I find that often, when I am angry at the children, it is because I am tired or I am frustrated because I don’t know how to deal with this situation. I am really frustrated and angry at myself but my child triggers the helplessness and feels the emotion or anger directed at them. Most of the time, the children are just being children, doing … Continue reading Insight
It is helpful to realize that TV shows filmed with one camera are less addictive (due to the lack of a “flicker” every few second from one angle to another.) Repetitive viewing of a favorite DVD does not enhance a TV habit. All children love repetition. It allows them to make a story or movie “their own”. Rather than mindless viewing, they tend to memorize … Continue reading Beating the TV Habit
I posted my recipe for homemade laundry, some questions I got were for a recipe for homemade liquid fabric softener. After some research I found one that is homemade, it can be as “green or nontoxic” as you want. Ingredients: 3 cups vinegar 2 cups hair conditioner 6 cups water Directions: Combine all ingredients in a bottle. Shake until well mixed If you have tried this recipe, please … Continue reading Crunchy Living: Liquid Fabric Softener
At some point in every parents life we will hear “I’m bored” or ” I have nothing to do” and we immediately think “the bathroom needs to be cleaned!” Here are some creative ideas for when your children come to you saying “I have nothing to do.” Prepare a story hour- have the younger children pick out books for the older children to read. Act out … Continue reading Solutions for the “Nothing to Do” Syndrome
I tape any movies or specials that the children want to watch. While taping, I view the show so I can edit out commercials and determine if it is appropriate. This allows me to “screen” the show and has helped us develop a library of good movies. Linda Grant We have set times and shows that the children can watch. For awhile we tried afternoon cartoons, … Continue reading This Works for Me: Monitoring TV
There have been so much debate over the question of whether television is a priceless learning tool or a great evil. I don’t know about your television set, but mine, left to its own devices, doesn’t have any real power at all, except an uncanny ability to attract dust. The only control my television has over my life is that which I grant it. With my … Continue reading Television: A Priceless Learning Tool or a Great Evil?
As part of getting rid of toxins in my house, plus save a little money, I have been on the hunt for different products that I can make at home. I normally buy the big container of liquid hand soap, which last a while, but I noticed that I can make my own for even cheaper! Ingredients: A bar of Soap Water Directions: Grate or … Continue reading Crunchy Living: Homemade Liquid Hand Soap
Encouragement and Praise When we praise, we send a restricting message (“You’re only worthwhile when you do things well”) But when we encourage, we respond to a wider range of behavior, effort, and improvement. Some children interpret praise as “To be worthwhile, I must do what you want.” When we encourage, we lead children to take responsibility for their own feelings of worth. Praise is … Continue reading Encouragement: The Prime Motivator
Do you remember playing this game as a child? It is also a great way to teach your children to be safe outside! Once your child understands that RED means STOP and GREEN means GO, you can just shout RED or GREEN to get them to stop or go. This way they will find it fun and you will be able to keep them safe! … Continue reading Red Light, Green Light
Remember when scolding to attack the behavior, not the child. Instead of “You were a bad girl” change to “You did a bad thing”. The behavior was bad but the child is intrinsically good and would benefit from separation of behavior and person. Let’s fill out children’s head with the belief that they are good people who sometimes make mistakes (just like us!). Angela DiCicco Continue reading Scolding your Children
ART with Angela DiCicco, The Italian Grandmama's Guide 