After Birth
For days on end, she looked out of the bedroom window, rocking her baby back and forth on her glider. The maple tree waved at her daily as the breeze came through its branches. Gradually, the leaves made their annual change from green to red and orange and yellow. She watched as the leaves transformed, jealous of their seamless change as she struggled to make her own transition to motherhood. Eventually, the leaves turned brown and one by one, fell to the ground, allowing the tree to gather energy from within to make it through the cold winter. She wondered …
What Causes Tooth Cavities Among Children
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is not just a problem among adults. Children experience this dental issue as well. Parents, especially first-timers, start to wonder what exactly causes their children’s teeth to rot and how they can prevent it. For toddlers, the most common cause of tooth decay is going to bed with a bottle of juice or milk. This problem is particularly called baby-bottle tooth caries. The liquid contained inside the baby bottle can sit in the child’s mouth and create an ideal place for bacteria to breed and multiply. Tooth decay begins when the …
Understanding Sugar Addiction in Children
It is official. Sugar is an addictive substance. Actually, it has been official for quite a while. A 2008 study published in Neuroscience &Behavioral Reviews concluded that sugar meets the criteria for a substance of abuse and may be addictive when people binge on this food. This news affects all of us, but it’s most damaging to our children. The problem with sugar Some may argue that there’s nothing wrong with sugar because it’s a natural substance. This is true. The problem is that we’ve extracted this substance from its natural source and saturated our food supply with sugar. In other …
Single Parent Tips: Raising A Baby With One Income
Facing the prospect of life with only one income can seem daunting. Whether it be because of a layoff or by lifestyle choice, you can transition to a one-income status with proper planning and still raise your baby well. If you manage your finances right and cut down unnecessary expenses, your life with your baby will move on with joy. Based on my personal experience, dividing the family’s expenses into two categories has helped me determine what costs need to be eliminated in order to make ends meet. Below are the first three steps you need to take. Step 1: …
Babysitter – What she Needs to Know (2)
Health insurance information you may need Insurance company: Group/policy number: Policy holder’s name: Policy holder’s identification number: Details about our children (Input child’s full name, age, weight, height, nap and/or bed times, plus special instructions–food allergies, medical condition(s), names of medication(s) and dosages, special instructions) (Input child’s full name, age, weight, height, nap and/or bed times, plus special instructions–food allergies, medical condition(s), names of medication(s) and dosages, special instructions) (Input child’s full name, age, weight, height, nap and/or bed times, plus special instructions–food allergies, medical condition(s), names of medication(s) and dosages, special instructions) (Input child’s full name, age, weight, height, …
Observing Mother’s Day with Renewed Appreciation (2)
Becoming Empowered Parents Initially the ordeal was especially frustrating because there seemed to be so little we could actually do, further magnifying feeling helpless. In becoming an empowered parent and “do something” I searched the Internet for articles and information that would educate us(quickly) about what was happening to our daughter and for additional modalities that could be integrated into her treatment. These modalities included prayers and blessings, music, womb heart sounds and Reiki (healing touch).In utilizing an integrative medicine approach we hoped to bolster her inherent strength and inner healing abilities recognizing what Hippocrates said that Nature cures—not the …
Tips for Childproofing Your Home (2)
Childproofing your home’s bathroom: Put a lock on the medicine cabinet. To prevent poisoning, lock away all vitamins and medicines. Install toilet-lid locks to prevent drowning. Lower the household water temperature. Always test the water first before bathing a child. Make sure bathtubs and showers aren’t slippery. Use electrical appliances carefully. Install ground-fault circuit interrupters on outlets near sinks and bathtubs. Never leave a young child alone in the bathroom. Childproofing the kitchen: Keep knives, cleaning supplies, and plastic bags out of children’s reach. To avoid fires and burns, never leave cooking food unattended. If stove knobs are easily accessible …
Are You Having a Charlie Brown Christmas? (2)
After seven years of feeling blue and having Charlie Brown Christmases, my final year of training 1995, I decided to change how I was viewing my life, my situation and stop turning Christmas into a problem. I began looking for positives rather than only seeing the negatives, focusing on the true reasons for the season—peace and good will. I consciously started behaving more compassionately so I would feel better. Altruism, performing acts of kindness selflessly for others, was my way of coping and surviving. That year I decided if I couldn’t be with my family, friends or someone that I …
Hiring a Nanny – The Nanny’s View (2)
Time Off for Your Nanny A nanny, like any other employee, needs time off. This is especially key with a live in nanny. Unless otherwise agreed upon, your nanny is not there as a babysitter for your child when you go out to dinner or away for a weekend. If you do ask her to do these things for you, in addition to any regular work hours, she will need to be compensated, either with extra pay or with time off during the week. Taking Your Nanny on Family Vacations If you ask your nanny to travel with you and …
