The Mommy Diary

When Will My Baby Begin to Remember Things?

2012-01-26T20:00:00.000-06:00

By Eirian Hallinan

Your baby will start recording things in her mind from birthbut will not be aware of what is really happening. During the third trimesterof your pregnancy your baby will have begun to recognize your voice and at fourdays old she will be able to distinguish between your face and a stranger's. Itis at this time she will also recognize Dad if he has been present throughoutthe pregnancy. She will certainly recognize your smell and be comforted by itfrom birth.

A researcher recently carried out the following experiment.He looked at babies aged two months whilst they were in their cots and awake.He repetitively poked his tongue out at the babies who watched withfascination. Twenty-four hours later he returned to the same babies in theircots and looked at them but this time he did not stick out his tongue. Thebabies amazingly started to stick their tongues out at him as if to say 'Iremember you! This is what you did!' This ability in identifying people andthings is known as recognition memory and it gets stronger and better as yourbaby gets older. A newborn baby will recognize her mother's voice from birthbecause she will already be familiar with her voice from her time in the womb.A week after birth a breastfed baby will recognize her mother's smell. A fewmonths after birth your baby will begin to recognize faces that she often seesand may develop a preference for some, usually her mother and father's as shespends the most time with them.

Between six months and a year, your infant will develop andenhance her recall memory. This is her ability to recollect a specificexperience and some of its details for a short time. Once this type of memorybegins to develop in your baby she will begin to become more emphatic aboutwhat she wants. The things that she will remember first are those which arerepeated often and those which hold more importance to her, for example; mealtimes, play times, bath time and also specific toys that she has becomeattached to. You will notice that she might start to make actions she hasassociated with certain toys and she will learn what activity comes after theother because of repetition of the event. When you notice that your baby knowswhat is coming next it is showing you she remembers what happened last time.

Once your baby is one to two years old she will have begunto remember some words. She will recognize familiar faces like other familymembers and you will see this in her excitement in seeing them. It is a joy towatch and be surprised by how much she can remember as she grows older.

Conscious, long lasting memory develops when your little oneis fourteen to eighteen months old. This is when she starts to rememberspecific events. At two years of age your child will have the ability toremember facts and events for example, going to the circus or the park with hergrandmother. Observing your child grow and develop her memory you will noticehow she will begin to link experiences in her past to her current experiences.By recollecting her experiences she will start to have expectations of whatwill happen in the future.

Eirian Hallinan has written numerous articles in the baby care field. She believes in healingnaturally, first, especially when it comes to infant colic.

Sibling Rivalry: What Can Parents Do?

2012-01-19T17:46:00.000-06:00

By Lisa Pecos

Sibling rivalry can take many forms over the years. When thesecond child is first born, it can take the form of acting out, regression, andfussiness on the part of the older child. And as the kids grow up, it can turninto arguing, physical fighting, and deep feelings of jealousy and resentment.Most sibling rivalry is more of an annoyance than a serious problem, but it canbecome emotionally taxing to parents who had hoped their children would get alongand love each other.

There are a few points to keep in mind that might help youcope emotionally with your children’s rivalry. First, a little fighting doesnot mean your children do not love each other. Second, remember that a littlecompetition is natural, and that it may actually help build certain skills inyour children. Third, keep in mind that children who fight often go on to bebest of friends when they get older. And fourth, you are not alone. Virtuallyevery multi-child family must deal with sibling rivalry at one time or another.

What causes siblingrivalry?

In most cases, the causes of sibling rivalry actually arenot so deep. It is just a competition for parental love and attention. At anygiven time, one child may feel that the other is getting more, and this maylead to bad feelings, even if the feelings are unconscious. At different timesin a child’s development, these feelings may be more intense than at others.

Meanwhile, some kids are just temperamentally more combativethan others. Perhaps one of your children is continually picking fights withanother, who usually does not start the conflict. In such cases, it is theparents’ job to moderate the rivalry without seeming to favor the gentler childover the more combative one.

Also, it has been shown that kids who live inconflict-ridden households are more likely to fight with their siblings. Whenparents frequently fight openly within earshot of their kids, for this behaviorto rub off on the children is only natural. That is one reason why parents whowant to avoid sibling rivalry should argue privately if they must argue at all.

What should parentsdo?

Parenting experts recommend that mom and dad stay uninvolvedin sibling arguments for as long as possible. By getting involved, you teachthe children that they can always turn to you when they have an argument, andyou risk being perceived as taking sides or protecting one child over theother. If you feel you must get involved, start by merely trying to guide thekids to their own resolution, warning them in the process not to call names orbe abusive to one another.

In short, it is best for everyone if the kids can learn howto solve their disagreements without parental intervention. And when you decideto intervene, the goal should be to deflate the situation so everyone has timeto calm down and the disagreement can de-escalate. Often, kids just need alittle time apart to get over their feelings. And in the meantime, try not toplace blame on anyone.

Here are a few other tips that can help parents deal withsibling rivalries:

Discourage kids from talking about what is or is not “fair.” Let them know that things are not always equal, and that they both need different things at different times.
Make sure each child gets plenty of one-on-one attention, and encourage each individually to pursue his or her interests and be who he or she wants to be.
Make sure the children get time apart from each other.
Make it clear that they need to love each other even though they fight. Banish words like “hate” and other extreme terms.
If the kids commonly fight over certain items or activities, set a schedule for when each child gets a turn.
If it becomes too much for you to handle, consider seeing a family counselor.

Lisa Pecos is a wife and well accomplished writer on naturalremedies and natural approaches to family health. She’s written numerous articles for NaturalHealth Journals.com, ParentingJournals.com and Baby Care Journals.com.

Baby Napping: 7 Tips for Optimizing the Little One’s Sleep

2012-01-19T17:43:00.000-06:00

By Marc Courtiol

Napping seems like such an ordinary thing, but to parents ofyoung children it is a constant concern and often a source of anxiety. We knowthat getting the maximum amount of sleep possible is good for a child, yet thechild is obviously not aware of this, and many seem to naturally resist beingput down for naps. Some babies fuss, wake up frequently, and are unpredictablein when and how they like to nap. These are all simple facts of being a parent.And while you cannot stop nap troubles entirely, what you can do is minimizethe difficulties.

1. Babies cannot nap too much. Many parents, especiallythose on their first child, worry that their babies are napping too much, andthey make an effort not to overdo it. But there are a few points to keep inmind here. First, it is perfectly acceptable for babies to sleep anywhere from14 to 20 hours a day, and it is normal for them to get tired one to two hoursafter waking up, even if the previous nap was a good one. And do not worryabout daytime naps ruining nighttime sleep. It does not work that way withbabies. In fact, good napping during the day often leads to less fussiness atnight, which makes a good night’s sleep easier.

Also keep in mind that, again, the more sleep your babygets, the better. Crucial development happens during those naps. So do not feelbad about encouraging your baby to sleep as much as possible. It does not meanyou are selfish or that you do not enjoy your baby’s company. It is just goodparenting. And yes, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the break while yourbaby sleeps.

2. Monitor your baby’s sleep. Babies’ sleep patterns canfluctuate wildly from day to day, but if you keep track of how often and howlong your baby naps, you may begin to notice a pattern emerging. For instance,one common pattern for babies aged three to six months is to nap for an hour ortwo, eat, play for an hour and go back to sleep. In this pattern, the day isroughly divided into three-hour chunks. If you keep track of these patterns,then you will get a better sense of when your baby will be getting sleepy,which helps you be prepared.

3. Control the conditions. Whether your baby naps in aseparate room or simply on a sofa or other piece of furniture wherever you are,control the conditions to optimize the quality of sleep and the length of thenap. Make the room bright whenever the baby is awake and feeding or playing,and dim the lights when she shows signs of being ready to nap. In the dimmerlight, she will be put down to sleep more easily.

4. Keep noise soft. Parents of newborns typically get usedto their babies being able to sleep through practically anything, but after amonth or two the pendulum swings the other way. By around three months of age,many babies are liable to wake up at the slightest sound. Obviously, thehousehold should be quiet during nap time. But if you want to be able to goabout your business without worrying that every squeak of the floor will wake yourchild, run some white noise in the background. This will help make other soundsless jarring.

5. Take preemptive action. When a baby moves past sleep andgets into a state of fussy irritability, initiating sleep becomes mostdifficult. Try to learn to recognize the signs your baby will be ready for anap, and begin going through the motions before the irritability kicks in. Ofcourse, some babies do not respond well to having a nap time routine (even atso young an age they resist sleep), so you may have to change things upregularly.

6. Be flexible. During the first couple years of yourchild’s life, you can expect things to change continuously, and the pace ofchange is extra fast during the early months. So be aware that any nap timestrategies that work well today may not work in a couple of days. This can befrustrating for parents, but the key is to experiment with different things asmuch as possible. You cannot force your baby to sleep, but you can always findways to make it happen more easily.

7. Take wake-ups in stride. Babies tend to wake up beforetheir naps are over. Sometimes they do it multiple times. For a parent, it isbest to have a sense of how much sleep the baby needs, and if she obviously hasnot finished her full nap, try to help her finish her sleep. Older babies cansometimes get themselves back to sleep, but younger ones often need to be held,rocked, snuggled, or whatever works for your child.

About Marc Courtiol: Marc Courtiol is an accomplished healthresearcher in the field of natural wellness. A graduate from Cornell, Marc is acontributing author for several onlinejournal sites and believes in the many uses of gripe water.

6 Delicious 6-Ingredient Recipes!

2012-01-19T12:08:00.003-06:00

Chili Broccoli Potatoes
A meal that's sure to be your best spud!

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

The Elvis Peanut Butter Sandwich
A sandwich fit for The King!

Serves: 1
Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

Anytime Quiche
Great for brunch or brinner!

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 50 mins

Baked Apples
4 ingredients + 1 microwave = dessert! How ya like dem apples?

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins

Grilled Tomato and Cheese Toasties
Looking for guilt-free grilled cheese? Just add veggies!

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

Super Easy Mustard Chicken
A simple, tangy twist on chicken!

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

Virginia lawmaker: Children with disabilities are God’s punishment to women who previously had abort

2012-01-19T08:33:00.000-06:00

One of my friends posted this on her facebook page and all I can is WOW! This is absolutely crazy! It makes me wonder what he would try and say my mom did with all the issues my sister has... Epilepsy, missing chromosome, ADHD, lowering IQ as she gets older, BAD eye sight. Did I mention my mother never had an abortion? So Mr. Law Maker... I'm waiting to hear your answer on this one..I'm not huge into religion, but my mom always says that God will never give you more than you can handle. I would be very embarrassed to know this man or be associated with him any way what so ever after this story.

Virginia lawmaker: Children with disabilities are God’s punishment to women who previously had abortions.
By Amanda Terkel on Feb 22, 2010 at 1:45 pm
On Thursday, Virginia State Delegate Bob Marshall (R) spoke at a press conference against state funding for Planned Parenthood. He blasted the organization for supporting a women’s right to choose, saying that God punishes women who have had abortions by giving them disabled children:
“The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children,” said Marshall, a Republican.
“In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There’s a special punishment Christians would suggest.”
Marshall is also fighting against health care reform, saying that “Obamacare” is trying to take “your soul.” Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has been pushing back against high-profile figures and entities who have been attacking people with disabilities. Will she speak out against someone in her own party? (HT: Right Wing Watch)

Maybe he should read this bible verse:

" As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Jesus, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”.
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."
~John 9: 1-3

How to save thousands in 15 minutes or less

2012-01-18T15:58:00.000-06:00

Regardless of how slow the economy is rebounding, saving money is something all consumers want—from $180 a year with a new thermostat to $584 on insurance by raising your deductable. The cover story in the February issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has a host of savings tips, some easier than others and all attainable in as little as 15 minutes.

Savings tips include:

· Avoid bounced checks and costly overdraft charges

· Switch to energy-efficient lighting

· Unsubscribe from deal e-mails

· Lose your landline

Here are more details; please include a link back to the piece.
http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/save-thousands-in-15-minutes-or-less.html

Apple 1st generation Ipod Nano recall

2012-01-13T13:42:00.000-06:00

Do you own an Ipod Nano? Go dig in your closet and find that old 1st generation Ipod Nano! Why?

Because Apple has a recall on certain 1st generation Nano’s! What do you get? A new 6th neneration Ipod Nano!

S0 if you have a Nano that was bought between September 2005 and December 2006 – go through Apple’s process and get a replacement!

Go to Apple’s Support page to read more and check to see if your Nano matches up.

What you need to know about airline miles

2012-01-12T15:28:00.000-06:00

There are an abundance of frequent-flier miles programs available that promise the consumer perks while traveling, such as fewer bag fees, on-flight freebies and free flights all over the country. But taking advantage of these benefits may seem impossible because of the strict rules and regulations some airlines attach to their frequent-flier programs.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance helps you untangle the details of airline miles programs with six helpful tips:

· Pick the right program.

· Put all your eggs in one basket.

· Bag the miles and buy the ticket.

· Keep your miles alive.

· Rack up miles on the ground.

· Know when to fold ‘em.

Here are more details; please include a link back to the piece.

http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-airline-frequent-flier-miles.html

6 Fun Recipes for Kids!

2012-01-12T11:28:00.001-06:00

Shredded Taco Chicken
Shred your chicken to bits for the perfect taco topper!

Serves: 4 to 6
Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins

Impossibly Easy Ravioli Lasagna
Pasta inside of pasta . . . no, this is not a dream!

Serves: 8 to 10
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins

Ponytail Pretzels
Creamy frosting, sparkly sprinkles--there's nothing not to love!

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins

Cheesy Mini Pizza Pockets
Kids can roll out the dough for pizzas to go!

Serves: 4 to 6
Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins

Scrambled Egg Burritos
Let your kids do the work!

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins

Zebra Brownies
These babies are batter-bowl-lickin' good!

Serves: 20
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 40 mins

Mother was a great influence

2012-01-11T10:13:00.003-06:00

Posted by Gaylord Campbell

My mother has been a wonderful influence in my life. Of course, that is a lot easier for me to say than it would have been when I was younger. However, looking back on all the lessons she taught me, I am very thankful for each and every one. She taught me to be kind to everyone. And even when it is hard to be nice to someone, it feels a lot better to be nice than it does to be mean. She taught me to value your free time. Even if it is just spent on dsl in Fort Mccoy, every second of free time is important. It is important to love life and be able to enjoy it. I wish there was a way for me to tell my mom all of this without sounding silly. I know she tried hard to make me and my sisters happy and she did a wonderful job. I remember times when we were all fighting and I wanted to run away, but now I look back and miss it all. My entire family was once under one roof and even though we would fight, we had a wonderful time. It is funny how I miss what I once hated.

Americans Can Save More Money at Walmart This Tax Season

2012-01-09T11:00:00.002-06:00

Retailer offers $3 flat fee check-cashing and free federal 1040 EZ filing in more than 3,000 stores

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 9, 2012 – Walmart is determined to save Americans money this tax season, and is doing so through its $3 and $6 check cashing¹. The retailer has also worked with its partners to lower costs for their tax preparation services including free in-store federal Form 1040EZ filing.

Last year more than 60 million Americans didn’t have access to traditional banking services – such as credit cards and checking accounts² – adding up to billions of dollars in fees paid by Americans who need it the most.

“We believe Americans shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs,” said Daniel Eckert, vice president of Walmart Financial Services. “It’s their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price.”

Over the next two weeks these underserved Americans will file their taxes and start cashing approximately $31 billion in tax refund checks³. Sadly, so many providers stand to capitalize on these individuals by charging between one and three percent of the total refund to cash the check. The average tax refund is $2,902 which means Americans could spend up to $90 just to receive their tax refund⁴.

“Customers need to make every dollar count in this tough economy, and that’s why we’re committed to helping customers pay less for their financial services during tax season and throughout the year,” said Eckert. “With more than 3,000 tax preparation kiosks in Walmart stores across the U.S. and low flat-fee check cashing services, our customers can conveniently make their refund dollars stretch farther by simply taking care of their tax needs at Walmart.”

Leading up to the biggest tax filing week of the year, January 16 - 22, Walmart has worked with Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block to double its in-store tax kiosks and lower the cost for tax preparation services. Jackson Hewitt will offer free federal Form 1040EZ filing⁵ at its Walmart kiosks throughout the tax season and H&R Block will offer a free federal Form 1040EZ until February 29. H&R Block will have 250 kiosks in Walmart stores, while Jackson Hewitt is adding approximately 800 kiosks bringing their Walmart footprint to 2,800.

In addition to Walmart’s tax offerings, the retailer offers the following convenient products and services to its customers throughout the year:

· Walk-in bill paying services for utilities, mobile phones, rent and more starting at 88 cents. Customers can receive a paper receipt on the spot and choose between same-day, next-day, three-day or money orders as bill payment options.

· The Walmart MoneyCard is a re-loadable prepaid debit card that provides many of the advantages of a checking account without the overdraft fees. MoneyCard customers can deposit their paychecks on the card, check their balances, pay bills, shop online and shop everywhere Visa or MasterCard debit is accepted.

· Money transfers⁶ across the country and around the world in as little as 10 minutes, with fees starting at $4.95.

For more information on Walmart’s Financial Services please visit: http://www.walmart.com/cp/walmart-money-center/5433

###

¹ Walmart cashes most types of pre-printed checks, as well as payroll cards and eligible government benefit cards. Walmart cashes tax refund checks and cards up to $1,000 for $3 and tax refund checks up to $7,500 for $6, offering significant savings over many other check cashers. Walmart cashes checks in 47 states, excluding New York, New Jersey. Walmart is also currently testing other check cashing services in Rhode Island.

² FDIC’s “National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households” (Dec 2009)

³Walmart Customer Insights

⁴$2902 average refund IRS Data Book 2010, excludes S corps

⁵The free federal Form 1040EZ offer includes up to two W-2’s and is generally used by single or married taxpayers who claim no dependents and who do not itemize deductions. Additional fees apply for state, local and more complex federal tax returns, financial products and other services.

⁶Transfers are handled through MoneyGram®

About Walmart Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,700 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com, and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

pediped footwear Launches the pediped Rewards Program with "Purchases with Purpose" Fundraising Sale

2012-01-05T16:03:00.001-06:00

pediped^®footwear launches the pediped® Rewards Program with

“Purchases with Purpose” Fundraising Sale

Henderson, NV (January 2012) — Beginning January 5 pediped^® footwear will host a Purchases with Purpose Sale to benefit the pediped foundation™. During the fundraiser which will run through February 5, select styles available on pediped.com will be marked down as much as 50 percent. Half of the sales from the selected styles will be donated to the pediped foundation™ to help children in need.

In addition to kicking off the New Year with the “Purchases with Purpose” sale, pediped® announces the launch of the pediped® Rewards program. Customers who make a purchase on www.pediped.com are automatically enrolled in the pediped® Rewards program, which allows for them to earn cumulative rewards for every purchase they make:

· Level 1 (spend $100 or more) - At Level 1, customers will receive a $5 credit to use on a future order and they will continue to receive a $5 credit for each additional $100 spent.

· Level 2 (spend $150 or more) - At level 2, customers will receive free shipping on any order of $30 or more for the remainder of 2012.

· Level 3 (spend $200 or more) - At level 3, customers will receive free return shipping for the remainder of 2012.

· Level 4 (spend $250 or more) - At level 4, customers will have through December 31, 2013 to use all of the rewards they have earned.

"We are committed to giving back to the community and to our customers,” said Angela Edgeworth, President of pediped® footwear. “The ‘Purchases with Purpose’ fundraiser is the perfect time for shoppers to receive pediped® Rewards and make a difference in the life of a child at the same time. Our new pediped^® Rewards program allows us to thank our customers for their loyalty with some great shopping incentives including credits and free shipping."

Since the company’s inception in 2005, pediped® has been committed to bettering the lives of children and has donated nearly $1,500,000 in monetary and product donations to children's charities.

For more information on pediped® footwear or to make a purchase visit www.pediped.com.

About pediped®pediped^® footwear was founded in 2004 by Angela and Brian Edgeworth in their quest for the perfect soft-soled shoe for their first daughter. Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort and distinctive styling have made the award winning company the fastest-growing children's footwear brand in the United States. pediped^® footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development, and preeminent orthopedic medical professionals, Dr. Mininder S. Kocher and Dr. Thomas W. Vorderer, deem pediped shoes an excellent choice for parents/caregivers who want their children’s feet to develop naturally and healthily. In 2011 Earnshaw’s, the premier media resource serving the children’s market recognized pediped® with Earnshaw’s Earnie Awards for Company of the Year and Best Footwear.

pediped^® footwear is sold in over 3000 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between their three lines, Originals®, Grip ‘n’ Go™ and Flex®. Originals® (soft-soled shoes for newborns to age 2), Grip ‘n’ Go™ (thin rubber-soled shoes for children ages 9 months to 3 years) and Flex® (rubber-soled shoes for children 1 to 8 years) are available in EU sizes ranging from 17 to 33. For more information, visit www.pediped.com or call 1-702-567-0311.

About the pediped foundation

Headquartered in Henderson, NV, the pediped foundation™ is the work of pediped® footwear’s founders and co-owners Brian and Angela Edgeworth and co-owner Rudy Glocker. The mission of the pediped foundation™ is to enhance the lives of children through financial and product support to charities and organizations that are aligned with the foundation's mission.

Amber Alerts – What to Do in Case Your Child Goes Missing

2012-01-05T07:41:00.000-06:00

By Marc Courtiol

It is one of every parent’s worse nightmares. You take youreye off your child for a minute only to find her gone when you turn around. Orone day he does not get home from school at the normal time. Or she goesoutside to play and does not come back in. Scenarios like these are fortunatelyuncommon, and when they do happen there is usually a good explanation, and itis usually pretty easy to find the temporarily missing child. But what aboutthose very rare cases where the child is not easily found?

If this should happen to you, your first instinct may be topanic. Any parent would. But it is important to keep a level head, thinkrationally, and do what needs to be done. Should the unthinkable happen and youcannot find your child, here is what you need to do.

Step 1: Someone who knows the child should be out activelylooking while you are going through the first few steps of the process. If youwish to be the one out looking, have someone else go through these steps onyour behalf. Ideally, multiple people should be out looking-at least one personon foot around where the child went missing, and at least one other personsearching the surrounding area via car. But make sure someone is always athome.

Step 2: If there was ever an emergency, this is it. Pick upthe phone and dial 911. Do not worry-they will not dismiss you or tell you yourcase is not an emergency. Calmly inform them of how long your child has beenmissing, and give them all the relevant information they need. They will likelyask take you through a process that involves a series of questions about yourchild’s age, appearance, clothing, and last known whereabouts. If you do notfeel your call is being treated seriously enough, ask to speak to someone incharge.

Step 3: Notify other authorities of the missing child. Your911 call will get the ball rolling on some crucial aspects of theinvestigation, and they may tell you that you do not need to call anyone else.But just to cover all bases, call the local police as well as any other policedepartments whose jurisdiction covers the area where your child went missing.You might also get in touch with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each ofthese resources should have a process for dealing with missing children.

Step 4: Notify local media. Many local news sources arealways willing to help out in cases like this by sending out alerts andnotifying their viewers and readers to be on the lookout.

Step 5: Contact organizations devoted to finding missingchildren. A great place to start is the National Centerfor Missing and Exploiting Children, and you may be able to locate nonprofitsin your area with expertise in helping out in this kind of situation.

Step 6: Ask for help from those around you. This is going tobe a difficult time for you. And even if your child comes home safely very soonyou are likely to suffer frayed nerves for a while. Get in touch with anyonewho you think would be able and willing to drop everything and help you. And ifyou do not have any close friends or family nearby, ask neighbors. Insituations like these, most people are willing to lend a hand, even if they donot know you.

Step 7: Follow up on everything. If you feel the lawenforcement agencies are taking too long to investigate your case or get backto you, do not be afraid to call and visit them multiple times. Meanwhile, keeptaking matters into your own hands. Keep searching actively and calling aroundto anyone who might know something. Do not give up hope. Despite allfrightening stories we hear on the news, keep in mind that the vast majority ofmissing-child cases have happy endings.

About Marc Courtiol: Marc Courtiol is an accomplished healthresearcher in the field of natural wellness. A graduate from Cornell, Marc is acontributing author for several online journalsites and believes in the many uses of gripe water.

Ideas for Naturally Inducing Labour

2012-01-05T07:39:00.000-06:00

By Eirian Hallinan

Premature birth may worry you as it worries most expectantparents but becoming overdue can also bring its own concerns and difficulties.As you become larger, sleeping can become more challenging. It becomesincreasingly more difficult to get into a comfortable position as doesbreathing as your lungs become more crowded due to your overgrown uterus. Ifyour baby stays in too long then there are risks associated with this, mostcommonly that your baby could pass meconium. If you find yourself overdue andare seeking advice to naturally help induce labour then the following is a listof ideas to do exactly that.

Sex- is often prescribed by doctors to help induce labourbecause the prostaglandins in semen help soften and prepare the cervix todilate.

Herbs – hundreds of years ago midwives used herbs to preparemothers for pregnancy, labour and birth. This was before the invention ofpitocin. You must be very cautious with herbs of any kind as they can causegreat damage if the correct dosage is not administered. Black cohosh, availablein capsules or teas is commonly used to induce labour and can be with orwithout alcohol. During birth, black cohosh can help strengthen and regulateuterine contractions. Other herbs which have similar effects are red raspberryleaf and false unicorn root. These particular herbs have natural chemicalswhich are released into the woman’s body and stimulate the baby to encourageher to move and get positioned for birth. Herbs should not be used until thecervix is ready to open as they will not work until then. Beware of some herbswhich can be dangerous to you or your baby such as aloe vera, bungleweed andpokeroot as these are some of the herbs that can cause premature birth or birthdefects. Always consult a doctor before self-medicating with herbs. Primroseoil is used to induce labour as it has a comparable effect to semen in thecervix by softening and ripening it.

Castor Oil – is taken by some women as a natural method ofbringing on labour. The theory being that the diarrhoea and cramping it causesalso causes contractions that can induce labour. It is unpleasant to taste buttwo tablespoons can be mixed into another drink such as a juice. It is advisedto consume castor oil in the morning as you will be woken in the night with thecramping and diarrhoea if you take it in the evening. There are risks withtaking castor oil such as the expectant mother becoming dehydrated because shehas diarrhoea and also it increases the risk of the baby passing meconium whilestill in the uterus.

Nipple Stimulation – for hundreds of years nipplestimulation has been used by women to help induce labour. It has an effect ofreleasing a natural form of pitocin called oxytocin. Similarly to pitocin,oxytocin triggers contractions that can bring on labour. This method fornaturally inducing labour is only effective near to your due date and when youare ready to give birth. Before forty weeks, it is not advisable to inducelabour. The nipples can be stimulated manually or a breast pump can be used.Care needs to be taken as your uterus can become hyperstimulated. Onlystimulate one nipple at a time and rest immediately once you noticecontractions. Wait at least fifteen minutes after the contractions have stoppedbefore resuming. If you do not get any rest between contractions other problemscan arise.

Be Active – whilst most doctors advise you to slow down andreduce your activities as you approach your due date, it is also helpful toremain active as long as you do not cause yourself any stress. Walking a weebit more than usual and slowly swinging your hips from side to side can helpinduce labour by stimulating your baby and getting her moving into the birthingposition. If you fancy some fun, sex is always a good idea as I mentionedbefore because along with semen helping the cervix to soften, the female orgasmproduces a hormone which aids childbirth.

Other methods women have used include acupressure and eatingspicy foods, but watch out for possible nausea with spicy food and medicalresearch has not yet supported this idea as definitely being beneficial.

Eirian Hallinan has written numerous articles in the baby care field. Shebelieves in healing naturally, first, especially when it comes to infant reflux.

A Popular Way for Moms to Catch a Break

2011-12-27T09:47:00.000-06:00

Are you a SAHM who feels your job is harder than that of a working mom?

What about the opposite — are you a working mom who's convinced that your job is the harder of the two?

If you said yes to either of the above, it turns out most of your peers agree with you! As with most things, the grass seems always to be greener on the other side.

These are among the findings of a quirky survey of American moms that was conducted by Ivory Soap (Proctor & Gamble). We say quirky because the findings are all over the map; as Barbara Greenberg reports in The Huffington Post, Ivory also found that many moms take longer than needed in the bathroom, just to catch a break.

Seems like we're all working pretty darn hard!

Read the whole story (Huffington Post)

Judges Step In When Parents Choose Strange Baby Names

2011-12-27T09:44:00.000-06:00

Can you say Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116?

A Swedish judge ruled that a couple there definitely couldn't afflict their new baby with this long-winded moniker. And New Zealand laws ban names which could cause offense to a "reasonable" person, such as Sex Fruit, or for twins, Fish and Chips. Then there's the Japanese parent who was barred from calling his son Devil, and the German couple who were not allowed to name their child Woodstock.

It seems that many countries around the world have strict rules governing the naming of children.

Read more about them at Yahoo!

What is the most unusual name you've ever heard of?

LEGO's Friends Line for Girls Raises Controversy

2011-12-27T09:41:00.000-06:00

Accidentally stepping on a stranded piece of LEGO while barefoot — and then clutching your foot in pain while you hop around in the dark — is almost a rite of passage of parents whose kids reach a certain age. Still, most of us manage to love this versatile building toy anyway, for the endless creativity it encourages in our kids.

That is until recently. The LEGO company is losing parental love over its new gender-stereotyped line for girls, "LEGO Friends." As Jezebel describes it, "Unlike Lego's best-selling city line, which features realistic buildings, the [Friends] town is built with new pastel bricks and the main attractions include a beauty salon, a horse academy, a veterinary clinic, and a café. ... Each girl has a different personality: 'the smart girl,' 'the animal lover,' 'the beautician, and 'the singer.'"

Would you pick these Legos for your daughter?

Related Reading
Click here to read the full story on Jezebel
Click here to read Business Week's recent feature on the new LEGO line

Girl Swept Away in Tsunami Found Alive 7 Years Later

2011-12-27T09:37:00.000-06:00

During a devastating Indonesian tsunami in 2004, an 8-year-old girl named Wati was swept away from her mother's arms while she was trying to take her three children to a safe place. The family thought Wati was lost forever, but they've been miraculously reunited seven years later.
Now fifteen, Wati says she traveled to her hometown by bus to search for her relatives even though she could only remember the name of her grandfather. She eventually found her grandfather's house — and he immediately called her parents and reunited the family.

Read the full story (CNN)

The Happiest Time of the Year?

2011-12-22T13:06:00.000-06:00

Tips for Surviving Less Than Perfect Holidays
For all the promise of joy, peace and harmony that comes with the holiday season, the reality for millions of people is that the season is anything but a celebration. For many, it’s a reminder of lost loved ones, personal disappointments and dreams left unfulfilled.But for life coach Teri Johnson, whose personal journey through an imperfect life now inspires others to reach for the lives they’ve always wanted, the negative “nevers” of the disappointing hand life may have dealt you is where the healing starts. By confronting a never-ending and unproductive cycle of negativity, the elusive joy of the holiday season can be found not just now but every day of the year, says Johnson, author of the newly released book, Overcoming the Nevers (www.overcomingthenevers.com).“You never thought you’d get divorced, but you did. You never dreamed you would find yourself in an abusive relationship, but you are. You never thought you would need to lose 200 pounds, but you do. And you never thought you’d be 45 years old without a job, losing your home and drowning in debt, but you are,” says Johnson.“We start to believe lies about ourselves, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m undeserving.” We escape our pain and these toxic feelings into unhealthy behaviors and addictions. There is freedom from the struggle; there is hope in discovering the truth; there is a way to fall in love with who we are to experience a joy-filled season, and more importantly a joy-filled life.”Johnson’s tools for overcoming the “nevers” that drag many down during the holiday season are:

• Acceptance: Do you have the strength to make the changes necessary to turn a situation around through an attitude of acceptance? Or will you remain powerless, remain in the state of non-acceptance and let everything around you dictate how you feel? The journey starts with accepting that you can’t change others, but you do have power over your own life.
• Surrender: What we surrender ourselves to ultimately becomes our god, what we turn to or upon which we rely. The question then is: What are we surrendered to? Is it something firm, solid and long-lasting or something that hurts us in the end?
• Joyfulness: Hold tight to your unique gifts and talents to enrich your own life and impact the lives of those around you. Build on what you’re good at, what makes you special and what makes you feel good about yourself.
• Discovery: Confronting the truth about who we are deep inside helps us overcome our painful past and discover the basis for those “nevers.”
• Faith: Until we accept love for ourselves from God, from others and towards others, the healing will not begin. Embracing love is an ongoing process that starts with learning to like yourself and with a willingness to accept your imperfections.

Johnson advises that the process of confronting internal struggles and the “nevers” of life isn’t easy, but no treatment program, no diet and no New Year’s resolution can be successful without breaking down the essence of individual struggles and making the necessary adjustments to attain the life you deserve.“If the life you are living is full of unacceptable and disappointing things and you don’t want to spend another year like this, the only thing holding you back right now is your own confusion, self-doubt and anger,” she says. “You don’t have to keep doing what you’re doing or feeling what you’re feeling, but you do need to come to terms with yourself and surrender yourself to faith that there is a better way.”

About Teri Johnson

Surviving Holiday Gatherings

2011-12-22T08:01:00.000-06:00

Tough Love Author Shares Tips
For those of us from families built on Debbie Downer DNA, there’s only one direction a mood can go during holiday get-togethers and that’s down.

Sure, the running negative commentary, bubble-bursting barbs and rampant self-pity were funny coming from comedian Rachel Dratch on “Saturday Night Live’s” Debbie Downer sketches. But few of us can foresee our own Negative Nancys giving us a good belly laugh.

Whether you’re the smiley face among frowners, or a bit of a Depressing Dan yourself, there are tricks you can use to keep the table talk from getting lethal, says Paula Renaye, a professional life coach and author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook, (www.hardlineselfhelp.com).

“You can take control simply by thinking about what you choose to say – or not say,” Renaye says. “If you hear yourself criticizing, judging or complaining, you’re part of the problem. Happy, self-respecting people don’t find it necessary to dump on others to make themselves feel good.“If someone else is the problem, simply don’t give them the ammunition they need,” she says. Instead try these tactics:

• Do not say anything negative. Period. And no one-downing! One-downing is the opposite of one-upping. It’s the art of coming up with something worse when someone else talks about their problem. No matter what negative thing anyone says, or how much you agree with it or don't, resist the urge to respond with a negative. Instead ….

• Dodge, distract and detour. Turn things around with a question -- a positive one. If you need to, make a “happy list” of questions before you go, so you’ll have some at the ready. And remember, there's no law that says you have to answer a question just because someone asked it. With negative people, it’s best if you …

• Do not talk about yourself. The only reason negative people care about what you’re up to is because they want something to ridicule, brag or gossip about to make themselves look or feel good. Don’t go there. Whether you just filed bankruptcy or won a Nobel Prize, keep it to yourself. No good can come of it. None. And why do you need to chatter like a chipmunk about yourself anyway? Might want to think on that one, too. Better to find some praise for someone else than to expect someone to praise you.

• Do not share your woes. Even if you’re in a tough place and could really use a shoulder to cry on, don’t start laying your woes on a Negative Nell. Even in a weak moment, when you’ve had a terrible day, talking about it with a negative person is a bad idea. You might get a microsecond of sympathy, but that’s only so they can launch into telling you how much worse they have it. So, no talking about yourself unless you want to be the talk of the party, the family and the town.

• Do your homework and become like Teflon. Think of the times people said things that made you feel bad or made you feel the need to defend or explain yourself. If you want to avoid going down that trail again, start hacking away at the jungle of your own emotions. Get over needing anyone's approval or blessing. If you are still waiting for negative relatives to validate you, you’re in for a long wait. Don't set yourself up to be miserable. Get over it and go prepared.

About Paula Renaye

Former eggshell-walker, emotionally-bankrupt wreck and utter failure at keeping her world from falling apart, Paula Renaye uses her journey out of despair into joy as a breadcrumb trail for others. She has been a consultant for 18 years, holds a degree in financial planning with a background in journalism and psychology, and is a member of the International Association of Coaches. Paula is the multi-award-winning author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook.

How to Save Money On Family Health Insurance

2011-12-16T15:48:00.002-06:00

Health insurance coverage is something your family should not do without. Although prescription drugs and medical bills can put a serious strain on a family’s finances, going with a health plan that offers the lowest monthly premiums could cost you more money in the end. Armed with a bit of know-how, there are ways you can save money when buying health insurance and still get quality coverage.

1. Shop Around
Since a family’s health insurance needs can differ, it pays to comparison shop. The cost varies widely among different insurance companies even for the same type of coverage and amount. Often, small or little-known companies offer the best rates. This doesn’t mean the coverage isn’t good. A company can have strong financial ratings and an excellent reputation for customer service, just not a large advertising budget.

2. Look Into Group Coverage
Group coverage can be a way to save money on health insurance costs. The coverage isn't necessarily better than that of an individual policy, but for most people, employer-sponsored group coverage is the best deal. You may have to pay a share of the insurance premiums for family coverage, but on average, group coverage saves you 10 to 25 percent on the cost of a policy. When evaluating the terms of a policy, make sure that the policy will provide adequate coverage for you and your family.

3. Choose Wisely
Avoid skimping on health insurance coverage. Find out if a policy limits lifetime benefits. Begin by determining what benefits you and your family are likely to use. Health insurance includes coverage for hospital stays and many policies cover doctor visits. Coverage for vision, dental care, prescription drugs, psychiatric care, and physical therapy and other rehabilitative services are generally optional benefits for which you pay more. Some policies exclude these services entirely; others limit the number of visits or maximum amount of coverage each year. If your employer offers more than one group plan, choose a plan that provides the best coverage for the treatment of your family’s health conditions. Review your policy annually as premium costs and network providers can change from year to year.

4. Increase the Deductible
Some health insurance plans offer the option of increasing the deductible. This can save you hundreds of dollars on the cost of monthly premiums. Taking out a high-deductible plan may be a practical choice if your family is basically healthy and you have few doctor visits each year. Before choosing this option, make certain that your finances are adequate to cover the deductible.

5. Enroll In a Managed Care Plan
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) are managed care plans, which offer the most comprehensive coverage at the lowest out-of-pocket costs. A disadvantage of these types of plans as compared to private health insurance is that you have less freedom of choice. Managed care plans require you to use a specific network of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. Check to confirm that a health care provider is a participating provider in your insurance plan’s network before scheduling an appointment. Verify that the plan will cover the services you need.

Plans are available that offer you more choice, however, you pay more in the form of premiums, deductibles, co-insurance and/or co-payments. Except for your co-payments, HMO plans cover services you receive from an in-network provider 100 percent. The premium rate you pay for a PPO plan is more than that for an HMO, but it still costs less than a traditional fee-for-service health plan. A PPO plan allows you to choose any health care provider, although selecting an out-of-network provider will increase your out-of-pocket costs.

Marcia Jones enjoys spending time with her family, saves money in every way she can, and writes for creditreport.org.

Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday

2011-12-14T09:45:00.000-06:00

This year, you and more than 60,000 people raised your voices in support of a healthy future for our nation's children. Because of you, we're making a difference - and if more of us join together, things can only get better.

Will you help us spread the word?

Tell your family and friends to join the movement to reverse childhood obesity.

Together, we can build a healthy, happy future for kids everywhere.

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

2011-12-14T09:37:00.000-06:00

Media only: Marty Emery (202) 633-5518
Media website: http://newsdesk.si.edu

National Postal Museum Opens “Systems at Work” Exhibit

A letter is dropped into a mailbox. How does it go from there to its destination? The answer to that and other questions unfolds in “Systems at Work,” a new permanent exhibit opening today at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum.

The exhibit recreates the paths of letters, magazines, parcels and other pieces of mail as they have traveled from sender to recipient over the past 200 years. In 1808, a stagecoach carries newspapers and the latest news to people hundreds of miles away. Two hundred years later, the integration of ZIP codes, barcodes, intelligent mail, automated sorting machines and advanced technologies enable the U.S. Postal Service to process and deliver mail to 150 million homes and businesses across the country.

At the exhibit’s core is a 270-degree high-resolution film experience that puts visitors into the middle of the mammoth world of a mail-processing center, surrounded by examples of automated machinery that moves mail through the system at astonishing speeds.

Interactive moments are spread through the galleries challenging visitors to process mail at various points in history. Tossing packages into mail pouches as mail clerks did in 1917, keying letters on a computerized version of a multiple position letter-sorting machine operated in 1968 and engaging handheld intelligent mail devices to scan barcodes are activities that will inform, educate, enlighten and challenge exhibit visitors. Visitors receive a postcard to gather cancellation marks from various eras to take away from the exhibit.

“The most commonly asked question by our visitors concerns how mail gets from somewhere else in the country to their home,” said Allen Kane, director of the museum. “This exhibit answers that question and shows the impressive technology that enables the Postal Service to deliver almost half of the world’s mail.”

“At a time when Americans are debating the very nature of their postal system, this exhibit reminds us of what it does, and why it has been a central part of American life,” said Nancy Pope, curator of the exhibit.

The exhibit is made possible by Motorola Solutions Foundation, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Siemens.

A special Web version of the exhibit has been created for people who are not able to visit the museum in person, and for those who want to share, relive and deepen the experience gained during their onsite visit. The address for the online version is www.npm.si.edu/systemsatwork.
The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C., across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). For more information about the Smithsonian, call (202) 633-1000 or visit the museum website at www.postalmuseum.si.edu.

Breastfeeding Basics: Answers to Five Common Questions

2011-12-13T17:10:00.000-06:00

By Lisa Pecos

Most new mothers who choose to breastfeed discover almostimmediately that little instruction is required. The act of nursing isinstinctive for both mother and baby, and even without outside help the processusually goes relatively smoothly. But even when things go relatively smoothly,it is common for problems to arise. If you are encountering breastfeedingproblems or are worried about issues you may face in the future, here are some ofthe most common questions that might arise.

Is breast milk enough?

Many mothers worry that their breast milk will not be enoughto satisfy all of a baby’s nutritional needs. Set this worry aside. A mother’sability to produce copious, vitamin-rich milk is backed by millions of years ofevolution, and the body has an almost incredible ability to produce good milk,even if it means the mother has to miss out on some nutrients herself. Try notto let this happen, though. While breastfeeding, make sure to eat a variety ofhealthy foods, and be sure to eat a few hundred extra calories per day.

What if my baby will not nurse?

There are any number of reasons why a baby might refuse totake the breast. If your baby is otherwise healthy, reluctance to feed may indicatesleepiness, fullness, or too much gas in the belly. Initially, try to havefaith in your baby, and trust that he or she will take the breast when it istime. But if the problem persists and the baby goes several hours withouteating, get in touch with your doctor or a lactation consultant.

What if I do not produce enough milk?

For a healthy mother who is breastfeeding, milk supply isbased on demand. The more your child eats from the breast, the more milk youwill produce. Once you get through the initial week or two of breastfeeding,you may even find that your body produces milk on a set schedule, making attimes of day when the baby tends to be most hungry. Try not to worry. Manymothers are initially worried that they will not produce enough milk. Moreoften than not, within a week or two they are producing more milk than they canuse (in which case pumping becomes necessary).

How do I prevent spitting up?

First, accept that your baby is going to spit up sometimes.All babies do it. Some do it more than others, and this does not necessarilyindicate any failing on the part of the parents. However, spitting up can beminimized by (1) making sure the baby does not eat too much, and (2) burpingduring and after the feeding process. For the first point, try to read yourbaby’s signals. When she pulls away or slows down drastically, she might bedone. As for burping, try to do it once halfway through the feeding and once atthe end. You will become quite good at it after a few weeks.

What if my baby falls asleep while feeding?

Newborns are especially wont to fall asleep during feeding,but some older babies continue to do it for months. Think of it as a good sign.It shows that your baby is so soothed by your milk and your presence that herelaxes to the point of sleep. However, it is important to make sure that hegets enough. When he falls asleep, gently pat him, tickle his feet, talk tohim, sing to him, or break the mouth suction. Do whatever it takes to keep himsucking until he has had his fill.

Communicating With Your Baby in the First Six Months

2011-12-13T17:07:00.000-06:00

By Jamell Andrews

During the first six months of a child’s life, parents gothrough virtually every conceivable emotion, from elation, to frustration, tohope, to terror. But there is one that stands above all the rest: The pureelation you feel when you begin to truly communicate with their little one.During the very early weeks of the baby’s life, parents are busy taking care ofall the baby’s needs, but it is not until a little later that the back-and-forth,loving communication becomes tangible. And when this happens, it is one of thehighlights of any parent’s life.

For first-time parents, it can be difficult to know exactlywhat to expect from a child during the first six months. Every child is different.Plus, new parents who have limited experience with infants often imagine thatback-and-forth communication begins immediately after birth. Many are surprisedto discover that a newborn cannot make eye contact and barely responds tostimuli. This phase is short-lived, however, and the magic of parent-childcommunication comes soon.

The first three months

Of course, newborn babies do communicate, as new parentsquickly learn. Newborns cry for several reasons, including hunger, sleepiness,hot, cold, stomachache, and discomfort. And while the crying tends to be rathersubdued right after birth, it tends to pick up after a couple of days-usuallyright around the time baby comes from the hospital. From this point, the baby’scommunication is steady crescendo of crying that usually peaks after two orthree months. For many parents this is the period of greatest frustration andlost sleep. But it passes.

The second month is when the magic really begins. That iswhen you can expect to see your child smile for the first time, and if you arelucky she may even begin to smile in response to you. Around the same time, thebaby will begin to make non-crying vocalizations. By the third month thesevocalizations will become recognizable speechlike sounds (lots of “boos,”“goos,” “ha’s”), and soon she will begin to make these sounds in response toyour speech. Meanwhile, she will no longer have trouble making eye contact withyou.

During this time, the best thing to do is follow your baby’slead. Whenever the baby is in the mood to smile and baby talk, go along withher. Get close, make eye contact (she will see you best if you place your face1-2 feet from hers), and talk to her. You can say real words to her, sing hersongs, or even imitate her vocalizations. The key is to make it a communicativeactivity. When she is in the mood, she will love it.

The second three months

If you thought those first smiles and early baby talk wereexciting, wait until you experience what happens next. Around the fourth month,you can expect your baby’s first laugh. Younger babies often make laugh-likesounds, but these sounds are generally not in response to anything inparticular. In these later months, however, your baby will begin to laugh atthings you do. And when he is in the mood to be entertained, it is your job tobe the entertainer. Let go of your inhibitions and figure out what makes himhappy. You may sometimes feel you are making a fool of yourself, but it isworth it.

The other exciting development in these months is that yourchild will begin to understand speech a little better. He will not be able tounderstand sentences or make words himself, but he will definitely learn hisname along with a few basic words. Meanwhile, his own vocalizations will beginto sound more like real speech. Do not expect real words, though. That willtake another year or so.

You can help by continuing your conversations with yourbaby. Again, these can involve real words, baby talk, or even songs. Supplementthe speech learning with books. He may not be very engaged with them, but hewill enjoy your voice, and the activity will get him used to hearing a varietyof words. Outside your reading, though, it is best to keep speech simple. Speakwith simple words and sentences, and be sure to enunciate everything clearly.This will help your baby get a grasp on speech a little more quickly.

Jamell Andrews is an accomplished writer who believes in thepower of homeopathicmedicine. She is a regular contributor to BabyCare Journals.

How to Raise a Musical Child

2011-12-09T08:59:00.001-06:00

By Jamell Andrews

When it comes to educating children, a lot of focus is placed on practicalskills like reading and math, which are undoubtedly important. But we shouldraise our children to be well-rounded individuals, and this involves teachingthem forms of creative self-expression. While different kids have differenttalents-some are good at drawing, some can dance well, and some are mosttalented in non-artistic areas-music should be integral to every child's life.And even if your child does not develop into a musical prodigy, it is a goodidea to have cultivate familiarity with the art form.

In addition to enriching a child's life, familiarity with music and learning toplay an instrument help develop crucial areas of a child's brain. In fact,studies have shown that musical proficiency helps children in math, language,learning, and creativity. In general, a child who can play a musical instrumenthas an intellectual edge on one who cannot.

Starting early

You may have heard that playing music for babies, even as early as whenthey are in the womb, can help boost intelligence. In fact, the studies behindthis are mixed and nothing conclusive is known, but there is no denying thathaving plenty of music in the household prepares a child to learn music whenshe is old enough.

During the early months of your child's life, play music whenever your babyis wide awake. And in fact, she may even sleep well if you play some soft musicin the background during sleep times. Play every kind of music that you have inthe house. All will help your child develop familiarity with the diversemelodies, harmonies, and tones that go into music.

Meanwhile, even if you are not particularly musical yourself, it is a goodidea to hum and sing to your child often. She will enjoy it, and it will makeyour household a little more fun and musical.

Introducing instruments

A good way to prepare your child for a musical life is to have musical toysin the house. But you do not have to bring into the household any of thosenoisy, flashy musical toys that you see at the toy store. Even to the mosttolerant parent, some of these noisy toys can be quite annoying. In any case, achild who is interested in music will enjoy even the most tasteful musical toy.Small glockenspiels and keyboards, for example, are great for a start.

While musical toys are fun for children who are still young enough to becalled babies, there is nothing wrong with introducing real instruments asearly as it seems feasible. Many of the great musicians started playing realinstruments at the age of three or four and practiced regularly even at soyoung an age. Of course, you do not need to make your child play or practice ifhe or she does not like to, but do keep in mind the importance of practice. Ifyour child seems musically inclined, you may have to give a little extraencouragement to make sure he or she gets truly develops.

And as soon as your child is old enough to play a real instrument, you mightwant to invest in some lessons. Be careful with this, however, because if yourchild does not truly enjoy playing, lessons can quickly become a chore. Also,it is important to have a good teacher who makes practice fun.

If you do all this and your child does not seem to develop into a talentedmusician, do not let this bother you. Remember that a large portion of musicaltalent is inborn, and some kids simply are not born with it. You can still havea musical household-and who knows? If you continue to make music a central partof your family's life, your child may develop into a late-blooming musicaltalent.

About Jamell: Jamell Andrews authors many insightfularticles on parents and children. She is a firm believer in the many usesof natural remedies for colic.

Surviving the Holidays

2011-12-02T12:10:00.001-06:00

The Happiest Time of the Year?
Life Coach Gives Tips for Surviving Less Than Perfect Holidays

For all the promise of joy, peace and harmony that comes with the holiday season, the reality for millions of people is that the season is anything but a celebration. For many, it’s a reminder of lost loved ones, personal disappointments and dreams left unfulfilled.But for life coach Teri Johnson, whose personal journey through an imperfect life now inspires others to reach for the lives they’ve always wanted, the negative “nevers” of the disappointing hand life may have dealt you is where the healing starts. By confronting a never-ending and unproductive cycle of negativity, the elusive joy of the holiday season can be found not just now but every day of the year, says Johnson, author of the newly released book, Overcoming the Nevers (www.overcomingthenevers.com).

“You never thought you’d get divorced, but you did. You never dreamed you would find yourself in an abusive relationship, but you are. You never thought you would need to lose 200 pounds, but you do. And you never thought you’d be 45 years old without a job, losing your home and drowning in debt, but you are,” says Johnson.

“We start to believe lies about ourselves, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m undeserving.” We escape our pain and these toxic feelings into unhealthy behaviors and addictions. There is freedom from the struggle; there is hope in discovering the truth; there is a way to fall in love with who we are to experience a joy-filled season, and more importantly a joy-filled life.”

Johnson’s tools for overcoming the “nevers” that drag many down during the holiday season are:

• Acceptance: Do you have the strength to make the changes necessary to turn a situation around through an attitude of acceptance? Or will you remain powerless, remain in the state of non-acceptance and let everything around you dictate how you feel? The journey starts with accepting that you can’t change others, but you do have power over your own life.
• Surrender: What we surrender ourselves to ultimately becomes our god, what we turn to or upon which we rely. The question then is: What are we surrendered to? Is it something firm, solid and long-lasting or something that hurts us in the end?
• Joyfulness: Hold tight to your unique gifts and talents to enrich your own life and impact the lives of those around you. Build on what you’re good at, what makes you special and what makes you feel good about yourself.
• Discovery: Confronting the truth about who we are deep inside helps us overcome our painful past and discover the basis for those “nevers.”
• Faith: Until we accept love for ourselves from God, from others and towards others, the healing will not begin. Embracing love is an ongoing process that starts with learning to like yourself and with a willingness to accept your imperfections.

Johnson advises that the process of confronting internal struggles and the “nevers” of life isn’t easy, but no treatment program, no diet and no New Year’s resolution can be successful without breaking down the essence of individual struggles and making the necessary adjustments to attain the life you deserve.

“If the life you are living is full of unacceptable and disappointing things and you don’t want to spend another year like this, the only thing holding you back right now is your own confusion, self-doubt and anger,” she says.

“You don’t have to keep doing what you’re doing or feeling what you’re feeling, but you do need to come to terms with yourself and surrender yourself to faith that there is a better way.”

About Teri Johnson

Teri Johnson is a writer, speaker and personal growth expert who is the founder and President of Keeping it Personal. Having struggled with alcohol addiction and destructive habits herself, the Minnesota native turned her own experiences in overcoming obstacles to personal fulfillment into a client-focused service that has transformed the lives of many. Now a devoted wife and mother of two sons, she now devotes her life to helping others find their path to success and happiness while shedding destructive thoughts and behaviors.If you would like to run the above article, please feel free to do so. I am able to provide images if you would like some to accompany it. If you’re interested in interviewing Teri Johnson for a feature/Q&A or having her write an exclusive article for you, let me know and I’ll gladly work out details. Lastly, please let me know if you’d be interested in receiving a copy of her book, Overcoming the Nevers, for possible review.

8 Year-Old Gives Back to Hospital that Saved Her

2011-12-02T11:25:00.001-06:00

Riley Hospital has cared for Indiana’s sickest children since 1924. Each year, families turn to Riley and its regional clinics throughout the state more than 358,000 times. Children come from all 92 Indiana counties, across the nation and throughout the world.

Meet 8 year-old Abigail Johnson. She is recording her first music album Smile & Believe and 100% of the proceeds will benefit Riley Hospital for Children. Abigail is a Riley kid whose life was saved by the hospital's world-class medical staff. Get the album today.

How much is enough: Holiday Tipping Guide

2011-11-30T12:51:00.001-06:00

Everyone wants to be a good tipper, but how much isenough? Does the postal carrier really need a tip? From your dog groomer tothe newspaper delivery service, Kiplinger’s sets the rules – andeven gives advice on overtipping. Some rules include:

·        Give the tip in person: ForgetPayPal being an option!
·        Don’t give a cash tip to yourdoctor or mail carrier: One’s a professional; the other isnot allowed to take cash.
·        Make a list: Thepeople who make your life easier should be at the top. Consult the list to stayon track with your set budget.

Here are more details: http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/things-you-need-to-know-about-holiday-tipping.html

A Kiplinger’sPersonal Finance editor is available to discuss what your audience shouldknow about holiday tipping. I look forward to booking an interview.

Mike and I

2011-11-28T13:52:00.001-06:00

Guest post of the week by Moises Henderson

Mike and I were fighting a lot so we decided to move in together to see if it would help. Of course, everyone told me it was a terrible idea since we didn’t get along all that well but I figured it would be the best way for us to figure out if we were meant to be together or not. Well, I guess I’ll have to ruin the story for you and tell you that Mike and I broke up and I’m now living on my own for the first time in my life. I don’t really mind it – I got a WWW.HOMESECURITYSYSTEM.COMalarm and I’m happier than I’ve ever been and I think that my relationship with Mike is better than ever (he and I are still friends.) I actually really like living alone and I think it’s fun to decorate the place and make it my own. I’m finally feeling good about not having a boyfriend and being on my own and things are looking up for me and my future.

While You're Cooking, Make Sure You're Not Being Poisoned Too

2011-11-15T08:39:00.000-06:00

While families look forward to watching It’s A Wonderful Life over the holidays, Candace Lightner is a shining example of the difference one life can make. In the beloved movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”, George Bailey gets to see what life would have been like without him.

Candace Lightner and her family were nearly killed by accidental carbon monoxide poisoning years ago. They survived that terrifying experience only to be faced with another years later when Lightner lost her 13-year-old daughter Cari, when she was struck down by a drunk driver. This experience compelled Lightner to found Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and is credited with saving more than 600,000 lives.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings co-author Elizabeth Bryan also almost lost her family from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The thought of losing their entire families have made both women champions for carbon monoxide alarms.

I think you love to read Elizabeth’s new Count Your Blessings safety story about her family’s experience. It’s at www.firstalert.com/elizabeth_bryan http://www.firstalert.com/elizabeth_bryan or at http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2011/10/15-to-save-a-life.html

Smart Like Mommy, Out of Touch Like Gymboree?

2011-11-15T00:42:00.000-06:00

When my twins were born, I sometimes dressed them in matching onesies. I had boy/girl twins, so sometimes the onesies were slightly different in color or message, but always equally cute.
Imagine my reaction when I saw Gymboree's selection of onesie body suits for boys and girls. While there is a cute onesie for boys that says “Smart Like Daddy,” there is no similar message for girls. Instead, what onesie can we buy for our daughters? One that says, "Pretty Like Mommy."

No “Smart Like Mommy” onesies for boys or girls? Seriously, Gymboree? What's with sticking infants in sexist gender stereotypes?

Join us in telling Gymboree that smart moms and dads don’t dress their kids in onesies that promote ridiculous and harmful gender stereotypes: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1355?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=5

Ok, I know 1950's-like television shows and fashion are popular right now, but retro gender roles for infants? No way!

Almost every hour, if not minute, of the day my children are surrounded by "smart like mommy" role models: The teachers, dentists, coaches, business owners, doctors, journalists, stay-at-home-moms, technicians, and administrators they come into contact with are often women.

Gymboree designers and executives should know better than to put retro gender roles on onesies for infants. But if they don't, let's tell them! http://action.momsrising.org/go/1355?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=7

Why is this important?

Mainstream media bombards children and adults with overwhelming messages that women should be beautiful, while men should be smart and powerful. These messages limit children's ideas of what is possible in the world and can have damaging effects on their self-esteem, their choice of school courses (for example, advanced math and science), and their career possibilities. And while infants can't read, other children certainly can.

Gymboree isn’t the only kids’ clothing retailer using gender stereotypes as an accessory. This fall, a JCPenney girls clothing line featured a t-shirt for girls 7-16 that said “I’m too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me.” [3] While JCPenney called the shirt “cute and sassy,” I thought it was more “tasteless and degrading.” [4]

Luckily, I wasn't alone: Consumers banded together and got the shirt yanked from stores, and had a similarly offensive "Allergic to Algebra" shirt pulled from Forever 21. [5]

Let's keep the momentum going and let Gymboree and other companies know that harmful gender stereotypes don’t belong on clothing: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1355?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=9

And don't forget to pass this along to your family and friends--and to post the action link on Facebook! If the past few months have shown us anything, it's that when we come together, we are a powerful voice for consumers.

Thank you for everything you do!

-Nanette, Claire, Kristin, Ruth, Ashley, and the whole MomsRising team

P.S. For a great discussion of the impact of gender stereotyping on girls, watch the Miss Representation trailer.http://action.momsrising.org/go/1349?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=11

[1] Smart Like Daddy onesie, Spark Summit: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1350?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=13
[2] Pretty Like Mommy onesie, Spark Summit: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1350?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=15
[3] "JCPenney's 'Too Pretty for Homework' Shirt is a Steal at $9.99," from Jezebel: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1351?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=17
[4] “JCPenney’s ‘Too Pretty To Do Homework’ Shirt Pulled,” from ABC News: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1352?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=19
[5] "Forever 21 selling 'Allergic to Algebra' shirt (Update)," from the Washington Post: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1353?akid=3014.1923995.JuImRp&t=21

Another Class Action Filed: J.C. Penny & SBR

2011-11-09T13:47:00.000-06:00

The Scambook community has struck again. A national class action was recently filed against Stonebridge Benefit Services and its business partner, J.C. Penny. The class action complaint alleges that Stonebridge enrolled consumers in negative option memberships without their permission and charged them on a monthly basis. The complaint additionally alleges that many consumers were enrolled in the membership clubs as a result of making a purchase from J.C. Penny, either online or over the phone. The membership programs mentioned in the complaint include:

How to Get Pregnant Faster

2011-11-08T17:24:00.002-06:00

Steps for Conceiving Quickly

Sure, you know how to get pregnant, but did you know there are some tricks to making it happen faster? Read what experts say are the best ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant this month. Plus: follow along as our pregnancy blogger gets closer to her delivery!

• Women Who Just Love Being Pregnant: Are You One?
• Caring for a Sick Kid While Pregnant
• Toddler + Newborn=Disaster
• Should Pregnant Women Get Seats on the Subway?

How to Get a Child Off the Couch and Active

2011-11-01T08:23:00.000-05:00

By Jamell Andrews

Getting kids away from their TVs, computers, and gadgets is one of the greatest challenges today’s parents face, and it is not getting any easier. Many parents understandably want their kids to be up to date with all the modern technology, but for every gadget and game our children gain, something is lost. Today’s kids are losing interest in the simple enjoyment of outdoor activities and sports. If we do not push back against this trend, we may be raising a generation of overweight and unhealthy grownups.

Healthy households

For parents who want to get their kids active, it is important to establish moral authority by getting active themselves. It will not work if you command your child to go out and play while remaining inactive yourself. There must be a household culture that encourages good habits as a matter of course.

Parents too often consider themselves above the law, so to speak, when it comes to doing what we urge our children to do. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that because you work hard to make a living and also run a family, you do not have time to set a good example through exercise. But in reality, there is time for all these things. It is about making a priority of exercise.

If it helps, think of it this way: Every parents wants to live to a ripe old age so they can see their children grow up, and exercise is one of the key ingredients in achieving this. So even if you have to set aside other nonwork activities, make daily exercise your most important appointment. Adopting this type of attitude will be good for the whole family.

Impose healthy activities

Most kids fully understand why it is important to be active and get exercise every day. They just either do not care or prefer more sedentary activities. But if no amount of talking up the importance of health is going to change a child’s mind, what are parents to do?

The answer is simple: Present alternatives, and make your child try them. Remember, when your child is fully absorbed in watching TV, surfing the web, or playing video games, the idea of going outside or participating in a sport is not going to seem very appealing. This is one of those situations in which you must exert some parental authority, even if it is difficult at first.

There are a few ways to approach the situation. One is to tell your child that they will be participating in a sport (or another physical activity) and allowing them to choose which one. If necessary, present a few choices. Kids do not always take initiative on their own, so parents need to be front and center in encouraging activity.

Restrict less healthy activities

If applying parental authority via gentle suggestion and encouragement does not work, it is time to take it to the next level. Many kids will never give up their sedentary activities until their parents actively place limits and set rules. This is not the most enjoyable part of parenting, but it is something we all must do from time to time.

If you need your child to get more physical activity, it is a simple formula: Restrict the things that prevent him or her from getting that physical activity. For many parents, the magic number seems to be two hours of media time per day-which should include TV, video games, internet, and all other electronic devices. This has been confirmed by multiple studies finding that kids who consume two hours or less are healthier than those who consume two hours or more.

And ultimately, while no one is suggesting that today’s kids should have no access to the latest technologies, it is up to the parents to use their discretion. If computer, video game, or phone use is getting out of hand, remember that there was once a time when young people were perfectly content without these things. Our kids, too, can learn to entertain themselves in other ways.

Jamell Andrews authors many insightful articles on parents and children. She is a firm believer in the many uses of natural remedies for colic.

Flying With an Infant: How to Avoid Disaster

2011-11-01T08:20:00.000-05:00

By Marc Courtiol

Having a newborn can be stressful enough without leaving the house, so it is easy to understand why so many new parents are reluctant to travel. Babies need constant care, they are unpredictable, and their crying is sometimes difficult to stop. All of these things work against travel, which requires as much predictability as possible. The good news is that many infants fall right to sleep as soon as the plane starts moving, but you just cannot know beforehand. Plus, nobody wants to be those poor parents stuck on an airplane with a baby who refuses to be quiet. That is no one’s idea of a fun vacation.

But you do not have to be scared to travel with your infant. Sure, things may not go perfectly, but the trip does not have to be a disaster. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.

The right attitude

Start preparing by getting in the right mindset for traveling with an infant. Especially if this is your first child, this may require you to alter your view of the world to some extent. For starters, while it is important to be considerate of others, you simply cannot get hung up on what strangers think about you. There are always going to be curmudgeonly people who bellyache when a crying baby is in their vicinity, and there is nothing we can do about them. So just forget about them and focus on your family.

Also, try to approach the whole thing with a sense of calm. The best way to do this is to take it slow. Give yourself plenty of extra time for everything. If you usually leave for the airport two hours early, give yourself two and a half to three hours this time. Move slowly through the trip, and stop to attend to the baby whenever he or she needs anything. If you can cultivate this sort of attitude, your baby will pick up on it and will likely be more calm.

Plan early

Plan your trip as early as possible so you can reserve seats in an optimal row. Exit-row seats are great because they give you extra room to maneuver with the baby. Also, if you have never traveled with an infant before, you might want to call the airline and talk to a real person about their policies. Your baby should be able to fly for free, but many parents choose to buy a seat for their infant anyway for the extra room. Airplanes are generally a tight fit, but a full three-seater in an exit row can be a cozy little temporary home for mommy, daddy, and baby.

Knowing what to bring

When flying with a newborn, the key is to bring as few things as possible while having everything you need to take care of your baby. It can be difficult to find this balance. Here are some things that you definitely need:

A few changes of clothes (bring a couple more than you reasonably expect you will need)
An item or two, especially a blanket or stuffed animal, that smells of home and reminds the baby of safe, comfortable places
Diaper-changing supplies, including a changing pad, sanitizing wipes, and multiple extra diapers
Pastic bags for storing soiled baby clothes
Cloths to wipe spit-up and other substances

If you are breastfeeding, bring a bottle with a little extra milk in case the baby needs to be fed at an inopportune time for breastfeeding.

Other than these crucial items, keep what you pack to a minimum. If your child is a newborn, then she is probably too young to need any books or toys to keep her occupied.

Be prepared to carry

If you have a baby carrier, make sure you have it ready, as maneuvering through the airport, especially the security section, is much easier if the baby is strapped to you rather than in a stroller. Of course, it is fine to bring the stroller on your trip, but treat it like a piece of luggage until you pick it up at your destination.

On the flight, it is fine to keep the baby with you if you have not reserved an extra seat. If you do have an extra seat for the baby, you of course cannot have her sitting on it when the craft is in motion. That is why the airlines recommend bringing your infant car seat and strapping it in if you are not going to be holding the baby through the entire flight. If you do not have too much other luggage, brining that seat is a good idea.

About Marc Courtiol: Marc Courtiol is an accomplished health researcher in the field of natural wellness. A graduate from Cornell, Marc is a contributing author for several online journal sites and believes in the many uses of gripe water.

Class Action Lawsuit: JustFabulous Shoe Club

2011-10-27T18:13:00.002-05:00

Over the past few months, the Scambook Community has posted numerous complaints about JustFab.com. In fact, according to our statistics, complaints about JustFab are the most viewed complaints on Scambook. Visitors to Scambook.com have viewed the various JustFab complaints over 10,000 times.

This overwhelming interest in JustFab.com has not gone unnoticed: earlier today, a national class action lawsuit was filed against Just Fabulous, Inc., based on its website, JustFab.com. The lawsuit claims that JustFab’s website is deceptive and fails to inform consumers they are being enrolled in a monthly charge. The allegations in the class action are similar to many of the complaints Scambook users have posted in recent months.

Kids and Homework: What Can Parents Do?

2011-10-19T07:35:00.000-05:00

By Jamell Williams

When sending our kids to school, we expect the majority of their education to take place during the six or so hours per day when they are actually in the classroom. But for parents, it is important to realize that education needs to be reinforced in the home. This means not only helping kids with their studies, but also imposing homework times and engaging them in conversation about the things they are learning at school. It is easy to fall into a pattern of overreliance on our children’s teachers—but we must remember that teachers have dozens of kids to worry about. Our kids need us to make their education deeper and more personalized.

Establishing a homework time and space

As soon as your child begins getting homework assignments, set up an area of the home that can serve as the designated study space. This should not be in the child’s bedroom, as there may be distractions in there, and it is important for your child to have easy access to you for questions. Instead, set aside a distraction-free space in the common area of the house.

With the homework time, there are many possibilities. Experiment with different things until you find out what works best for your child. Some kids focus best two or three hours after school, just before dinner time. Some focus best in the hour prior to bed time. Some do best when the homework time is split into two segments before and after dinner. You will know you have found the best situation for your child when he or she is capable of focusing and getting all homework done day in and day out.

Meanwhile, whatever you set up for your child’s study time, make sure that you or your spouse are always nearby to help or answer any questions. It is a good idea to make this a quiet reading time for everyone in the household. This way, there is no television or other forms of excitement that may distract the child from his or her studies. So, during homework time, grab a book or magazine and settle in where you are immediately accessible.

Organization for good study habits

Another important point is to make sure your child approaches homework in an organized way. There are different ways to do this, but one that works for many kids is to keep a small notebook for daily homework to-do lists. Of course, this requires a type of discipline that is rare in young kids, but it is a good habit to learn if your child is capable of it.

Take stock of each day’s homework soon after your child gets out of school, and consider how much time will be needed to get it all done. Then, organize the tasks in a logical way that works for your child. Many parents find it best to encourage their kids to tackle the more difficult and time-consuming homework tasks first. Make all this a routine, and your child should eventually become relatively self-sufficient when it comes to homework—though of course, your involvement is always helpful.

Being engaged

Every family must find its own ways of approaching homework and study time. But if you want your child to do well in school and grow up with a good education, there is one indispensible element: parental engagement. This means more than just helping with homework; it also means communicating with teachers, being involved with the school, and staying plugged in to the community of parents in your neighborhood. It takes time and effort, but there is virtually nothing more important in a child’s life than education, so parents need to be engaged every step of the way.

In the end, many parents are surprised by just how much they enjoy being involved with their kids’ education. In helping your child with homework, you will learn plenty of things yourself (and you will relearn many things you have not thought of since childhood). Plus, time spent with your child working on homework is quality time together, a precious resource in these fast-paced times.

Jamell Andrews is an accomplished writer who believes in the power of homeopathic medicine. She is a regular contributor to the Parenting Journals.

Huggies Camo Provides Diapers for Military Families

2011-10-09T22:08:00.000-05:00

Huggies has come out with an awesome new promotion to provide support to our military families and babies; new Huggies Little Movers Camo Limited Edition Diapers.

Operation Homefront is an organization that provides emergency support and assistance for a wide variety of needs. Babies come into the world each day and Huggies has been helping throw military baby showers to provide basic necessities for the newest additions of these families.

Huggies Little Movers Camo diapers are a limited edition but also provide help the families that need it most.

Visit HuggiesCamo.com and Create a Camo Card (a post card expressing your appreciation to those who serve). For every Camo Card created, Huggies will donate a diaper to a military family. Each submission also goes towards our ultimate goal of 500,000 diapers donated!
Purchase Huggies® Limited Edition Camp Diapers available at Walmart. For every purchase, Huggies will donate to Operation Homefront, which provides emergency assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.

Just a simple purchase or sending of a card can make a huge difference to family in need.

Avoiding Breast Cancer Charity Scams

2011-10-07T11:41:00.000-05:00

October is officially here which means pumpkins, changing leaves and lots of pink. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What started out two decades ago as a few pink ribbons has now turned into a full-fledged bubblegum pink frenzy, thanks to the untiring devotion of charitable organizations, like the Susan G. Komen Foundation, who have been dedicated to raising awareness about this devastating disease. According to the American Cancer Society, a little less than 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. This means that more likely than not, you have a friend, mother, sister, grandmother or cousin who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Did you know that the retailer called Auto Zone lends out tools for working on your car ?

2011-10-07T06:54:00.000-05:00

They also have free car repair booklets . Here are some of the other things that they offer :

Repair Info
Vehicle Repair Guides
Product and How To Info
Automotive Glossary
Troubleshooting


Free Testing
Free Battery Charging
Free Loan-A-Tool Service
Free Fluid Recycling

To see if there is an Auto Zone near you , go to this link :

http://www.autozone.com/store_locator/home.htm

Army wife

2011-09-29T08:54:00.000-05:00

This guest post from Doris Dillon

I should have known that the fact that I’m an army wife sends up a red flag in job interviews. Apparently companies do not want to hire military spouses because they know that they will not be around forever due to military moves. I have been looking for a job near my husband’s army base for two months. I do not know how long he will be stationed here, but I had hoped to contribute financially to our marriage while we are here. Since the odds of finding a job here are not looking good, I have decided to find ways for us to save money. I went to shopelectricityratestexas.com, where I learned that we could save money on our energy bill. I have also figured out how to use a cash budget so we won’t be using credit or debit cards to freely spend money. I am trying to use coupons for groceries, but I’m finding that very time consuming. We have been trying to eat out less because it is so much cheaper to eat at home. Hopefully we can save enough money to survive while we are here and I can find a job at the next base.

NURTURME ADDS TWO NEW FLAVORS TO ITS AWARD-WINNING LINE OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC BABY FOODS: “Sweet Bananas” and “Crunchy Carrots”

2011-09-29T08:38:00.000-05:00

AUSTIN, TEXAS, September 2011—As Moms and CelebriMoms like Selma Blair, Tiffani Thiessen and Laila Ali continue to go gaga over NurturMe, the first and only certified-organic baby food made from quick-dried fruits and vegetables, the company has announced the introduction of two yummy new flavors: “Sweet Bananas” and “Crunchy Carrots.”

By quick-drying, rather than cooking, its ingredients, NurturMe preserves the vital nutrients and phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables, making it one of the healthiest and most nutritious baby foods on the market.

Like NurturMe’s four original flavors—Plump Peas, Scrumptious Squash, Crisp Apples and Hearty Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Bananas and Crunchy Carrots are all-natural, gluten-free and have no added salts, sugars, colors or preservatives. In addition, the fruits and vegetables used in NurturMe come from certified organic farms in the United States.

A revolution in feeding little ones, NurturMe is one of the most convenient and versatile baby foods available. Simply mix one of the palm-sized packets of NurturMe with breast milk, whole milk, formula or water – in any amount or combination – to get a meal that’s healthy, delicious and meets the nutrition and lifestyle needs of baby and mother. Designed for little ones from four months to four years of age, NurturMe packets may also be sprinkled (sneaked!) into foods like rice cereal, grains, purees, yogurts, apple sauce and macaroni and cheese to give them a delicious and nutritious boost. Recipe demonstrations may be found on NurturMe TV http://www.nurturme.com/blog/2011/08/nurturme-tv-webisode-2-recipes-for-kids/.

With each packet weighing less than an ounce, NurturMe provides a great way to lighten the diaper bag load, eliminating (finally!) the need to carry around heavy, inconvenient and wasteful jars of baby food. Travel friendly, each NurturMe packet has a shelf life of 24 months.

NurturMe is as great for Mother Earth as it is for mom: NurturMe’s packaging, which includes a carton made using wind energy, is recyclable, eliminating the need to worry about how to properly dispose of wasteful glass jars and metal or plastic jar tops.

NurturMe’s new Sweet Bananas and Crunchy Carrots flavors may be purchased at nurturme.com, Amazon.com, Diapers.com, BabiesRUs.com, Target.com, Babies “R” Us stores nationwide and select Whole Foods and Central Market stores. Each box of eight meal pouches sells for a suggested retail price of $9.49.

About NurturMe

A revolution in feeding little ones, NurturMe is the first and only certified-organic, all-natural and gluten-free baby food made from nutrient-rich, quick-dried fruits and vegetables. By quick-drying its ingredients, NurturMe preserves the essential nutrients and phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables, making it one of the most natural and nutritious baby foods on the market. Good for baby, mother and Mother Earth, NurturMe uses fruits and vegetables sourced from certified-organic U.S. farms and features recyclable packaging, including a carton made using wind energy. NurturMe allows feedings to be customized to baby and mother’s needs since pouches of NurturMe may be mixed with breast milk, whole milk, formula or water in any amount and combination. Perfect for little ones from four months to four years of age, NurturMe, which has no added salts, sugars, colors or preservatives, may also be added to foods like grains, homemade purees, apple sauce, yogurt and macaroni & cheese to significantly boost their nutritional value. Available in six baby-favorite flavors—Sweet Bananas (new), Crunchy Carrots (new), Plump Peas, Scrumptious Squash, Crisp Apples and Hearty Sweet Potatoes, NurturMe may be purchased at nurturme.com , Amazon.com, Diapers.com, BabiesRUs.com, Target.com, Babies “R” Us stores nationwide and select Whole Foods and Central Market stores. A box of eight meal pouches sells for a suggested retail price of $9.49. A diaper bag and purse must-have, each travel-friendly, palm-sized pouch of NurturMe weighs less than one ounce and has a shelf life of 24 months. For more information, visit www.nurturme.com

How Do I take a Pregnancy Test?

2011-09-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

If you're new to the whole being pregnant thing looking at a pregnancy test for the first time can be intimidating. Unless you have a Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test that spells out the results, then the tests with the lines can be a bit confusing for the unaware. Clearblue was kind enough to put up a demo of how their test works and I'm going to post the images up to make your lives easier rather than going from link to link to link. Now whether you use their brand or a different brand, it all works the same basic way. Some strips turn colors to let you know it absorbed your urine, some don't. But all results are formed and shown the same way. So I hope this helps all you newbies out!

4 Common Nursing Problems, Plus Solutions

2011-09-28T21:57:00.000-05:00

Nursing a newborn is not as simple as it may seem. Veteran moms are usually able to make it look easy by the time they get to their third or fourth child, but for new mothers, the simple fact is that breastfeeding can be challenging in numerous ways. Remember, it is not just the mother who is learning this new feeding method; it is also new to the baby, who of course cannot read books or take instructions from lactation consultants. This makes learning doubly difficult. But it is important to remember that most new mothers experience difficulties initially, and most soon get the hang of it.

Fortunately, many of the common nursing problems that new mothers face have simple solutions. Let us look at a few of them.

1. Poor latch

The most important aspect of breastfeeding is how your baby latches on to the nipple. For a proper latch, the baby should open her mouth widely to encompass both the nipple and the areola. While the milk mostly comes from the nipple itself, it is important for the baby’s latch to be wider so she can get proper suction and stimulate the flow of milk.

There are several methods for getting a baby to form a proper latch, but the most common one involves these steps: (1) Hold the baby in a feeding position. (2) Compress the end of the breast to give it a more bottle-like shape. (3) Tickle the baby’s cheek with the nipple. She most likely will instinctively turn her head and latch on. (4) If the baby’s nose and chin are touching the skin of the breast, it is a good latch. Another sign of a good latch is that only very little milk runs down the baby’s cheek as she drinks.

2. Slow milk supply

Milk production starts out slow, but the good news is that babies do not get very hungry during the first couple days of life. The colostrum (the clear, milk-like substance new mothers produce until the milk comes in) is usually enough to satisfy all the baby’s nutritional needs for three to four days. After that, milk supply depends on demand. If the baby feeds often and the breasts are frequently drained, more milk will come.

You will know your milk supply is good if the baby creates wet and soiled diapers several times a day and is able to sleep long stretches without waking and becoming fussy. If you suspect your supply is low, there are a few tricks, including:

encourage a proper latch;
drain both breasts at each feeding;
feed whenever the baby shows signs of hunger (it is not possible to spoil her at this age);
if she falls asleep while feeding, move her around frequently;
avoid formula, pacifiers, and bottles, which can interrupt the baby’s learning process;
try pumping after and between feedings to stimulate abundant milk production;
eat well (400 to 500 more calories per day than before you were pregnant), sleep as much as possible, and drink plenty of water.

3. Sore and engorged breasts

There is no way around it: New mothers’ breasts become large, hard, and often sore. This is a necessary part of the process. The good news is that your body will adjust. While engorgement will continue until you are no longer breastfeeding, it will become less painful (and the milk leakage, another common issue for breastfeeding mothers, will more or less come under control).

To deal with engorgement, the best solution is to breastfeed as often as your baby asks to be fed. And if engorgement becomes an issue while the baby is sleeping or just not hungry, use a breast pump to express the excess milk. For soreness, make sure the baby is getting a proper latch, and use ice packs and warm compresses between feedings to ease any swelling.

4. Plugged ducts

Milk is produced not in one location, but in numerous ducts located in the nipple. When one of these ducts gets clogged, it causes a soft lump and can lead to backup in the milk supply. Untreated, these clogs can lead to infection, but they are usually relatively easy to clear. The key is to drain the breast as much as possible, massage it and apply warm compresses, and wear loose clothing (or no clothing) around the breast as much as possible. Continue breastfeeding even if the clog is a little painful, and call your doctor if it does not go away after a couple of days.

Eirian Hallinan has written numerous articles in the baby care field. She believes in healing naturally, first, especially when it comes to infant colic.

7 Costly Debt Traps and How to Avoid Them

2011-09-28T12:28:00.000-05:00

It’s incredibly easy to fall into a debt trap. Just a brief lapse in judgment and you could be in a downward spiral of indebtedness. What are these traps and how can you avoid them?

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance is here to offer help with the 7 costliest debt traps and the ways to avoid them. Traps include:

· Buying too much house: You should not spend more than 28% of your gross income on housing expenses. Try to put 20% toward your new home to avoid paying private mortgage insurance and account for homeowners insurance and real estate taxes.

· Co-signing a loan: Putting your name to someone else’s debt puts you in plenty of financial danger. What if the borrower doesn’t follow through with payments?

· Raiding your 401(k): Despite the surface appeal, there are many risks involved in temporarily taking money from your 401(k). Depending on your age it can result in a tax bill and early-withdrawal penalties.

To find out more about what debt traps are costliest and what you can do to avoid them, visit: http://kiplinger.com/slideshow/how-to-avoid-debt-traps/1.html#top

Experian PLUS Score Explanation

2011-09-27T06:46:00.000-05:00

While checking my credit score and such, I was shown these tips. I thought they could be of some interest to some of you and wanted to share. If you have any other tips or advice for gaining credit, raising your score, etc, please feel free to leave it in a comment below!

What factors RAISE your PLUS Score:

You have a good cushion of available credit between your current balance and your credit limits on all open trades. This has a positive affect on your credit score. This cushion shows lenders that you are unlikely to overextend yourself financially.

The total balance on all your credit cards is relatively low compared to your total available credit limit. This has a positive impact on your credit score.

You have no open installment loans, such as auto loans, on your credit report. This positively influences your credit score because lenders feel you are more likely to pay your other bills without the fixed monthly payment attached to an installment loan.

You have at least 2 or more open major credit cards, such as Discover, American Express, VISA, or MasterCard, on your credit report. This often tells lenders that you are a responsible borrower and they may be more likely to see you as a good credit risk and extend you credit.

What factors LOWER your PLUS Score:

Your payment history shows 1 or more payments that were late by 30 days or more. Late payments count negatively against your credit score. Negative information can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years for some items, up to 10 years for bankruptcies and 15 years for unpaid tax liens.

On average, many of your accounts have been open less than 3 years. Having long term credit accounts that you consistently pay on time is an important indicator of stability to lenders.

Having low credit limits on your accounts and loans counts negatively against your credit score. Having a high amount of credit is a positive factor because it indicates to lenders that other creditors have trusted you by lending you money in the past. However, since your major credit card limits are generally low, lenders may think you dont have enough experience with high limits.

You do not have any real estate loans. Lenders recognize that obtaining and maintaining a real estate loan requires more skill and discipline than other account types. People who have real estate loans and pay them on time see an increase in their credit worthiness

Fall and Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

2011-09-23T11:36:00.000-05:00

Today marks the first day of fall and with the start of this season comes the inevitable cold weather. Fall and winter can bring severe snow storms, below freezing temperatures and strain on your house. Before the icy temperatures hit, make sure your home is prepared for the long chilly months.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance offers fifteen steps, most of which you can do yourself, which will lower your utility bills and protect your investment during the cold weather. Some steps include:

·         Tune up your heating system.
·         Caulk around windows and doors.
·         Clean the gutters.
·         Turn off exterior faucets.

To view all the steps included in the cold weather home maintenance checklist, visit: http://kiplinger.com/features/archives/fall-winter-home-maintenance-checklist.html?si=1

Smart Ways to Save for College

2011-09-16T12:05:00.000-05:00

College tuition continues to increase and has exceeded inflation over the past several decades. Current parents of an infant and toddler will see a combined cost of tuition at $360,000 by the time their children attend college. Is there help out there to finance one of the biggest expenses for parents?

The good news is there are a variety of state-sponsored investment programs with tax benefits that help families save for college (including the First Family). Kiplinger’s Personal Finance shares the programs that are out there, including:

·         529 Savings Plans (the plan Mr. and Mrs. Obama use)
·         Prepaid Plans
·         Coverdells
·         Roth IRAs
·         Custodial Accounts

To figure out which college savings plan is right for you, visit: www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/smart-ways-to-save-for-college.html.

ScamBook Investigates Mystery Shopping Scams

2011-09-13T08:32:00.000-05:00

Exclusive Video: ScamBook Investigates Mystery Shopping Scams

You’re recently unemployed, searching job boards and posting countless resumes. Suddenly you receive an e-mail that you can’t pass up: get paid to go shopping. You e-mail them back trying to withhold your enthusiasm. They tell you you’re a perfect fit and you can start right away. First, they’ll send you a check for a few hundred dollars. Second, cash the check, use a few hundred to go shopping at Walmart, take notes on your experience and keep anything you buy. Finally, make sure you test Western Union by wiring some money to an international address. So what’s wrong with that?

Watch Video »

Why Your Kid's (Probably) Not Gifted

2011-09-06T11:20:00.000-05:00

5 Ways to Bring Out the Best in Your Child

Of course your kid's a genius! Well... maybe not. Here's why he's probably not gifted, and 5 things you can do to help him be the best he can be, even if he isn't the next Bill Gates.

• 6 Brainy Snacks for Kids
• 16 Fun, Brain-boosting Games• 20 Ways to End Homework Hassles• Plus: How Playtime Can Make Kids Smarter

ScamBook Investigates Weight Loss Scams

2011-09-05T08:08:00.000-05:00

Exclusive Video: ScamBook Investigates Weight Loss Diet Products

Almost everyone would like to drop a few pounds, stay fit, and look good. This natural desire is exactly what online marketers target when they falsely advertise products promising to help you lose weight. Products that purport to help drop those extra pounds now come in an array of different styles. There are pills and capsules, specific food diets, herbal products, dietary supplements – all promising to burn fat and flush it out of your system. The major selling points are that they promise immediate, effortless, and even guaranteed weight loss.

Watch Video »

13 Discipline Tips from Teachers

2011-09-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

How Teachers Keep Kids in Line

Teachers manage to keep an entire classroom of children engaged, learning, and behaving every day. But how? Read these 13 sneaky secrets from teachers to find out.
Plus:
• 4 Teacher Pet Peeves Parents Should Avoid
• 26 Things Teachers Wish You Knew
• 7 Secrets Teacher Know That You Don't
• Plus: The Busy Parent's Guide to School Volunteering

How Can You Help Your Toddler Talk?

2011-08-30T14:43:00.000-05:00

By Eirian Hallinan

Babies, even before they are born have an inbuilt curiosity and interest in human voices. They instinctively want to listen to and concentrate on sounds especially human voices. When you are thinking about how you can encourage your toddler to develop his speech remember this in-built instinct he naturally has.

Talk directly to your toddler as often as you can. Look at him when you are talking so he can see your facial expressions and your gestures. He will get more repetition and explanation when he is alone with you rather than when you are reading to him and another sibling for example.

Talk through the things you are about to do and actions you are making. “OK, let’s go and make lunch, we are going to have carrots and peas and some pie, would you like that?” or when you are taking your toddler for a bath or dressing him say things like, “right, let’s take your jumper off, over your head!” as you take it off and “one sock off, two socks off, wiggle those toes!” By matching your words with your actions your toddler will begin to understand what things mean.

Mirror what you are saying with your facial expressions. When you want a hug from your toddler look at him when you smile and say, “Come here gorgeous boy, Mummy wants to give you a cuddle”. It does not matter that your toddler does not understand every word you say, he will soon associate your overall communication with certain things and actions. If you are about to have dinner, let him see you putting the plates and cups on the table and say “It is dinner time now”. He will soon know what this means and will head to his high chair. Putting tasks, activities and things in context for him will aid him to understand the meanings of things.

The way you express things by your emphasis on words and sentences can make learning to talk more exciting for your child. Certainly your excited expression about seeing a boat or a plane will catch his attention as will your soft, caring expression do when you are stroking a pet. Lots of expression and enthusiasm will motivate your toddler to speak himself and understand what you are saying.

It is important that your child understands that all talking is communication. It will not help him if you talk to yourself or mutter under your breath. He will think that talking can just be meaningless sounds and may not respond to you when you are waiting for him to. If you do not answer him or another family member when they are trying to communicate with you, again he will not understand the importance of talking.

Another good tip during the process of encouraging your little one to speak is to not to have talking on the radio as background noise all day. It is better to have music playing softly. If you are listening to someone speaking on the radio let your toddler see that you are listening and hearing meaningful communication.

You are your child’s interpreter. You understand his language and strangers may not. Your toddler will also understand you much more easily than other people, especially strangers.

Eirian Hallinan has written numerous articles in the parenting field. She believes in healing naturally, first, especially when it comes to infant colic.

Scam Alert: Facebook Scam Offers Tickets to New ‘Twilight’ Film

2011-08-23T07:52:00.000-05:00

It seems hackers and scammers alike are always on the hunt for the next hot ticket…and the next victim. Once again their targets are us the Twilight fans. MSNBC has posted an extremely important warning for all the fans.

Team Jacob or Team Edward?
If you’ve got an answer, then you’re a perfect target for a new “Twilight”-themed Facebook scam currently spreading around the massive, and massively exploitable, social network.
Detected by researchers from the security firm Trend Micro, this new scam promises free tickets to see “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2.”

Sounds great, right? Who wouldn’t want free tickets to a wildly anticipated movie?

There are two catches to this otherwise great offer. The first, of course, is that “Breaking Dawn, Part 2″ isn’t scheduled to hit big screens until Nov. 12, 2012, well after the Nov. 18, 2011 release of “Part 1.”

If that doesn’t raise a red flag, and you find yourself driven uncontrollably — like, say a vampire — to score these free movie tickets and see how the passionate relationship between Bella, Edward and Jacob ends — well, you’re out of luck.

Like past movie ticket scams that have preyed on Harry Potter fans, following this scam’s directions will redirect victims to a malicious survey that, once filled out, requests their phone number.
“As past scams have demonstrated, giving one’s phone number during one of these scams is a very bad idea and could result [in] the user being subscribed to premium-rate services,” the tech blog Softpedia wrote.

If you come across this, or any other suspicious-looking Facebook offers, ignore them, and never download any attachments, as they often harbor malicious software. For a list of social networking alternatives, click here.

This is getting beyond ridiculous! Yes it’s common sense since Breaking Dawn pt. 2 isn’t scheduled for another year and a half but the sheer fact of getting free tickets to an event of this caliber would surely tempt even the most skeptical person. All I’m saying is…BE CAUTIOUS!!!
(Source:Spunk Ransom via MSNBC)

Beware: Payday Loan Scam On the Rise Again

2011-08-15T07:46:00.000-05:00

Your bank account is close to zero and your next pay date is not for a few more days. You need to fill up the truck with gas, buy some groceries, pay the water bill, and who knows what else. We have all been there. You think it’s too embarrassing to borrow money from a friend or a family member so the first thing that you think of is a pay-day loan. You wonder if there are any online options so you hop on to a search engine to find out.

Ready for a vacation!

2011-08-14T08:37:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again, vacation time at work, either use it or lose it. Of course, I decided to go with use it. So now the question is, how exactly am I going to go about using it? Well, I know for sure I don't want to stay home playing with my rc helicopter, that's for sure. I need a little bit more excitement. So I came up with a plan!

I decided that I needed something fun, random, exciting and of course kid friendly. I gave one of my good friends I have known since high school a call and we decided we're going to take a trip to Destin, FL for a weekend trip. We're trying to make the arrangements for a condo on the beach and then we'll just go from there.

We had gone last year and had a blast, so why not go again and enjoy ourselves once more? Besides, who doesn't love the beach?! Sophia has been asking to go plus see her friends for some time, so perfect timing! It's not the biggest vacation since we're on a budget, but hey, at least it's something enjoyable. What did you all do for your summer?

Getting an Infant to Sleep: Strategies for Parents

2011-08-11T06:25:00.000-05:00

By Lisa Pecos

When it comes to getting an infant to sleep, there are many factors that parents have to balance. They have to balance the child’s personality and preferences with the recommendations of doctors and parenting guides-and these two things are seldom perfectly aligned. They have to balance the child’s sleep schedule with their own schedules. They have to figure out how to regulate the child’s naps so that he or she sleeps the proper amount during the night. And in addition to these issues, there may be other, unexpected factors that come into play. All in all, figuring out how to give your child healthy sleep is one of the biggest challenges of the first several months of parenting.

Sleep duration

For new parents, one of the most surprising things about the infant stage is just how much newborns sleep. For the first week after birth, expect the child to sleep about 16 hours a day. However, what makes this stage difficult is the fact that the child will sleep no more than four to five hours during the longest sleep stretch of the day. So parents who are hoping to get some good rest after the difficult labor process are often further taxed by frequent wakeups for feeding and diaper changes.

But your child’s sleep habits will soon become more consistent. After just a week or two, the child will begin to sleep a little less-usually around 15 hours per day-with the longest stretches of sleep being anywhere from five to nine hours. This is when parents can finally get some rest of their own. Over the following year the child will continue to sleep less and less, but things will become more calm and predictable.

Whatever stage you are in, you will find that the best way to get your own rest and hence to have a balanced household is to be on the baby’s schedule as much as possible. This is hard when you have a work schedule to adhere to, but the good news is that after a few short weeks or months, the child will naturally begin sleeping long stretches at night.

Signs of sleepiness

Another key to establishing good sleeping habits for your child is to learn how to recognize when he or she is sleeping. This way, you will learn when to begin the putting-to-bed routine, which will become a key bonding time for the whole family. Here are some of the common signs of sleepiness in infants:

Less activity
Slower movements
Fewer vocalizations
Weak sucking
Decreased interest in things that are going on around him or her
Less focus on the eyes
Drooping eyelids
Repeated yawning

If the child is not put to bed soon, these signs usually give way to more obvious signs of fatigue such as fussiness, irritability, and eye rubbing. If you get to this stage, it is definitely time to put the child to bed.

The bedtime routine

Perhaps the most important strategy for encouraging your infant to sleep well is to develop a bedtime routine that you go through every night prior to the child’s long bout of sleep. Your child’s tastes and behaviors will guide the details of your routine, but here are some general things that parents should consider doing.

Snuggle: Hold the baby close to make her feel warm, and show her calm affection. It is best to do this sitting or even lying down, if possible.
Rhythmic motions: At bedtime, children love to be rocked. Any repetitive motion is liable to make your child tired even when it is not bedtime.
Calming sounds: Many infants respond well to gentle white noise such as a fan or even recorded ocean sounds. Experiment with things like this during the initial weeks of your child’s life.
Teamwork: Some babies find it difficult to get to sleep when they can hear something going on elsewhere in the home. This is why it is a good idea for both parents to be present when putting the child to bed. Work together to calm the child and make him or her comfortable.
Repeat: Develop a nightly routine, making adjustments whenever you find things that work, and keep it going every night. This way, your child comes to expect bedtime and is more ready to sleep when the time comes.

Lisa Pecos is a wife and well accomplished writer on natural remedies and natural approaches to family health. She’s written numerous articles for Natural Health Journals.com, Parenting Journals.com and Baby Care Journals.com.

Zenni Optical

2011-08-05T18:13:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, you don't have perfect vision meaning you need to wear glasses or contacts. Of course, we all know how expensive that can. One pair of glasses at my local eye doctor is no less then at least $75 and on my income, that can cut a big hole in my budget. So I wanted to pass along some information that may be of use to some of y'all.

I came across a site called Zenni Optical who is an online retailer for prescription glasses. They have a large variety of glasses to choose from. Tons of colors, shapes, men's, women's, children's glasses, etc. The reason I have to pass them along to you is because they have such great prices on the glasses they offer. You can find some great glasses starting at just $6.95. No, that is not a typo. It is six DOLLARS and ninety five cents. So you did read correctly!

Their web site is so easy and clean to navigate around. On the left sidebar is where their links are to search. Everything is in categories to make things easier also. Such as, you can search for glasses by their shape if you want, style or even within a certain price range. All their glasses, including their $6.95 pair, include free anti scratch coating, free UV protection, free protective case and a free microfiber cleaning cloth. The best part, not only can you find low cost quality glasses, but the shipping rates are cheap as well. For your entire order, it's just $4.95 in the US and international shipping is just $9.95. Great prices plus great shipping rates. This is definitely a great alternative to that "low cost" of $75 at the local shop! Start shopping now for some affordable prescription eyeglasses!

eHarlequin: Book Offers

2011-07-31T09:37:00.000-05:00

eHarlequin is a premiere web destination for women who love to read. It's no secret why thousands of readers choose eHarlequin.com every month. Only here will you find everything you desire: bestselling authors, everyday value, free book offers and much more!

We offer contemporary romance, thrillers, inspirational romance, African-American fiction, chick lit, suspense, Spanish, paranormal, sensual romance and more!

Carina Press, a division of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd, offers a broad range of fiction with an emphasis on romance and its subgenres, including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense and thriller.

Click here to get 2 FREE books and a FREE mystery gift from eHarlequin.com

What to Do With a Child Who Whines

2011-07-28T08:13:00.000-05:00

By Lisa Pecos

Pre-verbal children use crying to get what they need. After learning to talk, many children have trouble breaking this habit. In fact, some develop a rather complex system of sounds and gestures that sometimes includes crying, sometimes pouting, sometimes tantrums, and sometimes a loud, whiny voice. For parents, as much as we love our children, these behaviors can be infuriating, not to mention embarrassing when they happen in public.

There are many ways to deal with children who whine, but the most important thing is not to give in. When you hear that distressed voice, every instinct will make you want to do whatever you can to make your child happy. But this is one of those cases where tough love is better in the long run. By refusing to give in to your child’s whining and tantrums, you demonstrate that those are not legitimate methods for getting what we want. It may take some time, but the lesson will sink in eventually.

If merely ignoring your child’s whining has not stopped the behavior, here are some additional things you can do:

1. Acknowledge your child’s feelings. In many cases, whining is simply a way to get attention. Make sure your child knows that you appreciate her feelings and that she does not need to resort to harsh tones of voice to get your attention.

2. Learn the patterns. If there are certain things that regularly cause your child to go into a whining fit, learn to recognize the signs before it happens. For example, if your child is more likely to whine when it is near bedtime or when he has been playing with other kids, take actions to prevent the typical whining triggers that come up at these times.

3. Speak your child’s language. Express your frustration in ways that your child will understand. Use short “I” statements that describe easily identifiable feelings-for example, “I do not like it when you whine,” or “I like it better when you ask nicely for things.” Make these statements in a calm, rational voice that models how you would like your child to speak.

4. Be a model of good behavior. A child’s whining may make you feel tempted to raise your voice, but it is usually best to stay calm. There are times when a firm tone and even a loud voice are necessary to get a child to behave, but there is no need to use these routinely. Instead, demonstrate that big people communicate with calm voices.

5. Reward non-whining. When your child does a good job of avoiding whining or other harsh tactics to get what she wants, take notice, and show her that you appreciate how good she is. Sometimes a little positive reinforcement is all a child needs.

6. Try to understand. There is no call for persistent, everyday whining, but sometimes your child may have good reason for behaving this way. For example, when he is not feeling well, is very tired, or has to go to the dentist or doctor, it is understandable to get a little upset, and many kids are too young to know how to handle these situations calmly. Show concern without reinforcing the whining.

7. Use discipline. If the whining has become a serious problem, start by giving your child a warning. If that does not work, you may have to resort to your preferred method of discipline.

Lisa Pecos, a wife and well accomplished writer whom firmly believes in natural colic treatment for infants. She has authored numerous articles in Parenting Journals on the topics of toddlers, kids and teenagers.

Careers for Moms - ad

2011-07-27T12:52:00.001-05:00

The top 10 jobs for moms who need a career that can fit their lifestyle (infographic) >> http://lx.im/1dXbi?v=7ASvC7hxfakbhuM0xZBig07lB9WlsoWIPLvCRgDeMfc

Nice Meeting You - ad

2011-07-27T12:51:00.003-05:00

Check out this funny book by @PhilTorcivia. Nice Meeting You. On sale at Amazon for just $0.99!

Justin Bieber: Teen Sensation - ad

2011-07-27T12:51:00.001-05:00

Justin Bieber is a Teen Dream! Do you have the fever? Like this Facebook fan page!

Project Runway - ad

2011-07-27T08:40:00.001-05:00

Make it work! @ProjectRunway premieres on Thursday, July 28th at 9/8c.

5linx Opportunity - ad

2011-07-27T08:32:00.001-05:00

Learn how to earn an extraordinary residual income. Start your own business, be your own boss. Turning your dream

The Mommy Diary

When Will My Baby Begin to Remember Things?

Sibling Rivalry: What Can Parents Do?

Baby Napping: 7 Tips for Optimizing the Little One’s Sleep

6 Delicious 6-Ingredient Recipes!

Virginia lawmaker: Children with disabilities are God’s punishment to women who previously had abort

Virginia lawmaker: Children with disabilities are God’s punishment to women who previously had abortions.

" As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Jesus, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." ~John 9: 1-3

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Breastfeeding Basics: Answers to Five Common Questions

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Surviving the Holidays

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While You're Cooking, Make Sure You're Not Being Poisoned Too

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Another Class Action Filed: J.C. Penny & SBR

How to Get Pregnant Faster

Steps for Conceiving Quickly

How to Get a Child Off the Couch and Active

Flying With an Infant: How to Avoid Disaster

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Kids and Homework: What Can Parents Do?

Establishing a homework time and space

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Army wife

NURTURME ADDS TWO NEW FLAVORS TO ITS AWARD-WINNING LINE OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC BABY FOODS: “Sweet Bananas” and “Crunchy Carrots”

How Do I take a Pregnancy Test?

4 Common Nursing Problems, Plus Solutions

7 Costly Debt Traps and How to Avoid Them

Experian PLUS Score Explanation

What factors RAISE your PLUS Score:

What factors LOWER your PLUS Score:

Fall and Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Smart Ways to Save for College

ScamBook Investigates Mystery Shopping Scams

Why Your Kid's (Probably) Not Gifted

5 Ways to Bring Out the Best in Your Child

ScamBook Investigates Weight Loss Scams

13 Discipline Tips from Teachers

How Teachers Keep Kids in Line

How Can You Help Your Toddler Talk?

Scam Alert: Facebook Scam Offers Tickets to New ‘Twilight’ Film

Beware: Payday Loan Scam On the Rise Again

Ready for a vacation!

Getting an Infant to Sleep: Strategies for Parents

Zenni Optical

eHarlequin: Book Offers

What to Do With a Child Who Whines

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" As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Jesus, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”.
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."
~John 9: 1-3