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“Every time you’re silly, somebody always gets hurt.”
Submitted by Nicholeen on Fri, 04/11/2008 - 23:12
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I was standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes, when all of the sudden the happy children noises from the basement changed into cries and yells. I remember distinctly hearing a sad noise or yell from each of my four children. All of the sudden doing the dishes seemed fun compared with sorting out what happened in the basement. I dried my hands and took a deep breath. I wanted to make sure I was calm, so tha
There are Other Ways
Submitted by Nicholeen on Fri, 04/11/2008 - 11:44
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A few years ago, Paije, my daughter who was seven at the time, asked me, “Why do all the ants get flustered when the leaf drops in their path on the movie Bugs Life?” What a question. I had never really taken the time to analyze that part of the movie; probably because I never really liked that show.
Who wants realistic?
Submitted by Nicholeen on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 03:36
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When one of our foster daughters came to live with us, she did something that the others hadn’t done. She spent the first few weeks intently watching me. She watched the way I kept house, the way I parented my children, the time I spent reading scriptures and good books, etc. Finally, one day she said, “Are you for real?”
Important Things
Submitted by Nicholeen on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 05:51
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Those voices all around me;
“You’re wasting time” they say.
The yard; dishes; big project
Are You Assertive?
Submitted by Nicholeen on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 06:42
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If you are going to effectively learn how to govern yourself, you have to be assertive. Teaching Self Government is essentially teaching how to act assertively as oppose to agressively or passively.
Are you assertive?
Take this test.
You are in line at a grocery store and someone steps in front of you in line.
Do you think bad thoughts about the person but choose not to say anything because it would feel uncomfortable?
Do you say, "Excuse me sir, but I am in line. The back of the line is over there. Could you move to the back of th
"It's Time To Go To Bed."
Submitted by Nicholeen on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 04:31
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Nicholeen,
I have a 9-year old boy. He is a typical 9-year old boy, I believe, in that his mind (and mouth) is constantly going 200 miles an hour. His siblings are always waiting for him to stop talking so they can get a word in edgewise. He is full of ideas and loves to take things apart. We are having a problem with bedtime. He goes to bed just fine, but once there, he won’t go to sleep. We let him read for about 15-30 minutes once he’s in bed, then we come down and turn the lights out (for him and his younger brother who is 4).
Tell Them What to Say
Submitted by Nicholeen on Wed, 03/12/2008 - 04:01
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Even after we teach our children how to follow an instruction or how to accept a NO answer, our children will sometimes forget that they can choose to say, "OK".
The other day I told my son that he needed to clean his room. I could tell that he didn't want to do the task. His face started to pout. The second I saw this, I said, "Porter, say OK." He looked right at me and said, "OK!" Then I praised him.
It is alright to tell them exactly what to say. This helps them problem solve the very situation they are in. The child then gets the opportunity to see how easy it is to make the rig
Communicating Honestly
Submitted by Nicholeen on Wed, 03/05/2008 - 03:34
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Nicholeen,
I spoke to you in Herriman about my 8yr. old daughter. She doesn't tell me things or talk to me or anyone for that fact (other than day to day stuff). I told you she wouldn't even tell me what she wanted for Christmas, etc.. Anyway, you suggested that I have 5 mins.
Powerful Pre-teaching
Submitted by Nicholeen on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 06:13
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I thought this comment was worth sharing on the front page. ~Nicholeen
I just wanted to share a neat little conversation with 10yod tonight while we were cleaning the dinner dishes. She said, "You know that when you ask 4yod and 6yos to like, go make their bed. They whine and don't want to do it, but if you say, 'William, I'm going to give you an instruction. Please go make your bed.' Than they say 'OK' and go do it right away.!" I praised her tons for making and sharing this observation and we talked about how interesting that was. I think the difference is that we practice
Fixing things with Father
Submitted by Nicholeen on Sat, 02/02/2008 - 04:47
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I received a question from a mother who is struggling with her husband not being motivated or involved in family life. This is OUR response.
Dear Motivated Mother:
