This year has been a year of exploration and learning as my mission to help children learn the power of positive self-talk, mindset and life tools from my book has expanded. I’ve learned a ton and look forward to continuing my journey. One consistent sentiment from parents and educators is the desire for resources in small bites to teach and reinforce these important skills. As a parent I completely understand, and this is why I am making it a priority to provide parents an

COURAGEOUS - Teaching children the importance of pushing through their fears Definition: The ability to handle fear, embarrassment, pain or anything else you would usually want to avoid. The ability to push through fears and be brave even when you’re scared. Inner toughness. Activities: Think of something you are scared to try. Repeat saying, “I am strong and can push through my fears.” Tips for kids: Being courageous doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. It means you are scared

CHARITY - Teaching children the importance of giving back to their community Definition: Make a positive difference in the world by helping others in need. To give without expecting anything in return. Activities: Do at least one random act of kindness today. Tips for kids: You alone can make a difference in the world. It’s up to you to spread Green Glory’s help. Announcing my next Life Skills for Kids Workshops for ages 7-10 with parent: 6 Saturdays 2/20-3/26/2016 3pm-4pm

Definition: Dream big. Set goals. Work hard. Perserverance. Give your best effort. Make a promise and keep it. Activities: Write down 1 goal you want to accomplish today (big or small) Tips for kids: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Failure is not the end, failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s your choice to listen to Green Glory and stay committed, or listen to Red Rant and give up. Announcing my next Life Skills for Kids Workshops for ages

Definition: Exchanging thoughts and information effectively. Relationship skills. Activities: Play a game of charades where your family uses their body language to communicate. Tips for kids: Good communication can keep smaller problems from becoming bigger problems. Good communication helps build and keep healthy friendships. You have the power to communicate Green Glory’s positive talk or Red Rant’s negative talk. Announcing my next Life Skills for Kids Workshops for

Today I’m writing about Confidence which was the 1st C of “The 12 Cs” I created. I believe confidence is the foundation to a happy and fulfilled life and it is a critical life lesson to teach our children and live ourselves. Most of us struggle with confidence and I certainly have struggled with it. However, my confidence has greatly improved since I became more aware through researching it for my book, The Adventures of Ooga and Zeeta, and Life Skills for Kids Workshop. I

Definition: To care about the feelings of another and help them feel better. To treat others as you would like to be treated. To build and sustain healthy friendships. To include others. To have tolerance and accept others as they are. Activities: Hand out “Compassion” notes to deserving people. Link is...Compassion notes Tips for kids: Everyone’s goal in life is to be happy and showing your COMPASSION helps others reach their happy goal. You can make a positive d

Start the new year off by re-stocking your life skills toolbox for you and your children with ‘The 12 Cs’. For 12 days I will post definitions and activities of these 12 life tools. I believe that everyone can benefit from strengthening their life skills so they can lead the most fulfilled life possible. As the author of The Adventures of Ooga and Zeeta and the creator of the Life Skills for Kids workshop I put together the 12 Days of The 12 Cs to help refuel you and your fam

Cherish is one of The 12 Cs: 12 essential life tools helping children thrive. In my book, The Adventures of Ooga and Zeeta, and my Life Tools Workshop I define Cherish as…To feel thankful and grateful. To focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have. Being mindful. To focus on “can do it” vs. “have to do it.” I included Cherish as one of The 12 Cs because I believe it is necessary to maximize our happiness and it's free and easy to do once one becomes aware of it

I have a great example of pushing through fears and being courageous. Courageous is one of The Cs and was perfectly executed by my 8 year old daughter this weekend. We were at the pool and she wanted to jump off the low diving board. She is a very fearful child and had wanted to jump for a couple of years after watching her friends have fun doing it. She walked to the end of the diving board a few times over the years but wasn't ready to push through her fears. We talk a lot