How Diverse Families Make Friends

Our Melting Pot Culture is filled with racial and ethnic treasures. When we extend a hand in friendship to one another, opportunities flow-in. But it can be scary.

Cross Cultural Invitations

 

Extend a Hand with an Invite

Making friends can be risky.

Don’t be shy. Just be frisky,

Smile kindly big and bright.

Extend your hand with an invite,

That crosses cultures and you will see,

Your new friend is filled with glee.

Once that door is open, barriers can be overcome, friendships can begin, and appreciation for our sameness and differences can blossom.

Friendship Ice Breakers 

 

Invite Friendships with Flowers

Everyone is responsible to extend a hand in friendship. There are fun and easy ways to break the ice with invitations like:

1. A neighborhood party
2. A plate of cookies
3. A bouquet of flowers
4. More Invitations Ideas

Racially Diverse Friendships Enrich Us When We:

 

Arrange Neighborhood Sports 

1. Teach each other our languages
2. Exchange specialty recipes
3. Share family traditions
4. Play board games
5. Eat dinners at each other’s home
6. Organize potluck dinner parties
7. More Cultural Enrichment Ideas

All these ways and more help us love our neighbors as treasures. We grow and they grow.

For more ideas on how to connect with others go to:

Diverse Friendships - How Families Come Together

Like this post? Please comment and share it with your friends on social media.

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

 

The Aggressive Child Lacks Friends

 

Aggressive kids, like Joey aren't liked. He hated waiting in line at the water fountain. He'd shove the kids lined up ahead of him. They'd fall forward like dominoes. The first child always hit his face while drinking. Joey laughed. I visited his parents and had a glimpse into Joey's life at home. 

The father put his wife down several times during our conversation. She looked straight into my eyes but said nothing. Tears ran down her face.

When parents model meanness, children pick it up. Joey was mean. He didn't know how to relate to others.

I found out that Joey's dad was too busy to spend time with Joey. Joey didn't feel important. He didn't feel love from his dad. As we ended the meeting, Joey's father promised to spend time with him. He and his wife decided to work on their relationship too.

Teaching children how to assert themselves, speak up with respect, and be friendly starts at home. Parents must model how to communicate well. If they don't know how, they can learn. The following article will show how.

 Assertive Children  - How Parents Raise Great Communicators

You'll find:

1. An empowering formula for teaching kids assertiveness skills

2. 5 assertive role-plays to practice at the dinner table

3. A fun family activity 

4. An assertive poem for kids

How Joey Became Assertive

Joey told me with a big smile that his dad playfully put shaving cream on his face and let him shave it off with an empty razor. It made a real difference. Joey, over a matter of weeks, stopped shoving kids and started making friends. A greater respect developed between Joey's parents. Soon they were ready to learn the Assertiveness Formula within this article:

Assertive Children  - How Parents Raise Great Communicators

 

Loving Parents Empower Kids

You can raise assertive children by practicing the formula within your family. Advise your kids to use it with others too. If you do, they'll learn to speak up for themselves, make friends, and become respectful communicators too.

Watch our brief video on assertiveness:

Like this post? Please comment and share it with your friends on social media.

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

 

Curious Kids Love to Learn

 

PARENTING A CURIOUS CHILD IS A SOURCE OF JOY. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th United States President, had severe asthma. He couldn't run and play with other kids. One day while watching the children, some nearby bugs caught his eye. He used his observations to write his first of 35 books. He was nine years old. Theodore was a curious child. Sickness couldn't stop his desire to learn. His intellect  a source of joy for his parents, was never dull.

Curious children are fascinated by the world around them. But some kids lack interests. They say, "I'm bored," and expect others to entertain them. Parents can get trapped into suggesting multiple activities. All of which are rejected. How can parents turn a bored kid into a curious child?

In today's video we'll share 9 questions like:

• What does boredom feel like?
• How could a kid stop boredom?
• What would you like to know more about?

We hope your child doesn't like being bored and has overcome it at some time. The other questions pursue possible interests, wonder, losing track of time because of curiosity, etc.

This video also shares self-talk rhymes to inspire curiosity and a poem about a boring boy, "The Uncurious Kid", who lacked interests until he followed his mom's advice.

 How Parents Raise Smart Curious Kids

Like this post? Please share it with your friends on social media.

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

When parents interrupt by talking louder than children to make their point, kids feel angry, unheard, and closed down. If you've ever been interrupted, talked down to, or over-talked, remember how you felt. 

Listening doesn't mean you agree with what your child said. It just means you listened. Of course, if you disagree, don't charge into your child with loud disagreement. Calmly ask questions and listen some more. The better you understand the better your child may listen to you.

Arguing doesn't solves problems. It just cements each side's opinions. We see this in the news every day. I bet there have been times you turned it off. Who wants to hear people fight?

Today's parenting gift offers rhymes as reminders to listen. You'll find 10 altogether. Pick the one you may need and save the others in a 3-hole binder in case you need them in the future. Here are two more of the rhyming reminders:

To be attentive and wise, I look with both eyes.

Get all 10 Listening Reminders with Rhyming Solutions by using the code to download:

POEMS

Like this post? Please share it with your friends on social media.

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

 

You Can Help Your Child Choose "The Bright Side"

NEGATIVE THINKING IS A DARK CLOUD THAT HOLDS US BACK from making friends, hurts our chances of success, and makes us feel gloomy. Positive thinking, is a light and cheerful feeling that attracts friends, success, and feels happy. 

Use this creative discussion poem with your children to let go of hopeless thoughts and embrace positive thinking.

In just 4 short stanzas you'll discover topics to discuss like:

1. Judging others. 
2. Negative thoughts. 
3. Moaning and groaning. 
4. Excuses, blaming, acting cross.

Each verse reinforces solutions to negative behaviors like:

1. Expanding your heart.
2. Smiling and laughing.
3. Being kind and cheerful.
4. Encouraging others.

Discuss this poem as a friendly chat 

Find out your child's thoughts by asking:

1. What do you think about judging others to bring them down?
2. How do you think negative thoughts push others away?
3. How do moaning and groaning poison people's minds?
4. How do excuses, blaming and active cross affect family and friends?
5. Would you like to live on the "bright side?" Why? 

Pick up your poetry gift - "On the Bright Side"  and Insert the code:

BRIGHT

Please share your thoughts by commenting below:

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

 

PARENTING GIFT: SMART SELF-TALK FOR KIDS

POSITIVE SLOGANS ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO DO THEIR BEST AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL. Imagine a way to promote brain power in your kids. Jingles, slogans, and mottoes do just that. They become well-traveled paths in your child's brain when repeated over and over.

Slogans can pop into your child's mind when they're least expected and when they're needed the most. A good slogan can inspire your child to keep trying. It can help expand his intelligence too.

In this parenting gift you will find 19 jingles for your child to choose from. Here are 3 examples:

• Like a strong muscle, my brain likes to hustle.
  
• Son of a gun, problems are fun.
• I'm the guy who likes to try.
   

Can you see how these slogans, when repeated often, could motivate your child to do her best? Children with great attitudes can become great people who accomplish good things. Why not give your kids the gift of mottoes that encourage their positive mindsets?

 

"I'M THE GAL WHO MAKES THINKING MY PAL!"

One more thing, encourage your kids to repeat them out loud, post them where they will see them, or create a bookmark with their favorite slogan.

Click on Parenting Gift Poem and insert the word SLOGAN. Then download the Brain Power Poem with 19 slogans.

http://kidsdiscuss.com/subscriber-gifts.asp

What do you think?

Please let me know if this was helpful by commenting below:

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

FUN DISCUSSIONS WITH KIDS PROMOTE FAMILY UNITY!

Praise or criticism, which motivates kids to do their best? Too much criticism often makes people bitter not better. Research advises us to give 3-6 compliments for every negative comment because kind remarks help lessen the sting from complaints.

If you must disapprove of your child’s behavior, there are 3 rules:

1. Do it privately.
2. Be brief, no lectures.
3. Suggest a positive behavior or solution.

Goal for Giving Praise

You don’t want your child to live for other people’s approval. A nickname for pure approval seekers is "Love Slob."No one wants to hear their child called a "Love Slob."

Your goal in using praise is to increase your child’s inner motivation which means they do their best because that’s their positive self-image. It’s who they know they are.

Use our gift today which includes the poem, “I Caught You Being Good Today,” by downloading, discussing, and getting your children to answer the 7 discussion questions.

If you do, you’ll find out:

1. How criticism feels to your children.
2. Whether they notice each others mistakes more than their good qualities.
3. What would motivate them the most, criticisms or compliments.
4. If they’d like to focus on the good in each other more often.
5. How they’d like to share with each member the good they see.

"You walked the dog around the block."

You’ll also have access to the short video, Confident Kids – A Powerful Parenting Tool.

Pick up your parenting present at: Subscribers' Gifts by inserting the Code Word:

Good

I suggest you keep this parenting gift in a folder to use whenever you need it.

 Please let me know if this was helpful by commenting below:

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

IS YOUR DISRESPECTFUL CHILD A "TAKER?"

If your child appears conceited and arrogant and you are worried about his future, you have good reason to be concerned. Who will treat him with respect when he is disrespectful? Who will love him in spite of his selfishness? Who will work with him if he doesn't listen?

Spoiled kids act as if they are the "King of the Universe." They expect things to go their way. They get what they want because they demand it. They aren't givers. They are takers.

If you are raising takers, read and discuss today's parenting gift with your children. It's a poem entitled 'The Takers.'  You'll find 8 questions to discuss with them. 

Notice that Michael's mother, in the poem, doesn't enforce rules. Is that why she's doing his work for him? Zoe's dad couldn't stand her tantrums in toy stores so he gave in. Is that why she screams to get what she wants? Ask your kids the questions and listen to their opinions. You may be surprised at their wisdom.

YOU CAN STOP TEMPER TANTRUMS!

Even if your children are givers enjoy the poem and the family discussion. It will be fun to hear how they think.

To download this gift Insert the word:

Takers

at

www.KidsDiscuss.com

One more thing, if you're not a subscriber yet, please sign up to get all my parenting tips and tools.

Please let me know if this was helpful by commenting below:

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

A Child's Real Feelings about Divorce

When a parent who's separating or getting divorced leaves the home, a child is filled with questions he may not know how to ask.

A Child's Questions about Divorce

1. What will happen to me?
2. Is the divorce my fault?
3. When will I see my other parent?
4. Will my parents marry someone else?
5. Will my other parent forget about me?
6. Do I have to take sides?

I'm Half of Dad.

What Children of Divorce Really Want:

• Their parents to stay married
  
• Their parents to stop fighting and get along
• Their parents to keep visits
• Their parents to allow them to love both parents
• Their parents to avoid bad-mouthing each other
• Their parents to keep them out of the middle
• To feel safe, secure, and loved
  

Our parenting gift today is a poem that looks at divorce through the eyes of a child. It is a reminder for parents of what they can do to help their children deal with the loss of their original  family.

Along with the poem is a checklist of 7 helpful questions.

Download A Child's Poem  "Don't Forget Me," by inserting the code word:

POETIC

Consider saving it to a binder to refer to whenever you need it.

Please let me know if this was helpful by commenting below:

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

******

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Getting your strong-willed child to cooperate can be difficult. Often stubborn youngsters react without thinking. Parents feel frustrated, get mad, and both start arguing. Before you know it, the argument becomes nasty and nobody listens. Nobody wins.

Getting solutions to determined behavior is best when children are in a good mood. Today we have an activity that you can easily use. It's a unique children's poem about stubbornness with 7 questions. It will help you and your kids discuss the issue without pointing fingers.

Find out what your children think about Jake and Jill's (the kids in the poem) behavior. The questions will help them reflect about their own behavior. They'll begin to see that acting like a mule closes minds, loses positive power, and increases ugly moods. 

Cooperation is a better solution. It's more fun too.

Pick up this parent/child poetry gift at Subscriber Gifts  Or http://kidsdiscuss.com/subscriber-gifts.asp then insert the code word: SIBS

Start having great discussions about stubborn behavior today! 

Subscribe to Jean Tracy's YouTube Channel to be the first to receive all my video parenting tips and tools

Please let me know if this was helpful by commenting below and sharing this blog on your social media sites.

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes,

Jean Tracy, MSS

Sign up for my FREE Parenting News and receive:

• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate