Trick or Treat ?

I loved Halloween when my children were young. It was a silly and fun time. I remember taking my two children out for Halloween. My young son dressed up as Superman and my daughter liked to be a Princess. We took our collie with us, and she had a Superman Cape over her back. We made most of our costumes from things we had at home. We knew all the neighbors on our street, and it was a fun time to say hi to them all. Children were safe. Our neighbors bought candy or baked treats. There was no fear about any poison in the treats. There was no fear about being mugged. For our family, it was a time of family togetherness--from the going out to see our neighbors to returning home as a family and eating our special treats. We ate a few and saved most of it.

Halloween has changed since those days. But it still can be a fun time for children to get all dressed up. My wish for you and the children you care for is that this is a safe Halloween filled with “no tricks,” but lots of fun treats, with the biggest treat of all being the time you spend together laughing and sharing.

Have a great day and week-end.

Maryln

Have fun.

Whatever you are doing today, remember to smile and have fun too. It’s a gift you give to yourself and the children you work with.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Tiptoe through the two lips.

Use a quiet voice. The louder you get, the louder children will get. The more you argue, the more strong-willed children will become arguing for their point of view. Tiptoe wisely with the words you say, the words that come from your lips. Use a quiet firm voice. Speak in the first person, “I need you to…” rather than giving “you” messages like, “You had better stop now.” You will find it is much more effective.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Substance abuse kills.

I have known people who have died of addiction to either alcohol or other substances. I have seen people who are in pain become addicted to painkillers because doctors prescribe them. I have known one friend whose husband “bled out” and died as a result of a lifetime of drinking. I have heard true stories by people I know well about loved ones who have done horrible crimes totally against their previous natures once they were under the influence of substances. And yet, our society keeps all of this fairly quiet. The prisons are filled with prisoners who got there because of the influence of substance use and abuse, and still we don’t talk about it.

Yes, there are some schools doing programs about substance abuse. Yes, there is the mother who founded MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. But it sure seems to me with prisons overflowing and the crime rate growing, that it is time that we as a society realized we need to do more.

Where is the fine line between use and abuse? Many adults think they are “just having a couple drinks.” When does it become more than a couple drinks, and yet the person still says, “I have no problem.” What about the families that have this happening and just keep silent? What about all of the enabling that goes on trying to fix this?

I firmly believe that substance abuse begins with each and every one of us. When we say “no” to having family functions with liquor and show children how much fun they can have liquor-free and substance free, that is a start. When we write to TV shows we like, and ask them to keep their lead characters out of the bars when they are relaxing and showing them relaxing at home or in liquor-free places, then, it is taking a step in the right direction.

I know my stand on this is strong, but I am tired of watching people change and die from substance abuse.

Take a stand. Don’t be afraid. Speak out and up for children. There are too many who don’t.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Organization is found on the path to efficiency.

I spend lots of time at my desk. When my desk is cluttered, I feel “cluttered.” I work better the more organized I am. Take time to organize your things. Toss out what you no longer need. Put items you want to keep in labeled files or boxes. When you are organized, not only will you be more efficient, but you also set a great example for children.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln