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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Don’t expect too much from yourself. The first holidays after a loss are especially difficult. It is normal to feel sad during the holidays when other families are all together. Many people advise going away for the holidays if there has been a recent death. A vacation trip works for some, while others want to be near emotional support. Ideally close friends or relatives should open up … Continue reading Surviving the Holidays when Grieving
After sweeping the kitchen floor, take a wet paper towel to “Spot Mop“. When squeezing out the last drops of Chocolate syrup for a glass of milk, pour a little milk directly into the bottle, shake, then pour! When an angry child says “I don’t love you, Mom”, try replying, “That’s okay, because I love you enough for both of us.” To discourage whining, try … Continue reading This Works for Me!
ART with Angela DiCicco, The Italian Grandmama's Guide 