January Get-Together

We had a tremendous turnout for our meeting with speaker K. She covered four main points in reading development, noting the first two are especially important in learning reading comprehension and the second two in learning to read and write.

1. Oral language, reading to children daily and finding meaning through talking.
2. Concepts about print, helping children learn to see words in context (for example, a stop sign), in the world of print that surrounds them.
3. Phonologic awareness, exposing children to the sounds of a language through conversation, singing, listening, and reading.
4. Alphabetic knowledge, connecting the spoken and written words, identifying the sounds of the letters, and beginning writing skills.

The topic of kindergarten readiness and assessment created a highly interactive and meaningful discussion with the group. Parents are deeply concerned about preparing their children for school and finding a school program that best fits their children's developmental needs. Thank you to Kathi Baxter and everyone who participated in this discussion and we look forward to extending some of the topics at our February roundtable on local schools.

September Member-Get-Together

Lisa focused the workshop on limit setting as one method of discipline. Limit setting is the single most important positive thing we can do for our children by confining choices that later opens up future possibilities for them. Setting limits vary depending upon the family, child, and age appropriateness.

Lisa emphasized three steps in helping our children:

1. State or define the behavior that you do or do not want,
2. Provide the child with choices,
3. Set up consequences if stated behavior continues or fails to occur.

When setting limits:

• Be consistent,
• Follow through,
• Realize children need repetition,
• Stay calm, and
• Be simple.

• Providing children choices,
• "You can" giving them a chance to respond,
• Validating feelings first,
• Remembering the child's age, and
• Giving yourself a break.

August Weekday Outing

August Member-Get-Together

General discipline:

• Try putting Mommy in a time out; if safe and practical to do so (removes your attention)
• Try putting the object of desire, or what they were playing with when the behavior occurred in a time out (again, takes attention away from child).
• Rather than using 1, 2, 3 counting and then taking away something one innovative Mom gives her daughter a magnet (in the shape of a whale cut into 5 pieces) each morning and takes away 1 piece whenever she needs to discipline her. If her daughter loses all 5 pieces she needs to call a relative and explain why her whale is gone. If she has pieces left at the end of the day she gets a reward of extra hugs/kisses. Mom reports that giving something for nothing is the key here and that her daughter rarely loses all 5 pieces
• Consider hunger or tiredness as a reason for negative behavior. I once read (can't recall where) that 80% of negative behavior is due to hunger/low blood sugar. Offer children healthy snacks often (but remember to let them choose what and how much to eat and I don't recommend using food, giving or taking it away, as a reward of punishment)
• Choose your battles (let the small stuff go) and let children experience the reasonable consequences of their actions (examples: if they don't want to put on a coat/shoes they may get cold, or if you stop reminding about homework/backpacks they may forget it.)
• Biting:
• Rather than responding to the "biter", give all attention to the victim. Go as far as turning your back on the "biter" and taking the victim in the other room for a special activity with you
• Handle biting the same way you handle any aggressive act such as hitting, pushing, etc. This may help decrease parents over reaction to biting.
• Have the "biter" put a bandaid on the bite site of the victim and have them offer care, and sympathy so they understand that it hurts.
• Separation Anxiety:
  • Always let the child know you are leaving and that you will be back
  • Upon returning remind your child that you came back (kept your word)
  • If possible show the child where you will be (suggested at in gym daycare areas)
  • Leave something with the child, such as car keys (also suggested when you will be in the same facility but out of site such as the gym)
  • Set a timer, or give the child a watch with a timer that will beep when you are going to return
  • Let children express their feelings (fear of separation) without trying to make it right or give advice..listen!
• Book List:
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
• Without Spanking or Spoiling: A Practical Approach to Toddler and Preschool Guidance by Elizabeth Crary
• Kids are Worth It!: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline by Barbara Coloroso
• Parenting With Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D.
• 10 Most Common Mistakes Good Parents Make and How to Avoid Them by Kevin Steede, Ph.D.
• Girlfriends Guide to Toddlers by Vicky Iovine

July Weekday Outing

Outing Idea

June Weekday Outing

June Member Get-Together: Bowling

May Weekday Outing

As a side note: Some CMC moms have expressed an interest in forming a hiking group/club. If you are interested, submit your name to the newsletter and it will be placed under the new "Club Corner" section, where other interested moms can connect with you.

May Member Get-Together

April's New (and not so New) Member Tea

April Weekday Outing

Thanks to John Draper, Assistant Harbormaster at Pillar Point Harbor in El Granada, a group of a dozen moms and kids enjoyed a fun and informative tour of the Harbor. The tour started auspiciously with a friendly greeting from a seal as we proceeded on board the official Harbor Patrol boat. There, we learned about the duties of the Harbor Patrol and, of course, tooted the horn a few times. We had a fun (and slimy) hands-on learning experience with some local sea creatures and then headed down the pier to learn about the local fishing trade. The tour concluded with a look at some live crabs in the fish markets. Three cheers for John Draper for taking time out of his day for CMC!

April Guest Speaker: Carla Hilliard & the YMCA

In April our guest speaker, Carla Hilliard Youth and Family Director for Penninsula YMCA Coastside, was dynamic and informative. Her presentation was filled with information regarding current programs offered to our coastside kids, as well as, future developments. Presently, YMCA Coastside offers an after-school homework program with a future goal of one on one tutoring. Also, Friday Night Live, a national program for youth, is currently active. This program teaches youth conflict-resolution, team building, leadership and organizational skills. Many of the members were kids who previously acted out through negative actions and now, due to this program, are channeling their energy towards social service and entrepenurism. Future plans to expand the program to all school-aged children is in the works. In May/June the Computer Club House will be up and running. This program, sponsered by Intel, allows coastside kids to expand their creativity through computer technology. Finally, the YMCA Coastside offers summer and school-holiday camps. The camps are offered at Moonridge Housing Complex and El Granada Elementary School. Moreover, one-on-one mentoring programs are offered to coastside kids who need an adult companion as a support system.

Carla was candid with the attending CMC members when she told us the biggest issue holding her back from implementing future programs was lack of staff and money. The YMCA Coastside is grant run and is in constant need of volunteers. We learned by offering a minimal amount of time one could make a huge impact on our coastside children. As Carla stated, "The YMCA Coastside is a work in progress". If you are interested in finding out more about the YMCA Coastside programs, volunteering, or would like to give a monetary donation, please contact Carla Hilliard 560-0099.

Playgroup Activity Ideas

Tired of the weekly house rotation? Looking for something new & exciting to do with your playgroup? Here are some ideas from one of our CMC Moms and if you have any new ideas, please let us know and we'll include them in the next newsletter. We would love to hear from you.

Last December our playgroup arranged for a tour of the new Half Moon Bay Fire Station. It was quite impressive. The Captain took time out of his busy day to give ten 2-year olds a very nice tour of the station and the fire trucks along with some fire safety tips. The tour increased our awareness of our neighborhood and how truly important and valuable they are. We felt extremely appreciative and grateful for the fire workers on the coast. We wanted to give them a big Thank you for their hard work and dedication! During our tour, we took some pictures and then we made a big poster sized thank you card with the pictures of the firemen and the kids. On the big poster we painted the kids hand prints and names. We also gave the fire crew some cookies and candy since they were very sweet to us! We truly enjoyed this outing and feel it is important to reach out to our community and teach our kids about community service.

Other adventures we've done outside the home include: 1) going to Habitot, 2) spending an afternoon at Chuck E Cheese, 3) visiting the Jungle, Bamboola, the Randall Museum, or the Coyote Point Museum. You can also 4) try bowling at SeaBowl, 5) go ice skating at Ice Chalet or 6) play in the sand at our local beaches (San Gregorio is fun!). Besides the parks here on the coast, you can try Central Park in San Mateo, Stafford Park in Redwood City, the park in Palo Alto, Discovery Bay Museum, Fairyland, Pier 39 carousel and seals, Oakland Zoo, Happy Hollow, San Francisco Zoo,and much more. During our Indian Summer hot time on the coast: we go to Lemos Farm, various Pumpkin farms, CMC parties, parks, beaches, pony rides.

March Weekday Outing

Twelve moms and 19 children enjoyed a fantastic walk along the Coastal Trail on March 14th. We couldn't have ordered better weather for a springtime outing on the Coast. Sunny and clear, we even needed to bring out the sunscreen. Moms and kids walked at varying speeds, sometimes stopping at scenic spots to look at the ocean. At other times, the two-to-three-year-olds charged ahead, running at breakneck speed, with moms and strollers trailing (not too far) behind. We started at Poplar Beach parking lot, heading north, and turned around near Half Moon Bay State Beach at Kelly Ave., where the kids had an opportunity for some fun tree climbing before we headed back to our starting point. The Wednesday playgroup moved on to Ocean View Park afterward for lunch and play. Though I have taken many walks on the Coastal Trail, this group outing was an especially fun and energetic time because of the sunshine and the opportunity to chat with one another as we walked along. Definitely an outing to consider again next spring.

March Working Moms Get Together

A gathering of the working mom's on Saturday March 10th at Café Classique discussed what the CMC can offer its working members. Our idea was to create a listing of helpers for all moms (working or not) from handymen and gardeners to daycare and nannies. So, if you have any useful names for our list, please email their name and phone number to any one of the working mom board members.

Also, please note that the working moms group is not only for moms currently employed. If you are considering going back to work or share the needs and issues of working moms, we welcome you to join in! Contact L., J.) and W.)

CMC Anniversary Party

What a great time we had at the Anniversary Party trying to figure out which famous women we were. It was a blast, thanks to all the old and new members who showed up. Another memorable evening!

Outdoor Idea: Take a Hike!

Do you need a fun, safe, scenic, childfriendly, good-for-company hike? We travel about 30 mins. south on Hwy 1 to Pebble Beach (just past the Rte 84 turnoff) and park in the circular lot. From there head south on the well marked nature trail; it's about a mile long and flat (not counting the 6-foot bridges. Watch out there are trolls under all 6 in my family). Along the way you will see seals in the tide pools, feel salt spray and hear pounding surf. For out of town company-this is a perfect walk. You will end up at another beach where you can have a picnic lunch and sometimes watch surfers in the protected cove. We often stop on the small beaches along the way back to look at the multicolored pebbles and sea glass.

Be sure to wear long pants to protect against poison oak when in season. If your children are not too tired, or if you are hungry, get back in the car and drive back north to Rte 84. Turn east and go about 3 miles to downtown Pescadero. Stop at Duarte's Tavern for Artichoke soup and/or great homemade pies and bread (you can make reservations). We do this little trip regularly with friends and relatives. There is something for everyone big or small. Happy Hiking!

Other Ideas?

We'd love to compile a list of resources as an on-going reference for moms on the coast. Please send your resources to mominfo@hmbmom.net or call Juli Jasmer at 726-7436.