Home
My Story
Store
Blog
Contact
Freebies
Resources

Good Parenting Brighter Children

Nurture Your Child's Wonder

Parenting
Music
Books
Traditions
Nutrition
Grandparenting

START NOW

SIGN UP FOR THE GOOD PARENTING BRIGHTER CHILDREN NEWSLETTER SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

First Name Last Name E-Mail Address

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

The Best Brain-Building Toys in the World

How to Practice Gratitude in an Entitled World: 10 Powerful Ways

Amazing Ways on How to Avoid Buying Dangerous Toys for Kids

Everything You Need to Know About Thanksgiving Gratitude

How to Make the Best Stovetop Potpourri With Your Kids!

How to Make the Best Holiday DIY Sugar Scrubs with Your Kids!

1
2
3
…
24
Next Page »

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

GPBC on Facebook

GPBC on Pinterest

GPBC on Instagram

goodparentingbc

Instagram post 2180816231081185525_6260502189

Check out the blog for 10+ best brain-building toys in the world. They really are amazing and will keep your kids thinking for hours. Link in bio

Instagram post 2180633142480812083_6260502189

NEW BLOG: Best Brain-Building Toys in the World. It’s no secret that toys are NOT created equal. Some have so many bells-and-whistles that all the child can do is watch it—which means it loses it’s luster pretty fast. Kids want toys that “keep on giving.” In other words—toys that challenge their little brains and toys that make them think and problem-solve. Even for the very young. Check out the blog for 10+ best brain-building toys in the world. They really are amazing and will keep your kids thinking for hours. Link in bio

Instagram post 2179958843394701792_6260502189

Wise advice for parents and kids. More on the blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#parent #parenting⁣
#parents #parenthood #gratitudeadventure #trendykids #momtime #gratitude365⁣
#kids #children #gratitude #childrenunplugged #goodparenting #thanksgiving⁣
#gratitude #thankfulthursday #thankfulforfamily #thankyou #thankyousomuch⁣
#thankyoulord #gratefulheart #gratefull #gratefulhearts #m2m #happy⁣
#gratitude🙏 #reading #books #thanksgivingday #goodparentingbrighterchildren

Instagram post 2179159062426584753_6260502189

More ideas about gratitude on the blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#parent #parenting⁣
#parents #parenthood #gratitudeadventure #trendykids #momtime #gratitude365⁣
#kids #children #gratitude #childrenunplugged #goodparenting #thanksgiving⁣
#gratitude #thankfulthursday #thankfulforfamily #thankyou #thankyousomuch⁣
#thankyoulord #gratefulheart #gratefull #gratefulhearts #m2m #happy⁣
#gratitude🙏 #reading #books #thanksgivingday #goodparentingbrighterchildren

Instagram post 2178527406946548870_6260502189

If you’re looking for meaningful activities to practice gratitude in your family—here are 10 that can be practiced not just all month-long, but all year long! Learn⁣
about gratitude notes and how to take children’s art and transform them into⁣
notes of gratitude. The art of verbal gratitude; writing notes around the table⁣
plus, much, much more. Get all the details here: link in bio⁣
⁣
#parent #parenting #parents #parenthood⁣
#gratitudeadventure #trendykids #momtime #gratitude365 #kids #children #gratitude⁣
#childrenunplugged #goodparenting #thanksgiving #gratitude #thankfulthursday⁣
#thankfulforfamily #thankyou #thankyousomuch #thankyoulord #gratefulheart⁣
#gratefull #gratefulhearts #m2m #happy #gratitude🙏 #reading #books⁣
#thanksgivingday #goodparentingbrighterchildren

Instagram post 2177879124792774742_6260502189

Have you ever themed your Thanksgiving celebrations? Try it this year. Suggestions—use lines from movies or songs; change them up a bit and voila—you have a Family Thanksgiving theme! Like, “Black Paper Packages Tied Up with String.”—find out how to use a theme and create fun games centered around being grateful at Thanksgiving. 10 ideas⁣
on the blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
#parent #parenting #parents #parenthood⁣
#gratitudeadventure #trendykids #momtime #gratitude365 #kids #children #gratitude⁣
#childrenunplugged #goodparenting #thanksgiving #gratitude #thankfulthursday⁣
#thankfulforfamily #thankyou #thankyousomuch #thankyoulord #gratefulheart⁣
#gratefull #gratefulhearts #m2m #happy #gratitude🙏 #reading #books⁣
#thanksgivingday #goodparentingbrighterchildren

Instagram post 2177084397190583665_6260502189

Children are “copycats.” They won’t listen to what you say, but they will believe and follow what you DO.⁣
Be an example—show them how to be grateful and practice gratitude in a VERY entitled world. Here are 10 fun and amazing ideas to help you—there is⁣
something for everybody and great games to play around the table on Thanksgiving. Check out the details here: link in bio⁣
⁣
#parent #parenting #parents #parenthood⁣
#gratitudeadventure #trendykids #momtime #gratitude365 #kids #children #gratitude⁣
#childrenunplugged #goodparenting #thanksgiving #gratitude #thankfulthursday⁣
#thankfulforfamily #thankyou #thankyousomuch #thankyoulord #gratefulheart⁣
#gratefull #gratefulhearts #m2m #happy #gratitude🙏 #reading #books⁣
#thanksgivingday #goodparentingbrighterchildren

Instagram post 2176345531970064916_6260502189

Want to know the anecdote to entitlement? It’s GRATITUDE. And we could all be a little more grateful! Here are 10 very powerful ideas to practice and teach gratitude to your children. From notes on the back, to verbal expressions for the simple things of life, creating gratitude notes from artwork, a yarn game and more—they’ll⁣
inspire you to be more grateful and practice this virtue throughout the year. Details: link in bio⁣
⁣
#parent #parenting #parents #parenthood⁣
#gratitudeadventure #trendykids #momtime #gratitude365 #kids #children #gratitude⁣
#childrenunplugged #goodparenting #thanksgiving #gratitude #thankfulthursday⁣
#thankfulforfamily #thankyou #thankyousomuch #thankyoulord #gratefulheart⁣
#gratefull #gratefulhearts #m2m #happy #gratitude🙏 #reading #books⁣
#thanksgivingday #goodparentingbrighterchildren

Instagram post 2175662557241713290_6260502189

NEW BLOG: How to Practice Gratitude in an Entitled World! If you’re looking for gratitude activities or wanting to read books to your children that will inspire and teach them about gratitude—take a peek at this week’s blog—10 different ideas plus 8 different books to teach the universal trait of gratitude! Link in bio⁣
⁣
#parent #parenting #parents #parenthood⁣
#gratitudeadventure #trendykids #momtime #gratitude365 #kids #children #gratitude⁣
#childrenunplugged #goodparenting #thanksgiving #gratitude #thankfulthursday⁣
#thankfulforfamily #thankyou #thankyousomuch #thankyoulord #gratefulheart⁣
#gratefull #gratefulhearts #m2m #happy #gratitude🙏 #reading #books⁣
#thanksgivingday #goodparentingbrighterchildren

Instagram post 2174885424089237925_6260502189

One of the exciting parts of Christmas for children is the toys. Parents carefully pick out the best and safest toys for their kids, but sometimes mistakes are unknowingly made. Here is a 14-point checklist to use when buying toys for your kids this holiday season. It’s also important to know exactly HOW to buy toys from Amazon—how to determine what’s safe and what’s not. And if you are purchasing toys from your local store—here are tips on how to read the fine print. Make this a season of⁣
Toy Safety! More on the blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
#dangeroustoys #toys #toysforkids #toysafety #toysafetytips #toysafetymonth #safetytoysforkid #toysafetylaws #toysafetyregulation #toysforboys #toysforgirls #toysforteens #toysfortoddlers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforchristmas #safetoys #parenting #children #kids #parents #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips #homeschoolmom #toysusa #toysforyou

Instagram post 2173454024970494624_6260502189

Yes, there are a lot of sharks out there to contend with on a daily basis! Especially when it comes to toys. This holiday season become informed on how to buy safe toys for your kids—what to look for, how to evaluate the toy, etc. And if you are purchasing toys on Amazon—know how to safely navigate that enormous giant. Lots of safe⁣
toys are available—just know HOW those toys are being shipped to you and know WHERE they are coming from. More on the blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
#dangeroustoys #toys #toysforkids #toysafety #toysafetytips #toysafetymonth #safetytoysforkid #toysafetylaws #toysafetyregulation #toysforboys #toysforgirls #toysforteens #toysfortoddlers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforchristmas #safetoys #parenting #children #kids #parents #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips #homeschoolmom #toysusa #toysforyou

Instagram post 2172010970821943585_6260502189

When shopping for toys on Amazon—are you aware what all the symbols mean? The “Warning” signs, the “Toxic-free,” the “Warranty,” and “Sold by,” are all important to know, understand and tap into. This blog will break it down into easy steps and educate you as to how certain toys are sold by certain vendors and which ones are safe and which ones are “buyer-beware.” All toys from around the world are NOT safe.⁣
Check out the details: link in bio⁣
⁣
#dangeroustoys #toys #toysforkids #toysafety #toysafetytips #toysafetymonth #safetytoysforkid #toysafetylaws #toysafetyregulation #toysforboys #toysforgirls #toysforteens #toysfortoddlers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforchristmas #safetoys #parenting #children #kids #parents #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips #homeschoolmom #toysusa #toysforyou

Instagram post 2170589112921354983_6260502189

NEW BLOG: Amazing Ways on How to Avoid Buying Dangerous Toys for Kids. I think most of us assume that the toys we purchase for our kids on Amazon are safe. Think again. It’s trickier than you think—especially now since Amazon allows 3rd party sellers in the mix. Here is a 14-point checklist on buying safe toys in general and how to buy toys from Amazon that you KNOW are safe for your kids. Accidents happen—don’t let them happen to your kids this holiday season. Link in bio⁣
⁣
#dangeroustoys #toys #toysforkids #toysafety #toysafetytips #toysafetymonth #safetytoysforkid #toysafetylaws #toysafetyregulation #toysforboys #toysforgirls #toysforteens #toysfortoddlers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforpreschoolers #toysforchristmas #safetoys #parenting #children #kids #parents #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips #homeschoolmom #toysusa #toysforyou

Instagram post 2168350366016725051_6260502189

So, here is the pumpkin carver himself—Trevor and his family—although this picture is old. He now has another⁣
little girl and his wife Moe is pregnant with a baby boy due next year. Moe has⁣
also carved some amazing pumpkins—I’ll post them next year—stay tuned!⁣
⁣
#halloweenmusic #musichalloween #halloweenmusictime #halloween #fall #scary #spooky #musicforhalloween #halloweenbooks #halloweenbooksforkids #pumpkin #pumpkins #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarvings #pumpkincarvingseason #carvingpumpkins #carvingpumpkins #jack_o_lantern #pumpkincarvingcontest #pumpkincarvingparty #pumpkincarvingideas #3dpumpkincarving #firstpumpkincarving #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips#homeschoolingkids

Instagram post 2167702088468034414_6260502189

Yes, it’s “Post-Halloween,” but just a couple more pumpkins. This pumpkin was NOT carved by Trevor—but it shows you how you can carve a pumpkin without breaking through the skin. As you can see, this is all⁣
done as a “relief” sculpture. Mark has made several of these. One of his⁣
tricks: he uses Vaseline to keep the pumpkin moist while carving. Trevor’s⁣
pumpkins have a combination of negative and positive areas so that when the pumpkin is lit, you can see the light shining through. This one obviously does not allow light to come through. More on the blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
#halloweenmusic #musichalloween #halloweenmusictime #halloween #fall #scary #spooky #musicforhalloween #halloweenbooks #halloweenbooksforkids #pumpkin #pumpkins #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarvings #pumpkincarvingseason #carvingpumpkins #carvingpumpkins #jack_o_lantern #pumpkincarvingcontest #pumpkincarvingparty #pumpkincarvingideas #3dpumpkincarving #firstpumpkincarving #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips#homeschoolingkids

Instagram post 2166909843456170617_6260502189

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

After 44 years, Mark and I are living back where we started—Chicago.
Last week, we went to one of my favorite places—The Art Institute of Chicago. It houses art by many of the great masters—Pollack, Rembrandt, Reubens, Van Gogh, Picasso, El Greco, Monet, Degas, and many others.
I was surprised to see this painting by Ivan Albright of “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Have you read the book by Oscar Wilde? It was made into a movie with director Albert Lewin. If you’ve forgotten the story—it’s about a vain man who commissions a beautiful painting of himself but in the process trades his soul to retain his youthful appearance. He remains youthful, but the painting ends up showing his evil and debauchery lifestyle. Lewin commissioned Albright to paint the portrait of Dorian Gray—as he changes into this evil person. The movie was filmed in black and white, but if you remember in the end, this painting of who Dorian has become is shown in color. It vividly shows just how far Dorian Gray’s character has sunk.
It’s been said that we’re born with one face, but by the age of 70, we have the face we deserve…based on our good or evil deeds.
Here it is—just in time for Halloween! He looks like he’s on his way to a Halloween party—and wins the prize for the best horror costume!
The museum allows people to take pictures of the artwork—with a cell phone. It was fun—we ended up taking about 45 pictures—a great day spent at an amazing place!

Instagram post 2166907341377689805_6260502189

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! ⁣
Trevor carved this pumpkin from the Studio Ghibli “Kiki’s⁣
Delivery Service.” Kiki is a witch (fitting for Halloween). Except, she doesn’t⁣
look like the witches I associate with Halloween. I love this—Kiki looks like a⁣
sweet little girl! If you’re thinking of carving a pumpkin like this for⁣
Halloween (you better get busy now!) check out the details and tricks on the⁣
blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
#halloweenmusic #musichalloween #halloweenmusictime #halloween #fall #scary #spooky #musicforhalloween #halloweenbooks #halloweenbooksforkids #pumpkin #pumpkins #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarvings #pumpkincarvingseason #carvingpumpkins #carvingpumpkins #jack_o_lantern #pumpkincarvingcontest #pumpkincarvingparty #pumpkincarvingideas #3dpumpkincarving #firstpumpkincarving #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips#homeschoolingkids

Instagram post 2166168478449293372_6260502189

The subject for this pumpkin is from Japanese animation Studio Ghibli called, “Grave of the Fireflies.” It’s about a 4-year old girl you see here. Trevor creates his own stencils to carve these pumpkins. You can read⁣
more about it here: link in bio⁣
⁣
#halloweenmusic #musichalloween #halloweenmusictime #halloween #fall #scary #spooky #musicforhalloween #halloweenbooks #halloweenbooksforkids #pumpkin #pumpkins #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarvings #pumpkincarvingseason #carvingpumpkins #carvingpumpkins #jack_o_lantern #pumpkincarvingcontest #pumpkincarvingparty #pumpkincarvingideas #3dpumpkincarving #firstpumpkincarving #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips#homeschoolingkids

Instagram post 2165485483512130810_6260502189

Several of the pumpkin designs that Trevor creates are taken from Japanese animation videos from Studio Ghibli. This one is called “Spirited Away”—about a girl and her dragon. If you want details on how he carved this, check out the blog: link in bio⁣
⁣
#halloweenmusic #musichalloween #halloweenmusictime #halloween #fall #scary #spooky #musicforhalloween #halloweenbooks #halloweenbooksforkids #pumpkin #pumpkins #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarvings #pumpkincarvingseason #carvingpumpkins #carvingpumpkins #jack_o_lantern #pumpkincarvingcontest #pumpkincarvingparty #pumpkincarvingideas #3dpumpkincarving #firstpumpkincarving #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolers #homeschoolingtips#homeschoolingkids

Instagram post 2165425873275081359_6260502189

Our son Trevor is a master at pumpkin carving. He’s currently in Japan with his family and won’t be carving this year,
but over the next few days, I’ll be posting some of the pumpkins he’s carved over the last few years.⁣
He became interested in pumpkin carving because, like many families, it was a tradition in our home.
Their dad taught the boys how to carve some pretty amazing pumpkins. However, Trevor took it to new heights.
He either uses stencils or he creates his own stencil designs. This one is my favorite—it’s from a drawing he liked
online and got permission to create it into a pumpkin. (Gandalf-Lord of the Rings) If you want to read how he does it and the steps he⁣
takes, check out the blog. Link in bio⁣
⁣

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Kids Nutrition – exit

Copyright © 2019 · Contact · Genesis Framework · Theme by Restored 316 · Custom Design by Moritz Fine Designs