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appy Holidays! Woo Hoo! The holidays are here again! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. Are you one of those people who plans ahead and looks forward to the holidays? Or are you one that refuses to acknowledge the holiday displays going up around town? I think I can be a bit of both. Most years I feel I’m just not ready! I mean, it’s not like I had 12 months to prepare for it- right? Argh! It’s always been important to me to keep the commercialism out of the holidays. I tend to try to reflect on the great memories of the past years and to find all the reasons I’m thankful. Starting with the four obvious ones, my children, of course. Willamette Valley has some amazing memory making oportunities during the holiday season. From Magic at the Mill, to a brand new up-and-coming ice skating rink ( I know, right?!) and various celebrations for families of every walk of life. It’s a great place to raise our families, in every season. :) This issue is packed full of holiday fun, local holiday events, a few recipies to warm your home and belly, and a few health related articles to help you raise the happiest kids you can. This time of year is full of so many memory-making opportunities and I hope to make it as easy on you as possible to create moments within your childs life that bring joy for years to come. XOXOXO
Have the Happiest Holidays Ever!
Yvette 5
Nov/Dec 2017 PUBLISHER Yvette Tripp
ISSUE 14
EDITOR Yvette Tripp
yvette@willamettekidsandfamily.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN Yvette Tripp ADVERTISING Yvette Tripp 307.797.6730
Willamette Kids & Family PO Box 266 Midwest, Wyoming 82643
www.willamettekidsandfamily.com Willamette Kids and Family is a free community bi-monthly publication. We are dedicated to being a central hub for information in the Salem - Keizer area, by providing a variety of current news and resources to help local Oregonians care for their families. We promote neighborhood family-centered businesses by increasing their visibility within their target market. Willamette Kids and Family promotes peace and prosperity and never publish any information that could be construed as harmful or libelous. We never discriminate based on race, sex, religion or favorite brand of macaroni and cheese. No content may be reproduced without written permission of the editor. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved
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Registration for Winter group Classes begins in November.
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How many food names can you find?
If you are what you eat, then some days I’m beet, and I really don’t carrot all! I yam what I am, and some days I’m a ham, while some days I’m berry blue. Then once in a while, I’m just plum silly and there’s some days I just need to stew. I try not to wine because most days I’m fine, but there have been some days I felt dill. You may think I’m nuts, but I don’t mind those ruts I just mustard my strength and my will. Ice cream when I have to and then I feel butter and catsup my breath when my heart’s bean aflutter. So lettuce suggest though my soles not always at ease with each challenge I meat I just do as I peas.
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Work. Daycare. Electric Bills. Grades. Aging parents. House payments. Yardwork. Today’s parents have a ton of worries on their minds. Work days are longer, and it seems that life just keep us busier than ever. Paying attention to our families diet is on our minds, but let’s face it, it can all be completely overwhelming.
calories’ worth of added sugar. The association also recommends that children under age two get zero added sugar. Studies show that children currently consume about 80 grams (19 teaspoons) of sugar every day. Yikes! It adds up quickly, under even the most diligent eye.
The most difficult part of making healthy choices is finding the time to read every label, especially when they can be confusing and dare I say, purposefully misleading.
As parents, we are aware of the dangers of sugar in sodas, treats, baked goods and candies, of course. But what about those hidden sugars that sneak into even the most diligent parent’s menu?
YOU CHOOSE: Kellogs Frosted Flakes vs Kellogs Smart Start Strong Heart Antioxidants Cereal. It’s a no-brainer, right? In fact, the Smart Start box even has a red heart on the front saying its a heart-healthy choice. Yay for easy choices! But wait- On closer inspection, guess what? Frosted Flakes has less sugar! 1 cup of Frosted Flakes has 11g of sugar, whereas 1 cup of Smart Start has a whopping 14g! That’s 56% of your daily recommended allowance for added sugar!
Heads up, here are a few of the unbelieavable sugar offenders that you may have missed.
Hidden sources of added sugar Pasta sauce- Barilla Marinara sauce
packs a whopping 9g of sugar in just a half a cup! That’s roughly 30% more sugar than a half a cup of Trix cereal! Granola bars- Quaker Oats Chewy Yogurt Granola bars have 11g of sugar per bar. 44% of the total daily allowance. Yogurt- GoGurt is geared toward kids, but be careful; each sleeve has 10 grams of sugar. However, 5.5 oz of Yoplait Greek Vanilla Yogurt has a whopping 19g!
But antioxidants, you say? Throw some blueberries on a bowl of Cheerios and you can be sure that it’s a much healthier choice.
Other high-sugar culprits are Instant Oatmeal (Quaker Apples & Cinnamon-9g per pack), salad dressing,packaged fruit, dried fruit, catsup, chocolate milk and BBQ Sauce. Just 1 TBSP of BBQ sauce has on average, up to 6g of sugar.
Recently the American Heart Association revamped their quidelines for sugar consumption by children. AHA recommends that children consume no more than 6 teaspoons ( Approximately 25g) or 100
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So, what am I supposed to do?
Reading labels is time-consuming and confusing. Here are a few general tips to steer you in the right direction.
Learn to scan labels quickly!
Ingredients are listed in order of how much exists in the product so if sugar is near the top, you can find a better choice. Sources of sugar can be listed as any word ending in “-ose”, (sucrose, dextrose, fructose, lactose), brown rice syrup, molasses, cane syrup, honey, fruit juice concentrates. If several of these exist on the label, it’s probably not as healthy as you think. Also, by limiting processed food, you don’t have to worry about the many names that added sugar can be found under.
neccesary general sugar consumption can leave you a little wiggle room. One 8oz glass of apple juice has 22g of sugar. That’s just 2 grams less than 8 oz of soda. If your kiddo loves their juice, try cutting it half and half with water and weaning them off it slowly. Water with a side of fruit is a much healthier choice.
Buy Unsweetened
From apple sauce to oatmeal, buying a “No sugar added” variety gives the power back to you to determine just how much sugar you want your child to have. When choosing processed or canned fruit, steer clear of syrups, which can still add quite a bit of sugar.
Limiting processed food helps!
The closer you stick to all natural foods, the less you have to worry about added sugar. There are no labels to read on an apple, and there’s no added sugar.
Add more flavor!
Experiment with vanilla or cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to sweeten foods naturally.
Great healthy convenience foods are berries, unsweetened yogurt ( add your own, and control the amount of added sugar!) cheeses, homemade bread, hummus, sweet potato chips and hard-boiled eggs to name a few.
Eat Cake!
Our kids are only young once, and we all know the pleasure we get in serving them treats. The goal is to be a little more aware of hidden sugars that are wasting our added sugar allowance and making better choices on things such as crackers, breads and BBQ sauce, and cutting back on unneccesary sugars in the long run.
Ditch the Juice! While juices don’t necessarily have added sugar, reducing the amount of un-
By understanding that healthy choices may not always be as healthy as we think, we can spend our daily allowance wisely and enjoy using it so much more on a nice dessert after dinner with our family. Written by Yvette Tripp
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I remember as a kid, sitting at the table with my father and attempting to learn my multiplication tables. It was a frustrating experience for the both of us, and one that would be repeated as my own children made their way through elementary math. I mostly managed not to lose my cool- but the hardest thing for me was knowing how best to encourage them.
“You’re so smart.” is a fixed way of thinking that implies that they were born with the knowledge, and does not encourage effort and growth. Instead, we might consider these phrases to encourage our kiddos and praise the process instead of the outcome.
“Good job working on such a hard task …” “You are taking on harder tasks and that must make you feel confident.” “I see that you have tried really hard at this.” “I see that you are trying again, great thinking!” “You remembered to use the procedure for ...” “What a brilliant way to approach the task.” “You can do it – it’s tough, but you can; let’s break it down into steps.”
As I’ve been studying growth -vs- fixed mindset, I’ve learned that helping children understand that their brain works like a muscle, and like biceps, it can grow through hard work and practice can go a long way toward helping them become more resilient and persistent. The first thing our kids need to know is that our intelligence isn’t fixed, and it can change and grow. It can get stronger or weaker depending on how much effort we choose to put forth. Remind them that as a baby, they weren’t born talking but that they learned over time, and that while we don’t know everything we CAN learn with hard work. By embracing failure as a necessary step toward the victory of progress and mastery, we show them that mistakes are part of the process, and not a reason to quit. We can encourage a growth mindset by rephrasing our praise. Telling our children
Using a growth mindset helps kids understand that everyone can build themselves into whatever they want to be.
Developing a growth mindset will take consistency over time. Through patience and your own growth mindset, you will know that your methods are effective when you see your kids becoming more persistent and thinking of their mistakes as just problems to be solved. Embrace failures and mistakes. Sometimes we learn the most when we fail. Let kiddos know that mistakes are ok and a big part of the learning process.
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I am not good at this.
I can train my brain to try a new strategy!
I’m not as smart as my friend.
I can figure out how they do this!
I am making too many mistakes.
I can learn to do better through making mistakes!
I am just going to give up.
I can keep trying until I learn!
I can’t do math.
I am going to train my brain in math!
A fixed mindset can make you feel hopeless.
A growth mindset gives you the courage to try until you succeed! written by Yvette Tripp
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Non-Toy Gift Ideas for under $50!
Zoo Tickets Train Ride Tickets Rock Climbing Gift Certificate Aquarium Tickets Magazine Subscription Game Websites Martial Arts Lessons Science Kits Art Supplies Telescope Educational Apps for phones or tablets Family Games Journal Bedding Fishing Trip
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November 1
November 10
5:30 pm- 8:00 pm FREE A positive parenting system that is easy to implement and has proven parenting solutions. Talk with other parents and develop skills to promote a positive family life. 10 week parentig class for parents with kids between 0-7. Must register online or call Diana at 503-8777894 Salem YMCA 685 Court St NW www.theYonline.org
7:00pm to 11:00pm Monthly Irish social dance with live, traditional Irish music. All dances taught prior to dancing and called as you dance. Reels, jigs, polkas and waltzes taught and danced. Family friendly, all ages accepted. Refreshments provided. $5-10 per person. VFW Hall Marion Post 661 630 Hood St. NE, Salem 503-383-9297 www.ceiliofthevalley.org
Salem- Make Parenting a Pleasure
November 4
Salem- Día de Muertos 2017
12:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m Cultural celebration of life and family friendly atmosphere. Art based activities, free hot drinks and pan dulce for all, food and other snacks will be for sale. Enjoy decorating your own sugar skull,face painting, Catrina Contest (more details on our FB page)r craft and art activities while dancers, actor, poets and singers take the stage. Please share this event with your friends and family. You can’t miss out! Douglas McKay High School 2440 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem 97305
November 9
November 11
Corvallis-OSU Children’s Concert
11:00am- 1:00pm Programs revolve around music and include some combination of storytelling, drawing, movement, and dance. Travel with us on a Musical Magic Carpet to the world of Lions, Princesses, Beauties and Beasts. Corvallis Public Library Free admission! www.corvallispiano.org
November 11
Salem- TEDx Youth@Salem
9am-1pm TEDxYouth@Salem is a youthorganized, half-day event that brings people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event theme “Breaking Boundaries” aims to spark discussion and connection. Seven youth speakers will share their “ideas worth spreading”. Adults $20 and Students $10 Elsinore Theatre 170 High St SE Buy tickets at www.tedxyouthsalem.com
Stayton- Thumpin’ Thursday
10:15 - 10:45 Music, dance and fun for little ones. All ages welcome. Free, no registration necessary. Stayton Public Library EG Siegmund Meeting Room, 515 N First Avenue. www.staytonoregon.gov/page/library_ home
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Salem- Ceili (Kay-lee) Mor / Irish Social Dancing
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November 13
November 18
Salem- Toddler/Parent Bounce
Albany- 2017 South Albany Cheerleading Kids Clinic
9:00am-12:00pm Have fun with your toddler, bouncing together at SuperBounce every Monday from 9-12. 3160 Blossom Dr NE www.superbouncesalem.com
8:00am Pre K through 8th graders, come join us for a morning on fun! $25.00 for the 18th with a T-shirt included *OR* $40.00 for the 18th, as well as a review session on Jan.7th from 1-4pm, followed by a performance at the Rebel Rumble home cheer competition on Jan.13th South Albany High School 3705 Columbus St SE, Albany, Oregon 97322
November 15
Corvallis- Downtown Event
Let’s get sassy and kick off the holiday season with your downtown Corvallis shops: Clothes Tree, Donna Bella, Inkwell, Irenes, Miss Meers, Mod Pod, Revolve, Running Princess, Seoul Sisters Boutique & Sibling Revelry. Join us on Wednesday, November 15th from 4 - 7 PM for fun, food, beverages, and festivities! Participating stores will donate a percentage of sales during the event to Linn Benton Food Share.
November 28
Corvallis- Learn about Korea
5:00pm -7:00pmWant to know more about Korean beauty products, fashion, and the political climate in Korea? Seoul Sisters Boutique will host the Corvallis Young Pros on Tuesday, November 28th from 5 - 7 PM. Join us for Korean food, beverages, and an amazing in-store event! The Young Pros will collect winter coats for Community Outreach, Inc at their November and December events. 138 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis
November 16
Corvallis- WiN Expo Kid Zone
4 PM - 7 PM Exercise your childlike curiosity in the Young Innovators Zone innovators of all ages—the young, and the young at heart build and explore new technology in a hands-on working environment! Thanks to NuScale Power, for bringing this highly popular activity back to the Expo. CH2M HILL Alumni Center on the Oregon State University- 725 Southwest 26th Street, Corvallis 97331 www.willametteinnovators.com/ event/2017-win-expo-free-admission/
November 26
Salem- Holiday Tree Lighting
6:00pm Salem Convention Center’s annual holiday tree lighting is a beloved local tradition. Festivities kick off at 6:00 p.m. and activities include caroling, free cocoa, crafts, community spirit and Santa! Bring the whole family! www.salemconventioncenter.org
November 18
Salem- Plant for the Planet
November 29
8:45-2pm 4th-12th graders and their parents can join us in a Plant for the Planet Academy. Learn the science behind climate change from previous graduates, how to present climate change info with authority, and how to engage your community to make a difference at this FREE event. Students have the opportunity to help plant six new trees. Lunch provided. Register and learn more at www.climatechangerecovery.org/
Stayton- Little Bits
4:00pm-5:00pm Come to this fun tech program at the Stayton LIbrary! LittleBits is a platform of easy-to-use electronics that allow students to create inventions and complex electronics by simply snapping together magnetic modules. This workshop lets students build electronic boards and inventions quickly without having to solder. www.staytonlibraryfoundation.com
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December 1-31
December 2
5:00pm to 9:00pm Twinkling lights, artisan vendors, ice skating, photos with Santa, traditional German food, carolers, and more. Pricing and activities vary by night. The Oregon Garden 879 W Main St. Silverton 503-874-8100 www.oregongarden.org/events/christmas-in-the-garden
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage Two shows - 2 and 7 pm. Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the whole Peanuts gang as they put on their own Christmas play and ultimately discover the true meaning of the season. Doors open at 1 pm. $15-$35 admission. Elsinore Theatre 170 High St. SE Salem 503-375-3574 www.elsinoretheatre.com/elsinoreevents.html.
Silverton-Christmas in the Garden
Salem- A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 1-26
Salem- Christmas in Keizer
December 2
3:00pm to 8:00pm- Community christmas tree lighting, Gubser neighborhood. Holiday lighting displays, holiday lights parade and 5k Jingle Dash bring about a festive spirit for everyone. Gubser Neighborhood in Keizer, 503-393-9111 keizerchamber.com
Saint Paul- Newell Pioneer Village Candlelight Tour 3:00pm to 6:00pm Enjoy echoes of Christmas past at the Village Candlelight Tour. Holiday fun for the whole family. Children make a gingerbread house to take home, snack while you walk through the village enjoying music and stories. $6 admission. Newell Pioneer Village 8089 Champoeg Rd. NE Saint Paul 503-678-5537 www.newellpioneervillage.com
December 2
Keizer- Countryside Christian Church’s 11th Annual Holiday Bazaar 9am-3pm
December 8
Come check out the annual holiday bazaar! Do all your Christmas shopping with homemade items, and brands we all know and love! Enjoy our Bake Sale Cafe to pick up some homemade baked items and a warm drink. Raffle drawings -- You don’t have to be present to win! Countryside Christian Church 5775 McLeod Ln NE, Keizer www.countrysidechristianchurch.org
Salem- Kids Night Out
6:00pm to 9:00pm Bring your children to Kids Night Out while you do something fun. We engage your kids with arts & crafts, swimming and other activities. We also provide a snack. The theme is Pumpkin. $20 first child, $15 second child. The Salvation Army Kroc Center 1865 Bill Frey Dr. NE 503-566-5762 www.salem.kroccenter.org
December 2
Salem- Willamette Girlchoir
December 8-10
3:00 pm We have been teaching music and confidence to young ladies, from 2nd through 12th grade, for over 25 years. Come enjoy our upcoming Holiday Concert! This year we will be collaborating and performing with the Oregon State University’s Bella Voce under the direction of Dr.Sandra Babb. Parrish Middle School 802 Capitol St NE Salem, OR 97301 www.willamettegirlchoir.org
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Salem- Salem Holiday Market
8:00am - 5:00pm Largest holiday show in the Mid Valley, over 250 artisans, free parking, minimal admission, live music, Santa’s Village, door prizes, gingerbread & tree decorating contests. State Fairgrounds 2330 17th St. NE Salem, OR 97301 Call: 503-585-8264 www.salemsaturdaymarket.com
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December 9
December17
Keizer- Holiday Lights Parade
Salem- Enlightened Theatrics: A Charles Dickens Christmas
7pm -9pm Line the sidewalks of River Road in Keizer between Locakhaven Drive and Glynbrook Rd every 2nd Saturday in December to see community members participate in the largest night time holiday light parade in the northwest! www.KeizerChamber.com/events
2:30pm to 4:00pm- This Enlightened Theatrics’ presentation tells the story of the Christmas before the Carol. This is a highly original take on A Christmas Carol that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the holiday classic. $20-$30 admission. Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre 187 High St. NE Salem 503-585-3427 www.enlightenedtheatrics.org/charlesdickenschristmas
December 13
Salem-Wednesday Film Series: Miracle on 34th Street
December 18-22
7:00pm to 9:00pm The 1947 film about a man claiming to be the real Santa Claus. Doors open at 6:15. $6 admission. Elsinore Theatre 170 High St. SE Salem 503-375-3574 www.elsinoretheatre.com/elsinoreevents.html
Salem- Winter Camp- Making Miniatures
5pm-8pm Create miniatures with sculpey-- animals, monsters or people and make a miniature habitat for them. Advanced students will be able to create larger creatures as well as sew and create clothing. Ages: 7-14 Cost: 90$ Register at The Abbey Art Center 331 State Street, Salem, www.theabbeyartcenter.weebly.com
December 15, 16,17
Lebanon-Birthday of a King Production.
December 19-23
6:30Join us as we celebrate Christmas in a most interesting and unusual way. Follow the Prince as he battles the Evil Lord for possession of the most prized Christmas gift ever know in the Land of the Banyan’s Canopy. This whimsical recreation of the Christmas Story will have you laughing, crying, and clinging to the edge of your seat! 65 W Grant St. - The corner of Grant and Second
Salem-Magic at the Mill
5:30pm to 8:00pm Get lost in the magic. Thousands of twinkling holiday lights and entertainment. Bring your children, friends and family to celebrate the season. General admission $6 Ages 4-12 $4 and ages 3 and under FREE. Willamette Heritage Center 1313 Mill St. SE Salem 503-585-7012 www.willametteheritage.org
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Pippin
Directed by - Kay Roth
Performances Dec 1-2, 8-10, 14-17, 21-23
The Three Musketeers
Directed by - Josh Anderson
Performances Jan 12-13, 19-21, 25-27
Sylvia
Directed by - Loren Dunn
Performances Feb 16-17, 23-25 March 1-3
Single Ticket Prices $13 General Admission $10 Sr/Jr for non-musicals $15 General Admission $12 Sr/Jr for musicals.
* No service fee to purchase online.
Season Tickets Available Online! Find us on Facebook and at www.albanycivic.org
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Looking for more simple crockpot ideas? Check out the Willamette Kids and Family Pinterest page where I’ve gathered over 50 easy slow cooker meals! 21
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Gifts
that won’t cost you a cent.
1. A calendar full of date nights. Kids
12. Create artwork together and hang
2. Pick your favorite dinner night.
13. Promise your child that you will
love a little one-on-one time with a parent and seeing a calendar full of future fun is sure to be a treat.
it proudly in your home. Create a whole gallery wall dedicated solely to the art that you create together.
Even better, stock up on patience and let them help prepare it!
always be the last to let go of a hug, and hang on! This is especially fun to do with teens and preteens.
3. Coupon Book. Make special cou-
14. Leave a note in an unexpected
pons for “Get out of Trouble Free”, Tickle Fest, One extra Story, 20 minutes past bedtime, etc.
place. Mirror, pillow, sink etc.
15. Journal with your child. Every day
4. Start a story with them as a main
write down something you enjoy, or a memory from your own childhood, or something you are grateful for.
character/hero. Let them choose the villain and ending.
5. Write a love poem to your kiddo. 6. Leave funny jokes on their mirror. 7. Check out a book from the library
16. Make up a special code/language
with your child with icons for letters and share secret conversations with them.
and read it together every night. Better yet- pick a whole series.
17. Impromptu dance party! Introduce them to the music you loved as a kid. It’s Hammer Time!
8. Take a nature walk. Leave the
phones at home and connect with your child. Find beauty in nature around your neighborhood.
18. Tell them that you trust them. 19. Hair Hair! You do theirs and they
9. Read an extra book at bedtime. 10. Notice something they’ve done
return the favor.
20. Tattoos for You. Use a ballpoint pen
right. “I love it when you....” or “Thanks for doing...”.
to draw a tattoo on your kid’s upper arm to remind them that you love them.
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21. Focus on what makes your child unique. The green in their eyes,
32. Share yourself with your kids. Tell
them funny stories about when you were a kid, about times you got into trouble, who your best friend was, and your favrite memories as a kid.
their sense of humor, how they remind you of your father, etc.
22. Volunteer and invite your kids.
33. Don’t Multitask. Put the phone
23. Build a fort together. Remember
down. Stop typing at the computer and look your child in the eyes and really listen to them.
how fun that was as a kid? It could be as simple as a sheet over the dining room table. Add snacks, Voila!
34. Engage in their passions. Even if
24. Pick them up early from school unexpectedly. 25. Feed the ducks with day old bread. 26. It’s mani/pedi time! 27. Drag out their baby book and relive
they only last a week, throw yourself into finding out more about what makes your kid tick.
35. Have them teach you how to play
their favorite video game, or play an instrument, do a math problem, shoot a basketball, etc..
the magic. Compare handprints.
There is one common denominator in all of these suggestions. Your time. Love is spelled T-I-M-E. It’s easy to get caught up in the current madness but taking the time to slow down and really connect with our kids, can build them up in a million different ways.
28. Dry erase markers on mirrors and windows always bring smiles.
29. Look up the meaning of their name. Discover the origin and draw pictures together to celebrate it.
30. Build paper airplanes and have contests to see which flies the furthest.
The days may be long, but the years tend to be short. Time spent with kids can help make everything that is already wonderful in our lives shine even brighter.
31. Create family rituals.
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E S I W T N
PARE
Appropriately Challenged, or Overscheduled & Overwhelmed?
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QUESTIONS
FOR TEENS by Jenifer Trivelli M.S.
In today’s world, we are pressured to produce more, do more, have more, and be more. Parents often feel pressed to find their child’s niche early on and maximize learning opportunities for every possible advantage as they get older. With all of the drive towards performance, seeking out opportunities, creating the perfect
these questions may bring up emotion that has been buried for a long time. Try to see this emotion not as something to be avoided, but as a sign that you have some important areas out of balance.
We are at a time in the history of humanity where we can no longer ignore the mental and emotional well-being of our kids and teens.
1. Of all the activities I attend (includ-
FOUR QUESTIONS FOR TEENS ing school), which ones create feelings of joy, playfulness, relaxation, or in any other way bring me to life? 2. Where in my world am I free and encouraged to be myself, and how much time do I spend there each day? 3. Do I find it easy to fall asleep, and do I feel well-rested when I wake? 4. How can I make room in my daily life to bring the above areas into balance?
concoction of to-do’s; with all of the focus on “out there”, where is time left for what’s happening “in here”? We are at a time in the history of humanity where we can no longer ignore the mental and emotional well-being of our kids and teens. Here are four questions teens can ask themselves (and that parents can think about too) to include mental and emotional wellness as a focus. A fair warning:
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Teens aren’t only dealing with increased responsibility and more challenging class-loads. They’re also dealing with massive brain changes in preparation for adulthood, biological clocks which
pull them to stay awake later and sleep in longer, and the psychological grieving process of the death of their childhood. This grieving process is often overlooked the most as the excitement of getting older overshadows any sadness. As a society, we don’t teach our teens how to feel sadness over life periods that are gone. We can be so focused on getting to the next stage that we minimize any feelings they might share or overlook the signs that they could use help. It is vital to our well-being (and to the well-being of our society) to ensure that we stay connected to our inner child - that place of joy, exuberance, zest for life, and innocence within that reminds us of the meaning of life. Jenifer Trivelli, M.S. is a mom of two with a counseling degree and Youth Yoga Certification. She likes to share brain-based, heart-centered tools with kids, families, and organizations. Connect with Jenifer on Instagram @wisemind_ed
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