WTF Are We Going To Do Now

So you’re getting a divorce, or have already gotten one. Have any kids in the picture? You can bet they are confused about what you and your ex-spouse (or soon-to-be-ex-spouse) have done by breaking up the family. Kids need to understand what is going on from such a big family change as a divorce, and it’s not a simple thing for them. Why? Well, for starters:

• Children often blame themselves for the divorce.
• They need to know that divorce is an adult problem, not one caused by children.
• Child self-blame for divorce creates psychological problems, some of which can be long-term and severe.
• Children need to know that it’s OK to love both parents.
• They are often put in the middle and made to “pick sides” by one or both parents and don’t like this at all.

They need to know that parents who try to make them “pick sides” and bad-mouth the other parent are doing the wrong thing so they won’t participate and may possibly help their misguided parent(s) control themselves.

Even in an amicable divorce involving children, there are going to be questions and worries. All of the books discussed in this article can help with those, especially for the intended audience which is generally late toddler-hood to early grade school, about ages 2 to 9.

Was It the Chocolate Pudding?: A Story For Little Kids About Divorce

This book features a funny story about two brothers living primarily with their father. They see their mother regularly every other weekend and clearly have a great time with her, too. The older brother thinks he caused the divorce because of a really messy day with chocolate pudding all over him and his hungry little brother.

Kids seem to enjoy this book a lot because of the humor and how it relates to their viewpoint about the basics of what happens to the kids when their parents don’t get along and they end up living in two households. This is a definite “repeat reader” type of book, likely to be asked for at story time more than once.

A few readers have criticized this book for gender bias which is unfair in my opinion. If the roles of mother and father in this book were reversed, these nitpickers would be pleased. Yet there is a scarcity of books that present alternative custody arrangements in a positive light, so it’s great that author Sandra Levins didn’t cave in to the “marginalize daddy” crowd.

Do You Sing Twinkle?: A Story About Remarriage and New Family

This book is the sequel to Was It the Chocolate Pudding?: A Story For Little Kids About Divorce. The two brothers have grown a little and spend about equal time with each of their parents. Their mother has a boyfriend who has two daughters.

When she and her boyfriend Tom decide to marry and she’ll be moving in with him in another city, the older brother has many jealous and angry feelings. He doesn’t want stepsisters and he doesn’t want to back to seeing his mother only every other weekend.

Their parents work together to help the kids adjust with frequent phone calls, read-alongs with mommy over the phone, and sharing emails. Their mother helps them find some common ground with their new stepsisters and explains that an uncle they love is actually her stepbrother. Just after the story concludes, there is a section for parents with insights on helping children adapt to changing family dynamics including remarriage and new siblings.

Dinosaurs Divorce

This is another humorous book that features dinosaurs as the characters throughout the story. It is a collection of observations and explanations rather than a traditional story with main characters and a plot.

The surreal and hilarious illustrations are very entertaining. Dinosaurs in bedrooms flooded with tears, with heads exploding from bottled-up feelings, and step-sibling-dinosaurs traveling in flying saucers are some of those that elicit the most laughs.

Of the books we’re covering here, this one is probably the best at covering the whole gamut of divorce topics from what caused the divorce (parents not getting along) to the kids’ feelings, suggestions to talk with their parents and trusted adults about troubled feelings, how they may have to take some more responsibilities and money may be more tight, and so forth. It also covers longer-term changes in divorced families, such as when parents start to date, remarry, and more kids join the family. Overall, this is a very good read, one that most kids will enjoy over and over.

For more reviews and recommendations on divorce books for kids, see the expanded version of this article at angiemedia.

Rob Washington is a frequent contributor to angiemedia.com ‘s coverage on families, divorce, mental health, government, and social issues.

Author: Rob Washington
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Lowest Price Prototype PCB Assembly

Originally posted 2010-10-05 23:21:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Christmas is a time of giving and with all the knowledge that surrounds us, we should be prepared to give a valuable gift this Christmas.

Reading expands a child’s knowledge, vocabulary and improves her comprehension skills. Studies show that a child that is read to from an early age has a wider vocabulary and most of the time she is able to construct sentences much earlier than her peers.

It is very important for parents to understand that the introduction of reading should be fun. When purchasing books for your toddler or preschooler you should choose colorful books that will attract their attention, as well as books with stories they can relate to.

Having interesting and fun books for your child will encourage her to have a love for reading. If she thinks it is difficult it will only make her feel she is not good at it.

Reading stimulates the brain. When you are reading for your child ensure that you are not reading as fast as you would if you were reading to yourself. Give her time to look at the pictures when you read, ask questions like who was her favorite character in the story, point to animals or characters in the story and ask her to name them. It is always a bonus when you are reading a familiar story and she can join in or finish phrases.

Reading should be done in a cozy and relaxed environment. It should also be used as bonding time for you and your child. You should show lots of excitement when it is time for reading. Seeing your reaction, will only encourage her and she will look forward to reading time.

Let your child see that you follow the text with your finger. Children will begin to recognize words as you read, especially in books with repetition.

With familiar books and favorite stories let her have a chance to read to you as well. Children enjoy this part of the reading session as they are doing what Mom or Dad does daily. Young children tend to read from memory but as they become older and they begin to learn new words this will soon be a thing of the past.

Paired-reading is also a great boost for young children. It helps with confidence building and not to focus on mistakes. Let your child be the one to choose the book, taking into consideration that if she is a non-reader it should be a book she knows, or if she can read a little it should be a simple book.

When you read together you should do it at a reasonable pace. You should point to the words in the book; the child should be reading fractionally behind you or simultaneously.
If the child makes a mistake just say the correct word and move on.

Fay Garner-Barrow is the founder of http://www.dora-the-explorer-adventures.com

As a strong believer of learning through play, she designed this website to educate parents with preschoolers and young children. This website also offer Dora The Explorer party supplies, toys, books, the personalized DVD and more.

Author: Fay Garner-Barrow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Eco Friendly

Originally posted 2010-09-19 20:27:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“My Mom’s got alien blobs inside of her. They’re called cancer.” Punk Wig is a children’s picture book with a story of a little boy who supports his mom as she gets her “alien blobs zapped with medicine”.

I love kid’s books… books with lots of pictures and a great story. Reading parents know what I’m talking about. I like to read them aloud to my kids and use all sorts of different voices. Maybe I love them because I am still a kid at heart, who knows?

There are times when you read a book and know that it is important. The potential is right there in your hands and you can only imagine the impact that this book could have if people knew of its existence.

Punk Wig a one of those books. It is a story of a little boy whose mom has cancer. The book is written from the boy’s point of view, in a child’s language. This book is unlike any I have read before. Lori Ries writes about this very serious subject in a matter of fact way and adds a hint of humor. Erin Eitter Kono’s illustrations enrich the story line. They are comfortingly simple, yet show a sense of fun.

The story begins with a Mom, Dad, and a little boy heading out to the hospital. The little boy explains that his “mom has alien blobs inside of her”. Next we see Mom in bed in the hospital, surrounded by flowers and cards. Later when Mom is home, there are several pictures where she looks tired and worn out. The little boy is loving and comforting to his mom and says, “I… give her my gorilla cup that was mine when I was little.” Later, the cancer treatment causes Mom’s hair to fall out. When Mom is feeling better, they go to “Harriet’s Hair” and try on wigs. They have a fun time trying on all of these crazy wigs! Mom eventually chooses a spiky orange long wig and it is named Punk Wig.

The book focuses on the importance of just being together as mom and son. They are shown picking out a pumpkin (as orange as the wig!), swinging together, and of course, trying on all of those wacky wigs. My favorite picture of the whole book is Mom wearing a black leather jacket, jeans and her orange spiky Punk Wig! At the end of the book, Mom’s hair has grown back and the little boy is grinning ear to ear: he now gets to wear the Punk Wig.

Lori Ries gets it just right. She blends just the right amount of sensitivity, childlike charm with a healthy sense of humor.

Children often times are the innocent victims when a parent has cancer. Explaining to children what is happening can be a tricky endeavor. A book like Punk Wig might be the perfect tool to begin that conversation: simple language, attractive pictures, and an amusing story of love and support.

Reading to a child is an important way to foster a love of books and spend quality time together. It helps children to explore with their imagination and learn about the world around them.

Kristi Tiedt

Author: Kristi Tiedt
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Alternative energy

Originally posted 2010-09-19 20:26:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter