While children do need time to play alone and with other children without adult intervention, research shows that playtime with parents is also important.
Children crave time with parents. It makes them feel special. Parents are encouraged to find time to spend playing with their kids on a regular basis. This should include one to one with each child and group time with all of the adults and kids in the home. If you are a single parent or have an only child, occasionally invite family or friends over to play.
Playing with kids builds a bond that will last forever. It lets the child know he or she is loved and appreciated. It opens the door for sharing problems and concerns when the need arises. It helps the parent get to know and under the uniqueness of each child. This also improves parent-child communication and reduces behavior problems. It is also great stress reducer for overworked parents
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I smell a birthday boy...
Happy Birthday Bob :) Many wishes to my wonderful brother on his birthday!!!!
In Memory of My Aunt Lou Anne :)
If We Could Bring You Back Again
If we could bring you back again, for one more hour or day, we’d express all our unspoken love; we’d have countless things to say. If we could bring you back again, we’d say we treasured you, and that your presence in our lives meant more than we ever knew. If we could bring you back again, to tell you what we should, you’d know how much we miss you now, and if we could, we would.
By Joanna Fuchs
*Lou Anne, who was only 46, was tragically killed in a snowmobile accident.
If we could bring you back again, for one more hour or day, we’d express all our unspoken love; we’d have countless things to say. If we could bring you back again, we’d say we treasured you, and that your presence in our lives meant more than we ever knew. If we could bring you back again, to tell you what we should, you’d know how much we miss you now, and if we could, we would.
By Joanna Fuchs
*Lou Anne, who was only 46, was tragically killed in a snowmobile accident.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
How can I be a good parent?
Advice from FamilyDoctor.org
There's not just one right way to raise children. And there's no such thing as a perfect parent or a perfect child. But here are some guidelines to help your children grow up healthy and happy:
Show your love. Every day, tell your children: "I love you. You're special to me." Give lots of hugs and kisses.
Listen when your children talk. Listening to your children tells them that you think they're important and that you're interested in what they have to say.
Make your children feel safe. Comfort them when they're scared. Show them you've taken steps to protect them.
Provide order in their lives. Keep a regular schedule of meals, naps and bedtimes. If you have to change the schedule, tell them about the changes ahead of time.
Praise your children. When your children learn something new or behave well, tell them you're proud of them.
Criticize the behavior, not the child. When your child makes a mistake, don't say, "You were bad." Instead, explain what the child did wrong. For example, say: "Running into the street without looking isn't safe." Then tell the child what to do instead: "First, look both ways for cars."
Be consistent. Your rules don't have to be the same ones other parents have, but they do need to be clear and consistent. (Consistent means the rules are the same all the time.) If two parents are raising a child, both need to use the same rules. Also, make sure baby-sitters and relatives know (and follow) your family rules.
Spend time with your children. Do things together, such as reading, walking, playing and cleaning house. What children want most is your attention. Bad behavior is usually an attempt to get your attention.
There's not just one right way to raise children. And there's no such thing as a perfect parent or a perfect child. But here are some guidelines to help your children grow up healthy and happy:
Show your love. Every day, tell your children: "I love you. You're special to me." Give lots of hugs and kisses.
Listen when your children talk. Listening to your children tells them that you think they're important and that you're interested in what they have to say.
Make your children feel safe. Comfort them when they're scared. Show them you've taken steps to protect them.
Provide order in their lives. Keep a regular schedule of meals, naps and bedtimes. If you have to change the schedule, tell them about the changes ahead of time.
Praise your children. When your children learn something new or behave well, tell them you're proud of them.
Criticize the behavior, not the child. When your child makes a mistake, don't say, "You were bad." Instead, explain what the child did wrong. For example, say: "Running into the street without looking isn't safe." Then tell the child what to do instead: "First, look both ways for cars."
Be consistent. Your rules don't have to be the same ones other parents have, but they do need to be clear and consistent. (Consistent means the rules are the same all the time.) If two parents are raising a child, both need to use the same rules. Also, make sure baby-sitters and relatives know (and follow) your family rules.
Spend time with your children. Do things together, such as reading, walking, playing and cleaning house. What children want most is your attention. Bad behavior is usually an attempt to get your attention.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
January 14th, Dee Dee's 29th Birthday
Yesterday was my sister Dee Dee's 29th birthday, we celebrated with a "girls night" at Cooper's and it was wonderful!!! Sis, hope you had a great time with all us girls, make the best of 29 its a fantabulous year!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Encouraging Good Behavior
The first step to better discipline is to learn to encourage good behavior in your child. It is much easier to reinforce good behavior than to have to try and change bad behaviors. Here are some tips for encouraging better behavior:
Reinforce good behavior by offering praise when he does well and learn to pay positive attention to your child. Children seek approval for the things that they do, especially from their parents. Let your child know if he is following the rules or has done something, or made an effort to do something that you wanted. Give him a hug, kiss or smile if he has been sitting quietly, completes a chore without problems, or is playing cooperatively. Also give verbal signs of approval, such as ‘Great Job,' or ‘I like it when you…' Be sure to comment on specific behaviors or actions.
Give him choices. This allows your child some feeling of independence. For example, offer a choice between setting the table or taking out the trash.
Make good behavior fun. Your child is more likely to comply if he is enjoying himself. For example, say ‘let's see who can pick up the most toys.' Establish a reward system to promote good behavior.
Reinforce good behavior by offering praise when he does well and learn to pay positive attention to your child. Children seek approval for the things that they do, especially from their parents. Let your child know if he is following the rules or has done something, or made an effort to do something that you wanted. Give him a hug, kiss or smile if he has been sitting quietly, completes a chore without problems, or is playing cooperatively. Also give verbal signs of approval, such as ‘Great Job,' or ‘I like it when you…' Be sure to comment on specific behaviors or actions.
Give him choices. This allows your child some feeling of independence. For example, offer a choice between setting the table or taking out the trash.
Make good behavior fun. Your child is more likely to comply if he is enjoying himself. For example, say ‘let's see who can pick up the most toys.' Establish a reward system to promote good behavior.
Friday, January 2, 2009
New Year 2009!
Well I'm sure everyone has committed to a New Year resolution...besides my normal "weight loss" woes...my new resolution is to be better at building my children's self esteem :)
Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.
In contrast, kids with low self-esteem can find challenges to be sources of major anxiety and frustration. Those who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solutions to problems. If given to self-critical thoughts such as "I'm no good" or "I can't do anything right," they may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed. Faced with a new challenge, their immediate response is "I can't."
Here's how you can play important role in promoting healthy self-esteem in your child.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/self_esteem.html
Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.
In contrast, kids with low self-esteem can find challenges to be sources of major anxiety and frustration. Those who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solutions to problems. If given to self-critical thoughts such as "I'm no good" or "I can't do anything right," they may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed. Faced with a new challenge, their immediate response is "I can't."
Here's how you can play important role in promoting healthy self-esteem in your child.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/self_esteem.html
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