Tuesday's Tribute-Dr. Reivich and Fishful Thinking

I think I've told most of you that I've had the opportunity to be a part of the Fishful Thinking Campaign hosted by Pepperidge Farms?



It's been a wonderful experience for me, because as a mother, I'm being educated on how to raise more emotionally successful children.



This past weekend we were prompted by Dr. Reivich to "Pause for the Positives".


Dr. Reivich said, "Take time to talk to your children about the good things happening in their lives. Keep your questions open-ended (rather than yes/no questions) so that you create space for your child to explore the situation and discover as much as she/he can about what happened, what it felt like, and what she/he learned. "


Who would have known that I needed help both phrasing questions for my children so that I get the maximum disclosure and making the time to do so?


With some helpful prompts, I asked the following questions about our vacation. {See, I am getting around to telling you about my vacation!}



What was the best part?

Garrett: "Going on the boat, going snorkeling, and sliding down the crocodile slide. AND, swimming all day. Oh yeh, seeing the tigers. And going to the beach. And going to the fiesta."

Grace: "Swimming all day long and going on the crocodile slide (which goes really, really fast). I also liked the underwater tunnels".

Emma: "Um. Uh. Getting to drink pina coladas and strawberry margaritas". {virgin, of course}.

Jacob: "Um. Going fwimming (swimming), getting a bracelet (wrist band)".

John: "Going in the spa, told ya".


What surprised you about the vacation?

Garrett: "The beach....finding sea shells and going in the water".

Grace: "That salt water burns your face".

Emma: "I didn't know it would be that hot".

Jacob: "Going fwimming and picking my nose".

John: "Going swimming with my life jacket".



How did you feel during the vacation?

Garrett: "Good."

Grace: "Happy".

Emma: "Glad that we got to go".

Jacob: "Happy."

John: "Good".



I thank you, Dr. Reivich for reminding me to talk to my children about positives: to have real conversations with my children wherein they can expand on experiences that make them happy.



{More vacation TOMORROW!}

Any guesses where we went? Hint: Passports required.



Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.