Smells that make you go AUWKK-WARD!

Posted on by
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

Recently, I was driving a group of girls to a practice/event/party/school/something, and from the back of the van I hear, “It smells like a dog fart in the car.” Normally, I would have lifted up my arm a bit and waved it toward my nose to see if I was the offending party; but I knew I had recently showered, for my hair was still damp and I haven’t gotten to the age where those windy affairs waft out unwarranted. Yet. (Spoiler alert: Munchkin#2 took off her shoes)Waft On

Then uncomfortable giggles from the back of the van were heard, then a long silent pause. My hubby and I have (from the beginning) told our girls we strongly dislike the word “fart.” We use “toot” instead. We’s proper that way!! If you know me, you are rolling your eyes because I unfortunately have the mouth of a sailor. This is the outcome of years in the theatre and running around with gypsies. But seriously, I do not like to hear children using harsh language. They are to develop that skill set in high school like the rest of the proper folk.

The next day Munchkin #1 felt it necessary to bring up this story like she needed to confess she had robbed a bank. She was mortified her friend had used THAT word and was afraid if someone in an authority position were to overhear her dear friend repeat the word, she would get sent to prison or worse have her TV privileges revoked.

We discussed how some families may find certain language appropriate, but others don’t. This was perplexing for a first grader. AND her mother. I tried to make it clear for her, but you know when you talk to your child for more than 2 minutes and their eyes start to glaze over and drool forms in the corner of their mouth? I don’t think she quite got the lesson this time.

However, sometimes this happens in reverse. I never thought my young children would be able to stump me so frequently with general life questions. Not like, “How can God watch all of us at the same time?” I knew I wasn’t going to have a snappy answer in that category, but I can always throw it back to, “You’ll have to ask our Pastor. Great question!” I am NOT afraid of delegating parenting/education duties of my children. Takes a village, Pastor. See you on Sunday!!

At least once every week, one of my kids asks me something that I have no clue what the answer is. I’m starting to think God gave us children to show us we don’t know anything. The television show “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” was so popular because those producers were being polite to the viewers. Come on, my first grader is kicking my tail already! Would you like a piece of humble pie, Mrs. Hatton?Hyperventilate2

You know how kids are always creating certain sayings that describe something, but the true definition is not used? For example, “that’s so cool” really doesn’t have any thermal change when spoken. Or “phat,” “kickin,’” “rad,” or my new favorite…awkward. Yeah, feel free to go ahead and use it. All the grade schooler’s are saying it! If you aren’t, well…that’ awk-ward.

My eldest daughter is saying “awkward” as her adjective of choice. Really she uses it for any part of speech. Awk-ward! The problem is I don’t know if she is using it correctly, or if she is becoming one of those Saturday Night Live! characters that just doesn’t get it. I know as a parent I need for her to figure it out on her own, but BOOM! She asked for a definition and I didn’t have my Webster’s near my fingertips.

So this is how it went down one morning:

Munchkin #1: This toast is awk-ward.

Me: It is? Why is your toast making you feel that way?

M1: What do you mean?

Me: I thought you said your toast was awkward?

M1: It is so VERY awkward.

Me: I thought awkward was a feeling.

M1: How can it be a feeling?

Me: Like sad, or mad, or embarrassed…you feel like something is awkward. (Now I know I’m in trouble)

M1: I thought awkward meant “weird.”

Me: In the old days it kinda meant that, but I don’t know if the kids are using the word differently now or if you are saying it wrong. Never mind, I’m sure you and your friends will figure it out. (Oh, I’m rapidly aging through this conversation!)

M1: So it doesn’t mean “weird?”

Me: It’s like this (getting in trouble quick)…if you go out in the backyard with your friends and you look down and see you are wearing one red sock and one pink sock – and you are just a little bit embarrassed. Not so embarrassed that you want to cry or throw up or hide in the closet, but just a tiny bit embarrassed, you would say, “That’s awkward.” Does that make sense?

M1: What if I had one red sock and one purple sock?

Student 1: Teacher 0

Awk-ward!
Early Release

So anybody staying above their kids in math? Oh, Lawd!! This homework thing is going to derail me soon, I can feel it!
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

Handwriting is on the Wall: signs of a problem – KC Parent magazine – Stacey Hatton

Posted on by
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

Handwriting’s on the Wall: signs of problem
Stacey Hatton

Schoolboy being stressed by his homework, isolated on white backRemember when your toddler couldn’t express himself with words, so he would act out by throwing tantrums, hitting or even biting? What if the same child in kindergarten developed his vocabulary but had limited dexterity for the written language—is that child any less impaired than he was as a toddler?

According to Nemours Foundation, “Writing is one of the most complex tasks that humans engage in, involving both motor and critical-thinking skills.” It is comparable to building a brick wall. You start at the bottom, adding each skill on top of the previous one. Miss a few bricks, and the foundation for learning is compromised.

Legible handwriting takes some coordination for many children. “Our role is not to teach handwriting, but to target the underlying cause,” says Suzanne Gay, an occupational therapist with Blue Valley School District. “This could include improving fine motor control or strength in order to maintain a functional grasp of the writing utensil, proper positioning of the student in relation to the chair and writing surface, visual motor skills required for the student to form letters and numbers, or visual perceptual difficulties which may interfere with spacing and line orientation.”

Letter A handwriting page.Therapists generally see students for weekly sessions and monitor progress to determine the effectiveness of interventions, according to Gay.

Not all children with poor handwriting need extra assistance, though. It only becomes a problem when the child falls behind in school, since teachers rely on the student’s written work to determine whether the child is learning.

Signs of a problem

Very awkward pencil grip
Illegible handwriting
Difficulty forming letters
Inability to concentrate and complete writing tasks
Avoiding writing
Many misspelled words
Letters or words that don’t follow correct sequence
Incorrect placement of words on the page
Uneven spacing between letters
A large gap between spoken language and writing ability
An exceptionally slow and difficult time writing

The role of an occupational therapist

[Source: American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 2002]

Evaluate the child’s muscle strength, control, coordination and stamina.
Assess the visual and perceptual ability influencing a child’s ability to form letters and shapes.
Demonstrate proper posture to support correct use of arms, hands, head and eyes
Develop handwriting curricula and collaborate with teachers on effective strategies
Educate families with home activities that promote the development of skills needed in good handwriting

Recommended home activities

If your child has been assessed and therapy is recommended to improve his handwriting, here are a few things to do at home:

Play with modeling clay or play-dough, cutting out shapes with cookie cutters.
Manipulate beads, threading yarn through the beads or straw pieces to make jewelry.
Participate in sports to improve eye-to-hand coordination skills.
Have your child eat with silverware to strengthen his grip.
Practice writing handwritten letters to friends, teachers, grandparents, etc

If you’d like your child’s handwriting to be assessed, the AOTA suggests you speak to your child’s teacher to determine whether an occupational therapist’s assessment is needed. Primary care providers and the special education department director of your school district can also be helpful resources. As always, check with your medical provider with any questions or concerns.

Stacey Hatton is a humorist, public speaker and former pediatric RN. Her blog can be found at www.NurseMommyLaughs.com
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

“I Just Want to Pee Alone” best-selling book giveaway!!!

Posted on by
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare

Fancy. That’s all I can say about this giveaway. It’s so fancy, I can hardly stand it!

Avatar Pee Nurse

One winner will be chosen by my fancy computer’s thing-a-ma-role to receive a free copy of the best-selling book, “I Just Want to Pee Alone.” Don’t ask me how this contest works, ’cause my IT guy, who I just call “Mr. It,” says the Rafflecopter is legit and more trust-worthy than my long-standing partner, Dr. Scholl who has for the past 4 years been picking names out of a wicker basket. We are still very close, but I had to step it up a bit with this book thang.

mommymixology

(Really, if you want to know the truth…I am in dire need of a pedi and am too grossed out to take a current pic of my feet, so I turned my amp up to eleven and we are rockin’ this Pee book out!)

Here’s to a Dose of Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
FacebookPinterestLinkedInStumbleUponDeliciousTumblrShare