Greetings to everyone. Can it really be May already? School is almost out and summer is almost here. I think I love summer more than the kids. Who would know by the weather though, it has been cold…

Anyway as I wrote the Newsletter Update last month I realized there might be an omission of a Close Kids factor from the book. So you wouldn’t miss it, I will include it today. The factor? Sharing a room together.

While it may or may not be practical in your situation, kids who share a room together do have a better chance to grow up as close adults. But with the progress of our culture providing most kids with their own rooms, this practice is becoming more and more rare. To compensate, we have Friday night “sleep togethers”. It is amazing how much they talk about Friday night and how much they enjoy being together. Towards the end of every week we hear, “Is it Friday night yet?”

What amazes their mother and I the most though is not the fact they stay up way to late and talk way too much, it is that they don’t fight. Most days we get a good dose of bickering, but when Friday night rolls around, it magically ends. I can’t explain it, but I can’t recall ever breaking up an argument…ever.

We also let them choose where they want to sleep. They can go campout style with sleeping bags (a word to the parents, this usually provides a late night) or pick a sister’s room and we make due. Most of the time all three of them end up in a twin bed with two of them at one end and one on the other. Try it out and see if the magic works for you and let me know.

PS. Upcoming Speaking Engagements – I will start to post these on the “Book Brett” page of the website, for now I will let you know I will be speaking on having Close Kids in Oklahoma City at St. Luke’s Methodist Church on June 29th at 9:40 in the Chapel.

PPS. From Jessica Bridges article I talked about last month. Things to do with your kids this month – Bottle up Lightning bugs (great time of year for that), Make a Bird Feeder, Spin in a Circle Together, Climb a Tree or Attract Butterflies (How to Attract Butterflies).

All my best,

Brett A Johnston

Hello all I hope this note finds you well.  First a quick Close Kids Forever book update.  It looks like we are in final edit and hoping to get a galley (last printed copy before going to press) soon.  It never seems to be fast enough for a writer.

Have you ever wondered if some severe family trauma will bring your kids together or separate them?  During my research, I discovered it can do either.  A death in the family, parent’s divorce or separation can make kids closer to each other and it can wedge them apart forever.  The significance of this finding is that parents and their parenting skills still have a say in whether or not the kids grow up to be friends.  They are not destined to become separated, so never give up.

Hang in there through hard times and make sure to “bunker down” with your family and fight for them.  The data clearly suggests it will help them and you!

My very best,

Brett A Johnston
www.closekids.com

Hello all. Had a thought last night over dinner.

What if when we did something for one of our children and then let another take the credit for it?  Maybe an example would make my point better.  Just last night, my wife and I made some cookies.  We called in our oldest to help us serve her sisters.  When she did, both of them thanked her profusely and gave her a hug.  The fact that we made them never even entered their mind (a point neither of us minded in the least).

To them, the cookies came from Big Sister.  The smallest one even offered Big Sis her blankie to hold for a while.  THAT is a big deal around here.  Any way, I just thought it was a great way to help them learn to do things for each other.

As always, feel free to leave your ideas and comments!

My very best,

Brett A Johnston
www.closekids.com

Greetings fellow Holiday shoppers.  CloseKids.com has come up with some great toys designed to get kids playing together this year.  A toy is placed on our list that does a few simple things.  First, it has to be fun.  Second, it needs more than one person to play with it.  And third, it requires those participants to interact and grow their relationship.

Here is the list of inexpensive and fun toys for this Holiday Season (just click on the name for more information).  Please feel freg Game e to add your ideas to the “Comment” section below and share with the community.

Great Walkie Talkies - These inexpensive two-way radios allow hours of communication fun for your kids at a reasonable price (about 35 bucks).

Frisbees! - That is right.  The age old classic is still a classic for this Holiday season.  By nature, they really need two or more people to play with them, they get kids outside and they are a blast.

Air Hogs Helicopters Laser Tag Game- Wow is this cool or what.  Remote control helicopters that really fly and shoot lasers at each other.  The first one hit crashes to the ground (safely) and the game starts again.  This toy meets all our criteria and is a “FamilyFun” Top Toy of the Year!

I hope this list give you a head start in your holiday shopping and helps YOUR children stay and play close to each other.  As always, please share your ideas below.

See you next time.

Brett A Johnston
www.closekids.com