We’ve all been there – more things to do than we can handle and not enough time to get them done.   It seems at times that the demands on parents are overwhelming  – phone ringing, kids needing attention,  dog barking, dinner to be made and you are expected to remain calm while everything around you is anything but.   How do you manage to stay calm when you think that at any moment you are going to lose it?  It is at times like this that you remind yourself that if the situation seems impossible to handle – than it is.   Ask your children to help you – they like to be given responsibility.   If you take each thing one at a time, deal with it and move on to the next – each one will be doable.  Staying calm might seem difficult but, chaos is impossible.  Most of all be patient with yourself – you are only one person.  Do the very best that you can  and give yourself a pat  on the back for remaining calm.  For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Traditions are part of the fabirc of our lives, the thread that weaves throughout from generation to generation.  They can be anything that carries with it the remembrance of generations past –  stories, recipes, objects, quilts, religious symbals  – and continues to be carried on for future generations to come.  It is how we honor past generations by keeping their struggles and successes alive in our minds and hearts.   Recreating  a favorite recipe that  a parent, grandparent,  or great grandparent  used to make keeps a tradtion followed.   If you don’t have a family tradition start one with todays generation.  Decide together what would make a good family tradition – which recipe is everyones favorite?  What handmade piece of furniture has an amazing story attached?  Is there  someone who has overcome a great challenge?  – anything that makes you feel proud is a good tradition to pass on to  future generations.  Traditions are part of  the fabric of our  life  –   keep them weaving  for future generations to come.  For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

One of life’s great lessons is that friends add a richness to our lives.  Some people are happy with just a few good friends, others feel that you can never have too many. An outstanding quality to have when making new friends is to accept someone just for who he is.   However, people tend to prejudge someone because of an obvious visible flaw or a preconceived opinion and decide that person is not worthy of  friendship.  Judging a person before getting to know him/her is an unfair approach.  Keeping an open mind allows each to find qualities that are likeable in the other and friendships can develop.  Teach your child the importance of keeping an open mind when meeting someone new and discover one of lifes great lessons – friends add a richness to our lives.   For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Have you ever walked into a room full of strangers and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach?  For an outgoing person the situation doesn’t pose a problem at all.  For a shy person, entering a room of strangers is a terrifying experience.   Overcoming shyness can occur as one matures and comes to terms with the fear that we build up in our minds.   Children experience shyness as a natural reaction to someone new.  With a little prompting a child will relax and accept the new person.   As children begin school shyness may be a very significant issue.  It is at this time that a child needs the support, patience and love of a parent as he/she adjusts to one of lifes first big moments.   Take him over to meet the teacher and some of the other children.    Help make this moment easier for him and you by saying  how very much you love him/her.  The first day of school is a big step in a childs life – make it a happy day.  For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Life seems to be a constant race against the clock trying to get everything done  that will keep your family running smoothly.  At the end of the day do you wish you had taken  a little more time  to talk with your child – to find out how his/her day went, how did he do on a test,  did he spell all the words correctly, what is the new friends name?   Time spent talking to your child is the most well spent time you can do all day.  Showing your child that you are interested lets  him/her  know that you love and care about all that is going on in his life .  It is at thisvaluable time that you can help solve problems that might be bothering him, celebrate a success or just chill together after a long day.  Make  talking with your child a priority – it will be your favorite time of day.   For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Children, with their amazing ability to notice everything around them, see the world with curiosity and innocence.  They want to know all there is to know as they listen, watch and absorb the endless information that comes their way daily.    It is intriguing to watch a child grasp the concept of how a computer works that  adults still find difficult to understand or to see the awe on their faces when looking up at the sky on a starry night.  They want to know about everything around them – what is it, where did it come from, how does it work, can I do it too?  Try looking at the world through the eyes of your child  – think of all the questions he/she might ask,  boundaries are nonexistent –  let your curiosity run wild.  Learning is fun and has no age limit.   For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com

Every child needs the love and approval of their parents whatever their age is.   When a parent withholds showing approval or affection a child learns to live without that very important aspect of their lives, but they never stop needing it.  Those who are denied approval, love and affection as a child, don’t know how to show it to their children and instead imitate their parents behavior of withholding  their pride.  This continuous cycle of denial of love, praise and approval makes  wounded adults who learn to live their lives without ever having that need met.  Let your child know how much you love him/her by showing your pride  of the simplest act – it may seem uneventful to you but to a child it is all that matters.  For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

A disagreement can be described as a simple difference of opinion or  major  all out arguement.  Whether voices are raised to make a point or quietly talked about over a cup of coffee, the end result is what really matters.  A good disagreement is one that  ends with no hard feelings toward the other with integrities intact.  A successful disagreement is when you can listen to another persons opinion,  remain focused on the topic at hand without veering off in another direction and arrive at a resolution that both can live with .   Keeping the discussion short lets both make their point and a resolution  agreed upon.  An open and honest discussion helps each vent frustrations before the situation becomes irreversible.  Good disagreements are a healthy way to clear the air with good feelings for everyone involved.  For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

Teaching your children right from wrong is an on-going part of parenting.    Teaching them to take responsibility for their actions is  a challenge and trying to do both at the same time can sometimes lead to playing the blame game.  Getting a child to admit that he/she is  responsible for a problem is a difficult job to tackle and should be dealt with in a low key and calm way.  Laying blame leads to angry denials, resentment and even lying.  To avoid falling into this trap provide your child with the lesson of taking responsibility for his/her own actions, facing the embarressment and moving on.  Taking responsibility  might be humiliating for the moment but, earns the child your  trust and respect.  The only “game” you and your child should play is something fun and enjoyable for both.   For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com.

For many, winning is everything.  Children today are learning that philosophy at a very young age.   Competition does keep you on your toes and winning is a great feeling but, how do you teach your child to handle losing?   There is a lot of excitment at the thought of winning, you might get so close to winning but someone on the team makes a mistake that cost the team the winning point  or the other team is simply better and they win the game – how do you prepare your child for situations like this?   Being a good sport   – whether you win or lose – shows maturity.  Recognizing that sports, just as life, has highs and lows and that disappointments can happen, even under the best conditions.  Teaching your child this lesson perpares him/her how to stand tall and do the right thing – be proud if you win and congratulate the winner if you lose – that makes everyone a winner.   For more info www.sheilaaronbooks.com