By Hollee Schwartz Temple

It seems like everyone is buzzing about Pinterest, the website where (mostly) women create virtual bulletin boards of the “beautiful things you find on the Web.” As someone who researches modern motherhood, I was intrigued to read a recent post by author Stephanie O’Dea, titled “Pinterest and Feelings of Inadequacy.”

This popular blogger, a New York Times best-seller nonetheless, felt inadequate when looking at the “vision boards” created by other moms on Pinterest. Stephanie splashed a cartoon on her piece that joked, “I spent the day on Pinterest and now I hate my laundry room, my garden, my color palette, my husband, my linen closet, the vacations I take and all the food I make!” Interesting indeed.

Pinterest is the ideal lens for observing “social comparison” theory in action. In essence, the theory says that we evaluate our own circumstances by comparing them to those of others. If you spend your time browsing boards featuring “perfect” recipes, floor plans and wardrobes without a healthy dose of perspective, it’s likely that you’ll wind up feeling deflated.

Social comparison theory applies in many situations. Take wealth, for example. A 2005 study by two university sociologists concluded that no matter how much money people were making, they were most unhappy when living around people who were richer. It’s not how much you have, but rather how your earning power stacks up against that of your peers, that influences how you’ll feel about yourself.

Author Rachel Bertsche applies the theory to relationships in her new book on female friendship, MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend. Bertsche concludes that if you compare your typical routine to the lifestyles you see on your favorite television shows, you’ll probably not fare too well. As Bertsche, a fan of shows such as How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Sex and the City and Entourage, put it, “If those are the models I live by, I should have three or four BFFS whom I meet for coffee or beers or cosmos every single day, sometimes twice.”

And, of course, I’m now applying the theory to my study of working parents and the challenges they face. When my co-author and I interviewed moms across the country about their biggest fears as parents, we saw a similar comparison problem emerging. We called this one “The Myth of the Perfect Mom.” Here’s how we describe the phenomenon in Good Enough Is the New Perfect:

“We see her everywhere, the specter of maternal perfection. She’s at Gymboree, asking sweetly, ‘How much sign language does Carter know? Landon can sign apple, kale and toilet – and he’s only nine months old!’ And at the playground, smiling serenely as she passes a slice of organic pumpkin millet loaf to her toddler while we dig through our own bags, praying for a stray granola bar or a bag of chips to satiate our own child. We see her at school, shepherding her tightly braided and well-matched kindergartener into the classroom while she signs up to run the Halloween party and the book fair. (We’re sure she never forgets to turn in field-trip money or send sneakers on gym day.) And she’s at work, exuding the healthy glow of a woman who has never arrived in the office with Cheerios in her hair and someone’s empty juice box in her handbag.”

In the next paragraph, we deliver the zinger: “It doesn’t matter that this woman exists only as a composite. In our minds, she’s there, and she’s succeeding where we fail.”

And that’s what we need to remember when we’re reading status updates, browsing Pinterest boards, and following tweets. We’re comparing our real lives to make-believe. As Stephanie O’Dea so aptly concluded, “This isn’t real. This is a fantasy. Take a deep breath and remember that you are already good enough. You don’t need to have rock-hard abs while whipping up 37 different varieties of cheesecake in order to feel good about yourself.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I hope you’ll use Pinterest as a source of inspiration – I’ve found everything from our new favorite baked s’more recipe to a design for the firepit I’d been dreaming about — but not as another reason to feel inadequate. You’re already enough.

Hollee Schwartz Temple is a frequent speaker on work/life balance and motherhood. The co-author of Good Enough Is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood (Harlequin Nonficton), she is a law professor, writer and proud mom of two feisty redheads.

Are you one of the many moms (or dads) on Pinterest, searching for inspirational ideas, recipes and trends? Be sure to check out the La Petite Academy and Childtime Pinterest accounts for inspiring ideas and crafts for your children to help them learn, grow and have fun.

http://pinterest.com/lapetiteacademy/

http://pinterest.com/childtimeschool/

By: Dr. Heather Wittenberg

These Fantastic Firsts aren’t what you’re expecting. Sure, walking, talking, potty training, and the other usual milestones are impressive. But developmental experts really get excited about these lesser-known gems that display even more complex leaps in development:

1.  First “Conversation” (3-6 months): Those lovely back-and-forth exchanges of “oohs,” “aahs,” and sweet glances prove that your baby – even at this tender, young age – is working hard to learn to communicate with you. Your little one is already a gifted conversationalist!
2. First Point (8-10 months): This simple gesture proves your baby is cognitively more advanced than any other species on the planet. Humans are the only species that try to show others something interesting from a distance, sharing the experience in the process. The Powerful Point is also the precursor to abstract thinking and communication (think math, learning about new things, and about spatial relationships). All in one cute, pudgy little finger!
3. First “No” (1-2 years): Not too excited about this one? You should be. Saying “no” proves your baby knows that he’s his own person – separate from his parents – and is comfortable asserting his opinions. Spunky, self-confident toddlers tackle learning wholeheartedly, and bounce back more easily from disappointments and frustrations. Say “yes” to “no”!
4. First Dramatic Play (18-20 months): It’s not just a tea party. Your toddler is using her imagination, memory, and persistence to learn language, social skills, problem-solving, and self-control. Each playacted scene is a masterful display of creativity, storytelling, memory, and emotional regulation. Bravo!
5. First Empathy (3-4 years): First signs of empathy peek out even earlier, but by 3 or 4 your preschooler is showing a full-fledged appreciation of the feelings of others. Understanding someone else’s perspective requires your little guy to set aside his own. It also calls upon him to imagine how others must think and feel, despite the fact that he might feel differently. This fantastic milestone is the first sign your tot is well on his way to becoming a caring, moral person. Great job, Mom and Dad!

That’s a lot of work for a little noggin – and now you have five more Fantastic Firsts to celebrate!

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No one is more important in the lives of children than their families! And no one knows the Fantastic Firsts a child overcomes quite like a family does. As a way of saying thank you for all you do, we are offering you the chance to win a $100 Target GiftCard®! All you have to do is send an email to your school’s email address containing one sentence about a big milestone in your child’s life that you are proud of! We can’t wait to hear your stories!

La Petite Academy: LaPetiteABC123@gmail.com

Childtime: ChildtimeABC123@gmail.com

Tutor Time: TutorTimeABC123@gmail.com

Children’s Courtyard: ChildrensCourtyard1@gmail.com

Fantastic First Giveaway Rules: Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. One entry per Facebook account. To enter, participant must email one (1) Learning Care Group, Inc., brand at (email address). (Learning Care Group, Inc., brands: Childtime,® Tutor Time,® La Petite Academy,® La Petite, The Children’s Courtyard.®) The email must contain a sentence describing a milestone moment in participant’s child’s life. One (1) winner will be chosen at random from each brand and will receive a $100 gift card to Target. Winner will be chosen from all entries submitted between Friday, April 27, at 9:00 AM EST through Monday, April 30, at 5:00 PM EST. User/Winner will be contacted via email from (email address). No alternate award/prize, cash equivalent, or other substitution of the prize will be given. No exchanges or refunds. Award/prize is nontransferable. The odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Entry via email only. By participating, participants agree to release and hold harmless the school, brand and the employees, affiliates and other related entities from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind in connection with the drawing or resulting from acceptance, possession, or use of the prize. Learning Care Group, Inc., reserves the right to use first name, location, comments, and/or photos to the public for all tweets. Not valid for Learning Care Group, Inc., employees or their immediate families.

Let’s Make Soap

What is Needed:

• 1-1/2 cup opaque soap base (available at health or craft stores)
• Knife
• 2 to 4 drops essential oil in preferred scent–orange is very refreshing (optional)
• 4 to 6 drops food coloring (optional)
• Mold – muffin or cupcake ones you may have work well

Doing the Activity:

1. Cut the soap base into chunks and melt in a microwave for 50 seconds.
2. Add the oil and food coloring, stirring well to blend.
3. Pour the soap base in the mold.
4. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out the mixture.
5. Let it set up for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Freeze it to harden.
7. Package in a little bag with ribbons if you want to give as gifts (optional).

Tips:

• For a tie dye effect, don’t add dye until after you have poured white soap into the molds. Add random drops of dye into white soap in the mold and swirl with a coffee stick or toothpick.
• For multicolor layers, pour the first color in and allow it to cool enough to form a skin (about 5 minutes). Carefully and very slowly, add the second color over that.
• For pastel shades, add only a couple of drops of dye. For more bold colors, add more drops of dye.
• You can purchase glycerin soap, soap dyes, and several different types of molds from your favorite craft supply store. They are usually found near the candle making supplies.

Categories

What is Needed:

Gather paper and pencils or pens

Doing the Activity:

• This is a game that can be played with individuals or with the whole family.  (This is ideal to play with children who are struggling writers.)
• As a family, come up with several categories such as fruit, flowers, television shows, food, toys, books, etc.
• The object of the game is to list at least one item for each category for each letter that is called out.
• You can use alphabet cards or simply have one person at a time call out random letters.
• Each player will have a piece of paper with the selected categories written across the top of the paper in columns.  (Turn the paper length-wise to accommodate more columns.)
• Have someone select or call out a letter of the alphabet.
• Each player will then attempt to list one item that begins with the called out letter for each category.  For example, if the letter was M, you could list:

• When someone has filled out each category, he or she yells STOP!
• Give each person playing an opportunity to call out some of the items for each category.
• Continue play by having another player call out a letter. Continue until everyone that wants to has had an opportunity to call out a letter, or as long you all are interested.

Group Variation:  You may choose to play in teams, where each team has one person that will write down the items called out by the other members. Try to limit the teams to 3-4 people each.

Who Doesn’t Like a Cookie?

Anyone can get their game on to release a few sillies. AND who doesn’t like a cookie? So put this game and cookies together, and what do you get? Do this activity and you will find out.

What is Needed:

• For the cookies, you will need:
  • Wax paper, large spoon
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • ½ cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups quick oats
  • ¾ cup chocolate chips…or just store bought Oreos J
  • You will need enough chairs for 2 out of 3 people.
  • You will need a timer with a minute hand (a watch with a minute hand will work too).

Doing the Activity:

1. If you do want to cook with your child/ren, bring the first four ingredients to a boil and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add vanilla, oatmeal, and chocolate chips. Stir until combined.
3. Drop onto wax paper and cool. Shape the cookies into discs shapes about the size of an Oreo.
4. As they are cooling, put the chairs in a line facing the same direction.
5. Tell your children that you are going to play a game that is on a TV show called Minute To Win. Tell them it is about doing something for one minute successfully to win.
6. Have 2 out of the 3 people or 3 of the four people in your family (one player does not sit in other words) sit in the chairs with one cookie on their forehead and tell them that in one minute they have to get it from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands. The person not sitting has to be the timer. If someone wants to watch first, they can be the cheerleaders…until it is their turn to try this for one minute. Ready, get set, go!

Mirror, Mirror

Doing the Experience:

• Begin the game with pairing off of two people-one child and one adult per pair.
• Designate the person who will act as the “mirror” of the pair.  This person will mirror or copy all of the other person’s movements.
• Encourage them to incorporate jumping jacks, running in place and other physical movements for their partner to mimic.
• After a while, have the partners switch places.

Grooming Our Pets  

What is Needed:

• Stuffed animals
• Combs, brushes, and ribbons & clips (optional)

Doing the Activity:

1. Get down on the floor with your two year old and bring out the stuffed animals, and brushes and combs.
2. Tell your child that their animals need to be brushed and cared for.  
3. Pick up a stuffed animal and brush or comb, and start grooming your animal. Say out loud something like, “Do you like it when I brush you little horse?” or “How does it feel when I comb your hair, teddy bear?” or “I like to comb your hair, puppy dog.”
4. How does your child react? Does she pick up stuffed animal? Does he try using the comb or brush on his skin or hair? Ask him how it feels to use the brush on his arm. Give him words like, “I bet that feels soft on your arm.” Does he try and use the comb or brush on some animals? Is your child brushing the same stuffed animal as you are?
5. Put silly ribbons or clips in the animals’ hair. Does your child think that is funny? Does she want to try doing that too?
6. Continue as long as your child is interested.

Funny Faces

What is Needed:

• Gather child sized scissors for your two year old, glue or tape, heavy cardboard like an old cereal box you have opened and flattened out or heavy paper, and  magazines

Doing the Experience:

1. Help your child look for animal or human pictures from magazines that show funny faces and cut them out.
2. You can attach them to pieces of heavy paper or cardboard if you want, but you don’t need to.
3. Hold up each picture and encourage your child to pretend to be that human animal.
4. Mimic the expression. Name the feeling that goes with the face.
5. Have fun and join your child in moving or acting like the animal or person also.

Little Drummers

What is Needed:

• Find some fun songs that you can beat a drum to. Really any songs other than lullabies would work.
• Gather wooden spoons, pots of various sizes and their lids

Doing the Activity:

1. Get down on the floor with your infant or toddler and start banging on the bottom of a pot with a wooden spoon.
2. As you are drumming, how does your child react?  Does she grab a spoon and start drumming or bang on a pot lid?
3. Does your child bang two lids together like cymbals? Show him or her the noise they can make when they do that. Does your child move to the music and the drumming?
4. Watch carefully as your infant or toddler bangs with the spoons to make sure no one gets poked with a wooden spoon.
5. Continue banging and drumming as long as your child is engaged.

Building Blocks

What is Needed:

• You will need to gather different sizes of cardboard boxes. Choose some that an infant or toddler can hold in her hand. Tape them shut using masking tape.

Doing the Activity:

1. Place the boxes on the floor near your child. What does he or she do?
2. Place one of the boxes on top of another box. Does your child seem interested in what you are doing?
3. Encourage him or her to build with you by handing her a box or placing a box in front of him. Does he explore the box?
4. Continue building with your child to see how high your building can go. Keep playing until your child loses interest.

How to make it easier or harder:

• To make it harder: Place the boxes away from your infant or toddler and encourage them to crawl or scoot over to the pile of boxes.

Ahh to be young again, to be silly and carefree, to feel like we were born just to have fun! Remember when we were kids and laughed when bubbles came out of our nose, hick-upped and laughed at the same time, and thought it was so funny to burp after we drank from a water fountain?  It was about the journey, about living in the moment, and really being present. It seems as we get older and become adults, we focus on the destination more than the journey. We sometimes forget the last time we really had fun, and cannot remember the last time we laughed out loud.

All week long we are celebrating young children. What if we not only celebrated our wonderful offspring, but also celebrated WITH them? What if we had fun being with our child, doing something creative with them, or messy and silly? It is never too late to RE-MIND ourselves about enjoying the journey and celebrating the process. The end result, or the product, isn’t what always makes us happy or creates giggles. But the process, when done with a loving and wonderful child, is always fun and will result in smiles!

We have created activities for you to do with your child (no matter how old either of you are) hoping you will enjoy the journey, celebrate the process, and SMILE, maybe even laugh.

Click the link that best describes your child’s age for some fun age appropriate activities.

          Infant & Toddler Experiences

          Twos Activities

          Preschool/Pre-K Activities

          School-Age Activities

Neuroscientists say that the noggin power required to play tea party – or any other kind of pretend play – is very complex. Here’s what it takes: The desire to play nicely with friends. The skills to follow the social “rules” of the party. The ability to communicate. And last but certainly not least, the willingness to wait patiently until everyone is served before you get to scarf down yummy treats.

Bottom line: Dramatic play helps your child learn how to be a friend, how to learn in school, and how to solve problems.

It’s not just a tea party.

That’s why dramatic play is so important – it’s your child’s way of learning and rehearsing all the knowledge she’s accumulating. So while she’s learning to play, she’s playing to learn.

Parents can help. Don’t fall for the pressure to have your preschooler doing “real academics.” Worksheets and homework don’t build creativity. Instead, catch your child in the act of playacting. Ask questions about the main characters. “What’s her name?” “Who else is playing?” “What are you wearing?” “How does that feel?” “What’s next?” You’re helping expand her play by using a powerful parenting technique: Scaffolding. By asking questions and helping out – but not taking over – you create the next handhold for your child to grab in learning.

Here’s an adorable example of a fantastic cooking scene here. Let’s get that party started!

Write numbers 1 – 5 on paper bags. Have your child add items into the bags to equal the number on the outside. Count as you go!

Look through coupons and have your child sort them into piles based on amount saved. This is a great way to help your child learn about math and numbers!

Go on a shape hunt, inside or outside. Can you find 5 circles, 4 squares, 3 triangles and 2 rectangles?

Get moving! Create movement patterns (i.e., 2 jumps and 1 spin) for your child to follow. Then have your child create a pattern!

By Melissa Taylor

Parents, if you’re like me, you’re always searching for free activities to share with your kids. Let me tell you, the library is the best free choice I’ve found. So great in fact, I counted six reasons to love the library.

1. Story time
   From babies to preschoolers, the library offers story times with songs, crafts and books. Plus, it’s a chance to meet other parents and their kids for play dates and conversation.
2. Books
   Not only are there books everywhere, the books are free for the borrowing. Search out the new-books shelf. It’s my favorite shelf, one that always keeps us reading good books.
3. DVDs
   Oh, the movie section of the library entices my kids away from the books. I set a two-movie limit but don’t mind that we rotate our movie collection and skip commercials.
4. CDs
   The library doesn’t just have music CDs, but also books on CD. Check out these for car trips or quiet room time.
5. Crafts
   Look for the library class schedule – there are tons of classes, especially for kids. We think the holiday celebrations are the best – with fun thematic crafts.
6. Grow a Reader
   Research shows that if you read to your kids, they’ll do better in school and will be stronger readers. That means going to the library and reading give your child a brain boosting start!

Did I mention how much I love the free part? But, it’s not free if you forget to return your books. To avoid fines, keep your library books and DVDs in one place, renew everything on the computer every few weeks, befriend the librarians so you can beg for mercy and, if all else fails, consider your fines a generous donation to the new library wing.

Also, buy a large, flat-bottom tote bag for your books. Even better, find one with a small pocket for your library card. I let my kids fill it up – and smile as I watch knowing that I’m giving them a lifelong love of books.

What else can you do at the library?

Get a treat and read your books.
Cozy up in a pillow or rocking chair and read your child a book. Some libraries actually have cafes where you can get a treat while you read. Those are my favorites!

Go on an alphabet search.
Search for letters of the alphabet around the library in signs or book titles.

Find the toys.
Most libraries have toys in the children’s area. Bring your disinfectant wipes and let your child play.

Give your child a library card.
If your child is ready, get him his own library card. It’s a great way to motivate him to read and love books.

Play on the computer.
Most libraries have computers specifically for children with kid-friendly programs and headphones. Let your child play on the computer and explore the games.

Do you love the library yet? I’m telling you, make it your new best friend and you will see big long-term benefits.