Monthly Archives: March 2009

Habit Forming

Posted on March 31, 2009 by coolmomscare| Leave a comment
The best way to teach your children to do their part to conserve water and electricity is to teach it as a habit.

The best way to teach your children to do their part to conserve water and electricity is to teach it as a habit.

The best way to teach your children to do their part to conserve water and electricity is to teach it as a habit. If your children have always turned off the faucet while brushing their teeth, they will probably not even think twice about it.

Some things are a little more difficult, like trying to turn off the faucet while soaping your hands.

Here’s an idea (credited to one of my fellow pre-service teacher friends, Jill):
Put a big plastic bucket or bin in the sink. Have your child wash his or her hands, with the water running the whole time, or however they would normally wash their hands. When they are finished, mark the water level with a piece of tape on the outside of the bucket and dump out the water. See what they think about the amount of water they used. Challenge your child to use less water next time, and see what happens if they don’t let the water run while they are soaping their hands. Measure the water on the side of the bucket again, and talk with your child about the difference. If everyone used just a little bit less water every time they washed their hands, all over the city, how much water would be saved? Why would this be good for the environment?
Once you’ve done this little experiment, tie it into other things. What about taking a shower? How much water do you think you use then? Could we reduce the water use a little bit? Then, once water consumption has been brought to their attention, help your child make it a habit. Praise them every time you see them taking steps to reduce their consumption, and model it yourself.

- Abby Claire Hardy

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Posted in Activities, Conservation & the Environment, Education, Family

Andrea Walks V

Posted on March 30, 2009 by coolmomscare| Leave a comment

andrea_walksIf you are in Nashville on April 4, come out to Centennial Park and join the First Lady of TN, Andrea Conte, and walk to raise funds and awareness for the Nashville Children’s Alliance.

The mission of the NCA is to reduce the traumatization of child abuse victims and their families by facilitating a comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach to the detection, investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse.

Times: Sign-In 8:00-8:45 AM; Walk starts at 9:00 a.m.

Location: Centennial Park at The Bandshell

Register Online

Contact: (615) 327-9958; info@nashvillechildrensalliance.org

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Posted in Activities, Education, Family, Healthcare & Medical Issues, Politics & Justice, Runs/Walks, Safety

Object of My Affection

Posted on March 27, 2009 by coolmomscare| Leave a comment

Huggy Bear

Huggy Bear

I can’t stop hugging my husband-to-be, and it seems like, compared to our friends, we are overly affectionate. I want to hold his hand. I want to be hugged. I want to garden with him and cook with him and watch TV with him. I can’t get enough of being around him. (Tonight I even wanted to budget with him.) That kind of affection is downright great for both of us. But it’s especially important for my daughter to see.

I’ll admit I’ve got a pretty unique perspective when it comes to being affectionate with your spouse (or spouse-to-be) in front of your kids because this is a first for all three of us. Caroline was there the night we met, there while we dated, and there the morning after he proposed (“Mommy, did Brian get you that ring so you can see in the dark?”) She has formed, over the past year and half, her own relationship with Brian, one that evolved from a “Mr. Brian” to an “Uncle B” to the current “B-daddy” era. Unlike most kids, she’s seen the whole progression of the relationship, so seeing us happy and affectionate is not only fun for her, it’s stabilizing. Having dinner together is a peaceful end to the day, and having us both read to her and tuck her in has given her, in my view, a snapshot of what a healthy marriage relationship should be- a picture she’s never seen until now.

I was paranoid when I began dating that she would rebel against the idea of someone else taking up some of my time since we’d been two peas in a pod since the day she was born. But to my surprise, not only did she not shun the idea of my having a healthy relationship with a peer, she craved it. Watching her mother be happy was like giving her an instant dose of natural sugar- she lit up. And she still lights up- the same way we do, for instance, when we see our kids really connect with a friend and have a good time. And believe me, this is hardly related to romantic relationships- my daughter loves to be with me when I’m with friends and family, too. Those relationships do wonders for showing her the benefits of friendship and the importance of family.

Watching my married friends- the ones who married and then had kids, I can’t help but wonder if being affectionate with one another in front of their kids- modeling a relationship- is a priority for them or not. But teaching your kids the importance of healthy relationships should be a high priority. Is organic babyfood a staple in your house? Are carseat checks a monthly must? Do you help your toddler with their ABCs, make sure they hold the scissors correctly, and limit TV time? Why is it, do you suppose, that somehow displaying healthy and happy relationships isn’t on the same level as these things when to comes to our kids overall health? When it comes to your spouse, how did the person you were so enamored with at one point you couldn’t help but create a family with now somehow gets lost among the hustle and bustle of everyday life? When is the last time you showed your kids how much you love their other parent?

Show your kids how much you value the relationships with your spouse, your parents, you siblings, and your friends this week, and chances are, your kids will want to emulate what you’ve got. And it might help you be a little bit more thankful, too. - Mary Cady Ford

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Posted in Attitude of Gratitude, Education, Family, self-esteem

Life Lessons 101

Posted on March 26, 2009 by coolmomscare| Leave a comment
Actively search out everyday activities that can promote learning.

Actively search out everyday activities that can promote learning.

I have always thought that there needs to be a class in high school called Life Lessons. A class that taught teenagers the basics of adult life: writing a check, hemming a pair of pants, or making a great meal from scratch. Somehow, many of us fell through the cracks when it came to learning these lessons at home. Our parents taught us to look both ways before crossing a street and to never accept candy from strangers, but left out some of the seemingly mundane but inherently useful skills that make our lives both easier and more productive.

I have vowed to not let my own children reach adulthood without knowing at least some of these skills (hey, I’m still learning many of them myself). I am actively searching out everyday activities that can promote learning, especially those that represent our family values, such as making purchasing decisions that lessen our impact on the earth.

Tasks that are considered boring, such as doing the laundry or paying bills, can be a great learning opportunity for our children. They can learn about self-reliance, discipline and responsibility, while setting a foundation for good habits for their journey into adulthood.

I know as parents we are all trying our best to get our children ready for the “outside” world, but it is so very easy to get busy and let potential learning opportunities slip by in the day-to-day bustle of life. I encourage you to teach your child something new this week, something that represents your family’s values: a life lesson that he or she can carry on. - Amy Hamiter

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Posted in Activities, Conservation & the Environment, Development, Education, Family

Travel Through Picture Books

Posted on March 25, 2009 by coolmomscare| 3 Comments
Books help children learn about the world around them and experience things they would not usually see.

Books help children learn about the world around them and experience things they would not usually see.

Books help children learn about the world around them and experience things they would not usually see. There are books at all levels to help your children grow a more global perspective. Beyond reading them together and just placing them back on the coffee table, try talking to your child. Even young children have ideas and concerns. Especially for books that show cultures different to your own, ask them to talk about what they saw and how it was similar or different to their experiences.

Here is a list of awesome picture books you might try:

What other culturally diverse books do you recommend?

- Abby Claire Hardy

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Posted in Activities, Development, Diversity, Education, Family

Helping Other Parents

Posted on March 24, 2009 by coolmomscare| 2 Comments
Too many parents have to spend many sleepless nights beside a hospital bed, hoping that their babies and children will get well

Too many parents have to spend many sleepless nights beside a hospital bed, hoping that their babies and children will get well

Do you ever just look at your children and think how amazing they are? How healthy and strong and wonderful? And do you ever just realize how lucky you are that your children are so healthy that you can just take it for granted?

Not all parents are so fortunate. Too many parents have to spend many sleepless nights beside a hospital bed, hoping that their babies and children will get well. They desperately wish that they could just be wiping playground dirt off the hands of their toddlers or imploring their stubborn kindergartners to eat the rest of their broccoli. But instead they are just praying for their children’s lives.

You might feel a shiver, just thinking about that. Don’t let that be your only reaction. Consider finding a way to help those parents–people like you, parents who love their children and only want the best for them. One way is to contribute to the local nonprofit Parents Reaching Out.

Founded in 1983 by a clinical nurse educator, Parents Reaching Out is a community agency that provides peer counseling to mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies and to parents of premature or critically ill newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit and to parents of children in pediatric critical care.

Parents Reaching Out will host a fundraiser on Saturday, May 2. “A Day at the Derby” will celebrate the 135th Kentucky Derby while also raising funds for the people served by PRO. The event will take place at The Crow’s Nest, 2221 Bandywood Drive, from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy dinner, participate in a silent auction and compete in the hat contest. Tickets cost $75.00 for one person, or $125 for two people. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.parentsreachout.org.

- Jennifer Larson

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Posted in Activities, Attitude of Gratitude, Education, Family, Healthcare & Medical Issues

Put Your Shoes On and Get Walkin’

Posted on March 23, 2009 by coolmomscare| Leave a comment
Get Your Walk On

Get Your Walk On

If you are in Nashville on Saturday, March 28th, put those walking/running shoes on and head downtown for the 8th Annual Walk In Their Shoes 5k.

Hosted by the Sexual Assault Center, Walk In Their Shoes is an Awareness event that takes the tough subject of sexual assault and turns it into an uplifting Community Event.

Over 3,000 pairs of donated shoes, representing survivors of sexual violence, will line the Pedestrian Bridge during the walk. After the Walk, the shoes will be donated to Soles4Souls—a nonprofit that provides shoes to those in need of better footwear!

The Walk in Their Shoes gives all people the opportunity to stand together and support the victims of violence. This type of united force turns shame into power, pain into resilience, and victims into survivors.

Click here for more information.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Mommy Wars

Posted on March 20, 2009 by coolmomscare| 2 Comments
It seems like playdates turn into parenting sermons faster than you can say Hot Wheels.

It seems like playdates turn into parenting sermons faster than you can say Hot Wheels.

I usually find myself writing about Hallmark moments, touchy-feely sweet minutes of everyday life as a mom. Maybe it’s just that those moments, for most of us I imagine, are so plentiful. There’s the interesting retort said by your toddler in the car, the great question from your preschooler that leaves you howling with laughter, or the new facial expression from your baby. Life is complete with more of these moments per day than we as moms could even realize. Have you ever stopped to think about how many of those moments are in a day with your kids? I bet we couldn’t even begin to count them all.

Yet, this week I find myself thinking (again, as is most likely common with most of us) about my doubts about my mothering. Don’t we all face those times, too? When did I get so short with my daughter about her bedtime reading choices, I wonder? Why won’t I wait patiently as she “surfs” out of the car in the morning, taking 5 more minutes than necessary to exit a Volvo (who needs an extra five minutes, anyway)? What is happening here?

Sure, I could be having an off-day. My stressors could be ever-pressing (write that Cool Moms Care column, remember!) or maybe…maybe I’m beginning to doubt myself as a great mom. But where on earth did that come from?

As my daughter’s been getting older, I’m beginning to have more familiarity with a phenomenon I like to call the Mommy Wars. For some moms it starts at birth, and some moms don’t face it at all. But here’s a bet that most every mom reading this column knows exactly what I’m referring to.

Suddenly, as you become better friends with more and more mothers, you find yourself in a constant comparison. Cloth diapers or disposable? Public school or private school? Soccer or violin (or both)? I bet you have two friends who are so passionate about each of these opposing topics that it seems like playdates turn into parenting sermons faster than you can say Hot Wheels. What on earth is happening?

I miss a casual playdate. I miss talking about dinners and weather and trips and really getting to know the other mom as a friend. I dread the inevitable discussions about schools, food, and enrichment activities. When did it all start to be a battle where one mom wins and the other is labeled as inferior? And wait, why do I care so much about what other moms are doing?

My challenge for myself this week, and indefinitely, is to be a lot more mindful of what’s best for my kid and not what the other moms around me are doing. Organic frosting is best for your toddler? Fine by me, but we’re okay with Betty Crocker at our house and I’m not about to put pressure on myself to change. You’ve got a ballerina and that’s great, but we have a superhero and we love her to pieces.

Take the pressure off yourself to please everyone else and start worrying about your family first. Chances are those touchy-feely moments will pop up more often, and the doubts will subside. Hopefully by the next article.

- Mary Cady Ford

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Posted in Family, self-esteem

Environmental Education

Posted on March 19, 2009 by coolmomscare| Leave a comment
Natural curiosity

Natural curiosity

Kids are naturally curious about the world around them. This curiosity can turn into an appreciation for the environment, and isn’t that the goal? It is easy for you as a parent to help foster this growth, and there are a few things that can be done without taking any time out of your day.

Some ideas to try:

Call attention to what you see around you. Modeling your internal thoughts can show your children what matters to you. Try pointing out what you see while in the car: “Wow, look how fluffy the clouds are today! “or “Do you see all the colors on the trees?”

Pay attention to how you relate to your environment. Spend time with your children outside, be it at a park or on a walk around your neighborhood. Go past sight to include all five senses. Ask your children what they see, smell, feel, and hear. This is especially appropriate during spring and fall. Everyone can find those trees with fluffy white blossoms that smell awful, or people mowing the grass that looks bright green again and smells strongly. Don’t forget that for little ones, many types of flowers and plants are right at eye (and nose!) level.

As a parent, the first step in developing environmental sensitivity is showing your child what the environment is. Once they learn to pay attention to what they see, and learn to love the earth in which they live, you probably won’t have to explain why it is important to recycle and turn off the lights. They will already understand!

-Abby Claire Hardy

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Posted in Activities, Conservation & the Environment, Education, Family

Homemade Playdough

Posted on March 18, 2009 by coolmomscare| Leave a comment
Have fun making homemade playdough!

Have fun making homemade playdough!

The children in my daycare have a great time with Play-Doh, but I’ve noticed that after a while the store-bought stuff gets hard for little hands to maneuver.

This homemade version is very easy to make and is softer and more pliable.

3 cups of flour
1 1/5 cups salt
6 tsp cream of tartar
3 tbsp vegetable oil
3 cups warm water

Dissolve the salt in the water (kids can help with this part). Pour all the ingredients in a large pot and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Knead the dough mixture until you’ve got the texture you want (usually about 2 minutes). You can also add food coloring. I like to divide it up and mix in the different colors last. This stores great in plastic containers for about 3 months. Enjoy!

- Amy Hamiter

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Posted in Activities, Education