Saturday Sweeps: Parenting and Health

My dear friend, Elizabeth Messina (the amazing photographer whose images you see on the The Silver Pen) wrote the most beautiful, sorrowful, inspiring and deeply moving blog post this week about the terrifying health scare that her family has had to face in the last month. This post is exquisite equally in photography and in words.

Her post inspired my attraction to all things related to children and health this week. Please take the time to read her story on Kiss the Groom. You will be transformed (Silver Lining).

Kiss the Groom’s the sorrow of motherhood

Be sure to see Elizabeth’s other images on this post. They are incredibly powerful and beautiful and humbling!

Zen Habits The Way of the Peaceful Parent

Because he doesn’t use images, I thought that I would share part of the post. Be sure to read the entire post by clicking on the link above!

• Greet your child each morning with a smile, a hug, a loving Good Morning!
• Teach your child to make her own breakfast. This starts for most children at around the age of 3 or 4.
• Older children can help younger children — it’s good for them to learn responsibility, it helps the younger children learn from the older ones, and it takes some of the stress off you.
• Read to them often.
• Build forts with them. Play hide and seek. Shoot each other with Nerf dart guns. Have tea together. Squeeze lemons and make lemonade. Play, often, as play is the essence of childhood. Don’t try to force them to stop playing.
• When your child asks for your attention, grant it.
• Parents need alone time, though.
• When your child is upset, put yourself in his shoes.
• Model the behavior you want your child to learn.
• When a stressful time arises (and it will), learn to deal with it with a smile.
• Remember that your child is a gift.
• Let your child share your interests.
• Know that when you screw up as a parent, everything will be fine. Forgive yourself. Apologize.
• Patiently teach your child the boundaries of behavior.
• Give your child some space.
• Exercise to cope with stress.
• It helps tremendously to be a parenting team — one parent can take over when the other gets stressed.
• Mom and dad need a date night every week or so.
• Sing and dance together.
• Take every opportunity to teach kindness and love your child.
• Kiss your child goodnight. And give thanks for another amazing day with your beautiful, unique, crazy child.

Flavorwire’s The Ten Best Author’s of Children’s Literature

Daily Good’s Recovery of the Sacred

Simple Lovely’s Simplicity, Work and Enjoyment

Might I suggest that you take the time to watch the video on this link? It’s one of the most inspiring things I’ve come across in a long time!

The Daily’s Little Pill Takes on Big C

Daily Good’s: Time is Precious: Dr. BJ Miller’s Journey

He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.

Arabian Proverb