Jumpin-Beans

Broxton is at that age where he is having tests quite often. This year has been really challenging for him, but after talking to his teachers, we hope he seems to be getting back on track and we can make up and get things in the right direction.  I thought this was a great time to share and maybe you know someone that can use these tips...  Making the Grade: 5 Test Taking Survival Tips  Regardless of age, studying then taking a test, comes with a lot of mental energy, worry and anxiety. For some, multiple choice exams are a breeze. For others, it’s an analytical mind-game leading to one’s head spinning over choosing a, b, c, d, none of the above or all the above. Others may prefer written or oral exams while others cringe at the thought of presenting and being judged. To provide some clarity, ease and focus we turn to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC based licensed clinical neuropsychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the ...

I received this email and thought I would share with you all.  I don't know about you, but we have to set limits on electronics, or that would be the only thing they played with sometimes.     4 Ways To Inspire Kids To Turn Off Electronics And Turn On Their Creativity Children love their electronic devices. Television, video games, cellphones and laptops keep them occupied for hours, in some cases acting as live-in babysitters while parents finish chores or just relax. But while all those devices have their advantages, they also can stifle creativity as children become absorbed in what’s happening inside those screens instead of exploring the real world and letting their imaginations soar. There are ways to turn that around, though, and get the creative juices flowing in those young minds, says Colleen Miller, a veteran teacher with 15 years of full-time and substitute experience in both elementary and middle schools. “You can always just tell a child to ...

Top 5 Back to School Stressors and  How to Bust Them (GUEST POST) By Dr. Sanam Hafeez,  NYC Licensed Neuropsychologist and School Psychologist While the start of a new school year comes with excitement for kids, it also comes with stress. It’s common for kids to feel overwhelmed this time of year especially as they navigate the challenges that crop up with a new school year. This stress can manifest itself in stomach aches, headaches, loss of appetite, even depression. Here are 5 common top back to school stressors and how parents can help their kids to bust them. 1. Facing the bully. For kids who are bullied, summer break also means a break from the relentless verbal and at times physical abuse that can be crushing to a kid’s self-worth. Oftentimes kids won’t tell parents that they are being bullied because they are embarrassed or fear telling school administrators will only escalate the bullying. As the school start date approaches, pay attention to your ...

Five Beach Safety Tips Every Parent Needs to Know: Guest Post by Steve Kardian According to the Center for Disease Control, each year about 4,000 people drown in the United States.  Drowning kills more children 1-4 years of age than anything else, except birth defects.  Among children ages one through fourteen, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury or death (after motor vehicle crashes).   Being aware of the risks and learning some life saving techniques will keep you safe at the beach. 1) Your Span of Control is Limited In the perfect world, every child would have a designated adult supervising them at the beach or pool, but two children is a comfortable number for one adult to supervise.  Any more can become overwhelming and increase the risk of something going wrong. 2) Drowning Doesn’t Look like Drowning (or:  Drowning Doesn’t Look like You Imagine) In the movies, when someone is acting out a drowning scene they...

I don't think you can ever be too safe when it comes to water safety. I say "water safety" in general and not just children.  When Broxton played baseball, his team had a pool party. Many of the kids (and some parents) didn't know how to swim.  Of course that meant that I jumped in with them. I wasn't about to have a kid getting injured while I was there!  Broxton has had swimming lessons and I plan on Savannah having them soon as well! Until then, I can share these tips and maybe help out someone. 9 Tips To Keep Your Child Safe Around Water This Summer Few things are as much fun as splashing around at the beach or in a backyard pool, but not every child is confident about taking the plunge. “For some children, the idea of getting in the water and trying to swim can be a bit frightening,” says K.J. Hales, author of  It’s Hard to Swim , the second and most recent addition to the Life’s Little Lessons by Ellie the Wienerdog educational picture book series....

Self Esteem in children is really important to me!  I used to be a greeter at Broxton's school in the morning and I would make sure to try and start their day off with a huge smile and let them know they were awesome.  You don't know how many high fives and smiles I have received walking through those doors.  This is a guest post, but one that I think is important. Ways To Boost Kids’ Self-Esteem For the first two quarters of the school year, Olivia’s grades were perfect, all A’s on the report card of the second grader. Olivia was involved in the school holiday play, she was in the inventor’s club, she got along with everyone and always looked forward to going to school. Something changed once school started again after winter break. Olivia began to withdraw from her friends, she was making up illnesses to stay home and when she was at school, her grades were slipping. After some prying, Olivia’s parents found the root of her problem: A new teacher had taken o...

Did you know that today was National Love Our Children Day ?  I didn't either, until just a bit ago. That being said, I thought it was great to share this email I received with you all.  (That and it is Spring Break here... Thought we could all use the push to get outside!) WASHINGTON– Spring is here and it’s a great time for families with children to spend time outdoors and together.  The Episcopal Center for Children (ECC), a nonprofit organization providing mental health and special education services to children ages 5-14 in the greater Washington, DC area, offers tips to help families. Being active as a family can benefit everyone. Adults need at least two and a half hours a week of physical activity, and children need 60 minutes a day. “Several studies have shown that being outside and staying active improves health and well-being for adults and children,” said Dodd White, president and CEO of ECC. “For families supporting children with unique needs, doi...

I know most people enjoy drinking water, but I do know for some it is a struggle.  I thought I would share a few water ideas for you to enjoy.  Do you drink plain water or do you like to infuse it as well? This is a guest post. While most dermatologists and doctors preach the benefits of drinking more water, water gets boring. Perhaps you’ve done just about everything to make your plain glass of water more enjoyable. If you’re running out of ideas and are tempted to reach for a caffeinated beverage you’re not alone. We talked to the experts who gave us six fresh infused water recipes that’ll pack a punch of flavor  and  add health and beauty benefits to your H2O! If you’re new to infused water it’s easy. Chop up the ingredients, let them sit over night in your water pitcher and sip your way to healthy hydration inside and out.  1. Mango Ginger This combo might seem weird, but adding the health benefits of ginger and the antioxidant power of mangoes...

I know its hard to get Broxton to clean up these days. When he does, his definition of "clean" versus mine is a bit off, so I was looking for fun ways for us to work together and get into "SPRING CLEANING."  I was happy to have a guest post  to share with you a few ideas! Smarter Spring Cleaning Strategies Start with Having the Kids Help By: BusyKid CEO Gregg Murset Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to clean. From organizing closets to washing windows, dusting baseboards, cleaning inside, behind and under appliances, vacuuming air vents, and freshening up the yard, the list of chores that need to be done around the house is exhausting and endless. According to the Center For Parenting Education, children who regularly do chores are better able to deal with frustration; delay gratification; have higher self-esteem and are more responsible compared to children who don't help out with chores. Instead of parents trying to tackle all o...

I am not sure how it is in your house, but around here, Broxton has already started asking for a cellphone. The answer is NO, but I was curious... what age do you think is a good one to start considering purchasing one? The post below is a guest post on thoughts and tips to making a big decision like this. WHEN SHOULD YOU BUY YOUR CHILD A SMARTPHONE? It’s the burning question on every family’s lips: At what age should you buy your kid a smartphone or similar mobile communications device? Ironically, as parenting experts note, there’s no one answer that fits every household. Rather, the decision when to invest in such devices is largely a function of family need, children’s maturity level, and both how well-equipped that you feel your children are to make good decisions and the safety tools that you’ve put in place to catch them if they should stumble. However, in the interest of providing a succinct answer, be advised: Many parents first introduce a cell phone to kids aroun...

This is not a paid or sponsored post. This is a guest post - We can never be to safe, can we? Since June 1 - 8  is National Beach Safety Week, below is an easy—or enlightening—quiz courtesy of  Wrightsville Beach , a North Carolina beach that offers families crystal-clear waters and smoke-free air. After passing (3 or more right) or failing (2 or less) the quiz, learn more by watching this short video —  Clean Beach and Clear Waters —or read  here  to learn about how Wrightsville Beach goes above and beyond to eliminate worry for parents who deserve a less-stress summer vacation How Savvy are You When it Comes to Beach Safety? TRUE or FALSE 1.        Water-resistant sunscreen is the same as waterproof sunscreen. 2.        Wearing a white cotton t-shirt is not as effective at blocking UV rays as wearing SPF 15. 3.        If you find yourself caught in a rip c...