I’ve often complained about the bad winter weather and how it’s affected Mini’s weight (along with mine). Well, we’re on the way to making some more changes to our lifestyle that will negate the weather excuse for not exercising.

AM and I recently acquired a Nintendo Wii with the EA-Sports Active software. We’ll be getting a Wii Fit, soon, too.

The Active software uses the Wii controllers to detect the user’s movement and leads the user through an exercise regimen. AM has used it several times and worked up quite the sweat and has felt the “burn” for a few days after each use.

I’m going to get Mini to use Active, along with AM and myself, to exercise when she’s here. The fact that it’s a game makes it more attractive to Mini and makes her want to do it. And it’s an interactive video game, so what kid doesn’t like that? I’m hoping it’ll make her forget that she’s exercising and instead focus on the gaming bit. Plus, it looks really fun!

Once the weather warms up, we’ll transition the gaming to outdoors, minus the Wii, and introduce Mini to an outside exercise regimen.

Along with smarter food choices, which we’ve been teaching and making along the way, and the exercising, we’re hoping this will lead Mini to gaining a well-rounded understanding of being healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

How do you keep your tween active in the cold,wet winter months? Leave your ideas, suggestions and questions in the comments.

A few weeks ago, Mini had an “electronics day” at school. For some period of time during class, all the students were allowed to bring their favorite portable electronic device and play. Mini brought her iPod Touch and there was a confrontation with other students. She was letting her friend play a game on it, but a group of four or five other children came over and tried to take it. They said that Mini “had to share” and “had to let other people play” with the iPod. Mini took a stand and said that she didn’t have to let anyone play with it and that if they didn’t back up, she’d put it away and nobody would play with it. The other kids backed off and Mini and her friend went on playing in peace.

Mini told me about the confrontation (she called it a “cat fight,” which made me laugh) when she came over later that day. We talked about how the argument started and what she did to defuse it. I enforced upon her that she did the correct thing. She avoided a physical confrontation, didn’t allow the iPod to be manhandled and didn’t abandon the iPod to go tell a teacher. Most importantly, she stood up for what she knew to be the right thing. I’m very proud of her for that.

Mini was worried that she was being mean or that she had hurt the other children’s feelings when she wouldn’t let them play with the iPod. I told her that she did everything perfectly and she shouldn’t worry about that. She protected her stuff and that was the key.

Have your kids had run-ins with bullies at school? How did you teach them what was the right and wrong thing to do? Leave your ideas, suggestions and questions in the comments.

Mini confided in me a few weeks ago that she wanted to be a “rock star”. There is no doubt that her desire is more influenced by her current diet of television (Hannah Montana, The Jonas Brothers, etc) than her talent. Unfortunately for her dream, she has received the musical talent gene from my end of the pool (that is to say no talent at all).

Apparently this week she ran headfirst into what may be many musical obstacles: She did not make the elementary school chorus. Let’s set aside the question which first popped into my head (what elementary school has a chorus that requires tryouts?) and concentrate on helping the child deal with rejection and the potential crushing of a dream.

She was pretty upset when she called and told me of this rejection. I explained to her that sometimes we’re not always good at the things we want to be good at and that sometimes, even when we are good, we still don’t get picked for some opportunities. She wasn’t really satisfied with that explanation, but we did agree that sometimes the world isn’t fair and that we don’t always get what we want. She definitely wasn’t as upset at the end of the conversation, I did my job, I think.

It’s hard for to be “unconditionally supportive” for Mini’s musical endeavors, because I know she’s lacking in talent, but I know it’s my job to help her believe that anything is possible if she works hard enough.

And maybe, just maybe, she’ll surprise me and become a musical star. Hopefully, a brighter star than Ms. Montana.

Have you had a similar situation with your children? How did you work through supporting your child while holding a realistic view on their skills and talents? Share you questions, ideas and experiences in the comments.