Articles

By Christine A. Fruhauf, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Coordinator, Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

An apple a day, keeps the doctor away is a common saying related to maintaining good health. This mantra has many meanings. Yet, possibly the most important is its reference to self-care. It is well known that self-care addresses health maintenance and is described as the ability of individuals to improve or restore their overall health and well-being. Individuals may even prevent future health related challenges through a positive lifestyle with good self-care practices.

Grandparents who are full-time parents to their grandchildren often find their lives feel upside down. Caring for grandchildren may negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Many grandparents also state that they have no time to engage in self-care practices or time for themselves as they are concerned with their grandchildren’s needs (and not their own). When grandparents do not take good care of themselves, they may experience a decrease in physical health and depression.

As a result, grandparents should consider making self-care practices a priority in their daily lives. Positive self-care practices are not only important to grandparents physical and mental health, but healthy grandparents make healthy grandchildren. In an effort to promote positive self-care, try to keep in mind a few of these suggestions:

• Eat healthy foods including fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
• Decrease sugar, salt, and alcohol.
• Drink at least six glasses of eight fluid ounces of water each day.
• Get plenty of exercise.* You should aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, five times a week. In addition to walking, running, biking, swimming, and weight lifting other ways you can engage in exercise by completing heavy housework, gardening, playing with your grandchildren or pushing your grandchild in a swing.
• See your physician at least once a year for a physical and follow his/her advice.
• Find healthy ways to relieve stress. For example, read a book, write in a journal, listen to music, engage in deep breathing and meditation, or find guidance through religious and spiritual practices. Self-pamper yourself (if you can) by getting a massage, manicure, or by taking a bath.
• Be aware of negative self-talk (e.g., “I’m not good enough to raise my grandchild.” or “I’m too old to raise my grandchild.”) that can be harmful to your wellness. Create a new message to yourself (e.g., “I love my grandchild and I can do this”).
• Surround yourself with friends and family that make you happy. A good social support network is essential to maintaining good health.
• Seek professional help when needed. Counselors, kinship navigators, and service providers/case managers can assist you with making certain your positive self-care practices are met.

Just like eating one apple a day, start small and try to incorporate one if not more of the previous suggestions into your daily lifestyle. Taking on good self-care practices can have positive health benefits to grandparents’ health.

* Please note: Do not begin an exercise routine without first checking with your doctor.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A, Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

Child car seat technology is always changing and it can be hard to keep up with knowing what type of car seat is right for your grandchild. Additionally, it can be difficult to know how to install your grandchild’s car seat in order for he or she to be as safe as possible. In this article, you will find a few helpful tips for making certain your grandchild is safe.

First and foremost, child car seats have an expiration date and it is important to pay attention to them. Car seats generally last around 6 years, and after that the plastic can be worn down and can lose its effectiveness. Further, car seats need to be replaced if they have been involved in a car accident because the plastic could be faulty as a result of impact. Although it is cheaper, try to avoid buying used car seats unless you know that it has not been involved in a car accident. New child safety seats come with a registration card and it is recommended that you register your car seat so you can be notified and reimbursed should it be recalled.

Child car seats are required by law in all states, but there are several recommendations that can help you decide what kind of car seat is best for your grandchild’s age.

If your grandchild is 2 years or younger, it is recommended that they ride rear-facing in an infant or rear-facing convertible safety seat. Sometimes a child can grow out of the height and weight limits for a safety seat before he or she turns two years old, so be sure to read the guidelines for the seat. When installing the car seat, make certain it is at the correct angle according to the manual. Avoid installing infant rear-facing seats in an upright angle. Make sure the harness chest clip is level with your grandchild’s armpits when buckling in him or her.

Once your grandchild turns two or grows out of the rear-facing safety seat, you should use a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness. Your grandchild will most likely be in a forward facing seat until they reach kindergarten. Once again, be sure to read the safety seat manual to make certain your grandchild’s height and weight is appropriate for the seat.

If your grandchild has grown out of the front-facing safety seat, it is recommended that your grandchild use a belt-positioning booster seat until the seat belt fits them properly. With booster seats, it is important that your grandchild use both the lap and the shoulder belt. The lap belt should sit low over the upper thighs and not in the middle of the abdomen.

When your grandchild reaches the height of 4 feet 9 inches, the seat belt will most likely fit without a booster seat. Generally, this happens between the ages of 8 to 12 years old. Because of airbag risks, it is recommended that your grandchild sit in the backseat until they reach the age of 13.

If you want help figuring out if your car seat is safe and how to install in correctly, call and make an appointment with your local Emergency Medical Services such as the local fire or police department. If you live in a surrounding Fort Collins community, go to Car Seat Resources page to find out where to get your car seat check. This website also has information on car seat safety classes around the community.

For more information on child car seat recommendations, tips, and information on how to install the seats, visit Car Seat Safety website.

Source: Installing Child Safety Seats, The USAA Educational Foundation.

By Luann Boyer
Morgan County Extension Agent – Family and Consumer Science

gardening with children
Spending time in the garden with children can provide a wonderful opportunity for grandparents. Working side by side is a great time for talking about lots of things, not just growing plants. Involving children of any age with growing plants doesn’t have to be just a summer activity. It can be a means to work together on a project year around.

During the winter, spend time with children looking at seed catalogues and learning how plants grow. You can discuss different kinds of plants and climate zones and why the tomatoes in the grocery store in winter probably come from another part of the country or even another part of the world. Kids might want to try some plants that are not well adapted for the local climate. It’s okay to let them experiment. They will learn from the challenge.

In early spring, take a walk together and talk about the space for the garden. By this time you’ll have decided what you want to grow so talk about where you’ll plant each vegetable or flower. You can make a map of the area and see how things will fit. With young children, be sure and leave ample room for them to walk in the garden without stepping on the plants. You can also teach children where things can be planted to take advantage of sunlight or shade.

Late spring and early summer is planting time. If you have room inside, take the opportunity to plant seeds and grow some of your own bedding plants. When the weather is right, start planting but remember that children probably won’t last the day like an adult. Plan on this taking several days because you’ll only be able to plant just a few types of veggies or flowers at a time. There will be another day for more.

Mulching plants helps keep weeds under control and preserve moisture. It also helps the kids from getting too tired from weeding and watering. As you care for the garden during the summer, don’t do too much at a time. Plan on 10 to 15 minutes each day and choose a different area each day to work on together. You might get a gardening kit of child-sized tools for the children to make the work easier.

Besides the work keeping the garden growing well, you’ll also be able to see the fruits of the work. Early plantings from May will be ready to harvest in mid to late June and by July, there should be an abundance of produce and/or flowers to enjoy. As the plants begin to form produce, spend time with the children explaining how pollination occurs, and what to watch for as the vegetables grow. They can also learn how to tell when it is ripe and how to harvest it correctly.

With lots of produce, now’s the time to teach children how to prepare food and why each is good for health. Even very young children can be involved in food preparation with toddlers washing the produce and tearing lettuce for a salad; preschoolers shelling peas and husking corn; early elementary age slicing cucumbers and cubing tomatoes; and older elementary learning how to use the stove or microwave for cooking. You can also teach the children about food preservation, helping with basic tasks such as washing foods or filling containers for freezing or canning.

By fall, you’ll have enjoyed a full summer of goodies from the garden. If you have root vegetables that can be mulched, the children can help you prepare those as you explain why they’ll be stored in that manner. Children can help clean the remainder of the garden and compost the remains for next year.

For year-round activities on gardening with children from Illinois Extension

By Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A., and Emily Koeppel, B.A., Graduate Research Assistants
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University

Holiday Meal
If you plan on hosting a family meal this holiday season, like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukah, such a meal can often be pricey. With these helpful tips, it is easy to have a great holiday meal on a budget.

• Stick to the basics. Preparing a Holiday meal is not the best time to experiment with new recipes. Instead, stick to the classics like turkey, ham, green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
• Choose recipes with the fewest ingredients to cut down on the cost of the meal. There are several recipes available that use different spices to boost flavor but keep the recipe short and simple.
• Instead of buying pricey decorations from the store to decorate your table and house, go outside with your grandchildren and collect natural elements. Look for acorns, sticks, pinecones, gold and red leaves, cranberries, etc. Arrange these items in a clear vase as an easy and affordable center piece.
• Think about the ages of those you will be cooking for. Teenagers can often eat seemingly without ever getting full, whereas toddlers might not eat much at all.
• Are there items you can borrow from friends or relatives? Instead of having to purchase cookware, dishes, or extra chairs try to borrow these items to cut down on cost and allow for most of your budget to go to the food
• Make sure the meal is planned at least a week ahead of time and make a specific grocery shopping list. Shopping lists help decrease the amount of impulse buys in the grocery store.
• Try couponing. Set aside time every Sunday to flip through the newspaper looking for coupons you can use towards your meal.
• Because one of the best things about the Holidays is family, ask your guests to bring a favorite family dessert or a side dish made from an old family recipe. This way, everyone can enjoy a variety of family dishes and you do not have to provide all of the sides for the meal. If you want, make this a topic of discussion during the meal and ask everyone to explain where the recipe came from and why it’s their favorite.

Remember, the Holidays are about spending time with those you love, so don’t let yourself get stressed out about planning the perfect meal. Try these budget friendly recipes this Holiday:

Homemade Bread Stuffing
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Easy Pumpkin Pie

By Lindsay Hornell, B.S.W, B.A., and Emily Koeppel, B.A., Graduate Research Assistants
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

One of the biggest struggles that grandparents face while raising their grandchildren is dealing with picky eaters. It can be exhausting and expensive to have to make separate meals for your grandchildren just so they will eat dinner. It can also feel discouraging if your grandchildren do not want to eat any healthy foods. There are several things grandparents can do to encourage grandchildren to expand their tastes and enjoy a wide variety of foods.

• One of the most important things grandparents can do for grandchildren is to be a good role model. When you eat a wide variety of healthy food, it encourages your grandchildren to try what you are trying. Grandchildren are not going to eat anything that you do not like.
• Although it’s tempting, do not make separate meals for grandchildren to cater to their wants. Make sure your grandchildren are eating the same thing that you are for dinner.
• Going along with that, make sure to eat dinners as family when possible. Eating around the table all together can encourage children to eat things they would not want to eat by themselves.
• Make sure to prepare a wide variety of vegetables and do not just stick to the basic broccoli, carrots, and green beans. Experiment with salads, cabbage, brussel sprouts, peppers, avocados, kale, radishes, etc. The wider variety of vegetables that children try, the more likely they will like them and appreciate the choices they have.
• If you have free space in your yard, grow a garden with your grandchildren. If you do not use pesticides, encourage your grandchildren to try all of the fruits and vegetables as you pick them. Also, have your grandchildren help you incorporate your homegrown produce into meals, so they are more willing to try different recipes. If you do not have a garden, many cities and towns have community gardens that are available and you and your grandchildren can grow vegetables there.
• Encourage your grandchildren to help you prepare meals. Have them wash the vegetables for you, measure out spices, and stir or mash foods.
• If your grandchildren are hesitant to eat fruits and vegetables, provide healthy dips to make them more appetizing. Some examples include hummus for vegetables and yogurt for fruit.
• At mealtime, offer children choices of different things. For example, you can ask your grandchild, “Would you like cooked carrots or raw carrots tonight?” Letting children make these decisions allows them to feel as though they have some control over what they are eating.
• Keep in mind that it can take children up to 10-15 times trying a new food before they know if they like it. Even if your grandchildren say they do not like something, keep trying new foods with them over and over again instead of giving up on a new food.

When trying to change picky eaters, there are some things you want to try and avoid:

• Do not force your grandchildren to eat; this makes mealtime a bad experience for both you and your grandchildren.
• Although it can be easier, do not make deals with your grandchildren. For example, avoid saying, “Just two more bites and then you can be done”. Making deals with grandchildren or rewarding them for finishing food will encourage them to only do things for rewards.

With these helpful tips, mealtime can change from a struggle to a fun experience for both you and your grandchildren.

Information for this article was provided in part by Zero to Three.

By Sheila Gains
Family and Consumer Science Agent, Arapahoe County

What Can I Pack my Kids for Lunch?

By Sheila Gains, Family and Consumer Science Agent, Arapahoe County

What can I pack that won’t spoil by lunch time and contains a well balanced selection of healthy foods that my child will eat? Have you asked yourself this question lately? Every fall, as school starts, many parents face the dilemma of what to pack for lunch.

Here are some tips to help you and your child select and pack healthy, safe, and tasty lunches:

• • Make a list of all the food options your child will eat by food group: grains, fruits, vegetables, meat/protein, dairy, and other foods such as dips, sauces, snacks, and desserts. Get kids involved in making the list.
  • Indicate which food items will need refrigeration or an insulated lunch box and a frozen gel pack. A frozen juice box or frozen water bottle can be used in place of a gel pack for keeping food cool and safe until lunch time.

• Take kids shopping, or let them shop from the items you bring home to build their lunches. Provide a variety of whole grains, and foods naturally low in fat and added sugar. Limit the number of salty, high fat and high sugar treats they pack to one a day. Children often eat these tasty foods first, instead of the other healthy foods in their lunch, making it hard for them to get all the nutrients they need each day.
• Have plenty of snack and sandwich size plastic zip bags or reusable containers on hand.
• Ask kids to pick and pack at least one serving from each of the five food groups.
• Have a few gel packs, 100% juice boxes or water bottles frozen and ready to use.
• A reusable bottle filled with ice water and packed with lunch also helps keep other foods cold and reminds children to drink more water.

Lets Talk: Letting kids help pick what goes into their lunch is a great way to start a conversation about nutrition and health. Encouraging them to pick at least one item from each of the major food groups helps them understand the concept of eating a variety of food everyday.

Don’t worry if kids come home with food that was not eaten. Some days children will be hungry and focused on eating. Other days they might not be as hungry, perhaps they were distracted or had a food treat in the classroom before lunch, etc. Occasionally ask children if they think they’re packing enough, too much, or want some different food choices. Assure children that these questions are not meant to make them feel bad that they didn’t clean their plate/lunch box. But it helps them make adjustments to how much and what they pack the next time.

Recipe for Health:

Bean Dip (Kids love to dunk crackers and veggies into this dip!)

Ingredients:

• 1 can (16 ounce) fat free refried beans
• 1/2 cup mild salsa

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine refried beans and salsa.
2. Divide bean dip into reusable plastic containers (1/2 – 2/3 cup per serving).
3. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

For a well balanced lunch include 1/2 cup-2/3 cup bean dip, 6-12 whole wheat crackers, 4-6 carrot sticks, a stick of string cheese and an orange (whole, peeled or quartered). Pack in an insulated lunch box with a frozen gel pack. Buy cold low fat milk at school or pack a bottle of water.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A. and Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development & Family Studies,
Colorado State University

From a young age, healthy teeth habits are important to your grandchild’s overall health. Right now, over 19% of children ages 2-19 have untreated cavities in the US. With February being National Dental Month, it’s a great time to start making healthy dental habits a part of your grandchild’s everyday routine. No matter what age of your grandchild, there are important things to do each day to help maintain healthy teeth.

Here are some tips that you can incorporate into your everyday routine to improve and keep up on your grandchild’s dental health:

• Schedule a dental checkup every six months.
• Encourage your grandchild to eat healthy foods and limit sweets and sugary drinks.
• Make a twice-daily routine to brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day with your grandchild.
• When brushing, to avoid using too much toothpaste, only use a pea-size amount. Encourage your grandchild to spit out extra toothpaste and rinse well after brushing.
• For infants, clean teeth with a soft cloth or a baby toothbrush at least once a day.
• Do not put your infant to bed with a bottle to avoid stains and spots on his or her teeth.

Often times it can seem impossible to get your grandchild to cooperate and sit still long enough while practicing these healthy dental habits. Here are some suggestions for trying to make oral hygiene fun for your grandchild.

• Let them pick out their own toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Try brushing your teeth at the same time as them.
• Take turns singing songs such as the ABC’s while you get a chance to brush your grandchild’s teeth and while your grandchild gets a chance to brush his or her own teeth.
• Provide small stickers for grandchildren to place on their toothbrush after each time they clean their teeth.
• The American Dental Association provides fun coloring and activity sheets for your grandchild to do.

If insurance does not cover the cost of routine dental checkups for your grandchild, there are several low cost dental places available. Fees are based on a sliding scale determined by income. For a list of Colorado low cost dental offices.

Following these suggestions at a young age can help your grandchild have healthy dental habits for the rest of his or her life. For more information about how to improve your grandchild’s dental habits.

By Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A., Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University

With October being National Work and Family Month, it is a good time to address a common issue most families face; the struggle of balancing work and family. On average, people in the United States work 47 hours per week, which is more than any other country worldwide. With so much time devoted to work, many people find it difficult to have enough time for both work responsibilities and family time. So how can you, as a grandparent raising your grandchild, find a way to make sure you’re putting in enough time at work, while still having enough quality time for your family? Researchers have developed several strategies to help families achieve a successful work and family balance. Try incorporating some of these strategies into your life if you find yourself struggling with balancing time between work and family:

• Maintain a commitment to family: Be sure to make your family your number one priority. One simple way to do this is by creating opportunities to spend with your family. Try having a weekly pizza night with you and your grandchild where you can sit down and have time to talk.
• Strive for equality in your partnership: If you have a partner, show each other respect and try to divide up household responsibilities equally. This way, each of you will have more time together and with your grandchild.
• Derive meaning from work: People who enjoy their work and find purpose in their work have less fatigue and work related stress.
• Maintain a work balance: You can make the decision to have control over your work, so try not to let your work dictate your life. For example, you might want to say no to jobs that require long hours or weekend work if you know it will take away time from your family.
• Be focused while you’re at work: If you are dedicated and productive while at work, your employer will be more supportive of your efforts to limit your work hours to create enough time for your family.
• Prioritize family fun: Make it a point to enjoy a lot of playtime with your family. This will help you relax and stay emotionally connected to your loved ones.
• Live simply: Try to eliminate unnecessary expenses in your life that may require you to work overtime to cover bills.

For the month of October, try incorporating some or all of these strategies in your everyday life. You may find that these strategies help you achieve a balanced work and family life.

Information for this article was provided by:
Haddock, S. A., Zimmerman, T. S., Ziemba, S. J., & Current, L. R. (2001). Ten adaptive strategies for family and work balance: Advice from successful families. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 27, 445-458. doi: 10.111/j.1752-0606.2001.tb00339.x

By Emily Koeppel, B.A. and Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development & Family Studies,
Colorado State University

March is National Nutrition month and with spring around the corner, it is a great time for you and your grandchildren to think about improving your health and nutrition.

Nutrition is defined as the ways in which our bodies obtain the food necessary for health and growth. As a caregiver, making sure your grandchild is receiving his or her necessary nutrients is one of the most important things you can do. A child’s nutrition is directly linked to every aspect of his or her growth and development. It is a well-known fact, that drinking milk helps children’s bones grow strong. But, did you know that a lack of iron (from high protein foods like meats and nuts) can lead to trouble with attention span and memory? Proper nutrition can also promote a better quality of life for your grandchildren. Children that have a better quality of life and live a healthier lifestyle are reported to partake and enjoy more activities compared to children who are not as healthy.

Not only does a nutritious diet during childhood help with growth and development, it can have long lasting effects into adulthood, as well. Registered Dietitian Laura Yudys, MS, RD, LDN, explains, “It has been well established that the way we eat as children affects our health as adults. Not only does learning healthy habits at a young age promote better habits as an adult, a healthy diet followed from childhood reduces the risk of disease development later in life.”

By knowing how important it is to make sure your grandchildren are receiving their daily nutrients necessary for a healthy lifestyle, it is also important to know how to get your children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Unfortunately, in our society, the tastiest foods are often the foods that are the worst for us. Most children would rather eat chicken nuggets and french fries instead of broccoli and grilled chicken. However, as a caregiver, you can help your grandchildren choose the healthier option more often than not. Yudys offers ways to make healthy eating in children happen. She recommends adults can serve as healthy eating role-models which teaches children that eating healthy is easy, fun, and tasty. Not only can you serve as a role model, but there are ways to make eating healthy and fun. Yudys also suggests cooking meals together to promote family bonding and good lifelong habits for health. For some great recipes that are fun to make and healthy for you and your grandchildren.

If you put in the effort now to make sure your grandchildren are eating healthy and living active lifestyles, you will be able to give them a better chance at living a healthy adult lifestyle as well.

Information provided by Children’s Heart Center.

By Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development & Family Studies,
Colorado State University

While there are countless situations that require grandparents keeping their grandchildren safe, one of the most important ways to keep young grandchildren safe is by baby proofing a home. Each year, over 4.5 million children are injured in their home, so baby proofing is a crucial step for anyone with infants and toddlers. In order for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren to baby proof as effectively as possible, it is important to know where there are dangers in the home. With June being National Safety Month, take some time to look over these common safety hazards to be sure your house is baby proofed.

Bathroom:

• Lower the water temperature on your water heater to avoid accidental burns
• Consider buying toilet lid locks, curious toddlers love to play with water

Doors:

• Use doorknob covers for doors you do not want your grandchildren to open

Windows:

• Be sure to tie up any cords to blinds, so your grandchildren cannot get tangled in them (do not put cribs, high chairs, or play pens near cords to window blinds)
• Make sure furniture that grandchildren can climb on is not near a window

Outlets:

• Cover all unused electrical outlets with safety plugs before your grandchildren begin crawling

Stairways:

• Be sure to install baby gates before your grandchildren begin crawling (at both the top and the bottom of the stairs)
• Do not leave anything on your stairs, as it can become a tripping hazard while you are carrying your grandchildren

Furniture and Appliances:

• When cooking, keep handles turned towards the back of the stove (try to only use back burners when possible)
• Fasten bookshelves to the wall so grandchildren are not able to pull them over
• Keep all drawers and cabinets closed. Consider purchasing cabinet baby locks to keep grandchildren from opening cabinets and drawers
• Be sure to keep ALL medicines and household cleaners in drawers/cabinets that are securely locked

While it is important to be sure to baby proof your home as much as possible, it is important to remember that there is no such thing as a 100% baby proofed house or apartment. So, be sure to combine baby proofing with close supervision in order to keep your young grandchildren as safe as possible.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A.
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development & Family Studies,
Colorado State University

July is a great month to spend outside, enjoying the weather and playing with grandchildren. However, the exposure to sun that we get from being outside is not always good for our skin. July is national UV safety month and it is important to take time this month to make sure that you and your grandchildren are safe from the harmful rays of the sun.

Although it is almost universally known to put sunscreen on when heading off to the pool for the day, there are a few things about sun safety that are often overlooked. Over exposure to sun can cause extensive skin damage and even skin cancer in the future. Therefore, it is important to keep these pointers in mind when spending time outside:

• UV rays from the sun are still dangerous even if it seems cloudy outside. Oftentimes, people skip out of sunscreen if the clouds are out. However, even on a cloudy day, 80% of UV rays reach your skin. Be sure to apply sunscreen whenever you are outside for extensive periods, even if the sun does not seem to be shining that bright.
• Be sure to protect all areas on the body from the sun. Often times, there are areas that we forget to put sunscreen on, such as the scalp, back of ears, or lips, that can easily get sunburnt. Remember to apply sunscreen or SPF lip balm to these sensitive skin spots.
• Although several sunscreens are water-resistant, none of them are waterproof. This means that when you or your grandchild gets out of a pool or a water fountain, sunscreen needs to be reapplied immediately. You can never apply too much sunscreen! A good rule of thumb is to apply sunscreen every one to two hours when outdoors for the whole day.
• Limit times outdoors during peak sun times. From 11am to 2pm, the sun is the brightest and the most dangerous. If your grandchildren want to go to the pool or head outside to play, consider waiting until 3 or 4pm in order to avoid the most dangerous UV rays.
• Last but not least, be sure to stay hydrated while in the sun. Never leave the house without a couple of water bottles.

Enjoy the summer weather and the outdoor activities with your grandchildren this month but always remember to practice sun safety. Type in your zip code and find out on a scale of 1 to 11 how high the UV is for that day. This is a great resource for other seasons of the year when the sun does not seem so bright, but it can still be harmful.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A. and Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development & Family Studies,
Colorado State University

December is National Safe Toys and Gift month. With the holidays around the corner, this is a perfect time to make sure you know what toys are safe and what toys are not as safe. As you are looking for that perfect toy for your grandchild keep these safety tips in mind:

• Pay attention to the label that indicates age appropriateness of the toy.
• Look for toys that are sturdy and well made. Paying a little more for a toy that will last longer and be safer for your grandchild is worth the extra cost.
• Try to buy toys that have met the American Society for Testing and Materials safety standards. There will be a logo on the toy indicating it has passed an ASTM safety inspection.
• Refrain from purchasing toys with sharp objects, points, or small parts.
• Avoid purchasing electric toys with heating elements (e.g., an Easy Bake Oven).
• Try not to purchase any toys with ropes or cords.

If you are able to choose toys that follow these tips, you will decrease the chances of injury resulting from toys. However, it’s important that you still are aware of how to keep these toys safe after you have purchased them. These simple guidelines will help to keep your grandchildren’s toys safe:

• Make sure you inspect all toys on a regular basis. Look for broken pieces or damage that could create small pieces. Repair or discard immediately if you notice any broken parts that are hazardous to your grandchild.
• Be aware of toys that advise adult supervision in the instructions. Supervise your grandchild while he/she plays with these toys and try to set good examples of appropriate play.
• Try to keep your grandchild in a safe environment while playing with toys. For example, riding toys should not be used near stairs, traffic, or swimming pools.
• Keep toys separated by age appropriateness to ensure young children do not accidently play with toys intended for older children.

Being aware of toy safety, especially at this time of year, can make gift shopping less stressful and can ensure you are keeping your grandchildren safe. For information on toys to avoid this season and more toy safety tips please look at this article on the annual Toy Safety Report.

By Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A., Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University

October is National SIDS Awareness Month, so it is important to know what SIDS is and how you, as a caregiver, can prevent it from happening. According to the National SUID/SIDS Resource Center, SIDS is the sudden death of an infant under the age of one that cannot be explained after an investigation and an autopsy. In addition to SIDS, another related syndrome is SUID, or Sudden and Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome. SUID is when an infant under the age of one’s death is not immediately obvious before an investigation. SIDS is a type of SUID along with hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature), hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature), neglect, and accidental suffocation (National SUID/SIDS Resource Center, n.d.). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States 4.500 infants die because of SUIDs and half of these deaths are due to SIDS.

With SIDS being the number one cause of death between infants 1 to12 months old, it is important to know how to keep your grandchild safe. For example:

1. Place your infant grandchild to sleep on his/her back for naps and at night. If your grandchild is able to roll over onto his/her tummy it is okay to leave them that way.
2. Make sure your infant grandchild is sleeping on a firm sleep surface.
3. Keep all objects out of your grandchild’s crib. He/she does not need a pillow, stuffed animals, bumper pads, or blankets in the crib.
4. It is okay to sleep in the same room as your infant grandchild, but not in the same bed.
5. Keep your grandchild away from smokers and places where people smoke.
6. Do not let your infant grandchild get too hot. Instead of a blanket, use a sleep sack at night for your grandchild. A sleep sack is sleeveless, zip up bag that keeps your grandchild warm, but is much safer than a blanket.
7. Let your grandchild use a pacifier at night and during naps. Pacifiers have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
8. Do not use products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. They have not been shown to reduce SIDS and have actually caused suffocation in some cases.
9. Give your infant grandchild plenty of “tummy time”. Place your grandchild on his/her tummy to help strengthen his or her neck muscles. It is important to always be with your grandchild during tummy time (Healthy Children. Org, 2011)

If you follow these steps you will reduce the chances that SIDS or SUID becomes a reality in your home. For more information on SIDS/SUID please contact your pediatrician.

By Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistant in Human Development Family Studies, Colorado State University

Recently, bullying has become an all too common occurrence with school-aged children. On any given day, as many as 160,000 students stay home because they are afraid of being bullied (Bullying Statistics, 2009). With bullying becoming such a problem, it is important to learn more about bullying and what to do if your grandchild is being bullied.

Growing up, most children will get teased by a brother, sister, or friend. Bullying, however, goes beyond teasing and can include hitting, shoving, name-calling, making threats, or taking personal belongings (Lyness, 2010). If your grandchild is being bullied, something as simple as standing in the lunch line can become a scary thing.

It is important to recognize the signs when someone is being bullied. Signs your grandchild is a victim of bullying may include:

• Acting anxious (example: crying, worrying, etc.)
• Not eating
• Not sleeping well
• Getting upset easily
• Avoiding certain things they used to do (example: taking the bus) (Lyness, 2010)

If you think that your grandchild is being bullied, it is important to talk to him or her as soon as you can. It may feel awkward to bring it up, but it could help your grandchild from having lasting emotional scars from bullying. Some strategies include being somewhat indirect with your questions. For example, if you’re watching TV and kids being bullied comes up, ask questions like “what do you think about that?” or “has anything like that ever happened to you?” (Lyness, 2010).

Your grandchild might be embarrassed or feel guilty, so it is important to make sure he or she knows that things will get better by talking about it. Make sure to be supportive and believe what he or she is telling you. Once you know bullying is occurring, try to get as much information as possible about where the bullying is taking place and who is the bully. Then, you should contact your grandchild’s teacher, school counselor, or principle to discuss what is going on with your grandchild.

The state of Colorado takes bullying very seriously. In 2011, bullying in schools actually became illegal, so do not hesitate to talk to your grandchild’s school. If you have more questions visit Colorado Laws on bullying.

By: Jacque Miller, CSU Larimer County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences

The internet is full of legitimate and useful information. It is a great place to stay connected with family and friends, as well as expand social networks to others who share interests in similar topics. However, for children and teens this same technology can result in a variety of unwanted outcomes. What can you do as a parent or caregiver?

1. Establish Household Rules
   Make certain your child/teen is aware of your rules for Internet use. Be prepared to follow through with consequences if the rules are violated. Place computers in a central and frequently visited spot in your home, an area where you are able to monitor and is not isolated from family activities.
2. Communicate with your Child/Teen
   Talk with your child/teen and find out what they like to do online and why. Be open-minded! As a family develop a family strategy for technology that meets everyone’s needs, such as determining an appropriate amount of time that can be spent online or which sites are allowable. Try to respond appropriately if your child/teen reports an online concern or incident. Fear of overreaction is the main reason they do not report online concerns to adults.
3. Monitor Your Child/Teen’s Use of the Internet
   Engage in respectful monitoring: public online activities are public and open to review; private communications should be reviewed if there are reasons for concern. Install monitoring software that filters or blocks inappropriate content on all computers your child/teen uses. Filtering and blocking programs cannot protect from all online dangers, but they can help. Keep track of the websites your child/teen is visiting and be on the lookout for inappropriate sites or anonymous chat rooms.
4. Become Tech-Savvy!
   Learn the technology. Doing so will allow you to monitor your teens online use more closely. Ask your child/teen to show you Facebook, MySpace, and/or Twitter and to help you set up your own account or profile. Learn how to adjust the privacy settings so that only people you and your child/teen approve can assess the information they provide.

By Lindsay Hornell, B.S.W, B.A., Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

With readily available access to computers, cellphones, and tablets, children and adolescents are able to access the internet at the click of a button. Having quick access to the internet can be a great resource for children and adolescents, but it can also be hazardous. As a grandparent raising grandchildren, it is important to know how to keep your grandchildren safe when they use the internet. One way to keep your grandchildren safe is by monitoring what they see and hear on the internet. Try these tips to help you monitor internet activity:

• Check to see if your internet service provider provides parental control options. If they do, you can block certain types of websites from showing up on your computer and you can also track what your grandchildren do online.
• Keep your computer in a common area, like the living room or kitchen, so you can easily see what your grandchildren are viewing.

Another way to keep your grandchildren safe online is by keeping track of who they talk to. Try these tips to monitor your grandchild’s online communication:

• Share an email account, or have your grandchild’s email information, so you can monitor email exchanges.
• Make rules against entering private chat rooms or block them with parental-control options.
• If your grandchild mentions having “friends” online, ask to be introduced to his/her “friends”.

The last way to keep your grandchildren safe online is by informing them on how to be smart about what information they share about themselves. Try these tips to help your grandchildren know what to reveal and what not to reveal about themselves:

• Talk to you grandchildren about how it can be dangerous to give out personal pictures and personal information online (address, telephone number, etc).
• Teach your grandchildren to only use screen names, so their real names are not available to other people on the internet.

As with other challenges that come with raising grandchildren, the most important thing to do is to keep open communication with your grandchildren. Be sure to talk to your grandchildren about the dangers of the internet, your concerns, and how to stay safe as soon as they start having access to the internet. Having open communication about internet access will help your grandchildren feel comfortable talking to you as they explore the internet.

Information for this article was provided by Kids Health.

By Allyson Kraus, B.S.
Graduate Assistant, Department of Human Development and Family Studies,
Colorado State University

Raising a grandchild diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can seem like a daunting task, and one of the most difficult situations to handle is getting homework done. Children with ADHD have trouble with time management, focusing for long periods of time, impulse control, and memory. As a result, here are some helpful homework hints when assisting grandchildren with ADHD.

• The best way to make sure grandchildren will be successful in completing homework is to make certain they bring it home! Arm them with reminder notes and get help from their teacher so that when they come home you’ll have everything you need to help them.
• Long-term assignments can be especially difficult for children with ADHD because they need to outline the steps necessary to complete the project. Make a list of steps with grandchildren and allow them to decide when they will complete them.
• Staying consistent is important. For example, if you think they function better when you let them take a break when they first get home, then let them run around outside for a while and make sure this is always part of the routine. Consistency is important for children with ADHD so that they can predict what is coming and it limits their unscheduled free time that promotes distraction.
• Have a limit for the time you help grandchildren with their homework so that they understand they only have to focus for a certain period of the afternoon/evening.
• Have a special place in your home where homework is done. Grandchildren with ADHD sometimes need to be able to listen to music to help them concentrate, so find a place where they are free to do what’s necessary to get work done.
• Another important component of homework help is not allowing the child to procrastinate. Make sure they understand when the assignment is due and that they understand what is being asked of them so there is no frustration in confusion.
• Children with ADHD have a difficult time focusing for long periods of time, so allow them to take short breaks while doing homework. Using a timer can be helpful so a grandchild can visualize how much longer s/he has to focus.
• Always remember to try to keep the experience as positive as possible. If the child is too stressed out or frustrated to concentrate, talk to his/her teacher about reducing the homework load or allowing time to complete work during the school day.
• Praise grandchildren for their efforts. For example, token systems work wonders for children with ADHD because they provide concrete rewards for a job well done

By Lindsay Hornell, B.S.W, B.A., and Emily Koeppel, B.A.
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development & Family Studies,
Colorado State University

Managing money responsibly can be one of the biggest challenges adults face. Therefore, it is important to teach children strategies for managing money responsibly beginning at a young age. There are several ways that grandparents can help their grandchildren learn how to manage money at any age.

If you have young grandchildren, introduce your grandchildren to money as soon as they can count. Count coins and dollar bills with them to help them learn the different values. Additionally, go with your young grandchildren to pick out a piggy bank. If they find spare change, or get a visit from the tooth-fairy, teach them to use the piggy bank to save their money. Make sure to explain the benefits of saving and how money can add up over time. Using piggy banks and spare change is an easy way to introduce the idea of saving money.

If you have school-aged grandchildren, try giving them an allowance. Set age appropriate tasks for your grandchildren to do. When they have completed the task, give them a small allowance. This helps teach grandchildren the value of hard work, as well as teach them that money does not magically appear. Additionally, give your grandchildren their allowance in smaller denominations in order to encourage them to save. For example, if your grandchildren’s allowance is five dollars, instead of giving them a five-dollar bill, give them five one-dollar bills. Then, explain that if they saved one of their dollar bills a week, they would have fifty-two dollars at the end of the year.

Also, with school-aged grandchildren, try looking for helpful bank apps, such as Bankaroo, that can teach how to manage money. Bank apps can be used on cell phones or tablets. These apps can help encourage children to track their allowance, their spending habits, and learn good saving habits. Finally, if your school-aged grandchild wants to save for something in particular, make a sticker chart. Stickers can represent how much money has been saved for the item. Then, as your grandchild saves money, he or she can learn how rewarding saving money can be.

If you have teenaged grandchildren, try taking them to the bank to open their own bank account. This will help them learn how to be responsible and understand the process of banking. If your teenaged grandchildren have jobs, encourage them to set up a direct deposit for their pay-checks. This way, their money goes directly into the bank where they are less likely to spend it immediately. With teenagers, it is also important to teach the difference between debit and credit cards. That way, when they are old enough to have their own credit card, they know how to use it responsibly.

No matter the age of your grandchildren, you should always try to bring them on shopping trips with you. While grocery shopping with your grandchildren, explain to them the difference in unit prices, have them help you decide what the best deal on an item is, and explain how buying more of something can actually save money. Before heading to the store, have your grandchildren help you cut out coupons and explain the benefit of sales and coupons. Additionally, it can be a good idea to give your grandchildren a fixed amount of money for them to do all of their holiday shopping. Encourage them to pay attention to sales, and make sure they are allotting enough money to buy all of the presents that they need to buy for their family. Giving grandchildren a set amount of money to spend on presents will help them learn how to budget the money that they have.

One of the most important things you can do to teach your grandchildren about managing money responsibly is to have conversations with them about money. Talk about the difference between needs, wants, and wishes. Also, try saving as a family for something fun like a trip or a visit to the zoo. This is a great way to show children money management and an easy way to introduce financial topics with your grandchildren.

By Sheila Gains
Family and Consumer Science Agent, Arapahoe County

What Can I Pack my Kids for Lunch?

By Sheila Gains, Family and Consumer Science Agent, Arapahoe County

What can I pack that won’t spoil by lunch time and contains a well balanced selection of healthy foods that my child will eat? Have you asked yourself this question lately? Every fall, as school starts, many parents face the dilemma of what to pack for lunch.

Here are some tips to help you and your child select and pack healthy, safe, and tasty lunches:

• • Make a list of all the food options your child will eat by food group: grains, fruits, vegetables, meat/protein, dairy, and other foods such as dips, sauces, snacks, and desserts. Get kids involved in making the list.
  • Indicate which food items will need refrigeration or an insulated lunch box and a frozen gel pack. A frozen juice box or frozen water bottle can be used in place of a gel pack for keeping food cool and safe until lunch time.

• Take kids shopping, or let them shop from the items you bring home to build their lunches. Provide a variety of whole grains, and foods naturally low in fat and added sugar. Limit the number of salty, high fat and high sugar treats they pack to one a day. Children often eat these tasty foods first, instead of the other healthy foods in their lunch, making it hard for them to get all the nutrients they need each day.
• Have plenty of snack and sandwich size plastic zip bags or reusable containers on hand.
• Ask kids to pick and pack at least one serving from each of the five food groups.
• Have a few gel packs, 100% juice boxes or water bottles frozen and ready to use.
• A reusable bottle filled with ice water and packed with lunch also helps keep other foods cold and reminds children to drink more water.

Lets Talk: Letting kids help pick what goes into their lunch is a great way to start a conversation about nutrition and health. Encouraging them to pick at least one item from each of the major food groups helps them understand the concept of eating a variety of food everyday.

Don’t worry if kids come home with food that was not eaten. Some days children will be hungry and focused on eating. Other days they might not be as hungry, perhaps they were distracted or had a food treat in the classroom before lunch, etc. Occasionally ask children if they think they’re packing enough, too much, or want some different food choices. Assure children that these questions are not meant to make them feel bad that they didn’t clean their plate/lunch box. But it helps them make adjustments to how much and what they pack the next time.

Recipe for Health:

Bean Dip (Kids love to dunk crackers and veggies into this dip!)

Ingredients:

• 1 can (16 ounce) fat free refried beans
• 1/2 cup mild salsa

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine refried beans and salsa.
2. Divide bean dip into reusable plastic containers (1/2 – 2/3 cup per serving).
3. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

For a well balanced lunch include 1/2 cup-2/3 cup bean dip, 6-12 whole wheat crackers, 4-6 carrot sticks, a stick of string cheese and an orange (whole, peeled or quartered). Pack in an insulated lunch box with a frozen gel pack. Buy cold low fat milk at school or pack a bottle of water.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A. and Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development & Family Studies,
Colorado State University

Reading is Important to Your Grandchild’s Development
This time of the year people are making New Years resolutions to improve themselves and their lives. A great goal would be to encourage daily reading for your older grandchild or making time to read with or to your younger grandchild. This is also a perfect time, if you have not already, to introduce reading as a daily activity for your grandchild. Whether your grandchild is a toddler or an adolescent, it is important to make reading a regular activity. For young children and adolescents, reading has several benefits that vary specifically by age. However, reading at any age improves academic performance and strengthens basic speech skills.

A common misconception is that infants and toddlers do not need to be read to because they are not able to understand what is being read. However, this is not true. If your grandchild is an infant or a toddler, reading to them is one of the most beneficial activities that you can do with him or her. Starting to read to children before preschool has been shown to help them prepare for elementary school. Although it may not seem like young children are listening, they are. With more exposure to reading, children began to understand more words and sentences. This can help them prepare for basic school subjects such as math, science, and social studies.

Reading to young children has also been shown to create and strengthen the bond between the child and his/her caregiver. Taking the time to read to your infant or toddler each day guarantees that you will spend quality time together. In addition, daily reading sets aside time to help your grandchild learn basic speech and reading skills that will contribute to healthy development.

It is also important to encourage your adolescent grandchild to read on a regular basis. Reading exposes adolescents to different types of writing, which can expand adolescent vocabularies and improve writing skills. These skills that are strengthened by reading can be crucial for succeeding on standardized tests and receiving admission into college. Not only does reading help in academic areas, but reading different stories can help expand adolescent horizons as they learn about different people, cultures, and stories in the world.

If you would like tips on how to encourage children to read, please visit the Center for Children’s Literature website. The website also provides a great resource for finding books to read with your grandchildren or to recommend to your older grandchild. This website provides the top children books of 2012 categorized by age.

Public libraries are also a great resource to encourage reading. Most libraries hold a story time for infants, toddlers, and caregivers each week. To find a library near you, visit this public library website and select your state.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A, Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

Raising grandchildren can come with several financial hardships, including food, transportation, and housing. As grandchildren move in with grandparents, there may be a need for more living space but there may not be financial resources to accommodate such a need. With the increasing number of grandparents raising grandchildren, some cities and states have started taking action in helping grandparents find affordable and comfortable housing to live in with their grandchildren. Many metro areas have created housing specifically for grandparents raising grandchildren within retirement communities and apartment buildings. These housing units are meant to accommodate the space and financial needs of grandparents raising grandchildren. Cities such as Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, and Phoenix have developed housing specifically for families like yours. Affordable housing for grandfamilies are beginning to become popular, so be sure to check your state and city to see if there are any housing developments that are available or planning to be built for grandparents raising grandchildren.

States such as Colorado have unfortunately not been able to build specific housing for grandparents raising grandchildren, but there are some other affordable housing options to look into through state and federal programs. Many programs can help find affordable housing options, give financial assistance for rent payments, or help lower mortgage payments. Many of these programs have waiting lists, so it is important to find the right program and get on the waiting list as fast as possible.

Housing Colorado is one of the helpful programs in Colorado that works towards assisting families in finding affordable housing. On their website, there are tips, programs, and educational sessions to sign up for and attend for free.

Although it may seem challenging to find the right program, there are affordable housing options in your community that can help all types of families. Be sure to research, ask questions, and be proactive when looking for affordable housing for you and your grandchild.

Gisele Jefferson
Family and Consumer Science/Youth Development Extension Agent, Golden Plains Area

Do you know someone struggling with too many bills and growing debt? They feel overwhelmed and wonder where to go for help. Credit counseling may be helpful. What can they really do? How can you know whom to trust?

Make sure the credit counseling agency is accredited. They should be a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. Check the websites, or call NFCC (800) 388-2227 for an agency near you.

Credit counseling services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by telephone and Internet. In-person credit counseling is also available by appointment in the agency offices. In Colorado, there are several offices for the Consumer Credit Counseling Services (nonprofits). They are located throughout the Denver metro area, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, and Sterling. Check them out at Money Management.

A credit counselor can help with education, financial workshops or resources. Topics may cover budget counseling, use of credit, debt management, foreclosure prevention, and bankruptcy counseling. Through a debt management plan, counselors work with your creditors. They arrange a new plan to pay off your debts and reduce interest costs. You make one payment per month or per paycheck to the agency. Then, they make the agreed payments to your creditors.

Often the first basic consultation is free. Many agencies offer free or low-cost information. They may also offer educational workshops or webinars. Typical fees for a nonprofit credit counseling agency may be an initial $25 to $100 administrative fee to set up a debt management program (DMP). Some agencies charge a modest monthly fee for managing the plan. Before enrolling in a DMP, get a written statement of the costs.

Glenda Wentworth
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent, Eagle County

Holidays can be stressful because of the amount of money spent on gifts, decorations, mailing costs, special events, food, travel expenses, etc. Reduce the stress in your life by constructing a plan now. This improves your chances of not overspending for the holidays.

Holidays are when people tend to overdo to make others happy. This attitude drains time, energy, and finances. Decide what is important to your family by prioritizing. Involve all family members in the process of deciding what traditions are the most important. Formulate a resource budget of time, energy, and money.

A large portion of holiday spending is presents. Plan your holiday spending plan based on what you can afford. To help budget for gifts, make a list of everyone you plan to give a present to and write what you want to give them and the cost.

There are creative and thoughtful ways to provide gifts for the holidays. However, if you want to make gifts, block out time on the calendar for these types of activities. Remember to include the purchase price of the supplies to create the gifts.

Do not become pressured by commercial pitches to buy. Enjoy the colorful displays and merchandise for their beauty and significance. Plan to keep costs down by:

• Spending under your limit
• Planning for miscellaneous expenses such as food while shopping
• Drawing names
• Being aware of retailers tactics
• Using what you have for decorations, gifts, wrapping paper, crafts
• Start planning for next year by creating a Christmas account

By Christine A. Fruhauf, Ph.D., Kim Bundy-Fazioli, Ph.D. and Jacque Miller, M.S.

Elder abuse is a topic not openly discussed among grandparents and professionals working with grandparent caregivers – but, it is important and should not be ignored. Elder abuse may not directly impact you, but you may have friends within your support network or you may serve grandparent caregivers that experience abuse from their grandchildren.

Researchers (i.e., Brownell, Berman, Nelson, & Fofana, 2003) discovered that grandparents experience risks associated with raising grandchildren including physical, psychological, and financial harm or abuse. This maybe alarming, but participants in Brownell et al.’s work learned that there are grandchildren who punch, hit, or threw objects at their grandparents as one case worker stated, “I had a 14-year-old boy [on my caseload] who was 6’2″ and 180 pounds and he was abusing his grandmother and she would never tell. She kept coming up with excuses that she had these accidents, broken legs, broken arms, broken ribs” (p. 19). In addition to physical abuse, grandparents also experienced psychological harm and verbal abuse from their grandchildren. For example, grandparents stated that grandchildren often cursed and talked back to them often resulting in disrespectful behavior. Finally, financial or material abuse of grandparents from grandchildren was found in the form of stealing money or destroying or stealing grandparents’ valued personal possessions. A grandmother stated that her grandchild stole “all the money” and she did not have money to pay rent and other bills.

Many grandparents said this aggressive behavior is common. They stated that because of the trauma grandchildren experienced earlier in life, grandparents believe this behavior is how grandchildren cope. Additionally, case managers reflected they witnessed this behavior. However, they experienced this as annoying “normal adolescent behavior” and not always abusive towards grandparents.

Should you or a friend experience harm or abuse from a grandchild, avoid keeping it a secret. Concealing this behavior will only cause harm for the grandparent and the grandchild. The goal is to help grandchildren learn healthier ways for dealing with unresolved trauma. If this behavior is permitted, the grandchild will most likely carry this behavior into other relationship causing further harm to self and others.

There are many professionals willing to help grandparents whose grandchildren engage in destructive behaviors. You do not need to deal with this alone. Seek assistance from counselors, faith-based services, grandparent support group meetings, schools (i.e., teachers and school counselors), and local law enforcement.

By Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A., Graduate Research Assistant in Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

In June of 2011 over 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the United States alone. This shows how text messaging has become one of the most common forms of communication. Text messaging is a great alternative to making a phone call, or if you just need to send a quick message to someone. However, texting while driving can be incredibly dangerous and even lead to fatal car accidents for the driver, passengers, and bystanders.

Texting while driving is considered a form of distracted driving. Other forms of distracted driving include eating or drinking, using a navigation system, adjusting the radio, and even talking to other passengers. However, texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions. When a person is sending or receiving a text, it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver. In fact, when sending or receiving a text, a person’s eyes on average are taken off the road for a total of 4.6 seconds. Going 55mph, that is equivalent to driving an entire football field, blind. For this reason, texting while driving creates a crash risk 23 times more likely than driving while not distracted.

Currently, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. In the past 5 years, 35,000 teens have died from automobile accidents. That means 18 teens die each day from car accidents. As a grandparent raising your grandchild, it is imperative to teach your teenage grandchild the dangers of texting and driving. Shockingly, over 75% of teens admit to texting and driving. With such high numbers of teens engaging in such dangerous driving habits, here are some suggestions to encourage your grandchild to avoid texting and driving:

1. Set a good example yourself-never text while driving.
2. Make a family rule-if you have to send a text message while driving, pull over to send the text instead of trying to do so while driving.
3. Don’t call/text your grandchild when you know he/she will be driving.
4. Discuss the dangers of texting and driving together.
5. Have your grandchild get in the habit of turning his/her cell phone on silent when driving. If your grandchild can not hear a text notification, he/she will be less likely to read or respond to texts.

Learn more facts on the dangers of distracted driving.

Information and Statistics provided by NHTSA and Do Something

See topic under Education section.

Children living with their grandparents may face a lot of changes. Some changes are harder, such as when they must move away from one home to another. Other changes are easier, but are still important to the child, such as returning from a visit with a parent. Having a routine and knowing what to expect are very important for a young child. Any change can be difficult for a child, and sometimes children react negatively before, during, or after a visit. While many things can cause negative behaviors, the changes involved in making a transition are often the reason.

Parents and grandparents need to work together for the child. The following list contains suggestions for helping children make positive transitions.

• Try to keep the child’s life as consistent as possible. Maintain similar routines, such as bedtime routines, nap schedules, mealtime, and bathing routines.
• Feed them the same foods.
• Have children wear similar clothing.
• Use comforting, familiar things that can be carried from one place to another, such as teddy bears, blankets, toys, or special photos.
• Use the same language, nicknames, and familiar words.
• Play similar games.
• Help the children keep their relationship with their brothers and sisters. Siblings provide an important sense of stability and support for any child. Brothers and sisters can talk about their troubles and relate to each other.
• Help children maintain friendships.
• Make plans with the children so they have a sense that things will be okay. Take a trip or visit a friend. Explore things they children are interested in. Let them know they have some control over their future, no matter what happens to their mom or dad.
• Create a “lifebook” for the child. Making a lifebook helps the child remember what he or she has done. The book could contain:
• Pictures of loved ones (parents, siblings, grandparents, pets)
  • Brief stories about what the child said and did
  • Mementos of past and present events
  • Record of visits with parents
  • Record of special family events

See topic under Legal section.

By Michelle Garcia, B.A. and Allyson Kraus, B.S.,
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

Christine A. Fruhauf, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director, HDFS Extension
Colorado State University

There are a lot of parenting resources in the public and, as a result, it can be difficult to know who to seek guidance from. Below are some simple tips from three well-established parenting books. In addition to these tips, we suggest you borrow from your local library these books and enjoy reading additional parenting tips.

Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility by: Foster Cline & Jim Fay

The philosophy of Love and Logic is that parents should both compassionately enforce limits with their children, and teach them to make healthy choices that will prepare them for adult life. Some of the key elements of Love and Logic are to offer choices, and to allow natural consequences. For example, bedtime is a good example of when to use this approach. When giving choices, it is important for grandparents to offer only the choices that they would be comfortable with their grandchild picking. At bedtime it might be, “do you want to brush your teeth before or after you put on your pajamas?” Once your grandchildren are in bed, the Love and Logic parent would enforce “grandparent time,” letting their grandchild know that they can do whatever they want in their room as long as they are quiet. If your grandchild chooses to stay up all night, you still get a good night’s rest, and your grandchild deals with the natural consequence of going to school all day without sleep. An experience they are not likely to want to repeat!

The 5 Love Languages of Children by: Gary D. Chapman & Ross Campbell

When your grandchild exhibits passive-aggressive behavior, they are indirectly expressing anger, This is typically directed towards an authority figure. Anger is the emotion that comes out when children feel like their goal is being blocked, whether that’s to play outside, avoid homework, or eat dessert first. Passive aggressive behavior is meant to upset someone who is telling the child what to do because that someone may be viewed as getting in the child’s way. Passive-aggressive behavior can show itself through procrastination, stubbornness, and/or “forgetting”. The reason grandparents often struggle to deal with their grandchild’s passive-aggressive behavior is that they try to solve the problem caused by the behavior instead of addressing the behavior itself. For example, if your grandchild is being passive-aggressive by not cleaning his/her room, a grandparent may try to problem solve with him/her in ways of making cleaning his/her room easier. However, if the grandchildren’s goal is to upset the grandparent, this kind of intervention will not get the room clean. Anger needs to be expressed, and passive-aggressive behavior is an example of an unhealthy expression of anger. However, if you do not let grandchildren express their anger out loud, then it eventually will come out in their behavior. If you sense that your grandchild is acting out because they are upset with you, be direct with them and ask them why they are angry or upset. Giving them a chance to talk or yell about it allows them to get it out in the open so you can help them come to a resolution.

How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk by: Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

Most children have a general sense of how their caretakers (i.e., parents, grandparents, teachers, etc.) view them, such as a ‘problem child’ or a ‘perfect child’. Children learn how they are viewed by the labels their caretakers apply to them, such as difficult, smart, frustrating, or caring. When children believe that their caretakers have a positive view of them, they are more likely to have a positive view of themselves. When children believe that their caretaker does not have much hope for their success, they can begin to believe that there’s no point in trying to change. For example, when a child fails a math test and he/she is told that he/she is stupid and bad at math, it is highly unlikely that he/she will be inspired to try harder next time. However, when a child fails a math test and he/she are told that he/she may not have studied hard enough or may not have realized he/she needed more help, he/she are given concrete steps to take to improve in the future. Inspiring change in your grandchild’s behavior is all about praising effort that’s aimed towards his/her goal rather than assigning labels.

For more information on Love and Logic parenting

For more information on the 5 Love Languages of Children

For more information on How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk

By Emily Koeppel, B.A., Graduate Research Assistant in Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University

For many grandparents that are raising grandchildren, there is a desire to reach out to the community and help other grandparents that are in similarly tough situations. However, it can sometimes feel overwhelming and that being “just a grandparent” or “just one person” is not significant enough to make a difference in an issue or change a policy.

Reggie Johnson is a 56 year old, single woman raising her granddaughter. She is also one of over 300 family leaders, from locations across Colorado who have completed the Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI).

Her own personal experiences of raising her grandchild brought about her resolve to see how she could more effectively help others going through a similar experience. As a participant in FLTI she was gained step by step support in researching and designing a response to an issue she saw emerging, “Over the last few years, I have heard stories about lack of grandparent (and other kin) rights which make my personal situation seem mild.” With so many stories to draw on, Reggie began to see the current laws and interpretation of these laws were leaving children at risk. Her mission became every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and forever family. Sounds simple enough, but the reality is that many children do not. The goal of her FLTI community project was to find out why and design a community response. The result was PAC-Kin (Protecting and Cherishing Kin), a grassroots group of grandparent’s and other kin providers working together toward permanent kinship arrangement where they can best provide for the physical and emotional safety, health, and wellbeing of at-risk youth. FLTI graduates like Reggie are applying skills gained through the training to affect positive outcomes for children and families in education, health, and safety.

The Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) is a 20-week training that is offered at no cost to the participant. The first ten weeks of the training are focused on developing personal leadership and the second ten weeks on civic and democracy skills. Each participant applies what they learn in the training to his or her own community project. The training also includes a day at the capitol and an all-state graduation ceremony in May.

So if you are a grandparent looking to develop your skills in community and family leadership, FLTI is great opportunity for you to consider. Applications are now being accepted and are due in most sites by early to mid-December 2013. There is an application and interview process for FLTI participants before the program begins in January 2014.

There are currently seven locations in the state of Colorado that host the FLTI training program. To find the nearest FLTI site to your location, visit the FLTI website and select training sites. You will also find additional information about FLTI and how to apply.

By Helen Frost, CSU Intern, School of Social Work

For grandparent caregivers the holiday season can be filled with mixed emotions, including excitement for the grandchildren, a feeling of being overwhelmed by festive activities, or a feeling of dread about financial limitations and being unable to share in the rituals of the season. It is important during this time of year to handle situations, events, and emotions in a way that will not make day to day living more difficult. As a grandparent caregiver it becomes especially important to take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically so that you are able to share the joys of the season with your grandchildren and family.

There are numerous ways that grandparents can manage the stress around the holiday season and create wonderful memories to share with their grandchildren. Suggestions for taking good care of yourself mentally and emotionally are to attend your community support group, reach out to friends within the support group who understand what you are going through, or have coffee with a friend to receive extra support and take a break from the challenges of the season.

For grandparent’s it is especially important to take care of yourself physically. This means getting enough rest, take a nap or go for a walk with your grandchildren if you are able. Remember to maintain your routine as much as possible and if you are taking medications, make certain you follow doctors orders and take them as scheduled.

The holiday season is also a challenge for grandparents who do not have the resources to spend large amounts of money on gift giving or extravagant meals. Take care of yourself financially by preparing a realistic budget for the “extras” and give yourself permission to set realistic expectations about what you can afford or do during this holiday season. Stay in the “here and now” when planning for the holidays by not comparing this season to holidays in the past.

This time of year may bring requests for extra visits from your adult child or your grandchild’s biological parent. When appropriate, include your adult child or your grandchild’s biological parent in activities; however, review the rules of visitation with the parent beforehand and remain firm about your expectations. Do not let things slide during this time of year because it is the holiday season; try to anticipate any problems that may arise and have a plan to address these issues.

Finally, it is acceptable to limit your plans to activities that you and your family decide are important rituals. You may determine that it is time to embrace a new tradition, perhaps buying a gingerbread house kit and working on it together as a family, introducing the idea of homemade Christmas gifts, baking together as a family. A new tradition might capitalize on the unique strengths or talents that you have as a grandparent.

As grandparents, do not believe that you have to do every thing or make up for the adult child or your grandchild’s biological parent not being present in your grandchild’s life. Instead, try to anticipate that your grandchild may have mixed emotions during this time of year. Perhaps grandchildren will become more sensitive or exhibit behaviors that you thought had been resolved, such as acting out or withdrawing. Try to reassure your grandchild and help him or her talk about his or her feelings in a safe and loving environment.

See topic under Education section.

By Lindsay Hornell, B.S.W, B.A., and Emily Koeppel, B.A., Graduate Research Assistants
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

Over time, the traditional nuclear family is becoming less common as a “new normal” family appears. Some examples of the “new normal” family includes: dual working parent families, single parent families, cohabiting individuals, un-married parent families, Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender families, and grandfamilies (i.e., grandparents and kin who assume parental responsibilities for children). With so many different types of families, it is a great time to focus on understanding the “new normal” family dynamics and how family structure has shifted in recent years. More specifically, with family dynamics shifting as a these “new normal” families surface, it is important for grandparents to know how to embrace changes and help their grandchildren accept all types of family backgrounds, including their own.

One way to help children accept all types of families is to model acceptance yourself. As grandparent raising your grandchildren, be sure to be aware of the changes taking place as the “new normal” for families emerges. Look at your own extended family: siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. There are most likely a variety of family structures within your own family. It is important to be aware and be sensitive to all types of family structures. Children often mirror the actions of adults, especially grandparental figures. Therefore, modeling acceptance and most importantly, respect, to all families will help children respond in the same way.

Another way to help children understand that all families look different is to talk openly about it. This is likely to happen as grandchildren will ask you why their mom or dad does live with them. Explain to them that there is no “right” or “wrong” type of family. As long as a family loves each other, offers support, security, and companionship, it does not matter what the family structure looks like. If your grandchild asks a question about why a certain family is different-answer the question without getting uncomfortable and reiterate the point that all families look different. The more you talk about differences, the more normal they will become to children. Just keep in mind to keep dialogue open and light. Teaching your own grandchild to be accepting of different families, including their own, is a great way to teach acceptance in all aspects of life.

Information for this article was provided from: Dr. Peggy Drexler’s on How to Talk to Kids About the New Normal

A frequent challenge grandparents raising teenaged grandchildren face is how to talk about risky behaviors. One of the most common risky behaviors that teenagers can engage in is underage drinking. In the United States, people between the age of 12 and 20 years old drink 11% of all consumed alcohol, despite it being illegal. In fact, in a recent survey, it was reported that 70% of all 12th graders had tried drinking alcohol. With such a high percentage of teenagers consuming alcohol under the legal age, it is important to know the consequences of underage drinking and how to talk to your grandchild about underage drinking.

Research has found that teenagers who consume alcohol are at a higher risk of school, social, legal, and physical problems. Some of these problems include:

• Higher absence from school
• Poorer grades
• Lack of participation in extracurricular activities
• Arrests associated with drinking (e.g., tickets for possession of alcohol under the legal age)
• Changes in brain development

As a grandparent raising grandchildren, it is important to know how to communicate with your teenaged grandchildren about underage drinking and the associated risks. Talking to your grandchildren about underage drinking is one of the biggest influencing factors on whether or not a teen decides to engage in underage drinking. As with other risky behavior, make sure to talk with your grandchildren before they have to make decisions about underage drinking. When you believe it is a good time to talk to your grandchild try to include the following in your conversation:

• The school, social, legal, and physical risks of drinking under the legal age
• The laws in your state about underage drinking and drinking while under the influence
• How you feel about underage drinking, even if your grandchild does not agree with you

Keep in mind that having these difficult conversations about underage drinking and other risky behaviors could have a great impact on your grandchild. It is never too late to begin these conversations with grandchildren and remember, if they are not hearing the information from you, they will find out from someone else, which could lead to inaccurate information. For more information on how to talk with your grandchildren about drinking and other risky behaviors.

Statistics on teen drinking were found from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A frequent challenge grandparents raising teenaged grandchildren face is how to talk about risky behaviors. One of the most common risky behaviors that teenagers can engage in is underage drinking. In the United States, people between the age of 12 and 20 years old drink 11% of all consumed alcohol, despite it being illegal. In fact, in a recent survey, it was reported that 70% of all 12th graders had tried drinking alcohol. With such a high percentage of teenagers consuming alcohol under the legal age, it is important to know the consequences of underage drinking and how to talk to your grandchild about underage drinking.

Research has found that teenagers who consume alcohol are at a higher risk of school, social, legal, and physical problems. Some of these problems include:

• Higher absence from school
• Poorer grades
• Lack of participation in extracurricular activities
• Arrests associated with drinking (e.g., tickets for possession of alcohol under the legal age)
• Changes in brain development

By Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development and Family Studies,
Colorado State University

Each year in the United States, as many as 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made. Even more shocking, each day as many as 5 children in the United States die from abuse-related causes. Abuse can occur in several different forms including: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Child abuse can happen across all ethnicities and economic levels. With April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month, it is important to know the risk factors of child abuse and coping strategies to help deal with the stressors of raising children to prevent child abuse from occurring. This information can be helpful whether you are concerned about abuse occurring within your family or other families you may know.

The following items are risk factors for child abuse:

• Family crisis or stress: The changes that occur when grandparents take on the challenge of raising their grandchild can be a difficult transition for everyone. With so many changes, this transition can bring a lot of stress for both grandchildren and grandparents
• Financial Stress or unemployment: Taking care of children brings on so many extra costs. Grandparents often face financial stress as a result of becoming primary caregivers of their grandchildren.
• Little knowledge of child development and positive parenting skills
• Lack of social/family support
• Substance abuse

Anyone raising a child can potentially face these risk factors that can easily trigger anger and frustration. Therefore, it is important to know that there are strategies that can help eliminate anger and help restore a sense of calm in stressful situations. Try using these strategies in your own family or share these strategies with other families you may know:

• Close your eyes and pretend that you are going to hear what you were about to say to the child.
• If another adult is present, take a break from the child and go for a walk.
• Put you AND you’re the child in a time-out chair. While you’re in “time-out” think about what is making you angry, and what you can do instead of taking your anger out on the child.
• Go to the bathroom and splash your face to calm down.

It is important to remember that child abuse is preventable. If you know someone who is being abused, please call, Prevent Child Abuse America: 800-CHILDREN (800) 244-5373. If you would like to join the fight against child abuse, for a list of events to get involved in through Prevent Child Abuse Colorado.

Information Provided by: Mayo Clinic, Prevent Child Abuse America, and Child Help.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A. and Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development and Family Studies,
Colorado State University

Christine A. Fruhauf, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor and Director, Undergraduate Programs,
Human Development and Family Studies
Coordinator, Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor
Colorado State University

November is National Family Caregiver month. Not only is November a time to recognize and support individuals who provide care to older adults, it is also a time to support grandparents raising grandchildren. It is important for you, as a caregiver to your grandchildren, to be recognized for all the hard work you do every day. It is also important to recognize that by taking on the caregiver role for your grandchildren, at some point you may experience role confusion. For example, you might have dreamed about being a fun-loving active grandparent who spoils grandchildren. Yet, this may not be reality as you are faced with parenting again.

Experiencing role confusion is often experienced by grandparents caring for grandchildren. As you take on the role of parenting grandchildren, it is common to also experience many challenges associated with this caregiving role. First, you may experience less enjoyment of being a grandparent having taken on a parenting role. This might be more prominent as you take on more responsibilities which may take from the pleasure of watching your grandchildren grow and develop. Second, you may experience social isolation. Not all grandparents have the same experience raising their grandchildren, which could make you feel alone as you take on this new role. Or, you may find many of your friends do not want to spend time with you because you are parenting again. Finally, you may experience behavioral problems with your grandchildren, perhaps stemming from issues with the transition to your home (Reynolds, Wright, & Beale, 2003). With the transition to a different caregiver, children might experience feelings of abandonment from their parents, they might resist attaching to a different caregiver, and they might have problems getting into a different routine. During this time of transition, children may display behavior problems such as aggression, verbal bullying, anxiety, and withdrawal.

Although these challenges may negatively impact your experience as a caregiver to your grandchildren, there are ways to lessen the effects the challenges have on you. For example:

• Depending on the age of your grandchildren, it will help if you have open communication about the changes in your family with your grandchildren. Including grandchildren in this process will help them understand the changes and adjust to the different roles that are now part of your family.
• Find and participate in a local support group for grandparents parenting grandchildren. Sharing and listening to grandparents in a similar situation will help ease some of the social isolation you may be experiencing.
• If grandchildren are having problems with the transition to your home, reach out to resources in your community. For example, school counselors or marriage and family therapists can help manage individual and family problems.
• It is also important to take time for yourself. The added responsibilities of your new parenting role could take a toll on you and your health. Be sure to give yourself time to rest and relax. Good self-care practices are important to being a successful and emotionally available caregiver.

Taking on the role as a caregiver to grandchildren can have positive outcomes for both you and your grandchildren. This new role can help you stay active and feel greater purpose in your life. It is important that you seek support, stay positive and take time for yourself. National Family Caregiver Month is great time for you to celebrate your hard work and be proud of your role as a family caregiver. For more information on National Family Caregivers Month, visit the National Family Caregivers Association website.

See topic under Health section.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A, Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University

Positive parenting techniques help maintain healthy caregiver-child relationships with the goal of raising well-behaved and cooperative grandchildren. In stressful situations, it may seem difficult to practice some of these techniques, but with time, these techniques can have great outcomes on the relationship with your grandchild.

• Practice the 5 to 1 rule. Dr. John Gottman, a well-known marriage and family therapist, designed this rule for romantic relationships. However, the rule can apply to any type of relationship. For every negative interaction you have with your grandchild, have 5 positive interactions. The positive interactions can be very simple, such as telling your grandchild that you love him or her. It is important that at the end of the day, you know that you have had far more positive interactions with your grandchild than negative interactions. This rule maintains a balance in the relationship and reassures your grandchild that you love and care about them, even though there are some negative interactions in your relationship.
• When disciplining your grandchild, try using natural and logical consequences. These types of consequences teach children responsibility as well as help them understand how they misbehaved. Natural consequences are inevitable results of the child’s action. For example, your grandchild wants to wear his or her brand new stocking cap to bed but you do not want him or her to do so. When you ask him or her to not wear the hat to bed and he or she does not listen to you, let the natural consequence run its course. Your grandchild will wake up hot, and he or she will likely take the hat off. The natural consequence is getting hot and that was a result of the child’s choice. Your grandchild will learn why it is not a good idea to wear a stocking cap to bed.
• Unlike natural consequences, the caregiver imposes logical consequences. These consequences are directly related to the problem. When deciding on logical consequences, think about the reason why the problem occurred, offer choices to the child, discuss the choices positively, and if possible, let the child choose his or her own consequence. The goal of logical consequences is not to make your grandchild feel terrible, but rather help understand why his or her misbehavior is not okay and what is expected from him or her in the future.
• Give your grandchild choices. When children have the ability to choose, not only do they feel they have some power in their life, but it shows that you, as their caregiver, trust and care about their opinion. The choices can be limited. For example, let them choose their clothes for the day from 3 options that you picked out. Let them choose what type of vegetable or fruit that they want with dinner. Giving children options and letting them choose may seem simple, but it can go a long way.
• Communicate with your grandchildren. Communication helps your grandchildren learn, it helps them understand the world, and it prevents your grandchildren from misbehaving. If you communicate with your grandchild about expectations and daily routines (i.e. you can play for 10 more minutes and then we are going to the grocery store), the child is less likely to get upset because they have a better understanding of what is expected from him or her and what to prepare for.

By Allyson Kraus, B.S. in Psychology
Graduate Assistant, Department of Human Development and Family Studies,
Colorado State University

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by a multitude of developmental deficits. One deficit includes challenging social interactions with other individuals. As a result, caregivers of children with ASD may have a difficult time teaching social skills. Children with ASD often have difficulty with turn-taking, perspective-taking, and emotional expression and recognition. These deficits make conversations with typically developing peers very difficult, and as such, children with ASD tend to often experience peer rejection. Research has found that although it may seem that children with ASD are not interested in making friends, the opposite is true. Children with ASD are interested in interacting, but they struggle to be successful in this realm. As a result, they tend to isolate themselves.

One intervention that is garnering attention is a group format for teaching social skills to children with ASD and other developmental disorders. Social skills groups are helpful because they are made up of children in similar situations, and it may be easier to practice skills with like-minded peers. A group format for social skills training has been found to be an effective model because it promotes interaction with peers and gives children a chance to practice in an understanding and accepting environment.

The Psychological Services Center at Colorado State University offers a social skills training group for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, and another group for adolescents, who struggle with social interaction. The group for adolescents provides members with the opportunity to learn social skills such as sportsmanship and flexibility, skills for decreasing anxiety, and skills for coping with bullying. Group members have a chance to practice their skills in naturalistic settings, such as a mall or a restaurant, with the help of supervising therapists. The group for children focuses on friendship skills, emotional expression and recognition, conflict management, and manners. This group is run by doctoral students in the Counseling Psychology program, and it is a discussion-based class that meets once a week for an hour to cover a range of topics.

The director of the Psychological Services Center, Dr. Lee Rosen, is the supervisor for the doctoral students running the group. Dr. Rosen specializes in child psychopathology, including disruptive behavior disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Autism Spectrum Disorders. A diagnosis is not necessary for participation in the social skills groups, and group leaders meet with potential participants before the group begins to make sure that it is a good fit for the child and their family.

For more information, please contact the Psychological Services Center: (970) 491-5212; or visit the Psychological Services Center website.

By Emily Koeppel, B.A. and Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University

Between the ages of one and three, it might seem as if your grandchild is changing everyday. Sometimes it is difficult to understand if your grandchild is developing normally, or not. The following is a timeline to help you understand typical child development stages.

12 to 15 Months: This is the beginning of your grandchild learning to walk and talk. Grandchildren may still need your help with walking and they will not be able to form words quite yet. In order to help grandchildren learn how to talk, it is important to read to grandchildren at least once a day. It is also important to involve them in self-help tasks like washing their own hands. While they are doing each task make sure to talk them through each step to help them learn more words.

15 to 18 Months: At this point your grandchild will begin to run and climb. Make sure there is someone always watching your grandchild and that your house is baby proofed. It is easy for grandchildren to get hurt quickly once they are running and climbing! Your grandchild will also be able to communicate what he or she wants through actions and single words. Grandchildren may start pointing to let you know what they want. It is also normal for tantrums to start at this stage. Your grandchild is starting to understand his or her feelings and it is important for you to stay calm whenever a tantrum is happening.

18 to 24 Months: Your grandchild will start to put two words together to make sentences. When you notice this happening, repeat what he or she said in a full sentence to help your grandchild learn more words. Around this age your grandchild will start to have an active imagination. It is important to play pretend with grandchildren to help their imagination grow.

24 to 36 Months: During this time it is important that your grandchild starts playing with other children around his or her age. This will help grandchildren learn how to share and learn social skills. Your grandchild will also want to start to become more independent. Help your grandchild learn to do things on his or her own by giving him or her choices.

It is important to point out that not all grandchildren develop at the same time. Some children develop earlier and some develop later. For more in depth information on developmental milestones. If you are worried about your grandchild’s development, please contact his or her pediatrician. Getting help early on with developmental delays can significantly decrease the effect it has on your grandchild’s life.