Disturbing News

I recently read an article in Reader’s Digest, titled Field of Screams, in Michael Crowley’s That’s Outrageous! column. Read the article — which is about the angry and sometimes even violent behavior displayed by parents at their kids’ sporting events — and you’ll see what’s so outrageous! This article touched me in a personal and individual way, and I wonder if it will do the same to you.

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Tips on Cooperation for 0- to 5-Year-Olds

Problem: You’re beginning to wonder if you’re the maid or the parent – from morning till night you’re either picking up or cleaning up after your children!

Goal: To quit your “job” and get your kids to cooperate with you and take care of themselves – after all, when they leave home at 18 they won’t be able to take you with them!

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Dinner Out? With the Kids? Training Part 1

Problem: Your two year old won’t sit at the table, your five year old opens all the sugar packets and pours them into her mouth, your seven year old eats rice with her fingers, and your ten year old wants the $47.00 lobster and fillet mignon, a.k.a., surf and turf. In other words, going out to dinner as a family has become a nightmare!

Goal: To dine out in a kid friendly, five star restaurant or eat at your friend’s house with your entire family without incident.

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“Thank you very much, thank you. Thank you very-very much”. Those words were sung by the enthusiastic students at a recent assembly held at my children’s elementary school. The applause and appreciation was for Lance, the school’s long-time janitor.

Not Today!

It was one of those rainy mornings, when the wetness in the air creates a chill in your bones and the idea of staying in bed all day with a good book grabs hold and won’t let go. I did get out of bed to drive my kids to school, but stayed in my pajamas with the idea that I might follow through on my earlier idea of, “book and bed”.

This was Friday, the day of the week when assemblies are held at 8:05 am. The pull of, “book and bed” was strong, but when my daughter asked if I would stay for the assembly, the pull of her words was stronger. I said “yes”, got out of the car, took her small hand in mine and marched into the school for assembly . . . in my pajamas.

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Sidestepping the Tantrum: SAY YES!

Ever look forward to a walk with the kids and end up with a bloody nose, kids who barf all over the stroller, and run away dogs! All higher education degrees aside, this stuff is tough! No one teaches you how to handle a toddler’s tantrum while in the supermarket, bathroom stall or on a walk; never mind two kids at once.

On the Walk

It started out with a “Whhaaa” from my one year old and a few whiney requests to walk from my two year old. Without thinking I react and let the two year old walk! Once you let one out, you have to be FAIR and let the other out. That pricey college degree my parents paid for did not prepare me for the mayhem that ensued! I held my one year old in my arms and attempted to push the stroller while keeping the other child on the sidewalk. You guessed it, I said fair well to the dogs. I don’t even know how the bloody nose and double barf events happened. I can tell you they closed out this momentous walk. It could have been worse . . . at least it wasn’t raining!

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Do you believe that good parents praise their children?

When your child wins a game, draws a picture or comes home with an A on her report card, what do you say? What are you thinking?

Do you take a moment to think about WHAT you want to say and WHY you want to say it? Do you ever wonder what the impact of your words will have on your child?

Are you like so many other parents who are in the habit of responding with words like “good job”, “nice work” or “I am so proud of you”; without considering how these words will impact your child’s developing self esteem and self confidence?

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A balanced home routine will help kids and parents transition from summer to school more easily. Once the honeymoon phase of “Welcome Back to School” is over, many kids and parents find themselves in the same ruts they were in the year before.

Don’t Despair. You can change, your kids can change, and the daily routines can change.

Here’s How!

• Post a piece of chart paper in the kitchen or family area that asks your kids this question—”What would you change about the morning/evening routine to make it more fun and more functional?”
• Let them know that after 7 days you would like to begin implementing some of their ideas. Besides encouraging kids to participate in the creating of routines, you will find out how they view fun and function.
• Implement at least 1 new idea each week until you create the perfect routine for you and your family.

Remember, routines allow for more spontaneity and freedom once they have been established and implemented.

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Boredom: the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest —Websters Dictionary

We can’t believe our ears.
The kids have been out of school a month and they are already claiming, ”I’m Bored. There’s nothing to do.”
When I was growing up, I lived on a street with lots of kids. Parents were always available to sit on the sidewalk as we rode our bikes, built forts, performed plays, set up lemonade stands, played kick ball in the street and a number of other activities. I can’t imagine one of us ever considering summer as a time of boredom. Summer meant freedom. Pure and simple. Freedom to explore, create, relax, day dream and play until we were plumb tuckered out. It seems that things have changed.

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