Homeschooling, Making Money From Home, Organizing, and easy family meals
I found this book while perusing the library with my son on our weekly visit. I had been looking for some good big brother books and this one looked great at first glance…and really delivered. My son loved it and asked for it many. many times at story time. The illustrations are whimsical and the story is short but oh so sweet.
It begins: “Spencer was a boy… [Read more…] about One Special Day: A Book for Big Brothers
As we are adding a nursery space into our master bedroom, I’m only looking for a few pieces of art to decorate our new additions space. In order to keep the space from looking cluttered, I wanted to keep the colors light and hang pieces in a collage format to create cohesion and balance.
Wen we eventually move into a larger space and the little one gets their own room, I will carry these pieces into that new space, so as I select pieces for now, I am trying to keep both the idea of how they will look in our master, as well as how they will incorporate into the larger nursery room once we move.
I’m super in love with a boho style right now, here are a few pieces I am loving and that I think would go together really well.
This weeks book is 10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn, with Wendy Holden. As I started reading this book I found a wealth of great information for parents and children that I wanted to share. So in order to avoid a novella sized blog post, I’m breaking this book review into 3 parts. I’ll post one a week (I won’t make you wait until next months Second Sunday Review!)
The begining of this book begins with a lovely introduction and reflections about the benefits of being mindful in general and how we can take control of our actions in very simple ways and become more mindful people and parents. Being present as a parent makes for happier children and happier parents. MIndfullness also contributes to better general mental health.
The ability to skillfully regulate one’s internal emotional expereince in the present moment may translate into good mental health in the long run
One of the most powerful points Hawn makes right of the bat is that we need to stop thinking of stress as something that just happens to us. If we take control of ourselves and be calm, we reduce the stress in a situation. Mindfulness is key to this:
The conscious awareness of ou current thoughts, feelings, and surroundings – and accepting this awareness with openess andcuriousity in a non-judgemental way. It means focusing our attention on non-doing, a crucial skill in these distracted times…by discovering the onders of such techniques as mindful breathing, which helps create a balanced neuroligical system, we cn provide the perfect climate for healthy brain function
The non- judgmental acceptance of emotions mentioned above is key for parents. We need to remember that even as we try to rewire ourselves to be more mindful, we will make mistakes. and thats ok. learning to be mindful is in many ways like parenting itself-every day is a new learning experience with ts own challenges and rewards. But by trying to center ourselves when we are confronted with a difficult situation, if only for a few seconds before we act, we can break the cycle of negative reactive behavior.
The benefits of mindful breathing are impressive. Mindful breathing:
*Calms the stress response
*Strengthens attention
*Promotes Brain integration
*Fosters better sleep
*Strengthens self-awareness
Another area of discussion early on in the book is a basic discussion about how the brain works. Using simple terms and analogies for extremely complex concepts allows readers to gain a better understanding of how mindfulness increases our brain’s capabilities to perform at it’s highest level. like the fact that stress acts as a roadblock to learning and information absorption.
I personally learned something very interesting about my own learning process in this section of the book. Let’s just say I’m not good at math. Now, I can do all kinds of business math, like balance check books, percentages, stuff you do in daily life. BUT, when you show me an algebra problem my blood pressure starts to rise and I all of a sudden just go, well, kind of dumb. I always chalked this up to a myriad of things-boredom, bad teachers, my opinion on the uselessness of turning A into a number…until I read this:
When the brain senses danger from a perceived stress, it releases stress hormones and the flow of information to the pre-frontal cortex, where rational thinking and emotional regulation take place is impaired…If children go to school stressed, they won;t be able to engage, absorb, or retain information. In fact, research has shown that chronic stress can shrink th hippocampus, the part of the brain that holds memory.
One of the most inspiring points in this book is about teaching old dogs new tricks- turns out, it i possible. And that’s great news. The shaping of the brain, or neurogenesis occurs well into our 70’s. Another interesting fact? Learning enhances neurogenesis and stress inhibits it.
We can change the structure of our adult brains and even our behavior at whatever age we are just by intentionally focusing our attention. just as an injured brain adapts by mapping out new neural pathways, so brain circuits for the regulation of emotion and attention are “malleable by the environment and are potential targets of training” (Davidson, Richard). it is so empowering to know that we can create whole new pathways to better choices and happier feelings at almost any age. We don’t have to be victims of unhealthy mental habits from the past, especially not when we are teaching ourselves and our children new tricks
This information and the way that it is discusses is one of the reasons I really love this book. It’s like Cliff’s notes for the usually epic novel referred to as”How to not repeat the unhealthy mental health and negative, reactive behavior cycle.”
A few of the other fine nuggets of discussion in the beginning of this book address technology -mainly working to turn it off more, go outside, and explore- as well as its addictive properties, and how to help your children deal with, respect, and process their emotions.
Until next week’ review I leave you with this…
A peaceful, happy child is the first step to a peaceful, happy world
Hi There! Welcome to Lil’ First Friday! Over the past month I’ve been finding some really inspiring projects for kids to create, as well as some really unique ways to use and display art that children have created. Soooo, I’ve decided to switch things up from the normal single featured artist post and showcase some of these creative project ideas. let’s get started!
I spotted this awesome wall art on Etsy and I think it would make an amazingly fun art project for children…and some awesome wall art as well.
I think this is one of the coolest ways I’ve seen to display children’s art. What a great project to do together… would also make a great Mother’s or Father’s day gift for kid’s to put together with a parent. Simply scan in children’s art then print it out at a smaller scale, place prints behind a cut-out photo mat and frame. Viola!
How beautiful is this??? A mobile made from children’s art. This would be a wonderful project for a child to create with a parent for the arrival of a new sibling, cousin, or friend’s baby.
Now, I ask you: how excited would a little critter be if you made his or her art work glow??? Kids love when grown-ups show appreciation for their creativity in sincere ways that help them know you really like and value what they have created. These are made by drawing on parchment paper and then wrapping the drawing around simple glass votives. (For grown-up use when lit, obviously)
Finally, we have this super cool project and display idea. Have your children create individual portraits of family members and then hang them all together to create a totally unique family portrait wall. LOVE!
I hope you guys found some inspiration here for creating and displaying children’s artwork. I know I did, and I can’t wait to get started…I have a little while to wait as my little bud has just started holding crayons…and still kinda thinks they are a snack. But as soon as he stops trying to eat the art supplies, I’m totally making all of these!
P.S. Stop by next Sunday for Second Sunday book review where I’ll be sharing the first of a three part review on 10 Mindful Minutes. See you then!
Welcome to Lil’First Friday at Mommy Brainer! This month’s featured artist is Ashley percival. Percival’s prints are the perfect combination of whimsical cleverness and fun. They really call to mind that carefree and imaginative feeling that exists in childhood. And while his prints are marketed for little ones, I would gladly hang these all over the rest of my home as well. Have a look!
How adorable are these? I want all of them…and there are A Lot. Find more information about the artist on the Featured Artist page and check out more of Ashley Percival’s illustrations HERE.
Have a great weekend! Be sure to stop by next Sunday for our featured children’s literature selection on Second Sunday Book Review.
Good Evening! As I was out and about in the interwebs this evening I came across this artist. His name is Adam Record. And, as his ‘about’ page says, he likes to draw. I think maybe he loves to draw-sometimes you can just tell. He creates these super fantastic pieces of art for little guys and gals. Click on the Fall Down Tree Logo to check more stuff out!
