Author: Snippetsofmylife

When I was growing up, we rarely had a snow day.  I remember standing at the corner waiting for the bus with snow covering my coat and scarf…barely being able to see.  Back then, it was rare for my mom to drive us to school.  We, like the mailman, walked through rain, sleet, and snow.

Tonight, our school district sent out a message announcing school will be closed tomorrow in anticipation of our only snow storm this winter.  We are expected to get 10-12 inches..so far we have not one flake has fallen.  In the county we live, a foot of snow could potentially shut down school until Thursday. Friends have already hit Facebook and have begun posting roaring fires, mounds of snacks, sleds, shovels, and more (which is a welcome break from all the political posts).

The kids are over the top excited!  My son has plans with his friends to hit the “big hill” to begin sledding as soon as daylight breaks.  My daughter and her friends are baking cookies.  The excitement level is high to say the least.  To be honest, I am probably equally excited.  I hit the groceries stores over the weekend stocking my pantry and fridge.  In our little niche of the world, grocery stores are typically packed days in advanced with panicked people grabbing large quantities of milk and toilet paper.

So here’s to warm fires and good snuggles.  Here’s to snow pants, mittens, sledding, and hot cocoa (complete with the best dark chocolate marshmallows I picked up at Trader Joe’s).  Here’s to comfy blanket and good books.  Winter has finally arrived!

As the end of the school year is drawing closer, my mind is starting to think about summer.  Since our school year schedule is down right insane.  I like to keep our summer schedule a bit laid back

I remember when I was growing up.  Summer was spent at the pool with my friends.  As I got older, maybe I did some babysitting or was assigned chores to complete.  Later as a senior in high school, I actually had a real job a few hours a week at a donut shop (best.job.ever.

For my kids, a few of their sport obligations carry into the summer.  My daughter has swim team practice at 5:30am and my son has hockey.  Additionally, they  both participate in our community swim team…which is 100% fun for them.  I really try to limit camps and allow for more unscheduled, less structured FUN time.

However, I do like to provide a few hours of academic focus each day.  As a former teacher, I believe in this for a number of reasons.  First, without continued work there will be skills lost and some backside. Starting the school year “behind” is stressful and will often lead to anxiety.  (Anxiety issues can also hold true for children who have too many academic demands/pressures hanging on them….this is another post all together).

During the summer, I love focusing on the lost art of writing with my kids.  I truly believe just as good readers read…good writers write.  Writing is hard and a skill that has to be worked on often in order to really get good at it.  In school, my kids spend very little time writing.  Yeah they minimally do it…but come on neither kid is yet to write a book report…EVER.

So, in the spirit of sharing, here are some of my favorite ideas for getting kids to write:

• Journal:  this can be a personal journal, but better yet over the summer it could be a vacation journal or a journal of day trips/activities.  What is really fun is to combine writing with photography.  Have your child take pictures, paste them into a journal and write about it.  This can also be done on the computer.
• Make a recipe pamphlet/booklet:  Allow your child to help you cook and then have them write out their favorite recipes.  You can take the recipes and turn them into a booklet.  Maybe focus on breakfasts?  Or healthy snacks?  Desserts?
• Blog:  Work with your child and set up a blog.  Focus on a topic and then have your child write daily.  There are a lot of kid friendly sites available.
• Thank you notes and letters:  If you have family that live out-of-state or country, have your child write letters.
• Grocery lists:  Talk though your grocery list with your child and have them make the list.
• Write a book: Writing “how-to” books or informational books can combine art, photography and writing.  Books can be made on-line or created using blank books which typically can be found at craft stores.
• Jar full of fun prompts: On line you can find tons and tons of writing prompts.  Type some up, put them in a jar, and each day have your child pick one and write on the topic.

These are just some of many projects you may want to consider.  However, always remember:  good writers brainstorm and plan.

Other tips to consider:  Work on writing at a set time each day.  Possible include special treats or snacks.  Think of different areas for your child to work…maybe outside?  Remember, we don’t want kids to view learning or extra work as a “punishment”, but just like in their sports…practice makes them their best.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world “~Nelson Mandela

“Somewhere, somethin INCREDIBLE is waiting to be known “~Carl Sagan

A topic near and dear to my heart revolves around…my parents.   I am blessed as both my parents are still alive, feisty, and totally independent.  They each own their own homes and drive.  Both worked until into their 70’s…really inspirational.   They divorced when I was in college.  Though the road has been rocky, we have super relationships now.  As I have been spending more and more time with them these last few years,  some random thoughts have popped into my mind.  A few points I need to remember!

1. Enjoy every moment:  Tomorrow isn’t promised. I am fortunate that my parents both can visit for extended amounts of time throughout the year.  For my kids,  it is an amazing opportunity to really spend time with them….living with someone gives so many more insights than just visiting. I love watching the relationships grow and I love seeing memories made.   I know I often get wrapped up in my own life. Working, responsibilities, my kids and husband all take up time.  I try to at least text my mom daily and probably call about 4 times a week.  With my dad, I call about one time a week.  Could I do more?
2. Enjoy their stories: There are always the stories that have been told over and over.  There are always the ones that I wish they would forget.  However, I love listening to stories.  I love hearing the excitement as well as their prospective.  Oral history is a dying art.  Often times now, the latest technology takes over and there is little time just to talk and share stories. It is a way to get information that no one has written down and will most likely be forgotten. Before my grandparents passed away, I video taped them as we were looking a pictures.  I loved their stories and wanted to capture them to have forever.  Now, at our family reunions, I will often bring out the slide projector and pop up some old slides…and the stories start flowing.
3. Learn traditions:  Most of the traditions I have learned revolve around food.  My mom makes the best potpie noodles, mashed potatoes, and roast beef.  My dad makes the best chocolate Easter eggs.  Both recipes passed down from generations before.
4. Help them when possible…without overstepping and becoming overprotective.
5. Don’t skip a chance to say “I love you!”
6. Be patient
7. Learn to listen
8. Keep them striving for independence

And above all….Cherish.Every.Moment

Hugs mom and dad!

(Confession:  I will probably catch hell for two things…using this picture and using the words “aging parents”)

Let me start off the post by saying I love pigs. I think they are smart and cute.  Let’s get real…their pens…they are a mess.  Sometimes I look around my house and think that I may be living in a pig pen.  Kids laying around…eating…messes everywhere.  It is gross and frustrating.  Scanning the rooms one would see things plopped and not one single person is  making an attempt to pick the items up.  Well, there is slight movement among the troops if I threaten to throw the items away.  Then they will reluctantly put their belongings away.  And “by away” I mean haphazardly thrown into a drawer, under the bed, or in a closet.

When my grandma was alive I remember hearing her tell stories of having to dump the dresser drawers so that things would be put away correctly.  As a student, I remember my teacher threatening to dump desks if they became to messy. So I know “slobbiness” is not a new thing.

Everyone wants to be happy, but how many of us are really just spending our time chasing it?  Trying to fill a void?

True happiness is more than just being positive.  According to Psychology Today,  happiness is a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life—that is, with a sense of meaning and deep satisfaction. Research shows that happiness is not the result of bouncing from one joy to the next; achieving happiness typically involves times of considerable discomfort.  Interesting?  Maybe.

Thinking about it terms of myself or my kids…it gets more fascinating.  Do I spend my time chasing happiness?  Do my kids?  Right now, my kids do to a degree.  They look at items and think “I really need this new video game” or “I really need this new toy”.  On the surface, they believe it will bring happiness.  It may for a week or month, but that feeling slowly will leave.  As they grow older this pursuit may try to steer them into bad relationships or friendships.  It may point to more meaningless possessions or jobs .

Though genetics do play a role.  There is more!  What should we be focusing on?  After scouring the internet, here are the top 10 things I compiled that can start you on the right path to true happiness!

• Learn to forgive-don’t dwell on the past
• Be kind
• Love yourself
• Be optimistic
• Cherish family and friendships
• Commit to goals and volunteer for good causes
• Count your blessings
• Don’t compare yourself to others-run your own race
• Meditate and exercise and sleep

(Notice $$ isn’t mentioned.  We all know money and the financial freedom that comes with it can relieve worry…and that can make you happy…but only to a point)

So today’s lesson for yourself and your kids…focus on happy!  Choose happy…it is closer than you think!

” Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Life’s too short to be anything… but happy. ” – Anonymous

Song: Three Little Birds~Bob Marley

Sometimes I look longingly at the fearless attitude kids show.  You know that stage they all go through where they aren’t worried about what people think, but dive right with eyes wide open.

As an adult, trying new things can be down right scary and even ridden with anxiety.  Well, here I am doing something I never dreamed…getting ready to launch my own business.  This has been in the works for about 6 months now.  The business plan, logo, e-brochures, and soon my website will be ready to launch…I just got the moodboards on Friday.  I am over the top excited!  More to come as well as some great tips and ideas for launching your own business.

I can’t wait to introduce you all to Socialytics Media!

(PS-It really is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks)

This week I have heard of two different incidents of bully occurring at school.  It really struck me and broke my heart.

Kids can certainly be mean and unkind. I remember seeing it happen when I was taught elementary school and in fact I remember it in school when I was growing up.  Bullying is a different thing all together.

So that we are all on the same page, the simple definition of a bully is a person or group of people who are socially or physically in “power”.  It could be someone physically or socially stronger.   This noted person or group then intimidates, abuses, or coerces another with the intention of doing harm…harm either emotionally or physically.

What is going on in this world?  My first inclination is to blame the parents for the bully behavior.  Numerous questions rise in my mind:

• Where is your son/daughter learning this behavior from?
• How can you not see they are doing this?  Are you involved?  Are you watching what they are doing on technology?
• Are you having conversations?

But I have no control of what goes on in another person’s home.  What I do have power of is arming my children with the skills to deal with it.  I really like these tips from kidpower.org

• Teach your children to act with calm, awareness, and confidence
• Learn to leave a situation in a powerful, strong way
• Teach to set boundaries when faced with difficult or unsafe situations
• Find your voice
• Harden your shell
• Speak up
• Identify/Tell an adult
• As a last resort…physical self-defensive

We do a lot of role-playing, parent coaching, and practice at home.  This really helps a lot.  I am not so naive to think these things will magically solve the problem.  What I do hope is that my kids are aware and have a supply of strategies to try.  I also want to include if they see someone else being bullied, they need to tell an adult.

It is never too early to work on this…life is happening as we speak.

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” – Epictetus

This past  week I attended my daughter’s middle school orientation with tissues in hand.  Let me just say I can’t believe she is going into middle school.  I can vividly remember her as a baby playing on her activity mat.  Those long nights of feedings and little sleep for me…time seemed stuck as I was living off coffee.  Once she hit pre-school time went into over overdrive.  Years started melting together.  Now, here we are with me sitting in an orientation with hundreds of other parents listening to how “awesome” middle school is going to be.  Hearing how she will be switching classes, having a locker, and opting for the “Fresh Air Club” (aka outdoor time after lunch) .

As this new chapter is started, I am sure feelings of the unknown will grow for both of us.  For my daughter, heading into the unknown world where school expectations,  peer relationships,  and physical development will now be center and forefront.  For me, losing my baby and gaining the starts of a young woman with a given a change in our relationship.  As my daughter continues to grow, I know that the she will be testing and at times  struggling to find her place in this world and among her peers.  My goal is to keep our connection strong and keep her family as her anchor.

Do I have a game plan? Yes I do.  Is it perfect?  No, but it is a starting point.  First and foremost, I want to give her that strong security  at home that she will need  as she starts spreading her wings more and engaging in age-appropriate freedoms.  How do I hope to accomplish this?

• Frequent check ins:  as kids get older I believe you need “check-ins” now more than ever.  This can be texts, chats, and calls.  It can be popping into a room while they are watching tv.  Really anything.
• Continue to make family centered meals a priority:  find the time eat and sit together  as a family.  It could be breakfast or dinner.  Make an easy meal…crockpot, casserole, roasted, grilled.
• Monthly have special  1:1 time: this could be mom or dad.  Brunch, shopping, dinner…the sky is the limit
• Readjust and set  limits:  we all need limits and boundaries are necessary for all to succeed and grow
• Continue to give hugs: no one is ever too old for a good hug
• I won’t take things personally: “I hate you” those 3 horrible words… words that will escape the lips of your child at some point.  I remember being so mad at my mom I would say that and slam the door.  Did I mean it?  No.  As a parent, one strategy is to give my daughter the space to cool off and then go back to discuss.  Every one gets mad.  Just keep in mind that hormones are and additional component.
• Maintain high expectations
• Check homework and stay on top of school work

Thank goodness I have two more years until my son is in this same spot.  That my friends will be a totally different approach😘😘

“To be in your child’s memory tomorrow, you have to make time today”

Did you know that Valentines Day is a multi BILLION dollar industry…. $13,290,000,000 according to the web! Crazy!

Like many people, I don’t want to buy into all the hype.  However, I have and do.  My kids were up this morning and rushed downstairs to see what they got.  Has it really come down to this?  Is it all about commercialism?

After some thought, here are some ideas for today (or any day) that go deeper than a box of candy….they come from the heart and spread love.

• Make and/or write your own card.  No matter how awesome those folks at major card companies are, it can’t compete with your own words.
• Give your spouse the “night off”.
• Spend time together minus the TV or iPhone.
• Send texts messages throughout the day letting your family know how much they mean to you.
• Gift of time.  Chatting over coffee or a glass of wine or building a puzzle…just spending extra time together.
• Gift of help…helping neighbor maybe?
•  Stop by the office and bring lunch or dinner
• Make a special dinner for the family complete with some family favorites.
• As a family, think of those who may be especially lonely on Valentine’s Day…make cards, bake heart-shaped cookies, or give them a call.
• At dinner, go around the table and give each person a chance to give an appreciation.
• Find five minutes to spend by yourself giving thanks for those you love.
• How about a telephone Valentine chain?  Call someone and they have to pass it on.

I hope you can use at least one of these ideas!  In a world where we often get caught up in being busy, today can be the start of spreading some love and giving gifts from the heart.  I am sure you have other great ideas!  I would love to hear about them.

Until tomorrow….love.hugs.peace

So as I was looking at FB today…this popped up. I wrote it in 2009. Updates (where needed) are in green:)  Happy reading!

 Being so close to D.C. we are frequent visitors to all the museums and exhibits….my favorite one still remains the National Zoo. Most memorable two private tours of the White House plus attending the Easter Egg Roll.

 After 14 years of teaching…I made a career change to that of homemaker or as I like to call it “domestic goddess”. Better hours, great boss, terrific perks, but low pay:)  I currently work part-time as a Media Specialist for a home inspection company. Launching in a month….Socialytics Media LLC….my own social media marketing company.  This has been in the works since September so I am super excited about this next “snippet”.

Having two children, 3 and 1, certainly keeps me young and constantly evolving in my thoughts…each day I see the world through their eyes and it makes me appreciate everything so much more!!  Nothing has changed though the kids are now 9 and 11.

A former co-worker and I provided counsel/advocacy for parents with children who have special needs. In a district as large as ours (60,000 students) there can be a lot of hoops to jump through in order to get children the services they need. I still love helping kids and parents navigate through school…and do it on request.

My husband is my best friend. Bonus… he is an awesome, hands-on dad. Still true:)

My daughter at age three has a more active social life than me at times. Still true…though my GNO time is growing (thanks to amazing friends).

Those who say raising a boy isn’t any harder than a girl haven’t met my son…he gives new meaning to the term lock down. Let’s just say that strong personality is still there..lol

The best as well as cheapest babysitter in the area still remains my brother Mike.

After the birth of my daughter, I grew my hair, cut it, and donated it to Locks of Love.

We travel back to Pittsburgh for every University of Pittsburgh football game…though I like football I am all about the tailgating/social aspect.

 Over these last few years I have found a love for cooking and baking, but not so much for laundry which always seems to get out of control. With the kids and their activities we don’t do this anymore.  However, we still go to Pittsburgh to visit family.

Each summer, we try to get to the beach for the week. I still love it…although now I slather on the sunscreen to keep anymore wrinkles from appearing. My favorite beaches are on the island of Santorini, Greece. We spent three weeks in Greece…pure bliss!

 I love the summer and being outdoors!!!

 Scrapbooking and photography equal two great ways for me to unwind. What was I smoking?  My scrapbooks are half done..and photography…well do pictures on my iPhone count?

When I was young my mother made me take piano lessons. I took them for eight years…now I am so glad.

Growing up my brother and I use to have Atari battles now it’s the WWii…the competition continues. OK…once in a while we still battle it out on Xbox!

Any latte from Starbucks can easily brighten my day.

 I feel blessed to have great friends and family though I probably don’t say it enough.

I love when family and friends come to visit.

My mother-in-law just taught me how to make nut rolls. I am totally about traditions!! Miss her dearly and so glad we spent the time baking together!

I taught inner city emotionally/behaviorally challenged kids for eight years. My first job was a roomful of 16-19 year olds!  Some were on house arrest, some in gangs…kids living lives I couldn’t even relate to at the time.  However, these kids taught me so much about myself and made me a better teacher.

A good back rub and glass of wine can be just what the doctor ordered.

Amusement parks…I loved going when I was in high school and still love it now. I am particularly fond of Kennywood…maybe that has to do with the whole nostalgia thing.

I really don’t watch TV. OK…maybe now I tune in to “The Girlfriends Guide to Divorce”

Re-reading all these life facts…it got me thinking about change and how it sneaks in…even when it isn’t wanted.  However, it often is for the best…though we may not agree at the time.  Here’s to a life full of change and all that it may bring!

When you’re finished changing, you’re finished. -Benjamin Franklin