A Tale Of Two Parents
I was seated in a Cheese Cake Factory restaurant waiting to be served my lunch. The Table across from me was a large party, maybe three families. I noticed a mom reading a picture book to her little one seated in a high chair.
A few days later, I was at the Department of Motor Vehicles cooling my heels. Everything takes three times as long at the DMV! I noticed two girls age’s five to seven glued to the tiny screen of a smart phone.
Did not realize I was starring so intently until I heard could say “It keeps them quiet”.
The girls were watching cartoons or some other animation on the Smartphone.
Compare and contrast the two scenarios:
You can say that’s the difference between a man and a woman but that’s not where I choose to put the emphasis.
In both cases a parent need a cooperative and quiet child and were able to achieve their objective.
The reading approach was however superior for the following reasons:
• Fosters interaction between a parent and a child. No such thing with a tube. You however get some “Me” time though.
• Utilizes the imagination of the child and enriches the child while their mind just glazes along watching the tube.
• Improves vocabulary and literacy
So folks, read to those little ones. If you have time to spare or do not have kids, your local library may be accepting volunteers for story time.
Readingtokids.org, a local non-profit here in Southern California makes this their mission and Slimybookworm.com is proud to be a collaborator in this.
For books kids actually would enjoy reading, visit Slimybookworm.com and make your selection.
-FREE SHIPPING for orders over $45
-15% off with the promo code SLIMY2 good till 12/31/10
-Gift wrapping is only $1.99
-45 day return policy.

What Are You thankful for?
It’s been a rough year for a whole lot of people, no doubt. Everyone knows someone who lost their home, job, marriage or a loved one. That person might even be you.

You might say there is nothing to be thankful for this thanksgiving but I challenge you to be a little reflective. Everyone has something if not several things to be thankful for.

Here are a few things I am thankful for:

God-For his big and little blessings
My Family-For their support and sacrifice (and the lack of it on something)as I strive to make SlimyBookworm.com “The Destination For Books Kids Love!”
Slimybookworm.com-For providing me an outlet to connect with other bookworms and to nurture the love for books in kids.
My Health-
Blah, blah, blah could go on and on. Starting to sound like an acceptance speech at the Oscar so will keep quiet and continue with my turkey meal.

From Slimybookworm to everyone, have a HAPPY THANKSGVING!

For a children’s book based around thanksgiving, try I know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie. You can check it out and pick up yours at SlimyBookworm.com

What Do You Do With a Picky Eater?
I can’t get my son to eat Mac and cheese much less of getting him to try broccoli. Most three year olds absolutely love Mac and cheese but not this one! He is content with eating graham crackers and cheerios all day.

I have found out that I am not alone. For mothers everywhere with picky eaters, take heart, here are some solutions:

Relax
Kids feed off our energy. If meal times are contentious, they can get withdrawn or cranky themselves and not eat.

The carrot works better
Is he asking for a toy or wants to watch Elmo? Not till he finishes his food.

Eat together as a family
Kids at this age think the world of us their parents and would imitate.

Allow choices
Peanut butter & jelly sandwich or tuna sandwich. Kids like everyone else love being in control.

Turn mealtimes into competitive sports
“Let’s see who can finish their dinner first” This tends to work better in boys.

If all fails, again take heart: They will not die of starvation! Will most certainly outgrow this stage. Save your dough for the time of the voracious teenagers who are on a mission to raid your refrigerator and keep it perpetually empty!

The classic Charlie and Lola book, " I Will Never Not Eat a Tomato" brings this to light in a hilarious way. Check it out at Slimybookworm.com and order your copy today.



Please feel free to comment on tricks you have resorted to to get your picky eater to eat.

Salute a Vet
Veteran's day this year is Thursday, November 11th. It's a holiday that slips by with little notice. What brings it to mind for me is that fact that school is out for the day, backup childcare anyone!

We should all remember to show our appreciation for the "veterans of foreign wars". These fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and citizens went oversees and fought the good fight to maintain the freedom we enjoy and to liberate the oppressed in foreign lands.

If you run into a vet today, remember to thank them for their service.

THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT YOU WILL EVER MAKE
How many times have you heard the financial pundits chant”Your house is the biggest investment you will ever make”.
I plead to differ with the statement. Your biggest investment would likely be your children. Those cute little ones cost an arm and a leg to raise and launch out in life! The Department of Agriculture puts the figure to be over $200,000 to get junior through high school. This is a no-frills estimate with no allowance for private schools, enrichment programs, fancy vacations and certainly not college expenses. Multiple that figure by the number of kids you have and it could be staggering.
Besides the financial investment, think about the emotional investments, thus making them your largest investment.
So nurture and protest your “biggest investment” and of course read to them.
Visit us at http://ping.fm/pHyII and look through our selection of books bound to help your “biggest investment” along his or her way.

ARRIVAL OF A NEW BABY
An addition to the family is bound to shift the dynamics to say the least. Bye-bye former “baby of the house” say hello to “Sibling rivalry”.

Toddlers are known to regress while trying to adjust to these changes. A child that had been potty trained could start becoming wet all over again. Almost an unconscious defense mechanism to regain their parents’ attention so to speak.

Not every child will clamor for attention or pinch the little baby in spite, it is however prudent to prepare for some behavioral changes. That way you are not thrown off balance by some of big sibling’s antics.

Information is the key. The more “big sibling” knows about the arrival of the baby, the more receptive he or she will be.

• Set aside daily “big brother/sister” time where he or she receives undivided attention from you, usually when baby is taking a nap. This will help allay fears of abandonment.
• Allow your older child to be of help caring for the little one like helping you get baby wipes or burp cloths. They will enjoy the new status and responsibilities
• Gifts or shall I say bribery works every time. For maximum benefits, have them believe the gifts are from the baby.

SlimyBookworm.com has age appropriate books handling this issue that could be of help as well. Check them out and pick up on at SlimyBookworm.com

WHY SLIMY BOOKWORM?
Thanks for asking.
I love books! To be factual, I love the printed word, books, magazines, comics, textbooks, yes even textbooks. I devour them all.
Over the years my interests have evolved and the subject matter of what I read has changed. What has stayed the same is the fact that you will find me with a book of my latest fad or interest.
Slimy Bookworm is my humble effort to connect with people of like minds who have a passion for the printed word and a sense of duty to cultivate the love for books in the kids in their lives-their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, foster children and students. People who will motivate the kids in their lives to take a break from watching the television and playing video games and teach them to take time to savor the relaxation and mental stimulation of reading a good book.
Keep trucking Bookworms!