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Announcing A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts -- Part II
By Leslie Wilson
My second co-authored book, A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts (Leafwood Publishers), released last week. It makes the perfect Mother's Day gift. Hint, hint! Here's another excerpt:
Word Quilters' Wisdom: Treating Kids as Unique Individuals
Terra: One of my sons enjoys the outdoors, trucks, and motorcycles. The other son is lead vocalist in a band and rides a bicycle. Both enjoy camping and hiking. We notice what each son likes and celebrate that, which makes family gatherings lots of fun.
Cathy: Even if you live in a crowded home, try to give each child his or her own space, even if it's just a five-dollar cubicle to store personal stuff and to decorate to his or her liking.
Karen: Nothing showed me more about how different children are than raising twins. God has made each one unique. Applaud the gifts he's given each child, and don't imply one gift is better than the other.
Trish: Schedule individual dates with your children. Let them pick what you do on the date, and enjoy getting to know each of your children one on one.
Family Snapshot: Children Just Can't Keep Still
By Leslie Wilson
By Leslie Wilson
When North Texas experienced a break from the typical scorching July temperatures, my husband, Bret, suggested our family watch a movie outside on the trampoline to enjoy the crisp night air.
Though it sounded good, this was no simple undertaking. It took us nearly an hour to gather the requisite materials: laptop computer for viewing, DVD, extension cord, bedding, snacks, flashlights, bug spray.
Finally, Bret and I, along with our first grader and two preschoolers, congregated on our round trampoline and snuggled close. Not intentionally -- the weight of bodies and equipment made everything sink into the middle of the trampoline. After many attempts to get comfortable, Bret begged, "Why can't you kids just be still?"
Was he kidding? Had he not been around our children before? He seemed to have forgotten that children are born with a wiggle gene.
They're destined to move incessantly from birth until they become teenagers and we need them to mow the lawn and drive younger siblings to basketball practice. Then, whether sleeping, watching TV, or chatting on the computer, all they'll want to do is be still.
Word Quilters' Wisdom: Helping Out with Chores
Karen: Kids can easily put away their toys, art supplies, books, and other belongings in a closet or under their beds using dollar store plastic bins (with lids) that stack easily.
Trish: Hold a chore auction. As children complete the required chores on time with a positive attitude, they earn tickets. Once a week (or month), hold an auction and let them use their tickets to bid on items like toys, an extra hour of TV, a later bedtime, or an ice cream cone.
Leslie: Chore charts worked great for us. As my kids got older, they visualized the charts in their heads, thinking of what they needed to do next.
Cathy: In an experiment televised on PBS, several modern families returned to pioneer times and lived for months without electricity or current methods of food preserving. Family members took pride in their work and saw the benefit of working as a team. Personal satisfaction and character develop when children successfully complete chores and receive kudos for their contribution to the family.
Terra: Doing chores benefits children as it helps them gain self-confidence and makes it clear that they are contributing to the family.
The book contains many more tips, stories and motherly wisdom.
Leslie co-authored A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts, which released April 10 -- just in time for Mother's Day. Visit her website and blog at www.lesliewilson.com.
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