>> july, 2009

>> July 5, 2009

BEATING SUMMER BOREDOM: 116 THINGS TO DO

It’s that time of year — the long days of summer have begun. Your children are already chanting, “I’m bored!” Fear not, parents. The kids are not really bored, they just can’t think of anything to do. The following updated and revised list of activities focuses on creativity and getting the children outside. Only three of the 116 activities require an electrical plug. If there is ever a column to clip out and post on your fridge, this is it. Enjoy!

NO TIME FOR BOREDOM THIS SUMMER--116 THINGS TO DO
Take advantage of the local tourist sites; take a tour of the best playgrounds in your town, plant a garden and take care of it; put up a tent in your backyard or living room; have a pizza-decorating contest at a slumber party; take a factory tour; go to a town festival; make your own play dough; make tie-dye shirts; buy or build a sandbox; play hide-and-seek; have a tea party; eat popcorn and play board games; make a collage with old magazines; open a lemonade stand; make brownies; feed the ducks at a local pond; cook something together; play dress-up; make a Cheerios necklace; put on a show in your garage; enroll the kids in a YMCA, YWCA, church, 4H or scouting program; teach your kids how to play “Kick the Can”; go to the rodeo, ballpark, library, beach, movie theatre, craft store, park, county fair, bowling alley, water slides, zoo, amusement park, aquarium, museum and observatory; become a volunteer; learn about nature; take a drive to the country; visit a farm; do weekly science experiments; play with two or more small magnets; go berry-picking; finger paint; blow bubbles; design and build a LEGO structure; make homemade ice-cream; throw a theme party; line up and knock down dominoes; take a short train ride; make a cardboard city out of large, empty boxes (free from appliance stores); design your own board game; play “Concentration” by matching pairs of playing cards; have a progressive kids’ party (snacks and games at each home for 90 minutes); create sidewalk art using chalk or Crayola sidewalk paint; design your own Web site; organize a field trip; start a play group; rent a canoe; organize a toy exchange with four or five families, play “Post Office” with junk mail; have a sand-castle-building contest between two families; write and/or draw your own storybook; start a summer journal, roller-blade at a scenic location; buy a kiddy pool; play in a mud puddle; start a collection (coins, cards, leaves, etc.); make a home movie; play catch; make sock puppets; color paper doilies; complete a challenging puzzle; enroll the kids in a recreation class or summer day camp (call the Parks and Recreation Department in your city); play Twister; go fishing; take a hike or go biking; play ping-pong; wash the car--squirt each other; take a boat, ferry, train or bus ride; play miniature golf; go camping; become a bookworm; make mud pies; have a picnic; go tide-pooling; play croquet; star-gaze; watch family vacation videos; have a face-painting party; start a hobby; look through family photo albums; go on a treasure or scavenger hunt; do a craft project; read stories; “paint” the exterior walls of the house with water; throw a Frisbee; fly a kite; have a kids’ garage sale; throw a pool party; build a fort; bring out the water toys (small containers, basters, funnels, etc.); throw water balloons; go to a children's theatre production.

Always keep safety, age appropriateness, and your intimate knowledge of your own child in mind when considering use of any tip.

copyright 2009 TomMcMahon

>> July 12, 2009

WHO'S IN CONTROL HERE?

You see it at home, the grocery store, the mall and school: Children defiantly disobeying their parents — running around a store, refusing to do their chores, etc. It’s usually not the fault of the child. The root of the problem often lies in the parent who does not have the know-how or backbone to make the child tow the line. Some parents want to be best friends with their kids; instead, they should focus on their parenting skills. Parents who do not follow through with their requests and threats will reinforce the negative behavior of their children. The longer a child rules the family roost, the more difficult it is to undo.

If children don’t mind their parents, they probably won’t mind their teachers, either. The reason I feel so strongly about this topic is that kids who have no boundaries at home usually end up in trouble. No one wants to hang out with a troublemaker--except other troublemakers.

For those parents who struggle with this issue, remember the “Three-Step Approach:” (1) Explain the family rules, (2) explain the consequences for disobeying those rules, and, most important, (3) follow through with the consequences.

Thanks to the parents and grandparents who contributed a kid tip this week.

SELF-DISCIPLINE
We discipline our children with the hope that they will eventually become self-disciplined. I frequently talk to my teenagers about the importance of this. When their behavior suggests a lack of self-discipline, I tell them, "Since you obviously haven't learned self-discipline, I will help you by giving you some of my discipline." Gradually, they get the message that self-discipline is better than receiving someone else's discipline later.
-- B.W., Tacoma, Wash.

TOOTH FAIRY MAGIC ENVELOPES
Whenever one of our children lost a tooth, we made a big deal of putting the tooth in a sealed envelope, and then secretly switched that envelope for one with money in it while the child was sleeping. Our children were always surprised to find the envelope, still sealed, with the tooth "magically" transformed!
-- R. Hall, Mesa, Ariz.

B AVERAGE TO DRIVE
Long before my son was old enough to apply for his driver's license, I explained the rules: He must have a B average in school before he can apply for his learner's permit, and he must pay for one-half of his car insurance. If he loses his B average, he loses his privilege to drive. If he maintains a B+ average, Dad pays for all of his car insurance. This rule turned out to be a better motivator for good grades than anything I had previously tried.
-- B.O., Fremont, Calif.

REFRIGERATOR BISCUITS FOR KIDS
Use refrigerator biscuits in place of bread for kid-size peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (or use just half of a biscuit for an open-face sandwich). They also make great “buns” for children’s hamburgers.
-- V.P., Portland, Ore.

THE FOOT MASSAGER — FOR COLIC
I discovered that my foot-massaging machine does more than massage my feet. It's soothing for colicky babies, too. I put water in the foot massager and place my feet in, and then I laid my baby across my knees. The vibrations travel from my feet to the baby, who was wonderfully soothed. In addition, the new parents got a foot massage and a little rest.
-- Brenda C., Stamford, Conn.

Always keep safety, age appropriateness, and your intimate knowledge of your own child in mind when considering use of any tip.

copyright 2009 TomMcMahon

>> July 19, 2009

THE MOZART EFFECT ON BABIES

Is it true that babies will get smarter by exposing them to Mozart’s music? The answer is no. Research in 1993 showed promise for the “Mozart effect,” only to discover a few years later that studies could not replicate any of the earlier research. This stands true today, yet parents continue to spend millions of dollars buying “Mozart effect” products, still hoping for the music that will turn their offspring into superbabies.

Although this hasn’t happened, there are many positives to Mozart’s music. For example, his sonatas and concertos can be both stimulating and calming for young children. I recommend Mozart's “Sonata for Two Pianos in D-major-K.448” for children’s naps or background music during homework. The song sells for 99 cents at iTunes.

Our first tip below continues with the theme of music and children. Thanks to those of you who shared a kid tip with us this week. Keep the ideas coming!

MUSIC FOR HOMEWORK
I think every parent has experienced at least an occasional episode of homework battles with his or her children. I have found that my children are more relaxed and there are fewer battles during homework when I have classical music playing in the background. It seems to provide a soothing climate for learning.
-- B.I., Mission San Jose, Calif.

PRECIOUS VIDEO TAPE
My husband and I bought a video camera soon after our first child was born, and we use it regularly for special family events. Our two most precious videotapes, one for each of our two children, are ones that we use to capture their rapid growth and development on a regular basis. Once a month for the first two years, then every six months after that, we record 10-15 seconds of them sitting on or playing in front of the couch in our family room. I mark our calendar as a reminder. For the first two or three years, it's fun to include the same stuffed animal in each recording to clearly show how fast the child is growing. We hope to continue these recordings through the teen years. Years from now, we will be able to watch our children grow up before our eyes. Maybe the last recording will be of their wedding day.
-- S.G., Portland

POOL AT THE BEACH
My two older children love to jump over the small waves at our local beach, but my toddler and preschooler prefer the small inflatable pool I set up near my chair on the dry sand. I pour a few bucketfuls of ocean water in the pool for them to play in. They love it, and it’s safer than the ocean.
-- J.P., Los Angeles

TEENS FACE PARENTS AT CURFEW
My wife and I usually wait up for our teenagers when they go out in the evening with friends or on a date. Although it’s sometimes difficult to stay awake for their curfew, we believe that they are less inclined to get into trouble if they have to face their parents when they get home. So far, we think it's working.
-- B.W., Tacoma, Wash.
Note: Don’t be shy about getting close enough to smell their breath. If you really feel courageous, ask for a quick good-night kiss on the cheek. (T.M.)

TAKING YOUR KIDS ON A DATE
If you have more than one child, take turns taking them on "dates." They will feel very special and appreciate having a chance to spend time with you alone. We try to take each of our children on dates to their favorite places, i.e. restaurant, ice cream parlor, bookstore, on walks, shopping trips, etc. We have four children so we try to take each child out once a month. My husband and I alternate so that one parent stays home with the other children while the other parent takes one of the kids on a date. When you have more than one child, it is hard to spend quality time with each child. This is a great way to make them feel important, and find out what's going on your children’s lives.
-- Teri Norbye, Pleasant Hill, Calif.

Always keep safety, age appropriateness, and your intimate knowledge of your own child in mind when considering use of any tip.

copyright 2009 TomMcMahon

>> July 26, 2009

PHOTOS CREATE APPRECIATION OF FAMILY HISTORY

I have always enjoyed looking at family photographs, mine and others. When I walk into someone’s home I am drawn to a table or wall adorned with family portraits and snapshots. My favorites are those collections that have clearly evolved over the years, stretching down a long hallway or covering a wall, capturing a segment of a family’s evolution, mismatched frames only an inch or two apart -- freeing up space for the next generation. Point to any photo and the host will come alive with stories.

Family photos are an integral part of our history and memories. They tell a story that binds us together, knowing that each of us — especially our children — belongs to that group on the wall.

If you don’t have family photographs on display, ask the children to participate in selecting some. Make sure that every child is represented equally. My daughter, Kelly, is the “curator” of our family room. She just added her 68th photo. And, yes, I often stop and stare at my clan, and am glad that I belong.

A COLLAGE OF PHOTOS
Looking at a photo album of himself or herself is an excellent quiet activity for toddlers, one which always calms ours. I recommend covering the pictures with transparent contact paper. I arranged my daughter's album in approximate chronological order so she can watch her own development. I also included pictures of her family and friends.
-- M.L., Portland, Ore.

BOOK LIGHT FOR CAR
Before leaving on a long car trip, I bought an "Itty Bitty Book Light" for each of my two children so they could read, color or do workbooks in the car when it gets dark. The lights also came in handy for my husband and me. We used them to read in the motel room after the lights were turned off so the kids could fall asleep.
-- A.V., Walnut Creek, Calif.
Note: The Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On or LED Light also gets rave reviews. (T.M.)

ASK FOR SEATS IN THE BACK OF THE PLANE
Ask for seats in the back of the plane when traveling with children. Unless the fight is full, the empty seats will usually be in the back so your kids will have some additional space to stretch out or roam without disturbing other passengers. It's noisier in the back, so any disturbance is more likely to go unnoticed. Plus, the engine actually tends to have a calming effect on the little ones.
-- P. Wilson, Dallas

PLUCK A BUCK
I used to spend a great deal of time nagging my children to do their household chores, but that has changed since I started plucking money from their allowance for neglecting their work. Now, every Monday morning I place my children's weekly allowance, all in single $1 bills, in an envelope with their name on it. The envelopes are taped on the refrigerator. They can't take the money until the following Sunday evening. In the meantime, if they forget or refuse to do one of their scheduled chores, I pluck a buck from their envelope. I don't nag anymore; I just pluck a buck. On Sunday, they can keep what's left. After the first two weeks of watching their much-needed allowance dwindle away, they started being much more diligent about their responsibilities.
-- S.K., Fremont, Calif.

WASHING BABY
I discovered that the easiest way to wash a baby is to use a white cotton glove with a small amount of mild baby soap. My hand becomes the washcloth and it conforms easily to my baby’s body. It’s also less slippery than bare hands.
- - J.J., Jackson, Miss.

Always keep safety, age appropriateness, and your intimate knowledge of your own child in mind when considering use of any tip.

copyright 2009 TomMcMahon