Great advice and awesome props to get your point across. My advise is always to realize there is no ‘perfect family’ or perfect ‘person’. So, don’t beat yourself up if for not being like those ‘perfect’ people…. You don’t know what is really going on behind closed doors. (I always think of Bri in the show desperate housewives!).
Hi Teresa ~ we are definitely on the same page with all that!!! Like flowers, we're all beautiful in our own ways -- even the thorny ones. hee hee! xoxo
Pretty sure there were a lot of kids in that auditorium who will forget huge chunks of middle school — but they'll remember your bag of rocks! Brilliant.
Thanks Jan! I'm reading your blog in a moment of my free hour at school. I would tell them to keep the children they have inside, because the joy and spontatainety they have should never be lost. Hugs
Hi Elizabeth ~ isn't that the truth! Somehow we smother that little kid out of them. We need to encourage kids to keep playing whenever they can. Hope school is going great over there! xoxo
I’m sure the children will understand how special it was as they grow older. No doubt the parents will remind them because they knew it was special. Congratulations Jan!👍🏻❤️
I would not know of any better way to say it than you did. I have a one-year-old great granddaughter who will be that age before I know it. Right now she gets tons of love and acceptance, life will change when she goes to school. How best to prepare her?
Thanks, Janice! That is the question as Hamlet said: "To be or not to be? Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles..." I think when kids are loved & accepted at home, not pampered or spoiled, they seem to have the strength to handle, rebound from the ugly stuff that comes their way in school. Your granddaughter is lucky to have you! xoxo
Truth - I have no idea. Your presentation to them seems to be as good as it gets. Kudos, Jan! My students were all at least 15 when I got them - a different ball game.
Thanks, Patty ~ it was a challenge to me since I taught high school & college students most of my life too. The young ones are a different breed, but oh so fun. xoxo
Mrs. S you did it again, I have tears reading this. You have such a special way of reaching people and especially these growing minds! Thanks for sharing this today. I am going to share with my kiddos today! I have one that especially needs to read this!
Oh, April -- all our kids need to know life is tough & unfair, but they can lighten their loads by having childlike fun whenever they can. It helps make us mentally strong. Love you & hope this blog helps your daughters. xoxo
Well Jan, I would have loved to have been sitting somewhere in that room to have heard and seen the look on the faces of those children. I would have given you a big hug afterwards.🙏🏻👏🏻❤️
I would have loved to see your smiling face in the crowd, Rita. I have to admit I got a little nervous at first when I saw blank faces. Talked to a parent today who told me he didn't know what the kids thought, but knew the parents thought it was great. Ha Ha! xoxo
The kids may not even realize how powerful and true it is until, it becomes real. You know, the day they are watching or experiencing something you talked about.
Jan, that was so good, I could visualize the whole thing. I’m sure the kids got the message, such good advice.
Fingers crossed, Linda ~ you know how kids are. If I reached one or two of them, I'll be happy. Thanks for your support! xoxo
Yes! I could visualize and feel it as well.
I would have loved it , if I was one of the kids to watch you in action!! Great piece of writing again, thank you for sharing your work with us!!🙏💜
Thanks, Irene -- for wanting to be part of my life's work. I appreciate your continual support. xoxo
It sounds like you were a hit with the kids! Hard to do with that age group. And yes, that one young man loved it and I’m certain others did too!!
OMG, Tricia ~ you are right! That age group is a tough audience. I'm not sure I was a hit, but at least they didn't stone me. hee hee! xoxo
Great advice and awesome props to get your point across. My advise is always to realize there is no ‘perfect family’ or perfect ‘person’. So, don’t beat yourself up if for not being like those ‘perfect’ people…. You don’t know what is really going on behind closed doors. (I always think of Bri in the show desperate housewives!).
Hi Teresa ~ we are definitely on the same page with all that!!! Like flowers, we're all beautiful in our own ways -- even the thorny ones. hee hee! xoxo
Well, I think my advice would be that they watch your presentation; I can’t think of any better advice than that. 👌
Thanks, Hooker ~ it's kinda intimidating talking to 6, 7 & 8th graders, but I had fun!
Pretty sure there were a lot of kids in that auditorium who will forget huge chunks of middle school — but they'll remember your bag of rocks! Brilliant.
Thank you, other Jan! 😊 I will look forward to reading your blog.
Always be true to yourself no matter what. Even if you’re alone you won’t always be alone.❤️
Great advice, Cheryl -- but figuring who they are is half the battle. What an age!!! Xoxo
Thanks Jan! I'm reading your blog in a moment of my free hour at school. I would tell them to keep the children they have inside, because the joy and spontatainety they have should never be lost. Hugs
Hi Elizabeth ~ isn't that the truth! Somehow we smother that little kid out of them. We need to encourage kids to keep playing whenever they can. Hope school is going great over there! xoxo
Oh Jan, excuse my English, I didn't express myself well, I meant to say something similar to what you wrote. 🤗
You are amazing -- with your English. As you can see, I definitely got what you meant!!! xoxo
Jan, this was a brilliant talk. How you could make it real wow!
Is it okay if I share this with our youth and young adult pastors?
Such a beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing
I always like props that bring a message alive. I know you gave every student some food for thought as they continue their life’s journey. Nice job!!
Oh, yes, Elaine ~ I always use props. Not only does it help get the message across, it helps control my nerves. ha ha! xoxo
I’m sure the children will understand how special it was as they grow older. No doubt the parents will remind them because they knew it was special. Congratulations Jan!👍🏻❤️
Thanks, Rita! Hoping it touched at least one kid's life somehow. xoxo
I would not know of any better way to say it than you did. I have a one-year-old great granddaughter who will be that age before I know it. Right now she gets tons of love and acceptance, life will change when she goes to school. How best to prepare her?
Thanks, Janice! That is the question as Hamlet said: "To be or not to be? Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles..." I think when kids are loved & accepted at home, not pampered or spoiled, they seem to have the strength to handle, rebound from the ugly stuff that comes their way in school. Your granddaughter is lucky to have you! xoxo
Jan l just had this picture in my mind of you while reading your story.Brilliant ...... thanks for sharing🤗❤️
Lynn ~ could you see me crunched down on the floor -- like I've fallen & I can't get up? Ha Ha! Thanks for supporting my stories. xoxo
Truth - I have no idea. Your presentation to them seems to be as good as it gets. Kudos, Jan! My students were all at least 15 when I got them - a different ball game.
Thanks, Patty ~ it was a challenge to me since I taught high school & college students most of my life too. The young ones are a different breed, but oh so fun. xoxo
Mrs. S you did it again, I have tears reading this. You have such a special way of reaching people and especially these growing minds! Thanks for sharing this today. I am going to share with my kiddos today! I have one that especially needs to read this!
Oh, April -- all our kids need to know life is tough & unfair, but they can lighten their loads by having childlike fun whenever they can. It helps make us mentally strong. Love you & hope this blog helps your daughters. xoxo
Well Jan, I would have loved to have been sitting somewhere in that room to have heard and seen the look on the faces of those children. I would have given you a big hug afterwards.🙏🏻👏🏻❤️
I would have loved to see your smiling face in the crowd, Rita. I have to admit I got a little nervous at first when I saw blank faces. Talked to a parent today who told me he didn't know what the kids thought, but knew the parents thought it was great. Ha Ha! xoxo
The kids may not even realize how powerful and true it is until, it becomes real. You know, the day they are watching or experiencing something you talked about.
Trust the seeds are planted.
For sure, Deborah -- that’s about all we can do. Plant, water & enjoy their growth. Xoxo
Agree 💯!!!!
Thanks, Vicki! xoxo