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What a Difference a Book Makes

Nov 28th, 11 / 1 Comment
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By Mama Love

It was the first day of preschool for my 4-year old. She wore her pink lollipop shirt, jean shorts and café-colored cowboy boots. She seemed confident and ready for school. The big question on my mind, though, was: Was I ready?

I felt she would adapt quickly because of her outgoing personality, but there was still some nervousness. After all, the minute one child begins to cry in the classroom, it can cause a ripple effect. My daughter was warmly welcomed by the teacher and, without hesitation, sat on the carpet with the other children. The parents gathered around and waited for instructions.

Everything was routine in a good way: introductions were made, rules were explained and kids were excited to get started.

Then the teacher explained that school was for kids, not adults (the sign for parents to get ready to leave.) She asked for everyone’s attention, including the adults, and pulled out her “first day of school” book called The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

The Kissing Hand is about a mama raccoon and her son, Chester Raccoon, who is starting school. Chester is a little scared about his first day of school and wants to stay home with his mother. She assures him he’ll love school and promises he’ll have new friends, toys and books. Even better, she has a special secret that’s been in the family for years — the Kissing Hand. She takes his hand and kisses his palm, right in the very middle. Chester feels his mother’s kiss rush up his hand, his arm and into his heart. Mama Raccoon tells Chester that, whenever he feels lonely at school, he just has to press his hand to his cheek to feel his mother’s love.

The book addressed separation anxiety through heartfelt illustration that was calming for the kids. After the teacher finished the book, she asked the children to find his or her parents and kiss the middle of their hands, while we kissed the middle of their hands. She told the children that if they became lonely during class, they could press their hands to their cheeks and feel the love. I could see in my girl’s eyes that she knew how much love was there and that everything would be alright.

Now we will share the memory of this book forever and will remember how it helped to ease the anxiety of starting school. What a difference a book made just by being read aloud.

*  *  *

This month, we celebrate early reading and want to encourage parents and caregivers to Read Early, Read Aloud with babies, toddlers and preschoolers! You can learn more about Read Early, Read Aloud, including age-appropriate book suggestions, tips for reading with young kids and, soon, local reading events, at the Read Early, Read Aloud pages.

Be sure to enter to win 50 books in our “My Favorite Book” contest. You can play by answering a couple questions here on Ready. Set. Grow! or on Twitter. For full details, visit the “My Favorite Book” contest rules page by clicking here.

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Parenting, Preschool, Reading

Raising Biliterate, Bilingual Kids Equals Double the Benefits

Nov 14th, 11 / 3 Comments
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By Mama Love

My jaw dropped when I heard my little ones rattle off Spanish for the first time. Had all of that reading in Spanish finally paid off? The answer: yes. (Along with a little help from Dora.)

In our house, we embrace two languages: English and Spanish. Since my husband is Latino, of Mexican American descent, and both our careers involve the Hispanic market and Mexico tourism, it makes perfect sense that our children incorporate Spanish into their lives.

Our kids are well on their way to becoming fully bilingual and biliterate by being read to and reading bilingual books. One of the most important things we teach our children is to embrace their cultural heritage, as well as other cultures and languages. In doing so, we stocked their bookshelves with dual language reading material, assuring that there will be no borders to their educational pursuits.

Casey Swartz, a graduate of Brown University with a master’s degree in psychodynamic neuroscience from University College London, recently wrote in The Daily Beast about Why It’s Smart to Be Bilingual. According to the article, regular, high-level use of more than one language may actually improve early brain development. Further, she states that, in several different studies, command of two or more languages bolsters the ability to focus in the face of distraction, decide between competing alternatives and disregard irrelevant information. These essential skills are grouped together, known in brain terms as “executive function.” The research suggests they develop ahead of time in bilingual children, and are already evident in kids as young as 3 or 4.

We started by reading My First Spanish Word Book by Brimax and illustrated by Jenny Tulip. It offered colorful photos of singular objects, basic shapes, colors and numbers. We pointed to the pictures and repeated the words in English and then in Spanish. To our surprise, our kids absorbed the words quicker than we imagined.

“I Like It When…Me Gusta Cuando” a colorful, 22-page, bilingual board book by Mary Murphy also quickly became one of our favorites to read to our kids. It challenged them to think about what they like doing with their loved ones, from giving hugs to saying “I love you.” Since birth, they have heard us reading words in both languages, and are now starting to recognize, read and understand the words themselves.

According to Multicultural Learning Center, a dual-emersion charter school in Canoga Park, children who learn in two languages develop cultural awareness and appreciation of differences as they learn to read, write and speak in two languages.

Spanglish Baby, a fantastic, resourceful site for raising bilingual kids created by Ana Flores and Roxana Soto, offers helpful bilingual book recommendations.

There is no doubt that reading early to your children is beneficial to their brain development and growth, but learning in two languages doubles the benefits. It’s not as hard as you think and the returns to your children will be well worth it.

Further Reading:

Child Development 101: Little Polyglots Have Big Benefits

If Reading Were Like Baseball, We’d Be Rounding Third Base

Sharing in the Joy of Reading: Read Early, Read Aloud

*  *  *

This month, we celebrate early reading and want to encourage parents and caregivers to Read Early, Read Aloud with babies, toddlers and preschoolers! You can learn more about Read Early, Read Aloud, including age-appropriate book suggestions, tips for reading with young kids and, soon, local reading events, at the Read Early, Read Aloud pages.

Be sure to enter to win 50 books in our “My Favorite Book” contest. You can play by answering a couple questions here on Ready. Set. Grow! or on Twitter. For full details, visit the “My Favorite Book” contest rules page by clicking here.

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Parenting, Preschool, Reading

The Day Preschool Arrived

Sep 7th, 11 / 1 Comment
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By Mama Love

Last week, when I dropped off two (of our three) children for first and third grade, I was upbeat, talkative and positive to calm any anxiety that the kids might have had. At school they unbuckled, grabbed their backpacks and were escorted out of the car by teacher’s aides shuffling children past the gates to avoid traffic delays. As the aide slammed my car door, I went on my way and, before I could make it out of the parking lot, I broke down in full-blown tears!

Tomorrow I will muster up the courage to do it again, but this time with my pre-kinder 4-year-old. She and I will both attend her orientation and, the next day, she will begin her first day of preschool. These milestones can often be difficult for the child, the parent or both. Here are some recommendations to help ease the anxiety from our little ones:

  • Repeat the Schedule: By repeating exactly what will take place at school, you will help your child begin to imagine what he will be doing and he will feel more prepared mentally. Role playing can also help.
  • Use the Teacher’s Name: Have your child practice saying her new teacher’s name and repeat it so she feel more connected to him or her on the first day.
  • Stay Upbeat: Being positive with any new experience can help ease a child’s anxiety – if he sees you’re comfortable with it, chances are he will be, too.
  • Have Siblings Chime In: If there are older children in your household, have them talk to your younger child about going to school and all the positive things she will be experiencing.
  • Set Clothes Out: Have your child pick out her favorite outfit and shoes and set it out near her bed.
  • Bathe the Night Before: Bathing your child the night before the big day gives you a chance to talk to him about his first day of school while they are in a safe, comfortable and fun atmosphere.
  • Reassurance: Calm the child’s nerves by reassuring her that mommy (or daddy) will be back to pick her up. Be sure to arrive when you say you will.
  • Let Them Go: As parents and nurturers, our instinct is to stay and comfort our child — but it’s easier on the child if you leave quick rather than linger (easier said than done). Children usually stop crying or are fine just minutes after the parent leaves.

Before our first child went to pre-kinder, there was a video that we watched months in advance to help him  feel safe, secure and to let him know that someone would be coming back for him. We still sing (and know) the song today.

The song is called “Mommy Comes Back” by Hap Palmer and sung by Martha Cheney and Hap Palmer. Below are the lyrics and a link to the video:

My Mommy Comes Back

Sometimes my mommy takes me over
To another friends house to play
Sometimes I only stay a little while
Sometimes I stay all day, but

Chorus:

My mommy comes back
She always comes back
She always comes back to get me
My mommy comes back
She always comes back
She never would forget me

Sometimes I worry when she leaves me
I hope she won’t be gone too long
But when I’m with my friends and havin’ fun
I soon forget she’s gone, and…

Repeat Chorus

Sometimes I visit with my grandma
While my mommy goes somewhere
We bake some cookies and we read a book
And rock in the rocking chair, and

Repeat Chorus

To all the parents during this stressful, beginning-of-school-time: know that you are not alone, it gets easier and your children will do just fine. This is what parenting is all about. Good luck!

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Parenting, Preschool

10 Educational, Fun and FREE Things to Do With Kids in Los Angeles This Summer

May 27th, 11 / 1 Comment
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Known as the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is also bustling with educational, family-friendly activities — including beaches, museums and aquariums. The great part is, you can always find dozens of free events centered around learning and fun any day of the week!

If you live in Los Angeles, or if you’re just visiting, here are some not-to-miss activities to enjoy with your child that are educational and, best of all — free. Some are even tax-deductible. I’ll post this list on our refrigerator so the kids can see all of the fun activities we’re planning this summer.

 

The Getty Los Angeles, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049-1679

Family festivals, art-making workshops, gallery activities, storytelling and more are offered at the Getty Center. All family materials and activities are free and most are offered in English and Spanish. In summer, some of the best children’s musicians from across the nation perform at the free “Garden Concerts for Kids” series in the Central Garden. Admission to the Getty Center is free for the whole family, however, advance tickets are required and can be booked online. There is a $15 parking fee during the day but free after 5:00 p.m. for all evening events. (310) 440-7300 http://www.getty.edu/visit/groups/families.html

 

Japanese American National Museum, 369 East First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

My kids always seem to be elbow-deep in the craft drawer, so the Target Free Family Saturdays, held once per month, and are always the perfect family activity. They give families unique ways to learn, play and grow together through exciting workshops, cultural performances and arts and crafts. On Saturday, June 11, kids can express themselves by making a poster with stencils, stickers and markers, learn to make origami or a card for dad just in time for Father’s Day. Go online to review the schedule for each designated Saturday. (213) 625-0414 http://www.janm.org/events/2011/target/

 

Conejo Valley Botanical Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91359

These 33 acres of unique terrain offer families panoramic views of the Conejo Valley and many opportunities for education recreation. The Kid’s Adventure Garden (KAG) is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and provides an exciting place for children to learn about nature and gardening.  The garden features a tree house, a zoo garden and much more. Go online for directions. Sundays are free. (805) 494-7630 http://www.conejogarden.org

 

Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur, 3601 South Gaffey St.,San Pedro, CA 9073

Aquariums are one of our favorite family outings and the Mammal Care Center, a hospital for ill, injured and orphaned marine mammals, offers a unique way for kids to learn about marine life. The primary work at the Marine Mammal Care Center is the treatment and release of rescued California sea lions, northern elephant seals, harbor seals and northern fur seals. The Care Center educates children and adults alike in conjunction with the Center for Marine Studies. There is no entry fee, but donations are welcome, as well as a wish list of desired goods. The center recommends arriving between 11:30 a.m. and noon for feeding time, when all of the animals are active. A guide is onsite to give families tours. (310) 548-5677 http://www.marinemammalcare.org

 

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Part of Heal the Bay, this family-friendly facility is home to more than 100 species of marine animals and plants found in the Santa Monica Bay. When we visited, our children loved the three large touch tanks (which have small steps for the smaller children) filled with sea stars, sea cucumbers, anemones, hermit crabs and other tide pools critters from the Santa Monica Bay. The Aquarium holds a free quarterly lecture series that explores marine-related topics throughout the year with special activities and fun-filled celebrations at the Pier. Kids 12 and under are free. (310) 393-6149 http://www.healthebay.org/santa-monica-pier-aquarium

 

Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Families and children have the chance to discover and learn about the world around them through art and culture. The Craft and Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) champions cultural understanding by encouraging curiosity about the diverse world through art. Children under 10 are free and the first Wednesday of every month is free for everyone. (323) 937-4230 http://www.cafam.org

 

Griffith Observatory, 2800 East Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90027

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One of California’s most popular attractions, the Griffith Observatory, located in Griffith Park, has an astronomy museum and offers visitors a glimpse of the cosmos through their super Zeiss telescope. Free Public Star Parties are held monthly, giving families a chance to look at the sun, moon, visible planets and other objects, try out a variety of telescopes and to talk to astronomers. Most activities are free. (213) 473-0800 http://www.griffithobservatory.org/

 

Discovery Center at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007

Dinosaur and Ice Age encounters, story times, gallery exploration, live animal presentations and more await families at the Discovery Center.  On weekends, a “Critter Club” for 3- to 5-year-olds teaches about science, live animals, art and songs and the children participate in hands-on activities with knowledgeable educators.  Children 4 and under are free. (213) 763-3466 http://www.nhm.org/site/

 

Tuesday Kids Club on the Green at The Americana, 889 Americana Way, Suite 330, Glendale, CA 91210

Enjoy a terrific selection of enriching activities for kids, parents and caregivers every Tuesday. Activities include music, entertainment and arts and crafts. The Club is held rain or shine and is free. Kids also eat free on Tuesdays at select restaurants. (818) 637-8982 http://www.americanaatbrand.com/glendale/entertainment/kids_calendar.php

 

Las Angelitas del Pueblo Free Tour, Visitor’s Center at the Sepulveda House, 622 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Take advantage of this free, 50-minute historic walking tour of El Pueblo de Los Angeles, where Los Angeles was founded. Tours take place every Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon and take visitors through the history of Los Angeles, walking past significant museums and buildings, the famous Olvera Street and much more. Kids can also learn about the Mexican culture and history of Los Angeles, see colorful arts and crafts and hear mariachi music. Parents be sure to take a stroller and handy snacks, plus comfortable walking shoes. Call or go online to register. (213) 628-1274 http://www.lasangelitas.org/freetours.htm

 

Whatever activities you plan with your children, it is recommended to call or visit online for the most current and up-to-date parking and weather conditions, hours and changes in schedule. Exposing your child early to these types of events, programs and learning activities is what Ready. Set. Grow! is all about!

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Just for Fun, Parenting, Top 10

Does My Child Have Autism? Autism Awareness and Action

Apr 13th, 11 / 0 Comments
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by Mama Love

My neighbor’s son has autism. My friend’s son has autism. My cousin’s son has autism, albeit a high functioning form on the spectrum known as Asperger’s Syndrome. With such a significant influx of cases in the recent years, parents and families have become desperate for answers and have started to take action.

April is ‘National Autism Awareness Month’ as dedicated by Autism Speaks, the largest autism science-and-advocacy organization in the U.S. whose mission is to change the future for all who struggle with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The organization is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

People with Asperger's Syndrome are often preo...

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Autism Speaks defines autism as a general term to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders.

After first becoming a parent, I learned everything I could about early childhood development, vaccinations and schedules, epidemics and every other childhood disease, disorder or syndrome out there. What alarmed me most was discovering the statistics and prevalence of autism.

Autism statistics as per the Centers for Disease Control:

  • 1 in 110 children in the U.S. has an ASD, an ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’
  • 600 percent increase in just the past 20 years
  • Autism remains the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world

There are many debated theories as to the cause of autism from physical to environmental to genetic. And while there is no known cure, treatments such as a specialized diet, behavior and communication therapies and medications have been used to remedy symptoms and in some cases reverse the condition.

It is said that the signs of autism start to appear in a child most commonly between the ages of two and three years old. Here are some signs to look for:

  • Lack of or delay in spoken language
  • Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
  • Little or no eye contact
  • Lack of interest in peer relationships
  • Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
  • Persistent fixation on parts of objects

Early detection is key and seeking out and talking to others in similar circles can be helpful.  Trust your gut instinct and talk to your pediatrician, a holistic practitioner or even an autism specialist if you have even the slightest concern regarding your child’s behavior. If you are curious to know more about autism, you can start by researching more information here:

Autism Speaks

Autism Society

Centers for Disease Control

Adventures in Autism

The Help Group

Special Needs Network

 

 

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Teaching Your Child About Strangers Without Causing Fear

Mar 29th, 11 / 0 Comments
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by Mama Love

The safety of my kids is something I think about constantly, as I’m sure it’s certainly a topic on every parent’s mind. When I was growing up, you could play outside in the front yard without parental supervision and leave the doors unlocked every night without worrying about intruders. Unfortunately, times have changed significantly.

 

My three kids are still very young, so I know I have many years of worry ahead of me before my babies enter the real world to fend for themselves.

 

Even the thought of something bad happening to my kids used to drive me to fits of anxiety, and watching the numerous safety awareness clips in our baby DVDs only made me more aware that these things could happen. Soon enough, my anxiety began to rub off on my children.

 

Instead of dwelling on the anxiety, I took action and ordered The Safe Side video so my kids could learn what to do if a stranger ever approached them. We all liked the video because it was fun and upbeat, with lots of sound effects, bright colors and entertaining scenarios. It even had a catchy song about safety that we learned.

 

We spent a a lot of time watching The Safe Side video together and talking about different situations, approaching it comfortably and with confidence. The anxiety my kids experienced slowly eased.

 

According to KidPower.org, talking about “stranger danger” or focusing on scary stories can increase fear and anxiety for everyone. Instead, tell kids in a matter-of-fact way that you believe most people are good — and this means that most strangers are good, but a few have problems, and should be avoided.

 

KidPower.org also advises that young people learn best by actively participating. Practicing children’s personal safety skills increases their confidence and competence. It is important to do this in a way that is fun, but not scary.

 

Here are some educational safety tips that parents can use to help them be prepared, with out being paranoid.

 

1. Have a Child Safety/ID kit: A child safety or identification kit can include a fingerprint kit, hair DNA sample collection, dental records, an organized record of stats such as height, weight, color of eyes and hair and a recent color photo; you can also personalize and order an identification bracelet. ( download free template here)

 

2. Watch safety videos as a family: Safety videos can be very helpful in the first steps to educating your kids on how to identify a stranger and what to do if they get lost, or encounter an uncomfortable situation.

 

3. Talk to your child: Educate, inform and discuss. It’s never too early to start talking to your children about safety, strangers and how to be proactive instead of reactive. Knowledge creates confidence and could save a life. It’s important to create a dialogue or a question and answer time with your kids. Encourage them to ask questions, and listen carefully to their concerns.

 

4. Role play: Acting out different scenarios that could can be very helpful. For instance, what to do if they get lost in a store, incur bullying or are approached by a stranger.

5. Join Neighborhood Watch: Join your local neighborhood watch group, attend the meetings, and subscribe to their email list. This is a valuable way to learn about what is happening in your neighborhood and a great way to get to know your neighbors, if you don’t already.

 

6. Teach kids their name, address, phone number –Your child can escape, wander off or get lost in the blink of an eye; teaching them their full name, address and phone number can make all the difference should an emergency occur. If your child learns visually, write the telephone number down (in big numbers) and paste by the home phone. Practice repeating the information.

 

7. Calling 911 – Teaching your child to call 911 in an emergency is an important part of house safety rules. You’ve heard it on the news: “3-yr old saves mom with 911 song.” According to About.com, the basic tenets are the same for teaching kids and adults to call 911: Know when to call, make sure the operator knows where you are located and don’t hang up. Teaching kids to call 911 should start as soon as they can use with the phone.

 

In one of my favorite videos about safety, “Kids & Strangers,” comprehensive, real-life scenarios are reenacted. John Hall, creator of ‘Kid Escape’s Grip, Dip and Spin’ method, (featured on CNN, The Montel Williams Show and, The Oprah Winfrey Show), physically demonstrates real , practical scenarios for what a child should do if he or she is approached by a stranger or grabbed by a predator.

Children’s safety always comes first, so be vigilant, proactive and start the process of being prepared early, so you can lessen the fear and create confidence. And remember, being uninformed is the scariest of all scenarios.

 

Resources:

The Safe Side: http://www.thesafeside.com

Kids & Strangers: http://www.kidsandstrangers.org

Kid Power – http://www.kidpower.org/

John Hall’s “Kid Escape” (Grip, Dip and Spin) http://www.kidescape.org/

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Safety

Childhood Grief: Parenting Tips for Coping with Loss

Mar 9th, 11 / 0 Comments
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The first time my kids experienced death was when their preschool teacher passed away from cancer. She was very private about her health – none of us even knew she was sick, other than the chronic back pain she clearly suffered with on a daily basis. She was a wonderful woman: loving, warm, friendly and all the things a teacher should be. She always lent an ear to listen to our troubles, a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. She reminded me of my mother, a figure of safety and comfort. Plus, she was only in her 60s — it seemed like she had the whole world ahead of her.

So, when I received a text from another mom stating that the teacher was in the hospital and not expected to make it, the shock and sting sent tears to my eyes. I immediately sat my kids down and explained her condition. My kids responded differently. The oldest, who was five years old at the time, was clearly more sympathetic than my youngest, who seemed unfazed. Nevertheless, I made a special effort to make sure they felt safe and secure, letting them know that if they had any questions, they could ask me. The most important thing was that they knew I was there for them.

The teacher died a few days later. When the call finally came in, I was more prepared for the loss, although it is never easy to respond to it once it’s real. I choked up and, through tears, told my kids the news. That’s when my son did something completely surprising: he said he was sorry, hugged me and patted my back. I wondered how a 5-year old could be so mature. I made sure to talk with them in depth about the teacher, recalling the great things about her and how blessed we were to have her in our lives. My kids found comfort in knowing she was not suffering or in pain any longer.

“Parents need to know it’s okay to show their emotions in front of their children,” said Liz Hopkins, a Clinical Manager/Social Worker at a children’s mental health agency in Ontario, Canada. “They are role modeling that it is okay to express and show feelings.  This allows children to open up and share their feelings too.  Parents sometimes worry if they get too distraught, their children will feel they are out of control, and not be able to be there for the children.”

Grief is a normal emotional state.  Depending on a child’s age and developmental stage, they may not have the words or experience to express how they are feeling, and may show grief in different ways.

Whether it is a pet dying, a friend moving away or the loss of a family member, the following are recommendations for parents when their child has experienced a loss:

1. Pay attention to your child. Be there for them, pay attention to their feelings and encourage them to share their feelings. Let them know you are there for them anytime (they may not be ready to talk when you ask, but that doesn’t mean they won’t want to talk at some point).

2. Ask them if there is anything you can do to help. You may be surprised by what they would like help with. It may be as simple as just holding them, staying in their room until they fall asleep, helping them draw pictures or write a memorial story.

3. Encourage them to talk openly about their feelings and memories. Without any pressure, assure them that you are there for them whenever they need you.

4. Allow the child the opportunity to share their feelings. Sharing feelings does not have to be just through conversation. For example, your child could write a story, make a memory box or photo album, or draw pictures. Children need an avenue that works for them to get their feelings out — and talking doesn’t always work for everyone.

5. Encourage, allow and support the child’s involvement in any ceremony or celebration of the pet/person with whom they have lost.  Depending on the situation, it’s important to let them attend a funeral, a memorial service, church service, reception or even a tree planting. Trying to shelter children from the reality of death is not healthy or helpful. This is part of the normal grieving process and most children adjust better when allowed to participate in ‘goodbyes.’ Not including a child in this part of the process can leave them confused, upset, left out or angry.

Suggestions of what parents are encouraged not to do:

1. Omit unnecessary platitudes such as, “Oh don’t worry, everything will be ok; you will get through this we all do; we will get you a new pet; your grandma lived a good long life; there is no point in crying – that can’t bring your cat back.”  Those kinds of statements are not helpful to most children or people in general.

2. Don’t try pretending everything is fine or that it will ‘blow over’ as a way to help children forget the loss.

Some children adjust to loss with the support and help of family, friends or caregivers. Others can benefit from therapy, grief counseling or involvement in a bereavement group with other children who have had similar loss issues. The reality is that grief lasts for varying times for children.

Regardless of the type of loss, parents need to appreciate how deeply their children can feel and to let them express it in their own way, in their own time.  It can include crying, yelling, acting out or withdrawing.  There is no real right way to grieve, there are just many ways children express their feelings.  Kids can be incredibly resilient, but don’t mistake that for not grieving.

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Behavior Issues, Grieving

How To Get Kids to Eat Bruised Fruit­­

Feb 28th, 11 / 0 Comments
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By Mama Love

When we busy moms head to the store to replenish our pantries with groceries, a visit through the produce section is a must. We know that fruit is healthy and necessary for the development and growth of our little ones. Fruits are low in calories and fat, high in fiber, and contain many vitamins and minerals that kids need.  They are an important part of their daily diet.

Going to farmers markets are a fantastic way to pick out fresh fruits, get the kids outside and support local farmers. Much of the produce coming from the local farms is also organic and can be less expensive as well. To access a list of local farmers markets in the Los Angeles area, visit the Parent Resource section of Ready, Set, Grow.

Luckily, my little ones love fruit of all sorts: apples, bananas, strawberries, grapes, cherries, watermelon, cantaloupe.You name it, they eat it.

I usually don’t have any problem getting them to eat it…

Unless it’s bruised.

Sunkist oranges, bananas, pears, apples, and a...

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Yes, I said it. Bruised.  Bananas get dinged and squished; apples get tumbled around; apricots and grapes brown. I’m sorry to report that bruised fruit doesn’t stand a chance in our house and I have a feeling I’m not alone here.

“Ugh!” they’ll gawk and dismiss the lonely piece of bruised fruit, looking for any other possible piece of fruit around. And if they can’t find a perfect piece of fruit, one with no dings, dents or bruises, they just won’t eat it.

Enter mom.

Moms can get creative when it comes to getting our kids to eat what their bodies need. So here are some tips on how to get kids to eat bruised fruit:

  1. Don’t, under any circumstances, let your kid see the bruised fruit. If your kid sees the fruit, take it away and ask them to go into the other room while you prepare the food.
  1. Cut out the bruise from the fruit. If your kid asks what happened to the fruit or why a big chunk is missing, you can tell them that it was simply ‘mom-tested and approved’.
  1. Cut the fruit into pieces and simply eliminate the isolated bruised part, then serve.
  1. Make fruit salad. If the piece of fruit has many bruises, consider gathering up its other bruised counterparts in the fruit bowl and make fruit salad
  1. Smoothie party. If your fruit is severely bruised, dented or dinged, consider throwing it in the blender to create a fantastic smoothie and invite the kids in the kitchen for a big smoothie party!
  1. Fruit shish kabobs. After you cut up the fruit into cubes, prepare it on a shish kabob stick or have your kids help you put the fruit on the stick.

By inviting your kids to participate in helping you prepare fruit in fun and creative ways gives them confidence and can be a simple but fun activity. It can also open up conversation about why fruit is important and necessary.

You can even talk to them about creating a compost pile with some of the rinds from the fruit such as watermelon or cantaloupe.

All of these above methods have worked for me at some point in time and I hope they give you some ideas and alternatives to simply throwing out bruised or dinged up fruit. If you have something that works for you, please feel free to leave us a comment!

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Health and Nutrition, Parenting

Valentine’s Day and Kids: Say I Love You Without the Junk

Feb 11th, 11 / 3 Comments
valentine%e2%80%99s-day-and-kids-say-i-love-you-without-the-junk

By Mama Love

February is a month where our thoughts turn to love and hearts. First, there’s Valentine’s Day – a special day dedicated to honoring the patron saint of romantic causes, St. Valentine (or, as we like to think of it, a fun day filled with candy and flowers). Also, appropriately, the American Heart Association designated February as American Heart Month, and reminds us that heart disease is the number one killer of American women.

An heart-shaped tomato.

Image via Wikipedia

As staggering as that information is, it is a good reminder that there are many ways we can keep ourselves and our families healthy, like showing our children that Valentine’s Day is really about giving love, not candy. An organic, natural offering or homemade craft doesn’t have to be dull, either.

“Making something together or giving them something you made especially for them has long-lasting effects that go way past a sugar high,” says Carolyn Graham, editor of L.A. Parent.

Believe it or not, there are many ways to say ‘I love you’ on Valentine’s Day without associating the day with sweets.

  • Read a book about love. One of my all time favorite books to read to my kids is “I Love You With All of My Heart” by Noris Kern. I still can’t get through it without shedding a tear.
    heart sandwiches

    Image by o&poecormier via Flickr

  • Make heart-shaped sandwiches. Put that heart-shaped cookie cutter to use, but instead of cutting cookies, cut out a PB&J for your little snacker.
  • Write a poem to your child. Tell your little love what they mean to you in a poem. Be sure to sign and date it, and this will become a perfect keepsake for your tiny tot (and you, too!).
  • Prepare custom-made heart-shaped pancakes. Serve with banana eyes, a strawberry nose, blueberry mouth and plenty of love. My mom did this for me when I was growing up and it always reminded me how much she loved me.
  • Sing a love song. Pick out a song about love and sing it with your child in the car or at bedtime. “A Love Song” by Loggins and Messina is one I have rocked my little ones to sleep with many-a-time.
  • Make a heart frame. Insert a picture of you and your child. Your child will love looking at it everyday.
  • Serve up a love lunch. See how much love your tot can spoon with fun, heart-shaped pasta.
  • Take a special walk together. Call it your “love walk” and take the opportunity to talk about about the things you love, like nature or each other.
  • Go red for the day. Wearing red not only tells the world you’re honoring the day of love with your wardrobe selection, but the bright color will boost your spirits and confidence.
  • Collect wildflowers in your backyard. Not only is this a fun scavenger-hunt type of activity to do together, but you can also reap the rewards with a fresh bouquet on your dinner table for the whole family to enjoy.

In your household, if having something sweet is somehow unavoidable on this special day, consider alternatives like sugar-free, organic or other natural choices.

Avoiding junk food on Valentine’s Day can be easier than you think. By trying some of these tips, parents can get kids on track to a healthy lifestyle. This way, everyone gets to enjoy a long life filled with lots of sweet things –like kisses, hugs and lots of “I love yous!”

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Health and Nutrition, Parenting