Back to School: How to Avoid the Back to School Blues

Returning to school is not easy for kids, which makes it especially hard for parents as well. In order to make the process of returning to school easier for your child, here are some tips which can alleviate those back to school blues.

1. One of the things you can discuss with your child is they will be able to see their friends again, how much fun they will have, and all of the new things they will learn. If you have a child who exhibits anxiety about returning to school, you can tell him or her that there are other kids feel the same way.


2. Perhaps a trip to the mall to shop for some new outfits will help. This can lift their spirits by allowing them to pick out two or three outfits and shoes for their first day back to school. Another way to improve your child’s spirit is to invite other kids over for a day; kids who are classmates and friends who go to other schools as well. In this way, they can talk to each other about school and other things so they can begin the process of re-connecting with, and feeling comfortable about, going back to school.


3. Prepare your child for the first day by beginning a bedtime regimen a few weeks earlier. This will enable your child to establish a routine for the school days ahead.


4. If your child is attending school for the first time, find out if there is another child in the neighborhood who is also attending the same school. In this way, they can go together whether it’s by bus or within walking distance. Having someone to go to school with can ease the tension and anxiety for both children.

Most children will feel anxious and down about their first day back to school. While it is a normal occurrence, it can also be an exciting time for them. Teachers also understand the difficulties of returning to school, and they also take extreme care to ensure every child is made to feel comfortable on their first day back.

Back to School: 5 Show and Tell Favorites

Some kids can’t wait to go back to school to be with their friends and talk about what they did over summer vacation. While others dread going back because they loved being home, spending time with the family, and engaging in all kinds of activities.

Once back at school, however, kids settle in pretty quickly and look forward to learning new things and making new friends. One of the activities most kids look forward to is when they are asked to bring in something special for “Show and Tell” day.

This is a special day for them because they have an opportunity to tell the other kids in their class all about this one item that obviously holds a great memory from the summer.

What are some of the things kids may bring into school for show and tell? Here is a list of some of their “favorite things.”

1. Bobby may bring in a baseball signed by his favorite ballplayer and tells the class how he was able to obtain it and the signature.
2. Betsy may have gone to Disneyworld over the summer and brought in a scrapbook she created with pictures to show the class.
3. Teddy loves NASCAR racing, and he brings in his favorite replica of the winning car while discussing the race and driver.
4. Jenny has a favorite stuffed teddy bear and she tells the class why it’s her favorite and how she chose the bear’s special name.
5. Johnny brings in an unusual rock which he found when camping with his had. He talks about why the rock is special and why nature is so important.

While it’s fun for kids who share stories about their favorite toys, stuffed animals, adventures, vacations, pets, dolls, magic tricks, and scrapbooks; it’s also part of the socialization process. For kids who are shy, standing up in front of a class and talking about what they brought to school can increase their self-esteem.

5 Tips to Help Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

For many of us this day just seems to rush up on us. We’ve known for years that our babies will be going to kindergarten but when the time comes, many of us are unprepared. It’s definitely an emotional time for both parents and kids but it’s important to help our little ones through this time by staying positive and upbeat.

Here are some tips for helping prepare your child for kindergarten:

1. Talk about the new change – Children tend to deal well with change as long as we explain to them what is happening. Before starting have little talks with your child about what going to “big kid” school will be like, what the routine will be and so on. Try to have these talks in short spurts as your child may not be able to process too much information at once and may get more confused. Lots of little talks here and there should do the trick.


2. Show them their new school – Many schools will have introduction days your child can attend ahead of time to meet their new teacher and see the school. You can also take them for a drive or walk to their new school a couple of times before starting. Show them where they will go and where mommy will pick them up after school.


3. Read a book – Visit your library for a selection of books on starting school, many also have videos and DVDs. Sit with your child and read the book or watch the video and explain how they will be doing something similar when school starts.


4. Go Shopping – Go school shopping with them and let them be involved in the process of choosing their school supplies, lunch box and even clothes or uniform where appropriate. Let your child feel that he or she is older and can now choose some of their own things.


5. Draw a Picture – Once you visit the new school have your child draw a picture of themselves at their new school. You may even be able to tell what your child is feeling by what he draws. Talk about the picture and how your child is feeling and then hang the picture up in a prominent place to remind everyone that school will be starting soon.

Above all remain light-hearted and upbeat even if you are feeling a little bit weepy yourself. Talk in a positive way of how much fun school will be and enjoy this milestone with your little one.

Back to School: Should I Send My Child to Preschool?

Deciding whether or not to send your child to preschool is a question only you can answer because you know your child better than anyone. There are certain criteria, however, which can determine whether or not your child might be ready for preschool.

Research indicates that most preschoolers begin between the ages of two and four, and while it seems very young, it is nonetheless an important starting point in your child’s educational experience.


Here are some readiness tips for you to consider:

• Your child can speak in short sentences
• Your child can be understood by others
• Your child exhibits listening skills
• Your child is able to follow simple directions
• Your child gets along with other children and can participate in play groups without incident
• Your child can pay attention to the teacher
• Your child can sit quietly and focus on an assigned project
• Your child does not have separation anxiety - a little is normal, but crying for longer than a half hour shows signs of not being ready.

The age at which you send your child to preschool can only be determined by you and your assessment as to whether or not the child is ready, capable of listening and taking direction, playing with other children, sharing, and interacting in a friendly and polite manner.

You may not choose to send your child to preschool at such an early age, which is absolutely fine. You can begin teaching your child at home, and when you feel the child is physically and emotionally ready, a decision can then be made. There is no age defined time nor any law that says you have to commit to preschool at the tender age of two.

Protect Yourself from the Summer Heat and Sun

Summer is a time for pool parties, beach parties, and sun bathing. However, with the suns rays growing ever stronger, you should take precautions to prevent overheating and dehydration.

Here are some summer safety tips as you spend your days in the sun and heat:

• When sunbathing, always wear sunscreen, preferably SPF 15. Make sure to reapply it every two hours.
• Try to stay in the shade during the hours between 10am and 4pm when the sun is at its strongest.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat when sunbathing at the beach. If possible, bring or rent an umbrella. (This is especially important if you are bringing the kids along.)
• Drink plenty of water on a hot day. You want to avoid any form of dehydration. Gatorade or Propel will also do the trick and lend some flavor to that water!
• When exposing babies to the sun, ensure they are wearing lightweight clothing, including hats with brims. Be sure to apply sunscreen to all parts of the body, even the face, back of the neck and backs of hands.
• For younger and older children, apply sunscreen thirty minutes before going out to the pool, beach, or engaging in any activities. Ensure you have plenty of fluids for them to drink, as well.
• If you go to the supermarket, or engage in any outdoor activity on a very hot day, dress in light-colored cotton clothing, wear sunscreen, and sunglasses, and be sure to bring plenty of water with you. Unfortunately, the older we get, the more likely we may suffer from dehydration.
• If you and your family are participating in any physical activity, make sure you are all well hydrated. Drink liquids every 20 minutes.
• If it’s very, very hot, reduce your activity to fifteen minutes. The moment you become dizzy or flushed – stop. Go to a shaded area, and drink water until your body has a chance to cool down.
• Take care of your pets. Ensure they have plenty of water to drink, and are kept in a shaded area in your backyard. Otherwise, keep them indoors, and limit their activity as well.
• Carry wet washcloths in a plastic bag, if you are spending the day out. This is great to have if you are feeling faint, or are walking for a long period. Another idea...keep this plastic bag in the cooler for a REALLY cool treat!
• When driving, especially in high temperatures, bring bottles of water and wet wash clothes, as well.

We have all felt the affects of the weather over the past couple of years. With temperatures in the 100’s, or above in most states, it’s important to follow these tips, as well as listening to the radio or news channels. Remember: Safety first, summer fun later!

Reading - Make it Fun for the Kids this Summer!

As kids look forward to the last day of school, most middle school public school teachers remind their students to read at least 25 books over the summer. While this is certainly a daunting challenge, there are ways reading can be included in fun summer ideas for kids.

While it is estimated that school kids put in more hours than working adults, they too need a bit of a break. The first week of vacation should be devoted to rest and relaxation. This can then be followed by weekly trips to the library wherein kids can choose their own reading material specifically in topics which interest them. All year long they are being told what to read. By giving them the opportunity to choose books they like, they won’t feel so overwhelmed. Allowing them to decide what to read will give them the flexibility to seek different genres such as Harry Potter, and the ability to engage in this ongoing adventure.

Children are under a great deal of pressure during the school year. Summer should be a time of fun, but it can also be a time of learning as well. If your kids love to read, the trips to the library will be exciting for them. If they are hesitant, allow them to browse around. If they don’t choose any books the first time around, try again a week later. They may come upon a book or books which grab their attention. You can be assured once they find a topic of interest, especially if it’s a serialized book, they will want to return.

Fun summer ideas for kids can include reading as part of their summer enjoyment. It all depends upon how it is approached. While the 25-book requirement may or may not be reached, it is important for the kids not to feel pressured, but allowed to read at their own pace. If they manage to read 1 book every 2 weeks, that’s a plus. Whether they take a book to the beach or read aloud at home, reading should be a fun and relaxing time for kids.

**BONUS IDEA**
If the 25 book goal might seem a little lofty, split it up into doable smaller goals - like 5 books each. Make a cool chart with an image, like a child climbing a mountain, that will show all of the small goals that lead up to the 25 goal peak. At every 5-book interval, have a little reward for your child...a trip to the pool, something that they can pick out at the dollar store, or maybe a night where they get to plan the entire family dinner! Doing small, inexpensive things like this can be just the ticket your child needs to boost their interest in reading!

What to Do this Summer? Fun No-Cost Ideas...

Although you may not be able to afford a summer vacation this year, there are no-cost, fun summer activities for the whole family. Check these out and feel free to leave me some other fun ideas in the comments!

• Go to the library! What is more fun for a kid than to go on down to the public library and check out a couple of books and maybe a fun DVD to view? It's absolutely free and most libraries have summer reading activities that reward your child when they reach certain goals. This will help keep up their reading skills for school in the fall :)
• Have some outside quiet time. Pick a tree in your back yard and lay down a blanket. Have some lemonade and cookies, and read the books you’ve checked out from the library. Take turns reading. Invite friends and their kids to join you. Make it a weekly event.
• Make a treasure box with your kids (this follows the popular Pirates of the Caribbean theme this summer). Have them scout around the back yard or beach for rocks or sea shells or any item they think would be cool to include. Have the kids make a treasure map and include some information on pirates found on the internet. Add some coins, and make a pirate’s flag with black fabric. Have the kids add their own symbols to it. Then the kids can bury it in the back yard or keep it on hand and add to it each year.
• Garden with the kids. Have your kids plant their own flower garden. Talk about each flower; how it grows, how much room it needs, and then give the kids a title, such as Director of Water Resource (this would be for one kid to oversee the watering of the plants); or Director of Roots and Shoots (this would be for another kid to oversee the weeding), etc. Also, give your kids some watermelon seeds to plant. You never know what may crop up.
• Take a bike ride. This is such a great activity for the entire family. You can even pack a picnic lunch and stop midway for a great time together! It's wonderful exercise and will really bring the family together.

No-cost, fun summer activities for the whole family can be achieved with just a little imagination and a LOT of creativity.

7 Camping Essentials for Families

Memorial Day weekend is here - one of the biggest camping weekends of the year! If you're heading out and want some help getting ready, here are 7 camping essentials every family should have.

1. Tent, bedding and tarp
2. Clothing fitting for the season and area
3. Camp stove, charcoal and other cooking supplies
4. Food, water, paper plates, cups, flatware, napkins
5. Personal hygiene items
6. Cell phone, and flashlight
7. First aid kit

Is this your first camping trip? Your kids must be so excited! After all, taking a vacation where you can sleep under the stars; explore; have some home cooked meals; sit by a campfire roasting marshmallows, and tell ghost stories or sing; not being cooped up in some hotel – this is as exciting as it gets!


Ensuring that you are fully prepared, these 7 camping essentials every family should have are mandatory. However, you may wish to bring along other items such as a camera; fun games for the kids such as card and board games, or fishing rods (if you’re near a lake); and all of the necessary items you would need to cook; clean; as well as extra blankets and pillows. Additional matches and batteries would be preferable.


Camping has become more popular than ever, and it’s no wonder! Communing with nature; discovering new sites and sounds, but more importantly, spending time with your family without all of the modern conveniences and electronics which inevitably interrupt quality time spent with kids at home.


Another good way to prepare for your camping trip would be to ask questions at the camping store to ensure you have all of the items you need to make this a successful adventure. Who knows, this may be the beginning of a new vacation tradition for you and your family! There are so many places to see and experience; natural wonders which mesmerize kids, and give them a better appreciation of nature. Be sure to take lots of pictures! They will make a great addition to your family vacation scrapbook. Be safe and have a great time!

Time to Open Up the Swimming Pool!

Pretty soon it will be time to open the swimming pool and/or bring out the vinyl pool for your kids. In order to ensure any pool is safe and prepared for summer fun, here are some tips you can utilize.

If you have a vinyl pool, check for rips and tears. If there are any, you can easily purchase a repair kit from any pool dealership. Follow the directions in the kit, and the kids will be set to go!

If you have a larger pool or built in pool, there are additional steps you will have to take:

1. Ensure you have all of the chemicals you need to properly prepare your pool for the summer. Get rid of any outdated chemicals you may have on hand.


2. Remove the pool cover and clean it; fold, and store for the summer.


3. Get rid of all debris from the pool floor using a leaf net.


4. Adjust the pH and Alkaline levels of the water.


5. Use chlorine to get rid of any bacteria in the pool.


6. Get the pump and filter in working order. Reassemble the ladders to the deck of the pool.


7. Remove all of the plugs and replace the return outlet fittings.


8. Fill the pool up to its normal level.
   Check all of your electrical components to ensure they are working properly.


9. Start the circulation equipment and clean the pool.


10. Check the chemistry of the water as well as the levels to ensure they are up to speed. The rule of thumb is to run the circulation system for three days until the water is completely clear.


11. Get out your tire tubes and water mats; inflate and give them a good cleaning before they are placed in the pool.

When it’s time to open the swimming pool, the kids become excited and can’t wait for the first warm day. Ensure their pool is not filled with too much water. Make sure it has been cleaned, and most of all, make it as safe for them as possible.

Bladder Infections Can Be Dangerous in Children

While bladder infections are somewhat common among women, they can affect children as well. In fact, studies have shown that urinary tract infections are common around the age of three, during the time the child is being toilet trained.

Why are bladder infections dangerous in children and what can be done to prevent them?

According to research, cystitis or inflammation of the bladder occurs in children who may have an abnormal urinary tract. What this means is that they may be predisposed to infection time and again. For the very young, this is especially dangerous since it could cause kidney damage later on in life. Therefore, it is recommended that any child who has a history of two or more urinary tract infections should have x-rays and ultrasound tests, especially if the infection is accompanied by fever, pain and vomiting. Neither girls nor boys are immune to this condition, so it is important to see your child’s pediatrician to determine what can be done to properly treat the condition.

Make sure your child's genital area is clean by:

• wiping from front to back after each bowel movement
• drinking lots of fluids
• wearing cotton underwear

Bladder infections can be painful. Some common symptoms may include:

• the need to urinate but nothing comes out
• a burning sensation as you urinate
• not being able to control your bladder - It is very important to ensure your child urinates completely and goes to the bathroom as soon as he or she needs to, and not hold it in.

If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms, it is important that her pediatrician be informed so that if it reoccurs, he can then perform the necessary tests to ascertain if your child is predisposed to this condition.

Are bladder infections dangerous in children? Yes, but fortunately, they can be effectively diagnosed and treated.

What is Scoliosis?

How many Judy Blume freaks are out there? If you were like me, you couldn't get enough of her books when you were a kid. Anyone remember the book, Deenie? This book was about a young girl diagnosed with scoliosis and the trials and tribulations she went through wearing her brace. This book was an eye-opener for me because I had been through the screenings at school and had been warned about this condition, but through Deenie's eyes, got to know how it felt to have scoliosis.

What exactly is scoliosis? Simply put, it's a curvature of the spine. While everyone’s spine is slightly curved, scoliosis patients have more obvious bends to the side; not in or out like with osteoporosis. While mild cases of this disease may go undetected and without symptoms, severe cases can cause significant physical problems. Scoliosis can occur at any age in childhood, so it’s important that your child gets regular screenings, even if they haven’t had a problem before.
While the root cause of most scoliosis cases isn’t known, we do know many of the risk factors for curves becoming more severe.

Some risk factors include:

• Growth. Curves in children’s spines almost always worsen during a growth spot. Pay careful attention to your child’s spine when they’re growing the most.
• Age. If your child was very young when the curve was first discovered, they are more likely to have a severe problem because their spine has more growing to do. Babies who are born with scoliosis are especially at risk.
• Placement of curve. Curves in the upper portion of the spine are more likely to become problematic and should be monitored more closely.
• Angle of curve. If a curve is more dramatic to begin with, it is also more likely to increase in severity.

The most important part of treating scoliosis is early detection. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you find the problem as soon as possible.

• School screenings. Find out if your child’s school does regular screenings. If not, talk to school administrators. Encourage them to start regular screening programs.
• Look for the signs. If no one else is checking your child for symptoms (or even if they are) look for signs that your child may have a problem. These include: uneven or elevated hips, prominent shoulder blades, uneven shoulders, and leaning to one side. You child’s stance and body should be fairly symmetrical.
• Yearly physical. Talk you your child’s doctor about checking for indications of spinal curves. This is particularly important if you’ve noticed signs on your own.

Many cases of scoliosis simply require monitoring to see if the curving gets worse. If it doesn’t, then no treatment is usually pursued. If your doctor observes an increase in the problem, they may give your child a back brace. This will help keep the curve from progressing, but shouldn’t interfere too much in your child’s life.

9 Great Tips for Teaching Your Toddler to Share

Toddlers are, by nature, self-centered. Everything has been taken care of for her since you brought her home from the hospital as an infant.

When your child becomes a toddler and can begin to communicate, this is the perfect time to teach them the importance of sharing with others. It may take some time, but with continuity and positive reinforcement, your child will become very adept at playing with others!

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. If your toddler doesn’t want to share, explain why it’s an important thing.
2. Tell your toddler that not sharing may mean his friends will not want to share with him either.
3. Take the toys in question away. If your toddler doesn’t want to share – then no one will play with the toys.
4. Never yell at the toddler, but be firm in your reprimands.
5. If other toddlers are invited over, ask your toddler to pick out some toys to put away. But also remind him the toys left out can be shared with everyone.
6. If your toddler screams and carries on, give the toddler a time out.
7. Teach by example. Show your child how you are willing to share something you own.
8. Thank your toddler for sharing his toys with others.
9. Teach your toddler to think of others.

If all else fails remember this is probably a stage your toddler will outgrow. However, it is important to instill in your child that sharing and giving is important. Try not to give in to everything your toddler wants or buy your toddler a present every time you give another child or their sibling a present. Even though she is still very young, your toddler needs to understand the importance of the basic skill of sharing.

20 Gifts from the Heart for Mother's Day

Unless your kids have been saving their allowance religiously, they may not be able to afford to buy an expensive gift for Mother’s Day.

However, there are inexpensive ideas for Mother’s Day gifts which they can utilize. Here are 20 gifts that come from the heart and not necessarily the piggy bank:

1. Set the table for dinner
2. Give her a red rose and place it in her favorite vase
3. Make her a special breakfast
4. Take her to the park for a picnic lunch
5. Bake her a cake and sing Happy Mother’s Day To You
6. Buy her favorite scented candles
7. Burn her favorite CD
8. Offer to do a specific chore for a week such as washing the dishes
9. Make a huge Happy Mother’s Day Sign
10. Give her a picture of you in a specially decorated frame
11. Make a bag of potpourri using dried flowers from the garden
12. Put together a scrapbook with her favorite recipes
13. Make a jewelry box for her using spring ornaments
14. Buy packs of herbs or flower seeds your mom could plant in the garden
15. Clear out the flower bed for mom to prepare for spring planting
16. Rake the leaves and make a compost pile
17. Make mom a bracelet using beads from a craft store
18. Make a sign for a t-shire that says “I love my mom” with an arrow pointing to the right or left
19. Wash the car
20. Clean your room

There are so many inexpensive ideas for Mother’s Day gifts, all of which will be appreciated no matter how small. The fact that you took the time to make a present or buy something really special says it all. So whatever you decide to do, know that it will be a keepsake mom will treasure forever.

Freebie - Coloring Pages

I always like to pass along the freebies to you...

Mom's Niche has just updated the website with coloring pages. These are all FREE for you to use for your daycare or preschool classes, homeschooling, Mommy and Me groups or just for your own personal use!

Now available:
Animals
Art History
Dinosaurs
Flowers
People

We are updating frequently, so make sure to come back again soon!

Check them out...print them out...use them however you please!

Enjoy!

Is Your Toddler Biting? Here Are Some Tips to Help You Deal

It can upset and alarm you when your toddler bites. Some experts say that toddlers resort to extreme measures like biting when they become frustrated and have not yet learned how to express themselves with words.

Biting can become a dangerous problem if it isn’t properly handled. It is extremely important for parents to learn how to deal with this and meet it head-on. The following tips will show you how to cope with your biting toddler:

• Get to the Core of Your Toddler’s Anger – If your toddler bites in anger, ask yourself what might be causing this change of mood in your toddler. Have there been any changes in your toddler’s life lately? Is your toddler reacting in anger? If your toddler hasn’t been socialized with his children his age, this could be another cause of anger.
• Stay Calm – If you are already dealing with a biting problem and have lost your cool with your toddler, don’t feel bad. Parents commonly overreact to toddler biting. However, shouting or spanking your child probably will not help the situation. Model the behavior you expect from your child. Take a deep breath and count to ten. When you are calm, you are better able to handle a bite incident.
• Warn Her of the Dangers of Biting – Even though toddlers are just learning to talk, they are old enough to understand pain. They are also old enough to understand cause and effect. In a calm, but firm voice, explain to your toddler why she shouldn’t bite. Let her know that biting hurts and she shouldn’t do it.
• Teach Him To Use His Words – Some toddlers start talking earlier than others. As your toddler grows and learns how to talk, teach him to use special words to express his feelings. “Tommy mad,” or “Suzie sad,” are just a couple of examples. If your toddler is biting but is still too young to speak, try using baby sign language instead. You can make up your own signs for pain, hurt, no, bad, etc...
• Set Her Up for Success – If your toddler seems to have trouble socializing in certain situations, don’t place her in that situation. Give your toddler the best chance of success by placing her in a situation where there is no opportunity for trouble. By setting your child up for success, you can show her that she can play and socialize with other children without biting. As you see your toddler’s behavior improving, gradually introduce her to more challenging situations.
• Praise Your Toddler – Calling attention to negative behavior and its consequences is important. Don’t forget to praise your toddler when he does well, though. Pointing out and rewarding positive actions will help your toddler to remember the desired behavior and reaction.

Ideas for Fun Kid Party Games

Planning a kid party soon? Need some good ideas for games to keep them occupied? Here are some fun ideas for all ages...have fun!

Shave the Balloon
Mess factor: 10
Suitable ages: Pre-teens or teens
Supplies needed: balloons, shaving cream, disposable razors, and newspapers (optional)
Directions: Blow up balloons before party time. Spread shaving cream all over a balloon. Let kids take turns “shaving” a balloon. The object of this game is to shave your balloon completely without popping it.
Side note: This game should be played outdoors because of the mess factor. If playing indoors, spread newspaper on the floor before you begin.

Crazy Faces
Mess factor: 0
Suitable age: Pre-teen and younger
Supplies needed: disposable cameras or digital cameras
Directions: Let kids take turns snapping pictures of each other making crazy faces. The object of this game is to see who can make the craziest face. Kids can take a vote and give a prize to the craziest face.

Pass the Egg
Mess factor: 10
Suitable age: All ages
Supplies needed: eggs, spoons
Directions: Group kids into pairs. Place one egg on a spoon, and then have a child to place the end of the spoon between their teeth. One child walks halfway to the finish line, and then passes the egg (from one spoon to the other) to their partner’s spoon. The partner then attempts to reach the finish line without breaking the egg. The object of this game is for partners to successfully pass the egg from one spoon to another and reach the finish line without splattering the egg everywhere.
Side note: This game is best played outdoors because of the mess factor.

Silly Story
Mess factor: 0
Suitable ages: Younger children
Supplies needed: articles of clothing, odd accessories (costume jewelry, floppy hats, etc.)
Directions: Sit kids in a circle. Make a pile of the story-telling items in the center of the circle. The first child starts the silly story by selecting a piece of clothing or an accessory from the pile. She puts it on, then makes up a silly story line. Example: A child might say something like, “Suzie needed a gallon of milk, but her hair was too short so she put a hat on her head.” While saying this, the child places a hat on her head. The next child follows in suit, choosing something from the clothing pile and putting it on while adding to the story. The story continues in the circle until every dress-up item is used and the story has ended. The object of this game is to have fun making up a silly story and dressing up.

Talking to Your Kids About Smoking

Being the mother of two tween-age children can be a huge eye-opener. At the tender age of 10 and 12, it becomes quite clear they are more sophisticated than we were at that age. Some of the stories that I hear about the middle school kids' behavior are unreal. The language, the disrespect and smoking and alcohol consumption. While all of this is hard to fathom, one of the question facing parents is: “How to you talk to your kids about smoking?”

While it is recommended that parents discuss smoking with their kids at age five or six, it is nonetheless hard to broach the subject. Certainly, if you are a parent who smokes, it will be harder to convince a child that it is unwise and dangerous for them to do so. After all, to them it may seem harmless. Moreover, children tend to mimic parents at an early age. So what do you say to these children? How do you convince them the very thing you want them to avoid is a habit they constantly witness on a daily basis? It is quite a conundrum.

If you do smoke, the first thing you need to do is quit. I know this can be one of the hardest things in your life to do. We're experiencing it first-hand. My husband has been a smoker for a very long time. He wants to quit and has tried several different methods to quit and has been unsuccessful to date. Just these past couple of weeks he is trying the prescription Chantix. He has been very successful so far...wish us continued luck!

If you don't smoke, you can sit your children down and explain to them the dangers. It goes far beyond just telling them, doesn’t it? As they mature, they will be immersed in a culture where peer pressure and acceptance become the catalyst which may override your efforts to keep them safe and out of harm’s way.

So what do you say?

• Smoking can kill
• It is habit forming
• It doesn’t matter what their friends do or say to provoke them, they should say no and walk away
• Smoking is not a hip thing to do

Will they understand what you are trying to convey? Perhaps the answer is in repeatedly pointing out the dangers of smoking; that it is not a popular thing to do; point out people who smoke and make reference to how they look and smell.

While you cannot shield your child from all potential bad habits they will come across in their young lives, you can offer positive reinforcement on a daily basis by not engaging in any activity they may mimic, and being consistent in your efforts to dissuade them by any means you can. Books, videos and other tools can be used to teach children the hazards of smoking and other harmful toxins. Teach them to say no to their friends or peers. Tell them by saying no they are exhibiting strength of character, and how proud you are they have acted so grown up.

So far, so good with my tweens. In fact, they are a huge proponent in encouraging my husband to quit! We're going to keep educating and keep encouraging them to say no to the peer pressure that will keep bombarding them for the years to come!

Reduce the Sugar in Your Family's Diet

Does your family eat a lot of sugar? A lot of candies, processed foods and fast food make their way into your household? As more and more families search for ways to try and become healthier, one of the most commonly overlooked health concerns is sugar consumption. While this is true, there are even more ways that sugar is incorporated into your family’s diet.

Here are a few tips for you to start reducing the your family's sugar intake.

• Brown Rice – White rice contains mostly carbohydrates, which converts to sugar after consumption. Brown rice offers full nutritional value and should be chosen over white grain rice.
• Whole Fruit – Most kids love fruit juice. However, there are fruit juices on the shelves today that are loaded with sugar additives. Instead of drinking fruit juice, opt for whole fruit instead, like apples, bananas and grapes.
• Vegetables – Lots of kids fuss over eating their vegetables. Even though this might be a huge hurdle for some families, incorporating more vegetables into your meals will reduce your sugar intake by far and large. Smart vegetables include green beans, carrots, tomatoes, and squash. Be cautious not to intake too many of the starchy veggies, like potatoes and corn, which contain high amounts of sugar.
• Snack Wisely – Families tend to snack a lot—yes, even parents. Make fun, healthy snacks for your family instead of binging on junk food. For power-packed snacks that will keep away hunger, use protein. A light snack, like a turkey and cream cheese roll-up, will keep hunger at bay a lot longer than a bag of potato chips.

These tips can help you get your family on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

Want Some Cool Easter Crafts and Activities...You Found the Right Place!

Easter is coming soon...are you ready? I'm always on the lookout for new and fun things to do with the kids at Easter. I came across this Easter Fun Pack the other day and was so excited about it! It has some really cool and useful stuff like:

* Easter Games and Activities

* Easter Crafts to do with the Kids

* 6 Step-by-step face painting instructions to turn your little cutie into an Easter Bunny!! (photos come with it - makes it a snap)

* 16 Coloring and Activity pages that you can print out for your child to create an Easter masterpiece!

It's fun and affordable - $7 for the entire pack! Click here to check it out. It's an immediate download, so you and your kids can start the fun right now!

Happy Easter!

p.s. Do you want a FREE preview?? Here's a coloring page from the Easter Fun Pack. Just click on the "Easter Bunny with Basket" under the Coloring Pages category. It's our special gift to you!

Sibling Rivalry - What Can You Do?

Sibling rivalry is common among children. Many times when introducing a new baby into a family, the existing child will display feelings of jealousy. Even established families, with two or more children, frequently deal with rivalry between siblings. For example, I had my first two fairly close together (21 months) - they are opposite sex siblings and they FIGHT like cats and dogs.

As a parent dealing with this rivalry, you should not expect your children to overcome sibling rivalry and jealousy overnight. This is something that usually needs to be addressed on an ongoing basis, especially as your children grow older. My brother and I grew up almost as twins (he's exactly 1 year older) and we fought and fought and fought (I know the fighting between my two is God's way of paying me back). BUT...as we grew older, we really grew to appreciate the other's strengths and companionship. We became friends in high school and have remained close ever since.

One way to help your children overcome their feelings of jealousy is to spend special time with each child individually. By sharing in quality time with each child on a one-on-one basis, you let them know that they are not in competition with each other. This can be very tough to arrange - especially if you have more than 2 children, but it is worth the effort!

When you are forced to referee, allow each child a turn to speak. Listen to their opinions and give each child equal time. Many times sibling rivalries can be easily resolved by just offering an ear. Frustrated children may not always know how to express their frustrations without becoming irritated. Teach them to use their words to express their feelings to you and each other.

Above all, never take sides. The last thing you want to do alienate one of your children and give the other one the idea that you are more partial to him than the other. This will only lead to even more sibling jealousy and just escalate the situation even more.

Lastly, help your children by offering them a simple solution. Even better, offer them questions to make them think about the conflict and come up with their own solution. This will help them work on their problem-solving skills and people skills at the same time. After all, isn't the goal to raise a confident, independent individual?