optimistic parenting

A month ago I went to an amazing 3-day seminar in Provo called Limitless.  My husband was working long hours at the office that week and I was at the seminar from 8am-9pm.  I was unsure about leaving the kids, but I felt like it was important for me to go and invest in myself.  So I went, trusting that the kids could take care of themselves and still have productive days without me around.  At the end of each night, when I would sneak in around bedtime, I was amazed at what I found.  I returned to a clean house, dinner made and dishes done, happy kids, homework turned in, toys put away, floors swept and mopped... Aaron and I joked around that the kids were better when I was away than when I was home.  At the end of each day, I felt even better about leaving them and by day three I realized something pretty profound.  I wasn't just "blessed" with good kids.  The way that I raise them and the optimism they feel from me has transformed our home.  While at Limitless, I learned about affirmations and goal setting and positive thinking.  There are so many areas of my life that I need to improve, but raising my children is NOT one of those areas.  I've been applying some amazing tools to parenting since the day my kids came into the world and it shows in the way they behave.  On that day, a month ago, I decided I need to coach other parents/moms who feel overwhelmed with their children's behavior.  I've always wanted to write a book about it and I've started.  But I want and need to start coaching now because moms everywhere are going to bed feeling like failures and I can help them!  I can help you!  I've got some awesome clients and I've loved every minute of our sessions so far, with feedback that it's working (which is not surprising, because my tools are practical and fun!)

This coming Monday, March 28th, I am officially launching my coaching sessions and I'm super, super excited about it.  If you want more details, text me!  702-485-0028.  Or shoot me an email at janetleeshumway@gmail.com.  I will be doing classes, videos and personal phone calls to coach you through some of your rough parenting patches.. chores, bedtime and dinner routines, learning, travel, play time, adventure and most of all staying relaxed in a stressful situation.  I am confident I can give you the tools you need to raise confident, happy kids and create order and peace in your home.

Tonight I wanted to give you a quick update on each child, but I've decided to do one child at a time because they are all so unique and shouldn't be clumped together.  If it sounds like I am bragging, its because I want you to picture your success stories.  Your children have such potential to become responsible, fun, helpful people.. When they are encouraged and not lectured or punished.. Tonight I'm going to tell you about Benjamin.

BEN- 14.5 years old.  

How handsome is he?

 Ben is an amazing teenager.  He's a diligent scout, a dedicated teacher in his church quorum and an enthusiastic student.  He's halfway through his high school curriculum.  He works hard in school.  The week before Christmas, he got a box in the mail and he squealed.  He opened a 700 page American History book and he literally could.not.wait to crack it open.  Within 3 weeks, he had read every single page in the book and written papers about what he'd learned.  The History book's thick spine is broken and ripped because he wore it out.  He loved it so much and it shows all over the book!  He's aggressive about learning and I am inspired by him.  This week, his new Biology text book is in the mail... and he's checking everyday to see when it arrives (even though we have a tracking number...)  He's so cute about learning and it makes me more anxious to apply myself in my own educational goals.

this sign totally reminds me of my Ben.

When it comes to helping around the house, Ben is almost perfect.  He gets his jobs done quickly and efficiently.  Last week he came into my bedroom after seminary, so somewhere around 7 am.  He said that he unloaded the dishwasher and then realized his job wasn't dishes.  So then he went down to the laundry room and started a fresh load and then forgot that his job for rotation was actually the Dog and garbage.  He was laughing about it like "Man, I wish I could remember what job was mine."  I thanked him for all the help and then reassured him that his brothers would be happy about his forgetfulness.

this is a sight I often see and it warms my heart.  I love that they are cuddled up in the girls bed.

He's so sweet to read to the younger ones and has particularly taken Simon as his apprentice.  Simon idolizes him in every way and gladly will scrub toilets along side of him.  Ben is the BEST example to all of us.  One of the things I love most about Ben is that when I run errands without him, whether it's to the grocery store or to take the little ones to the library or wherever, when I arrive home and open the garage, Ben stops whatever he is doing and comes outside before I get out of the car.  He is there waiting to see how he can help.  It blows me away every time.  He will ask to carry in a sleeping baby or unload the heavy groceries or grab the mail for me if my hands are full.  He is a dream child and although I've always said he was "born that way" I now realize that it's more than luck.

More on the other kids in the following posts.. Stay tuned! Xoxo.