At first the story has a strong resemblance to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but Mr. Margorium is so much warmer and endearing the comparison quickly fades. 

Natalie Portman plays a young woman who thrived as a child because she believed all the good things people said about her.  Somewhere along the lines she became a grown up and stopped believing in herself and on the verge of giving up her dreams.  Her boss and friend, Mr. Magorium has other plans in store for her, though.

The characters are all lovely, the toy store is amazing, and the messages are bold but not preachy.  Dustin Hoffman’s Mr. Magorium character is full of wisdom and thoughtful lines. 

We love movies around our house.  We watch them and we discuss them.  When the movie was over I asked the kids, “Now what did we learn from Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium?” and they both yelled, “Never stop believing in yourself!”  It was the most enthusiastic answer they have ever given to that question I often ask.  I hope as they grow up they hold that movie close to them and never forget what they learned. 

Have you seen it yet?  

So I am feeling pretty successful at the moment and I thought I would share my simple three step plan that got me from dinner time fights and bad food to healthy dinners and lovely converstaion. 

1. I started by serving a side salad with just about every meal and having a variety of dressings on hand to make experimenting fun.
2. Once the kids got used to, and in some cases enjoying, the salad, I gradually modified the portions of each until the salad  (or other vegetable dish) was clearly the main course and the meat entree was the side item. 
3. Use a meat substitute.  In the beginning do it with recipes that they are familiar with and enjoy the taste of the pasta, sauce, or other element, so that the change in meat texture is not as obvious.

That’s it!  That’s how I presented my first successful fully vegetarian meal.  What do you think about tofu?  Have you tried it?  Do you have any favorite recipes?

I am grateful for that!

In case you don’t know, I took the 30 day challenge at www.goveggie.com to be meat free for 30 days.  Yesterday I crashed.  I had nothing good in the house to eat… just the boring basics.  I was out of hummus and carrot juice, and organic chai, and all the “condiments” that keep my veggies exciting and nutrient filled.  After everyone went to bed I actually busted out a can of chef boyardee spaghetti and meatballs and ATE IT!! I had been insane with cravings all day.  I was disappointed and depressed that I made it so far in the challenge only to fail. 

Here’s the grateful part…

• The meat didn’t satisfy me.  When I was done, I could still only think of cucumbers and hummus!  My body was craving something GOOD!  Yeah!
• I pulled out the calendar and counted days to see how far I’d made it.  I was on DAY 31!!!! Yippppeeeee!  I had met and survived the 30 day challenge. 

I am grateful for those things and my renewed enthusiasm to continue. 

Everything we do holds the potential for set backs.  Our work outs, our jobs, our relationships, our parenting techniques.  When we stumble, we have the ability to get back up and keep going.  Start over.  Re-do.  Emerge smarter.  What an amazing gift. 

I’m grateful for that too!

Common worries

• grades
• tough teachers
• being bullied or teased
• social acceptance
• peer pressure
• performance in team sports
• global issues (global warming, planet, war, etc.)

Make time to listen and offer support, no matter how silly the troubles may seem

My Son worries a lot.  So far he has not been able to pinpoint his troubles but he talks about having butterflies and nervousness frequently.  The last month has been particularly stressful for him.  Through nonchalantly inquiring into his day and how different things make him feel, I am sure his worry is centered around grades.  We had a bad year this year and he desperately wanted those final grades to be an improvement.  Add to that the excitement and pressure of being on a little league team that was leading in the play offs and you can see where things might have been feeling a little heavy for him.

My Daughter has an easier time identifying her worries.  She has not expressed the butterflies or other anxiety sypmtoms but she does go quiet sometimes and it is obvious that something is on her mind.  Almost every time I ask her about she says something like, “I am just so worried about global warming,” or “What are we going to do about the Polar Bears losing their homes and starving?”

Even though I am a bit of a tree hugger myself, I don’t really approve of all that heaviness being put on my 8 year old.  They are so impressionable and connected with animals and nature at that age.  I love that they are teaching responsibility and care for the planet, but they should lighten up.  In her case the best action I have come up with is to let her talk it out and express her concerns.  I assure her there a teams of folks out there protecting those animals or the planet or whatever and that she has no need to worry, that she need just keep doing her part to treat the planet right.  We also discuss different career choices for her (if the rockstar thing doesn’t work out, of cours ) where she can work to make a difference herself. 

Whether the worries are as close as the classroom or that of global issues,  be sure to let your child express his concerns.  Above all, make sure they feel safe, secure, and understood.  

Offering to help study for that big math test, or assisting in an electricity saving project (or something similar which relates to your child’s worries)

Can you think of any others?  And how do you feel about the heavy and graphic environmental issues our youngest ones are being exposed to?

Welcome to the July 1, 2008 edition of Everything Family.  More excellent submissions this time around, and we’re all ready set for a great edition for August, keep ‘em comin’!

Sagar presents 100 Ways to Scale Down Your Life posted at EcoTrekker.

Tip Diva presents Top Ten Tips - Saving Money On Clothes posted at Tip Diva, saying, “With the economy in tough times, more people are watching their spending. Clothing is a necessary purchase, so here are some easy ways to save”

Jane @ Kidzarama presents The Importance of Small Things posted at Kidzarama.

Tiffany Washko presents Helping Kids See Past Commercialism posted at Natural Family Living Blog.

Technology Editor presents Lowering Prescription Drug Costs posted at Physician Entrepreneur.

David Cassell presents College Budgeting posted at selectcoursesblog.com.

Sheila Danzig presents Financing your Distance Education Online posted at Degree Talk Blog.

Steven Chang presents Bed Wetting Solutions posted at Gagazine.

Mike Remer presents Wish Exercise wasn’t so Hard? | My Path To Fitness Blog posted at My Path To Fitness Blog.

David Dave presents How to Become an Alpha Male- Attractive Personalities posted at Become The Alpha Male Now.

James Brausch presents The Problem With Exercise posted at Weight Loss Dude.

David Cassell presents Keeping Your Study Skills Razor Sharp posted at selectcoursesblog.com.

Sheila Danzig presents Distance Learning Online: Educational Degree Programs that Benefit You posted at Degree Talk Blog.

Children

Kailani presents We Interrupt This Wedding . . . posted at An Island Life.

Tip Diva presents Tip Diva | Top Ten Tips - Saving Money On Children’s Birthday Parties posted at Tip Diva, saying, “Children’s birthday parties can cost a pretty penny after you factor in food, decorations, goody bags and more. However, there are ways you can save money, yet still have a lot of fun”

Raymond presents Student Credit Card Rewards posted at Money Blue Book.

Stefanie S. presents Creating a Non-toxic Nursery For Your Baby posted at Focus Organic.com.

Metaliphe presents Out of Control Children posted at Chandra Unplugged - No nonsense, Straight-up blogging from a Life Coach, saying, “Is your child out of control? If so, it is important to understand how out of control children are often the result of parents without boundaries.”

Vera Lang presents Good Dogs for Children | Fine Pet Care .com posted at Fine Pet Care .com.

Alvaro Fernandez presents Cognitive and Emotional Development Through Play posted at SharpBrains, saying, “We sometimes neglect to mention a very basic yet powerful method of cognitive and emotional development, for children and adults alike: Play. Dr. David Elkind, author of The Power of Play: Learning That Comes Naturally, discusses the need to build a more “playful culture”.”

Kevin Heath presents 25 Top Children’s Charities posted at More4kids.

WhatWorksForUs presents We Have ARRIVED. In Bedrock. posted at What Works For Us.

Dads

Tony Chen presents What to do? posted at Savvy Daddy, saying, “Here’s one dad’s perspective on sometimes not knowing what to do with his kids”

Jeff Tincher presents The Best Part of Putting My Son to Bed posted at Daddys Toolbox, saying, “Lately my son has been requesting ME to read books. I do enjoy this time we share, until the bedtime routine takes 2 hours — which has been happening - that’ll be left for future post.”

Family

Jessica Donnovan presents 13 Ideas for Fun Family Fitness Plans posted at Sensible Self-Improvement.

Amy L. presents Which Mattress Is Best For You? posted at Housekeeping Tips, saying, “Every year, thousands of people purchase mattresses, only to find that their new mattresses are as uncomfortable as the old ones.”

Tip Diva presents Tip Diva | Top Ten Tips - Packing For The Beach posted at Tip Diva, saying, “Summer is just around the corner, and for many, that means beach season. But how do you pack for an enjoyable trip to sand, sun and surf?”

tmpatton presents Yes, being a stay at home parent, I do have the right to complain about finances! posted at thekiddieclique.com, saying, “This blog is about why as a stay at home parent I have the right to complain about finances.”

Yi Hui Chang presents The turning point of my marriage resolving money and love issues posted at The Simple Wealth.

Sherry Love presents Can my daughter find happiness in a mixed-race relationship? | Sherry Love. net posted at Sherry Love. net, saying, “Can my daughter find happiness in a mixed-race relationship?”

GP presents GreenHouse Guidance posted at Innstyle Montana- Come on Inn, saying, “greenhouse guidance from the inn.. everyone can pitch in!”

Nara presents Staying Positive During A Divorce posted at Surviving Infidelity, saying, “Divorce is never easy �C even if you’re parting on amicable terms.”

Kevin Heath presents Tips for International Adoptions posted at More4kids.

Jamie McIntosh presents Increase Your Food Security posted at Suite101: Organic Gardens blog, saying, “At the grocery store, increasing prices complement shrinking product sizes on the shelf. Meanwhile, you can still grow much of your family’s food for pennies.”

Jose DeJesus MD presents Cash Before Treatment - The Crisis in Medical Care Funding posted at Physician Entrepreneur.

Tina Covington presents 20 Rules for Family Communication posted at thekiddieclique.com.

Balanced Life Center presents 43 Things To Do When You Stop Watching Television posted at Balanced Life Center, saying, “Save money, get more time, have more energy when you stop watching television.”

Jeff Tincher presents My Son’s First Baseball Game posted at Daddys Toolbox.

Ken presents Seven Signs That He Is Cheating posted at Cheating Detective, saying, “Author describes seven ways to detect if a boyfriend or husband is cheating.”

GP presents Sing along the campfire posted at Innstyle Montana- Come on Inn, saying, “Singing around the campfire… this summer”

Ken presents How You Can Catch A Cheating Spouse posted at Cheating Detective, saying, “When you suspect your spouse is cheating on you, there are

ways you can go about finding out if this is true.”

P.L. Frederick presents The Sweetest Pet Ever posted at Small and Big, saying, “Selecting a new family pet? Before you run off to adopt a special four- or two-legged bestest friend, I urge you to consider something more. Something more-legged: namely, honeybees.”

Carole Gold presents Relationship Paradox posted at McKay Today, saying, “Why it’s important to understand conflict and it’s place within marriage.”

Amy L. presents Should You Buy a Mattress and a Box Spring Set? posted at Housekeeping Tips, saying, “Since most furniture stores sell mattresses and box springs
as sets, you may have just assumed that you’ll need to buy a whole new
bed if your mattress wears out.”

George L Smyth presents One Minute How-To - How To Get Organized And Stay Motivated posted at George L Smyth, saying, “Paris Love explains the most important element to getting organized and maintaining that commitment.”

Moms

Jody DeVere presents Traveling in the Family Way: 2008 Lexus LX 570 posted at Ask Patty - Automotive Advice for Women.

Asheesh presents Selecting The Right Pregnancy Doctor posted at My Pregnancy Blog, saying, “A good pregnancy doctor is a lifeline for pregnant women.”

Tonya presents Pregnancy Facts - A Guide To Having A Healthy Baby posted at My Pregnancy Blog, saying, “Knowing certain facts about pregnancy can help you have a
healthy pregnancy.”

Parenting

tmpatton presents Breastmilk?.It is what?s for dinner (as well as breakfast, snacks and lunch too) posted at thekiddieclique.com, saying, “A blog I wrote about breastfeeding and my views on it, includes some facts, tips and links to supplies for the new or experienced breastfeeding mother”

Chris Davis presents posted at The Healthy Snacks Blog.

Linda Ann Nickerson presents Preteen Pretext (Phoning’s Cool for Middle School) posted at Nickers and Ink, saying, “What happens when a parent gives a preteen a cell phone? Is this bane or blessing, security or spoiling? Rhymed humor examines this tricky technological question.”

David B. Bohl presents What To Do If Your Daughter Pulls a Britney? posted at Slow Down Fast Today!, saying, “I hope we all realize that no one is so far gone that they cannot be reached.”

Raymond presents Explaining Why Financially Independent Men Rarely Call Their Mothers posted at Money Blue Book.

karen alonge presents a mother’s heart posted at advice for parents.

Lars presents Preventing Child Tooth Decay - Important Healthly Habits for You and Your Child posted at InsightsandAdvice.com, saying, “Sage advice from a mom and a registered nurse.”

Fiona Lohrenz presents Encouraging Creativity At Your Day Care posted at Child Care Only.

Technology Editor presents posted at Physician Entrepreneur.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of everything family using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: everything family, blog carnival.

… for the potted fresh mint plant that came back this summer and tasted yummy in my Mojito!

… for lazy Sunday lunch at Rainforest Cafe and seeing new Indiana Jones movie.

What are you grateful for today?

Routines and chore charts are important tools that helps maintain harmony in a household because everyone knows what is expected of them.  I learned that from Supernanny.

I love Nanny Jo.  I wish she was my friend and we could have tea once a month so she could share techniques with me and point out where she notices I have been slacking.  Every family I know could use a week spent with her, including myself.  Your family doesn’t have to be out of control to benefit from tips for improvement because there is always room for improvement, right?

Hubby and I have debated chore charts because he feels it is bossy and disconnected (lacking in warmth) to have things written down and checked off, as if I am assigning tasks at work.  After months of unsuccessful verbal chores assigning, he was ready to try chore lists.  I like chore lists because…

Kids are kids and they naturally get distracted or forget what they were supposed to be doing.  It is much easier for them to complete tasks that they can see written down.

• It allows the kids to work independently and gain a sense of responsibility.
• Crossing off the chore upon completion creates a feeling of accomplishment. 
• It is a good practice to get into to carry through life as they get older, get jobs, and have responsibilities. 
• As a bonus, you are able to get you work done without having to constantly nag, "did you make your bed?" "…brush your teeth?" "…take out the trash?"

The toughest part of assigning chores is probably who does what.

• There may be a bit of guilt involved in the beginning if you feel like you’re "pawning work off" on your kids, but remember, this is preparing them for the future. 
• You may be unsure of which jobs are appropriate for which ages.

So here is some help.  Torn right from the pages of Nanny Jo’s handbook are some guidelines for assigning chores.

Toddlers and preschoolers are the perfect age to introduce chores although you may be reluctant to do so.  At this age kids are so excited to help so let them!  But keep in mind, the goal here isn’t really for them to get a whole lot done, but to teach them about responsibility and start good habits. 

• Making beds: Get your toddler to help pull up the covers; your preschooler can probably make her bed by herself.
• Picking up toys: It helps if they have one large toy box to throw them into.
• Dusting: Young children love doing this, especially if they get to use a proper ‘tool’ such as a duster! As a precaution, keep the furniture polish out of the equation if your kids are helping.
• Carrying laundry to the wash basket: Get your child his own small laundry basket and train him to throw his dirty clothes in there at bedtime… thereby avoiding him picking up the traditional teen habit of leaving his socks to rot under the bed!
• Fetching the post or the newspaper: Restrict this chore to sensible preschoolers and keep a close eye on your child if he has to cross the road to get to the mailbox.

Six to Twelve Year Olds can do a lot more than we often give them credit for.  They may not be as eager to help as the little ones but when things are all said and done, they feel that same sense of pride that comes along with a job well done.  In addition to the tasks above, put them to work on the following…

• Washing the car: Although you should mix up any detergent yourself
• Vacuuming or sweeping any hard floors: Older kids can mop, but supervise if there are any younger siblings who could slip if your tween doesn’t wring out the mop sufficiently.
• Walking the dog or generally helping to take care of pets: including brushing them and giving them food and water.
• Preparing after-school snacks: such as a drink of milk and a bowl of crisps or some fruit.
• Setting the table: and fixing drinks for themselves and younger siblings.
• Helping in the yard: by weeding, raking leaves and watering plants.

Teenagers…

• Washing windows: Avoid using chemical window washers: a dash of vinegar in water rubbed on and buffed off with rolled-up newspaper will do the job.
• Doing the laundry: They should be able to load up the washing machine, add detergent and start a wash cycle.
• Taking out the rubbish: and any recycling boxes that need to be emptied.
• Mowing the lawn: with a push mower until you’re sure they can handle a ride-on.
• Cooking a simple meal: such as toast or a pasta salad.

There will certainly be times that our kids do not want to do their chores.  Be careful with this.  Our nature may be to give them the day off and excuse them, they are just kids after all.  The problem is it can easily become a habit, and whereas your motivation is extending love and understanding, the lesson being taught is how not to fulfill your responsibilities and obligations. 

I have not yet found a chore chart that I really like. Currently I make a new list every day but am not really happy with it. If anyone has a good chart that they use I would love to see it!

I have come to enjoy splitting up with Hubby taking one kid and me keeping another. I miss them, but I enjoy the one on one time, just like I enjoy my time out with Hubby away from the kids.

Sarah and I have had interesting conversation we would not have had with the boys around.

“Mom, I think it is a disgrace that the real word for my tootie is “furCHINA”. “Why is that Sweetie?” “Because that is where they make the cheap toys that make kids sick! Disgraceful!”

Deep thoughts were pondered.
“Mom, can I have a Dr. Pepper with some of these Reese’s Pieces?”
“No. Too much sugar. Have some water.”
“Ma, what if all my baby fat is gone and this is just plain ol’ fat?”
“Plain ol’ fat doesn’t grow on kids. You are perfect.”
“Then why does my chubs hang out of my bathing suit and Autumn’s doesn’t?”
“It is a flaw in the design of the bathing suit. All bodies are different. You look great. How do you feel?”
“Great.”
“See? You’re perfect.”
“Then why can’t I have that Dr. Pepper?”

We turned our brains to mush together.
“Mom! Zack Efron is on Zack and Cody marathon all night long! Wanna stay up?”
“Absolutely! I’ll turn the bed down and you tune in the TV!”

Experiments were made.
“I’m going to try and stay up all night until tomorrow. Can I?”
“Sure. Why not?”
10 minutes later.
“ZZZZzzzzzzzzz”

I have enjoyed every minute of hum drum usualness with my daughter while Dad and Brother have been gone. Last night though, we went out on the town. We got all dressed up and went to see KUNG FU PANDA at the IMAX. We skipped dinner to save room for popcorn and slushies and raced eachother to the top row of the theatre.

The movie is so fun… Jack Black is fantastic and we cracked up for 90 minutes straight, then danced out of the theatre together singing, EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU FIGHTING.

Every bit of the evening from the food, to the racing, and staying up late is not the norm, which made it all the more special to my daughter.

Then we bonded as we turned off Zack and Cody that night to fall asleep.
“Ma. Were you dreaming about me when you found me? Because I dreamed of you finding me my whole life.”

Now that, my fellow Mommys, is a girl’s night out, would you agree?

My 12 year old has ADHD. I know, I know. For some of you the verdict may still be out regarding whether or not ADHD is real. I bet tomorrow’s Ritalin that somebody is thinking I medicate my Son so he is easier to deal with. “He’s just a kid,” someone may say. All kids get distracted. Distracted yes, unable to focus from the beginning of the teacher’s sentence to the end, not the norm. Without constant prompts to my Son and communication with the teachers my Son would not be able to pass any grade, regardless of his age or how darn intelligent he is. Believe it or don’t. I’m really just here to celebrate NO MORE HOMEWORK! Yippeeeeee!

Here’s the thing about my Son. He is smart. He loves school and is crazy about his teachers. He comes home every day and talks about the cool stuff he learned in Science class and Social Studies. He reads a 300 page book in a matter of days and yes he comprehends it. I know because he tells me the story in l o n g and d r a w n o u t detail. (get my drift?) So what’s the problem? Without accommodation in class he flunks his tests because he can’t stay focused to finish it or gets overwhelmed by long questions or too many problems squeezed together. He also doesn’t turn in his homework assignments.

When I pick him up from school he is all smiles and reports having a great day. The minute he remembers he has homework to do he gets all rigid and grouchy if there is work to do in more than one class. It might just be finishing one math problem but he gets stressed out at the thought of multiple projects. The stress presents itself at each individual assignment too. Too many math problems on a page will set him into tears even if they are simple addition. He sees “no end in sight”. We picked up the trick of covering up some of the problems so he only sees a few at a time and he became a new kid.

That simple strategy of exposing only a few problems at a time made such a difference in doing his math homework that it is inspiring to adopt other strategies to help him succeed all around. Notice I said, “Help him succeed”. My enthusiasm for “support” and “strategies” is often criticized as “hand holding”. I am told that in the middle school he should be functioning on his own. I struggled with the school and the teachers all year long just to hold open the lines of communication so that I could make sure on my end that things were getting done and turned in.

I really don’t know where the line is drawn between requesting what is appropriate for an ADHD student and asking for special treatment. But I am actually ticked at myself for not putting more help in place from the first day of school and being more proactive in maintaining consistency of implementation, but next year will be different. I am seeking counsel from those experienced in ADHD in the classroom and exploring his rights as an ADHD student. Yes I am very busy getting ready for next year. And enjoying every evening WITHOUT homework!

Is there anybody out there struggling with homework and attitude from school? Do you have any good classroom strategies to share? I will be posting about strategies in the classroom as the new school year approaches and I will include your tips!

My Daughter is my carbon copy. She wants to save everybody and everything. Lately she has been driving me a little nutso with all the talk she has been learning in school about global warming, cruelty to animals, recycling, and so on. Last week I was getting ready to fill the watering can and I was ignoring her plea to remove the live june bug that was trapped inside. I was in a hurry, had things to do. Way too many to turn my can upside down and save the poor critter. “Mom, when did you become a killer?” She cried. I stopped cold. It wasn’t just the act of bug cruelty I was about to commit, but the notion of me being “too busy”. Too busy to listen to my 8 year old’s thoughts on the condition of the planet. Too busy to implement her plans for making our house “green” one simple act at a time. And too busy to shake the bug out of my watering can despite her passionate plea.

That exchange opened my mind back up to a time when I had the “time” to care. Coincidentally, I saw the authors of the book SKINNY BITCH on the ELLEN show that day. The getting healthy aspect got my attention so I picked it up a copy. I was a mostly vegetarian in my 20s, purely for health reasons. It was never ethical. I knew the book was going to have some anti meat propaganda in it and I planned to just skim those sections and hit on the rest. As it turned out I was horrified, disgusted, and angered by what I learned. I haven’t had a piece of meat since and that was almost 2 weeks ago. I quit cold tofurkey.

Now my Daughter is loving this. She is not aware of the extent of the animal cruelty practiced at factory farms, but she is aware that we are eating “sweet creatures” and she doesn’t like it. I am allowing her to explore meatless options with me, although if she forgets and has a piece of pepperoni pizza I am not reminding her. I am proud of her kind spirit and convictions and am not going to make her feel like she let anyone or anything down.

People around us are naturally concerned, though, that she will not get proper nutrition. A common misguided belief, vegetarianism among children is even considered by some to be child abuse. I would say it’s more unhealthy to feed kids McDonalds on a regular with no addition of fruits and vegetables to their diets.

You certainly don’t need to eat meat or even dairy to get proper nutrition. Vitamins are lurking everywhere, you just need to know how to find them. Snatched straight from the SKINNY BITCHES here are some examples of where you can get your nutrients if you decide to go meatless.

• CALCIUM… broccoli, nuts, seeds, soybeans, and molasses.
• IRON… nuts, pumpkin seeds, beans, lentils, oatmeal, spinach, broccoli, peas, green beans, asparagus, and whole grains.
• MAGNESIUM… nuts, sunflower seeds, soybeans, molasses.
• The B vitamins… oatmeal, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, soybeans, lentils, bananas, veggies, brown ride, wheat germ, bran and figs.
• Vitamin C… broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, green peppers, spinach, potatoes, grapefruits, oranges, papayas.
• Vitamin D… 15 minutes of direct exposure to sunshine!
• Vitamin E… whole grain cereals, whole wheat, nuts, sunflower seeds, leafy greens, vegetable oils.
• Zinc… wheat germ, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soybeans.

That’s not so hard, right? You can get almost everything you need with good fresh foods, nothing exotic, without even taking a supplement. The exception being B-12 which is only found in animal products so that is the one supplement needed.

Our young ones are so innocent and so inspiring. My Sari reminds me to be a better person every day. How do your young ones inspire you?