In this dog-eat-dog world in which children are exposed to pressures and experiences which strip them of their innocence far too early, it is more important than ever to empower our children with the self confidence to hold their own. By empowering them, we help them to develop the skills necessary to have power over their own lives and the courage and strength to successfully conquer whatever obstacles life presents. The road to empowerment starts early. It begins with fostering our children’s self worth by letting them know that they are important to us. When we do this, we plant the seeds …
Happiness is defined in Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” When asked what their greatest wish is for their children, the majority of parents (by a long shot) answer in a single word: “happiness.” While parents want their children to grow up to love and be loved, to follow their dreams and to find success, nothing quite fills a parent’s heart so much as knowing that his child is truly, undeniably and completely happy. We want our children to be happy above all else. We want to see smiles on their faces, love in their…
Another school year is underway and for many this marks the beginning of a sleep deprived, high stress, high pressure, hyperactive lifestyle. From sun up to sun down, it’s go go go with little opportunity for quality time with the kids. Between making meals, doing laundry, carpooling, helping with homework, cleaning the house, bath time and bed time (for many two jobs are added to the mix), most parents are beyond the breaking point. In many homes where over scheduled parents and children are running on empty, patience is a rare commodity. Calendars are not big enough to house all of the …
Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. As Americans across the country witnessed hijacked planes crash into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the ground of Pennsylvania, life as we knew it was forever altered. Innocent bystanders became victims as America was stripped of the freedoms we had for so long taken for granted. Across the country people watched on television and listened on the radio, fear and sorrow filling hearts and souls to overflowing. As we have become accustomed to the post 9/11 “new normal” and as we approach the tenth anniversary of …
The beginning of the new school year can open a can of worms with questions about sex, death, puberty, drugs, politics or divorce. Questions about tough subjects like these deserve thoughtful and honest answers. While some questions can be easily answered by citing plain, simple facts, those involving people and relationships are more complicated and require answers which express emotion, values and/or philosophy. Conversations about sensitive subjects can be uncomfortable, but they provide an opportunity for parents to offer their children accurate information which is in sync with their …
With Marlborough public schools starting next Tuesday, and the AMSA and Assabet Valley welcoming students today, parents must talk to their children now about bus safety. According to Mass.gov, most school bus-related accidents involve students boarding and exiting the bus,with children ages 4-7 being at the highest risk. It is up to parents to teach their children to be safe pedestrians as well as safe passengers. Mass.gov suggests that parents “ teach young children to take 5 giant steps (10 ft.) in front of the bus and to wait for the driver’s signal before crossing.” By following these …
The countdown has begun— a mere 9 days until the school bells rings to usher in a new academic year in Marlborough. Nine days until the alarm clock rings and the rush to get the kids dressed, fed and out the door to meet the school bus begins. Now is the time to buckle down and gear up for all the pre-school preparations. There are a number of items on the to-do checklist that must be completed in order for your child to start off the school year successfully. 1. Make sure that your child has had a recent physical. Schools require students to have their immunizations up-to-date and must be …
With school in Marlborough starting on August 31, a mere three plus weeks away, students throughout the city are beginning to prepare for another year of buses, books and backpacks. And, while there is the excitement of reconnecting with friends, it is not uncommon for children to be apprehensive about what lies ahead: new teachers, new friends, new routines. Making the transition from the lazy, hazy days of summer to the routine of the school day can be chaotic and stressful. It is important to start preparing your child now to switch gears from summer to school routines. Introducing school…
By the time August rolls around, many families have had their fair share of beach days. There is no denying the lure of frolicking in the cool, salty ocean water, building sand castles (complete with the wayward seagull feather perched on top) at the shore and taking long barefoot walks in search of shells, sea glass and ocean critters. Beach days are marked by sand-filled cars, complete with a pile of wet towels and sun-kissed, sleeping children. Summer wouldn’t be summer without long, tiresome days at the beach. Now that summer is well under way and the novelty of beach days has begun to …
Dr. Karen Sheehan of Children's Memorial Hospital, Pediatric Emergency Medicine says "Young children are especially vulnerable to heat because they produce more heat at rest, they have a higher body surface area to mass ratio and they absorb more heat.” One of the most dangerous places for children in the extreme heat is in the car. The car is much hotter than the air outside, a probable 10 degrees or more, making it a literal oven. As a result, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur rapidly in enclosed vehicles. When you reach your destination, be sure that all children leave the vehicle…
As a parent, one of your most important jobs is to teach your child how to behave. For many parents, though, differing discipline strategies can become a bone of contention and cause problems far bigger than the unwanted behavior of the child. It is important to sit down and work out an agreed upon set of rules and consequences so that you present a united front. When parents work together the end result will be more easily achieved and everyone benefits. Effective discipline helps your child develop empathy, self-control and respect for authority. When approached with love, consistency and …
There is an undeniable relationship between a good night sleep and a good mood. And, even though our children function best after a restful sleep, getting them to turn in can be one of the most frustrating events of the day. It is reported that up to 25 percent of parents of young children claim that bedtime is laden with tension in their home. These days are crazy days and parents are often pulled in many different directions - from sports events to dance rehearsals to music lessons and much, much more. By the time the entire family is home, dinner is served, homework done and bedtime rolls…
School is out for the summer! Now that the text books have been returned, the backpack stashed away in the back of a closet (with the lunch box, the pencil case, the ruler and colored binders tucked inside) and the alarm clock turned off, it is time to settle in for a long, relaxing summer. No more rushed breakfasts or waiting for carpools, no more deciding what to wear or what not to wear, no more spelling tests or impromptu math quizzes. Summer vacation brings with it images of lazy days soaking in the sun at the beach, lying on the hammock reading a good book while sipping lemonade and …
From bedtime rituals to afternoon snacks young children crave routines and consistency. They operate best when they know what to expect, when they encounter familiarity. For this reason, many children are picky eaters - desiring the same foods over and over again. Many parents struggle with youngsters who refuse to eat new foods or who adamantly insist on eating less than nutritional ones. All too familiar is the scenario of a child sitting at the table for hours on end, pushing the food around, as his anxious parents wait anxiously for the clean plate. Rest assured, picky eating is a …
Marlborough Public Schools are out in just a few days and that means many children will be left home alone while mom and dad are a work. When parents leave children home it is important to be sure that they have the skills and maturity to handle being left alone safely. If the plan is to leave your children home unsupervised, the following precautions can ease your worries and help protect your children. Stranger Safety: When left home alone a child should NEVER answer the door. Pretend that no one is home. In the case of a phone call on a land line, tell your child never to give out his name…
Car loads of college students from Marlborough are packing up their worldly belongings and returning home after a year of independence at college. As they wiggle their way back into family life, there is naturally a mixture of anticipation and anxiety for both the student as well as his family. Whether your child is returning from his first year away or his fourth, the challenge is to find a balance between his needs and desires and yours. The goal is to help returning children feel independent while at the same time encouraging them to honor their responsibility to the family. This can be …
With the last day of classes quickly approaching on June 23rd, students throughout Marlborough are hard pressed to keep their focus on academics. As the weather gets nicer and nicer, spring fever threatens to steal the focus of anxious students who have summer vacation at the forefront of their minds. As a result, it is more important than ever to "step up" the quality and intensity of what is happening in the classrooms throughout Marlborough. This is true at home as well. In order to prevent our children from just “coasting” through the last three plus weeks of school we must be diligent …
Dr. Anthony P. Witham once said “children spell love…T-I-M-E.” For many Americans, it is time to rethink the hyperactive lifestyles which have become commonplace and concentrate on carving out precious time with our children. The pitfalls of over-scheduling our calendars often results in kids getting the short end of the (time) stick. As a result, parents fail to be a witness to their children’s lives the way they would like. It is time to get up out of the stands and become an active participant in your children’s lives. Time is a precious commodity. And, because it is the most precious …
With summer right around the corner school children across the country are anxiously awaiting the final school bell, ringing in two months of classroom-free enjoyment. The thought of summer vacation brings with it visions of lazy days on the beach, sleepless sleepovers and camping outside under the stars. Camps will soon fill with piles of enthusiastic, energy-filled kids with nothing but fun on their minds. Here, contagious laughter and squeals of joy will fill the air. Summer is a time to put down the school books and pick up the jump ropes, slip-and-slides, bicycles and swim goggles. …
Kids and dogs are most often a wonderful combination. The television show, Lassie, which aired from 1954-1974 depicted the classic relationship between a child and his dog. It was a love story of sorts as seven-year-old Timmy befriends a Collie named Lassie and a deep, intimate bond is forged. No words can do it justice. Lassie became Timmy’s confidant, his best friend, his ally and his partner in crime! What about Rin Tin Tin and his German Shepherd puppy, Rusty? And who could forget the magical story of Peter Pan with his Saint Bernard, Nana? The list goes on to include Old Yeller the …
