1. When the child is struggling with a problem regarding school, their friends/family a specific situation. Have the child ask the deck to tell him/her what they need to know regarding the situation at hand. "What do I need to know about________?" Then have the child shuffle the cards and pull one. The card you get will show you a new perspective on the situation at hand. Ask yourself, "How does this card relate to me and this situation." Journal your thoughts as you resolve your own struggles paws-itively. The more you do this, the more natural it will soon become.

2. Have the child pick out particular images one at a time and ask the child what he/she thinks or feels when they look at them. Does it remind of anything that happened to them personally? Have the child respond to the question on the cards. As a parent feel free to do the same with the same and share your own personal experiences or your own childhood memories of that specific card. This will allow the child to see you as not only a role model, but also a person, maybe a child who experienced the same feelings as them. Creating relatedness reminds others that we are all the same; we were all a child at one time. Forming life long bonds with others is what memories are made of, who better than to bond with our own beautiful children.

3. Start with a very basic emotion both parties can easily agree upon, such as Love, Joy, etc. Then move up to the more complicated or negative emotions (Disappointment - Fear, etc) and ask the child to share with you their personal experience with that card. Adjust your questions accordingly to the child's responses/reactions.

- Pick a card and tell me which card you are today. - Why do you like this card? - Which card would you rather be today (child chooses another card)? Why? - Which card is Gracie (child's friend) today?

4. Use the cards for "Place Association". Ask the child to select a specific cards that represent/reminds them of familiar places.

- Which card represents school? Why? What happened that day? - Which card represents home? Why? - Which card represents the child's extra-curricular activity (soccer, gymnastics)? Why? - Which card is grandma's house? Why?

5. Have the child choose cards that they feel represent their relationship with specific people in his/her life: - What card is Mommy? Daddy? Why? - Which card is Grandma? Grandpa? Why? - Which card is your teacher-principal? Why? - Which card is your brother-sister? Why?

Please remember to simply guide the child; do not make an attempt to put words in their mouths or answer for them. Allow sufficient time for the child to process the question and their memories; a little silence gives the child permission to speak. It is the child's perception you want to learn more about. If the child is leaning toward being non-communicative, then encourage the child to draw and colour their own card that would represent their particular feelings or circumstances. Tell him/her that you will do the same and together each of you draw a card then discuss it afterwards, you go first Mom / Dad.

The ultimate goal is to encourage the child to learn and explore their emotions and responses and have the child learn about what works for them and what doesn't work for them. Once trust and open communication is established, that the child know they won't be reprimanded for speaking their truth. You can then begin to teach them that any of their feelings and thoughts are completely normal; to teach them appropriate forms of action to help them to deal with any situation they stumble upon Paws-itively. Review the Attitude - Perception - Choices - Forgiveness Cards. When children have the tools for dealing with the unexpected, they will begin to form habits of calm and patient responsiveness rather than reactive ness and going for instant gratification. Long-term gratification feels much better. The Tools For Life's Choice's (TLC-Cards) gives the child the tools needed. The parents also need to learn the tools to encourage and remind the child to use their tools.

Only when children understand that it is by giving to others (encouragement- patience-forgiveness), it is then that they will truly experience such peace, joy, love and acceptance from within. This love creates a whole world of endless PAWS-ibilities for your child to choose from in life. It's true Tools For Life's Choice's (TLC-Cards) gives the child the tools needed. Although the parents need to encourage and remind the child to use their tools otherwise they won't work.

  Examples  

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