Parent - Grandparent Survey

Dear Parents, Grandparents and, Teachers who care about children,

April 3, 2011, I begin full-time putting The Grandparent Textbook together with my co-authors, Adele Steinmetz and Jane Nelsen. I am thrilled to block out 6 weeks to do it. I am asking for your support and contribution.

Would you be willing to reflect on grandparents and grandparenting and share your wisdom with me in a return email before April Fool’s Day?

Some ideas:

What names do you call grandparents you are related to? Who gave that name to the grandparent?

How many grandparents do your children have?

How many grandparents do your grandchildren have?

What do you especially cherish about the people who grandparent your children or who grandparented you?

What do you wish your grandparents had done or been for you, and for your children?

How do you plan to be as a grandparent? or how do you relate to your grandchildren – specifically and generally?

What are some of the grandparent issues you need help with?

What great or tragic stories do you have to share?

Grandparents. What are your greatest concerns about the way your grandchildren are parented?

Parents. What are the challenges you have regarding the way your parents treat your children?

How does this impact your now adult relationships?

What other crucial issues do you agree on, or not?

How do you think the 3 or 4 generations could best work together? Any tips to share that might enhance relationships between generations?

Anything else you'd like to share?

Would you be willing to forward this to anyone else who might be interested in contributing?

Would you like to be named in the book for your contribution?

Do I have your permission?

Positive Discipline booster shots

As I prepare to leave for 6 weeks of writing The Grandparenting Textbook in Mexico I want to provide this resource to sustain us all. As we all know there is no falling off the wagon. We need to stay on our game. I thought this would help.

http://positivediscipline.ning.com/

I'll be back mid May.

I so look forward to your responses! Thank you very much!

With love,

Marti

My email is martimonroe@gmail.com

Classes

Now is the time to get yourself into a series of classes, if you'd like to improve your fun and effectiveness as a parent or teacher. The Peaceful Contacts class, 2/25 or 2/26 is a new class - a webinar you can take from home over a 6 week period. You'll learn to listen and speak in ways you'll find much more enjoyable. The calendar will show you what is being offered. Just click on the date with the listing. Hope to see you soon.

Marti

Sibling Issues?

One of my favorite concepts for understanding sibling rivalry!

Hope it helps!

Marti

Great Fathers Day Gift - Watch more Funny Videos

Manners

Hi Friends,

Look what I learned how to do when I had some extra time over the holidays!

Hope you find this 4 min 40 second lesson inspiring and useful!

Happy New Year!

Marti

Kids and manners

My friend, Dodie, reminds us of lots we want to remember when we have time with our kids in this very short video!

Here is the link

http://www.abc15.com/dppl/lifestyle/family/make-sure-your-kids-are-on-their-best-behavior-this-holiday

New classes for 2011 will be posted this week on my web site.

Look forward to studying with you soon!

Marti

Self-Care a gift for everyone!

Filling Your Love Cup One of the most important things that you can do for those you love is to take care of yourself. Our love cups are made up of things that "fill" us emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. It might be reading a book, getting a pedicure, taking a nap or going on a walk. Life inevitably gets in the way of doing those things that are good for us. The boss wants the report on her desk by Friday, the kids have school and soccer practice and your partner is hoping you can pick up the dry cleaning and fix dinner for some business associates. All of these tasks weigh heavy on us and take up most of our energy and enthusiasm for doing the things we love. That is why we need to recharge and fill our love cups with things that make us feel good. Dr. Marti Monroe, a family therapist from Boise, suggests making a love cup list and doing at least 4-5 things on that list each and every day. That may seem like a lot. You can always start out small. Make a list and put it on the refrigerator. Try and do 1-2 things a day to start. We seldom put ourselves first. Give it a try this month and see how it improves your relationships and your physical well being. Good luck! Isn't this perfect!? I read it in the Twigga Newsletter just now!

Hello Friends,

Lila, the director at Parkcenter Montessori, sent this to me this morning. It seems a great resource for all of us to use to deal with loss and grief with our children!

The scholastic website is fantastic when you click on the registration button.

I have been busy writing a 6 week webinar course on Peaceful Contacts that I will offer on line in January. It trains us to listen and speak peacefully. I suspect you'll love it!

Marti

One in 10 children in your school will experience the death of a parent or guardian before reaching the age of 20. When a loss occurs, do you know the best ways to help?

The New York Life Foundation, with assistance from Scholastic Inc., has developed a newChildren and Grief site to help educators and other adults guide children and teens through their bereavement—whether they have lost a parent, close relative, or school community member. It includes:

• How to React When a Death Strikes the School Community
• Leading Children Through Their Grief: Downloads and Guides
• Ways to Commemorate a Loss: Memorials, Sympathy Cards, and More

A live webcast on March 24, 2011, with a youth grief expert - sign up today!

When someone in your school community experiences the loss of a loved one, we hope that these materials will give you and others the know-how to confidently nurture, comfort, and guide students through their grief.

Sincerely,

The New York Life Foundation and Scholastic