1st Time Mums

Guest Post: Tips to Teaching Children about Politeness

2012-01-31T15:48:00.000+01:00

Guest Post by Maryann B. Sawka

The idea of politeness is something that we begin to teach our children when they are quite young by introducing words such as “please” and “thank you.” Repeating those phrases a few times will have your youngster starting to say them independently without reminders from you. When they grow a little, we add “I’m sorry” and “you’re welcome” to the polite vocabulary that we are building in our children. We demonstrate when to use the words and continue to use them so that our youngsters will mimic our actions.

Children are never too young to learn polite behavior and actions. In fact, it is a better idea to teach manners when they are young so that the behaviors we are teaching become a foundation on which we continue to build as our children mature.

When we put young children together, we are introducing a social element where they are with like-aged peers and learn about sharing and taking turns. They are practicing these necessary skills, which allows their playtime to be more enjoyable. If everyone is using the same social skills, everyone should get along and have a good time, right?

When we raise our children, we teach limits and boundaries, which go together nicely with the idea that we should treat each other with kindness and respect. Granted, when children are at a very young age, we may not use words that may be at a level that is above their understanding, such as “boundaries” and “respect,” but we can convey the idea of politeness by using vocabulary that they will understand. We can talk about feelings, how everyone has feelings and how our actions and words can affect the feelings of others. This helps their evolution from an egocentric way of thinking to starting to put the needs of others before our own needs.

As they grow and mature, we can introduce appropriate ways to greet and introduce others as their social lives expand through outside activities such as dance class, sports, community-related activities and more. At this point, our manners conversation moves to topics that include getting along with others, being a good friend, greeting others and similar actions. We talk about being a good guest when they are invited to join someone at their home or on an outing and being a good host when they entertain friends at their own home.

Keep in mind, that these are discussions that are better reinforced through many conversations where dialogue is a two-way street. Teaching manners includes asking questions while sharing new information, without preaching. In my etiquette workshops, I like to keep the educational part of the workshop fun and lively with role-playing activities so that the participants have an opportunity to share what they already know and can participate in the learning, rather than having me present the material in the form of a lecture.

When we start talking with teens about manners and etiquette, they should already have the foundation that we have been building since they were young children. We can now introduce topics that include building positive relationships, manners in public and electronic etiquette as most teens have a cell phone or computer. We can start to talk about workplace etiquette as this is the time when many teens venture out into the work world.

The evolution of good manners begins at a young age and continues as children grow and mature. In many ways, manners instruction is a building process much like math and reading. If you teach the basics first, you can continue to teach higher-level skills in a natural progression. Children are never too young to learn good manners.

Good Table Manners Made Easy is a quick, easy-to-read resource that teaches basic table manners in a delightful fun way. It also serves as a quick refresher for the table manners that we may have forgotten.

Get a sneak peek of the book at http://youtu.be/CGGKkxa9qSQ

About the author: Maryann B. Sawka is an educator and parent, who has always embraced the notion that good manners are stylish and timely in every situation. She founded Charming Manners, a training company that educates all ages in the quest for civility and self-confidence. Sawka introduces good manners with a fun, engaging approach that makes the pursuit for knowledge an enjoyable experience.

You can find out more about Maryann B. Sawka’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/MaryannBSawka.aspx. There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with Sawka and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions.

Can a pedicure make you a better mum?

2012-01-19T15:15:00.000+01:00

Being a mum is tiring at the best of times. Lack of sleep and stress levels increase even more when your children are ill. Even more so when one child is ill and the other keeps you up all night.

This has been me for the best part of this week. My 5 month old has decided that sleeping through the night isn't for him yet and wakes frequently. Sometimes to feed, sometimes to chat and giggle (it's cute but not quite as entertaining at 3am). The feed is often more of a snack as he is tired and drifts back off to sleep after just a few minutes of sucking.

My 4 years old has a cough. Nothing bad but it does mean that when he comes home from playschool he is more tired than usual. More tired tends to make him demand more attention, have no patience and results in him losing interest in whatever he might be doing quite quickly. No big deal but coupled with several consecutive nights of little to no sleep it can become quite draining.

I don't seem to be able to catch up on my sleep day or night but I've discovered that grabbing a couple of minutes to pamper myself a bit does wonders for getting me through the day.

This morning, whilst eldest was at playschool and youngest was happily sitting in his rocking chair, I decided to give myself a pedicure. Those few minutes of washing my feet, cutting my toe nails and massaging in a foot cream put the worlds to rights again.

So how does this make me a better mum? Simple, it relaxed me. It eased away some of my stress and helped make me feel human again. I felt I had more energy and felt good for having done something for myself for once (it's easy to neglect yourself when you have kids to look after).

Post-pedicure, although still in need of a good nights sleep, I was less stresses and better able to deal with the demands of my children.

Little things can make a big difference.

Image source: tompies10 via flickr.com

Are you a good parent?

2012-01-12T15:37:00.001+01:00

The million dollar question that all parents ask themselves: Am I a good parent? Giving an answer isn't easy though. After all, who is qualified to say yes or no? The real judge should really be the child but parents can get caught up in trying to please everyone that they sometimes add a large amount of stress to their already stressful lives.

This morning I took both my sons to their pediatric for a control visit. Routine stuff. You know, the general height , weight etc... check up they have every so often.

As the Doctor examined my eldest I was nervous. Not really sure why but was almost certain she was going to say something wasn't right, which of course would be my fault as I'm the one raising him. Was he eating enough? Was he eating the right things? The mini panic inside me started to die when she had finished and said he was growing just fine. Relief.

The conversation then moved on the vaccinations and my panic levels increased again. He hadn't had one on the list because he had been ill when the appointment came and so I'd cancelled. My bad, I then forgot all about it.

The Doctor made a few comments about how it was important and that I shouldn't forget these kind of things. Bad mother?

It was then the little ones turn. First question, had he had his vaccinations? Answer no because he had been ill too (it was at the same time) and so had cancelled the appointment for him too. When I'd phoned to cancel they'd told me there was no hurry as he was premature and that we had time. Which is what I did. Doctor gave me a look that spoke louder than words and told me he needed to have them done asap. Bad mother?

Next, had he had a heart scan when he was 3 months old? No. Eldest never had to have one and no one mentioned it was something that had to be done. Apparently he needed to have one. It's routine and important. Unfortunately I'm not a mind reader and so bad mother?

Panic levels now quite high.

Towards the end of the visit the Doctor gave me a long list of various checks that needed to be done for both the boys. As she viewed the youngest birth card (detailing his time in hospital when he was born), the Doctor noticed he had been tested to see if he was celiac. "Why?" she asked. Because I am. Had the eldest been tested? No. He has never had any problems and when I'd asked her about it in the past she said not to worry and check when he's older. I guessed by the look on her face that he WAS older now and so should have been tested. Bad mother?

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with our pediatric and know she does an excellent job. I did leave wondering if she questioned my parenting skills though.

We went straight to make appointments for the vaccinations and luckily they had a space to do the little ones right away. One thing off the list. Good parent now?

When discussing the vaccinations with the Doctor, he said the eldest no longer fell into the age range for having them and that as the diseases haven't been around for at least 30 years in Italy, there was nothing to worry about. He told us that we could choose to have them done still if we wanted to but that it was our choice. Started to feel more relaxed again and less of a bad mother.

My kids are both completely healthy and happy. I know I'm a good mother. I also know that the pediatric thinks I'm a good mother (even if she does give me certain looks). So why do I worry what other people think? Why do I let it bother me whether they think I'm a good mother or not?

Do you ever feel judged? Do you worry about what others think?

Image source: Sanofi Pasteur on flickr.com

Guest post: Treating Thrush With Acidophilus

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000+01:00

Nursing can be a very natural, very convenient way to feed your new baby. However if you are finding that it is painful to nurse your little one you or your baby may have thrush. Now that I look back I began having issues shortly after coming home from the hospital, I was trying to ignore the pain because I thought it was just me trying to get used to nursing for the first time. I dealt with over all pain, burning, itching and the shooting pain that had me yelping whenever he would latch on but nothing I did seemed to be able to ease the pain.

For symptoms that may show up in mom and baby check here: http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/thrush.html

Then one day I noticed white patches in my baby's mouth that would not go away when I wiped at them. The pediatrician gave me nystatin cream, since nursing had become pretty painful for me to endure, as well as nystatin to put in baby's mouth. I called my Obgyn at the same time since the pain had gotten pretty bad, our pediatrician had suggested I be seen as well. The Obgyn gave me Fluconazole/Diflucan pills to take by mouth.

For a good picture of what thrush in a baby's mouth might look like, you can find a great picture on the babycenter.com's website here: http://www.babycenter.com/0_thrush-in-babies_92.bc?page=1http://www.motherandchildhealth.com/Breastfeeding/Becky/thrush.html

Be aware that it is advised to continue nursing even through this painful ordeal (Newman, 2009). Thrush is a yeast infection (Dr. Sears, 2011). A yeast infection causes some inflammation, inflammation can lead to blocked milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis (Jones & Marshal, 2010). Continued nursing helps keep the milk ducts clear, and is important to do so even while taking any medicine to get rid of the thrush.

The nystatin worked to get rid of the visible signs in my baby's mouth, and the Diflucan helped get rid of some of it in me, I believe, as I was not hurting as much. I finished up both prescriptions but as soon as I stopped the symptoms came roaring back to life. I, once again, tried to change up my baby's latch to fix the problem but that did not help, and using any nipple cream seemed to hold the moisture in and make things worse! Another couple of weeks of nystatin was ordered, this time it didn't seem to work as efficiently. After almost two months of pain I was very frustrated, so I decided to work from the inside out and try to figure out what fuels the thrush.

I learned that thrush can be passed back and forth between mom and baby unless both are completely treated of it (Baby Centre Advisory Board, 2011). So even when he looked clear of it, unless I was completely clear of it too then we would get it again. Besides the high heat and humidity that summer I could not figure out why the doctors medicines were not working... I went looking for answers. I found out that every person naturally carries some varying levels of yeast in their bodies (Stoppler, 2011). A yeast infection is an overgrowth so, I figured, the key must be to fight the thrush off more naturally by working to set things straight from the inside out.

Most of the treatment options I read about didn't work on the underlying cause. They treat the thrush on the outside but have little effect on what is going on inside your body. Nystatin for example is only used topically, it is only used to coat the mouth. Fluconazole/ Diflucan was not a good option for us as it can be as much as $300-350 per prescription (Newman, 2009). The other problem I foresaw was that the Fluconazole/Diflucan was only killing off the yeast numbers but not working with my body to naturally help me keep the levels normal. Genetian Violet stains horribly, is again only used to coat the mouth and skin, and has had some studies done on it linking it to cancer which made me worry (Dr. Sears, 2011). I was also very hesitant to try any over the counter anti fungal creams because I was not sure what was safe for my baby plus, again, they were all topical treatments. Garlic Supplements, echinacea supplements, or grapefruit seed extract are other natural remedies that are supposed to help combat the yeast from the inside; however I had trouble finding information on them (Flora, 2011).

So from my research, I decided to add a cup full of vinegar to my laundry as well as washing and drying everything on the hottest setting just to help make sure my nursing pads or bras would have no trace of thrush left in them (Julie, 2011). Then I went looking for some research as to where I could find this other pro-biotic/acidophilus supplement I had been reading about that was supposed to prevent thrush from growing (Baby Centre Medical Advisory Board, 2009). The way it works is by helping stabilize the yeast numbers by recolonizing your body with the healthy bacterium that would normally keep it controlled. I knew that it could be found in yogurt but would I really want to eat yogurt every day... and then how much would I have to eat to get relief fast enough? Nothing I was finding online was very helpful.

I decided to head to walmart to see what I could find in the supplement isle, having already struck out before when searching for garlic, echinacea, or grapefruit seed extract. To my surprise I found the acidophilus in two strengths! One bottle with one billion live cultures per pill and one with two billion live cultures per pill. They both said to take one pill a day. So I started with the one billion per dose jar. I took one in the morning and one in the evening. That seemed to help but I still had symptoms. So I bumped it up to one in the morning and two in the evening, 3 billion total. Therapeutic Research Faculty (2011), lists effective studies on giving as much as 6 billion cultures to infants to ward off diarrhea so I knew I had some room to work with on the dosage. Acidophilus Supplement Central (2011), recommends 1-4 billion cultures per day. Bear in mind that I personally observed that a side effect of this supplement is looser bowels, which could affect both mom and baby as the acidophilus cleans out the intestinal track.

Later, I also noticed around the time for the end of my menstrual cycle my soreness would get worse again. So I bumped it up to two billion in the morning and two billion at night for about a week and then dropping back down to three billion afterward. Around this time (the end of the second month of having thrush) I ran out of the nystatin and our pediatrician refused to refill it as long as the baby was showing no visible symptoms. So I kept up with the Acidophilus and the laundry washing regiment. I was feeling lots better with only the occasional 'end of my cycle' flare ups.

As my symptoms continued to go away I dropped down to one dose a day of the two billion pills. Then, as my baby turned 5 months old I realized that I had not experienced any symptoms for about a month and decided to discontinue the Acidophilus. I was so relieved! I have been off of the Acidophilus for two months now and we are both doing great!

Yes, thrush can be quite a hassle to deal with. It can be painful, and you may even want to quit nursing which, bear in mind, may not even solve the problem. I will offer this as a word of encouragement, I saw a great amount of relief from my thrush symptoms within just 48 hours after starting my Acidophilus treatment! I also had a bad case of it. If it is caught fast than it will be easier to get rid of.

Guest post by Virginia Lori Jennings www.virginiajennings.webs.com

References

Baby Centre Medical Advisory Board. (2009) Probiotics and prebiotics in pregnancy. Babycentre.com.uk. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/nutrition/probiotics-and-prebiotics/

Baby Centre Advisory Board. (2011) Thrush in babies. Babycentre.com.uk. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.babycenter.com/0_thrush-in-babies_92.bc?page=1

Bonyata, K. (2011) Thrush resources. Kellymom.com. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resources.html

Dr. Sears, B.(2011) Thrush. Askdrsears.com. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/childhood-illnesses/thrush

Tiran, D. (2007) Thrush, natural remedies. Babycentre.com.uk. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/naturalremedies/thrush/?_requestid=6649240

Newman, J. (2009)Fluconazole. International breastfeeding center. Retrieved on December 29 , 2011 from: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18:fluconazole&catid=5:information&Itemid=17

Flora, B. (2001) Could we have thrush. Breastfeeding essentials. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/thrush.html

Jones, K., & Marshal, S. (2010) Mastitis while breastfeeding. Cigna. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.cigna.com/individualandfamilies/health-and-well-being/hw/medical-topics/mastitis-while-breast-feeding-hw98039.html

Julie, (2011) The 411 on Vinegar: Is it safe for cloth diapers? Cloth diaper blog. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.clothdiaperblog.com/the-411-on-vinegar-is-it-safe-for-cloth-diapers/

Stoppler, M. (2011) Vaginal yeast infection. MedcineNet.com. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.medicinenet.com/yeast_vaginitis/article.htm

Therapeutic Research Faculty. (2011) Lactobacillus. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Retrieved on December 29, 2011 from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/790.html

The best and worst baby names in 2011

2012-01-05T00:02:00.000+01:00

One of the first big decisions you make for your child is his or her name. Years ago the task was much simpler as they would have traditionally inherited the family names from past generations. Although some parents still like to 'keep things in the family' trends have changed a lot in recent years.

Celebrities have paved the way for the weird and wonderful. In fact it now seems that celeb parents are in competition to win a most outrageous name contest.

2011 births introduced us to;

MASON- Son of Ne-Yo and Monyetta Shaw.

ARLO- Daughter of Johnny Knoxville and Naomi Nelson.

HATTIE- Daughter of Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott

COLT- Son of John and Joan Rich

BINGHAM- Son of Kate Hudson and Matthew Bellamy

BEAR BLU- Son of Alicia Silverstone and Christopher Jarecki

MORROCCAN (Son) and MONROE (Daughter) of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

It's not just the rich and famous walking the fine line between original and just plain mean though. More and more people are getting creative when it comes to picking the name of their offspring. In extreme cases names given to babies has even lead to court action and been put on record as child abuse.

Even when using the more 'standard' names things have become confusing as there is no longer a distinct difference in male and female names. Names that were traditionally for boys are being used for girls and visa-versa.

So in this naming mash-up which were the most popular names in 2011?

The top 10 according to Babynames.com were:

Male	Female
1 LIAM	1 CHARLOTTE
2 NOAH	2 SOPHIA/SOFIA
3 AIDAN/AIDEN/ADEN	3 AMELIA/EMILIA
4 JACKSON/JAXON	4 OLIVIA
5 CALEB/KALEB	5 AVA
6 OLIVER	6 LILY/LILLY
7 GRAYSON/GREYSON	7 EMMA
8 ETHAN	8 SCARLETT/SCARLET
9 ALEXANDER	9 AUDREY
10 OWEN	10 HARPER

I'm English and my husband is Italian. We live in Rome. Picking the name for our first son was easy as we both liked Matteo. Choosing the name for our second son, born this August, wasn't as easy so we decided to let Matteo help make the selection for us. We each said a few names we liked and then he picked the one he liked best. Lorenzo. It was a nice way to settle things and made Matteo feel like an important part in the arrival of his younger brother. He still proudly tells people he named him.

How did you pick your child's name? Do you prefer traditional or original baby names? What was the worst baby name you heard in 2011?

Image source: smartbabycares.blogspot.com

2012 Family Plan for Giving

2012-01-02T11:43:00.002+01:00

“Family projects that involve giving to those in need during the holidays can be turned into powerful lessons that teach compassion, empathy, and meaning to children.”
~Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell

The act of giving has a significant impact on a child’s development. Come up with an action plan to engage your family in the acts of giving and volunteerism.

As part of my own plan for this year, I will be regularly sorting through our clothes and donating those that we no longer need or use. I will also be donating old toys, that are in good condition but no longer played with, to the school.

I'm the first to admit it. I like to spoil my kids at Christmas. Friends and family give presents as well. My eldest has his birthday in December too so it's a kind of present over-load period in our house. All of which leaves me starting the new year wondering where I'm going to put everything. We're lucky. We have so much to be thankful for. It does make me aware that the kids then need to find balance again though and not take things for granted.

This is a great way to clear the clutter and help others at the same time. It teaches children not to waste and underlines the act of giving. When donating old toys to the school I make my son take an active part in selecting which toys he longer needs (as he's only just 4 years old, giving them to his school makes the process easier as he can still play with them there and he gets a daily reminder of the effects of helping others).

My hope is that this plan for giving will have a positive impact on my children and make them realize how fortunate they are whilst positively impacting my community.

We need to be the change we want to see in the world. This is one small step in the right direction.

Get involved in the family giving project and describe your own family’s strategy for helping others throughout the New Year.

Cradle Cap Treatment

2011-12-28T22:49:00.000+01:00

What is cradle cap?

Also known as seborrhoeic dermatitis, cradle cap is a common skin condition that may manifest in newborns and infants. It's a rash that is usually either yellowish and greasy or scaly and appears predominantly on the scalp.

Although not particularly attractive to look at, cradle cap shouldn't irritate or cause the baby to be uncomfortable.

How to treat it?

The condition often goes away on it's own but there are a few things you can do to treat it.

Apply baby oil to the child's scalp. A gentle massage with a small amount of baby oil before bed should be enough. I have personally used Johnson's baby oil on both my sons and find it works well.

Shampoo. Washing the child's head with shampoo can help. Use a mild product (again I'm a fan of Johnson's baby range and use their no tears baby shampoo). Apply a few drops to the affected area and leave for a minute before rinsing. Then gently comb the scalp with a soft baby brush until dry.

If scales and flakes are visible beyond the head area (in severe cases it can be found on the face and chest), it's a good idea to consult your pediatric or a dermatologist.

10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained in Waiting Rooms

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

It’s a common problem for all parents. You’re in a waiting room or quiet area and your children are fidgeting, making noise and being a distraction for those around you. It’s not uncommon because children area eager to learn and are constantly seeking stimulation. With this in mind, there are several ways to keep your children entertained. From older techniques to relying on new technology, your children will be well-behaved as they learn and stay focused on anything except for how bored they are!

Here are 10 techniques to help you entertain your active children:

Read. It may sound crazy but when you find the right book—especially for children who can read on their own—the power of a story can keep children entertained for hours. If they aren’t of reading age, consider book on tape that you can purchase and transfer to an inexpensive mp3 player. Children love to feel ownership, so having their very own media player may be just the trick to keep them entertained and excited.
Card games. Bring along card games or other simple travel games for the waiting room. Many children’s games are very simple and portable. For example, you may find a simple game of matching cards to be just enough to keep your children entertained.
Other games. Have you ever played “20 questions” or “I spy” with your young child? Not only will these games keep them entertained, they can be a great learning tool for your young child. Ask your children to talk and engage with you.
Drawing and/or coloring. You’d be amazed with a plain piece of paper and a pen and/or crayons will do for a creative child. Children are naturally creative and giving them the opportunity to create their own masterpiece can keep them entertained for quite some time. Remember, it’s important to reward their creativity by admiring their work and displaying it proudly. The more you encourage this type of creativity, the more likely they will be to want to engage this this activity in the future.
Applications and games. Today, smart phones allow us to connect at rates that are astonishing. Although we think of these phones as ways for adults to communicate, there are many games and applications that are designed to keep children of all ages entertained. From Fruit Ninja to Angry Birds, children love to have something to interact with. Download these inexpensive games and keep your children entertained for hours.
Stuffed animals and action figures. Children have unbelievable creative minds. Allow their imaginations to run wild with simple toys. The trick is to really engage with your children and ask them questions. Make them know that you are interested and they will stay excited about nearly any activity.
Online television. Whether you have a portable television or a smartphone application, try streaming children’s television shows via your smartphone. Services like Comcast allow you to stream movies instantly, for example.
Ask your children to tell you a story. You’d be amazed how entertained your children will be making up a story of their own.
Homework. Yes, we had to throw this one in there. Children of school-going ages likely have a lot of work to do. The waiting room is a perfect, quiet place for them to get a leg up and ask you questions on homework assignments.
Learning. Yes, you’d be surprised what you can teach your children when you have designated alone time. Whether it is at home or in the waiting room, try to capitalize on these moments when you can connect with your child and ask them engaging questions.

Do you have any of your own ideas to share on how to keep the little ones entertained while waiting?

Guest post: Kara Taylor is a freelance writer and a big fan of internet on the go

Christmas: Santa or Nativity?

2011-12-21T17:23:00.000+01:00

photo 1

I went to my son's nativity show at his playschool last weekend and the head nun gave an interesting and thought provoking introduction before the kids showed off their musical and acting talents.

She spoke of how children are taken to see Santa in the lead up to Christmas and have their photo taken on his knee. She told a rather funny story of a small child being taken to sit on this strange man's knee and feeling shy and a little uncomfortable as they told this man, whose eyes and nose poked out from behind a huge white beard, what presents they wanted for Christmas whilst the child's parents hurried to take the perfect photo.

She then told a different story about the reaction of children in front of a nativity scene. The nativity with it's baby surrounded by his family, friends and animals had nothing scary about it and meant that the child was relaxed, asked questions and spoke about what they saw.

I personally take my children to have a photo taken with Santa (neither is scared at the idea) and think it's a nice way to get the little ones excited about the holidays.

I do however also make a nativity scene at home as part of the Christmas decorations (we add to it each year) and involve my eldest son in its construction.

Photo 2

Do you take your child to see Santa? What's their reaction? Do you have or visit a nativity scene? Have your say, leave a comment

Image sources:

Photo 1: sled_tx on flickr.com

Photo 2: spudd on flickr.com

Healthy Child Healthy World

2011-12-15T10:30:00.000+01:00

Healthy Child Healthy World is a fantastic movement that should interest all parents.

Healthy Child Healthy World ignites the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals.

With a growing body of evidence linking everyday environmental contaminants to asthma, learning disabilities, obesity, cancer and more, Healthy Child translates the science and inspires parents and caregivers to create healthy environments where families can flourish.

For the past two decades Healthy Child Healthy World has been the nation's leading organization of its kind. We:

Expand awareness of unnecessary toxic risks to children's health;
Encourage easy actions and responsible lifestyle choices;
Advocate for corporate policies and government legislation that protect children from environmental health risks; and,
Engage communities to take collective actions to create a healthier world.

Healthy Child Healthy World was founded by James and Nancy Chuda in 1991 after their daughter Colette died from Wilm's tumor — a rare form of non-hereditary cancer. Healthy Child is a national, non-profit 501(c) 3 organization headquartered in Los Angeles. Healthy Child is governed by an outstanding volunteer Board of Directors and distinguished group of advisors and is strengthened by community and corporate partners. Healthy Child is playing a leadership role in one of the most important public health and environmental movements of the 21^st century.

Tips and Tools for Action

Never underestimate your ability to make changes in the world around you. In fact, with all the new technologies that help us connect with one another and share information, it’s probably never been easier. Still, you’ll be much more successful with a few tips and tools under your belt!

Tips:

Play nice. No matter who you’re talking to, from a neighbor to a Senator, it pays to be diplomatic. Approach people with an open mind and be respectful of their opinions. Nobody likes a know-it-all, so offer your ideas with a bit of humility. Don’t judge, smile a lot, and be grateful for every little step that is made. Be a “helper” instead of a “nagger.” People will be much more apt to change if it feels positive. And, you’ll be more likely to create long-term allies who can continue to help make changes in your community.

Find solutions. It’s easy to complain about problems. It’s smart to find solutions. Whatever issue you want to address, before you do anything, research solutions. Find other people who have successfully addressed the problem you want to address. Look on-line for example policies that outline solutions. Do your best to find solutions that are economically feasible. The more research you do identifying solutions on the front end, the less friction you’ll receive when you go public with your requests.

Make your actions count. There are a ton of ways to engage with decision-makers – visits, calls, letters – but one of the most popular forms of communication these days is email. Use it right. Colin Delaney of e.politics recommends these two tips:
- Tie your message to a specific piece of legislation or agency rule. Staff will usually sort them by bill number or rule docket number and you’ll want to make it easy on them — otherwise, you’re message may fall through the cracks. Try to put the bill/rule number and name in the subject line. General emails (”Support The Environment”) may well disappear into a black hole.
- Edit mass messages. Congressional staff claim to take individual messages from constituents more seriously than obvious mass messages. So, make sure that if you’re using one of the pre-written emails so many organizations use these days that you take a moment to personalize it.

Tools:

Creating Healthy Environments for Children: Advocacy Toolkit - This 8pg PDF outlines everything you need to know about contacting elected officials, writing letters to the editor for publishing your concerns in local newspapers, and many other easy ideas for spreading the word in your community. Don’t forget the companion DVD that can help you quickly educate others about children’s environmental health issues.

Research Tools - Use this guide to find out about polluters in your community, health impacts of chemicals, and much more.

Community ToolBox - Promotes community health and development by connecting people, resources, and ideas. While they don’t address environmental health specifically, their tools and information is entirely relevant to anyone looking to start organizing for change in their community. For example, they have an on-line guide that includes nearly 300 different sections providing practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building skills.

Meet Up - The world's largest network of local groups. Meetup makes it easy for anyone to organize a local group or find one of the thousands already meeting up face-to-face. More than 2,000 groups get together in local communities each day, each one with the goal of improving themselves or their communities.

Social Media - Are you on Facebook or Twitter? Maybe your elected officials are too. Check with GovTwit and do a people search on Facebook. Social media is becoming a powerful tool for advocacy. Learn about it by reading “Social Media 101 for Activists.”

Be patient. We live in a fast paced world, but it doesn’t mean things change overnight. Be prepared to push for what you want for a long time. Understand that people are busy and that elected officials and community leaders have a long, complicated list of priorities. It may take a while for yours to rise to the top. Don’t take it personally. Have patience, perseverance, and a positive attitude.

e.politics – Refer to this great site for learning more about the craft of online political advocacy.

Read more: http://healthychild.org/issues/policies/basic_tips_and_tools_for_advocacy/#ixzz1gaq0bIbu

Have you taken action? Got ideas for helping to make the world a safer place for our kids? Share in the comments section.

How much sleep does a child need?

2011-12-09T17:08:00.000+01:00

Most parents wonder whether their child is getting enough the right amount of sleep at some point. I know I do. Both my boys seem to be able to recharge their batteries quite quickly and I often wonder if they're 'normal'. Obviously all children are different and some just naturally need more or less sleep than others. Mine fall into the less category.

The Baby Center recently made a post about how much sleep children really need at different ages which includes a useful table breaking it down into age, nighttime sleep, daytime sleep and total sleep. You can check it out here. It even shows the number of naps.

One of the most important rules that all sleep experts seem to be in agreement over is the need for a routine. By putting your baby to bed at the same times both at night and during the day you help him build a sleep routine. This is something I'm working on with my 3 months old. As he was premature they kept him in the hospital for 10 days post-part and he mixed up his day and night for quite a while. Things are now improving but he still often wakes during the night meaning I'm still only dreaming of those 6 or more hours in a row that I've read most babies his age are starting to do.

My eldest is 4 years old this month and has never needed much sleep. As he goes to playschool during the day now and no longer has a daytime nap, he normally gets tired pretty early in the evenings. This past week I've tried cooking dinner a bit earlier, so I can get him ready for bed sooner and it seems to be doing the trick. Even on days when he says he's not tired, it doesn't take him long to fall asleep once his under the covers.

Do you keep to a sleep routine? How many hours sleep does your little one get?

Image via daichang34 on Flickr

Disney Christmas video

2011-12-07T14:30:00.001+01:00

I found this video on you tube and thought it was perfect for getting the kids in the festive mood. A fun way to teach them some classic Christmas songs too.

Disney Christmas Song from the movie "Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas"

Family budgeting help

2011-11-29T11:06:00.001+01:00

Image via k enteegardin at flickr- www.SeniorLiving.Org

The family budget can be a cause of stress especially as we near the festive season. Christmas often leaves us low on cash meaning we start the new year already worrying about our bank balance and... gulp...debt. Let's face it though, it's not just Christmas. Children cost money all year round.

I've put together a list of websites that offer tips, advice and budget planning help so you can get your family finances in order (and hopefully mean you enjoy the holidays and still start the year with a smile).

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20072930/ns/today-money/t/build-family-budget-actually-works/#.TtSvlGOXv5A has tips for building a budget that works.
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/ has huge amounts of money saving tips! A great resource.
http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/family-budget-planner.html If you want to take your budget planning to a higher level this family budget planner will even give you graphs that show your spending and saving balance over time.
http://www.free-financial-advice.net/create-budget.html How to create your budget worksheet, use it to improve and analyze the results.

Image via k enteegardin at flickr- www.SeniorLiving.Org

If you have some budget planning tips share them in the comments section.

Product Review: Fluirespira aerosol

2011-11-23T22:05:00.001+01:00

I have two small children. One is nearly four and the other is three months. Both have a cold and cough (the trouble with two children is that the older one no doubt brings home all the viruses from school). Anyway, the eldest, like many children his age, isn't a big fan of medicine or aerosol.

Aerosol is one of the best ways for clearing the mucus and helping him breathe more easily so I've been on the look out for a system that would get the job done without causing him to get upset. Today I found the perfect solution. The aerosol with computer by Fluirespira is fantastic! The aerosol works brilliantly and the built in computer has a wide variety of games in both Italian and English to keep kids busy whilst they sit with the mask on. A great idea that makes life a lot easier for us mums.

The link to the product on the Fluirespira website is: http://www.fluirespira.it/fluirespira/opencms/it/prodotti/computer.html

I tried it out with my son this afternoon and when the aerosol was finished (took 10 minutes- there is a timer on it too so you can keep track), he asked if he could do some more. I had to fight him to even get the mask on with the old one!

It comes with two sizes of mask; one for kids, one for babies. I'll be trying in out on the little one too.

Needless to say I'm very happy with the result and highly recommend this product.

5 tips to help when babies get colds and flu

2011-11-22T18:57:00.001+01:00

It's that time of year again. Cold and flu viruses are everywhere and babies, with their untested immune systems, are easy victims.

Congestion, coughs and runny noses are no fun for baby and can make for a stressful time for mummy. There are ways you can make your little one more comfortable though.

Use a syringe to clear your baby's mucus. These are simple to use and really make a difference. This short video shows you how to use the syringes correctly. http://www.babycenter.com/2_how-to-use-a-bulb-syringe-to-clear-your-babys-mucus_10357065.bc
Make some steam. The moist air helps loosen the mucus.
Vapor rubs. Natural balms are best. Rub into chest, neck and back area.
Head up. Elevating your baby's head when they are sleeping can help them breathe more easily.
Lots of rest. Try to help your baby relax as much as possible. It takes energy to combat an infection.

Rome with kids

2011-11-02T18:59:00.000+01:00

Travel with kids is often stressful and Rome is not known for being a child-friendly destination but the Italian Capital has a lot to offer.

The fact that a lot of the monuments are completely free and can be found just by walking around the city means adults can enjoy the must see sights without forcing boring hours of waiting in lines on the children.

The Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Panetheon and Roman Forum to name just a few.

If the kids have seen enough churches and museums take them to the Explora Childrens Museum in Via Flamina which is specially designed for kids to learn through play and has some great hands on experiments and other activities for them to do (Check the website http://www.mdbr.it/ for full details).

Rome is blessed with several parks that make fantastic get aways from the hussle and bussle of the city streets and offer open spaces for fun and games. Villa Borghese is right in the centre (close the the Spanish Steps) and has rides, bike hire, puppet shows and much more.

If you're just after a quick break from sight seeing why not take them to one of the many play areas situated around the city. Piazza Re di Roma (near san Giovanni) has one as does Piazza Celimontana (near the Colosseum) and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (near Termini).

When going to new places, everyone should try to learn a bit of the language and even very young children can learn to say a few basic words like "ciao" (hello/goodbye) and " Grazie" (Thank you). They'll love the positive react it gets them from the locals!

Italian for Tourists is the perfect book to take with you as it covers only the stuff you need to know and is simple enough for the whole family to use and understand. It's now available in various formats so you can even download a copy to your iphone or ipad from www.ibookstore.com and have it as an easy to use reference tool when out and about in the City.

mumpreneur

2011-10-25T20:56:00.000+02:00

The term mumpreneur has officially been recognised and enters Collins English Dictionary.

I love this term and I'm proud to say I'm a mumpreneur :)

The number of mums starting up their own businesses has increased greatly over the past few years and more and more are earning extra money working from home via the internet.

cnn have an excellent article about work from home mums here: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/03/08/p.new.stay.at.home.mom/index.html

Are you a mumpreneur? Did you work from home before becoming a mum or start so you could spend more time with your family? What type of work do you do? What are the pro's and con's of working from home?

The meaning of mother

2011-10-20T16:44:00.000+02:00

Being a mum can be a demanding job that leaves you feeling tired, stressed and, at times, under appreciated. A lot of new mums end up feeling a little overwhelmed by all the things they have to do and start asking themselves if you really need to be super woman to be able to survive motherhood. The answer, simply put, is yes. That said though, being a mum is the best job in the world and the good bits largely out-weigh the bad bits.

Talking to other mums can be a great help as it will help you realise that it's not just you. Most new mums feel exactly the same way you do.

Make time to relax by yourself. This might sound like mission impossible but even just 5 minutes to call your own can help recharge your batteries and make it easier to cope.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Family and friends will most likely be happy to assist with either looking after the baby for a bit or helping hang out the laundry and other small jobs around the house.

How do you manage to get everything done?

Men and pregnancy

2011-10-15T16:58:00.000+02:00

I just had to share this cartoon. Too funny :)

Do you want your husband present at the birth? How does your partner feel about being involved in the birth of the baby?

Free Personalized Velcro Bib

2011-07-28T17:35:00.000+02:00

I love freebies and whilst searching the web came across this fantastic free sample at http://egiftsite.com/free-personalized-velcro-bib/ for a free personalized velcro bib.

All you have to do is fill out the short survey online and then wait for your personalized bib to arrive in the post.

I requested one 2 days ago but as they ship from the US it could take a while to arrive. There doesn't seem to be a restriction on country so it's worth a try.

Good luck and please let us know if you receive yours.

New book about pregnancy

2011-07-26T10:45:00.000+02:00

I'm currently working on a new book about pregnancy and need your help. It's called 'Coming soon: A pregnancy survival guide'.

It is split into different sections, each covering a part of or problem that can occur during pregnancy.

The sections:

Getting the best start- Preconception tips
The test and what to do next
Common problems in the first trimester
More serious problems
Dealing with bedrest
Depression and how to stay on top
The big event and types of birth

What I need is short comments, tips, own experience stories etc to include in each section from mums-to-be, experienced mums, Doctors etc...

If you or someone you know can help, please email me with the text to include along with your name and where you're from (Country). It can be anything from a twitter length comment or tip to a more detailed story or advice.

Thank you in advance for your quick response.

Guest post : 10 Fun Summer Physical Activities to Do with Your Kid

2011-07-03T12:00:00.000+02:00

To kids, summer means utter freedom. Liberated from the dull classroom and the chains of physical education programs, summer is every child’s haven. However, just because they are away from the PE equipment doesn’t mean that the kids have to rot away their summer without being active.

Here are some fun summer activities you can enjoy with your kids.

1. After School Sports (without the after school)

If the kids have been participating in after school play during the school year, summer is a great time for them to keep up with their after school activities, except now, they won’t have to worry about school. Not having school means less worries and more fun on the field or court.

As a parent, you can enjoy it with your kids by going to ballgames or practicing with them.

Summer sports are also a great way to keep them social and meeting new friends. Make sure you give them the choice of what sport they would like to play.

2. Going for a Swim

Summer can definitely heat up, especially if you stay in your stuffy home all day. Take a dip in your pool. If you don’t have your own pool, visit a friend or take advantage of community swimming pools.

3. Hiking

Take your kids on a hike. You will work up a sweat and get some fresh air in your lungs. Make sure to go on cooler days or earlier in the morning when the sun is not as intense. Remember to bring water.

4. Biking

It’s time to dust off that bike that’s been sitting in your garage. An early morning bike ride is a great way to start your day before settling in for a delicious brunch. Just remember your helmet.

5. Camping

Sometimes, it’s nice to get away from the house and enter into the wilderness, if only for a few days. Camping is full of all sorts of fun and physical activities that the whole family can enjoy.

6. Summer Programs

Summer is a great time for group camps and community programs. Some programs allow you to participate with your kids; though don’t expect it as most summer programs limit attendance to just kids.

7. Surfing

If you’ve wanted to take surf lessons, summer just might be your time to learn. There are plenty of surf schools near beaches and surf board rentals are very affordable. Learn with your kids and tear up the waves.

8. At the Beach

The beach is one of the most popular destinations during the summer, and there are tons of fun activities your kids can do at the beach. At the beach, your kids can swim, snorkel, play beach volleyball, and so much more.

9. Aerobics

Aerobics are important to building strength and flexibility. Yoga has become very popular with the youth. You might be able to find children’s yoga classes at your local gym or community center.

10. Take a Walk

After dinner, instead of sitting down and watching TV, go out for a walk with your kids. You’ll digest your meal while enjoying the beauty of the summer evening.

Guest post by Tim via MyBlogGuest.com

Pregnancy Diet

2011-06-08T14:29:00.000+02:00

What and what not to eat during pregnancy.

Prenatal Lullabies for Babies and Moms-to-be

2011-06-07T14:26:00.001+02:00

From three months before birth, your baby will be able to listen to music. Here's a small selection of video's with music for pregnancy:

Tests during pregnancy

2011-04-15T19:47:00.001+02:00

When you're planning on having a baby or have been lucky enough to get pregnant, tests and examination become part of routine life. In fact you may feel like you spend most of your time either doing tests or collecting results. For those of us without medical training or knowledge understanding why these tests are needed and how to read the results can be confusing.

You can find a useful table here that shows what tests need to be done when and why.

Through out your pregnancy you will have blood tested several times. These are done to gather information about your health and that of your baby. Here you can find information about some of the tests you will need.

Urine tests are also common. Read more here.

You may also need to have a vaginal examination to check for bacteria in the vagina. Read more here.

As always, if you have any doubts or questions talk to your Doctor.