There are so many fun ideas for summer, but what about 50 summer projects for kids? Summertime is a chance to learn new things, explore and have a great time, but it can also be easily wasted doing nothing. Here is a list of ideas to get you started.

Here is a list of my 50 top ideas for kids and they are not in any particular order, but it gives you a starting place to come up with ideas of your own. For example, anyone can read one book, but what about an entire series? Sure, this may take time if you are reading something like the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. But, it will take less time if you are reading Little House on the Prairie. Even if the book is for younger kids take a chance, especially if you have not read the series before.

As you can see some of these fun projects can take some time and others can be done easily. If you like some of these ideas, make a plan on when you will start to do them and write them in your calendar. Learning to set deadlines and goals is an important part of learning to accomplish and get things done! This also helps us to be creative and figure out ways to make things work. I hope one or many of this ideas help you.

The post 50 Summer Projects For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you ready for some fun rainy day activities? Unless you live in a frigid place there will be a time that rainy day activities will come in handy. I guess it if is winter change it to “snow day” activities! Here we have some fun ideas that will help you entertain children with the least amount of tears!

This month it is all about making memories and keeping some last minute plans in place for those unexpected events is so helpful. In my early years as a mom and homeschooler, I subscribed to different mailed sets – one was a kit to do with your kids and it involved crafts and things to build. However, I found that while some of the ideas were great many were not anything that interested my children. So I started and proceeded to lose lists! Sound familiar.

Rainy Day Activities

Now that I’m so much older I have a wealth of experience and information at fingertips! I know what works and what does not, and it is amazing how these old ideas still work well. I’m happy to share my ideas with you—and you can keep these handy and we plan for your own rainy day activities.

I know, I know – kids are all different, and what makes one kid excited can leave the rest yawning, so I add a few little ideas to the list of my favorites and that enforcing good character qualities in our children through every-day events.

My children all struggle, we all struggle with different things such as patience, sharing “our” things, waiting for others who are slower, perfectionism, doing things we don’t want to do.

At times I would plan out fun things to do only to have kids say they don’t want to participate! Talk about a fun-damper, right? So… instead we want to set up the kids for success and keep our sanity by planning out even their reactions!

Before we do anything, especially with little children I remind them of the rules.

Quick opinion on rules: I grew up as a teacher in the era of coloring without lines and classrooms without walls – this permissive atmosphere cause kids to be confused about what was expected and certainly did not encourage the creativity and “free thinking” it was meant to instill and allow. Yet, I continued to use this type of methodology in my parenting. It made parenting at times very difficult because I had little kids that were “exploring” and loving their surrounds but certainly not listening to anything I had to say. I learned to change my methods and teach them some rules of what I expected and wonder of wonders, they learned to obey and listen! Life was much happier.

An overview of rules allows kids to know what is expected when we played games or before we left the house – even in the car, I made sure to go over what I expected. I didn’t want to be embarrassed on our outings and my kids were sure to get excited when they saw friends or shelves full of fun things to pull off in the store! I think shopping carts are probably an invention by a mom to keep kids contained while shopping!

Kids will still enjoy themselves and believe me rules will not starve creativity! I met a lady recently who works with parents, she is a parenting expert and helps moms and dads learn how to parent — there is even a certification for this! For many of us this is probably not surprising and I’m sure it is much needed.

So, as we look forward to rainy day activities be sure to let the kids know – we will have fun, but we do have some rules we want to follow.

Remember, whatever you do –do it with fun in mind! Have some activities ready for when the rains come, and you will create a fun atmosphere without resorting to placing the children in front of the TV!

The post Special Replay: Summertime Rainy Day Activities appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you ready to launch some fun summer projects – what about ones that are a bit unusual but teach? It is a time when you can give your child time to explore or direct your children in an organized way. Depending on the ages of your children the amount of direction may be less focused for the older ones.

How do you spell summer? F-U-N Summer Projects!

Do you want good books written for homeschool moms by homeschool moms? Look no further and check out my products and classes at MediaAngels.com and MediaAngels.com/books and the products in my online store now available for shipping – and stay tuned, I will soon have information about Creation Kids Classes as well as the Creation Camp for kids I hope to offer. The notebooks are available in digital form for you to use for your own children on the website, but more is coming. If you don’t want to miss out be sure you are signed up for our mailing list where new character planners are still be created each month. This month’s topic happens to be Enthusiasm. When you miss the free planner, you can purchase it in our store.

One of my goals as a homeschool mom was to give my children time to think and create on their own. I really believe that children don’t have time to really think. School is typically made up of reading the information or have it read to you – then answer the questions. Kids often ask, “What is the right answer?” Giving the children time to explore when they are younger in a directed way (to keep them out of trouble) is a good idea.

When they were younger I gave them tools such as measuring cups and other household items that they could play with, pouring water in and out, and measuring. I gave my young son a box of rubber bands (and yes he made a mess with them and I kept finding them stuffed under cushions and other unlikely places for weeks after), but he loved the texture of the rubber and lined them up and put them into buckets and boxes. As the children get older the items can become more involved.

Recyclables become a great treasure trove for kids to build and create. These can be anything from plastics to glass. In an upper-level art class I took, we used small posters and then took glass, broke it, and used the flat pieces with clear glue to create a mosaic on top of it. The results were stunning. Clear glass or colored glass can be used. Paper towel rolls are great for creating different projects as well.

We used maps to track our journey from home (southwest Florida) to Georgia one year. I used maps glued to file folders and the children placed their names on the folders. The kids could tack our journey using road signs as we crossed into different towns. It took us two days with lots of stops in between, but the kids didn’t ask me, “How much longer.”

Another one of my homeschool goals was to teach using fun projects to do it. Teaching skills that are not often covered in school such as money management, planning, etc. Give the children a chance to add to the following list of ideas and you will be surprised at how many they come up with themselves.

You can place one fun summer project idea into a paper bag and draw out ideas randomly. You may need to plan for certain things, but you can put these on a calendar to do one time a week. You can assign different people (or ask for volunteers). You can put the older children in charge of organizing as well. It is a good time to oversee their “people skills,” and ask them to use nice words and encourage each other. One year I had “banned words” implemented like the words can’t, stupid, or shut up were not allowed. (Remember you are the parent and what you say goes!)

I hope this gives you some ideas of what you can do this summer and hopefully, this will get you started with many, many ideas of your own. Stay tuned for my summer projects for the kids show coming up soon

The post Fun Summer Projects For Families appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

One of my uncles has 14 siblings and whenever he showed me photos, aging and in black-and-white from the “old country” Italy, I always strained to find him mother in the group. She looked young, happy and so engaged! He always said, they were poor but they had love and she worked hard at making family memories. This stayed with me throughout my lifetime and is a very important part of my own family life and those of my children.

The post Special Replay: Best Family Memories appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

When you talk to your kids do they hear you? What does being present mean, and how can you be present to your spouse and your kids in a way that impacts your relationship (in a good way). Join me for this discussion on the importance of listening and hearing what people are really saying.

Do you want good books written for homeschool moms by homeschool moms? Look no further and check out my products and classes at MediaAngels.com and MediaAngels.com/books and the products in my online store now available for shipping – and stay tuned, I will soon have information about Creation Kids Classes as well as the Creation Camp for kids I hope to offer. The notebooks are available in digital form for you to use for your own children on the website, but more is coming. If you don’t want to miss out be sure you are signed up for our mailing list where new character planners are still be created each month. This month’s topic happens to be Enthusiasm. When you miss the free planner, you can purchase it in our store.

What does it mean to be present? Think about this and if you can turn off this recording to take a moment to write down your thoughts do so now. Well, what did you say? As usual, I wish I was in a room or even across a table sipping an herbal tea and hearing your response. Being present (to me) means being totally focused on the person speaking. No distractions. No dinging from the phone that you just have to look at. Nothing but the person talking to you during that time matters. Does this sound like fiction? Maybe, but in the world in which we live we are pulled in so many different directions there is no time to make those lasting connections with friends…never mind family!

I had a family member who was the most outgoing and jovial person in the world around friends. When this person was in a room with people not related to them they would light up, and be so personable and attentive. When around family the opposite was the result, the person was sullen and critical. Why is it that we hurt those we love the most? We can say that we don’t want them making mistakes and they need to be corrected, and for each family the answer will be different.

I want the best relations I can get with my kids and being present is just one way to do this. Being present means keeping promises and not making promises I can’t keep. Being present means putting down or turning away from whatever I was doing when one of my children needs me. Being present means that nothing else is as important as that person. If you want to see a change in your relationship with your kids, well, watch out! Being present means all of these things and then some!

How do you introduce the topic of being present to your family? A good place to start is a family meeting and if you don’t have family meetings it may be a good time to begin. Family meetings are when the entire family (without digital devices – pen and paper are fine) gather around the table and talk about a list of concerns. Normally the parents are in charge of the topics, but the kids can add input if they do it ahead of time. Of course, use any method you want, but this has worked for us in the past. When my dad was alive – he lived with us the last 12 years of his life, he would join our family meetings and complain about things that bothered him. (Share the salt shaker situation.) I tell you this to show you that what we consider important (case in point with my dad) others may consider funny – or insignificant! But a family meeting is a great way to introduce the topic of being truly engaged in conversation with each other.

Ground Rules For Being Present:

What are your ground rules? These may change but then it depends on your family! Please let me know if this does improve your family relationships. I realize it isn’t always possible especially in larger families and one child or another may take up more time – which is why number one is so important. You can encourage your children to do this with each other, and it can teach them great skills for the future. Our homeschool lives change and as the children get older the demands seem to lessen in some ways and increase in others. Being present is the most important thing you can do, with your family as well as in your prayer life.

The post Being Present To Your Family appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

We have inexpensive graduation ideas on the cheap – are you ready? Have you started your high school graduation party plans yet? No worries! We’ve got you covered. Inexpensive graduation ideas are our specialty. Meredith has graduated five children and Felice five and two from college, so between them, they have quite an arsenal of ideas that you can implement even if you waited until the last minute. Grab your notepad and listen in.

Graduation Party Ideas Here 

We enjoy hosting parties so it is no wonder that this podcast is a labor of love for both of us. With such large families, parties can be pricey so we want to be sure we that we can enjoy the fun without going over budget. Some of these ideas are often used for other parties and hosting friends. You can join in with other families to reduce the price.

Be sure to share our show with your friends – and rate us on iTunes, GooglePlay, or your favorite podcast app.

Show Notes: Inexpensive Graduation Ideas On The Cheap

We discussed deciding on the type of graduation you want, planning the type of graduation early, and saving up money. Pray about the type of graduation that is right for you. Include your teens as well.

More great ideas

The post Special Replay: Inexpensive Graduation Ideas On The Cheap appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

If you lack enthusiasm and encouragement you are not alone. I believe the understatement of all time is that life is not what you planned. If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say? Are you anywhere near the person you use to be? The person that was fun, enthusiastic about life, and couldn’t wait to get up in the morning? Well, it is time to reclaim that person, and if that does not describe the younger you, no worries, the new you will be even better.

Check out my website at MediaAngels.com and MediaAngels.com/books and the products in my online store now available for shipping – and stay tuned, I will soon have information about Creation Kids Classes as well as the Creation Camp for kids I hope to offer. The notebooks are available in digital form for you to use for your own children on the website, but more is coming. If you don’t want to miss out be sure you are signed up for our mailing list where new character planners are still be created each month. This month’s topic happens to be Enthusiasm. When you miss the free planner, you can purchase it in our store.

So, back to you! Are you ready to change and before you turn off this podcast hold on…there are no twelve steps to follow or even two or three, but there is one thing and I’ll share that with you in just a minute. First, I want to talk to you about, well you. Moms especially are the ones that handle the management of a family. We are the ones who hold it together in a crisis, school the kids, and take care of the home and all that entails. In fact, we do more than most CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. And, we are supposed to do it with a smile.

When I look at the reasons I often “lost it” for lack of a better descriptive word… meaning, I yelled at my children and often was upset with the way they handled everything from school work, to helping with chores–I found that the children’s disobedience increased. It did not decrease. When I was upset they were upset and I often set the tone for what happened each day.

Moms and Dads… because they play a role too, there is no class on how to be a good wife, husband, mother, father or balance work and home. There is no one perfect and definitive guide that gives each one of us every specific thing we need to do, a box to check off in order to find that happiness and family peace we all crave. And, even if there was, how much would you really embrace. If you read twelve points there are often six that you are thinking, “You have got to be kidding me, there is no way!” One of the reasons that many self-help books do not work is because if you are a thinker, and most of my audience is — we think for ourselves, we are wired in such a way to do things as others want us to do them. We, or I anyway, want to do things my own way. Think about this, is there a book or even a friend who has tried to help you in some way.

I remember as a young mom having a wonderful mother-in-law who kept a nice clean house, cooked meals from scratch and showered and had make-up on before her husband returned from…well, wherever he was because my father-in-law was retired by the time I married my husband. I had just finished two years of teaching and was staying home to raise my son. She had plenty of well-meaning and valuable advice to give me. But I am not a regimented person. If I had to follow her schedule that meant waking up each Monday with the thought that it was vacuuming and dusting day and I probably would want to roll over and stay in bed to avoid it. I cleaned, when I saw that it needed to be cleaned, and having a tiny house back then it was easy to do within an hour when the baby slept. I remember being miserable because I had no outside interaction after years of stimulation from friends, college life and even working life. I had to realize my priorities and began to make the best of everything.

I was blessed to have a husband who was very happy to be married and have a child at home when he arrived from work. He took a job he detested just because it paid well and soon, praise you, Jesus, we had our own company, which he still works at to this day. Before we married he told me how he spent much of his middle and high school years being unhappy. Once in college he made a decision that he was going to chose to be happy and make the best of whatever happened. The person I know today is usually a very happy person and has a smile for everyone – I can not imagine him unhappy. That person he described is not at all the man I know today. And he made a decision. For him it was that easy.

Of course we know that no one can be happy all the time, but we can all figure out how to make the best of a bad situation. His one decision not only changed his life – but everyone around him. He decided to dwell not on the negative but the positive in life.

And, that is the key. If you see a glass that is filled with water to the middle line do you think it is half-full or half-empty? If you can start seeing things as half full then this philosophy will truly change your life! When is the last time you laughed without reservation or the last time you woke up excited to start the day? Where is that enthusiasm and excitement about what is planned? Well, that is going to change and it begins today.

Every single person has a list of all the things that are going wrong in their life and I’m sure if I asked you to write them all done you’d fill at least one sheet of paper, but what if I asked you to fill in a sheet of paper with all the good that is going on in your life? A friend of mine recently posted that his home is falling apart, literally. The foundation is off, the interior needs major work, the plumbing, and even electrical systems have issues and I believe he said there was mold in the home. In addition, he recently posted about a freezer full of food that just broke and the washer and dryer not working and they have quite a few children. It made me think that sometimes we confuse our problems with a loving God who does not hear us and this is very far from the truth! These things are not an issue if you have money to make these repairs or replace whatever is broken, but for those that struggle? Well, it remains an issue.

God does hear us every single time, but we tend to be putting out fires daily instead of getting a sense that we can handle what life throws us… Whatever it is you are struggling with I am sending you a virtual hug. I am at a place in my life where I am finally living a dream I had so many years ago when I had not time to talk to moms because we were all homeschooling, and park days were far and few between. Now I can talk to you – sure it is a one-way conversation, but I know many of you online and that is where we share our hearts.

What is your passion? It may not be realized this second, but again, God knows, and maybe someday you too will be able to fulfill this ideal. My main passion has always been my faith, my husband and caring for my children,, and homeschooling. Homeschooling was never my choice, it actually picked me, but I can not think of any way I could have better spent thirty or so years of my life, that my friends are the total number of years I spent homeschooling my children. God gives us one day at a time, take that one day or maybe that five-minute break in your life and find some way to be grateful.

Please know there are thousands of hours of podcasts on this network that will enrich and engage you in a way that I pray is beneficial and helps! Thanks for joining me! Find me on social media – I’d love to chat!

The post Enthusiasm and Encouragement appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Hi and welcome to this just for kids’ series episode – my name if Felice Gerwitz and I want to encourage the kids today to not only become more responsible but also to think about being responsible but also to see how much good they can do in the world, that truly needs brave souls!

Check out my website and the Truth Seekers Mystery series available for immediate download! And for kids – the Character planners that are available on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network – you can sign up and start receiving planners each month for free.

SO, let’s begin. What is responsibility – does this mean work? Does this mean not having any fun, does this mean I must watch my brother, my sister my neighbor, my neighbors next door neighbors kid? No, no and no. Responsibility is something you may already have but it is a little dusty and you need to take it out, polish it up and allow it to shine.

Being responsible as a kid means you will turn into a responsible adult – and what you can do is look at your parents as an example.

Responsibility means doing what is right and just and treating others the way you want to be treated. Just think about this… you are hungry and your mom says, dinner is ready. You go to the table, and there is no food, in fact you didn’t smell anything cooking. You get to the table and see a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly, and some stale chips. The bread is frozen, the peanut butter is the kind with the oil on top that must be stirred, and the jelly has mold on the top of the container. Your mom breezes into the room and says – hey, everyone! So, sorry, I was texting my friends, and talking on social media so I just forgot all about dinner, help yourself, I’m going out to eat, see you later!

Is that being responsible? Do you think that would ever happen? If you are listening to this podcast I think the answer is no. Being responsible means to take charge of the things that you are supposed to do and get them done, it does not mean eating and leaving your dishes in the sink for someone else to wash, especially if you are the only one left eating. It means helping without being asked and taking care of your own things –your bed, your room, your dirty laundry.

One of my children just couldn’t remember to hang up his towel after his shower, pick up his dirty laundry off the bathroom floor and put it in his clothes hamper. I would nag and ask him to pick it up and he just did not remember. He was a very polite child however and told me how sorry he was, over and over again. He truly forgot to do this simple task. So, what did I do? I didn’t plan to do this but it happened this way… once he was in bed, all snuggled up, and I left his room… I walked into the bathroom to turn off the lights – because of course that was forgotten as well – and what did I see? The normal pile of clothes that I would pick up and his towel that I would hang up – so, I decided enough was enough and I went into his room and asked him to pick up his clothes, hang up his towel and turn off the light – He said, sure mom! You are the best, I’ll do it right now… no, he didn’t say that he said, NOW? I just got to bed! I insisted and guess what It only took that one time and he never forgot again. I have another son and it took him a few more times to remember.

I told you the story because one key SECRET to responsibility is to DO. It. Now. Don’t wait, because you may forget, the zombie apocalypse might happen and you might miss your chance. I’m kidding about the zombie apocalypse – but you get the point! If we wait until later that means, we think that whatever we are doing is more important.

Have you had to wait to talk to an adult before? What happens if you interrupt – probably nothing good, you get in trouble, but you know that ANTOHER the key to repsponsibility is realizing your job – what is your job do you know? Your job is to be a kid. That does not mean you get to sit on the couch watch movies and eat bon-bons – bon bons are fancy candies in case you want to know.

A kid must be a welcome member of the family, helpful, ready to listen, excited to get to eat meals each day and sleep in a warm or cool bed (if it’s hot outside) and understand that it is a privilege to be part of a family. Families are usually small, medium or large, families are loud or quiet or somewhere in between, families are full of love and laughter. OR they would be with responsible kids.

Just like you would not be happy with oily peanut butter and frozen bread, and moldy jelly for dinner which shows a lack of parental responsibility – you should realize that when you don’t do your part as a good member of the family then you too are dropping the ball. You are not being a responsible kid.

Your parents are responsible – they provide a place for you to sleep, meals, and give you opportunities to learn.

How can you be responsible?

Can you, do it? Can you be responsible? Just remember that you are part of a family and that means you enjoy the good times and you enjoy all the blessings that God has given you – so be thankful and rejoice, and I pray that you will ask the Lord to bless you with a gift of responsibility not only for yourself but for your family.

The post Teaching Kids Responsibility appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

with your co-hosts, Felice Gerwitz & Meredith Curtis

History is about a bunch dead people and stuff that happened long ago or so I thought when I was a kid. As a homeschool parent I found that history is actually “HIS” story and when it is revealed we find so many wonderful lessons to learn. In this session you’ll hear some of the ways that both Meredith & Felice have taught history to their children from the zany to the classes Felice asked her brother-in-law to teach to homeschool kids!

Please give us a rating on iTunes – go to iTunes, find our show (Vintage Homeschool Moms – or type in Felice Gerwitz) and rate it! AND… use the social media buttons on this page to share the show with your friends.

Meredith and Felice discuss their favorite resources – here is a list of their combined books, below the audio player.

American History: Class DVD hosted by Media Angels, Inc (Felice Gerwitz)- Fabulous Facts & Pres Event – $50 discount coupon VHM50 – HERE

September Reading Books

October Reading Books

November Reading Books

December Reading Books

January Reading Books

February Reading Books

March Reading Books

April Reading Books

May Reading Books

The post Special Replay – Teaching History appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Maybe your kids think too much or maybe not enough. In this episode, Teaching Kids Problem Solving, Felice once again challenges kids to make wise decisions and weigh the pros and cons of rash decisions they can possibly make! Just For Kids Series! 

Please visit my website at MediaAngels.com and be sure to sign up for our monthly planners. We have new character planners each month with fun activities that you can do with your children and I think parents really appreciate the page with scenarios. I ask the children questions that they can act out or write their answers. They are open-ended. At the end of the month, the children can even earn a character award that is provided. After the month is over you can only get the planners by purchase on the Media Angels website.

Here we go! Another episode in the JUST for Kids Series of podcasts.

Has your mom or dad or another adult ever asked you, “What were you thinking?” If they have that is probably not a very good thing!  When we think we can use our minds to figure out a right or wrong answer or to solve a problem. When we solve a problem what happens? We come up with a solution. We do this in school every day. We solve math problems we solve answers at the end of a chapter in a book, we solve for a mystery if we are reading a novel. Solving the problem is only half of the answer. What are you using to solve the problem?

Sometimes we use “What if” questions to solve a problem. This is part of thinking ahead or thinking for the future. It can also be used for looking at something in the past, for example, a past mistake. Is there something that you would like to change? What if you had done something differently?

Another way we think is by comparing and contrasting. How do we do this? Well, we look at the information and come up with all of the things that are the same and different. Sometimes we do this by looking at different aspects or angles. We see things from a different perspective depending on what the question is, and there are many questions that are asked when you are learning. This series of podcasts in the Just for Kids Series is a perfect example.  Can you think of all the different ways we solve problems? It may be as easy as figuring out what piece of a puzzle fits to make a picture, or it can be something really complicated like how to fix an engine or computer. Many inventions start with someone trying to solve a problem and asking a what-if question.

There is an acronym for solutions that is called SODAS – this is an easy way to talk about problem-solving because each letter stands for something different.

We are going to use this method to go through a problem-solving activity using a dog covered in paint. Yes, it gets even better. This happened on your watch and it is your fault. Right? How did this happen? If you are like most kids you probably act without thinking — but don’t worry! After this podcast, you will be an expert at figuring things out. So here is what I want you to do — I want you to download this PDF that is right on the show notes on the website so you can follow along with me.

Download Graphic Here: Making Choices and Problem Solving

If you are not near a computer or printer, imagine this…your mom and dad have been painting the rooms in the house and everything looks great. They stacked up the paint neatly in the corner of the garage, waiting for a chance to put it up high on the shelf. You have a lab and this dog is a handful. He is only about a year old and you are still working on training him. Let’s give our dog a name, let’s call him “Dakota.” Your parents went out to buy more paint and asked you to keep an eye on the dog. Your sister is next door at a friend’s house and the twins went with your mom and dad to the store. You turn your back for one minute to get a book to read, and when you look back the dog is gone. All of a sudden you hear a horrible noise. It sounds like a band decided to play a song, mostly off-key in the garage. In fact, it sounds like symbols. You know there is not a drum set in the garage and least of all symbols. ALl of this goes through your head in a split second as you wonder where the dog is and head to the garage to find out. You gasp! What do you see?

There is your beautiful white lab covered in paint, and what’s more, there is paint and dog tracks all over the floor. Yep, Dakota somehow managed to knock the cans over and not only did they spill all over but they spilled on him as well. So let’s stop here. You have this picture in your mind or you are looking at this picture on the screen of your computer or printed out.

Okay let’s stop here. We are going to look at this situation with our problem-solving SODAS toolbox. The first is the situation.

How do you feel? Are you upset? What should you do? Stop this audio here and think about this. If you want to go through each of the SODAS items before you come back you can.

S is for Situation: What is your first reaction when you see something like this? Maybe it is to tell the dog to sit and stay – afterall, you’ve been working on this command and it usually works. Maybe you feel like this is not your problem but you still need to look at the situation and make a plan, and quick. A first reaction when you are upset is to yell at the dog. But what might happen if you do this? You might scare the dog and he will run and get more paint everywhere! So, while you are experiencing upset feelings, try to look at this issue, problem or situation, calmly! Yes, in this case, it would be difficult. I agree.

O is for Options: What are the options? These are the choices that you have– what are some of the things you can do to fix the problem or work out an answer? Maybe the problem is too big and you can’t handle it all at once. One thing you can do is break up the problem in chunks. For example, what would you do first, second, third? Even if the choice is easy—in this case, a clean dog and cleaned-up paint, you still need to get to the solution through solving the problem. If you have brothers or sisters you may want to do this activity with them and see what they would do. What makes the most sense.

Some of your options are:

Once you look at your options the next question to ask is what do I do first. Out of this list put them in order one through five or cross off things that are a no.

D is for Disadvantages  – A disadvantage is also called a con, something that is not a good idea or option. An advantage is also called a pro—or something that is a good idea or option. We call these pros and cons. Okay, so looking at your options what are the disadvantages and advantages or pros and cons? You can go through each one of your options. Looking at the solutions one through five we can see that screaming at the dog is a bad idea so I would put that in the disadvantage column – why is that a bad idea? Because the dog could knock off more paint and run away, besides screaming is never a good idea unless you are in trouble. 4. Calling your parents and getting help from your sister or neighbor is an advantage but not sure you have time so that is not a good solution. And, taking a hose and spraying the dog and the paint is a definite disadvantage because it will make more of a mess in your garage. If one of your options is to pull the dog by the collar through the paint what might happen? If you said he could track paint all over the place, or get paint on you? This would definitely be a disadvantage!

A is for Advantages: This is a pro and we determined that putting a leash on the dog so we can contain the mess is a pro, and spray the dog off outside. Also, putting the lids on the paint cans is good as well so that more paint does not spill.  Getting help is an advantage but you do not have time. Getting the leash on the dog is the best answer without stepping in teh paint yourself as well as pulling the dog out by the collar if you can not get to the leash quickly enough.

S is for Solutions: What is your final solution what would you do?  A solution is figuring out a problem, it is looking for an answer and solving the problem – so a solution is an answer to a problem after you problem-solve and then taking action to accomplish the answer or solution. In this case, you might leash the dog, take him outside and hose him off, wash the dog, and then dry him. Also, put him somewhere out of the way. Then, grab some trash bags and paper towels and place the lids on the paint and clean up the mess. During this time, you may have called for help. In fact, this might be number one on your list! In real life, you can’t look at a situation like the picture of this poor dog full of paint with paint cans all around and go through all of these steps – but you understand the process and that is what is important.

If you practice this with different scenarios – you can make some up or look for some pictures online to help you come up with ideas, you will be able to calmly think through solutions for the times that things do not work out as you planned. All you wanted to do is sit and read and your dog caused you a ton of work! Practicing helps us to be ready and prepared.

Just like you practice your math and your reading and your spelling you can practice thinking. Thinking is an important skill and why is that? Because if you think through solutions you will have a good idea of what you want to do, what you think is right and wrong. Many times people who do not think can be lead astray. What does this mean? They can be lied to or taken advantage of by others. If you can think for yourself and come up with your own ideas and answers when other people tell you things that may not be true, you can think through the answer for yourself. Is this right or wrong? Is this true or false? That is the big question!

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