Read the February Issue of North Texas Kids digital magazine now
February 1, 2012 – 8:10 am | One Comment

Happy Valentine’s Day from our families to yours! See inside for great articles, recipes, and crafts!

Click Here to read it online

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LOVE is an action word: Tangible Ways to Connect to Your Child
February 2, 2012 – 3:00 pm | No Comment

Mom and Daughter

by Dr. Caron Goode

While saying “I love you” expresses how you feel to your child, when you’re able to clearly communicate your love in a tangible way that your child understands, there’s no chance your child will miss the message. Considering your child’s interactive style when showing expressions of love helps assure that your child, without a doubt, feels love, cared for and connected.

Many parents, especially those of multiples, recognize that each child has  his or her way of learning about the world. During the toddler years, for example, a parent may recognize that one child has more success learning a new skill when he tackles it on his own, while another has more success when modeling the activity after mom or dad.

This is because each child interacts with their world differently. In fact, there are four separate and distinct categories of interactive styles. These groups include achievers, thinkers, harmonizers and influencers. While there are bits and pieces of each interactive style in all of our children, children typically exhibit one or two dominant styles that direct how they interact with their world.

For this reason, it should be no surprise that a child’s interactive style also influences how they feel and receive love. Once you understand what your child’s interactive style is, you clearly speak their love language, connect with them on a deeper level and tangibly demonstrate your love for them in a way they’ll understand and appreciate.

Achievers

Achievers tend to be children who have a great need for freedom and self-expression. These children shy away from talking about their problems and feelings, and instead love the challenge of trying something new and achieving a goal. Achievers tend to be independent and appreciate all that is concrete. They often don’t like to show or receive much affection.
Parents of achievers can tangibly show their child by love by giving gifts, offering positive, purposeful praise and by acknowledging and recognizing their child’s achievements. Also don’t be afraid to challenge them to something new. They thrive on learning experientially.

Thinkers

Thinkers tend to be children who thoroughly examine issues. These children tend to be non-competitive with others, but set high standards for themselves. They are great team members, and loved to be involved in family activities. Thinkers tend to be perfectionists and value relationships, intimacy and trust. Parents of thinkers can tangibly show their child love by spending time with their child, discussing issues of interest, read books and magazines together, demonstrating understanding and speaking lots of positive words of affirmation to their child.

Harmonizers

Harmonizers tend to be children who are the peacemakers of the family. These children tend to internalize their feelings and worry about those close to them. Harmonizers crave stability and value relationships. Parents of harmonizers can tangibly show their child love by setting up a weekly “date night” where they spend time doing something special together, by giving gifts, by demonstrating trust, and by modeling open and honest communication.

Influencers

Influencers tend to be children who are creative and artistic. These children tend to be dreamers and love being the center of attention. Influencers tend to be affectionate and like to be around others.  Parents of influencers can tangibly show their child love by supporting and fostering their creative spirit, by sharing an interest in the arts, by doing something creative together, like an art project or writing a song, by showing lots of affection and by actively engaging their child in doing things of interest to him.

All children have a deep desire to feel loved, accepted and liked by their parents. When children experience a warm and loving parental relationship, they have increased self-esteem and confidence. Children who feel good about themselves are less likely to seek out negative attention or to engage in risky social behaviors. Considering your child’s interactive style when showing expression of love can help assure that your child, without a doubt, feels loved, cared for and connected.

Dr. Goode is a licensed counselor, author of a dozen books, speaker, and parent coach.  She is the founder of and serves on the faculty of the Academy for Coaching Parents International (www.acpi.biz). She has recently co-authored (with Tara Paterson) the award-winning book, Raising Intuitive Children and Nurture Your Child’s Gift. Both are
available at your local bookstore or on Amazon.com. © 2010 by Dr. Caron Goode.

7 Best Buys in February
February 2, 2012 – 12:42 pm | No Comment
7 Best Buys in February

February doesn’t have to be just about Valentine’s Day. It’s also a good time to buy off season.
 
As February unfolds into a bouquet of overpriced flowers, take solace in knowing the whole month need not …

Is Your Child Struggling with Reading? Attend FREE Lecture at Winston School
February 1, 2012 – 5:46 pm | No Comment
Is Your Child Struggling with Reading? Attend FREE Lecture at Winston School

Is Your Child Struggling with Reading?
The Winston School invites you to join them for a lecture, Overcoming Reading Failure: Looking Forward on the Wings of Research, by Dr. G. Reid Lyon.
The free event is Thursday, …

Read the February Issue of North Texas Kids digital magazine now
February 1, 2012 – 8:10 am | One Comment
Read the February Issue of North Texas Kids digital magazine now

Happy Valentine’s Day from our families to yours! See inside for great articles, recipes, and crafts!

Click Here to read it online

‘Love Magnet’ – Unique Valentine’s Gift that Gives Back
February 1, 2012 – 6:50 am | 2 Comments
‘Love Magnet’ – Unique Valentine’s Gift that Gives Back

At North Texas Kids, we love companies that give back and make a difference with their products. That’s why we fell in love with this line of adorable clothing created by Mom and Entrepreneur Lu …

Valentine Cookie Pops
January 31, 2012 – 7:00 am | No Comment
Valentine Cookie Pops

A Special Valentine’s Day Cookie Treat
If you are looking for a fun and easy recipe to do with the kids, try these deliciously simple Valentine Cookie Pops. The kids will smile and giggle while making …

‘The Biggest Loser’ Couple to Talk About New Hope for Autism
January 30, 2012 – 9:07 pm | 2 Comments
‘The Biggest Loser’ Couple to Talk About New Hope for Autism

Phil and Amy Parham share how appearance on show created a second life-changing opportunity for their family
 
Anyone who has an autistic child knows that the stress of the disorder can pay a heavy toll on …

The Toddler Years: What to Expect
January 30, 2012 – 3:28 pm | One Comment
The Toddler Years: What to Expect

Help! My beautiful baby has turned into a terrible toddler!
 
by Adina Rich
When you are in the sleep deprived state of parenting a newborn, it inevitably leads to the wondrous imaginings of toddlerdom. Oh, they will …

8 Tips on Helping Your Kids Achieve an Attitude for Success
January 30, 2012 – 2:28 pm | No Comment
8 Tips on Helping Your Kids Achieve an Attitude for Success

8 strategies for building abundance attitudes in your kids
 
1. Reward Responsibly
Don’t give rewards for promised future behavior.  Reward when the goal is accomplished.  Acknowledge the accomplishment and celebrate it.
2. Clarity
Be open about your financial state.  …

Win 2 Tickets for you and your BFF to attend Project Mom Ft. Worth
January 30, 2012 – 2:06 pm | 12 Comments
Win 2 Tickets for you and your BFF to attend Project Mom Ft. Worth

Would you like to spend a day totally focused on you, Mom?
Then you are in for a treat! Project Mom is an organization that provides valuable resources and enjoyable events for moms of all ages …

Nick Gonzales Charity Golf Tournament and Fundraising Dinner
January 29, 2012 – 10:54 am | No Comment
Nick Gonzales Charity Golf Tournament and Fundraising Dinner

5th Annual Golf Tournament to Support Research for Brain Tumors
 
The 5th Annual Nick Gonzales Charity Golf Tournament and Fundraising Dinner will be held on Friday, April 27th at Prestonwood Country Club in Dallas. Tee off …