Link Love: Solutions for Dealing with Anger

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We are thrilled to have family in town visiting, so I’m taking a little vacation time (we’re touring Florida and spent a wonderful day here yesterday). So today I just wanted to share a great article that I thought was very helpful.

6 Peaceful Solutions for Hitting and Anger

I’m always looking for better ways to teach and discipline my children (one of the mothering areas I’ve always felt a little clueless about) and this article had some great suggestions. Distraction has seemed to be the most effective tool at our house, but I was thankful for the reminder of the importance of modeling appropriate ways to deal with anger or frustration. I think I’ll also suggest hand clapping the next time little hands feel the urge to hit. Go read the article here at Simple Kids.

"Be not weary in well-doing"

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“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
D&C 64:33

Wasn’t General Conference wonderful? I’ve been thinking a lot about this scripture that was referenced in Elder Bednar’s talk. Sometimes in the minute details of being a mother I lose sight of the grander scheme of things. But this was a good reminder that even while changing diapers and wiping runny noses and reading stories, I am doing an important work.

I’m looking forward to studying and pondering all of the talks as they become available in the Ensign. I heard much that can be applied to my essential role as a mother!

Foiled again-we’re not nature walking today

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This illness is working it’s way through our family. The Ant Bug is mostly recovered (just on medication for an ear infection), but the Sweet Bee has had a runny nose and cough for the last few days, along with a fever off and on (she’s at 100 degrees this morning). And now I’m getting the symptoms too, even though I always say “mothers aren’t allowed to get sick. They have too much to do!”

So we’ll be staying home today, and hopefully we will all be healthy soon! Go ahead without us and enjoy the park, and we’ll try again in a few weeks.

Friday Nature Walk–Round 2

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Ready to give our Friday Nature Walk another try? Here are the details for this weeks adventure.

When: Friday, October 2, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Cofrin Nature Park, 4810 NW 8th Avenue
Driving Directions: From NW 34th St, turn left on NW 8th St. The park will be on the right, and the entrance is right before the tennis courts.
What to bring: Drinking water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
Things to note: Park includes a fun playground and picnic tables. Walking trail is a dirt path, so strollers are not advised.

*Disclaimer: My girls have been in varying stages of illness this week (between coughs and runny noses and ear infections). I’m optimistic that we will all be healthy and raring to go on Friday. But if we get struck ill with something else, I’ll do a quick post on Friday morning to let you know we won’t be heading to the park. So check back Friday morning, and if you don’t hear from me, I’ll see you at Cofrin at 10 am!

Another note: There will be no nature walk on October 9th. With family in town, we’ll be doing a little vacationing that week!

Preparing for General Conference (with children in mind)

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Some timely counsel by President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“I invite you to listen, listen if you will by the power of the Spirit, to the speakers who will address you [in General Conference]. If you will do so, I do not hesitate to promise that you will be uplifted, your resolution to do what is right will be stronger, you will find solutions to your problems and your needs, and you will be led to thank the Lord for what you have heard” (source).

Are you ready for General Conference? I’ve still got some work to do. Here are some of the things I’m doing to prepare, so my family can get the most out of General Conference.

We had a special Family Home Evening lesson this week to prepare our children for conference weekend. The Ant Bug asked if we are going to play the “game where we listen for words (“temples” or “faith” of “Jesus Christ”, etc) and get to eat a candy (skittles or M&Ms) when we hear the word?” Obviously this game made an impression on her! You can get the key words file in this document.

As always, Sugardoodle.net is the place to look for General Conference helps. One of my favorites is the General Authority ties which has been updated and can be found here.
These Apostle Cards are something new I’m trying this round. They have pictures and basic facts about each apostle (did you know President Monson can wiggle his ears?), and as soon as I get them laminated tomorrow we’re going to start talking about them . During the sessions we’ll use them to play “Match the speaker”.

This activity worked really well last April, so we’ll be repeating it. Remove the poster from the most recent conference Ensign. Hang it on the wall, and then the children get to put a sticker on the picture of whoever is speaking.

The Church has put together a General Conference Notebook for activities to do before, during, and after General Conference (it’s on the right hand side of the page). It’s a great journal keeping tool for older children.

I’m also rounding up toilet paper rolls to make miniature versions of the Prophet Spyglass.

With both of my girls in varying stages of illness this week, I didn’t feel comfortable bringing them along to my Visiting Teaching appointments (yes, I know we are last minute–we’re working on that!). When I saw this idea for a conference goodie bag I thought it would be perfect for the sisters I visit.
This is what the note says:

Just POPPING (popcorn) by to wish you a meaningful conference weekend. Sit back, relax and SOAK (lotion) it all in. Hope you learn something EXTRA (gum) and take NOTE (notepad) when you feel the spirit. Enjoy!

Love,
(Your name here)

I think I’ll use some of those same items in a basket for my girls!

Looking for more? Check out my General Conference posts from the past. You can find some great coloring pages and activity packets here.

Preparing for General Conference–With Children (Spring 2009)
General Conference Activity Packets (Fall 2008)

The valor of a mother

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“Surely we need not look far to see the unnoticed and forgotten heroes of daily life…I am referring to the uncommon valor of the mother who—hour after hour, day and night—will stay with and care for a sick child…I am speaking of those who are always there to love and nurture.”

Howard W. Hunter, “True Greatness,” Ensign, May 1982, 19

Wear a flower in your hair

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Think this just looks like a nice assortment of flowers?
Look again. They are really flower clips!

Flower clips for little girls have been popular for quite some time now, and I finally found a great tutorial on how to make my own. I was thrilled at how amazingly simple they are: just a hot glue gun-no sewing!

I picked up my flowers on sale at Michael’s last week, then spent a fun girls night with my best friend putting them together.

The Ant Bug was thrilled to see them and has worn one every day this week.
The Sweet Bee doesn’t keep hers in for long, but that’s to be expected from a nearly two-year old.
Would you like to make your own? Visit Being Frugal is Fabulous for her tutorial on Flower Clips For Little (And Big) Girls Hair.

While you’re there you might also check out her recipe for homemade refried beans. I’ve been using her recipe for a few months now with good success. Pretty easy, pretty cheap, and much healthier than a can!

Sadly, no nature walk for us after all.

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Alas, even the best-laid plans of a mother are easily foiled.

The Ant Bug has come down with croupy-sounding cough and a fever over 100 degrees. So, needless to say…we won’t be taking a nature walk tomorrow. Feel free to go ahead without us (let me know how it goes!), and we’ll try again next week.

What Matters Most

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“Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

“Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. “

Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 84–87

You’re Invited: Join me for a weekly nature walk

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After reading this book, I’ve been thinking of ways that my children and I can get more nature time outside. I’ve decided to start a weekly nature walk/park visit and I’m inviting you to join me! Unfortunately, you probably have to live in Florida to participate, but if you don’t maybe you can start a group in your area?!

Here are the details:

When: Friday mornings, starting at 10 a.m.
Where: Various nature parks located in and around Gainesville, Florida
Who is invited: Moms and kids who want to have fun outdoors. I imagine the age range for kids will be from 0-5, since most older children will be in school.
What to bring: Water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
I’m not planning on strenuous hiking here, and the pace will likely be slow to allow for the participation of little legs. The point is to enjoy some time in the sunshine, exploring our world. Many of the parks also have a playground, so we will likely spend some time there as well.

Here are the details for our first adventure:

When: Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Alfred A. Ring Park, 1801 NW 23rd Boulevard (Parking at Elks Lodge).
Driving Directions: From NW 13th Street, turn left on NW 23rd Ave. Park at the Elks Lodge, which will be on the left.
Things to note: Park includes bathrooms, picnic tables, small playground. Walking trail is mostly dirt, so strollers are not advised.

So strap the baby on your back and load up the kids. Hopefully I’ll see you there! Everyone is welcome, so invite your friends! (Let me know if you plan to attend so I can keep an eye out for you.)