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Prayers, Please….

February 5, 2013 By Diane and Chad 2 Comments

New and great information on my stepdad Carl!

For previous info, check here

Carl has been in a rehab for 3 months…waiting for diagnosis for something other than ‘just’ dementia. It has been so hard for him and my mom. FINALLY, after a ton of work and research by my stepbrother Tom (who is an angel of immense proportions!), Carl is being operated on today. He has NPH, normal pressure hydrocephalus, which presents as dementia..but has a precise set of symptoms in a definite order…a strange gait, and then dementia, and then incontinence. Today he will be having a shunt put in which will divert extra cerebrospinal fluid from his brain to his belly! In most cases, all  or at least most of the symptoms GO AWAY!!! We are all so thankful that this is being done!

All prayers and positive thoughts will be appreciated today. I’ll let you know how things go:)

two sweeties!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: carpe diem, family, giving thanks, love, methods, please and thank you

Thanks, Santa!

January 6, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Christmas is over…the giving, the receiving, the hoopla, and the excitement. Now is the time for the gratitude! I’m sure you and your children shared their thanks with those who were with them during the holidays, but what about those who sent their gifts?? Have your children written their thank you notes yet?

For some reason…I never seem to see the idea that kids could also send a thank you note to Santa! They are always eager to send out those ‘requesting’ letters before Christmas. But what about being grateful for what was received?  The poor old guy gets left behind…I wonder why…      Is it because we as little folks never wrote notes ourselves? I don’t remember ever writing a thank you letter to Santa, but now that I think about it, I think I should have!

So let’s start a grateful campaign…have your children write a sweet note to the ‘happy old soul’ and give them the idea that thank you notes are always a great way to go:)

 

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, behavior, education, families, follow-through, giving thanks, goals, holiday gratitude, intentions, manners, methods, parenting, please and thank you, receiving gifts, thank yous, traditions

Kids During the Holidays…kind, grateful??

November 27, 2012 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Do your kids know about kindness and respect? How did they act at the Thanksgiving dinner table?

beautiful table, wonderful kids??

If your children sat at the table for the entire dinner, interacted politely with those around them, remembered to say Please and Thank You, and Smiled :) - Congratulations! You must have been doing something right for years!! If that did not look like your table – All of these things can be taught with you as the model. Practice now for a new look for the holiday tables:


 

1. Have your kids stay at the table every night until everyone is done with dinner…it’s only polite!!  And then, have them ask to be excused. No…really!! It works – the boys’ grandfather is still impressed, 25 years later, that they said, “May we please be excused?” from a long ago holiday dinner.
with Gramma and Grandad Gallimore workin’ on manners

2. Kids need to practice talking to adults, being kind and respectful. Being able to talk to you on a daily basis shows how they will interact with others. Be kind in the family also since you are always being a role model, good or not so much…


 

3. Please and Thank You are SOOOO important!! It is so easy to teach at home if you are constantly modeling what you want and never relaxing your expectations. Kids do what you show them they have to do! Always say please to them (not asking as if it’s a request, but just being kind) and always expect a thank you in return. Remember to reply with a You’re Welcome to reinforce that you heard their polite response:) Always say thank you to them. If you hand your kids something, keep your hand on it until they ‘remember’ to thank you. Eventually a look from you will remind them of their required manners. Please help your children to find their manners :)
Practicing manners with Gramma and Grampa Finkbeiner starts early!!

4. Smiling can be taught!!! Try it…we told our kids that fake smiles were better than real frowns. Besides, your brain reads those smile muscles as happiness – it actually makes you feel better if you smile. HONEST!! Give it a shot!

Torch Lake kids being happy!!

 

If you concentrate on these few ideas for the next month, your future holiday dinners could be a breeze, and your children could learn valuable lessons for their future.

Good luck! Let me know how it goes:)

Happy Parenting!

D and C


 



Filed Under: appreciation, behavior, boundaries, children, education, families, family photos, follow-through, giving thanks, goals, holiday gratitude, holidays, improving the world, intentions, manners, methods, parenting, please and thank you, respect, smile, table manners, thank yous, traditions

blood drive

November 6, 2012 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

I scheduled donating blood before Hurricane Sandy caused so much devastation, but I donated on Tuesday the 27th. I’m so glad that I was able to help.

 

This was only the second time I have donated …except for about 30 years ago. This time went quite well…all the before hand paperwork, blood pressure, finger prick went just fine! When they finally started I didn’t even feel the needle go in, but the nurse (such a nice lady) said, “Uh, oh…you’re going to have a bruise…I’m so sorry, this never happens to me!!”  She almost had to stop the blood draw, but thank goodness, it continued. She said they are not allowed to use partial donations…so that would have been in vain! Whew!

 

So, all done… head to the table for a snack and some water…started feeling warm…and, yup!! Passed right out!! What a dork!! Flat on the ground when I woke up…talk about drama! People say it is quite common after giving blood and in the future I should choose juice instead of water.   Will do!!!

 

No matter what…I will donate again! I feel if I can help someone else in such an easy way…I want to!

 

Big props to the American Red Cross for all they do…constant blood drives all over the country every day. It’s very impressive! Please give if you can:)

 

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: angels, behavior, being involved, carpe diem, follow-through, giving presents, giving thanks, goals, helping, improving the world, intentions, kindness, methods, please and thank you

Remembering Manners + Christmas Share – Day 22

December 22, 2011 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

The Thursday before Christmas??? Are you ready? Are your children ready to be cheerful and happy with what they receive…no matter what it is?

are you grateful for each other?

 

Maybe a little discussion is needed…talking about the difference between wants and needs…talking about those less fortunate…talking about manners and making those around you feel comfortable!  Lots of discussions, spur of the moment kinds of talks…what do you hear and see on TV and music…is that how you want your kids to respond to others?

Speak up…let them know how you want ‘your’ family to act and react during this crazy, festive, stressful holiday season!  Kids will only go as far as you let them…so check for the coming meltdowns and distract and redirect to help them find something interesting to do.

Please and thank you are important lessons to pass on to your children…and they learn them from watching you and your interactions with them and others.

use any kind of thank you's...

How about thanking Santa for the goodies?

Loving the season, the reason, the family, and the day….be happy and joyful (even if it hurts)….

 

Happy Parenting and Christmas Sharing,

D and C

 

From This Mama Says….for Christmas share

http://yourmamasaidwhat.blogspot.com/2011/12/100-cheap-small-giftstocking-stuffer.html

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Christmas is just right around the corner and normally the last thing that everyone is shopping for are those small gifts and stocking stuffers. All those little things you kept saying to yourself that you’d pick up later….. Well ‘later’ is NOW!

Here is a great list of OVER 100 small and inexpensive gift ideas! I don’t know about you, but I hate filling stockings and buying small ‘filler’ presents only to be throwing away those things within weeks, because they were junk!


This year I’ve decided that instead of wasting money, I’m buying things that are either needed, useful or consumable!

Another great idea for coworkers, friends or family is to group some of these items together for a “theme basket”. I tried to group the items together as best I could! Here are a few suggestions… Baking, coffee, makeup, nails, art, golf, spa, electronics, car care, etc.

Also, considering that most of these items are $5.00 or less this would be a wonderful way to bless a family in need! We will be filling a stocking to send to our World Vision child, but you could also drop off with a charity, a church or a specific family that you know! What a wonderful blessing to someone you could be! And what a lesson it would be for your children!

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Filed Under: appreciation, behavior, children, Christmas, Christmas memories, families, family fun, giving thanks, holiday gratitude, holidays, improving the world, intentions, involve, joyful holidays, joyful season, kindness, manners, methods, parenting, please and thank you, receiving gifts, Santa, thank yous, traditions

Finally, My Christmas Share – Day 17

December 17, 2011 By Diane and Chad 4 Comments

“Finding Joy and Happiness in Family Traditions”

 

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness, right? Now, don’t go all ‘Bah! Humbug!’ on me!  Concentrating on what makes the holiday special for your family does take some work – mostly mental!  Do you know what traditions are important in your family? Can you find and share your own joy and happiness with those closest to you?

the best traditions start here!!

Here are some of the things that our family has come to value and love over time….

pj's and colored sugar, perfect companions!

FOOD! – making cookies together, messy or not..usually sugar cookies, Russian teacakes, and our special chocolate chip cookies…if the kids are not involved it doesn’t really count as a family tradition. At least let them help part of the time! Then, preparing for good food of any kind…special cutlery, get the bar ready, and then delicious food! Yum!!


DECORATIONS! – we had an artificial tree from the time Chad (older son) was a toddler — you know, overprotective parents worried about those sharp needles and pulling it over on the little guy:)  We asked when the boys were about 10 and 12 if they would like to get a real tree and they said, “Noooo, we have to put our tree together, like always!”  I guess that made our fake tree a tradition!  On the tree — ornaments given by friends, by parents and kids from our schools, and delightful ornaments made by or given to our boys. Every year, even now, they look for their special ornaments on the tree.

Add in the angels that I love, music boxes, and snow globes..the Christmas album where I keep all of our family Christmas photo cards (32 years of them)…decorations for the holidays that we love to see come out of hiding!

SCHEDULE! – Christmas Eve…out to eat, just the four of us! Years ago the only place to go that was open was Pizza Hut. The boys loved it! After chowing down on pizza we traveled through our suburban neighborhoods looking at the lights and the luminarios. Then back home for eggnog, plain or spiked, depending on age:) The kids got to open one present, usually from their grandparents who lived in Alabama. Then off to sleep to wait for Santa!

On Christmas morning, the boys called to us from their room when they woke up. They had to wait for Dad to get the camera ready and the lights on downstairs by the fireplace where the stockings were – no peeking as they passed the Christmas tree and presents! Slow, appreciative process – one at a time, check out each thing in the stocking – take the time to be excited! After stockings are emptied, on to the Christmas tree, Santa gifts, parent gifts, brother gifts: all, one at a time, being thankful and happy no matter what the gift! Sometimes that was hard…but even joyful, kid-friendly holidays are learning occasions, one way or the other!

TRAGEDY! – We had a major break in happy holiday traditions when my hubby and the boys’ dad died suddenly in an accident in Nov. of ’96. What an awful holiday season for us! We had to get away from the normal, so for the next 7 or 8 years we spent Christmas Eve and Day up north at ski lodges – just the 3 of us. Chad worked at some of the resorts so we would go join him. Getting away helped us get through the holidays.

I gradually added the decorations and tree back, and then we decided to add our Christmas Eve dinner…but, oops! Pizza Hit no longer stayed open on that night, so we wandered down the street and found an actual, favorite restaurant open. So, now that is our go-to spot for Christmas Eve and when we get home we can all imbibe with the spiked eggnog:)

Times will continue changing since the ‘boys’ are now 33 and 30 and have girlfriends – but we have our wonderful memories from the past to bring us joy and happiness.

 

Remember to appreciate your families and those traditions that continue to bring you joy over time! The holidays should be filled with joy and happiness. Go for it!

here we are...finding joy and happiness :)

Happy Parenting and Merry Christmas Sharing,

D and C

Filed Under: angels, appreciation, beauty, beliefs, brothers, children, Christmas, Christmas memories, families, family fun, family photos, giving presents, giving thanks, Grief, holiday gratitude, holidays, involve, joyful holidays, joyful season, laugh, love, memories, parenting, please and thank you, receiving gifts, Santa, traditions

A Perfect Baby Gift

July 21, 2011 By Diane and Chad 5 Comments

Maybe this would be the perfect find if you’re looking for a baby shower gift or new-baby-home-from-the-hospital gift:

 

This Amazon site:  “How to Break 10 Common Childhood Myths” now allows you to look inside the book to see what tips might help you or those you know.

 

….and if by chance you are a perfect parent and never need any helpful hints to make your life easier – anyone? anyone? – copies could surely be shared with others:

- that sister or sister-in-law

- your children who are now parents

- teachers at your kids’ schools

- church groups

- day care areas

- dance studios

- anywhere that children and their parents congregate

 

Once you check out the book, or before, come check out our website and blog at Childhood Myths where you can learn about our workshops for parents and teachers and about our Sassy Kids Home Parties.

 

Have fun while reinforcing good habits!

We hope you'll love it and share it with others:)

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: backpacks, bedtime, behavior, being involved, book, boundaries, children, chores, education, families, follow-through, helping, homework, improving the world, intentions, manners, methods, parenting, please and thank you, respect, saying no, stories, table manners

Holiday Manners

November 27, 2010 By Diane and Chad 3 Comments

Do your kids know about kindness and respect? How did they act at the Thanksgiving dinner table?

beautiful table, wonderful kids??

If your children sat at the table for the entire dinner, interacted politely with those around them, remembered to say Please and Thank You, and Smiled :) - Congratulations! You must have been doing something right for years!! If that did not look like your table – All of these things can be taught with you as the model. Practice now for a new look for the holiday tables:


     1. Have your kids stay at the table every night until everyone is done with dinner…it’s only polite!!  And then, have them ask to be excused. No…really!! It works – the boys’ grandfather is still impressed, 25 years later, that they said, “May we please be excused?” from a long ago holiday dinner.
with Gramma and Grandad Gallimore workin’ on manners

     2. Kids need to practice talking to adults, being kind and respectful. Being able to talk to you on a daily basis shows how they will interact with others. Be kind in the family also.
   3. Please and Thank You are SOOOO important!! It is so easy to teach at home if you are constantly modeling what you want and never relaxing your expectations. Kids do what you show them they have to do! Always say please to them (not asking as if it’s a request, but just being kind) and always expect a thank you in return. Always say thank you to them. If you hand your kids something keep your hand on it until they ‘remember’ to thank you. Eventually a look from you will remind them of their required manners. Please help your children to find their manners :)
Practicing manners with Gramma and Grampa Finkbeiner starts early!!

   4. Smiling can be taught!!! Try it…we told our kids that fake smiles were better than real frowns. Besides, your brain reads those smile muscles as happiness – it actually makes you feel better if you smile. HONEST!! Give it a shot!

Torch Lake kids being happy!!

If you concentrate on these few ideas for the next month, your future holiday dinners could be a breeze, and your children could learn valuable lessons for their future.

Good luck! Let me know how it goes:)

Happy Parenting!
D and C

  


Filed Under: holidays, manners, parenting, please and thank you