Little Ones that get Left Behind

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Tips for easing the transition when older sibling go back to school.

Play school. Set up your own classroom and play school teaching simple lessons. 

Explain the changes. Prepare your little ones with a “story” about how school days will be a little different — but still fun and happy — once the older ones head off.

Create a “secret” leave-behind. Make a special card together with them to remind your older child how much their younger brother or sister loves them, and tuck it into your older child’s lunch bag or backpack. It will actually be a special treat for your toddler as well!

Do something special on the first day. After your older child heads to school, try to do something special with the younger one. Try a café for lunch ,visit a museum or organize a playdate. Whatever you do, make it special and enjoy each other’s company.

Practice the art of distraction. If all else fails, try your best to divert their attention away from missing his or her older siblings. Bake cookies together, put together a puzzle, go for a walk. Or just snuggle and take a nap together.

It’s hard for young children to know what to expect when one sibling goes to school. It certainly is an adjustment, no doubt. But, like anything else the changes will morph into a decidedly  familiar and comfortable new routine. Then before you know it, it’ll be time for summer vacation once again!

Some tips courtesy of Parenting Magazine on-line.

5 ways alleviate back to school anxiety

Back to school can be difficult for kids and parents. Here are five way to help alleviate back to school anxiety. 

1) Go shopping together - Even if you already have the items on hand, make a special trip to the store to pick up one or two things -- and make it a fun excursion for both of you.

2) Get the sleep schedule on track - Gradually get them back on schedule, moving up their bedtime by 15-30 minutes every few days. This way, when their first day of school rolls around, their internal body clocks will already be adjusted.

3) Create a special goodbye ritual - Whether it's a silly handshake or a simple call-and-response phrase like, "See ya later alligator/After a while crocodile," find something unique to do as you say your goodbyes.

4) Keep it short but sweet - Give them one last hug, take a deep breath, trust the teachers and walk away.

5) Celebrate at pick-up - At the end of the school day, make sure you are not late, tell them how proud you are and ask what's on the tap for tomorrow so you can keep the enthusiasm going.

Tips courtesy of Parenting Magazine on-line

Calico Critters Fun Day!

Calico Critters Party Aug 18, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.  Come meet Mrs. Fisher Cat, WIN 15-25% Off Calico Critter purchases, Enjoy our Tea Party, Face Paintng & More!

Visit www.kstoy.com/events

Be part of history - Round Rock’s first local “Cash Mob”

You know what a “Flash Mob” is? Well, this is a “Cash Mob.” Join the mob of people at Kaleidoscope Toys and help support locally owned businesses. Be here this Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 2pm. Everyone will enter together at 2:00pm sharp and basically “mob” the place. Be prepared to spend $20 (or more if you like).

If you don’t have any children to buy for, Kaleidoscope toys is collecting donations for the Christ Child Society. They will be handing out Thank You Bags to participants filled with goodies from other locally owned businesses. Have fun, get to know other locally minded people in the group and thanks for shopping local.

This Cash Mob is sponsored by the Shop Local Committee of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Furry friends and fun-filled day for family this Sunday

We are very excited about this Sunday, April 22, as we will be partnering up with the Humane Society of Williamson County for a fun-filled family event.

We will have FREE goodie bags, a toy trade-in (trade in a new dog toy or cat toy for a Kaleidoscope toy in our basket of fantastically fun toys), door prizes, plus you can paint a bobble head pet, visit with Dr. David Hocher and Dr. Aimee Prause from the Round Rock Animal Hospital on pet care, and best of all, you can pet, hug, play and love on the cute, loveable dogs who will be joining us.

To cap it all off, 10% of all sales that day will be donated the Humane Society.

We are looking forward to playing with all these wonderful animals and hope you will come and join in on the fun with us this Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.

For more information on the Humane Society of Williamson County, visit http://www.hswc.net/adoption-info/.