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When we think about starting our own family, most of us dream about happy times, adorable children, and magical moments.What many of us don’t think about at that point is the heavy load of responsibility that comes with being a parent – and that responsibility never ends no matter how old our “baby” becomes.

While a pregnancy absolutely can bring its share of worries and “what-ifs”, many people find that when that baby comes home from the hospital, the true worrying begins. A very common concern among parents is what kind of person that child will be as an adult. Will they be successful? Will they get into college? Will they find a job? Will they get married? Will they move far away? Will they have friends?

Laying some basic groundwork for a child’s future IS important, but the key is to balance the future with the present, with a heavy emphasis on the present. If all our energy goes into what our child will be like as an adult, we’ll miss the joy of knowing them as a child. A popular buzzword these days is “mindfulness” – taking time to genuinely and fully experience what is happening at the moment. As parents we can get very caught up in all of the daily distractions of life – meals to fix, bills to pay, car repairs to schedule…..When we are practicing mindfulness we might be playing a game with our child, baking cookies together, watching a movie with them, going for a walk, or we might be stepping back and listening in when our children are playing with friends to hear how they are interpreting the world.

Worried about your child’s future? Spend […]

The world is a scary place sometimes. With access to
non-stop news everywhere we turn it seems like there are constant references to
school shootings, attacks in public places and armed intruders. Many adults
find these stories upsetting and children are often drawn into seeing and
hearing about these same disturbing events.

How can we protect our elementary school age (and younger)
children from becoming overwhelmed with fear and anxiety? Following are a few
tips to help your family:

Keep some perspective yourself. Bad things have
always happened in the world, but we didn’t have the kind of almost immediate
information sharing that modern media brings.Talk honestly with your child but at their
level of understanding. Don’t give more detail than they are ready to handle.
Keep it simple. (“Sometimes bad people do hurt others. I work very hard to
always keep you safe.”)Turn off the constant media flow. It’s
important to limit how much negative information your child hears. Be aware of your own conversations with others.
Children tune into more than many adults realize. Watch for signs that your child is experiencing
anxiety. Changes in sleep, eating habits, or difficulties at school are three
common indicators. Be the good in the world. Look for ways to take
action in a positive way to counter the negative. When appropriate, include
your child in taking some action. Feeling helpless about something contributes
to anxiety over the issue. Remember that you are the rock in your child’s
world. If you find yourself slipping into fear and anxiety yourself, get help.
Your children will look to you for cues on how to react to events.Share positives. Watch for stories that focus
on kindness, giving, warmth, and sharing friendship.

The world can be scary but it’s also a big wonderful place
full of kind-hearted people. Help your child learn to […]

Every family at some point will face the question of when they can safely leave their child home without adult supervision. Often the first question people have is, “When is it legal?” The answer for Wisconsin families is that there is no set age. The recommended guideline is often listed as age 12,but many factors come into play. Following are some things to consider when trying to decide what is right for your family.

How
mature is your child?Is
your child comfortable with the idea?Does
your child have help nearby?Does
your child know what to do in an emergency?Is
your child responsible for any siblings at the same time?Are
there any medical issues?How
safe is your neighborhood?Have
you established some safety rules regarding answering the door, having friends
over, using the oven or stove, etc.?Are
there any firearms in your home? Is
your child aware of dangers involving internet use and strangers?

When you
feel your child may be ready, start out by leaving your child for a short
period of time while you run a quick daytime errand like picking up a few
things at the grocery store. Be sure your child has access to a phone and that
you have a phone with you as well. As both of you become more comfortable, you
can gradually increase the length of time your child is alone.

-Regina