hello lovely child

TWO NEW must reads FOR YOUR LIBRARY

10:20 AM

Pick No. 1

The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy

by Elaine Petrone

At first blush, it's hard to imagine two simple squishy balls and a wee little square book could be the stuff of miracles. But Elaine Petrone (a former dancer who had a career ending injury) has designed an "un-exercise" method to relax muscles, breathe properly, and decrease anxiety and fatigue.

The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy in particular is designed to help women deal with aches, pains, and physical changes in pregnancy.

There is no bun in this oven, but I was anxious to give the method a whirl, and guess what? When I used the program for specific problem areas (I carry tension in my shoulders, neck, and upper back) I began to see its strengths. Suddenly I became aware of my breathing and how I needed to let go and give into gravity, allowing myself to sink into the balls. I definitely felt the difference between my relaxed and tensed muscles.

In fact, the first night I used the program before I went to sleep, I stayed asleep the entire night and woke up without aches and pains (a seldom occurrence!).

Backache?

Indigestion?

Sore feet?

Insomnia?

Consider giving this miracle a chance to work its magic.

*****

Pick No. 2:

What's Eating Your Child

by Kelly Dorfman

We all understand that there are connections

between nurtrition and childhood ailments,

but here is a book that will help parents

sort through the science and reveal simple

practical ways to find treatment.

Some of the health problems

nutritionist Kelly Dorfman addresses:

picky eating

reflux

attention problems

ear infections

temper tantrums

behavioral difficulties

lack of energy

insomnia

learning disabilities

chronic tummy aches

anxiety

constipation

night terrors

eczema

depression

speech delays

Recalibrating your child's diet may be just

what they need to get back to a natural

state of well-being.

book review

MAN WITH A PAN...Listen up, Daddy!

2:16 PM

Culinary Adventures of Fathers Who Cook for Their Families? Hmmmmm. I love how utterly different this book is.

Inside are tips and recipes for everyday and gourmet from a bunch of fathers who cook for their families.

Here's the catch. The said fathers boiling water all just happen to be A-list writers. Yep. The fellas in Man With a Pan entertainingly share kitchen tales and toils, providing us the opportunity to try their tried and true recipes.

Editing by John Donohue, Man With a Pan is not your mama's cookbook. In fact without a single glossy photo of a roasted chicken or creme brulee, the book succeeds at fabulous FUN.

It's fun to read about what chef Mario Batali prepares at home when no one's looking or what Stephen King suggests when you don't feel like cooking.

In addition to engaging tales, there are more than 60 recipes and cartoons from the New Yorker (Donohue is also a cartoonist!).

Fathers who feel at home or terrified in the kitchen will especially love this title, but everyone deserves a look.

baby carrier

Keep Calm and CARRY ON

4:10 PM

ERGO really is this fun.

BabyWearing is always in fashion.
Seriously.

I'm crazy for these ERGOnomic carriers

to ease mobility and keep your little one

(up to 45 pounds!) safe, secure, and happy.

Here is the organic cotton beauty we own,

and although it's possible to snag a less expensive

baby carrier, I wouldn't recommend it.

*Read about the quality below.

ERGO is the best of the best.

Our prior carrier lacked quality, features, and support

and felt nothing at all like ERGO!

ERGO carriers bring more YES to parenting.

Yes, you'll have both hands free.

Yes, your child will love the ride.

Yes, a carrier provides benefits a stroller does not.

Yes, you can wear it as a backpack.

Yes, you can wear it as a sling.

Yes, they'll be comfy sleeping it.

And ohhhhhh yes!

Carrying them close to your heart

is smart and healthy for everyone.

ERGO even has a solution for

cold weather...papoose coats!

If you MUST know more...

read on here.

ERGO

makes it possible for parents to stay productive.

It's tough to think of another item in the marketplace

that can deliver such productivity, safety, and

nurturance...all at the same time.

Keep calm and carry on.

With Ergo.

*carrier details:

•ERGOnomic design

•100% organic cotton twill with 100% organic cotton sateen lining and hood

•100% cotton organic batting in body of carrier to soften edges

•One inch, high density foam in shoulder straps

•Quarter inch high density EVA foam in waist belt

•High quality buckles - extensively tested

•Waist belt circumference from 25" to 43"

•Fits from 5' to 6'6" body height with adjustable shoulder and chest straps

•Sleeping hood with elastic, adjusts in length for growth of baby

Cloud b

SLEEP WELL

10:33 AM

sleep in heavenly peace under the stars...

Bedtime is fun again!

Fun?

Sound beyond naive

coming from a fellow parent?

For many families,

settling down for bedtime is

anything but fun...

and possibly the most

stressful part of the day.

But for children who fear the dark

or need extra comfort and calm

for better sleep...

there is an affordably adorable option

aimed to help them

SLEEP WELL.

C l o u d b

is devoted to

helping children sleep,

and recently I discovered the

loveliness of

Twilight Ladybug.

This peaceful bug

with little eyes sweetly closed

was designed to bring calming joy

to a child's dark night.

(The ladybug in pink is cute enough

to be the inspiration for a little girl's entire

room design if you ask me...)

Cloud b's lullabag

A calm night for them means you can also

SLEEP WELL.

Twilight Ladybug's

shell projects a full

night sky on ceiling and walls,

offering three color options

for illumination:

ruby red,

sapphire blue,

and emerald green.

A 45-minute sleep timer option makes

Cloud b's twilight friend a most convenient

sleepy time friend.

If a lavender lab, gentle giraffe, or sea turtle

is more comforting to your child,

you will find these companions

at Cloud b too.

p.s.

as if comfort weren't enough,

this toy is educational as well,

helping children identify 7 constellations.

Kutscher

3 STRATEGIES FOR GREATER ACADEMIC SUCCESS

7:56 AM

Practical ideas to help your child become more organized.

by M. Ranard, M.Ed.

715 words

“Just so you know, mom I’ve got a test on Friday I’m gonna fail.” My sixth-grader is barely through the front door when this escapes his lips. Because he is an excellent student, my head is spinning.

Smiling, I remark “What do you mean? You’ve got three more days to study!” But he is already grinding his teeth, scowling as he announces “I can’t do it.”

Still calm, I attempt to appeal to his reason with no luck. Within seconds, I am shouting “Fine. YOU’RE GROUNDED FOR A MONTH!”

Sound familiar?

Disorganization and Success

What my son was probably communicating after school that day was “I feel distressed, mom. I have no idea how to get organized for this test.” Unfortunately, like so many parents, I let myself grow overly emotional and failed to truly listen to his fear and concern.

Organizing the Disorganized Child (2009) by Martin Kutscher and Marcella Moran provides a helpful guide for explaining in plain English how disorganized habits interfere with school success and create chaos within the home. The following issues addressed in the book were ones in particular I believe are relevant to helping your child develop healthier habits and achieve more.

Understand Why They Procrastinate

According to Kutscher and Mora, kids often adopt an “I’ll get to it later” habit and put off school projects or studying for several reasons. Sometimes they simply have a poor concept of time. Other kids have poor memory for ways procrastinating has failed them in the past. Still others are too easily sidetracked and unable to resist temptation to do something more appealing.

The authors remind parents that most often these issues are “the fault of the undeveloped brain, not the child” and urge parents not to yell or punish. Instead, stay positive, offer support, and help them break larger tasks down into chunks. They offer these tips to get organized:

1. Write down assignments in a planner.

2. Ask the teacher or a buddy to double-check their planner to be sure it is correct.

3. Place all materials touched that day into a take-home section of a folder.

4. Mark a calendar with completion dates for step in preparing for a project.

5. Put completed work in a Take to School section of a folder.

6. Weekly purge the backpack and folders of papers no longer needed.

Teach Them to Question Everything

The authors of this guide believe in addition to good note-taking and study skills, the key to your child’s education is questioning everything. Teaching your child to ask the following questions will enhance your child’s learning:

1. WHAT DID THE TEACHER JUST SAY?

2. WHAT DID I JUST READ?

3. WHY IS THAT SO? IS IT TRUE?

4. WHERE HAVE I SEEN INFORMATION LIKE THIS BEFORE?

5. HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM MATERIAL I’VE PREVIOUSLY LEARNED?

6. HOW CAN I SUMMARIZE THIS IN AS FEW WORDS AS POSSIBLE?

7. HOW CAN I VISUALIZE THIS IN PICTURES OR FLOWCHARTS?

8. WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THIS?

9. WHAT QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ARE LIKELY TO BE ON THE TEST?

10. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO ME AND THE REST OF THE WORLD?

11. SO WHAT?

Test Taking Smarts

All students can use a refresher for how to best manage time on a test, and the following strategies are recommended by Kutscher and Moran:

1. Turn over the sheet and jot down keywords, dates, formulas, and phrases you memorized.

2. Look over the entire test quickly to anticipate what’s coming up.

3. Read directions carefully. Underline keywords of the directions.

4. Answer easy questions first.

5. Place a question mark next to answers you guess on.

6. Sometimes the answer to one question is contained somewhere on the test.

7. Sometimes you may be able to get help or clues from the teacher i.e. “Can you rephrase the question.”

8. If you have leftover time, check your answers and scan for careless mistakes. Only change an answer when you’re certain the new response is correct.

9. If unsure, guess.

In terms of helping your child become a more organized student, the authors remind parents “We can’t completely fix everything overnight. We can, though, expect continued progress over a mountainous terrain toward an ultimately successful future.”

M. Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling.

Resources:

Kutscher, Martin L. and Marcella Moran. 2009. Organizing the Disorganized Child: Simple Strategies to Succeed in School. Harper Studio.

afton fraser

POINT TO HAPPY!

11:22 AM

New breakthrough resource for kids on the autism spectrum.

by M. Ranard, M.Ed.
610 words

Every once in a while, a new book comes along that makes you go OF COURSE because it is so very genius in its simplicity and usefulness. That is exactly how I responded upon discovering Point to Happy: A Book for kids on the Autism Spectrum (Workman Publishing, 2011) by Miriam Smith and Afton Fraser.

As a professional counselor and academic tutor for students with various special needs, I was thrilled to find this interactive resource for parents and kids on the autism spectrum to share and find joy in.

Why It’s a Breakthrough Tool

The authors, a mother and daughter, were frustrated with their search for a way to help Fraser’s son, who is on the autism spectrum. ASD children are often challenged daily in their attempts to communicate effectively and can benefit from visual support such as friendly photographs. So, these women, taking matters into their own hands, brought Point to Happy to life.

The book, so ingenious in its simplicity, features clear text and photos of children and is meant to be read to the child. The book includes an attached soft molded hand on a wand pointer (and what child doesn’t love a magic wand?) so children may focus as they select appropriate pictures. For example:

POINT TO HAPPY. POINT TO SAD. POINT TO HUG. GIVE ME A HUG.

Children learn to identify every day objects, become familiar with daily rituals such as going to bed and rising in the morning, and how to choose what to eat. Point to Happy teaches children to describe polite language, say when he is thirsty, and recognize colors of the rainbow.

A Book to Help ASD Children Find Their Voice

Toni Giannone, Communications Disorders Specialist and founder of The Speech Academy says “A positive response to a picture story is often an ASD child’s first attempt at communicating with others.” As these children learn to better communicate what they want, need, and feel they are able to better decode social situations. As Giannone says “As your child begins to find his ‘voice,’ he becomes happier and more confident.”

Consider Temple Grandin’s thoughts about her experience as an ASD child and how Point to Happy addresses a gap:

“Many people with autism are visual thinkers. I think in pictures. I do not think in language. All my thoughts are like videotapes running in my imagination. Pictures are my first language, and words are my second language. Nouns were the easiest words to learn because I could make a picture in my mind of the word. To learn words like "up" or "down," the teacher should demonstrate them to the child. For example, take a toy airplane and say "up" as you make the airplane takeoff from a desk. Some children will learn better if cards with the words "up" and "down" are attached to the toy airplane. The "up" card is attached when the plane takes off. The "down" card is attached when it lands.” (autism.com)

Learn More About ASD

The logo for the Autism Society of America is a picture of a child embedded in a puzzle. The Autism Research Institute says “Most of the pieces of the puzzle are on the table, but we are still trying to figure out how they fit together. We must also keep in mind that these pieces may fit several different puzzles.”

Point to Happy (Workman, 2011) is a small but important step in helping some of those children embedded in the puzzle.

To learn more about the prevalence, symptoms, and treatment for kids on the Autism Spectrum, visit autism.com.

M. Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling. Find her at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

Resources:

The Autism Research Institute. www.autism.com

Smith, Miriam and Afton Fraser. 2011. Point to Happy: A Book for Kids on the Autism Spectrum. Workman.

baby names

CHOOSING A BABY NAME 101

5:49 PM

10 Tips to Help Because Names Really Do Matter.

by M. Ranard, M.Ed.
730 words

“Names matter immensely.

They tell the world in one stroke a lot about you and your family.”

~Jennifer Griffin

Are you or someone close to you expecting a baby? Congratulations! Choosing a name is one of the most thrilling and potentially stressful duties on your long list of preparations. Stressful because names matter!

Expectant parents today are much more adventurous in terms of naming their children. There are endless trendy, traditional, Biblical, and unorthodox picks to choose from, yet it still seems many parents remain reluctant to break away from the pack in choosing a name for their baby. That’s why maternity floors are full of bassinets marked “Madison” and “Jake.”

The Beauty of Traditional Names

While traditional names may sometimes lack “cool factor,” they make up for it with their solid history. Author of Bring Back Beatrice! Jennifer Griffin would like to see more folks choose traditional names and not feel shy about ignoring trends. Griffin says good names are “names that will stand the test of time, reflect your values, and bring joy to your child” and that “You can’t go wrong with something traditional, no matter how popular the name becomes.”

Since trendy names get vogue for awhile then disappear, it is a good idea to think long and hard before using them. Traditional names are not always in vogue, but Griffin compares them to heirlooms. In other words, even if a traditional name like Emma rises in popularity, since it has stood the test of time, Griffin says your child will be better off in a classroom full of Emmas than a classroom full of a trendy name that fell from favor.

Smokin’ Hot Right Now

* Names with exotic letters. Especially X, Y, Z, J, K, V, and W. Names with more than one of these letters are fashionable right now. Examples: Maddox, Vivienne, Elijah, Olivia, Wyatt.

* Old New England names. Examples: Hannah, Sophia, Noah, Benjamin, Gabriel.

* Unisex names. Examples: Peyton, Jorday, Taylor.

* Frankennames. Mashed up names like Ashlynn, Jayla, and Kyler.

* Names from pop-culture. Characters on TV and in films as well as the names of actors.

10 Tips To Decide On the Best Name

After reading Griffin’s book, I came away with a newfound respect for the baby naming process. These are her suggestions organized in ten smart tips.

1. Give your child a tie to the past. Consider family names of beloved relatives and cultural traditions.

2. The big three. Will the name stand the test of time, reflect your values, and bring joy to your child?

3. Think meaning. Think about how you will answer your child when he asks you someday why you chose his name.

4. Think nicknames. If you’re torn between a traditional and trendy name, one option is to use the trendy name as a nickname.

5. Think contrast. “Better to pair two or three-syllables with a single-syllable last name or a short first name with a long last name.”

6. Consider the American Express card test. Rule out names that are too long to fit on plastic.

7. Think monograms. RAT doesn’t look great embroidered on a spa robe.

8. Consider the school playground. You can probably remember certain kids who were teased mercilessly because of their name.

9. Don’t forget your last name. The name needs to make sense with your last name. If your last name is long, complicated, or exotic, it may be wise to give your baby a short and easy first name.

10. You don’t have to sacrifice the trendy name you love. If there’s a trendy or unorthodox name you adore, use it for a middle name.

Does the Name You Like Pass the Flaky Test?

This is excellent advice from Bring Back Beatrice! because it is grounded in reality and puts into perspective for parents that their little bundle of joy is going to be an adult someday with a real job. Here are three of Griffin’s tests for flakiness.

*"Imagine your child saying 'Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to welcome you aborad the aircraft. I’m your captain…'"

*"Imagine your doctor tells you that you need to see a specialist about your condition and hands you a business card. Imagine your child’s name on that card with a medical specialty below it."

*"Imagine a political advertisement with your child facing the camera saying, 'I’m…and I endorse this message.'"

The writer? Agonized with her husband for days in the hospital when their second child was born before finding peace with the Biblical name they chose. She has a master’s in counseling, a freelance writing career, and blogs at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

Resources:
Griffin, Jennifer. 2011. Bring Back Beatrice! Workman.

Big Little Felt Universe

GET CAUGHT CREATING!

11:07 AM

5 Clever Crafty Books With Projects to Create With Kids

by M. Ranard, M.Ed.
650 words

Now that my sons are teens, except for gingerbread houses around the holidays, it’s not easy to get them crafting. But young kids adore creating anything, and the developmental benefits of art and crafting are endless (fine motor skills, imagination, math, abstract thinking).

There are some great new books on the market that at first glance may not have you thinking the kids and I could DO this! But if you leaf through them and let their magic soak in, you will be convinced there are projects here that kids will adore.

Whimsical Fashion

The author of a new book of clever clothes and accessories says her projects are "for kids who explore and giggle and run wild," which basically has our names written all over it (although "jog wild" may be a tad more accurate considering the knees today).

Chock full of personality and whimsy Sew Tina: 30 Cute Projects and Adorable Décor Items for Kids by Tina Givens includes the author’s signature go-with-the-flow method. Inside are flying pigs, soft books, puffy necklaces, and swing-y dresses made for twirling. Givens' imagination combined with Lynne Harty's dreamy photography will have you and your children swooning.

Creative UPcycling

Fabric Remix: Repurpose and Reecorate by Sandy Stone will steal your family’s heart with its sewing and upholstery projects. Ever spied moneybag pillows? What a genius project for older kids! And doesn’t every parent DESERVE a shopping cart hamper with vintage laundry bag?

Stone teaches us how to turn vintage fabric, recycled clothing, and old furniture into stylish projects (some of us are more skilled at dragging the stuff home than repurposing it). Another favorite project from the book: vintage scarf pillows which make such a unique statement with such little effort.

Holiday Gifts

Unless you’re the bionic crafter you’ll need time to complete those handmade goodies so perfect for holiday gifts and decking the halls. Some awesome new books are perfect for gearing us up.

Vintage tablecloths or tea towels become sensational new items in Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel by Nathalie Mornu. Mini skirt? Check. Japanese baby doll? Totally! Doggie backpack? Yes, please. The projects inside this volume of innovative deliciousness will inspire you to create projects using all those sweet linens you snag for pennies at yard sales and the flea market. Even if you and the kids are shy about sewing, you are destined to fall in love with this eco-friendly guide for repurposing old textiles.

Felt Fabulousness

Another nifty book to get ready for the holidays is Big Little Felt Universe: Sew It, Stuff It, Squeeze It, Fun! by Jeannette Lim. If you have never worked with felt, you’re in for a surprise. These super sweet projects in Lim’s book won’t break the bank and kids will adore them.

I am partial to the girly girl felt purse project complete with cherries appliqué and squishy felt lipstick, and you may sigh upon glimpsing the fruit topped cake—YUM! In all you’ll find 12 “felt sets” containing easy projects to make for your squeezing enjoyment. Bonus: the patterns are mostly full-sized so no enlarging required.

Fa La La La Felt: 45 Handmade Holiday Decorations by Amanda Carestio is for those of us who aren’t expert seamstresses but love the idea of crafting festive felt projects. From gift tags to wreaths to thrifted holiday trees, your brood will have a blast making the season jollier with handmade goodness.

If you choose only to make one project from Fa La La La Felt consider Gingerman and Sugar Friend on page 68. You will feel as though you’ve hit the holiday jackpot with this clever felty guide, and your friends and family will have you begging for their own Sugar Friends.

Beyond adorable and guaranteed to bring ear to ear smiles, be sure to check out the projects in these irresistible new books!

The writer? A lover of felt and vintage fabulousness, a freelance writer, and blogger at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

Resources:
Carestio, Amanda. Fa La La La Felt: 45 Handmade Holiday Decorations. 2010. Lark Books.
Givens, Tina. Sew Tina: 30 Cute Projects and Adorablel Décor Items for Kids. 2010. Lark Books.
Lim, Jeannette. Big Little Felt Universe: Sew It, Stuff It, Squeeze It, Fun! 2011. Lark Books.
Mornu, Nathalie. Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel. 2010. Lark Books.
Stone, Sandy. Fabric Remix: Repurpose and Redecorate. 2010. Lark Books.

book review

GET CAUGHT READING!

7:37 PM

4 Cool Crafty Reads for Parents

by M. Ranard, M.Ed.
600 words

We have heard it from their teachers and reading experts, but it can be tough to put into practice. To help our kids become better readers, it’s important to model reading at home. If we set an example and allow our kids to catch us reading—even if it’s just a recipe or magazine—we are in essence setting the stage for compliance.

We all get too much screen time these days, especially just before bed, and quiet time spent reading is a much healthier way to unwind. Fiction is great, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so I found some fun nonfiction titles that go down easy and inspire along the way.

Add Style to Your Home
Kaari Meng has fashioned a book of cool projects guaranteed to inject the romance of France into our homes (we can dream!). The French Inspired Home contains handmade ideas which nurture any dreams you may harbor of living in a cozy cottage in the countryside someday.

From beaded light covers to clothes hanger adornments (these are so luxuriously simple yet charming!) Meng inspires us to embellish our homes with the timeworn and organic touches of French-inspired living.

Even if you typically shy away from crafting, The French-Inspired Home will sufficiently fill up your senses and perhaps re-ignite a passion for thoughtful decorating or collecting vintage wares.

Create Cool Stuff from Crap
And because I personally can't pass up a vintage ware, Fabric Remix: Repurpose and Redecorate by Sandy Stone stole my heart with its sewing and upholstery projects made easy. Ever seen moneybag pillows? Totally genius on page 60. And don't we NEED shopping cart hampers fitted with vintage laundry bags to make laundry time dreamier? Because I’m not so sure I can exist any longer without one.

Stone teaches us (and I am a pathetic sewer!) how to turn vintage fabric, recycled clothing, and old furniture into stylish projects, and you’ve got to admit this is an awesome lesson for your kids.

Apparently my skill is dragging vintage wares home—it’s the repurposing part that always trips me up. Another one of my favorite projects in Fabric Remix is the vintage scarf pillow which makes such a powerful statement with a little effort, needle, and thread.

Make Unique Fashion
Chock full of personality and whimsy Sew Tina: 30 Cute Projects and Adorable Décor Items for Kids by Tina Givens includes Givens' signature go-with-the-flow method. Inside are flying pigs, soft books, puffy necklaces, and swing-y dresses made for twirling. Givens' imagination combined with Lynne Harty's dreamy photography sucked me right in, and I plan to put my insomnia to good use with a few of these stylish DIYs!

Learn from Creative Minds
Projects from these great new titles don’t require a fancy art room, but are you ever curious like I am about the studio spaces of brilliantly creative artists? Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration allows us to peep without breaking any trespassing laws.

Twenty-three amazing women are profiled in this volume by Jo Packham and Jenny Doh, and we are invited to discover their influences and processes which are as diverse as their charming creations. Tips for organization, exercises to fuel creativity, and personal reflections join breathtaking photography of beautiful work and workspaces.

Turning the pages of all four of these inspirational books will accomplish more than you know. You will be afforded the simple pleasure of escaping to inspiration nirvana for a few hours, you may rediscover hidden reserves of creativity, and you will be making a critical difference at home as you model the healthy habit of reading.

The writer? A lover of nonfiction, wife and mom, freelance writer, and blogger at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

Resources:

Givens, Tina. Sew Tina: 30 Cute Projects and Adorable Décor Items for Kids. 2010. Lark Books.
Meng, Kaari. The French Inspired Home. First Paperback Edition, 2011. Lark Crafts.
Packham, Jo and Jenny Doh. Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration. 2010. Lark Books.
Stone, Sandy. Fabric Remix: Repurpose and Redecorate. Lark Books.

humor

15 SMILES FOR PARENTS OF TWEENS

1:23 PM

The glory of your almost-teen.

by M. Ranard, M.Ed.
590 words

If you are a parent of a tween, you may be watching your child bid goodbye to a good measure of childhood wonder and innocence every day. You may even be feeling some grief about that. The adolescent and tween years can feel like unfamiliar territory for kids and adults alike. You both may experience growing pains and apprehension about the approaching teen years.

But there is plenty to celebrate in the “between years,” and not everything about the younger ones was rosy! So often as parents we quickly develop amnesia for the stuff from their early childhood that drove us absolutely nuts.

So the following lighthearted reminders may help to keep your thoughts optimistic about tweens.

1. Children in the double digit years do a significantly better job vacuuming. Not that a toddler can’t Swiffer like a bandit. Just sayin’.

2. Eleven-year-olds legally can’t drive. Hallelujah, they are not yet driving which means you can possibly sleep semi-peacefully at night for a few more years.

3. Cue the confetti—Go, Diego, Go has left the building! Sure there is a wealth of good children’s programming on the air, but there are also theme songs and quirky characters we won’t miss one little bit.

4. Tweens are generally better readers than preschoolers. What a relief you are not expected to read the literature they are assigned for English class (which is uber cool since Othello is not your idea of “downtime” after work).

5. They don’t grow out of their clothes every two weeks. Shelling out $20 for the band t-shirt they will wear for two years is an easier pill to swallow than the $20 onesie which fit them for less than a month.

6. Physically, they are growing stronger and they know it. Glimpsing your tween’s joy and skill on the football/soccer/baseball field invigorates your soul.

7. Tweens still crave your affection. Which is why every once in awhile when they cross the room just to bend and give you a hug, your heart grows three sizes.

8. They are developing a killer sense of humor. So that hilarious youTube they showed you makes you laugh out loud and may even elevate your status to coolest cat in the office.

9. Traveling—especially in the air—is no longer an exercise in mental cruelty. Remember when the threat of an in-flight tantrum driving every passenger on board to the brink of insanity kept your anxiety sky high? Over. Plugged into an iPod or busy with Sudoku spells far less mortification.

10. The diaper bag has vanished. Sippy cups, diaper genies, and rectal thermometers are history.

11. Let's face it, you look more put together these days. Suddenly you and your spouse dress more fashionably as a matter of THEIR survival.

12. You have a bit more time. Your dream of seeing Europe, taking up golf, or reading the classics? It’s possibly within the realm of possibility now.

13. There are less wrestling matches at bathtime. And when they’re sick, they may no longer have to be straightjacketed to force grape-flavored medicine down the hatch.

14. Meaningful discussions mean personal growth. Watching an age-appropriate movie with them now provides an opportunity to discuss meaningful topics—a chance for both of you to grow and connect.

15. This may be your first chance to catch your breath and reflect on their childhood. Finally there are a few minutes to scrapbook (or print hard copies of digitally stored baby photos!), leading you to fall in love with your tween all over again.

The writer? A hopeless romantic. M. Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling. Visit her at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

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