Summer is quickly passing but you have a couple more weeks before school begins to take a quick trip to the cool mountains, or a fun resort. Every family needs to try and travel together. This allows bonding time away from the day to day stress of life. If it sounds too expensive with the price of gas make it a short weekend get away at a local hotel that has a pool and spa.
You can eliminate a lot of the preparation stress by planning ahead. Pack a cooler with favorite snacks and drinks. This will help with expenses and hunger pains that emerge at inconvenient moments. Also having a travel game tub can be fun for the whole family. Pack inexpensive items like card games, drawing books, binoculars, and stress balls. Anything that won't melt and helps your family interact would be fine. Avoid using the dvd player and individual music devices. These items give your children the opportunity to isolate themselves from the family and not interact.
While in the car, play verbal games like "I Spy" and have them guess what you saw by giving them clues. Look at the clouds and imagine what animals they could be. See how many green Volkswagens or "Bugs" you can find. Sing silly songs together that your parents taught you. These games keep your children looking at the scenery and conversing with each other.
When you reach your destination praise your children for the positive choices they have made, which makes the trip enjoyable. Teaching your children how to travel is just another one of the many joys a parent has.
See you next week.
Gina
Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
Is Your Child Struggling with Bed Wetting?
Bed wetting is a problem that affects nearly 20 million Americans. This problem effects one of every 4 year olds and one of every 6 year olds. If your child is over seven years old you are probably questioning whether your child is going to grow out of this problem.
Enuresis is more prevalent among boys than it is girls. Most children do outgrow this problem by the age of five. Over 90% of bed wetting is a genetic sleep disorder. This causes a state of sleep that is so deep that the signal to the brain that the bladder is full doesn't arouse the child. Therefore, they wet the bed.
The older the child the less chance you have of your child outgrowing the bed wetting. This problem causes embarrassment and restrictions for the child. Obviously the ongoing cleaning of laundry and bedclothes can become expensive also.
There are several solutions that you can try to help support your child during this difficult time.
You can set an alarm for the child to wake up after approximately four to five hours of sleep. This will work sometimes as an intervention for the child to release their bladder appropriately. The child can also sleep through the alarm since the child is such a deep sleeper. Your family physician is also another solution source. Drug therapy can be very helpful if the problem is organic. You could also restrict beverages before your child's bedtime. This is helpful at times, but your body continues to create urine without water intake so make sure your child releases their bladder before bed. Other times the parents will try and wake the child before they retire for bed. This method can be exhausting for both the child and parents.
Seeking professional help and support may be necessary to determine how to help your child. There is a strong correlation to child abuse and bed wetting. Please understand that your child needs help and not discipline in this area.
If you have questions about your child, do not hesitate to write or call my office. Have a great week.
Gina
Enuresis is more prevalent among boys than it is girls. Most children do outgrow this problem by the age of five. Over 90% of bed wetting is a genetic sleep disorder. This causes a state of sleep that is so deep that the signal to the brain that the bladder is full doesn't arouse the child. Therefore, they wet the bed.
The older the child the less chance you have of your child outgrowing the bed wetting. This problem causes embarrassment and restrictions for the child. Obviously the ongoing cleaning of laundry and bedclothes can become expensive also.
There are several solutions that you can try to help support your child during this difficult time.
You can set an alarm for the child to wake up after approximately four to five hours of sleep. This will work sometimes as an intervention for the child to release their bladder appropriately. The child can also sleep through the alarm since the child is such a deep sleeper. Your family physician is also another solution source. Drug therapy can be very helpful if the problem is organic. You could also restrict beverages before your child's bedtime. This is helpful at times, but your body continues to create urine without water intake so make sure your child releases their bladder before bed. Other times the parents will try and wake the child before they retire for bed. This method can be exhausting for both the child and parents.
Seeking professional help and support may be necessary to determine how to help your child. There is a strong correlation to child abuse and bed wetting. Please understand that your child needs help and not discipline in this area.
If you have questions about your child, do not hesitate to write or call my office. Have a great week.
Gina
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Creative Summer Afternoons
Needing ideas for these hot summer days? There are several things you can play with your children that cost only your time and imagination. Have your children put on their suits and make water balloons together. Once you have made several turn off the hose and the fun begins. Divide up into teams and start the water balloon fight. You could also play catch with them and the person that drops it, gets wet. What could feel better when it is 100 degrees outside!
This is also great weather to teach your children how to wash your car. They won't even notice that they are working and learning while they are having fun. Your children will also be proud that they have helped you with a chore that needed to be done.
How about washing the family pet outside? Buy the flea shampoo and teach your children how to bath the dog and they won't even make a mess in the bathroom. Your dog will also enjoy the cool water and all the attention.
Once everyone is tired, go inside and dig out the old sheets or blankets. It's time to build a fort to play in. Watch your children let their imaginations go as they create the fort and what to put in it. This can get a little messy but the fun is memorable. Your children will want to camp out in it over night. The fun will continue as long as you allow it.
Allowing your children to create and use their imagination will benefit them through out their lifetime. The childhood memories will keep you close as a family and they will carry on the traditions with their own children.
This is also great weather to teach your children how to wash your car. They won't even notice that they are working and learning while they are having fun. Your children will also be proud that they have helped you with a chore that needed to be done.
How about washing the family pet outside? Buy the flea shampoo and teach your children how to bath the dog and they won't even make a mess in the bathroom. Your dog will also enjoy the cool water and all the attention.
Once everyone is tired, go inside and dig out the old sheets or blankets. It's time to build a fort to play in. Watch your children let their imaginations go as they create the fort and what to put in it. This can get a little messy but the fun is memorable. Your children will want to camp out in it over night. The fun will continue as long as you allow it.
Allowing your children to create and use their imagination will benefit them through out their lifetime. The childhood memories will keep you close as a family and they will carry on the traditions with their own children.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Summer Fun
Summer is a wonderful time to recall family vacation memories and create new ones. I hope you and your family made time to play together even though you may not have had the finances available to travel. Your backyard and neighborhood park can become a haven for learning and new experiences together. Learn a new hobby, ride your bike or go swimming. Your children love to play with you. It is fun for them to see their parents having fun and not consumed with work, bills, and other responsibilities.
Take your children to the library for their summer reading program. Teach your children that they can go anywhere and be anyone they want when reading a story. Write a story together or do a scrapbook together of your summer adventures.
Doing these activities together cost minimal money but they do involve your time. Time is a commodity that we can never recapture. It passes and we grow old over night. Value your youth and time. Share it with your family. It is an investment that will give you an unlimited return.
Take care and I will write again next week.
Gina
Take your children to the library for their summer reading program. Teach your children that they can go anywhere and be anyone they want when reading a story. Write a story together or do a scrapbook together of your summer adventures.
Doing these activities together cost minimal money but they do involve your time. Time is a commodity that we can never recapture. It passes and we grow old over night. Value your youth and time. Share it with your family. It is an investment that will give you an unlimited return.
Take care and I will write again next week.
Gina
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Dear Concerned Parent,
If you are reading this letter then you are most likely concerned about certain behaviors that your child or children are displaying. I am hoping that the information that I will share on this blog will be helpful for you and your family.
Children grow and develop at their own pace. They shouldn't be compared to others, but there are general developmental milestones that every child should meet. Your child's pediatrician would be your best resource in this area. As your child enters the school system you will see a large range of social and academic needs. If you see that your child is delayed in any area immediately speak to your child's teacher to get specific ideas on how to assist and support your child in the classroom. At times you may begin to see specific behaviors from your child that may concern you. It is your child's way of communicating his or her feelings. Even though the behaviors are inappropriate you will need to determine what your child is trying to express and help them resolve the concerns appropriately. This is when you will most likely need professional help. As a parent you will need to identify the following information:
Was your child exposed to any harmful substances during the pregnancy?
Is your child demonstrating any developmental delays?
Does your family have a history of divorce, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, or learning disorders?
Is your child sleeping through the night?
Does your child cry and refuse to get ready for school?
Is your child hitting, biting, or breaking his or her belongings on purpose?
Are you seeing extreme mood swings or social isolation with your child?
Does your child have difficulty completing tasks or sitting still?
Make sure your child is eating healthy foods and getting ten to twelve hours of sleep. Sit and play with your child and model appropriate social skills. If you continue seeing the negative behaviors escalate over a span of 90 days please seek a professional opinion. I would be glad to come to your home and assess your child in their own environment or observe their behaviors at school. You are also welcome to bring your child or family to my office at Family Counseling. I am located at 5002 E Central, Ste. B, Wichita, Ks. My phone number is 316-682-9723 or email me at ginalcmft@hotmail.com
I will continue to update my blog weekly to share thoughts and ideas that may help your family through difficult times. Let me know what topics would be helpful for you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Gina
Children grow and develop at their own pace. They shouldn't be compared to others, but there are general developmental milestones that every child should meet. Your child's pediatrician would be your best resource in this area. As your child enters the school system you will see a large range of social and academic needs. If you see that your child is delayed in any area immediately speak to your child's teacher to get specific ideas on how to assist and support your child in the classroom. At times you may begin to see specific behaviors from your child that may concern you. It is your child's way of communicating his or her feelings. Even though the behaviors are inappropriate you will need to determine what your child is trying to express and help them resolve the concerns appropriately. This is when you will most likely need professional help. As a parent you will need to identify the following information:
Was your child exposed to any harmful substances during the pregnancy?
Is your child demonstrating any developmental delays?
Does your family have a history of divorce, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, or learning disorders?
Is your child sleeping through the night?
Does your child cry and refuse to get ready for school?
Is your child hitting, biting, or breaking his or her belongings on purpose?
Are you seeing extreme mood swings or social isolation with your child?
Does your child have difficulty completing tasks or sitting still?
Make sure your child is eating healthy foods and getting ten to twelve hours of sleep. Sit and play with your child and model appropriate social skills. If you continue seeing the negative behaviors escalate over a span of 90 days please seek a professional opinion. I would be glad to come to your home and assess your child in their own environment or observe their behaviors at school. You are also welcome to bring your child or family to my office at Family Counseling. I am located at 5002 E Central, Ste. B, Wichita, Ks. My phone number is 316-682-9723 or email me at ginalcmft@hotmail.com
I will continue to update my blog weekly to share thoughts and ideas that may help your family through difficult times. Let me know what topics would be helpful for you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Gina
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