Parenting changes :)
Olga
I was just thinking today what a different parent I am than only 1/2
year ago. I took my boys to the story time at the bookstore this
morning. Of course, my little one is picking up every book,
ignoring the reading and threw his cookie at a little girl who
wanted his book (ooppss). I really did not care, except for the
cookie thing ;) They had these worksheets to color at the end and I
asked my 5yo if he wanted to do those or go play with his brother
who was already over at the thomas toys. He went to play, and the
fact that he turned down the "educational" activity did not bother
me at all. In fact, it looked pretty boring compared to wandering
the store.
I offered my 5 yo all sorts of books. Of course the only ones that
get him excited are "Captian Underpants" and "Yu-gi-oh"..LOL! Fine,
that is what we get. I never would have done that before. I would
have told him those were for older kids and directed him to other
areas.
The kids played until they had had enough and it was a nice change.
I always felt I was an easy going mom but I realize now how many
little things I felt the need to control. Certainly, I was not
going to expose him to "junk" like the above. Now I figure, if he
is interested in me reading it to him than what the heck. Who am I
to tell him he can't be interested in something or I always know
best.
All these little changes are really from this list and listening to
all the discussions and trusting, especially trusting my children
who are pretty cool and fun kids!
Gosh, it is so good to start getting back to normal around here!!!
Olga :)
year ago. I took my boys to the story time at the bookstore this
morning. Of course, my little one is picking up every book,
ignoring the reading and threw his cookie at a little girl who
wanted his book (ooppss). I really did not care, except for the
cookie thing ;) They had these worksheets to color at the end and I
asked my 5yo if he wanted to do those or go play with his brother
who was already over at the thomas toys. He went to play, and the
fact that he turned down the "educational" activity did not bother
me at all. In fact, it looked pretty boring compared to wandering
the store.
I offered my 5 yo all sorts of books. Of course the only ones that
get him excited are "Captian Underpants" and "Yu-gi-oh"..LOL! Fine,
that is what we get. I never would have done that before. I would
have told him those were for older kids and directed him to other
areas.
The kids played until they had had enough and it was a nice change.
I always felt I was an easy going mom but I realize now how many
little things I felt the need to control. Certainly, I was not
going to expose him to "junk" like the above. Now I figure, if he
is interested in me reading it to him than what the heck. Who am I
to tell him he can't be interested in something or I always know
best.
All these little changes are really from this list and listening to
all the discussions and trusting, especially trusting my children
who are pretty cool and fun kids!
Gosh, it is so good to start getting back to normal around here!!!
Olga :)
Julie Solich
The kids played until they had had enough and it was a nice change. I
always felt I was an easy going mom but I realize now how many little
things I felt the need to control. Certainly, I was not going to expose
him to "junk" like the above. Now I figure, if he is interested in me
reading it to him than what the heck. Who am I to tell him he can't be
interested in something or I always know best.
Olga :)
This is cool Olga! I have realized this in myself too. I feel a bit dumb
when I think of all prejudices I have had towards certain books and the
TV..... It's so good to be free of that and all the crappy expectations of
my kids that come along with it. The kids are so happy, like I've lifted a
huge burden off their shoulders.
It's nice to have you back!
Julie
always felt I was an easy going mom but I realize now how many little
things I felt the need to control. Certainly, I was not going to expose
him to "junk" like the above. Now I figure, if he is interested in me
reading it to him than what the heck. Who am I to tell him he can't be
interested in something or I always know best.
Olga :)
This is cool Olga! I have realized this in myself too. I feel a bit dumb
when I think of all prejudices I have had towards certain books and the
TV..... It's so good to be free of that and all the crappy expectations of
my kids that come along with it. The kids are so happy, like I've lifted a
huge burden off their shoulders.
It's nice to have you back!
Julie
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In a message dated 9/10/2003 8:45:20 PM Central Standard Time,
mjsolich@... writes:
find the value in Spiderman, Superman, etc. This is my son's current "thing."
I'm trying not to be judgemental, but it's a struggle. I'm not sure what it is
except that I was never interested in super heroes as a child. Also, I have
trouble with violence in general. Hulk, for instance, gets his powers from
getting angry, right? Nathan has done a lot with this phase, including drawing
Zuperman, cutting him out and putting a big Z on his chest (actually a
backwards S). He also makes spiderman masks, hulk hands, etc and engages in a lot of
imaginative play with his guys.
It's clearly something I need to get over. I'm trying to think positively
and at least acknowledge that it's a good think I know it's my issue, not his!
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
mjsolich@... writes:
> I feel a bit dumbI struggle with this too, maybe you all can help. I find it difficult to
> when I think of all prejudices I have had towards certain books and the
> TV
find the value in Spiderman, Superman, etc. This is my son's current "thing."
I'm trying not to be judgemental, but it's a struggle. I'm not sure what it is
except that I was never interested in super heroes as a child. Also, I have
trouble with violence in general. Hulk, for instance, gets his powers from
getting angry, right? Nathan has done a lot with this phase, including drawing
Zuperman, cutting him out and putting a big Z on his chest (actually a
backwards S). He also makes spiderman masks, hulk hands, etc and engages in a lot of
imaginative play with his guys.
It's clearly something I need to get over. I'm trying to think positively
and at least acknowledge that it's a good think I know it's my issue, not his!
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/11/03 9:52:40 AM, ejcrewe@... writes:
<< It's clearly something I need to get over. >>
Or into!
Kids need to feel powerful. Imagination makes it good, and they get to go
through their biochemical paces (internally, in their minds, in dreams and play)
and that all creates neural pathways and new perspectives on the world.
Any stories are telling things that are inside people's minds. Jung wrote
about "The Collective Unconscious," about how the kinds of characters that
appear in stories all over the world, new stories and old, are based on the same
set of characters people seem to already have in their heads. Stories of being
orphaned and of wicked stepmothers and being lost in the woods (or in fantasy
lands, or foreign planets) are common and useful, to kids AND adults. Stories
of being all alone in a dangerous situation (flood, blizzard, war) are
instructive and stretch kids' thinking.
"What if" they would powerful enough to stop any bad guy?
WHAT IF they could see through walls?
What if they could fly?
What if when someone else was afraid or crying, they could make it all better?
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all! (About The Hulk,
or Spiderman <g>).
Sandra
<< It's clearly something I need to get over. >>
Or into!
Kids need to feel powerful. Imagination makes it good, and they get to go
through their biochemical paces (internally, in their minds, in dreams and play)
and that all creates neural pathways and new perspectives on the world.
Any stories are telling things that are inside people's minds. Jung wrote
about "The Collective Unconscious," about how the kinds of characters that
appear in stories all over the world, new stories and old, are based on the same
set of characters people seem to already have in their heads. Stories of being
orphaned and of wicked stepmothers and being lost in the woods (or in fantasy
lands, or foreign planets) are common and useful, to kids AND adults. Stories
of being all alone in a dangerous situation (flood, blizzard, war) are
instructive and stretch kids' thinking.
"What if" they would powerful enough to stop any bad guy?
WHAT IF they could see through walls?
What if they could fly?
What if when someone else was afraid or crying, they could make it all better?
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all! (About The Hulk,
or Spiderman <g>).
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/11/03 9:52:40 AM, ejcrewe@... writes:
<< It's clearly something I need to get over. >>
If you just read through these book descriptions, you might feel better.
It's not all about "fairy tales," because there are ways in which Spiderman is a
fairy tale (though composed and not traditional).
http://www.eldrbarry.net/roos/books/fair2.htm
<A HREF="http://www.eldrbarry.net/roos/books/fair2.htm">Hatter's Classics:
Fairy Tale Analysis</A>
I got that (and 10 pages or more of other finds) by putting this into
google.com:
bettelheim jung value story
Sandra
<< It's clearly something I need to get over. >>
If you just read through these book descriptions, you might feel better.
It's not all about "fairy tales," because there are ways in which Spiderman is a
fairy tale (though composed and not traditional).
http://www.eldrbarry.net/roos/books/fair2.htm
<A HREF="http://www.eldrbarry.net/roos/books/fair2.htm">Hatter's Classics:
Fairy Tale Analysis</A>
I got that (and 10 pages or more of other finds) by putting this into
google.com:
bettelheim jung value story
Sandra
Susan Fuerst
>>Hulk, for instance, gets his powers from
getting angry, right? <<
I get power from anger. I can feel the adrenaline pumping in my
body....the blood flowing. I remember discovering that I could harness
that power to meet some productive goals.....I can really clean and
scrub my anger out. I can get some exercise kicking a ball. I suppose
it's some kid of internal exercise to find a way to scream out some of
the anger without frightening anyone. I think The Hulk could be useful
fodder for learning how to manage the anger in the body. Anger is an
important feeling...but it's simply a feeling. How we manage it can
make or break relationships.
Susan
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/11/2003 1:45:11 PM Central Standard Time,
fuerst@... writes:
and baking soda as part of a Spirited Child exercise to my then three year old
boy. He said "That's how I feel, Mommy." I'll work on explaining the anger
to him.
Thanks.
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
fuerst@... writes:
> I think The Hulk could be usefulThat's a great point. I remember demonstrating a volacno made from vinegar
> fodder for learning how to manage the anger in the body.
and baking soda as part of a Spirited Child exercise to my then three year old
boy. He said "That's how I feel, Mommy." I'll work on explaining the anger
to him.
Thanks.
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Amy and Cory Nelson
Hi Elizabeth!
I've been lurking on and off on this list for a couple years now, so I'll
offer a quick intro before I respond to your post. I'm Amy, 26, mom to 4 yo
Accalia and 1 yo Cole. We live in South Dakota.
Accalia is taking after her dad in his love for comics and superheroes. Cory
has been collecting comics since he was 14, and we have boxes and boxes
lining our upstairs landing :) Spiderman and the X-Men are Accalia's
favorites.
Cory is a therapist and is currently working at a prison. He also works with
children and families as a home-based therapist to bring in extra money.
Next April he's presenting a program at the national convention for the
American Counseling Association (ACA) on his superhero therapy that he uses
with some children. His program is titled "Heroes and Villains: Comic Books
as Bibliotherapy." He's presented this before at conferences, and the gist
of it is that Cory takes the attributes that certain comic book characters
have and uses that as a jumping off point with kids to discuss what choices
they can make when confronted with certain situations - usually involving
anger.
I'll have to ask Cory for specific examples since I'm fairly clueless when
it comes to comic book characters and their various powers, but I just
wanted to chime in and tell you how one person has used their love of comic
books and superheroes in their life and subsequent career :)
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99) and Cole (9/03/02)
"Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better
way will they find?"
--Dr, Samuel Johnson
http://thissideofsomewhere.blogspot.com/
I've been lurking on and off on this list for a couple years now, so I'll
offer a quick intro before I respond to your post. I'm Amy, 26, mom to 4 yo
Accalia and 1 yo Cole. We live in South Dakota.
Accalia is taking after her dad in his love for comics and superheroes. Cory
has been collecting comics since he was 14, and we have boxes and boxes
lining our upstairs landing :) Spiderman and the X-Men are Accalia's
favorites.
Cory is a therapist and is currently working at a prison. He also works with
children and families as a home-based therapist to bring in extra money.
Next April he's presenting a program at the national convention for the
American Counseling Association (ACA) on his superhero therapy that he uses
with some children. His program is titled "Heroes and Villains: Comic Books
as Bibliotherapy." He's presented this before at conferences, and the gist
of it is that Cory takes the attributes that certain comic book characters
have and uses that as a jumping off point with kids to discuss what choices
they can make when confronted with certain situations - usually involving
anger.
I'll have to ask Cory for specific examples since I'm fairly clueless when
it comes to comic book characters and their various powers, but I just
wanted to chime in and tell you how one person has used their love of comic
books and superheroes in their life and subsequent career :)
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99) and Cole (9/03/02)
"Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better
way will they find?"
--Dr, Samuel Johnson
http://thissideofsomewhere.blogspot.com/
> I struggle with this too, maybe you all can help. I find it difficult to
> find the value in Spiderman, Superman, etc. This is my son's current "thing."
> I'm trying not to be judgemental, but it's a struggle. I'm not sure what it
> is
> except that I was never interested in super heroes as a child. Also, I have
> trouble with violence in general. Hulk, for instance, gets his powers from
> getting angry, right? Nathan has done a lot with this phase, including
> drawing
> Zuperman, cutting him out and putting a big Z on his chest (actually a
> backwards S). He also makes spiderman masks, hulk hands, etc and engages in a
> lot of
> imaginative play with his guys.
>
> It's clearly something I need to get over. I'm trying to think positively
> and at least acknowledge that it's a good think I know it's my issue, not his!
>
> Elizabeth
Stepheny Cappel
I actually love the superheroes. I told my son that when I was a kid I was always superman or batman LOL, He said he wished he was born when I was a kid. So we have started playing. He keeps trying to put me in girl roles, and I laugh and won't let him... we are having alot of fun... don't know the educational side of it though. Recently I have been wolverine... Stepheny
find the value in Spiderman, Superman, etc. This is my son's current "thing."
I'm trying not to be judgemental, but it's a struggle. I'm not sure what it is
except that I was never interested in super heroes as a child. Also, I have
trouble with violence in general. Hulk, for instance, gets his powers from
getting angry, right? Nathan has done a lot with this phase, including drawing
Zuperman, cutting him out and putting a big Z on his chest (actually a
backwards S). He also makes spiderman masks, hulk hands, etc and engages in a lot of
imaginative play with his guys.
It's clearly something I need to get over. I'm trying to think positively
and at least acknowledge that it's a good think I know it's my issue, not his!
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> I feel a bit dumbI struggle with this too, maybe you all can help. I find it difficult to
> when I think of all prejudices I have had towards certain books and the
> TV
find the value in Spiderman, Superman, etc. This is my son's current "thing."
I'm trying not to be judgemental, but it's a struggle. I'm not sure what it is
except that I was never interested in super heroes as a child. Also, I have
trouble with violence in general. Hulk, for instance, gets his powers from
getting angry, right? Nathan has done a lot with this phase, including drawing
Zuperman, cutting him out and putting a big Z on his chest (actually a
backwards S). He also makes spiderman masks, hulk hands, etc and engages in a lot of
imaginative play with his guys.
It's clearly something I need to get over. I'm trying to think positively
and at least acknowledge that it's a good think I know it's my issue, not his!
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/11/2003 7:19:17 PM Central Standard Time,
acnelson@... writes:
What a great idea! Your husband sounds like a fun guy. I could have used
that today when a friend was over and an argument broke out.
Thanks!
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
acnelson@... writes:
> He's presented this before at conferences, and the gistAmy -
> of it is that Cory takes the attributes that certain comic book characters
> have and uses that as a jumping off point with kids to discuss what choices
> they can make when confronted with certain situations - usually involving
> anger.
>
What a great idea! Your husband sounds like a fun guy. I could have used
that today when a friend was over and an argument broke out.
Thanks!
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Amy and Cory Nelson
Sorry to hear you had an argument with your friend :(
Accalia and I once figured out a super hero persona for her - Thunder Girl.
Accalia is a typically exuberant and energetic 4 yo and often talks in a
really loud voice when she's really excited about stuff. One afternoon I was
just desperate for a little peace and quiet. Lately Accalia had been
watching an old X-Men video of Cory's and had been asking what her mutant
power was :) So, when I was getting close to wanting to run away for some
quiet, I asked if she'd like to pick out a super hero to be, and we came up
with Thunder Girl. Thunder Girl's power is her *very* loud voice which she
uses in order to warn people of iminent danger. She can also use the force
of the sound waves to break apart boulders blocking roads, etc. Accalia
thought it was fun for a while, but unfortunately Thunder Girl really didn't
catch on when it came to reining in her powerful voice very often :)
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99) and Cole (9/03/02)
"Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better
way will they find?"
--Dr, Samuel Johnson
http://thissideofsomewhere.blogspot.com/
Accalia and I once figured out a super hero persona for her - Thunder Girl.
Accalia is a typically exuberant and energetic 4 yo and often talks in a
really loud voice when she's really excited about stuff. One afternoon I was
just desperate for a little peace and quiet. Lately Accalia had been
watching an old X-Men video of Cory's and had been asking what her mutant
power was :) So, when I was getting close to wanting to run away for some
quiet, I asked if she'd like to pick out a super hero to be, and we came up
with Thunder Girl. Thunder Girl's power is her *very* loud voice which she
uses in order to warn people of iminent danger. She can also use the force
of the sound waves to break apart boulders blocking roads, etc. Accalia
thought it was fun for a while, but unfortunately Thunder Girl really didn't
catch on when it came to reining in her powerful voice very often :)
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99) and Cole (9/03/02)
"Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better
way will they find?"
--Dr, Samuel Johnson
http://thissideofsomewhere.blogspot.com/
> Amy -
>
> What a great idea! Your husband sounds like a fun guy. I could have used
> that today when a friend was over and an argument broke out.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Elizabeth