Does this mean I have become my mother?

January 2009 - Posts

• People who inspire us

  Recently an article ran in the Cincinnati Enquirer about the adaptive ski program at Perfect North Slopes. A friend of mine, Chris Bochenek, was pictured in the story with a photo of him skiing.  I often witness his courageous acts, so to me this article was no surprise. After the article was printed, people were commenting about how amazing it was to see a man who has no use of his legs ski. I thought to myself," Why is that so surprising, I have seen him put his 2 kids into a van, by himself, and drive away -- nothing he would do would surprise me!" And then I realized how lucky I am, and my kids, to have this inspiration in our lives. Not only does Chris take on all kinds of challenges and succeed at them but he does it with the most positive attitude I have ever witnessed. I am so thankful that our son has been able to learn from this example. Chris has a son in the same class as my son. They participate in sports and social activities together, as well as school. Chris never misses a chance to be involved -- he and his wife both work full-time, (he is a hand therapist), and attend events and activities that we all attend for our kids. They host parties and go on trips with other families that have kids at the same school. Sometimes I forget how much more effort it takes for him to participate than it does for those of us who have 2 legs that work.  As a parent he is an inspiration as well, he likes being a parent. He teaches optimism, there is no greater gift you can give. In comparison to some of the other parents of kids at my son's school, Chris is the least handicapped because he is not handicapped by a negative attitude. My family and I are fortunate to have this inspiration in our lives! Do you have anyone that inspires you or your family? Please comment and tell me your stories! Posted Jan 29 2009, 06:47 AM by Coach Jamie with 3 comment(s) Filed under: optimism, Parenting, children, friends, skiiing, inspiring, Perfect North Slopes, Cincinnati Enquire, handicapped, disabilities, attitude, courage, positive, role model

• Snow Day--yeah!

  In Cincinnati, we are experiencing a huge winter storm. Ice and snow have paralyzed our city over the past two days. Kids are off school, activities cancelled, and stores are closed. I love it!! The kids in the neighborhood are out sled riding and building snow forts I love watching out my back window. Of course as a mother I am passed the stage where I have to be dressing and undressing my kids. My son can dress himself and go on his way--which makes this a much better situation for me!! But what I love about the snow day the most is the fact that we all can stop and spend some time together. Relax and regenerate without feeling the pressure of commitments and responsibilities. A little mini vacation and then--- go back to the real world. I think it is nature's way to let us SLOW down and appreciate nature and each other. So even though it may mean a lot more laundry and some frustration over not getting where you were supposed to be -- try to remember the opportunities of a snow day and -- enjoy! Posted Jan 28 2009, 07:10 AM by Coach Jamie with 1 comment(s) Filed under: values and beliefs, Parenting, enjoying your children, snow day

• Every picture tells a story

  A friend of my son's stayed at our home last weekend while his parents were out of town. In between basketball and lacrosse games, we managed to stay home one of the evenings and just "hang-out."  While the boys played board games and card games, I decided to go through old pictures and try to organize them. Every once in a while the guys would lean over my shoulder and look at some of the pictures. My son's friend, (they are both 12 years old), commented on one of the pictures. He asked, "Who is that?" --It was me about 10 years ago.  I could see by his reaction it surprised him-- that I would look younger. After I managed to regain my composure and resist smacking my son for the comments that he made following his friend's discovery, I had an "ah-ha" moment. I was the younger mom in the crowd of parents during my daughter's tween/teen years. Being the old mom in my son's crowd is a different story. Most of his friends are the oldest child in their family and their moms and dads are about 10 years younger than my husband and I. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I usually have the wisdom to stay out of the drama, often initiated by the parents themselves, as our kids grow up. But it still can be rough when my son asks me to take him to the swim club and hang out with his friends' moms who are wearing their bikinis. Back to the point of this story...... I realized that it is important for me to share with my son so that he may know me as a child, as a teen, as a young adult, and as a young mom. Then he can know all of me, not just the mom that he sees every day. A photo album would be a great way to tell the story. I had been focusing on sorting photographs to make albums of my kids, but now I am realizing it would be important to have an album that shows my husband and me growing up, too. And from now on, when we take photos at different occasions, each of us is photographed at some point --not just the kids, because....every picture does tell a story. Please comment and tell me about ways you have told your children about yourself!! Posted Jan 24 2009, 07:54 AM by Coach Jamie with 1 comment(s) Filed under: values and beliefs, traditions, family memories, parents, photographs, teens, tweens, sharing with your children, childhood, connnecting with your teen, connecting with your tween, friends

• Sharing the making of History with our Kids...Part 2

  Regardless of how you voted in the presidential election, or what your feelings are about politics, for all Americans, today was a historic day. As my 25 year old daughter and I watched the inauguration today she asked me, "Was there ever an election that people paid attention to as much as this one? Or is it just that I am old enough to be paying attention?" I believe that her both are true. She is old enough to really pay attention and the world is paying attention as well. What an exciting bit of history to share with our children. Even my 12 year old was aware that today was the first day of a new president in our country. The fact that in our country we can have such a peaceful transfer of power is awesome in itself. Please comment, tell me what you have shared with your children about this historic event! Posted Jan 20 2009, 05:31 PM by Coach Jamie with 1 comment(s) Filed under: inauguration, presidency, peace, historical events, teaching children parenting

• Peace, Love and ....Competition???

  Recently there was an article in the Chicago Sun Times about a father who was sentenced to 5 days in jail for threatening the umpire at his daughter's youth softball game. He then spit on police officers that came to help calm down the situation.  Stacey Garfinkle wrote a blog about this article, in her On Parenting blog, (Washington Post.) She asks readers, "Do you think that the courts should be involved with this type of behavior? Most of the comments are in favor of the Dad being punished by the courts. To me, the question is more about the daughter. I can not get my mind off of the picture I have in my head of a young girl seeing her father with such absurd behavior in front of her teammates and probably their parents. HOW EMBARRASSING. (Even worse would be if the other bystanders and team members thought this was acceptable.) Although this incident is completely outrageous, I have seen parents who otherwise seem to be sane and competent adults, act absolutely ridiculous at their child's sporting events. Is it that we have gone too far with competition and having to be number one? Is there really a HUMAN race? (one of my favorite books by Jamie Lee Curtis) where we are all pitted against each other? I am a 70's chick I grew up being taught that we are all connected to each other and that we need each other to survive. I was taught that it was more important to be known as a team player than as the superstar. But it seems everywhere I turn lately, there are overly competitive people, worried that they have to be #1 and beat someone else out in order to feel good. Please parents, think about it. Remember how much you teach your children with your behavior. Life is meant to be joy filled. Teach your children well ---- Oh, now I am really showing my age. Posted Jan 12 2009, 12:11 AM by Coach Jamie with 1 comment(s) Filed under: values and beliefs, intentional, intentional parenting, joyful, dignity, parenting role, teaching, children, values, peace, behavior, chicago sun times, 70's, parents, human race, washington post, competition

• Sharing the Making of History with our Kids

  With President-elect Obama just less than 2 weeks away from his inauguration the news has been a buzz with all of the new and exciting things that are happening in our country. Although we have not moved toward any tremendous changes as of yet-- there is a feeling of hope and excitement. I saw today in several news sources that President-elect Obama called a meeting of all of the living former presidents to talk with him and give him advice. The picture that I saw of all of those men together in one place was awesome! I printed a copy and want to share it with my children tonight at dinner. What a great history lesson!!  I hope as parents you can use the opportunities that are occuring surrounding the inauguration and the other events that are happening in our country now to teach your children about our country-- what we stand for, what your values are and the values of America!! Here is a link to "Obama hails 'extraordinary gathering'  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28535240/?GT1=43001 What do you think is important for our kids to learn about this election and the upcomming inauguration? Please send me your comments. Posted Jan 07 2009, 02:26 PM by Coach Jamie with 1 comment(s) Filed under: parenting role, teaching, inauguration, values, history, presidency

• Parent-Teacher Conferences--Should your child attend?

  The New York Times recently published an article about children being involved in the parent- teacher conference process. I read the article and thought about how this idea might impact children that I have worked with and about my own children. If handled appropriately, I think this is a wonderful idea! If on-going communication is established at the beginning of the year between the parent and the teacher, (which would be ideal), then the conference time can be used as a time to form your child's education plan. By allowing your child to participate in this process and attend the conference as a participant you will teach them so many things! Your child will have a voice and will be able to ask questions and have input as to what he/she needs to work on for the school year or term. Your child will be able to "own" their education and feel empowered over their successes and failures. I love the idea! What do you think? Here is the link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/education/28conferences.html?_r=3&em  I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the topic of parent -teacher conferences! Posted Jan 06 2009, 10:38 PM by Coach Jamie with 2 comment(s) Filed under: education, pa, responsibility, children, empowering your child, parent teacher conferences, New York Times