The holiday season is almost upon us………. and with it comes the bombardment of marketing media touting this year’s hottest gifts! It is so easy to get caught up in it all! Young children are especially vulnerable to all the advertising and as parents, we do not want to disappoint. We adults understand that, “Tis better to give than to receive”, but how do we teach this to our children? Here are some tips to keep the spirit of giving alive and to keep the holidays in perspective:

1. Keep the gift giving low key. It is an exciting enough time without going crazy! 
2. Focus on the giving part. Involve your child in the selection and purchasing of PJs and books for our school drive. 
3. Try and keep your children rested so that everyone can enjoy the holidays! Racing around is hard on little bodies!
4. Take the time to enjoy the holiday season with friends and family!

Finally, as the whirlwind of shopping and entertaining unfolds, be selective about what you take on to minimize stress and maximize the joy. Easier said than done, but we can try!!

Tis the time of year to adjust our sleep patterns no matter how old we are! Now that fall is here, the days are shorter, and we are losing the daylight more and more each day! On November 3rd, we change our clocks back one hour. Here are a few tips to make this transition easier at home:
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Control the light
Stick to a routine
Be sympathetic

Children will have a successful sleep if the evening follows a routine. After dinner; a good warm bath, cozy PJ’s, a stuffed animal and a good book will help set children up for a restful night of sleep. One of the best parts of the day is to cuddle up with a young one and share a story together. This is quality time together plus reading to your child is the most important thing you can do as it will help to foster a long love for reading. Gaining an hour of sleep on Saturday night can sometimes take a few nights for children to adapt even though it is only one hour. Be patient and give it a few nights! If your child is tired and still asleep in the morning, let him/her sleep, if you can! It does take their little bodies a few days to adjust and lose that sleepy feeling in the morning!

“Let him sleep, for when he wakes he will move mountains.”
                           -Napolean