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PARENTING BLOG
SUSIE E CARON
MOTHER, TEACHER AND PSYCHOLOGIST RETIRED
WELL, MOTHER'S NEVER RETIRE. RIGHT?

1/16/2016

How to Discipline More so you can Punish Less

How to Discipline More so you can Punish Less
by Susie E. Caron (c) 1/16/16

Discipline, used incorrectly, is a pain.
Everyone hates it, because the word discipline has grown to mean something entirely different than its original. When we say ‘discipline’ we usually mean punishment and punishment is a pain because it hurts and usually doesn't give us the results we want.

Discipline actually means training.
If you are disciplined, then you are well trained. You may be a well-trained athlete, or trained to build intricate circuit boards, or maybe you’re a potty-trained child. Discipline means training, so to ‘discipline’ your child means to 'train' him or her to be well behaved. Over time, discipline works to strengthen both your child’s attitudes and actions. Punishment doesn’t.

Punishment doesn't mean training.
Punishment doesn’t work well when it is over used or relied upon solely as the means to correct or train your kids. However, if used sparingly, punishment has its place in raising children, because both good and poor behavior produce consequences. For punishment to work, it needs to make sense, mean something to the child, be delivered swiftly and over with quickly. In other words, the punishment must fit the child and the crime and not just relieve the embarrassment or anger the parent feels.

Compare the benefits.
There are tons of ways to ‘punish’ children. However, over reliance on punishment takes more of your time and energy than discipline. More punishment than discipline also produces anger and hurts your relationship with your child. Over reliance on punishment doesn't train children to be well behaved when you're not around.
Discipline takes less time and energy, and develops your child's self-esteem and strengthens the parent-child relationship. Discipline helps children want to behave well even when you're not looking.

If this comparison convinces you that you want to use more discipline, there are 3 main keys to consider and include.

Accept your child fully.
Set clear limits.
Guide your child.

Accept your child fully.
Your child, needs to be accepted wholly, throughout each and every developmental stage. This is a major key to ensure a healthy relationship connection with kids throughout their lives.
Accepting your infants, was probably easy. They came in such adorable packaging and just got cuter as toddlers and children. You delighted in every first attempt and in each success. Crawling, talking, walking, climbing, throwing a ball, riding a bike, getting a good grade in school were each special for you.

However, as they grew up, they became more challenging and difficult to ‘accept’ entirely. They started to look funny, smell funny, talk funny, and seemed to like strange things (What is a pok-e-mon anyway? You want your what pierced?). As a result you may love your kids, but may also harbor a wish they were somehow ‘different.’

Your kids crave your acceptance. We all crave being accepted, not just belonging. If you are struggling, in some way, to ‘accept your child he/she can feel that. Your child may even feel a bit rejected, judged, or even shunned. That won’t help her self-esteem or build your relationship. Instead, whenever you think about your child, choose to accept the authentic nature of your child. I call this the child inside. Don’t think about the funny looks, smells, or favorite things. Just hold thoughts of how much you adore this child, especially the authentic person you know he or she is - inside. (It will appear, eventually.)

Set Clear Limits.
Limit setting is the second key to discipline. You set limits to keep children safe. Most parents seem to know how to set limits for their infants, babies, toddlers and early elementary school aged kids. They keep them out of the street, take away matches, put medicines out of reach and keep a watchful eye on their kids when they shop. But what happens when kids begin to challenge every limit you set?

When kids don’t want to take out the trash, demand to go to the mall and argue with everything you say, you may begin to wonder if you are ‘doing it all wrong.’ However, just because your kids keep pushing and using their favorite line, “But so and so’s mother let him do it”, actually shows you’re doing just fine. So absolve yourself of any guilt for setting limits. It's their job to push and yours to know when and how long to hold the line. You can set appropriate limits for each child based on age and 'response-ability'. So don’t vacillate, waver and give in when they challenge you. Set the limits guilt free, based on the fact that you know your kids best.

Guide your child.
You guide your child in many ways: teaching, training, modeling, talking, practicing and so on. This is probably the most natural and easiest part of ‘discipline’. You already provide a lot of guidance. You do it naturally just being with your kids and talking to them about how things work. You taught them how to drink from a cup, ride a bike, get on the school bus, shop and pay for groceries. You talk with them about being kind to old people and not to talk to strangers. You teach them about friendship and love when you show up at their sports events and recitals. You model how to get angry at something, and feel your feelings, without hurting others. You practice honesty, gentleness, cry when you need to and celebrate victories. You sit by them when they are sad and take care of them when they are sick. You are the parent, and you are engaged in the most important job in the world. Just by being you and by being involved with your kids every day, you are guiding them.

So, keep up the good work of training your children through the three keys of discipline: accept your child, set appropriate limits (without guilt), and provide guidance.

I thank you and perhaps, after they’re grown, your children will thank you too. I believe the world will be a better place, because you disciplined your children.

Twee’ means you and me
Raising good kids through wise discipline.

1/13/2016

Whoa! Where Did I Put That?

Whoa! Where Did I Put That?
By Susie E. Caron © 1/13/16

Maybe you don’t have difficult organizing and finding things like I do? If you do, read this.

I file everything,
but I'm not very good on retrieving. My daughter assured me that alphabetical order really works, but I seem to forget what category I used or what I named the folder. This is true whether it’s on my desk top or in my paper filing cabinet or even in 3 ring binders. So when I look for a paper, document, photo, phone numbers, addresses, instructions, and other tangible paper products, I struggle to find them. Likewise, if I suddenly need a URL, my user name, passwords, descriptions, bios and other things I may instantly need, it takes me a lot of time to search for them.

Paper was not sufficient, so I added web sites and took on-line courses.
Over the past three years I’ve opened a few web sites, more than a few domains (which directed readers to my web sites. or Amazon (where they hide my picture books). I’ve enrolled in free, cheap and way too expensive on-line courses that promised to teach me how to learn to be successfully social, write books, publish on kindle, send emails, give speeches, build infographics and podcast. They were mostly all good and I can prove it, when I find the URL’s to lead me back to them. I stored them somewhere,because once paid for, they promised to be available for me to complete or review anytime. I’m certain it’s true, but…..

Then, I became "Social".
Besides ‘administering’ (apparently, I don’t really own these) 2 Twitter accounts, several Facebook pages & groups, Pinterest boards, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others, I’m also active on many Facebook groups and I've “liked’ more pages than I can count. During my experience with these I’ve also gathered a number of Apps. (However, I really don't know what that means unless I get them for my iPad from the App Store.)

I got excited when I discovered Web Services.
Somehow, in all of this, I’ve found and lost many of the things that helped me produce some really cool stuff. Early in my 3 years, I began writing a blog. When I ran out of photos that family members, friends and my pets would allow me to use, I needed a new source. So, like the perennial student I’ve become, I looked for photos. Royalty free sounded nice, but I could never get used to the sites and sometimes they made you promise your first born. My kids were grown ups so I figured they were no longer useful for payment (and I’m pretty sure that was illegal anyway.)

One visual web service helped.
Next I found Canva.com and dove into the free version. It was easy to use and I liked the photos they provided. To my delight I could upload drawings or photos of my own to add to backgrounds, add text, frames, and designs. Most of the items were free, but I was happy to pay the $1.00 per item that I really liked. It answered my need to create photos to accompany my weekly blogs and pin them on Pinterest. Since that time I’ve used Canva for headers for Facebook, Twitter, and my web site. Three years later, which is right about now, I created my first podcast cover. WooooHoooo!
I like Canva because I just type in Canva.com (no special personal URL needed) and I’m instantly there and can do what I want. But it doesn’t help me with my retrieval problems. I’ve tried Notes, Sticky Notes, OneNote, and many others. The problem is that I’m a visual organizer. My piles of tangible stuff really means something too me, but I cannot rely on the pile system any more for my work.

Canva saved me time so I could use it to organize, finally.
As a result, today I made the decision to begin anew to find and organize my important internet information and log it in a better way.
Let’s see…….I’ll call the first folder Susies Stuff. That’s good. Now the next folder will have all my URL links to things like Canva.com. I can put those into a-b-c order on a Word Doc. After that, I’ll make a page called Paths, that will tell me what I need to do 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, to get the next email news letter out…….What was the name of that email web service gain…….where did I write that password ?
Never mind. I need some dark chocolate.
Whoa! Where Did I Put That?
Somebody HELP!!!!!

1/10/2016

Where Can Young Parents Get Good Advice?

BP & GK Podcast Cover

Where Can Young Parents Get Good Advice?
by Susie Caron 1/9/16

Today’s families frequently move away from childhood homes. That leaves new parents without the help, support and wisdom that comes from extended family members. In days gone by, families were not so mobile and commonly elder members helped out with new babies, childcare and advice. Because this is no longer the case, young parents often fell isolated and lack ready resources for help when they add children to their home.

Long Distance Calls are not enough.
Isolation is cause for concern because things are changing so rapidly, that parents often feel confused about “best child raising practices”. Long distance calls back home to family & friends are not enough to fill this need. In order to ‘save face’ or to not worry their elder parents, young Moms and Dads may ‘pretend’ that they have everything under control. But they continue to crave advice and assistance.

Where do they turn for information?
Some young parents get assistance when they join other parent's groups to share child care and swap tips and ideas. However, life is so busy now and usually both parents work outside the home, so there remains little time left for this. As a result, they search ‘expert advice’ from professionals, in books, the internet and other sources. This adds to the confusion because sources vary widely and offer conflicting advice, which serves to perplex parents even more.

How can You choose the best parenting advice for your children?
While numerous resources can be helpful, it's important to sort truths from opinions. Where ‘experts’ all agree on something, it’s very likely a recognized ‘truth’. Where they disagree greatly, those are opinions. But, how do you know what advice to choose?

If you are a new parent or parent children of any age, your job is to grab the truths, and weed out the opinions. Opinions can be helpful in certain situations with individual children. So keep them available, on a back burner, to use when and if needed. Then trust yourself because you instinctively know what's best for your children. No matter what, you'll always do better to trust your instincts because no one really knows and understands your children as well as you do.

You get to decide what to do for each child and every situation.
When you to trust yourself and listen to your heart, you can adjust your discipline measures and parenting expectations to fit each child’s personality, situation and developmental ability. That’s how you can raise good kids and enjoy them more while you raise them.

Would you like to hear me talk about this and other parenting topics?
As a specialist in parent-child relationships I know how isolating parenting can be. I also know that you do your best when you believe in yourself. So, I’ve developed a free series of short, 6-8 minute episodes in a podcast called Building Parents & Good Kids. It’s full of encouragement and tips to grow your confidence and add skills so you can raise good kids with less stress and more fun.

Would you like to to subscribe, so you can listen to each free, 6-8 minute podcasts?
You can easily get them HERE on iTunes.
Bonus: if you fill out the Sign Up form on my Home Page, I’ll also send you a link every time a new episode comes out.
Don’t wait. The first 3 episodes are ready and waiting.

Twee’ Means You and Me
Building Parents and Good Kids
Susie Caron

1/2/2016

Why Resolutions Don't Work and This Will

Why Resolutions Don't Work & This Will
by Susie E. Caron (c) 1/2/16

Every year people make "New Year's Resolutions," to improve something. So why don't their 'resolutions' ever stick? This is a terrible cycle and when you don't reach your goals, how do you feel? Most of us feel like we failed. In this article I reveal the reason and offer you a solution that has worked for me.

First, let's look at the word resolution.
When you resolve to do something it means you've made your mind up about it and you plan to do it. It also usually involves setting goals to measure your success. But something has to be wrong, because every year the same goals are set - lose weight, exercise more, get healthy, spend more time with loved ones, and on and on, and that are never reached.

Why?

"A resolution doesn't work, because it's a trap you set for yourself."

Why, oh why in the world, with all the pressure around you to perform, would you lay out something, namely 'resolutions', to make sure you fail?

Maybe you need a different word.

This is what I did.
I hate feeling like I've let myself down. So instead of setting traps for myself. I asked myself what I wanted. When I wanted to feel healthy or energetic, I asked myself, "How can I get those?" I answered by scheduling in a particular kind of exercise. In the summer I do what fits in with my daily life (garden and horseback ride) and in the winter I do something else (use equipment and workout in my home.) These work for me because I enjoy them.....well not the winter ones, but I'm motivated so I can continue to do the things I really enjoy in the summer.

When I asked, "What can I do to stop gaining weight as I 'mature'?" I realized I couldn't eat the same portions at 60 as I had when I was 20. So I wrote down the things I really enjoyed eating, cross referenced with what was also healthy, and started a pattern that has really worked for me. In fact over the next 5 years, I lost 25 of the 30 pounds I'd gained in my early 50's while I attended graduate school. I don't deprive myself at all because I make sure to include my craving for 2 dark chocolates every day!!! (Don't tell anyone. I've got them hidden, because they are just for me.)

Come on! Change the way you think. Stop setting traps for yourself. Instead of 'resolving' to do this or that hard thing, why not just think about what you WANT?
That's not so hard is it?

Please share this article. Stop the yearly maddness. Help me get the word out to help people do what they want this year.

Happy, Happy News Year to You and Your Family
Twee' Means You and Mean
Getting better every day.

12/26/2015

How to Answer, "Is Santa Claus Real?"

How to Answer, “Is Santa Clause real?”
by Susie E. Caron 12/26/15. You can get more articles & updates: click the button above my photo.

You’ve suspected all year and dreaded the day when your little ones ask the question:
“Is Santa Clause really real?”
You don’t want them to ask and you don’t like the answer much better.

They might have asked you from time to time, before, but this time you know that they know. So what’s the problem? Why do you dread the question and also the answer?

Most parents dread this moment because it means the beginning of the end of the essence of childhood. Childhood is all about magical thinking. This is the kind of thinking, typical of children ages 0-9 or beyond, when they can believe anything’s possible. Reindeer fly, Tinkerbell can be saved if we only believe, the Tooth Fairy exchanges tiny teeth for coins or crisp dollar bills, the Easter Bunny delivers Easter Eggs and candy, Santa watches everyone to see if they are ‘bad or good’, and monsters live in the dark. Although this moment is expected, it is also loaded with mixed feelings and often uncertainty about how to handle children's reactions.

Parents feel conflicted.
As parents we treasure our little one’s childhood, magical thinking and all. However, when they begin to doubt the reality of fantasy, we know that childhood is rapidly passing by. The question: “Is Santa Clause real?” heralds the time just before puberty; their tweens, and later teenage years. Let’s face it, you're bound to feel conflicted. You want your kids to grow up, but then again, you don’t. That’s one reason you feel some sadness about the question “Is Santa Clause really real?”
Another reason you may feel conflicted and dread this moment, is because, well quite frankly, you lied. You may have just agreed with their fantasies by going along with magical thinking in all its forms. Or, you may have generously contributed to their fantasies. Whichever you did, rest assured, it’s what good parents do, but it is also basically lying. What makes the situation even more complex is that you did all this at the same time you were teaching your kids how important it is to tell the truth. Yes, this does pose a problem, but don't worry there is a way to manage this very important moment in your children's lives.

Children receive the news in different ways.
Most children take the news as though it was just like the silly elephant jokes they tell in third grade. Some children, especially those warned not to ‘spoil it’ for the younger children in the family, take it as a ‘right of passage,’ into the secret society of early adult hood. They are not offended and seem to enjoy being allowed 'in on the secret.' Then there are those, who will look at you through teary eyes and accuse you of the worst offense, next to homicide. In fact, that’s what it feels like to those kids: like you deliberately killed off their best fantasy friends and lied about their existence all along. All these reactions pose a problem and opportunity for you both.

This is your opportunity for some real parenting magic.
What can you do? No matter what childhood reaction you find yourself facing, to the news that Santa isn't actually a real person who delivers Christmas presents, you have only one choice: you must apologize. It doesn't matter if you had provided reasonable answers to the lie, such as he's a legend, or he used to be a Saint, or whatever you came up with. You still have to apologize. Don’t be offended, by their reaction. Instead just apologize with all the sincerity you can muster, because your future relationship depends upon what you say next.

I have coached parents through this, and experienced these reactions in my own children, so I know this is very important opportunity you'll want to grab. How you handle it can ensure more open communication and contribute to a healthy relationship between you and your growing child right into their teens.

Here 's how.
No matter the reaction, tell your child, you are very sorry about lying. You understand that this hurts, (or that you are glad they understand and 'got the joke' or 'understand how important it is to keep the secret from the younger kids,' etc.) However, say that you are sorry for ever lying to him/her and then make them a promise.

PLEASE NOTE: This is the only promise I recommend you ever give, and it is the ONE which you MUST KEEP.

“I promise that I will never, ever, lie to you again." Then add, "and lying hurts, so much that I expect you will never lie to me as well. That way we won’t hurt each other. We must never lie to each other. Let’s make that a promise.”
Then write it down, hug, or link pinkies or whatever you need to do to seal this promise.

Here's why you'll want to apologize.
Apologizing to your child in this situation may seem strange to you, and you may not have thought about it. However, because your relationship to your child is forever altered by the question: “Is Santa Clause real," make sure you do everything in your power to keep that relationship in good shape. The tween and teen years are approaching and you will need honest and open communication between you. It doesn't matter when they have asked it's not too late to hold a similar discussion with all your children. Just change the wording to fit their developmental stages. This conversation can help anytime, but especially in the transition between childhood and early tweens. This is a prime opportunity.

My wish for you.
My wish for you is that this question doesn’t come soon and that you get to enjoy many, many years of magical thinking with your children. Childhood is very short, and as the lyics in the song Toyland by Johnny Mathis reminds us "once you've [they've] passed its borders, you can never return again." ( You can find song lyrics HERE )

Enjoy your children everyday, in magical thinking and beyond.

Please share this with your friends and sign up HERE to find out about my short parenting podcasts, beginning in January, and a parenting book you’ll enjoy I hope to release in February.

Twee’ Means You and Me
Susie Caron

12/19/2015

It's The Week Before Christmas

It’s the week before Christmas
by Susie E. Caron (c) 12/19/15

It's the week before Christmas
And what do I know
I’m ready to party
With gifts in a row

My grown kids are coming
To visit and eat
I love when they’re home
For us it’s a treat

My daughter’s away now
With a home and career
My son’s just engaged
His Fiancé's - a Dear

We’ll all eat too much
And exchange gifts til’ we’re done
We’ll enjoy many presents
But that’s not all of the fun

It’s about being together
To talk, laugh and share
Our hopes, lives and dreams
With loved ones who care

I’m glad I’m their Mommy
And Daddy is too
Without kids for Christmas
What would we do

Christmas and every day
Is about family
I thank God for each of you
And pray that you see

We're gifts to each other
Like that first Christmas Day
When we give ourselves
To each other and pray

That we'll have some more time
To hug, talk and see
We’re gifts to each other
Love means you and me

Have a very Merry Christmas. However, you celebrate, remember the most important gift you can give is being yourself in loving relationships. Thank you for being you. Please share this post with your friends on your favorite social sites.
Twee' means you and me.

12/13/2015

Shout Out "Thank You Parents"

Tis the Season I Shout Out a Great Big Thank You to Parents.
by Susie E. Caron (c) 12/13/15

Raising kids today is more difficult than ever before. However, parents are doing an incredible job. I am grateful for parents. That's why I am personally saying,

“Thank You, Parents!"

Today I am thanking parents for doing the most important job in the world, bar none. There is no job more important. No job is physically, intellectually, or emotionally more important than parenting children - the world's children - and the world's next generation of parents. What could be more important than this? There is one more, but I'll get to that.

Parents, I thank you for tackling all the demands of raising your kids. No matter how your children came into your home, you engage in an incredibly demanding job. Child care is demanding in itself. Add the duties of housekeeping, work responsibilities, career building, and taking care of yourself, makes child care even harder. I often wonder how you get anything accomplished. Yet you do them all and you do them well, including caring for your children.

Whew! Isn't this the busiest time of the year for parents?
The Holidays and Christmas time are the busiest seasons for everyone, but especially for parents. That's one reason I thank you for everything you are doing right now. I'll bet you are busier than anyone else. I believe you are even busier than candidates currently running for nomination for president. But, the job you do is far more important than theirs because you are engaged in raising up people - the next generation of adults. You are engaged in training your young to become responsible citizens and contribute good to their own families, society and the world. You do all that even during this season and throughout the year because you care.

You are especially important to your kids, but also to the world.
I wish I could personally thank each of you for everything you do to fashion, teach, train, help, correct, care for, your kids, our kids, the world’s kids. I had to write this article to say that I know and I care about you and the incredible job of parenting, in which you engage. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. With all my heart. Thank you. But, this isn’t enough.

You need something more.
Remember I said there was one more thing more important than taking good care of your kids? To do a really good job of taking care of kids, you also must take good care of yourself. It’s not selfish. It’s your responsibility! Parenting is the most important job in which you engage, but if you don’t take care of yourself, pretty soon, you won’t have time, energy or desire to take good care of your kids. You've got to spend time taking good care of yourself too. To take care of yourself means taking time out for you, doing something you enjoy, without your kids, and time to spend alone with your spouse. You are so important I'd like to give you something.

My Gift To You.
Right now, during the busiest time of your year, I want to give you something to thank you for the wonderful job you do of raising your kids.
It may seem like a funny gift, but I believe it's the best gift I can give you right now.

I give you the gift of PERMISSION to take time for you, and time with your spouse. Don't wait to do this. Sit down and block out dates and times for you and for you and your spouse right on your 2016 calendar. Set it up for at least one time each week. If your kids are really little, you may need to tag team and provide short spots of time away from your kids daily. Whatever you need, please plan for it. Take care of yourself and your relationship with your spouse. You’ll be much happier, your kids will be happier, and you can continue doing a good job raising your kids, the worlds kids, for all people.

Thank you for being you and for doing the most important job in the world. I appreciate you.

Please share this article with your friends on FB, Tw, and P. If you know a parent, (and we all do) take some time and tell them how much you appreciate them. What else can you do to help a parent get self-care time or time with their spouse. Leave a comment and share it with other readers here.
Twee’ means you and me
Together we can raise good kids.
Susie Caron

12/8/2015

How to Get Respect!

How to Get Respect!
by Susie E. Caron (c) 12/8/15

Rodney Dangerfield coined the statement, "I don't get no respect." He projected the life of a loser, and it became his tag line, and brand. Funny? Sure! Unless you're a parent and your kids disrespect you.

As a parent, you are engaged in the most important job of all - raising your kids to be responsible adults who contribute to life in your family, local community, country and the world. There is no more important job on earth! The job you do is so worthy of respect and admiration, it's absolutely necessary that you teach your kids to respect you, and to carry this enduring respect within them.

You are not a loser and you deserve respect.

You deserve the respect of your spouse.
You deserve the respect of you kids.
You deserve the respect of your family, friends, coworkers, boss, and acquaintances.

So how do you get respect, especially from your children?
First you determine today to fully respect yourself. I know that sometimes we all do things or act in ways or neglect to do things that we feel make us deserve respect. This isn't about that. You're human. Humans make mistakes all the time. Get over it. You have to, because today you will begin to respect yourself so much that whenever you speak to anyone, kids, spouse, adults, coworkers, boss, waitress, taxi driver, receptionist, phone clerk, etc. etc., you speak to them with RESPECT because you absolutely RESPECT yourself.

This is the decision you make:

"I RESPECT myself. That's why, from this moment forward, I will speak respectfully to every person I encounter, including my kids, whether they act like they deserve it or not."
Amen!"

Respect isn't about another persons deserving it. It's about YOU DESERVING IT.
You must respect yourself so much that you would never lower yourself to disrespect anyone, including your kids.

This is how kids learn to respect you.
You command respect because you are worthy of respect.
You command (not 'demand') your kid's respect when you fully respect yourself.
You command their respect when you interact with, and speak respectfully to them.
You command their respect when you conduct yourself with respect.
You command respect because you are a human of unique and wonderful design.
You command your kids respect because of all this and because and you are their parent. That's enough.

What do you do when Kid's speak disrespectfully to you?
Stop what you are doing, turn fully toward them and say, "I don't speak disrespectfully to you and I won't tolerate or hear you speak disrespectfully to me. Now ask (or tell) me in a better way." (Rinse and repeat or don't respond until you are spoken to respectfully.)

When I began to do this, my life began to change. I believe yours will too.
So begin today to respect yourself and watch what happens.

If you found this helpful, sign up HERE for email updates about my new parenting book, to be released winter 2015.

Twee' Means You & Me ,
You deserve Respect.
Susie Caron

12/5/2015

I Win & There's Something Free for You

I Win & There's Something Free For You.
by Susie E. Caron (c) 12/4/2015

I won! That's right!
And because of this, I'm launching a FREE Kindle Promo for my series of 3 Picture Books. But first I want to share my success and how you can benefit.

First, about my winning PIBoIdMo.
This November I completed the Picture Book Idea Month challenge, hosted annually by Tara Lazar. To win I had to create at least 30 new picture book ideas in 30 days from Nov. 1 -30. This year I created 40 new ideas in the 30 days!!! Woo Hoo! As a result I am a winner! Actually I am one of the winners because everyone who completed at least 30 in the 30 days is a winner. But there's more.....

As an active participant, I competed for other prizes.
I just needed to read and comment on guest blogs, written by authors, illustrators, editors or others, who were invited to share ideas about the process of writing picture books. The random drawings for prizes will happen around Dec. 6, and I can't wait to see if I win something. There are lots of books, and other goodies for prizes. 13 lucky winners will actually win feedback from a literary agent for their best 5 new picture book ideas. Wow! I hope I win one of those!

How will you benefit?
First, I'm hoping that one of my picture book ideas will become my next series for you and your kids to read. Then I can hold a new promotion. That reminds me of my giveaway for you.

Who doesn't love something for FREE!
I was so excited to win that I decided for 3 days, from 12/5/15/-12/7/15 to make my Kindle Picture Books available for FREE. This is the perfect opportunity for you to discover these beautiful books with adorable messages. For a few days only, you can download them absolutely FREE. (They are usually regularly priced at $2.99 each).

Why am I giving them away now?
I wanted to make them available because I know how it feels to win something. Besides, I know you are "making your #Gift Giving lists for the children in your life."

These picture books will last well beyond this Holiday Season. So I believe that after you read Twee', I Am Twee', and Twee' for Two, for free, that you'll like them so much, you'll want to buy the quality paperback editions for kids (ages 3-9) on your list. Maybe you'll even want to give each book and honest review. I'd really appreciate that.

More #Gift Ideas:
You may not want to stop there. Twee's Picture Books also make terrific birthday gifts and are great for new parents. What could be better than starting their new baby's library? Speaking of 'libraries', why not buy a set to donate to your child's classroom, libraries in your school or home town? I promise everyone loves little Twee' and her meaningful stories endure for generations.

Are you as excited as I am?
Here is the link to get you to Amazon and collect your free kindle editions of
Twee', I Am Twee', and Twee' for Two. Don't wait. They are only FREE for three days from 12/5/15-12/7/15 at midnight. Click this LINK and get them today.

Want to stay updated about the new books I'm writing and publishing in the near future? (Hint book for parents in the works.) Sign up HERE and I'll keep you posted. There may even be more "Freebies" coming when you do.

Remember Life is Better Together
That's why...
Twee' Means You & Me

Hugs and Blessings
Susie Caron

11/30/2015

How a Grateful Writer Thawed Before Thanks Giving

How a Grateful Writer Thawed Before Thanks Giving.
by Susie E. Caron (c) 11/30/15

This Thanks Giving I felt grateful, relieved, and creative too.

I felt grateful because:

My grown up kids and their friend were delightful guests and we all had fun.
I had retired in July, and began to enjoy a less stressful life.
My creative juices began flowing again with help from my friend.

Thanks Giving seemed musical. We ate good food, played games, shopped, and attended events. I especially enjoyed hearing my grown-up kids and their friend laughing and talking long into the night (after I'd gone to bed.) This didn't keep me awake (I'm pretty sure it was the turkey.) Their sounds were happy music to my ears.

I prepared to retire in July, which meant closing my private practice. There were lots of loose ends and it all seemed very stressful. However, by September, things began to settle down. That's when I thought I'd get back into writing and creative activities. Instead I found myself frozen. I couldn't write, or come up with a creative idea at all and I didn't know what to do.

Creativity eluded me. Frozen and stuck I wondered if I'd ever write again. However, in October, my friend, author and illustrator Jo Linsdell helped me to get unstuck. In fact, she helped me just in time. With my creative drive restored, I was ready to participate in the annual PiBoIdMo challenge.

Jo Linsdell said my experience could help other writers. She invited me to write about it and guest post on the Writers & Authors site. I did and it's ready and waiting for you.

Find out how she helped me get unstuck by clicking below.

How I Moved from 'Frozen' to Flowing Creative Author

Twee means you and me,
Because Family and Friends are the best.

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Susie E. Caron
These are from my former life with many current memories and helps for parents.
I retired from teaching, became a psychotherapist treating children and families and an author. After retiring I became a full time artist.
I recently reopened this parenting blog because I believe wisdom is to be shared.
Author of Chidren's Books,
Christian, Wife, & Mother, I want to help you build parent-child relationships, 1 blog, & books at a time.
When I'm not busy creating articles or paintings, you might find me looking for dark chocolate or playing with my Boxer, Josie.

Disclaimer
These articles are for educational and self-help purposes only and are not intended as psychotherapy.
If you experience unusual symptoms or discomfort please see your medical or mental health practitioner.
No patent liability is assumed for use of the information contained. The author disclaims any responsibility for loss or risk for use or application of this material.

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