This week I have a special event here in East Texas that I am excited to take part in. Our very own, small town craft fair!

Even though Sage is not a “local” magazine, I would not have felt right skipping out on this event. These talented small business owners / crafters are what Sage is all about!

To begin with, I just purchased a booth. I had planned on handing out business cards and sneaking off to browse the other booths. But then it hit me! I could do better than that! So as a tribute to the small businesses, crafters, bloggers (etc.) who make Sage what it is, I have created this “Mini-Issue” and filled it with ads for the businesses who are appearing in this craft fair.

While many of these businesses are local, some have websites or Etsy stores. I encourage everyone to take a look even if you are not located in East Texas. And as always, I recommend sharing Sage with your friends and family to reward all our contributors and advertisers for their hard work!

This “Mini-Issue” is smaller than normal, but don’t fret. There will be a regular issue published on April 1st. I am hoping, with your continuous support and the support of our contributors and advertisers that Sage will become a monthly publication in the very near future!

lindsey

Hello

XOXO

We need . . .…ContributorsIf you’re creative and love to write, we want you to contribute to Sage Magazine! If you would like to contribute, please email your ideas to sagemagazineonline@gmail.com with the subject line: “I want to contribute!”

AdvertisersWe’re looking for small businesses and individuals who sell beautiful, inspired products. If you’d like more information about advertising, including rates, email sagemagazineonline@gmail.com with information about your business and the subject line: “Advertising.”

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DIY

DIY French Script LampshadeYou may ~ or may not ~ remember thislamp from our little sojourn to Paris.It is most decidedly in need of some help.

The lamp came from a thrift store and the shade is some inexpensive one from somewhere.It’s been sitting neglected and naked for quite some time now.

I waffled some about what I would do with it.I considered burlap, other fabric. Covered with rolled fabric roses.

Fabric that already had script on it.

Wait...back up.Fabric with script?Get outta town.I said, “Self, did you see what Jeannine at theConcrete Cottage did to her lamp shade?!?”

“Hey...why don’t you do that?”To which I replied, “OK.”

{BTW, I told her I might be her very own blog-stalker. I love everything she does!}

SO...I scoured the interwebs for imagesof Frenchy writing and other fun things.

The Graphics Fairy has tons, well, not literally...they don’t weigh much... Just search for French postcards or French writing...or something.

Once I printed them out I taped them to the inside of the shade.

It does help to have the light on.

You’re welcome.

I used a fine tip paint pen to trace the parts of the print outs I wanted.You can use a fine tip Sharpie, too.Have it your way.

There was a little bleeding since this shade has a pseudo fabric whatever on it.

I learned to use that to my advantage and worked my way all around.

Now, when it was all finished...I liked it so much I didn’t want it to go back to the guest bedroom.I wouldn’t get to see it as much...or brag about it.

So I replaced the red shade on this lamp in the living room...and...

It’s FABULOUS!

Okay, so I had to have a chandelier, too. I’m such a copier.

But I added a fleur de lis.So there. and a crown.

I had some cold coffee in the fridge.

You know, just hangin’ out.In case I needed an iced mocha valium vodka latte.

Just kidding.

Moving on.

I poured it on the fabric kinda stuff and let it dry then did it again.

Mmmmm. Not quite parchment-y enough just yet.

I’m going to go with the old stand-

Hi! My name is Kelly...I’m just a girl who likes to make things. I have a full-time job that offers little in the way of creativity...so this is my creative outlet. I enjoy photography and DIY and pretty stuff...but I’m not perfect. I just make it up as I go along.

by next, brewed tea.

But let’s be honest here...who knows how long it will take me to get around to that.

Until then, it will just look a little faded.Like me.

What have you been working on?Doing any copy catting?

À bientôt!

Are you lonesome tonight, is your kitchen a sight?

Or if not your kitchen, your KitchenAid?

Well, step right up ladies and gents...see the AMAZING, OUT OF THIS WORLDthe KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFFMixer Makeover Kit.

Yours today for the low low low low price of...

just kidding. :)

SPRAY PAINT TO THE RESCUE!

As much as I would LOOOOOVE a new mixer...mine still works great and I can’t bring myself toshell out the moolah for a new one.

Some time ago I had stuck some vinyl on itto help with it’s appearance...it didn’t do much.

And it was a PAIN to get it off!

But, once that was taken care of, I took of the parts that would detach.The bowl holder, the back cover and the silver band.

Clean the heck out of it.

This stuff works great!

I hadn’t realized just how dirty this baby was.I would wipe it down but there was gunk in all the crevices.

I must have spilled vanilla on it once or twice...it was all sticky behind the band.Blech.

And then...I think it was cleaner than when I got it!{I swear this pic didn’t look blurry in the camera!}

Then take the sticker off the back. I used a widget thingy.

I had to break out the big guns to get that goo off! Then I just wiped that area off again with the Krud Kutter.

I lightly sanded all over where I would paint.Just use a sponge sander.

Use some painter’s tape to cover up all the parts that should NOT be painted.

I used a zipper baggie over the motor and tape to secure it.

Make sure you get that little accessory hole on the front!

Yippee! Here we go!

One coat of primer...then...She was so pretty after that first coat of black...I almost left it like this.

But, alas, I didn’t. Should have. Major curses and grumbles ensued.

After the black...I used some vinyl circles I mentioned here. Smoothed them out all over... and STILL didn’t get them perfect! Ugh.

The red leaked under some of them...and the spray paint made the vinyl super soft.It was a nightmare to take off. So I had to do some touch up.

Even with the grumbles...I am glad I went ahead with the dots. A solid color would be pretty...but it wouldn’t have the same character.

I am SOOOO in love with this mixer.We’ve spent some quality time together recentlyand it might just be “the one.”

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In the Kitchen

The Apple DipCream Cheese, Brown Sugar, Caramel, and Toffee Bars...Oh My....

A friend from years ago shared this recipe with me and since then I’ve used it frequently for gatherings and have shared it with others. It’s gets rave reviews every time, as well as repeat invitations.

Prep to Serve Time:15 Minutes - the apple cutting takes the longest

Ingredients:1 Bar of Cream Cheese, soften (1/3 fat ok)1/2 of Light Brown Sugar

4 large Green Apples, sliced 1/4 or so of Creamy Caramel 4 Skor or Toffee Candy Bars1 Pie Dish or a Serving Plate

Step 1:Combine in a small bowl your Brown Sugar and Softened Cream Cheese

Step 2:Smear Cream Cheese mixture into/onto your serving dish

Step 3:Open your Caramel Tub (I try to use Low-Fat when available, makes me feel better)Grab a large Dollop with your Spatula and begin to spear a layer of it onto the cream cheese mixture

It should look like this when finished.

Step 4:Break open all candy bars and place into your processor. If a processor isn’t available, in the past I’ve placed all broken candy pieces into a ziplock bag. I’ve then place the bag in between a dish town and used the flat side of a spoon to mash up the pieces finely.

After mixing it should, can, look like this; some finely chopped and some pieces still large.

Step 5:Remove all large pieces and place to the side. Sprinkle finely chopped candy over top of dish to evenly cover the mixture below. Add remaining large pieces to the processor and mix again.

Step 6:Wash and dry your apples and begin to cut them into wedges. You can use an apple cutter but I’ve found that it’s the same amount of time. I like to cut them clean, meaning remove any core pieces from the apple.

Once you’ve finished cutting, place your apples into an air tight container and marinate them in 1/4 cup of lemon juice to preserve freshness and prevent browning. 7-up works as well. When ready to serve, assemble apple wedges all the way around the brim of your dish. Enjoy!!!

Hilani EllisI’m a sewaholic and love being creative. Outside of being a mom, wife, and friend . . . I create hand sewn items for all ages.

Website

Tyler Pavlic & Jessica AlversonIndependent Consultants

936.208.9992 936.676.8868tyler@blitheboutique.com • jessica@blitheboutique.com

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Best Rolls EverThis is Lynn here. I just have to tell everyone that I have the BEST sister ever! Why, might you ask? Because she and her husband got me my very own Kitchenaid Mixer for Christmas.

I have been falling in love with my mixer and using it non-stop. Seriously, I’ve considered knitting it a sweater because I adore it so much. With my new mixer I have tried out various roll recipes and I just have to share the one that I think is the absolute BEST. Not only is the recipe easy, but they come out so soft and buttery and they just melt in your mouth.

by: nomemade-recipes.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

2 c warm water2/3 c nonfat dry milk powder

2 Tbsp dry yeast1/4 c sugar2 tsp salt

1/2 c butter1 egg

4 1/2- 5 c all purpose flour

Directions:

1. In a Kitchenaid mixing bowl, stir in warm water and nonfat dry milk powder until it dissolves.

2. Add yeast, then sugar, salt, butter, egg, and 2 cups of flour.

3. Mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then 2 minutes at medium speed.

4. Add 2 more cups of flour, mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then 2 minutes at medium speed. (You can switch your attachment to the dough hook at this point for easier mixing.)

5. Add 1/2 cup flour again, mixing on low speed until wet, then 2 minutes at medium speed. You can add an additional 1/2 c if your dough is still too wet but I usually stop at 4 1/2 cups of flour total.

6. Dough should be soft, not overly sticky, and not stiff.

7. Scrape the dough off the sides of the bowl and pour about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil around the sides of the bowl so that the bowl is coated.

8. pray some plastic wrap with non-stick coating and place the plastic over the bowl. Allow it to rise in a warm place until the dough doubles in size and rises to the top of the bowl.

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9. Once the dough has risen, place your dough on a flat floured surface, then divide the dough in half.

10. Roll out 1/2 the dough into a circle.

11. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 16 even slices.

12. Begin to roll the slice of dough in, starting from the wide end and tuck the small point underneath.

13. Place rolls on parchment-lined baking sheet.

14. Repeat steps 10-13 for the 2nd half of the dough and let them rise for 1- 1 1/2 hours, until double in size.

15. Bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes or until golden-brown.

16. Brush with melted butter while hot.

So get baking to warm up your home and your tummy during this VERY cold winter!

“If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”

Now THAT is some sound advice. We live in uncertain times with a troubled economy, and it can be easy to worry about what the future holds.

That uncertainty is a big reason my family has an extra storage of food supplies at home.

Stocking up months worth of basic food

items might sound strange/fanatical to some, but it gives me peace of mind to know that if something bad ever happened and if, for whatever reason, it became difficult to obtain food, we’d be okay... or if we lost our income... or, if something happened to our friends or neighbors we’d be able to help them out. Everything we store is food that I use anyway, and when I use some of my food storage, I can simply buy a little more to replace what I used.

No-Bake “Food Storage” Granola Barsby: penniesandpancakes.blogspot.com

We store things like wheat (that I grind into flour at home), oats, dried beans, dried pasta, jarred pasta sauce, peanut butter, boxed cereal, canned fruits/veggies, extra baking supplies, etc.

The other day I was looking for new ways to use oats (besides cookies, oatmeal, and breads). I stumbled on an easy no-bake granola bar recipe from Rachel Ray that I adapted to meet my needs... okay, honestly I changed her recipe A LOT. I wanted to only use ingredients that I consistently have in my food storage supply, but her recipe was the take-off point for the recipe I’m going to share with you.

So, why make your own when there are already a ton of granola bars on the market covered in sweet chocolate and filled with gooey caramel or peanut butter?

Well, because those bars are more like candy bars. In fact, there really aren’t many truly healthy granola bars sitting on the store shelves right now. And the ones that are good for you cost an arm and a leg... and maybe an ear thrown in for good measure. But if you’re looking for a yummy candy bar, then by all means, buy the candy covered/filled “granola” bars!

These “food storage” granola bars are quite healthy overall, with a sweet, nutty flavor, and are VERY inexpensive compared to their store-bought competitors. My three-year old downed 3 of them immediately after I made them. If that’s not a kid-friendly seal of approval, I don’t know what is!

*Makes 28 bars

INGREDIENTS1/2 cup honey1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup peanut butter (crunchy)1/4 cup unsalted butter4 cups Quick Oats (not rolled oats)2 cups crispy rice cereal3 teaspoons vanillaDIRECTIONSIn a large bowl, stir crispy rice cereal, quick oats together.

In a medium saucepan, combine honey, butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then bring the temperature down to low, and simmer till sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Pour in vanilla and stir.

Pour the hot mixture over dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are moistened. Press into a parchment-lined jelly roll pan.

Pack the granola bar mixture as closely and as tightly together as you possibly can into

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one end of the pan at about 1/2-3/4 inch thickness. Any thinner, and the bars will not hold together. Let cool on the counter till they reach room temperature.

Cut into bars (I did 4 X 7). Wrap in plastic or store in a ziplock bag.

*You may add chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, coconut, etc. if desired. If adding chocolate chip, press them into the top of the bars after you’ve packed the very warm granola mixture into the pan. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a melted chocolate-swirled mess.

**My family loves this recipe as is, but if you find they don’t hold their form as well as you’d like, you can store them in the refrigerator.

Andrea DeJean936-554-0600 (txt only)

aj.dejean@att.netwww.stelladot.com/AndreajDejean

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Shiny hair can be tough to achieve if you have frizzy, dry or lifeless hair. My hair can be rather poofy and frizzy at times and I’ve tried one product after another but nothing seems to work. I recently found a few tips from the likes of elle.com to help me (and you!) get super gorgeous and shiny hair. Based on these tips, it seems we will have to put in a bit of time and effort, so don’t think you’ll just wake up with perfect hair. Oh the pains of beauty….

1. Know How Often You Need to Shampoo – “If you have thick hair that doesn’t get too oily, wash your hair every other day. If your hair is finer and gets oily more quickly, suds up your locks every day”, says celebrity hairstylist Edward Tricomi. A blast of cool water at the end of your shower will help close off hair follicles to seal in the shine-makers from your shampoo.

2. Use Shine-Enhancing Hair Products – Just like your face loves a fantastic mask, your hair will love a mask of it’s own. Using a moisturizing hair mask like Fekkai’s Hair Mask With Shea Butter once a week will help glossify your hair.

3. DIY Recipe’s May Help – Using styling products like hairsprays, gels and hair creams can gunk up our hair. There are many people who recommend Clarifying shampoos as a solution, but along with the gunk in your hair you risk stripping away the healthy, natural oils it holds. Instead use this gentle (and simple) DIY recipe once a week to remove buildup: Add a few ounces of apple cider vinegar to your shampoo, then follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. The cider helps break down residue so natural luster can come back to the surface. If you have frizzy hair that needs

The Secret to Shiny Hair

by: inspiringpretty.com

Origami Owl Tricia Allums

Independent Designer

taming, try this recipe as well: Mash 1 ripe banana into a paste with a fork or spoon, then add 1 tbsp. sunflower oil and 1/2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice. Mix well. Then Thirty minutes prior to showering, massage the mixture into dry hair and scalp. Comb through to distribute evenly. After thirty minutes, wash hair using a mild baby shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

4. Spend Time With Your Styling Products – This one will require quite a bit of work on your part and some fancy hair styling tools. “Use ionic flatirons and curling irons to defrizz strands. They also work better at sealing shine to the cuticle than non-ionic dryers,” says Marie Ferro of Marie’s Hair Studio. To up the gloss and cool down roots, blast your hair with cool air during the last two minutes of your blow dry. 5. Invest in a Quality Brush – The right kind of brush makes a huge difference, though you don’t need to brush a million times a day. A paddle brush with a mix of natural boar and nylon bristles, like the classic Mason Pearson and Y.S. Park brushes, promotes shiny hair. So grab that brush and get going!

6. Get a Hair Cut – This is a necessity for healthy hair. And healthy, split end-free hair means soft and shiny

hair. By keeping those split ends away, you’ll prevent breakage from reaching the roots. Go for a trim trip every six to eight weeks.

by: www.noexcusefitness.com.auDiscover my unique approach to losing weight and never diet

again. I blow out some myths and untold truths about dieting

and weight loss.

#1) SLEEP MORE:Sometime this is easier said than done

when you have young children, but research has shown that getting less than four hours

of sleep over an extended period of time slows your metabolism. Aim for between 7 to 9 hours

sleep per night.

#2) WATCH LESS TELEVISION:Stop watching television for the sake of watching television.

Sure, watch your favorite shows, but I’m sure we have all sat in front of the TV and thought to ourselves: ‘There is nothing on!’,

but surprisingly we still sit there and watch ‘Nothing’. Studies have shown that adults who halved how much TV they watch burned an extra 119 calories per day, without actually changing their calorie intake.

#3) DO THINGS BY HAND:This one is not always the easiest when you have young kids or

are busy with work, but when you can do some of the household tasks yourself. Mow the lawn, vacuum your

house, wash your car, Wash your dishes or hang out the washing. It is nice when all of these things are done for us, but if you have the time consider doing them yourself as they take considerable energy to

complete. As an example washing your car will burn about 210 calories per hour.

#4) COOK YOUR OWN FOOD:We all know it’s usually healthier than buying takeaway, but think of the extra calories you will burn by preparing your food. At the very least you will be on your feet for about an extra half an hour, which

burns more calories than driving to the takeaway shop#5) Get active socially:Next time you organise a work social function, pick an activity that gets you moving whilst having fun at the same time. There

Lose Weight WITHOUT Dieting

are plenty of options such as bare foot bowls, ten pin bowling or go-karting. Each of these options burns on average about 200 calories per hour.

#6) GET YOURSELF A PEDOMETER:Each day aim to 10,000 steps per day. 10,000 steps equates to about 5 miles (8 kms), which depending on a few variables, such as weight sex and age, can burn anywhere from 250-600 calories per day.

#7) MOVE QUICKLY:Ever noticed how fit people seem to do everyday tasks with more speed, whilst overweight people tend to complete the same tasks at a much slower rate? It’s not really any great secret, move your body more quickly and you will burn more calories. Want to move more quickly? When you are walking places during the day, walk like you are late for a meeting.

#8) WALK AND TALK:If you can, don’t sit still when you take a phone call. At home stand up or walk around the house while on the phone, at work if possible take the phone call standing up or even look at taking the call on your mobile. Standing burns about 50 percent more calories than sitting. What that means is you can burn about an extra 50 calories per hour by standing and talking on the phone. If you walk while you talk you burn about 85-90 calories per hour.

#9) TRY AND RELAX:This is probably one of my biggest weaknesses but it is also a big problem when you are trying to lose weight. Stress causes the body to release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that causes your body to store calories as fat.

#10) LAUGH MORE:Whilst on the subject of reducing stress, try and laugh more. If you laugh for 10-15 minutes a day you can burn up to an extra 50 calories. Watch your funny sitcom, read a funny story or even ring a friend that always cracks you up.

#11) DON’T EAT IN THE CAR:Unless you are on a long road trip, don’t eat in the car. Eating in the car can lead to mindless consumption of calories, yes sometimes it can be a time saver, but more often than not all you are doing is filling in time while you are sitting in traffic.#12) Switch on your core:Every time you are driving and you get stuck at a red

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light, switch on your core. Not only does switching on your core help you lower back it actually burns calories because you are tensing your stomach muscles. Before long you will be doing it automatically. Red light = Switch on core!

#13) SWITCH SIDES:This one rings true with me because my youngest son weighs a ton. When you are carrying your child or a heavy bag for that matter, every 5 minutes switch sides. This will engage more muscles and burn more calories as a result.

#14) TAKE 5:For each hour you spend sitting at your desk at work, get up and move around for 5 minutes. Takes a short walk to get a drink or do some gentle stretching. You will find that it can actually help keep you alert and lead to better productivity.

#15) TAKE THE LONG WAY:When at work, go to the restroom furthest away from your desk, get out of the lift one level early and walk the last flight of stairs to your level, get off your bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way to work.

#16) DITCH TECHNOLOGY:Stop ringing or emailing a work colleague that works on the same floor as you. Get up walk to them and have some human interaction. It frustrates the hell out of me when someone calls me at work and I can actually hear their voice because they are sitting within earshot of me.

#17) DRINK COLD WATER:Your body is hot, with your temperature sitting around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). If you drink a glass of cold water your body has to bring it up to the same temperature as your body. To do this, for every litre of water, your body burns about 30 calories. If you drink 2 litres of water (as you probably should be), you will burn an extra 60 calories per day.

#18) CHEW GUM:While you are chewing gum you won’t be grazing on food out of boredom and it does burn a few calories.

#19) DRINK A FEW CUPS OF STRONG GREEN TEA EVERY DAY:In addition to caffeine, which studies have proven increases the rate at which you burn calories, green tea

contains catechin polyphenols, plant chemicals that may also boost metabolism, according to a study from the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

#20) HEAT THINGS UP:Studies have shown that spicy food can temporarily increase metabolism, which results in more calories being burnt. Try adding chilli flakes or sauce to a dish or get stuck into some wasabi or curry.

Join me for an exclusive shopping experience with Thirty-One. You’re going to love the products, and the March 1-April 1, 2013 special is wonderful! Come to my party so we can shop together and share in these awesome deals on some unique gifts! You will be amazed at how rewarding and encouraging a Thirty-One party can be.

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Family

The Mangrum FamilyBy: Sage Photography

Heather Cavill 903.283.1986

lilbits_bows@yahoo.comwww.facebook.com/lilbitsandbows

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Eversong Music teaches Music Together®, an early childhood music program for children birth-kindergarten & their parents and caregivers.

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I try to be aware that although I raise my three year old based on Play Therapy principles, most kids are not used to the language and techniques that are commonly heard in my house. My son’s closest friends are our next door neighbors, who are newly 4 and almost 6. My son got kids golf clubs and putting green for Christmas, complete with rubber golf balls. All three kids came inside to play golf, and this is what happened in my living room.

Choices and Limit Setting

There are three different types of clubs – a driver, an iron and a putter. My son always uses the iron when he plays by himself, and the 4 year old girl wanted to use it even though Kayne told her that he uses that one. She tried to take it from him, and I said, “I know you want to use that one, but that is the one Kayne uses. You can choose to pick one of the other two clubs to use.” (Notice the pattern there : Acknowledge the

feeling, set the limit, offer an alternative). Read more about Limit Setting in these articles: Limit Setting with My Almost Two-Year Old, Limit Setting and Tips for Disciplining Children.

Reflect Feelings

My son and the 6 year old boy both took their clubs and began to put the balls into the hole. The girl stood off to the side and pouted with her head down. She progressively sniffled louder and louder until she actually began to cry. When the crying became a little more serious, I said, “Tell me what is making you sad.” Notice that I didn’t say, “What is wrong?” because I already knew what is wrong, and if you know enough to ask a question, you know enough to make a statement. Notice that I also acknowledged her feeling in my response, telling her that I knew she was sad. Click the following link to read more about Reflecting Feelings.

The next important element to this story is that as soon as her crying became more severe, her older brother immediately tried to give her his club to pacify her. It is important to note that the 4 year old girl is the youngest of five kids and gets her way almost all of the time just by getting upset. She has never been expected to make her own decisions about her behavior or held accountable for her choices. I told her brother that he had chosen that club, and if she chose to play, she could choose to use the third club.

Ultimate Limit

So, she refused to answer me and continued to cry more loudly. As this continued for several minutes, I consistently reminded her about the choice to play with the third club that was not being used. After I did this three times, I set an ultimate limit with her. I said, “If you choose to use the other club, you choose to play golf. If you choose to keep crying, you choose for me to take you home.” She refused to acknowledge this choice either. At this point, her brother began to tell her to stop crying. He also began to look at me with confusion,

as if to say, “Why aren’t you giving in and letting her have the other club so she’ll stop?”

She continued to cry, so I gently picked her up and said, “Okay, you choose to go home.” At this point, she REALLY started crying. We made it outside my front door, before she said, “I don’t want to go home.” To which I replied, “Oh, you are choosing to talk now. If you choose to stay and play, you choose to use the third club.” She nodded her head, and we went back inside the house. After getting some juice, she walked up to the boys playing, grabbed the last club, and took her turn on the miniature golf course. All three of them played and had fun, without any issues about who had which club.

Lessons learned

So, what were the lessons learned in this situation?

First, the girl learned that she is capable of making choices, and she must accept the consequences of her decisions. Second, her brother learned that giving in to her sister is not the only way to solve the problem. Third, all three children learned that when a limit is set and choices are given, there is consistency and follow through.

My son actually relayed the scenario to my husband, complete with, “she was really crying” and “she was really sad.” When asked why she was sad, he replied, “She wanted the other club and chose not to play.” So, the lesson for him was that every child has options, and in our home at least, the same rules apply to any child. I also think he learned empathy, as he gave her a ball and the last club when she chose to play again.

Freedom through Setting Limits

The beauty of limit setting is that it gives you freedom from having to enforce punishments. Your child has the option to choose to break or obey the limit, and as long as you are consistent and enforce the limits, learns to accept the choices that he or she makes. Self-responsibility is what we want to develop in our children, and this is a very helpful way to do it.

Previous to becoming a full-time Mom, Brenna ran a highly successful Child Therapy Private Practice. Brenna has been blogging and writing articles on Parenting since 2006, and is currently getting her PhD from the University of South Florida.

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Today I was so tired I tried to unlock my house with my car’s keyless entry remote

Dh is way better at personal “landscaping” than I am. I’m not complaining.

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Parenting doesn’t have to be perfect

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$12 Bows Made to Match Any Outfit.scary mommy confessions

You can read more anonymous confessions here

Parenting doesn’t have to be perfect

Frilly and Fufu, Simple and Sweet, every bow is hand crafted with quality ribbon and embellishments.

Order a pre-made bow from our facebook page or send in a photo or description of an outfit for a matching custom created bow.

Find us on Facebook Email or Text littlelulubows@gmail.com or 214-872-0674

Over the Top Stacked bows: $125-7 layers, embellishments may include tulle, ostrich poof, & jewels.

Mini Over the Top bow: $84-6 layers embellishments may include tulle, ostrich poof, & jewels.

Double Stacked bow with Spikes: $62 bows with a layer of spikes, center embellishment may include a center knot or jewel.

Double Stacked bow: $42 bows layered with a center knot or jewel.

Single layer bow: $21 bow with center knot or jewel.

$12 Bows Made to Match Any Outfit.scary mommy confessions

Sometimes I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs just for fun. Or running down the street and hugging everyone I see. And I really just wanna go kiss that Starbucks guy right on the lips.. bucket list

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Baby, I love you. You are the air in which I breathe. But if you don’t lay down & go to sleep, I’m going to throw you out the window, the window, the second story window...

Coughing =the fine art of squeezing ones legs and kegels together and focusing on not pissing yourself

Breastfeeding keeps me from drinking TOO much. If I were a stay at home Dad, on the other hand, damn would I be a drunkard!

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I think my cousin-in-law’s new baby looks like Gollum.

Dh was looking at a pic of me from after I had our son. He called me a “chunka monka” then added but you look great now! Ummm...thx?

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