Family Moods are Contagious

One of my sisters recently had her first child. This sister is the youngest. We are all a year to a year and half apart. She was born six yrs. after the 'original' baby (yeah, he still doesn't like having lost his pedestal), so she was always everbodies baby. We adored her so much that we actually fought over who would change her diapers! That's love. Hhhmm....we tease her for being slightly narcissistic but she teases us back that who wouldn't be when a bunch of weirdo siblings are into changing her poopy diapers.

I'm going home to see my family and to see my precious new neice. I found this adorable book for my sister, 365 ways to raise GREAT KIDS. I love the book so much that I would kind of like to keep it and so I start talking in my head, "Oh, why shouldn't I keep this for myself? I love this little book." So the conversation continues. "You don't need this book! Your daughter is 22 and besides your sister doesn't even have a living mother to give her fun ideas." "Excuse you me, Miss Words of Wisdom, but my grandchildren may benefit from this book. It also has all these cute drawings and I already have other gifts for her". "Knock it off! Write the name of the book down, put in your 'books to buy file' and give this book to your sister". "Humph....fine. I still want to keep it, but fine. I don't want anyone to think I'm narcissistic!".

Here is one of the activities from the book.

Family Moods are Contagious

When you live in a household shared with other people, you learn to tolerate all kinds of moods, both good and bad. You probably didn't know that moods like colds, are contagious. As a family, investigate this idea. Next time you see a family member in a bad mood, see if you can identify the moment their mood affects you, and you start feeling bad. Say it out loud so everyone can hear, "I can feel your mood right now." Just noticing this occurs may stop the mood from being passed on. This might be a good time to talk about "cold etiquette"; after all, you wouldn't sneeze right in someone's face. As a family, you could encourage the idea of taking a time out yourself if you are feeling in a bad mood. Talking is a good idea if you can, but if you are simply feeling lousy, go rest.

365 ways to raise GREAT KIDS
Activities for Growing Bright,
Caring, honest, Respectful, and
Creative Children by Shelia EEison and Barbara Ann Barnett