The Wonderful World of Toddlers

When children begin to walk, they are called toddlers. Usually this term is applied to one and two-year-old children. This is a stage in the growth of a child and not a specific age. It is a time between infancy and childhood when a child learns and grows in many ways. Everything that happens to the toddler is meaningful. With each stage or skill the child masters, a new stage begins.

During the toddler stage, most children learn to walk, talk, solve problems, relate to others and more. One major task for the toddler is to learn to be independent. That is why toddlers want to do things for themselves, have their own ideas about how things should happen, and use “no” many times a day. I often tell the parents in my parenting classes that toddlerhood is just practice for the teenage years!

The toddler stage is characterized by much growth and change, mood swings, and some negativity. Toddlers are long on will and short on skill. They are bursting with energy and ideas, needing to explore their environment and begin defining themselves as separate people. They want to be independent and yet they are still very dependent. One of the greatest challenges for parents is to balance toddler’s need for in-dependence with their need for discipline.

Although the toddler stage can be difficult for both parents and toddlers, it doesn’t last forever. In fact, it can be fun!

Moon in Descent

The Moon traces out a path across the sky that is slightly offset from the path of the planets and Sun (the well-known "ecliptic" path). The orbit of the Moon is inclined to the ecliptic by 6 degrees, meaning that at any given point in a month, the Moon might be found in the sky just at the ecliptic, or moving below the ecliptic (up to 6 degrees away from it), or above the ecliptic. As it travels in its 29 day journey around the Earth, the Moon passes through the ecliptic twice, once going down (descending node) and once going up (ascending node).

Since we just finished an Eclipse Season, the Moon's nodes are very near to the points in space where we have New Moon and Full Moon, enough that from the New Moon a few days ago, to the First Quarter Moon later this week, we see the Moon traveling past the descending node and moving well below the ecliptic. Visual proof of that this week comes in the form of Saturn and Spica (see image), both of which are nearly on the ecliptic. The daily change in location of the Moon shows us just where the Moon is in relation to the ecliptic, this week skirting just south (below) this imaginary line in space.

Disaster Planning for the Elderly

News that a hurricane or tornado is on its way can cause anyone to worry. But if you are responsible for providing care for someone who is disabled, chances are you face additional concerns. You and the person you care for may not be able to "jump and run" when the tornado sirens are sounded or the hurricane warning is issued. Planning ahead will give you a little peace of mind.

For caregivers, as for everyone else, it is important to have basic supplies available. The supply list available at the American Red Cross web site (http://www.redcross.org/) serves as the model for many basic supply lists. Other sources provide information about special supplies for people with disabilities, for example Disaster Planning Tips for Senior Adults lists supplies that might be needed by people with disabilities and can be accessed online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY620.

Although planning for a disaster can be frightening, having a plan in place can help you and the person you care for feel more secure.
Caregivers often feel they are “on their own” during normal times, and this feeling may intensify during times of disaster when people are hurrying to take care of their own family and property. People will be more than glad to help, but they will need to know exactly what you need and when you need it.

Make plans for help with family, friends, and neighbors. Include someone on your team who is able to lift and carry heavy objects such as wheelchairs or other medical equipment. Give at least one other person a key to your home. Each team member should have the contact information for the others. Name a substitute caregiver in case you are unavailable or unable to provide care.

Evacuation can be complicated for caregivers. Develop an evacuation strategy with your “disaster team.” Consider the following:
• Where are the nearest special needs emergency shelters? Remember you may not be able to reach the closest shelter, so know where the next closest one is located. Practice driving to both using different routes prior to storm warnings.
• What supplies must you take with you? In addition to the supplies you would normally need for an evacuation, think of those things you use as a caregiver every day. Make a check list of special caregiving items such as incontinence items, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, pill splitter or crusher, and thermometer. Secure a box or case to carry them in.
• How many people are needed to help make the move? These people should be part of your disaster team. Know how to reach them.
• Whom should you inform that you are evacuating? Let your neighbors and family members know, and if you live in any kind of “complex” let the administrators know that you have left.
• Keep your vehicle's gas tank over ¾ full at all times

For a copy of the UF Extension publication “Disaster Planning Tips for Caregivers of the Elderly and People with Disabilities by Carolyn Wilken: “http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY75100.pdf

Forgotten Movie Songs #21: "I'm Picking Out A Thermos For You" from THE JERK

Carl Reiner's THE JERK is a brilliant movie. And it's even more brilliant as Steve Martin's (truly) debut film. But I'm not going to sing its praises here. I only wanna point out the song "I'm Picking Out A Thermos For You," which is staunchly hilarious. I couldn't find a clip of Steve Martin's Navin singing this in his soapy bathtub, to his flighty girlfriend (Bernadette Peters), so I'm

Forgotten Movie Songs #21: "I'm Picking Out A Thermos For You" from THE JERK

Carl Reiner's THE JERK is a brilliant movie. And it's even more brilliant as Steve Martin's (truly) debut film. But I'm not going to sing its praises here. I only wanna point out the song "I'm Picking Out A Thermos For You," which is staunchly hilarious. I couldn't find a clip of Steve Martin's Navin singing this in his soapy bathtub, to his flighty girlfriend (Bernadette Peters), so I'm

CINEMA GALLERY--July 2011: 50 New Frames

See if you can guess the movies these 50 images hail from. Answers at the end. And, as always in the Cinema Gallery, click on the images you want to see big-time:

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1. Requiem for a Dream (Darren Aronofsky,

CINEMA GALLERY--July 2011: 50 New Frames

See if you can guess the movies these 50 images hail from. Answers at the end. And, as always in the Cinema Gallery, click on the images you want to see big-time:

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1. Requiem for a Dream (Darren Aronofsky,