Setting Physical Limits
Setting physical limits** is a particularly sticky area for many of the parents with whom I work. When our toddlers are 18 months old, we're confident that steering them away from the electrical outlet is "right," but the water gets murkier when they are 3 and refusing to walk to the car after music class. Don't even mention the bane of children (and parents) everywhere: the carseat.
Happy New Year 2010
While I do believe in the power of setting intention and having positive goals (which is really all that setting resolutions is), I've found that doing them once a year in early January isn't for me. I'd like to share with you what we do in our house instead.
Keeping Kids Safe
The Austin newspaper had a frightening story last weekend about a local child abduction. It is the sort of story that makes parents worry a little more and hold our kids a little closer. But, it also brings up good questions about what we parents can do to keep our children safe from harm. We know how to keep them away from the knives and the bleach, but what about dangerous people?
New digs!
I got an exciting 40 pound delivery a couple of weeks ago-
Back to School
I am reminded that even when kids & families are still within their 'green zone,' back-to-school is still a stressor. Everywhere I look, I see more tears, more tantrums, more exasperated parents, more frustrated voices than usual.
Happy Father’s Day!
Three links in honor of Father's Day. (I couldn't find free stuff like I did for Mother's Day--sorry!!)1. Was Father's Day invented by Hallmark? ;^) No, but you can find the real history here.2. This article about a woman adopted by her (deceased) mother's ex-boyfriend is sweet and heart warming--and made me tear up a little. 3. Barack Obama's essay [...]
Q: Should my child be allowed to have a TV/computer in their room?
Question: Should my child be allowed to have a TV/computer in their room?Answer:I advise against it. Three thoughts regarding why: It limits or reduces personal communication and interaction with family members. Sometimes quality time is plain-ole quantity time!P*rnography on the internet. Yes, you've got parental controls installed. Yes, you don't think your child knows about it/is interested in it yet. [...]
The Best Gift Idea
Short and simple--the best gifts are often experiences, rather than things.Most of the kids I know & work with don't need any more THINGS. They have too many already. But what they do need, and want, are more connected, loving, fun, adventurous, memorable experiences--especially experiences with their parents.Next time you have a gift-giving opportunity, consider giving an experience. You can [...]
Dollars spent on prevention vs ‘cleaning up the mess’
Click over to "Shrink rap" (a good psychiatry blog) for the longer version of this informative post. An except:According to a report CASA issued this morning, federal, state and local governments spend almost half a trillion dollars every year -- almost 11 percent of their total budgets -- as a result of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and addiction. [...]
Oracles
On his travel blog, Rick Steves once explained the 'secret' of the Oracles at Delphi, saying this: Two thousand five hundred years ago, movers and shakers from throughout the ancient world went to Delphi to get advice from the Delphi priests. The priests weren't in cahoots with the gods. They just interviewed everyone who came to them, thinking that [...]
