A Fun Way of Expressing Love to Your Child: Do This and Watch The Transformation

Love Notes Between Parents and Kids: A Simple Practice That Transforms Families

In the rush of daily life, parents often find themselves scrambling to meet deadlines, manage schedules, and simply keep the household running. But amid the chaos, there lies an opportunity to create something deeply meaningful: a practice of writing love notes between parents and children. This small but powerful ritual has the potential to nurture emotional health, deepen family bonds, and create a home atmosphere rooted in love and connection.

Why Love Notes Matter

Children thrive when they feel loved, seen, and valued. A regular love note practice reinforces these feelings in a tangible way. For some parents—especially those who struggle to express emotions verbally—writing love notes can become a safe, thoughtful channel to communicate affection.

GET THE NEW LOVE NOTES BOOK TO SHARE WITH YOUR CHILD

How I Came Up With The Idea of the Love Note Book

During a family meeting when our three children were 7, 9 and 12, I introduced the exercise of writing each other notes of encouragement or love. At first, our oldest thought it was dumb, but when she saw that the two little ones were eating it up, she got on board. The kids loved it and didn't want the exercise to stop. I brought a package of brown lunch bags to the meeting and had everyone decorate their own love bag, along with writing their name on it (I still have mine all wrinkled and very used, in a keepsake box in my closet). 

I gave each person a small notepad and told them to write at least one word on a slip that would make the other person feel loved or encouraged. They would then go around the table and deposit the handwritten notes in the appropriately marked love bag. This is a variation of an exercise I've used with my work teams. During the work exercise, participants wrote down contributions that each person made to strengthen the team or enhance the enjoyment of working together.

Later that night following the family meeting, when my wife and I went to bed, we found our new "mail bags" outside of our room, stuffed with folded-up notes addressed to each of us. We had so much fun reading them and then responding to each one with our written replies. Keep in mind that we found the kids' love bags sitting on the floor outside each of their rooms. So before we went to sleep, we dropped notes to each one of them in their love bags.

This practice went on as the kids grew up, and it gave me the idea that we would write love notes to each other in specially marked notebooks. And the books could then be swapped back and forth with each person every day. That means each person would have their own love notebook.

HERE IS ANOTHER VERSION OF THE LOVE NOTE BOOK  FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD

Emotional Health Benefits

• Learning that love is safe to express: Children absorb lessons about emotions by observing and participating in family patterns. A love note habit teaches them that sharing feelings is not only acceptable but celebrated.

• Feeling truly cherished: Seeing heartfelt words in writing can make love feel concrete and enduring. For a child, the phrase “I’m proud of you” in ink might become something they revisit again and again, long after it was written.

• Strengthening family resilience: Love notes can be especially powerful during difficult times. They serve as gentle reminders that even when life feels chaotic, love remains a constant anchor.

Strengthening the Family Atmosphere

This practice does more than impact individual children—it shapes the emotional climate of the home.

• Fostering closeness: Passing notes back and forth invites moments of connection in an otherwise busy week.

• Encouraging gratitude and kindness: Children who receive written affirmations are more likely to express their own appreciation in return, creating a positive feedback loop.

• Building lasting family traditions: Love notebooks can become treasured keepsakes, preserving a record of shared growth, joys, and challenges over time.

The One-Notebook-Per-Child Practice

One particularly effective approach is to create a “love notebook” for each child. This is a dedicated notebook that is passed back and forth between parent and child, filled with hand-written notes, drawings, or even pasted-in mementos. Over time, it becomes a living document of affection.

How It Works:

1. Choose a special notebook: Let your child pick one they like so it feels personal.

2. Write the first note: Start with something simple and heartfelt. “I love how curious you are,” or “I’m so proud of you for helping your brother today.”

3. Leave it somewhere they will find it: On their pillow, at their spot at the breakfast table, or tucked into their backpack.

4. Invite them to respond: Encourage your child to write or draw something back when they’re ready.

5. Keep it consistent: Make this a regular ritual—weekly or biweekly works well for many families.

This method works beautifully because it creates a tangible, ongoing exchange that belongs to both parent and child. It becomes a private, sacred space for affirmations, encouragement, and even apologies or difficult conversations when needed.

Love Note Prompt Ideas

To help families get started, here are some gentle prompts for parents and children to use. These can spark ideas and make the practice less intimidating.

For Parents to Write to Children

• “One thing I love about who you are becoming is…”

• “I noticed you tried really hard at ___ this week, and I’m proud of you.”

• “When I think about you, I feel grateful for…”

• “This week you made me smile when you…”

• “One of my favorite memories of us is…”

• “If you were a superhero, your power would be… and here’s why.”

For Children to Write to Parents

• “Thank you for helping me with…”

• “I felt really happy when we…”

• “One thing I think you are great at is…”

• “I like when you tell me stories about…”

• “If I could plan a day for us, we would…”

• “This made me laugh today, and I wanted to share it with you…”

For Everyone

• “My favorite thing about our family right now is…”

• “Something that made me feel loved this week was…”

• “One thing I want to do together soon is…”

These prompts don’t need to be followed exactly. Their purpose is to inspire heartfelt communication, whether through words, drawings, or even stickers and doodles.

Tips for Parents to Encourage the Habit

• Make it playful: Love notes don’t have to be serious. Silly drawings, jokes, or riddles keep the exchange fun and inviting.

• Celebrate effort, not just achievement: Praise kindness, perseverance, and curiosity—not only grades or accomplishments.

• Model vulnerability: Share your own feelings in writing. “I felt really proud watching you at the recital,” or “I was sad when we argued, but I love you no matter what.”

• Be consistent, not perfect: Even if life gets busy and you miss a week, pick it up again. The consistency over time matters more than a flawless schedule.

• Include both parents if possible: When both caregivers contribute, the notebook reflects the whole family’s love and support.

A Legacy of Love

Years from now, these notebooks will tell a story—one not just of childhood, but of a family that prioritized love and connection. When your child looks back, they won’t just see the words you wrote. They’ll remember how those words made them feel: loved, secure, and deeply connected to you.

How to Stop Begging and Pleading: Introducing the Wish Book

 

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably heard it more times than you can count:

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    LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

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“Mom, can I get this?”
“Dad, I need that toy!”
“Can we pleeeease go to the store?”

Whether it’s a commercial on TV, a shiny new toy their friend just got, or an ad that pops up on your phone, kids are surrounded by things they want — and they’re not shy about letting you know.

And if we’re honest, many of us have given in at one point or another. Why? Because giving in is often faster and quieter than standing our ground. It ends the whining, the pleading, and the meltdown in the store aisle. But here’s the problem: every time we give in, we teach our kids that persistence (and loudness!) works — so they repeat the pattern next time.

But what if there were a way to break the cycle that also taught them patience, gratitude, and the value of waiting?

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Introducing: The Wish Book

Here’s a game-changing idea: instead of saying “yes” or “no” in the heat of the moment, give your child a copy of the NEW Wish Book. This is a special notebook - (MY WISH BOOK, now available on Amazon) — that becomes the safe place for all of your child’s wants and dreams.

The next time your child sees something they have to have, you simply say in a calm, friendly tone:

“Wonderful! Add that to your Wish Book. You could even draw a picture of it.”

No arguments. No negotiations. No raised voices.

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How It Works

1. Give Each Child Their Own Wish Book
   Versions available for Boys or Girls.

2. Encourage Them to Add to It Often
   Whether it’s a toy they saw on a commercial, a game their friend has, or even a trip they want to take - it all goes in the book.

3. Make It Creative
   They love crafts, so provide them with store flyers and scissors to cut out and paste the items they like. This makes the process fun instead of frustrating.

4. Review the Wish Book Together
   Once a week or once a month, sit down together and look through their wishes. You’ll be amazed at how many things they’ve lost interest in - which is a lesson all by itself!

5. My WISH Book for girls now available on Amazon

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Why It Works

The Wish Book does more than stop begging — it teaches life lessons:

• Delayed Gratification – Kids learn that wanting something doesn’t mean they get it right away.
  

• Emotional Regulation – Instead of melting down, they channel their desire into an action: writing or drawing.

• Decision-Making Skills – Over time, kids naturally prioritize what really matters to them.

• Respectful Communication – Parents stay calm and avoid power struggles, which creates a more peaceful home.

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Parent Bonus: Less Stress

Perhaps the best part? This approach removes the pressure on you in the moment. You’re no longer the “bad guy” saying no - you’re the guide who helps your child put their wants in the right place, to revisit when it’s appropriate.

And when a birthday, holiday, or allowance day rolls around, you now have a ready-made list of meaningful gift ideas straight from your child’s own heart.

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Final Thoughts

Parenting is full of teachable moments, and the Wish Book turns a potentially frustrating situation into one that’s fun, constructive, and filled with connection. It’s not just about stopping the begging - it’s about helping kids learn patience, gratitude, and how to dream in a healthy way.

So the next time you hear “Can I have that?” you can smile, remain calm, and say:

“Wonderful - go write it in your Wish Book!”

You Lost Your Cool in Front of Your Child - Now What?

Even the most patient parent has moments they regret, such as the checkout meltdown, the raised voice in the car, or the hasty words that sting more than intended. What you do after those moments matters as much (if not more) than what happened in the heat of it. Children are resilient, but they need guidance to process what they have just witnessed and to learn how to manage their emotions effectively.

Here’s how to turn a moment you wish you could erase into one of the most powerful lessons you can teach.

1. Wait Until Everyone Is Calm

Jumping into the conversation right away can backfire if either of you is still upset. Give it time - sometimes minutes, sometimes hours - so the conversation feels safe and not like a continuation of the conflict.

You might say:

“I want to talk about what happened earlier, but let’s wait until we both feel calmer.”

This teaches that cooling off before talking is not avoidance - it’s wisdom.

2. Take Responsibility for Your Actions

Children need to hear that you take responsibility for your behavior. Keep it simple:

Say what happened: “I yelled at the cashier.”

Acknowledge your emotion: “I was angry because things weren’t going the way I wanted.”

Take responsibility: “But yelling wasn’t the right way to handle it.”

This shows your child that grown-ups make mistakes - and take accountability.

3. Name the Emotions

Children are still learning to identify and label their emotions. By naming your emotions, you help them learn their own:

“I felt frustrated and angry when the line was slow and I was in a hurry.”

This helps build their emotional vocabulary and demonstrates that anger is a natural and manageable feeling.

4. Model Repair

If your actions hurt someone - even a stranger - let your child see you repair it. If possible, apologize to the person involved or explain how you’ll do better next time:

“Next time, I will take a deep breath and speak more calmly.”

This teaches children that mistakes can be repaired and relationships restored.

5. Invite Their Perspective

Children often have their own feelings about what happened, even if they don’t show them. Ask gentle, open-ended questions:

“How did you feel when I got upset?”

“Did it scare you when I yelled?”

Listen without defensiveness. This helps them trust that their feelings are valid and safe to share.

6. Teach a Coping Tool

End the conversation with a concrete skill - something you and your child can practice together:

Deep breathing (“Let’s try five slow breaths together.”)

Counting to ten

Walking away and coming back when calm

This transforms the incident into a teaching moment they can use for the rest of their lives.

7. Show Affection

A hug, a hand squeeze, or simply saying “I love you” after the conversation reassures your child that they are safe and loved, even when big emotions arise.

Final Thought

Repair doesn’t erase the moment, but it reframes it. When you talk openly, take responsibility, and model healthier ways to handle frustration, you turn what could be a painful memory into a lesson in love, humility, and resilience.

Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Activities Using Free Printables

By Deb Chitwood from Living Montessori Now

I love a pumpkin theme at this time of year! Our new unit has Montessori-inspired activities using free pumpkin printables along with a new Montessori-inspired pumpkin pack for subscribers to our free newsletter at Living Montessori Now! 

You'll find many activities for preschoolers through early elementary throughout the year in my previous PreK + K Sharing posts. You'll also find ideas for using free printables to create activity trays here: How to Use Printables to Create Montessori-Inspired Activities. 

At Living Montessori Now, I have a page with lots and lots of free printables. 

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links (at no cost to you).

Montessori Shelves with Pumpkin-Themed Activities

Montessori Shelves with Pumpkin-Themed Activities

You’ll find Montessori-inspired pumpkin-themed numbers, letters, and more (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber) 

 

Go to my Free Pumpkin Printables and Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Activities at Living Montessori Now for the free printables and activity ideas you see on the shelf and collage above!

Free Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Pack

Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Bead Bar Work, Hands-on Math Operations, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, DIY Movable Alphabet, and Creative Writing (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber).

More Pumpkin Resources

You can see many pumpkin books here: Pumpkin Books for Kids (including books as they’re published)

• Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Unit
• 20 Pumpkin Phonics Activities
• Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Hammering for Toddlers
• 20+ Pumpkin Hammering Activities for Preschoolers
• 20+ Fabulous Fall Gourd Activities for Kids
• Free Fall Playdough Math Pack (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Montessori-Inspired Playdough Math Activities for Fall {Free Printables}
• Yummy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Montessori Pumpkin Scrubbing for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Delicious and Nutritious Vegan, Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Pie Squares
• Simple Fun with Pumpkins and Pumpkin Seeds for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• How to Participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project with Non-Food Treats
• Pumpkin Unit Study Pinterest Board

If you’d like ideas for calendar-based themes throughout September and October, see my September Themed Activities for Kids and my October Themed Activities for Kids.

Be sure to go to my Free Pumpkin Printables and Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Activities for lots of free printables and activity ideas.

 

Have a wonderful autumn!

  

Deb Chitwood is a certified Montessori teacher with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies from Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, England. Deb taught in Montessori schools in Iowa and Arizona before becoming owner/director/teacher of her own Montessori school in South Dakota. Later, she homeschooled her two children through high school. Deb is now a Montessori writer who lives in San Diego with her husband of 50 years (and lives in the city where her kids, kids-in-law, and grandkids live).

Why Every Montessori School Needs to Host this Parenting Class NOW

If you don't have time to read this post, here's the short answer: your teachers will have an easier job because parents will be doing the same things at home that teachers do in class. Here's how:

If you are a Montessori teacher, you are likely very familiar with the five principles of the Montessori method: respect for the child, the absorbent mind, sensitive periods, the prepared environment, and auto-education. (At the end of this post, you'll find a copy of a letter received from a Montessori director, praising the Love, Limits & Lessons program that she hosted at her school.)

The Love, Limits & Lessons parenting program (referred to throughout this post as LLL) offers a positive approach that aligns with these five principles. It offers unconditionally loving reactive steps for handling unexpected challenging behaviors when they arise, along with proactive steps to take in day-to-day family life to minimize or eliminate these challenges. Similar to the goal of the Montessori method, the Love, Limits & Lessons parenting program aims to create a strong foundation, enabling children to become motivated, independent learners who will eventually transition into successful adults as they continue their education and development.

Children raised by parents who have completed the Love, Limits & Lessons parenting program adapt more easily to the Montessori classroom and perform significantly better. The best part is that they thrive when they return home at the end of each day. Please consider bringing the LLL parenting class or workshop to your school. Here is how each Montessori principle is matched with the methodology of this parenting program.

Principle 1 - Respect for the child. Discipline in the LLL program is interpreted as continuously
teaching the child, especially when the child's behavior is a challenge. There is no room for punishment or spanking in response to misbehavior. Instead, conversation, times for a break, or respectful consequences are used. The most successful consequences are those created in advance with the child's participation and at a time when the misbehavior is not happening. Often, a consequence isn't even needed because the misbehavior may actually be the child's way of getting their needs met appropriately. In this case, redirection may be the solution in the moment. Still, the proper solution is to help the child identify the unmet need at a later time and assist them in getting it met appropriately.

Principle 2 - The absorbent mind. Parents are coached in the LLL program to be aware of the various ways in which children learn, recognize them when they see them, and take advantage of them when they occur. They are: instruction or lecture at times when they are open to learning, observation of events or situations, guided role-play, open-ended questions, and positive reinforcement. When an incident involving challenging behavior occurs, parents are taught to address it as quickly as possible, using as few words as necessary, with the well-being and safety of everyone in mind. For example, if a severe meltdown occurs in a retail store, the parent should refrain from talking. As soon as the meltdown subsides, the shopping trip is considered over, and the child should be transported home as safely and quickly as possible. Leave the shopping cart in the aisle, and get everyone home.

Then, two important things should occur. First, at a later time when the child has calmed down and is more in control of their emotions, the parent should get down to the child's eye level and calmly ask them open-ended questions to help them understand what happened, why it happened, and how they felt at that moment. NOTE: Teaching them to accept their feelings is the first step in developing emotional intelligence. Feelings aren't right or wrong; they just are.

The second thing that should occur is for the adults to develop a plan for future shopping trips to minimize the likelihood of another meltdown, such as inviting the child to help create rules for the next trip and setting up boundaries before entering the store. It helps to create a focus for the child by providing them with a list of items or pictures of products to look for, making them feel engaged in the shopping experience.

Principle 3 - Sensitive periods. Parents lead hectic and stressful lives, and it can be easy to be too focused on keeping up with daily living, especially with several children. The LLL program offers numerous daily techniques for parents to enhance their effective communication and emotional connection with their children. One example is the morning connection exercise. Everyone rushing to get out of the house in the morning can cause a great deal of stress and contribute to children feeling disconnected from their parents. 

This morning exercise suggests that parents meet their children at the breakfast table and everyone be
seated. A visual timer should be set for at least 5 minutes, during which the parent is not allowed to speak but must listen. The parent can respond with sounds of affirmation, smiles, and nods, but no words. Experts have said that just a few moments of this connection between children and parents fuels the child in a way that contributes to them feeling heard and valued. This exercise should be set up in advance and presented through role-play so that children know what to expect when it occurs.

Principle 4 - Prepared environment. Similar to teachers selecting and arranging materials in a sequential order, parents are advised to set up playrooms, bedrooms, schedules, homework areas, and procedures in a specific way that is conducive to their children's positive emotional health. For example, bedrooms are for sleeping and quiet time and, if possible, should not contain toys or electronic devices that can be distracting. The bedtime routine should be organized and consistent, and roleplay should be used to review what it will look and feel like prior to the actual time.

Timeouts (or as we call them, self-quieting moments) are encouraged and are entirely different than the traditional timeout model. Children are encouraged to have their own personal space to go to when they feel a tantrum coming on. The space is set up in advance with the child's help and filled with things that make them feel better, especially things to look at or touch. Once this special spot is in place, roleplay should be used to help them understand how and when it's used.

Parents are encouraged to allow their children to accompany them as they create their own special self-quieting space as well. When the time comes and the child appears to be having an emotional moment, instead of demanding that the child go to this space, they can say, "It looks like it's time for you to go to your special place." If they won't go, the parent should do whatever they can to move them there, without words. This may require many attempts to practice and make it happen, but patience and silence are essential.

Principle 5 - Auto-Education. One of the first rules of the LLL program is to stop doing too much for your children, and indeed, don't talk for them. Parents must set up rules, boundaries, and procedures in advance for and with their children by teaching them with compassion, role-playing with them, practicing these behaviors, and then standing back and letting them apply what they've learned. If they fail, be ready to help them process what happened and what they will do next time.

When our three children were in school, we told them that their schoolwork belonged to them, but we were there to help. We also stated that they were responsible for securing and bringing their lunch money to school each day, and if they lost it, we were sure they knew how to prepare a secondary meal, such as a peanut butter sandwich and fruit, if needed.

One day, my daughter called me at my office to tell me that she had left her school project on the dining room table and she needed me to bring it to her at school, or she would get a bad grade. I told her that I could not do that, and she would have to bring it the next day. She begged me, and I felt terrible when I hung up the phone. But she turned it in the next day and lost a few points for not meeting the deadline. I always said that a child who forgets has a parent who will remember for them.

Over the years, there were numerous times when one of our children left their lunch on the kitchen counter or lost their lunch money. These were all life lessons that they learned from having the experience, rather than having a parent who rushed home and then to the school to rescue them. The LLL program encourages parents to prepare as best they can in advance and then step back to allow their children to learn from failure if necessary. It's the successes and failures that speak louder to them than the words of the adults around them.

One last example that will always stay with me was the evening after dinner when my son said to me,
"Dad, I have to draw a poster that represents the story in the book we've been reading in class, and I don't know what to draw. It's due tomorrow! I want you to help me!" I told him that I was confident that he could do it himself. He again said in a loud voice, "I don't know what to draw!" I replied, "Make believe you know," and to that, he stomped off to his room, whining and moaning, and said that I wouldn't help him. An hour later, he emerged from his room, excited about what he had created. I smiled and said, "Tell me about the drawing." The excitement in his face and voice as he described it to me overwhelmed me with joy.

If your Montessori school is within reasonable driving distance from Springfield, MA, and you'd like to host a one-time RAISING AN INDEPENDENT CHILD OR TEEN workshop, download this workshop proposal and then contact me to discuss. I'd be happy to waive my fee for the opportunity to help change the lives of some of your parents. You can email me at billcorbett@yahoo.com.

Bill Corbett is a nationally recognized parent educator, author, and speaker known for his practical and compassionate approach to raising children. He has helped countless parents, caregivers, and professionals better understand child behavior and discipline through his workshops, seminars, books, and media appearances. As the creator of the "Love, Limits & Lessons" parenting program, Corbett emphasizes respectful and effective communication, age-appropriate expectations, and the importance of emotional connection in child-rearing. His work is grounded in positive discipline strategies that foster cooperation and confidence in both children and parents.

(This image was taken while teaching the Love, Limits & Lessons workshop at Longmeadow Montessori)

Montessori-Inspired Community Helpers Activities Using Free Printables

By Deb Chitwood from Living Montessori Now

We have a new unit that's perfect for the start of the school year! Our new unit has Montessori-inspired activities using free community helpers printables along with a new Montessori-inspired community helpers pack for subscribers to our free newsletter at Living Montessori Now! 

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links (at no cost to you).

You'll find many activities for preschoolers through early elementary throughout the year in my previous PreK + K Sharing posts. You'll also find ideas for using free printables to create activity trays here: How to Use Printables to Create Montessori-Inspired Activities. 

At Living Montessori Now, I have a page with lots and lots of free printables.

Montessori Shelves with Community Helpers Themed Activities

Montessori Shelves with Community Helpers Themed Activities

You’ll find Montessori-inspired community helpers themed numbers, letters, and more (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber) 

 

Go to my Free Community Helpers Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities at Living Montessori Now for the free printables and activity ideas you see on the shelf and collage above!

Free Montessori-Inspired Community Helpers Pack

Montessori-Inspired Community Helpers Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Bead Bar Work, Hands-on Math Operations, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, DIY Movable Alphabet, and Creative Writing (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber).

More Community Helpers Resources

Community Helpers Books for Kids  

Community Helpers Toys 

• Montessori-Friendly Community Helper Resources
• Talking with Children about 9/11 – Ideas and Activities
• Free Police Printables and Montessori-Inspired Police Activities
• Community Helpers Activity Trays and Sensory Tubs
• Free Fire Safety Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Activities
• Free Ambulance Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ambulance Activities
• Montessori-Inspired Activities with Community Helper Figures and Free Printables
• "Look for the Helpers" Mister Rogers Word Art Freebie
• Free 9-1-1 Songs for Kids {Non-Scary Emergency Preparedness}
• Free Emergency Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
• Free Water Safety Songs for Kids
• Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Unit with Free Printables and Activities
• Free Fire Safety Songs and Educational Videos
• The Best Fire Safety Books for Kids
• Free Fire Truck Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Free Firefighter Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• How to Teach Children Fire Safety in a Non-Scary Way
• Free Medical Worker Printables and Montessori-Inspired Medical Worker Activities
• Free Doctor and Nurse Do-a-Dot Printables (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Free Medical Worker Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Non-Scary Montessori Fire Safety Resources for Preschool Through Elementary
• Free Construction Vehicle Printables and Montessori-Inspired Construction Vehicle Activities
• Free Construction Printables and Montessori-Inspired Construction Activities
• Free Construction Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Free Construction Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
• Free Songs About Getting a  Shot {Kids' Vaccination resources}
• Free Dental Health Printables and Montessori-Inspired Dental Health Activities
• Free Dentist Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Free Dental Health Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Montessori-Inspired Construction Printables for Preschool Through Early Elementary
• Roadwork: Road Construction Printable Pack for Hands-on Fun and Learning
• Free Road Construction Printables and Montessori-Inspired Road Construction Activities
• Free Labor Day Songs and Educational Videos
• Free Detective Printables and Montessori-Inspired Detective Activities
• Free Women in Science Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities
• Favorite Books for a Women in Science Theme
• Women and Girls in Science: Free Songs and Educational Videos
• Free Post Office Printables and Montessori-Inspired Post Office Activities
• Free Post Office Songs and Educational Videos
• Favorite Books for a Post Office Theme
• Free Library Printables and Montessori-Inspired Library Activities
• Free Teacher Printables and Montessori-Inspired Teacher Activities
• Free Teacher- and Teacher Appreciation Songs and Educational Videos
•  Mother’s Day- and Teacher’s Appreciation Gifts for Kids to Give
• Thumbprint Keepsake Keychain Gift for Mothers, Grandmothers, and Teachers
• Best Teacher Appreciation Quotes to Say Thank You
• “The Best Teachers” Word Art Freebie
• “2 Teach Is 2 Touch Lives 4Ever” Word Art Freebie
• “A Truly Special Teacher” Word Art Freebie
• The Best Gifts for Montessori Teachers
• Community Helpers Pinterest Board

If you'd like ideas for calendar-based themes throughout August and September, see my August Themed Activities for Kids and my September Themed Activities for Kids.

Be sure to go to my Free Community Helpers Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities for lots of free printables and activity ideas.

 

I hope you have a wonderful school year!

  

Deb Chitwood is a certified Montessori teacher with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies from Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, England. Deb taught in Montessori schools in Iowa and Arizona before becoming owner/director/teacher of her own Montessori school in South Dakota. Later, she homeschooled her two children through high school. Deb is now a Montessori writer who lives in San Diego with her husband of 50 years (and lives in the city where her kids, kids-in-law, and grandkids live).

Children of Divorce: 7 Things They Need Now

PARENTS WHO LISTEN MORE AND SPEAK LESS. A child's emotions, thoughts, and behavior may be unstable during this difficult time. They need to be able to express how they feel without their emotions being stuffed. Some of the things they say may be difficult for the parent to hear, so don't dismiss or minimize what is said or how they feel.

REGULAR ACCESS TO GRANDPARENTS. Relationships with your extended family may be complicated for you, but the kids still need them. Determine what access grandparents and other extended family members will have to your children, and remain open to the fact that these adults can be beneficial during this difficult time. It can often times be easier for children to express their feelings to grandparents and others.

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PARENTS WILLING TO TAKE A PARENTING CLASS. I'm not referring to the inexpensive divorce class that most states require all divorcing parents to attend; I'm talking about a multi-session parenting class in which parents learn about the developmental stages of childhood and what constitutes normal and abnormal behavior. Receiving additional help from a class or even a parent coach can prepare you for the significant behavioral challenges that may arise from the divorce.

FIRM BOUNDARIES AND LIMITATIONS. Even though many children and teens will push the limits even further during a divorce, they require firm rules to know that the parents are still in charge and care. Firm boundaries create feelings of safety and love, especially during difficult times such as divorce. Avoid the urge to give in and bend rules, to avoid hearing the dreadful statement, "I want to go live with my Dad (or Mom)."

RESPECTFUL TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PARENT. Your issues with your ex are your

issues, not your child's. No matter how terrible of a person you feel your ex was to you or the kids, your children will most likely still see them as the wonderful, flawless parent they once were. You don't have to speak affectionately about them in front of the kids, just respectfully.

CONSISTENCY ON THE RULES OF ACCESS TO INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL. Your son comes home from a visitation with the other parent with a new smartphone, tablet, violent video game, or any other object you usually don't allow him to have. Avoid thinking that he can keep it just because the other parent gave it to him. Please hold on to that item until the next visitation. You can't control what your child is exposed to in the other parent's home, but you can in your own.

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PARENTS WITH EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. Seek out support groups in your community to get the help you need. Many churches offer a continuing workshop and support group called Divorce Care, which is open to anyone, even if you are not a church member. Your children need you to be emotionally strong and able to provide the support they will need to get through this difficult time.

The Author is an international speaker and the author of eight books, including the award-winning parenting book, LOVE, LIMITS & LESSONS: A PARENT'S GUIDE TO RAISING COOPERATIVE KIDS. Bill has three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. You can learn more about his work at http://BillCorbettsBooks.com.

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