For preschoolers, it includes:

• I will clean up my room.
• I will brush my teeth twice a day.
• I will wash my hands.

For those age 5 to 12:

• I will drink milk and water, and limit soda and fruit drinks.
• I will apply sunscreen when going outside.
• I will play a sport or do another physical activity 3 times a week.
• I will wear my seat belt.
• I will be nice to other kids.

For age 13 and older:

• I will eat at least one fruit and vegetable every day and limit soda.
• I will choose non-violent TV shows and video games.
• I will help out my community.
• I will resist peer pressure.
• I won’t text or use a cell phone when driving.

For the entire list of resolutions, click here.

I have my own list of resolutions in regards to my 3-year-old son. Here’s my top 5:

• I will find time, no matter what, to read to him 20 minutes a day, every day.
• I will find a way to get veggies in his diet. (I think I said this same thing last January, too.)
• I will get him to think that cleaning up his play room is actually fun.
• I will be sure he stays active year-round.  We’re starting off right with winter basketball.
• I will find some new and exciting places to bring him (taking suggestions!).

Do you have any resolutions you’d like to share?  Comment here or email me at esmith@opubco.com.

-Erica Smith

Here’s what your day care should have been told:

1. Encourage all staff to get vaccinated.

2.  Make sure children’s and staff’s hands are washed often with soap and water, and especially after children cough or sneeze. Keep alcohol-based hand cleaner nearby if a sink isn’t readily available.

3.  Remind children and staff not to touch their eyes, nose or mouth as germs are often spread this way.

4. Clean the environment regularly. Dirty areas and items should be cleaned immediately, especially play areas and toys.

5. Day care staffers deemed to be high risk for flu complications and parents of children younger than age 5 who become ill with flu-like symptoms should call their doctor immediately to see if they are in need of antiviral treatment.

6. If a swine flu outbreak is severe, staff should consider closing the day care center to decrease the spread of infection. A decision to close should be made in conjunction with local public health officials.

7. Remind staff to stay home and parents to keep a sick child at home when they have flu-like symptoms.  Send sick staff home immediately. If a child become ill at the day care, move them to a separate, but supervised, area until a parent can pick them up.

If an outbreak becomes more severe or symptoms more dangerous as the fall and winter season approach, the following guidelines should also be considered:

1. Let high-risk staffers stay at home.

2. Increase the distance between children; separate children into small groups of six or less.

3. Have children stay home if there are others in the child’s household who have the swine flu.

4. Inform parents of sick children and sick staff  members that they should say home for at least 7 days.

5. Close the day care center either as a reaction to the outbreak or even as a preventative measure.

For more information about swine flu, go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

Here’s to hoping we and our children stay healthy this flu season.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

So there he is … signed up for everything I could get my hands on.  Gymnastics: One night a week.  Swim lessons: Two nights a week.  Soccer: Practice one night, and games on the weekends.   Yes, he’s only 3.

There may be a misconception here that I’m sort of a stage mom.  A “boys-need-sports” stage mom.  But really, I just want my toddler to be active from an early age and to experience various sports so that he’ll be open to more than just one activity.  I don’t want him to get into couch-potato mode.

I just know that all the running around can leave me a bit running-ragged.  My son seems to enjoy it but ends up pretty cranky by the time it’s time to go home or leave the activity.  Carrying him kicking and screaming through the gymnastics facility’s parking lot makes me wonder if it’s really worth it. 

Any thoughts?  Do you have your young children in sports?  How do you make sure you have enough down time in your child’s day?  Comment here or email me at esmith@opubco.com

-Erica Smith

Anyone else ready for their children to get back into school?

I wouldn’t have expected to be so happy about this. But our house has seemed even more chaotic than usual. I’m not sure that it’s actually that the kids are out of school. I think the strain is partially caused by the stress of preparing to go to school.

Beyond the usual requirements of getting school supplies and some added clothing items to round out their wardrobes, we also are dealing with three information day sessions we need to attend, band meetings, band camp, doctors’ appointments, daycare enrollment, transportation issues with busing my young son to and from daycare, freshman orientation, both daughters’ worries that they won’t have friends in their classes,  orthodontist and dentist appointments, approaching birthday party planning, passports for an overseas band trip …

And did I mention the frenzy of cash flowing out of our pockets to pay for many *incidental* things?

Last night, as my daughter asked me a question repeatedly after I had answered twice, I started to count to 50 … not 10, but 50.

At first, I thought, “What is happening to our family?” For several days we had all been snapping at each other, voices were being raised. Everyone, except maybe for the youngest member of our family, was ready to get away from each other.

Then, it occurred to me that maybe the stresses, anticipation, extra this and that were taking their toll.

So, yes, I think we’re ready to start school.

Then, we can deal with sleep issues, homework, ballgames, teacher conferences, lunches, juggling schedules and mealtimes …..

– Linda Lynn

LLYNN@OPUBCO.COM

These individual sessions will last about 30 to 45 minutes and will be with a speech/language pathologist and child development specialist.  They will go over what’s normal in early development and discuss any questions and concerns parents or caregivers may have about speech, language development and behavior. Children do not need to be present (although they may attend) and sessions are by appointment only.

Call the child guidance program at 425-4412 to schedule an appointment.  For more information, call 427-8651 or go to www.cchdoc.com.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

He has tried to tone it down for me a bit since then … even reminding me, “Mommy, remember don’t say hi.”

But Shari, a Hiccups reader, offered me some perspective on it.  Her daughter, Penelope, was also a chatty one growing up.  She tried methods I’m pretty familiar with … no eye contact, directing my responses only my child, trying to hurry in stores.   Not only because she didn’t feel like talking (much like me) but also for her daughter’s safety.

Growing up, Penelope continued to be social, meeting interesting people and being able to share interesting stories.

Her advice: Watch my son closely, but allow him the joy of being friendly.  She said he’ll go far in life with an outgoing personality. 

Thank you, Shari.  I sincerely hope I’m not stifling my little boy.  Maybe I just need to relax a little and be more willing to sacrifice my own quiet time to let him be himself. 

-Erica Smith, Copy Editor
esmith@opubco.com

Just for completing Goal 2, we received a ticket to Frontier City/White Water Bay, 2 tickets to an Oklahoma City RedHawks game and a ticket to Oklahoma Children’s Theatre. 

Sign up today, get reading and get rewards!

-Erica Smith, Copy Editor

esmith@opubco.com

“Be Creative @ Your Library” is a free program for children and teens. Just to get you and your child started, you’ll get a packet with all kinds of free goodies: stickers, a coupon for free tots at Sonic, a couple of bookmarks, a reading log, free admission to local attractions and a chance to win tuition from Oklahoma College Savings Plan.

Then all you need to do is read 8 books to your child to reach your first goal.   Do that, and your child gets a really nice award ribbon, and coupons for free food at area restaurants.

For each goal met (8 books, 8 hours or 800 pages read) , your child is entered in drawings for really cool prizes.   There isn’t a list of books, and you don’t have to just read books checked out of the library (although kids do love getting new books to read). 

So sign up today at your local Metro Library branch or go to www.metrolibrary.org  for more information.

~Erica Smith, copy editor

esmith@opubco.com

My son recently turned 3.  At that very moment (literally!) everything changed.

At 3, most toys are somehow instantly safe.  Go down any toy aisle, and the recommended age for toys is 3 and up.  Sure helps not to have to worry about him choking on small parts anymore.  Or having to order the “3 and younger” toy at the drive through. 

At 3, toddlers have their first dental appointment.  My son will go Monday.  The best part?  Parents are told to wait in the waiting room.  I don’t have to be the one to restrain him while he’s throwing a fit during his cleaning. 

At 3,  they see the pediatrician for the annual checkup.  Best part? No shots.  That changes on the 4-year-old visit, but that’s a whole year away. 

At 3, they get to start all kinds of sports.  My son and I are very excited about him finally being old enough to be on T-ball and soccer teams at the YMCA this year.  Let’s burn off all that extra energy.

At 3, they are officially out of the mommy-and-me swim classes.  In fact, parents are not allowed anywhere near their 3-year-olds during swim class.  Hooray! No more bathing suits until summer.   Which gives me another 2 months to get in shape.

-Erica Smith, Copy Editor

esmith@opubco.com

HECK.

Yep, heck.  Now at first, I thought maybe he shouldn’t be saying it so I didn’t really respond when his teacher told me (well, spelled out) what he had said and how she handled it (she put him in timeout).

But over the weekend, as we watched the kids’ movies Madagascar and Cars, I realized that they say “heck” in those movies (both of which they’ve actually watched at day care).  

So what do you think?  Do you think his teachers are overreacting or do you think “heck” should be considered a bad word? 

Comment here or email me your thoughts.

~Erica Smith, Copy Editor

esmith@opubco.com