Jodie Maddox

I PARTNER with parents and schools.

I EMPOWER them to make decisions within their sphere of influence.

I PROVIDE reliable support, with effective strategies, to gain desired results.

Email jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com

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Dear Friends,

The Christmas season is a special time of year when we intentionally encourage our children to believe in the impossible, imagine the magical, and anticipate the wonderful. Encouraging children to dream of things outside of their typical daily world permits them to embrace creativity and believe in a power bigger than themselves. Christmas is a natural time of year to organically teach our children the powerful virtue of FAITH.

In its simplest terms, faith is the trust and belief in something beyond oneself. Throughout Christianity, faith has been taught as one of the three theological virtues, alongside hope and charity (love). Faith is often seen as complementary to reason rather than opposed to it. While reason relies on evidence and logic, faith forfeits the need to fully understand or prove a situation or event with facts. Together, faith and reason help individuals navigate life's mysteries and challenges. For example, faith provides meaning and purpose in situations where reason alone falls short. Fatih encourages trust in what cannot yet be seen or fully comprehended, like hope for a better future or trust in a higher power’s guidance.

This issue is all about how to have faith, how to grow in faith, and how to identify faith in action. We can encourage our children to have and practice the virtue of faith by practicing trust, obedience, and perseverance. As you prepare for the holidays, have fun and take advantage of the many organic opportunities to help your children witness this virtuous season through a lens enhanced with faith, trust, and gratitude.

With A Grateful Heart,

Jodie Maddox

Parent Coach and Education Consultant

jodiemaddoxicoach.com

In essence, faith calls people to trust, believe, and act with hope and love, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Having faith connects the human spirit to God's grace and wisdom, offering a sense of meaning and direction in life outside of our control.

Witnessing faith in action during Christmas time is a powerful reminder of the season’s deeper meaning. Christmas is not just a celebration of joy and giving but also an opportunity to embody and observe acts of faith, love, and devotion.

Here are 20 ways to experience faith in action during the Christmas season:

1. Adopting families for Christmas: Providing gifts, meals, or financial support to struggling families.

2. Volunteering: Serving at soup kitchens, shelters, or community events to bring comfort and joy to others.

3. Attending religious services: Participating in Christmas Eve or Christmas Day church services to celebrate the birth of Christ.

4. Family prayers or devotions: Gathering as a family to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and thank God for His blessings.

5. Reenacting the Nativity: Participating in or attending Christmas pageants that depict the story of Jesus’ birth.

6. Singing carols with meaning: Performing or listening to hymns like "O Holy Night" or "Silent Night," which center on the faith aspects of the season.

7. Mending relationships: Reaching out to estranged family members or friends to restore peace and understanding.

8. Offering grace: Choosing patience, forgiveness, and love during the stress of the holidays.

9. Simplifying celebrations: Focusing less on materialism and more on the spiritual significance of the season.

10. Thanking God for blessings: Acknowledging the ways He has provided and expressing gratitude in word and action.

11. Being content: Modeling satisfaction with what one has rather than always seeking more.

12. Caring for the lonely: Visiting the elderly, the sick, or those who are isolated during the holidays.

13. Hosting others: Welcoming friends or neighbors who might not have family nearby to share in your celebration.

14. Supporting frontline workers: Sending thank-you notes, meals, or small gifts to those who serve the community during the holidays, like healthcare providers or first responders.

15. Teaching the true meaning of Christmas: Helping children understand the spiritual significance of Christ’s birth.

16. Modeling faith-filled traditions: Praying together, lighting candles, or giving small gifts that represent aspects of faith.

17. Involving kids in service: Encouraging children to give, volunteer, or make gifts for others.

18. Welcoming everyone: Including those who might otherwise feel left out, such as inviting neighbors or community members to your celebrations.

19. Giving without expecting in return: Offering gifts or help with no strings attached, reflecting Christ’s unconditional love.

20. Being present, practicing mindfulness: Truly engaging with loved ones and offering emotional and spiritual support.

Faith in action at Christmas is about more than rituals and traditions; it’s about embodying the love, hope, and compassion that reflects the heart of the holiday. Each act, big or small, serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith and the light it brings into the world.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Enjoy this time of hope and promise for all!

Mindfulness is the ability to focus on the here and now. Letting go of the past and not fearing the future. Learning to trust yourself, others, and especially God's plan for yourself and your children is a fundamental part of emotional well-being, developing healthy relationships, and learning to have faith in God's plan for you.

However, learning to trust and have faith can be challenging, especially if you've experienced betrayal, uncertainty, or self-doubt. Practicing mindfulness—focusing on the present moment with nonjudgmental awareness—offers powerful tools for learning to cultivate a climate of trust. Here are four easy steps to developing a strong faith life, rooted in trust and a power stronger than yourself

1. Using mindfulness to develop self-trust:

• Listen to Your Inner Voice: Mindfulness encourages tuning into your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This practice builds confidence in recognizing and trusting your own needs, instincts, and boundaries.
• Embrace Imperfections: By observing your feelings and behaviors and accepting your own shortcomings with compassion, mindfulness helps you accept mistakes as a part of the growth process; thus reinforcing your belief in your ability to handle challenges.
• Stay Grounded in the Present: Trust can waiver when you dwell on past regrets or future anxieties. Mindfulness trains you to anchor yourself in the present, where trust can flourish.

2. Mindfully cultivating trust in others:

• Practice Active Listening: Being fully present with someone during a conversation signals respect and helps build trust. Focus on their words, tone, and body language rather than planning your response.
• Observe Without Judgment: Mindfulness teaches you to accept people as they are, reducing the urge to project fears or assumptions onto them. This creates space for authentic connections.
• Respond, Don’t React: Trust can be eroded by impulsive reactions. Mindful awareness helps you pause, assess, and respond thoughtfully in interactions.

3. Mindfully learning to let go:

• Recognize What You Can’t Control: Trusting life means letting go of the need to predict or manage every outcome. Mindful practices like deep breathing help release tension tied to control.
• Build Resilience: Through mindfulness, you learn that discomfort or setbacks are temporary, fostering trust in your ability to navigate difficult situations.

4. Using mindfulness to think positively:

• Focus on Small Wins: Mindfulness encourages celebrating small successes, reinforcing the belief that positive outcomes are achievable.
• Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflecting on what’s going well in the present builds confidence in the reliability of life’s processes.

Mindfulness is a transformative practice for cultivating trust. By staying present, observing without judgment, and accepting life’s uncertainties, mindfulness helps you trust yourself, others, and the broader journey of life. Over time, this practice not only strengthens relationships and personal confidence but also fosters a deep sense of peace, resilience, and ultimately faith in God's plan for you.

What is parent coaching and who might benefit from seeking outside help? As a parent coach, I am simply a thinking partner, hired to loan my experience, training, and support to help you tackle challenging situations within your family.

If your child’s behavior is becoming increasingly challenging to manage—defiance, tantrums, or routines are a huge struggle - a parent coach can offer support, strategies, and guidance on addressing these challenges effectively and constructively. Parenting can be exhausting, and if you find yourself constantly feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or trying to navigate a new stage in life like divorce, relocation, or parenting a teenager, a parent coach can provide emotional support, practical guidance, and tools to manage your well-being while parenting.

Hiring a parent coach can provide tailored support and practical strategies to help you grow as a parent and create the balanced family life you desire.

Contact me today for your free consultation at jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com

Academic growth starts with students feeling safe and secure within their classroom environment. Classroom duties and responsibilities for teachers aren't restricted to only good academic instruction. Daily, teachers are asked to help children navigate intense emotions, regulate their moods, learn to be flexible, as well as pivot their thoughts and feelings. The list of social and emotional skills left to teachers to navigate and teach can be daunting at times. Providing strategic support to teachers in the areas of social and emotional learning can:

1. Build Confidence and Engagement
   

2. Improves Classroom Behavior
   

3. Supports Mental Health and Well-Being
   

4. Fosters Positive Relationships
   

5. Prepares Students for Real Life Situations
   

6. Addresses Situations of Inequity and Exclusion

I offer a 3-hour professional development workshop that will walk educators through a series of reflection statements that will help evaluate ways they currently integrate social-emotional learning/support into their daily school routine and will help them identify areas where new strategies could be implemented for instructional growth. Content, support, and coaching instruction are based on works from David L. Cooperrider /Diana Whitney, Appreciative Inquiry; Transforming Education Institute, The Child Mind Institute, and Association Supervision Curriculum Development (ASCD) Social Emotional Learning. Title Funds may be used to pay for this important professional development. Contact me today to book your school sessions. jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com

Email: jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
Website: jodiemaddoxicoach.com
Phone: (913)908-8220
Facebook: facebook.com/Jodiemaddox-ParentCoach&consultant