Relieve Holiday Stress With a Giggle

No matter how busy your days might be this holiday season, do yourself a favor and spend 10 minutes talking with a child before bedtime. If you don't have any kids, visit a neighbor, call a grandchild, niece, nephew, or cousin ... just chat with them and feel the honest love.

Ask them simple questions like, "What was your favorite part of today?" And listen, really listen to their response; it will help you realize what is important, and it will make them feel special because you cared enough to ask.

If you really want to enjoy the call, find something silly to say that will make them giggle ... a child's laughter is truly the the most soothing music the soul could ever hope for.

This really is a simple way to help relieve some holiday stress and put the emphasis back in the right place.

It's all about connecting ... most kids are easy to connect with, and the rewards are beautiful~

I hope you share many giggly moments this season,

;-Deb

Creative, INEXPENSIVE Ways to Build Memories With Your Family This Summer!

Here are some FUN ways to get to know your kids this summer:

• With younger kids: There’s no better way to get to know their thoughts than to have them write and act out a play. Try this easy ‘puppet’ show:

You will need

1. magazines
2. scissors
3. glue
4. popsicle sticks or straws
5. imagination

-Cut out various faces and glue them to sticks or straws
-Name each character, identify who they are (Mom, Dad, etc.) and what they do
-Write an outline script (not too detailed … you’ll want them to be spontaneous!)
-Gather an audience and put on a puppet play

• With Tweens: My favorite time and place to bond with my sons is in the kitchen! Food is typically the byproduct of the time we spend together. Try making these ‘edible crayons’ and make certain you have your secret list of topics already in your head to get a good quality discussion going while you ‘work’ at this fun project:

You will need:

1. pretzel rods cut into 3” pieces (adult with serrated knife works best)
2. fun-colored melting chocolates (from craft or kitchen store) melted
3. wax paper or foil
4. wrappers for your crayons (check out my colleague‘s link to download free ‘end of school’ labels here: 24/7 MOMS

-Cut labels apart
-Dip ends of pretzel rods into colored melted chocolates
-Set on wax paper or foil to dry
-While chocolate is still tacky, wrap a label around each ‘crayon’

• With Older Kids: This is a great time to teach your kids to journal. Perhaps at this age, they will also need one ‘private’ journal of their own; however, to get them in the habit, get a journal for each of you with the intent that you will share what you have written with each other.

You will need:

1. journals or notebooks
2. special pens (this makes it more ceremonial and special … and perhaps gives incentive to write)
3. specific topics that will help you get to know each other a little better (for instance: What was your favorite age, and why? Did you have a favorite birthday, and what made it special? What is your favorite holiday? What was your most embarrassing moment? …)
4. quiet time separately
5. quiet time together to share your journals

-Choose a specific topic and set a time frame to write about it (perhaps you can give each other a day or two)
-Decide on a time and place to get together and share your journal entries (it might help if you keep the same day of the week and time slot as your special appointment)


No matter how old your kids are, these exercises will allow you to spend quality bonding time with them now while building memories of a lifetime.

Enjoy the magic,
;-Deb