Calvin is outside whining in his little outdoor tent today. He was so eager to go out there, and now he spotted me and is whining to get back in the house. (Even pets benefit from The Purposeful Parent!) Using my special ‘firm but loving tone,’ I call to him, “Hey buddy, you asked to […]
Category: The Purposeful Parent
Parenting can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be if you are Purposeful Parent. Racine County Eye is proud to partner with Kate Martin, an educator, and author of the column The Purposeful Parent.
Martin has been a high school teacher for 27 years and retired from the Racine Unified School District in 2015.
She taught students with special needs as well as those in general education. While working with hundreds of parents over the years, she discovered that there was a significant lack of resources and educational opportunities to help them navigate the many demands of parenting today. For this reason, in 2013 she founded The Purposeful Parent, offering workshops and resources for parents, teachers, and caregivers.
Martin’s column comes out on Wednesdays every week. She’ll also be doing a monthly podcast. She’ll offer up her best advice as well. So if you have questions, feel free to email her at martin5943@sbcglobal.net.
Posted inLife, Sponsored, The Purposeful Parent
A Barrel of Fun: Apple-Themed Crafts for Kids
There’s no better way to kick off the fall festivities than by celebrating apple season in September! The whole family can get into the spirit by making apple-themed crafts; use them as home décor, gifts for new teachers and friends, or trinkets to trade at the local fall festival. Here are five of the best […]
Posted inLife, Sponsored, The Purposeful Parent
Why Exploring a Corn Maze Should Top Your Family Activity List
As fall family activities start filling your social calendar, consider one of the most popular—a corn maze! Heading out to the field and having fun navigating the twists and turns is a great way to spend an afternoon with your kids, but did you know that there are benefits beyond just the excitement? Here are […]
Posted inLife, Sponsored, The Purposeful Parent
Festive Fall Fun: 10 Crafts for Kids This Season
Fall is in the air, and it’s time to put up the decorations! Have your kids help create some masterpieces of their own that highlight the season with these 10 great crafts. Pony Bead Pumpkins Pumpkins are everywhere this time of year, so embrace the theme and have your kids practice their fine motor skills […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
Rituals ground our children with loving nostalgia
We first ran this story back in October 2017 but we wanted readers to reconnect with it. Don’t underestimate the power of placing that ornamental display in the exact same place on the mantel every December. Don’t disregard the importance of getting the string of pink hearts out of the closet on February 14th. Don’t […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: Crying, Cranky, and Clinging
Imagine that you are sitting comfortably on your living room couch with the person you care most about in all the world sitting very close to you. You feel both emotionally and physically connected to this person. They help you feel comfortable, joyful, and safe. While you are enjoying the peace that comes with just […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: You’re too little to have real feelings…
“I’m sorry honey, but you’re not real yet and so we don’t have to honor your pretend feelings.” On many occasions I have observed adults making very callous and curt comments to children. I’ve seen teachers and parents act out right rude to a child and then turn to extend kindness to an adult. It […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: Homework vs Home Play
Homework, huh, yeah What is it good for? Absolutely nuthin, uh! If you are not familiar with music from the 70’s you may not appreciate this ‘hysterically’ funny reference from Edwin Star’s hit song ‘War.’ For me it provides a perfect opening to an article about the grand myths of that time-sucker of a beast […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: A family plan for digital devices-‘Screen Smarts’
I am a digital immigrant. I do my best to fit in and access the many benefits of the fast paced, ever changing technological world. However, teenagers and tweens find the sound of my digital talk to be hilarious! Evidently I have a crazy accent! I’m not alone. Parents approximately 35 years and older will […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: Back To School Special
It’s back to school and have I got a deal for you! As a teacher of middle and high school students for 27 years I have become pretty knowledgeable about family practices in the homes of teenage students. I’ve spent years observing parents doing things that work for teens as well as things that don’t […]
Posted inSchools, Sponsored, The Purposeful Parent
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin: Bring their vision into focus
Imagine trying to solve a math problem in school, but you can’t make out whether the number is a three or an eight on the board. Eighty percent of learning is visual. Unfortunately, most children do not show any signs of vision problems and think the way they see is the way the rest of […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: Now I lay me down to sleep…
Now I lay me down to sleep … Many of us are familiar with this opening line to a standard children’s bedtime prayer. It started out so peaceful and usually closed with invocations for blessings for those we love. Comforting and harmless, right? Well, I don’t know about you, but there was a part in […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: Modeling Kindness-It’s A Two Way Street
One of the best ways to teach children a fundamental character trait such as kindness is to model it, and today we invite you to consider this process as a “two way street”. Children have magical lessons to teach us. If we can get to a place where we are willing to listen, they can […]
Posted inLife, The Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: Let Whatever You Don’t Want For Your Children Be A Non Issue
This delightful quote comes from best selling author and international speaker Esther Hicks, and it applies to adults as well as children. Let whatever you don’t want in life be a non-issue! How very liberating, right? So very simple and yet so very powerful! When we look at raising our children from this perspective parenting […]
Posted inThe Purposeful Parent
The Purposeful Parent: Less TO & FOR and WITH a Little More!
As I continue to work with groups of parents as well as individuals, I find that many adults are committing to more activities outside of the home. In addition to a full time job, some are also involved in volunteer work, part-time jobs, higher education, and hobbies. All of these extras are fine as long […]