Gossip Can Be Dangerous: Cinema Sundays: My Picks of Great Flicks

Posted on May 15, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image by plenty.r. via Flickr

Do you remember playing the “telephone game” in school when you were younger?

All the children would line up and then the first child whispered something into the next child’s ear…she turned to the next child and whispered what you had said (or what she thought you said). That child whispered into the ear of the next child…and so on down the line. The last child in line then spoke out loud exactly what had been whispered to her.

We would all laugh hysterically, because what was said out loud was never what the original person had whispered.

Gossip is no laughing matter, however. Rumors spread like wildfire and can be just as damaging. And today, with the internet, I know it is even more important to teach our children how harmful it can be.

Yesterday, my husband and I watched one of the old Andy Griffith shows, Those Gossipin’ Men. Sheriff Andy makes fun of Aunt Bee because he believes that the women are always gossiping. However, when a traveling shoe salesman from New York City comes to Mayberry, we discover that it is not only the women who like to spread rumors. The men believe that the shoe salesman is really a talent scout or TV producer from New York and they fall over each other to buy shoes from him so that they can audition for him. Of course, no one is harmed and the townspeople will all have new shoes, but we see how easy it is for people to make up stories…and even easier for everyone to believe them.

What can we do to protect our young children and teach them not to start rumors?

Talk to them about being kind to others.
Play the “telephone game” to show them that not everything they hear from others is true.
Be a good role model when it comes to gossiping and spreading rumors.

There is a new review of SHOW ME HOW! at http://www.themomwrites.com

With summer coming, I know many parents will be looking for activities to keep young children busy and happy…why not get a copy of SHOW ME HOW! now on sale for 50% off the cover price! Visit my website, pick up a copy and

START HAVING FUN!

Please come back again tomorrow for Make-A-Meal Monday…another great child-friendly healthful recipe.

Make-A-Meal Mondays: Mother’s Day Special

Posted on May 2, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday.

What does every mother really need?

Perhaps some of you might say a day at the salon or a new dress.

Others might dream about a romantic get-away or dinner at a fancy restaurant.

But budgets are tight for most of us and young children really don’t have money to spend.

So what can your young children give you?

Here’s a beautiful solution that involves your young children in the planning and preparation (children love to help in the kitchen and it builds self-esteem, develops pre-reading skills and creates a life-long parent-child bond.

It’s also fun for the entire family and costs nothing more than a regular lunch or dinner at home.

Have a Mother’s Day Picnic…outside if the weather is mild (at a local park if you have one nearby) or indoors if it is cold or rainy. Spread out the blanket on the living room floor and you are all set!

Use paper plates for no-hassle cleanup…not having to prepare or clean up the meal is a wonderful gift for any mom.

MOTHER’S DAY KABOBS

You will need: An assortment of fruit such as grapes, strawberries and apples, a small block of American, Cheddar or Swiss cheese, several slices of cooked turkey or chicken and bamboo skewers.

1. Wash the fruit, cut stems off the strawberries, cut the apples in chunks.

2. Cut the cheese into small cubes.

3. Cut the meat slices into strips. Roll each strip before you push it onto the skewer.

4. Push pieces of fruit, cheese and meat onto each skewer in a colorful arrangement…let your child decide.

5. Wrap each completed skewer in plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready for the picnic.

To round off the meal, choose whole wheat rolls or crackers and a juice box for each member of the family. Bring a ball to toss back and forth if you go to a park. If your picnic is indoors, why not turn on some music and have a family dance-off. I guarantee that your young children will treasure this Mother’s Day memory for years to come and, hopefully, you will as well.

Spending fun positive time together (that doesn’t cost a fortune and cause financial stress) builds family bonds. If you want some more Mother’s Day activities, including a craft project that will make beautiful note cards your child can give to a beloved grandmother or preschool teacher, please head over and click the activities tab on my website at http://www.positiveparentalparticipation.com

Summer is just around the corner. I know that many parents are wondering what they will do with their children. Great activities abound in my new book.

For this week only, in honor of Mother’s Day, we are offering a $10 MARSHALLS/TJMAXX GIFT CARD (two of the favorite stores of every mom) that will be included when your book ships out to you…a treasure-trove of fun-filled simple activities for your child and a lovely gift for you! Happy Mother’s Day from MoneyPenny Press, Ltd.

Cinema Sunday: My Picks of Great Flicks: The Andy Griffith Show

Posted on May 1, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

Yes, I know that The Andy Griffith Show is NOT a movie.

However, my husband recently got a membership with Netflix and we now have available to us so many of the TV series from years ago.

I can remember watching The Andy Griffith Show…loving and kind Sheriff Andy Taylor, well-meaning Aunt Bee and little Opie. It was a great family show!

The other night, we watched the very first episode of the very first season…originally telecast in 1960…it ran for 8 seasons!

Blended families often have unique problems…step-parents worry that the children of their new spouse may not accept them, the children resent this new person who, in their eyes, can never take the place of their natural parent.

This first episode addressed that issue.

Sheriff Taylor is a widower and his long-time housekeeper, who had been caring for his son, has just gotten married and is moving away. Sheriff Taylor contacts his Aunt Bee and asks her to move in as a replacement. Young Opie rejects her immediately. He is rude and refuses to join in any activities where she is present…he misses the other housekeeper and doesn’t believe he can love anyone else who tries to take her place. Aunt Bee tries to bond with Opie…but she doesn’t seem to be able to do the things he enjoys such as fishing. When she hooks one and sees the little wiggling fish at the end of her line, she runs off into the woods – screaming!

When Aunt Bee decides to go back home, Opie begs her to stay because he believes she won’t be able to get along by herself since she doesn’t know how to do important things…like fishing. She needs HIS help!

If you are experiencing a similar problem, take a look at this episode…it will give you hope.

And, even if you are not, it was a wonderful series that brings us back to a “kinder, gentler” time. Like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie, The Andy Griffith Show reminds us that family values are important and family time spent together is priceless.

Summer is coming sooner than you think and children will be out of school and looking for things to do. For a great resource that provides HUNDREDS of fun-filled, educational, self-esteem building activities for the entire family (older siblings can help their younger brothers and sisters by reading the stories to them and assisting with the craft project…and the whole family can prepare the recipe together)…please go to my website and check out SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING.

Come by tomorrow for Make-A-Meal Monday. I’ll also be up-dating my website with new activities for the month of May and a special offer in celebration of Children’s Book Week – May 2-May 8 – the oldest national literary event in the US and Mother’s Day – May 8.