Throughout life there are many thrills and many disappointments. In a child's life failing at something can be very devastating. A child in a soccer game may let the ball get past him or her for the losing shot, or a teen may not make varsity. There might be a big spelling or reading test that out child messes up at.

As parents our job is to help kids learn how to handle disappointments and failures (see our article Helping Kids Overcome the Fear of Failure). As Parents, it can but very hard, but at times, we must let our kids fail at things, but be there for them and teach them how to overcome that failure. What we do not want to happen is that our kids get paralyzed from talking risks. Success can many times only be achieved through many many mistakes or failures.

So, if your child is a little down, watch this movie with them about some people who like them, may have failed one or many times. Talk about your own failures and what you learned from them.  Most important of all, talk about what would have happened if these people ended up letting failure defeat them. Our world would have been a much different place.

RISK = LIFE!!

Video of the Day

4 Year Old Boy Rocking the Web with his Drums

This video has become a Youtube sensation this year with over 8 million views, and here is why, enjoy:

We often fail to remember the carefree thinking of our childhood. Jessica, however, and her ‘Daily Affirmation' video, reminds us that we can still be whatever we want to be – no matter our age. As a charming, curly-haired four-year old, Jessica's viral video has her standing atop a bathroom vanity proclaiming her stance in life – "I can do anything good!" She continues listing a variety of things, as well as members of her family that she loves and how life, as she knew it at the time, was a wonderland.

It is rare that we see a child brimming with this level of enthusiasm and it makes all of us want to start our day just like her!

Jessica chants:

"My whole house is great. I can do anything good. I like my school. I like anything. I like my dad. I like my cousins. I like my aunts."

Here is her original video:

Now, if we lived our lives by these rules – anything would be possible. Her enchanting and bubbly personality inspires us to wake up and grab life by the horns. Adults are much more inclined to adhere to a tightly spun routine of time frames, plans, and budgets. As a child, however, the world holds infinite possibilities and absolutely no limits. Sadly, much of this perspective changes with experience and age as people tend to become disillusioned by a world they did not understand before. Nonetheless, we are, for the most part, surrounded by people we love and who love us in return – and this deserves appreciation. Lucky for us, Jessica was able to jolt us into consciousness!

Jessica was four when she made that video, but now she is a twelve year old with an older, but still jubilant demeanor that makes her unmistakably the affirmation girl we've grown to love. She's being interviewed after much buzz grew around her affirmation video inciting the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and a colony of YouTube followers. The original clip was posted on YouTube last June after she shared it with a couple of exclusive friends. Little did she know that it would turn viral and make her into an overnight celebrity – that's how things go in this information driven world!

With a diverse set of interests, Jessica plans to one day be an interior designer or lawyer. Wow! As a straight A student and athlete, Jessica has proven to be more than just talk! More importantly, we see a family that has raised a levelheaded and sweet child who sees what she can do to change the world, instead of seeing how the world will change her. This is an important virtue to have in a societal construct that relies heavily on disenchantment and illusion. Of course, nothing is this world is inherently awful, as people have a tendency to make it that way. Whatever their story is, though, or wherever they come from, Jessica's inspirational daily affirmation can shed a little bit of life and love on a sour situation.

Here is an interview of 12 year old Jessica:

Keeping positive can be a difficult task, especially in a world that can seem rather cruel at times. However, Jessica teaches us by appreciating what we do have and allowing ourselves to flourish no matter what the stakes, we can truly accomplish anything in a day. Besides, telling yourself that you can do anything good works wonders on the self-esteem. Too often, we grow to rely on others and inhibit ourselves by limitation. By affirming every day that we can do whatever it is we need to do will not only boost morale, it will help us shift our perspective from cannot to can. Jessica obviously has a great head on her shoulders and will definitely do well wherever life may take her. She has many years before she needs to make any real decisions concerning her direction but with an attitude like hers, an adage to the life saying of "if life gives you lemons, you make lemonade!", it's an absolute certainty that she will succeed with flying colors.

Nevertheless, Jessica will be eternally remembered as that little girl who made us stop and think about the simple things in life.

Cute Young Koala

Happy Sunday. Many of us have gone to Church, and many of us are relaxing with our family. Today is a great day to sit back with our family and think about everything God has given us. It is a great day to think and be greatful about life, the wonders of nature, and the beauty all around us.

One way is to help our children understand life is to simply step back and look at nature all around us. Look at the trees,  the grass and flowers outside. As it gets colder in parts of our Country, talk about the cycle of nature and the rebirth to come in the spring. Sundays are also a great day for family field trips to a park, to an Aquarium or a Zoo if you are close to one. If not, see what is on your local PBS or the Discovery channel.

I recently found a video on Youtube of the cutest baby animals you will ever see. Watching it with your family and young kids can start a conversation about life and how dependent the creatures of the world are upon us. When we do things such as recycling it not only helps the environment but all that live on it. Try brainstorming ideas to help the creatures of the world. You never know what brilliant idea your child might come up with!

After all, all the creatures that share the Earth are Gods gift, and we need to protect and champion them. Together, one person, one family at a time, we can make a difference.

Now, enjoy this video from Youtube of some Cute Baby Animals

Here is a collection of our top 5 laughing baby videos.

1) This one is a classic and aways makes me and my kids laugh. It is our anti-depression video when one of more of our family has had a rough day for sure.

2) I showed this one to our kids and we had to keep on watching it over and over again.

3) Who would have thought that tearing a piece of paper would be so funny!

4) Cutest Baby Laugh Ever:

5) Finally, Twins, great they can keep themselves amused

Sometimes the simple things in life can be the most enjoyable. Check out this video I found. Who would have ever thought that ripping a piece of paper can entertain a baby so much? I laughed so hard when I saw this that I almost fell over myself. Kids laugh at the funniest things. You just have to find what it is. For my 1 year year old, he laughs when I juggle for him and bounce a ball off my head, or when I drop my juggling balls. I don't have to try too hard at that… Enjoy the video and happy Saturday…