Growing Happy Kids

Maureen Healy, founder of Growing Happy Kids will be appearing in Los Angeles in early February, promoting her new book, 365 Perfect Things to Say to Your Kids.

Focusing on empowering, educating and inspiring young people, Healy’s book takes a fresh look at how parents and educators can encourage children by the simple, yet powerful use of language, every day of the year.

Healy combines the wisdom of Eastern and Western religions, calling on parents to not only nurture the emotional development of their children, but their spiritual development as well.

Many of the ideas presented by Healy are directly in line with the methods behind Redirecting Children’s Behavior. The powerful reminders, quotes and suggestions found throughout the book will not only build confidence in your child, but might also work to remind us adults to step back and begin to see  and appreciate the world through youthful eyes.

Hug someone every day!

Create a calm space.

There is no better. Each one of us is unique and special.

Find what makes your heart sing!

Happiness grows when you help others!

Being silly is serious business!

Maureen Healy has worked with refugee children in Tibet and India, and has built child-centered programs around the United States. She also blogs at Creative Development for Psychology Today. Visit the Growing Happy Kids website for details on her upcoming appearances and how you can help to grow happy kids.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Come Together

The last few days have been pretty emotional for me. On Wednesday, my ex-husband and I met at Family Court for Mediation. Just before we were called in for our appointment, my boyfriend sent me a text from the airport. He should have been boarding a plane to San Diego, but instead, he was in line trying to get on another flight since his had been canceled. I felt helpless in so many ways.

It was a bittersweet experience for me when, less than an hour later, my son’s father and I came to an agreement regarding custody of our nearly 6-year-old son. It was such a relief knowing that our arrangement was something that we could come to a mutual decision on and not something that the judge had to order.

I have had clients in the past and current clients who are dealing with the challenges of co-parenting and maneuvering through the court system. My ex and I do a pretty good job modeling a successful co-parenting relationship, although we’re far from perfect. We have worked very hard to get to where we are now.

Right after leaving court, I had to pick up my son from school and explain the change of plans to him: my boyfriend would now fly in the next day and he wouldn’t see him that night, after all. My son started crying, which I  did not expect, and I tried so hard not to cry as well. We had both been counting down the days until Mr. Right’s arrival and suddenly, I felt as though I had made a  huge mistake. My son was heartbroken and I began to question whether or not it was right to introduce him to my boyfriend so soon. Is there ever a right time?

My son spent the next few days with his dad, but on Halloween, my boyfriend and I drove down to meet them so we could go trick-or-treating together. I was a little unsure about the whole thing, but it turned out to be an amazing night! At one point, my son was holding hands with both his dad and Mr. Right. I walked behind them, admiring them and thinking about how far we’ve come, together.

There are no words to express how my heart felt at that moment. I am so grateful to my ex for being open to us sharing that experience together. And I’m in awe of Mr. Right, stepping in and helping us create the family that every child deserves. My son is one lucky little boy.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Where I’ve been…

The funny thing about not posting on my blog for over a week is that no one really noticed, except me. I didn’t get any emails  from anyone wondering where I was or why I wasn’t writing. I didn’t get phone calls from people concerned about my overall well-being. Obviously, you follow me on Twitter or Facebook and know that I was taking a much needed vacation and spent several of those days – not writing – in a secluded cabin up in the Northern Minnesota woods getting spoiled by Mr. Right and focusing on our long-distance relationship.

Peace and sunshine. That’s what that weekend was all about and it lasted an entire week where I didn’t put any pressure on myself to do anything other than sit back and enjoy it. I encourage you to try it if you can. If you’re able. If you’re not one of those people who can’t ever unwind.

If you are one of those people, then you’re in the right place. I also spent a few of those days finishing up my training to become a Life Coach with the You Consulting Group. Our focus is on helping people create perfect relationships in their lives, whether it’s personal or business relationships they’re looking to enhance. Along with my role as a Certified Parent Educator, I feel the two of these, combined, will allow me to help even more people. I’m excited to share the Knowledge with those open to it and I invite you to explore Y.O.U. (your own understanding) in more depth and experience The Ultimate Life Tool.

Feel free to contact me directly if you’re interested in receiving an Operating Manual – the one you didn’t receive when you were born!

If you’re a San Diego parent, come say hello at this weekend’s 2nd Annual It Takes a Village Parenting Conference. I’ll be moderating a session entitled, Staying (Safely) Connected Online, discussing safety tips and resources for parents to help them connect with their kids a well as introducing many online communities where moms and dads can be found and friends can be made.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

A Life of Joy

by Steve Goodier

Mother Teresa teaches us an important lesson about happiness. She was one of those people who emanated joy. Born in 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia, she felt called as a teenager to move to Calcutta, India. Some months later she saw a sight that completely revolutionized her life.

Shortly after moving to Calcutta she spotted a homeless, dying woman lying in the gutter, being eaten by rats. After seeing that, compassion compelled her to beg an abandoned Hindu temple from the government and convert it into a crude, make-shift hospital for the dying. “Nobody should die alone” she would later say. Mother Teresa went on to establish homes for the destitute dying in numerous cities. But in spite of devoting her life to people in such dire straits, she radiated joy and happiness.

This incredible woman was once interviewed by Malcolm Muggeridge from the BBC News. He asked her an unusual question: “Mother Teresa, the thing I noticed about you and the hundreds of sisters who now form your team is that you all look so happy. Is that a put-on?”

Here was a woman who had none of the things we like to think of as bringing happiness: a home, a family, prosperity. Rather, she lived in near-poverty and spent her time wiping dirt and various body fluids from half-dead cancer and leprosy victims – and appeared to be blissfully happy. She replied, “Oh no, not at all. Nothing makes you happier than when you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt.”

She would agree that happiness does not come from acquiring, but is a by-product of giving: time, money, love. Do you want a life of joy? Start by giving.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Tips for Spicing Up Your Love Life

Zen Habits provides great advice and healthy suggestions for living a more balanced life. While this list was created as a tip for those who want to create more passion and energy in their marriage (written by Corey of The Simple Marriage Project), I feel it is necessary to pass along these suggestions to anyone looking to spice things up in their current relationship:

• Grow Spiritually
• Learn to Live Complaint-Free
• Live Passionately

• Live Simply
• Have Sex
• Live in Community

For details on what exactly these suggestions mean and how to incorporate them into your daily rituals, head on over to Zen Habits…and tell them I sent you!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Parenting Tips

Parenting Press has been providing Parenting Tips of the Week each week for years and I’ve only just discovered them. Some of my favorites:

• Who is Responsible for Happiness?
• When Grandma Criticizes Your Parenting
• Teach Your Child What to Do When Lost
• The Importance of Bedtime Rituals
• Reducing Parenting Conflict with Your Spouse
• Discussing Sexuality With Your Teen

I’ll be including these in upcoming posts to continue the conversation and to hear what readers think. You’re welcome to post comments here about the above tips.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home