The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Studies have shown that teens that have families that get together for meals and other activities are less likely to be involved in risky behavior. In a world where there never seems to be enough time to get everything done, connecting with your kids and forming real, lasting relationships with them can seem more difficult than ever. There are ways to bolster your connection to your kids and find ways of fostering strong relationships, though, even when time is at a premium. These tips can help you make the most of your relationship with your children, laying the groundwork for an environment of love, close bonds and trust. Turn Screen Time into Family Time Instead of retiring to separate rooms at the end of the day to zone out in front of different screens, why not take the chance to turn screen time into family time? Arrange regular family movie nights, get invested in an age-appropriate show that everyone in the family can discuss and bring family game night into the ...

Experts all over agree that starting a day with a healthy meal, whether it is cereal, oatmeal, eggs, toast or other foods - with a splash of juice , can give you a jumpstart to a good day! Mornings are one of the busiest times for families, but a happy, healthy start can set the tone for the day ahead.  Parenting expert and author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions , Dr. Michele Borba offers simple solutions to help families step back from the morning chaos and make their mornings more meaningful. Rise and Shine:   Wake your kids with a mantra that is unique to them and their activities. If your child has a big baseball game, wake them up with their mitt on your hand or by singing “take me out to the ballgame.”  Even including a fun routine for younger children, such as sock puppets, can make waking up more enjoyable and special.   Race to Get Ready: Challenge your kids to a “race to get ready.” Set a time goal for each child, if they get dressed a...

Many are anxiously waiting for the new movie starring Julia Roberts, Eat, Pray, Love based on the best-selling book by Elizabeth Gilbert . When you think about raising your children today, you can think about all these parts of your life.  Find your appetite in life , be a good parent and be kind to yourself too! Eating is survival. If you diligently try to have at least one meal together as a family daily, chances are very good you will be able to increase your communication with your children, especially teenagers, and build a stronger family union. Prayer is different to all people.  No matter what your religious beliefs are, to be passionate about your family, your children and your life is to bring positive affirmations into your day.  Whether it is considered praying or simply meditating, it is time for you to take for yourself to have a better life. Love. What a simple yet complex four-letter word.  We all love our children...

More and more we are seeing people (adults and teens) running, jogging and sweating. Although running is not for everyone, it is a great activity that not only can keep you healthy, it can also be a family activity. Whether you make is a Saturday and Sunday habit, or evening or early morning (before or after school and work), doing it as a family can help promote your relationship with your teen and children. Starting running can be tough, but stick it out, it will be worth it. In Broward County, Runners Depot Training Team started in 2000 and since then has grown tremendously. More and more people are taking an interest in being and staying healthy. Every Saturday at the Town Center in Weston, as many as 60 runners meet as they venture a 10-20 mile run. Sun-Sentinel recently reported on their group, Early risers on the run in Weston . Running is beneficial to you in many aspects of your life. Whether it is for your heath, heart, losing weight, stress relief, meeting other peo...

Did you take part in Black Friday? Many people set their alarm clocks for those 4:00am sales. Everyone is looking for a bargain. In a year that has been less than financially friendly to many families, these early morning sales can help them make a difference in giving their child that special gift they asked for. During this time of year, it is also time to think about so many gifts that won't cost you money, however will be priceless in their value. Here are some ideas: Your time. It is that simple, your children crave your attention and would love to have more time with you. Can you make a promise to take more time out of your schedule and give it to your child? Learn about " Family Time Out " all year round. Volunteer with your family. There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back to those with less. Contact your local Goodwill , Red Cross or Salvation Army . Find out where the homeless shelters or soup kitchens are in your area - take a day to donate your t...

I recently discovered this fantastic website I just listed on my Books and Websites Blog . Here is an article that I had to pass on to my readers. Source: Hand in Hand How Special Time Works with Teens by: Patti Wipfler Special Time is a simple idea that carries a lot of power. It's a highly dependable way to build and to rebuild a close connection with a child. Special Time is when the parent spends a well-defined amount of time one-on-one with his child, with no interruptions, promising to do whatever the child wants to do. During Special Time, the parent tries to remain pleased and fully attentive, and does not try to teach, advise or control his child unless safety is an issue. The power of Special Time is that it puts the parent in the "back seat" of the parent/child relationship. The child does the steering. Until you do Special Time, it's hard to detect habits of control and direction that you may have adopted in your interactions with your child. Special Time...

What a beautiful day to spend with your family and loved ones. Holidays are a perfect reason to put aside your personal hectic schedules and celebrate what Easter means to you and share with those you love. In today's high-tech world, there doesn't seem to be enough one-on-one time together - but we can't give up that technology when we want to reach out across the country to touch more friends and families. Take the time today to smell the roses (tulips) or life in general.

A time for Unity. A time for Hope. A time for Family . A time for CHANGE .

Today is a time for reflection of the past and all we have to be thankful for. Most of all it is a time for families! Take the time to spend time with friends, family and all the people that have been there for you. Here is a very special story that has meaning at this time of the year. Can I Borrow $25? A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door. SON: 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?' DAD: 'Yeah sure, what is it?' replied the man. SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?' DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily. SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?' DAD: 'If you must know, I make $50 an hour.' SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down. SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow $25?' The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow s...