Skip to main content

Daily Game Plan: Fatherhood and the benefits of coloring



Kris Maszkiewicz is the founder of TopColoringPages.net, a website where coloring fans can download for free, printable coloring pages such as cartoon characters, super heroes, celebrities, nature designs for children and adults.


Kris is based in Poland and is enjoying fatherhood. GottaLoveMom had a chance to talk to him about fatherhood.


What inspired you to create your website?

I am a father of a little boy named Antoni. He appeared in my world a year ago and virtually turned my world upside down. Everybody is ready for it until it happens, right?
The day Antoni was born I decided to use my new-found energy and enthusiasm to create a website where children around the world can download coloring pages for free.
As a child, I loved coloring pages and I thought that it was a good idea to spread this activity for future generations.
That’s why I put together the website, topcoloringpages.net, with classic coloring pages in a modern package: You can print them anywhere, anytime, and they’re absolutely free.



Coloring is known to unlock our creativity,

our imagination. It stimulates the brain, a stress-free exercise to help us relax and unwind.





What is your morning routine?

The first thing I do after waking up is watch the sky and the tree tops. This routine started pretty accidentally, a couple of months ago. I had a tough day and when the alarm clock rang I hit the snooze button because wanted to rest a little bit longer in my bed.

As I was lying in bed, I was figuring out how to prepare for the day’s challenges. I turned my head to the window and saw what the weather was like. And I saw beautiful blue sky with only a few white clouds and a bird flying by.

I stared at this view for a few minutes. I was enchanted. That’s when I realized that I was breathing much deeper, calmer than usual and the stress had gone somewhere. It was simple, a very cleansing experience.

And since then, it’s become my morning routine. Starting the day that way allows me to get the right perspective of my day and set my mind on the right track.


What tickles your imagination?

I believe that imagination is like a car. Even the best car will not give you good results if it’s poorly fueled.

What is a good fuel for me then? Generally, I try to deliver a lot of various stimulus to my mind. I mean: I meet new people, exchange ideas, travel a lot (even not far), read a lot, dream, exercise my body and mind, watch the world in a mindful way and stay open minded.

It's also important to keep balance between work and rest. Very often when I try too hard, the results are very poor. And on the other hand, sometimes good ideas just pump into my head totally unexpected.


What is the one advice from your mom/dad do you remember the most?

"It's your life, so you have to decide yourself." I don't remember when I heard that the first time but I’ve known that since I can remember.

I always trusted my parents and I knew that I could rely on them. Nevertheless, they never tried to navigate my life like other parents often do.

Education path, relationships, finance management etc. - they never tried to meddle into that too much.

I think it helped me to be more self-confident person.


As a father, what is your role in your son's life?
That's a very tough question to answer. Generally, my roles change almost every day.

Some days I'm the only one who can put him to sleep and on other days,  it's granny or someone else.
But if I had to pick just one role, I would say a guardian angel.

I want to be close to Antoni every time whenever he needs me: to be someone he wants talk to, trust and believe in.


What is the one consistent thing you do at the end of the day?

I am the last person to go to sleep in our home so I check if everything is fine: doors closed, the temperature is set correctly, and that my son isn’t sleeping in some acrobatic position.

That is what my father used to do and now it's my turn. I sleep well when my family sleeps well.


According to Kris's website  (TopColoringPages ),  "coloring can be far more than just a hobby, or a way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  Coloring pages are great for mental, emotional, intellectual condition. The following are some of the benefits of coloring pages in psychology and general development:

1. Stimulates creativity
2. Help in self-expression
3. Way to Relax
4. Improve handwriting
5. Knowledge


Comments

  1. Your blog is just great Jenjen! It's a real pleasure to read your posts.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo