F.U.S.E. Family Focus Blog

Complimentary ebook and access to Happier Kids Now Expo

We are excited to tell you about an Interview Series for parents and teachers called the Happier Kids Now Online Expo.

The Happier Kids Now Online Expo is a FREE Interview Series hosted by Rhonda Ryder and Patrick McMillan providing a wealth of life-changing information from 24 happiness, self-esteem, health and education experts.

It’s specifically designed for parents, teachers and homeschoolers.

And, when you sign up for access to the event (at zero cost!), you’ll receive a complimentary copy of Patrick’s popular Ebook, The Ultimate Kids Guide to Happiness.

http://www.happierkidsnow.com/cmd.php?af=1229893

The line-up of speakers is incredible and includes Bruce Lipton, PhD; Marianne Williamson; Bob Doyle; Marci Shimoff, Sonia Choquette; Christine Carter, PhD, Shelly Lefkoe, Dr. Dan Yachter…plus 16 more!

These leaders will cover current challenges such as child obesity; child/teen depression; ADHD, autism and nutrition; how to help kids do better in school…and solutions such as teaching kids the power of their minds; emotional intelligence, character building, positive parenting and so much more.

As you probably would agree, many parents and teachers are stressed out and overwhelmed these days. This leaves its toll on kids and teens.

Plus, statistics show childhood anxiety and depression levels are rising at alarming rates.

Giving parents and teachers the strategies and tools to instill optimism and self-confidence in their children and teens is the mission of the Happier Kids Now Online Expo.

So don’t miss out. Grab your totally FREE Online Pass to this amazing event – plus grab Patrick’s Ebook now!

http://www.happierkidsnow.com/cmd.php?af=1229893

P.S. Help spread the word about this event. Please share this link with every parent and teacher you know!

http://www.happierkidsnow.com/cmd.php?af=1229893

Almost 2 months ago now we came across a competition called THE BEST BRILLIANT IDEA FOR HUMANITY. We knew immediately that we had the best brilliant idea. Why? Our best brilliant idea is to impact the lives of 1 million families and guide them in understanding their purpose. Our programs are called F.U.S.E. Family: Unify, Strengthen, Empower!

And what is humanity? It is all of us here on the planet. How did we get here? That is right, via a mother and father. So you see family is really important. As we look back in history we find that when families were valued, and parents committed to one another society flourished. As the family unit began to crumble so did society, just check out the Roman Empire, one of the greatest empires in history.

What is the change that you want to see in the world and what is that you are doing to achieve it? What is your dream? How passionate are you about it?

For us reaching 1 million families is part of our dream and as we set that intention we look for opportunities around us that will enable us to accomplish it. This competition is one way that we can bring awareness of our dream and passion to others. It will also help others who are looking for opportunities to make a positive impact on humanity by voting for us. A vote for us is a vote for FAMILY and a vote for family is a vote for a better HUMANITY. We ask you to stand up for family and to bring awareness of F.U.S.E. to the world. As part of our programs we promote other parent and family coaches, products, books, and everything we can find that will be of great use for families. We are raising awareness in all areas of life, to help families see that they do have choices. As winners of the competition we desire to be advocates for family.

Families become unified as they work together in the creation of a family purpose. As they work on improving communication the family bond is strengthened. With the knowledge they learn from each weeks lesson they are empowered to reach out and be leaders in their community.

So please vote for Rick and Leisa Olson today and spread the word !!  http://www.bestideaforhumanity.com/?eid=93

THANK YOU

Circumstances are the biggest stumbling block to our achieving anything great in our lives. More than any other single factor, we let circumstances get in the way of us moving forward and we let our dreams become shattered and lose sight of our goals. Instead of giving it our all, we give up, we allow circumstances to block us from doing what we know we should be doing.

We will often say “I wish I could do this or have that but I just can’t because….?” Circumstance is the part following the “because”. I can’t get ahead in my job, because my boss has it in for me. My marriage is terrible because my wife just doesn’t understand me. I can’t buy a house because it costs too much. When you are faced with a circumstance you have a choice. You can let it block you form moving forward or you can find a way around it.

Look at the people you admire, those that are successful. They use circumstances to leap ahead to make great strides forward, because they see them as opportunities instead of seeing them as roadblocks. George Bernard Shaw says, “People are always blaming circumstance for what they are. I do not believe in circumstance. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstance they want and if they can’t find them they make them.”

What is interesting about this is that circumstances are really just decisions. When you hear someone saying that they can’t buy that new car because they do not have enough money, they are really saying I have made a decision that I do not have enough money to buy the car. Have you ever noticed that whenever someone really wants something, they find a way to get it. They made a decision. Try this. The next time someone tells you they don’t have enough money to get the thing they want, tell them they don’t need any money. They will most likely look at you like you are a little crazy and say “What do you mean I don’t need money?”

You can then say that until you make a decision to buy this thing, you do not need money. Once you make the decision to go ahead and do it, you will find a way to get the money you need. Invariably, they always do.

Bob Proctor says that the most common circumstance people use is the lack of money. The real cause of their problem is lack of decision. You always attract what you need when you decide it must be done.

Lets look at decision a little closer. Decision is a process that moves you towards a goal. Without a clearly defined goal, it is impossible to know how to get there. For example, you get in your car and start driving out of the driveway. If you do not have a goal, how do you know which direction to turn at the end of the driveway. Lets go one step deeper. You are going to the food store. Now you know that you need to turn left and follow a specific route to the food store. You arrive safely. Now what? You need to have a purpose for going to the store. Maybe it is to get food for lunches, or for the big dinner planned for your spouse.

Purpose is the “why” of goals. Without knowing why, you will easily be stopped by even a small roadblock. Most people move forward without a clearly defined purpose, and when they are faced with an obstacle they begin to doubt their goal, or fear that they have made a wrong decision. That’s when the confusion sets in. When this happens they usually fall back into what we call the comfort zone. This is the place where you know what to expect, you are used to it, even if it is not what you really want or where you want to be.

To get past the stumbling block of circumstance, here are three steps you can follow:

1. Develop a clear purpose including a vision of what your purpose will look like when you have achieved it.

2. Establish a set of goals that lead you step by step towards your purpose.

3. Make a decision and do it!

Circumstances can be stumbling blocks or they can be opportunities to propel you forward. It is your choice. You get to make the decision.

Rick Olson

Leisa Olson  FUSE Parent/Family Coach

How many times a day do your children hear the words NO! or DON’T! Have you found yourself telling them that they CAN’T do something? When you continually focus on what your children are not to be doing you may find they are doing it more often. The number one solution is to tell your children what they can do and channel the destructive active behaviour into constructive positive behaviour.

When speaking positively to your children it may sound like this; ‘you need to use your inside voice’, or ‘lets go outside and use our outside voices and actions’, or ‘feet stay on the floor’, and ‘chairs are for sitting on’. When you remove that negative limiting word ‘can’t’ out of your vocabulary you will be encouraging your children to experience things they can do, helping them to learn and grow and be all that they can be. Take the time to stop yourself when you want to say no, don’t or can’t and ask your children what they can do instead, at first you may have to give them some choices. This takes practice but once you begin to focus on what they can do, you will find them beginning to make those choices on their own.

The second solution is providing a space for active play both inside and out. Outside, children’s feet can climb ladders to slides, or monkey bars, and trees!! Balls can be thrown to see how many pop cans you can hit. Make sure you have a stop watch because children love to see how fast they can run across the yard, or race through an obstacle course. Sounds like fun doesn’t it, and what child would not behave better when mom or dad takes some time to play too!

A large cardboard box can be scribbled on, punched, squashed, and crawled into. Purchase some large chart paper or newspaper end rolls to lie on the floor for drawing, and painting. Why not set a time aside for some fun wrestling with mom or dad. You can set up an obstacle course inside as well. Provide things that can be taken apart with tools, just visit your nearest second hand store. Don’t forget hammer and nails. Pounding in a nail is a fun challenge for most children. Of course having some soft balls to toss around inside is also a great idea.

With busy activity time comes quiet time too, so show the contrast by rewarding positive physical fun with a calming snuggle time, reading a book or watching a favourite show.

The third solution is a scheduled family meeting time each week where you focus on your family. This allows your children a time together as a family, and when parents are consistent in holding meetings each week children begin to expect this family time and settle into the routine of them.

As you create an environment of love and gratitude as a family you can easily discuss all areas of your family life such as appropriate behaviour in the home. You can explain that when balls or other toys are thrown in the house Mommy’s lamps may get broken and how do you think Mommy will feel if that happens. How would you feel if Mom or Dad came into your room and accidently stepped on one of your toys and broke it? You can create opportunities to teach consequences, boundaries and limits with your children.

It is important that you decide just what kind of home environment you want to live in and then share this with your children, letting them know what is important to you as parents and what your expectations are and the vision you have of your family life. Go over the family rules and helping your children understand the reasoning behind them, like the lamp and toy example. This is all part of teaching children respect for others and themselves as well. You are teaching your children to feel good about ‘who’ they are because they are learning to have control over themselves.

Make sure you allow time each week to share how you appreciate your children’s behaviours and that you can see how they are doing their best to follow your family rules. Let your children share how they feel about their behaviour too and what they like doing best. When children are given the opportunity to be heard and provided the space to live out their imagination they will be more open to really listening to you and will want to be a cooperative family member.

Leisa Olson is a wife, mother, grandmother, author and Family Coach. If you found these 3 solutions helpful, download the first lesson of her coaching program to discover more great ideas to help you strengthen your family. http://www.fusefamilyfocus.com/

Kevin Suess had responded to this post from our Ning site, and he shares some wonderful ideas …

I love this Leisa! One of the things I found to be effective was finding a hobby or sport that we all find enjoyable. I have 4 children and raise them on my own. There is a good chance that your kids might not all agree on 1 thing in particular. Every child is different and wants to be great at something different. Fortunately for me I had 3 that all agreed on 1 thing. The other has taken some time in getting her excited about it and developing a desire to be involved.
Our Hobby? Fishing. There are so many important things that children can learn from fishing. Just to name a few. Patience, creativity and service. Of course with any hobby or activity it should be something you can all enjoy. There must be laughter, there might be anger and possibly some tears. All these things come together to form a bonding experience with your family that can be second to none.
Remember to approach this with a upbeat positive attitude. As with any activity if you are doing this because you think you have to when the kids get under your skin, you lose your attitude and your fun trip just turned sour. Trust me it has happened plenty with me. Frustration will almost always arise especially with fishing. Take it in stride, have a positive attitude. Check yourself when you get upset when Junior keeps getting his line tangled and snagged. These times can give you a great opportunity to get on their level and teach them. Once they are opened up and teachable the chance that they will be more receptive at home during regular family life is substantially higher. With most kids after a period of time they may get side tracked or lose interest. This is an excellent time to learn about persistence, patience and focus. 3 things which are not taught at school and are crucial to an individuals success in the real world.
So grab your kids, find something fun and enjoy your families company. You’ll be surprised at how much your children will yearn to spend more time with their family versus their friends. Allow yourself to be the primary influence in your children’s lives. Don’t let their friends be that influence.
Best of luck to you all!
Kevin Suess

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