Parenthood HQ

From High School Summer Camp to Cinematographer for the Stars
 by: Karen Thurm Safran

Jeremy Jackson, a student at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, enrolled in a Digital Video Production summer course at iD Tech Camps UCLA location. At this weeklong, hands-on technology summer program for ages 7-17 located at universities nationwide, Jeremy developed an understanding for shooting, editing, and creating special effects using Adobe software.

1. Encourage Questions.

Don’t answer every question, instead ask what do they think. Asking questions stimulates conversation between you and your child.

2. Don’t Criticize.

Criticism invites low self-esteem. Children feel that they have failed or disappointed their parents when they are criticized. Find alternate ways of correcting the problem. A child will likely shut down communication if they feel that their parents are not supportive.

3. Respect Your Child’s Opinions.

Your child is not an extension of you. Although it is difficult to accept at times, it is normal and healthy for your child to have their own opinion. Children who are confident in expressing their opinions are less likely to join gangs or succumb to peer pressure.

There are many things to like about the television show Super Nanny that has captured the public interest in recent weeks.

First, the nanny character is very likeable, if a little scary at times. She has that old-fashioned school-teacher demeanour that says, ‘Listen up. I know best and I am in charge here.’ Many of the families featured need someone who takes charge.

Second, if you are a parent, how can you not get involved in a show that gets you into the challenges of child rearing in such a nitty gritty, warts n’all way that doesn’t involve you? Okay, it is voyeuristic but it is doesn’t relate to you, does it???!!! Importantly, this program has got people talking about raising kids, which is fantastic.

Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to have so many bells, whistles and lights? Or why they have so many different textures, and materials and colors? It’s almost as if we want to provide young babies with a whole world of stimulation and we can’t quite get it to them fast enough.

Surviving a baby with colic truly deserves an award of some sort. The relentless screaming can really drive you to the edge.

Unfortunately for the parents of a colic baby, most of the focus of surviving is usually geared towards how to relieve the suffering for your baby. But, what about your suffering?

Here are 10 tips on HOW to keep your sanity while enduring a fit of colic.

Part of the responsibility of being a father is to establish a strong foundation for the family. Just like a building foundation, much of this work goes unseen and rarely gets acknowledged, yet the strength and integrity of the entire structure relies on it. The following intentions, although not always perfectly fulfilled, give us guidance in our mission.

Grounded in Reality

While my children may put me on a pedestal, I have my feet firmly on the ground and acknowledge my own strengths and weaknesses.

Demonstrative Love

Coupons can be a great tool in educating your child about saving money, being frugal, and shopping smart. Who doesn’t want their children to grow up knowing how to save easily on every purchase? With coupon clipping you’ll show them money saving skills they can use throughout their life!

Teaching your child with coupons can start at an early age. Pointing all of the inserts of the coupons in your Sunday paper can be a great way to teach children the colors. It is also a good way to read to your children, and the time spent will show them the value that coupons can bring to their life.

It has been a long day. Home from work, you put together a nice, healthy dinner for the entire family to enjoy. Gathering the family around the table, you sit down to eat and within a minute, a voice pipes up, "I don’t like anything." Encouraging, you say, "I’ve made some of your favorite foods and even put a couple new things on the table that I’m sure you will like if you just try. I really think if you will take one bite, you’ll love it." The response, "No, I don’t want to eat because I don’t like it."

If you were to ask 100 parents why they think their children are picky eaters, chances are you would get 90 different answers. Although we know some children are picky eaters for no apparent reason, most are hard to please when it comes to food for two reasons ? they are naturally fussy about tastes and textures or they have a learned behavior about food.

Forget bears and bunnies. Today’s diaper bags are all about mom and her needs: The need to be organized. The need to feel stylish. The need to have daddy lug the thing around once in awhile.

First, some general guidelines from veteran moms:

1. Always, always, always try it on first.

And if possible, stuff it with as much junk as you plan to carry on a regular basis. This is the only way to tell if it’s everything fits, if it’s too heavy, and if it will be easy for you to carry.