Friday, January 15, 2010 “How to talk to your kids about Haiti”
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: January 15, 2010
How to talk to kids about Haiti
It’s hard enough for adults to understand the despair happening in Haiti after the devastating earthquake, but what about your kids? Here’s an article I found with some good practical advice about how to discuss the issue with your children in a way they will understand.
Sarah Boesveld and Dave McGinn
Globe and Mail UpdatePublished on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 5:32PM ESTLast updated on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 6:48PM EST
Depending on the child and their age, talking to your kids about major world disasters in the news can help them understand what’s going on, feel safe and arm them with the tools to help if they want to, experts say. But there’s a fine line between freaking them out and making them feel confident.
“The first thing you have to do is acknowledge that it is awful,” says Kathy Lynn, a parenting speaker and author in Vancouver. “Don’t try to sugarcoat it. They’re seeing the pictures and they know it’s not lovely. However, in any disaster, particularly under the age of 10, don’t keep the TV on all day. We tend to get kind of mesmerized when there’s something like that.”
Ms. Christianson-Kellow is trying not to turn on the news, to protect her daughters Jori and Casey, 9, from the graphic images, ones even she would find difficult to take in.
“The news is just unpredictable on TV, you don’t really know what they’re going to show,” she says. “They need to know, but they’re still kids.”
Still, parents shouldn’t ignore the disaster in an effort to protect their kids since the story is discussed almost everywhere, says Kelly Moroz, a child psychologist and director of the Moroz Child Psychology Group in Calgary.
“We firmly believe that parents should be instigating conversation just to be checking the waters,” he says. “The last thing anyone should be doing is avoiding, especially when someone has seen pictures or heard about [an event], the worst thing possible is to put the fear up on a pedestal by avoiding it.”
To put a child’s potentially racing imagination in check, parents can explain and illustrate the low likelihood of such a disaster happening here, Ms. Lynn says. “The reality is, in our cities, across Canada, our buildings are much more earthquake-proof, we’re better ready to handle such a thing,” she says. “For the kids that truly need to know, show them things like if anything ever happened here, we have a water heater here completely full of fresh water, so we would have water for a long time.”
Parents can clearly explain the basics of the earthquake and the relief efforts, but may want to wait for follow-up questions from kids before divulging too much information that could only frighten or perplex them, she adds.
Some parents are talking with their very young children about the crisis by putting it in terms they can understand and avoiding the unnecessary gory details.
Molly Finlay, director of public relations at World Vision Canada, told her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Georgia she had to go to work early on Wednesday morning because many people in a far away country were in trouble and others needed to hear about it.
The preschooler loves to help, so explaining the ways to do it was a good way to communicate the disaster, she says.
“I said ‘the ground shook in a town that’s very far away and some of those houses fell down and in those houses there were families just like us,’ ” she says. “I tried to get her to relate to them.”
In response, the toddler offered to donate her jacket. She peppered her mom with queries about how the houses would be rebuilt and if there were enough people to offer help.
Leslie Garrett and her family heard about the disaster while celebrating her son Spencer’s ninth birthday Tuesday evening in London, Ont. She calmly discussed it with him and her other children Charlotte, 6 and Sophie, 11. Ms. Garrett, who writes on environmental issues, took the same approach she takes when talking with her kids about climate change.
“We just talked about Haiti, what a poor country it is. I explained that the building construction is very different from construction here and that it’s very unlikely we’d have an earthquake,” the 45-year-old mom says. “Then I try to turn it into a ‘how do we feel empowered when faced with this’ and it becomes ‘what action can I take to help mitigate damage?’ ”
Their kids are taxed on their allowances – 25 per cent goes to a charity of their choice – so she expects the $30 leftover from their donation to an animal charity over the Chris.
Help for Haiti
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: January 13, 2010
I feel so spoiled sitting inside my warm home with my children safe and sound quietly playing. I can’t imagine what a mother feels like in Haiti this afternoon.
Just got this email from World Vision. I feel extremely confident in this charity. If you’re looking for an organization to donate to to help earthquake victims in Haiti, I can’t recommend them enough. It just took a few minutes to donate online this morning. It’s the least I can do.
| World Vision is rushing emergency supplies to thousands of people left homeless by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti. Staff on the ground fear hundreds, or even thousands, dead and injured.
Your help is needed now! World Vision is distributing emergency survival kits — including food, water, blankets and tents — to provide immediate aid to affected children and families. We are also providing emergency health services to the injured. Please donate now to help us meet the urgent needs of Haiti’s earthquake survivors. And please join us in prayer for hurting children and families in Haiti. |
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 Substantial casualties feared after 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. REUTERS/Reuters TV, courtesy of Alertnet.org
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Serving Him,  Rich Stearns President, World Vision U.S. P.S. Please rush your gift today and give the survivors hope for tomorrow. |
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010 “How to Love Your Job”
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: January 6, 2010
I can’t give you tips on getting along better with your co-workers, or how to ask your boss for a raise, but I think I do know something about changing your attitude. And how to not let your circumstances rule your emotions.
It’s no big secret that it has been a rough few years in the job market, with many Americans looking for work while others struggle to hang on to their jobs .But even many of those who have jobs are not happy. A recent survey showed that more than half (55%) of Americans are dissatisfied with their work…the lowest level on record. And Americans younger than 25 are the most dissatisfied, at 64%
That breaks my heart…to think that most Americans spend the bulk of their day at the office unhappy. No wonder our economy is suffering. We may be in a recession, but also maybe a collective mental depression! No one has any joy!
I lived for years with depression and was literally miserable every day, until I took action. I got help from a doctor and work everyday to be happy!
This quote keeps me going, “Life is pure adventure and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.” ~ Maya Angelou.
I also like to add my own line in….”now go create God’s masterpiece”.
Instead of dreading going to work, why not imagine this part of your day as a work of art, focus on the people around you, love them like God does…you and God together can paint a beautiful canvas…no matter how frustrating that job is.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 “Fresh New Start”
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: January 5, 2010
Time for a fresh new start. The beginning of a year. The beginning of a decade. Time to put last year’s problems behind us and do like my Grandma always said…FIDO…”Forget it and Drive On”.
It’s no secret that 2009 was a year that many wish they could forget. So many families hurt by loosing homes and loosing jobs.But today is a new day. A new chance to start over. Leave behind the problems of last year, and change your attitude about them. Maybe spend a little more time getting closer to God this year.
My goal is to write more and blog more. That’s my way of spending more time with God getting spiritual encouragement.
The Message paraphrase is one of my favorite reads: This really helped me today.”So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” Corinthians 4:16-18
Friday, November 20th, 2009 “Movie Mom on New Moon”
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: November 20, 2009
Movie Mom
I can hear the discussions going on now…”Mom, can I please go see New Moon?” A blockbuster for teens is out today from the Twilight Series, “New Moon”. Yes, it’s a movie about Vampires, it’s based on a book series written by a mom who wanted a romance novel for teens that did not include pre-marital sex. Movie Mom recommends it for teens 14 and up. For more details to help you decide if it’s appropriate for your kids check out Movie Mom’s Blog.
Another big film that’s getting lots of buzz this weekend is “The Blind Side”. A true story starring Sandra Bullock about how one mom puts her faith in action and “adopts” an at-risk teen who ends up becoming an NFL player. Movie Mom loves this film for it’s practical depiction of a family living out their faith.
Click here to listen to Movie Mom’s review.
Subscribe to The Morning Show Podcast on iTunes
Geek Dad Gift Guide
My Geeky and frugal husband, Greg, always says that my gift to him is “not spending any money”. But that’s not fun! A friend of mine sent me this fun list of geek dad gift ideas from www.wired.com. So fun! I have to admit even I’m a little excited about the vintage Laser Tag set!
Positive Thoughts
If you want to be happy focus on your blessings not your burdens.
The world doesn’t care what you know until they know that you care.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our sins from us
Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom
Fear is faith that it won’t work out.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 “Turkey Day Calories”
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: November 17, 2009
7 Ways to Prevent Turkey Day Weight Gain
From MSN Health and Fitness
We’re not suggesting that you diet on turkey day, but Thanksgiving doesn’t have to send your health spiraling down and your weight soaring up for the rest of the holidays, either. Here’s how to indulge in every course without breaking the 1,000-calorie barrier.
1. Go for light, white meat.
This part is easy. Turkey breast is already super lean: just 44 calories, 1 gram of fat and no saturated fat per skinless ounce. Plus, the big bird is a great source of iron, zinc, potassium and B vitamins. Eliminate drumstick temptation by serving a breast ready for slicing. Or, if you do cook a whole turkey, roast or bake it—don’t even go near a deep fryer.
2. Add gravy that has more flavor than fat.
Use low-fat, low-sodium broth rather than drippings from the roasting pan. If drippings are a family requirement, stick them in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Chilling makes it easier to skim off fat before using the juices to make gravy.
3. Stuff your bird with whole grains.
Bake the stuffing separately so it doesn’t soak up grease from the bird (safer, too, says the bacteria police—it ensures that the stuff gets cooked all the way through). Instead of boring white bread crumbs, wow your guests with a whole-grain mixture. Try the slightly nutty flavor of quinoa or rice pilaf. You won’t save calories, but you’ll gain oodles of antioxidants plus fiber, iron, magnesium, selenium, B vitamins.
4. Add a touch of green
Cut calories in half by shelving the green bean casserole this year and boiling fresh beans until just tender. Then season them just a touch of olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Sounds simple, but the flavor’s amazing. And you’ll get fiber, protein, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, K, and B6.
5. Don’t forget the superberries
Cranberries contain a powerful group of free-radical demolishers. But skip the canned sauces, which are jammed with added sugar (about 44 grams and 170 calories per inch-thick slice). Instead, type “cranberry sauce recipes” into Bing and pick one of the recipes that’s sweetened with fruit—pears, currents, apples, raisins (and maybe walnuts, too). Then use half the sugar called for. You’ll be amazed. So will your guests.
6. Slim the spuds.
We learned this trick from our friends at EatingWell: simmer your spuds with some garlic to create robust flavor—then mash them with parsley and buttermilk instead of cream. The flavor’s great and despite its name, buttermilk has almost no fat. If you want to top it with a pat of butter just before serving, no one will ever know that’s all there is. Neither will their waistlines.
7. Oh my, don’t skip the pie.
Trim more than 100 calories and 7 grams of fat from a (sane, not supersized) slice of pie just by forgoing the crust.
New Mammogram Guidelines Controversial
By JOCELYN NOVECK
AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – For many women, getting a mammogram is already one of life’s more stressful experiences. Now, women in their 40s have the added anxiety of trying to figure out if they should even be getting one at all.
A government task force said Monday that most women don’t need mammograms in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50 _ a stunning reversal and a break with the American Cancer Society’s long-standing position. What’s more, the panel said breast self-exams do no good, and women shouldn’t be taught to do them.
The news seemed destined to leave many deeply confused about whose advice to follow.
“I’ve never had a scare, but isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?” asked Beth Rosenthal, 41, sitting in a San Francisco cafe on Monday afternoon with her friend and their small children. “I’ve heard of a lot of women in their 40s, and even 30s, who’ve gotten breast cancer. It just doesn’t seem right to wait until 50.”
Her friend agreed. “I don’t think I’ll wait,” said Leslie David-Jones, also 41, shaking her head.
For most of the past two decades, the American Cancer Society has been recommending annual mammograms beginning at 40, and it reiterated that position on Monday. “This is one screening test I recommend unequivocally, and would recommend to any woman 40 and over,” the society’s chief medical officer, Dr. Otis Brawley, said in a statement.
But the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a government panel of doctors and scientists, concluded that such early and frequent screenings often lead to false alarms and unneeded biopsies, without substantially improving women’s odds of survival.
“The benefits are less and the harms are greater when screening starts in the 40s,” said Dr. Diana Petitti, vice chair of the panel.
Breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed at a young age were among the more vocal critics of the new guidelines.
Creative Way to tell Hubby You’re Expecting
SAN DIEGO – LaDainian Tomlinson’s blessings simply flowed on Sunday. Two hours before his San Diego Chargers claimed a share of first place in the AFC West with a 31-23 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL’s No. 3 all-time touchdown king received a gift from his wife, LaTorsha.
Tomlinson found it in front of his locker at Qualcomm Stadium, a decorative purple bag — “TCU colors,” he explained later — tied with a bow. The attached note implored “Please Open Immediately – LaTorsha.” Inside was a box, and what it contained was a pregnancy test. A positive test.
“My wife is pregnant,” an emotional Tomlinson announced on a day when one of the NFL’s greatest running backs reached two significant milestones: His season-high 96 yards on 24 carries pushed him past Thurman Thomas and Franco Harris for 12th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 12,145 yards.
Positive Thoughts
Give without remembering and receive without forgetting.
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.
A good teacher must be able to put himself in the place of those who find learning hard.
Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.
The solution to adult problems tomorrow depends on large measure upon how our children grow up today.
“Have A Little Faith”
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: November 16, 2009
Have a Little Faith
Today we had the pleasure of speaking with author Mitch Albom who wrote the best selling book “Tuesdays with Morrie” has a new book about Faith. We talked to him about his faith and how faith is growing during tough economic times.
Listen to the full interview here: 11-13_mitch albom interview have a little faith
Get the full interview and more with the WGTS 91.9 Morning Show podcast here on iTunes!
Information on the book from the official website: http://mitchalbom.com/books/node/5515
“Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.
Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.
Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.
As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds – and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.
In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.
Have a Little Faith is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story.”
Weird Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin isn’t just for pies anymore! Looking for a unique recipe for Thanksgiving? How about some of these! It would certainly be a conversation starter!
Get all the recipes by clicking on the link below:
http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/weirdest-pumpkin-recipes?gt1=47001
Steven Curtis Chapman Coping with Daughter’s Death
I don’t know about you, but one of my biggest fears is loosing a child. I can’t imagine how one goes on after dealing with something like that.
The Chapman family is now trying to do just that. With his 19th album, ’Beauty Will Rise.’
The album is his personal testament to Maria’s life and the overwhelming belief that they will be together again one day, he said.
Smithsonian American History Museum Opens Christmas Exhibit
One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Amanda’s dream job is to be the emcee for the parade one day! Watch out Diane Sawyer.
If you’re a fan too, check out the newest exhibit at the Smithsonian featuring iconic commercial art and images from Christmas seasons past – including holiday parade memorabilia and window displays from such department stores as Marshall Field and John Wanamaker’s. It focuses on displays from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Visit the Online Exhibition Here!
Dark Chocolate and Stress
From Web MD: ”Those Stress-induced chocolate cravings may be justified after all. A new study shows that eating dark chocolate may lower levels of stress hormones in people feeling stressed out.”
But, what do you do about the stress and guilt from eating too much chocolate over the holidays? Why, eat more of course!
Today’s Positive Thoughts
The character of your kids tomorrow depends on what you put in their hearts today.
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by it’s own fruit.
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success
A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Teacher appreciation makes the world of education go around.
Friday, October 16, 2009 "Movie Mom"
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: October 16, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are
“The night max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind, his mother called him wild thing…” It’s only 10 sentences long, and today it’s released in theaters as a full length film, “Where the Wild Things Are” is out today. Known as one of the most loved children books of all time by Maurice Sendak.
Movie Mom says the film, “is a beautiful poetic meditation on childhood and growing up.” She recommends it for ages 8 and up and says younger children might get fidgety because there’s not alot of bright colors and jokes like in “Cloudy with a Chance for Meatballs”.
Movie Mom says the film has a good lesson. Each “Wild Thing” represents an emotion or feeling that Max has. At the end he realizes what it is to have to take care of people and what it is that his mother does for him.
For more movie reviews from a parent’s perspective check out her blog here:
Thursday, October 15, 2009 "H1N1 shorts in PG County"
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: October 15, 2009
H1N1 in PG County
The Prince George’s County Health Department will offer the H1N1 vaccine to adults during today’s Health and Wellness Fair. Those eligible to receive the vaccine include pregnant women, folks between the ages of 18 and 24, people who live with or care for infants younger than six months, and people between the ages of 25 and 64 with certain underlying medical conditions.
The fair will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Springhill Lake Elementary School on Springhill Drive in Greenbelt. Elementary school children will receive the intranasal vaccine at their school beginning next week. And starting a week from today, and every Thursday thereafter, the vaccine will be made available to the general public at the Prince George’s County Health Department Immunization Clinic at the Cheverly Health Center.
Positive Thoughts
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
Leaders aren’t born they are made
Hard work is the price we must pay for success.
Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Humor is a universal language.
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 "Where to Get H1N1 Vaccinations"
Posted by: Amanda Carroll on: October 14, 2009
Where to get an H1N1 Vaccine
Starting today the Montgomery County Health Department is starting H1N1 vaccine clinics on Wednesdays. Right now it’s for priority groups, including pregnant women, caretakers and health care workers.
In Virginia, the vaccinations are not yet available to the public. Check this website for updates and schedules: Virginia Department of Health
Maryland Locations:
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring, Md.
Piccard Drive Health Center
1335 Piccard Dr., Rockville, Md.
Starting Oct. 28, the county will hold four clinics after school at three high schools — Northwood High, Northwest High and Rockville High for kids from 6 months to 24 years old.
Clinics will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18.
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Heard Recently on the WGTS 91.9 Morning Show with Brennan and Amanda
- Matthew West on “Give This Christmas Away” December 11, 2009
- Movie Mom on “New Moon” November 20, 2009
- Toby Mac November 18, 2009
- Mitch Albom on “Have a Little Faith” November 16, 2009
- Heroes! October 8, 2009
- GamerDad October 1, 2009
- Fly Lady “Kids Cleaning their own Room” September 21, 2009
- Movie Mom on “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” September 18, 2009
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