Grass Valley School Readiness Family Fun Night
Please join Grass Valley School Readiness for our Second Family Fun Night of
2010! The event will be held on Thursday, February 18th at the Hennessy
Elementary School multi-purpose room from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
During the evening you will receive three books to take home for your
child's library and you will participate in family activities and
instruction around each book featured. You will also learn about the 'Forty
Assets' program which identifies various physical and emotional factors that
have been shown to enhance and improve social and academic success in
children.
Dinner is included and childcare is also provided free of charge in the
Hennessy School library, where your children will be entertained by Mother
Goose during the portion of the evening reserved for parent education. We
look forward to seeing you this February 18th - please call to reserve your
space: 530/273-4059.
Teaching Children Love
by Tulum Dothee,
Oakhaven Montessori
February already? Here comes Valentine’s Day. Hearts,
sentiments, valentine’s cards, candy. So fun. Is this how we teach
love?
Celebrating Valentine’s Day models sharing expressions of caring. In
its ideal, it cultivates an atmosphere of generosity and compassion
towards others that hopefully carries forward. Best of all, Valentine’s
Day is a reminder of the sparks that brought us together and created those
wonderful beings who share your homes.
How do we teach love? Let’s start with what we know. Children
learn how to be in a relationship by watching how the adults in their lives treat
each other. Specifically
how you moms and dads treat each other. Add to that how you treat
other adults in your extended families. Follow up with looking at
how you treat friends, adults in your daily life, children, animals, plants,
your environment and everything in it. When you see non-loving actions
in your children, it is time to examine your interactions, and clean them
up.
From birth to the age of three, your little ones absorb your morals and
values. No need to wonder what influences your child. It all does. Not
only does everything around them get absorbed, it literally forms who they
are and will be for their lifetimes. To make things more interesting, children
from three to six years are in a sensitive period for social development. They
are drawn to experiences and interactions that help them learn how to be
in the world. They try on different masks and behaviors to see what
will happen and how others will react. It is a grand experiment which
gets wrapped up by six years of age. From then on children fine tune
aspects of themselves, but their essence remains the same. Any
gray areas will be revisited, especially during adolescence, with peers
having the greatest impact.
How you love yourself, how you treat yourself, and how you allow others
(including your children) to treat you determines how your children will
treat themselves and others. When you are loving and kind to yourself
in your choices and in your interactions, your children will learn love.
When you are not loving and kind they learn disrespect. No worries,
their behaviors will show you where work is needed. Embrace the challenge
and start by modeling how to fix mistakes lovingly.
How do we teach love? In a word: boundaries. Set healthy boundaries
for yourself in everything you do, say and feel. Parent yourself. Resolve
childhood issues. Treat yourself and others with love and respect.
Set the expectation that the only behavior that is acceptable from anyone,
including ourselves, is respect. Respect for the self, others and
the environment. Ask: “Am I teaching love in this moment?” If
not, set boundaries lovingly.
Love yourself first. You deserve it and everything depends on it. Love
yourself and all else will follow. Start today.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Tulum Dothee is a credentialed and certified educator and counselor,
with 30+ years experience teaching and working with families. For more
information visit her web site at www.oakhavenmontessori.com.
The Voice
by Shel Silverstein
There is a voice inside of you
that whispers all day long,
"I feel that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong"
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
or wise man can decide
what's right for you
just listen to
the voice that speaks inside.
For more Shel SIlverstein poems visit his website at: www.shelsilverstein.com
Valentine's
Day Toad in the Hole
contributed by Wendy
Van Wagner
One of my favorite breakfasts is "Toad in the Hole." What better
way to start the day where love is abound with breakfast! Here is a sweet
variation of toad in the hole......heart in a hole!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 slice bread
- 1 large egg
Cooking Instructions
- Using a 3-inch heart-shaped cutter, or sharp knife,
cut a heart out of the center of the bread.
- In a medium non-stick skillet over medium
low heat melt butter. Place
the bread, heart stencil and cut-out heart, in the skillet. Cook about
2 minutes, or until bread is toasted on one side.
- Flip bread over and add
egg to the center of the cut-out heart. Cover skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes,
or until white of egg is cooked.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Spread heart
cut-out with jam, if desired.
Tips & Tricks
If your skillet is too small to fit the stencil and cut-out heart bread
pieces so that they lay flat, the cut-out can be toasted in a toaster.
If sunny-side up eggs are not to your liking, then once the egg is set
turn over the filled stencil and cook about 1 minute more, or until the
yolk is set.
As always, In the Kitchen has great cooking classes this winter, check
them out at www.wendyvanwagner.com
Friends
divorcing: What can you tell your kids?
by Gayle Peterson, LCSW, PhD
QUESTION: My daughter is five years old. The parents
of her best friend are getting a divorce and they will be moving away.
This is the second time, this year alone, that a family in our neighborhood
is breaking up. How can I explain this to my kids -- aged five and eight?
ANSWER: Your children will experience the loss of a friend that is moving away.
If you feel it is appropriate, suggest ways that your children can stay
in touch with friends that move. Writing may create a pen pal and prove
beneficial to your child's development. Still, the spectre of a family
in the throes of divorce will need special attention:
1. Clarify your own feelings
Be aware that your children will follow your
emotional lead in understanding the experience of divorce. Consider your
own feelings. It is natural for a divorce to bring up fears about your
own relationship. Clarify what relevance your neighbor's break up has for
you, before talking with your children.
2. Strengthen your couple's relationship
Connect with your spouse by speaking
about the break-ups around you. What effect do they have on your husband's
feelings? Clarify your own concerns about your relationship if you have
any. Expressing your feelings and putting issues on the table will allow
you to separate fears from reality. If there is unfinished business, this
is an opportunity to prevent dissatisfaction in your marriage, by taking
stock of your relationship. The opportunity is also there for the two of
you to re-discover and name what feels good about your relationship. Your
connection with each other will help you talk with your children.
3. Answer your children's questions and make room for expressing feelings
Express you feelings naturally. Let your daughter know you are sad about
her friend's predicament. Answer your children's concerns as truthfully
as possible, at a level they can understand. For example, "I am
sure that Johnny is very sad about his father and mother living apart.
And I am certain that his parents both love him and will continue to
take care of him, separately." Explain what you do know of the situation,
as your children ask you for information. Be truthful and reassuring.
And be sure to make room for their feelings, too. Ask them, "Does
it make you sad?" if your child looks saddened, or "Is that
upsetting to you?"
4. Accept a range of feelings over time
Continue to discuss the situation
only as much as your children bring it up. Perhaps they will say nothing
about it for two days, then ask you suddenly out of the blue following
an argument with your spouse, "Mommy,
are you and daddy going to divorce like Johnny's parents?" Do not
be shocked. Instead, use this kind of question as an opportunity for
further discussion and reassurance. "No, honey, what makes you think
that?" Allow your child's fears and fantasies to be expressed. Doing
so will help her separate her family life, from her friend's family
crisis.
Remember that the better you and your spouse are at being able to express
and successfully remain connected while negotiating conflict, the healthier
your marriage will be. Helping your children see the value of successful
arguments will not only reassure them that not all fighting leads to divorce,
but will help them learn healthy negotiation skills to benefit their future
relationships!
Gayle Peterson, LCSW, PhD practices in Nevada City. She is a member of
BEPE (Birth and Early Parenting Educators). She can be reached for appointments
at (530) 346-2534. Visit her web site: www.MakingHealthyFamilies.com for
information and discussing this topic on Dr. Gayle’s facebook page
for empowering parents.
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Articles
There are some great parenting
articles on the First5Nevco.org web site and blog. Check out...
February
Events
February 5
Soul Street Dance Company
North Tahoe High School Theater, 6:00 pm, youthful, masculine, high-energy breakin',
poppin' n' lockin, Brazilian copoeira - eclectic hip-hop moves and music for
all ages.
artsfortheschools.org
February 6
Peace. Love. Swap. Kid's Swap
The peace. love. swap. mission is to keep gently used baby, kid, and maternity
items out of our landfills, and to donate to local charities by hosting
fun, affordable, family friendly swaps where moms and dads can exchange
their unwanted and/or outgrown items with other local parents.How do the
swaps work? Clean out your kids' closets, and bring all your gently used
stuff that you want to get rid of! Bring as much or as little as you want
(ages 0-14) & maternity~ and
take what you want~ as much or as little as you want. Time: 8:30 - 11:30
a.m. at Gold Country Gymnastics.
Phone: 913-6848
February
6
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Held at the Doris Foley Historical Library,
211 N. Pine Street, Nevada City. Most books cost between 25¢ and $3.00,
You'll find a great selection of children's
paperback and hardback books. 9 am to 3 pm. Phone: 265-7050
friendsofthenevadacountylibraries.org
February
12
The Emerald Ball
The Center for the Arts and PAG present
Valentines Weekend In OZ. The Emerald Ball. 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
$20 Adults, $8 Children 12 and under. Come in costume and get $2 off.
A fundraiser for the Center and PAG
thecenterforthearts.org
February
14
Mardi Gras in Nevada City
Downtown
Nevada City Downtown 11:00am Street Fair, Parade 2pm.
Phone: 265-2692
nevadacitychamber.com
February
16
Parent's Day Tuesday
Moms and Dads, bring your under 13 year
old skier to Tahoe Donner Ski Hill and receive a complimentary all-day
lift ticket for yourself.
Phone: 587-9444
February
27
Got Baby/Toddler?
Want Sleep? - Truckee
Join San Francisco Bay Area perinatal educator and sleep coach Karen Pollak, founder of babies2sleep, for her popular sleep seminar for parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers. 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m, $25.00 per family.
Phone: 582-2583
babies2sleep.com
Ongoing Events
Baby & Me
Join in for songs, playtime, and discussion while getting to know other parents
and babies. Join an existing group now. Birth to 12 months. Weekday mornings
at the Grass Valley Methodist Church in downtown Grass Valley. FREE to first-time
participants, sliding scale fee up to $50 for 10 sessions for subsequent groups.
Phone: Meg 913-2745
e-mail: meg@first5nevco.org
first5nevco.org/programs.cfm
Toddler & Me
Join in for songs and playtime in a preschool setting while getting to
know other parents and toddlers. We are creating new groups now for children
12 to 36 months. Monday mornings at the T.K. McAteer Family Resource
Center in Nevada City. FREE to first-time participants, sliding scale
fee up to $50 for 10 sessions for subsequent groups.
Phone: Samie 265-0611 x223
e-mail: samie@first5nevco.org
first5nevco.org/programs.cfm
Early Pregnancy Consultation
Mention the First 5 Newsletter to receive 50% off. Now only $27.50. For
women in their first or second trimester. Consultations scheduled regularly.
Call to schedule: 477-5442
chamberlinchildbirth.com
Hope in Nevada County Food Distribution
A food distribution will be held at the Grass Valley Elks Lodge the 2nd
Monday of every month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. We focus on families with
young children, seniors and the disabled but we don't turn any one in need
of assistance with food away. All we require is that you sign in and take
only what you can use. We offer a wide variety of foods and have offered
such items as fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken, breads, canned goods
and staples.
Phone: 263-4753
Kinder Dance
A creative dance class foe 5-6 year olds led by Marianne Reagan on Mondays
from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.. Skills and thrills for the little ones! Guided
movement explorations and dance fundamentals are included in this introductory
class.They will explore, discover and create with movement. Class held
at Moving Ground Studio in the St. Joseph's Cultural Center building. $10
Phone: 575-6274
Wiggles and Giggles
Wiggles and giggles is a delightful introductory dance experience led
by Marianne Reagan on Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:15. Little ones 3-4
years old are guided to discover, explore and create with movement. Skills
and thrills await your child and space abounds. Class held
at Moving Ground Studio in the St. Joseph's Cultural Center building. $10
Phone: 575-6274
P.L.A.Y. Groups (Parenting, Learning, Activities, Year-Round)
You can participate by dropping in any time. Just take a child development activity sheet and enjoy fun activities with your child. Sierra Nevada Children's Services. For more information contact Cindy at: 272-8866 x 203
Breastfeeding Support Group
Milk and Honey Cafe
Join us Thursdays from 12:30-2:30 at In The Kitchen, 648 Zion St. Nevada
City. We are a group of mothers providing support, encouragement, resources,
education and friendship for breastfeeding mothers, babies, pregnant women
and families. A lactation consultant will be present during our weekly drop
in hours. Connect with other breastfeeding moms, learn about the benefits of
breastfeeding, find encouragement, share your joys, questions and concerns.
Tea, coffee and a snack provided. Email heatherhuntdc@gmail.com or call
(530) 414-8282 for more information or just show up - we'd love to have you
join us!
Family Music with Todd
Wees - Truckee
Children birth to 4 and their parents enjoy this freewheeling sing and
dance-along with local musician, songwriter and singer, Todd Wees. Classes
offered on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. See him in action at http://www.toddwees.com/
Toddler Gym Time - Truckee
Toddlers, 1-3 years old, and their parents enjoy free play in the big gym
with an array of exciting developmental equipment. Have fun,
meet new friends and build new skills. Ongoing classes follow the school
schedule. Wednesdays, 10-Noon. Call 587-2513 Ext 110 or email ruth@truckeefrc.org for information.
“Baby and Me” - Truckee
These popular classes provide education, support, informal discussion and
interactive fun for parents and non-ambulatory infants, 3 months to 1
year old. The series of 7 classes is $84.00. Call 587-2513 Ext 110 or
email ruth@truckeefrc.org for information.
"Loving Solutions" -
Truckee
For parents of children ages five to ten years. This 7-week series will
provide education and tips to help parents build their skills through
easy techniques. Parents will gain practical and emotional support from
a trained facilitator and fellow parents and they will be able to start
using tools at home after the first session! See flyer and class description.
Series begins Thursday, January 21, evenings 5:30-7:30. Child care is
available. $125 per family, workbook and materials included.
Looking for
Child Care?
Sierra Nevada Children's Services is our local child care resource
and
referral agency. When you go in to meet with a family support specialist,
you can ask to look through the child care referral binder, which profiles
many family and
center-based child care facilities in our community and lets you compare the early
childhood education backgrounds of the providers, hours of operation, rates,
and much more. Whether you are seeking subsidized care or just looking
for
a good match for childcare, this binder is a great new resource. SNCS is located
at 256 Buena Vista Street in Grass
Valley, and can be reached at (530) 272-8866 or sncs.org.
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