I was flipping through a current issue of Better Homes and Gardens when I came across a few cute ideas. These projects would be great to do with children to show them how to reuse/re-purpose things that you have in your home. The link above has tons of neat craft ideas. These ones just happen to use things you probably already have in your home.
LEAVE A MESSAGE
The first project is for a magnetic message board. Here's what you need:
A metal cookie sheet (Teflon or non-stick won't work).
Some sandpaper
Paint of your choice
Wallpaper scraps, tissue paper, gift wrap, construction paper... ANY kind of paper to decorate with
Rough up your sheet with the sandpaper.
Paint it and make sure it completely dries.
Now cut or tear your paper and glue it on the flat surface of your sheet (leaving the painted edges exposed). The magazines suggested spray adhesive but that's not my favorite. I would try Mod Podge. It works great and is easy to clean up with soap and water.
Buy cool magnets OR make your own. I "framed" Alex's artwork behind flat glass rocks for Christmas gifts last year. Mod Podge the paper or "art" on the back of the clear stone and glue on a heavy duty magnet with hot or tacky glue.
Another cute magnet suggestion from BHG was to cut out pretty pictures from magazines and glue them on all of those business magnets you have on your fridge. You can either cut them to the shape of your picture or leave them rectangular. <---Cute idea!
Have fun with this project! These make great gifts. Another spin on this particular craft is to buy either a roll or squares of cork and frame them. (This is what I did for Christmas.) Glue extra game pieces, pretty pebbles, buttons or beads to flat thumb tacks and tack on a cute message for your recipient.
SODA OASIS
The next project is making a terrarium. If you've ever made one as a child, you probably remember how much fun it was to watch your plants grow. What a great learning craft for kids of all ages! Here's what you need:
Glass container or clear plastic bottle
Small pebbles
Activated charcoal (available where aquarium supplies are sold)
Potting soil
Seeds or small plant clippings
Select your container. A mason jar, fish bowl or pop bottle will work. (If you're using a pop bottle, clean it well and cut off the lower 1/3. Save the top for the lid.)
Cover the bottom of your container with about an inch of pebbles (aquarium rocks work well too) for drainage.
Add a thin layer (maybe a 1/4 in.) of the activated charcoal to filter the water that you'll add.
Place 2-3 in. of potting soil on top.
Plant your garden! Ferns, begonias, cacti, succulents and moss will grow well.
Water your plants or seeds well and place a lid on your container. If your container doesn't have a lid, a piece of plastic wrap secured with a rubber band will work just fine.
Watch your terrarium come to life! Explain to your kids how it works. The water in the soil will eventually form droplets on the inside and top of your container. Once they get heavy enough, they'll fall like rain. This process will keep repeating.
**If you don't see this process occurring, add more water.
TEEN TIME OUT
The final project is a great one for older kids! Here's what you'll need to make your own decoupaged chair:
A salvaged wooden chair of your choice
Sandpaper
Scissors
Magazine clippings or pictures, old sheet music for your music lover, tissue paper, fabric scraps, etc. Basically any paper that can be glued. Let your teen get creative and use movie or concert ticket stubs, CD liner notes, photos of friends printed on lightweight photo paper...
Mod Podge
Sponge brush
Paint (optional)
Drop cloth
(I've actually done this with the top of a wooden bar stool. I cut out flowers and other neat pictures from magazines and decoupaged them to the top. They've served as everything from plant stands to actual stools in our home.)
Sand your chair to make sure the surface is smooth and ready to accept the glue. Wipe it clean. You can paint the parts of the chair that you won't be covering if you want to.
Cut or tear your images and gather your papers for decorating.
Sometimes it works getter to cut as you go so you'll be able to fill in gaps rather than having to rearrange your design a million times. Choose the system that works best for you.
Lightly cover the back of your image and the spot on the chair that you'd like to cover. Lightly cover the top of your image once you're sure you have it where you'd like it.
Apply two to three coats over the entire area once you're satisfied with your design. Use long, smooth strokes for a glassy finish or blot the area for a textured look.
Have fun and get creative! Share your craft ideas, too!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Ever Thought Of...
For some reason today, while doing laundry, I thought about the way my grandmother would have done certain tasks during her lifetime. Before you read any of these suggestions, think for a minute how it would have been for your grandparents or great-grandparents. Waaaay different, right?
DRYER LINT
First off, grandma didn't have a dryer. Well, she did. It was called a clothesline. She hung her clothes to dry year round, whether it be inside our out. Don't be scared to try the same thing. Line drying certainly has its benefits. Your clothes will be static free and the sun will "bleach" away any tough stains.
If you're like me and leave line drying your clothes to the warmer months, think for a second what you could do with that dryer lint... (I'll wait.)
One great idea is to leave it outside for the birds to take and use for nesting. Either leave it on the ground, in a bush or place it in a mesh bag (like the one your oranges come in) for them to pick out.
Another great use it to save it for kindling. If you have a fireplace you can certainly use this tip all year long. If you don't, keep a little on hand for those summer camp fires. ;) Add a little newspaper to it and you're cookin' in no time.
KLEENEX
I know this seems like an essential item. Most everyone I know has a box on the back of their toilet or in several places around the house. Tissues are certainly very handy but think for a minute if you could do without them. I bet you could.
Instead of spending the money on buying box after box that you literally throw away, try buying "hankies" to have on hand. Oddly enough, my dad always has one in his pocket during the winter months. I bet your grandfather did/does too.
Rather than throwing away a box full of tissues, just wash and reuse your own. Get creative with it! Buy a different color or pattern for everyone in the house. Visit the jewelry/accessory department and pick up a few bandanas or small cotton scarves.
PAPER TOWELS
I know they're handy. Trust me, I know. But think for a minute how many rolls you go through in one month. It's probably more than one. Try using dishcloths or rags to wipe up spills rather than using a paper towel and throwing it away. You're doing laundry anyhow, right?
PAPER PLATES
The only reason paper plates are "handy" is because we don't have to wash them. That's about it. Just use a real plate. Okay? The same goes for plastic cups and utensils. They're great for parties and get-togethers because we don't have to wash them afterward but is all that trash really worth it?
SPONGES
If you must have a sponge, look for a natural or biodegradable one. Here are several examples. Even better, just stick to your rags or dishcloths.
ZIPLOC BAGS
Plastic storage bags are so super handy. You can pack snacks, sandwiches, small craft items, toiletries for traveling, etc. in them. I'm not saying we should give them up entirely. I really do use them quite often. (Thankfully, they can be recycled.)
If you want to cut down on the money you spend on them, invest in BPA free plastic containers or glass storage containers. You don't have to be like my grandma and wash and reuse your plastic baggies. ;)
FOOD SCRAPS
This one really had me thinking today. I can promise you that my grandmother never threw food waste in the trash. The cows, horses, dog or barn cats were probably able to take care of just about any leftover food problem.
You can still do that today. Cows and horses love to munch on things like pumpkin, apple or corn. While our dog doesn't get the pleasure of "people food", yours might.
If you're in an animal free zone, think about starting a compost pile. You truly don't need to have a large space to do it. Even apartment dwellers can compost. If you really don't have the desire, someone you know probably does. Any composter would jump at the chance to receive MORE scraps to add to their pile.
SPEAKING OF COMPOST
Things like fruit scraps, vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, shredded newspaper, pet and human hair, leaves, weeds, dead flowers, and grass clippings (among other things) can be composted.
You want to stay away from meat products (they'll make your compost stinky and attract the wrong bugs) and any food that has been cooked. There are tons of resources out there for beginners. Check out my previous post with three very informative videos.
COMPOST TEA
Consider making "compost tea" instead of using chemical fertilizers on your lawn and garden. This method is safer for the environment, your home, your children and your pets. Plus, it's FREE people!
CLOTHING
Go look in your closet. What did you find? A bunch of stuff you don't wear? After you've gone through your wardrobe and made a pile of things that you don't like, haven't worn or can't fit into (most of us fit into ALL of those categories), don't just throw them out.
Look for old t-shirts that you can use for rags or dusting (worn out bath towels work great for this too).
Ask a friend if they're interested in looking through them. You may get lucky and they'll do the same for you. ;)
Donate them. Drop them off at a place like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Maybe your town has something like a shelter or extended need dwelling that can use such items. Maybe your church runs a program for people that have had a fire or have found themselves in a difficult financial situation. The possibilities are endless. SOMEone will want or use what you no longer do.
Don't forget your childrens' closets. Give gently used baby clothing to a Women's Center or a friend with a newborn. Trade clothing with a friend with bigger or smaller children. OR check out a resale or thrift store. You won't get a ton of money doing this, but you can be assured that someone is looking for that Winnie the Pooh sleeper.
BREAD
First off, you could make your own. Grandma did. Just sayin'...
If you aren't a fan of the ends of the bread (homemade or otherwise) toss them out to the birds, save them for bread crumbs or croutons or save one to put in your cookie jar to keep your cookies moist. Resist the urge to just throw it in the trash.
Take a look around your own home. What's the first thing you see? How could it be reused? Can it be recycled? (Even things like computer monitors can be recycled. Check your local recycling center to see what you need to do.) Is the particular item necessary? Could you replace it with a more environmentally friendly option?
I hope these suggestions have given you a few ideas of your own. I'd love to hear how you reuse or eliminate things from your homes!
DRYER LINT
First off, grandma didn't have a dryer. Well, she did. It was called a clothesline. She hung her clothes to dry year round, whether it be inside our out. Don't be scared to try the same thing. Line drying certainly has its benefits. Your clothes will be static free and the sun will "bleach" away any tough stains.
If you're like me and leave line drying your clothes to the warmer months, think for a second what you could do with that dryer lint... (I'll wait.)
One great idea is to leave it outside for the birds to take and use for nesting. Either leave it on the ground, in a bush or place it in a mesh bag (like the one your oranges come in) for them to pick out.
Another great use it to save it for kindling. If you have a fireplace you can certainly use this tip all year long. If you don't, keep a little on hand for those summer camp fires. ;) Add a little newspaper to it and you're cookin' in no time.
KLEENEX
I know this seems like an essential item. Most everyone I know has a box on the back of their toilet or in several places around the house. Tissues are certainly very handy but think for a minute if you could do without them. I bet you could.
Instead of spending the money on buying box after box that you literally throw away, try buying "hankies" to have on hand. Oddly enough, my dad always has one in his pocket during the winter months. I bet your grandfather did/does too.
Rather than throwing away a box full of tissues, just wash and reuse your own. Get creative with it! Buy a different color or pattern for everyone in the house. Visit the jewelry/accessory department and pick up a few bandanas or small cotton scarves.
PAPER TOWELS
I know they're handy. Trust me, I know. But think for a minute how many rolls you go through in one month. It's probably more than one. Try using dishcloths or rags to wipe up spills rather than using a paper towel and throwing it away. You're doing laundry anyhow, right?
PAPER PLATES
The only reason paper plates are "handy" is because we don't have to wash them. That's about it. Just use a real plate. Okay? The same goes for plastic cups and utensils. They're great for parties and get-togethers because we don't have to wash them afterward but is all that trash really worth it?
SPONGES
If you must have a sponge, look for a natural or biodegradable one. Here are several examples. Even better, just stick to your rags or dishcloths.
ZIPLOC BAGS
Plastic storage bags are so super handy. You can pack snacks, sandwiches, small craft items, toiletries for traveling, etc. in them. I'm not saying we should give them up entirely. I really do use them quite often. (Thankfully, they can be recycled.)
If you want to cut down on the money you spend on them, invest in BPA free plastic containers or glass storage containers. You don't have to be like my grandma and wash and reuse your plastic baggies. ;)
FOOD SCRAPS
This one really had me thinking today. I can promise you that my grandmother never threw food waste in the trash. The cows, horses, dog or barn cats were probably able to take care of just about any leftover food problem.
You can still do that today. Cows and horses love to munch on things like pumpkin, apple or corn. While our dog doesn't get the pleasure of "people food", yours might.
If you're in an animal free zone, think about starting a compost pile. You truly don't need to have a large space to do it. Even apartment dwellers can compost. If you really don't have the desire, someone you know probably does. Any composter would jump at the chance to receive MORE scraps to add to their pile.
SPEAKING OF COMPOST
Things like fruit scraps, vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, shredded newspaper, pet and human hair, leaves, weeds, dead flowers, and grass clippings (among other things) can be composted.
You want to stay away from meat products (they'll make your compost stinky and attract the wrong bugs) and any food that has been cooked. There are tons of resources out there for beginners. Check out my previous post with three very informative videos.
COMPOST TEA
Consider making "compost tea" instead of using chemical fertilizers on your lawn and garden. This method is safer for the environment, your home, your children and your pets. Plus, it's FREE people!
CLOTHING
Go look in your closet. What did you find? A bunch of stuff you don't wear? After you've gone through your wardrobe and made a pile of things that you don't like, haven't worn or can't fit into (most of us fit into ALL of those categories), don't just throw them out.
Look for old t-shirts that you can use for rags or dusting (worn out bath towels work great for this too).
Ask a friend if they're interested in looking through them. You may get lucky and they'll do the same for you. ;)
Donate them. Drop them off at a place like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Maybe your town has something like a shelter or extended need dwelling that can use such items. Maybe your church runs a program for people that have had a fire or have found themselves in a difficult financial situation. The possibilities are endless. SOMEone will want or use what you no longer do.
Don't forget your childrens' closets. Give gently used baby clothing to a Women's Center or a friend with a newborn. Trade clothing with a friend with bigger or smaller children. OR check out a resale or thrift store. You won't get a ton of money doing this, but you can be assured that someone is looking for that Winnie the Pooh sleeper.
BREAD
First off, you could make your own. Grandma did. Just sayin'...
If you aren't a fan of the ends of the bread (homemade or otherwise) toss them out to the birds, save them for bread crumbs or croutons or save one to put in your cookie jar to keep your cookies moist. Resist the urge to just throw it in the trash.
Take a look around your own home. What's the first thing you see? How could it be reused? Can it be recycled? (Even things like computer monitors can be recycled. Check your local recycling center to see what you need to do.) Is the particular item necessary? Could you replace it with a more environmentally friendly option?
I hope these suggestions have given you a few ideas of your own. I'd love to hear how you reuse or eliminate things from your homes!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
It's a Composting World
I'm fairly new to the composting world. I won't lie. We tried it last summer without much success. We weren't very patient and missed a few key steps. I came across these videos and found them very helpful. I'm going to give it another shot. Won't you join me in cutting down on our waste?
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Friendly Reminder
Many of you know how obsessed I've become about car seat safety. Some of you probably haven't had the pleasure of engaging me in "car seat talk". That's about to change, my friends.
There are several things to keep in mind now that the weather is changing for the better. Here are some things to double check before your next road trip.
**First off, bulky coats aren't for car seats. If, by chance, you've kept your kiddo in their heavy, bulky coat all winter, now you know not to do that next winter. ;)
It's always a good idea to check the fit of the harness straps periodically anyhow, but an even better idea when your child starts to wear fewer layers. Make sure that you can't pinch any of the strap together with your fingers. BUT make sure that it's not too tight. The idea is for them to be safe, not cut off their oxygen supply. ;)
IF your seat CAME WITH strap covers, feel free to use them. If your seat did not come with them, DO NOT BUY ANY. Anything that was in the box when you opened that seat for the first time was crash tested with that seat. Anything you find in the aisle next to the car seats at the store wasn't. In fact, no one tested that stuff. Skip it.
Also, make sure that the chest clip is located-you guessed it-on the chest. A good rule of thumb is to keep it even with your child's armpits. The reason for this is because their tummies are so so soft. In the event of an accident, you wouldn't want all of the force from the crash to be absorbed by that pudgy little tummy, would you? Not only that, but the lower the chest clip, the easier it is to wiggle those shoulders out. Trust me, you don't want a wild toddler loose in your car.
**While we're on the subject of the buckle and straps... It's a good idea to make sure that the seat hasn't accidentally become unbuckled (if you're using a seat belt).
This may sound really stupid, but it happened to us. We had out-of-town guests visiting so we went touring around town. Generally, no one else rides in the back seat of our car so it never even occurred to me to check the seat belt. We had driven around for a day after our family left with Alex's seat unbuckled! My aunt had accidentally hit his buckle instead of her own when getting out of the car. Super easy to do.
Also, make sure you're using all your seat has to offer. If you have LATCH and aren't sure exactly what you're supposed to be doing with it, read this. LATCH isn't safer than a lap belt or vise versa. It's not which method you use, it's how well you use it. If you're following the directions in your car seat manual and car manual about how to install a seat (with either method) then you will be fine. Here are some common LATCH mistakes.
Please, please, please make sure that you're securing the seat in the vehicle properly! You can be so diligent about how your child is buckled in but if the seat isn't fastened properly it isn't going to do a thing to protect your child.
**Most of us carry around a snow scraper during the winter months. (Some of you are very lucky and don't have the honor.) It's so tempting to just toss it into the car when you're done using it, whether it be on the floor in the front or back seat. Please resist this urge. Snow scrapers are very sharp on the end! I heard a good phrase the other day. The woman said, "Don't leave anything unsecure in the car that you wouldn't hit your child with over the head." I'm fairly sure none of us would hit our children over the head with ANYthing. The items (including that snow scraper) that aren't anchored down in your car can simply become projectiles in an accident.
This spring, when you exile the snow scraper, take the time to exile other objects that could potentially fly around the car in an accident.
**On the subject of projectiles... With sunnier days approaching, it's really tempting to install a window shade for your little cutie. Resist that temptation. Suction cups are by no means fail proof. There's not a whole lot keeping those suckers (pun intended) stuck to the window.
Finally, there are so many good resources out there to help you with any car seat question or issue you may be having. Call your local State Police barracks and ask them if/when they do seat checks. Most stations do them at least one day a month by appointment. If they don't, they should be able to direct you to a location that does do checks.
We all know that we should never trust everything we read online BUT here are two of my favorite sites.
The Car Seat Lady and Car-Seat.org Car-seat.org has great resources if you're looking for a particular car/seat combination. Just type in the make and model of your car and the seat you have and I guarantee there will be posts to guide you in the right direction.
There are several things to keep in mind now that the weather is changing for the better. Here are some things to double check before your next road trip.
**First off, bulky coats aren't for car seats. If, by chance, you've kept your kiddo in their heavy, bulky coat all winter, now you know not to do that next winter. ;)
It's always a good idea to check the fit of the harness straps periodically anyhow, but an even better idea when your child starts to wear fewer layers. Make sure that you can't pinch any of the strap together with your fingers. BUT make sure that it's not too tight. The idea is for them to be safe, not cut off their oxygen supply. ;)
IF your seat CAME WITH strap covers, feel free to use them. If your seat did not come with them, DO NOT BUY ANY. Anything that was in the box when you opened that seat for the first time was crash tested with that seat. Anything you find in the aisle next to the car seats at the store wasn't. In fact, no one tested that stuff. Skip it.
Also, make sure that the chest clip is located-you guessed it-on the chest. A good rule of thumb is to keep it even with your child's armpits. The reason for this is because their tummies are so so soft. In the event of an accident, you wouldn't want all of the force from the crash to be absorbed by that pudgy little tummy, would you? Not only that, but the lower the chest clip, the easier it is to wiggle those shoulders out. Trust me, you don't want a wild toddler loose in your car.
**While we're on the subject of the buckle and straps... It's a good idea to make sure that the seat hasn't accidentally become unbuckled (if you're using a seat belt).
This may sound really stupid, but it happened to us. We had out-of-town guests visiting so we went touring around town. Generally, no one else rides in the back seat of our car so it never even occurred to me to check the seat belt. We had driven around for a day after our family left with Alex's seat unbuckled! My aunt had accidentally hit his buckle instead of her own when getting out of the car. Super easy to do.
Also, make sure you're using all your seat has to offer. If you have LATCH and aren't sure exactly what you're supposed to be doing with it, read this. LATCH isn't safer than a lap belt or vise versa. It's not which method you use, it's how well you use it. If you're following the directions in your car seat manual and car manual about how to install a seat (with either method) then you will be fine. Here are some common LATCH mistakes.
Please, please, please make sure that you're securing the seat in the vehicle properly! You can be so diligent about how your child is buckled in but if the seat isn't fastened properly it isn't going to do a thing to protect your child.
**Most of us carry around a snow scraper during the winter months. (Some of you are very lucky and don't have the honor.) It's so tempting to just toss it into the car when you're done using it, whether it be on the floor in the front or back seat. Please resist this urge. Snow scrapers are very sharp on the end! I heard a good phrase the other day. The woman said, "Don't leave anything unsecure in the car that you wouldn't hit your child with over the head." I'm fairly sure none of us would hit our children over the head with ANYthing. The items (including that snow scraper) that aren't anchored down in your car can simply become projectiles in an accident.
This spring, when you exile the snow scraper, take the time to exile other objects that could potentially fly around the car in an accident.
**On the subject of projectiles... With sunnier days approaching, it's really tempting to install a window shade for your little cutie. Resist that temptation. Suction cups are by no means fail proof. There's not a whole lot keeping those suckers (pun intended) stuck to the window.
Finally, there are so many good resources out there to help you with any car seat question or issue you may be having. Call your local State Police barracks and ask them if/when they do seat checks. Most stations do them at least one day a month by appointment. If they don't, they should be able to direct you to a location that does do checks.
We all know that we should never trust everything we read online BUT here are two of my favorite sites.
The Car Seat Lady and Car-Seat.org Car-seat.org has great resources if you're looking for a particular car/seat combination. Just type in the make and model of your car and the seat you have and I guarantee there will be posts to guide you in the right direction.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Little Professor
So my little man needs glasses. Even thought I knew that day would probably come eventually, you could have knocked me over with a feather when we found out this week.
Quite some time ago, I noticed that one of his eyes was crossing ever so slightly. It was so slight that Chris didn't even notice it when I pointed it out. He told me I was being Crazy Mom and I was seeing things. It wasn't until a few days later when he did it again that Chris noticed. See, mom IS always right. ;)
His wandering eye would only appear occasionally. In fact, I haven't seen him do it for weeks now. We wanted to be sure it wasn't something serious so we brought it up at a recent routine exam. We were referred to Dr. Nick Sala. Being the only pediatric opthamoligist in the Erie area, it's usually hard to get an appointment at that office. We were VERY lucky that there was a cancellation or we would have been waiting until April!
We went in half expecting to hear them tell us that Alex had a lazy eye. I was prepared for patching, etc.
Chris had a lazy eye and wore glasses during his first grade year. Chris' sister wore a patch AND glasses when she was in elementary school and still wears glasses now. Chris' mother had a lazy eye when she was a child and two of Chris' uncles had lazy eyes when they were young as well. Phew. Genetics aren't on this kid's side!
Nearly everyone on my side of the family wears glasses for nearsightedness.
When Dr. Sala told us that Alex was farsighted, I was shocked. When he wrote that prescription for GLASSES, I was even more shocked. It turns out that the occasional crossing we were seeing is simply his way of trying to bring things into focus better. (On a side note, it was good to learn that he does NOT have a lazy eye and he sees the same in both eyes.)
But my not-yet-two-year-old in GLASSES?!?
I played it up like it was the coolest thing in the world to wear glasses but when we got to the car, I cried. Chris looked at me like I was Crazy Mom again. I was just so shocked and I didn't want to think that my little boy was less than perfect. I know. Stupid.
I just started to think about how mean kids can be. I didn't want him to be picked on. I also didn't want people to look at him like he had some sort of handicap. They're just glasses for crying out loud! On top of all of that, I was worried that he wouldn't even wear them to begin with. We're talking about the kid that has had super cool Lightning McQueen sun glasses for nearly a year and JUST put them on for the first time a few weeks ago. He is soooo resistant to change and things that are out of his comfort zone. It takes him a while to warm up to the idea. He is getting better with that as he gets older but glasses are a huge deal in the comfort zone category.
We ended up at Walmart Vision Center to pick out glasses. While Kidspecs certainly had a wide selection of frames for the little guy, we just simply can't afford to pay $100+ for frames. Maybe when he gets older and his head and face aren't changing every six months! LOL
He wasn't overly thrilled with trying frames but he did it. I kept saying, "Too big." when we were trying them on so now that's what he says. I assured him that the glasses that they are making will be just for him and they will fit perfectly.
Looking back on the whole thing makes me glad that I was Crazy Mom. If I hadn't noticed that eye that ONE day, I wouldn't have mentioned it at his appointment (I don't think the Dr. was paying enough attention to catch it on her own...that's another blog) then we never would have gotten the referral and we wouldn't be where we are today.
I'm so thankful that we caught his vision problem when we did. Kids that young don't know that things are supposed to look differently (especially if that's how they've always seen them). They just learn to adapt and move on. I know that once he's able to see the world a little clearer, he's going to be so thrilled.
Please have your child(ren)'s vision screened. It's not too early. The advancements in this area are have come so far! Alex never complained about reading. He LOVES to read! He loves to play with his cars, trucks and trains and he can spot a lady bug wandering across the carpet even when no one else can. We had no reason to believe that he couldn't see well. It was ONE little thing that made us want to be sure. If we had ignored it, who knows....
It's hard to think that your child won't be "perfect" but, trust me, they still will be. Don't wait until they start school or complain that they can't see to read or play. Be proactive.
Quite some time ago, I noticed that one of his eyes was crossing ever so slightly. It was so slight that Chris didn't even notice it when I pointed it out. He told me I was being Crazy Mom and I was seeing things. It wasn't until a few days later when he did it again that Chris noticed. See, mom IS always right. ;)
His wandering eye would only appear occasionally. In fact, I haven't seen him do it for weeks now. We wanted to be sure it wasn't something serious so we brought it up at a recent routine exam. We were referred to Dr. Nick Sala. Being the only pediatric opthamoligist in the Erie area, it's usually hard to get an appointment at that office. We were VERY lucky that there was a cancellation or we would have been waiting until April!
We went in half expecting to hear them tell us that Alex had a lazy eye. I was prepared for patching, etc.
Chris had a lazy eye and wore glasses during his first grade year. Chris' sister wore a patch AND glasses when she was in elementary school and still wears glasses now. Chris' mother had a lazy eye when she was a child and two of Chris' uncles had lazy eyes when they were young as well. Phew. Genetics aren't on this kid's side!
Nearly everyone on my side of the family wears glasses for nearsightedness.
When Dr. Sala told us that Alex was farsighted, I was shocked. When he wrote that prescription for GLASSES, I was even more shocked. It turns out that the occasional crossing we were seeing is simply his way of trying to bring things into focus better. (On a side note, it was good to learn that he does NOT have a lazy eye and he sees the same in both eyes.)
But my not-yet-two-year-old in GLASSES?!?
I played it up like it was the coolest thing in the world to wear glasses but when we got to the car, I cried. Chris looked at me like I was Crazy Mom again. I was just so shocked and I didn't want to think that my little boy was less than perfect. I know. Stupid.
I just started to think about how mean kids can be. I didn't want him to be picked on. I also didn't want people to look at him like he had some sort of handicap. They're just glasses for crying out loud! On top of all of that, I was worried that he wouldn't even wear them to begin with. We're talking about the kid that has had super cool Lightning McQueen sun glasses for nearly a year and JUST put them on for the first time a few weeks ago. He is soooo resistant to change and things that are out of his comfort zone. It takes him a while to warm up to the idea. He is getting better with that as he gets older but glasses are a huge deal in the comfort zone category.
We ended up at Walmart Vision Center to pick out glasses. While Kidspecs certainly had a wide selection of frames for the little guy, we just simply can't afford to pay $100+ for frames. Maybe when he gets older and his head and face aren't changing every six months! LOL
He wasn't overly thrilled with trying frames but he did it. I kept saying, "Too big." when we were trying them on so now that's what he says. I assured him that the glasses that they are making will be just for him and they will fit perfectly.
Looking back on the whole thing makes me glad that I was Crazy Mom. If I hadn't noticed that eye that ONE day, I wouldn't have mentioned it at his appointment (I don't think the Dr. was paying enough attention to catch it on her own...that's another blog) then we never would have gotten the referral and we wouldn't be where we are today.
I'm so thankful that we caught his vision problem when we did. Kids that young don't know that things are supposed to look differently (especially if that's how they've always seen them). They just learn to adapt and move on. I know that once he's able to see the world a little clearer, he's going to be so thrilled.
Please have your child(ren)'s vision screened. It's not too early. The advancements in this area are have come so far! Alex never complained about reading. He LOVES to read! He loves to play with his cars, trucks and trains and he can spot a lady bug wandering across the carpet even when no one else can. We had no reason to believe that he couldn't see well. It was ONE little thing that made us want to be sure. If we had ignored it, who knows....
It's hard to think that your child won't be "perfect" but, trust me, they still will be. Don't wait until they start school or complain that they can't see to read or play. Be proactive.
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