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The Fine Art of Etiquette - Pt 2

7/7/2014

“Btw, exceedingly crunchy bacon should be picked up with fingers, even in a fancy restaurant, otherwise, cut with fork and knife.”

The Fine Art of Etiquette

If we don’t teach them, and give them opportunities to practice, why would we expect them to use these skills?

By Tracy Lamperti,
Psychotherapist, Educator, Consultant
Photography by Kelly Cronin Photography, taken at Chatham Bars Inn, June 7th, 2014
Etiquette Series

Beautiful Smiles!

Let’s face it. Our children have beautiful smiles! There are lots of ways to get a smile. I saw this on a tea bag once and a Google search credits it to Phyllis Diller. “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight..” I’m all too guilty of being too rushed to just reflect the smile back to my children or to calm their worries with a smile. The Shake How many times have you experienced an awkward handshake? The other person doesn’t make any indication that they are going to make their hand available for a shake. They extend their hand but it just hangs there. They shake so firmly that inside your head you are saying, “What the heck!? Too firm!” Very often, children don’t expect that others are going to acknowledge them with a handshake. When an adult, or even another child extends their hand to your child, I’m sure you would feel best if your child had the experience and confidence to reach out their hand. In class we practiced weekly handshakes and even had some fun with it. We evaluated, “Too firm.” “Awkward.” “Wet noodle.” “Just right.” Here, you can see a very confident young lady practicing her skill, with her younger sister looking on.

What to do with the Napkin?

If you look around at the guests at your own table and neighboring tables you will see that it is entirely NOT obvious to many what should be done with the napkin. In class, our girls took great pleasure in unfolding their napkin to the half fold and placing it on their lap with the folded side at the waist and you can see them using this skill at the Chatham Bars Inn!

Pleasant Conversation

“A little silence is normal. A lot of silence is awkward. Pleasant conversations and don’t leave anyone out.” These were my words every week to the small groups of girls practicing tea and cookies.

It isn’t a big surprise that without guidance and expectations, girls and boys can find their topics trailing off on the silly and even rude path. Next thing you know, you’ve got a giggle attack! Don’t get me wrong. I have had my share of Thanksgiving dinners where someone, inevitably ends up blowing milk out their nose because of that cousin who can’t keep it appropriate! That might be fine for slumber parties or beach picnics, but not expected during most dining experiences.

In class, we had some girls who knew each other and some who didn’t. They learned how important it is to notice when someone isn’t contributing to the conversations and how to bring them in. You all know, there are adults who haven’t even mastered this skill.

Fingers or Fork and Knife?

In class we played a guessing game with a list of foods for this question. I was very impressed to hear the girls quietly and politely asking how to approach the bacon at CBI. The beauty here…they had been taught to ask questions if they weren’t sure, and they did ask. They remembered the game and its purpose. They desired to do it correctly and their questions were based in wanting to eat their bacon confidently, rather than be nervous about making a mistake. Btw, exceedingly crunchy bacon should be picked up with fingers, even in a fancy restaurant, otherwise, cut with fork and knife. However, two fingers should be used rather than gripping the bacon like an ice cream cone. Here you see our youngest student, 5 years old!!! happily and confidently attending the very fancy breakfast at CBI (and loving her bacon)!

Sorry no classes posted yet. Will do asap. I’m gearing up for a trip to Arizona for intensive training in hypnotherapy. Still planning classes for September.

Put manners together with confidence and our young people are going to be winners and leaders!

Tracy Lamperti, LMHC, BCETS
Psychotherapist, Educator, Consultant

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Attention Cape Cod Moms & Parents! Kids First: Film Critics Boot Camp on Martha's Vineyard

7/2/2014

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Does your child love films, love talking about films and love being on-camera?
If so, then we've got a camp for that! KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Summer Boot Camp

Martha’s Vineyard Film Society is partnering with KIDS FIRST! this summer to offer a new educational opportunity for island youth

If you have a 10 to 15-year-old in your life who loves films and dreams of being on the red carpet, KIDS FIRST! has the perfect opportunity. Your tween can participate in the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp this summer in Martha’s Vineyard at Martha’s Vineyard Film Center for an experience they will never forget.

Give your child the opportunity to build self confidence and learn more about behind-the-scenes aspects of the film industry as they critique the latest films, learn to write reviews, practice interview techniques, improve on-camera skills, visit with industry professionals, and are coached by seasoned professionals. All campers will have the opportunity to join the KIDS FIRST! Film Critic team of reporters.

Richard Paradise, Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center comments, “We are thrilled to partner with KIDS FIRST!, a nationally known educational non-profit, in bringing this opportunity to the youth on Martha’s Vineyard this summer.”
The week-long boot camp on Martha’s Vineyard camp will meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Locations and dates include: August 11 to Aug. 15, 2014 – Martha’s Vineyard, Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, (79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568)

For more information and to register, go to http://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/2014.BootCamp.html Please act soon, because space is limited to 12 students. Tuition: $459. There are a limited number of scholarships available to island residents – please contact Richard Paradise for scholarship opportunities.

For more information go to: http://mvfilmsociety.com/educational-programs-2/

or contact
Ranny Levy
KIDS FIRST!/Coalition for Quality Children’s Media
112 W. San Francisco St., Ste 305A
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.989.8076; admin@kidsfirst.org
http://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/2014.BootCamp.html

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Calling All Cape Cod Families to Join Us At the Prayers for Bradyn Vendor Fair / Cook Out

7/2/2014

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*Bradyn, is an amazing 3 year old boy, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma in August 2013. He had a large tumor in his abdomen as well as several smaller tumors. He began chemotherapy immediately and had surgery to remove the main tumor in December 2013. On January 17th 2014 the full body scan showed no evidence of Neuroblastoma in his body and in February 2014 Bradyn received a bone marrow transplant. He began radiation in April 2014 and will begin autoimmune therapy after that is complete. To support Bradyn's treatment, his mom had to quit her job, and his dad, a USMC veteran, relocated from NC to be closer to Bradyn and Bradyn's 7 year old sister, Bailey. Bradyn has frequent appointments and long hospital stays in Boston that are helping to heal his body, but they still take a financial and emotional toll on the family.

We are hosting a vendor fair / family cook out for Bradyn. This is a direct to family fundraiser. Tickets are on sale now $10 per person / $30 max for family ~ ticket includes food at cook out.

Saturday, July 26 at 1:00pm
Monument Beach Sports Club
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532
Event Website

The clubhouse will be full of vendors and there will be great raffle items. All funds collected from vendors/raffle & food ticket sales will go directly to Bradyn's family to help just a little bit with added expenses traveling back & forth to Boston.

Cash Bar *

Vendor List ~

Cape Cakes by Kristen *
It Works *
Origami Owl *
Glam-Y-Gals, Younique Products*
47 Seaside Boutique
Thistle's Corner *
Celadon Road
Stella & Dot
Thirty One
Marnie Janes of Cape Cod

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Summer Speech Fun - Fun With Rocks!

7/1/2014

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By: Suzanne Golden, M.S., CCC-SLP

We have had some beautiful weather so far this summer and my daughter and I have been enjoying every minute of it! One of our favorite things to do at the end of a long beach day is to collect some rocks on the beach.

We look for rocks of all different sizes, shapes and colors. Once we have collected our rocks we take them home and sort through them. This is such a great opportunity to use a lot of different describing words!

·         Talk about the size, shape and color of the rocks

·         Talk about how the rocks feel (smooth, bumpy, sharp, etc…)

·         Pick two rocks and compare them (which rock is bigger? Which rock is smoother?)

·         Sort the rocks into piles based on their different characteristics

·         Count the rocks (how many big rocks? How many red rocks?, etc…)

If your child is working on producing specific speech sounds correctly, consider taking a marker and writing the sound/words on the back of the rocks. As he picks a rock to describe he can also practice the sound/word written on the back!

I love this activity because it’s a great way to end the day at the beach and get in some speech/language work too!

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The truth about detoxes & cleanses

7/1/2014

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By: Jennifer L. Long, RN, NCN

A wedding invite has just come in the mail! How exciting, a CAPE COD wedding in
JULY….…oh wait, that means you need to get a dress…and its summer so that means less is
covered up! You put your hands over you belly and start dreading the ﬁtting room. Feeling
bloated, and a bit uncomfortable in anything form-ﬁtted you panic! What do you do? !
! You have seen them advertised in magazines, offered by big name supplement
companies and even commercials on TV. There are so many detoxes, cleanses and “miracle”
diets promising to get rid of the bloat, the weight you don’t want and improve your health. The
problem is, they are not all they are cracked up to be. Cleanses and detoxes are meant to aid in
improving digestion, removing toxins and kick start your weight loss, but when they are not
based on the physiology of the body, they can actually cause damage to your digestive tract,
cause rebound weight gain and decrease muscle tissue (which is what burns the fat). Many
cleanses recommend avoiding certain foods or food all together while being utilized. Anything
that suggests NOT eating is a RED FLAG! We are meant to eat frequent small meals, a balance
of protein, fat and carbohydrates in order to stabilize our blood sugar, maintain homeostasis and
protect muscle and organ tissue. So what happens with these abrasive, often expensive and
“miracle” cleanses and detoxes? Most often you stop eating or drastically reduce your caloric
and food intake. This immediately causes a drop in your blood sugar. At this point you are no
longer using fat for energy, you are burning muscle in order to make up for the defect. This is
when cravings, mood swings and other RED FLAG warnings from your own body are
screaming, but the goal is to see a drop in numbers on the scale so you keep going. You see
the drop and get excited but feel miserable! You are losing muscle!!!! The aggressive detox
formulas probably have you rushing to the bathroom every 5 minutes too…and moms, who has
time for that…really? Then you have to make sure when you pack extra clothes for the day, you
throw an extra pair of panties hidden under the wipes. Come on, NOT CUTE! How many days
did they say to do this, 14 days? You realize its only day 3 and your children's snacks aren’t
safe from your carb frenzy and everyone is getting on your last nerve! Yup, thats a low blood
sugar kicking in. Oh and no one mentioned the awesomeness of the rebound weight that comes
on after you complete the cleanse and go right back to your normal routine! So what happened? !
Well, what did you learn? NOTHING!!

So, is there a way to actually CLEANSE? GREAT NEWS………..YESSSSSSS!!
First, you must realize that you must be ready for a lifestyle change, after a cleanse you have to
continue to make changes and it must ﬁt your life. Second, make sure what you are doing is
gentle and acts like your body does naturally. You really need to cleanse your colon, liver and
kidneys. Third, KEEP YOUR BLOOD SUGAR STABLE by eating in 3’s!!!!!! You CAN detox and
cleanse while eating super clean proteins, fats and carbs…cut the foods that bloat and ﬂush
with good old h2o! A cleanse should only be about 7 days, unless you are a heavy drinker,
smoker or have over 50 pounds to lose. If you want to learn how to detox safely and get
LASTING results and learn to change your lifestyle, I am accepting new clients. Always check
with your health care provider before taking ANY supplements.

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Forward>>

The Fine Art of Etiquette - Pt 2

The Fine Art of Etiquette

Attention Cape Cod Moms & Parents! Kids First: Film Critics Boot Camp on Martha's Vineyard

Calling All Cape Cod Families to Join Us At the Prayers for Bradyn Vendor Fair / Cook Out

Summer Speech Fun - Fun With Rocks!

The truth about detoxes & cleanses

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