TIP OF THE DAY

Play classic movies for your children on your DVD. With new movies constantly being released we sometimes forget about classics like Pinochio, Snow White or The Wizard of Oz. You´ll find you can enjoy them together all over again!

ARTICLE: Always re-ask your child´s questions

Children are full of questions. This is their way of exploring the world. However, always be careful of what you´re about to answer, you may be giving away too much information. When your child asks something, make sure you are answering what he is asking and not something else. To do this simply re-ask the question, encouraging him or her to give you more information. Famous example: "Mom, how are children born?" to which you would reply: "How are children born, how?" And your child could reply: "Yes, with clothes or without?" A simple answer! We can only wish all answers were that simple, but at least some questions are sure to be made easier if you are clear on what your child is inquiring. Good luck!

DAILY RECIPE: Milky Way Cake

8 Milky Way bars
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups plain yoghurt
2 sticks butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans

Melt the Milky Ways and 1 stick butter and mix well. Blend the remaining butter and sugar until creamy. Mix flour and baking soda. Add to the sugar mixture alternately with yoghurt. Add the melted candy and pecans. Bake in pan, 325°, for 1 hour. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.

TIP OF THE DAY

Always keep your pediatrician´s recommended fever medicine (Tylenol, Motrin, etc) on hand. Fevers in young children have a habit of appearing in the middle of the night. This way you´ll be able to start treating it right away.

ARTICLE: The Importance of Reading to your Child

Many of us are good readers. We read every night (or at least when we have a second to ourselves!). However, we must not forget to read to our children. The benefits of reading to a child are endless, and they range from loving to read to learning to wait to building vocabulary. When you read to your child, the bond between you grows for you share a special moment that can lead to questions, comments and likes and dislikes. As babies and toddlers, reading can open up a whole new world of vocabulary, ideas and concepts. Classic stories for older children develop their imagination, and can also contribute to problem solving. Don´t forget your older children, they like to be read to, too. Longer chapter books might be the best choice for them. By reading a chapter every night you can help them learn to wait, a characteristic less and less common in children. You´ll find you can wonder back to your childhood years as you re-read Narnia or Charlotte´s Web, plus new stories like the Harry Potter series will entertain you too! With older children you can also take turns reading, maybe one night you can read, and the next night your child can read for you. In any case, don´t miss out on the opportunity to read to your children. If your schedule doesn´t allow you to read every night, try it at least for twice a week. You´ll find you´ll be anxiously waiting for this day just as much as your child will be.

DAILY RECIPE: Easy Carrot Salad

4 cups grated carrots
1 can chopped pineapple
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup grated coconut

Drain pineapple. In a salad bowl mix carrots, pineapple, raisins and coconut. Fresh, sweet, great for a hot summer day!

TIP OF THE DAY

If you´re saving your child´s clothes for "hand-me-downs" for your other children try this: wash and fold clothes, put them in ziploc bags inside a large plastic box and label them with size or age and winter or summer. It will be much easier to find what you´re looking for a few years later.

DAILY RECIPE: Orange Chicken Strips

2 boneless chicken breasts (flattened and cut into strips)
1/4 cup each chopped onion and chopped green peppers
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon mustard
dash of pepper
dash of garlic powder
2 oranges

Place chicken in a baking dish. Sprinkle onion and green pepper. In a small mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, ketchup, orange juice, mustard, pepper and garlic powder. Mix well and pour over chicken. Slice oranges and place over chicken. Bake in 350°F oven until done (30- 45 minutes, depending on thickness of chicken strips). Serve over white rice.

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep a calendar in your kitchen (refrigerator door or bulletin board). Assign each family member a color. When you write down an event that applies to that person do it in that color. This way it´s easy to spot who has to do what each day!

ARTICLE: Pretend Play

With new modern toys on the market, and action figures of every movie in theaters, sometimes we forget to encourage children in pretend play. Childhood is a time of discovery and preparing for life. Pretend play can really open up horizons for our children for they learn about different activities and can begin identifying their likes and dislikes. Pretend play also can build up vocabulary, promote conversation skills and help with problem solving. To help promote pretend play with our children you can set up a box with old costumes, hats, oversized clothes and different props. Help them decide what they want to be and then play together according to what they chose. With a store bought doctor´s kit have them give a favorite doll or bear a "check-up". You can also play "restaurant" with a tea set or old plastic kitchen utensils, they can be cooks, waiters or even guests. With a hose and a raincoat they can become firemen. Girls can enjoy a fashion show where they can be models or actresses. One last great idea: become a singer for the day. Turn on the music with a favorite song, let them use a toy microphone or even a plastic spoon, dress up, and host your own concert. Any activity you choose, remember that pretend play can also let you get to know your child a little better.