Read to your Child Day – and Every Day

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By Diane Forrest

When my son was born, the first piece of advice she gave me was to read to him every day.  Well I took her advice, and not only did he excel in school, but 25 years later he still reads!  I read somewhere that you should read to your child 20 minutes every day...well I never put a time limit on reading.  I wanted him to enjoy books, and I would read to him for as long as he wanted, and he would usually want to read.  I would take him to the library and check out at least 25 books at a time, sometimes he got the same books over and over again.    And as he got older, he started reading the books to me.

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I continued the reading tradition with my stepson's children.  They always got their kids toys for birthdays and Christmas, and were always complaining about running out of room, so I would send books to them, starting out with a children's Bible, and continuing with the classics.  In today's world, people are so busy with extracurricular activities, technology such as computers, video games, and television, that sometimes, just snuggling up on a couch, or tucking a child in bed at night, books are sometimes overlooked.  Reading with your child will not only form a special bond with them but will also expand their knowledge and vocabulary, and learning skills.

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So today, if you have a child, take some time and read to them, if you aren't around any children, send some books to them and encourage their parents to read to them.  One of my stepson's favorite gifts from my husband is the recordable book my husband made before he passed away.  He read the night before Christmas for his grandson, and he listened to it nightly.

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Read to your child today, and start the roadwork for a brighter future.

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Positive Thinking - 2012 Update

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By Terry Orr

Maintaining a positive thinking can be challenging for the best of us – each morning when I wake up, I am very thankful for another day and looking forward to what it brings.

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This would have been very handy forty-five years ago – Dawn Delvecchio at finerminds writes ‘Positive Thinking for Kids – 3 Great Tips for Teaching’:

1. Speak in Affirmatives

What’s the difference between “I don’t want to go to school” and “I want to stay home today”? Well, you might argue not a lot, and that what we’re talking about here is nothing less than wanting to ‘play hookie’ – whichever way you slice it. And you’d be right, practically speaking. But when it comes to positive thinking, the two statements are worlds apart. Here are a few other examples worth considering …

“I hate it when my homework takes too long,” or “I love it when I finish my homework with more time for fun!”

I don’t want to go out in the cold,” or “I’d like to stay inside and be warm.”

“I don’t like to play with Roger, he’s a jerk!” or “My favorite people to play with are Sam and Eddy and Jenny.”

2. Look on the Bright Side

S**t happens to all of us, but how you look at it – especially in front of kids – can make all the difference in the world. Here’s a great example – Kids spill things. Sometimes what they spill makes a heck of a mess. You’ve got a choice about how to look at it, no matter how much time it’s going to take to clean it up. You could either a). get pissed off, make a scene, shame the kid and then clean it up; b). fume a little bit, bite your tongue and clean it up; or c). think: “it could be worse, it could be a bottle of fish sauce!” Then smile and begin the clean-up.

3. Teach ‘em how to Rampage

Instead of letting kids go off on a rampage of anger or a crying fit; when they’re feeling calm and happy, teach them the appreciation game. You can use crayons, markers, pencils, words, stories or animated miming. Just pick a topic and go off on a rampage, thinking of every single thing you appreciate about that person, place, thing or experience. Make it fun and the kid will learn it for life!

What do you think?  Worthwhile finding out in your family?  Please let us know.

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The health benefits of positive thinking

According to Mayo Clinic, researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span;
• Lower rates of depression;
• Lower levels of distress;
• Greater resistance to the common cold;
• Better psychological and physical well-being;
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease; and
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits.

There always seems to be someone out there who likes nothing more than to mess up our day – to wipe that smile off out face – but take it in stride, smile and do the best you can in that situation. Or like Jon Bon Jovi says in his song “...Have a nice day.”

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10 Tips to overcome negative thoughts: positive thinking made easy according to tiny Buddha:

1. Meditate or do yoga
2. Smile
3. Surround yourself with positive people
4. Change the tone of your thoughts from a negative to a positive
5. Don’t play the victim.  You create your life – take responsibility
6. Help someone
7. Remember that no one is perfect and let yourself move forward
8. Sing
9. List five things that you are grateful right now
10. Read positive quotes.

One that is missing above is exercising – a lot of folks that I talk with and from books, articles and interviews – exercising helps reduce the stress and puts them into a positive frame of mind.

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Here are several tips on how to think positively from Success Consciousness:

• Display a more positive emotional and mental attitude toward yourself, other people and situations.
• Refuse to participate in negative inner dialogues. It's just a waste of time and energy.
• Don't allow disappointments, difficulties and obstacles affect your moods and state of mind.
• Refuse and reject negative thinking. Either replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts, or engage yourself in some activity that will divert your attention from the negative thoughts.
• Don't allow what people think and say affect your mind and mood.
• Associate with people who bring something of value into your life. Avoid people who sap your energy and enthusiasm. If you can't avoid them, learn how stay detached when you are in their company.
• Say positive things about yourself and about other people.
• Compliment people when you feel they deserve it.
• Have faith in yourself and in your abilities.
• Try doing new things or old things in a new way. Doing things differently will help you be more creative and therefore more positive. Go to a different restaurant, eat different food, change the way you dress, start reading a new book or find a new hobby.
• Read about people who overcame hardships and succeeded in life. This will help you think more positively.
• Set goals no matter how impossible this might seem at the moment and keep yourself busy working on them.
• Each goal accomplished, no matter how small it might be, will bring you more confidence, self-esteem and positive thinking.
• At least once a day, think and try to come up with more ideas on how to think positively in various situations.
• Be careful what mental images you let in into your mind. How you see yourself and your surroundings make a difference to your thinking. It is like watching a video. Eject the old video cassette or CD and insert a new and better one instead.
• Analyze your behavior and attitude, and ask yourself why you are repeating the habits or attitudes that you dislike. There is no need to follow old patterns of behavior that you don't like or don't make you any good.
• When you learn how to think positively, you gain the key to changing and improving your life.

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So put on that happy face, be thankful for what you have and go out there and enjoy your day.

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References and Links:

http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2011/09/positive-thinking.html

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/10-tips-to-overcome-negative-thoughts-positive-thinking-made-easy/

http://www.justifiedlions.com/positive-thinking/7-tips-for-daily-positive-thinking-motivation/

http://www.successconsciousness.com/think-positively.htm

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Respect for Parents - Update

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By Terry Orr

Respect:

• a particular, detail, or point (usually preceded by in ): to differ in some respect.
• relation or reference: inquiries with respect to a route.
• esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgment.
• deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.
• the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect.

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The 5^th Commandment:

King James Version: Honour thy father and thy mother

English Standard Version: Honor your father and your mother

New Living Translation: Honor your father and mother

I have always considered the Ten Commandment a fairly good guideline for people to follow.

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I also believe that one earns respect – it is not something given without cause.  Children learn by observing others – therefore, parents need to set the example and show respect for others and their children.

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One thing most parents agree on when it comes to parenting is that they want to teach their children to become respectful, polite and kind to others. Nothing makes a parent as proud as knowing you taught your child respect for other people. While most parents agree that this is important, many feel lost when it comes to teaching children this behavior. Teaching respect to a child is teaching them to become self-confident, mature and responsible. Respecting others' rights also teaches your child important core values that they will use throughout their lives.

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Read more: How to Help Children to Respect the Rights of Others | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_11367796_children-respect-rights-others.html#ixzz21vz4eUc8

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Potty Training Awareness Month - 2012

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By Papa Orr

Potty training is a major milestone in a child’s life. For many parents, potty training is difficult.  So, in honor of Potty Training Awareness Month (June), we thought it would be the perfect time to share some information/tips to give you a better understanding of the basics of potty training.

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Potty training: How to get the job done

Potty training is a major milestone. Get the facts on timing, technique and handling the inevitable accidents.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Potty training is a big step for kids and parents alike. The secret to success? Patience — perhaps more patience than you ever imagined.

Is it time?

Potty-training success hinges on physical and emotional readiness, not a specific age. Many kids show interest in potty training by age 2, but others might not be ready until age 2 1/2 or even older — and there's no rush. If you start potty training too early, it might take longer to train your child.

Is your child ready? Ask yourself these questions:

• Does your child seem interested in the potty chair or toilet, or in wearing underwear?
• Can your child understand and follow basic directions?
• Does your child tell you through words, facial expressions or posture when he or she needs to go?
• Does your child stay dry for periods of two hours or longer during the day?
• Does your child complain about wet or dirty diapers?
• Can your child pull down his or her pants and pull them up again?
• Can your child sit on and rise from a potty chair?
• If you answered mostly yes, your child might be ready for potty training. If you answered mostly no, you might want to wait awhile — especially if your child has recently faced or is about to face a major change, such as a move or the arrival of a new sibling. A toddler who opposes potty training today might be open to the idea in a few months.

There's no need to postpone potty training if your child has a chronic medical condition but is able to use the toilet normally. Be aware that the process might take longer, however.

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Most children begin to show signs that they are ready for potty training between 18 and 24 months, but instead of using age as an indicator, look for other signs that your child may be ready to start the process, such as the ability to:

• Orally express a need to go
• Keep a diaper dry for two hours or more
• Get to the potty, sit on it, and then get off the potty
• Pull down diapers, disposable training pants or underpants
• Show an interest in using the potty or in wearing underpants

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There are a few key points to remember during the potty training process. First, teaching a toddler to use the potty isn’t an overnight experience. This will require a lot of time, patience and a willingness to accept setbacks. Remember that accidents will happen. It’s important to recognize all of the little successes during the process, so be sure to praise all attempts to use the toilet, even if nothing happens. During the process, if you show disappointment when a child wets or soils themselves or the bed, it can result in a step back. Instead, offer your support and reassure your child that he or she is well on the way to using the potty like a big kid.

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10 Training Tips

Once you see that your child is ready to start learning how to use the potty, these tips may help:

1. Don’t make your child sit on the toilet against his or her will. Instead, show your child how you sit on the toilet and explain what you’re doing (because your child learns by watching you). You can also have your child sit on the potty seat and watch while you — or one of his or her siblings — use the toilet.
2. Establish a routine. For example, you may want to begin by having your child sit on the potty after waking with a dry diaper, or 45 minutes to an hour after drinking lots of fluid. Only put your child on the potty for a few minutes a couple of times a day, and let your child get up if he or she wants to.
3. Try catching your child in the act of pooping. Children often give clear cues that they need to use the bathroom — their faces turn red, and they may grunt or squat. And many kids are regular as to the time of day they tend to have a bowel movement.
4. Have your child sit on the potty within 15 to 30 minutes after meals to take advantage of the body’s natural tendency to have a bowel movement after eating (this is called the gastro-colic reflex).
5. Remove a bowel movement from your child’s diaper, put it in the toilet, and tell your child that poop goes in the potty.
6. Make sure your child’s wardrobe is adaptable to potty training. In other words, avoid overalls and onesies. Simple clothes are a must at this stage and kids who are potty training need to be able to undress themselves.
7. Some parents like to let their child have some time during the day without a diaper. If he or she urinates without wearing a diaper, your child may be more likely to feel what’s happening and express discomfort. (But if you opt to keep your child’s bottom bare for a little while, you’ll probably need to keep the potty close by, protect your rugs and carpet and be willing to clean up.)
8. When your son is ready to start urinating standing up, have “target practice.” Show him how to stand so that he can aim his urine stream into the toilet. Some parents use things like cereal pieces as a sort of bull’s-eye for their little guys to try aiming at.
9. Offer your child small rewards, such as stickers or time reading with Mommy, every time your child goes in the potty. Keep a chart to track successes. Once your child appears to be mastering the use of the toilet, let him or her pick out a few new pairs of big-kid underwear to wear.
10. Make sure all of your child’s caregivers — including babysitters grandparents, and child care workers — follow the same routine and use the same names for body parts and bathroom acts. Let them know how you’re handling the issue and ask that they use the same approaches so your child won’t become confused.

There are some stressful or difficult times when you may want to wait to start the toilet-teaching process, for instance when traveling, around the birth of a sibling, changing from the crib to the bed, moving to a new house, or when your child is sick (especially if diarrhea is a factor). It may be better to postpone it until your child’s environment is stable and secure.

Just remember that kids will let you know when they’re ready. If you’re torn about when to start the potty training process, let your child be your guide.

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Good links for help on Potty Training:

http://www.aap.org/en-us/search/pages/results.aspx?k=potty%20training&nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/potty-training/CC00060 (excellent link)

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/tc/toilet-training-topic-overview (very good link)