August 31st, 2009
The following health and safety tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety in any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of source.
MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER
- Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
- Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her memory about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
- Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
- If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.
BACKPACK SAFETY
- Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
- Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student’s body weight.
- Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
- Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.
TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Review the basic rules with your youngster:
Bike-
- Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
- Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
- Use appropriate hand signals.
- Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
- Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.
- Know the “rules of the road.”
Walking to School
- Make sure your child’s walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
- Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
- Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
EATING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
- Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.
- Try to get your child’s school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.
- Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child’s risk of obesity by 60%. Restrict your child’s soft drink consumption.
BULLYING
Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet.
When Your Child Is Bullied
- Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to:
1. Look the bully in the eye.
2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
3. Walk away.
- Teach your child how to say in a firm voice.
1. “I don’t like what you are doing.”
2. “Please do NOT talk to me like that.”
3. “Why would you say that?”
- Teach your child when and how to ask for help.
- Encourage your child to make friends with other children.
- Support activities that interest your child.
- Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions.
- Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child’s safety and well-being when you cannot be there.
When Your Child Is a Bystander
- Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying.
- Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
- Help your child support other children who may be bullied. Encourage your child to include these children in activities.
- Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop.
DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS
- Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy.
- Set aside ample time for homework.
- Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.
- Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child’s homework for her.
- Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive.
- If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren’t able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child’s teacher first.
© 2008 – American Academy of Pediatrics
August 28th, 2009
If you’re planning a slumber party for your child and some friends, here are some great tips for keeping the group entertained — and out of trouble — while keeping things easy for mom and dad.
1. Keep the guest list small. By limiting the number of kids who are invited, you’ll be more likely to keep your sanity and less likely to have arguments and tears from the attendees. And with fewer kids present, it becomes much easier to keep an eye on the whole group.
2. Create a list of possible games and activities. Boredom is the #1 cause of mischief and while it’s not necessary to keep the kids busy with planned activities during the entire sleep-over (since sleep is not likely to be a high priority on their “to-do” list), it helps to have a few games, crafts or other ideas prepared in case of boredom. Let your child participate in planning the list and leave plenty of space –when kids get together, they tend to invent their own kinds of fun. A rental projector from Projector123.com is perfect for watching big-screen movies, cartoons, gaming, and anything the kids want to watch. Weekend rentals start at just $99.
3. Keep the food simple. Odds are, you won’t be getting a whole lot of sleep either, and the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time cooking and preparing food. Grab a few frozen pizzas (or order in) and put out some basic snacks and beverages and the kids will be ready to roll. Consider offering some healthier alternatives in addition to kid food favorites. A couple of packages of pre-washed lettuce are a great start for salad to accompany that pizza, and bite-size raw veggies will go just as well with dip as regular chips. Fresh fruit is always a hit for dessert, as are popsicles made with real fruit. Providing a good balance of foods will help stave off any upset tummies later in the evening.
4. Get parents’ contact information (even if you already have it). When each child is dropped off, ask for the best number to reach their parents between now and morning. That way, should there be any kind of emergency in the household (or even just if one of the kids is too homesick), you’ll have a handy reference and can quickly reach the parents.
Click here to reserve your projector rental from Projector123.com today.
August 26th, 2009
In Part 1, we covered suggestions for hair and touch-up. Today we’ll look at 3 more key aspects of the annual school photo experience.
The clothes. Remember — you want the picture to reflect the way your child actually looked during this school year. Refrain from purchasing a photo-day frilly dress for your tomboy, or an ultra-preppy shirt for your casual son. If you’re feeling particularly brave, you could let your child choose his or her outfit for picture day…or if the thought of that gives you the shivers, try selecting 3 appropriate outfits and letting your child make the final pick. Having some say-so in the choice of clothes may make him or her more likely to smile while in front of the camera.
The pose. Any time you grab your camera to snap a candid pic is a great time to help your child learn to smile naturally in photos. Nobody likes the look of forced smiles and “fake” expressions, and the best photographers know how to coax natural smiles from kids….but school photographers who are shooting portraits en masse may not represent the creme de la creme in the world of child photographers. Remind your child to think about something they love to do, a favorite memory or a cherished pet (one that’s still alive, preferably!) to prompt a more natural smile during photo time.
The order form. Nowadays, the number of options available are somewhat mind-boggling, and it’s easy to go overboard. Remember that most photographers and studios keep digital files on year for a year (or longer) and you can always re-order if it turns out you need more copies. Don’t believe us? How many copies of last year’s school photo do you still have on hand? And the year before. That should give you a good idea of whether or not you tend to order too few, too many, or just right.
Enjoy this year’s school photos and remember…if they don’t come out the way you want, there’s always ‘retake day.’
August 24th, 2009
Will school getting back into gear, lots of students (and parents) are gearing up for their school photograph. While this occasion may not seem to be of much importance, parents and family members certainly look forward to receiving their annual photograph of each child, enjoying a quick glance down memory lane or comparing this year’s pic to last year’s, to see just how much the little darlings have grown.
Here are some quick tips for making this year’s school photo the best so far.
The hair. There’s nothing worse than waking up on photo day and finding out today is going to be a “bad hair day.” Fortunately, there are preventative steps to take. Parents, think about when your child’s hair looks best. Is it when it’s freshly washed or “day-old” clean? Does your daughter’s hair look best pulled back, neatly braided, or flowing free? Even though your child may normally go “au naturale” with their hair, a little product can go a long way on photo day. Avoid oversized bows or ribbons unless that’s the look your daughter normally sports. If you plan to have your child’s hair cut before photo day, be sure to schedule the haircut at least 3 days before picture day, to allow the hair time to “settle” into a more natural look.
The face. While there’s not much you can do about blemishes, scars or other marks, there’s plenty your photographer can do. Often times, it’s worth the few extra dollars to request the photo “touch-up service” that most school photographers offer. Even if your child has perfect skin, the touch-up service can correct flaws in lighting, flyaway hairs, and more. And if you’re open to it, a little dab of lip gloss will really make your daughter’s smile sparkle.
Tune in for Part 2 to discover more tips for making this year’s school photo the best ever.
August 21st, 2009
Welcome to part 3 in this 3-part back to school planning series. OK, so you’ve done a little due diligence, you’ve made a plan, you’ve shopped the sales, and now your kids are all ready for school, right? Maybe.
 Odds are, while your kids may be a little bit excited about seeing their friends again, they may have the blues about giving up their summer freedom and settling back into a routine. The good news is, you can help beat the back to school blues with these easy ideas.
Beat the Blues Strategy #1: Back to School Bash
Why not plan an event to celebrate back to school? Invite your kids’ favorite friends and their parents and let everyone enjoy catching up from the summer before school is back in session. You could call it the “Goodbye Summer” party, make it a movie night, or even get out of town for a quick weekend before the family routine changes and time grows thin again.
Ongoing Family Fun
Why not set aside some time for family during the first few weekends after school session resumes? You can grab a projector rental from Projector123.com for just $99 a weekend and hold video game wars, watch family flicks, or showcase a family vacation slideshow from summer. Use your imagination and have fun with it — it has less to do with WHAT you do, and more to do with being together during a time of transition.
Kids’ Choice
Like any change in routine, going back to school can be stressful on kids, so why not give them a little more freedom during this transition time? Offer “kids’ choice” options — for anything from weekend family activities to dinner choices, which movies to watch, or even which family game to play. Kids love to feel included and to have their opinions valued.
Got more ideas for beating the Back to School blues? Write us or post a comment here, we’d love to hear from you.
August 19th, 2009
In Part 1, we talked about creating a powerful strategy (the Plan of Attack) for beating the Back to School blues…in this post, we’ll explore how to save money by hitting the Back to School sales.
PART 2: Shop the Sales.
Back to school sales are ideal ways to get what you need at a reasonable price — but only if you stick to your plan. Walking into a huge sale without a plan is a lot like grocery shopping when you’re hungry — you’re likely to buy things that look good right now, but then you get home and realize you don’t have any real meals you can pull together.
The same is true for clothing — without a bit of wardrobe planning, you’ll end up with a bunch of pieces that you might like individually, but you can’t pull together enough great oufits with them. Once you’ve got your plan, hit the sales and stick to your budget. Start by purchasing the necessities on the list BEFORE you address any impulse buys.
Another essential tip is to start early — and DO NOT SETTLE. It doesn’t matter if the item is $2, or an amazing color, or the perfect fit. If your child doesn’t like it, he/she won’t wear it, so it’s not a good find. Keep looking and hold out for a perfect match. Starting early (when the sales start, ideally) allows you the best possible selection and keeps you from settling because you are rushed or running out of time.
Sticking to your budget also allows you the space for some must-have (unplanned) items that your kids are sure to ask for. And because every parent loves the ability to leverage, this offers another great opportunity to do just that. The back to school shopping experience may also provide a great opportunity to talk to your kids about money, value, budgets, and proper planning. You can get your kids ready for school and pass on a little of your parental wisdom at the same time. (Have you noticed that kids tend to listen a bit more when they know you’re buying them something?)
Planning and shopping with your child is a great way to connect as a family, have fun, and ensure that your child will actually be happy with their back to school wardrobe. And isn’t a little planning now worth all that in the long run?
Join us in the next installment for part 3 of Back to School: Beat the Blues
August 17th, 2009
Depending on where you are in the world, you may already be thinking about getting the kids ready to go back to school. But with this state of the economy, planning may be more important than ever for this time of year.
How can you get your kids all that they need for the new school year without breaking the bank? Here’s part 1 of our 3-part series.
PART 1: Plan Your Attack.
Each year, back-to-school sales seem to start earlier and earlier, but one thing is for sure: the sales cannot be beat. Sure, you can save money by shopping the sales — but without a clear plan, you could wind up spending more! To avoid going overboard, take a walk through your children’s closets before you hit the mall. See what clothing & accessory items are in good condition and still fit for this year, and make a list of what essentials are needed.
For smaller children, fashion doesn’t change as rapidly as it does for older kids and adults, so many items can be used as hand-me-downs or repeat seasons. Older children may be able to create fresh looks with existing basic components (like jeans, jackets, etc.) simply by adding new accessories such as hats, jewelry or scarves.
Taking a few minutes to create a wardrobe strategy will keep you from buying more than you need — and more than you can use (for example, 3 pairs of black jeans is not nearly as versatile as 1 pair of black jeans, 1 pair of dark jeans, and 1 pair of chinos).
Some school supplies may still be fully functional for this year, while others will most definitely require replacement. Having a very clear list will keep you within your spending budget while ensuring that you get everything your children need. And starting your list NOW will help you keep your eyes peeled for those essential items — at the best possible price.
Stay tuned for part 2 of Back to School: Shop the Sales
August 14th, 2009
 We found this great presentation planning checklist at mindtools.com
You can visit the original post here.
Enjoy and be sure to post your feedback!
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Presentation Planning Checklist
This presentation checklist will help you deliver successful presentation. This is adapted in part from Business Communications: A Cultural and Strategic Approach by Michael J. Rouse and Sandra Rouse.
Presentation:
* Does your introduction grab participant’s attention and explain your objectives?
* Do you follow this by clearly defining the points of the presentation?
* Are these main points in logical sequence?
* Do these flow well?
* Do the main points need support from visual aids?
* Does your closing summarize the presentation clearly and concisely?
* Is the conclusion strong?
* Have your tied the conclusion to the introduction?
Delivery:
* Are you knowledgeable about the topic covered in your presentation?
* Do you have your notes in order?
* Where and how will you present (indoors, outdoors, standing, sitting, etc.)?
* Have you visited the presentation site?
* Have you checked your visual aids to ensure they are working and you know how to use them?
Appearance:
* Make sure you are dressed and groomed appropriately and in keeping with the audience’s expectations.
* Practice your speech standing (or sitting, if applicable), paying close attention to your body language, even your posture, both of which will be assessed by the audience.
Visual Aids:
* Are the visual aids easy to read and easy to understand?
* Are they tied into the points you are trying to communicate?
* Can they be easily seen from all areas of the room?
Be sure to rent your projector from Projector123.com to ensure the highest quality visual presentation at affordable prices. Rent a projector today!
August 12th, 2009
Here’s a great tip if you love to get out and meet new people with your kids or as a whole family.
How many scraps of paper have you had in your purse or wallet with just a first name and a telephone number from cool people you’ve met as a family, either out at the park, at a kids’ birthday party, at church, at a family venue, or even at the mall? And how often do you actually get around to re-connecting with the folks attached to those scraps of paper?
Here’s the perfect solution — Create a family “calling card.”
Include the family member’s names and telephone numbers (if appropriate). Depending on how you plan to use the cards, you may want to omit the family address to avoid sharing too much information. Share the cards with friends and people you meet from church, the park, social outings, and more.
Sites like gotprint.com and vistaprint.com offer very affordable pricing on simple business cards (as little as $6.50 for 100 cards), with a ton of fun templates to choose from.
Family calling cards make it easy to connect for playdates, provides your family’s contact information in a fun way, and helps to keep in touch — especially as school gets underway and your child makes new friends.
Got a creative kid? Why not let them choose the template or design the card from scratch? It’s easier than you think. Let all the family members carry a few cards for meeting new people — be sure to talk to your kids about stranger danger and instruct them to only give cards to people they know and trust, and don’t let kids give their cards to adults or adult strangers.
August 10th, 2009
We recently ran across this great article from Lorie on busymommy.us and wanted to share it with you. (You can see the full article by clicking here.)
My kids love pizza and love to watch movies, so why not do both in one night? This summer my kids made a list of fun things they wanted to do this summer and Pizza and a Movie night was one of those. I really like to do these nights because it’s a time for my family to spend together doing something fun. We usually get our movie from the Redbox, which cost $1.00, but we have also gotten movies from the library for FREE. I don’t cost the count of the pizza because I make it homemade and we would have had dinner anyways. So, I think this is a pretty frugal summer activity.
Here are the recipes that I used to make our pizza, pizza sauce cheesy breadticks, and Monkey Munch (our movie snack):
Pizza Hut Style Pizza Dough or Cheesy Breadsticks
* 1 1/3 cups water
* 2 tsp sugar
* 1 1/4 tsp salt
* 2 Tbsp olive oil
* 2 Tbsp cornmeal
* 3 1/4 cups flour
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1/4 tsp garlic powder
* 1/4 tsp onion powder
* 1 1/2 tsp yeast
Add ingredients to bread machine, according to manufacturer’s settings, and run dough setting. After the machine beeps, roll out the dough. You can roll the dough into two 9×13″ pizzas (great for kid’s lunches!) or into two medium pizzas or a large pizza and an order of breadsticks (as instructed above). Parbake the crust with a drizzle of olive oil on it at 450 degrees for ten minutes. Remove the crust and add sauce and toppings. If making breadsticks, add your breadsticks at this time. Place into the oven for another ten to fifteen minutes or until golden and bubbly. Enjoy!
You can freeze your pizza dough for an easier night.
Easy Pizza Sauce
* 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
* 2 cloves garlic
* 3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
* 4 teaspoons dried onion flakes
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried basil
* 2 cups water
Combine tomato paste, garlic, parsley flakes, onion, oregano, basil and water in 2 quart saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until mixture boils. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Cool a little and spread on your pizza crust and proceed with remainder of your toppings.
Makes 3 cups
You can freeze this pizza sauce easily.
Monkey Munch
* 9 cup Chex
* 1 cup chocolate chips
* 1/2 cup peanut butter
* 1/4 cup butter
* 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Put cereal in large bowl. Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over Chex cereal, put into a large plastic bag with powdered sugar and shake well to coat.Spread mixture evenly on wax paper and allow to cool.
This does not last long at my house!
We will be doing this several more times this summer. I hope you get to plan a Pizza and a Movie night for your family this summer.
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And if you want to upgrade your movie night, why not nab a high quality DVD projector rental from Projector123.com? We’ve got a $99 weekend rate that gives you 4 days of movie and gaming fun — place a projector rental order to get started.
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