It’s Tough to Stand Firm!
Standing Firm with Your Kids is Hard, but Better for the Long Run
When our children are young, we get many opportunities to stand firm over things like candy before dinner, screen time limits and their begging for stuff. Even though these are simple things, it can be rough on us to remain firm. After all, it’s painful to endure the ensuing responses whether they be disappointed looks or all out melt-downs. But deep within our souls we realize we must remain strong. We may not always act on that knowledge, but there is long term payoff each time we do stand firm.
When my children were young, I had shortsighted vision about standing firm. I guess when I stayed strong it was because I felt it was best for my child not to have whatever it was they were begging for at the time. I don’t think I was giving lots of thought to the practice I was getting for when they were older. I now have the hind sight to share with others what holding firm is really all about, long-term.
Saying ‘no’ when you know you should tells your child that she has a strong parent, you love her enough to set and enforce limits and helps her to learn delayed gratification as well as resilience. Another great thing about standing firm is that you are modeling inner strength for your child. When you do not cave to her pressure, she is less likely to cave to peer pressure later on.
Leftover Halloween Candy Recipes: Snickers Blondies
Guest Post by Heather at KidsActivitiesBlog.com
Is that bowl of Halloween candy staring at you today? Did your kids bring home more candy than they could possibly eat? Get creative and try this recipe for Snickers Blondies…you’ll use up some of those tasty Snickers candy bars!
Bringing kids into the kitchen creates the perfect time to bond & learn together. Younger children can help chop the Snickers, measure & sift the dry ingredients, & help spread the batter in the pan. Older children can follow this simple recipe themselves & create their own special dessert!
And the best part about cooking with your kids? It seems to open the door for conversation…especially with older kids…when your hands are busy together, tweens & teens seem to open up. I think that’s my favorite thing about bringing kids of all ages into the kitchen. From big to little, there are so many warm fuzzy moments!
Is Your Family Overscheduled?
Seek Balance with Kids Activities
by Kerrie McLoughlin
It makes my head spin to think about how overscheduled some families are these days: school, afterschool care, homework, dinner, sports or dance once a week, swim lessons or another activity twice a week, games, birthday parties and campouts on weekends. The range of extracurricular activities available to children today is mind-blowing, but of course we want our kids to have everything. But Jill Connors, mom of five, says, “I know friends whose kids are in school that are so scheduled that anytime they are home they are ‘bored.’”
So where’s the time for fort building, skateboarding, cops-and-robbers and other free activities that let a kid’s imagination run wild? Dad Jeff Pearlman is outraged by this overscheduling dilemma and wrote in a piece on CNN.com, “Kids are gifted with 18 years of childhood. … Yes, I want mine to do well in school, and learn the virtues of compassion and empathy and hard work. But I also aspire for them to jump on our trampoline until their legs sag from exhaustion, and ride their bikes up and down the street, … and chase down the ice cream man and watch in amazement as the pink petals fall from our cherry blossom tree.”
Keeping Halloween Spooky and Safe!
A Few Halloween Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Tips provided by Centennial Medical Center
What are your kids going to be this Halloween, the latest super hero, a scary ghost or a fairy-tale princess? Halloween can be great fun when dressing up and getting free candy, but don’t forget that safety is always a top priority! Dr. Scott Neumann, a family practice physician on the medical staff at Centennial Medical Center, offers a few tips on how to stay safe during this spooky holiday!
Free Family Biking Event on November 11th – Last one of the series!
Take a Kid Mountain Biking
Don’t miss the last of Richardson Bike Mart’s family mountain biking events for this year. November 11th from 2:00pm-5:00pm at Rowlett Creek Nature Preserve, Garland
Richardson Bike Mart has been in business since 1962 and is once again reaching out into the community to bring us a fun family opportunity with bikes!
- Bring the kids, helmets, and your bikes
- Parents are more than welcome to ride as well
- NO RSVP required and there is no charge for these events.
Pineapple: Not Just for Summer Anymore
Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
Created by EatingWell
Try these Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins (see coupon below!) for a tasty treat. Glistening like sticky buns, these unusual muffins are packed with wholesome ingredients–vegetables, fruit and whole grains–so you can feel good about serving them to your family.
