The Sun-Flower Family Blog

Bookit.com

2009-11-18T21:41:00.002Z

Looking for a place where to find great destinations at great prices? BookIt.com it's a very easy site to navigate where you can find excellent deals to travel to places like Jamaica, Punta Cana, Mexico and many others. Using Bookit.com you will find luxurious hotels at lower prices. Pinta cana hotels or montego bay hotels will be really affordable to you. Check the site and start planning your New Year's holidays.

Autumn Mood

2009-11-09T19:41:00.000Z

: Image by wishymom (Stephanie Wallace Photography) via Flickr

Rain has arrived for good and I can't blade the weather, well it's Autumn and it's time for cold and rain to arrive. Our backyard no longer has the swimming pool mounted, the outdoor fireplaces are no longer being used for BBC's, the yard is full of beautiful orange and brown leaves that need to be cleaned every week, the summer flowers are dry and some winter ones are starting to bloom.

Although a rough season due to allergies, colds and flu's what is striking me is a sadness and tiredness I'm going through. Anti-depressives and vitamins are trying to "lift me up".

Why parents shouldn't ignore certain H1N1 symptoms

2009-11-02T11:36:00.000Z

H1N1 is spreading rapidly. Why certain symptoms should not be ignored?

Blankets and more blankets

2009-11-01T22:45:00.002Z

During winter my son is always looking for some more blankets to put on his bed. He is always cold so his bad is always stuffed with warm clothes.

This Winter I was thinking about buying him a heated blanket but I must confess I am afraid of this type of blankets. If they are connected to the electricity isn't it possible that we can get an electrical shock? I'm sure we won't but I'm still afraid.

I really want to see this option and others because an heated blanket or an heated mattress would be a great solution for cold nights.

No extra bills planned so far

2009-11-01T22:30:00.002Z

Finally a month free of extra bills. When I say extra I refer to term life insurance, car insurance, school books. Of course medical bills and other unexpected bills are always a bad surprise so I hope I don't have them this month.

We are trying to pay our credit card, it is a goal that is going to take some long months to accomplish but we will get there :)

Christmas is a few weeks away and it means more expenses, however we are determined to spend much less money than the years before.

Make sure your kids eat healthy food

2009-11-01T21:40:00.004Z

Image via Wikipedia

Again obesity in kids is being used as the subject for a big television documentary. It's amazing how some kids eat what they want without being controlled by their parents. Parents are afraid of taking food from their kids mouths and they think that it's ok for them to eat everything they want.

Well, kids must start their earlier years with good eating habits so that they don't become obese infants and therefore obese adults looking for diets, diet pills or a fat burner.

Make sure your kids have an healthy breakfast, that they take healthy snacks for school and don't give them money to buy snacks at school, believe me they will only buy junk food.

I need a new Vaccum Cleaner

2009-10-25T20:35:00.002Z

My vacuum cleaner is damaged. It has no suction power and I was told it is a motor problem. Right know I have no money to buy a new one but I'm looking around for what there is in the market.

I like those vacuum cleaners that can vacuum water but I am more interested in one that can indeed remove dirt that is "glued". I like the Ladybug steam cleaner line but none of the people I talk to have ever used one.

Do you have one? What do you feel about it? Worth the money?

5 Tips to Help Parents Spend More Time Together

2009-10-25T19:03:00.003Z

Being a parent can absorb so much of your time and energy, and of course lots of your attention gets distracted away from your own relationship with your partner. Don't assume that your relationship will just take care of itself, while you're busy doing parenting things. Being in a partnership means that you will also need to make time to keep it special, protect and nurture it - or you may look around one day and wonder how it all fell apart or disappeared.

Now, you may wonder where you are going to find that extra bit of time to reconnect with your partner especially when you have so many other things to do. The good news is, you don't have to spend hours at it - a few moments of closeness grabbed here and there is often all it takes to keep the passion and love glowing and growing.

Here are 5 ways to help you reconnect:

1. Get Virtual and Techie: Start by sending each other text or email messages on a daily basis - just a way of staying in touch and injecting a bit of loving fun into each day.

2. Stay in touch with each other: Even when you've both had an exhausting day, are both shattered, you can still find that extra bit of energy to hold hands, have a cuddle, or snuggle on the couch while watching your favourite TV show.

3. Plan date nights: Make time to be a couple. This could mean you both decide on a night a month where you both go out on a date. Make sure you both write it in your diaries or on the fridge calendar, so that you both commit to it.

4. Let each other know how you honestly feel: In the first few weeks of having a new baby, things may not be as great as you thought, and there is no point in pretending that it is. You both started this family together and you owe it to each other - and your baby - to tackle the good bits and the bad bits together.

5. Release any guilt: It can be so easy to think and believe that your new baby needs more attention than your partner does. Actually, that's not true. Your children need you both to be a loving and committed couple for their benefit, as well as your own. If you are looking after your relationship, you are also looking after your children's too.

Having children means you can't be as spontaneous as you once could. Get used to the idea of 'planned romances'. Organizing your love life shouldn't make you feel guilty, it's not bad, it's just a bit different and only temporary - the next 16 or so years!

Kelly enjoys writing articles relating to the health, fitness and diet industry as well as anything to do with parenting. You can also check out her latest website at http://www.outdoorchristmaslawndecorations.com which offers ideas and information regarding where to buy Christmas lawn decorations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Anne_Harris
http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Tips-to-Help-Parents-Spend-More-Time-Together&id=3133377

Anorexia: normal in mature woman?

2009-10-19T23:26:00.004+01:00

I am so worried about a friend of mine. She is 48 years old and although she's very thin, she is always saying she is too fat. She has a cousin that suffers from anorexia and I really believe she's having the same problem too.

My friend has a "being fat" paranoia and although everybody sees she is disappearing she keeps saying we are crazy, that she really is fat. She's not taking diet pills or other kind of diet product but she really cuts on food and has not appropriate meals.

Is it normal that mature woman have anorexia or it is a teenage problem?

Old Clothes

2009-10-12T16:13:00.003+01:00

I did a clean up on my closets this weekend and I run across some clothes that bring some memories to my mind.

The robe I used on my honeymoon, my husband's tuxedo shirt he used on our weeding, my daughter's coat when she was 2 years old and a training suit I have for over 20 years. The truth is, although we don't use those clothes anymore, I refuse to give them away, they belong to our history.

Summer is still here

2009-10-12T16:08:00.002+01:00

The Autumn is here but I believe the bad weather went away. We are having hotter days than we had in summer and the autumn clothes are still in the closet waiting for colder days.

I really need a vacation but I am not very picky so trips to cozumel or cancun would be luxury because I would be very pleased with one week in some beach where I can rest and enjoy peace and quiet.

Kids Pressure

2009-10-05T09:08:00.004+01:00

Sometimes I really thing my kids want to drive me nuts. They just push the limits and test me until I am completely exhausted. I know they just want to break me and make me fulfill their requests, I know it is a normal attitude in kids but...I am losing my mind.

I sometimes wonder why don't I have more patience sometimes but they really test me for real. I think I need more RAM...system memory for my head to put up with all the pressure.

Working 40 hours a week plus the house, the husband and the kids pressure is a piece of art.

Some Ideas to Keep Your Kids Safe

2009-10-05T09:00:00.003+01:00

Overview
Though parents often find keeping their child secure from all possible risks an uphill task, a little awareness and preparation on their part can go a long way in ensuring that their kids stay safe. As children are not usually proficient with the rules that will keep them safe and secure, the onus lies on parents to get informed about various safety ideas for kids and make their kids aware about the same.

Potential Risks Kids Face
Most of the children in the US die due to accidental injuries. In fact, the number of victims of accidental injuries far outnumbers the death caused by violence, diseases, and suicide. Some of the potential risks that kids face include exposure to potentially harmful chemicals found in baby powder, baby lotion, and toiletries, riding a bike, danger of facing strangers or staying alone at home, accidents on the street or those caused by fire, injuries associated with shopping carts etc, just to name a few.

Teaching Good Habits
One of the primary plans of safety ideas for kids includes teaching the toddlers good habits and making them aware between what is safe and what is not. It would be wise to remember that the innocence of children makes them susceptible to several risky situations. So, parents should make sure to teach their kids how to handle the situation when a stranger approaches them or bothers them. Teaching the kids the rules of traffic safety can also go a long way in preventing untoward situations. When the child takes the first step of enjoying "freedom" by learning to drive a bike, the parents need to ensure that he/she takes the ride wearing a proper helmet in order to prevent bike-related injuries.

Techniques To Prevent Accidents
Parents have an important role to play in implementing safety ideas for kids. As safety begins at home, they need to make their house safe and ensure that unexpected or avoidable dangers do not occur. It is also a good idea to teach the kids some safety rules in advance so that they can stay safe even when they get stranded at home. It also pays to have proper fire safety system installed in the home as it could create a huge difference between life and death when some tragedy strikes all of a sudden.

Children should also be kept away from being exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. Another important factor is to shop carefully when the kids are accompanying their parents. A study has shown that almost 23,000 children get serious neck and head injuries each year because of falls from shopping carts. So, it becomes imperative to shop safer when the kids are put into the shopping carts while their parents get busy buying the groceries.

Conclusion
It is very important to keep a close eye on your tiny tots and educate them about various safety measures as they grow up so that they can enjoy their increased independence while being safe and secure.

Some Ideas to Keep Your Kids Safe By Sonali Bose Sengupta

Higher payment this time

2009-10-03T00:08:00.003+01:00

I can't believe it's again time to pay for my life insurance! Every six months I have to pay for my life insurance that is attached to my mortgage. This time the payment changed is a lot higher than the previous ones so I guess next time I will have to ask for some life insurance quotes and compare prices. Maybe my insurance company is charging me more than others.

First week of school is over

2009-09-20T16:41:00.002+01:00

First week of school is over and so far so good. Same class of last year minus 3 students and plus 2 students that are repeating the year (one of each is really over weight and therefore going under a treatment that involves taking one best diet pill at each meal) and 4 news students that arrived from other schools. 27 students in one class is too much in my opinion but who am I to judge that.

The students met all teachers already so, this second week is going to be the real start off of school. I'm helping my son doing the homework this year.

Winter is back

2009-09-18T23:44:00.002+01:00

Summer is over, the rain is back, no more beach, no more best diet pills conversations and no more short sleeve shirts. Grey, wet and cloudy days will be a constant. Kids get wet to go to school, we get wet to go to work, we get wet to go shopping. I am like the weather, darker than usual and nothing interesting to say.

The best place to shop online

2009-09-15T23:46:00.002+01:00

Buying online is getting more natural these days. People love to shop from the comfort of their homes. Wether it is a cell phone or a Super Mario Nintendo you can find everything online.

Last Christmas I wanted to give myself a gift and I started searching for a digital camera. I wanted to take pictures of my kids, keep our live recorded so I started comparing prices online. I ended up finding a Nikon Coolpix S710 for a lower price them in the local stores.

You can also buy online and ShopWiki is the right place you should check. It does a wide search on the www and finds you the best prices for the products you are searching for.

Do a search, choose the stores that have discounts and get a low price for a quality product.

Budget Like Mom

2009-09-15T23:39:00.001+01:00

Budgeting is truly the turf of most mothers. Aside from the traditional role imposed on mothers as the one who budgets the family finances, mothers have the instincts and foresights on what might happen in the future.

But how do moms really stretch the budget? She neither uses complicated formulas nor magic tricks but simple ingenuity and common sense. Peek in through moms’ secrets in budgeting and learn. Role modeling is a good way to encourage attitude, especially towards money.

1. She clearly knows where all the money goes. Usually it goes to child care apart from the housing, health insurance, food and clothing. It is unlikely for her to cut cost on her children.

2. She studies all options given to her in terms of child care. Before she decides, she examines all aspects like safety, health and education.

3. To understand more, she talks to local child-care specialists and works out schedules with her employer for bonding time with kids.

4. For working moms, it is double the effort. They take care of the house and the children and at the same time work. She incorporates practical ways to accomplish both roles.

Wearing professional clothes than trendy ones.
Stays elegant but simple through a combination of basic colors.
Dry cleaning costs a hefty amount, so, she dons on wash-and-wear clothes.
Tone down on accessories.
She engages in a lot of do-it-yourself habits like in cleaning spots and ironing wrinkles in her personal wardrobes.

5. Moms always shop with a list in her hand to keep track of her budget and expenses. She makes sure she does not exceed. Also, she has no time for checking out tempting stuff at the shopping mall.

School will start in a few days

2009-09-02T21:34:00.003+01:00

Less than two weeks for the school start. Books have already arrived and some material was already bought. My son is thrilled with this new school year because he is going to the fifth grade and that means, a lot of subjects, a lot of books and a lot of teachers.

Responsibility will be a "must" for my son this year. For the past four years he had only one teacher, only one school room but this year he has to go from one classroom to the other and he has to take good care of his school material. He lost his Samsung cell phone so that won't be an issue at school.

This year the fear of the H1N1 virus is present and we don't know if school will be open all school year or if it has to close due to the virus. Let's hope that the virus isn't too bad for the kids.

Office Entrance Control

2009-08-31T23:32:00.002+01:00

Last month I had some problems in my working place, in fact, I had an argument with my boss. Since then the rules changed.

I am an administrative and therefore I never had an entrance card. Since the arguing my boss wants to control me and therefore I have to pass a card through a barcode scanner every time I enter and every time I leave the office. I really don't mind doing it, it even is good so that the boss can check that I do some overtime and that there is no need for arguing when it comes to having the work done on time.

What about you? Do you enter into the office with a barcode card?

Weight loss products

2009-08-23T15:09:00.002+01:00

If you are looking for the right weight loss product for you than you should check the weight loss product site where the products are categorized based on:

Customer Feedback
Ingredient Quality
Efficiency and Power
Long-Term Maintenance
Safety
Overall Value

Take a look at the site and find the 3 Top Rated Weight Loss Products.

Handwashing

2009-08-23T15:04:00.002+01:00

: Image via Wikipedia

Guest Post: Author: Brenda Williams

With all of the germs that have a tendency to follow us around, one of the easiest things that we can do is remember to wash our hands. Not only does washing your hands prevent the spread of germs to other people, but it also keeps you from spreading germs to yourself. You should always wash your hands before eating and especially after you have used a public restroom or your own bathroom.

When you stop to think about it, germs are everywhere. If you stop to think about how often you touch a door handle or shake someone else's hand, it can seem overwhelming to think about all of the germs that you come into contact with on a daily basis. At best, washing your hands doesn't seem like it is nearly enough to rid yourself of germs that could potentially make you or someone else you love sick. However, when you go to a fast food restaurant, you will usually see posted signs so employees reminding them that it is against the law to not wash your hands prior to handling someone else' food in the restaurant.

One industry in which washing your hands is key is the child care or educational industry. Often times, parents will bring young children in to a day care with runny noses or other little colds in which the child's hands are on their face, in their mouths, on the floor and then in another child's face. It is not uncommon, therefore, to have children who make other children sick as well as adults. This is part of the reason that all teachers in elementary schools are required to keep up-to-date on their flu shots and vaccinations. On the one hand, they don't want to catch any colds that children might be bringing into the classroom; and on the other hand, they don't want to give children any germs.

Additionally, classrooms are excellent breeding grounds for germs because throughout the course of the day, different children come into and out of the classroom in order to use the desks, pens, pencils and books. Therefore, while it may be the responsibility of the maintenance people to clean the classrooms at the end of the day, the teacher should also assume responsibility for cleaning up after the children at the end of each class period or a few times throughout the day. Simple things such as wiping the desks off with some disinfectant spray and/or employing the help of the students can make a huge difference.

Children need to be made aware from a young age how important personal hygiene is. Typically, this would be the responsibility of the child's parents. However, teachers can certainly reinforce this notion by spending a few minutes each day with the class discussing how it is important to wash your hands and use a tissue if you have to blow your nose or sneeze. Often, if a child needs to be excused to use the bathroom, the teacher will escort him or her to the bathroom and gently remind them that they need to make sure that they wash their hands with soap and warm water.

So good to be skinner

2009-08-13T13:05:00.003+01:00

Sometimes I feel so fortunate for having a normal weight, maybe even underweight, because I don't have to complain about being with a few pounds in excess. Some people ask me my secret but the truth is, I don't have a secret, I don't make diets, I don't take noxycut or other type of diet pills, in fact, I eat everything without exceptions.

Now that we are in Summer bodies is a very important issue and I really feel I don't have to worry about mine if I continue to eat has I've been eating. And guess what, people that call me skinner usually are fat people, so I feel good when they call me skinner because they envy my body. :)

Another car fix

2009-08-09T16:19:00.002+01:00

Once again we had to spend money with our car. This time it was my husband's car that needed a few new car accessories but fortunately they were not that expensive.

This year we spent a lot of money with our cars but it was something we had to do because we don't have money to buy new ones so...we have to keep fixing the old ones. I really don't understand how people keep change from one car to another. We can't find a way to get money for one. Is there a gold mine somewhere??

The subject today is: televisions

2009-08-07T23:30:00.000+01:00

Today after the 8pm news there was a documentary about "Televisions". Well, not really the television as a gadget but about how many hours people spend watching television instead of socializing.

I must confess that my family watches too many television and we have too many televisions in the house. We have six (6) televisions at home! Yes 6.

1 in the kitchen
1 in the living room
1 in the library
1 in my bedroom
1 in my son's bedroom
1 in the basement

What about you? How many televisions do you have?