Faith and Family Reviews - Product reviews you can trust!

The Top 20 Tips for Parenting “Transitioning Tweens”

Posted by html404 on June 6, 2011
in Articles, Family Stuff, Guest Post, Monday Motivation, Parenting

This week’s Monday Motivation is to prepare yourself for those tween and teen years. I was naive in thinking that the teen years would be a breeze. I thought that because we were a Christian family we wouldn’t have the issues that I remember happening with my sisters and I. HA! Guess what? We do. Each stage of our children’s life has its struggles, some easier, some just as challenging as the stage before. There is no easy age per se, each age is different, as is each child. In five years we will have five teenagers in the house and I want to be prepared. Erin says it so much better than I could, so here is her top 20 tips for parenting or preparing to parent your tweens and teens. Remember to come back to this often because you forget and you will need these reminders, believe me.

One other thing, be sure to clear your schedule as much as you can because these young people need just as much time, if not more than your babies, toddlers and preschoolers! Amazing, I know. Then love, love and love them some more! And pray fervently for them.

The Top 20 Tips for Parenting “Transitioning Tweens”

By Erin Brown Conroy, M.A.

I heard it again . . . A few days ago . . . . That comment about “tweens.” You know, “tweens” – that’s the word that refers to kids in the awkward age and stage: when our child’s stuck somewhere between being a “child” and a “teen.” The “official” time of “tween” can fall anywhere between the ages 10 and 14, depending on when puberty comes knocking – or pounding – on your child’s hormonal door.

Lamenting about her soon-to-be-a-teen daughter, my friend said (with a sigh of desperation), “I don’t know what’s happening! It seems like I woke up one day and my daughter was an emotionally-charged being. She argues, she’s sassy, then she’s silly . . . and then she’s hugging me and telling me ‘I love you so much, mom!’ Where did my sweet little child go?”

Life as we know it has changed…

No, an alien didn’t abduct your child when you weren’t looking. Your son or daughter’s brain and body is now invaded by chemical changes that mark the start of puberty. With the hormonal “wash,” lo and behold, your child is temporarily rendered into a “mecentered” state of consciousness. Congratulations! Your child’s officially transitioning from a child into an adult.

There’s a new road up ahead. The parenting road that may have been relatively smooth now enters new terrain. Bumpy terrain. With roads that twist and turn and seem to drop off into oblivion.

Yes, just when we thought we had the parenting thing figured out, our child becomes a tween (and then a teen). God definitely has a sense of humor.

The Top 20 Tips

Don’t fear or fret – This stage does end some day (Wahoo!), and it’s much sooner than we think. In the meantime, here are the Top 20 Tips for making the journey through the tween (and teen) years as smooth as they can be.

1. Hormones may rule the child, but they don’t have to rule you or your home. As the parent, you’re ultimately the one who sets the tone of your home. No matter what your tween or teen says or does, know and live the fact that you are calm, cool, collected, and “with it.” When life with your child’s behavior gets tough, know that you’ll find answers. Know that you’ll stay strong through it all and come out strong on the other side. Be confident and centered – and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. Resources strengthen you personally and as a family. Take advantage of as many resources as you can.

2. Don’t panic – Teach. Things will happen and things will be said that shock you. Be ready for it. Your gut response might be, “How could my son say that? How could my daughter act that way? I can’t believe it!” Believe it. And don’t let it shake you one bit. Like a willow tree, be firmly rooted, able to bend and stay supple in the gales that come your way. Once the wind has died down, stand up tall and calm, and use the moment to teach your child the good, right, helpful, and kind way to speak and act. Keep in mind, as your child moves though these changes into adulthood, it’s your job to teach the best way to speak and act. Here’s where it begins. With you and me.

3. Don’t take it personally. Emotionally chill. OK – So your child’s going to say and do some pretty outrageous things. Don’t take it personally. “What?! Don’t take it personally” you say? Of all the tips on this page, this particular one is the hardest to do. After all, I’ve wiped this child’s bottom and changed her diaper, potty trained her, taught her to read, driven her to sports and birthday parties and stores, and spent hours upon hours caring for and spending time with and loving her – and here she is spouting off that I don’t know anything and I don’t really care about her. Pretty illogical, isn’t it? Step back. Take a breath. Emotionally chill. Don’t take it personally. The hormones are at it again. Don’t let it phase you.

4. Know that the word “I” will be in just about every sentence your child uses. When you’re a tween, an amazing change happens in thoughts and speech. The tween’s “world view” morphs into “me-centeredness.” It’s all about “me.” Well, not all the time. But a lot of the time. As a tween and teen, life revolves around my thoughts, my ideas, and my desires. Again, it’s chemical. Really. Normal brain development stuff. Don’t let it get you all bent out of shape. As the parent, understand the perspective and gently help your child re-orient to thinking in a “big picture view” that includes others.

5. Understand your changing role and step into it. Your role’s changing. Dramatically. Sometimes daily. When your child was a baby, your role was to totally care for his or her life. When your child grew, your role was to tell and guide, as well as to direct. When your child becomes a tween, your role changes again. As you “let the rope out,” you’re teaching and listening and watching over, as opposed to directly overseeing. You’re mentoring now. Side by side. Still teaching. But talking through, describing, and asking questions. Don’t assume your child knows what you’re asking. Check for understanding. Step into your role graciously.

6. Keep firm boundaries. Tweens and teens still need firm boundaries for behavior. In love and kindness, we need to clearly define expectations and consequences – and follow through. Our child will test the boundaries. Sometimes it will be unintentional; sometimes it will be intentional. No matter; our response is the same. I love you. I care for you. I’m setting guidelines out of that love and care. From curfews to kind behavior toward others, keep the boundaries firm and expectations high. Then follow through.

7. Don’t accept “poor tone.” At some time, your child’s tone of voice will be out of bounds. Obnoxious. Even “snotty.” Some children try it once. Others seem to struggle with using poor tone more often. Tell your son or daughter that, no matter what their feelings (sadness, anger, disappointment), we still speak to each other with respect – in both our word choices and the tone of our words. Hold your child to speaking with a respectful tone, with a calm request. If your child doesn’t change his or her tone, give a consequence that matches the violation. And tell your child you’ll speak to him/her when they’re able to speak back in a tone that’s respectful.

8. Expect and hold your child to “good eye contact.” Eye contact is important – for you and your child’s relationship, as well as your child’s future success. Ask for sustained eye contact. Expect it. If your son or daughter “forgets,” gently step into your son or daughter’s line of vision and ask him or her to maintain eye contact – each and every time. Rolling of the eyes isn’t accepted (it’s disrespectful). Teach your son or daughter the importance of a steady gaze (not glare) of meeting eyes with another. Hold your child to it.

9. Purposefully talk through and model good behavior. Every issue that comes your way is a chance to purposefully talk through and model the good, right, and helpful way to respond to life and its issues. Be purposeful about your interaction. Look directly at your child; face his or her body with your own attentiveness and eye contact. Model the behavior you want your child to exhibit – both now and all throughout life.

10. Spend time together doing things your child likes to do. Now’s the time to spend time with your child. Your child will “disappear” into his or her room for longer periods of time than he or she used to. This new level of “quiet” might seem nice at the moment, but don’t let it fool you; it’s time to make time with your son or daughter. It’s time to ask him or her what he or she’d like to do. Even if the activity’s not what you’d choose, it’s time to bend their way a bit and enjoy their activity. When it comes to maintaining a good relationship with your tween and teen, spending time in your child’s chosen activity is, as they say, huge.

11. Create times to talk on a regular basis, and talk when your child wants to talk. Your child may not come to you to talk. Your child probably won’t come to you to talk. You’ll need to go to your child and ask your child for times to talk. Better yet, you’ll create special times and special situations where your son or daughter feels comfortable talking with you (like going together to his or her favorite ice cream shop). And then there will be those terribly inopportune times when your child wants to talk to you. You know the times: It’s when you’re tired and you want to go to bed, or when you have to make an important phone call (and you’re dialing) and your child comes up to you with that puppy dog look and tears in his eyes and says, “Can I talk to you right now?” If at all possible, change your plans and talk to your child. If you can’t, set a time to talk right then and there. It’s that important.

12. Give time for quiet, but also draw them out of the quiet. As we said in Tip Number 10, “Your child will “disappear” into his or her room for longer periods of time than he or she used to.” A certain amount of quiet, contemplative time is normal for a tween or teen – but it’s to a point. Check regularly on your son or daughter. Withdrawal for long periods of time may be a sign of depression, anxiety, use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol, change of behavior attached to bulimia or anorexia, obsessions, and many other physical and emotional causes that need attention. Or your child may just need someone to encourage him or her to talk and become involved. Be wise. Allow for quiet and alone times, but be aware of the amount of time alone. Teach your child to balance quiet times with healthy interaction.

13. In conversation, be a facilitator. A facilitator doesn’t preach. Or tell. Or direct. He or she asks questions. A facilitator shows options and asks for the pros and cons of the situation. A facilitator asks, “What would be best thing to do? Why?” A facilitator leads the audience to conclusions, making the participants feel like it was “their idea.” Teach decision making skills by leading your child to ideas, options, and conclusions. Facilitate. In this way, your son or daughter will learn to step out on his or her own with clear thought processes and good decision making skills, because he or she has practiced thinking through events and drawing correct conclusions .

14. Give a choice within the desired activity. There are certain “givens” in life. It’s a “given” that your son needs to wear an outer garment outside when it’s cold. But you can give him the choice of wearing a hooded sweatshirt or a jacket. In the same way, it’s a “given” that your daughter needs to put her dirty laundry in the basket and not all over the hallway floor. You can give your daughter the choice of keeping the basket in the hallway, the bedroom, or the bathroom (whichever she deems “easiest,” with the shortest distance to toss the clothes after taking them off). A tween loves choices. Give a choice within the desired activity.

15. Draw only necessary “lines in the sand.” What are the most important line to draw? Values-based lines. Those lines stay the same. All other lines…Well, think about it. Some are necessary. Maybe some others aren’t. Now’s the time to think deeply about those lines we draw and decide which ones are “preference based” (just what we personally like) and which ones are “non-negotiables.” Draw your lines carefully, when necessary.

16. Purposefully teach decision making skills. The most important ability you’ll give your child is the ability to make good decisions. How do we make decisions? We think and talk through the “whys” behind our choices. We weigh out the good and the bad. We put values on our reasons. We discuss, ponder, ask for advice, weigh advice, and, in the end, balance logic and “heart.” Purposefully take your tween and teen through these steps, and they’ll be able to make good decisions as adults.

17. Talk about “The Big Five”: Love, Sex, Money, Politics, and Religion. When I was a tween and teen (in the 70’s), we didn’t talk about “The Big Five.” These days are different. It’s time to talk about these “real issues” in honest, straightforward ways – in order for our kids to be wise and make good choices. As your tween becomes aware of issues, talk in small amounts that grow to large conversations. Create conversation that’s meaningful and thought-provoking. Ask questions. Give information that’s appropriate, in small, “digestible pieces” that your tween can easily ponder. Don’t avoid “hard issues.” When it comes to the most meaningful discussions, teach your child that you’re the one he or she can come to by discussing “The Big Five.”

18. Be involved in your tween’s life. If your child’s just trying out volleyball, go to the practices and games. If pipe organs of Eastern Europe trip his trigger, read a book about them and go to a concert together. If the movie of the day is “Princess Diaries 2,” and girly Disney movies just don’t thrill you, so what? Go to the movie together. Enjoy it for her sake. Make your son or daughter’s interests your own. Be involved. Drive the car pool. Go to the meeting. Watch the practice. Look over the homework. Ask about the friends. Meet your sons’ and daughters’ friends’ parents. Find out what’s important to your child, and make the connection. In a few years, when you’re in the toughest part of parenting your teen and there’s a point of connection, you’ll be glad you took the time.

19. Laugh together. Laughter sooths the soul and builds bridges with your tween. Tweens are notorious for what my girls call “silly humor” and my boys call “stupid humor.” Some tween humor’s “out of bounds” and other humor’s truly side-splitting silliness. Without lowering yourself to poor humor such as obsessing with bodily functions like passing gas (a famous past time of tween boys), find silly things to laugh about. I call it “healthy, happy humor” – humor that doesn’t make fun of others, doesn’t put people down in sarcasm, and makes us laugh at ourselves in a way that builds closeness. There’s plenty of fun to be had in healthy, happy humor. Share a good serving with your tween daily.

20. Voice the obvious and do the obvious. Say, “I love you. I want to spend time with you. You’re such a gift to me. I’m glad you’re my son (or daughter). I like being with you. You did that well. I’m proud of you. I’m looking forward to spending time together. I’m glad we had this time together.” There are so many times we think these things and don’t say them. Well, now’s the time to say them! And DO things that show these feelings: Put your arm around a shoulder. Give a hug and kiss. Toss the ball, shoot some hoops, take a walk together, eat out together, ride in the car on a trip designed just for the two of you and talk. Amidst all their bravado of “growing up,” at each child’s very core, these tweens and teens need our love and affirmation at this time more than any other time in their lives. Think it. Then say it and do it. Daily. Repeatedly. With sincerity and authenticity. From the heart. Wrap up the first 19 Tips with Tip Number 20, and you’ll boost the effectiveness of every single Tip before it – ten fold!

Take the time to learn about the tween and teen years, practice these 20 Tips, and parenting your child will be a whole lot easier and more enjoyable, as your child becomes a responsible, responsive adult that you’re proud of.

About Author

Erin Brown Conroy, MA, is a writer specializing in books on relationship connections, curriculum, and web marketing. She is a freelance writer/consultant, the DL Professor of writing courses for Patrick Henry College, and a Master Teacher for the PHC Prep Academy Online. Erin is also the mom of 13 children by birth, marriage, and adoption and has been homeschooling for 27 years. She lives in Ohio with her husband, five children still at home, and three amazingly-smart (and cuddly) Australian Labradoodles. You can read more of Erin’s articles on parenting at www.erinbrownconroy.com.

Used with Permission.

{2 comments}

Review ~ Packin’ Smart

Posted by Professor on June 6, 2011
in Baby Products, Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Houseware, Organization

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Packin’ SMART® is a space-saving storage solution for all your small essentials. De-stuff your bag while on-the-go, de-clutter your cabinet at home, define your drawer at office, and put an end to lose items! With three innovative styles to choose from, there should be no more excuses in organizing all your small essentials.

Packin’ SMART® Features

Separate compartments, each with its own lid so contents do not mix or shift. You can be confident that your measurement is precise at all times. Each container holds up 1/3 cup of dried goods; up to a full 8 oz. feeding.

Multiple uses for at home, office, and on-the-go. Each container separates for use as individual serving bowls. Please visit Uses page for more information about how Packin’ SMART® can help you get organized.

Add on as little or as many tiers as you need using easy-to-use secure click stacking system. Get organized the SMART way with this space-saving solution. Get SMART, Get Organized with Packin’ SMART®

Removable funnel-shaped inner lid for easy dispensing of contents. Minimize spills and access contents quickly and easily. Depending on the content, use the inner lid for dispensing but leave it open when storing larger items.

Together with multiple sets of Packin’ SMART®, create various tiers to store just what you need. Ergonomically designed for easy handling and made of FDA approved food grade material that is stain-, odor- and shatter-resistant .

Dishwasher safe, top rack only.
Wash with warm water and soft cloth or sponge.
Not recommended for microwave.

OUR REVIEW:

We received the 4 tier packin’ smart. This was a nice size as it allows for versatility of storage. I used the product to house treats for my toddler on the go. I found that this was a useful product to house treats as the compartments detach and I could give her one compartment and keep the rest in the diaper bag. One thing I liked was the small opening on the lid…it was great for dispensing just enough treats. The opening is large enough for the treats to get through without a problem, yet small enough so not too many treats squeeze out and make a mess.

Other uses? I think that this product would be great for baby formula…it would allow just the right amount and the opening would allow for easy dispensing. As I was looking over the website the pictures also show that you can use the product for a wide range of storage…one that caught my eye was office supplies such as paper clips and thumbtacks, etc…this would prove to be a great storage option as it would allow for neat and easy dispensing. I was also thinking this would be a great way to store spices…each in its own compartment and of course the easy dispensing feature! As you can tell the storage options are endless! This is a neat product! Visit www.packinsmart.com to view more about the product and buy a few!

{One comment}

New Changes and Improvements to Infants’ and Children’s Tylenol

Posted by Brande on June 5, 2011
in Baby Products, Health, Safety

I’m sure most of you have heard and responded to all the recalls for Tylenol. Tylenol has responded back with their changes and improvements they want us to share with you. The first item is a letter from Ed Kuffner, MD, father of three, and Vice President, Medical Affairs at McNeil.

“As a dad and doctor, I know firsthand how tough it can be when your baby or child gets sick. While we are trying to comfort our children, we are also making sure that they are getting the care and medicine that they need to feel better. For me, like every parent, safety comes first.

For this reason, as early as this upcoming and flu season, we will be making safety and convenience enhancements to both Infants’ and Children’s TYLENOL products, including a change to the concentration of our Infants’ TYLENOL products.

NEW FEATURES

Infants’ TYLENOL will be available with a new bottle that has a protective opening and a new push-in-syringe which will:

1. Further reduce the risk of children being able to get to the medicine in the bottle

2. Provide even better dosing accuracy and ease of administration to your child

3. Allow for better control when dispensing the medication and reduce spillage

We will also be enhancing the bottles of Children’s TYLENOL with a protective opening that will help make it more difficult for a child to get to the medicine in the bottle.

To help encourage industry-wide adoption of these safety innovations, we have shared our plans with other manufacturers of pediatric acetaminophen products.

Important Changes to the Concentration of Infants’ TYLENOL

Moving forward, there will be one concentration of acetaminophen for single-ingredient TYLENOL products for infants and children. This change is being made to standardize dosing across our products and age groups. As always, Infants’ and Childrens’ TYLENOL products will continue to include specially designed dosing devices appropriate to the age of the child.

We have been working closely with other manufacturers of pediatric acetaminophen products to encourage an industry wide transition to one concentration across infants’ and children’s acetaminophen products.

1. It is important to be aware that there will be a time period when both the current and new concentrations of Infants’ acetaminophen products will be available in stores and parents and caregivers might have both in their medicine cabinets.

2. Be sure to read and follow the dosing directions on the product that is being used.

3. Caregivers should contact their child’s health care provider if they have questions about dosing instructions.

Helpful Tips for Giving Medicines to Infants and Children

Simply remember to N.U.R.S.E

Never give adult medicines to children

Use the measuring device (syringe, dropper, dosage cup) that comes with the medicine every time you use it. Don’t use kitchen spoons (teaspoons or tablespoons).

Read and follow instructions on the label. Never give more than the recommended dose and do not give the medication more frequently than recommended.

Store all medicines out of the reach of children. Immediately following use, always restore the child resistant cap and put the medicine back into a high and out of sight location.

Every child grows. Know the infant’s or child’s weight and/or age to help determine the appropriate dose.

We appreciate your patience as we work to bring these new innovations to store shelves. Please visit www.tylenol.com to learn more about our products and these changes.”

Here is the TYLENOL Product update page

http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/children/subfsafety_convenience.inc

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Tylenol and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

{2 comments}

Math Blaster Giveaway

Posted by html404 on June 4, 2011
in Education, Faith and Family Reviews Friday Giveaway

Most people either love Math or hate it. I fall somewhere in between. However, I have children who fall on either side of this love-hate relationship with Math. That’s why I try to come up with different ways to teach basic Math skills so that we can keep as fun as possible. It works most of the time.

Math Blaster is one of those new different ways that we have discovered that our children love to do Math on! Well, at least the section that has the Math problems on it, as there is a section that seems to be rather lacking in the Math department. My boys have found away around the math problems (they always do!), but they did have fun doing the math problems.

Math Blaster is very easy to use. My sons go on it with no help at all. It’s a great way to get your kids to do “extra” math while having fun!

Our children were eager to play Math Blaster and enjoyed it very much. Now you have a chance to win this fun way to help your children have fun while practicing their Math skills!

Giveaway!!

Enter to win A three month membership to Math Blaster!!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why you want to win!

Extra Entries (Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):

1 Entry:Follow Faith and Family Reviews On Twitter

1 Entry:Like/Friend Faith and Family Reviews on Facebook.

2 Entries: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Google Friend Connect (on the our right side bar).

2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway. Up to three tweets per day. Include a separate comment for each and your tweet url with your comment. You may write your own tweet or use this one:

Enter to win a 3 month membership to Math Blaster! http://bit.ly/mMTs8L @faithfamilyrevw! Please share!

5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back this post.

1 Entry: For every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!

Details:

This giveaway will run from June 4th-to June 19th, 2011 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Math Blaster will send one winner their prize. Winner will be contacted via email on or before June 19th, 2011 and will be asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winners will have 48 hours to send me their e-mail at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). Please note: This giveaway is offered to USA and Canada only.

Thanks and have fun!

I was provided with a membership good for Math Blaster and Knowledge Adventure at no cost by Knowledge Adventure in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

{No comments}

Red Envelope – Hidden Message Money Clip Review

Posted by Brande on June 2, 2011
in Gift Ideas, Holidays, Jewelry, Shopping, Uncategorized

Father’s Day is coming! What are you getting for your Dad or Husband? Not sure yet? Well, head over to Red Envelope (www.redenvelope.com) they have lots of great items. Make it even more special and add personalization!

Red Envelope has everything for the garden & grilling dad to the office dad! They not only carry items for Dads, but graduations & weddings too. Don’t forget Father’s Day is fast approaching!

I received the “Hidden Message Money Clip Wallet” (Item #30006492) – shhhh… Don’t tell my husband! 😉

“Surprise him with a secret note tucked into his wallet – a secret shared only by you and your loved one. Our hidden message money clip wallet allows you to engrave a special inscription of love, hope or encouragement on a brushed nickel plated insert. He’ll think of you every day with this handsome bonded leather wallet. Exclusively from RedEnvelope.

optional hidden message may be engraved on a brushed nickel plated insert that measures 2 ¼” x 3 ¼”. Accomodates 5 lines, 25 characters each line
size of engraving changes based on number of characters. more characters will result in smaller engraving
black bonded leather wallet with 3 card slots
brushed nickel-plated money clip (zinc alloy)
money clip may be monogrammed with up to three engraved characters
wallet measures 2 ¾” x 4” “

My Review:

If your husband, father, or whoever is not into a big bulky wallet, this is great for him. This is great for my husband, as it has room to hold cards and the clip is great for any cash that he carries. The money clip on the outside has his initials and the pull out insert (the hidden message) is perfect for just you and him to know about. My husband and I have shopped at Red Envelope in the past and have gotten wonderful items. Many of which have a special message for just us to share. I would recommend this product and most of the Red Envelope products.

{4 comments}

Review ~ Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes

Posted by Professor on June 1, 2011
in Cleaning, Family Stuff, Health, Personal Care Products

Cottonelle Flushable moist wipes are pre-moistened to provide a more thorough cleansing and freshening than with toilet paper alone! Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes are Alcohol-free, sewer and septic safe. For best results, only one or two wipes should be flushed at a time.

Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes are suitable for the following purposes:

With toilet paper as part of your bathroom routine
When traveling
To clean hand and faces

Visit www.cottonelle.com for more information about this and other products.

OUR REVIEW:

This was a very nice product to get to review. I have used Cottenelle before but never the fresh scented product. This wipe is nice and thick and has a nice clean scent. I found that they did their job as expected and we did not have any problem with them flushing down the toilet. I did find that they work well as a baby wipe also…I have a toddler still in diapers and this wipe did a great job cleaning my toddler.

The product is dispensed in a nice pop up container. The product came with an adhesive wall hook that you can attach to the wall above or around your toilet paper holder. Unfortunately I do not have space to hand up the product near my toilet paper so I had to forgo that idea…but for those who have space it is a nice addition to the product.

The only thing I did not like about the product was that sometimes the wipes could be difficult to remove from the dispenser. I had to reach in and grab the wipes to get them to come out…they did not “pop” up like a traditional wipe container would…but I suppose that since they stay in the container it is less likely that they would dry out.

All in all, this was a great product to try and we will be buying Cottenelle Flushable Moist wipes in the future!

{2 comments}

You Annoy’n Me – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on June 1, 2011
in Family Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

Yep, this sweet little face could be hear saying those words from this very bench one day while we were waiting for Mrs. A to arrive at the farm. He said it in response to the roosters crowing! He would look back at them and say, “You annoy’n me!” And even said it several times. 😉 Children say and do the funniest things!

{2 comments}

Ticks a Bug in Our Flesh

Posted by html404 on May 31, 2011
in Gardening, Health & Garden Tuesday

We have been having some problematic encounters with ticks at Mrs. A’s farm. I could tell you some pretty funny stories about reactions, but I don’t think my children would appreciate it. I will tell you that most of us get itchy just talking about ticks or bugs, as I scratch my neck mid-type.

As you all know, we try really hard to stay away from chemical insecticides, the very reason we are organic farmers. Therefore to combat the ticks, fleas and insect bites we have been using Purification, Peppermint, Lavender and Cedarwood. The ticks just tend to fall off, unless we happen upon a stubborn one because the ticks supposedly breath through their skin and the hinders their breathing when dropped on them.

Purification contains Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) , which is good for a variety of things including: rashes, insect bites, nail fungus, dermatitis, ringworm, thrush, head lice, sore throats, boils, congestion, arthritis, cold sores, fatigue, useful for a wide spectrum of infections. It has high germicidal value. Scent: Sharp, spicy, warm with medicinal tones.

When I came across this comic, I couldn’t help but laugh. If you only knew! 🙂

{5 comments}

Putting Fun into Parenting – Today’s Monday Motivation

Posted by html404 on May 30, 2011
in Articles, Guest Post, Parenting

I forgot I was sharing Erin’s parenting articles and thought that I would switch them to Monday’s Motivation for a while. This week let’s be motivated to putting fun into parenting and be sure to let me know how you plan to do that! Last week I played soccer, went swimming, went to the park and walking with the children (well, most of them biked). We had a lot of fun doing those things. It’s hard to remember to be fun when life gets busy. I know since I have been working from home, I have to make the effort to be fun or else I am bogged down with work and that makes for a very dull mommy!

By David Stoepker, Psy.D., with Erin Brown Conroy, M.A.

Putting Fun into Parenting

Do you remember Dennis the Menace cartoons? Robert Ketchum, the cartoon’s author,often struck a familiar chord with parents through his humorous and honest comic strip. Like the one where Dennis and his pal Joey are playing in the foreground, while Dennis’mother stands in a doorway some distance in the background, red-faced and obviously shouting at the top of her lungs for Dennis. Dennis says to Joey, “I don’t have to go in yet. That’s not her real angry voice.”

Parenting can be very stressful and even seem impossible at times – especially when children are oppositional. From mild resistance to downright defiance, children oftenchallenge us, stretching our parenting skills and patience. And the odds of our child’s resistance often seem to increase directly in proportion to how much of a hurry we’re in! It’s at these times that few moms and dads describe parenting as “fun.” Yet fun may be the key to breaking the parent-child stand off.

The Benefits of Fun, Humor, and Play

Fun, humor, and play are important in raising children for several reasons:

1. Research shows that laughter is healthy. There are actual changes that take place physically, within us, when we laugh. After laughter, chemicals that suppress the immune system drop, infection-fighting agents rise, blood pressure drops, and pain tolerance increases.

2. For children, play is a major form of communicating and learning about life. Play helps to “speak” to a child in the language that they understand best: play.

3. Humor relieves stress. By creating emotional distance from the stressful event,there is a cathartic release of emotion, breaking the negative cycle in which thechild and parent are spinning.

4. Laughing with our child enhances the bonding process. Bonding through laughter can especially be seen in infants ages three to four months, who connect with parents through smiles and laughter long before they’re able to talk. Some research even demonstrates that mothers who laugh more have babies who laugh more. People in general experience a sense of “connectedness” when sharing a good laugh together.

How to Bring Laughter, Play, and Humor into your Parenting

If you let your imagination go, you can come up with several ways to incorporate laughter, play, and humor into your parenting. Brainstorm ideas with a group of parents,and your list can be endless. Here are some suggestions to get you started on your way to putting fun into parenting.

• Set aside a time each day (such as after a meal or at bedtime) when each family member shares a joke, riddle, humorous event, or some other funny experience that happened that particular day.

• Occasionally – and unexpectedly – walk in on a child who’s busy, smile mischievously, and ask, “Do you want to hear a joke?” (This is much better than always catching a child doing something wrong and administering a punishment)

• Have a family bulletin board especially for cartoons and jokes.

• Leave notes with a smiling face or with an affirming comment for your child to find.

• Play charades together as a family dramatizing cartoons or humorous events.

• Have a “family basket” decorated with smiles that every member can put especially funny cartoons, jokes, or riddles. Draw out one or more to read when you and your child need some “laughter medicine” in your life.

Humor to Relieve Stress

When children have difficulty complying with a parent because of frustration, tiredness,or stress, it may help to break the cycle with some quick humor. Here are some practical suggestions for taking a U-turn when things are relationally going south and need a turn around through a speedy dose of humor.

• A parent can call “time out for a joke” and read a quick quip from the “familybasket” described above.

• If the children are complaining about the food at mealtime, say, “The next one to complain has to have chicken for supper!” Then bring out a rubber chicken and hang it on the chair of the complainer.

• If your child is slow to brush his or her teeth, wind up a set of plastic chattering teeth and challenge your child to finish brushing before the teeth stop chattering.

• When homework gets frustrating, bring out a rubber pencil or giant-sized pencilto help with those “big problems.” Giant erasers are also for sale in novelty and gift shops for “big mistakes.” Recently, I found ink pens that light up to “shed alittle light on the problem.”

• Reading the parent a joke from a favorite joke book can be a reward, once your child has (finally) complied with your expectation or desire.

Play and that Challenging (and all-too-familiar) Oppositional Stage of Development

Play can be especially helpful when children are going through the oppositional stage of development. The use of playful competition can be an almost miraculous strategy to usefor results with a smile. Here are some suggestions:

• If your child tends to resist washing hands before meals, playfully say, “I’ll finish washing my hands before you do!” If said and done in a clearly light-hearted,playful way, positive competition can work well to help your child along with asmile. This method works great for not just hand-washing, but for any behavior,such as coming to the table for a meal, getting in the car, clicking on a seatbelt, o rbrushing teeth.

• Simply frame a situation in terms that imply that your child is in control. If your tired child is slow to pick up toys at bedtime, say to your child, “You can’t make me pick up a toy.” Then let your child know that the game works in this way: Every time your child picks up a toy, the parent has to pick up a toy as well. Once the child is “into” the game, make it especially fun by begging your child to notpick up any more toys so that you, as a parent, don’t have to pick up any more toys. You can even begin to complain, “Not again! No, please! No more!” Kid soften get a charge out of “making the parent do something.” If said and done with playfulness, the toys (or other task) will be completed in no time at all. Approaching oppositional children with humor and play (as in these examples) as amatter of routine can remove much stress from the task of parenting – and save a lot oftime and energy, compared to methods of yelling and punishing.

A Caution

One caution in using humor: Humor must be done in a playful, uplifting way. Avoid sarcasm and hostile humor, which will actually make the situation worse and be emotionally hurtful to your child.

A Final Word

As a parent, humor is absolutely necessary for your mental health. Keeping a perspectiveof humor goes a long way for feeling good and acting in a healthy way toward your child.Here are some final suggestions for ways that you, the parent, can maintain a perspectiveof healthy humor.• When you’re in a stressful situation, pretend you’re on a television, taping an “ILove Lucy” show, “America’s Funniest Videos,” or “Candid Camera.”

• Smile spontaneously to a stranger and watch their reaction.

• Draw a picture of a stressful event with your non-dominant hand.

• Set up a minimum number of mistakes to make in a day. Humorously keep count.

• Put a note on your keys that says, “If you have these, I don’t.”

• Finally, if you’re in a hurry, play some appropriate fast-paced background music such as the William Tell Overture. (Editor’s Note: Look up The Mom Song on YouTube!) Laugh, play, and have fun with your children. It can make a vast difference in your relationship together.

About Authors

David Stoepker, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist at Pine Rest Christian Mental HealthServices in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he’s worked with children and families for 20years. For information on his availability for workshops on Putting the Fun into Parenting, email Dr. Stoepker at www.PineRest.org.

Used with Permission.

{No comments}

Monkey T-Shirt

Posted by html404 on May 29, 2011
in Shopping

My husband lives in t-shirts, so do I during warmer months of summer. Some t-shirts are worth the money we pay for them and others, well….let’s just say they leave much to be desired.

When T-Shirt Printing came across my inbox, I didn’t know what to expect from it, but I know I did not expect it to wash and wear as well as it has. My husband likes this funny little monkey tee and wears it often. 😉 The monkey stamp has held up very well. There are no cracks or breaking even after three months.

Our model in all his glory!