Mystery Box for the Sanctuary on 8th Street

We'll be putting together a mystery box for the Sanctuary on 8th Street to auction off for their Shindig fundraiser. We're putting together a box for an expectant mother of a baby girl. If you have new baby items, clothing, blankets, diapers (anything you could have used as a new mom!) you'd like to contribute to our box, please contact Brynne by August 31st. Let's show another mom-to-be some MOPS love! And I encourage to take a look at the Sanctuary's website to find out more about this wonderful organization. Thanks ladies!

10 Big Differences Between Brains

Another post from the girl-ology boy-ology workshop I attended at convention!

Differences between boy & girl brains

1. Human Relationships - Girls communicate more effectively
2. Left Brains vs. Both sides - Boys use left side more, girls use both equally
3. Math Ability - Boys have a greater ability, this uses the left side of the brain
4. Reaction to Stress - Boys fight or flight. Girls tend and befriend.
5. Language - Larger in girls
6. Emotions - Larger in girls - more in touch with them. Boys - difficulty identifying emotion.
7. Brain size - Males have a 11-12% larger brain than females
8. Pain - Girls experience pain more intently and seek help unlike boys.
9. Spatial Ability - Boys are better at this, girls use different parts of the brain 
10. Susceptible to disorders - 5:1 boys vs girls are diagnosed with disorders. Boys are diagnosed more with ADHD and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with depression.

CD Player

Anyone have a working CD player you're willing to donate? We're looking to have some music time in the nurseries but we need a CD player or two! Let Kathleen know if you have one! Thanks!

Girl-ology & Boy-ology

Over the next few weeks I'll be posting notes once a week that I took during the Girl-ology & Boy-ology workshop at convention. Hope you all enjoy!

Testosterone

• Male body produces 40-60 times more than females
• More competitive & aggressive
• Risk-taking
• Lovers of cars, trucks, guns & balls
• Parents can help channel testosterone to keep boys out of trouble

Estrogen

• Plays a big role in 8-10 year olds
• From birth females are wired to receive estrogen
• Affects females physically, mentally & emotionally
• It's the intimacy hormone - desire for bonding & communication
• Infantile puberty occurs between 6 - 30 months - it's an estrogen boost & they desire more intimacy at this point 

That's all for this week but stay tuned for more about the differences between boys & girls, the challenges of raising them, and ideas for faith & fun with each! 

Convention

We had a wonderful time at convention this year! We think it was possibly the best one yet! We came home with lots of great ideas to share with you ladies. I will be posting notes from convention on the blog once a week until I run out of ideas I'm allowed to share. MOPS also announced that Convention 2011 will once again be in Nashville, August 4th-6th. Mark your calendars ladies!