A Little Something To Do

Gratitude, it's a good thing

Enjoy the Holidays….again!

The seasons are upon us.  A time to give thanks for all of our blessings, as well as a time for the "gimmes" to start. You know when the line is crossed from what the holiday season is really all about to, who wants what.  I'm guessing your ever-growing to-do list seems endless.  Here’s a thought,  simplify.  Your family doesn’t have to attend every holiday function and you can put a limit on a wish list. It’s really not too late to regain the true spirit of this magical time of year.  Do something together as a family to feel this spirit.  Volunteer for a Christmas project or help deliver food baskets. Go through your children’s toys together and donate like-new toys to people who truly need them. Ask your children their favorite holiday traditions.  You might just be surprised by their answers. Decide as a family what activities are most important to you and enjoy them to the fullest. It's amazing, you can actually get more out of doing less. Every holiday my family gathers and reverts back to our childhood rolls. We act like dorky kids and laugh until we cry.  I make an effort to place these memories deep in my heart to stay forever. My favorite time spent at home is cuddling with my children, any one of them I can talk into bringing me great joy,  and watching a Christmas movie.  Forget the presents, who really needs more fudge...? Soak up your family and make a memory this season. 

Moms and Depression

Many women suffer from some form of depression in their lifetime; it is one of the largest unmet health needs of women. Depression affects not only a mother, but her children as well. Being a mom takes not only good physical endurance, but also emotional well-being. Quite often women in need go untreated for depression. All women, at times, feel over worked and over whelmed, but this depression is different from feeling sad occasionally. it involves a loss of interest in activities you once loved, and emotional emptiness. These feelings are experienced along with difficulty sleeping and of loss of concentration. A Mom might feel as if she should be able to take care of herself, that her problem won’t affect anyone else in the family, but it will. Children of depressed mothers often suffer from a wide range of symptoms themselves such as; stomachaches, sleep problems, behavior issues and withdrawal. The truly heartbreaking part is that the child often feels responsible for their mother’s sadness. If you question what you are feeling, please talk to a doctor. Please know you are not alone. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, what you are showing is a great sign of strength.

Stand firm but don’t stand still

What are you doing to make the world a better place for your children? Quite often people feel passionate about something, not quite as often do they do something about it. I have a saying on my wall, I pass it every day and it reminds me not to complain about a situation unless I am willing to act to improve it. Here’s the saying: Stand firm but don’t stand still. Are there any situations you see could use a little help? Maybe you’ve noticed that your child’s teacher could use a classroom volunteer, or an elderly neighbor might appreciate a little help in the yard. Noticing your neighborhood could benefit from a community garden is good, but picking up your shovel would be even better. Making the world a better place for our children doesn’t mean that we have to single handedly stop all crime or end global warming but it does mean it that we do anything we can, anywhere we can, to make the world a better place. Do something you’ve been thinking about and show your child that one person can make a difference. Remember your children are watching and it only takes a moment to make a memory that may last a lifetime.

Kids in Sports

Today’s topic…kids in sports. With the popularity of certain team sports on the rise such as soccer and la cross more and more families are joining the world of competition. Children involved in sports benefit much more that you might imagine. By being part of a team children learn lessons that will carry off the field as well. We all know that the physical activity alone is good for kids but here are some benefits you might not have considered: Commitment to an activity, working as a team player, learning good sportsmanship, taking care of your physical body as well as practicing a positive attitude. Parents and coaches have a perfect chance to shape their children’s personalities. We can show our children how to win gracefully as well as lose and still hold their head high. We can teach our children winning or losing is not what it’s all about. Going for it with pride is what will make you a champion! When you’re out there rooting for your kids think about what you say and how you say it. Remember it’s at times like these that it only takes a moment to make a memory or teach a lesson that may last a lifetime!