When should you let your child choose her own clothes and should you worry about how he is dressed when he leaves the house (no coat in winter for example). Seasoned mothers who have survived years of the battle discuss what is important and what you should let slide.
Robyn Openshaw, the Green Smoothie Girl, discusses her new book The Adventures of Junk Food Dude and how it can help kids understand why junk food isn’t good for us and what alternatives there are.
This week on Athena 365 and The MOM Podcast Dr. Andie discusses how to teach kids to love themselves so that they do not seek approval from outside sources. Dr. Andie’s new book More Than Saying I Love You: 4 Powerful Steps that Help Children Love Themselves is an excellent resource for parents to teach their child the greatest skill they can—how to truly love yourself so that you do not need to rely on others for affirmation. Dr. Andie is a mother and grandmother so she knows the road we walk. Learn answers to the following questions:
Why isn’t just saying, “I love you” enough to create children that love themselves?
What is the difference between self-love and self-esteem?
What are the benefits of children learning to love themselves?
Does self-love or “I love me” lead to narcissism and being egotistical?
At what age do we begin teaching our children about loving themselves?
What are the external forces that erode a child’s birthright of love?
What are the 4 steps that help children love themselves?
Wonder if your creature living in your child’s room really genetically connected to you? He used to be your son, but now he is an emotional mess. Maggie Stevens, author of Parent Fix, discusses how to weather the tween years and the transition to teen years.
Our discussion about Stress with Kids continues with Claire Lerner as we discuss whether or not it is good to label your child and how to help your child without making a big issue of your child’s needs.
Maggie Stevens, author of Parent Fix discusses how to create a safe haven in your house so that your child will always want to come home and share with you–the best way to ensure that your child will be safe in the world.
Claire Lerner discusses a listener’s question about her daughter who seems to have back-tracked in potty training after some stress. Like kids of any age, stress often doesn’t manifest itself in ways we would expect, but in ways we can’t understand at first glance. Listen and learn so you can diagnose stress in your kids. Stacey gets the gold star for having the answers for this listener’s question!
They take too long, cost too much and are too much work. Are vacations and holiday times worth it for the family? Why not just stay home? We discuss why they are important even when the family gets stuck in a blizzard driving across Oklahoma or running to catch a connecting flight in 10 minutes.
As we discussed with Claire, it is important to make time for each child. We discuss ways this can be done if you have 2 04 9 children and some innovative ideas to make each child feel special.
We talk with Claire Lerner about how computers are invading our families and how to set some guidelines to make sure we spend enough time interacting with more than just our virtual family members. This show is filled with great ideas on how to deal with the onslaught of media coming at our precious family time.
Check out our other show on Digital Nation for an insightful discussion on media and the family.
Nancy and her family just returned from Florida. Hear about the trip and what everyone liked best. There are tips to make your next trip enjoyable. Also, see the video podcast of Alex at Disney YES and see Nancy’s other podcasts at www.iseekissimmee.com.
Children can be afraid of small things like smoke detectors or the wind. Claire Lerner explains to Nancy how to help her daughter’s fear of the wind and help her learn to work through things when she is afraid.
We’ve done a show on Disney YES and here is a video of our experience of the program! It was a hit once Alex woke up and realized that school at Disney would be fun! Our teacher Tabia was incredibly energetic and happy while still teaching the kids great info. Tabia taught the kids about the first 18 presidents of the US and the challenges they faced creating the nation, keeping it together, and then expanding it West. We were allowed behind the scenes at the Hall of Presidents where we got to meet the presidents up close and personal–you could see every hair on the heads of their animatronic doubles. We also rode Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain before the park opened to other visitors–I really appreciated that later in the day when the wait was 60 minutes (I thought WDW was supposed to NOT be crowded in October)!
NOTE: The YES Program only recently opened to individual students and their families and is only available on select days but you should check and see if your dates coincide with YES programs because your school-aged kids 6 and older get an exciting experience in the park behind the scenes (along with a chaperon) and your entire family gets discounted park tickets (our discount was 50% off the regular ticket price—an incredible savings). Fore more information, check out their website at http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/ and check out my podcast where I interview the YES Marketing Director about the program and learn more details at http://www.themompodcast.com/2010/10/03/educational-opportunities-and-disney/
Amy Eastman, creator of Growing Up Disney, shares insights and answers Nancy’s questions about DisneyWorld. She shares tips for where to eat and play, how to use Rider Swap and PhotoPass, and what a Hidden Mickey is. If you are thinking about going to WDW, listen and learn some great tips.
Amy Suggests:
Take a stroller even if your kids already walk because they get tired
Check out Tusker House for a meal in Animal Kingdom
Get reservations for dining months in advance if you can (we can’t)
If you can get it, check out the Crystal Palace
Guest Relations at the front of the park is extremely helpful and will be able to tell you if anyone has reservations open
Don’t miss the World Showcase
Check out It’s Tough to Be a Bug and Turtle Talk with Crush
Go on a morning safari so the animals are out
The Festival of the Lion King is a great show
If you have a car lover, check out Lights, Action, Motors
Look for the Hidden Mickey’s all over the park (there is a guide book to help)
Halloween is one of the most Eco-Unfriendly times of the year. Mom-daughter eco warriors Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson have taken the holiday on with Green Halloween and the National Costume Swap Day. They are also co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family and founders of the non-profit Green Halloween initiative. Learn how to make your Halloween fun less harmful for the planet. Check out the locations in your area that might be holding a costume swap or learn how to hold one in your area!
Not found a preschool yet or looking for something more than the ABCs? Want your child to be emotionally ready for school? Nationally acclaimed author Linda Eyre discusses how to teach children joy using the Joy School program. Both Stacey and Nancy have had children in Joy School and found it to be an amazing experience. Learn why!
AND–We were nominated for the Best of Salt Lake 2010 as the Best Resource for info for Moms! Whooo Hooo!
Thinking about a trip to Sunny Florida? We’re talking with Jill Martin, Family Travel blogger for VisitFlorida.com. You’ll learn where to nurse your baby and fun places in addition to Disney World. We’ll even talk about educational opportunities in Orlando and Cape Canaveral (only an hour away)! Get your bags packed!
When should your child start playing a musical instrument? It depends. As parents of 10 kids playing musical instruments, we share tips about when and how to introduce your kids to music and a possible musical instrument.