Making and giving handmade presents has several character building benefits for children: They have an opportunity to demonstrate empathy by thinking about what another person would like and creativity by choosing a unique gift to make for them. They have the chance to think about friendship by looking for ways to make their friends happy and thoughtfulness by making someone else feel loved and appreciated. They will… {read more}
Blog
10 {Fun!} Ways to Help Kids Appreciate Diversity
One quality I hope to encourage my children to develop is a deep appreciation for others, regardless of sex, age, religious or cultural background. Being a multicultural family our kids have seen that it is fun to learn about new countries and cultures through traveling to see family members and enjoying the various customs of relatives that we… {read more}
5 Ways to Help Children Develop Generosity
Generosity is a wonderful trait to develop year round, but I especially try to focus on “giving” during times and events when the family (and much of society) is tempted to focus on “getting.” Here are five ways to add an element of generosity into birthdays and holidays:
6 Hands-On Activities to Teach Kids About Patience
When I explain character traits to my kids along with an activity they can experience through their senses, it is always more memorable (as well as fun). For example, showing that love is like the sun that warms us and brings light to the world… by going outside and feeling the sunshine. Or explaining how… {read more}
10 Practical Ways to Help Kids Make New Friends
Friendliness, and the confidence to make friends, is important for all children to develop so they can get along with others. Sometimes as adults who have had so many experiences meeting new people, we may forget how hard it can be for our kids to put themselves out there and talk to people they do… {read more}
100 Ways for You and Your Children to Share the Love
Life as a parent can be full of challenges. But as much as we are going through, our children also feel anxious, frustrated, hurt, and unsure at times, too. They are having their own tests and difficulties just as we have ours. After all, this is what life is all about. There is one thing… {read more}
10 Ways for Mom to Love Herself
This is the last article in my series Sharing the Love: 100 Ways for You and Your Kids to Make a Difference in the World. After listing many ideas for showing your kids love, and extending that love out to others, I would now like to end with some ideas for you to show love… {read more}
My Experience at the Digital Parents Conference
A few months ago I got word about the Digital Parents Conference that was going to be held on a Carnival Cruise departing from Sydney. That’s a one hour flight from me – so not too far – but a CRUISE? Without my family?! To be away from home for nearly four days all because… {read more}
