I found two cool websites when looking for a movie for my husband and I to go to. I noticed that this week, June 23 (in Mesa) there is a one night premiere of a documentary entitled “Let the Children Play”. This movie features the work of Gustavo Dudamel, a conductor from Venezuela.
Dudamel works through a program called El Sistema, which teaches music to 300,000 of the poorest children in Venezuela. The effect is awe inspiring. The lives of the children become enriched and empowered and the effect on the community is just as great.
What does this mean to you? It is a reminder of the power of music on the lives of children. YOUR children. How can you use this power in your family?
1. Play music at home. Play classical, jazz, country (well…?), folk songs, choral, children’s music, the list goes on and on.
2. Enroll your children in music classes or private piano or string instruction.
3. Ensure that your child practices each day. Make it fun, play games, clap and cheer your child on
4. Enjoy music yourself. Sing around the house. Dance. Play music in the car.
Music is a gift. Make sure you use that gift for the benefit of your children. And you.
Welcome to my music and parenting tips blog! My goal is to help parents become better parents. Please bookmark my site or better yet, subscribe to my posts.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Music Tip #76 Folk Songs
Summer is here and piano practicing can go two ways—either lots more practicing gets done because school is out or less practicing gets done because vacations and trips interfere. My experience is that LESS practicing gets done.
I want my students to practice their note reading and sight reading skills this summer so I’m having them focus on learning folk songs. I’m having them learn songs that are a little easier than what they usually play so they can learn them quickly and learn a lot of them.
First I ask my students if they know what folk songs are. Some do, some don’t. I tell them that folk songs are songs that have been passed down from one generation to another—songs that their grandparents know, that they know, and that their children will know, too—songs like Mary had a little lamb, Amazing Grace, Old MacDonald, etc.
Then I ask them how old they are. However old they are will be how many folk songs I want them to learn this summer. And if they do, they’ll get some old fashioned candy to go along with the old fashioned songs they’ll learn!
There are a couple of great web pages where you can get free folk songs in levels 1-4. I really like these:
and: http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/Freebies/freebies.html
Okay, students. On your mark, get set, go practice!
Okay, students. On your mark, get set, go practice!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Parenting Tip #79 Run, not walk from evil
I want to talk some more about those negative images and thoughts that we all have. Something that Bruce Fordham said—who I quoted in my last post-- has made me stop and think. He said that you can’t get away from bad thoughts and images. Satan will make sure of that! His goal is to put temptations around us constantly. And that means those temptations are around our children constantly too.
We want to protect our children from ever seeing pornographic images on the internet or from seeing violence on t.v. or hearing swear words and sexual innuendos. But we can’t. There is much we can do, and should do, to reduce the evil our children will encounter, but there is nothing we can do to prevent them from eventually seeing and hearing something bad. Or even something very, very bad.
So what do we do? Teach our children what to do when they see evil. Teach them to immediately click the image away on the computer, turn the t.v. to a different station, walk away from images and swearing. Teach them to run, not walk, away from bad things.
But remember, our brain cannot replace thoughts with nothing. So next we need to teach our children what to do after they click, turn or run. And that is to replace the bad with something good. Have them choose a good song to sing, then practice with them singing the song. Ask them occasionally if they remember what song they will sing when they see something bad.
Let them choose a poem or scripture to say when they need to put good things in their brain. Choose a picture they will think about or a fun time they will immediately remember. Then role play and practice.
This would make a great family lesson to have with your children. Let them draw a picture of themselves with bad things inside their head (drawn as squiggles or scribbles). Then have them draw a picture of the good things they will put inside their head when confronted with an evil thought or picture.
If you can’t protect your children from ever seeing anything bad or evil, you CAN teach them what to do. And that’s the best protection you can give them.
We want to protect our children from ever seeing pornographic images on the internet or from seeing violence on t.v. or hearing swear words and sexual innuendos. But we can’t. There is much we can do, and should do, to reduce the evil our children will encounter, but there is nothing we can do to prevent them from eventually seeing and hearing something bad. Or even something very, very bad.So what do we do? Teach our children what to do when they see evil. Teach them to immediately click the image away on the computer, turn the t.v. to a different station, walk away from images and swearing. Teach them to run, not walk, away from bad things.
But remember, our brain cannot replace thoughts with nothing. So next we need to teach our children what to do after they click, turn or run. And that is to replace the bad with something good. Have them choose a good song to sing, then practice with them singing the song. Ask them occasionally if they remember what song they will sing when they see something bad.
Let them choose a poem or scripture to say when they need to put good things in their brain. Choose a picture they will think about or a fun time they will immediately remember. Then role play and practice.
This would make a great family lesson to have with your children. Let them draw a picture of themselves with bad things inside their head (drawn as squiggles or scribbles). Then have them draw a picture of the good things they will put inside their head when confronted with an evil thought or picture.
If you can’t protect your children from ever seeing anything bad or evil, you CAN teach them what to do. And that’s the best protection you can give them.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Parenting Tip #78 Replace Negative Thoughts
Has this scenario every happened at your house? You see your child picking her nose and you automatically say, “don’t pick your nose.” Your child keeps picking.
You tell yourself, “I’m not going to eat any chocolate today.” All day long you think of chocolate and finally break down and eat some.
The brain can’t replace thoughts with nothing, so whenever you want to change what you’re thinking, the brain will continue thinking about the negative thought unless you give it something else to think about. That’s what Bruce Fordham, psychotherapist, talked about in a podcast I recently listened to (http://radio.lds.org/programs/insights-episode-15?lang=eng).
You want your children to tell the truth, but you’re always asking, “are you lying to me?” You hate cleaning the kitchen and you keep thinking about how dirty it is and how MANY dishes there are and how long it will take. You are constantly telling your children, “Hurry up. You are so slow!”
Fordham tells us we need to replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. We need to visualize the positive.
How do we do that? Catch your child telling the truth and say, “I appreciate it when you tell me the truth. I can trust you because I know you are honest.” Then go tell Dad or grandma how truthful your child is (in his hearing).
Visualize your clean kitchen. Feel the delicious cleanliness of it. Then put some music on, set the timer and sing and wash away those dishes.
Encourage your child with mentioning how quickly he is obeying. Say things like, “wow, thanks for trying to hurry. That really helps the whole family.”
Remember—replace negative thoughts with healthy, positive thoughts and visualizations of action.
Then, be patient with yourself and your family. Changes don’t happen overnight. Bad habits can only change when a GOOD habit is formed to take it’s place.
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d8a7eafcee340210VgnVCM100000176f620a____
You tell yourself, “I’m not going to eat any chocolate today.” All day long you think of chocolate and finally break down and eat some.
You want your children to tell the truth, but you’re always asking, “are you lying to me?” You hate cleaning the kitchen and you keep thinking about how dirty it is and how MANY dishes there are and how long it will take. You are constantly telling your children, “Hurry up. You are so slow!”
Fordham tells us we need to replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. We need to visualize the positive.
How do we do that? Catch your child telling the truth and say, “I appreciate it when you tell me the truth. I can trust you because I know you are honest.” Then go tell Dad or grandma how truthful your child is (in his hearing).
Visualize your clean kitchen. Feel the delicious cleanliness of it. Then put some music on, set the timer and sing and wash away those dishes.
Encourage your child with mentioning how quickly he is obeying. Say things like, “wow, thanks for trying to hurry. That really helps the whole family.”
Remember—replace negative thoughts with healthy, positive thoughts and visualizations of action.
Then, be patient with yourself and your family. Changes don’t happen overnight. Bad habits can only change when a GOOD habit is formed to take it’s place.
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d8a7eafcee340210VgnVCM100000176f620a____
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Music Tip #75 Composition Idea
I stumbled upon a piece of piano music that I fell in love with. Since it seems like I’m always late to find out what’s popular, I’m sure everyone has already heard of this composer and song. If you haven't, let me introduce you to a young Korean composer named Yiruma. The piece I’m talking about is called “River Flows in You”.
http://www.myspace.com/yiruma I gave this piece to two of my teenage piano students recently and knew I’d found a winner when they both came back to lessons the next week and had learned it!
I love to play “River Flows in You” myself, and one day as I was playing it, I analyzed the form and realized that the left hand plays the same chord progression throughout the whole song. The right hand plays a simple melody (verse or part A) and embellishes it with running notes and slight modifications in melody. Then the right hand plays a second melody (chorus or part B) with embellishments.
Wow, I thought, what a simple framework to have my teenage students try to write their own composition. So at their next lesson I helped them discover the form of the piece and the simple left hand chord progression (I love to let them discover things—then they internalize the concepts). I had them create their own four chord progression and play it several times, then asked them to play a simple melody with their right hand—creating it on the spot. They put the hands together and both students were pleased with what they had created in 5 minutes.
The next step was to embellish the melody and tweak it to keep it interesting. I sent my students home with encouragement to finish their piece. One student came back for help a couple of days later because she was going to perform her composition at a youth music recital for Church. I LOVE it when I can hook a student into music, and especially when they’re hooked to compose their own music.
Thank you, Yiruma.
http://www.myspace.com/yiruma I gave this piece to two of my teenage piano students recently and knew I’d found a winner when they both came back to lessons the next week and had learned it!
I love to play “River Flows in You” myself, and one day as I was playing it, I analyzed the form and realized that the left hand plays the same chord progression throughout the whole song. The right hand plays a simple melody (verse or part A) and embellishes it with running notes and slight modifications in melody. Then the right hand plays a second melody (chorus or part B) with embellishments.
Wow, I thought, what a simple framework to have my teenage students try to write their own composition. So at their next lesson I helped them discover the form of the piece and the simple left hand chord progression (I love to let them discover things—then they internalize the concepts). I had them create their own four chord progression and play it several times, then asked them to play a simple melody with their right hand—creating it on the spot. They put the hands together and both students were pleased with what they had created in 5 minutes.
The next step was to embellish the melody and tweak it to keep it interesting. I sent my students home with encouragement to finish their piece. One student came back for help a couple of days later because she was going to perform her composition at a youth music recital for Church. I LOVE it when I can hook a student into music, and especially when they’re hooked to compose their own music.
Thank you, Yiruma.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Music Tip #74 Music and Writing Strategies
This year at school we set a goal to help boost writing scores by giving parents writing strategies they could do at home. We included them each month in our newsletter. Here's some ideas from my May newsletter:
The end of the school year and the beginning of summer are here and “what to do with the kids?” is an important question all parents ask.
Here are some writing ideas linked with music that might help keep your children in the learning zone:
1.Write new lyrics to familiar songs. Use folk songs as your starting point, then create new words to go with what you’re doing. If the chores need to get done, ask your child to write some cleaning up words to Mary Had a Little Lamb, or London Bridge. Here’s an example using the tune to Mary Had a Little Lamb:
My room looks so messy, Wow!
Messy, Wow! Messy, Wow!
My room looks so messy, Wow! I’d better clean it fast.
2.It’s really important for kindergarten-2nd grade age children to recognize rhyming words and be able to rhyme words themselves.
Start singing a song (again use folk or familiar songs) but only sing rhyming words, changing rhymes on each phrase. Encourage your child to join in. Here’s an example to the tune of 3 Blind Mice:
Sit, sit, sit,
Mit, mit, mit
Fit, fitfit, fit
Wit, witwit wit,
etc. (be prepared for silliness and laughing!) Then have your child write all the rhyming words you’ve sang.
3. Here’s a web site that teaches writing skills in the form of songs:
http://www.songsforteaching.com/writingstrategies.htm
4.I found this book on Amazon but it is not in stock. You can do the same thing at home. They have children practice their writing skills while listening to music. Easy—you can do the same thing. Everything is more fun with music in the background. http://www.amazon.com/Callirobics-Pre-Writing-Skills-Music-Callirobics/dp/B001AH3AL8
5.Here’s another site that teaches cursive writing and has songs to enhance the learning
http://www.kiboomu.com/2011/01/11/cursive-writing-practice-for-kids/
The end of the school year and the beginning of summer are here and “what to do with the kids?” is an important question all parents ask.
Here are some writing ideas linked with music that might help keep your children in the learning zone:
1.Write new lyrics to familiar songs. Use folk songs as your starting point, then create new words to go with what you’re doing. If the chores need to get done, ask your child to write some cleaning up words to Mary Had a Little Lamb, or London Bridge. Here’s an example using the tune to Mary Had a Little Lamb:
My room looks so messy, Wow!
Messy, Wow! Messy, Wow!
My room looks so messy, Wow! I’d better clean it fast.
2.It’s really important for kindergarten-2nd grade age children to recognize rhyming words and be able to rhyme words themselves.
Start singing a song (again use folk or familiar songs) but only sing rhyming words, changing rhymes on each phrase. Encourage your child to join in. Here’s an example to the tune of 3 Blind Mice:
Sit, sit, sit,
Mit, mit, mit
Fit, fitfit, fit
Wit, witwit wit,
etc. (be prepared for silliness and laughing!) Then have your child write all the rhyming words you’ve sang.
3. Here’s a web site that teaches writing skills in the form of songs:
http://www.songsforteaching.com/writingstrategies.htm
4.I found this book on Amazon but it is not in stock. You can do the same thing at home. They have children practice their writing skills while listening to music. Easy—you can do the same thing. Everything is more fun with music in the background. http://www.amazon.com/Callirobics-Pre-Writing-Skills-Music-Callirobics/dp/B001AH3AL8
5.Here’s another site that teaches cursive writing and has songs to enhance the learning
http://www.kiboomu.com/2011/01/11/cursive-writing-practice-for-kids/
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Parenting Tip #77 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
Will there be enough room?
Do you know this book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, written by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault? It’s a well loved preschool favorite that is in rhyme and tells what happens when the whole alphabet tries to climb a coconut tree.
I love children’s books and especially those which rhyme and have fun alliteration.
Isn’t this fun to say:
Skit skat skoodle doot.
Flip flop flee.
Everybody running to the coconut tree.
Mamas and papas
And uncles and aunts
Hug their little dears,
Then dust their pants.
There are so many fun things to do with rhymes; things that can benefit YOU as a mother. Are you having trouble getting children to brush their teeth? Challenge them to say “skit skat skoodle doot, flip flop flee” 10 times while they brush. That should be hilarious (but watch out for flying toothpaste).
Do you have trouble getting your baby to lie still while you change her diaper? Trouble with preschoolers getting dressed? Trouble with stubborn children eating dinner? Children not doing their chores or homework? Just start chanting sections from chicka chicka boom boom and soon you and they will be laughing and having fun and be surprised that the diaper is already changed, the clothes are on, the dinner eaten and the chores are done.
How about memorizing the whole book????? I just had talent show auditions at my school and I am always amazed at the Kindergarteners or first graders who recite long poems as if it is nothing [I meant your child memorize it—not you!]
Here’s another great phrase to memorize and say fast. Actually it’s a name: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi- pip peri pembo, from the book Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel. Have your children who are fighting with siblings say that five times in a squeaky mouse voice and see if the atmosphere in your home doesn’t change really fast!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Give-away Winner is....
The give away winner of the CD entitled "Women of Hope" is Jenny. Shadow Mountain Records should be contacting you soon. Kimmie is the winner of the book!
Congratulations and thanks for reading!
I have two more CDs to give away real soon. So keep reading.
Congratulations and thanks for reading!
I have two more CDs to give away real soon. So keep reading.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Parenting Tip #76 Writing memories worth reading
My daughter-in-law was on TV in Utah today with tips on writing memories worth reading http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=71&sid=15716302
It's worth watching!
It's worth watching!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Music for Tots Summer Class
I'm excited to teach another music for tots class this summer!
CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM, will there be enough room? Come explore the rich sounds of rhyme, rhythm and music as you and your children sing, dance, move, wiggle and play instruments. Discover how books coupled with music can unlock your child’s imagination and increase his ability to learn.
This class is for multi-age children and siblings-- newborn to age 5 and their parents.
Where: The Learning Center / Little Village Pre-School (Formerly Skyline Charter School-their sign is still up)
550 W Warner Rd (On the North side of Warner just east of Alma School)
When: Saturdays mornings * June 11, 18, 25, July 9, 16, 23 (no class on July 2)
Time: 11:00am-11:45am
Cost: $110.00 per family NEW PRICE $85.00
Bring a friend who registers for class and both of you get $10.00off!
If you live in my area and are interested, please register. If you're a grandparent and want to do something fun with your preschoolers, sign up and come! I guarantee this class will keep you young!
Email me at
playsmusic@hotmail.com to
register and confirm your spot.
Payment on 1st day of class.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Music Tip #73 Open Ended Music Lessons
I love to plan and teach open ended music lessons at school. These are lessons where I present basic information such as a chant, rhyme or song but then let the students create where we go from there. Can we add movements, an ostinato, and instruments? What musical form shall we present our new creation in—AB or ABA or ABACA?
Sometimes we create the movements and form together as a whole group, and other times I divide the class into small groups and let each group come up with their own ideas. Then the groups perform for each other. I love to see the creativity that evolves.
But other things happen during an open ended lesson plan that aren’t just musical. Students learn to brainstorm, cooperate, and develop leadership skills. Each group always ends up with some child becoming the leader, either by default or because they talk louder and faster than anyone else. Once in a while no student leader will surface in a group and the kids will just stand there staring at each other. Then a new learning opportunity evolves and I lead them to discover how to brainstorm and talk and communicate with each other.
When students contribute to the lesson, they internalize the ideas and make it their own. Learning happens and sticks. They feel valued, and involved and in control.
So how can this type of open ended learning atmosphere be used elsewhere in life or in the home?
Piano teachers--or any other kind of instrument teacher, can ask students at their lessons which one of their pieces they would like to play first. They can ask them what needs to be changed or how to make the piece sound better. They can ask them for ideas on how to practice it at home.
Parents can use open ended learning in the home by asking children how they would like to organize the chore schedule, or when would be the best time for them to do their home work. When looking in their bedroom and seeing that, yes indeed, a tornado DID hit, ask for ideas on how to clean it the quickest way. On Saturday ask for ideas on how to get the work of the day done in a fun way where everyone is helping.
When you involve children in the decision making, and let them use their creativity, they become part owners in the situation and will work to make it successful. Try it! I would love to hear your ideas and the results of your “tries”.
Sometimes we create the movements and form together as a whole group, and other times I divide the class into small groups and let each group come up with their own ideas. Then the groups perform for each other. I love to see the creativity that evolves.
But other things happen during an open ended lesson plan that aren’t just musical. Students learn to brainstorm, cooperate, and develop leadership skills. Each group always ends up with some child becoming the leader, either by default or because they talk louder and faster than anyone else. Once in a while no student leader will surface in a group and the kids will just stand there staring at each other. Then a new learning opportunity evolves and I lead them to discover how to brainstorm and talk and communicate with each other.
When students contribute to the lesson, they internalize the ideas and make it their own. Learning happens and sticks. They feel valued, and involved and in control.
So how can this type of open ended learning atmosphere be used elsewhere in life or in the home?
Piano teachers--or any other kind of instrument teacher, can ask students at their lessons which one of their pieces they would like to play first. They can ask them what needs to be changed or how to make the piece sound better. They can ask them for ideas on how to practice it at home.
Parents can use open ended learning in the home by asking children how they would like to organize the chore schedule, or when would be the best time for them to do their home work. When looking in their bedroom and seeing that, yes indeed, a tornado DID hit, ask for ideas on how to clean it the quickest way. On Saturday ask for ideas on how to get the work of the day done in a fun way where everyone is helping.
When you involve children in the decision making, and let them use their creativity, they become part owners in the situation and will work to make it successful. Try it! I would love to hear your ideas and the results of your “tries”.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
A Give-Away is Here!
I’m happy to have another giveaway on my blog for two items—a new music CD and a book for parents of preschoolers.
The book, The Smarter Preschooler, Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential is written by a husband/wife team, Renee and Mike Mosiman, whose sons I teach at my school (our school provides enrichment classes to homeschooled families). Did I mention yet that this book is excellent? It is a "user-friendly" book that speaks to parents and educators alike. It covers a wide range of topics of interest for parents who want to be proactive in their children's lives. There are many research findings included in each topic with pertinent examples sprinkled throughout each chapter. There are lots of great "down to earth" ideas that parents can easily incorporate into their child's life.
One of the reasons I like this book is because Renee and Mike think like I do on important topics like play, the arts, t.v., and family time. They encourage lots of free play, less t.v., and quality family time. They suggest ideas on which chores preschoolers are capable of doing, how to make running errands a learning and fun experience, and discuss the pros and cons of sending your child to preschool.
If you are a new parent of a preschooler or an experienced [and perhaps tired] one, this book will excite you with ideas, information and support.
The music CD is called Women of Hope-giving voice to your heart. It brings together the best talents in the LDS music community in celebration of the power of women. It features original songs performed by favorite singers such as Hilary Weeks, Cherie Call, Mercy River and more. It is produced by Tyler Castleton with Kurt Bestor.
This is a CD that grows on you and becomes better each time you listen to it. The first time I heard it I enjoyed listening to it. The 2nd time I enjoyed it even more. Each time I played it, it brought feelings of love and peace.
With song titles like By Our Love, Legacy, Hope on the Horizon, Find Mercy and God Will Give You Wings, you can see what a powerful CD it is.
Leave me a comment and mention which give away you are interested in, the book or CD, or if you want to be entered in both, tell me that too. Make sure your email address shows!
I’ll choose the lucky winners next Monday.
The book, The Smarter Preschooler, Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential is written by a husband/wife team, Renee and Mike Mosiman, whose sons I teach at my school (our school provides enrichment classes to homeschooled families). Did I mention yet that this book is excellent? It is a "user-friendly" book that speaks to parents and educators alike. It covers a wide range of topics of interest for parents who want to be proactive in their children's lives. There are many research findings included in each topic with pertinent examples sprinkled throughout each chapter. There are lots of great "down to earth" ideas that parents can easily incorporate into their child's life.
One of the reasons I like this book is because Renee and Mike think like I do on important topics like play, the arts, t.v., and family time. They encourage lots of free play, less t.v., and quality family time. They suggest ideas on which chores preschoolers are capable of doing, how to make running errands a learning and fun experience, and discuss the pros and cons of sending your child to preschool.
If you are a new parent of a preschooler or an experienced [and perhaps tired] one, this book will excite you with ideas, information and support.
The music CD is called Women of Hope-giving voice to your heart. It brings together the best talents in the LDS music community in celebration of the power of women. It features original songs performed by favorite singers such as Hilary Weeks, Cherie Call, Mercy River and more. It is produced by Tyler Castleton with Kurt Bestor.
This is a CD that grows on you and becomes better each time you listen to it. The first time I heard it I enjoyed listening to it. The 2nd time I enjoyed it even more. Each time I played it, it brought feelings of love and peace.
With song titles like By Our Love, Legacy, Hope on the Horizon, Find Mercy and God Will Give You Wings, you can see what a powerful CD it is.
Leave me a comment and mention which give away you are interested in, the book or CD, or if you want to be entered in both, tell me that too. Make sure your email address shows!
I’ll choose the lucky winners next Monday.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Music Tip #72 Helpful Songs
I’ve written songs throughout my adult life. Some have been published—others haven’t. My most famous song –to my kids, that is--is one that I use to sing when I was stressed out, had a hundred things to do and had no energy to do them with. It’s called, “I’ve Got Energy”. I was trying to psych myself out, I guess.
Another song I recently wrote is one to help me with one of my vices. Coveting. I never thought of myself as a coveter (is that a word?). Perhaps I was a little jealous and envious of other people’s nicer-than-mine house, or financial status or beauty. But I didn’t think I coveted—until one year in Sunday School when we were discussing the 10 Commandments and that one came up. Whoa—it sure sounded like what I was doing.
So I wrote this little song to help me overcome my feelings and put life back into perspective. You sing it to the tune of Are You Sleeping.
Do not covet. Do not covet.
Don’t you dare. Don’t compare.
Coveting’s a dreadful sin.
Makes you bitter, no one wins.
Count your Blessings.
Count your Blessings!
So I hope you can use my two little songs some day. The next time you have no energy, sing I Have Energy from the top of your lungs. You really have to shout it out. And did I mention you have to dance while you’re singing it?
Or if you find yourself coveting, sing Do Not Covet in your head over and over again.
Happy singing!
Another song I recently wrote is one to help me with one of my vices. Coveting. I never thought of myself as a coveter (is that a word?). Perhaps I was a little jealous and envious of other people’s nicer-than-mine house, or financial status or beauty. But I didn’t think I coveted—until one year in Sunday School when we were discussing the 10 Commandments and that one came up. Whoa—it sure sounded like what I was doing.
So I wrote this little song to help me overcome my feelings and put life back into perspective. You sing it to the tune of Are You Sleeping.
Do not covet. Do not covet.
Don’t you dare. Don’t compare.
Coveting’s a dreadful sin.
Makes you bitter, no one wins.
Count your Blessings.
Count your Blessings!
So I hope you can use my two little songs some day. The next time you have no energy, sing I Have Energy from the top of your lungs. You really have to shout it out. And did I mention you have to dance while you’re singing it?
Or if you find yourself coveting, sing Do Not Covet in your head over and over again.
Happy singing!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Parenting Tip #75 Use Your Words
When I visit my grandchildren, I’ve been surprised to hear my daughter in laws say to their children, “use your words.” They say this usually when a child is having a melt down, either because of fighting with a sibling or frustration at getting dressed or whatever. The mom will say, “Use your words”--implying “quit crying and tell me what’s going on”.
Use your words and tell your sister how that made you feel. Use your words and tell me why you don’t want to wear your red shirt. Use your words and tell me what’s wrong with the Cheerios in your bowl.
I wish I would have used this technique when my children were small. It’s a great way to help children realize they have feelings and put a name to them. It’s also a great way to help children organize their thoughts and express them—she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. It’s a great way to visualize and organize past events—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. And finally, it’s a great way to evaluate choices and choose new ones—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry, I should give her back the toy and say I’m sorry.
But what if your child is too young to use their words? Here comes the beauty of teaching your baby sign language. Is your toddler sleepy, hungry, wants more apples, or wants milk? Teaching these basic signs can really help a frustrated mother understand what her even more frustrated toddler is trying to tell her.
“Use your words”. Food for thought for even adults. One of my sons loves the book, Crucial Conversations, a book that tells how to deal with crucial events in people’s lives and deal with them in a constructive, positive way. http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadershop/0194-6excerpt.html
I guess every blogger knows the power of using your words. I’m using my words to hopefully give you ways to make your world a little easier and more fun.
Thanks
for
reading
my
words!
Use your words and tell your sister how that made you feel. Use your words and tell me why you don’t want to wear your red shirt. Use your words and tell me what’s wrong with the Cheerios in your bowl.
I wish I would have used this technique when my children were small. It’s a great way to help children realize they have feelings and put a name to them. It’s also a great way to help children organize their thoughts and express them—she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. It’s a great way to visualize and organize past events—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. And finally, it’s a great way to evaluate choices and choose new ones—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry, I should give her back the toy and say I’m sorry.
But what if your child is too young to use their words? Here comes the beauty of teaching your baby sign language. Is your toddler sleepy, hungry, wants more apples, or wants milk? Teaching these basic signs can really help a frustrated mother understand what her even more frustrated toddler is trying to tell her.
“Use your words”. Food for thought for even adults. One of my sons loves the book, Crucial Conversations, a book that tells how to deal with crucial events in people’s lives and deal with them in a constructive, positive way. http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadershop/0194-6excerpt.html
I guess every blogger knows the power of using your words. I’m using my words to hopefully give you ways to make your world a little easier and more fun.
Thanks
for
reading
my
words!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Parenting Tip #74 Teaching Children to Work
Today is Mother’s Day. I’ve learned so many things from my mother about how to be a good mother. Here are just a few things I’ve learned about teaching children how to work:
1.Make work fun. When we had to clean the house, we would play army--with my mother being “The General”. She would give us a small job to do, we would salute and say, “yes Ma’am!”, then run off to do the job. When it was finished we would return to The General, salute and get a new job.
I tried making work fun for my children by hiding M&M’s under clothing and toys strewn all over the floor. The clean up would look daunting, but when you found candy while cleaning, it was much more fun!
2.Teach your children how to work. My sister and I were not washing the dishes up to my mother’s standards. So I vividly remember one night watching her as SHE washed the dishes while instructing us on how to do it correctly. “Wipe the counter after the dishes are washed,” she told us as she carefully wiped it. “Pick up the salt and pepper shakers on the stove and wipe under them,” she demonstrated.
I tried this technique with my children by writing step by step instructions on “how to clean the bathroom”. I demonstrated it for them, too. I wonder if they remember that day?
3.You get what you earned. One Saturday, as young children, we had to help rake up the leaves in the back yard. My brother kept messing around and not helping. After the job was done, my mother all gave us a glass of punch. Except my brother—he only got half a glass. He cried but was told that was all he had earned. It was a lesson for all of us.
4.Sometimes it’s okay to quit or Evaluate the situation. I had the most boring job in the world one summer when I worked at ASU. I called my mother during lunch one day because I just couldn’t take it anymore. She asked me some probing questions then said, “Well it doesn’t sound like the money you are making from this job is really worth what you have to go through. So quit.” What??!! I could actually quit? Other times in my life she had told me to “hang in there”. Lesson learned: every situation is different.
Thanks, Mom, for teaching me how to work--and all the other things you taught me. I love you!
1.Make work fun. When we had to clean the house, we would play army--with my mother being “The General”. She would give us a small job to do, we would salute and say, “yes Ma’am!”, then run off to do the job. When it was finished we would return to The General, salute and get a new job.
I tried making work fun for my children by hiding M&M’s under clothing and toys strewn all over the floor. The clean up would look daunting, but when you found candy while cleaning, it was much more fun!
2.Teach your children how to work. My sister and I were not washing the dishes up to my mother’s standards. So I vividly remember one night watching her as SHE washed the dishes while instructing us on how to do it correctly. “Wipe the counter after the dishes are washed,” she told us as she carefully wiped it. “Pick up the salt and pepper shakers on the stove and wipe under them,” she demonstrated.
I tried this technique with my children by writing step by step instructions on “how to clean the bathroom”. I demonstrated it for them, too. I wonder if they remember that day?
3.You get what you earned. One Saturday, as young children, we had to help rake up the leaves in the back yard. My brother kept messing around and not helping. After the job was done, my mother all gave us a glass of punch. Except my brother—he only got half a glass. He cried but was told that was all he had earned. It was a lesson for all of us.
4.Sometimes it’s okay to quit or Evaluate the situation. I had the most boring job in the world one summer when I worked at ASU. I called my mother during lunch one day because I just couldn’t take it anymore. She asked me some probing questions then said, “Well it doesn’t sound like the money you are making from this job is really worth what you have to go through. So quit.” What??!! I could actually quit? Other times in my life she had told me to “hang in there”. Lesson learned: every situation is different.
Thanks, Mom, for teaching me how to work--and all the other things you taught me. I love you!
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