Foust Law August 2018

AUGUST 2018 THE

THEGREATCELL PHONEDEBATE W hat is the R ight A ge ? COMMUNITY CONSCIENCE

Raising kids can be a challenging endeavor . When Heather and I were married in 2013, Heather agreed to take on not only a husband but two boys, Andrew, 12, and Chandler, 11. The boys are now 16 and 17 years old and face growing up in a world very different than the one Heather and I knewwhen we were teenagers. We are far fromperfect parents but we do our best. This article chronicles our some of our successes and some of our less than stellar moments. We hope you can learn from some of our failures and find some entertainment in the moments we share. My wife Heather has taken on the role of holding the line. It cannot be easy to hold the line because when it comes to the boys, I have the backbone of a garden snake and the teeth to go along with it. Heather and I saw from the beginning that cellular phones would be a very big distraction. We also saw that regulating the amount of technology our boys were going to consume would be a challenge. However, we believed that postponing the use of a smart phone or iPhone until they could pay for the plan themselves and have the maturity to handle both the mental and physical time suck that phones pose would be a good approach. Little did we know, most parents did not agree. “Dad, we are outcasts.” “I am the only kid I knowwithout a cell phone.” Studies show that the kids were not that far off. One article on CNN.com explains that about 45% of children in the U.S. from ages 10 to 12 have their own smartphone with a service plan. Here is the link to the article to prove it: CNN.com/2017/12/11/health/cell-phones-for-kids-parenting- without-borders-explainer-intl/index.html . The article goes on to explain that this phenomenon is not limited to kids in the U.S. In fact, 72% of children in South Korea owned a cell phone by ages 11 to 12. South Korean kids spend as much as 5.4 hours a day on those phones. Despite the fact that it seem as though every other kid in the developed world has a cell phone, we held the line and the boys did not make this purchase until their 16th birthdays. In addition, the boys have to pay $20 a week to cover this cell phone bill, which also covers the car insurance NO PHONES UNTIL YOU ARE 16!

for the truck they drive. Holding back cell phones until age 16 did not kill them. In fact, we believe that keeping this technology away for a little while was liberating. Requiring that they pay for their own phones through part-time work allowed them to build some self-esteem. As an added bonus, they have not asked for spendingmoney since they were 16. Although they still use their phones more than we would like, they know they can live without them. Most of us tend to forget that there was life before cell phones. HERE ARE SOME MORE ARTICLES ON KIDS AND CELL PHONE USE: 5Things toThink About Before BuyingYour Child a Cell Phone CNN.com/2016/12/13/health/buying-child-cell-phone-5-things-to-think- about/index.html Study on Effects of Cell Phones on Kids Reveals Stunning Results NBC26.com/news/national/stunning-results-after-researchers-look-at- effects-of-cell-phones-on-kids-national

IsYour Child Ready for a Cell Phone? WebMD.com/parenting/features/children-and-cell-phones - 1

When ShouldYou Get Your Kid a Phone? ChildMind.org/article/when-should-you-get-your-kid-a-phone

- Lucas Foust

406-587-3720 • 1

JOURNEY TO THE GREAT BACKYARD Finish the Summer With a Family Camping ‘Trip’

Summer is drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make some great memories. Camping trips are a summer staple. Fortunately, you don’t have to drive hours into the mountains to find the perfect campsite. Your backyard is right there waiting for you! Here are a few tips to help your family say farewell to summer with a perfect backyard camping trip.

your backyard, you could even try building a bonfire. Just make sure to check your city ordinances and get any necessary permits first. You can find advice for building the perfect campfire at REI.com/learn/expert- advice/campfire-basics.html.

REMEMBER: IT’S OKAY TO CALL IT A NIGHT.

PACK FOR AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE.

For kids, the most exciting part of camping in the backyard is getting to sleep in a tent — that is, until they actually have to sleep. After stargazing, some kids will want to stay up all night whispering and giggling in the tent, and that’s great! But other kids might decide they’d rather sleep inside, and that’s okay too. Your camping trip isn’t a failure because everyone spent the night in their own beds. It’s not about where everyone sleeps; it’s about howmuch fun your family had together before bedtime.

Your back door is literally a few yards away, which can be great in the event of an emergency. But if the kids are running in and out of the house all night long, they might end up deciding they’d rather be inside playing video games after only an hour. Be sure to pack everything you would need if you were really going into the woods for the night so no one is tempted to go back inside. This means tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, books, binoculars, a compass, water bottles, and a cooler of food with snacks and dinner. Treat this like a “real” camping experience right from the beginning!

The best part of backyard camping? It doesn’t take a lot of planning. Just grab your gear and your family and hike out into the great backyard.

FIGURE OUT THE CAMPFIRE.

Don’t have an in-ground fire pit? No worries! You can still enjoy hot dogs and s’mores with a charcoal grill or a store-bought fire pit. If you have enough room in

Become a ‘Dog Whisperer’ Train as a Pack for Better Results

AFFECTION

Your whole family adores your dog — but not the barking. This issue can lead to feelings of frustration, and the more frustrated you get, the more your dog barks. It’s their only way of communicating, and they’re telling you, “My needs are not being met.” As Cesar Millan, the original “dog whisperer,” explains, “A barking dog needs exercise, discipline, and affection, in that order.”

to your child’s chore list and help get out some of the kid’s pent-up energy, too. It may also be beneficial to practice obedience exercises and games that challenge your dog.

Of course, your dog needs love and attention to thrive — a lack of it could contribute to barking behavior. Reinforce silence by giving your dog a treat and an encouraging pat when she demonstrates good behavior, like not barking. “Our pups want to work for our attention,” Cesar Millan reminds us. “Allowing her to do that and to see your happiness is, to your dog, the biggest reward of all.” To make your training program successful, consistency is key. Enlist the help of the whole family to stick to the principles. Together, you can foster a calm, peaceful home where you and your dog happily coexist.

DISCIPLINE

To put a stop to the behavior, you’ll first need to change any of your behavior that’s reinforcing it. Any attention your dog gets when he’s barking, even yelling, “Rover, stop!” teaches him to keep going, because you’re rewarding him with attention. Wait until your dog has stopped barking to give him any sort of attention, including looking at them. “To be successful with this method, you must wait as long as it takes for him to stop barking,” advises the Humane Society.

EXERCISE

Part of the barking issue may be due to pent- up energy. According to the humane society, “A tired dog is a good dog and one who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration.” If you already take your pup on a morning walk, try adding in an evening walk. You could add it

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WAYS TO MENTALLY PREPARE YOUR KIDS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

It may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close, and summer break is ending along with it. Soon, the kids will be back to early morning breakfasts before the school bus arrives and late night study sessions. Thankfully, there are some steps your family can take during these closing weeks of summer to ensure your kids hit the ground running this school year.

Ask the following questions to help them get started: “Do you want to dive right into

homework when you get home? Do you need to accommodate for a sport or extracurricular activity? Do you work best when doing your assignments in one large chunk, or would you prefer taking breaks in between assignments?” Your kids may find that last year’s schedule doesn’t work for them this year. Emphasize that this is okay; part of growing up is learning how and when you work most effectively. Don’t be afraid to help them switch things up as the school year progresses.

SET AN EARLY BEDTIME

For many kids, summer schedules are flexible. They may have become accustomed to sleeping in and staying up late without any obligations. Getting back into the rhythm of the school year can take some getting used to. In fact, according to psychologist Cherie Valeithian, it can take upward of two weeks to properly adjust to a new sleep-wake cycle. So why not give your kids a head start and ensure they begin the school year bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?

ASK YOUR KIDS HOW THEY FEEL

OUTLINE A HOMEWORK SCHEDULE

Maybe your kids are excited about the school year. Maybe they are anxious, or perhaps they’re just disappointed to see summer vacation come to an end. Starting a dialogue about the aspects of school your kids are looking forward to and those they’re dreading can help you dispel myths and identify problem areas. More than anything else, this can help your kids feel at ease about the coming year.

Resuming a homework regimen can be a difficult transition for some kids. Late summer, when they don’t have assignments to worry about yet, can be a great opportunity to help them prepare a study schedule.

Take a Break!

Summer

GRILLED HALIBUT

INGREDIENTS

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4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

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1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained

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Basil leaves, for garnish

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Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

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1 lemon

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2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side.

4. In a mixing bowl, combine

tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.

Solution on page 4

Recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit magazine

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Foust Law Office

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

www.lucasfoustlaw.com 406-587-3720 Fax: 406-879-4400

3390 South 30th Avenue Bozeman, MT 59718

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Kids and Cell Phones PAGE 1 The Best End-of-Summer Activity PAGE 2 How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking PAGE 2 How to Prepare Your Kids for School PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Summer Grilled Halibut PAGE 3 Sleep Better and Feel Great PAGE 4 A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? Listen to your body. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be. Wake up naturally. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure,

SOLUTION

HOW TO ACHIEVE A MORE RESTFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP

which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. Kick the screen habit. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic

nucleus (SCN), which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function. Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time.

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