Hey, check out this theory on children's depression

Dirt or Prozac?

Turn off video games and send your child to play with dirt. Dr. Chris Lowry, a brain scientist at Bristol University in England, found during an experiment with mice that mycobacterium vaccae, a special bacteria found in dirt, increase levels of the hormone serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates moods. Dirt bacteria had a similar effect as Prozac, but without harmful side effects. Perhaps one of the many reasons we have an unusually high number of depressed children is the lack of old-fashioned dirt playing!

Where have we been? potty training?

Oh my, it's been some time since we've posted. Busy with life. Family, work and travel have been priorities. And time slips by. Thank goodness I've spent lots of time with the grandsons and not here. They are growing so quickly that each week there are changes I notice. Potty training happened for the older one, 3 years and a couple of months, after just a weekend of concentrated effort. We kept asking him for almost a year if he was interested in wearing "big boy underwear" and using the potty. He would express mild interest then say "no", maybe next time!

And then, it was just a few days of reminding him to use the potty at certain times of the day. Just a couple of accidents, in his cartoon underwear later, and he was done....POTTY TRAINED. So don't be discouraged, it isn't that difficult. Gentle prodding and reminders, funny underwear with super heroes imprinted on them, a couple of promised treats and it's over.........oh yes, did I mention the dreaded bribes? Not much but towards the end it helped to have a little chart noting all the successes and a prize at the end............And NO pull ups, which just prolong the process.

Have a great weekend!
Cheryl