A Note from Dr. Caron Goode

I would like to thank the team members who contributed to and have maintained the Inspired Parenting web site, as well as all the www.InspiredLiving.com family of web sites throughout 2005. Many thanks go to Bill Rishel who has been the mastermind behind the scenes of Inspired Parenting since its inception five years ago. And by the time you get this ezine, Inspired Parenting web site will have moved to the web servers of Flourish Press. You’ll hear more about Founder Tom Adams when we add the Kids Flourish ezine to your choices on the IP home page. The new web master is Katie Mutter whose magic hands and focus make all of this happen for your convenience. All of us wish you a wonderful holiday season! Enjoy the articles on what the real gifts of this season and of parenting really are!

Dr. Caron Goode

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The Real Gift of Parenting

By Rick and Jan Hanson

Here’s a comment about the holiday season that we have heard from many parents – and we’ve sometimes felt much the same way ourselves: Read on...

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The ABC television show, "Wife Swap" is looking for new families to be featured on their television show. Each episode of "Wife Swap" features two moms, from separate/contrasting families, who switch homes for a week. Each mom gets the opportunity to teach another family about her own ways of life, while simultaneously experiencing a household completely different than hers. Each family selected to appear on the show receives $20,000. Interested candidates can e-mail Danielle L. Burrows, or can contact her at 212.404.1473. In either case, be prepared to share one or two characteristics of your family that are unique (perhaps a parenting philosophy, jobs, hobbies, family traditions, etc.).

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Christmas Giving

By Dr. Caron Goode

Christmas is a simple holiday. It is a time of giving, but for many families this simplicity is overshadowed by the consuming side of Christmas. We rush to Christmas sales, and spend precious evening and weekend hours fervently trying to fulfill every Christmas wish. This relatively new and consumer driven tradition often renders us exhausted and anxious, which negatively affects our spirit of giving. Read on...

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Fathers and Holidays

By Mark Brandenburg

This year, it’s going to be different.

Like many fathers, I’ve felt a bit disconnected from the holiday season. It’s not that I don’t buy my presents and help with decorations. And it’s not that I don’t spend some wonderful time with my kids.

It’s something deeper than that. Read on...

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The Gift Every Child Really Wants

By Pam Leo

"My favorite part of Christmas is all the fun we have getting ready for Christmas (and the presents)." --Maggie Gray at age 7

Whether we observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Solstice, the holidays have become more stressful for many parents and less happy for many children.  By the time we add shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, and holiday events to our already busy schedules, we have less time than ever to spend with our children. When children don't get enough attention from the people they love, their "love cup" gets empty and they feel disconnected and unhappy. Read on...

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You can work from home in a new profession of parent coaching in six months. Complete training, certification, and licensing provided by The Academy for Coaching Parents Call Dr. Caron Goode at 817-847-8758 for a complete information package or see http://www.acpi.biz. Space limited. Applications now being accepted.