Parent Newsletters - Issue 26

No Limits Learning
kids goals Ezine

Issue 26, January 13th, /07

IN THIS PARENT NEWSLETTER

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS
2. THINKING FROM THE END
3. KEEPING IT SIMPLE
4. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS
5. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)
6. WORDS OF INSPIRATION
7. SPONSORS

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS

Welcome to the next issue of kidsgoals.com Newsletter. Wow!! Can you believe that this is issue#26!!! This is a very special issue for my partner Cassie and I. When we first conceived the idea to create the kidsgoals website and newsletter we wondered if we had the STUFF it would take to keep it going. By Stuff I mean the tenacity and determination and creativity to keep the site current and interesting and get the newsletters out every two weeks. Just goes to show you when you are on the right track you find the energy and creativity that you need to get the job done.

Issue #26 is a continuation on the theme of goal setting from our Dec 30th newsletter. The first article is about thinking from the end, which in essence is visualizing in your mind that you have already accomplished your goal. Visualization has been used for years by professional athletes; and is a powerful tool you can use to help realize your goals. The next article is about simplifying your life so you will have more time, less stress and more energy to work on your goals. In it you will find time saving ways to make your life less complicated. In our regular kids recipe section look for ideas for simple healthy meals that you can whip up in minutes.

Cassie and I would like to acknowledge the winners of the book contest. Congratulations to Denise from Lusby, MD USA and Ewelina from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. We would also like to thank everyone else who entered.

The new KidsGoals Not-For-Profit shop will be launching very soon, with exciting, unique products created specially for you by us at KidsGoals. At the KidsGoals shop, EVERY price will be the right price, because YOU will decide what you want to pay. Our mission is to help children all over the world be happy and successful, and our loyal subscribers - YOU - are our starting point. So watch out for announcements of new powerful products coming in February for you and your kids.

Monicka

2. THINKING FROM THE END

OK, here we are and it is almost the middle of January. If you have been following the kidsgoals newsletter and blogs, you have prioritized and categorized, written down your goals and promised to reward yourself for a job well done. You are raring to go, higher than a kite, totally psyched, and nothing is going to stop you; but did you know the one thing that can bring you down from that goal setting high faster than an elephant gun? In no uncertain terms the biggest deterrence to achieving what you set out to accomplish is negative self-talk. That's right, even more harmful than procrastination - and worse it can strike you when you least expect it. Picture this you are going along on your merry way and suddenly that mind of yours starts to contradict you. It silently leaks poison into your psyche telling you that you don't have what it takes to accomplish your goals; you haven't in the past so what makes this time any different? If you let too many of those weeds of self-doubt take root you are doomed before you start. What you may not know is your subconscious mind cannot tell what is real and what is imagined so if you start listening to enough of those self defeating messages you will start to believe them. On the positive side you can still use the power of the subconscious mind to your advantage and teach your children how to use it too by using visualization.

Visualization is an incredibly powerful tool that we have at our disposal and can call on in a moment's notice! Get a clear image in your mind of what your goal will look like. Picture and experience in your mind everything that you want to realize. How does it sound, look smell, what positive things are others saying as you stand there proudly saying, "Look what I did!!! " You will probably find that your kids are even better at visualization than you are, but keep practicing; I guarantee it will get easier. In fact you will find after awhile that the image in your head will seem so real to you that you may even get emotional about it, all the better. Emotion makes visualizing even more powerful so your aim is to clearly see yourself as if you have already accomplished your goal while emotionally experiencing the incredible joy and satisfaction that comes from bringing it to fruition. Many professional athletes do this on a regular basis as part of their training for that competitive edge. Now that's some powerful stuff. Can I hear a whoo hooo!!!

Teach your child to use visualization to imagine his goal has been realized. Ask him questions about how it will look when he has attained his goal. Try to get him to use all of his senses. Ask him how it will look, feel and even sound. Have him picture in his mind what it would be like if his goal were to happen. First thing in the morning and before he falls asleep are the best times as that is when the subconscious mind is most accepting and relaxed. Try to get him started on a regular routine but NEVER force him to do this for a specific amount of time; it must ALWAYS be fun for him.

By Monicka

3. KEEPING IT SIMPLE

How to Simplify Your Life (and make time for goal-setting)

Isn't it easy to find yourself falling into the mental trap of thinking: "Have to do everything!" or even worse, "have to do everything PERFECTLY!" Most of us have been there and it's an exhausting place - your editors know it well!

Our New Year's resolution is to SIMPLIFY and thus find time for goal setting - time for our own goals and (in Monicka's case) to find time to help the children with THEIR goal setting.

Here are some tips that we are resolving to use this year in our own lives to help us reduce stress and make space for FUN things like goal setting. We hope that they will help you too!

* When cooking a meal like stew, pie, quiche or chili, make two or three lots rather than just one - it's not much more trouble, and we'll have a spare in the deep freeze ready for a day we don't feel like cooking

* With housework, accept that "a lick and promise" is enough, if that's all we feel we can manage. Find little things that make a big difference. For instance, if we don't have time to clean the bathroom from top to bottom - just polish the sink - then let it go and consider the task done! The bathroom will look a whole lot better in next to no time, and a full clean can be done another day or another week. The house doesn't have to look perfect all the time. Who knows, if we leave a few things undone then maybe our spouses will decide to help out of their own accord - it has been known!

* Make it clear to the kids that getting ready for school is their responsibility. Let them know what is the list of things they need to do in the morning, and let them know what time you are leaving the house. Then if they are not ready, you leave anyway. And when you get that phone call asking you to bring in their gym strip they forgot, the answer is NO! Let the kids make some little mistakes, learn from them and learn to be responsible. And it'll make your morning a whole lot less stressful.

* If you currently seem to taking care of EVERYTHING, then it is time to let some things go. For instance Cassie decided a couple of years ago not to pay any bills. She told her husband that she didn't have the time or energy to do it any more, so he picked the task up. It was hard for her at times not to open the post or check the bank, but she persisted and although mistakes were made, guess what eventually the bills were paid! If you're taking responsibility for more than your fair share, what can you relinquish? The garden for instance? Or taking the dog to the vet? Make it clear that you're not doing it anymore, then let your other half pick up the task in his or her own time and own way, without nagging or checking up on him or her.

* Make your sleep a priority. Figure out how much sleep you need, and then factor in some relaxation time so you get to bed on time and in a relaxed state. It might feel like sleep is the first thing to be cut down on when time pressures abound - don't let this happen! You can get much more done, and much more effectively, in your day if you are well rested. You'll be setting a good example for your kids as well.

* Move the children's bedtimes an hour earlier. Most kids do NOT get enough sleep. If they are already getting enough sleep, then they can use the extra time to relax quietly in their rooms. And don't worry about allowing your older kids to stay up later. It's a myth that older kids need a lot less sleep than younger kids. In fact in their early teens kids need just as much sleep as an eight year old. The extra Me-Time you get will help you be calm and energized in the morning.

* Stop trying to do everything for everyone. Your job is not to do everything for your kids (and certainly not your spouse!), it's to help them learn to do things for themselves. Are they old enough to make their own school lunches? Well teach them to do it the night before and avoid the morning rush.

* Make chores into playtime. If you have small children, they often don't distinguish between chores and play! So why not do chores together, and enjoy it as quality time where you are teaching your kids a useful skill? It could be mopping the kitchen floor, vacuuming the carpet or tidying the yard

Let's make 2007 the year we learn to relax, take time for ourselves and not let the little things in life stress us out. And of course - make space for goal setting for ourselves and our little ones!

With very best wishes for a successful New Year for you all,

From Cassie and Monicka

4. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS

EASY CHEESEBURGER MACARONI

The kids will love this cheeseburger macaroni recipe and it is quick and easy to make

Ingredients
* 1 pound lean ground beef, chicken or turkey
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1 cup ketchup
* 12 ounces cubes processed cheese such as Velveeta or cubes cheddar cheese if you don't like processed cheese
* 2 3/4 cups water
* 7 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni

In large skillet, brown beef; drain. Stir in water, ketchup and onion powder. Bring to boil; stir in macaroni. Reduce heat; cover. Simmer 8-10 minutes or until macaroni is cooked. Add cheese; stir until melted.

* Make a double batch and freeze one for later :)

EXTRA SPECIAL SCRAMBLED EGGS

INGREDIENTS:
* 8 large eggs
* 1/4 cup milk
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1 large tomato, chopped
* 1 tablespoon thinly sliced green or spring onions
* 1/2 cup shredded cheese any type you like

PREPARATION:

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together until well blended. Melt butter in skillet over medium-low heat until hot; pour in egg mixture. Reduce heat. As mixture begins to set on bottom and sides of skillet, lift and fold over with spatula.

Cook until eggs are almost set; fold in tomato and green onion. Heat scrambled eggs through, mix in shredded cheese and serve immediately.

Pinecone Bird Feeder

(with adult supervision)

* Pine Cone
* Peanut Butter
* Margarine
* Yarn or Wire
* Bird Seed

Tie or twist the yarn or wire onto the pinecone for the hanger. Mix 1 part peanut butter to one part margarine. Spread the peanut butter and margarine mixture onto the pinecone. Pour some birdseed onto a plate or shallow dish and roll the pinecone in it. Place the seed-covered pinecones in the freezer until they set usually about an hour. Hang outside. The birds will love it!!

If you are not near any pinecones here is an alternate bird feeder you can make

Milk Carton Bird Feeder

(with adult supervision)

1. Wash and dry a half-gallon cardboard milk carton.

2. Using a ruler, measure and mark a line 21/2" up from the bottom of the carton on two adjoining sides.

3. Using a ruler, measure and mark a line 21/2" down from the top edge of the carton on two adjoining sides.

4. Cut the sides off between the marked lines on the two adjoining sides.

5. Using a small hole punch, make two small holes in the very top edge of the carton.

6. Put string through the holes.

7. Hang the feeder from a branch or post. Fill it with seed, or suet you can purchase from pet stores

5. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)

Q: What is a cannibal's favourite game?
A: Swallow the leader

Q: Why did the chicken cross the playground?
A: To get to the other slide.

Q: Why couldn't Cinderella play football?
A: Because she kept running away from the ball.

One day the first grade teacher was reading the story of Chicken Little to her class. She came to the part of the story where Chicken Little tried to warn the farmer. She read, ".... and so Chicken Little went up to the farmer and said, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!" The teacher paused then asked the class, "And what do you think that farmer said?"

One little girl raised her hand and said, "I think he said: Cool! A talking chicken!'"

6. WORDS OF INSPIRATION

"In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia." -Unknown

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success." -Stephen A. Brennan

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau

"Simplicity is an acquired taste. Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life." -- Katherine F. Gerould

"Our life is frittered away by detail... Simplify, simplify." -Henry David Thoreau.

"You must see your goals clearly and specifically before you can set out for them. Hold them in your mind until they become second nature." -Les Brown

7. YOUR FEEDBACK

If you would like to request any topics for the newsletter for 2007, please email Cassie or Monicka at kidsgoals.com.

Thank you, from Cassie and Monicka

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