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I have an affinity for four-legged furry beasts; a house isn’t a home without a dog.  Moreover, I think they help teach kids how to be compassionate and responsible.  

Dunkin, Snowball, and Oreo

As we all know, dogs are animals and sometimes they do bite so it’s very important when you’re mixing kids with dogs, that both parties know how they’re supposed to behave.  This is especially important for mothers of tweens, considering the fact that 70% of bites or attacks occur in children age 11 and under and usually happen at the dog’s residence (Dogbites.org, 2008). 

I’m not trying to scare you, my girls live in harmony with three dogs.  So, how does one prevent dog bites?  Here’s a great list taken directly from the Humane Society that highlights different ways to teach bite avoidance to your children: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/stay_dog_bite_free/
teaching_your_child_to_avoid_dog_bites.html)

1.  Before petting someone’s dog, ask the dog’s guardian for permission

2.  Never sneak up on or pet a dog who is eating or sleeping

 3.  Never pet a dog who is playing with a toy

4.   Never try to pet a dog who is in a car

5.   Never pet a dog who is behind a fence

6.   An angry dog may try to make herself look big

7.   A frightened dog behaves differently

8.   If you are walking, stop and stand still

9.   If you are playing on the ground, lie still on the ground (like a log)

10.  Never, ever try to outrun a dog

Dogs and kids can live happily together if they both respect each other.  Children should never be left alone unsupervised with any dog, no matter how trustworthy.  Why?  Mom or dad walks out, Joey starts pulling Fido’s tail, and next thing you know, there’s a potential bite situation. 

There are countless measures one can take to help prevent dog bites.  Local rescue groups, the ASPCA, HSUS, and an appropriately credentialed behaviorist/trainer are all great resources when it comes to having kids and dogs live together in harmony.  The following videos are from HSUS and highlight different ways to prevent dog bites.  I hope you find them informative.   

Preventing Dog Bites I

Preventing Dog Bites II

Getting your kids signed up for sports of any kind can payoff in physical, mental and emotional rewards. And no matter how they do, it can boost their self-esteem.

But whether it’s a formal sports program or an informal game of tag, getting you and your family more active, there are lots of ways to integrate physical fitness in your life.

Like adults, children should be physically active most, if not all, days of the week. Experts suggest at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily for most children. Running, bicycling, jumping rope, dancing, and playing basketball or soccer are good ways for them to be active.

These strategies can help you help your kids get a move on:

• Don’t call it “exercise.” Instead, promote “playtime” and encourage activities that are fun and physical, such as hopscotch or jumping rope.
• Find out what your children like to do and make this a focus of your family activities. “Vary the activities, and let your children take turns choosing what the family will do,” says Greene.
• Participate in community fitness events, such as charity walks or fun-runs.
• Use family walks or bike rides as a time to do more than just exercise together. Talk about school and family issues when you’re taking a break.
• Relive your childhood by playing the games you loved as a kid. Play tag, Red Rover, hide-and-seek, or any other fast-moving game.
• Plan outings that involve physical activity

Want some tips on how to make exercise a family project? Visit here.

Or if you’re looking for 25 ways to keep fit, visit here.

What’s your favorite way to keep fit with your kids? Click on the “reply” box below and share your thoughts.

One of the more serious issues I’ve had to work through with Mini is introducing her to my girlfriend of several years. And to be honest, one of the worst decisions I’ve made has been to wait so long to make the introduction.

I had quite a few concerns, and while I think they’re valid, they made me wait unnecessarily long to introduce the two most important people in my life. I didn’t want Mini to see a never-ending parade of women in my life. I didn’t want her to meet someone, become attached to her and then that relationship end.

As it turns out, I was off-base. My girlfriend and Mini get along great. They have similar interests (reading, crafty-stuff like knitting, painting and coloring and playing boardgames). It’s always a good time for the three of us when we’re together for weekends.

It’s always a risk for parents when we introduce new people into our children’s lives. Especially when those new people are very important to us. We’re never sure what’s going to happen, how personalities will mesh or what reactions will be. And it’s quite scary to consider that the most important people in our lives could have a built-in dislike for each other. It’s even more scary to consider that that dislike could poison both relationships.

I guess the takeaway here is that we have to trust that our children will be okay with new people and new relationships. Otherwise, we’ll be living separate lives as adults…And who has that kind of energy?

Have you been in a similar situation? Have a new boyfriend/girlfriend that you introduced to your child? Or are you the new boyfriend/girlfriend adjusting to a new relationship with a child? Share you questions, ideas and experiences in the comments.

I can’t believe my babies are actually growing up; some days it’s pretty hard to believe.  They’re semi-self sufficient, can clean up after themselves, are able to pitch in and help with housework, but they don’t.  As I type this morning, I’ve already seen toothpaste smeared all over the sink, a tissue thrown on the coffee table, and their cups from last night still on the kitchen counter. 

So I’ve finally realized that they are capable of helping, but how do I get them to pull their fair share?  I’ve found some great tips that I’ll be implementing starting today.  First and foremost, I have to be crystal clear about what I want them to do and how I want them to do it (Brott, 2009). 

I am going to come up with a daily list for each kid that’s age appropriate and fair.  First on that list is the toothpaste on the sink )  You know, I’ve actually thought about buying that toothpaste dispenser from the infomercial (hey, it’s my pet peeve).  

I’ve contemplated rewarding them for completing their chores each week but agree with Brott; nobody gets paid for working around the house; they should do it because they live under this roof.  The second technique that Brott suggests is leadership by example.  This shouldn’t be a problem as both my husband and I evenly distribute the housework and keep the place pretty clean (he’s obsessive about organization and cleanliness, it’s actually kind of nice sometimes).  The final suggestion is to allow for some flexibility.  This is understandable; if Mal isn’t feeling well I don’t expect her to vacuum her bedroom and scrub the sink. 

I’ll let you know how the process goes and whether or not it works.  In the meantime, check out Keepkidshealthy.com for more information on how to get your kids to pitch in and help with the housework.  The article I read can be found at:  http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/parenting_tips/dads/chores.html

Did you know that According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders, as many as 10 percent of people who suffer from an eating disorder say that their disease first began at age 10 or younger?

Hollywood doesn’t help, either. Most celebrities are a size 0 or even a double 00. But anorexia is a very serious medical condition

How can you tell if your tween is anorexic?

The following are the most common symptoms of anorexia. However, each child may experience signs differently. Symptoms may include:

• low body weight (less than 85 percent of normal weight for height and age)
• intense fear of becoming obese, even as individual is losing weight
• distorted view of one’s body weight, size, or shape; sees self as too fat, even when very underweight; expresses feeling fat, even when very thin
• refuses to maintain minimum normal body weight

Anorexia, and the malnutrition that results, can adversely affect nearly every organ system in the body, increasing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Anorexia can be fatal.

But the good news is that Anorexia can be treated with a combination of individual therapy, family therapy, behavior modification, and nutritional rehabilitation.

Parents play a vital supportive role in any treatment process. If you suspect your child may be anorexic, consult your child’s physician for more information immediately.

To read more about anorexia, visit OHealthy.