The life of a child is singularly spectacular while at the same time not so magnificently wonderful – but then again, the way each person looks at this period of time is of course up to him/her.  And however or whatever you decide/come to think of these years, I beg you to enjoy them as your memories are yours and yours alone.

Dukes of Hazard Lunch Box.  Lunch it up but make sure it’s a Duke-Able Lunch.  Not exactly sure about what that means and uncertain any of us would like to find out – so go for whatever you think your kid might eat that won’t kill him. And when he asks “What is it?” smile and say, the Dukes favorite. Perfect!

Howdy Doody Lunch Box and Doll. Howdy Doody Doll in front of Let’s Protest Pillow Howdy Doody!!! Buffalo Bob!! And Princess  Winter Spring Summer Fall! Wow! Just the possibilities — one could try getting the Howdy doll to eat from the Howdy lunch box or putting the Howdy doll in the Howdy lunch box and let’s face it that’s just the beginning of the fun these two true relics could provide you so please go forth and do that voodoo that you do so well.

Darth Vader Bank.  A great way to teach your kid to save money – all he needs to do is put money in this tribute bank.  Who would of thought Darth Vader could become a bank – proving there’s redemption in even the most evil force.

Dancing Coke Can with Sunglasses. A truly brilliant idea – instead of overdosing on sugary Coke watch it dance  as it sings with its sun glasses shimmering! And your kid can join in this entertainment spectacle.  Oh la la!

Tiddly Winks Game.  A truly original game made with kids in mind.  Of course it’s dated and requires actual finger work unlike that of computer games, so be prepared for a physical  challenge.  Just read the instructions and if you can understand them go forth and give it a try.

Coach Potato.  Not that watching TV alone was ever “that bad” but with the Coach Potato as his best  friend, your kid has a forever partner to enjoy TV with and with whom to share the guilt that he, himself, your kid, is becoming a human couch potato. Do not despair it could be worse – the criminal element for example.  So take a deep breath, relax and perhaps even join your coach potatoes to watch a show – maybe the Dukes of Hazard or Howdy Doody.

The Time Out Chair.  Let’s face it no person is free from committing a mistake from time to time, and then even occasionally a major mistake especially if the person in question is a child. What’s a parent to do?  Instead of delivering a typical physical punishment such as spanking, think instead of using the time out chair as part of your overall reward-punishment scheme. So here’s how to make use of a time out chair.

Teach your kids the rules and give them rewards, yes, you read correctly, give them rewards for doing the good behaviors you want them to do.  This sets the stage for better behavior.  But no one is perfect and so if your kid screws up, instead of belting him, quickly tell him calmly how he screwed up (what he did) and send him to the time chair for a brief time. This actually works very well if done correctly and allows you to spare you and your child the agony that harsh punishment inevitably brings.

For more information about this technique and in fact, everything else you need to know about raising your kids please check out my book “How to Keep Your Kids from Driving You Crazy” by Paula Stone Bender, Ph.D.

That’s it for kids for now – it’s time to move on to the subject of becoming and being a girl/teenager.

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