Martindale, alerted me that children cycle through various stages. It’s a given. If we’re not aware of stages, Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #4 – Don’t Be Shocked by Normal”
Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #5 – The “Troubles Exchange”
30 Seconds for Hope: Are you in the middle of some kid-induced troubles? Are you hoping those troubles will end soon? Well, I learned from a mentor mom that the end may not be what you think. I gained a realistic calibration from Lois Allen, and, ironically, her reality check bolstered my hopes by Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #5 – The “Troubles Exchange””
The “Good Parent” Controversy – Influence vs. Determinism
30 Seconds for Hope: Here’s a puzzle…sometimes bad parents end up with good children (what?)—and, on the other hand, some good parents end up with bad children (plus lots of blame from society). Yet often books on parenting and conversations on child-raising, and even mommy blogs, imply that good parenting skills will produce good children. What gives? Frequently commentary on parenting springs from Continue reading “The “Good Parent” Controversy – Influence vs. Determinism”
Use This One Trick To Transform Worry into Benefit (Hint: Jump!)
30 Seconds for Hope: Fears and dangers are real! So a downward spiral of worry is hard to shake. But I’ve learned a simple trick that creates benefit out of worries—a swimming pool analogy that reminds me to jump to overriding truths. Whenever I recognize I’m worried, I don’t guilt myself about being worried but instead just say, “Time to jump!” Worries can become helpful reminders that Continue reading “Use This One Trick To Transform Worry into Benefit (Hint: Jump!)”
Z is for Zap the Zebra: The Sting of Comparison (and the Zap Vest)
30 Seconds for Hope – Children get compared, and usually some child comes up short. Slower development. Not as smart. Behaviorally challenged. Have you ever suffered the sting of someone unfavorably comparing your zebra child with the horse herd? Yet differences aren’t wrong. They’re just… different. To be protected from those comparison zaps, Continue reading “Z is for Zap the Zebra: The Sting of Comparison (and the Zap Vest)”
Dear Mom of the Meltdown Kid, We’re Not Mad at You!
30 Seconds for Hope – When your child throws a fit in public, you can easily imagine the whole world is blaming you. Isn’t that right, moms? You might wonder if the people around you are irritated, just wishing you would get that child under control. Well, take heart! Most of us watching that tantrum Continue reading “Dear Mom of the Meltdown Kid, We’re Not Mad at You!”
Post-Holiday Recovery Tips for Moms
30 Seconds for Hope – Are you exhausted after all the exertions of the holiday season? Are you feeling a little down, or maybe even edgy? It’s time for holiday recovery! Moms, don’t feel bad if you and your children need to take some time to recharge. Give yourself a break while you realistically assess your needs and prioritize refreshment. Continue reading “Post-Holiday Recovery Tips for Moms”
30 Seconds for Hope 