Time...

Hi All….

How many times a day do you think about time?

When you wake up…

Break time

Lunch time

End of the work day

Dinner time

Bedtime….

You get it… :)

Time… its such an interesting entity… because it keeps on going NO MATTER WHAT!

I have thought about that a lot today… there’s been some stuff going on in my life where some decisions have been made… and even though I know it’s not the BEST use of my time… I keep going over and over those decisions… so …

I call myself a half sane, half crazy person… depending on the day and yes, the time. Sometimes we have so much on our minds that we let time get away from us, and when I feel my crazy self coming into play… where I ruminate and roll ideas over and over and over in my mind… I know that I have missed the chance to use the time spent in a much more productive, pleasurable way!

So, my thought today is … when you can, because none of us are perfect, use your time for enjoyment, productive work, laughing, resting, dinner with people you love, play etc… Not squandering it away by worrying or ruminating (like I can do)…

I am working on taking my own advice!

Until next TIME…

Pam

Fun with Books!

Hi All!

I hope you had a lovely weekend this past week.

I had the fabulous opportunity to be part of Family Days on Aragon with Books and Books of Coral Gables, Florida.

Books and Books is a Rock Star in the Independent Book Store world. I admire Mitchell Kaplan, founder of the store, for his vision and dedication to all things literary. He is also the Master Mind behind the highly successful Miami Book Fair.

I was invited to provide a reading event, Story Time for their youngest readers. Having the chance to move the furniture around, and set up fun places for kids to create and enjoy after hearing my story was a blast!

The best part about being given the opportunity to participate and to provide an event like this, is the children.

Children are such wonderful, fascinating people all their own!

Each child chose to listen to the story in their own way… some on chairs, some leaning on their Moms, some laying on the floor… yet all for the same purpose. To enjoy a story their way.

As I read, I loved watching their reactions, because honestly that is the absolute best part!!

Each child brings their own experiences into their hearing and comprehending which makes it a unique experience for each of them.

After I’m done with the reading, and they smile and laugh and tell me they loved the story… well that’s the best!

Second to that is the joy I see on parents/adults faces as they listen too. I believe good Children’s Books also take into account the people who will be reading them, and add fun for them as well.

Upon completion of the story, we sang songs, laughed and then created a craft for them to take home. I think the addition of a craft with a reading experience makes the event more complete and enjoyable for all involved!

Everyone walked away Saturday with a smile on their face… kids, adults, the book store staff, and me…

What could be better than that?

With a grateful heart…

Until next time,

Pam

Say you're sorry....

Hi All!

I was reviewing my notes about blog ideas… subjects that I think/thought have relevance and value as we travel along this parenting pathway.

The topic that jumped out at me today, was “Say you’re Sorry”…

Throughout all of a child’s life, adults are directing, guiding, prodding, correcting, and a zillion other things..

I remember many days when our kids were young, where most of the day was spent keeping them safe, and guiding them to a different path… so they would see tomorrow!

I know I tried really hard to think about making good choices on my part, but there were definitely times when I was tired, or overwhelmed, or just plain stressed out, that my parenting choices were far from perfect! Well… probably never perfect, but far from excellent and even respectful.

We all know that time when for whatever reason, we lost it! I don’t mean just a small misdemeanor but a large transgression… where as soon as the words/actions occurred on your part… you felt awful… the regret and shame coursing through your veins!

I recall a number of times that happened… I couldn’t take it back, the action already occurred, the words were already said… SOOO then what?

Say you’re sorry… and mean it

We ask out kids to be accountable for their actions… we ask them to apologize when they’ve hurt someone, or made a bad choice, or just lost it with another sibling…friend.. etc.

We get the chance to be a powerful role model and example when we show them how to use the words “I’m sorry” as a tool of power and change… not just empty words. You have to say “I’m sorry” but more importantly, you have to DO I’m sorry.

I always believe that actions speak louder than words… so when you mess up, when you know you’ve wronged your child, tell them, and show them and use this time as a tool for modeling healthy behavior.

We don’t have to always be right… we don’t have to always be perfect, yet, we do have to always be mindful that our actions speak louder than any words we use.

When you mess up, say and do I’m sorry.

You’re kids will be better for it, and you will too!

What can be better than building a healthy relationship with your child?

Until next time,

Pam

We all have an emotional life...

Hi all!

I am sitting here reviewing my work and to do list. One of the items on it, was to add a new blog post… and right below that note… was “emotional lives of children”.

I started to think about that, because that is what I have decided is the premise for my work, and the stories I write. Stories that I hope will resonate with the emotional lives of children.

I have always believed that kids need to be seen as people in their own right… not just an appendage or item or number. We do great work when we take the time to see our children, and children in general as unique individuals.

I was thinking about that today as I placed a phone call to our 4 year old granddaughter. We have to speak with her without her older brother around, or he will co-op the phone! :)

I wanted to have a chance to speak with her without any involvement or interference from her brother, and allow her the chance to be heard on her own. To tell her how much I love her, and how wonderful she is!

Then… this past week, we had the great honor of helping our son and daughter-in-law move… what a blast to be part of that… and to be able to provide love and support for our adult children as well as our beautiful 3 year old granddaughter as they began this new phase of their lives. To have the chance to give extra hugs and celebrate new beginnings!

And then… I also had to take a moment or two or four… to take care of my own emotions as well… because it is hard to fathom sometimes that our youngest child is now 31!

I guess with all of this quasi rambling post what I am attempting to say, is that all of our emotional lives matter and the space we live in is better when that is recognized, nourished and respected.

Have a great weekend… take care of yourself, and all of those you love!

It matters!

Until next time,

Pam

What today holds?

Hi all!

I am sitting here thinking about all things book… and also how to enjoy my Saturday.

When I have something on my mind, I have to address it, or it is just a continued due-loop in my brain. I wonder if most people are like this? I tease with my husband that he can compartmentalize better than I can… I can’t usually separate…. my brain seems to find a way to connect everything!

Lately I am really thinking about how to connect with people who love books… who write Children’s Books, who love the idea of connecting children with great stories.

I am working with a great bunch of folks who are trying to help me learn.

Learning… its such a great thing! Even if I find myself not wanting to put in the time… cause I want to just relax, I find that until I do the learning… or the thing I am thinking about , it doesn't work anyways… SO I just do it… and then I can relax.

So what does your day hold today? What new things might you learn?

Each day… a new chance …

I have already learned about 3 new things today… that might be it… might be time now to go sit and read this great book I started yesterday.

Hope today is all you hope for!

Until next time,

Pam