Memorial Day Giving

Celebrate Memorial Day in a new way. Ever get those door hangers or flyers where the Vietnam Veterans of America ask for donations (clothing, shoes, toys, tools…)? Well this time do something about it. Clean out your garage of items you don't use. Get rid of those 70's and 80's, even 90's clothes of yours, and toys your children are too old for. Go to www.VVA.org or call (at least in my area) 1-800-775-VETS to set up a time for a collection pick up from this organization.

Parenting Article- The Benefits of doing Enjoyable Activities with your Child

I rewrote this article some. Because of its popularity I'm presenting it again.

I believe in doing enjoyable things with your child to bond with them. Going to museums they like. Playing ball with them. Building a toy airplane with your son. Making a sweater or dress with your daughter if she wants to. This gives your child lasting good memories. Additionally, when you are doing a fun activity with your child you can talk to them in a non-threatening environment about what is going on at school or what is happening in their life in general. Remember there are times and places when it's not best to ask such questions. Example- during homework. This is because this can be a stressful time for your child, or you if you continually tell them to stay on task during homework. You also might not want to ask questions just as you come home from a hard day at work. You don't want to be distracted by thoughts of work. You want to be mentally present. Sometimes parents ask questions to their kids and their kids think their parents aren't really listening. So they figure why bother answering a question fully next time. In addition to being mentally present when you talk to your child, you also want to be calm and comfortable. Your child should be calm and comfortable as well. So avoid asking personal questions when friends (yours and theirs) are around, it could embarrass your child.

Let us say you want to ask your child this, "So how are you doing making up with your best friend?" It is better to ask this question when your child is relaxed, not when they are busy reading, just got home from a hard day at school, or had a bad day at soccer practice. Plan a fun activity where it is more likely they will answer this with more than an "okay." Ask it casually as you are making cookies or sailing their small boat in the park lake. Or surprise them with a trip to the ice cream store. Walk there and as you do ask about what you want to know. Find out what is happening in your child's life. Get the low down. Get more informed. If you find out they are being teased by other kids at school this might be the reason they have stopped liking their violin lessons or why they do not like going to school anymore. You can give your own examples of how you were teased as a kid; how it affected you; and how you solved it or how you should have solved it. Build a bond with your child now. You will be glad you did later. Last point to be made- A child wants to know their parents care even though they seem to act like they do not care one way or the other. But please do not be TOO involved in your child's life in all aspects. Let your child have space.

Book Review- Award Winner

Chapter book for forth to sixth graders. "Holes," by Louis Sachar. A Newbery Winner. If your child has seen the movie then have them read the book. Or visa versa. This book is about Stanley, a boy who is sent to an all boy's reform camp. It was that or jail. He chooses Camp Green Lake, a place where Stanley finds out you have to dig holes day after day. And since there is no lake there you can't even take a cold dip after a hard days work. All this digging is supposed build character. But Stanley thinks there is more than meets the eye about that. A very interesting book, which delves deep into the shadowy recesses of the human mind.

Doggy Tip- 1st Dog Days of Summer

First installment of Dog Days Of Summer. Tips for Dog Owner's and thier families.

Are you tired of paying for doggy poop bags for when you go on a walk with your dog? If yes, then here are ways to save. 1) If you get a newspaper delivered to your home, save the wrapping it comes in and use it instead. Tie to leash handle. (I put two on my dog's leash in case she has to do her business twice.) 2) Bread bags can be used the same way. Bonus is they aren't as clear. Plus, being extra long it makes for easy pick up. (3) Use plastic grocery bags. And since they are white people are less able to see inside. With any of these plastic bags make sure they don't have rips or holes in them or you'll be sorry later.

Need a place to put all your plastic bags until you need them? If you get milk in half gallon plastic containers save one. Wash it out really well and cut a big hole in its side. Put your plastic bags in this hole for easy access. Place masking tape around holes edges so you and your children don't cut yourselves when you put your hand inside.

Movie Review for older kids

Movie Title: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Rated PG. (A couple of very inappropriate words, not for kids under 10. You don't want your kids using these words. My opinion is they were put in to make it PG.) A spaceship lands on earth. While human are trying to get a good look at it, it leaves, leaving behind a sweet extra-terrestrial. This alien hides from the humans. A boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) finds him and takes care of him until he can help E.T. get back home. The story plays out well. And it's quite endearing how Elliot and the alien bond.

Arts and Craft Time

Simple Arts and Craft Project: Make a puzzle.
Have your child choose a picture from a magazine. Cut it out. Take off the cardboard backing from a legal pad. Glue picture on this cardboard. Let dry and then cut into puzzle pieces.

Father's Day idea: Enlarge a photo of Dad or print one off your computer. Glue it on cardboard. Let dry and cut into puzzle pieces.

Book Review- Award Winner

Chapter book for forth to seventh graders. "Johnny Tremain," by Esther Forbes, a historian. A Newbery winner. Not to be discriminatory, but to be honest this book is better suited for boys. As a child I read this book because I had a many greats, great-grandfather who signed the Declaration of Independence and I was interested in just why we went to war.
The story takes place just before the American Revolution. It's about a boy, Johnny, who gets caught up in all the commotion of pre-war and the early parts of fighting. History does come alive in this book, but it's not for all kids. It's not easy, fast reading. And some children might get bored and stop reading it.

Parent Tip

Be in the Know. Here's an important fact for mothers of young children. According to studies, kids under the age of two are less likely to receive serious injuries when they ride in rear facing car seats. Make sure your child is properly seated and buckled in their car seat so it can do its job correctly.

Movie Review

Movie Title: Bugsy Malone. Rated G. Musical. My all time favorite movie as a child. Cast is all children. It's a parody on the 1930's gangster films. The kids play adults, owning shops and homes. Wisecracking Bugsy Malone (Scott Baio) goes to work for speak easy owner, Fat Joe, to gain money to go to Hollywood with his singer and dancer girlfriend. Fat Joe's girlfriend (Jodie Foster) has eyes for Bugsy but Bugsy wants none of it. If that isn't enough, Bugsy must help Fat Joe save his business from a bootlegger who wants to run him out of town. But don't worry the bootlegged items aren't liquor, it is whipped cream. The last scene with all the kids throwing cream pies at each other is quite funny. And the movie has a happy ending. Items in movie I thought were neat: Pedal pushing mini cars and whip cream guns. (Though in general I do not like guns these are pretty harmless, and the ammunition yummy.)

Arts and Craft Time

Simple arts and craft project. Make a Pencil and Pen holder. First have soup from a tin can. I recommend using the kind that has a pull off tab on top. Make sure there are no sharp metal points sticking out, inside top of can.

First idea: Items needed: Construction paper, crayons, glue, scissors. Cut paper to size and glue it around can. Have your child color pictures on paper. Now use decorated can as pencil and pen holder. Second idea: Items needed: Different colored tissue paper, glue, scissors. Cut out pieces of tissue paper and glue them on tin. Overlap tissue on can for an interesting look. Third idea: Items needed: Two to four kinds of wrapping paper, glue, scissors. Cut pieces of wrapping paper in different shapes and glue on can. You can also cut out designs (cats/cups/birthday hats/sayings) from wrapping paper and layer them on tin.

Book Review- Picture Book for both Young and Older Kids

Childrens book useful for Parents to read as well as their child.
"Manners," by Aliki. This picture book is a groovy way of teaching kids manners. Using comic strips and humorous examples of what NOT to do, and what they should do instead, your child will find learning about manners can be fun, and funny. This book is for second graders to fifth graders. But you can always read this book to your kindergartner and first grader, for it's never too early to learn about manners.

Science Experiment Day

Science Day: Use a cup you can throw away. Fill cup up with carbonated cola. Have your child put a penny in the soda. You can do the same with a nickel at the same time. Three days later, using a spoon, see how the penny looks (and nickel if you did it). Put penny back in soda to soak. Fifth day: See how penny looks. Day seven: Look at penny again. Can you see a difference in the coins corrosion rate due to being different metals? I did. I knew a science teacher who did this experiment with her class to bring it on home how drinking lots of soda is not a great thing to do. She told her class to pretend the penny was their teeth. Now of course you would not soak your teeth for seven days in soda, but she was trying to make a point about how drinking lots of soda can have an adverse affect on the enamel on your teeth.

Movie Review

Movie Title: Andre. Animal movie. Rated PG (but mild). Based on a true story. A family rescues a seal pup and names him Andre. The seal becomes part of the family, forming a special bond with the little girl. Unfortunately the family can't keep the seal as a pet so they have to let Andre go back to live in his natural environment, the sea. But each spring Andre comes back to visit the family that befriended him. An A class movie. Heart warming and fun. Andre flapping about in the bathtub is a funny scene. Adults as well as kids should like this movie. I know I did.

Happy Mother's Day!

Being a mother is more than just giving birth to a baby. It's about giving love day after day. It's about taking the time to be there for your child, during good times and bad, in sickness and in health. It's about teaching your child values, the importance of cooperation and personal safety. And much more. Sounds like what you've been doing? Then give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

Parenting Article- Steps to Curb Back Talk

Steps to get Your Child to use a Better Tone of Voice with You and Others.

Does this scenario seem familiar: You say to your son, "Daniel, it is time to get ready for soccer." Daniel answers, "Not now. I'm busy. In two minutes, okay." You firmly state, "Daniel, go get ready for soccer." Daniel curtly replies, "Give me a break. It's not even time to go yet." You repeat, "Daniel, go get ready for soccer." Daniel starts going to his room and on his way there churlishly utters, "Geez, you don't have to get so uptight about it." This is an example of talking back. As a parent do not put up with it! Get your child to use a better tone of voice when they talk to you.

Step one: You need to REALLY decide not put up with your child talking impolitely to you. Some parents make a half hearted attempt to get their child to talk nicer to them. But old habits die hard. In the end they decide it is easier to have a tin ear when it happens instead of correcting their child the moment it happens. Which leads us to Step two:
When your child speaks rudely to you, you should correct it right then and there, but in a calm voice. If you have an outburst over it, your child will feel justified in their remark, especially if it was a derogatory one about you.

Step three: Tell your child what you expect. The moment your child talks back or is "short" with you, correct them by saying, "You are being discourteous towards me. I expect you to talk to me in a respectful tone of voice. Now go do X." Some parents make their child apologize to them for talking back. I can see their point, but if a child does not mean it, it sounds hallow. An apology should be genuine. And the child might say it insolently, which is defeating the purpose of teaching your child to talk politely. I do believe, however, if a child is curt with another adult other than their parent they should apologize. You as the parent are the teacher, another adult is just an unfortunate person who had to listen to your child's surly remark.

Step four: Teach your child how to talk to you. And how to conduct himself with you. Let us suppose you made a fine dinner for your family and your child turns their nose up at it. You say to your daughter, "Peggy, please eat your dinner." Peggy tersely replies, "I don't like it. It looks icky." Peggy may not like it, but she does not have to voice her opinion so uncivilly. Show your child how to conduct herself. You could start by saying, "That was not a kind thing to say. I spent time making dinner and you should show more appreciation," but do add, "Be courteous. If you do not like something I make you can be bummed, but do not say something derogatory about it. What you can say is, 'Hey, I love it when you make your homemade macaroni and cheese with sausage pieces in it.' If you say things like this to me, I will keep it in mind and make it." Another example: You tell your child to go do their homework. They snap back, "Don't bug me. I'll do it." It is the way they are saying this you need to work on. Catch yourself from losing it. Take a deep breath in, release it and say, "Please talk politely to me. You can politely and respectfully say to me, 'Please Mom, do not bug me about it. I will do it.' When you talk to me this way I respond to it better."

Step five: If your child keeps refusing to talk politely, don't give up. This is where consequences come in. Give a consequence when it deserves one, and when your child speaks politely, note it with praise and reward it. "Tom, I noticed you've been talking nicer to your sister lately. I like it." Never beg your child to speak nicely. Do not make yourself an equal, or less. They will treat you as such. You are the parent you deserve respect. In turn you should be respectful to your children and others so your kids can see by your example how to be respectful.

Chapter book- Book Review

Chapter book for age eight to eleven. "Boy, Tales of Childhood," by Roald Dahl. This book is actually appealing to adults as well. Did you ever wonder where the author of "James and the Giant Peach," "The Witches," and "Charlie and the Chocolate factory" got his inspiration for such imaginative books? Read this book and maybe you'll find out. At least you'll be entertained. It's really quite engrossing and funny. I kept reading tale after tale of Mr. Dahl's childhood, not getting bored in the least. While reading the chapter, The Matron, I wondered if that was where Mr. Dahl got his idea for "Matilda." I recommend this book for children who have to do an autobiography on a famous author. With humor abound, they'll learn about Mr. Dahl's early life, his school life and his summer vacations. Even if they just read it for a book report, this is one book report they actually might enjoy doing.

Movie Review

Movie Title: How to Frame a Figg. Comedy. Rated G. Funny man Don Knotts plays Hollis Figg, a man about town, or so he thinks. But this town's accountant gets duped into a scam created by the big wigs of the town. Hollis's sweetheart and not too bright buddy have to help him get out of the fix. At first I wasn't so sure I would like the movie. But the more I watched it the more I liked it. Knotts character grows on you. I think kids will find the bowling ball incident funny (Knotts gets his finger stuck in a bowling ball).