As a kid my most favorite thing in the world was reading, so it seems incomprehensible to me that not all kids are that way inclined. Reading has so many benefits, that it's a fabulous activity to encourage. Of course playing with other kids is probably the most important thing children should do during the summer holidays, what better way to enjoy themselves and develop great social skills, but EVERYONE should have at least some time for reading!
The local libraries in my area are doing all kinds of reading-related activities for kids, with "missions" to read certain books they recommend and so on, and I thought a Reading Goal would be a great idea for kids during the holidays.
Ideas for a good Reading Goal:
1. Relate to a subject your kid loves and can get passionate about.
2. Include some participation from you, like "book discussion" or simply doing some reading together or to each other.
3. Include a satisfying step of "ticking off" mini-steps as they are achieved!
Happy goal setting with your kids!
Cassie
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Kids, Goal Setting, and being Kind
Helping our kids be kind and likeable people ... is that a great goal to set??
One thing I try to remember in dealing with others is that I don't know everything about their situation. If someone does something hateful to me, are they really being horrid or are they, perhaps, just having a horrible day themselves?
A story that really drove this thought home with me is one that I thought others might find helpful, perhaps to relate to their older kids during discussions about personal goals to do with having friends, or being likeable.
I will tell the story in my own words as best I can, just as I remember being told it. It has been seared on my memory ever since.
"I was traveling home on the train from work one day. The train was full of tired commuters who just wanted to sit in peace. Unfortunately we were all driven to distraction by two young children. They were running around, shouting, pushing, kicking the chairs and basically cheesing everyone off in their attempts to destroy the train as noisily as possible. To everyone's annoyance, the children's father sat there ignoring them completely, as though he was unaware what his brats were up to. Unshaven and looking rough, I judged him to be drunk or on drugs, and looked down at him disgustedly.
"I was about to say something to this parent - and it was not going to be very polite - when he suddenly seemed to come awake, and caught me looking at him. Realization dawned on his face and he spoke to me - brokenly - and said, 'I'm sorry about the children. We have just come from the hospital, their mother has just passed away. I don't know what to say to them.'"
"I have never been so thankful before for having bitten my tongue, and I always remember that poor man, whenever I see someone acting in a way that seems unacceptable to me."
On the topic of friendliness, you might enjoy Monicka's super article on how to help your child make friends.
Happy goal setting with your kids!
Cassie
xx
One thing I try to remember in dealing with others is that I don't know everything about their situation. If someone does something hateful to me, are they really being horrid or are they, perhaps, just having a horrible day themselves?
A story that really drove this thought home with me is one that I thought others might find helpful, perhaps to relate to their older kids during discussions about personal goals to do with having friends, or being likeable.
I will tell the story in my own words as best I can, just as I remember being told it. It has been seared on my memory ever since.
"I was traveling home on the train from work one day. The train was full of tired commuters who just wanted to sit in peace. Unfortunately we were all driven to distraction by two young children. They were running around, shouting, pushing, kicking the chairs and basically cheesing everyone off in their attempts to destroy the train as noisily as possible. To everyone's annoyance, the children's father sat there ignoring them completely, as though he was unaware what his brats were up to. Unshaven and looking rough, I judged him to be drunk or on drugs, and looked down at him disgustedly.
"I was about to say something to this parent - and it was not going to be very polite - when he suddenly seemed to come awake, and caught me looking at him. Realization dawned on his face and he spoke to me - brokenly - and said, 'I'm sorry about the children. We have just come from the hospital, their mother has just passed away. I don't know what to say to them.'"
"I have never been so thankful before for having bitten my tongue, and I always remember that poor man, whenever I see someone acting in a way that seems unacceptable to me."
On the topic of friendliness, you might enjoy Monicka's super article on how to help your child make friends.
Happy goal setting with your kids!
Cassie
xx
Thursday, July 06, 2006
What Really Matters
As a loving parents our goal is to do right by our children. Lavish them with all the love, support and encouragement that we may never have received from our parents. We also want also want to give them all the material things, the latest video game or newest toy that all the kids are talking about. While that is all well and good the most important thing that you can give your child is your time. You may think that a new bike or game will put a smile on your child's face but if he has no one to ride that bike with or play that game with, the joy will be short lived.
My 9 year old son is a prime example of how easy it really is to make a child happy. He seems to take great pleasure in the simple things, such as running through the sprinkler with me on a hot summer day or helping me make a pot of chili for dinner. The important thing is not what you do with your child, but rather that you do it together. All a child really needs to be happy is to know that he is worth your time and that he or she is important to you.
As Maya Angelou said so succinctly, "Does your child see your face light up when he walks into the room?"
Monicka
My 9 year old son is a prime example of how easy it really is to make a child happy. He seems to take great pleasure in the simple things, such as running through the sprinkler with me on a hot summer day or helping me make a pot of chili for dinner. The important thing is not what you do with your child, but rather that you do it together. All a child really needs to be happy is to know that he is worth your time and that he or she is important to you.
As Maya Angelou said so succinctly, "Does your child see your face light up when he walks into the room?"
Monicka
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