Haircuts

How does your child do with haircuts? Some of our kids are really bothered by the idea of having someone around their heads with scissors...AND cutting pieces of their hair off!

We found that for early childhood haircuts, we traveled to Cookie Cutters where our daughters could watch videos while getting their hair cut. That seemed to settle them down as they focused on their favorite Sesame Street show.

We also found that if we got a doll and had our daughters practice washing, drying and yes, cutting the doll hair...it helped them practice the skills that would be practiced on them.

We also practiced with the hairdryer on a lower setting and sometimes (early on) had to just let the hair "air dry" without the aid of a noisy dryer.

If haircuts are a huge deal, practice just having your child walk in to the salon. Next trip they sit in a chair...next trip have the stylist drape the cover on them as they sit in the chair...you get the idea...baby steps with huge praise for each one mastered. Keep in mind it takes our kids longer to become accustomed to things....but THEY CAN DO IT!

I love this quote from Dolly Parton: "I'm not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know I'm not blonde." :) Have a wonderful day!

IEP -- Three Little Words NOT to Fear!

Well, I don't know about you, but I sure start to worry and fret and put on my anxious face when this time of year rolls around :)


And I really shouldn't! Keep in mind 85% of what you worry about doesn't ever occur. Rationally I realize this, but emotionally, I know that other 15% is going to kick me to the curb!

One of the best things I can do to "climb off the ledge" is to make a request to see the proposed IEP prior to our meeting with the resource team. Yep, you can do that!

How much better will you feel going into the IEP meeting when you have had a chance to read the new proposed updates AND have some time to absorb it ... which takes that scary 15% of the unknown out of the worry equation.

You will be able to gather your thoughts and get your questions organized and be ready to start a dialogue with the other members of your child's team. Your child's team should be able to provide the new IEP to you...and the IEP meeting can always be rescheduled so your team has time to prepare the IEP and forward it to you.

To quote George Carlin, "I don't have a fear of heights. I have a fear of falling from heights." Now before I climb down off this ledge, I am going to take a minute and enjoy the view :)

St. Patrick's Day!

Just a quick post today....knowing St. Patrick's Day is coming up on Saturday. When my girls were in elementary school, sometimes during lunch when they would be in the cafeteria, a leprechaun would have visited their room and left little presents for them.

For most kids this would be tremendous fun....for some of our kiddos, it was scary to think that a little man wearing green was wandering around and messing with their desk. Teachers, please keep in mind that while this is a delightful little surprise you do for the class, some kiddos might need a little more explanation.

As our girls got older we had to explain that it was okay if you forgot to wear something green on St. Patrick's Day....and no one had the right to "pinch" you if you didn't. Likewise, you were NOT to pinch someone who was not wearing green.

THEN as they got even older, we had to explain that "Erin Go Braugh" did NOT mean for someone named Erin to remove her bra, but rather it meant roughly "Ireland Forever".

Now, go put on something green, leave your bra on and enjoy your child! Oh, and "Erin Go Braugh"! :)

Chat Packs for KIDS!

We don't want the younger kiddos to feel that they are left out! Also these could be used during social groups, lunch bunches. Not to mention teachers can use them for classroom activities...woo hoo!

Here are some examples:

How do you imagine that you will look physically when you are 21?

If you had to choose between exploring outer space or the bottom of the deepest ocean, which one would you chose?

If you got a parrot for a pet, what phrase above all others would you be sure to teach the beaked blabbermouth to say?

If you could've been born on any holiday, which holiday would you choose?

We have used these on car trips and also taken them with us when we go out to eat...sometimes it IS possible to replace the cell phones/electronic games and actually interact while you are waiting on your food :) Remember to enjoy your child!