I FINISHED!

This post is a follow up from my previous post!

I wanted to let you know that though I wasn't 100% prepared, I finished the TWU Pioneer power sprint! I am always inspired by the many athletes at these types of events and they're ALL ages. I met a father and son, 2 young girls who were 14, and another guy that started doing races and triathlons at age 46! It's amazing what you can do when you have the belief and desire! The TWU sprint is a great sprint triathlon for those of you interested in doing your first one.

My time was the same from last year; 1 hour and 40 minutes. My run was slow so I am going to work on this part!

What are your fitness goals for the rest of the year? It's never too late!

Dr. Nina

Not Prepared for Race Day!

Okay, so I am participating in a sprint Triathlon this Sunday. This is the shortest distance triathlon and any of you reading this could train and do this too! :)

Anyway, so I went for a 3-mile speed run this evening to help with my time for the race. Unfortunately, I wasn't very speedy! I also was tired towards the end sloowwing way down. I averaged under a 10 minute mile and anyone who is a runner knows this is not very good! :( Oh well...we will see how I do this Sunday.

The Triathlon is a 300 meter pool swim, 16 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. You are probably thinking how I am going to be able to do this if I am tired after running 3 miles? Good question. I have trained though so I am going to make the excuse it was an off day for me and just too hot! I will post how I do on Sunday afternoon!

All the best to you, your health and family!

Dr. Nina :)

Christmas Cookies in July? Say it isn't so! :)

My daughter loves to bake as many children love to do. Today she wanted to make sugar cookies! We have a big container of cut outs that she wanted to use that contained letters, numbers, pumpkins, Xmas trees, snowmen, planes, and more! Needless to say, we had an assortment of cookies.

As you know, with sugar cookie dough, cutouts, sprinkles, etc. it gets quite messy! I don't know if she will ever remember today when she made holiday cookies in July but this is what I do know. I know that she will take her feelings of joy and laughter with her. Her self-esteem was boosted by the things she did; mixing and rolling the dough, doing the cut outs, and taking the baked cookies off the pan with a spatula. The internal joy and satisfaction she experienced when she decorated the cookies and how happy she was with the end result! :)

As our kids explore and discover, the more we embrace it and let them experience every part of it, the more empowered and excited they will be with whatever they do next!

This is truly the joy of parenting!

Dr. Nina

Do you have a shy child?

You may wonder if your child is normal if they are shy and don't engage right away. There are some kids who are very comfortable in new situations but many children need time to warm up to their environment and you can't force them or rush them.

Imagine going to a party where you don't know anyone. How do you feel? What do you need to do to get comfortable? Your child is the same way however they may need Mom or Dad by their side as they warm up to their new environment.

My daughter is shy. She started a princess camp yesterday and my husband had to stay with her for awhile before she got comfortable. Today I dropped her off and she didn't need mommy to stay. She felt secure and confident and this is our goal as parents. Give them time, reassure them, and love them and your shy child will be OK! :)

Have any other questions about shy children or another concern about your child, please post it here and I'll answer them!

Dr. Nina

Oh no! My TONE!

The other day I was rushing to leave our house. It seems as a mother I am always running behind somewhere! :) I was in my closet gathering some clothes to take with us on our trip to Mimi's house. My daugther was standing in front of the closet door guarding it from the dogs. Then I said to her with a hurridly voice, "Jazzy come on lets go, lets go..." Though I wasn't yelling my tone wasn't Mommy's happy calm tone. My daughter started to get upset and I had to stop what I was doing to hug her, tell her I love her, and apologize for my tone.

It was a reminder to me the importance of our tone when we are around our children. Our tone effects our children. Though they may not always verbalize it, they feel it. We are their role models and how we express and manage our emotions is important for them to observe.

Also, reassuring her of my love for her is expressing that my love is unconditional. Children are so impressionable and they need to feel that unconditional love from Mommy and Daddy. This is a big part of building their self esteem, which I know we all want to do!

So, watch your tone...I know I AM! :)

Dr. Nina

The BIG fall!

Well, it was my first time to experience my daughter having a bad fall. We had just finished a library activity and went to the bathroom. Unfortunately while in the bathroom, she tripped over my foot and fell flat on her face. She attempted to catch herself with her hands but it didn't prevent her tooth from cutting her bottom lip.

There was a lot of blood and I went through many wet paper towels before getting her into the car and rushing her to Urgent Care just in case she needed stitches. During this time, I had to remain calm though inside I was worried and anxious. It's a difficult role to play!

She didn't need stitches thank goodness! However, she did have a big bottom lip and we stopped at the store for popsicles and a surprise since it was quite overwhelming for her. I learned a lot from this experience. Do your best to remain calm so that they don't feel as overwhelmed. Also, reassure them that Doctors are nice people and they are there to help you.

The next day we drew a picture of her experience at the Doctors. She drew Mommy and herself sad but the Doctor as a nice and happy man. This is good for her to see this image just in case she ever needs to go again! Hopefully not but she is still just a toddler!

Dr. Nina