tots

your life. Rather than napping, you can require some quiet time where he just needs to “rest.” Let him look at books or have a couple toys and just relax. Some tots don’t need as much sleep as others and if he is sleeping well at night, is thriving and isn’t a huge crab monster without a nap, your tot [and you] are doing just fine.

We are always so worried about our kiddos meeting the milestones. We worry about delays and what to do so our kiddo will catch up. But what if the opposite was happening? What if your kiddo is leaving other preschoolers to eat his milestone dust? What if he really is “gifted?” What do you do with that?

takes after his mama

Of course we all think our preschoolers are special and amazing. Being gifted is different. The National Association of Gifted Children [www.nagc.org] states gifted individuals “are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude or competence in one or more domains.” While many children aren’t classified as gifted until they get to school, early signs of giftedness may include reaching developmental milestones well before his peers, advance language development, a specific talent such as artistic or musical ability, is able to memorize facts from books, TV or movies easily, is an avid or early reader and has the ability to concentrate for long periods of time on things he is passionate about are just a few things. If you suspect your preschooler is gifted, talk to your physician, who may encourage having your preschooler tested. One of our main responsibilities as parents is to promote our kiddos potential as they grow. So, if your preschooler is indeed gifted, here are some things to keep him moving in the right direction:

• hear what i’m sayin’ If your 3-year-old is using full sentences, talk back to him in full sentences. With an advanced vocabulary, speaking to him at a level he isn’t at may be frustrating for him.

• move it up Find games and activities that challenge your preschooler. Odds are you will have to use items recommended for ages older than your preschooler, but you don’t want him to get bored or not enjoy it.

• read it out Like all kiddos, read to your preschooler and if he is able to read, let him read to you. Also introduce him to the local library and its infinite amount of knowledge and learning.

• slow down Don’t get caught up in your child’s giftedness by giving too much direction. He’s still a kid. Let him take the lead and follow what he is interested in and passionate about.

It’s a beautiful day at the lake. Slight breeze, 87 degrees, sun is shining with little to no humidity. Perfect! So, what’s up with your big kid when she comes out of the cabin wearing corduroy pants? Head scratcher moment? Yes. Doctor appointment needed to determine if daughter has rare reverse temperature sensation disorder? Perhaps. Sign of self-conscious issue involving the lower extremities? Likely. Better get to the bottom of this.

the art & agony of hair removal

Leg shaving. Ok, show of hands—who loves shaving their legs? Now I didn’t ask if you like having smooth legs. Who loves the act of shaving their legs? One, maybe two of you? I know my hand is down. What a pain. You always have to do it again. But every young girl can’t wait for this rite of passage and let’s face it, hairy legs can be a catalyst of self-conscious behavior especially if it is very noticeable. What do you do if your big kid starts requesting the lady Schick Quattro from Santa? Here are some things to remember as you embark on hair removal:

• right or wrong Ten to 11 years old seems to be a typical starting age of leg shaving, but of course there is nothing concrete about “typical.” Your house, your call. Talk to your big kid and see why she wants to do this. Is it because everyone else is [always a bad reason] or is it a point of self-consciousness. A young girl asking to shave her legs is often more about self-esteem than growing up.

• razor check If you decide leg shaving is allowed, make sure your big kid knows how to do it. You don’t want her looking like she got in a fight with a porcupine and came out on the wrong end. Cuts and nicks hurt. The keys to proper shaving include: sharp razor, shaving cream, gel or soap, water, gentle pressure, and taking your time. If you aren’t confident your big kid can shave her legs independently, consider getting an electric razor for her.

• this is how you do it Monkey see, monkey do. Show your big kid how a pro does it. Be sure to hit on the importance of using enough water and having a good lather, use upward strokes, take your time, and use a moisturizer when you’re done. Also, shaving at the end of a bath or shower is best because the warm water keeps the hair soft.

Again, the decision to let your big kid shave or not is up to you. If you decide to start this journey, enjoy it. Use the time together to bond and make sure she gets the info from you and isn't listening to Suzy down the street and using her rusty razor. Mama knows best… as always!

Time to Clean Out the Closets?

March 22-24, 2013

KidSwap up in flames

You really couldn’t have imagined this happening. Not under your watch. Not your sweet tweener. No way! But it has. He’s been smoking! Now what?

You would seriously have to live under a rock to not know how bad smoking is for you. So what in the world is your tweener thinking? There are many factors that can influence a kiddo’s decision to smoke. Peer pressure, the perception that smoking is sophisticated or grownup, simple curiosity, wanting to rebel, and watching mama [yes, you if you smoke] can all provide some influence on taking those first puffs. So, now you are at the point where you know he is doing it, what now? Consider these tips to help deter your tweener from smoking again:

• 1.2.3.breath As hard as it will be, remain as calm as you can. Completely freaking out [as much as you want to] will more than likely flip the “I’m not listening” switch. You want him to hear you, so stay calm.

• save the black lung Yes, it is very bad for you and causes cancer, but your tweener isn’t concerned with years from now. Many have a sense of invincibility, so hit closer to home with smoking consequences such as yellow teeth, bad breath, shortness of breath and stinky clothes. Not cool at all.

• you in trouble Yes, there needs to be some consequences. Years ago, you might have heard of the kid who had to smoke the whole pack of cigarettes or better yet eat a cigarette [excuse me, I just puked a little in my mouth], but that might not work for this generation. Never the less, there are consequences for him choosing to smoke, so give him more chores around the house and make sure he loses privileges such as TV watching, cell phone usage, sleepovers, extracurricular activities or whatever is valuable to him.

• walk the walk You smoke? Quit. Be the example you want him to be. And help him quit if your initial smoking discovery wasn’t a first time puff. Talk to your physician and determine the tobacco cessation program that is right for you and him.

In a nutshell, don’t freak out, but don’t put your head in the sand either. Address the situation, enforce consequences, get him help if needed and keep communicating. And if you smoke, today is a great day to quit!

Been there done that. He knows it all and is so ready to blow this popsicle stand! Bright lights, big city, endless possibilities…hold on! Lots to look forward to for your teen as he approaches high school graduation, but it’s important you get them back on course when dreaded senioritis ensues.

Greener Pastures

Unmotivated, distracted, procrastinating [more than normal], and disinterested in most anything to do with school [except the significant other and prom] are the tell-tale signs of senioritis. This condition typically spikes with the onset of the second half of senior year. Let’s face it, senioritis is understandable. Many teens have spent their high school years preparing to get into college and now they have been accepted and even secured scholarship money. Others will be entering the work force upon graduation, so what’s the point of high school. Understandable…yes. Acceptable…NO!

Keep your senior senioritis-free with these tips:

• suck it up Don’t fall into the trap of being too apathetic. Yes, life becomes harder the older we get and you want him to enjoy the end of his childhood, but not at the expense of completing his responsibilities. We all have to do things we don’t necessarily like or truly want to do, but too bad! Make it clear that the exceptions set for the first three and a half years of high school still apply. Get after it!

• loosen the leash Cut your teen some slack. If he is meeting his commitments, give him more responsibility and control in the form of an extended curfew and planning for life in the dorm or apartment. Responsibility and control are two key factors in adult success.

• check in You might feel like you shouldn’t have to check in on your teen at school, but don’t let that stop you! If you are worried about his performance, check in with his teachers and school counselor. Working together you can lessen the effects of senioritis for your teen and make sure he doesn’t go over the deep end and really screw up his last year of high school. says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says

Yep, time has gone fast. Your baby is all grown-up. Enjoy these last few months and celebrate all the accomplishments he is making along the way.

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