Enrichment classes are learning experiences that go above and beyond what is possible in the traditional school classroom. With small student-to-instructor ratios, they create an environment in which students are free to explore individual interests, take full advantage of personal qualities (such as learning styles and temperaments), socialize with like-minded peers, and utilize their instructor as a mentor and coach.

The other day, I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Gandhi’s words are important for a couple of reasons. They highlight the power of the human mind. Indeed, we seem to attract what we think about. When we focus on what we want, we tend to get more of that. Paradoxically, when we focus on what we don’t want, we tend to get more of that, too!

Who doesn’t remember hours of fun playing board games with parents or friends when we were kids? 

Monopoly®, chess, checkers, Trivial Pursuit®, Scrabble® and countless other games kept us busy in the evenings, on rainy days or during visits to the grandparents. 

Although video games seem to have edged out this “old school” tradition, board games continue to be popular among adults and kids. And in today’s busy world of email, cell phones and Facebook, board games are still a perfect way to bring together and reconnect family members.

Your thoughts determine your emotions and actions and, ultimately, they create your reality. What you focus your thoughts upon is what your life becomes. 

This past week marked the first session of the parenting class I teach at the Parenting Place. At the end of the session, I assigned a challenge to each family, which I’m also offering to you here.

This week, notice positive things about your kiddo(s) and tell them!

Parenting with Love and Logic

There are many reasons a child may struggle at school, and, although these may be obvious in some cases, for most children, the root cause is complex and not immediately obvious. Parents frequently report feeling frustrated, powerless and unsure how to help their child.

Before we can help children succeed, we must first understand why they are struggling.

We all have an underlying philosophy. This philosophy serves to guide actions, thoughts, beliefs, choices, perceptions and nearly every aspect of our lives.

"When the voice and the vision on the inside become more profound, clear and loud than the opinions on the outside, you have mastered your life." -- Dr. John F. DeMartini