Simple family pleasures image: sxc.hu

 Are there activities they can do that don’t cost a great deal of money?

My husband and I grew up in homes where struggling and working together on farms was a normal part of our childhood.  However, many happy memories have resulted.

We went through periods of difficulties when our daughter was growing up, but learned to enjoy many simple pleasures with love and laughter.  Now in our multigenerational household, we find solace in working together.

What can families do?

• Pitch in with chores if both mom and dad must work.
• Take hikes and walks together.
• Have family movie nights at home.
• Play board games.
• Put on family skits.
• Invite friends and neighbors for a potluck and board game night.
• Have a storytelling evening.

What do you do for family fun, work and entertainment that pulls you closer together during tough times?

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Do Families Become Closer in Tough Times?

IMG: Amazon.com

Maybe it is being noticed more now that Sesame Street just turned 40 Years Old or the fact that Michelle Obama was just on the show that dealt with a lot of veggetables and gardening. Maybe it is being focused on more because we have so many kids that would rather grab for the coookies instead of the carrot sticks and Cookie Monster would prefer his bunches of grapes. I say it is a good thing and they state Cookie isn’t saying NO to cookies, he’s just making a few healthier choices.

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Cookie Monster becomes Healthy Food Monster

To date, Maclaren has received 15 reports of children placing their fingers in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputation in the United States.

The recall includes about one million single and double Maclaren Strollers distributed nationally at Babies “R” Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers between 1999 and November 2009. The recalled modens include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveller. The strollers, which were manufactured in China, sold for between $100 and $360.

Consumers are urged to stop using these recalled strollers immediately and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit. Maclaren USA can be reached toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or through its Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall.

Source, Beasley Allen Law Firm
Photo, CSPC

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Strollers Recalled Due to Amputation Hazard

Just as they learn (good and bad) from parents, they also learn from grandparents.   So it’s difficult to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Image: sxc.hu

We also continue to influence youngsters long after ours are grown, especially when we have frequent contact with our grandchildren.  So how do you want you want your grandchildren to resemble you?

This doesn’t mean “spoil” them or compete with other grandparents, Be yourself, but be consistent with what you say and do and teach regarding:

• Honesty
• Loyalty
• Clean language
• Good health habits
• Self-sufficiency
• Finances
• Relationships with others
• Morality

Our actions and words have a ripple effect that affect our children, grandchildren and future generations.

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Your Grandchildren Are Watching You

IMG: Sxc.hu

So this got me to think, obviously we say go to the potty like a big kid. Course when we are out and about in the public world how do we handle the situation? Myself I go in with the girls, the oldest normally goes into the males but we are waiting nearby. If he takes too long I’ll yell his name. Do you let your kids run off to the bathrooms? Does the opposite parent take them? Would you use the uni bathroom? etc.

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When Do You Stop Taking them to the Potty

IMG: Sxc.hu

Here are some surveys one site did online:
Do you think the student should have been sent home from school for this dress code violation?
Total
Yes57%
No43%

Do you think that the actions of the school were appropriate?
Total
Yes61%
No39%

Do you think that the actions taken by this school were an act of discrimination?
Total
Yes37%
No63%

If you were in high school, would you support having this student attend your school?
Total
Yes55%
No45%

Do you think that treatment of this student should be any different than the treatment of a person wearing head coverings associated with religious practices?
Total
Yes55%
No55%

While viewing the video, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving  (mediacurves.com)

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Should Cross Dressing be Tolerated?

Many young people use numbers and letters (4 instead of for, u for you) to speed up the process so they often don’t remember the correct spelling.

Adults also have developed this trend, and I find myself (as a teacher, author and English minor) doing the same.  However, most adults have learned to correctly spell.  Many youngsters have not, so they begin to substitute the text spelling into their work at school.

Image: sxc.hu

Do you feel it’s important that texting may be influencing a generation of non-spellers or “creative” spellers?  Will we, who have been taught grammar and spelling, need to learn that type of spelling to communicate with them and to stay in today’s loop?

What will spelling look like in years to come?

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Will Texting Affect Children’s Spelling?

IMG: Elizabeth Ferree

My son is 3 years old and refusing use his potty chair. Any recommendations?

My first question would be to ask if something has happened between said child and the toilet? I remember my 3 year old reacting the same way just after she learned to use her new potty, only it tried eating her. That’s what she said when she came running out of the bathroom holding her butt in her hands. She swore it tried to eat her butt, but her butt got squished when she put the lid down on it.

Another thought would be did he/she choose the toilet, maybe they are ready for a new one. Some like their own potty chairs while others like just the seat to go on the potty.

Got any thoughts or suggestions for my dear reader?

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A Potty Question: Using the Potty

For centuries, people have touted the benefits of laughter. Experts say that a good laugh can reduce stress by relaxing tense muscles and energizing you by sending more oxygen into your bloodstream. It has also been shown to lower blood pressure.

Loma Linda University School of Medicine researchers Drs. Lee Berk and Stanley Tan have conducted studies that show laughter lowers serum cortisol levels, increases the amount of activated T lymphocytes, increases the number and activity of natural killer cells, and increases the number of T cells that have helper/suppresser receptors. What that all means is that the mere act of laughing can stimulate the immune system, off-setting the immunosuppressive effects of stress.

Laughter, too, has been shown to improve one’s tolerance to pain. (Wish I’d heard that after labor, when the epidural wore off!)

There have also been reports that people with serious diseases, like cancer, can mend themselves by arming themselves with a positive attitude and plenty of laughter. Another plus is that laughter, unlike many medicines, has no side effects. So there is truth to the old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.”

Sources:
Solve Your Problems
Natural Medicine, Suite 101

Video & screenshot, YouTube, tipookhan

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Why Laughter Really is the Best Medicine

Pincushion Image: sxc.hu

 I’ve saved a number of these and find the memories joyful.  ONe is a pincushion my daughter made by herself and gave me as a surprise Christmas gift when she was about eight years old. Even though she’s grown with a daughter in college, I still use this and treasure it.

My daughter has Christmas ornaments her son and daughter made in art class in elementary school.  Each year she puts them out for display.

There are other items children make, some large and some small, some at school and others at home, that parents and grandparents treasure. Sometimes these gifts have no use at all…other than  bringing  back fond memories.

What are some of small treasures and memories?

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Children’s Small Treasures Appreciated