Monday January 23, 2012
What is it about cold winter nights that make curling up with a good book so tempting? Maybe it's the fact that it's warm and cozy when we settle down to read, especially under a throw on the sofa. Or maybe it's the early darkness that makes us want to snuggle together with a good book while we read together or side by side.
While we love reading year-round, I have to say that winter is an especially great time for reading a great book. Here are some of our favorites. What are yours?
Sunday January 22, 2012
Winter is the perfect time to play some board games. While it may be cold and blustery outside, your family can gather together in the coziness of your home (preferably with some mugs of hot chocolate!) and play some fun board games for kids.
It is one of the best ways to spend time together as a family, not only because it's fun but because good board games can expand kids' verbal and math skills, help them develop logical thinking and strategy, and teach important skills such as how to be a graceful winner or loser.
So pick some favorite board games and have fun!
Saturday January 14, 2012
What are the top healthy habits for parents so that we can feel and look our best? Read my article on the "Best Ways Parents Can Feel Good and Look Good" for some ideas. Not surprisingly, regular exercise and eating a healthy and balanced diet are on the list, as is minimizing stress and getting enough sleep.
Being a parent of a school-age child, I know all too well how difficult--if not impossible--it can sometimes be to find the time to do the things we need to do in order to be at our best. But the reality is that if we are not happy and healthy, we are ultimately short-changing our children. And consider this: If our children see us setting a good health model--by working out regularly and eating a healthy diet, for instance--then they are more likely to be healthy themselves and follow our example.
Thursday January 5, 2012
Children who face adversities such as the loss of a parent, having a parent with a mental illness or addictive behavior, witnessing violence or conflict between parents, or being subjected to emotional, physical, or other abuse may grow up to be more sensitized to stress, says a recent CNN story on the research of Dr. Rajita Sinha, director of the Yale Stress Center.
According to the report, Dr. Sinha's research shows that children who have a pervasive sense of adversity have an elevated level of stress later in life and have stronger reactions to stress than people who did not have such stressors in their past.
The good news: There are some "protective factors" such as support from friends and family and even school. An environment enriched with factors that can help a child's body and mind grow and a support system that a child can turn to and rely on can make a difference.
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