Oak & Maple

Calming Spaces Teach Kids How To Feel Seems a little weird to think about, doesn’t it? Teaching kids how to feel. I mean, most days it seems like they have that part down pretty well. The

“Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers” is a wake-up call to parents in a society increasingly dominated by the influence of peers. This book is a compass, guiding parents back to their rightful role as the primary influence in their children’s lives. Here are seven lessons that I've gleaned from this insightful book:

1. The Importance of Attachment: Neufeld emphasizes the crucial role of secure attachment in healthy development. Children who feel safe and loved by their parents are better equipped to navigate the complexities of social interactions and resist negative peer pressure.

2. Understanding Peer Orientation: The book delves into the phenomenon of "peer orientation," where children seek validation and approval from their peers more than from their parents. This shift can be disruptive and lead to risky behaviors.

3. Reestablishing Parental Authority: Neufeld doesn't advocate for authoritarian parenting. Instead, he encourages parents to reclaim their role as leaders and guides, providing clear boundaries and expectations while fostering trust and open communication.

4. Understanding Developmental Stages: The book highlights the importance of understanding children's developmental stages. Knowing what to expect at different ages can help parents provide appropriate support and avoid power struggles.

5. The Power of "No": Saying "no" isn't about control; it's about setting healthy boundaries and protecting children from harm. Neufeld teaches parents to confidently set limits and provide clear consequences for negative behavior.

6. The Importance of "Togetherness": Creating opportunities for shared experiences and activities strengthens the parent-child bond. Meals together, family outings, and even simple chores can foster connection and create lasting memories.

7. Empathy Over Punishment: Neufeld encourages parents to approach misbehavior with empathy and understanding, rather than resorting solely to punishment. By helping children understand the consequences of their actions, we can promote positive behavior change.

8. The Power of Play: Play is not just frivolous; it's essential for healthy development. Neufeld emphasizes the importance of engaging in playful interactions with children, fostering trust and creating a safe space for communication.

9. The Role of Emotions: The book encourages parents to acknowledge and validate their children's emotions, even negative ones. By providing a safe space for expression, we can help children develop healthy emotional regulation skills.

10. Building Resilience: Raising resilient children requires a balance between support and challenge. Neufeld encourages parents to provide opportunities for their children to face appropriate challenges, fostering independence and the ability to cope with adversity.

BOOK: https://amzn.to/4dsubd4

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“It will take just one generation choosing gentle, compassionate, respectful parenting to change the world for all future generations. This is our time. Our chance is now. Let's do our part to change the world, one little heart at a time.”
L.R. Knost

Edward Okun - Mother Mushroom with her Children, 1900.

“Parenting has nothing to do with perfection. Perfection isn’t even the goal, not for us, not for our children. Learning together to live well in an imperfect world, loving each other despite or even because of our imperfections, and growing as humans while we grow our little humans, those are the goals of gentle parenting. So don’t ask yourself at the end of the day if you did everything right. Ask yourself what you learned and how well you loved, then grow from your answer. That is perfect parenting.”
L.R. Knost - The Gentle Parent: Positive, Practical, Effective Discipline.

This! It's so true

Outdoors is always more fun

WHY YOUR CHILD COULD USE HEAVY WORK ACTIVITIES

"Heavy work activities are used to calm kids, provide input to a child's muscles and joints, and help increase a child's focus and attention."

https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2015/06/heavy-work-activities-for-kids.html

Welcome lady Winter

Ice is one of the finest things about Winter along side with Snow. You can make any shape & put toys for ur lilttles to break. Older kids can get very creative .

Great eco friendly reusable gingerbread house idea. Base cardboard! https://frugalfun4boys.com/make-cardboard-box-velcro-gingerbread-house/?fbclid=IwAR3MAt7X1T8x00zItHgiBzuK9mnEY5k00nYbKg9NBLr9hhtpfdUrTBsik2c

Decorate (and Redecorate) this Adorable Velcro Gingerbread House! - Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls A gingerbread house is fun, but how about a cardboard box gingerbread house that you can decorate over and over?! This is a fantastic Christmas activity for preschoolers (and my 7 year old is enjoying it too)! Build a Cardboard Gingerbread House Rows of velcro on the house make it possible to stick....

Emotions are like waves or clouds they come & go but if we don't give them acknowledgement & airtime they won't flow past.

Holiday craft ideas
https://littlepinelearners.com/category/christmas/?fbclid=IwAR0iLnhPSEi6ys_rrDJChgrJRmtgrpFkDIg6gaF7nqnfeLB_YCMfgClpYAk

Fun ideas what to build with Legos u most likely already have :)

Below made by our very creative aquaintance

Link to instructions how to build animals. https://frugalfun4boys.com/lego-pets-building-instructions-dogs-cats/?fbclid=IwAR3D9IudKBM7TOIjXt5SZm3UIaBZIy4riG6-wlrlV4e5lVD9yG7WmI-ThmU

We loved this book for its fun soft illustrations & a great story how to make the best of a situation & overall motto of slowness & Community during the winter time.

A cartoon of the "How the leaves came down" poem by Susan Coolige. Illustrates the deep journey & wisdom of fall.How we all avoid change & letting go even thought that is an integral part of the life/season cycles & it simply must occur despite our willingness/control. The suprising lesson here is that once we embrace the chamge & let go we actually find it pleasant; even fullfilling.

How The Leaves Came Down | Susan Coolidge | class-8 | Poem | English