A Good Reminder For Kids and Parents!

They are loud, beautiful, stunning, amazing, exciting and so much more! Fireworks are a part of many celebrations every year but it's important to remember -- fireworks should only be handled by professionals. Be sure to know the rules:

Common Sense Fireworks Safety Tips

1. Always use under adult supervision
2. Read and follow instructions
3. Always keep water and sand nearby
4. NEVER light indoors use only OUTDOORS
5. Never try to make your own fireworks
6. Never relight fireworks that appear to have gone out
7. Only light one at a time
8. Never allow small children to go near fireworks
9. Store in a cool dry place
10. Never lean over top of fireworks to light them
11. Tie hair back, wear safety goggles, and no loose fitting clothes
12. Sparklers should be immersed in sand once they appear out - they are still very hot and can burn

I found this on the Internet and remembered someone telling me about an experience of older boys teaching by example younger boys to be dumb around fireworks. I thought these common sense rules would be good for us all to read, before we celebrate the fourth of July!

Breast Cancer

I was devastated when I found out my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer for the third time (cancer for the fourth). For the last 5 months, I have been with her through everything. Even now I am helping her regain her life again. It is a battle that is so horrible and it just takes the life out of you and everyone helping you fight this.

I think that is why when I saw this girl's story, I knew I had to put it on this blog. How devastating to be 10 and be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She said on Good Morning America, that she was coming forward, so when young girls felt something weird on their body, that they would come forward and tell their parents. She had said that she felt what she thought was a Rib sticking out of her chest. It was a tumor.

Anyway you can find the whole article at abc's good morning america
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCallPlusBreastCancerNews/story?id=7619276&page=1

or you can go to her website: http://www.ourlittlesweetpea.com/

I guess from this I learned: Things can always be worse! No child should ever have to go through this.

What Do You Tell Them?

I had a very interesting experience yesterday that I have never had before. When I was in Elementary school the biggest tragedy was the Challenger. Do you remember when the Challenger went down? I remember singing the Christa McAuliffe song, and doing an American program to honor her. I remember feeling so sad that this had happened- the worst of that time period.

Anyway back to present time my daughters came home yesterday talking about 9/11. I have talked with my older daughter about it, but never my eight year old because I always felt she was too young. I guess I should have though because it was even talked about in the Kindergarten classes.

I think all of my kids came home with lots of questions. They couldn't understand why someone would do this. How can I explain that, when I don't understand it. I did my best, but it got me thinking back to the Challenger and how simple that seemed compared to this. I also thought of death, divorce, losing a pet, or really any loss. It made me want to find out what I needed to do in these situations. I found this quote that I really liked:

"Helping a child cope with loss is perhaps one of the most important roles an adult can play. In effect, you are helping that child develop skills that can last a lifetime."

Holy cow! Skills that can last a lifetime-I want to give them that. In my Safety area I have a couple of Healthy kids websites. this is one and I really liked how they kept it simple for kids. It helped you see how you could help them open up and talk about changes and loss. Also if you click on your feelings on the right hand side they have more topics like: Anger, Being teased, Cancer (when you know someone who has it), Telling Lies, Being Lonely, and dealing with grief- to name a few.

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=287&id=1649

Anyway I saw this quote for kids about changes and really liked it. I hope you also take the time to prepare your kids and During a tragedy to not forget these little kids that might need a little TLC and help understanding.

"Life is full of changes. Nothing stays exactly the same. People and things come into and go out of our lives. We can remember them as we get on with living each day and looking to the future".