Back to newsletter list
**********************
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
**********************
WELCOME TO HOMEBODIES
February 13, 2007
Volume 8, Issue 7
Weekly encouragement and empowerment e-zine
for stay-at-home parents and working parents
considering the at-home lifestyle
Your Hostess - Cheryl Gochnauer, author of
"Stay-at-Home Handbook", "So You Want to Be a
Stay-at-Home Mom", "Mom to Mom" and founder of
http://www.homebodies.org
To subscribe,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesSubscribe
To ***,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies***
To change address,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesChange
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THIS WEEK'S ARTICLES:
"The Beauty of Discipline" by Homebodies founder Cheryl Gochnauer
“Kiss Me on the Lips" by Homebodies columnist Cheryl Demas, founder of Work
at Home Moms (http://www.wahm.com)
"It’s Elementary, My Dear: Helping Your Child Look Forward to School" by
Homebodies columnist Amanda Formaro, founder of The Family Corner
(http://www.thefamilycorner.com)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FIRST, A NOTE FROM ONE OF OUR SPONSORS:
--Card Balances Soar in Holiday Spending Spree—
The average American spends $935 for Christmas gifts every
year. The 2006 holiday season was no different. Now, many
Americans are feeling the pinch as they struggle to meet
higher minimum payments. Are you one of them? If you're
suffering because of a high debt load, it's NOT your fault.
The system has been designed to milk you dry. Here's what
this is all about: My name is Clint Holland. I was once
$213,000 in debt. But thanks to providence, I discovered a
breakthrough in debt elimination and became debt free in
just 4 years. Now I've developed a system that anyone can
use to pay off all their debt, including the mortgage, in
just 3-5 years ... without bankruptcy, debt consolidation, or
any unethical tactics. Will you let me help you? Member BBB.
http://www.Debt-Free-in-Three.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THE BEAUTY OF DISCIPLINE
Homebodies
By Cheryl Gochnauer
homebodies@comcast.net
Copyright 2007
“Don’t make me come in there!”
Then they do.
Now comes the choice: Will we angrily punish our child for their behavior,
or will we take advantage of this chance to do something that really is for
their own good?
There’s a big difference between punishment and discipline. Punishment
springs out of fury, demanding revenge for a wrong act. The main goal of
discipline, on the other hand, is to redirect unacceptable behavior. Or to
put it a different way, punishment focuses on a bad person while discipline
focuses on a bad act.
“One of my burdens is for the many moms who look at these opportunities and
don't see them as such,” says Donna, a Virginia SAHM with two daughters.
“They cringe as they view the situation as another time for punishment
rather than a wonderful opportunity for loving correction - an opportunity
for shaping and molding, for helping (their children) become more beautiful
inside and out.”
Resist the anger that so naturally builds as kids push (and sometimes
obliterate) the boundaries you set for them. “We have a part to play in not
just changing their behavior but in finding the root, getting to their
heart, and in essence, effecting their lives for good,” Donna notes.
The groundwork for effective discipline is laid during the times when things
are running smoothly. “Obviously, relationship is key here,” she says. “You
can't have a good conversation without first spending time listening to your
kids, enjoying who they are. Then comes the time to talk to them.”
When you do sit down with them, don’t be afraid to be transparent about your
own struggles, especially in the same areas your kids are wrestling with
now. “Trust is extended as we are honest, sharing with them our own faults,
failures and things we've learned.”
Weave gentle discipline throughout each day. “I have had many opportunities,
especially about 10:00 at night, to come alongside and talk about the heart
that motivates the deed,” Donna notes. “I love those teachable moments.”
*****
Comments? Write Cheryl at homebodies@comcast.net.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
CHECK OUT THIS LEAD FROM
ANOTHER OF OUR VALUED SPONSORS:
Positively Feminine -- Embrace Your God-Given Femininity
Visit PositivelyFeminine.org to discover encouragement
for the many aspects of a woman's life:
*Homemaking
*Motherhood
*Frugal Living
*Relationships
*Spirituality
*Literature
*Beauty
Visit http://www.PositivelyFeminine.org today.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Would you like to place an ad in this newsletter? Contact
mailto:marketing@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies and discover the modest
rates for reaching this targeted market.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
KISS ME ON THE LIPS
Work-at-Home Moms
By Cheryl Demas
Cheryl@wahm.com
Copyright 2007
My little girl came home from school the other day and demanded, "Kiss me on
the lips, Mom."
"But Dani," I said, "I can't kiss you. You know I'm sick. I don't want to
make you sick too."
"I know Mom, that's the point. I want to catch your cold."
It turned out that her school's mile-run was the next day, and she was
looking for any way to get out of it. I managed to keep her healthy through
the night, gave her a pep talk the next morning and sent her off to school.
She was surprisingly upbeat when I picked her up that afternoon. She had
finished the run with a good time, and agreed that it wasn't so bad after
all. In fact, she was pretty proud of herself.
Thinking my pep talk had done the trick, I pressed for more information.
"So, as you were running, were you thinking about what I told you this
morning?"
"No, Mom, you didn't help me at all. The pacers helped me finish."
"Pacers?"
"The big kids, 5th and 6th graders. They ran beside me when I slowed down,
talked to me, and kept me going."
Pacers. What a great idea. Who couldn't use a pacer every day? Not just for
exercise encouragement, but for encouragement in everything.
Do you have a pacer in your life? Do you have someone who "runs beside you"
when you slow down, or need a little extra encouragement? Do you have a
pacer who keeps you motivated to reach your business goals when you feel
like you just can't go on? Is it your spouse, a good friend, or a business
associate?
If you don't have a pacer in life already, visit the bulletin boards at
WAHM.com (http://www.wahm.com/forum/). You will find many friendly moms
there who will be happy to give you advice and encouragement.
With a pacer, you may find that your goals are a little easier to reach, and
you won't have to do anything drastic (like kiss on the lips!) to reach that
finish line.
*****
Cheryl Demas publishes WAHM.com - The Online Magazine for Work At Home Moms.
Contact Cheryl through her website or email: cheryl@wahm.com. This article
was excerpted from Cheryl's book, The Work-at-Home Mom's Guide to Home
Business. You can order it at www.amazon.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IT’S ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR:
HELPING YOUR CHILD LOOK FORWARD TO SCHOOL
The Family Corner
By Amanda Formaro
webmom@thefamilycorner.com
Copyright 2007
"I hate school!" No parent wants to hear their third grade daughter yell out
these words on a regular basis. Your first grader conveniently forgets to
bring home his homework every day of the week. Your 10 year old daughter
complains
every morning that she is too tired to go to school.
These are all very real roadblocks that parents just like you encounter on a
daily basis. There are some steps you can take to help your child look
forward to school each day, rather than loathe the mere thought of it.
CHECK WITH THE SCHOOL
* Talk to your child's teacher. Are there behavior issues you are not aware
of? Is your child picked on my other students? Does she act out as class
clown? Get involved, set up a meeting with your child's teacher, the
principal and guidance counselor. Discuss the problems you are having at
home and find out what is happening at school.
* Talk to your child. Ask him if he learned anything new today. Ask about
his friends and about the activities on the playground and at recess. If
your child rides the bus, ask where he sits and why. Try to nonchalantly get
the inside scoop.
* Volunteer if you are able. Your presence alone can sometimes make a world
of difference to your child. If you are too much of a distraction working in
the classroom, then ask if there are ways for you to help in the office or
in other areas. Just knowing you are there can make a big difference.
* Volunteer at home. Yes, you too can do homework and send a positive
message to your child through your volunteer efforts. There are many
projects that need to be done for the school that can be accomplished in
your home. Work on these projects after your child arrives home and do your
"homework" together.
BE POSITIVE
It can be extremely trying when a child refuses to cooperate. Try to keep a
positive attitude. Remember who is the grown-up and set a good example.
* Focus on the things your child did right. If her homework is sloppy, don't
criticize the handwriting, instead commend her for completing it. If her
clothes don't match, tell her how proud you are of her for getting ready for
school on time, rather than criticizing her fashion blunder.
* Listen to yourself. Are you constantly barking out commands and orders? Do
you compliment your child when he is playing nicely with his siblings? This
is such a hard thing to overlook, try to make a point to compliment your
child at least three times a day.
* Check with the teacher to see if there is something your child can do each
day that would encourage her to look forward to school. There may be a
specific job that is available that would make your child feel more
important and encourage him to want to go to school. Does his class have a
pet mouse or fish? Maybe he can be in charge of feeding and watering it each
day.
HOMEWORK HELP
If your child seems to be struggling with her homework and doesn't seem to
"get it", help break it down into simpler terms.
* Use visuals to help demonstrate how an equation works. For example, if she
needs to add 3 + 3 + 5, find the designated number of objects and line them
up on the table. Use 3 oranges, 3 apples and 5 cans of soup. Ask how many
items there are on the table. Then ask how many oranges, how many apples and
how many cans of soup.
* If it's reading your child is struggling with, help break larger words
down into smaller words. If he is unable to read the word "boysenberries",
place your finger over the letters "senberries" and ask your child to read
"boy". Then cover "boy" and "berries" and so on.
LEARNING DISABILITIES
If you feel your child's frustrations may stem from a learning disability,
talk to the school about observation. Most schools have either an in-house
psychologist or one that visits the school regularly. Ask to have your child
observed while in class. Set up a time to discuss the results with your
child's teacher.
Should the results indicate a possible learning disability, be sure to
consult your pediatrician for any medical or professional advice. Testing of
ADD, ADHD and dyslexia are now readily available to parents and educators.
LISTEN AND ACT
Listen to your children. If you hear things such as, "Who needs to learn
biology anyway?", that may actually mean, "This stuff is way over my head."
If they say they "don't get it", don't insist that they do. Find out what
the problem is and try to help.
The elementary years of your child's education are vital to the way he will
view school in the future. If you are involved and show that you care and
are not just there to criticize, your child will stand up and notice.
*****
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial, homeschooling mother of four
children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine. Subscribe to
her free weekly kid's craft newsletter, Busy Little Hands, by visiting her
website at
http://www.thefamilycorner.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PUBLICATION INFORMATION
Copyright 2007 Cheryl Gochnauer. All rights reserved. For permission to
reprint an article, please write homebodies@comcast.net.
All articles are printed with the author's prior consent. It is assumed that
any questions, tips or replies to questions may be reprinted. All letters
become the property of Cheryl Gochnauer.
Cheryl Gochnauer does not assume responsibility for advice given. All
advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and
applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe
and suitable for their own situation.
Homebodies is a free weekly e-mail newsletter.
To subscribe,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesSubscribe
To ***,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies***
To change address,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesChange
Would you like to place an ad in this newsletter? Contact
mailto:marketing@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies and discover the modest
rates for reaching this targeted market.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
_________________________________________________________________
Check out all that glitters with the MSN Entertainment Guide to the Academy
Awards® http://movies.msn.com/movies/oscars2007/?icid=ncoscartagline2
---
You are currently subscribed to ds-homebodies as: ralrusu@gmail.com
To *** send any message to the following address:
leave-ds-homebodies-2263153L@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
