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 Member » JeanTracy
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Hi! I''m Jean. I''ve been married to Jim for 39 years. We enjoy talking, taking long walks, playing cards, and entertaining. We have two grown sons. Their names are Scott and Brian. Scott is a successful salesman. Brian is a senior web developer. Brian built my website at www.KidsDiscuss.com .
Scott married a wonderful girl, Andrea, from Mexico. She adds spice to our family with her lively and loving Mexican culture. Scott and Andrea have two girls, Paola, age 10 and Daniela, age 7. We have fun playing together in the woods behind my house, digging for worms, singing on a makeshift stage, and blazing new trails in the forest. Paola loves science, chatting, and discovering new bugs. Daniela loves gymnastics, creating stories, and drawing butterflies.
Brian''s lovely wife, Jeni, is an accountant. Jeni is generous in sharing her accounting knowledge when we need it. Like Andrea, Jeni is full of energy and loads of fun. Brian and Jeni have a toddler, Ethan. He is two years old. I babysit him every Thursday. He tickles my heart with his playfulness and toddler talk. Ethan and I go for long stroller walks, dance to loud music, pick flowers, and read books together.
After teaching elementary school four years, I decided to get my masters in social work. After that I worked as a probation officer. One of the offenders broke into my house. Luckily I caught him. It was quite a scene. Later, I developed a private counseling practice with parents and children spanning 22 years. Now I write parenting newsletters and articles for the web, create parenting products that help busy parents spend quality time with their kids, and belong to two toastmaster clubs that promote public speaking through practice. My life is fun, meaningful, and always challenging. |
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This post is from from my other blog here
If your kid tells lies, use the family meeting. It’s painful to learn that your kids lie to you, friends, and teachers. Look inside to find out how the family meeting can turn fibbers into honest children.
Always tell the truth. That way, you don't have to remember what you said. – Mark Twain
The Family Meeting
Have a story and some handy discussion questions ready to help your kids share their opinions about lying. Consider the following:
Let’s pretend you just told your mom that your little brother lost your homework. She’s scolding your brother and he’s crying. The truth is you never did your homework.
Will you tell the truth? Why or why not?
Why do you think kids lie?
Do you care if someone lies to you? Why?
How can you tell if a friend is lying?
How would you tell a friend he’s lying? Role-play it.
Why is being honest better than lying even when you know you’ll get into trouble?
Help your kids discuss why lying is wrong. Use short stories and good questions. You’ll find the family meeting to be the perfect place to teach them honesty.
Additional Help:
Dilemma discussions take little time and
give your children your moral guidance.
Pick up my Dilemma Discussion Kit with
51 carefully crafted discussions.
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This post is from from my other blog here
Do your kids brag? How do you stop them without crushing their spirits? Some kids say ridiculous things like, “My dad killed a bear with his bare hands.” Or “I’m the smartest kid in my whole class.” Such bragging needs to stop if they’re ever going to have friends. Look inside to see how the family meeting can help.
“Tell me what you brag about and I’ll tell you what you lack.” – Spanish Proverb
It’s not pleasant to hear your Sophie brag to other kids. Before correcting her and crushing her feelings, consider using the family meeting.
The Family Meeting
Discuss why most kids don’t like kids who brag:
Ask your kids, “Why isn’t bragging a good idea for making friends?”
If you brag, what might kids think of you?
When you brag, why do kids think you feel like you’re better than them?
What might your bragging tell kids about how you feel about yourself?
What are better ways to make friends? Why?
Perhaps Sophie brags because she really is smarter, better at sports, and good at music. Sophie doesn’t realize that all kids want to feel important.
Maybe Sophie brags because she lacks self-confidence and tries to make other kids think she’s a big shot. Neither way works and kids won’t like her.
Spend lots of time on the last question because your Sophie needs to try different behaviors, like praising other kids for what they can do, if she ever hopes to make friends.
If you’d like a ready-made notebook to keep track of your family meetings, Pick up my Family Meeting Diary at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006 It will become a family keepsake of your most cherished moments.
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This post is from from my other blog here
Do your kids whine about going to school talent shows when their sibling is the star? How can you get your children to support each other? Look inside to see the power of the family meeting.
There are only two lasting bequests we an hope to give our children. One of these is roots: the other, wings. - Hodding Carter
Each child in your family has special gifts. Ask your members to describe the gifts they see in their brothers and sisters.
Let’s pretend your daughter, Amanda, is going to play a solo in the school musical. Use the family meeting to discuss how each member can support her.
The Family Meeting ~
Discuss the following questions:
· “What is the meaning of family love?”
· “How can we support Amanda to show that love?”
· “Why should we attend each others’ ‘special’ events?”
· “If it was your event, how would you want the family to support you?”
· “After the event what kind of celebration should there be for the Amanda?” Let the Amanda pick the celebration she wants.
Imagine how loved your Amanda would feel. Her solid roots within the family would give her the wings to perform. Your family has the power to
give her those roots by celebrating her success.
Additional Help:
Create a loving close-knit family! Let my Family Meeting Book
be your guide. Pick up my Family Meeting Diary at
http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006
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This post is from from my other blog here
Where would your family like to bike? Are there special bike routes nearby? Or do you need a bike map to plan family fun? Look inside to see how family meetings can help you make the plans you need.
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. - John Muir
The Family Meeting
The family meeting is ideal for planning bike rides with your family. Deciding where to go, mountains, river paths, or wilderness can be an exciting way to get the children involved.
Find out who is willing to:
Check bike gears and wheels
Prepare a picnic basket
Pack a blanket or two
Get out the biking helmets
Bring emergency medical supplies
Bring some bike tools
Map out the bike trail
Get everyone’s ideas for making this biking trip a fun event. When everyone’s involved, you can be sure your family will have fun.
How do you plan family fun?
Share planning fun events for everyone to enjoy with my Family Meeting Diary at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006 Experience the family closeness you always dreamed of. |
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