SmartMom

Looking/Feeling Your Best

You know how some things just go together…cookies and milk, peanut butter and jelly, Tom and Jerry…baseball caps and ponytails. It’s a known fact that the baseball hat is a favorite go-to item of many moms on the fly – throw your hair into a ponytail, grab your hat and you’re good to go to the bus stop, post office or soccer field.  Well, move over baseball hat, you’ve finally got some competition. And it’s chic competition, at that.
 
    “Girl 32” has introduced a line of ultra-cute knit hats that button down the back, making them ponytail-friendly and perfect for cooler weather.  Check them out in a variety of patterns and colors at girl32.com.

The stuff of life enough is enough

    ‘Tis the season for stuff! We buy stuff, build stuff, wrap stuff, ship stuff, return stuff and buy more stuff. And then we say we love this time of year because it reminds us of what really matters in our lives – and it’s not the stuff.  It seems we’ve been looking at holiday advertisements since we went shopping for back-to-school supplies, and it can be very hard not to go overboard by December.  What is a mom supposed to do?

     Only you can decide how much is too much stuff. In general, if your children appreciate what is theirs, value what is theirs, age-appropriately care for what is theirs and show respect for what belongs to others, you are in great shape.  But if you’re like many families today, you may need to teach your children how to live in a world of stuff. And as you already know, lectures do not work. So here are a few tips to keep in mind before you find yourself toppling overboard:

[1.] Write down what your children would truly like this year (books, CDs, a swim with the dolphins or those big-ticket items that will last for years). Before any new stuff arrives in your house, you need to plan how to organize the existing stuff. Are you already rotating toys to keep play uncluttered? Too much stuff ruins the value of play by giving children too many options and fostering a reckless attitude. Are you boxing up the stuff that isn’t being used?

[2.] Create a holiday ritual around your child giving, as well as receiving. Put away younger toys for a younger sibling. Donate gently used toys to charity. Actively teach your child to care for, and about, others by making time for community service. Even toddlers can visit senior-living centers. Adopt a less fortunate family and watch your child get excited while shopping for another kid.

[3.] Be prepared to say “No!” and to teach your children standards of value. Just as you would never allow them to eat candy for breakfast, lunch and supper, explain in simple terms that certain products are just not good for them. Define for your children what is “enough,” knowing that they will not agree with you until many years later. They must learn to delay gratification and to handle disappointment with grace. Only you can change the “gimme’s.”

[4.] Rehearse with kids how to express appreciation for gifts. Teach your kids to open gifts with awareness of the giver, and to follow up with a tangible “Thank you” note or phone call. Opening gifts can be overwhelming for some kids and can turn into a race or contest for others. Remind them that the child with the most toys doesn’t win. The child who is fun and funny wins. The child who is interested and interesting wins. The child who enjoys stuff, but doesn’t need stuff, wins.


Health
’Tis the Season to Boost Your Immunity

    By this time of year, we’re well into the height of cold and flu season.  Here are a few tips on how to keep you and your family healthy this winter, while keeping those nasty bugs at bay:

Get into the handwashing habit
    It’s the No. 1 strategy to fight viruses above all else. Doctors recommend proper hand-washing to keep your family cold- and flu-free, so make it a routine in your family several times a day. Hands should be washed with soap for 20 to 25 seconds – try the Happy Birthday song as a timer (washing hands until you’ve finished the song). Remember to scrub vigorously – the 3 keys are soap, friction and water.

Get lots of vitamins
    Be sure to take a multivitamin and eat plenty of colorful vegetables and fruits, such as oranges, broccoli, berries and tomatoes. These foods are packed with vitamins A, C and E, plus they are loaded with antioxidants.  Green tea is another way to absorb antioxidants – so drink up!

Catch your Zs
    Although this time of year is particularly busy, it’s critical to make sure your family continues to adhere to a regular bedtime schedule.  Keep it a priority – getting a good night’s sleep will help everyone avoid becoming run down.

Don’t touch
    Most viruses are passed through droplets in the air and then onto your hands once you’ve touched something contaminated.  Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible. They are the gateways for those pesky little germs.

Lower your stress
    Studies show high levels of both physical and mental stress can suppress the immune system. Try to avoid chronic stress when possible, or learn relaxation techniques to better cope with unavoidable, difficult situations.  Your mental well-being is a huge part of staying healthy overall.  

Get a move on
    Everyone in your family should squeeze in a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day to help boost the immune system. A family walk after dinner, playing soccer or basketball, or a game of hide-and-seek are great ways to integrate physical activity into your daily routine.

Stay away!  
      Steer clear of friends and co-workers who are battling chronic colds and coughs. And by the same token, be sure to stay home from work and keep your children home from school when you are all sick so you don’t contribute to the spread of the virus.

Holiday Links

ChangingThePresent.org
    This website lets you change the world, exactly the way you want. For just a few dollars, you can provide a child with her first book, fund an hour of cancer research or protect an acre of the rainforest. What a great way for you and your family to discuss the real meaning of “present” this holiday season.

Flipclips.com
    These individually crafted, little flipbooks are made using your own digital video. Imagine a flipbook
created using footage of your little one’s first steps or his preschool Halloween parade. What a fun gift idea and great keepsake for someone who has just had a baby or is newly married.

Makestuff.com
    A one-stop site for children's hobby craft ideas. It includes easy projects and fun activities for children of all ages. They also have a section for holiday crafts. Do you have any young chefs in the house? You’ll be amazed at all their kid-friendly recipes, too.

SOLUTION OF THE MONTH

    So you’re hosting a holiday party and were kind enough to invite the children of your friends and family to come along. Now, as the RSVPs start rolling in, you may find yourself thinking, “What am I going to do with 17 kids inside?” 

    One smart idea is to hire a babysitter or 2, maybe a teen who will already be coming to the party. Give him or her the green light to come up with activities for the younger ones. If a sitter isn’t an option, ask the kids to put on a play for the adults after dinner. Put the characters into a hat and have each child draw one as they arrive. Older kids will have a blast being “directors,” and all will have fun creating costumes and putting on a show.