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picking up something they dropped. I make a big deal out of the word “thoughtful” and show them how it’s easy to let the other one know they care.”—Claire A: “I think they feel important to each other if they learn from each other. I find something that the oldest can teach the youngest and vice versa.”—Belinda Q: How do you get your kids to try new foods? A: “We make a 5 senses game. Have them close their eyes, then they can touch it, smell it, listen to it, taste it and then they can open their eyes and see it….works sometimes.”—Darla A: “Hiding the healthy items in his favorite food. For instance, he loves pizza. I will add very fine chopped bell peppers and tomatoes, or have you ever tried the cauliflower mac and cheese? It’s delicious and he does not even know it has cauliflower in it. Most of my tricks I take from the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. This book is a life saver!”—Ala
We would love your responses to these questions: Q: Now that summer is coming, how do you get your kids to overcome their fear of water? Q: How do you manage bedtime when siblings of different ages share a room? Email me at: crystal@emeraldcoastkids.com. v
Whenever I initially discuss the topic of homeschooling with someone, it surprises me that their first argument is not about learning but socialization. Sure he has made good friends in his VPK class, but he has also made friends in his Tae-Kwon-Do and T-Ball classes. He plays well with the kids in our neighborhood, kids of our friends and random kids he meets on the playground. Additionally, there is an Emerald Coast Homeschool Co-op that meets once a week and frequently takes field trips that would allow him to interact with other homeschooled kids. In terms of socialization, what scares me most is the possibility of sending him to public school and him picking up bad habits from children I don’t know or feeling pressured into making bad decisions. What I want more than anything is for my family as a whole to be happy and healthy. Is my decision to homeschool well-founded? Is it guided by our conveniently well-fitting family situation being that if I am home, why not teach him myself? Or is it an irrational decision with an underlying “empty-nest syndrome” tone driven by a fear brought on by media exploited events?
Answers to last issue’s question Q: How would you keep sibling bonds strong as they grow older? A: “Spend as much time as possible together no matter what, and teach them that these ‘friends’ will always be there when no one else will.”—Ala A: “I make sure that they always do thoughtful things for each other. If it’s simply getting a glass of water, opening a door, helping the other get dressed or 6 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com
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