The Benefits
-A teenager's job can teach work skills that will serve him well in college and prepare him for careers in adulthood.
-He can acquire confidence, develop a sense of responsibility and feel more independent.
-Studies find that students who work a moderate amount—no more than 10 to 15 hours a week during the school year—tend to earn higher grades than those who don't work at all.
-Earning money will enable him to buy things he wants and will provide an opportunity for learning responsible money management.
If you and your spouse work outside the home, an after-school job can give him adult supervision in those crucial afternoon hours.
-The right job—or jobs—may expose him to new work possibilities and set him on the path to a lifetime career.
The Drawbacks
-Working more than 13 to 20 hours a week is associated with lower grades.
-Teens who work too many hours find it difficult to keep up extracurricular activities and social relationships.
-Some studies have found that teens who work long hours are more likely to engage in such risky activities as using illegal drugs or alcohol—in part because they are exposed to older coworkers who lead them astray.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
5 Steps to Teach Your Teen to Budget
Help your teen look at the big picture before they get a surprise in the form of credit card bills, bounced checks, or automated teller machines that refuse to surrender cash.
College students' budgets shouldn't be complicated. Simply follow these steps.
1. Work together to itemize your student's regular monthly expenses.
2. List total income, including money previously set aside, scholarships, loans, allowance or perhaps wages from a part-time job during school.
3. Subtract expenses from income to see if the budget is reasonable.
4. If the expenses outweigh the income, work together to trim expenses until the numbers agree.
5. Your teen's college budget should include a savings strategy. Encourage your kids to make regular deposits into a savings account for future expenditures (such as a car, an apartment, or student loans).
You may want to sit down together periodically to review the budget you've developed. Be sure your kids understand the importance of maintaining this budget to avoid overspending and debt trouble. But also remind them that it isn't carved in stone. If their favorite band is coming to town and they want to splurge on a concert ticket, they can simply cut back on other expenses for a month.
College students' budgets shouldn't be complicated. Simply follow these steps.
1. Work together to itemize your student's regular monthly expenses.
2. List total income, including money previously set aside, scholarships, loans, allowance or perhaps wages from a part-time job during school.
3. Subtract expenses from income to see if the budget is reasonable.
4. If the expenses outweigh the income, work together to trim expenses until the numbers agree.
5. Your teen's college budget should include a savings strategy. Encourage your kids to make regular deposits into a savings account for future expenditures (such as a car, an apartment, or student loans).
You may want to sit down together periodically to review the budget you've developed. Be sure your kids understand the importance of maintaining this budget to avoid overspending and debt trouble. But also remind them that it isn't carved in stone. If their favorite band is coming to town and they want to splurge on a concert ticket, they can simply cut back on other expenses for a month.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Should Teens Have Credit Cards?
The plight of college students in deep credit card debt is reported in the media almost daily, but for many young people, credit card issues begin in high school, not college. Should teens have credit cards?
Teens today are consumers, pumping billions of dollars into the economy, so there's something to be said about teaching them to use credit cards responsibly before they go off to college or out on their own.
Why Should Teens Use Credit?
Credit cards offer convenience, but their main purpose should be to establish a good credit history so your teen can, when the time comes
•qualify for car loans and mortgages
•be able to rent an apartment
•qualify for favorable interest rates on all types of loans
•obtain lower auto and homeowners insurance premiums
•qualify for a job (employers are increasingly using credit scores when evaluating job candidates)
The best way to learn is often by doing. Having a credit card in high school can be beneficial if
•the teen is responsible
•the teen is given a credit card with a low credit limit
•parents monitor the teen's spending and payments monthly
•parents discuss the choices made, the implications of those choices, the obvious and hidden costs with the teen
•parents make suggestions for positive changes
Teens today are consumers, pumping billions of dollars into the economy, so there's something to be said about teaching them to use credit cards responsibly before they go off to college or out on their own.
Why Should Teens Use Credit?
Credit cards offer convenience, but their main purpose should be to establish a good credit history so your teen can, when the time comes
•qualify for car loans and mortgages
•be able to rent an apartment
•qualify for favorable interest rates on all types of loans
•obtain lower auto and homeowners insurance premiums
•qualify for a job (employers are increasingly using credit scores when evaluating job candidates)
The best way to learn is often by doing. Having a credit card in high school can be beneficial if
•the teen is responsible
•the teen is given a credit card with a low credit limit
•parents monitor the teen's spending and payments monthly
•parents discuss the choices made, the implications of those choices, the obvious and hidden costs with the teen
•parents make suggestions for positive changes
Has Preschool Prepared Your Child for Kindergarten?
Preschool can provide an important introduction to the notion of schooling. For many children, preschool provides a "head start" in learning certain academic skills that they will be expected to learn in kindergarten and first grade.
If your child has attended a good preschool program, he will already have some rudimentary knowledge of such concepts as colors, shapes, numbers, and letter recognition (as well as the sounds that different letters produce).
Although the introduction to academic skills can give preschoolers a head start on kindergarten learning, preschool can have an even more important role in preparing kids for school. If your child has been attending preschool, the experience has given him the opportunity to develop social skills in group situations.
Day care or preschool also gave your child the opportunity to develop strong friendships. Preschool provided day-to-day (or every other day, depending on how often your child attended) contact with the same children. Hopefully, this regular contact has allowed certain friendships to build. And his ability to form friendships will go a long way toward making your child's kindergarten experience easier.
Does this mean that if your child hasn't attended a preschool program that he will be socially backward when he first enters kindergarten? Of course not. A child who has had little or no contact with other children his own age may have a more difficult time adjusting to kindergarten. But classes for preschoolers (in swimming, gymnastics, dance, crafts, and so on), library reading groups, informal play at local parks, and plenty of playdates—in other words, a preschool program that you've designed and supervised yourself—can offer similar opportunities to practice social skills both in groups and one-on-one.
So if you have made sure that your child has had opportunities to play and learn with other children his age, he will have had plenty of practice at getting along and cooperating with others. And if you've made sure that your preschooler had the opportunity to make close friendships by seeing one or two other children on a regular basis, then you can be confident that he will make friends in kindergarten.
If your child has attended a good preschool program, he will already have some rudimentary knowledge of such concepts as colors, shapes, numbers, and letter recognition (as well as the sounds that different letters produce).
Although the introduction to academic skills can give preschoolers a head start on kindergarten learning, preschool can have an even more important role in preparing kids for school. If your child has been attending preschool, the experience has given him the opportunity to develop social skills in group situations.
Day care or preschool also gave your child the opportunity to develop strong friendships. Preschool provided day-to-day (or every other day, depending on how often your child attended) contact with the same children. Hopefully, this regular contact has allowed certain friendships to build. And his ability to form friendships will go a long way toward making your child's kindergarten experience easier.
Does this mean that if your child hasn't attended a preschool program that he will be socially backward when he first enters kindergarten? Of course not. A child who has had little or no contact with other children his own age may have a more difficult time adjusting to kindergarten. But classes for preschoolers (in swimming, gymnastics, dance, crafts, and so on), library reading groups, informal play at local parks, and plenty of playdates—in other words, a preschool program that you've designed and supervised yourself—can offer similar opportunities to practice social skills both in groups and one-on-one.
So if you have made sure that your child has had opportunities to play and learn with other children his age, he will have had plenty of practice at getting along and cooperating with others. And if you've made sure that your preschooler had the opportunity to make close friendships by seeing one or two other children on a regular basis, then you can be confident that he will make friends in kindergarten.
Is Your Teen Ready for a Job?
Your teenager comes home from school and declares he wants to flip burgers at the neighborhood fast-food joint. He says he needs money for CDs, clothes and to buy his own car.
Is this a step to maturity or a slip toward lower grades, inadequate sleep and a constricted social life? How do you talk with your child to help him make the right choice about taking a job? And how do you maintain the communication needed to assure he manages job, school and social time wisely if he goes to work?
Nearly every teen can benefit from job experience. But there are risks you must assess.
Is this a step to maturity or a slip toward lower grades, inadequate sleep and a constricted social life? How do you talk with your child to help him make the right choice about taking a job? And how do you maintain the communication needed to assure he manages job, school and social time wisely if he goes to work?
Nearly every teen can benefit from job experience. But there are risks you must assess.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Things you should know about probiotics
Every time you turn around at the supermarket there seems to be another food product labeled containing “probiotics” aimed at the health-conscious consumer; however, there are things you should know before stocking up on foods claiming to have probiotic bacteria.
First of all, probiotic bacteria need to be alive to have any effect and if a product has been on the shelf for too long the bacteria can die, providing no benefit whatsoever. You should check expiration dates on the packaging and look to see if the product contains live and active cultures.
Just because the product has live and active cultures, doesn’t necessarily mean these are probiotic bacteria that will confer any health benefit. Different strains of bacteria do different things in the body. There are many bacterial strains being added to various food products, but the label “probiotic” doesn’t necessarily mean they will help your intestinal health.
You should know what bacteria you are consuming and understanding how they are named will help you sort it out. Bacteria are named by their genus (Lactobacillus), species (rhamnosus) and strain (GG). Not all types of Lactobacillus are probiotics, there are also multiple types of Lactobacillus casei and some are helpful while others are not. The more informed you are about which ones are beneficial to the intestine and IBD, the better decisions you will make.
Lastly, the amount of probiotic bacteria consumed makes a difference. Sending out one tank to fight against an army isn’t going to make a big impact; therefore, you should do research to find out how much of a particular strain of bacteria was enough to see a positive effect in clinical studies.
First of all, probiotic bacteria need to be alive to have any effect and if a product has been on the shelf for too long the bacteria can die, providing no benefit whatsoever. You should check expiration dates on the packaging and look to see if the product contains live and active cultures.
Just because the product has live and active cultures, doesn’t necessarily mean these are probiotic bacteria that will confer any health benefit. Different strains of bacteria do different things in the body. There are many bacterial strains being added to various food products, but the label “probiotic” doesn’t necessarily mean they will help your intestinal health.
You should know what bacteria you are consuming and understanding how they are named will help you sort it out. Bacteria are named by their genus (Lactobacillus), species (rhamnosus) and strain (GG). Not all types of Lactobacillus are probiotics, there are also multiple types of Lactobacillus casei and some are helpful while others are not. The more informed you are about which ones are beneficial to the intestine and IBD, the better decisions you will make.
Lastly, the amount of probiotic bacteria consumed makes a difference. Sending out one tank to fight against an army isn’t going to make a big impact; therefore, you should do research to find out how much of a particular strain of bacteria was enough to see a positive effect in clinical studies.
Should Kids has a Handphones?
Should children be given a handphone? On one hand it is great for convenience if they need to contact their parents or for parents to know where they are in any emergency. On the other hand, giving your child a handphone exposes the child to a whole host of risks.
We can’t ignore the advance of technology. We can’t compare our time to that of our children or grandchildren. The technology is here, now, why not use it to our advantage?
Children should be given handphones and taught how to use it NOT abuse it. Parents have to be responsible too, not just buy the latest model and leave it to the child to show off. A responsible parent will make sure the child make good use of the handphone. On the other hand the parent should not use the handphone as a tool to trail their young teenagers every second of the time. They will feel restricted and rebel, of course. So the question is not about whether to give them a handphone or not. The age of the child is also not important since 3 year-olds are seen to be pretending to talk on toy handphones like adults. The question is whether WE as parents are responsible enough to guide our children and turn them into responsible children or teenagers.
Social networking actually starts when we’re young. But you must make sure the academic part is never missed out in lieu of the social part. I feel that things like phones, exposure to computers, even experiences with technology devices is a very good thing. It’s a good experience to expand your social network.
We can’t ignore the advance of technology. We can’t compare our time to that of our children or grandchildren. The technology is here, now, why not use it to our advantage?
Children should be given handphones and taught how to use it NOT abuse it. Parents have to be responsible too, not just buy the latest model and leave it to the child to show off. A responsible parent will make sure the child make good use of the handphone. On the other hand the parent should not use the handphone as a tool to trail their young teenagers every second of the time. They will feel restricted and rebel, of course. So the question is not about whether to give them a handphone or not. The age of the child is also not important since 3 year-olds are seen to be pretending to talk on toy handphones like adults. The question is whether WE as parents are responsible enough to guide our children and turn them into responsible children or teenagers.
Social networking actually starts when we’re young. But you must make sure the academic part is never missed out in lieu of the social part. I feel that things like phones, exposure to computers, even experiences with technology devices is a very good thing. It’s a good experience to expand your social network.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Kids & Pet Responsibilities
Sit down draw up a list of all the responsibilities involved in the care of your pet and talk with your children about what tasks they feel they can handle. It’s better to give a child an easy daily pet responsibility than a difficult one that occurs less frequently. Always give a task that is well within a child’s capabilities or feelings of frustration will taint the kid/pet relationship. You’ll need to explain to your child exactly why the responsibility you’ve given them is important to the pet’s well-being, what benefits their pets and the consequences to the pet if the task is not done.
What’s Reasonable to Expect for What Age Group
Toddlers – Age 5
Help parents put food and water in pet dishes, though parents should still be the ones to actively give food to the animals especially in the case of dogs.
Clean and put away pet dishes.
Help put away pet toys and some minor cleaning up.
Help with brushing and grooming.
Age 5 – 10
Put food and water in dishes, still with parental supervision with dogs as they can become excited and bite when food is involved. All other pets can be fed unsupervised, though.
Heavier level of help with cleaning and maintenance of pet areas.
Grooming and possibly bathing, depending on pet’s size.
Help with exercise and walking, depending on pet’s size.
Cleaning up after a pet when it goes to the bathroom.
Ages 10 and up
At this age, all aspects of pet care can be responsibly assumed unless you have a very large dog. Your child should be taking on full care of cleaning pet’s bathroom area, which will always be one of the hardest tasks to get a child to do.
Encouraging Kids for Responsible Behaviour
When you first get your family pet, praise your child every time a pet chore is performed without you having to ask to positively reinforce responsible behaviour. Try and reward your child in some way as well with a fun pet activity that brings feelings of love and connection with the pet. It’s also best to praise and reward immediately after the task has been done for the strongest positive reinforcement. A great trick for younger children is to enthusiastically praise your child in a happy tone of voice to the pet while the child is in the room. This works especially well with dogs, which bounce around excitedly, thrilling your child further. As time goes on and your child becomes accustomed to the responsibilities about pet ownership, you can ease off the continuous praise but be sure to make a point of congratulations from time to time on being such a good pet owner.
When Kids Start to Lapse
Constant gentle reminders are the best way to get children under the age of about 12 to get in the practice of thinking responsibly. As frustrated as you may feel, don’t make kids feel guilty about their inconsistent caring for the family pet. Most children are still perfecting the art forms of keeping routine and fulfilling responsibilities, too much criticism will simply instill feelings of failure in themselves or anger towards the innocent pet that unwittingly made the child a focus of complaint. This is unhealthy for both the child and the pet and rarely solves the problem.
If there are constant missed feedings or cage cleanings, sit down with your kid and help them to figure out what’s not working and how it could be done more effectively. Sometimes making signs together and putting them on the door to your child’s room and other noticeable places around the house can be a good reminder. Often, children may have started a new activity in school which leaves them less time or there is something in their lives which conflicts with pet care. If it can’t be worked out during the week and you need to assume extra responsibilities for them, talk about having your child do additional pet chores on the weekend when there is more time to make up for it.
And remember, the best way to teach your children how to be responsible pet owners is to show them by setting a good example as one yourself. When you are having a busy day but still make time to walk the dog or brush the cat, draw your child’s attention to this fact in a positive way. With any luck, kids start to pick up on what an excellent owner you are and take up the lead themselves.
What’s Reasonable to Expect for What Age Group
Toddlers – Age 5
Help parents put food and water in pet dishes, though parents should still be the ones to actively give food to the animals especially in the case of dogs.
Clean and put away pet dishes.
Help put away pet toys and some minor cleaning up.
Help with brushing and grooming.
Age 5 – 10
Put food and water in dishes, still with parental supervision with dogs as they can become excited and bite when food is involved. All other pets can be fed unsupervised, though.
Heavier level of help with cleaning and maintenance of pet areas.
Grooming and possibly bathing, depending on pet’s size.
Help with exercise and walking, depending on pet’s size.
Cleaning up after a pet when it goes to the bathroom.
Ages 10 and up
At this age, all aspects of pet care can be responsibly assumed unless you have a very large dog. Your child should be taking on full care of cleaning pet’s bathroom area, which will always be one of the hardest tasks to get a child to do.
Encouraging Kids for Responsible Behaviour
When you first get your family pet, praise your child every time a pet chore is performed without you having to ask to positively reinforce responsible behaviour. Try and reward your child in some way as well with a fun pet activity that brings feelings of love and connection with the pet. It’s also best to praise and reward immediately after the task has been done for the strongest positive reinforcement. A great trick for younger children is to enthusiastically praise your child in a happy tone of voice to the pet while the child is in the room. This works especially well with dogs, which bounce around excitedly, thrilling your child further. As time goes on and your child becomes accustomed to the responsibilities about pet ownership, you can ease off the continuous praise but be sure to make a point of congratulations from time to time on being such a good pet owner.
When Kids Start to Lapse
Constant gentle reminders are the best way to get children under the age of about 12 to get in the practice of thinking responsibly. As frustrated as you may feel, don’t make kids feel guilty about their inconsistent caring for the family pet. Most children are still perfecting the art forms of keeping routine and fulfilling responsibilities, too much criticism will simply instill feelings of failure in themselves or anger towards the innocent pet that unwittingly made the child a focus of complaint. This is unhealthy for both the child and the pet and rarely solves the problem.
If there are constant missed feedings or cage cleanings, sit down with your kid and help them to figure out what’s not working and how it could be done more effectively. Sometimes making signs together and putting them on the door to your child’s room and other noticeable places around the house can be a good reminder. Often, children may have started a new activity in school which leaves them less time or there is something in their lives which conflicts with pet care. If it can’t be worked out during the week and you need to assume extra responsibilities for them, talk about having your child do additional pet chores on the weekend when there is more time to make up for it.
And remember, the best way to teach your children how to be responsible pet owners is to show them by setting a good example as one yourself. When you are having a busy day but still make time to walk the dog or brush the cat, draw your child’s attention to this fact in a positive way. With any luck, kids start to pick up on what an excellent owner you are and take up the lead themselves.
Tips in Choosing Toys For Kids
Parents like to see their kids happy. For them, their kids only deserve the best. In view of that, even when it comes to toys, the children ought to have only the best toys. You might think that it is quite difficult to choose toys for your kids. But, actually, it is not. With all the toys that are available in the market, there is nothing to worry about.
There is a wide variety of toddler toys to choose from. How to know which toys are best for your children? Your toddlers are at the phase wherein they are extremely active and curious about everything. For this reason, it would be best if you choose toys which motivate your kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Although there are some parents who choose toys based on the brand or manufacturer. But this should not be the case. It is not the brand or the name of the company that determines the quality of the toys and its value to children.
Even if there are toy manufacturers who produce toys that correspond to certain educational requirements, it does not mean that they always make toys that are best for kids. That s why when selecting a toy for your kid you need to judge the toy according to its specific features.
Another important thing to consider is safety. When buying a toy for babies or toddlers, make sure that it is safe. Do not purchase a toy which is hazardous for your little one. See to it that the toy that you will buy is lightweight. Also check if the toy has choking hazards. Does the toy contain small parts that have the tendency to drop easily? Always bear in mind that babies are fond of putting almost anything into their mouth.
The next thing to consider in buying baby and toddler toys is the color. Generally speaking, it is best if you choose toys that are brightly colored. Kids are attracted to toys with different colors. Colorful toys are known to be effective in grabbing the attention and interest of the kids.
In addition, the age of the baby should also be taken into consideration. There are some parents who fail to realize that they are purchasing toys which are not yet suitable for their babies. More often than not, they tend to buy toys which are very sophisticated for their little ones. They feel that they can boost the development of their babies. But this is not right. Your babies will not be able to build up their skills in advance if their toys are very complex to meddle with. As a result, they will just pay no attention to these toys.
In view of that, it is essential that you consider the preferences of your kids. Try to consider their likes and interests. This can be a big help in finding the most suitable toy for your children. Toddler toys are available in many different features. As parents, it is your job to check the toys that your children are playing with. Make sure that they make the most of their playtime productively and safely.
There is a wide variety of toddler toys to choose from. How to know which toys are best for your children? Your toddlers are at the phase wherein they are extremely active and curious about everything. For this reason, it would be best if you choose toys which motivate your kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Although there are some parents who choose toys based on the brand or manufacturer. But this should not be the case. It is not the brand or the name of the company that determines the quality of the toys and its value to children.
Even if there are toy manufacturers who produce toys that correspond to certain educational requirements, it does not mean that they always make toys that are best for kids. That s why when selecting a toy for your kid you need to judge the toy according to its specific features.
Another important thing to consider is safety. When buying a toy for babies or toddlers, make sure that it is safe. Do not purchase a toy which is hazardous for your little one. See to it that the toy that you will buy is lightweight. Also check if the toy has choking hazards. Does the toy contain small parts that have the tendency to drop easily? Always bear in mind that babies are fond of putting almost anything into their mouth.
The next thing to consider in buying baby and toddler toys is the color. Generally speaking, it is best if you choose toys that are brightly colored. Kids are attracted to toys with different colors. Colorful toys are known to be effective in grabbing the attention and interest of the kids.
In addition, the age of the baby should also be taken into consideration. There are some parents who fail to realize that they are purchasing toys which are not yet suitable for their babies. More often than not, they tend to buy toys which are very sophisticated for their little ones. They feel that they can boost the development of their babies. But this is not right. Your babies will not be able to build up their skills in advance if their toys are very complex to meddle with. As a result, they will just pay no attention to these toys.
In view of that, it is essential that you consider the preferences of your kids. Try to consider their likes and interests. This can be a big help in finding the most suitable toy for your children. Toddler toys are available in many different features. As parents, it is your job to check the toys that your children are playing with. Make sure that they make the most of their playtime productively and safely.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Time-saving tips for working moms
Being a working mom has never been easy. Work stress, family pressures, childcare dilemmas and time management issues can take their toll. As a result, you could find yourself praying for a smoother daily routine. Feeling tempted to quit your job/ career. Looking more unkempt as the days go by.
Giving up or getting frustrated is not the solution. Try our tips to help you juggle all those responsibilities better.
Home: Organise and delegate
~ Have a 'clean-up' routine every night before you go to bed, where every family member puts things back in their right place. Even toddlers can help.
~ Make mornings less hectic by planning ahead. Finish things like packing schoolbags and ironing clothes. Decide what you want to wear to work the next day and keep it ready the night before.
~ Have a planned menu. Decide what to cook every day of the following week and shop for groceries accordingly. This can save a lot of time. Have 'timetables' like 'Sambar on Monday', 'Roti-sabji on Tuesday', etc, and make sure you have all the ingredients ready during the weekend. This way, you can avoid those daily trips to the local grocery store or market. Planned meals are healthier too, because they are not last-minute decisions.
~ Give your children quality time every day, even if it is just a couple of hours. Read to them, play games with them and talk to them about their day. It is not important what you do or for how much time you do it. All that matters is that you show your baby you love her/ him.
Tip: Make your kids go to bed early. This will not only give you some peaceful time with your hubby, but also make sure the kids get the forty winks they need.
Home and office: The perennial balancing act
If you are planning to get pregnant soon, ensure you select a company that is family friendly and has reasonable maternity leave policies.
If your job permits it, try working from home, an option that millions of moms all over the world are exploring. This way, you might be able to have your cake and eat it too.
If you not fortunate enough to get flexitime or permission to work from home, then the only option is to be very organised. Save time by making priority lists, using organisers and planning your workday smartly.
Getting back to work: Be prepared, be professional
~ Keep in touch with your boss and co-workers even while you are on maternity leave so you do not feel totally lost when you get back to work. Try to stay in the loop where new developments in your company are concerned.
~ Stay abreast in your field of work. Keep reading, surfing and checking mails when you have the time.
~ Feed your baby before leaving your home and after you get home.
~ Be prepared for a lot of changes and face them without defiance.
Workplace: Efficiency is key of the game
Don't allow work to spill over onto your home and vice versa.
~ Tell you colleagues you would prefer to be contacted via e-mail rather than phone. At the same time, make e-mail communication clear, crisp and concise.
Be as professional as possible and while you are at work and aim for maximum efficiency. This will ease your adjustment phase and people will forget that you were ever away.
Most of all, try and suppress the inherent desire to be 'Supermom' all the time. For your kids, you will always be special even if you are not perfect. What matters the most to them is that you love them and will always be there for them.
Giving up or getting frustrated is not the solution. Try our tips to help you juggle all those responsibilities better.
Home: Organise and delegate
~ Have a 'clean-up' routine every night before you go to bed, where every family member puts things back in their right place. Even toddlers can help.
~ Make mornings less hectic by planning ahead. Finish things like packing schoolbags and ironing clothes. Decide what you want to wear to work the next day and keep it ready the night before.
~ Have a planned menu. Decide what to cook every day of the following week and shop for groceries accordingly. This can save a lot of time. Have 'timetables' like 'Sambar on Monday', 'Roti-sabji on Tuesday', etc, and make sure you have all the ingredients ready during the weekend. This way, you can avoid those daily trips to the local grocery store or market. Planned meals are healthier too, because they are not last-minute decisions.
~ Give your children quality time every day, even if it is just a couple of hours. Read to them, play games with them and talk to them about their day. It is not important what you do or for how much time you do it. All that matters is that you show your baby you love her/ him.
Tip: Make your kids go to bed early. This will not only give you some peaceful time with your hubby, but also make sure the kids get the forty winks they need.
Home and office: The perennial balancing act
If you are planning to get pregnant soon, ensure you select a company that is family friendly and has reasonable maternity leave policies.
If your job permits it, try working from home, an option that millions of moms all over the world are exploring. This way, you might be able to have your cake and eat it too.
If you not fortunate enough to get flexitime or permission to work from home, then the only option is to be very organised. Save time by making priority lists, using organisers and planning your workday smartly.
Getting back to work: Be prepared, be professional
~ Keep in touch with your boss and co-workers even while you are on maternity leave so you do not feel totally lost when you get back to work. Try to stay in the loop where new developments in your company are concerned.
~ Stay abreast in your field of work. Keep reading, surfing and checking mails when you have the time.
~ Feed your baby before leaving your home and after you get home.
~ Be prepared for a lot of changes and face them without defiance.
Workplace: Efficiency is key of the game
Don't allow work to spill over onto your home and vice versa.
~ Tell you colleagues you would prefer to be contacted via e-mail rather than phone. At the same time, make e-mail communication clear, crisp and concise.
Be as professional as possible and while you are at work and aim for maximum efficiency. This will ease your adjustment phase and people will forget that you were ever away.
Most of all, try and suppress the inherent desire to be 'Supermom' all the time. For your kids, you will always be special even if you are not perfect. What matters the most to them is that you love them and will always be there for them.
Pets for kids
So what are the best pets for kids?
Over the years we have had quite a few pets, some have proved to be great pets for kids. So are your kids nagging you to get them a pet? What will you choose?
Perhaps you are looking for a pet as a companion to your kids. Perhaps you have decided that giving your child a pet will help them to develop responsibility.
So what are the best pets for kids will you choose from one of the following pets for kids?
Rabbits live for around 7 years, they need careful handling. Rabbits may bite.
These days people keep rabbits either in a hutch outside or even indoors. Rabbits need large hutches and plenty of space for exercise.
Dogs can live for around 12 years or so.
Dogs love company and become good friends with the owners.
You need to be careful on the breed of dog you choose. Don't allow the kids to tease or hit the dog. This can make dogs aggressive.
Goldfish can live up to 25 years.
They should be kept with other Goldfish
They are easy to look after
Goldfish don't cost much to keep.
Cats can live up to 15 or so years
Cats are independent
They are easy to care for and are clean.
Cats can wander off and get run over
They can scratch your furniture and bring you dead mice and birds.
Before you choose from best pets for kids do some careful thinking about what your family can take on.
All of our best pets for kids take a reasonable amount of care.
Although some pets are cheap to buy, their cage set up and vets bills if they become ill can mount up.
Once you have decided enjoy pets can be wonderful company and a joy to the whole family.
Over the years we have had quite a few pets, some have proved to be great pets for kids. So are your kids nagging you to get them a pet? What will you choose?
Perhaps you are looking for a pet as a companion to your kids. Perhaps you have decided that giving your child a pet will help them to develop responsibility.
So what are the best pets for kids will you choose from one of the following pets for kids?
Rabbits live for around 7 years, they need careful handling. Rabbits may bite.
These days people keep rabbits either in a hutch outside or even indoors. Rabbits need large hutches and plenty of space for exercise.
Dogs can live for around 12 years or so.
Dogs love company and become good friends with the owners.
You need to be careful on the breed of dog you choose. Don't allow the kids to tease or hit the dog. This can make dogs aggressive.
Goldfish can live up to 25 years.
They should be kept with other Goldfish
They are easy to look after
Goldfish don't cost much to keep.
Cats can live up to 15 or so years
Cats are independent
They are easy to care for and are clean.
Cats can wander off and get run over
They can scratch your furniture and bring you dead mice and birds.
Before you choose from best pets for kids do some careful thinking about what your family can take on.
All of our best pets for kids take a reasonable amount of care.
Although some pets are cheap to buy, their cage set up and vets bills if they become ill can mount up.
Once you have decided enjoy pets can be wonderful company and a joy to the whole family.
Reasons why you shouldn’t put off travels with little ones?
No matter what age your children are, it's a great time for taking them on travels near and far. The surprise for many parents is that the amount of preparation and effort put into a day trip with preschoolers to a lake or on a picnic isn’t much different than for a month-long trip to places farther from home. You just have to be prepared to take kid-sized steps and expect to restock on “essentials” as you go.
Traveling with preschoolers is really fun – they are so wide-eyed and ready for adventure, with few, if any preconceptions. You already know what great ice-breakers kids are, they talk to anyone and see other small kids as potential playmates.
More reasons why you shouldn’t put off travels with little ones? Preschoolers have a wonderful ability to conveniently drop off into naps during long train and plane rides – and the cost of taking them on those trains and planes is usually far cheaper than for teens. They’re also often a golden ticket to special favors and attention from strangers everywhere. Traveling in Europe? Don’t be surprised to find waiters greeting kids with a small plate of crackers and cheeses to keep them content while orders are taken and prepared (how smart is that?) In fact, all over the world, restaurants are used to indulging finicky little ones, easy to do since little kids’ tastes usually run to the plain and unadorned.
Traveling with preschoolers is really fun – they are so wide-eyed and ready for adventure, with few, if any preconceptions. You already know what great ice-breakers kids are, they talk to anyone and see other small kids as potential playmates.
More reasons why you shouldn’t put off travels with little ones? Preschoolers have a wonderful ability to conveniently drop off into naps during long train and plane rides – and the cost of taking them on those trains and planes is usually far cheaper than for teens. They’re also often a golden ticket to special favors and attention from strangers everywhere. Traveling in Europe? Don’t be surprised to find waiters greeting kids with a small plate of crackers and cheeses to keep them content while orders are taken and prepared (how smart is that?) In fact, all over the world, restaurants are used to indulging finicky little ones, easy to do since little kids’ tastes usually run to the plain and unadorned.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Activities that make immunity worst
1, The communication circle is too narrow. Friendship is to enhance the immune system constantly "medicine." Studies have proven that a person make friends less, the body more easily get sick, and even life are greatly affected. The researchers found that the number of friends more than 6 people the ability to increase resistance to cold virus by 4 times.
2, Weekdays owed "sleep debt." Deduction of sleep time will make the body often resulting sharp drop in the number of immune cells. University of Chicago researchers found that, compared with those who slept 7-8 hours a day, every day people who slept only 4 hours, the blood of influenza antibodies in only 50% of the former.
3, People who not easy to laugh. Why it is always depressed? University School of Medicine in California found that laughing can reduce the secretion of stress hormones, increasing the number of immune cells. Lunch time to read the section of funny videos, share friends are forwarded jokes or cartoons get happy.
2, Weekdays owed "sleep debt." Deduction of sleep time will make the body often resulting sharp drop in the number of immune cells. University of Chicago researchers found that, compared with those who slept 7-8 hours a day, every day people who slept only 4 hours, the blood of influenza antibodies in only 50% of the former.
3, People who not easy to laugh. Why it is always depressed? University School of Medicine in California found that laughing can reduce the secretion of stress hormones, increasing the number of immune cells. Lunch time to read the section of funny videos, share friends are forwarded jokes or cartoons get happy.
Dogs help to relieve stress for autistic children
Recent research has revealed that dogs that are specially trained could help to relieve stress for autistic children. Dogs have hitherto been used to help the blind and other handicapped people, and now they could make a difference for autistic kids as well.
Specially trained dogs were seen to help lower stress and problematic behavior among autistic children who may have mild symptoms such as some impairment of relationships to more profound symptoms such as anxiety, poor speech and isolation. There has been anecdotal evidence of this previously but now research is also supporting this theory.
Canadian researchers examined the behavior of autistic children before the introduction of a dog into the family, while the dog was a part of the family and then later when the dog was removed from the family.
It was found that when the specially trained dogs from the MIRA Foundation (Quebec) were introduced to be part of the family, fewer behavioral problems such as anxiety and tantrums were reported by parents.
Specially trained dogs were seen to help lower stress and problematic behavior among autistic children who may have mild symptoms such as some impairment of relationships to more profound symptoms such as anxiety, poor speech and isolation. There has been anecdotal evidence of this previously but now research is also supporting this theory.
Canadian researchers examined the behavior of autistic children before the introduction of a dog into the family, while the dog was a part of the family and then later when the dog was removed from the family.
It was found that when the specially trained dogs from the MIRA Foundation (Quebec) were introduced to be part of the family, fewer behavioral problems such as anxiety and tantrums were reported by parents.
Teach kids What Foods are Healthy
A recent study has shown that a healthy diet, early in life, might contribute to a slightly higher IQ.
I believe that knowledge is power. Don't just tell your child what is healthy, and what is not. Instead, teach them the difference between healthy and non-healthy foods. They will listen because they love to learn at this age. While they may not always make the healthiest choice, at least they will have the tools to help them stay on the right path later in life. And, who knows, maybe they'll just be a little smarter because of it.
I believe that knowledge is power. Don't just tell your child what is healthy, and what is not. Instead, teach them the difference between healthy and non-healthy foods. They will listen because they love to learn at this age. While they may not always make the healthiest choice, at least they will have the tools to help them stay on the right path later in life. And, who knows, maybe they'll just be a little smarter because of it.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Kis and TV
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 2 years old not watch any TV and that those older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming.
The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.
As kids get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family.
Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it — TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.
But despite its advantages, too much television can be detrimental:
•Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
•Kids who view violent acts are more likely to show aggressive behavior but also fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
•TV characters often depict risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and also reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.
The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.
As kids get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family.
Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it — TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.
But despite its advantages, too much television can be detrimental:
•Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
•Kids who view violent acts are more likely to show aggressive behavior but also fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
•TV characters often depict risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and also reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.
Choosing appropriate child care
Choosing appropriate child care for your infant or young child can seem as overwhelming as helping your teenager select a college or university. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, and nurturing. Here are some tips for making such an important decision.
Your Child and Family
About 70% of parents place their young children in some type of daily care. Whether you choose in-home or center-based care, a preschool, or someone else's home for your child's daily care setting, you should follow some specific guidelines to ensure receiving quality, professional care.
Most important is to know your own child's temperament, likes and dislikes, health, interests, and behavior.
For a baby under 1 year old, give careful attention to your child's need to be nurtured and held, any special health needs, and the type of person you want to care for your child during the first year of life.
For an older child, developing play and learning styles, interaction with other kids, intellectual curiosity, and need for individualized attention should be considered.
The family's own values and emotional needs also come into play.
Some parents are overly anxious about leaving their very young child with one person, while others prefer this individual care. But by age 3 or 4, it's good for kids to have at least some exposure to other kids and participate in a structured program like preschool or daycare.
Your Child and Family
About 70% of parents place their young children in some type of daily care. Whether you choose in-home or center-based care, a preschool, or someone else's home for your child's daily care setting, you should follow some specific guidelines to ensure receiving quality, professional care.
Most important is to know your own child's temperament, likes and dislikes, health, interests, and behavior.
For a baby under 1 year old, give careful attention to your child's need to be nurtured and held, any special health needs, and the type of person you want to care for your child during the first year of life.
For an older child, developing play and learning styles, interaction with other kids, intellectual curiosity, and need for individualized attention should be considered.
The family's own values and emotional needs also come into play.
Some parents are overly anxious about leaving their very young child with one person, while others prefer this individual care. But by age 3 or 4, it's good for kids to have at least some exposure to other kids and participate in a structured program like preschool or daycare.
Bad habit of sucking fingers and its effects on teeth
Does your child have a habit of finger sucking?
The following reviews that may be useful for you:
Children suck things because sucking is one of the baby’s natural reflexes.
These habits in children makes her feel safe and happy. While this makes the child comfortable suck, there are some side effects that accompany it.
Sucking habit is to make children become quickly falling asleep.
After the permanent teeth grow, this sucking habit can be a problem while developing the composition of developing mouth and teeth of children.
Figure besides this is one example of the results from the habit of sucking mouth done in a long time and intensive
This habit can cause changes in soft palate
The intensity of this affect the presence or absence of suck these abnormalities may develop in children.
When children suck with passive seems to have disorders that are lighter than when carried out continuously.
Some babies who suck fingers with aggressive disorders could arise in the maxillary dentition phase, t.
If your baby has teeth arrangement problem , immediately contact your dentist to cope with this.
Usually children stop the habit of sucking it at the age of two to four years.
Tips:
* Children are usually suck because of feelings of discomfort (due to the environment or some specific disease), focus on this to give you comfort your child.
* Your dentist can help children to motivate children to stop this bad habit.
The following reviews that may be useful for you:
Children suck things because sucking is one of the baby’s natural reflexes.
These habits in children makes her feel safe and happy. While this makes the child comfortable suck, there are some side effects that accompany it.
Sucking habit is to make children become quickly falling asleep.
After the permanent teeth grow, this sucking habit can be a problem while developing the composition of developing mouth and teeth of children.
Figure besides this is one example of the results from the habit of sucking mouth done in a long time and intensive
This habit can cause changes in soft palate
The intensity of this affect the presence or absence of suck these abnormalities may develop in children.
When children suck with passive seems to have disorders that are lighter than when carried out continuously.
Some babies who suck fingers with aggressive disorders could arise in the maxillary dentition phase, t.
If your baby has teeth arrangement problem , immediately contact your dentist to cope with this.
Usually children stop the habit of sucking it at the age of two to four years.
Tips:
* Children are usually suck because of feelings of discomfort (due to the environment or some specific disease), focus on this to give you comfort your child.
* Your dentist can help children to motivate children to stop this bad habit.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
How to care your baby’s skin
Bathing twice a day, morning and afternoon, was to make the body clean and healthy baby. Bathing is important to liberate the child from dirt or germs that might be stuck in her skin, as well as to prevent the arrival of prickly heat that often arise in areas of folds, such as the forehead, neck, and body parts covered with clothes.
Every time the shower, child’s body should be cleaned down to the folds of her skin. This is what must be considered:
- Note the temperature of bath water, especially for the newborn. Should the temperature not too hot or cold.
- Choose a special baby soap that is generally safe and not cause irritation. Very good when rinsing performed twice to clean up the chemical. If irritation persists against a particular brand should switch to another brand, do not let it drag on.
- Areas such as between your fingers, armpits, and groin, should not be missed.
- How to clean the genitals female infants and men differently. In baby girls, wash genitals from front to rear or towards the anus by using a cotton or wet washcloth. In boys, pull her hood slowly until urine appears hole, then wipe with a damp cotton or cloth.
- Every time a baby defecate, rinse the anus and the surrounding area by using clean running water. If forced to use paper towels or wet cotton, choose a particular baby wipes without alcohol. Alcohol is feared could make baby’s skin irritated.
* After a bath, use a soft towel to be comfortable on baby’s skin.
- Notice of the suit and its treatment.
Baby clothes important to note because the selection of materials that are not appropriate clothing can increase your risk of skin irritation. Material rigid, hard, harsh, make hot, or too thick can also make her fussy because they feel uncomfortable. Here are some tips you should do:
- Select clothing and diapers made from soft and thin cotton or mixtures thereof. Avoid nylon material that is generally easy to make babies hot and sweating. This condition will easily invite germs or bacteria which easily led to a rash and itching. If the baby can scratch, the possibility of infection becomes greater.
- Avoid clothes and diapers that are too tight because it can make the skin rubbed baby injured when the old material.
- Change the baby’s clothes immediately when exposed to dirt. Whether it be vomit, spilled food, especially if exposed to feces or urine. Skin contact with feces and urine in a long time will cause diaper rash.
- Wash the baby clothes with liquid soap because the chemicals in soap powder detergents are generally more sharply. If the material is left in the clothes detergent is likely to make the baby’s skin irritated. She also may use the provided soap cream soap first mixed with water and become liquid. Perfuming clothing not recommended. Of particular concern is not the fragrance liquid contact with the skin of a baby, but a scent that can be inhaled into the baby’s body. Just so you know, the smell of perfume contained in garments containing chemicals.
* Select a safe cosmetics
To improve the quality of skin care baby, please just parents using baby cosmetics. However, use these cosmetics correctly by following the rules set out and do not be exaggerated. The use of cosmetics is haphazard and likely will make excessive blockage in the pores. These blockages can bring out a rash that is feared will attenuate the baby’s skin, in addition to the dangers that might arise if it is absorbed by the body.
Problem habit of powdering or membalurkan telon oil on the baby’s body after a shower, according to Lis, could proceed. This proved to reduce the likelihood of irritation. Telon oil can also avoid baby from insect bites because of the smell that stung and did not like insects.
- Cut the baby nails regularly
Nails infants who are not well maintained often cause problems for the baby’s skin. For example, long-long nails are more easily accessible dirt. If the baby is scratching his body, is likely to occur infection. To that end, cut the baby nails regularly.
- Beware of the sun
Environmental temperature is not right for your child will make his skin react, for example immediately appear reddish color. Associated with it, Lis recommend a few things, such as:
** Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon. Based on research, stings infants are often exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun during the day will face the risk of skin cancer as adults.
** If you want to take the baby out of the house, use a protector like an umbrella or a hat. Sun protection cream (sun block) may be used provided that the physician is consulted first. Be careful not to the eyes, mouth, and hands the little guy.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
safety considerations for toy selection at different ages
From birth to age three, the chief safety concern is that a child will put small or removable parts in their mouth. Exploring taste and texture with their mouth is the easiest way that infants and toddlers have to begin to understand their world, and they naturally send everything to their mouth as a means of introduction. Because of this tendency it is important to find toys that have no small parts that can be taken off or that would pop off easily when bitten or pulled.
For any age, toys should be made from safe, non toxic materials and finishes, as well, so that there are no paints or dyes chipping off. It is also important to make sure there are no long strings or ribbons that pose a choking hazard for infants and young children. Soft or lightweight wooden toys are a good choice in the first eighteen months because as a child is in the process of learning how to pick things up and developing fine motor skills, their control has yet to be perfected and they can hit themselves or others with hard objects.
After age three it is important to look at the moving parts of a toy or ride-on and make sure that they are designed with small fingers and toes in mind. Drawers with a gap instead of a handle or pull are ideal for children because they can learn to operate them without risk of slamming their fingers inside. You should feel over cars and other handheld toys to make sure there are no sharp edges and inspect them frequently to make sure that nothing has broken off, exposing a sharp edge. Ride-on cars and child-sized furniture should be balanced appropriately for a child's height so they won't fall off.
Children respond uniquely to different shapes and it's important to figure out what's right for your child. Many people shy away from stools, for examples, even though they are the most comfortable and safe option for some children. Being aware of what your child responds positively and negatively to is the best way to keep them safe and happy and stimulated.
Benefits to have pets for kids
Pets, whether a dog, cat, bird, hamster, reptile or fish, help children gain a sense of independence that can set them on the path to becoming mature, responsible adults.
Pets Teach Kids To Be Responsible
Children can learn the importance of responsibility at an early age by acting as a caretaker for a pet. Fish are a terrific first pet because children can play a large role in caring for them. However, other pets that require more attention, like a cat or dog, can present an ideal opportunity for parent and child to bond while caring for the pet together. Showing children what it means to be responsible for another creature's survival can result in teaching important life lessons such as discipline, patience, kindness and attentiveness.
Pets Can Help Kids Develop Discipline
Walking the dog, feeding the guinea pig and talking to the parrot can serve as fun study breaks for kids, and a replacement for television programs and video games. These pet-related activities help children remain focused on the task at hand, and are less likely to become distractions that will prevent homework and chores from being completed.
Pets Prepare Kids For Life Situations
Bringing a pet home and into the family can be an effective way to help prepare children for real life scenarios. For example, pets can ease the transition of suddenly having to share mom and dad's attention with a new brother or sister by demonstrating how much fun new playmates can be, as well as what is involved in caring for another. Pets can also help kids learn to deal with medical issues and illnesses as they are exposed to routine veterinarian check-ups with their pet, and the treatments for various ailments.
Pets Teach Kids To Be Responsible
Children can learn the importance of responsibility at an early age by acting as a caretaker for a pet. Fish are a terrific first pet because children can play a large role in caring for them. However, other pets that require more attention, like a cat or dog, can present an ideal opportunity for parent and child to bond while caring for the pet together. Showing children what it means to be responsible for another creature's survival can result in teaching important life lessons such as discipline, patience, kindness and attentiveness.
Pets Can Help Kids Develop Discipline
Walking the dog, feeding the guinea pig and talking to the parrot can serve as fun study breaks for kids, and a replacement for television programs and video games. These pet-related activities help children remain focused on the task at hand, and are less likely to become distractions that will prevent homework and chores from being completed.
Pets Prepare Kids For Life Situations
Bringing a pet home and into the family can be an effective way to help prepare children for real life scenarios. For example, pets can ease the transition of suddenly having to share mom and dad's attention with a new brother or sister by demonstrating how much fun new playmates can be, as well as what is involved in caring for another. Pets can also help kids learn to deal with medical issues and illnesses as they are exposed to routine veterinarian check-ups with their pet, and the treatments for various ailments.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
You probably heard it from your own parents: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But now you're the one saying it — to your sleepy, frazzled, grumpy kids, who insist "I'm not hungry" as you try to get everyone fed and moving in the morning.
Even if you eat a healthy morning meal every day, it can be tough to get kids fueled up in time for school, childcare, or a day of play. But it's important to try. Here's how to make breakfast more appealing for everyone.
Why Bother With Breakfast?
Breakfast is a great way to give the body the refueling it needs. Kids who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier overall and are more likely to participate in physical activities — two great ways to help maintain a healthy weight.
Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired, restless, or irritable. In the morning, their bodies need to refuel for the day ahead after going without food for 8 to 12 hours during sleep. Their mood and energy can drop by midmorning if they don't eat at least a small morning meal.
Breakfast also can help keep kids' weight in check. Breakfast kick-starts the body's metabolism, the process by which the body converts the fuel in food to energy. And when the metabolism gets moving, the body starts burning calories.
Also, people who don't eat breakfast often consume more calories throughout the day and are more likely to be overweight. That's because someone who skips breakfast is likely to get famished before lunchtime and snack on high-calorie foods or overeat at lunch.
Even if you eat a healthy morning meal every day, it can be tough to get kids fueled up in time for school, childcare, or a day of play. But it's important to try. Here's how to make breakfast more appealing for everyone.
Why Bother With Breakfast?
Breakfast is a great way to give the body the refueling it needs. Kids who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier overall and are more likely to participate in physical activities — two great ways to help maintain a healthy weight.
Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired, restless, or irritable. In the morning, their bodies need to refuel for the day ahead after going without food for 8 to 12 hours during sleep. Their mood and energy can drop by midmorning if they don't eat at least a small morning meal.
Breakfast also can help keep kids' weight in check. Breakfast kick-starts the body's metabolism, the process by which the body converts the fuel in food to energy. And when the metabolism gets moving, the body starts burning calories.
Also, people who don't eat breakfast often consume more calories throughout the day and are more likely to be overweight. That's because someone who skips breakfast is likely to get famished before lunchtime and snack on high-calorie foods or overeat at lunch.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Obesity-Related Health Problems in Kids
It's well known that childhood obesity is a risk factor for chronic diseases in adulthood. But what many parents might not realize until problems arise is that overweight and obese kids and teens often have weight-related problems during childhood.
Kids who are considered obese (with a body mass index, or BMI, at or above the 95th percentile) are at risk for:
•obstructive sleep apnea (blocked breathing during sleep)
•breathing problems (such as asthma and exercise intolerance)
•type 2 diabetes
•high blood pressure (hypertension)
•bone and joint problems
•liver disease
•elevated cholesterol and triglycerides (which are risk factors for cardiovascular problems)
•menstrual irregularities
•anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
•bullying and discrimination
The far-reaching health problems associated with obesity have dire implications for kids right now. So it's vital that parents do all they can to help kids reach and maintain a healthy weight. Being a good role model is a key part of this — let your kids see you eating healthy foods in appropriate serving sizes, enjoying treats in moderation, and exercising regularly.
Kids who are considered obese (with a body mass index, or BMI, at or above the 95th percentile) are at risk for:
•obstructive sleep apnea (blocked breathing during sleep)
•breathing problems (such as asthma and exercise intolerance)
•type 2 diabetes
•high blood pressure (hypertension)
•bone and joint problems
•liver disease
•elevated cholesterol and triglycerides (which are risk factors for cardiovascular problems)
•menstrual irregularities
•anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
•bullying and discrimination
The far-reaching health problems associated with obesity have dire implications for kids right now. So it's vital that parents do all they can to help kids reach and maintain a healthy weight. Being a good role model is a key part of this — let your kids see you eating healthy foods in appropriate serving sizes, enjoying treats in moderation, and exercising regularly.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Ideas and images for decorating children’ rooms
Having your children’s room being decorated surely is fun and full of excitement and activities with them. However, to do such activities, parents should understand about many rules and children’s need. For example, each child has his/her own favorite colors, themes, needs, and space, and parents should know what the child want for his/her bedroom.
Last but not least, pay attention to the quality of furniture and safety as well. These are some pictures and ideas that you may use for decorating children’s room, plus things that are important for doing it.
A). Paint Colors options : Color is fundamental to provide a positive environment to the room. It is much better to ask some advices and opinions from the children, since it is their room, so they should feel more comfortable in it. Moreover, room is a private and personal place for everyone, every child also has right to own their room.
B). Space provide : Furniture, such as wardrobe, desk, bed, are important in a room, for keeping many stuffs , they are functional elements of any bedroom. However, for children’s room, we also should leave a space for them to do their activities, such as doing games, running, playing, jumping, etc, and it is also very important for their life development. Provide a large colorful carpet or mattress on the space. And let your child do many positive activities with confidence and comfort.
C). Safety guaranteed : When you choose furniture, make sure that the furniture do not have any sharp edges that can harm your child, while they are active (jumping, running, kicking, etc) or any elements that can be dangerous, such as toxic materials, breakable furniture, heavy furniture that can fall down easily, etc.
A). Paint Colors options : Color is fundamental to provide a positive environment to the room. It is much better to ask some advices and opinions from the children, since it is their room, so they should feel more comfortable in it. Moreover, room is a private and personal place for everyone, every child also has right to own their room.
B). Space provide : Furniture, such as wardrobe, desk, bed, are important in a room, for keeping many stuffs , they are functional elements of any bedroom. However, for children’s room, we also should leave a space for them to do their activities, such as doing games, running, playing, jumping, etc, and it is also very important for their life development. Provide a large colorful carpet or mattress on the space. And let your child do many positive activities with confidence and comfort.
C). Safety guaranteed : When you choose furniture, make sure that the furniture do not have any sharp edges that can harm your child, while they are active (jumping, running, kicking, etc) or any elements that can be dangerous, such as toxic materials, breakable furniture, heavy furniture that can fall down easily, etc.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Bring your children’ appetite on table
Try to give more cheerful and appetizing atmosphere in their meal time. It can be fun game during meal time, or cute and funny decorated dishes, or even provide adorable utensils for kids. Children surely different from adults, just give them a choice to eat from the plate they like, with many colors and pictures (people, animals, shapes, etc)
With utensils that suitable with them, children can also enlarge their imagination skill, independence skill, or creative skill during their meal time activities.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Baby’s Bed Room : “Imagination Over Dreams … “
A soft light, a gentle lullaby, the thrill of rocking your baby in the simplicity of a dance light create the harmony of a unique relationship.
Choose a room for your child is choosing his world. It’s the world of dreams, fairy tales, colors. With this collection of products that has tried to create a fun, lively, safe, easily adaptable to the needs of children growing up in a hurry.
Creativity is stimulated by the baby’s soft and cheerful decorations applied to cribs, cots and changing tables. Its serenity is born with a friendly atmosphere of lines accurate and essential addition to the warmth of wood associated with the cheerful pastel colors.
Choose a room for your child is choosing his world. It’s the world of dreams, fairy tales, colors. With this collection of products that has tried to create a fun, lively, safe, easily adaptable to the needs of children growing up in a hurry.
Creativity is stimulated by the baby’s soft and cheerful decorations applied to cribs, cots and changing tables. Its serenity is born with a friendly atmosphere of lines accurate and essential addition to the warmth of wood associated with the cheerful pastel colors.
Monday, January 17, 2011
ZARA Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 - Kids
Are you looking for unique and stylish clothes for your children next year? Just look at this new adorable collection from Zara kids Autumn Winter 2010-2011.
There are many shapes and styles for the cold season, and comfortable fashion that will please both you and kids, especially girls. More important thing is that, in September, Zara will open its online shop, so you can review all items of this collection directly from the website and order them.
For this collection, wool is the most used fabric of Zara, and it is adaptable well from the material of clothing and accessories collection for women and girl Zara Winter 2011. Check out some of the unusual combinations, like sweater wool that combined with wide skirt of lace. The result is unique! Just imagine it with leggings and boots.
Among the highlights of the collection, there is a thick wool hat, for girls, which goes perfectly with shorts and shirt with floral pattern, uniquely made by the faux fur vest as the same as the women’s collection. Then the hood, which available in both versions, women and girls. Girls in Zara collection was conducted through a double row of large buttons on the front.
For girls who love the sea Zara, the Spanish brand has decided to implement a part of the collection, all white stripes and blue jeans and a shirt, complemented by a cute blue reefer by double gold buttons.
For boys, Zara has thought of a more sober and casual look, such as comfort swarms and durability of jeans, perfect for their busy and fun day, matching with plaid shirts and wool sweaters with diamond designs for the coldest times of winter.
There are many shapes and styles for the cold season, and comfortable fashion that will please both you and kids, especially girls. More important thing is that, in September, Zara will open its online shop, so you can review all items of this collection directly from the website and order them.
For this collection, wool is the most used fabric of Zara, and it is adaptable well from the material of clothing and accessories collection for women and girl Zara Winter 2011. Check out some of the unusual combinations, like sweater wool that combined with wide skirt of lace. The result is unique! Just imagine it with leggings and boots.
Among the highlights of the collection, there is a thick wool hat, for girls, which goes perfectly with shorts and shirt with floral pattern, uniquely made by the faux fur vest as the same as the women’s collection. Then the hood, which available in both versions, women and girls. Girls in Zara collection was conducted through a double row of large buttons on the front.
For girls who love the sea Zara, the Spanish brand has decided to implement a part of the collection, all white stripes and blue jeans and a shirt, complemented by a cute blue reefer by double gold buttons.
For boys, Zara has thought of a more sober and casual look, such as comfort swarms and durability of jeans, perfect for their busy and fun day, matching with plaid shirts and wool sweaters with diamond designs for the coldest times of winter.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Am I 'Too Tough' When I Discipline My Kids?
As the saying goes, "Desperate times call for desperate measures." When your child's safety is at risk — whether he's run into the street, reached for an open flame, or gotten dangerously close to a pool — yelling, screaming, or crying out is a perfectly normal (and necessary!) response. After all, at that moment, you would do anything possible to get your child's attention and get him out of harm's way.
After an episode like this, it's natural for kids to cry — and for you to want to apologize. But the truth is, your kids are likely crying in response to the fear and urgency in your voice, not because you've been "too stern." At times like these, it's OK to comfort them without apologizing. Give your child a hug and say something like, "I know you're upset. But what you did was dangerous and I was scared that you were going to get hurt. You must never do that again." Punishing kids after an event like this is usually not necessary, since they've probably learned their lesson.
On the other hand, there are times when being too stern — like yelling regularly for minor offences — can backfire. Kids can become immune to parents' overblown reactions and fail to take them seriously. If you feel yourself getting into this habit, take a deep breath before responding to your child's behavior and ask yourself, "Am I about to overreact?" If so, walk away for a few minutes and come back when you've calmed down.
In general, when it comes to disciplining kids, it's best to speak with a low, firm voice and to keep your focus on the behavior, not the child. It's also helpful to use natural consequences whenever possible. That means if your child has thrown a toy, ask her to pick it up. If she's taken something from her sibling, ask her to return it. If she chooses not to comply, an age-appropriate timeout or other consequence should follow, despite tearful pleas. Consistency is the key to effective discipline, and giving in to a child's tears may inadvertently reinforce negative behavior.
After an episode like this, it's natural for kids to cry — and for you to want to apologize. But the truth is, your kids are likely crying in response to the fear and urgency in your voice, not because you've been "too stern." At times like these, it's OK to comfort them without apologizing. Give your child a hug and say something like, "I know you're upset. But what you did was dangerous and I was scared that you were going to get hurt. You must never do that again." Punishing kids after an event like this is usually not necessary, since they've probably learned their lesson.
On the other hand, there are times when being too stern — like yelling regularly for minor offences — can backfire. Kids can become immune to parents' overblown reactions and fail to take them seriously. If you feel yourself getting into this habit, take a deep breath before responding to your child's behavior and ask yourself, "Am I about to overreact?" If so, walk away for a few minutes and come back when you've calmed down.
In general, when it comes to disciplining kids, it's best to speak with a low, firm voice and to keep your focus on the behavior, not the child. It's also helpful to use natural consequences whenever possible. That means if your child has thrown a toy, ask her to pick it up. If she's taken something from her sibling, ask her to return it. If she chooses not to comply, an age-appropriate timeout or other consequence should follow, despite tearful pleas. Consistency is the key to effective discipline, and giving in to a child's tears may inadvertently reinforce negative behavior.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Children’ room: all in one room
Dedicated for furnishing the baby furniture, bedroom furniture that can combine tastes of boys and girls in the same room. It’s hard fact, that space for little boys and girls have to be in separate rooms, one solution that we recommend is the use of common colors, but with the symbols that are coveted as gifts to your children.
For boys comes straight from Gotham City superhero superheroes Superman, while for girls the sweet Hello Kitty Oriental CIA International.
As you can see the colors are the same, just as strong and bright like our little rascals. Find themselves in the same environment, that can choose the location of the room, avoiding the space that may occupy a room modular. The peculiarity of these bedrooms is that everything can be changed. The headboard of Hello Kitty or the ante with a print comic.
Everything in growth can be reused, especially because this kind of icons are also sought after by teenagers and even by the greatest. You will see that this will be an informed purchase. And even if the newcomer would need space in the room as roommates.
For boys comes straight from Gotham City superhero superheroes Superman, while for girls the sweet Hello Kitty Oriental CIA International.
As you can see the colors are the same, just as strong and bright like our little rascals. Find themselves in the same environment, that can choose the location of the room, avoiding the space that may occupy a room modular. The peculiarity of these bedrooms is that everything can be changed. The headboard of Hello Kitty or the ante with a print comic.
Everything in growth can be reused, especially because this kind of icons are also sought after by teenagers and even by the greatest. You will see that this will be an informed purchase. And even if the newcomer would need space in the room as roommates.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Car sickness in children
Before you travelBefore a long trip you must be sure that your child has enough sleep, lack of sleep can increase the sense of nausea. We therefore recommend to wake him at the last minute, to avoid the stress of the preparations. It is also important that they travel on a full stomach, a good breakfast or a snack of complex carbohydrates and low in fat (a bit of bread, for example) are ideal, but as far as possible avoid giving him liquid, especially the milk. Expected to have digested a bit before leaving.
If your child often suffer from motion sickness, you can give him half an hour before the start of the antihistamines, for sale at any pharmacy (always ask your doctor).
The sick feeling in the means of transport is often psychological. Always explain to your child how to play the journey, the anxiety before the departure may increase the sickness.
How to prevent your child has sicknessDriving smoothly, with no brake suddenly, and rather take the highway that the country roads, narrow and winding. Create a serene and quiet in the cockpit, with the soft music. Why not sing along? In the event of a traffic jam or not to show your child that you are getting nervous, will suffer too.
Choose a seat with the back straight and tall enough so your child can see out the window. Draws his attention outward, for example by the game to count the red cars, not let it read: the risk of nausea increased when attention is focused on a fixed point. Also avoid strong smells (perfume, garlic salami,etc).
If the weather is clement, open the window and you get a bit of fresh air. Keep car wipes or a bottle of refreshing water spray to refresh your face in case of intense heat. If you are traveling in winter, remember that scarves and high collars foster a sense of nausea.
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