The Magical Times

This time of year is a magical time for children. They are full of wishes and dreams and imganiation. There is nothing more precious than a child's joy. I realized this on two occasions this holiday season thus far. The first is when a commerical for a toy comes on tv. My 3 year-old gets wide eyes and big smile and says "I want that whole thing" to me. He dreams and thinks about Christmas morning everyday! The other is when my 4 year-old saw the Santa Claus set-up in the mall and she asked "Is this town?" When I answered yes, she stated "Good; because Santa Claus is coming to town!" Take the time to enjoy the simplicity of a child. Their life is wonderful, magical, colorful and the most beautiful place on Earth!

Play while you Parent

As a parent we are exhausted at the end of the day. We get up two hours earlier than we need to in order to get ourselves ready, get all the kids ready, deliver them to their appropriate locations, and then get to work on time. When we return home from a busy work day the last thing that we want to do is get on the floor and play with our kids. When kids don't get enough time to connect with their parents throughout the day they may become cranky, withdrawn or easily agitated. So why not play while you parent. Your child could be throwing the biggest, loudest temper tantrum, and instead of yelling or engaging in the the behavior make it a game. That's right. Tell your child to scream louder, cry harder, or stomp faster. The result might be surprising. Your child will most likely begin to laugh and giggle instead of cry and scream. Give it a try. It may not work for all kids, but what do you have to lose?

Back to School

The time has come for school to begin again. Take time to check-in with your child each day after school, and don't accept the answer "nothing happened at school today." Inquire about who your child played with at recess, who they ate lunch with and what activities they engaged in throughout the day. Be sure to ask your child regularly if they have any problems with bullies. Often times children hide when they are bullied and bullying can be a cause in slipping grades, increased stomachaches and headaches, lack of focus, and fear of school. Take time to be connected with your child, and check-in regularly with school officials if needed.

Keeping Kids in Check

As summer continues on it is important to stay in touch with our children. Keep an eye on cell phone use, text messaging, who they are hanging out with and what are they doing. Summer offers kids more freedom, but also more opportunity to disconnect from the family environment. Plan family events, take trips or just relax and have family game night. Remember to stay connected!

Summer Time

Summer time is coming, and that means that it is time to begin ensuring that our children have their support systems in place. It is beneficial for children to take the summer to engage in any activities they may enjoy such as camping, playing outside and sports. It is also important that childrens' mental health needs are still met. Make time to seek out services in your area such as social skills groups, anger management groups and self-esteem groups. These groups will assist children in further developing the skills that they may have been working on in the school setting.

Autism Awareness Month

Remember that April is Autism Awareness Month! Take time to educate yourself on Autism and how you can better assist those who are dealing with it on a daily basis. Social Skills Groups are an excellent way for children on the Autism Spectrum to develop appropriate manners, increase verbal skills and identify facial expressions. Social Skills Groups allow the child to interact with peers and have fun while learning the basic skills for life!!

Self-Care

In today's busy world of careers and families we often forget to take time to relax. Self-care is one of the most important things that you can do to make sure your body and mind stay in line. It is important to take time to sit and reflect on the busy day that has just occurred, or to take that extra five minutes to stop and enjoy a cup of coffee at your favorite shop. We spend so much time making sure that others are satisfied so why not take time to satisfy ourselves. Bubble baths, exercise, meditation, scrapbooking, reading or catching up on your favorite TV show give you the opportunity to focus on you and doing something that you enjoy. So the next time you want to blow yourself off, keep the date with yourself. You will be happy you did!!