A Seashell Meditation for Children by Patricia May

Write a book or ten! Hi, my name is Patricia May, author of the 10 book collection, A Seashell Meditation for Children. I love telling my story as this is a story of pure inspiration. I have never written before now, never even entertained the idea of writing no less publish a book, or ten!

My story began in Denver, after attending a davidji seminar at the I Can Do It! Conference in April of 2015. My family and I walked out from the seminar discussing just how amazing davidji was and how important it was to not only meditate ourselves, but to get our youth meditating as early as possible. My husband Dave came up with an idea to get seashells for our grand-kids and get them to listen and concentrate, holding the shells up to their ears while having a meditation read to them. Great idea? Yes it was!

June 12, 2015 while I was in my kitchen cleaning, I was hit with what seemed like a bolt of lightening! In a seconds time, or faster, an entire scenario played out before my eyes. I felt as though I was inside a whirlwind spinning around with all the information right there with me. I received this information as clearly as if I had read an entire book on it somewhere and saw it page by page. I “knew” I would write and publish with Hay House, a 10 book collection on introducing meditation to children in short story rhymes using seashells as a tool for focus and concentration. I picked up a pen and paper, instantly wrote down 10 titles that just flowed out onto the paper before me, and wrote the first book, The Seaside. Then I told my family and friends what I was about to jump into. So exciting, and with everyone being so supportive, no questions asked, I went on to day two.

I wrote the second book, Birds of a feather, then picked up the phone to call Hay House to let them know I would be publishing a 10 book collection with them soon. What did I know about publishing? I was told there was a company called Balboa, a division of Hay House that would be happy to help me. Tina Colbert was my first call connection, who inspired me and loved what she heard. I finished all ten books in nine days, and then went to the next step with the help of the Balboa team members. Taking me step by step through my journey, answering a million questions, always there to get me going in the right direction, my books were published exactly 4 months to the date, when the idea came to me in my kitchen that day. And it didn’t stop there. The marketing team then helped me to get the word out. I am so grateful to all the members at Balboa for helping me get to the next level. It wasn’t a decision I even had to think about, loving Hay House for decades, this fit right in exactly when and where It needed to.

For me, becoming an author through pure inspiration, and the help of Balboa to reach my goals, I say, follow your heart, do not think so hard, meditate, find your happy place and when it hits, well, just flow with it. When I finished writing my books, I sat down with my laptop and I emailed davidji, letting him know what an inspiration he was in this adventure of mine. Not expecting a thing in return, just showing my gratitude, I received an email from davidji the following morning telling me just how brilliant he thought this whole thing was! Guess what? davidji wrote a testimonial for me that is there on the back of each one of my books! He has invited me to be on his Hay House radio show. I would say, dreams do come true, but in my case, it didn’t start that way. My mind, body and soul was open to receive what ever it was that was meant for me to be, do and have at that time. Our local tv station came out and did a shoot at the spiritual center I attend, filming the youth group kids all doing the seashell meditation. Teachers, yoga classes and children’s educational programs have been picking up my books and implementing them into their programs. And the word just keeps spreading. Thank you Balboa, davidji, and all that inspired me in this journey.

Happy writing!

Take a look at Patricia May's books!
Click on the cover below to find all of her titles!

How to help the defiant child, by Barbara Roba, author of 'Building Blocks of Positive Parenting'

How to help the defiant child

Defiance is displayed when children refuse to follow rules and the directions of those in authority. This is typically seen with parents, teachers, and other caregivers. Defiant children use inappropriate behaviors such as being rude, refusing to do what they are told, and causing disruptions. Parents and teachers are normally very frustrated with these children and wish they could find a way to help increase compliance.

The majority of defiant children lack positive experiences in their life and may have parents who are authoritarian in
nature. This type of parenting style reinforces punishment rather than discipline (teaching) and does not take into consideration the feelings, needs, or wants of the child. It is a “do as I say, no matter what” approach to raising kids. Needless to say,this is unhealthy. As a result, we see these children displaying defiance and longing for control over their lives. This may result in using negative behaviors in an effort to obtain this control. Over time, the tension between child and parent worsens as the child’s response to punishment results in learning how to use defiance to get their needs met.

75 interventions are listed for defiance. I listed four here:

1. Be patient, consistent, and as positive as possible. Acceptable behavior happens over time and is highly influenced by parents, peers, life experiences, and interventions used by adults.

2. Attempt to identify your child’s triggers to becoming defiant. Do this by asking yourself, “What happened just before the behavior occurred?” Once you have it figured out, use incentives to motivate your child to have a more productive outcome in the future. Future planning for success is part of the learning process for both of you. 

3.. Identify what purpose the behavior is serving. Do this by asking yourself, “What happened after the behavior occurred?” This will help you to evaluate your own behavior and environmental factors that may be reinforcing negative behaviors.

4. Choose your battles carefully. Try not to argue or force compliance. These two things only serve to escalate hostile interactions. Use strategies such as planned ignoring, calmly give choices, calmly giving consequences, and letting the topic go until your child is calm. At that time, be ready to discuss how to use more appropriate behaviors.

Want more tips? Check out her book 'Building Blocks of Positive Parenting':

Blurb:

The book that parents wish their children were born with is here!Do you wonder what to do when your child refuses to listen to you? Do you wish your child wasn't so defiant? Is there a way to quell tantrums? Do you know how positive discipline can make your life easier as a parent? In The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting, Barb answers each of these questions and much more with easy to understand explanations, tips, plans, and interventions than can be put into place today!

Most parents have very busy lives and don't have the time or energy to spend reading parenting books cover to cover. The best part of The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting is that you don't have to read the whole book to see changes in your child. In the first few chapters, you will easily learn the foundations to positive parenting. From there, you take control and get to pick and choose from behaviors specific to your child. Doing so will allow for a targeted approach instead of having to weed through information that has nothing to do with your child and family. Given our fast-paced world, this book is a refreshing and easy-to-use tool to encourage positive change.

Buy links

Amazon / Behavior Corner / Teachers Pay Teachers / Tate Publishing

Bio:

Barb Roba is a licensed mental health counselor and has earned a masters degree along with her Certificate of Advanced study in school counseling. Her area of expertise is found working with young children and their families to develop positive parenting and behavior management techniques. Barb is a mother of two boys. She currently works as an elementary school counselor and provides online mental health therapy to clients.

Find her on Facebook and on Twitter.

Tips for parents of children with ADHD by Barbara Roba

How to help the child with ADHD

Children who have ADHD need very clear, consistent, and predictable limits. They have a hard time with warnings and unclear consequences. The same is true for those children who remain undiagnosed yet regularly display short attention spans, impulsive behavior, and/or hyperactive symptoms. Children who have difficulties in this area characteristically have poorer grades in school, fewer positive peer relationships,have lower self-esteem, and have more trouble with those in authority as rules and directions are not easily followed.

These are good children who want to please others, want to be liked by their peers, and who want to get good grades. However, several factors exist for these children that may not for their peers. To begin with, the brains of children with ADHD or like symptoms are wired differently than other children who do not suffer from attentional, impulsivity, and/or hyperactive symptoms. Environmental factors also contribute to the likelihood of experiencing difficulty in this area. Those who come from chaotic homes, have inconsistent parents, those who are abused or neglected, or have any other ongoing stressors are at a much higher risk.

My book has 45 inventions for ADHD. Here are four of them:

1. In the moment, teach your child to consider the consequences of their actions. If the consequences are not favorable, they should think about what choice to make instead.

2. Keep your verbal requests simple and clear. Many children with ADHD can only effectively manage one-step directions. Too many words make your message hard to understand.

3. Ensure your child has complete understanding of your requests and expectations. Do this by role-playing or physically showing them what you are expecting.

4. Use nonverbal directives when possible, such as sign language or pointing to the rules as a reminder. Many children become unaffected by verbal requests. Eventually, it sounds like “blah, blah, blah.” Nonverbal communication sends a different type of message that can be even more effective.

Want more tips? Check out her book 'Building Blocks of Positive Parenting':

Blurb:

The book that parents wish their children were born with is here!Do you wonder what to do when your child refuses to listen to you? Do you wish your child wasn't so defiant? Is there a way to quell tantrums? Do you know how positive discipline can make your life easier as a parent? In The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting, Barb answers each of these questions and much more with easy to understand explanations, tips, plans, and interventions than can be put into place today!

Most parents have very busy lives and don't have the time or energy to spend reading parenting books cover to cover. The best part of The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting is that you don't have to read the whole book to see changes in your child. In the first few chapters, you will easily learn the foundations to positive parenting. From there, you take control and get to pick and choose from behaviors specific to your child. Doing so will allow for a targeted approach instead of having to weed through information that has nothing to do with your child and family. Given our fast-paced world, this book is a refreshing and easy-to-use tool to encourage positive change.

Buy links

Amazon / Behavior Corner / Teachers Pay Teachers / Tate Publishing

Bio:

Barb Roba is a licensed mental health counselor and has earned a masters degree along with her Certificate of Advanced study in school counseling. Her area of expertise is found working with young children and their families to develop positive parenting and behavior management techniques. Barb is a mother of two boys. She currently works as an elementary school counselor and provides online mental health therapy to clients.

Find her on Facebook and on Twitter.

Barbara Roba, author of 'Building Blocks of Positive Parenting,' on children who do not listen

When Children Don't Listen

A child who does not listen to their parents, teachers, or other authority figures is one of the most common parenting concerns out there. Listening and actually doing what one is told are two very different things. We can listen to the words coming out of someone’s mouth, but that doesn’t mean that we will act on those words. The action part is a choice. In this case, it is the choice of your children.

As parents, we would like our children to always choose to act upon our requests in an appropriate manner. Reality quickly pulls us back when we encounter daily struggles in this area. Whether your child is not paying attention to you, is being defiant, or doesn’t seem motivated, you continue to be highly interested in them listening.

My book lists 29 interventions in the section of "Does Not Listen" I have listed four of them here:

1. Check that your child understands what you are saying. Do this by asking questions such as “What did I ask you to do?” or “Tell me what you heard me say.”

2. Begin counting to three when your child does not listen after one reminder or warning. If you get to the count of three, it means that your child should receive a pre-established negative consequence, such as a time-out. Much of the time, you will find that you will only have to say “one” and your child will begin to follow through with your request. Tip: Your child must be aware of the process and know what will happen if you get to three before you try
the counting method.

3. Use eye contact each time you and your child speak to each other. This helps to make sure you have their attention.

4. Remove all possible distractions when talking with your child. Turn the television off, no one else should be talking, you should not be texting, you should not be multitasking, etc. I know it is hard, but give it a try.

Want more tips? Check out her book 'Building Blocks of Positive Parenting':

Blurb:

The book that parents wish their children were born with is here!Do you wonder what to do when your child refuses to listen to you? Do you wish your child wasn't so defiant? Is there a way to quell tantrums? Do you know how positive discipline can make your life easier as a parent? In The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting, Barb answers each of these questions and much more with easy to understand explanations, tips, plans, and interventions than can be put into place today!

Most parents have very busy lives and don't have the time or energy to spend reading parenting books cover to cover. The best part of The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting is that you don't have to read the whole book to see changes in your child. In the first few chapters, you will easily learn the foundations to positive parenting. From there, you take control and get to pick and choose from behaviors specific to your child. Doing so will allow for a targeted approach instead of having to weed through information that has nothing to do with your child and family. Given our fast-paced world, this book is a refreshing and easy-to-use tool to encourage positive change.

Buy links

Amazon / Behavior Corner / Teachers Pay Teachers / Tate Publishing

Bio:

Barb Roba is a licensed mental health counselor and has earned a masters degree along with her Certificate of Advanced study in school counseling. Her area of expertise is found working with young children and their families to develop positive parenting and behavior management techniques. Barb is a mother of two boys. She currently works as an elementary school counselor and provides online mental health therapy to clients.

Find her on Facebook and on Twitter.

Why Books Are an Important Part of Childhood by Evelyn Gresham

Children's author Evelyn Gresham has an education degree, a soft spot for children, and now writes books for young ones. Here are her thoughts on why books are so important in childhood:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since this is the generation of technology, I feel books are even more important to keep alive with our children. There is nothing like holding a book in your hand as your child lies in bed and listens to you read to them. First, it gives you a chance to bond with your child and second, it is a memory your child will never forget. Many people that I talk to state, that they cherish that time they had with their parents, when they read to them. We must keep those moments alive and we must teach our children to love books and preschool children are the ones to start with. In my humble opinion, it should start while you’re pregnant and should continue as a family tradition.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since childhood author Evelyn Gresham has always had a desire for writing and poetry, but kept it as a hobby. She graduated from Ashford University and received her master’s degree in education and child development. Aside from “Sweet, Sweet Carabee”, Evelyn has also authored the book “Brown Little Babies.” For over twenty years Evelyn has worked as a nursing assistant, but always had a passion for children. Ms. Gresham currently resides in the Midwest and enjoys traveling and illustrating in her spare time.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilovecarabee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/egee11

Book description:
Take a trip into the lovable world of “Sweet, Sweet Carabee.” A delightful tale about a playful little girl with a colorful personality; Join Carabee and her faithful companion Snowbelle in the very first story of the Carabee book series. A fun-filled world of make believe and excitement that never ends.

'Sweet, Sweet Carabee' is a great book for both the classroom and in the home. Included within the story is a recipe and activity that fit in perfectly with an apple theme.

Get your copy today on Amazon

Also available from Halo Publishing

Guest Review of 'Light Bulb Baking: A History of the Easy-Bake Oven' by Todd Coopee

This first definitive retrospective of the Easy Bake® Oven celebrates its journey from children's toy to pop culture icon and inductee to The National Toy Hall of Fame. The book explores the innovation, history, economics, commerce, advertising, and marketing behind the toy’s 50 year history. This book is a must read for vintage toy collectors, nostalgia buffs, foodies, and anyone who has ever peered through the oven's watch it bake window, eagerly anticipating the moment they will be able to serve and enjoy their very own culinary concoction.

Read a guest review:

I have a confession to make: I never had an Easy Bake Oven.

I'm not sure why. I remember seeing it in the Wish Books every year at Christmas, but perhaps I was too dazzled by the dolls and Barbies to pay attention. Or maybe my parents, enlightened parents of the early '70's, steered me away from something that they so as so gender-specific. 

It might have been a good idea to give me some early lessons, as when I did get married and had to cook for my husband, some training on a smaller scale might have been helpful.

I did, however, buy one of the ovens for my daughters. I was excited to see what would happen when we made our first goodies together, and a little non-plussed to realize that it was a light-bulb. . .and it took a long, long time for something that didn't feed many. Okay, full disclosure, it didn't even satisfy one.

But my partial ignorance about the EBO did not take away from pleasure in this beautiful book. Because more than the toy, it is history, and that I love. Watching the evolution of this innocuous children's plaything was truly mesmerizing, and I learned so much that I hadn't realized, not only about toys but also about the changes in promotion and marketing over these last 50 years. The research and presentation were spot-on.

Whether or not you were a light-bulb baker, you'll enjoy this walk down memory lane. Don't miss it. This would be a perfect gift for any grown-up child of the 1960's or '70's!

Purchase it on Amazon

About the Author:

Todd Coopee is a writer, award-winning business owner, toy historian, and pop-culture enthusiast. His affinity for nostalgia, vintage toys, and baking fed his passion for the Easy-Bake Oven, which led to his 2013 retrospective, Light Bulb Baking: A History of the Easy-Bake® Oven.

Todd lives in Ottawa, Ontario and has been known to bake tiny treats for his friends and family.

Follow Light Bulb Baking on:

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube

Learn more about Todd: http://about.me/todd.coopee

Follow the Book Tour

Angry Kids: Changing the Climate of Your Home by Lynne Namka, Ed.D.

Please welcome Lynne Namka, Ed.D. to the blog today. She is sharing advice on how to reduce the anger level in your home, and also provides some further reading to help.

You can also check out her book, 'The Mad Family Gets the Mads Out' here.

Angry Kids: Changing the Angry Climate of Your Home

Lynne Namka, Ed. D. © 2013

A reader wrote me to ask which of my books would I recommend for an angry teenager. And then a mother called me about her explosive teenager. So here are some of my thoughts about turning anger around at home.

Parents feel so helpless when the anger monster gets out of hand in the family and zooms back and forth from one family member to the next. Here are the resources I gathered, a few mine and from others for turning the problem of teen anger into an opportunity for learning.

First we must all take responsibility for what we have created in the home. No one family is singled out—changing the atmosphere in the home is a group effort. Each person has added their piece to the dynamics of anger that has taken over. System theory (a family is a system where contagious emotions bounce back and forth) says don’t blame but challenge each person to look for solutions.

Taking responsibility for words and actions is a sign of maturity. To do this you can learn to work with our sticky feelings especially the negative ones and express the loving ones to those we care about often. Helping others to understand and express their feelings in safe and sane ways that do not hurt others or ourselves is the core of my work.

Your child will not take responsibility for his or her anger if it is being modeled for them in the home. If one or more parent is angry and fighting with the child and using old, outdated “do what I tell you because I’m the parent,”

To turn things around, the angry parent MUST take charge of his or her own anger by taking an anger management class and then doing the anger containment and release at home IN FRONT OF THE CHILD! That’s right; the parent must model positive use of anger and holding their own temper! It’s that old proverb, “Little monkey see, little monkey do.” Then little monkeys grow up to be big monkeys with children of their own and the anger and abuse continue to the next generation.

Announce: This Family is Taking a Vacation from Anger! Refuse to engage in the baiting and picking that goes on. Stop sarcasm, name calling and eye rolling. See my article on Fair Fighting at HappyHealthyLoving.com for more ideas about better ways to express anger. Own up and be the bigger person. Apologize to your child or spouse in front of the entire family for anything that you said or did that hurt them. Ask if anyone else needs to apologize but don’t push for this. Remember sincere apologies are said with true regret and an intention to change for the benefit of all. (Yelling I’m sorry is not a true apology.)


Remind each and everyone in the home that they are responsible for their anger outbursts and they can learn to express anger in ways that do not hurt others or themselves. Get the young person in anger management class or counseling of course, but it is not up to them to change the family dynamics—every single person can contribute. If one person won’t, unfortunately that’s a sign of immaturity, but the rest of you can go ahead and do things that will make a difference.

Taking a Time Out in the heat of anger is a sign of maturity. Step back, take a breath and bite your tongue to keep from adding fuel to the anger fire. Excuse yourself by saying that you have to go calm yourself down. Parental time outs model appropriate anger containment!

Learn to be silly and lighten up the mood of the home. Kids love fun. No mean teasing, but jokes, laughing at yourself, smiling at your child and spouse often, affectionate gestures are all part of creating a loving home.

Resources

Here are some small books that teach parents and children how to be an effective human being even when angry. This approach may seem simple to you but it works.

These books are cheap from $.01 to $6.97 from the online bookstores. Invest in them to shift your outlook so that things can shift at home. [Click on a book title to be taken to its Amazon page.]

The One Minute Scolding: The Amazingly Effective New Approach to Child Discipline
Gerald E. Nelson

Keeping your reprimand to one minute and saying something positive about your child before giving a correction puts the responsibility on you for keeping it light. It also keeps you from ranting and venting. This book is full of common-sense skills for discipling children and teens while raising the self esteem of both child and parents.
 

The One Minute Father and The One Minute Mother by Spencer Johnson

Unconditionally love the child and correct the behavior quickly. Based on the wildly popular One Minute Manager for businesses (translated into many languages and sold worldwide.) These two books for parents teach the principles of the One Minute Manager in the natural context of the parent child relationship. Based on praise first to get the attention and set the mood and then give the reprimand. (I love you, but cut that behavior out!)


Who Moved My Cheese? For Teens by Spencer Johnson

This is a small story that gives the message written in parable form: “If you keep on doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same result.” Flexibility and the ability to stop doing what doesn’t work and change directions and tactics are necessary skills for getting a happy life.

Here are some of my children’s books on learning about the correct use of feelings.

Feelings are for learning. The more you find ways to work with them and release them, the happier you and your loved ones will be. The Mad Family Gets their Mads Out has been a best seller since it came out two decades ago.

The book I wrote to explain how to release feelings for children is Goodbye Ouchies and Grouchies, Hello Happy Feelings. It is the book I wish I could have read as a confused child. It teaches The Emotional Freedom Technique which actually releases negative feelings, irrational beliefs and traumas.

My newest book, The Case of the Prickly Feelings is about a little hedgehog detective who goes on the case to find out what to do with his angry feelings that he picked up from the prickly people in his family. All my books teach different methods of letting go of negative feelings.

And finally a hilarious You Tube video by comedienne Amanda Gore: How to let People Know You Love Them, Zoot Zoot! Zooties! You and your spouse watch this video four times and then do it! Yes, do it! Yes give yourself permission to have fun and do it. Yes it is silly, but kids respond to silly. Do Gore’s wild idea often to change the sullen energy in the home. Watch her other fun videos.

Share the positive! Please pass this article on to parents, teachers, therapists, counselors and those who might be in need of this information.

A subscription to my free weekly newsletter which gives much information about anger and healthy living can be found at angriesout.com.

Start off your day with a positive message or two from me on my Facebook page. Look for the positive and you will find it! Join me on Facebook by making a request for becoming a friend at https://www.facebook.com/lynne.namka

Guest Post by Charlotte Castle, author of 'Simon's Choice'

When I wrote Simon’s Choice, I was pregnant.

It seems an odd choice now, to write about a dying child when I had one on the way, and there were quite a few moments when I thought I can’t write this, I’m jinxing the life of my own children.

As I write this particular blog-post however, my son is thriving, yet sadly my marriage is not. I’m in the middle of a particularly acrimonious divorce.

I realize now, that Simon’s Choice was never about little Sarah’s struggle with leukemia, rather Simon and his wife Melissa’s struggle with marriage – and how a an almost pitch-perfect relationship can suddenly fracture under the strains of the illness of a child.

Perhaps this is why those who have read the book very kindly insist that it isn’t maudlin. I was writing about the anger that the parents feel, rather than the pain. I’m beginning to suspect that I was writing about my own anger, but veiled within a plotline that I can only hope will never happen to me.

As I spend most of my time arsing around on Facebook and writing what I hope are quite funny blog posts, it took me by surprise that I chose such a serious subject, but the book is full of dark humour and if it is possible to laugh in such a book, I’m told you will.

About the Author:

The daughter of a successful novelist, Charlotte Castle considers herself ‘chronically unemployable’ and admits to being astounded that her book has had such a positive reception. 

 

“To be honest, I started writing ‘Simon’s Choice’ out of a mixture of genuine desire to explore the horror of losing a child and a fair amount of desire to get out of mopping the kitchen floor. That people want to read it is wonderful.” 

 

A school governor for her daughter’s primary school and actively involved in her local ‘Community Action Group’, Charlotte juggles writing with cleaning up after a man whom she says is “completely unfamiliar with the term ‘washing basket’”, her cat and her two children.

Simon's Choice

Charlotte Castle

"But Daddy, who will live with me in heaven?"

Doctor Simon Bailey has everything a man could ever want.

Then his beautiful daughter is diagnosed with Leukemia.

He can almost accept her impending death.

He can almost accept the fact that he will have to live without her.

But he cannot stand the thought of his little girl having to face death alone.

He answers her innocent question in a moment of desperation, testing his marriage, his professional judgment and his sanity to the limit.

As cracks form in Simon's previously perfect family, we wonder, as do his loved ones ... will he really make the ultimate sacrifice?

Combining poignant moments of both humour and pain, 'Simon's Choice' is a penetrating account of parenthood at the sharp-end. 

Buy Links: Paperback \ Kindle \ Smashwords

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