social networking for mothers

Bathing Your Toddler

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:49:00 -0800

For most households bath times are either great fun or an ordeal that has to be endured. Most children love to have a bath, in fact the tears come when it’s time to get out. Once your child grows to be a toddler having a bath is a great opportunity to have one-on-one time with you, especially if you have other children.

Even though your child can now sit up, children drown silently in very little water so never leave your child in the bath alone. Scalding is another hazard in bathrooms, so make sure the taps are turned off securely so the hot water can’t be accidentally knocked on. If possible have a thermostat installed on your hot water system or turn your existing thermostat down to fifty degrees Celsius.

Some children are afraid of the sound of water as it is sucked down the drain and this can make them fearful that they will also be pulled down into the murky pipes and lost. Wait until your child is out of the bath before you pull the plug and if they are concerned about getting in the bath, why not have baths with them until they’re more confident?

Making your toddler’s bath time fun and relaxing can help ensure that bath time at your place isn’t an ordeal.

Choosing a School for Your Children

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:08:00 -0800

Finding the perfect school for kids can be a daunting prospect for some parents. One thing to bear in mind is that there is simply no such thing as the perfect school. What you should really be looking for is the perfect school for your kids: which would be a school that will meet their needs, engage them and cater to their particular strengths and interests.

What are your expectations?

Make a list of the type of education you want your child to receive, as well as the types of values and ideals you want the school to emphasize. This can be invaluable in selecting the right school.

Look for recommendations

It's a great idea to source perspectives from parents, as well as from students attending a particular school. You can search online to find valuable information and feedback, or simply use your existing friendship networks to get an idea of who is happy with the education being provided by a particular school and why.

Visit the school

It's difficult to get a feel for a school without actually seeing it in person. While the grand private school down the road might seem impressive or the local public school warm and friendly, it's hard to tell whether it's right for your kids without actually taking the time to check out the grounds and facilities, and chat to the teachers and staff. Open days and working bee days are great for doing this.

Children spend so many hours at school and changing schools can be disruptive, so it’s worth being thorough when it comes to selecting a school.

Does Your Child Suffer from Night Terrors?

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:52:00 -0800

Night terrors are not the same as night mares. Night terrors are not a common occurrence in children but if they do occur it is usually in children between eighteen months and six years of age. Night terrors can be extremely distressing for you, but despite appearances, they are not distressing for your child.

The reason for this is that night terrors usually occur in the first few hours after going to bed when your child is in very deep sleep. Unlike a nightmare, your child remains asleep during the whole event; even if they are thrashing, walking, screaming or have their eyes open. In the morning they will have no memory of having had the night terror.

Night terrors are quite normal and nothing to be concerned over. They will usually go away by themselves as your child develops a more mature sleep pattern. If your child suffers night terrors don’t try to wake them up - they will only be disorientated and confused. Trying to console them is also futile as they are not conscious of your efforts. If they are thrashing, make sure that they are safe and not going to hurt themselves. Once they stop thrashing guide them back to bed and tuck them in, and they will usually slip back into a calm sleep state quite quickly.

If you’re concerned about the frequency or duration of your child’s night terrors, speak to your family doctor about it.

Healthy Food Ideas for Kids from Mother's Blog to keep kids Healthy and Active

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:59:00 -0800

Mothers face daily challenges as they struggle to take care of their child and find a way to be the best parent they can.We should all know about healthy eating, but you’d be surprised at how many people know almost nothing about the foods they and their kids eat . It’s important that everyone learn about eating healthy and which foods should be avoided, at least most of the time.

There are many nutrients that you need to have in your diet, and one of the most important is protein, which is a natural source of energy and helps our muscles to grow and be healthy. Protein is necessary for healing soft tissues following injuries and other trauma, and each and every cell in our bodies relies on protein to function properly.

Getting Your Kids To Eat Healthy Foods

For many mothers, one of the biggest challenges in raising their children is getting them to eat healthy. For some reason, kids really have an aversion to anything nutritious. Maybe it is because the foods don’t look good to them. Or maybe it’s simply an act of rebellion to refuse healthy food, because they don’t want to be told what to do. Whatever the reason, many children are not getting the proper nutrition, and childhood obesity is becoming more and more of a problem all the time.

There are many ways to get your kids to eat healthy foods, without them even realizing it. Pizza is a healthy food, containing foods from all four of the important food groups, and when made right, it’s loaded with all kinds of nutritional value. You can make a homemade pizza with sauce made from fresh tomatoes in a blender, topped with lean ground meat, peppers, mushrooms, pineapples, and low-fat cheese for a very healthy meal that just about every kid (and adult) in the world will absolutely love.

Another thing to try is adding cheese to foods your kids wouldn’t normally eat. It is amazing what a little bit of cheese can do to change a kid’s mind. Or if you have a juicer, you can make slushiest for your kids with delicious, healthy vegetables, which will be overpowered by the taste of fruit juice.
Get creative and you can be assured that your kids will get all of the proper nutrition they need to grow up healthy.

Food and Fun For Kids

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:42:00 -0800

Food and Fun For Kids

Kids love helping out in the kitchen. It can also be a big source of pride for them to tell you that they made the meal, almost all by themselves. It's also wonderful being able to combine fun, hands-on play time with meal preparation time.

There are incredible many children who suffer because of an unhealthy nutrition. We are not referring to kids who don't eat too much, but to the ones we try so hard to give everything to. A lot of products or types of food contain different E-s, especially chips, snacks and jelly. Our kids are happy, then we are happy, but they will end up having an ulcer or gastritis.

Here is a healthy and funny recipe for kids to whom they will like very much.

"Baked Bean & Vegie Nachos"

This is a great recipe from my children’s Kindy, They make healthy well balanced and most importantly yummy meals for all the Kids at club Junior. Keep your eye out as I will be posting more great recipes from the kindy.

INGREDIENTS:

225 gm Baked Beans

1 x Medium Carrot grated

1 x medium zucchini grated

1 x small onion chopped finely

125 gm crushed tomatoes

I x tablespoon of canola oil

Salt and pepper to taste

A little grated cheese for the top (optional)

METHOD:

1. Fry onion in oil until it softens

2. Add grated carrots and crushed tomatoes, simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Add in zucchini and Baked Beans then cook for another 10 minutes slowly bring up to the boil.

4. Remove from the heat and serve with corn chips; Grated cheese.

TIPS:

- For a healthy alternative to corn chips, cut mountain bread into triangles and bake in the oven on medium until crispy, Really good and they don't take long to make.

- To keep the corn chips crunchy serve in a separate bowl to the bean nachos mix.

- Get creative and add some sour cream if your kids like it.

For more information on other recipes visit: http://www.mother2mother.com/recipes

Getting Help from Online Childcare Articles

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:41:00 -0800

Having a child is a life-changing event. No matter how much reading you do before your baby’s arrival or how prepared you think you are going to be, nothing can prepare you for the realities of parenthood - other than going through it. When you leave hospital and bring your child home for the first time the reality of it dawns: you are responsible for this little person.

Online childcare articles are a great source of information and reassurance for parents and the best part is you can get all the information you need from the comfort of your own home.

Being daunted by parenthood is very normal. There will be good days and there will be bad days but the most important thing is to not suffer in silence. Family and friends provide a great deal of support but they can’t always be on hand when you need them.

Your home computer can become a life line when you need to get some quick advice or have the reassurance that you’re not the only person having a tough time with a screaming baby.

Apart from helpful childcare articles written by parents and child care professionals you can also connect with like-minded parents over the net to share ideas and get the support you need.

Dealing with Allergies at School

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:24:00 -0800

Allergies and allergic reactions have been given widespread coverage in the news of late, so it's no wonder that both parents and schools are flustered. Here are some tips for helping to deal with allergies on school grounds.

Alert your child to the dangers of allergies

Many children don’t really understand what allergies are, and many have no idea how serious an allergic reaction can be. Make sure your child knows how important it is to be aware of allergies, and to ensure they're careful in dealing with other children's allergies: for example, they should be aware of the dangers of sharing food with children with allergies.

Ensure your child knows what to do

Make sure that your child is aware of what's involved in an allergic reaction. This includes things such as symptoms and reactions. You'll also want to check that they know to get help, and who they can go to for help.

Talk to your child about bullying

Children with allergies are often bullied at school because it’s seen as a difference, so if your child has allergies, you may wish to check with them regularly to ensure that they're happy at school. Many victims of bullying avoid alerting anyone about their victimisation, so it might be worth checking with a teacher to ensure that everything's okay.

Allergies are common place in this day and age so it’s more important than ever to ensure your children are allergy aware.

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:18:00 -0800

Online rendezvous for mothers all over the World.

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Wed, 8 Dec 2010 20:21:00 -0800

Childcare has always been a painstaking job for the mothers. Childcare becomes a nightmarish experience especially for the first time mothers and more so if you don’t take care of the little issues which can snowball later. Therefore the famous saying that prevention is better than cure holds true in this case. It’s always better to prepare yourself as a little homework on your part can make life a lot easier for you later on.

But unwittingly there are a lot of issues which certainly creep up during the upbringing of a child. This is exactly the moment when things get out of control and we feel a dire need for guidance. You might be worried with your child’s diet, their skin problems or you might be finding your child’s lying habit a challenge to improve upon. So, it is always a welcome idea to have a place where mothers can discuss their problems with each other and find suitable solutions and alternatives. In our age of the computer and internet, what better idea could there be to have an online rendezvous where mothers could find answers to their queries quickly and easily and from the people - Mothers. A place where mothers can connect and discuss any problems and/or issues with other mothers, without fear or favor or ridicule.

Well, this initiative has been taken up most recently by mother2mother.com. A new online community especially for the mothers and mothers to be. This social network is aimed at broadening the range of information and opinions available to mothers by connecting them as an international family. Creating a safe and easy way for mothers to connect with moms and mums and share their childcare problems, concerns and experiences with other mothers.

Any member may start a group or simply join one of the various mother groups present on the site.Groups can be categorized on the basis of the region, type of problems etc. One of the groups like the mother toddler groups are especially dedicated to all sorts of the problems encountered by the mothers of the toddlers or could be a used simply to start a play group. All these groups together form a large and strong network which can be termed as a mother’s network. Mother2mother.com started with the initiative to bring mothers from all around the world together in order to share their ideas, viewpoints and motherly experiences with others on any matter.

Childcare is one very crucial matter which should not be ignored at any cost, however, it requires careful planning and being proactive towards the needs of your child. So, now all the mothers who maybe running out of ideas / solutions should register now and be a part of mother2mother.com and taking time to invite other mothers to join and empower yourself with knowledge because your child deserves the best care possible.

Cheap play Ideas for Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:50:00 -0800

Raising kids only seems to be getting more expensive. Toys, entertainment, and activities all seem to be far more costly than they used to be - and unfortunately this is because they are! If you're a thrifty minded mum who wants to be able to play with her kids without breaking the bank, these tips are for you.

Family activities

Family activities are a great way of keeping your kids happy and active, and at no cost! A simple game in your back yard, or a walk to the local park, is both great for entertaining kids and ensuring that you get to spend some valuable time together as a family.

Craft activities

Craft activities are so much fun that they're worth the mess! When doing crafts, there's no need to invest in expensive materials - instead work with what you have at home. Old socks are great for sock puppets, and greeting cards are great for making collages and cut-ups. Used printer paper can be cut up for origami or other paper crafts.

Cooking

Cooking is a great way to keep your kids out of mischief, and to give them some valuable skills while you're at it. Involve kids in simple activities such as pouring and measuring ingredients, mixing, and serving. They'll love being involved in the family meal, and you'll eventually end up with some useful kitchen hands!

Image source:http://plusitbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/scooter-riding-kids-300x247.jpg
http://www.hostessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/uploaded_images/kids_thanksgiving_crafts2.jpg

http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/333415-2455-44.jpg

For more play ideas just log on to:http://www.mother2mother.com/blogs

Choosing a Babysitter for Your Precious Kids

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Mon, 8 Nov 2010 22:19:00 -0800

It's not often that you get a night to yourself, so when you finally do, you don't want to spend your time fretting about the babysitter. Here are some tips for choosing a babysitter who's right for you and for your kids.

Go local

Try to source your babysitter from local community networks, or through family and friends. This way your babysitter has been in a sense vetted by individuals you trust and you're more likely to end up with a babysitter who's right for you.

Check references and put them to the test

It's always a great idea to check your babysitter's references to make sure that other parents have been happy with their services. Also set up a meeting with the babysitter to see how they interact with your kids. You want to make sure that they're good at dealing with kids, and that there aren't any personality clashes you'll have to worry about.

Make sure they're aware of your expectations

It's a good idea to ask a first-time babysitter to come over a little earlier than planned to ensure that you have time to acquaint them with any household rules, as well as any safety advice. You'll also want to leave your own and a trusted neighbor's contact details just in case. Let them know if you have any particular expectations or requirements relating to schoolwork, bedtimes, or meals and snacks.

Finding a great babysitter can help you enjoy a good night out while your kids can enjoy a good night in!

Image Source: http://www.babysitters2.com/

Click here for more kids related articles and blogs.

Buying a Watch for Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:03:00 -0700

Telling the time is a great skill to have, and it's one that comes in handy all throughout the day. It's no surprise then, that a kid's first watch often marks a turning point in their life. Here are some tips for buying that all-important first watch for your youngster.

Analogue or digital?

While digital watches are easier to read, and are often more familiar to kids, analogue watches are great for giving your kids the opportunity to learn how to read a more traditional clock face.

Size and shape?

Kids are pretty rough and tumble, so try to opt for a watch that isn't going to catch on things or bang against them. While some character watches look great, they tend to be quite large, and end up breaking quite easily. In addition, you'll want to opt for a watch with a band that's easy for a youngster to put on and remove.

Water resistance

There's always a chance that your kidlet's watch will get wet, or might take a fateful dip in the bath or swimming pool. For this reason, you might want to opt for a water resistant model, and one with a band that won't be damaged from contact with water.

The budget

Let's face it: the life of most children toys isn't that long and a watch isn’t likely to be any different! Choose an affordable watch, and bear in mind that the band and batteries may need replacing on a regular basis.

Books and Literacy: a great excuse for building your home library!

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:53:00 -0700

If you can't resist buying a book every time you're out shopping, never fear: it’s money well spent. While teachers and educators have been telling us for years that we need to get our kids reading from an early age, more and more research is backing them up.

For example, a recent study from the University of Nevada has found that having books in the home is linked with improved literacy rates amongst youngsters. So if your personal library collection is lacking a little bit, you might want to think about picking up some great reading material to fill your shelves.

If higher literacy rates aren't enough to get you on the book bandwagon, maybe this will: not only is having a personal home library linked with higher graduation rates, but kids from homes with books are also more likely to go on to attend university or other further studies. Books are pretty cheap as far as private tutors go!

Still, having books in the home is only the first step. If you love reading, and actively participate in it yourself, then your kids are likely to, as well. You don't have to spend your days reading high-brow literature, though: any reading material is a great start to show your kids that reading is something they can enjoy.

Click here to discuss childcare issues.

Bathing Your Toddler

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:47:00 -0700

Making your toddler’s bath time fun and relaxing can help ensure that bath time at your place isn’t an ordeal.

Discuss more about kids only at http://www.mother2mother.com/forums

Image Source: http://www.newbornbabyzone.com/baby-products/comfortable-bath-time-essentials-for-little-one/.

On the Road with Your Little Ones

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 04:54:00 -0700

Going for a walk as a family is great fun, but it does require that you always be aware of the safety of your kids. To ensure that your kids are knowledgeable about the basics of pedestrian safety, here are some tips you can use to help them along the road to safety.

Accompany your kids:

It's always a good idea to accompany young kids on walks until they're around the age of ten or so. It can take years of practice to develop a working knowledge of road safety and road risks, and even kids who do have this knowledge won't always do the right thing. Accompanying your kids is a great way to ensure that they're aware of what's going on around them.

Model good behavior:

Make sure that your kids see you do things such as look both ways before crossing a road, crossing at appropriate crossings, and only crossing when the green man is visible. Always hold your kids' hands whenever crossing roads or walking near cars, and make sure that they know never to step out on the road unattended.

Teach kids about driveway risks:

Make sure that your kids are aware that accidents can occur in the driveway or when getting out of a car. Ensure, for example, that they know never to walk behind a car. It's a good idea to explain to kids why they need to learn this information and follow these rules.

Discuss more about kids at http://www.mother2mother.com/forums

World around.

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Sun, 3 Oct 2010 21:47:00 -0700

Chinese family names are often formed (begin) with a sign that means "mother". It's a nice way of honoring their moms long past.
Japan's Imperial family traces their descent from Omikami Amaterasu, the Mother of the World.
Hindu scripture credits the Great Mother, Kali Ma, with the invention of writing through alphabets, pictographs and beautiful sacred images.
George Washington once said, "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."
Native American Indian women have long been honored with the name, "Life of the Nation" for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.
Mother's Day is now celebrated in many countries around the world. Australia, Mexico, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Russia, China, Thailand, all have special celebrations to honor Mothers, but not in the same way or on the same day as the United States.
In the Bible, Eve is credited with being the "Mother of All the Living."
Mother Earth is also known as "Terra Firma". That title is a Latin translation of some lines from one of the Greek poet, Homer's, greatest poems.
81% of women 40 to 44 years old are mothers. In 1980, 90 percent of women in that age group were mothers.
Buddha honored mothers when he said, "As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, loves and protects her child, so let a man cultivate love without measure toward the whole world."
The Ancient Greeks celebrated Mother's Day in springs, like we do. They used to honor Rhea, "mother of the gods," with honey-cakes and fine drinks and flowers at dawn. Sounds like the beginnings of the Mother's Day tradition of breakfast in bed!
The Greek word "meter" and Sanskrit word "mantra" mean both mother and measurement.

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.

noreply@blogger.com (mother2mother) — Sun, 3 Oct 2010 21:33:00 -0700

Mother:

A mother is a woman who has conceived, given birth to, or raised a child.

Here we are presenting certain interesting facts about mothers:

Familiar or colloquial terms for mother in English are:
·    Mom and mommy are used in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Philippines, and the West Midlands of England.
·    Mum and mummy are used in the UK, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
·    Ma, mam, and mammy are used in Netherlands, Ireland, the Northern areas of the UK, and Wales; it is also used in some areas of the US.
·    Maa,aai, amma, and mata are used in India and sometimes in neighboring countries, originating from the Sanskrit matrika and mata

In many other languages, similar pronunciations apply:
·    mamá, ma, and mami in Spanish language
·    mama in Polish, German, Russian and Slovak
·    māma in Chinese and Japanese
·    máma in Czech and in Ukrainian
·    maman in French and Persian
·    ma, mama in Indonesian
·    mamma in Italian, Icelandic and Swedish
·    mamãe or mãe in Portuguese
·    mã in Punjabi
·    mama in Swahili
·    em in Hebrew
·    ima in Aramaic
·    má or mẹ in Vietnamese
·    mam in Welsh
·    eomma (pronounced [ʌmma]) in Korean
·    In many south Asian cultures and the Middle East, the mother is known as amma or oma or ammi or "ummi", or variations thereof. Many times, these terms denote affection or a maternal role in a child's life.

Visit http://www.mother2mother.com/blogs for interesting articles and blogs about mothers and kids