The Power of Encouragement

By Sandra Huber of the The Soulful Parent

The world is an awesome place, full of new experiences and opportunities for parents and kids to learn to navigate every day. The rules change every day it seems and the tools available for parents are often contradictory and dividing.

Have you ever consider how meaningful a word of encouragement is for a tired mom, an exhausted dad or a frustrated child? It makes a huge difference when we support each other especially when it comes to figuring out how to deal with pressures, challenges and new lessons that help us grow as people.

I recognized that there is a huge difference between encouraging and pushing when other people try to get us to do what they think is best for us. Honoring who we are and where we are in our personal journey is an invaluable gift!

We develop close connections with our children and our family when we support them even when we’d prefer that they chose something else: a different toy, a different sport, a different mate or even a different career. It’s a great opportunity to show our unconditional love and make them feel that their goals and ambitions matter to us too. We show we “see them”!

When we encourage someone, including our children, we inspire them to be themselves. And in the end, empowering someone to be the best they can be, honoring exactly who they are is the best advice you can give anyone, old or young!

Sandra is the “soul” and “coach” behind the Soulful Parent. She has worked in Early Intervention, Special Education and has supported many families in the road to successful parenting. She became a PCI Certified Parent Coach® because she’s deeply passionate about changing the world, one family at a time. Sandra believes that life becomes a more enjoyable journey when you lead from your strengths! She can be contacted Sandra {at} thesoulfulparent(.)com and www.thesoulfulparent.com for more information about seminars, presentations and individual coaching services.

Fall Fashion on a Dime

By Beth Engleman

Mommy on a Shoestring

Jazz up your fall wardrobe with these easy to make fashion accessories made out of recyclables!

Candy Wrapper Belt:

This is a great fashion statement for kids and adults.  It also makes a really fun rainy day or birthday party activity.

You will need:

Colorful candy or gum wrappers

Scissors

Tape measure

Clear packing tape

2 – 1 ¼ inch, D-rings (available at most craft and fabric stores)

Directions:

• Measure waist and determine the desired length of belt.
• Trim candy wrappers into 1-inch wide pieces.
• Arrange the order and pattern of the wrappers.
• Cut a piece of packing tape that is several inches longer than the desired belt length and lay it sticky side up on a table.
• Carefully place the candy wrappers, face down in a line along the center of the tape.  Overlap each wrapper slightly to ensure there is no extra space between wrappers.
• Fold the edges of the packing tape running lengthwise over the backs of the wrappers. If necessary, cut an additional strip of tape in half lengthwise and cover the back of the wrappers, ensuring your belt is properly sealed.
• Slide two D-rings onto one end of the belt leaving about 6 inches of before securing with packing tape.

Water Bottle Bracelet

Heidi Borchers and the team from www.ilovetocreate.com came up with this clever idea that turns a water bottle into a fashion statement.

You will need:

Colorful Fabric

Decorative Buttons or Sequins

Water Bottle (cut into a 2 ½ inch-wide ring)

Tacky Glue

Directions:

• Use fabric and tacky glue to cover the water bottle ring.
• Be sure to fold the fabric over the sharp edges and glue the fabric inside the ring.
• Add buttons, sequins, or coordinating fabric pieces as desired.
• Allow to dry before wearing.

T-Shirt Tote

Turn an old T-shirt into a cute tote with a few snips and stitches.

Materials

T-shirt

Needle and Thread

Scissors

12- inch bowl and paper

Directions

• Use the bowl to trace / cut a 12-inch  paper circle (to be used as a template).
• Cut off sleeves of t-shirt.  Tip:  Leave the seam to prevent the material from fraying.
• Use circle template to trace / cut a 6-inch scoop along the neckline of the shirt.
• Turn the shirt inside out and sew bottom closed.  Tip:  If the bottom seam is too thick, cut it off before sewing.  Also remember, the closer the stitches the sturdier the bag.

**To make a rosette embellishment:  Simply use the left over t-shirt fabric and cut three circles (different sizes).  Sew the circles together using a basic rag-stitch, being sure to pull the thread tightly to gather the material into petals.

This craft idea comes courtesy of Jessica Wynne Taylor.  Thanks Jessica!

To find more family fun activities check out www.mommyonashoestring.com