Why Seeds Need Air as a Child Needs Breathing Room – Exhale Compassion

Boy walking on log

Develop a Child that exhibits independence strengthening their ability to exercise compassion under outside influences Seeds need air to produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. This allows them to grow and become strong enough to withstand harmful elements and produce beautiful flowers and fruit. Similarly, a child needs room to breathe, to … Read more

Why Welcome Some Weeds into Your Garden of Life?

Weed Appreciation Day Holiday Have you ever had a child run up to you with a beaming smile on her face holding up a fistful of yellow dandelions? That child sees the beauty in the bright yellow color and is filled with wonderment and excitement in offering you this wonderful bunch of flowers, or are … Read more

How To Boost A Child’s Self Image Through Metamorphosis

Constant Communication and Engagement to Monitor A Childs Mental State Metamorphosis is about transformation. This is a phenomenal part of nature to see literally unfold, watching a caterpillar transform into a delicate and beautiful butterfly. March 14 is National U.S. Learn About Butterflies Day so let’s talk butterflies and transformation. What may sound unrelated, teen  … Read more

How to Water the Seed With Compassion – Sprinkle Them with Knowledge

Watering

Create A Mind That Has Many Branches A compassionate child requires being watered knowledge so they will grow and thrive in wisdom and good judgement. Knowledge, like water, is important to create and sustain a healthy and enriching life. Once a seed is planted in a child, water it. We know nothing can live without water. … Read more

Plant Perennial Seeds of Compassion That Grow Deep

Planting the Seed

A few weeks ago, I was at the grocery store picking up a couple items. I turned at the end of the long isle of canned goods while swinging my mini grocery cart  into the next isle. Right in front of me, bringing me to an abrupt halt, was an elderly lady sitting stationary in … Read more

Grow a Kind Child, Not a Bully

One of the best ways to grow a kind child, is to show acts of kindness. What a wonderful day to show acts of  kindness than on Random Acts of Kindness Day, February 17. Let’s get to the basics. Just what are some words of kindness? Some of my favorite words of kindness include attentive, … Read more

Splash of Colorful Compassion

Do you cultivate roses in your garden? Let’s have fun. Did you know that the color of a rose has meaning or significance?  Valentine’s Day is less than a week away so maybe I need to brush up on this little detail.  I’d hate to send the wrong message although for me, I’m not picky, … Read more

New Release Children’s Books!

They are here! The last two books of my Cultivating Compassion in Children Series are available as of this weekend on Amazon. One is called, What’s Wrong With Grandpa. The other is called BaBa-Balu Belongs, Too. Order your books through Amazon today and get them for Christmas using these links: https://bit.ly/IsGrandpaOK and https://bit.ly/BaBaBelongs

BaBa-Balu Belongs, Too:  Has your child ever felt left out, or that they just did not belong or fit in. You may not even be aware they are having such feelings. Human beings need the feeling of self-worth to grow and develop into a healthy contributing part of society. Often our relationships and connections to others can enhance or destroy that feeling. BaBa-Balu Belongs, Too, is a story of a monarch caterpillar who doesn’t fit in. He feels uncomfortable in his own skin which he grows out of 5 times. The other bugs don’t play with him or include him. This causes him to be sad, mad, and even bad. One day he is so sad he creeps away from his home on the milkweed. He hangs upside down and grows out of his skin again! But this time he falls into a deep sleep. In his sleep he dreams about how the other bugs include him, eat with him, play with him, and invite him to a party! He feels like he belongs. This feeling overwhelms him with happiness. He wakes up feeling included and loved which causes him to spread his wings and become who he is really meant to be, a beautiful, happy butterfly. This story also follows the metamorphosis cycle which is often covered in 1st grade curriculum and includes several of the scientific terms related to it. It was prompted by the occurrence of several childhood suicides close to home. This story of becoming can relate to any situation where the feeling of not belonging can hinder healthy growth, development, and self-worth.

What's Wrong With Grandpa bookWhat’s Wrong With Grandpa: This is a story about understanding aging, disabilities, acceptance, and compassion. It is about a little boy, Joey, who goes on the first hike of the season in the Colorado mountains with his grandpa. His grandpa has changed over the winter. He talks real loud in his noisy truck, he is using walking sticks on the hike, he can’t keep up with his grandson like he had last year, he trips on a rock and looks funny when he reads a pocket bird book, and he can’t spot things in the woods like he used to last year. What’s wrong with Grandpa? He’s not the same. This makes 7-year-old Joey sad and upset. Grandpa and Joey sit down discuss what’s happening, the changes that Grandpa is experiencing. Joey thought his grandpa would stay the same forever and didn’t understand that his grandpa was going through the natural process of aging. This beautifully illustrated book that takes place in a breathtaking mountain setting with nature all around is a great story to help explain the impacts of aging and how it doesn’t change the love a grandparent or aging person has for a child. There are thought provoking questions at the end of the story to clarify and reinforce the concepts of the story. This is a wonderful story for grandparents to share with their grandchildren.

Sonja Wendt

Enhancing children’s sensitivity in human interactions one story at a time.

 

 

 

Author and Speaker

Cultivating Compassion in Children Books Series

https://sonjawendt.com/