Category Archives: Parenting

Teach Children to Cook – Let Them Try with Encouragment

Toddlers Learning to Cook, give them a change and watch.
Children learning to cook, give them a chance and watch them . Photo taken by Kimberly Ross
Making Fun Holiday Ginger Men Cookies
Making Fun Holiday Ginger Men Cookies
Mrs Claus Baking Ginger Bread Cookies
Mrs Claus Baking Ginger Bread Cookies – Photo courtesy of Amy Okuyama of Party Time Pals on Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a surprise to see this photo of our grand child Andee cooking next at the hot gas stove.  At first, I was afraid of Andee burning herself; she’s only 3 1/2 years old.  Mommy, Kimberly reassured me that it was safe and she was next to Andee each step of the way, from coating the egg wash, adding the flour, and slowly placing the pork cutlet (Tonkastu style) into the hot pan.  Kimberly happily said , “you should have seen the kitchen later, what a mess!”.  As a Christmas holiday idea here’s the recipe for Ginger Bread Men Cookies.

Children are eager to learn and they want to try; allowing them to try builds their confidence and knowledge.  It’s alright for them not to success the first time, it’s a good opportunity to encourage them to try again.

When we patiently train a child in the way go, it works!  It’s sure better than them always wanting to eat out at endless fast food restaurants.  Train them to cook and eat healthy, it’s also economical.  Grandma Amy, Party Time Pals, says, “children learn when you show them.”

By Grandpa Carl Okuyama

Love is the Greatest Gift

 

Love is the Greatest Gift

It’s not the presents under the tree nor the shopping at the mall that make the holidays and Christmas joyful, it’s Love and Peace within us we seek.

  • More than the presents under the tree, love is the greatest gift. “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotton son”. John 3:16.

  • You’re happy that your children are healthy, joyful, talented, and smiling . Sometimes they may not be perfect but pure joy shines through it all.

  • The children are sometimes rascal, curious, yet when parents speak they listen and obey.

  • The family comes together to celebrate the holidays and Christmas, each heart yearning to hug one another, or missing each other from afar.

  • It’s a time to forgive and leave the past behind and to not look back.

  • Grandparents, parents, children, in-laws, and family laughing and remembering times they shared, some memories a challenge yet worthy of life’s mysterious journey.

  • Then came uncles, aunties, and loved ones gathering to share the holidays.

  • We love that special spirit that fills the cold winter air with a special warmth and fire.

  • The joy you give when you invite someone who is away from their family and needing of cheer.

  • And, importantly first children loving God, secondly children honoring their parents.

These gift are more than enough.  It reminds me what my wife Amy Lou said,  “Love is like a piggy bank, if you don’t deposit, there is nothing that will come back; unfortunately some children don’t want to come home for Christmas.”  It’s never too late to start seeking the greatest gift, giving more love and your time this Christmas.

Happy Holidays and Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas the “Most Wonderful” or Stressful Time of the Year? So Where is Happiness?

Black FridayThe melody “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”  can be the most stressful time of the year.  With all the media hype and the pressure to give and receive presents, no wonder the FBI reports a jump in the crime rate in December. Have we lost the meaning of Christmas replaced it with Black Friday and the guilt of not having the money to play the Christmas game like seen on TV or social media? Children can sense the stress in parents, instead give more love and spend more time with the children; now that’s priceless, it’s not the expensive gadgets that are obsolete in a few years.

Alternatively, during the holiday season finding happiness can be found in teaching children to be kind and generous with charitable giving,  This could be a kind act of stopping to help a person in need, to making a monetary donation to a charity.  A study by Harvard School of Business “Feeling Good About Giving”, 2009, showed that people who gave charitably showed an increase in their level of happiness.

President George H. W. BushWhen George H. W. Bush was asked, what was his most successful achievement, he did not say Ambassador to China under President Reagan, CIA Director, nor the 41st President of the United States of America,  he said “my children still want to come home”

In the end, it’s not the money or “bling” that will make you sing, you can’t buy eternal peace and joy. Our families and friends are our most precious treasures, so give more time and love always.

By Carl Okuyama

The Battle Inside of Us – “Which Wolf Wins”

Dad's with their children - Bonding in early childhood development

Parents love their children and want the best for them; our children become who we train them to be.  The wise quote below by an unknown Cherokee Indian says many things to parenting of children and the future of our communities.

The Battle Inside of Us – A Quote by Cherokee Indian

One evening an elderly Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 “wolves” inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Cherokee Indian

Source: Unknown