The Kid Blender:  A Single Mom’s Attempt to Find Joy in an Unexpected Life
February 8, 2012 – 8:00 am | 2 Comments

In this series of blogs, the “Kid Blenders,” I will be addressing our challenges, trying to blend our two families together. The names of the children will be changed to spare the easily embarrassed. And let me be upfront about this: I’m no clinical expert. I’m just a single mom trying to figure life out as I go. But knowing that there are around 14 million single parents out there…I’m guessing that I’m not alone in this venture.

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Home » Activities, Creative Corner

Parent storytellers. Yes, you can.

Submitted by on July 1, 2010 – 12:01 am2 Comments
Parent storytellers.  Yes, you can.

It’s late. You’re so tired you could sleep on the floor through an earthquake outside in a rainstorm. Or that might just be me. Then your child says, “Tell me a story.” And you can’t think of a single idea other than sleeping . . . soon.

Here’s all you need to do . . . remember the parts of the story and ask for audience participation.

CHARACTERS: “Okay, who is going to be in this story?” (Suggest princess x, doggie y, or unicorn z.)

SETTING: “Where should the story take place?” (Suggest forest, desert, ocean, bedroom, school.)

PROBLEM: “What’s going to happen that’s hard for the main character?” Suggest a storm, something lost, mean person.)

Look around the room for a few more ideas if you need.

READY, SET, TELL. “Once there was a golden retriever named Princess Poo-Poo. (Yes, obvious crowd pleaser but it works every time.) . . .

Work in the problem, figure out how the character (hero) solves the problem and wrap it up.

THE END.

Pat yourself on the back.  You’re a story teller!

Story twists:

Mix up fairy tale characters and settings. Examples: Snow White and the Three Bears.

Add in daddy humor. Example: Cindersmella and the three stink bugs. Goldisocks and the seven piggies.

Try “Tell Me a Story” cards.  Draw from a deck and use the pictures to make up unique stories.  We love this at my house!

Don’t forget, you can visit www.imaginationsoup.net to find more fun learning activities.





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