Cursing children and F bombs

Just when you think they’re not paying any attention to what you’re doing or saying, playing quietly in the floor facing the wall, beware! Oh, they hear you, believe me, and they will bring that curse word back to life when its utterance will be the most embarrassing for you!


Scene: Four men standing in the garage, each holding an ice cold beer. The man that caught the winning fish of the day regaling his buddies with the “Fish story” of how, when and where he snagged this beauty. Several children and grandchildren riding trikes in the driveway and the 3+ yr old comes running into the kitchen where all us gals (family and neighbors) are chatting and yells, “Gramma, Gramma, Come look at the big f**king fish!” Grandma and the neighbor ladies suck in a deep breath as the cousins all bust up laughing.

Now, this is immediately a mixed message for the child (some laughing and some appalled) and while you have to admit, there’s something inherently funny about a very small child using a very adult word, it’s a teachable moment that you cannot pass up. Whether you are a never-ever kinda parent or the more lenient only-in-certain-circumstances type, a discussion is warranted.

Try not to react one way or another because that’s usually what the child is looking for, a reaction…but don’t ignore the situation. Pulling out a video camera is not the way to go if you’re trying to curtail the cussing but sometimes it’s a surprise:

Young children, up to 5 or so, most likely don’t know what the words mean so you can keep it simple and just tell them not to say it. Talk to them and give them an alternative word they can use to express what they are trying to say. With older children who can think more abstractly, you may want to further explain why they cannot use a particular word. Don’t go ballistic on them. Keep your sense of humor and move on. Remind those around the kids to check themselves.

Oh, and when your 5 yr old says, ”But I heard you/Daddy say it!”, you might want to have a response all ready… :)

Baby Sign Language

Many mom these days are using baby signs with their infants and successfully opening the lines of communication well before word skills are attained. Baby sign language allows children to use their hands to bridge the communication gap.

Most babies start to verbalize at around 4-6 months although at this point, it’s just babbling. The vocalizing will continue to progress as your baby’s “receptive” language builds where they can understand more of what you’re saying to them and will try to imitate sounds, around 8-12 months. Generally around 1 year is when you’ll hear their first words.

Studies reveal that babies can learn to sign starting at 8 months, with some starting as early as 5 months. In these studies, not only did it help babies learn to talk and jumpstart their intellectual development, a number of very important social-emotional benefits were also revealed:

1. reduces frustration

2. helps parents and teachers be more observant and responsive

3. builds trust between babies and their parents and caregivers

4. allows babies to share their worlds revealing just how smart babies really are

5. promotes positive emotional development

Some babies who start out signing actually learn speech faster. It’s a wonderfully bonding experience too.

So will you be trying this out? Check out the web for lots of information on the topic. Here are a few trusted sites to start you out:

Mayo Clinic website:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/baby-sign-language/AN02127


Signing baby basics dictionary:  http://www.signingbaby.com 

...And a delightful video of a 12 month old signing quite a vocabulary on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gSZfW4gVhI

Bento Madness

 WTH is this trend where the “cool” mommies feel obligated to stand in the kitchen, early in the morning, and cut up little pieces of cheese, fruits and veggies to resemble some robot or animal or spell something or any other assortment of edible art? Then, place it in a container with sections, each having its own little healthy theme, and send it off to school. The idea being, to make their kids a lunch that is impressive to look at and will hopefully entice their child to eat healthy foods they may not necessarily like.

Wow, score another one for the overachieving mommies! Who has time for this? I mean, for a special occasion or once in awhile thing maybe, but on a regular basis? Do you get to looking at these masterpieces and start to feel as though, if you’re not doing this for your kids, you are failing them somehow? Don’t get duped into believing that you’re not up to par if you can’t keep up with this trend.

Yes these are adorable, but most likely, your child won’t eat it just because it looks cool. If they don’t like the food, it may get played with but will stay in its little section of the bento box, turning brown or smashed and looking sad.

I realize that things are more forward thinking and kids are savvier today than when I was a kid but my mom made the best ham and cheese or PBJ’s in the world and they went great with a bag of chips and a few carrot sticks…maybe an apple. She made us eat our veggies at dinner with a well rounded meal and we got all the nutrients we needed.

Since when are mom’s expected to add artistically beautiful lunches to the number of things that they are supposed to do to make everything “special” for their kids. You don’t have to aspire to be the culinary whiz. Not every aspect of your kids lives have to be extraordinary for you to be listed in the “Great Mom” category.

Yes, pack a healthy lunch. Pack a lunch your child will eat. Pack a little treat but most of all, pack them with love.