sugar free

A thought-provoking book about agendas & politics & how they trickle into education, media, & our culture.

Looking to protect traditional values & parental rights, Marybeth Hicks gives notice through example & intellect as to why parents should pay attention.

Interesting points from book:

• socialism is easily instilled in children due to their limited understanding of justice
• the public costs of family breakdown among working class & poor communities exceed $112 billion/year (pg. 28)
• “America’s children are learning an entirely backward interpretation of separation of church & state – not that we are freely religious, but that our nation is meant to be religious-free”
• political messages in television shows…entertaining, yes…conversation openers, YES
• “The real cause of bullying is not intolerance for people who are different.  It is a lack of conscience & character in the hearts & souls of our children.”

Additional resources offered:

1. www.parentalrights.org
2. www.charactercounts.org
3. www.parentstv.org

“Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.”  ~ C.S. Lewis

check points

Yesterday, a friend (hi, Deb!) shared an awesome parenting tip regarding activity decision-making.  The reference was to sports, but the concept can be applied across the board for many age groups.

Ask the following three questions:

1. Is he/she learning?
2. Is he/she improving?
3. Is he/she having fun?

Short, sweet, substantial.  Love it!  Do you have any quick parenting tips to share?

“God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.”  ~ P.D. James

quoi?

A new book is out, purportedly about how French parents’ parenting is, in some ways, superior to Americans’.  (Bringing Up Bebe:  One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting  by Pamela Druckerman)

controversial laced generalizations = press = sales traffic   Capice?

Here’s where parents get into trouble:  comparing & competition

Take what you want out of parenting books, trust your instincts, & pray.

My top parenting tips:

• be consistent
• spend toooonnnnssss of time together
• love, hugs, love, hugs, love
• share dinner together
• make home a sanctuary of peace, enthusiasm, exploration, creativity & relaxation

“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.”  ~Robert Fulghum