by Rosie Blitchington Centeno

I wanted to follow up on my blog post on saturday that I sent it out to subscribers with a youtube video in it. Great video resource by the way and I hope you were all able to see it.

Well, I had a glitch while doing this and wasn't able to fix at that time.

From now on I will be setting this up differently.

You can always click the Headline in the email and it will take you to the post on my blog with all the great video and audio content in it.

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno

I ran across this video recently and thought I'd share it with since I've been so absent lately and I wanted to connect and give you something really valuable.
(The Childcare situation is resolved)



Boy, she sure does make it look easy and natural.

In the comments section below this video, I noticed a recurring theme that many parents I work with (and yes, I totally admit it, me at times) act from--The misguided notion that it just takes too much time to communicate in a way that connects us with our children. I've personally seen this land mine of an idea explode all over my own living room on more that one occasion.

Let me introduce you to one of what I like to think of as the Natural Laws of Parenting:
Put The Time In Now Or Put The Time In Later

The Natural Laws are just how life and human nature work. Often in our culture these Natural Laws appear paradoxical and can confuse us. But when we know and accept natural laws, working with them instead of against them, then our lives become:

• easier
• happier
• more fun
• more enjoyable
• more connected
• less stressful

and that is just a few of the benefits.

I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. If you are viewing this in your email, just click the title above and it will take to the post with the comments section.

Tags: Parenting help, Parenting perspectives, Parenting tips, Parenting toddlers, Communication, Leadership through love

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno

I've told you how I adore celebrations in my Easter/Spring Post. Well, this is how I celebrated my birthday last Saturday, May 3. This is a truly down-to-earth, authentic, kid-loving festival that happens every year in Inwood.

Send more pics, if you have 'em


drumming by inwood's own harambee african dance troupe


harambee's rhythms inspire breaking through the barricade



dancing, dancing, dancing a shoe off. a little help from my friends


"yeah, i'm next." (then she jumps on the stage with the dancers)
remember, i said kid-lovin'? these dancers welcomed her


warwick gombey troupe from bermuda wow'd us with dance, music and dress


mesmerized by the gombey


laughing at my choice
of only three candles

Tags: Celebrations, Child's eyes, Culture, Joy, Natural family living

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno


wisteria blooming in inwood, just for you

I wrote the piece below last year on Mother's Day. Since we are experiencing a childcare challenge right now, I thought I would share it while putting my Simplify, Simplify, Simplify Tool to use.

Anytime families face challenges, transitions and/or any other issues that can set them whirling out of success, The Simplify Tool is the first one to pull out of the box. (Also, I wanted you to know what's going on so you would know I haven't been ignoring you. I've been itching to post, so it hasn't been from lack of desire that I've been absent.)

And I want to appreciate all of my amazing mommy friends who have been supporting me now and in the past when I have been in similar situations. May you all and everyone reading have a joyful Mother's Day, regardless of circumstance!

MOTHER'S DAY 2007

I spent my Mother's Day alone with my 15-month old daughter and I loved it.

In fact, this experience turned around my idea of what Mother's Day is all about. I guess I'd never really thought about it before, but just sort fell in with the notion that Mother's Day was when moms don't cook, wash dishes, feed the cat, feed the fish, feed the kids, etc. Instead, family takes care of that stuff and mother receives.

That wasn't my experience today. My daughter is my family and while she does feed me by shoving veggie booty in my mouth when she decides I should have some, its not quite the same as the receiving of a meal.

Today I "chopped wood and carried water" (as in “Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water” the Zen proverb that speaks to changes in perception and finding inner peace in the mundane). I've had a change of heart about what I value in a Mother's Day celebration.

Instead of being on the receiving end of gratitude for all that I do as a mom, I gave thanks for the opportunity to be a gentle, loving, empathetic mother. I decided to enjoy every mundane moment, and there are quite a few in the life of single mother and young child.

I have so much joy in my heart that my child is in my life, though my intention had been to give her (and myself) a different family experience. Regardless, I spent the day in gratitude and joy. That doesn't mean that I denied the sadness, just that I can acknowledge it, provide myself with empathy and then move on to enjoy every minute of mothering this precious being who has joined me.

In doing so, I model for her, as Magical Child author Joseph Chilton Pearce said, by becoming the kind of person I want her to be.

Tags: Parenting perspectives, Parenting help, Parenting tips, Joy, Values, Celebrations, Leadership through love

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno


how's that for cooperation? twice the toothbrushing

No matter what it is, kid's want it to be fun.

One of the little things we do to make toothbrushing more fun is have a variety of brushes, green, blue, pink, electric versions, manual versions, various characters, etc. I only bring two out at a time to keep the choice simple and switch them up every now and again. We even use a wash cloth wrapped around my finger at times.

Some other ways to maintain connection while toothbrushing:

• Explain about food sticking to teeth. We've even made a game of what types of food we need to brush off our teeth from what we've eaten that day.
• Be very precise with your words and let them know exactly what to do with the brush. Children are very literal with language.
• Model, model, model. Make sure child sees you brushing, as children want to be like those they are attached to.
• Avoid power struggles. When a power struggle seem eminent and your child is a heavy sleeper, or during a phase of heavy sleep, you can use a washcloth or one of those rubber finger brushes and swipe around in the child's mouth.
• Remember that resistance is often a phase, if we don't make it an issue.

Just in case you are wondering, Ariella definitely isn't this excited every day when it comes to toothbrushing.

I just thought it was a great photo op--one of those hundreds of funny and ironic things kid's do sometimes and rarely do we have the camera ready.

BTW, Your $5 off Coupon Code is KEY for Tomorrow Night's Workshop (Click here for the details)

Tags: Young Chidren, NYC Parenting workshops, Parenting tips, Parenting toddlers, Parenting help

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno


"key of life" through james carter's lens: "The key to the door
of the temple at Abu Simbel, Egypt."

Cooperation does seem like a secret at times, doesn't it? An elusive one.
How can we get more cooperation in our relationships, especially with children?

Well, in my New Strengthening Family Connections Workshops (what I call my NYC Parenting and Communication Workshops) I'm going to break it down and show you exactly HOW.

Let me give you a morsel or two, or three so you'll have an idea of what you are in for. here goes...

K is for Knowledge. Knowledge opens soooo many doors in life, so that's where we'll begin. I've planned some hands-on work (work that feels a lot like fun) with my Whole Child Model.™ Guaranteed to increase the knowledge in your head as well as in your heart.

E is for Empathy. Speaking of the heart, this is where we'll really start focusing on it. Absolutely every child (and person) needs someone who is sensitive to what they are going through, no matter what it is. We'll talk about the three most important elements of empathy and what to do when things are heating up and parents are too taxed to give.

Y is for YES! Say "YES" as much as possible, even when it is necessary to say "No." So we've now worked our way down to the topic of control. Here we'll look what to do when we've accepted that parental control is an illusion, as well as counterproductive, and that what children really need is parental connection. Well, what the heck does that look like, you ask? I'll show you next tuesday.

See you then at 6:15 PM or at Metrominis (date and time TBA).

Stay tuned for your discount coupon in the next few days...

Tags: Parenting help, Parenting tips, NYC Parenting workshops, Leadership through love, Communication

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno

Today, Monday, was a day for dawdling around here. Sunday may work too, or any other day. Whatever it takes, just dawdle. It does wonders for relationships. No pressure. No frustration. No meltdowns (for me) over the amount of time it takes to put on a sock. Well, actually, to catch the foot for the sock.

Instead lots of time for hugs, kisses, laughs, silliness and just smelling the daffodils.

"learn the language of things" --froebel

Dawdling is a fun-sounding word, isn't it? Heard it at David Elkind's lecture on Saturday at the New York Public Library and haven't been able to get it out of my mind. I figured it must be time to do more of it. Elkind, Professor Emeritus at Tufts University, wrote the acclaimed book The Hurried Child. (See Meta-Dad's interview with Elkind on his latest book: The Power of Play)

Elkind likened children's dawdling to adults going to a far-away country. Can you imagine being mesmerized by all sorts of aromatic smells, fascinating textures and intriguing sights and sounds while someone (like a brusque tourist-intolerant New Yorker) behind you hurries you along, constantly interrupting, criticizing and insinuating that you are wrong by your very nature? Not very easy to have a respectful relationship with that going on.

All of this and most of us haven't even left the house. Dawdling can be a real button pusher whenever we want or need to move on, to get somewhere in adult time.

What to do?

• Start out small with an hour or two.
• Give as much as we can by simplifying our lives and making space for dawdling and just being together. Call it an investment, if you will. An investment in our relationships and an investment in our children's education. They need and want it a lot more than the latest toy we think will teach them all about the world.
• Create a relationship that is based on respect for children--for their needs, feelings and thoughts. When we have this, we build trust with the child. Then, when we really need to move more quickly, they'll be more likely to cooperate with that busy New Yorker that is inside most of us.

Tags: Young Chidren, Parenting toddlers, Parenting tips, Joy, Parenting perspectives, Communication, Leadership through love

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno

"Children who watch too much TV have trouble developing needed auditory skills."

"Technology is producing children and adults who think of themselves and their bodies as objects to be modified."

"Magical causality kills curiosity" (Magical Causality comes from many toys that do something when kids push buttons.)

"There are only 3 things children need to learn in the first grade for it to be a success:
1. Listen to an adult and follow instructions
2. How to start and finish a task
3. Work cooperatively with others
Not Letters and Numbers. Those don't matter at that point of development."

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno


early afternoon easter sun. late afternoon shadows in bruce's gardern.

I absolutely adore celebrations. Not only do they provide an opportunity to put my creativity to work on more focused level, now that I am a parent, they also allow me to give to my daughter in a more profound way than I do in the everyday.

Celebrations serve to pass on culture and values to children. Since I am committed to living consciously, I want to make sure that I am making choices in my family, as well as in all areas of my life, that are in-line with my values and beliefs, to make sure that I am living authentically. This is a premise of Life Coaching and one reason that I was drawn to it. I enjoy supporting others in identifying their goals and values and designing their lives according to them. It is all too common to get caught up in everyday pressures, as well as pressures others impose on us, and before we are aware of it, we aren't living authentically. Nor are we parenting authentically.

While I value these more serious elements of celebrations, which include connecting with our own parenting beliefs, connecting with each other and with the transitions of the life, I also believe they are a time to have fun and enjoy each other. That just feels good! And bear with me a moment while I circle back to the previous point, we all learn best when we are having fun. (That's why I make sure my NYC Parenting and Family Workshops are fun, while I'm presenting material that is serious in nature.)

With this commitment to authenticity in mind, I prepared a Easter and Welcoming Spring Celebration with my toddler.

To honor my desire to keep our food as healthful and chemical-free as possible, we went the natural route described on Slashfood when dyeing our Easter Eggs. We used frozen blueberries, one of Ariella's favorite foods. Along with two tsp. of white vinegar, we put them in a pot with just enough water to cover the uncooked eggs.

This dyeing technique was a toddler's dream--sticking her hands in a pot full of purple water and squeezing each of the berries until the juice popped. Below is a photo of the eggs, which will give you an idea as to the actual colors they took on, after boiling for fifteen minutes and then sitting in the water for about two hours. Keep in mind I used brown eggs from the farmer's market, each with its own "imperfection."


the beauty of natural imperfection

Originally, we planned to draw on the eggs with our Stockmar beeswax crayons, but the eggs were so striking that we held off.

While Ariella slept, I placed them on the table with all of the other Spring Bounty: a wooden bowl full of Clementines, a plant that Ariella picked out for herself called pocketbook flower, and a basket full of some of her other favorites, including grapes, plastic eggs with balls inside, bubbles and almond cupcakes with Cacao Bliss icing. And a stuffed bunny acting as a sentinel to keep Kitty away.



The next morning, I was behind the scenes, as we parents often are, quietly experiencing a heart filled with the joy of giving and watching with wonder at my child's discoveries.

Later we took the baskets out for our picnic and the Easter bunny made off with the eggs, hiding them at the base of a copse of trees. After we found them, we went looking for that mischievous bunny, who left his ears behind.


i heard he went that-a-way, around the corner!

I'd love to hear how all of you celebrate. I invite you to share in the comments section below:

Tags: Values, Culture, Joy, Young Chidren, Celebrations, Parenting toddlers, Parenting help, Natural family living

by Rosie Blitchington Centeno

want to feel some guilt? should on yourself

want to feel some anger? should on someone

want to feel both and then pass them on? should on children

Tags: Communication, Parenting perspectives