Fireworks and More Fun Things to Do
Saturday July 4, 2009
A Saturday "Site of the Day" special: Most days, a single Site of the Day is plenty to keep you occupied. But on Saturday morning, with kids underfoot and a weekend's worth of amusement needed, something more intensive is called for. So be sure to stop by here every week for your super-sized listing of Five Fun Things to Do Today -- including a family activity, a site for the kids, a shopping site, a site offering humor or inspiration about parenting children with special needs, and a site that's just silly or fun. Today's list:
- Activity: Fireworks Shirt
- Kids' Site: Word Girl
- Shopping: Your Therapy Source
- Inspiration: "A Special-Needs Mom's Prayer"
- Just for Fun: Fireworks!
Prepare for Relative Cluelessness With Some Toxic Tales
Friday July 3, 2009
Heading off for a family picnic or party this weekend? Bracing for the clueless comments, know-it-all observations, questioning of your parenting and sanity? Get your defensive armor in place by reading the latest toxic tales on the Your Family Said What?!!! Readers Respond page. Like this one recently added by Christina:
"We started seeing developmental delay in my son when he was about 6 months. We started testing at 7. While we were going through all this testing I had a cousin who felt that she needed to chime in. She said that there was nothing wrong with my baby. I coddled him and didn't make him do what he needed to do to learn how to crawl, sit or roll. I needed to spank him because he was just misbehaving! When my son was 9 months old we learned that his eyes were underdeveloped, he had fluid on his brain, and he had fragile x syndrome (all 3 are unrelated). Seriously, who spanks an infant!!"
Maybe reading what other parents are dealing with will make you feel a little better about your so-called loved ones. But if you come out of the Fourth festivities with new tales of outrage, be sure to share them. Misery loves company.
New today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day
Image from About.com Parenting Special Needs
This Week in Comments: Botox Battle
Friday July 3, 2009
Here's a list of posts that have received one or more comments this week:
Most comments this week went to a heated discussion of Botox for cerebral palsy, and my personal pick for comment of the week is this one, left by commenter Susan in response to a post on the King of Pop and Weirdness: "In my family, we have lots of quirky individuals. I’m not sure how you keep them from crossing the line and becoming social pariahs. I do believe that lots of love and acceptance helps. Michael Jackson’s life may possibly be read someday as a lifelong struggle for that love and acceptance."
What's on your mind today? Speak out in the comments below, or add your opinion to the posts above.
Read more: Special Needs News | Site of the Day | Parenting Special Needs Forum
Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Weekday Reflection: Positivity
Friday July 3, 2009
Read: "Positive rewards as well as negative consequences are part of the fabric of life. If you drive too fast, you get a ticket. If you do a good job, you get a bonus. If you work hard in school, you get better grades. Positive statements and recognition for a job well done are good and reinforcing." -- Jennifer Kolari, Connected Parenting, this week's featured book
Reflect: Do I only comment on my child's behavior when I'm unhappy with it? Which does my child respond better to, positive rewards or negative consequences?
Respond: Make an effort to find good things to say about your child to your child. Fill the time between negative behaviors with observations of all the things not going wrong. You may find that those negative behaviors get farther apart.
Every weekday, take a moment to read, reflect, and respond to a passage from a book, blog, or article. ... More Reflections
Also new today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day
Cover image courtesy of Avery 
