Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Gary Tillman Memorial Clocktower 5K Road Race and 2 Mile Health Walk


To register, visit our website!!

Teachable Moments

The expectations we have for our children contribute to their overall feelings of negative or positive self-worth.  Expectations, which are appropriate and doable, promote a healthy sense of self and communicate encouragement through achievement and effort.  Appropriate developmental expectations also provide children with a sense of accomplishment and the ability to please their parents.  The ability to please parents goes a long way in helping children to have the desire to continue to follow the rules.  
Success breeds more successes.

Just last week, my 9 year old granddaughter, Gracie,  was taking her nightly bath.  When her mother went to check on her, she noticed that Gracie’s belly button was dirty.  When her mother pointed it out to her, Gracie’s response was, “well Mama, I wash it once a month!”

Gracie and her mom had different expectations.  While Gracie was ok with a clean belly button once a month, her mom wasn’t!  Knowing Gracie, she probably never even thought about it before.  A clean belly button was not on her list of priorities!  She did agree, after her mom pointed it out to her, to wash it more often!

A few nights later, as Gracie was getting ready for bed, she told her mom with a big smile on her face, “I washed my belly button tonight!”  Mom gave Gracie a big hug and smiled back!

Most children do want to please their parents and meet their expectations…they simply may not know what the expectations are.  
Watch for those “teachable moments” and be happy with small successes.






Summer Fun with Your Children
With summer vacation here, I thought you would enjoy ideas of fun things to do with your children.  These are ideas that do not cost any money, keep your children busy, and give you a chance to spend quality time with your children.  Try to make sure that you spend QUALITY time with your children EVERY day.

1.            Make paper airplanes.
2.           Build a fort with sheets, pillows, blankets, tables.
3.           Picnic-Load up a basket and head out to a local park or your front lawn.
4.           Hide and Seek
5.           Bake cookies-Let your children help measure and stir.
6.           Visit the Library.
7.           Scrapbook-Give your child some old photographs to make special pages.        If you don’t have photographs draw pictures together.
8.           Treasure Hunt-Hidden treasures (something like a favorite toy), a piece of paper with a “treasure map” on it.
9.           Board Games-If you do not have board games you can make your own.
10.        Camp at Home-Pitch a tent in your living room or yard and allow children to enjoy the fun of camping without traveling.
11.         Garden-Allow children to have an area of your yard to plant seeds and maintain them throughout the summer.
12.        Catch Bugs-Make sure you show your children what bugs are okay to catch.  Use a cleaned out jar with a tight lid that has holes poked in it.
13.        Movies and Popcorn-On a rainy day gather up your children, their favorite movie and popcorn.
14.        Coloring Books-Whether you have some coloring books at home, draw pictures to color or print some out online coloring is fun for everyone to do together.
15.        Shadow Puppets-This is a great game to play on a rainy summer day.  Close off all windows in a room and see who can come up with a puppet using their hands.  You will need hands, a flashlight and a dark room.
16.        Play in the Rain-Let your child enjoy the rain by splashing around in puddles and getting soaked.  Remember to have some warm towels ready to dry off with.
17.        Dress Up- Bring out old clothes. Sure they may not be fashionable anymore, but your little ones will still want to run around in them.
18.        Plan out Something Special to do for an Elderly Neighbor- Maybe have your child read a book or bring over cookies that you baked.  You never know whose day you may brighten.
19.        Feed the Ducks or Geese-Use end pieces of bread and shred them up for the birds at a local lake.  Go down to the river and let your child throw the pieces to the birds.
20.       Play Tag or Freeze Tag
21.        Rock Garden or Paint Rocks-Gather up unwanted rocks and arrange them to create a garden. If you have some paint laying around let your children paint rocks for decoration.
22.       Sprinklers-If you have a yard, you probably have a sprinkler which means you have a fun water park in your back yard for your child to play in.
23.       Watch the Clouds-This is fun for the children and adults of all ages. Lie on your back and watch the puffy clouds go by.
24.       Collage-Gather up magazines, newspapers, flyers or anything else with fun photos.  Allow your child to cut out pictures that interest them and arrange them in a fun way to make a poster for their bedroom.

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All aboard the potty training express!!

POTTY TRAINING!! Two words that strike fear in the hearts of parents of preschoolers.  Being said parent of a preschooler I know the fear!  I said “He’s a boy.  His Dad can teach him.”, and as a Mother I knew that would not be the case.  We introduced the potty many, many months ago, but I was determined that I would not push.  That was until I saw the children start to move up to the next daycare class when they were potty trained.  Now, mind you most of these were girls and it seemed they were potty trained overnight.  I’m sure that was not the case, but for this mother of a little boy who could care less about potty training, it seemed to be.  My son is smart. He has always been ahead of the game. He can do this.  I just knew he would be the only 5 year old in Kindergarten not potty trained.  Yes, I get a bit dramatic when it comes to my children. 

As parents we are taught that when children are truly ready to potty train it will happen and probably happen quickly.  Well…..I guess all those parents that have gone before me were right!   IT HAPPENED!! Within a week my son was potty trained.  It was like a light switch turned on in his brain and he decided he could use the potty.  I mean really, no accidents all day long!!! It was nothing special that I did, it was all him!  Of course we still put a pull up on at bedtime (that is a bit much to expect of a three year old) but he will get up in the middle of the night to go potty.  I just think that is amazing!!! Yes, we use gummy bears and M&M’s for rewards and I’m OK with that for now.  I figure this is a small price to pay when you consider I don’t have to buy cases of diapers anymore!  He has already stopped asking for them every time he uses the potty. Occasionally he will remember he needs a gummy bear.  He does offer them to his Mom and Dad every time we use the potty.  Such a sweet child!!

I know there will be many challenges I face with my son and daughter that will make potty training look like a day at the park.  Right now however, it feels like we have conquered the world.  So I guess I am trying to teach as I was taught by many before me.  Take it from me, IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THEY ARE READY.  Let’s see if I can remember this lesson in a couple of years when my daughter is ready to POTTY TRAIN!!!

Nosy, over stepping, or SAVING A LIFE?

As professionals we are mandated to report, but family members, friends, neighbors, strangers… anyone concerned about the well-being of a child can make a report. One phone call to your local Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) or 911 could save a child’s life. If you have concerns or a child confides in you that they are or have been abused contact DFCS or call 911. It is not your responsibility to prove the abuse, that will be up to DFCS…so don’t hesitate if you don’t think you have enough evidence. What if you see a child being abused in a public place??? Summer is here and you always hear stories of children left alone in the car. If you see a child in alone in a car on a hot day, stay near the child and call 911. More commonly you will see children unattended in the mall, grocery store, etc., if you do, stay near the child until his or her parent returns. If the parent does not return within a reasonable amount of time or cannot be located, contact store security or local authorities. If you are a parent and feel overwhelmed and think you may hurt your child, find support. Turn to your family or friends, find a support group, a parenting class, or DFCS. Don’t be afraid to ask for your help. Protect your children.

WE ALL DREAD....

TEENAGERS. Parents know that teenagers can be difficult and at times aren’t always a joy to be around. Parents with teens are some of my most challenging clients, but one of my favorite groups to work with. Most referrals in which parents have teens come from the teen’s probation officer and the parents are at their breaking point. There is a reason the teen is on probation, but in my experience I have found that the negative behavior is often a way of getting their parents attention. As the Parent Aide I mostly work with the parents to improve parenting skills, but I like to meet with the teen as well and ask what they feel is the problem and what they would like to get out of services. While parents are understandably looking for a “miracle” to drastically and immediately change their teens attitude and behavior, almost every time the teen’s response (after getting past “I don’t know”) is they want to spend more time with mom/dad or they would like to be able to communicate with their parents and be heard. Just like with younger children, a teen’s negative attitude and behavior may be the teen’s only way of getting their parents attention. Instead of letting their behavior push you away take the time to look beyond the behavior and see what is really going on.

When was the last time you sat down and had a conversation with your teen? You may not even know where to begin. It doesn’t have to be a big production. Jump right in. Pick a day, time, and place and go for it. Although it may be forced, relax and start the conversation with something light, such as “I know we don’t usually sit and talk, but I just wanted to see how things are going with you.” You may not get too far on the first attempt, but if you make this a regular practice this can be an opportunity to get to know your teen and allow for deeper conversations. Another excellent idea, especially if you want to allow your teen the freedom to come to you when they are ready, is writing your teen a letter. In the letter acknowledge that things have been difficult but that you are there for them and want to work towards a solution. Offer lots of encouragement, support, and clearly state that you like to further the communication.  You can ask your teen to write back or come to you whenever they are ready to talk. You can even give them a place/day/time that you will available to talk (but be conscious of their schedule so that it is a time they will also be available), you could say, “Wednesdays are so hectic. Starting this Wednesday from 8:30 p.m-9:30 p.m. I’m going to sit in the kitchen with a cup of coffee to unwind. I would love if you would join me. No pressure. If this Wednesday doesn’t work for you I’ll be there every Wednesday, same time same kitchen.”

Spending as little as 10 minutes with your teen can make a difference. Try it…it really works!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

April on April...

With Child Abuse Prevention month right around the corner, I thought what better way to kick it off than to give some simple, inexpensive ideas/activities for families to do each day for the month of April.  The truth is, the moments we have with our families, we should do things with them each and every day not just for one month, for each day is a gift and there are no guarantees for tomorrow.  Live each day to the fullest and enjoy every minute, for time passes quickly, and our babies grow up so fast!!!

Check out our website for a calendar of activities!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Impacting THOUSANDS...

The Family Resource Center has served 6,479 people, including 3,031 children, in Floyd county from 2008-2010.
This accounts for 1,328families!!! 

2010 Service Numbers
Program
Children Served
Adults Served
Families Served
Early Intervention      
9
7
5
Mandatory Parent Aide
11
5
3
Voluntary Parent Aide
202
136
110
Visitation Program
34
24
23
Court Ordered Visitation - ME
5
8
4
Divorcing Parents Seminar
393
719
257
Parenting Classes/ Support Groups
143
83
81
Information & Referral
N/A
76
N/A
TOTALS
797
1058
483


2009 Service Numbers
Program
Children Served
Adults Served
Families Served
Early Intervention      
285
212
131
Mandatory Parent Aide
27
14
9
Voluntary Parent Aide
181
104
75
Visitation Program
72
52
39
Court Ordered Visitation - ME
4
5
3
Divorcing Parents Seminar
632
348
283
Parenting Classes/ Support Groups
39
17
17
Information & Referral
N/A
106
N/A
TOTALS
1240
858
557


2008 Service Numbers
Program
Children Served
Adults Served
Families Served
Early Intervention      
486
646
192
Mandatory Parent Aide
26
45
17
Voluntary Parent Aide
34
35
22
Visitation Program
67
92
54
Court Ordered Visitation - ME
7
4
3
Divorcing Parents Seminar
374
710
N/A
TOTALS
994
1532
288