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Parenting with a PhD: Getting Kids to Listen

Posted on by Angie

PARENT QUESTION: We are having serious issues right now with our girls not listening. How much leniency do you allow for their age (preschool)?

PARENTING WITH A PHD RESPONSE: Selective Hearing Loss, or “SHL,” is a serious condition that affects millions of kids every second. SHL can be made worse by situations like a messy room, being plugged in to a gaming device, or the presence of broccoli on the plate. There is no known cure for SHL but you can help reduce the occurrence for your children.

I joke. But, seriously – listening is a pretty major struggle between parents and kids, leading to a lot of tantrums, anger, and frustration (And, the kids get upset, too!). There are ways to increase the likelihood that your child will listen but, unfortunately, this can’t be accomplished through a magical pill. You may have to change how you’re giving commands and addressing the resulting misbehavior. Consider some of the following techniques:

Get Close: Unless you have one of those kids who is constantly eager to please (and you wouldn’t be writing this letter if you did), you need to be physically close to your child when you give her a command. In many cases, you need to put your face level with your child’s and make physical contact to direct her attention to you. When I need the attention of a child client, I’ll often instruct her, “Look at my nose.” This command is specific and points her gaze in the right direction. Also, she’s more likely to follow the instruction because looking at someone’s nose is silly and a novel concept. If this instruction doesn’t work, you may have to gently take your child’s face in your hands and guide it towards yours.

Reduce Distractions: Make sure that electronic devices are off or paused when you give commands and don’t expect to be heard in a loud or chaotic environment. Minimize internal distractions by waiting out a tantrum before you start giving commands. Otherwise, you run the risk of escalating the anger. Besides, you don’t have a prayer of your commands being heard when your child is really upset.

State Commands Positively: Tell your child exactly what you want him to do, using as few words as possible. Instead of, “Stop it! You’re making a huge mess that Mommy’s going to have to clean up!” say: “Draw only on the paper.” Sticking to the behaviors you want to see (e.g., “Keep your hand on the grocery cart while we shop”) instead of those you don’t (e.g., “No running around the grocery store!”) gives your child a very specific goal to shoot for and makes the behavior easier to keep track of and reward if you choose to do so. Avoid overly long explanations for the command. If you need to give a justification, it should go before the command as we discussed here.

Give Feedback: Often when our kids do follow directions, we fail to say anything because: A) We don’t want to clue them in that there’s an alternative to compliance (Pssst! They already know!) and B) We feel like we shouldn’t reward something the child was supposed to be doing anyway. Keep in mind that one important way children learn is through the consequences that follow their behavior. If failing to follow rules gets your attention but following rules does not, guess which one they’re going to choose? This same principal shapes adults’ behavior, as well. Would you be as likely to compliment your best friend, hold the door open for others, or take initiative at work if you never received positive feedback as a result? When your child follows a command, verbally reinforce him: “I love it when you listen the first time!” and avoiding adding any statement like: “Why can’t you do that every time??” You’d probably be a bit irritated if your spouse said, “You look great tonight!” (Pause). “Why can’t you put forth this much effort every day?” A backhanded compliment is not a compliment. When you’re trying to wrangle more than one child, giving praise to the one who is complying may help the other get in line as well. I don’t know many kids who are content to let their siblings hog all the praise.

Follow-up: Ever felt like putting another parent in time out for failing to discipline his child? Ever wanted to scream, “NO MORE CHANCES!” at the mother who continues repeating, “If you do that one more time, you’re in trouble!” Ever been guilty of failing to follow through yourself? Of course – we all have. You’re trying to get something accomplished (even with a crock pot, dinner doesn’t make itself) and don’t really have time to follow through with a consequence right now. So, you make a vague threat, hoping that will stave off more bad choices. How’s that working out for you? I know how well it goes in my house. When you continue to give your child chance after chance, never following through with the promised consequence, you teach him that you don’t mean what you say and you’re not really paying that much attention anyway. If a behavior is important enough to address in the first place, stop what you’re doing and make a point to see the process through. Taking the above suggestions into account, try this:
Give the command.
Wait for compliance.
Give a warning about what will happen if the command isn’t followed.
Wait for compliance.
Put the consequence into action. No excuses. No more chances. The time for begging and bartering is over.

Time out works well as a consequence for failing to listen; however, it’s important that when time out is over, you and your child return to the original situation and you go back to Step 1, giving the command again. That means you may also have to repeat steps 2 through 5 but, eventually, your child will understand that life is on hold until the command is followed so he may as well get it over with.

If you try these techniques for a while and listening still isn’t happening, talk to your child’s teachers and coaches to find out if this is a problem elsewhere or only at home. Trouble listening can be a sign of a more serious attentional or behavioral problem. If you’re concerned that this may be the case for your child, talk with your pediatrician about a referral for an evaluation.

Next month: “Addressing Selected Hearing Loss in Your Spouse.” Just kidding, again – you’re on your own with that one.

About this column: Send your parenting- and kid-related questions my way via email at: parentingwithaphd@gmail.com and I’ll tell you what I can: Please be aware that email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information so it’s best to keep your questions general. If your question is featured, your name and email will not be published. Submitting a question does not constitute a professional relationship in any way and this column is not meant to substitute for face-to-face therapy. If you feel  you’re doing the best you can and still need help, it may be time to bring in a professional. Start by talking with your child’s pediatrician to get a referral.

Kristen S. Berthiaume, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Kristen Berthiaume is a clinical psychologist with Grayson and Associates.  She obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. She completed a predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a post- doctoral fellowship in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) Program at Duke University Medical Center.

She specializes in providing assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families dealing with the following issues:
ADHD
learning disorders
social skill deficits
organizational problems
behavioral difficulties
anxiety
depression

She generally focuses on behavioral and cognitive- behavioral techniques, but maintains a flexible approach to therapy. Her other day job is as mom to her four-year-old daughter and 20-month-old son.

Birmingham Events Calendar: February 12th – February 19th

Posted on by Angie

Brrr…. Rabbit! What a difference a week makes when it come to Alabama weather! A cold start to the week but it does look like we’ll warm up some.

We’ve got a busy calendar this week, we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day, lots of storytimes and one of McWane Science Center’s most popular events, Big Machine Day is coming this Saturday! You won’t want to miss this special event!

Have a great Valentine Week and enjoy some extra hugs and kisses with your sweetie!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday February 12th:

O’Reilly World of Wheels – BJCC
Meet Billy the Exterminator. Back by popular demand! Billy will be at the show meeting fans and signing autographs. Friday Only

Meet Von Hot Rod, West Coast Pin Striper and “Master of the Fine Line”! Hot Rod will be at the show pin striping items for the public. ALL WEEKEND!

Come and meet SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob will be meeting his fans and taking Souvenir Photos. ALL WEEKEND! (Due to the nature of the costume, Sponge Bob must take frequent short breaks)

The First 200 kids through the door EACH DAY receive a FREE Hot Wheels. Race your car for FREE on the Hot Wheels Drag Track. Sponsored by the Alabama Hot Wheels Club. ALL WEEKEND!

Don’t miss the most exciting Extreme Bike team around! “On the Edge” Bike Stunt Team. An annual favorite, “On the Edge” will perform their thrilling bicycle and motorcycle stunts. ALL WEEKEND!

* Due to time constraints and large crowds, paid admission to the show does NOT guarantee you an autograph from the celebrity.

Child (ages 5 & under) – FREE!
Child (ages 6-11) – $ 5
Adult – $16

Tickets will be on sale at the door, plus…Get DISCOUNTED tickets and AVOID WAITING in long lines at the door: Advance discount Tickets for Adults can be purchased at all O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Save $2.00 on every Adult ticket in Birmingham. Children’s tickets are available for the regular price.

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

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Monday February 13th:

Celebrating Great African Americans – North Avondale Library
North Avondale Library is celebrating the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and culture. Kids ages 6-11 are invited to participate in this fun fact hour.
1pm

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Tuesday February 14th

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Heart Day – Hoover Public Library
Share the love this holiday with an assortment of valentine crafts. Kids of all ages.
6:30pm

Critter Tales: Pythons – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Zoo Tots: Hide and Seek: animals that hide – Birmingham Zoo
This intermediate class introduces children to animals in the classroom  and out in the Zoo!

A parent/caregiver must stay with the child.

You and your little one are certain to enjoy this adventure as you learn about wildlife in our comfortable classroom environment and on guided tours of the Zoo.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $8.00/student/class for members or $14.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

9:00 am – 9:45 am

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

Kids Scene – Valentine’s Day Bingo – Vestavia Hills Library
Grades 5K – 3rd
Join Ms. Savannah as we play Valentine’s Day Bingo and win some “sweet” prizes.
Make sure to register by calling us at 205-978-0158.
3:30 – 4:30

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Wednesday February 15th:

Zoo Tots: Hide and Seek: animals that hide – Birmingham Zoo
This intermediate class introduces children to animals in the classroom  and out in the Zoo!

A parent/caregiver must stay with the child.

You and your little one are certain to enjoy this adventure as you learn about wildlife in our comfortable classroom environment and on guided tours of the Zoo.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $8.00/student/class for members or $14.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

9:00 am – 9:45 am

Critter Tales: Pythons – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Storytime – Pinson Public Library
Come join us for stories, songs and a snack at the library!
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Come out and experience I Must Have Bobo! by Eillen Rosenthal. This funny, wonderfully-illustrated book tells the story of a rivalry Bobo, a sock-monkey, causes between a young boy and his kitty. We’ll cat and monkey crafts for you to take home too.
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday February 16th:

Storytime – Five Points West Library
Celebrating Mardi Gras! Come and join Ms. Pam for storytime as we “Celebrate Mardi Gras with Bayou Tales
10:00am – 10:45am

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Friday February 17th:

Story Day with NeNe – Whole Foods
Stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am

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Saturday February 18th:

Big Machines Day – McWane Science Center
Get your motors running and head over to McWane Science Center for a truckload of fun. Spend a constructive day getting up close and personal with some big machines including backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, loaders, dozers and cranes! Learn the science of simple machines and participate in fun building programs througout the day! Machines provided by CraneWorks.
10am – 4pm

Cowboy Day – Downtown Columbiana
Celebrate the 4th annual Cowboy Day featuring the cowboy parade, live music, mechanical bull, chili-eating contest, and more.
10am – 5pm

Barts Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart. Bart selects one book each month about art that he thinks 4–7 year olds will enjoy.
11am

Barts Art Cart –  Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Presidents Day Storytime – Barnes and Noble
Join us for a very patriotic and presidential Storytime featuring selections from Don’t Know Much About the Presidents by Kenneth C. Davis. We’ll make patriotic crafts, play some games, and enjoy refreshing snacks from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday February 19th:

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am  & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

Patience: Soul Fevers

Posted on by Angie

I once read a parenting book, Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. It talked about how kids can get “soul fevers,” basically an emotion fever similar to a physical fever. We all know what a fever is and how to treat it, but what we sometimes don’t think about is that there are times when things just aren’t right. It’s that way for our kids. They may be having an off day and they don’t understand it or know how to get past it. A lot of times, they may have been feeling sad or confused or neglected, and they just need some attention. The book said to drop the hurried pace and just sit and cuddle the kid.

I can say from personal experience that this has been a very beneficial tip for our family. Sometimes nothing else matters except the fact that we love each other.

Going Back To Work? 5 Tips To Make the Transition Smooth

Posted on by Angie

Making the transition from stay at home mom to working mom was more stressful for me than it was for my kids. i know it affected my kids, but I did several things in advance to prepare them and I think that eased the transition.

1. Talk to them, explain what is happening and why it is happening.

2. Make sure they know they’re still #1. Extra cuddles, extra “I love you’s” and lots of reassurance that they were still my main priority were all crucial.

3. Let their new caregivers know about the transition. My daughter’s new preschool teacher gave her an extra hug and asked about her new routine. Little things go a long way. Take all the help you can get.

4. Leave a surprise for them. I made each kid a little goody bag and left it for them to find. It was a time when I would’ve normally been there, but wasn’t now due to working. My absence was taken better by a few dollar store treats and a sweet note that said “Can’t wait to see you!”

5. Not just in the beginning… The first week isn’t the only time you have to work twice as hard to make sure they’re okay. It’s every week. Keep the extra hugs and kisses coming. Surprise them with little notes. Let them know how much you think about them.

If you’ve made this transition, how did you make it smooth for everyone?

Finding the Perfect Sitter

Posted on by Angie

Moms love to share information. Anytime I need something, I typically put a call out to all of my Mommy friends. Why? because they’re in the know. Whether I need a stylist (for myself or my kids,) a gymnastics class, a pediatrician, a new app for my phone, you name it, they always come through, well almost always.

When you ask for a recommendation on any of the above services you will get tons of replies, ask for the the recommendation of a good sitter and it’s crickets. It’s as if they didn’t hear you, why? Because sharing their awesome sitter means a chance for them to lose her because she’s committed to you on night that they might need her too.

Offering up your sitter is a risky thing, trust me, I’ve done my fair share of playing clueless when I see a call go out. I figure if I have a friend that was so generous that she shared her sitter with me, it would be rude of me to then share her with someone else, right? We’ll go with that.

So, if your friends are being selfish how do you find a good sitter?

Relatives are a great resource if you’re fortunate enough to live near them. They’ll most likely save you some dough too, insisting it’s their pleasure to spend some time with their great nieces and nephews. Plus you already know them so there’s no sweating the stranger-keeping-your-kid-thing.

Remember those Mom friends that didn’t want to share their sitter? How about working out a deal with them where you swap sitter services every few weeks or every month or so? You know you like them or you wouldn’t call them a friend. Your kids probably know their kids and you know they’ll have things at their house to keep your kids entertained. Again, like using a relative,  swapping with your friends will save you some cash.

Try a sitter service. There are many like Southern Nannies Plus to choose from. These sitters have been pre-screened in most cases so you know you’re getting someone that knows what they’re doing, or they will at least look good on paper.  You just need to meet them and make sure you and your children are comfortable with them. Start by having them watch your child in your home while you are there and always check their references.

Check with your local colleges. Many of them will have a list of students looking to babysit. Some of our best sitters are college students.

The current national average is $10 an hour for high school students and $12 an hour for older babysitters. The closer you are to an urban area, the higher the fee. Age, experience, number of children, holidays and the type of chores you expect from your sitter will also determine whether or not their fee should be slightly higher.

While we know that chilling in your jammies watching reality television is fun, you deserve a night out with the hubby every now and then. Put down the remote,  ditch the sweats and start lining up a sitter! Valentines Day is just around the corner!

Birmingham Events Calendar: February 5th – February 12th

Posted on by Angie

The groundhog has spoken and it looks like another 6 weeks of winter. It’s hard to decide if we’ve actually had the first 6 weeks yet with as nice and warm as it’s been! We hope you’ve been able to get outside and enjoy some of your favorite parks!

Valentine’s Day is getting close and many of the libraries are still accepting and/or allowing you to come in and make a card for the patients at Children’s hospital. For a complete list of participating libraries go here.

Lego Mini Build and lots of fun classes going on at the zoo this week!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday February 5th:

M-Studio for Kids – Birmingham Museum of Art
Picture a Pillow

What can you design on a quilt-inspired, hand-made pillow? Using paint, fabric, and the Museum’s exhibition, Celebrate Life: The Art of Chris Clark, participants will honor Chris Clark’s artistic legacy through the vibrant, inventive images they create.

Studio Instructor: Carrie McGrann 10AM-11:30AM

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In January, Bart will be creating colorful dragon puppets in honor of the Chinese New Year.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

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Monday February 6th:

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
Come join us for Monday Movie! We will have popcorn and juice for kids who attend!
3:30 -5pm

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Tuesday February 7th

LEGO Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
Hockey Player
Begins at 5:00pm until supplies last

Critter Tales: Meerkats – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Zoo Tots – Birmingham Zoo
This intermediate class introduces children to animals in the classroom  and out in the Zoo!

A parent/caregiver must stay with the child.

You and your little one are certain to enjoy this adventure as you learn about wildlife in our comfortable classroom environment and on guided tours of the Zoo.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $8.00/student/class for members or $14.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

9:00 am – 9:45 am

Babes in the Zoo, Slithery Snakes – Birmingham Zoo
A parent/caregiver must stay with their child.

This 30 minute class is a great way to introduce children to the signs, sounds, smells and even the feel of animals in a safe environment. Age appropriate activities will also be incorporated into each class.

9am – 9:30am

Advanced Registration Prices: $6.00/student/class for members or

$12.00/student/class for non-members

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

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Wednesday February 8th:

Babes in the Zoo, Slithery Snakes – Birmingham Zoo
A parent/caregiver must stay with their child.

This 30 minute class is a great way to introduce children to the signs, sounds, smells and even the feel of animals in a safe environment. Age appropriate activities will also be incorporated into each class.

9am – 9:30am

Advanced Registration Prices: $6.00/student/class for members or

$12.00/student/class for non-members

Critter Tales: Meerkats – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Zoo Tots – Birmingham Zoo
This intermediate class introduces children to animals in the classroom  and out in the Zoo!

A parent/caregiver must stay with the child.

You and your little one are certain to enjoy this adventure as you learn about wildlife in our comfortable classroom environment and on guided tours of the Zoo.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $8.00/student/class for members or $14.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

9:00 am – 9:45 am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for today’s Llama Llama Misses Mama Storytime. Kids and parents love Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama stories, and you will too. Plus, we’ll have llama crafts, Cafe treats, and we’ll play on NOOK Tablet too.
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday February 9th:

The Tween Zone – Vestavia Hills Library
Come play Valentine’s Day bingo and win “sweet” prizes! Make sure to register by calling us.
The Tween Zone meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month.
Grades 4th – 6th
***For every friend your child brings, your child and their friend will receive 5 entry slips to use during our Summer 2012 Reading Program.
3:30 – 4:30

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Friday February 10th:

O’Reilly World of Wheels – BJCC
Meet Billy the Exterminator. Back by popular demand! Billy will be at the show meeting fans and signing autographs. Friday Only

Meet Von Hot Rod, West Coast Pin Striper and “Master of the Fine Line”! Hot Rod will be at the show pin striping items for the public. ALL WEEKEND!

Come and meet SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob will be meeting his fans and taking Souvenir Photos. ALL WEEKEND! (Due to the nature of the costume, Sponge Bob must take frequent short breaks)

The First 200 kids through the door EACH DAY receive a FREE Hot Wheels. Race your car for FREE on the Hot Wheels Drag Track. Sponsored by the Alabama Hot Wheels Club. ALL WEEKEND!

Don’t miss the most exciting Extreme Bike team around! “On the Edge” Bike Stunt Team. An annual favorite, “On the Edge” will perform their thrilling bicycle and motorcycle stunts. ALL WEEKEND!

* Due to time constraints and large crowds, paid admission to the show does NOT guarantee you an autograph from the celebrity.

Child (ages 5 & under) – FREE!
Child (ages 6-11) – $ 5
Adult – $16

Tickets will be on sale at the door, plus…Get DISCOUNTED tickets and AVOID WAITING in long lines at the door: Advance discount Tickets for Adults can be purchased at all O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Save $2.00 on every Adult ticket in Birmingham. Children’s tickets are available for the regular price.

Story Day with NeNe – Whole Foods
Stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am

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Saturday February 11th:

Valentine’s for the Zoo – Birmingham Zoo
Kids can bring a valentine for their favorite animal or make one in the ZooEd Classroom at the Zoo. Then, the keepers will distribute the valentines to the animals. It’s a great way to spread the love at the Zoo!
1pm – 4pm

Family Yoga benefiting Heart Gallery Alabama – Villager Yoga
Join us for a special Valentine’s Day class. We will create valentines for each other and explore a heart meditation to feel the love radiate. Partial proceeds from this class will benefit the Heart Gallery of Alabama which helps foster children in our state find forever families. For ages 2 and up.

$15 per parent/child combo $5 per additional parent or child Registration not necessary

Info Phone: 205.262.2012
9:30a – 10:15a

O’Reilly World of Wheels – BJCC
Meet Billy the Exterminator. Back by popular demand! Billy will be at the show meeting fans and signing autographs. Friday Only

Meet Bella Thorne who plays CeCe Jones on Disney’s hit show Shake It Up! Bella will be at the show meeting fans and signing autographs Saturday only, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Meet Von Hot Rod, West Coast Pin Striper and “Master of the Fine Line”! Hot Rod will be at the show pin striping items for the public. ALL WEEKEND!

Come and meet SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob will be meeting his fans and taking Souvenir Photos. ALL WEEKEND! (Due to the nature of the costume, Sponge Bob must take frequent short breaks)

The First 200 kids through the door EACH DAY receive a FREE Hot Wheels. Race your car for FREE on the Hot Wheels Drag Track. Sponsored by the Alabama Hot Wheels Club. ALL WEEKEND!

Don’t miss the most exciting Extreme Bike team around! “On the Edge” Bike Stunt Team. An annual favorite, “On the Edge” will perform their thrilling bicycle and motorcycle stunts. ALL WEEKEND!

* Due to time constraints and large crowds, paid admission to the show does NOT guarantee you an autograph from the celebrity.

Child (ages 5 & under) – FREE!
Child (ages 6-11) – $ 5
Adult – $16

Tickets will be on sale at the door, plus…Get DISCOUNTED tickets and AVOID WAITING in long lines at the door: Advance discount Tickets for Adults can be purchased at all O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Save $2.00 on every Adult ticket in Birmingham. Children’s tickets are available for the regular price.

Hoo’s Your Valentine? – Ruffner Mountain
Valentine’s Day is almost here! Make a card for someone you care about. We will have all the materials and supplies. You just need to bring your creativity! Besides making cards for your human friends, consider making one for Ruffner’s education animal friends as well. The cards for the animals will be displayed for everyone to see! Also, meet a special guest, our resident screech owl, who will make several appearances throughout the day.
10am – 2pm (come and go)

Barts Art Cart –  Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

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Sunday February 12th:

O’Reilly World of Wheels – BJCC
Meet Billy the Exterminator. Back by popular demand! Billy will be at the show meeting fans and signing autographs. Friday Only

Meet Von Hot Rod, West Coast Pin Striper and “Master of the Fine Line”! Hot Rod will be at the show pin striping items for the public. ALL WEEKEND!

Come and meet SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob will be meeting his fans and taking Souvenir Photos. ALL WEEKEND! (Due to the nature of the costume, Sponge Bob must take frequent short breaks)

The First 200 kids through the door EACH DAY receive a FREE Hot Wheels. Race your car for FREE on the Hot Wheels Drag Track. Sponsored by the Alabama Hot Wheels Club. ALL WEEKEND!

Don’t miss the most exciting Extreme Bike team around! “On the Edge” Bike Stunt Team. An annual favorite, “On the Edge” will perform their thrilling bicycle and motorcycle stunts. ALL WEEKEND!

* Due to time constraints and large crowds, paid admission to the show does NOT guarantee you an autograph from the celebrity.

Child (ages 5 & under) – FREE!
Child (ages 6-11) – $ 5
Adult – $16

Tickets will be on sale at the door, plus…Get DISCOUNTED tickets and AVOID WAITING in long lines at the door: Advance discount Tickets for Adults can be purchased at all O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Save $2.00 on every Adult ticket in Birmingham. Children’s tickets are available for the regular price.

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am  & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

Patience & Your Parenting Style

Posted on by Angie

Parenting style can help you be more patient. In order to be more patient, you can also work on eliminating the things that trigger your frustration. Think about a typical day and make a list of times or situations that typically frustrate you. My list would include not listening/ignoring me, taking forever to get in/out of the car, and whining.

Now you have to look at each situation and try to find a way to avoid it. To avoid having them ignore me, I make them stop and listen- this requires me to stop and focus on them. I try not to say too much, I keep it short and sweet. Then I make them repeat what I said. Once they caught on that they will have to repeat it, they started listening better the next times.

Getting in/out of the car is a killer! They don’t have any urgency, and it’s hard to remember that no urgency is part of being a kid. I’ve made the rule in our car that you can’t talk until you’re buckled. It may sound harsh, but you’d be surprised at how fast they can move! I also think it’s a good lesson to teach them about priorities. Tell me about the fluffy unicorn AFTER you buckle.

Whining is the one that will do us all in. I haven’t yet found a way that works for us, but some suggestions have been: ignore, make a rule that you can’t hear whining, and make it a chore that will receive a sticker for no whining. Any whining tips?

Alabama Gives Day!

Posted on by Angie

When you become a parent Non Profits become a staple in your life. Whether it’s the McWane Science Center, the Birmingham Zoo or your favorite library, you most likely visit a non-profit on a regular basis.

February 2nd is your opportunity to join thousands of Alabamians in being part of a history making event that aims to raise millions of dollars for hundreds of Alabama nonprofits in just 24 hours. Inspired by other Gives Days in the nation, Alabama Gives Day provides nonprofits an opportunity to showcase the impact of the incredible work they do that helps improve the quality of life for everyone in our state.

Every donation matters. Whether you have a favorite cause or not, we encourage you to explore the many missions of our participating nonprofits and help show Alabama’s unparalleled generosity to the world by making your tax-deductible gift on February 2nd, 2012.

Come on Alabama… let’s make history together!

 

Make a Valentine for Children's Hospital

Posted on by Angie

Valentine’s Day is  just around the corner and you can help brighten the day of a child that will be spending their Valentines in the hospital.

Many of our local libraries participate every year, help spread the love!

Avondale Library – February 1st – 9th
Roses are red, violets are blue, a card can be a gift from me to you! Come by the North Avondale Library anytime between February 1-9th to make a special Valentine’s card. Cards will be shared with our special friends at the Children’s Hospital and a local seniors’ home to wish them a happy Valentine’s Day.

Emmet O’ Neal Library February 6th – 10th
Come by the Children’s Desk to make a Valentine bookmark for the patients at Children’s Hospital.

Homewood Public Library – February 1st – 4th
Drop by the Children’s Desk and make a card for a patient in Children’s Hospital for this Valentine’s Day. 3pm – 5pm

Hoover Public Library February 1st – 11th
We’re collecting homemade and store-bought valentines (NO CANDY) for the patients at Children’s Hospital. Bring signed valentines to the preschool desk and receive a holiday prize.

Leeds Jane Culbreth Library February 6th – 11th
This is an annual event sponsored by the library to make valentines for children in the hospital. The library provides all materials needed to make valentines. Finished valentines are sent to the children.

Monday and Thursday 9:30-7:00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30-5:30
Saturday 9:30-1:30

Pinson Public Library – February 1st – 8th
This is an event sponsored by the library to make valentines for Children’s Hospital. Stop by anytime during the day – the library provides all materials and will deliver the valentines to the hospital.

Southside Library – February 9th
Teen Time Valentine – Create special valentines for The Children’s Hospital of Alabama.
4pm – 5pm

If you know of another library participating in this program please let us know, we would love to add them to our list!

Signs of a Gifted Child

Posted on by Angie

Admit it. At some point, everyone thinks their child is gifted. It’s hard NOT to think your little angel is a future Picasso or Einstein. There are some signs that you should be aware of, because parenting a gifted child can sometimes be more challenging than you would think.

Some signs are:

1. Advanced development– walk or talk early? self-taught readers?
2. Thirst for knowledge– take things apart? bore quickly of new toys they figured out?
3. High activity– super active? needs less sleep?
4. Cautionary– hold back in new situations? test the waters?
5. Sensitivity– criticism is taken personally? empathetic to others?
6. Reality vs Fantasy– distinguish between the 2 early?
7. Insight into social/moral issues– highly developed social conscience? Concerns with matters like war, injustice?
8. Reasoning and Manipulation– understand benefits of lying/cheating? Manipulate adults?
9. Individuality– sometimes seen as odd? learn in different ways?

Find a child psychologist to perform an evaluation, or wait until your public school begins testing. If your child is gifted, here are some suggestions for how you can get more involved in parenting your gifted child.

Educate yourself: Get up to date on studies and keep them on hand so you have something you can suggest to your school.

Talk with your teacher: Don’t just assume or accept that your child is “bored.” Discuss their placement and curriculum with the teacher if you feel that it’s inadequate or not appropriate.

Join forces with other parents: Work together with other parents or the PTO to establish enrichment or mentor programs in the school.

Outside Enrichment: Look into programs around the city such as summer camps. Visit the local museums and see what concerts and plays might be of interest.

Here are some online resources to consider:

Fun Brain
Games and more organized for grades k – 8 plus web books and comics, fun blogs and sections for teachers and parents.

KidsClick
A web search page organized by librarians, kids can sift through everything from facts and references to the weird and mysterious, sports, entertainment and academics.

Funschool
For grades PreK – 6. Play lots of games, make crafts and more

Ace on the Case: Secrets@Sea
Children grades 4 – 7 can learn about marine life through this mystery solving activity.

Dositey
Offers lessons and practice sessions in short, step by step interactive activities for all grades in reading, math and more.

Discovery Education
Brain boosters, worksheets and assistance in all academic areas.

 

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