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Schedule the Best Summer Yetby Tulum Dothee Memorial Day has always been the official kick off for the summer. Yet even before it came around most folks I know had already booked up the next three months. I can relate. My mind reels with the projects and things I'd like to get done, not to mention the fun to which I'm looking forward. Before my thoughts went into total spin off mode I figured I'd better get a reality check and peek at the calendar. Between summer camp here at Oakhaven, household projects, the BBQ's, pool parties and squeezing in a trip to the beach, summer is full. How did this happen? Truth be told I was so smitten with spring fever, the longer days and warm weather that my desires ran away with me. So I am setting down a few ground rules in hopes that sanity will visit and stay awhile. The bottom line: Schedule it. If I don't write it down it doesn't exist. I am the sticky note queen. Whatever your approach, have a good think, share your thoughts with your family, come to some conclusions. Start with a meeting and find out the ONE THING each family member really
wants to do this summer. Don't be surprised if your family
says “Stay home and play.” Make sure those things get
on the schedule. For me this means choosing one household project
and realizing it may take the entire summer to accomplish. Sample new foods at neutral moments: Heck you could even schedule new food time. Get more sleep. Have everyone go to bed at the same time if that's what it takes. You'll know your family needs more rest by how they act during the day. If they are irritable, grumpy or weepy, they need more rest and less activity. If you can't fit in the rest everyone needs at night, rest more during the day. Limit your outings to one per day. Camp, errands, pool, park, play dates, etc: spread them out. If your child exhibits mood swings, melt downs, tiredness, or not wanting to do anything, then listen up. She's over booked. Watch for responses from the other end of the spectrum too; hyperness, over stimulation, frustration, throwing her things, or picking fights with others. Either way your child is telling you, “Help! This is too much for me.” Lighten the schedule, cancel the next day and hang around the house in your jammies. Take care of yourself, you matter. Fill up your personal well and there will be plenty left over for everyone else. This summer give your family the greatest gift of all: a summer of leisure and fun. Find the balance between being and doing. Think water, dirt, plants, stars, fun, and lots of time to be kids. Next Up: Traveling with Kids Tips Tulum Dothee is a credentialed and certified educator and counselor, with 30+ years experience teaching and working with families. For more information visit her website at www.oakhavenmontessori.com. Self-Calming Techniques for Childrenby Gayle Peterson, MSSW, LCSW, PhD QUESTION: My 4 year old gets agitated easily. We talk about her feelings,
and have a good relationship. She shares her feelings easily with me. But
I wonder if she would benefit from some of the techniques I use for relaxing,
such as visualization or meditation. Is she too young? Self-control is essential for success in many areas of life. When we are frustrated, angry or upset it becomes difficult to express ourselves rationally. Very often, marriages fall apart, not because spouses do not love one another, but because they cannot remain emotionally connected through an argument. The ability to calm ourselves in the face of distress increases our ability to successfully negotiate life's inevitable conflicts and weather disappointment. This increases the likelihood of moving forward during times of stress, rather than becoming overwhelmed with dissatisfaction or despair. Your daughter is not too young to begin to learn how to calm herself in times of stress and adversity! Simple techniques your daughter might benefit from include: 1) Slow deep breaths. Teach your child to count 10 slow breaths. Use it to help her relax and calm herself, or before falling asleep. 2) Teach your child to tell herself good things when she feels bad about herself. Affirmations repeated 3 times, such as "I like myself" or "I am a good person" , "Things will get better" can offer her some solace when school friends tease or reject her temporarily. 3) Spend 5 minutes, sharing meditation space together. Close your eyes and listen to sounds silently. Let thoughts pass through your mind without needing to do anything about them. Later, if you wish, you can share your experiences with one another. Keep in mind that our society is reeling in the midst of momentous sensory overload! Rapid advancements in technology have created an unprecedented over-stimulation of our nervous systems. Everything from car alarms, to electronic toys, to people talking on their cell phones in the grocery store have increased the amount of input to be processed through our senses on a daily basis. But our body's capacity to process this stimulation has not changed, leaving us vulnerable to increased anxiety and panic disorders, which are on the rise in this country. Adults who have little ability to soothe themselves are left with limited capacity for dealing with the predictable tensions of life and even less buffer from modern sensory overload. Meditation and visualization techniques are prescribed for adults suffering from crippling anxiety. But why wait for a problem to present itself? Visualization, meditation and other relaxation techniques help your child develop a healthy relationship to her body, which allows her to regulate over-stimulation, whatever the source. Teaching your child a method that increases the capacity for self-soothing is not just a good idea, but also a tool that will last her a lifetime! Gayle Peterson, MSSW, LCSW, PhD is a family therapist specializing in prenatal and family development. Visit her website at www.makinghealthyfamilies.com Cherry-Lime Slushby Wendy Van Wagner Makes 10 servings in 5-ounce cups 4 cups cherries (1 1/2 to 2 pounds),
washed Together, you and your child can stem and pit the cherries. (Do it the old-fashioned way with your fingers, or try a handy cherry pitter. In a blender, purée the cherries with limeade and ice cubes until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, then stir in sparkling water. Spoon mixture into 5-ounce paper cups and freeze until firm but not solid, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Wendy Van Wagner is the owner of the local cooking school IN THE KITCHEN
in Nevada City, |
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June EventsJune 6 June 6 June 13 June 18 June 20 June 21 June 28 Summer Camps & Programs June 8 - 12 June 8 - 26 June 15 - August 7 July 6-30 July 6-30 And for any older siblings... July 13-17 Ongoing EventsBaby & Me Toddler & Me Early Pregnancy Consultation Mondays Now Enrolling for Fall Classes “Your Amazing Infant” - Truckee Toddler Gym Time - Truckee Music Together - Truckee “Baby and Me” - Truckee |
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