Holiday Ideas
Give each child their own nativity set. It could be one they can play with or one that’s handmade. Let them keep it in their room. Teach children customs from another faith or country. serve smelts, spaghetti with anchovies, and shrimp on Christmas Eve as the Italians do. You could light a Hanukkah candles to remember where the Jewish and Christian faiths come from. Families from … Continue reading Holiday Ideas
How to Help a Friend who is Grieving
Do’s: Let your genuine concern and caring show. Express your sorrow about the death and acknowledge your friend’s pain. Remember: sayings something is better than saying nothing. Be available to listen. The grieving person needs to express their thoughts and feelings about what has happened. They may long for the opportunity to go over all of the events that have occurred and express their feelings of loss. Offer to help … Continue reading How to Help a Friend who is Grieving
Peeking Through the Window
A holiday party is in progress and a photo is being snapped. This is the scene as you watch through the frosted windowpane: A woman wears a black velvet dress cut to a “V” in back. Her hair is upswept and perfectly lacquered. Her nails are perfectly manicured and her smile shows perfect teeth. Her children, too, are dressed festively. The girl is dressed in red … Continue reading Peeking Through the Window
For Children Dealing with Death
Protect your children from other people’s advice. A well-maning relative may say, “You’re the man of the family now,” to a 7-year-old who is not qualified to fill that role. Consider taking them out of school temporarily. Some teachers expect “business as usual” when your child may not be up to it. After dealing with a death, your child may feel his/her peers are immature or … Continue reading For Children Dealing with Death
Kid’s Korner: Thanksgiving Crafts
Thanksgiving Crafts: Indian headband: Have children trace their hand five times on different colored construction paper. Staple onto headband strip of paper, overlapping “feathers”. They can use this Indian headband in a Thanksgiving play. Turkey Hand: Have children trace hand on colored construction paper. Cut it out. Color the hand in where the thumb is the head of the turkey and the hand is the … Continue reading Kid’s Korner: Thanksgiving Crafts
12 Ways to a Happy Holiday Season
On the first day of Christmas, ENCOURAGEMENT said to mer: 1. Be Sure to PRAY. WIth your spiritual needs filled, you will have a sense of peace. 2.EAT REGULARLY. Maintain regular eating patterns. Avoid excessive sugar, caffeine and alcohol which could contribute to feelings of irritability, testiness, and drowsiness. 3.Know your LIMITS (physical, mental, monetary, etc.) and adhere to them. 4.PACE yourself- give yourself plenty of time to … Continue reading 12 Ways to a Happy Holiday Season
For Parents Dealing with Death
If you’ve lost your spouse, try not to make any major decisions for 6 months. Id you decided to chang your living situation, make sure you are acting from thought rather than emotion. Find a support group or seek out a person in your same situation. Family and friends cannot understand your needs as well as someone who has already lived through a similar loss. The … Continue reading For Parents Dealing with Death
This Works for Me: Feeding your infant
Pre-package formula into small ziplock bags, so it is ready to go. Keep a few extra packages in the diaper bag for those just in case times. For babies, pre-package a serving of oatmeal into small ziplock bags. Keep a few extra packages in the diaper bag for those just in case times, that way you have something to feed your baby besides a bottle. … Continue reading This Works for Me: Feeding your infant
Do your short term goals conflict with long term goals?
Short term goals: Make 2 button bracelets today. Make one contact. Return phone calls. Fill 2 orders and mail out.Long term goals: Complete my BA in fine arts. Be a jillionaire within 10 years! Recently, I felt very stressed when my short term goals conflicted with my long term goals. Which is more important? Do I work on my short term goals at the expense … Continue reading Do your short term goals conflict with long term goals?
22 Little Reasons to Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is a time to ponder and be grateful for blessing that have enriched our lives. It’s a time to realize that the little things really do count! A moment of silence on a hectic day Children arriving safely home from school Sleeping through the night with an infant in the house The health of your family A spouse who loves us and supports our … Continue reading 22 Little Reasons to Give Thanks
ART with Angela DiCicco, The Italian Grandmama's Guide 