Sun Safety Information: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek & Slide

Here is a fun, short video and catchy guidelines to help your family remember the importance of protecting yourself from the sun. Click here to view the video!

• Slip on a shirt – Put your hand inside the shirt to make sure you can’t see through it to ensure that it will screen out harmful UV rays.
• Slop on sun screen – The American Cancer Society recommends an SPF 15 or higher.
• Slap on a hat – Make it wide-brimmed to cover face, neck and ears.
• Seek shade – Bring your own umbrella or find a nice shady tree.
• Slide on some sunglasses – Make sure sunglasses provide 100% UV protection.

For more information on sun exposure and keeping kids safe, please visit www.kidshealth.org.

Healthy kids = happy kids!

Summertime is in full swing, which means kids are out of school and parents often are anxious for ideas on helping their kiddos stay busy. While the Oklahoma heat sometimes makes it tempting to stay inside during the summer months, it’s important to remember that regular exercise is something children need to be happy and healthy.

 Benefits of Kids Exercising Regularly:

1. Have stronger muscles and bones
2. Maintain a healthy body weight
3. Reduce the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes
4. Sleep better
5. Feel less stressed
6. Reduce the risk for developing some diseases later in life, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol
7. Feel more able to focus on other important tasks, like schoolwork
8. Develop healthy habits that they can continue using as they grow!

On average, children should exercise for 60 minutes daily to receive these benefits. When it’s hot outside, there are lots of ways to be creative about staying active. The month of July provides a unique opportunity to enjoy local attractions as a family, as it is National Park and Recreation month! The City of Norman has many parks that provide play areas for children and shady spots for parents to spend time while watching their kids play. There are also two free splash pads in Norman where families can be active and stay cool. Being active as a family is a great way to build healthy habits for children and fun memories that can last a lifetime!

 - Emily Deardorf, MSW; Children's Therapist at the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI)

The Power of Dad

I guess it is fitting, as we approach Father’s Day, that I am reminded of the power of Daddy in my children’s lives.  A few days ago my husband and son left for some male bonding at Boy Scout camp – a great father/son activity in and of itself.  This left me and the girls alone for a few days of girl-oriented fun!  Surely the girls would be as excited as I was - painting nails, endless chick flicks (Rapunzel-style) and games of dress-up!  Little did I know that Gigi’s (who is my four-year-old) attachment with her Daddy is so strong that this was not a welcome change of pace for her. 

Last night’s discussion with Gigi while putting her to bed:

Gigi:    “I want my Daddy, I want my Daddy (with big whiny voice)…I don’t want you.”

Katie:  “I know, honey.  I’m sorry.  Daddy will be home tomorrow.  How about I get a picture of him for your nightstand?”  I proceed to find a picture of me and him to put on her night stand.

Gigi:  “I want a picture of Daddy.  I want a picture of Daddy…alone…I don’t want you.”

Katie: (now laughing)  “Oh…you want just a picture of Daddy.” 

Gigi:  Yes, Daddy is strong.  [long pause] You are weak.”  Then, she repeats with a smile on her face (because she is teasing at this point) “You are weak.” She then asks me to show her my muscle, which I do.

Gigi:  “Flabby muscle, flabby muscle,” as she bats at my deltoid pointing out my full 40 years to me (with a teasing smile on her face).

Gigi and her Dad

So.  What are the lessons here? 

Number one:  With age and multiple children comes humility.  It’s a good thing that I know my daughter loves and needs me – a mom with less experience could easily get her feelings hurt :o) 

Number Two:  She loves and adores her Daddy - he is irreplaceable!  Daddy is her “buddy” in a different way than Mommy.  She helps him mow the lawn, wash the cars, plant and keep the garden, and carry the “cycling” out with him for trash day.  He is also her favorite playmate.  He is the one that wrestles with them, plays soccer in the backyard – he is way more fun than I could ever be.  He doesn’t just have her walk up the stairs for bedtime (like I do) – he gives her a piggy-back ride or carries her upside down – always!  He will play for hours in the pool with her and her siblings while I get lazy and want to rest and sit in the sun.  They bake together and he never cares about the mess.  The two of them giggle and play WAY past bedtime.  And, he ALWAYS reads her an extra book. 

Research on parenthood is clear that Dads play a critical and irreplaceable role in the lives of their children. 

Fathers tend to do more stimulating play which is associated with children having greater regulation of their emotions and self-control.  Dads tend to promote achievement, independence and an orientation to the outside world, whereas moms tend to emphasize nurturing – all of which are important for healthy child development.  It is also the case that children are positively influenced when Dad has a good relationship with Mom (even if they are not married or in a romantic relationship).  The good news is that research suggests Dads are spending more time with their children than ever before and are more likely - than ever before - to hug them and tell them they love them.  The bad news is that too many children in Oklahoma and in our community are growing up without an involved Dad in their life.

This Father’s Day I hope you will celebrate all the wonderful, unique, and important things Dads bring to the lives of our children.  And, for those children needing more of a Dad figure in their lives, I hope families and our community will continue to come together to make sure those kiddos get what they need from other “father-figures” in their lives.   Happy Father’s Day!    

-Katie Fitzgerald, MSW, Executive Director

Falalalalalalala!

Holiday Gifting Program 2010 

Some of the Holiday Helpers!

During the holidays at CCFI we have a Holiday Gifting Program for families in our services. This year nearly 300 children were provided with presents to unwrap due to the outpouring of support from local businesses and residents from throughout Cleveland County and the surrounding areas.
 
As the donations and presents began to pile up, we began recruiting elves and holiday helpers to get all the gifts packed and ready for our program staff to deliver.

With much gratitude, all of us at CCFI, and especially the children and families that we serve, thank you for your support and for making a difference during this holiday season.
    

How your gifts made a difference...  

Staff members shared many quotes and stories from the children and families who received gifts this holiday season. Below are some excerpts:

Lead Holiday Helper, Kristi!

 

Before delivering the gifts to her home, we learned that one young single mother had just recently lost her job and was really concerned about being able to purchase gifts for her children. When we carried the gifts up to her apartment and she saw the bags full of beautiful gifts for her four children, she got misty-eyed as she hugged us and said "I can't wait to see their faces light up on Christmas morning... I was so afraid I was going to miss that this year."

One particular grandma, whose raising her 6yr old son alone, on a single income got teary eyed as we gave her the gifts saying “you don’t know how much this mean’s to me.”.

One mom said, I’m so appreciative that you guys are doing this, you don’t know how much this means to me!

A single mother who is a full-time student was overwhelmed with joy when presents for her middle school age daughter arrived.  She had recently been hospitalized and had not been able to purchase Christmas presents. She stated that she was “so thankful for everything” and that her daughter would all the gifts.

Katie and a few Holiday donors!

"Six months ago a dad of some kids in my program lost his job. He was really unsure and worried about being able to give his children gifts this season. He was incredibly grateful and told us over and over again how much it meant to him as a father. I think he was relieved that his children's holidays were going to be happy."

 

“Is all that for us?”

 

"A mom struggling to make ends meet told us that we made her wishes come true because it is really hard to buy the things her children want during the holidays. She told us there wasn't any more stress and she could now enjoy Christmas."

Thank you to all our holiday gift donors, helpers, and volunteers for helping make this holiday special for the children and families we serve!

Donating diapers to low-income families might be the best gift of all.

No matter a mother’s financial standing, marital status, ethnicity, or education- each one of them sees changing their child’s diaper as a wonderful act of love for their baby. The experience of diapering is a channel for connection and love, as well as a source of confidence and pride for mothers. For mothers living in hardship, this sentiment is felt even stronger when they are able to give their babies a clean diaper as this basic necessity can be a struggle to come by. 

CCFI Public Diaper and Formula Closet.

Unfortunately, diapers are often a forgotten basic need that is lacking not only during the holidays, but year round. It’s always fun to donate toys during the holiday and is greatly appreciated by the staff, children and families at the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI) and other organizations alike; but for many families in need, diapers are hard to come by and many shelters and family resource centers have diapers at the top of their wish lists, including CCFI.

One of the biggest needs of those living below the poverty line is diapers and government programs do not provide funding for personal care items- including diapers. In Oklahoma, 25% of all babies are born into poverty (Annie E. Casey Foundation). In Norman poverty is steadily increasing. Ten years ago (2000), 27% of the Norman Public School population was eligible for free and reduced lunch. Today (2010) that number is 42%*.

Some families have to compromise on necessities like food and heating to be able to afford diapers. In addition, there are some parents who can only afford a few diapers a day for their children and may sometimes have to re-use soiled disposable diapers. During the holiday months, staying warm and having the financial stresses of gift giving can overwhelm families with diaper need.

So when you’re out and about doing your holiday shopping, why not buy an extra pack or case of diapers or a can of formula to donate to your local diaper closet and help families in need?

__________________________________________________________

* data from Norman Public Schools

Want more information? Wondering about reusable diapers? Want to know why it’s such a struggle for parents faced with diaper need? Read these articles: Basic Need for the Poor: Diapers and Mother, Can You Spare a Dime?