More YogaKids

The "What is YogaKids" section of the website also included two creative aspects that I wanted to share...

"Children Who Practice YogaKids...





Develop strong, limber and healthy bodies


Set a lifelong foundation for well-being


Foster creative expression, imagination

Increase focus, concentration and attention span

Cultivate self-esteem, setting patterns of success and achievement

Relax and sleep better

Cope with life stressors more effectively

Learn about anatomy and physiology

Discover a sense of awareness and respect for themselves, for others and the world around them."

"Who Are YogaKids?"

YogaKids are creative kids.

Yoga Kids are healthy kids.

YogaKids are caring kids.

YogaKids love their bodies just the way they are.

YogaKids find solutions to handle challenges.

YogaKids create their own futures.

YogaKids smile a lot.

YogaKids prefer to sit in circles instead of rows.

YogaKids learn with their whole being.

YogaKids color outside the lines.

YogaKids help other people.

YogaKids love animals.

YogaKids connect with other YogaKids.

YogaKids are active.

YogaKids are flexible.

YogaKids are smart.

YogaKids are happy kids.

YogaKids love yoga."

Sources

Berube, Laura. (2008, March). Kids Movies. Books, Movies, & More. Retrieved 03/31/08 from http://www.slco.lib.ut.us/booksnmore/images/image_happy_kids_trans.gif.

PBSkids.org. (2005). Puberty: Muscles and Hair. Castle Works Inc. Retrieved 03/31/08 from http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/images/puberty7.jpg.

YogaKids. (n.d.). What is YogaKids? YogaKids International. Retrieved 03/31/08 from http://www.yogakids.com/what/index.html.

YogaKids

My daily routine doesn't include time for exercise which is a major source of my stress. I have gained weight since last summer and I feel frustrated every day because I want to work out and live a healthy life, but I have a hard time finding the time to focus on myself. I feel like I spend too much time away from my daughter because of school and so I feel like I would be taking more time away from her if I fit in exercising too.

I came across the YogaKids website and I thought it might be a good solution to my problem. I never knew much about Yoga, but I always wanted to know what it involved. I found a lot of information on the YogaKids website. YogaKids offers classes and videos for kids. I am interested in buying one of the videos for my daughter because I would like to try the video with her. This would help to let her get rid of some of her energy and stress. It would also allow me to get a little exercise and I would be relieving a lot of stress just by being able to spend that time with my daughter.

The Original YogaKids Video involves "simple yoga exercises to strengthen their bodies and improve coordination." The exercises are fun like "stretching like dogs, roaring like lions, and standing like graceful flamingos." I think the video sounds like a lot of fun and I can't wait to order one!

I thought it was important that the website acknowledges the fact that "Children today are under a tremendous amount of stress from school, their environment, peer competition and expectations from the media." It explains that "YogaKids creates the ultimate learning adventure while helping youths de-stress and relax."

Source

YogaKids. (n.d.). What is YogaKids? YogaKids International. Retrieved 03/31/08 from http://www.yogakids.com/.

Doggie Update

Friday went well at my cousin's house (the one with the dogs). My daughter was much more comfortable around the dogs. She didn't ask me at all to hold her in an effort to get away from the dogs. She even sat on the couch with the little, white Terrier and hugged her. I was so happy to see the progress! I also bought her an early birthday present...101 Dalmations! She loves the movie and she also loves my cousin's house now-she asks everyday to go back there. I guess in my daughter's case the theory of facing your fears to get rid of them is true.

Sources

101 Dalmations: Platinum Edition 2-Disc DVD. (n.d.). Disney Shopping.com. Retrieved 03/30/08 from http://as7.dsi.go.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/62974?$full$.

Easy Stress Relief Strategies

Spring break is over and I'm back to being stressed out because of school. I tried to put my daughter down for a nap around lunch time today, but of course my sister (with two kids) and my other sister had to stop by right at that time...needless to say my daughter did not get her much needed nap! I felt myself growing more and more frustrated and my daughter grew crankier and crankier so I took my daughter outside to play.

The weather was very cooperative-a nice 62 degrees and sunny. The fresh air felt great. We had a great time and I felt like a kid again. As soon as we went in the yard, I ran and did a cartwheel which I'm sure will hurt in the morning because it felt like I pulled a muscle in my thigh...but it was worth it. We went on the swings and slide. It helped me to release the stress that was building up inside of me and it helped my daughter to release some of her energy that is constantly building up inside of her!

I came across some information that relates to how I chose to de-stress with my daughter today. This information is directed more towards adults, but I think adults could use these techniques to help their children feel less stressed. The article is written by Elizabeth Scott and the title is "Top 10 Stress Relief Strategies From Your Inner Child".

Elizabeth Scott lists the following strategies:

"Daydreaming"...helps to escape stress and take the mind to a happy place

"Naps"...a great source of relaxation and gives the body a chance to recharge

"Getting Hugs from Loved Ones...Sometimes we forget the power of touch and social support as adults".

"Playing with Pets...Pets have been shown to reduce blood pressure better than medication, increase healthy lifestyle behaviors, and sometimes give better social support than humans".

"Singing"...a theraputic way to relieve stress.

"Playing Games"...takes the attention away from stress for a short period of time.

"Drawing, Painting, Sculpting"...my daughter and I love to paint together. It gives us quality time together and serves as a form of therapy.

"Writing Notes"...keeping a diary is a great way for kids to manage stress.

"Team Sports"...sports are a great way to exercise and build social connections.

"Imagining The Future"...planning can help to feel a sense of purpose in a stressful life.

Sources

Scott, Elizabeth. (2007, June 21). Top 10 Stress Relief Strategies From Your Inner Child. About.com. Retrieved 03/26/08 from http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers/tp/stressreliefkid.htm.

Workaholic. (2007, July 25). Keeping Them Busy On The Rainy Days. Parenting & Pregnancy. Retrieved 03/30/08 from http://www.jellybabys.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/kids-coloring-for-blog.jpg.

Trouble with Dogs

My family got together yesterday afternoon for the kids to dye eggs. It was fun, but my daughter was afraid of the two dogs that were there. She liked them as long as they didn't come up to her or bark, but of course that didn't last. I tried to pet the dogs to show her that she didn't have to be scared of them. She tried petting them too, but still wanted me to hold her so the dogs couldn't come up to her.



When we went to bed that night, I think she had a few bad dreams about the dogs. She cried during her sleep while shouting "doggy!" and she also called for me. When I held her and told her "Mommy's here" she sadly replied "ok". It was a rough night.



I was also afraid of dogs when I was a little girl. I was the same as her in that I didn't mind the dogs until they came up to me. One time, I literally climbed up my dad's leg as a dog was coming toward me. I was petrified. I don't know how my parents handled my fear of dogs or how I got over the fear but somehow I did.





I researched children's fears and found a website on "Fighting children's fears, fast" by Sadie F. Dingfelder. Dingfelder included information from "Thompson Davis, PhD, formerly a therapist at the Virginia Tech children's phobia project". Davis stated "Many children who are afraid of dogs think that if they stand near a dog, the animal will knock them over and bite them". This made sense to me when I thought about how I climbed up my dad's leg when I was little to get to a height where the dog could not reach me and how my daughter panicked and wanted to be held away from the dogs also.



Davis also stated "Children who try facing their fears, rather than avoiding them, probably do better in the long run than those who don't". I was glad when I came across this statement because I tried to have my daughter face her fear of the dogs by petting them. She also faced the dogs again when we went to my cousin's house (where the dogs are) on Easter night. My daughter did a little better that night with the dogs. She still was a little upset when the dogs barked, but she called them by their names and wasn't as afraid of them as she was the first day. She did not cry or shout "doggy!" while sleeping that night.

We will be going to my cousin's house again in a couple of days so it will be interesting to see how she reacts to the dogs for a third time of being exposed to them.

Sources

Border Collie Dog. (n.d.). 7 Days To Puppy Training. See Fido.com. Retrieved 03/26/08 from www.seefido.com/html/the_border_collie_dog_.htm.



Dingfelder, Sadie F. (2005 August). Fighting children's fears, fast. American Psychological Association. Retrieved 03/26/08 from http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug05/fighting.html.



West Highland White Terrier Dog Picture. (n.d.). West Highland White Terrior Dog Picture. Copyright-free-pictures.org.uk. Retrieved 03/26/08 from http://www.dog-names.org.uk/146-west-highland-white-terrier-picture-image.htm.

It's not easy being a kid

I think many adults don't realize that being a kid can be stressful. Being a kid means going to school, watching cartoons, and playing with friends...right? Not exactly! Being a kid is actually a lot more complicated than adults think.

I came across a webpage, Child & Family C A N A D A, by Pat Bragg and she stated that "Children experience stress differently than adults and the same child may experience it differently at different times". She also categorizes causes of stress into four categories:

• "Physical stressors - caused by factors such as poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, temperature extremes, illness/disease, lack of light, growth spurts and ability leaps".



• "Changes in a child's life - such as a new routine, different caregiver, unfamiliar environment, disruption in home life or entry into a new developmental stage. Any change, no matter how positive, will create stress".




• "Feelings - (both positive and negative) Extreme emotions of joy or excitement can be just as difficult to cope with as feelings of fear, confusion, or anger".




• "Too much of anything can be stressful - An over-abundance of activity, freedom, stimulation, structure, challenge or boredom can be difficult for a child to handle".

This information was very helpful for me. I think anyone that deals with children (parents, daycare workers, babysitters, teachers, etc.) should know this information to help understand why a child might be acting a certain way. I know that the next time my daughter starts acting out I will try to be aware of any of the above stressors that might be causing my daughter's behavior.

Sources

Bragg, Pat. (1995). Kidstress. Child & Family C A N A D A. Retrieved 03/20/08 from http://www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/cccf/00014_en.htm.

Honaker, Judy. (2007, Nov. 9). K-5 Technology Activities to Reinforce Standards of Learning. WCS. Retrieved 03/21/08 from http://www.wcs.k12.va.us/users/honaker/sesame4.jpg.

OLVSchool. (2008, March 19). Middle States Evaluation. OLVSchool.org. Retrieved 03/21/08 from http://www.olvschool.org/school_bus.jpg.

Getting Sick Can Be A Good Thing...

I was reading a blog by "News Anchor Mom Jen" and she had a few tips, listed by Dr. Michele Borba, on how to "de-stress our kids". Out of the six tips listed I related closest to #3- "Keep Yourself Strong".

This is what it read...

• "Keep yourself strong. The Parents Magazine survey found that moms and dads were far more stressed today than their own parents were. Is there one thing you can change about your daily habits that might help you reduce that stress? Don’t expect to be able to help allay your kids’ stress levels until you've found a way to keep your own in check. Are you really watching what you eat (and reducing anxiety-increasers such as caffeine and sugar), exercising, getting enough rest, seeking the support of friends, or spending a quiet moment alone? Parenting Priority #1: Keep yourself strong so you can take care of your kids".

This week I have off from school for Spring Break and it literally is a BREAK! I have a horrible cold and my daughter has it now too, so we have been catching up on some much needed rest. It feels great just resting infront of the t.v. with my daughter. It has been a very long time since I have done "nothing" with her. I really do believe that I got sick because I was so stressed-out and run-down. Getting this cold was my body's way of telling me that I needed to take a break and luckily it happened on Spring Break!

Up until now, I have been indulging in caffeine and sugar for those late nights of studying and doing homework. The only exercise I have been getting is walking to and from class and I haven't seen any of my friends since before the semester started! Overall, I would say I haven't been following the "Parenting Priority #1- Keep yourself strong so you can take care of your kids".

This cold has made me realize how important it is to take care of myself, not only physically but mentally and emotionally too. My goal over Spring Break is to figure out exactly what I can do to reduce the amount of stress in my life. I already know that school is the major source of stress so I am taking it easy over the break, but I am also trying to catch up on my load of homework for the rest of the semester. Even though the last thing I feel like doing is more school work, I know it will help to reduce some stress in the long run.

Sources

Jen. (2008, Feb. 8). Kids and Stress. News Anchor Mom. Retrieved 03/17/08 from http://newsanchormom.blogspot.com/2008/02/kids-and-stress.html.

Maria. (2008, Jan. 11). I want to go to school, mom! Mommy of Four. Retrieved 03/17/08 from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://densonhomehealth.com/images/sick%2520child%25201.gif&imgrefurl=http://mariamommyof4.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-want-to-go-to-school-mom.html&h=384&w=333&sz=10&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=x-s5cwiY6EwfTM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=107&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsick%2Bmom%2Band%2Bchild%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den.