By Deanna Mascle
Learning the alphabet is a key part of your child's education especially when it comes to learning to read and write. It is important that children learn not only to recite the letters in order, but also to recognize letters out of sequence. In addition, after mastering basic recognition, children will need to learn the sounds each letter represents and how to write it.
While many parents recognize how important learning the alphabet is to their child they are not always sure how to go about teaching the alphabet to their child. Many parents spend a lot of money on expensive products and programs designed to teach the alphabet but that really isn't necessary and in fact may well be counterproductive.
As a literate adult you don't need any tools, programs or books to help you in your quest to teach the ABCs to your child. You already possess all you need in your head (your own knowledge of the alphabet) and in your house. There are three simple keys to teaching your child the alphabet:
* Make it fun
* Make it real
* Make it regular
The most important rule to remember when teaching young children is to make sure that learning is fun. If you can make lessons into a game, a craft, or a song then your child will be a willing and eager participant. If you make learning into something boring or something that looks like work then you will have to fight your child every step of the way. Your child wants to spend time having fun with you so why not make lessons into fun time that you spend together so you both look forward to the experience? Just because a lesson was fun enough to make your child want to do it again-and-again does not lessen its value. Learning can be fun and something that was learned in an enjoyable way is much more likely to stick with your child in the long term than a lesson that was forced. If you can make learning the alphabet fun for your child then you will have accomplished two very important steps toward your child's long-term success -- knowledge of the alphabet and an eagerness to learn.
Young children need to experience their world through their senses. They do learn in the more traditional ways -- seeing and hearing -- but often prefer a more tactile approach that includes touching, smelling, and tasting. The more you can make the letters of the alphabet come alive for your child and give your child access to those letters in a way that utilizes their senses then the easier it will be to learn. Also, utilizing the real world for your lessons will not only save you money but will also help you teach your child the value of literacy.
Preschoolers learn at an incredibly fast rate but because they are learning and experiencing so many new things they can forget what they have learned just as quickly. That is why it is important to make lessons a regular part of your child's day. It doesn't mean that you have to set aside a separate part of the day because often alphabet lessons can take place at the grocery store, in the car, or at the kitchen table. What is important is that you consistently introduce the letters to your child in various forms and consistently reinforce the acquisition of the alphabetic principle. Even after your child has mastered the alphabet make sure you periodically review the letters so they don't lose the knowledge.
If you make learning the alphabet fun, real, and consistent then your preschooler will definitely have a head start when the time comes to learn to read.
Deanna Mascle shares more tips about teaching your child the alphabet in her blog Teach Your Child The Alphabet at http://TeachYourChildTheAlphabet.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deanna_Mascle
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Checklist and Guidance for Children with Sensory Needs
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By Christopher Auer
Approximately five percent of the school age population has a disorder known as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Some of the more typical behaviors to look for include:
Responds to being touched with aggression or withdrawal (hates to be kissed or hugged unless they initiate it)
Irritated by tags, seams or other variations in clothing
Socks must be on in a certain way; often hates to wear shoes
“Picky” eater; may get stuck on certain foods and/or avoid others
Over or under sensitive to smells (may sniff people, objects and/or food)
Uncomfortable in loud or busy environments (malls, sporting events,ect.); often may cover ears with hands; Or may seek out loud sounds (turn up the volume on radio or television)
Has significant difficulty with transitions and/or resists new situations
Displays problems with muscle tone, coordination, motor planning (figuring out how to make your body do what you want it to)
High or low tolerance for pain· Poor fine motor (small muscle movements- like handwriting, buttoning) and/or gross motor skills (i.e. jumping, skipping, throwing a ball)
Avoids schoolwork and/or group activities· Controlling behaviors especially around certain stimuli
Often hates variations in temperature or texture; hates taking a bath; washing and combing hair may seem “painful”; often refuses to wear a coat when it is cold outside or overdresses when it is warm outside
Often a child with SPD is seen as having significant behavior problems, low self-esteem, trouble concentrating, trouble making friends, having frequent tantrums, and./or having learning problems. Frequently these same children are labeled as being “aggressive”, “withdrawn”, “clumsy/awkward” or another negative label when SPD is not correctly diagnosed; and often symptoms of SPD overlap with symptoms of other diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and fragile X.
Other behaviors might include impulsivity, decreased attention, increased distractibility, hypotonia, anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, high and/or low activity levels, low self esteem, selective hearing or a hard time listening, uncoordinated, ect… SPD is usually professionally identified with a thorough assessment and treated by certified Occupational Therapists (OT).
OT helps children with SPD develop the ability to understand how their body perceives different sensations so that they can better organize their sensory systems to be receptive to these stimuli and allow for new skills to be learned more easily. OT is conducted in a sensory rich environment (including opportunities for swinging, spinning, oral-motor activities, tactile activities, visual and auditory activities). The goal of OT for a child with SPD is to help that child manage their responses to sensations in order to behave in a more appropriate and functional manner and to enable him/her to better participate in “normal” activities of childhood and daily life.
Parents should be encouraged to participate in their child’s OT plan of treatment by communicating with their child’s Occupational Therapist often regarding their family’s priorities for treatment and what they can do at home and at school to help their child become more “regulated” and coordinated, as well as ways to advocate for their child’s unique needs.
Christopher R. Auer, MA is the author of Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Sensory Sensitive Child (New Harbinger, 2006) Additional information at http://www.spdresources.com or email pdresources@comcast.netArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Auer
By Christopher Auer
Approximately five percent of the school age population has a disorder known as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Some of the more typical behaviors to look for include:
Responds to being touched with aggression or withdrawal (hates to be kissed or hugged unless they initiate it)
Irritated by tags, seams or other variations in clothing
Socks must be on in a certain way; often hates to wear shoes
“Picky” eater; may get stuck on certain foods and/or avoid others
Over or under sensitive to smells (may sniff people, objects and/or food)
Uncomfortable in loud or busy environments (malls, sporting events,ect.); often may cover ears with hands; Or may seek out loud sounds (turn up the volume on radio or television)
Has significant difficulty with transitions and/or resists new situations
Displays problems with muscle tone, coordination, motor planning (figuring out how to make your body do what you want it to)
High or low tolerance for pain· Poor fine motor (small muscle movements- like handwriting, buttoning) and/or gross motor skills (i.e. jumping, skipping, throwing a ball)
Avoids schoolwork and/or group activities· Controlling behaviors especially around certain stimuli
Often hates variations in temperature or texture; hates taking a bath; washing and combing hair may seem “painful”; often refuses to wear a coat when it is cold outside or overdresses when it is warm outside
Often a child with SPD is seen as having significant behavior problems, low self-esteem, trouble concentrating, trouble making friends, having frequent tantrums, and./or having learning problems. Frequently these same children are labeled as being “aggressive”, “withdrawn”, “clumsy/awkward” or another negative label when SPD is not correctly diagnosed; and often symptoms of SPD overlap with symptoms of other diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and fragile X.
Other behaviors might include impulsivity, decreased attention, increased distractibility, hypotonia, anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, high and/or low activity levels, low self esteem, selective hearing or a hard time listening, uncoordinated, ect… SPD is usually professionally identified with a thorough assessment and treated by certified Occupational Therapists (OT).
OT helps children with SPD develop the ability to understand how their body perceives different sensations so that they can better organize their sensory systems to be receptive to these stimuli and allow for new skills to be learned more easily. OT is conducted in a sensory rich environment (including opportunities for swinging, spinning, oral-motor activities, tactile activities, visual and auditory activities). The goal of OT for a child with SPD is to help that child manage their responses to sensations in order to behave in a more appropriate and functional manner and to enable him/her to better participate in “normal” activities of childhood and daily life.
Parents should be encouraged to participate in their child’s OT plan of treatment by communicating with their child’s Occupational Therapist often regarding their family’s priorities for treatment and what they can do at home and at school to help their child become more “regulated” and coordinated, as well as ways to advocate for their child’s unique needs.
Christopher R. Auer, MA is the author of Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Sensory Sensitive Child (New Harbinger, 2006) Additional information at http://www.spdresources.com or email pdresources@comcast.netArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Auer
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Teaching Your Kids about Money
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By Morgan James
You want to raise children that are financially responsible. Here are some activities that you can do with your children to help promote healthy financial growth.
Preschool-Kindergarten
Children can learn about money at a very young age. You can work on coin identification with them. Often they learn the names of the coins (penny, nickel, dime, etc.) before they learn the values. Playing games like grocery store check-out will help your kids learn about money as well.
You can rent something such as a movie, or go to the library for a book or movie with your child. Allow your child to be responsible for returning it. Paying any late fees will help children learn the value of money.
You might give your children money. If they keep it in a certain jar, perhaps you can pay them interest. Allow them to hold the interest. You can also do this with penny candies that the children will value more than coins.
Let your children put money in parking meters and other small transactions so they understand the idea behind exchanging money.
Early Elementary
At this age you can open up a savings account with your child at your bank or credit union.
Your child will probably be curious about money. Take the time to explain things like receipts to your child. Allow your child to help you compare prices while you shop.
Help your child make a rudimentary budget. Discuss the differences between needs and wants. You can color-code your budget to make it easier.
Help your child learn about charity. You might offer to match any donation your child makes to charity. You might give your children money to donate to charity (for instance, money for the church collection plate, etc).
Middle to Late Elementary
At this age it is appropriate to offer your children extra household tasks that they can perform for extra spending money. Make these separate from regular household tasks that they are expected to perform regularly. You might allow them to clean the cupboards, the baseboards, or the garage. You might pay them to help you garden.
You can play games with your children like Payday or Monopoly that center around money.
Children at this age can be encouraged to compare prices in catalogs or magazines.
Teach your children about borrowing money. Consider charging a minimal amount of interest on money they borrow.
Help your children learn about saving for an item. If they want to buy something that is more than they can afford, discuss savings plans. Perhaps you will offer to pay for part of the item. Perhaps they will save their money for three weeks to have enough for a purchase. If your child has set a realistic saving goal, allow him/her to reach it independently.
Early Teens
Allow your child to research the benefits of various different checking and savings accounts. Let your child decide what account is best. Help your children balance their checkbooks at the end of each month.
Help your children understand the ideas of cash and credit.
Help your children save money for their education. You could perhaps match any savings that they put away.
Middle to Late Teens
Teens at this age might have a job. Research long term financial situations, such as tuition or buying a car, so your teen can make informed saving and spending decisions. If your teen is employed, help him/her with taxes.
Let your teen do the grocery shopping, or run other errands. Make sure they bring a receipt and change for all of the money spent.
Consider giving your teen a pre-paid credit card so they can learn about how to handle money and they can personally experience credit.
Calculate gas mileage using the family car. Consider making your teens pay part or all of their car insurance.
Discuss gift-giving and appropriate amounts. Is it nicer to have a gift that costs more or that is a thoughtful investment of time?
Allowances
You might feel pressured to offer your child an allowance because other children in his/her class are receiving one. You might choose to have your child be paid for performing certain tasks, rather than a weekly allowance for a continual chore. It is up to you to whether or not to give your child an allowance. Discuss the allowance with your children and help them understand what their responsibilities for spending are.
Remember to have some chores that your children perform because they are part of the family. Not everything is contingent upon money.
Things to Remember
It is important to remember that children will make mistakes with money. Allowing them to make mistakes is an important part of their development. This means that they will not make the same mistake when they are older and have more money.
Be sure that your house is a money-friendly house. Don’t be afraid to talk with your children openly and honestly about money. You might not need to share the entire financial situation with your children, but answer their questions at a level appropriate for their age.
Most Importantly
Teaching your children money is about facilitating their growth into financially responsible adults. This means that a shift in power takes place. When they are babies, you are in charge of all of their finances. As they grow older, you gradually give them more and more financial power until they are self-sufficient adults. Although it might be hard to watch them make mistakes, the long-term benefits of watching them grow into mature spenders and savers will be worth the investment of time and money.
The Guide to Loans (http://www.theguideto-loans.com) is an independent information site devoted to helping families learn about money and responsible financial planning.
This site offers information on the different kinds of loans for the family, from mortgages and home improvement loans to car loans and student loans. Check out our wide selection of articles as well. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_James
By Morgan James
You want to raise children that are financially responsible. Here are some activities that you can do with your children to help promote healthy financial growth.
Preschool-Kindergarten
Children can learn about money at a very young age. You can work on coin identification with them. Often they learn the names of the coins (penny, nickel, dime, etc.) before they learn the values. Playing games like grocery store check-out will help your kids learn about money as well.
You can rent something such as a movie, or go to the library for a book or movie with your child. Allow your child to be responsible for returning it. Paying any late fees will help children learn the value of money.
You might give your children money. If they keep it in a certain jar, perhaps you can pay them interest. Allow them to hold the interest. You can also do this with penny candies that the children will value more than coins.
Let your children put money in parking meters and other small transactions so they understand the idea behind exchanging money.
Early Elementary
At this age you can open up a savings account with your child at your bank or credit union.
Your child will probably be curious about money. Take the time to explain things like receipts to your child. Allow your child to help you compare prices while you shop.
Help your child make a rudimentary budget. Discuss the differences between needs and wants. You can color-code your budget to make it easier.
Help your child learn about charity. You might offer to match any donation your child makes to charity. You might give your children money to donate to charity (for instance, money for the church collection plate, etc).
Middle to Late Elementary
At this age it is appropriate to offer your children extra household tasks that they can perform for extra spending money. Make these separate from regular household tasks that they are expected to perform regularly. You might allow them to clean the cupboards, the baseboards, or the garage. You might pay them to help you garden.
You can play games with your children like Payday or Monopoly that center around money.
Children at this age can be encouraged to compare prices in catalogs or magazines.
Teach your children about borrowing money. Consider charging a minimal amount of interest on money they borrow.
Help your children learn about saving for an item. If they want to buy something that is more than they can afford, discuss savings plans. Perhaps you will offer to pay for part of the item. Perhaps they will save their money for three weeks to have enough for a purchase. If your child has set a realistic saving goal, allow him/her to reach it independently.
Early Teens
Allow your child to research the benefits of various different checking and savings accounts. Let your child decide what account is best. Help your children balance their checkbooks at the end of each month.
Help your children understand the ideas of cash and credit.
Help your children save money for their education. You could perhaps match any savings that they put away.
Middle to Late Teens
Teens at this age might have a job. Research long term financial situations, such as tuition or buying a car, so your teen can make informed saving and spending decisions. If your teen is employed, help him/her with taxes.
Let your teen do the grocery shopping, or run other errands. Make sure they bring a receipt and change for all of the money spent.
Consider giving your teen a pre-paid credit card so they can learn about how to handle money and they can personally experience credit.
Calculate gas mileage using the family car. Consider making your teens pay part or all of their car insurance.
Discuss gift-giving and appropriate amounts. Is it nicer to have a gift that costs more or that is a thoughtful investment of time?
Allowances
You might feel pressured to offer your child an allowance because other children in his/her class are receiving one. You might choose to have your child be paid for performing certain tasks, rather than a weekly allowance for a continual chore. It is up to you to whether or not to give your child an allowance. Discuss the allowance with your children and help them understand what their responsibilities for spending are.
Remember to have some chores that your children perform because they are part of the family. Not everything is contingent upon money.
Things to Remember
It is important to remember that children will make mistakes with money. Allowing them to make mistakes is an important part of their development. This means that they will not make the same mistake when they are older and have more money.
Be sure that your house is a money-friendly house. Don’t be afraid to talk with your children openly and honestly about money. You might not need to share the entire financial situation with your children, but answer their questions at a level appropriate for their age.
Most Importantly
Teaching your children money is about facilitating their growth into financially responsible adults. This means that a shift in power takes place. When they are babies, you are in charge of all of their finances. As they grow older, you gradually give them more and more financial power until they are self-sufficient adults. Although it might be hard to watch them make mistakes, the long-term benefits of watching them grow into mature spenders and savers will be worth the investment of time and money.
The Guide to Loans (http://www.theguideto-loans.com) is an independent information site devoted to helping families learn about money and responsible financial planning.
This site offers information on the different kinds of loans for the family, from mortgages and home improvement loans to car loans and student loans. Check out our wide selection of articles as well. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_James
Monday, June 26, 2006
5 Parenting Tips To Help Your Child Get More Exercise
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By Susan Carraretto
Was parenting easier forty years ago?
As a mom in the new millennium, I dream about the idea of parenting in a world where streets are safe and parents can let their children run freely through the neighborhood, their bodies naturally challenged with the exercise of play.
Instead today, before the slam of the car door fades and the backpack drops on the floor, the TV is switched on and the last few hours of daylight disappear in a haze of video games and over processed snack foods.
Even the concerned, well-meaning parent can often stand helpless, wondering how to compete against marketing genius and instant gratification. Exercise and carrot sticks have a hard time competing with Xboxes, SpongeBob and potato chips.
The proof is all around us. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health of too many North Americans is in danger because of unhealthy lifestyles. (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity)
The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 30 percent of U.S. adults 20 years ofage and older - over 60 million people - are obese. The CDC reports the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980.
My kids aren’t obese - why should I be concerned?
Your kids are normal, right? You are parenting just fine. But in a world where walking is limited, school P.E. programs are being cut, and cars, elevators and buses eliminate our chance to exercise naturally, we need to make a concerted effort to make physical activity part of our day and our children’s days.
Despite all the benefits of being physically active, most Americans are sedentary. (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/contributing_factors.htm) Inactive children are likely to become inactive adults. (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4596)
So as parents how can we get our kids moving?
"The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day."
The great news is exercise comes in many forms and can be a lot of fun! With a little creativity you can easily add some fun physical activity into your parenting style.
1. Lead the way
You need to set a good example. Kids, especially younger children, naturally follow their parents. So make sure you are looking after your own health and making physical activity a priority in your life.
2. Do it together
In today’s overscheduled world, we need to make sure we are spending quality time with our children. What better way than to be active together. Since kids can’t be alone roaming the neighborhood, parents need to play with them.
3. Make it fun
Put on some music and dance. Play tag. Roller blade. Basically just play. Provide them with toys and equipment that encourage them to be active while having fun.
Bikes, scooters, hockey sticks and baseball bats will get your kids moving and active. For preschool children, ride on toys that get them exercising like pedal cars, big wheels and tricycles are always a great parenting decision.
4. Cheer them on
Create positive reinforcements with encouragement and support. Help them find sports and activities that build their self esteem. Attend their sporting events and let them know you are their biggest fan whether they win or lose.
5. Turn it off
Of course, we need to limit the time our kids watch TV and play video games. But make sure you do it in a positive way. If they are angry that you just turned off their favorite show, they might not be too excited about going out rollerblading with you.
Allow screen time during designated hours, preferably after homework is done and when physical activity is finished, like in the evening or on Saturday morning when tired parents might need to catch a few extra minutes of sleep.
Adding more physical activity into your family’s routine will help you all feel better and get you having more fun together. Most importantly, as you model a healthy lifestyle you will help instill in your children lifelong habits and healthy attitudes toward exercise and physical activity.
About the Author: Susan Carraretto’s most important job is parenting and she also runs two online stores. Get your children moving with exciting, active and affordable ride on toys at http://www.PedalCarsAndRetro.com
By Susan Carraretto
Was parenting easier forty years ago?
As a mom in the new millennium, I dream about the idea of parenting in a world where streets are safe and parents can let their children run freely through the neighborhood, their bodies naturally challenged with the exercise of play.
Instead today, before the slam of the car door fades and the backpack drops on the floor, the TV is switched on and the last few hours of daylight disappear in a haze of video games and over processed snack foods.
Even the concerned, well-meaning parent can often stand helpless, wondering how to compete against marketing genius and instant gratification. Exercise and carrot sticks have a hard time competing with Xboxes, SpongeBob and potato chips.
The proof is all around us. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health of too many North Americans is in danger because of unhealthy lifestyles. (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity)
The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 30 percent of U.S. adults 20 years ofage and older - over 60 million people - are obese. The CDC reports the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980.
My kids aren’t obese - why should I be concerned?
Your kids are normal, right? You are parenting just fine. But in a world where walking is limited, school P.E. programs are being cut, and cars, elevators and buses eliminate our chance to exercise naturally, we need to make a concerted effort to make physical activity part of our day and our children’s days.
Despite all the benefits of being physically active, most Americans are sedentary. (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/contributing_factors.htm) Inactive children are likely to become inactive adults. (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4596)
So as parents how can we get our kids moving?
"The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day."
The great news is exercise comes in many forms and can be a lot of fun! With a little creativity you can easily add some fun physical activity into your parenting style.
1. Lead the way
You need to set a good example. Kids, especially younger children, naturally follow their parents. So make sure you are looking after your own health and making physical activity a priority in your life.
2. Do it together
In today’s overscheduled world, we need to make sure we are spending quality time with our children. What better way than to be active together. Since kids can’t be alone roaming the neighborhood, parents need to play with them.
3. Make it fun
Put on some music and dance. Play tag. Roller blade. Basically just play. Provide them with toys and equipment that encourage them to be active while having fun.
Bikes, scooters, hockey sticks and baseball bats will get your kids moving and active. For preschool children, ride on toys that get them exercising like pedal cars, big wheels and tricycles are always a great parenting decision.
4. Cheer them on
Create positive reinforcements with encouragement and support. Help them find sports and activities that build their self esteem. Attend their sporting events and let them know you are their biggest fan whether they win or lose.
5. Turn it off
Of course, we need to limit the time our kids watch TV and play video games. But make sure you do it in a positive way. If they are angry that you just turned off their favorite show, they might not be too excited about going out rollerblading with you.
Allow screen time during designated hours, preferably after homework is done and when physical activity is finished, like in the evening or on Saturday morning when tired parents might need to catch a few extra minutes of sleep.
Adding more physical activity into your family’s routine will help you all feel better and get you having more fun together. Most importantly, as you model a healthy lifestyle you will help instill in your children lifelong habits and healthy attitudes toward exercise and physical activity.
About the Author: Susan Carraretto’s most important job is parenting and she also runs two online stores. Get your children moving with exciting, active and affordable ride on toys at http://www.PedalCarsAndRetro.com
Special Natural Skin Care For Babies
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By Sherry Frewerd
We spend hours and countless amounts of money on our own personal skin care, trying different lotions and potions to find the perfect product for our needs. Our babies deserve the same special attention when selecting skin care products as well.
Babies and little children seldom actually need lotions and creams unless they have dry skin. Commercial products on the market contain synthetics and chemicals that can be harsh on tender skin, so many parents are opting for natural skin care and bath products for their babies.
For babies and toddlers especially, the skin care product most frequently used are baby wipes, and the perfumes and dyes found in commercial brands can play havoc with their sensitive bottoms. Parents use baby wipes not only at diaper changes, but for all sorts of reasons, cleaning little faces and hands being two very common tasks. Although possible to find brands with little synthetics, another alternative is to make home-made baby wipes to make certain the ingredients are all natural.
Another skin care problem parents with babies face is diaper rash. Even with the best of changing routines, diaper rash can occur, and frequently applying chemical rash creams can often aggravate the problem even more, causing prolonged discomfort for baby. Help prevent diaper rash with frenquent diaper changes and cleaning baby with natural soap and water.
Natural Baby Wipes
1/4 cup aloe vera juice
4 drops lavender essential oil
1/2 roll paper towels cut lengthwise
1/4 cup water
2 drops tea tree oil
Simply mix the ingredients and store in a plastic container.
There are many natural baby and child skin care products available online. Marlo Quinn is a new natural skin care company with impeccable skin care products for families. It’s also possible to prepare natural baby wipes at home using the recipe above. Products made from natural ingredients are the best choice for babies and children.
About the Author: Sherry Frewerd is a Founding Team Leader for Marlo Quinn natural soy candles and skin care products for Women, Men and Children http://www.marloquinn.net/index.asp?consultant=15 Visit ‘Natural Bath Body and Home’ http://naturalbathbodyandhome.com for more information about pampering yourself everyday!
source: www.isnare.com
By Sherry Frewerd
We spend hours and countless amounts of money on our own personal skin care, trying different lotions and potions to find the perfect product for our needs. Our babies deserve the same special attention when selecting skin care products as well.
Babies and little children seldom actually need lotions and creams unless they have dry skin. Commercial products on the market contain synthetics and chemicals that can be harsh on tender skin, so many parents are opting for natural skin care and bath products for their babies.
For babies and toddlers especially, the skin care product most frequently used are baby wipes, and the perfumes and dyes found in commercial brands can play havoc with their sensitive bottoms. Parents use baby wipes not only at diaper changes, but for all sorts of reasons, cleaning little faces and hands being two very common tasks. Although possible to find brands with little synthetics, another alternative is to make home-made baby wipes to make certain the ingredients are all natural.
Another skin care problem parents with babies face is diaper rash. Even with the best of changing routines, diaper rash can occur, and frequently applying chemical rash creams can often aggravate the problem even more, causing prolonged discomfort for baby. Help prevent diaper rash with frenquent diaper changes and cleaning baby with natural soap and water.
Natural Baby Wipes
1/4 cup aloe vera juice
4 drops lavender essential oil
1/2 roll paper towels cut lengthwise
1/4 cup water
2 drops tea tree oil
Simply mix the ingredients and store in a plastic container.
There are many natural baby and child skin care products available online. Marlo Quinn is a new natural skin care company with impeccable skin care products for families. It’s also possible to prepare natural baby wipes at home using the recipe above. Products made from natural ingredients are the best choice for babies and children.
About the Author: Sherry Frewerd is a Founding Team Leader for Marlo Quinn natural soy candles and skin care products for Women, Men and Children http://www.marloquinn.net/index.asp?consultant=15 Visit ‘Natural Bath Body and Home’ http://naturalbathbodyandhome.com for more information about pampering yourself everyday!
source: www.isnare.com
Saturday, June 24, 2006
The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Parents
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By Jim Brackin
Despite the thousands of books written on the subject, kids don’t come with a ‘how to’ manual. As with all relationships, creating a strong bond takes time and effort. Being a Mom or Dad is a tough, demanding and time consuming job, but there are certain habits that seem to make the job a little easier.
1. Give your love, unconditionally.
Demonstrate that you love your children every day, whatever their age. In fact it’s probably more important to do this at the times when they least deserve it. . It’s not just what you say it what you do that counts. A simple smile or hug at least three times a day goes a long way toward developing and strengthening a relationship.
2. Understand their personality.
Many websites provide help based on personality profiles. Just Google keywords like ‘personality profiling UK’ and your find sites like personaliteye.com which offers a free report titled “What sort of parent are you?” The report tells you if your children are likely to see you as a ‘boring ogre or relaxed and fun’ and more importantly what to do about it! It’s useful because the personality based report highlights your unique strengths and weaknesses as a parent. The report also gives tips on how to improve your communication skills to strenghten your relationship with your children.
3. Spend time together.
You have probably heard the saying “To develop their children parents should spend half as much money and twice as much time”. So spend time and interact with your children, ask them for their help and when possible eat together as a family. Remember, with children there is no real quality time. There is just time and preferably lots of it.
4. Have defined rules and stick to them.
Stability and certainty are important for any developing child. They should know where the boundaries are and the consequences of going beyond them. Typically a ‘three strikes’ policy works the best. First remind the child of the rules. Secondly remind the child of the rule and reinforce the consequence of breaking it. And if that doesn’t stop the behaviour then take the necessary action. This helps the child to understand that they are responsible for the consequences of their actions.
5. Be yourself.
Let your children see that you are human. Children learn many of their core behaviours before they reach seven years old. So it’s important for them to see you how you react in different situations. Show them that it is ok to laugh and cry, to be serious and silly or angry and sad. If you make mistakes share them, remember you don’t have to have all of the answers.
6. Have special children days.
As parents we enjoy trips, visits and special events, so why not create the same thing for your children? Set aside a day where they can decide exactly what the family should do. Whether it is a trip to a playground, catching a movie or a day gardening, let them make the choices and decisions. You’ll often find that it is often these family times that are the most memorable.
7. Respect their choices.
You don't have to like or agree with their choices, but you do have to respect them. Children have a strong need for independence and autonomy at a young age. As parents we should encourage those decision-making skills by giving our respect and support.
Most parents gain their experience ‘on the job’ and by the time they have it, it’s not longer of much use. So perhaps using some of the highly effective habits will help you gain the experience whilst you are still able to use it. Enjoy the journey.
Jim Brackin contributes tips, help and advice on behaviour, psychology, selfhelp and therapy, to variety of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Real, Spirit and Destiny and Women's Own. He is the body language expert for Sky News in the UK.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Brackin
By Jim Brackin
Despite the thousands of books written on the subject, kids don’t come with a ‘how to’ manual. As with all relationships, creating a strong bond takes time and effort. Being a Mom or Dad is a tough, demanding and time consuming job, but there are certain habits that seem to make the job a little easier.
1. Give your love, unconditionally.
Demonstrate that you love your children every day, whatever their age. In fact it’s probably more important to do this at the times when they least deserve it. . It’s not just what you say it what you do that counts. A simple smile or hug at least three times a day goes a long way toward developing and strengthening a relationship.
2. Understand their personality.
Many websites provide help based on personality profiles. Just Google keywords like ‘personality profiling UK’ and your find sites like personaliteye.com which offers a free report titled “What sort of parent are you?” The report tells you if your children are likely to see you as a ‘boring ogre or relaxed and fun’ and more importantly what to do about it! It’s useful because the personality based report highlights your unique strengths and weaknesses as a parent. The report also gives tips on how to improve your communication skills to strenghten your relationship with your children.
3. Spend time together.
You have probably heard the saying “To develop their children parents should spend half as much money and twice as much time”. So spend time and interact with your children, ask them for their help and when possible eat together as a family. Remember, with children there is no real quality time. There is just time and preferably lots of it.
4. Have defined rules and stick to them.
Stability and certainty are important for any developing child. They should know where the boundaries are and the consequences of going beyond them. Typically a ‘three strikes’ policy works the best. First remind the child of the rules. Secondly remind the child of the rule and reinforce the consequence of breaking it. And if that doesn’t stop the behaviour then take the necessary action. This helps the child to understand that they are responsible for the consequences of their actions.
5. Be yourself.
Let your children see that you are human. Children learn many of their core behaviours before they reach seven years old. So it’s important for them to see you how you react in different situations. Show them that it is ok to laugh and cry, to be serious and silly or angry and sad. If you make mistakes share them, remember you don’t have to have all of the answers.
6. Have special children days.
As parents we enjoy trips, visits and special events, so why not create the same thing for your children? Set aside a day where they can decide exactly what the family should do. Whether it is a trip to a playground, catching a movie or a day gardening, let them make the choices and decisions. You’ll often find that it is often these family times that are the most memorable.
7. Respect their choices.
You don't have to like or agree with their choices, but you do have to respect them. Children have a strong need for independence and autonomy at a young age. As parents we should encourage those decision-making skills by giving our respect and support.
Most parents gain their experience ‘on the job’ and by the time they have it, it’s not longer of much use. So perhaps using some of the highly effective habits will help you gain the experience whilst you are still able to use it. Enjoy the journey.
Jim Brackin contributes tips, help and advice on behaviour, psychology, selfhelp and therapy, to variety of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Real, Spirit and Destiny and Women's Own. He is the body language expert for Sky News in the UK.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Brackin
Getting Your Kids Out the Door - With Their Shoes!
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By Alexandra Golon
If you’ve got children like mine, getting them out the door—on time and with all their belongings, especially their shoes—can be a daily challenge. My kids are visual-spatial. They’ve got a wonderful sense of space and direction; they’re the kids who can tell you exactly where within that five-level, very dark parking garage you’ve parked your car. But when it comes to any sense of time, forget it! So, it seems we’re always running late. Running late equates to leaving without everything they need, probably nine times out of ten!
After an extensive run of homeschooling, my youngest son, Matt, returned to a very carefully chosen private school for the gifted that just happened to be 52 miles away—one direction. We actually had to leave the house at 6:30 am for an 8:10 start to his day. Matt started mid-year, which meant January, and we live in Colorado. You can see where I’m going with this, right? There’s a saying in Colorado: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait another 15 minutes.” And another: “Shorts and a parka and you’re ready for anything.” There were days when the weather between home and school was from entirely different seasons! So being prepared and ready to go was an extra challenge in our household and meant having clothing and gear—and shoes—for nearly any weather event.
One day, about half way on our route, Matt calls out to me, “Mom. Where are my shoes?!” Scowling, both hands gripping the wheel, I respond, “On your feet—right?!” Nope. A quick dash through a Target store that opened 10 minutes before class started and he was barely even late. Guess where Matt keeps his shoes these days? Yup. One pair in the car and one pair in the house. And today, we’re only a mile away from the school.
So, I’ve been working on some tips, and soliciting some from other parents, to help kids like mine get out the door, on time and fully prepared. I hope one or two work for you and your “timeless” children. Here’s one a mom from New Zealand sent me: She and her son sat down together and agreed on the chores that needed to be completed each morning, and in what order. Then, they color-coded those chores: Blue (1) Eat breakfast, Red (2) Get dressed, Yellow (3) Brush teeth, and so on. Each morning, she would hand her son his set of cards, each with Velcro tabs, which he would take with him to each task and stick them to the dresser, mirror, etc., wherever the chore had taken place. He quickly learned the morning routine and was able to complete the chores, without distraction, in time for them to leave for school each day. You could play with this idea and create two sets of cards, each numbered, then place the #1 card next to what you want your child to do (perhaps, on the hairbrush, next to the bar of soap, or under the toothbrush). Then your child would search for the numbered cards, in a row, completing the obvious task in order, then “turn in” the two sets of cards indicating all the chores were complete! Perhaps a timer could be implemented and the whole thing could be a game?
Assure your children that whatever they were longing to do instead of getting in the car will be there for them when they return. Also effective, although militaristic sounding, are one word commands: “Shoes-Car-Please” convey all the instructions they need. Not much decoding is required! One mom wrote, as quoted in Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner, by Dr. Linda Silverman, that she condensed her bedtime instructions to: JamBruWash for pajamas, brush your teeth and wash your face! There are certainly a number of daily routines that could be made more fun if they were given in silly codes or clues. Remember, humor engages the right hemisphere! Get your kids into the act thinking up clever ways to make their own requests.
Getting a visual-spatial child out the door can be a daily challenge. There are so many distracting and more entertaining options available. One technique that works, at least some of the time, is to create a mental picture of the consequences of not getting to your destination on time. For example, suppose you are running late to an afternoon sports practice. You could create the following picture for your child: “If we are late for your practice, that will upset the coach and possibly delay or interrupt the start of practice for all the other kids who arrived on time. How do think your coach will feel? How will the other kids feel?” If they can envision the experience and understand the consequences of not arriving on time, you may actually stand a chance of getting out the door--and, possibly even with their shoes!
Alexandra “Allie” Golon is Director of the Visual-Spatial Resource and Marketing Director for the Gifted Development Center, both subsidiaries of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development, in Denver, Colorado. As a founding member of the Visual-Spatial Resource Access Team, a former G/T teacher, and parent to two gifted visual-spatial learners, Allie brings a wealth of experience to her books, Raising Topsy-Turvy Kids: Successfully Parenting Your Visual-Spatial Child and, If You Could See the Way I Think: A Handbook for Visual-Spatial Kids. Her latest release, The Visual-Spatial Classroom: Differentiation Strategies that Engage Every Learner, is a rich source for classroom strategies that will help every student succeed, regardless of preferred learning style. Allie has been invited to present on teaching and parenting visual-spatial learners at state, national and international venues. She has appeared on talk radio programs and in various print media.
For more information, please visit the Visual-Spatial Resource at http://www.visualspatial.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexandra_Golon
By Alexandra Golon
If you’ve got children like mine, getting them out the door—on time and with all their belongings, especially their shoes—can be a daily challenge. My kids are visual-spatial. They’ve got a wonderful sense of space and direction; they’re the kids who can tell you exactly where within that five-level, very dark parking garage you’ve parked your car. But when it comes to any sense of time, forget it! So, it seems we’re always running late. Running late equates to leaving without everything they need, probably nine times out of ten!
After an extensive run of homeschooling, my youngest son, Matt, returned to a very carefully chosen private school for the gifted that just happened to be 52 miles away—one direction. We actually had to leave the house at 6:30 am for an 8:10 start to his day. Matt started mid-year, which meant January, and we live in Colorado. You can see where I’m going with this, right? There’s a saying in Colorado: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait another 15 minutes.” And another: “Shorts and a parka and you’re ready for anything.” There were days when the weather between home and school was from entirely different seasons! So being prepared and ready to go was an extra challenge in our household and meant having clothing and gear—and shoes—for nearly any weather event.
One day, about half way on our route, Matt calls out to me, “Mom. Where are my shoes?!” Scowling, both hands gripping the wheel, I respond, “On your feet—right?!” Nope. A quick dash through a Target store that opened 10 minutes before class started and he was barely even late. Guess where Matt keeps his shoes these days? Yup. One pair in the car and one pair in the house. And today, we’re only a mile away from the school.
So, I’ve been working on some tips, and soliciting some from other parents, to help kids like mine get out the door, on time and fully prepared. I hope one or two work for you and your “timeless” children. Here’s one a mom from New Zealand sent me: She and her son sat down together and agreed on the chores that needed to be completed each morning, and in what order. Then, they color-coded those chores: Blue (1) Eat breakfast, Red (2) Get dressed, Yellow (3) Brush teeth, and so on. Each morning, she would hand her son his set of cards, each with Velcro tabs, which he would take with him to each task and stick them to the dresser, mirror, etc., wherever the chore had taken place. He quickly learned the morning routine and was able to complete the chores, without distraction, in time for them to leave for school each day. You could play with this idea and create two sets of cards, each numbered, then place the #1 card next to what you want your child to do (perhaps, on the hairbrush, next to the bar of soap, or under the toothbrush). Then your child would search for the numbered cards, in a row, completing the obvious task in order, then “turn in” the two sets of cards indicating all the chores were complete! Perhaps a timer could be implemented and the whole thing could be a game?
Assure your children that whatever they were longing to do instead of getting in the car will be there for them when they return. Also effective, although militaristic sounding, are one word commands: “Shoes-Car-Please” convey all the instructions they need. Not much decoding is required! One mom wrote, as quoted in Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner, by Dr. Linda Silverman, that she condensed her bedtime instructions to: JamBruWash for pajamas, brush your teeth and wash your face! There are certainly a number of daily routines that could be made more fun if they were given in silly codes or clues. Remember, humor engages the right hemisphere! Get your kids into the act thinking up clever ways to make their own requests.
Getting a visual-spatial child out the door can be a daily challenge. There are so many distracting and more entertaining options available. One technique that works, at least some of the time, is to create a mental picture of the consequences of not getting to your destination on time. For example, suppose you are running late to an afternoon sports practice. You could create the following picture for your child: “If we are late for your practice, that will upset the coach and possibly delay or interrupt the start of practice for all the other kids who arrived on time. How do think your coach will feel? How will the other kids feel?” If they can envision the experience and understand the consequences of not arriving on time, you may actually stand a chance of getting out the door--and, possibly even with their shoes!
Alexandra “Allie” Golon is Director of the Visual-Spatial Resource and Marketing Director for the Gifted Development Center, both subsidiaries of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development, in Denver, Colorado. As a founding member of the Visual-Spatial Resource Access Team, a former G/T teacher, and parent to two gifted visual-spatial learners, Allie brings a wealth of experience to her books, Raising Topsy-Turvy Kids: Successfully Parenting Your Visual-Spatial Child and, If You Could See the Way I Think: A Handbook for Visual-Spatial Kids. Her latest release, The Visual-Spatial Classroom: Differentiation Strategies that Engage Every Learner, is a rich source for classroom strategies that will help every student succeed, regardless of preferred learning style. Allie has been invited to present on teaching and parenting visual-spatial learners at state, national and international venues. She has appeared on talk radio programs and in various print media.
For more information, please visit the Visual-Spatial Resource at http://www.visualspatial.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexandra_Golon
Friday, June 23, 2006
Crying Baby - What Does He Want?
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By Lisa Mills
Flushed with excitement upon bringing home your newborn baby soon turns to anxiety and stress when your baby doesn’t stop crying. Why do babies cry and what are you supposed to do about it?
Babies’ cries are at a certain pitch. They are designed to draw your attention and raise your blood pressure. Sometimes they seem to cry for no other reason than to deprive your already exhausted body of much needed sleep. Here we will examine why babies cry and what you are supposed to do with a crying baby.
Babies cry on average for 1 to 2 hours per day. The poor little mites have no other method of communication at this early stage. Therefore a crying baby does not mean you have done something wrong or are a bad mother. As the bond between mother and baby grows you will learn to recognise the different pitches of his cry and his body language will give you indications of why he is crying. Until you are able to recognise the different signs it is best to work your way through a list of possible reasons for his screaming.
Is he hungry? He may have had his last feed less than an hour ago but his needs change on a daily basis. Like adults, babies sometimes feel hungrier than at other times. Offer him some milk and see where you go from there.
Does his nappy need changing? Imagine if you had to sleep in a wet or worse nappy, wouldn’t you want to moan about it? A quick change may resolve the issue.
Has he got wind? If he was laid down too quickly after his feed, he may have trapped wind and we all know how uncomfortable that is. Hold him upright and give his back a gentle rub or pat and that may solve the problem.
Is he lonely or scared? Your baby has been kept warm and safe inside you for 9 months. He has been in darkness in a very warm and soothing place. How does this compare to his nursery? He has become used to the shhhing noises (or white noise) in your womb and the restricted space. Cuddling your baby helps to recreate the restricted space by holding him in your arms. Swaddling also achieves this. You may want to try swaddling your baby before putting him down to sleep. Ensuring the nursery is not deadly silent will also help to reassure him. You can either sit with him and make gentle shhhing noises or alternatively you can buy cd’s of white noise or womb noise to help him settle.
Is he too hot or cold? This is especially important in younger babies. Ideally the temperature in the nursery should be around 20 degrees Celsius.
Is he bored and awake? If he is wide-awake it is likely he will need something to entertain him. This could be a mobile placed above his cot or it could just mean he needs someone to stimulate him. Try talking to him and carrying him around with you for a while.
As you go through this learning process you will begin to understand the different pitches of crying associated with your baby. You will learn that different pitches mean different things and you will be able to respond to him accordingly. Things can only get easier from now on.
Lisa Mills writes for various websites. This article was written for http://www.newbabygiftboxes.co.uk which is a site offering a baby gift box service and other baby gifts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Mills
By Lisa Mills
Flushed with excitement upon bringing home your newborn baby soon turns to anxiety and stress when your baby doesn’t stop crying. Why do babies cry and what are you supposed to do about it?
Babies’ cries are at a certain pitch. They are designed to draw your attention and raise your blood pressure. Sometimes they seem to cry for no other reason than to deprive your already exhausted body of much needed sleep. Here we will examine why babies cry and what you are supposed to do with a crying baby.
Babies cry on average for 1 to 2 hours per day. The poor little mites have no other method of communication at this early stage. Therefore a crying baby does not mean you have done something wrong or are a bad mother. As the bond between mother and baby grows you will learn to recognise the different pitches of his cry and his body language will give you indications of why he is crying. Until you are able to recognise the different signs it is best to work your way through a list of possible reasons for his screaming.
Is he hungry? He may have had his last feed less than an hour ago but his needs change on a daily basis. Like adults, babies sometimes feel hungrier than at other times. Offer him some milk and see where you go from there.
Does his nappy need changing? Imagine if you had to sleep in a wet or worse nappy, wouldn’t you want to moan about it? A quick change may resolve the issue.
Has he got wind? If he was laid down too quickly after his feed, he may have trapped wind and we all know how uncomfortable that is. Hold him upright and give his back a gentle rub or pat and that may solve the problem.
Is he lonely or scared? Your baby has been kept warm and safe inside you for 9 months. He has been in darkness in a very warm and soothing place. How does this compare to his nursery? He has become used to the shhhing noises (or white noise) in your womb and the restricted space. Cuddling your baby helps to recreate the restricted space by holding him in your arms. Swaddling also achieves this. You may want to try swaddling your baby before putting him down to sleep. Ensuring the nursery is not deadly silent will also help to reassure him. You can either sit with him and make gentle shhhing noises or alternatively you can buy cd’s of white noise or womb noise to help him settle.
Is he too hot or cold? This is especially important in younger babies. Ideally the temperature in the nursery should be around 20 degrees Celsius.
Is he bored and awake? If he is wide-awake it is likely he will need something to entertain him. This could be a mobile placed above his cot or it could just mean he needs someone to stimulate him. Try talking to him and carrying him around with you for a while.
As you go through this learning process you will begin to understand the different pitches of crying associated with your baby. You will learn that different pitches mean different things and you will be able to respond to him accordingly. Things can only get easier from now on.
Lisa Mills writes for various websites. This article was written for http://www.newbabygiftboxes.co.uk which is a site offering a baby gift box service and other baby gifts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Mills
Parenting Tips On Getting Your Child To Take Medicine They Hate
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By Robin Reckard
As a parent you hate it when your kids are sick. We want them to get better as quick as possible, and of course usually the quickest way is with antibiotics or medicine of some kind.
Where the problem comes in is when your child does not like their medicine and does not want to take it. While you of course will give your child what the doctor prescribes but don't be afraid to ask about the taste and if you have a child that struggles to take a certain kind of medicine see if their is an alternative.
Yes we can force feed them their medicine but it is unpleasant for everyone and if your child gets upset enough they will just throw it back up anyway. Plus unless you are extremely proficient at this you may waste doses.
Anything you can do for your child to make it easier for them to take their medicine will get them healthier quicker and save you and them from some miserable moments.
I have found with liquids that don't taste good that if I have a drink ready with something sweet it seems to help, I have even been known to use a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down easier.
While no parent likes to do it you can plug your child's nose so they have to open their mouth and try it that way. If your quick it does work most of the time, but that doesn't solve the problem if they hate their chewables or can't swallow pills easy.
I finally resorted to bribery with the nasty tasting chewable medicine. We got a package of sweet tarts and she would have a sweet tart, follow it with the chewable, and then another sweet tart. This of course only works if you child likes this type of candy. But you can try others if you have to.
When it comes to pills that need to be swallowed that is sometimes tough for children to learn how to do. I have found that placing the pill in a spoonful of applesauce makes it easier for my daughter to get the pill down without choking.
I hope these tips help. Make sure you are firm when it comes to medicine, let them know that somehow someway the medicine must get into their tummy to make them feel better. But that doesn't mean you can't be sympathetic and follow the dosage with a whole lot of attention and love.
About the Author:
Robin Reckard, co-founder of Jorbins.com Lifestyle Magazine, keeps busy producing, writing, and editing for the magazine as well as raising and enjoying her six year old daughter. Be sure and visit Jorbins Baby and Parenting Section for other great parenting and child development articles. Lots of great Parenting Tips can be found there too.
Copyright 2006, Jorbins Inc. - Reprints of this article can be made as long as the article is in it's entirety, unchanged, and the resource box with links and urls remain unchanged.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Reckard
By Robin Reckard
As a parent you hate it when your kids are sick. We want them to get better as quick as possible, and of course usually the quickest way is with antibiotics or medicine of some kind.
Where the problem comes in is when your child does not like their medicine and does not want to take it. While you of course will give your child what the doctor prescribes but don't be afraid to ask about the taste and if you have a child that struggles to take a certain kind of medicine see if their is an alternative.
Yes we can force feed them their medicine but it is unpleasant for everyone and if your child gets upset enough they will just throw it back up anyway. Plus unless you are extremely proficient at this you may waste doses.
Anything you can do for your child to make it easier for them to take their medicine will get them healthier quicker and save you and them from some miserable moments.
I have found with liquids that don't taste good that if I have a drink ready with something sweet it seems to help, I have even been known to use a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down easier.
While no parent likes to do it you can plug your child's nose so they have to open their mouth and try it that way. If your quick it does work most of the time, but that doesn't solve the problem if they hate their chewables or can't swallow pills easy.
I finally resorted to bribery with the nasty tasting chewable medicine. We got a package of sweet tarts and she would have a sweet tart, follow it with the chewable, and then another sweet tart. This of course only works if you child likes this type of candy. But you can try others if you have to.
When it comes to pills that need to be swallowed that is sometimes tough for children to learn how to do. I have found that placing the pill in a spoonful of applesauce makes it easier for my daughter to get the pill down without choking.
I hope these tips help. Make sure you are firm when it comes to medicine, let them know that somehow someway the medicine must get into their tummy to make them feel better. But that doesn't mean you can't be sympathetic and follow the dosage with a whole lot of attention and love.
About the Author:
Robin Reckard, co-founder of Jorbins.com Lifestyle Magazine, keeps busy producing, writing, and editing for the magazine as well as raising and enjoying her six year old daughter. Be sure and visit Jorbins Baby and Parenting Section for other great parenting and child development articles. Lots of great Parenting Tips can be found there too.
Copyright 2006, Jorbins Inc. - Reprints of this article can be made as long as the article is in it's entirety, unchanged, and the resource box with links and urls remain unchanged.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Reckard
Raising Children Who Love to Read
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Carol Boles
If you’re wondering why some children grow up to become successful readers and possess a love for reading, the answer is simple. Their parents have made a commitment to their reading development.
Children can begin a journey to reading success and enjoyment when parents commit to:
- reading to children as young as six months old. Begin reading when they are barely sitting up and their eyes are beginning to focus. Select simple, colorful board books and read them aloud with expression. Point to pictures, identify characters or animals and talk about the story.
- a schedule for reading aloud until children are independent readers. Modeling good reading allows children to hear reading that is fluid and full of expression. Parents should allow children to select books as well as select books themselves. When parents introduce new books this helps children develop a sense of the kinds of books they like.
- to making visits to the library until children are old enough to go there on their own. Show children visiting the library will become a part of their lives. Help them choose books to read or have read aloud. If children are older talk about the books they’ve chosen. Parents should select books themselves and talk about what they’re reading as well.
- to taking their children to books stores in their strollers, through the elementary, middle and high school years. Buy them a drink or snack, and browse the colorful displays and shelves full of books. Both parents and children should leave with a book.
- to reading themselves. Children naturally emulate their parent’s behavior. When parents possess a love for reading their children usually do as well. Parent should always have a novel they’re reading and set aside time for “read ins” with their children.
When parents commit to their children’s reading education this nurtures reading development and an enjoyment of books. And, all the while those parents have had a great time enjoying great books themselves.
Carol Boles has a master's degree in Special Reading and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has more than ten years experience teaching K-12 reading in public schools. She now manages her own business and is a member of The Lieurance Group, a freelance writers cooperative.
Find out more about her writing services at http://www.teacherspetplace.blogspot.com and http://www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com or e-mail her at Cwrites-56@hotmail.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Boles
Carol Boles
If you’re wondering why some children grow up to become successful readers and possess a love for reading, the answer is simple. Their parents have made a commitment to their reading development.
Children can begin a journey to reading success and enjoyment when parents commit to:
- reading to children as young as six months old. Begin reading when they are barely sitting up and their eyes are beginning to focus. Select simple, colorful board books and read them aloud with expression. Point to pictures, identify characters or animals and talk about the story.
- a schedule for reading aloud until children are independent readers. Modeling good reading allows children to hear reading that is fluid and full of expression. Parents should allow children to select books as well as select books themselves. When parents introduce new books this helps children develop a sense of the kinds of books they like.
- to making visits to the library until children are old enough to go there on their own. Show children visiting the library will become a part of their lives. Help them choose books to read or have read aloud. If children are older talk about the books they’ve chosen. Parents should select books themselves and talk about what they’re reading as well.
- to taking their children to books stores in their strollers, through the elementary, middle and high school years. Buy them a drink or snack, and browse the colorful displays and shelves full of books. Both parents and children should leave with a book.
- to reading themselves. Children naturally emulate their parent’s behavior. When parents possess a love for reading their children usually do as well. Parent should always have a novel they’re reading and set aside time for “read ins” with their children.
When parents commit to their children’s reading education this nurtures reading development and an enjoyment of books. And, all the while those parents have had a great time enjoying great books themselves.
Carol Boles has a master's degree in Special Reading and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has more than ten years experience teaching K-12 reading in public schools. She now manages her own business and is a member of The Lieurance Group, a freelance writers cooperative.
Find out more about her writing services at http://www.teacherspetplace.blogspot.com and http://www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com or e-mail her at Cwrites-56@hotmail.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Boles
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Parenting: Top Speaker Notes One Reason "Mad Dads" Overreact At Their Kids' Ballgames
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Dr. Gary S. Goodman
Why do men seem to get uncorked and do all kinds of strange things at their children’s ballgames?
There is the loud type who feels he has to bark directions at his Little Leaguer as the boy or girl is at the plate.
And there is the even more aggressive type who is compelled to argue with soccer and basketball referees.
Finally, there is the guy that goes completely overboard, picking fights with fellow parents, umpires, and even league officials, when they’re around.
What do these behaviors have in common and why do they come out during athletic competitions and not when their kids are singing in the glee club?
I believe it all boils down to emotion. Men have emotions but are famous for suppressing them.
But we’ve been taught and have observed that it’s okay to show strong emotions in one place: at a sporting venue.
For example, my dad was a mild-mannered gentleman. Universally, people thought he was a nice guy, and I agree with that assessment.
But when he’d hit the ballpark, he morphed like a vampire or the wolf man.
He’d bark out encouragement to me in the strangest, guttural voice. I didn’t have a problem with it, but I did notice something was askew.
I have always speculated that at some level he was imitating either the guy that sold newspapers on the corner, or someone he saw at old Comiskey Park, in Chicago, where the White Sox played.
Normally, a very controlled guy, he let it rip and let his emotions show at the baseball diamond.
And I believe men who go overboard, unlike dad, believe that’s okay because they have no other places where they can permit their aggressions to come out.
By the way, when league officials have cracked down on aggressive cheering and have invoked rules of silence for the sidelines, many men have complained that much of the joy has been removed from kid-sports.
Dr. Gary S. Goodman is the best-selling author of 12 books, over 600 articles, and the creator of numerous audio and video training programs, including "The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable," published by Nightingale-Conant-a favorite among salespeople and entrepreneurs. For information about booking Gary to speak at your next sales, customer service or business meeting, conference or convention, please address your inquiry to:
gary@customersatisfaction.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Gary_S._Goodman
Dr. Gary S. Goodman
Why do men seem to get uncorked and do all kinds of strange things at their children’s ballgames?
There is the loud type who feels he has to bark directions at his Little Leaguer as the boy or girl is at the plate.
And there is the even more aggressive type who is compelled to argue with soccer and basketball referees.
Finally, there is the guy that goes completely overboard, picking fights with fellow parents, umpires, and even league officials, when they’re around.
What do these behaviors have in common and why do they come out during athletic competitions and not when their kids are singing in the glee club?
I believe it all boils down to emotion. Men have emotions but are famous for suppressing them.
But we’ve been taught and have observed that it’s okay to show strong emotions in one place: at a sporting venue.
For example, my dad was a mild-mannered gentleman. Universally, people thought he was a nice guy, and I agree with that assessment.
But when he’d hit the ballpark, he morphed like a vampire or the wolf man.
He’d bark out encouragement to me in the strangest, guttural voice. I didn’t have a problem with it, but I did notice something was askew.
I have always speculated that at some level he was imitating either the guy that sold newspapers on the corner, or someone he saw at old Comiskey Park, in Chicago, where the White Sox played.
Normally, a very controlled guy, he let it rip and let his emotions show at the baseball diamond.
And I believe men who go overboard, unlike dad, believe that’s okay because they have no other places where they can permit their aggressions to come out.
By the way, when league officials have cracked down on aggressive cheering and have invoked rules of silence for the sidelines, many men have complained that much of the joy has been removed from kid-sports.
Dr. Gary S. Goodman is the best-selling author of 12 books, over 600 articles, and the creator of numerous audio and video training programs, including "The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable," published by Nightingale-Conant-a favorite among salespeople and entrepreneurs. For information about booking Gary to speak at your next sales, customer service or business meeting, conference or convention, please address your inquiry to:
gary@customersatisfaction.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Gary_S._Goodman
Baby Shower Nursery Rhyme Theme Party
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By Gail Leino
When throwing a shower for your expectant moms think about using the Baby Shower Nursery Rhyme Theme Party. We all know the familiar lyrics from the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes and guests will find the theme based on the rhymes cute and entertaining.
Use your creativity in coming with activities geared towards these Nursery Rhyme parties. For fun have guests split into teams of two or three and have them draw a nursery rhyme written on a slip of paper from a hat. They then have to coordinate and act out the rhyme for the other guests. The guests have to guess, of course, which rhyme is being acted out.
Food can be lots of fun at these parties. Have you thought about making some of the foods mentioned in nursery rhymes? Not everyone will be partial to ‘Curds and Whey’ from the Little Miss Muffet story, but you can certainly make up Jack and the Beanstalk Beans or Little Gingerbread Men. For a centerpiece you could even create a candy and gingerbread house like the one from the story about Hans and Gretel.
The colors used in a Nursery Rhyme party would be similar to any other Baby Shower. Think light blues and pinks, pale yellows and greens against a white or off white background. You could make the Baby Shower into a costume party and invite guests to come dressed as their favorite nursery character. To help make permanent memories of the event you can set up a traditional fairy tale landscape in one corner and take Polaroid’s of the guests as they arrive in costume. For party favors you can set these Polaroid’s into pre-made frames decorated with Nursery Rhyme words and colors. Just make sure that you take two Polaroid’s of each guest so that you can collect the extra Polaroid’s into a Baby Shower album for the expectant mother.
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Baby Shower Games to help complete your event.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino
By Gail Leino
When throwing a shower for your expectant moms think about using the Baby Shower Nursery Rhyme Theme Party. We all know the familiar lyrics from the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes and guests will find the theme based on the rhymes cute and entertaining.
Use your creativity in coming with activities geared towards these Nursery Rhyme parties. For fun have guests split into teams of two or three and have them draw a nursery rhyme written on a slip of paper from a hat. They then have to coordinate and act out the rhyme for the other guests. The guests have to guess, of course, which rhyme is being acted out.
Food can be lots of fun at these parties. Have you thought about making some of the foods mentioned in nursery rhymes? Not everyone will be partial to ‘Curds and Whey’ from the Little Miss Muffet story, but you can certainly make up Jack and the Beanstalk Beans or Little Gingerbread Men. For a centerpiece you could even create a candy and gingerbread house like the one from the story about Hans and Gretel.
The colors used in a Nursery Rhyme party would be similar to any other Baby Shower. Think light blues and pinks, pale yellows and greens against a white or off white background. You could make the Baby Shower into a costume party and invite guests to come dressed as their favorite nursery character. To help make permanent memories of the event you can set up a traditional fairy tale landscape in one corner and take Polaroid’s of the guests as they arrive in costume. For party favors you can set these Polaroid’s into pre-made frames decorated with Nursery Rhyme words and colors. Just make sure that you take two Polaroid’s of each guest so that you can collect the extra Polaroid’s into a Baby Shower album for the expectant mother.
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Baby Shower Games to help complete your event.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Nature Takes Care of Baby's Wholesome Nutrition
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By Yana Mikheeva
There is a well-known fact saying that “culinary habits” come from childhood. That is why parents should pay special attention to their child’s nutrition. Food constraint can bring irreparable physical and psychological harm to a child. Parents’ constant persuasion while their baby is eating can not only have negative effect on the process of digestion itself, but also may cause further food allergy. Is not it better to examine closely, listen to what child’s organism needs, how, what and how many he wants to eat?
If baby’s taste is not perverted and his metabolism is not affected yet, then you should be curious about what he wants to eat. Don’t force your child to eat fast, it’s better to develop a habit to chew food well. Then his alimentary canal will not have to “complete” the work his teeth and salivary glands haven’t done. Speed of eating, temperature of food is his private affair, though.
You should not be afraid if your child refuses to eat at all. Don’t panic. This means that something goes wrong in his organism and the Nature just suggests him a way of short-term hunger treatment. Show patience and tenacity. Very soon your child will come running to you asking to eat some certain food. You should not resort to any food encouragement, temptations, don’t use sweets as a reward for his good behavior. While observing your child’s choice of food you give to him, you can make important conclusions about his health condition and organism needs. And the main thing is that you should rely on your child’s instinct. If you have succeeded not to spoil it yet, let him choose what, when, how many and in what combination and order he should eat or drink.
Quite often, food fermentation appears in alimentary canal, as a result of regular feeding with meat and bread, pap with milk and sugar, sweet pies. Frequently, this leads to child’s tonsillitis, diarrhea, constipation, gastritis, un-reasoned rise in temperature and allergy.
When some parents overfeed their children, they pave the way for adiposity, which inevitably leads to a whole bouquet of sicknesses. You should not also forget about an important fact of the organism process of preparation for eating. A term “psychology of eating”, meaning company, dining room atmosphere, its lighting and the music sounding in, can be included in the concept “culture of eating” .
View Schedule of Including Vegetables and Fruits Into Your Baby Ration here http://www.baby-health.net/articles/137.htmlYana Mikheeva is the creator of Baby Health Directory - Pregnancy, Birth, Parenting and Baby Care resources. Are you going to get pregnant? Visit our friendly resource and read information on pregnancy and parenting, painless childbirth, growth and development of a baby, baby health, safety, signs of pregnancy.She also has All about women site where you can find articles on various subjects, such as: diets, receipts, health, cellulite, figure, aromatherapy, wholesome food, psychology of relationships, pregnancy, parenting, fashion and many others.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yana_Mikheeva
By Yana Mikheeva
There is a well-known fact saying that “culinary habits” come from childhood. That is why parents should pay special attention to their child’s nutrition. Food constraint can bring irreparable physical and psychological harm to a child. Parents’ constant persuasion while their baby is eating can not only have negative effect on the process of digestion itself, but also may cause further food allergy. Is not it better to examine closely, listen to what child’s organism needs, how, what and how many he wants to eat?
If baby’s taste is not perverted and his metabolism is not affected yet, then you should be curious about what he wants to eat. Don’t force your child to eat fast, it’s better to develop a habit to chew food well. Then his alimentary canal will not have to “complete” the work his teeth and salivary glands haven’t done. Speed of eating, temperature of food is his private affair, though.
You should not be afraid if your child refuses to eat at all. Don’t panic. This means that something goes wrong in his organism and the Nature just suggests him a way of short-term hunger treatment. Show patience and tenacity. Very soon your child will come running to you asking to eat some certain food. You should not resort to any food encouragement, temptations, don’t use sweets as a reward for his good behavior. While observing your child’s choice of food you give to him, you can make important conclusions about his health condition and organism needs. And the main thing is that you should rely on your child’s instinct. If you have succeeded not to spoil it yet, let him choose what, when, how many and in what combination and order he should eat or drink.
Quite often, food fermentation appears in alimentary canal, as a result of regular feeding with meat and bread, pap with milk and sugar, sweet pies. Frequently, this leads to child’s tonsillitis, diarrhea, constipation, gastritis, un-reasoned rise in temperature and allergy.
When some parents overfeed their children, they pave the way for adiposity, which inevitably leads to a whole bouquet of sicknesses. You should not also forget about an important fact of the organism process of preparation for eating. A term “psychology of eating”, meaning company, dining room atmosphere, its lighting and the music sounding in, can be included in the concept “culture of eating” .
View Schedule of Including Vegetables and Fruits Into Your Baby Ration here http://www.baby-health.net/articles/137.htmlYana Mikheeva is the creator of Baby Health Directory - Pregnancy, Birth, Parenting and Baby Care resources. Are you going to get pregnant? Visit our friendly resource and read information on pregnancy and parenting, painless childbirth, growth and development of a baby, baby health, safety, signs of pregnancy.She also has All about women site where you can find articles on various subjects, such as: diets, receipts, health, cellulite, figure, aromatherapy, wholesome food, psychology of relationships, pregnancy, parenting, fashion and many others.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yana_Mikheeva
A Weighty Issue: Does Soda Promote Weight Gain?
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(NewsUSA) - As childhood obesity continues to increase, researchers are looking at a link between what kids drink and their expanding waistlines.
While experts stop short of laying the blame completely at the feet of soda makers, most acknowledge that people in general, and kids specifically, consume too many soft drinks.
In an effort to curb the problem, some school districts are removing soda machines from school campuses -; and, some say, for good reason. One 12-ounce can of soda has 150 calories; a 20-ounce can has 250 calories.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "Carbonated soft drinks are the single biggest source of calories in the American diet, providing about 7 percent of calories." Non-carbonated drinks (such as fruit juice and iced teas) push that figure to 9 percent.
One study of 548 sixth and seventh-graders in Boston showed that each 12-ounce can of soda consumed increased their risk for becoming overweight by 60 percent, according to an article in the Journal of Pediatrics.
Besides having a high-sugar content - which can contribute to weight gain and promote tooth decay - there is little nutritional value in a can of soda, just empty calories.
So what's a parent to do?
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be the first line of defense. But because what they drink matters just as much as what they eat, one option may be to consider replacing soda with a health beverage like NuVim, which contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, calcium; low amounts of sugar; and no caffeine.
Tested and proven effective in 19 clinical studies for its muscle flexibility and immune-boosting properties, this beverage contains the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, along with B-12, zinc, calcium and essential amino acids.
NuVim comes in a variety of fruit flavors and is located in the refrigerated juice section of your local supermarket.
For a list of stores that carry NuVim or to purchase it in powder form, visit www.nuvim.com or call (877) 850-8777.
(NewsUSA) - As childhood obesity continues to increase, researchers are looking at a link between what kids drink and their expanding waistlines.
While experts stop short of laying the blame completely at the feet of soda makers, most acknowledge that people in general, and kids specifically, consume too many soft drinks.
In an effort to curb the problem, some school districts are removing soda machines from school campuses -; and, some say, for good reason. One 12-ounce can of soda has 150 calories; a 20-ounce can has 250 calories.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "Carbonated soft drinks are the single biggest source of calories in the American diet, providing about 7 percent of calories." Non-carbonated drinks (such as fruit juice and iced teas) push that figure to 9 percent.
One study of 548 sixth and seventh-graders in Boston showed that each 12-ounce can of soda consumed increased their risk for becoming overweight by 60 percent, according to an article in the Journal of Pediatrics.
Besides having a high-sugar content - which can contribute to weight gain and promote tooth decay - there is little nutritional value in a can of soda, just empty calories.
So what's a parent to do?
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be the first line of defense. But because what they drink matters just as much as what they eat, one option may be to consider replacing soda with a health beverage like NuVim, which contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, calcium; low amounts of sugar; and no caffeine.
Tested and proven effective in 19 clinical studies for its muscle flexibility and immune-boosting properties, this beverage contains the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, along with B-12, zinc, calcium and essential amino acids.
NuVim comes in a variety of fruit flavors and is located in the refrigerated juice section of your local supermarket.
For a list of stores that carry NuVim or to purchase it in powder form, visit www.nuvim.com or call (877) 850-8777.
A Balanced Diet For Your Kids
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By Willie Reynolds
As a parent, one issue that is constantly on my mind is that of
ensuring my children are properly nourished. Fortunately, my
children have the eating habits of J.R.R. Tolkien’s hobbits-
they eat at least three breakfasts before lunch. This gives me
ample opportunity to ensure that their nutrition intake is set
for the rest of the day.
I am sure that other parents have the same concerns, though
possibly not the easy time I have with feeding my kids. I would
like to share some of the nutrition “secrets” I have encountered
in my seemingly endless trips to the refrigerator to keep my
little hollowed out munchers happy.
The first secret is that nutrition is not a secret at all.
Every container of food you buy has nutritional values listed
on a label on the side. These values are very important in
determining whether or not the charges of the stay-at-home
parent are receiving all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein
and the hundred other nutritional necessities that keep the mind
of the stay-at-home parent occupied.
The second important secret is milk. Milk is the nectar of the
gods. By making sure your kids drink just one cup of milk with
each meal, you will have taken care of their body’s needs for
vitamins A, D and B12, as well as calcium, some iron content
and even protein. Other dairy products also help fill these
needs, so cheese and yogurt are also good add-ons for snacks or
to meals.
Breakfast foods such as oatmeal and most cereals are also
chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Sugar cereals
should be used sparingly, as a treat. There are lots of other
ways to add some zing to a cereal that kids may otherwise think
of as bland. Breakfast can also include fruit (bananas are an
especially good power food) and juice, although too much juice
in a day is bad both for a child’s sugar intake and their
teeth. Kids should be allowed some juice, though, and the new
style fruit and veggie juice is ideal as it tastes just like
regular juice but contains vegetable content as well (such as
spinach and carrots), and thus is a good equalizer for a child
who is finicky about their vegetables.
Whole wheat bread is also very important to a child’s diet.
They will only think it is undesirable if a parent or
schoolmate points it out to them. Whole wheat bread,
specifically Dempster’s brand, is brimming with nutritional
goodness.
Recent studies have suggested that vegetables bought frozen may
actually be healthier than those cooked fresh. The freezing
locks the nutrients into the vegetable immediately, and does
not allow the leeching out that otherwise begins as soon as the
vegetable is picked from the ground.
There are some foods that may seem like a good idea for a snack
or supplement to a meal, but in fact they need to be avoided.
Uppermost among these are dried banana chips. These little
nuggets are actually deep fried, and just a handful contain
more fat than a Big Mac! Make sure that you know how the food
you are feeding your kids is processed before considering it a
healthy choice.
About the Author: Willie Reynolds maintains a website full ofadvice for parents. Visit his site at:http://parentingstation.comSource: http://www.isnare.com
By Willie Reynolds
As a parent, one issue that is constantly on my mind is that of
ensuring my children are properly nourished. Fortunately, my
children have the eating habits of J.R.R. Tolkien’s hobbits-
they eat at least three breakfasts before lunch. This gives me
ample opportunity to ensure that their nutrition intake is set
for the rest of the day.
I am sure that other parents have the same concerns, though
possibly not the easy time I have with feeding my kids. I would
like to share some of the nutrition “secrets” I have encountered
in my seemingly endless trips to the refrigerator to keep my
little hollowed out munchers happy.
The first secret is that nutrition is not a secret at all.
Every container of food you buy has nutritional values listed
on a label on the side. These values are very important in
determining whether or not the charges of the stay-at-home
parent are receiving all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein
and the hundred other nutritional necessities that keep the mind
of the stay-at-home parent occupied.
The second important secret is milk. Milk is the nectar of the
gods. By making sure your kids drink just one cup of milk with
each meal, you will have taken care of their body’s needs for
vitamins A, D and B12, as well as calcium, some iron content
and even protein. Other dairy products also help fill these
needs, so cheese and yogurt are also good add-ons for snacks or
to meals.
Breakfast foods such as oatmeal and most cereals are also
chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Sugar cereals
should be used sparingly, as a treat. There are lots of other
ways to add some zing to a cereal that kids may otherwise think
of as bland. Breakfast can also include fruit (bananas are an
especially good power food) and juice, although too much juice
in a day is bad both for a child’s sugar intake and their
teeth. Kids should be allowed some juice, though, and the new
style fruit and veggie juice is ideal as it tastes just like
regular juice but contains vegetable content as well (such as
spinach and carrots), and thus is a good equalizer for a child
who is finicky about their vegetables.
Whole wheat bread is also very important to a child’s diet.
They will only think it is undesirable if a parent or
schoolmate points it out to them. Whole wheat bread,
specifically Dempster’s brand, is brimming with nutritional
goodness.
Recent studies have suggested that vegetables bought frozen may
actually be healthier than those cooked fresh. The freezing
locks the nutrients into the vegetable immediately, and does
not allow the leeching out that otherwise begins as soon as the
vegetable is picked from the ground.
There are some foods that may seem like a good idea for a snack
or supplement to a meal, but in fact they need to be avoided.
Uppermost among these are dried banana chips. These little
nuggets are actually deep fried, and just a handful contain
more fat than a Big Mac! Make sure that you know how the food
you are feeding your kids is processed before considering it a
healthy choice.
About the Author: Willie Reynolds maintains a website full ofadvice for parents. Visit his site at:http://parentingstation.comSource: http://www.isnare.com
Inexpensive Baby Shower Gifts that Your Friends Will Love!
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By Kelly Jezek
I remember when I was a young teacher and one of my close friends was having her first child. I was thrilled about her “great expectation” and could not wait to meet her precious new baby. But then came the invitation to the baby shower, and my teacher’s salary did not allow much room for an extravagant gift. I needed some ideas for an inexpensive baby shower gift. I wanted to find a baby gift that would be personal, cute, and loved by both mom and baby, but I wondered if it were possible to find an inexpensive baby shower gift that could meet that criteria.
Being a teacher, I loved books and decided that I could create a unique baby shower gift from some of my favorite children’s’ books. A local craft store had a weekly 40% coupon in the Sunday paper, and I was able to buy a beautiful baby shower gift basket for 40% off the regular price. I then found a Border’s coupon and was able to buy some sweet baby board books as well as some of my favorite children books. I was pleased with the gift I had made and felt like I had given a nice baby gift, while staying within my budget. Another inexpensive baby shower gift could be baby supplies. Every new mother needs diapers, diaper rash ointment, bottles, bibs, and more diapers. Again, coupons are a helpful way to buy some of these items at a lower cost.
If you want a personalized baby shower gift, you can make a baby wipes box and decorate it with the baby’s name and other pictures. A bib with a monogram is another fun personalized baby gift. One gift that my friend received at her baby shower was a sturdy, personalized stepping stool for when the baby grew a little older. The woman painted the baby’s name on the stool and decorated it with warm colors and creative designs. If you use your imagination and a few coupons, you will find that a fun, inexpensive baby shower gift isn’t as impossible as you may have thought.
Kelly Jezek is a successful Webmaster and publisher of mybabyshowerhelper.com. She provides more helpful tips on finding inexpensive baby shower gifts at her site. Visit my baby shower helper today!Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Jezek
By Kelly Jezek
I remember when I was a young teacher and one of my close friends was having her first child. I was thrilled about her “great expectation” and could not wait to meet her precious new baby. But then came the invitation to the baby shower, and my teacher’s salary did not allow much room for an extravagant gift. I needed some ideas for an inexpensive baby shower gift. I wanted to find a baby gift that would be personal, cute, and loved by both mom and baby, but I wondered if it were possible to find an inexpensive baby shower gift that could meet that criteria.
Being a teacher, I loved books and decided that I could create a unique baby shower gift from some of my favorite children’s’ books. A local craft store had a weekly 40% coupon in the Sunday paper, and I was able to buy a beautiful baby shower gift basket for 40% off the regular price. I then found a Border’s coupon and was able to buy some sweet baby board books as well as some of my favorite children books. I was pleased with the gift I had made and felt like I had given a nice baby gift, while staying within my budget. Another inexpensive baby shower gift could be baby supplies. Every new mother needs diapers, diaper rash ointment, bottles, bibs, and more diapers. Again, coupons are a helpful way to buy some of these items at a lower cost.
If you want a personalized baby shower gift, you can make a baby wipes box and decorate it with the baby’s name and other pictures. A bib with a monogram is another fun personalized baby gift. One gift that my friend received at her baby shower was a sturdy, personalized stepping stool for when the baby grew a little older. The woman painted the baby’s name on the stool and decorated it with warm colors and creative designs. If you use your imagination and a few coupons, you will find that a fun, inexpensive baby shower gift isn’t as impossible as you may have thought.
Kelly Jezek is a successful Webmaster and publisher of mybabyshowerhelper.com. She provides more helpful tips on finding inexpensive baby shower gifts at her site. Visit my baby shower helper today!Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Jezek
How To Save Hundreds Of Dollars Per Year On Baby Gifts
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Think for a minute. How many baby showers have you attended in the past year? Now think about how much money you've spent in the last year on baby shower gifts. One, two, may three hundred? For some, the answer could easily be several hundred dollars. Wouldn't it be a lot easier and cheaper if you just made the gift yourself? I know what you're thinking, "But I'm not creative. I can't make anything." The truth is, there are many gifts you can create with very little time and effort.
One idea you might consider are baby gift baskets. You'll find wicker baskets, as well as decorative ribbon and lace at your local craft store or discount store. To fill your basket, purchase baby care items like lotions, baby wash, shampoo, and other baby necessities. You could top it off with a nice stuffed animal or toy.
Another great idea is to make a diaper cake. A diaper cake is new, but increasing popular baby gift made of diapers, shaped in tiers resembling a cake. The diaper cake contains everything a new baby would need such as bottles, blankets, toys, and baby care items. Many online stores care them, but if you have the time, you could easily make a diaper cake yourself. You can find step by step diaper cake directions online also. It's a good idea to find diaper cake directions with pictures, so that it is easier for you.
If you really want to impress the new mom, make a gift basket just for her! So many times, we tend to forget the mom and focus just on the new little one. Moms need love too and she'd appreciate it so much. A good gift basket idea for a new mom is a pamper me theme basket. This basket could include a nice scented candle, foot bath, lotions, soft slippers, etc. Present this to the expectant mom at her baby shower an watch her eyes light up.
There are so many creative ways to save money on baby gifts. Gifts that are both practical and useful often mean the most are are the most appreciated.
About the author:Dana Williams is the author of "Make Money Making Diaper Cakes from Home". A step by step guide to creating baby shower diaper cakes. For more information or for a free sample of her ebook, visit http://www.babydiapercakes.biz Circulated by Article Emporium
Think for a minute. How many baby showers have you attended in the past year? Now think about how much money you've spent in the last year on baby shower gifts. One, two, may three hundred? For some, the answer could easily be several hundred dollars. Wouldn't it be a lot easier and cheaper if you just made the gift yourself? I know what you're thinking, "But I'm not creative. I can't make anything." The truth is, there are many gifts you can create with very little time and effort.
One idea you might consider are baby gift baskets. You'll find wicker baskets, as well as decorative ribbon and lace at your local craft store or discount store. To fill your basket, purchase baby care items like lotions, baby wash, shampoo, and other baby necessities. You could top it off with a nice stuffed animal or toy.
Another great idea is to make a diaper cake. A diaper cake is new, but increasing popular baby gift made of diapers, shaped in tiers resembling a cake. The diaper cake contains everything a new baby would need such as bottles, blankets, toys, and baby care items. Many online stores care them, but if you have the time, you could easily make a diaper cake yourself. You can find step by step diaper cake directions online also. It's a good idea to find diaper cake directions with pictures, so that it is easier for you.
If you really want to impress the new mom, make a gift basket just for her! So many times, we tend to forget the mom and focus just on the new little one. Moms need love too and she'd appreciate it so much. A good gift basket idea for a new mom is a pamper me theme basket. This basket could include a nice scented candle, foot bath, lotions, soft slippers, etc. Present this to the expectant mom at her baby shower an watch her eyes light up.
There are so many creative ways to save money on baby gifts. Gifts that are both practical and useful often mean the most are are the most appreciated.
About the author:Dana Williams is the author of "Make Money Making Diaper Cakes from Home". A step by step guide to creating baby shower diaper cakes. For more information or for a free sample of her ebook, visit http://www.babydiapercakes.biz Circulated by Article Emporium
How To Find The Best Loft Beds For Kids
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By Hannah Roberts
In buying furniture for your children's bedroom, the first consideration is safety – second is orderliness. A loft bed can offer both, but you need to be careful in choosing one for for kids' sake. The best way to select a loft bed is to examine one that's already assembled. Place your hands on the top bunk and then try to shake the entire assembly. This will give you an idea of the sturdiness of the bed's construction. If it's wobbly or otherwise poorly made, tell the store manager or owner about the safety hazard – you'll eliminate the possibility of your family suffering an accident and will also make the shop owner more aware of the quality of the products they're selling.
If you were to order, say, two loft beds, you'd want to test both for safety before you actually purchased them. If you order online, however, you can’t test the loft beds until they are delivered to your home. If you are unsatisfied with the safety of beds purchased online, immediately inform your online furniture dealer about the problem. There are warranties that apply to online orders, and you should have no problem getting a replacement.
Another important thing to keep in mind is the manufacturer’s weight recommendation for loft bed's capacity and limit. Be sure that you know how much your kids weigh before you go out and shop for loft beds. This way, you'll be able to buy beds that can actually support their weight. It's always better to buy high-capacity loft beds since your kids are sure to increase in weight as they grow. It's also very important to consider the age of your kids/ Make sure that they're at an age where they move around a lot in their sleep – you wouldn't want them to fall out of the bed in the middle of the night. Likewise, be sure to tell the manufacturer about the age of your children, as there are additional safety features installed for very young kids. Never assume that all loft beds are created the same.
If you prefer to buy loft beds made from tubular metal, be sure to check their structural integrity. They may look cool, but many are not very well built Make sure to check if the set is sturdy. There are various designs and colors to choose from, so you'll be able to match the loft bed with whatever color theme is in your children’s bedroom.
Another thing to consider is the difficulty involved in assembling the loft beds, since they won't be delivered fully assembled. Before you place an order, ask whether the furniture shop has personnel that will take care of the bed's assembly when it's delivered – some stores offer this service.
About the Author: Hannah Roberts has an interest in Shopping & Retail related topics. To access more information on child loft bed or on full size loft bed, please click on the links. Source: www.isnare.com
By Hannah Roberts
In buying furniture for your children's bedroom, the first consideration is safety – second is orderliness. A loft bed can offer both, but you need to be careful in choosing one for for kids' sake. The best way to select a loft bed is to examine one that's already assembled. Place your hands on the top bunk and then try to shake the entire assembly. This will give you an idea of the sturdiness of the bed's construction. If it's wobbly or otherwise poorly made, tell the store manager or owner about the safety hazard – you'll eliminate the possibility of your family suffering an accident and will also make the shop owner more aware of the quality of the products they're selling.
If you were to order, say, two loft beds, you'd want to test both for safety before you actually purchased them. If you order online, however, you can’t test the loft beds until they are delivered to your home. If you are unsatisfied with the safety of beds purchased online, immediately inform your online furniture dealer about the problem. There are warranties that apply to online orders, and you should have no problem getting a replacement.
Another important thing to keep in mind is the manufacturer’s weight recommendation for loft bed's capacity and limit. Be sure that you know how much your kids weigh before you go out and shop for loft beds. This way, you'll be able to buy beds that can actually support their weight. It's always better to buy high-capacity loft beds since your kids are sure to increase in weight as they grow. It's also very important to consider the age of your kids/ Make sure that they're at an age where they move around a lot in their sleep – you wouldn't want them to fall out of the bed in the middle of the night. Likewise, be sure to tell the manufacturer about the age of your children, as there are additional safety features installed for very young kids. Never assume that all loft beds are created the same.
If you prefer to buy loft beds made from tubular metal, be sure to check their structural integrity. They may look cool, but many are not very well built Make sure to check if the set is sturdy. There are various designs and colors to choose from, so you'll be able to match the loft bed with whatever color theme is in your children’s bedroom.
Another thing to consider is the difficulty involved in assembling the loft beds, since they won't be delivered fully assembled. Before you place an order, ask whether the furniture shop has personnel that will take care of the bed's assembly when it's delivered – some stores offer this service.
About the Author: Hannah Roberts has an interest in Shopping & Retail related topics. To access more information on child loft bed or on full size loft bed, please click on the links. Source: www.isnare.com
Essential Baby Clothes
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People love to buy baby gifts - especially the adorable baby outfits. Beautiful outfits with cute buttons or bows are plentiful even in the smallest of sizes, but they are not very practical.
New parents need to know that they will be changing their new arrival countless times a day and that babies are very messy in general.
Following is a checklist of basic baby essentials that you will really need--so stock up on these!
Baby Clothing
* one-piece outfits (onesies) with snaps for easy changing
* one-piece footed pajamas (you generally want soft cotton, easy to change outfits)
* newborn socks
* little booties
* fleece outfits/sweaters or jackets for winter
* mittens
* newborn hats
* receiving blankets
* swaddling blankets
About the author:Stephanie Pearce is the owner of Things for Mom an online boutique offering natural products for a healthy baby including quality organic cotton baby toys, wooden baby toys, organic baby clothes, breastfeeding support items, and bath time and feeding time products. To purchase natural baby care products or for more natural baby care resources, we invite you to visit our website at www.thingsformom.comCirculated by Article Emporium
People love to buy baby gifts - especially the adorable baby outfits. Beautiful outfits with cute buttons or bows are plentiful even in the smallest of sizes, but they are not very practical.
New parents need to know that they will be changing their new arrival countless times a day and that babies are very messy in general.
Following is a checklist of basic baby essentials that you will really need--so stock up on these!
Baby Clothing
* one-piece outfits (onesies) with snaps for easy changing
* one-piece footed pajamas (you generally want soft cotton, easy to change outfits)
* newborn socks
* little booties
* fleece outfits/sweaters or jackets for winter
* mittens
* newborn hats
* receiving blankets
* swaddling blankets
About the author:Stephanie Pearce is the owner of Things for Mom an online boutique offering natural products for a healthy baby including quality organic cotton baby toys, wooden baby toys, organic baby clothes, breastfeeding support items, and bath time and feeding time products. To purchase natural baby care products or for more natural baby care resources, we invite you to visit our website at www.thingsformom.comCirculated by Article Emporium
Crib or Bassinet? What is Right For Your Child?
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So here's the question... Should you buy a crib or a bassinet?
The decision to use a crib or a bassinet is one that many parents often wrestle with. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. A bassinet is great for a newborn baby because it is a small area, which helps the infant to feel more secure. The frilly bedding also helps to make the infant look that much more precious. There are many different designs of bassinets, just as there are with cribs. The main feature that parents like about using a bassinet for the first few months is that they can have it right next to the bedside. Most of the newer models have rocking motion that you can use if you want. The bassinet doesn't rock a lot so there is no danger of it tipping over and when you lock the wheels in place, it won' rock at all.
A crib needs a larger space, so most parents have to have the nursery done. This means that you probably won't be able to keep the baby in the same room with you. During the night when the baby wakes, you'll have to get up and go out to get the infant for feeding and changing. Also a crib is much larger, so the little infant will look so very tiny lying there.
A bassinet is portable. The base has wheels so you can roll it from one room to another. A crib is much harder to move, so during the day you will still need to have a smaller bed for the baby in the living room or den. Plus, the sleeping basket comes out of the bassinet so you can take the baby's bed with you when you travel.
However, a bassinet is only good for a few months. Once the baby gets old enough to start getting up on its hands and knees, then you need to transfer him/her to a crib to sleep. The side of a bassinet are really low and once the baby starts growing, there is the danger he/she might fall out over the sides. Whether you decide to go with a bassinet, you will need to buy a crib after a few months anyway. However, if you have a bassinet that converts to a change table, this is one piece of baby furniture you won't have to buy. The storage area under the bassinet is also a great place for keeping all the supplies you need.
About the author:Eric & Lisa Koshinsky make it easy for you to get clear, unbiased information so you can make informed purchases of baby gear. Visit http://www.greatbabygear.comtoday for info on everything from bassinets to baby strollers
So here's the question... Should you buy a crib or a bassinet?
The decision to use a crib or a bassinet is one that many parents often wrestle with. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. A bassinet is great for a newborn baby because it is a small area, which helps the infant to feel more secure. The frilly bedding also helps to make the infant look that much more precious. There are many different designs of bassinets, just as there are with cribs. The main feature that parents like about using a bassinet for the first few months is that they can have it right next to the bedside. Most of the newer models have rocking motion that you can use if you want. The bassinet doesn't rock a lot so there is no danger of it tipping over and when you lock the wheels in place, it won' rock at all.
A crib needs a larger space, so most parents have to have the nursery done. This means that you probably won't be able to keep the baby in the same room with you. During the night when the baby wakes, you'll have to get up and go out to get the infant for feeding and changing. Also a crib is much larger, so the little infant will look so very tiny lying there.
A bassinet is portable. The base has wheels so you can roll it from one room to another. A crib is much harder to move, so during the day you will still need to have a smaller bed for the baby in the living room or den. Plus, the sleeping basket comes out of the bassinet so you can take the baby's bed with you when you travel.
However, a bassinet is only good for a few months. Once the baby gets old enough to start getting up on its hands and knees, then you need to transfer him/her to a crib to sleep. The side of a bassinet are really low and once the baby starts growing, there is the danger he/she might fall out over the sides. Whether you decide to go with a bassinet, you will need to buy a crib after a few months anyway. However, if you have a bassinet that converts to a change table, this is one piece of baby furniture you won't have to buy. The storage area under the bassinet is also a great place for keeping all the supplies you need.
About the author:Eric & Lisa Koshinsky make it easy for you to get clear, unbiased information so you can make informed purchases of baby gear. Visit http://www.greatbabygear.comtoday for info on everything from bassinets to baby strollers
The Clothes Babies Need: How You can Help with a Practical Gift Basket
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By Anne Clarke
When you have a baby, the amount of clothes you have for the baby is very important. Remember, babies manage quite easily to get their clothes filthy, sometimes wearing 3-4 outfits a day. Not to mention that an infant will grow faster than you think, and new baby clothes are often needed. Mothers, fathers or guardians will find them doing markedly excess amounts of laundry once the baby has arrived. So try to give as many outfits as you can to really help them.
A great idea for a baby gift basket is to pile in the infant and toddler attire. Sure you can purchase baby clothes that will fit an infant like a glove as soon as the he or she is born. It will be nice for the mother, father or guardian to go out and show off her baby in great-fitting attire. Unfortunately these little ones grow fast, so if you are giving a baby gift basket at a baby shower, an assortment of sizes may be well appreciated.
Most mothers, fathers and guardians do not mind dressing the baby in clothing that is a bit too big. There is no doubt that it will not be too big for the baby pretty soon. In fact, most often once that he or she is crawling around, the size of the baby’s clothes needed has multiplied.
If you are a mother you already know that the parent, parents or guardian(s) of this child will not believe how quickly a baby outfit can become of no use to them. It was a kind gesture to give them some clothes to start them off—but what do they do when the baby has outgrown everything? It does not take long—less than a year before even the big one-piece pajamas and too-big sweat suits have become too small.
To show that you appreciate this fact, it may be a good idea to include even a couple of toddler outfits for the baby gift basket.
And of course, a nice finishing touch for the baby gift basket may be something like little hats, babies can get cold and you never want a baby to be too exposed to the harsh weather, even if it just a little chilly outside, a hat is a perfect solution for the baby to keep warm. Most of our body heat is released through our heads when the weather is cold, so to cover the babies little, probably hairless, or practically hairless head is a very good idea. The same applies with coats, a baby will need both heavy and light coats for the colder season.
Parents or guardians will want to have lots of blankets, burp rags etc. These are more items that are quickly dirtied and need to be washed frequently. So if you would like to go for an attire theme for your friend or family member’s baby shower, these are ideas that are very practical and very important, especially for a family without a whole lot of extra money to be throwing around on baby clothes.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on babies please visit Baby Baskets.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke
By Anne Clarke
When you have a baby, the amount of clothes you have for the baby is very important. Remember, babies manage quite easily to get their clothes filthy, sometimes wearing 3-4 outfits a day. Not to mention that an infant will grow faster than you think, and new baby clothes are often needed. Mothers, fathers or guardians will find them doing markedly excess amounts of laundry once the baby has arrived. So try to give as many outfits as you can to really help them.
A great idea for a baby gift basket is to pile in the infant and toddler attire. Sure you can purchase baby clothes that will fit an infant like a glove as soon as the he or she is born. It will be nice for the mother, father or guardian to go out and show off her baby in great-fitting attire. Unfortunately these little ones grow fast, so if you are giving a baby gift basket at a baby shower, an assortment of sizes may be well appreciated.
Most mothers, fathers and guardians do not mind dressing the baby in clothing that is a bit too big. There is no doubt that it will not be too big for the baby pretty soon. In fact, most often once that he or she is crawling around, the size of the baby’s clothes needed has multiplied.
If you are a mother you already know that the parent, parents or guardian(s) of this child will not believe how quickly a baby outfit can become of no use to them. It was a kind gesture to give them some clothes to start them off—but what do they do when the baby has outgrown everything? It does not take long—less than a year before even the big one-piece pajamas and too-big sweat suits have become too small.
To show that you appreciate this fact, it may be a good idea to include even a couple of toddler outfits for the baby gift basket.
And of course, a nice finishing touch for the baby gift basket may be something like little hats, babies can get cold and you never want a baby to be too exposed to the harsh weather, even if it just a little chilly outside, a hat is a perfect solution for the baby to keep warm. Most of our body heat is released through our heads when the weather is cold, so to cover the babies little, probably hairless, or practically hairless head is a very good idea. The same applies with coats, a baby will need both heavy and light coats for the colder season.
Parents or guardians will want to have lots of blankets, burp rags etc. These are more items that are quickly dirtied and need to be washed frequently. So if you would like to go for an attire theme for your friend or family member’s baby shower, these are ideas that are very practical and very important, especially for a family without a whole lot of extra money to be throwing around on baby clothes.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on babies please visit Baby Baskets.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke
Baby Showers for Adoptive Parents
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We all hear about baby showers for expecting parents, but what about for adopting parents? An adoption baby shower is more than acceptable - it's encouraged! Adopting parents have the same needs as any other new parents would, but with a few minor considerations.
You should steer clear of planning a surprise celebration on the day the family brings their child home. This can be a very emotional time - the new parents and child (especially if the child is older) will need a period of adjustment. It is very important to be sensitive to their needs. In this case, delivering care packages and planning your celebration for a later date would be acceptable and appreciated. Be sure to talk with the new parents and find out what their wants and needs are before you set a shower date.
Your shower invitations should be sent out three to four weeks in advance, and should include the time, date, and location of the shower. Don't forget to set an RSVP date with your telephone number and address. If it is at all possible, include the child's birth date, as well as when he or she was officially adopted or welcomed into the home of his or her new parents. This will help your guests to pick age appropriate gifts. In the case of foreign adoptions, you could also add information about the birth country to inform your guests.
As with other baby showers, the theme for an adoption baby shower should be the same. However, if the child that was adopted is older, you should tailor your party to suit their age and favorite things. For example, a small girl might love everything that involves the Disney princesses and may go absolutely crazy over the color pink. In turn, an older boy may be fascinated by soccer and anything green. Don't be afraid to be a little creative to help make the party a special celebration to welcome the new child into your circle of family and friends!
Baby shower games are important too! However, stay away from games that are maternity-related. It's very important that you keep in mind that you are celebrating the gift of adoption. Your games help set the tone of the party, and should be mixed in with any other activity going on. An average shower lasts about two hours, so look at playing two to three party games. If the new parents are adopting an older child, make sure your games reflect that as well. One great adoption party activity is to organize a Welcome Book for the new child. Ask guests to bring pictures of themselves and their families to assemble into a scrapbook page they will create at the shower.
All of your shower decorations will naturally depend on the style, theme, and number of people attending. Balloons and streamers are standard, but there are a lot of creative and fun ideas to make the party extra-special. You're truly only limited by your imagination here.
If the adoption is an international one, you could use decorations that reflect the child's place of birth, and include recipes from his or her home country. For guests, it will be a learning experience.
As with decorations, party favors should match your shower theme and party size. Your favors can be used as place settings, prizes, or they can be handed out at the end of the party. A very popular idea for adoption showers is a special program for guests to keep. Written inside should be commitments to the child from his or her new parents, poems about love, family, and adoption, and prayers for the future.
When labeling your favor, keep in mind that your party is, again, in honor of an adoption, not a birth. Your wording on gift tags should reflect that.
Adoption is a very exciting time for the new parents. A baby shower or welcome party allows friends and family members to share in on the family's joy. When you host or even attend such a party, it is very important to know the needs and wants of the parents. Be sure to know ahead of time how old the child is. Find out if the parents have registered anywhere. Parents who are adopting should be reminded that they can actually register for older children as well as newborns.
By planning and hosting an adoption party, you are helping the new family formalize the acceptance of their child into their circle. You will be creating an occasion that will be documented for the child to look at in the future and remind them how much they were welcomed and loved from the start.
About the author:Amanda Baker writes for All Things Pondered:http://AllThingsPondered.com Circulated by Article Emporium
We all hear about baby showers for expecting parents, but what about for adopting parents? An adoption baby shower is more than acceptable - it's encouraged! Adopting parents have the same needs as any other new parents would, but with a few minor considerations.
You should steer clear of planning a surprise celebration on the day the family brings their child home. This can be a very emotional time - the new parents and child (especially if the child is older) will need a period of adjustment. It is very important to be sensitive to their needs. In this case, delivering care packages and planning your celebration for a later date would be acceptable and appreciated. Be sure to talk with the new parents and find out what their wants and needs are before you set a shower date.
Your shower invitations should be sent out three to four weeks in advance, and should include the time, date, and location of the shower. Don't forget to set an RSVP date with your telephone number and address. If it is at all possible, include the child's birth date, as well as when he or she was officially adopted or welcomed into the home of his or her new parents. This will help your guests to pick age appropriate gifts. In the case of foreign adoptions, you could also add information about the birth country to inform your guests.
As with other baby showers, the theme for an adoption baby shower should be the same. However, if the child that was adopted is older, you should tailor your party to suit their age and favorite things. For example, a small girl might love everything that involves the Disney princesses and may go absolutely crazy over the color pink. In turn, an older boy may be fascinated by soccer and anything green. Don't be afraid to be a little creative to help make the party a special celebration to welcome the new child into your circle of family and friends!
Baby shower games are important too! However, stay away from games that are maternity-related. It's very important that you keep in mind that you are celebrating the gift of adoption. Your games help set the tone of the party, and should be mixed in with any other activity going on. An average shower lasts about two hours, so look at playing two to three party games. If the new parents are adopting an older child, make sure your games reflect that as well. One great adoption party activity is to organize a Welcome Book for the new child. Ask guests to bring pictures of themselves and their families to assemble into a scrapbook page they will create at the shower.
All of your shower decorations will naturally depend on the style, theme, and number of people attending. Balloons and streamers are standard, but there are a lot of creative and fun ideas to make the party extra-special. You're truly only limited by your imagination here.
If the adoption is an international one, you could use decorations that reflect the child's place of birth, and include recipes from his or her home country. For guests, it will be a learning experience.
As with decorations, party favors should match your shower theme and party size. Your favors can be used as place settings, prizes, or they can be handed out at the end of the party. A very popular idea for adoption showers is a special program for guests to keep. Written inside should be commitments to the child from his or her new parents, poems about love, family, and adoption, and prayers for the future.
When labeling your favor, keep in mind that your party is, again, in honor of an adoption, not a birth. Your wording on gift tags should reflect that.
Adoption is a very exciting time for the new parents. A baby shower or welcome party allows friends and family members to share in on the family's joy. When you host or even attend such a party, it is very important to know the needs and wants of the parents. Be sure to know ahead of time how old the child is. Find out if the parents have registered anywhere. Parents who are adopting should be reminded that they can actually register for older children as well as newborns.
By planning and hosting an adoption party, you are helping the new family formalize the acceptance of their child into their circle. You will be creating an occasion that will be documented for the child to look at in the future and remind them how much they were welcomed and loved from the start.
About the author:Amanda Baker writes for All Things Pondered:http://AllThingsPondered.com Circulated by Article Emporium
Baby Gifts For First Birthday
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By Liang Zhang
Picture the scene, your sister's baby’s first birthday has arrived and you want to buy something special but you are stuck for ideas, you have thought about buying an item of jewelry a baby bracelet perhaps or clothing maybe a nice new dress or suit, but as you know the trouble with these items is that the baby will soon outgrow them.
Another idea that you have had is an investment fund but what with inflation such a gift would be worthless as time goes by. There is however one present that will always be frozen in time, one that is not only unusual but will last a lifetime and be a precious treasure.
The perfect birthday gift is a baby’s ink footprint kit.
A baby’s ink footprint kit makes a perfect gift and is sure to be a most welcomed surprise to the loving parents. These kits can be purchased from some high street retailers or online.
This sweet gift will allow the proud parents to preserve a piece of the baby's first year by capturing a perfect impression of their child's tiny foot. The better kits come with a nice little baby specific frame in which to place the finished prints. You will find kits with several types of frame, some of which allow two or three photos to be placed inside together, parents can place a “first birthday” photo or hand print as well as the foot print, or all of these items together and the frames also come in different colors, pink for girls and blue for boys..
There are several different types of footprint kits on the market, two of which are the "footprint frame plaster casting kit" and the "baby ink footprint kit".
The Footprint frame plasters casting kits.
These kits usually include step-by-step illustrated instructions which show you how to create a 3D plaster cast image of the baby’s foot, the casts do not require baking and will dry out in less than an hour. The plaster in most of these kits is colored and therefore you will not need to paint it, just be sure to buy one with the correct color i.e. pink for girls or blue for boys. Once dried the plaster cast can be mounted into the supplied glass fronted frame box, a good size to look for would be 12" x 15" inches, also remember to check that there is hanging hardware included. There is nothing worse than giving a present that has no batteries so to speak so be sure to check that the frame has the appropriate hanging accessories.
Baby ink footprint kit
The baby ink footprint kit is equally as easy to use, here you simply press the baby’s foot into the ink and then onto the supplied paper, the special ink used is easy to clean off with a baby wipe and a drop of baby oil. Warning do not attempt to use ordinary everyday ink for this, doing so could be a health risk to the baby. The kits come with special non toxic ink that is safe for new born babies as well as older children it will not stain their feet or cause any skin irritation although we do recommend that you seek medical advice before using if a child already suffers from any kind of skin complaint.
The baby's ink footprint image is perfect for scrapbooks, photo albums, framing and home-made birth announcements. They can also be scanned into a computer and by using specific software can create all sorts of items.
This is a birthday gift that you will not go wrong with.
© Zhang Sui Liang 2006For more information on baby ink footprint and baby hand print visit us at;Baby Ink FootprintBaby Hand and FootprintArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liang_Zhang
By Liang Zhang
Picture the scene, your sister's baby’s first birthday has arrived and you want to buy something special but you are stuck for ideas, you have thought about buying an item of jewelry a baby bracelet perhaps or clothing maybe a nice new dress or suit, but as you know the trouble with these items is that the baby will soon outgrow them.
Another idea that you have had is an investment fund but what with inflation such a gift would be worthless as time goes by. There is however one present that will always be frozen in time, one that is not only unusual but will last a lifetime and be a precious treasure.
The perfect birthday gift is a baby’s ink footprint kit.
A baby’s ink footprint kit makes a perfect gift and is sure to be a most welcomed surprise to the loving parents. These kits can be purchased from some high street retailers or online.
This sweet gift will allow the proud parents to preserve a piece of the baby's first year by capturing a perfect impression of their child's tiny foot. The better kits come with a nice little baby specific frame in which to place the finished prints. You will find kits with several types of frame, some of which allow two or three photos to be placed inside together, parents can place a “first birthday” photo or hand print as well as the foot print, or all of these items together and the frames also come in different colors, pink for girls and blue for boys..
There are several different types of footprint kits on the market, two of which are the "footprint frame plaster casting kit" and the "baby ink footprint kit".
The Footprint frame plasters casting kits.
These kits usually include step-by-step illustrated instructions which show you how to create a 3D plaster cast image of the baby’s foot, the casts do not require baking and will dry out in less than an hour. The plaster in most of these kits is colored and therefore you will not need to paint it, just be sure to buy one with the correct color i.e. pink for girls or blue for boys. Once dried the plaster cast can be mounted into the supplied glass fronted frame box, a good size to look for would be 12" x 15" inches, also remember to check that there is hanging hardware included. There is nothing worse than giving a present that has no batteries so to speak so be sure to check that the frame has the appropriate hanging accessories.
Baby ink footprint kit
The baby ink footprint kit is equally as easy to use, here you simply press the baby’s foot into the ink and then onto the supplied paper, the special ink used is easy to clean off with a baby wipe and a drop of baby oil. Warning do not attempt to use ordinary everyday ink for this, doing so could be a health risk to the baby. The kits come with special non toxic ink that is safe for new born babies as well as older children it will not stain their feet or cause any skin irritation although we do recommend that you seek medical advice before using if a child already suffers from any kind of skin complaint.
The baby's ink footprint image is perfect for scrapbooks, photo albums, framing and home-made birth announcements. They can also be scanned into a computer and by using specific software can create all sorts of items.
This is a birthday gift that you will not go wrong with.
© Zhang Sui Liang 2006For more information on baby ink footprint and baby hand print visit us at;Baby Ink FootprintBaby Hand and FootprintArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liang_Zhang
Baby Furniture - What Do You Really Need?
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By Heather Owens
Walking into a baby furniture store can be completely mind blowing - there's so much stuff! Most of us don't have an unlimited amount of money to spend, and if you've never had a baby before, it can be really hard to work out what's really necessary, useful, or basically a waste of time. If you're planning to set up a gift register at the store, you want to make sure the things you put on it are useful and practical. It's can all be incredibly confusing.
Let's take a look at some of the main items you're going to find in the baby store, so that you can have some idea of what baby furniture you really want or need before you even get to the store. That way you can focus on picking exactly which one you want, rather than messing about deciding whether you actually want or need it.
Baby Bassinet or Cradle
A bassinet or cradle is used from birth until around 4 months. Basically, if the baby can roll from side to side, it's time for baby to move up into a crib. Make sure the mattress fits snugly against the sides. You may even find that a padded bumper, sheets and quilt are included.
The bassinet probably falls somewhere in the middle between necessary and unnecessary. If you're on a budget, you can certainly go without one. Having said that, I loved my bassinet and wouldn't have been without it. It's so convenient to be able to move baby around. I generally let baby sleep in his own room during the day, and used a baby monitor, then at night wheeled baby's bassinet into my room. Mine could be rocked gently to help baby fall asleep, and because it was up on a stand, it was easy to life baby in and out - I was recovering from a caesarean.
So my advice would be - if you can fit a bassinet into your budget, do it. Perhaps it's an item that a few friends or family could buy for your baby shower.
Baby Crib or Cot
Some sort of secure bed for baby is definitely required. Spending a fortune buying one isn't required! You can buy cribs in a massive range of styles - with a huge range of price tags to match. Probably the main thing to look for is to make sure the crib adheres to the required safety standards. Check that the mattress fits snugly against the sides of the crib. Some other helpful features are: an adjustable base height, a couple of release mechanisms (not just one, in case baby learns how to do it!), lockable wheels, and no stickers that can be peeled off easily.
Crib Mattress
Many cribs include their own mattress, and that's probably the best option because it should fit the crib snugly. There are two types of mattress - inner spring/coil or foam. Generally, the innerspring style of mattress will last much longer, but is usually a little more expensive. It's worth buying some sort of waterproof mattress pad, to protect the mattress, but make sure it doesn't have any plastic on the side the baby will be sleeping on.
Bedding Accessories
This is an area where you can start to spend some serious dollars! It's very easy to get carried away with all the cute and gorgeous designs for baby bedding. Thankfully most cribs and bassinets use standard sizes, which makes things a little easier. One good strategy is to buy the necessary basics yourself, then put all the less necessary accessories on your baby shower gift register. Apart from the basic sheets, I've always liked to have a bumper for the top end of baby's bed - and make sure it ties on in multiple places, so more than one tie has to break before it can fall down. You should never use a pillow for baby, and even quilts or comforters aren't recommended - stick to ordinary blankets. You can also often get added extras, such as diaper stackers. Personally I've never found them of much use, but again, some of the extra might make good baby shower gifts.
Changing Table
If you're really strapped for cash, then you can probably make do with using your bed as a changing table, but if you can, this is something I highly recommend. Your back will certainly prefer it! My changing table was actually more like a set of dresser drawers, and nowadays, with the changing table part removed, it's still being used as drawers for my daughter's clothes. So it pays to think ahead and buy a changing table that's practical. Also look for safety features, such as guardrails and perhaps even safety straps. And of course it needs to be well padded! It's handy to have some sort of shelf where you can put items you're using, but personally I just put them down one end of the changing table and changed baby at the other end. Once baby got bigger, I used the top drawer.
Rocking Chair
This is definitely on the "maybe" list. A lot of women swear by them, but personally I never had one and it never bothered me in the slightest. So this is going to come down to personal preference and your budget. Having said that, you will need a comfortable chair to sit in, particularly if you're nursing your baby.
Portable Crib
This is one piece of baby furniture that got used a lot in my household! My son used to come to work with me when he was little, and I used a portable crib for his naps. It was great when I went to visit family and friends, because baby was familiar with it and happy to have a nap when the time came. I also didn't have to worry about baby rolling off someone's bed. It meant that we could go on holidays and know that baby had somewhere safe and familiar to sleep. I used mine so much that I ended up having to buy a second one when my daughter came along! It's important, though, to spend some time making sure the portable crib you choose is well constructed and safe. Make sure it can't collapse easily, particularly if baby tries to climb out. Check there are no small spaces where fingers could get trapped, and a collapsible padded base is very helpful.
High Chair
A high chair rates very close to the essential end of the scale. The good news is that you don't need one straight away, so you can put off buying it until quite a few months after baby is born. Look for an adjustable tray, restraints of some kind and perhaps even lockable rolling casters. Some models also have a reclining seat, so you can use it even when baby is still bottle feeding.
Car Seat
This is definitely essential - apart from ensuring your baby's safety, you're breaking the law in most places if you don't have one. Newborns must travel in the back seat of the car, facing the rear. Once baby is older, usually closer to 1 year old, you can place baby in a forward facing car seat. When your child is older again, anywhere from 2 years upwards depending on their size, you can change over to a booster seat.
The major decision you'll have here is whether to buy separate, specially designed car seats for baby and then your toddler, or whether to buy a convertible model. Personally I always had 2 separate car seats, mostly because all the consumer safety research I'd seen suggested that a specifically designed car seat was more effective in an accident. Thankfully I never tested that theory out! Construction and safety levels are constantly improving, however, so if buying a convertible model is where your budget is, that's okay too.
Strollers
This is another baby item where there seems to be too many choices. First you have to decide which style of stroller you want, before even looking at individual brands. At some point you are going to want to transport your baby, so you will need to buy something. You need to start by having a long, hard think about what you expect your movements to be with your baby. Do you plan to take baby jogging with you? Go over rougher terrain regularly? Or will you probably only put baby in a stroller at the shops? Do you want a pram that can later be converted into a stroller?
Once you have an idea what type of things you'll need to use your stroller for, a salesperson at the baby store should be able to guide you in the right direction. You then need to think about what added features you might like - accessory bars, toy and activity bars, headrests, adjustable height, rain shields etc.
Choosing the right stroller is probably going to take you a while!
Baby Monitor
A baby monitor probably isn't necessary, but I always found it was great for peace of mind. It meant I could be off in another part of the house doing something, but still be monitoring my baby's nap. Prices vary a lot, but it's probably better to choose your monitor based on the features you're going to need, rather than price. If you're going to move around a lot, make sure your monitor is portable. Do you want batteries or mains power? Do you want video monitoring as well?
Bouncer Seat
Again, this isn't necessary, but it's very useful! Babies love to watch everything that's going on around them, and it's much easier for them if they're raised slightly from the horizontal. You can buy all sorts of fancy bouncer seats, with everything from toy bars to battery operated bouncing. I only ever had a very basic fabric bouncer, and most of the time the toy bar wasn't even attached. Both my kids loved them, and the good thing was that I always knew where they were! Very handy, particularly when I was cooking dinner. The main thing to remember is that you should NEVER place a bouncer seat on a raised surface, they should always be placed on the floor or ground.
Discover more about getting ready for baby's arrival at Info About Baby You can sign up for a FREE Baby Tips newsletter at Baby Tips Newsletter. The author's book about babies is available at Baby's First YearArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Owens
By Heather Owens
Walking into a baby furniture store can be completely mind blowing - there's so much stuff! Most of us don't have an unlimited amount of money to spend, and if you've never had a baby before, it can be really hard to work out what's really necessary, useful, or basically a waste of time. If you're planning to set up a gift register at the store, you want to make sure the things you put on it are useful and practical. It's can all be incredibly confusing.
Let's take a look at some of the main items you're going to find in the baby store, so that you can have some idea of what baby furniture you really want or need before you even get to the store. That way you can focus on picking exactly which one you want, rather than messing about deciding whether you actually want or need it.
Baby Bassinet or Cradle
A bassinet or cradle is used from birth until around 4 months. Basically, if the baby can roll from side to side, it's time for baby to move up into a crib. Make sure the mattress fits snugly against the sides. You may even find that a padded bumper, sheets and quilt are included.
The bassinet probably falls somewhere in the middle between necessary and unnecessary. If you're on a budget, you can certainly go without one. Having said that, I loved my bassinet and wouldn't have been without it. It's so convenient to be able to move baby around. I generally let baby sleep in his own room during the day, and used a baby monitor, then at night wheeled baby's bassinet into my room. Mine could be rocked gently to help baby fall asleep, and because it was up on a stand, it was easy to life baby in and out - I was recovering from a caesarean.
So my advice would be - if you can fit a bassinet into your budget, do it. Perhaps it's an item that a few friends or family could buy for your baby shower.
Baby Crib or Cot
Some sort of secure bed for baby is definitely required. Spending a fortune buying one isn't required! You can buy cribs in a massive range of styles - with a huge range of price tags to match. Probably the main thing to look for is to make sure the crib adheres to the required safety standards. Check that the mattress fits snugly against the sides of the crib. Some other helpful features are: an adjustable base height, a couple of release mechanisms (not just one, in case baby learns how to do it!), lockable wheels, and no stickers that can be peeled off easily.
Crib Mattress
Many cribs include their own mattress, and that's probably the best option because it should fit the crib snugly. There are two types of mattress - inner spring/coil or foam. Generally, the innerspring style of mattress will last much longer, but is usually a little more expensive. It's worth buying some sort of waterproof mattress pad, to protect the mattress, but make sure it doesn't have any plastic on the side the baby will be sleeping on.
Bedding Accessories
This is an area where you can start to spend some serious dollars! It's very easy to get carried away with all the cute and gorgeous designs for baby bedding. Thankfully most cribs and bassinets use standard sizes, which makes things a little easier. One good strategy is to buy the necessary basics yourself, then put all the less necessary accessories on your baby shower gift register. Apart from the basic sheets, I've always liked to have a bumper for the top end of baby's bed - and make sure it ties on in multiple places, so more than one tie has to break before it can fall down. You should never use a pillow for baby, and even quilts or comforters aren't recommended - stick to ordinary blankets. You can also often get added extras, such as diaper stackers. Personally I've never found them of much use, but again, some of the extra might make good baby shower gifts.
Changing Table
If you're really strapped for cash, then you can probably make do with using your bed as a changing table, but if you can, this is something I highly recommend. Your back will certainly prefer it! My changing table was actually more like a set of dresser drawers, and nowadays, with the changing table part removed, it's still being used as drawers for my daughter's clothes. So it pays to think ahead and buy a changing table that's practical. Also look for safety features, such as guardrails and perhaps even safety straps. And of course it needs to be well padded! It's handy to have some sort of shelf where you can put items you're using, but personally I just put them down one end of the changing table and changed baby at the other end. Once baby got bigger, I used the top drawer.
Rocking Chair
This is definitely on the "maybe" list. A lot of women swear by them, but personally I never had one and it never bothered me in the slightest. So this is going to come down to personal preference and your budget. Having said that, you will need a comfortable chair to sit in, particularly if you're nursing your baby.
Portable Crib
This is one piece of baby furniture that got used a lot in my household! My son used to come to work with me when he was little, and I used a portable crib for his naps. It was great when I went to visit family and friends, because baby was familiar with it and happy to have a nap when the time came. I also didn't have to worry about baby rolling off someone's bed. It meant that we could go on holidays and know that baby had somewhere safe and familiar to sleep. I used mine so much that I ended up having to buy a second one when my daughter came along! It's important, though, to spend some time making sure the portable crib you choose is well constructed and safe. Make sure it can't collapse easily, particularly if baby tries to climb out. Check there are no small spaces where fingers could get trapped, and a collapsible padded base is very helpful.
High Chair
A high chair rates very close to the essential end of the scale. The good news is that you don't need one straight away, so you can put off buying it until quite a few months after baby is born. Look for an adjustable tray, restraints of some kind and perhaps even lockable rolling casters. Some models also have a reclining seat, so you can use it even when baby is still bottle feeding.
Car Seat
This is definitely essential - apart from ensuring your baby's safety, you're breaking the law in most places if you don't have one. Newborns must travel in the back seat of the car, facing the rear. Once baby is older, usually closer to 1 year old, you can place baby in a forward facing car seat. When your child is older again, anywhere from 2 years upwards depending on their size, you can change over to a booster seat.
The major decision you'll have here is whether to buy separate, specially designed car seats for baby and then your toddler, or whether to buy a convertible model. Personally I always had 2 separate car seats, mostly because all the consumer safety research I'd seen suggested that a specifically designed car seat was more effective in an accident. Thankfully I never tested that theory out! Construction and safety levels are constantly improving, however, so if buying a convertible model is where your budget is, that's okay too.
Strollers
This is another baby item where there seems to be too many choices. First you have to decide which style of stroller you want, before even looking at individual brands. At some point you are going to want to transport your baby, so you will need to buy something. You need to start by having a long, hard think about what you expect your movements to be with your baby. Do you plan to take baby jogging with you? Go over rougher terrain regularly? Or will you probably only put baby in a stroller at the shops? Do you want a pram that can later be converted into a stroller?
Once you have an idea what type of things you'll need to use your stroller for, a salesperson at the baby store should be able to guide you in the right direction. You then need to think about what added features you might like - accessory bars, toy and activity bars, headrests, adjustable height, rain shields etc.
Choosing the right stroller is probably going to take you a while!
Baby Monitor
A baby monitor probably isn't necessary, but I always found it was great for peace of mind. It meant I could be off in another part of the house doing something, but still be monitoring my baby's nap. Prices vary a lot, but it's probably better to choose your monitor based on the features you're going to need, rather than price. If you're going to move around a lot, make sure your monitor is portable. Do you want batteries or mains power? Do you want video monitoring as well?
Bouncer Seat
Again, this isn't necessary, but it's very useful! Babies love to watch everything that's going on around them, and it's much easier for them if they're raised slightly from the horizontal. You can buy all sorts of fancy bouncer seats, with everything from toy bars to battery operated bouncing. I only ever had a very basic fabric bouncer, and most of the time the toy bar wasn't even attached. Both my kids loved them, and the good thing was that I always knew where they were! Very handy, particularly when I was cooking dinner. The main thing to remember is that you should NEVER place a bouncer seat on a raised surface, they should always be placed on the floor or ground.
Discover more about getting ready for baby's arrival at Info About Baby You can sign up for a FREE Baby Tips newsletter at Baby Tips Newsletter. The author's book about babies is available at Baby's First YearArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Owens
Baby and Toddler - Safety Devices
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By Michael Russell
Every year, 2½ million kids are hurt by hazards in the home. Parents can prevent these accidents by using a few precautions. Keep in mind that any safety device you buy should be very sturdy and you should read all the directions first. If you have older kids in the house show them how to re-latch the safety device and make sure they do it each time. Nothing is 100% childproof; a very determined child can disable them. You could have a professional come in and childproof your home, but you can do it much cheaper. It is not hard to find safety devices at a hardware stores, baby store or just about anywhere.
Use safety latches on your cabinets that contain cleaning products. You can use these latches in the kitchen, bathroom and on drawers that keep knives and other sharp objects. These latches should be easy to install and sturdy enough so when a child tugs on it, it will not open easily. These latches make it much more difficult for a child to get to things that are unsafe and hopefully they get discouraged trying after a while.
Safety gates are a must if you have stairs in the home. These gates can help prevent falls down the stairs. For the top of the stairs, gates that screw into the wall are best because they are more secure. Gates can also keep children away from rooms that are unsafe for them. Make sure it is a gate that you can open easily. All the new gates must meet guidelines set by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Make sure none of your old gates d have "V" shapes that are large enough for your child's headto fit into. This could be a choking/strangulation hazard.
The use of door knob cover and door locks will help to prevent children from getting into rooms that are dangerous or hazardous like swimming pools. The knob cover should be sturdy enough not to break, but easy enough for an adult to open if they need to open it in a hurry. Do not rely on self latching locks to prevent children from entering the pool area. A lock should be placed high and out of reach, a lock that you need to secure each time.
One of the safety devices that you need to use may require the professional help of a plumber. A plumber may be required to install anti-scald devices. Set your hot water temperature to 120 degrees. You may want to consider using anti-scald devices for your shower heads or faucets.
There is one safety device that is a must, but surprisingly not used often enough. Smoke detectors need to be installed on every floor of your house and near bedrooms that you sleep in. You need to check your smoke detectors once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Some people use the daylight savings time to remind them to change their batteries. You may want to use a ten year battery, just make sure you check it monthly.
To help prevent falls from windows, use window guards and safety netting. This can help prevent very serious falls. Window screens are not effective at all in preventing falls Check and make sure that there are no more than four inches between the bars on the window guard. Make sure you have at least one window in each room accessible in case of fire.
Bumpers made for the table corners and edges are used to prevent injuries from a fall near the table. It will help soften the fall. Make sure they stay securely on the furniture or table.
Outlet covers and outlet plates are best in preventing accidental electrocution. Make sure that they can not be easily removed by children. Outlet plates are a little more expensive but it is more difficult for children to get an electrical shock.
Along with smoke detectors, you should get a carbon monoxide detector. Place these outside bedrooms. Households that should use these detectors are homes that have gas or oil heat and houses with attached garages.
You need to cut or use safety tassels or inner cord stops to help prevent children from accidentally strangling in blind cord loops. On the older miniblinds you need to cut the cord loop and remove the buckle and put safety tassels on them.
Using a cordless phone will make it easier to watch your children if they are in potentially dangerous areas like pools or bathtubs. Or you can just not answer the phone until you are in a situation that you can talk freely.
Michael Russell
Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
By Michael Russell
Every year, 2½ million kids are hurt by hazards in the home. Parents can prevent these accidents by using a few precautions. Keep in mind that any safety device you buy should be very sturdy and you should read all the directions first. If you have older kids in the house show them how to re-latch the safety device and make sure they do it each time. Nothing is 100% childproof; a very determined child can disable them. You could have a professional come in and childproof your home, but you can do it much cheaper. It is not hard to find safety devices at a hardware stores, baby store or just about anywhere.
Use safety latches on your cabinets that contain cleaning products. You can use these latches in the kitchen, bathroom and on drawers that keep knives and other sharp objects. These latches should be easy to install and sturdy enough so when a child tugs on it, it will not open easily. These latches make it much more difficult for a child to get to things that are unsafe and hopefully they get discouraged trying after a while.
Safety gates are a must if you have stairs in the home. These gates can help prevent falls down the stairs. For the top of the stairs, gates that screw into the wall are best because they are more secure. Gates can also keep children away from rooms that are unsafe for them. Make sure it is a gate that you can open easily. All the new gates must meet guidelines set by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Make sure none of your old gates d have "V" shapes that are large enough for your child's headto fit into. This could be a choking/strangulation hazard.
The use of door knob cover and door locks will help to prevent children from getting into rooms that are dangerous or hazardous like swimming pools. The knob cover should be sturdy enough not to break, but easy enough for an adult to open if they need to open it in a hurry. Do not rely on self latching locks to prevent children from entering the pool area. A lock should be placed high and out of reach, a lock that you need to secure each time.
One of the safety devices that you need to use may require the professional help of a plumber. A plumber may be required to install anti-scald devices. Set your hot water temperature to 120 degrees. You may want to consider using anti-scald devices for your shower heads or faucets.
There is one safety device that is a must, but surprisingly not used often enough. Smoke detectors need to be installed on every floor of your house and near bedrooms that you sleep in. You need to check your smoke detectors once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Some people use the daylight savings time to remind them to change their batteries. You may want to use a ten year battery, just make sure you check it monthly.
To help prevent falls from windows, use window guards and safety netting. This can help prevent very serious falls. Window screens are not effective at all in preventing falls Check and make sure that there are no more than four inches between the bars on the window guard. Make sure you have at least one window in each room accessible in case of fire.
Bumpers made for the table corners and edges are used to prevent injuries from a fall near the table. It will help soften the fall. Make sure they stay securely on the furniture or table.
Outlet covers and outlet plates are best in preventing accidental electrocution. Make sure that they can not be easily removed by children. Outlet plates are a little more expensive but it is more difficult for children to get an electrical shock.
Along with smoke detectors, you should get a carbon monoxide detector. Place these outside bedrooms. Households that should use these detectors are homes that have gas or oil heat and houses with attached garages.
You need to cut or use safety tassels or inner cord stops to help prevent children from accidentally strangling in blind cord loops. On the older miniblinds you need to cut the cord loop and remove the buckle and put safety tassels on them.
Using a cordless phone will make it easier to watch your children if they are in potentially dangerous areas like pools or bathtubs. Or you can just not answer the phone until you are in a situation that you can talk freely.
Michael Russell
Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
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