Pet or No Pet? linking post at: http://www.familyresource.com/blog/category/lifestyles/pets/

   

This article recommends that you choose a low maintenance pet like a cat, a rodent, a reptile, or a fish. It suggests that as a dog relies on you giving it attention and playing with it non stop, these types of pets are more for looking at rather than playing with. However, you always want to be careful when picking out a family pet in making sure that its behavior is complimentary to a child. Does the child sense attachment, or do the seem uninterested? The more a child takes to the pet, the more likely they are to take better care of it. You also want to make sure that the child is at a decent age to handle some of the responsibility of taking care of their pet. This is a helpful tool in teaching them good character and helps build confidence and raises their self-esteem in taking on a duty of their own.

Building Stronger Families and Relationships

In this article, the discussion of parenting couples comes to the surface. Healthy and positive relationships should be modeled so that children learn how to behave appropriately. Children tend to take after the patterns and behaviors which take place around them. When entering into a time in life where family is considered, there is a responsibility for adults to be adults on and off stage. When their personal relationship with one another is right, that allows for a more stable foundation when their family is concerned. There needs to be a regard set in place where mutual respect and consideration are gathered. In taking care of a family it is important to take care of your relationship with your husband or wife. Maintaining together time where parents get a night out and call in a babysitter is a crucial part of holding together a family as well as keeping your marriage strong. Separation and divorce take a toll on family structure in that hope is lost, and adjustment is required. Getting used to the fact that "things just weren't working out." Think things through before diving in to things too quickly!

 

Podcast on One Day as a Kid

One Day as a Kid, looks at how a kid spends their typical day at the YMCA.

Interview Script with Jessie, a student at the YMCA.

Introduction/Summary:

Hello! Today we’re here in Laguna Niguel at John Malcom Elementary School at the YMCA, and today we’re going to be talking to one of the kids at the YMCA to see what their day is like here at John Malcom Elementary School.

Wow! There’s a lot of kids around here! Oh, excuse me! What’s your name?

Student: Jessie

Hi Jessie! How are you doing today?

Student: Good!

Hey, so you go to the YMCA?

Student: Yes.

Cool! And what grade are you in Jessie?

Student: Third grade.

Wow! Third grade! Do you have fun at the YMCA?

Student: Yes

Wow! So what do you do? After school you go to the YMCA, and what do you do next?

Student: We play games.

And what kind of games do you play?

Student: Handball outside.

Do you spend the whole time outside, or do you go inside?

Student: Inside, and we play the Wii.

Yeah! What kinds of things do you do when you’re inside? Besides playing the Wii?Do you guys have all sorts of games?

Student: Yeah.

Like what kinds of games?

Student: Air hockey.

Wow! Air hockey! I bet the boys like that one.

Student: Yes.

And you said you have the Wii. What else do you have?

Student: Basketball.

Okay.

Student: you know like when…

When you shoot hoops?

Student: Yeah.

Cool! Wow! Are you good at that?

Student: Mmmm… yeah!

Okay, and what about, so you have the Wii, you have basketball, you have air hockey. Is there anything else that you do inside?

Student: Board games.

Board games! Oh, okay. Those are always fun, do you play like in a big group?

Student: Mmmhmm.

Awe! Okay so then you said outside, you said you guys play handball, what else?

Student: Big toy.

You guys play on the big toy, is that like a big playground?

Student: Yes.

Wow! So do you have like slides, and like monkey bars…

Student: …and swings.

And swings? Awe, cool! So then what do you do, so sometimes you go inside and sometimes you go outside. Is there anything else that you do at the YMCA?

Student: Snack. Healthy snacks.

Yeah! You guys have, what kinds of healthy snacks do you have?

Student: Crackers.

Crackers, and do you guys have fruits or vegetables?

Student: Yes.

What is your favorite fruit and vegetable?

Student: Grapes.

And what about your favorite vegetable?

Student: Green beans.

Green beans? Oh, well that sounds like you guys get lots of healthy nutritious food at the YMCA too!

Student: Yes.

And do you guys do homework at the YMCA?

Student: Yes.

Do you have lots of it?

Student: Yes. Sometimes.

Wow! Well that’s very cool! Who are your teachers at the YMCA?

Student: Miss Annie, Mr. Tim, Mrs. Michelle, Mrs. Allie, Mr. Evan, and Mrs. Ashley, and those are all our teachers.

Oh! So that’s, what? Six teachers and helpers? Wow! Do you enjoy being around them?

Student: Yes, I enjoy Annie.

Oh! Good! Well thank you Jessie for talking to me today! Hope you have fun at the Y!

Student: Thank you!

Bye!

Student: Bye!

Not to give a sare, but avoid one. Linking post @: http://www.familyresource.com/blog/category/parenting/child-safety/

CAUTION!  CAUTION!  CAUTION!  CAUTION!  CAUTION!  CAUTION!  

This article gives some of the statistics found according to the U.S. Department of Justice of things to be aware of:

* 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.

*203,900 children were the victims of family abductions

*58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions

*115 children were the victims of "stereotypical kidnapping," These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently)

Some of these statistics are hard to believe, but just to be on the knowing side of things is better than carrying regrets, or at least doing your best to prevent situations like these from happening.

Safety Tips!

The U.S. CPSC (Consumer Product Safety commission) gave a cautionary note to families with young children on hidden home hazards. 33.1 million are injured by consumer products in their homes every day. There are many who are unaware of the simple ways that one can encounter hazards without even knowing it. So take note of these things!

1. Magnets. Since their small size is so attractive to young children to want to put these things in their mouths, if more than one is swallowed, the two pull together and can get stuck preventing substances from passing through the body or blocking airways. Magnets will serve as a blockade, and cause the body to malfunction until cleared away.

2. Recalled Items. Pay special attention to items, toys, and products that have a recall on them. Get rid of them immediately, especially if reports from the CPSC are issued. Don't take the chance of dismissing what may seem like a relatively mild and harmless situation from turning into a serious and dangerous situation.  

3. Unstable and heavy objects. Watch out for furniture, electronics, tv sets, book shelves, or heavy objects that are not placed securely. The chances that these things could tomple over and cause injury is something to always be aware of, because you never know what could go wrong. One tip would be to use safety brackets to secure things in place. Also be aware of earthquake hazards and your placement of items that could fall!

4. Windows and dangling objects. Be careful that windows are not easily openable by children. Their curiosity is climbing especially starting right around nine months when they begin crawling and creeping around aimlessly. Also dangling things that young children are likely to tug and pull on could result in injury, so keep an open eye.

5. Pools and Drowning hazards. Keep a close eye on unguarded areas such as pool areas and spas. If you have a young child, you may want to consider getting some type of fencing or guard to put around the pool to prevent potential drowning hazards.  

Linking Post @http://www.familyresource.com/blog/2009/03/15/kid-music-the-jimmies/

This article goes into a specific band called "The Jimmies" which is a kid band that plays upbeat music full of energy and volume. Parents comment that they just want to duck and cover after being exposed to some of the music that kids and the younger generation listen to now. However, this band is bearable for parents to listen to and carries a good beat that is catchy and not your typical "Pop goes the Weasel." Music again is a cure for the soul, and helps release the wavelengths of the mind into an easy to listen, soothing environment that allows for relaxation and concentration, but some music achieves different things like loud, increased volume. As long as it is enjoyable, this is where the purpose lays.

Music for the Ears

The sound of music serves as a remedy and it also proves to be an effective learning tool for young children. Programs like "Baby Einstine" founded by Julie Clark who aimed to create interactive experiences for the developing mind of a child. In the world of discovery, there is much to consider in this shared world of understanding. Clarkʻs aim was to uncover a new, exciting, and fun world for babies to enter into their being and existence within the universe of wonder.

In "Baby Einstein" their goal is to create a world where the baby is the central part of a developing universe. Their goal is accomplished by using tailored methods that engage and interact in the way that a baby would. It integrates music, poetry, art, language, and nature in a way that enriches the developing mind in a playful, fun and interactive way.

"Baby Einstein" uses hands on experience, and engages the viewer to clap along, sing along, and move along in the journey of development. The first three years of development are the most critical. It is important for parents to interact with their kids by broadening their horizons and curiosity. By installing feelings of happiness, healthy habits, and smarts, this enables a baby to forgo life with a fresh beginning towards the road of accomplishment and high achievement.