GET INVOLVED AT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL

Studies show that the children of parents who are involved at school perform better academically.  So volunteer your time - attend open parent organization meetings, volunteer for lunch duty, be homeroom mom or dad, or just be an extra helper at class parties and on class trips.  Another benefit will be that the teachers and staff will get to know you, which will result in a better relationship between them and your child.

GETTING PICKY EATER TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGGIES

Is your child a picky eater who refuses to eat fruit and vegetables? Try these tricks for disguising them!

Veggie Tricks:
-turn spinach into spinach dip on crackers, celery & carrots;
-turn broccoli into broccoli cakes; and
-turn mashed potatoes into potato pancakes.

Fruit Tricks:
-spread a little peanut butter on apple slices (if doc has given you green light for peanut butter);
-spread cream cheese on celery;
-give them a little salad dressing to dip carrots into; and
-squirt a little whipped cream on strawberries, blueberries, banana slices, etc. 

The minimal calorie and sugar increase will be far outweighed by the healthy benefits of the fruit, and will get your little one used to eating healthy. Also, describing the above as "treats" makes the kids more eager to try them!  Good luck!

School Morning Tip

Winter is fast approaching.  If you don't want to spend another one furiously scrambling each morning before school to locate and match gloves, hats, scarves, etc., try this tip:  Give each child their own large ziplock or shoebox full of their winter accessories, and keep it in their own space in the closet.  As soon as they come home from school, have them put their accessories right back inside.  Anything that promotes peace and calmness in the morning and gets the kids out the door on time is worth a try, right?!

DELAYING VACCINATIONS

These days, taking your child to the doctor could mean having them get hit with 3 or more vaccines at a time.  With all of the debates and studies surrounding the safety of vaccines, many parents feel uneasy with vaccinations to begin with, and worry about overwhelming their children's little immune systems with multiple vaccines at once.  Add to the mix that many kids often feel lousy and/or feverish after their shots, and you have some very scared parents. 

If you are not one of the anti-vaccine parents that refuse vaccinations altogether, but still feel uneasy, don't be afraid to discuss spreading the vaccines out over a longer time period with your doctor.  Many doctors are agreeable to letting you fall a little bit behind the recommended schedule in order to have your child receive fewer vaccines at one time.  Your doctor can also advise you as to which vaccines are important to get now, and which may be delayed.  If your doctor is inflexible, it may be time to consult another pediatrician - one who is willing to work with the parents' concerns for their child's welfare.

WARM BATHTIME TRICK

Want to keep your little ones, especially newborns, warm during bathtime in the cold winter months?  Buy a small, "cool touch" (so the kids can't get burned) space heater.  You can pick one up for under $30 at most local stores and online.  Place it well away from water to prevent electric shock (i.e. not on the ledge of the tub, sink basin or where it can fall into the toilet) and turn it on a few minutes before bathtime.  The kids will stay warm while bathing, drying off and changing into their warm pjs.  Now that I think of it, I might just try this one for myself!