Guest Expert  - Michelle L. Gaines, Ed.S

Catch yourself

The moment you feel yourself slipping, take action right away to get back on track. If you catch yourself quickly, you won’t fall very far.

It’s great when you can stay disciplined and focused for long periods of time. At some point though, you’ll get distracted and stray a little bit off course.

That’s not the end of the world. Don’t beat yourself up just because you’ve momentarily lost your focus.

Instead, give genuine thanks for how far you’ve already come. And then step right back on to the path you’ve set for yourself.

Being disciplined doesn’t mean being perfect. Remember that what really matters is what you choose to do right now.

Even if you slip back one step for every two steps you take forward, you’ll still be moving steadily ahead. Catch yourself, get back up, keep going and you’ll get there.

– Ralph Marston

 

Michelle Gaines, Ed.S

Physical Education Resource Teacher

• 1992 United States Olympic Track & Field Team Alternate
• 1996 United States Olympic Track & Field Team

 The Question: What is the Best Way to Reduce Stress?  Exercise!  Exercise is one of the best ways to control stress.  Physically active people are less likely to experience stress-related symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches and muscle tightness.  Teach children how to be aware of stress in their body and how to diffuse it effectively. 

 Exercise, exercise, exercise.  Getting physical activity every day is just as important as eating right.  Exercise helps kids do better in school and builds their self esteem.  Make sure your children are getting one hour of exercise every day.  They can play sports, dance or plan fun activities to do with their friends outdoors.  Remember, kids learn by example.  Take responsibility for your health too and set a good example for your children.

Fitness Tips

 Before and after.  You and your kids can organize a before or after-school club to get more athletic with friends or family. A healthy body equals a healthy mind.  Everyone likes to feel good.  Find friends and neighbors that want to join you and schedule the time and place each day of the week.  You can rotate leaders every week or month who get to decide what the group will be doing on your planned days.  What a terrific family activity!

 Measure up.  Find something to measure for you and your kids, whether it is how far or how fast they/you run, walk, bike, climb or how many minutes they/you can hold a balance pose.  YoMedics uses a fitness program that is based on yoga style poses, cardiovascular and isometric exercises, Yomagination.  Try a variety of activities. Chart your starting level and measure your progress several times over the next 3 months as you continue to practice your skills.  Your reward is your accomplishment!

 Find an Activity You Enjoy.  Everyone should be active.  There are options for all different interests.  There are team sports, individual sports and general physical fitness activities.  Kids should learn to develop exercise as a lifelong habit. 

 Here are some good exercises to try and home.  You can do these yourself, with your family or friends.  You decide and KEEP MOVING!!!!

 1

2

1. I have two young children less than 4 years of age and I want to start volunteering. Where is a great place that I can volunteer and still be able to bring my children?

I had that exact same dilemma several years ago, but the urge to volunteer was so strong that I HAD to find something! So, after much research and phone calls later, I found that Meals-On-Wheels was a great place for my little ones and me to start. You can bring your children with you in the car to deliver the meals. Each child can take a turn holding the food in the car and bringing the food items to the door of the recipient.

This is a fantastic opportunity to teach them about the importance of giving and sharing. They can also learn about topics such as illness, the elderly, diversity, and various socioeconomic situations within the community. Your trip usually would include delivering meals to 5-10 different homes/people within a 5 mile radius. Our entire morning of volunteering with Meals-On-Wheels would take anywhere from 45-90 minutes depending on the weather and how many meals we had to deliver that morning.

Log online at www.mealcall.org and get more information about this wonderful organization and the programs in your area! In our home town Orlando, you can contact them at 7001 Ravenna Ave. Orlando, Fl 32819 (407)352-2617.

2. My children dislike going to church. Every time we go, they act up and/or whine the entire time. Frankly, I feel like leaving them at home so I can go to church in peace. What can I do?

Yes, church is a challenge for children to “want” to go to. There are so many reasons that children may not enjoy going to “Sunday service.” Depending on the ages of your children, have you tried to ask them why they don’t like going? It may be that the service is too early or that church is “boring” and they don’t understand why they must go.

If they say that it’s too early, then by all means, attend the later service. Make sure that your children have a good night sleep the night before and that they have eaten a good breakfast. Just like going to school, you want to make sure they are not tired or hungry. As you know, both can contribute to being cranky or disruptive at church and elsewhere.

Also, you may want to consider going to a service that has readings, services or special programs geared to children such as a “Children’s Mass” in the Catholic religion. In this service, all the readings, the songs, the prayers, even the sermon is tailored to the children. Everything is lighter and told with the children in mind.

You may also want to review with them proper behavior expected during the services. Discussing their behavior ahead of time and what is expected of them could be helpful. Maybe even going over the readings before the service with them could make things go more smoothly. If all else fails, it won’t hurt for you to have them bring a book of their own so they may look at it during the service. I’m sure God won’t mind that they are reading Winnie the Pooh instead of the Bible…

Meet one of our “regular” experts, Suzette Boyette, who will be contributing articles and answering important questions here on the YoMedics™ website. Enjoy Suzette’s warmth and humor in her real answers to real life with kids. Look for more answers on the YoMedics™ website with Suzette and our other “regular” experts!

Suzette C. Boyette, ARNP
Founder
Parents Everywhere, Inc., www.parentseverywhere.com