Monday, December 28, 2015

Side by side

I think being side by side with someone is a good way to focus attention away from eyes yet still on them, so they can speak without the intimidation and confusion of your face right in front of them.
Eye Contact
Leaning on a Truck
photo by Becky Sekeres

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Quiet enough to hear

"They don't need my direction much of the time, but they need me to pay attention to what is happening *in case* I'm needed. I need to be quiet so I'm not filling up their world with my noise, and so that *I* can hear as well."
—Sarah Thompson

SandraDodd.com/quiet
photo by Susan Gaissert
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Saturday, December 26, 2015

Senses

Kids will want to taste snow. Help them find some that's clean enough. Same with icicles. You might know what dirt is on the roof, but let that go; find a cleanish one.

Kids will want to touch snow, see it, smell it. Just the other day a kid in my yard was talking about how different it sounded, walking in it on the third day, than the first day. It was squeaky, when it compressed.


What seems old and normal to you will be new to each child who is born and sees things for the first time. Be patient and generous and maybe you can see it again, as though it were new to you, through their eyes.

SandraDodd.com/addlightandstir
photo by Ruqayya
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Friday, December 25, 2015

Imagination


See, appreciate, and encourage imagination.

SandraDodd.com/imagination
photo by Elise Lauterbach
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Thursday, December 24, 2015

Simple beauty

If you can see the beauty in plain and simple things, the world will be more beautiful.
SandraDodd.com/gratitude
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Direction

Be glad to find things in life that can help you choose a good direction.



SandraDodd.com/direction
Photo by Charles Lagacé, in Nunavut.

Marie-France Talbot, the mom, wrote:
"Snow inuksuk (inuktitut for person subtitute) made by my husband and sons. They are usually made of rocks and they indicate direction."
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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Security and abundance


"Being generous and giving as much as possible to our children gives them joy. It also breeds generosity and creates a feeling of security and abundance. More is more."
—Anna Black

SandraDodd.com/abundance
photo by Jane Clossick
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