What Are The Rules?

I'm not really keen on the word rules.  It makes me sound like a strict headmistress.  However in my life, with my family and in my home, I need rules.  I've tried it without and I just feel out of control and my family suffer, especially my son.  He is so much happier when he knows the rules or a nicer way to say this is, he is happier when he know what is expected of him. 
Let your children know what the ground rules are. Be clear about what you want.

Our children love to make us happy (most of the time).  If they know what is expected of them, what we want from them life becomes easier and happier. 

I don't have a massive list of rules and the ones I do have are incredibly basic. 

• Speak politely
• Treat people with respect
• Be kind to others
• Be kind to our pets
• If you get things out,put them away.
• Take care of your own things
• Help keep our home tidy and clean

These are for all members of our family.

Jack also has a few little rules that help him stay organized for school.

• Sort school bag out as soon as he comes home
• Homework before play
• Pack bag for the next day.

This is what works for me and my family.  I've tried different ideas over the years and as Jack grows we make changes but this pretty much sums up our family rules. 

Sure Jack will get a pile of things out and trash my living room but he knows I want and expect him to clear them before he starts something new.  Sometimes he doesn't want to do his homework but he knows he can't play, watch tv, etc until it's done. 

This is Jack helping out in the garden.  He's doing it because he likes it not because I tell him he has to. 

Now there are always days where some rules go out of the window and that's okay.  I'll talk about being flexible in my next post. 

My message here is simple.  If you let your kids know what you want in a calm and consistent manner.  The chances are most of the time you'll get it.  The added bonus is a happy child who feels safe.

That's all for today.

Happy Parenting

Wendy

Goal Setting and the Law of Attraction in Terms Your Children Will Understand!

Praise Your Children

Look for things to praise your children for.  So many parent (including me sometimes) spend so much time focusing on what their child is doing wrong they completely miss the things they do that are fine, great, wonderful.

When your child uses good manners, acknowledge it.  When your child plays nicely acknowledge it.  You get the idea.

Make your praise genuine or your kids will know.

Please Vote For Me

Hi, As you know I've been following the Happier Kids Now Online Expo.  All the speakers have now been on (but there's still lots going on).  Anyway Patrick and Rhonda are now running a contest.  I had to let them know what were the Aha moments for me.  I've added a comment and to be in with a chance to win I'd like you to come and vote for me (Wendy Tomlinson).  Go to http://dld.bz/33XR.  You'll also be able to find out more about The Happier Kids Online Expo and the speakers.

Thanks

Wendy x

Today's Speakers on the Happier Kids Now Online Expo

I just wanted to add a little note to keep you up to date with The Happier Kids Now Online Exo.

Today's Speakers are:

Scott Noelle: HELP! I'm Turning Into My Parents



Steve Sisgold: Discover Your Child's Body Wisdom

Here's the link to sign up.  It's free. http://www.happierkidsnow.com/cmd.php?af=1231943


You can also listen to the replays for previous days too.

Happy Parenting

Wendy xx

Guaranteed to Help Your Kids Live a Happy Life! (new video)

Wow, I can't believe we've been given yet another free video from the people at Happier Kids Now. 
Every morning before they leave for school, single dad Patrick McMillan and his two boys, Liam (9) and Hayden (12) do this one Gratitude Activity.

Listen to Patrick tell you all about it in his new video (it’s only 4 minutes):

http://www.happierkidsnow.com/cmd.php?Clk=3931076

Do they miss a morning here and there? Occasionally. But for the most part, this is their practice.

They each own a “Gratitude Journal” and every morning they think of five to ten things they are grateful for and write it down.

This is a great way to start your day. Try it – you will be amazed at the difference it makes in your mood. Then you can teach this simple process to your kids.

Just imagine if we started teaching our children how to focus on what they are grateful for. By the time they got to be teenagers, perhaps it would seem like second-nature.

Did you know it’s been scientifically proven that people who do this one Gratitude activity…

**Live longer

**Experience less illness

**Have longer lasting and more meaningful relationships

**Are more successful in business and academics

**Enjoy a greater satisfaction with their life


Find out what Gratitude Activity this is by watching the video so you can help your kids develop life-long habits of gratitude.

http://www.happierkidsnow.com/cmd.php?Clk=3931076


This video has been shared with us by Rhonda Ryder and Patrick McMillan ~Your Happier Kids Now Expo Hosts

I love this video and and so thankful to Rhonda and Patrick

Happy Parenting

Wendy x

P.S. Check out the Speaker Calendar to find out the speakers and their topics during the Happier Kids Now 2010 Online Expo – Oct 4 – Oct 21. Webcast and call-in details will be emailed to you prior to each call.

http://www.happierkidsnow.com/calendar.html

The Happy Child Guide

I  love it when I get the chance to share a really great product with you.  In this case the product is The Happy Child Guide Ebook. 

The Ebook alone is really wonderful and works.  I love reading all kinds of parenting books, articles, etc.  I always tell parents I coach to take what suits them and leave the rest.  I believe getting Ideas from these books is wonderful but perhaps some of the advice in theses books will not be the best way for you and your family.  I recently read a wonderful parenting book which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I took some of the ideas aboard and gave them a go and others did not fit with my beliefs, so I let them go.  I always suggest you do the same.


The Happy Child Guide is in my opinion spot on.  It's just a really nice and happy way of parenting that works. 

The publishers are currently offering free bonuses worth around $200.  I am told they are only going to be offering these bonuses for a short time, so if you're interested I would encourage you to take advantage of this offer now so that you don't miss out on the extras. 

For more information on The Happy Child Guide Click Here!

Be sure to click on the free presentation at the bottom of the page.  It's fantastic.

Let me know what you think and enjoy.

Sleeping Angels

Wow!  No, really - Wow!

I was told about Sleeping Angels sometime ago by a good friend.  She told me about a CD she had which she had bought for her son.  She was so excited about it and said she couldn't believe the diference in her son.  She told me she'd "been pulling her hair out".  She went on to tell me how he went from being generally rude and bad tempered to being polite and helpful in a matter of days.  I've used positive affirmation CD's before so I didn't really feel the need to buy another. 

However, I decided I'd download some information about the CD and thought I'd let you all know about it at some stage.  After all this is what my aim is for this blog, to let you know about ways to help you and your child be positive and happy.  So a couple of nights ago I looked up the website address I'd been given and as I read the information I just knew I needed this CD.  The price was great so I downloaded the recording immediately to my computer and burned it onto a disk. 

My 8 year old son was already sleeping by this time.  In the information it says that you can play the recordings whilst your child is sleeping.  So I put it on play and continued playing the CD for about 3 hours until I went to bed. 

The words used are beautiful and so positive.  I felt great hearing the words too.  Research has shown that we (children included) take in what is being said even when we are sleeping. 

My son is a lovely boy and in general polite and happy but a 29 hour journey with about 2 hours sleep and general disruption to his life over Christmas took it's toll on his behaviour.  I have to admit, that's a trait he gets from me.  It took it's toll on my behaviour too.  For the first two nights I played the CD only once he was sleeping. A concept my husband cannot get to grips with at all.  Last night I put the CD on whilst he was awake but sleepy.  I told him it was all the nice things I thought about him recorded onto a CD and that I loved him.  He was fast asleep in a few minutes. 

On the recording you'll hear things like :

You're a great child
You must be so proud of the way you behave
You always go to bed on time
You have the most beautiful manners
I love the way you're such a happy child

There are many, many more really positive affirmations set to lovely peaceful music.

Oh, by the way I purchased the download for children 5-12 year.  There are downloads for younger children, teens, parents and for special areas such as bedwetting.

This is a beautiful CD.  I'm so pleased I decided to purchase the download. 

Please let me know if you've had experience with Sleeping Angels or download any of the recordings.  I love hearing from you about you own experiences.

For more information Click Here!

Have a wonderful day

Wendy x