2009 Goal? To get the family Back on Track!

Last year, I took a Parenting on Track workshop. I liked it A LOT but I kind of fell off the wagon by summer. This year, starting next week, I’ll be taking part in a 12 week home course. What will I need to do? Pretty much drop all the things I’m doing wrong and try some fresh tactics.

I’m excited to give it another go- even in the course of one year my youngest went from toddler to fully talking munchkin.I’ve got a whole new set of “issues” to tackle, including fighting, whining and name calling. I’d say the name calling is bordering out of control in my house right now. Parenting on Track is cool because the woman who created the program, Vicki Hoefle, tells it straight up- she’s SUPER funny but also gives a whole new perspective on the dynamics in your house.

It’s not a one size fits all approach- it’s a buffet approach that offers ways to develop authentic solutions for real-life , undesirable behaviors (ie, whining, fighting, hitting, etc).

We all know whining is about the most maddening thing to endure. She flips this type of behavior on its back and gives you the tools to nip it in the bud. She calls these behaviors “weeds” and then explains how they don’t deserve to be watered with attention. And honestly- it works! Read / view testimonials here!

One of the best parts about her class? She helps you create a roadmap from birth to age 18. It asks: where do you want your kids to be when they leave the house? And that helps tremendously when you’re looking to keep everybody “on track!”

So, I’ll keep you posted on that scenario. Do you have any big goals for 2009?

5 Super Smart & Simple Infant Activities (6-9mos)

Ok, your baby can sit up now. He engages with the world around him. She wants to hold and grasp things. Here are some ideas that will both entertain and teach your little one. It’s helpful to avoid talking too much or distracting baby while exploring.

1. Sensory Basket

Put away the plastic stuff! Find a wicker or woven basket, wooden box, or shallow cardboard container. Put a few items of various weights, textures, sizes in the box. Items like a dry washcloth, spoon, soft toy, clean sponge, ball, yarn, shiny or scratchy materials, etc. Watch as he grasps and explores all the items. Even the basket is an interesting! Everything will obviously go into the mouth but these new and exciting things will engage your baby’s senses.

When finished, remove any breakable or choking hazards (sponge, yarn, etc.) put the other items back in the basket and leave it on a low shelf for baby to reach for or find on his own.

2. Pull That Ribbon

Tie a string/ribbon to an object (stuffed animal, truck, anything). Demonstrate pulling the string and making the object move toward you. Then place the string in front of baby and ask her to try. This teaches cause and effect, hand-eye coordination and taking turns. Again, keep on a low shelf so she can do the activity again.

3. Pots and Lids-

Give baby a pot and a lid. Demonstrate how the lid lifts and sits. Then, watch as he copies and puts the lid on and off. Eventually introduce other easy on and off lids (oatmeal container, food containers, eventually twist on tops and cookie tin tops). Designate a low drawer in the kitchen for baby. He will go back to it over and over throughout the next few months looking for fun.

4. Pull the Scarf

Place a scarf between you and your baby. Let her grab one end, you grab the other. Play a little tug of war. This social activity will engage her interest. Exaggerate leaning forward when she pulls. Of course, she may just want to explore the scarf’s texture…that’s fun too!

5. Pick It Up and Drop It!

Babies this age can generally pick up but not drop in. Place two baskets or boxes in front of your baby. Put a ball in one of the boxes. Pick it up and drop it in the other. Then, ask baby to do it too. You’ll probably have to pick it up from one box but your baby will enjoy dropping it into the other. Eventually, he’ll pick up and drop! This is a grasping drill and a coordination game.

Activities are adapted from the North American Montessori Center’s Infant & Toddler program. I am certified birth through three through this program.

this year, no Christmas cards. (you’re welcome.)

One of the hovering stresses of the Holiday season is, no matter what, dealing with the Christmas card scenario. This year, 7 billion cards will go out and I’m happy to say I canned the whole thing. Instead of feeling guilty, I decided to put the money into something more meaningful and mention the donation in an e-card. Booom. Done. The result? 20 children in India’s Himalayan villages will receive support for a full year and everyone I know won’t have my kids’ faces stuck to the fridge all yr!

If you’d like to see (and pitch in!) this project or find your own, visit Global Giving.

snow day? quick ideas for inside fun!

Need some indoor distractions? Try these!

Gas Balloon

• Funnel
• 2tsp baking soda
• 1 small bottle
• 1/3 c vinegar
• 1 balloon

Have your child pour the baking soda into the bottom of the bottle. Pour vinegar into the balloon. Carefully stretch the balloon over the opening (without spilling the vinegar into the bottle). Lift the balloon so the vinegar spills into the baking soda…watch the balloon fill! (you can use alka seltzer & water instead).

Shiny Pennies

Preschoolers can mix, stir, pour and retrieve…just help out and guide with this one.

• 4 TBS salt
• 1/2 vinegar

Gather piggy bank pennies…the dirty grimy ones. Dissolve the salt into the vinegar. Dump pennies in. Stir, stir, stir. Retrieve and place on a paper towel to dry. All shiny and bright!

Catapult

You need:

• Foam or rubber ball or bouncy items (like rubber dinsaurs or something)
• C-clamp
• Ruler or yardstick
• Take the ruler, c-clamp it to a table. Put the ball or whatever on the end. launch! Remember to take it apart or your keys and other little essential might end up in mysterious places….

Kazoos

• Wax paper
• Toilet paper roll
• Rubber band

Stretch the paper over one end; secure with a rubber band (like a drum). Make a tiny hole about an inch from the blowing end, so the paper doesn’t blow off. Remember to hum….not blow.

Junk Sculpture

• Take anything and make a sculpture out of it…get creative.

“Run Through Delight”

• Think of this as a mini curtain rod & curtain.

You need:

• A dowel or some sticklike thingy.
• 2 dish towels, pillowcases or whatever.
• Wrap them around the dowel, pin in place (like a curtain). Hold above your toddler’s head and let him or her run through back & forth.

BOXES

Even Christmas morning can pale in comparison to the fun that comes with a box.

Try building these: boat with cardboard paddles, house, puppet show theatre,  tv (black construction paper in the background, let kids make a show), box kitchen (include fridge), simple dollhouse, rocket. etc.

Wheel-n-Axle

Need:

• 2 jar lids
• Dowel or pencil
• Poke a hole in the center of each, watch the wheels turn.
• Marshmallow-Toothpick Structure

You remember these. Take toothpicks and mini-marshmallows to construct a building.

Ideas adapted from The Father’s Almanac by S. Adams Sullivan

how do you really feel about great grandparents?

When I introduced my son (at 5yrs) to his great grandparents, he looked them over and said

“they don’t look so great.”