Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 18: “Not Now” Doesn’t Mean “Never” – Parent Expectations in the Context of Child Development
On the Horizon is a weekly ezine for parents of children with developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child’s development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.
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Progressing, Not Battling
 A Note from Nicole: Summer Fun; Our Blog; Expectations
Idea of the Week: Yogurt-Cup Shakers
Feature Article: “Not Now” Doesn’t Mean “Never” – Parent Expectations in the Context of Child Development
The Horizons Team Recommends: Do Something Daily Calendar; Sibshop
Upcoming Events: Sibshop; Summer CAMPS; CORE Approach
Hi Everyone!
I had the pleasure of spending the weekend in Michigan City, Indiana with my husband and kids. We spent time on the beach, at the zoo, shopping, swimming, and having fun together. It’s great to get away from the usual routine every once in a while and just enjoy doing things together as a family. We don’t do many big vacations, as my husband and I get exhausted just thinking about the idea of taking all four kids somewhere for a week! What we tend to do instead is some short day and overnight trips here and there throughout the year. This allows us to give our kids some great experiences, get away from the usual routine, and build some fun memories together—while keeping ourselves relatively sane!
Our summer camps program began yesterday, and we welcomed the first groups of fabulous kids for a week of fun and learning. It’s great to see familiar faces and get to know new members of our camps family. We’re looking forward to many great experiences over the course of the summer. If you’d like to see pictures, we will be posting them to our blog on Fridays. Click here to keep up-to-date on the latest camps adventures!
Speaking of our blog, this week’s feature article may look familiar to those of you who read it. I originally wrote a version of this article about a year ago and posted it on that site, but it’s a favorite of so many people that I decided to reprint it this week in the ezine. If you need a reminder about the importance of developmental timing and high expectations, you’ll want to check it out. It’s something that I frequently need to keep in mind in relation to my own children. Enjoy!
Looking to the horizon,
Yogurt-Cup Shakers!
Make some unique musical instruments this summer. All that is needed is an empty yogurt cup, small materials to go in the cup (e.g. popcorn kernels, dried beans, rice, sand, rocks, etc.), and a yardstick or paint stirrer.
Begin by pouring various amounts of materials into the yogurt cup and shake it until you find a sound you like. Using a hot-glue gun or tape, glue the yogurt cup to the handle of the yardstick or paint stirrer. If the handle is not wide enough to seal the cup¹s opening, cut a cover from cardboard to fit the cup. See how many songs you can play with your new musical instrument. What do they sound like then you play them all together?
“Not Now” Doesn’t Mean “Never”
Parent Expectations in the Context of Child Development
By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed.
My husband and I had three sons when our daughter joined our family. I was thrilled with the idea of finally being able to put one of my children in dresses, buy cute little shoes, and do her hair. After three boys, it was time for me to have another female in the house to share my love of all things girly! When she was tiny, I was easily able to put cute little things in her hair and she left them there. At some point all her baby hair fell out so there really wasn’t much hair to do anything with (I resorted to headbands for photos!). Fast-forward to the present time, and my daughter is now 14 months old. She has a lovely head of thick, dark, curly hair that is just begging to be done up in cute bows, pigtails, and tiny braids.
There is just one small problem—she refuses to leave the darn things in! I have tried everything—winding the hair bands tighter, doing her hair while she has a snack to distract her, buying different types of clips, doing her hair while wet, and doing her hair while dry. You name it and I have tried it. I really thought I had her beat last week when I washed her hair and spent time putting it in small little twists all over her head. I used tiny little hair bands that were “guaranteed” (according to the package) not to pull out. She looked so cute, and I was feeling really good about having finally triumphed over her in the hair department. And then she went to bed. And in the night I heard her up laughing and laughing and laughing. And in the morning her hair looked like she’d gotten way too close to an electrical outlet, with every single hair band strewn around the floor of her room. What’s a mother to do?!
Do Something Daily Calendar
$19.95 (Per Calendar) Each day includes ideas to inspire you and your children. Calendars are assembled by clients in our EmployAbilities program. $1.00 from every calendar will be donated to FARR.
Click on the image below to visit our store!
Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network!
Next Session: June 28th, 2008
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at our center
We feel strongly that as part of our family-focused mission we need to be attending to the needs of all of your children, not just the ones with disabilities. Siblings of children with disabilities have their own unique needs and experiences, and we will be using the renowned Sibshop model that is designed to provide them with support, education, and fun.
Limited to 20 children. Participants must have a sibling with disabilities and be aged 7-14. Lunch will be provided. The cost is $20.00 per child for Horizons families and $30.00 per child for non-Horizons families.Click on the links below for more information or call the office with any questions!
To sign up online, click here
Please join us!
See our Event Calendar for more details…
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