March 6th, 2013
Keep Kids Safe Books, self-help skills for kids
I am reading volume one in the self-help skill books for middle school kids. The kids who helped me write these books are all adults now. They have a range of occupations. Some are teachers, prison guards, lawyers, and many have children of their own. Our lives have changed since we first started the Keep Kids Safe Books. Today we have two of the four books on amazon kindle….The other five books are about dealing with Grumpy People. I knew my life was in chaos when I asked those 160 kids in my classroom for advice on how to be a better parent and teacher. What I did not know was how many years later, that same advice would be even more applicable and helpful many years later.
I am grateful to the kids who shared their heartfelt perspectives and saved my life. I am grateful they taught me how to listen and that having the courage to ask for help is sometimes the bravest thing anyone can do, especially when you are the grownup.
November 17th, 2012
Kids deserve….
Kids deserve…to know how it feels to be a kid, instead of missing out because the adults in their lives are emotionally younger than they are…to experience levels of support that match the expectations that are placed upon them…the best role models that inspire and motivate them to become the best they can be…to not go to bed hungry, scared, or homeless…to be encouraged to identify and use their gifts and talents for the highest outcomes for themselves and others…to feel safe…to feel loved…to play and have fun…to learn the skills that will best serve them as they grow into adulthood…to know how it feels to have a dream…to experience the success that comes with achieving difficult goals…to have adults in their lives who are sane, safe, and sober…to receive the medical care they need when they need it…to be treated with respect and care…to have teachers whose skills to teach match their ideals and intentions…to grow up knowing who they are and why they are here…to have the spiritual guidance that will give them a map to live a long and useful life, a life of happiness and being of service to others….to know they can trust the people in their lives…to be protected from the things and people who would cause them harm…to have a safety plan in times of crisis…to grow up and have kids of their own if that is what they wish…to know and remember that being a kid was time of innocence and pure joy…KIDS DESERVE TO KNOW THAT NOT ALL ADULTS WHO ARE GOOD TO THEM ARE GOOD FOR THEM…
May 11th, 2012
What kids are hungry for….
Kids are hungry and not just for food.
I recently met with a group of young people, ages 10 to 17.
Here is their list of things some of them are starving for:
- more support and less criticisms for creative expressions
- adults who know how to listen and help them feel safe
- less conflict, drama, and stress from the adults in their lives
- spiritual nourishment
- better examples from their adult leaders for being honest and trustworthy
- HOPE for their future
- greater focus for better solutions instead of emphasis on all their problems
- parents and teachers with more maturity than their kids and students
- to feel heard
- to feel successful
to be continued
www.keepkidssafebooks.com and grumpypeoplebooks.com
March 25th, 2012
no win situations for kids….truth and lies
Truth….Kids want to succeed.
Lie…Every adult with good intentions has skills to match.
Truth…Kids deserve to be treated with respect and to feel safe.
Lie…Every kid knows that every adult who is good to them is not necessarily good for them.
Truth…Kids are always effective when it comes to helping other kids.
Lie…Kids can tell their parents and teachers anything without negative consequences.
Truth….In today’s world there is a strong possibility that most kids need a safety plan to implement in situations and circumstances that are unsafe.
Lie…Every parent and teacher knows what that looks like.
Truth…I do!!!
by…Michele Gaddis, author Keep Kids Safe Books.
(Source: keepkidssafebooks.com and www.grumpypeoplebooks.com )
January 31st, 2012
Kids who teach adults…
Last week I went fishing. I took three little girls with me. Obviously, I did not go to catch fish. We went for the adventure of sitting on the pier with our simple bamboo poles surrounded by seasoned fishermen with their expensive rod and reels. We watched as fish jumped out of the water and hoped they would find their way to our teeny tiny hooks baited with fresh shrimp.
We got excited when we mistakenly thought we had caught something only to discover our lines got caught in the rocks. We got even more excited when one of us was certain we had a fish at the end of the line, only to discover it was a clump of bulky, yukky seaweed.
My learning began when the four year old wanted to know if the fish were hungry for her chips as she would gladly share her snacks with them. The eight year old said she only wanted to go fishing if there was a bathroom nearby with a water fountain and a swimming pool. The ten year old wants to go fishing everyday because not only does she want to catch fish but she noticed there were lots of cute boys nearby.
True, we did not catch any fish. What I caught was a glimpse of what it might be like to be a little kid again, with simple thoughts and pure heart felt wishes.
I had a great time.
M.G. @ www.keepkidssafebooks.com & www.grumpypeoplebooks.com
January 27th, 2012
Did u used to be a grumpy kid?
Remember when…your allowance depended on the generosity of the tooth fairy? …your best books were read in the dark, under the covers with a flashlight? …life took on a whole new meaning with the next new pair of roller skates?… movies were a quarter and popcorn was fifteen cents? … TV had only three channels?
Remember when…your best books were comic books and access to Superman was a dime? Life was simple and your toys did not depend on batteries or an electrical outlet?
If you were born in the middle of the 20th century than this blog will make sense to you. If you were born later, than maybe not. Either way, grumpy kids get happier sooner when their lives are simpler instead of hectic and complex. Happy kids don’t care about when they were born, they’re just glad they were.
M.G. author of Keep Kids Safe Books and books for Grumpy People who want to laugh sooner…..
(Source: keepkidssafebooks.com)
Did u used to be a grumpy kid?
Remember when…your allowance depended on the generosity of the tooth fairy? …your best books were read in the dark, under the covers with a flashlight? …life took on a whole new meaning with the next new pair of roller skates?… movies were a quarter and popcorn was fifteen cents? … TV had only three channels?
Remember when…your best books were comic books and access to Superman was a dime? Life was simple and your toys did not depend on batteries or an electrical outlet?
If you were born in the middle of the 20th century than this blog will make sense to you. If you were born later, than maybe not. Either way, grumpy kids get happier sooner when their lives are simpler instead of hectic and complex. Happy kids don’t care about when they were born, they’re just glad they were.
M.G. author of Keep Kids Safe Books and books for Grumpy People who want to laugh sooner…..
(Source: keepkidssafebooks.com)
November 28th, 2011
the spirit of truth…in season every season
truth….Shopping during the Holiday Season is not an excuse to be rude, impatient, or
grumpy.
lie…Every kid wants what money cannot buy.
truth…Every kid needs what money cannot buy. Love, safety, and the confidence that comes with growing up feeling cherished, are a few.
lie…These are easy gifts for all parents to give their children.
truth…Hard to give others what we have no personal understanding of.
lie…It was easy for me to learn how to create the experiences that helped my kids to feel cherished by me.
truth…LOL…I am still learning how to create those experiences.
lie…The older I get, the easier it is.
truth…My kids have better parenting skills than I knew to have at their age.
lie…I am jealous.
truth…NOT!!!….Actually, I am grateful!!!
more truth….The best Christmas presents are priceless, gifts of love, grateful hearts, and kids who forgive perfectly the imperfections of their parents
Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season!!!!
Michele G. author of www.keepkidssafebooks and grumpypeoplebooks.
(Source: keepkidssafebooks.com)
November 24th, 2011
truth and lies…progress vs perfection and the Holiday Season
truth…The ten year old who lives with me says she loves being her age because she is so close to being a teenager.
lie…Being a teenager is the answer to all our problems.
another lie…When I was a teenager, I had no problems.
truth…I grew up looking forward to being a grown up.
lie….It was everything I hoped it would be and less. lol
truth…I can still be immature on occasion.
lie…Maturity is over rated.
truth…The Holidays can either bring out the worst or best in me.
lie…It is the season to be jolly, no matter what.
truth…Perspective is everything.
more truth…The best gifts I have to give this season are the ones I never let go of, a sense of humor and the miracle of still being childlike more than childish.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! Michele G. author of keepkidssafebookscom….and
grumpypeoplebooks.com
(Source: keepkidssafebooks.com)
