realtalknic

A few years ago while running a corporate training event we had our participants do quick chats using conversation starter cards as cues. The results were great and it’s a staple for work meetings. As is often the case I practice on my kids prior to work to gage the flow and effectiveness of the activity.My kids and husband were not amused. Ha! "Corny!", they said!  Too bad. This is mom’s job on the line. Play along. So they did. And something magical happened. Amidst the nay saying, some fantastic and insightful conversations occurred. We made it a habit and it has been a winning tool in my parenting war chest. At the same time I began my completely unscientific and nosey study on conversations. A call it my Target Shopping Cart study. Because most of my eavesdropping occurred while pushing a cart buying things I didn’t know I needed at target.  It works like this…..listen to how people talk to their kids in Target. (walmart, Kroger, Costco….store doesn’t matter) ...

We have a common saying in our house; I can show you better than I can tell you! It was with that spirit that I brought my daughter, an MD, PhD, to my mentor session with The Young Ladies of Distinction, an empowerment group for girls at the Uptown Middle School in Atlantic City. Two of the young ladies met us at the front door of the school building. They were easily recognized by their purple pashmina scarves....a special treat to the uniform policy. Bright smiles and firm handshakes welcomed us and beckoned us to follow. The building was bustling with end of the day announcements and activity bells! These girls were as focused as if it were the beginning of the day! We started our meeting by listening to them say their creed in unison. Words of empowerment about their worth, their actions, their future were like music to my ears. To see them is to believe them. These girls mean business. I had previously arranged a tour at the world famous toy store FAO in NY for the girls...

I don't know how it happened but......almost everyone I know is paper and scissor impaired. While I don't like admitting it, watching them do basic tasks causes extreme anxiety for me. LOL  Wrapping gifts? Oh no! I may start to twitch! Cutting items for school projects......Call Aunt Nicole for that! Heehee! Even my own offspring shock me with a lack of superior cutting skills! Must be a genetic defect! Alas, while I do view cutting and wrapping as "must know" skills for being properly raised...HA! Your children should not have to suffer with jacked up book coverings because you lack skills! See below for quick (less than 5 minutes per book!) and cheap (can use brown bag from grocery store...free!) fail proof method to cover books every single time! Now that deserves a double woop. WOOP! WOOP! 5 Minute Book Cover Instructions 1. I used solid craft paper rolls (red Christmas Wrap from January after Christmas Sale)    Pull off enough paper to cover book. Double ...