Think about this. What does it take to motivate you? What do you need motivation for? When we feel good about ourselves, sometimes that's all the motivation one needs! However, I'd like to help you out by sharing a few links with you. Whatever your need to become motivated, you might find it here:
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1. Motivation to add health and personal care to your life, click here.
2. Motivation to add Electronics to your life, click
3. Motivation to spruce up the kitchen and housewares, click here.
4.Motivation with new handbags or shoes, click here. 
​5.Motivation with new clothing and accessories, click here.

 6. Motivation with sports and the outdoors,  click here
7. Motivation with beauty, click here
8. Motivation with computers, click here.
9. Motivation with jewelry, click here.
10. Motivation with pet supplies, click here.

mo·ti·va·tion
ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/
noun

1. the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
   "escape can be a strong motivation for travel"
   the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

What motivates you? What makes you want to be a better person? What puts a bounce in your step to get you through the hour, the day, the week? Is it reading a good book? Listening to a motivational speaker, or just talking with a friend?
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What motivates me? My characters do! Every day it seems a new situation arises for an opportunity to share a character message, via facebook, linkedIn, Instagram, Twitter or networking in the community. However, my greatest motivation is the faith that I have, for I believe there is a purpose for my passion and the Good Lord is guiding me along my path.

 This is a recent newspaper article written on the Characters of Character and you can learn more about us on our website, through our children's books and be sure to check our calendar to see if we are doing an activity near you. Stay MOTIVATED! PLEASE CONSIDER CHARACTERS OF CHARACTER AS YOUR CHARITY WHEN SHOPPING THROUGH AMAZON. THANK YOU.

Think about it. How do you learn as an adult? How do you internalize your new topic of interest?

I'll be honest here, I have to be hands on, I'm not much of a reader. I learn by doing. I learn by observing and by trying to do something new. That's how I myself learn. Think about your child for a moment. When they hear, "clean your room"......"clean your room"......clean your room" that is all they hear. When you say, "after your room is clean we can go to the park, you know your clean room makes me proud to see you taking responsibility of your belongings and your space." Some kind of explanation on any situations goes a long way.

When you say to a child, BEHAVE!.....BEHAVE!.....BEHAVE!....what does it mean to behave? As adults we need to explain things to children, we need to be role models and we need to be a positive influence in their daily lives. Tell your child what you expect from them as far as good behavior. Nobody wants to be 'nagged' all the time, as a child or as an adult. 

So, get creative with your kids! Laugh....Love.....Live
Check out a recent newspaper article on the Characters of Character. My creativity is in bringing the characters to life on canvas! 

The summer heat has finally arrived! Be sure to protect your children's skin from the harsh sun with sunscreen. You can find many different brands on Amazon here. It's important to protect yourself, too. Sunscreens come in sprays and lotions.
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Water fun is part of summer time. Here are some props to help the play more fun in the sun:
1. Beach Balls available on Amazon here.
2. Beach toy set for the sand available on Amazon here. 
3. Beach chair available on Amazon here.
4. Beach games available on Amazon here 
5. Sand toys in plastic case available here
6. Beach umbrellas available here 
7. Beach tents available here 
8. Beach Baskets available here 
9. Beach coolers available here
10. Beach party decorations available here 

Here are 101 Beach Activities for Kids this summer! click here 

Father's Day is almost here, and when you stop and think about it, who was your first friend? Dear Ol' Dad . What are some things that makes Dad your friend? Let me count the ways:
1. Dad is always there for me, to talk, to sing, to dance or read, he always gives his time to ME.
2. Dad will listen to my thoughts and go with me on nice long walks.
3. Dad has taught me to ride my bike, to fly a kite and teaches me wrong from right.
4. Dad will help me when I want to learn, to cook, read a book, or  even throw a mean left hook!
5. Dad will be there to cheer me on when my team is playing ball!
6. Dad will teach me to change a tire when it runs out of air
7. And, Dad will show me how to decorate my hair!
8. Dad will take me on car rides, tractor rides, boats and such, to show me that he loves me so much!
9. Dad will dress me in my favorite tutu or my dirty gym shoes to let me know he's there, for every chapter of my life.
10. Dad will play with me when I dress up to pretend that I'm a Firemen, Policemen, or the worlds'greatest Chef! My Dad is my friend and I love him BEST!

                                           Wishing ALL DAD'S a very Happy Father's Day!

Learn more about Friendship Frog here. 

The end of the school season is fast approaching. Are your thoughts about what to do for the summer with the kids stressing you out? Don’t let them. First, remember that kids like some structure, therefore, in the summer have some daily routines or schedules to stay on task.
For example, give your children a “To Do” list. This way, before jumping into the day, start off by having some morning routines. Create a list. Discuss them with your kids and display the list so it’s a visual reminder. This way, before they come tugging at your shorts, you can ask them, “Have you finished your tasks? Don’t go overboard, be realistic about them.  Here are some ideas to start with:

1. Put the breakfast dishes in the sink
2. Take out the trash
3. Sweep the floor
4. Help prepare snacks and dinner
5. Pick up your room
6. Put laundry away
7. Empty bathroom and bedroom garbage
8. Take care of the family pet
9. Organize play room
10. Choose bedtime books, lay out pajamas

If your child is to young for some of these chores, tweak them. Get them involved in the morning routines that will start off each day. If your children are older and can help out on a higher level, again, get them involved. When your day is off to a good start, everyone is more likely to enjoy the day and there is less stress to be had.

A chore chart is a great way to keep track of the daily routines at home. Remember to involve the kids in this. Kind of know what they are able to do ahead of time and create a nice visual reminder to start the day. Hopefully this lessens time in front of the television, computer or other technology devices and encourages them to help around the home they live in. Be sure to throw in some rainy day fun, where they can then do the above mentioned. On the dog days of summer however, let's enjoy the sun and outdoor activities as much as possible.

There is nothing more fun than a reward for the good work you've done! Here are some simple thoughts:
1. Go out for ice cream
2. Get  new art supplies
3. Pick out the Family Game for game night
4. Get new pool or beach toys
5. Spend extra time with mom or dad
Nobody knows your child better than you, give them some incentive for doing their chores all week. Make Summer less stressful with different ideas.We always had a 'to-go' bag ready for those spur of the moments. This way, you may make more memories with your kids! How about having a theme for the week or for the day?
1. First week of summer, name it:
a. Summer Splash,  Water Fun or something splashy!
Fill a basket, tote or large container with fun outdoor splash toys, water guns, balloons, sprinklers,
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 1. Purchase some large totes, you can always fill along the way. If you can find different colored totes, they're a fun visual, if not, label them accordingly and fill appropriately. The clear ones give you an idea of what's in store! Share with the family where you're going to keep these totes so that they can add to them as well. I suggest the following which will keep their minds and bodies in shape this summer and give you some peace as well:
A. Make an ART Tote:
​Fill with kids art supplies,  fun  playdough products , perhaps chalks, paints, brushes for the sidewalk art other fun supplies.

C. Don't BUG me Tote:
Fill this with outdoor fun, a butterfly garden, a bug catcher habitat kit,  an insect bug adventure kit, a critter barn for all those great bug finds,  and some handy wipes to get those germs off before coming inside! 

D. A Fun Day Tote:
Fill this with simple fun things, like bubbles, jump ropes, kites, kids games,  and BALLS, football, soccer ball, basketball, baseball and a first aid kit, too! 

E. A Literacy Tote:
Fill this tote with Books for kids, writing stations for imaginations,  writing pads, writing journals,
​writing tools for kids, too.  Have some fun, add some notes in their journals to spark their imaginations, for example, "What would you do with a dinosaur"? or, "Where would you go if you could fly"? etc. Let their imaginations soar and build their vocabulary and communication skills.