A Teachable Moment

Dr. Susan's newsletter March, 2010
Dr. Susan's pictureGreetings!

My kids ask me LOTS of questions...well, mostly they nag me for junk food, to stay up later and to watch even more TV! But sometimes their questions are thoughtful ("How was your day today, Mommy?), worried (Is she really, really sick?), poignant (Am I fat?), or downright hilarious ("How come he gets to drive before me, it's not fair!?"--he's 16, she's 12!)
 
Responding to your kids questions--the serious ones--is an important matter, because it can deepen communication between you and your child immeasurably, no matter what their age. Learning how to listen well, and respond with just the right amount of information is what this month's Teachable Moment is all about! 
 
Happy reading!
Dr. Susan
mom and childA Teachable Moment:
Sometimes it's OK to not answer your child's question:
 
I recently received a distraught call: 

"My daughter wants to know if the Easter Bunny is real. I don't want to lie, but I don't want to spoil her fun."
Parents confront the dilemma of how much truth to divulge with questions at every stage of development: "Do you promise you'll never die?"; "Did you drink or smoke when you were a kid?"; "Am I fat?"
 
Dr. Susan
I'm excited to share that I have formed an alliance with the Action for Healthy Kids, the nation's leading non-profit and  volunteer network fighting childhood obesity and undernourishment by working with schools to help kids learn to eat right and be active every day.
 
This is National Nutrition Month. In honor of this, click on the link below to read my article
: 
 
What's your child's favorite fun and healthy breakfast? Let me know atDrSusan@DrSusanBartell.com and I'll include it in a future newsletter to share with other parents who have run out of ideas. 
Invite Dr. Susan to Speak! 
 
If you would like Dr. Susan to speak on any topic to your group or organization, simply send an email to speaking@drsusanbartell.com
In This Issue
A Teachable Moment
 
Web Resources
 
Dr. Susan's
Books
Top 50Q's 3rd-5th
 
Top 50 PreK-2nd
 
Dr. Susan's Fit and Fun Family Action Plan
 
 
Dr. Susan Twitters!
follow her here!