Wanda Luthman's Blog, page 38
April 6, 2017
The Country Life
Hi Everyone,
I haven’t written from my heart in awhile, but I’d like to share an excerpt of my life with you today.
When I was little, we had a cow pasture behind our house. It didn’t belong to us, but the fence that separated the pasture from our land ran along the edge of our backyard. I loved seeing the cows grazing on the sweet grass while the sun dipped behind the hill they stood upon. Something about this picturesque scene gave me a sense of peace.
When I was going through my tumultuous teen years, there were nights I couldn’t sleep. I would get up and go to the kitchen window that looked out over the pasture and pull up a chair. The full moon would shine on the scene, now empty of the cows. We had a weeping willow just outside the window. I loved that weeping willow. It would sway in the gentle breeze while I sat staring out into the night.
This simple scene would calm my thoughts and lull me back to sleep. Because of this experience, I love the country life and country music. I know I’ll lose some readers here, but the peaceful, clean-living, hard-working country folk are the ones I want to emulate the most.
I grew up in St. Louis, MO. My life was anything but peaceful. We lived in a busy suburb. There was school, self-centered boys, catty girls, peer pressure, and trying to fit in raking through my life when I walked out the front door. But, when I walked out my back door, there was no one, just a beautiful scene and sweet cows to greet me.
I love the country life!
What about you? What brings you a sense of peace in this chaotic world?
I’d love to hear it!
Please share your thoughts in the Comments.
[image error]The country life brings me peace in this chaotic time. Read more at http://www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com
April 3, 2017
9 Proven Ways to Create Bounce-Back Kids
This week’s blog post is brought to you by our favorite School Psychologist, Dr. Valerie Allen.
Bounce-Back Kids
Young children are resilient. They pull themselves up from scrapes and bumps. They recover after teasing and insults. They smile again after life’s emotional ups and downs. Children are concrete thinkers. Young children do not usually project the immediate problem onto future events and all the “what ifs” and drama that go with tomorrow and the day after. They tend to deal with events in the here and now.
Parents can support their child’s natural ability to start over, by encouraging them in the following ways:
Adaptability. Children need to be socially responsive. They need to be flexible and develop the ability to adapt to change, “to go with the flow.” They should be able to take things in stride and not overact or get overwrought in response to a change in plans.
Reflection. Children need to develop a higher tolerance for frustration. They need to know their emotional trigger points and understand what sets them off. They should avoid frustrating situations, consider alternative reactions, and minimize the outcome.
Problem Solving. Children should learn to consider alternatives and make choices. They need to seek solutions and view problems as opportunities to be creative thinkers. They need to feel secure enough to avoid “finger pointing” or the need to blame others.
Self Esteem. Children need to develop “self-love” and a “can do” attitude. They need opportunities for self-efficacy experiences to build self-confidence. They need to understand we all make mistakes and things often don’t go as expected. It is not the problem, but how we handle it, that validates us as worthy individuals.
Optimism. Children need to have a positive worldview. They need to have a good feeling about themselves, others, and life in general. They should be future-directed. They should start each day with the expectation of success and live life accordingly.
Warmth and Affection. Children should feel comfortable with a demonstration of affection to and from others. They should be able to give and receive hugs and kisses in socially appropriate situations. Physical touch should be a positive and loving gesture, an indication of caring.
Responsibility. Children should be dependable. They should learn to follow up on tasks and promises. They need to know that others are counting on them. This validates their need to belong, to gain acceptance, and feel significant.
Social Involvement. Children should be involved in their community. They should extend themselves through social activities and service clubs to friends, neighbors, and relatives. Their involvement needs to extend beyond their peers, to family support, and community activities.
Learning Experiences. Children should enjoy learning. Formal education should be viewed as an opportunity for growth and enrichment. Casual learning takes place in day-to-day experiences which provide youngsters with practical knowledge of the world around them.
It has been said that the only certainty is change. We must be able to adapt for physical, mental, and emotional survival. Encourage your children to accept themselves and live in harmony with the world around them.
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Dr. Valerie Allen is a child psychologist in private practice. She presents seminars for parents and professionals in the field of child development and has published two books for children: “Summer School for Smarties” and “Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends”. Oh yes, she has also raised six children!
Dr. Valerie Allen
Licensed School Psychologist ~ Rehabilitation Counselor
101 E. New Haven Ave Phone (321) 722-3430
Melbourne, FL 32901 FAX (321) 722-3431
ValerieAllenWriter.com VAllenWriter@cs.com
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March 26, 2017
VAULT APPS & YOUR CHILD
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VAULT APPS & YOUR CHILD
(They are called ‘Vault’ because they are secret!)
I absolutely love Natasha Daniels from AT, Anxious Toddler. She is a Child Therapist and is doing a great job keeping up with the technology that our kids know about but we don’t.
Here’s a great article of an App you need to know about called Secret Vault Apps. You may or may not have heard about this little app but it comes in all sorts of varieties in order to appear as one thing (say a calculator) when really what’s hiding behind it, after you put in a password, is a photo of your child that they don’t want anyone to know about, especially you. Scary? You bet!
You may think your child wouldn’t do this or that they are too young, but Natasha says children as young as 10 have come in to her office and told her about this secret app. Other children may be asking for these photos and since it may appear to your child that ‘everyone’ is doing it, they play along. Children do not even think about how this could affect them. It’s up to you as their parent to find out about this technology and snoop on your child’s phone in order to deal with it head on.
Natasha tells you the full story and how to find out if this app is hiding on your child’s phone plus she gives some helpful tips for keeping your child safe.
Read the full article here.
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March 22, 2017
10 of the Best Poems about Mothers
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, you might be looking for something special, unique even for her. Why not share a poem about Mothers? Check out Interesting Literature’s list of poems.
The best poems about motherhood
Looking for a classic poem for Mother’s Day? Look no further. Whilst sentimental rhymes and rather sappy doggerel fills many a Mothering Sunday greetings card, these ten poems represent some of the best statements about mothers and motherhood ever written.
Ann Taylor, ‘My Mother’. Ann’s sister Jane Taylor (1783-1824) is best-remembered for having written the words to the children’s rhyme ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’, but this poem, written by Ann, is also well-known and has been much imitated and parodied. It takes the form of a question-and-answer back-and-forth where the answer is always ‘my mother’.
John Greenleaf Whittier, ‘Tribute to Mother’. In this short poem, the American poet John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-92) recalls the time when he was a small child and sat beside his mother’s knee. The poet’s mother restrained his ‘selfish moods’ and taught him a ‘chastening love’.
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March 20, 2017
New App Allows People to “Live Chill” Together
Move over mall! New smartphone apps let people to hang out online with multiple friends at once. Unlike FaceTime, there is no set agenda. Some are calling the trend “live chilling.” New group video chat apps let you virtually hang out with friends. There is no set agenda and you can watch videos, listen to…
March 13, 2017
St. Patty’s Day Tools for Teachers
FREE Downloadable Resources for Teachers
(Parents you might like these too!)
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From Teachers Pay Teachers, click here for the link
This is Pre-K through 1st grade literacy activity that focuses on the short “a” vowel pattern. There are 8 picture cards which include short “a” words such as bag, cat, and ham.
[image error]Graphics by Dandy Doodles at http://www.teacherspayteacher.com/Story/Dandy-Doodles
Your children will enjoy coloring this fun St. Patrick’s Day-themed artwork!
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Kinddergarten-1st grade–tons of fun St. Patrick’s Day-themed classroom activities!
March 8, 2017
Healing The Silent Hurts
Please read and share this wonderful heartwarming post. We need more of this in our world.
My son came home today with a giant piece of paper with his name written in the middle, surrounded by several incredibly kind words and phrases that his friends had used to describe him. He was beaming with pride when he showed me. It was, by far, his proudest moment in school to date.
To be recognized and appreciated for who we are, and to know that we are truly seen, is something that we all need in life.
When I was in grade 4, I was the new kid in school. Early on the school year I only had a few friends, and my self esteem was fragile at best. Our teacher decided one day to make the kids in our class stand up at the front of the room one by one so everyone could take turns saying something nice about them. Most of these kids had known each…
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March 6, 2017
A Second Audience Niche
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If you’ve been following my blog, you have most likely heard me mention Carolyn Howard-Johnson. She’s a prolific and awesome author who has written several Frugal Marketing books to help authors promote their work. I love her! She’s generous with her knowledge and incredibly nice.
Recently, she started a new blog called Sharing With Writers and offered to let me post my little caveat that I discovered with my latest picture book. Maybe it will help other authors find a second audience niche too.
Here it is
Thursday, March 02, 2017
Wanda Luthman Clarifies My Marketing Nag . . .er . . .Reminder!
Ever since the first edition of my The Frugal Book Promoter came out in 2003, I have been gently reminding authors to reread their books to find the less-than-obvious audiences to reach so they could market their book to them–if not at first, then as the sales on their book slowed down. So, I was especially pleased to find this from children’s author Wanda Luthman who found a well-hidden market for her book (she’ll explain below!). I thought that it might encourage you to reread your book for a new marketing perspective. I know it will serve as an example of how you might think about that process as you read! Here is the note from Wanda:
” When I wrote my children’s picture book, Little Birdie Grows Up, I never imagined it would be used as a graduation gift for parents. Even though the inspiration behind the book was my own daughter leaving for college, I just thought it would be enjoyed by the 0-5 aged audience. It is cute and sweet and I knew little kids would love little birdie. I also knew parents, who would do most of the reading of it, would be able to relate to watching their children grow. However, I never thought about it as a gift for parents on the precipice of empty nest syndrome themselves. But, turns out, others thought of it like that. So, sometimes your intended audience may not be your only audience. Take a second look at your book and consider your inspiration for it. Maybe you’ll find, like I did, there’s a second audience that will enjoy it too.
“Let me know your thoughts. I hope this helps your #SharingwithWriters subscribers and visitors! “
MORE ABOUT WANDA
Wanda Luthman is a children’s author with these books to her credit:
The Lilac Princess
A Turtle’s Magical Adventure
Little Birdie Grows Up
They are available for purchase as a Paperback, Ebook, or Audiobook on Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/author/wandaluthman
Amazon link changes to your country– myBook.to/WandaLuthmanAuthor
Barnes & Noble in Paperback or Ebook at www.bn.com
Learn still more about her at:
Blog–www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com
Twitter–@wandalu64
Facebook–www.facebook.com/wluthman
YouTube–www.youtube.com/c/WandaLuthman
Instagram–www.instagram.com/wandalu64
Google+–https://plus.google.com/+WandaLuthman
Goodreads–https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14469611.Wanda_Luthman
LindedIn–https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanda-luthman-37b836117
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the award-winning second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor. Her latest is in the series is How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. Learn more on her Amazon profile page, http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers is one of her booklets–perfect for inexpensive gift giving–and The Great First Impression Book Proposal, another booklet, helps writers who want to be traditionally published. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it will help them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. In addition to this blog, she helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing–grammar, formatting and more–at The Frugal, Smart,and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com)
Posted by Carolyn Howard-Johnson at 12:00 AM
Originally posted here
March 2, 2017
Calling all Kit Lit Authors and Book Bloggers–You Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life…
It’s celebrate Dr. Seuss Day today and in honor of that I’ve written an original poem and I wanted to share this opportunity to change a child’s life by giving the gift of a book.
March 2nd is the birthday of Dr. Seuss
He wrote rhyme and meter like a golden goose
His words could be funny and non-sensical
But his stories were all comprehensible.
Like the antics of Things Two and One
They made a mess while they had fun.
And counting fish colored red and blue
Helped us with numbers one and two
So, let’s celebrate Dr. Seuss today
For all the laughter that he brought our way!
I would like to reach out to kid lit authors and book bloggers to get quality books into the hands of deserving kids. Throughout the month of March, I am collecting new children’s books to benefit children of incarcerated parents. Authors, I hope you will consider donating signed copies of your books. Book bloggers, please […]
February 27, 2017
7 Tools Every Parent Must Have
I’d like to welcome back our favorite School Psychologist, Dr. Valerie Allen. She’s sharing with us today an important topic I call Parenting 101. Here are some great tips to help you be a successful parent in 2017!
Basic Training for Successful Parenting
by
Dr. Valerie Allen
The joy of parenting is often lost in the rush of day to day events. Trying to juggle the demands of work, school, shopping, piano lessons, and visits to Grandma, make parenting hard work, with little time to have fun. Here are some basic tips to keep things running smoothly on the home front while enjoying time with your children.
Rules: there should only be a few rules (God only had 10 Commandments!). Fair rules apply equally to everyone. Firm rules do not allow plea bargaining. Clear rules have specific expectations stated in positive terms (talk quietly vs. don’t yell!)
Consequences: should be brief. (do not threaten to ground a child until he is 30!). Consequences must have consistent follow up every time. It is best to use natural outcomes as often as possible rather than imposing a consequence. It is better to withhold a privilege than to impose punishment.
Transitions: should be smooth. It is best to have a daily agenda listing times and events. Provide advance notice 10 to 15 minutes before changing activities, state your expectations of what is to happen next, and explain any changes in the routine or schedule.
Choices: should be allowed, but limited to one choice within the two or three selections you have offered. (Would you like cereal, eggs, or pancakes?)You need to support your child’s choice without criticism and encourage him or her to be independent.
Respect: should be given to all children unconditionally. You need to separate the “doer” from the “deed” and remember “bad behavior” does not mean “bad child.” Have private conversations with your children about their misbehavior and avoid the embarrassment and shame of an audience.
Attitude: start and end the day with a positive comment, give hugs and kisses often, encourage verbal expression and physical demonstration of affection. Recognize that everyone is entitled to his or her own emotions.
Promises: if you make them, keep them; if you cannot, be sure to explain this to the child. Negotiate or compromise to make good on the promise for next time.
Your relationship with your youngster lasts a lifetime, so make it as positive as you can. Be sure to tell your child “I love you” every day in every way.
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Dr. Valerie Allen is a child psychologist in private practice. She presents seminars for parents and professionals in the field of child development and has published two children’s books, “Summer School for Smarties” and “Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends.” Oh yes, she has also raised six children! You can learn more about her at www.DrVAllen.com or purchase her books at www.amazon.com/author/valerieallen
