The Parent Connection October 2003
By Donna Pitino

For a printable version of The Parent Connection click here. PDF 101KB

Dear Parents
Back in the swing of things

By now you and your child have settled back into the school routine. As your child begins to assert more independence, it's important to help him or her make good choices involving health and safety.

In this month's column, you'll find lots of ideas for encouraging good health and safety habits – for both you and your child. To get yourself off to a running start, try developing an exercise routine with your child as a healthy way to spend time together!

School Safety Tips
If possible, watch your child get on the bus in the morning and off in the afternoon. If you bring him or her to school, watch to see that he or she has entered the building instead of "driving and dropping." If an older child walks to school, he or she should walk with a buddy. One person can go for help if the other is hurt. Also, someone is less likely to bother a child who has company.

Should an illness or accident occur at school, make certain that your child can reach you by providing the school with up-to-date work and home phone numbers, as well as your cell phone number.

Healthy at Home
Dr. Maria Tasso, a pediatrician with Pediatric Associates of CT, offers the following advice to parents for encouraging healthy habits at home:

• It's important to impress upon kids how vital a reasonable diet and regular exercise are to their well-being, since ultimately they'll be making the choices about their diet when we aren't around. Kids should have healthful snack options and milk or another calcium-containing product should be a staple in the diet.
• Getting children outside and active encourages a healthy lifestyle. Limit TV and computer time as this leads to inactivity and an increase in obesity.
• Remember that the choices we make in our diet and activities are often more important than what we say. For instance, when someone smokes in your home, your child is at greater risk for ear infections and other respiratory problems such as asthma. He or she is also more likely to become a smoker, for our kids learn by our example.

Time Out...For You!
It's that time of the year again...time to drive! You drive to school functions, soccer practice, doctor's appointments, the mall... Try carpooling to reduce the stress on you and your car. When it's your turn to drive a carload, play a game or sing together. When you have one passenger, try a conversation instead of loud music. When alone, listen to a book on tape or soothing music. Remember, keeping calm keeps your family safe!

Health and Safety Info

• According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, "Adults or kids who have the music turned up too loud, or those who spend time around noisy recreational vehicles, place themselves at risk for noise-induced hearing loss." For more information, call 800-638-8255 or visit www.asha.org
• Dr. Martin Eichelberger, President of National SAFE KIDS Campaign, says "Children are more susceptible than adults to heat illness when they are active in warm weather. Kids who drink enough fluid regularly can beat dehydration and a trip to the emergency room." For more information, be sure to visit www.gatorade.com
• Children accidentally become separated from their parents and/or guardians every day. A terrific new product called KidCallAlert finds lost children fast by reuniting them with parents through a badge and a single, toll-free call, For more information, visit www.KidCallAlert.com

Kids Keeping Kids Safe
The Christopher Columbus Awards challenges teams of middle school students to promote positive community change in areas such as child safety. This year, one project was an electronic front door screener that would mimic adult voices or barking dogs and insist on information from the visitor.

For information on how to get your child's school involved and more, call 800-291-6020 or visit www.christophercolumbusawards.com

I Wish I Had Known...
I wish I had known how quickly a toddler can scamper out of sight. We were in the back of my church, getting ready to leave. I zipped Christine's (my two-year-old at the time) jacket and turned to help Brianna (my four year old at the time) with her own coat. When I reached for Christine's hand, she was gone. There was no way she could've gone outside, right? We'd had over 100 inches of snow that year. With snow piled high along the street, an oncoming driver would not be able to see a toddler wandering into the road. Or what if someone had taken her? Pulling Brianna along, I ran out into the middle of the crowd and yelled, "Stop! My two-year-old is missing!"

As it turned out, an elderly woman had seen Christine leaving the church and had taken her hand and was waiting outside with her. I brought my daughters home and cried for half an hour. What a horrible mother I must be! But I soon realized that I wasn't horrible. I had just underestimated the safety of the situation. As parents, our first job is to assess the safety of an area or event, whether our children are two years old or in their teens.

For a printable version of The Parent Connection click here. PDF 101KB

Donna Pitino was a teacher for 14 years and is now a freelance writer. She is the mother of two daughters.

October, 2003, Vol.34, No.2