Got To, Get To - Change The Way Your Family Thinks
I recently heard a story that has literally changed the waythat I, and my family, think about life. The story is asfollows: There was once a high-powered woman in her 30s who ran herown company and was massively successful in business. Yetevery single day, at 10am, she visited her elderly mother,who was in an old peoples' home. When asked if she couldattend meetings at that time, she would reply, "I'm sorry,I've got to visit my mother". She sometimes resented thecommitment and was occasionally ridiculed, but neverthelessanswered, "No, I'm sorry, I've got to visit my mother." One day her mother died. Soon afterwards she was asked ifshe could make a meeting at 10am the following day. Shestarted to reply, "No, I'm sorry, I've got to visit mymother", but of course quickly realised that this was nolonger the case. Sadly, she realised that for many years shehad been saying, "I've got to visit my mother" when what she should have instead been saying was, "I get to visit mymother". She would never "get to" visit her mother again. So how does the story relate to other situations? I havebeen surprised by how many times the story has seemedappropriate since I heard it, just a few weeks ago. Itapplies to so many different aspects of family and workinglife, from the large to the mundane. For example, I firsttold my son the story when he was complaining about someextra French classes he was having at weekends ("I can'tbelieve I've got to go to the French tutor"). I explainedthat he is lucky to "get to" have the French classes: luckythat we care enough to notice he needs them, and lucky thatwe can afford to pay for them. I thought of the story last night when my little girl wasusing every delaying tactic in the book about going to bed,and just refused to settle down. I caught myself thinking,"Oh no, I've got to go upstairs, miss the end of thetelevision show I'm watching, and calm her down and settleher into bed" ? but quickly replaced the thought withsomething along the lines of "I'm lucky that I "get to" spend5 quiet minutes with this funny, amazing little girl, evenif I am tired and could do with some rest!" And I thought of the story again just this morning when thebeeper on my tumble dryer annoyed me into emptying my cleanwashing! I turned some very negative, lazy thinking aroundby reminding myself that I was lucky to have a tumble dryer,the clothes to put into it, and the family to be washingthem for! It was still a chore but somehow it didn't seemsuch a bad one anymore. My husband reminds himself of the story when the alarm clockgoes off early in the morning and he struggles out of bedand to the train. He "gets to" go to work. Many people don't.And I think of it when I am sitting, uninspired, in front ofmy computer, wishing that I didn't have admin or websitechores to do for Activity Village. The thought doesn't lastlong. I may have admin and website chores to do, but I also"get to" provide activities and inspiration to parents,teachers and children around the world every week. How luckycan I be? Lindsay Small is the creator and editor of ActivityVillage.co.uk - providing the ultimate one-stop resource forparents and teachers looking to educate and entertain theirkids. Visit the website at http://ww.ActivityVillage.co.ukor subscribe to the free newsletter athttp://www.ActivityVillage.co.uk/free_newsletter.co.uk
MORE RESOURCES:
Gaga over yogaCalgary Herald, Canada - 5 hours agoNot that an activity that is this much in vogue needs me to defend it, but I've actually heard people slagging yoga. There is no shortage of Garfield types ... |
Johnson turns to yogaThe Press Association - 2 hours agoManchester City midfielder Michael Johnson is having yoga sessions in a bid to cure his nagging pelvic problems. Johnson, who signed a new five-year ... |
Stressed out execs seek relief in YogaEconomic Times, India - 23 hours agoCorporates too are becoming proactive and invite yoga consultants to hold workshops and classes in offices. “Such activities help build a good working ... |
Yoga vs. Pilates -– what’s the difference?Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 6 hours agoPilates is more than just movements on a mat, and yoga is far more than stretching. Both are considered mind-body exercises because they require those who ... |
Yoga - Google News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Ease Bug Bites with Easy Herbs
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf from Susun S.
Starting School - What Age Should Children Begin School?
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common question that concerns many parents. It is complicated if your child's birthday happens to fall near a closing date for new school enrolments.
Whats in a Name?
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when I was younger that irritated me enormously. Worse than that, my sole middle name is Norman, just as my father's was before me, and his father before him.
Blended Families Can Be Successful
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It would be easy to give up when faced with all the conflicting methods of parenting and discipline that come to a family who has joined forces together.
Nothing Like a Mothers Love
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably started with the family vacation we took every year when I was young. But in all my travels, I have seen another universal theme, a common symbol of unity, love and Peace.
Back to School Success: The Parents Job and the Students Job
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure how to handle things with our teen-ager.
5 Solid Reasons: Why Your Child Can Be An Achiever
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped with a super-computer that can be programmed to achieve almost anything.We all have what it takes to function at optimum level--to be the best student, to be the best in our career, and to function efficiently in every area of our life.
Mommie Moments - Taking Time For Yourself
Being a parent is a role that requires a large majority of our attention and time. Whether you have one child or fourteen children, you are more than likely aware that personal time is at a minimal.
Ultimate Airplane Themed Games & Activities for your Childs Birthday Party
Are you looking for the Ultimate Airplane Themed Party Games and Activities? Well stop looking because they are right here..
Child Discipline - Be Consistent With Your Child
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children is "they don't listen to me and I have tried everything"Then when you start talking, you find out that parents give in at the end because it is just too exhausting to be consistent.For example--you want your child to go to bed at a certain time.
Surviving as a Single Parent
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety of emotional issues that you might describe as "extra baggage." Some examples include:? Self-pity? Depression? Guilt? Anger? Envy? Fear? Severe money problems? Loneliness and isolation? Frustration? ExhaustionThese issues present such a challenge because they undermine your daily functioning and emotional well-being.
Talk Your Child Clever
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say its first word. This usually happens between the nine months and a year.
Parenting Your Teenager: Truth or Lie?
Attention all parents of teen-agers. Here is an important, groundbreaking and even shocking bulletin for you:According to research conducted at the prestigious-sounding Josephson Institute of Ethics in, of course, California, here are two startling pieces of information:1) 92 percent of teens surveyed admitted to lying to their parents at least once in the last year.
Kids and Sports: Fundamentals First
Would you hand a child calculus problems once she was able to count to ten? A geometry text when he began to recognize shapes? War and Peace as soon as she could recite her ABCs? Of course not! Not only is it preposterous to have such expectations of a child, but also it sets up the child for failure - and, most likely, a dread of and distaste for calculus, geometry, and reading.Yet all too many children are enrolled in gymnastics, karate, dance classes, and organized sports before they've mastered such basic movements as bending and stretching, walking with correct posture, and bouncing and catching a ball.
7 Ways to Survive the Start of the School Year
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in to the lazy days of summer, you are startled to find Back to School catalogs in your mailbox and bikinis going on sale in favor of turtlenecks.
Failure or Future? Its Up To YOU!
We all want to comfort our children after they suffer any kind of failure or disappointment. It's only natural.
Bath Time Fun
Bath time can be fun or it can be a real hassle if your child is afraid or don't like it. So we as mothers try to make it a fun time for our little ones! Then the problem will be getting them out!Color ItBubble bath can be irritating to little ones causing urinary track infections, yeast infections as well as skin irritation.
Managing Your Stepfamily
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know how difficult it can be to integrate all of the new members and adjust to the new boundaries and rules. The following ideas may help you make a successful transition during this challenging process.
Watch Your Language! - How Parents Can Help Kids Help Themselves
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom - then itall went wrong!'No, this wasn't a teacher talking! It was a high schoolstudent on the day of an important exam.She needed a good grade in a particular subject to qualifyfor a place at college, so she had worked hard and psychedherself up for success.
Fundraising For Your Preschool Or Daycare Center
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within a tight budget that covers the costs of facilities, staff and all of the equipment and materials for operating a quality and stimulating environment for children. It's a balancing act with little room for extras for the center or it's staff.
|
