Childhood hobbies~priddymomma

Hey guys!  Hope you have had a lovely week.  My family had the opportunity to visit the State Fair on Monday.  Fair season is definitely one of my absolute favorite things about summer.  My husband and I met during high school marching band, and every time we visit the fair, it takes me back to a time when we were first falling in love... 

 

Our band uniforms were sexy.  You can say it.

Enough of that mushy stuff!  You didn’t come here for that, I’m sure.  You came instead to read about what hobbies I encourage in my kiddos!  (Sure you did.  No arguing.)

I home school my kids, and I don’t currently have them enrolled in anything like dance or karate (though I’d like to enroll them in both eventually). 

 

 

My son loves to read and learn facts.  One of his more recent interests centered around pumpkins.  I thought it was kind of strange and out of season, but go for it!  We ended up working together to plant a pumpkin patch, which is doing really well and should yield 24 or so pumpkins eventually.  He can tell you all about the life cycle of a pumpkin, and all without me teaching him a thing.  I love the library.  

My daughter is interested in bugs and being outside.  When she isn’t looking at plants and insects through a magnifying glass, she’s trying to convince me to take her outside so that she can do just that.  She’s very observant (and argumentative).  She also loves to draw. 

 

I believe that kids will pick up on what their parents really love to do as well as going on to develop their own interests.  Cheerio Champ has lately developed a keen interest in the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.  He can blame me for that, and my latest interest in “Jesus Christ Superstar”.  Both of my kids enjoy yoga (blame me) and tai chi (all hubby’s fault).  They have music and reading in their blood.

 

exercising with dad in our home gym

I guess to summarize:  I encourage my kids to follow their hearts.  That’s a great hobby/life goal.  If they get it into their heads they want to be acrobats, while I’ll probably have a heart attack, I will encourage their dream and do the best I can to support them as they pursue it. 

To be fair, they DO often fight over our hula hoop...

What hobbies do you encourage in your kids?  What hobbies have they picked up that they can blame you for?

See ya next week! 

Teaching your children to read... ~Tori~

Sorry for the long absence. You guys are probably wondering what happened to me on here, and whether or not I ditched the blog! Just to clarify, I didn't. There's been a lot going on lately, not just for me, but for all of us on The Case of The Missing Cheerios.
My own personal thing has been I recently found out I'm pregnant! Hubby and I have also had side business things going on, and we've been crazy busy with getting back into the school routine (and all that comes with it). But hopefully I'm back for good now.
Anyway, now it's on to the actual post for this week. LOL

First on to reading success is of course learning letters.

The alphabet is important and you can start working with your children on the alphabet early on. For my kids they both started learning at the age of two. With books, flash cards, games, etc. My oldest son learned all his capital letters with ease. The lowercase were a bit more difficult for him as he did (and sometimes still does) gets his b's and d's mixed up. But we've been told that's pretty normal. For him reading doesn't come as naturally. He has speech trouble and so pronunciation of words comes pretty hard. For this reason we got him a reading tutor, his school works on reading, and we work on reading at LEAST 30 minutes a night at home. I can't even tell you how greatly he has improved in just a year's time by doing this. And he's only been in tutoring for a few months. But working closely and constantly with your children is the key to success. Read them a book and give them the option to read it for you. Don't always expect your children to pick up a chapter book and read it to you right away. Every child is different and it's important to pick what level your child is at and not try to go way over-board. That will lead often to frustration and hate for reading. Lucky both my children love to read, and look forward to it.

My youngest son can already read some of the more basic words. He is 3 and knows words like: it, and, the, he, she, is, etc. He also knows all his capital letters, and most of his lowercase. He also needs some help with speech but mostly it hasn't affected his reading in a bad way. He just has trouble with his lower i's and l's getting them confused sometimes. But we are working on it, and just like his older brother he loves reading regardless.
We all spend about 20 minutes a day as a family taking quiet time to read also. It's not always easy to fit that in to our schedules. Sometimes we don't get around to all of us getting to read, but for the most of the week we try to fit that time in daily. We believe it's important for the kids to see us turn off the televisions, radios, computers, etc, and sit down with a book. In a technology filled world books can often go unseen these days. It's pretty shocking if you ask me but sadly true.
So after all my prattling my best advice is to work with your children daily on reading. After all we are our child's most important teacher. Start with the alphabet, go to sight words, beginner books, progress from those to your child's level as you go. Have your children help you read the books, let them read to you, have them express their thoughts on books. Let them identify with characters, explain the setting, tell their favorite parts, etc. Play word, letter, and even book games. (Pinterest is filled with ideas for these if you need some).
And eventually it will come. Be patient, make it fun, and your children will learn to love books. Even though my boys have some trouble they LOVE books. They love reading time, and they get really into it. It's wonderful.

Teaching your children to read~priddymomma

Hey guys!  Sorry this is late, but at least I’m actually posting this week.  I’ve had a ton on my mind and on my plate (and I don’t mean overeating, though I’m sure there was a bit of that too).  My best female friend is getting married tomorrow!  (my best friend is my husband, just to clarify.  I always feel like I’m a liar or cheating on him or something if I call her my best friend, so I call her my best female friend.  I’m weird like that)  I’ve been helping her out, getting nails done, crafting on my dress, freaking out a little about being in front of people while wearing said dress, putting candies in tiny tin hearts, etc.  It’s been interesting. 

So…on to it then!  This week we’re teaching kids to read.  By “we’re teaching kids to read,” I mean “we’re talking about the steps to reading success.”  And by “we’re” I mean “I’m”.  Just in case you didn’t figure that out.  As I mentioned, I’m weird.

Cheerio Champ could read by age three.  By two, he had mastered the alphabet, but he’s out of the ordinary in that regard.  Princess Cheerio knows most of her letters and is two years old.  I had an extraordinary advantage with teaching my kids to read.  Cheerio Champ just loved mastering the alphabet, and it was quite literally all

he did for at least a month.  In fact, his second birthday was alphabet themed, as he wasn’t interested in anything else.  Because Cheerio Champ is an excellent reader, he has taken to reviewing the alphabet with Princess Cheerio at least once a day with letter magnets.  He gets something out of it too.  We have two sets, and he likes to spell out words with them. 

• Suggestion 1:  obtain one or two sets of magnetic alphabet letters.  We like the nice ones offered by Melissa and Doug.  Totally awesome company.

Kids should be exposed to many different sources that have the alphabet.  Books that focus on individual letters are great.  “Richard Scarry’s ABC Word Book” and “Dr. Seuss’s ABCs” are great examples.  Cheerio Champ really liked flashcards.  Princess Cheerio enjoys alphabet blocks.  We even have a wall hanging toy (purchased by my mother.  I’m not sure why I felt the need to clarify that) that has Velcro letters and pictures.  The best way to conquer anything is by repetition.  Try watching Sesame Street!  Draw letters in the sand!  Anything!

• Suggestion 2:  repetition by many different sources

After children master the alphabet, the next step (or to teach simultaneously if you are ambitious) is to learn the phonetic sounds each letter is responsible for.  http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/play.htm?f is a great website for you and your child to play around on.  There are really cute songs available for teaching phonics, as well as videos on the market.  I highly suggest Rock N’ Learn DVDs for phonic sounds. 

• Suggestion 3:  teach phonics

Teach sight words next.  I really like Preschool Prep Company products.  “Meet the Sight Words” 1 and 2 are great for beginners.  (The next couple DVDs teach digraphs and blends, which can be worked up to and are great for kids that can make out simple sentences and just need help pronouncing combinations of sounds)  Cheerio Champ loved flash cards.  Sight words flashcards are widely available at supermarkets, convenience stores, and dollar stores.  They are usually to be found near the books and magazines, but occasionally near art supplies.

• Suggestion 4:  teach sight words

After that, work with your child on simple sentences that contain sight words they have learned.  Move on and slowly introduce more complex sentences and gradually work up to paragraphs. 

• Suggestion 5:  teach simple sentences, working up in complexity towards paragraphs

• And now, my number one suggestion:  READ TO YOUR CHILD EVERY DAY!

 

To be fair, this is a song book and I think they are singing, but STILL!

I’m not saying you are the worst person in the world if you miss a day or two.  I’m just saying that the more they are exposed to books, the more they will learn to love them.  Show them that words have meaning, pointing to pictures in the book as you read the words that describe them.  Read simple books and more complex books.  They will enjoy either.  Don’t feel like you have to read every page if they lose interest.  Let them skip around in the book.  Talk about pictures even if they are not an essential part of the story, “That man has a big blue feather in his hat.  Isn’t that silly?” Read yourself and invite your child to sit near you with a book of his or her own.  If you show them that reading is fun and important to you, they will be more likely to pick up on it and read for a lifetime. 

Alrighty folks, that’s it for me!  If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.  And I’d love to hear if you have any other suggestions for teaching kids to read or requests for topics.  Don’t forget to like us on facebook!  Have a great week, everyone.  :)

Getting Your Kids Away From the TV~priddymomma

Hey guys!  Nice to have you tune in again.  I know you are just chomping at the bit to know what the topic is this time.  We have for you our tried and true suggestions for getting your child to put down the remote (or game controller) and do something else for a while!  Yay!  Awesome!

Okay, truth time.  I am not the best person in the world to offer advice on this topic.  We do not have cable in our household.  I don’t tell you that because I’m all goody goody about it.  We just decided we couldn’t afford to have cable about five years ago and never looked back.  We don’t miss cable.  We get our news and weather from the internet.  Shows we “have” to watch are eventually available on DVD, and we do own a DVD player (and television.  Don’t be weird.)

That being said, I plop my kids down in front of it daily.  I am a stay at home mom.  I am a homeschooling mother as well.  If you work 9-5, you get a lunch and breaks.  Afterwards, you get to go home and presumably stop working (or at least work on something different).  If you are a stay at home mom or dad (and do not homeschool), you likely send a kid or two off to school during some part of your day.  Me?  My job is 24-7.  I have both my kids ALL the time.  Kids are fighting with each other or bombarding me if I have to pee, I’m the one to get up in the night if the kids need me, and my lunch is usually an after thought when I realize I haven’t eaten and that is way I’m feeling sick to my stomach.  While my kids mean the world to me, they are not my entire world.  I need some time for myself as a person too.  I challenge anyone to listen to as much high-pitched screaming as I do on a daily basis and not want to throw in the proverbial towel.  I will let them watch a movie to save my sanity, yes yes yes.

Cheerio Champ gets video games as well as a movie each day.  *gasp*  The horror!  Yes, well…not every day.  He earns them.  You heard me.  He has chores and knows that we expect a certain caliber of behavior from him.  If he doesn’t keep up his end of the bargain, too bad so sad.  That means if there is a movie that day (and usually there will be at least one), it is mom’s pick and it will be educational.  (Sometimes that is a good thing, sometimes not so much.  There was a recent “naughty” day in which his movie was a lecture on DNA.  While he did take away a bit about protein bonding, he would have much rather watched Frozen).

I do my best to make sure they have other things to occupy their time.  They do a pretty good job of keeping themselves busy (when not demanding things from me of course).  Even when there is a movie playing, the kids like to run off and do something else before making their way back to whatever was on.  I like to think they occupy themselves in part because I have never been one to plan their entire day.  Certain things are set in stone (bedtime, lunch, etc.), but outside of that, whatever. 

I told you all that so that you would know more about the reputability of your activity planner.  Take or leave what I have to suggest to you here, and feel free to comment about some of your favorite busy-making for kiddos!

Princess Cheerio and her art

• Art.  I completely agree with Leslie here.  Cheerio Champ has never been much for drawing or coloring, but he loves to paint.  Princess Cheerio loves everything to do with art, but she doesn’t enjoy coloring books.  She likes to have a blank sheet of paper to put her scribbles to, and as a result, she has a massive amount of fine motor skills.  She is two and regularly holds a writing utensil correctly.  I highly suggest leaving out paper, pencils, markers, and crayons where your kiddos can get them, preferably on a little table or something of that nature.  Insist that the supplies stay there if you like the current color of your walls, floors, carpets, and furniture. 
• Reading.  Again, agreeing with Leslie.  My kids have loads and loads of books.  They spend hours pouring over them.  Cheerio Champ can read and has recently picked up chapter books.  Princess Cheerio can’t read yet, but she loves turning pages, looking at pictures and words, and having someone else read them to her.  Sometimes her bubby even reads a book to her, which melts my heart.  Use your local library if you don’t have a lot of books at home, or if they are getting tired of the same books.  We get each kid ten books a week.  They love it!
• Go outside.  This sounds like a no brainer, but many families never do this.  You don’t have to plan an activity!  When we first moved to our new house, my mother wanted to buy the kids a swing set.  I didn’t want to get one just yet, as I hadn’t planned out where my garden or shed or anything was going to be and had no idea where I wanted a swing set placed.  She exclaimed, “But what will they DO?”  Um…play?  Outside?  While enjoying nature?  Why is this so hard to comprehend?  That floors me.  I played outside for hours on end as a kid.  Granted, I did have a swing set.  While all of us kids spent a lot of time on it, I have more memories of chasing each other around, looking for bugs, and exploring.  Cheerio Champ spends time in his garden patch, watching birds, and playing with designated outside toys.  Princess Cheerio looks at everything.  Our neighbors have horses, she loves bugs, and she likes to pick dandelions.  During the summer, kids can have fun with water.  Snow is great in winter. Leaves to play in during the fall. There are countless things to enjoy.
• Cooking.  My kids love to help cook anything at all.  Great jobs for them include whisking, adding pre-measured ingredients, slicing things with a plastic knife, counting, and getting out ingredients from the refrigerator or pantry. 
• Get them active.  Okay, so this may or may not be away from the tv.  We have some exercise DVDs aimed at kids that we let them watch, but you can also show them how to do it without the movie help.  We also have a home gym, but you don’t need one to share fitness with your kiddos.  Any kid will dance along if your Zumba song comes on the radio.  Our kids love the trampoline.  Jump ropes are super fun and a learning experience.  My family had several pogo sticks when I was growing up.  Go for a walk or a hike or a bike ride.  Try a yoga DVD together (we love Gaiam’s YogaKids series).  Play tag!  Play Simon Says or dance the hokey pokey.  Go swimming or sledding.  Have a tickle fight!  The sky is the limit (unless you are into hang gliding, and then I guess it isn’t).

Here, hubby is teaching Princess Cheerio and Cheerio Champ about tai chi posture

That’s it for me!  If you have any topic requests or comments, we would love to hear from you!  Comment below, or email us at thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com .

Don’t forget to like us on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Case-of-the-Missing-Cheerios-blog/317836935013256

10 Things I Will Miss - Leslie

I thought I was going to have a really hard time with this week's topic.  Silly me.  Well, it IS a hard time in that it makes me a nostalgic, blubbering mess, but that's beside the point.

So, I guess I will just jump right in.  Here are 10 things that A does that I will miss when she grows up.  There are the duh things that just about any mom will miss, so I tried to put in things that A does personally instead of those.  I may have cheated and added a couple, though.

1. Ask me to scratch her back as she falls asleep.

Fiance has always been huge on having his back scratched.  His grammy used to do it to him and it seems as though that has now passed on to A.  I could lie there all night scratching her back and she would be perfectly content.

2. Her making silly faces.

Now, I know anyone would like the silly faces made by their child.  It's in the fine print of the parent handbook, after all.  However, I especially like A's faces because they come so naturally to her.  She's not just scrunching her face up and calling it silly.  Well, not always at least.  She is able to cross one eye at a time, and it makes for the most hilarious silly faces.

3. The way she says in her little voice, "Mommy will you play with me?" and "I love you, mommy."

Yeah.  I know, I know.  Duh.  But that VOICE.

4. The funny things she says.

For example, when I was getting her to bed tonight she said, "Mommy, do you know what Chinese cats say?"  "Uh, no not exactly.  What do they say?"  "We are Siamese if you please!"  "Do you mean Siamese cats?"  "No!  Chinese cats!"  Maybe that's not as funny now that I have written it down, but again, that VOICE.

5. The dimples right below her eyes when she scrunches her little face up.

She has her grammy's dimples on the apples of her cheeks rather than ones you normally see right by the mouth.  I know those dimples will be there forever, but there is something inherently cute about the way they look on her face now, which is little and toddler-y.  That combination definitely won't be there forever.

6. The joy on her face when her daddy flies her around the living room or carries her on his shoulders.

She LOVES to be airborne for some reason.  It scares the crap out of me, but it also makes my heart swell when I see just how happy she is in that moment.  Is it possible to be happily terrified without being happy that you're terrified?  If so, I'm that.

7. Her perfectly imperfect drawings.

She draws just like you would expect a three-year-old to draw.  But I love it!

8. Reading with her before bed.

Now this one is one of those that will probably not go away.  However, I know I will miss the way it is now.  We co-sleep and there is something very comforting about reading a book with her and then cuddling up to go to sleep.  Not to mention that I love how my love for reading is rubbing off on her.

9. How unbelievably excited ice cream makes her.

I mean, unbelievably.  Most kids are happy about ice cream.  This kid, however, is more than that.  The other day I thought she was going to break her face with her huge smile.  Yes, that excited.

10. Doing impersonations of her loved ones.

This is one of the more recent things she does and is quickly becoming my favorite.  My nephew introduced her to that song What Does the Fox Say? and that evolved into everyone asking her things like, "What does mommy say?" and "What does Papaw say?"  My favorite is when we ask her what her aunt Gretchen says.  Her response is always, "*mimicks high pitched voice* I'm going to let A have my Nook to play on!"

So there you have it.  The 10 things I will miss when A gets older.  I dread her getting older, but I absolutely love to witness the person she is becoming.  I am so proud to be her mom.

I'm not crying, I promise!

As always, send any new suggestions to thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com or leave them in a comment.  See you next week!

Favorite Books~priddymomma

Welcome back!  I can not put into words how absolutely ecstatic I am about this week’s topic.  I love books, and I am not shy about recommending them.

Favorite Series

Okay, so obviously I’ve already mentioned I’m a Harry Potter fan.  Fanatic?  Say what you will, I suppose.  I could sit here and write all day about Harry Potter.  I think that highly of it.  Instead, I’ll leave it as its own entity and list my other favorite series(es?).

• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
• Heroes of Olympus (sequel series to above mentioned) by Rick Riordan
• Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

These aren’t facetious recommendations.  I have read these at least three times each and plan to continue to read them yearly until I turn to dust.  The exception is Dresden Files.  I’ve just recently discovered the series.  Jim isn’t finished yet, and it has fourteen books, so it’ll be a bit before I read it that many times.  And with Harry Potter…well.  I’m not even sure how many times I’ve read it.  I lost count around seven. 

 

Cheerios Champ’s Current Fav

Tacky and the Winter Games by Helen Lester

Tacky the penguin is quirky and fun.  He’s a fav for my son (four years old).  He stars in several books and teaches kids that it’s okay to be different.  At times, being different is preferable to being just like everyone else.

Princess Cheerio’s Current Fav

Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden

My daughter (10 months) LOVES this book!  Its simple, repetitive rhythm engages tykes.  There’s a little window in the book that allows you to peek at the next page, which my daughter finds endlessly fascinating.  The colors and patterns are bold and appealing, and the last page is mirrored.  You can never go wrong with a mirror when it comes to babes.

 

 

I read just about anything that catches my eye and as a result, I end up reading a lot of preteen books too.

Favorite Tweeny Series

(outside of Percy Jackson, I mean)

39 Clues by Scholastic.  Misc. Authors

 This series is educational and full of action, and it’s written by amazing children's writers such as Rick Riordan and Gordon Korman.  Ages ten and up for violence factor.  An underdog brother and sister struggle to find family clues before the other branches of the family can do so, traveling throughout the world and having adventures and breaking codes and such.  The sister is bookish, so she’s constantly revealing facts about wherever they are. 

 I also end up reading a lot of young adult novels.  I can’t pick just one, so here are some of my favs.

• Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld
• The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine
• Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray

 

Favorite Parenting Book

Have a New Kid by Friday:  How to Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days by Dr. Kevin Leman

This book changed the way I parent for the better.  Hubby and I were at the end of our rope with the way our son was behaving.  We realized that many of the issues we were having were power struggles and that our son was using certain tactics to control us.  It was really eye-opening.  It feels nice to hold the cards again.  I don’t recommend this for the faint-hearted, though.  It requires you to take a deep look at your own hang-ups and childhood feelings.  If you aren’t ready to change too, don’t try this method.  If you do as he suggests, it works.  Now five days…you can rearrange your thinking and parenting style in that time, but it's best to keep in mind that parenting is an ongoing thing and consistency is key.  I recommend the book if you have kids or grand kids from the ages of three to thirty-three!

Favorite Stand-Alone Novel

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Miller draws inspiration from "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to bring classic Greek mythological heroes to life. The story is told by Patroclus, exiled prince and closest companion to Achilles. This is the story behind the big names of the Trojan War.  If you are interested in Greek mythology at all, this is for you.  I absolutely flew through this book.  It is also Miller’s first novel, so I’m excited to see what she comes up with next. 

Favorite Mystery Series

(outside of Dresden Files)

Jocelyn Shore series by Janice Hamrick (Death on Tour, Death Makes the Cut, to be cont.)

The thing I love most about this mystery series is that it’s hilarious.  A school teacher finds herself on the bad side of a murderer.  In the first book, she’s vacationing in Egypt.  In the second, she’s back home and a fellow teacher is murdered.  I have no idea how believable it’ll be for the next novel, but you know.  You really read this series for the dialogue. 

 

Favorite Horror

The Stand by Stephen King

I won’t even give you a description here.  King is the master and he needs no introduction from me.

 

Favorite Book for a Broken Heart

Stay by Allie Larkin

I didn’t actually read this book when I had a broken heart.  It would be good after a break-up or divorce though.  Hilarious at times and heart-warming at others, it’s the kind of book that will fill you with hope for the future and stoke the fires of your belief in true love.  It also is a grand example of how everything happens for a reason.  Essentially, this woman has to watch the man she loves marry her best friend.  Then, drunk out of her mind and watching Rin Tin Tin reruns, she orders a dog off the internet.  Things don’t go the way she plans and cue shenanigans.  This is my favorite stand-alone feel-good book.

Well!  I think I’ve dragged this on long enough.  You are probably more than ready to get on with your life…and maybe even set aside some time for a good read.  What are some of your favs?

If you have any special requests for topics, you can email us (thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com), or leave a comment and let us know.  :)

Favorite Books from Different Genres ~ Tori

Oh my I cannot believe it's time for another post already! Is it just me or are the weeks flying by? I hope you have all been enjoying our blog so far, and we have another great post for you this week. All about books!

I'm gonna talk about a few different genres today and a few of my favorite books. First off let me just start by saying that I love, love, LOVE, to read! I read just about every genre that is out there. In a world full of good books I just can't bear to limit myself! I read cookbooks, historical, romance, christian, fiction, non-fiction, true crime, biography, memoirs, science fiction, young adult, mystery, etc. I just can't bog myself down to one, it's impossible.

Here is my absolute, all time, favorite book:

::From the back of the book::
From New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Harvey comes an arousing, passionate story of three women’s hidden desires and the place called Butterfly, where dreams are kept and where fantasies come to life.

Above an exclusive men’s store on Rodeo Drive there is a private club called Butterfly, where women are free to act out their secret erotic fantasies. Only the most beautiful and powerful women in Beverly Hills are invited to join: Jessica, a lawyer who longs for the days when men were men, and women dressed to please them; Trudie, a builder who wants a man who will challenge her—all of her—with no holds barred; and Linda, a surgeon, who uses masks to unmask the desires she hides even from herself.
But the most mysterious of them all is the woman who created Butterfly. She has changed her name, her accent, even her face to hide her true identity. And now she is about to reveal everything to realize the dream that has driven her since childhood—the secret obsession that will carry her beyond ecstasy, or destroy her and everyone around her.

While this book has nothing to do with being a mom or anything I do feel that this is a book that is too often overlooked. I fell in love with this book when I first read it. It can get a little explicit so if your uncomfortable reading about that then this isn't the book for you. This is not a 50 Shades of Grey type of book. This book has a plot, intrigue, desire, sadness, horror, revenge, mystery, etc. It isn't just an erotica book. It mainly focuses on women and their lives. They work through their own personal demons in various ways, and it takes so many twists and turns you won't be able to tell in what direction it is headed. I myself became immersed in the novel after just a few chapters and couldn't put it down. I re-read it at least once a year, as it has become one of my favorites.


Here is a good book on parenting that I love::

::From the back of the book::

One Small Change in How You Love One Big Change in your Kids

Having problems with your kids? What if you are the problem and you just can’t see it? How We Love Our Kids offers a unique approach, to help you as a parent transform your kids by making specific changes in how you love. It’s the only book specifically for parents that reveals the unseen forces that shape every interaction with your kids.

• Identify which of the five love styles you have. 
• Discover the surprising dynamics that shape your parenting. 
• Get rid of your “buttons” so your kids can’t push them. 
• Create a close connection with your kids that will last a lifetime. 
• Learn the seven gifts every child needs. 

Based on years of research in the area of attachment and bonding, How We Love Our Kids shows parents how to overcome the predictable challenges that arise out of the five love styles and helps parents cultivate a secure, deep connection with a child of any age. Retool your reactions and refocus on how you love. Start today. Watch your kids flourish and thrive as they receive what was missing in your love.
With four self-assessments and powerful application tools to use with children of all ages.

I am always intrigued by parenting books because there really are so many different parenting styles out there. I have tried many and found a few that works for us. What works for one may not work for another, but it's always nice to at least try a few different styles just to see how they fit.

One thing we don't really think about is the fact that sometimes our children's behavior may not be due to them but rather due to us. Not to say that we are dysfunctional or bad parents, but just pointing out that sometimes we need to not only evaluate our children but ourselves. 

One thing I have instituted into our household that I got from the book is a list of emotions Towards the beginning of the book Milan's son is upset due to a school incident so Milan has him go to the refrigerator where there is a list of emotions and choose what emotions he is feeling so they can talk about it. We have been doing this since our oldest was 4, we have a list of "emotion faces", which are drawings of various happy, mad, sad, frustrated, silly, etc., faces with the words underneath. When he starts acting out or throws tantrums we will take him to the fridge and have him explain to us how he feels so we can talk about why he is acting the way he is. It doesn't always work right away, but it does have a positive effect for him. It helps him realize that he can talk to us about anything, and how it's a good idea to talk through emotions rather than act out more rashly.

I also loved the fact that the book doesn't really seem as if it is lecturing you but rather speaking to you. Those are always the best kind of parenting books to read. Who wants to sit down and be lectured when your already trying your hardest? LOL

Favorite children's books::

I must admit I am over the moon about Dr. Seuss books. I grew up reading them, and my children are growing up loving them as well. But there's another series of books that I would like to draw some attention too. Many people don't know about them, and they are wonderful teaching tools. That is the Howard B. Wigglebottom series.

Howard B. Wigglebottom books are entertaining educational books. They teach important life lessons to children while helping them learn good from bad, and helping them feel good about themselves. Characters are colorful, and there are many books to choose from, including:
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen
Howard B. Wigglebottom Listens to His Heart
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Mud and Rainbows
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It's OK to Back Away
Howard B. Wigglebottom and The Monkey on his Back
Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Power of Giving (a Christmas Story)
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns Too Much of a Good Thing is Bad
Howard B. Wigglebottom Blends in Like Chameleons
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Courage

They help kids learn important lessons about lying, telling the truth, doing what is right, handling bullies, having courage, playing fair, giving, making friends, behaving, etc. They also have a wonderful website with fun games, coloring page print-outs, etc. You can visit it at wedolisten.org

Feel free to share your favorite books. We are all always up for recommendations and hearing what all the other parents are reading out there. There are just too many good books to even possibly get to them all in one post so that's it for me today. Come back on Thursday to see Heather's post, and Saturday for Leslie's.