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 Childrens’ 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

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

Post from: Blisstree

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

Image:sxc.hu

It’s not too early to start these projects so you’ll have plenty of time and won’t be rushed in December.

When my daughter was small, we were involved in many types of crafts and often made gifts for our holiday giving.  (Grandparents, especially, express appreciation for these items…whether they’re really useful or not!)

What types of items can you and your youngsters create? This all depends on the age of the children.

• Woven and patchwork potholders
• Collages with family events throughout the year
• Shadowboxes containing momentos from trips
• Placemats from autumn leaves, photos, and drawings
• Drawings you mat and frame
• Latch hooked pictures or hangings
• Necklaces and bracelets with beads
• Patchwork placemats
• Pin cushions (I still have one my daughter made me years ago.)

These are just a few of the items you can make with children.

What do you do in your family?

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Making Christmas Gifts with Children

IMG: Michelle Smith

She’s silly and funny, usually looking on the bright side. She is also a bit of a tattle-tale.
 
I worked at her school for 4 years as a playground and lunchroom aid. In that time, I learned a lot about tattle-tales. Sometimes they just want to be heard, sometimes they are trying to shift the blame, and sometimes they are trying to stir stuff up. I’ve seen Sarah tattle in all three situations.
 
In less than a year she’s going to be in middle school. It’s time for the tattling to stop. Here are a few guidelines that I’m teaching my Sarah so that she can recognize when to tell an adult, when to turn the other cheek, and how to avoid gaining the attention of a bully.
 
*First, evaluate the problem. Is someone going to get hurt? Is the situation dangerous? If the answer to either is yes, then tell an adult immediately. That’s not tattling – that’s reporting a dangerous situation. Kids have to learn the difference between actual trouble and something they can take care of on their own.
 
*Bullies like to get a reaction. A child crying, getting upset – this is the fuel that feeds a bully’s fire. Do not give them any fuel. It’s hard to avoid getting upset. One way to do this is to practice at home with a parent. Act out a bully-type situation and coach your child in the best way to react to the teasing. (Attacks on weight, ethnicity, intelligence, or disabilities, that’s the sort of thing that a teacher needs to be made aware of – that’s not tattling).
 
*If the bully is someone that your child considers a friend, but in truth this friendship is of the toxic variety, this situation can be especially tricky. Advise your child to try to remain as neutral as possible with this child. Don’t seek this child out, but don’t make them an enemy either. Tattling in this situation is the same as above – it feeds the problem. Avoid them, if possible. They will get bored and move on.
 
Our school uses the Second Step method. When kids are unable to get along – whether through bullying or tattling – the Second Step facilitator will set up something that she calls a “friendship group.” If problems with either bullying or tattling continue, then talk to your school principal and he or she can advise you further.
 
Good luck!

This was a guest post written by Michelle Smith. Michelle write for Splendicity Fragrance, Pretty By Nature, and for Gadabout Media’s Beauty and Fashion section.

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Tattle Tales

My friend Emily said Santa was not some jolly old elf who appeared in the night and left presents under the tree, but was really my father who would crawl out of bed and pull toys from the closet. I suppose I knew Emily was telling the truth, but inside I wanted to believe Santa was real.

It was back when my family and I used to eat dinner around the dining room table that I made the announcement to my parents. “I know the truth about Santa. It’s you, Dad. You’re Santa.” My father put his fork down, placed his hands on the table and sighed. “You’re right, kiddo. I am Santa. And it is extremely exhausting getting up late at night, calling together the reindeer, and hitting every house in the world before daylight. But know that you know, perhaps you’ll go to bed a little faster on Christmas Eve so I can leave the house on time.”

It was not the answer I was expecting, but it was a welcome one. I wasn’t ready to let the mystery of Santa fade so quickly. And while I knew deep down that my father wasn’t Santa to the entire planet, it was nice to know that the magic wasn’t gone.

At some point, all kids whose families practice Santa Claus will question the tradition. So, when is the best time to let your kids in on the big secret?

“There’s really no one right time to tell kids that there’s no Santa Claus,” says Glen Elliott, Ph.D. Elliott is an associate professor and the director of the department of child and adolescent psychology at the University of California, San Francisco, in an interview with CNN. “The important thing is to take your cues from the child, and not try to prolong the fantasy for your own enjoyment when they may be ready to give it up.”

Yeah, maybe so. My son will be 6 this Christmas. He hasn’t questioned Santa, but I’m sure that will change now that he is in school. And when he does begin to question the whole idea, I think I’ll go my father’s route and choose the non-denial denial method.

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When To Tell The Truth About Santa

Blackberry image: sxc.hu

 His granddaughter and her brother, who was driving, had stopped in a line of traffic at a red light.

They were rear ended and the granddaughter was thrown against the windshield.  (She was faulted for not wearing her seat belt.)  The hit from behind was forceful enough that it threw the grandchildren’s car into the one stopped ahead of them.  People from all three cars were taken to the hospital.  Fortunately none were injured enough to require  more than outpatient care.

Do you and/or your youngsters use cell phones and text while driving?  Do you feel you’re safe when you’re doing this? Do you think it’s okay to have your attention diverted by your texting  while driving?  Or driving one-handed while using a cell phone?

Would you want your children or grandchildren  involved in an accident as our friend’s grandchildren were…because a driver was text messaging?

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Do You Text & Drive?

IMG: sxc.hu

My little girl begged me, “Mom, please don’t die and get better really soon. I miss you.”  My other daughter echoed the sentiment especially when she heard the doctor could diagnose me as I went in too late.  My oldest, now he tries being brave but he’s the one that quiets everyone down and kisses me on the forehead before he leaves in the morning. ‘Mom get better.’

Just like parents hate having their kids sick because we feel so helpless, so do the kids. So next time you are sick, remember this when you look into those eyes.

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Kids do Have Soft Spots for Mom

I don’t blame my father for that. He has a new life now with a wonderful, beautiful wife. And she has her family there. I’m a grownup now. I have husband and a child. And if anything, I should be grateful for my in-laws, who have readily filled that emptiness. But still, it depresses me. This is my problem, obviously. Each year I get upset about it and each year I eventually realize that just because my family no longer sees each other on the actual holidays doesn’t mean we don’t love each other. It means I need to focus on what I have here. It just drives me nuts that every holiday season I have to process the same old bullshit again and again.

Well, enough about my rant. I probably should check into therapy, but for now I did find comfort in these tips on How to Handle Holiday Stress, offered by speaker, author and coach Karen Susman. And, now I’ll offer them to you, too:

1. Lower expectations. Have a realistic view of what is really important. Your kids want your time. They are not going to remember the Martha Stewart decorations – unless you involve them in the making of the decorations.
2. Don’t over schedule yourself or your family. Pick and choose the holiday functions.
3. Take care of yourself. You can’t give what you don’t have. So, eat healthfully, avoid the sweets as much as possible. Exercise routines are sacrificed when we’re overwhelmed, but exercise is the best investment of your time.
4. Get plenty of sleep. Most of us are suffering from sleep deprivation as it is. Nothing is worth your getting sick.
5. Ask for help. Involve your kids, spouse, family and friends.
6. Ask yourself, “If I only had half the time, what would I do?” This will help you prioritize.
7. Pick names for gifts instead of buying a gift for everyone. This will save you money and time.
8. Shop online or from catalogues.
9. Buy stamps online. Why stand in line at the post office?
10. Make gifts with your kids. They’ll love the time spent together and they’ll be proud of their creations.
11. Read holiday stories to your children. This allows you to sit down, relax and connect. (We had a holiday tradition of everyone climbing on to the big bed and reading together.)
12. Start new holiday traditions that are less stressful for you but just as meaningful.
13. Ask yourself why you’re really working this hard on the holidays. Many times our egos get in the way, or we’re in competition with a friend or family member. Martyrdom has lots of payoffs. Give it up!
14. Take a minute in the tub, or waiting in line to write down all your stressors. Include your everyday stressors as well as holiday stressors. Which ones can you face head on, take care of and get off your list? For instance, if paying bills is hanging over your head, sit down and get that done. Get the snow tires on instead of praying it doesn’t snow. If money’s short, spend less, cut up credit cards or call a financial advisor.
15. Look at your list of stressors and determine which ones you have no control over. Your parents are aging. The economy is like sludge. If you live in Minnesota, it will snow.
16. Do a mental makeover. Reframe what the holidays are all about for you. Is this a religious holiday? Then forget the fluff and focus on the real meaning. If your kids are pressuring you to buy, buy, buy, this is a wonderful opportunity to help them learn the value of giving to others. Have them go through their toys and pick some to take to a homeless shelter.
17. Remember how you felt on December 26 of January 2 last go ’round. What did you say you’d never do again? What did your kids enjoy most? How would you like to feel this year after the holidays? How can you achieve this?
18. Don’t get caught up in the hoopla. Just because the media, family, friends, etc. say we should be doing something doesn’t mean we have to.
19. When a “should” runs through your mind, you don’t have to act on it.
20. Embrace your imperfection. It’s one of the nicest things you can do for your kids and your mate. Being imperfect takes the pressure off of you and off of them.
21. Limit your TV watching – especially the news.
22. Don’t do anything in December you’re going to regret in January. Why be stuck with huge bills and 10 extra pounds?
23. One last de-stresser: the holidays will pass and you’ll survive. You always do.

Photo, Flickr, Greg Westfall

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23 Ways to De-Stress Your Holidays