Step Up Your Kids’ Goo Game If you’re a parent in 2018, you know how popular slime has become among the kiddos. NPR reports that the gooey stuff has become a “social media sensation” and even led to glue shortages in many areas across the country. But instead of making a traditional pile of neon goop with your child, why not upgrade it with magnetic capabilities? Make your own magnetic slime with just a few ingredients you can easily find around town. What you’ll need: • Liquid starch • Elmer’s glue (or any white glue) Make Amazing Magnetic Slime 1. Start off by pouring 1/4 cup of liquid starch into a disposable bowl. Add 2 carefully-measured tablespoons of iron oxide, and stir vigorously until fully mixed. 2. Mix in 1/4 cup of glue, and stir like crazy. You’re going to doubt that this preslime mixture can possibly turn into anything, but have faith and continue to mix. Eventually, it’ll take on that gooey slime-like texture. 3. Once the slime is a little squishy, remove it from the bowl and start mashing it with your hands. Knead and knead until the mixture is evenly distributed throughout. Don’t worry about the black juice remaining in for the magnet, almost like some alien creature. This is the perfect opportunity to explain how magnets work. Check out the “Magnetism” page on ExplainThatStuff.com. Or just squish the slime around and see what it can do! Though it may not be as colorful as the slime you usually see, it’s definitely more interesting. It’s the perfect simple activity for a playdate with your kids this May. Give Your Children Support Through the Divorce Process the bowl — just mix it in as best you can. When that’s done, give your hands a good scrub. The black mess will leave a stain for a little over a day. 4. Pat the slime down to dry off excess juice. That’s the stuff that makes a mess and blackens your hands, not the slime. Now it’s ready for action! Set the slime on the countertop and get out your magnet. Your kids will be amazed by the way the thick slime reaches • Iron oxide powder (can be found at home improvement stores — avoid breathing it in!) • Disposable bowls • An extra-powerful neodymium magnet (check online retailers or hobby stores)
As family law attorneys, most of the cases we handle on a day-to-day basis involve child custody in some form or another. Occasionally, the case is what’s called an “initial determination” of custody, which is the first time a court makes an order that defines the custody arrangement between two parents. Other times, we deal with modification cases where the parents are having issues with the original custody arrangement and are seeking modification by the court. In the midst of a family court case and all that accompanies it, one key aspect often gets missed. The children in these cases experience their own worries, fears, and concerns throughout the process, and with both parents wrapped up in the case, they can feel alone in those concerns. If they are young, they often don’t have the vocabulary or courage to let anyone know, but children therapists can usually recognize the signs of distress. In her book, “Putting Children First,” JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, clinical psychologist, cited a research survey which found the top-five worries expressed by children during divorce:
These are complex issues for anyone, let alone young children. During their parents’ divorce, children find themselves experiencing emotions they are completely unprepared to deal with. While most parents are unable to discuss the particulars of the case with their children, it is imperative that parents learn how to be empathetic and as supportive as possible for their children. By doing so, they provide their children with a level of comfort and reassurance even as the family’s routines and life may be drastically changing. If you are having trouble helping your child cope through the divorce process, don’t be afraid to seek the advice of a therapist who specializes in families and children going through separations and divorces. If you would like a referral, please don’t hesitate to ask our team.
• When I’m with my mom, I miss my dad. • When I’m with my dad, I miss my mom. • I worry about what will happen to me. • My parents fight about me. • My parents argue a lot. 2 www.SCFamilyLaw.com
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