It's a wet nasty day here in the Hudson Valley, but that's not going to bring me down. After a quick run in the rain, I'm ready to deliver for you. Now that the holidays are here we often get busier than ever. Running from school event to school event, The infamous work party to friends parties, to shopping and getting our nails, hair done to look our best for those we love. (ok, not me) With all this madness, don't let the holidays pass you by without remembering the reason you decided to start a family. Allow yourself to go back to the roots of your relationship. Spending time with loved ones, visiting family and friends that you have not seen in awhile, partaking in special fun activities with your children to carrying on traditions or starting new ones. Whatever your cup of cheer is just do it with your family.
As my oldest is now 11 it really hits home to how fast the years are flying by. I have loved them all and hope you do as well.
Happy Holidays
Todd
PS: Looking for that last minute gift to give to a loved one. If so then don't miss out on giving the gift that will give back day after day. And to think it will cost you less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks. SO STOP READING and click below for your copy of Three Step Parenting. located on the right hand side of the page. Only $2.99 during the time of giving.
http://threestepparenting.blogspot.com/
Are you still reading, go now and enjoy your holidays that much more.
http://threestepparenting.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 21, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
It's Friday!! Friday!!
Gotta get down on Friday!!
It's a beautiful Friday here in the Hudson Valley and after just finishing a feel great trail run, I'm ready to get down to business.
Today is all about not beating yourself up as a parent.
For example: You wake up and start preparing for the day. You have outfits laid out, breakfast on the stove, your prompting your children to get ready, they are responding well and then it happens. Your youngest spills juice all over the breakfast table, If that's not bad enough, the juice spills on 2 of your children ruining their outfit for the day. Back to the closets to find new outfits, the bathroom to wash off the sticky and now you are running behind to get your children to school, you to work and your day is now beginning to feel like a rush. At the worst times we all know that feeling all to well.
The moral of the story is sometimes you can do everything right and the end result is just not what you were expecting or hoping. This type of scenario happens to parents all the time. Don't beat yourself up over it. Children are always learning and following examples of their parents, teachers etc. By not sweating the small stuff your child will learn and pick up on that message as well. Twenty years from now are you going to remember being late to drop them off at school that one time or is your boss going to remember you were 10 minutes late to work. Probably not.
Be patient and enjoy the time you have being a parent. The end result will be much more rewarding to all parties involved.
To a beautiful weekend coming up.
Todd
It's a beautiful Friday here in the Hudson Valley and after just finishing a feel great trail run, I'm ready to get down to business.
Today is all about not beating yourself up as a parent.
For example: You wake up and start preparing for the day. You have outfits laid out, breakfast on the stove, your prompting your children to get ready, they are responding well and then it happens. Your youngest spills juice all over the breakfast table, If that's not bad enough, the juice spills on 2 of your children ruining their outfit for the day. Back to the closets to find new outfits, the bathroom to wash off the sticky and now you are running behind to get your children to school, you to work and your day is now beginning to feel like a rush. At the worst times we all know that feeling all to well.
The moral of the story is sometimes you can do everything right and the end result is just not what you were expecting or hoping. This type of scenario happens to parents all the time. Don't beat yourself up over it. Children are always learning and following examples of their parents, teachers etc. By not sweating the small stuff your child will learn and pick up on that message as well. Twenty years from now are you going to remember being late to drop them off at school that one time or is your boss going to remember you were 10 minutes late to work. Probably not.
Be patient and enjoy the time you have being a parent. The end result will be much more rewarding to all parties involved.
To a beautiful weekend coming up.
Todd
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tips from Todd
It is a sunny Fall day here in New York and I'm ready to deliver some great advice.
Do you often find yourself repeating commands at your children. Do this!! Do that!! with no response at all. Asking five times within 5 minutes. If so try this Nifty little tip. 1. Make sure you have your child's full attention. 2. Make eye contact. 3. Verbalize your directions on what it is you need your child to do. 4. Set the kitchen timer or any timer available for 3 to 5 minutes. 5. Do nothing until the timer goes off.
Children as well as adults often need a time period to process the information delivered to them. This technique will take the pressure off of you harping and put success or failure on your child. Practice this when you have enough time to discuss what it is you are doing. Never practice when you are already in a rush. After 8 to 10 times of practice and delivering you will find success.
Todd
Do you often find yourself repeating commands at your children. Do this!! Do that!! with no response at all. Asking five times within 5 minutes. If so try this Nifty little tip. 1. Make sure you have your child's full attention. 2. Make eye contact. 3. Verbalize your directions on what it is you need your child to do. 4. Set the kitchen timer or any timer available for 3 to 5 minutes. 5. Do nothing until the timer goes off.
Children as well as adults often need a time period to process the information delivered to them. This technique will take the pressure off of you harping and put success or failure on your child. Practice this when you have enough time to discuss what it is you are doing. Never practice when you are already in a rush. After 8 to 10 times of practice and delivering you will find success.
Todd
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Good Morning
GOOD MORNING!!!
Finally, a great sun shiny day here in New York, With another action packed weekend with fun I will make this tip short and sweet.
This may sound like an easy tip, but not always so. With that being said today's tip is to Wake Up With A Positive Attitude.
Greet each member of your family as they wake up with a smile, a hug and a GOOD MORNING Greeting!
This may not always be easy to do when your child comes in your room each morning at 6am, when you would much rather have a 6:30 wake up call!
I realized this the hard way as my very happy, eager to start his day son would constantly come in our room so happy to see his parents and was greeted by cranky, miserable parents. After much discussion between us we really felt awful about greeting (or lack of), our son this way - was this really how we wanted our son to feel first thing in the morning? We have compromised by allowing our son to come cuddle with us for a couple minutes before we head downstairs to start the day and we all feel much better about beginning the day!
Keep Smiling
Todd
Finally, a great sun shiny day here in New York, With another action packed weekend with fun I will make this tip short and sweet.
This may sound like an easy tip, but not always so. With that being said today's tip is to Wake Up With A Positive Attitude.
Greet each member of your family as they wake up with a smile, a hug and a GOOD MORNING Greeting!
This may not always be easy to do when your child comes in your room each morning at 6am, when you would much rather have a 6:30 wake up call!
I realized this the hard way as my very happy, eager to start his day son would constantly come in our room so happy to see his parents and was greeted by cranky, miserable parents. After much discussion between us we really felt awful about greeting (or lack of), our son this way - was this really how we wanted our son to feel first thing in the morning? We have compromised by allowing our son to come cuddle with us for a couple minutes before we head downstairs to start the day and we all feel much better about beginning the day!
Keep Smiling
Todd
Thursday, September 6, 2012
School's in
With school back in session, what are you teaching your children. Children learn by example so what are you you saying with your daily living. Do you show your children that reading is important by reading yourself? Do you show the importance of being prepared, by being prepared yourself? Do you follow a routine and structure that sets you up for success? If you answered yes, than great you are doing great!! If not, it is never too late to start something new. We are always asking our children to try new things, (like new foods, new activities, etc) so why not lead by example.
Hoping all have a terrific school year.
Todd
PS: please share comments, things that are working etc. It takes a village to raise children.
Hoping all have a terrific school year.
Todd
PS: please share comments, things that are working etc. It takes a village to raise children.
Monday, May 21, 2012
TRY TO IGNORE THIS!
Good morning, After deciding to extend our trip a day, I'm writing from Cape Cod where the weather has been terrific.
One of the biggest mistakes I see parents make is not addressing problems as they arise. They know these problems exist and that they are issues that are building, then they as parents will discuss these problems to other parents and then after all that, they will dismiss the issue as "my child is just going through something or they will grow out of it". If this is you then keep reading.
My experience tells me that all issues should be addressed. If you are dismissing the issues because you are worried of making a mistake or giving bad advice, stop worrying and start addressing. Think about this. If you are not giving your child advice on how to deal with problems or behavior then who is?
Their friends? Television shows? Reality TV? Come on, you know that these places of getting advice are not as good as what you are able to give and teach. Jump in there and start talking to your children.
Problems can not be ignored and must be addressed. The sooner you address it, the smaller that problem will be. The longer you wait, you are only digging a bigger hole.
So, if you have been putting something off, today is the day to tackle that issues.
To a great week ahead,
Todd
PS: Love to hear your comments on this subject. Post away.
One of the biggest mistakes I see parents make is not addressing problems as they arise. They know these problems exist and that they are issues that are building, then they as parents will discuss these problems to other parents and then after all that, they will dismiss the issue as "my child is just going through something or they will grow out of it". If this is you then keep reading.
My experience tells me that all issues should be addressed. If you are dismissing the issues because you are worried of making a mistake or giving bad advice, stop worrying and start addressing. Think about this. If you are not giving your child advice on how to deal with problems or behavior then who is?
Their friends? Television shows? Reality TV? Come on, you know that these places of getting advice are not as good as what you are able to give and teach. Jump in there and start talking to your children.
Problems can not be ignored and must be addressed. The sooner you address it, the smaller that problem will be. The longer you wait, you are only digging a bigger hole.
So, if you have been putting something off, today is the day to tackle that issues.
To a great week ahead,
Todd
PS: Love to hear your comments on this subject. Post away.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Last Day!!
After seeing the cutest performance from my son as a cowboy this morning and looking forward to a great 4th grade concert tonight I will make this short.
In my position as the director of a residential program so many people are amazed at how quickly I am able to form a bond and gain control of children who have been out of control for so long.
My secret!!! Consistency. By the end of two weeks, children know exactly where they stand and that what I say is fair and consistent. I'm not talking about the type of leadership that is my way or the highway, but when it comes to rules and what's right sticking to them. While their is always wiggle room within rules, those exceptions should not be often.
The second part is that I always try take the time (when necessary) to explain why things are the way they are. We as parents must remember that if we want our children to turn out great then we must lead by being great. Role modeling goes a long way.
Happy Role Modeling.
Todd
PS: Today is the last day to sign up for summer parenting at the discounted price. Tomorrow the price goes up.
Click here to register.
http://threestepparenting.blogspot.com/p/parenting-from-theinside-out-take.html
In my position as the director of a residential program so many people are amazed at how quickly I am able to form a bond and gain control of children who have been out of control for so long.
My secret!!! Consistency. By the end of two weeks, children know exactly where they stand and that what I say is fair and consistent. I'm not talking about the type of leadership that is my way or the highway, but when it comes to rules and what's right sticking to them. While their is always wiggle room within rules, those exceptions should not be often.
The second part is that I always try take the time (when necessary) to explain why things are the way they are. We as parents must remember that if we want our children to turn out great then we must lead by being great. Role modeling goes a long way.
Happy Role Modeling.
Todd
PS: Today is the last day to sign up for summer parenting at the discounted price. Tomorrow the price goes up.
Click here to register.
http://threestepparenting.blogspot.com/p/parenting-from-theinside-out-take.html
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