Thursday, April 18, 2013
How do you explain incidents like the Boston Marathon bombings to your children? Share your ideas in the comments section below.
In the aftermath of the Boston bombings, many parents may be struggling to find the write words to explain such a horrific event to children. At Patch, we wanted to use this week's Parents Talk as an opportunity to provide some resources and gather advice from readers on how to talk to kids about tragedies in the media. Share your ideas on this topic in the comments section below. The Child Development Institute gives the following discussion techniques for dealing with tragedies in the media: See the full Child Development Institute article here. Unfortunately, this isn't a first-time discussion on Patch. Following the Newtown, CT massacre, and the more close-to-home shooting incident at Accent Signage in Minneapolis, readers and bloggers…
Saturday, April 13, 2013
A variety of low-cost events April 28-May 4, 2013 are open for registration.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Saturday, April 13
Information provided by Three Rivers Park District. Preschool Drop-Off: Kits & Cubs: Tremendous Trees Monday, April 29 and Tuesday April 30, from 1-3 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Learn different ways to identify trees. Make a tree craft to take home and have a snack that comes from a forest. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #212216-28. This program is for ages 4-5. Preschool Drop-off: Doodlebugs Tuesday, April 30, from 1-3 p.m., at Silverwood Park, St. Anthony. Spend part of every class exploring spring then get messy as we cut, paste, paint, or sculpt! Dress for the weather and bring a small snack, water bottle, and a bag…
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The winter break hiatus from school is coming up soon for kids. How will you embrace the break?
I’m assuming most youth attending school – from elementary to high school – are ready and waiting anxiously for the upcoming winter break. While kids of all ages tend to look forward to a break from school, sometimes it can be a little challenging for parents. From finding alternate daycare to combating the “there is nothing to do” phrase or just being the sole source of transportation, winter break from school can be both a blessing and a curse for parents. This week, we’re asking parents to help out each other this holiday season. SHARE: What ideas do you have for kids and families to do during winter break? What are your favorite “go to” places in the winter months? How do you handle daycare challenges? Share your ideas and thoughts in …
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Kids have started making their lists and checking them twice. How do you help them make their lists?
When I was a kid, the excitement that would blow through the Burgess home as the holiday shopping season began can be pinpointed to one thing: The Toys-R-Us catalog arriving. My sister and I would pore over the pages, carefully dog-earring them to call special attention to the items circled therein. We would proudly hand it to our parents, believing we had done them a great service. (There would be no way they could disappoint us if they took our direction on the gifts.) Of course, I never got that electric Barbie car. (Sigh) A paper catalog seems a little old school now with the Internet and so many shops to choose from. So, how do you help plan your kids' gift lists? Do you take them to the store? Supervise them online? Or do you wait …
Thursday, December 8, 2011
What sort of evasive action do you take when a child screams or cries to get their way?
Whether you have kids or don’t, you've likely seen a child throw a fit in a checkout line at a grocery or heard the wails and cries coming from the toy aisle. What happened? Some kid didn’t get what he or she wanted and resorted to a full-out assault on his or her parents complete with tears, screaming or my personal favorite—the wet noodle collapsed on the floor. Or, maybe your kid just likes to throw the temper tantrums at home. I still remember going absolutely nuts on my mom when she wouldn’t let me wear my favorite pair of pink jeans because they were in the dirty laundry. And, no, that wasn’t last week—I was probably about 7 years old. I’ve seen parents handle the situation a variety of ways. I’ll admit, I’ve used some of these …
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Whether you call it swearing, cussing, cursing or profanity, should it be coming out of a child’s mouth?
A difference in family values could mean the difference in whether a child uses profanity or not in public. But, is cursing really all that bad? From my experience, cursing in school is usually frowned upon. Although, walk down any crowded hall at many junior and senior high schools and you are likely to hear “those” words float around with ease. When my kids (now teenagers) were growing up, I was careful not to expose them to swearing—whether it be at home, movies or in public. I knew what would be expected of them in school and I didn’t want to be “that mom” that laughed it off when her kid threw out the “s-word” when their blue crayon broke. It’s still pretty PG around our house for the most part. However, I’ve always disagreed with the…
Diane Baum
1:08 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013
Exactly, Chris Mau!!! Kids live what they learn at home. If we treat kids with respect, as well as how we present the facts of life, kids will grow to become empathetic, meaning, they will care and have compassion for the world around them. If they see us cussing out different races, creeds and colors or origins, they will grow up mean, spiteful and cynical. It's all up to US adults people...who'… more ›