Saturday, January 25, 2014

RAISING LEMONS
by: G RUANE


I know this sounds like a total agricultural “how to article,” but its not, I swear. You ever hear that old saying “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Okay so I've been a step mom going on 5 years, she is 7 years old & very in-control-independent attitude girl. When we first met it was all bad though. It was hard. I would cry half the time, I didnt' understand why she was so mean & how to deal with a step-child in general. Well after about two years, this little girl has completely re-vampped and transformed into a even more beautiful girl inside and out. Little girls nowadays are all about following. Whatever is cool thats what the other will do. Monkey see monkey do. Thats the scary part of parenting. You dont want your child to fall into the wrong crowd or fall into friendships where they will end up in trouble, where they think that their friends are the most important thing on this earth or that they come before their own family.  We want to get their attention before they get to being these “sour lemons” , we want to raise good, honest, sweet, humble kids....
This is my advice or ideas I have used from my own personal experience. Here are some key points you want to include in your childs life, maybe everyday even. Pick a time (example: dinner time) where you, your entire family sit with out any distractions, no cell phones and just hear what your kids have to say. Really if you just listen to kids, they actually will help you understand and things will go smoother....
 
  • Have everyone place all electronic devices onto a plate or large pot right before dinner time.
  • Everyone must go around the table saying how their day went one by one.
  • A family fun exercise my friends & family play is:
I'm going on a camping trip!

Each family member is sitting at the table and says “I am going on a camping trip and I will          taking... (here is the tricky part, you cant use 4 letters in the alphabet!) you MUST BE  ABLE   TO NAME ONE PERSON, ONE PET OR ANIMAL, AND THREE items or THINGS!
You must be able to do it under one minute and you must say WHY you chose the item or person.
YOU CANNOT USE THE LETTTERS C.A.M.P.
 
 
 One lie, 3 facts
 
Each  family member must write down four statements about themselves on a piece of paper. Three must be truthful facts and the other a made up lie, but reasonable enough to convince the others at the table that it could be true. Take turns around the table reading the statements. The other guests must try to pick out the false statement from the true. If you are concerned that some of the faces may give away the false statement, have a different host each time you play. Focus the game on team building for your project, such as their previous experience.
 
(These two are just a couple examples, feel free to make up your own!)  
  • Next, do a random pop up question. This one you should think about...Make it a thinker! (example:  What kind of music is your favorite? Tell me something no one else knows about you? Whats your favorite childhood memory? Whats a talent you have? Biggest fear?
  • Lastly say something positive to your child, focus on all their great qualities, and give a good compliment...make them open up and trust you, make your children feel comfortable with speaking to you. Make them feel at home and safe in there own environment.
As long as you follow these little key pointers, your child should be talking to you in no time! And just like that we have made lemonade out of perfectly good lemons.