Top Family-Fun Super Nintendo Games

While I do enjoy playing video games on my own, it is much more enjoyable playing with my kids. And there is some research showing that the parent-child relationship can be enhanced when gaming together. Plus, gaming together can help teach gaming in moderation.

So with that in mind, I wanted to share the Top 5 SNES Games that families can play together (or against each other):

5. NHL 96

Any of the NHL series on SNES is a good pick. NHL 96 is when they started getting the create-a-player and roster moves done right. So create yourself, grab a couple of favourite players, put them on one team and play against each other.

4. Mario All-Stars

While Super Mario World is a great game, there is just something about playing the amped up NES Mario Bros. games on the SNES. Take turns in Mario Bros. or battle together in Mario Bros. 3.

3. NBA Jam

Instead of playing basketball formally, liven up the fun with arcade dunks and moves as you battle two-on-two. The graphics and the creativity make for a family fun rivalry.

2. Turtles in Time

If you have the controller expansion you can have to four playing. If not, two of you work together as the Ninja Turtles fight their way to save April. It's a great Co-op game.

1. Super Mario Kart

Race against each other in time trials or in one of the three cups. Or to increase the intensity, battle it out. Or do what I do with my kids, hold down the fort in 2nd place so they can get first and we can finish 1-2 in the races.

***Note: While new gaming consoles are $500+ with new games. With the proper shopping you could pick up a SNES console with controllers and a couple of the above games for $200 or less. Much more affordable family fun***

My Top 5 Favourite Christmas Albums

Happy/Merry Christmas!

One of mine and my wife's goals over our marriage was to increase our Christmas music library selection. - We have, and I'd like to share my favourite Christmas albums that we have accumulated.

In no particular order. Here they are:

Elvis Presley - Christmas Duets

Meaghan Smith - It Snowed

Eclipse - It's Christmas Time

Josh Groban - Noel

Paul Brandt - A Gift

Documentary: The Porn Pandemic: The Devastating Effects on Children, Family and Society

Noting that this video is produced by Family Watch Internation, a conservative family advocacy group. Also noting that Sex Addiction is not in the DSM 5, but that Pornography may be a reason behind some sexual dysfunction disorders in DSM 5. Overall, something to be aware of.

The Decline of Play and Rise in Children's Mental Disorders

A recent article by Peter Gary in Psychology Today discussed the rise of mental disorders amongst children correlating with the decline in play.

Pieces that stick out to me is that there is an increase in anxiety or depression in someone's life when they feel a loss of control in their life. I'd tie this to over-scheduling because children have no control over the activity or timing of it.

The other part was that children's goal making skills are now extrinsic instead of intrinsic. The idea that something external, such as a money, is more motivating than intrinsic, I want to do this because I feel good about it.

Do be aware when you read the article, there is a plug for his recent book, Free to Learn. Makes you wonder if the motivation for the book/article is intrinsic or extrinsic?

How sugar affects the brain

Tips for talking to your children about #dementia and #Alzheimers

The following are five tips from The Conversation about talking to your children about dementia:

1. Tell the whole truth (age appropriate)
2. Remind children that their loved one is still a person
3. Prepare children for the unexpected
4. Brainstorm activities for children to do with a loved one
5. Look for positives

Read the full article for more insight on this topic. Image from article.

Parenting an Anxious Child

My daughter hates having a loose tooth. Her anxiety increases every time she has one. She will not let my wife or I pull her tooth out. She truly hates the feeling. This is because the first time a tooth fell out it was a really uncomfortable experience for her.

So now when she has a loose tooth she begins to withdraw from activities, and stops eating crunchy foods because she doesn’t want to risk the discomfort of her tooth falling out. We have found a solution as a family, while not the most frugal approach, we learned that she trusts the dentist, and when her tooth is loose we take her to the dentist and pay to get it pulled. That way she can resume participating in her life.

While this is my daughters experience with anxiety, it is important to understand that everyone has experienced fear and anxiety at some sort of level. Fear is healthy, it is the body’s response to a threat. It is when the fear response happens when it shouldn’t, or when the response to the fear is not proportional, that it becomes anxiety.

When anxiety hits, the brain goes into its survival mode and responds with fight, flight or freeze instincts. This means that the ability to think, recall, and process information is limited. Some people even “black out” and can’t recall what happened during a highly anxious moment. It typically takes the brain and body 60-90 minutes to calm back down.

In the cases of children, they may not be aware of what is happening, all they know is that they are overwhelmed. The cerebral cortex, the brains captain, is no longer in command when the brain is emotionally flooded, so children need someone to act as their captain during those moments.

However, parenting a child that is anxious can be frustrating and difficult. As the child may be clingy, aggressive, and have sleep difficulties; this may result in school avoidance or withdrawal from activities.

As parents, the best way to help a child with anxiety is to create an environment that establishes and maintains safety. Typically this is done by having a stable and consistent routine, this way a child knows what to expect and what is expected during a day.

It is helpful as a parent to learn if your child benefits from mind to body or body to mind exercises to soothe. An example of mind to body is meditation, mindfulness or visualizations; whereas body to mind is yoga, hot baths or bilateral movements. Each child is different, and each situation may be different with which kind of soothing to do.

It is also important to note, as the Alcoholics Anonymous programs teaches, that being hungry, angry, tired or lonely, makes one vulnerable for relapse, and in this case, makes ones response to fear more likely.

But most of all, love your child, show empathy, and get into your child’s world to understand what increases their anxiety and what helps calm them.