Is Your Talker On Track

Talking is one of the biggest milestones there is. Research shows that on average, kids say their first word around 12 months, and they are usually saying two word sentences by the time they are 2. Girls tend to develop verbal skills sooner than boys, and speech delays and problems occur more with boys than girls.

It is pretty normal to worry if our little talkers are on track. It is easy to compare our children's abilities to other kids around them. When other kids are talking and ours are not, it can be worry some. The most important thing to remember is that kids will talk when they are ready, and at their own pace. Every child's pace is different.

There are things we as parents can do along the way to help our kids with their language development.

1 Month
Crying is your child's form of communication and they will use it for everything. "Real Crying" or "wailing" like we call it at our house is a great form of exercise for you babies lungs. It helps them strengthen muscles for future words.
What should you say? Something soothing. Even though a good cry is strengthening vocal cords, the sooner you provide comfort, the more confident they will be that you are really listening, and the more willing they will be to keep "telling" you how they feel. So, attend to the cries in a timely fashion.

2-5 Months
Cooing, and lots of it. Babies language will consist of lots of vowels, squeals and growling. Babies are learning to use their lips and tongues to make sounds. They are also experimenting with volume and tone. All the cooing will help them form their first words.
What should you say? Words in a high pitched, singsong voice. Your baby will notice the high pitch and try to imitate what you say.

5-7 Months
After a few months of learning how to use their lips and tongue, babies will start to add consonants to their sounds.
What should you say? Talk to your little ones. Explain to them where you are going and what you are going to do once you get there. "Let's get in the car so we can drive to the store. Do you see that big tree." Don't worry that they are not conversing back. Research shows they understand a lot more than we think.

7-9 Months
You will start to wonder if your baby is really saying words. Sounds like ma-ma and da-da. Most likely they are mimicking what they hear you say, but these sounds are the final stage before the real language begins.
What should you say? Continue to talk to them about their surroundings. Tell them the names of objects and toys. They will store the knowledge in their brains and when their speech has developed you will start hearing all the things you have taught them. Also, don't assume what their sounds mean. Look at the object they are referring to before you assume you know what they are saying.

9-12 Months
You are starting to hear lots of half words. Na-ner for banana. Babies are saying words in real reference to objects and actions.
What should you say? As long as you know what your baby is trying to say, you don't have to worry to much about pronunciation. If they say na-ner for banana, give them a banana. Me-mow at our house means cat. So we talk about cats. It doesn't hurt to repeat back the correct word though. When they ask for a na-ner, reply by saying, "would you like a banana." They will imitate, so hearing the correct way to say things will only help them learn. But don't make a big deal about it, just work it in to the conversations naturally.

12-15 Months
Babies first word will always be something familiar to them and easy to say. Mom, Dad, ball, dog.
What should you say? Praise them for every word and keep talking. By talking, you are teaching them new words that they can add to their understanding and vocabulary. Praise for every word and attempt.

15-18 Months
By 15 months, most kids are able to say 20- 25 words or more. It is like that first word opened the flood gates. You will start to hear all sorts of words now. You will also start to hear more than just nouns. "Go,  run, walk, see." Action words will start making their way into the conversation now also.
What should you say? Keep the conversations going. Keep talking and explaining to your children. Be specific and name the things around them, as well as the actions. This is also a great time to put more effort into reading. One of the.very.best.ways to help your children develop their verbal skills is to read to them. Don't wait until they are 15 months old. Read from the beginning. Read, read, read.

18-22 Months
You are probably hearing lots and lots of sounds and words, but not a lot of it makes sense. I love this stage in verbal development. Our kids will look at us and rattle off some long sentence, a-blah-boo-ga-moo-moo-bo-bo-mow-dee. The funniest part is that the gibberish sounds just like an adult conversation. Intonations and all. Our youngest even uses her hands when she talks. Vocabulary words will most likely top 30 words.
What should you say? Keep talking to your kids whether you understand or not. I am sure we have all found ourselves saying, "really, oh, tell me more about it." Even when we don't understand a word that our children have said. Ask them questions and continue to converse. Talking back will let your little ones know you are listening and you care.

22-24 Months
Usually by 2 years old, your child is putting two or three words together to make their version of a sentence. One of those words is usually "more." :) They use sentences to explain, and have started to understand that sentences can make things happen. "More milk mama."
What should you say? Thank your child for communicating and for using "words" to talk to you. When your child posses a request, try to fulfill it, as long as it is within reason. Then they will know that they have been understood. This is a great time because there is more understanding between parents and children. When I can understand and fulfill our children's needs, they are less likely to throw a fit and cry over miscommunications. Praise them for their "sentences" and for their hard work.

Remember, these are general milestones. All children develop at their own pace.

***I know I mentioned this above, but don't underestimate the power of reading to your children. Not only is it important for their verbal development, but it benefits them in a million other ways also. Read to them all you can. A great time to do this is at night when you are putting children to bed. Or before you put them down for naps. Make it part of your routine. ***

When should you start to worry about your child's verbal development?
1. If your baby hasn't met any of the verbal milestones by the time they are 4 months old.
2. You have a 15 month old that is not saying any words that you recognize.
3. Your two year old doesn't ever put words together. They are still only saying single words.

If you have a concern, talk to your doctor. The first thing they will do is a hearing test. Depending on the results, they might send you to a specialist.

Witnessing children develop language skills could be one of the most exciting parts of parenthood. Don't worry about rushing it, enjoy it.

WHAT WAS YOUR CHILD'S FIRST WORD?
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A FAVORITE BOOK, WHICH ONE?

Motherhood is a Tough Gig

Being a mom can be hard.

There are some days where being a mother is overwhelming, challenging, humbling and tiring. It is filled with stress, strain, and guilt.

Do you know the feeling? You have a good day, and then the next is a disaster. You find your patience and then you loose it. You feel okay about your mothering job and then wake to see your inadequacies blaring back at you like a giant spot light.  

All the while knowing that you are responsible for your children's physical, emotional and spiritual well being. And that their futures lie in your hands. No pressure.

Around these parts it has been a long month. We have had breakfast for dinner too often and I am pretty sure my kids think their clean clothes will always be unfolded in the basement instead of in their drawers. I have felt stretched too thin and out of sorts.

And then.... just when I think the sun will never shine and the challenge is too great,

our baby climbs on my lap to snuggle for a story...

our five year old wants to give me extra hugs...

and I overhear our children "sharing" in the basement while they play.

It is then that I am able to see through the intensity that is motherhood.

It is then that I am reminded of how rewarding motherhood is.

It has provided me an opportunity to love with an intensity I didn't know was possible...

laugh so hard I can't breath...

cry for joy until my head hurts...

It is a refining process that stretches me to my limits and provides opportunities for great growth.

There is nothing that shows me my strengths and weaknesses faster than being a mother.

There is no where I would rather be, and nothing I would rather be doing.

No matter how long and hard the day, my greatest joys have, and will always come from this challenge of raising children.

 

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! Raisin Drop

One of the best parts of this game is that it can be modified to fit any age.

For this game you will need...

Raisins

Bottles 

Each player will need Raisins and an empty Bottle. Set the bottles up at one end of the room. At the other end of the room, place bowls of raisins for each player. I like to buy the small boxes of raisins and give one to each player. 

On your marks, get set, go. Each player takes one raisin, runs to their bottle and from a standing position, hand chest high, has to DROP THE RAISIN INTO THE BOTTLE. If they miss, pick the raisin up and try again. Keep dropping until you get the raisin in. As soon as the raisin is in the bottle, run back to the starting line, pick up another raisin and run back to do it again. The first person to get all of their raisins into their bottle wins. If the bottle tips over and any raisins fall out, those have to be dropped in again. 

HINT: It is a little easier if you close one eye.

AGE MODIFICATIONS:

Instead of giving small children a bottle, give them a big bowl to drop their raisins in to. Our 2 year old runs right along with the rest of us, drops her raisin in her bowl and runs back to pick the next one up. You can make these modifications for all ages. 

Bowl = Toddlers

Wide Mouth Mason Jar = Children

Bottle = Teenagers/Adults

*You can also make modifications by letting toddlers and children drop raisins, and making teenagers and adults drop toothpicks into the containers. Make changes according to your children's abilities.

TIMED MODIFICATIONS:

*If you don't want to give each person their own "pile" of raisins, just set up one bowl of raisins across the room from the bottles. Now make it a timed race. Fill one bowl with raisins and have everyone take from the same bowl. Set the timer for 5 minutes and whomever has the most raisins in their bottle at the end of 5 minutes, wins. 

FOOD MODIFICATIONS:

*When we don't have raisins, we have also used Mini Marshmallows and dropped them in mason jars and bowls.

Have a great weekend!

Hooked on Rewards Part 2

There is not doubt about it. We want our kids to exhibit good behavior, but we don't want to be throwing candy, money and toys at them all the time. So what are some other ways to reward?

1. Give one-on-one time as a reward. Kids crave attention. They long for us to listen to them, talk to them, and play with them. Set aside individual time with each of your children. Your time together will mean far more to them than a new toy or a favorite treat.

2. Go to favorite places as a reward. Instead of giving your children candy or new toys for a reward, take them somewhere special. Let them choose. It could be a special park, bowling, a local museum, or a trip to the bookstore to see what's new. No need to buy a book, looking will suffice. (Remember, too many material rewards teach children that if they are good, they should get a treat. We want them to act good because it is the right thing to do.)

3. Praise, praise, praise. Instead of relying on material rewards, praise your child and show affection. Watch as your children's eyes light up when you give them a hug, praise them with uplifting and kind words, or show excitement over something that they have done.

4. Use an incentive chart or jar. When your children do what they are asked, finish a chore, or demonstrate good behavior while running errands, let them put a sticker on a chart, or something in a can or jar. Use beans, marbles, pennies, or small rocks. When they have filled the whole jar or covered the whole chart with stickers, the family gets to do something fun together. Your family could go to the movies, a park, museums, or on a hike or bike ride. This will encourage good behavior. More importantly, it will encourage spending time together as a family and strengthening your relationships. Have just one jar or chart that all the kids contribute to. Then it is a group effort.

5. Have kids make their own rewards. Fill a shoe box with plain paper, scissors, crayons, markers, glue, stamps, glitter, anything you have around the house. I like to put plain labels in the box also. When your kids want you to give them a reward, send them to the box to make their own. They can make themselves a certificate or sticker for their accomplishment. It teaches them to be creative, and to reward themselves instead of needing their reward from someone else. 

Ultimately we want our children to be internally motivated. It takes time, practice and patience to get to this point. To help expedite the process we can....

• Teach kids to encourage themselves. Literally. As funny as this sounds, when your child does something good, remind them to tell themselves "good job." Feel free to say to them "Did you remember to tell yourself you did a good job?" This is a great way to start getting your children to internalize their actions and success. Instead of looking outward for a reward, they look inward and see the good things they have done. 
• Always use "You." As parents we are quick to say "I am proud of you." Instead, "You must be proud of yourself."
• When children are small, point out how success makes them feel. "Doesn't that feel good to be kind to your sister?" Don't you feel good now that your room is clean?" Once they get a little older, ask them what made them feel good about what they did. "How do you feel now that your room is clean?" "How does it feel to get 100 percent on your spelling test?" "How do you feel when you and your sister play together without fighting?" 
• Point out the obvious. When you see your kids do something good, point it out. Don't reward or judge the action. Just state what they have done. "You got all your spelling words correct." "You did it." "You shared your book with your sister."
• Have your kids write down their successes. When your kids do something good, have them write it down. If they are too young to write, have them draw a picture. (Once the picture is drawn, write a sentence or two on the back describing the picture so you can remember what they drew later.) Save all the pages and make them into a book or put them in a binder. Every month or so, pick a time to sit down and go over all the great things your child has done. Talk about how they feel looking at all the things they have done right. Either way this type of exercise will turn their focus away from material rewards and inward to their own success, building internal motivation. 

A good place to start with all of this is by evaluating your children. What means the most to them? To our son nothing means more than when he feels we are listening to him. No interruptions, one-on-one. Our daughter ultimately want us to play with her. Playing house, school, or taking a trip to the park is her greatest motivation. Understanding your children and what is important to them will help you figure out how to intrinsically motivate your children and teach them to feel good about their accomplishments and actions. It will most likely be different for each child.

It is a very lofty charge to expect our families to never use rewards, ever. Probably not totally realistic. Instead keep these suggestions and work to use rewards and bribes less. You will be happy with the results.

And...think of it this way... Internally motivated children will also save your family money. You won't have to buy the toys and candy.

Are Your Kids Hooked on Rewards and Bribes? Part 1

Do your kids expect rewards BEFORE they will do anything? Are they always asking "What do I get", or "What will you give me?" Do you have to bribe them so they will get started on a task, or do what you have asked them?

OR... have you ever found yourself offering bribes so your child will stop throwing a fit, clean their room, or get their homework done?

It is okay to give small incentives now and again. There isn't a parent out there who hasn't done it. But, if our kids will only respond when they "get something", it is time to make some changes.

Research shows us that...

• Rewards elicit a quick fix, but not a long term solution.
• Kids who only respond when given rewards are less likely to be self-reliant. At 2 this might not seem like a big deal, but as a young adult and adult, this is big trouble.
• Eventually kids become addicted to the rewards and bribes and demand bigger and better. At first your daughter might require one sucker to be obedient. But before you know it, one sucker won't do it and she will demand the whole bag. 
• When children are rewarded with candy for normal everyday tasks, the children will care more about the treats than the task. 
• Research shows that when parents reward their children for being kind and sharing with other kids, the kids actually become less giving and less cooperative over time than children who are raised without the constant rewards.

As parents, one of our biggest responsibilities is to raise children who are self-reliant. We want our kids to be able to rely on themselves, not extrinsic rewards. We want our children to be internally motivated to help, work, and make right choices. 

Here are some solutions you can use to get the behavior you desire, without your children expecting something in return. 

Stop giving rewards for EVERYTHING. 

Tell your children, right now, that they will no longer be receiving material rewards for everything they do. Explain that you expect them to help around the house, do well in school, be kind to others, because it is the right thing to do, because that is how things work in your home, and because you said so. Don't give in, don't back down. They will complain, so be it. 

Reward Don'ts.

1. Don't reward your children unless they deserve it. For example: Don't say, "I know you wont throw a tantrum next time so here is a treat now" Not the approach we are looking to take. They have to not do it first. Then you can think about a reward. They have to exhibit the behavior first. 

2. Don't give unreasonable bribes and rewards. Be sure the reward matches the action. A shopping spree at Toys R' Us because your son didn't hit his sister is a little much, don't you think? 

3. Don't give up your expectations. Make your expectations clear before you get into the situation. In our house this means that I "prep" our kids. On the way to the store, before they are begging for the new toy, I explain that I expect no begging or whining for a new toy. "If you don't whine, then we can go to the park on the way home." If expectations are not met, DON'T GIVE IN.

4. Don't reward bad behavior. Try to never, ever, give a reward to stop a bad behavior. "Stop throwing a fit and you can have a sucker." Yikes, this teaches our kids that if they throw a fit and then stop, it will get them a treat. 

My husband learned his lesson about rewards last school year. Our son was not finishing his timed math tests at school. They were too easy for him and he would get bored and start to day dream and doodle. So, one day after school my husband told our son that if he finished his test he would get 50 dollars to spend at his favorite toy store. He came home from school the next day with a 100 percent on his completed math test. But, the week after that he came home with an unfinished test again. The next week, another unfinished test. 

We knew he knew the material and could finish the tests. My husband sat him down to talk to him about it. During the conversation he asked what he could do to finish the tests on time. His response, "I bet I could finish if I got another 50 dollars." 

Lesson learned.  

Internally Motivative - Wean Your Kids

• If you are guilty of always giving material rewards such as treats and toys, begin replacing those with stickers. Once stickers become your main reward, start replacing those with encouraging words and praise. Over time the praise will turn into internal motivation and your kids will do things because it makes them happy and feel good. 
• Delay rewards. Young children need instant recognition. Use praise. Tell them how good they did. Ask small children how it makes them feel to do such a good job. With older children wait a little bit before you reward and praise. Start by waiting a few hours to point out the good dead or success. Then wait a day or two. This will teach kids to do things for the right reason, not for an instant reward. 
• Get your kids involved. Instead of promising a new toy if your son finishes his math test. Get your son involved in a solution to take the place of the reward. "Your not finishing your math tests. What can you do so that you can finish your test this week?"

Whew, that's a lot to think about. It's like totally re-evaluating our parenting strategies. 

Tomorrow we will talk about better ways to reward, and internal praise. 

ARE YOUR KIDS ADDICTED TO REWARDS?

HOW DO YOU REWARD YOUR KIDS?

P.S. Don't forget to vote for a fellow Family Volley reader. Help a family out. Yesterday's post will explain. It will only take a minute. Literally.

Live The Life

There is a lot of truth to the old saying "Families who play together, stay together". A lot of families aren't playing together because parents or children are overweight. A common problem that we are seeing in families right now.

We have all heard about the statistics with childhood obesity.

* About 9 million children ages 6-19 are overweight or obese.
* Childhood obesity has doubled over the last 30 years for preschoolers and adolescents. It has more than tripled for kids 6-11.
* Our children may be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. 

There are scary statistics when it comes to adult obesity also. Last year it was estimated that approximately 1/3 of adults were obese.

Research shows us that parents who are inactive are more likely to have children who are inactive. Research also shows that children are most likely to participate in the same types of activities that their parents participate in. That means that if we are always watching T.V., our children probably will to. If we never go outside to "smell the roses", neither will our kids. If we eat foods that are not good for us, our children will most likely have poor eating habits too. It is important to remember that our children watch everything we do, everything. We need to try and set the best example we can.

Lately I have had an overwhelming number of families asking for help with their weight. We are seeing more and more, weight issues destroying family relationships. As parents, they are coming to me looking for some sort of solution, looking for a life style change. We would assume that the main reason they want to loose weight is so they are more healthy, Right?

Surprisingly that is reason #2.

The #1 reason that adults want to make changes for themselves and their families, so that they can participate in activities with their families. They want to be active with their children and spouses. They want to "play together so they will stay together." Families understand that when family members are healthy, their family relationships are better.

While the families and I work through relationship issues, I suggest a program called Kristi Approved (Live the Life.) It is not a quick fix, it is a smart sensible way to live healthy so you can live life to the fullest.

Imagine my surprise when I found out this weekend that a Family Volley reader and her husband have been participating in the Live the Life program and found great success. In fact, Gretchen's husband Scott has lost 50 pounds, is off two of his medications and has been able to sleep without his C-pap machine. Gretchen told me that loosing this weight has improved their lives. Scott is able to play sports again with his kids and go hiking with his family. He was also able to ditch his cane.

It gets even better, Scott could win $1000 dollars because of all his and his families hard work. Kristi Approved sponsors a contest and he is really close to winning but needs a few more votes.

If you have a minute, support another Family Volley reader and all they are doing to strengthen their family.

To help:

Go to this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lehi-UT/Kristi-Approved/391083710513.

In order to vote, "like" the page and then go to the photos. Click on Scott's "AFTER" photo (he is the only guy so he is easy to spot.

Then leave a comment on his "AFTER" photo voting for Scott. It is really easy to do and only takes about 60 seconds.

VOTING ENDS THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPT 22.

Gretchen and Scott will be really grateful.

Taking care of ourselves is especially hard as a mom. It seems we are so busy taking care of everyone else's physical and emotional needs that we don't take care of our own needs. Especially when it comes to what we eat and our activity level.

When we don't feel good about ourselves, it is hard for us to be the best moms we can be. Take a minute, like Gretchen and Scott did, and decide if changes need to be made in your home. Start small and reasonable. The end result will be well worth it.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE ACTIVE?
DO YOU STRUGGLE KEEPING YOUR FAMILY ACTIVE?
HOW MANY DAYS IN A ROW HAVE YOU EATEN MAC AND CHEESE FOR LUNCH? OR DID YOU FORGET TO EAT LUNCH ALTOGETHER?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! The Best New Family Games

Great Family Games can be hard to come by. In our house we play many of the traditional games: Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Pictionary, Connect Four, Sorry, Clue. That's just for starters. My husband loves Monopoly (because he always wins), and I really like Ticket to Ride (if you haven't played this one, you should. It is sooo much more fun than Monopoly, right honey? :)) 

The classics are great, but there are some new kids on the block. All of these games can be played with one other person, like your spouse, or with your whole family.

Let me Introduce new games that your FAMILY WILL LOVE!!!

GOBBLET JUNIOR

This game is MY FAVORITE. There are times when the games our kids love, are boring to us. Not this one.  It is fun for me too. I actually ask our kids if they will play with me. Our kids can play at 3 years old. It makes them think and teaches valuable problem solving skills. They have a regular version (minus the Junior) that works for adults and older children. You won't regret adding this to your collection. 

SORT IT OUT

This game has a Trivial Pursuit feel to it. You get a list of things and have to put them in the correct order to move ahead. Players sort things according to weight, time, speed etc. Everyone plays on every turn and the topics are really varied so there is something for everyone. Plus, you learn really cool facts along the way. Our son loves interesting and new facts. This game is right up his alley.

SHAKE UP

If you like Sorry, you will love this game. In Shake Up you drop colored pieces into the holes designated as safe zones. How far up the tower you go, depends on which numbers you role. The rules are very easy to understand and the game is not expensive which is always a plus. Our 5 year old can play this with ease.

RUN WILD

Run Wild is a fast paced, challenging and imaginative card game that any age will love. With very simple rules, your youngest children can join in. Everyone plays at the same time to make matching sets. The player to get rid of their hand first, wins. If you like UNO, you will like Run Wild. 

MURDER MYSTERY MANSION

Growing up I had a favorite game. Clue. I could play it over and over. I can still see the small envelope that held the "mystery cards". We used to tuck it under the side of the board game so no one could peak. Do you like Clue? You will love Murder Mystery Mansion. In this game a team stages a crime to be solved. As you go along, you will learn how many elements you have gotten right (3 out of 4), but you don't learn which 3 are correct. It is a blast. And there are 4 categories to solve. Murderer, method, location and motive. 

WORD ON THE STREET

The first time I saw this game I immediately thought Scrabble. And rightly so. If you enjoy Scrabble you will love Word on the Street. In this game you use tiles to spell words that fit categories. But, watch out, other players can steal your letters. This game improves your vocabulary and spelling. Not to mention it is really fun. Perfect for a couple once the kids have gone to bed, or for you family to gather around for family game night. They also have a junior version. 

WONDER CHESS

When I was pregnant with our son, my dad told me about a study he had read about kids and chess. The findings soundly showed that there were great benefits to teaching kids the game of chess (problem solving, deductive reasoning, math skills, confidence, the list goes on.) I decided that our son would learn, as well as all our other children. Unfortunately I barely knew how to play. How would I teach our son? My dad said he would teach him when he was old enough. That was great, except at the time, my parents didn't live in the same state as us. They came to visit often, and when our son turned three the informal lessons began. The only problem, our son wanted to learn faster, and he wanted to play with me during the day when my dad wasn't in town. I needed to learn. 

Enter Wonder Chess. This chess game has plastic pieces with removable bottoms. You hide little treats or stickers inside each one and when you "take" that piece you get to have the surprise. We filled them with Skittles. The treats were fun, but the best part was the instruction manual. It is so straight forward, fun, and easy to understand. The diagrams perfectly explain how each piece moves and there are plenty of sample situations to help you learn. Broken down into 10 lessons, my son and I learned to play chess in 7 days. The findings from the study were absolutely right. Since then we play at least once a week. If you want to teach your kids to play chess, this is the perfect game for you.

HAVE YOU PLAYED ANY OF THESE GAMES?

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BOARD GAMES?

Pick a night of the week and designate it as Family Game Night. You will love the unity it brings to your family. Not to mention the memories. 

Have a Great Weekend!

After School Snack

It doesn't matter what I pack in our kids lunches, they always come home STARVING. This means that I have to be ready with a snack when they get home. 

Today our snack was so yummy, I had to share. 

Peanut Butter and Raspberry Popsicles

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup smooth peanut butter
• 1  cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1  cup reduced-fat milk
• 2-4  tablespoons honey, divided
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2  cups raspberries
• 2  cups raspberry juice or raspberry juice blend
• popsicle sticks
• 1/4  cup sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

1. Combine peanut butter, yogurt, milk, 2 tablespoons honey, and vanilla in a blender or food processor until smooth.

2. Pour peanut-butter mixture into eight 6- to 7-ounce paper cups or pop molds until they're one-third full. Cover and freeze for 1 hour. Cover and chill the remaining peanut-butter mixture in the fridge until needed.

3. Stir together raspberries and juice, divide among the cups or molds, and insert sticks. We didn't have any popsicle sticks so I just used plastic forks and spoons. I actually like them better because they provide a better "handle" for our two year old. I worry the fork is too pokey for our youngest so she gets the spoon. Feel free to use regular silverware if that is all you have. Just remind the kids not to throw them in the trash when they are done. Cover and freeze for an hour. Then fill with remaining peanut-butter mixture and freeze for 8 hours, or until firm.

4. Take the popsicles out and let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before unmolding. If you want, spoon honey around the rims and sprinkle on sesame seeds. If you don't want to wait for them to start to thaw, just run the cup under warm water for 10 - 20 seconds, it will free the "pop" right up. 

I started making our popsicles after I took the kids to school. About 9:30 or so. They were only in the freezer for about 6 hours and they were frozen just fine. 

I made some with honey and sesame seeds and some without. The kids loved them both. Probably the ones with seeds more. 

Everyone will love these. Unless you are like my grandma who doesn't like peanut butter. I never understood how that could be.

WHAT DO YOU SERVE TO HUNGRY KIDS AFTER SCHOOL?

I Offer... A Solution

Our children turned a perfectly clean basement into this, in less than an hour. To their credit, they had two friends over who helped. 

I am always getting questions from moms who want to know how to get their kids to clean up. It is hard to get kids to work. They would much rather play. Wouldn't we all?

We talked about kids and work not too long ago. 

I offer a few additional ideas to help you and your kids work better together.

• Do you ever hear your kids say, "I don't know where that goesssssss?" Kids are very visual. Take pictures of the toys that go in each bucket or space. Post the pictures on the front of the storage spaces so it makes it really easy for your kids to SEE where things go. You don't have to take pictures of every toy, just a few of the toys that can represent. You can also include the name of the object for older kids who can read. If your child likes to draw, have them draw pictures of their toys. 
• Is there complaining when you mention it is time to clean up? Children don't always feel like they are heard. So, listen to them for one minute. What do I mean? Give your children one minute to complain. Let them whine and complain as much as they want for those 60 seconds. Once the 60 seconds are up, it's time to get to work. 
• MY FAVORITE! When it is time to clean up, I PICK A MAGIC/SECRET ITEM IN THE PLAYROOM (or in whatever space we are cleaning.) Our kids RACE to find and put away the MAGIC ITEM. Whoever finds and puts the MAGIC ITEM away gets to choose what's for snack or dinner, or which park we will visit. If it is Monday, the one who finds and puts away the MAGIC ITEM gets to choose what dessert to have for FHE. I always make sure that what they get to choose benefits and effects all the kids. They love this game. It is like a scavenger hunt. I have fun picking new MAGIC ITEMS every time we clean. If the room really needs attention, like the playroom picture above, then I will pick a few MAGIC ITEMS. Sometimes I announce the MAGIC ITEM right when it is put away. Other times I wait until everything is put away and then announce with a ta da. 

Remember, we can't expect our kids to work at the same speed as we do. The best way to get your kids to work and clean is to slow down and work and clean with them.

DO YOUR KIDS COMPLAIN ABOUT CLEANING?

HOW DID YOUR PARENTS TEACH YOU TO WORK?

IT'S ONLY TUESDAY, ANYONE TIRED ALREADY?

 

And the Blog Fest Winner Is...

Thank you to everyone who visited over the weekend for Blog Fest.

The Winner of the Half Tees Giveaway Is...

m&msmommy

who said:

I LOVE this idea! My undershirt always rise up too and this is a great alternative to that.

I'd choose the white one.

I follow!

Congratulations! Contact me so I can get you your new shirt. I hope it will be your favorite too.

We will have to do this giveaway again. I really love these shirts. 

If you want to get your own Half Tee, check out their website and you can order online. If you live in Utah County, you can buy Half Tees at University Mall. They have a kiosk there.

ANYONE GOING TO GIVE THEM A TRY?

A Giveaway - My Favorite Shirt - Blog Fest 2010

Blog Fest 2010.
Hosted by A Journey of Books.

A big welcome to all of my friends. I am so grateful to you for reading. And to everyone visiting, I hope we will become friends.

Around here we are helpful, funny, and fantastic. Whether it's parenting, relationships, motherhood, you name it, we chat about it. And, it's all in the name of love. 

Pull up a chair and make yourself at home. I hope you will come back and visit often. 

For Blog Fest, Family Volley is giving away...Drum roll please...

My Favorite Shirt. 

You will have your choice of a regular short sleeve Half Tee. You pick the color and the size. 

I have been head over heals for this product ever since I found them. I own every color. I especially love to wear my Half Tees under dresses. I don't have to worry about my undershirt riding up any more. It is the perfect solution when you need coverage at the neckline, but don't want to wear all the layers. 

Required Entry: 

Become a follower of this blog (Google or RSS), and leave me a comment telling me which color half tees you would like. Be sure you leave your email address so I can contact you when you win. You can click the Follow button on the tool bar, top left.

Extra Entries:

Leave a separate comment for each entry.

• Like Family Volley on Facebook (click the Facebook button on the top right of the sidebar, click "like")
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet or leave a post on Facebook about this giveaway. Be sure you leave a link to this Family Volley post or it doesn't count. (This is worth 2 entries.) Leave me a link so I can check it out. 
• Put a Family Volley button on your blog or website (worth 2 entries.)
• Leave a comment on a Family Volley post. 
• Leave me a question at Dear Family Volley.

Giveaway will end Sunday September 12th at midnight. I will announce the winner on Monday. 

Now that you have entered the giveaway, hop on over and say hello to Books With Coffee. Tell her Family Volley sent you. Happy Hoping. 

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! Tic Tac Toss

Don't forget to Enter the Half Tees Giveaway. It will only run for 72 hours. In honor of Blog Fest 2010.


Now that school is back in session, families are extra busy. It is more important than ever to set aside time to spend together. The activities in FAMILY FUN FRIDAY's are a great place to start.

For this game you will need:

Bean bags

4-5 for each player

*If you don't have bean bags, take a ziplock bag (freezer bags work well), fill it with beans or rice and you will be set. To color code the bags, just put squares of colored paper in each bag.

Tape 

(masking tape, or electrical tape work great)

**If you don't have masking or electrical tape, string would work also. 

The play area is very easy to set up.

Find an open spot on your floor. Carpet, hard wood, tile, doesn't matter. Take the tape and make a tic tac toe board. Be generous with the size of your squares.

Tape down a throwing line about 5 feet away from your playing board for younger players and 6 feet away for older players. Use your best judgment. If the line is too far away, move it up.  

Give each player their bean bags and stand behind the line. Players take turns throwing their bean bags onto the tic tac toe board. 

The object is to get three in a row.

The first player to get three in a row WINS!

***ALTERNATE PLAY: Give each player 4 bags to try to complete three in a row. Then it is the next players turn. 

I can still beat my husband at Tic Tac Toe. I prefer Connect Four though. How about you?

More Important Than Earrings.

This morning was typical. Up early to get things done before the kids woke up, baths all around, dressed, breakfast, backpacks and out the door. As I was headed out I grabbed my earrings off the piano. They have been sitting there for two weeks. I took them off while practicing with our son a while back.

The day I left them there I had taken them out of my bag, where I had asked our son to put them. When I took them out the backs were both bent. 90 degree angle bent. I found this really odd. I straightened them out best I could and wore them. Only to leave them on the piano later that day.

In the last two weeks I have worn them a handful of times. Every time I pick them up off the piano (heaven for bid I take them upstairs and put them away) the backs are bent again.

This is what they looked like after I tried to straighten them out, for the 4th time. 

This morning as I found them again, backs bent, it dawned on me. I look at our son and asked if he was the culprit.

He hesitated which was all the answer I needed. I couldn't believe it. This was new. He has never done anything like this before. I know it's not that big of a deal. He is 8 and boys will be boys. He explained he was "just testing to see how strong they were."  Evidently not very strong.

Before we got in the car I explained, "I don't want to see this happen again, not nice to ruin other peoples things, yada yada yada." I was running through the situation in my mind, trying to figure out why he did what he did. Although I stayed calm and didn't voice it, there was some frustration. He could tell.

Then it happened.

I dropped both kids (our son and daughter) off and watched like I always do as they run across the grass and head into school. They made their way slowly this morning, talking to other kids as they went. They got to the front door and stopped right in the middle of all the kids trying to get in. I wondered what they were doing. My first thought, "your going to be late, what are you looking at?"

Then, I realized what they were doing. From my perspective it looked like he was tying her shoe for her. I later found out that our daughter was worried because her sock felt funny, it was "falling down." Our son, who just bent my earrings for the millionth time, had bent over to help his sister with her shoe.

He told her to stop so he could help her fix it.

As I sat there in the car, I couldn't keep back the tears. Lots of tears.

When I picked our daughter up from school she immediately told me how her brother had helped her.

When I picked our son up from school, he told me the story and said he felt bad because he couldn't fix her sock all the way.

I felt bad because this morning I cared about earrings.

Is your Child Overly Sensitive...AKA lots of crying for no reason?

Do you have a child that is overly sensitive? Do they cry easily, experience quickly changing moods, and is prone to outbursts and tantrums?

You are not alone. Research says that about 15 to 20 percent of kids are highly sensitive. As parents, the goal is not to change their sensitive personalities. Instead, you want to help your child cope with situations and learn to control their response.

Here are some things we can do to help our sensitive kids....


1. Don't stereotype.
It is easy to label sensitive children as a problem child, crybabies, etc.. Don't do it. Don't let others do it either. Labeling your children will only perpetuate the problem. It is true, children live up to the labels we put on them.

2. Respect your child's nature.
We need sensitive and caring kids and people in the world. We don't want to desensitize our caring children. We want them to know that we love them just the way they are. We also want them to know that we can help them better cope with the emotions that come with being sensitive.

3. Observe your child.
Remember the challenge from last week. Take the challenge and observe when your child is especially sensitive. Observe what works best to help your child. Do they need transition time between activities, are they getting enough sleep? Do you keep to a routine? Observe what helps your child handle life more successfully and try to implement your findings.

4. Don't say "TOUGHEN UP."
Sensitive kids can't toughen up. They don't want to cry about everything, it is part of their personality. As parents we quickly find ourselves telling them to "stop acting like a baby," "big girls don't cry," "you are too big to cry like a baby.," "you cry more than your baby sister." Statements like this will not bring the changes you are looking for.

5. Teach your child to use "tough talk."
Sniveling, crying and whining will not get kids what they want. It will also embarrass them if they ever start crying and whining in front of their friends.  Teach your child before they talk to clear their throat and use a firm and strong voice. You will need to teach them what that means. Role play and demonstrate the difference between whinny, and strong and confident.

6. Don't overprotect your sensitive child.
It is natural to want to step in and rescue our children when they are upset. Our children have to learn how to deal with situations themselves. If we always come to their rescue, they will always depend on us, and will be less likely to handle situations on their own.

7. Stick to a routine.
Sensitive children have a hard time dealing with transitions and change. It is important to plan ahead, prepare your child so they know what to expect, and keep things regular and calm. We can't place unrealistic expectations on our children. 6 hours of errands running on fruit snacks, would make us have a breakdown too.
Be sure your children get enough sleep, and enough to eat. This sounds obvious, but breakdowns often occur because kids are hungry and/or tired. Try not to over schedule your days. Be flexible so you can adjust if necessary. Staying home so your sensitive child can have some down time after school is more important than picking up milk. Have your husband pick it up on his way home instead.

8. Teach replacement emotions. 
Teach your children what else they can do instead of crying. When the emotions are starting to take over, have your child....take a deep breath, hum a song, clear their throat, think of a happy memory, tell a joke in their head, bite their tongue.
Anything to buy them a few seconds to gain composure. Then they can use their "tough voice" and express their feelings and concerns.

9. Take a picture.
As parents we assume children understand, when really they don't. What is obvious to us, is not to them. So... take a picture of your child when they are "normal." Sitting on the couch or hanging out. Then, take a picture of them when they are crying or acting out. Show them the two pictures so they get to see and understand what they look like. Then they can see the difference between in control and out of control. Point out their expressions and actions. Then they will better understand what behavior should change, and what is acceptable.

10. Listen to your child.
In many cases, sensitive kids express unnecessary emotions because they don't feel like anyone is listening to them. Let them express their opinions. Be reasonable and allow them to tell you why they are upset. Acknowledge their feelings, don't just push them aside for the agenda at hand. Relate to them. You can do this by telling them stories from when you were young and felt the same way. Feeling understood is a huge step towards helping overly sensitive children control their emotions.

11. Put yourself in their position.
Think about life from your child's perspective. Always being told what to do, how to do it and when to do it. They just get started in something they have been waiting to do and we tell them it is time to go, stop, or leave. They have little choice, voice, or power. Give them choice when you can, try to see their point of view, be sympathetic. Help them feel understood and they will be more willing to listen, curb the tears, and be obedient.

Remember, temper tantrums are different than an overly sensitive child.

DO YOU HAVE AN OVERLY SENSITIVE CHILD?
WHAT BRINGS ON THE TEARS IN YOUR HOUSE?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! Balloon Shave Pop

You know when you are young and you have those silly thoughts about what would be cool when you are married? Well, I always thought it would be fun to shave my future husband's face. You know, very romantic movie-esque. Well I am now married to that "future husband" and he has never thought my fantasy was such a good idea. This game is as close as I am ever going to get. 

You will need

Shaving Cream

Plastic Knives

Balloons

                                                  

Blow up the balloons and cover each one with shaving cream. Give each player a coated balloon and a plastic knife. 

The Object

Shave your balloon without popping it. The player to give a clean shave first, wins. 

Side Notes

This game is great for all ages. For smaller children, don't blow up the balloons very big. It will make it harder to pop if it is small. For adults and slightly older children, blow those balloons up big and round. The bigger the easier it is to pop, and the more fun the challenge. Also, small children can use the flat and dull side of the knife to shave, but bigger kids, 3 or so and up, as well as adults can be instructed to use the cerated side of the knife. 

Lastly, you will want to play this one on floors that can be cleaned up easily, not carpet. Outside is good also. It doesn't make a huge mess, just a fun mess. 

DO YOU HAVE SHAVING CREAM IN YOUR HOUSE, OR HAS EVERYONE GONE ELECTRIC

Happy Weekend!