RockIt Times AmuseLetter
Celebrate
Thanksgiving!
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Quote Of The Month Who does not thank for little
will not thank for much. Editorial Hello and welcome to another issue of the RockIt Times! Hard to believe that it is already November. It is equally hard to believe that I started seeing Christmas up in the stores close to a month ago. One of the great things about working with KidRock is I am off for the holidays. As a former Estee Lauder exec, this is a new and amazingly wonderful thing for me! No more jumping on a train to rush down to Urbana to meet up with my husband and children on Christmas Eve! But even with the extra free time, I still find it hard to get everything done that needs to be done. The decorations are never up as soon as I'd like or to the volume that I would want; enough cookies are never baked; cards are never sent out and, if they are, never on a timely basis. The holiday gift shopping never starts before December, and is normally a bit chaotic. So what's my point here? With all the hustle and bustle, we can forget to be thankful. And, most importantly, we can forget to take time to truly enjoy the things we are thankful for--especially our children. They are subjected to the hours of Christmas shopping, strange houses, and additional BIG people milling around them that they don't really know, but whom we call Uncle Charlie or Aunt Jane or Cousin Oscar. Hey, at 4, a year ago was a 1/4 of their life! Is it any wonder they have a tendency to act a bit out of the usual and perhaps with less manners? (Be sure to read the manners article in this issue...you'll love it!) No matter how busy your life finds you, take time every day to tell your children that you are truly thankful for them. It means more to them than you know and can have some truly profound effects! I started a new strategy in my home. Whenever my children are driving me up a wall, I start my reprimand with, "I'm really thankful that you are my kid, but we would both be a lot happier if you would....". I know that seems silly, but it's had a great effect. First and foremost, starting it off by saying something nice defuses my anger, calms down my tone a bit, and makes me focus on their actual behavior and not say something that might be insulting them as a person. On the other hand, it reminds my children that I love them, and that they love me, and makes them want to make me happier, as opposed to just making them mad at me and not wanting to do a thing I say because of it. Something you might want to try your own variation of at home with your own child. We've got some really fun things in our Thanksgiving issue for you and I hope you enjoy it! The holidays are much more fun for everyone when you find ways to include you children in the planning of the festivities. And you'll be pleasantly surprised how much neater an eater a child becomes when their spills go onto something they created themselves! Best wishes for a great and smile filled Thanksgiving! And don't forget to stop and smell the pumpkin pie! Mari Reading Rocks! Recommendations
Kid Rock "Party In The Spotlight" The Wiggles They may be Australian, they may not celebrate the same Thanksgiving as we do, but we sure are thankful to have them! Yes, the Wiggles can bring fun to any occasion and are a great addition to your Thanksgiving and fall celebrations! Songs may include:
Wiggle to keep warm, wiggle off that huge Thanksgiving dinner, or wiggle just for fun! Reserve your party date today! Email to parties@rockitkids.com or call us at 847-961-6584. Craft Of The Month
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your house this year? Let your preschooler get in on the fun of preparation by helping them create Place Mat souvenirs! Use them for your dinner and then let your guests take them home as a special memento of the holiday! Materials:
Directions:
Having a party? Don't forget to invite Kid Rock! If you are in our neighborhood, we happily provide stress-free, interactive children's party entertainment for any function. Or, make it a Kid Rock day no matter where you live, with our perfectly assembled gift bags and party favors! Visit the official Kid Rock website at http://www.rockitkids.com/ Snack Of The Month 
Thankful Face Waffles Ingredients:
Directions:
Music Rocks! Recommendations
Motor Activity Of The Month Falling Leaves Red and yellow, green and brown.
(Count off colors on fingers) Special Guest Article Mind Your Turkey Day Ps and Qs: Encouraging Manners in Your
Preschooler It's Thanksgiving Day! Your turkey is in the oven, and your guests will be arriving soon. You're just a little nervous about what impression your child will leave on your guests. Will she say please and thank you? Will napkins be used rather than shirtsleeves? Will you be put in an embarrassing situation – in many embarrassing situations? Maybe you should warn your child? Talking to her is great, but at this point it just might be too late – too late for your dinner, but not too late for life. Defining
Manners "Uh ... ask my mommy. She will tell you," says 3-year-old Laurie. "Manners … means ... the magic words," says 4-year-old Alexandra. "My mom always says 'What's the magic word?'" "… is not to burp when I eat," says 5-year-old Emilien. Even as children are going from the preschool stage into the school-age stage, it's not an overnight discovery to know and understand what manners are. The definition of manners is to act in a sociable and acceptable way. It's not just about saying "please" and "thank you." It's a whole way of conduct. You can't expect your child to know and behave in a proper manner at all times. Otherwise our children would be perfect! Choose What's
Important "In the worst scenarios, when parents don't agree on certain aspects, children can deal with different expectations from each parent," says Dr. Maurice Elias, co-author of Emotionally Intelligent Parenting. "The children will play off each parent just like they do if the parents don't agree on other subjects. They'll be able to understand that with Mom it's one way, and with Dad it's another." Don't be afraid to discuss these behaviors and the guidelines that you expect your child to follow. It doesn't mean that your child will purposely misbehave if you have discussed certain examples beforehand. Your child might test you to see what you'll do. If you are consistent with your demands and consequences, your child will quickly understand what you will and won't tolerate. "Parents should parent by choice rather than by chance," says Dr. Elias. "They have to talk to their children about what's not going right and about what's expected from them. Just like with any other rule established within the household, not following manners means no compliance. Therefore you should treat it like any other broken rule by your disciplining system already established in the house." Talk With Your Child Another great example is to make use of the television. Use your child's TV time to analyze what he sees. Use the situations to get your child to think about how it could have been done differently. Whose feelings were hurt? Why? How can we mend these situations? How can we prevent them? Is this acceptable? "Unfortunately, manners, just like tolerance, have changed on television, and it has influenced our children to be more disrespectful and less tolerant," says Dr. Elias. "Many people believe that because it's on TV, it's acceptable. Develop your child's conscience by asking questions, and this will develop their sense of empathy." Set a Good Example "Remember that your child is in a teaching situation," says Dr. Elias. "Don't get highly angry at your child when your child acted in a way that he/she may have known better. Let your child develop and master this new skill. Rather than getting upset, be patient and show your child new ways to act when a similar situation happens." Having manners is just as important within a household or a society. Set rules for what's important and how you and your spouse want your child to act, and don't forget to tell your child. Discuss various situations to get your child to think about others and to find good answers from within. Model and be the best example for your child. Be patient and help your child understand manners rather than dictate a bunch of rules they have to memorize without understanding them. And next year, you won't have to worry about your Thanksgiving Day dinner! About the Author:
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