Stop Reacting and Start Responding (Review & Giveaway) 11/17-11/24

As parents, we all need a little advice from time to time and here is a very helpful book,  by Sharon Silver , called Stop Reacting and Start Responding. In the book, Silver touches on many situations that parents encounter on a daily basis, such as tantrums, outings with grandparents , begging at the store ,  resolving anger and etc…

She teaches how to parent  positively by thinking about what you are going to do rather than just quickly reacting.

“Disciplining consciously has a child stop what he’s doing, think about what he’s done, realize what he should have done instead, and resolve the situation. The acronym S.T.R.R. represents Stop. Think. Realize. Resolve. It will help you remember the concept.” I really like this concept and am  trying to utilize it at my house.

I also like how she says, “Spend a week focusing on what’s being done right, rather than on what’s being done wrong.” This is really important as sometimes parents feel like all our kids do are misbehave and challenge us in a negative way.

I also, like her idea to, “Create a chill out chair.”  I think this is better than sending kids to their rooms ads you want their room to be a positive place.

Thanks, Sharon, for letting me read your book and I hope it come in pocket size too!

Want to win this book?

Here are 5 ways you can enter (yes, you can enter 5 times) :

1.“Like” Strawberry Monday On Facebook and leave a comment here saying you did.
2.“Like”  Sharon Silver-Proactive Parenting-Parent Educator on Facebook and leave a comment here saying you did.
3. Become a Strawberry Monday blog follower and leave a comment here saying you did.
4. Leave a comment regarding your thoughts.

5. Read this article and leave a comment here regarding it.

The Great Parenting Show Review

Today I was given the opportunity to listen to an interview on the www.GreatParentingShow.com , hosted by, Jacqueline Green, BA
Parenting Educator. The show is full of parenting advice from leading parenting experts on many different topics.

I listened in to an interview with Shelly Lefkoe, from the Lefkoe Institute , on the topic : How to Get Your Children to Cooperate Without Destroying their Self-Esteem. I fully enjoyed the interview and really like her teaching. Many things she said, I already try to do with my kiddos but I sure did learn a lot too!

Here are some highlights that I found important :

1. I like how Lefkoe said, “You are your child’s expert.”

2. Lefkoe was asked by Jacqueline, “What is the number one problem facing parents today?”
She said, “Technology.” They focused in on how it is an issue for the family as a whole. She talked about how parents need to model social behaviors for their children. Meaning, if your kids are talking to you and require your attention, stop texting , talking and get of the computer! I do agree with this and check myself once in a while that I do not behave this way—I am not perfect. Parents do need to stop being so distracted and pay attention.

3. Focus on how to help your children do things in a way the will empower them.

4. Don’t push your kids to do things that have nothing to do to with the value of their lives. For example, don’t just show up at soccer games and yell at your child if he/she doesn’t score a goal. This just shows a parents lack of confidence and is a bad reflection on yourself.

5. Celebrate failures in the way you celebrate success as if you do not fail a lot you will be mediocre. Leftkoe’s example was that her family celebrated a swim meet loss. Her daughter practiced and tried very hard but lost and that’s okay because she tried.

She said her husband said to her daughter, “you are valuable , important, good enough competent , and capable person who had a lost swim. Your worth in value is not how fast you go across the pool.” Wow…. That is AWESOME. I used this with my daughter and her failing Math grade and it made her perk up. The cool thing, is that it’s true.

6. Ask yourself , “what are my expectations of this child? As a parent or individual do I excel at everything I do?” Ummmm… No…

7. Don’t assume and ask good questions. For example, on a failing class : what is it about the class that is difficult? Are you bored? Are you challenged? Is something bothering you about the teacher or classmates?

I am very thankful to have had this opportunity as I got some great tips that I can use to make my family life better.

Mommy Perks Holiday Gift Guide

  Mommy Perks is a great site to discover lots of cool small businesses. Check them out today!

Don’t Miss The Shabby Vintage Market!

Over twenty vendors with tons of refinished furniture, shabby chic decorating items, antiques, crafts, gifts, vintage clothing , accessories and more put on by Junk Restore. So fun! Here is just an idea of types of things that will be there–we have TONS of new goodies like your favorites from our Marketplace at Power Square.

 

Hope to see you there!!

How To Cash In On Your Unwanted Clothing

Happy Fall!! It does not seem like fall in Arizona and I am so jealous of the cooling weather a lot of you are getting. Time to start switching wardrobes and getting rid of the things you don’t wear anymore. We no longer do trade ins but there are several outlets that you can utilize to try to recoup some of your costs.

1. Resale Shops : Make sure your items are neatly placed in a bag or bin and clean. It will save time and make you more cash. Also, PLEASE do not turn in items coated with animal hair. Most stores will not even look at the items because most stores do not clean their items–that is what the funky smell is. At Strawberry Monday, we wash everything before it hits the shelves or the mail.

2. Consignment Sales : These sales take some time on your part but can be really profitable. Make sure to mark your items to sell. If they are marked too high you will be bringing them home and will not be happy .

3. Yard Sale : You can have a sale but from my experience people do not want to pay more than $2 for a clothing item. If you have things that you need more from then do the Consignment sales. Make sure to hang your items nice or have them on tables. Many people can not get down on the ground to dig –myself included–and will not even stop at your sale. If you invest some time to make it look nice you will make much more money.

4. Sell Online : Ebay is a great outlet but is very time consuming–I know! Also, the more you list the more business you will have. If you sell Online, make sure your pictures are nice and abundant. Invest in a half torso mannequin if you can–they are about $20. Also, outside is the best place for true light and make yourself a scene. It looks more professional if items are not laid on a floor or bed.

Also, Craigslist.com is a good outlet but be safe about it. Don’t let people come to your home if you can help it. Generally, most people are honest and true but there are some that do not have good intentions. Just keep safe.

5. Switch With Your Pals :
Save your items and get together with your friends and switch. That can be really fun!

6. Donate : If you don’t have time for any of this just donate. Many people will benefit from your kindness.

When I go through my closets I have 3 bins :
Donate – Yard Sale – Resale.
I resale, then yard sale, then donate. It works for me.

Regarding Strawberry Monday, we are fully Online now. It takes a lot of time so please be patient. I am almost done listing children’s items and will be listing ladies’ soon and as well as . You will be able to purchase from our website, Ebay and Etsy stores. Or just call or email me directly.

Coupons and deals will be offered to our Facebook fans so please like us!

What’s in the lunchbox?

I have been volunteering at my child’s school during the Kindergarten lunch period, and it is quite an entertaining and interesting time. When I volunteer, I help the kiddos open their food items, such as milk, animal crackers, and jello and have seen some really funky things in their boxes…

One child asked me to open his thermos for water for his soup – that he was going to dip his cold pizza into…yuck! Another child had two Capri Suns with a big ol’ burrito packed in a gallon baggie (it would not have fit in a sandwich size). He said he was not going to eat the burrito–I would not have either. Then another little one pulled out a baggie of at least three cut-up, cold hot dogs…EW!!! One more child had a wooden kabob skewer he used to dangle a banana piece in front of another kid’s face. Okay…

Anyway, my point is that many of the kids’ lunches were kind of gross, and I felt bad for them. Maybe they like cold pizza and hot dogs but they can expire during the day, so it’s better to save them for home if possible.

I realize we can’t make super tasty and awesome lunches everyday, but try to keep in mind that if you won’t eat something, maybe your kids won’t either. Save the funky stuff for the hubby’s lunch–Ha Ha!! I am kind of kidding as my hubby will eat almost anything, within reason.

A lot of the little kiddos can’t open their items and not all schools have volunteer programs to help during lunch so maybe try to keep that in mind when packing the little lunches. You can even slightly open items or replace the packaging. This gives them more time to eat (not waiting for someone to open it) and maybe puts more in their tummies.

When I was little, I begged and begged my mom to let me take my lunch (cuz my friends did), but she had me eat school food everyday.

Aside from moldy stuff you forgot to clean out, what is the grossest item you have ever found in your lunch box?

Summer Is Almost Over…

Well, I sadly say that it is back to school time. Happy that the kids will have something to do, but sad for me that I have my youngest going to Kindergarten. Not sure why I am so sad because I will be able to have some needed Me time.  Apparently, a lot of moms feel this way as at the school they have a “Tea & Tissues” group for crying moms….. I think that is pretty cool.

Here are a few helpful hints that I  found for us criers :

1. Volunteer at the school to get to know the parents and staff.

2. Volunteer other places , work  or just keep busy with activities to deal with the separation anxiety–(this must be my problem).

3. Recognize and appreciate their milestone as it is a beginning for them.