Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another. ~ Erma Bombeck

The holidays are a time of fun and filled with decorations, festivities and excited children making their lists of gifts that they want.  We can't lose sight of the fact that there are so many families going without this holiday season, and we have to remember to instill that sense of gratitude within our own kids.  James Cash Penney, founder of department store J.C. Penney once said How can we expect our children to know and experience the joy of giving unless we teach them that the greater pleasure in life lies in the art of giving rather than receiving?  It is more important than ever since the needs only increase both in our community and throughout our world. We invite you to share how your family chooses to give back during the holiday season on our Family Favorites page so we can all learn from each other.

In the spirit of giving....

....On December 12, a blood drive will be held at Our Lady of Victory School in Floral Park in memory of the Hance sisters, three Long Island girls who were killed in the tragic car crash on the Taconic Parkway back in July. 

....From December 3 through December 5, you can shop over 70 participating stores at the Americana Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza stores to benefit the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research. 

....Kitchen Studio, located at 355 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, is a drop off location for Toys for Tots.  Please drop off a new, unwrapped toy between 10am and 5pm Monday through Saturday, now through December 18.

....Last Hope, an animal rescue organization, needs volunteers to help in caring for homeless cats.  You can help by feeding and assisting with cat adoptions.  If you can spare one hour of love a week in the Syosset/Huntington area, please contact Daylia at 516.297.5556.

You can find more information about these and other local fundraisers on our events calendar >>>  or visit Families Giving Back >>> to learn about more volunteer opportunities.

Arjun Sen, a dad and author of Raising a Father, sent us over a list of great ideas on how to give the gift of time to your children and your family, where every idea costs very little or no money!  Visit our blog >>> to read about them and feel free to leave your own ideas in the comments!   

Don't forget to visit Parent Perks >>> before you shop and keep checking our Events Calendar >>> for some fun filled holiday events (plus lots of great ideas for the holiday break!).

Have a great week!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

News & announcements from our listed businesses.....

Absolute Yoga in Woodbury is currently holding pre-registration for their new kids yoga sessions starting after the holidays in January for ages 6 through 13. Don't be closed out, space is limited. Yoga for children teaches techniques for self-awareness, relaxation, and inner and outer strength. The poses and activities are fun and allow kids to explore their own sense of power, balance, focus, and peace. These classes tune into the children's natural interests, needs and rhythms. Visit them online at www.AbsoluteYogaStudio.com or call them at 516.682.YOGA for more information about class schedules and pricing.

One of our newest clients, DREAMNASTICS, a movement program and gym located in Great Neck is extending a 15% discount to our users for the Winter 2010 semester if registered and paid in full by Friday, December 11.  Visit www.dreamnastics.com for an updated schedule.  If you do not see a time that works for your group, don't hesitate to inquire about the Build-A-Class program to fit your needs.  You can register by calling 516.829.8099 - don't forget to mention LIParentSource to receive your discount!  Visit Parent Perks for more info and a printable coupon >>>

Bubble in Babylon Village is holding some great holiday craft classes such as Homemade Holiday Gifts and Gingerbread House Decorating.   LIParentSource users can save $5 when registering for any 2 special events during December!  While you're at bubble taking a class, visit their retail store and do some gift shopping - we've been there and their boutique is absolutely adorable.  Check our Events Calendar for class dates and times and then stop by Parent Perks for more info and a printable coupon >>>

The Long Island Children's Museum is celebrating throughout the month of December!  Our celebrations act as annual renewals of all the beliefs and cultural themes that unite us as a community. Join LICM as they celebrate strong familial ties, splendid festivals, and the joys of childhood through the eyes of children.

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and help them become what they are capable of being. ~   Goethe

Gymboree Play & Music
Date: 12/03/2009 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Admission Fees: Free

Enjoy holiday shopping in a boutique setting with many different vendors.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Plainview PAL Organization, a wonderful non-profit organization that offers children as young as kindergarten an array of sports activities to join and learn at a very low cost.  Come and do your holiday shopping!

Location: Plainview Gymboree Play & Music, Jamaica Avenue, Plainview

 ~ Submitted by James Huysman, PsyD, LCSW, Executive Director of Leeza's Place

Fmany families, the holidays are a festive time. But for those caring for a family member, festive times might be fraught with depression, anxiety, stress and new challenges that many others do not face. Today there more than over 50 million caregivers in our country whose holiday season may fall into this category. Holidays mean so much to so many.  Sometimes they represent the happiness of yesteryear. Other times they may remind us of the fear of tomorrow. We all know that sometimes if you have one foot in yesterday and one foot into tomorrow, then we may be missing the beautiful holiday present that is being given to us this day.

To help us unwrap this present to ourselves, sometimes "social worker family systems" special tips are in order for caregivers this holiday season.

1. Give yourself a wellness gift. Give yourself a health and wellness gift.  Get a checkup, an assessment for anxiety or depression, and/or a health screening. Find a therapist. Join a support group. Take care of your own personal health. It is the first step toward reducing the stress and strain of the season ahead.
2. Ask for help and make sure you are open to accept it. Asking friends and families for help may be the hardest thing we face. As caregivers, we are way too quick to accept the role of hero, martyr or savior. Too often we have a "go it alone policy" and believe that we must take care of everything ourselves.
3. Find a friend or make a friendship even richer.  Having a friend to provide conversation, support and assistance or for any holiday activity is a wonderful therapeutic approach to the holidays. Sometimes a friend is all we need: a safe sounding board so we can get some stress out. Sometimes a friend might even offer respite that can lift your spirits and make the season more enjoyable.
4. Learn how not to take things personally. Sometimes when families get together we are "on our last nerve." Make sure we realize that the people around us have their dramas and traumas too and their words, though hurtful, may have nothing to do with us. Sometimes the words may come from a person with stressful challenges of their own.
5. Identify a supportive community of friends, families or spiritual gatherings. Many caregivers are concerned they are seen as a burden and are often reluctant to come out and be connected to the world around them. Sometimes they feel no one cares. By finding a community outside the family, caregivers know they exist in a community of loving people who want to help because they care.  
6. Plan your family's activities with thought throughout the season. Roles and responsibilities are extremely important to explain to all involved. Ongoing family conferences throughout the holidays help maintain the boundaries necessary to the caregiving process so that no one feels out of control or inadequate. This is vital and should be done in person and as frequently as needed. Holiday family conferences are like tune-ups used to maintain the family car. This car needs to drive well, efficiently and for a long time. Schedule these conversations regularly before the wheels fall off.
7. Keep a gratitude list in a holiday journal filled with wonderful affirmations.  That is a mouthful for sure and no doubt as a caregiver you will take this item by item or as a personal project throughout the season. Any one of these exercises can shift your focus away from darkness and worry and help empower a caregiver to create a focus on gratefulness - and hopefully begin to see the large amount of abundance that there already is in being alive. This process will begin to inspire new avenues of thought throughout the holiday season.
8. Find humor everywhere you go. "Laughter Is the Best Medicine." This is an old expression popularized by Norman Cousin's book "Anatomy of an Illness," in which he describes his battle with cancer and how he "laughed" his way to recovery. Laughter is a great tension-releaser, pain reducer, breathing improver, and general elevator of moods. Humor is so very valuable and a great elixir to get us through difficult or stressful times. Try to see the humor in being a caregiver during the holiday season. Start now. "How do you tell a caregiver from anyone else? It is the person who jumps off a cliff and someone else's life passes before their eyes. . .  Okay, not so funny. Make sure you find your own laughter to keep smiling in your own life. Your energy for others during the holiday season will only happen when you energize and empower your own life force today.

Dr. James Huysman, LCSW is the executive director and co-founder of The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation.  Their signature program is Leeza's Place, "A Place for Caregivers."  This is a national program aimed at dealing with the burnout and compassion fatigue challenges of caregivers across the country.  Dr. Huysman currently oversees Leeza's Place centers in 10 cities that serve thousands of caregivers each day.   Dr. Huysman is co-author of Take Your Oxygen First a No. 1 caregiving title at Amazon.com.