June 2009 Archives
William Summey-June 30, 2009-
Have you seen "Mom's Life" writer Rebecca Ingram Powell's newly redesigned site? It premiered earlier this month and is a great resource for Moms.
Check out this link and other ParentLife writers like Dr. Mom and Dr. Mintle in the "Sites" index.
Tell us about other great sites you like to visit for parenting advice and godly encouragement!
William Summey--
Congratulations to Jeff D., Jonathan G., Crystal, Mary K., Janet B., Peter, Leslie B., Anthony P., and Brenda S. — the winners of our June giveaway!
Each of these readers won a copy of the new Illustrated Study Bible for Kids by Holman Bible Publishers. Thank you Holman for donating the extra copies to give away!
Keep checking our blog for our July giveaway ... coming soon!
William Summey-June 29, 2009-
Each Independence Day, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks — devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death. Consider the following facts.
- The risk of fireworks injury was two-and-a-half times as high for children ages 5-9 or 10-14 as for the general population.
- On Independence Day in a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.
- In 2006, fireworks caused an estimated 32,600 reported fires, including 1,700 total structure fires, 600 vehicle fires, and 30,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated 6 civilian deaths, 70 civilian injuries and $34 million in direct property damage.
- In 2007, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,800 people for fireworks related injuries; 56 percent of 2007 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 36 percent were to the head.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a member of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, a group of health and safety organizations, coordinated by National Fire Protection Association, that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.
Do you see fireworks displays each year as part of your Independence Day festivities?
Jodi Skulley-June 25, 2009-
Several times over the past week, I have glanced around my house at the clutter of baby toys, stacks of baby laundry, misplaced sippy cups, and stray Cheerios® and I've thought to myself, Wow! How life has changed over the past year!
I'm still in denial, but in about two weeks, we will be celebrating Jack's first birthday. Needless to say, I've been doing a lot of reading about planning a baby's first birthday party. I never cease to be amazed at the broad spectrum of strong opinons on this topic. There are some who think it's silly to celebrate the first birthday at all since your child will not remember it. Then there are others who spend gobs of time (and money I might add) planning the "party of the century." Maybe I'm being a bit overdramatic! But you know what I mean, right?I'm happy to say that I fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. I believe every birthday is a great opportunity to celebrate and the first one is no exception! But I also believe that simple is usually better. We are planning a small get-together with family and a few friends. There will be decorations, candles, balloons, presents, and of course ... birthday cake, but nothing over the top! It will be a great opportunity to thank God for blessing our lives with Jack (whom we can't imagine life without) as well as to thank all of the family and friends that have supported us during this major life transition.
So I'm curious. How did you celebrate your child's first birthday? I'd love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas!
William Summey-June 24, 2009-
Using a lawn mower is as routine as bike riding or barbeques during summer months. But people can find themselves in terrifying situations with these seemingly safe household machines. In fact, 200,000 people – 16,000 of them children – are injured in lawn mower-related accidents each year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports. Most injuries are caused by careless use and can be prevented by following a few simple safety tips.
“Power lawn mowers are dangerous adult tools, but many children, and sometimes adults unfortunately, see them as toys,” said ASPS President John Canady, MD. “Lawn mowing can be dangerous to the operator as well as those nearby if proper safety precautions aren’t taken.”
The following tips will help prevent lawn mower-related injuries:- Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawn mower and at least 16 years old for a ride-on mower.
- Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
- Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals.
- Young children should be at a safe distance from the mowing area.
- Pick up stones, toys, and debris first from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.
- Always wear eye and hearing protection.
- Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.
- Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – always look for others behind you when you do.
- Start and refuel mowers outdoors – not in a garage. Refuel with the motor turned off and cool.
- Blade settings should be set by an adult only.
- Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads. (As a safety feature, some newer models have a blade/brake clutch that stops the blade each time the operator releases the handle.)
To read the AAP policy statement, “Lawn Mower-Related Injuries to Children,” click here.
This information is sponsored by a coalition of the following organizations: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM).
What chores do you involve your children in during the summer?
Jodi Skulley-June 26, 2009-
Eli is happy!
Thanks to Erin E. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
William Summey-June 23, 2009-
Nature Rocks is an initiative created to inspire and empower parents across the country to take their families to play, explore, and enjoy quality time in nature. Nature Rocks has been designed to ensure that all families – regardless of budget, kids’ ages, or experience – can plan affordable and fun activities in nature that encourage family bonding and nurture happier, healthier, and smarter children.
As part of its efforts to empower parents to take their kids outside, Nature Rocks introduces its 2009 Summer Nature Staycation Planning Guide. Available at www.naturerocks.org, this free guide provides parents and caregivers with information and tools to enjoy no- or low-cost summer vacations in nature that are close to home.
Developed through a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, REI, The Children & Nature Network, and ecoAmerica, Nature Rocks is designed to to inspire and empower families to play and explore in nature — as fun, family bonding in nature helps kids become happier, healthier, and smarter.
The Web site, www.naturerocks.org, provides parents over 100 fun, inexpensive, interesting, and safe activities based on specific criteria including location, kids’ ages, and time available. Additionally families can find activities in their immediate area via an easy zip code search tool. Because of its range of activities, Nature Rocks ensures that all families, whether outdoor enthusiasts or nature novices, can get involved in nature the way that suits them best.
What do you like to do in nature with your kids during summer?
Jodi Skulley-June 22, 2009-
The ParentLife staff hopes that all you dads had a special day yesterday!
Steven Curtis Chapman fans displayed “a father’s love” for their children in a special Father’s Day video tribute that features Chapman’s hit single “Cinderella.” Fans were encouraged to submit family photos and, as a result, over 150 photos were chosen to create two heart-warming videos on animoto.com.
To view these unique Father’s Day tributes visit: http://www.tangle.com/stevencurtischapman.
Tell us what your family did to honor Dad yesterday!
Jodi Skulley-June 18, 2009-
6-month-old Hudson gives his Mommy sweet smiles first thing in the morning!
Thanks to Stacy and Ben F. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
William Summey--
This Father’s Day, Wendy’s is serving up a tasty treat for Dad and a chance to give back while spending time with the family. Visit any participating Wendy’s over Father’s Day Weekend (June 21-22) when Wendy’s will donate 50¢ from every Frosty sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA), a non-profit public charity dedicated to increasing the adoptions of the more than 150,000 children in North America’s foster care system.
Kids can visit FrostyCard.com to choose from a variety of scenes and objects, from sandcastles on the beach to baseball in the backyard, and create a free custom Father’s Day e-Card for Dad! To top things off, Wendy’s will donate an additional 25¢ to the DTFA for every Frosty Card sent.
What fun things do have you planned for Father's Day?
Jodi Skulley-June 16, 2009-
In the June 2009 issue of ParentLife, Jennifer Holt's article "A Quirky Kid" encourages parents to maintain a balanced perspective about their children's quirky behaviors. Are you concerned that your child's quirks may mean something more? If so, talk to your pediatrician about having your child's development evaluated.
What can you expect from an evaluation?
When a school professional or pediatrician recommends your child be tested, here are a few tips.
- Expect that the process will take time, involving multiple assessment tools and many steps.
- Write down your questions ahead of time. Bring a notebook and pen to jot down notes when professionals are sharing evaluation results. They will prepare reports in written form that are often written in educational or medical jargon. Be sure to ask for clarification in terms that are easy to understand.
- Do not be overwhelmed by the number of professionals involved in the assessment process. They all want what is best for your child, and they are tapping every resource they have to find some answers.
- Approach diagnoses with a healthy sense of skepticism. You know your child best, so if something is not making sense to you, get a second opinion!
- Evaluation should lead to a plan of action. If your child receives a label, it should come with a set of recommended interventions for both home and school settings. If no diagnosis is reached, the multidisciplinary team should still have some suggested steps for you to take next.
If you would like more information, be sure to check out the following Web sites.
Has your child been evaluated for developmental delays? Do you have any encouragement to offer parents who may be going through this right now?
Jodi Skulley-June 12, 2009-
2-year-old Reed says, "Is there sand in my teeth?"
Thanks to Jeff and Abbey L. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
William Summey-June 17, 2009-
For the past several years, when it was been time to write the June editorial for ParentLife, I always think of Father's Day and writing about my Dad and how much he has meant to me. This year in the June 09 issue my editorial went in the direction of how little thought I had given while growing up toward what it would be like to be a father some day — and how important it is now to take time and reflect about what it means to be a good father. There is always room for growth and improvement, and I want to be the best father I can be!
But those thoughts lead me right back to my own Dad again — what a good father he was and is — and all the lessons I learned from him: hard work, diligence, perseverance, kindness, service, and sportsmanship just to name a few. I still can't believe he got up at 3:30 a.m. day after day to milk the cows on our dairy farm. Summertime not only meant longer days but longer work days as well harvesting the hay and straw from the fields or working in his garden. What a blessing it is to think of the lessons I have learned from my Dad. I will honor him this Sunday ... and try to be the best Dad I can be for my kids!
What are some of the lessons you learned from your father? What are some great ways you will honor Dad on Father's Day? Share some creative ideas with us!
William Summey-June 15, 2009-
Where does the summer go? We have reached the midpoint of June already and wanted to remind you of our June giveaway drawn from those who post on our blog during the month of June. The winners will receive a copy of one of the pink or brown simulated leather editions of the popular Illustrated Study Bible for Kids. See all the details here. Don't foget to tell us: What is it you look for when purchasing a children's Bible?
Don't forget to take the ParentLife survey as well for a chance to win one of 33 prizes! Deadline to take this survey has now been extended to June 30. Grand prize is a Kodak EasyShare C653 Zoom Digital Camera — a $250 value. See details about all the prizes you can win here. Go to www.lifeway.com/parentlifesurvey to take the survey.
Jodi Skulley-June 11, 2009-
In this month's issue of ParentLife, Brian Housman gave encouraging words to working dads about making time for family time.
Start by recalibrating your priorities. Try these helpful tips.
- Keep a family calendar. Just as you schedule a business lunch or board meeting, you need to schedule time with your family. If you have a work assistant, give her your family event so she can assure those times do not get double booked.
- Schedule extended reconnection. Vacations are important for their uninterrupted time to focus on one another. These times help you rediscover common interests and create shared memories. If work is too demanding this summer for a vacation, at least plan a long weekend retreat together.
- Special days are a big deal. Anniversaries, birthdays, and even the school play are all a big deal to your family. Allow time in your schedule for those special days. Your son will remember seeing you in the stands at his baseball game far longer than he will what you did for a living.
- Romance is a must. Plan a date with your spouse at least once a month. It does not have to be fancy to be special. A date night shows your kids how important their mom is, allows your wife time to breathe and feel special, and goes a long way to keeping your emotional connection in sync.
Are you a working parent? How do you make time for family time? Share your strategies with us. And be sure to check out the "Working Life" column in ParentLife each month.
Jodi Skulley-June 10, 2009-
Tomorrow, my son, Jack, will be 11 months old! It is so hard for me to believe that only 11 months ago his sole source of nutrition came from a bottle and now he's eating food off of my plate. We've just recently moved from feeding Jack only baby food to letting him have "real" table food, which to be honest, has complicated our mealtimes. Up until now, my husband and I didn't have to think as much about what we were eating for dinner. But suddenly, I'm seeing every meal we eat in a whole new light.
In fact, just yesterday, we went grocery shopping. One of the staple items that we keep on hand is a bag of frozen chicken, whether it is breaded chicken breasts, chicken nuggets, or chicken patties. On busy days, it is so easy to make chicken and rice or chicken and mac and cheese. But yesterday as I was picking the bag of chicken patties off the shelf, I thought Do I really want to feed Jack frozen, processed chicken? I promptly put the bag back on the shelf.
Suddenly, I find myself wanting to make more healthy food choices ... choices I should have been making all along, but now there is a new urgency. I want to set an example of healthy eating (and a healthy overall lifestyle) for Jack so that he will grow up to be healthy, happy, and strong.
The same can be said for every aspect of life. Am I making healthy choices about what I watch on TV? Am I choosing to spend my time wisely? Am I a good steward of our finances? Utlimately, the most important question is Am I leading by example? LIttle eyes are watching everything I do, even right now before he completely understands. Now is the time to start setting the example.
I must say ... I have a lot of work to do. I know I won't ever be perfect, but my prayer is that I can model a healthy Christian life for my son ... a life that I would be proud for him to imitate!
Do you struggle with setting the example? What are your biggest struggles?
William Summey-June 9, 2009-
Family outings and travel can be fun and exciting. However, if a child becomes lost, it can quickly turn into a scary experience. According to the Center to Prevent Lost Children, 90 percent of families report losing a child in a public place.
The Spot Me ID child identification products are a real vacation "must have" for parents and children. Spot Me ID gives families the added reassurance that they are only a phone call away should they become separated in a crowded place.
Created by a mom of three after she experienced being separated from her child while on vacation in a crowded place, Spot Me ID includes bracelets, lanyards, and temporary tattoos featuring Spot, the dog, who reminds kids that they can rely on Spot to keep their parent's cell phone number with them at all times.
Each Spot Me ID product is resistant to water, sunscreen, chlorine, perspiration and are reusable. The tattoos are also non-toxic, FDA approved, and water-proof. The products have various themes that reflect outings, such as the beach series, zoo series, everyday, and others.
Spot Me ID products are suitable for children ages 1 to 10. The cartoonish bracelets and lanyards feature an animated dog named Spot, who winks, wags his tail, and waves. The temporary tattoos depict a Spot the dog with an area to write in a cell phone number and parent’s name. They are non-toxic, FDA approved, and will last days even when wet.
For more information, visit www.spotmeid.com.
William Summey-June 8, 2009-
Do you remember what if feels like to be sunburned? Miserable! That memory of the pain of sunburn is enough to remind me to slather on the sunscreen when I know I am going to be out in the sun for prolonged periods of time. However, I am occasionally reminded that sunburns can happen anytime of year and even on cloudy days. I forgot the sunscreen once this baseball season on what started out as a cloudy, rainy day. By the end of the game I had gotten my share of sun! As you head outside this summer, here are some sun safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for your kids:
Babies Under 6 Months
- Avoid sun exposure and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn.
- When adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands.
- If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.
For Young Children
- Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside.
- Use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
- The SPF should be at least 15 and protect against UVA and UVB rays.
For Older Children
- The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours — between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen — about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
How do you plan to have fun in the sun this summer?
Jodi Skulley-June 5, 2009-
2-year-old Elizabeth says, "Mommy, if you just click here and launch this program, you could balance the checkbook and make out the grocery list!"
Thanks to Jennifer E. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
William Summey-June 4, 2009-
World Vision unveils “World Vision’s Summerfest ’09,” their first-ever summer concert series featuring pop-rock band Building 429, 33Miles, Lanae Hale, and new act Kimber Rising. The Summerfest will visit 12 to 15 cities and kicks off this week. World Vision hopes to have more than 800 child sponsorships by the end of the tour.
The tour dates lead up to Building 429’s World Vision mission trip to Uganda this July where the band will be performing to approximately 30,000 people in Rwanda with Andrew Palau of the Luis Palau Association. The band will continue their tour with World Vision in August for 15 dates across Canada.
For more information on World Vision Summerfest ’09 and the tour dates, click here.
For more information about World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice, visit the World Vision Web site.
ParentLife is excited to feature 33Miles’ lead vocalist Jason Barton and his story in our upcoming October 2009 issue. You can see Jason and 33Miles as part of Summerfest '09. Don't forget to check out this month's ParentLife feature on musical artist TobyMac.
Tell us! Who are your favorite Christian artists? Do you sponsor a child through World Vision?
Jodi Skulley-June 3, 2009-
Sometimes the ParentLife staff gets questions from readers that we do not feel qualified to answer. But we are blessed to work with many experts who are very qualified to answer difficult questions. One of those experts is Dr. Linda Mintle, our monthly columnist for "Real Life Solutions" (pp. 44-45).
Not long ago we recieved the following question from a reader:
"My husband and I have a dilemma we want help with. We have been married for almost 10 years. He has two beautiful girls from a previous marriage. They are 12 and 10. We have many issues with his ex-wife and would like some advice."
We were able to forward this reader's letter and specific questions to Dr. Mintle. Maybe her suggestions will help you with a difficult stepparenting situation you are in.
Dear Reader,
You are experiencing the type of issues many do when a divorce occurs with children in the picture. The two households often clash in their values and ideas about raising children. You really have three options.
- Set up a time to meet with your husband's ex and explain your concerns. See if you can negotiate some of these issues on a case by case basis. Divorce doesn't mean discussion with the biological parent ends. In fact, it often takes more time to work through issues because of the divorce. If you approach her in a nondefensive way, she might work with you.
- If she seems uncooperative, you can go to family counseling and try to get her involved or get help with how to respond to her. Now you are engaging a third party who can lend weight to your concerns.
- You can pursue legal intervention, documenting your concerns for the children and challenging custody. Some states have Parent Coordinators who come along side families and work through these issues without involving the court.
All these options require some cooperation on her part which doesn't always happen. Regardless, you should talk to your children about your concerns. Your voice will be important as they grow up regardless of what she does. If at any time you think the girls are being harmed, seek legal counsel or call your local mental health line.
The fallout of divorce is usually on the children, and parents spend years trying to deal with these difficult issues either directly with the ex or using therapy and legal services. I wish there was an easier way. But God is with you and will give you guidance as well. Prayer goes a long way and people can come into the lives of your children that also can influence for the better. Keep praying that God gives your children those opportunities. Pray your husband's ex that her heart will return for the things of God she once knew.
- Dr. Linda Mintle
Do you have parenting issues or questions you need help with? We would be happy to help you get the answers you need from one of our parenting experts. E-mail your question to parentlife@lifeway.com.
William Summey-June 2, 2009-
Summertime! For me it has arrived. There was nothing better than spending last week on the beach with my family. So relaxing and fun.
One family member made the comment that summer vacations are the things that kids will remember most about summer when they grow up. That started me thinking about what I remembered most about summer. I loved going to the beach one week a year, but that week always seemed to go by so quickly.
The thing I remember most about summer is baseball! My brother and I played baseball every day. And because summer days were so much longer, there was much more time to play! I would rush to get the sports section every morning to see who won, who got the clutch hits, and what pitcher was the hero. I remember looking forward to Saturdays when my Dad was off from work, and we could play a family game of baseball in the backyard. Dad would be the pitcher for both teams, and we would have bases made of frisbees or gloves not in use, but the game might as well have been at Yankee Stadium! During the heat of the day, we would settle down on the couch and watch what was then called the Game of the Week (long before cable). What great memories!
Yesterday on our first day of summer after vacation, we spent our afternoon at the baseball fields watching the boys play baseball (the photo is of Jonathan at first base yesterday—thanks to photographer Brian Jones for the great photo!). As I sat and watched, I thought, It is finally summer ... and there's no other place I would rather be!
What are your favorite memories of summer? What memories do you plan to make as a family this year?
Jodi Skulley-June 1, 2009-
Is your child ready for a study Bible of his very own? Check out the new Illustrated Study Bible for Kids by Holman Bible Publishers.
Now available in pink and brown simulated leather editions, the popular Illustrated Study Bible for Kids offers a fresh and exciting approach to Bible reading among children. It features the complete text of the popular Holman Christian Standard Bible translation plus dozens of full-color illustrations, maps, and reconstructions. Also included are easy-to-read study helps like The Ten Commandments for Kids, How to Have a Quiet Time, Test Your Bible Knowledge, and a Bible Dictionary for Kids.
ParentLife has two Illustrated Study Bible for Kids (one in pink and one in brown) to give away during the month of June. Everyone* who posts a comment on our blog in June will automatically be entered to win!
*LifeWay employees are not eligible for this giveaway. Multiple comments do not increase chances of winning.
What features do you look for in a Bible for your child? What is most important to you?
