Monday, December 17, 2012
A national expert offers advice to Chesterfield Township and New Baltimore parents who are trying to explain Friday's events to their children.
How do you talk with your children about the Sandy Hook school shooting without traumatizing or frightening them? That's the question Chesterfield ad New Baltimore parents are sure to be asking themselves and one another in the wake of Friday's tragedy. What do you tell them? How much detail to you tell them? How do you help them make sense of what they may already have heard from friends or on television, or read via social media? Lauren Hutchinson, MA, LMFT, is a nationally-recognized child and family therapist and parenting coach with a practice in Bellevue, WA. She says the first step is for parents is to “turn off the TV”. “We don’t want to have the TV playing in the background all the time. It isn’t helpful and the news is …
Saturday, August 13, 2011
New Baltimore-Chesterfield Patch encourages parents, grandparents and guardians to weigh in on topics pertaining to raising kids.
- OPINION
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Saturday, August 13, 2011
Before you know it, sandals, swimsuits and sunglasses will be packed away in favor of lunchboxes, backpacks and school supplies. As summer slips away and fall preparations begin, Patch asks parents to share your best back-to-school advice for little and big kids alike. Perhaps it's something you were told by your mother as you eagerly skipped off to the school bus for the first time. Or it's something you learned as you came into your own as a parent. Whatever it may be, someone may be able to benefit from your wisdom. So, tell us in the comments section below and continue the dialogue here or on our Facebook page.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
New Baltimore-Chesterfield Patch asks parents, grandparents and guardians to weigh in on parenting topics.
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Saturday, July 16, 2011
Summer days are in full swing and it's pretty impossible to keep kids indoors. From running through the sprinkler to riding bikes, children are in their element at this time of year. While some parents pull out chairs to keep close watch of their offspring, others with kids the same age let them play on their own with certain rules in force. The policies vary from house to house and neighborhood to neighborhood. Topic: Patch wants to hear from you on what your parenting style is about outdoor play: Do you go with them or stay inside? And, if your kids step out sans adult, how did you know they were ready?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Patch's topic this week delves into gun ownership and how it could be addressed among parents.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
This week's Moms Talk explores the topic of gun ownership. Do you feel it's your responsibility to tell parents of your child's friends you have a gun in your house before playdates, sleepovers and other visits? On the flip side, would you feel comfortable letting your child play in homes with concealed weapons? For anyone encountering these situations--whether you're the gun owner or visitor--what safety precautions, if any, would put you at ease? Share your thoughts on the subject and what you think is proper etiquette among parents.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Consider your child's age, maturity level when answering questions about images they see on television.
A devastated Japan. War-torn Iraq and Afghanistan. Conflict in Libya. The chaos across the globe is often front and center in our living rooms by way of television reports. They're not easy images for adults to process, but, for a child, they can be downright frightening. Newsworthy topics are inevitable Sarah Meteer, a New Baltimore mom of two and therapist, said that even without watching the news around children, they are still exposed to grown-up topics in other places. She said that kids will worry about such events, but there are things parents can do help. "Children today see more things going on in the world than we did as kids. I've seen a lot more anxiety recently than ever before. Parents need to validate their child's feelings…
Monday, March 14, 2011
There's more to car-seat safety than just buckling up. Knowing the recommendations of specialists and getting a free car-seat inspection can help.
Navigating proper car-seat safety is a difficult road. Infants ride in a rear-facing carrier until they are at least 1 year old, but what happens after that gets bumpy. Some experts say not to turn a child around until they are 2 years old; others think it’s fine if the child is 20 pounds or more. And when can a child ride in a booster? Is a high-back booster necessary? While it seems as easy as buckling children in a seat, there are rules to follow to make sure the child is safe. Most parents start their children off in the infant carriers that snap into a base in the car or are buckled in. Others use the larger, convertible car seats in a rear-facing position. Artie Martin is a child passenger safety specialist and instructor for Safe …
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Saturday, February 26, 2011
Moms try innovative ideas to make sure even picky eaters eat healthy by sneaking fruits and veggies into everyday meals.
Getting kids to eat healthy, balanced meals can be a challenge, especially if the child thinks ketchup and cereal are food groups. Moms and dads have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to coerce their children into eating healthy, such as bribery. Rather than bartering snack and sweets, these New Baltimore and Chesterfield moms get creative with their attempts to work in the fruits and veggies kids need. Angela DeWitte of Chesterfield orders most of her fruits and vegetables from Door-to-Door Organics, a company that delivers organic food from Livonia to her door on a weekly or biweekly basis. “My kids get super excited when the ‘fruit and veggie guy’ comes to the house. They right away want to help me unpack the box and help me count and …
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Exposure to music is instrumental in a child's development.
Toddlers love to bop to their favorite song or spin around to a upbeat tune. While early exposure to music may be cute or funny, it can also lay the groundwork for an appreciation in the arts later in life. Music experts from New Baltimore and Chesterfield weigh in on the best way to introduce children to musical instruments. Love for music starts at home Wyatt Hood, owner of One A Chord Music in Chesterfield, gives lessons to children and adults. He said while children around age 6 can start learning to play an instrument, the foundation beings long before. “Just playing a lot of music in the home and showing in interest in it will give the kids some type of vision and interest in music in the future," Hood said. "If a child isn’t …
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Kindergarten roundups provide parents with information on full-day and half-day programs for fall.
Most people remember their first day of kindergarten. In some cases, it’s their first time in an educational setting and it sets the tone for years to come. Anchor Bay School District offers a variety of kindergarten options for parents and children. There are half-day programs with morning and afternoon classes or full-day programs at a number of the district’s elementary schools. “Parents are becoming more and more aware of the expectations of education,” said MacDonald Elementary Principal Sherri Milton-Hoffman. “Parents want something more structured and they want something consistent throughout their child’s education.” Anchor Bay has 13 sessions of half-day kindergarten and 11 sessions of full-day kindergarten at its various …
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Bigger centers and smaller in-home day care businesses each have pros and cons.
In Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore and countless other communities across the state, many households require two incomes. And, while parents take care of the finances, they must also figure out who will take care of their children during the day. The National Organization for Women cites more than 55 percent of mothers return to the work force after the birth of their children. In many cases, relatives aren't available to care for the children during the day. Day care centers and in-home day care Families must make a choice based on the childcare options available to them, including in-home day care or day care centers. While the decision might be tough, both offer a variety of services that can make parents breathe a little easier …
dk
5:05 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
I feel children should always be surpervised. As a parent we are responsible for their safety. I'm always surprised on how some parents let their young children roam the neighbor all day. As a parent I notice this and somehow feel responsible if this child gets hurt by being in the street or getting into things he shouldn't. I'm still trying to work this out on how I should handle this. I was 6 … more ›