Gift Idea for Moms and Teens:”Turn Over a New Leaf” Bracelets
December 9th, 2008 by Sue Blaney
This is a powerful gift that can help set intentions, change behavior and support an at-risk adolescent girl at the same time.
New Leaf Touchstone, recently launched by Cindy Loughran, Certified Professional Coach and Change Agent, offers beautiful, hand-made bracelets that are intended as reminders to “turn over a new leaf.”
(The bracelet shown is just one of many colors and versions.)
All of Cindy’s clients have one thing in common: they are all trying to make changes to better their lives. Cindy frequently suggests to her clients that they create visual cues to help them remember to make the behavioral changes that will get them the results they want. Then she had a brainstorm…to create lovely bracelets that serve as visual and tactile reminders to act on their intentions. During those times when emotions are high and they are apt to use old, ineffective responses, their bracelet grounds them and reminds them to choose new responses.
This is where it gets interesting and unique: When you get your bracelet, you need to create a link between the bracelet and your intention/goal. Here’s what Cindy says to do:
- “You’ll need to “charge” your bracelet to give it its power. Sit quietly for a moment and imagine yourself successfully using your new behavior or new way of being. Visualize where you are, who you are with, what is happening and how you are feeling. As you get a clear picture, touch one of the stones or rub the leaf. Continue to hold that vision of your most effective self for a minute or two…Now you are ready. As “life happens” and you begin to notice triggers to old behaviors, touch the bracelet and you’ll be able to proceed, using the responses you choose – rather than those that choose you.”
Now- picture this: 
Is your relationship with your daughter all you want it to be? Is it your desire to strengthen your connection? Would you like to have your relationship more kind, supportive, open, honest? How about if you and your daughter each have one these lovely bracelets…and you charge them together while you vow to make some changes that will enhance your relationship? I just love this idea! :>
And here’s the best part: The bracelets are made by a group of at-risk adolescent girls who are students at The Germaine Lawrence School in Arlington, MA. So your purchase helps the good go full circle: These special girls, who are struggling with self-esteem issues among other serious psychological and emotional challenges earn money and the joy of contributing to YOUR improved self-esteem as you successfully turn over a new leaf.
Like it? You can find Cindy’s website at www.NewLeafTouchstone.com
[By the way, I'm highlighting products and services I love - and I receive no bonus or financial benefit from any of the products I highlight in this holiday series.]
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 9:00 pm and is filed under Parenting Teens, Tips and Tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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December 10th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I have found that symbolic and visual reminders are important tools in raising our children. I think our western society has lost the ceremonial rites of passage that mark important milestones in our kids’ lives. My wife and I planned a “Blessing” Ceremony for our oldest daughter when she turned 13. We invited all of our daughter’s friends, our family, and the key people that were important to our daughter. Her first, second, and fourth grade teachers came, her Youth Group leader, two of her soccer coaches, and may other key people, friends, and family members. We asked each person to write a letter to our daughter about the qualities they saw in her. I then stood up a shared what my wife and I saw in our daughter and the positive qualities and values that made her unique and wonderful. We ended the ceremony with a necklace that we bought to remind her of the day. It was beautiful and made a lasting impact on our daughter, on us as parents, and all of the guests who took part in the ceremony. The bracelets described in this post reminded me of the power of visual symbols. Thank you for sharing
Thanks,
Scott Osterfeld
http://www.myparentingsource.com
December 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Scott, thank you for sharing that. It is a really beautiful way to honor a young teenager, and so many teens are vulnerable at the age of 13 to feelings of inadequacy. I’ll bet your daughter will remember that event – and more importantly what she experienced there – as long as she lives. Your ceremony reminds me of a Jewish Bat/Bar Mitzvah, another lovely and empowering event for young teens.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:14 am
Love this idea, Sue! I have a 13 year old, and she loves sharing ‘friendship bracelets’ with her peers with various intentions, so why not seal a behavioral mod-shift, eh?
On Jan. 1 we did ‘turn over a new leaf’ via new responsibilities in a ‘media contract’ and online financial literacy system, but this is a much more profound INTERNAL compass that would be a positive, warm way to remind her of our ‘deals’ to live mindfully on all of these levels during turbulent times.
In fact, I ‘wrapped up the gift of time and attention’ in a media shell via this ‘Gilmore Girls Getaway’ post http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=934 and she’s eager to ‘do it again’ even if it’s nearby and ‘on the cheap.’—Those bonding moments and special talks would be the perfect time to create this link between us! Thank you so much for the great post and cool idea!
Best,
Amy Jussel
Founder/Exec. Dir.
http://www.ShapingYouth.org
January 7th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Love your blog, Amy. Thanks for bringing it to our attention! And your “Gilmore Girls Getaway” is priceless. I love your creativity toward the simpler ways of finding together time. Welcome!
January 8th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Thanks, Sue…Just did a write up on your friend Cindy and linked to you as I’m thrilled to find you as well! Here’s my post on Shaping Youth about you both!
http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=4400