New Year, New Skills

Happy New Year!!!  It's time to make those New Year's resolutions.  Now is a great time to refocus our parenting skills.  I remember a time when I had to evaluate myself.  I found myself losing my temper and raising my voice a little too often to my little ones.  I didn't want my children to remember their childhood mother as a raving lunatic; so, I evaluated my behavior and decided to allow myself more time to react to situations that stressed me.  I remembered the old sayings "Don't cry over spilled milk!" and "Don't sweat the small stuff!" and these became my new motivation.  Sometimes we get overwhelmed with life's little problems, but we must remember to choose wisely our reactions, especially for our children's sake.  What we do now will affect our children for the rest of their lives.  It will make them who they will become!  So...the next time you catch your child playing in the litter box, cutting sister's hair, or writing on the wall, give yourself a moment...Don't sweat it...Gently, remind your child of the hazard, wash them up, and give them a hug.  This is what you want them to remember...LOVE!

Family Fun Night, December 2014

Here's a glimpse of our latest Family Fun Night.  We had a family movie, pizza party, crafts, gingerbread man decorating, and some terrific gifts.  What a wonderful time of family bonding!

Gingerbread men!!!

 Crafts!!!

                                         PIZZA!!!!

Holiday Traditions

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa this holiday season, spending these times with family can be a great way to bond and use those nurturing skills.  Handing down our traditions is a part of parenting that we all can enjoy.  Children love to learn about their heritage and ancestry.  Giving them the opportunity to celebrate these moments as a family unit, will encourage their social-emotional growth and development.  It will allow them to become more social and develop into well-rounded individuals.  What do you do to celebrate these holidays?  An example of my family holiday is as follows:

After Thanksgiving we take our traditional trip to the Christmas Tree Farm.  This is always the Friday following Thanksgiving and never later than the Saturday after Turkey Day.  We all pile in the Ford truck and head to the field.  We trudge through the snow, row after row, until we find that "perfect" tree.  This annual trip to the tree farm is followed by hot chocolate and then decorating of the tree and house.  The kids love finding all of their old school

ornaments and sentimental keepsakes that are placed on the tree.  We remember all of the special moments of the Christmas season during these decorating sessions.

Another holiday tradition is baking cookies and making gingerbread houses.  Rally the kids together and let them decorate with icing and candy.  You will love the laughter and joy that comes along with this activity.

No matter what family activity you do during these holidays, your family will love spending time together and enjoying in the festivities of the holiday season. Enjoy these moments, because they are the moments that last a lifetime.  The memories are always there and will always be a part of the family bond that we will all share.

Happy Turkey Day!

Can you believe it?  This Thursday is Thanksgiving already!!!  It's time to start that checklist of things to do.  Don't forget to get the turkey out of the freezer.  I somehow manage to forget every year, or I get it out later than needed to thaw.  So, how do I thaw it then, you ask?  Well...It is recommended that you thaw the turkey for 1 day for every 4 lbs in the refrigerator, but you can also thaw it in cold water, changing the cold water every 30 minutes (that is usually what I end up having to do).  It will take 30 minutes per pound to thaw your turkey.  Once your turkey is thawed, you are ready to go!  The kids will love the meal to come, and it will have been thawed safely and not cause tummy aches.  Make sure you stuff the turkey right before baking.  Don't do it ahead of time or this can cause bacteria to ruin your Thanksgiving.

Now that the turkey is taken care of, what will you do with the family?  It is always fun to plan some games and activities for the kids to keep them busy and make the holiday memorable.  You can set up some craft stations and let them make turkeys from paper and toilet paper rolls, or maybe make a pilgrim hat.  Here are some links for some patterns for these activities.  Simply copy and paste these to your address bar.





From Martha Stewart...
Pilgrim Hat:
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2010Q4/msl_1110_pilgrim_hat.pdf

From All Kids Network...
Turkey:
http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/thanksgiving/toilet-paper-roll-turkey.asp

Make a sweet and salty snack mix with Chex cereal, pretzels, Goldfish crackers, raisins, candy corn, and marshmallows for when the kids ask "When's dinner?" for the tenth time.  

Allow the kids to help set the table and greet guests and family members.  Giving them a job or responsibility will help them feel a big part of the occasion.

Wishing you a terrific Thanksgiving!  Enjoy the food, friendship, and family bonding that comes with it!

Thanksgiving!!!

We had our annual Thanksgiving Meal for our families on Thursday, November 13th.  It was a great success!  Each family was able to work on a family craft together, while they waited for the opportunity to have their family photos taken.  Then, it was time for an awesome turkey dinner, complete with pumpkin pie to top it off.  We also enjoyed a few games of Thanksgiving BINGO, and our families won some books, games, and other items.  What a great time of family bonding!!!

Candy Explosion

Now that Halloween is over and your candy dishes are overflowing, what can you do with all of that sweet stuff?  Well, we certainly do not want the kids eating it all in one sitting or even finishing it all within a week.  What can all of the treats be used for?

Put some aside for a rainy day.  Do you have a good place to stash some of the candy for a special treat on a sad or lonely day?  Putting some candy away will help reduce the urge for your children to overindulge in sweet treats and give you something to look forward to on a day that needs a little sweetening.

Freeze some candy.  Your candy will last longer by placing it in the freezer.  This will allow you to spread your candy consumption across a longer time period, preventing obsessive candy eating.

Take some to the office.  I know my kids could never eat all of their candy.  A great way of dealing with the mass piles of candy your kids get, is to share some of it with coworkers.  It will disappear and your kids won't get those extra cavities for your next dental visit.  If your kids are like mine, they won't really miss it.  It seems they get way too much anyway.

Use the candy as rewards.  Allow your child to choose one or two pieces of candy as a reward for good behavior, good grades, or anything positive that deserves a tasty treat.  This will give you a positive reinforcement for behavior, as well as assist in limiting sugar intake.

Trail of Treats

Our program participated in the annual Trail of Treats hosted by our local television station WNEP on Thursday, October 30th.  This event allows children and adults with special needs to trick-or-treat in a safe environment.  It was great to see all of the nurturing going on.  Parents and caregivers gave great examples of love and support for these amazing children and adults.  This was a great example of how we should nurture one another every day!

Here are some photos from the event:

Trick-Or-Treat Safety

Well, Halloween is just next week and that means it is time for the annual trick-or-treating festivities.  As parents of young children who engage in this activity, it is imperative that we consider all the safety issues that can arise while the kiddos are out enjoying the gift of free candy.  Here are some important things to consider when taking your child (or cowboy, ghost, or goblin) out for Halloween candy:

1.    Consider going out as early as possible to avoid darkness.  Children will be more visible to vehicle traffic and be much safer as they go from house to house.

2.  Be sure to have your child wear a costume with light colors as opposed to dark colors.  If they have a dark costume, have them carry a flashlight and wear either reflective tape or glow sticks…and always keep them close.

3.  Teach your child to obey traffic laws.  Make sure they know to look both ways before crossing the street and to use the crosswalk.

4.  Have children go in groups, rather than in pairs or singly.  They will be more visible this way.

5.  Choose a neighborhood that is familiar and that you trust.

6.  Tell your children not to eat any candy until you are able to examine it.  Even when we try to stay within our neighborhoods, there is always a potential for tampered with candy and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Take this time to enjoy some family fun and bonding.  Join in in the festivities and dress up too.  The kids will love it!

A Family Day at the Farm

October 9th, 2014 we took our participants' families and instructors' families to the farm.  We spent time together on a hayride to the pumpkin patch and enjoyed seeing some farm animals as well.  The kids loved searching the patch for the best pumpkin and laughed at the goats as they scurried to them to eat from their hands.  Parents and children enjoyed time together and some terrific bonding in an afternoon of family fun.

Confidence

Developing confidence in your children is something every parent should strive to do.  If children are hindered from developing self worth, they will struggle to succeed as they grow into adults.  Here are some suggestions on how to encourage the development of healthy confidence in your child:

• Don't sweat the small stuff!  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the hectic day that we can lose it at the drop of a hat.  Be sure to assert patience when dealing with those little issues that pop up and use discretion when dealing with more complex issues.  Always consider the effect that your actions will have on your child's development.
• Be a positive example!  Work on yourself, as well as assisting your child's development of self confidence.  Show your child what self confidence looks like.  Know that you are a parent with great potential and you SHOULD be proud of your accomplishments.  Express confidence in your day to day left so that your child can follow your example.
• Make time for your kids!  Take time to play and converse with your children.  You are your child's first and most important teacher and example.  Set aside time to spend with your children and give them the opportunity to see you as that self confident adult that they will strive to be.
• Encourage your child!  Be an encouragement to your children in all that they do.  Lift them up and praise their efforts.  Rather than stifle their expressions, encourage them to express themselves...and NEVER EVER compare your children with one-another or with other children.  Last of all, encourage your child to try new and exciting things.  When they are willing to step out into a new direction or task, you will be leading them onto the path of healthy self confidence.
• Finally, give your child some responsibilities.  When you give your child some household chores, he/she will feel confident in the fact that you chose them to do an important job.  They will feel trust.  They will feel responsible.  These are healthy tools used to develop self confidence.

In using these suggestions, your child should begin to grow into a healthy self confident youth.  Continue to offer encouragement and support throughout their development and they will believe in themselves throughout life and its challenges.

Dinner Together

Some may think that eating together or apart really does not affect the family relationships, but they would be wrong.  What better time than mealtime to get together with your family and enjoy conversation.  During mealtime, you can talk about your day, your successes and failures; you can build each other up.  It doesn't take much more effort to set the table rather than sit in front of the television screen to eat, and it certainly is a much more valuable opportunity for family bonding.  Don't get me wrong, my family enjoys an occasional movie night, but what I am talking about is your everyday schedule.  Make sure to schedule dinnertime out for the family and try not to make it about entertainment (television, laptops, and cellphones), but instead make it about bonding.  You will be surprised at what you learn about your kids when you sit down to dinner with them, and quite honestly it will be a more entertaining time than wasting that time glued to a screen.  My family laughs at the table, and sometimes the kids have disagreements; but that is when we grow as a family and learn how to relate to one another.  So, if the kids start fighting at the table, make sure you use it as a learning tool for all of you...mom and dad to learn patience and mediation...kiddos to learn tolerance and understanding of personalities and manners.  Most of the time, you will find that dinners together will be enjoyable and fun.  Make the best of everyday you have with those little ones!  Life is short...Make every moment count!

Building That Bond With Your Infant

Infant bonding can be accomplished when the parents are in tune with their child.  Not making an effort or taking time to bond, is detrimental to the family bonding experience.  Be sure to enjoy your baby, and give him/her your attention.

The following are ways to encourage the bond that is needed between baby and parent:

1. Share gentle touches.  Caress your baby's head and arms.  You can even try infant massaging.  The closeness that this creates will bond you with your child.

2.  Talk to your baby.  Whether you use baby talk or carry on a conversation, make sure that your baby knows your voice.  Speaking to your baby will further create a bonding relationship.

3.  Make eye contact.  Be sure to look into those beautiful, sweet baby eyes.  Just being social in day-to-day activities requires looking eye-to-eye with people.  How much more important is it to make that connection with your child?  You can't expect to bond with your child if you never make eye contact. 

4.  Respond to your baby's needs.  Your baby will let you know when he/she needs or wants something, whether it be attention and love or a physical need like a diaper change or FOOD.  Meeting your child's needs when he/she cues you in to them will also build that bond that you need and desire.

5.  Take out time to play!  Peek-a-boo, and silly motions games are always fun with infants.  Also, use tools like toys to encourage your child to develop educationally.  Playing with your child will be enjoyable for both of you and further promote bonding.

6.  READ!  No baby is too young to read to.  The sound of your voice and the colors on the picture books will stimulate your baby's mind.  When baby hears your voice as you read, he/she will feel a bond to you and at the same time you will be helping your child develop early reading skills and an interest in books.

Family Fun Day

On October 9^th our program is planning a FREE Family Fun Day at Ard’s Farm in Lewisburg.  We had a Family Fun Day last year at the farm with our families and it was a terrific opportunity to enjoy family time.  We spent time at the petting zoo and enjoyed a trip to the pumpkin patch. 

Call our program today to begin our Family Nurturing Program classes and join us on this fun excursion to the farm. 

Call Union-Snyder Community Action Agency at 570-374-0181 to register for this opportunity to nurture
your family and enjoy our

nurturing activities at

no cost to you.

 

Accident Prevention

This week is Child Accident Prevention Week.  This is a topic that all adults need to be educated on.  
Being proactive is the best way to protect our children.  Here are a few suggestions on how to be proactive and prevent child accidents:

• Keep a watchful eye on your children.  Small children can quickly get into messy situations, and some of those situations can become quite dangerous.  Always know where your child is and what your child is doing.  It only takes a few seconds for a child to change directions and end up climbing a shelf, or trying out the pool.

• Educate your children.  Make sure your children know what is safe and what is not.  I remember my mom using "Mr. Yuck" stickers when I was a child, and I use them for my children as well. Mark out for your children what they can and cannot touch.  Also, using safety latches is important as well to keep your children safe from kitchen utensils and harsh cleaners.  Teach your children about hot tools that are used for heating your home and for cooking.  Make sure they understand the dangers of fire, and that they don't only admire it, but respect it.  Keep electrical outlets that are not in use covered.

• Practice routines.  If children have a routine and are busy, they are less likely to find danger.  Have a daily routine and follow it.

• Keep your home organized and clean.  This will prevent falls and possible injuries from fallen items.

By becoming proactive, you can prevent accidents in your home and prevent injuries to your children.

Family Disagreements

As I was looking over my "events calendar" for August 2014, I noticed that the 25th was designated as "Kiss and Make Up Day" and that caused me to reflect on disagreements within the family.  Sometimes we have disagreements, whether big or small, that are like a nagging splinter in our relationships.  So, it made me think about what the best way of resolving arguments would be.  

I wholeheartedly agree that we all should just "kiss and make up."  I have become the type of person to be quick to forgive and move on.  Holding grudges can destroy relationships, especially those within a family.  We can even have these types of disagreements with our children.  I have a tendency of being the mediator in our family.  So, here's what I do to resolve conflict...  

The key in resolving disagreements is COMMUNICATION.  Without clear communication of feelings and desires, it is impossible to move on from a disagreement; it will continually arise; this may happen even with communication, but the key here is to be in constant communication.  Sometimes it takes persistence on a subject for all parties to understand what caused the disagreement and what the best way to resolve future outbreaks is.  For example, my son has a GREAT personality that is fun and witty; but unfortunately my daughter gets frustrated with being teased and joke making.  My son gets frustrated when my daughter has meltdowns due to her perfectionism and her happiness to just "chill" rather than have huge activities planned.  My goal in resolving these conflicts is to help them both to see that they have different personalities and that it is important to recognize other individual's breaking points.  My daughter is more of a laid back personality, except for when things go wrong (out of her comfort zone) and then it's all drama.  Put the two kids together and it's a recipe for disaster.  

But...these two kids have come a long way.  By sitting down when tempers flare and discussing personality differences, likes and dislikes, and personal space; we have been able to keep peace.  I always end our discussions with "Let's hug it out!"  Of course, kissing and making up (as the 25th recommends) may not work between siblings; I'm sure their response would be, "YUCK!" Next time you find your kids in a disagreement, bring them together, be the mediator, and help them learn to forgive and "hug it out." 

Let's not forget parent/child disagreements.  These agreements can be solved in the same way, but of course you as the adult must take the high road and be willing to consider both sides of the story.  Sometimes, we as parents even have to apologize (cringe); Yes, parents should apologize for actions that are inappropriate.  We must show our kids that everyone can make a mistake and even adults must make things right when that happens.  So, sit down with your kids, discuss the issue, and hug it out!