Shadows and sun safety... Show your children you love them... Stranger Safety and Awareness... Cold/Flu Tip... Safe Outing Tip... Cell Phone Tip

The Shadow Knows...
Feb. 2nd is Groundhog day, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so he'll be hiding in his hole for another six weeks. Why?
...... He knows that his shadow is an indicator of weather and UV exposure.
...... As for us, an easy way to tell how much UV exposure we're getting is to look at our shadow: If your shadow is taller that you (in the early morning and late afternoon), your UV exposure is likely to be low.
...... If your shadow is shorter than you (around midday), you are being exposed to high levels of UV radiation. Seek shade and protect your skin and eyes.
...... Smart groundhog!
...... But you don't have a hole to hide in nor are you covered in fur.
So you have to remember:
...... Short Shadow = Strong Sun
...... Short Shadow = Sunscreen, Sunglasses, AND Shorten your Stay in the Sun, Seek Shade
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Show You Love Your Child This Valentine's Day and Every Day
from eHow.com and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
These suggestions may seem obvious at first but are often overlooked by parents who are caught up in the whirlwind of everyday life and child rearing. Something as simple as an "I love you" at any point in the day goes a long way with a child.

1) Give your child attention.
Your attention is the most loving gift you can give your child. Your child needs it. Really listen to your child. Don't interrupt them when they are talking, or finish their sentences for them. Remember, if your child thinks it's important, it's important. Show them you value their opinions and ideas. Be genuinely interested in your child's day. Ask about how their day went, and let them share their triumphs and disappointments with you. Make sure you listen carefully.

2) Spend time with each of your children separately. It will be an experience they will never forget.

3) Be a role model to your child.
A child learns by example, example, example. He learns more from what he observes than what he is taught. You should do everything you can to make sure you are the picture of what you want your child to become. Teach your child values by demonstrating those values to him. Always tell your children the truth. If you're wrong, promptly admit it, and be willing to say you're "sorry". Yes, Mommies and Daddies sometime make mistakes too. Trust, over the years will bring it's own rewards.

4) Respect your child's privacy.
If you want your children to confide in you, show them that it is safe to do so first. Don't break their confidences and share their secrets with your friends.

5) Discipline your child with love.
Children need boundaries. They must be taught to be accountable for their actions. When you discipline your child, make sure you make it clear that you love your child but disapprove of his action.

6) Encourage your child.
This builds confidence and self-esteem. Praise him for his special talents. Use plenty of positive words. When he does something great, let him know you noticed and be specific about his accomplishment.
Your child needs to know that you value and support his dreams and aspirations. Giving encouragement will give your child confidence to go on and accomplish great things and use his full potential.

7) When your child is in a bad mood, give him a hug or other gesture of affection he likes and talk to him about it when he's feeling better.

8) Do more bragging than nagging.
Carry up-to-date photos of your children in your wallet or on you cell phone. They love you to show them off.

9) Let your child into your life.
Share with your children the things that are important to you, hobbies, music,scriptures, education, family traditions,etc.
If you want your children to confide in you, show them that it is safe to do so first. Don't break their confidences and share their secrets with your friends.

10) Surprise your child with an occasional love note.
Slip a little note saying you love him or a note of encouragement in his lunch box.
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Streetwise Corner
Stranger Safety and Awareness
First of all, some definitions.
...... A stranger is anyone you don't know well. Even someone you see everyday, like a neighbor or bus driver, can be a stranger. This doesn't mean all strangers are bad. It just means a child shouldn't be "on his own" with one
...... A child is considered "on his own" if you or the adult whom you entrusted your child with is out of immediate physical reach or is not paying attention to him.

1) Children should always Check First with the adult responsible for him at the time on how to interact with strangers, before talking to, taking anything from, or getting close to a stranger.
The Check First rule applies to people, animals, and objects (like pills/medicine, shiny objects like glass, matches, bugs, etc) alike.

2) NO-GO-TELL
Encourage your children to trust their gut feeling and take action when they sense danger.
- say NO if someone tries to touch them or makes them feel scared or uncomfortable;
- GO quickly from the situation; and
- TELL a trusted adult

3) Never go anywhere with, get in or approach a car, answer questions, or accept anything from strangers— even if the person seems friendly.

4) Remind your child it's okay to ask certain strangers for help. Children should know that certain people, although strangers, can be sources of help: a police officer, a mall security person, a store salesperson, or a mother with children.
-- BUT the reverse is not okay. No stranger, not even authority figures, should approach a child for help, as some strangers pretend to be officers in uniform.

5) Internet Safety
Treat virtual friends (friends met through the Internet) like strangers.

As with any stranger, teach your child NEVER disclose his: 1) first and last name, 2) parent's place of work, 3) IM address, 4) photo, 5) school name or address, 6) phone numbers, 7) credit card numbers, 8) mother's maiden name, 9) email address, 10) team names, 11) home address, or 12) passwords.

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*sources: www.child-safe.com, www.kidpower.com, www.scholastic.com

It's Cold/Flu Season– Again!
A Habit That's Easy to Break
Teach yourself, your kids, and everyone you meet to cough into their elbows.
...... When I was growing up, I was taught not to cough or sneeze into someone else's face or I'd get them sick! "Cough into your hand," I was told. Then I'd shake someone's hand or touch a doorknow and next thing you know, everyone was sick.
...... Then when my daughter started preschool, the office manager published in a newsletter to "cough into your elbow" to avoid the spread of germs. It made total sense. My daughter picked up the habit easily, as we made a silly role play out of it and because of that, I can't help but cough into my elbow. For my son, we pretended he was Batman.
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Safe Outing Tip #7
When you are out with your child in a public place, make sure he knows to go to an employee or security guard for help in contacting you should he get separated. Tell your child not to leave the site.
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Cell Phones
Have an entry in your cell phone labeled "ICE" (in case of emergency) with the contact phone number keyed in so emergency responders know who to contact on your behalf should you become incapacitated and/or your child is not able to remember his other emergency numbers, especially if you're his emergency contact.
Don't rely on a perfect memory in panic situations. Your child will be frightened and stressed should anything happen to you or his caregiver.
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