by Cassie Nash
Child Life Specialist

I love to cook, and I love my husband and nephews. It was so much fun the other night when these lovely things all combined. My sister and her husband went out of town, so my husband and I went from having no kids to two kids! Dinner time rolled around, and it was time to eat. It took all four of us to get a little meal prepared, and we had a blast. Let's just say we got a lot done. We cooked, did some exercise, and got lots of giggles at what all ended up in the sink! (See pictures :) This little adventure in the kitchen taught me a lot, so I thought I would share. 

1. Let the child in your life be involved in the preparation. The meal might get a bit random, but as long as the meal is somewhat balanced and nutritious, be flexible and welcome creativity within reason. You probably won't see pizza with a side black eyed peas on a restaurant's menu, but this is a great opportunity for your child to learn how to make choices.  At Le Bonheur we love to give our patients and families choices when we can. For example, it's not a choice about whether or not the patient takes their medicine, but they may choose whether they swallow it with grape or apple juice. 

2. BE CAREFUL. You must clearly communicate if a pot is going to be hot, or about a knife that might be sharp. When it came time to stir the black eyed peas, I told my nephew he could pick out the spoon with which I stirred, but I had to do the stirring. The water was boiling, and I didn't want him to get burned. I certainly didn't want him to become one of my patients! I love him and all, but certainly want to keep our time together away from the hospital! 

3. Don't forget to have fun (I cracked up laughing when my husband had put both of the boys in the sink) and incorporate life lessons (just like your muscles need food to help you grow strong, your muscles need exercise like chin ups on the chin up bar to also grow strong!)

The meal turned out great, and we had some sweet family time together at the dinner table. If you happen to find yourself at Le Bonheur (as a patient or visiting a loved one) around dinner time, please feel free to enjoy dinner together as a family. We have family rooms, equipped  with tables, chairs, refrigerators, and microwaves, on every unit and even the family resource center is a great spot to make the hospital feel a bit more like home.

by Tracey Deaux
Child Life Specialist

The temperature outside is getting warmer, the sun is out, children are getting out of school, and schedules are filled with sports, swimming, and barbeques.  Yes, it is the beginning of summer!  With summer comes the hope of a vacation…some place new and exciting…a break from work or school.  However, if for some reason you cannot take off work, your family has conflicting schedules, or you are not able to afford a luxurious retreat, and ultimately, the vacation you had planned is just not working out as you had anticipated, do not worry.  There are so many activities around town to fit the needs and wishes of everyone in your family, making your stay-cation feel more like a vacation. 

Here are just a few of the top activities to do in Memphis:

• Graceland: The home of Elvis Presley is an attraction second in popularity only to the White House.  Guests can see Elvis’ mansion and beloved private jets as well as Meditation Garden, the site of his grave.
• Beale Street Historic District: Home to Blues, Barbeque, and Rock n Roll, Beale Street offers shopping, great food, music, and entertainment.
• Memphis Zoo: Featuring over 500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians and more than 50 endangered species, the Memphis Zoo is a great place to explore and is also home to several Memphis events including weddings, festivals, and concerts. 
• National Civil Rights Museum: Depicting the exact location where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, this museum highlights major events that occurred during the Civil Rights Movement. 
• Pink Palace Museum: This exciting museum offers a Civil War display, a Memphis history exhibit, a planetarium, a science and natural history exhibit, and an IMAX theater.
• The Children’s Museum of Memphis: A museum truly dedicated to children, this museum offers several hands on activities and exhibits including but not limited to a kids market, bookatarium, lighthouse, and tornado generator.
• The Peabody: The Peabody honors the rich heritage of the hotel and the city and is filled with historic artifacts such as old menus, news clippings and photographs.  It is home to the famous Peabody ducks that live on the Peabody rooftop and march daily at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to a great number of fans.

These are just a few iconic attractions to not only keep you busy this summer, but also make you proud to be living in Memphis.  If you are looking for a more low-key night, summers in Memphis also offer Sunset Symphony nights, located on the great Mississippi river, Friday night Trolley Tours, Music festivals, Red Birds (Triple A) Baseball games, and great Memphis Barbeque.  These summer activities will keep you “walking in Memphis with your feet ten feet off of Beale.”

Editor's Note: We would like to thank the Peabody Memphis Hotel for the photo used in today's post.

by Thomas Hobson
Child Life Director

This has been quite the year from snow in the Midsouth. If you’ve lived in the area for awhile, you grow accustomed to the once or twice a winter phenomenon. It’s a fun day that everyone goes out and plays in the snow, and it quickly melts, returning life back to normal. It’s been our routine, and we’ve grown to enjoy it.

However, this year is different. Even as I write this, snow is falling, and I’m sure there are lots of people who are not happy about it. I believe this should be our fourth snow day this year, and I’m almost certain the make is worn off.

Now, if you’re facing another possible snow day, the crew at your house may be tired of the snow. This translates into everyone sitting around inside and before too long, cabin fever (and/or fighting) sets in. We see something similar in the hospital with families that have been here for a while. The walls of their room start to close in around them and there’s only so much television that they can watch. That’s when Child Life Services comes in to lend a hand, and help to make the hospital a little more enjoyable.

In the same spirit, here are some suggestions to help living up your snow day:

• Force the family outside: Chances are that the magic of playing in the snow has worn off from the previous snow days. Now is your opportunity to change it up. How? Simply go out there with them and forget that you’re an adult. Throw snowballs, sled, catch snow flakes on your tongue. By joining in the fun it will make it new again.
• Have a family talent show: You may not think that your family has any talents, but that’s half of the fun. Send everyone to separate places and work out a talent, skill, or skit that they’ll show the rest of the group. Just remember that your excitement is the key to making the family talent show a success. If you don’t sound excited about it, neither will they. Besides, it doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad because when everyone thinks back about it, it will be a fond memory.
• Give everyone quiet time: Giving everyone some breathing room will help to make the times together more enjoyable. So, if someone wants to read a book, play a video game, take a nap, or any other activity, let them do it. Remember that you’re going to need some downtime too.
• Bust out the games: I’m not talking about video games, it’s board games. Remember all of those games that are tucked back in a closet somewhere? Well, pull them out and let the fun happen. The enjoyment comes from playing the games and spending time. You’ll be surprised by just how much fun everyone has.
  

by Thomas Hobson
Child Life Director

If you haven’t already heard, this is Child Health Week (Oct. 4 – 10). Le Bonheur Children’s is celebrating with a week-long list of events focused on keeping children safe and healthy.  It’s a great chance to get the entire family out and learn about children’s health while having fun.
 
Haven’t heard of Child Health Week?  Let me share some history on it. Child Health Week is organized by The Governor's Office of Children’s Care Coordination.  It’s a state-wide effort to encourage children and families to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. This year’s theme is “Healthy Youth, Healthy Future.”

Since we’re doing a lot of different activities this week, I thought I would share the list with you.  There are some wonderful activities that are great for the entire family.  Everyone is invited to attend any of Le Bonheur’s Child Health Week events listed below.

Monday, Oct. 4: Child Safety Seat Check Up

5:30- 8:30 p.m.
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Germantown
Employee Parking Lot

Tuesday, Oct. 5: Safe Kids Safety Fun Fest

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Fire Museum of Memphis

Wednesday, Oct. 6: “Walk this Way” Pedestrian Safety Day

9:30-11:30 a.m.
Dunbar Elementary School

Saturday, Oct. 9: Pumpkin Run 5k Family Run and Safety Fair

8- 11:30 a.m.
Ridgeway Center

Saturday, Oct. 9: Health Fair

1-5 p.m.
Mud Island

For more information, please contact Susan A. Helms, director of Injury Prevention and Safe Kids, at (901) 287-6730 or helmss@lebonheur.org.

by Lauren Wilson
Child Life Specialist

As you walk down the noisy toy isle at your neighborhood store you encounter all the latest and greatest toys and movies that are proven to make your child smarter and increase their language development. These gadgets and DVDs are said to stimulate the brain and enhance their mental growth. Yes, these toys are fun for your child, but why continue to spend your hard earned dollars on endless toys (that usually require batteries!) when one the most educational resources is probably already sitting on your shelf…a book.

Research shows that the time you spend reading to your child is the most beneficial way to help your babies’ brain grow and develop. Reading shouldn’t be reserved for school aged children who are learning to sound out words; reading should start at birth, or even before. By reading aloud to your child, they will be exposed to more words and sounds that will increase their language development. Books filled with rhymes and repetition help to strengthen the language connections in our pattern-seeking brain.

Reading doesn’t just stimulate the language side of the brain; it also encourages the social and emotional side. It is an intimate way to connect with your child. It is an opportunity to get away from the busy day-to-day life as you curl up and spend one-on-one time learning about each other.

As you read to your child, your touch and your voice comfort them. This is something a movie or TV show cannot provide because of the fast pace talking and flashing screens. A book allows children to hear different emotions through voice inflections and provides an opportunity to share smiles and laughter.

Our society has slowly strayed from spending quiet time digging into a good book and steered more towards time in front of the television or playing video games. Start a new hobby with your children that will benefit them at school and in life. Help them grow to love reading by spending uninterrupted time in front of a book each day. It’s never too late or too early to start.

by Stephanie Kellough
Child Life Assisant

If you spend an extended period of time in the hospital it can get pretty boring for patients and families.  One thing that Le Bonheur Children's Child Life Department does is encourages families to have their own game night.  It is a great way to get the family together for a fun time that they may not think of doing otherwise.  As a matter of fact, a family game night may be perfect for your family.

It can be difficult for families to spend quality time together, especially when you consider school, work, and every thing in between.  However, bringing your family together doesn’t have to be a major Operation.    In The Game of Life, what’s important is the time you spend with your family. Even if you all have crazy schedules, making your family a priority is worth the effort.   What better way to spend quality time together than a game night? 

Here are some great reasons to start having a family game night:

• When your children are acting like a Barrel of Monkeys, family game night can help.
• If you want to lessen the Risk of losing touch with your family, family game night can help.
• If you want to learn more about your children’s personalities, here’s a Clue, family game night can help.
• If you want a Memory to last a lifetime, family game night can help.

 Bonding with your family is easy as Uno, dos, tres.  Family game night does not have to be exhausting. So before you Topple over, just remember to keep it simple.  Here are a few games that we suggest to help keep it simple: Battleship, Twister, Sorry, Cooties, Trouble, Checkers, Scrabble, Connect Four, Taboo, Monopoly, Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Cranium, Cadoo, and Mancala. 

Here’s wishing you a Happy Game Night!!!

by Stephanie Kellough
Child Life Assistant

It’s true that in March Le Bonheur Children’s celebrates Child Life Month.  It’s also true that in Child Life, we are all about education, empowerment, advocacy, and family support. We aim to meet patients and families where there needs are, and  that means being ready with any number of services.

In addition to all of those listed above, Le Bonheur Children’s Child Life Services strongly believe in the power of play.  It is the serious work of childhood, after all!  We believe in play so much that an entire week of Child Life Month is dedicated to it. So, welcome to the second week of March, or as we like to call it…Game Week!

One of the biggest activities during Game Week is Game-A-Palooza.  This year marks the third annual Game-A-Palooza, and needless to say, we are so pumped for it!  Game-A-Palooza is a giant game that is geared towards the patient and their family.  It is similar to The Price is Right. 

Patients and their family members become our contestants and are invited to “Come on down”.  We then play a series of games ranging from Pictionary to Charades to Tic Tac Toe Trivia.  Everyone who comes down gets a chance to play our games and everyone walks away a winner!  Even the patients who can’t come out of their rooms, for various reasons, get to watch on our CCTV.  It’s such a fun day and we are hoping for our biggest turnout ever. 

Child Life Services knows the important of play, and the role that it serves in the hospital experience.  Throughout the year we use play and games to teach about the hospital, to distract from the environment, or to even just have fun.  Everyone expects excellent care when they come to the hospital, and Child Life Services goes the extra effort to make sure that they can expect some fun too.

Have you ever made a family New Year's Resolution?

I know what you're thinking, "My resolution is usually about getting healthier, and I ususally feel guilty within a couple of weeks, when I've broken it.  Why would I want to include my entire family in the misery?"  Speaking as someone who just set their own New Year's Resolution of losing weight, getting more exercise, and being healthier, I completely understand.

However, I would challenge you to think about including your family, especially your children in your plan.  Want some motivation, read the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's report on trends in childhood obesity.  That's enough to make you want to get out and run (even when no one is chasing you).

You are your child's best teacher and role model, and the behaviors that you are teaching them now will impact future behaviors.  So, is it a bad thing to teach your child about proper nutrition, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle?  Besides, the more encouragement (and accountability) you have, the more like to both you and your family will be successful.

Don't feel like you have to complete everything by the end of January.  Set more realistic goals, like taking walks, as a family, three or four times a week.  Or, eating a health dinner together at home, at the dinner table.  Besides a healthier lifestyle, you will be surprised how much more connected your family will feel.

I'm talking to some of our experts here at Le Bonheur Children's, and I'll continue an ongoing topic of New Year's Resolutions.  The topics will cover healthy eating, exercise, and other healthy lifestyles.  If there are other topics you would like covered just leave a comment, and I'll do my best to find the answer.

Now, if you think that I misspelled tweet, I didn’t.  I’m talking about tweens, preadolescence between the magic ages of 10 and 12.  These are kids that are in the “double digits”, but certainly aren’t teenagers.  This group can be tough because they don’t want to be treated like kids, but they are still very much children.

Now, if you’ve ever tried to impress this group, you know how difficult it can be.  They are wary of the humor that most adults would share with them.  And why not, because when polled, most would tell you that adults “aren’t cool or funny.”

Since they are in there second week of vacation from school, I want to equip you with a means to impress one of them.  Just follow these instructions, and I promise they will think that you are the coolest adult ever (even if only for that day):

1. Dial 1 (800) 295-0051.  This is the Nestle Crunch Hotline, so don’t worry about what will be on the other side.
2. When the voice prompt asks you which language, wait ten seconds.  (You’ll be happy you did.)
3. After this, press 4 at the prompt.
4. Listen to the options and select a favorite.  Personally, mine is 3.

Just follow these, and I promise your tween will think you’re the coolest.

I’d love to hear reactions, so feel free to leave a comment section.  For those of you how do check it out, be sure to not give away the secret.  Oh, and no need to say thanks, you’re welcome…