Bullies

I’m sure it won’t surprise you when I tell you there are bullies at school. Harassment in school doesn’t wait until children are older. It might shock you that kids in kindergarten are even at risk of being pushed around literally. Bullying can indeed take the form of hitting and pushing. But usually it isn’t physical violence. Bullying usually involves threats and name-calling. School safety experts say kids, parents and teachers can work together to stop this problem. Our local schools are working hard to teach empathy and compassion as well as the art of conflict resolution. Talk to your children. Let them know that they can stand up for themselves. Here are tips to teach your children: If you are being bullied, tell the bully in a firm voice that you don’t like what he or she is doing, Walk away quickly, and find an adult right away then tell them what has happened. Teach your kids to be smart and to know that they only deserve to be treated with kindness.

Be NICE!

Teaching your kids to behave properly in one easy step: Now I’ve got your attention. I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about all the rules we try to teach our kids. Treat people with kindness, don’t hit, bite or push, don’t yell or talk back, show respect, and don’t tease. The list seems to never end. Now a days parents are always coming up with new ways to teach their kids to behave. With the never ending parenting suggestions I can’t help but revert back to the line that has withstood the test of time. Treat others as you would have them treat you. Or in two words BE NICE! Nice might sound like just a cute little word with not much to base your behavior on but look it up. It means requiring tact, to be delicately subtle and sensitive, pleasant and kind. It’s source is Latin and means only by a very tortuous path did it reach its present sense of pleasant. It’s not always easy for children be nice It’s our job to show them how it’s done.

Unstructured Days of Summer Are Behind Us - Whew!

With the start of school upon us it’s time to leave the unstructured days of summer behind. Although the thought of a scheduled day may sound a bit more stressful it may actually make life a bit easier. Your children spend their day at school passing from one activity to the next easily. Without much thought or uncertainty. They know exactly what comes next. You might want to follow this lead at home. If you have battles over homework or getting you child dressed in the morning. Hold a family meeting. Talk about what things need to be done each day and make a plan that everyone agrees on. Remember after a full day at school, children are hungry and need a bit of time to unwind. Choose a time slot just for homework and provide you child with a comfortable place to work. With a bit of planning back to school time may actually be easy.

A Mom's Minute: Picky Eaters

Okay, it's dinnertime.

The family is starved, everyone is tired, and dinner is served. That's when it starts.

The comments about how certain veggies are gross and some like sauce and some don't, some like it on the side and some want it right on top. Everyone has his or her likes or dislikes.

You can go two ways.

One way follows the philosophy simply stated as, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." Or, you may opt for a more creative approach. Involve your children. Let them plan dinner for a change (with some guidelines). Teach them what a healthy meal is. Have the children choose a protein, a fruit or veggie, and a pasta or grain. Take down some of the cookbooks that never seems to make it off the shelf and teach your kids how to read and follow a new recipe.

Show them that it's fun to try new things. Take them shopping for the meal they have chosen. Let them help prepare it. Enjoy your time together in the kitchen. You'll be amazed with the results.

Enjoy your children and your dinner!

A Mom's Minute: The Short Answer

I was reading an article in a parenting magazine the other day (okay, the other year... but it's still bugging me). A gentlemen had written about teaching your teenager not to talk too much. He felt that at the supper table, small details of a story weren't important and that children of all ages should learn to cut things short so everyone could have time to share.

I would like to meet this man. I would love to tell him what I thought about his article. I wonder if he views all of his blessings as a problem.

How many of you would love to have your children excited to talk to you?! I know I am pleasantly surprised when my kids want to include me in the events of their day.

If your child's typical answer to the question, "How was your day?" is a short "Fine," you might want to try these questions instead:

"What was the best part of your day?"

"What was your least favorite thing you did today?"

With open-ended questions, you just might get your kids to actually talk. And if they already do, consider yourself blessed. Remember this at times like these: it only takes a moment to make a memory that lasts a lifetime.

A Mom's Minute: Who's the Boss?

Here's a question: Who's running your family?

Many parents feel they are doing their child a favor by letting them make a majority of the family's decisions. Decisions like what extra activities they are involved in, where they go to school, what they watch on TV, their bedtime and - believe it or not - even when it's time to take a bath.

Children indeed have their own opinions, but they also obviously have much less life experience. Giving your child choices is a great idea. It's our job as parents to teach them how to make an appropriate choice. To show them that not everyone's needs are met all at the same time and that fair doesn't always mean equal.

We need to teach them to follow through with their decisions and that once a task is begun, there is no quitting. If your child makes a choice that doesn't quite turn out as they wish, teach them to learn from their mistakes.

Let your kids have control that is age appropriate. The parents are the ones in the family that have the final say. It's not easy being a kid so don't add the pressure of making an adult decision. I'm sure you already know it's not easy being a parent. But it's definitely worth it.