The stuff that dreams are made of

What are your dreams for your family? If you are like many parents, you want children that are healthy in mind, body and spirit. There are all kinds of paths available to help you achieve that dream. If you listen to all the advice that is out there you could soon be overwhelmed with ideas of what to do and what not to do to help your children get and stay healthy. For instance:
(1)  Exercise your body (for many that means separate gyms for Mom and Dad and a multitude of extra curricular activities for their children).
(2)  Exercise your mind (for many that means hours of reading, music lessons, flash cards, tutoring, visits to museums, art galleries, or concerts).
(3)  Exercise your spirit (for many that means faith based activities, contributing to your community, or volunteering to help others).

One parenting strategy that is often left out of recommendations to achieve your dream for your family is family time. Children, from the very beginning of their lives, need reassurance from their parents that they will always be there for them, they will always love them no matter how many errors in judgment they might experience, and they will be taught how to love and how to be loved. We assume our children know these things, just as our parents assumed we knew these things- sometimes regardless of what behaviors our children observe in us or what we observed in our parents.

When our children spend more time with others than they do with their parents, it is difficult to offer the reassurance they need. The stuff that dreams are made of - the feelings children get when:
(1)  Sitting on Mom or Dad's lap reading a book.
(2)  Going for bike rides, jogs around the block or on the school track with Mom or Dad.
(3)  Walking through the neighborhood or park (if it is safe to do so) identifying rocks, trees, birds with Mom or Dad or both.
(4)  Sitting beside Mom or Dad while practicing their instrument, and having both parents at recitals.
(5)  Participating in meal preparation and clean up (not in place of Mom or Dad but with guidance, including discussions about healthy eating habits).
(6)  Taking the family dog for a walk every evening with Mom or Dad or helping Mom and Dad feed, bathe and obtain good health care for the family pet.
(7)  Participating along side Mom or Dad in the plan for family vacations or outings.
(8)  Washing the family car(s) together. Even the smallest children can take a sponge to the tires.
(9)  Budgeting - children don't need to know how much money their parents make, but they benefit from knowing how much is available each month for extra activities, clothes, or entertainment. (This could be a blog all by itself.)
(10) Bedtime routines include one to one parenting time with lots of hugs, "I love you's" or "Tell me about your day."

If the stuff your dreams are made of includes children that are healthy in mind, body and spirit make the time to spend with them, to teach them, to love them. Nothing contributes to your children's healthy self image more than the knowledge that their parents are never too busy to invest their time, energy and love. That is one investment you are not likely to regret because the payoff is priceless.

Picky Eaters

By now the sweets from the holidays have been devoured, but not necessarily forgotten. If you have a toddler, you may be experiencing some challenges getting your toddler back into healhy eating habits. Most toddlers love finger foods - healthy foods that can be served in bite size pieces that don't require strong molars to chew. (Be aware of choking hazards - raw carrots, nuts, or other foods that require more chewing abilities.) Toddlers may shy away from hot (temperature and spice) foods, but may eat cooked veggies, pastas, rice dishes or meats once they are cooled. Don't be afraid to try different types of food.

Newby toddlers (12 - 15 months) may be used to getting their tummy's full with milk or formula, so you may need to offer liquid nourishment after finger foods rather than before.

Toddlers like to mimic others. Sitting down to a meal as a famly may help your toddler learn to like eating healthier foods, especially when they see others eating the same foods. Patience is the key to healthy eating habits.

If you have a toddler that likes to eat, please feel free to share some of your healthier food successes. It is always a challenge to find foods that toddlers like that they can manage on their own.

Parenting through the School Years . . . and Beyond!

We don't usually run ads, but this author is a good one with lots of good suggestions for parents. It's worth taking a look at.

Looking for a parenting book that addresses concerns that surface during the school years, from dealing with homework issues and organizing your family for household chores to creating a home environment supportive of your child’s emotional and developmental needs? Parenting through the School Years . . . and Beyond! is the book you need. As Jane Nelsen, author of the Positive Discipline series, notes in her Introduction, “this book is about providing a nurturing environment that is essential for children's success and happiness in school, as well as in all phases of life. It provides the edu¬cation parents need to help their children develop to their maximum potential.”

Available directly from the author ($15.95, with free shipping) and will be available via amazon.com and other online sources shortly. Contact Mike at mike@mikebrock.org or 214-364-4154.

The Most Important Thing About Families

How good are you about communicating postive thoughts and feelings to members of your family?

It is so easy to get caught up in the challenges of daily living by pointing out what doesn't work, rather than what works. Try to focus on what works and build on that.

People do better when they feel better. It's difficult to react positively to shame, blame, guilt and criticism or ridicule. Make sure you let the love come through your communication with those that are such an important part of your life.

Introduction to Family Life Education

Family life education provides skills and knowledge to enrich individual and family life. It includes knowledge about how families work; the interrelationship of families and society; human growth and development throughout the life span; the physiological and psychological aspects of human sexuality; the impact of money and time management on daily family life; the importance and value of parent education; the effects of policy and legislation on families; ethical considerations in professional conduct; and a solid understanding and knowledge of how to teach and/or develop curriculum for what are often sensitive and personal issues.

The author of this blog will offer information that will promote healthy families, solution focused tips, and invite general discussion from those who wish to participate. Other family life professionals  may  contribute  so blog followers can benefit from their area of expertise.