Mothers & Daughters: Face-Time vs. Facebook - Learning to Communicate Off-Screen

ASK THE EXPERTS: Sean Hogan-Downey, LMSW, LMFT

Q: "I have a daughter who is always busy, how can I get her attention?"

A: "I'm not yelling at you - I'm just talking" - sound familiar? One of the most complex, challenging, confusing, rewarding and meaningful relationships in life can be found between mothers and their daughters.

In this digital age, face-time has become very limited. Mothers on their cell phones, daughters on their PDA find it difficult to make time for one another. Connection is a lifeline for daughters. Mothers are often the closest human connection to them trying to figure out how to become an adult.

To raise a confident young woman, she needs values from those who love her:

• Acceptance/ learning: Make amends and let go of the past.
• Approval: In spite of all the insecurities, imperfections, fears and failures.
• Affection: Gentle/ tender that comes an important huggable moment.
• Authority: Giving up control to accept guidance, love and support from parents.
• Accountability: Following and accepting logical consequences of actions to develop strength and character

Connected mothering requires being truly present and focusing; listening without judgments, which includes managing body language that is disapproving or judgmental; asking questions and validating feelings which does not mean that there is agreement, only that she is truly heard.

Remember you are not your daughters "BFF". Mothers need to be a model to help daughters make positive choices in friends, care/protection of her body and helping her regulate emotions.

Your daughter wants to take control of her future by experimenting with new feelings, attitudes and behaviors which is normal and healthy development. However, if Mom steps in with a parenting style that feels like "smothering" or "helicopter parenting", rebellion is worsened. "Backbone parenting" helps tune into your daughter's changes and to react appropriately. Navigating between girl world and parent planet is a daunting task. Daughters need mothers who set limits with appropriate consequences and are consistent with them.

SEAN HOGAN-DOWNEY, LMSW, LMFT is a Licensed Master Social Worker and Licensed Marriage and Family therapist. She has been in clinical practice for over 30 years. For over 10 years, she has had the pleasure of working at Grosse Pointe Academy as staff consultant and school counselor. Sean is a member of the Youth Program Planning Committee of The Family Center. Contact number: (586) 774-7779.

SAVE THE DATE
Face-Time vs. Facebook: Learning to Communicate Off-Screen A Conversation for Mothers & Daughters
Tues. Feb. 10, 09 (6:30-8:30pm):
Presenter: Sean Hogan Downey, MSW
Grosse Pointe Academy Fieldhouse (171 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms)
No Fee, Refreshments & Dessert will be served
RSVP by Feb 1 @ 313.432.3832

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

A 4-Step Plan to Develop Self-Control in Young Children

ASK THE EXPERT: Ted Kasper, MSW

Q: My 7 year old son constantly speaks without thinking about who is around him or where he is. He constantly interrupts others when they are busy and does not know when to be quiet or leave someone else alone. I am constantly telling him when he should be quiet and leave others alone but he does not seem to learn. Any ideas on what I can do to help him?

A: Whatever the reason for your son's annoying behavior, it is our job as parents to raise our child's awareness, provide limits/boundaries and teach self-control. Think of the boundary as a fence. This fence is held up by four fence-posts (one at each corner). These fence-posts are:

1: Raising the awareness level: I have found the best way to raise a child's awareness of their annoying behavior is to "Observe and Run". The parent gently reminds the child that their behavior is annoying and moves on with their business, not waiting for a comment by the child. Some examples are: "That was the silliness I've been talking about", "You might want to think about the noise that your making w/ your mouth", "Do you see what effect your constant tapping has on your sister?" Crucial to Observe & Run: the parent does not belabor the point (or nag). Just one sentence suffices.

2: Teach in proactive ways: Model self-control in similar situations. Discuss your responses when you are both calm and relaxed. Less is more (less verbal is generally more effective) in this situation. Talking about his annoying behaviors also raises your son's awareness level but seeing you model the desired behavior is often more effective. Kids need to know what doing the right thing looks like.

3: Praise Along The Way: It is the wise parent whose response to their child's annoying behavior doesn't only inform the child what is wrong, but also tells them what is right. The parent also will not wait until the child "gets it right": praise small steps towards the appropriate behavior.

4: Develop Tolerance: This fence-post is meant for us parents. Tolerance is the distance a behavior must go (eg, number of times it happens or how bad it gets) before we respond/intervene. I'm not saying to turn a blind eye to what is happening but to remember our role as a teacher and coach to our children.

Ted Kasper is a licensed social worker in Macomb County who is employed by Macomb County Community Mental Health as Training Coordinator. In his private practice, he provides counseling to children, adolescents, adults and families. He specializes in Behavior Analysis & Interventions; Parent Coaching, Mentoring and Support and "SuperNanny Services" (behavioral observation, action planning, and interventions).

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Kindergarten Readiness - Social and Emotional Development

ASK THE EXPERT: By Lori Warner, PhD

Q: I'm not sure if my son should go to kindergarten this year. He has a late birthday and we have only done one year of preschool. How can I tell if I should wait or not?

A: Deciding whether or not to send a "young-fiver" to kindergarten is always an individual decision, and depends on many factors. One consideration most parents easily recognize is academic readiness, but social and emotional readiness is equally as important. Particularly for children who have had no preschool experience, adjusting to a structured school schedule with multiple transitions can be challenging. This is especially true for full-day kindergarten programs. Even for children with preschool experience, the behavioral expectations and routine in kindergarten will likely differ from what they've experienced in the past. Your local school district can help you assess your child's readiness in all aspects of development and assist you in making the right decision for your family.

Q: What are some of the key social and emotional skills needed in kindergarten?

A: Every kindergarten class is different, but all represent the child's first foray into elementary school, and this is a true milestone! Kindergarten is a time when children increasingly learn that they are part of a larger community. They learn more about the world around them and how their family, home, school, and familiar places like the park, library, and grocery store fit into larger organizations and institutions. Kindergarteners begin learning how to better identify and express their feelings, and develop stronger empathy and understanding of others. Socializing with new classmates, learning to share and play cooperatively, and learning to assert oneself while understanding the importance of rules and authority are all key skills. Children also broaden their interests and spark their creativity and excitement of discovery during this timeframe.

Q: What can I expect my child to learn in terms of social and emotional growth during kindergarten?

A: Here are some helpful benchmarks from the Colorado State Library:
(www.coloradostatelibrary.org)

• Most kindergarteners can:
• follow a classroom routine
• play cooperatively with others
• label and express feelings and emotions
• try new activities willingly
• stand up for themselves but know that bullying and violence are wrong
• wait fairly patiently for a turn or to speak
• take care of personal needs such as toileting, hand-washing, and clothing
• pay attention to a story or activity for 10 minutes

The HOPE Center houses Beaumont's autism treatment programs and is part of the Center for Human Development. At the HOPE Center families receive intensive behavioral therapy for preschoolers with autism in two center-based programs. We also offer behavioral consultation services for children of all ages with a variety of referral questions from autism and other developmental disabilities to behavior management, OCD, toileting, and feeding problems.

Dr. Lori Warner is a Licensed Psychologist and Director of the HOPE Center, Center for Human Development at William Beaumont Hospital in Berkley. She can be reached at (248) 691-4774.
Visit their Web site @ www.beaumonthospitals.com/hope.

SAVE THE DATE:
Making a Successful Transition into Kindergarten
A special follow up to The Family Center's past fall "Kindergarten: Get Ready!!" presentation.
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7pm
Barnes Early Childhood Center
20090 Morningside Dr., Grosse Pointe Woods
$5/person
RSVP by Jan. 26 @ 313.432.3832 or info@familycenterweb.org

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Low Energy Neurofeedback (LENS)

Ask The Experts by Leigh Ann Van Dyke, M.S. LLPC

Q: Can Neurofeedback be used as an alternative to medication for adults, teenagers and children?
A: YES!!

Q: What is Low Energy Neurofeedback?
A: The LENS, or Low Energy Neurofeedback System helps to “rebalance” a person’s whole way of thinking, feeling and wellbeing. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive procedure that monitors and analyzes the brain’s electrical activity, also known as the electroencephalogram or EEG, and then uses this information to formulate the feedback, which is delivered through the same sensors used to monitor brainwaves. Although the feedback signal is low in energy, it produces measurable changes in brain activity. The EEG signals that are recorded through the sensors influence the feedback stimulation, which may normalize the brain’s electrical activity.

Q: What are the benefits of Lens?
A:

• Increased clarity (decreased mental “fog”)
• Decreased feelings of irritability
• Decreased feelings of anger
• Decreased feelings of fatigue
• Decreased feelings of anxiety
• Decreased feelings of depression
• Improved sleep at night
• More energy during the day
• Improved concentration and attention
• Improved memory
• Improved vision and speech (due to cortical problems)
• Increased sense of ease due to the absence of the need to control intense feelings

Q: What has the LENS shown clinically positive results in?
A:

• Traumatic physical head or spinal cord injury symptoms from mild to severe
• Stroke
• Clinical depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Trauma from childhood, work and stress (PTSD)
• Attention deficit disorders with and without hyperactivity
• Learning disabilities
• Sleep disorders
• Autism/childhood schizophrenia (Asperger’s Syndrome)
• Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Excessive anger and explosiveness
• Substance abuse
• Bipolar disorder
• Headaches

Q: How does the Lens produce these positive results?
A: The above-mentioned problems exist concurrently with EEG slowing, which consists of high amplitude, high variability, low frequency brainwave activity. Reductions of excessive slow brainwaves will often be noted within the first few minutes of the first session. Generally speaking, regardless of the diagnosis, if a condition is accompanied by brainwave imbalances, LENS can potentially be helpful in alleviating its symptoms.

Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: Clinical improvements may be noted within 3 to 5 sessions in simple cases, but in more complex cases more courses of treatment may be required before improvements begin to become noticeable.

Low Energy Neurofeedback is now available in the Grosse Pointe Area. For more information you can contact Leigh Ann Van Dyke M.S. LLPC at (586) 469-6955, by e-mail at neurowellnesscenter@gmail.com, or neurowellnesscenter.vpweb.com.

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community’s centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

The Flu - What You Need to Know

ASK THE EXPERTS: Robert Takla, MD

Q: How can I protect my family from the flu?

A: There are two flu viruses this year, the traditional seasonal flu and novel H1N1 (swine) flu.

Seasonal Flu: Each year, the CDC estimates 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths from the regular flu. Those at greatest risk include young children, or people with serious medical conditions. The deaths from flu are usually in those over 65 with serious medical conditions, or pregnant women.

Novel H1N1 (Swine Flu): It was first believed that this influenza virus was transmitted from pigs to humans, but we know how it contains genetic material from pigs, humans and birds. Properly cooked pork even from an infected animal poses no risk of flu. Those at greatest risk include young children, pregnant women, and those with serious chronic medical conditions. However unlike seasonal flu - young adults are actually more at risk.

Both viruses have similar symptoms: fever, chills, headache, body aches, coughing, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. And both are spread through coughing, sneezing or close contact.

Prevention

• The CDC makes recommendations as to who should get these two separate vaccinations. To learn more, ask your doctor or visit www.cdc.gov.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay away from sick individuals if possible.

Treatment

• Get rest, drink fluids, and treat symptoms with Tylenol, Motrin, or an over-the-counter flu medication.
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
• If you are relatively healthy and only have mild flu symptoms, please stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone. Most individuals will not require medical treatment.
• If you are pregnant or have a chronic disease, notify your physician immediately.
• Seek prompt medical attention at an emergency room if have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, have persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea and are becoming dehydrated.

Dr. Robert Takla is Chair and Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at St. John Health & Medical Center. Call Health Connect at 866-501-DOCS to find a family doctor in your area for a vaccination.

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.
Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Wash your hands!

Ask the Experts: Gael K. Rodgers, R.N., B.S.N., infection control practitioner, at Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe.

You've heard it again and again, from your mom, your doctor and medical experts in the media. It's the cheapest and best way to stop the spread of germs responsible for colds, flu and a whole medical dictionary of other illnesses.

But has anyone every taught you how to wash your hands? A cursory swipe with soap, quick rinse and towel dry aren't enough. The soaping process alone should take at least 15 seconds - about the time it takes to sing the happy birthday song or your A-B-Cs, says Gael K. Rodgers, B.S.N., infection control practitioner at Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe.

Here's a step-by-step guide and a photos to explain how to do it right.

• Wet your hands, soap them up thoroughly and rub vigorously throughout the process. No need to use antibacterial soap. The purpose of soap is to make the germs slippery so they'll rinse off, not to kill them.
• Interlace your fingers "steeple-style" and rub up and down. Make sure you create friction from the fingertips down to the creases between fingers.
• Take your palm and rub it in circles on the top of your opposite hand, making sure your hand travels up to the wrist. Repeat with the opposite palm.
• Scrub your nails against your opposite palm. Repeat with nails on opposite hand. Use a brush or nail file if you have visible dirt under your fingernails.
• Rinse thoroughly holding your hands in a downward direction. Turn off the faucet using a towel to avoid re-contaminating your now-clean hands. Use the towel to open the bathroom door if you're using a public restroom, then toss it in the trash.

Gael K. Rodgers, B.S.N., is an infection control practitioner at Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe. She can be reached at 313.343.1514.

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Tips for Tips for Building Gross and Fine Motor Skills in Children

ASK THE EXPERTS: Donna Tavalieri, PT and Gina Schmakel, OTR/L

As pediatric physical and occupational therapists we are often asked "What types of activities are best to prepare my child for kindergarten?" We believe that by building a good foundation of gross and fine motor skills, children will be better prepared for the expectations of kindergarten and beyond.

Good gross motor skills provide strength, balance and coordination in the body, arms and legs that is needed to support fine motor control e.g. sitting at a desk to color or write.

Ideas to promote gross motor development:

1. Painting or coloring with chalk on a large easel, drawing/coloring with sidewalk chalk on cement and/or using soap crayons in the bathtub (these activities use more whole arm movement)
2. Digging in the dirt or sand
3. Jumping, galloping, skipping
4. climbing, hanging, swinging, etc. on playground equipment

Fine motor coordination skills continue to become more refined as children progress through kindergarten.

Ideas to promote fine motor development:

1. Hand/finger strengthening activities

• Molding and cutting Play Dough to make different imaginative things
• Building with resistive type blocks e.g. Legos
• Squeezing a squirt bottle to erase the chalk drawings from the sidewalk or easel
• Playing with resistive type toys e.g. Velcro toy fruits and vegetables, legos
• Crumple paper and throw into trash (use trash can as a target for more fun!)

2. Two handed activities

• Stringing beads of different sizes big to smaller on pipe cleaners or shoe laces
• Hold piece of paper with one hand and use other hand to snip with child scissors.
• Pull apart toys e.g. Legos
• Ripping paper to be put in the trash

3. Grasp skills

• Coloring with small pieces of chalk or crayons (break them down from their original size)
• Picking up small food items such as Cheerios, raisins, M&M's etc. with pointer finger and thumb
• Pushing small objects into Play Dough and then dig them out
• Lite Brite

Most importantly explore, be creative and have fun with your child's development!

Donna Tavalieri, PT is a licensed pediatric physical therapist and co-founder of Pediatric Potentials LLC in St Clair Shores. She is a graduate of Wayne State University.

Gina Schmakel OTR/L is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist and co-founder of Pediatric Potentials LLC in St Clair Shores. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University.

SAVE THE DATE:
Making a Successful Transition into Kindergarten
A special follow up to The Family Center's past fall "Kindergarten: Get Ready!!" presentation.
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7pm
Barnes Early Childhood Center
20090 Morningside Dr., Grosse Pointe Woods
$5/person
RSVP by Jan. 26 @ 313.432.3832 or info@familycenterweb.org

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Must Have Items for Every Parent's Medicine Cabinet

by Marcus DeGraw, MD

Many parents know the frustration of having a sick or injured child and not knowing what treatment to give to alleviate the child's symptoms. Adding to their frustration is a frightening array of choices filling the shelves at any drugstore or grocery store.

According to Marcus DeGraw, MD, a board certified pediatrician at the St. John Children's Center, each family should have a well-stocked first-aid supply that doesn't include unnecessary supplies. He suggests the following supplies and medications to have on hand:

Q. What medications should I have on hand?
A. You should always have the following readily available in your medicine cabinet:

• Pain relievers - acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). Ibuprofen should only be used if child is more than six months old.
• Skin creams including one percent hydrocortisone for itchy rashes and antibiotic ointments for cuts and scrapes.
• Rehydration fluids for illnesses with vomiting or diarrhea (Pedialyte).
• Extra prescription medicines (especially if your child has a chronic disease like asthma).
• Cold medicines - most children need only a decongestant and a cough suppressant.
• Benadryl - use for allergic reactions or nasal allergies, but only for children one year and older, unless directed by a doctor.
• Teething gel for infants - use in small amounts.

Q. What about supplies like gauze or plastic gloves? Do I need to have those?
A. I recommend having sterile gauze, medical tape and bandages of all sizes on hand for common cuts and scrapes. You should also have alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide and basic soap for basic cleaning of cuts and wounds -- as well as Plastic gloves for attending to wounds with blood.
Other items that come in handy include:

• Thermometer for fevers (preferably one that can be used orally and is digital).
• Sharp scissors to cut dressings for wounds.
• Tweezers to remove slivers or foreign objects from skin.
• Instant cold packs for bumps and bruises and sprained ankles.
• Emergency contact numbers and the number for poison control (800) 222-1222.
• Physician's phone number and directions to nearest emergency room.

If you are vacationing within the state or country this summer, you may also want to pack a first aid bag with these supplies and medications to have on hand.

Q. Are there any common medications that I should avoid giving my children?
A. First is Laxatives - not to be used in children unless directed by a physician. Likewise, anti-diarrhea medicines - ask a doctor first. Lastly, syrup of Ipecac - once universally recommended for accidental poisonings, now avoid and call Poison Control instead.

Dr. DeGraw is one of the pediatricians at St. John Children's Center and medical director of Pediatric Subspecialty Services at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. More information is available at www.stjohn.org/StJohnHospital/Specialties/Pediatrics/. Call Health Connect at 866-501-DOCS to find a family doctor in your area.

In addition to general pediatrics, the St. John Children's Center has specialists in the areas of infectious disease, endocrinology, cardiology, pediatric surgery, gastroenterology, neurology, nephrology, behavioral medicine, and pediatric hematology/oncology.

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Maximizing Your Child's Language Development

By Lisa Domas

The best way to prepare your child for school is to provide him with as many language experiences as possible. A child's ultimate resource for learning to read and write is his spoken language (Marie M. Clay, developer of Reading Recovery). There are many activities that parents can do to develop their child's language skills. For example:

• Talk and listen to your child. Have a conversation about his day. He should be doing most of the talking.
• Talk about everything you experience with your child in detail. Talk about where you are and what you see when you go to the grocery store, church, restaurants, museums, and family vacations. (Do not forget to talk about what you see and places you are passing whenever you are driving in the car.) Have your child retell the events of the day.
• Encourage your child to talk to adults. Have him order food at restaurants, greet people who he comes in contact with at home and while visiting others, and acknowledge people appropriately when he is out in public.
• Expect your child to speak in complete sentences. Do not accept one-word answers.
• Be specific when you speak and expect the same from your child. Do not talk in non-specific terms. Avoid words like stuff, thing, things, that one, one place, over there. Do not let your child speak in non-specific terms either.
• Play language games. Play category games, describing games, and/or board games.
• Read to your child every day. Show enthusiasm for books. Discuss the pictures, plot, and meaning of the books. Relate the books to personal experiences. Ask questions and have your child ask you questions about the books.
• Limit "screen time." Research shows that there is a relationship between increased amounts of "screen time" (time spent on the computer, watching TV, and playing video games) and lower academic achievement scores.
• Give your child a variety of hands-on experiences that encourage imagination. Have your child play in the sand/dirt, build with old boxes, cook, explore, and play make-believe.
• Establish a consistent home routine. Be consistent with family dinners, family prayer, reading time, and bedtime.

The above activities will help build the necessary neural connections for the preschool years. These connections are vital for the foundation of a confident and academically successful child.

Lisa Domas is a speech-language pathologist at Barnes Early Childhood Center and can be reached at 313.432.5537. She graduated with a Master's degree in speech-language pathology in 2006 from Wayne State University and has held a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association since 2007. Currently, Lisa assesses and plans therapy programs for the 24- to 36-month-old toddlers in need of speech and language intervention in Grosse Pointe. She also works with parents, empowering them to be their child's number one therapist. Three afternoons a week, she works in a classroom with preschoolers who have varying degrees of language needs. Her passion is giving very young children with delays in speech and language development the best possible start for their elementary school years.

SAVE THE DATE:
Making a Successful Transition into Kindergarten
A special follow up to The Family Center's past fall "Kindergarten: Get Ready!!" presentation.
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7pm
Barnes Early Childhood Center
20090 Morningside Dr., Grosse Pointe Woods
$5/person
RSVP by Jan. 26 @ 313.432.3832 or info@familycenterweb.org

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

$urviving the Holiday$

by Health Alliance Plan (HAP)

Q: "Our family budget is really tight this year. Do you have any suggestions for stretching the family budget to get through the holiday season?"

A: Don't ruin the promise of a new year by overspending this holiday season. The holidays bring people together and create an opportunity to slow down and enjoy time with loved ones. You can still create meaningful family-centered holiday memories without spending a bundle. Here are some great tips for you to consider.

Greeting Card$

If you're creative, consider recycling holiday cards, refine your mailing list, try e-mail greetings and photos - or forego cards altogether.

Holiday Partie$

• Reduce the stress of entertaining by planning a potluck dinner. For each guest, assign a type of dish, such as a side dish, appetizer, main dish, and specify how many people the dish should serve.
• Invite just your closest friends over for a holiday get-together; try a simple wine and cheese theme, everyone brings a bottle to sample.
• Don't feel obligated to attend every party. Be selective.
• Borrow or limit your decorations; look for coupons and discounts.
• Help your children create a holiday play, puppet show or concert and perform for a holiday gathering.
• Take a group of friends and family caroling at a senior center.
• During Kwanzaa, many families visit nursing homes and senior centers to honor elders. Consider bringing little gifts, like cards, bookmarks or socks with Kwanzaa-colored trim.

Gift$

• Prepare gift boxes for the homeless - food, treats and toiletries. This can be done with a few families, a havurah from your synagogue or church group.
• Trim your gift list and exchange an ornament or other small gift.
• Create fruit baskets or freezable homemade soups as holiday gifts.
• For clutter-free giving, choose a favorite charity to which friends and family members make or donate gifts.
• Decide how much you want to spend and then stick with it. If lavish holiday store displays tempt you to spend more, shop online.

A Time for Familie$

• Create family heirlooms - such as a cookbook - by scanning elders' recipes in their own handwriting. Produce a legacy video of your loved ones, with pictures, video and their personal life story.
• After the first big snowfall, take the family sledding. Have a pot of warm soup ready for when you get home.
• Record interviews with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Have them relate your family's history, and make copies for everyone on your family gift list.

Plan Ahead for 2010

In January start a holiday savings account so you will have holiday funds.
Create a master calendar and include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas. Create goals and a budget for each season.

For healthy recipes that won't break the bank or your waistline, visit the Health Alliance Plan Web site, http://www.hap.org/worksite/newsrecipes.php. HAP also offers links to sites with more healthy recipes: http://www.hap.org/healthy_living/womens/healthy_recipe_sites.php. This "Ask the Expert" column is courtesy of Health Alliance Plan, www.hap.org, in partnership with The Family Center.

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.

Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236