Joy In The Home

It’s the lens you choose to see life through.

Did you know? You do now! 🙂

Here’s the lowdown on why opting for shared moments is the real winner.

Sure, gifts are nice, the excitement of tearing open wrapping paper and all. But let’s be real, that buzz fades faster than a snowflake in a heatwave. You’re left with more ‘things’ that there’s barely enough space for it to reside or time to use, play with or utilize compared to the mountain of stuff most have around them. Now, flip the script. Imagine a Christmas where you ditch the excess of stuff and opt for doing something cool together. Maybe it’s cooking up a storm in the kitchen or pulling off a makeshift karaoke night. These shared experiences become the real gems of the holiday season.

Why? Well, experiences don’t collect dust. They’re the stories you retell over and over, like the time you attempted a disastrous dance move. These are the moments that stick, creating a holiday album of memories.

And the best part? Experiences build connections. When you invest time and energy into shared activities, you’re building bonds that last way beyond the holiday hustle. It’s like a lasting gift that keeps on giving.

Let’s talk about clutter. Instead of adding more stuff to your already crowded space, go for experiences that won’t take up shelf room. They’ll fill your cup, your wellbeing.

So, this Christmas, maybe dial down on the presents and dial up on the good times. The joy of being together beats the fleeting thrill of unwrapping any day. Because, let’s face it, the real LASTING magic happens when you’re making memories, not when you’re drowning in wrapping paper. Cheers to a holiday season filled with laughter, connection, and making some new memories through experience. 🎄

Getting Creative With Childhood Fears

Kids have a unique way of dealing with their fears, and let’s be honest, we adults probably had our share of odd coping mechanisms too (some of us still do). Take, for example, my ingenious solution to the monster and vampire threat…sleeping in my hamper. I was convinced it provided the ultimate neck protection. While it might seem hilarious now, it was a serious matter back then.
The beauty of it all? My parents let me navigate through this quirky phase. They gently nudged me towards the practicality of sleeping in a bed but also allowed the creative exploration of what made me feel safe. Do I still bunk up in the hamper? No. Do I love a good fort? Absolutely. Do I occasionally entertain the idea that something might get me in the night? Rarely.
The takeaway here is that kids’ fears, no matter how silly, are real to them. Instead of dismissing their concerns, encourage them to confront the fear head-on, even if it involves a hamper or two. It’s a whimsical journey of finding their way through fears and dismantling them one creative step at a time.

Have you ever wondered why kids’ emotions can hit us like a tidal wave or even feel like that annoying buzzing of a pest at times. Here’s the reality. It often has more to do with our own past than with their current behavior.

Whether we like it or not we’re all products of our upbringing. Our childhood experiences and the way we were raised shape our emotional responses as adults. If we were taught to suppress our feelings, or if our caregivers couldn’t handle our big emotions, it can affect how we respond to children’s outbursts today.

So, when kids or youth meltdown, talk back, or whine it might stir up unresolved emotions from your own past. It’s like your inner child saying, “Hey, I remember feeling like this!”

Understanding that our triggers often have deep roots in our own early experiences can be a game-changer. It’s an opportunity to heal and grow, not just for us but for the children in our lives too.

By acknowledging and working through our triggers, we can offer a more empathetic and emotionally nurturing environment for kids, beaking the cycles that suppress and oppress us to this day. It’s all about rewriting the script and creating a higher quality of life and legacy for the next generation.

Work with the wild!
You know those spirited, "unruly" kids? 🙃 What story are we telling ourselves about them and how does that affect how we interact, connect and guide them?

Here’s a few ways to see them and what they have to offer a little differently…

These energetic souls come to class clearly with a blazing fire, they're curious and excited, making them a treasure trove of potential. At times it can be overwhelming, disruptive and inconvenient. But what if we stepped outside the box of our thinking of ‘How they SHOULD be acting in a classroom’ and instead work with their natural momentum rather than against. Instead of trying to light a fire from scratch, why not guide their existing enthusiasm?

They are the challengers of traditional teaching and parenting methods, pushing us to get more creative, connected and make us reflect on the status quo. They can be the inspiration for growing and learning together!

So, remember, these spirited kids are not a household or classroom headache, they have value, strengths, and contribution in exactly who they are, we the adults just need to choose if we are willing to address our conditioning and see them for all they have to offer.

Not easy, but worth it for all.

This.

Laughter as Medicine: Humor Therapy Reduces Depression and Anxiety Symptoms - Neuroscience News Humor therapy might alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

When you spend uninterrupted time with them, they notice.

Did you know? You do now! 😉

When we take a dive into our emotions, we're basically exploring the core of who we are. At times this can feel like opening Pandora's Box but oh how it’s worth it in the long game of life. When we truly get what we're feeling, it's not just about understanding our own selves better, it's like we're putting on emotional glasses that help us see into the hearts of others too. It's this amazing superpower that lets us connect on a whole new level, because we're tapping into the universal language of feelings.

They're not just side players, they're front and center, shaping who we are and how we experience life. Emotions aren't just random bursts of feeling, they're a window into our thoughts, desires, fears, and aspirations. They're the language our inner selves speak to communicate with the outside world.

And here's the kicker, emotions don't just stay locked up in our heads and hearts. They influence our decisions, actions, and interactions with others. Ever notice how a mood can change the whole feel of a room, transforming an experience for better or for worse. That's the power of emotions in action!

By understanding our emotions, we're not just peeling back layers, we're getting to the core of our identity. They're what make us uniquely human, connecting us to ourselves and to the world around us in ways that words alone could never achieve. Guiding children about the significance of understanding and expressing emotions is like giving them a superpower for life. It's the power behind their self-awareness, healthy coping, resiliency, empathy, effective communication, and problem solving skills. Ultimately their quality of life.

Contagious joy through hanging out with kids is all about catching that fantastic happiness bug when you're chilling with a little one. It's like when their pure excitement and genuine emotions rub off on you, and suddenly you're grinning from ear to ear. They just have this superpower of wonder and curiosity. And when you're along for the ride, you start seeing the world with fresh eyes too.

Here's the deal, when you're goofing around with a kid and they're having a blast because you're there, it's like a happiness boomerang. You feel amazing because they're having a blast, and that vibe just keeps bouncing back and forth.

Plus, taking a break from adulting and getting into their world, It's like a mini-vacation from grown-up stuff. Stress and worries take a back seat and your soaking up the present moment.

Prioritize time to connect and play with the young ones in your life. Win win all around.

Make time for chill time.

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This daily habit is causing your brain to SHRINK 🧠😱 | @DrDanielAmen_BrainHealth

Decision fatigue in kids.
Did you know? You do now! 🙂

When we engage in teaching or guiding strategies for emotional regulation to children, we not only benefit the child's emotional intelligence but also enhance our own emotional intelligence in the process. Here's how!

Brain plasticity: When we actively engage in teaching or guiding emotional regulation strategies, our own neural pathways associated with emotional intelligence are activated and strengthened.

Increased self-awareness: Teaching emotional regulation to children requires us to be more self-aware of our own emotions and how we regulate them. We need to model and demonstrate healthy emotional responses, which prompts us to reflect on our own emotional states and regulation techniques.

Enhanced empathy: Empathy is a fundamental component of emotional intelligence. As we guide children in understanding and regulating their emotions, we develop a deeper sense of empathy and compassion towards their experiences. This empathy extends beyond the child to other people in our lives, fostering more understanding and connection.

Improved self-regulation: The act of teaching emotional regulation strategies requires us to practice self-regulation ourselves. We become practiced at recognizing and managing our own emotions, which has a positive impact on various areas of our lives, such as relationships, decision-making, and overall well-being.

Personal growth and self-reflection: Engaging in teaching and guiding strategies for emotional regulation prompts self-reflection and personal growth. We gain insights into our own emotional patterns, triggers, and coping mechanisms, leading to continuous self-improvement and emotional well-being.

By actively participating in the emotional growth of children, we create a relationship where both the child and the adult benefit. The skills and understanding we acquire through this process extend far beyond just our interactions with the child and positively impact various aspects of our lives, including our relationships, personal development, and overall emotional intelligence. Win, win!