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Hi, I’m Sharlene!

A mother of 5 boys, grandmother of 12, and author of Good Music Brighter Children. I started the blog, “good parenting brighter children” to share my 40+ years of experience swimming in the delightful (and sometimes shark infested) waters of parenthood. It’s been quite the experience and one I want to share.

Hopefully, you find this blog helpful and inspiring as you travel your own unique parenthood journey.

the latest from the Blog

Here are 7 Amazing Ways of Making Paper Flowers with Kids

Best Breakfast Yogurt for Healthy Smart Kids in the Kitchen

Award Winning Quiche Recipe: Healthy Smart Kids in the Kitchen

Best Spinach Salad: Healthy Smart Kids in the Kitchen!

The “BEST” Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

The Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: Healthy Smart Kids in the Kitchen!

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❤️THE BEST BREAKFAST YOGURT 🍓My kids loved

❤️THE BEST BREAKFAST YOGURT 🍓My kids loved yogurt and so do my grandkids. So, we played around in the kitchen and concocted this recipe for Strawberry Berry Crazy Yogurt. 💚I’ve also included 8 different tips and tricks on why eating yogurt is a good thing! 🍓Do you know what the LAC label on yogurt packages means? It’s important if you want your kids/grandkids to eat the best yogurt for their health (and yours). 💙I’ve included a recipe for this yogurt as well as a recipe for making yogurt from scratch. 🍓And I’ve broken down jobs you can give your kids/grandkids when making this yummy treat! ❤️More info here: https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/breakfast-yogurt/

❤️CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 🍪I loved baking c

❤️CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 🍪I loved baking cookies with my sons—and now my grandkids. We’ve made snickerdoodles, oatmeal raisin, lemon, peanut butter, chocolate, apple, and of course the favorite; CHOCOLATE CHIP! 🍪I’ve been making these cookies since 1980—yup—42 years and counting. 🍪I’ve included TWO recipes—one for sea level and high elevation—because it makes a difference when baking. 🍪We lived in CA for 40 years at 80 feet above sea level. Now we live at 5,000 feet above sea level and I had to experiment for a year with this recipe to make it turn out as I wanted. 🍪The secret of creating the perfect cookie—wherever you live—is included in the blog. Enjoy! 💚Link in bio or if you miss it: https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies-ever/

❤️YUMMY CINNAMON ROLLS! 💚This week, I’m

❤️YUMMY CINNAMON ROLLS! 💚This week, I’m posting some fun recipes you can do with your kids or grandkids. 💜When kids are in the kitchen—magic happens! They learn valuable skills to last a lifetime. 🥐I’ve been making these cinnamon rolls for 47 years—and counting. I made them with my sons, and now with my grandkids. You can use white flour, and wheat flour; add raisins or not and they always turn out amazing! 🥖It’s a great recipe to teach kids about yeast and how it works—and mastering yeast will give them loads of confidence in the kitchen! 🍞I’ve included lots of tips—about yeast, the best flour to use, how to prevent raisins from going hard in a recipe (if you’re using them), and books about bread baking. 💙I’m posting a new recipe each day—the link is in the bio just for today, but if you miss it, here it is: https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/best-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/

❤️TIP #7: BOOKS ABOUT ARTISTS 💚🎨Here ar

❤️TIP #7: BOOKS ABOUT ARTISTS 💚🎨Here are some fun books about artists to read & talk about with your kids/grandkids. When you take them to an art museum—they will know more than you realize! 💙Details: link in bio

❤️TIP #6: FINDING THE GOLD: CONNECTION BETWEEN

❤️TIP #6: FINDING THE GOLD: CONNECTION BETWEEN FOOD & ART 💚Okay, you’re done with the museum but you’re not done with the experience—now onto the FOOD! 💜Go to a sit-down restaurant where your kids/grandkids can order something that has different foods—like a veggie or fruit salad, chunky soup, sandwich, etc. 💙Explain to your kids that the chef took time to put together these layers of food to create something delicious. 🎨Artists do the same thing—with paint and a canvas. Similar to chefs, they put together “ingredients” of shapes, textures, patterns and colors to create a beautiful painting that lasts the ages. 🎨Going to an art museum allows us to appreciate forever the artistic talents of these men & women! ❤️This painting, we took at The Art Institute of Chicago is entitled, “Thanksgiving” by Doris Lee. Everyone is bustling around getting ready for the big meal—a great painting to use when talking about finding the gold—the connection between food & art! 🎨This summer—I’m going to the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, PA with my teenage grandkids—can’t wait! 🎨What amazing art museums do you have near your home? Have you taken your kids or grandkids? What was your experience? 💙💚Details: link in bio

❤️TIP #4: BE A SYNESTHETE 💙If you haven’

❤️TIP #4: BE A SYNESTHETE 💙If you haven’t heard of synesthesia, it’s the crossing over of senses. They are unique people who see the alphabet in color; can taste shapes and see sounds—pretty neat, huh?! 💚Some famous artists who are synesthetes are Van Gogh, Kandinsky & David Hockney. 🎨When you’re at the art museum with your kids/grandkids pretend you are a synesthete and with your 5 favorite paintings use all your senses to appreciate them—for instance, ask your kids/grandkids: *What do the colors in the painting taste like? *What do the shapes in the painting smell like? *What does the painting sound like? *If you could touch it—what sensation would you feel? 🎨Paintings by Claude Monet are perfect for this exercise (again—we took this Monet at The Art Institute of Chicago in 2020. A huge exhibit of Monet will be at the Institute starting at the end of June). ❤️Details: link in bio

❤️TIP #3: FIND YOUR 5 ART FAVES! 💚Here’s

❤️TIP #3: FIND YOUR 5 ART FAVES! 💚Here’s a fun game (like a scavenger hunt) you can play at the museum: 💙🎨FIND YOUR 5 FAVES! 🎨As you tour the museum, let your kids/grandkids pick out 5 of their favorite paintings. Then have them write down (in the notebooks—that you bring): *Name of the painting *Artist *Section it was found in (so everyone can go back and see it) *Date it was painted *Why they like it 🎨It’s a great way to get your kids/grandkids thinking about artists and their works. 🎨What I’ve found is—many kids gravitate to modern or abstract art—maybe because it looks more like something they would and could do—who knows. 🎨Included is a Jackson Pollock painting I took at The Art Institute of Chicago—look at the amazing textures! He was a master at creating incredible textures! Even Olivia the pig was inspired by Pollock! 💜🎨More details here: link in bio

❤️TIP #2: SPEND ONLY 1 HOUR AT THE ART MUSEUM!

❤️TIP #2: SPEND ONLY 1 HOUR AT THE ART MUSEUM! 🎨Taking your kids/grandkids to an art museum should NOT be an all-day extravaganza! 🎨Stay for ONE hour (including time spent in the museum bookstore)—and that’s it. 💜After an hour--take everyone to eat—kids/grandkids choose the place! 🎨It’s as easy as 1-2-3: *1: Museum *2: Museum Bookstore *3: Eat And all done in 1 hour!
💙The reason? Your kids/grandkids can absorb a lot in an hour and will feel better about going back the next time, knowing that they are NOT spending the day there. 💚Goal: keep it short, sweet & to the point! 🎨Ever hear of Georges Seurat? He was a French artist who used pointillism when creating his paintings (little dots of color). This is one of his most famous paintings, “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” Saw this painting & took this picture at the Art Institute of Chicago. ❤️🎨Details: link in bio

❤️10 SUCCESSFUL TIPS WHEN GOING TO AN ART MUSE

❤️10 SUCCESSFUL TIPS WHEN GOING TO AN ART MUSEUM WITH KIDS OR GRANDKIDS… 💚This week—discover my 10 simple ways of getting your kids/grandkids to LOVE art museums! I created these ideas and then tried them out on my kids—they work! 💜Taking kids/grandkids to a dinosaur museum; natural history, science or curiosity museum is usually slam-dunk successful—lots of fun things to see & do. 💙However, going to an art museum can have the same positive results—when using my 10 easy-to-implement tips & suggestions. Won’t have time to go over all 10—so check out the blog for the rest! 👀TIP #1: PREPARATION IS KEY! 🎨Everything is about preparation. Go to the library, bookstore or google and check out books, etc., of famous artists. 🎨Talk about their lives; their art & ask your kids/grandkids questions. Then make a date to go to your local art museum. 🎨Here’s an example of art museum preparation: (works well for teens) 🎨Have you ever heard of the book, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde (1941)? 🎨Chicago artist, Ivan Albright painted this gruesome picture of Gray for the 1945 movie adaptation of “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” 🎨If you’re planning a trip to The Art Institute of Chicago, tell your kids about the book and then take them to see the painting—it’s grisly so it will stick in their minds forever! I took this picture of the painting in October 2019 at The Art Institute of Chicago. 💚Did you know can now take pics of artwork in museums so don’t forget your phone & shoot some art-filled memories! 💙Details: link in bio

Happy Mother’s Day! 💚🌷🌻❤️

Happy Mother’s Day! 💚🌷🌻❤️

❤️BOOKS FOR MOTHER’S DAY—A PERFECT GIFT!

❤️BOOKS FOR MOTHER’S DAY—A PERFECT GIFT! 🌷Okay, if you can’t think of anything to get your mom for Mother’s Day—try a book that lets you “fill in the blanks” about fun stuff and memories of “mom!” 🌻These are become very popular—and a no-brainer! 🌺So, grab one of these and quickly get writing all your thoughts about mom (you have only a few hours left so you better be quick)! And, she’ll cherish it forever! 💚🌷Check out the book titles and more here: link in bio

❤️HOT CHOCOLATE FUDGE SAUCE—CHOCOLATE MAKES

❤️HOT CHOCOLATE FUDGE SAUCE—CHOCOLATE MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER FOR MOMS! 💜According to scientists, consuming chocolate releases endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin in our brains giving us that warm fuzzy feeling! 💚🌷And everyone wants mom to feel warm and fuzzy on Mother’s Day! 💛So, bring out the chocolate! 🌻This is an “oldie-but-goodie” recipe for my hot fudge sauce. It’s really easy to make and tastes delicious--promise! 🌺And get creative and wrap it up in an antique tea napkin; antique handkerchief or lace—your mom will love you forever! 💐And there are lots of other ways moms can enjoy this chocolate sauce—cookie dip, pour over ice cream; use as a frosting for cupcakes. 💚🌷❤️Details: link in bio

❤️MANGO BUTTER VANILLA LIP BALMS—EASY-PEASY

❤️MANGO BUTTER VANILLA LIP BALMS—EASY-PEASY TO MAKE & MOMS LOVE THEM! 🌷This is another easy-peasy Mother’s Day gift. 💚Lip balms are perfect for keeping moms’ lips soft and hydrated. And this mango butter lip balm is to die for! 🌻I’ve included the one-stop shop to get what you need to make these. It’s just a matter of melting the butter; adding a fragrance (our grandkids chose vanilla bean) or essential oil and then pouring the mixture into cute little tins (tubes are so last year)! 🌺Wrap it up special—mom deserves it! 💜🌼Details: link in bio

🍋💛MAKE A LEMON SUGAR SCRUB FOR MOM! 🍋Mom

🍋💛MAKE A LEMON SUGAR SCRUB FOR MOM! 🍋Moms need pampering! And what better way to help her feel pampered than with a lemon sugar scrub! 🍋This is so easy to make—you can have it whipped up in 5 minutes—no kidding! 🍋Just need sugar, coconut oil, lemon essential oil, and some lemon zest—that’s it! 💛Scrubs are great for exfoliation (the dead skin cells), stimulating the lymphatic system, and preventing blackheads or whiteheads. 💛Plus, you just feel better after using a scrub in the shower or bath. 🍋A fun project anytime and makes a great gift for Mom! 💛🍋Details, recipes, pictures, etc., here--link in bio

❤️BIG HOMEMADE MOTHER’S DAY GREETING CARDS

❤️BIG HOMEMADE MOTHER’S DAY GREETING CARDS 🌷Did you know that greeting cards are the most popular gift to give moms for Mother’s Day? 🌻So, here’s how to make gorgeous handmade Mother’s Day greeting cards—suitable for framing! 🌼You use cardboard handprints and turn them into flowers using various art techniques—spin art, dot markers, floral stickers, Kwik Stix paints, and buttons. And for good measure, we recycled an old weaving project and turned them into vases. 🌺Add a few drinking straw stems; green leaves and you’re good to go! 🌷Oh! And the best part—show your appreciation and love to mom—add a letter and attach it to the back. 🌻It will be her favorite gift this year! #flowerpowershow 💚🌺Details: link in bio

❤️FLOWER POWER PAPER WREATH FOR YOUR MOM! 🌷Did you know that Mother’s Day has been a national holiday in the United States since 1914? And it all started with Anna Jarvis! 🌺Even though this holiday is only celebrated in the U.S.—the projects this week are fun for kids everywhere to do for their moms! 💐First: SPRING FLORAL WREATHS—made from paper plates and colored & decorative papers. Inspired by Mandy Culver of @thecolorfulartteacher and @theartofed—we made bunches of these flowers for our floral wreaths. (check out their video or my blog on how to make them) 🌻The kids cut, rolled, and painted the flowers & stuffed little bits of ribbon down the holes. Then we hot glued the flowers to a round Styrofoam wreath and it’s ready for mom! 🌼Our goal—make them bold, bright & beautiful! 🌺And check out all this month: #powerfulflowershow for some great ideas on making flowers with kids & grandkids! 🌷Plus, I’m playing this week with more amazing women on things to do with flowers: #MAKECREATEPLAY @colourful_minds_kids @littlegingerstudio 💚Details: link in bio

❤️SABER SWORD FRIENDLY SPARRING 💦Kids love

❤️SABER SWORD FRIENDLY SPARRING 💦Kids love playing with plastic swords and squirt guns! 💚My one little grandson loves Star Wars and enjoys sparring with blow-up saber swords. We’ve also used pool noodles as saber swords, or you can use plastic saber swords. 💙Kids (and grandparents) enjoy friendly sparring. Our blond-haired 4-year-old grandson lets everyone choose what villain they want to be (all Star Wars characters). 💜We also give them a few basic rules—like don’t hit anyone in the face. 🎈One of the pictures posted is this same little grandson at the Salt Flats in Utah—his mom took him there to reenact a Star Wars scene that he loves! 💐And, there are still 13 different spring outdoor activities I didn’t cover this past week, but are on the blog—tug-of-war, hiking, fishing, building forts, reading under a tree, walks in the dark, leaf identification, lots of climbing up hills & dales, rocks and tree trunks, etc. ❤️🌷Details: link in bio

💙WATER PLAY IN NATURE 💦Kids LOVE water—pl

💙WATER PLAY IN NATURE 💦Kids LOVE water—plain & simple! 💧Spring and summer months are perfect times for your kids/grandkids to play endlessly in the water! Go to the canyons, the oceans, or mountains and let your kids have fun playing in the water and dirt/sand for hours! 💦And try out water blasters—they have the power to shoot several feet and kids love them. 💙💦Here are just a few benefits: *Calming *Fine & gross motor skills *Sensory *Being in nature ❤️💧Get more details here: link in bio

💚MAKE A VOLCANO OUTDOORS 👀I’m sure you’

💚MAKE A VOLCANO OUTDOORS 👀I’m sure you’ve all made a volcano at one time or another. It’s a “rite of passage” of childhood! 💥Ours was easy. I read about these online, but I changed things up a bit. 🔥You just need Coke-a-Cola and MINT mentos—that’s it! 💫Have your kids/grandkids drop the mentos into the soda bottle: stand back and watch the fun! ☄️Why does the soda shoot up into the air? ⚡️The carbon dioxide molecules in the soda attach to the surface of the mentos creating lots of bubbles that rise to the surface and push the soda out of the bottle. ☀️BTW: Do this ONLY outside! Unless you want to clean up a colossal mess inside! 💚Details here: link in bio

❤️PLAYING HOPSCOTCH—AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE GAME

❤️PLAYING HOPSCOTCH—AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE GAME! 🌷When I was a kid—I LOVED playing hopscotch! I grew up in the dinosaur age and back then hopscotch was a competitive game; the hopscotch board was different and we used hoppy taws. 🌺Have you ever heard of hoppy taws? It’s a weighted rubber disk you throw at each number and believe it or not—you can still purchase them! They’re more accurate to throw than a bean bag. 🎈The board we used is the one on the far right of the diagram—although a bit different. I taught our grandkids my way of playing hopscotch—and they LOVE it! 💜It’s not just jumping around the numbers—you have to throw the taw on the correct number; jump around the numbers without stepping on a line, and on the way back you pick up your taw on one foot and hop back to the start! 💙How did you play hopscotch? 🌷Check out this interesting book about the history of hopscotch: “Hopscotch Around the World” by Mary Lankford. She talks about the history of hopscotch in different countries and how the children play hopscotch—some hopscotch is played in a circle! 🌺Here are some benefits of playing hopscotch: *Increases gross & fine motor skills *Balance & coordination *Social Interaction 💐Details: link in bio

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