IMG: Sxc.hu

1.  Grades. Yes, there are some of us parents that want to see our children succeed and know when we’ve seen high marks there are no reason for low ones. If there are low marks, that means something is up in their life that needs to be changed.

2.  Time.  Too much time on their hands. I know this is like one of those counter statements because while they don’t have any of their own time at school or once they get home they still have TIME. Time for a child can definitely be stressful though especially when you pile that with 7-9 classes in a day and then homework. Time may seem small because of technology too, they could be online the whole time they are home or texting the moment they get on the school bus.

3.  Economic pressures. Sure mom and dad keep quiet about the bills but even kids pick up on things. Remember when you would jump at the mention of them needing a new jacket and now you ask how long can the one they currently have last? Well, they know what that means.

Now the American Psychological Association wrote a survey called, Stress in America, which had kids 7-18 years of age.  Many of the things kids are stressed about the parents had no clue.

Post from: Blisstree

Are Our Children Too Stressed?

Alabama is my husband’s team. He grew up during the glory days of Bear Bryant, and he still remembers seeing the mighty coach standing on the sidelines or watching him eat Golden Flake potato chips on TV. If you think Alabama fans have put the Bear years behind them, you haven’t met my husband.

My son is an LSU fan. We’re not sure how it happened. Truman pledged his allegiance to the purple-and-gold a few weeks before the 2007 football season. That was the year they took home the national championship. This was when my son was his most clairvoyant. He almost always picked the winning baseball team or Nascar driver. When he predicted Obama would be president long before the Democratic primary, well, it was just freaky.

Here’s how much my husband loves our son – he bought Truman an LSU jersey. Truman wears it from time to time, especially when he and Daddy play football in the yard. Rick is willing to be most any team Truman makes him be, except Tennessee and Auburn. Last week Rick was Iowa. (Truman pronounces it eye-OH-uh.)

Sure, we bought Truman Alabama caps and jerseys even before he was born. We assumed we would raise an Alabama fan simply through osmosis. But for some reason, our son preferred choosing his own favorites. As much as it pains Rick, he is willing to let Truman be his own man when it comes to choosing sports teams. Rick is an avid New York Yankees fan; Truman prefers the Red Sox. Rick loves the Lakers; Truman likes the Celtics.

When we told Truman last week that we were going to see Alabama play LSU, Rick told our darling son that he could wear any jersey he wanted, including his LSU jersey. Truman said, “That’s OK, Daddy. I’m going to wear my Alabama jersey just for you.” My husband gushed with pride.

Those words alone from my psychic son led me to believe that Alabama would continue its winning streak. But at times it was hard to keep the faith. Thankfully, Alabama pulled off the win. Roll Tide!

We drove home that evening with our son strapped in the backseat. He was wearing his Alabama jersey and ROLL TIDE eye blacks, holding a crimson-and-white shaker and a paper hounds tooth hat fan, and shouting “Roll Tide” to passing cars. My husband turned to me, a proud papa, and said, “I think we’ve finally made him a Bama fan.”

Truman suddenly paused from his Bama chants. “You know, Daddy,” he chimed in. “I like Alabama, but I still like LSU more.”

Photo, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Can You Influence Your Son’s Choice in Team

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?

Post from: Blisstree

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.

Post from: Blisstree

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

Post from: Blisstree

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.

Post from: Blisstree

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.

Post from: Blisstree

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)

Post from: Blisstree

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?

Post from: Blisstree

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?

Post from: Blisstree

A Potty Question: Using the Potty