I’m not a “young” mom by any stretch of the imagination.  Oh sure, I had grand dreams of three kids before I was 30, but I was blessed with two wonderful boys who both showed up when I was 30 and 35.  That doesn’t qualify me as an “old” mom either, but I think it does put a different spin on the parenting stuff.

A couple of weeks ago, I came across an article in the USA Weekend magazine in my local paper written by Philip Lerman.  He wrote a great piece on why being an older dad is so much better in his case.  And, a lot of what he said rang true for me, too (even though, obviously, I’m not a dad!).  Here are a few of his points that I found especially close to my own parenting style…

• TECHNOLOGY - in this day of cell phones, blackberries, PDAs and instant messaging, it is rare to see any parent without some sort of device along for the ride.  The important thing to remember is that, while your work might have access to you 24/7, your family needs the same.  Be sure to pay attention to your children and not be so distracted by outside influences.
• TIME - unfortunately, so much of our time isn’t spent with our families anymore; it is spent at our jobs or other commitments.  However, kids are kids, just as they were 30, 50, and 100 years ago.  And kids still need their parents.  Take a few nights a week to make a point to eat together as a family (if you aren’t already doing so).  Every once in a while, burn a few vacation hours at work to enjoy your kids for an afternoon.
• BUYING THAT Wii - While I’m not going to knock my friends who have the latest Playstation/Wii/xBox, I will say that I do have a good chuckle at my friends who buy these things for their kids.  What happened to Legos, Lincoln Logs, and Tinker Toys?  Where are the dolls, the paint and the balls?  The simplest toys are what every child needs to develop creativity, motor skills and thought processes, not the latest version of Super Mario.
• TV TIME - Television isn’t what it used to be.  What we watched as kids on Saturday morning doesn’t hold a candle to what is out there now.  That’s not to say that ALL programming is bad - Dora, Little Einsteins, and Cyberchase still offer great messages in a format better suited for children.  What is essential is to sit down with your child and watch it WITH them.  Discuss what you see.  You might learn something yourself!
• PLAY PLAY PLAY!  As exhausting as it is, playing with my kids is the best thing I can do for them.  Our time together, whether it is a rousing game of Monopoly or Memory or a book or puzzle we share or even a game of wiffle ball in the back yard, will be some of the best memories they take through adulthood.  TV can wait.  But our kids grow up.  And quickly.  Take advantage of every moment you have with them.

As Philip Lerman says, “When you have a baby, the nights are very long, and the years are very short.  Amen, Philip!

There are certain qualities I want to see developed in my boys.  I want them to grow to be respectful of others.  I want them to practice tolerance and patience.  I want them to learn our beliefs as a family and in our church.  And, I want them to be givers.

There are so many opportunities today to develop young philanthropists.  Our church offers so many ways for children to be involved, but not everyone is as active in church as we are, nor does every church offer the opportunities ours does.  Sometimes, you have to seek out your own.

Teaching children to be “givers”, or philanthropists, is quite simple.  During the holidays, participate as a family in a local Blue Santa program or the Salvation Army Angel Tree.  Let your children see the value in creating a nice Christmas for someone they don’t even know.  If you pass by a Salvation Army kettle during the holidays, let your child put in a few coins.  Food donations are a great tool throughout the year.  When you are at the grocery store with your child, let them pick out several canned goods and deliver them together to the local food pantry.  Help them clean out their closet of clothes that don’t fit and toys they no longer play with, then let them make a donation to the local Goodwill or thrift store.  Explain to the children not only what you are doing but WHY.

A more simple and very local way to teach giving is to share with your neighbors.  Bake a batch of cookies and share with an elderly neighbor or a new family.  If you have a garden, share your crop with someone on your street.  Sharing your time is equally as important…help a neighbor with a chore outside, offer to gather their mail or newspaper if they are going out of town. 

Just remember the value in learning to give is to understand the “why”…that we are here to take care of each other and help each other, and we can do that in so many ways and on so many levels.  Let children participate with you in your own charitable giving, and they will learn a lesson that will last a lifetime.

We just achieved a new milestone in our household: our older son, almost 8, just finished a week at Cub Scout day camp.  He is excited, he is exhausted, and he has an amazing sense of accomplishment.  And that’s exactly what it was - an accomplishment!

Spending hours away from home can be a bit stressful for children, especially with their first experience.  Granted, my son had been in public school all year, so he was accustomed to a longer day away from the laid back nature of home.  But camp is different.  The rules are different, the kids are different, the adults are different, and the activities are (thankfully) different.

How can you prepare your child for their first “camp” experience?  Here are a few things I learned along the way:

1. Let the child help prepare for their camp.  My son and I went over the checklist we were given by the camp and packed his backpack for the day, checking each item off of our list as we completed it.  My son learned that there is a lot of preparation to get ready for this wonderful time, and he also knew exactly where the sunscreen and his water shoes were in his backpack!
2. Find out what to expect.  Since the day camp my son went to was close to our home, we drove over there a couple of days earlier to see where camp would be.  And, while that isn’t always possible to do, look up information about the camp.  Browse pictures of the grounds and any stories of past experiences and share them with your child.  If you can find a map, print a copy for your child and let them work with it for a bit.  Can they find the entrance to the camp?  Where will you be picking him or her up and dropping off?  Any special features, such as a lake, a pavillion, or a hiking path?
3. Waylay that anxiety.  As the day draws nearer, many children may feel a bit anxious about leaving home to the great unknown.  Talk to your child and let them know that it is okay to be nervous.  Let them know how confident you are that they will have a wonderful time (otherwise you wouldn’t let them go!).  Be careful, though, not to set up the camp to be an ideal experience; every program will have some ups and downs.  Ours was a bit of disorganization at check in, but I had prepared our son to expect things to be a bit catty-wompus the first day until everyone knew the routine.
4. Give your child a proper send-off.  If you are dropping your child off at camp, make sure you try to personally meet the people who will be taking care of your child for the day.  When your child sees this relationship form between you and their leader, they will feel more comfortable about the entire experience.  And, if you aren’t able to drop your child off (carpooling, etc), send them off with a big hug, a loving kiss and a smile to last them all day.
5. Debrief as soon as the day is done!  One of the best things we did for our son when he finished with camp each day was to give him our undivided attention as soon as he got home.  After all, I had previously enjoyed an entire day with just one child to tend to, spending 45 minutes to an hour talking to our camper about his adventures, questions, discoveries and stories was definitely a must-do.  Our son knew that we were excited for him, too, and he was even more enthusiastic the next day.  And, it gave us a great opportunity to address any questions or issues that might have arisen during the day at camp.

Camp can be an amazing experience in a growing child’s life.  Taking a few steps to ensure its success will pay off in the long run.  If you have any great tips to add, feel free to join in and comment!

We’ve been struck by the sick-bug in our house this month.  Both of my boys have struggled through strep and upper respiratory infections.  Needless to say, all of the “grand plans” I had for them have fallen by the wayside.  We had to go to Plan B (and C and D…).

One of the main things kids want (and need) when they don’t feel good is some good, old-fashioned extra loving and attention from their parents.  And, attending to a child who doesn’t feel well for long periods of time can leave you exhausted.  One of my most trying places is the pediatrician’s office.  Here are a few ideas to keep your child occupied when they’re not up to snuff (and help save a bit of your sanity, too!)…

• Play “I Spy” - give a clue for an object in the room (”I spy something green” or “I spy something tall”) and have the other person try and guess what it is.
• Place and Trace - take several small objects from your bag, such as keys, a credit card or other objects and let your child trace around them on a piece of paper.  Can you make a set of keys from just one key?  Can you design and color your own credit card or driver’s license?
• Experiment - how many different things from your bag or purse can stand on end?  How many can roll? 
• Flip a coin - with younger children, have them shake it up instead of trying to flip.  Guess whether it will be heads or tails.  How many times do you guess correctly?
• Storytelling - my son’s favorite thing to ask is, “Tell me about when you were a little girl.”  These stories are perfect for long waits in the waiting or examining room. 
• Make a puppet - when you are in the examining room for the long haul, tear off a corner of the paper lining on the table and crumple it into a ball.  Grab a tissue and drape it over, twisting it around the ball to hold it in place.  Draw a face on it, and you have an instant puppet!  For something a bit different, take a pencil and stick the puppet on it, or balance it on your finger!
• Above all, don’t forget that special cuddle and kiss, the hug and attention your child craves when he doesn’t feel 100%.  It rivals most medicines today!

Preschool isn’t just about play
Children expected to reach kindergarten with certain skills
By KURT MOORE
The Marion Star
I came across this article while preparing to present an inservice session to a group of preschool teachers.  And, as a pre-kindergarten teacher, I found it most enlightening.  According to Mr. Moore’s piece, federal and state (Ohio) governments are more willing to fund preschool programs that have more of a focus on the academic end of learning, and not merely on play.  In fact, I was left with the impression that academics were pushing “playtime” into a very minor role in the classroom.

I have an issue with this.  A BIG issue.

Don’t get me wrong.  In my prekindergarten class, children learn the alphabet, and last year I even had a child who was busy plugging through early readers on his own.  We all learn to write, and since my minor is math, you can bet there is a lot of counting, sorting, ordering and classifying going on as well.

And I do it through PLAY.  Children’s play can open up so many opportunities for learning.  The boys are building a block tower; they are working on spatial awareness, balance, teamwork, and I even manage to throw in a bit of counting and measuring.  A group of girls are playing in the sensory tub filled with, of all things, gack; they are measuring, describing, creating and exploring volume.  Another group of students are in the art center, making cards for their friends and family.  They are writing, creating, testing their ability to communicate through writing in a safe and fun way.

The point is, all of my kids are learning and in huge strides - just ask their parents.  But, the kids don’t always know that what they are doing IS learning.  They see it as that four-letter word, play.  Learning should be fun; play is at the heart of a young child’s ability to understand and comprehend what is going on around him or her.

When you take “play” out of a young child’s hands, you lose a major piece of their childhood.  What happened to the days of paper dolls and circle games?  When did playdough become a thing of the past?

I am not saying that our preschools are taking “play” away from our children, but I can see where many will read the article linked above and see that as the “new childhood” - all work, no play.  And we all know that makes for a very dull boy.

There are lots of things that appeal to me about shopping at my favorite store in town.  It is the fresh smell when I walk in the door, the attractive decor on the walls and in the windows out front, the friendliness of the staff, and the product that is for sale. 

The same goes for WonderBrains.  While I can’t necessarily walk into the store, I can enter through my computer into a wonderfully designed shop (by the way, have you noticed the redesigned home page?  WOW!).  It is sharp and fresh, easy to follow and appealing to look at.  I can always find help quickly if I need it.  And, of course, only the best toys and products can be found here - no sifting through “junk” that clutters so many other stores around.

But, WonderBrains does something that really hits home for me.  Each product is categorized based on Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences.  If you are not familiar with this theory, take a moment to read Peter’s article.  It is a wonderful and complete summary of Gardner’s work.  The picture icons after each product description really help focus on what really goes on with these products.  If I’m buying something for my niece’s birthday (she happens to be quite the athlete), then I know finding a product with the kinesthetic icon below it would be a wonderful gift for her.  Likewise, with my son beginning to take piano lessons and study music, I really want to promote that area of learning, so I’ll look for the musical icon on product descriptions.

Peter and Susan have done a tremendous job researching and testing products to find the best in every group.  And that’s why I love this store.  Because someone cared enough to make sure I knew exactly what the product is all about.

Getting a sunburn is no fun - it is painful, uncomfortable, and can make a “normal” day seem every bit not normal.  Having a child with a sunburn is downright miserable - for everyone.

Here are some tips to taking care of that pink (or red) skin on your little munchkin:

1. Eliminate additional sun exposure.  Allowing a child to go back into the sun with an existing sunburn will only make it worse.
2. Cool compresses or a cool bath will help soothe the pain. 
3. Goop up with the aloe vera!  Aloe vera has wonderful healing capabilities and will soothe the pain as well.
4. Slather on the moisturizing cream to rehydrate the skin.  Keep away from petroleum products because they don’t allow the skin to “breathe” and avoid anything with benozcaine as it may trigger an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
5. Give your child acetominophen or ibuprofen to ease the pain and swelling and help them feel more comfortable.  (Remember: no aspirin for children or teens!)
6. If the burn is severe and/or has blisters, do not hesitate to call your doctor.  Prescription medications are available for severe burns.  Make sure your child does not scratch or pop any blisters that form.

The best defense against sunburns is prevention.  Following a few proactive steps before going out in the sun will insure a safe and healthy summer.  Being a role model is the best way to teach your child sun safety, so don’t forget to lather up with the sunscreen yourself when you go out!

Where I live, the sun is pretty potent all year long.  However, in the wintertime, it is easy to let those sun protection habits slide since clothing covers so much of my body.  As the weather warms up, and it REALLY warms up here, the clothes become lighter, the pants become shorts, and the skin is once again exposed to the harsh rays of the sun.

This is where Sun Safety 101 comes in handy.

1.  The best protection is to avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its hottest.  And, just because it is cloudy does not mean you can’t get a sunburn. 

2.  Cover that skin!  Wear clothing that is not see-through.  A good rule to follow is that if you can put your hand under a piece of clothing and see your hand through it, the UV rays can penetrate through it as well.  Hats, especially those with a wide brim, are a necessity when blocking the sun from the face, one of the most sensitive skin areas. 

3.  Sunscreen!  Sunscreen is another way to cover the skin, but remember that sunscreen should not be used on children under 6 months of age.  You must also reapply often and liberally, so be sure to read the directions on the package and follow them accordingly.  Just because a sunscreen is waterproof does not mean you won’t have to reapply!  Also, pay attention to the SPF level of your sunscreen.  The rule in our house is nothing under 30 SPF.  And, sunscreen should always be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure to build up a “block” within the skin. 

4.  Save those eyes!  Don’t forget that your eyes can suffer permanent damage from the sun’s strong rays.  Have your child find a pair of sunglasses they like, and make sure that they offer total UV protection.  Just because they are tinted does not mean they will protect those delicate eyes!

5.  Be sure and ask your doctor or pharmacist about sensitivity to the sun if your child is on medication.  I can recall a time I was on an antibiotic and sat in the sun for about 20 minutes, resulting in one of the most intense burns I have ever had.  Certain medications can make your skin highly sensitive to the sun, so be sure to check that out before going outside.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss ways to treat sunburns, especially in younger children…but let’s hope that’s not something you will need this year!