The Parent Connection March 2004
By Donna Pitino

Precious Time
Volunteering means more when you do it as a family

Have you ever considered volunteering? Make it a family volunteer activity, and you're spending quality time with your children as well! You can make your own schedule, from volunteering once a week to once a year, from doing volunteer work at home to traveling to another state or country.

When my daughters were three and five years old, we volunteered once a week at a soup kitchen. While I served food, my daughters were given baskets of treats to hand out. As they brought joy to others just by being there, the girls learned to put faces on "the homeless." They saw families with children their ages, who had lost homes when a parent became ill or lost a job. They learned to enjoy helping others.

Before engaging in a volunteer activity, it's a good idea to decide how much time you're realistically able to give. Next, determine your interests. Would you like to help at school, visit someone who's lonely, stuff envelopes for a good cause? Finally, contact the organization you're interested in helping to find out how to volunteer.

Time Out… For You!
The joy of small pleasures

As parents, we all have times when it seems like nothing is going our way. It's easy to feel sorry for ourselves and say, "Why me?" When you're discouraged, whether it's due to many minor inconveniences or one huge problem, make a list of things for which you are thankful. Start with the big things (like your children) and continue with simpler pleasures (like a hot cup of tea after a tough morning). Under too much stress to think of a list of good things all at once? Keep the list handy and add to it as the day progresses. I guarantee you'll feel much calmer by the time you put down your pen.

No Helmet? No Bike!
Keep your cyclers safe

Spring is here and that means outdoor activities. It's important to use the proper safety equipment. Helmets are especially crucial in order to avoid or lessen injury. Dr. Maria Tasso, pediatrician with Pediatric Associates of CT, says: "Helmets are available for almost all types of sports. In our office, we try to impress upon families how important helmets are in preventing serious injury in the event of an accident. Make a family rule of 'No helmet, no bike' (or skateboard, etc.) and follow through with a consequence in order to protect your child."

Too Much TV?
Take a TV time-out

A 2003 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals that a television that's on most of the time interferes with children learning to read. In addition, too much TV can lead to obesity, not enough sleep and lack of adult interaction. Dr. Shapiro, chairman of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the American Academy of Pediatrics, says, "Watching TV is far inferior to playing with toys, being read to, playing with adults or talking to parents." So take a look – is your TV on too much?

Undivided Attention
Eye contact is important

The next time your child talks to you, take note of whether you're looking at him or her as he or she speaks. Looking at our children as they're talking is a good habit to get into. It lets them know how important they are to us and that we value what they have to say. You may be surprised at how good it makes your child feel to know you're tuning out everything else and really paying attention to nothing but his or her thoughts. So take a minute to stop whatever you're doing, turn your body toward your child and look at – and really listen to – him or her.

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