My little ones

The day in the life of a mom goes by so quickly. The day is filled with housework, kids' activities, errands and homework. It is 11 p.m. before I get the chance to slow down on some days. That is around the time each night that I take a quick peek at my sleeping kids. Even though my kids range in age from 12 to 3, they all share the same innocence and sweetness while sleeping. If I had a particularly trying day refereeing mega battles between my kids, I find this quick peek at them to be therapeutic on so many levels. Any leftover tension fades away; any lingering frustration disappears. I can once again see their infant faces filled with contentment and trust. I wish those images would come to me during the typical conflicts and stresses of a day raising kids. I know that we are all human and tend to react before thinking. I confess to often jumping too quick into a "fight mode". As a mom, I want to find a way to reach that state of reason and sympathy which I have during my night time peek at the kids.

I think that sometimes too much going on in a household can lead to chaos. It's great that we're busy and happy in our activities. As a family, I want to slow us down every once in a while, so I can take the times to appreciate all the beauty and wonder within my kids. Just like when we may feel compelled to stop and view a gorgeous sunset, we need to make the time to have quiet, thoughtful times with each of our children.

Make the conscious effort to slow down and giggle with your kids.

Kids Need to be Writers

Writing well is such an essential skill for personal and professional success. I am afraid that today's kids are not practicing writing enough or building on their creative writing skills. Texting has become kids' main way to communicate these days. This shorthand approach to communication is probably going to have a significant effect on their ability to clearly communicate in writing not only in school, but also in business. There are so many great teachers who work diligently to get kids excited about writing. Wouldn't it be great if a collaborative writer's workshop period was added to each student's school day? All kids would benefit from the daily opportunity to express, create and communicate. A dedication to writing can lead a student writer's confidence soaring in both the classroom and social life.

I think that parents have to strongly support, encourage and praise their children's writing efforts. In partnership with creative, enthusiastic teachers, the involved parent gets the chance to "hear" their children's voices in sharing and discussing writing.

Even though I love to write, I know that my older children write only what is necessary to pass an assignment. I hope that some of my excitement about writing rubs off on them someday. We'll see!