Experts say a significant drop in self-esteem happens between ages 9-12. Instilling confidence in kids during these pivotal years can start with action-oriented activities that promote family time and conversation. “Simple tasks like doing a good deed for others, learning something new or accomplishing a goal, goes a long way in boosting self-esteem for tweens,” said Dr. Michele Borba, an educational psychologist and author of “UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About Me World.” Here are 5 ways you can instill confidence in your tween through action: Spread kindness Encourage your tween to team up with a pal to complete five acts of kindness in one week for people outside of your immediate circle. It could be helping a coach clean up after practice, holding the door, pitching in with a neighbor’s yard work, paying for the ice cream of the person behind you in line or any number of small gestures that help spread kindness. Test out a new activity Brainstorm activities with your tween that he or she has always wanted to learn but never tried like drawing, kickboxing or yoga. Engage your child in exploring how to make it happen. Ask around: many places offer free […]

Self-regulation is an important life skill for all ages to master. It actually is not a single skill but a group of skills. The ability to plan ahead, make thoughtful decisions, persistently work towards a future goal, and moderate emotions and behavior are all included in this group of skills. That is not to say spontaneity does not have a place, because it does, it is just kept within the boundaries you set to keep from being diverted from reaching your goals. Help your child understand the idea of self-regulation The ultimate purpose of self-regulation is to govern our behavior in a way that leads to successfully completing our daily and long-term goals. Help your child relate to abstract concepts associated with self-regulation, like taking turns and delayed gratification, by using real world scenarios. For example, help your preschooler practice taking turns at a playdate. After the playdate, ask him how he felt when his friend was happy because he got a turn and how he felt when it was finally his turn. Yes, he had to wait, but the goal was for everyone to enjoy the playdate, so explain how the delayed gratification was worth it. Help your child […]

For many of us, the arrival of a New Year brings the promise of new beginnings. January represents a fresh start, a clean slate, and the chance to seek out new opportunities. For others, the New Year can usher in a time of stress and uncertainty. Even for people who don’t normally suffer from anxiety, staring down the prospect of twelve months of reaching new heights – personally and professionally – can be daunting. A few common issues people may experience in January include: Post-Holiday Blues These days the build-up to Christmas starts early, with holiday sales beginning the day after Halloween and radio stations blasting festive tunes long before we’ve cut the Thanksgiving turkey. We fret over what gifts to buy for whom and wearing the perfect outfit, but the day passes quickly, and once it’s over we are left with a sense that there’s nothing else to look forward to. Post-holiday blues are a very real phenomenon but can be overcome by taking some practical steps. Practice gratitude. Before going over a list of new things you want to have or happen in your life, be sure to look around and take inventory of everything you already have. Be thankful for the people, the pets, the home and the blessings that are already a part of […]

Supplies 1/2 cup hot water 1/2 tsp. borax 1 bottle of glitter glue 1 cup water Glitter (optional) Directions In a small pitcher, add the 1/2 cup of hot water and 1/2 tsp. of borax. Stir and allow the borax to dissolve. Pour out the bottle of glitter glue into a bowl, and add 1 cup of water. Stir until fully combined. Slowly add the borax solution, mixing vigorously. Be sure not to add too much or the slime will become like putty and not stretchy. Start using your hands to mix the slime, to gauge how sticky it is. Once the desired slime consistency is reached, add glitter. Additional Crafts: Ice Cream String Art Lava Lamp Experiment  

After a long day, have you ever wished you could come home to a hot, homemade meal ready to eat? Now add to your long day the stress of having a critically ill or injured child in the hospital. During these trying times, feeding yourself is often forgotten at your child’s bedside. The Ronald McDonald House of West Georgia’s mission is to serve families of critically ill children with love, toiletries, shelter, a warm bed and food. Their volunteers cook and serve meals to 15-20 people every day in their Hamilton Road home. For 2019, they’re stepping up their dinner game, serving crock pot meals daily in their family room at Piedmont Columbus Regional. Newly renovated, the family room is equipped with a full-sized fridge, La-Z-Boys, a television, bathroom, activities for kids, snacks and coffee. It provides a quiet space for families with babies in the NICU or children in the pediatric unit. RMH’s Crock-Pot Compassionate Meals Program strives to serve hot meals to these families every evening, but they’re in need of volunteers to cook. Sometimes they even find themselves short on volunteers for the house dinners, and now they are adding a second meal every evening. You don’t have to […]