On Center Street
04/19/13Protecting Children from Disturbing Media Reports During Traumatic EventsIt is normal to seek information during and after disasters, accidents and other traumatic events. Children’s ability to understand disturbing news reports and images about such events is different from that of adults; their comprehension depends on their age and maturity. The repeated viewing of violent and horrific TV, Internet and newspaper images of traumatic events can upset them, and negatively affect the way they feel, behave, and perform in school. The following tips can help you to protect your children. KNOW HOW CHILDREN UNDERSTAND DISTURBING NEWS IMAGES Ages Six and Younger Believe that what they see on television is happening live; while they are watching it. Think that a traumatic event is happening over and over again when they see repeated images... |
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04/18/13Seven Products -Ten MinutesIf you are anything like me, your daily make up routine consists of multi-tasking between dressing kids, fixing breakfast and trying load up the car without forgetting something major (like your children). I’ve spent many a day putting on makeup in the carpool line (yes, I’m THAT mom). Which led me to seek some help from the fabulous Starla Harrison, makeup artist extraordinaire. Not only did she make me look fabulous (and believe me, I was looking pretty rough after arriving to her house in a torrential downpour), she gave me some super easy tips that even I can handle in the car pool line. Starla has been doing make-up professionally for over six years and even has her advanced makeup certification (I’m impressed). She also teaches... |
04/18/13Worry About Yourself!Oh, man. I've been really enjoying some of the stuff my 3-year-old has been coming up with lately. For example, I've been trying to get him to tell me which animals are nocturnal and which are diurnal. He kind of just thinks I'm saying that animals who are active during the day are not-a-turtle. So, when I'll ask him what an owl is he'll say "not-a-turtle." Yes, son, you're right, but.... Anyways, here's a funny little video that has been going around today. Enjoy... |
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04/16/13The Boston Marathon the Next DayI’ve been a runner for over 30 years, and a spectator at many runs. The running community truly is a community. I value my runner friends for their cheerful attitudes and cooperative spirits. While each person must run alone, those of us who have been runners for many years know that there are times we wouldn’t get up at 5:30 a.m. or run those extra miles without the support of friends. Every running event is a happy gathering of runners and spectators cheering them on. Today, that innocence has been taken away. Today, I can’t quite reconcile the horrific image of the Boston Marathon with the happy image of running events that have been my experience all these years. Today, I force myself to focus, not on the evil people who planted the bombs, but on the... |
04/16/13Sunday Market at Guthrie GreenIt is Spring and Guthrie Green Sunday Market is up and running for 2013! We made it out for the inaugural Sunday Market event on April 7th and it was wonderful. It was a little overcast, but still perfect weather for spreading out a quilt and listening to the music! We arrived in time for the band Fiawna Forte. They were so much fun. Their music belongs on a mix with Wilco and the Old 97s. I'm glad I got to hear them and look forward to seeing where else they play around town! Any place I can chill outside and listen to live music (for free) is my kind of place! I brought a bag of fruit and snacks, but next time I might bring a cooler with a few adult beverages and make sure we can stay longer! I know. My ten and twelve year olds look really enthralled, but... |
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04/15/13Cleaning My Tub With VinegarI don't really have an opinion or advice in this blog, it's more of just a rant. A rant about how I'm losing. my. mind. Since I've become a mother, my third eye has taken over. I can't enjoy the park because I'm constantly looking for danger. If a stranger walks up, I'm secretly thinking they look like that fugitive I saw on the news. I don't even like going into Home Depot with them because of all the chemicals lingering. And I'm seriously considering moving to the country and starting an organic farm so I can have complete control over the food my children eat. All of the potential hazards, chemicals, etc. are everywhere and I can't keep up with it all. I mean, did you know that there are ingredients in certain kinds of apple sauce... |
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04/15/13Overnight Camps Create Memorable FunFinding an overnight summer camp for your child takes legwork, but your investment in the research will mean peace of mind for you and dividends of fun and memories for your child. From whitewater rafting to performing and creative arts and cooking, today’s sleep-away camps appeal to a wide range of interests while still providing the long-term benefits camp is known for. According to the American Camp Association, 75 percent of camp directors reported adding new activities and programs to accommodate trends in popular culture. The top three activities camps are integrating into their more traditional fare like campfires, swimming and horseback riding, include performing arts, adventure and more recently, culinary. “Culinary is the hottest and newest... |
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04/15/13Match Your Child to the Perfect CampCamps are as unique as kids, so finding the right one for your child can feel a bit like matchmaking. Here are some key considerations to creating the perfect pairing: Learning or leisure? Some camps have a clear academic focus while others are just about having fun, so make sure the camp’s emphasis matches your child’s needs. If the school year was easy for your child, use summer as a time to stretch your child’s brain. If school was more of a challenge, you can make sure your child retains hard-won lessons from the school year by reinforcing them through camp. If the school year tends to be exhausting from lots of activities, choose a camp that helps them get much needed R&R. Broaden horizons or deepen a skill? Summer camps are a great way to expose... |
04/15/13Preparing for Overnight CampQ: “My fifth-grader wants to go to an overnight summer camp for the first time and I think it’s a great idea. How can I best prepare my child to have a good experience?” A: As you and your fifth- grader discuss your summer plans, think first about what motivates your child to take on new adventures. If your child is adventurous and fearless, then your task ahead will be easier. If your child tends to be slow to warm up to new things, then you have time between now and summer camp to create opportunities that will make going to camp much easier. If your child likes to be part of the research and planning, then doing all the registrations and online part of the work together will be great. Pay close attention to what is most interesting and what... |
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04/15/13The Importanc of Making Eye Contact with Your ChildrenWe’ve all heard stories of poor little rich kids who had all the toys money could buy, but never had their parents’ attention. It’s true, we can strive to give our children all the material things they desire, but if we don’t give them our undivided attention—our focus—it’s hard for them to feel loved. While few of us are dashing off to exotic locales and leaving our children with nannies, we often end the day having rushed from one activity to another with scant time to actually connect with them in a meaningful way—to even make eye contact with them. “One-on-one time with our kids is key to helping them feel loved,” said Erin Kurt, teacher, author and international life coach to working mothers. Kurt, a Canadian... |
