Family and Parenting

Given the time of the year and the daunting proposition for most parents of having the kids home for weeks and weeks I thought I'd make this post ideas for entertaining the kids over the long break: Ship them off to the grandparents (for as long as possible!) Arrange reciprocal sleepovers and play dates with friends Book a holiday or be a tourist in your own town - go check out all the places you would if you were on holiday there  If they're old enough sit down with your kids and create a calendar of activities to do for the duration of the school holidays Theme each week then create activities, games and outings based around your theme Save chores like cleaning the shed/garage for the holidays so the kids can help (or at least ride their scooters/bikes around your garage/carport whilst you are cleaning it out) Plan some gardening ideas the kids can help out with as well - take them to a garden center and let them choose some vegie plants or a flower or some type of plant they can put in the garden and look after as their own Collect some new recipes (or old favourites) to try out - let the kids choose something new or old to make each day or once a week Check out what is happening at places like your local library, vacation care centers, etc.  Look up parks on a map that you haven't been to yet or maybe drive past regularly but haven't been to and try a different one each week If you still need some more ideas (like me!) here are some other great ideas, resources & links: Tackling holiday stress School holiday directory www.brisbanekids.com.au www.ourbrisbane.com Sunshine Coast libraries event calendar www.byokids.com.au Kids in the Park program (Sydney Olympic Park) Car/travel games 2011 Aus/NZ holidays & school terms www.quickcraftonline.com.au

Following are just some of the tips taken from Michelle Mendoza's article on toilet training. For the full articles please click on the links at the bottom. This will take you to the article where you can also subscribe to receive future ones or you can also view them at http://www.facebook.com/parent2parents

Many parents wonder when the right time is to potty train their child. Before 1980, when disposable diapers were not as affordable, parent's potty trained when they were ready, not necessarily when the child was ready often resulting in frustrated parents and potty training that lasted months instead of weeks or days. In the 1950's, 95% of children were potty trained before they were 18 months, in the 1980's, 50% were potty trained by 18 months and today, less than 10% are potty trained by their 18th month. Now, the average age of potty training is 2 ½ within the range of 18 to 60 months with the majority of parents waiting until the child is ready.

So, when is a child ready to be potty trained?
1. The child can remove his clothes. Specifically, pulling up and down elastic waist pants.
2. The child follows a family member to the bathroom, is curious about what goes on in there and wants to imitate it.
3. The child tells a parent when he is peeing or pooping or when he has to.
4. The child no longer poops at night or during naps and stays dry for long periods of time.
5. The child knows the body parts required for potty training.
6. The child can comprehend the language and instructions for potty training.

When getting ready to start potty training, parents can model going to the bathroom. Show girls how to wipe from front to back. If the regular toilet will be used, practice flushing and let the child know he will not fall in and he is too big to go down the drain. Practice sitting on the toilet by using a small, stable step stool. If parents are using a potty chair, let the child pick it out or decorate one previously used by an older sibling. Also, let them pick out the new underwear. Wearing princess panties or superhero underwear make it more exciting! Parents may want to avoid using pull-ups during the day during potty training; they are too much like diapers.

Letting a child go naked from the waist down for an entire week-end can assist in potty training. If parents are close by, they can easily run the child to the bathroom or potty chair when they see a signal of a child needing to use the potty. This may be a facial expression or a pause in play and standing still.

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Following are just some of the tips taken from Michelle Mendoza's articles on Positive Parenting. For the full articles please click on the links at the bottom. This will take you to the article where you can also subscribe to receive future ones or you can also view them at http://www.facebook.com/parent2parents

No" is the most overused and abused word parents say when talking to their children. It is no wonder when toddlers start talking, "no" is one of their first words directed mostly back at their parents. Parents who say, "No, because I said so." commonly have children who throw temper tantrums or engage in frequent power struggles, making parenting difficult and frustrating.

Saying "yes" followed by an explanation instead of saying "no" puts a positive thought process in children's minds. Eventually, children will start telling themselves "Yes, I can." instead of "No, I can't." This builds their confidence in finding their own solutions to problem situations.

Here are a few easy tips on how to turn "no" into "yes":

• Five minutes before dinner - "Can I have a cookie?" Instead of "No, can't you see we are about to have dinner?" Say, "Yes, after dinner."

• A ten-year-old wants to see a PG-13 movie - Instead of "No, you are not 13." Say, "Yes, when you are 13."

• A child wants to watch a movie right before bedtime - Instead of saying "No, it's almost your bedtime." Say, "Yes, when you wake up in the morning. I'll put it on the table so we don't forget."

With toddlers, distracting them from unwanted behavior is more effective than simply saying "no". If saying "no", "stop", "don't" or "quit" worked, parents would not have to repeat them dozens of times per day!

The repeated use of "no" reduces its effectiveness. Saving "no" for important or dangerous times increases the chance that children will listen. Also, children who repeatedly hear "no" have poorer language skills than children whose parents offer more positive responses.

Another alternative to "No" is giving children choices. "You can watch only fifteen minutes of the movie now or watch the entire movie tomorrow. It's your choice, what would you like to do?" A choice teaches children about taking responsibility and broadens their thinking to alternative options.

It is hard for many parents to let go of "no" simply because they want to control the situation. However, giving children choices actually reduces power struggles and tantrums because they are a part of the decision.

http://www.examiner.com/x-47480-Las-Vegas-Child-Behavior-Management-Examiner~y2010m6d19-Positive-parenting--How-parents-can-avoid-saying-NO-to-children-of-any-age

Following are just some of the tips taken from Michelle Mendoza's article on communicating with preschoolers. For the full articles please click on the links at the bottom. This will take you to the article where you can also subscribe to receive future ones or you can also view them at http://www.facebook.com/parent2parents

• Eliminate all distractions - turn off the TV or have them put down their toy.
• Get on the same level & use eye contact.
• Gently hold their arm or shoulder.
• Sound like you mean it - find your teacher's voice.
• Make sure your body language is friendly and open.
• Do not give more instructions or directions than your child can handle - try two or three at first and make sure they are clear and consistent.
• Have your child repeat back to you the instructions or directions as it verifies they heard you.
• Compliment or thank your child for doing, or attempting to do, what you asked.
• Avoid complaining - parents who want positive language need to model it.
• Label everything, e.g. "let's put your two yellow shoes on" - this helps them learn colors, numbers, etc.
• Value their opinions - it may not be logical to the parent, but should be respected anyway.
• Read to them - name pictures and talk about the story.
• Do not lie to children - this is the greatest way to breed distrust.
• Monitor friends, family, music and television for age appropriate language.

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