I love every song Heart has done, they are an sister act and each has perfected their talent.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
Happy New Year! I pray you’re surrounded by family, friends and good food. Rosh Hashanah starts the New Year and many rituals follow back to the bible.
The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah actually means “Head of the Year.” Just like the head controls the body, our actions on Rosh Hashanah have a tremendous impact on the rest of the year.
As we read in the Rosh Hashanah prayers, each year on this day “all inhabitants of the world pass before G‑d like a flock of sheep,” and it is decreed in the heavenly court “who shall live, and who shall die … who shall be impoverished and who shall be enriched; who shall fall and who shall rise.”
It is a day of prayer, a time to ask the Almighty to grant us a year of peace, prosperity and blessing. But it is also a joyous day when we proclaim G‑d King of the Universe. The Kabbalists teach that the continued existence of the universe depends on G‑d’s desire for a world, a desire that is renewed when we accept His kingship anew each year on Rosh Hashanah.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4762/jewish/What-Is-Rosh-Hashanah.htm
Enjoy the humor and try not to laugh too hard.
Melinda
I could have a good life with or without music but I would choose music. I have memories as far back as four years old listen and dancing with my dad to Elvis and Hank Williams Sr., music has been the backdrop of my life including love songs that were shared with my boyfriends. Now there are so many genres to explore that most people can identify with one or many. My favorite music is the 70’s & 80’s however I like songs for generations that were before I was born.
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams (Official Music Video)
Melinda
I was kindly gifted an advanced copy of Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness, Proven Strategies for Discovering Happiness, Meaning, and Fulfillment by Christopher Martin from NetGallery for a review.
I am a school psychologist, husband, father, and – pertinent to this website – an author who has multiple invisible chronic illnesses.
And an invisible chronic illness is a beast. On top of draining you physically, a chronic illness can impact all aspects of your life ranging from causing financial hardship to harming your relationships to dampening your spirits. Try to be cheerful when you have this unremitting “monkey on your back” known as an invisible chronic illness that constantly demands your attention 24-7. Needless to say, it’s easy to let yourself and others down.
Plus, your family or friends can’t see your illness, as it’s invisible, and they may not understand. Most with an invisible illness are familiar with “advice” ranging from “stay positive” to “you look good” to “Have you tried ___ for your condition?” Yup, you probably have, and it didn’t work.
On top of that, best wishes in accessing (and maintaining) high quality medical care when you are too tired to even take care of yourself.
Welcome to the world of an invisible chronic illness. I should know. I suffer from multiple invisible chronic illnesses, including a primary immune deficiency disorder and bronchiectasis.
But it doesn’t have to be this way – for you or for me. While I am not cured of my illness, I enjoy a fulfilling life and experience ongoing joy, peace, and happiness. Because of outstanding medical care, extensive self-educating and self-care, a supportive family, and a strong faith, I effectively manage my chronic illnesses. But I didn’t want to be the only one to benefit. It was my goal, in turn, to give back to others by doing what I love to do: authoring books on these conditions.
“Finding Joy is a vital guide on how to best manage and navigate life with a chronic illness.”—James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
“Finding Joy provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap for not only coping with chronic illness, but personally optimizing self-growth and resiliency from the experience.” —Joanne Joseph, PhD, professor of psychology and interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and author of The Resilient Child: Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World
* How can you experience those good thoughts and feelings, enjoy life to its fullest, and de-stress when faced with relentless physical suffering?
* How can you enhance your relationships, find support, respond to the naysayers, and possibly even help them understand you and your illness?
* When seeking medical care, how can you get the answers you deserve, and access and maintain quality healthcare?
“”Finding Joy is absolutely phenomenal. Chris Martin’s heartfelt approach offers numerous meaningful strategies to thrive when faced with the many unseen and unrecognized issues of living with an invisible chronic illness.””—Heather Lewis-Hoover, MS, CAS, school counselor
““Finding Joy is a vital guide on how to best manage and navigate life with a chronic illness.””—James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
“Finding Joy provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap for not only coping with chronic illness, but personally optimizing self-growth and resiliency from the experience.” —Joanne Joseph, PhD, professor of psychology and interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and author of The Resilient Child: Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World
I think Chris says it best, the diagnosis is a step forward, it’s not the last.
Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness is a great find, one for all to read, patients, loved ones, and, family members. It is a simple and practical approach to taking control by understanding how we think and what we have control over when it comes to our chronic condition and healthcare treatment.
Enjoy Reading,
Melinda
Repost
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
Our tomato plants have never grown this big, they are even growing around the hot tube. We picked four delicious tomatos before a critter moved in and ate every last one. I’m planning differently for next year to keep the critter out. David started to pull the plants out this week and will require several more days before it’s complete.
Melinda
A couple of months ago I was making the most delicious sounding cookies, I followed the instructions, had everything set up before I started and had confidence they would turn out as good as the previous recipe I made. Karma had a different idea, part of the recipe required mixing several items together in a bowl, after mixing I put the bowl just to the side of the mixer. Unfortunately, when it came time to add the bowl was not in my line of site and I forgot it. It wasn’t until the cookies were baking that I saw the mixture. A failure and a learning experience.
Melinda
Sharing just one lesson is difficult because I have many lessons that would have helped a great deal while growing up. I was abused by mother since birth and it contiued until moving away at 12 years old. Confidence was not apart of my vocabulary, nor did I know how to build my confidence. It wasn’t until I was 14 years old that my confidence started to build slowly.
I was spending a year in reform school that was run by nuns in a large convent. I may have been a wild child but I understood how to respect authority. Spending a year confined in a quite place filled with love, accountability and encouragement was what I needed. As I was given more responsibility and freedom my confidence contiued to grow, I was allowed to start a newspaper, the Tumble Weed Connection which showed me the trust my Journalism teacher had in me and it was a dream come true.
Learning to build our confidence is a life long journey because there is always more we can learn outside of our comfort zone.
Melinda
I was a picky eater until turning 30 when I started traveling and experiencing food from other countries, then I became excited to try different food. I remember a meal in Cozumel where we ate pasta with Octopus ink on top, can’t say I liked it but I was up for the adventure. Some the best meals where in St. Petersburg, Russia, each came with caviar on top, yummy. Salmon was particularly good in a sauce and caviar on top. This is not part of the question but I had the best milk ever while their, pure whole fat milk, what an indulgence.
I’ve always had a good when traveling but I love the food I grew up on which is fried chicken, fried sweet potatoes, ribs, canned fresh green beans, and fresh canned plum jelly.
Melinda
Enjoy!
Melinda
Before my illnesses took over my life my enjoyed walking in the woods or scenic trails and hiking, I even conquired Verna Fallas at Yosemite National Park yet I was not one to walk around, I wanted to have an environment to enjoy while walking. The last time I ran was in Jr. High where I ran track. Walking and running is not my thing, I know it’s great for your health but neither interested me. I have ridden a bike for years because I can ride to the park where there is plenty to look at. I did walk at a larger park with the dogs but would not consider that short of a walk helped me and we only went on the weekends.
My husband walks the dogs every morning and again before lunch, I have wanted to join them but when you have Agoraphobia it’s hard to jump that hurdle. I’m still hopeful that I will join him and the dogs one day.
Here’s to your health.
Melinda
To read the entire list including Awareness Days click here
ADHD Awareness Month
LGBTQ+ History Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Depression Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Learning Disability Awareness Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
Sober October
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/october-awareness-days-months
He is awesome!
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
This quote came to me years ago when an employee told me that the client’s perception was wrong. Perception is never wrong but it can be changed.
Melinda
Melinda
I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list may also give you ideas for a surprise for friends, and family. Most products are found on Amazon. It’s important say, I am not an Amazon Affliate, I do not earn compensation, each link takes you to the product or corporate cite.
Automatically senses, captures, and traps pollutants for cleaner air. Intelligently purifies and cools you.² Fully sealed to HEPA H13 standard. It’s not just the filter that’s fully sealed, it’s the whole machine.⁴ So what goes inside stays inside. Air Multiplier technology generates the circulation power to draw distant pollutants into the machine, projecting purified air throughout the whole room.¹ Automatically senses and reacts to changes in air quality, then reports pollution in real time on LCD screen and on the My Dyson app.³ Fan mode directly cools with up to 350° oscillation and Backward airflow mode purifies without cooling you.
I love this vacuum so much, with the canister your not pushing a heavy vacuum around. The canister is lightweight, maneuvers very well and the tools are a life saver for many other jobs around the house. The curtin cleaning works great. We’ve had ours for at least 10 years, it works like new and we’ve not had a single issue.
For Home Allergies, Pet Hair, Covers Up to 1073 ft² by 56W High Torque Motor, AHAM VERIFIDE, 3-in-1 Filter with HEPA Sleep Mode, Remove Dust Smoke Odor.
We have one the air purifiers in each room in the house. They are compact and will surprise you by how much is pulled from the air. When you change the filter it’s clear it’s doing its job.
33 Inch, 750/1500W Wall Firebox Heater with Remote Control, 3 Color Flames, 5 Brightness Settings 8H Timer, Electric Fireplace. Our fireplace is designed for easy installation. It can be wall-mounted or embedded in a cabinet, giving you the convenience of a crackling fireplace without taking up too much space. It perfectly fits into various settings such as tv stands, fireplace walls, bookshelves, and entertainment centers. Its sleek and elite design adds a touch of sophistication to your living room, bedroom, or office.
This not the exact fireplace I have because Amazon doesn’t carry it any longer. This one is close to what I have hanging on the wall in my office. I am very cold natured and use it most of the year. We’ve had it for 5 years without a single problem. Be sure to read all instruction before you install.
The Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is engineered with the power, versatility, tools, and run time to clean homes with pets. Dyson’s de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head deep cleans carpets and hard floors. With hair removal vanes that clear long hair and pet hair from the brush bar as you clean. The innovative Hair screw tool with a conical brush bar is perfect for cleaning upholstery and pet beds. The Dyson V8 Animal Extra has advanced, whole-machine filtration that captures fine dust and expels cleaner air. Thanks to the cordless format, it also transforms into a handheld vacuum with one click so you can clean up high, down low, and everywhere in between.
We have two, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. This not the exact model because they no longer make it, ours are at least 15 years old, the prices are higher due to improvements and tarrifs. There are still a great investment. I like the plug in charger type vs. having a battery.
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
My husband, David surprised with this beautiful Mum last week.
Melinda
Melinda
When you find out you are going to become a parent it can be very daunting. You never know what to expect or what type of child you are going to have. Every child will have a unique personality and it is up to you as the parent to nurture this. There is a whole ongoing debate still to this day about whether it is down to nature vs nurture. You may be wondering how you can encourage your children to be happy and healthy. There are so many stories in the media regarding this but it can send a lot of mixed messages. The best thing you can do is follow your gut instinct as a parent, this will never steer you in the wrong direction. Take a look below to find out some helpful tips and tricks on how to ensure your children are happy and healthy.
One of the most important things you will hear professionals talking about is children’s diets. A healthy balanced diet is paramount for your child’s development. Letting them constantly eat junk food and fizzy drinks is not only bad for their physical health but their mental health as well. If you have a busy lifestyle and it is easier to grab and go then how about pre-making some healthy homemade meals that you can simply take out of the freezer in the evenings? Children should also be enjoying five pieces of fruit or veg a day. This will give them the added vitamins and minerals their body needs to function and thrive.
Physical activity is also important for your children. Without running around they will turn into couch potatoes. These days with so much tech floating around it can almost seem impossible to get the children to leave the house. If you find something they are interested in doing, such as going to the park then they will be more than happy to go for a run-around. Better yet, you could get some of their school or nursery friends together and they can all have fun at the park while you chat with the other moms.
If you feel your children don’t have a healthy diet and they are in need of some extra help then you can get them a child supplement or multivitamin to take daily. These will contain the necessary amounts of vitamins and nutrients that your children are potentially missing out on. A lot of children aren’t keen on eating vegetables or fruits so a multivitamin will provide them with the goodness they are missing. The good thing about children’s multivitamins is that they come in gummy bear form with a variety of flavors. Can’t get them to eat veg but you can get them to eat a gummy bear!
It can be incredibly difficult to get your child to drink water. They get to a certain age and decide they no longer like it. However, seeing as more than 60% of their little bodies are made up of water, it is essential they are replacing what is lost through the day. You don’t want your child experiencing signs and symptoms of dehydration. They will present with lethargy, moodiness, and a headache. Encourage your children to drink water by investing in some cool water bottles, they will want to show these off at school. Quite a lot of schools have a water-only policy in place meaning you can’t supply them with juice for school. Children should be aiming to drink around six glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and healthy.
When you have children you want to protect them their whole life. However, quite a lot of parents forget that smoking and drinking around their children is a terrible habit. It is one that they will pick up on rather quickly and you don’t want them to copy you. If you do want to smoke then this should be done outside of the house, in the garden perhaps. That way you are not exposing your children to secondhand smoke which can lead to childhood illnesses and complications with their immune systems.
Something else to think about is how important it is to talk to your children. When they are babies they learn how to communicate by copying the adults around them. Don’t stop talking to your children just because they can hold their own conversations with others. If your children come to you with any sort of problem or they simply just want to tell you about their day then ensure you are listening. Children can tell when they have your full attention by your body language and what you are saying to them. Talking and listening to your children ensures they know they are able to approach you at all times in case of a problem they cannot solve.
As children get older they are far more susceptible to feeling the effects of their hormones. They are also more at risk of mental health conditions than younger children. If you notice your children feeling down or being sad a lot of the time then speak to them and see if they will tell you what the problem is. If they don’t and you want to get your children the help they deserve then you could seek out a counselor or look up Second Nature Utah reviews for more therapeutic programs. If your child has additional needs then this puts them at a greater risk of developing mental health conditions. Bipolar disorder in children is becoming increasingly common.
Sleep is so important for children, depending on the age they need around eight to thirteen hours of sleep each night. If they are not getting this then they can be grouchy and irritable for the rest of the day. If your child is still young enough for naps then make sure you are encouraging this. It will give them a little recharge so they can get through the rest of the day without any hiccups. If your children are struggling to get to sleep then think of ways you can help with this. You may decide to do some light meditation with them to help them drift off to sleep naturally.
Children will rarely be called for check-ups as doctors just assume that you will take them in if there are any problems. Babies and young children will be called for developmental checks, you should go to these as they will highlight any potential developmental delays your child might have. You should also register your child at a dentist and the opticians, you never know when you may need to attend an appointment there. You can check out the best ones in your area by doing a quick internet search or asking other moms for recommendations.
Reading is something that a lot of adults enjoy doing but you can guarantee they didn’t all enjoy it as a child. Learning to read can be tricky but in the end, it will be so rewarding. Watching your child grow and develop is one of the best things about being a parent. You can encourage their love of books by reading with them from a young age. It can be common to read a book with your child at bedtime as part of their nightly routines. Reading will give your child a steady foundation for continuing this learning when they start school.
Children need a break from technology every so often, it is bad for their brain and their vision to be staring at a pad or tablet all day. If your child is tech dependent then it may be necessary to put a temporary ban on technology to prove to them they can live without it. It will be a struggle the first couple of days but it will be worth it and a great lesson to teach. You can put strict timings in place for screen time. If your children struggle with time then you can even set an egg timer as a visual so they know how long they have left.
There is nothing better that you can do as a parent than support your children with their school work. If they come home and need a helping hand with some homework or a school project then it should be all hands on deck. Your children have come to you for help as they deem you capable and knowledgeable. Don’t let them down by being too busy to help when they need it most. If you don’t understand what to do then you can always do a quick internet search to see if someone else explains it better than the sheet of paper.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that it gave you some helpful advice on ensuring your children are happy and healthy. Remember, children are just small humans. They all have feelings and it is okay to not be okay sometimes. You need to teach your children the importance of this, if they are having an off day then this is alright.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Enjoy!
Melinda
The reason the post is double spaced is because when you read through Notifications the content all becomes one paragraph. Hopefully this will prevent that.
Melinda
The list includes many but one word used when my emotions are not under control, like frustration and anger. I heard the word and many curse words growing up but using Gods name in vain never makes me feel good about myself as a stronger believer in God. It’s not used often as the prompt asked for but once is enough.
I rush to have a conversation with God asking for forgiveness and to give me strenght to banish the word from my thoughts.
Melinda
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
Get’s my blood pumping! Love the 80’s.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
The basics of human nutrition are much the same for everyone. The practicalities of achieving good nutrition can, however, vary widely according to your age and lifestyle. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you understand nutrition for older adults.
Food is basically fuel for your body. From babyhood through puberty, your body needs food for mental and physical development. As an adult in your prime, you need food to fuel your lifestyle. This is likely to be at least moderately active.
As a senior, however, your activity levels are going to be lower than they were. Even if you keep yourself super-fit for your age, you’re still not going to be able to take the sort of vigorous exercise you could when you were younger. Your appetite will probably drop to reflect this.
The key point to take away is that the less food you eat, the more important it is that what you do eat delivers maximum nourishment. Of course, you can still have the occasional treat. For the most part, however, you really need to focus on nutrient-rich food.
Your ability to perceive color, texture, and scent can decrease as you age. Medications can also interfere with it. This can negatively impact your ability to taste food. In the past, dental issues could make it more difficult to chew or swallow. Modern dental care means that this is much less of an issue. It can, however, still be a consideration.
This means that meals for seniors generally need to be full of contrast, strong textures, and lively scents. Older people often enjoy food with plenty of herbs and spices. This may come as a surprise if you hated them when you were younger.
Making all this happen while maintaining nutritional value can be very challenging. It’s likely to be particularly difficult if you live alone. This can lead to older people skipping meals, which can bring all kinds of problems. Batch cooking is one potential solution to this issue. It may, however, be more convenient to use DeliverLean CARE.
Adding salt and sugar can be a quick way to pep up a meal. Unfortunately, neither is a particularly healthy approach even when you’re a younger adult. The impact on seniors can be even worse. Salt can impair your kidney function. Sugar is empty calories and can lead to dental issues.
Fiber plays a huge role in keeping your digestive system healthy. It’s important for everyone and particularly important for seniors. In simple terms, if your digestive system gets out of sorts, it will almost certainly impact your whole body. This can create a downward spiral and that can be especially dangerous for older adults.
Calcium is the building material for bones, teeth, and nails. Protein is the building material for muscle. You need to make sure to get plenty of both to maintain your strength and vigor in your later years.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost
I was traveling to the airport to fly to Russia the day of 9/11, the airspace was closed for two weeks and as soon as it was lifted off I went to St. Petersburg, Russia. Traveling alone wasn’t anything new to me but it’s unusual in many countries, I stood out as American but everyone was so gracious to me. I didn’t know the language or anyone who lived there, and I liked it that way.
Walking everywhere, visiting the Hermitage twice, two other museum’s, street artists, went to the ballet, visiting a couple of restaurants outside of the hotel. When I was lost communication was difficult but often a point in the right direction was all that was needed.
I observed the Costra Nostra, mafia, up close since most nights there were enjoying life in a separate lounge area by the bar. One day I stopped into a small restaurant for lunch, a man and women were the only two there. While I was eating my soup and the man walked past when leaving, he looked at me and said American. I guess you had to be there to get the vibe. It was such a joy for me because I’m fascinated by the Mafia.
I remember going into a fur shop, it was freezing cold and I had not packed for the weather. We had no verbal way of communicating but by showing her the type of furs I liked, I left with a beautil silver fox coat. I’m not a fur wearer but as I struggled with the cold, I wanted the warmest coat I could buy.
I could talk for hours about my trip especially the Astoria hotel, one of two five star hotels in the city. From the moment the Mercedes picked up at the airport, the entire staff welcoming me when I arrived to how they helped and protected me. I’ve never experienced a city like St.Petersburg and look for the day I can return.
My trip of a lifetime to date.
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
My trusted Mum, blooming year after year and requires zero attention.
Melinda
Setting boundaries is no more than communicating what you expect from the other person. All people need boundaries in their life. Some boundaries are harder to set than others say like the Internet and Cell Phones, boundries have to start young.
The difficulty with setting boundaries gets harder when your children are adults however if you’ve set clear boundaries growing up it isn’t a problem, maybe a conversation or to reclarify.
As a teen I was raised by my grandparents so I skipped a generation, meaning my grandparents were from deep poverty and the war generation. I went to live with them at 14 years old as a troubled teen. Boundaries were clearly needed.
No phone calls after 9PM
In bed by 10PM
No leaving the house after 9PM
Curfew was midnight sharp!
Doors to the room were left open unless needed for privacy
Could only drive the car to take Granny shopping, run family errands, to school and back, basketball, special school dances, to write for school or local newspaper.
Once I started working I had to pay Gramps $8 a week for gas and the extra $50 a year it cost to add me to the insurance policy.
No sleepovers
Had to meet every date and friends
The biggest challenge faced by a pre-teen and teen is the Internet and Social media. Neither was around in my day. I didn’t buy my first computer until 1991.
If you start setting boundaries very early in life with will be much easier to set them with an emotional teen. One of the biggest challenges is peer pressure at this age and you will have to stand on what is appropriate for your specific child, are responsible enough, and is there a reason.
Now there are a few things to remember, I grew up in a strict environment and believe the boundaries and consequences are appropriate for a healthy relationship.
You have the opportunity to set boundaries are soon as your child is a toddler and the more boundaries as they get older. Be prepared for meltdowns, calling names, which is another boundary to set, and being mad at you.
If you want to try to be a friend to your child all their life you can stop reading here. I don’t buy into that style of parenting.
One of the first things that might come up is what language is appropriate to use in the house, for example calling names.
We’ll eat at dinner time and not in the bedroom. Even if your child is studying, they need a break from the books and this is your time to communicate with your child. How was their day?
A big bone of contention is the Internet and Cell Phones. This is where you will get the most push because this is one huge peer pressure in your pre/teen’s life.
If your child is under 16 years old, but the computer is in an open but quiet part of the house to use. After they reach 16 or are very mature and responsible for their age you can move into their bedroom. The key here is, having a tracking device and blocking sites and apps they can use. Also, give them a limit to how long they have per day to use the computer. If the whole time is taken up for doing school work, too bad they have to wait until the next day.
The other teaching experience is learning responsibility and this can be done by boundaries. If you give your child an allowance, determine how much they should pay you for the computer and phone. Make them save for it. If they don’t save, it’s not that important or they are not responsible enough.
My granny knew how bad I wanted a camera, she said if I would save half she would pay for the other half. That was so appreciated because I didn’t expect it. Those lessons from my grandparents set me up for some great lessons in life.
I’m strict and believe that many problems today are created by the Internet and children’s exposure at too young of an age.
Cell phones are another battle with children. There is so much peer pressure. You have to decide if the phone is needed, are they responsible enough to keep up with it or buy a new one themselves. Same if they lose it. If the child is working, I would have them pay a portion of the bill.
Make sure you buy the lowest Data plan, put a tracker on, and block sites. You are to have the code to the phone at all times and be free to read text. This is not only setting boundaries it’s teaching them responsibility.
A crucial part of setting boundaries is there will be times when they need to be broken, that’s life and you have to monitor the reasons. If there is a mass shooting, they can use all the data they have in one day! The key is communication and understanding why they ran out of data if it’s not apparent. It’s critical that you let your child know you are monitoring their computer and phone activity. If you sneak around you’ll have a hard time gaining their trust again. If they know up front, they have to make wise decisions or not be smart enough to try. It’s that simple.
As your children move out and learn to spread their wings, you’ll have to set new boundaries. But that’s for another post.
Melinda
Repost
I’m not an easy cry but seeing pure acts of kindness fills my heart completely. Seeing a very sick child go home from hospital yanks my chain and seeing the unconditional love of an animal after it is rescued. I could go on and on but you can see my heart already.
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 
