Give presence more than presents.

The greatest gift you can give someone doesn’t cost money. It is totally free, yet many families neglect to give this to their children. Instead, they give them presents like all of the latest toys, gadgets, and electronics. But they are missing out on the greatest gift of all, the presence of their parents.

It takes time to have meaningful relationships with children. It does not happen because you live in the same house, or are in the same classroom. It happens when special time is set aside so children feel special.

You cannot replace what children are missing in their homes, but you sure can help children to feel more special with your special presence and honoring their presence—making them feel special and that you are glad to see them and hear what they have to say.

Have a great day and a wonderful week-end. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Light the way.

I love lighting candles in my home. It’s really neat to turn off the lights, and light that little spark that lights up the whole room. You are the “spark” that can turn darkness into light for your students. Today, be that spark for students who need it. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day.

Maryln

From the mouths of kids, come jewels of wisdom.

Yesterday, I wrote a thought about anger being a secondary emotion, and that children often feel something else, and express it as anger. Here’s a poem sent to me by a 16-year-old student that makes the point about emotions really well. Enjoy, and remember, you are a difference maker. The poem is called, “MR. SHARK.”

Mr. Shark, King of the Ocean!
Poseidon quakes in fear!
The fish run away,
The seal widens his eyes!
The sea is ruled by this fiercest of beasts,
White and grey
With razor-sharp teeth.
Every creature trembles at his presence when HE shows up!
No one dares to stick around.
The horror they feel is immeasurable!
But after everyone scurries away terribly frightened,
The sad Mr. Shark says,
“All I want is a friend.”

--Sarah Hague, Turning Point Academy, Sugar Land, Texas

Have a great day.

Maryln

Anger is a secondary emotion.

Think about the last time you were very angry. What were you feeling before you felt angry? My guess is that you were feeling a totally different feeling like frustration, hurt, or disappointment. When children are angry, it is the same. There is a primary emotion first. Be sure to look for what was happening in that child’s life before the anger was expressed. That is the emotion you want to handle. If you don’t, it may happen over and over again. Teach children how to handle feeling hurt, disappointed, and/or frustrated, and you will give them important skills they need.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Balloon boy story—was it real or hoax?

This past week, many of us were shocked to hear about the huge search for a boy in a homemade helium balloon. After hours of searching, it turned out that the boy was at home hiding in a box for the attic. According to news reports, when the boy was questioned on a television interview with Larry King as to why he hid, he apparently said he “did it for the show.” The next day, this 6-year old child was asked the same question on another television show, and the poor child vomited.

As I am writing this, there is a question about whether or not this is a hoax! I don’t know the true answer to this. I do know that this family has been on Wife Swap. It appears that this family has also been known to chase storms…hurricanes and tornadoes. They have a video they made that involves all three of their children on YouTube doing a song that I personally had a hard time viewing. The words in the song and the actions by these children made me very sad.

I wonder what you think. Do you think it was real or a hoax? Go to our web site at www.atiseminars.org and take the survey.

It is my belief that regardless if it was real or a hoax, all family situations become very real for children. Their parents and families are their role models. They learn so much from what they see. They see a lot at home, and fortunately, they also see a lot at school. That’s what makes your job so important. You make a difference in the lives of children every day.

Have a great day and week.

Maryln

P.S. To see more about this story, go to http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/10/what-if-balloon-boys-adventure-isnt-a-hoax.html