Goodbye Summer; Hello School

Supplies. Books. New teachers and backpacks. It's official: summer is over, and school is back.

I know many moms who feel this day could not have come soon enough. For me, the change is bittersweet. Don't get me wrong - I can't think of a day where for at least 10 seconds I haven't wanted to pull my hair out. Entertaining your kids and lacking structure can challenge even the strongest of us. But on the other hand, the lack of structure, the absence of alarm clocks and the simplicity of choosing each day for itself can be a thing of beauty.

When I had just a young baby, I remember hearing from others - you know, since everyone is always willing to give you unsolicited advice re: parenting - that when your kids get into school, the years fly by. They couldn't have been more right. And for me, each passing summer now means they are another year older, another grade higher.

School does amazing things for kids. Education is just the beginning; the other aspects that are taught and learned are, in my mind, irreplaceable. And ironically enough, as I write this, I've had my office door open 3 - scratch that, now 4 - times, my kids, of course. My little one was just requesting a kiss ... and for that matter, they can open my door and prolong summer for as long as they want. But for now, we'll say goodbye to the swimming pool and instead replace it with recess and after school activities, and save the fun for the weekends.

Good luck with sending your kiddos off and here's to a super school year!

Uh-Oh Theater - Serious Fun for Little Ones!

I had no idea what to expect out of Uh-Oh Theater. I mean, how well can a 0-3 year-old actually engage in theater?

I was invited to a show today at ImaginOn, one that is running all week long. And I highly suggest it to any of you with little ones ages 3 and under.

I thought about taking the baby (he's almost 5 months) but opted to just take my newly-turned 3 year-old daughter for some quality time together. We arrived right before the show where there was a little interactive area for the wee ones. Then we entered in to the intimate area set up for us. There were three couches and some pillows along the floor; I'd say there were 30-some of us here for the play, and we all picked our seats which were literally right in front of the stage (set on the floor). With easy entry and exits, an engaging scene in front, my little one was engaged from the get-go.

For 30-40 minutes, the kids were entertained with lights, sound and music as Meredith and Mark (a husband and wife team - don't worry, you'd never know it unless you read their bios) who used fabric, instruments, a fan and more. Honestly, I thought they were like two grown two year-olds playing by the way they interacted. The kids thought they were fantastic. Little squeals were intertwined with giggles or a random "look there!" or "it's a cat!". There was one little girl in particular who chose to walk on the stage during the performance and use some of the props. Not to be disturbed by the little audience member, the duo simply let her be and at one point let her engage in their "play".

For the last 10 minutes, the rest of the kids were able to go onto the stage to try their arm at acting. My little girl took the props and did what she'd seen - for instance, she took the same chinese fan and walked around fanning the audience. I was amazed at all that she retained!

So ... back to my original question. How long can a child 3 and under be engaged in theater?
Actually, when the show is created for them, they'll sit the whole time. And they'll even ask for more.

Check out one of the shows this week, put on by The Children's Theater of Charlotte. Or find out more about PlayPlay! Theater by clicking here.

Immunization Awareness Month

Though quite a controversial subject - August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Guest columnist Amy Wadsworth shares some brief information on immunizing your child and the benefits to doing so.

Immunizations are important to prevent children from diseases that could kill, infect or cripple them. Infants and children should be immunized. Most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of a child’s life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children under the age of 5 are susceptible to disease because their immune systems are not built up to fight infection. Vaccinate your child by age 2 and you can protect your child from disease and protect others at child care centers and schools.

Deanna Matthews, child care health consultant with the Gaston County Health Department, works with licensed child care centers and family child care homes to help keep immunizations up-to-date. 

Matthews also offers free trainings including Communicable Diseases and Immunizations. This training educates on the various types of communicable diseases and precautions to protect staff and children from contracting and or spreading potential infectious diseases.

"Childcare providers can stay healthier by washing their hands properly and frequently and also maintaining their current immunizations, especially tetanus," says Matthews.

“Vaccines play an important role in protecting the health of children in child care," she continues. "When up-to-date on their immunizations, children are better protected against vaccine preventable diseases. 

The benefits extend beyond the individual. Vaccine-preventable diseases cause greater illness in children and vulnerable adults than healthy adults. The greater the number of people immunized, the greater the benefit to the community.”

Childcare centers are required to know the immunization status of children in their care. This information protects the children that the center provides care for as well as their staff.

Some of the vaccines your children need include Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Pertussis (or whooping cough), Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

Your pediatrician can let you know if your child is up-to-date with his shots; there are also those required for going back to school. Children can also receive immunizations at their local health department and most vaccines for childhood immunizations are provided at no cost.

For more information about immunizations, visit Immunize North Carolina at www.immunizenc.com. 

Amy Wadsworth is the Public Information Coordinator for the Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties. She can be reached at 704.922.0900.

Stickers and STUFF

When I was little, I had a sticker book. It was my most prized possession.
Within the book, which was actually a photo album, were stickers that I'd earned over time.

I distinctly remember some of them: there were the scratch-n-sniff stickers that I'd earned when I didn't cry for a week of kindergarten (I was "that" kid - the one who cried every day). There was the sticker that I got when I toured the power plant where my father worked as a civil engineer. And who can forget that large sticker that I received at Disney World when we had breakfast with Mickey?! That took up almost half of a page of my sticker book. Such memories!

Back then, we worked to earn stickers. It took me a whole week of not crying to earn one sticker. Today, my kids get stickers by the dozen - daily. In fact, just yesterday we went to Trader Joes (automatic 5 stickers per child) and then the library (another one for finishing the scavenger hunt).

It's not just stickers that I'm overwhelmed with, it's STUFF. Literally each day we get more and more STUFF. Candy, little chachki items, stickers, coloring papers; you name it, my kids are getting it. It not only junks up my car and my house, but in my mind, it's devaluing their appreciation for just about anything! They are so programmed to getting something new each and every day - who can blame them? Heck, if I got something new each day, I'd be looking out for it and tiring of it quickly as well.

I don't really have a solution to all of this but more or less just wanted to voice my opinion to see if anyone else is on the same page with me. Am I the only one who is tired of the inordinate amount of items entering their household? Can we (retailers, businesses, friends and family) not slow down on the giving of these items and cut down on our own personal bottom lines while also letting the little ones of today's world gain a true appreciation for earning things?

I'd love to hear your opinion!