A Must-Read For Children Touched By Cancer

Children's author, Patricia Polacco, is somewhat of a hero at my daughter's elementary school. Ms. Polacco has been to our school several times and her books have brought hours of pleasure to my usually-reluctant reader.

Patricia Polacco at our elementary school

So when when I heard Lily's dad reading Ms. Polacco's book, The Lemonade Club, to our princess, I didn't blink an eye...until I started to listen to the plot of the book

 

which is about the usually adult topic of cancer.

Traci and Marilyn are best friends. One day Marilyn is being bullied about her weight while Traci stands up for her pal. Shortly thereafter, Marilyn begins losing weight and is tired all the time. The diagnosis: leukemia. With the help of the girls' teacher, Miss Wichelman who believes that “when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade,” the young ladies learn about how Traci's disease will be treated.

The Lemonade Club is an AMAZING book 

because it doesn't just gloss over the topic of leukemia. There is genuine shock when Miss Wichelman's class first hears of Marilyn's diagnosis.  Similarly, readers feel the horror and experience grief when Traci loses her hair due to chemo. But there's joy here, as well, as Miss Wichelman and her class welcome Traci back to class and astonishment when someone unexpected divulges that she, too, has cancer.

The book is a MUST-READ book for any child touched by this topic. 

It will resonate with children who have cancer or know someone who does. Best of all: it's a true store written by someone who was a witness to it all.

Do you know of any other books which might help a child touched by cancer?

THE CIRCLE: Is THIS What The Future Holds?

I could NOT put down THE CIRCLE!

What would happen if Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Paypal, Twitter, the United States government and every other entity that has a piece of your online presence were merged into one picture of you which you could not opt out of and would be harnessed for profit? That’s the premise in the delightfully chilling, modern-day Orwellian book, The Circle by Dave Eggers.

 

The Circle’s mottoes, instituted via methods akin to brainwashing, include “Sharing Is Caring,” “Secrets Are Lies,” and “Privacy Is Theft.”

Mae Holland is hired to work for this thinly-disguised version of Google. At first, it seems utopian as The Circle links users’ personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one online identity and a new age of civility and transparency. Quickly, she finds herself “required” to attend company events, take surveys so companies can collect her “likes” and “dislikes” and post online to bump up her ratings in the Circle community. The Circle’s mottoes, instituted in methods akin to brainwashing, include “Sharing Is Caring,” “Secrets Are Lies,” and “Privacy Is Theft.”

Mae becomes part of The Circle’s movement toward “Completion” in which every piece of information about the individual, including those of one’s ancestors, is made available to the company. Will she lose her soul to this cult-like organization which is quickly gaining Internet supremacy?

The book is fascinating because every day this Dystopian reality looms larger.

  

It asks the reader to consider what the consequences are, good and bad, of further centralization of information services and social networking with the voluntary surrender of privacy spun in totalitarian terms as the ultimate act of honesty. Online, every thought, transaction, action and experience we have is stored by some corporation. The Circle resonates because this scenario is completely plausible as we actively give away our information (and that of our children).


Author Egger’s protagonist isn’t the brightest or most well-developed character. There were times that I truly did not like her. She submits to the forces of The Circle far too willingly without thought to the repercussions even as she feels a part of her resisting. Similarly, parts of the book are far too “preachy” – I get it. By being online, we, too, may be giving away part of our souls.
Still, I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! It is so thought-provoking, suspenseful, and creepy. At times, it made me consider shutting down my social media accounts while forcing me to question the positive value of having data on the Web – forever.

Is THE CIRCLE right? Is Privacy a form of theft because others cannot learn from our experiences?

Read it and see if The Circle doesn’t compel YOU to deeply consider your online presence!

 

Please note that this review first appeared on TheGeekParent.com.  

6 Tips For Making Cleaning Fun – For You & The Kids

Another day & there's more cleaning to do!

I hate cleaning! Even though I do a little of it every day (I've got kids – need I say more?!), that's basic straightening. It's the more time-intensive housework that I can't stand. So here are some strategies I've found to make this hideous task bearable, if not downright fun, not only for me, but for the kids:

1. Make sure you have the right tools. Using the wrong tools makes cleaning harder and more frustrating. I wrote a few months ago about the life-changing vacuum we bought (read about that here) which makes vacuuming much, much easier. That tool in itself makes vacuuming the whole house a breeze. In addition, I use generic dusting cloths made for the Swiffer to dust the house. Just cut them in half and you're good to go. I also have a microfiber cloth that I purchased at 5 Below that I'll sometimes use to dust. The Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop makes mopping quick and easy since it has an attached bottle you can spray the floor with before mopping.  No more disgusting buckets filled with soap.  I fill the bottle with diluted white vinegar, give the handle a quick pull, and the mopping is easy as it gets my floors (linoleum and hard wood) clean in a breeze!
   
   

   

   The Rubbermaid Reveal makes cleaning easier.

    
   
   
2. Give yourself a time limit.  Dedicating a full day to cleaning just makes me dread the task even more, but being on a deadline motivates me to clean efficiently.   Sometimes I'll clean just before I have to pick my daughter up from school. I know how long I have until I have to leave, how long it takes to clean the house, and I know I have to get it done so that I'll be on time for pick-up. 
    
   
   
3. Make it a game – this is GREAT for motivating kids. Jot down how long it takes to clean the first time, then try to beat that time the second go around. You could even make it a competition between kids; whoever gets their room cleaned first gets a piece of chocolate.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Make your bed the first thing in the morning or make sure at least one room stays clean. Being tidy motivates me and my daughter, to be tidy and organized. I see how nice my bed looks and I want the rest of the room to look as good. Similarly, I recently spent a few hours cleaning her room and closet. Now, every morning, she makes her bed because she loves the way her room looks and wants it to stay that way. (Note: I'm mentioning my daughter and not my son because, being a teen, he honestly doesn't give a damn the way his room looks!)
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Plan a reward for yourself at the end. Since I'm always on a diet, I'll treat myself to a special brew of coffee, some “Me” time to read my book, or permission to watch a favorite TV show (I'm a huge fan of "Love It Or List It"). 
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Play music as you clean. Tunes are inspiring and dancing your way through the task burns calories (or so I've read). Here are some of my favorite tunes/artists to clean to:

• Almost anything by the BeeGees
• Viva La Vida by Coldplay
• R.O.C.K. In The USA by John Mellencamp
• The Story In Your Eyes by The Moody Blues
• I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band by the Moody Blues
• It's Raining Men by the Weather Girls

          Oh, and basically anything Disco works, too.

For more great ideas on how to make cleaning fun, visit:

• http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cleaning-Fun
• https://www.care.com/a/8-ways-to-have-fun-cleaning-1303130719
• http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/make-cleaning-fun/
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  More cleaning!  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Now excuse me, please.  There's some mocha caramel coffee waiting for me if I can get my house cleaned within the next hour.  Thanks for reading! 

Helping Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety Or School Refusal – Empowering Parents Who Are At Our Wit's End

A few weeks ago, out of no where, my daughter started complaining of dizziness, headaches and stomach aches. The first time it happened, I let her stay home from school and, miraculously enough, about an hour after school had started, she made a full recovery. But the next morning, it happened again. When I explained that in light of the absence of a fever or vomiting, she had to power through the symptoms, she threw a hissy fit so severe that I physically couldn't get her to school. This prompted a visit to the pediatrician and eye doctor (for the headaches) who ruled out anything physical. Since then, she's thrown several more fits resulting in several days of missed school.

I was at my wit's end. I called Diva's teacher, the school nurse, guidance counselor, and a therapist I knew. All agreed that it sounded as if she was just tired. Yet despite an earlier bedtime and fewer after school activities, the fits persisted. I was convinced she was manipulating us, but the more I pushed her, the harder she fought back. Just getting her into the car was a monumental task. I didn't understand what was going on until I found this book at my library: Helping Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety Or School Refusal by Andrew R. Eisen and Linda B. Engler.

This fairly short (181 pages), easy-to-read book shed some light on what Diva was going through. Apparently some children cannot express anxiety in any other way than through feeling what they call “sick”, usually with non-specific symptoms like tummy aches, headaches, dizziness, etc. These feelings are so unpleasant that the child also becomes nervous about feeling sick. They may feel unsafe in school and trapped, desperately clinging to Mommy or a safe adult. This makes parents feel like they're being manipulated and powerless, since you never know when your child is going to “pull” these fits. Your life becomes disrupted and you have no idea why. The book's authors assure the reader that far from being manipulative, these episodes are really a cry for help on the part of your child.

It delves into the nature of a kid's phobias, what they are, why they happen, and helps you understand what your child's safety needs are. It points out that the worries must be faced, not avoided, and suggests ways to gently help the child face those fears. More than anything else, it helped me come up with an action plan so that I can help Diva get through these episodes. In my case, some of the things I needed to do were get her to bed much earlier than I'd originally thought, start giving her more responsibility for packing her own lunch and snack (thus giving her more power over her world), allow her to pack her own backpack (again, an empowering thing), and get her up earlier so that she had more time to transition from waking up to getting out of the house. This week, Daddy is going to work a little later, just in case I do have trouble getting our daughter into the car and our plan is to periodically have Daddy do this, just to help both Diva and me. It also shows our daughter than we are both committed to helping her through this.

The book does warn, however, that even though the fears may be eliminated, there's always a chance that the child will backslide into them if the coping strategies are not maintained or if the kid experiences stress or any kind of separation-related transitions (like the beginning of camp or school). It also points out we, as adults, need to attend to our own mental wellness because anxious kids result in very apprehensive adults. Lastly, the authors explain optional treatments for severe anxieties, such as different types of therapy or medication.

Helping Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety Or School Refusal is an empowering tool that demands work on the part of the parents. I actually read it while parked in a parking lot waiting for my son to come out of church so that I could really absorb what it was saying in peace. I also took notes and gave a copy of my action plan to the school counselor so that both the school and our family are on the same page and to show her that we are committed to eliminating or at least minimizing my daughter's future school absences.

If your child is experiencing separation anxiety or is refusing to go to school, this is a must-read book! At the least, it will help you understand what's going on with your child; at the most, it's a valuable tool to help you get through this period and end the struggle between you and your child. Help yourself and your family by reading it today.

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Note:  This post originally appeared on thegeekparent.com.  Visit me there, too! 

Book Review: The Doctors Book Of Home Remedies For Children

Last week was one of those roller coaster mothering weeks I dread. Diva was sent home from school because she had a wonky tummy and a headache. A gymnastics competition was coming up, so I wasn't surprised, figuring she was just nervous, especially since she was bouncing around after school. Low and behold, that night she was lethargic and running a 102 degree temperature. The up-and-down symptoms persisted for two days with the fever breaking and a sore throat beginning. With our insurance rates having skyrocketed, I don't rush to the doctor every time a kid is sick, but I really wasn't sure what to do. Once the fever breaks, should I send her to school even if her throat is sore? If she's feeling better at night, do I send her to gymnastics' practice? Should I bit the bullet and take her to the doctor?


Enter a book I had bought years ago: The Doctors Book Of Home Remedies For Children from the editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books. I'd purchased this book on clearance from Barnes and Noble and have taken it out many times since. Obviously, as the title says, this is a medical-based book, not a purely holistic one. It does not shirk from recommending over-the-counter medicine or going to the doctor when things look serious. What it does do, however, is give parents some practical guidance as to easy home remedies that doctors recommend.


It advocates simple, non-medicinal treatments that even I, someone who thought she knew a lot about home remedies, found surprising. For example:

• Lollipops and ice cream are great for soothing sore throats.
  
• Antiperspirants, when applied to a bee sting, relieve the pain and itching.
  
• Flat cola calms a queasy stomach.
  
• Using a wet teabag to help with the discomfort of cold sores.
  
• Making a paste of baking soda and water to help with sunburn.
  

Despite it's medical slant, I love the fact that the authors often caution against using over-the-counter medicines, explaining why they don't work. And the sections entitled “When To See The Doctor” alert you what to look for and when, specifically, you might want to at least call the doctor.


I eventually took Diva to the doctor to test for strep (which was negative), but the book reminded me that putting a straw in her liquids made them easier to drink and that giving her orange juice was a big no-no for sore throats (too acidic).


Will this be the only medical reference book you'll need? No, but it's a great one to have on your bookshelf for learning more about the symptoms your kid presents and how much you can do on your own. I recommend it for people with small children, although the authors do tackle behavior problems exhibited by older kids like complications from ear piercing, TV addiction, and video game addiction. I'm happy I bought it and you will be, too.


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Thanks for reading! Please check back in with me and don't forget to visit me at The Geek Parent (www.thegeekparent.com).