Have children under the age of 3? The Children’s Museum, Children’s Hospital Colorado and Colorado Bright Beginnings are partnering together for another FREE day at the Children’s Museum to all families that have children under the age of three. So, head over to the Children's Museum on January 28th between 10 and 2pm and enjoy!
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Establish Healthy Sleep Habits Early - It is important to start setting sleep-times for your baby once they reach about 4 months, and don't wait until they are asleep to put them in their crib, putting them down when they are drowsy helps them learn to soothe themselves to sleep.

Set a Routine - Come up with a bedtime routine. Many parents rely on the bath, book, bottle approach. Give your child a bath, read a book together, then feed him or her a bottle. Doing these activites every night will help teach your child that bedtime is approaching.

Create a Calming Environment - We don't like sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress or in a room that is too hot/cold, why would children be any different? Make sure their room or sleeping area is a comfortable place.

Happy Tummy = Happy Sleep - Babies sleep well with a full stomach, it is a good idea for babies to be breastfed or bottle-fed before bedtime.

Limit Distractions - About 30 minutes before bedtime, it is a good idea to turn off the TV, turn down loud music and start relaxing. With older children, you could ask them about their plans for the next day and then head off to bed.

Naps Are Necessary - Many people believe that if a child misses a nap during the day, they will just sleep better at night. Unfortunately, a cranky tired child doesn't usually sleep well at night. Make sure your child gets a nap every day.

Don't Make Sleep Time Stressful - The saying "go to bed" is a command, and a child who is overstimulated or awake could experience anxiety when they cannot just make themselves go to sleep on cue. A less stressful way to say "go to bed" is "it's time for night night!"

Be Consistent - Keep bedtime consistent. Try to have your children go to bed at the same time every night. This establishes a routine, which is good for you and for your child!

Taken from Parents.com
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The short- and long-term harm done to bullying victims has received much attention lately. The complex web of factors which go into creating bullies are less often discussed.

Every bully does not have the same psychological profile. But understanding the possible factors behind the behavior can help usturn the tide against a deeply entrenched problem.

“I stole about seven bikes and gave ‘em to my guys to buy our pot. Oh, and one time I threw a little kid off his bike and took it from him. Then we all laughed at him crying on the ground.”

For my son, the answer would turn out to be complicated, but not unusual. Much later, while working as a psychology writer and researcher, I discovered the many possible factors that can contribute to aggressive or violent behavior in children and teenagers.

At one time, psychologists attributed children’s aggression to their high levels of frustration. Although feeling blocked from having or doing what one wants can lead to aggressive behavior, further study has shown frustration to be farther down the list of causes.

When assessing this large body of research for the book I coauthored with Jack C. Westman M.D., The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Child & Adolescent Psychology, I found the following five factors to be considered most predictive of producing bullying behavior.

1. Physical Punishment

Parents’ use of harsh physical punishment is positively correlated with children’s aggressive behavior. In one 1990 study, peers and teachers rated spanked children twice as aggressive compared with other children. At the same time, not all spanked children are overly aggressive.

University of Tulane researchers studied the effect of spanking using a mixed population of 2,500 children between the ages of 3 and 5. The group included 45 percent who, according to their mothers, had not been spanked, 28 percent who were spanked “once or twice,” and 26 percent who were spanked more than twice. The odds of a child being more aggressive at age 5 rose by 50 percent if he had been spanked twice in the month before being observed by researchers. This 2010 study stood out from others done previously in that investigators accounted for variables, including the mother’s acts of neglect, use of alcohol or drugs, and violence or aggression between the parents.

2. Watching Aggressive Behavior in Adults

Some of the aggressive children in this study were not physically punished. Parents who simply modeled aggressive behavior in front of their children also produced more aggressive children. Such parents tended to use more forceful rather than cooperative means to settle conflicts. They yelled rather than spoke calmly or discussed an issue. They grabbed the TV remote out of someone’s hands, rather than asked or negotiated a peaceful solution to competing needs or desires.

If there is a lot of unresolved conflict in the home, parents can model aggressive behaviors which the child can internalize. Beyond the child’s immediate home and school environment, studies show that poverty and high levels of neighborhood crime create a culture of violence with many negative effects on children. But other factors cut across class and geography.

3. Violent Television

A typical children’s cartoon shows on average one violent act every three minutes. Many young children and teenagers spend more hours watching TV than they do at school. What’s the effect of all this mayhem on growing children? There are many correlational and some experimental studies linking children’s viewing of violent TV programs with spikes in aggressive behavior.

In the laboratory of social learning theorist Albert Bandura, children were given specially created TV programs to watch. In these shows, an adult acted violently, kicking and hitting a plastic doll named Bobo. Two groups of children were given the same doll to play with; one group watched the violent program, the other didn’t. Those who watched were more likely to imitate the on-screen character and act violently toward Bobo than the others.

4. Problems with Processing Emotions

In the 1990s, researchers started to investigate whether any cognitive deficiencies might contribute to a child’s level of aggressive behavior. This work revealed that aggressive boys often respond aggressively because they are not as skilled as their peers in reading other people. They fail to accurately interpret other people’s intentions and when they’re unsure of why someone does something or looks at them a certain way, they tend to respond aggressively.

Another study investigated whether anything could be done to help young people like this overcome their deficiency and be less aggressive as a result. In one correctional facility, incarcerated adolescents were taught how to pay attention to non-hostile cues in a social setting. When they accurately perceived hostility coming their way, they were shown how to use alternative responses. Supervisors at the juvenile correction facility who were questioned after this training program reported less aggression and less impulsivity in those adolescents who had taken the training.

This emotional processing deficit seemed to be a factor present in my own 14-year-old son at the time his behaviors turned aggressive. Here was how he described his state of mind and emotions at wilderness therapy camp:

I’m trying to get in touch with my feelings. I’m having a hard time cause I haven’t had feelings in a long time for some reason. My counselors say it’s the drugs but I don’t know. It seems to me I didn’t have any feelings before I started using either.

As it turned out, Alex’s psychological problems were far deeper than his outward behaviors appeared to reveal.

5. Part of a More Serious Psychiatric Disease Course

A meta-study of 11 longitudinal family studies reveals that conduct disorder puts a boy at a higher risk for becoming an antisocial young man or a psychotic adolescent (J. Welham et al. 2009). I was struck by the number of studies in this review showing that boys who went on to develop schizophrenia had conduct problems when they were young. The word “externalizing” (what many view as “acting out”) is often used to describe their early problem behaviors.

This was the course my son Alex’s adolescent psychological problems eventually took. He was diagnosed and treated for the onset of schizophrenia at age 17, a story I tell in my forthcoming book A Lethal Inheritance.

I certainly want to underscore that not all bullies — nor boys and girls with conduct disorder as children and teenagers — develop antisocial disorder or schizophrenia as young adults. But sufficient numbers of them do to merit a closer look at the deeper psychological currents driving these young people. The general public also needs to develop a more complex understanding of the phenomena of bullying if we are going to stop and treat these young people before they and the children who become the targets of their aggression suffer further.

retrieved from: psychcentral.com

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#1: Serve Someone In Need. Consider working together as a family to assemble a care or meal package that you deliver personally to someone in need. Give tangible tasks to children of different ages so they can fully experience giving. Have younger children draw a picture or go along to the grocery store to get food, while older children can write a note of encouragement or help out with cooking and baking.

#2: Invite Friends. Include someone who may not have many family or friends nearby in your holiday plans. Invite a friend for Thanksgiving dinner or include someone in your plans to get a tree, see a special holiday production, or other family traditions you may have.

#3: Donate. Rather than selling items you no longer use at a yard sale or on ebay (or throwing them out!), donate!  Explain to your children how families less fortunate than you can be blessed by your generosity. Many organizations have clothing and food drives this time of year - keep your eye out for opportunities, or contact your local shelter to see if they have any specific needs.

#4: Say a Simple 'Thank You.' Remind your kids that when gifts are given, they should always say 'thank you.' Get your kids in the habit of calling or writing a note to say thanks.

#5: Encourage Generosity From A Young Age. Have children save some of their money to give to a charity. Make sure they observe you setting a good example in this area.

Helping your kids be thankful will remind you of your many blessings, too!


Taken from the National Fatherhood Initative at fatherhood.org.

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This video, while hilarious, also reminds us of how easily young children can become overwhelmed by emotions. So, if your children start exhibiting seemingly strange emotions, be sure to remind yourself that they are not always as equipped as adults to deal with emotions. Good luck!
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 1. Respect your children's mother - Whe children see their parents respecting each other, they are more likely to feel that they are also accepted and respected.

2. Spend time with your children - If you always seem to busy for your children, they will feel neglected no matter what you say. Set aside time to spend with your children.

3. Earn the right to be heard - Begin talking with your kids when they are very young and talk to them about all kinds of things. Listen to their ideas and problems.

4. Discipline with love - All children need guidance and discipline, not as punishment, but to set reasonable limits and help children learn from natural or logical consequences. Fathers who discipline in a calm, fair, and nonviolent manner show their love.

5. Be a role model - Fathers are role models whether they realize it or not. A girl with a loving father grows up knowing she deserves to be treated with respect. Fathers can teach sons what is important in life by demonstrating honesty, humility, and responsibility.  

6. Be a teacher - A father who teaches his children about right and wrong and encourages them to do their best will see his children make good choices. Involved fathers use everyday examples to teach the basic lessons of life.

7. Eat together as a family - Sharing a meal together can be an important part of healthy family life. It gives children the chance to talk about what they are doing, and it is a good time for fathers to listen and give advice.

8. Read to your children - begin reading to your children when they are very young. Instilling a love for reading is one of the best ways to ensure they will have a lifetime of personal and career growth.

9. Show affection - Children need the security that comes from knowing they are wanted, accepted, and loved by their family. Showing affection every day is the best way to let you children know that you love them.

10. Realize that a father's job is never done - Even after children are grown and leave home, they will still look to their fathers for wisdom and advice. Fatherhood lasts a lifetime.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/guide2011/entips.pdf
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Who doesn't love coupons for discounts on fun things to do with their kids? Check out coloradoparentdailydeal.com for great daily deals on activities to do with your kids, toys, clothing and services. The website is focused on offering deals for women and their children, but don't let that keep you from singing up for their great deals. The parenting world just hasn't caught up with you guys yet! 
www.ColoradoParentDailyDeal.com
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Learning doesn't always have to happen inside the walls of a school. Part of effective parenting involves bringing education full circle and helping kids to expand during their time outside of the classroom.

#1 Help Your Kids Appreciate The Library

Not only are public libraries are free, but they are brimming with information to spark your child's mind. Taking your children to the library for the day can be a great rainy day activity. Allow your kid to look at the books until he or she finds one that looks interesting. Starting at the library young can help foster a love of reading! 

#2 Explore the World
Day to day activities or vacations can quickly become a learning experience. Going to the park? Spend a little time gathering some information about the trees, geography, or history of the park. Incorporate these facts into your day. There's no need to pull out flash cards and make it clear that this is a "lesson". Try to drop information into your fun conversation and see if it sparks curiosity in a particular topic. 

#3 Embrace "Everyday Education"
Use chores and daily activities to teach. When baking with your child, try to include information about math when measuring out flour or discuss statistics while watching a baseball game. 

#4 Introduce Culture
Expose your child to a variety of different activities. Museums, zoos, historical sites, plays, musicals, sporting events, concerts and tours can help a child find a fun passion or hobby. Many of these things can be cost-friendly as well. Many zoos, for example, have free days once or twice a month. 

#5 Make Faith Fun
If your family belongs to a religious community, bring your children to camps, workshops, retreats and youth groups. These experiences are helpful in developing a social identity, as well as learning about the history of your religion. 

#6 Inspire Curiosity
Kids love to ask questions. Encourage this! A trip to the workplace can bring about a conversation about money, politics or industry. Watching a movie can bring about topics such as history, careers, or acting. There's a wealth of information hidden behind, "Why?" 

#7 Plug In
The internet can be an amazing and useful tool in gaining knowledge. 
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