*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for June: National Effective Communication Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior Fall Schedule 2010 (see home page)
2. Ten Things You Can Learn from Grandparents
3. Parenting Mind Movie
4. Involved or Over Involved?
5. DIY: Summer Family Project
6. Why Not You?
7. Vitamin A and Sunscreen
8. S is for Supervision
9. Teaching Your Child to Motivate Himself
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

2. Ten Things You Can Learn from Grandparents
Dr. Laura Markham writes beautifully about ten things parents can learn from their own parents now that they are grandparents.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Parenting Mind Movie
Watch this short mind movie from The International Network for Children and Families twice daily for encouragement and inspiration.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Involved or Over Involved?
This article explores the difference between being an involved, supportive parent and being an over involved, hovering parent.
CLICK HERE for More

5. DIY: Summer Family Project
Are you looking for a summer activity that is fun, involves learning and will create family team? Here is your answer!
CLICK HERE for More

6. Why Not You?
By Wes Hopper

There’s a famous story told about Henry Ford in the early days of the automobile. He asked his engineering team to find a way to cast an entire engine block in one piece. This was bigger and more precise than had ever been done before. After many months the team reported that what he was asking was impossible. He said, “No, it’s not. Keep working.”

After many more month they reported failure again. Ford responded in the same way – keep at it. Finally, after virtually reinventing every aspect of the process, they succeeded in mass producing the first single cast V-8 engine block, which allowed less expensive mass production.

Do you see the practical application here? When you have a clear vision, keep at it! Don’t allow the fact that you’ve never done it before stop you. Like Ford, don’t even let the fact that no one has ever done it before stop you! Someone has to be first – why not you?

The important thing is to firmly believe that there is a solution, and that you can find it. Ford’s team didn’t believe that, but Ford did. Sometimes it helps if we have a trusted partner who can believe for us, too. Keep reminding yourself that you have never failed until you quit. And then, don’t quit. You’ll be grateful you didn’t.
CLICK HERE for More

7. Vitamin A and Sunscreen
Savvy Science Mom explores the use of Vitamin A in sunscreens and a recent FDA study showing that a form of Vitamin A speeds up the development of skin tumors when applied to skin exposed to sunlight. You will also find a link to the Environmental Working Group’s 2010 Sunscreen Guide.
CLICK HERE for More

8. S is for Supervision
In the ABC’s of Child Care series from Childhood 101, early childhood educator Christie Burnett provides a clear picture of what to look for in quality child care. In this post she discusses supervision.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Teaching Your Child to Motivate Himself
Third grade teacher and Redirecting Children’s Behavior™ Instructor Jane Sisoian writes about how to teach self-motivation to your children.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote of the Week
“Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again.” … Henry Ford

********************************************************************

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for May: National Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. 2010 Redirecting Children’s Behavior Schedule – see home page
2. Encouraging Life Long Learners over the Summer
3. Getting Children to Listen
4. Summer Reading: Newbery Award Winners
5. Grandparents Often the First to Recognize Autism
6. Chronic Thinking
7. P is for Playground
8. Junk Food Addiction
9. Ice Breaker Games
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

2. Encouraging Life Long Learners over the Summer
The summer can be a time of “brain drain.” Amy Webb of The Thoughtful Parent has creative ideas for summertime activities that are not only educational but fun.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Getting Children to Listen
Here are some terrific tips on how to be more influential when you are speaking so that others – especially your children – listen.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Summer Reading: Newbery Award Winners
Twenty-three children’s books, all winners of Newbery Awards, are here for your child’s summer reading pleasure. You will find a description of the plot of each book along with reviews.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Grandparents Often the First to Recognize Autism
Grandparents are often the first to realize that a young grandchild has autism, but they often hesitate to say something to the child’s parents, which can delay the best available treatment for autism: early intervention.
CLICK HERE for More

6. Chronic Thinking
By Wes Hopper

My wife did a coaching workshop with Maria Nemeth a few months ago, and one of the discoveries that the participants made was that they had a “basic assumption” about themselves. What is that, you might ask. Well, it’s a label or belief about themselves that they picked up, usually in childhood, that they’re not consciously aware of but which runs their lives. Everything that you want to do, try to do or plan to do gets checked against that basic assumption to see if it agrees that a person like you would do that. If not, you find that getting those things done is really difficult.

Because my wife was so different from her family in her likes and dislikes, she came out of childhood with the assumption, “There’s something wrong with me.” As I thought about it, I realized that I was always being told that I could do better, so my assumption became, “Wes is a guy who never lives up to his potential.”

These basic assumptions are the kind of chronic ways of thinking that Beckwith describes. They’re creative, and we don’t always like what they create. However when you bring them into the light and look at them, you can see they’re just labels. Not the truth, just labels. And you can remove labels.

So think about it. What might be lurking in the background for you, driving your chronic way of thinking? You’ll find it in the patterns of your life. Once you figure that out, what would you rather have it say? Create a new label. You are NOT your label. You’re a powerful and creative child of the Universe! Now go create something magnificent!
CLICK HERE for More

7. P is for Playground
In this piece from a continuing series on what to look for in quality child care, the author explores the importance of the physical environment in learning. She also includes questions about the outdoor space to ask yourself when considering a child care center for your child.
CLICK HERE for More

8. Junk Food Addiction
Child psychologist David Elkind, Ph. D., discusses a recent study suggesting that junk food is addicting.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Ice Breaker Games
Although these games are on a site about hosting family reunions, they are great ice breakers for adolescent and teen parties.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote of the Week
“Creation is always happening. Every time an individual holds onto a thought or a prolonged chronic way of thinking, they’re in the creative process. Something is going to manifest out of that.” … Rev Michael Beckwith

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for May: National Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course (see home page)
2. The Ten Secrets about Saying “No”
3. Morty Lefkoe on Corporal Punishment
4. Summer Reading: Kimchi and Calamari
5. Building Rapport with Your Spouse
6. Bad Parents
7. Are Playgrounds Toxic?
8. A Different Take on Developmental Milestones
9. Six Reasons to Avoid Dairy
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

2. The Ten Secrets about Saying “No”
Dr. Laura Markham says, “Most humans ignore things they don’t want to hear, if possible. But we can get our kids to “listen,” and to follow our rules, without resorting to yelling, threats or harshness.” She kindly provides ten secrets to saying “no” to your child.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Morty Lefkoe on Corporal Punishment
Author of Recreate Your Life: Transforming Yourself and Your World and creator the Lefkoe Belief Process, Morty Lefkoe writes passionately about the impact of corporal punishment on the beliefs that children create and carry with them into adulthood.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Summer Reading: Kimchi and Calamari
Mother-Daughter Book Club had great things to say about Rose Kent’s first book, Kimchi and Calamari. Joseph Calderaro, the book’s main character, describes himself as “an eighth-grade optimist” whose “bag of barbecue chips is always half full.” His optimism is challenged on his fourteenth birthday when his teacher assigns a 1,500-word paper called Tracing Your Past: A Heritage Essay. Joseph, born in Korea, was adopted into an Italian-American family. The story “follows Joseph as he questions his own identity and struggles to come up with answers about his heritage. Is he a real Korean? Is he Italian? Does it make a difference to him?” Great summer reading for ages 9 – 12.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Building Rapport with Your Spouse
Nancy Wasson, Ph. D., provides insights and skills to increase emotional intimacy and communication.
CLICK HERE for More

6. Bad Parents
By Wes Hopper
Did you have perfect parents? No, I didn’t either. My folks were great, but they both had issues, especially with money. Did your kids have perfect parents? No, mine didn’t either. Both their parents had issues. (And still do) Are you seeing a pattern here? We live in a world of imperfect people, including us. If we want to be successful we have to give up our imperfect childhood as an excuse.

I often hear from people in my programs who complain that their mother was mean, their father never taught them anything, and the whole family was negative about money. So what! Get over it! It’s only important to you now if you let it run you.

You need love? You’re a beloved child of the Universe. You need guidance? You’ve got access to all the world’s trainers, programs, information and spiritual teachers with the click of a mouse.

So let’s make a pledge together that we’re willing to give up all our excuses.

We have all we need to get started – all the love, all the ideas, all the teachers, all the information, all the desire, and all the money. Yes, all the money. There is so much available for free that money is not an excuse. You can start, and the money will come.

You can start any time you want to. How about now? The world is waiting for you!
CLICK HERE for More

7. Are Playgrounds Toxic?
Savvy Science Mom addresses the surfacing found in playgrounds, particularly the important surfacing under playground equipment that is aimed at reducing head injuries.
CLICK HERE for More

8. A Different Take on Developmental Milestones
Exploring the history and meaning of developmental milestones, this article states, “When parents today worry about their child not meeting developmental norms, especially for motor skills, they’re too often worrying needlessly. The typical child, it turns out, is a myth. But someone forgot to tell the parents.”
CLICK HERE for More

9. Six Reasons to Avoid Dairy
Dr. Mark Hyman, physician and pioneer in functional medicine, provides his six reasons for avoiding dairy at all costs as well as clarifying why the USDA’s food pyramid doesn’t really help you maintain a healthy diet.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote of the Week
“You are not barred from attaining greatness by heredity. No matter who or what your ancestors may have been, the upward way is open to you.” … Wallace Wattles

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for April: National Humor Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course Schedule (see home page)
2. Boosting Friendship-Making Skills
3. Talk Deeply, Be Happy
4. Earth Day
5. Talk to Yourself Like Someone You Love
6. Intend Your Day
7. Child Readiness
8. High Fructose Corn Syrup and Obesity
9. Celebrating National Poetry Month
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior:
The Gentle Art of Parenting

2. Boosting Friendship-Making Skills
Author and parenting expert Michele Borba provides valuable information as well as four tips for boosting your child’s friendship-making skills.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Talk Deeply, Be Happy
Recent studies have found that people who spend more of their day having deep discussions and less time engaging in small talk seem to be happier. Read more on this happiness factor.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Earth Day
April 22 will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Learn ways to participate and celebrate with your family.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Talk to Yourself Like Someone You Love
Our inner dialog can drive our world (see the article below by Wes Hopper on intending your day). Dr. Laura Markham says, “The subconscious mind is like a small child. It believes everything we tell it.” Read Dr. Markham’s post about turning your inner critic into your inner cheerleader.
CLICK HERE for More

6. Intend Your Day
By Wes Hopper

I know several people that are very proud of the fact that they can take whatever life throws at them. No matter what the challenge or problem is, they can handle it! Now it’s good to have that kind of strength and confidence, but it’s a lousy way to plan your day. Wouldn’t you rather see what life can do with what YOU throw at it? Instead of just getting up in the morning to see what happens, INTEND your day.

Have a plan for how your day is going to be, and intend for it to be that way. Put the full force and power of your intent into it. Treat intention with respect. Recent scientific experiments with group intention have reduced the crime rate in a major city, sped up plant growth, changed the essential qualities of containers of water, and caused unusually rapid healing for a burn victim.

Want to conduct your own experiment? Start intending your day. Lay out in your mind how you want the day to go. Expect it. Will you get 100% of your intention? Maybe, maybe not, but your life will shift in ways that will amaze you.

Instead of just responding to life, you’re now creating your life. You’ll be grateful you did.
CLICK HERE for More

7. Child Readiness
Dr. David Elkind comments on child readiness – readiness for first grade, for sports, for learning certain subjects and more. Dr. Elkind suggests that readiness is a relational term rather than simply a child’s problem.
CLICK HERE for More

8. High Fructose Corn Syrup and Obesity
Princeton University recently reported the results of a study comparing high fructose corn syrup to sucrose. Researchers found that with calorie content remaining the same, the rats consuming high fructose corn syrup became obese.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Celebrating National Poetry Month
In addition to being National Humor Month, April is also National Poetry Month. The New York Times has links and suggestions for both celebrating poetry and inspiring young people to read and write poetry. Under “Finding Poems Everywhere” – which encourages us to look in unusual places for poetry – are poems drawn directly from the “Missed Connections” section on Craigslist. There are also great suggestions for bringing poetry into schools in unique, creative ways.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote of the Week
“While you are standing around wondering what tomorrow will bring, remember that life is a creation, not a discovery.” … Srikumar Rao

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for March: Nutrition Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior course Schedule Summer 2010 (see Home page)
2. Gender Gap in Reading
3. Happy Birthday, Happy Meal
4. Teen Girls and Team Sports
5. Kindness: An Evolutionary Advantage
6. Name It and Solve It
7. Teaching Your Child the Art of Happiness
8. Teens and Depression
9. Educational Videos for Babies do Not Work
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

2. Gender Gap in Reading
The Center on Education Policy looked at how boys and girls score on state reading and math tests around the nation. The Washington-based nonprofit found that boys trailed girls in elementary, middle and high school in reading. CEP president Jack Jennings concludes that the lag is “no fluke. It is a clear and unmistakable national trend.” What is more, girls are now scoring equally as well in math as boys. The full CEP report is available here.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Happy Birthday, Happy Meal
CLICK HERE for More

4. Teen Girls and Team Sports
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that playing sports gives young females independence, status with peers, opportunities to make friends, relaxation, and weight control. According to the CDC, girls who play sports learn important life skills, including teamwork, the experience of success, goal setting and more. Read suggestions on how to encourage your teen daughter to become actively involved in team sports.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Kindness: An Evolutionary Advantage
A new phrase is replacing Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” and it is “survival of the kindest.” Researchers are finding a growing body of evidence that shows that we are becoming more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive. The skills taught in Redirecting Children’s Behavior indeed have a higher purpose!
CLICK HERE for More

6. Name It and Solve It
By Wes Hopper
One of the big mistakes that keeps people stuck is a simple one – they think that events come with an absolute value of good or bad attached to them. Even Shakespeare knew better, and had Hamlet say, “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

Things that happen in our lives are there for us to name. We can call them “good” or we can call them “bad.” They can be a learning experience, or a disaster. It’s our call. This is not just woo-woo semantics! What we call an experience directly affects our experience of it, and that’s not woo-woo.

A successful person faced with an unexpected and challenging situation is more likely to say, “Humm, very interesting!” than “My God, we’re all gonna die!” People aren’t successful because they never get those kinds of challenges; they’re successful because of the way they respond to them. And learn from them.

I used to joke that at one time I had a net worth that was $250 Million bigger than Donald Trump’s! That was because Trump had some challenges and his net worth was a minus $250 Million at the time. But not for long. He didn’t call it a disaster, just a minor setback. And it became what he called it.

So if you’re having some minor setbacks in your life, make sure of what you’re calling the situations in your life. Your pain is directly related to what you call it and you have the power to revoke it at any moment. Name it, and solve it. You’ll be grateful you did.
CLICK HERE for More

7. Teaching Your Child the Art of Happiness
If asked what they desire for their child, almost any parent would respond, “happiness.” Dr. Laura Markham provides eleven steps to teach your child the art of happiness.
CLICK HERE for More

8. Teens and Depression
Did you know that depression now strikes one out of 20 teens? What’s more, the rates of childhood depression are not only increasing but are also impacting younger kids. Author Michele Borba discusses teen depression and lists eight possible signs of depression that should not be overlooked.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Educational Videos for Babies Do Not Work
Another study has come out confirming that educational videos for babies do not boost their word power and may in fact be harmful.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote of the Week
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” … Marcus Aurelius

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for February: Nutrition Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior Spring 2010 Course Schedule (see Home page)
2. Raising Teens
3. Food, Inc.
4. Toxic Bath Toys
5. Good Old Fashioned Play
6. Take a Nap
7. Have Fun Learning to Read!
8. Ten Ways to Eat Green
9. Love Your Vulnerability!
10. Inspirational Quotes of the Week

2. Raising Teens
In Between Parent and Teenager, Dr. Haim Ginott promoted compassionate parenting. The book contains detailed conversations with teens – the type of conversations that keep the door to connection and communication open. Read more about Dr. Ginott’s suggestions and the experience of raising a teen. Leave your comments!
CLICK HERE for More

3. Food, Inc.
We’ve previously highlighted the film Food, Inc. in Parenting News. With its recent nomination for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, it deserves a second mention, especially during National Nutrition Month.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Toxic Bath Toys
Please check this article about recent reports on toxic bath toys. Tests not only showed fecal matter, E. coli bacteria and staph, but also Phthalates. Safe alternatives are given.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Good Old Fashioned Play
From playing four square and snail to skipping stones, here are fifteen ways to encourage old fashioned play without any electronic components. Instructions – not batteries – are included.
CLICK HERE for More

6. Take a Nap
By Wes Hopper
One of the best ways to put your intuition and creativity to work is with a nap. We all get to the point when we’re wrestling with a problem where we are just out of ideas. That’s the best time for a nap.

Thomas Edison was famous for taking short naps and waking up with an answer. The chemist August Kekule was baffled by the complex structure of the benzene molecule, until he had a dream of a snake eating its own tail.

Why does sleep help? Physicist Amit Goswami believes that there’s a quantum aspect of mind that exists as infinite possibilities. When we relax, we allow the mind to choose new answers, connect in new ways, and this is where our creativity comes from. Meditation can boost creativity for the same reason – a relaxed mind.

So instead of agonizing over problems that seem unsolvable, turn them over to your imagination and intuition, your quantum mind. Relax. Take a nap. Meditate. Repeat as necessary. Be confident that there’s enough creativity in you to solve anything. Because there is! And that’s something to be grateful for!
CLICK HERE for More

7. Have Fun Learning to Read!
The website Starfall opened in September of 2002 as a free public service to motivate children to read with phonics. The systematic phonics approach, in conjunction with phonemic awareness practice, is perfect for ages pre-school through second grade. Starfall is educational as well as entertaining.
CLICK HERE for More

8. Ten Ways to Eat Green
Here are ten important – yet simple and affordable – tips on how to eat green. From suggestions on healthier snacks to “banning the can”, these ten ideas are perfect to practice in your family beginning in March, National Nutrition Month.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Love Your Vulnerability!
Richard and Bonney Schaub write about becoming more vulnerable through the experience of loss.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote of the Week
“It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.” … John Steinbeck

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for February: Nutrition Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior Spring 2010 Course Schedule (see Home page)
2. Let Them Play!
3. Advertising’s Image of Women
4. D is for Daily Record
5. You are an Olympian, Too!
6. Clarity from Confusion
7. Validate
8. Raising Children with Empathy
9. Feeding Baby Green
10. Inspirational Quotes of the Week

2. Let Them Play!
Unstructured play – when children negotiate, make rules and change them, and problem solve – is the foundation for becoming cooperative, responsive adults. Joan Almon, an early childhood educator for over thirty years and an advocate for unstructured free play for children, says that research shows that the most active players in early childhood classes make the greatest gains in language development and are the least aggressive. Read more in this informative article.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Advertising’s Image of Women
For every mother, daughter, woman and parent to watch, this thirty-four minute presentation from the Media Education Association is given by Jean Kilbourne, creator of the documentary film series, Killing Us Softly. In fascinating detail, Kilbourne decodes an array of print and television advertisements, and her analysis challenges us to consider the relationship between advertising and broader issues of culture, identity, sexism, and gender violence.
CLICK HERE for More

4. D is for Daily Record
The Daily Child Care Series, written by an early childhood educator, is both a resource for parents with children in child care and a tool for parents looking for quality child care.
CLICK HERE for More

5. You are an Olympian, Too!
With the Winter Olympics and the release of The Lightning Thief, there have been several recent references to Olympians. Read Pamela Dunn’s post on how you are an Olympian in your life.
CLICK HERE for More

6. Clarity from Confusion
By Wes Hopper
That’s one thing I hear from people all the time – “I’m confused.” There are a couple of reasons for this. First, most people study too much different material at one time. If you’re reading books or training programs from five different people you’re going to get confused. Pick one set of ideas at a time to work on. After all, the whole idea is to implement the good ideas, not just pack your skull with data. But it’s amazing how easy it is to avoid the work and just read another book.

The other reason people say they’re confused is the one that Alan Cohen is referring to when he said, “Confusion is the last stop on the road to clarity. The part of your mind that knows it all is butting up against a bigger idea.” Confusion is the sign that your mind is butting up on a big new idea!

If our study causes us to suddenly peek through the comfortable curtain of our belief system and see a new set of awesome possibilities, it can scare the heck out of us. We now know it’s true but our protective mind is screaming “no,” well, guess what – we’re confused!

So limit yourself to one set of teachings at a time. When you feel confused, ask yourself what it is that you don’t want to see. Figure out what you’re resisting. Wrestle with that idea until you accept it, and then go on to the next. You’ll be amazed at how acceptance brings clarity. You’ll be very grateful for clarity.
CLICK HERE for More

7. Validate
Author Jan Denise makes the case for the power of validation with your children.
CLICK HERE for More

8. Raising Children with Empathy
Writer Jane Brody explores the value of teaching children empathy and how to do it.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Feeding Baby Green
Dr. Alan Greene, author of Feeding Baby Green, answers six questions about raising healthy children. Dr. Green says children’s food preferences begin early, and we pay a steep price when we do not choose nutritionally dense food. This is a great read for March, which is National Nutrition Month.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote of the Week
“There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.” … James Russell Lowell

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future” Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for February: Boost Self-Esteem Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. RCB Course Schedule Winter/ Spring 2010 (see home page)
2. Building Self-Esteem and Self-Reliance
3. Making Social Studies Fun
4. Explore the Mississippi
5. Endless Snack Time
6. For Emergency Use Only
7. 50 New Uses for Everyday Things
8. Sing Along
9. The Many Meanings of “Good”
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

2. Building Self-Esteem and Self-Reliance

February is National Boost Self-Esteem Month, and Tina Nocera of Parental Wisdom© has suggestions for assisting your child in becoming more self-reliant.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Making Social Studies Fun
The free interactive online games at this site make learning the states, capitals and geography of the regions fun.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Explore the Mississippi

The Nature Conservancy takes you on a thirteen-day exploration of the Mississippi River, from its headwaters in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. Following this journey is a fun and educational experience for your family.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Endless Snack Time

Snacks seem to be served at almost every function, particularly those involving children. This author writes that with American children, snacks seem both mandatory and constant. There is fallout from endless snacking, however, and this article will provide food for thought!
CLICK HERE for More

6. For Emergency Use Only
By Wes Hopper

How would your life change if your phone could only be used in an emergency? You had to try everything else first, and only if that failed could you use it? How about your car or your kitchen stove? Would you like to cook over a campfire while your beautiful stove sat there idle? Sounds pretty dumb, right? But that’s what Willis Harman says that a lot of us do. We have a powerful, creative, intuitive mind that can solve difficult problems in one jump, and we only use it when everything else fails.

Why do we do that? The more we use it, the better it gets. It’s not going to wear out, it’s gonna improve! The only limits on it are the ones you put there. I’ve written before about all the research that shows that you can’t see what you don’t believe. So if you don’t believe your creative mind is very smart, you’ll be right. But if you learn to trust it and expect the best, you’ll likely be right about that instead.

So take your questions, big and small, roll them around in your mind and turn them over to the creative center. Then let go and expect an answer. It’ll speak to you in two languages. In your conscious mind, which is verbal, it speaks to you with ideas. In your subconscious mind it speaks to you in feelings.

Ever had a “gut feeling” about something? We all have. We’ve had sudden bright ideas, too. That was our intuitive mind kicking in. It’s always been working for us. But we need to consciously use it to get the most value.

This is not just for spiritual gurus. Harman worked with business executives, science, technology and university people, and he found that most of the successful ones depended on their creative/intuitive mind for their decisions.

Repeat after me: “There is a part of me that always knows the answer.” Keep saying it until you believe it. Expect a solution. Think it, feel it. You’ll be grateful you did!
CLICK HERE for More

7. 50 New Uses for Everyday Things
Real Simple has creative suggestions for alternative uses for everyday items. For example, most digital cameras don’t come with a case. To take it somewhere and protect it, simply use a soap dish as a case. Many tips are terrific for keeping kids organized.
CLICK HERE for More

8. Sing Along

Here is a site that not only gives you the words to favorite children’s songs and nursery rhymes but also provides the music.
CLICK HERE for More

9. The Many Meanings of “Good”

This blogger, who is also an early childhood educator, talks about the many meanings behind “good.” She advises being explicit about behavior with children – right in line with RCB – and finds that it is much more helpful than saying, “Be good.”
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote

“Successful executives and other creative people often say that the more one uses the creative/intuitive mind, the more faith one displays in it, the better it seems to perform. And yet most people, dimly aware of its potentialities, treat it as though it were marked ‘For Emergency Use Only’.” … Willis Harman

********************************************************************
Where is Deborah Speaking in February?

Feb 23 – “Sibling Rivalry”, 8:10 -9:30
Annunciation Orthodox School
Sarah Niermeyer, niermeyer@earthlink.net

***Check out the PBS interview with Deborah on her website www.deborah-fry.com ; great review of RCB principles
********************************************************************

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for February: Boost Self-Esteem Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. RCB Course Schedule
2. Keys to Building Self-Esteem
3. Valentine’s Day Crafts
4. Pink Brain, Blue Brain
5. Children’s Book Awards
6. Give Up the Chase
7. Free Lesson Plans
8. Printables from Favorite Children’s Books
9. Children and Diets: Nonna Joann Votes “No”
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

1. Redirecting Children’s Behavior:
The Gentle Art of Parenting

***************************************************************************************
This six week, fifteen hour course teaches parents how to help children grow in a way that enhances self-esteem,
teaches responsibility and promotes cooperation and self mastery. At the completion, you will be able to:
* Discipline without yelling * Interact to build self-esteem
* Reduce sibling rivalry * Develop a sense of responsibility
* Redirect mistaken goals * Create an encouraging family
***************************************************************************************
Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course Schedule for Winter/Spring 2010: see home page

www.deborah-fry.com
www.incaf.com

The courses listed will be taught by Deborah Fry Ph.D.; C.P.E. For information and registration please call Deborah at 713-840-8663

2. Keys to Building Self-Esteem

Kathryn Kvols, author of Redirecting Children’s Behavior, provides 10 key ingredients to parent successfully while you build your child’s self-esteem.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Valentine’s Day Crafts
Disney Family Fun offers up some terrific crafts for the entire family for Valentine’s Day. There are recipes, printables, cards, games and more.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Pink Brain, Blue Brain

Neuroscientist Lise Eliot writes about what’s nearest and dearest to her heart: her children and their malleable brains. The result is a compelling perspective on parenting, one that challenges conventional notions of sex differences.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Children’s Books Awards

The results are out for 2010! Visit this site to see the recipients of the John Newbery Medal – to the author of the year’s most distinguished contribution to American literature for children – and the Randolph Caldecott Medal – to the artist of the year’s most distinguished American picture book for children. The winners of the annual Michael L. Printz Award (to the author of a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature), the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (for excellence in books for beginning readers), the Coretta Scott King award (to an African American author and illustrator for the books that inspire, educate, and promote the appreciation of the culture of all peoples) and more.
CLICK HERE for More

6. Give Up the Chase
By Wes Hopper

Wayne Dyer said, “The more you chase after your own goals and self interests, the more these aims will elude you. But when you turn your thoughts and activities to serving others, the things you used to chase after will follow you wherever you go.” You may think that that quote contradicts what I’ve said over and over about following your dream. Didn’t I tell you to figure out what you want and go for it? Isn’t Dyer saying don’t go for it?

No, he isn’t. What Dyer is talking about is your attitude. Are you a taker, or a giver?

If you come to the Universe saying, “gimme, gimmee, gimmee stuff” and everything you do is based on what you get out of it, the important things you want will run away. It’s the same thing that happens if you do that with people. They run away, too. Dyer is suggesting a better approach. Instead of “gimme, gimme” let’s try “how can I help you?” Do you think that might get a more cooperative response? It sure does with people.

Wallace Wattles says the same thing in a different way in Science of Getting Rich. He says, “When the thing you want comes to you, it will be in the hands of another person who will want an equivalent value for it.” In other words, getting what you want in life is not really about getting, it’s about trading!

You have to give to get, and the best way to give is to ask, “How can I help you?” If that’s the attitude you bring to your work, you’ll find the road to what you want to be much easier.

In his book, Endless Referrals Bob Berg suggests that the best way to get referrals is find out what other people need and give them referrals!

Find some way to ask “How can I help you?” every day. It’ll transform your life, and it feels pretty good, too. You’ll be grateful you did!
CLICK HERE for More

7. Free Lesson Plans
Whether you home school or would simply like to explore specific areas of study with your child, this site has free lesson plans written by teachers. It is organized by grade level then topic.
CLICK HERE for More

8. Printables from Favorite Children’s Books

On the Harper Collins Children’s Books website you will find printables from popular children’s books such as Charlotte’s Web, Amelia Bedelia, Goodnight Moon, Harold & the Purple Crayon and the If You Take a Mouse to School series. Printables include mazes, word scrambles, word searches, paper dolls, and connect the dots.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Children and Diets: Nonna Joann Votes “No”

Joann Bruso, author of two books on inspiring children to become healthy eaters, writes about children and dieting in her latest blog. She has three ideas for shifting to healthier eating habits in your family without dieting as well as suggestions for healthy snacks.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote

“We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship, for to undertake to wound or offend a man for his own good is to have a healthy love for him.” … Michel de Montaigne

********************************************************************
Where is Deborah Speaking in February?

Feb 23, 2010 – “Sibling Rivalry”
Annunciation Orthodox School
3600 Yoakum
Houston, TX 77006
713-470-5600
www.aoshouston.org

********************************************************************

*******************************************************************
Thank you for being a member of the Kids “R” the Future Community.
Please forward this newsletter to parents, teachers, family and friends who might
find the tips, links, and information valuable. Consider it community service!
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

********************************************************************

==========
Focus for January: Life in Balance Month
==========
IN THIS ISSUE:
==========

1. RBC Winter/Spring courses 2010 (see home page)
2. Relaxing with Free Books
3. Pretty Printables from American Girl
4. Safer Materials in Children’s Products
5. Parent’s Top Ten List
6. Optimism
7. Charter for Compassion
8. Sprouted Nutrition
9. Becoming a Better Listener
10. Inspirational Quote of the Week

2. Relaxing with Free Books

In the Redirecting Children’s Behavior™ Course, parents learn that children pick up on their stress and that taking care of yourself is foundational to effective, loving parenting. A great way to relax and take care of yourself at the same time is to read. Random House has made it easy to do by offering three novels, available for free while supplies last.
CLICK HERE for More

3. Pretty Printables from American Girl
American Girl’s Scrapbook Printables are terrific for photo albums, greeting cards, book covers and more. From dolls in action to decorative letters, they are pretty and free from American Girl.
CLICK HERE for More

4. Safer Materials in Children’s Products

The Soft Landing is a terrific resource on safer products for children. The site covers eating gear, including sippy cups, straws, food storage containers, reusable bottles for adults and more. Soft Landing has a wealth of information on toxic chemicals as well as lists of safe toys, safer materials, and the free guide Avoiding Toxic Plastics.
CLICK HERE for More

5. Parent’s Top Ten List

Receive your 2010 Parent’s Top Ten List to post on your refridgerator for quick tips on making the New Year cooperative and peaceful for your family.
CLICK HERE for More

6. Optimism
By Wes Hopper

As we start a new year, it’s a good time to take stock of what we think about the future. If we’re optimistic about ourselves then we’re optimistic about the world.

We can’t be pessimistic about the world and optimistic for ourselves. What we anticipate is what we intend, and we can’t intend good things for us and bad things for the world. So join me in 2010 in intending the best for ourselves and the world!

Then let’s do what we can to take action in our own lives to make those things happen. We and the world are intertwined and what we do, even the small stuff, counts. As David Hawkins pointed out in Power versus Force even a little bit of higher consciousness cancels a lot of lower consciousness.

So every day let’s make our lives just a little bit better, and the world will benefit, too.
CLICK HERE for More

7. Charter for Compassion
Both the Inspirational Quote for this week and Wes Hopper’s article about optimism address our view of the world, our view of ourselves and how the two are intertwined. The Charter for Compassion is also connected to this concept, and it calls upon all men and women to restore compassion to the center of our lives. Please read more and join the movement to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world.
CLICK HERE for More

8. Sprouted Nutrition

Remember growing seeds as a kid on a patch of cotton? Grown simply, newly sprouted grains and seeds are nutritious packets of energy and make a great food. Your children will enjoy sprouting seeds and using them in food, and this resource will provide you with the details.
CLICK HERE for More

9. Becoming a Better Listener

When a child feels heard, he feels loved and understood. Dr. Loren Ekroth of Conversation Matters values the skill of listening, and he provides nine articles with tips on becoming a better listener.
CLICK HERE for More

10. Inspirational Quote

“What you think of yourself is what you think of the world.” … Wayne Dyer

********************************************************************
Where is Deborah Speaking in January?

Jan 12 @ 9:15– “Teaching Social and Emotional Intelligence:
How, What, Where, Why and When “
Bethany Christian Church
3223 Westheimer/77098
Vivian – school director; viv1004@aol.com
********************************************************************