When your child has to stay overnight in the hospital

No one wants their child to have to stay in a hospital, but unfortunately from time to time the need to do so may arise. When the time does come, how do you comfort your child and how can you make their stay more pleasant? Check out these ideas for making your child’s hospital stay a bit easier brought to you by my friends at www.aupairjobs.com:

1. Pictures from home: Bring several pictures from home. If your child doesn’t normally have pictures in her room, create some. Does your family have a pet? Take a picture of the family pet, of mom and dad, and maybe of grandma and grandpa too. Bring pictures of whoever you think your child will miss seeing. You can even bring in a scrapbook for them to look at when they are sad.
2. Toys to play with: One of the worst things for an active child is to be stuck in a bed with nothing to do. There is the television, but how long can he watch that without going out of his mind? Bring toys that work well in a confined space, like matchbox cars, action figures, and puzzles. Playing card games with him when he is up to it can also be fun.
3. Music to listen to: Bring things that appeal to all of his senses, like some music for him to listen to. If he doesn’t have a private room, just bring in a small MP3 player with headphones. Soothing music will calm him and help him to improve faster. Most libraries even have books that can be downloaded to MP3’s now as well.
4. Cards from friends: Kids miss their friends when they are stuck in the hospital. It’s a nice surprise to bring in cards made by classmates or other friends from the neighborhood to cheer him up.
5. Narrated book: Sometimes mom or dad isn’t able to be at the hospital with the child all of the time. At these times, it’s nice to have a book to listen to that plays mom or dad reading the story. Many card and gift stores sell books with recorders in them. This will also help replicate the feeling of home.
6. Blanket from home: Whether you are a child or an adult, it’s nice to have something from home that is familiar. Bringing in a blanket from home that he can cuddle up with will help him relax and not feel like everything is so strange. The familiar smell will also comfort him.
7. Favorite stuffed toy: Different than other toys, having a favorite stuffed toy to hug during scary times is essential when staying in the hospital. Often the staff will let the child bring a stuffed toy when they need to be taken for tests. During these times they can end up being left alone for periods of time, and having a stuffed toy to hug can help alleviate the stress.
8. Plenty of light: Hospitals can be scary and making sure that they have plenty of natural light may help her to feel better and less scared. If putting the child by a window is not an option, with permission you may be able to bring in a natural light lamp to bring a little of the outside indoors. At night you can turn on a night light for your child.
9. Oil diffuser: If you’ve ever been in a hospital you will know that they smell like cleaners and antiseptic for obvious reasons. While necessary, these smells don’t exactly comfort a child, so having a small air freshener or an oil diffuser will help his room to smell better and more like home.
10. Colorful balloons: Nothing brightens a child’s day like colorful balloons. Flowers are nice, but kids really love balloons. Most hospitals will have a gift shop where you can buy balloons. Having a nice bunch in a spot he can see will brighten an otherwise sterile white room and should cheer him up.

Let’s face it; the hospital is never going to be just like home. But anything you can do to bring bits of home into the hospital will help make your child’s stay a little easier. According to a report by NHS (National Health Service), patients who are happy and more comfortable do better and there is a lower rate of readmissions.

Happy Parenting!  (and I hope you never need this information!) 

10 Foods from the Grill your Kids will LOVE

Below are fun variations on the barbecue theme that are kid friendly.  They come from my friends at www.summernanny.com. Mangia!

While just about every adult loves a good cookout, grilling can be hit or miss with the kids. If you’ll be grilling for the family, you may want to stick to serving foods that are attractive to adults and kids alike, that way you can ensure that everyone ends dinner with a full belly. The next time you’re grilling, consider these kid-friendly grill favorites.

1. Cheesy corn on the cob: Peel back the husks and remove the silks. Using kitchen twine, tie the husks together to make a handle to help little hands hold onto the corn. This also helps keep the husks from burning. Soak corn in cold salted water for about 10 minutes. Drain the corn and place it on the grill. Close the lid and let cook for 15 minutes, turning it occasionally. The grill should be set to medium heat. Once the corn is golden brown, remove it from grill and brush with melted butter, chili powder and grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Kabobs: Kids love nothing better than food on a stick; take corn dogs, Popsicles, and lollipops as a testament to this fact. For this reason, kabobs are a popular kid-friendly grilling option. You can include the kids when threading the food onto the kabobs and they will like them even better because they helped to make them. Remember, your kabob options are endless. You can make anything from peppers, onions, and chicken to pineapple, tomatoes, and ham, both of which are sure to be a hit.
3. Sausage on a stick: Make your own sausage on a stick. Try using regular polish sausages or the sausages with cheese on the inside of them. Next, thread them on soaked wooden skewers or metal skewers lengthwise, as if it was a corn dog. Place them on the grill. These sausages on a stick are fun to eat and much easier to manage than a bulky bun loaded with toppings.
4. Peaches: If your kids like peaches, and even if they don’t, you have to try this sweet grilled variation of them. Cut the peach in half and remove the pit. Then dip the peach half into granulated sugar and place it on an oiled grill. Keep the heat on the low side because it doesn’t take long for these beauties to warm through and get some grill marks on them. Pull them off the grill, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you have tasty treat.
5. Sliders: These small size burgers are easier to hold, and there’s less to eat so they work well for little hands and stomachs. Take 2lbs. of hamburger and mix in salt and pepper to taste. Form your sliders using a 2” biscuit cutter. You should be able to get 12 sliders from 2lbs of meat. Press your thumb into the middle of each slider and chill patties for about an hour. Place some party rolls, split side down on the grill. Grill for about 2 minutes keeping an eye on them. Take them off, butter them and tent them with foil. Put the sliders on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes per side. Take the patties off the grill and slide them on the toasted buns. Add any toppings your kids like.
6. Pizza: What kid doesn’t like pizza? Use your own pizza dough recipe or buy some pre-made dough. Cut the dough into four equal pieces. Have the kids pat their dough into a rough circle while you preheat the grill on high. Throw some flour on the counter to make it easier for the kids to press out their dough. Add the rounds to a baking sheet covered in a dusting of corn meal. Take your tongs and a clean towel dipped in oil and oil the grill. Then carry the dough rounds out and put the pizzas on the oiled grill. After they cook for 2 minutes, flip the pizzas over and have the kids add their toppings. Pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and any other favorite toppings can be added to create the ideal pizza. Close the lid and continue to cook the pizza for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from the grill and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
7. Grilled potatoes: If you go camping you’ve probably heard of this recipe. Take 3 large baking potatoes and cut them first in half and then into 1” slices. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Preheat the grill to medium-high and then add a layer of sliced potatoes onto 2 layers of heavy duty foil that’s about 20” square. Fold the foil around the potatoes tightly and grill for about 30 minutes turning the packet every 10 minutes. Make sure the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork and enjoy.
8. Veggies and dip: Cut 2 zucchini and 2 summer squash into ½” slices cut on the diagonal. Toss slices into ½ cup of Italian dressing. Then grill for 3 minutes per side. Remove from the grill. To make the dip, mix together 2/3 cup sour cream (low fat is fine), 2 chopped scallions (optional), ½ t. Worcestershire sauce, 1 t. lemon juice, 1 t. salt and a little pepper. Kids can help mix up the dip while the veggies are grilling.
9. Grilled bananas: While younger children may need a little help with this recipe, older children can certainly make them themselves with supervision. Place bananas on the grill in their skins. Keep turning them until the skins are blackened. Remove the stem and skins and slice. Serve them over ice cream for a special treat
10. Pizza dogs: Cut slices into the hot dogs about ½” apart and ¼” deep. Grill the hot dogs until heated through and the hot dog should be open at the cut marks. Serve hot dogs on a bun with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese. For younger children, be sure to slice the hotdog lengthwise before serving.

Happy parenting!

10 Ways to Encourage Children to Read Summer Book Lists

Summer time is here!  Sun, fun, swimming, barbecues, camping, fishing, and .... da da da daaaa....summer reading lists.  What?  Your kids don't want to do the required reading before fourth grade?  They have better things to do than read a book when the sun is shining and the fish are biting? The latest research shows students who read at least 4 books over the summer maintain or even increase their vocabulary and reading skills.  Here are some ideas to help your children appreciate the value of reading during the summer, even if their incoming teacher did not send them home with a list of books.

1. Model.  If I could offer only one way to encourage kids to read, it would be to read yourself.  I have fond memories of sitting in my back yard with my mother as she read her novel and I read my library book. 
2. Create a summer reading club.  Invite others in the same grade and reading level to come over once a week to discuss the book they're reading.  It doesn't have to be the exact same book!  In fact, having all the kids read different books will encourage the others to pick up that book, as well.
3. Keep a chart.  Have your children make a chart of the books they have read. When they have finished a book, they can add a sticker to their chart.  They will love seeing the progress they made. I'm not an advocate of competition, but it helps to see if you're beating your sister in the race to the end of the chart!
4. Read aloud.  Your childen will get just as much out of a book if you read aloud, even if they are perfectly capable of reading on their own.  This will motivate them to continue the story long after you have finished reading them the first chapter.
5. Make it fun.  Each time your child finishes a book, put another star on a dark blue poster board. Have fun making constellations, which will encourage the completion of a number of books.  For extra fun, see if you can categorize the books into the constellations - books about bears for ursa major, for example.
6. Join the library reading incentive program.  Most local libraries have incentives for summer reading.  Find out what your library does for the children in your area.
7. New words wall.  Make a treasure hunt of new words.  When you child comes across a new word, help him or her to define the word, then post it to your word wall (refrigerator door?). Encourage use of the new words throughout the summer.
8. Encourage variety. Try to get your children to read different genres: Fiction, nonfiction, biography, science, history, mystery, etc.  Categorize the books they read so you can see where their interest lies.
9. Make your own list. Kids love to have control over their own lives. (Don't we all!) So, instead of simply using the school's suggested reading list, intersperse that list with your child's own list of books.  Go to the library and get some ideas.  Look online for book reviews for children.  Or shop at yard sales for great summer reading bargains.
10. Reward. This is way far down the list because I don't think children should receive monetary or food rewards for a job well done. However, if this is the only way to jumpstart your children's summer reading, then offer a small monthly reward - ice cream treat, $1 on a debit card for each book read, or set of three books for younger readers (to be used at the end of summer), etc.  As an alternative, if there is a movie based on the book, tell your kids you'll take them to see the movie when they finish the book!  Compare notes after the movie.

Books will open your child's world to a new dimension.  Remember to "catch 'em being good."  If you find your child reading a book, wait until he puts it down, then give him a pat on the back for reading for the past half hour.  Positive reinforcement goes a long way to encouraging a continuation of that positive behavior.

And I would be remiss if I didn't recommend my own books for children (and one from a friend):

• PreK-2nd grade: Ducklings in a Row - Will Duck 10 ever get to lead the line?
• Grades 3-8: Woody's World - The story of one boy's efforts to help his family during The Great Depression.  Based on a true story.
• Grades 2-6: Somebody Cares! - A young girl plans a very special birthday party.
• High school: Crash into Me by Al Borris - Four misfit teens on a suicide mission discover the meaning of life. 

Happy parenting!