OK, the exclamations were a bit overdone, but I am super excited! A couple of months ago, Mamapoekie at Authentic Parenting encouraged me to really examine why I blog. The more I pray and consider, the more strongly I believe that my purpose is to help "turn the hearts of the parents to their children". I also goof off a lot here. While most of my posts tend to focus on aspects of parenting that I want to learn better in my own life, I have a short attention span and throw in pretty much anything that passes through my head and heart.
It really isn't about the numbers (I blogged for a couple of years with less than 10 followers) but I admit that my heart jumps and I get a huge smile whenever someone else adds this blog or likes the Facebook page. This week we hit 50 blog followers and 300 fans on the Facebook page! You are my parenting community, and I find that your posts and comments are full of grace and wisdom and help me to grow in so many ways. I would like to do a little something to say thanks to you all (well, actually, I'd like to do a huge giveaway, but that will have to wait until either I get a raise or a bunch of generous sponsors make some offers) ;).
I have a couple of awesome friends whose products I love. Amy, from LC Creations, has been a friend since we were both eight years old. Her bows, specially embroidered clothing and other items are fabulous! (not just for girls, either) I have also become a big fan of DoTERRA essential oils. Their Breathe and Citrus Bliss scents are amazing. I have found that rubbing a little of the Breathe blend under my nose helps me rest better all night, and even used it during an asthma attack recently. My friend Becki was the one who first gave me some of the oils, and she and her husband are a big part of Benosh, helping families enjoy the outdoors together.
So, for this giveaway, I am going to give one $25 gift certificate to LC Creations and one Introduction to Essential Oils kit from DoTERRA with lavender, lemon and peppermint essential oils. You have 3 ways to enter: leave a comment here on the blog with your favorite peaceful parenting quote, get on Facebook and "like" LC Creations, Benosh (and me, if you haven't already! :p) and come back here and leave a comment letting me know (one for each page). Leave your comments by 11:00PM CST Sunday, March 6, 2011. Winners will be selected randomly and announced on Monday, March 7. After all, who doesn't need some happy news on a Monday morning?
Many thanks and much love to you all!
Fun! One of my favorite peaceful parenting thoughts (paraphrased from Respectful Parents Respectful Kids): All of your child's "misbehavior" comes from unmet needs, so blaming and scolding will only add to his pain. Listening respectfully to your child will do more to make a connection and meet his need.
ReplyDeleteAnd I already like you on FB :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite peaceful parenting quote is definitely on the goofy side -- from Cohen's "Playful Parenting" : "It takes a village idiot to raise a child."
ReplyDeletexox
Betsy
I've just loved watching your blog grow and reach more people. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite quotes is from Kittie Frantz:
"Remember you are not managing an inconvenience, you are raising a human being."
“When babies sleep with or near their parents, especially mom, they are not being spoiled, they are being made to feel secure and accepted.”
ReplyDeleteDr. Lendon Smith, MD
And I just want to add that I am privileged to work at the same hospital with Kittie Frantz.
I pumped at work for 18 months thanks to her, she lent me a hospital grade pump to keep on my ICU unit. She is also wonderful that she has a pumping station for nursing working mothers at our hospital!
Sorry for the long comment!
I "like" LC Creations.
ReplyDeleteI "like" Benosh on FB.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really a quote, it's something 'everyone' says, but I take it to heart - Enjoy her now.
ReplyDeleteWhen I feel frustrated, I just remember that this stage/behavior will pass and change. To relish her everyday.
After my first daughter died, I learned the hard way that any moment could be the last, and that I should make the most of each day and live in the present. Keeping present allow me to enjoy the 'inconvenient' 'babyness' of my baby girl.
It's so wonderful that your blog is growing. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite quotes is from Alfie Kohn in "Unconditional Parenting":
"When we fail to examine our objectives we're left by default with practices that are intended solely to get kids to do what they're told."
It reminds me to be intentional and purposeful in my parenting, rather than passive or reactive.
I don't have a specific favorite "quote" as I'm always reading things that give me that light bulb moment, especially on your blog. So my favorite tip would be all the great tools I've "borrowed" from some amazing toolboxes such as yours & AOLFF, as well as others I didn't happen to bookmark.
ReplyDeletenew fan from www.theclothspring.com
ReplyDeleteI follow LC on fb as fluffs enough
i follow benosh fb as fluffs enough
ReplyDeleteIt takes a village idiot to raise a child.
ReplyDeletefollow you on fb as fluffs enough
theclothspring at htomail
Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love, "Remember you are not managing an inconvenience, you are raising a human being."
Cheers!
My favorite quote comes from my beloved daughter who is 10. She wanted me to share this with all the parents I work with.
ReplyDelete"If you control your children they won't turn out perfect, if you give them freedom they will" Meili P
I liked the LC creation page
ReplyDeleteI liked the benosh page
ReplyDelete"kids don't need to eat the bread crusts if they don't want to"
ReplyDeletemy mom, 30 years ago.thanks, mom
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
u on fb
ReplyDeletetattgiff at centurytel dot net
benosh on fb
ReplyDeletetattgiff at centurytel dot net
LC creations on fb
ReplyDeletethank you!
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
My favorite was used in the first few comments. :) I didn't see this one. "Every stage in a child's life is there for a purpose. If we can respect and respond to her needs fully during each stage of her life, she can be done with that stage and move on." —Naomi Aldort Congrats on growing! I'm enjoying getting to know you. Thanks for all the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI "like" LC Creations. :)
ReplyDeleteI "like" Benosh!
ReplyDeleteOk...I already liked you. ;) lol...two more!
ReplyDeleteNow I like LC Creations! Awesome designs BTW!!!
ReplyDeleteOk, finalmente...I "like" Benosh! =) Excited for your first give away! Felicitaciones! ;)
ReplyDelete"children are likely to live up to what you believe of them."
ReplyDeleteI like LC Creations on FB
ReplyDeleteI like Benosh on FB
ReplyDeleteI already like you on Facebook. :)
ReplyDeletejandjmangan at gmail dot com
"You are your child's favorite toy." Vicki Lansky
ReplyDeletejandjmangan at gmail dot com
I have so many-- do I need to pick just one? Ha ha!
ReplyDelete"In any case, looking with respect to your child’s needs will help you steer clear of dangerous labels such as demanding, challenging, needy, or timid. Labels get in the way of seeing your child and accepting him for the unique person he is." From Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids
I liked LC Creations
ReplyDeleteAnd Benosh.
ReplyDelete(I already like you, so I didn't have to go back for that one. LOL! :))
WHY did I wait for a reward lure to
ReplyDeletetake time to find and read your blog?
Articulate, fantastic writer and
amazing thought processes--genetic,
no doubt! What creative, adorable,
beautiful darlings are the fabulous
four! Obviously, I'll feel compelled
to ck the pics and subject matter
again--to glow and cheer or even
volley comments, perhaps, from time
to time! GD
I "like" LC Creations on FB.
ReplyDeleteI "like" LC Creations on FB.
ReplyDelete