Alysa Kleinman – FamilyToday https://www.familytoday.com Here today, better tomorrow. Wed, 29 May 2013 19:30:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.3 https://wp-media.familytoday.com/2020/03/favicon.ico Alysa Kleinman – FamilyToday https://www.familytoday.com 32 32 The final weeks of school: 3 tips for enduring to the end https://www.familytoday.com/family/the-final-weeks-of-school-3-tips-for-enduring-to-the-end/ Wed, 29 May 2013 19:30:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/the-final-weeks-of-school-3-tips-for-enduring-to-the-end/ Is your child overly eager for Summer break? Perhaps you are struggling to stay motivated through the final weeks of…

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Imagine trying to wake up your kids for school in the middle of summer. How would they react? Confused? Angry? Exhausted? A mix of all three emotions?

When late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel challenged his viewers to wake up their kids one summer morning, tell them they are late for school, and then post the videos on Youtube, the results were hilarious.

"There isn't school, dude," one boy argued to his dad. Another son quickly woke up and started getting ready without asking any questions. One girl was less amused. "This is not a funny joke," she said.

Although it was quite humorous to Jimmy Kimmel and his viewers, most kids aren't laughing when it comes to waking up for another long school day. The thought of going to school, focusing on the lessons, not talking to their friends, and then coming home and completing homework assignments is nightmarish to many children. Even though some love learning and attending school, a lot of students spend their days counting down to Christmas, spring break, and finally summer vacation.

When these breaks are approaching, as summer break is now, it's easy for kids to lose focus and start letting their minds wander in school. Instead of learning their multiplication tables, they might be dreaming of Disney World, summer camp, or whatever exciting summer plans are headed their way within weeks. It can be easy to forget that grades will drop if your interest in school disappears.

On the other hand, maybe you are the struggling student, balancing parenthood in one hand and heavy textbooks in the other. From elementary school to college and everywhere in between, school is difficult and it can be hard to find motivation at all levels.

With spring break over and summer just around the corner, you or your kids might be already ditching the homework and pulling out the swim trunks. Here are some tips for staying motivated or helping your kids push through when the end is so close, yet so far.

Help your kids with their homework

Sit down with them and make an academic calendar for the last few weeks of school. Don't let their assignments fall through the cracks and never treat homework as optional, or else they will too.

Provide incentives for yourself and your family

As a reward for accomplishing good grades and surviving the school year, take your kids on an adventure that fits your family, but make sure to have these plans already mapped out as motivation to succeed.

Focus on the bigger picture

Remind your children that school doesn't just disappear when a break finally comes. If you fail a class this year, you will have to retake it next year or attend summer school. Don't let exhaustion from school cloud future consequences.

Whether it's the last week of school or yet another dreary Monday, sometimes it might feel like life is moving at a turtle's pace. Follow these tips to encourage your kids (or yourself) to keep working hard in school.

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10 tips for keeping social media positive https://www.familytoday.com/family/10-tips-for-keeping-social-media-positive/ Thu, 02 May 2013 09:14:32 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/10-tips-for-keeping-social-media-positive/ Social media has a place. Ten tips on how you can use social media as a positive force in your…

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When man's best friend goes missing, it can make you go into a panic. Thinking of your cuddly pet wandering lost, hungry, and alone is a scary thought, and one that Georgia resident Dave Vitali had to face for three months.

After he and his dog Max got in a bad car accident on a road trip, his dog went missing in Indiana, and the story was published on the Internet. Months went by without any news on Max's whereabouts.

Later, one Indiana resident adopted a golden retriever from a local shelter and posted an image of him on Facebook. A few Facebook users recognized the dog and commented that he looked like the pup from the car accident. Max had wandered 50 miles from the accident before getting picked up and housed in the shelter. One phone call later, Max was reunited with Vitali at their home in Georgia.

The owner called this a dream come true to the local news station WBST, and said his daughter would be the happiest girl on Earth.

These types of stories are surfacing more with the rising popularity of social media. Recently, a lonely 12-year-old boy feeling suicidal received more than 2,000 letters from strangers on Facebook. The letters inspired him to press forward.

It can be infuriating when your kids use social media 10 hours a day and refuse to look up from their phones. It might drive you crazy when they obsess with a status, pictures, likes, shares or Tweets. You might feel like you will never really understand your teen's cell phone or computer addiction.

Though it can overtake your life, a moderate amount of social media can actually be productive. It makes the world a little bit smaller because you can communicate instantly with anyone, making it the best way to keep in touch. When your teen leaves for college and calls you with Skype on the weekends, you will probably feel grateful for modern technology bringing your family together. But right now, with laptops, cell phones and iPads in every room, it might feel like it's tearing your family apart.

Here are 10 tips for keeping social media positive in your family

  1. Although it's important to limit the amount of digital entertainment your kids consume, give them some freedom so they don't get angry or try to use it secretly.

  2. Play games together. There are plenty of iPad apps and video games that work for the whole family and serve as a 21st century board game.

  3. If your teens are addicted to the computer, put time limits on how much they can surf the Web. You can download free software that will kick them off when their time is up, or you can just set a timer and let them play until it rings.

  4. Join some of the social media websites to help keep an eye on your kids. Don't invade their privacy too much, but if you are friends with them on Facebook they will be less likely to misbehave.

  5. Make a no-phone rule during dinner or family night. Have your kids put their phone in a bucket so they can fully engage with the family and realize there is life outside the touchscreen.

  6. Add filters on your computers to make sure your kids don't access pornography. Although most kids aren't looking for bad things online, inappropriate content can pop up without your consent, so have some strong filters in place to prevent inappropriate pictures.

  7. Ask your teen about what she is doing on her phone. Without annoying her too much, starting a simple conversation about her favorite apps or who she is talking to will keep her responsible.

  8. Talk openly about Internet safety. Teach your kids to only talk to people they know in real life online, and if they receive any messages from strangers they should talk to you right away.

  9. It's important to set the example as parents by learning when to shut the laptop and spend some quality time together. If you spend all day on Facebook, your kids will take your cue and waste their time stalking Facebook friends, too.

  10. Pick your battles with teenagers. Recognize that it's a different time than when you were growing up, and let them use social media responsibly.

The Internet and social media can be a huge distraction from real life, but it can also bring families closer together when used responsibly. Who knows, it might even return your furry best friend someday.

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A little girl’s scary (but adorable) laugh https://www.familytoday.com/family/a-little-girls-scary-but-adorable-laugh/ Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:45:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/a-little-girls-scary-but-adorable-laugh/ When one little girl cracked up while walking the dog, her cute yet maniacal laugh captured the hearts of YouTube…

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It's a laugh that will make you shiver and smile at the same time.

While walking the dog, one little girl kept grabbing the leash and dropping it just so she could watch the dog run away with the leash behind her. When the dog runs away in the video, the girl lets out an uncontrollable laugh that sounds reminiscent of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Luckily, when the cute little girl lets out some loud scary laughs, her cuteness combined with the slightly evil giggle made the video receive Internet fame.

Clearly this little girl isn't trying to stifle her laughter at all. Without the stresses that come with adult life such as paying bills, working 8 to 5, or completing homework assignments every night, this girl still has a reason to smile from ear to ear, and let out a loud giggle.

As an adult, you might feel like the constant work in your life doesn't provide very many reasons to smile. Maybe the wavering economy is affecting your line of work and making you worry about how you will provide for your little ones. Perhaps, you are having problems keeping the peace in your home with your kids constantly bickering. Or, maybe you are just feeling a little burnt out on life as a whole.

Why do we have to add "laughing" to our already lengthy to-do list? Should we really prioritize something so silly and frivolous?

According to science, absolutely! The social and health benefits from laughter are obvious, according to Robert Provine, Ph.D. Dr. Provine observed laughter in everyday life and published his findings in his book "Laughter: A Scientific Investigation."

Although little is known about how the brain produces spontaneous laughter, Provine's findings show that laughter is a contagious part of our social structure. It's hard to suppress laughter when watching the little girl in the video let out some giggles while walking the dog. People also laugh in everyday conversation, and start instinctively laughing as babies, making it a shared cultural experience.

Don't hold in your laughs. They are actually good for you. The old cliché "laughter is the best medicine" is actually quite true; a good laugh has been known to substitute as a mild workout, increase antibodies for a good immune system, promote relaxation and sleep, and can lower your blood sugar.

Laughter is a natural, healthy part of life. But, how can we increase laughter in our daily life?

  • Don't take things too seriously. There are plenty of hilarious moments surrounding us every day. Choose to laugh off the bad moments instead of getting frustrated.

  • Encourage laughter with your kids by sharing jokes as a family.

  • Take time to laugh with your spouse by remembering funny moments in the past and playing hilarious games together.

  • Watch funny TV shows and movies, but make sure they are appropriate for your kids.

  • Be careful when your family starts teasing - don't laugh at each other.

In short, let the laughs out. Even if your giggle sounds a little scary like this toddler's evil laugh, it will still put a smile on your family members' faces.

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Mom’s hilarious reaction to pregnancy announcement https://www.familytoday.com/family/moms-hilarious-reaction-to-pregnancy-announcement/ Sun, 07 Apr 2013 08:42:56 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/moms-hilarious-reaction-to-pregnancy-announcement/ When one mom found out her daughter was pregnant, her reaction was priceless. Here are some of the best pregnancy…

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It was the classic future-grandma reaction to hearing the news that her daughter is pregnant. First, there were screams. Then, there was disbelief. Finally, there came an endless amount of tears. Don't worry, this cry was a happy one.

After opening up a birthday gift, Dad read a letter that started out "grandpa." With confusion, he kept reading the card. "Some birthdays are more special than others," it read. At this point, Mom lets out several excited screams. Dad soon finds the sonogram in the card while Mom is bawling with pure excitement.

Ashley and Michael, the couple expecting the baby, described themselves as "expectant parents who are overwhelmed with joy from God having the opportunity to raise a child," the YouTube description read. "And with in-laws this great, it will be a great adventure."

The mom in this video was not attempting to hide her emotions at all. She was completely ecstatic for the future bundle of joy that would come into their lives. Although making the leap into parenthood (or grandparent-hood) can be scary, it will change your life forever and bring a new level of joy and love you've never experienced before.

Congratulations. You're pregnant, and that's something to celebrate. Now, how can you break the great news of pregnancy to your family in a fun, creative way?

The Internet provides plenty of examples of cute pregnancy announcement ideas. Whether breaking the news to your hubby, or all of your Facebook friends, make it a personal idea and start the celebration before you even hold your baby in your arms.

One cute idea for announcing to everyone you know is to take a creative picture. Pinterest is filled with unique announcement ideas. Photograph your high heels and your spouse's church shoes with some little slippers for your baby. If it's not your first baby, take a picture of your oldest child holding a sign that reads "I'm going to be an older brother!" Put the same sign in front of your dog. You can also do a more subtle announcement by creatively hiding your sonogram somewhere in the picture.

Find what makes your family unique and highlight that in a simple image; then send this picture via email, Facebook, Twitter, or even good old fashioned "snail" mail.

Another idea is to create a fun surprise announcement video like this couple made from their honeymoon. If you live far away from family, this can be a fun way to break the news to your loved ones. They might think they are just watching a fun slideshow of vacation pictures then they discover it's a huge announcement.

Other ideas include announcing it at a family gathering and recording your family members' reactions, putting a baby bottle in the fridge to surprise your husband with the news, or making cute T-shirts to celebrate.

If none of these ideas work for you, research the topic. There are hundreds of ideas across the Internet for announcing the great news you have to share. You can always get the creative juices flowing and come up with your own idea as a couple. Maybe make it a date night with your spouse.

However you decide to announce your pregnancy, prepare for shouts of joy and some happy tears - especially from the future grandmas in your life.

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Sharpen your imagination: 20 ideas for being creative https://www.familytoday.com/family/sharpen-your-imagination-20-ideas-for-being-creative/ Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:36:27 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/sharpen-your-imagination-20-ideas-for-being-creative/ Why is creativity important and how can we open our minds to come up with new ideas?

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"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if you only try!"

Dr. Seuss is an incredible example of incorporating creativity in daily life. His literary inventions of Whoville, the Lorax, and green eggs and ham are just a few examples of his ability to create worlds and characters unlike any other.

As a child, it is easy to be creative. We are constantly making new things that were never there before. Whether it's a colorful drawing, an exciting story or a new dance move, kids are always exercising imagination.

But somewhere along the line, you grow up. School gets harder, playtime gets shorter and your imagination might be replaced with a lengthy to-do list. As adults, it's easy to overlook creativity because you already have so much to balance in your life. Why would it be important to return to your childhood imagination?

Creativity is not reserved only for kids. In fact, when adults take breaks for out-of-the-box playtime, it can help them relax, connect with others and feel rejuvenated when they return to work. After a long day, camping out in front of the television and shutting off your brain might be tempting. However, creative activities can recharge you much better than mindless television or video games. The video gives some great insight for creative activities. Here are 20 ideas for increasing personal creativity.

Creative environment

Find a creative environment that works for you to relax and clear your mind.

Play

Play creative games and activities with your spouse. This also keeps your relationship fresh and exciting.

Draw

Even if you think your drawings are hideous, just sit down and color with your toddler.

Take constructive breaks

If you're feeling swamped at work, take five minutes to walk around and change your environment to brainstorm new project ideas.

Get ideas from your kids

Play house or dress up with your imaginative toddler.

Go on a walk

Get outside to clear your mind and help you look at life from a new perspective.

Travel

Visit someplace new and different from your hometown.

Make up a story

When your family is on a boring road trip, play a game where you all come up with a story one sentence at a time. You'll be amazed at your kids' creativity.

Turn off the computer

Sometimes it's helpful to let your brain do more of the thinking. A new perspective can help trigger ideas.

Get plenty of rest

It's always necessary to get a full night's sleep to make sure your brain recharges.

Start a new hobby

Hobbies such as fishing or painting can relieve stress which can help you focus on new ideas.

Write in a journal

Don't hold back or edit yourself, just write.

Start a weekend project

Give yourself something new to do over the weekend to take your mind off your work obligations.

Finish your weekend project

Don't leave a great idea alone.

Keep learning

Take a community education class to help discover a new hidden talent or interest.

Learn from your kids

Let them teach you about their hobbies.

Share whatever you create

If it's just sitting in your garage, it won't change the world.

Enjoy music

Listen to new music and let it inspire you.

Complete a challenging task

Clean the messiest room in your house, and then dance there in celebration with your kids.

Rekindle old hobbies

Keep your old hobbies alive by playing your favorite instrument or throwing a baseball in the backyard.

"It's amazing the clarity that comes to a person once they grab hold of their creative 'mojo,'" said creative adult coach Trevor O. Weaver. "I've had many students tell me that they feel like they can create or conquer anything."

You absolutely can conquer anything. The world is waiting for your influence, so get out there and see what you can create.

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Bedtime bandit goes viral https://www.familytoday.com/family/bedtime-bandit-goes-viral/ Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:07:07 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/bedtime-bandit-goes-viral/ When some parents hid a camera to record their child's sneaky afterhours activity, the hilarious footage went viral on YouTube.…

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Most parents dread bedtime more than handling a screaming child.

When you mention the word, "bedtime" your children might start crying or running around in an attempt for some last-minute play time. After finally getting them in pajamas, they are probably more excited and wound up than they should be before a full night of sleep.

The family in this video was experiencing their own nighttime issues. Their 2-year-old son kept sneaking into his older sister's room and taking her Pillow Pet while she was asleep. Even after she locked the door, somehow he would still end up with her toy. After setting up a camera to find out more about his ninja-like moves, the parents were shocked at their sneaky son's skills.

Carefully opening and closing the doors quietly, he was able to maneuver around the house without waking anyone up. After using fingernail clippers to unlock his sister's door, he put them back where they belong. Thus destroying the evidence of his stealthy break-in. Eventually, the toddler retrieved the Pillow Pet and quietly went back to his own room. "Mission accomplished" the video subtitles read.

After posting the video on YouTube, it quickly went viral with hundreds of thousands of views. This clip was probably popular because so many parents can relate to children who are wide-awake at the worst time.

How can you get your kids to fall asleep without the nightly struggle? While some kids might be going through a naughty phase, for others it can be more serious. Here are a few tips for calming your kiddos into a more peaceful night's sleep.

  • If your kids finally go to sleep without having a tantrum, reward them the next day. Whether it's a pancake breakfast or no chores for a day, reward your toddler with whatever inspires them to behave. Even though you might not be able to reward them every day, give them a little treat after the first time they are obedient to increase rule following around naptime.

  • According to WebMD, night terrors are common in children. If your kids wake up screaming, don't leave them there alone. Instead, comfort them by letting them sleep in bed with you, praying with them when a bad dream comes, or singing to them.

  • The environment where a child falls asleep is important. Some toddlers need white noise while others crave complete silence. If your child feels like her older siblings and parents are laughing and having fun all night without her, she will probably be hesitant to go straight to sleep. Make sure the environment is appropriate to help her get to sleep. Have everyone in pajamas and starting to mellow down when your youngest is climbing in bed.

  • If your child is constantly waking up during the night and it feels like absolutely nothing is working, try talking to your family doctor. She will be able to give more tips for figuring out what specifically could work for your child.

These are just a few ideas to get your family started transforming bedtime from a battlefield into a quiet time of rest. If you're wondering what certain mischief goes on during the night, set up a camera. You might be surprised at the cunning nature of your kids.

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Acting like ants: Tips for teamwork https://www.familytoday.com/family/acting-like-ants-tips-for-teamwork/ Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:00:22 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/acting-like-ants-tips-for-teamwork/ What happens to ants when their territory is flooded? They creatively work together to save the whole colony. Here are…

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Ants are tiny.

From our perspective, we have to squint to even notice one of the little bugs skittering across the sidewalk.

Although small, these bugs are a remarkable example of working together. Each tiny ant labors diligently in constructing its colony. One ant makes a big difference. If one out of the hundreds of ants goes missing, his specific job or area is ignored, creating chaos in the construction of the colony's tunnels.

As each little ant makes an important impact on the construction and upkeep of the colony, they also work together when disaster strikes. In this video, an ant colony works together during a flood to build a raft out of the ants themselves. By linking their arms and legs, the ants make a raft that floats their beloved colony across the flooding. Incredibly, they are able to save the queen ant, pupae, and much of the colony. By saving the queen and pupae, the ants preserve the future of the colony.

It's inspiring and remarkable that the ants are able to work so selflessly to save their colony. Instead of running around in chaotic confusion when disaster strikes, the ants immediately work together to achieve a common goal. After reaching the shore, they work to save their queen and future ants first, instead of all selfishly running to safety at once.

Just imagine if families had this unbelievable level of teamwork in their homes. When a child needs help during a time of personal struggle, he gets unconditional love and is carried to shore by his parents or siblings. Many families embody this type of togetherness. But in today's culture, it can be easy to overlook.

We live in a highly competitive world. It can feel like the focus is always on winning or losing in sports, school, and extracurricular activities. It's hard to remember the real importance of teamwork when those around us only focus on getting first place.

However, if your family works together as a team, they can always win. Here are some tips for fostering teamwork in our families:

  • Play games within your family. This is a great way to teach the value in working as a team and motivating others.

  • If you have family members with a competitive streak, help them take a deep breath when things get intense. Don't allow yelling or arguing to erupt from playing family games.

  • Volunteer to coach your son or daughter's sports team. That way, while you are teaching her to shoot lay ups, you can also teach her a thing or two about helping teammates.

  • Give positive rewards when your kids help each other. If a sibling is sick and can't complete her chores and brother steps in to help finish them, point out that he was being a great teammate to his sister.

The floods of life are unexpected and will rush in when you least expect it. But if your family is ready to work together, you can safely carry each other to shore.

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Words matter: Carefully crafting communication https://www.familytoday.com/family/words-matter-carefully-crafting-communication/ Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:54:34 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/words-matter-carefully-crafting-communication/ Your words are more powerful than you think. When you choose to communicate carefully, you are less likely to hurt…

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Have you ever yelled at water?

Probably not, but for Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto, screaming put-downs at water was just part of his research. In his studies, he discovered that positive words like "love," "peace," and "thank you" crystallized into beautiful ice formations. He also received similar results after praying over water molecules and playing uplifting music.

However, when saying harsh and negative phrases to the water, Emoto found that the molecules made a mess and were disorganized. Although his research is still theoretical, Emoto claimed from the results, "It may just be a simple combination of hydrogen and oxygen, but the intricacies of water are far more complex."

Water makes up to 60 percentof the adult human body. In newborns, it can be up to 75 percent. If your words can create either a beautiful combination of water molecules or a complete mess of them, imagine what they can do to your family members. Besides feeling influenced by the amount of water in them, humans also have fragile emotions, which can get hurt when painful words are shot at them.

In moments of frustration, it's easy to let emotions get the best of us and grumble insults at our loved ones without really thinking about the effects. The old phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" is actually untrue for most people. Long after a cast has healed a broken arm, teasing words from the playground can still sting a heart.

Our homes should be a refuge from unkind words, not a place where insults, whether a joking or argumentative, are tolerated.

When arguments arise, it is wise to try and settle them with peaceful discussion. Recently, a police officer in Rochester, N.Y. broke new ground when he sent out letters to gang members, politely asking them to stop their illegal activities. Although the impact of these letters is unknown, open communication to make peace with those around us is crucial.

Whatever challenges your family is facing right now, sit down and talk them out. However, make sure you carefully chose your words. Marital stress. Dishonest kids. Teens dealing with depression. All of these issues and many more can be helped with loving, patient communication.

In the video, a woman changes the homeless man's sign. Instead of reading, "I'm blind, please help," she rewrote it as, "It's a beautiful day and I can't see it."

After his sign was rewritten, those passing by gave the blind man many more coins. Touched that he couldn't enjoy the beauty of the day, strangers decided to give him some money. If he just said, "I'm blind," they were more likely to keep walking. This is a great example of how our words, when fully thought out, can be extremely powerful.

Next time you're communicating with your family slow down a little and choose the right words. Whether you're writing a love letter to your husband, or disciplining a rebellious teenager, expressing love instead of hurtful put-downs will help you show your feelings and be a peacemaker in your home.

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An instant orchestra: The best coin ever spent https://www.familytoday.com/family/an-instant-orchestra-the-best-coin-ever-spent/ Sun, 24 Mar 2013 07:50:21 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/an-instant-orchestra-the-best-coin-ever-spent/ When one little girl gives a coin to a man playing the cello, she could never expect what happens next.…

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A man standing next to a large double bass instrument in the middle of a busy city, with a hat on the ground for tips, looks around at those passing by.

Would you stop and drop in a quarter?

Most people would keep walking, especially on a busy day when they are headed to work, appointments, and meetings. But one little girl who decided to stop and give a coin to the musician got a spectacular surprise.

At first, it was just one more large string instrument that came out from a nearby building. A woman with a cello joined in, playing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" with the double bass. Coincidence? Maybe.

Then an oboe player and violinist randomly joined the performance, harmonizing the song. This seemed a little too perfect to be spontaneous.

One by one, more musicians joined in the music until there was a full orchestra, trumpets, percussion, a choir and even a conductor. A large crowd gathered, everyone stopping on their way to their other appointments, awed by the perfect performance in such a random place. Singing along, dancing and practicing their own conducting skills, everyone in the audience from babies to grandparents enjoyed the triumphant classical music.

Nearly 10 million Youtube views later, it's clear that this flash mob orchestra affected more than just the audience that gathered.

Good music can tug on our heartstrings and even inspire us to change our lives. Sometimes it might feel like all of the new music around our families and children is negative. With inappropriate lyrics and videos, much of today's music can have a bad influence on our families, but that's no reason to keep your life on mute.

Along with the negative music that can hurt kids, there are also plenty of ways to incorporate uplifting music in your family members' lives. Here are three ideas for keeping music a positive influence in your home.

1. Find music you all enjoy

Teenagers typically love music. You might wonder if your teen's ears can even be separated from her headphones. Helping guide your kids' choices in music can help them hold onto values instead of just choosing what's popular. Finding appropriate family-friendly music for your iPod or mp3 player can make a family trip much more exciting, and will help set the example of acceptable music for your kids.

2.

Foster their talent

Maybe you dream of watching your child on the other side of music. Instead of jamming out with headphones in her ears, you want your teen to pursue her talents as a pianist, violinist, singer, or trumpeter. Although learning an instrument isn't for everyone, it can help your child learn important skills. Some studies have even shown that students who learn a musical instrument had higher GPAs and the lowest levels of lifelong alcohol and drug usage. Without forcing your child to participate in music, encourage them to find an instrument they are interested in and help them learn to read music. This could eventually replace the blasting radio with their own chords and riffs.

3. Don't tolerate inappropriate songs

If cursing is against the rules in your home, it should not be allowed in the music, either. Always look at what messages the songs are actually sending and decide if those morals match up with your family.

Music can be a force for good in your family. On the flash mob video, one user commented, "This brought me to tears. It's brilliant, thank you so much." However you decide to use music in your home, make sure it blesses your family members and the community.

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Hilarious apologies from kids https://www.familytoday.com/family/hilarious-apologies-from-kids/ Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:24:37 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/hilarious-apologies-from-kids/ Saying "I'm sorry" can be difficult for adults and even harder for slightly stubborn kids. Here are some tips for…

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"I'm sorry."

It's one of the hardest phrases to mutter out. You really have to feel remorse for what you did wrong to finally apologize, which means you admit that you made a mistake. Across the Internet, are plenty of viral pictures and videos of kids trying to say sorry. Several of these went viral because everyone identifies with apologizing.

Sometimes when your kids are learning to say sorry, they might only halfway apologize. The Huffington Post recently posted a note from a little boy Tyler to his brother. After saying sorry for kicking him, he said, "Also don't forget about the time when you were a baby, a crying little devil, but I liked you and now you still are a crying little devil who gets away with everything."

Clearly Tyler had some motives behind kicking his little brother. Although hilarious, when he wrote this letter Tyler wasn't really learning the value of saying sorry. If you are ending your apology by justifying your mistake with how the other person wronged you in the past, it's not going to be a genuine apology.

A different viral photo on Reddit.com showed the perfect apology from an honest nature-lover. Evie, a Yosemite Junior Ranger, brought home two sticks from Yosemite National Park and felt guilty. She mailed the sticks back to the park rangers with the message "please put them back in nature."

The park ranger replied with a letter praising her as a great Junior Ranger.

Finally, in the video included with this article, an adorable Korean toddler hiding under a blanket says sorry for not finishing dinner and then asking to eat later that night. "I will be a good girl. I'm so sorry mommy," she says, wiping away tears.

No matter what language you speak, saying sorry isn't easy. These cute examples prove that even kids struggle with apologizing. However, when we teach our kids to genuinely say sorry, they will be better peacemakers in the home and in public. Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching your kids how to say sorry.

Be patient

If your kids sound slightly bitter in their apology note, help them realize the importance of being genuine. Learning to apologize can take years for some, so don't get upset if your kids make mistakes along the way.

Have a family night about apologizing and forgiving each other

Come up with fun skits to help your family practice in different situations.

Remember when you were a kid and it was frustrating to feel like your parents were always right?

Set the example for your family by sincerely apologizing to your kids, spouse, neighbors, or friends when you make a mistake, too.

After your child apologizes, give him a reward for being honest and courageous and then let the issue go

If he feels like he gets in more trouble for saying sorry, he will give up.

"Sorry" is one of the hardest words to say, but it rebuilds bridges after disagreements, bringing families and old friends back together. Don't be afraid to say sorry and teach your loved ones to apologize, too.

The post Hilarious apologies from kids appeared first on FamilyToday.

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