More on Gratitude, 'Tis the Season After All!

"The Giving Inoculation"

·         Altruistically motivated teens are 3x happier

·         Generous behavior reduces adolescent depression and suicide risk

·         Teens who volunteer are less likely to fail a subject in school, get pregnant or abuse substances

·         Teen who volunteer are more socially competent and have higher self-esteem

Source: Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley

The above information was used as part of the advertising campaign for a pilot program aimed at youth where I work. I am a big fan of this kind of stuff, so of course I had to use it in my own blog.

I've written several times about how important being grateful and embracing gratitude is in my life and my parenting. Seeing how being involved in a giving way can help me raise a better human being makes my heart sing. I even went on to the UC Berkeley web site and took the Gratitude Quiz. Gladly, I learned I'm walking the walk because I got 94 our of 105. Go take the quiz and tell me how you measure up. Even if you're not a 'gratitude superstar' just raising your awareness of the concept is an important step in the right direction. I even took a few moments to read the comments section, with some of whom I disagreed. No matter, at least people are talking about it. That's the whole point.

So that's my parenting advice for today. Help create win-win parenting solutions at home by talking about those things for which you are grateful. Do it while sitting around the dinner table- it's a two-for-one in family bonding!

Happy Parenting!

Morality Obsolete? Egad!

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts,


Once again, I have found something interesting while reading on the internet. Today we take on a short discussion about morality. We know this topic is deserving of more than a single post. I'm simply making a foray into these waters to see what floats to the surface. Check out a recent NY Times article, which summarizes, "If it feels right to me, then it is". In it, columnist David Brooks states that sentiment pretty much sums up the moral philosophy of most young Americans, who have grown up unmoored from any cultural or religious framework for knowing right from wrong. In a new book, Lost in Transition, a group of sociologists documents how people in their late teens and early 20s have come to view moral choices as “just a matter of individual taste,” and seem perplexed when asked to make judgments about behavior that earlier generations would clearly label as wrong.


Cheating on tests? Infidelity? Drunken driving? Brooks continues that in interviews, young people say that decisions about such behavior are “up to the individual.” There is virtually no sense of any overarching value system or obligation to society or to others. “I guess what makes something right is how I feel about it,” is a typical refrain. For this, he says, we can only blame schools, institutions, and families. From blind deference to churches and authority, our society has swung to the other extreme, and now morality is purely “something that emerges in the privacy of your own heart.”


I am especially interested in this subject as my husband and I are on different pages from an organized religion standpoint, therefore our children, as yet, have had no formal introduction to that moral framework. Also, we don't come from a particularly strong cultural background; we're just average middle class Joes originally from parts of northern Europe. Like most people in my area I expect. Moreover, my sister is struggling with the morality question regarding her teenage son. Although in no way a criminal, some of his actions have called his moral compass into question of late, making my sister wonder, 'where did this come from'? We raised you in a certain way, with certain, set values, and where are they now? What is happening? She's fearful she and her husband haven't instilled their morals deeply enough onto their children. Which is ridiculous, as her son is a straight A student and is just doing the teenager thing of exploring his boundaries and beliefs. He's not adrift in moral ambiguity. He knows what he's doing is wrong and chooses to do it for completely different reasons. But I digress. That's a topic for another post.


So how accurate is the author of the book and the columnist who wrote about this phenomenon? Have you yourself witnessed or worked with young Americans seemingly operating in a moral vacuum based on 'if it feels right, it is right' mentality? How serious is this? Should I / we be worried?

I'd love to hear you weigh in.

Strengthen the Parent - Child Bond, Create Memories

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts,

Once again, in my endless search of the web for interesting material, the universe has directed me to a great article I would like to share. Frank Love writes about family, relationships and all other matters of the heart. He posts on the Humorous Speakers Bureau to which I belong on Linked In. His latest, "How to Create Remarkable Moments for Your Children" is one of my favorites.

A few years ago, before my mom died, she gave my sister and me a 4 inch, D-ring binder filled with letters she had written to her mother since she married and moved away from home in 1959. It chronicles her life with my father before kids, her announcement and subsequent pregnancy with my older sister and life with her new family. It was, in short, mind-blowing. I was amazed at the level of detail she included in her everyday doings. Reading about her pregnancy and delivery with me made me feel so connected to her and to the Great Divine in general. Hundreds and hundreds of letters home. All saved, duplicated and assembled for my sister and me to have for our own. A greater gift from my mother simply could not exist. I am even more grateful for this familial archive as, sadly enough, my children were born after my mom died. They may never know her in person, yet they will know her legacy as I share her stories with them as they grow.

Even if you're not into writing, find some way to express yourself to your kids so they'll always have something to remember you by and cherish. Spoken word -- my dad recorded our voices every year for the first 20 years of our lives: art, music, home movies. Do something. It could mean everything someday.

Happy Parenting

These Are Trying Times

Ever have one of those days where, when all was said and done, you just were relieved everyone survived? That was me yesterday. Actually, it's been me for the last week or so. You see, I am between jobs, and the kids have been home with me during half of the week. I toyed with the idea of keeping them in daycare full time, yet financially that was not feasible. And, I missed my kids. I wanted to be with them again, like I was before I went to work outside the home. I wanted to reconnect with them and enjoy their company. I thought it was going to be like old times again!

Yeah, right. Best laid plans and all that. Turns out, this 'return to paradise' wasn't, for either me or the kids,  because paradise doesn't actually exist. When I complained about my disappointment, my husband was quick to remind me things were never truly idyllic when I was home with the kids. Back then, we had an established routine and enjoyed our time together, true. And yet, I had conveniently forgotten (or blocked!) all the frustrating times I had too. I had dismissed that, despite the effort at getting out and hanging with other adults, staying home with kids is still isolating. Add to this the fact I had just gotten used to not missing my kids so much, and to having regular adult conversations that weren't about kids. That changed up pretty quickly too. I got whiplash. I'm sure the kids did too, which all added up to painful times.

Changing a routine is difficult on all involved. Being a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) is hard and being a WM (working mom) is hard. It's all hard, yet for different reasons. I got a good taste of this as I tried slipping between the two. I forgot how much kids depend on a routine, myself included. They're flexible, yes, and yet being shipped back and forth from one daily routine to the next has its drawbacks. I forgot how challenging my son can be, pushing all my buttons, one right after the next. And since we all know the kids save up their absolute worst behavior for dear old Mom, M1 was the heat-seeking missile to my giant, Mommy bulls eye. He's lucky to be alive, I tell ya. At one point, just to demonstrate the kind of crazy I had devolved into, I removed ALL the furniture from his room, save the bed, just to see what stunt he would pull next! I found out quickly enough; he resorted to taunting his sister through the air-return vent between their shared wall. Guess THAT nap time is over, for everyone. Lesson learned. Furniture returned.

What I'm trying to say is that these ARE trying times, financially, socially, emotionally, spiritually. The proverbial *%$@ will undoubtedly hit the fan once in a while. And, if you're like me, you're going to go a little crazy and take the proverbial furniture out of your kid's room. That's OK. You'll eventually recover your senses and hopefully no permanent damage will have been done. We still love you.

Today, cut yourself some slack, acknowledge out loud that this party occasionally sucks, and move on down the road. Tomorrow you may have a good laugh about the crazy. Or perhaps not. Whatever the case, take comfort knowing you are not alone; we're all in this together.

If you have a comment about this, or anything else you've read, I'd love to hear from you! Prove to me I'm not in this alone. And, until next time,

Happy Parenting!

The Power of A Firm Voice and Conviction In Action

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts,


Do you have a guilty pleasure? I have lots. Like a piece of Lindt Sea Salt Dark Chocolate after dinner. For my husband, one of those guilty pleasures is watching "Supernanny". That Jo Frost sure is a pistol. We've watched a few episodes together and although I don't agree exactly with everything she does or says, I DO agree on her underlying philosophy: parents need to be parents. They need to lead and they need to have their power base. For many parents, the root cause of their disciplinary issues, as illustrated to the extreme on the show, is their lack of a firm voice and conviction in action.


We see it episode after episode, parents who have lost control of their households including their kids. In the instances I've seen, the mom is yelling, pleading, punishing, and yet nothing is improving. She has no authority and the kids don't respect her. She is ineffective. Dad is either absent or over-reacting to the Mom's tactics, adding confusion to the mix. No one is on the same page and it's a big, crazy mess.


Supernanny teaches many things to these families, one of which is how Mom can reclaim her power base. Jo teaches her to speak in a firm, authoritative (not yelling) voice and to follow through with conviction. It's difficult. Many don't have conviction. They're not used to it. It's uncomfortable and oftentimes feel like what Jo is asking them to do is too mean or too drastic. And if they don't believe in what they're doing, the kids won't either. Children can sense that internal conflict and without a parent's firm conviction, they'll revert to doing what they want, which is almost never what you want.


Firm voice. The voice of authority, because, after all, you ARE the authority! I know a mom who is not convinced she deserves the authority. At least that's her unspoken message to her children. It seems whatever she is attempting to get them to do, it's a battle. From the small things, like getting into the car seat, to the big ticket items like holding Mommy's hand in the parking lot, there's rebellion and drama. This mom has no authority with her kids. She doesn't change her voice or her body language to indicate she means business. She doesn't follow through with any of the consequences she throws out. She is ineffective at getting the results she wants. And she wonders why parenting is so difficult all the time. I want to tell her if she changed three things, life would be a whole lot easier. So I'm telling her now, and others like her too.


First, are you focusing enough on the green light behaviors? Are you really engaging with your kids every day and giving them your undivided attention and love? As I mentioned in an earlier post, parenting is 80% proactive and 20% reactive. If you're diligently applying your energy in the good stuff, you'll spend less time in the 'red zone'. Alas, kids will be kids, so here are the final two tips to get you through the red zone.


Second, remember to use vocal variety. The firm voice I alluded to and that Supernanny is looking for from you helps solidify your power base. Develop your parental voice and start seeing results.


Third, conviction in action. This means laying out the consequences for unwanted actions and following through with them, forthwith! Now be cautious about this section; don't be threatening no TV for the rest of the week, if you don't actually intend to remove that TV for the week! I quickly saw the error of my ways when I started making threats before realizing the impact it would have on me, not just my kid. I don't want to make my life any harder, so I have to pick something I'm willing to execute that will also catch the attention of my little monster. Different things speak to different kids, so you'll have to feel your way through this section. Just remember, make it real and make it happen if your monster doesn't change his behavior.


This all seems elementary to some readers, and it seriously is. It is also worth repeating, because in all it's simplicity, it can be the most difficult tactic to master. There's nothing wrong with being a gentle, friendly soul to your kids. Eighty percent of the time, that's exactly what you are! And yet, when things come to a head, you as the parent need to step up and BE A PARENT! Get in touch with your inner authority and get on with being an effective leader for your kids. You owe it to them and to yourself.


Happy Parenting!

The Power of Positive COACHING, in Youth Sports and in Life!

Happy Friday Parenting Enthusiasts,


I am excited to share a link to an article I read in today's NY Times that comments on the current state of parents, coaches and children in youth sports in this nation. My kids are too young to participate right now, AND YET, just like with bullying, I am ever watchful of trends. And what I'm reading about and seeing in the media regarding youth sports is alarming. Far too many kids drop out of sports after middle school, citing it became too competitive, too selective and not much fun. I see what they mean: parents are booing and harassing referees because they're not happy with the play calling. Teams jeer one another, sometimes within their own ranks. In more severe instances, actual fighting breaks out. What messages are we sending our kids with these behaviors? Not good ones, I assure you.


Enter, the P.C.A., the Positive Coaching Alliance, an organization working to spread the message that youth sports is about giving young athletes a positive, character-building experience ― not to become major league athletes, but to become “major league people.” They teach that the feedback that most helps young athletes develop their potential is not praise for good performance or criticism for bad performance.  What works best is the "ELM Tree of Mastery", which helps children understand that they control three key variables: their level of Effort, whether they Learn from experiences, and how they respond to Mistakes. The P.C.A. has worked with most major youth sports organizations, reaching hundreds of thousands of coaches with their tools and training. Their goal is to create positive, life-long change in youth sports culture. They have big-hitters backing them such as coaches from championship NBA teams. I liked what they had to say and invite you to read this article and come to your own conclusion.


When the time comes, I want my kids to enjoy sports for the benefits they impart: improving their own game, helping their teammates improve their game, and improving the game as a whole.  P.A.C. contends those same benefits translate into real life by "improving yourself, being a leader who helps others flourish, and working to make society better". I completely agree. That's what I call a 'win-win parenting solution'!


Happy Parenting!

Parenting Tip: No Buts About It

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts!


Today's parenting tip has to do with communication. Earlier I mentioned it is my mission to raise my children in an environment of respect. One form of respect is most certainly how we talk to one another: parent to parent, parent to child, child to child. If you want your kids to grow up knowing how to respect themselves and others, it must be modeled for them (another point I made earlier).


Many years ago I went to a communication workshop designed to help service providers deal with difficult customers. The class was called "Tongue Fu" and was one of the most memorable and helpful workshops I have ever attended. It helped me improve my communication skills not only with my customers, it also helped with my husband, my family - including my in-laws, and now my children. Sam Horn, creator of the Tongue Fu system contends that 'buts' drive wedges between two parties, thus defeating the purpose of communication, which is to bring parties together. I invite you to read more about this on her website, Tongue Fu. 


Removing 'buts' from conversation fosters collaboration and keeps the energy positive. For example, your son races up to you, so excited about having put on and tied his shoes. The shoes are on the wrong foot. You have three possible responses: You can,

1. Ignore this fact and simply congratulate the attempt, which is acceptable if your sole intent is to support his efforts;
2. Say, "That's great, BUT, they're on the wrong foot. Let's switch them around." This is called the 'Yes, but' syndrome which effectively negates the accomplishment BEFORE the but and puts the focus on the problem (after the but). Not what we're looking for in relating to our kids. Or;
3. Say, "That's great, and yet they seem to be on the wrong foot. Let's switch them around so you'll feel more comfortable." Using 'and yet' instead of 'but' keeps the energy positive, preserves the spirit of the message and is instructional without being critical, a very effective tool indeed!

Practice replacing 'yes, but' with 'and yet' for a while. You'll find your listener is more engaged with you, thus more likely to respond positively to what you are sharing. It may take a while, AND YET, it's worth it.

Happy Parenting!

Happy Toddler, Happy House!

Good morning Parenting Enthusiasts!


Today's blog is a bit longer than usual, and yet, it's chock full of handy tidbits gleaned from one of my favorite parenting books, Dr. Harvey Karp’s, Happiest Toddler on the Block.

If you haven't read it, make this book a part of your permanent collection. It's got more way more stuff than I'm able to include here. This is just to whet your appetite. So, without further ado, here's the summary:


Spend 80% of your time practicing the following:

Activities that encourage ‘green light’ behaviors

• Feed the Meter - short bursts of positive, focused attention throughout the day
• Time Ins- just sit and watch your kid; give him a high5, knuckle bump, smile, wink, hug
• Gossip - let your child overhear you whispering good things about him to someone else
• Mini Rewards - storytime, special game, tv time, privileges
• Hand Checks - check marks made on the hand and awarded for desired behaviors; added up and celebrated at the end of day
• Star Chart - used to accomplish specific goal, like potty training
• Play the Boob - a classic! Acting the fool gets you a lot of play in my house; often brings a kid back from the brink of ‘red light’ behaviors. Besides, it’s a lot of fun
• Play - Outside, Arts/ Crafts, Imaginary Play, Creative and Books

Build Confidence

• Devise win-win scenarios; Kids need wins. This is the focus of my parenting style.
• Ask for help with stuff - kids love being the authority on matters
• Offer options - detailed in previous posting, “Mommy, what are my options?”
• Listen with Respect - at their eye level, quiet, nodding, open body language
• Praise the Effort not always the Result
• Playing the Boob again - this, too, makes a kid feel great

Teach Patience

• Patience Stretching - make it a game: set a timer, make the wait incrementally longer
• Magic Breathing - never underestimate the power of a few deep breaths
• Daily Routines are Good - sets expectations; covered in previous posting “I’m Grateful for the Routine”
• Bedtime Sweet Talk, AKA “Gratefuls” also covered in previous posting “I’m Grateful for the Routine”
• Fairy Tales - let your child be the hero in a story he devises, great problem solving tool; makes them feel good too!
• Catching others being ‘good’
• Role Playing

The other 20% of your time.
Caution Actions, or ‘yellow light’ behavior solutions

• Clap-Growl Warnings - Non-verbal, startling action, usually interrupts unwanted behavior
• Polite Ignoring - most kids HATE being ignored. Withdrawing your attention for a spell can help unwanted behavior disappear.

Violation Actions, or ‘red light’ behavior solutions

• Time Out: temporary deprivation of freedom and attention (p 191)
• Privileges withdrawn

As I mentioned earlier, this is only a summary of information available in Dr. Karp's book. To learn more, get his book and check out his website. Both are loaded with great examples to help you create 'win-win' parenting solutions!

Happy Parenting!

Mommy's Big Mad: A Handy Teaching Tool

Dear Parenting Enthusiast,


As much of a surprise as this may come to my friends and family, (HA!) I am not perfect. Far from it. And although I've come a long way Baby, I'm still capable of having myself a most righteous and undignified tantrum. They're not as bad as they once were (Amen) and yet they still happen. Hey! I'm human and subject to the frailties and mood swings of said species. In other words, I can still have a "big mad".


That's what we call meltdowns or tantrums in our house. Big Mads. I got that term from my sister, whose kids are older now and not prone to them as much (let's hope). And even though it would be nice if Mommy could maintain her cool through thick and thin, through freshly bathed M2 running naked, climbing up on the dining room table and commencing with dumping an entire glass of milk all over herself and the table, whilst M1 chants and hollers, I sometimes fall short of the mark. Perhaps I was experiencing low-blood sugar or lack of sleep. Whatever the case, we all have meltdowns, just like our kids. Rather than ignore them (not cool), or feel guilty for having them (not productive), I have decided that they make for a fine teaching tool.


Example: as mentioned earlier, M2 is drenched in milk, M1 is hollering and Mommy is ticked. Really ticked. She has been running ragged all day, was thinking she was at the end of this long road, what with the bath time being done and the bedtime just around the corner- and then this! She snaps. 


"DAMMIT!" I yell as I race for the nearest Norwex washcloth (the best thing EVER). "G-O-D DAMMIT!" Yup, I've snapped. Now I'm stomping around, grumbling not-so-quiet-or-nice-things under my breath and basically scaring the bejeezus out of the kids. M1 takes off for his room. M2 just stands and cries. I've lost control of myself. Their reactions snap me out of it. I step back, take two or three deep breaths, re-center myself and come back to the job of cleaning (and now calming) the little offender. M1 reappears and watches silently. I finish wiping up, diaper M2 and am ready to address them.


"Mommy had a big mad" I say. "I am sorry I yelled and said bad words and scared you. Will you forgive me?" I look each child in the eyes and wait. Yes, says M1, and he runs off to get some toys for me to play with him. M2 just hugs me and babbles her forgiveness. All is well once more.


Everyone has a big mad once in a while. The key is to make corrections, fix the damage and most importantly CALL YOUR FOUL.  Your kids deserve the respect of an apology. If you wrong them, say "I'm sorry". It's good manners and good modeling. And, it's what you would want if things were reversed. Not that you'd be standing stark naked on your dining room table, awash in skim milk, but hey...


Happy Parenting!

It Takes a Village

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts!


A long time ago, when I was barely contemplating starting a family, my uncle Benj shared this gem with me. He said, "Di, it takes a village." Actually, I think he really said it takes a whole damn village, but you get the gist. And he's right. Damn right. I would not be the confident, happy parent I am today if I hadn't paid heed to my sage Uncle Benj's words and gone out to find my village.


I write today to endorse some of these villages: MOMS Club, Dads Club, ECFE, Let's Talk Kids, community education. These types of organizations make it possible for a parent to get all kinds of support, valuable information and to feel heard. They're even great places to share a laugh or two, because when living with smalls, those are in no short supply.


When I started out, I was a S.A.H.M. (stay at home mom), who knew I needed outside support for my own safety and sanity. I joined the local MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms Support) and quickly developed friendships with other moms in my neighborhood. When one recommended I attend an ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) class, I enrolled in a low cost, 14 week "baby and me" course. It was amazing. Between the outings with the other moms in my club and the parents and educators in the classroom, I was meeting and learning and laughing my way through parenting. Did it make all my problems disappear? No, Silly, of course not! And yet, it DID make me feel able to manage those challenges, so things weren't as scary anymore. Win-win!


Listen up! This is very important, because, although you can get a rich supply of information and yes, even some support, from the world wide web (my blog included!), there is simply NOTHING like having face to face, human contact with another person to help make the world a little more sane and a little less scary.


So if you haven't already done so, get out there and find your village. It makes parenting, whether it's the 'at-home' or 'working mom' variety, so much nicer and lots more fun.


Happy Parenting!

Some Days, Life is Just a Draw

Dear Parenting Enthusiasts,


As you've already gathered, my whole objective with this blog, and in life, is to achieve win-win solutions, as a parent, as a fellow human on this planet. It's a lofty goal some days, and on those days, it's best just to call it a draw. Let me explain.


Last Friday night, the family plan was to ride the chair lift at the local ski resort to enjoy the fall colors from above. It's a once-a-year event, replete with musicians, food, educational areas and glow sticks. We've gone every year since I learned of this awesome event's existence. Well, earlier that day, M1 was up AGAIN at the crack of spanking dawn, so I made him walk the dog with me. We wore reflective vests, so that made it more compelling. We skipped and jumped and ran. I later learned that M1 did not nap at daycare- he never does, nor did he fall asleep in the car on the way to the ski slope, which he often does. NOT GOOD.


Things were going fine until M1 fell and hit his hip on one of the rocks on the fire trails. Then, it was a fast descent into madness from which there was no recovery. Remember my earlier observations about food and rest? Well, he had food but no rest. The kid was exhausted. Both Dad and I took turns trying to turn the ship around. We had a variety of techniques at our disposal.   We used everything in the S.O.S. toolkit and then some. It was no use. He was not coming back and that was the hard luck truth. The only thing left to do was leave. Which we did. It was a loud, long, sad retreat. It was fraught with drama and punctuated with wails and screams. We soldiered on, eyes forward, shoulders squared. There was one point, when Dad had to stop for a moment, that there was quiet. M1 had recovered some of his senses and was speaking coherently, a moment I treasured. We managed to get to the car without incident. I fully expected him to fall asleep on the 40 minute ride home, and yet he didn't. At least he was no longer crying. Just not sleeping. We ran through the bedtime routine and sent him off to dream land. At least THAT went well. And he slept until 7 Saturday morning. So there was no lasting effect.


As Kenny Rogers once crooned, "You gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em". That much is true with kids too. That Friday night, we folded. It was the right thing to do, because some days, life is just a draw.


And that's OK. Happy Parenting!

The 80-20 Rule Applied to Parenting

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts!

Have you heard of the 80-20 rule? This is usually applied in other life categories such as nutrition: “eat right 80% of the time, splurge 20% and you’ll be fine”. Same goes for child rearing. Spend 80% of your time encouraging green light behaviors and, theoretically, you’ll only spend 20% in the yellow and red light zones. In keeping with the 80-20 rule,  I’m going to spend 80% of my time focusing on ways we can encourage, teach and model good things with our kiddos and 20% suggesting coping strategies for when things go wrong.

I am borrowing the terms ‘green, yellow and red light’ from Dr Harvey Karp, author of “Happiest Toddler on the Block”, a book I’ve read several times and am happy to summarize in a later post. He alludes to this same 80-20 concept, spending a great deal of the book illustrating the benefits of fostering positive strokes and only the last few chapters on dealing with your Monsters. At first reading, I thought this was a rip off. After all, it was from my desperation dealing with my Monsters that I originally read the book in the first place. And then it hit me. He’s talking all about this green light stuff BECAUSE if we do this consistently enough, much of the ickier stuff will actually disappear on its own. It’s laying the groundwork for improved behavior. Since I implemented several of his strategies, things have improved at our house ten-fold. Like any kind of training though, it takes the 3 P’s: patience, praise and practice.

So, I will offer those Melt-Down Mitigating Moments for when you’re IN the moment. I just ask that you spend as much time, or more, endeavoring to master the green light stuff as well. It pays off in the long run.

Happy Parenting!

Mommy, What Are My Options?

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts!


Oh yes, the infamous OPTIONS question. I get this one a lot, which is good because it shows that my son is listening and the system is working.

The system to which I am referring is a fundamental toddler negotiating tool. If you haven't already added it to your S.O.S. toolkit, here's why you'll want to.


The 'option' empowers a child to think for himself, to make a choice and to live by the consequences of that choice.


The other day my son wanted to play with the new Legos Grandma had brought to the house. That's cool, AFTER he puts away the toys that he'd been playing with previously. As I'm sure is the case in many households, behind potty training and eating vegetables, keeping the living areas clutter free is one of the toughest challenges I face. By giving him the option between picking up the old toys to make room for the new and not picking up and not playing with the Legos, I put his happiness square on his shoulders. He is in charge of what happens next. He has a choice. Interestingly, he chose NOT to clean up and instead opted for something else in an entirely different area of the house. So the living room is still in need of cleaning, AND YET, he's not complaining about the Legos. Partial win-win. Moving on...


Having options or choices is liberating for both parent and child. The parent isn't fully responsible for the children's happiness every waking moment, and the child gets to exercise power over themselves. Win-Win.


My kids' days are filled with options, from morning til night. Some are designed to create happiness, others to make things less bad. An example of the first is to let the child decide which favorite book to read or TV show to watch during free time. The second option, designed to make things less bad, is the option that can really help create win-win solutions. The following situation is a common one. Monster 1 does not want to get in the car and Mommy is close to running late. M1's options are to walk like a big boy under his own power to the car, or Mommy will give him a piggyback ride. Either way, he's getting into that car, which is the goal. The choice is his to make. If he chooses not to choose one of those options, we've jumped into the red light behavior category and different tactics need to be employed. (I'm still drafting this post, thanks for your patience). We'll just assume that my monster made one of the choices given, or made up one of his own - like skipping out to the car, which resulted in the goal being met.  


Whatever the case, offering an option mitigated the need for more drastic action and gave everyone a sense of control. Again, win-win parenting. So, if you haven't already adopted options into your parenting style, give it a try. Remember to keep it simple. No more than a couple of choices is the recommendation. Design the options so that both parties somehow benefit and then have fun listening to your kids ask teachers, caregivers and others to tell them their options. It's priceless, really!


Happy Parenting!

Parenting at 5 am: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Hello Parenting Enthusiasts!


This morning, for the second day in a row, M1 has been waking up at 5 am. This is in spite of the fact that a) that's not how we roll and; b) his bedtime hasn't changed. I have no idea what's prompting this behavior and I'm irritated. I know it's just a phase, I know it won't last forever, and yet, I'm irked. I was going to go to the gym- I had plans, man. And now this. So, what to do?


First, try to get that kid back to sleep. This tactic worked yesterday. I refreshed his water, re-tucked him in bed, said another round of gratefuls, kisses, hugs..the works. And he went back down. Not for long, but enough that I didn't want to kill him anymore. That's something.


So when we had a repeat performance this morning, I tried it again. Dangit, no luck. He kept saying over and over that he wanted to watch Blue's Clues. When I gently reminded him it was still night-time and not good-morning time (I even pulled the curtain back to make a point--something I wouldn't be able to do in the summer at 5 am!), he just fussed and whined and made a stink. Now I am awake and peeved. I interrupt his diatribe to remind him that TV watching is not an option and if he's not tired he could go play downstairs or look at a book or whatever... as long as it's quiet and not disruptive to the rest of us. More whining, more fussing. We're at threat level orange now folks. Every minute I spend dealing with this is just that much more confirmation I am not getting back to sleep again today. This does not make me happy. I am not my best self at the moment, I'm hardly even trying to be. It's just so dang early! 


So we're at an impasse. The only thing he wants is Blue's Clues. The only thing I want is my bed. It would be so easy to cave, to give him that dang show so I can go back to sleep. AND YET I do not. That would set a precedent that I do not want. I want to turn this over to his father, and let HIM set the precedent because I know that man will cave. He is not at his best at this hour- far from it. He will give the boy what he wants. But that's not an option. I choose instead to lay it out for him. Son, I'm going back to bed. Whatever you decide to to, do it quietly. I exit the room, leave the door open, enter my room, leaving that door open as well, and go back to bed. 


Wait for it. Yes, here they come. Here come the tears. The crying. It follows me to the doorway of my boudoir. It wails, and yet, does not enter. Standing there, plaintively, wordlessly making his case through sound. I quickly explain to my now-awake husband what is in play here. He groans and rolls over. I stand my ground by lying in my bed. The crying crescendos and then he drops to the floor. Sobbing, yet quieter. Another few moments pass. Coughing, sobbing and yet less still. Finally, quiet. He is asleep. On the floor. In the hallway. The dog steps over him to come rest his head on my bed, his eyes inquiring. Just lay down and roll with it I tell him. He does. 


Miracle of miracles, M2 does not wake through all of this. All is quiet once more, a scant two minutes before my alarm is to sound, so that I can go to the gym. Screw the gym. I gingerly make my way to the clock, turning the alarm into the off position. I am done. With all of this.


For now.

Random Parenting Tip: What To Do When Naughty Older Children Are At The Park

Good morning Parenting Enthusiasts!


This gem comes from a fellow ECFE mom I was lucky enough to befriend outside of class.


Have you ever been at the park with your smalls, only to be driven off by the unwanted actions of older, unaccompanied kids? We've all been there. You schlep your brood and all their accouterments to the park, only to find the top of the slide occupied by 14 year olds, trying out all the salty language you know (hope) they don't get to use at home and generally not behaving in a manner befitting your young audience. What to do?


As I will mention over and over again, you have OPTIONS! 


First, you could turn around, pack up your stuff and (by now), screaming kids, and leave. Not an attractive idea as you will no doubt have mutiny among your ranks. Next please.


Second, you could politely and firmly request they refrain from such behavior and hope that they stop. Be prepared for some kind of confrontation though, it's not unheard of and can sometimes turn ugly. Not the win-win option for me.


Third, you can call 911. A bit of an over-reaction really, if all they are doing it loitering and talking snappy. If they are engaging in dangerous or illegal behavior, though, get outta there and call 911 from the car. No kidding.


Since chances are the kids are just being a bit like, well, teens, so I'm going with option four to solve this dilemma, which is thus:


Go up to the group, as cheerful and upbeat as can be and...wait for it.... TALK TO THEM! Ask them about the day they're having. Smile and compliment them on their shoes. Be nice, be sincere and be respectful. Engage them in conversation. If you do this, one of two things is usually going to happen. Either they will 1) respond in kind and generally clean up their behavior; or 2) they'll split. Regardless, your problem is solved. No harm, no foul. Win-Win!


I have employed this technique at least two times now and both times the kids changed up into decent kids again. No awkwardness, no hard feelings. Sure, it was a bit uncomfortable for me the first time, and yet, the results were so amazing, it was worth it! Honestly, give this a try.


Simple Genius! Thanks Michele!


Happy Parenting!

I'm 'Grateful' for the Routine!

Happy Friday Parenting Enthusiasts!

First, a little business. A few posts ago I mentioned writing about red light behaviors and how to deal when your monsters go super-nova. I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t like how my post is coming together and I’m not in the mood right now to fix it. The upshot is, it’s still on the list. No worries, I’ll get there!

So last night I connected with my friend, who’s been having a rough year in her family life. Over the last 6 weeks, she made some drastic changes, including putting her kids into a better routine. It’s made a world of difference! She gets them up at the same time every day (school starting really helped on that front!) and has an evening meal about the same time every night. Fast forward a few weeks. The cranky kids in the morning transformed into well rested kids, excited to start the day. Mealtime meltdowns are at an all time low. And mommy “ME” time is on the rise, thanks to an earlier, more reasonable bed time hour. All of these benefits came from simply adding some structure to the day.

Along with my friend establishing a bedtime routine arose a ritual we both like to call “Gratefuls”. Gratefuls are an opportunity to review the day as a family and pick out a couple of things that made us happy. For example, in my house, we do gratefuls in my son’s room right before lights out. I lay on the bed with him, Dad sits on the comfy chair and his little sister runs about randomly while we talk. I also go through the routine again later, when it’s just her and me in her room. Last night, I was grateful we had a peaceful family dinner, with everyone eating and sharing. My son was grateful for the stories he and I make up each night, starring him! And so on. Some nights, the gratefuls are really meaningful, like last night. And other times, he just looks around the room and makes up something random. Whatever the case, I accept it, offer my own and move on down the bedtime road. It’s the routine that counts, not necessarily the quality of the content. And, heaven help you if you forget to do gratefuls! In spite of the fact he sometimes takes the lazy route, my son will holler about it just the same, should I forget. It’s that important to him.

So take a moment to look at how your family runs. Is there room for improvement on the routine front? Like it or not, kid respond to structure, and the more grounding you can offer at home in this regard, the better prepared your kids will be to handle situations in the outside world.

Happy Parenting!

Random Parenting Tip: Don't Buy Your Kids Stuff They Just Asked For

Happy Monday Fellow Parenting Enthusiasts!


Like the subject line suggests, random parenting tip coming your way. This one comes courtesy of Mary, a mother of 4 boys whom I met during a Body Pump class at the YMCA. During a break we were talking about our smalls and she offered this gem: Don't buy your kids stuff they just asked for.


Very early on, Mary set the precedent that her kids would not be obliged if they asked her to buy them anything while at the store. Any store. She would remind them before entering and would defer them with any of a number of tactics: "let's put that on your wish list" being at the top. Whatever the case, she would not cave. It didn't always avoid a melt down, and yet, she felt it minimized them drastically. With four kids in tow, can you imagine the racket with everyone begging for their own stuff? Mayhem! And financial ruin to boot.


On the analytic side, not buying them what they ask for accomplishes a number of objectives. First and foremost, it saves money and time. Second, it teaches patience. Third, it helps separate the wheat from the chaff in that if they ask for something more than a couple of times, chances are they really want it. If not, well, you saved the money and the space in your house. Fourth, it sets you up for success, for if you give that wanted item to them later,  "just because" or for some other occasion, you're the hero. And they learn that sometimes, you CAN get what you ask for, just not right that exact moment. Win-win parenting moment. Hey wait! That's awesome! I think I have a new tag line. Homegroan by di, helping identify the win-win parenting moments! Huzzah!


Thanks Mary for offering this helpful hint in parenting!


Happy Parenting!

HomeGroan what? Please explain

Some readers may be wondering at my choice of blogger ID. Let me explain. I'm a funny person. No really, people have come to expect me to lift their spirits and make them laugh because I'm so darn good at it. I love to laugh and it's my personal mission to try and find the lightness, if not the downright hilarity of this thing called LIFE. This is my gift. And back in the day, prior to blogs and the internet and online everything- yes, I am THAT old, I made funny cards to send to my friends and family. On the back of these cards, where you would normally find the company logo, I created my OWN logo and used the tagline, "HomeGroan by di". So there you go. It's an homage to times gone by and what's to come!

Happy Parenting!

Preemptive Strike, AKA What to Do Before the Meltdown

So now we're in to the crux of the matter. Sure, it's easy to speak nicely to M1 & M2 when they're not behaving like their namesakes. It's when they could use a whole lotta cheese to go with that whine that you need an "S.O.S." toolkit. Add these tips to your arsenal and the sea of life will calm once more.

Today I'll focus on before the meltdown. Let's call it 'critical mass' or the pseudo-calm before the storm. Someone is starting to get edgy, perhaps this is manifested with some snappy talk or downright refusal to comply with simple requests. When this occurs, first make certain both you and the would-be monster are not hungry. Again, this sounds pretty, flippin' basic, AND YET you'd be surprised at how many meltdowns are avoided or at least minimized when a healthy snack or beverage is made available. And I'm just talking about Mom!!! So check everyone for a low gas tank and get something down the gullet. STAT.

Second, does anyone need a nap? It probably goes without saying that Mom could use some extra zzz's and I wish I could wave my magic wand and give you the hour of down time you richly deserve. My son stopped napping at around 18 months. This was an unpleasant shock as I really depended on that time to reconnect with myself. So I implemented 'quiet time'. This has evolved over the last 2 years, yet the essence remains the same. I rest and he is safely ensconced somewhere nearby. Some days I use a granola bar, some apple juice and Scooby Doo to make it happen. Other days, I can bribe him to lay with me in hopes of earning a privilege or special treat. Whatever the case, if in any way I can find a break for us both, I take it. A little down time goes a long way in preserving the peace.

Last, does someone need a hug? I've discovered recently that my M's have become more readily upset and are more needy than in the past. Some of this could be 'age and stage' related, and yet I credit most of this trend with my return to the workforce. Whatever it is causing the uproar, I find that giving my full attention, heart and soul, mind and body to that little M, even if only for two minutes, works wonders at yanking them back from the brink. Sometimes, to borrow loosely from the Beatles song, "All you need is HUG".

I'll close today's offering with this: you'll no doubt agree it is a lot easier to parent a child who is not in the throes of tantrum. The more you can do on the front end to mitigate that meltdown, the better for all involved. Next up, some 'red light' behaviors and techniques for navigating them with humor and humanity.

Happy Parenting!

Following the Leader (that's YOU)!

The foundation for any relationship, whether it be with a parent or child, friend, co-worker or blogger is respect. Without respect, there is little hope for happiness. So it is with respect that I offer these insights, both light-hearted and heart-felt, and I hope it is with respect that this information is received.

Earlier I mentioned a quote from Albert Schweitzer, a theologian, philosopher, humanitarian and all around quotable guy from the old days. He said, "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing." I found this on a blog about designing your dream life which has to do with the Law of Attraction (LOA). I'll be touching on the LOA often, as it is a key element in what drives me.

Anyway, the crux of this lesson is that everyone, not just children, learns by example. Whether you like it or not, the people you hang out with, the kids your kids hang out with, the way you handle yourself in public and at home; all are examples that influence your kids. So the first order of business in being a great parent is to make sure you're doing you're level best to be a decent human being. I know to most this seems pretty dang obvious, but it bears repeating, early and often. One cannot discount how important it is that your kids see you being the person you want your children to grow up to be.

Treating your kiddos with respect means keeping your voice level and free of sarcasm when correcting them. It means getting down to eye level to calmly explain your concerns. It is refraining from negative talk and name calling and labeling. It's treating your kids nicely. Mind you, it is not the same thing as letting them run the show. Oh no, my friend, Mommy still holds the reins. She just does it firmly and lovingly. For example: I expect my kids to use their manners- say please and thank you, cover their coughs and sneezes, say "I'm sorry" and "Excuse me" at the appropriate moments. The only way they're going to learn this stuff is to see it modeled for them by you and those around them. It's hard sometimes. Kids have a knack for driving their parents (especially Mom) bonkers, and when I'm bonkers, my manners, calm and good intentions all go right out the window. These "test" moments are when it's especially important to maintain the 'example'. How you handle yourself in when things have gone to heck in a hand-basket is watershed territory with the smalls.

So how do you handle or try to avoid those moments? Now that I've laid the groundwork of respect, I'll offer a few choice tidbits on leading by example, even in crisis.  Next time!


Happy Parenting!

Introducing M1 and M2, AKA Mommy's 1st and 2nd Cherubs

I'm a working mom. It hasn't always been this way. Interestingly, when I conceived of having children- get it, 'conceived'?, too funny- I imagined going right back to work after maternity leave ended. "I'm not designed for the SAHM (stay at home mom) thing" I told myself. And so, when the time came to actually start my family, I went with that belief. It worked approximately 2.2 seconds, because, as luck would have it, I was laid off just months before my first born was conceived. So then the plan became staying home with them at least until they started school. As the economy would have it, THAT lasted only slightly longer, about 3 1/2 years.


And here I am. Thankful to have a job. Thankful to have a great family. Excited to offer my take on parenting, which is a combo platter taken from "Happiest Toddler on the Block", "Parenting with Love and Logic" and a host of other sources that together serve up a healthy dose of humor, heart and help.


M1 and M2 are how I lovingly refer to my children, a 3 1/2 year old son and a 21 month old daughter. My husband gave them that moniker after one particularly difficult bedtime: Monster 1 and Monster 2. Of course, if they should ever ask, it means 'Mommy's 1st Cherub and Mommy's 2nd Cherub'. Let's not fool ourselves though, children can imitate the best of the monster crowd, no doubt about it. Which is what possessed me to add my .02 to the parenting blog universe.


I dedicate this blog space to presenting parenting challenges and offering hopefully humorous, helpful suggestions for managing those challenges. Some days will be devoted to more serious issues, and yet, finding the lighter side of said situations can often make the difference in how one addresses them.


For better or 'worse', we love our kids. We want the best for them and to get the best out of them. I sincerely hope the information found here will be part of what helps make that a daily reality.


First tidbit to ponder and to get the ball rolling comes from Albert Schweitzer. "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."


More on that next time!!


Happy Parenting!