I Think I Need to Teach Quiet Time

When is the last time your kid had to just sit still without a phone, tablet, t.v, or an adult engaging him or her?

I took them to one of the city parks near me on Saturday to get some fresh air and do some jogging. I’m trying to run outside more often rather than on the treadmill, I think it’s a much better workout. They have electric scooters they like to ride, but I also want them to exercise so I intentionally didn’t charge them before hand, I figured I could do about 1-2 miles by myself while they rode around before the scooters died, then they could jog/walk with me the last couple of miles.

Right on time, the scooters gave out. They did about a quarter of a mile before the crying and whining began, I wasn’t going to let them ruin my work out yet again, so I sat them in the middle of the park (the paved path around it is just a little bigger than a football field and goes in a circle) under some nice shady pine trees, gave them the water and told them not to move from this spot. To just sit and relax since they were so tired and they better not move because someone might run away with them. Basically scaring the crap out of them not to move. I could see them at all times where they sat and there was only 1 other family there, the park I might add is away from the road mostly hidden by trees, so I wasn’t to worried about it. I just wanted them to sit still and stop whining so I could get the last of my jogging in.

As I ran my laps, I watched them and realized that I can’t remember the last time they just sat without something keeping their mind going. In fact, besides bedtime, they have NEVER just sat and talked to each other or be alone with themselves and they are nearly 8 years old. This was a mind blowing realization because it was a normal thing for us to do when we were kids. Sit under a shady tree and talk or play; lay in the grass and look up at the clouds and ponder life. They are not learning how to be comfortable with themselves, with their minds. This wasn’t something that ever had to be a lesson for kids, it was something we did because there was nothing else to do.

As I finished up, they joined me for my last lap and they started asking me questions about the world and talking about more relevant things instead of going on and on and on about Minecraft and YouTube characters. It was wonderful seeing them express interest in the real world.

Going forward, looks like we need to add yoga and meditation to the list of things to do. I wish I had listened to the recommendations do keep electronics away from kids for as long as possible. I am going to start having quiet time with them twice a week to begin, I think it’s important they become comfortable with their own minds and silence. I will need to start with short periods and work my way to 30 minutes, they are not going to like it at first. Their brains are over stimulated and with hyperactivity a factor, it’s going to be a challenge.

Challenge accepted!

Let’s see where this goes, I will keep you posted.

Salute!

Advertisement

“Chronicles of The One” by Nora Roberts

Pandemic.

That single word makes this story very relatable for the times we are living in. I started reading this series when a Pandemic was just the basis of a good story line.

The Doom has wiped out the majority of the human population through out the world. There is chaos, anarchy, mayhem, hypocritical religious groups, riots, and the worst of humanity being exposed. As the darkness and fear rises, so does friendships, love, inner strength, and the best of humanity. With the Doom, magic is also returned to the world which makes it for a much better story than real life.

I really enjoyed this trilogy. It was a wonderful story of light pushing back the darkness and the Love and Strength of human kind. These were the first books I have ever read from Nora Roberts, I look forward to reading more of her novels.

Day 1-It’s Time

Better habits. Habits that will lead me to my goals.

That’s the idea right?

I love to write. I have always wanted to be successful at it, but have never seemed to muster up the determination to do it. I guess that would mean that I didn’t want it bad enough or it wasn’t the right time. Either way time to make that change and make this happen for myself.

I have just begun reading “Everybody Writes” by Ann Handley and so far it’s had some really good advice and valid points. She talks about things that should be common sense stuff, but for reason didn’t become common sense until I read it. If that makes sense.

She talks about like any habit, you have to do it everyday. Changing doesn’t come naturally, so you need to schedule time to at least write 30 minutes a day to develop the skill set. Just like running or exercising, you have to force yourself to keep the schedule, otherwise it will never happen. Which is also something I am trying to get better at, hence the title Reading, RUNNING, and Adventures. 🙂

So, here I am. Day 1. Actually it’s 10:30pm, does that make it night 1? Maybe we just go by calendar dates. Anyway,

Day 1. June 19th 2020 10:30pm

I should write everyday……………..

What to write about?

Tick Tock Tick Tock………WAIT!

Clocks don’t make noise anymore, some people will have no idea what that means. They will think I’m talking about an app or something completely irrelevant.

Maybe I should describe how clocks had hands and the second hand made a tick sound as it went around the clock.

What do you mean “what did the first hand do?’

My tea is gone and clock is pointing to bed time.

You know what, maybe you should just google the anatomy of a clock. You may find it interesting.

Good Night/Good Morning/Good Afternoon

Have a Fantastic Time!

White Board Assignments-Writing lessons

I have noticed that writing is my kids weakest area, so while distance learning we started a journal where they copy what I have on the white board. The questions I ask and have them answer vary, because part of this is to get them talking about feelings and thoughts, but they always include a tongue twister because it’s fun and helps with pronunciation. Copying this stuff may seem simple. But it is an excruciating emotional hour long challenging my love & patience. That is how much Robo D hates it. I have found this is his biggest trigger for meltdowns. Copying ANYTHING from a white board. The next would be talking about emotions and his own thoughts. When I combine all of those things, it takes at least 2 hours to get through a journal entry. Then after, I tell him how great a job he did for finishing and that he is getting better or his hand writing is getting better. Something positive in hopes that the next time WILL be better.

Ninja D doesn’t mind but he speeds thru and makes mistakes a lot. But he loves talking about everything, sometimes it takes him a while to get his thoughts out properly, but it doesn’t bother him unless you cut him off or try to speak for him.

This is part of my journey in trying to help my kids handle their super powers better. #reading #learning #writing

Suches, GA Such a Beautiful Place it is

If you are looking for a beautiful quite place to get away from it all, I highly recommend Suches, GA.

I hesitate to tell y’all about this place because I loved it so much. It’s a small town located in North Georgia with the windiest roads I have ever been on. I grew up in in Paulding County, GA but I have lived in South Florida for nearly 20 years. We only have 90 degree turns here that take you left or right. There is no up and down windy roads anywhere in these parts. These roads in Suches, made me a little bit nervous going into it for the first time.

We drove from South, FL all the way thru. It was about 12, 13,14 hours…….with the kiddos and stopping at Wal-Mart to stock up on food before we got into town, it was a long trip, I lost count of the hours. But it was worth it.

We rented a cabin from one of those rent your house apps, which isn’t as weird as some folks think. We have done it on a few trips now and have always had a good experience, (knock on wood), it had everything we needed. Seclusion, Jacuzzi, near-by River, and Mountain View. Basically PERFECTION.

I was able to teach my boys what Lightning Bugs (also known as fireflies) are and how to catch them and put them in a jar. We played in the rivers, went tubing down the Tocca River, they mined for Gems at the Lily Pad, I showed them all of the critters that hide under rotting logs like salamanders, giant centipedes and millipedes, night crawlers, rolly pollies, and beetles of all kinds. They destroyed all the beautiful mushrooms we found, after I took pictures of course, and really got to experience the simple life. The fact I got to show my kids this world without electronics, the world I grew up in, meant a lot to me.

Living down here, life is fast and expensive, and overall high demanding without any woods to disappear in, it can be stressful. Sure we have the Ocean and a lot of city and county parks, but it’s just not the same I love the ocean. But I think I love mountains and waterfalls a little bit more.

My parents and brother’s family still lives up that way, my dad and brother actually hunt and fish in Suches. It was a fun coincidence that they were there the same weekend we were. The kids got to play with their cousins and spend time with family. We went waterfalls, a suspended bridge, and the Chattahoochee National Hatchery where they breed the trout to restock the streams and rivers. I have to warn you though, getting to these places is a challenge if you’re not use to dirt roads up a mountain.

If you ever do find yourself in Suches, GA a few must do things that I have first hand knowledge are:

Toccoa River Swinging Bridge

Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery

Toccoa Valley Campground and Tubing

Lily Pad Gem Mining