In the first three months, tiny babies seldom sleep for more than four-hour stretches without needing a feeding. Tiny babies have tiny tummies. Yet, they usually sleep a total of 14-18 hours a day.
From three to six months, most babies begin to settle. They are awake for longer stretches during the day and some may sleep five-hour stretches at night. Between three to six months, expect one or two nightwakings. You will also see the period of deep sleep lengthen. The vulnerable periods for nightwaking decrease and babies are able to enter deep sleep more quickly. This is called sleep maturity.
Generally, newborns sleep about eight to nine hours in the daytime and about eight hours at night. Most babies do not begin sleeping through the night (six to eight hours) without waking until about three months of age, or until they weigh 12 to 13 pounds. Newborns and young infants have a small stomach and must wake every few hours to eat. In most cases, your baby will awaken and be ready to eat about every three to four hours.
It is not necessary to wake a baby for feedings unless you have been advised to do so by your baby's physician. However, we usually do not let a newborn sleep longer than five hours at a time in the first five to six weeks. Some premature babies need more frequent feedings and must be awakened to eat.
Babies have shorter sleep cycles than you do. Alternating light and deep sleep about every 60 minutes vs Adults 90 minutes.
Signs that baby is falling asleep:
o Sigh Baby
o Grimace Baby
o Flutter Baby
o Twitch Baby
o Limp-limb Baby is usually fast asleep
Some babies need help getting back to sleep. Some "resettlers" or "self-soothers" can go through this vulnerable period without completely awakening, and if they do wake up, they can ease themselves back into a deep sleep.
Blood flow to the brain nearly doubles during REM sleep. (This increased blood flow is particularly evident in the area of the brain that automatically controls breathing.) During REM sleep the body increases its manufacture of certain nerve proteins, the building blocks of the brain. Learning is also thought to occur during the active stage of sleep. Speak with your pediatrician regarding your babies sleep habits as all babies differ.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Perfect Apple Pie
Tune in to The Family Coach Solution Studio to listen to the Empress of Pies, Miss Kris talk about making the perfect apple pie this holiday season.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Family-Coach
Pie Crust
2 ½ cups flour
1 cup shortening (I like butter flavored Crisco)
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 egg
Up to 1/3 cup cold water
Cut shortening into flour and salt with a pastry blender. You are looking for coarse crumb-like texture.
Measure vinegar and egg in measuring cup. Add cold to make 1/3 cup. Beat lightly. Add to flour mixture until dough holds together – adding more water 1 T at a time if necessary.
Apples
6-8 cups peeled and sliced tart apples (I like Granny Smith best)
3 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¾ - 1 cup sugar – depending on the apples
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons butter
Toss apples with flour, cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice. Put in crust and dot with butter before adding top crust. Pie should bake at 375 degrees – probably close to an hour. Cover top lightly with foil during the first half hour or so to keep from over browning. Pie is done when crust is flaky and apples are bubbling. Yum!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Family-Coach
Pie Crust
2 ½ cups flour
1 cup shortening (I like butter flavored Crisco)
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 egg
Up to 1/3 cup cold water
Cut shortening into flour and salt with a pastry blender. You are looking for coarse crumb-like texture.
Measure vinegar and egg in measuring cup. Add cold to make 1/3 cup. Beat lightly. Add to flour mixture until dough holds together – adding more water 1 T at a time if necessary.
Apples
6-8 cups peeled and sliced tart apples (I like Granny Smith best)
3 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¾ - 1 cup sugar – depending on the apples
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons butter
Toss apples with flour, cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice. Put in crust and dot with butter before adding top crust. Pie should bake at 375 degrees – probably close to an hour. Cover top lightly with foil during the first half hour or so to keep from over browning. Pie is done when crust is flaky and apples are bubbling. Yum!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Get Dr. Kenney's DVD today
DVD - Parenting Essentials: 10 Steps to More Confident Parenting by Dr. Lynne Kenney
http://www.yoursuccessstore.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1983
Dr. Lynne Kenney, a self-professed "nine year-old at heart," recognizes that we live in a stressful world. She also believes that kids are resilient and forgiving. In the face of challenges, we can raise strong, independent children while living passionately and helping our children do the same. A clinician and an educator, Dr. Kenney talks about:
· Establishing and communicating values for our children
· Setting boundaries
· Getting out of the "control cycle"
· Helping kids define themselves
Dr. Kenney founded the multimedia franchise Real Time Moms, audiocasts the ModMom show, and hosts Baby Basics on BabyFirst TV. She has written for audiences from children to divorce court judges, and she has a busy clinical practice. She holds a doctorate in psychology from Pepperdine University and has trained at Harvard Medical School and UCLA Medical School. Bonus materials include an in-depth interview with Dr. Kenney, an audience Q&A session and more!
http://www.yoursuccessstore.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1983
Dr. Lynne Kenney, a self-professed "nine year-old at heart," recognizes that we live in a stressful world. She also believes that kids are resilient and forgiving. In the face of challenges, we can raise strong, independent children while living passionately and helping our children do the same. A clinician and an educator, Dr. Kenney talks about:
· Establishing and communicating values for our children
· Setting boundaries
· Getting out of the "control cycle"
· Helping kids define themselves
Dr. Kenney founded the multimedia franchise Real Time Moms, audiocasts the ModMom show, and hosts Baby Basics on BabyFirst TV. She has written for audiences from children to divorce court judges, and she has a busy clinical practice. She holds a doctorate in psychology from Pepperdine University and has trained at Harvard Medical School and UCLA Medical School. Bonus materials include an in-depth interview with Dr. Kenney, an audience Q&A session and more!
You are what you eat! Teleconference November 13, 2008
Today’s families are overscheduled and overtaxed. Learn the importance of fueling your family life with healthy food, meal planning, simple meals, exercise and fun! Dive into family dining, family meal planning, cooking, dinner table activities and mindful eating. Experience 60 minutes that will change your life. The Family Coach Dr. Lynne Kenney. 12 participant limit. Write me at thefamilycoachATaol.com to register. November 13, 2008 9:30-10:30 am Arizona Time.
a. What are the 12 healthiest foods
b. The Harvard Healthy Food Pyramid
c. Three levels of healthy eating
d. Juicing, mixing, cooking and stirring
e. Family meal planning
f. Healthy cookbooks
g. Family Dinner Time Activities
h. Strategies for picky eaters
i. Family Dinner as a protective factor for your children
Call in numbers and handout will be emailed to your prior to the event.
Come armed with paper, pencil and markers. Hear you there!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Be A Mentor at AASK
Do you remember the person who helped you search for your first apartment?
Who dropped you off for your first job interview?
Who was there to listen when you came home after a rough day at work?
One of the most critical needs in our community is for mentors to support foster teens age 17 and older. Upon celebrating their 18th birthday, foster teens “age out” of the system. The State provides each teen with monthly financial support for housing and food, but without a caring adult to guide and encourage them it can be very scary to venture into the adult world.
How does the program benefit teens?
As a Community Advisor, you can help make a difference in the life of a foster teen by serving as a role model, mentor and friend. You can provide them with emotional support and assistance in learning life skills as they transition from foster care to an independent life of their own. Community Advisors assist foster teens in learning positive decision-making, relationship building and becoming successful participants in their community.
Nationwide, foster youth without support are less likely to finish high school and are more likely to be homeless, unemployed, live in poverty, become involved in violence, drug and alcohol abuse, or be incarcerated.
How can you get involved?
Find out how you can make a difference in a foster teen’s future. Contact specialfriends@aask-az.org for program details and to download an application. You may also contact: Community Advisor Program Coordinator, Michael Weddle, at mweddle@aask-az.org or at telephone number 602.930.4451. Visit www.aask-az.org for more information.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Five Steps To Being A Mindful Parent
The term “mindful” has been the subject of much research in the past ten years. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a prominent researcher in mindfulness, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”
Relative to your daily parenting, mindfulness refers to being present and alert in the moment with yourself first and then your child without distraction. Parenting mindfully means being present and non-judgmental in any given moment or experience. When one is present, alert and experiencing a moment fully, parenting attentively with love and compassion arrive with ease. Each moment flows to the next as you experience the thoughts, sensations and experiences of being in the moment with your child. Being mindful is living alertly in the now.
If one is going to establish a parenting process that takes just 30 mindful minutes a day to implement, it needs to be active, actionable and simple. No parent is going to adhere to a long arduous and confusing process. So the first step is to simplify parenting. Using mindfulness as the backdrop this is achievable.
Here are five simple steps to becoming mindful each day:
1. First thing in the morning, fresh out of bed, sit and meditate for five minutes, take a brisk walk or sit down with your planer and bring being mindful "front of mind."
2. Choose a specific person, activity, word or action to focus on.
3. Create a sentence to say to yourself that will help you to focus mindfully on this person, activity, word or action. As an example, for my daughters birthday, she wished for me to be a more back-stage helper rather than the director of the event. At eight years of age she had an image of how she wanted her party to go and she wished to be the director. So the day of her party, I sat for five minutes with my eyes closed, I centered my thought on the following affirmation "Allie is the director, I am the helper, let her guide the way."
4. When you live your mindful focus by observing your affirmation, sentence, or mantra, take one second to smile to yourself and think "I lived it!"
5. Release your brain to live the rest of your day with free and happy thoughts because you practiced and lived one mindful goal throughout your day.
Remember, one thought one moment at a time.
Relative to your daily parenting, mindfulness refers to being present and alert in the moment with yourself first and then your child without distraction. Parenting mindfully means being present and non-judgmental in any given moment or experience. When one is present, alert and experiencing a moment fully, parenting attentively with love and compassion arrive with ease. Each moment flows to the next as you experience the thoughts, sensations and experiences of being in the moment with your child. Being mindful is living alertly in the now.
If one is going to establish a parenting process that takes just 30 mindful minutes a day to implement, it needs to be active, actionable and simple. No parent is going to adhere to a long arduous and confusing process. So the first step is to simplify parenting. Using mindfulness as the backdrop this is achievable.
Here are five simple steps to becoming mindful each day:
1. First thing in the morning, fresh out of bed, sit and meditate for five minutes, take a brisk walk or sit down with your planer and bring being mindful "front of mind."
2. Choose a specific person, activity, word or action to focus on.
3. Create a sentence to say to yourself that will help you to focus mindfully on this person, activity, word or action. As an example, for my daughters birthday, she wished for me to be a more back-stage helper rather than the director of the event. At eight years of age she had an image of how she wanted her party to go and she wished to be the director. So the day of her party, I sat for five minutes with my eyes closed, I centered my thought on the following affirmation "Allie is the director, I am the helper, let her guide the way."
4. When you live your mindful focus by observing your affirmation, sentence, or mantra, take one second to smile to yourself and think "I lived it!"
5. Release your brain to live the rest of your day with free and happy thoughts because you practiced and lived one mindful goal throughout your day.
Remember, one thought one moment at a time.
What is Stress by Entrepreneur Coach Peggy Porter
What Really is STRESS?
As women and Mom Entrepreneurs, stress is probably a word that we either say or hear daily. If we don't say or hear it then I guarantee most people feel it. It has become a fact of life.
The secret to handling stress, however, is in the management of it.
How a person manages stress and copes with change affects both the quality and length of life a person can expect to live. Hans Selye-the father of stress research and education, discovered in the laboratory that mood affects health. When you are happy, your body emits chemicals and hormones that combat disease and prolong life. When you are sad or depressed, your body releases chemicals and hormones that can trigger disease and prematurely end life.
For the typical person, half the source of stress is job related and half is connected to home and family.
If the workplace is stressful, it helps to have a safe haven at home; if there is stress at home, it is ideal to have smooth sailing at work. The person however who is fighting a double war-stress on the job AND at home-is a candidate for "breakdown", otherwise known as "burnout."
Here's one definition of stress:
The physical and emotional wear and tear resulting from real or imagined problems. When a threat to wellbeing is perceived, a small area of the brain known as the hypothalamus is activated. This stimulates a number of other physiological changes; increased release of hormones and chemicals into the bloodstream, increased heart rate, energy, respiration and blood flow to active muscles. The body goes into a state of "alert" - ready to take action, ready to combat the threat or run away. This is known as the Fight or Flight response. If you do fight or flee, chemicals and hormones are used up quickly by the body.
In the early ages of civilization when men and women were threatened by large predators, forest fires and an adverse climate the fight or flight response served them well. It was an excellent aid for survival; stressor -- physiological reaction -- fight or flee -- body returns to normal because they dealt with the stressor and then the stressor was gone until another one came along.
In the modern day, however, most of our threats are psychological instead of physical...often fighting is not appropriate and fleeing is not possible. Bodies still react just as our ancestors did so hormones and chemicals are released in response to the threat. Because the threats are more psychological than physical, we sit tight (unable to fight or flee as our ancestors did when dealing with a physical threat) and react to one stressor after another-usually leaving our body with no time to return to normal before the next stressor hits us. The level of chemicals and hormones increase and our internal organs experience wear and tear. Damage may result in conditions such as heart attack, stroke, ulcerative colitis, or other harmful diseases.
So as you can see, stress in today's society is much more serious and damaging than in the earlier ages.
Another challenge is that we accept stress as just a normal part of our lives without realizing the toll it is taking on not only on the length of our lives but the quality as well.
In order to be a successful business owner and balanced Mom, effectively recognizing and managing stress is key. Is stress affecting your life or business? If so, stay tuned for my next article where I will talk about the signs of stress and the one thing you MUST do to manage it more effectively. Visit www.peggyporter.com for more.
As women and Mom Entrepreneurs, stress is probably a word that we either say or hear daily. If we don't say or hear it then I guarantee most people feel it. It has become a fact of life.
The secret to handling stress, however, is in the management of it.
How a person manages stress and copes with change affects both the quality and length of life a person can expect to live. Hans Selye-the father of stress research and education, discovered in the laboratory that mood affects health. When you are happy, your body emits chemicals and hormones that combat disease and prolong life. When you are sad or depressed, your body releases chemicals and hormones that can trigger disease and prematurely end life.
For the typical person, half the source of stress is job related and half is connected to home and family.
If the workplace is stressful, it helps to have a safe haven at home; if there is stress at home, it is ideal to have smooth sailing at work. The person however who is fighting a double war-stress on the job AND at home-is a candidate for "breakdown", otherwise known as "burnout."
Here's one definition of stress:
The physical and emotional wear and tear resulting from real or imagined problems. When a threat to wellbeing is perceived, a small area of the brain known as the hypothalamus is activated. This stimulates a number of other physiological changes; increased release of hormones and chemicals into the bloodstream, increased heart rate, energy, respiration and blood flow to active muscles. The body goes into a state of "alert" - ready to take action, ready to combat the threat or run away. This is known as the Fight or Flight response. If you do fight or flee, chemicals and hormones are used up quickly by the body.
In the early ages of civilization when men and women were threatened by large predators, forest fires and an adverse climate the fight or flight response served them well. It was an excellent aid for survival; stressor -- physiological reaction -- fight or flee -- body returns to normal because they dealt with the stressor and then the stressor was gone until another one came along.
In the modern day, however, most of our threats are psychological instead of physical...often fighting is not appropriate and fleeing is not possible. Bodies still react just as our ancestors did so hormones and chemicals are released in response to the threat. Because the threats are more psychological than physical, we sit tight (unable to fight or flee as our ancestors did when dealing with a physical threat) and react to one stressor after another-usually leaving our body with no time to return to normal before the next stressor hits us. The level of chemicals and hormones increase and our internal organs experience wear and tear. Damage may result in conditions such as heart attack, stroke, ulcerative colitis, or other harmful diseases.
So as you can see, stress in today's society is much more serious and damaging than in the earlier ages.
Another challenge is that we accept stress as just a normal part of our lives without realizing the toll it is taking on not only on the length of our lives but the quality as well.
In order to be a successful business owner and balanced Mom, effectively recognizing and managing stress is key. Is stress affecting your life or business? If so, stay tuned for my next article where I will talk about the signs of stress and the one thing you MUST do to manage it more effectively. Visit www.peggyporter.com for more.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Time Management For Moms
In the past few weeks several moms and I have discussed the need to spend 15 simple minutes a day planning their strategies for home success.
Topics we have reviewed:
1. Manage your to do's: Write your to do's in your planner. Prioritize your to do's (ABC). Give a to do to someone else if it is not imperative that you do it.
2. Clean one room a day for 15 minutes and your home will sparkle.
3. Spend 15 mindful face to face uninterrupted minutes with your child, your relationship will blossom.
Now my wonderful colleague Heather Dominick www.energyrichcoach.com has introduced me to Paula Eder "The Time Finder." This is what I learned on her blog this morning - thetimefinder.com/
Finding Time You Didn’t Know You Had!
The secret to finding more time for yourself is by developing the skill that I call “Thinking 15.”
‘Thinking 15″ means looking at 15-minutes as the time-block that you build your day, and your daily plan, around. It means knowing that 15-minutes is plenty of time for many, many tasks in your life. You may not be able to complete a task in 15-minutes - but you can always make a start!
When you’re “Thinking 15″ you’ll find that you are making choices about time in a whole new way. What if you have 15-minutes between the dinner dishes and your coaching call? You won’t let that precious time go, thinking that there’s nothing on your plate that takes just 15-minutes.
Something is better than nothing.
Rather than letting that time go by, when you’re “Thinking 15” you might make a start on a task that you haven’t been getting to. Or how about jumping on the treadmill for a quick run, or lifting some weights? You could return a phone call or respond to some e-mails. Or you might choose to take the moment and sit quietly with yourself, as Connie Ragen Green and I suggested in yesterday’s post.
In all of these examples, the operative concepts are “Thinking 15” and recognizing that whether you consciously choose or not, you’re always making time choices!
As you go through your day, I guarantee that you will find “Thinking 15” to be a very useful tool for both finding and using time more effectively!
How many 15-minute time blocks can you reclaim and put to use today?
I'm looking at my day differently already. Thanks Paula!
Topics we have reviewed:
1. Manage your to do's: Write your to do's in your planner. Prioritize your to do's (ABC). Give a to do to someone else if it is not imperative that you do it.
2. Clean one room a day for 15 minutes and your home will sparkle.
3. Spend 15 mindful face to face uninterrupted minutes with your child, your relationship will blossom.
Now my wonderful colleague Heather Dominick www.energyrichcoach.com has introduced me to Paula Eder "The Time Finder." This is what I learned on her blog this morning - thetimefinder.com/
Finding Time You Didn’t Know You Had!
The secret to finding more time for yourself is by developing the skill that I call “Thinking 15.”
‘Thinking 15″ means looking at 15-minutes as the time-block that you build your day, and your daily plan, around. It means knowing that 15-minutes is plenty of time for many, many tasks in your life. You may not be able to complete a task in 15-minutes - but you can always make a start!
When you’re “Thinking 15″ you’ll find that you are making choices about time in a whole new way. What if you have 15-minutes between the dinner dishes and your coaching call? You won’t let that precious time go, thinking that there’s nothing on your plate that takes just 15-minutes.
Something is better than nothing.
Rather than letting that time go by, when you’re “Thinking 15” you might make a start on a task that you haven’t been getting to. Or how about jumping on the treadmill for a quick run, or lifting some weights? You could return a phone call or respond to some e-mails. Or you might choose to take the moment and sit quietly with yourself, as Connie Ragen Green and I suggested in yesterday’s post.
In all of these examples, the operative concepts are “Thinking 15” and recognizing that whether you consciously choose or not, you’re always making time choices!
As you go through your day, I guarantee that you will find “Thinking 15” to be a very useful tool for both finding and using time more effectively!
How many 15-minute time blocks can you reclaim and put to use today?
I'm looking at my day differently already. Thanks Paula!
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Family Coach Menu
Each day I am honored to receive many phone calls and emails from moms asking, "How can I improve my family life?" A good place to start is with your own personal priorities. What domains do you wish to improve? What are you currently finding most challenging? Look at The Family Coach menu, choose the three top areas in which you wish to work then email me on the CONTACT button on www.lynnekenney.com, I will help to guide you to resources that are best suited for you and your family.
THE FAMILY COACH
Coaching Menu
Better Family Living
Create more family fun
Develop closer family relationships
Develop successful family leadership
Develop successful family systems
Develop successful strategies for disciplining our children
Family meal planning
Getting our children to do as we ask
Goal setting for success
Grocery shopping strategies
Identify the foundation of our family
Nutrition and health planning
Simple cooking strategies
The Organized Home
Daily action plan for healthy families
Develop a system for family roles and responsibilities
Develop a system for family tasks and chores
Develop and implement study centers
Time-management strategies (individual or family)
Use schedules, posters, and picture boards for every day success
The Productive Family
Homework success strategies
Manage ADHD at home or at school
Manage Anxiety/Anger/Avoidance
MoveMent morsels: Health and exercise systems
My family art center
My family music center
My family small manipulatives center
Organizing our toys and tools
Play Time strategies
Setting up centers: Who, what, when, where and how
Teaching readiness and responsibility
You’re personalized “The Family Coach @ Home Curriculum”
THE FAMILY COACH
Coaching Menu
Better Family Living
Create more family fun
Develop closer family relationships
Develop successful family leadership
Develop successful family systems
Develop successful strategies for disciplining our children
Family meal planning
Getting our children to do as we ask
Goal setting for success
Grocery shopping strategies
Identify the foundation of our family
Nutrition and health planning
Simple cooking strategies
The Organized Home
Daily action plan for healthy families
Develop a system for family roles and responsibilities
Develop a system for family tasks and chores
Develop and implement study centers
Time-management strategies (individual or family)
Use schedules, posters, and picture boards for every day success
The Productive Family
Homework success strategies
Manage ADHD at home or at school
Manage Anxiety/Anger/Avoidance
MoveMent morsels: Health and exercise systems
My family art center
My family music center
My family small manipulatives center
Organizing our toys and tools
Play Time strategies
Setting up centers: Who, what, when, where and how
Teaching readiness and responsibility
You’re personalized “The Family Coach @ Home Curriculum”
What Does Coaching Mean To You?
What does coaching mean to you?
When you look back on your life experiences with your coaches, what did they do?
They helped you learn new skills.
They helped you improve your skills and abilities in order to go from ordinary to extraordinary.
The Family Coach is a method where a skilled person outside of your immediate circle, helps you to identify who you want to be and how you are going to get there. Coaching is about change through active questioning, data collection, decision making and implementation.
How The Family Coach works: The coaching process is an enjoyable and amazing journey in which you develop an effective collaboration between the family coach and yourself.
In creating skills for Better Family Living, the coaching work is about laying a clear foundation, identifying where you are, where you are going and how you are going to get there. You participate in an active process of goal setting and reexamination of your achievement towards your goals. You learn the skills to monitor progress toward your goals on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
The Family Coach helps you plan for your future, organize your time, design your family life and realize your potential as a parent, mom entrepreneur and CEO of your family life. You can dive into Better Family Living Skills with The Family Coach Teleclass Series, email Lynne through the CONTACT button on the www.lynnekenney.com website if you wish to learn more.
When you look back on your life experiences with your coaches, what did they do?
They helped you learn new skills.
They helped you improve your skills and abilities in order to go from ordinary to extraordinary.
The Family Coach is a method where a skilled person outside of your immediate circle, helps you to identify who you want to be and how you are going to get there. Coaching is about change through active questioning, data collection, decision making and implementation.
How The Family Coach works: The coaching process is an enjoyable and amazing journey in which you develop an effective collaboration between the family coach and yourself.
In creating skills for Better Family Living, the coaching work is about laying a clear foundation, identifying where you are, where you are going and how you are going to get there. You participate in an active process of goal setting and reexamination of your achievement towards your goals. You learn the skills to monitor progress toward your goals on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
The Family Coach helps you plan for your future, organize your time, design your family life and realize your potential as a parent, mom entrepreneur and CEO of your family life. You can dive into Better Family Living Skills with The Family Coach Teleclass Series, email Lynne through the CONTACT button on the www.lynnekenney.com website if you wish to learn more.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Managing Anger and Anxiety II Teleclass
You are invited to the Managing Anger and Anxiety II Teleclass
Tuesday October 14, 2008 7:30-8:30 pm Pacific Time
I have created a teleclass to extend our learning from the recent NSP Workshop. Even if you were not free to attend, this teleclass will provide valuable content for you.
In this teleclass we will step back to the foundation of our homes. A topic few families ever have the opportunity to explore. We will review progress of your strategies to date and discuss Establishing The Foundation for your happy home.
We will review establishing your family mission statement, creating a values based family, and writing the rules for your happy home. You are free to invite friends if you wish. We all can learn to develop the foundation for our successful homes together.
For Registration Please Visit http://thefamilycoach.eventbrite.com/
The class will last 60 minutes. This teleconferencing opportunity costs $35.00. You dial the conference line and enter the PIN number. You pay for the long-distance charge, which varies based on your own phone sevice agreement. This is a live call similar to a conference call. You will be able to communicate with other class participants, ask questions and offer comments.
Please come to the teleclass armed with white paper, several markers and a pen. If you already have developed your The Family Coach Playbook, our notes will go there, if you have yet to develop your Playbook stay tuned... we will do it Tuesday via phone.
The conference line and PIN will be emailed to you upon registration.
Please secure payment through PAYPAL. I look forward to sharing this learning experience with you.
Very Best,
Lynne Kenney, PsyD
www.lynnekenney.com
Tuesday October 14, 2008 7:30-8:30 pm Pacific Time
I have created a teleclass to extend our learning from the recent NSP Workshop. Even if you were not free to attend, this teleclass will provide valuable content for you.
In this teleclass we will step back to the foundation of our homes. A topic few families ever have the opportunity to explore. We will review progress of your strategies to date and discuss Establishing The Foundation for your happy home.
We will review establishing your family mission statement, creating a values based family, and writing the rules for your happy home. You are free to invite friends if you wish. We all can learn to develop the foundation for our successful homes together.
For Registration Please Visit http://thefamilycoach.eventbrite.com/
The class will last 60 minutes. This teleconferencing opportunity costs $35.00. You dial the conference line and enter the PIN number. You pay for the long-distance charge, which varies based on your own phone sevice agreement. This is a live call similar to a conference call. You will be able to communicate with other class participants, ask questions and offer comments.
Please come to the teleclass armed with white paper, several markers and a pen. If you already have developed your The Family Coach Playbook, our notes will go there, if you have yet to develop your Playbook stay tuned... we will do it Tuesday via phone.
The conference line and PIN will be emailed to you upon registration.
Please secure payment through PAYPAL. I look forward to sharing this learning experience with you.
Very Best,
Lynne Kenney, PsyD
www.lynnekenney.com
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Halloween Health Tips
This Halloween keep your kids on an even keel with these health and nutrition tips:
1. Eat lean proteins such as chicken and complex carbohydrates like brown rice before eating sweets to decrease the associated blood sugar spike. Eating lean protein or complex carbohydrates will help slow down the absorption of the sugar into your blood stream. Did you know that in order for you to lose weight, you must keep your blood sugar level steady to allow your body to burn fat?
2. Offer your children a healthy meal before Trick or Treating. The less hungry they are the less likely they are to overload on candy.
3. During the holiday season keep fresh fruit on the kitchen counter so when your kids grab-n-go they choose fresh fruit over sweets.
4. If candy is a must, offer your children lollipops instead of candy bars. In general, hard candies have fewer calories than chocolate. For example, 2.1 oz of a snickers bar has 280 calories compared to a lollipop with only 22 calories. That means, a snickers bar has over 12x more calories than a piece of a lollipop.
5. Buy your candy at the last minute to avoid eating the candy ahead of time. Consider buying a candy that you don't like to avoid the temptation of eating it
when handing out candy to trick or treaters.
6. After Trick-or-Treating offer to buy the candy your kids gathered for 5 cents a piece, they'll have money to go shopping and you'll have less of a headache from their screaming sugar rush.
7. Donate the candy to a day camp, shelter or school, teachers use one piece at a time for academic reinforcement. One piece at a time is the perfect portion.
Halloween is a time for family and fun. Developing a plan for health ahead of time is the key.
Source: Arnel Ricafranca is the owner of Fitness Boot Camp.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Back To The Dinner Table: Name Your Nights
Getting back on a family dinner schedule is one of the best gifts you can give your children after the holidays. Family dinner has been shown to enhance school success, decrease illegal substance use and decrease bullying and teasing.
Take the time to name each night a different dining experience.
Sunday = Buffet Night
Monday = Hearty Meals Night
Tuesday = Spaghetti Night
Wednesday = On Broadway! As your children prepare and sing a show of any sort. Thursday = Picnic Night – Remember you can picnic anywhere anytime, in your backyard, in the park or even on the family room floor.
Friday = Ethnic Dinner Night, try some exotic food choices or simply stick with Chinese.
Saturday = Date Night, mom and dad go out and kids enjoy Pizza and salad.
Change up your schedule when kids get energized or you run out of recipes. Check out www.cooks.com, www.rachaelray.com, www.allrecipes.com and www.bhg.com for monthly recipes.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
ON THE SAME PAGE – WHEN YOUR DISCIPLINE STYLES VARY
Parenting your children can be difficult. We often struggle with determining the right appropriate limits and with following through with the consequences we’ve promised. But, things can really get complicated when we’re two people who have very different styles of discipline try to parent together.
Good Cop, Bad Cop
It’s not unusual for one parent to be far stricter than the other. But, allowing each parent to discipline as they see fit when they know their style is different from that of their spouse sets you up to have your child play one parent against the other. Your child will soon learn to go to the more lenient parent with issues, leaving out the stricter parent. The child may even ask the “nice” parent to intervene on their behalf with the “mean” one. Neither of you is receiving a great deal of respect from your child when this situation is allowed to arise. Plus, it’s likely to cause issues in your marriage, because you never agree on how the other handles discipline situations.
Meeting in the Middle
If your parenting styles differ significantly, you’re going to need to discuss every discipline situation for a while. You should make the rule that no punishments, or even threats of punishment should be delivered by either parent alone. Sit down and discuss each and every situation. You can begin by discussing what each of you would do if you had to deal with the situation alone, and then choose a disciplinary action that both of you can support.
After a while, some patterns will be established, and each of you will have a good idea of how to handle a situation on your own in a way that would be acceptable to your partner, too.
A United Front
It’s critical that you and your partner present a united front to your child. Children need to understand that mom and dad are working together to make the rules and provide clear direction. Showing your child that both parents are on the same page and that standards and consequences are fully supported by both parties will have a positive impact on your child’s behavior. Children look to us to set the rules; inconsistency between parents is confusing to them. So, hook up with your partner and create clear rules and consequences for breaking them that everyone can understand and support.
Good Cop, Bad Cop
It’s not unusual for one parent to be far stricter than the other. But, allowing each parent to discipline as they see fit when they know their style is different from that of their spouse sets you up to have your child play one parent against the other. Your child will soon learn to go to the more lenient parent with issues, leaving out the stricter parent. The child may even ask the “nice” parent to intervene on their behalf with the “mean” one. Neither of you is receiving a great deal of respect from your child when this situation is allowed to arise. Plus, it’s likely to cause issues in your marriage, because you never agree on how the other handles discipline situations.
Meeting in the Middle
If your parenting styles differ significantly, you’re going to need to discuss every discipline situation for a while. You should make the rule that no punishments, or even threats of punishment should be delivered by either parent alone. Sit down and discuss each and every situation. You can begin by discussing what each of you would do if you had to deal with the situation alone, and then choose a disciplinary action that both of you can support.
After a while, some patterns will be established, and each of you will have a good idea of how to handle a situation on your own in a way that would be acceptable to your partner, too.
A United Front
It’s critical that you and your partner present a united front to your child. Children need to understand that mom and dad are working together to make the rules and provide clear direction. Showing your child that both parents are on the same page and that standards and consequences are fully supported by both parties will have a positive impact on your child’s behavior. Children look to us to set the rules; inconsistency between parents is confusing to them. So, hook up with your partner and create clear rules and consequences for breaking them that everyone can understand and support.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Free Parenting Class in Phoenix
Parachutes For Parents is a one-stop parenting program that will show you how to both love and discipline your children. It then shows you how to achieve the kind of communication that leads to close, warm connections, joyful laughter, and memorable times with your family. It also shows you how to by-pass the teen rebellion and offers a 125-page Problem-Solving Guide for every imaginable parenting problem.
You will learn to:
• Keep parent-child relationships close & cooperative, rather than broken and bratty
• Conduct open, fun, & interesting conversation, rather than combative or shut down interactions
• Use problems to teach clear lessons about living life honestly & effectively, rather that resist and dismiss them as unnecessary disruptions
• By-pass the teen rebellion, rather than become paralyzed and ineffective during this phase of child development
• Bring true peace & joy to your family, rather than the chaos that fills so many homes.
Powerful Parenting Class
Wednesdays, September 10th - November 12th
CCOJ - Building 3 (Room 303 & 304)
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Class is Free of Charge (no need to register)
Day-care is Free @ Kid's Kountry (on same campus as CCOJ)
Presented by Bobbie Merrill, MSW and Tom Merrill, Ph. D.
Much of the Merrill's approach to working with children is based on Bobbie's highly acclaimed book, Parachutes for Parents: Raising Loved and Loving Children for a Better World. This model has been successfully demonstrated in schools in the United States and Australia, producing high numbers of intellectually and socially gifted and cooperative children. In addition, thousands of parents have reported significant results when they use this model.
Joy is located on the NW corner of 75th Ave. and Loop 101. 21000 N. 75th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308
You will learn to:
• Keep parent-child relationships close & cooperative, rather than broken and bratty
• Conduct open, fun, & interesting conversation, rather than combative or shut down interactions
• Use problems to teach clear lessons about living life honestly & effectively, rather that resist and dismiss them as unnecessary disruptions
• By-pass the teen rebellion, rather than become paralyzed and ineffective during this phase of child development
• Bring true peace & joy to your family, rather than the chaos that fills so many homes.
Powerful Parenting Class
Wednesdays, September 10th - November 12th
CCOJ - Building 3 (Room 303 & 304)
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Class is Free of Charge (no need to register)
Day-care is Free @ Kid's Kountry (on same campus as CCOJ)
Presented by Bobbie Merrill, MSW and Tom Merrill, Ph. D.
Much of the Merrill's approach to working with children is based on Bobbie's highly acclaimed book, Parachutes for Parents: Raising Loved and Loving Children for a Better World. This model has been successfully demonstrated in schools in the United States and Australia, producing high numbers of intellectually and socially gifted and cooperative children. In addition, thousands of parents have reported significant results when they use this model.
Joy is located on the NW corner of 75th Ave. and Loop 101. 21000 N. 75th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Is Your Child Ready For Potty Training
Most children show an interest in learning to potty between the ages of 18-36months. Yet every child is different. If you ask your friends, you'll hear every story under the sun from, "My daughter trained herself at 22 months," to "My five year old still won't poop on the potty."
As a parent you want to remain calm and know that your developmentally skillful child will surely be using the potty by elementary school so don't freak out:). One thing I wish someone had told me before I introduced the potty to our children was that many children pee train before they poop train. No challenge, it will all come in time. Breathe, relax.
Let's begin with signs you child might be ready.
Cognitive Signs
Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for pee and poop.
Has awareness that pee or poop are coming out.
Feels the urge to pee or poop.
Can communicate that urge.
Behavioral Signs
Shows interest in other people using the potty.
Wants to look at or watch people going potty.
Gives a verbal noiuse or sign that she is pottying such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Takes pride in her accomplishments.
Seems eager to use the potty.
Physical Signs
Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
Can pull his pants up and down.
Does not like the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
Wants the dirty diaper to come off.
Takes the dirty diaper off himself.
Can walk and run with relative ease.
Can hold her pee for three-four hours or more (this shows bladder control)
Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
Next we'll take a look at introducing pottying to your "potty-ready" child.
As a parent you want to remain calm and know that your developmentally skillful child will surely be using the potty by elementary school so don't freak out:). One thing I wish someone had told me before I introduced the potty to our children was that many children pee train before they poop train. No challenge, it will all come in time. Breathe, relax.
Let's begin with signs you child might be ready.
Cognitive Signs
Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for pee and poop.
Has awareness that pee or poop are coming out.
Feels the urge to pee or poop.
Can communicate that urge.
Behavioral Signs
Shows interest in other people using the potty.
Wants to look at or watch people going potty.
Gives a verbal noiuse or sign that she is pottying such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Takes pride in her accomplishments.
Seems eager to use the potty.
Physical Signs
Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
Can pull his pants up and down.
Does not like the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
Wants the dirty diaper to come off.
Takes the dirty diaper off himself.
Can walk and run with relative ease.
Can hold her pee for three-four hours or more (this shows bladder control)
Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
Next we'll take a look at introducing pottying to your "potty-ready" child.
Art Masterpiece Program
Art is a medium for all the senses. A child can look, imagine, think, ponder, draw, paint, sculpt, explore and learn with art. If you have some time in September consider attending the Art Masterpiece Program at the Phoenix Art Museum for educators. Parents are welcome as well. Specifically, it is training for those parents whose schools participate in Art Masterpiece. But really, any parent can come learn and enjoy.
Art Masterpiece Program
The Art Masterpiece Program trains school-based volunteers in tools and techniques to teach elementary-level students about the visual arts. Most participants are classroom volunteers at a child’s school who augment presentation of the visual arts on a regular basis. The Training Program covers basics of looking at and discussing art objects, an overview of art history, resources for materials and ideas, modeling of classroom presentations and activities, and Museum orientation.
Wednesdays in September*
September 3, 10, 17, 24
9:30am – 12 Noon
Phoenix Art Museum
* New material will be presented every Wednesday
You can register online today or at the Museum on Wednesday, September 3 @ 9am
Cost: $20 for entire program/$10 Training Manual.
Want the Training Manual for FREE?
Here is the link:
http://www.phxart.org/events/documents/2008ArtMasterpieceManual_001.pdf
If you wish to bring art into your home on your own here are some helpful resources:
Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning) by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Kim Solga
Dynamic Art Projects for Children: Includes Step-By-Step Instructions and Photographs by Denise M. Logan (Spiral-bound - Sep 2005)
How to Teach Art to Children, Grades 1-6 by Joy Evans and Tanya Skelton
The Art of Teaching Art to Children: In School and at Home by Nancy Beal and Gloria Bley Miller
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Text Messaging May Contribute To Decrease in Writing Skills
According to Dr. Cindy Bunin Nurik, a study released by researchers from the Irish State Examination Commission on April 25 revealed that text messaging was directly related to a decline in writing ability.
1) Encourage creative writing ten minutes a day.
2) Create Make-A-Stories with your children, you write a sentence then they add a sentence in writing or even verbally at the dinner table.
3) Incorporate art to your writing. Give your children writing and art journals like Art Escapes by Dory Kanter, to encourage writing and drawing for fun.
4) Encourage writing letters instead of always texting.
5) Texting is habit forming because it is "immediately reinforcing." Talk with your kids about negative habits and encourage them to feed their brains with knowledge and experience by not becoming a texting junkie.
6) Get art and writing books for your youngsters as well like Kids Art Works!: Creating With Color, Design, Texture & More by Sandi Henry & Art for Kids: Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be by Kathryn Temple
Write, draw, paint, tell stories, elaborate and communicate with your kids. They'll love you for it.
1) Encourage creative writing ten minutes a day.
2) Create Make-A-Stories with your children, you write a sentence then they add a sentence in writing or even verbally at the dinner table.
3) Incorporate art to your writing. Give your children writing and art journals like Art Escapes by Dory Kanter, to encourage writing and drawing for fun.
4) Encourage writing letters instead of always texting.
5) Texting is habit forming because it is "immediately reinforcing." Talk with your kids about negative habits and encourage them to feed their brains with knowledge and experience by not becoming a texting junkie.
6) Get art and writing books for your youngsters as well like Kids Art Works!: Creating With Color, Design, Texture & More by Sandi Henry & Art for Kids: Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be by Kathryn Temple
Write, draw, paint, tell stories, elaborate and communicate with your kids. They'll love you for it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
GEORGIA COOKING IN AN OKLAHOMA KITCHEN
A few of you moms have said, "Lynne we can't do organic and low sugar all the time, we need to break loose sometimes." Agreed!
If you're gonna get loose, do it with Trisha Yearwood's decadent GEORGIA COOKING IN AN OKLAHOMA KITCHEN. She even has his and hers variations! That will do a marriage good.
Here's a sample for the upcoming holiday season.
Green Punch - Serve this punch with Cheese Straws. It’s a Yearwood family tradition - Perfect to serve at Christmas parties because it’s a beautiful bright green and makes a pretty punch bowl.
Ingredients: 2 13-ounce packets unsweetened lemon-lime soft drink mix, such as Kool-Aid, 2 cups sugar, 1 46-ounce can pineapple juice, 12 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate thawed, 32 ounces (1 quart) ginger ale. Put 2 quarts of water in a 1-gallon container. Add the drink mix and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the pineapple juice and lemonade concentrate and stir well. Just before serving, add the ginger ale. www.trishayearwood.com.
If you're gonna get loose, do it with Trisha Yearwood's decadent GEORGIA COOKING IN AN OKLAHOMA KITCHEN. She even has his and hers variations! That will do a marriage good.
Here's a sample for the upcoming holiday season.
Green Punch - Serve this punch with Cheese Straws. It’s a Yearwood family tradition - Perfect to serve at Christmas parties because it’s a beautiful bright green and makes a pretty punch bowl.
Ingredients: 2 13-ounce packets unsweetened lemon-lime soft drink mix, such as Kool-Aid, 2 cups sugar, 1 46-ounce can pineapple juice, 12 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate thawed, 32 ounces (1 quart) ginger ale. Put 2 quarts of water in a 1-gallon container. Add the drink mix and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the pineapple juice and lemonade concentrate and stir well. Just before serving, add the ginger ale. www.trishayearwood.com.
Introducing solid foods to baby
Nature made breast milk a complete nutritional package for baby until about around age one, when supplemental foods benefit growth and development. Depending on babies height and weight she may need more calories as early as four months, for growth, that’s when supplementing with rice cereal may begin.
The amount of milk baby is drinking has increased by this age to about 32 ounces per day. Her tummy may be full but she may be hungry because her body is growing and she needs more calories. At this point you may introduce a bit of rice cereal at dinner time. Every baby has different needs, talk with your pediatrician about introducing solids to your child.
Often by five-six months of age baby is ready to explore foods and textures. Offering yogurt on a tiny spoon for baby to eat and explore in a soft beginning. You can also turn organic peas, potatoes, squash and green beans your family eats for dinner into finely processed food for baby to suck off a spoon. Visit www.chow-baby.com to learn more about organic foods and purees.
Doctors often recommend serving one strained vegetable at a time for several days so that any reactions can be noted and addressed.
For more information on preparing natural food for baby you can read about organic baby food at www.earthsbest.com or check out Simply Natural Baby Food: Easy Recipes for Delicious Meals Your Infant and Toddler Will Love by Cathe Olson at your local library or book store.
Signs it is time to talk with your pediatrician about introducing solid foods.
* Head control. Your baby can hold his head steady in an upright position.
* Baby stops using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.
* Baby sits while supported.
* Baby can move food back and forth in his mouth, then swallow.
* Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.
* He seems hungry, even after gulping his milk.
* Baby shows curiosity about what you're eating.
The amount of milk baby is drinking has increased by this age to about 32 ounces per day. Her tummy may be full but she may be hungry because her body is growing and she needs more calories. At this point you may introduce a bit of rice cereal at dinner time. Every baby has different needs, talk with your pediatrician about introducing solids to your child.
Often by five-six months of age baby is ready to explore foods and textures. Offering yogurt on a tiny spoon for baby to eat and explore in a soft beginning. You can also turn organic peas, potatoes, squash and green beans your family eats for dinner into finely processed food for baby to suck off a spoon. Visit www.chow-baby.com to learn more about organic foods and purees.
Doctors often recommend serving one strained vegetable at a time for several days so that any reactions can be noted and addressed.
For more information on preparing natural food for baby you can read about organic baby food at www.earthsbest.com or check out Simply Natural Baby Food: Easy Recipes for Delicious Meals Your Infant and Toddler Will Love by Cathe Olson at your local library or book store.
Signs it is time to talk with your pediatrician about introducing solid foods.
* Head control. Your baby can hold his head steady in an upright position.
* Baby stops using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.
* Baby sits while supported.
* Baby can move food back and forth in his mouth, then swallow.
* Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.
* He seems hungry, even after gulping his milk.
* Baby shows curiosity about what you're eating.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
How To Create The Space Between
Create a space between you where you listen, reflect, hear, and respond with warmth.
This space is where you build the relationship so do not rush to solve, shame or ridicule, be reflective, talk slowly and take this opportunity to listen carefully to your child.
The space between is where you take the time to get to now your child better.
The space between is where you can express empathy “You are having so much fun on the scooter, you prefer not to give someone else a turn. “It’s hard to go to school when you are worried the kids will tease you.” “Sometimes you wish your dad would spend special time just with you.”
The space between is where your relationship grows as you show love, affection, patience, caring and empathy.
The Dinner Table and Your Hoola Hoop
One Family’s Experience
I was with a family recently who felt that their every day life was unmanageable.
After establishing their family mission, values and rules, we went to work on establishing their routines.
Dinnertime felt most disconcerting so we started there.
The parents explained that though their children were now in elementary school they had never been able to get the kids to sit down for dinner. Dinner-time felt chaotic. The kids complained about what the mother cooked, they got up from the table several times and then ran off to their rooms after dinner.
This family needed to get the parents back in charge of dinner. The parents are to indicate when dinner begins and ends. The parents identify who has to help with after-dinner clean-up and who can go outside to play or to their rooms to finish their homework.
1. In order to clarify the routine, first we wrote down what the dinner routine looked like and we hung it in the kitchen.
1. Set the table.
2. Place the food on the table.
3. Sit down to dinner
4. Ring the dinner bell to mark the start of the meal.
5. Say an observance of gratitude.
6. Eat.
7. Talk about our day.
8. Ring the bell to signal the end of the meal.
2. We marked each child’s eating space and told them once they sat down they would not leave that space without parental consent.
We all sat down to eat, we placed hoola-hoops under the chairs of the children to mark their “eating space.” They were told that once the family sat down to eat, the children were not to leave their eating spaces until they had asked permission and it had been granted by their parents.
3. We required the children to ask for consent to leave the table.
Dinner was done, they asked for permission, “Mom or dad, may I leave the table?” The mom and dad said, “Yes you may,” the children took their plates to the sink, and to the parents’ surprise they went into the living room for family activities.
The parents just looked to me like, “What, our kids have never sat through a family meal!”
For the next hour, we played activities, we built some towers, we did a family drawing, and then it was time for a bath, reading, and sleep.
Now, this was a family who understood what a dinner-routine looks like. There were clear expectations about what dinner would be like. There was an order to the dinner routine, there was a clear beginning and an end. Then, there were family activities after dinner.
Your children hunger for their routine, they need to know their routine, they need to know what’s next because it helps them with mastery. They also hunger for you, even a recalcitrant teen will do activities with a parent if the activities appeal to the teen.
I was with a family recently who felt that their every day life was unmanageable.
After establishing their family mission, values and rules, we went to work on establishing their routines.
Dinnertime felt most disconcerting so we started there.
The parents explained that though their children were now in elementary school they had never been able to get the kids to sit down for dinner. Dinner-time felt chaotic. The kids complained about what the mother cooked, they got up from the table several times and then ran off to their rooms after dinner.
This family needed to get the parents back in charge of dinner. The parents are to indicate when dinner begins and ends. The parents identify who has to help with after-dinner clean-up and who can go outside to play or to their rooms to finish their homework.
1. In order to clarify the routine, first we wrote down what the dinner routine looked like and we hung it in the kitchen.
1. Set the table.
2. Place the food on the table.
3. Sit down to dinner
4. Ring the dinner bell to mark the start of the meal.
5. Say an observance of gratitude.
6. Eat.
7. Talk about our day.
8. Ring the bell to signal the end of the meal.
2. We marked each child’s eating space and told them once they sat down they would not leave that space without parental consent.
We all sat down to eat, we placed hoola-hoops under the chairs of the children to mark their “eating space.” They were told that once the family sat down to eat, the children were not to leave their eating spaces until they had asked permission and it had been granted by their parents.
3. We required the children to ask for consent to leave the table.
Dinner was done, they asked for permission, “Mom or dad, may I leave the table?” The mom and dad said, “Yes you may,” the children took their plates to the sink, and to the parents’ surprise they went into the living room for family activities.
The parents just looked to me like, “What, our kids have never sat through a family meal!”
For the next hour, we played activities, we built some towers, we did a family drawing, and then it was time for a bath, reading, and sleep.
Now, this was a family who understood what a dinner-routine looks like. There were clear expectations about what dinner would be like. There was an order to the dinner routine, there was a clear beginning and an end. Then, there were family activities after dinner.
Your children hunger for their routine, they need to know their routine, they need to know what’s next because it helps them with mastery. They also hunger for you, even a recalcitrant teen will do activities with a parent if the activities appeal to the teen.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Why is protein consumption so important?
Proteins are the building blocks for the cells in our bodies. There are many reasons why proteins are important to consume one reason is that protein contains essential amino acids.
Proteins are large molecules made up of smaller chemicals called amino acids. Humans need 20 different amino acids in order to produce all the proteins in our bodies. We can synthesize 10 of the amino acids, but the other 10 either cannot be made or not made in a sufficient quantity to be of any use. These 10 “essential” amino acids which must be obtained from food are: threonine, lysine, methionine, arginine, valine, phenylalanine, leucine, tryptophan, isoleucine and histidine. The 10 we can make are glycine, alanine, serine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine and proline. (Source: thedietchannel.com)
Protein is such an important part of our bodies that it pays to take it seriously. We need the right amount and the correct kinds of protein to function at our best. A balanced diet will meet all our protein needs.
In order to determine your daily protein requirement as an adult multiply your weight by .55 to learn the number of grams of protein you need to eat daily.
Use these calculations to learn how much protein your children need to eat daily. Don't forget the healthy fats (nuts, avocado, milk, cheese, meats) and complex carbohydrates (beans, legumes, cereals, pasta, sprouted breads) in your diet, these are very important as well.
Ages 1 to 3 - 0.81 grams (child's weight in pounds x 0.81 = daily grams of protein)
Ages 4 to 6 - 0.68 grams
Ages 7 to 10 - 0.55 grams
Proteins are large molecules made up of smaller chemicals called amino acids. Humans need 20 different amino acids in order to produce all the proteins in our bodies. We can synthesize 10 of the amino acids, but the other 10 either cannot be made or not made in a sufficient quantity to be of any use. These 10 “essential” amino acids which must be obtained from food are: threonine, lysine, methionine, arginine, valine, phenylalanine, leucine, tryptophan, isoleucine and histidine. The 10 we can make are glycine, alanine, serine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine and proline. (Source: thedietchannel.com)
Protein is such an important part of our bodies that it pays to take it seriously. We need the right amount and the correct kinds of protein to function at our best. A balanced diet will meet all our protein needs.
In order to determine your daily protein requirement as an adult multiply your weight by .55 to learn the number of grams of protein you need to eat daily.
Use these calculations to learn how much protein your children need to eat daily. Don't forget the healthy fats (nuts, avocado, milk, cheese, meats) and complex carbohydrates (beans, legumes, cereals, pasta, sprouted breads) in your diet, these are very important as well.
Ages 1 to 3 - 0.81 grams (child's weight in pounds x 0.81 = daily grams of protein)
Ages 4 to 6 - 0.68 grams
Ages 7 to 10 - 0.55 grams
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Back To School: Who's doing what?
School starts tomorrow! We've organized our school supplies, layed out tomorrow's outfit and made a yummy lunch. I was interested in what everyone else is up to...
ABC 15 News in Phoenix reports:
"The best thing parents can do is get their own homework done well before summer vacation winds down," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. "Many providers are already getting booked up; get in now to get the best service and to have time for any last-minute emergencies."
Angie’s List recently polled its members nationwide about their back to school plans. Here's their list:
Going to the pediatrician: About two-thirds of school age children will head to the doctor before the school year begins. North Scottsdale Pediatrics is at 480-860-8488.
Before and after school care: Consider The Boys and Girls Club.
Hiring a tutor: More than one-in-four-kids have used a tutor in the past and another one-in-three might require one this year. Call the best! Dana Herzberg @ On Track Tutoring Tutoring 480-563-5588.
Getting pictures taken: School pictures matter to families. Most schools schedule their photo day early in the school year. How about getting a family photo!
Taking music lessons: 40 percent of Angie’s List members said their child or children will take up music this year.
Getting your computer up to speed: The majority of poll respondents will not be buying a new computer this school year.
School uniforms: Nearly one-quarter of Angie’s List respondents say their child is required to wear a uniform to school.
Taking driving lessons: Will you have a student driver in the household this year? Car crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. Make a donation to www.lisajohnsonfoundation.org and learn what you can do to keep your teen safe!
Time for a haircut: Your child wants to make a good first impression at school, so make sure they are a cut above with a great hair cut.
I cut my own kids hair this year and we used the money we saved to go to the Waterpark!
Happy First Day of School To You!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Peggy Porter Brings Success Home
If you are looking for coaching and guidance to get your Mom-Made Career soaring, consider joining Peggy Porter's SUCCESS CLUB For Mom Entrepreneurs. I love her wisdom. Visit www.peggyporter.com for more information.
Here is some of her current sage advice.
Awareness-being focused on the power of the present and how perfect it really is. Perfecting the present means, right now you are at a turning point between the past and the future. This turning point is perfect. It is perfect because it is a moment of choice for you. It is an opportunity to change the course of your life, whatever that may be. The present is all we have at this moment, so that in itself is perfect.
If you are fixated on the past or worrying about the future, you will be completely missing the perfection of the present. The inability to be mindful of what you are doing gives opportunity for anxiety, worry and fear to sneak into your life. If the majority of your day is worry or fear based, chances are your thoughts are somewhere else and not in the present.
Ask yourself now, "What part of my life am I living in-past, present or future?" It is the present, remember, that holds all the power.
So how do you start living and enjoying more of the present?
First, stop multi-tasking!! I know for busy women this is easier said than done. We have such huge demands that multi-tasking seems essential in order to get our to-do list complete. The problem, however, is that when we multi-task our energy is split and we are often less focused and more scattered. We do things without remembering and feel the stress of the mental to-do list we are constantly checking off in our heads.
When you feel the urge or catch yourself gearing up for the next round of multi-tasking, stop yourself. Remember that even though you may feel more efficient, the process of multi-tasking exhausts you mentally and physically while robbing you of the joy of the present moment. Keep in mind my formula:
SE(Split Energy)=Reduction and FE(Focused Energy)=Production
Continue to ask yourself, where is my attention focused?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Limiting Sugar in Your Kid's Diets: Eat Dinner For Breakfast
Parents who wish to limit sugar in their children's diets are looking for foods higher in protein and healthy fats for breakfast. If you lose the sugary cereals and pancakes five days a week, what else can you offer?
One morning, you may creatively offer left overs from dinner for breakfast, you might be surprised when chicken teriyaki appeals to your four year old. Here are some refreshing options you might try for breakfast in your home along with two delicious recipes from EatWellBeWell.org.
• Roast turkey and cheese roll-ups
• Chicken Stir-Fry
• Powerhouse Pizza
• Chicken Satay
• Vegetable Quesadilla
• Grilled Chicken Tacos
• Sloppy Chicken Joes
• Tuna salad in “scoops” tortilla chips
• Greek pasta with tomatoes and white beans
• Soft tacos with organic beef
• Pasta with pesto shredded zucchini and carrots
• Tortilla Soup
• Crustless Spinach Quiche
Sloppy Garden Joes
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 pound extra lean ground turkey or chicken
1- 8 ounce can no salt tomato sauce
1 -15 ounce can whole tomatoes, crushed
1-8 ounce can mushrooms
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
pepper to taste
8 whole wheat buns
Directions:
1. Sauté onions, carrot, green pepper, and ground turkey or chicken in a pan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
2. Add tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, barbecue sauce, and pepper, and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Uncover and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until thick.
5. Serve on toasted or plain buns.
Powerhouse Pizza
Ingredients:
12-inch unbaked pizza crust, homemade or store-bought
3/4 cup pizza sauce
1 cup grated low fat mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise or on the diagonal
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, roughly chopped
1/2 cup thinly sliced sweet onions
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400» F.
2. Place pizza crust on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
3. Spread the pizza sauce over the crust.
4. Scatter the mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Top with sliced mushrooms, zucchini, red peppers, and onion.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until the crust is nice and brown and the center bubbly.
8. Serve warm.
Research shows that children who eat healthy foods for breakfast concentrate better in school and experience less variability in their daily moods. Here are some sites to help you in your quest.
www.eatwellbewell.org/
www.mypyramid.gov/
www.nutritiondata.com/
www.calorieking.com/
www.allrecipes.com/
The Family Coach Workshop: Managing Anger and Anxiety in Children
Saturday August 16, 2008 9-10:15 am
Saturday October 4, 2008 9-10:15 am
Research suggests children experience frustration, anger, and anxiety from ages 3-12 with more frequency than in the past. Why might that be so and what can families do to help children feel calm and secure. We’ll earn about cavemen and thinkers then develop cognitive and sensory interventions to bring home with The Family Coach Dr. Lynne Kenney. Cost: $50.00 per couple, 30 participant limit. Sign-up at 480-860-8488 x 9 x 1. North Office.
a. The biology of anger and anxiety
b. Using our thinkers to manage our cavemen
c. How exercise and nutrition make a difference
d. Cognitive strategies for calmer kids
e. Sensory tools and equipment
e. Preparation, planning and prevention in your home
Monday, July 14, 2008
Think Positive
Practice Positive Thinking
Research shows that your viewpoint and perspective affect your health. People who think positively live more healthful and happy lives.
You can shift your thoughts, first take inventory. What kind of thinker are you?
Keep a journal of your thoughts for 72 hours and reflect on whether your thoughts benefit your well-being or distract from your health. Carry the journal in your pocket, when you drop your children off at school, order lunch, or interact with a colleague, write down what you are thinking on the left side of the page and how you are feeling on the right. In the following 72 hours do the same activity but make a third column for thought replacement, write down alternate positive thoughts to replace your negative thoughts.
When you are late for an appointment and think, "This darn traffic." Replace the thought with "It's so nice to have some peace and quiet in the car for a few minutes."
When your children won't listen and you are thinking, "I am so tired of these squirts." Replace the thought with "I am raising such independent thinkers."
Come on, don't laugh just do it!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Summer Dinner Time is Family Time
Summer is in full swing. Swimming, tennis, playdates, we're all so busy. The evenings are longer, the sun is brighter. What better time to get back to the family dinner table than tonight! Hey forget the table, it's summer, eat together where ever you are...
Family dinner around the table, at the soccer field or on the tailgate of your car is an important family ritual. Dinnertime is the perfect opportunity to relax, connect and talk about your day. It’s a non-threatening environment that can really help your kids open up to you and tell you what’s going on in their lives. Try to make the atmosphere low key and enjoyable – and make a rule that no one leaves the table until everyone has finished eating. If conversation seems stymied, talk about your own day, or ask some questions to get your kids talking.
What was the funnest part of your day today?
What did you and Annie do this morning?
What movie shall we see as a family this week?
What shall we play after dinner? Running bases or Hearts?
Dinnertime is your chance to get to know one another, learn about your likes and dislikes and create lifelong memories. So eat up and dive in!
Family dinner around the table, at the soccer field or on the tailgate of your car is an important family ritual. Dinnertime is the perfect opportunity to relax, connect and talk about your day. It’s a non-threatening environment that can really help your kids open up to you and tell you what’s going on in their lives. Try to make the atmosphere low key and enjoyable – and make a rule that no one leaves the table until everyone has finished eating. If conversation seems stymied, talk about your own day, or ask some questions to get your kids talking.
What was the funnest part of your day today?
What did you and Annie do this morning?
What movie shall we see as a family this week?
What shall we play after dinner? Running bases or Hearts?
Dinnertime is your chance to get to know one another, learn about your likes and dislikes and create lifelong memories. So eat up and dive in!
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Family Meeting
Family meetings can be a valuable way to make family decisions, communicate information and discuss issues. Many families have never had a meeting, and aren’t really sure how to use this forum with their families. Your family meeting is the time to share opinions, reflect on current events, talk about life experiences, plan for the future and solve challenges. They can be structured or unstructured, just make sure that everyone has a say in how the meeting will be conducted. One family I know begins with an agenda, another passes around the "talking stick" so one person speaks at a time.
Here are some tips to get you started with your family meeting.
• They need not be a formal affair– Family meetings don’t require a lot of pomp and circumstance, just that everyone is present and tuned into the matter at hand. They can be held during dinner if that’s what’s most convenient.
• Use this time to praise in front of everyone– Offer congratulations for accomplishments at family meetings. Let everyone have the chance to recognize other family members.
• Keep it positive - Sometimes family meetings will have to address negative issues, but if you keep the tone of the meetings positive overall, they’re more likely to be viewed as helpful by your family.
• Family meetings are not group punishment – If your children are driving you nuts, busting their collective chops in a family meeting is not the answer. You don’t want your kids to dread family meetings. This is also not the time to single out a child for something they’ve done wrong. Do that in private.
• Family meetings are not for “laying down the law”, either – Successful family meetings involve everyone providing their opinion and input. Go around the table and ask for an opinion if someone’s not speaking up. If you plan to dictate change with no input from anyone else, use another venue.
• Do something fun once in a while – Throw in a surprise now and then. Why not have your family meeting at the bowling alley or the go kart track? Even playing a game at home at the end of the meeting can be a nice change.
• End on a happy note – Even if you’ve had to deliver bad news at this meeting, find something positive to end with. It will leave a better memory about the experience.
• Don’t have them too often – You don’t need to have a family meeting to discuss every little issue. They’ll carry more weight if you use them only for important issues.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Allowance Strategies
This morning my daughter said, "Mom I need my $20." She's seven. So I'm thinking how did we go from $2 to $20? Was I on vacation while this happened?
Deciding on whether to give an allowance, and how much to give can be tricky.
1. First, decide what items your child will have to use allowance for. Will he have to pay for his activities, like attending a movie with friends, buying non-necessary household items, clothing and gifts? Or is it just spending money? (Really, how many more Webkins do we need?)
2. Once you’ve determined the spending guidelines, it will help you determine a proper amount. Be careful of giving a large allowance without requiring any effort on your child’s part. Learning the value of hard earned money is a worthwhile lesson.
3. In addition, I’m a firm believer that kids shouldn’t be paid to do things like clean their rooms, because it’s important to for them to learn that they can, and should, take care of their things and contribute to our household.
4. Be clear on how much allowance they’ll receive, spending restrictions, and any requirements that are tied to receiving it.
5. Remember intrinsic motivation is more powerful than extrinsic motivation so think of remuneration in terms of time spent together, shared activities and love not just in terms of dollars.
Gotta go find my wallet.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Mommy Meditation
It’s likely that the last thing you feel able to do in your busy, busy day is set aside time to meditate. The benefits of meditation are endless. The role this ritual plays within parenthood is essential. Meditation can allow you to create exceptional inner peace, help you develop more confident parenting skills and bring your life order despite your feelings of complete disarray.
Meditation allows you to clear away your path for the day.
How To Make Meditation Happen:
1. In order to bring this peace to your morning, wake up slightly earlier than usual and begin the day with a sense of calm rather than rushing from one activity from sunrise to sunset.
2. To establish the habit of nurturing your spirit before bed after the kids have already been put down for sleep, leave those dishes for the morning and nurture yourself not the housework.
3. Set aside five minutes during the day, in the car while you wait for your children after school, at your desk or while waiting for others in a meeting or at lunch.
Now I Made Time What Do I Do?
A Few Simple Steps
1. Dim the lights and sit comfortably on your floor. You can use a pillow to sit on to aide your comfort and allow your spine to extend fully as you sit upright. Or, you may prefer to lie flat, with your arms resting to your side.
2. Focus on your breathing. Enjoy the feeling that is created as you slowly inhale and exhale slowly releasing the air and tension from your body.
3. Feel your chest expand and collapse, feel your shoulders drop and neck muscles loosen.
4. Let your mind focus on your breathing let all your thoughts fly into the sky.
It's really pretty simple, breathe relax and let go. How's that for Mommy Meditation.
The value of meditation is endless. Find the time. Your mind and body deserve it.
Meditation allows you to clear away your path for the day.
How To Make Meditation Happen:
1. In order to bring this peace to your morning, wake up slightly earlier than usual and begin the day with a sense of calm rather than rushing from one activity from sunrise to sunset.
2. To establish the habit of nurturing your spirit before bed after the kids have already been put down for sleep, leave those dishes for the morning and nurture yourself not the housework.
3. Set aside five minutes during the day, in the car while you wait for your children after school, at your desk or while waiting for others in a meeting or at lunch.
Now I Made Time What Do I Do?
A Few Simple Steps
1. Dim the lights and sit comfortably on your floor. You can use a pillow to sit on to aide your comfort and allow your spine to extend fully as you sit upright. Or, you may prefer to lie flat, with your arms resting to your side.
2. Focus on your breathing. Enjoy the feeling that is created as you slowly inhale and exhale slowly releasing the air and tension from your body.
3. Feel your chest expand and collapse, feel your shoulders drop and neck muscles loosen.
4. Let your mind focus on your breathing let all your thoughts fly into the sky.
It's really pretty simple, breathe relax and let go. How's that for Mommy Meditation.
The value of meditation is endless. Find the time. Your mind and body deserve it.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Extended Family Dinner
Research shows that sitting down to dinner is an important protective factor in maintaining the health and well-being of your children. Establishing a set dinner time is the first step. Engaging your children in activities that extend the dinner hour is the second step.
Children love doing homework with you at the dinner table, they love playing card games, testing themselves at math facts and bringing new, sometimes even made-up vocabulary words to the table. Take your time, talk, laugh and talk for hours.
After dinner extend the fun by labeling each night a different family activity.
Monday Night is Discovery Night
Bring the "Discovery Box" to the dinner table. Place unique, familiar or fascinating objects in a box and allow each child to pull an object and talk about it. After dinner go on-line or take a trip to your local library to learn more about topics related to the things in your discovery box.
Tuesday Night is Reading Night
Prepare early readers, by bringing everyday objects to the table that have words or print on them, such as cereal boxes and other items in your cupboard. Play reading and guessing games using the printed materials. Play games with the words, making silly sentences, tongue twisters and fun stories.
Wednesday Night "You are a STAR"
Play find your "Star Word." Assign one word to each child. That is the word that makes them A STAR at this meal. Frequently occurring words such as "The, and, it, him, her, she, he" are good beginning words. Then have each child bring a book to the table, choose a page, and name how many times their STAR word appears. That number becomes the child's "Magic Number" for the night and every time he encounters that number for the rest of the evening he gets to make a wish or discuss his current life dreams and aspirations.
Thursday Night it's Show and Tell
Play show and tell at your family table. Have your children bring an object, a piece of art, a song or something to share. Shine the "spot-light" on one child at a time and allow only him or her to share.
Friday Night is Family History Night
Bring family photos, heirlooms or pieces of family history to the table and talk about your family ancestry and historical family member's life experiences.
Saturday Night is Game Night
Play board games, cards, chess or checkers at the table after dinner to enhance your family experience.
Sunday Night You're on Broadway!
Put on a show, dance, sing, do a skit Laugh and "lift each other up" with genuine compliments, enthusiasm and joy.
You will enhance family relationships and help your children develop self-esteem when you extend your family dinner with family fun!
Sensory Kids: Teach Calm
What is a sensory diet?
A sensory diet is a series of activities designed to help children manage sensory input better. Many children lack the ability to modulate their energy and behavior when they are overstimulated with sensory input, sound, sight, touch, noise and highly stimulating people or environments. It’s as though every child has an outer sieve, for some children the holes are big and sensory input floods them. When this happens we need to help the child re-organize the brain by stream-lining the sensory input.
Have a sensory kit handy with a hair brush for back brushing, a blanket for gentle wrapping and rocking (blanket is always placed across chest not over face so child can breathe), soft music, nature sounds, sand tray, water table, sensory weighted-vest etc http://www.therapyshoppe.com/ so that the child can choose a calming activity. Use your sensory kit before child gets stuck on energy mountain, cause it can be hard to re-contain the child once he is so disorganized.
Imagine that a child climbs an energy mountain throughout the day. Many children can walk down the mountain without letting their energy become uncontrolled. Some children hang at the top of energy mountain, feeling frazzled, silly, angry, agitated or anxious. Help your child “Climb down energy mountain” by drawing a large mountain on a large sheet of white paper or poster board.
Talk with your child about activities we do at different stages of the mountain. Let your child draw activities on different levels of energy mountain. Use different colors to denote different levels of energy. Calm = blue, Having fun = yellow, Getting excited = Orange Over the top = Red. Have your child mark where he is on energy mountain several times a day, you do it as well!
At the base we feel calm, we play quietly, we talk quietly and we are at peace. Up the mountain a bit we get excited, we play games, we play with friends, we play at the playground or at the swimming pool. Toward the top of energy mountain we are getting extremely silly, unresponsive, uncontrollable, angry or annoyed, it’s time to “Climb down energy mountain.” Have your child mark where he is on energy mountain several times a day, you do it as well!
Use your water table, sensory kit, sand tray and outdoor activities to help your child re-set his energy. Labeling “I’m climbing too high on energy mountain” “I need a peaceful moment” “Will you scratch my back” “Let’s have a Mommy meditation moment,” a sensory kit, and planned physical activities throughout the day will help your child modulate his energy better. It will help you stay calm as well. Sometimes a calm movie or soft music and a moment to lay on a soft body pillow will do the trick.
Peaceful moments to you!
Sensory Resources
Boy and a Bear: The Children's Relaxation Book
Lori Lite, Meg Hartigan (Illustrator), Meg Hartigan (Illustrator), M. Hartigan (Illustrator), M. Hartigan
Cool Cats, Calm Kids: Relaxation and Stress Management for Young People
Mary L. Williams, Dianne O. Burke (Illustrator)
The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them
Elaine N. Aron, Elaine N. Aron
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic
Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Sensational Kids: Hope and Help For Children With Sensory Processing Disorder
Lucy Jane Miller, Doris A. Fuller, Doris A. Fuller
Sensory Connection: An OT and SLP Team Approach
Nancy Kashman, Janet Mora
Batter Up Kids Sensational Snacks: Healthy Eats from the Premier Children's Cooking School
Barbara Beery, Marty Snortum (Illustrator)
A sensory diet is a series of activities designed to help children manage sensory input better. Many children lack the ability to modulate their energy and behavior when they are overstimulated with sensory input, sound, sight, touch, noise and highly stimulating people or environments. It’s as though every child has an outer sieve, for some children the holes are big and sensory input floods them. When this happens we need to help the child re-organize the brain by stream-lining the sensory input.
Have a sensory kit handy with a hair brush for back brushing, a blanket for gentle wrapping and rocking (blanket is always placed across chest not over face so child can breathe), soft music, nature sounds, sand tray, water table, sensory weighted-vest etc http://www.therapyshoppe.com/ so that the child can choose a calming activity. Use your sensory kit before child gets stuck on energy mountain, cause it can be hard to re-contain the child once he is so disorganized.
Imagine that a child climbs an energy mountain throughout the day. Many children can walk down the mountain without letting their energy become uncontrolled. Some children hang at the top of energy mountain, feeling frazzled, silly, angry, agitated or anxious. Help your child “Climb down energy mountain” by drawing a large mountain on a large sheet of white paper or poster board.
Talk with your child about activities we do at different stages of the mountain. Let your child draw activities on different levels of energy mountain. Use different colors to denote different levels of energy. Calm = blue, Having fun = yellow, Getting excited = Orange Over the top = Red. Have your child mark where he is on energy mountain several times a day, you do it as well!
At the base we feel calm, we play quietly, we talk quietly and we are at peace. Up the mountain a bit we get excited, we play games, we play with friends, we play at the playground or at the swimming pool. Toward the top of energy mountain we are getting extremely silly, unresponsive, uncontrollable, angry or annoyed, it’s time to “Climb down energy mountain.” Have your child mark where he is on energy mountain several times a day, you do it as well!
Use your water table, sensory kit, sand tray and outdoor activities to help your child re-set his energy. Labeling “I’m climbing too high on energy mountain” “I need a peaceful moment” “Will you scratch my back” “Let’s have a Mommy meditation moment,” a sensory kit, and planned physical activities throughout the day will help your child modulate his energy better. It will help you stay calm as well. Sometimes a calm movie or soft music and a moment to lay on a soft body pillow will do the trick.
Peaceful moments to you!
Sensory Resources
Boy and a Bear: The Children's Relaxation Book
Lori Lite, Meg Hartigan (Illustrator), Meg Hartigan (Illustrator), M. Hartigan (Illustrator), M. Hartigan
Cool Cats, Calm Kids: Relaxation and Stress Management for Young People
Mary L. Williams, Dianne O. Burke (Illustrator)
The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them
Elaine N. Aron, Elaine N. Aron
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic
Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Sensational Kids: Hope and Help For Children With Sensory Processing Disorder
Lucy Jane Miller, Doris A. Fuller, Doris A. Fuller
Sensory Connection: An OT and SLP Team Approach
Nancy Kashman, Janet Mora
Batter Up Kids Sensational Snacks: Healthy Eats from the Premier Children's Cooking School
Barbara Beery, Marty Snortum (Illustrator)
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Mailbox Yearbook: A Summer tool you do not want to live without
The Mailbox is the most popular teacher's idea reference resource.
You can order the magazine throughout the year or do as I do and buy the annual Year Books. They are full of beautiful activity ideas, planning sheets and worksheets for preschool-elementary aged children.
If you think you aren't "crafty" or "creative" these year books will change your life. They many sections of learning, math, science, reading, language, arts, music etc. When was the last time you made a water rocket or put on a George Washington play.
I could not live without them in the SummerTime, we play, make, create and learn as a familly all Summer long.
Just look for The Mailbox Year Books in the Shop at www.theeducationcenter.com (it's on the red toolbar). Tell your friends, they'll love you for it.
You can order the magazine throughout the year or do as I do and buy the annual Year Books. They are full of beautiful activity ideas, planning sheets and worksheets for preschool-elementary aged children.
If you think you aren't "crafty" or "creative" these year books will change your life. They many sections of learning, math, science, reading, language, arts, music etc. When was the last time you made a water rocket or put on a George Washington play.
I could not live without them in the SummerTime, we play, make, create and learn as a familly all Summer long.
Just look for The Mailbox Year Books in the Shop at www.theeducationcenter.com (it's on the red toolbar). Tell your friends, they'll love you for it.
Spirit Menders
Children are born with an incredible spirit. Everything is new, fascinating and thought provoking. As parents, it should be our goal to keep this spirit alive and fresh for as long as possible. Unfortunately, we often unwittingly do things that squash the spirit in our children. Here are some common spirit breakers and some spirit menders. See if you’re guilty of doing things that can break the spirit. Then try some of these spirit menders to help get you back on track.
Spirit Breakers
• Squashing Dreams – Your little boy tells you that when he grows up he wants to be an astronaut and fly to outer space. Trying to instill some reason in him, you inform him of how difficult it is to be an astronaut; how smart he’ll have to be, how much education it requires, etc.
• Belittling Talent – Your daughter is great at soccer, but her grades are not as good as you’d like them to be. When she acts proud of scoring the winning goal, you say, “it would be far more impressive if you got an A in math”.
• Humiliation – Parents sometimes resort to embarrassing their child in order to get them to change behavior. “See, son, little Johnny doesn’t have accidents in his pants, and he’s your age.” Not only is this tactic ineffective; it breaks the spirit.
• Brushing off what your child thinks is fascinating – Children have a tendency to get somewhat obsessed with things. Maybe it annoys you that your son spends hours watching the stars through his telescope. However, if you give him the impression that being fascinated with the stars is silly, he may become ashamed of his interests and be afraid to pursue the things that really matter to him.
Spirit Menders
• Having a curious mind – If you show interest in how things work, and share this interest with your child, you fuel their natural curiosity and interest.
• Being involved in what they like – Your children have activities that bring them joy, join in those activities with them! Get off the couch and participate!
• Show that you’re proud – Be proud of whatever they accomplish – and let them know it. You can never love them too much and you can never tell them too many times that you’re proud of their accomplishments.
• Listen to them - Your children have fascinating original voices listen to their likes, dislikes, stories and experiences.
Take a deep breath and begin to be present, loving and compassionate today. It's not too late to mend your child's spirit.
Spirit Breakers
• Squashing Dreams – Your little boy tells you that when he grows up he wants to be an astronaut and fly to outer space. Trying to instill some reason in him, you inform him of how difficult it is to be an astronaut; how smart he’ll have to be, how much education it requires, etc.
• Belittling Talent – Your daughter is great at soccer, but her grades are not as good as you’d like them to be. When she acts proud of scoring the winning goal, you say, “it would be far more impressive if you got an A in math”.
• Humiliation – Parents sometimes resort to embarrassing their child in order to get them to change behavior. “See, son, little Johnny doesn’t have accidents in his pants, and he’s your age.” Not only is this tactic ineffective; it breaks the spirit.
• Brushing off what your child thinks is fascinating – Children have a tendency to get somewhat obsessed with things. Maybe it annoys you that your son spends hours watching the stars through his telescope. However, if you give him the impression that being fascinated with the stars is silly, he may become ashamed of his interests and be afraid to pursue the things that really matter to him.
Spirit Menders
• Having a curious mind – If you show interest in how things work, and share this interest with your child, you fuel their natural curiosity and interest.
• Being involved in what they like – Your children have activities that bring them joy, join in those activities with them! Get off the couch and participate!
• Show that you’re proud – Be proud of whatever they accomplish – and let them know it. You can never love them too much and you can never tell them too many times that you’re proud of their accomplishments.
• Listen to them - Your children have fascinating original voices listen to their likes, dislikes, stories and experiences.
Take a deep breath and begin to be present, loving and compassionate today. It's not too late to mend your child's spirit.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tips on Separation Anxiety from Kid's Health
Unfortunately, teary and tantrum-filled goodbyes are a very common part of a child's earliest years. Around the first birthday, it is common for kids to develop separation anxiety, getting upset when a parent tries to leave them with someone else. Though separation anxiety is a perfectly normal part of childhood development, it can be unsettling. Understanding what your child is going through and having a few coping strategies in mind can go a long way toward helping both of you get through it.
How Separation Anxiety Develops
When your baby was first born, you likely noticed that he or she adapted pretty well to other caregivers. This is typical for most infants. You probably felt more anxiety about being separated than your child did when you first left him or her with a relative, babysitter, or a day care provider! As long as their needs are being met, babies younger than 6 months typically adjust well to other people.
Sometime between 4-7 months, a baby typically develops a sense of object permanence, and begins to learn that things and people exist even when they're out of sight. This is when babies typically start to play the "dropsy" game, when they drop things over the side of the high chair, look for them, and expect the adult to retrieve what they've dropped (which, once retrieved, get dropped again!).
The same thing occurs with their parents. Babies realize that there's only one of you, and when he or she can't see you, that means you've gone away. However, at this point, your child doesn't yet understand the concept of time and doesn't know if or when you'll come back. So whether you're in the kitchen, in the next bedroom, or at the office, it's all the same to your toddler. You've disappeared. Your child will do whatever he or she can to prevent this from happening.
Between 8 months old 1 year old, your child is growing into a more independent toddler - yet he or she is even more uncertain about being separated from you. This is when separation anxiety typically develops, and your child may become agitated and upset whenever you try to leave him or her. Whether you need to go into the next room for just a few seconds, leave your child with a sitter for the evening, or drop off your child at day care, you may find that your child cries, clings to you, and resists attention from others.
The timing of separation anxiety can vary widely from child to child. Some kids may experience it later, between 18 months and 2-1/2 years of age. Some may never experience it. And for others, there are certain life stresses that can trigger feelings of anxiety about being separated from a parent: a new child care situation or caregiver, a new sibling, moving to a new place, or tension at home.
How long does separation anxiety last? It varies from child to child. And it also depends on the child and how the parent responds. In some cases, depending on a child's temperament, separation anxiety can be persistent from infancy and last through the elementary school years. In cases where the separation anxiety interferes with an older child's normal activities, it can be the sign of a deeper anxiety disorder. In cases where the separation anxiety appears out of the blue in an older child, it can be an indication of another problem that the child may be dealing with, like bullying or abuse.
Keep in mind that separation anxiety is usually different from the normal feelings an older child has when he or she doesn't want a parent to leave. In those cases, the distress can usually be overcome if the child is distracted enough, and those feelings will not re-emerge until the parent returns and the child remembers that the parent left.
And your child does understand the effect his or her behavior has on you. If you come running back into the room every time your child cries and then stay with your child longer or cancel your plans completely, your child will continue to use this strategy to avoid separation.
What You May Be Feeling
During this stage, you're likely to experience a host of different emotions. It may be gratifying to feel that your child is finally as attached to you as you are to him or her. At the same time, you're likely to feel guilty about taking time out for yourself, leaving your child with a caregiver, or going to work. And you may start to feel overwhelmed by the amount of attention your child seems to need from you.
Try to keep in mind that your child's unwillingness to leave you is a good sign that healthy attachments have developed between the two of you. Eventually your child will be able to remember that you always return after you leave, and these memories will be enough to comfort him or her while you are gone. This also gives your child a chance to develop his or her own coping skills and a little independence.
Making Goodbyes Easier
There are a number of strategies you can use to help ease your child (and yourself) through this difficult period.
* Timing is everything. Try not to start day care or child care with an unfamiliar person between the ages of 8 months and 1 year, when separation anxiety is first likely to present itself. Also, try not to leave your child when he or she is likely to be tired, hungry, or restless. If at all possible, schedule your departures for after naps and mealtimes.
* Practice. Practice being apart from each other, and introduce new people and places gradually. If you're planning to leave your child with a relative or a new babysitter, then invite that person over in advance so they can spend time together while you're in the room. If your child is starting at a new day care center or preschool, make a few visits there together before a full-time schedule begins. Practice leaving your child with a caregiver for short periods of time so that he or she can get used to being away from you.
* Be calm and consistent. Create a goodbye ritual during which you say a pleasant, loving, and firm goodbye. Stay calm and show confidence in your child. Reassure him or her that you'll be back - and explain how long it will be until you return using concepts your child will understand (such as after lunch) because your child can't yet understand time. Give him or her your full attention when you say goodbye, and when you say you're leaving, mean it; coming back will only make things worse.
* Follow through on promises. It's important to make sure that you return when you have promised to return. This is critical, and there can be no exceptions. This is the only way your child will develop the confidence that he or she can make it through this time.
Kids with separation anxiety disorder fear being lost from their family members and are often convinced that something bad will happen when they're apart. It's a good idea to talk with your child's doctor if your child is showing signs of this, which include:
* panic symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath) or panic attacks before a parent leaves
* nightmares about separation
* fear of sleeping alone
* excessive worry about being lost or kidnapped or going places without a parent
For most kids, the anxiety of being separated from a parent passes without any need for medical attention. But if you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor.
Updated and reviewed by: Michael J. Harkness, MD www.kidshealth.com
How Separation Anxiety Develops
When your baby was first born, you likely noticed that he or she adapted pretty well to other caregivers. This is typical for most infants. You probably felt more anxiety about being separated than your child did when you first left him or her with a relative, babysitter, or a day care provider! As long as their needs are being met, babies younger than 6 months typically adjust well to other people.
Sometime between 4-7 months, a baby typically develops a sense of object permanence, and begins to learn that things and people exist even when they're out of sight. This is when babies typically start to play the "dropsy" game, when they drop things over the side of the high chair, look for them, and expect the adult to retrieve what they've dropped (which, once retrieved, get dropped again!).
The same thing occurs with their parents. Babies realize that there's only one of you, and when he or she can't see you, that means you've gone away. However, at this point, your child doesn't yet understand the concept of time and doesn't know if or when you'll come back. So whether you're in the kitchen, in the next bedroom, or at the office, it's all the same to your toddler. You've disappeared. Your child will do whatever he or she can to prevent this from happening.
Between 8 months old 1 year old, your child is growing into a more independent toddler - yet he or she is even more uncertain about being separated from you. This is when separation anxiety typically develops, and your child may become agitated and upset whenever you try to leave him or her. Whether you need to go into the next room for just a few seconds, leave your child with a sitter for the evening, or drop off your child at day care, you may find that your child cries, clings to you, and resists attention from others.
The timing of separation anxiety can vary widely from child to child. Some kids may experience it later, between 18 months and 2-1/2 years of age. Some may never experience it. And for others, there are certain life stresses that can trigger feelings of anxiety about being separated from a parent: a new child care situation or caregiver, a new sibling, moving to a new place, or tension at home.
How long does separation anxiety last? It varies from child to child. And it also depends on the child and how the parent responds. In some cases, depending on a child's temperament, separation anxiety can be persistent from infancy and last through the elementary school years. In cases where the separation anxiety interferes with an older child's normal activities, it can be the sign of a deeper anxiety disorder. In cases where the separation anxiety appears out of the blue in an older child, it can be an indication of another problem that the child may be dealing with, like bullying or abuse.
Keep in mind that separation anxiety is usually different from the normal feelings an older child has when he or she doesn't want a parent to leave. In those cases, the distress can usually be overcome if the child is distracted enough, and those feelings will not re-emerge until the parent returns and the child remembers that the parent left.
And your child does understand the effect his or her behavior has on you. If you come running back into the room every time your child cries and then stay with your child longer or cancel your plans completely, your child will continue to use this strategy to avoid separation.
What You May Be Feeling
During this stage, you're likely to experience a host of different emotions. It may be gratifying to feel that your child is finally as attached to you as you are to him or her. At the same time, you're likely to feel guilty about taking time out for yourself, leaving your child with a caregiver, or going to work. And you may start to feel overwhelmed by the amount of attention your child seems to need from you.
Try to keep in mind that your child's unwillingness to leave you is a good sign that healthy attachments have developed between the two of you. Eventually your child will be able to remember that you always return after you leave, and these memories will be enough to comfort him or her while you are gone. This also gives your child a chance to develop his or her own coping skills and a little independence.
Making Goodbyes Easier
There are a number of strategies you can use to help ease your child (and yourself) through this difficult period.
* Timing is everything. Try not to start day care or child care with an unfamiliar person between the ages of 8 months and 1 year, when separation anxiety is first likely to present itself. Also, try not to leave your child when he or she is likely to be tired, hungry, or restless. If at all possible, schedule your departures for after naps and mealtimes.
* Practice. Practice being apart from each other, and introduce new people and places gradually. If you're planning to leave your child with a relative or a new babysitter, then invite that person over in advance so they can spend time together while you're in the room. If your child is starting at a new day care center or preschool, make a few visits there together before a full-time schedule begins. Practice leaving your child with a caregiver for short periods of time so that he or she can get used to being away from you.
* Be calm and consistent. Create a goodbye ritual during which you say a pleasant, loving, and firm goodbye. Stay calm and show confidence in your child. Reassure him or her that you'll be back - and explain how long it will be until you return using concepts your child will understand (such as after lunch) because your child can't yet understand time. Give him or her your full attention when you say goodbye, and when you say you're leaving, mean it; coming back will only make things worse.
* Follow through on promises. It's important to make sure that you return when you have promised to return. This is critical, and there can be no exceptions. This is the only way your child will develop the confidence that he or she can make it through this time.
Kids with separation anxiety disorder fear being lost from their family members and are often convinced that something bad will happen when they're apart. It's a good idea to talk with your child's doctor if your child is showing signs of this, which include:
* panic symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath) or panic attacks before a parent leaves
* nightmares about separation
* fear of sleeping alone
* excessive worry about being lost or kidnapped or going places without a parent
For most kids, the anxiety of being separated from a parent passes without any need for medical attention. But if you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor.
Updated and reviewed by: Michael J. Harkness, MD www.kidshealth.com
What shall we do today - Activity Board
Help your children to learn daily rhythm and routines with activity boards. Two that we love to post for My Very Own School are the "What shall we do today board" and "The daily schedule". When your children have an image of the order of their daily activities they experience mastery and growing independence.
Your children will delight in telling you "What's Next" in their day.
Search www.lakeshorelearning.com and see what boards are best for your family. Get organized with graphics and help your children thrive.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Teach your 2, 3 and 4 year olds the rhythm and routine of school this summer!
The summer is a great time to practice the rhythm and routine of school in your home with your children. By 18-24 months children are ready to learn rhythms and routines. Make your family a My Very Own School Schedule two or three days a week and implement story time, outdoor play time and group activity time. Wait until you see how well your home runs when there is some order and routine. Not only will your children love it but you will too!
Here are some of the typical school experiences you can experiment with in your own home. Research online, talk with your fiends and go visit a preschool. For more ideas also go to www.mailbox.com, the very best resource for early childhood teachers and You! You can buy their annual activity book for a years worth of excellent activities.
Summer's Here and My Very Own School is IN!
Circle or group time: Children sit together and the coach initiates a conversation about topics such as the weather, the calendar, the seasons, a field trip, or an upcoming holiday. Sometimes she leads a discussion about a special theme or group project. The children learn concepts of time and space and gain new vocabulary words.
Free choice: Children choose from a variety of different activities available in the classroom: block building, puzzles, dress-up, water or sand play, drawing, or painting. They initiate their own play, either alone or with other children. They learn how to work independently, take turns, share, and play cooperatively with others.
Group activity: During this time, children may learn a song or dance. They may participate in making up a story, preparing a meal, planning a village, or working on a science or art project. They practice new skills, develop fine motor control, learn how to communicate their ideas and needs effectively, and how to work together as a team.
Snack: As they eat, preschoolers learn social and practical skills: how to set the table, to pass the juice and crackers, to carry on a conversation.
Outdoor play: Climbing, running, jumping, bouncing balls, and crawling through tunnels helps children develop large muscle control, motor coordination, and balance.
Clean-up: As they clear the table or put away the blocks, children learn how to plan, organize, and work with others.
Story time: Children gather together in a comfortable corner of the room to listen as the coach tells a story or reads from a book. They look at the illustrations and discuss them. The teacher asks questions about the story, helping children to learn to predict what will happen next. She encourages them to think about the characters and plot and to use new vocabulary from the story.
Here are some of the typical school experiences you can experiment with in your own home. Research online, talk with your fiends and go visit a preschool. For more ideas also go to www.mailbox.com, the very best resource for early childhood teachers and You! You can buy their annual activity book for a years worth of excellent activities.
Summer's Here and My Very Own School is IN!
Circle or group time: Children sit together and the coach initiates a conversation about topics such as the weather, the calendar, the seasons, a field trip, or an upcoming holiday. Sometimes she leads a discussion about a special theme or group project. The children learn concepts of time and space and gain new vocabulary words.
Free choice: Children choose from a variety of different activities available in the classroom: block building, puzzles, dress-up, water or sand play, drawing, or painting. They initiate their own play, either alone or with other children. They learn how to work independently, take turns, share, and play cooperatively with others.
Group activity: During this time, children may learn a song or dance. They may participate in making up a story, preparing a meal, planning a village, or working on a science or art project. They practice new skills, develop fine motor control, learn how to communicate their ideas and needs effectively, and how to work together as a team.
Snack: As they eat, preschoolers learn social and practical skills: how to set the table, to pass the juice and crackers, to carry on a conversation.
Outdoor play: Climbing, running, jumping, bouncing balls, and crawling through tunnels helps children develop large muscle control, motor coordination, and balance.
Clean-up: As they clear the table or put away the blocks, children learn how to plan, organize, and work with others.
Story time: Children gather together in a comfortable corner of the room to listen as the coach tells a story or reads from a book. They look at the illustrations and discuss them. The teacher asks questions about the story, helping children to learn to predict what will happen next. She encourages them to think about the characters and plot and to use new vocabulary from the story.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Toddler Autonomy
As you baby grows, he will most surely enter the realm of independence and desire a level of autonomy needed to continue to grow.
Your toddler has not yet acquired all the skills necessary to function independently, which creates a whole lotta frustration within this little being who believes he’s ready to take on the world.
While their favorite word may become “no”, yours should not. Using “no” excessively only takes away the power of the word and encourages your tot to use it as freely. Creating space in your home that is a 100% free zone enables them to have fun in a safe setting, while allowing you to relax knowing that you won’t need to intervene every moment. Allow your child to make some decisions, no matter how wacky.
If she really wants to wear her purple boots and old Halloween costume while going to the grocery store, setting the limit that it can be worn to the store but must be removed by dinner allows your child to taste independence without dominating you in the process.
Furthermore, allowing your child days to express her growing independence by wearing mommy’s shoes while helping set the table or holding the dog’s leash as you return your pet to the backyard satisfies some of their hunger to be big! Remember, you are doing a great job and their budding desire to become their own little person is a reflection of their growing maturity.
A great read is Michelle LaRowe's Nanny to the rescue! Enjoy.
Your toddler has not yet acquired all the skills necessary to function independently, which creates a whole lotta frustration within this little being who believes he’s ready to take on the world.
While their favorite word may become “no”, yours should not. Using “no” excessively only takes away the power of the word and encourages your tot to use it as freely. Creating space in your home that is a 100% free zone enables them to have fun in a safe setting, while allowing you to relax knowing that you won’t need to intervene every moment. Allow your child to make some decisions, no matter how wacky.
If she really wants to wear her purple boots and old Halloween costume while going to the grocery store, setting the limit that it can be worn to the store but must be removed by dinner allows your child to taste independence without dominating you in the process.
Furthermore, allowing your child days to express her growing independence by wearing mommy’s shoes while helping set the table or holding the dog’s leash as you return your pet to the backyard satisfies some of their hunger to be big! Remember, you are doing a great job and their budding desire to become their own little person is a reflection of their growing maturity.
A great read is Michelle LaRowe's Nanny to the rescue! Enjoy.
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