Parenting Tips from Craig Peterman
owner of Craig's Piggly Wiggly in Algoma

#l:

Your kids have enough friends…Be a parent. 

Talk to your kids early and often about drugs and alcohol.  That’s your role as a parent. Far too often, parents avoid the difficult conversations because they want to be friends with their kids.  Trust me.  Your kids have enough friends.  What they need are parents who parent…and that means talking about drugs and alcohol.  Nobody else will…

Let your kids know you love them…Let them know you will always ask about where they go, with whom they associate and what they’re doing.  And a very important responsibility of parents is to take the old advice, “Trust but verify.”  Check up on your kids and let them know you’re a parent who cares.

When was the last time you let your kids know YOU are the parent and that’s more important than being their friend?
 

#2.

Spending time with your kids creates the memories that last an entire lifetime.

Inexpensive family entertainment is as close at the Algoma High School football field.

You can support high school athletics and at the same time do something with your kids that won’t cost an arm and a leg.  No matter where you live, there’s a high school athletic program near you.  Plan now on attending a volleyball game, a football game or soccer game as a family.  You can then talk with your kids about the lessons learned from competitive sports.  And your kids will remember the family time together.

When was the last time you sat in the bleachers with your family?
 

#3

 There’s a little bit of artist in every kid.

One place right here in Algoma where you can teach your kids an appreciation for the arts is the Flying Pig.  It’s a unique resource we’re proud to have in Algoma.  Load up the kids and show them what local artists do with their creative genius.  Spend half an hour at one of northeastern Wisconsin’s unique galleries of art and crafts.  Then talk with your kids about what they can learn from seeing the work of an artist.

Have YOU visited The Flying Pig?

#4

A dog house, a bird house or a doll house can create a great experience with your son or daughter.

Plan a project with your family.  Building a dog house, bird house or doll house can involve your kids, create some positive memories and have some family fun.

Joe Evers at Lakeview Lumber right here in Algoma can help with the material and free advice.  He’s famous for kitchens but Joe can also get you and your family building something you can use together for years. The cost for materials is cheap compared to the value of the  memories you can create.

Did YOU ever build a dog house…a bird house or a doll house with YOUR mom or dad?
 

#5

Here’s a suggestion for every father of a sixteen year old daughter…or son for that matter, too ..and it can work with a mother as well as a father..

Change a tire together.  Sounds silly?  Not really.  Showing your son or daughter how to change a tire can be a valuable lesson.  And it’s something you can do together.

Invest the few minutes in a lesson your son or daughter may need on a cold winter night after an Algoma basketball game…Show them how to find the jack, how to safely change the tire and then let them put the regular tire back on themselves.  You’ll have the peace of mind knowing they know how to do it…and they’ll have a memory of learning something from you.

Are you willing to take 30 minutes to teach a son or daughter something they need to know?

#6

Too much TV could keep YOUR kid out of college. 

Take the TV out of your kids’ bedroom.  Why?  Because three recent studies prove that too much TV can keep kids from learning and keep ‘em from getting into college. Kids with TV’s in their bedrooms scored 8 points lower in math and language arts tests than children without TV’s in their bedrooms. Another study showed that 26 year olds who watched a lot of TV as kids had significantly lower educational levels and incomes than those who watched less TV.

Have you taken that TV out of your kids’ bedroom yet?

#7

Don’t let cranky kids make an hour drive feel like a prison sentence. 

When you travel with children here are a few ideas to make the trip fun for them…and a lot less hassle for you.

1. Before you leave, put together a few inexpensive toys, wrap them up like gifts and give them to your kids as you drive.

2. Leave early.  Beat traffic and get a few miles in while kids sleep in the back seats.

3. Bring lots of blankets and pillows…and pick up a few children’s books and tapes at the library before you leave.

These are just a few ideas to make your next family trip a little less hassle. 

What do YOU remember about traveling with YOUR family?

#8

All kids occasionally struggle with school work and chores around the house. 

When kids get frustrated not finishing important tasks they often feel inadequate.  That can lead to lack of effort.  Help YOUR kids stay motivated with four suggestions: …lead by example.  Share a story about how you were responsible at work, teach that there really is satisfaction in finishing a job…simply setting the table, then looking at the good work together is a small way to teach satisfaction.  Give kids a say…let them have a hand in setting goals.  And finally, don’t push too hard.  Progress is more important than perfection. 

#9

Working mothers often are forced to eat on the run. 

Here are suggestions to help moms keep energy up while eating on the run.  Eat five small meals a day.  Include protein in each meal.  Have at least two sources of calcium daily like soy milk and orange juice.  Opt for whole grains and whole fruit instead of juice whenever possible and finally, seek out foods that are portable like yogurt, carrot sticks and string cheese.  That’s a plan for busy mothers on the run to keep energy high and save time…and a Parenting Tip from Craig’s Piggly Wiggly in Algoma.

#10

Nothing can be more nerve racking than a crying baby.  I’m Craig Peterman, owner of Craig’s Piggly Wiggly in Algoma.  Three things NOT to do when a baby cries:  pop in a pacifier, rush to feed your baby and three, trying too many of soothing at once.  It takes awhile for soothing techniques to work…a pacifier might quiet your baby, but NOT give you time to figure out what’s wrong.  And using food as a solution can lead to overeating. 

#11

Time poverty…the biggest problem many working mothers face today.

Four ways to be a good volunteer without creating more time-related stress include the following:  steer clear of committees with long meetings and instead, volunteer to supervise a single event.  Be visible.  Pitch in when your church or club does a special project that’s a one time commitment, not a life-sentence.  Take work home with you rather than tie up your time in meetings, and finally, split duties with another parent.  Job sharing works in business and it just might work as you try to find time to volunteer as well. 

#12

One of the best things you can do for your kids…is read to them. 

When babies are young…read to ‘em…even if they don’t understand.  They’ll enjoy the sound of your voice, and as your kids grow older, they’ll love the ritual of supper, some reading and “lights out.”  The Algoma Library has great books for kids. And grandparents…next time you want to give a gift…give a book. 

Read as a family.

#13

Say something nice today to your kids. 

Years ago, psychologists thought complimenting kids would spoil ‘em…not true.  Positive affirmations help kids feel competent.  Catch your kids doing something RIGHT today and let ‘em know you notice.  Great…good job…I’m proud of you. 

Say something nice to your children today.

#14

Kids can focus on either the positive…or the negative.

Sit around the kitchen table...and over dinner, ask each of your kids…”what’s the best thing that happened to you today?”  Talk about what’s right.  Share the most positive experience…and talk about ‘em together.  You’ll either help your kids be more positive…or more negative.  Ask ‘em what’s right…and be positive over dinner together. 

What’s the best thing that happened to YOU today?

#15

Never smoking with kids in your car is one of the healthiest things you can do for your family.

Next time you’re tempted to light up, chew some gum.  Keep a pack of bubble gum in your car and when you’re tempted to smoke, share gum with your kids and see who can blow the biggest bubble.  Your kids will remember the fun…and you’ll keep them from inhaling second hand smoke.

How big a bubble can you blow?

#16

Some things in life are still FREE. 

Doing something different with your kids creates lasting memories…and it does NOT have to cost money.  Take your kids out to the Algoma marina, look at the lighthouse, walk along the beach, visit the library, walk around the shanties and talk about what it was like to fish Lake Michigan in boats like you can see in Algoma’s shanty village.  Time creates more memories than money. 

What do YOU remember doing with your family that didn’t cost a cent?

#17

In an age of cell phones and email...writing a letter is a lost art.

Think for just a moment how important your child would feel if they opened the mailbox and found a letter from YOU.  Take the time to write a letter to your child.  Chances are, it will be a cherished possession for a long time…and it only costs a stamp.  And while you’re at it, how about writing a letter to YOUR

parents and just say thanks.  That’s a parenting tip from Craig’s Piggly Wiggly in Algoma. 

Did YOU ever get a letter from your mom or dad?

#18

Launching a new business…that’s what having a new baby is like.

Good advice to new mothers…or moms learning to copy with kids who no longer nap…is simple.  Chill out.  Don’t worry about being the perfect housekeeper.  Mom’s can’t let cleaning dominate their lives.  Save your sanity by planning specific cleaning jobs on certain days.  Make Monday mopping day.  Tuesday laundry...Wednesday shopping.  You get the idea.  Leave a day or two open.  By planning your housekeeping by day of the week you’ll save your sanity.  That’s a parenting tip from Craig’s Piggly Wiggly in Algoma.  I’m Craig Peterman…reminding your spouse to help with the household hassles too.
 

#19

Healthy eating habits mean healthy kids.

Research has found that when kids are forbidden to eat snacks, the snacks become more desirable.  Kids with parents who are the most restrictive about what their kids can eat average an extra 500 calories a day.  Everything in moderation.  Kids like to be like mom and dad.  That’s why your example eating more fruits and vegetables will really work.  Explain why you’re eating a high fiber cereal rather than a sugary one.  Childhood obesity is becoming a major health problem.  Your example…and some discussion with your kids about nutrition can help. 

What kind of example are you for YOUR kids?

#20

You’ve heard it before…families who have meals together at least once a day eat more nutritiously than those who don’t.

Only 50 percent of school-age kids have one meal a day with their parents.  Strapped for time or don’t like to cook?  Deli chicken and daily specials are healthy…fast and inexpensive.  Clashing schedules?  The meal does NOT have to be dinner.  Breakfast or lunch works as well…and remember…only 50% of kids have even ONE meal with their parents yesterday.  The point is this…gather together.  Talk…share your love for good food…and each other. 

Are YOU in the 50% who had a meal with your kids yesterday?