On Wednesdays, we hope to write about “giving to others” as part of our Happiness Project.

We love the Learning Cents Trio Bank ($20) !  It has three attached banks for (1) spending; (2) saving and (3) giving.  It is a great resource for helping your child learn about all three ways to allocate his or her money.  The saving bank opens from the bottom and is a little harder to access, illustrating that it is not to be as freely accessed. 

Whether you give an allowance or you use the banks to help your child allocate birthday or holiday money, these banks are great learning tools.  It also comes with dry erase markers so you can help your child track the amount in the banks. 

With the economic times as they are, this is a great gift to help children learn to manage money early. It’s also never too early to illustrate that, when possible, giving to others should be part of the equation (we recently used some of my son’s “giving” money to buy dog supplies for the local animal shelter).

Posted under Giving to Others

Every Tuesday, we will write about “play” and how adults and children alike can have this in their lives.

A study released yesterday seems to show that children need more play and less work at school.  The study states that “ a growing trend of curbing free time at school may lead to unruly classrooms and rob youngsters of needed exercise and an important chance to socialize.” 

This is not really a surprise to me, as I believe strongly in the importance of play.   Play is the format in which kids learn life skills and develop empathy for others. As many have said before, play is a child’s most important work. This does not mean that you forgo math or spelling or other curriculum, but you should always make time for play. 

An excellent book that illustrates this is “A Child’s Work” by Vivian Paley.  

Posted under Play

On Mondays, we will write about the importance of “connection” in our lives and how we can establish and keep connections.

One of my favorite ways to connect with my son is through reading.  The physical act of sitting together or lying in bed to read automatically brings us closer.   In addition, the books and stories themselves will often bring you closer through their message or the shared experience of following the characters.  One of the best books I would read over and over again  to my son from 6 mos to about 4 years was “No Matter What”  by Debi Gliori.  

It is a book about the love between parent and child (or “Small and Large”) and is told in a simple, fun and peaceful way.  The reassurance that a child will be loved even when he acts inappropriately is a wonderful message and this author tells it in a way that made it great fun for us over and over again.  I still ask my son if he is feeling “grim and grumpy” and even if he is, he knows I still love him — no matter what.

Posted under Connecting, Happiness Project, Kid Gifts

I had never heard of the game “Don’t Eat Pete”, but as soon as I saw it here (with a free download of a game board), I knew my son would love it!  It is so simple, but sounds very fun.  Here’s how Candace at Sparkle Power describes How to play:

Send the first player away from the game board or into another room, then have the remaining players choose which one of the twelve people on the game board will be “Pete” for the round. Place one M&M in each square of the game board. Have the first player come back and begin picking and eating M&M’s from the game board. As soon as the player tries to pick “Pete” everyone yells “Don’t Eat Pete!” The player keeps all the M&M’s picked up before trying to get Pete. Refill the game board and play again with the next player.

You can use cereal or other small snack foods as well as any type of small candy for this game.

This cute gameboard designed by her husband looks great printed on card stock or picture paper! 

Posted under Parties, Play

As part of our version of the Happiness Project, we are trying to continue to “learn”  – anything we can. 

This year, I did not make a resolution to exercise more or become more fit, even though I need to do both. The only reason I did not make the resolution is because I knew making it would mean I would break it. So, instead, I decided to just do it. (Sure.)  

My problem has always been figuring out what to do for exercise. I do not like to run; I do not like group exercise classes and I get really bored with exercise.  But, I was determined to find something this year.  I think the Wii Fit might be it.  I love it! 

It is a great system for me because (1) it has a variety of exercises to keep me from being bored, (2) it tracks my progress by keeping charts and graphs of the activities I have done and a chart of my BMI and weight ( I love charts); (3) it balances fun games and exercises such as hula hoops, skiing and hitting soccer balls with your head, with activities like yoga and strength exercises; (4) I am able to tell whether I am doing the exercise right and continue to try to do better each time (it tracks each exercise); and (5) it has a wonderful instructor that doesn’t talk unnecessarily or judge.  

This morning, I was behind schedule and almost didn’t do the exercises, but I actually thought that I would miss it if I didn’t.  That has never happened to me before with exercise. 

I  love the fact that I am learning something new and that I am keeping a goal I had for myself (not a resolution!)

Posted under Learning, Tech

On Thursdays, we will try to write about “purpose” — this can include things such as how to find your purpose; spiritual issues; or just anything we think relates to the search for “purpose” for our Happiness Project.

My son and I recently read the book “The Three Questions” by Jon Muth. 
It is a lovely, peaceful book about a boy searching for the answer to 3 questions: ”When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? ”  Questions we all struggle with at times. 

The little boy ultimately talks to the turtle, Leo (why are turtles always portrayed as wise?  I must investigate this).  The boy learns from Leo, and from his own actions, that now is the most important time, and the one you are with is the most important one, and the right thing to do is to do good for that one (written much more eloquently than I just did). 

My son ( 6 years old) really enjoyed the story and seemed to understand the basic message.  The illustrations are lovely as well. It is definitely a book we could read again and again. I especially love it when I read a book that reminds me stop and appreciate my son as we read it.  This is one of those books.

Posted under Happiness Project, Purpose

On Wednesdays, we hope to write about “giving to others” as part of our Happiness Project.   

Yesterday was such an historic day, with the inauguration of the first African-American President.  My son was able to watch the inaugural address at school and my husband and I watched it at home.  It was a great moment for America, but the best thing about President Obama’s election seems to be that he realizes that it is not about him.  It’s about us. It’s about community and togetherness, but also about the importance of each individual.  

I thought one of President Obama’s most important  lines from his speech came after discussing all the problems facing America . He stated  that “[l]ess measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.”  

It is nice to know that he recognizes that people are doubting, people are struggling and people are losing confidence.  It seems too often over the last few years that many have felt that things are falling apart with little we can do to help it.  We have not been asked to help; we have not been asked to be part of the solution.  However, one of Obama’s strongsuits seems to be that he acknowledges our fears and then enlists each of us to do our part in fighting through them  – his call for service and accountability on our parts is needed and beneficial.  When we feel like we are part of the solution, we are empowered and our confidence can stay strong. 

This year was the first year I have spent time on Martin Luther King Day performing acts of service. It was a great day as we held a book drive for miltary families with my son. He was very excited to be a part of it as we decorated with red, white and blue balloons and greeted people as they stopped by with books.  It felt great, for as President Obama seems to realize, as you give to others, you get a little more for yourself as well.

Posted under Giving to Others

My son and I are loving this video of “The Elephant Song — by Eric Herman”:

Posted under Uncategorized

The Whirlwind Brothers

Every Thursday, we will write about “purpose” — this can include things such as how to find your purpose; spiritual issues; or just anything we think relates to the search for “purpose”  for our Happiness Project.

Joseph Campbell (who coined one of my husband’s favorite phrases: “follow your bliss.”) says that  ”the privilege of a lifetime is being who you are”.  That is our purpose.  I have struggled (and still do at times) with trying to please everyone and with caring too much about what others think.  I think we all struggle with being who we are rather than who others think we should be.

I don’t want my son to have this constant need to please. One of the hardest things I have found, however, is to balance the need for wanting to protect him with truly letting him be who he is.

I have been put to the test many times  – including when he declared he wanted to take his imaginary friends to show and tell (you know, the ones I initially helped him create).  I could picture other kids giggling, making fun and telling him in no uncertain terms that these “friends” were not real.

I tried to talk him out of it by saying since they were imaginary, there was no “show” and you have to have a “show” for show and tell. He thought about this and the next day declared he was going to draw a picture of his imaginary friends so his classmates could see what they look like. This would be his “show”.

This was a great idea, but I felt it was my duty as a parent to sit him down and explain to him that others might not understand having imaginary friends and may even laugh. He declared - “that’s ok, I still want to bring them”. He drew his picture and he took it to school. I worried all day about how it would go. 

The day was completely without incident. He had a great time. I don’t know if anyone laughed, but he didn’t care if they did.  His imaginary friends were a very important part of his life and he wanted to share them; he wanted to be himself.  I am thankful I did not stop him from doing so. 

My son is a boy with a wonderfully creative side who doesn’t mind showing it. He needs to show it and share it with others to fully be himself. He understood that and taught me the lesson this time.

Posted under Purpose, Spiritual

Every Wednesday, we hope to write about “giving to others” as part of our Happiness Project.   

“When you choose to serve — whether it’s your nation, your community or simply your neighborhood — you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans. That’s why it’s called the American dream.”  – Barack Obama

This Monday, January 19th is a National Day of Service.  President-Elect Obama has called on America to step up on Martin Luther King, Jr Day and make a lasting commitment to our communities and country.  If you are looking for a way to give back on this day, go to  USAService.org.

There are thousands of volunteer opportunities listed by community — from blood drives to book collections (like one hosted by Operation Shower), from planting gardens to helping out by painting at schools.  

If your kids will be out of school and you can even do one thing and let them know it’s in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day, I would say it’s been a good day. 

Posted under Uncategorized