May I Suggest…….

Giving Dads Credit 

 

Why is it that when a man cares for his kids it’s called babysitting or can cook dinner and do the laundry at the same time he’s called Mr. Mom?  Why not just a great dad?  I don’t have all the answers but I think we’re missing something very important.  I believe boys dream of one day be a parent just as girls do.  I think they have every hope to have an active role in the raising and nurturing of their children.  Girls however are groomed to be mothers from birth.  Boys on the other hand are teased for playing with dolls or playing house, and when young men show compassion it’s called their feminine side.  I think we know that men and women don’t always things in the same way.  Just because one parent might deal with a situation differently than the other doesn’t make him or her the better parent.  It’s ok to have different styles as long as you support each other.  Presenting a united front to the children is what’s most important.  Maybe it’s time we women give men the credit they deserve, not just for the hours spent living room wrestling or for the never ending bronco rides, but as caring and most importantly competent parents.

Grandparents Childproof Your Home!

 

My message today is for Grandparents or any other adult who doesn’t live with a child but has young ones visit their home.  How child safe is your home?  This might be something you haven’t thought about for a while Here are some areas to check. Let’s start with the obvious. Do you have guns in the house?  Are they loaded? You might assume that if they are out of sight there are safe.  Are they at easy access to a child?  Don’t believe that the kids in your life don’t know where they are. Even worse don’t assume that curiosity won’t get the best of them. Keep them in a locked case, if not all of the time, surely when children come to visit. Are cleaning supplies kept out of reach?  To young children, Window cleaner looks like kool-aid and floor cleaners like punch. How about medications?  Do you leave them out on a counter or table?  You might be surprised at how much some medications look like certain candies. Here’s one you may never think about.  Do you have a recliner? Especially the older type with the exposed metal that fold in the leg rest. Young children playing on or around a recliner are at risk of having fingers pinched or being caught between the leg rest and the seat of the chair.  Keep a list of emergency numbers handy and don’t forget to include the poison control center. Take the time right away to check out your home.  It only takes a minute and may save a lifetime of regret.

Just As They Are

 

I would like to share a quote with you a favorite quote.  “We compare our kids to the ace, to the star.  We always notice, even against our will what is missing? What is the problem?  We often think more about their flaws then their strengths.  We worry about improving them rather than just enjoying them.” I keep a copy of this in my wallet.  I read it often.  It seems so easy to concentrate on the negative more than the good things surrounding us, not just with our children but also in our marriage or at work, or with our family and friends. Think about how this feels to our kids.  Are you raising your children in a positive environment?  If not or if there’s still room for improvement here’s an idea.  Pick a motto for the week corny of not I don’t care.  Maybe like don’t sweat the small stuff or “It really doesn’t matter” but choose one and stick to it.  See how you feel this time next week.  A little less stressed I hope and enjoying life a little bit more.

Kids and Shopping

 

I was thinking that a great topic for a Mom’s Minute would be “Children’s behavior in the grocery store”.  As I watched a child play dodge ball in the isle of my local market I knew it was a good choice.  Many parents don’t really care about their kid’s behavior while shopping.  They should. Children can endure a trip to the store without any major breakdowns.  Let’s be realistic.  The grocery store is a wonderland filled with all kind of products marketed to kids. Most of these items are shelved right at their level. To simply tell them not to touch is asking a bit much.  It would be as realistic as me going to the mall and being told, “You can look but you can’t try it on”. It’s not going to happen.  Here are some things to think about.  First don’t go at naptime or when your child is hungry or grumpy, and no that’s not all the time.  Let your child know the shopping rules before you go.  If your child rides in the cart bring a special toy or book saved just for the store.  If they like to walk along side the cart explain to them that they need to stay close.  You can take it one step further and actually make it fun to shop together.  Have your child help you. They can weigh produce or mark items off the list.  Your children can even help collect items with their own list. Older kids can find simple items themselves and younger children can follow a list you’ve drawn. At the end of the shopping trip a reward may by in order.  Not a toy or candy but maybe helping choose what’s for dinner or better yet what’s for dessert! With a little planning a shopping trip might not be so painful.

A New Twist On Giving Thanks

 

As I think about this Thanksgiving season I realize not much time is spent on giving thanks for all that hasn’t happened.  .  In an attempt to focus on the true meaning of the holidays we often spend time thinking about all that we have, all of the good things that have happened in our lives and just how grateful we are to be blessed with family and friends.  Looking away from the material things and focusing on what life is really about.  I think this is great and a definite step in the right direction.  Here’s a new twist.  Do you really pay attention to all of the things that could have happened, I don’t mean dwelling on the negative, or the what ifs, but paying attention to the close calls and giving thanks for outcome. For the second time our home was spared from fire.  I know how and I’m thankful for the outcome, the what if’s, that I don’t even want to think about. When something tragic happens to someone around you step up and help and be thankful you aren’t in their shoes.

Enjoy the Holidays….again

 

The seasons are upon us.  A time to give thanks for all of our blessings as well as a time for the gimmies to start, you know when the line is crossed from what the holiday season is really all about to who wants what.  Your ever growing to do list seems endless.  Here’s a thought.  Simplify.  You family doesn’t have to attend every holiday function and you can put a limit on a wish list. It’s really not too late to regain the true spirit of this magical time of year.  Do something together as a family to feel this spirit.  Volunteer for a Christmas project, Help deliver food baskets. Go through your children’s toy together and donate like new ones to people who truly need them. Ask your children their favorite holiday traditions.  You might just be surprised by their answers. Decide as a family what activities are most important to you and enjoy them to the fullest. It amazing, you can actually get more out of doing less.  Here’s a little tip as well…..of course children love to make wish lists.  Gifts are a part of the holiday season.  You might want to try this; it may help keep the list under control while teaching the children about the first Christmas.  Let the children dream of all the toys they would wish for and them choose their THREE favorites to represent the gifts brought by the three wise men to baby Jesus.   Cutting down cost and confusion as well as allowing the children to enjoy each gift to its fullest!

Watch It With Your Childs Weight.

It’s a new year and television segments and magazine articles and bombarding us with new and improved weight lose ideas.  Granted we are now paying the price for our holiday feastings. To mom or dad loosing a few pounds may not be such a bad idea, but there’s a growing problem with our youth today, a preoccupation with weight and appearance. Not just in girls but in boys as well and at a surprisingly young age.  Everyone knows that the ideal body type as seen on TV isn’t always very realistic. It’s important for us as parents to set a good example for our children. While it is natural for us to cut back on treats and the size of our portions, it’s important to watch how our children perspective these actions. Does your child hear comments such as “I’m so fat” or “I was good I didn’t eat that cookie” Do they see you skipping meals or letting the scale control your mood? We might tell our children they are beautiful just the way they are but will they believe us if we don’t believe it for ourselves.

Bullies

 

I’m sure it won’t surprise you when I tell you there are bullies at school.  Harassment in school doesn’t wait until children are older.  It might shock you that kids in kindergarten are even at risk of being pushed around literally. Bullying can indeed take the form of hitting and pushing.  But usually it isn’t physical violence.  Bullying usually involves threats and name-calling.  School safety experts say kids, parents and teachers can work together to stop this problem.  Our local schools are working had to teach empathy and compassion as well as the art of conflict resolution.  Talk to your children.  Let them know that they can stand up for themselves. Here are tip to teach your kids.  If you are being bullied, tell the bully in a firm voice that you don’t like what he or she is doing, Walk away quickly, and find an adult right away then tell them what has happened.  Teach your kids to be smart and to know that they only deserve to be treated with kindness.

How many times do I have to tell you?

 

Hello, this is Janet Davis and this is a “Moms Minute” Do you use these lines with your kids? “How many times do I have to tell you?” or “How many time do I have to call your name” Children are smart they know just when you have almost reached your boiling point, and then they hear you. I think we all feel our kids are to blame for when things get out of hand. Remember we are the adults, we’re supposed to be the wiser ones.   Save yourself some stress and try this.  When wanting to talk to your child and calling their name once doesn’t work, place your hand on their shoulder and make eye contact before you start talking.  If you are asking then to do something make it clear what is expected of them.  Tell them you will only be asking them once and that there will be consequences for not doing as they have been asked.  Make these consequences appropriate and follow through. Don’t make it a power struggle make it a matter of fact, plain and simple.  Less stress, no yelling and children listening now that sounds good.