chap. 9 and 10

As most of the chapters have been so far I found 9 and 10 very interesting. So many things just make sense and are so much more easy to accept like why teenagers are anger and out of control with their emotions.....duh their amygdalas haven't grown along with the prefrontal cortex. Simple knowledge of things like that may lead to less arguments between parents and adolescents, because parents could just brush some of it off and not take everything so personally; they would finally have a reason or answer to some of their child's turmoil. I think that these chapters have sooo much useful information that they should just come with children as they are born and parents can read the next chapters as their child develops so they can understand better what their kids are going through. I remember some of being an adolescent, but so much of what I thought was life and death then really isn't that important now and I find myself wanting to tell young people that it will all be OK soon, but if there is one thing I do remember that is that as an adolescent you think no one understands and you are not going to listen to a 30 year old woman tell you she knows how you feel. I hope that all of us can use this info for our own children and share it with as many people we know to better help families through what can be a very difficult and roller coaster like ride through the adolescent years.

The radio broadcast about teens and sleep makes lots of sense to me. I remember not being able to peel myself out of bed and no sleep was ever enough; actually I am feeling that now again, but thinking that is just due to getting older and trying to keep up with school, work and my daughter, ha! Teens do need a lot of sleep and our society does not promote that with all we try to cram into a day and also the big thing I really agree with is not forcing them to go to school so early. If that one little thing can make a big difference then why doesn't every school adopt this policy? As adults we try to do it all too, and lose site that our kids are still growing and actually need this time to sleep and rejuvenate. If they must sleep let them, help them, try and get them on a healthy schedule and promote good habits of a good nights sleep. I like some of the ideas of painting kids rooms relaxing colors, or taking the computer and t.v. out of the bedroom. I had read somewhere once that to keep your room your relaxing spot and to make you want to sleep, you shouldn't do work in it or anything but sleep. When you enter that room you should feel in a relaxed state.

The broadcast about "the secret lives of boys" was very interesting and I do not think is totally a boy thing. As a teenage girl I could write novels on the secrets kept from my parents! I agree that there are stereotypes that both boys and girls are suppose to fit into and expectations that parents have of their children and when they are not met kids are not going to come forth with that information if they don't have to. Like the Melina said, "it is a right of passage" to be able to keep some secrets and sort things out on their own. Adolescents are in the process of searching for their own identities and finding out who they are and who they want to get there; if they checked in with their parents on everything they wouldn't really be learning how to stand on their own and figure anything out, would they? As a teenage girl, I was expected to behave as a young "lady". I had a lot of what my parents expected of me in the back of my mind and led a pretty honorable and positive teenage life, but when the time would come where I wasn't just what was expected I didn't go home and tell them and I found myself fabricating huge stories to make sure they would never find out. Looking back now I don't regret all the things that I had done or kept from my parents, because I think it was part of finding who I was where I belonged and if you never fail then how do you know not to do that again?

5 and 6

Wow!! Where is the time going?? Hope everyone is finding some time to enjoy the Summer!!

These two chapters made me examine myself even more in the ways I am parenting my daughter. It all makes me stop a little bit and make sure I am thinking about the best ways to teach, guide, punish, and examples I am showing and giving her. The parenting styles seemed to me to be right on and when I thought about do reflect acurately the effects you get from your child be implementing one type over another. I do not truely think any parent can use one type exclusively over another throughout a childs entire life, but I definately agree that Authoritative should be the one used most.

Theory of Mind is also so very interesting to me and explains why at early ages it is almost impossible to explain some things and super easy to convince 2 year olds of things that just are not true. It was really neat to me when my daughter started to realize that I might be teasing her about something and not telling the truth, she would try and do it back but not as well haha.

Types of Play was another great section to me and pointed out the importance that all types of play have on childrens' development. It is easy for parents not to incorporate all these types, but I think every effort should be made to do so not matter how many times you have to play Mumma Kitty and Baby Kitty. It makes sense them to me why so many different play areas are used in pre-K and Kindergarten...it really is learning!!

chapter 3-4

I have to say I find all this information very interesting and very useful in parenting. One statement I read in the book talked about how if you have a child who can't sit still and you put them in a situation where they have to sit still for a long period of time you know they will move about, but yet you expect they won't and get upset when they do. It went on to say different children are just that, different, and shouldn't be expected to act and do what the next kid does. That really hit home for me as I try and keep my rambunctious and ever exploring daughter quiet and low key....it's just not going to happen and I should try to limit exposing her to such situations that are only going to upset her and I.

I also found the "to be a baby" article very interesting. I especially like the part where the author talks about a baby being useless on purpose. At first I had no idea what that statement could mean, but it was easily explained and makes perfect sense now. For a baby to take in the world and just learn it can't have other responsibilities to worry about, and the more developed we become and our world becomes the more a baby will have to learn and take in. It is amazing how simple a concept like that is and can still be overlooked.

The information on attachment also intrigued me. I was told many times by family members to just leave my daughter be and not always hold her hand and help her through problems she encounters. They said I was spoiling her and babying her, but from what I read it just gives the child a sense of trust and allows them to explore more and learn more when they know you will be there whenever you need them. It seems to be true, because she goes and goes and goes, but as soon as she is scared or insecure I hear her holler for me and I am always there. It's still nice to be needed and also to know it is a good thing to show her I am there.

Interesting material...wishing there was more time!!

In the past week I feel as though I am living and breathing this class non stop. I am constantly checking and rechecking deadlines and trying to get done with what I can in between the rest of my life...... Other than that I have found the material very interesting and informative. I am at a point in my life where I would like to have more children and have felt that time is of the essence; the text has only confirmed my fears....I am getting older!! I feel it is important to make good healthier decisions when it comes to raising a family and that includes starting healthy habits before you even conceive. In chapter 2 especially I learned that even thought yearly 30's may be young in most of our books it is actually closing in on a deadline to have the least risk of such things as still births, Down syndrome, and low birth weights in newborns. I also learned that fathers can contribute to Down syndrome by increased age over 35 and other birth defects as well. This has been kind of alarming to me and is forcing me to consider a more structured plan to what and how I want my family to grow.

I was also intrigued by the information on stress and it's effects on baby. It was amazing to me to learn that stress in a pregnant mother can have effects on her child until age 10!! And I will also have to change some medications before considering to conceive. Apparently even the mildest of medications can have harmful effects on baby. It is great to have read this info and be even more prepared when making life plans.

Intro Post

Well, this is my first time blogging. It was easy enough to set up and am hoping it becomes a useful learning tool. I look forward to reflecting on what I learned and reading what all of you have learned through each learning plan.