More photos to come as I continue to tour the state of Washington speaking to different MOPs groups. While I may not always remember to bring my camera, I do continue to meet some amazing moms!

This was the topic of the first “Way of the Toddler Hour” on Toginet Radio (www.Toginet.com). My co-host (and sister), Lori Hamilton, and I digged deep to clarify for ourselves who we are and what we stand for. We did this because knowing it helps us be better parents. I, for one, want my kids to see a mom who actually does take a stand for the things she believes in even if it’s as basic as “I stand for kindness.” When we know who we are and what we stand for, we have a better understanding of our boundaries. It makes it easier to say yes or no when people ask us to do things because we can immediately tell if that “thing” aligns with who we are and what we stand for. It also helps us to know when people have crossed a line in our lives and it gives us the ability to tell them that a line has been crossed. When you spend time (over the dishes, while folding laundry or changing a diaper) contemplating who you are and what you stand for you get to know yourself better. Understanding yourself is a great way to better understand others (including our children!).

Another practical exercise you can do to figure out who you are and what you stand for is to take a piece of paper and divide it into three columns. One column is “Talents.” One column is “Passions.” One column is “Interests.” Brainstorm each column. The difference between passions and interests is that interests are things you like to do that are external to you. Passions well up from the inside out. You may be interested in a particular author or hobby or field of study. What you are passionate about burns from the inside out. Just start the brainstorming exercise and you will soon see the difference. After you have spent some time brainstorming, turn the paper over and write, “How can I serve?” Using your three columns, brainstorm all the ways you can serve your family and humanity to create a better world. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering. Answers on my list include things like: “by frienliness,” “by cooking meals for my family,” and “by showing my children compassion, kindness, love and appreciation.” When I did this exercise I made sure I used up every single thing from my first three columns in my “How can I serve?” list. I was amazed at all the ways I am making a difference in this world that I hadn’t even realized. I think we each probably do more than we realize. It’s time to take credit for the blessing that you already are!

Lori suggested that I start keeping a record of each of my kids talents, passions and interests and brainstorming how they can be used to serve. I could give them this as a gift when they graduate high school, or when they are nearing graduation and are contemplating that all important question, “What am I going to do with my life?” It will help them see themselves how others see them, make them think about themselves in new and fresh ways and also could give them ideas for their future that they had not previously considered. It will also let them know that I was paying attention to their lives and that I cared enough to write down all the things I saw in them that they were talented at, passionate about and interested in. I can’t wait to get this going!

Next week Lori and I will be interviewing Esther Jacob. Read about her on my guest page!

Our show is every Tuesday at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern, 10pm GMT. www.toginet.com

Podcasts and iTunes available for download.

November 1, 2010

Zen Masters In Diapers Rule Radio With National Host Leta Hamilton
The Way of the Toddler Hour Brings Refreshing Insight as Parenting Lessons Are Taught By Children

Tyler, TX—Leta Hamilton is not your typical on-line talk radio host. Described as a “force of resource”, Hamilton garnered a dedicated following as a nationally recognized author and weekly CBS network radio host to over 1.3 million listeners. Originally hosted on the I’m Thankful Network, Hamilton makes the move to Toginet.com on November 2nd, at 2pm CST. Encouraged by the overwhelming support of readers and listeners, Hamilton has become an in-demand public speaker on parenting. Hamilton and close sister Lori, will continue to co-host the show together, as they focus on all aspects of parenting. Shows will offer a range of topics incorporating spiritual reflection, emotional balance and practical life lessons learned in between diapers, friendships and self preservation.

Leta Hamilton turned her first hand thoughts on the inner workings of motherhood into a relatable book, describing her deepest thoughts on personal lessons learned from her children. With its release on Amazon, Hamilton’s book garnered praise from readers and reviewers nationwide, which soon led to the launch of a radio show with her sister Lori airing on the CBS radio network in Seattle, Detroit and Boston. As the daughters of a Navy Chaplain, the Hamilton sisters were deeply inspired by the cultural situations they experienced throughout their youth for the direction of their radio show. The potpourri of cultural diversity influences reflected in their radio shows, has proven to be popular among their targeted listening demographic of women and mothers ages 25-45. Both sisters offer unique life perspectives on a range of topics for discussion and guest interview features. Incorporating the spiritual foundation inherited from their dad, and drawing from their personal experiences on topics such as; giving up a child for adoption, becoming a step parent, the definitions of successful motherhood and successful children, maintaining balance between spirituality, motherhood, marriage, professional and personal interests and other observations, the Hamiltons continue to see their listening audience expand.

From Seattle, WA and Eugene, OR, the Hamiltons will re-introduce themselves to their listeners on the Toginet premiere show, as they focus on the latest lifestyle and mothering trends, offer a place of thought provoking learning, maternal support and Yin to the Yang of everyday life as a mother. Upcoming feature interviews with field experts and human interest guests will share everything from the benefits of self-fulfillment, financial advice, psychology, and handling teens to spouses.

The Hamilton’s Way of the Toddler Hour has been described as a unique hour spent in true reflection, of the lessons mothers worldwide can learn from their children. Referring to her children as toddlers, Leta Hamilton calls them her “Zen Masters In Diapers”. When asked about the show’s success and moving to the Toginet talk-radio host line-up, Hamilton says, “I have always believed that children are blessings, and because we all start out as blessings, we all have something special to offer others as a gift. I believe our show will enable our guests to share their gifts with listeners, and inspire our audience to cultivate and share their gifts with others as well. We are very excited to bring our show to the Toginet listeners and hope to build a long standing home there.”

About Lori and Leta:
Lori and Leta grew up overseas in the Navy. As close sisters, they helped eachother through personal triumphs and tribulations to eventually find their way through professional success and eventual motherhood. Both sisters are raising young children and continue to bolster one another through physical and emotional support. It is the mission, and passion of the Hamilton’s, to focus attention on the greater context of parenting and to open the conversation about what one can learn from the innate wisdom and natural spirituality of the “Zen Masters in Diapers”.

About Toginet:
Toginet.com is the premiere on-line talk radio production company in the industry, committed to providing excellence in live show production quality podcasts and re-podcast accessibility. The company’s brick and mortar studio is based in Tyler, TX where the company’s full production staff works to create customized interfaces, live commercials and CD quality sound for over 70 talk radio hosts, in varying genres. Toginet Entertainment offers quality shows for serious hosts.
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For more information please contact Toginet publicist Carrie Hill at contact@carriehillpr.com