This is a good time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. Strong families share many of the same qualities.

Build Trust

Strong families build trusting relations by following through with promises.

Show Commitment

Strong families feel like a team. They share traditions like having a family picnic on the Fourth of July or taking walks together after dinner. Family members show commitment to the family by making time for family events and making sacrifices for one another.

Communicate

Members of strong families talk to one another about important decisions and daily plans. They discuss feelings as well as day-to-day activities at school or work. When there are conflicts, strong families take time to cool down before responding. They don’t bottle up their anger or let it get out of hand. They talk about possible solutions to problems and work together to carry out the best solution.

Grow Through Crises

All families experience crises. Strong families use these experiences to learn and grow. They know even bad experiences can bring about good changes and help them to become closer. They admit problems instead of hiding them. They seek help when needed.

Spend Time Together

Strong families spend time together, talking, reading, playing games, taking walks, cooking. Some special times involve closeness, like reading a good-night story and tucking children into bed with a kiss.

 Have Fun as a Family

Strong families know that having fun is important and make plans to have fun together. They plan family trips or parties. Strong families know that laughter is important and use humor to help reduce stress. Family members laugh with one another, not at one another.

Show Love and Affection

No matter what children say or do, they need to know that their parents love them. Strong families show caring in many ways. Family members say to each other, “I love you” or “I’m happy we’re in this family together.” They give hugs and show affection in other small ways. They may call each other nicknames and enjoy remembering family stories.

Adapted from Single Parenting: Building Strong Families, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension-Family Development Fact Sheet, 4/02 ceinfo.unh.edu

Join other parents on a Special Journey and exploration of a parent-friendly book: "UNIQUELY HUMAN:

A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEEING AUTISM”

 by Barry M. Prizant, PhD.

The June meeting may be either June 11 or June 25 at 6:30 pm. Please check with Julie.

 This book is for parents and caregivers who have children with Autism and other challenging behaviors. The group will discuss a different perspective and approach to these behaviors. If you need assistance acquiring the book, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please register with Norma at norma@ascfamily.org

 or text her 973 5341557;

or contact Julie at Julie@ascfamily.org 

or call her at 973-728-8744.

Heading for the beach? Think about these 7 beach safety tips summarized from the article: 7 beach safety tips to keep in mind as you head to the beach this summer from Jill at Motherly



1. Sun protection is key

Children are not able to adjust to heat as well as adults can, so they’re at a greater risk for heat-related illness. The CDC recommends limiting outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) takes it a bit further and cautions against outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..

Sunscreen is important for babies and older kids, the AAP notes, so apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply every two hours. No sunscreen is truly waterproof (even though some may claim to be) so always do a reapplication on the kids after water play. Don’t forget sunscreen for you, too, mama.

2. Keep the H20 flowing

Drinking lots of water is important year round, but especially when you’re spending the day outdoors. Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy, with Doctor Spring, writes, “Always bring water to a beach trip because kids get hot faster than adults. They can easily overheat because they have certain characteristics that naturally impair their thermoregulation. They overheat about 3-5 times faster than adults, which is why it can be fatal for young kids. 3. Always have a watchful eye on little ones

Obviously keeping an eye on your child around any body of water goes without saying. For one more set of eyes, make sure to sit near the lifeguard. “Lifeguards sit on high chairs so parents should set up their spot near them. This way they can run to your child quickly if they are drowning or caught up in a wave. It’ll also be easier for them to find you if the get lost,” writes Elizabeth Hicks, co-founder of Parenting Nerd.

4. Teach kids to face the water

This beach safety tip applies specifically to toddlers. By teaching kids to stand with their back to the beach and face towards the ocean, they are less likely to get knocked over by a strong wave when it comes rolling up.

5. Choose bright colored swimwear

What color swimsuit your child wears in the water may seem like a strange safety tip, but here’s why– Alive Safety Solutions, Inc., an aquatic safety group, found that neon colors like pink, orange, green and yellow are the most visible under water up to 18 inches.

6. Bring life jackets for little ones

According to the Red Cross, water safety at the beach is a bit different than pool safety, as “even in shallow water, wave action can cause a loss of footing.” The organization recommends young children wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in and the around open water like the ocean, which can be unpredictable.

7. Watch ocean currents

Visiting the ocean and listening to waves crash in and out is immediately calming. But it’s important to watch those waves from a safety aspect, too. Rip tides appear deceptively calm, but in actuality are strong sea currents which push away from the shore when a strong storm is near, and are formed by the strong winds pushing water towards the shore.

Please read the complete article. Go to: https://www.mother.ly/toddler/toddler-products/best-water-tables/

Caring for Siblings of Kids With Disabilities

 As a parent, you want to give equal attention to all of your children. But when parenting a child with special health care needs, that can be hard. It may feel like there's never enough of your attention to go around — and your other kids might begin to feel left out.

It can help to understand what your typically developing child or teen might be thinking and feeling. By answering questions in an age-appropriate way and being open and honest, you can help ease worries, clear up any confusion, and maybe even give your other kids a chance to help out. Kids who feel understood, loved, and secure about their place in the family can thrive — and the bond between siblings can grow.

How Can I Help My School-Age Child?

Speak in age-appropriate ways. Ask kids get older, they’ll want to understand more about a sibling’s condition. Don’t be afraid to answer questions. For example, for questions about a sibling who has trouble getting around, you might give a little more info: "His legs don't work because of his cerebral palsy." The next question might be, "Will he ever walk?," to which you need to answer honestly: "I don't know if he will, but we're going to try to help him do that. That's why he has therapy."

Make memories together. Your child might be sad or worried about their sibling's health. But playing together and enjoying each other's company can help. Encourage your child to read books to their sibling, build block towers together, and do craft activities with fingerpaint or clay.

Role play explaining to others. Kids this age start having to explain their sibling's condition to their peers. Some friends might ask rude questions or even engage in bullying behavior such as name-calling, which can leave your child feeling embarrassed, angry, or guilty. Help your child practice things to say. For example, if someone asks, "What's wrong with your sister?" your child can simply say: "She has cerebral palsy." Or if a classmate uses an unkind term to describe the sibling with a disability, let your other kids know that as hard as it is, they must not act out in anger. Instead, help them explain the situation: "It's harder for my sister to learn new things than it is for you or me, but that doesn't make it OK to say mean things about her."

Handle sibling rivalry. Sibling rivalry also builds at this age, so don't be surprised if kids act jealous of their brother or sister. After all, they see their sibling getting extra attention or being excused from chores. Say that this is the way it has to be. Remind your child that they have other opportunities that their sibling does not. Fair does not always mean equal.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/siblings-special-needs.html?ref=search

en español: Cuidar de los hermanos de niños con discapacidades

Next month Part 2 will discuss how to help your preschooler and teens

Are you new to the world of Special Education or would like a refresher? Then these 3 SPAN workshops are for you. You can register for one or all.

#1 Basic Rights in Special Education

Wed, Jun 7, 2023 12:00 PM

This is an introduction to rights and responsibilities as parents of children with disabilities. 

#2 Key Components of the IEP

Wed, Jun 14, 2023 12:00 PM

Review the essential components of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

#3 From Measurable Goals to Making Progress

Learn strategies to create IEPs with measurable annual goals as well as the required information regarding student progress.

Wed, Jun 21, 2023 12:00

For more Information contact Tammi Kaminski @ tkaminski@spanadvocacy.org

To register go to :

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/span-parent-advocacy-network-313399547