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Cljarlotte ^ogt
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1996
17A
KIDS PAGE
Kid of Month
Maceo Stevenson, 2
Birthday; July 12,1994
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite drink: Pink
strawberry milk, Hershey
quik milk....
Favorite video: Thomas
PHOTO/SUE ANN JOHNSON
The Trustworthy Engine..
Favorite person: Grandma
Joanne Stevenson.(Gaga)
Favorite game: Catch
Favorite toys: Cars and fire
trucks...
Also: Loves animals....
Parents: Mahk and Bridget
Stevenson of Chau’lotte
Making music
Uemara Harris, 4, joins in the music making with Afiican drummer
and storyteller Obakxmle Akinlana during Children’s Book festival at
the Main Branch of the Pubhc Library in uptown Charlotte on Nov.
16. Demara’s mother is Lara Harris. Dozens of children attended the
festival which featured reading-a-loud, costumes and games, in addi
tion to Akinlana’s appearance.
Six-year-old twins Michael and Micah Gardner, on left, with brother
Philip, 5, tagged along with father Michael Gardner to the 100 Men
Who Cook event last month at the First Presbyterian Church in
Gastonia. The children are students at Lowell Elementary School in
Gastonia.
■ TrTTir A TlC%f\
read to her.
should cool out
The holidays are a joyful
time, but the crunch of activi
ties and added responsibilities
and pressures can make them
stressful, too. But it doesn’t
have to be that way. Try these
tips from Family Center, and
watch the holidays become
truly merry and bright for
every member of your family.
1. Keep your child on sched
ule. Meals and naps should
occur at regular times each
day. A well-fed and rested
child is much more pleasant
and cooperative.
2. Keep your child involved.
While you are shopping, bak
ing or wrapping presents,
involve your child. Discuss col
ors and shapes or play a
guessing game in the store.
Let your child pour and stir
cookie dough or stick tape on
presents.
3. Do not feel guilty. Holiday
time is a difficult time finan
cially for most parents. You
should not feel guilty because
you are unable to meet the
commercial demands of the
holidays.
4. Share yourself with your
kids. Parents may not be able
to give their chil
dren everything
they want, but you
can give of your
self. Plan a special
activity that is just
for you and your
child. If you have
more than one
child, set aside
time for each one
individually.
5. Set rules and
stick to them.
Calmly discuss the
rules you have set
down with your
child. Let them
know what will
happen if rules are
broken. Be consistent.
6. Prepare for new experi
ences. “Pretend Play” helps a
child grow and handle new
situations. Teaching children
how to deal with these situa
tions beforehand can prevent
an uncomfortable situation
and alleviate a great amount
of stress.
7. Recognize and encourage
good behavior.
Children need
it to learn
what is right.
Reward good
behavior
immediately!
You can do
this with verb
al praise,
hugs, a mater
ial reward or a
special activi
ty.
8. Know
what to expect
from your
child. Learn
what is normal
behavior for
your child’s age. Unrealistic
expectations and stress and
can damage the parent/child
relationship.
9. When you fell stressed,
take time out. Put the child in
a safe place until all is calm.
Count to 10 or take deep
breaths. Think about the rea
sons for your anger. Direct
your anger at something other
than your child.
10. Take care of yourself Do
not neglect your own needs.
Everyone functions better
with adequate sleep, food and
fun. Be good to yourself and
be the best parent you can be,
both for your sake and your
child’s.
The Family Center operates
a.24-hour peirent stress line at
376-7244. Trained volunteers
and staff can give advice,
encouragement and support.
Make the holidays less
stressful for adults
James Earl Jones visits Charlotte
Acbjr James Earl Jones, the voice of
Darth Vader m “Star Wars" and
Mufasa in "The Lion King," visited J.T.
Williatos Middle School la.st month on
a Muko-A*Wiah“Foundation tour. The
visit was a reward for a fundraising
effort sponsored by the J.T. Williams
student council for the Make-A-Wish
foundation. Jones, seen here with stu
dent body president Laurin Davi.s, par
ticipated in the “Bell Atlantic - The
Link To Make Dreams Come True"
school assembly. Jone^ powerful voice
is used in several Bell Atlantic com
mercials. The company sponsored
Jones' visit to Charlotte and other
Nurth I'aiiiliiia citic-h U> highlight tin
efforts of the Make-A-Wfish organiza
tion to grant wishes to children with
life-threatening medical conditions
and ways the local community can
become more involved through volun-
teerism and financial support.