children

art, childhood, children, education, family, life, lifepurpose, love

How to Love

Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

Love covers all.

At some point in time, we were all children. Having and or teaching children reminds you of that fact. Sark wrote and tapped into how to really love a child and in turn teaches us how to love ourselves. All of us are miracles. Keeping the gleam and joy and most of all: LOVE.

How to really love anyone including the self comes down to being present not only the presents. One of my favorite books entitled: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman delves into how to love someone as it is so aptly titled the languages of love.

How do you show someone you love them? Find out their love language(s). Is it acts of service, quality time, physical touch, verbal affirmation and/or gift giving?

And, speak their love language with action and speak your own through action. Celebrate them. Celebrate you. Celebrate Earth. Walt Whitman: I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version

children, earlyed, education, family, life, love, moments, relationships, self-help, soul, therapy

The Gaslight is On

Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

While navigating life and growing: let’s be mindful and very cognizant of gaslighting phrases to recognize and heal from and through. Learn to recognize what and who is real. This is how we become. When you hear or have heard the following “gaslight” statements may it illuminate a “gaslight” and serve as a red flag to drive away, establish distance and fill your tank with what’s real. Here are those following “gaslights”.

That never happened. You remember that? I don’t remember that. That’s not how it happened. Then they spin it, flip it, manipulate it to fit themselves and it is truly incredulous. This makes you question your own very reality and memories. TRUST yourself. Your instincts and your memories. Denial and suppression could drive everyone mad. Don’t let it happen to you. Keep your voice even if it’s a whisper. For real! Truth always comes to light and when it does, trust the process and heal through the hurt.

You’re being too sensitive. Stop crying. Do you want me to give you something to cry for? When they dismiss your feelings or when you’re crying or even upset/mad, it’s a way to invalidate your emotions. Your feelings are are valid. Feel your feelings. Do not suppress. Remember that.

After all I’ve/we’ve done for you. This is such a classic and timeless guilt tripping tactic wrapped with a bow as gratitude and how you should feel so grateful. Remember this: You don’t owe anyone. Even further, you don’t owe them your life no matter what they’ve done. Keep your peace. Pay it forward.

No matter what, family comes first. **Only when family is healthy, responsible and mutually respectful. Otherwise, this is toxic and hard to swallow.

    Bonus: not a statement but noticing and learning the sound of silence and distinguish the sounds of footsteps and what they could mean for you, tone of voice / facial expressions and what may be in store for you.

    Lessons learned in the grand scheme of things that some people are broken and fragmented. But you don’t have to make excuses such as “that’s just the way they are”. And, look at you or who you are in a process of becoming, you learned (or are learning) not to make excuses for them or yourself.

    Resilient, thankful, nonetheless for the life lessons learned along the way. Like forgiveness and letting go. And, in distance well disguised as boundaries when noticing / recognizing when a “gaslight” comes on.

    All the lessons well learned. Heal. The only thing worth screaming is love, anyway. So love. Live. Peace. Light. Turn off the gas and turn the real light on. Light will always overpower darkness. Fill your bucket with truth and light, never emptying or giving away what’s real. What’s inside.

    books, childhood, children, death, Holidays, life, love, relationships, soul, therapy

    ‘Tis the Season and ‘Tis the Holidays (re-post)

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    The most wonderful time of the year. But is it? I am feeling tension and unlike myself lately. I am missing loved ones who have passed. 105 people die every minute. Nearly 2 every second. Life is precious. So, so very precious.

    When it comes to my feelings, I chalked some of it up to the full moon and it’s power of making waves. In fact, there has been a cataclysm of events making waves. Globally, countries are struggling with leadership and death.

    Lately, I have been hanging on to hope and resiliency. I stare at a photo of 6 year old Ruby Bridges who endured and triumphed standing as a metaphor and reminder that “what doesn’t kill you does in fact make you stronger”.  At 6, Ruby Bridges showed a courage that resonates today. I had the opportunity of listening to Ruby Bridges speak in 2015 at the annual NAEYC conference. The kind of courage and poise she personifies and how it connects with us, children, families and educators.

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    Holidays are hard for many. For a lot of my own life, holidays were often off for me and awkward. There are empty chairs of those we miss and love. You feel the infinite loss and ache of missing loved ones. It is easier to send a gift and/or photo of smiling faces saying Happy Holidays. It is the thought that counts but what do we do for those who feel alone? How do we help others cope during grief or a sense of loss? What gifts can you give to the broken-hearted?

    Here are gifts to give:

    • Gift of Memory: Take a moment to remember and honor the memory of a loved one by a hug, card or phone call. Although there is an empty chair at the table fill it with memories and honor their memory.
    • Gift of hope: We experience both sadness and joy. It’s deeply triggered by the holidays. Show up and offer to help those you care about. From the daily routines to collaging and scrap booking memories.
    • Gift of Love: Be in the moment with those who are still living. Show them you love them. If you are the one feeling sad tell them it is hard but stay hopeful.
    • Gift of friendship: Invite and include those who feel sad even if they may cancel or decline from shopping to having dinner.
    • Gift of Surprise and Spontaneity: Encourage doing something unusual such as a road trip or a flight to visit loved ones still here. Follow through.
    • Give the gift of time: Its about time well spent with those you love so spend it wisely. Spend some time whether over coffee, a movie, a stop by visit or something special to do together
    • Give the gift of food for the soul whether baked goods or a home cooked meal to enjoy together
    • The gift of listening: remember, it’s not not knowing what to say but listening and being there.

    Looking for more gift ideas? Visit Sympathy Solutions at:

    http://www.sympathysolutions.com/current-newsletter/10-things-you-can-do-for-someone-lost-loved-lone.html

    Most of all, ensure to reach out, don’t expect someone who feels alone to reach out to you.

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    childhood, children

    How Imagination Shapes Children’s Costumes

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    How cool is the above picture? It’s AI generated. How neat is it that the opportunity exists to create costume ideas using AI? BUT You know what’s even cooler? Our children’s imaginations. Imagination is more important than knowledge [and AI] (shoutout to Einstein)!

    For Halloween and in daily life our son wanted to dress in all black to be the night. His plan is to become completely dark. How amazingly, incredibly and phenomenally cool is that? Our children’s imaginations leave such an impression on me.

    He changed his mind several times as he thinks about what he wants to be. In the grand scheme of things, the Mario costume we got has nothing on being the night.

    Dramatic play is truly an incredible way to play and engage especially when it comes to children’s development. Let them imagine all year round.

    As Johnny Depp said something like this when it comes to being an actor, “Being able to play pretend for life is the best career anyone can have.”

    Children get to do that (not only) on Halloween but for childhood and perhaps, even beyond.

    Ps. “You can find out more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” -Plato

    art, autumn, childhood, children, fall, Holidays, life, love

    Falling and Jumping for Joy into Autumn

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    Adios Summer. See you in a few seasons. Change is some kind of incredible for our souls. I’m noticing the leaves, the air, the fires and how nature in all of it, still cares. Our kids are noticing, too. Often I take notice how they gather, collect leaves and step through the crunchy brown ones. Hiking and walking while noticing nature all around is an art in itself.

    Here are some of our Bucket List ideas for Fall Fun Things to do 🙂

    1. Get lost in a corn maze
    2. Use a compass / map to hike in and on the forest trails
    3. Pick some apples
    4. Leaf piles and JUMP in!
    5. Leaf peeping
    6. Pumpkins and Gourds
    7. Draw and observe what you notice
    8. Make natural “decorations” out of nature finds
    9. Hot cocoa 🙂
    10. Make hiking staffs
    11. Make a fire and tell stories
    12. Camp out on the trampoline
    13. Fall movie night outside
    14. Read and reread / retell stories about Fall or just because you like them stories
    15. Chop up wood
    16. Visit the Gnomes and Fairy gardens / Feeling inspired? Make one in your yard 🙂
    17. Make a list of what you’re thankful for (maybe on those beautiful fall leaves 🙂 and put it in a time capsule. Bury it somewhere and send gratitude into the universe and beyond!
    18. Take a road trip or walk to see the changes

    Need more inspiration? Here’s a marsh mellow toast to another blog who offers some Fall Fun Things to do https://www.nickandalicia.com/2019/09/10-activities-to-do-this-autumn-fall-bucket-list-printable.html/

    Happy Falling into Fall! Marsh mellow toasts to all of you. Enjoy the season, on purpose!

    books, childhood, children, culture, DAP, daycare, Ece, education, education, earlyed, behavior, development, children, family, help, family, life, love, moments, neuroscience, parenting, play, relationships, self-help, signs, soul, therapy, Uncategorized

    No Such thing as a Bad Kid…Remember that!

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    Instead of asking: “What’s wrong with him or her?” Ask, “What happened to him or her?” This will help you guide and have a better relationship with the children and grown ups in your life.

    In a society that is in a rush to label, diagnose fix and break, be the exact opposite, be the one who slows down to notice, show compassion and listen. Just be there through the tears, through the ups and the downs. Notice and be present. Love.

    We are society and we can in fact, choose love, consistency and conversations where we listen more and talk less. Slow down, listen to what children are showing and sharing. You will find out exactly what they need, don’t need and in return what you need and what you don’t need.

    Slow down. Turtles have a lot to teach us in this way. Not the ninja turtles but the ones who hold up traffic as they cross the street. Taking their time. One turtle paw at a time. One paw in front of the other. There are times to be a cheetah and there are times to be a turtle. Choose wisely.

    art, children, culture, family, life, lifepurpose, love, parenting, relationships, self-help, soul, therapy

    Is my Jacket Expensive?

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    Let’s talk. Wealth. Rich and Poor. While we teach our children to value what is inside of themselves: the who of what they are. Their being. Their essence. Others from outside will influence them or try to belittle them or what they care about at times, without even knowing it themselves. It tugs at their heart and their soul. Ours, too, just a little bit until we get the jolt back into what matters most. People. Relationships. Experiences. Memories. Time. Talent. Treasure.

    Our son asked, “Hey mom, is my jacket expensive?” Quite frankly, it doesn’t even matter. These things, no matter the cost won’t matter in the next five minutes or even in the next five years. If it won’t matter in the next minutes, months or even years: who cares. It’s not the jacket but the memories we make in it that truly matter. While most of society will try to convince you that your worth is determined by what you have on, in real real reality, it doesn’t. What your life depends on is who you are, who you surround yourself with and what you care about. So, take care of yourself, others and your surroundings/your space then it ripples outward and onward changing lives for the better.

    So, how much does your life cost? How much value and worth? Are you living poor in mindset? Have the courage to change it before it’s far too late. Don’t live for a too die for house. Don’t live for a too die for car.

    Live for a too die for life.

    Collect memories. Not things. Collect the times. Spend time well. Treasure it. We all have time, talent and treasure. It is how you define it. No one else. Love life. Live it well. Make it a life well spent. Spend life well. The currency is always strong when passionately and poetically lived.

    books, childhood, children, family, Language, life, love, parenting, parenting, play, relationships, self-help, therapy, Uncategorized

    26

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

    In the words of someone I love. ” Love you to the end of the alphabet... [and beyond it] “. Here are the abcs filled with love, light and affirmations. Cheers to speaking life and love over each other and our children.

    A for amazing and astounding.

    B for brave, bold and beautiful.

    C for courageous, considerate, compassionate and caring.

    D for determined and dedicated.

    E for evolving and energetic.

    F for fabulous and fun!

    G for giving and getting.

    H for healing and health.

    I for intelligent, inspiring and insightful.

    J for joyful and jazzy.

    K for knightly and kind.

    L for loving and learning.

    M for masterpiece and magnificent.

    N for neat, nice, natural and neverending!

    O for observant and ongoing.

    P for precious, persevering and playful.

    Q for quissential, quaint and quirky!

    R for resilient, respectful and ready for life!

    S for special and sweet.

    T for talented, timeless, thoughtful, tactful and tenacious.

    U for ubiquitous, unique, unconditional, unbeatable, ultimate and unabashed!

    V for valorous, valuable, venerable, vast, versatile and valiant.

    W for wise and wonderful.

    X for xenial and xylographic.

    Y for yogi, yielding, yaring and youthful.

    Z for zingy, zestful, zany and zen.

    Next time, sing with me!

    Ps. Love you, all 26 letters!

    childhood, children, earlyed, family, Holidays, love, moments, parenting, travel

    Deck the Halls with Lots of Love and Play

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

    Need ideas for the holiday season? When I am fresh out of ideas, I tend to start with the people and places we love. Whether near or far, inspiration can be found everywhere and lead to anywhere.  

    We were counting all of the letters of the alphabet. I hear, “Mom, I love you, all the letters of the alphabet.”

    Love is everywhere. In little moments and in the meaningful conversations whether we know in the moment they are meaningful or not. Even “small talk” could lead to “big talk”. In fact, it is all big in the grand scheme of this one precious and wild life.

    The timeless adage still rings true. Don’t spend money. Spend time. Time with those you love. What is at the core of each and every single one of us is this: Time, Talent and Treasure.

    Ask those you love what they would love to do with the time you all have? Dare yourself to be pulled into the moment.

    They and it will all surprise you. When we ask…, we get at that heart of what the other person cares about.

    Some ideas, actions and answers that sprang up and out of boredom and inspired by an ask of:

    Q: “What do you want to do?”

    A: “I want to go to the car wash!”

    A: “Let’s count the stars.”

    A: “Write a book.”

    A: “Watch tv”

    A: “Can we add soap to the trampoline and jump?! Soap party!”

    A: “Make a cat house?!”

    A: “Play a game” (ie board game or action packed game of tag!)

    A: “Play chase us with the remote control cars!”

    A: “Ride our go karts.”

    A: “I want to make a fart fort!”

    A: “I want a piggy back ride!”

    A: “I want to fight!”

    A: “I want to climb.”

    A: “I want to roll!”

    A: “I want to swing!”

    A: “Knock, knock…(I want to laugh!)”

    …the answers are endless. Let it be. Let them play. Let yourself play. Shhhh, listen, let them tell you. Open your eyes, let them show you. Open your arms. Hug it out. xoxoxo

    Photo by Krivec Ales on Pexels.com

    books, childhood, children, earlyed, Ece, education, fall, family, Holidays

    99 Books of Pages on the Walls: Top Ten Children’s Fall Books to Fall into

    Gallery | Posted on by Jill Telford

    Photo by rikka ameboshi on Pexels.com

    Hello Fall. How I’ve missed you. I love the Fall (the book by Albert Camus) But especially, the season. Goodbye Summer. The leaves are falling down. Red, Yellow, Orange and Brown,…the leaves are falling down. Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall. The crisp is not only in the crunch of the leaves but also in the air. Chilly-Crisp the kind of weather love to read a book in.

    Here are my top 10 books for children for this season followed by a reading challenge. Comment yours below if you’d like.

    1. I Like Pumpkins by Jerry Smath
    2. Where the Wild Things Are by Mercer Meyer
    3. Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger (all seasons really!)
    4. Happy Halloween Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
    5. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
    6. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
    7. The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry
    8. Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
    9. The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming
    10. The Giant Carrot by Jan Peck

    Fall Book Challenge to Fall into. Get your Read on….

    1. A book with Fall colors red, yellow, orange and brown (on the front cover and inside).
    2. A book about a ghost, scarecrow, giant, witch or monster.
    3. A book about fall foods.
    4. A book about leaves.
    5. A book featuring fall songs (bonus: sing together!)
    6. A book about pumpkins and gourds
    7. A book showing the change of seasons
    8. A chapter book featuring any or all of the challenges 😉

    ****Heads up: Many of the books on the challenge are listed in the top ten. 🙂 Happy Reading! Love, light and change your way.