Magazine Monday

I LOVE the suggestions I'm putting in today's blog for behavior--quite possibly because I'm praying that Bennett won't be as stubborn as I was a child (and still am!).  Once again, these are all compliments of Parents magazine--November 2011 and Parenting--February 2012

Behavior Problems (We probably definitely will have them, so why not start preparing???)

1. Dawdling in the morning.  Oh God, all I can think of is waiting on someone to take me to school because I was always early and no one else ever was!  (What the heck happened to m?  Now "early" means only 5 minutes after I said I'd be there!)
1. If said child doesn't want to brush their teeth--sit and hang out with them.  They'll be so surprised they'll actually do it!
2. Take said child to school late and make them tell the attendance lady/teacher WHY they're late! (helps teach them responsibility)
3. Rule where they can only do something like watch TV in the morning IF something else is already done (morning chore, backpack by door/in car, lunch packed, etc.)
4. Use commands you've seen their teacher use with their class that are successful
2. Getting everything done in the morning.
1. Visual chart of the steps they need to take in order to be ready to leave.  (Sad to say I actually have post-its on my bathroom mirror reminding me of things!)

Kid's Ideas

1. Decorate baked goods with medicine droppers.  I already have about 5 of these from gripe water/Tylenol....easy to find and use!
2. Meal-Time:  read a book and make a meal to go with it.  The one I loved was the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs idea:  mashed potato clouds, meatballs, and broccoli for trees!
3. Biscuit bowls for dinner--push biscuit down into muffin tin to make bowls and cook like normal.  Then add a filling (bbq, omelet-type foods, chili, etc.)  Even fun for the grown-ups!

On Lying to Kids...

1. It's ok when...you're telling them about the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Santa!
2. It's still ok when...they're not ready for the truth about strong subjects
3. It's definitely ok to tell a little white lie when....the Tooth Fairy "gets to rest one night a week and that's why they didn't show up last night"....when in reality mommy/daddy forgot!  (Umm...oops!)

I Want to Remember...

1. Do NOT help Bennett cheat!  It frustrates me to no end as a teacher, and I want to make sure I don't do it with my children.  If I help him cheat, then he learns that it's okay--and it's definitely NOT.  Here's what I mean by "helping" him cheat:
1. taking over his project for a class
2. doing his homework instead of helping him understand it
3. fudging a reading log (hello???  Reading teacher here....THAT won't happen!)
4. typing his HW for him
5. dictating answers to him instead of the reverse

Ab Workout

1. Lower Tummy--Reverse Crunch--20 reps
2. Love Handles (Hmmm....I must LOVE a lot of something to have these!)--Oblique Bends with weights--20 reps per side
3. Core--Plank--Four reps of 30 seconds each

Magazine Monday--On Tuesday!

Well, since the last Magazine Monday, things have obviously gotten a little busier!  I've started a new job (will post on that later), and life has just been in full swing.  BUT, I finally found time to read finish reading 2 magazines this weekend and here are the results (Warning:  it's slim pickings!!):

Children's Behavior
I liked this because, being slighly strong-willed myself, I know it's going to come back to me ten-fold with kids!

• Instead of immediately complying with a demand your child has, repeat a short phrase 5-6 (or 5-56!!) times.  Use your voice and gestures to let them know you understand what they want.  After using this strategy to calm them, do what they call "putting them on hold".  "Suddenly" remember something you need to check on and do it quickly, then return to what you were doing to help your child.  This will teach them to be patient.  (maybe my hubby should use this on me!!!)

Recipe

• S'mores Pie:  Ummmm....hello???  Who wouldn't want this???  I've been a s'mores junkie for as long as I can remember, so I'm excited to try this out when Jeff is off his diet!
• Hint:  I've torn out this recipe and put it in my recipe binder for later use, but will type it out when I try the pie.  I know hint is a stupid word here, but it's really for me later on so I'll remember what I did with the recipe!

Exercise:  Fast Breaks (do all these for 10 minutes)

• Walk:  alternate 20 paces of lunges with 40 strides for 10 minutes (can't you see me doing this in the neighborhood with a stroller???)
• Jump Rope:  for 1 minute.  Stop and twirl the rope in a figure eight for 1 minute
• Run or walk up stairs 2 at a time
• Turn on tv/radio to a fast station and dance
• Ride a stationary bike for 3 minutes.  Continue pedaling while having your arms make a T, U, V, W, and X for one minute each.  Arms down for the remaining 2 minutes
• Jog for 2 minutes. 10 jumping jacks.