Another day off of school and the weather is predicted to be beautiful!  Although I love days off from school and having my children home, I do want them to know and understand and appreciate why we have a day off.  President’s day originally began to celebrate George Washington and then Lincoln’s birth dates.  However, it now is a date to celebrate not just our Founding Fathers, but all presidents who have served.  Being military, I think it is important to honor all who serve and support our government.

In 1968, Congress passed legislation placing any federal holiday on a Monday, including Washington’s birthday, to create a three-day weekend. In 1971, President Richard Nixon combined Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays into Presidents’ Day. It would be celebrated on the third Monday in February, regardless of which day it fell on. Presidents’ Day is now viewed as a holiday that pays tribute to both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all those who have served as president. 

My children have excitedly come home bearing posters and facts of the presidents.  We have played games with those facts.  We have tried to find presidents we relate to and have similarities with.  We have even discussed our favorites from past and present.  We have tried to come up with “motto’s” for each presidency.  It has already been a week of learning, studying and discovering.

Although it is always nice to have a day off, I still want my children to learn why we have the freedom to believe, speak, learn and live.  I want them to know their past so that they can change their future.  I am excited to spend time as a family (maybe on the beach:)) on this holiday!  Two Presidents who are notable swimmers are Ronald Reagan, who was a lifeguard before he became president; and John F. Kennedy, who enjoyed swimming at Martha’s Vineyard.  So in tribute to them, we’re off to the beach!

What do you have planned for president’s day?

Just like this blog has created a greater sense of community with MomTalk, we need to pull together to get the changes we would all like to see and benefit from.  I recently drove my children out to Kenansville to go to this AMAZING park.  It’s a drive, but that’s what I felt like.  However, we have been here for almost 5 years and heard rumors of a Children’s Museum, parents saying they wished Jacksonville had many more options for kids, families and activities. We have the population. There are plenty of places to build.  It comes down to community support and awareness and advocacy.

If you are like me, you may have thought about these things, but it’s the next steps of action that we tend to drop.  Let’s be honest, being a parent (all of us working whether inside or outside the home) takes a lot of energy.   We want these things, but financially we can’t do it.  Then logically most of us wouldn’t know where to begin.  How do you make a difference?  A few calls.  Petitions.  Getting involved.  Volunteer.  Be aware of city issues.  Go to town meetings.  Many of us are military and may not feel like making a difference here, but many of us are not and may settle here and any improvements will benefit all of us.

When I took my children to the park, we read the sign of all the people that made it possible for the park.  Land was donated, skills were donated, supplies were donated.  It was a community effort.  When villagers come together it makes it a village, no matter how large or small.  It made me start thinking about a few things and how I could help.  There is a committee of people who have been trying to get a children’s museum here in Jacksonville.  I think I will investigate.:)

What would you like to see in your “ideal” Jacksonville?  Have you gotten involved in making or seeing changes?

“The only thing constant is change” is my mantra. It is my life. It is the military. It is motherhood.  It is the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances with a good attitude.  It is the reality that life is constantly evolving & changing.  I think as humans we tend to be creatures of habit and we resist that urge to have change.  However, as a mother I’m learning that I have to adapt and teach my children through my example. We had planned family time around this weekend as we were supposed to have a 4 day weekend. With weather make-ups, we no longer have those days off. My husband had taken leave…and now has canceled it. Our children were excited for the unannounced adventure our family was to take. Alas, it may be a day trip to Raleigh.

We weren’t going anywhere spectacular on a limited budget, but we do recognize the need for family escapes and fun. When you stay home you often get bombarded with family projects, the stress that is here, etc.  Sometimes escaping for a few days can rejuvenate us all enough to realize what we have in our little family unit and with our home. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I have noticed that  my tween, especially, does not deal with change very well.  It throws her off and I know I have mentioned this in other blogs, but se feels like we have lied to her if plans have changed. She feels like we don’t do what we say. These are heavy allegations that my husband and I don’t take lightly to. This is not what we want our children thinking or believing. However, the reasons are legitimate…school was canceled due to weather and they had those days off just in a similarly unplanned manner.

So, we continue to compromise, think before speaking and be cautious about letting any “plans” vocalized within ear shot of our children.

How do you handle changes in plans with your tweens, do they “meltdown” or do they understand?

To some, the late night school cancellation call comes with dread.  It may mean scrambling  to find a babysitter.  It  means that your normal Monday schedule of catch-up is off.  It may mean canceled appointments, rearranging of your plans, or even possibly having to call off from work.  For us, it means another family day! We love it!

I still remember as a child listening for that call in the morning.  My mother would have the radio on all night and morning listening for school cancellations.  She would always hope that the private school where she taught would be cancelled with ours as well. Even though, coming from Ohio, our snow days here are a joke, I readily embrace them!

My children love unplanned “mental health” days!  We stay in our PJ’s, make food together, craft, play games, play outside, watch a movie with hot cocoa.  As I type my children are running around singing Christmas songs.  My husband is trying to decide if he needs to go in or be on stand-by.  I am just sitting smiling as my children are happily content and playing together.  This seems like real time as my husband just informed me that the base closed for the day, looks like he may get to stay home too!  Make that 4 happy children running around singing and dancing!

Sometimes as a family I feel like the weekend are not long enough to catch up as a family.  Kids have birthday parties, church, play-dates, yard work and housework needs to be done.  We spend so much time running around catching up from the week that before we know it, it’s Monday.  So, to be able to have unplanned days off is exciting.  Although it derails the normal routine for a day, it also allows us to re-connect and enjoy each other.

What does your family do when you get unplanned school days off?  Is it convenient or inconvenient?

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we are reminded that they aren’t always happy for some who find themselves alone, abandoned or separated with distance from loved ones.  Are tweens exempt from the “blues?”  Absolutely not!  We need to look for the signs and be ready to listen, love and be aware!

Tweens are not exempt from the seasonal blues.  Especially when they have divorced parents, a parent serving and deployed in the military, or have had a parent or close person to them pass away.  The symptoms are the same for adults, however, the ability to handle the emotions and feelings may be different as it may be hard to communicate or peg point that’s where it’s coming from.

What are some symptoms for Seasonal Depression to be looking for:

1. Increase in headaches

2.  Too much or too little sleep

3.  Weight loss or gain

4.  Agitation, guilt, or an inability to concentrate

The warning signs for Stress include:

1. Pounding heart

2. Dryness in the mouth or throat

3.  Nervous tics, fatigue, loss of or excessive appetite

4.  Feeling an urge to cry, or increased irritability, restlessness, or depression.

So, this holiday season, be aware of your own emotions and also for your tweens.  Be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of possible problems.  Simplify.  Relax.  Keep a schedule, but try not to overschedule.  If you do have a child visiting another parent for the holidays, keep it upbeat and civil for the child’s sake.  No child/tween wants to upset a parent.  If you have a child with a deployed parent, take advantage of the programs the military offers, volunteer, send packages or cards to the troops and try to have some kid of communication.  If they get really bad or are refusing to talk, remember to seek medical and or professional help.

What have you found to be beneficial when dealing with emotional or moody tweens?