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Kids, Love and Season
10 timely tips for grownups
by Karen T. Bartlett 3. APPRECIATE THE ATTEMPT.
Our social season on the Gulfshore begins when family IT WILL GET BETTER!
members arrive for the holidays and doesn’t slow down again Here’s another quiz. You already know the feel-good line, for both you
until after spring break. While the grownups are deep into the and the child.
stresses of planning fundraisers and social gatherings, dealing
with increased business responsibilities, house guests and a) “Never mind, I’ll make the bed.”
impending family visits, we sometimes forget that our children b) “Good start, but can’t you do it a little neater?”
are facing their own stresses at school and with friends, all c) “You made your own bed! Great job!”
heightened by disruption of the family routine. The correct answer actually is tougher than you think, especially if you
take pride in neatness, but on a scale of one to ten, a badly made child’s
The staff of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier bed is a zero.
County offers these tips to defuse stressful family situations
and make the 2016 season the best ever. 4. LET GOOD FOOD BE ITS OWN REWARD
1. NO CONDITIONS ON LOVE It’s a new world, where healthy dishes are increasingly artful and tasty.
Come up with alternatives to your own parents’ lines, like this classic: “Yes,
Parents and grandparents often have different views on I hate Brussels sprouts too but they’re
parenting. This can turn much-anticipated visits into tense good for you.”
ones. Everyone has heard lines that start like this:
What’s in it for you? Kids who
“We will love you if you …” eat healthier foods and fewer sugared,
“We love you because you…” chemically infused foods tend to
There should no condition on love. An adult can always say have fewer physical and emotional
“I would appreciate it if you…”, or I love the way you….” But issues, which affect behavior. National
love for a child should never conditional. The best gift ever - Institutes of Health studies show
better than any present you can bring - are the three words, that children enjoy eating dishes they
“We love you!” helped prepare. Even toddlers can wash fruit, and they absolutely love to
stir ingredients!
2. LET THEM MAKE
MISTAKES AS THEY LEARN 5. MAKE GOOD MANNERS FUN
Which of these lines is best? It’s never too early to introduce basic etiquette to the little ones. A
a) “That way won’t work. Do it this way!” or b) “I see you’re bit of basic training works wonders at family dinnertime, too. Why not
having trouble. What could be another way to do it?” put together a dress-up lunch or patio party just for the kids, with real
Right! Give her a chance to figure out how to assemble, tableware and several courses? You can create fun ways (with prizes) to
operate, or fix something. Unless safety is an issue, offer teach simple table manners. Or, sign them up for a class with a local
prudent guidance on age-appropriate tasks, and allow her to childrens’ etiquette expert. Kids love them.
figure out a solution. The pride she’ll radiate will leave a warm
glow in everyone’s hearts!
48 Life in Naples | January 2016
