STROLLER STRIDES at CITIFIELD
Wednesday, July 25th!

• Spend the morning burning calories and spend the afternoon at the New York Mets game!
• Enter through the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at 10 a.m. to participate in a Stroller Strides class on the concourse at Citi Field before the game!
• Enjoy discounted tickets in Promenade Reserved seats.
• Purchase the Ulti-Met ticket option to receive all of the above and $12 of food and beverage credit for an additional $10.
• Share the offer with family and friends who may not want to participate in class, but still enjoy the game.

PRICES
Seating Level Number of Tickets $ Amount (Subject to Availability)
Promenade Reserved Ticket _______________ @ $12.00 = _________
Ticket with $12 Ulti-Met credit _______________ @ $22.00 = _________

Total =_________

PAYMENT INFORMATION
Payment must be included by check (payable to New York Mets), money order or credit card number.
Method of Payment: □MasterCard □AmEx □VISA □Discover □Check/Money Order
Payment Amount: $___________________
Credit Card Number: ______________________________________ Exp. Date: _____________________
Name of Cardholder (if different than account): ________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________
Fax: 718-507-7735 *Credit Cards Only
Mail: New York Mets • Christina Andrews • Citi Field • Flushing, N.Y. 11368-1699

I often think of my 5 year old daughter as an old soul.  She was born with two conditions that most people think of the elderly having.  She was born with a cataract and has been battling Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since she started walking. My own Benjamin Button I use to say.  As I have grown to see her personality bloom, I am more convinced that she is an adult in a little body.  I woke up this weekend as she slowly creeped in to snuggle in our bed, looked at her and asked "so Maya how is life so far"?  She quickly answered "I dont know".  Here is how the rest of the dialogue went:
Me "Is life good?"  Maya "Yes".  
Me "Is life giving you everything you need"?  Maya "Yes"
Me "Is life keeping you happy" Maya "Yes"
Me "Is life giving you Love?"  Maya "No"
Me "No?" Maya "Silly Mommy, Life doesn't give love."
Me "It doesn't? What gives love"?
Maya "You give love.  Life doesn't do that...we do"!
Simply spoken and yet so powerful.  We dont give love to our children to receive it.  Why should we expect life to give love? WE MUST GIVE IT! 

Yes, I said it and have been saying it for years.  We all find ourselves struggling when we are teaching our child(ren) to share.  That is because they may think the action behind sharing means that something is being taken away from them.  So I will be the first to tell you to forget the word sharing for a while and replace it with the words "take turns". 

Do you remember the game, the ball goes round and round?  Well kids wanted to play because they wanted to get the ball back and forth, but didn't want to be the last one to have it.  Hmmmm!  Lets work with that...Do you think that kids will want to continue to play with a toy if they know they are getting the toy back after they have given it away?  The answer is YES...therefore taking turns is the way to go. 

When children are young, you can first explain the rules for taking turns.  For example, help by encouraging them to sing a song or just count to ten and then switch hands.  This helps them understand that after they are done signing, counting (aka being patient), they will be rewarded and get the toy back so that they can have a turn.  It is a great lesson for all and a complete shift from I dont want to share, to I will gladly take turns.  Same behavior just different language and approach.  So stop sharing and start taking turns and you will struggle less with this very common social development skill and enjoy watching them have fun together with one toy...that is until they get sick of it (within one minute usually)  :0)