Bringing some creativity into our daily parenting efforts can lead to so much laughter, harmony and happiness. Sometimes it may not come so naturally or it may feel like there just isn’t enough time in our busy days. Infusing our parenting with a bit of creativity though doesn’t have to be complicated or messy.For me it might be connecting and calming down with my kids by playing a simple yoga game or inviting my son to draw a picture as a way to talk about his feelings.
**This post contains a book giveaway. Details at the end of the post.**
Recently I had the opportunity to read a wonderful parenting book by Amber Greene: Creative Parenting for Fun. I think this book is a great resource for any parent that is looking to integrate a bit more creativity and joy into their parenting journey.
Creative Parenting for Fun is very compatible with the ideas I share on positive parenting connection in that Amber is not offering a one size must fit all approach to parenting. Instead, Amber is offering hundreds of ideas and she talks about honoring balance and the needs of the whole family through out the book. Here are some of her thoughts:
I firmly believe that something will work for every child. Our challenge is to find those ‘somethings’. You might find one of those ‘somethings’ in a magazine, hear an idea from a parenting educator or a friend, be given a drop of gold by a grandparent, or read it in a book.
In here, [the Creative Parenting for Fun book] you’ll find common sense wisdom and a whole lot of practical, fun things to try with your little ones. Some secrets will work for you, some won’t. There is no magic formula, a one-size fits all solution, but it’s a comprehensive collection to search. Best of all, these things will help you to have more fun and to live in harmony with your children.
In the book, Amber is talking about ways creativity can play a role in:
-creating daily rhythms (similar to a routine but with gentle flexibility)
-potty learning
-sibling rivalry
-inviting cooperation with magical language
-cutting down screen time (in a non guilt inducing way)
-self-care for parents
-chores for children to do around the house
-handling common fears
The book also has helpful tables with information, songs, templates and pictures and it really is a wonderful resource packed full of information on common parenting topics. Amber has years of experience working with children and her writing is friendly and welcoming. Here is another quote from her:
Little moments of creative thinking and action help the children to make positive choices that help our days to run more smoothly. A win-win for parents and children.
So, if you are interested in this great resource, author Amber Greene is offering three of the positive parenting connection readers a copy of her book as a gift!
Details:
- No purchase necessary
- Answer one question in the comments to enter.
- Open worldwide / This is an Electronic product for download / No items will be shipped.
- Opening date and scheduled closing for entries: Friday 18th of October 2013 and close Monday October 21st 2013 at 22:00 (GMT)
- Amber Greene is the Author of Creative Parenting for Fun has offered three copies of her book and will be emailing winners directly details on how to claim their gift copy.
- I received a complimentary copy of Creative Parenting for Fun. The opinions in this review are my own.
- Creative Parenting for Fun retails on Amber Greene’s website ParentingFunEveryday for $29 USD/$30 AUD
- Winners will be announced first on the Positive Parenting Connection Facebook Page (join us, it’s a great community of positive parents!) Later, names will be posted in comments and emailed as well.
- Selection of winners will be random using random.org
Entry questions (choose any one to answer):
-In what ways have you been creative in your daily parenting?
-Why do you want more creativity in your parenting?
-What is one of your parenting challenges at the moment?
Or simply complete this sentence: I would like to have this book because….
The Giveaway is Closed.
The Winners are: Amy P., Rebecca & Dave.
Ariadne Brill
I practiced law for 10 years and am now a stay at home mom to 4 children. Law school and practice knocked most of the creativity out of me!
I would like to be more creative in my parenting because i love my daughter beyond believe but as a first time mother and having been reared myself in a traditional disciplinary family i feel i could do so much better and i need as much help and inspiration as i can get. I owe it to her and i feel I’m falling short.
I would love to have this book because I am a big believer in positive and loving parenting but often struggle with the creative side! I would live to incorporate more fun in my parenting style.
I would like to have this book because as a mom of two little ones, I’m stretched thinner and find myself reaching for back-pocket ideas to win my kids over, rather than win over them. With two under age 4, I find I have less time to read and refuel myself with all the positive discipline and positive parenting tools that I so often need to gain cooperation effectively. I’m THIRSTY for creativity in my parenting and am desperately in need of refreshing tools that will help me feel enthusiastic about my interactions with my precious little ones.
Thank you
I would love this book as we are fighting an uphill battle with our 3,yr old son right now and I really need ideas of how to bring back the joy of our household.
My greatest challenge right now is engaging my 2 1/2 yr old and meeting the needs of my newborn
One of my current parenting challenges is dealing with an EXTREMELY stubborn child! He’s a love most of the time but gets easily frustrated and then resorts to temper tantrums…. He’s 5!
Lately I’ve been struggling to help my two year old through some social anxiety. She takes a while to warm up to a group of playing children and often clings to a toy or other object that she doesn’t want anyone to take from her. She often also seems done with playing in a group after a short while around half and hour and says she wants to go home. I’m encouraging her to share and take turns and continue playing for a bit longer, but I wonder if I’m pushing her too much. I’m thinking its OK to challenge a bit, just not to overdo it.
Why do you want more creativity in your parenting?
More creativity = more fun for everyone.
My most difficult challenge right now is creating time for my younger child to learn and grow on her own while keeping my older child interested.
My greatest parenting challenge right NOW is whining and not listening. I try to be creative by just leaving everything out where they can grab & create on their own. Yes my house is a complete disaster but they are very imaginative!
My 2 yr old has grown an attachment to watching her fav. PBS show on the TV or our phones…more then I would like to continue. Looking for ways to creatively interact with her one on one that can be equally enjoyed & requested.
I want to win the book because I want to find a default other than punishment or bad consequences.
-Why do you want more creativity in your parenting?
I have a tendency to get stuck in a rut & would love some fresh ideas.
Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book!
I try to get creative in parenting daily in our home learning. I try very hard to keep the love of learning flowing in my three children. This book would be great as some sibling rivalry has started among my children ages 8, 5, and 3. Also, I am cutting back screen time (somehow) it snuck into our daily routine and am trying to do this in a manner that they really don’t notice. Thank you for the review & the opportunity!
I would like more creativity in my parenting to help keep things fresh and exciting, creating a way to be in the flow of the day and having fun while doing it. And it builds up my tool box of positive parenting – I work with new moms and I love to be able to share ways of being with our children that are fun and positive.
One of my biggest parenting challenges at the moment… communicating with my almost 4 year old son when he is upset. Maybe this book will have some new ideas. 🙂
I have been gradually increasing my creativity in parenting because I kind of lost touch with simply being a kid. I would love this resource to continue my efforts to have fun with the kids. 🙂
I would like to have this book because I am a first time mom. I am a stay at home mom with a 16 month toddler. Winter is coming and I have no car. So I need to entertain my boy to make the winter month go smoothly!!!
I would love this book for more ideas so I can teach and help my children in a constructive, empathetic way.
I try to get creative in my parenting by making tough times fun. My 2 year old doesn’t like having his teeth brushed, so I made the toothbrush “talk” and now my son enjoys hearing mini-stories about the toothbrush’s life while I brush his teeth.
I’d like to have this book because I believe we should always look for creative alternatives than the ones we’ve been raised with or the ones we see around us but for some reason it doesn’t fit for us any longer. We are always learning with each other and with our kids.
My one parenting challenge… our daughter is 2.5 years old. We just pulled her out of her “school” that she’s attended since she was 15 months and out of her “old” house due to a transfer for her Dad’s job. We’ve been in our “new house” for about 3 werks and last week she started at her “new school”. She is not normally whiny or clingy and usually adapts well to new scenerios but I think she’s exhausted with all of these changes. She begs me not to leave her and screams, kicks and pounds the floor as I leave. I know they are very loving toward her when I’m “gone” since I watch through a viewing window… she’s just feeling “safe/trusting” yet and it tears my heart out. We told her in advance and gave her choices throughout our move, I took her to the school a couple times before she started and we have conversations with her everyday in a positive tone that she’s safe and loved but not anything is helping at this moment. That’s my parenting challenge.
My greatest parenting challenge now is my almost 5 year old not wanting to attend any extra curriculum activities – music, swimming, football, also activities for dad+son in a group context. I’d like to figure out creative ways of overcoming this fear and whether anything needs to be done about it at all…
I feel like being creative is one of my parenting challenges at the moment. Between single parenting, working almost full time I tend to just get the basics done every day, we need more fun! 🙂
I’d like to find parenting more fun & less of a grind with a 3 year old & a baby!