Raising Children in a Dangerous World

The "Fair Lady" magazine of January 27th 1982 had an article called "Raising Children in a Dangerous World" by Judith Viorst.  I have kept this picture all
these years.

This was the illustration for the thought provoking article.

It was a dangerous world then... it is much more so in some ways now!

This picture gives me much food for thought.

God bless us all to be true to our great commission as parents.

Hear Your Children

"Children are not OK until they know they are heard."
Gary Neuman

Gretchen Rubin of "The Happiness Project" says:

One of my resolutions is to Treat myself like a toddler. I’ve found that much of the advice aimed at children is just as helpful for me.

For instance, I’m reading Nicole Malenfant’s Routines and Transitions: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals (non sequitur: a surprising name for a childhood expert). She lays out several strategies for teachers to use in establishing routines and transitions for children. I’m going to try to apply them to myself.

Here’s a tips list, loosely adapted:

1. Turn routines into games. My evening tidy-up, while not quite a “game,” is kind of fun and quite relaxing.
2. Control the level of noise. I’m much calmer when there’s no TV or music playing in the background. (Except at night. Weirdly, my husband and I fall asleep to all-news radio.)
3. Organize space so it’s attractive, well organized, and well lit. One of my most important Secrets of Adulthood: Outer order contributes to inner calm.
4. Plan times each day for relaxing activities. Why is this so hard for adults?
5. Encourage a feeling of belonging, e.g., by displaying children’s work and pictures. I have a resolution to Cultivate a shrine.
6. Consider children’s reactions when making an unavoidable change. I do better with routines and predictability. I don’t react well when there’s a sudden change in the schedule.
7. Balance indoor and outdoor activities. Just going outside into the sunlight gives a mood boost.
8. Make sure there’s plenty of time to get things done without rushing. This makes a huge difference in my day-to-day happiness. In Happier at Home, I write a lot about my struggle to create an unhurried atmosphere at home.
9. Provide opportunities for curiosity and creativity.
10. Speak in a calm voice. This is a big issue in my home. We talk all the time about “a kind voice,” “a mean voice.”
11. Explain the behavior you’d like to see in a clear, respectful way. Not “Settle down,” but “Sit in your chair with your feet under your desk.” Not “I could use a little help around here,” but “Please unload the dishwasher so we can get the dirty dishes out of the sink.”
12. Meet people’s basic needs. Children and adults need to eat, drink, go to the bathroom, rest, and spend time outside.

I like the list she quoted!  Thanks Nicole Malenfant.

DEAR...

D Drop
E Everything
A And
R Read!

Colin Northmore

Drop everything and read to your children whenever you can.
Be a reading Papa, Mama or Gogo.

Enemies

"... vanquish the real enemies - fear and doubt."
Stan Elsworth - American Ride

Patiently... Or Temper!

"Have you ever noticed that when you are in tune with the Spirit it is much easier to deal patiently with the things that go wrong in your life? On the other hand, most people find that as the distance between them and the Lord grows, their control of their temper shrinks."
Book of Mormon Seminary Student Study Guide p 27

Legacy

"A Legacy needs to be planned."
Source unrecorded