10 Tips for a Peaceful Holiday Season: Helping Kids Relax- Kids get pretty anxious over the holidays. It's a time of excitement and wonder, and they often have a hard time relaxing, staying calm and sleeping well.
Here are some tips to help your kids stay relaxed and on a healthy sleep schedule.
6 Ways to Protect Your Latchkey Kids- As a parent, you don't choose to have your kids at home alone, but sometimes the pressures of two parents working, school schedules, and baby sitting problems require you to do so. There are some very easy things you can do to reduce the risk for your kids. Every parent can implement these tips to keep their family safer.
7 Biggest Discipline Mistakes- You're trying to make your child quit bullying, lying, cheating, defying you or talking back with little success. You've tried threatening, scolding and even begging, but nothing seems to work. How can you ensure that he stops for good?
Aggressive Kids Making the Wrong Friends- Nearly 90 percent of children labeled as having aggression problems don't form friendships with “the right kinds of kids” – those who can provide appropriate examples of behavior when interacting with others.
All You Need to Know About Birthday Parties- At all ages, simple events tend to be successful and more fun. Complicated parties usually require extensive planning with little additional fun-value. What's most important to the kids? Friends, goodies and gifts!
Angry Emotions - Your Child's and Yours- Question: My child can't control his angry emotions.
He tends to lash out at others, verbally and physically.
How can I help him stop getting so angry?
Arguing & Back Talk- I know my kid's going to grow up to be a lawyer! He argues
whenever he's asked to do something. He debates his rights
when he's asked to stop doing something. He pleads his case
when I tell him he can't do something. He disputes every rule I
create. How can I put an end to this?
Baby-sitter Safety Tips- Making sure your family has a fire plan is one of the most important
things you can do, especially important is that everyone knows where
the meeting place outside is. Having everyone meet in one spot not only
helps the firemen know if everyone is out makes their job easier.
Unfortunately, most babysitters are not given this information.
Bullying - Both Sides of The Fence- It's time for kids to go back to school. And time again to deal
with bullies. Is your child a bully? Is your child a victim?
Parenting expert, Elizabeth Pantley, has some great advice for
parents and kids on both sides of the fence.
Can Twins Have Too Much Togetherness?- Many twins begin to interact with each other around six to ten months of age. As same-age siblings begin to discover one another, it's a thrill for parents to watch as the two hug, play, and communicate. Even their sibling squabbles are fascinating to parents who are learning to discern each child's unique personality. Most enthralling to parents of twins, however, is the ease with which each twin seems to anticipate the other's needs.
Can't We Just All Get Along?- As frustrating as it can be for parents, bickering between siblings is normal for children. Getting along with a brother or sister isn't something your kids will "grow into." Children need to be taught how to get along, and it's never too early for parents to work with their kids on sibling relationships. In fact, the way adults interact with each other and their ability to compromise and solve conflicts can be traced all the way back to childhood and how they interacted with their siblings.
Casual Remarks- It's a curious affliction: the tendency to talk about one's children in the most brutally honest and hurtful ways without realizing that the cherished subjects of the offensive comments are listening to every word. Right now, you may be saying to yourself, "This never happens to me." Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Children Should Take Responsibility for Decreasing TV Viewing- Getting children to decrease the amount of time they watch TV is not often easy, but researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Mississippi say encouraging children to take responsibility for decreasing their TV time can be effective.
Clean Your Room!- My child's bedroom looks like it's been put through a blender! I can't see the
carpet, and to walk through the room I have to dodge clothes, toys, and last
week's snack wrappers. My child doesn't care, but I do. When I yell and
threaten we sometimes end up with one day of cleanliness, but in no time at
all, the disaster magically reappears. What can I do?
Crosstown Friends- Many parents
would attest to a
new variation on
Murphy's Law:
Your child will
bond with the
classmate who
lives farthest
away, not the
child down the
street. And these
days, those classmates can live far away.
Dealing with "Monsters" and Nighttime Fears- It can be difficult to think straight when your crying child shakes you awake in the middle of the night frightened and tearful by a nightmare or the monster she knows for sure has taken up residence in her closet or under her bed. Or a terrible dream that leaves her feeling shaken. Groggily, I would find myself talking half-asleep to my 4-year-old daughter, "Honey, I know that the monster moved out last week. He doesn't even like it here. He's completely afraid of you." But, to no avail.
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude with Your Kids- Jerry Seinfeld once recorded a hilarious routine about Halloween as a kid. "Let me see if I get this straight, all I have to do is dress up weird and parade around my neighborhood and people I don't know will give me candy? For free? I can do that!"
Dog Doo To Do- The Hidden Message: "If you can put up with the
drone of my voice, go ahead and feel free to ignore
me. I don't plan to take any action about this issue
at all."
Easing Their Terrible Fears- My daughter recently turned 7 years old. About 6 months ago she developed a terrible fear. She is awfully afraid of wind, even a slight breeze, clouds and rain. It is a fear that totally wipes her out.
Eating Right for Sleep- Food has a huge impact on a child's well-being. It can energize, increase hyperactivity or induce fatigue. Just as a lack of sleep can jumble a child's thinking or cause learning problems, so can an inadequate diet. Each child is a unique individual, and it's unreasonable to think that "one size fits all" diet advice is realistic.
Ending Sibling Fights- My kids' fighting drives me crazy! It's usually over some
extremely important issue, like who gets to use the red LegoTM
piece. (Never mind that there are fifteen more just like it in the
box!) I get so tired of the yelling, screaming and threatening --
not to mention what goes on between the kids! Please, I beg
you, give me some ideas to put an end to this bickering.
First Born Jealousy- Our first-born is showing extreme jealousy towards the new
baby. She's obviously mad at us for disrupting the predictable
flow of her life with this new challenger for our attention. How
can we smooth things out?
Getting Kids to Stay In Bed- My daughter is 7 1/2 and in the last month has
developed a problem at bedtime. She has always gone
to bed with a story and most of the time asleep before
8:30. Recently we extended her bedtime to 9:00 PM for
the summer. Since we have done this, I am lucky if she
is asleep by 10:30. It is not only the problem of falling asleep, but
she is up several times after I put her to bed.
Getting Kids to Write Thank You Notes- Doing the things that demonstrate good manners isn't always easy or fun. But having good manners will help your child have better friendships, happier family relationships, and an easier time adjusting to the nuances of our society. No child is born with good manners.
Gimmee!- Author of "Hidden Messages : What Our Words and Actions Are Really Telling Our Children" and parenting expert, Elizabeth Pantley, really makes you think about the messages you are sending to your children in your everyday activities. First, read the story, then see Elizabeth's explanation and solutions to help you change the way you send these messages.
Gratitude More Than Attitude: Teaching Children the Joy of Being Grateful- Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children.
Helping Your Child Look Forward to School- "I hate school!" No parent wants to hear their third grade
daughter yell out these words on a regular basis. Your
first grader conveniently forgets to bring home his homework
every day of the week. Your 10 year old daughter complains
each morning that she is too tired to go to school.
Home Alone: When and How?- I'm trying to decide if my children are ready to be home alone for short periods of time. I'm thinking specifically of the time after school until I arrive home from work, or in evening when I attend a meeting or go out to dinner. How can I tell when it's okay to get by without a baby-sitter?
I Hate You- When my son gets angry with me he yells, "I hate you! I wish you weren't my mother!" and other hurtful things. It really disturbs me, but I don't know how to respond.
July 4th is almost here. Celebrate Independence Day this year with crafts, recipes and plenty of other ideas. Here are a few examples to get you started...
Fun Picture Riddles Help with Letter Recognition: Scholastic has done it again, releasing yet another fabulous book in its popular I Spy series. This time Jean Marzollo's witty riddles married with Walter Wick's vibrant photographs make for a fun and engaging read for children of all ages. Through the seemingly magical power of rhyme and repetition, children will obtain several early reading skills without even trying!
Family Matters Radio
FMR is a nationally syndicated radio program developed to help you live your best life, hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. No rants and raves - you get enough of that from your kids. Choose a segment below to begin listening!
Kids get pretty anxious over the holidays. It's a time of excitement and wonder, and they often have a hard time relaxing, staying calm and sleeping well.
Here are some tips to help your kids stay relaxed and on a healthy sleep schedule.
As a parent, you don't choose to have your kids at home alone, but sometimes the pressures of two parents working, school schedules, and baby sitting problems require you to do so. There are some very easy things you can do to reduce the risk for your kids. Every parent can implement these tips to keep their family safer.
You're trying to make your child quit bullying, lying, cheating, defying you or talking back with little success. You've tried threatening, scolding and even begging, but nothing seems to work. How can you ensure that he stops for good?
At all ages, simple events tend to be successful and more fun. Complicated parties usually require extensive planning with little additional fun-value. What's most important to the kids? Friends, goodies and gifts!
Many twins begin to interact with each other around six to ten months of age. As same-age siblings begin to discover one another, it's a thrill for parents to watch as the two hug, play, and communicate. Even their sibling squabbles are fascinating to parents who are learning to discern each child's unique personality. Most enthralling to parents of twins, however, is the ease with which each twin seems to anticipate the other's needs.
My daughter is 7 1/2 and in the last month has
developed a problem at bedtime. She has always gone
to bed with a story and most of the time asleep before
8:30. Recently we extended her bedtime to 9:00 PM for
the summer. Since we have done this, I am lucky if she
is asleep by 10:30. It is not only the problem of falling asleep, but
she is up several times after I put her to bed.
Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children.
Fun Picture Riddles Help with Letter Recognition
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Missed the last couple of newsletters? Haven't visited for a while? This section highlights articles and crafts that have recently been added to FC...
