21 Things I Learned About Kids Through Teaching Violin Lessons
When I first started teaching violin lessons, I never imagined it would make me a better parent. What I learned blew me away at first, but now it feels like home. While people continue to debate nature verses nurture, the kids have taught me that it’s all about the parent. The impact a parent’s personality,…
How Time at a Youth Correctional Center Inspired My Parenting
Growing up I was surrounded by “bad” kids. Kids who stole, drank, did drugs and got into fights. I spent countless hours with kids that most parents would shun their kids from spending time with. Kids who society labeled as “Bad”. But I didn’t see it that way. I saw real people. I saw broken…
Typical 9 Year Old Boy Behavior Myths
As my husband and I stood by school the other morning waiting for our boys to enter it was evident that there are some myths when it comes to typical 9 year old boy behavior. The biggest myth about raising boys is the phrare boys will be boys. How many times have you heard a…
Are Strengths and Weaknesses Interchangeable?
If you were asked to write a list of your strengths and weaknesses, how many qualities would be on both sides? So often in life we think that our strengths are our best personality traits and many quietly ignore their weaknesses, secretly hoping that makes them go away. What if your strengths and weaknesses were…
Our Kids Are Listening
Words, one of the most powerful weapons we have as humans. (Yes, I just said weapons, you didn’t misread it). We all know that old saying, “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” While there is some truth to that and there is also a lot of untruth.
For the Love of Nature
Our house is filled with leaves, twigs, rocks, feathers, acorns…if it has to do with nature, it is probably in our house. One of my sons has even asked to keep a little mouse skull that he found so that he can study it and learn from it!!! As you have probably guessed, my boys…
Things Are Not What They Seem
The other day as I was cooking supper in the kitchen, my son came in and asked if he could go down to the bike path by himself. He wanted to explore the tall grasses and little creek. As much as I knew he would be fine, I said, “No, not now.” As soon as…
How 15 Minutes Can Change Your Life
Does your story sound like this? Your is work constant, your to-do list is long and then you have to stop everything to rush off to pick your kids up from school. Meanwhile you are thinking, “what on earth can I fix for supper that is fast?” As you are juggling all of this in…
Why Nourishing Souls Might Not Be What You Think
Before you think you have to hide your poptart to read this, there is something I need to tell you. I don’t really care what you eat.
The Power of Listening
When was the last time you felt that someone was really listening to you? A time that you felt they genuinely heard what you said. A time that they were not distracted, but listening attentively? When was the last time you listened to someone without interrupting them? Without being distracted?
The 1 Thing Most Kids Are…
Typical 9 Year Old Boy Behavior Myths
Striving for Mediocre – The…
The Quiet, Patient Holiday
Why Peanut Butter No Bake Oatmeal…
How You Can Change The World in the…
Drop Everything Now
This Works Wonders for Seasonal…
Worth the Risk
The Heart of It.
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Summer Brackhan: Thanks Sylvia for sending such wonderful good vibe...
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Sylvia Ternes: Hi Summer! I too think you are brave. You are rea...
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Summer Brackhan: How wonderful of you to see what he needed and to ...
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Joy: It is so important to say "many years ago" as th...
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Joy: I read your article again. It is even better the ...
