Happy Mindful Parents and Carers

22/01/2024

Remember brick phones can still offer the communication needed before the 8th, without the consequences mentioned below.

“Come,” said the pencil to the boy, “and draw with me.” So the boy reached for the pencil, about to touch it to his sketch pad. “But I can show you a three-hour drawing condensed into three minutes,” said the Smartphone.

So the boy watched the drawing of a world map, complete with oceans, seas, and capitals, finished in three minutes.

“Come,” said the paintbrush to the boy, “and paint a river with me.” So the boy picked up the paintbrush, about to dip it into the sky-blue watercolor paint. “But I can show you a river in India, one in Alaska, and the largest waterfall in the world,” said the Smartphone.

So the boy watched videos of the Rivers Ganges and Alsek, and clips of Victoria Falls tumbling 5,600 feet into volcanic dikes.

“Come,” said the books, “and read about a lion that battles a witch and a ship’s journey into heaven.”So the boy opened one, curled up on the couch and began reading. “But I can give you the movie,” replied the Smartphone, “and a soundtrack that stirs your soul.”

So the boy closed the book, got up from the couch, sat at the counter, and watched the video.

“Come,” called the trees and birds outside. “Climb us, and listen to us sing.” As the boy stepped outdoors, the Smartphone called, “But with me you can play a game where you scale mountains while dodging man-eating vultures.” So the boy stepped back inside to play the game.

With his face glued to the Smartphone, the iPad next to him dinged: a text. The boy glanced at the message. Returning to his game, he heard a ping: an e-mail in his inbox. He read it and returned to his Smartphone, where a flashing Snapchat announcement obscured a bloodthirsty vulture.

Next to his iPad, the pencil lay motionless, and next to the computer, the paintbrush untinted.
And beside his Smartphone, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” lay with uncreased pages, the lion’s roar stifled, the witch’s cackle silenced, and the gate into Imagination closed.

💪 Delay the smartphone with the Wait Until 8th pledge. Wait until 16+ for social media.

💪 Encourage creativity, exploration, reading, outside adventures, art and movement.

This story is by Jill Thomas and was in the Star Tribune.

21/08/2023

Love this prompt to consider.

Why is it, when we’re told that we have to prepare children for the ‘real world’ it always means making them do unpleasant things? It means making them get up early every morning, or wear clothes they hate. It means ‘holding them accountable’ AKA punishment, if they fail to comply with the demands of adults. It makes making them do things they don’t like, without allowing them to stop.

We rarely hear talk about preparing them for a life-time of making meaningful decisions. We don’t talk about how to prepare them for a world in which adults don’t always have the answers. We don’t talk about preparing them for a world where sometimes disobedience is the right choice, and just because something has ‘always been done like this’ doesn’t mean that we should just carry on.

We don’t talk about preparing them for a world where relationships aren’t all based on competition, and where people aren’t ranked according to their predicted exam results. We don’t talk about how in the ‘real world’ you can choose to do the things you enjoy, and how if you can find work which relates to your interests, you’ll lead a much happier life. We don’t talk about how in ‘the real world’ if you hate your job, you can try to find another way to earn a living. The real world isn’t one size fits all.

Why is ‘the real world’ always used as an excuse to control young people – when in the real world, we need people who can resist control and who can break down barriers? In the real world, we’re allowed to ask awkward questions. Let’s help children practice that.

Image Amy Humphries

07/02/2023

90 seconds can make a big difference… see here about how.

16/08/2022

If parenting were film acting, we’d always be brilliant because we’d have plenty of “takes” to perfect our responses (not to mention make-up, hair styling and ridiculously high salaries). But we are playing a part — the role of a lifetime for a lifetime. Luckily, we perform for an adoring,...

02/08/2022

"Literally incapable... " Thank you for your persistence in sharing this important message, Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.❤️

01/08/2022

Love this! Repetition & play is so effective. Another reason why play in schools is extremely valuable.

POWERFUL!

From TimberNook

04/07/2022

Let’s raise active people rather than passive.

The outside is full of creative inspiration, children discover it themselves as well as in our company.

via 1000 Hours Outside

02/07/2022

The moments we have to navigate can continue to surprise us. Not much about childhood is boring.

The conversation arising due to patients escaping could be quite deep! ☺️🍃🥴

Haha! 😍🐌

11/06/2022

From on IG

05/06/2022

The human brain isn’t fully developed until well into our 20’s. It is constantly growing and changing and learning. The part of our brain that is able to have some sort of impulse control doesn’t really come online till nearly the age of 4 years old and even then it is a bit hit and miss. Then when you think your children have finally got a hold of impulse control, the brain goes through another huge change in development right around puberty. Which means with adolescence comes poor impulse control again, with the added bonus of hormones. As hard as it is, they are doing their best with what they have at the time.

More information on my blog

https://www.thetherapistparent.com/post/developing-impulse-control-in-children

31/05/2022

What a wonderful activity! They would make great designs for cards or to frame on the wall. Something for us & the children to be proud of. 🤩

Sunography paper is needed though.