Monday, May 31, 2010
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.
Friday, May 28, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
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.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, May 24, 2010
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.
Friday, May 21, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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.
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.
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