Communication is about talking and listening, sharing interests, solving problems, talking about our experiences, expressing feelings, explaining what we need and want, and telling stories. When you talk with your family it helps to remember that they are people and not just partners, children and parents.
Everyone has negative times. How we deal with them is what counts. Using too much sarcasm, teasing, name calling, shaming, nagging, threats or blame makes you feel bad about yourself – not to mention everyone else.
Information was by Kickstarters.ca
You can speak and listen to others better by:
▪ Really listening to what people say and mean
▪ Trying to understand each other
▪ Being aware of your own feelings/sensitive
▪ Trying to understand other points of view
▪ Speaking in ways which make sense to others
▪ Thinking about what you expect and expecting the best
▪ Keeping your sense of humor
▪ Solving problems together
▪ Discussing choices
▪ Knowing what responsibilities are appropriate for your child at different ages
▪ Helping children say how they are feeling
▪ Making some family rules, e.g., people are not for hitting or hurting
▪ Asking others how they spent their day
▪ Spending quality time with children talking, playing a game, reading a story, listening to a CD.
Here are some tips if you’re traveling with kiddies in the car for extended periods of time:
▪ Schedule breaks every 45 minutes to stretch, visit the restroom and just get our of the car for 10 – 15 minutes
▪ Avoid giving the kids sugary drinks and snakes.. the last think you need is sugar-hyper kids in the backseat
▪ Bring music CDs, story CDs for smaller kids. For older kids, try a book on CD
▪ Play a game of I Spy – even the little ones can play this one!
▪ Bring ‘goodie bags’ of healthy snakes, like cereal and dried fruit; crackers and cream cheese. Keep portions smaller.
▪ One fun trick: wrap up a favorite small toy in layers of paper or tissue. When you’re desperate, hand it over and let Junior have fun unwrapping it layer by layer.
▪ Separate siblings with pillow walls… have them build it if they’re in the right frame of mind.
THINK: What is happening? What does it mean? How do I feel? What outcome do I want? What options do I have? What’s the best/worst thing that could happen? I choose to….
SAY: I feel.. I think… Because… I would like it if…
ASK: Can you see my point of view? How can we work this out?
ANGER SOLUTIONS!
Tips for what to do when you’re feeling angry:
- Breathe! Keep your brain oxygenated so you can think clearly and stay focused.
- Explain how you’re feeling and why. (Use the TSA Model!)
- If you need some space, ask for it. Be sure to set a time to talk later.
- Use stress reduction techniques to release residual anger (e.g. PMR, exercise, walking, stress ball).
To see more please go to www.angersolutions.com or call 1-866-754-6169
Stop; take a deep breath and ask yourself: “Will this matter a week for now; a month from now; a year from now?” If not, give yourself a break. Re-focus your energy on what will matter!
Avoid Negative People
We all have them; those folks in our lives who always bring in the grey clouds. Not surprisingly, associating with those nay-Sayers has proven to lower motivation, mood and productivity. Brighten your day, and make time for the positive influences in your life.
Avoid Watching the News before bed!
Treat your bedroom as a sanctuary; avoid working and watching the news at bedtime. Make a little bedtime routine of relaxation and wind-down. You may find you sleep tighter!
Stress is an opportunity for Growth
Remind yourself to alter the way you look at stressful situations at work. If you are stressed out, turn it around and look at what you’re learning, and how you’re growing as a result of this experience. Break it down into smaller chunks [short-term project goals] and work towards those more manageable milestones. Remember: if you recognize you’re in over your head, be wise and ask for help!
Information was by Kickstarters.ca
Surround yourself with co-workers and friends who are positive, honest, supportive, and who have aspirations of being better. It’s a great start towards personal growth and development. On a more formal level, join a business group or special interest group.
Information was by Kickstarters.ca
Eat well; get enough sleep; and exercise regularly. These basic rules get overlooked far more often than you may realize, but they are crucial to your well-being. If you ‘fall off the wagon’ in one or all of these areas, don’t sweat it; get yourself back on track as soon as you can. Don’t think that “all is lost” if you mess up! Just get back on that horse!
Information was by Kickstarters.ca
Seriously, envision money coming to you. Start to think positively about your financial situation, even if it’s not so great at the moment. Picture receiving an unexpected amount of money. In your mind, picture that you have enough of it; that you are attracting money to you and your family. Instead of expecting bills in the mailbox, expect money.
While picturing this, feel it. Feel more relaxed, feel the weight being lifted from you, feel more harmonious when you picture a financial discussion with your partner, feel good about your money! Do this visioning exercise every day. Think positively and feel it! This will take practice, but you’ll get the hang of it. Now, read on, and get those finances into shape…
Information was by Kickstarters.ca
Keep a small notepad handy and record what you spend. You may be surprised how the small things eat away at your monthly budget, and leave you short. Once you’ve tracked and analyzed your spending, and determined that you have a problem area with those ‘mics expenses’. Understanding where you’re overspending is the first step in changing a bad habit
Information was by Kickstarters.ca
Establish a direct debit for your specific savings plan. This is a no-brainer, or ‘automatic pilot’ driving your savings for RRSPs, investments and Education Savings funds. It’s absolutely amazing what adds up in a year without you having to think about it, or missing it.
RESP’s: Be aware of the different plans out there. Some still have stipulations around using the money only for University education. You have to fully understand and be away of the fine print. Make sure you ask what happens if your child doesn’t go to University, but goes to College or a Trade School? Can (s)he still access all of the RESP savings? Note that the government matches your annual RESP contributions! Be aware, and take advantage.
Information was by Kickstarters.ca