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---------------------Nanny Net News------------------------
A newsletter for Parents, Nannies and Agency Owners
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Vol. 2, No. 9
October 2001
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Deborah Smith, Editor
Parents With Nannies, Inc.
Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com
This newsletter is distributed by subscription only. If you
wish to unsubscribe, you can find instructions at the end of
this newsletter.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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> A Note from the Editor
> October Sweepstakes
> Flags/Signs
An excerpt from the book
The Absolute Best Play Days
by Pamela Waterman
> Talking with Children about Tragic Events
> GREAT DEALS
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Hello everyone,
A lot has happened to our world since the last time I wrote
to you. So much so, that I am at a loss for words. (If you
knew me, you would think this impossible.)
In my area of New Jersey new listings appear daily in a
special section of our obituaries called "WTC Memorials."
I know we all have watched the heart wrenching stories of
families who have lost fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers
sons and daughters. My four year old asked me the other day.
"Are those bad men who flew the planes into the buildings sorry
for what they did?" I said to him, "I'm sure they are now."
What do we say to our children? I know there have been many,
many news reports with tips on the topic. I've included
an excellent article from Kidsgrowth.com that was written
on the day of the attack. I hope it contains a few more tips
for you to store away. Let's hope we never have to use them again.
I also want to apologize for the tardiness of this newsletter.
On the day the World Trade Center was hit, I was hit with some
bad news from my Doctors. They believe I have a disease call
Sarcoidosis. It is a fairly rare disease that mostly resides
in the lungs and many who have it go on about there business never
even knowing. Others, like me, develop symptoms. Only 10% of those who
contract Sarcoidosis develop arthritis and I happen to be one of
them. So, my hands are not cooperating with me much
at the moment which makes typing difficult. Luckily, in
many people Sarcoidosis goes into remission and never rears
it's ugly head again. This is my goal right now. I am showing
signs of recovery so please keep your fingers crossed for
me and if you believe in the power of prayer, I'd appreciate
a mention. :)
I hope you enjoy this month's issue and I'll see you next month
(in much better shape).
Deborah Smith
Editor
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OCTOBER SWEEPS
Pamela Waterman, author of The Absolute Best Play Days
has generously donated 3 copies of her book for this month's
sweepstakes. This is a terrific book for
childcare providers and parents who are constantly racking
their brains for new activity ideas. The book contains
52 themed activities for ages 2 to 7. You can read an excerpt
below. Enter to win by clicking on the following link.
http://4EverythingNanny.com/Sweepstakes.htm
SEPTEMBER'S WINNERS: The winners of our great kids' t-shirts
are: Mallette Parry of Minnesota and Sherrie Crandal of Arizona.
Congratulations Ladies!! I hope your little ones enjoy the
shirts.
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THE ABSOLUTE BEST PLAY DAYS
by Pamela Waterman
"Children of all ages love Theme Days, where everything they do
revolves around one idea, whether it's dinosaurs or detectives,
school days or birthdays. I originally came up with these ideas
so that my college-age sitter could keep my three children (then
ages 6, 3, and 1) happy while I worked in my home office. All
the books I'd seen either addressed many things for, say just
two-year-olds to do (not challenging for the older ones), or just
one type of activity (e.g. crafts) for a range of ages (not enough
for more than an hour's play). I decided to find lots of things for
lots of ages to do together, and the idea grew into a family
project. From there, friends who claim to be "creativity
impaired" said it was just what they needed, and their children
enjoyed with the testing." Pamela Waterman
The following is an excerpt from The Absolute Best Play
Days. It is only a small portion of the section on Flags and
Signs. Unfortunately, we are limited in space so we are
unable to share ALL the terrific book and video suggestions,
project directions, and indoor/outdoor activity ideas that
Pamela Waterman has put together in her book.
Flags/Signs
Art/Craft
* Everyone can create a flag or pennant of his/her own, or copy
from an encyclopedia, decorating it with things that interest them.
Use a construction-paper shape, then add stickers, starts cut
from paper, strips of crepe-paper streamers glued on, and lots of
coloring. Mount each child's flag on a separate dowel or
yardstick for marching in a parade, or string them all together
along one string across the side of a room, like pennants.
* Make tiny flags and tape them to unsharpened pencils. Stick
them in the sides of plants in flowerpots, or all together in a little
vase.
* Make a windsock out of construction paper and crepe-paper
streamers.
* Explain that nowadays, we often use painted signs or lit-up
signs instead of flags of old. Ask them if they can draw some
well-known signs: a Stop sign, a No Parking sign, and a
McDonald's sign! Draw some signs yourself, and ask children if
they recognize/can read what they are: the name of the grocery
store you use, their favorite toy store, the name of their
preschool, a donut shop they like, etc.
Snack-time:
Cut the crusts off white and wheat bread, then cut them into even
"stripes." Alternate stripes side by side on a plate. Have children
use tiny star-shaped cookie cutters to cut stars from slices of
cheese and meat. As desired, arrange stars on top of bread
stripes, stuck on with a bit of butter or mayo, then nibble the
strips as finger food.
Cut pennant-shaped flags from sliced cheese, then decorate them
with children's initials made from thin pretzels, slivers of apple, or
rows of raisins.
Cut the corners off toasted bread slices to make eight-sided
signs. Squeeze a jelly STOP or anything else on the shape. Add
a bacon-strip handle.
To enter to win this book go here: http://4nanny.com/Sweepstakes.htm
______________________________________________________________
Talking with Children about Tragic Events
Don't assume that the kids don't know about it. They have
already heard from friends and probably know more than you
think. The reality of today's world is that news travels
far and wide. Adults and children learn about disasters
and tragedies shortly after they occur, and live video
footage with close-ups and interviews are part of the
report. Children and youth are exposed to the events as
soon as they can watch TV or interact with others who are
consumers of the news. Not talking about it does not protect
children. In fact, you may communicate that the subject is
taboo and that you are unavailable if you remain silent.
Be available and "askable." Let kids know that it is okay
to talk about the unpleasant events. Listen to what they
think and feel. By listening, you can find out if they have
misunderstandings, and you can learn more about the support
that they need. You do not need to explain more than they
are ready to hear, but be willing to answer their questions.
Share your feelings. Tell young people if you feel angry and
frustrated about today's events. It can help them to know
that others also are upset by the events. They might feel
that only children are struggling. If you tell them about
your feelings, you also can tell them about how you deal with
the feelings. Be careful not to overwhelm them or expect
them to find answers for you.
Help children use creative outlets like art and music to
express their feelings. Children may not be comfortable
or skilled with words, especially in relation to difficult
situations. Using art, puppets, music, or books might help
children open up about their reactions. They may want to
draw pictures and then destroy them, or they could want to
display them or send them to someone else. Be flexible and
listen.
Reassure young people and help them feel safe. When tragic
events occur, children may be afraid that the same will
happen to them. Some young children may even think that it
already did happen to them. It is important to let them
know that they are not at risk-if they are not. Try to be
realistic as you reassure them, however. You can try to
support them and protect them, but you can not keep all bad
things from happening to children. You can always tell
them that you love them, though. You can say that, no matter
what happens, your love will be with them. That is realistic,
and often that is all the children need to feel better.
Support children's concern for people they do not know.
Children often are afraid not only for themselves, but also
for people they do not even know. They learn that many people
are getting hurt or are experiencing pain in some way. They
worry about those people and their well being. In some cases
they might feel less secure or cared for themselves if they
see that others are hurting. It is heartwarming and satisfying
to observe this level of caring in children.
Look for feelings beyond fear. After reassuring kids, don't
stop there. Studies have shown that children also may feel
sad or angry. Let them express that full range of emotions.
Support the development of caring and empathy. Be careful
not to encourage the kind of response given by one child:
"I don't care if there's a war, as long as it doesn't affect
me and my family."
Help children and youth find a course of action. One important
way to reduce stress is to take action. This is true for both
adults and children. The action may be very simple or more
complex. Children may want to write a letter to someone about
their feelings, get involved in an organization committed to
preventing events like the one they are dealing with, or send
money to help victims or interventionists. Let the young
people help to identify the action choices. They may have
wonderful ideas.
Take action and get involved in something. It is not enough
to let children take action by themselves. Children who know
that their parents, teachers, or other significant caregivers
are working to make a difference feel hope. They feel safer
and more positive about the future. So do something. It will
make you feel more hopeful, too. And hope is one of the most
valuable gifts we can give children and ourselves.
This article was supplied courtesy of Kidsgrowth.com
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NEW SPONSOR!
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T-SHIRTS FOR THE NANNY AND KIDS IN YOUR LIFE!
Great gift ideas! Get your Holiday orders in
early to beat the rush.
http://www.4everythingnanny.com/products.htm
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Have a very Happy Halloween everyone.
I hope you have enjoyed this month's issue of Nanny Net News.
Please feel free to pass this e-zine along to your friends.
However, we ask that you keep it intact and forward it in its
entirety.
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