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Sharing Circle

Enjoy family fall bike rides -- safely

9/28/2017

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On the doorstep of October, the weather has been so warm that kids have been able to continue to enjoy outdoor play. And among those outdoor activities undoubtedly is bike riding with the family.
Once children lose those training wheels, they think they are ready to tackle the world -- or at least the neighborhood sidewalks or bike trails. But be sure they have the gear to keep them safe before they start pedaling.
Here is the list of Bike Safety for Big Kids, as presented by Safe Kids Worldwide, in their words. They’re the experts and can say it better than we can:
Helmets
  1. We have a simple saying: "Use your head, wear a helmet." It is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes.
  2. Make sure your child has the right size helmet and wears it every time when riding, skating or scooting. Here are instructions on how to properly fit your child's helmet.
  3. You'd be surprised how much kids learn from watching you, so it's extra important for parents to model proper behavior. Wear a helmet, even if you didn't when you were a kid.
  4. Your children's helmet should meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's standards. When it's time to purchase a new helmet, let your children pick out their own; they'll be more likely to wear it for every ride.
Bikes
  1. Ensure proper bike fit by bringing the child along when shopping for a bike. Select one that is the right size for the child, not one he or she will grow into.
  2. Actively supervise children until you're comfortable that they are responsible to ride on their own.
  3. Every child is different, but developmentally, it can be hard for kids to judge speed and distance of cars until age 10, so limit riding to sidewalks (although be careful for vehicles in driveways), parks or bike paths until age 10. No matter where you ride, teach your child to stay alert and watch for cars and trucks.
  4. Long or loose clothing can get caught in bike chains or wheel spokes. Dress young kids appropriately to ensure a safe ride.
  5. Before the ride, make sure the reflectors are secure, brakes work properly, gears shift smoothly, and tires are tightly secured and properly inflated.
  6. Teach your kids to make eye contact with drivers. Bikers should make sure drivers are paying attention and are going to stop before they cross the street.
  7. Tell your kids to ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against it. Stay as far to the right as possible. Use appropriate hand signals and respect traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stoplights.
  8. When riding at dusk, at dawn or in the evening, be bright and use lights – and make sure your bike has reflectors as well. It's also smart to wear clothes and accessories that have retro-reflective materials to improve biker visibility to motorists.
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Tackling the tough topics with your kids

9/26/2017

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Sixteen years ago this month, we in New York's Capital Region and the rest of the world watched in horror as terrorists attacked the United States. Unfortunately, terrorist attacks continue around the world today, and our children are exposed to those images, even as much as we try to shield them.
 
At some point, we all need to talk to our children about terrorism – even from our safe homes in Troy or Albany or Clifton Park. Here are some tips on how to discuss the topic of terrorism, or other uncomfortable topics in the news, with your children, inspired by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
  
  • Listen. If your child wants to talk, listen. Hear what she's concerned about, watch her body language, show her you understand and facilitate the conversation. You might start with questions such as “What would you like to know about terrorism?” to get the discussion started. If she doesn't want to talk, don't make her. Let her know you'll be ready to talk when she is.
  • Be prepared. Be ready for your child to ask questions about death and to answer in an age-appropriate and honest manner. You are the best one to know what kind of message your child can handle.
  • Reassure your child that he's safe. Stay calm and let him know everything that the community and first responders do to keep their friends and loved ones out of harm's way.
  • Respond with the facts. Our school-age children pick up a lot of information from overhearing family conversations, talking to friends and even from listening to the radio in the car with you. Kids don't get the full picture when they hear news that way, and that can lead to fears. Answer their questions with the facts. And if you don't know, and your children are old enough, you and your kids can do the research together to find out what they want to know.
  • Monitor television and internet consumption if there is a terrorist attack. Television and online news, as well as social media, will carry detailed reports of the the attacks that might not be suitable for children. Be a watchdog and know what your children are viewing.
  • Let your kids know that good happens in the aftermath of an attack. There are dozens – hundreds – of stories of acts of compassion and heroism that occur after an act of terrorism. Share with them how the good comes out, such as the stories of the people of Nova Scotia who took in travelers whose planes were forced to land in their community on 9/11. Work with your child to find a way to help, such as opening a lemonade stand to make money for people affected by terrorism. Let them know they can make a difference.
 
For more information, visit the memorial's website. And if your children have any concerns you'd like to discuss with us, see your TSL Adventures center director.
 

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Fall fun, family fun

9/22/2017

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OK, so Mother Nature isn’t exactly cooperating on the first day of fall.

Instead of cooler temperatures and a brisk breeze, the forecast calls for summer-like temperatures for the next week. Still, every week in this space we’re going to bring you Friday Fun -- tips of great things to do with your kids.
Let’s get started!

  1. Make sure you stop by some local seasonal spots for a hamburger or some ice cream before they close. (This would be a good weekend for that!) From Country Drive-In in Clifton Park to Jumpin’ Jacks Drive-In in Scotia to Jack’s Drive In in Wynantskill, the choices abound.
  2. Take in a high school football game. It’s never too early to become a fan of the local high school.
  3. Toast pumpkin seeds. Here’s how!
  4. Bake something delicious to share with a neighbor who would love your apple pie or pumpkin bread -- and a visit from you and your little ones.
  5. Of course, carve pumpkins with the kids. Did you know you aren’t supposed to cut the top off your pumpkin when making a jack-o’-lantern, but cut off the bottom instead?
  6. Take a family outing to a corn maze. Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa, Schuyler Farms in Schuylerville and Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke are among the choices in our area. Check out this list!
  7. Go for a fall foliage drive. Or better yet, a fall foliage walk. Explore the beautiful colors right in your neighborhood. Put the baby in the stroller, the dog on a leash and get some exercise while taking in the scenery.
  8. Apple picking. Need we say more? Sites abound in our area.
  9. Plant bulbs in your garden for next spring. Let the kids help and develop that green thumb early.
  10. And next weekend, when the forecast calls for more fall-like temperatures, open the windows and let autumn in,

Here at TSL, we have a fall full of adventures planned. Just wait!

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Go team! A look at youth sports

9/21/2017

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As parents, we always want to expose our children to experiences that will benefit them in both the short and long term.

We take them to the libraries or places like the Museum of Innovation and Science in Schenectady or the Via Aquarium in Rotterdam or the
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar to learn and see new things.

But how about the experience of youth sports? The fields of the Capital Region, from Bethlehem to Ballston Spa, are filled with youngsters playing football, soccer, field hockey and fall baseball these days.

Is that right for your child?

The perils of youth sports are in the news these days with all the talk of concussions in football. Still, youth sports can be a huge positive for both boys and girls as they grow up.

Some of the benefits:

  • Learning to be part of a team at an early age. Life is about teamwork, and there’s no better way to learn at a young age about the need to work together as teammates, say, on the soccer field.
  • Having a chance to make new friends outside the classroom. Sharing an interest in the sport is a good start to forming friendships. That social development at a young age is paramount to a child’s future success.
  • Learning perseverance. Even the best hitters in baseball make an out two out of every three times they bat. Sports show kids that they won’t succeed every time.
  • Meeting children from different backgrounds. Teams draw kids from beyond a school’s boundaries. At a young age, children will get to know others from different cultures and backgrounds -- an important experience to have as they grow up.
  • Living with loss. Teams lose and win. Learning to cope with loss and win graciously are important skills to learn early.
  • Handling pressure. As children age and move up the ranks, they learn how to handle situations under pressure, such as trying out for a high school team.
  • Gaining a lifetime of memories. Participation in youth sports can provide positive memories and experiences. Many adults say their best friends are those whom they met in youth sports.

​Yes, there are negatives. Frequently, they are created when parents and coaches put too much pressure on children to succeed. By tempering your expectations, and watching how the team is structured, your child will be able to have fun. She might find out that softball isn’t for her, and that’s OK. She had the chance to play and be a part of a team. That experience is priceless and will only help her down the road as she goes on to her next event and adventure.


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Will a pet fit into your family?

9/20/2017

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Dog. Man’s best friend.

But a dog, or a cat, or any number of pets can be the best friend of a little boy or a little girl, too.

Your child might be clamoring for a pet. And the idea is growing on you, as you envision all the fun your family can have watching a pup prance around your backyard or at one of many fabulous dog parks in the Albany area, such as the Normanskill Farm Dog Park or the Town of Bethlehem Dog Park.

But how do you know if your family -- and you -- are ready for the responsibility of a pet? Here are some questions to ponder, and research, before you take the plunge into pet parenthood, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association:
  • Will your current pet, if you have one, accept the addition of a new pet in the family? 
  • What qualities are you seeking in a pet? A cuddly lap kitty? An energetic dog who wants to run alongside you as you jog?
  • Does your landlord allow pets? Are your home and yard large enough to accommodate a big dog, if that’s the breed you choose?
  • Do you have enough time and attention to devote to your pet? And are you willing to live with the pet for a number of years? Some birds, for instance, live long, long lives.
  • Can you afford to care for your pet? That includes food, housing, grooming, veterinary care and more.
  • Do your work and personal schedules allow you enough time to care for your pet? If you work long hours, you might not have the time to devote to pets who need frequent exercise or feeding.
  • If, for some reason, you can no longer care for the pet, is there someone who could?
  • Do you envision any life changes, such as a new baby, that might impact your ability to care for the pet?​​

​If, after considering these questions, you decide pet ownership is right for your family, check out the American Veterinary Medical Association website for tips on selecting the perfect pet. The time investment you make in researching the pet that fits your lifestyle and will mesh with your family will pay off.

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Tips for the perfect school picture

9/19/2017

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That annual rite of every school year is just around the corner for elementary school students: school picture day.

School pictures are wonderful mementoes of childhood and make great holiday gifts for grandparents. So why do the words “school picture day” cause moms so much stress? Because we want the perfect picture.

In reality, the perfect picture is the one that perfectly captures our kids at that stage of life. A cowlick that just won’t lay down? Adorable. Missing front teeth? Even more adorable!
​

Follow these tips, gleaned from the pros, to get your little one as ready as possible for those annual pictures. Then, let the photographers who work in the schools throughout Troy, Albany, Guilderland, Clifton Park -- and the whole Capital Region -- do what they do best.
  • Start with the basics. Teeth brushed? No messy face from breakfast? Then move on to the clothes. Help your child pick out a shirt, blouse or dress in a color that looks great. You want your child to be the star of the photo, so avoid clothes with logos, words, or a large print or pattern. Be sure to check the picture day flyer to look at sample poses. If the photographer takes a picture of the whole body, then you’ll need to plan for pants, skirts and shoes, too.  
  • If your child wears glasses, tell her she can wear them. After all, this is what she looks like at this stage of her life. Most photographers can reduce the glare, and if they can’t, they will advise your child to remove them.
  • Style your child’s hair the way he typically wears it. If the first-day-of-school haircut doesn’t look fresh anymore, take him for a haircut a week or two ahead of picture day.
  • Tell the kids to be natural. Don’t practice the smile, don’t work on a pose. The photographers are pros when it comes to turning a frown into a smile.


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Is your family prepared for an emergency?

9/18/2017

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Our TSL Adventures family, like the rest of the nation, has watched in sadness as families in Texas and Florida struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Our thoughts continue to be with them.

And while the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area doesn’t face the same threat of hurricanes as the Gulf Coast or the same threat of earthquakes as the Pacific Coast, we aren’t immune to emergency situations. Remember the ice storm of December 2008, which left 300,000 utility customers in the Capital Region without power?

Because of incidents like that one, every household should have an emergency kit. And what better time to assemble it than now, when the sun is still shining, before the temperatures drop and without the distractions of the holidays that are just around the corner. Take a few hours to put together your kit. You have many of the necessities in your home already. Get the kids to help!

Here’s what the Department of Homeland Security suggests you include in your kit. Remember to place your items in airtight plastic bags -- those vacuum-sealed large travel bags work great -- and store them in containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag that are easy for you to carry.
​

The basics

  • Water. One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • ​Food. At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local maps
Beyond the basics
Add the following items, based on your needs.
  • Prescription medications
  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
  • Extra glasses and contact lenses solution. (When you get new glasses to update your look, don’t get rid of the old ones. Put them in your kit!)
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Cash or traveler's checks
  • Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. At the very least, make sure you scan them and save them electronically by emailing them to yourself.
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes. (Clothes that are still wearable but maybe you’ve grown tired of are perfect for this use.)
  • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Remember to update your kit, as needed, and to remove and replace expired items.
Storing your kit
Since you don’t know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for your home, work and vehicles.

  • Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
  • Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
  • Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

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