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.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deanna_Mascle
Checklist and Guidance for Children with Sensory Needs
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Teaching Your Kids about Money
Return to All ArticlesBy Morgan JamesYou 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
5 Parenting Tips To Help Your Child Get More Exercise
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Parents
Return to All ArticlesBy Jim BrackinDespite 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!
Return to All ArticlesBy Alexandra GolonIf 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.orgArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexandra_Golon
Crying Baby - What Does He Want?
Return to All ArticlesBy 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.
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Parenting Tips On Getting Your Child To Take Medicine They Hate
Return to All ArticlesBy Robin ReckardAs 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
Return to All ArticlesCarol 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.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Boles
Parenting: Top Speaker Notes One Reason "Mad Dads" Overreact At Their Kids' Ballgames
Return to All ArticlesDr. Gary S. GoodmanWhy 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
Return to All ArticlesBy Gail LeinoWhen 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
Nature Takes Care of Baby's Wholesome Nutrition
Return to All ArticlesBy 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?
Return to All Articles(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
Return to All ArticlesBy 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!
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Return to All ArticlesThink 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
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Return to All ArticlesPeople 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?
Return to All ArticlesSo 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
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Return to All ArticlesWe 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
Return to All ArticlesBy 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?
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Baby and Toddler - Safety Devices
Return to All ArticlesBy 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. Michael Russell
Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Baby and Toddler - Safety Devices
Return to All ArticlesBy 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. Michael Russell
Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Baby and Toddler - Safety Devices
Return to All ArticlesBy 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. Michael Russell
Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Baby and Toddler - Safety Devices
Return to All ArticlesBy 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. Michael Russell
Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Baby and Toddler - Safety Devices
Return to All ArticlesBy 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
Why I Hate An Ear Infection
Return to All ArticlesBy Analeese Burnabaker Anyone who has experienced the privilege and the fear of bringing a new baby home from the hospital knows what a mixture of emotions you experience as a new parent with the responsibility and joys of having a new addition to your family. Only new parents know what it is truly like to have a lack of sleep and what it feels like to know that you were directly responsible for bringing a new life into the world. There is no greater joy in all of life than having a new baby, and yet there is perhaps nothing that is scarier as well. One of the things I hate the most about having an infant in the house is the inevitable ear infections that come with it. I have brought five children home from the hospital in the past ten years, and I have also been around when many friends and my sisters have brought their new babies home to stay. We have all experienced the unmatched joy of adding a new life into the family, but we have also experienced the fears and the frustrations that come when our precious babies get sick and we aren't sure what to do about it. My first experience with an ear infection came just a month after my oldest daughter was born. I wasn't sure that she had an ear infection at first, but all I knew was that she was more sensitive than before and that she cried way more than just when she was hungry. I let it go for a couple of days, thinking perhaps this was just a stage she was going through. When the crying became worse and more consistent and she seemed to be getting even more sensitive with each hour, I made a few calls to my mother, my sisters and then finally my daughter's doctor. I got the same response from all of them: it sounded like my little daughter was experiecing her first ear infection. I made an appointment to bring my daughter Ava into the doctor's office that afternoon. Until then, I tried everything possible to soothe what I now knew was a cry caused by great pain. We walked, I sang, I gave her massages, but nothing seemed to help her pain now. Our doctor's appointment later that day confirmed that she had not just one ear infection, but that she had in fact a double ear infection in one ear and a single ear infection in the other. Of course, being a new mother I wondered what I had done to cause this problem. When the doctor and later my mother assured me that I had done nothing wrong, I began to feel better as my little girl began to feel better with the help of her meds. I'll tell you, having a child with an ear infection is one of the scariest things as a parent. Get good information about the warning signs from your doctor and monitor your children carefully from the beginning. About the Author: Analeese Burnabaker is a busy author andmother of five. She writes to inform other parents about healthissues such as ear infections. Seehttp://www.allearinfection.info for help on dealing with yourchild's ear infection.Source: http://www.isnare.com
Hypothermia or The Inability to Maintain Body Heat and Your Premature Baby
Return to All ArticlesBy Sjona Lindquist Hypothermia or the “Inability to Maintain Body Heat” is a common problem with premature babies, and hypothermia is defined as “abnormally low body temperature”. A premature baby’s response to decreasing body temperature is a slower heart rate, dropping blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, passing out, and eventually death. Other normal responses to hypothermia such as shivering, mental confusion, and memory loss are not detected in a premature baby because her body is not mature enough to have these responses. A premature baby may shiver, but many times they will not because of an under-developed shivering response. The reason a premature baby has such a difficult time keeping her own body warm is due to a low percentage of body fat, an immature neurological system, fragile skin, and a poor metabolism. As these body systems mature, the risk to your premature baby decreases significantly. The simple solution to hypothermia is warming the premature baby up, and making sure her body temperature remains at the normal temperature of 98.6. An isolette or an incubator is used to keep your premature baby warm, and these enclosed warming beds are designed to keep all drafts away from your baby until she is able to maintain her own body temperature. Sometimes a radiant heater is used to keep your premature baby warm. When your baby reaches about 4 ½ pounds (2,000 grams), she can be moved out of her warm enclosed bed to an open hospital crib. Weight gain is an important goal because this increases your premature baby’s body fat, and this in turn holds the heat from escaping your baby’s body. There are two kinds of body fat that are important to your premature baby. The most important one is brown body fat because this fat actually helps to produce body the heat that your premature baby needs. The other fat, white fat, is important too because it holds the heat in that is produced by the brown body fat. A premature baby, even one “old enough” to go home, will not be allowed to leave the hospital until she can maintain a normal body temperature. This is a safeguard to insure that your premature baby will not have problems from hypothermia. When your premature baby has reached this milestone, she can maintain her body temperature from this point onward. Sjona Lindquist is a mom of 6 (1 angel) and she owns and operates BabyLinq.com Preemie Store. BabyLinq.com Preemie Store is a resource site and specialty shop for parents of premature babies. Lindquist's daughter was stillborn from a Strep B infection due to PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes). In honor of her daughter, Michaela, she offers preemie support, bereavement support, and preemie clothes. Some of the products include micro target="_new" preemie clothes, preemie bereavement gowns, and Preemie dresses. If a new preemie has entered your life or someone you love, drop by and visit us! BabyLinq.com Preemie StoreArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sjona_Lindquist
Colic - It Can Drive You Crazy
Return to All ArticlesBy Heather Owens Colic is one of those mysteries that still hasn't been solved. Nobody really knows what causes it, and there's no "one size fits all" cure for it either. All of which means that if you have a colicky baby, the lack of certainty about what's wrong and how to fix it can drive you crazy! My first baby never had colic, but when my daughter came along - I suddenly discovered the joys of colic in a big way. Evenings were the worst time for her - basically when I needed to be getting the evening meal organised, eaten, cleaned up and hopefully then sit down and enjoy some peace and quiet with my husband once my son went to bed. All those nice, quiet, orderly things went out the window! It didn't just affect me, it affected everyone. The good news is that the crying does eventually stop, and even the colic does eventually stop. But have a crying baby is tough to cope with at the best of times, and when you're already tired and maybe a bit frazzled from a busy day, it's very hard indeed. Here are some tips that many parents have found useful in either settling a colicky baby to sleep, or at the very least useful in reducing the level of crying. 1) Go for a walk with your baby. Holding baby either up against your shoulder or on your chest are both good positions. Quite often a lot of crying causes gas, so if nothing else you may help to release the gas and so reduce some of baby's discomfort. For very young babies, the sound of your heart beating is often quite soothing, and can help relax them. 2) Go outside for a walk. Grab the pram or stroller, and go for a walk. Babies love to see new things, so the distraction provided by a walk around the block may be helpful. The regular motion of the stroller can also help to relax baby. 3) Rocking. It doesn't matter what you use, whether it's a rocking chair you sit in together, rock baby's bassinet, or bounce baby's bouncer seat. The rhythmic motion is great for soothing a colicky baby. Again, holding baby against your chest while you rock in a chair helps because baby can hear your heartbeat. 4) Go for a drive. Okay, I always felt a bit silly driving around and going nowhere in particular, and I have to say that initially, if my daughter was still screaming, it wasn't much fun, either. But although I tried to only resort to driving when I was really struggling to cope, it certainly was effective. Most babies can't resist the urge to fall asleep when they're in a car. 5) Music. Babies love music, so start singing, or even turn on a radio or TV. Music often soothes a crying baby, particularly lullabies. Some babies show a marked preference for a particular musical style, and even if it doesn't send them off to sleep, may help distract them enough to stop crying. 6) Sucking. This method worked very well for my daughter - she wanted to suck something. At first I thought she was hungry, and so tried to nurse her some more, but my maternal health nurse said that could actually be making things worse. So she suggested a pacifier. My daughter would never take a pacifier any other time, but when she had colic in the evenings, she really seemed to feel better when she could suck on the pacifier. Once she stopped getting colic, she never wanted it again. I think by then her thumb had taken over too! Hopefully out of all these ideas, you'll find one or two that will help to either soothe your baby or send baby to sleep. And remember - at some point colic does go away. Make sure you keep your health care professional informed about the colic, because if it goes on for too long, it may be necessary to check for other causes. Also, if at any point the crying really is driving you crazy, to the point where you can't cope any more - it's vital to take time out. Hand baby over to your spouse or a trusted family member or friend. If you really don't have any other option, make sure baby is in a safe place (i.e. the crib), shut the door, and walk away for five minutes. It's better to do that than to go over the edge. Always remember that you're not alone - talk to people you trust, and you may well find out that they had a colicky baby too. There are websites that can give you more information, or perhaps a forum where you can meet other parents going through the same thing. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself, believing that somehow it's your fault - it's not. For more information about baby colic, go to 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
Autism: What Causes It, And Can It Be Cured?
Return to All ArticlesAutism is a disorder that is affecting more and more children. But many autistic children have been able to lead normal lives. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by abnormal social interaction, communication ability, interest patterns, and behavior patterns. Autism is found to occur due to the vulnerability to environmental triggers displayed by the human genes. Seven major genes have been identified to be related to autism. One child in every thousand in the Untied States is found to suffer from this disorder. Autism results from the abnormal bilogical and neurochemical developmant of the brain. Any treatment of to the disorder must involve neurological evaluation. Autism is generally diagnosed on the basis of certain psychiatric criteria or physical tests. The ymptoms of autism begin to appear before the age of three in a child. Autistic children exhibit delays in interacting with people through conversation or imaginative action. There are a large number of cases where autistic chidren have improved their social skills and integrated into the normal world, attending school and taking part in social events. However, there is also the worry that autism is incurable. That’s because autism is caused by certain aspects of the brain structure that’s determined early in brain development. Only committed effort on the part of teachers and parents in training autistic children can help them to live normal lives. Autism cure or, more effectively autism prevention, depends to some extent in an autism diet. Autism diet is generally a gluten-free, casein-free diet. Both gluten and casein are proteins. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, and most oat products; casein is found in milk products. Some children cannot properly digest these proteins. When gluten and casein foods are consumed, these protein factions get attached to the autistic child’s opiate receptors in the brain. They then interfere with the developing brain of some children and cause autistic behaviors. This happens because these children lack the ability to break down proteins. Autism walk is a committed effort by parents and volunteers to promote the cause of autism research and treatment. Various autism walks have been organized around the world with parents, children, volunteers, therapists, and group leaders taking part.It is a novel way to spread awareness of the disorder as increasing number of children are being affected by it. From 1970, where one in 10,000 children had autistic disorders, the number of children affected by autism in America has grown to one in 169. It is high time autism is taken seriously. An important step in that direction would be to educate parents in identifying autistic tendencies in the early stages of the child’s growth. The autism awareness bracelet is another means to promote autism research and awareness. Following in the lines of ace cyslist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong’s yellow cancer awareness bracelet and the pink breast cancer awareness bracelet, autism awareness bracelets are also now gaining popularity. The proceeds from the sale of these bracelets go for autism research and cure. With so many methods and so much attention being given to autism, autism cure is bound to improve in the coming years. Hardwork and commitment on our part to this cause will certainly benefit the future generations. About the author:Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a registered nurse and wellness advocate, understands the relationship between good nutrition and good health. Visit on of her many health site here: http://www.autism-awareness-online.com/ Circulated by Article Emporium
Tricks To Help Get Baby To Sleep
Return to All ArticlesBy Heather Owens When you first come home with your new baby, there are so many new things to learn that it can be quite overwhelming. One priority, however, is to help your baby establish good sleeping habits. For a long time now baby has been sleeping in your womb, which is quite a restful place. The big, wide world is quite different, and it takes time for baby to learn to adapt. But the sooner you can help baby sleeping well, the sooner you can get some much needed rest yourself! There are probably as many stories about what helps babies to sleep as there are babies - and the reality is that there isn't one totally successful secret that works with all babies. However it's very important to find a way to help your baby to transition between being awake and being asleep. Once baby can do this on his own, he will be able to fall asleep much more easily and with a lot less effort from you. Establishing a routine that baby associates with going to sleep. Use the tips below as a starting point, to try and determine the best way to help your baby through transition. And always remember to trust your instincts - it's amazing how often they're right. One useful trick if daddy is around at bedtime, is called "fathering down". Just before putting the baby to bed, daddy should cradle baby, with baby's head resting on his daddy's neck. Daddy should then talk to baby in a gentle voice. A male's voice is much deeper than a female's, and many babies find that deepness soothing, and so will transition into sleep more easily. Another technique is called "wearing down". No, this doesn't mean playing with baby until he's so exhausted that he falls asleep on the floor! The idea is for you place your baby in a sling or carrier - "wear him", basically - and go about your regular household activities in the lead up to bedtime. This is particularly helpful if baby has been very active and is either too excited to sleep or overtired. Moving about with you helps to rock and soothe baby, and so calm him down in preparation for bedtime. A more modern option is "driving down". Most parents have heard of this trick, which basically involves putting your baby in his car seat and driving around for a while until he's asleep. Unfortunately this is rather inconvenient and uses up petrol, but if you're desperate, it's worth a try - it has a very high success rate. When my children were babies, I often used to time driving somewhere or coming home so that it roughly coincided with the start of my baby's naptime. Then once we were home I'd transfer my baby into his bassinet or crib, and he'd have a lovely long nap. I've been known to take the long route home for just this reason! Although these techniques are generally successful, obviously you don't want to be obliged to drive around with your baby every night just so he'll go to sleep. The idea of these techniques is to start out with these more drastic techniques, to help baby learn the feel of going off to sleep, then gradually ease out of them. Replace driving in a car, for example, with being rocked in the bassinet. Always remember that learning to transition into sleep is a big thing for your baby to learn, and it probably won't happen overnight. With patience and persistence, however, baby will gradually learn how to fall asleep by himself, helping both baby and yourself get a good night's sleep. Discover more ideas for helping baby to sleep well 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
Tips for Parents: Starting The School Year Right
Return to All ArticlesNewsUSA) - Increased parental involvement provides the best foundation for a successful start to the school year. "Back-to-school offers an opportunity for parents to get to know their children's teachers and be involved in education year-round," said Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association. "To reach their full potential, students need parents to take an active role in their education. Parents should be their children's 'favorite teacher.'" NEA recommends five easy ways for parents to start the school year off on the right foot: * Meet the teachers. Tell teachers about your children's interests and hobbies. Make a date to visit teachers' classrooms; don't wait for Back-to-School Night or parent-teacher conferences to open the lines of communication. Provide teachers with your phone numbers and e-mail addresses. * Get to know all the school employees. Whether it's the librarian, school counselor, nurse, cafeteria worker or bus driver, education support professionals generally know all of the students in the school, and their relationships with your child will continue from year to year as your child moves from one grade to the next. * Join the PTA or other parent groups. As a group, participate in school events and see how you can help the school reach its goals. * Check in daily with your children. Review what they learned in school, determine set times for homework and reserve time to read with them-even if it's just for fun. * Check the school's Web site regularly. Make sure your children are learning what they need to know to meet the standards set for their grade level. Many schools offer class schedules and homework materials online for parents to view. "There's nothing like starting the school year off right," said Weaver. "So go to the head of the class in your kids' eyes, because learning doesn't stop at the school doors." For more back-to-school tips and resources, visit www.nea.org.
The Trouble With Parents
Return to All ArticlesLike most parents, my partner and I work hard to develop our children into healthy, well adjusted people. We want them to have the skills to persue whatever objectives they choose for themselves in this world. None of us are perfect parents and we all learn from the past. The purpose of this article is to pass on one of our experiences. It had a profound effect on the way we approach the parenting game. A few years ago, our two children were aged two and four. Over a period of weeks one of our boys had become increasingly naughty. His behaviour was rubbing off on his brother. Mum and dad had explored the usual discipline options but nothing seemed to work. Eventually, as my partner and I discussed the boys behaviour, we decided that there must be a trigger. If we could find it, we thought we could perhaps effect a change for the better. We wound back the clock to the time when the behaviour change emerged, then looked at what we had all been doing at around that time. As it turned out, the onset corresponded with a time when my job was being restructured and my partner was as worried as I about the outcome. We were both focussed on ourselves and quite naturally were exhibiting signs of stress. The result of this pressure, was that we had very little time for our children and they were not getting the attention they needed from us. We decided to try an experiment. We set aside all our other priorities for the weekend and spend time with boys. Nothing special, just being with them and giving them quality time. Their behaviours changed almost instantly. And it was a change for the better. This small experience had a profound effect on the way we approach parenting. We learned that the behaviours of our children are significantly affected by our own behaviours. We are now a lot more careful about the amount of time we spend with our boys. When there is a behavioural change from them, we look to ourselves first then check the external influences before we choose a course of action. Parenting is a wonderful journey, full of twists turns and surprises. I hope that by sharing this small part of our life it will help you in yours. About the author:Brian Pratt is a 47 year old New Zealander. He owns a Plug-In Profit Site at http://www.bestrealincome.comIf you are looking for a home business be sure to check out his site. You can contact Brian at brian@bestrealincome.com Circulated by Article Emporium
Social Skills and Talking to Your Kids: Negative Influences in Their Everyday Media
Return to All ArticlesBy Ellen Mossman-Glazer M.Ed. What used to be taboo, ‘not for children’ is in the media mainstream. Keeping your parental controls on all the violence, sexuality and other inappropriate information being marketed at your child every day is like chopping down a forest while new trees are sprouting behind you. Exasperated parents wonder how to counteract all the negative information their kids are bombarded with from TV, the internet, music and video. Removing it all from view is a tough job and unrealistic. The answer is simple but not always easy. To get your kids on board with you, you first have to get on board their ship. Parents, educators and caregivers have to find subtle ways to be involved and begin conversations about what their kids are interested in and exposed to. This is especially important when working with your kids and adults with ADHD, Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Here are systematic steps to get your kids to be more open and receptive to discussing what they see and hear: 1. Find ways to be a part of what your kids like watch, play and listen to. This does not mean you become a devotee of their rock or rap groups. Your kids won’t like it if you try to be them. You might casually ask to play a round of her video game or join him watching an episode of his TV show. 2. Open up dialog. Initiate conversations about your child’s interests. If you watched a TV show together, show your interest with non-judgmental questions. Asking for factual information is safe and gets you up to speed on the characters. “What was she in trouble for?” “Did she ever date him?” As your child, gets the sense that your interest is genuine, you can sprinkle in some opinion questions. “What did you think about how he treated her?” Keep it light and short. 3. Be on the watch for teachable moments. As your child builds trust in your intentions, opportunities will present themselves for you to gently influence. If your child is not in the mood to listen, don’t push. Keep showing up as an interested parent. 4. Listen to your child with full attention. Practice being silent longer than you speak. This shows up in both your words and your body language. Be face to face and focused on your child, not multi-tasking. If your child is on a talking streak, seize it as a great listening opportunity. 6. Make comments that show open mindedness. Ignore what turns you off. When your child feels you respect his world, you are opening a door to communication. 7. Ask open-ended questions that help him your child to think it through. “What did you think about the part where…?” Respect her answer and reflect back in a few words what you understand about your child's view. Then share yours in a few words. 8. Keep it simple. Young children need short, clear pieces of information. It does not change as they get older. Teenagers are leary of what comes across as lecturing. A little nugget of simple wisdom is more likely to stick with them. 9. Begin to show your interest when they are young. As they grow, it will be a natural thing for your children to talk about their world. 10. Be patient. Children’s work is to sort out their experiences and, with your guidance, create their own set of solid, sensible values. Copyright Ellen Mossman-Glazer 2005. All rights reserved. You are welcome to share or reprint this article, providing it remains as written with all contact and copyright information included along with a link to http://artofbehaviorchange.com This content is coaching and education and not intended to take the place of psychological services, where advised and appropriate.Ellen Mossman-Glazer M.Ed. is a Life Skills Coach and Behavioral Specialist, specializing in Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties. Over her 20 years in special education classrooms and treatment settings, Ellen has seen the struggle that children and adults have when they feel they don't fit in. She now works in private practice with people across the USA and Canada, by phone, teleconference groups and email, helping parents, educators, caregivers and their challenging loved ones, to find their own specific steps and tools to thrive. Ellen is the author of two on line e-zines, Emotion Matters: Tools and Tips for Working with Feelings and Social Skills: The Micro Steps. Subscribe for free and see more about Ellen at http://artofbehaviorchange.com/You can take a free mini assessment which Ellen will reply to with your first action step.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellen_Mossman-Glazer
Should I Give My Kid An Allowance?
Return to All ArticlesBy Nocita Carter Sure, why not! Giving your child an allowance will assist in teaching your child responsibility, how to save and budget their money. It’s a good idea to consider starting an allowance for your child by the time they start first grade. By that time, your child will be able to learn more about money. They’ll need to start some time. The sooner the better! Here are some tips and suggestions on what you may want to consider when thinking about giving your child an allowance: 1) How much allowance should I give my child? Well, make sure the amount you give your child is affordable to you and fits within your budget. Consider giving your child a certain amount of money per week based on their grade level or age. Make sure the amount of the allowance that you give your child each week is realistic for your budget. Be comfortable with the allowance you’re giving your child! 2) Set-up chores for your child which are age appropriate and chores that your child will be able to handle with ease. 3) Consider giving your child a weekly allowance on the same day of the week. It this is not realistic for your budget, consider giving the allowance to your child every two weeks or on a monthly basis. Make sure the time frame that you give the allowance is around the same period of time on a weekly, monthly or bi-weekly basis. 4) You may want to consider giving your child a bonus amount on top of the allowance they receive for doing extra chores. Again, make sure that if you are considering doing this, that it fits within your budget. 5) Make sure the allowance you give to your child does not include their school lunch or supplies they need for school. These expenditures should be separate from your child’s allowance. 6) You may want to teach your child to save their allowance towards an item they want if it costs more than their allowance given on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. This will allow your child the opportunity to learn how to save and budget for something they want to purchase. 7) As your child gets older, you may want to consider adjusting their allowance accordingly. Remember the older your child gets, the allowance is usually increased. Just make sure if the allowance is increased, you stay within your own budget! Giving your child an allowance is important when you’re trying to teach your child about responsibility and budgeting for their personal finances. The earlier your child is able to learn how to manage their finances the better. By giving your child an allowance, this helps them as they grow older and assist them in knowing how to manage their own money for the future! Nocita Carter is a writer and web designer that creates websites providing informative tips on various subject matter including personal finance tips on your personal finances at http://www.personal-finance-tips-for-you.com; dating tips at http://www.mydating-tips.com and your choice of ebooks at http://www.ebook-corner-for-you.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nocita_Carter
Missed Opportunity - Are my parents to Blame?
Return to All ArticlesParent's have undying love for their babies which grows stronger and stronger each and every day. The infancy months where four hourly feeds are followed by the hand aching task of burping baby. Dribbles of milk flow through your fingers as the infant rests his/her weary scrunched up face in the palm of your hand fighting off the land of nod. What is baby thinking? As he/she loses the battle to stay awake. Then we have the nightmare months of the toddler years where mum and dad need eyes in the back of their heads. It is at this time we teach the toddler to walk/talk, and when they do we tell them to shut up and sit down. It only takes a second for baby to scale the stairs, and then it is panic stations while you negotiate and try to convince the child to stay put till you manage to reach out for them. What a relief when you have them safe in your arms smothering them with affection while you chastise them at the same time. What is the child thinking? Being loved and shouted at, at the same time. We have the first day of school where many a mothers' heart is broken leaving their child behind. Some children adapt easily to their new school and we have the ones that don't. Thus making it harder for mummy/daddy to leave as teacher tries coaxing the screaming child tugging at the apron strings. What is the child thinking? Teenage tantrums have to be controlled and the best person for the job is the parent. We are there to lend a shoulder to cry on all because they can not have Justin Timberlake or Brittany Spears on their arm. Then as parents we struggle with Once upon a time there were the birds and the bees. Parents are the first to see danger signs. Whether it be the wrong choice in boy/girlfriend or maybe the people they hang out with. so when they receive a clip around the ear for doing something they felt was right and mum and dad didn't, then what was that child thinking? The wedding ring exchange between your child and their partner tells you the parent it is time to let go now they have all grown up. But do we ? I don't think so. Whatever the age of your kids you will find they will always be your babies. What were those children thinking? Well let me tell you, mum and dad it because they cared. Want to know what the married kids were thinking? Well I think you may have guessed that one yourself. So you see as protective and caring parents we could not let go if we wanted too because someone has to look after the grandchildren. It is cruel world out there and in some sad cases children have lost their parents to illness or misfortunate events and have no one to point them in the right direction. If you want to help your kids then further their education. This way they have a chance to get on in life. An educational background works wonders in the career world. You can find more information about online education on the internet. Don't have your kids thinking they missed out on an opportunity because mum and dad chose not care anymore. About the author:This is an amazing site with proven results with your kids best interests at heart http://www.allaboutonlineeducation.com Circulated by Article Emporium
Hiring a Good Nanny
Return to All ArticlesBy Martha Scully I was completely prepared when I hired my nanny. I had worked in the childcare industry for over 15 years. I had helped hundreds of other parents in Canada find nannies and babysitters. I had worked with my nanny for three days before I left her with my daughter. So why was I so upset when I left my daughter for the first time with our new nanny? These feeling are normal when leaving your child. It is very difficult to let someone care for your child without you. It is also common to feel some competition with your nanny or caregiver. Whether you use a childcare centre or an in-home caregiver, you may worry “Does my child miss me?” or “Does my child like the nanny more than me?” Just remember that a nanny will never replace you as a parent. If your children don’t cry when you leave the house, it is not because they don’t miss you when you are gone, it is because they trust you and know that you always return. This is a good thing! When your child becomes attached to your nanny, it means that she is providing your child with love and a sense of security. The most important thing to remember when feeling worried is that your children can never have too many people in their lives that love and support them. Finding the perfect nanny requires preparation and effort on your part, but when you find the nanny who becomes a part of the family, you’ll know it was worth it. Here are some tips to help you in your nanny search. Give yourself time to search for and to interview a nanny. Try to interview more than one nanny to allow for comparison. Personally interview the nanny. Ensure that the atmosphere is relaxed and that you are well-organized. Ask specific and scenario-style questions and describe your position in detail. Avoid asking the nanny to provide child care during the first interview. Complete screening and reference checks. Ensure that any nanny that is caring for an infant and/or a toddler has First Aid training. Be honest about your expectations of the nanny before you hire her. Provide your nanny with a detailed job description. Be sure to describe your child’s temperament and development. Before hiring the nanny, have her come to your home for a paid trial day. You will be able to observe how the nanny interacts with your children, to ensure that she is the right match for you family. This gives your child time to become comfortable with the nanny. When you choose to hire a nanny, assure that you and your nanny agree upon all responsibilities, duties, wage, hours and terms of employment before the nanny starts work in your home. This should be in writing. Take the nanny for a tour of your home before they provide care. Provide them with the location of the First Aid kit. Make them aware of rooms that the children are not allowed. Prepare your child. If your child is old enough talk to them about what to expect and encourage them to ask question and express fears. Leave your nanny with all emergency information. This should include all emergency services, a phone number for where you will be and an immediate adult backup number. Write out instructions- including warming bottles and food, routines, special conditions or medications. When it is time to leave for the first time say good-bye to the children and the nanny. Don’t sneak out. Receive feedback from the nanny and your child. Provide your nanny with regular feedback on her performance. When you find the right nanny, you’ll know it. Trust your gut feelings. Martha Scully, BA, ECE, is the founder and owner of Canadiansitter Inc., which runs Canadian Sitter (http://www.canadiansitter.ca) and Canadian Nanny (http://www.canadiannanny.ca). These websites help to connect babysitters and nannies to parents. If you have any questions, please call her at 1-866-221-7918.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martha_Scully
Help Your Child Avoid Smoking
Return to All Articles( NewsUSA) - What would you do if your son or daughter decided to start smoking? Maybe your child already smokes. Perhaps you're a smoker and hope your child won't pick up your unhealthy habit. Maybe there is no history of smoking in your family, but you fear that your child's friends might serve as a bad influence. Every day in the U.S., 1,500 kids become regular smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result. Many young people are driven to smoking through peer pressure or because they watch their parents and role models smoke. For parents who want to quit smoking to set an example for their children, or for anyone who wants to kick the habit, one company has a unique approach that it says helps smokers quit gradually. Safer Smokes Inc. (www.bravosmokes.com) has created Bravo, a smoking cessation product made with lettuce leaves. It has all the characteristics of a tobacco cigarette with three key differences: no nicotine, no tobacco and none of the dangerous carcinogens derived from the additives found in commercial tobacco cigarettes. With Bravo, smokers still get the experience of smoking a cigarette but without most of the harmful effects of tobacco cigarettes. People who use Bravo are able to eventually cleanse their bodies of nicotine. Tobacco use is the nation's leading preventable cause of death, killing more than 400,000 people and costing more than $180 billion in health care bills and lost productivity each year. Nearly 90 percent of all smokers start the habit by age 18. Clinical studies have evidenced the relative safety of the Bravo product when compared to tobacco cigarettes. To read more about Bravo, the clinical studies behind it and customer testimonials, visit www.bravosmokes.com.
Goodbye My BULLIED Baby
Return to All ArticlesVictim of the school bully Many parents feel the pain for their bullied baby and feel helpless to make matters better either because the child is to afraid to name the perpetrators or denies blatantly that they are are a victim of abuse regardless of the bruises torn clothing and the fresh black eye every week. Children wrapped up in their winter woollies for school because mum is protecting them from Jack Frost. In summer mum's protect with sun block and then protection takes place again with a healthy lunchbox full of Jamie Oliver's goodies. But are we the parents protecting them the right way. The smile on your child's face is about to be wiped off by the school bully as he/she waves goodbye to mummy and daddy at the door. The only company that your child has on his/her way to school is fear, fear of what is around the corner will it be a fist or a kick. My heart aches to think the mental pain this child who forever looking over their shoulder must be feeling. We all know fear where our stomach fills with butterflies followed by spewing up the guts. For god sake how are these kids coping with the mental physical pain Will it ever end; even tortured by nightmares in their sleep and in some unfortunate cases the abused victim makes sure they never wake again. Tackle a bully with a bully I say instead of committing them to a correction centre where life is made far too easy. Bullies aren't so hard when confronted by a victim's big brother/sister or member of the family. If you are a victim of abuse please talk to mum dad or teacher. Do not be afraid of the bully now you have spoken out, your tormentor will still cause pain, only this time you have the last laugh because you gave them a reason and into the bargain they get to look over their shoulder now the authorities are onto them. I can assure the bully that memories of their playground days will come back to haunt them. You will grow up hating yourself. No doubt you have nice side so put it to use to gain friends not enemies. The next blow you cast could be fatal. Parents check daily for signs of abuse, you may notice a change in personality marks like bruising or cuts. Look for ripped clothing or money going missing, your child may be funding the bully's pocket. This is a fragile situation so handle with care, we do not want the child to feel they are being bullied by their own flesh and blood. Offsprings leave and marry and unfortunately abuse may continue. Parents are not immortal so when the time comes to leave our kids to defend for them selves is out of our control. Put a protection plan into force today with online education. Today' society is about survival. By giving your child a decent education they get to make decisions for them selves not have them made by others. Online education is the only way forward and if your child feels that enough is enough and wants to make a stand then the art of self defence can be found online too. Want revenge on the playground bully without using violence. Then success is the sweetest revenge and if that means more education on how to excel then sweet is sweeter than sweet. About the author:Facing up to a bully is hard but the right education behind you on how to tackle an imbecile is a great start. By learning the art of self defence you can tackle any bully.. Want results http://www.allaboutonlineeducation.com
Does Your Family Know How to be Safe on the Internet?
Return to All ArticlesA USA Today article that ran in July 2005 cited findings from a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. They found that during the school year, kids between the ages of 8 and 10 years old spent an average of 6 hours per day watching television, playing video games and/or using computers. Since more than half of America’s 100 million households have Internet access, I can only assume that some of their computer time is spent in online activities. My question is how safe are these kids? Do they know what to look out for? Do they know how to handle themselves online? Here are some topics to discuss with your children. Keep in mind that each family has their own rules for Internet use. Some parents don’t allow their children to be on the Internet at all, others will monitor their child’s Internet use, and still others have no concern and let their kids surf wherever and whenever they want. Strangers. The Internet is a wonderful place to meet people from all around the world. I remember having a pen pal when I was young and would check the mail every day to see if I got a letter. Now all one has to do is turn on the computer and check their Inbox! Friends who are separated by a move can still talk every day through email, chat rooms and Instant Messaging (IM). The drawback to this is that no one knows who you really are on the Internet. Even in so-called “safe” chat rooms someone can be posing as a teenager and they are really a predator. Just as you wouldn’t want your kids to tell a stranger on the street where they live, you don’t want them to do so online either. Teach your children to never tell anyone online their names, addresses or other pertinent information. If you decide to allow your children to use IM or chat rooms, monitor their activity. Set up their profile yourself and give as little information as possible. It may be helpful for you and your child to watch the short movie “Tracking Teresa” on the Kidsmartz.org website (http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/reallife.htm#realTeresa). Commercialism. Just like TV, there are lots of ads on the Internet. Unlike TV, we don’t get a break from them! They are everywhere! They show up as pop-up ads, banners, hover boxes, games and they are even disguised as articles or information items. They warn you that your computer is infected, you have new mail, you are the umpteenth-million visitor to this site or they may look like a survey or poll. And ads on sites geared for kids are often very inviting and intriguing. Along with ads we also have adware. Microsoft defines adware as “Advertising that is integrated into software. Adware is often combined with a host application that is provided at no charge as long as the user agrees to accept the adware.” So a child could download a “free” game or screensaver that has adware attached to it. This adware will install itself on your computer, track all of your Internet activity and show you advertising in the form of annoying pop-ups or banner ads. If your kids are like mine, they don’t always read the fine print and just click on the “I accept” button to get their freebies! Talk to your kids about Internet advertising and Adware. Let them know that they are the same as ads on TV. Someone just wants you to buy their new product. Take your kids to PBS’ Don’t Buy It! website (http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/) for great information on Internet and other media advertising. Inappropriate Content. The Internet is a great place to find information for any school science project or report. Just type in a phrase or topic in any search engine and you will get loads of links with useful information. But there are also many sites that contain inappropriate content under presumably innocent searches. My friend was looking up information for her daughter’s animal report and typed in “horse lovers” in a search engine, figuring that she may get horse enthusiast sites dedicated to providing information on their favorite animal. She got sites with horses on them, but they were horse lovers of a COMPLETELY different kind… And not too long ago, there was a site at www.whitehouse.com that was of an adult nature. (The real White House site is at http://www.whitehouse.gov.) The only way to be sure that your child does not inadvertently find themselves on the wrong site is to be with them and guide them in their searches. It is also helpful to use a search engine specifically designed for children such as http://www.yahooligans.com or http://www.askjeeveskids.com. Regardless of how much or how little your kids are on the Internet, take a minute to talk with them about the benefits and dangers involved in being online. Let them explore some sites that will help them learn about Internet safety. Here are a few that are extremely helpful when teaching Internet Safety to kids:
Netsmartz.org – Teens -- http://www.netsmartz.org/netteens.htm
Netsmartzkids.org – Kids -- http://www.netsmartzkids.org/indexfl.htm
IKeepSafe.com (this site is specialized for each state) – http://www.IKeepSafe.com
Disney’s CyberNetiquette -- http://disney.go.com/cybersafety/
And remember – be involved in your children’s Internet activity. Teach them to use this powerful tool responsibly. It will save them time and you headaches as you travel the About the author:Lisa Workman is the author of Tokens for TV: A Sensible Approach to Balancing Television, Video Game and Computer Activities. How much time does your child spend “plugged in” to some sort of electronic device? Get your FREE worksheet at http://www.tvtokens.comCirculated by Article Emporium
Dealing With Bullies
By George Stillwell Many children have problems with bullies. They take many forms. There are bullies who use their physical presence to intimidate. There are bullies who use their words to intimidate. Either way, we as parents want to protect our children from bullies. What causes bullies: By and large, bullies are children who lack self esteem and suffer from insecurity. They get their validation, boost their ego, by preying on other children whom they perceive to be vulnerable. As parents, our main concern is how to protect our children from bullies. Below are some suggestions that have proven successful over the years. 1. Teach them not to react - At the core, bullies say and do what they do to illicit a reaction from their 'victims'. The first and best way to counteract a bully is to ignore him. Teach your children that if a bully gets in his face, to smile or laugh and walk away. When doing so, walking towards a teacher or other adult. 2. Teach them to talk with adults - If your children are being bullied, help them understand that it not only affects them, but affects all of the children who go to school with them. Help them to understand that bullying is not tolerated at their school and that their teachers and administrators would want to know if there is a student who is bullying others. 3. Teach them to defend others – Teach your children to notice when other kids being bullied and to stand up for them. Often times, all it takes to stop a bully is to have other children get involved and show that they will stand with the ‘victim’. 4. Teach them to fight back if attacked physically – Teach your children that it is always right for them to defend themselves. If another child attacks them physically, they should defend themselves by fighting back. If they have friends around, their friends should get involved to help defend them. Their physical response should be proportional to what was done to them. Once the bully has backed down, they should stop. 5. Consider keeping you kids back from Kindergarten – One very positive outcome of keeping your kids back a year from Kindergarten is that they are older than most of their classmates. This is especially important for boys but is also helpful for girls. They will be bigger physically and more mature than their peers which can have a significant impact on whether they become the object of bullying. This should not be the only criteria considered in keeping you kids back, but should be a consideration. 6. Teach them to talk to you about Cyber bullying – One of the latest trends in bullying is for it to happen over the internet or via instant messaging. Teach your kids to talk with you when they see messages they find rude or intimidating. You can help them respond effectively, or get involved to provide feedback to parents and teachers about what the other child is doing. 7. Enroll your kids in martial arts – One of the best things you can do for your kids is to enroll them in a martial arts course. These courses teach self defense that is highly effective, but they also instill a huge amount of self confidence and self control that can be effective when dealing with bullies. Sometimes, just knowing that your child is taking Tae Kwon Do or Karate is enough to take them off the list of potential targets from bullies. 8. Keep your kids from becoming a bully - Talk frequently to your children about the importance of the goldren rule: treating others as they would like to be treated. If you find that your child apprears to be getting a sense of satisfaction by putting others down, register your disappointment, use punishment if it continues and if necessary, get them into counseling if you cannot correct it. If you use these strategies, you will very likely see your child become less and less of a target for bullies which can reduce the stress level for everyone and ultimately protect your children. (excerpted from www.parentingskills21stcentury.com)George Stillwell is the father of 5 children ages 2 through 16. His popular web site is http://www.parentingskills21stcentury.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Stillwell
Child Care - What to Look For
By Michael Russell Trying to find good quality daycare is very hard. One should start early. Starting six months earlier than you need daycare is not too long, because when you find the daycare that meets all your needs and your child's needs, there will probably be a waiting list. Also, it takes time to visit the centers, interview the care givers and do the "kid test". There are some things you need to think about first. Do you want childcare closer to home or work? Are you looking for child care centers or in home day care? Centers may have more children, but they are most likely to be accredited. Centers also have to meet state guidelines. At home providers may have fewer children and an "at home" feel but they are not always required to meet certain state guidelines. You should do your research. Ask around and get a feel on what other parents think. There is nothing better than word of mouth. You could check references given to you by the providers and you should, but are they going to give you references that are going to say bad things about them? Talk to parents whose kids go to that provider. Try to find parents who used to take their children there. Be specific. Don't just ask if they liked it, ask them why they did or didn't. You can also call you local child care resources and referral center. They can you give state guidelines on childcare and they can give you a list of providers in your area. Make sure you ask them what the requirements are for licensing. They can also give you a list of complaints and violations. After you narrowed down a list of providers you need to visit and ask a lot of questions. Sure you can do this by phone but you need to get a feel of the center while you're there. By the time you visit, you should know the child to adult ratios that the care givers need to follow, so look around, are there more children than providers that are required by law? Another thing to consider is group size. There is a group of 25 two year olds with five adults and a group of 10 two year olds with 2 adults. Both of these groups are within the proper child to adult ratio, but which one may be calmer? Look around. Do you see smoke detectors, more than one exit, fire extinguishers, outlet covers? You can acquire a checklist of all things to look for from the child care resource and referral program. Check the care givers' qualifications. Inquire about training and education. Do they know first aid? Do the caregivers attempt to continue to educate themselves by going to workshops? Try to see if there is a high turnover rate. Children need consistency. You don't want them going through more than one caregiver a year. Check to see if the center has any accreditations. Centers have to meet certain state guidelines, but did they voluntarily go above and beyond that and get nationally accredited? Don't forget to do the "kid test". Bring your child to the provider and see how they react. Will there be a good relationship with your child and the providers and the other children. You should bring them a few times so they can get a feel for the place. Look for your child's reactions. Trust your gut. It will take time but it will be worth it knowing your child is safe and happy. Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Child Care Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Baby's Naptime
By: Heather Owens Getting a good naptime routine established is very important. Babies need a lot of sleep, and if they're not getting enough of it, they get tired and irritable very easily. Unfortunately, the more tired and irritable they get, the harder it can be to settle them for a nap. When a baby is still young, regular sleep patterns are closely linked to regular eating patterns, so it's good to look at what is considered "average" for the early stages of a baby's life. Remember, not all babies will adhere to these averages, and if your baby is vastly different, it may be worth discussing with your health professional. Newborn - your newborn baby will be asleep for anywhere from 16 to 20 hours in a day. This includes naps taken between feeds. It's good to try and keep baby awake for a little while after a feed, so baby doesn't get into the habit of needing a feed to drop off to sleep. Once baby has been awake a little while, it's naptime, before baby gets overstimulated and wide awake. 2 Months Old - now baby is a little older, it's good to try and give him the opportunity to self-soothe during nap and bedtimes. It's quite normal for your baby to cry a little when first put into their crib or cot, but that's okay. Allow the crying to continue for a short while, say 10 minutes (unless you can hear baby is getting hysterical or distressed), then go and check on him. Resist the temptation to pick baby up, but pat his bottom, stroke his head and speak soothingly, or lightly rub his back until he is calm again. 3-6 Months Old - this is the age at which the amount of sleep required during the day starts to diminish. Baby will often drop one naptime without any prompting from you. Usually this is the late afternoon or third nap of the day. Sometimes baby will be a little grumpy to begin with, and may still want a short nap, but try to keep him awake and happy. This will help baby to go to bed at a reasonable time and sleep through the night. Over 16 months - by now most infants have dropped their morning nap as well, and are perhaps having a longer afternoon nap to compensate. Most babies now sleep 10-12 hours a night, and their afternoon naptime lasts for 2-3 hours. If you find baby isn't napping very well in the early months of life, you might need to cut back on awake time by 15 minutes increments. If baby is getting overstimulated and highly awake, then he will fight sleep and naptime becomes a struggle. Be alert for "tired" cues, like rubbing the eyes, and immediately act on them. It's also important to give baby a chance to settle down to sleep by himself. Some people believe that their baby will be harmed if he cries, but most babies fuss or cry a little when first put to bed. It's important to give baby the opportunity to work out for himself how to relax and go to sleep. Many babies will start thumb sucking or use a dummy; others find a mobile hanging above the cot fascinating enough to stop crying and go to sleep. It's vital that baby learns this skill of self-soothing, or else you and baby will be having interrupted nights for what will seem like forever to the sleep deprived parent. Self-soothing is a skill, and like most skills, it is learned through practice. Naturally if your baby is getting very distressed or worked up, you need to enter the room and help baby relax again. But try to avoid picking baby up or in any way disturbing the sleep environment. Leave baby in the bed and pat, stroke, or talk to baby until he settles down. You need to be alert to baby's cues when setting naptime, but it's also good to have a routine. So you determine when naptime needs to start, and stick to the same time as often as you can. Babies generally relate well to routines, and will settle quickly. When baby is older, too, he may wake up crying long before naptime is finished. This could be because of a dirty diaper, being uncomfortable either in position or temperature, or something disturbed him. Fix the problem and encourage baby to go back to sleep. Babies that have had enough sleep usually wake up happy, talking, and generally in a good mood. Establishing good naptime routines is essential, both for you as a parent, and for your baby. Use a combination of cues from your baby and established routines, to make sure both you and baby get sufficient sleep. About the Author:The author's book about babies is available at http://www.baby.learnheaps.com Discover more great articles about parenting at http://www.infoaboutbaby.com . You can also sign up for a FREE Baby Tips newsletter at http://www.infoaboutbaby.com/newsletter.htmlRead more articles by: Heather OwensThis article is distributed by: www.iSnare.com
And To All A Goodnight
By Sinead Hoben You've just spent a good part of the evening preparing your baby for bed. As she falls asleep in your arms you tenderly place her in her cot; her eyes flash open and she screams the house down. So you lift her and start all over again! One of the most frustrating things about having a baby who refuses to sleep in her cot is that you know she is exhausted - because you are also exhausted. So is there a panacea to this timeless problem? Routine is a great teacher. But getting into one is not so easy. It takes time and perseverance on your part. But at the end of the day it makes for a happy family. Try to have a set bedtime. As it approaches, watch for signs that your baby is getting tired. She may cry for a prolonged period and only settle when you lift her. Or she may rub her eyes or pull at her ears. Try to notice such signs, because if she gets over-tired it will become more difficult to settle her. A warm bath can be a wonderful way to prepare baby for sleep. You may like to try adding a few drops of essential lavender oil as it is renowned for its relaxing properties. Or add some specially formulated sleepy baby bubble bath. Avoid playing with the baby during her bedtime bath. You do not want to get her excited as this will have the opposite effect to that intended! Simply trickle some warm bath water over her as she lies in the bath. After bathing, many babies are very receptive to a baby massage. Play some soft music as you massage her. You can give a dry massage, without oil, or an oily massage using extra virgin olive oil. If you do intend using any oil place a small amount of it on her inside arm and leave for about ten minutes. Check to ensure there has been no reaction before massaging her. If she is fine, rub a small amount of oil, about the size of a ten pence coin, into your hands. This will warm the oil and not shock the baby! Do not rush the massage. Keep it slow. She will let you know if she is not happy. If this is the case, end the session. Try again the following night. There are lots of good baby massage books available which show you a variety of massage techniques. And many organisations run free courses. Ask your health visitor to keep you informed. After her massage, give baby a cuddle and dress her for bed. Keep your movements slow. This will ensure she stays calm. Some babies enjoy a feed before sleeping, so you may like to feed her after her bath. If she is breastfed she may fall asleep on the breast. It is best to waken her before placing her in her cot as babies can get frightened if they awaken in different surroundings to those in which they fell asleep. New parents, and even experienced parents, can often be indecisive about what is required for the baby to settle in her cot. Should baby go to sleep in the dark? Or should you leave a light on? Should you play music? Or is silence better? For many parents the solution is to leave a small, dim, night-light on so that baby will not be frightened if she awakens later on. It is also a good idea to play a soothing lullaby CD and leave it playing quietly on repeat. Play the same CD every night and baby will begin to look forward to bedtime! Babies love repetition. It makes them feel secure. Babies are never too young for a bedtime story or a lullaby. And many babies have a favourite bedtime story that they like to hear every night before sleeping. If your baby gets upset when you place her in the cot, stay with her for a few moments. Tell her firmly that it is bedtime and say goodnight. Leave the room, but stay nearby. Allow her to cry for around thirty seconds. Return to the room and again say goodnight. Do not chat! If she is standing up, lie her down. She will probably scramble straight back onto her feet! Leave the room again. Each time wait slightly longer before returning. It can be a good idea to move around nearby, but not in the same room, and allow baby to hear that you are nearby. You may like to hum a tune or chat to your partner. Avoid keeping the whole house silent. Babies need to learn to sleep through some noise. If baby gets very distressed, simply return to her and comfort her with a little hug. And then lie her down. It can be incredibly difficult to refrain from lifting her. But be assured that eventually she will fall asleep. Within two or three nights most babies stop protesting and have learnt what bedtime means. Many happily lie down and fall straight to sleep once the routine is established. As a result your baby will be happier and so too will your family! Goodnight! Sinead Hoben is the proud mum of three beautiful children aged 6 years, 3 years and 9 months old all of whom were breastfed. She is currently still breastfeeding her youngest child. A qualified teacher, she now runs her own website, http://www.breastfeedingmums.com, which addresses many of the concerns of breastfeeding mums and offers breastfeeding information and advice to both breastfeeding and expectant mums.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sinead_Hoben
5 Tips for a Winning Parent-Teacher Relationship
(NewsUSA) - Behind every successful public school student is a great public school teacher. And great teachers make great public schools. But teachers can't do it alone. The research is clear: Students perform better in school when their parents are actively involved in their education. "Teachers help students soar and make their hopes and dreams come true," said Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association. "And when parents are involved in their children's education, they will go farther - and the schools they attend are better." NEA, which represents 2.8 million teachers, education support professionals and other educators, offers five easy ways for parents to get more involved in education year-round: 1. Check in with teachers on a regular basis. Be proactive and don't wait for a problem or challenge to arise before taking action. 2. Get to know the guidance counselors and other school employees. Education support professionals generally know all of the students in the school, and their relationship with your children will continue as they move from one grade to the next. 3. Attend school events. Open houses, parent-teacher conferences, dances or other school activities provide good opportunities for parents to connect with teachers and school employees. 4. Volunteer at the school. Make time in your schedule to help out with school plays, act as a classroom helper or chaperone field trips. 5. Keep the lines of communication open. Whether they are your children's classmates, friends or neighbors, get to know others - especially parents who have children attending the same school. Form support groups to work on problems and issues of mutual interest. "The home is an extension of the learning that takes place inside the classroom," Weaver said. "When parents get involved in their child's education, everyone wins." For more tips and resources for parents, visit www.nea.org.
School Classroom Parties 101
In the past several years I've volunteered to help in my children's classrooms in a lot of different capacities. To me, being a room mother is the most challenging and stressful volunteer positions I've held. Room mothers are usually responsible for planning and hosting holiday parties for the class. Unfortunately, teachers often don't provide much information or guidance, and children have high hopes for a fun party. Here's what I've learned over the years to make it the most fun for everyone involved. Know What To Ask The Teacher Okay, you've volunteered to be a room mother... now what? You've got to ask questions. I usually send in a note with the following questions, but you could also call the teacher and ask. - What is the room mother responsible for? - Are there other parent volunteers? - How many parties will there be? - When will they take place? - Are the parties for the holidays or are they "generic" like a Winter party instead of a Christmas party? - Is there are budget or is each party donation based? - How many children are in the class? - Are siblings welcome? - Are there any food allergies? - Do any of the children have any physical disabilities? - How much time will be allotted for the party? - When will it start and end? - Are decorations necessary? - Are paper supplies like napkins, plates, and cups available through the school cafeteria? - What activities do you prefer for the party? (Usually there is food, a craft project, and a few games, but your teacher may have a different idea.) - Will any classroom supplies be available for the party? (Scissors, glue, paper, etc.) - Is music allowed? (Some classes are too close together to allow for music during the party.) - Can classroom furniture be moved around? - Do you have any food preferences or are there any rules about the food? (Our school requires all food brought into the school to be commercially prepared.) - Will you have access to a refrigerator and/or freezer? - Are goodie bags appropriate? - When will you be able to set up for the party? - If you're hosting a Halloween party or other special event, be sure to ask about costumes or other things relevant to the party. Once You Have The Answers... Once you have a good idea of what is expected, it's time to start planning the first party. Try to allow yourself at least three weeks to pull it all together. Write out your party plan. Be sure to include food, supplies, crafts, and any props you'll need for the party games. Once that's done, you should send out requests for help. If you need to have other parent volunteers on the party day or you would like parents to send in food and supplies, you'll want to send out your requests for help at least a week or two before the party. Keep a list of who is bringing what and be sure to follow up and remind them the day before the party. Prepare Ahead As Much As Possible Preparation is really the key to a successful party. Here are a few tips... If you plan a craft, have items pre-cut if necessary. Put individual craft supplies into sandwich bags and create one bag for each child to make it easy to pass them out and get started. Be sure to have extra supplies on hand to handle accidents. You should also make up one of the crafts ahead of time so you can show them what they will be making. If you plan to have goodie bags for the children, prepare them ahead of time and make sure you have one for each child. You may also want to have a couple extra on hand. Make sure you have a couple of food choices on hand so that everyone will have something that they like. It usually works well to have something sweet, something salty, and a couple of healthy choices like fruit or veggies. Don't forget the drinks. In addition, you'll want to make sure to have plenty of napkins, cups and plates available. Bring along a roll of paper towels in case there are spills or accidents. The Day of The Party... Get there early to set up. You may not have a lot of setup to do, but you'll at least need to set up the food. It will also take some time to bring everything in from the car. Many parents use a wagon to help them get everything into the classroom. Display all the food for the children to see... you want to try to keep them excited. In addition, you'll want to set up game props, craft supplies, etc. before the party. Children won't be able to wait around for you to get your act together when it's party time. This is also a good time to let your party helpers (parent volunteers) know what they can do to help out with the party. One last preparation tip - bring along a couple of trash bags. Clean up as you go as much as possible... picking things up as you go will make spills and accidents less likely and after party cleanup will be a snap. It's Party Time! You've done your homework and planned everything out... now it's time to follow your plan and enjoy the party. Be sure to take pictures (they make great classroom gifts later on) and interact with the children. Don't be afraid to talk to them and help them if they need it. Most of all, try to have fun! If you're having fun and smiling, the kids will have a ball. Don't forget to pass out the goodie bags at the end of the party! After The Party Clean up all the food, pack away the left-overs(unless the teachers or other parents want to take them home), and try to leave the classroom as clean as it was when you arrived. Last, but not least, thank the parent volunteers and the teachers for their help! About the author:Discover how to have an Awesome Children's Party! Kid Party Ideas makes it Easy with tons of Free ideas, tips, themes, games, and activities. Make A Memory That Will Last A Lifetime! Visit: http://www.Kid-Party-Ideas.com Circulated by Article Emporium
Playing it Safe: Great Toys for Baby Gift Baskets
By Anne Clarke Most importantly, unless you are positive as to everything you want to buy, you will want to purchase your gift basket last. You do not want to have to choose what you will give based on the size of the basket you have already bought. Select an assortment of the safest toys for the baby. A few great ideas are to purchase items such as classical or other instrumental music to play in the nursery, perhaps even some sing-along music, for when the child gets a bit older and begins to imitate speech. Another idea is to buy the baby a mobile. These items, however, are very popular for baby showers, so check with your other friends to make sure the mother is not bombarded with dozens of mobiles. The best books for infants will be waterproof and therefore drool proof. If books are a part of the child’s life from the beginning, he or she is more likely to become a more intelligent individual. So even at the earliest stages of a baby’s life, books are important. Books with different textures, colors, and things for the child to touch like little flaps that lift to reveal something once the child is touching and investigating and not sucking on everything in sight. Teething rings. Believe me mommy will need them. There are great teething rings available that the child can hold on his or her own and that will help soothe the pain of teething without having to use too much medicine to numb the baby’s gums. Another great idea for toys to include in a baby gift basket is of course, things like rattles, mirrors for the crib or playpen, and maybe even a crib or playpen—what a gift that would be! Of course, you will want to see if the expecting mother already has a crib or playpen for the baby first. Walkers are perfect for the new baby, not only to help him or her learn how to walk, but also as another place to play if the baby gets sick being in his or her playpen or crib. There are walkers that also function for eating, bet the better ones I believe are the walkers that have toys attached to them. This way the baby will stay entertained, and you will not have to worry about picking up dropped toys. Another great idea for gift baskets for babies is to get a bottle of bubbles. They are non-toxic, of course, but even the smallest baby will be enthralled with the bubbles floating down. There are many kinds of baby toys out there that you could include in your baby gift basket. I hope some of these ideas can help you. Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and art. For more of her articles on photography, please visit Baby Toys. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke
Kid Party Stuff - Ten Easy Steps to Keeping Your Child Happy at a Grown-up Party
By Patricia Jensen Plan Ahead: 1. Parents should discuss and agree who is responsible for getting the child settled in to their new surroundings upon arrival at the party. Also, discuss a time frame that each one will spend looking after the child so both have the opportunity to enjoy the party without interruption. For example, one parent takes a turn spending ½ hour with the child, then the other parent takes over. This time arrangement is a realistic and workable solution for many parents. 2. If an older child of babysitting age is available, you may arrange to have her take care of your child during the party so both parents are free to relax and enjoy. 3. Discuss in advance with your child what will be expected of her at the party. Issues such as where the child will be and where the parents will be should be covered, as well as what time the child will be expected to go to bed if that’s part of the arrangement. Stress the fun she will have and how proud you will be if s/he behaves "like a big kid". Keep it lighthearted and accentuate the positive. 4. If possible, arrange play time with a child or children of another party guest, preferably those with whom your child has a history of cooperative play. Anticipate and Avoid Triggers for Bad Behavior: 5. Remember that sleepiness can lead to crankiness, so make sure your child is well rested in advance. This means planning a nap prior to party time for a baby or toddler. In addition, call and make prior arrangements with your hostess as to where your child can nap or rest during party time. 6. If left to their own devices, kids will gravitate to sugary foods, especially if your hostess doesn’t have any kid-friendly snacks available. It’s smart to provide a meal prior to the party and/or bring a nutritious snack for your child like 100% juice pouches, pretzels, popcorn or animal crackers. Make It Comfortable: 7. Designate an area where the child will "camp out" for the duration of the party. Set the scene for a satisfied toddler with a pop-up nylon tent complete with a familiar blanket, doll or teddy. Even older kids will feel secure at the party location by bringing a sleeping bag and their own pillow from home. 8. Pack a party bag of toys, activity books and games for playtime. An older child can bring a portable DVD player and a couple of favorite movies. Reinforce Good Behavior: 9. Praise your child’s good behavior throughout the party, so she’ll want to keep it up. Expressing your pleasure will reinforce the desired behavior and result in a win-win situation for child and parents alike. 10. Enjoy yourself! Your upbeat attitude will rub off on your child. If you’re having fun, she will too. Patricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a complete resource for kids party ideas including invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food.For all the latest party news, read her Kids Party Blog.Subscribe to the Kids Party Paradise Newsletter and get timely updates on popular new party ideas and themes, and so much more...Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Jensen
Kids Games: Video Games Selection
By Robert Thatcher Drawing a line between what is right and what is wrong is the responsibility by parents to their children. This also goes with what type of movies and television shows the children should watch and what are not. But more importantly, the responsibility of choosing the right kids games solely relies to the parents. Since kids would want to play, play, and play some more, providing them with toys and kids gadgets are essential. And while studies suggest children who play more are healthier than those who do not, it does not give children the freedom to play any type of game they like. As we live in the digital world, children are introduced with video consoles that would probably eat more of their time than their studies do. And protecting them from unfit games at their age becomes more difficult than before. And to make sure you provide them with the right kids games, consulting the ESRB should be help you decide. To know the type of video games that are proper for your child, consulting the ESRB rating is a wise choice. You can see the ESRD rating printed at every video game covers. Knowing the meaning of every initial is essential. There are 7 ratings assigned by the ESRD or the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. Here are those: EC or Early Children. The games with this rating are suitable for children age 3 years and below to play. Such games have no content that could be dangerous to a developing child. E or Everyone. Everyone here means the age bracket of 6 years and above. The type of games with this rating contains minimal violence with occasional use of mild language. E10+ or Everyone 10 years and older. Games with this rating are suggested for children 10 years and older and contain cartoon, mild violence or fantasy, and use of mild language. T or Teen. For children 13 years and older do T rated games are suited. These types of games involve more violence, minimal blood, use of strong words, and crude humor. M or Mature. Games with these rating are suited for ages 17 years old and up. Mature games are not for kids for it have graphic display of violence, sexual content, blood and gore, and use of strong language. AO or Adults Only. Games with this rating should not be played by kids. It is intended for adult players for it displays frequent blood and gore, violence, use of strong words, and graphic display of sexual content including nudity. RP or Rated Pending. This rating is given to games waiting for final rating. Kids games should only limit to video games with EC, E, and perhaps E10+ ratings. Any games without these ratings should be avoided. If you have games you think inappropriate to their age, put it in areas where they cannot access it. Playing the right games for kids must be imposed at all times. This will ensure that they get the right games with respect to their age. Kids games let your children enjoy their playing time at the same time providing them with entertainment and venue for learning. And with kids games around, you are secured to leave them in front of their consoles alone without worrying so much of the content of the games. Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides kid game resources on http://www.all-kids-games.info .Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Thatcher
Kid Birthday Party Game Ideas - Balloon Fun
By Mike Dougherty Balloons, kids and birthday parties just seem to go together. When you take your children to almost any kind of an event for families, somebodies going to be giving balloons to the kiddies. And if you go to an event at your local mall, you know they'll be giving away balloons to all the kids... And why? Because balloons are fun, balloons are colorful and balloons make everyone happy! Now here are some fun kid birthday party game ideas that are all about balloons. Stuff The Balloons Divide your birthday party guests into two teams and have each team choose one team mate to put on a baggy pair of pants and a baggy shirt. The object is to see which team can stuff the most balloons into the shirt and pants of their designated team mate in just two minutes. Start your theme music and watch the fun. When the music ends, count the balloons each team has stuffed into their team mates shirt and pants. The team with the most balloons is the winner. And don't forget to take lots of pictures and shoot lots of video. The kids with the balloons under their baggy clothes are going to look very funny. Balloon Stomp Before your party, place small pieces of candy in a bunch of balloons before you fill them with air... Once you've placed the candy inside the balloons, blow up your balloons and tie off the ends. Now place the balloons in the middle of the room and have your party guests stand around them in a circle... Tell your guests that every balloon has a piece of candy inside and when you start your party theme music, your guests get to stomp on the balloons and pick up the candy. Be sure and tell your party guests to be careful not to stomp on each other. And when the game is over, have everyone help you to clean up the balloon pieces left on the floor. Using Your Head Give each child one balloon filled with air. When you start your theme music, the object is for your party guests to keep their own balloon in the air using only their head. Balloon Attack For each birthday party guest, attach a 12 inch string on a balloon filled with air, and then attach another 12 inch string to another air-filled balloon... Using masking take, attach one balloon to the back of each guests shoe heals (so each guest has a balloon on the back of each shoe). The object of this fun balloon game is for each player to protect their balloons while trying to pop everyone else's balloons... The last player left with one or both of their balloons unpopped is the winner. Balloon Blow-Up Give each party guest four balloons to blow up... Start your theme music and give them just one minute to puff away... The guest that blows up the most balloons in one minute is the winner. Shark Attack With a marker, draw a shark's face and teeth on a balloon... Have your guests sit in a circle and start your theme music... The object for each player is to keep the shark away from them... After about 30 seconds, stop the music and who ever is touching the shark is out... Keep this up and the last player remaining is the winner. Grab The Balloons Put about 20 balloons or more in the middle of the floor... Have your party guests stand in a circle around them... When you start your theme music, have each guest try to pick up and hold as many balloons as they can... They can use their hands, teeth, between their legs, or even under their shirt... Balloon Buzz Bomb Have your party guests blow up one balloon each, then pinch the end closed with their fingers... Then let the balloons go and watch then take off on a crazy flight... To keep this game from getting too messy, have your guests try to only pick up their balloon before they blow them up again and let them fly... These fun kid birthday party game ideas are proven winners your birthday child and all their party guests will love. So have a great time at your birthday party and don't forget to pick up lots of balloons so you can play these fun games! Mike Dougherty has lots of experience putting together fun birthday parties for his children and now his grandchildren. For more of the hottest kid birthday party information and tips visit http://www.fun-kid-birthday-parties.com you'll be glad you did.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Dougherty
Start Making Homemade Baby Wipes Today
By Heather Owens Having a baby can be very expensive, and so if you can find ways to cut corners, it's worth doing. That's where homemade baby wipes can be of great benefit. Not only do you save money, you can also be more confident what it is that you're using on your baby's precious skin. You can be reassured there's nothing that might cause irritation. Like baby wipes you purchase in a store, homemade baby wipes are portable and convenient. To make them, start with a roll of paper towels, such as Viva or Bounty. You will also need baby bath liquid, water, and a sturdy plastic container with a lid. I'm sure you can already see how you're saving money - buying baby wipes costs from $3 to $5 a package. You're paying for chemicals, fragrance, alcohol or other ingredients that dry the skin, and water. The ingredients listed for homemade baby wipes make two batches of wipes, so you're only paying around 60 cent per package. Even better, you choose the baby bath liquid, and can therefore use organic or all natural if you wish to. Firstly, choose a cylindrical plastic container, slightly bigger than a quart container. It needs to be tall enough to hold a roll of paper towels cut in half (so a bit bigger than a roll of toilet paper). Make sure the container's lid fits tightly. Use a sharp blade to cut an "x" slit in middle of the lid. Now, cut your roll of paper towel in half using a sharp knife. You will end up with two smaller rolls that look quite similar to rolls of toilet paper. Put one half of the paper towel roll into the container. Grab a bowl, and mix together 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of the baby bath liquid. Pour this mixture into your homemade baby wipes container. Now you can go and make yourself a coffee, as you'll need to wait about five minutes while the paper towels soak up the bath liquid mixture. Once the five minutes has passed, gently pull the cardboard core out of the middle of the paper towel roll. As you pull the core out, the innermost piece of paper towel should follow it up. Pull the piece of paper towel through the slit you cut in the container's lid, and put the lid back on. Now, when you're ready to use a wipe, just pull the paper towel up through the lid of the container. The paper towel is perforated, so it will tear off easily at the perforation, leaving the next wipe poking through the lid, ready to use when you need it. The container works well when you're at home, but homemade baby wipes can also be used when you’re out and about. Pull out the number of baby wipes you'll need and put them in a zip lock plastic bag. You can then just unzip the bag and take out a wipe when you need one, or you can cut a small hole in the bag to pull through one end of the first wipe, ready for use. In that case you may want to put the whole zip lock bag inside a plastic portable wipes box, both to stop them leaking and protect them from drying out in the air. Now you have portable homemade baby wipes! Homemade baby wipes are very simple to make, cheap, convenient and much better for your baby's skin - so make your own today! Find heaps more great money saving baby ideas 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
Transition Tricks: Going Smoothly from Point A to Point B
By Colleen Newman You are at home, rushing around, with only five minutes left if you are going to make it to the last half of play group. You still have to help the kids get their shoes on, get them in their car seats, and drive across town. Hastily you call to your toddler that it is time to go. What do you hear? “No Mommy, I don’t want to go! I want to stay home!” If you finally manage to get out of the house, you will most likely find yourself suiting up for the same battle an hour later, when its time to go back home for lunch. As any parent of a toddler knows, transitions are one of the most challenging, yet unavoidable, parts of the day. Soon after our cute little babies master the essential skills it takes to walk and talk, an irresistible urge to make their own choices begins to surface. Although this is an exciting time, we run into trouble when our toddlers realize that the only way to make decisions of their own is to first disagree with everything that you have to say. Now whenever you ask them to do something, even if it is to eat ice cream, it's highly likely they will refuse! Creativity is an essential parenting skill. Parents can guide their children through transitions and have a peaceful, productive, and nonconfrontational day by using some of the “tricks” below: Sing a song - Singing to initiate, and through a transition, is especially helpful for toddlers. By being consistent and using the same song for the chosen activity your child will learn that these songs are clues to what comes next. We all know the “Clean Up” song; how about “This is the way we put on our shoes” or “If you’re ready and you know it, stand by the door!” Offer choices - Toddlers are much more willing to cooperate if they feel like they have some control over the process. Bring two pairs of shoes over to your toddler and say: “It’s time to put your shoes on. Would you like to wear your sneakers or your sandals? I wonder which ones you are going to choose.” (Keep choices to two.) Use Humor and/or a little reverse psychology - If your child initially refuses to put on her shoes, put them on your hands and walk, dance, or run them past him. Use a silly voice and say, “You can’t catch me! I don’t want to go on your feet! No! No! NO!” You will definitely have his attention and he will most likely playfully snatch them off your hands and quickly put them on her feet. Look ahead - Talk about what’s coming next. One client told me that after I suggested this technique she never had another problem with getting her little boy to leave somewhere fun. Her son immediately gets up to go home when she tells him their dog is missing them. She reminds him that he needs to help her refresh their dog’s water bowl and take him for a walk. Think of things your child likes doing at home; watering the plants, setting the table, playing with playdough; anything that gets your child excited about what’s ahead. Good Luck and remember to enjoy this special time with your child because it goes by way too fast. If all else fails, play group can always wait until next week! Mother, early childhood educator, parent counselor, and author, Colleen Newman is degreed in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. She spent several years teaching preschoolers before the birth of her first child. Newman's dedication to children promted her to start My Baby and More Parent Coaching and Educational Services. My Baby and More provides parents with the education and support of positive and natural parenting methods such as breastfeeding, babywearing, and attachment parenting through one-on-one phone, email, in-home and office consultations, seminars, and classes. Newman is a Breastfeeding Counselor for WIC and holds a certificate as a Certified Happiest Baby Educator from Dr. Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby Program. Her latest work Near Mama's Heart, a children's book about breastfeeding, has been named an instant classic and is endorsed by Elizabeth Pantley, Harvey Karp, M.D., Amy Spangler, Hilary Flower and many other experts in the parenting and breastfeeding field. For more information go to: http://www.MyBabyandMore.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colleen_Newman
Teaching Sign Language to Your Baby
Many people are turning to sign language as a teaching tool for their babies. Teaching sign language is not just a trendy thing to do, but it has become some of the earliest education many children are receiving as parents are taking the lead in educating children from their earliest days. Teaching sign language to your baby may seem like a difficult task (especially if you don't know sign language yourself!), but it is easier than you may think. In fact, we teach babies sign language without even thinking about it! When we show them to wave, we're teaching them "bye-bye." When we point at objects, we're teaching them to try to tell us what they want by pointing as well. A baby's mind is like a little sponge - it takes in everything. Learning comes so very easy to them. You will be amazed at just how quickly you and your baby can communicate using signs. It's never too late to start this process, and the whole task can be fun for the entire family! It's nice to be able to know what it is that your baby needs and to be able to provide it for them quickly. And we all want to be able to communicate with babies as soon as we can beyond the babbling and cooing stages. Start out by using signs that will help you learn what your baby wants, whether it's food or milk or to be changed or some other sign that would be an indicator of his or her needs. You should start off by using just a sign or two until you all begin to get the hang of it. Use the sign for food at mealtime or when you are feeding the baby. Show them an object and the corresponding sign so that they will begin to make the connection. Consistency is the key in this process. If they see the sign everytime the word is used, they will quickly learn the connection and sign. Just don't forget to say the word as well! Saying the words along with the signs is important, as if encourages speech development. While some people believe that babies will not learn to speak if taught sign language, this is simply not true. When done along with spoken word association, sign language can advance your child's verbal abilities. There really are so many great benefits to babies who use sign language. Studies have shown that they learn to speak earlier. They have less frustrations about being understood, which means less crying. As they grow, they have an increased vocabulary, a greater interest in books, higher IQ, and many believe that they will have greater self-esteem. Sign language will help in the development of your child's vocabulary and can be a huge benefit in the future, as it will allow them to communicate with both hearing and non-hearing individuals. We all hear about the "terrible twos." But did you know that the stage so many parents dread is mainly caused by the child's frustrations of not being able to communicate their needs and wants? Even if they can't quite communicate their thoughts fully to you, being able to communicate through sign language helps in reducing all those frustrations, which can dramatically decrease the whining, crying, and temper tantrums that come at that age. If you don't know sign language yourself, there are courses you can take in sign language, not to mention books and videos specially designed to help with teaching sign language to babies and children. Sit down and take some time to learn these as a family. Teaching your baby sign language is an easy, fun and exciting way to begin communicating with your newest member of your family. Make the most of your time with your little one. Sharing, bonding and learning together as a family. About the author:Amanda Baker writes for All Things PonderedCirculated by Article Emporium
Teach Your Child The Alphabet
By Deanna Mascle One of the first steps in becoming a successful reader is to learn to recognize the letters of the alphabet. The alphabetic principle teaches that spoken language is represented by written words that are made up of varying combinations of letters, and that these letters and combinations of them make up all of the sounds in spoken language. Attaching sounds to these letters and learning to write them paves the way to successful reading and writing. Learning to say their ABCs is a great start for any preschooler, but it is just as important for your child to learn the sounds of the letters. Preschoolers, who know the sounds of the letters of the alphabet, have an easier time learning to read. In order to read, every child must know the sounds of the letters as well as the shapes and order. More than that he must be able to recall them quickly. When he sees the letter he should be able to say the letter or vocalize its sound without hesitation. This should happen whether he hears the letters in order or not. While the alphabet song can be a fun way to start learning the ABCs it is not enough because children also need to be able to identify each individual letter. In fact, this skill is much more important than knowing where it falls in the alphabet as it is the key in learning to read. Research shows it is important for young children to be able to: ~ Recognize and name letters ~ Recognize beginning letters in familiar words (especially their own name) ~ Recognize both capital and lowercase letters ~ Relate letters to the specific sounds they represent Knowledge of the alphabet is the foundation to your child's literacy development and you shouldn't assume your child will learn this skill in kindergarten. Waiting until kindergarten to learn the ABCs will put your child behind many other students and may cause added stress. Children who can read independently "translate" alphabet shapes accurately back into sounds. If we want our children to be able to read independently, we needed to teach them: ~ The shapes of the alphabet letters; ~ The various sounds of each letter; ~ The sounds made by combined letters. You can start teaching the alphabet when your child is young. My son mastered his letters by his second birthday and I helped him do that without flashcards and without whining! He loves working with his "letters" and even now as he approaches his fourth birthday requests a particular game or activity. He doesn't know he's learning-he just thinks he's having fun with his Mommy. There are many ways that you can help your preschooler learn the sounds and names of the letters of the alphabet. You don't need expensive tools and programs and in fact many of those can be counterproductive as they make learning work. My greatest success was simply to work on letters in context with the world whenever he seemed open to the opportunity. The alphabet became simply a part of our daily life including errands and play time. About the Author: Deanna Mascle writes articles to help you prepare your preschooler for school and life for her newsletter "Preschoolers Learn More". You can find more tips to help you teach your child the alphabet at Teach Your Child The Alphabet Source: www.isnare.com
Potty Training: Dealing with Constipation
By Jill Brennan Some children don’t like having bowel movements, perhaps because they have felt pain before, and now resist going. This resistance can cause constipation as the feces become hard and compacted, making bowel movements even more painful. Here are some questions you can ask to determine whether your child is constipated or not. • have they had a bowel movement in the past few days? • have they had less than their normal amount of bowel movements this week? • were their stools hard and dry? • was it painful for them to pass? • do they have stomach cramps or a distended stomach? • are they complaining of being nauseous? • are they losing weight? • have they been vomiting for no apparent reason? • are their underpants regularly soiled with claylike or liquid faeces? If you have answered yes to several of the above then you’ll know you need to take action and help your child. You can’t make your child have a bowel movement so what can you do? Get your child to drink more fluids, preferably water. • If they are severely constipated and over nine months of age then some prune juice mixed with water should sort them out overnight. • Make sure their diet is high in fibre – try giving them some dried fruit or grapes and reduce the amount of dairy they have. • Reduce their sugar intake • Licorice can have a laxative effect and is a better option than medication which should only be given with your physician’s approval. • Make sure they are getting enough exercise – it may be reflection of a sluggish metabolism. • Encourage them to go as soon as they feel the need. • If they just don’t like it then talk about the importance of having regular bowel movements and how everyone does it. • Encourage your child to sit on the potty for ten minutes an hour or so after each meal to see if you can encourage some regularity. • Make sure your child can rest their feet on a stool or the floor so that they feel stable and balanced and can easily push. • Try to make having a bowel movement more pleasant for your child by encouraging them to read a book or listen to music while they sit. If the constipation doesn’t go away then it is best to see your family doctor for advice as it may be indicative of something more serious. Find more information on how to handle potty training road blocks and what other potty training sites won’t tell you, visit Potty Training. There you will find the advice and resources you need to succeed with potty training in the long term. For more parenting information visit Jill's Parenting Help blog. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jill_Brennan
Potty Training At Daycare and Preschool
By Danna Henderson With 61% of children between the ages of birth and 6 years in daycare, it's important that parents work closely with their child's care provider while potty training. When you child is ready for potty training, the right potty training guidance and supplies can make all the difference. Be Sure Your Child Is Ready – Before you begin potty training, make sure your child is ready. Your child should show the following signs of potty training readiness: · Expresses an interest in the potty · Express the need to go potty (verbally or through body language) · Able to dress and undress · Uncomfortable in wet diapers · Stays dry for two hours · Imitates family members · Interested in big kid underwear · Has regular bowel movements Introduce Potty Training - If your child is in daycare, he or she will probably notice that there are other children around who wear cotton underwear and use the potty. This kind of light peer pressure can motivate your child to want to use the potty. Start introducing the idea by watching a potty training book or video together. Be sure and tell your child's daycare provider that you are beginning the potty training process. You child's daycare provider can help by watching for signs of potty training readiness and answering questions from your child. Discuss the Plan - When you begin potty training your child, discuss your plan with your child's daycare worker. He or she has probably potty trained many children and may have some useful tips and tricks. Make sure your potty training methods are similar. Set Potty Training Rules - Work together to set some basic potty training guidelines. For example, agree that your child will not be punished for accidents and that you'll give stickers as rewards for using the potty. The potty training process will be easier for your child if both you and the child care worker are providing the same potty training guidance. Progress Reports - Speak with the childcare provider often to exchange progress reports. Both of you need to be aware of any successes or potential problems. If the daycare worker tells you that your child used the potty earlier that day, be sure and tell your child that that you heard about his or her success and that you are proud of him or her. Copyright 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved.About The AuthorDanna Henderson started ZIP Baby in order to provide parents with comprehensive potty training information as well as a large selection of potty training products. For more information about potty training, or to browse the potty training store, visit the Bedwetting Advice & Store.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danna_Henderson
Introducing New Baby to the Older Child
By Michael Russell Is a new baby going to make the family a quartet? Here are some pointers to make this transition as smooth as possible. Be sure to introduce your child to the new baby before birth. Share ultrasound pictures. Get her to know the baby by patting the baby, talking to the baby and feeling the baby kick. Make a game of talking about and planning for the new sibling. When a young child doesn't see the baby, it will not threaten her territory, even though a toddler may sense that Mommy and Daddy are preoccupied with the new bulge. Revisit your child as a baby. Share her baby album with her. Show her what she looked like when she was born, when she was nursing, coming home from the hospital, having her diapers changed, etc. If she is familiar with newborn tasks, she will be more prepared for things to come. Prepare her verbally for baby's entrance. "Mama is going to hold the new baby all the time. New babies sit in Mama's arms all day. Babies sleep and nurse all day long. New born, tiny babies need their mommies and daddies to help them". Make sure the child participates in the new baby festivities. She can help to plan a baby birthday party. She will enjoy helping to pick out the cake and decorations. She can help pick out special presents for the new sibling. Make sure that your child gets a present too. It is common for family and friends to bring along a gift for the older child when visiting the new baby. In the absence of this, keep some presents hidden for your youngster when presents are lavished on the new baby. It is also a good idea to let her unwrap the baby gifts and test the new toys, such as rattles. It has been shown that sharing Mama with the new baby is what bothers children most. Sharing is almost always a foreign concept for children under three and her Mama is her most prized "possession". Most children will not be willing to accept the concept of sharing time with the new baby. What you can do is share with your child the time spent caring for your newborn. Baby slings give you two free hands to play and physically interact with your child. Read a book while you feed baby. Make the older child feel important. All children want to help. Give her a family job. Tell her you need her help. Be sure to praise her when she helps. She may even learn some mothering skills along the way. Encourage your child to talk about her feelings. These may be negative or positive. Drawing pictures may help her open up. Often children feel safer drawing what they feel. Always say that her feelings are normal. Most likely your child will open up more. All human beings want to be accepted and understood. Revisit special times often, especially with Dad. These can be outings to the playground, to the ice cream parlor, or even to the corner market. These one-on-one times are only for the older child. It helps that she gains attention from Dad when she has lost attention from Mom. Following these general guidelines should help to make the transition to a larger family easier and more enjoyable, especially in the first few months. A new baby in the family is a joy and as parents, we must remember that the trying times will all be distant memories. Michael RussellYour Independent Baby and Toddler guide.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Elimination Communication aka Potty Talk
By Carrie Lauth No, not that kind of potty talk. That's another topic altogether! I'm talking about Elimination Communication (EC), a new word given to an ancient practice: raising baby without diapers. E.C. is also referred to as Natural Infant Hygiene. When I first heard about Elimination Communication, my second child was about 8 months old. The concept intrigued me. I knew that women around the world did not use diapers, and though they wore their babies on their bodies, they didn't get wet on. They simply tuned in to their baby's cues and at the right time, held baby out over a bush and let nature take its course. I decided to try it with my son. I was tickled pink when I sat him on a little potty and he went, right on cue. It's like he knew exactly what to do. The party line of modern child rearing experts is that baby has no control over his sphincter muscles until around 18 months, but I didn't believe that. I noticed with my kids that they would wake up dry every morning from the time they were around 7 months old or so (and I use cloth diapers so I knew the diaper was dry). Besides, babies all over the world don’t read books by American parenting experts! My “EC babies”, at 9 months of age, used the potty for almost all of their eliminations. They rarely wore diapers (only when we went out, sometimes not even then) and instead wore either training pants or little underwear. Early potty training (as young as 15- 24 months) is a side effect of EC but it's not really the goal. The goal is communication. If you put diapers on the baby from the time he is newborn, he's effectively being trained to "go" in a diaper. He's being "diaper trained." EC babies do have accidents. Sometimes, during a developmental leap (crawling, walking), babies take a break from cueing their parents when they need to go. They're just too busy to be bothered. But since they don't become accustomed to the feel of waste on their skin, finishing to potty independence is easy. They don't really have to be trained as toddlers because they already prefer the potty. It's not scary, neither do they have to be coerced, bribed, etc as often happens with conventionally trained toddlers. Elimination Communication is just another option for parents. The thing I love about it is that it proves that babies are so much smarter than we give them credit for. Just as it was fascinating and almost unbelievable the first time you saw a baby signing to its parents (whether that baby was yours or someone else's), it's also really cool to see a baby clearly communicating their elimination needs. For example, when my youngest baby is playing happily on the floor, then crawls up to me quickly and starts fussing, I sit her on the potty and she poops. Instead of struggling with an unhappy, squirmy baby during diaper changes, her needs are met in a more hygienic way, quickly and easily, with respect for her dignity. For those who are interested in learning more, a non profit organization called DiaperFreeBaby.org has appeared on the scene to give information and support. There is also a wonderful book called Diaper Free! by Ingrid Bauer that tells you how to get started with the practice, stories from parents and practical tips. Now regarding potty talk, if anyone knows the secret to getting your 5 year old son to stop communicating about eliminating, I'm all ears. Carrie Lauth is a mom of 4 who enjoys helping other Moms raise their babies the natural way. Come listen and learn with her at http://www.naturalmomstalkradio.com and for more information on EC, visit http://www.naturalbabyworld.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carrie_Lauth
Baby and Toddler - Develop Skills in Your Toddler
By Michael Russell Understanding who your child is, is essential for promoting healthy development. If you know what their strengths are and know where they need support, then you are on the right track for your 2-3 year olds' development. When children are two years old they can usually speak between 200-250 words. When they are three, they can put two sentences together containing three or four words. Even with all of this vocabulary, toddlers still have a hard time expressing their emotions. This can leave them very frustrated and powerless. There are a couple things you can do to help. Having conversations with your child will help boost their language skills and makes them feel important. Try to find out what your child likes to talk about and engage them in a conversation. Also read to them as much as possible. By letting your two year old know that you understand the frustration they are experiencing will help calm them down and will make it much easier for them to tackle the challenge. Figure out how your child handles their difficult feelings and situations. This will help you to calm them down and show them the right way to handle their emotions. Playtime is very important for your two year old child. It will build in all areas of their development. When they play, they interact more with friends, they use pretend play to help understand things in a more complex way and they learn important concepts like big and small and up and down. Try to get more involved in their pretend play. Note what they like to pretend to do and join the fun. When you do this it will help build a strong connection between the two of you and it can help encourage creativity. Making plans for your child to spend time with other children will give them the pleasure in making new friends. The more time they get spending with other children the more they learn to get along with each other. It is a good social skill to build on. As many of you know, two year olds are very active, with their constant running, jumping and climbing. These motor skills allow them the freedom to explore in new ways. Try to spend as much time outside as you can. There will be plenty of room to run and jump safely. Taking them to a park to play with other children is great. Get your child involved in family sports like swimming and soccer on the lawn. They will benefit a lot from it and let's not forget the benefits of nap time!! Go on walks with them and take time to discuss what they see. Compare things like houses and cars, it will help teach concepts of big and small. They will get a chance to explore other things that they see. If you can't go outside due to weather then create a safe place in your home that they can prowl around and explore different stations you create. These few steps will help your two year old develop the skills for a bright imagination and prepare them socially. They will also learn to express themselves better and reduce the frustrations for both of you. Michael Russell Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Ten Ways to Help Your Child Get Ready to Read
By Carol Boles Pre-school reading and kindergarten curriculums in most public schools teach the alphabet and its corresponding sounds. However, today more and more school districts are assessing children's letter name and corresponding sound knowledge prior to enrollment. Why? Because most children come to school with this knowledge. Many children's television programs teach this content and many parents take it upon themselves to teach their children these concepts as well. Ironically, even though public school curriculums teach these concepts, schools consider children who have not mastered these concepts to be behind their peers. Therefore, parents should consider applying the following strategies to help their young children get ready to read: 1. Buy a set of alphabet letters cards. Put them at the children's eye level, on the wall, where your children can easily see them everyday. Review the letter names, in groups of seven, daily. Say the letter name and letter sound of each card. IMPORTANT! A letter sound is a small, short sound. Don't add vowel sounds after consonants. "C" sound like "k" not CAA. It's not Ca ba da! It's "c" "b" "d". When your child masters a set of seven, go onto another set of seven. If you're unsure about teaching your children letter-sounds, DON'T! Leave it to the classroom teacher. 2. Buy a set of magnetic alphabet letters and put them on the refrigerator. Let your children play with them. Some children are tactile learners. That is, touching the letter shape helps them process and learn the letter's name. 3. Write your children's names in block and stick letters (manucript) clearly and uniformly. And put this on their bedroom doors. NO CURSIVE! Remember, your children are learning a code. Think of it this way - if you were learning and new language that had a different written alphabet (such as Chinese), in order for you to learn this new code/ symbol, the symbols would need to be exactly the same every time in order for you to recognize them and memorize them. 4. Help your children write their names in other ways. Write their names for them, then let them trace over this. Small children have limited motor skills but encourage them to pick up a crayon or large pencil and try to trace the letters. 5. Start reading to your children as soon as they can focus their eyes on the book. Read simple board books every day. Introducing the concept of reading early on sends the message that reading is an important skill. You are also introducing and re-enforcing classroom behaviors such as sitting quietly and listening. 6. Read your children's favorite books over and over. Start pointing to the words. The muscles in children's eyes are not fully developed until they are about ten or eleven years old. When you point to the words, you are helping them track along. That is, keeping their place on the page. Also, they hear the word, see the word, then eventually recognize the word. Thus, they develop some sight word capability. 7. Put books in your car. While you drive, let your children entertain themselves turning the pages and looking at the pictures. Change your selection of books regularly. 8. Write notes to family members and young children who are not yet reading. They will feel included and be motivated to learn to read so they can participate (of course read the notes to them until they learn to read). 9. Take your children to the library. Let them pick out books they want you to read to them. Also, choose books you will enjoy reading aloud to them. 10. Buy your children books for presents. Wrap them up in bright paper. After they rip the paper off, read the books to them. Children who make the connection early on that the sounds and words we make with our mouth can be converted to written letters or words have a much easier time learning to read. By teaching your children the alphabet, reading to them and creating a rich, literate home environment, you are sending the message that reading is an important skill. One they will be eager to learn. Carol Boles has a master's degree in Special Reading and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has over 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.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com or email her at Cwrites-56@hotmail.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Boles
8 Ways To Focus Your Child On Learning… Starting Right Now!
By Megan Wiles 1. Dress for Success As tempting as it may be in the homeschool setting to roll out of bed, pour a bowl of cereal, and begin instruction in your bathrobe, it is important that you dress for success. Your children need to know the importance of the education they are receiving. There is no quicker way to give your at-home classroom an aura of respect, than by dressing the part. Clothing does not have to be formal, but it can't be sloppy either. Similarly, your students should get ready for school in the morning by grooming and dressing appropriately to set the tone for the days work. Expectation is one of the greatest factors in student learning, and your dress reflects your expectations. 2. Eliminate Distractions Learning time should be focused and efficient. It is important, therefore, to eliminate as many distractions as possible. As a homeschool teacher it may seem impossible to get rid of all the daily interruptions that take place, from phone calls to door-to-door salesmen. However, with a little bit of effort and preplanning disruptions to your class schedule can be minimized. To begin with make sure that you choose a room in your home with no TVs or inherent noise problems. To prevent disruptions in your class, hand a sign on the front door reading, “No solicitors, homeschooling in progress.” Also make sure to turn off the phone and put any pets outdoors. 3. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule To create an efficient use of time and space in your home, it is vital to have a daily and weekly schedule. School hours should be set and regular so that students know what to expect and are prepared to learn. While schedules are important to the educational environment, don’t let them be your only focus. Unique teaching opportunities arise all the time that should not be passed over to keep to the schedule. These are some of the greatest joys of homeschooling, being about to adapt learning to your individual students. 4. The Proper Tools The homeschool environment needs to have the proper learning tools just like any ordinary classroom. Beyond the obvious paper and pencils, students need tools at their fingertips to encourage inquiry and problem solving. Every homeschool environment should have reference materials such as a dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas and internet. Hands-on learning tools are also important. Simple objects like dried pasta or building blocks can serve as aids to demonstrate math functions. 5. Text-Rich Environment The homeschool classroom can always be improved with posters, letter cards, word walls, diagrams, and poems displayed for easy reference. Students are influenced by their surroundings. Giving students a text rich environment will encourage them to read and the repeated reference to these different pieces of language will encourage understanding and memory. 6. Multiple Modalities There has been a great deal of focus on multiple intelligences in the area of education. The idea that each individual has strengths in different areas can be a very important key in presenting information in a way that individual can understand. Consider including things in the learning environment that will promote the different intelligences in your child. Include photos, graphic organizers, and illustrations for the visual learner. Have books on CD, music and chants for the auditory learner. Provide physical gestures, models, and tracing sand for those kinesthetic learners. There are ways to encourage and incorporate all of your learner’s specific intelligences into the daily lesson. 7. Rules While you certainly have rules that your children follow in your home, you may want to create a more specific set of rules for school time. Having a set of rules that you develop with your children for their learning time is very effective. When everyone knows the rules and why they are necessary it is much easier to get compliance. Once you and your kids have decided on the rules and the consequences for following or not following the rules, take the time to write them down and post them where they can be referenced when appropriate. 8. Take a Break! While, as adults, we may be able to push through an entire days work with few breaks, this is not ideal for children. In fact, it may be more beneficial to allow students regular movement breaks. These breaks can be part of the learning process or more of a recess. Either way, physical activity breaks refresh students and give them energy to refocus on their studies. About the Author: Megan Wiles is a successful writer for Homeschool-Guidance.com. She provides a free e-course on "Maximizing Your Child’s Learning Potential" and other valuable information on her website. Source: www.isnare.com
Super Cool Baby Names!
By Chiamin Lau Cool names today usually are those that are uncommon. Nowadays,traditional names like Mary and John will not belong to the list of cool names. Having said that, the definition of cool names is still a big question mark. If you cannot find a suitable baby name after looking through the list of baby names, you are free to make one up! Let's look at how some other parents name their babies for a start, may it gives you the inspiration you need for cool baby-naming! Celebrity baby names Victoria & David Beckham : Brooklyn ,Romeo & Cruz Catherine Zeta Zones & Micheal Douglas : Dylan Micheal &Carys Zeta Heather Mills & Paul McCartney : Beatrice Milly Madonna & Guy Ritchie : Lourdes & Rocco Prince Andrew & Sarah Ferguson :Beatrice & Eugenie Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin: Apple Jamie & Jools Oliver : Daisy Boo and Poppy Honey Angelina Jolie : Maddox & Zahara Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith : Jaden & Willow Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe: Deacon Andre Agassi & Steffi Graf : Jaz Elle Agassi Whitney Houston & Bobby Brown :Bobbi Kristina Colin Farrell & Kim Bordenave :James Padraig Pierce Brosnan & Keely Shaye Smith:Dylan Thomas Nicole Appleton & Liam Gallagher : Gene Demi Moore & Bruce Willis: Rumer Glenn, Scout Larue and Tallulah Belle Sharon Stone & Phil Bronstein :Roan Michael Jackson:Prince Michael, Paris & Blanket Indeed looking at the list above, you would probably think that baby-naming seems to have become a competitive sport among the celebrities. Some celebrities even look to sources like places and fruits to name their babies? Well, the sky is the limit! Let us review another group - Supermodels and see what are their choices of Baby Names? Elle Macpherson : Aurelius Cy Andrea Busson Claudia Schiffer: Caspar & Clementine Kate Moss: Lila Grace Cindy Crawford : Presley Walker & Kaia Jordan Helena Christensen :Mingus Lucien Yasmin Le Bon:Saffron Sahara , Tallulah Pine And why not some movie character names for more inspiration? Movie Character Names' list here: The Lord of the Rings (Liv Tyler) : Arwen The Lord of the Rings ( Orlando Bloom) : Legolas Gangs of New York ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) : Amsterdam DareDevil ( Colin Farrell): Bullseye Batman Forever ( Nicole Kidman ) : Chase Legally Blonde ( Reese Witherspoon) : Elle Die Another Day ( Halle Berry) : Jinx The Matrix ( Keanu Reeves ) : Neo The Matrix (Carrie-Ann Moss ) : Trinity Star Wars (II) (Natalie Portman) : Padme Gladiator (Russell Crowe ) : Maximus Moulin Rouge (Nicole Kidman) : Satine May you find or invent your favourite baby name. Good Luck and Congratulations! Chiamin Lau - publisher of http://www.99babynames.com .Choosing your baby's name will probably be one of the most important, exciting and fun things you will do during your pregnancy. Let 99babynames.com accompanies you on this exciting journey !Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chiamin_Lau
Selecting The Right Baby Name Can Be Hard
Hey lets face it it's your child and you have the right to name the new infant whatever your heart desires. Do not be influenced by in-laws or pestering family members. In this article I will give you a few tips on what you can do when deciding your newborns name. First thing is first is to take your time. Don't rush into it that is the worst thing you can possibly do when narrowing down a baby name. Never settle on a name that you are not 100 percent positive on. It can and will last a lifetime! Believe it or not you do not need a baby name before birth. Some parents actually have waited almost 3 weeks after birth before deciding on that perfect child name. The next tip I recommend is to carefully look at the spelling of the name. One thing me and my husband avoided was naming our child with the same letter of our last name. This can end up being a tongue twister and cause some teasing too. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but you may just want to stay clear of naming your child with the same letter as your last name. This next tip is probably fifty/fifty on the do we really care list. Do you care about the actual meaning of your soon to be baby's name? Some parents don't really care or even research the meaning of the name. For example, we narrowed down our male name to Corey which means humorous (just like his dad). My final tip is to recite your choices out loud. Yeah it may sound a little whacky but it works! Say the infant name and even include the middle name (whole other can of worms) and listen to the flow. Believe me one of your choices will click and stay with you. Some of the names that me and my husband liked on paper sounded horrible when saying them out loud. I hope these tips help you select the right baby name. One more thing, have fun with it! About the author:Rachel Holland writes for http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com Rachel suggests this material:http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com/babynamefinder.comhtm http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com/babyname-finder-and-meaning.htm http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com/baby-namer-help.htmCirculated by Article Emporium
Baby Eczema
By Josh Riverside Eczema affects between ten and twenty percent of all babies in the United States. In the majority of these cases, the condition resolves by the time they reach two years of age. In some babies, eczema becomes chronic and may continue into adulthood. In babies, the most common type of eczema is atopic eczema. This type of eczema is characterized by itching, and red, scaly skin on the scalp, face, arms or legs. Eczematous lesions may also affect other parts of the body. Atopic eczema often runs in families, and an episode may be triggered when a baby has poorly moisturized skin, is exposed to certain substances or types of clothing, or eats certain foods. Extreme temperatures may also trigger eczema. Some studies have shown a link between early weaning from breastfeeding and eczema. Food allergies are thought to account for up to 30 percent of childhood eczema cases. If a particular food is suspected as the likely cause of a baby’s eczema, the food can be eliminated from the diet. The process of eliminating foods is usually one of trial and error; some commonly implicated foods are milk, eggs, wheat, fish and peanuts. In some babies, wearing clothes that have been washed in certain detergents or treated with fabric softeners may trigger eczema. The treatment of eczema in babies involves bathing in lukewarm water, and proper skin lubrication with hypoallergenic creams. Dressing a baby in natural fabrics such as cotton, and using only fragrance-free products, can also help. To prevent itchy skin from becoming further damaged or infected from excessive scratching, a baby’s nails should be kept short or covered with mittens. In more severe cases, a pediatrician may prescribe antihistamines to relieve itching, and local steroid creams for a limited period to heal skin lesions. Eczematous skin lesions that become infected may be treated with either a local antibiotic cream or an oral or injected antibiotic. Eczema provides detailed information on Eczema, Eczema Treatments, Baby Eczema, Cure For Eczema and more. Eczema is affiliated with Human Ring Worm.
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Baby Naming
By Vlady Peters There’s always been a debate about names. Are children destined to carry out the expectations of the names given them? Can a Jeeves ever reinvent himself to be anything but a butler? Were the names given to the twins in Steinbeck’s ‘East of Eden’ a kiss of death for anything but a replay of the story of Cain and Abel? Many popular films of the time tend to spawn names, especially if they are unusual. At one time every second boy was named ‘Shane’ after Alan Ladd’s popular film, touted at the time as an adult western as opposed, I suppose, to the matinee fill-ins featuring Gene Autrey and Roy Rogers. Sometimes it’s a well-known personality which inspires parents to name their children. How many girls in the world are now sporting the name of Kylie after the popular singer Kylie Minogue? If the parents name the child after some person they admire, do they actually believe that the child will inherit those qualities and characteristic, or do they hope they will? Sometimes it actually seems to works. Look at Martina Hingis. Named after the legendary Martina Navratilova she was a number one tennis player in the world for 209 weeks. Was it the expectations of the name, or the expectations of those associated with naming her? The practice of celebrating baby naming has sky-rocketed in Australia. Like weddings, once removed from religious constraints, the event seems to be enhanced and enlarged. A seriousness of intention creeps into the event. It is no longer something that has to be done because it is expected, but rather something that parents choose to do. In undertaking a Naming Ceremony for their baby, the parents seem to recognize that the baby is more than a figure in their own personal lives. If making friends is a big element in people’s lives, than you could say that baby naming is the first step in forging future bonds of friendship for the baby. Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorised to perform marriages in Australia. She also perform general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about her as a celebrant and an author visit Vlady at http://www.weddings-celebrant.com
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How to Help the Child Who Does Not Like to Read
By Audrey Okaneko As parents we all recognize the importance of reading, but what do you do when your child just does not like or enjoy reading? Here are several ideas and tips I found over the years. Magazines are a wonderful way to help your child enjoy reading. My daughter loved fashion and beauty magazines. She would spend hours reading the articles and tips. Over the years, several teachers allowed her to count her magazine reading and write her reports on articles she found in magazines. If you have a child that is not enjoying reading, talk to the teacher and see if magazine reading is an acceptable alternative. Read to your child as they follow along. I remember as an adult I met a 14 year old boy through a teen community I worked for online. He once told me that his mother still read to him. I asked him about this routine. He said he loved hearing his mom read to him and it gave him and his mom great quality time together. He had a younger sister and his mom read to her each night, so after putting her to bed she would come spend time with her son and they would read together. He chose the books and she would read. This got her involved in his favorite books and this allowed him to comprehend the book without him actually reading it. He told me that often after hearing his mom read the book, he would go back and reread the section they had read last night. Buy a craft kit or model airplane kit and have your child read the instructions to put it together. This again is a wonderful way to spend quality time with your child while helping them enjoy reading. The end results are wonderful as they have not only read the instructions and followed them, but in the end you have a wonderful product you can use, hold or display. Cook together, with your child reading the instructions. There is no incentive like brownies, cookies, or even lasagna. The catch is the child has to help read and prepare the food. My daughter has spent hour pouring through and reading cookbooks. We’ve also spent hours online looking at, reading and printing recipes. Young children can help measure, pour and mix. Older children can help shop for the foods, reading the labels and making sure you have the right ingredients. Crossword puzzle books, word find books and logic puzzle books are wonderful for older kids. I have also seen very simple word find books for younger children. Not only does your child have to read the words in word find books but then they have to find the words hidden amongst other letters. As my kids got a little older they used to create their own word find puzzles. We would make the grid on the computer. They would then create a word find based on a theme. They’d write the words, insert the words into the grid and then use the remaining letters of the alphabet as fillers. It was always fun for them to make sure they used every letter of the alphabet at least once or at least twice. Does your child like comic books? Again, this might be an area where you can negotiate with a teacher. Can your child write a report on the theme of the comics? Can your child share any lessons learned from the comics? Can your child write a report about the characters in the comic book? How does the character dress? What are some of the personality traits of the character? What criteria is the child using to determine the personality traits? When you have a child that does not like to read, it’s time to get creative and try some of the above ideas or others you may have to interest your child in written words. Audrey Okaneko is mom to two girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Okaneko
Baby Clothes – The Top 7 Essentials
By: Lisa Sparillo One of the best parts of preparing for a new baby is to buy baby clothes. The tiny clothes are so charming and can melt any heart any number of times. If you have had any issues about whether you will be a good mom or dad, just take a look at that cute onesie – anything that fits something so small can’t be unmanageable! One thing you must keep in mind when buying baby clothes is that your new baby is going to need lots of them. The top seven things that your baby’s wardrobe must have are: 1. Diapers: I can’t even begin to tell you how many of those your baby will need, but just buy them in bulk. For ease of operation and less headache for mommy, try the disposable types 2. Onesies: Onesies are one – piece garments like overalls or coveralls and expect your new born to be spending a lot of time in them. Choose onesies that can be easily opened and fastened so that you can change the baby with minimal effort. Cotton tees: Cotton tees teemed up with cotton shorts or skirts and are great for indoors. Do buy lots of tees because they will need frequent changing. 3. Sleep – ins: Sleep ins like sleepers and pajamas for night wear keep the baby safe from draft and are comfortable to sleep in. 4. Warm clothes: Add some warm clothes like sweaters and fleecewear in your baby’s wardrobe because they need a lot of protection from cold weather. 5. Caps and hats: Maybe not several of them, but buy a couple of caps to keep the baby’s head out of the wind. 6. Mittens: In winters you can’t do without them but keep some cotton ones for the summers so that the baby doesn’t scratch itself with its own nails. Babies do that, seriously. About the Author: Lisa Sparillo for http://www.babyclothesresource.com
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Parrots to Poets -- It's All In Learning To Say Words
By Sapna GaneshanCommunication is what humans and animals use to share thoughts, ideas, and emotions. You may be surprised to know that from birth onwards, your child will instinctively communicate with you-- at first by crying and smiling and as time passes by different signals and expressions. A baby first recognizes and bonds with its mother and seeks her guidance in exploring the world. Most early learning stems from the immediate environment, and the parents and caregivers are the first teachers. A baby learns quickly by imitating sounds and words heard each day, songs sung to it, and from toys, books, as well as pictures. A ready reckoner for you to check your child’s development As a parent you may spend many anxious moments worrying whether your child is developing well, whether anything is wrong, or worrying about illnesses or learning disabilities. Well, most developmental articles or charts are just general reference points. Some babies grow and pass each stage quickly while others develop slower but do catch up. So, don’t fret if John has not said “ ba, ba or da, da,” when your neighbor’s child born a few days later already has. Every baby is like a sponge and receptive to things in his or her immediate environment. A baby who has people talking and interacting with him or her all day long tends to learn words faster than children who spend long hours alone in a crib or play pen with toys. As a child grows, its brain too develops along with other systems such as bones, muscles, and motor skills. And, from birth until age three the child absorbs everything around it—sounds, sight, music, words, and more. As you know, communication begins during the first few days of life—a baby learns quickly that it can seek comfort from its mother and that crying is what gets attention in terms of food, comfort, and companionship. The first sound a baby recognizes is that of its own mother. So, be prepared for a baby that absorbs sounds and sights quickly, and if you are lucky, the baby at six months of age will make a few basic sounds that form words, and speak a few words of your native tongue. The progression you will see is from cooing and blowing raspberries the baby will babble and then use repetitive words like ba, ba, or da, da, followed by strings of gibberish and magically at eight months or a year, the baby will start forming proper words. You may have noticed babies that speak two languages at the same time, their mother tongue and English—this is because a small baby when exposed to two different languages constantly begins learning both without a hitch. Here is what normally happens: from birth to five months a baby reacts to loud sounds, when you move, he follows you around with his eyes and by turning his head, responds when you speak or coo to him , learns to show pleasure as well as displeasure by fussing, crying, giggling, and gurgling. Then between 6-11 months a baby understands what you say and parrots the sounds -- mouths ba - ba and ma-ma and other syllables-- and communicates with gestures. Once a baby is between 12-17 months he or she can sit with you and look at picture books, learn to follow what you ask, recognize objects, and family members. So, if you say, “Where is dad,” the baby will point to his father. The baby will also speak with two syllable words, and will imitate simple words. At 18-23 months you will find a great change as many skills are enhanced and the baby loves being read to. He will listen to stories, point to body parts and objects, understand clearly actions like come, open your mouth, eat, and can pronounce vowels, say few words, and ask for things like milk or cookie. It is from here on that learning is rapid. So, it is important for the parents and care givers to optimize learning during this phase. Article was contributed by SmartNeurons. Smart Neurons offers kids’ educational software, video and other educational aids. Our products encourage critical thinking, imagination and leadership skills and are targeted to enhance a child’s educational experience.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sapna_Ganeshan
Popular Baby Names
By Monica Nelson Are you looking for cute baby names? This article explains the meaning and history of the 50 most popular baby names in the United States this year. 25 Most Popular Names for BOYS 1 (most popular). Jacob is a biblical name, which has its origins in the Hebrew language. Jacob means 'supplanter' or 'one who grasps the heel;' this is because the biblical Jacob was born holding his twin brother's heel. 2. Michael is a biblical name, which means 'who is like God.' The bearer of this name in the bible is the leader of heaven's armies, and so is considered the patron saint of soldiers. 3. Joshua is from the Hebrew language, and means 'savior.' In the bible Joshua was chosen to lead the Isrealites as the successor to Moses. 4. Matthew is a biblical name, meaning 'given,' or 'reward.' Matthew was one of the 12 apostles, and wrote the first Gospel in the New Testament regarding the life of Jesus. 5. Andrew is a biblical name which means 'manly' and 'brave.' In the bible Andrew was the first apostle, and is the patron saint of Scotland and of Russia. 6. Joseph is a biblical name meaning 'addition,' or 'increase.' 7. Ethan is the name from the Old Testament. It means 'solid, strong,' and 'constancy, enduring.' 8. Daniel means 'God is my judge.' In the Old Testament Daniel was a prophet. 9. Christopher is a Latin name, and it means 'bearing Christ,' or 'he who holds Christ in his heart.' When Jesus was a child, Saint Christopher is believed to have carried him across a river. 10. Anthony is a Latin name which means 'flower,' from the Greek word anthos, or 'priceless.' 11. William has its origins in the German language, and means 'helmet, protection.' This is also the first name of Mr. Shakespeare. 12. Ryan is an Irish name in origin, which means 'little king 13. Nicholas is a Greek name which means 'the people's victory.' St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus, is the patron saint of children and merchants. 14. David is a Hebrew name meaning 'beloved,' or 'dear.' In the Old Testament David was the second king of Israel. 15. Tyler is derived from an Old English surname which was used to denote one's occupation as a 'tile layer.' 16. Alexander is derived from the Greek. It means 'defender of men.' 17. John is a biblical name; owned by John the Baptist and John the apostle. John means 'gracious,' or 'mercy of the Lord.' 18. James is a Hebrew name, and a derivative of the common name Jacob. James means 'to supplant.' 19. Dylan is a Welsh name and means 'sea,' or 'Son of the wave.' 20. Zachary is an English variant on the Hebrew name Zachariah, which means 'remembered by God.' 21. Brandon is an English name of a place, which meant 'hill covered with broom;' broom is a weed. Brandon is also a variant of the Irish name Brendan, which either means 'prince,' or 'stinking hair.' 22. Jonathan is a biblical name which means 'given of God.' 23. Samuel is a Hebrew name, held by a prophet in the Old Testament. It means 'God has heard.' 24. Christian meand 'follower of Christ,' and has origins in many languages and cultures. 25. Benjamin is a Hebrew name appearing in the Old Testament; it means 'son of the right hand.' 25 Most Popular Names for GIRLS 1. Emily has its origins in Latin, and means 'industrious' in French and German as well. 2. Emma has German and English origins, and means 'whole,' or 'universal' in both languages. 3. Madison is an English surname derived either from the name Matthew, meaning 'gift,' or is derived from the name Matilda, meaning 'strong fighter.' 4. Hannah is a Hebrew name which means 'gracious,' and 'merciful.' 5. Olivia is a derivative of the Latin word 'olive,' which is a symbol of peace. 6. Abigail is a Hebrew name meaning 'Father's joy.' 7. Alexis is from the Greek; it means 'helper,' or 'defender.' 8. Ashley is an English name that means 'she dwells in the ash tree grove.' 9. Elizabeth is a biblical name; the mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament. Elizabeth means 'oath of God.' 10. Samantha is a feminine form of the name Samuel. Samantha means 'listener.' 11. Isabella means 'devoted to God' in Hebrew. It is also supposed to be a Spanish variant on the name Elizabeth. 12. Sarah is the biblical wife of Abraham and mother Issac, the name Sarah means 'princess.' 13. Grace is an English name meaning 'God's favor.' 14. Alyssa, according to the Greek tradition, means rational. 15. Lauren means 'from the place of Laurel trees,' which in Greek culture are symbols of honor and victory. 16. Kayla means 'keeper of the keys,' or 'pure' in both English and Greek. 17. Brianna is from Celtic, meaning 'she who ascends,' or 'strong.' 18. Jessica has Shakespearean origins, first appearing in its modern form in the play 'The Merchant of Venice.' 19. Taylor was an English surname denoting the occupation of tailor. 20. Sophia is from the Greek, and means 'wise.' 21. Anna was used in the Native American Algonquin tribe to mean 'mother,' and also holds the meaning 'grace' in many languages, including Russian. 22. Victoria was the Roman goddess of victory, and the name consequently means 'victorious.' 23. Natalie is derived from the Latin, and means 'born at Christmas.' 24. Chloe means 'green shoot' in Greek. The name also appears in the bible. 25. Sydney means 'from Saint-Denis,' or 'wide-island.' The name has traceable origins in French and in English. Monica Nelson writes articles that answer womens health questions such as what are common pregnancy symptoms, which pregnancy tests are more accurate, what are popular baby names which weightloss programs really work, and other topics of interest to women. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Nelson
Just the Right Baby Name
By Claire Kolarova
How can you choose the perfect baby name? With so much information out there, it can seem like an impossible task. But with a little research and a good dose of inspiration, choosing the right
baby name can be one of the fun parts of pregnancy! Baby name books
Baby name books are a great read: you can curl up for a rest and mull over a
thousand different possibilities. They're excellent for short bursts of baby
name investigation. Keep one in the kitchen, another by your chair and one by
your bed. Enter a world where syllables, initials, rhymes, trends, meanings and
warnings blend together in a wave of advice about the best kind of baby name to
choose. Baby names online
On the Web, baby name sites offer tens of thousands of names. Some enable you to
search for names with certain letters or a set number of syllables; there are
surveys, lists, opinions, and forums. Exotic international baby names mingle
with popular favorites, while high ranking kings and queens topping the baby
name rankings look down on names that have suddenly become less cool. In the
baby names arena, the Internet has come into its own: we can browse a huge
collection of names, select a certain type of baby name to investigate or search
for one particular name that interests us - it's so flexible! Friends and family
Asking relatives and friends for ideas can be fruitful - but be careful not to
take all their advice to heart! Don't forget that it's your decision - be
open to ideas and suggestions, then go away and think about it all again. Taking
a look at your family history can be useful, too; do you have an ancestor with
an interesting name? Finding just the right name for your baby is a huge task, but your baby will have a name. It's just a matter... of
finding it!
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Hindu Baby Names and Their Meanings
By Julie Parker
Hindu people take naming their children very seriously. They give their children names that will guide them to live a life of morality. The name is often reminiscent of divine qualities. Hindus often name their children after holy people, sages, saints, and even use the names of God and the Gods.
Many people are looking for exotic and unique names for their babies today. Tired of the same old names like William and Mary, some are looking towards Hindu names to find one for their baby that will make them stand out as an individual.
Boy Names
Each Hindu name has a meaning and most parents look at the meaning as well as the name itself. If you are looking for a strong, powerful name for your son, consider these:
Jayin (Conqueror)
Nayakan (Hero)
Nirek (Superior)
Ojayit (Courageous)
Paranjoy (Conqueror of Life)
Paramjit (Heroic)
Ranjiv (Victorious)
Sabal (With strength)
Sahasya (Mighty)
Savir (Leader)
Many male Hindu names have royal connotations such as:
Adhiraj (King)
Akhilesh (Lord & master)
Bhupal (King)
Birendra (King of warriors)
Hemen (The King of gold)
Hiresh (King of precious stones)
Iravan (King of ocean)
Kanvar (Prince)
There are other beautiful male Hindu names to choose from with many meaningful translations including Aashish (Blessing), Bijoy (Full of joy), Chiman (Curious), Deep (Light), Ekagrah (Focused), Gandhik (Fragrance), Hardik (Full of love), Jawahar (Gem), Mitrajit (Friendly), Navrang (Colorful), Paran (Life), Rasul (Angel), Sadhil (Perfect), Tuhin (Snowy), Umang (Desire), Vatsa (Son), and Yamir (Moon).
Girl Names
Baby girl Hindu names are equally if not more beautiful than the boy names. Many names have gem and flower meanings such as:
Prithika (Flower)
Reena (Gem)
Samali (Bouquet)
Taj (Crown/Jewel)
Vainavi (Gold)
Vanalika (Sunflower)
There are also many names with celestial meanings such as:
Anamitra (The sun)
Arundhati (Star)
Bhumika (Earth)
Bhuvi (Heaven)
Chandrika (Moon)
Dhara (Earth)
Indulekha (Moon)
Of course, there are many more beautiful names to choose from including Alpana (Beautiful), Bimala (Pure), Chahna (Love), Devanshi (Divine), Fulki (Spark), Grishma (Warmth), Ipsita (Desire), Kala (Art), Lalima (Beauty), Mitali (Friendly), Nirali (Different), Panchali (Princess), Sarayu (Wind), Usha (Dawn), and Venya (Lovable).
For both boys and girls alike, there are many names with god and goddess meanings such as Ambika (Goddess Parvati), Bhaumi (Goddess Sita), Banke (Lord Krishna), Devkumar (Son of God), Hemavati (Goddess Parvati), Hiranya (Lord Vishnu), Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), Nadiy (Holy place), Narayan (Lord Vishnu), Parvati (Goddess), Rishi (Sage), and Sara (Goddess of Sound).
As you can see, there are many stylish and exquisite Hindu baby names from which to choose. If you are not Hindu though, you may want to check with someone who is for the exact pronunciation of a name.
Julie Parker is a successful writer and publisher providing valuable tips and advice on finding the top baby names, unusual baby names, and baby name meanings. Her numerous articles offer thoughtful tips and valuable insight into baby naming. Check out the "Top 100 Baby Names" list from the last 6 years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Parker
Do You Know the Top 100 Baby Names?
By Bob Kish
There are a number of top baby name lists out there. You can find a variety of baby name lists including unique and unusual baby names. There are lists for Indian baby names and Irish baby names, Italian baby names, celebrity baby names, and even Hawaiian and Japanese baby names.
What is the best baby name? Obviously, the best baby name is one that resonates with the mother. Some are chosen based on names of relatives or friends, while others may be based on the names of famous historical figures or celebrities. If you are looking for a little king there's Elvis. A starlet perchance? Try Marilyn or Madonna or Lindsey or Britney.
This might sound a little out there but some sources say that if the mother sits quietly and opens herself up to receiving the perfect baby name it will come to her.
If you are searching for weird or uncommon baby names they are out there. You can also make up your own to be totally unique. Two that I made up are Velika for a girl (it has that Transylvanian ring to it!) and Karvanian for a boy. Who knows these may become the next popular names for boys and girls - or maybe not...
You might consider choosing your baby name based on the actual meaning of the name. For instance, if you are looking for a little princess you could name your baby Sara, which means princess from the Hebrew. If you want a strong boy try Ethan which means strong from the Hebrew again.
The most popular boys name means Supplanter, while the most popular girls name means Industrious. You'll discover the names below.
If you can't come up with your own unique baby names why not try some of the popular ones below. Below you'll find a list of not just the top ten baby names but the top 25 most popular boy names:
1) Jacob 2) Michael 3) Joshua 4) Matthew 5) Ethan 6) Andrew 7) Daniel 8) William 9) Joseph 10)Christopher 11) Anthony 12) Ryan 13) Nicholas 14) David 15) Alexander 16) Tyler 17) James 18) John 19) Dylan 20) Nathan 21) Jonathan 22) Brandon 23) Samuel 24)Christian 25) Benjamin
Below you'll find a list of the top 25 most popular girl baby names:
1) Emily 2) Emma 3) Madison 4) Olivia 5) Hannah 6) Abigail 7) Isabella 8) Ashley 9) Samantha 10) Elizabeth 11) Alexis 12) Sarah 13) Grace 14) Alyssa 15) Sophia 16) Lauren 17) Brianna 18) Kayla 19) Natalie 20) Anna 21) Jessica 22) Taylor 23) Chloe 24) Hailey 25) Ava
There are lots of baby names to choose from out there try to pick one that will have meaning to you and won't embarrass your child in their school years!
Visit BabyTipsPlus.com for a wealth of info on baby care. While there get your free copy of Planning a Baby Shower as well as the free list of Top 100baby names Also grab your free Bath and Beauty recipes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Kish
Choosing a name for your baby
by Tony Luck
Apart from life itself, a name is perhaps the most precious thing you will give to your baby. Sociologists, baby experts and teachers agree that your child's name impacts on his or her personality, baby's ability to interact with his or her peers, and how he or she is seen by total strangers. Here are a few things you should take into account when choosing your baby's name.
Uniqueness: The current fashion is to give baby an unusual name or a traditional name with different spelling so that she stands out from the crowd. A friend has a daughter called Emily. At school there are 2 other Emilys in the class, so she is known as Emily T. It was a year before the little girl understood that her name was Emily and not Emily T! So it is easy to understand the temptation to go for a name that's different.
However, there can be problems too: the name will be misspelled and mispronounced. "My name is Elvira, but children and teachers would make it Elmira, Olivia, Alvera ...I soon learned to come to whatever sounded like my name", said Elvira Bates. "Only my mother and husband get it right!". Sound and Compatibility: Someone suggested that, before you finally decide on a name, you go into the garden and shout the name five times to see how it sounds! A bit drastic maybe, but it is important to ensure the name sounds right.
General advice is to avoid a name that ends in a vowel if the last name starts with a vowel - the names tend to run together. Also, if the surname is long, choose a short first name, or vice versa.
And please avoid the puns. I once worked with a girl called Hazel Nutt! Fortunately she had a strong personality and coped with the laughter and jokes, but many in her position could have developed a complex about the name.
Once, when I was in hospital, there was a nurse with the name Rosie Bottom! (If you are reading this in the USA, Canada, or anywhere but in the UK, you may be wondering why that should be amusing - well, it translates as 'Rosie Butt'!) Of course the patients found the name amusing and I suppose anything that cheers up the patients has to be beneficial, but what were her parents thinking of when they named her?
Initials: Obvious really, except some people miss this one. Spell out the initials of the first, middle and last names to see if that makes a word.
Finally, consider whether the name suits a grown-up as well as a child.
About the Author
Tony Luck runs a web site with advice about babies. You can find more articles on baby names at his site.
A Light-Hearted Comment On The Pitfalls Of Certain Baby Names
By Sarah Todd
One of the first and most important thing parents can do for a child is to CAREFULLY consider the name they put on the birth certificate. There is the potential to cause lifelong anguish and shame to a person, as this humorous article seeks to prove.
When naming a child always consider the surname – the two must be compatible. It would be unkind and thoughtless of Mr and Mrs Dick to name their son Richard; imagine the fun his schoolmates could have! In Greece it’s traditional to name male children for their grandparents, which means little boys are saddled with unpronounceable names like Theophylaktos, Panagiotis or Eleftherios. I know a young Greek couple who were very upset when they learned they were having a son, because he was to be saddled with one of these names. I have also met a two year child called Constandinos – a rather unwieldy name for a small boy but at least he will grow into it. Girls are fortunate, because they are not named in the traditional way, which is probably the reason there aren’t too many girls called Spyridoula, Efrosyni or Glykeria.
There’s a disturbing baby naming trend among celebrities. Most of them seem to be desperate to start trends, so they seem to be obsessed with high snigger factor names for their offspring. I feel for Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter Apple when she starts going to school. However if they send her to a school filled with celebrity kids her name will not be noticed, because there are far worse names these people have bestowed upon their children. Consider the monikers these poor children were burdened with by thoughtless parents:
Prince Michael. Prince Michael II. Paris Michael.
Michael Jackson showed great originality when naming his offspring, saddling his daughter with both the name of the city where she was supposedly conceived AND his own name. How does he call those kids for dinner? At least Prince Michael II has a nickname - unfortunately it’s as bad as his real name… BLANKET.
Jermajesty.
Not to be outdone by his brother, Jermaine Jackson saddled his son with this cruel name.
Kyd.
And you thought David Duchovney and Tea Leoni looked sensible? Imagine growing old with this name.
Zowie.
At the time of his son’s birth, David Bowie was extremely fond of recreational drugs, which probably accounts for this shocker. No wonder Zowie opted to change his name, although he kept the rhythm going when he changed it to Joey.
Rolan Bolan.
What is it with these singers and rhyming their son’s first name with the surname? Guilty party in this case is Marc Bolan.
Jett.
He pilots his own ‘plane, which may be the reason John Travolta bestowed this misspelled word upon his son.
Pilot Inspektor
Speaking of pilots… Jason Lee – did you have to be so cruel? And where on earth did you learn to spell?
Audio Science.
A name like this can only mean Shannyn Sossamon (from A Knight’s Tale) has high hopes for her child’s future profession – musician or scientist!
Speck Wildhorse. Hud.
It’s a pity John Mellencamp’s brilliant songwriting skills weren’t in evidence when he named his sons.
Reignbeau. Freedom.
Daughter and son respectively of Ving Rhames, another actor with questionable spelling ability.
Tu Morrow.
“Take Tu to school/lunch/the doctor/the party” … Debbon Ayre and Rob Morrow will probably be sued by their daughter when she’s older.
Diezel. Denim.
Cruel, Toni Braxton. Very cruel. Someone needs to get this girl a dictionary.
Rumer Glenn. Tallulah Belle. Scout LaRue.
I’ve always wondered exactly to which of their names Bruce Willis’ and Demi Moore’s daughter answer.
Kal-el.
What was Nicolas Cage thinking???
Here’s a handful more examples of unthinking, cruel celebrities, together with some playground taunts:
Homer (Richard Gere) - Doh!
Chance (Larry King) - Yeah, Fat Chance!
Sailor (Christie Brinkley) - Hello Sailor! (and all the limp wristed innuendos…)
Dandelion (Keith Richard) - Hey, Dandelion – you little Weed!
Mingus Lucien (Helena Christensen) - Minging! And Ming Ming!
It doesn’t matter how much money their parents earn. And who cares how famous they are? These kids are ready for therapy before they’ve even left the nursing home! Massive trust funds won't protect these children from a lifetime of nickname torment.
This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.BabyNameVote.Com/ which is a site for Baby Names.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Todd
Planning a Superman Birthday Party
By
Kara KelsoWith the release of the new movie, the popularity of Superman is growing. I don't think he ever went away, but it's now becoming easier to find superman items in the store. This should make your job of finding birthday party supplies extremely easy.
As mentioned above, finding supplies featuring Superman shouldn't be difficult. Use the following mostly as a checklist for your little guy's next birthday party.
- Cake
Most cake decorators will have several different Superman layouts. If you are making your own, you should be able to easily find a small toy to place on top.
- Ice Cream
A simple item which needs little additional information. Regular ice cream should work for a Superman party.
- Plastic Forks and Spoons
Superman's colors are red and blue, so purchase these colors if possible. If you already have some left over from last year, this will work too. Keep in mind red is also the color of Spiderman!
- Plates and Napkins
These should feature Superman if possible, but go with red and blue if you must.
- DecorationsS
treamers and balloons should be in red and blue only, or Superman specific if possible.
- Invitations
These MUST feature Superman if you are planning a Superman theme. If you can't find any, let your son make his own. Save one invitation for your scrapbook to remember the special day!
Don't forget to get your little superhero involved in the party. After all, it's HIS special day!
About the Author: Kara Kelso is the mother of two, and owner of http://www.Idea-Queen.com. For more birthday party theme ideas, visit: http://www.idea-queen.com/birthday-party-themes.htmlArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kara_Kelso
Social Skills and Talking to Your Kids: Negative Influences in Their Everyday Media
By Ellen Mossman-Glazer M.Ed.
What used to be taboo, ‘not for children’ is in the media mainstream. Keeping your parental controls on all the violence, sexuality and other inappropriate information being marketed at your child every day is like chopping down a forest while new trees are sprouting behind you. Exasperated parents wonder how to counteract all the negative information their kids are bombarded with from TV, the internet, music and video. Removing it all from view is a tough job and unrealistic. The answer is simple but not always easy. To get your kids on board with you, you first have to get on board their ship. Parents, educators and caregivers have to find subtle ways to be involved and begin conversations about what their kids are interested in and exposed to.
This is especially important when working with your kids and adults with ADHD, Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Here are systematic steps to get your kids to be more open and receptive to discussing what they see and hear:
1. Find ways to be a part of what your kids like watch, play and listen to. This does not mean you become a devotee of their rock or rap groups. Your kids won’t like it if you try to be them. You might casually ask to play a round of her video game or join him watching an episode of his TV show.
2. Open up dialog. Initiate conversations about your child’s interests. If you watched a TV show together, show your interest with non-judgmental questions. Asking for factual information is safe and gets you up to speed on the characters. “What was she in trouble for?” “Did she ever date him?” As your child, gets the sense that your interest is genuine, you can sprinkle in some opinion questions. “What did you think about how he treated her?” Keep it light and short.
3. Be on the watch for teachable moments. As your child builds trust in your intentions, opportunities will present themselves for you to gently influence. If your child is not in the mood to listen, don’t push. Keep showing up as an interested parent.
4. Listen to your child with full attention. Practice being silent longer than you speak. This shows up in both your words and your body language. Be face to face and focused on your child, not multi-tasking. If your child is on a talking streak, seize it as a great listening opportunity.
6. Make comments that show open mindedness. Ignore what turns you off. When your child feels you respect his world, you are opening a door to communication.
7. Ask open-ended questions that help him your child to think it through. “What did you think about the part where…?” Respect her answer and reflect back in a few words what you understand about your child's view. Then share yours in a few words.
8. Keep it simple. Young children need short, clear pieces of information. It does not change as they get older. Teenagers are leary of what comes across as lecturing. A little nugget of simple wisdom is more likely to stick with them.
9. Begin to show your interest when they are young. As they grow, it will be a natural thing for your children to talk about their world.
10. Be patient. Children’s work is to sort out their experiences and, with your guidance, create their own set of solid, sensible values.
Copyright Ellen Mossman-Glazer 2005. All rights reserved. You are welcome to share or reprint this article, providing it remains as written with all contact and copyright information included along with a link to http://artofbehaviorchange.com This content is coaching and education and not intended to take the place of psychological services, where advised and appropriate.
Ellen Mossman-Glazer M.Ed. is a Life Skills Coach and Behavioral Specialist, specializing in Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties. Over her 20 years in special education classrooms and treatment settings, Ellen has seen the struggle that children and adults have when they feel they don't fit in. She now works in private practice with people across the USA and Canada, by phone, teleconference groups and email, helping parents, educators, caregivers and their challenging loved ones, to find their own specific steps and tools to thrive. Ellen is the author of two on line e-zines, Emotion Matters: Tools and Tips for Working with Feelings and Social Skills: The Micro Steps. Subscribe for free and see more about Ellen at http://artofbehaviorchange.com/
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The Best Uses of a Video Baby Monitor
Dave PoonFor any parent, nothing is more important than the welfare of his or her child. Especially when the child is still an infant, he cannot do things on his own, more specifically, defend himself against anything that may harm him; thus, a parent would always want to make certain that his child is safe and comfortable all the time.
One of the wonders of technology is that it makes possible for us to do two things at the same time. Take for example watching over your child while doing the laundry, talking on the phone, preparing dinner or doing any other activity. How do you do it then? It’s simple with a video baby monitor. This device allows you to remotely look after your baby as he sleeps or plays with his toys. It’s very helpful and convenient nowadays to have a video baby monitor as it helps you keep an eye on what your baby does or listen to what he says, whether he’s calling for you or is crying because he is wet, sleepy or hungry.
Through a video baby monitor, you never miss a moment checking out your baby while you work on something else in another room in your house. You need not pay for a nanny to watch over your child as he sleeps and you need not worry going away from your baby because you have another important thing to attend to—all you need is a video baby monitor.
Features
A video baby monitor device features a simplex radio transmitter and receiver system. This system includes a microphone, which is positioned near you baby so it can pick up sounds that your baby is making, and a receiver (with a speaker), which you can carry around the house with you. Many video baby monitors nowadays have self-filtering microphones for superior sound clarity.
The video baby monitor also features digital cameras placed near your baby and a lightweight colored LCD or black and white screen that simultaneously displays video of your baby’s activities. The monitor may look like a wireless phone with display screen or a small portable TV.
Hand held video baby monitor may also be available with a belt clip or a flip stand so you can conveniently carry it around or place it on top of your desk. More advanced models have added features like movement sensors and vibrating alert on the receiver.
Powering a video baby monitor are batteries that are usually rechargeable. A good video baby monitor battery can last up to ten hours. The transmitter, however, may need to be plugged into a socket.
Frequency
Frequency used by video baby monitors varies. It can be as low as 40 MHz, 900 MHz or even 2.4 GHz. The higher the frequency, the clearer the video and sound is and the wider the range is. Since a video baby monitor uses a wireless transmission system, it is possible that the transmission can be picked up by another user, so most new models nowadays have features that let the user choose bands.
Duplex Video Baby Monitor
This type of video baby monitor has transceivers that let you communicate with your baby. It’s called duplex video baby monitor because of its 2-way sound monitoring system.
Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in babies and toddles. For more information regarding video baby monitor, please drop by at http://baby.answerwisely.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Poon
