 Busy parents want confident kids. But pushing leadership can sound like raising a tiny CEO. That's the tension: parents need to build early childhood skills without turning parenting into pressure. The good news is that child leadership development doesn't start on a stage or a team roster. It starts in ordinary moments where kids practice voice, responsibility, and teamwork. The habits begin at home. Quick Answers for Calm, Confident Leadership Growth  Still hitting a few bumps in the road? Try these quick tune-up checks.  Q: How can parents lead by example to inspire leadership in their children? A: Let your child see you stay steady under stress. Narrate your plan, name your feeling, then take one small action. Apologize quickly when you snap, because repair teaches real authority.  Q: What are practical ways to encourage independence without overwhelming kids? A: Offer two safe options, not a wide-open menu. Start with small pilots like packing a snack or setting a timer. Add one new responsibility only after a week of smooth landings.  Q: How does goal-setting help children build confidence? A: Goals turn "I don't know" into a map. Define one clear target, the next step, and when you will check in. Celebrate progress even after setbacks so uncertainty doesn't hijack motivation.  Q: What strategies help teach cooperation and conflict resolution at home? A: Use a simple rule: one speaker, one listener, then swap and summarize. If emotions run hot, pause five minutes and return to "What do we need?" It shifts kids from scoring points to solving problems.  Q: How can I balance parenting and personal growth without burning out? A: Start by finding a study rhythm that fits your real life. That might mean a few nights a week or one consistent hour after bedtime. Online degree programs make this easier than ever. Whether you're exploring healthcare degrees online or fields like early childhood education, flexible programs are built around real schedules. More than half of all college students took at least one class online in 2022, largely because flexible learning meets people where they are. Build a routine that works for you, and carve out two small moments each week where your child leads something. Both of you grow at the same time. Let Your Child Lead One Small Challenge This Week  Raising a confident kid does not require a system. It requires showing up consistently and letting them take the wheel more than feels comfortable. Keep offering real choices and treating mistakes as practice. Pick one small adventure this week where they lead start to finish: a meal, an outing, a little project. That handoff, repeated over time, builds more than confidence. It builds the kind of kid who knows they can figure things out. Thanks go to Kurt Brown for this post and these great suggestions!  Kurt Brown knows that some of the best adventures happen off the beaten path. Unfortunately, those experiences are not always well-documented and, as a result, helpful information is not always easy to find. That’s why he created Travel Tip Tank. The website offers travel tips visitors won’t find anywhere else.
 Busy parents want confident kids. But pushing leadership can sound like raising a tiny CEO. That's the tension: parents need to build early childhood skills without turning parenting into pressure. The good news is that child leadership development doesn't start on a stage or a team roster. It starts in ordinary moments where kids practice voice, responsibility, and teamwork. The habits begin at home. Part 2: Pack These 6 Leadership Boosters into Your Week  Think of leadership like a weekend road trip. You don't need fancy gear. You just need a few solid items in your bag and the willingness to let your kid take some turns navigating. Here are six easy "packable" moves that build real leadership without turning your home into a boot camp. You don't have to tackle all six at once. Think of these as a weekly rotation. Pick one move, try it for a few days, and let it settle before adding another. Busy parents who start with just one see real results without the overwhelm. 1. Be the Tour Guide First (Lead by Example):  Pick one visible leadership behavior to model this week. Stay calm when plans change, apologize quickly, or finish a task you started. Say it out loud: "I'm frustrated, so I'm taking a breath before I answer." Kids learn that leadership is self-control and follow-through. You teach it before any big talk. 2. Hand Them a "Mini Passport" (Encourage Independence):  Give your child one job they can own end-to-end for seven days. Packing their school bag, feeding a pet, or setting out tomorrow's clothes all work. Your role is the safety net, not the pilot. Let them try, notice what went wrong, and fix it. Independence builds "I can handle this" confidence. 3. Set Kid-Sized Checkpoints (Goal-Setting for Children):  Choose one small goal with a clear finish line. Reading three pages or putting toys in one bin before bed both count. Make it visible: write it on a sticky note and let your kid check it off. The win is learning to plan and stick with something. 4. Run One "Team Mission" (Teaching Cooperation):  Once this week, do a two-person task that requires coordination. Cook a simple snack, build a puzzle, or clean one room together. Assign roles: "You're in charge of supplies, I'm in charge of timing," then switch halfway. Cooperation teaches that leaders listen, share credit, and adjust.  5. Use the "Own It + Fix It" Rule (Responsibility & Accountability): When something goes sideways, skip the lecture. Ask two questions: "What happened?" and "What's your plan to fix it?" Help them choose one repair action. This turns mistakes into leadership reps: taking responsibility without shame.  6. Offer Two Good Routes (Decision-Making Skills): Give controlled choices daily. "Homework before or after snack?" or "Which two veggies should we buy?" Add one judgment question: "What might happen if you pick that?" This builds real decision-making while keeping the boundaries safe. Thank you, Kurt Brown, for this post and these great suggestions!  Kurt Brown knows that some of the best adventures happen off the beaten path. Unfortunately, those experiences are not always well-documented and, as a result, helpful information is not always easy to find. That’s why he created Travel Tip Tank. The website offers travel tips visitors won’t find anywhere else. Tomorrow: 5 questions/answers to help you build leadership skills in your kids. Plus, a challenge.
 Busy parents want confident kids. But pushing leadership can sound like raising a tiny CEO. That's the tension: parents need to build early childhood skills without turning parenting into pressure. The good news is that child leadership development doesn't start on a stage or a team roster. It starts in ordinary moments where kids practice voice, responsibility, and teamwork. The habits begin at home. Part 1: What Leadership Looks Like in Kids Leadership in children is not bossiness or barking orders. It is the ability to speak up, listen, and help a group move forward with kindness. Parents shape these traits by what they model and what they allow.  Kids who practice leadership build confidence, patience, and teamwork. These carry into school and friendships. They also matter on rough mornings and tricky social moments. Picture a family hike where one child holds the map but still checks in about the pace. That is leadership: guiding, adjusting, and keeping the group together. With that picture in mind, simple at-home moves start feeling obvious and doable. Part 2: Pack These 6 Leadership Boosters into Your Week  Think of leadership like a weekend road trip. You don't need fancy gear. You just need a few solid items in your bag and the willingness to let your kid take some turns navigating. Here are six easy "packable" moves that build real leadership without turning your home into a boot camp. You don't have to tackle all six at once. Think of these as a weekly rotation. Pick one move, try it for a few days, and let it settle before adding another. Busy parents who start with just one see real results without the overwhelm. 1. Be the Tour Guide First (Lead by Example):  Pick one visible leadership behavior to model this week. Stay calm when plans change, apologize quickly, or finish a task you started. Say it out loud: "I'm frustrated, so I'm taking a breath before I answer." Kids learn that leadership is self-control and follow-through. You teach it before any big talk. 2. Hand Them a "Mini Passport" (Encourage Independence):  Give your child one job they can own end-to-end for seven days. Packing their school bag, feeding a pet, or setting out tomorrow's clothes all work. Your role is the safety net, not the pilot. Let them try, notice what went wrong, and fix it. Independence builds "I can handle this" confidence. 3. Set Kid-Sized Checkpoints (Goal-Setting for Children):  Choose one small goal with a clear finish line. Reading three pages or putting toys in one bin before bed both count. Make it visible: write it on a sticky note and let your kid check it off. The win is learning to plan and stick with something. 4. Run One "Team Mission" (Teaching Cooperation):  Once this week, do a two-person task that requires coordination. Cook a simple snack, build a puzzle, or clean one room together. Assign roles: "You're in charge of supplies, I'm in charge of timing," then switch halfway. Cooperation teaches that leaders listen, share credit, and adjust.  5. Use the "Own It + Fix It" Rule (Responsibility & Accountability): When something goes sideways, skip the lecture. Ask two questions: "What happened?" and "What's your plan to fix it?" Help them choose one repair action. This turns mistakes into leadership reps: taking responsibility without shame.  6. Offer Two Good Routes (Decision-Making Skills): Give controlled choices daily. "Homework before or after snack?" or "Which two veggies should we buy?" Add one judgment question: "What might happen if you pick that?" This builds real decision-making while keeping the boundaries safe. Quick Answers for Calm, Confident Leadership Growth  Still hitting a few bumps in the road? Try these quick tune-up checks.  Q: How can parents lead by example to inspire leadership in their children? A: Let your child see you stay steady under stress. Narrate your plan, name your feeling, then take one small action. Apologize quickly when you snap, because repair teaches real authority.  Q: What are practical ways to encourage independence without overwhelming kids? A: Offer two safe options, not a wide-open menu. Start with small pilots like packing a snack or setting a timer. Add one new responsibility only after a week of smooth landings.  Q: How does goal-setting help children build confidence? A: Goals turn "I don't know" into a map. Define one clear target, the next step, and when you will check in. Celebrate progress even after setbacks so uncertainty doesn't hijack motivation.  Q: What strategies help teach cooperation and conflict resolution at home? A: Use a simple rule: one speaker, one listener, then swap and summarize. If emotions run hot, pause five minutes and return to "What do we need?" It shifts kids from scoring points to solving problems.  Q: How can I balance parenting and personal growth without burning out? A: Start by finding a study rhythm that fits your real life. That might mean a few nights a week or one consistent hour after bedtime. Online degree programs make this easier than ever. Whether you're exploring healthcare degrees online or fields like early childhood education, flexible programs are built around real schedules. More than half of all college students took at least one class online in 2022, largely because flexible learning meets people where they are. Build a routine that works for you, and carve out two small moments each week where your child leads something. Both of you grow at the same time. Let Your Child Lead One Small Challenge This Week  Raising a confident kid does not require a system. It requires showing up consistently and letting them take the wheel more than feels comfortable. Keep offering real choices and treating mistakes as practice. Pick one small adventure this week where they lead start to finish: a meal, an outing, a little project. That handoff, repeated over time, builds more than confidence. It builds the kind of kid who knows they can figure things out. Thanks go to Kurt Brown for this post and these great suggestions!  Kurt Brown knows that some of the best adventures happen off the beaten path. Unfortunately, those experiences are not always well-documented and, as a result, helpful information is not always easy to find. That’s why he created Travel Tip Tank. The website offers travel tips visitors won’t find anywhere else
Did you watch the Milan Olympics? They ended on February 22. I admired many athletes, but only one became my hero, Alysa Liu. Why Alysa? She’s incredible! At age 13, she became the youngest American National Champion. At 16, she retired. She said skating wasn’t fun anymore, that all her choices were controlled by her father and coaches. Teenagers crave independence, and Alysa did too.  At 18, only eighteen months later, Alysa returned to skating. She missed it but needed control of things like music and costumes. After taking time off to be a teenager, to make her own choices, Alysa was ready to challenge herself again. At 20, she won Olympic Gold, her way. I admire someone so young, so talented, making choices based on experience. Mistakes happen whenever we try something new. It’s part of the process. It’s part of being human for all of us, and for Alysa too. Alysa’s Past This is China’s Tiananmen Square on June 2, 1989. Alysa wasn’t born until 2005, so this is her father Arthur's story.  Student protesting at Tiananmen Square on 2 June 1989 Arthur joined the pro-democracy movement. He organized college students in protests and hunger strikes that spread across Beijing during May of 1989. By June 5, the Chinese government forced its military to crush all protest. They even used tanks on their own citizens. Arthur escaped China by coming to the United States as a political refugee. Would you believe Arthur and Alysa had spies watching them back in November of 2021? China wanted her to skate for them during the Beijing Olympics, and they tried spying to make it happen.  They used their “naturalization project” to convince athletes and their families to compete for China. When a man called asking for the Liu’s passport numbers, Arthur hung up and contacted the FBI. He knew US Figure Skating never made those kinds of calls. The FBI took the case seriously, met with Alysa, and gave her more security during the Games. Alysa was happy with seventh place. A month later in March she came in third and won a bronze medal at the World Championships. Funny, in April Alysa retired. Now I understand more of her story.  1. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/father-of-american-figure-skating-hero-alysa-liu-confirms-our-suspicions/ar-AA1X4YTX?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=41c847f084a74d08fdc300b777ab2911&ei=16 2. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/sporting/a70022994/who-is-alysa-liu-dad-arthur/ 3. https://www.britannica.com/event/Tiananmen-Square-incident Alysa, Donna, Jimmy, and MacArthur Park The first photo was taken after Alysa won her gold medal thanks to “MacArthur Park” and Donna Summer. The second is Donna in a recording studio, but she was probably singing a different tune in 1977. “MacArthur Park” came out a year later. The week Alysa skated to “MacArthur Park,” it only had 12,000 listeners a day. It leaped to 139,000 by Sunday, just three days after her gold medal. That’s a 505% surge. Not bad for a song recorded 50 years ago!  So how did Alysa stumble across such an old song? Her coach and choreographer picked it, and Alysa loved it right away. “MacArthur Park” took her all the way to the gold medal at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championship. With the Olympics looming in 2026, Alysa needed a new program. This time she chose music from Lady Gaga. But when she tried it out in two competitions, she got mixed results. Alysa decided to return to “MacArthur Park” and give the choreography a few new twists. Watching Alysa skate to music she loved in that gold-spangled costume was magic! Everyone, including the Olympic judges agreed.  Meet Jimmy Webb, the man who wrote “MacArthur Park.” Before Alysa skated, he was nervous, then amazed to watch her give his old song new life. Afterwards Jimmy posted on Instagram how proud he was to be part of her inspiration. And what inspired Jimmy? The real MacArthur Park in Los Angelos! That’s where he met his girlfriend for lunch. Where they watched old men play checkers by the trees. When they broke up, Jimmy poured his anguish into a song. And into a cake that he never made, let alone left out in the rain. His song is definitely quirky. That’s probably what inspired Donna Summer to record it, and Alysa Liu to keep it for her 2026 gold medal performance. Tomorrow: What’s ahead for Alysa Liu  1. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/alysa-liu-s-olympic-gold-skate-sends-donna-summer-streams-soaring/ar-AA1WUBUa?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=a1263ef2288d4eed8f237a08a620e423&ei=14 2. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/macarthur-park-writer-jimmy-webb-finds-joy-in-alysa-liu-s-viral-skate/ar-AA1XaNNB?ocid=winp2fptaskbar&cvid=fb59e1885e36403f92178d3557799296&ei=5 And the Future After winning the gold medal, her first big decision was to pull out of the World Championships. Alysa wanted to perform; this would be the last time she’d see some of her fellow competitors. Her last chance to say goodbye.  But Alysa was honest with herself. With only a few weeks to train, she might not give her best performance. She’d already worked hard on the Lady Gaga program for the US Championships, but that only got her second place. That’s when Alysa and her team decided to switch back to MacArthur Park for the Olympics, and they had one month to get ready. After two months of constant pushing, I can see why Alysa needed a break. Time to breathe. To take opportunities that might never come again. Have you seen her at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party or the iHeartRadio Music awards? That’s where she gave Taylor Swift six awards. I’m glad Alysa’s having fun. At age 20, she deserves it!  I don’t need a crystal ball to know taking care of herself will be a priority in Alysa’s future. It’s been seven years since she became the youngest US Champion. She’s learned from experience when to listen to herself. and when to listen to others. In March Alysa took a break from skating and competition to rest up and try new things. When she returns next year, I think she’ll follow her post-retirement path. She’ll make decisions in her own interest. They won’t be perfect, but she’ll make them her way. 
Did you watch the Winter Olympics in Milan? I did—from breakfast until bedtime. The TV was background noise, but when something caught my attention, I stopped and watched.  I wanted to write about it then, but I was in the middle of another post. When the Olympics ended, I found some great articles I decided to write about. Here are the two source links for this post:
Part 1: The Seven Best Moments (Source #2), Plus My Comments #7. How the US Women’s Hockey Team Won Gold  The first line from the article said it wasn’t a surprise. I disagree. The US won the first six games by wide margins. They even beat Canada 5-0 in an earlier match. Canada has won 5 of the last 7 gold medal matches; the US, only 2. So after losing, I knew Canada would be out for blood, and gold. They were! With 2 minutes left, Canada led, 1-0. That’s when Hilary Knight scored the tying goal. I missed the game but watched the overtime. That’s when Megan Keller scored the gold medal winning goal. It was an incredible moment…watching the thrill of victory for the Americans, and the agony of defeat for the Canadians. #6. Jessie Diggins Skis Through 10 Kilometers of Rib Pain to Win a Bronze Medal  On the 2nd day of the Games, Jesse fell during the skiathlon and bruised her lower ribs. She pulled herself up, pushed through the pain, and still finished 8th in the event. Despite rib pain and trouble breathing, Jesse kept skiing. She refused to listen to the doctors. They said it could get worse. even cause long-term problems, but this was her last Olympics. Jesse competed in multiple events, including the individual sprints. This time she only made it to the quarterfinals. In her last race, Jesse took on the women’s 10 km freestyle. That’s about 6-1/4 miles. Imagine skiing each one struggling to breathe, with aching ribs, but Jesse pushed to the finish. Then like everyone else, she collapsed, exhausted. Jessie fought the pain, earning herself 3rd place and the bronze medal. #5. On His Last Olympic Run, Alex Ferreira Wins His First Gold Medal  This is Alex’s fourth Olympics. He’s already won bronze and silver, but Milan was his last chance to win gold in the halfpipe. He sat in fifth place after two runs. With one last try, he’d be lucky to medal. Winning gold—seemed out of reach. Then Alex laid down his best run ever…GOLD! How? He repeated the words he always says before take-off. “I am greatness, and this is my moment. I can feel it in my bone marrow.” This time Alex must have thrown his heart, his body, and his soul into that jump. It worked! #4. Elana Meyers Taylor Wins Gold—For Her Deaf Toddler Boys  At 41, Elana was entering her fifth Olympics in bobsled. She’s won five medals, but never gold. This time she did, by .04 or 4/100 of a second. That’s fast! How fast?! I tried starting my stopwatch and stopping it right away. The best I could do was .4 or 4/10 of a second. Too slow! At that rate I wouldn’t have medaled or been in the top ten. Try it! See how you do! Not only did Elana take home the gold, she’s now the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history. Impressive, but that’s not what really matters to her. Elana said, “Parenting my two sons with disabilities has done everything for me.” Winning medals doesn’t matter—being a mom does. The best part of winning, hugging and celebrating her golden moment with them, in real time. #3. Corinne Stoddard Posted About Falls—Then Stayed Up For Bronze  Have you ever fallen in front of the WHOLE world? Me, thankfully no. Corrinne Stoddard has…. a staggering 4 times during the Milan Olympics. After choking and falling so many times, Corrine wrote on Instagram how embarrassed she felt about handling her own expectations. NBC sports announcer Ted Robinson said anyone who’s raced short track has lived through falls, and what’s even worse—fear of them. Redemption came in her last race, the 1500 meter. Corinne not only stayed on her feet—she won bronze. Long before the Milan games, Corrine talked about her struggle with anxiety and insomnia. I’m so glad she had that last race, beat her fears, and medaled. Tomorrow: the top two events #2. Alysa Liu Skates the Program of Her Life  Imagine taking two years off because you burned out from skating; then coming back and winning the gold medal! That’s exactly what Alysa Liu did. It’s an impossible dream, but she made it look easy! Alysa is as unique as her hair. It’s fun, and that’s what she was missing. At age 13 she became the youngest World Champion skater ever, and 7 years later she quit. She couldn’t take the rigid structure— having a coach dictate her life. Teens hate that. Alysa lost sight of why she started skating. I’m glad she found her way back again and skated for herself, and for us too! Her performance, pure joy! #1. How the US Men’s Hockey Team Won Gold The men haven’t been dominant like the women’s team. They haven’t won gold since the Miracle on Ice game in 1980. I watched, and so did everyone in the country. It was a HUGE moment, American college kids beating the practically professional Soviet team. The 2026 game was on the last day of the Olympics, on the anniversary of the Miracle. I missed everything but overtime. Both teams, Canadian and American, skated like their national pride depended on it. Play was fast and furious!  I didn’t see Jack Hughes shoot the winning goal, or lose two teeth, but I saw the response. Every American player threw their stick up in joy. Then they all crashed into a Plexiglas wall. Thank goodness it stayed up! Then the camera turned toward the Canadians who just realized their medal would be silver. If you’d like to see images of Team USA, click the link below. There’s a photo that makes me tear up. Scan down and find two toddlers. Their father, Johnny Gaudreau, played with many on this squad, but two years ago he and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver. Johnny’s teammates didn’t forget. They hung his jersey in the Olympic locker room, and it’s in the photo alongside his toddlers. It was an incredible game for Team USA and an incredible photo for Johnny’s teammates and the Gaudreau family. Link https://www.si.com/winter-olympics/team-usa-gold-medal-mens-hockey-win-sports-illustrated-best-photos Another Source with a Different Opinion on the #1 Moment  Source #1 said this “was a sensational Olympics for the US by nearly every measure. But one stood out.” Can you tell it wasn’t the men’s hockey team, and that it was Alysa Liu?
They said it was an indelible moment, that Alysa broke the mold of what an ‘ice princess’ should be when she showed no sign of fear. She floated across the ice to “MacArthur Park”, looking as if every single moment was pure joy. Alysa proved that sports don’t have to be stressful or serious. MacArthur Park is a little silly but lots of fun. Like Alysa. I don’t know how she handled the pressure, but she inspired everyone with her skating. And by the choices she made to get here. To this Olympics and her first gold medal. Have you ever read a quote and realized it’s talking to you? It makes you feel better on a bad day and encourages you to keep trying.  I get emails from a website called Inspiring Quotes each day. Some speak to me; some don’t. I delete the ones that don’t and save the ones that do. Sometimes I share them with you. Would you believe my file of quotes is 141 pages long? I haven’t shared any for a while, so I decided to pick four and write about them. I hope they’ll speak to you too. If you click on any of the source links, you can get emails from Inspiring Quotes too. #1. A talent grows by being used, and withers if it is not used.  I’ve never thought of myself as talented, but I’ve always been a pretty good writer. Good enough to publish three books. How did I do it? By writing! Over twenty years, I began to write each day, and every year I wrote for longer and longer periods of time. I took classes and learned how to write a good story, whether it’s a picture book or middle grade. I found a critique group. We meet every week, and I listen to their advice. That’s how I finally wrote and published three books. It’s how I’m still growing as a writer.  So who said it? May Sarton She’s a prolific writer with 19 novels and 17 books of poetry to her credit. If you want to read the best of her writing, look for her journals and memoirs. May wrote “The House by the Sea” when she moved from New Hampshire to the coastline of Maine in 1973. It’s her personal account of the solitude, nature, and her creative process, and it’s where she connected writing to plants. They wither away without food, sun, and care. To grow as a writer, May realized she had to fuel and care for her writing each day. Source: https://inspiringquotes.com/quote/a-talent-grows-by-being-used-and-withers-if-it/ #2. Almost everything will work again, if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.  When I struggle with my computer, I click restart. That usually works! If it doesn’t, I call in my husband/tech support, and I still get a break. When words are my problem, I take a break! Sometimes I only need a few minutes. Sometimes I switch to another writing project. But if I’m still stuck, I take the night off. And in the morning, somehow, the words come. Thank goodness!  So who said it? Anne Lamott Anne’s writing is known for its self-deprecating humor, and it’s on display in this quote. Everything needs a break if it’s going to keep running. Any machine that’s used constantly will wear out sooner, and so will we. Source: https://inspiringquotes.com/quote/almost-everything-will-work-again-if-you-unplug-it-for/?lctg=c4d2fe5b-125d-41db-a63c-ea78909f2d82 #3. No idea is final.  So true! I pulled out 3 old picture book manuscripts that used to be submission ready. I spent about 4 weeks on each one. It’s funny…They were supposed to be ready, but in 2026 the characters and plots needed more revision. It’s also true for the first 3 chapters of my middle grade novel. I spent a little time on the other 7 last year, but week after week I polished the first 3. Adding details, pulling them out, over and over again. I thought in September I was close, but now in February of 2026, they’re all tighter, more polished, and I hope, almost done!  So who said it? Taika Waititi Taika is an actor, director, and writer from New Zealand. He believes the artistic process never ends. That it’s a conversation between him and his audience. It lets him look at his work from different perspectives and experiment with it. His method won him the 2020 Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for “Jojo Rabbit.” Source: https://inspiringquotes.com/quote/no-idea-is-final/?lctg=c4d2fe5b-125d-41db-a63c-ea78909f2d82 #4. My Motto for 2026: Keep on keeping on & Perseverance wins the crown.  This year I’m focused on moving forward and persevering with the things I’ve been building…my stories, blog posts, book reviews, videos, and newsletters. My goal is to see those stories published. So, I’ll keep on keeping on until the crown is won, and my stories are in the hands of readers.  So who said keep on keeping on? Martin Luther King Jr. According to the US Dictionary.com, he made it popular in a 1964 speech, but that quote has been around for a long time, long before World War I. It was also popular inside the African American community. Curtis Mayfield recorded it in a hit song in 1971. Bob Dylan used the phrase in “Tangled Up in Blue” in 1974. Source: https://usdictionary.com/idioms/keep-on-keeping-on/  So who said persistence wins the crown? The Apostle James, one of the disciples of Jesus
It’s biblical! Think James 1:12 ESV. Here’s how it’s written in the English Standard Version…“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A12&version=ESV Once a month I get to read aloud for Mrs. Brown’s fourth graders at Cridersville Elementary. I started the year with my favorite book, Neil Armstrong’s Wind Tunnel Dream. It was an easy pick!  For November and December, I looked first for a Thanksgiving picture book, then a Christmas one that her kids would love. Thank goodness I found both! In January Mrs. Brown’s class was reading about survival, and she asked for a picture book about it. I said sure, and this is where the search began… Part 1: The Search for Books:  My search started on the Ohio Digital Library website. When I read to classes on Zoom, I want the book to be the star, and the digital library always delivers a great read! Step 1: Click on the search bar. Then type ‘survival,’ and hit enter.  This came up on the left…Showing 1-24 of 1,888 results for survival. There’s no way I’m looking at all of them… So, I narrowed my search. Step 2: I scrolled down the left side, looking for Picture Books.  I checked Nonfiction first. It had1 title, but I didn’t pick it. So, I scrolled back up to Picture Book Fiction. I highlighted it for you. Do you see 15 titles? Bingo, I hit paydirt! I clicked. Look below and see what I found! Step 3: I click on every title that’s available and read the descriptions.  If I’m interested, I check out the book and flip through the pages. If I like it, I keep it. If I don’t, I return it. I wound up with 4 survival titles, but I can only read 1. Can you pick out THE Final 4? Tomorrow: Meet them, description by description Part 2: Meeting the Books  What the library said: It's time to go, but no one can find Hannah! That's because she's in the park with much to do. She needs to collect caterpillars and sticks, make a bow and arrow, and build a bed out of leaves. Deep in the shrubs, she sets up a secret hideout for herself and her companion, an Odd Furry Creature. Together, they hunker down over the campfire, lost in their own little world. But then a voice cuts through the branches and clearly says, "Where are you?" Hannah brushes off her paper, and the reader learns that Hannah was lost—not in the woods—but in her drawing. This dreamlike, lyrical picture book with shades of Where the Wild Things Are illustrates the power of imagination to transport us to new worlds. What I liked: Hannah and her park. Kids can easily imagine themselves stepping into Hannah’s shoes and sharing her adventure. My concern: Is the story big enough for kids to learn something new about survival?  What the library said: Rama and her family, are forced to flee their once-peaceful village to escape the ravages of the civil war raging ever closer to their home. With only what they can carry on their backs, Rama and her mother, father, grandfather and brother, Sami, set out to walk to freedom in Europe. This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, discovered by chance by Canadian children's writer Margriet Ruurs. The author was immediately impressed by the strong narrative quality of Mr. Badr's work, and, using many of Mr. Badr's already-created pieces, she set out to create a story about the Syrian refugee crisis. What I liked: The illustrations! They’re created with stones, and they’re incredible. The story is written in both English and Arabic, and it’s about a family escaping civil war in Syria to start a new life in Europe. My concern: Will kids understand the depth of this story?  What the library said: A 2018 Caldecott Honor Book that Kirkus Reviews calls "a must-read for our times," A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui's striking, evocative art paired with Phi's expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards. What I liked: The father and son going fishing together. How they work together to stay warm, to catch enough food to feed the family, and to stay connected to their home in Vietnam. My concern: This story is really quiet. Will it engage my audience? Can they imagine themselves in this story and take something away from it?  What the library said: When two scientists find themselves stranded on Iceland's newest volcanic island, Surtsey, they have to navigate fiery lava, fogged-up glasses, and dwindling supplies to survive until rescue arrives. Based on real life events, this action-packed book keeps readers guessing about the one surprising twist in the tale that's not entirely true. Endnotes include information about volcanoes, Icelandic culture, and Norse mythology. Perfect for young adventurers What I liked: A volcano erupting on an island. A man stuck, trying to survive, then escape. Exciting! My concern: This story is so unlike anything my audience has experienced. Part 3: Picking THE Book, x Two:  Did you pick this one? I didn’t when I pulled the other three titles. They had bigger themes to explore. From civil war to emigration to volcanic eruption, they all seemed more important. But the biggest thing to consider—the audience. Fourth graders are 9-10 years old. When I remembered that, The Hideout won. The illustrations are bright and colorful. They appeal to this age group. Fourth graders live in the here and now. They have bedrooms, and they’ve played in parks. It was easy for them to figure out what they’d need to survive in the illustrations. As for the other three, I read that kids don’t have the context adults have. If you mention Vietnam or 9/11, kids don’t know about them so reading and understanding books about them is harder. Who knew? I was on the right track after all! This week I had to pick another book for Mrs. Brown’s class. Can you guess which one I chose?  If you picked Mr. Goat’s Valentine, you’re right! The cover is bright and colorful, like The Hideout. And the story, it’s about a goat getting something for his first love. The class loved it!
And the other title, it came from my Saturday read aloud. It’s not as colorful, but it’s full of heart. Fran K. Stein (think Frankenstein) can only think of his Valentine, but that means his ghostly, monstrous, and witchy friends feel left out. The result, a plot that’s a Halloween-Valentine delight!  An article about 7 calming phrases for kids caught my attention, and I thought it might catch yours too. The words help parents handle tantrums by using understanding and empathy as tools to calm emotions. Then problems can be solved. It sounds a lot like Gentle Parenting, the technique many parents use. Here’s the link to that article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/i-ve-studied-over-200-kids-parents-who-are-really-good-at-handling-tantrums-use-7-calming-phrases/ar-AA1JOOxN?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=af1c5db946564753bdf41ab69c2e75e9&ei=21  #1. ‘You’re having a big feeling. I’m right here with you.’ The big idea for this phrase, to validate that feeling. To let kids know they’re not alone. Emotions are hard to navigate, no matter your age. If someone understands and supports you, it helps. It can shrink big feelings. Over time, with practice, it will even get faster and easier for you and your child. #2. 'I believe you.  Can you imagine the relief a kid feels after hearing that? It builds trust and helps them calm down faster. Why? They don’t have to scream to be heard. My note of caution from the parent and teacher in me, I’d still say I believe in you, no matter what. Even if my child told me an untruth. OK, a lie, but sometimes littles don’t always understand what they’re saying or feeling, especially during a meltdown. #3. 'Your feelings make sense.'  The big idea behind this phrase, I understand you and your feelings. Who doesn’t want to hear that?! I wondered, what would you say if you weren’t sure how your child felt or why? Me, I’d start with I love you. Everyone needs to hear that. Then I’d ask about their feelings and go from there. 4. 'I'm not upset with you. I'm here to help you through this.'  The key words…not upset and help. Imagine being a kid who just threw a temper tantrum. Your parents aren’t mad; they understand and want to help. Wow! You don’t have to worry about being in trouble. You can focus on calming down. 5. 'It's okay to feel angry. I won't let you hurt yourself or anyone else.'  Here’s to empathy and understanding! Everyone gets mad. Kids, parents, me too, but the last line changes everything. It tells a child they’re safe, and everyone around them too. Thanks to a good parent! We adults could use that too. We should give ourselves permission to feel angry, then channel it so we don’t hurt anyone else, including ourselves. Think of it as modeling a good strategy, while your child is learning it too. Tomorrow: Two more phrases, a sneak peek, plus a final conclusion  6. 'Take your time. I'm not going anywhere.' Time is a gift others give you. If your child panics and melts down, give them your time. Time to calm down until the panic disappears. When kids don’t have to hurry emotions, it’s easier. It’s true for us adults too.  7. 'We'll get through this together.' Have you noticed it’s easier to get through the tough stuff if you’ve got a friend around? It’s true for kids too. This phrase helps them feel supported, gives them confidence to face future challenges, and makes meltdowns less likely. Really! All because that child got to face the tough stuff with someone who loves them, like a mom or dad. Final Conclusion: ‘The secret to handling tantrums? Moving from control to connection.’  When you look at the 7 phrases featured in this post, there’s a common thread. They’re about connecting and understanding parents and children. It’s not about parents controlling a child’s emotions; it’s about guiding children to help them control their own emotions.
These 7 phrases are like seeds. They won’t grow immediately; it takes time. Temper tantrums don’t vanish right away. Everything worth while takes time. To quote this article, “a child who trusts their own feelings, knows they’re worthy of support, and believes that love doesn’t disappear when life gets hard.” I believe in a rainy day/blizzard kind of love. It sticks around when life gets tough. It never leaves. It’s always ready to help a child in need, even if they’re all grown up, like mine. I’m a workaholic; I always have been. When I was teaching, I could enjoy vacation until the last day or two. Then I found things I had to do. Now that I’m retired, I work all the time, I don’t have to, but writing and publishing took over my life. If you look, you can catch me working in these two photos.  In the first one, I’m pretending to read so my husband can take a picture. Lake Fun for You and Me, my second book, was coming out, and I needed a photo for social media. In the second, I’m really writing. I always sit in a comfy chair with a great view. That’s where I write stories for picture books and middle grade novels. I design posts for my blog and book reviews, and I create newsletters and video scripts. It’s hard to stop writing, but I’m learning.  Part 1: Putting Family First: By the time I retired, my children were grown, and they’d moved away. Visits were precious so I tried to be present, and I wrote later. If I visited during their work week, I’d write all day. Then take time off for dinner. When we settled in to watch TV or a movie, then I went back to work. Looking back, I wish I’d put off working until my kids went to bed. I’m a night owl so it’s easy for me to stay up and write. BTW—these photos are not my kids or grandkids. Their images are private.  In 2019, I published my first book, Neil Armstrong’s Wind Tunnel Dream, and my first grandchild was born. Since then, two more joined the family. Time with them is precious. My husband and I travel 2-3 days to see them for birthdays and holiday vacations. I work all the way there. That’s easy! Once we arrive, I work hard to keep myself from writing. To invest my time in building and maintaining a relationship with them. Writing, it’s what I do when they’re napping or down for the night. In the six years since the first grand arrived, I’ve learned how to spend my 3-5 hours of writing time. I keep up on my blog and my vlog. The biggest blessing, classic posts; That’s a nice way of saying the old ones. They’re worth pulling out and dusting off. AND, they preserve my time with the grands!  Part 2: Hanging Out With Family: I’m a night owl, but my children and grandchildren are early birds. To spend more time with them, I get up early too. I used to be up when the grands woke, but now I’m up an hour later. It’s still way earlier than usual. With the oldest, we play a game where she tries to wake me up. So far, she hasn’t caught me snoring, but who knows? She might get me the next time!  I also try to be present when they’re up. I don’t work. I don’t hang out with the adults. Wherever my grandkids are, that’s where you’ll find me. Whatever they’re doing, I try to do. When I’m too old, too stiff to join in their fun, I turn into an audience of one, and I cheer from the sidelines.  When I hang out with my grands, it’s all about the play. If we’re inside, I’m all in for hide and seek, Candyland, cards, whatever game they pull out. Outside it depends…I’m terrible at throwing, catching, running, but I can still handle the swings. Slides and monkey bars, not so much either. Some things just don’t age well; at least not on me ☹ When the grands do things I can’t, I join the audience. I watch, applaud, and cheer. That way we’re all happy.  My grands can count on me as a TV/movie buddy. I’ll watch anything from Mr. Rogers to Bluey, from Frozen to the new SpongeBob movie. I feel the same way about books. I’ll read any story they hand me until we have to stop. My favorites, the ones I gave them, of course! Part 3: Heading Home and Staying Connected: All good things must come to an end, and so do family vacations. I treasure time with my kids and my grandkids, yet I’m also happy to get back on the road again.  Within minutes, I’m on my computer, writing and revising again. First up, the stories I put on hold to hang out with family. I have two WIP’s, writer-speak for Works In Progress. Charley’s back, and so am I. We’re working with Callie again, and my new goal—to polish Chapters 1-3 until they’re submission ready. I’m close, and Callie will tell me when they’re done.  As for the other illustration, it stands for my safety book. I haven’t pulled it out for a couple of years, but my Friday critique group has looked at it 2-3 times. One more Friday, and it should be submission ready too. BTW, so is my Nativity story. I spent 3-4 weeks before Christmas dusting it off and polishing it again. Now that I’m home again, it’s time to work on staying connected to my grands. For the older two, I video-call once a week. It only lasts a couple minutes; long enough for them to tell me what they’re up to or for me to ask.  For the littlest, he taught me something new…His mom sent me a quick video. He said, “Hi grandma. Love you.” That’s it! Short and sweet! It took me a few hours to realize I could shoot a video too. His reaction—he burst into a smile as soon as he saw it. At his age, that’s HUGE! If you have a little who isn’t ready to video chat, I think it’s a great way to stay connected!
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AuthorWhen I write, I can only have one voice in my head, mine. A little noise is fine. But too much, or worse yet, WORDS, and I must change rooms or pull out headphones. Then I can write on! Categories
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