Instilling Resiliency in your Children Even in the Face of Adversity

Children tend to be happy-go-lucky and typically un-phased by the drama the world can provide us adults on a regular basis. However, it doesn’t mean that they never experience stress or trauma. There are some children who are exposed to this on a regular basis in the form of natural disasters, neglect, abuse and even the death of their loved ones. As parents and caregivers, we obviously try to keep them as safe as possible from unpleasant things, but the reality is we’re just not able to protect them from everything the world sends their way. When they experience something sad or negative, children tend to feel vulnerable, afraid, sad and lonely. So what do we do to help prevent this or at the very least, minimize these feelings?

It’s for these reasons it’s important to make sure your children keep their sense of humor – and resilience - to help them through the rough times. Early childhood is the best time to begin to instill resiliency according to the experts – but how do you go about this? Most importantly, children who come from families who are supportive and caring tend to be more resilient when life throws them a curve. When they are surrounded by adults – both family members and early childhood educators - who are loving, caring and responsive to their needs they are much better equipped to adapt to adversity.

When protective factors like a supportive family, adequate nutrition, and responsive and caring educators and caregivers are a regular presence in a child’s life, they become more adaptable and resilient beings. This instilled resiliency will allow children to develop a better sense of humor to carry them through life - a sense of humor that will serve them well even in the face of adversity. 

Importance of Brain Injury Prevention

Brain injury is a common problem with young children, but a problem that can be avoided with a few preventative measures from parents. Brain injuries can be caused by trampoline accidents when children land on their head or neck, sports injuries are another common area that can result in brain injury and brain injuries among the skateboarding community are also very common.

Many of these injuries can be prevented if parents to make sure their child wears a helmet anytime they are riding their bicycle, a skateboard or scooter and when skiing – water or snow. Avoiding pediatric brain injury can be done by making sure your baby or toddler is in the right car seat, booster seat or other appropriate child restraints for your child’s age, height and weight.

Getting your child or teenager to wear a helmet when it just isn’t “cool” can be a real challenge. One way to make it work is to show them the professional athletes who are wearing helmets doing the same activities your child loves to do – cycling, skateboarding and even skiing.

Even the smallest accident that involves a head injury can cause irreparable brain damage. Be sure to follow the same safety measures on a daily basis – no bicycling or skateboarding without a helmet and never go on a car ride without buckling up. Place infant seats, booster seats and other small child restraints in the back seat where they are safe from the air bags should they be deployed. Finally, lead by example. If you are on a family bike ride, be sure to wear your helmet and ever ride in the car without your seatbelts properly buckled.

Uncommon Poisons in the Home

We’re well aware of the most common types of poisons that may be lurking in the cupboards in our homes:

·         Cleaning products

·         Pesticides

·         Automotive products like windshield washer fluid and antifreeze

·         Insect repellants

·         Animal products like flea and tick killers

·         Swimming pool chemicals

·         Mold and mildew killing products

·         Health and Beauty products like shampoos, conditioners and cosmetics

·         Weed killers and other lawn care products

What we tend to overlook sometimes are the most uncommon poisons that can be a danger to our children. Among these uncommon poisons are plants we have in and around our home.

We make our home pretty and some of the common house plants that don’t cause a problem are African Violets, Begonias, Forsythia, Petunia and Poinsettias at Christmas time. However, there are several pretty plants that can be deadly:

·         Azaleas

·         Daffodils

·         Lily-of-the-Valley

·         Mistletoe

·         Morning Glory

·         Oleander

Also among these poisonous plants are any of the wild mushrooms you may see growing around your yard are also deadly.

Preventing poisoning in your home is simple enough by keeping these harmful products kept under lock and key and plants up and out of reach of little fingers. Here are a few tips:

·         Store chemicals and pesticides in locked cabinets away from children and even your pets

·         Use the safest products you can – sometimes “green” products are a safer route

·         Be sure the lids on all products are replaced and tightened after every use

·         If you are using rodent killer, use packaging that is tamper resistant and child-proof

·         Do not transfer chemicals or cleaners out of their original containers

No matter if there is an interaction with poisonous household products or the plants we have to make our home pretty, a phone call to your local Poison Control Center is critical.

Simple and special valentines treats and presents for busy parents

Nothing says “love” better than a homemade gift or treat from your child on Valentine’s Day. Here are a few ideas to help create some handmade gifts and memories with your children:

·         Yarn Heart Cards: Give your kiddos child-safe plastic needles to stitch up some yarn heart cards. All you need is some colored card stock, scissors, tape colored yarn and the child-safe plastic needles. Fold the card stock in half, draw a heart and cut it out then tape it to the front of the card stock. Lay the card flat and with the heart as your template punch holes in the card stock with the needle and then discard the heart template. Have your child thread the needle with the yarn and knot the end. Start inside the card and stitch from side to side and finish by knotting on the inside of the card and trim the excess yarn.

·         Paper blooms are another simple and fun project to make with your kids. Again you’ll need colored cardstock and also wooden spools, heart craft punches, straight pins, craft glue, cloth-covered floral wire, small buttons and grosgrain ribbon the same width as the spools you are using. Punch out a circle from cardstock and poke a small hole in the center with a straight pin. Child: Punch out five heart shapes and fold in half lengthwise for petals. Glue the petals around the circle, leaving the hole unobscured; set aside to dry. Thread one end of a length of floral wire through two holes on a button and twist to secure. Push the opposite end of the wire through the hole in the middle of the flower shape for a stem. Repeat to make more flowers. To make the “vase” - Wrap a length of ribbon around the spool and glue to secure. Trim the flower stems and stick them into the spool to display.

·         Want an easy and yummy Valentine’s snack? Make ice cubes from pomegranate juice and float them in a fruit smoothie.

You can teach your child that love is in the air with these easy Valentine’s Day gifts they can make with you. 

Indoor Air Dangers to Kids

Many people think of air pollution as only being a problem when you step outside. But the fact is, it can be just as big of a problem inside your home. Many normal household products emit volatile organic compounds or VOCs that can cause problems like headaches, rashes, nausea and eye and throat irritations. These irritants can be particularly harmful to children who breathe faster than we do as adults. Babies are at a particularly higher risk because they are closer to the ground where the heavier contaminants hang in the air.

The eye and throat irritations typically come after carpeting is installed. Not only can the carpeting cause problems but also the padding and adhesive that is used. If you are planning to have carpeting installed in your home, choose a low-VOC product and ask the installers to unroll it several days beforehand to allow it to air out. Make arrangements to stay somewhere else while the carpet is being installed and keep your home well-ventilated for several days after the installation. If your children are prone to allergies or have been diagnosed with asthma, consider using other flooring options.

Paint and paint strippers are another pair of harmful pollutants that are found in the home. When you paint, again, use a low-VOC paint and keep the windows open during your painting party and after while the paint dries completely. Don’t store paint cans because gases can leak even if the cans are sealed. If you do have to store the containers keep them away from your main living areas.

Another area that can cause problems is Teflon. Using cookware with the nonstick abilities can release fumes into the air when they are exposed to very high temperatures. Avoid these problems by not using these products in the oven or on the high setting on top of your stove.

Finally, craft supplies can also be an issue. When your kids are feeling crafty you don’t have to tell them no, just head outside or to a well-ventilated area to let them create their masterpieces. Fumes from markers, glue, paint and other supplies can not only cause headaches but also eye nose and throat irritations as well.

Simple measures can be taken to minimize the dangers you expose your children to – be careful and cautious and keep your children healthy.

How to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals at a Young Age

As parents, one time or another we have all experienced the frustration of knowing our children aren’t trying hard enough to accomplish what we know they are more than able to do. While the initial reaction would be to harp and push, it’s important not to get overly excited about their lack of ambition and instead turn your efforts into teaching them how to set and reach goals – even at a young age.

It’s not as difficult as you may think to instill the importance of goal setting in your children. With a few simple steps you can plant the seed:

·         Start by looking for ways your child already sets goals, even though they may not realize that’s what they’re doing. For example, if they are trying get their favorite video game and saving up any extra money he or she gets. Take this opportunity to discuss the steps that will need to be taken in order to get the rest of the money for the game. Explain how good it feels to work toward something and actually make it happen.

·         Start small – Help your child pick a small, fun goal that can be reached in a relatively short amount of time – maybe a craft project or finishing a short book. Starting with small goals is a great way to teach children to work toward bigger goals.

·         Let them be involved in choosing the goals they want to reach. Sure we want them to have straight A’s or make the honor roll each grading period or make the sports team but these may be more YOUR goals than theirs. Letting them choose what they want to achieve is often better because it allows them to take ownership of the steps needed to reach them, as well as the actual accomplishment.

·         Be supportive – as your child begins to work toward setting and reaching their goals, be the biggest cheerleader you can be for them. Applaud their efforts no matter how big or small and let them know you see how hard they are trying.

It’s never too early to start instilling the importance of setting and reaching goals in your children. And while these steps are a great way to get the ball rolling, remember that we are our children’s biggest teachers so be prepared to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. 

How To Determine What Level of Book is Right for Your Child

Your child isn’t going to become a great reader over night, but it can happen one book at a time. But what is the best way for you to choose the right book for your child to read?

It may be second nature to feel like you should be picking your child’s books, but the fact remains that letting your child choose their own books is a skill that they should learn at young age. By allowing your child to choose their own books independent of your input, allows your child to learn the different reason we choose a book to read in the first place.

If your child has reached reading age, here are a few helpful tips to help him or her learn to choose books that will make them want to read more:

·         When your child is ready to start reading, begin instilling the fact that we read for a purpose – whether it’s too learn something or if the purpose is simply for enjoyment.

·         Have your child browse through the books either at the library or the bookstore. If this seems to be too overwhelming, then have them narrow down their choices by either a type of book (fiction or nonfiction) or by action, funny or other subject.

·         Say “yes” as often as you can when your child selects a book that he or she is interested in. Rather than saying “no” try saying that a choice is a “not so great” selection

·         If your child selects a book that is beyond his or her reading ability, solve the problem by reading the book out loud with your child. Let them read as much of the book as possible, you can jump in if there are difficult parts for your child to read.

·         If your child has really enjoyed a particular book, remind him or her of the author name when they are selecting books the next time.