Monday Bloody Monday

Oh wait a minute. It's Tuesday!?

I was interviewed for a parenting documentary today (!!) and while starting the day it seemed like a typical Monday morning. Raccoon got into the trash.....guests arriving in a few minutes and I haven't brushed my hair yet...I tried to make myself breakfast and filled the house with smoke....

You know...just a typical Monday...I mean Tuesday.

The interview went well though. We had a good conversation about why people are so stern about their parenting styles being the "best" or the "right way to do things" and why we are so judgmental of other parents if they are doing it differently than us instead of supporting every parent because they are a parent. We do a lot of things differently in our family which may be the reason they wanted to talk to us. It should be interesting!






More to come

Words of Wisdom :: Worry Less, Love More

I subscribe to "The Daily Groove" parenting emails from Scott Noelle and I have to say that I really look forward to his beautiful words of wisdom in my inbox everyday.

Today's was especially inspiring because as a family, we are trying to be more optimistic, hopeful and happy each and everyday. This post really resonated for that very reason.

THE DAILY GROOVE ~ by Scott Noelle
www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove

 

:: Worry Less, Love More ::

Perhaps you've been led to believe that worrying
about children goes hand in hand with loving them.
But in truth, parental love is far more powerful
*without* worry than with it.

Worries focus all your attention on what you *don't*
want and put you in a state of *fear*. This sends a
message to your child that you *expect* bad things
to happen. And since children naturally tend to meet
their parents' unspoken expectations, worries are
self-fulfilling prophesies.

Today, if you catch yourself worrying, don't worry
about it. :-)

Instead, use your awareness of worry to shift your
focus in the direction of what you *do* want, and
reach for thoughts that soothe your worries:

    "It's not the end of the world."
    "It won't last forever."
    "I've successfully handled worse situations."
    "We always find our way."
    ...etc.

Before long you'll start feeling hopeful, and you'll
feel your heart opening, too. An open heart is all
you need for love to flow unconditionally...
unhindered by worries.

http://dailygroove.net/worry-less-love-more

Take the next step...
Join the PATH Program:
http://www.enjoyparenting.com/path/info
 
       Get "The Daily Groove" BOOK!
       http://www.enjoyparenting.com/book

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Feel free to forward this message to your friends!
(Please include this paragraph and everything above.)
Copyright (c) 2011 by Scott Noelle
_________________________________

Mother's Symposium TOMORROW

Click here for more information.

And leave a comment below if you are attending too.

On Our Bookshelf :: Raising Happiness

Paperback copies of this FABULOUS book are on pre-order now! Order from this link and proceeds go to help the Greater Good Science Center.

I highly recommend this book and Christine is going to be the keynote speaker at the Mother's Symposium as well.

Here are her book's ten simple steps for more joyful kids and happier parents:

Step 1, Put on your own oxygen mask first -- 

Step 2, Build a village -- 

Step 3, Expect effort and enjoyment, not perfection -- 

Step 4, Choose gratitude, forgiveness, and optimism -- 

Step 5, Raise their emotional intelligence -- 

Step 6, Form happiness habits -- 

Step 7, Teach self-discipline -- 

Step 8, Enjoy the present moment -- 

Step 9, Rig their environment for happiness -- 

Step 10, Eat dinner together.

I also recommend taking a look at her BLOG

Take a look at this video clip on happiness and gratitude

How Can YOU Teach Gratefulness?

Keep a gratitude journal (e.g gratitude at the dinner table)

Slow Down and Smell the Roses: Savor the positive (e.g. three good things at bedtime)

Write Gratitude Letters (teachers, family for things they did, not things they gave) 

Have a Growth Mindset (you tried really hard) vs Fixed Mindset (you're smart) 

and  her post about Amy Chua's article Tiger Mother

Naughty or Nice?

Santa Claus 2009

The Coffee Cottage sure needs a dose of nice these days! We have all been a bit naughty in these sleep deprived, caffeine addicted, high energy, work overloaded days lately. Papa, Mama, Grace, Emily....okay she is just a baby and hasn't really been naughty but you get the idea.

I never thought that I would resort to this but I keep catching myself singing to Gracie...

"You better not pout. You better not cry. You better not shout I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town."

Our discipline regimen has declined from
1. having a patient conversation and trying to teach understanding and empathy
2. to having rewards and a star sheet
3. to having consequences and taking away privileges
4. to just saying the words "Santa's watching."

I am not sure what the future implications will be but it works in two seconds flat. :-)
I wish it worked for Papa and Mama too!
But what will I do in January? I'm thinking birthday fairy, summer solstice santa!

What have you resorted to these days?