Thursday, August 07, 2008
How to Appologize...
We all know how kids can deny things that happened even though we may have witnessed it. Well, kids learn their behaviors primarily by how they view the adults in their life. We need to model good behavior and responsibility for the children to learn to do the same.
The August issue of Wired magazine includes many "how to" tips including how to build an army of followers, how to donate money, how to dress like a hipster, how to pretend to be working, and how to win at rock, paper, scissors. Here are their suggestions on how to apologize:
1. Come clean quickly. Even a heartfelt apology loses its luster after a string of denials and equivocations.... You look like you fessed up only because you got cornered.
2. Take the rap. A good apology is a clear admission of guilt. Avoid the passive voice ("mistakes were made") or weasel words ("I'm sorry if you...") that shift blame onto others — especially the person you wronged.
3. Make good. If material harm was done ... clean it up or pay for it. If the damage was emotional, list the steps you're taking to ensure that it never happens again.
Remember, you need to model how you would like your child to act. Learning how to appologize for mistakes is an important part of being a good member of society.
We all know how kids can deny things that happened even though we may have witnessed it. Well, kids learn their behaviors primarily by how they view the adults in their life. We need to model good behavior and responsibility for the children to learn to do the same.
The August issue of Wired magazine includes many "how to" tips including how to build an army of followers, how to donate money, how to dress like a hipster, how to pretend to be working, and how to win at rock, paper, scissors. Here are their suggestions on how to apologize:
1. Come clean quickly. Even a heartfelt apology loses its luster after a string of denials and equivocations.... You look like you fessed up only because you got cornered.
2. Take the rap. A good apology is a clear admission of guilt. Avoid the passive voice ("mistakes were made") or weasel words ("I'm sorry if you...") that shift blame onto others — especially the person you wronged.
3. Make good. If material harm was done ... clean it up or pay for it. If the damage was emotional, list the steps you're taking to ensure that it never happens again.
Remember, you need to model how you would like your child to act. Learning how to appologize for mistakes is an important part of being a good member of society.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Teaching Children About Strangers...
From Robin McClure of About.com:
From Robin McClure of About.com:
Teaching Kids About Stranger Danger
Child Abductions Occur Daily Across Nation; Tips for Keeping Kids Safe
Young children sometimes delight in "running away" from their parent or child care provider, finding humor in the hide and seek game. But adults need to teach kids that running from them while out in public is NEVER okay because it could put them into harm's way. What parent hasn't experienced the overwhelming panic when losing sight--even if it for only a second--of a youngster? Since there are "bad guys" out there would snatch kids, with harmful if not tragic results, adults need to teach children stranger safety rules and then consistently and constantly remind them of them throughout their young years. Tips for keeping kids safe when out in public:
- Children need to be taught to remain close to an adult's side and within plain sight. No exceptions. Parents and providers should discuss this plan with children prior to any public excursion along with an understanding of any consequences. Child abductions occur every day and often while an adult caregiver is nearby.
- Kids need to know not to open the door to their house or car without the "adult in charge's express permission." Even if a child knows a person, they must be taught that the adult directly responsible for them must first say okay.
- Practice scenarios with kids regularly and help kids to think about possible tricks or tactics to get them to come with someone without the responsible adult's permission. Remember that helping to find a lost puppy and giving out free candy are two of the oldest tricks in the book, and remain popular because unwary kids continue to fall for them.
- Teach kids to run away and scream from any person they feel threatened by. You would much rather have to explain your child's behavior to someone because they are reacting to possible stranger danger than the alternative.
- Kids should know that they are NEVER to go anywhere for any reason without the responsible adult's express permission.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
The Fun of Caring For Children...
Sometimes kids can say the darndest things... didn't Art Linkletter make a career out of that? Anyway, I get a kick out of some of the things that children do without any thought of trying to be funny. For a bit of humor today, here are 10 of my favorite "kid comments."
1. We were driving by a cemetery and the boy I watch said from the back seat, "How do you get to heaven from underground?"
2. While eating BBQ chicken and steak one evening, the kids I watch asked me which is healthier. I said I thought the chicken was, as long as you don't eat the skin. The little girl added, "...or the feathers!"
3. Walking into Dunkin Donuts, the 7-year-old girl I watch was confused by the sign on the door that reads, "Shoes and Shirts Required." She peeked into the store then turned to me and whispered, "But what about pants?"
4. While racing around in the backyard, the 4-year-old boy I watch screamed, "I am fast...like dangerous cat food!" Not sure what he meant but it sounded like fun!
5. One little girl I watch had to draw a picture of someone she knows doing something they're good at for a homework assignment. I was the lucky pick, but she drew a picture of me with a laundry basket stuffed with clothes! She said proudly, "You're so good at laundry!" Oh well, at least I'm on her radar!
6. When I was out shopping with the kids, a woman complimented me on how much my son looked like me. After she walked away, the little dude I watch winked at me, since I'm his nanny, not his mom. I didn't know he could wink! After that, he kept doing it for days on end. He'd say, "I look like you," and then "wink, wink."
7. After seeing a slew of pregnant moms at the playground, the little girl I watch asked, "How do you sign up to get a baby?"
8. Excited about an upcoming trip to Disney World with his family, the 3-year-old boy I watch was giving all the details, especially about how his parents were taking him to the "air-portant" for his first ride on a plane.
9. While driving the brother and sister duo I watch from activity to activity, the kids struck up a conversation about who was smarter at math. The older brother said he was learning about odd numbers in class. His younger sister snorted and said, "Oh right. You don't know anything. Numbers aren't odd at all!"
10. We were meeting new friends on the playground one day. I have to assume the little guy I watch must have been imitating his dad introducing his mom, when he delivered this beauty! I was telling one of the moms his name and before I could even introduce myself, he said, "and this is my bride." I guess that was code for, "this woman I'm with."
How about you? Do you have any funniest kid comments that you would like to share?
Sometimes kids can say the darndest things... didn't Art Linkletter make a career out of that? Anyway, I get a kick out of some of the things that children do without any thought of trying to be funny. For a bit of humor today, here are 10 of my favorite "kid comments."
1. We were driving by a cemetery and the boy I watch said from the back seat, "How do you get to heaven from underground?"
2. While eating BBQ chicken and steak one evening, the kids I watch asked me which is healthier. I said I thought the chicken was, as long as you don't eat the skin. The little girl added, "...or the feathers!"
3. Walking into Dunkin Donuts, the 7-year-old girl I watch was confused by the sign on the door that reads, "Shoes and Shirts Required." She peeked into the store then turned to me and whispered, "But what about pants?"
4. While racing around in the backyard, the 4-year-old boy I watch screamed, "I am fast...like dangerous cat food!" Not sure what he meant but it sounded like fun!
5. One little girl I watch had to draw a picture of someone she knows doing something they're good at for a homework assignment. I was the lucky pick, but she drew a picture of me with a laundry basket stuffed with clothes! She said proudly, "You're so good at laundry!" Oh well, at least I'm on her radar!
6. When I was out shopping with the kids, a woman complimented me on how much my son looked like me. After she walked away, the little dude I watch winked at me, since I'm his nanny, not his mom. I didn't know he could wink! After that, he kept doing it for days on end. He'd say, "I look like you," and then "wink, wink."
7. After seeing a slew of pregnant moms at the playground, the little girl I watch asked, "How do you sign up to get a baby?"
8. Excited about an upcoming trip to Disney World with his family, the 3-year-old boy I watch was giving all the details, especially about how his parents were taking him to the "air-portant" for his first ride on a plane.
9. While driving the brother and sister duo I watch from activity to activity, the kids struck up a conversation about who was smarter at math. The older brother said he was learning about odd numbers in class. His younger sister snorted and said, "Oh right. You don't know anything. Numbers aren't odd at all!"
10. We were meeting new friends on the playground one day. I have to assume the little guy I watch must have been imitating his dad introducing his mom, when he delivered this beauty! I was telling one of the moms his name and before I could even introduce myself, he said, "and this is my bride." I guess that was code for, "this woman I'm with."
How about you? Do you have any funniest kid comments that you would like to share?
Monday, August 04, 2008
Child Care Grant Information for Prairie 5 area in MN...
Child Care Providers in the Prairie 5 CCR&R area,
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Child Care Resource & Referral will again be offering grants beginning September 1, 2008. They are offering free grant workshops in August to take you step-by-step through the newly formatted grant applications. They will answer any of your questions about applying for a grant, and explain how grants are funded.
You can register to attend any of the free workshops listed below:
Cosmos
Tuesday, August 5
7:00 pm
Heartland Community Action Agency
Windom
Wednesday, August 6
7:00 pm
Law Enforcement Center
Marshall
Thursday, August 7
7:00 pm
Avera Medical Center
Willmar
Tuesday, August 12
7:00 pm
Heartland Community Action
Luverne
Thursday, August 14
7:00 pm
Rock County Human Services
Monticello
Monday, August 18
7:00 pm
Monticello Community Center
Madison
Wednesday, August 20
7:00 pm
Prairie Five Head Start Office
St. Cloud
Thursday, August 21
7:00 pm
Child Care Choices
Please register for a workshop by calling the training registration line toll free at 1-877-311-2244.
There will be door prizes, and information about discounts you can receive when ordering items for your grant.
On September 1, you can get a grant application by visiting the website or contacting me at tinap5@willmarnet.com or (800)292-5437 to have an application mailed or emailed to you. You can visit our website (www.midwestchildcare.com) now for more information about what you can apply for and what the requirements are. The deadline to apply is September 25, 2008.
If you have never applies for a grant for your child care business, I encourage you to do so. They are not difficult to do. This class will make it even easier. As a member of the Grant Committee for many years, it amazes me that there are not more providers that take advantage of this option for funding improvements and needs in their child care business.
Child Care Providers in the Prairie 5 CCR&R area,
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Child Care Resource & Referral will again be offering grants beginning September 1, 2008. They are offering free grant workshops in August to take you step-by-step through the newly formatted grant applications. They will answer any of your questions about applying for a grant, and explain how grants are funded.
You can register to attend any of the free workshops listed below:
Cosmos
Tuesday, August 5
7:00 pm
Heartland Community Action Agency
Windom
Wednesday, August 6
7:00 pm
Law Enforcement Center
Marshall
Thursday, August 7
7:00 pm
Avera Medical Center
Willmar
Tuesday, August 12
7:00 pm
Heartland Community Action
Luverne
Thursday, August 14
7:00 pm
Rock County Human Services
Monticello
Monday, August 18
7:00 pm
Monticello Community Center
Madison
Wednesday, August 20
7:00 pm
Prairie Five Head Start Office
St. Cloud
Thursday, August 21
7:00 pm
Child Care Choices
Please register for a workshop by calling the training registration line toll free at 1-877-311-2244.
There will be door prizes, and information about discounts you can receive when ordering items for your grant.
On September 1, you can get a grant application by visiting the website or contacting me at tinap5@willmarnet.com or (800)292-5437 to have an application mailed or emailed to you. You can visit our website (www.midwestchildcare.com) now for more information about what you can apply for and what the requirements are. The deadline to apply is September 25, 2008.
If you have never applies for a grant for your child care business, I encourage you to do so. They are not difficult to do. This class will make it even easier. As a member of the Grant Committee for many years, it amazes me that there are not more providers that take advantage of this option for funding improvements and needs in their child care business.
Friday, August 01, 2008
7 biggest driving mistakes moms make...
The distractions moms face while on the road can lead to accidents.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for those ages 3 to 33, and nearly 80 percent of accidents result from driver distractions of just three seconds — like handing a child a sippy cup! Getting organized helps — you’ll spend less time searching for missing cell phones and dropped bottles and more time with your eyes on the road. (For Parenting.com’s tips on how to tame the clutter in your mom-mobile, watch the video.) Parenting magazine offers advice on how to avoid the biggest mistakes you could be making behind the wheel...
This is an interesting article. The question is not so much, can you name the 10 mistakes, but rather, how many of the 10 mistakes do you make when driving with children?
Read the entire article and share your thoughts.
The distractions moms face while on the road can lead to accidents.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for those ages 3 to 33, and nearly 80 percent of accidents result from driver distractions of just three seconds — like handing a child a sippy cup! Getting organized helps — you’ll spend less time searching for missing cell phones and dropped bottles and more time with your eyes on the road. (For Parenting.com’s tips on how to tame the clutter in your mom-mobile, watch the video.) Parenting magazine offers advice on how to avoid the biggest mistakes you could be making behind the wheel...
This is an interesting article. The question is not so much, can you name the 10 mistakes, but rather, how many of the 10 mistakes do you make when driving with children?
Read the entire article and share your thoughts.
