Judy H. Wright's Blog, page 8

Helicopter Moms & Stressed KIds

The Art of Alpha Mom-ism

As a new mom, you may find your day filled with chaos and mayhem. While time with your child can be the most amazing experience, you may also find it exhausting and overwhelming. The following tips will help you gain sanity, while enjoying your new bundle of joy.

There are a number of toys and gadgets that can aid parents in entertaining

Toddlers need freedom to explore and experience life through their environment. http://www.ArtichokePress.com

stimulating their senses. An activity gym is an essential piece of equipment that allows your child

to play in a safe and germ-free environment on the floor. The mat comes in a variety of designs,

styles and colors with toys and other objects sewn into the fabric.

It also comes with a toy bar to engage your infant’s senses and strengthen their core muscles. As they grow, you can incorporate tummy time activities and games of peek-a-boo.

Safety and Security

While you can’t entertain your child every hour of the day, you want to find activities and toys that

can ensure the safety and security of your infant. A play yard is easily transported to any room

in the home and gives them an opportunity to enjoy independent play. Toys, mobiles and other

gadgets can make their time all the more enjoyable.

It also allows a parent to get things done around the home such as pay bills, clean, and enjoy a

bit of “me” time. Since the play yard is mobile, you can keep an eye on your child while they nap

and play from any room in your home.

Reminders and Organization

Staying on task can give you more precious moments for play time with your infant. Smartphone

applications have come up with an assortment of ideas that can help busy moms. The Baby

Connect allows a busy parent to keep track of their infant’s growth and development through the

years. It can also record your child’s reminders, medications and vaccination schedule.

Baby monitoring and alarm system applications offer parents other options than an infant monitor.

The applications can notify you of a child’s sounds or movements in the room. They also pull

songs to lull your infant back to sleep should they wake-up.

Whether you have a notebook, tablet or cellphone, you can also stay on task with your daily

chores and keep things organized and tidy through cooking, work and planning applications.

Keeping Your Child Busy

Finding things for you and your baby to do can be easy. Whether you visit your local park district

or research online, you’re sure to find a host of activities for your newborn. “Mommy and me”

yoga classes incorporates movements for everyone. Infant massage is another excellent way to

soothe and bond with your child.

The library is an excellent free resource facility that has a variety of activities for your child. Here

you can find story time, play and songs.

A new baby can bring a lot of joy and happiness to your household. It can also cause serious

disruptions into an otherwise normal routine. To help organize your life and incorporate fun and

entertainment, you’ll find the above tips beneficial.

Knowing many Alpha moms enables Nadine Swayne to present this article. Try visiting sites

online, like http://www.toysrus.com/buy/babies-r-u...-

washable-play-yard-with-dream-centre-shiloh-60072-12761407, for helpful tips and products to

make being the greatest mother on Earth a breeze!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68154770...

Circle Nadine on G+,

Dogs, Cats & Babies Speak The Language of Love (GUEST EXPERT)

There is a love language that is shared by babies, cats, dogs and other family pets.

Many people erroneously believe that it is in the best interest of a new baby not to expose them to pets. All too often, once adored pets – furry family members – are surrendered, banished to the yard or basement, or worse, to shelters because of the arrival of a new baby. This is such a sad fact however, because nothing could be further from the truth. Of course new parents want to protect their children, and can be a tad over protective when it comes to a cat climbing into a crib or play yard to investigate a new smell or sound. Some parents squeal in horror as the family dog delivers a sloppy smooch that covers a newborn’s face. But these actions on the part of the pet are completely normal, and it’s their way of saying “hello” to the baby.

Several studies have shown that dogs and cats can provide babies and toddlers with a wide variety of health benefits, so it actually makes sense to include the pet in the celebration of new life in the family.

Raising Smart & Kind Kids-Baby Years. Teach them empathy & kindness. Available at http://www.ArtichokePress.com

This pet will become a best friend, and provide your young child with a companion that will help teach them about playing, expressing love and the importance of sharing.

 

Pets, especially dogs, are empathetic creatures, and sense emotional changes, especially sadness. They nestle into the crook of a child’s arm when he is at his most vulnerable to give unconditional love and provide cheer. They listen carefully, and never, ever tell your child’s secrets. Your dog is also highly likely to take on a guardianship role in your baby’s life. There are many stories of family pets literally risking their own lives to save the lives of their people. Love is a given and loyalty a guarantee. Some of those stories are shared in “I Lost My Best Friend Today-Dealing With The Loss of a Beloved Pet” available on www.ArtichokePress.com

 

Of course, you should be careful about how you introduce your fur-baby to your new baby. According to an article by the ASPCA, you should take a seat in a quiet room with your baby in your lap1. Have another family member leash the dog and as he enters the room, stay calm and talk to the dog in a happy voice. Praise your dog and reward him with treats for any calm behavior he demonstrates in checking out the baby because you want the dog to associate the baby with good things.

 

If you are worried, you can sit your newborn in a safe play yard and let the pet sit just outside, as a protected way to allow them to interact…or put the pet inside the play yard with the baby outside to let the dog explore the new smells. This is OK, since good play yards are usually washable.

What Are the Health Benefits?

1. Reduced Risk of Certain Infections

 

According to “Study: Why Dogs and Cats Make Babies Healthier,” published by Time on 9 July, 2012, a study from Finland was published indicating that babies who live in a household with a dog are 31 percent less likely to develop a respiratory tract infection during the first year of their life than those without a dog present2. Cats were also found to provide a boost in health, but it was only by 6 percent. The risk of developing an inner ear infection drops by 44 percent when there is a dog living in the house, and the need for antibiotics before hitting the age of one drops by 29 percent.

2. Increased Self-Esteem

 

A study published in the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” found that pet guardians tend to be more extroverted and less fearful, and they also experience a reduction in loneliness and a boost in self-esteem. The study indicated that pets provide social support, and this is linked to many positive physical and psychological benefits. In other words, your family dog is likely to become your baby’s first best friend, and this can help them when they become old enough to begin forging friendships with other children.

3. Allergy Protection

 

“Study: Living With Pets May Protect Infants From Allergies” highlighted a 2011 study showcased the long-lasting impact a dog or cat can have on overall health3. This particular study followed 566 children from birth until the age of 18. The results indicated that having a dog around during infancy provided a 50 percent reduction in the risk of developing allergies, and cats were linked to a 48 percent lower risk. Therefore, if you are worried about your four-legged companion causing your baby to have allergies, the reality is quite the opposite, and that this is not a viable concern in a majority of cases.

4. Petting a Dog Just Makes People Feel Better

 

According to a report by MSNBC, researchers have determined that petting a dog for 15 minutes boosts the hormones that cause feelings of happiness, and it also causes a 10 percent reduction in blood pressure. This makes having a dog a positive addition to any household, and you should encourage your children to enjoy properly petting the family dog.

There are several other health benefits associated with having a dog that can help your entire family, including stabilization of cardiac conditions and high blood pressure. With all of these perks, it is no wonder that 47 percent of U.S. households have at least one dog. Keep in mind that there are times a fussy baby doesn’t want to be bothered with an over-enthusiastic puppy or kitten, and you can easily place your infant inside of their crib or utilize another applicable piece of baby equipment, like the Target Ingenuity washable playard with dream centre whenever they need a break from their furry friends.

 

Lisa Becker is a professional writer and animal advocate. While she can’t remember a time in her life when she didn’t have a personal menagerie of cats and dogs, she finds her “fur-babies” especially comforting as she fills her empty nest with the pitter patter of little paws. 

 

1 http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/introducing-your-dog-your-new-baby

2 http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/09...

3 http://healthland.time.com/2011/06/13/study-living-with-pets-may-protect-infants-from-allergies/

PS:  Thank you for joining our community of kind, thoughtful people who want respect for all.

What To Do If Your Child Has Violent Tendencies

What to Do If Your Child Has Violent Tendencies

© Debbie Nguyen & Judy Helm Wright

  Most parents have the highest hopes and anticipation for our children. When your visions of success and happiness are thwarted because of your child’s violent tendencies, parents may be tempted to deny that your child needs help or that your child’s tendencies will resolve themselves over time. However, ignoring or prolonging your offspring’s violent outbursts is the worst course of action you can take if you hope to restore any desires that your child will be happy and successful in the future.

Rather than give into the worry, fear, embarrassment, and stress that come with having a violent child, parents can instead take these prompt and necessary steps to lead your child to a healthy and meaningful future.

Understanding The Difficulty

Is it distractibility?
Is it high-intensity level?
Is it negative persistence?
Is it low sensory threshold?
Is it negative mood?
Is it low self-esteem?

  What Makes a Kid Violent?

It’s been proven that excessive exposure to violence through popular media like movies, TV shows and video games contribute to a child’s violent behavior. It desensitizes children to the violence and can make them adopt aggressive behavior. By the time a typical American child reaches the age of 18, he has already been exposed to almost 200,000 acts of violence seen on TV. Popular video games like Grand Theft Auto also rewards violent and destructive behavior.

If a child has suffered some trauma to his brain, this injury can also add to his violent behavior. Use of drugs and alcohol, violence or economic strain in the family can be factors too. Children at risk are those who have problems with being impulsive, irritable, and easily frustrated.

You will find valuable information to assist your child in making and keeping friends at http://www.theleftoutchild.com

Accept the Problem for What It Is

Some parents may be ready to gloss over your child’s emotional and mental outbursts as a normal developmental stage or a bout of immaturity that will surely go away over time. Minimizing your child’s violent tendencies, however, only serves to deflect the responsibility of getting your child much needed help and addressing the issue for what it really is. Many parents avoid recognizing your child’s outbursts because you may feel embarrassed or that you are to blame for your child’s behavior. Instead of focusing on how you feel, however, you should think ahead about what is best for your child and act promptly to get your son or daughter the professional help they need.

As parents, you must also think of the safety of other children, like siblings or schoolmates, who might be at the receiving end of mean acts. Is your violent child being a typical “brat” or is he taking bullying to a dangerous level? Does he need constant monitoring because he is not to be trusted with playing nice or being left alone with other kids?

Seek Help through the Professional Community

You may try to keep your child out of the medical establishment by taking your offspring to counseling sessions with religious leaders or natural healers. While it may be perfectly acceptable to adhere to religious or lifestyle beliefs during your child’s recovery, parents are still encouraged to seek out qualified medical help for your child’s violent tendencies. A team of doctors, licensed psychiatrists, and mentors are the ideal choices for heading up a child’s emotional and mental treatment.

In the case of a troubled child, the causes might come from social issues which need to be addressed. A specialist in juvenile justice who also happens to work as a life coach in Seattle for at-risk kids, suggests that the child’s failure to thrive could be because of an addiction, and that he could use help with releasing stress, reframing and keeping boundary maintenance, and improved communication.”

A child may have to be hospitalized, put on medications, or go through other intense medical therapies that can help him recover from the emotional or mental distress that causes his violent behavior. The coach also works with the whole family, to help repair the dynamics between the child and his parents and siblings.

You will want to download a free eBook on encouraging words and phrases to say to yourself as well as your child.  Claim your copy today at http://www.UseEncouragingWords.com

Parents As Partners

Each child is different so the course of action to be taken to diffuse his harmful behavior, and how it affects the dynamics of your family, would be agreed upon by the parental or professional coach with your family’s participation.

Working together with professionals is important, but even more important is remembering that no one loves your child like you do.  Become empowered to make decisions that will benefit your family and especially the child who is having violent outbursts.  You acting as an advocate for your child is the best gift you can give him or her.

Thank you for joining this community of kind, thoughtful people who have respect for all.  Be sure to claim your free eBook at http://www.UseEncouragingWords.com  

No matter what life experiences may happen, kids need to be taught to bounce back from adversity.http://www.bouncebackfromanything.com

 

 

 

You will be glad you did and so will your child.

 

I taught this class a few months ago for the Montana Chil...

I taught this class a few months ago for the Montana Child Care Association. I call it Caution Without Fear: Protecting Your Children from Sexual Abuse.

It’s a long one, but a good one. To see the video absolutely for free online, click the highlighted link above, and please do not hesitate to ask me or someone you trust if you have questions about this important topic.

Thank you from the bottom of my artichoke heart.

Empower Kids To Say NO! Sexual Exploitation (EXPERT)

Our challenge as a community of caregivers, teachers and parents is to prepare children for any eventuality of sexual exploitation without scaring them to death.

It is our job to teach them that is OK to say NO! and to have the power to speak up when they feel uncomfortable.

We have to counterbalance their natural deference to authority by providing them with a strong sense of what other people should and should not be permitted to do to them under any circumstances.  They must know that they will be supported in their efforts to act and speak out against being victimized.

[image error]

“Sexting” is a form of bullying and sexual exploitation. Find tips for helping empower your child at cyberbullyinghelp.com

Emotional Signs of Sexual Abuse

EMOTIONAL SIGNS

 

An unusually quiet and fearful disposition, especially when in the company of one person.  For instance if your daughter leaves the room whenever Grandpa comes or sits through dinner when he is present, with her eyes downcast or seems more anxious when she hears he is coming to visit, be suspicious.

 

The child may exhibit a series of stress symptoms; fear of a particular place or person, fear of the dark, stomachs, or headaches.

 

An outgoing child may become shy or vice versa.  A child who has up till now usually been obedient, but now is rebelling, may be asking for help in setting boundaries.

 

Sleep disturbances, nightmares, bedwetting, fear of sleeping alone, needing a nightlight.

 

Lots of new fears, needing much more reassurance than in the past.

 

A return to a younger, more babyish behavior.
Withdrawal—usually into a fantasy world, exhibiting infantile behavior; may even appear retarded.

 

Irritability, excessive crying, visibly emotional.

 

Easily intimidated by older children, fear of male adults; often manifested in cowering, crying, being easily startled.

 

Low self esteem.

 

An offender may become extremely protective of the child and jealous of the child’s social life for fear of losing the child’s allegiance to others.

 

If, for whatever reason, they are not being protected within their own homes, they need to know that there are other supportive avenues of help available.  In that regard, school personnel and other adults who have contact with children must be alert to the visual signs and halting messages of children in trouble.

Thank you for joining our community of kind, thoughtful people who want respect for all.  Please sign up for a free 15 minute coaching session with Judy Helm Wright, best selling author and life educator at http://www.judyhwright.com  You will be glad you did.

Stress Triggers for Kids-How To Help Them Cope (EXPERT)

How do you know what is stress and what is a temper tantrum? How do caring adults help them to cope with school, friends and disappointments?

How do you know when your child is too stressed? Gain tips to help them deal with healthy stress. Artichokepress.com

How do you figure out if the stomachache is from too many tacos last night or the math test scheduled today?  Why would your six year old be stressed when you are the one who lost the job?  Why would your eight year old suddenly hate Little League and begin wheezing as it nears time to go?

 

At times all parents are confused by what are normal growing pains and what is a genuine fear or stress in their child’s life.  The three standards to judge the situation are:

 

Duration.  If the child just started complaining about being sick before the bus comes, it may be something happening that can be easily explained.  If it is not a bad day, but an on going behavior some calm conversation and reassurance is in order.
Is it age and developmentally appropriate?  Transitions are hard for anyone, but a two year old who clings is different than a nine year old who refuses to get out of the car.
Degree of intensity. If the behavior is disrupting family life or is becoming a major stumbling block to growth or happiness, intervention may be indicated.

 

Typical stressors

 

Babies: Over stimulation, too many care givers, any major change.  They pick up on your stress.

Toddlers: Separation anxiety, transitions, being abandoned, Television shows and videos

Kindergarten/First Grade: Not being picked up after school, wetting their pants, not being chosen for games, being teased by bullies or not understanding what a teacher wants them to do.

Second/Third Grade: Report cards teased or called names by older students, not being invited to parties and sleepovers, not fitting in, teacher’s discipline and parent’s disapproval.

Fourth Grade: Being thought of as “dumb”, losing a best friend, being chosen last, not getting school work done and any major change in family structure.

Fifth/Sixth Grade: Body changes, afraid they are abnormal, strange, and unlovable. Bad grades.

Jr. High School: Identity, peer pressure, standing out from the crowd, having others see their body.

High School: Popularity, appearance, lack of money or clothes, SAT tests, what to do with life.

 

 

Children and adolescents handle stress better when they are attached to at least one adult who will make them feel safe, secure and loved.  Being able to trust an adult to look out for their best interests pulls them through stressful times and helps build a resiliency for all areas of life.

 

Let your child know you are always there for him to talk, console and support.  While you won’t solve the problems, the two of you can brainstorm solutions without judgment or criticism. The best antidote for solving stress related problems is to have fun!  Go play at the park. Take a hike in the mountains.  Laugh, giggle, wiggle, dance, sing and just remember that this too shall pass.

 

Judy H. Wright is a parent educator and author of over 20 books on family relations, wellness, and abundance. Free articles and a newsletter are available at www.ArtichokePress.com   You will also find afull listing of books, podcasts , eBooks and teleclasses.

To schedule Judy for a workshop, please go to http://www.judyhwright.com

Signs Of Molestation Or Abuse In Children EXPERT

What are some of the recognizable signs of molestation or abuse in your child?

If anger is unusual or misplaced, you may want to talk with your child about sexual abuse. Few children tell because they are afraid they will not be believed.

Most kids don’t tell anyone if they are victims of incestuous assault or sexual abuse, mostly because they think no one will believe them or they have been threatened or intimidated by the perpetrator.  Often the telling is not in words, but through abrupt changes in behavior.  Since children are not usually able to tell directly, it helps to be sensitive to their signals.  Parents can spot molestation by being alert to the following signs and signals in a child:

 

 

 

 

SOCIAL SIGNS

 

A pattern of catering to a man in inappropriate, adult ways—giving him backrubs, bringing in his newspaper, even volunteering to cook for him.  This is different than just a little girl occasionally wanting to do something nice, but rather a pattern of trying to please an adult male.

 

Precocious or exaggerated sexual behavior.  Small children may constantly “play doctor’ and use sex terms without knowing their meaning.  Pre-teens and teenagers may become suddenly sexually aggressive or promiscuous.

 

An increasing dependency on one male relative or friend who has imbued her with an “us against them” philosophy.

 

A habit of enjoying special treats, gifts and attention from a man who may devise ways to be alone with her

 

Sexual behavior or knowledge inappropriate to the child’s age may be one of the first signs.  If they seem to know a lot about sex and sexual language outside of their usual age group, you should wonder and ask “where did you learn about that?’

 

Indirect allusions to problems at home, or a friends home, usually not in direct statements, but through such statements as “I don’t want to go to Uncle Charlie’s house” or “maybe I should go live somewhere else.’

 

Mystifying statements that indicate a desire to tell someone, such as “I don’t like Mr. Smith anymore,” or “My uncle Dave wears funny underwear.”

 

A sudden reluctance to go to a particular place, or to be with a particular person.

 

Suddenly turning against a parent or relative.

 

Unpredictable poor grades or erratic grade performance or suddenly becoming an overachiever in school.

 

Lack of attention in class or group meetings.

 

Extreme changes in behavior, acting out, becoming either aggressive or withdrawn.

 

Any unusual behavior, especially if child appears to be out of control for instance; bullying younger children or animals.

 

Not wanting to go home.

 

Poor peer relationships, lack of social skills,  too distressed to make friends (the adult offender has a vested interest in keeping the child isolated).

 

Sexual promiscuity, apparent to school and neighborhood.  Have others reported incidents to you?

These are all signs and symptoms of many different things going on in the life of a child.  They do not necessarily signify abuse!  But they are a red flag that something is amiss and you will want to spend some time and care talking gently to your child.

Please remember, sexual abuse is never something a child should be blamed for.  It is the duty and responsibility of adults to protect and guard those who are innocent and vulnerable.

This is part of a new book coming out soon “Caution Without Fear–Safeguarding Children From Sexual Abuse & What To Do If It Has Occurred”  available at http://www.Artichokepress.com   Written by parent educator and life coach Judy Helm Wright aka “Auntie Artichoke”

Quality Time or Quantity Time

Do you run yourselves ragged trying to cram

a week’s worth of quality time into your evenings

and weekends?  As a result, you feel even more

pressure and guilt because all this quality time

has left no time for housework and the more mundane

aspects of family life.  So you feel stressed,

overwhelmed and even more frustrated.

Spend quality time working side by side with your kids.

Sunday Night Panic

Our family used to hate Sunday night. After church services,

dinner together and then relaxing naps, I would turn into

Frankenstein around 4 pm.

Is there hope?  Absolutely!  First you need to

know that quality time, as many of you perceive

it to be, is erroneously based on two myths.

Myth #1:  Quality time must be spent doing

educational or recreational activities.

Reality:    The truth is quality time just needs

to be time spent.  Going to zoos, movies or museums

can be wonderful time spent together.  But if you

are merely cramming the activities into your life

in a frenzied rush, you and your children won’t

experience a real sense of relaxed camaraderie.

In all actuality, they may prefer some time working

side by side with you on a family project or task.

Myth #2:  Quality time means lots of time.

Reality: Not necessarily. Hours and minutes alone

don’t measure quality time.  Quality time can mean

a hug, a pat, a reassuring chat, telling jokes while

doing dishes, sharing confidences while pulling weeds

or just working together on a project.  These types

of parent/child interactions can be some of the most

valuable and treasured times of all.

So quit feeling guilty.  We don’t need to blast

through chores in order to spend quality time with

our kids.  Our time working together can be quality

time, too.  And better than that, working together

can even be fun!  Cooking, washing windows and mowing

the lawn won’t be perceived as dreaded chores if

children do them right along with you–especially when

you’re talking as you go, learning more about each

other and teaching specific skills in the process.

These myths are an excerpt from my book:

Kids, Chores and More. To learn about this handy

little resource check out:

http://www.responsiblechildren.com/main.html

This one small investment just may be one of the

smartest things you can do for your family.

Spend quality time working side by side with your kids.

3 Tips for Positive Family Relationships-What Went Well Today?

“How was your day?” “Did you make the team?” “”Why didn’t you take out the garbage like I told you too?” “How come you always throw your coat on the sofa instead of hanging it up?” “ You never do this, that or the other?”

Sound familiar?  It is so easy to greet our returning family to a list of negative problems that may have occurred during the day.  We use the safe mode of family relationships to be a dumping ground for all that has gone wrong during the day.

[image error]

Family relationships are enhanced when you ask “what went well?” each day, rather than focus on the negative.

Almost subconsciously, the members of the family prepare by gathering evidence to show what a rotten day they have had, and thus deserve some relaxation and space to recover.  Home is where we can truly be ourselves, but often we set up a self-fulfilling prophecy if we focus on what went wrong in our daily life.

Here are 3 tips to switch the negative to the positive

 

1.       Allow a few minutes to relax and regroup at end of day.  Just a few minutes of calm before transitioning into the role of family participant and contributor and make a big difference.

 

2.       Ask the WWW question.  What Went Well?  Even in the most discouraging and disappointing activities, there was something that went well.  As you begin to notice what goes well, you are more attuned to all the things that did go right as opposed to the few that went wrong.

 

3.       Focus on the solutions rather than the problems.  Brainstorm on remedies rather than finding fault.  For every situation, there are at least five different solutions.  As we encourage each other to be problem solvers, we expand our minds and our world.

 

Positive Relationships Are Not Perfect

 

Lots of negative stuff happens in everyday life  and it is silly to pretend that it doesn’t.   It happens to us and our loved ones and it is all around us in media.  We are all bombarded by all the bad, ugly and mean. But we don’t have to focus on it and make it the center of our relationships.

As humans, we get to make choices and the choices we make impact how our lives and the lives of our loved ones will go each day.  So I am asking you to focus on what went right, even when some things went wrong or a lot of things went wrong, look for what went well in our day.

Join The Community

 

If some of this article has resonated with you, then please consider joining our community of kind, thoughtful people who want respect for all.  Claim your eBook on “Using Encouraging Words To Motivate Positive Action” today at http://www.ArtichokePress.com    You will be so glad you did.

Dining Out With Children & Finicky Eaters

Toddlers in a restaurant? How do you make it work in your family? Here are some great ideas for you.

Dining Out With Children & Finicky Eaters

© Common Sense Parenting with Auntie Artichoke http://www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com

Dear Auntie Artichoke

We are working parents who eat out a couple of times a week and when our son was a baby it was fine, but now he is a toddler and it is no fun for anyone in the restaurant. Help?

Dear Working Mom

You are so right.  I love kids and usually enjoy being around them, but not when they are screaming hysterically or throwing silverware on the floor.  Here are some tips from other working families;

Have a few games on your Ipad that your child is only allowed to play when he is sitting down.
Have a bag of pipe cleaners in your purse and help him make figures and letters out of them. We used this one in church and the kids actually heard more when their fingers were occupied.
One family brought an etch-a-sketch that was only used at restaurants.
For a toddler in a high chair, put a few ice cubes on the tray.  Be careful they don’t put them in their mouth and swallow them.
Bring along some small quiet toys or books.
Order an appetizer so they will have something in their belly.
Ask for a table or booth in the back of the room so there is not quite so much stimulation.

And here is a big one!  How about including them in the conversation, without allowing them to monopolize it? The more you talk, sing and read to your baby the smarter he will be.  One of the predictors of school success is vocabulary.  So ask him to repeat some of the words you are using and explain what they mean.

Oh yeah, one important thing…leave a big tip if he has scattered soda crackers on the floor or torn open the sugar packets.

Dear Auntie Artichoke

Our kids are so finicky about food.  They want the same old, same old every day and I don’t think they get the proper nutrition. Or even worse, they refuse to eat what is on their plate.

Dear Parents of Picky Eaters

Kids go through growth spurts and sometimes they really don’t need as much food.  As caring adults, we do not want them to grow up with the idea that cleaning the plate is necessary.  Always make sure you are serving reasonable quantities of food that is appropriate for their age and level of hunger.

Serve them much smaller portions and then when they ask for more give them half a serving and tell them they can always have more.  Here are some other ideas:

Serve veggies first.  Also most children like frozen vegetables better than canned ones.
Make mini-burgers.  Use refrigerator biscuits for hamburger buns.
Give only as much as the years in their life.  So three green beans for a three year old. Four corn kernels for a four year old etc.
Blend half a box of frozen spinach and add to spaghetti sauce.
Put a couple of drops of food coloring in the masked potatoes.
Let them eat dinner with toothpicks.

Children have likes and dislikes just like adults.  Just make sure that mealtime a social event that your child looks forward to, not a confrontational event to be avoided.

If you have enjoyed these tips, you will want to claim your free eBook at http://www.UseEncouragingWords.com   Judy Helm Wright aka “Auntie Artichoke” is a bestselling author, motivational speaker and wise woman with a global message of respect, responsibility and resilience.