Winning the Candy Wars
August 24, 2007
Winning the Candy Wars
by: Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller
Our children are being bombarded with candy from every direction. Chocolate bars, gum, suckers, and assorted gummy candies line the checkout lanes in grocery stores. School fundraisers sell candy bars, cookies, and brownies in the hallways during lunch hours. Every mall, skating rink, soccer complex, movie theater, and even the video store has a place to buy candy.
And then there is the holidays. Halloween trick or treat bags bulge with every kind of candy imaginable. Christmas stockings are topped with bubble gum and chocolate bars. Valentine messages are stamped on candy hearts and boxes of candy are the staple of communicating love. Easter baskets overflow with jellybeans and chocolate bunnies.
Candy is everywhere and its presence wreaking havoc on our children’s teeth and waist lines. Children are visiting the dentist with serious tooth decay at younger and younger ages every year. Obesity in children is a national concern.
With candy being universally available and regularly within sight of children, what is a parent to do? How do you combat its influence on your children? How do you lessen the influence of advertisers and get candy consumption under control in your family? How can you win the candy wars?
How to Cope with Colic
August 24, 2007
How to Cope with Colic
by: Monica Faircloth
When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor night and day, rocking and swaddling, singing and even crying…anything to make my new little miracle stop her endless crying. Well, everyone told me she just had colic and that it would pass. And, alas, pass it did, however I wish that I would have known then what I know now.
There are many theories about the causes of colic. Many believe that it is breastfeeding that causes it. “Either you are eating something that is not suited to her little tummy or you must be feeding her too much..” they will tell you. Well, maybe. Others believe that bottle fed babies are allergic to the formula. “Switch his formula and he will be just fine…” they will tell you. Well, yes that could be it too. Some will say it is gas or an immature nervous system. Maybe. And the list goes on and on.
Child Safety- Does Your Dog Have More Identification Than Your Child?
August 23, 2007
Child Safety- Does Your Dog Have More Identification Than Your Child?
by: Scott Irwin
Take a moment and think about it. When you consider the fact that, as adults, we would never consider leaving the house without our id. We spend thousands on home and car alarms, we are even protecting our family pets with microchips; however, our most cherished possessions, our children, leave home without any identification.
Here are some questions:
- Have you taken the time to record your child’s fingerprints, gather a hair sample for DNA purposes, record all his/her specific identification, including specific identifying features and a photograph of your child in a Child ID kit? If so, is it up to date?
- In the event of a motor vehicle accident, in which you have been rendered unconscious, do the emergency medical professionals have a quick way of accessing your child’s specific medical history, including your child’s blood type, medical provider, allergies, any medications they may be taking at the time, or, even your family’s doctor’s name and phone number?
Four Problems and Solutions on Feeding Your Newborn
August 23, 2007
Parents always want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, there is nothing like breast milk. Although it’s sound so easy to give breast milk to baby, for some women, there are always problems. Here are some problems that might happen and the best solutions you might want to try if you face such problems below:
1. Problem: A common problem that majority of the moms comes across while breastfeeding is difficulty in positioning the baby and getting the baby to “latch on” to the breast correctly.
Solution: This problem generally arises when mother’s breasts are fully engorged with milk. Engorgement makes the breast hard and flattens the nipples so the baby has nothing to latch on. The methods that help reduce engorgement will soften the breast allowing the nipple to protrude. An easy way to solve to reduce engorgement is to nurse the baby as frequently as possible. You may also consider expressing the milk using electric or hand pumps. The expressed milk can be refrigerated and fed to the baby later on. Wearing nipple shields half an hour before feeding the baby may also make the nipples protrude. If this problem still persists, you may squeeze the end of breast lightly and offer the nipple to baby.
Baby Monitors Explained
August 23, 2007
Baby Monitors Explained
by: Helen Walters
Baby monitors are an essential part of baby gear. When you have the baby asleep in the crib, you don’t have to keep constantly checking to make sure that he/she is all right when you have a baby monitor. You have one part of the monitor in the nursery and the other in the same room of the house where you are. Every move and sound that the baby makes come through the speaker so it is almost like you are in the same room.
The transmitters in the monitors work best when they are within 10 feet of the baby. This is why you should have the monitor on a nightstand near the crib, but yet you don’t need to have them so close that when the baby gets older, he/she can reach out and touch it. You can carry the receiver with you or leave it plugged in by your bed during the night. The basic models have a switch you use to turn them on and off and to adjust the volume. You can also use batteries when you want to take the receiver with you, rather than having to plug it into an outlet in each room.
The Valentine Gift Every Child Wants
August 23, 2007
The Valentine Gift Every Child Wants
by: Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller
Valentines Day Is fast approaching. Love in the air. It’s time to find that perfect gift that will express the way you feel about your loved ones.
What about your children? What Valentines gift will you present to them this year? Will you demonstrate your love with the traditional box of their favorite candy or a colorful red rose? Or will you purchase a new video game? Perhaps a card with a hand written note will be the way you’ll express your affection to them this year.
Certainly love can be expressed with candy, flowers, notes or gifts. But is that what your child really wants or needs? Are those the things you want your child to associate with love? How about taking a different tact this year? This Valentines Day, why not spell love the same way your child does: T-I-M-E.
Yes, we’re suggesting you give your child the gift of time, your time. Make a commitment this Valentines Day to be the best parent you can be by being present in your child’s life on a regular basis. Your presence or lack of presence is constantly sending your children messages about their importance and about your love.
Tired Of The Mess? Tips To Keep Your Child’s Room Neat
August 22, 2007
Tired Of The Mess? Tips To Keep Your Child’s Room Neat
by: Reba Collins
Wanting your child to be organized and stay safe is an innate desire for parents. But sometimes, your kids don’t see it that way. All your kids want to do is play, play and play some more! If you’re having a hard time keeping your child’s room clean and organized, read on for some tips to help you achieve your goal.
Make the room efficient. Make use of small drawers and cabinets where you can put your child’s belongings. Utilize anything that fits the design or budget. The easier it to access, the better chance that it will be used.
For toddlers, hanging their clothes on small hangers on a low hung rod can help them choose their outfit and help them to feel like they are making their own decisions. These feelings help them to start to “like” how things work, and as they grow they will “like” having their clothes hung.
Baby Sleep Tips - Feeding During The Day
August 22, 2007
Baby Sleep Tips - Feeding During The Day
by: Brandon C. Hall
Every parent of a newborn will inevitably deal with many sleepless nights. Babies, of course, have many needs, and when they awake in the night they will cry for their mothers. One of your most important tasks as a parent is to establish good sleeping habits in your child. Every baby must go through a transition where he adjusts from sleeping with his mother to sleeping on his own. This is a natural transition of course, and takes some time, but there are things you can do to expedite the process. Not only will this help your child develop better sleep habits, it will allow you to get some much needed rest.
Many baby sleep tips exist, and every parent would be well advised to research many different baby sleep tips. It is important to keep in mind, however, that no baby sleep tip should be considered hard and fast rules. As a parent, your instincts know best, and when you are in doubt in regards to baby sleep tips remind yourself of this fact. Many first time parents experience insecurity in terms of whether their decisions and strategies are correct, and while you shouldn’t be uninformed, you should always view baby sleep tips through the lens of your own parental instincts.
What Happens When During the Baby Shower?
August 22, 2007
To be precise, anything can happen anytime as long as everyone enjoys it. There is no right way or wrong way-anything goes well. But the idea should be to make everyone comfortable and make the mom-to-be feel proud and happy at her shower.
Showers are a great tradition to congratulate the new mom and her family, shower her with lots of gifts and blessings. Games are lots of fun and especially good to play if guests do not know each other well. In that case games act as a big icebreaker. Typically, three to five games are played at a baby shower, depending on how much time each baby shower game takes. The winner of each game sometimes is given a small gift from the hostess as a prize.
Basic Tips And Hints:
- Be prepared! Have enough pens, pencils, erasers and paper on hand for any game you decide to play.
- If it is a couples shower, include the games that men and women both can enjoy.
- Try to include the party games that mom-to-be can participate in from her cozy chair.
- Have gifts for the winners such as: scented candles, potpourri, crystal vases, picture frames, address books, day planners, movie passes, plants, coffee mugs, gourmet coffee, hand mirrors, bath soaps, flowers, etc.
Although the traditional showers were "ladies only" celebrations, these days men are also being included. The baby shower is usually held about 4-6 weeks before or after the birth. Literally there are no specific guidelines to celebrate the baby party, just plan what you think everyone will enjoy.
Baby Sleep Tips - Some Tricks For The Transition
August 22, 2007
Baby Sleep Tips - Some Tricks For The Transition
by: Brandon C. Hall
As a new parent, one of your priorities will be to establish good sleeping habits with your newborn. Your baby needs to learn to sleep on his own; the transition from sleeping with his mother to sleeping by himself takes some time. Of course, as add added bonus, if you get your baby to learn to sleep on his own you will also get some much needed rest yourself. To instill good sleeping habits in your baby, research and try to employ different baby sleep tips: try a lot of things and see what works for you, and don’t be afraid to trust your instincts.
Many baby sleep tips center on the idea of establishing routines and associations for your child between nighttime and sleep. The sooner you child begins to associate bedtime with sleep, the more likely he is to be able to go to sleep without a fuss. A period that is often overlooked, however, in establishing day vs. night associations, is the period of “transition” - that is, the one between being awake and falling asleep. Here are some transitioning techniques to try:
