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What is the best way to respond to night wakings?

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What is the best way to respond to night wakings?

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What is the best way to respond to night wakings?

Consistently! Making sure you do the same thing every time is the best way to respond to night wakings. Sometimes people say they rock her back to sleep after the first waking, feed her after the second waking, then eventually bring her into bed after the third waking. Your little one probably gets confused about what might happen each time she wakes and cries for you, so she continues to cry for you when she wakes. To your little one, this is a little like playing a slot machine! Eventually she wins - and gets what she wants by getting into mom and dad's bed. So, responding consistently will actually help night wakings. In other words, if you eventually feed her during the night, then feed her each time she wakes. Getting her back to sleep as quickly as possible will help the family get as much sleep as possible while you focus on teaching her to fall asleep on her own at bedtime, which will help to reduce night wakings. Consistency is key!

If you do bring your baby into bed with you, be sure to be aware of your baby's safety and the risks of bed-sharing. See the Sleep Safety section for more information.
About Dr. Lisa Meltzer

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What is the best way to respond to night wakings? | Baby Sleep Advice for Parents & Kids

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What is the best way to respond to night wakings? Consistently! Making sure you do the same thing every time is the best way to respond to night wakings. Sometimes people say they rock her back to sleep after the first waking, feed her after the second waking, then eventually bring her into bed after the third waking.

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Attached are the procedure put out by the state for child care facilities regarding nebulizer treatments. After reviewing these guidelines Adventures will not be able to provide nebulizer treatments to any child during the day. If your child requires these treatments during the day you will need to make arrangements for them to take their treatments off sight or talk with your pediatrician about other treatment options.

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Floor Is Lava Song - THE KIBOOMERS Preschool Songs - Freeze Dance

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https://padlet.com/TeamAdventureFoot/CLF2020

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How Come We're So Afraid For Our Children?

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How Come We're So Afraid For Our Children?

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Lenore Skenazy is the co-founder and president of Let Grow, a nonprofit promoting independence as a critical part of childhood. Ever since her column “Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone” created a media firestorm, Lenore has been declaring that our kids are smarter, stronger, and safer than our fearful culture gives them credit for. She is the author of Free-Range Kids, the book-turned-movement that garnered her the nickname, “America’s Worst Mom.” A graduate of Yale and Columbia, Lenore lives in NYC with her husband. Her sons have (safely!) flown the coop.

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Parenting Tips - How To Redirect Your Child's Behavior

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Parenting Tips - How To Redirect Your Child's Behavior

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Parenting Tips - How To Redirect Your Child's Behavior

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This is not meant to diagnose and illness or other condition. Please consult your doctor if you are concerned and for an official diagnosis.

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It’s Not Children’s Education We Should Worry About, It’s Their Mental Health

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It’s Not Children’s Education We Should Worry About, It’s Their Mental Health

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Learning to play with their peers is one of the most important things children learn at school ... [+]
Corbis via Getty Images

The decision on when to re-open schools has become one of the most hotly contested issues around easing the coronavirus lockdown.

But while the debate has largely focused on the loss to children's education while schools have been shut, a bigger concern is the effect on their mental health.

While President Trump has taken issue with his own infectious diseases adviser over when it will be safe to reopen schools, while in the U.K. the government is locked in a battle of its own over a planned return for students.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, desperate to get the economy moving again, has said he aims to reopen schools to some students in England from the beginning of June, with all children of primary age - up to 11 - returning to class before the summer break.

Teaching unions have rejected this and set out their own five tests before schools can fully reopen, including more testing, effective social distancing and adequate supplies of protective equipment.

And their trust in government advice that reopening can be done safely has not exactly been enhanced by a catastrophic response to the virus that has left the U.K. with the highest death toll in Europe so far, and the second highest in the world, after the U.S.

The ensuing battle has seen a level of vitriol and bitterness that quickly dispels any feelings of solidarity in the face of a common foe.

Teachers have been accused of shirking their duty and refusing to step up when others have done so, while teachers have accused their critics of using them as human guinea pigs, putting both them and the children they teach at risk.

But while the debate around what's best for children revolves around closing the gaps in their education, this misses the real impact of the lockdown.

Just as important as their formal education - perhaps even more so - are the social lessons children learn at school.

They learn to play with other children and to form and maintain relationships, as well as a host of skills including co-operating, negotiating and the art of compromise.

Through relationships with their peers, as well as with their teachers, children also learn how to regulate their emotions and develop social skills, skills that will be at least as important for their future lives as anything else they learn in the classroom.

Deprived of the opportunity to play and interact with their peers in person, young people risk losing those skills and instead of developing confidence and self-assurance are instead in danger of feeling isolated and insecure.

On top of this, they are likely to have feelings of despair, fear and helplessness as the virus disrupts their lives.

In between the tragedy of the lives lost to Covid-19 and the impact on the economy, we are in danger of underplaying how traumatic this whole experience is and will be for everyone, particularly for young people whose characters and personalities are still being formed.

The impact on young people's mental health is likely to be significant and long-lasting, and far in excess of the impact of losing a few months of education.

This is why, when schools do return, the focus should be on easing children back into the classroom environment and encouraging them to play with their friends, rather than cramming them with as much of the 'missing' material as possible.

It is why reopening schools but preventing children from playing with each other is both misguided and risks causing further harm.

And it is also why talk of running summer schools to help children 'catch up', or making children repeat a year, are wide of the mark.

It is true that students with important exams coming up next year will have missed large chunks of the syllabus.

But instead of embarking on a learning frenzy to make sure they fit the exams, we should tailor the exams to fit the student. We need to recognize that young people have been traumatized and make allowances. And we need to make sure we pay as much, if not more, attention to their mental health as to their education.

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It's Not Children's Education We Should Worry About, It's Their Mental Health

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The decision on when to re-open schools has become one of the most hotly contested issues around easing the coronavirus lockdown. But while the debate has largely focused on the loss to children's education while schools have been shut, a bigger concern is the effect on their mental health.

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This is a super simple recipe to make a quick dough for your classroom.  This dough would be ideal for younger children who tend to put thing in their mouth as it is nothing more than four and water and can be quickly and easily made daily and discarded at the end of the day.

Ingredients:
1 c. Flour
4-6 TBSP. Water
Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:
Mix water into flour one tablespoon at a time using your hand.  Mix until the desired consistency is achieved.  If the dough becomes sticky sprinkle with a little flour and continue to kneed until it no longer sticks to your hands. You can choose to add a few drops of food coloring to the dough and kneed the color through the dough.

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My son stomps into my office upstairs. I'm staring at the computer trying to figure out what to write next.

His face is full pout.

"MOM! I told them I need a break!"

Uh oh. Usually when this happens, he's prepping me for something - trying to convince me that he's on the right side.

It's a fight. I can feel it.

My daughter has a friend over and all three of them had been playing happily for the past 2 hours.

The kind of nice play between siblings that you know has a limited shelf life.

They draped our stairs it with all the blankets in the house and constructed a crash pad of pillows at the bottom.

Honestly, it looked the like the most painful slide in the world, but they were having fun.

That is... until now.

I can hear the girls' footsteps in the hallway. The door creaks open...

"Moooooom... Erik said he needed a break and then he messed up our slide."

Read: One Powerful Tip to Help Siblings Get Along (Most parents do this wrong)

I could stop this argument right now...

The internet offers so many ridiculous solutions to manage sibling fighting:

The buddy shirt?

Make them do an activity together?

Have them hug it out?

Nope. I'm not engaging in any of that.

I love my sister, but I think we would murder each other if forced to wear a buddy shirt when we're angry.

Plus, what does this practice teach our kids?

When someone makes you mad, you should ignore the problem and act nice?
Conflict is a normal and natural thing the kids must learn to work through.
According to Dr. Charles Fay, Ph.D, author of Parenting with Love and Logic, "by negotiating childhood conﬂicts with their brothers or sisters, our kids learn valuable skills for getting along with others in the real world."

But we need to let them solve their conflict on their own.

But how can we manage sibling fighting?

We have to do our best to ignore it.

And that can be extremely hard.

When my daughter walked into my office to complain about her brother, my first instinct was to grill her on what happened.

I wanted to get both sides of the story and then make my decision accordingly.

But, I stopped myself, turned to her and said, "You need to figure this out yourselves."

"BUT, MOM HE..."

She tried to justify why I needed to step in, why her brother was wrong, and why he needed to be "disciplined."

I held my breath.

And then I asked them to leave my office.

That's when the door slammed

My kids are never happy when I refuse to step into their arguments.

For the most part, their fight goes like this:
"Sissy, I didn't like it when you..." "Oh ya? Well I don't like it when you..."
"ARRR.. I'm so mad at you!!!" he'll scream.

"Don't scream at me" as she follows him down the hallway.

I'll ignore them. They'll yell a few more minutes until deciding they both need time alone.

30 minutes later, as long as I stay out of it, they'll pretend nothing happened.

Where I'll draw the line..

However, sometimes the fight doesn't stop at yelling.

Lately, my five-year-old son will raise his hand to hit his sister.

She'll grab his wrists to stop him and that's where I'll find them: Locked in this wizard fight where each is using their individual powers to stop the advances of the other.

As soon as it becomes physical, I'll step in.

Every time he hits or throws something, I immediately stop the fight.

I take him into another room, away from his sister, and we talk.

At that point, it becomes less about the subject of the argument and more about finding a more acceptable way to manage his anger.

We have a rule: We never hurt people or things when we're angry.

In his case, every time he hits:

I hold him.

I wait until he calms down and then,

We talk about other ways to express his anger. Right now, screaming into a pillow is on the top of his list.

Read: 3 Steps to Get Kids to Stop Fighting (without getting in the middle)

Why kids need to fight

As a teacher, I noticed that the more I got involved in my student' arguments, the less happy they would be.

I remember one year, this group of three girls had one conflict after another.

Every other day, they would summon me out to the hall to explain their latest conflict ask me to mediate.

And I did.

However, they never learned how to handle these problems themselves, because I didn't give them the chance.
People build confidence in their own abilities the more they are allowed to struggle in uncertainty and solve their own issues.
I'm not endorsing a Lord of the Flies type society here, far from it.

But as long as kids know the rules of fighting fair and solving their disagreements in a productive way, it's OK to let them fight it out.

Do your kids know how to fight?

Name calling. Blaming. Saying hateful things.

Hitting.

These are things that can never be taken back.

If kids fight like this, fighting will do more harm than good.

Instead, teach them to fight fair.

My kids know that every time they have a disagreement with one another, one of the first things they should do is tell the other how they feel.

Because emotions are super high at this point, they rely on one key phrase.

I feel _______ when you ______ and I would like you to ________.

For example, "I felt mad when you messed up my pillow slide and I would like you to put the pillows back."

If they scream this at each other, fine.

Once each knows how the other feels, they have a few choices:

Either they can agree to work together (right now, this never happens)

Or they agree to seperate and do other activities (yep, usually the outcome).

I've made a quick cheat sheet for you on how to teach an this phrase called an "I" statement, step-by-step. I break down the exact steps I used with my own kids as well as with my students.

Print your free cheat sheet on teaching kids how to fight fair.

1. Download your free cheat sheet . You'll get my step-by-step strategy on how to teach kids to fight fair and subscribe to the No Guilt Mom community where I'll send you tons of goodies along with my weekly newsletter.

2. Print.

3. Hang on your fridge. Someplace you can see it and remember to use it. If your kids can read, it's a great reminder for them as well.

Here's a sneak peak of what you'll get.

Will you let your kids fight?

Managing sibling fighting can be incredibly stressful. However, you don't need to get involved in every argument.

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Why I let my kids fight it out (and why you should too)

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My son stomps into my office upstairs. I'm staring at the computer trying to figure out what to write next.His face is full pout."MOM! I told them I need a break!"Uh oh. Usually when this happens, he's prepping me for something - trying to convince me that he's on the right side.It's a fight.

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Have a family plan for everyday household tasks and you'll teach your kids a great life lesson.
From the WebMD Archives

Doing chores is a tradition in many families. Chores help kids learn responsibility, and sharing chores gives you help around the house.

Not sure your kids will go for it? Take heart! There are ways to make chores a little bit, well, less of a chore for everyone.

The Value of Chores for Children

Parenting expert Jim Fay, co-founder of the Love and Logic website, says we all need to feel needed and to know that we're making a contribution -- even kids. "But they can't feel that way if they don't have chores and make contributions to the family," Fay says.

Roger W. McIntire, University of Maryland psychology professor and author of Raising Good Kids in Tough Times, says, "A child has to have some responsibilities."

That may all sound fine, but how do you get your kids onboard?

Pitfalls to Avoid When it Comes to Chores

Don't insist on perfection. No one is perfect, and it's better to have a more relaxed approach to how well your kids do their chores. Otherwise, McIntire says, you might have a struggle on your hands. Or you might jump in and do it for them, which would undermine the whole point.

Don't delay. You might think your child is too young. But your kids may be more capable than you think. Kids can do a lot of chores at an early stage, McIntire says. For example, getting clothes to the laundry or cleaning up after dinner. "We hold back too long because we think they ought to be ready first. But that puts the cart before the horse," he says. That is, they'll learn by doing.

Don't be stingy with praise. Get that praise going right away! Don't wait until the chore is done. Praise and encourage the child while the chore is in progress. You want to build positive momentum, especially with young kids.

Don't be inconsistent. Elizabeth Pantley, author of parenting books including Kid Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging, and Pleading and Get Kids to Cooperate, says if your kids aren't expected to regularly follow through, they might start putting chores off in the hope that someone else will do them for them.

Continued

Make a Chores Chart

"Create a list of every job it takes to keep a family going," Fay says. Have kids pick out the chores they'd most like to do. Then create a chart.

First, check that everyone has an age-appropriate chore. Then divide the chart into three columns. One is for the list of chores and whose chore it is; another is for deadlines; the last one is for making a check mark when the chore is done. Put the chart where everyone can see it and let everyone follow through on their own assignments.

You might actually find it easiest to have two charts: one for daily household chores and one for weekly household chores.

Here are two more tips:

Be specific with instructions. Pantley says, "'Clean your room' is vague and can be interpreted in any number of ways. Instead, be explicit by saying, 'Put your clothes in the closet, books on the shelf, dishes in the kitchen, and toys in the toy box.'"

Ease into chores for children. First, show them how to do the chore step by step. Next, let your child help you do it. Then have your child do the chore as you supervise. Once your child has it mastered, she's ready to go solo.

Go easy with reminders and deadlines. You want the chore to get done without you micromanaging it. Pantley recommends the "when/then" technique. For example, say, "When the pets are fed, then you may have your dinner."

Allowance for Chores?

Should your child get an allowance for chores? Usually not, say most parenting experts.

Chores are partly about responsibility and partly about learning household tasks. They're not focused on earning money. Yes, kids need to learn how to handle money, but not by doing chores they're supposed to do anyway.

It's especially important to not tie allowances to chores for younger kids, Pantley says. That's because a younger child may be less motivated by money and simply choose to not do them.

There's an exception: For older kids who already know how to be responsible, money can become a nice motivator for doing extra chores above and beyond their usual tasks.

Fay suggests letting them bid on those extra chores and picking the lowest bid.

Continued

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Your child may be able to do more than you think. "Keep in mind that a child who has mastered a complicated computer game can easily run the dishwasher," Pantley says.

In general, she says, preschoolers can handle one or two simple one-step or two-step jobs. Older children can manage more. Here are her pointers on kids' chores by age:

Chores for children ages 2 to 3

Put toys away

Fill pet's food dish

Put clothes in hamper

Wipe up spills

Dust

Pile books and magazines

Chores for children ages 4 to 5

Any of the above chores, plus:

Make their bed

Empty wastebaskets

Bring in mail or newspaper

Clear table

Pull weeds, if you have a garden

Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs

Water flowers

Unload utensils from dishwasher

Wash plastic dishes at sink

Fix bowl of cereal

Chores for children ages 6 to 7

Any of the above chores, plus:

Sort laundry

Sweep floors

Set and clear table

Help make and pack lunch

Weed and rake leaves

Keep bedroom tidy

Chores for children ages 8 to 9

Any of the above chores, plus:

Load dishwasher

Put away groceries

Vacuum

Help make dinner

Make own snacks

Wash table after meals

Put away own laundry

Sew buttons

Make own breakfast

Peel vegetables

Cook simple foods, such as toast

Mop floor

Take pet for a walk

Chores for children ages 10 and older.

Any of the above chores, plus:

Unload dishwasher

Fold laundry

Clean bathroom

Wash windows

Wash car

Cook simple meal with supervision

Iron clothes

Do laundry

Baby-sit younger siblings (with adult in the home)

Clean kitchen

Change their bed sheets

Sources

SOURCES:

Jim Fay, co-founder, loveandlogic.com.

Cohn, J. Raising Compassionate, Courageous Children in a Violent World, Longstreet Press, 1996.

Elizabeth Pantley, author, Kid Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging, and Pleading and Get Kids to Cooperate.

Roger W. McIntire, PhD, author, Raising Good Kids in Tough Times.

Brooks, R. and Goldstein, S. Raising a Self-Disciplined Child: Help Your Child Become More Responsible, Confident, and Resilient, McGraw Hill, 2007.

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Age-Appropriate Chores for Children: Chore Ideas and Allowances

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Have a family plan for everyday household tasks and you'll teach your kids a great life lesson. From the WebMD Archives Doing chores is a tradition in many families. Chores help kids learn responsibility, and sharing chores gives you help around the house. Not sure your kids will go for it?

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LEGO Building Challenge for Kids: Brain Puzzles - Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls

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LEGO Puzzles for Kids to Design. A great building challenge for kids!

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Here's something really simple you can do to improve your child's chance of future health and success: make sure he spends plenty of time playing outside.

There are many ways in which this generation's childhood is different from that of the last generation, but one of the most abrupt contrasts is the degree to which it is being spent indoors. There are lots of reasons, including the marked increase in time spent interacting with electronic devices, the emphasis on scheduled activities and achievements, concerns about sun exposure - and, for many families, the lack of safe outdoor places to play. It's not just children; adults are spending less time outdoors as well.

Here are six crucial ways playing outside helps children:

1. Sunshine. Yes, sun exposure - especially sunburns - can increase the risk of skin cancer. But it turns out that our bodies need sun. We need sun exposure to make vitamin D, a vitamin that plays a crucial role in many body processes, from bone development to our immune system. Sun exposure also plays a role our immune system in other ways, as well as in healthy sleep - and in our mood. Our bodies work best when they get some sunshine every day.

2. Exercise. Children should be active for an hour every day, and getting outside to play is one way to be sure that happens. They can certainly exercise indoors, but sending them outdoors - especially with something like a ball or a bike - encourages active play, which is really the best exercise for children.

3. Executive function. These are the skills that help us plan, prioritize, troubleshoot, negotiate, and multitask; they are crucial for our success. Creativity falls in here, too, and using our imagination to problem-solve and entertain ourselves. These are skills that must be learned and practiced - and to do this, children need unstructured time. They need time alone and with other children, and to be allowed (perhaps forced) to make up their own games, figure things out, and amuse themselves. Being outside gives them opportunities to practice these important life skills.

4. Taking risks. Children need to take some risks. As parents, this makes us anxious; we want our children to be safe. But if we keep them in bubbles and never let them take any risks, they won't know what they can do - and they may not have the confidence and bravery to face life's inevitable risks. Yes, you can break an arm from climbing a tree - and yes, you can be humiliated when you try to make a friend and get rejected. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try; the lessons we learn from failure are just as important as those we learn from success.

5. Socialization. Children need to learn how to work together. They need to learn to make friends, how to share and cooperate, how to treat other people. If they only interact in very structured settings, such as school or sports teams, they won't - they can't - learn everything they need to know.

6. Appreciation of nature. So much of our world is changing, and not for the better. If a child grows up never walking in the woods, digging in soil, seeing animals in their habitat, climbing a mountain, playing in a stream, or staring at the endless horizon of an ocean, they may never really understand what there is to be lost. The future of our planet depends on our children; they need to learn to appreciate it.

So try it. Do what our parents did: send your children outside. Even better, go with them. And do everything you can to be sure that every child can do the same.

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

About the Author

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6 reasons children need to play outside - Harvard Health

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When children play alone, they're learning many valuable lessons they'll carry with them throughout their lives. Solo playtime helps your kids become well-rounded individuals who are happy whether they're in small groups, large crowds or alone. Here are eight more reasons why playing alone is important for children. Playing alone.

Kids who play by themselves learn to have fun on their own. They don't count on others for their happiness and entertainment.

As your children grow, they understand that they won't always have someone by their side every waking moment. They'll be more confident and satisfied individuals.

You may already feel like your child is full of imagination. Just wait until you step back and let them play by themselves.

The time alone will draw out superheroes, princesses and other play situations you wouldn't get to see if they weren't engaging in solo playtime. They'll be quick to think on their feet, and their creativity will shine.

Playing alone develops a strong sense of independence in children. They don't have to be around another person or a group of people at all times. This social independence will help them feel comfortable in any situation.

Playing by themselves doesn't encourage your children to shy away from others with this new-found independence. It actually prepares them for whatever your day holds, a morning of solo play, an afternoon with your playgroup or an evening sleepover with a friend.

Playing outside gets them riled up while playing with others gives them a lot of interaction.

Playing by themselves brings a sense of calmness to your kids. This time playing alone takes their mood to a different level as they peacefully play with their toys.

Kids want to know we're there for them when they need us, but learning how to play by themselves also teaches them to self-soothe. They count on you always, but they also learn to look inward to become their own problem-solvers. Your children begin to understand their own emotions better and can start communicating those feelings to you too.

As much as you would like to, you can't interact with your children 24/7. You have chores to do and meals to put on the table.

When your kids know how to play by themselves, they don't rely on you as much to be their entertainment director. They also realize you're not ignoring them by not playing with them. They'll soon look forward to their time for individual play.

For preschoolers, you're probably the number-one playmate your children have ever known. As you back away and show them how to play by themselves, they understand that you're not always physically going to be there with them.

Playing alone gets children ready for school since you won't be able to sit in the back of the classroom with them every day. They don't feel abandoned because one day you drop them off at school, making them feel like you've left them alone for the first time. Instead, they've developed those calm and self-soothing feelings and can feel comfortable taking on a new adventure without you there.

Everyone deserves time to themselves. Even the grown-ups.

Another perk of teaching your kids to play alone is that you earn a much-needed break. This isn't your primary goal, of course, but the time you spend alone is also a good example for your children. Your kids can see you enjoy doing the things you love alone and that you don't need someone else's attention 100% of the time to be happy.

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Why It's Important for Children to Play Independently

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When children play alone, they're learning many valuable lessons they'll carry with them throughout their lives. Solo playtime helps your kids become well-rounded individuals who are happy whether they're in small groups, large crowds or alone. Here are eight more reasons why playing alone is important for children. Playing alone.

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Stages of Development of Social Play and Sharing

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Stages of Development of Social Play and Sharing

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This is a good resource that our teachers use to help them understand were a child is developmentally in their play.  While it is not an exhaustive resource it is a good tool for you to refer to in trying to understand what is developmentally appropriate and what to expect from your child when it comes to play and social interactions during play.

Sharing can be a difficult thing for children to learn especially when they may not have other siblings at home to practice with.  Often kids view sharing as you give it to me right now.  When we work with children, we generally teach them that sharing means they can have a turn when a friend is all finished and we teach them to ask the other child if they can have a turn when they are all done.  We may use timers to help with the sharing and turn taking process and make sure everyone get a turn.

Recognizing were a child is in the play development process can help us to understand their behaviors and look for ways we can help them develop new social skills to get what they want and communicate with others and engage in positive social interactions with their peers.  Sharing and navigating friendships takes practice and children need role models to demonstrate the use of "magic words," empathy and asking for a turn.

At home you can practice this by:

Noticing and specifically mentioning when you see your child doing a great job of waiting, taking turns or sharing. (e.g. " That was so nice of you to share your car with your sister when you were all done with it.")

Play alongside your child at home at whatever they are already doing.  Ask them if you can have the toy they are playing with when they are all done and then wait patiently.

Play with your child engaging in imaginative play but follow your child's lead.  If they ask you for something you have while you are playing then you can say "yes you may have a turn when I am all done."  wait a short moment and then you can tell your child you are finished and give it to them.  This slight delay in gratification is important in helping your child understand that sharing does not mean RIGHT NOW.

Play turn taking games with your child.  With a toddler this may be rolling a ball back and forth and for preschoolers it may be a board game or card game.    Keep in mind your child does not need to always win.

Infant need lot of socialization and time on their tummy to move and explore.  Adults should work to build secure attachments with infants.  This will give them a sense of security and allow them to feel safe exploring and venturing away from their caregivers as they grow and learn to become mobile.  Talking to infants about what you are doing, singing to them, reading to them, mimicking their sounds back to them, and lots of love and snuggles can all help to develop a secure attachment that will allow your infant feel safe.

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Funding is provided by: Office of Early Childhood & Out of School Learning, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Commission through ISDH, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Department of Child Services, United Way of the Wabash Valley, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Indiana Department of Education, Early Learning Indiana, Wabash Valley Community Foundation, Drug Free Vigo County, Clara Fairbanks Foundation, Indiana Youth Service Bureau Association, and Vectren Foundation.

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 the benefits of playing outdoors in the winter.

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 the benefits of playing outdoors in the winter.

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Just the thought of grocery shopping with children is enough to make parents shudder. Follow these helpful tips to make your trip easier for you and your child.

Grocery shopping with children. Just the thought of it is enough to make parents shudder. Meltdowns, spilled food, lost children—so many potential pitfalls. And then there are the critical stares or even comments from other shoppers. Yes, grocery shopping with children is not for the fainthearted, but your family's got to eat, right?

Like other aspects of parenting, grocery shopping becomes easier when you have a plan. Understanding your toddler's behavior is key to making the most of your grocery trip. Don't expect young children to naturally know how to behave at the grocery store. Instead, spend time teaching your child the ropes of grocery shopping. Start with quick trips to the store. Adapt a warm, enthusiastic, encouraging tone and point out interesting foods. Set simple rules and consistently reinforce them. Slowly increase the time you spend shopping, but don't overdo it. Young children simply do't have the emotional capacity or attention span for a marathon shopping trip.

Survival Strategies for Grocery Shopping with Kids

Time your visit. Taking your child to the grocery store during naptime or when your child is hungry are sure recipes for disaster. A crowded store and long check-out lines can also spell trouble. Whenever possible, go shopping when your child is rested and fed. Try to go in the morning, after dinner, or early afternoon when stores tend to be quieter.

Get organized. Young children have limited tolerance for shopping so you need to get in and out as quickly as possible. Write a grocery list ahead of time, grouping similar items on the list together.

Set clear expectations. Talk with your children about how to behave in a grocery store, explaining what to do as well as what not to do. By setting clear expectations you give your child a better opportunity to be more cooperative. For example, "You can sit in the cart or walk next to the cart. We stay together and we use quiet voices." Offer only one reminder to a child that runs away; then provide a natural consequence. "You are not staying with me; you need to sit in the cart now." Be sure to comment when children get it right. "You stayed with me and used a quiet voice today. Thank you!"

Make it fun. Behavioral issues occur at the grocery store mostly because children are either bored or they're overstimulated by the lights, people, and noise found there. Give children an active role in shopping or play a shopping game while waiting with your kids and you offer a distraction that solves both problems. Let children write their own grocery lists beforehand, choosing one or two items. Children can also help you find items on your grocery list or weigh produce.

Come prepared. A simple trip to the grocery store can quickly unravel into a disaster. Make sure you come prepared for the inevitable diaper blowout or toddler meltdown. Stock a small backpack or bag with an extra diaper, wipes, and change of clothes. Throw in a few books, toys, and snacks. Consider carrying young babies in a wrap, which keeps them warm, secure, and usually more content than in a portable car seat.

Sometimes, in spite of your best efforts, your toddler will have a meltdown or your preschooler will repeatedly try to run away at the grocery store. Then what? First, take a deep breath and resist the tendency to feel frustrated at yourself or your child. Try setting your cart aside and stepping outside for a few moments. A quick change of scenery can sometimes help a child regain control. Acknowledge your child's challenges and ask for her help. "I know you're tired of shopping. Can you help me get two more things and then we'll go?" Occasionally, you'll just need to be prepared to make a quick exit, probably without the groceries. If shopping trips are routinely difficult, it might be best to shop alone until your child is older, especially when you're buying a lot of items. Like most challenges, this won't be hard forever, and you'll figure out tricks that make it go better for your family along the way.
https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/tips-for-grocery-shopping-with-children

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A guide to Indianapolis area organizations that allow kids to give back

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As summer winds down, kids head back to school, and schedules get busy again, time to spend together as a family seems harder to find.

And while volunteering may not always come to mind first as a family activity, we think it's one of the better options. What better way to spend quality time as a family than by showing your children how simple acts of kindness can go a long way? Check out these family-friendly volunteer opportunities in Indianapolis!

Youth Services

Art With A Heart offers a variety of art programs for at-risk children. Kids 14+ can assist the organization by prepping art materials, setting up classrooms, photographing art, setting up student exhibits, working with children and serving on the Junior Board of Directors.

Best Buddies pairs students with intellectual or developmental disabilities with middle and high school peers to form on-to-one friendships. Many opportunities are available from starting a Best Buddies chapter at a school, interning in the Indianapolis office, donating products or helping at special events.

At Brooke's Place, children learn to honor and cherish loved ones they've lost and now carry in their heart. Brooke's Place provides peer support groups and therapy services to support grieving children and their families in a safe and confidential atmosphere. Kids aged 12+ can spend two evenings a month on a set schedule serving as Brooke' Place Buddies. Buddies are the hosts of support group nights that serve grieving kids and their families.

School on Wheels' mission is to provide one-on-one tutoring and educational advocacy for school-aged children impacted by homelessness. The vision is to equip these children with the educational tools necessary to achieve success in life and break the cycle of homelessness. Volunteer tutors make this happen. Kids aged 11-14 are invited to apply to volunteer alongside their parent or guardian, tutoring as a team.

Food Pantries and Meal Services

CHEER is for children ages 3-12 and their parents. Families work to sort and stock shelves at the Mid-North food pantry on select weekend mornings throughout the year. The Mid-North food pantry services one of the poorest neighborhoods in Indianapolis. The organization also helps children to organize food drives at their schools, scout troops, neighborhoods, and churches.

Families with children aged 9+ are needed to combat hunger in Central Indiana. Volunteers are put to work inspecting and assembling food baskets, performing clerical duties and/or helping with stocking and organizing items.

Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank staff will help families organize neighborhood food drives by delivering barrels and materials, and will pick up all donated items. Other opportunities available as outlined on their website.

Second Helpings has multiple volunteer opportunities available to families such as collection drives, landscaping, van washing or cleaning and more. For teenagers ages 16+, onsite volunteer tasks are available. Families can also sign up for the "on call" list which alerts families to ways they can volunteer together throughout the year.

Families can spend as little as one lunch hour a month to delivering two weekday meals to Hoosier seniors who are homebound and in need of good nutrition. For some seniors, this interaction is the only interaction they receive that day.

Museums and Cultural Organizations

Did you know that The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is in fact a non-profit organization? Volunteers are crucial to their set up and families are welcome to work together in a team. They function as a single volunteer unit and will not be separated. Each opportunity is carefully crafted to allow families time spent together while giving back. Youth must be 8+ to volunteer.

Youth volunteer opportunities are open for students ages 10-18 including costume character portrayal, working with behind-the-scenes operations, assisting in the museum shop or helping with special events.

Hendricks Symphonic Society welcomes children to usher and serve refreshments. Volunteers receive free admission and one ticket for a guest. All concerts are held in Hendricks County.

Animals, Earth, and the Environment

The Humane Society offers a number of different ways for families to get involved! Parents and kids ages 8+ can work onsite directly with the animals in the Parent & Me program, the Paws & Claws Club gives students ages 10-15 the opportunity to meet animals and learn more about the care they need, and much more!

Zoo Teen volunteer opportunities, open to kids 14+, include learning about animals, assisting with special events, gardening and groundskeeping, animal care and serving as a naturalist.

This 8-acre, organic farm donates 100% of the fresh fruits and vegetables harvested to local food pantries. Volunteers of all ages are needed for weeding, planting, harvesting and cleaning produce. Families can set a time to work or participate in the open volunteering events held on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00am -12:00pm.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful opens up their volunteer opportunities to every age for activities like tree planting, picking up litter, park clean up, transforming vacant lots into pocket parks, Adopt-A-Block and various other community activities.

Family and Individual Services

Shepherd Community Center relies heavily on volunteers and encourages family volunteer participation all throughout the year and during special events and holiday programs. To volunteer at the center, the age requirement for an individual volunteer is 16 years of age. For group volunteers, the minimum age requirement is 12 years. The minimum age requirements may be waived during special events and holiday programs.

One-time housekeeping, meal service or pantry inventory tasks are available, as well as more regular assistance at the Children's Ministry or Recreation Nights. Youth under the age of 18 are required to have a parent or guardian present during volunteer hours.

Good Samaritan Network works to serve the needs of at-risk and underserved Hamilton County residents. Holiday Assistance is one of the signature services serving nearly 26,000 people annually for Thanksgiving and Christmas, including holiday meals, clothing and gifts. Year-round volunteers are also needed to help sort food and other goods. Kids 16+ are welcome to volunteer without a chaperone; 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Around the Holidays

Angel Tree is a unique holiday assistance program that connects a generous individual or group with a deserving child (or "Angel") in need. Families "adopt" a child and provide them with items from their personalized needs and wish list. Other ways to serve include assisting families as they shop for toys for their children, helping a child receive a warm winter coat, sorting bags and helping families on distribution day, ringing a bell or serving a meal.

Operation Christmas Child delivers boxes to children in need who live in over 100 countries around the world. Grab a box and decide as a family what goodies you'd like to fill it with to send to a little boy or girl. Or you can always do a box for each! The 2019 National Collection Week will be November 18 - 25, so find your drop-off location here.
There are so many volunteer opportunities in our great city and we know we didn't get all of them here. Tell us about any organizations that are important to you in the comments and we'll add them to the list!
Other ways families can volunteer from home

(Perfect for families with younger children)

Have young ones draw pictures and transform them into valentines for your local senior community center.

Using materials from home, create no-sew dog toys for shelter animals. (See Pinterest for plenty of easy ideas!)

Pick up litter in your neighborhood or at your favorite park.

Write letters to service members who are deployed. Send homemade pictures or cards to brighten their day.

Take healthy treats to your local fire station along with some family artwork thanking them for their service to the community.

Call your local library - many offer junior volunteer programs for kids to stack and organize books and perform other tasks.

Pick a local fundraising walk or run with a mission close to your family's heart. Work together to fundraise through a lemonade stand, bake sale or other method, and then participate in the walk together.

Keep connected to websites like VolunteerMatch or DoSomething to search for other family-oriented opportunities in your area.

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As summer winds down, kids head back to school, and schedules get busy again, time to spend together as a family seems harder to find. And while volunteering may not always come to mind first as a family activity, we think it's one of the better options.

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We all want to raise children who are engaged with their communities, who help others in need, and who work to make the world a better place. Volunteering with kids reinforces these values and helps our children develop empathy and compassion. But finding opportunities that are age-appropriate may seem daunting. It doesn't have to be. Whether your kids are 2 or 12, there are plenty of ways they can give back.

How can our family volunteer with young children?

Toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners may seem too young to participate in volunteerism, but there are plenty of opportunities that little ones and parents can do together. And there's no reason not to start early-young children may not fully grasp the concept of volunteering, but taking part in these activities from an early age will help establish service as a regular part of their lives. These three family-friendly projects are a great place to start:

Visit a nursing home or retirement community. Spending time with older members of your community benefits both your children and the elderly. Nursing homes often welcome children as young as 2 to visit with residents - some even schedule special toddler days. But even if your neighborhood nursing home doesn't, organizing a visit can be as easy as calling to see if you're welcome to drop by. Before you go, have your child create holiday or birthday cards to deliver to the residents.

Adopt a family during the holidays. By the time they enter preschool, many kids are rattling off a never-ending list of "wants," particularly around the winter holidays. Teach children that the holidays are more about giving than they are about getting by seeking out a local social service agency that organizes an adopt-a-family program. Then, armed with the ages of the family members and their wish lists, take your child shopping for gifts, wrap them together and make homemade cards.

Participate in a community clean-up day. Neighborhood organizations often host seasonal clean-up days for parks and other public areas. Even young children can pick up trash, rake leaves, and plant gardens. This is a great opportunity to get young children outside as they begin to learn about giving back locally and taking pride in their community.

Not all community service is created equal. Think about what volunteer opportunities are most appropriate for your family depending on how old your kids are. - The Honeycomb Project

What about activities for volunteering with older children?

As your child progresses through elementary school, she becomes more capable of taking an active role in service projects, which means the volunteer opportunities available to your family increase significantly. Kids this age are also able to join organizations that make service a part of their mission - like school clubs, youth groups, and scouting troops.

Organize a food drive. Older elementary and middle-school-aged kids can take the lead on volunteer projects that require planning and commitment. With a little help from mom and dad, a sitter, a teacher, or a coach or group leader, organizing a canned food drive for a local food pantry is a manageable undertaking for kids. Help them choose a community organization they will donate to, collect and organize items, and deliver them to the organization.

Serve meals at a homeless shelter. Volunteering to serve meals at a homeless shelter is a wonderful way to expose older kids to some of the more complex issues facing our world. They'll be able to interact with people who are facing situations very different from their own. Be prepared to discuss some difficult topics and answer tough questions - these conversations are important to raising compassionate and empathetic kids.

Hold a bake sale for a good cause. Organizing a bake sale is an easy way to raise funds for a cause that interests your child. Depending on your child's age and the resources available to you, this can be as simple as setting up a stand with cookies and lemonade at the end of your driveway or coordinating a group effort during a community event. Let your child take responsibility for choosing the charity, contributing baked goods, and setting up and staffing the sale (with adult supervision of course). After the sale, your child can deliver a check to the organization, which will get him excited for his next fundraiser.

Tips for teen volunteers

Teens have a better understanding of the problems facing society, and once in high school, volunteer experiences can be life-changing - service can help broaden a young adult's horizons, set her on a path that leads to a rewarding career, and expose her to a diverse world. And teens can often volunteer without a parent, so allow them to make choices about participating in projects and programs that interest them. Encourage them to join groups dedicated to service or help them seek out opportunities on their own. Support their work and engage them in conversation about their volunteer experiences.

Volunteer resources
As you begin your search for volunteer opportunities appropriate for your child or your family, the best resources are often the ones in your local community. Schools, churches, YMCAs, park districts, nursing homes, libraries, social services agencies and scouting troops are just a few of the organizations that regularly plan volunteer projects. There are also national organizations that offer searchable databases of volunteer programs. Here are a few to start with:

VolunteerMatch.org matches organizations and non-profits with local volunteers for projects in metropolitan areas around the country.

generationOn.org provides resources that support the development of caring, compassionate and capable kids with campaigns, days of services, clubs and more.

Idealist.org offers a searchable directory of volunteer opportunities around the globe, including projects for families.

Make service stick
Like with any habit, if you want your kids to make volunteering a lasting part of their lives - and not a one-off event - you need to do it regularly. Use these tips to make it stick:

Encourage your child to join organizations that focus on volunteerism. Scouting programs, key clubs and church youth groups all have service components.

Make it a tradition. The holidays are the perfect time for families to start volunteering, but you can go beyond once a year by finding projects to participate in seasonally.

Find organizations that you and your kids feel connected to. Your child's school or a local non-profit is an easy place to start, but as they get older, figure out the type of service interests them most, whether it's animals, the environment, social justice issues or working with kids.

Lead by example. Seeing mom and dad give back to the community makes it easier for kids to get involved and stay involved. Set the expectation early and practice what you preach.

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Volunteer Opportunities for Kids | Volunteering for Kids | Sittercity.com

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We all want to raise children who are engaged with their communities, who help others in need, and who work to make the world a better place. Volunteering with kids reinforces these values and helps our children develop empathy and compassion. But finding opportunities that are age-appropriate may seem daunting.

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You need:

·         2 cups plain flour (all purpose)

·         2 tablespoons vegetable oil (baby oil and coconut oil work too)

·         1/2 cup salt

·         2 tablespoons cream of tartar

·         1 to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)

·         gel food coloring (optional)

·         few drops glycerin (my secret ingredient for stretch and shine!)

Method:

·         Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl

·         Add food coloring TO the boiling water then into the dry ingredients

·         Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough

·         Add the glycerin (optional)

·         Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency! *

·         If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right

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Continue reading at https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/family-living/forming-strong-parent-unit/#gs.a8zhj5 |

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By David Paltin, PhD
Child Psychologist
It's possibly the most over-used gag on family sit-coms spanning the TV airwaves from the days of Leave it to Beaver till our own 8 Simple Rules: a parent tries to lay down a message of authority to a errant child, and the other parent uses the opportunity to joke about the parent's own childishness. The reason we laugh at this joke over and over is that it reflects the tension we often feel in our own family situations. But don't laugh to hard, because the issue reflected by the joke can be one of the most serious threats to successful parenting.

" For a long time, I didn't know how to put it into words," Megan recounts of her co-parenting struggle, " My husband is so logical, all the time. When I'd make a decision about one of our kids, he'd always give me a 'look' and have some comment about not seeing the bigger picture. I realized after awhile that what he was causing my kids to see me as less intelligent and less capable of making good decisions. He still has a hard time admitting that it was having a bad effect on our family."
A Sign of a Deeper Communication Issue?
Family research strongly supports Megan's view that these kinds of communication messages have a negative impact on the entire family system. Jouriles and Murphy's (1991) study of 87 families noted a connection between acting-out behavior in boys and parental disagreement. Other researchers have found similar results. The issue is not that parents have disagreements about child-rearing, it is how those disagreements are expressed in front of the children.

Parents disagree, and this is a normal experience in family relationships. It is the style and intensity of these disagreements that tells us whether or not there is a more serious problem. When the style of disagreements undermines the other parent's efforts, or the intensity is extreme and creates strong family worry or tensions, then the clues are there that parents need to deal with the situation. What are some common underlying causes of problem communication between parents?

Unexpressed hostility. Tension naturally builds up in a marital relationship, but some couples don't have the tools or skills to relieve that tension through normal communication. Some parents have extra stress and tension from parenting a child with developmental or behavioral differences. When tension is unexpressed, it doesn't just go away, even though we often tell ourselves we can just forget about it. Instead, it often shows up at times when the other parent might need support, for example, when he or she needs the backing of another parent. Unexpressed resentment in this situation turns into a put-down or sabotaging the parent's effort to deal with a child's issue.

Need for Control. In some situations, we find that parents use disagreement or parenting communication to exercise control over the other parent. Mothers or fathers with a high need for control may have had experiences in their past that cause them to feel extremely anxious if they are not in control. Instead of facing these feelings, a parent may try to control everyone around them. As a result, children do not experience their parents as cooperative, and often see one parent as the "boss" and the other parent as part of the child group.

Misunderstanding the other parent's intentions. Sometimes the cause of confused parenting signals comes simply from parent not understanding the rationale of the other parent. In most situations, parents weigh factors they think are most important in decision making, but since we aren't mind readers, the other parent may not see the same set of factors. Mix in the reality that there is often little time to discuss parent reactions in the moments following a child's behavior, and confusion over the other parent's motivations is the result.
How Many Ways are there to Undermine A Co-Parent?
An Emotionally Harmful Family Environment. In some situations, the family environment seems emotionally dangerous or hurtful to children. Families coping with violence, verbal tirades and screaming matches, or drugs and alcohol will likely lead to parents going "behind the scenes" to try to repair damage that they perceive the other parent has caused. Parents sometimes fall back to this strategy either when they feel they, themselves, are trapped in the situation or are unwilling to break up the family situation to deal with the harmful behavior.

" It wasn't that he was saying anything to take sides with the kids," a parent of twins described, "its that he'd never say anything to back me up. Naturally, they start to see me as the mean one." Poor communication between parents isn't just a matter of fighting in front of the children, more often than not it includes subtle behaviors or communication "styles" that send a harmful message. Many parents have a hard time addressing the issue because they don't know how to put their discomfort into words. Parents often have a "feeling" that they aren't in a cooperative situation, but can't see the pattern clearly. Here are some descriptions of types of undermining communication and behavior that can cause problems:

Playing the Trump Card - In a card game, the trump player will slam down a card that beats all the other cards. In parenting, this person will hijack a parenting discussion or discipline situation from the other parent. Sometimes this is done when the other person makes him or herself the new authority figure in the discussion by yelling or handing out a punishment. In other situations, the trump player might complain that the other parent is being childish, or might "demote" the other parent to child status. It is important for parents to show they are on the same page during a discipline situation, but this parent will undermine the other parent's position of strength.

Treat Sneaker - Under the misguided feeling that the other parent is making the child suffer emotionally, the treat sneaker will offer the child some kind of relief during a difficult situation. Treats don't have to be food, parents can sneak in other ways too, for example, by allowing a child to use the computer when he or she has been temporarily banned, or by giving the child attention and comfort in the middle of a time out. Treat sneakers' real motivation is to reduce their own feelings of discomfort and anxiety about the child's situation.

Parent Profiler - The parent profiler will have private conversations with kids about the other parent, either directly complaining about the other parent or in less obvious ways. "I know its hard when she's like this" a profiling parent might say, "Its hard for me too when she's moody." This parenting style keeps a parent from having to directly deal with the other parent about communication or behavior that is bothering him or her. In situations where there is truly dangerous parent behavior, the profiler will communicate this way with the child rather than take that frightening step of thinking about leaving the situation.
Work These Issues Out Earlier Rather than Later
Alienator - This type of communication involves rallying other people in the family to speak up against a parent who is trying to assert authority or parenting status. At the dinner table, an alienator might prompt a child to disagree with the other parent's viewpoint. Sometimes the alienator will subtly encourage all the children to take sides against the other parent. Since the alienator is usually in a position of easing the authority in the situation, the children will naturally align with that parent.

It is nearly impossible to address a parent communication problem while a parenting situation is actually going on. Attempting to confront the parenting mistake often ends up in an argument, or a premature ending to resolving the situation with the child. And when families grow, it becomes even more complex if communication issues haven't been solved. These simple suggestions can help parents get on the right track in communication and co-parenting:

Work out the essentials beforehand - Compare lists of what child behaviors are definite "no no's" and which deserve a lighter consequence. Talk about touchy but important topics such as spanking or dealing with specifics such as when a child wets the bed.

Each parent should balance negative and positive consequences - Make sure that both parents have a list of positive and negative consequences to use in parenting. One parent should not be given the role of "enforcer" in the family, even if it is the most comfortable role for them.

Don't triangulate unless asked by the other parent - "Triangulating" means jumping in the middle of a conflict a parent and child are having, without being asked. You might feel like you have a better set of tools to deal with the situation, but it undermines the other parent's ability to work out a problem to its completion.

If disagreeing, openly acknowledge respect toward the other parent's opinion - Open disagreement between parents is not bad parenting, and if done right, can help model for children how disagreements should be handled. Simple statements such as, "I can see your point, but," and "I can see why you're feeling that way. I see it differently," let kids know that respect and disagreement can go together in the same conversation.

Major consequences can be assigned after discussion - There's no rule that parents don't have the time to discuss a consequence for a child's behavior before assigning it to the child. Take a few minutes to agree on an appropriate consequence, and, even more importantly, how to encourage the child to change the behavior next time.

Avoiding harmful kinds of disagreement and presenting a unified front leads to the best outcome for children. Achieving that quality of communication with your co-parent is a goal that takes effort, the courage to change, and the realization that you will gain something rather than lose something if you are successful.

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By David Paltin, PhD Child Psychologist It's possibly the most over-used gag on family sit-coms spanning the TV airwaves from the days of Leave it to Beaver till our own 8 Simple Rules: a parent tries to lay down a message of authority to a errant child, and the other parent uses the opportunity to joke about the parent's own childishness.

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We are working to bring you all of the Indianapolis area trick or treat times for 2019. Below are the times we have for Halloween night, Thursday, Oct. 31. We will continue to update the list as more become available. If you would like to suggest a change or update to this list, please email [email protected]

2019 Indianapolis Trick or Treat Times:

Please make sure to double check with your town or city in case of rain delays.

*Times based on 2018 Trick or Treat hours. Times will continue to be updated as 2019 times are announced.

And here are some tips for a "safe Halloween," courtesy of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

Swords, knives, and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the number of treats you eat.

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. WALK and don't run from house to house.

Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.

Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

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2019 Indianapolis area Trick or Treat Times

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We are working to bring you all of the Indianapolis area trick or treat times for 2019. Below are the times we have for Halloween night, Thursday, Oct. 31. We will continue to update the list as more become available.

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In order to follow rules and understand limits, children need to develop self-control.

Self-control and self-regulation are complex skills that begin to emerge in the early months of life and are more consistently apparent between four and five years of age. Self-regulation takes many years to fully develop — and adults may still struggle with this skill occasionally! Read more about how young children learn self-control through interactions with peers, parents, and other loving adults.
https://www.zerotothree.org/espanol/discipline-and-limit-setting

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Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviors

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Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers

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https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Parenting Tips - How To Stop A Child From Biting

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Parenting Tips - How To Stop A Child From Biting

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Parenting Tips - How To Stop A Child From Biting

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Growing kids often get hungry between meals.

However, many packaged snacks for kids are extremely unhealthy.
They're often full of refined flour, added sugars, and artificial ingredients.

Snack time is a great opportunity to sneak some extra nutrients
into your child's diet.

Instead of highly processed snack foods, fill your child's tummy
with whole foods that will provide energy and nutrition.

Here is a list of kid-friendly snacks that are
both healthy and delicious.

Yogurt is an
excellent snack for kids because it's a good source of protein and calcium.
Calcium is especially important for kids' developing bones ().

Some yogurts also contain live bacteria, which benefit the
digestive system (, ).

Most yogurts marketed to kids are high in sugar. Instead, choose
plain, full-fat yogurt and sweeten it with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.

You may consider popcorn a junk
food, but it's really a nutritious whole grain.

As long as you don't drown it in unhealthy toppings, popcorn can
be a healthy snack for kids. Air-pop your own popcorn, drizzle it with a little
butter, and sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top.

However, use caution when offering popcorn to younger children,
as it can be a choking hazard.

Celery with peanut
butter and raisins, sometimes called "ants on a log," is a
fun way to get your child to eat a vegetable.

Cut a stalk of celery into three or four pieces, spread peanut
butter inside the celery, and arrange a few raisins on top of the peanut
butter.

These three foods combined provide a good balance of carbs,
protein, and fat.

Just be sure to buy peanut butter without added sugar or
vegetable oils.

Nuts are
high in healthy fats, along with fiber and antioxidants. Dietary fat is
important for supporting growth in children (, ).

Doctors used to recommend withholding nuts from children due to
the risk of an allergic reaction, but more recent evidence suggests that
introducing nuts at an early age lowers this risk (, 8, ).

Nevertheless, nuts can be a choking hazard, so make sure your
child is able to handle the texture before giving nuts as a snack.

As long as your child is not allergic to nuts, trail mix is a
healthy snack for kids to eat on the go.

Most commercial trail mixes contain chocolate candies, which are
high in sugar, but
you can easily make your own at home.

For a healthier version, mix nuts, dried
fruit, and a whole-grain cereal.

Pears are a sweet treat and easy for a little one to eat when
they're cut into slices. Pears are high in fiber and
beneficial plant compounds ( 10, 11).

Spread each slice with ricotta cheese to add a yummy source of
protein and calcium to your child's snack.

Cottage
cheese is a fresh and creamy cheese that's soft enough for even
infants to eat.

It's rich in protein and a good source of selenium, vitamin B12,
and calcium. Vitamin B12 is important for proper growth and brain development
in children ().

You can serve cottage cheese by itself, top it with fresh or
dried fruit, or use it as a creamy spread on whole-wheat toast.

Oatmeal is a
healthy breakfast for kids but also makes a great snack.

Skip flavored packets, which are high in sugar, and make your
oatmeal with whole, rolled oats. Add about 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and some
diced apples for sweetness.

If you make the oatmeal with milk instead of water, it will add
some additional protein and calcium.

Cheese is mostly made up of protein and fat and is a good source
of calcium.

Studies show that eating cheese and other dairy
products is linked to better overall diet quality.

Full-fat dairy foods significantly contribute to a child's
nutritional requirements for calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and D (, , , ).

Cheese
provides children with high-quality protein, which is needed for proper growth.
Protein will also help them feel full between meals (, ).

What's more, some studies note that children who eat cheese are
less likely to get cavities (, ).

Some parents think it's hard to get their kids to eat
vegetables. But if you make it
fun for them, they're more likely to try the veggies.

Spread some hummus in a whole-wheat pita pocket and slice up raw
veggies, such as carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, and bell peppers. Let your child
pick a few veggies and fill the pita.

A fruit smoothie is a good way to pack a lot of nutrients into a
small snack.

You can also add veggies to a smoothie. With the sweetness of
the fruit, your kid may not even realize they're in there.

Use whole, fresh ingredients and avoid fruit juice, which
is high in sugar.

There are countless combinations you can try, but here is one
smoothie recipe to get you started:

Berry smoothie

Ingredients for 4 servings:

2 cups (60 grams) of fresh spinach

2 cups (300 grams) of frozen berries

1 cup (240 ml) of plain yogurt

1 cup (240 ml) of whole milk or almond milk

1
tablespoon (20 grams) of honey

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

Keep hard-boiled
eggs in the refrigerator for a quick, high-protein treat.

Eggs are highly
nutritious and an excellent snack for kids. They provide high-quality
protein and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, riboflavin,
and selenium ( 23, ).

Furthermore, they're one of the best food sources of choline, a
vitamin that's necessary for proper brain development (, ).

Homemade banana cookies are a healthy snack for kids that tastes
like a treat.

These cookies get their sweetness from mashed bananas rather
than refined sugar.

Refined sugars are associated with health problems in children,
such as an increased risk of heart disease, childhood obesity, and type 2
diabetes ( 28, , ).

Banana oat cookies

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup (80 ml) of coconut oil

2 cups (160 grams) of rolled oats

1/2 cup (80-90 grams) of mini chocolate chips or dried fruit

1
teaspoon (5 ml) of vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place spoonfuls of the cookie
mixture onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350°F
(175°C).

Raisins are
dried grapes. They have nearly all of the nutrients found in fresh grapes - but
in a smaller package.

Raisins contain a decent amount of iron, a nutrient that many children
don't get enough of, and which is needed to transport oxygen throughout your
body ( 31, ).

Moreover, raisins pack plant compounds, including oleanolic
acid, which may protect your child's teeth from cavities by preventing bacteria
from adhering to them (, ).

Raisin snack packs are an easy grab-and-go snack that's much
healthier than most convenience foods.

A turkey and avocado roll-up is an easy-to-eat, healthy snack.

Turkey is a good source of protein, which
is responsible for building and repairing tissues in your body. It's also very
filling, which can help kids feel satisfied between meals ().

Avocados are
full of heart-healthy fats, along with fiber, folate, pantothenic acid,
potassium, several antioxidants, and vitamins C and K ( 35).

To make a turkey and avocado roll-up, first peel and slice an
avocado. Gently toss the slices in lime juice to prevent browning. Wrap one
piece of turkey around each avocado slice.

Sweet potatoes are one of the richest sources of beta-carotene,
a nutrient that can be converted into vitamin A by your body. It contributes to
healthy eyes and skin ( 36).

Homemade, baked sweet
potato fries are a nutritious alternative to french fries.

Sweet potato fries

Ingredients:

Peel and slice the sweet potato. Toss the potato in olive oil
and sprinkle it with sea salt. Bake on a cookie sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 20
minutes.

Pickles are cucumbers that have been fermented in salt and
water.

They're a good source of vitamin K, and some products also
contain probiotic
bacteria, which are good for the digestive system (, , ).

Pickles that contain vinegar don't contain probiotics, so look
in the refrigerated section of the grocery store for pickles with live
cultures.

Avoid sweet pickles, which are high in added sugars.

Kale is
considered a superfood, as it's packed with nutrients but low in calories. In
fact, children can get all the vitamin A, C, and K they need in a day in just 1
cup (65 grams) of kale ( 38).

Though most kids won't jump at the chance to eat this leafy
green raw, kale chips are a tasty snack that might change your child's mind.

Kale chips

Ingredients:

1 small bunch of kale

1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/4
teaspoon of salt

Tear the kale into pieces, then wash and thoroughly dry it. Toss
it in the olive oil and seasonings. Spread it out on a cookie sheet and bake it
at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes. Watch the oven carefully, as the kale can
quickly burn.

Most kids love dip, and providing them with a healthy dip is a
great way to get them to eat their veggies.

Hummus is one
option. It's a thick, creamy spread made from chickpeas, which contain fiber,
folate, and plenty of antioxidants.

Hummus tastes yummy with carrot sticks or other raw vegetables.

Energy balls taste like cookie dough but are made with
nutritious whole ingredients.

You can make these snacks with either ground flax or whole - both source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants.

They're a healthier alternative to commercial granola bars,
which are usually high in sugar and artificial ingredients.

Energy balls

Ingredients:

1 cup (80 grams) of oats

1/3 cup (115 grams) of unfiltered honey

1/2 cup (125 grams) of almond butter

1/2 cup of ground flax seeds (55 grams) or whole chia seeds (110
grams)

1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vanilla

1/2 cup
(80 grams) of dried fruit

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Roll the mixture into
small balls and refrigerate. For a treat, replace the dried fruit with chopped dark
chocolate chips.

Bell peppers are naturally sweet and highly nutritious. They
provide a good source of fiber, , and carotenoids ( 39).

Bell peppers taste delicious dipped in guacamole, a creamy
spread made from mashed avocados.

You can make your own sandwich crackers by spreading a little
nut butter, such as almond butter, on whole-grain crackers. This snack has a
good balance of protein, carbs, and fat.

However, choose crackers for your kids carefully. Many crackers
are full of refined flour, hydrogenated oils, and even sugar.

Instead, choose crackers made with 100% whole
grains and seeds.

A piece of fruit is a
convenient and healthy snack for kids.

Bananas, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, and plums are examples
of fruits that can be used for grab-and-go snacks.

Cut fruits like pineapple, cantaloupe, and mango into
bite-size pieces and store in small containers for convenient snacks.

A quesadilla made with peanut butter and banana is healthy and
tasty.

Peanut butter is a great way to give your child a source of
healthy fats and some protein.

Bananas are a good source of potassium,
vitamin B6, and fiber ( 41).

This simple recipe combines peanut butter and bananas in a yummy
snack.

Peanut butter and banana quesadilla

Ingredients:

1 whole-wheat tortilla

2 tablespoons (30 grams) of peanut butter

1/2 of a banana

1/8
teaspoon of cinnamon

Spread the peanut butter over the entire tortilla. Slice the
banana and arrange the slices on half of the tortilla. Sprinkle the cinnamon over
the bananas and fold the tortilla in half. Slice it into triangles before
serving.

Olives are rich in healthy
fats and packed with powerful antioxidants that protect your body
from damaging molecules called free radicals ().

Olives are soft and easy for kids to eat. Make sure you purchase
pitted ones for kids or remove the pit before serving them.

Different varieties have their own flavor. If you have never
offered olives to your child before, start with mild-flavored black olives.

Apple slices and peanut butter are a delicious combination.

The skin of an apple
contains pectin, a soluble fiber that feeds friendly gut bacteria and improves
digestive health (, ).

Peanut butter has a thick consistency, which may be difficult
for kids to use as a dip.

Mix a little bit of plain, full-fat yogurt into two tablespoons (30
grams) of peanut butter to make a smooth, creamy dip for apple slices.

Frozen fruit popsicles are a yummy treat for kids and really
quite healthy.

Most store-bought popsicles are full of artificial flavors and
refined sugar or high-fructose
corn syrup.

But you can easily make your own, and your kids may enjoy helping.

Purée frozen fruit or berries and a small amount of fruit juice
in a blender. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds or small plastic cups. Cover
with foil and insert a popsicle stick into the popsicles through the foil.
Freeze overnight.

Sandwiches don't have to be just for mealtime. Half a sandwich
can also make a healthy snack for kids.

To build a healthy sandwich, start with whole-wheat bread, pick
a source of protein, and include a fruit or veggie, if possible.

Here are some examples of healthy sandwich combinations:

cheddar cheese and thinly sliced apples

mozzarella cheese and tomato slices

peanut butter and banana slices

turkey, Swiss cheese, and pickles

ricotta cheese mixed with finely chopped veggies

hard-boiled egg, avocado, and tomato

cream
cheese and cucumber slices

Many kids get hungry between meals.

A healthy snack can provide your kids with energy and help them
get the nutrients they need on a daily basis.

Offer your kids whole, unprocessed foods at snack time instead
of prepackaged snack foods.

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Snack time is a great opportunity to sneak some extra nutrients into your child's diet. Here's a list of kid-friendly snacks that are healthy and delicious.

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Coping with Sleep Challenges_ Birth to 3 Months

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Positive parenting is all about making child-rearing choices that reflect your beliefs and values as a parent, your child’s age and stage of development, and his or her temperament.

Positive parenting means taking an approach that is sensitive to children’s individual needs and addressing the typical challenges that arise in early childhood with empathy and respect.

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Nurturing a Strong Attachment Through Everyday Moments

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​White River Fire Department offers an American Heart Association Heartsaver AED and first aid certification class.  Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED is a video-based, instructor-led course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until emergency medical services arrives. Skills covered in this course include first aid; choking relief in adults, children, and infants; and what to do for sudden cardiac arrest in adults, children, and infants.
This course teaches skills with the AHA’s research-proven practice-while-watching technique, which allows instructors to observe the students, provide feedback, and guide the students’ learning of skills.
The first portion of the class will focus on CPR skills and the second will focus on basic first aid skills. Upon completion, participants receive a certification card.
The cost is $40.00 for the entire class or $35 for CPR only.
Location: WRTFD Headquarters/Station 53 at 850 S. Mullinix Rd