Community Connections: January 2004 Newsletter

The Community Connections Communicator -- January 2004

In this Issue:

The theme of this month’s issue is Healthy New Year’s Resolutions!

	Tip Sheet: Stress Relief Tips for Parents
	Check out this tip sheet, which gives six quick tips on how to have a manageable stress free life. Click on the link below for the entire tip sheet. http://www.acmhddsa.org/pages/pdf/infocntr/parstres.pdf
	Article: Repecting Differences: Everyday Ways to Teach Children About Respect
	This article provides valuable information on how to teach children about differences they will face in dealing with people of different abilities, ages, sizes, and ethnicities. This is a valuable article to help shape attitudes of peers and siblings of children with disabilities. http://www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/inclusivecommunities/differences.html
	Two additional articles include:
	Journaling Your Way Through Stress: Finding Answers Within Yourself http://www.specialchild.com/family.html
	When Differences Hurt http://pbskids.org/rogers/parents/parentdifferences.html
	Spotlights of the Month:
	Coffee Breaks for Families of Children with Disabilities Coffee Breaks for Families of Children with Disabilities provided by the Arc of Prince George’s County allow parents to network, discuss topics of interest and take a coffee break.
	Recommended Websites:
	Department of Recreation & Parks, Howard County Maryland Government. Check out this website for great information on available activities for you and your child. Whether you are looking for classes to help you get moving and climbing, or for a relaxing free time, the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks has an array of choices. Such classes include Music Together for Infants, Toddler Time, Gymnastics for Parent and Child, Ballet, Tap, and Time for Mom. For further information about the accessibility and accommodations of the classes, please contact the administration at 410-313-4700. To find out more about the class descriptions, fees and hours, please click on the link below: http://co.ho.md.us/rap/rap_seasonalactivities.htm Maryland National Capital Area Park and Planning Commission – Prince George’s County Provides inclusive activities in various areas for children with disabilities. In addition to their Therapeutic Recreation Programs and Inclusion Services, children with disabilities are encouraged to enroll in any activity of interest, and provide a two-week notice for accommodations and support staff. Activities include aquatics, crafts, dance, martial arts, performing arts, etc. For further information, please contact (301) 699-2480. Please check out the following link for additional information: http://www.pgparks.com

Stress Relief Tips for Parents

This tip sheet provides six quick tips to help you begin the new year off right. If you are like most people, you’ve set a list of New Year resolutions that you plan to tackle this year. Whatever you have on your list, having a stress free life will make it easier for you to accomplish your goals. This tip sheet gives reasons why stress is prevalent in raising children. As parents and caregivers we sometimes put ourselves last and often lack taking care of ourselves. This tip sheet explains why it is so important to get rid of our stress in order to be good parents to our children. In addition, you will find tips on how to: decide which things are important, teach your child to be responsible, stop being a “superparent”, and choose activities that both you and your children enjoy. Once you begin to put some of the suggestions into your New Year’s resolutions, you will be better able to take care of both your children and yourself. Click on the link below for the entire tip sheet:
http://www.acmhddsa.org/pages/pdf/infocntr/parstres.pdf

Respecting Differences: Everyday Ways to Teach Children About Respect

It is important to help children recognize and respect differences that we all have. Many children are curious and notice right away if other children have different abilities, behaviors, ethnicities, sizes, etc. In this article you will find information on how to help shape children’s attitudes in dealing with people who are different. As an adult, you will be challenged to look at what you say to ensure that you are modeling proper behaviors as well. This article emphasizes that although children are different, they have more likenesses than not. If you want to learn more about how to: use appropriate language when talking about and to children with disabilities, avoid making jokes about people who are different, and teach children how to deal with their emotions; this article is a great start. For further information, click on the following link:
http://www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/inclusivecommunities/differences.html

Two additional articles:

Another article that gives some good suggestions on making year 2004 less stressful is “Journaling Your Way Through Stress: Finding Answers Within Yourself.” This article written by a Dr. Robert Naseef, a parent of a child with Autism, looks at some of the ways writing in a journal about your thoughts can help to relieve some everyday stress. This article poses some good questions to help you begin organizing your thoughts, concerns, and feelings. To begin your journal, click on the following link:
http://www.specialchild.com/family.html

“When Differences Hurt” is a touching article about a young child’s experiences as being different because of a birthmark on her face. This article provides suggestions on how to deal with normal feelings of hurt and anger. It also teaches a good lesson on how being different helps to make people more compassionate and understanding of others. To read the full article, click on the following link: http://pbskids.org/rogers/parents/parentdifferences.html

Spotlights of the Month!

Coffee Breaks for Families of Children with Disabilities
Sponsored by the Arc of Prince George’s County
1401 McCormick Drive
Largo, Maryland
(301) 925-7050 ext 232
Mary Funk, Coordinator
If you are looking for a place to share ideas, relieve stress, and meet other families with children with disabilities, come and have a cup of coffee at the Arc sponsored Coffee Breaks. Currently there are three groups that meet monthly to discuss various topics, which have included relieving stress, finding childcare, locating financial resources, and fostering friendships. The three coffee breaks are entitled: Families of Children with Autism, Families of Children with Physical Disabilities, and Hispanic Families of Children with Disabilities. The groups also provide great mingling opportunities for young children with disabilities as well as their typical siblings and friends. In addition, a few times during the year the coffee breaks hold combined gatherings with each other. To learn more about the dates and times, please contact Mary Funk at (301) 925-7050 ext. 232. Remember refreshments and coffee are served – just the right touch for a good break!

We currently offer training and technical consultation to businesses, churches, and other community organizations to help make them more welcoming to families and children with special needs. If you know of a business or other organization that would like to take advantage of these services, please e-mail us at: communityconnections@umd.edu
OR
If you know of a business that is already welcoming to children with special needs and their families and you would like to share this information with other families and professionals, please send us your name as well as the name and contact information for the business with a brief description of why you believe they are welcoming to families. If appropriate, we will post the business on our website and we may even feature it as a 'Spotlight if the Month'. E-mail your submissions to: communityconnections@umd.edu

*Questions or Suggestions about our newsletter? Have an idea you would like to submit? Please feel free to contact us at communityconnections@umd.edu

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Unless otherwise noted, all referenced articles are available at no charge to you. Community Connections provides this for informational purposes only and cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by linked sites. The opinions and views expressed at these web sites do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Community Connections. Any personal information requested by any of the web sites will be governed by the privacy policy at the site, and any questions you have related to the sites' use of information should be directed there. The information contained in this newsletter is not intended to make any offer or commitment to purchase, subscribe to, provide or sell any service or product or to provide any recommendations on which readers should rely.

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