Due to an unforeseen sneak attack on my body by the flu, this post is a little late getting put in. Sorry! The week I spent laying in bed had me thinking about ways that we can help prevent the spread of illnesses like the flu or even the common cold. Any parent or person that works with children knows that kids have the unbelievable ability to spread illness faster than the monkey on the Outbreak movie. So I have compiled some tips to help keep your family a little healthier this winter.
1. Wash hands regularly- Parents can make this fun for kids by getting different smelling soap and teaching their kids to sing a silly song while scrubbing.
2. Eat healthy- Doctors say to eat foods rich in vitamins C and E during flu season to help maintain a good immune system. This can be tricky with picky eaters, so try smoothies that you can hide kale or spinach in without them noticing.
3. Drink lots of water- Staying hydrated helps the body flush out all the bad junk from your body.
4. Get enough zzzz's- A good night sleep not only helps with fighting off illness, it also gets you recharged for the next adventure. This is especially tricky with small children that get up during the night. I have found that if a parent establishes a routine for bed time and that the child refrains from "screen time" (TV, tablet, computer, etc.) for at least 1 hour before bed, the nights seem to go a little better.
5. Exercise- This doesn't have to be a formal exercise routine, it could be just getting out on the playground with your kids and running around. The mundane can be broken by doing something silly like having a fast paced dance party.
6. If you think you are sick, see your doctor- Early intervention is key! It can keep you from having to tough out the worst part. Getting your flu shot can help, too!
If you have stumbled on any other tips, please share. I am always looking for new ways to stay healthy because there are no sick days for mom. Hope this helps a little with dealing with little ones and the flu. Here is a little reminder that the job of Mommy is a little different than any paid profession.
Many articles over the years have analyzed how parenting styles differ and how the way you decide to parent can have an effect on how your children act.
After taking classes such as Child Development where I have received my CDA (licensing to run and teach a state licensed child care facility) and also Child and Adolescent Psychology, I have noticed that I can not be put into just one category.
Parents have a choice how to raise their children as they see fit but a little education on how children learn and thrive can make a huge difference on the choices parents make every day.
I have personally changed my parenting style to fit each of my children. My girls all have very distinct and different personalities that require me to change my approach with each one of them.Being able to change you style to best suit your child is beneficial especially when dealing with multiple children.
There are four main styles for parenting:
1. The Authoritarian- (The Drill Sargent) this style has very strict rules, no explanation for the rules, and if rules are not followed there is punishment. This is the "because I said so" parent.
2. The Authoritative- (The Democratic Parent) this style encourages the child to ask questions and is very responsive to the child. There are still rules set and are more corrective and supportive in the discipline. 3. The Permissive- (The Spoiler) these parents require little to nothing from their children. They are the parents that want to be a friend to their children and avoid confrontation at all cost. 4. The Uninvolved Parent- (The Ignoring Parent) this style is characterized by the detachment from the child emotionally and physically. This parent provides the basic needs for the child but very little beyond that. To read more about this subject, the About.com has a great information on this and other parenting subjects. Kids tend to draw the funniest pictures about serious topics and here is one that I found that tries to show each of the parenting styles. It gives a perspective on how this child perceives each of the different styles with a little funny twist.
Now that you have a little understanding on the different styles, which one or combination of styles do you feel that best describes you? Or if you are not a parent yet, which one do you think you might use once you have children? Which parent style do you think your parents used while you were growing up?
I have been crazy busy this week with birthday parties, school, and work so this will be just a short little post to help give you a little laugh.
The most heart warming sound a mother can hear is the sound of her child(ren) laughing. Even on the most stressful and busy days, the laughing can immediatly lighten her mood.
I know that I need to slow down and just enjoy the little things sometimes and playing and laughing with my children helps me to do that.
Enjoy this clip of these quads laughing at their father and remember to slow down, breathe, and smile!
The parenting guides and books tell parents to avoid baby talkand to teach children to have good problem resolution and negotiation skills so that they can properly handle conflict on their own. I followed these tips with my own children and agree that it is important to instill these qualities in children. But is it always a good thing?
This week, while making my 5th cup of coffee, I was engaged in a heated discussion with my 5 year old about why she was not allowed to drink coffee. As she was explaining her point, I started to think to myself, "How is this child, that I gave birth to 5 years ago, speaking to me like she is an adult?".
The discussion lasted almost an hour and during this time period she 1. used the word apparently correctly in a sentence 2. made a list of 7 reasons why she should be able to drink coffee and 3. was so invested in her argument that she made a conclusion highlighting her points at the end of her speech.
I was so shocked that she made such a good argument on her behalf that I gave in and allowed her to have "coffee". (mostly cream with just a little bit of coffee)She was very proud of herself but all I could do is think that I have created a monster or at least the next greatest defense attorney.
What do you think the downfall of teaching children how to argue in an intelligent manner at such a young age would be? Are we just raising miniature adults? What experiences have you had on this topic?
Now here is a video of my favorite little "attorney"....
As a mother of four beautiful, intelligent, and spirited little girls, there are many times that it is not the children in need of a time-out but it is me. Motherhood, as all moms know, is the most exhausting and rewarding job on the planet.
I created this blog as a way to connect with other mothers and to share my perspectives, humor, and questions plus gain the same from others. I will always try to end a post with a little upbeat or funny video, picture, or quote just to help lighten the mood of any mother reading the blog.
I enjoy and encourage comments, stories, and feedback from anyone moved to do so and will try to do the same for others. Connecting with mothers and sharing in the joys, horrors, and craziness that this role entails makes getting through the rough times a little easier.
The stories that I post are just experiences I have had with my own little girls or stories of mothers that are close to me and have a impact on my parenting. Please feel free to offer your own experiences and ideas on the subject at hand but remember to be respectful of other people's views and thoughts.
I am a working mother and student so I will be writing about motherhood from that perspective and would love to hear from the perspective of stay at home mothers or any other combination that is out there (even stay at home dads!).
I hope you enjoy my blog and hope to hear from you soon. Until then, here is my first little closing tidbit!
