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Christmas. My son bought one item for everyone in the family, two gifts (small) for himself and even a gift for Toys For Tots. Now before you say anything he did this all on his own, I will admit he may have felt it was no big deal since every year we normally do this. The teachers and the Elk were all shocked by his behaviour and the fact he didn’t buy everything for himself like the majorityof the students did.

I began thinking about this earlier this week when I started reading stories about “Secret Santas” around the country, most of the stories I read dealt with the ones in Kansas City. By now I’m sure many of you have heard of Larry Stewart, one of the Secret Santas that had passed out $1.3M before passing away from cancer. Before leaving this world he did pass this on to another “secret santa” who just recently enlisted a group of teens to help out. His response to the news media was we should start off young to begin the seed. I agree.

How many of you think that allowing a child do a good deed for someone and knowing it really matters may change the way they feel? Have you ever given someone a $10 bill and saw that they really appreciated it? These teens that were enlisted were taken to thrift stores where they really got to help people out, I’ve heard of others passing out $20 bills on buses before leaving and some even shopping in toy stores and dropping off bags of presents while the kids are at school to help out the families. I think this would definitely put some type of seed in a child.

I for one will continue to donate to Toys for Tots, allowing my children to pick out the toy and drop it in. Last year we also did the tree, where you take one item (name) and buy what the wish is. The girls felt great about picking out a jacket, shirt and scarf out for a little girl that we knew needed it.

If you’d like to get your teens involved there are many programs that they can do:

-  The Wish Tree (inside stores such as Walmart)
-  Volunteering at a homeless shelter
-  Volunteering at a retirement home
-  Donate to Toys for Tots
-  Ask parents in the neighborhood if they’d allow them to take them through the store and purchase christmas items for mom and dad.

If you can think of any please list them below.

Post from: Blisstree

Get the Kids to be Secret Santas

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bunch of children or even draw a picture like it, instead the teacher asked to draw a picture of what they thought Christmas was. He drew a picture of Jesus on the cross, sure he got the holidays mixed up but to him Christmas is all about Jesus.

Due to the graphic drawing, it was a stick figure that had blood coming down and “X” where his eyes should be. It was probably a picture he has in his mind growing up seeing this. To him this is Jesus, this is Christmas. From here on out though he may second guess this thought since drawing it meant he got suspended and won’t be able to return without an eval. I must ask, if you think this child needs an evaluation for something like this?

I would totally understand if he drew a picture of a bunch of kids dead, parents dead or anything to that nature. But this is his religion, his belief…it wasn’t a crime. Or is drawing a picture of Jesus a crime in school?

Now the Taunton school officials are coming out and stating the following:

The report is totally inaccurate,” Julie Hackett, superintendent of the Taunton public schools, said in an interview in her office yesterday. “The inaccuracies in the original media story have resulted in a great deal of criticism and scrutiny of the system that is unwarranted.”

So what were the inaccuracies? It does seem they are trying to state now that the teacher never asked for the kids to draw anything dealing with Christmas or a religious holiday. So what was it the teacher asked the kids to do and why keep it so quiet? If they don’t want fingers pointing, why don’t they state what they believe happened.  Now the Superintendent is stating the child has not been suspended from Maxham Elementary School.

Here’s a report from Boston.com:

Post from: Blisstree

Boy Suspended for Drawing Jesus

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Without going into too many details, this letter showed me that she has a low self-esteem of herself and the way she looks. It broke my heart to read these words and to remember back then and think of how she was feeling. I remembered how those first crushes could be and how much feelings hurt when things didn’t turn out. Now this happened this past Thursday, I’ve yet to tell her. I mean what do you say? Sure, I didn’t mean to read it, I’d tried reading her story. But it is like reading a diary, just not something you do.

I did inform her dad on Friday afternoon, before she came home. We decided he’d do a father daughter day with her and show her how much he cares. The two went shopping, walking the mall, shopping, got her ears pierced and finally her nails polished. When she got home I had ice cream waiting for everyone, just because it was Friday.

What do you do with a child’s broken heart?

Post from: Blisstree

What Do You Do for a Child’s Broken Heart?

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I’m almost one of those parents, I do ask them if they’ve brushed their teeth, combed their hair or zipped up their jackets. From time to time I’ll even ask them if they have clean socks on, this is normally always done. But the teeth and hair tend to be last minute things so I have to make sure they do it correctly. I don’t know if this stems from my parents always making sure it was done before I left for school or because I’m afraid of my kids going to school and someone thinking they look dirty or something.

In the morning my girls now know that if I ask if their teeth are brushed they better get me the toothbrush just in case. Most of the time they quickly do their teeth before bringing me the toothbrush, even if they “say they” already did it. Slowly they will learn to do all this stuff before leaving and I’ve already began to learn NOT to wipe their face with their spit or mine. Normally I have wipes on hand so that isn’t much of an issue, plus I remember it being done on me.

How many of you do the last minute grooming to your kids before going into a store, restaurant, event, school? How many of you had it happen to yourself as a child?

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Last-Minute Groom Your Kids?

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Continue reading to learn more about how to stay healthy while thinking of “Beachtime.”  Keep those kids warm and healthy this holiday seasons with the tips below:

Post from: Blisstree

Stay Healthy with B.E.A.C.H.T.I.M.E.!

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This got us talking about different things dealing with both of these and I thought I’d come to you and hear your opinions.

-  How do you feel towards censorship? (especially with music and shows) As far as I’m concerned as a parent we must watch what we teach our children, this includes the things that could influence them.

Now that you’ve answered (or thought about) the above how many of you pick what your kids are allowed to watch and listen to? I will not lie, when we had cable certain shows were not allowed on television. I can’t stand shows that teach kids about things I don’t even want to talk with them about and the same thing goes for the language used. When Miley Cyrus started doing all her “bad girl” moments I banned her from my tv. We even ban certain music in our house, so yes I do censorship, but I also call it a “parent’s right.”

-  Do any of you ban certain shows or music in your house?
-  Should teens/preteens/younger be able to listen to whatever they want?
-  If you do, isn’t this considered censorship in a way?  What do you think?

Post from: Blisstree

How do You Feel Towards Censorship?

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Here’s an example:
4:05-4:10pm child arrives home
5:00-6:00pm sporting event (sometimes it takes 30 minutes to get them to the location, especially since they need to change over)
7:00pm dinner
8:00pm dinner

Course during all this time you notice I don’t have homework, bath, spending time with parents. Normally, at least in many families the spending time part is done at the dinner table or driving through a fast food place and chatting on the way home about the day. It is sad but this is how the sporting life goes.  Today, the school raising the children and instead of a few hours after school with them we are running them around to do activities or sports, later homework from teachers. So does it surprise you that some parents in Calgary want their children to have a NO HOMEWORK Contract?
I’m not at all surprised, in fact there have been times I felt like banning homework or just ignoring. Shelly and Tom Milley thought there kids were spending way too much time on unnecessary subjects and not enough of the real ones they need to worry about. Hmm, sounds familiar, I’ve had the same argument when I complained mine weren’t learning history. I got to hear there isn’t enough time.  Tom admits that his kids would have hours worth of homework and after much struggling with explaining and doing homework with his two kids he’d begin shouting out the answers, this would be around 10pm.

Tom took this to the school and asked them not to have homework, however the school agreed and in the meantime the kids are doing home studying and work at home with dad. Now if other students/parents want to do this they have to go in and negotiate a contract. In the meantime his kids can now focus harder on the areas they are weak in.

What do you think of this?

Post from: Blisstree

No Homework Contracts for Schools

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Maybe he/she has upped his/her attitude and started doing all the cleaning in the house without being asked. Okay, so that may  be wishful thinking.

My children are basically really good kids, they have their issues (cleaning their room and cleaning up after themselves). You know stuff like why can’t mom just lean it. But other than that these are well-mannered, nice children. I don’t get that nasty talk I hear other kids talk to their parents, I also know where mine are and never have to worry about calling everyone they know to find them. Recently my oldest started babysitting his siblings so mom and dad could go on a breakfast and dinner date. I know I can trust him and he shows a great deal of trust in that area.

However, it was today that threw me over the edge. He came home, made sure I was sitting and would stay there while he secretly made my birthday cake. Now I heard him of course but shhh, we won’t tell him. He even got his 2-year-old brother to help stir the batter. Later he made dinner, said he didn’t want me doing it. Now, I must say I’m proud of him and loved my birthday.

Got any proud moments?

Post from: Blisstree

Proud Parent Moment: Got Any?

Ummm, first, who in their right mind would leave their child in a car and visit strip club? Okay, so maybe he doesn’t have a right mind.

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CBS wrote:

Police say they’ve arrested an Indiana truck driver who went drinking at a strip club after leaving his 5-year-old son in his semitrailer watching cartoons.

An Indianapolis police report says 39-year-old Donald Crawford was arrested early Tuesday on child neglect and public intoxication charges after reporting his truck stolen and son missing. Police said he forgot where he parked.

Okay I’ve also read he left him in the semi because he fell asleep so he went to the club. This one leaves that out. In the end the boy was found safe and sound, kind of. The semi was exactly where the dad had parked it earlier, he just forgot. The boy was inside watching cartoons, I guess he woke up and saw dad wasn’t there and began enjoying his morning. The bad part besides what dad did? Oh he left the keys in the ignition and the semi unlocked. Talk about a smooth move.

Okay so what should he have done? My guess is stay away from the club, however if the club was a must he should’ve found a babysitter or a relative to leave the child with for a few hours and then a ride home.

Post from: Blisstree

Dad Left Kid in Car To Visit Strip Club

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I thought the way she thinks was cleaver, especially when you think of staying healthy with the word SNOWBOARD.

It’s Winter – Time to think about that SNOWBOARD!

By Dr. Margaret Lewin – Medical Director, Cinergy Health (www.cinergyhealth.com)

              With all the inconveniences of winter (driving and walking on rain and ice-slicked roads, dressing in clumsy layers so you’re not too cold outside and not too warm inside, feeling weighed down by the gray skies) , your thoughts just might be going farther north – where the cold and the snow can be enjoyed on the slopes!  The following are a few tips for enjoying some healthy time on that S.N.O.W.B.O.A.R.D.!

Stay away from sick people – at least 3 to 6 feet, when possible.  If the passenger next to you on the plane is coughing and sneezing, and you can’t change seats, offer him a packet of tissues and turn the air vent toward him.

Never go outside without wearing a good sunscreen.  The combination of high altitude and reflected light from the snow expose you to significant damaging UVA and UVB rays.  Not only is sun exposure a risk for skin cancers, but it’s also a major cause of pre-mature wrinkling.  (Just look at the skin of the year-long ‘ski bums’ around you – they’re probably at least 10 years younger than you’d predict by looking at the lines and crevices on their faces!)

Obtain your flu shot(s) at least two weeks before your travel, so you have time to rev up your immune system for your trip.

Wash your hands scrupulously before touching your face or eating.  There are only two ways to catch a cold or the flu: by getting the virus from an ill person’s sneezing or coughing directly at you, or by his coughing into his hand and then touching a doorknob or banister which you yourself touch – picking up the virus.  Once you touch your face or food with that contaminated hand, you’re well on your way to spending part of your well-deserved vacation huddled under the covers alone except for some aspirin and a cup of lukewarm chicken soup… looking wistfully out the window at the happy, healthy skiers.

Be sure to get enough sleep and fluids.  Winter vacations can be physically exhausting, and your system needs enough rest for you to enjoy the next day’s activities.  You also need plenty of fluids to compensate for the dry, cold air outside and the warm dry air in front of the fireplace.

Over-the-counter vitamin D (at least 800IU daily) is thought to offer some protection against colds and the flu.  (You also need vitamin D for good bone health, and it may even offer some protection against the eventual development of heart disease and dementia.)

Allow plenty of time to get in shape before your trip, concentrating on exercises which protect your knees, hips and balance.

Remember to check your health insurance when you schedule your vacation.  Make sure that you’re generously covered for medical evacuation… just in case.  If your policy isn’t adequate, take a look at such internet sites as http://www.insuremytrip.com/ to find inexpensive travel health and accident coverage.

Don’t forget to eat healthily just because you’re on vacation.  You will have burned up about 400 calories every hour you’ve skied, giving you the chance to sneak in some extra calories during the day.  Aim for light, healthy snacks (such as fruit or trail mix) – remembering that you don’t ski your best on a very full stomach.  You really can eat your evening meal healthily without feeling deprived by following a few simple rules.

·        Eat slowly – it takes at least 20 minutes to ‘feel full’, so you’ll eat less and enjoy it more if you just slow down.

·        Skip the bread (or share a piece)

·        Order a great salad as an appetizer – dressing on the side

·        Choose any fabulous main course (as long as it’s not fried) – sauce on the side

·        Share your dessert

·        Order wine by the glass so you and your companion won’t feel compelled to finish the bottle.

So enjoy the sun, enjoy the slopes, enjoy the food, and have a wonderful, healthy time on that S.N.O.W.B.O.A.R.D.!

Post from: Blisstree

Staying Healthy: Think Snowboard