Making a List, Checking it twice

The Holiday Season isn't the only time of the year when lists are useful.

I am one of those people who read the top ten lists. Lists like the top ten places to go when you retire, the top ten remodeling tips and the top ten great comeback lines to the question “When’s the baby due?” (When you’re not pregnant).  I don’t like to remake the wheel so if someone has done the research on the top ten cars with the most cup holders I wanna know this. Years ago I attempted to make up a list of my top ten favorite movies and books. The list kept growing and changing with each New Year. During my children’s youth the list included such movies and books as The Jungle Book (movie version) and Goodnight Moon. I had watched/read each so much that I felt I needed to include them!

 But seriously, making lists can be a wonderful tool to organize your thoughts, prioritizes tasks and concentrate on what’s important. A list of parenting tips can help you stay focused on what to do rather than on what not to do.  Most of the times we are on track, staying the course, but every once in a while it is not uncommon as parents to feel overwhelmed and out of our element.  As children grow and change we need to develop new tips and tools to address the joys and stressors associated with parenting.  I have included two good lists:   Ten Things Every Child Needs from the film of the same name, and the top ten books to read to your child before they leave home, compliments of the Keweenaw Family Resource Center staff.  Enjoy the lists, create your own and respond to the post. We will include some of the most practical and insightful lists we received on this blog.

TEN THINGS EVERY CHILD NEEDS:

1. INTERACTION
2. TOUCH
3. STABLE RELATIONSHIP
4. SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
5. SELF ESTEEM
6. QUALITY CARE
7. COMMUNICATION
8. PLAY
9. MUSIC
10. READING

Top Ten books you should read to your children before they leave home

1. Pat the Bunny--
2. Old Turtle--Douglas Wood
3. The Giving Tree by Shel  Silverstein
4. Love that Dog—Sharon Creech
5. Velveteen Rabbit--Margery Williams
6. Lorax—Dr Seuss
7. The Polar Express- Chris Van Allsburg
8. Harry Potter-J.K. Rowlings
9. Where the Wild Things Are –Maurice Sendnak
10. The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery