Bike riding with your child(ren) is a great family activity! I have many wonderful memories of bike trips over the years with my family, as a kiddo, and, later as a parent. To get your kidlet enthusiastic about riding, you'll want to start them straightaway. At the moment, I’m technically carbo-loading and psyching myself up to get out on my bike for another training ride. Problem is—I’d rather ride WITH someone and in temperatures not quite so hot! But, as my departure date is looming, I … [Read more...]
1st Do No Harm-Questionable Medical Recommendations
Do no harm--that's part of the Hippocratic Oath that most medical schools ask their graduates to pledge and abide by. I'm sure most doctors would never intentionally harm any patient, however, I've had a couple incidents where my eyebrows went up after comments made by doctors... Knowledge is Power My younger grandbubs recently crossed the line from infants to toddlers, each having turned 1 year old. So where did the time go? It seems like I was just flying off to the deliveries of these … [Read more...]
It’s MY Body And It Belongs to ME! PLAY’s Protection Against Abuse
PLAY gives children the tools they need to navigate in and through the world. During PLAY, children develop the capability and creativity they'll need when they become adults. It’s been said, PLAY is a dress rehearsal LIFE! PLAY also is about the here and now. PLAY addresses all developmental areas for a child—physical, social, emotional and cognitive. When children PLAY they construct a framework to deal with change, stress and conflict—in other words, to be able to problem-solve and … [Read more...]
Speak Up–Helping Your Child Find Their Voice
"Speak up. I didn't hear what you said." The only thing that would make me cringe more, after hearing that phrase directed to a kidlet, is to hear their Mom or Dad say "Oh Johnny or Sally is shy." ARGH!! First off, adults need to be sure to give young children enough time to answer. Secondly, I am not fond of the word shy. It's a self-defeating, self-realizing label. Children learn language from direct, interaction with their parents, other adults—even other children. It’s really quite … [Read more...]
Guest Post by Jill Goetz of Savvy Parents Safe Kids
We want the holidays merry; we want our children to experience wonder and joy that'll eventually be treasured memories. Child safety expert and public speaker, Jill Goetz of SavvyParentsSafeKids offers this guest post to help parents support their children in setting up and then respecting boundaries when friends and family come knocking for the holidays. ___________________________________________________________________________ The Holidays are here! November, December and January are … [Read more...]