WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT ANYWAY???

I am really excited to be going to visit my youngest son tomorrow at College. It is his 20th birthday tomorrow and I'm happy I'll be able to spend it with him. Wow, 20 years already. I remember twenty years ago tonight I had my husband take me for a drive on the bumpiest roads he could find...:) I was bound and determined I was going to go into labour that night. You see, my best friend was pregnant with her first child, I was with my third, and we were due a few days apart. I got a call earlier that evening that she was in labour and headed to the hospital. Not without me I said!!!! Well, lo and behold if I didn't go into labour later that evening.

It was kind of comical, as they wheeled her into the delivery room they wheeled me into the prep room. We had a chance to say hi and wish each other a safe delivery. As was typical of a first baby her delivery took somewhat longer and we ended up having our boys 2 hrs. apart. Her son was born on September 7th and mine 2 hours later on September 8th delivered by the same doctor. It was fun to share that experience with a close friend and our children grew up as very close friends also.

As I spoke with my son tonight about our upcoming visit tomorrow I asked him, "What are you giving me for your birthday?"

He responded..."What am I giving you? But it's my birthday!!"

"Yes, I realize that son," I replied, "But who was it that went through all the pain, sleeplessness and worry 20 years ago? I think flowers will do nicely. :)"

MOVIES WITH IMPACT

Have you ever watched a movie that seemed to really make an impact on your life or left you with a new insight on something? I can think of a few that for various reasons have impacted me, sometimes just from a line that was uttered. Such an example was Jack Nicholson in "As Good As It Gets". The scene where he says to Helen Hunt, "You make me want to be a better man." I found that line quite profound after some thought, however, it's not the movie I want to talk about in this blog.

This morning I was relaxing watching an old movie, which is something I don't do often enough. It was the classic "To Sir With Love" starring one of my favorite actors Sidney Poitier. I can recall watching that movie when I was younger, in my teens, and I realize now that it had a bigger impact on my life than I was aware of. It is one of those movies that I feel all adults and those working with youth should watch. For those who have never seen it, the movie is based on a young black Teacher that takes a temporary teaching job working in a low income neighbourhood with rebellious teens of the early 60's. Okay, I realize it is fiction and that it isn't quite as easy to convert troubled youth as it appeared to be for Sidney Poitier in the movie. However, the methods he employs are timeless and in my own opinion quite effective even today. Basically, he is showing how one person, taking an active role and sincerely trying to reach out to the youth can make a difference. How showing that he genuinely cares, listening to what they have to say and offering them respect for respect in return, brings about positive results.

From the get go he refuses to interact with them unless they show him proper respect as well as each other and other people they might deal with in their daily lives. He helps them to understand that life is full of dissapointments and unfair people and those are just some of the things they have to learn to deal with using effective people skills. He shows that by working hard how even the most challenged can eventually create a decent life. He shows by example.

To sum it up, these students could tell he was genuine, that he truly cared about them individually and anything he did or said to them was done with their well being in mind.

I think Sidney's character in this movie truly did have an impact on the way I have interacted with youth in my adult life. I wish everyone would sit down and watch this movie and hopefully find it as much a 'good feel' movie as I did.

I would love to hear from some of you what if anything has had an impact on your childrearing methods.

On a lighter side...
Try this with one of your children the next time they complain..."How come he/she is allowed to and I'm not?"......."Because I love them more than you....duh.." Then wait for the shocked expression while you try to contain your laughter. It usually lightened up a situation for me. :)

AND THE AWARD GOES TO....

I am thrilled that I now have the opportunity to spread the award to sites I feel deserve it and here they are. Please pay them a vist.

RICK'S TIME ON EARTH

A MOM'S LIFE

THE FASHIONISTA AND BABY

MONDAY MORNING POWER

I know there are many more excellent blogs out there that I just haven't come across yet...but I know I will.

Take your prize and spread the love. If you have already received this prize from someone else, well then you deserve it multiple times over.

I THINK I'LL STICK WITH IT

An interesting thing happened today when I opened my blog. I received this award.

It was awarded to me from a very uplifting blog 'MONDAY MORNING POWER' and it made me think.

You may have noticed on my blog that I have a Stat Counter. It is becoming common to have them on your blog or website and they are really interesting in that they can tell you how often your blog is visited and what city/state/province they come from, not to mention the site they accessed yours from. In many ways they are interesting as well as helpful. It's nice to know how often your blog is viewed.

I have to admit I was getting somewhat discouraged that this site got very few visitors whereas my art site THE FUNCTIONAL ARTIST was increasing on a daily basis. I had to ask myself some thought provoking questions. Was my topic choice for this blog an unpopular topic? Was my method or style of writing boring? Did I come across as a person who thought they 'new it all' when in fact that is the last image I want to portray. Or was it something as simple as an 'overtalked subject' on the blogs?

Well after a lot of thinking and debating I came to the conclusion that in the big picture, none of that mattered. As long as I have this passion for children and believe in what I'm writing then I should continue on with it. If even one person reads and follows my blog taking with them some confort or reassurance or even amusement, then what more could I ask for?

And now I must go on and spread the award to other very deserving bloggers.

Kids - Gotta love 'em

Found on the internet...anonymous writer.

Out of the mouth of babes...

While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary
school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking
up and down at my uniform, she asked, "Are you a cop?" "Yes," I
answered and continued writing the report. "My mother said if I ever
needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?" "Yes, that's
right," I told her. "Well,then," she said as she extended her foot
toward me, "Will you tie my shoelace?"

INSPIRING WORDS

Be the change you wish to see in the world.-Ghandi

I have always loved quotes and for a few years I have collected my favourites. I find that often they are words that are very thought provoking. I love sayings, expressions, or quotes that make you stop and think. Often you will come across one that really fits your current situation and helps you to see things more clearly in another light. A good example is the one above by Ghandi. We often go on about how we wish things were different in the world such as how children behave these days or their attitudes. Well, if you read this quote what you might take from it is that instead of sitting back and wishing for changes to be made take an active role to make them happen. Instead of criticizing behaviours in others step up and set a good example. Be a role model that others can emulate. Instead of expressing your disgust at a child's lack of respect, be the respectful person you wish them to be and show by setting an example. Treat them with respect and expect it in return. When they speak, listen. Show that you do consider what they have to say worth listening to and respond appropriately. Let them know that they too must give you your chance to speak and listen in return. It's a simple matter of respect. We don't tune out our peers so why should we do that to our youth.

A good example was one day I went into a convenience store for a purchase. When I walked up to the counter there was a young boy ahead of me patiently waiting to pay for his purchase. The store clerk looked right over his head and proceeded to serve me. I quickly commented that the young man was first in line and awaiting his turn. In a bit of a 'sniff' she served the young man first. Here, truly is a good example of lack of respect. What was she teaching him?


Okay, so when Ghandi wrote this quote the intention might have been something more intense such as politics but the words themselves can apply to many of life's situations. So instead of bemoaning the problems in the world, do your part to help bring about change. As I often say, maybe a bit too often...two steps forward, one step back will eventually get you there...

PARENTS ON STRIKE

I came across this amusing photo on the internet and it gave me a laugh because I'm sure all parents have wanted to do this at some point. I know I have!!