Moment of Awe

October 24, 2013 By

Friday night in our house is also game night. Usually the kids pick a typical run of the mill game, like Sorry, or Monopoly Jr. But this past week we broke put the “Cash Flow for Kids” game. We have been playing this game off and on for the last few years, but with limited success. I think in part due their ages, and basic reading and Math skills. However, it was amazing how they were able to pick the idea up so quickly and so confidently. It only took one full time around the board for my son to officially emote him self from the rat race. It was almost too easy for him. The lack of fear shown by both of them was amazing. They had zero worries of running out of money, failing o even losing. What happens to us as adults to have cost us this fearlessness. Why are we so hard on our selves, expecting perfection at all costs, why can’t we simply play the game as children??

Life would be so much simpler if we could just through caution to the wind, and just go with the flow. What happens to us as we mature into adulthood that makes us so insecure in our decision making abilities. I encourage you all to play more like children. In games and in life. What is the worse thing that can happen? We will never know unless we try!

Filed Under: Business, Family, Hope, Kids, Real Life, Time Tagged With: , ,

So proud!!

August 21, 2013 By

We are in the idle of our summer vacation, the date is July 15, 2013. We are on the opposite side of the country in one of the major cities in Newfoundland…Gander of all places. We stop to visit the airplane museum, as aviation is something both the kids are interested in. We go through the museum, which is not very large, by any means, and with a 5 year old and a 7 year old, the attention to detail is the very first thing to go. We have been at the museum for about an hour, and they both ask me what mi am looking at. It was looking at a piece of the World Trade Centre. The museum was the proud recipient of an actual piece of an I beam cut from the wreckage of the 911 tragedy. This piece of iron was given to the City of Gander NL in appreciation for what they did to help the world when the US airspace was shut down to air travel. This small community on the eastern tip of Canada population doubled in just a matter of hours, due to planes being grounded. The selflessness of the people of Gander and surrounding communities made it possible for thousands of travels to have a safe haven during a time of uncertainty, and chaos. Along with the this iconic piece of gratitude, the museum had a book of letters. Every letter thanked the people of Gander, and surrounding area for their caring hospitality. I went through almost everyone of these letters, and it was heart wrenching to see the love, and thanks from around the world. There was even a letter from my own home town, from a couple who where grounded in Kansas, but wanted to write to show their appreciation for the communities for the way that they had shown the world the such an amazing representation of Canada as a country. I had never been so proud to be a Canadian.

Although this us an amazing story, and a true proud Canadian moment, the moment came as a parent as both my kids listened intently to me resell the story of 911, and walk them through the visuals of the display. They were a little afraid at first, and we discussed the fear factor, and the “there are bad people in this world” talk. They could not understand how someone could do something to hurt so so many people. (Proud moment #2). About 45 minutes later, they noticed a collection jar. She asked what it is for. I read her the sign that was with the jar, and explained that the money collected is split between helping to maintain the museum and helping those that were affected by the collapse of the towers. Again they both listened, and you could see their wheels spinning. But we continued on with the tour which ended up in the gift shop.

Each of my kids were given $50 to purchase souvenirs along the trip. Which they both did, I gave them their wallets, and they choose their own gifts, which were not the mementos that they usually choose, they choose items that they felt would help the, remember that stop of the trip (a desk piece, and a necklace). Both of their purchases were around $10. (Proud moment #3).

Then the most amazing thing (at least in my eyes) happened. My Son (who is 7) walked up to the collection jar, pulled out and pulled out a $20 bill, and asked my husband to put it in the collection Jar. My husband asked what he was doing, and Jackson’s answered floored me. He said that they need the money more then he needed souvenirs. WOW!! Both my husband and I were flabbergasted that a 7 year old would act so selfless. My Husband turned to my son, and said that his offer was very generous, and that we would give the donation, so that he could use his money for other things. This confused him a little as he watched his father place a $20 bill from his wallet, he then again opened his wallet, and gave his dad a toonie, as a Donation, saying that he wanted to give something of his. (Proud moment #4). Then to top things off he turns to his little sister and tells her that she needs to give something too, explaining that we have a lot of good things, and that it is important to share, and she as well digs in the wallet, and pulls out a toonie to place in the jar. (Proud moment #5).

What a day. They really do listen, and more importantly they understand.

WOW!!

Filed Under: Family, Goals, Info, Kids, My Story, The Penny Tagged With: , , ,

Kids are Smarter then You Think

March 8, 2013 By

As I was writing out all my goals, I thought it was a little strange that my kids don’t really have goals of there own.  Don’t get me wrong  they have the goals that we as parents impose on them, (do well in school, try hard at sports activities etc),  but do  they know how to set and achieve goals of their own.   So I sat them down this week and asked them if they new what a goal was.  Remember my kids are 7 and 5…the answer I got back is….that is what you get when you score in a hockey game (they both play hockey).  I had to agree with them as they were technically right, and rephrased the question.  This time I asked  them what they wanted  to get out of going to hockey (to keep with the hockey  theme) and again was surprised by the answers  that I got…My 7 year old wanted to be a leader, and my 5 year old just wanted to have fun.  both great goals, and both I would say were achieved.  As the 7 year was just awarded most sportsmanlike, and everyone comments on how much fun they had with the 5 year old on the ice.  But are these the kind of goals that are going to drive them towards something, or are they just feelings that they have.

I learned a valuable lesson through this conversation with 2 kids, that I  think changed the way I want to approach things, and that is  how important it is to talk to your kids, how important it is to help them set goals, and celebrate them when they are achieved.  We have set a set series of goals, to see how far they can push themselves to be successful.

Goals are so easy even kids can make them!!

Filed Under: Goals, Kids Tagged With:
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