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13 Smart Opportunities to Seize at Home
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
1090 words



































Nurturance & Connection Opportunities

4 Tips to Minimize Procrastination.                                       
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
690 words

 ~Eva Young

Procrastination may be a tendency as human as eating and sleeping, but certain children seem more vulnerable than others and may need some assistance. In The Procrastinating Child (2002), Rita Emmett conceptualizes procrastination as a nasty habit both children and adults can correct.







2. Forgive Yourself.
















Michele Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling.

Emmett, Rita. 2002. The Procrastinating Child: A Handbook for Adults to Help Children Stop Putting Things Off. Walker and Company.

Seeing the joy and savoring this phase.
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.                                                                            
670 wds





1. There’s a whole world of sweet things to enjoy together now that they’re older.  Whether it’s a sit-com you both love, baking, a sports team, scrabble, cars, a book series, or pilates—don’t forget many such activities were not options when they were little. You likely yielded to their child-related interests and developmental needs at the time (and Dora!). Now there’s new fun stuff for both of you.

2. You both navigated childhood successfully. Cue the confetti. It’s worth celebrating. Really. It wasn’t always unicorns and rainbows—remember chronic ear infections, all those meals they couldn’t cut up their pork chop, and the demonic temper tantrums in the grocery cart? Bravo. You made it.

3. Their identity crisis makes you more accountable. At first blush, this may not sound savor-worthy, but think about it. Because they are forming opinions and making discoveries about themselves, you are probably held more accountable. And that’s good for both of you. Are you worried about the dangers of alcohol and drug-use for them? If so, you are likely modeling better behavior since they are watching. Part of their process as they clarify who they are morally and ethically is influenced by interactions with you and what they observe at home.


5. You have the opportunity for meaningful discussions. It’s one thing to discuss matters of faith when they’re 10. But as young adults, the ongoing dialogue about faith, philosophy, and character has life altering potential. They may come to you for spiritual guidance or ethical dilemmas, and engaging them in such conversations (with compassion and understanding) can have soulful consequences.

6. You may have more household help. It’s nice when there are strong arms around capable of operating a vacuum, the microwave, and the washing machine. Even if you have to nag, sending them to the grocery store is a perk. And it’s easy to forget that just a short time ago you had to drag them with you on those boring errands but now they can stay behind happily.

If you pay attention only to the media and the latest best-selling nonfiction, you may be horrified and convinced our teens belong to Generation Slut, Generation Me, or worse. You could be misled since there are plenty of wonderful qualities emerging in adolescence. We just have to be sensitive enough to notice.  

Michele Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling.

4 Treasures Gained From De-cluttering
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
790 words

--Hans Hoffman





2.      Improved Health. Simplifying allows the focus to be on what is most important, including health. When the objects we own work for us instead of the other way around, suddenly home becomes a haven. Cluttered lives filled with excess can take a toll on mental and physical health because of the stress created by clutter. Too many extracurricular activities and long work hours can lead to compromised health as well. Oxenreider reminds that when we feel stressed, we often lose sleep, and “Not enough sleep means an increased chance of depression, weight gain, high blood pressure, and perpetual grouchiness.”

3.      Financial Well-Being. This is an obvious and glorious side effect of more simplistic living. With less stuff to store, water, maintain, and buy, we are rewarded with happier wallets. De-cluttering has a domino effect. A de-cluttered kitchen is easier to clean, more inviting to cook in, and saves us money because we are more likely to want to eat in. Less eating out will likely mean consuming less calories, and skinnier versions of ourselves may lead to savings in healthcare costs.

4.      It’s Environmentally-friendly. When our households have less stuff, we simply don’t need as much space. Less space means lower utilities, which is both financially savvy and ecologically sound. We will use less electricity, less gas, and less water to keep our places running.

Start de-cluttering where it will help the most. Self-proclaimed clean freak blogger Clean Mama says if it’s your kitchen that is up for grabs, start there. “Too many clothes that don't fit or aren't your style anymore? Start with your closet. Stepped on a Lego for the last time? Start with the kids' toys.” She says successful de-cluttering leads you to de-clutter other spaces.



2.      If not, do I love it?
3.      Am I keeping it out of obligation?
4.      Am I holding on to it because I think I should love it?
5.      Am I saving this just in case?
6.      Do I have multiples of the same thing?
7.      Could something else I own do the same job?
8.      Am I holding on to a broken item to fix one day?
9.      Is this item worth the time cleaning/storing it?
10.  Could I use this space for something else?





Buck, Samantha. Lifeorganizeit.com
Clean Mama. http://cleanmama.blogspot.com/
Morgenstern, Julie. When Organizing Isn’t Enough. Fireside, 2008.
Oxenreider, Tsh. Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living. Better Way Home. 2010.

5 Tips for Greater Creativity & Connection
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
605 words





2.       Practice gratitude. You may not automatically glimpse the link between gratitude and creativity in bloom, but it’s a strong one. Soule describes it this way: “When we feel grateful, we feel full—full of love, full of inspiration, full of ideas, and full of creative spirit.” The Creative Family recommends writing thank-you cards, writing a gratitude alphabet, and creating joy jars (decorating a jar as a gift for someone special and filling it with positive messages).

3.       Prioritize unstructured time. Unstructured time allows children to engage. Dr. Markham says “Kids need practice with unstructured time, or they will never learn to manage it.” She suggests parents focus on play and process, not productivity.

Unstructured time can be entertaining. Choose toys promoting creative play, such as Lego bricks and blocks. Make basic instruments available at home (hand drums, whistles, maracas, harmonicas, recorders, triangles) so as Soule writes “they’ll naturally discover and play with them as they do with their toys.”

4.       Expose them to art. Think of activities close to home. “Take your child to an older cousin’s school play or high school art exhibit. Point out art in local coffee shops and take a minute to listen to street musicians before going on your way” suggests O’Connor.

Soule suggests hosting Art Night with friends. Provide art supplies, magazines and catalogs to make collages. “The benefits are tremendous for our little ones, who can create alongside the adults in their lives. And what adult couldn’t use a little inspiration from children?”

5.       Head into the Kitchen. Soule recommends Fairy Tale Feasts by Jane Yolen (2009) featuring 20 stories, each with at least one recipe (the recipe for “Very French Toast” accompanies the French folktale “Diamonds and Toads.”). Another fun option is Georgeanne Brennan’s Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook (2006) filled with silly recipes for Cat in the Hat pudding to Moose Juice. (You’ve got to love that the pages of this cookbook are laminated!)

Children are naturally imaginative, so in addition to these ideas, be mindful of obstacles to creativity like rules to “stay within the lines.” Dr. Markham says remind kids it is perfectly okay to be artsy. “Make it okay for your child to be out of step with the norms of her peer group, to be unique, to see the world through her own glasses. To develop her individuality, she needs your support against the pressures of popular culture.”

Creativity’s pay-off is huge. If improved academics and deeper connection were not reward enough, all of these nurturing experiences are pure fun!

Resources:

7 Ideas to Encourage Imagination
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
1060 words





1.       Model a creative life. Nurturing your own creative spirit will not only improve the quality of your own life, but according to Soule, “It will also serve as a guide and model to your children on finding their creative selves.” While many avenues exist to explore your artistic side, a good start is an excellent read. Soule recommends The Starving Artist’s Way (2004) by Nava Lubelski, which offers 100 “far-out, appealing, and interesting” suggestions ( Ever make felt from cat hair?).

However you choose to nurture your spirit, Dr. Markham says children must come to understand perfection is not the goal. She asserts “Children want to emulate their parents and will learn from your example that you don’t have to be perfect at things to give them a go.”

2.       Practice gratitude. You may not automatically glimpse the link between gratitude and creativity in bloom, but it’s a strong one. Soule describes it this way: “When we feel grateful, we feel full—full of love, full of inspiration, full of ideas, and full of creative spirit.” In The Creative Family are recommended activities to cultivate gratitude in children such as writing thank-you cards, writing a gratitude alphabet, and creating joy jars (decorating a jar as a gift for someone special and filling it with positive messages).

Don’t forget the power of gratitude for your own growth. In Flourish (2011), pioneer of positive psychology Martin Seligman maps out an incredibly simple exercise to raise well-being and lower depression called “The Gratitude Visit.” Simply write a letter to someone (from your past) who said or did something that changed your life for the better. Then set up a meeting with that person, being vague about the purpose to keep it a surprise. Read the letter aloud slowly and discuss your feelings afterward. Simple, yet Seligman says you will feel happier and less depressed within a month.

3.       Prioritize unstructured time. Watching television rarely helps the imagination to bloom. Blogger Tracy O’Connor warns “Television not only encourages children and adults to be passive consumers of entertainment but it can also promote materialism and obesity.” Conversely, unstructured time allows children to engage. Dr. Markham says “Kids need practice with unstructured time, or they will never learn to manage it.” She suggests parents focus on play and process, not productivity.

Unstructured time does not mean boring or unentertaining time. Do make it fun—the process of creating should be joyful, not necessarily the end product. O’Connor says choose toys promoting creative play, such as lego bricks and blocks. These are superior choices to toys that only do one thing.

Make basic instruments available at home (hand drums, whistles, maracas, harmonicas, recorders, triangles, shakers) so as Soule writes “they’ll naturally discover and play with them as they do with their toys.”

4.       Expose them to art. Art museums and concerts? Yes. But think of activities close to home as well. “Take your child to an older cousin’s school play or high school art exhibit. Point out art in local coffee shops and take a minute to listen to street musicians before going on your way” suggests O’Connor.

An alternative to straying from home is hosting Art Night with friends. Soule suggests providing art supplies, magazines and catalogs to make collages, and including both the old and young. She says “The benefits are tremendous for our little ones, who can create alongside the adults in their lives. And what adult couldn’t use a little inspiration from children?”

5.       Head into the Kitchen. There are so many opportunities for creative cooking beyond Tollhouse cookies. Soule recommends Fairy Tale Feasts by Jane Yolen (2009) featuring 20 stories, each with at least one recipe (the recipe for “Very French Toast” accompanies the French folktale “Diamonds and Toads.”). Another fun option is Georgeanne Brennan’s Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook (2006) filled with silly recipes for Cat in the Hat pudding to Moose Juice. (You’ve got to love that the pages of this cookbook are laminated!)

6.       Make supplies accessible. If kids know where to find materials for creating, they will use them. Have an organized storage system, and teach them how to properly take care of art items. Soule recommends buying quality art supplies such as a few good quality crayons over a box full of hundreds of mediocre ones. “It’s much more satisfying to work on something when the materials you are using actually ‘work’ and assist in what you are doing, rather than hinder and slow you down.”

7.       Chill about messes. Don’t fret the mess created by creative kids! Dr. Markham says it’s important to allow them to get messy since “kids who live in households with a focus on neatness are rated as less creative.” Did you get that? A parenting expert is telling us we are doing our kids a disservice (creatively speaking) if we over-emphasize keeping the place tidy!

Children are naturally imaginative, so in addition to these ideas, be mindful of obstacles to creativity like rules to “stay within the lines.” Dr. Markham recommends reminding kids it is perfectly okay to be artsy. “Make it okay for your child to be out of step with the norms of her peer group, to be unique, to see the world through her own glasses. To develop her individuality, she needs your support against the pressures of popular culture.”

Creativity’s pay-off is huge. If improved academic achievement and deeper connection were not reward enough, all of these nurturing experiences are pure fun!

Resources: