Giving Educational Toys

Toys that provide educational value as well as fun are generally more valuable to children and will benefit them better in the long run. If a gift proves to be practical and useful to the recipient, we as gift givers also get a special sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, knowing that we gave a good present that should serve its purpose fully. Lots of educational toys abound in shopping malls and on the Internet, and selecting the appropriate toys for your children can prove to be a chore if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Here are some helpful hints and tips to guide you in looking for the best educational toys for your toddler:

Let them puzzle it out – Puzzles are always favorites of children, whether 2 years old or 13. If your child is 2 years old or below, then alphabet puzzles and similar items would be best, as well as numbers, colors, or shapes-related puzzles. Audio and time-related puzzles work best for children between 3 to 5 years old. Older kids will prefer puzzles related to word forming, maps, space, and math.

Arts and Crafts – Develop your child’s creativity by giving them arts and crafts kits and supplies. Things like clay, drawing and coloring books, colored pens and pencils, painting sets, and even a basic children’s digital camera will work wonders. These gifts will allow them to use and develop their knowledge, imagination, and coordination.

Books – Books are never out of style, and the selection of children’s books that are available today keep getting better and better. They are just filled to the brim with valuable information and are arranged in a way that will be sure to provide your kids with hours and hours of reading pleasure and fun, while getting the knowledge that will later on prove to be invaluable. There are children’s books about science, math, reading, grammar, colors, shapes, etc. Older kids will also love inspirational biographies of famous historical figures.

CDs and DVDs – Another favorite gift item for children that’s sure to be a hit is a CD or DVD filled with lots of fun and knowledge. Easy-to-follow and catchy songs, audio storybooks, rhymes, and much more can be found in these multimedia marvels for children. They can even start learning a second language, or know all sorts of fun and interesting trivia.

Block Them – Countless blocks of all sizes, shapes, and colors are easily found in your local shopping mall, toy store, or in specialty shops on the World Wide Web. Blocks are actually the first educational toys, and probably also the first to be played with by your children even when he or she is still a baby. They are invaluable for teaching kids all about the alphabet, colors, shapes, and numbers. Of course, blocks are also important tools for developing a child’s imagination, allowing him or her to freely build and stack according to his own whims and designs.

Board Games – There are plenty of great board games for children of all ages to play and learn with. Aside from providing them hours of fun and entertainment while learning, board games are also a great way for parents and children to spend quality time together. Parents can teach their kids all about fair play, following the rules, how to create strategies for winning, etc.

Babies And Napping

Naptime is a blessing for you and your baby. Here are some tips on how to make this important time as beneficial as possible for you both.

Why Should Babies Nap?

Naps are not just important for their restorative value, although that is their most obvious benefit. Children’s sleep expert Elizabeth Pantley describes some of the other advantages to napping:

• Adequate sleep is important in brain development. Some research has shown that daytime napping may help move new information into a more permanent place in a child’s memory.

• Napping can affect nighttime sleep. A child who needs a nap but does not get one can become overtired and have trouble falling asleep at night.

• Studies have shown that children who nap have longer attention spans and are less fussy than those who do not nap.

• A child’s biology dictates that a nap is necessary after midday, when energy levels tend to drop. (Adults feel the same way, but sleep is not usually an option for them.)

• Sleep releases stress-fighting hormones.

• Napping can help a child catch up on sleep if their previous night’s sleep was disrupted.

When Should Babies Nap?

The answer to this question varies according to the age of the baby. Newborns, easily overwhelmed by their new surroundings, tend to nap frequently. They often have catnaps throughout the day, with a couple of longer naps in the morning and afternoon. Between three and six months, babies settle into a routine of morning and afternoon naps. This age presents the ideal opportunity for you to establish a nap routine that works with your baby’s biological signals for rest.

Young babies between the ages of three and six months generally have one morning nap of about an hour, and one afternoon nap of slightly longer duration, usually closer to two hours in length. Some babies are more comfortable with three shorter naps of about 45 minutes each. The number of naps is not as important as the total amount of sleep and the general disposition of your baby: if Baby is cranky, chances are she is not getting enough sleep.

Morning and afternoon naps continue throughout the first year. Between one and two years of age, most children can go without a morning nap, but still need an afternoon nap. The afternoon nap typically continues until about the age of four.

As for the exact time a baby should nap, that is mostly Baby’s decision. Some sleep experts advise that when trying to establish a nap schedule, you plan to put Baby down about two hours after she wakes in the morning and again after a midday meal. Babies who require a third nap usually take it in the early evening.

Most babies indicate they are ready for a nap through a variety of signals, discussed later in this article. If you try to put a baby down when he is not tired, chances are pretty slim that he’ll fall asleep. Heed Baby’s signs and try to work with his natural sleep cycles and you’ll find a good basis for a nap routine.

How Long Should Naps Be?

Sleep is a critical component of babies’ mental and physical development so it is important that they get enough of it. Babies will usually become tired on their own and will sleep when they need to, but some parents like to create a schedule. Do what works best for you – let Baby dictate sleep time or set a schedule. The key is to make sure that your baby gets the sleep she needs.

The amount of naptime required decreases as a baby gets older. At four months, a baby needs about 4 to 6 hours of naptime. At six months, babies tend to nap a little less, needing about 3 to 4 hours. By his first birthday, Baby needs about 2 to 3 hours of naptime and he may get it from one nap or two. Once she is into her toddler years, your little one will need only one nap of about 1 to 2 hours.

Sleep Signs – Knowing When Baby is Ready for a Nap

Learning your baby’s sleep signs is extremely important. If you do not recognize them or choose to ignore them, the “sleep window” will close and you’ll end up with a cranky, overtired baby who cannot fall asleep.

Signs to look for include:

• rubbing eyes
• yawning
• slowing down and quieting down
• fussiness
• thumb sucking or reaching for a pacifier or sleep toy
• wanting to nurse or have a bottle

In an ideal world, when Baby is ready to sleep, you would be able to put her down and let her fall asleep. For some parents, this does actually happen. For the unlucky ones it does not. Depending on the sleep habits of your baby, you may want to establish a nap routine that resembles, but is not exactly the same as, your nighttime routine. You might read a short book, play some soft music, or rock the baby to sleep. If your baby seems ready to drop as soon as his head hits the mattress, skip the routine and just put him down. You might be pleasantly surprised by his ability to drift off by himself.

When Baby Won’t Nap

There are a variety of reasons why a baby won’t nap. If a baby is rested and getting up earlier than you prefer, there is little you can do. If you feel that your baby is not getting the rest she needs, you may need to change your routine.

Often, resistance to naps comes when babies are overtired. Make sure to heed your baby’s sleep signs, as discussed above, and get her to bed when she is starting to act tired.

If your baby wakes early and is in need of more rest, try getting him to go back to sleep. Depending on your philosophy about babies and sleep, you can rock him or just gently pat him on the back and let him fall back to sleep on his own.

Make sure Baby’s sleep environment is conducive to sleep. A dark and slightly cool room is best.

Older babies may be waking early simply because they do not need as many naps as you are giving them. Try dropping a nap and see if that helps.

Is It Safe to Continue Breastfeeding While Nipples are Sore?

Breastfeeding your own baby is a source of great joy, especially after all the stress you have gone through during pregnancy and birth-giving. But the pain of sore nipples makes breastfeeding a terrible thing for some mothers.

Nipples that have the feeling of swelling, painful, hard, and feverish are what lactating mothers complain most of the time when breastfeeding. Sore nipples should not stop you from giving the best nutrition to your baby, and that is your breast milk. What you should do is to look for ways that will help you solve your problems regarding sore nipples and continue the breastfeeding.

It is always safe to continue breastfeeding even while the nipples are sore. Just make sure that the treatments you are using for your sore nipples are safe and not harmful for you and your baby.

There are different ways on how you can treat your sore nipples while you safely continue breastfeeding the baby. Herbal medicines, for one instance, are effective yet safe. These herbs are proven to not only treat sore nipples, but also help in producing smooth and continuous flow of breast milk. Soaking the nipples on warm water with basil leaves or teabags will stimulate fast healing, but make sure to wash the breast, especially the nipples before breastfeeding.

Another treatment for sore nipples is the use of creams. Lanolin (100 cotton and always choose the ones that are not too tight because tight bras will make your milk duct clogged.

If your nipples are sore and painful due to breastfeeding, never opt to stop or discontinue breastfeeding for a while because it will only worsen the problem and cause you even greater pains later on. Just choose the right remedies to relieve the sore and pains of your nipples and then allow your baby to latch on for the baby’s better physical and psychological development.

Child's Creativity

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Choosing The Right Infant Toy For Your Child

Toys have been a perennial thing in each person’s life. Every individual passes the phase of having toys and enjoy playing with it. Toys need not to be expensive and complex, as long as the enjoyment is there then its fine having a simple one. There are also toys that are not bought; they can just be made from household things. Imagination and creativity is the key in making and creating a homemade toy.

But there are times when parents find the right toy for their infant. The toy should be soft so that the infant would not be harmed. Several toy makers are always coming up with new designs to cater to the infinite needs an infant has. But of course there are several factors that need to be considered before purchasing an infant toy.

First thing to consider is its size. The toy should not be small because the infant may swallow it thus making him choke. It should also be not that large so that the infant would not have a hard time in handling it.

Second thing that should be kept in mind is toy material. Is the toy made of plastic or cotton; or other substances that is used in making it? Individuals should see to it that the material used in making the toy would not be harmful to the health of the infant.

Thirdly, the toy’s color should also be thought of. Though children may not know what color they are seeing, it is best that they are exposed already to different colors. This exposure helps their mind develop that sense of color distinction at an early age.

Fourthly, the purpose of the infant toy should also be considered. Buying toys because of its functionality enables the infant to learn and discover new things with these. There are toys made to strengthen the grip of an infant and the like.

Fifth, look at the age group the toy is intended for. You wouldn’t buy a toy that says for ages three and up would you? Of course you want the toy to be right for the age of your child.

Sixth, asking and talking to other parents about the toys for their infants can also be helpful. Since their child is older than yours, perhaps they can share some ideas on what to toy to buy or give to your infant.

Making sure of the health and welfare of a child is always the priority of a parent. So in keeping the things stated, your infant will be ensured of having a safe yet enjoyable toy. The aforementioned tips are only a few of the many things that parents should consider in buying an infant toy. They can always do some more research and keep their options open until they find the most suitable toy for their child.

Toys are educational and at the same time enjoyable, it is up to you on which toys you think have both. Expensive toys does not necessarily mean a high quality toy, there are less expensive ones that have the same purpose. Infant toys should also be kept clean at all times since it is the nature of the infant to suck on things he grasps.

5 Ways to Get Your Child to Listen to You

Your Child Won't Listen to You? You've tried reasoning, you've tried punishing, you've tried bribing, you've tried humor - and nothing seems to work? Well, there is hope. Do you think your child is shutting you out and you're not sure why? Here are 5 Ways to get through to your child.

1. Listen to your child. No matter how insignificant their little problem is, it is paramount to them. As an adult, it is difficult to put away our own problems and just listen, but it must be done or your child will continue to be one of those problems. When you listen to your child, you validate their importance. Ask your child how their day went, and really listen. Are there other issues going on? Is your child being bullied at school and is afraid or ashamed to talk about it? If he is, you need to make your child feel safe with you, so she can bring it up. If you want your child to listen to you, you need to listen to your child.

2. Watch their facial expressions. Often they will tell you what they want with facial expressions. Why does he pout when his sister walks in the room? Why does she cry when her big sister is playing with someone else. There are great clues there. You shouldn't assume he is pouting because he is agitated with his sister - he may want something from her and doesn't know exactly what it is and is pouting because he feels out of sorts about "it." Put yourself in their shoes. When they talk to you, are you responding with love and caring in your voice? Or are you always short, curt and demeaning. Think about how you would like to be spoken to, and respond in kind. Not only do your children admire you, they mirror you. If you see a quality in them you dislike, think about where they learned it, and change yourself.

3. Let them make decisions. How often do you make decisions for them? You decide what they eat, what they wear, what they're going to do......OK, so it is important they are guided, but once you teach them the difference, give them some healthy options. Take her to the library and let her choose 5 books to read. You'll be surprised to learn just what she's interested in.

4. Make sure they are eating healthy. Do they snack or gummy worms, or apples? Most kids will choose a healthy snack over unhealthy. Don't even buy the junk food, and allow them to go into the frig all they want for that apple, carrot stick, cheese, hard boiled egg, or small handful of peanuts. Keep plenty of bottles of pure water on hand. Make sure they eat a healthy breakfast that has protein and keep the sugar intake low. No sugar ladened cereal for breakfast - give them oatmeal with peaches in it instead. Let them make their own fruit smoothie in the morning. Let them cut up the fruits and vegetables. With your supervision, they will learn to love to eat healthy. And so what if they make a mess? Just calmly tell them, "ok, now let's wipe up the counter so the bugs won't come, and here, let's wash your dishes off."

5. He won't clean his room or do his homework? He's always procrastinating? Don't just bark the command, "go clean your room!" or "do your homework!" When was the last time you offered to help your youngster clean his room? Make a game out of. "C'mon Johnny, let's see how many worms or frogs we find in your closet." Or how about this, "Janie, show me your homework - let's see what you're doing." Often times, the child's homework may be somewhat challenging to you. Admit it! Ask your child to teach you! When student becomes teacher, they they learn too. And your child loves you. When you show even the smallest amount of interest in what they're doing, they will excel.

Time is the best gift you can give your child. And with time comes a better understanding too. You may spend a few more minutes now interacting with your child, but it will pay off in the long run when your child becomes happy, healthy, successful, and independent.

Breastfeeding Tips for You and Your Baby

Breastfeeding can be termed as the most effective way of creating a perfect bond between a mother and her child. Breast milk helps in the mental and physical growth of your baby. It also increases the baby’s immune system. It can be considered a natural way of protecting your baby.

Breast milk is naturally the most perfect food for your baby. Although it takes time learning how to breastfeed, you will be rewarded if you are persistent. However, it is a fact that some woman simply cannot breastfeed due to medical conditions or the baby not latching on for one reason or another, so don’t be disheartened if you can’t.

When you are breastfeeding, your baby’s mouth should be covering the entire areola; sucking just the nipples will make your nipples sore and your baby will not get sufficient milk. This is one of the most common problems but also the easiest problem to fix that many woman have.

Another reason why woman give up on breastfeeding is pain. Although your nipples might very well scab and crack, this is very normal. Quite often, your nipples will actually bleed. This should cause no alarm because this is fairly common as well. There are many products that are actually made specifically for this reason. Lanolin works remarkably well to repair cracked or sore nipples, which in turn relieves the pain.

In order to ensure your baby grows healthy and strong you will have to take special precautions with what you consume. Medications can pass through your breastmilk as can alcohol and drugs. Always consult your doctor prior to taking any medication and drink alcohol in moderation – none is best. It is better to be safe. Being conscious about your health will have positive effects on your baby as its immune system develops.

When your baby is small, he is totally dependent on you for everything. Breastfeeding is one of those times when you are providing your baby with a necessity as well as sharing a bond that no one else can replace. Enjoy these moments now, as they become far too quickly, memories.

Wooden Toys Are Great Baby Gifts

Still wondering what baby gift you can give to your child, to your niece, or to your friend’s son? The solution is very easy. You can go with books, cribs, clothes, and other stuff. But if you truly want to make children’s childhood really memorable and special, give them toys. With that being said, give them toys that would really stay with them throughout their childhood. If you are still wondering what type of toys that will definitely last a whole childhood, one word: WOOD.

Wooden toys are perfect presents for a baby shower gift, a birthday or a simple family get-together. One reason is the nonexistent threat of toxicity that is ever present in toys made of plastic and metal. Toxicity is big concern when picking toys for infant and toddlers, as they would tend to chew on their toys for long periods of time, especially teething babies. Another upside in picking wooden toys for children is that you can actually have it modified according to your specification. A wooden doll house or a wooden horse with matching names of its owners is great ideas for a personalized baby gift.

Durability is also a good reason why you should pick wooden toys over metal and plastic ones. Plastic toys are easily open to wear and tear damage and metal toys are vulnerable to bending, twisting, and moisture, which can cause rust. Rust can cause serious health problems. On the other hand, wooden toys are easy to maintain and with a little care and polish, they can last an entire childhood and can be preserved to be handed down to the next generation. What great gift can a parent give than a toy that has been with him or her during their childhood.

Say you have decided on making a wooden toys as part of your baby gift basket, there are certain things you need to look out for before making a purchase and give to a child. For one, make sure that what you pick does not have any removable sections or parts that can be a choking hazard. Toddlers have a penchant for wild and active imaginations, so pick wooden toys that aids them in this department. Toys such as wooden horses and cars, dolls and doll houses, and a few others fire up the imagination of young children. Such type of play also goes well with the cognitive, motor, and emotional development of children.

Always keep in mind that play will always be an essential part of person’s childhood, as most of the important lessons and skills are learned during this phase. It is during this stage they learn to explore the world around them learning to express themselves, and learn to bond with their families and with other children. Wooden toys provide features that really help children make most out of this stage in their lives. Durable, safe, and possessing the aspect of craftsmanship, wooden toys simply ranks as one of the best gift ideas one any person can give to children.

Five Benefits Educational Toys Can Give Your Toddler

The first five years of your child is critical. This is what experts consider as his formative years. This is why it is crucial that parents pay attention to the needs of their children during these years. At this point, the child acquires basic understanding about things. He learns by what he sees and what he is taught. At this stage, the child welcomes almost everything. He is receptive of love, teachings, and trainings. How a parent deals with his child at this stage will greatly influence his child in his future endeavors.

One of the best ways to help develop the full potential of a child at this point is with the help of toddler educational toys. Here are the different benefits that children can get from these toys:

1. They help your child have fun. Although they are learning toys, your kids can still have fun with them, which is the best part. Although you want them to learn, you can be sure that these tools will not bore them because they will surely find tons of things to do with their toys.

2. These toys can improve the creativity of your child. The toys will have your kids imagining about different things especially if you have assisted him in playing. Children love to play with their imagination and this helps develop their creativity. This will greatly help them since creativity is very important trait of successful people. Giving your children the support and the instrument they need, will surely help develop their creativity to the fullest.

3. Certain toys will enhance your child's problem solving ability. There are toys that train your child to think and analyze. Among them are puzzle toys. This will help train your child to be patient and use his analytical skills to solve the puzzle. Puzzle toys are not limited to jigsaws. There are bricks, mats, and other toys that require the child to connect the dots.

4. You can use the toys as tools to teach your child. Aside from playing by himself, your child learns best with you around. You can use the toddler educational toys as instruments to communicate with him. You can assist him in his make believe games and teach him relevant ideas in the process. If he imagines that he is in a wonderland, you can help him arrange his play room. His green chair can be the grass or tree because leaves and grasses have green colors. His blue toy map can be the sky and his white bear can be the clouds. This way, you can help enhance his imagination and creativity while teaching him about colors.

5. You will get to know your child better through toys. You will learn his interest by observing the kind of games he wants to play. You will find out his favorite colors by the toys he picks. You will also learn if he needs help in certain fields like analyzing stuff because he cannot finish a puzzle that most kids his age would easily do.

These toys are indeed beneficial for the well being of your kids. However, they can never be substitute for your presence and assistance.

The Benefits Of Bedtime Stories For Children

Do you want an easy way to bond and connect with your children? All it takes is a book and a little time. One of the favorite activities for many families is reading stories to the younger ones just before they go to sleep.

You only have to think back to some of your own childhood to remember how much you looked forward to hearing a story. Children have very vivid imaginations that take flight when they hear a book being read aloud. To them this story becomes so real that it seems to be taking place in front of their eyes. Parents will often be faced with the plea for “Just one more page, please.” It can be difficult to say “No” to a child’s eager request and it is very satisfying to a parent to realize how much happiness they are creating for their little ones with a simple story.

While you don’t have to wait until the evening hours to read to your child, there are many benefits that accompany the beloved childhood ritual of bedtime stories.

1. Children enjoy listening to stories as they prepare for sleep. This helps them settle down quietly for the night. Listening to the familiar and much loved tones of their parent’s voice is very soothing and comforting.

2. Bedtime stories stimulate the imaginations of children and may even help them become more creative. Children whose parents read to them on a regular basis score higher on most standardized tests at school.

3. When parents or older siblings read to younger children it fosters a love of books and will make kids want to learn how to read.

4. Reading bedtime stories helps young ones develop a large vocabulary.

5. Parents that spend time reading to their children are creating warm memories that will last a lifetime. You can be as campy or as “over the top” as you like when pretending to be different characters in the story. Use funny voices or different facial expressions and really put some emotion into the words and your child will believe you to be the most brilliant actor in the world.

6. One of the most rewarding experiences for a parent is when they can share their own favorite bedtime stories with their own children. Many of the stories your parents read to you were some that your grandparents, or great-grandparents, read to them. You might even consider bedtime storytelling to be a way of continuing a family tradition.

7. Reading and listening to stories engage more areas of the brain than video games or television. If you want to initiate curiosity and thinking skills in your children there is no better way to do it than with books.

Is It Safe to Continue Breastfeeding While Nipples are Sore?

Breastfeeding your own baby is a source of great joy, especially after all the stress you have gone through during pregnancy and birth-giving. But the pain of sore nipples makes breastfeeding a terrible thing for some mothers.

Nipples that have the feeling of swelling, painful, hard, and feverish are what lactating mothers complain most of the time when breastfeeding. Sore nipples should not stop you from giving the best nutrition to your baby, and that is your breast milk. What you should do is to look for ways that will help you solve your problems regarding sore nipples and continue the breastfeeding.

It is always safe to continue breastfeeding even while the nipples are sore. Just make sure that the treatments you are using for your sore nipples are safe and not harmful for you and your baby.

There are different ways on how you can treat your sore nipples while you safely continue breastfeeding the baby. Herbal medicines, for one instance, are effective yet safe. These herbs are proven to not only treat sore nipples, but also help in producing smooth and continuous flow of breast milk. Soaking the nipples on warm water with basil leaves or teabags will stimulate fast healing, but make sure to wash the breast, especially the nipples before breastfeeding.

Another treatment for sore nipples is the use of creams. Lanolin (100 cotton and always choose the ones that are not too tight because tight bras will make your milk duct clogged.

If your nipples are sore and painful due to breastfeeding, never opt to stop or discontinue breastfeeding for a while because it will only worsen the problem and cause you even greater pains later on. Just choose the right remedies to relieve the sore and pains of your nipples and then allow your baby to latch on for the baby’s better physical and psychological development.

Shy Child? Five Ways To Help Them Make Friends

Most parents like to think of their children as social butterflies, but there are some children who are so overcome with shyness that they're unable to properly function in social settings.

Take Amy, for example. As a nine-year-old child, she excelled at schoolwork, earning nothing but straight A's and accolades from her teachers. However, when it came to interacting with her peers and adults, Amy often retreated behind a book, or became so embarrassed at having to answer questions that she would stutter or turn red.

Shyness is often a problem for children who, for some reason or another, find it difficult to interact socially with those around them. Everyone has had bouts of shyness at one point or another; but when it starts interfering with how your child interacts with his or her surroundings then it's time to make a change.

Want to learn how to help your child cope with shyness? Here are some expert tips that will have your son or daughter overcoming social anxiety in no time!

Don't Enable Or Exaggerate His Or Her Shyness. Parents often forget what it's like to be young and suffering from shyness, so they'll often do one of two things, they'll either talk for their child in order to minimize their suffering, or they'll put their child in stressful social situations to "shock" them out of shyness. Don't make this mistake! Rather, gradually introduce your child to different degrees of social scenarios. Start off with conversation with family then move on until your child is able to hold a conversation with a complete stranger. Don't accept monosyllable answers as conversation, either!

Cut Out Technology. These days, it seems like cutting computers and video games out of a child's life is tantamount to cruelty; however, some research suggests that these electronic toys can actually hinder your child's social development. Limit your child's online or gaming time and then encourage them to play with friends or siblings.

Try A Little Role-Play. Often, shyness is escalated when your child expects certain reactions from social situations; for example, your child may so fear embarrassing himself or herself while answering a question in the classroom that he or she won't raise a hand at all. If this sounds familiar to you, pretend to be a teacher and ask your child various questions. Once your child realizes that he or she is unlikely to embarrass himself in front of the classroom, he or she will be more willing to contribute.

Make Play Dates. It can be hard for your child to find common ground with his or her peers when suffering from shyness, so help your child out a little by arranging play dates with other children who share his or her interests. If your child enjoys reading, sign him or her up with a junior book club; if he or she enjoys playing sports, get your child to sign up for a team. Conversation will flow more readily when your child is surrounded by like-minded children.

Enlist Neighbourhood Aid. Know a few mothers around the block? Enlist their help by arranging play dates with neighbourhood children. Having a few friends around the block will get your child out of the house more and interacting with more children his or her age

As you can see, shyness can be easily overcome with love, support and a bit of discipline. Yet if your child suffers from the kind of shyness that actually prevent him or her from functioning as a normal child, ask your child's school if they offer any counselling services, it may be that your child suffers from social anxiety disorder, which should be treated by a licensed professional.

Improving Self Confidence In Children

Improving self confidence in children is one of the many things that a parent will want to improve on.

Not many parents know improving self confidence in children will actually affect their growing up from toddler to adulthood.

This takes time, education, effort and burning desire for any parent to at least see their children to be able to make something out of them and improve as their life progress.

Improving self confidence in children is not easy and should be start when they are young. This is the best time as they will intimate their parents.

So by cultivating an image of self confidence, you will pass on this image to your child and this will assist them in improving self confidence. But when you are doing this, make sure that it is an image that they should be proud of and not be gloating over it. This will help them increase in their self worthiness.

And when your child reaches his or her teen hood, building and improving self confidence in children is to really set them free in a controlled environment. This can be done when they reached the age of 13 and ends in 20. This enables them to grow naturally and confidently while you keeping track on what they are doing.

So that, both of you benefit on each other progress and respect.

This not only dramatically improves self confidence in them but also they will feel that they can handle situations and thus they will move on to bigger things in future without your interference and confidently.

As a parent, building and improving self confidence in children can also be working and communicate with them on their dreams, goal and direction of lift. Plan a monthly session to sit down with them and reflect on what they had done so far and how will they want to achieve and how to go about it from where they are now. This type of practice will increase their responsibility in life and also improving self confidence in them as time goes by.

So being a parent, one must have ample space for your child to grow, so that, building and improving self confidence in children will be effective and you will be one happy parent to see your child grow from a toddler to adulthood taking care of each decision responsibly and with confidence.

Baby Beach Gear - 6 Tips For Baby Beach Fun

With the proper baby beach gear and a bit of planning, having a baby doesn't have to mean giving up your coveted trips to the beach. By following these six tips, you and your baby will be enjoying the sun and surf in no time.

1. Make sure you take a proper stroller. With it, you can easily bring everything you need for the afternoon. Without it, you will be taxing both your spirit and your back to haul everything plus the baby across the sand and back again. A jogging stroller, with its convenient basket, works really well for carrying your baby's beach gear..

2. Pack one beach bag with your belongings such as sunscreen, towel, your book, and reading glasses. Pack a separate bag for the baby's belongings with diapers, wipes, SPF 50 sunscreen, sunhat, change of clothes, and a few sand toys. Keeping the baby's beach gear separate from your own makes it so much easier to locate things when you need them.

3. Pack a soft-sided cooler with snacks, water and the baby's formula. A hungry baby is not a happy baby and if you try to "get by" while at the beach, you will regret it.

4. Skip the beach towel and instead, pack a beach blanket or mat that is large enough to keep your baby comfortable on the sand.

5. Bring along a beach chair for yourself. It will be easy to transport if you slide it over the handle bar of the stroller.

6. Consider a large beach umbrella with an SPF of 50. But even with the added sun protection of an umbrella, you should still slather yourself and the baby with sunscreen.

You should have no trouble packing your jogging stroller with all of these items plus the baby. If your portable beach umbrella comes with a carry case, just sling it over your shoulder. And when you reach the beach, don't forget it's easier to pull the stroller backwards through the sand than to try and push it.

Enjoy your trip to the beach!

How to Sooth a Crying Baby

It may set your teeth on edge, break your heart, or scare you. But crying is something that every baby does. Crying is ment to get your attention and move you to action. So what actions should you take? What does this little person want?

Start with the basics. Is the baby hungry? Does he have a dirty diaper? Meet these needs and all will be well again. But what if those aren't the problems?

Try swaddling the baby. Babies miss the comfort of the womb. Also newborns do not have good control of their arms and legs. They jump out and startle the baby. Being swaddled in a light blankets is often just the trick to sooth an unhappy baby. They feel secure and thus happy.

Is it too quiet? Many people think that newborns and babies need absolute quiet. But the opposite is in fact true. Newborns miss the rhythmic sounds of their mother's body. Try putting on some white noise, nature music, or soft instrumental music.

Perhaps all she wants is you. This is where a comfortable, supportive baby carrier comes in handy. Put your baby inside and go about your day with your arms free. Baby is where they want to be and you are free to get things done.

Babies cry and many times we don't know why. Sometimes no amount of soothing will help immediately. They just need to say their peace. If you need a break, place baby in his crib and give yourself a time out. Remember this too shall pass.

know Your Child, Listen To Him

Parents are often heard complaining to their child, "Why don't you listen to me?" But why do parents forget that it's a vicious circle. How good you are at listening to your child will determine how well he responds when you talk.

Pay full attention : Don't be distracted by T.V. or the book you are reading. Don't just hear, but listen to him attentively to make him feel important.

Be patient : Children cannot be expected to be articulate. Give him ample time to express and help him ascertain his feelings.

Don't deny his feelings : If your child says that he is hurt after falling from the bed, don't tell him he is not. A child needs his feelings to be accepted and respected.

Sensitivity works better than logic : When a child talks about an upset, don't interrupt him with logical or philosophical explanations. Rather hug him, hold his hand and let him speak his heart out.

Listening adds confidence: Children begin to trust their feelings, believe in their perceptions when parents listen to them. This goes a long way in making a child a good conversationalist, a confident personality and the one who likes to listen to his parents.

Listening helps in understanding your child : Know your child's needs, discover his interests, help him to come out of his problems and complexes by listening to him. Listening to your child will help you to become not only a better parent but also a friend much closer to your loved one.

Help Your Child Learn To Share

Parents are left at their wits end while figuring out why their child can’t share his toys with his friends. But parents should know that children are possessive by nature and have their own insecurities which stop them from sharing their toys and vie for attention. It is their duty to help the child develop the attitude to share.

The habit of sharing develops over a period of time: You have to be really patient because the attitude to adjust and share doesn’t develop overnight. Guiding the child once and expecting him to follow it would be too much. Always remember that your child is still in the process of learning to share.

Create opportunities for peer group interaction: The more your child gets to spend time with his age mates, the more he’ll learn to share. There may be a few unpleasant situations but both you and your child will learn from them. So take your child to the places of friends or relatives, parties or family get together and invite his friends over to your house.

Encourage your child to share: When a child experiences the joy and benefits of sharing, he is naturally motivated to share his things with his friends. Make your child experience this over and over again. Make him distribute sweets in his class or amongst his friends on occasions. Bake a cake for him and send to school to distribute in the class. Cook french fries in lunch so that he can share with his group.

Appreciate and never criticize: Praise your child whenever he shows signs of good behavior. At the same time don’t lose temper if he refuses to share. And worse would be to label or criticize the child for being selfish or uncivilized.

Be a role model: If you share your things comfortably with other members of the family or show such a behavior when it come to your friends, your child will surely follow your footsteps. Set an example from your own life while dealing in all kinds of relationships may it be friends, neighbors, relatives or your colleagues.

How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks On Your Stomach

How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks On Your Stomach

If you're looking for a way to get rid of your stretch marks on your stomach, you are not alone. Many women suffer from stretch marks on their stomach due to a pregnancy and also from being overweight. Although a pregnancy is a beautiful event in a woman's life, stretch marks occuring on a woman's stomach after giving birth can have a negative impact on a woman's self image.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are caused by the tearing of the dermis, the resilient middle layer that helps your skin retain its shape. Stretch marks are usually the result of rapid stretching of the skin, such as during a pregnancy.

You Can Get Rid Of Your Stretch Marks On Your Stomach, There Is Hope.

First of all, if you are currently pregnant, prevention is key to minimizing the occurence of stretch marks. Don't wait until after you have your baby to start taking care of your stomach to prevent stretch marks from forming. You should try to prevent them by applying lotion with cocoa butter to your entire belly at least once or twice a day. Doing this throughout your pregnancy can help in preventing stretch marks from forming on your stomach.

If you already have stretch marks on your stomach, you can still get rid of them. There are natural remedies for treating stretch marks that will give you the results you want. You should use lotions that contain cocoa butter, rose hip oil, castor oil, shea butter, or vitamin A & E. Depending on how long you have had stretch marks on your stomach, you may need to treat them 2 to 3 times daily. Many people have also used olive oil and egg whites on their stretch marks to effectively remove/reduce them.

Your Diet Can Help Get Rid Of Your Stretch Marks

Drinking lots of water to keep your skin hydrated helps to reduce and get rid of stretch marks. Eating foods high in zinc, protein, vitamins A, C, & E, and eating foods that contain essential fatty acids like vegetables and fish, can help promote good skin which helps in getting rid of your stretch marks on your stomach.

Natural Remedies For Getting Rid Of Stretch Marks On Your Stomach

Travelling Around When Pregnant

Just because you find out you are pregnant, doesn't mean you have to stay indoors for the whole nine months. If you have travel plans you shouldn't have to cancel everything to prepare for your pregnancy. If you are looking forward to a long journey try to reschedule it to within your second trimester. During your first trimester you may experience some upsetting morning sickness which can cause problems during long trips. During your third trimester there is the risk of labor so if you have to travel around this time you need to ensure you will be within a reasonable distance from medical services.

Wherever it is you are traveling you need to ensure that should the worst happen, you are prepared for it. Follow these quick and easy steps to journey preparation whilst pregnant and you'll make sure your holiday is as safe and risk free as possible.

1. Research the medical services available at your destination. If flying abroad, make sure your doctor refers you to an appropriate medical professional at your destination.

2. Always take your prenatal chart with you where ever you go. This contains all your pertinent medical data.

3. Make sure you have the right type of medical/travel insurance. Not every standard policy covers pregnancy and may exclude some world locations so make sure you get the policy you need. This may mean having to pay out extra on premiums.

4. If travelling by plane call up the airlines you will be using and find out what their pregnancy regulations are. Different airlines have different rules about admitting pregnant women including how many weeks on you can be before they refuse boarding.

5. If you have to travel by plane during the first trimester, book a seat towards the middle of the plane over the wing. This area of the plane has the smoothest ride so will reduce your need to reach for a sick bag during the journey.

6. Talk to your doctor before making any travel plans that take you out of the country or that involve a long, journey duration. This includes both car and plane travel and is especially important if you are experiencing any pregnancy complications or have a history of DVT.

7. Ask your doctor for a letter if you plan to fly. When the airline sees that you are pregnant they will request a letter stating your due date from your doctor and that you are fit and healthy to travel.

8. Don't eat a large heavy or greasy meal before you travel. Stick to light snacks like crackers or apples that will help to settle your stomach and eat small meals. This will help prevent and reduce morning sickness and travel sickness during your journey.

It is important to talk to your doctor in detail about all your travel plans whilst pregnant. Your doctor will need to know what is happening and when, as well as possible risks to you and your unborn baby.

Breastfeeding Benefits And Tips For Successful Breastfeeding

Despite being a natural progression of life, there still appears to be an enormous lack of awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding today. Often with the combined negativity towards breastfeeding and lack of support, it is common for first time mothers to be dissuaded from persisting with this beneficial practice.

Unfortunately, breastfeeding is not necessarily as instinctive as one would expect it to be. However, the common fallacy that seems to persist that a mother might not have sufficient milk supply is unfounded. Although possibly, it is a very rare occurrence. For such a condition to be a rampant problem would have been evolutionary suicide back in the days where baby formulas did not exist. In most cases, it is usually a lack of support and understanding that prevents a mother from breastfeeding.

Breast milk is produced on demand and the best way to increase milk production is to allow the baby to suckle directly from the breast. It is the baby's suckling action that encourages further milk production. No suckling, no milk. Often, because of the "apparent" lack of milk in the early days of nursing, well-intentioned relatives encourage the new mother to supplement the feeds with formula - just until the milk comes.

Although well-intended, this flawed recommendation often sabotages the new mother's milk supply because it reduces the frequency with which the baby takes the breast. Since breast milk is produced on demand, the reduced suckling means less milk is produced. This then lends itself to the fallacy that the new mother "doesn't have milk".

In the first two days after delivery, the breast does not produce milk. It produces a substance called colostrum. Colostrum is rich in all the necessary nutrients required by a newborn and is very easy to digest. It offers protective antibodies for the newborn and also helps prevent jaundice.

A common concern among parents during this early stage is that the baby may not have enough to eat. However, we should be mindful that the size of a newborn's stomach is about the size of a grape. It is important for the baby to have frequent feeds during the early days as it sets the stage for normal milk production. Generally, the more often you feed, the better your milk production. By about the third to fifth day (there is a variation among mothers), colostrum will be replaced with regular breast milk.

To encourage breast feeding, it is advisable not to offer the baby any artificial pacifiers for the first six weeks (there is some variation to the timing between sources), therefore, no bottle feeding of any sort. At this time, the baby is also learning how to breast feed. The introduction of pacifiers can cause confusion because the suckling action is different from that of the breast.

There are additional issues with the introduction of a bottle too early. Babies are intelligent and they soon discover that it is far easier to retrieve milk from a bottle than it is to suckle from a breast. This is the fastest way to destroy a mother's milk supply. Although there are cases where babies happily interchange between bottles and the breast, this is not always the case, especially when the baby is very young. Where bottles are concerned, it is best to proceed cautiously, especially if continue to breastfeed is what you desire.

A baby that is exclusively breastfeeding has no need for water, because breast milk provides all the necessary fluids. The initial part of the feed is called the foremilk which is good for quenching thirst. If the baby is hungry, it will stay on the breast for longer to get the hind milk which is fatty and more filling. On the other hand, a baby that is consuming formula requires water to prevent constipation.

Most of the information on breastfeeding encourages mothers to breastfeed exclusively for at least the first six months - that means that the baby takes no other forms of nutrition except for breast milk. Beyond six months, solids may be introduced, but it is still advisable to continue breastfeeding as there is a lot of evidence pointing to continued benefits for babies who breastfeed up to one or two years of age and beyond.

Here is a summary of the benefits of breastfeeding:

It's nutritional - with the right constituents for human development

The babies have fewer illnesses because of the mother's antibodies being passed through the milk

Breast fed babies are less likely to develop allergies later in life

Breast fed babies have less risk of developing obesity later in life

More research is demonstrating that breast fed babies have more optimal brain development

Breast feeding lowers the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)

Breast milk contains lots of good bacteria

Breast milk straight from the breast is sterile

Breast milk contains at least a hundred additional ingredients that formula does not

No baby is allergic to their mother's milk (although they may be allergic to some of the foods she eats, but this is easily rectified if the mother eliminates that food)

The suckling action allows the baby to develop strong jaw muscles that encourage the growth of straight and healthy teeth

Breast fed babies are also less likely to develop tooth decay compared to bottle fed babies

Babies who are premature or born with medical problems have also been shown to benefit from breast feeding

Babies who are breast fed have a stronger bond with their mothers. Some studies have shown that breast fed babies grow up to be socially more independent than their formula fed counterparts

Babies who are breast fed tend are generally held more closely than bottle fed babies. The skin to skin contact between mother and baby provides comfort for the baby that has just been removed from the protective environment of the womb.

Although breastfeeding is not without it own difficulties (mostly in the initial stages as it gets easier with time), I would think that given the overwhelming benefits, it's worth any inconvenience.

Additionally, we should not neglect the fact that breastfeeding is also beneficial to the mother - even more reasons to breastfeed:

The suckling action of the baby indirectly results in the contraction of the uterus, protecting the mother from post-partum bleeding

Exclusive breast feeding is 99% effective in preventing a second pregnancy the first six months post delivery

Decreases the risk of developing iron-deficient anemia

More rapid and sustained weight loss (milk production uses 200-500 calories a day)

Decrease the risk of developing breast, ovarian and uterine cancers

Current literature suggest that breast feeding may help protect against osteoporosis

It is also found that breastfeeding helps strengthen the maternal instinct. From the scientific perspective, the psychosocial benefits are a little more difficult to analyse, however one particular study found that mothers with a history of abandonment are less likely to abandon their babies if they breastfeed the baby.

The recommended duration for breastfeeding

Currently, the general recommendation is to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, and to continue breastfeeding with other sources of nutrition up to 1 year. However, more and more research shows that it may be worthwhile to extend breastfeeding beyond the first year and that the benefits of breastfeeding continue even before the first year.

Breastfeeding.com stated that: "in comparing humans to other primates, research showed that humans' natural age of weaning is a minimum of two and a half years and a maximum of between six and seven years."

Current guidelines:

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first four to six months of life and continued breastfeeding until at least two years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for a minimum of one year, but offers no upper limit.

By Shen-Li Lee

Top Ten Nutritional Tips for Children

eFitness for Life has put together a top ten list of nutritional tips for children.

1. Set a good example and keep your child active. Children learn by example, and if their parent is healthy and active, chances are they are too. Make activity fun for your child, and enrol them in as many sporting activities as you can afford.

2. Make sure your child eats their breakfast. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It will give them the fuel they need throughout the day. Make sure you guide them towards making healthy breakfast choices, such as oatmeal or whole grain cereals.

3. Keep your child hydrated, especially if it’s hot outside or they’re engaged in a sporting activity.

4. Make sure your child gets enough protein and carbohydrates in their diets. Foods that are good sources of protein and carbohydrates include fish, poultry, meat, cheese, milk, beans or legumes.

5. Provide healthy snacks after exercise. Instead of handing them a chocolate bar, hand them a piece of fruit instead.

6. Provide variety in their diet. If your child is eating the same things day after day, chances are that they’re missing out on some nutritional building blocks. Besides that, they will get bored with their diet. Instead, have them help you choose meals that are healthy for the entire family. This will help them make better choices in the future.

7. See a nutritionist. They can help a great deal when it comes to planning meals for you and your growing child.

8. Try to make home cooked meals as opposed to eating out. Fast food is generally not a good way to instil good eating habits in your child.

9. Throw out the soda and limit the juices. Soda is jam packed with calories and juices are typically full of sugars. Instead, give them water.

10. Teach your child about proper portion sizes. Most people eat way too much food at each meal, which contributes to massive weight gain in both adults and children.

Nutrition is important for both children and adults. Together you can make your house a healthier environment, where everyone can reap the benefits. Don’t allow poor nutrition and inactivity to ruin your child’s health. Together we can make a difference that will last a lifetime.

Getting Ready For Baby

Getting ready for first time parents is both exhilarating and horrendously scary. You have nine months of preparation, and of course you will hear all the horror stories of what to expect, but probably the most common thing you here during this period is that "You can't explain it really you just have to experience it".

This is in fact true. You can read and research all you want, but you will never really know what to expect until you go through it yourself. Sure researching the topic is advisable and helpful, but nothing will provide you what real world experience will.

This is never more true than with having a child. Sure you know to expect the sleepless nights and the feedings, and the changing of the diapers, but none of this will let you know how it feels to have to rock a crying baby to sleep while running on three hours of your own.

The biggest thing to preparing for having a child is to get yourself ready for the mental aspect of being a parent. For years you have had nothing more to look after but numero uno. Now you will become second fiddle to the new little one in your life. This will bring some of the happiest moments of your life, but you should also expect and know that with great pleasures also come great heartaches.

It's hard to adjust and being resentful of parenting at times is completely normal. You will find though after time that it will all become second nature, and that most of your fears are unfounded. Remember being a parent does not come with an instruction manual, but with the right mental state you will be able to face all of parenting s toughest challenges.

The easiest way to get prepared is to realize that you really can not be prepared. Once you have this mental aspect understood you will find that parenting is really about rolling with the punches.

TEACH KIDS TO ENJOY WALKING AS AN EXERCISE

Far too often parents find themselves exasperated when they attend to go walking with children especially if the children are young.

There's no getting around it:Since the children's legs are shorter, they will walk slower than you do. They might also want to use the walk as a time for adventure and exploration, which further slows down their pace. One solution is to allow more time for each walk, so you can let the children walk at their own pace and enjoy yourself. You might also concider setting aside time for two walks, one on your own and one with your kids. If you have only a limited amount of time for a single walk, you can walk with the child during your warm up period and then push the child in a stroller when you pick up pace. When walking with the family, make sure to vary your route, even if you merely walk in the opposite direction every other day. You might also encourage the children to invite one or two of their friends along or have them walk the family dog. One more useful variation: let one of the older children lead another child who shuts his or her eyes. This is an activity that is often used by teachers to heighten a child's awareness of his or her surroundings and developing the non visual senses. Be sure, however, that you keep an eye on them as they do this. You might also try walking together to go out to dinner, to go shopping or to go to religious services. When walking along a road where there are no side walks, walk on the right side of the road, against the traffic. Teach children the rules of traffic, such as obeying traffic lights and crossing the street at cross walks. And, as in driving, teach them to watch out for the other guy. Finally, make sure the children wear light coloured clothing. If they are wearing dark clothing, have them wear bright arm bands or hats. That way motorists will notice them. Will you be able to talk your children into walking with you and staying on a walking programme? Yes, provided you set an example yourself, and support your children with positive feedback and encouragement as they adopt more active habits. In this way you'll be able to maximise the health and happiness of your family's future generations. Don't push your children into walking, however. Nagging won't do much good, you'll just turn off fitness. Try to encourage an atmosphere of cooperation, togetherness and a sense of adventure. Show them how much you enjoy your walks and they'll be more likely to follow your example.

Raising Confident Kids

As a parent one of the biggest goals we set is to raise happy confident kids. This is a journey that starts when they are babies and continues throughout their lives. There are some things that we can do to make sure that our kids have the confidence they need to be happy and proud of themselves.

It is vitally important to encourage children when they have successes in their lives no matter how big or small those achievements might be. Whether it is taking their first steps, tying their shoes for the first time or graduating from high school our reactions, our encouragement and support as parents is what will mean the most to them.

There are some positive reinforcing words that can become a part of our vocabulary that will let children know that they are supported, encouraged and loved. The best thing we can do is make sure that they know they are loved unconditionally. This can be achieved by making sure the words "I love you" are a part of their daily lives. Never have any type of "but..." at the end of that sentence. Being loved no matter what they do, what they say or what happens will give them the knowledge that they are important and cared for and loved always.

When a child does something that we don't appreciate it is important to make sure they know it is the action we are displeased with. We always love them, just not everything they do. They are always loved, appreciated and supported even when things don't go right. You can dislike what they do but still feel the same wonderful feelings about them as a person. It should never be a response of "You're bad" . The things they do may not be supported but they always are.

Positive reinforcement when they do good things can be our best tool to get them to continue doing positive things. If a child feels supported and gets attention for doing good things then that will be where they put their energy. If they only get attention when they misbehave then they will look for attention however they can get it. So it is important to focus on their successes.

No matter how small the achievement might seem to someone else it is a big thing to them. Below is a list of words and phrases that can encourage kids to have confidence in themselves and know that the grown ups in their life have confidence in them too.

That was excellent! Good job! Well done! Awesome! You can do it! Yea, you did it! Terrific! You are really smart You did great Keep trying, I Know you can do it Great effort Thanks your help was appreciated I am proud of you That was hard, you did so well You are really good at that You are so creative, well done It's so much fun spending time with you You are so thoughtful, thanks! Wow, you are awesome! You tried so hard. You'll get it next time Keep up the great work! I love your enthusiasm. You are so talented! You are such a great help.

No matter what words you use, your kids will remember the encouragement, love and support you show them. It will give them the confidence and strength to try new things and know that it is okay even if they don't do well the first time.

They will know that they are talented in lots of areas of their lives and they will carry your confidence building statements through out their lives. Whether you are there or not they will know that they are capable, smart and talented in many things. 

Baby and toys

Babies when growing up likes to play with toys. Most of us think that baby

needs toys..Nothing wrong - yes babies need toys. But what are the toys that

they actually love to play with for a long time without getting bored ?

They like to play with real ,,living'' toys. The real living toys are their

parents - father and mother.

Same with our baby too..She loves to play with her father and mother for

hours and hours without getting bored. She doesn't like any plastic toys and

wollen toys. She likes to play by sitting on top of her father's

stomach.Climbing on her fathers back and falling down from his body and

laughing !

For example - First, she wants her father to lay down. She then climbs up

from the side on to the back - walk till the head and comes down till the hip

and again comes back till the head and peeps me from side and gives a big

smile. My arms, legs, eyes, ears, head all are her toys. Same with her mother

too. She wants both mother and father to be together always.. She gives

gentle kisses on the back,on to the face, on to the stomach - endlessely

without being asked.She loves to eat the same food that their parents eat.

The way we feed her with our hands, she also feeds us with her hands while she

is eating. She is a sunshine in our hearts and lights us up with her smiles

and with the purity of her love.

How To Teach Kids About Money

A good place to start teaching children about money is by demonstrating that money is used in exchange for goods and services, showing them that in making their own purchases they are in fact trading with the shop owner and receiving the product in exchange. As an example, next time you are shopping, try to have the exact change for the product and give it to your child. Let your child hand over the money to the cashier and after you have left the shop, have a chat about how the money paid for the item.

It is important to always approach teaching children about money with openness and honesty, giving a constant and clear message. Explain to them why they can or cannot have certain items they wish to buy. You can’t always say yes to a request for money and if it has to be a no, it does few favours being over indulgent, but equally the ‘because I said so’ clause has little educational merit.

Before long your child will have a basic understanding of money. When this happens you may wish to start explaining the bigger picture. You might consider showing children how the whole family benefits from money via a visit to the supermarket. Once there pick out two similar products, perhaps a well known brand and an own label and allow the child to make the choice. If they choose the supermarket’s own brand, allow them to make a further purchase with the saved money. This might be a useful starting point for a discussion about value vs. price.

Consider also the type of signals about money that your child picks up on. You may feel it's important to let your child know family money matters are private, and not for discussion outside the home. If however, as parents you talk in hushed tones over bills and bank statements, your child may deduce that finances are something to be secretive and furtive about. Similarly, if they pick up some stress and anxiety over money, this too is a value that can be carried forward into adult life.

7 tips to help teach children about money

1) Fun, fun, Fun - make a game of both saving and spending. If only spending money is fun then they will not associate any pleasure with saving.

2) Routines - When they receive money as presents or from the tooth fairy establish a routine, like putting some or all of it in their piggy bank or savings account. They will most likely take these traditions forward into their own families.

3) Consistency - If you pay pocket money in return for helping around the house make sure they actually do the work. Even very young children can be responsible for tidying away their own toys or clothes. It’s a good idea to pay a set amount on a regular day but encourage their entrepreneurial side by giving them the opportunity to earn more if they seek it.

4) Look after the pennies - Turning off the lights, saving their pennies and giving small donations to charity collections are small things that they can do to create positive habits which may last a lifetime. Ensure that you explain why you are doing it and what the benefits are. Charitable giving can illustrate to your child that there are others less fortunate and introduce the idea to be grateful that they have more than enough.

5) Consequences - When your children ask for something, rather than say no. Ask them if they would like to buy it from their own money and explain what the consequences are. You may find that they are more reluctant to spend their own money than they are yours!

6) Praise, praise, praise - We may learn by our mistakes but by praising we reinforce positive behaviour and will encourage children to do the right thing out of choice ‘because it feels good’. This can be applied to saving, spending wisely and giving to charity.

7) Spend and save - when your children are receiving pocket money, teach them to save either some or all of it. It is always a good idea to let them spend a little however, as this encouragement will stand them in good stead later in life.

Tips For Getting Started With Breastfeeding

It cannot be emphasized enough that breast milk is the best source of nutrition you can give to your baby. A complete food source specially formulated for your baby, breast milk contains all the nutrients (there is at least 400), hormones and antibodies your baby needs for optimal development. Despite many attempts to mimic breast milk, no formula has ever succeeded to replicate all the benefits that breast milk provides.

As your baby grows, your breast milk will change to suit whichever stage of development your baby is at. Your breast milk is tailored for your baby and your baby alone - no formula can boast such claims. Aside from the brain building, infection fighting benefits of breast milk, breastfeeding also helps to nurture a special bond between you and your baby. The skin-to-skin contact, cuddling and holding involved during breastfeeding is an important part of a baby's development that is not only beneficial to baby but to you as well.

Okay, so we know that breastfeeding is beneficial to you and your baby, but how does one get started?

Ideally, you should begin breastfeeding your baby as soon as possible after delivery. Let your doctor know about your decision to breastfeed your baby and ample opportunity can be arranged for you to nurse your baby while you are still in the delivery room. This first nursing session is one of the most important sessions because a baby's root reflex (the urge to suckle) is strongest right at birth and begins to diminish the longer you wait.

At this stage, your breasts are producing a substance known as colostrum that contains important antibodies that help protect your baby from infections and to line your baby's intestines to prepare them to receive full milk. Colostrum will continue to be produced for the first 3-5 days after delivery before the breast begins to produce mature milk.

Breastfeeding for the first time can be quite a challenge and it is important to get as much support as possible. If you aren't sure how to go about it, get help from the hospital's lactation consultant, or a good friend or family member who has breastfed a baby before. Having the right support can sometimes make the different between mothers who persist with breastfeeding and those that eventually give up. Remember that breastfeeding is an art that will require a lot of patience and practice.

If your baby has trouble finding or staying on your nipple, don't panic. Remember that there are two inexperienced individuals in the picture - you and your baby - and you both need time to adjust to one another and develop a nursing relationship. It is important to learn how to get a correct latch, position yourself comfortably and to break the suction when you need to. Make sure you have learned these three things before you leave the hospital.

A proper latch at the start should not be painful. However, nursing during the early days can cause your nipples to feel raw. This sensitivity will eventually subside - but be prepared for it to last a couple of weeks. Applying a barrier cream like Bepanthen after each nursing can help to lessen the sensitivity. Because of this initial tenderness, it can be difficult to tell if the pain is from an improper latch. If you aren't sure, check with the lactation consultant. With a proper latch, the baby's mouth should cover most of the areola (the darkened skin).

If your baby hasn't gotten a proper latch, break the suction and start again. It is important to ensure that your baby learns how to latch properly and not to continue nursing if your baby has latched on poorly. If allowed to continue, your baby will develop a bad habit of latching on poorly which is not only painful for you in the long run but makes feeding time more inefficient for your baby.

During the first few days, you should nurse frequently because the more often you nurse, the more quickly your mature milk will come in and the more milk you will produce. A good practice to adopt is to breastfeed for 10-15 minutes per breast at least 8 - 10 times a day. If for, any reason, you are not able to nurse your baby, you can help encourage your breasts to produce more milk by applying a breast pump to it. One recommendation is to use an electric pump on the lowest setting for as long as you would otherwise nurse your baby.

Crying during the early days is often a sign of hunger and it is important to feed your baby before he or she starts crying. Sometimes this may mean waking up your baby to begin breastfeeding. You may also find that your baby falls asleep easily during feeding. Jaundiced babies, especially, tend to be very lethargic and often don't wake up for feeds. They especially need to be woken up to feed because breast milk helps them to excrete bilirubin (which is the breakdown product of red blood cells that causes jaundice). A good guide to follow is to wake your baby up if it has been four hours since the last feed.
by Shen-Li Lee

Things to Consider Before Hiring a Teenage Nanny to Watch Your Toddler

Babysitting or nanny services are typically provided by teenagers looking to earn extra spending money. It is common practice for most parents to hire the services of a high school or college student to watch over younger children. School-age kids may be easier for a teenager to manage but there is a lot of debate on whether or not it is proper to get a teenage nanny to look after a toddler.

The upside and the downside of a teenage nanny

On one hand, a teenage babysitter is great because she can keep up with the energy of an overactive child. Teenage nannies are energetic and fun because of their youth. They also charge cheaper compared with older nannies.

On the other hand, teenagers may not have sufficient experience in handling toddlers. Two- to three-year old kids have different needs and handling them is quite different. An inexperienced teenager may not be able to attend to the needs of a toddler. But this doesn’t mean that teenagers, in general, do not make for suitable nannies for younger children. If you’re looking to hire a teenage nanny to watch your toddler, here are some things you might want to consider.

Extensive experience

It would help if you hire a teenage nanny with sufficient experience. Teenagers who have younger siblings are more likely to come with decent childcare skills. Ask your candidate if she has younger siblings or relatives that she babysits. It’s also important to consider hiring somebody who has completed babysitter training or somebody who knows first aid and CPR. Red Cross babysitting courses are regularly offered to teenagers so it would also be a good idea to consider candidates with such certifications.

If the teenager has already babysat for other families, you may want to ask for references and contact the other parents. This is a good way to determine just how capable the candidate is.

Your children

If you have another child aside from your toddler, hiring a teenage nanny may not be a good idea. School-aged kids are already a handful and combining one with a toddler may be more than what the teenager can handle. However, if you only have a toddler who needs to be looked after, an experienced and trained teenage nanny should suffice provided that she is mature enough to care for the child.

Location

Some parents do not mind having a teenage nanny watch over their toddlers particularly if she lives nearby. If your potential babysitter just lives a few blocks away and she can easily call someone like her mother or another adult for help in case of emergencies, she would still be a suitable candidate for the job.

Interviewing the candidate

The interview is crucial to your decision to hire a teenage nanny for your toddler. This is where you will be able to determine if the applicant is mature enough to handle a child as young as yours. How she answers your questions would be indicative of her competence.
By Doreen Lee

Tips On Buying Products For A New Born Baby

We all want the best for our babies, and if you are having your first child, you will probably be even more prone to buying the most expensive items, which you may never use. A classic example of this is a special airlock diaper bin you can buy for around $100/£50. At first glance this may seem like an essential purchase when in fact, for a mere 16 cents/32p, you can buy a pack of 100 diaper bags which can then be easily disposed of.

Another consideration is when you are buying essentials like diapers, tissues and the like, do you go for the cheaper products or is that false economy. Well, as for tissues, we can tell you that if you are using them for wiping/drying after changing the baby, it's better to use the cheap supermarket tissues as they are tougher and less likely to tear if wet. The more expensive tissues are softer and more suitable for wiping the nose.

Concerning diapers, it's a bit more complicated. Yes, the cheaper ones will ultimately do the same job, but because the system for keeping the wetness away from the baby's skin isn't as good, you may find the baby will be more prone to rashes, which means using more cream…and spending more money. Another problem is the cheaper diapers can leak during the night which will result in more sleepless nights. In our opinion, if you can afford it, go for one of the leading brands.

Another example where you may want to avoid the cheapest route is bottle sterilizers. At first we used a container where you soaked the bottles in a solution of water and purifying tablets. We found that it could cause the bottles to smell like chlorine and also, after a while, it could affect your hands and make them dry, even bleed. Using a steamer type sterilizer was quicker, easier and kinder to your hands. It does cost a bit more but you will be using it every day for months and months to come.

Talking of essentials, the kind of items mentioned above would be ideal gifts to give at a baby shower (a party where gifts are given to a parent or baby). Sometimes people spend lots of money on elaborate gifts which may never get used.

If you know anybody who has recently had a child then it is really worth asking about their experiences with various products, your parents may also be a good source of information. You will find that you may get many different options, they may not all be right for you, including some of them in this article but you will at least have a range of options and you can make the decision you feel is best for you and your baby.

Top Ten Outside Toys For Kids Under Twelve

If you are a parent then you are likely to know that summertime can be a difficult time. Parents of children under the age of twelve are constantly dealing with children who are bored. There are only so many activities a child can do inside. That is why it is important for children to play outside during the summer.

Playing outside in the summertime is fun, but many children can easily become bored without a few outdoor summer toys. If you are the parent of a child who is younger than twelve, you have a number of options when it comes to buying outdoor toys. Below is a list and small summary of ten of the most popular outside toys for children under the age of twelve.

(1) Sand and Water Activity Tables

Sand and water activity tables are tables that allow children to play in the sand or in the water almost at the same time. Most tables are divided into two sections. A large number of companies make sand and water activity tables; therefore, you can purchase a wide variety of different table designs. Most sand and water tables are designed for children aged three and up.

Average Price: $45 - $75

(2) Outdoor Water Sprinklers

For years now, outdoor water sprinklers have been how many children without pool access have stayed cool during the summertime. Outdoor water sprinklers come in all different styles. Traditional sprinkler systems can be purchased; however, large beach balls, plastic animals, and other popular cartoon characters can be used as a sprinkler system. All outdoor water sprinklers require water hookup through a garden hose.

Average Price: $5 - $30

(3) Water Guns

Similar to the above mentioned water sprinklers, water guns are a fun way for children without a pool to stay cool. Water guns come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles. You can purchase a water gun that fits into the palm or your hand or you can get one that is so big it is about waist tall. Large water guns tend to have more force when it comes to dispensing the water. This means that most large water guns are not safe for children under the age of five.

Average Price: $10 - $20

(4) Slip and Slide Water Toys

Slip and slides are known as small water slides. They have been a popular outdoor summer toy for children under the age of twelve for years now. Slip and slides work best on a hill, but with running water a child can have fun even on a flat surface. Many slip and slides are sold with a sprinkler system or a miniature wading pool for extra fun.

Average Price: $10 - $25

(5) Inflatable Water Slides

Until recently, the above mentioned slip and slide water toys were the only water slides designed for home use without a pool. Now large water slides are being sold online and in department stores across the country. These slides are inflatable and they can go as high as ten feet in the air. They come with a miniature pool at the bottom. Due to their large size, most water slides are designed for children over the age of four or five.

Average Price: $200 - $300

(6) Sandboxes

Currently, sandboxes sit in millions of backyards all across the country. When filled with sand, sandboxes offer hours of fun for the whole family. Sandboxes can come in a traditional box size or they can come as large plastic animals. Large plastic turtles and crabs are most popular with children under the age of five.

Average Price: $45 - $100

(7) Teeter Totters

Many parents and children mistakenly believe that teeter totters are only meant for the park. The truth is that there are a large number of teeter totters that are designed for backyards of all sizes. Large teeter totters can often be hooked into the ground; therefore, making it safe for older children or adults to use. Smaller teeter totters that are transportable and designed for children under the age of 10 can also be purchased.

Average Price: $40 - $80

(8) Grill and Grill Accessories

Toy grills are becoming one of the most popular outdoors toys to hit the market. A large number of companies make these grills; therefore, there is a large selection of different styles at most retail stores. The grills can come in all different sizes with talking pieces, plastic food, and other grill accessories. These toy grills allow children to feel like a grownup while they cook right alongside their parents.

Average Price: $20 - $60

(9) Children's Wheelbarrow and Garden Accessories

A children's wheelbarrow can be used for a number of fun outdoor activities. Children can use a wheelbarrow to move their toys or help their parents in the garden. Most wheelbarrows can be purchased with additional garden accessories for extra fun. Children's wheelbarrows come in all different shapes and sizes; therefore, children of all ages can have fun with this great outdoor toy.

(10) Bubbles

Bubbles have always been considered fun outside toys, but the creation of additional bubble toys have made them even more fun. In addition to traditional bubbles, there are now bubble-making machines. These machines can often produce hundred of bubbles in just a few minutes. There are also machines that can be used to create huge bubbles. In addition to bubble-making machines, there are also other bubble accessories that can create unique bubble shapes and much more.

Average Price: $5 - $20

All of the toys mentioned above are the top ten most popular outside toys for children under the age of twelve. The good news is that almost all of these toys are reasonably priced and great for backyards of just about any size. Why let your child suffer through a boring summer when a large number of fun outdoor toys are all within your reach?

By Cathy Franklen

Keeping The Kids Entertained Through Summer With Outdoor Toys

When the kids are at home throughout the summer, you may be wondering how you can keep them entertained. The great thing about summer time is that the weather is nice and it gives kids the opportunity to play outdoors. One way that you can keep them entertained is to purchase some nice outdoor toys that the kids can play with this summer. They'll enjoy themselves and you won't have to worry about trying to entertain them every few minutes. Here is a look at a few great outdoor toys that you may want to purchase for your children.

Swing Sets

If you want your kids to have a great time outdoors this summer, one way that you can entertain them is with a nice swing set. There are all different kinds of swing set systems that are available today. You can find some that only offer the swings, while there are others that offer slides for kids to play on as well. Some sets have multiple slides, some even come with mini play houses attached to them. The swing set you choose will probably depend on the number of kids you have as well as the money you have to spend on the set.

Sandpits

Kids love playing in the dirt. Why not get them a nice sandpit that they can enjoy. Sandpits are relatively inexpensive to purchase and your kids can have hours of fun in the backyard. There are sandpits that come in cool shapes, such as in the shape of a turtle. Some sand pits are actually off the ground and covered with umbrellas to make sure your kids don't get to much sun while they are enjoying their time playing in the dirt. The sand usually isn't very expensive either, and you can purchase a few buckets and shovels, and your kids are set for hours of fun outdoors.

Climbing Sets

Climbing sets are another type of outdoor toy that many kids enjoy. Do you have kids that love to climb all over the place, why not purchase them a climbing set for the backyard. Usually these sets come with bars to climb across, swinging bars to swing and climb on, and more. Just make sure that kids are careful when they use this equipment. It may be a good idea for you to watch them to make sure they are safe.

Water Toys

Water toys for the outdoors are a huge hit with kids during the summer time. There are all kinds of different toys that use water. Consider some fun water guns for kids to play with. Small pools can be fun, and there are even fun sprinkler systems for kids that can be used right in the backyard. It is a wonderful way for them to cool off and enjoy themselves.

If you are going to purchase these toys for your children to enjoy this summer, try purchasing online. You can find many great deals online and it's easy to shop too. It allows you to carefully look through the toys available to find the best ones for your kids and the best prices as well.