Monday Mingle {Join in the fun in the comments}

This is a fun vlog that I am going to do each Monday.  I hope it helps us all, in the Eastern Panhandle Moms community, get to know each other better.  I used to participate on my personal blog but thought it would be fun to start the New Year off with Monday Mingle on this site. For more Monday Mingle posts, visit eightymphmom.com.

Now, it’s your turn. In the comments answer one of the Monday Mingle questions {or all three!}
1. How did you ring in the New Year?
2. What song title would best describe your life right now?
3. What is the bravest {most courageous} thing that you have done?

Swine flu confirmed in local county

Two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Mineral County, WV.  Two children that attend the same daycare center tested positive for this type of flu, according to public health advisory #58 from the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health.

According to sources, this strain of flu can cause the following symptoms:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue

Be sure to wash your hands and your children’s hands frequently to avoid spreading germs.

Make 2012 a healthy year for you and your family!

Satisfaction Guaranteed {New Special Needs Parenting Column}

Having a child with special needs sometimes can be challenging but overall it helps keep you sane. Sure, there are many things that are hard to ignore and to deal with, like his occasional loud ( no really loud) outbursts in the middle of Walmart: everyone around is thinking”what’s wrong with that kid?” or say  “I would beat that kids a**“, or they look at us both as if we are contagious or just weird. I used to get a little embarrassed and grab him by the hand and bolt to the nearest exit then I realized, wait a second. He just did what 90% of feel like doing at times and especially in one of our favorite shopping places- none other than WALLY WORLD.

Imagine standing in the middle of New York City. The people rushing past, the sounds of horn blowing, the business of the taxi’s, people talking on their phones etc…. Chances are you and I can filter those things out but sometimes my son can’t and all of those things become sensory overload and what better escape than to release it through a good yell! And on a busy day there at Wally World, it feels like Grand Central station. The challenges of raising a child with Autism include maintaining a schedule, keeping things simple, listening to what he is saying nonverbally as well as deciphering the words that aren’t so clear, trying to stay on a routine,  NOT enabling and trying not to cause physical harm to people who make stupid comments or lack common courtesy (lol).

One day  we were about to enter a restaraunt and Steven ran ahead to open the door for us when a lady jumped ahead and went in before us. STEVEN PROUDLY HELD BACK THE DOOR WITH A GREAT BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE.  She ignored his kind gesture and walked on through. Steven looked her up and down then looked back at us and sarcastically  said”THANK YOU STEVEN!”  We praised him for being a gentleman and explained that she must have been recently diagnosed with RUDENESS!

When you think of it, these are not challenges at all; just typical responsibilities of a any parent. At some point we all have experienced Autism tendencies. Like, have you ever wanted to be left alone and unbothered, certain sounds or people talking or loud music get on your nerves and how often do you want to just get away or tell others  to be quiet?? We all get anxious and stressed when our schedule gets out of whack, and imagine absorbing all the typical stresses of the day and not being able to say a word about it. Now imagine  all  that anxiety bottled up  inside and now your Mother decides to take you for  a grand tour of WALLY WORLD!! You would scream too!!

Steven laughs alot and so we  laugh alot and when people stare, now  we make funny faces and  stare back, when Steven breaks out into a song walking through the mall we now just smile and sing along, and although we have heard his commercial for the millionth time of” Classic Country , two cd’s and two cassettes, Call Now!” we always  join him as if it’s the very first time announcing “Satisfaction Guaranteed!”

Dawn Rix is a local mom of two children, including Steven who is living with Autism.  She is a master hair stylist and owner of Salon Resilience in Inwood, WV.  Dawn is also a well known recording artist and vocalist.  Eastern Panhandle Moms is excited to welcome her as our newest contributor.  She will write monthly on the topic of parenting a child with special needs.

Truancy in the Panhandle~ A Mother’s Rant

There was a meeting yesterday in the Panhandle, a meeting that has been duplicated across the state to address the truancy issue in West Virginia.

{For those not familiar with the term (and I wasn’t until I started in the social work field), truancy is being absent from school without permission.}

Some of you may be surprised that this is a HUGE problem in the Panhandle, some of you may be part of the problem.

22% of students in Berkeley County were absent {unexcused} more than 10 days of the school year last year.  We aren’t talking about missing a day or two for the stomach flu or an extended family weekend.  Truancy is kids staying home from school for no acceptable reason.

Why is this a problem?

This is how I, as someone who works with teens on a daily basis and have four of my own, view truancy: Truancy is a gateway drug.
If a child is supposed to be in school and isn’t- What are they doing with their time?  Who is supervising them? Who are they hanging out with?  How far are they falling behind in their studies?

Nothing constructive is taking place, I can assure you.

As someone noted in a meeting I attended today: “it starts with truancy”.  What starts? Irresponsible behavior, casual sex, drug use, criminal activity, dropping out, teen pregnancy and more.

The statistics are there to support this {read the Martinsburg Journal’s article here}  hypothesis.  And I see it every day with my own eyes.

In my work with teen moms I have encountered students that missed more school than they attended {and that was BEFORE they ended up pregnant!!! }.

Parents, please stand up and be a parent. If your 7th or 8th grader “won’t” go to school, you have a parenting issue.  My 14 and 15 year old boys know better than to even try to skip school. They don’t get to stay home unless they are vomiting or running a fever.  If they miss the bus, I drive them.  If it became an issue, they know that I would sit with them through each class {in my bathrobe and slippers} if that is what it took for them to fulfill their responsibility of receiving an adequate and appropriate education.  Their future is at stake and if they aren’t mature enough to care about that, I am.

As a society, we act surprised at the sense of entitlement and lack of work ethic in the majority of teenagers we encounter.  Many say “the school needs to do a better job of XYZ” or “the community needs to do a better job of ABC”. This problem, of truancy and the other issues that can stem from it, are a legitimate concern in this state and in this area.   I want to suggest that parents need to do a better job of being parents if we want to see change occur with issues such as truancy.

No is a complete sentence.  When it comes to staying home from school, please learn how to say “no” to your child.  The alternative is not attractive!

**Editor’s Note: I have many friends that homeschool their children, a choice that I respect. Please know this article is not directed towards homeschoolers.  This is about the truancy of enrolled public school students.**

Halloween Safety Tips for Parents

Special thanks to the California Poison Control System for providing us with these tips!

1.      Many parents purchase glow-in-the-dark jewelry and glow sticks to keep their children visible while trick-or-treating in the dark.  Children may break open these glow sticks and get the liquid on their hands and in their mouths.  The liquid can be mildly irritating to the skin or eyes but is not likely to cause harm if a small amount is ingested.
2.      Tell children not to eat treats until they return home and all items have been inspected by an adult.
3.      Limit the amount of candy ingested at one time.  Too much candy can cause stomach discomfort, and sugars and other sweeteners can act as laxatives when consumed in large amounts.
4.      If your child brings home a brand of candy that you are unfamiliar with, throw it away.  Some imported candies have high levels of lead that can be harmful.
5.      Candy that is unwrapped should be discarded immediately.
6.      Fruit treats should be washed and cut open before being eaten.
7.      Homemade treats should be discarded unless you know and trust the individuals who prepared them.
8.      Small pieces of candy are potential choking hazards for small children.
9.      Torn, loose, or punctured wrapping may be a sign of tampering. If you suspect tampering, this should be reported to local police.
10.     Commercially produced candy may sometimes have color variation, lumps, or powdered sugar residue – all normal effects of the manufacturing and shipping process. To see photos of candy with these normal effects, go to http://www.candyusa.com/IndustryResources/PRdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=1247.  This candy is generally safe to eat as long as the packaging does not show signs of tampering.

Have fun and stay safe tonight!!!

Things to do in the Panhandle ~ October 28th-30th

It is supposed to be cold this weekend {did y’all hear them use the S word on the weather this morning?}

So, bundle up if you are headed to any of these fun events {mostly centered around Halloween} around the Panhandle this weekend:

• Trunk or Treat, St. Joseph’s School. Martinsburg, WV.  Friday, October 28th at 6pm.
• Trick or Treat at the Farmer’s Market.  Hagerstown, MD.  Saturday, October 29th from 9am-11am.  Details at www.hagerstownmd.org.
• Trunk or Treat, Bethel Assembly of God.  Martinsburg, WV.  Saturday, October 29th from 6pm-8pm.  Candy, a hayride and inflatables for the kids!
• The Haunted Theater, Apollo Theater. Martinsburg, WV.  Friday and Saturday, October 28/29 from 7pm-11pm.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Food vendors available. Cost: $10.  For more information visit www.apolloween.com.
• Halloween Happenings, Sam Michael’s Park.  Shenandoah Jct, WV.  Friday, October 28th from 6:30pm-9:30pm.  Activities include a hayride, games and costume judging.  For more information visit www.jcprc.org.

What will keep your family busy this weekend?

Teaching Kids about Money

Money and finances is a serious issue, one that we need to teach our children about.  I think about how to instill financial values a lot, especially as my kids are getting to the age where they will be managing their own money soon.  I recently wrote an eBook, Cutting Through Money Clutter: A Guide to Managing your God-given Resources and I included my thoughts on teaching our kids about money.  Here is an excerpt:

1. Be respectful. Two years ago our boys were scared that they were not going to get any
large electronic presents at Christmas. That is because they had not been doing a good job
of showing respect for the things they do own. It came to a head when my hubby found
the plugs to the DVD system in our van soaking in a cup of soda in the backseat. We
reminded them of how much money the DVD system cost by explaining how many hours
their dad had to work to buy it – lessons like this make sense to children who are still
thinking in the concrete phase. We do not automatically replace items when they are
broken because of misuse or lack of respect for the item. We feel they need to learn that
money is valuable and therefore the things you spend your money on have value and
need to be respected.
2. Be thankful. Another thing that it is important for kids to grasp is that the money does
not belong to us in the first place. Everything we have is a gift from our Heavenly Father
and needs to be treated as such. Therefore, tithing has been a concept they have
understood from a young age, as well as giving to those less fortunate. Having an attitude
of gratitude is a must in this house, or the purchases {for wants, versus needs} will cease
until thankfulness reappears!
3. Be content. We are blessed financially. However, recently the influx of medical bills
from my condition has affected our discretionary income. Our boys are old enough to
understand the relationship between increased expenditures and decreased extras. This
teaches them the value of being content with what they have and prioritizing whether
they want the name brand pair of shoes or a less expensive pair and extra money to go to
the movies. Even from a young age, children can be taught that contentment should not
be dependent on what you can afford but what you have that you cannot put a price on –
family, time, health, etc.

I recently found out about a prepaid card from American Express.  I immediately thought of what a great tool a card like this can be in teaching the concepts of budgeting to my teens.  Two years ago we began giving our boys a certain amount of money and letting them do their back to school shopping on their own.

We start by going through their clothes and donating what doesn’t fit anymore.  Then I assist them in making a list of what they will need for the upcoming school year.  My husband and I decide on a figure, based on what each kid needs and then they get that amount of cash in an envelope.  It is amazing how well they prioritize needs versus wants when they are holding the money in their own hands.

This prepaid card from American Express would be a great tool for this type of budgeting exercise.  I could load the amount of money allotted for their shopping and they could use the card.  This would help them keep track of transactions, handle receipts and much more.  Because the card is prepaid with a certain amount of money, my kids can learn how to use a card without fear of overdraft charges or their credit being negatively impacted.

This card offers benefits as well, including fraud protection.  The card can also be used more than once, you can load the card from your computer or your phone.  There is also an online feature where you can view transactions, etc.  This can help your kids learn about online banking.

All in all, I think this card is a great tool for teaching kids about handling money.  My son that is headed to basic training in October will be leaving with one of these cards so that my husband and I can load it as needed while he is gone.

How do you teach your kids about money?

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of American Express and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Back to school tips

Previously featured on The TODAY Show, Martha Stewart, MSNBC, Rachael Ray and Fox & Friends, Michelle Madhok is a well-known expert who can help parents get through this year’s back-to-school shopping with flying colors! 

Here are some of her tips for a successful back to school year:

1. Shop online. Only. Avoid the back-to-school mayhem entirely. Carve out time with each child to cybershop, saving contents of shopping carts until all the kids are done!

2. Sign-up for Price Alerts – Sites exist where you can sign-up to be notified when an item is marked down

3.       Earn cash back on purchases – Take advantage of websites like Ebates.com shopping websites that allow you to earn up to 20% cash back on online purchases

4.       Don’t pay for shipping – Join a service like ShopRunner that will give you fast, FREE shipping!

5.       Shop from the bottom up – Hit view all and then shop from the bottom up of the sale page. Everyone else will be shopping top down so things sell-out more quickly at the top of the page.

6.       Make a list – List out who you need to buy for on an organizing site like rememberthemilk.com and check-off when you score something for them

7.       Know the and return policies – Many items may be FINAL SALE, and are nonrefundable

8.       Skip the sales tax – Get big savings when you combine a sale and a coupon with a state-tax holiday. Sixteen states have tax holidays this year. Check out the full list of states here.

What are some of your back to school tips?

Tasty Tuesday~ Back to School Snack Ideas

I don’t know about you but when my boys come home from school they are famished!  Not to mention, they usually bring home a friend or two from the bus stop.  Feeding boys can be expensive but I have a few tried and true snacks that my boys are {almost} always happy to consume.  I keep the snacks in a big picnic basket in the bottom of the pantry and that way they don’t have to ask, they can help themselves to anything in the basket.

Here are a few of the typical snacks:

• popcorn
• pretzels
• homemade trail mix
• dried fruit
• apples
• crackers {my boys love to make pb & j sandwiches with the crackers}
• granola bars

What do you give your kids for a snack?

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday

KinderPraise ~ fun for moms and kids

KinderPraise is a fun activity for moms and kids alike happening right here in the Eastern Panhandle!  I recently interviewed Pam Lehr, the founder and owner of KinderPraise.  Her responses are below, my questions in bold.

Tell us a little bit about Pam {the mom behind the KinderPraise concept}:

I have been a musician for as long as I can remember.  I love this wonderful gift God gave us and am discovering more musical blessings all the time.  I studied Music Education in college, majoring in the oboe.  In college I fell in love with a crazy wonderful guy and married him.  We have since had 3 beautiful children who never let life get dull.  One of my greatest joys has been sharing my love of music with my children. 

What led you to start KinderPraise?

Early in my teaching career, I began to look for ways to continue teaching music and be able to be a stay-at-home mom.  God lead me into early childhood (EC) music education and I received my training through Kindermusik® and Musikgarten®.  After the birth of my daughter, I began teaching EC music classes through my own small business and the Jefferson County Parks and Rec.  While I was teaching these classes, God showed me the verse Psalm 8:2 “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise” (NIV).  About this time I also discovered a curriculum for EC music that was faith-based.  However, I had to wait a while until my husband and I were in a financial position not to need the income from the classes I taught.  I knew if I did these classes as a ministry and service to the community, I would not want to charge tuition for them.  A short time later, my husband’s income increased and KinderPraise was born.

What could a mom and child expect from a KinderPraise class?

There is a lot of emphasis on bonding in our classes.  The lessons are structured in such a way that most children are delighted with the activities and so the bonding is joyful and natural.  It’s a place where you can focus on your child as they are joyfully engaged in the activities in the class.  Activities vary depending on age, but typical activities include bouncing, rocking, and movement songs, and play with scarves, hoops, drums, jingle bells, rhythm sticks and shakers.  Children will also be exposed to age appropriate melody instruments and develop focused listening skills.  Children are also encouraged to respond vocally and musically throughout the class.  Along with the musical activities, there is also an introduction to prayer and the Bible (in the Preschool and Elementary).

What is the cost?

There is no cost for tuition for KinderPraise classes.  The materials cost is around $30 a semester depending on the class you sign up for.  The KinderPraise Academy class is more expensive because students are receiving and using a tone quality EC glockenspiel (think xylophone) for the class.  The good news, though,  is that we have for the most part used the same materials since KinderPraise started in 2002.  So, if you already have the materials, or can borrow them from a friend, the class is free!  We also provide materials for families that cannot afford to pay for them, and we also offer the option of paying for the materials in installments throughout the semester.  Siblings in the same class can share materials.

Where are the classes?

We currently hold classes at First Baptist Church in Martinsburg, WV and at Covenant Church in Shepherdstown, WV.  We are always looking for new teachers and new locations, though.  Currently, KinderPraise is also pursuing non-profit status.  Once this happens, I think we will be able to find new ways to expand and make this available at more locations.  I have to also say that I have been blessed over the years to train and teach with some amazingly gifted teachers.  They really are my breath of fresh air that keeps me going.  I love my KinderPraise team!

Who should we contact if interested in signing up {include deadlines, etc}?

You can call me at (304)263-9083, email at pamlehr@frontier.com or log onto our website at www.kinderpraise.com.  All of the current information is on the website and you can also register for classes on our website.  Classes start the week of 9/12/2011 and our registration deadline is 9/1/2011.  After the deadline, you can still register, but there will be an additional $3 charge for materials due to extra shipping cost.

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