N Y Times article: Is the Drive for Success Making Our Children Sick?

Good article about how stress associated to school is making our kids sick. This is happening in college students, high and middle school students and as little as students around 5-6 years old.

"Expectations surrounding education have spun out of control. On top of a seven-hour school day, our kids march through hours of nightly homework, daily sports practices and band rehearsals, and weekend-consuming assignments and tournaments."

"Nearly one in three teenagers told the American Psychological Association that stress drove them to sadness or depression — and their single biggest source of stress was school." 

"At the other end of the age spectrum, doctors increasingly see children in early elementary school suffering from migraine headaches and ulcers. Many physicians see a clear connection to performance pressure."


http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/opinion/sunday/is-the-drive-for-success-making-our-children-sick.html?_r=0

Made for...

The hands were made for talking

The eyes were made for expressing
The sight was made for admiring
Hearing was made for melody
The feet were made for dancing
The mouth was made for smiling
Sensing was made for loving

               Tere Rodriguez-Nora

Love is joy...

Love is joy
Love is respect
Love is feeling free
Love is acceptance
Love is joy
Love is the effect of having butterflies when you wake up in the morning
Love is feeling
Love makes you smile
Love is joy
Love is when your eyes shine
Love is forgiving
Love is to care
Love is joy
Love is a fire that reigns in your heart
Love is to laugh

Love is to share
Love is joy
Love is an act of self-giving
Love is happiness
Love is unconditional
Love is joy
                     TRN

Love is joy

Love is joy
Love is respect
Love is feeling free
Love is acceptance
Love is joy
Love is the effect of having butterflies when you wake in the morning
Love is feeling
Love makes you smile
Love is joy
Love is when your eyes shine
Love is forgiving
Love is to care
Love is joy
Love is a fire that reigns in your heart
Love is to share
Love is to laugh
Love is joy
Love is an act of self-giving
Love is happiness
Love is unconditional
Love is joy

Random Notes: There is a force that sometimes protects you

Random Notes: There is a force that sometimes protects you: Do you believe that sometimes in certain moments in your life you have an angel or a force that protects you from being harm? I do b...

SISTERS

Do you have a sister?

I have one. She is my baby sister and I adore her.

Those who have a sister know the kind of love, complicity, and friendship they share.

A sister is more than family. She is a friend, a friend that will always stick to you no matter what. 

She is the one that have seen you at your worst and on your best and never judge. She will defend you to others even if you’re wrong. I know my sister will…

A sister is a teacher, a defense attorney, a personal press agent and fashion designer, and even your shrink.

She is a midnight companion, a can’t stop laughing buddy. She will be there for long talks, and to borrow your clothes (yes, even used them for the first time). 

A sister will always be there for you, even if you can't be there for her. She will forgive you when you hurt her and will, occasionally, bite her tongue when she could easily have said “I told you so”. Well, mine would say it. Right, Meli?

A sister is a special part of you, a part that will always be there until the end.

My sister is all the above and more. 

She is this special person that is really connected to me. We can look at each other and say a lot of things just with the eyes. 

I know she stand up for me and lie down beside me.

Cherish your sister, if you have one.

I do treasure mine!!!!

My baby is going to college

These past days I've seen all kind of posts about my friend's sons and daughters leaving for college.

I know the feeling. My older son left for college about 5 years ago.
It is difficult. Is like leaving them at kindergarten all over again. You feel the same.
Next year I will experience the same feeling again with my younger son and I am not prepare for that as I wasn't the first time.

For all of you parents that are experiencing these feelings now...

Children leave...

You have to accept that condition, you have to raise them with that idea, and you have to assume that reality
They aren't leaving. Is that life takes them
You are not their center. You are not the owner
You are now the counselor
You don't run the show...you accepted it
You can't demand...you accompany
They will need another love, another nest, and other perspectives
They have wings now and want to fly
They grew and matured their roots inside
They just passed the storms of their adolescence and they want to take the helm
They felt the call to live their life on their own
They know they are capable of the greatest adventures
They will seek a love that respects them, who wants to share the ups and downs along the way, which will sweeten their travel and assist them in helping them achieve what they want
They have chosen a path and want to explore it. The important thing is that they will know how to go through it
You will stay inside, in the foundation of his building, at the roots of his tree. In his heart
You will stay behind, in the kiss you blow
You will always be inside...even if you are not here anymore *

One final thought...
As a mom who had experienced these feelings before, I can tell you to relax, enjoy the ride with them and be proud of a job well done.

                                                   

   *author unknown