October 9th, 2008 by admin
Older Children
As soon as you have definite plans, you should tell older children. They need plenty of time to work things through and make their own adjustments. Saying good-bye to friends cannot be rushed. DO NOT SURPRISE THEM. By keeping your move a secret until the last minute, you run the risk that they will hear about it from someone else … and this could be disastrous.
Younger Children
It is better NOT to tell young children that you are moving, until activity is underway which actually involves them. A small child cannot fully understand what a move is all about. The longer they have to imagine things in their minds, the more nervous and frightened they may become.
How To Discuss The Move
First and foremost, your mood will have a huge impact on your child. If your attitude is one of adventure, and if you stay focused on the positive opportunities the move will be creating, this will filter down to your children and help them mentally adjust to the transition. On the other hand, if you are stressed, worried or depressed, your child will pick up on this also and possibly react in a totally negative manner. There is no greater fear than fear of the unknown. Therefore, give as many details about the move to your child as you feel is necessary. Children need to know why the family is moving and what will be happening during the move. At all times, remain upbeat and excited, particularly if you are discussing the new home and community. Read the rest of this entry »
September 25th, 2008 by admin
When we were children we all loved to play. We loved to ride our bicycles and were constantly playing with toy cars or dolls. Most children enjoy active pastimes and sports of all sorts such as soccer, softball and basketball. If, however, a child suffers from one of the many eye conditions they cannot always fully enjoy these types of activities. It is therefore vitally important that we, as parents, monitor our children’s vision from an early age so that we can detect any eye condition that may affect them in the long term.
Eye Examinations Before Learning Begins
The American Optometric Association suggests that young children have a comprehensive vision examination when they are six-months-old, this should be followed up when they reach three-years-of age and again when they are five-years old. In particular, children should receive a thorough eye examination during the summer before starting kindergarten. After testing is completed, an expert will review the data and then write a comprehensive report. Children’s vision care examinations can reveal that children suffer from one of several types of eye conditions.
These common eye conditions include conjunctivitis or “pink eye” which is an infection that involves the eye’s outermost layer. It includes three types of condition (namely allergic, bacterial and viral), each of which require unique types of treatment. With the exception of the allergic variety, this disease is generally extremely contagious. Read the rest of this entry »
