CookiesKids.com Blog

The sun will come out tomorrow…or will it? The short, grey days of winter can seriously dampen moods. As you and your family spend more time indoors, it can seem like boredom and irritability are more prevalent than fun and togetherness. Some people are more affected than others by winter weather, but studies show that children are more prone than adults to the sort of tearfulness and despondence that seems to creep up around mid January. All of us could use a little boost to get back on the sunny side, so take some of these tips to ensure your kids (and you) overcome the winter blues.

Exercise and outdoor exposure are essential to maintaining a good mood in winter. True, it’s probably cold outside, but the more time you and your kids spend in direct sunlight, the better you’re likely to feel. Even more important is physical activity. Just a little bit of exercise per day can raise your serotonin level, which helps ward off depression like a big bite of chocolate (in fact, chocolate boosts serotonin too, though you might not want to tell your kids).

If it’s too cold to play outside, devise a plan for physical activities inside. Young kids will love having a dance party every night, and older kids may enjoy trips to a skating rink or indoor swimming pool. If your children are into fall and spring sports, try to get them interested in winter sports, because any scheduled physical activity is a great remedy to winter blues.

If your area happens to be snowbound, there are lots of fun activities for kids to enjoy. Skiing, sledding, and pond hockey are all time-tested standbys. If you have a lot of snow on your hands, the construction of forts, igloos, and snow sculptures can provide an excellent diversion for the whole family (check out these snow sculptures for inspiration). On the other hand, avoid snowball fights – what begins as friendly can turn downright warlike. And whatever your outdoor plans may be, make sure your child is well-equipped for the weather, because a cold kid can turn mighty fussy. Check out our selection of winter gear!   

When the blizzard’s roaring outside, it’s helpful to have a list of low-key indoor activities prepared. Board games? Should be a big checkmark next to that one. Calming music and reading are also good ideas. If your reading voice is getting kind of scratchy, try getting a recording of a favorite story, dimming the lights for mood, and inviting your family to relax and imagine.  

Most importantly, be aware that people are a little more likely to lose their cool during the winter months. Kids may be more prone to tantrums and mood swings, so do your best to be supportive. If your little one grows abnormally depressed, it could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder, and you might consult your pediatrician. But for everyday winter blues, a little understanding and a lot of active fun go a long way.    

Sources:

http://mommytoomag.com/2011/01/31/snow-day-alternatives-%E2%80%93-10-tips-to-beat-the-winter-blues/

http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/seasonal_affective_disorder_sad_help_kids_beat_winter_blues

http://www.wahm.com/articles/7-fun-kids-activities-to-beat-the-winter-break-blues.html

These days, it seems like all roads lead to the campaign trail. The 2012 presidential election is going to be a big one, and people are going to be talking about it all year long. In a democracy such as ours, ongoing political discussion is essential, and even children should participate. But the election cycle can also bring out some less than exemplary behavior from those involved: scandal mongering, mudslinging, and even name calling unfortunately seem like par for the course. As your children become aware of the political process, try these tips to keep kids well-informed and keep discussion fruitful and positive.  

If you vote, consider taking your child along to the polls. The value, history, and mechanics of voting are things they’ll presumably learn in school, but it’s always best to see the process in action, especially for young kids.

If you keep up on politics yourself, you’ll have lots to share with your kids this election cycle. But unless you’re dead-set on molding your child’s political views, it might be best to leave your own views or party affiliation out of the discussion, at least at first. Ask your child which issues they’re interested in – the economy? health care? social issues? – then explain how various candidates feel about these things. Often, kids will want to pick a candidate right away, but ask them to wait about a month, and give them news coverage that’s related to their interests, from fairly unbiased sources if possible (Kidstalkpolitics.com is a good resource for young kids who want to hear what their peers have to say on these issues).

When it comes time to ask kids who they would vote for, ask them why. If their choice is different than the candidate you plan to vote for, tell your child why you disagree with them, but never disparage their choice. Instead, debate with them in a respectful, age-appropriate way. If you want your child to develop a well-rounded, well-informed political viewpoint, it’s your duty to encourage a positive form of debate (which may be drastically different than the sort of debating politicians so often demonstrate).

Depending on their school and grade-level, kids may be exposed to debate teams and current events curriculum, but it’s a good idea to watch some of the TV election coverage with your kids, and point out the differences between constructive debate and meaningless finger-pointing. The next time a roundtable of pundits is debating on TV, keep score with your kids: tally “Good Points” vs. “Rude Interruptions” and hold your own post-debate wrap up.

It can be illuminating for kids to learn how much of TV election coverage is negative, focused on “horse race” poll numbers, or just plain slanderous. Through all this, try and keep your children focused on the issues they care about. If they can look beyond the negativity and still hold true to their own values, then they’ve taken a very important step as a citizen. When it’s time for them to vote for real, they’ll be ready.

Sources:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/voting_banner.html#

http://www.ehow.com/how_4526086_talk-kids-politics.html

From Image USA Magazine, August 2011 issue - pages 48-50:

In today’s economic climate, everyone is trying to save money. This is a sentiment that hits especially close to home for parents sending children to private schools, which account for nearly a quarter of all schools in the United States and admit over five million students annually. As tuition rates are on the rise at many community yeshivahs, parents and school administrators are looking for ways to ease the financial strain of educational costs.

Joe Levy, Director of School Sales at CookiesKids.com, has the inside scoop on which and why yeshivahs are making the switch to school uniforms. He first noticed an increase in school uniform policy enforcement when one of Brooklyn’s largest schools, Magen David Yeshivah, decided to institute such a policy for the upcoming school year. Soon after, other schools in the community began inquiring about uniforms, considering the prospect of adopting a similar policy in the fall.

“With tuition rates rising in the community, shopping for fashion clothing as school wear just adds to the cost of education,” Levy said. “When schools switch to uniforms, it ensures parents will save money.”

Levy heads up the uniform sales department at CookiesKids.com which caters to over 2,000 schools, a number that shows no signs of shrinking. Because the company has a nearly endless inventory of tailor-made school uniform styles, price points and sizes available, Levy has been able to provide for a variety of school uniform policies, no matter how specific.

Without question, the social impact of school uniforms can have a profoundly positive effect on children. “They have so many pressures right now, and one less thing they have to worry about with school uniform policies is what to wear,” said Levy. “It keeps kids on a more even playing field.”

Jack Shammah, the Director of Marketing and Operations at CookiesKids.com, agrees. He’s received similar feedback from parents and children about the benefits of uniforms. “It provides a sense of confidence in children when they see their peers in the same clothes. They can excel at other things without being conscious of their clothing,” Jack said.

In addition to easing peer pressure and self-confidence issues in children and saving parents money on trendy, designer clothing purchases, advocates of school uniforms cite a number of other reasons why they are a positive influence on the educational process. Uniforms make it easier for students to get dressed for schools in the morning, reduce discipline problems in the academic environment, and help set an atmosphere of modesty and professionalism.

They also help instill and promote school spirit and pride, facilitate a sense of unity among students, and, perhaps, most importantly, increase students’ self respect. Students’ behavior and attitudes toward academics improve because their own expectations of themselves become higher. There’s a certain level of reverence that must be observed and maintained when wearing your school’s uniform.

According to Levy, shirts and sweaters with embroidered school logos and gym clothes with screen printed mascots - all in the school’s colors - go a long way toward building that sense of belonging. When kids have a uniform on, they’re recognized as a proud student of their school.

While some may argue that school uniforms suppress individuality, the prevailing thought is that pupils are still very much capable of self-expression when dressed in uniform. Students can make their uniforms fashionable thanks to unique choices in hairstyles, shoes, socks, ties, and accessories. It’s in minor details such as these that students possess the freedom to differentiate and distinguish themselves. Rather than seeing uniforms as an attempt at mass conformity, students recognize the potential to be even more creative and expressive. The thing that must always be remembered is that attitude is very important; if students feel good about themselves, they will act accordingly.

Lower financial burden, the lack of distraction and competition, the development of one’s self-respect, and the fostering of community spirit are just some of the many positive reasons why the idea of uniforms is attractive to schools like Magen David Yeshivah. Their decision to mandate school uniforms for the upcoming school year indicates a strong dedication to getting their students back to the business of learning. Perhaps it is a decision that more schools will adopt in the near future.

For more information on school uniform options, visit www.CookiesKids.com or call (877) 94-Cookies.

Looking for an easy and (virtually) freeway to recycle those dried up markers that you normally look to throw away?

Artopotamus has introduced a great idea: Make watercolors out of them!

It’s simple:

• Soak the dried out markers in water 
• Fill your new “watercolor” into bottles for storage & easy dispensing

Easy, economical, and something that almost any mom can do!

Click here to read the rest of her article, “Free Liquid Watercolors!”

Do you have any “upcyling” projects that you do in your home to create new projects and equipment from old or unusable craft supplies?

OATMEAL BANANA PANCAKES, serves one.

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 small banana
• 1 packet sugar sweetener (or sugar, whatever floats your boat)
• Cinnamon and vanilla extract to taste

While making recipe, heat a nonstick skillet. Blend all ingredients in blender until completely smooth. Pour into skillet a little at a time, flipping when the edges have dried out and the center is bubbly. Flip, let cook on other side.

Nutritional breakdown: 

• 350 calories
• 8.7 grams of fat
• 41.8 grams of carbs
• 5.3 grams fiber
• 10.2 grams sugar
• 26.8  grams of protein

Source: runlikeella.tumblr.com and The F Words

Don’t we all love tutus? They’re perfect for playtime - whether your little girl dresses up as a cheerleader or as a princess.

Holly at Heart Break Kids shows how simple it is to make your own tutus as home. They’re so simple to make, you’ll wonder why you never thought of making them before!

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Image by Flickr user David Kessler. Post by Blog4Safety:

Like it or not, this Sunday, March 13th, we will “spring forward” by setting our clocks ahead one hour. This comes as a bitter pill to swallow for many persons. Others take it in stride, but those who are not “morning persons” won’t be too happy about it for a while.

Canada, certain states in the U.S., and Mexico are affected by this mandated time change, as well as many other countries in the world.

During World War I, it was thought that the time change would save energy for the war effort. The ruling has been off and on through the years, but since the Energy Policy Act of 2005, we’ve been “springing forward.”

Here are some ideas that might help you be prepared, ahead of time:

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