-Make a list
Trying to keep a running list in your mind of what needs to be done can tax your sanity. Early in the game - as in months ahead - take some time to sit down and make a comprehensive moving plan, complete with details. Then your mind can rest and you can see what has been done, and what you still need to do.

-Purge your house of unnecessary items
There is a reason why people have moving sales. Both packing and unpacking are made easier when there is less stuff. You don’t have to have a moving sale if the notion seems daunting. You can give your items to a charity or give them away online. Some charities will even come to your house and pick up your stuff.

-Organize
Whether you are packing and moving your own items or hiring movers, be sure the boxes are well labeled. Consider specific boxes for special items, especially those things that will be needed right away: cookware, special children’s toys, bedding, etc.

-Call ahead and have utilities ready
Arrange to have the utilities turned on and in your name on the day you move in. Nothing adds to stress like not having running water or electricity, and trying to make phone calls to get the utilities turned on when there is no phone service hooked up.

Moving with children

-Make lots of special visits to the new house with the children
Before actually moving in, take your children to visit the new house as often as is practical. Take a picnic and eat on the floor or in the yard, or bring a special toy reserved only for the new house. Consider a homecoming party when you do move in, where the children each get a special gift that signifies their new home. Talking about the party you are going to have will give children something to look forward to.

-Encourage participation
Children feel insecure when they feel something is happening to them without any input. While children may not get a choice in when/where you move, letting them participate in as many aspects of the move as possible will help them feel empowered and view the move in a more positive light. Allow them to help paint their new room, for example, or pick paint colors (narrow it down to two or three colors you can live with before letting them choose!). If children get to participate, they will gain a sense of ownership of the new house.

In time, your family will settle in and your new house will become home.

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It’s also important to see to it that the child is comfortable in his or her new foster home. Of course, if you are prepared mentally and emotionally, that adds greatly to the child’s comfort. There are some practical things, too, that you can do to make the foster home a place of refuge and love.

* Know your state’s requirements

Much of the physical aspects of your home - types of toys, sleeping accommodations, etc. - are determined by the state. An inspector or case worker will come to your home and determine whether it is suitable for a foster child, looking for proper safety measures (such as smoke alarms), number of bedrooms (some states require a separate bedroom for each foster child), etc. It will make the process go a lot more smoothly if you find out your state’s requirements ahead of time.

* A welcoming home

Besides state regulations, you probably want your home to project a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere. Try to keep the household quiet on the day of the foster child’s arrival. Let your children know they will need to be quiet and calm, but not stifled. Make sure the house is free of clutter which can be overwhelming to a child who is already feeling traumatized. If you have pets, especially big dogs, put them outside or in a separate room at first.

* Put valuables away

Keep any “tempting” items, such as jewelry, electronics, or other valuables out of sight. As you adjust to this new child and discover his strengths and weaknesses, you will learn where you can relax the rules and where you need to tighten them up.

* The child’s own space

Remember that a foster child is going through something traumatic, and may have known little but trauma for most of her life. She will need a space of her own where she can go to process her thoughts and feelings when she feels overwhelmed. Prepare this special space, most likely a bedroom, by making it welcoming and peaceful - a comfortable chair, a neatly made bed, some books, and maybe some stuffed animals. Quiet, soft toys are a good place to start.

* Preparing your other children

Of course there will be a period of adjustment, and some bumps along the road are to be expected. To prevent any big set-backs, though, it is a good idea to prepare your children for the foster child. Let them know how things are going to be different, and why you are taking a foster child in to your home.

The whole family can participate to make the fostering experience a joyful and rewarding one for everyone involved.

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Here are Dr. Cobble’s heart-healthy ABC’s for 2010:

• Active: Be active every day — take the stairs, park further away,buy a push lawn mower. Find ways to move your muscles, clap your hands, move your feet.
• Breakfast daily: Start each day with a good breakfast, including dairy, fiber and fruit. Select items such as whole grain toast, low or fat-free milk, bananas, pears and high-fiber oatmeal with nuts and berries.
• C. Cholesterol management: Get an advanced test that tells you and you doctor about the dangerous cholesterol — directly measured LDL, non-HDL, apoB and subparticles — that can hurt your arteries. The Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) lipid test from Atherotech is one such test.
• D. Diet: Think moderation, balance and “heart healthy” throughout the day. Eat fruits, veggies, fiber, complex carbs, proteins and healthy fats. Experience European dining with each meal.
• E. Exercise: Exercise daily — walk at lunch with coworkers, before orafter work with your pets, join in team sports or find an outletthat gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes a day.
• F. Fiber is your friend: Read the nutrition label on foods so you knowwhat you’re eating and to better manage your cholesterol, fiber andother nutrients.
• G. Glucose in moderation: Too much sugar and starch contribute todiabetes. Get tested for diabetes with a blood glucose test, and cutback on pasta, potatoes, sodas, ice cream and fast food.
• H. Healthy lifestyle: Lead a healthy lifestyle, which means no smoking,seeing your clinician every year for a physical, and laughing often.Spend time with friends, kids and grandkids.
• I. Imagine: Use your imagination to enjoy life and get the most out of each and every day. Have fun, do what you love and what makes youhappy.

SOURCE Atherotech Inc.

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“First and foremost, we applaud the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on producing this historic health reform bill which will provide millions of currently uninsured children access to comprehensive health insurance coverage.

“We support Congress’ goal to fulfill President Obama’s campaign promise to provide mandated coverage for all children. We have been vocal in our concern for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and we are hopeful that Senator Reid’s manager’s amendment, that keeps the program intact through the end of 2019 with funding until 2015, will be preserved as Congress moves forward with this process.

“We do remain concerned, however, about its future fate: CHIP will run out of funding in 2015 and expire in 2019, moving millions of children into private coverage through an untested health insurance exchange that will increase costs and may deter families from signing their children up for insurance. The implication of fewer kids with health coverage is disastrous, both from a public health and an economic standpoint.

“As the bill moves forward, CHF urges Congress to preserve CHIP and provide funding for the entire authorization period.

“We are pleased with the number of positive health measures for kids and their families, among which are provisions that will require insurance companies to allow children to stay on their parent’s plans until they are 26 years old and Medicaid expansions that allow foster children to remain on Medicaid until they are 26 years old.

“The legislation bans insurance companies from denying children with pre-existing conditions coverage under their parent’s plans, an important reform measure which we believe will enable sick children, and families suffering under debt, to get the care kids need.

“Likewise, we are pleased with the inclusion of pediatric specific benefits in the list of essential benefits to be provided to all Americans in the newly formed exchange and efforts to strengthen access to oral health for children. Pediatric oral health is often lacking in medically underserved areas, with dire consequences for children and families.

SOURCE Children’s Health Fund

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These 100% natural therapeutic heating/cooling treatment packs are specifically designed to reduce swelling and relieve pain and have been developed in a variety of applications.

Researchers behind Thermal-Aid created a line of products, which allows a specialized corn to hold temperatures for long periods of time, making a more effective product for both humans and pets. Thermal-Aid is recommended by doctors and physical therapists across the United States.
“These low cost Thermal-Aid products are truly extraordinary and have given many of my patients the ability to reduce and sometimes eliminate taking their expensive arthritis and pain-killer medications,” said Dr. David Toomey of Toomey & Toomey medical group.

In conjunction with the Thermal-Aid launch announcement, company representatives from Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc. will be giving out warm Thermal-Aid Bears to children attending a holiday party at the North Hills transitional housing facility operated by Penny Lane. Since 1969, Penny Lane’s mission has been to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California by providing a wide range of essential programs including residential services, foster care, adoption services, an on-site special education school, and outpatient mental health services.

“We are very honored and proud to support the hard work and dedication by so many individuals that make Penny Lane the cornerstone of non-profit organizations in Los Angeles today,” said Matthew Mills, CEO of Pacific Shore Holdings Inc. “We feel it’s our duty to support the children in our community who are in need during the holidays.”

Thermal-Aid Bear can be found at all 98 California-based Ralph’s Grocery Store pharmacies.
Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc., a multidivisional corporation, strives to fulfill consumer demands by manufacturing and distributing low cost niche products that are green, clean, and safe.

SOURCE Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc.

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While a third of sitters said they are not expecting a holiday gift from their families this year, those who are hoping for a little something were fairly consistent. The following are those gifts topping sitters’ wish lists for this holiday season.

Monetary Gift. Fifty-seven percent of Sittercity sitters ranked cash the highest on the list. Some parents prefer bonuses to raises because a bonus is not a year-round commitment. So how much do you pay? For a part-time sitter, double her pay for the last job that she had before the holidays. For a steady babysitter/nanny working more than 20 hours a week, consider doubling her weekly salary for one week instead.

Gift Certificates. If a monetary gift is not an option, a Sittercity.com poll indicated that the most popular non-cash babysitter gift is a gift certificate. There are a great deal of gift certificates to choose from: movie passes, popular restaurant, favorite store. Make sure you know what your sitter likes so he or she can get something they would use for the holidays.

Handmade Gifts. Sitters and nannies often love getting handmade gifts from the children, so that’s a great place to start. Have the kids make your sitter an ornament, delicious holiday cookies and or a thoughtful card is a cute and personal way to show your appreciate for all that your caregiver does. Note: Handmade gifts are good on their own, but it’s best to supplement them with a monetary gift.
Remember that whatever you can afford to give your sitter this season, all that matters is that she knows she is appreciated. Just taking a few minutes to thank her for everything she does for your family will go a long way in helping to make her season bright. Happy gifting!

SOURCE Sittercity.com

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The new “best” is unique baby clothes that are free-trade, sweat shop free, preferably made in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Europe or Australia. And “best” is even better, if it’s eco-friendly, made from sustainable fabrics, organics and bamboo. “These next genesis fabrics are full of color and are luxuriously soft for baby’s delicate skin. Long gone are the drab scratchy organic wools of yesteryear” says Torress.

Styles are preciously classic yet relaxed as we emerge from recession. Warm pinks and sky blues are modern again with aargyle and kimono side ties. Colorful whimsy prints are seen on traditional baby rompers. Think orange owls, rich chocolate trims, turquoise guitars and animal prints. Little girl dresses take their inspiration from the storybooks of renaissance princesses and a midsummer’s night dream. “Celebrity favorites are California designers Luna Luna Copenhagen, Made Sky Kids and Toni Tierney Designs. They are constantly mixing things up season to season”, states D. Torress. “Miraculously, they have managed to keep their prices at bay, while maintaining high quality and excellent work conditions for their sewers.”

Will the twenty tens be as fashion iconic as were the 60’s and 70’s? Then again, when all is said and done, every generation laughs at the old fashions and follows the new; and babies base most of their fashion taste on what doesn’t itch!

Source Recurrent Dreams

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“The most important thing about any diaper disposal system is that it controls odors. This new system employs the built-in power of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda to provide natural, safe and effective odor elimination,” said Doug Gillespie, Munchkin Vice President of Marketing. “We also knew the pail had to be easy for parents to use, so we developed a patented self-sealing system and refill bags that you simply snap, seal and toss in the trash.”

The ARM & HAMMER® name has been trusted for generations to eliminate odors, and Munchkin is known to today’s parents for delivering clever solutions to their everyday needs. The ARM & HAMMER(TM) Diaper Pail has numerous innovations that reflect the respective strengths of the two brands.

Baking Soda Dispenser: A built-in, vented dispenser sprinkles odor-eliminating baking soda each time the lid is closed and continuously absorbs and eliminates odors even when not in use.

Self-Sealing System: Munchkin’s patented system automatically seals the bag when the lid is closed and keeps it sealed when the lid is reopened.
Snap, Seal and Toss Bags: The disposable refill bags, each of which can hold up to 25 diapers, shut tight with a snap and can be easily tossed and replaced without cutting or tying.

Source: Munchkin

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Bright Baby Tees (which is also planning a collection for babies) is the nation’s first producer of clothing that incorporates the concept of Infant Visual Stimulation (IVS). The high-contrast colors and patterns grab and hold an infant’s attention, having a positive effect on visual processing and neural and synaptic growth — meaning, when baby starts wiggling, giggling, kicking and arm-waving at the sight of their parent’s shirt, they’re getting a healthy head-start on their mental and physical development.

With 15 child-engaging T-shirt designs currently available, and 60 more in the works, parents, caregivers and older siblings will have an abundant variety of shapes, colors and patterns to sport in helping babies learn and grow. “We have geometric designs, letters of the alphabet, interesting halftones, animal themes, and much more to come,” says David Hagan, President of Bright Baby Tees. “A wide array of styles, sizes and colors are already available for purchase on our website, http://www.BrightBabyTees.com, at very reasonable prices.”

Hagan assures parents they needn’t worry if their baby is so delighted with the tees they can’t resist grabbing or biting the fabric. The line is eco-friendly. Designs are printed on organic cotton with non-toxic inks that are safe for both babies and the planet. To emphasize these benefits, the line was launched on Earth Day at the La Leche League Conference in Cherry Hill, NJ.

The new T-shirt collection has received the professional endorsement of neuropsychologist Dr. Darren Caffery, who confirms that early environmental influences exert significant effects on neural growth and visual/perceptive processing. “We have smart cars and homes,” he asserts, “so why not wear smart tees to nurture smart kids?”

SOURCE Bright Baby Tees

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New moms have access to Newborn and Parenting Resources once their baby arrives and their short term disability claim has been approved. Then, they will receive eight weeks of Newborn and Parenting Resources services at no cost to them. The eight weeks start on the date the new mother enrolls in the program.

Once enrolled, the new mothers are paired with highly trained and licensed professional coaches who have advanced degrees in counseling and/or child development. The coaches provide support and help mothers set goals, address concerns and identify resolutions on topics including: returning to work, adjusting to a new baby, work/life balance, issues with older siblings, health and nutrition, child development and parent well-being. The coaches are available via e-mail, instant message chat, online journal and telephone. In addition, new mothers can receive a 12-month subscription to American Baby magazine and get discounts on products to make their house safe for their newborn.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the first baby or the fifth, we know making the transition from maternity leave to working outside the house can be challenging,” said Nick Brecker, president of Life and Disability, WellPoint, Inc. “We want new mothers to know we provide more than a benefits check. We provide new mothers with resources to help ease the transition back to work after their maternity leave and help them be successful working mothers.”

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.

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Moreover, the safety of many children’s accessories and toys made in China remain in question. Just this week, for example, stroller-maker Maclaren announced a recall affecting one million China-manufactured umbrella strollers that reportedly can injure children’s fingers.

“It’s not just parents - grandparents, too, have become very conscientious consumers,” says Kerry Menger, co-founder of NMCtoys.com. “They’re researching their options, and choosing us because they want safe, eco-friendly toys and educational gifts for their grandchildren. They also love how our products are ‘Made in the USA.’ There’s no doubt that the sales that come from these goods stimulate the health of our domestic economy. That’s the icing on the cake.”

NMCtoys.com debuted in 2007 in response to the mass recalls of “Made in China” toys that took place that year. The online resource was a hit - and its owners predict greater success this holiday season, considering recent updates and a broader mission.

NMCtoys.com has an expanded product line, a larger offering of “green” toys, and a goal to support U.S.-based toy manufacturers. With many options in both entertaining and educational toys, parents and grandparents feel this website is an ideal resource for various reasons.

“I have a special needs grandson (toddler), and am particularly interested in toys designed for young children who have both physical and mental challenges,” says Lauren, one customer who now receives the website’s coupon- and product-packed newsletter.

Another customer, Teresa, is regularly using NMCtoys.com’s gift certificates to purchase baby shower gifts. Now she has a grandson and shops the website because she trusts the quality of its toys, even if she spends a little more for this peace of mind.

SOURCE NMCtoys.com

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The study, reported in BioMed Central’s open access journal, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, will be published on November 6.

A team led by Kristen Copeland, MD, Division of General and Community Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, conducted a study of 53 child care providers from 34 child care centers in Cincinnati to examine why physical activity levels may vary across centers. Through a series of focus groups, they found, unexpectedly, that clothing was potentially an important barrier to children’s outdoor physical activity.

Inappropriate clothing included inadequate outdoor clothing, such as a lack of coats and gloves in the wintertime; unsuitable footwear, such as flip flops; and “nice” or expensive outfits that were not to be ruined. The study found that a few children dressed improperly could prevent the entire class from going outside, thus restricting physical activity.

Dr. Copeland noted that in some child care centers, if one child in a class showed up without a coat on a chilly day, the whole class had to stay inside. “Even more surprising to our team was the fact that the child care center staff members said some parents appeared to send children to the centers without coats so they’d have to stay inside,” Dr. Copeland said. “The staff attributed that to parents concerns about their children getting injured or dirty or having a cold that my be exacerbated by cold weather,” she said.

“We were surprised that some teachers reported that they had seen a few parents intentionally take their child’s coat with them to work, so that the child would not be allowed outside.” Teachers attributed these actions to parents’ concerns about their children getting sick if exposed to cold weather, concerns about clothes getting ruined, or their child getting injured, Dr. Copeland explained.

The study also revealed that clothing choices were a significant source of conflict between parents and child care providers. Caregivers suggested several reasons why parents may dress their child inappropriately, including forgetfulness, a rushed morning routine, limited income to buy clothes, a child’s preference for a favorite item, and parents not understanding the importance of outdoor play.
“The study suggests that parents may need to be reminded about the importance and benefits of active play for children’s development,” Copeland said. She added that child care centers might consider implementing clear and specific policies regarding the type of clothes permitted at these centers so that children’s active play opportunities aren’t curtailed.

SOURCE Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

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Funded through a federal grant secured by Congressman Jim Moran, the new center is a proactive step in providing care to a specialized-needs group of local children who require therapeutic foster homes to overcome crises in their young lives. A citywide public service radio campaign created by KidsPeace through a grant from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is being launched on dozens of local radio stations and is calling on good-hearted citizens to consider fostering children - especially older children, who are often overlooked and who now make up nearly half of all kids in foster care.

At a special event and open house on Thursday, October 29, from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon the charity will appeal to families in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William County to open their hearts and their homes to local kids in need. More than 100 VIPs and special guests are invited to attend, including Congressman Moran, Rebekah Beck (Education Program Manager, Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia), Greta Rosenzweig (Supervisor of Resource Unit, Alexandria Department of Human Services/ DSS/CWS), Claudia McDowell (Program Manager of Foster Care, Fairfax County Department of Family Services), KidsPeace President and CEO William Isemann, community supporters, foster parents, and foster kids. From 1pm-5pm, KidsPeace will be providing a free training in Falls Church to local social workers on how to recruit and prepare families to take older teens, handle crises, and reduce the numbers of kids “given back.” The session will be led by Pat O’Brien, noted founder of the teen adoption agency, “You Gotta Believe.” To reserve a free spot and get directions, call Alana Marino at 571-403-9260.

Across the nation, the need for foster homes is rapidly increasing as more and more children are removed from their homes and need temporary or permanent alternatives because of abuse, neglect, or other family crises. More than 600,000 children nationwide currently need foster homes, but the number of foster homes falls short of meeting the need. Nearly half are over age 12, and in Virginia 55 percent of foster care children in the state are 13 or older.

“The shortage of foster homes leaves more and more children deprived of the loving care that every child needs and deserves,” said William Isemann, KidsPeace President and CEO. “KidsPeace’s new center in Alexandria will work with families in the region to give the best to kids who have been through the worst.”

SOURCE KidsPeace

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The Baby Einstein videos seemed the solution to many busy parents. Just leave it on for your babies to watch and they’ll grow to be fine and intelligent like the namesake of the videos. But a New York Times report debunks this belief. Songs and bright colors are not that effective for infants.

When one comes to think of it, the logic behind letting babies watch colorful videos may be counterintuitive to their development especially for their eyes. The American Academy of Pediatrics believe that until a child reaches two years old, they should not watch television. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood points to a study which found a correlation between early television watching and low attention spans.

This has intense ramifications especially for the credibility of the videos. Lawsuits are waiting if cases of deceptive advertisements are hurled towards the makers of Baby Einstein videos.

This development is important in emphasizing that parents should spend as much quality time as they can with their babies.

Source: New York Times

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The new site, www.headstarttrainingonline.com, directly serves the needs of the Head Start community. The design and streamlined navigation makes finding enrollment requirements, program descriptions, scholarship opportunities, and Head Start training requirements effortless for Head Start staff and directors. The site is also available in Spanish, at the click of a button.

The current and relevant content provides Head Start staff with valuable information whether they want to register for professional development courses, determine the requirements they must meet or conduct research to determine which certificate program is right for them. The constantly updated testimonial page is evidence of the success CCEI Head Start graduates have and is testament to CCEI’s position as the leader in online child care training.

“CCEI has been providing Head Start programs, teachers, and directors with online professional development that addresses their varying staff development needs. This website matches the professional development options with the specific Head Start regulation that they fulfill, making it quicker and easier for the Head Start community to locate appropriate training to meet their needs,” said Maria C. Taylor, President and CEO.

Source ChildCare Education Institute, LLC

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“Funkoos is now the great equalizer when it comes to making organic clothing affordable. No longer will discerning shoppers have to pay a premium for durable, stylish, organic clothing,” said Aaron Wasserman, Director of Marketing, Funkoos. “When parents touch our products, they’ll feel how soft the fabric is, how it actually breathes as it’s laying against the skin.

“Not only does this line provide the well documented health benefits of 100 percent organic cotton clothing, but the design is playful and easy for parents to manage,” added Wasserman.

“We believe that the superior construction of Funkoos clothing - from the soft, breathable fabric to the practical, fun design - will change the way people shop for baby clothes.”

In addition to designing clothing with pure organic cotton that has been manufactured in factories certified as per the internationally-recognized Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), Funkoos is dedicated to ensuring that all products are manufactured in fair trade work environments. Additionally, the brand is giving back a portion of all revenues through charitable environmental causes.

“At Funkoos, we truly take pride in maintaining completely fair work environments and compensation plans, and are involved with a number of nonprofit organizations, including the internationally recognized One Percent for the Planet.” said Sitwat Shah, Director of Operations, Funkoos.

Source: Funkoos

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Take time out to pursue your own hobby or interest. Nearly every parenting book will espouse the need of parents to pursue some of their own interests to avoid burn-out. Perhaps you played a sport before becoming a parent. Being active will keep you healthy, show your children how to be healthy through activity, and increase endorphins in your body which will improve your mood.

Include your children in your hobby. Maybe you loved to roller skate as a teen. It may be time to take up skating again. Get skates for the whole family and everyone can have fun together.

Maybe your interests lie in another direction. Are you fixing up a room in the house? Children can learn how to help with do-it-yourself projects as well. They generally like painting even if they can’t reach the ceiling. Why not let them help? You’ll be able to share your interest with your child and get more accomplished at the same time.

Give yourself a time out. This might be associated primarily with disobedient children, but time outs can be a great idea for helping you to de-stress, which can definitely improve how you feel. This can also help you be a better parent because you’ll be calmer and more able to handle your children.

How do you know when you need a time out? Here are some indicators:

* You might talk louder
* You may clench your teeth
* You may feel your heart race
* You may feel your muscles tighten

If your children are safe, try leaving the situation. You can also ask another adult to keep an eye on them until you’ve cooled off. Go to your room or the bathroom where you can be alone for a few minutes. Take some deep breaths and then call a friend to help you talk thing through before returning to the stress-causing situation. When you’ve calmed down, you’ll be able to handle the situation better.

It’s important to realize you can’t do things for others – whether partner, children, or boss – if you’re tired, worn out, and frazzled. The old saying goes, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” That may apply to parents in general, so do what you can to make yourself happy. Experts agree a happy parent equals a happy family.

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Full-body breathing

Deep breathing, or full-body breathing, is considered to be one of the best ways to lower stress. Breathing deeply sends oxygen throughout your body and encourages the brain to calm which allows the body to relax. This is a great way to de-stress that won’t cost more than a little bit of time and effort on your part to master.

Stop your temper from flaring up

Failure to control anger can be detrimental to emotional and physical health. In fact, anger can result in additional stress you may not want, whilst controlling your anger can help you de-stress and relax. Learning to not take things personally can help anyone control their anger which will result in their being less stressed.

Head massage

If you’re stressed you may end up with a pounding headache. Although many people instinctively rub their temples to reduce tension and eyestrain, learning more about head massage or finding someone trained to give them may be one way to turn down pressure in your life.

Think positive

You may have been instructed to “think positive” on occasion. Positive thoughts and self-talk can actually reduce stress by focusing on good things rather than bad. Some researchers claim optimists will live longer, have better health, and have less stress. Try it today and see if it’s true for you.

Get some exercise

Exercise is a tried and true method to reduce stress. Not only is exercise good for you physically, it also releases endorphins which will improve your mood and outlook. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to do your body good - a daily walk outside can do wonders to relieve stress and help you feel better.

Find something to laugh about

It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine, and it seems science has proven this fact. Laughter reduces stress and exercises the internal organs. The effects of laughter can also remain after you’ve stopped laughing. Find a silly movie and laugh away; it does your body good.

Keep a journal

Writing out things that frustrate you helps reduce stress as well as give you clarity of thought. If you’re able to see a situation clearly, you’ll feel less stressed about it. Grab a pen, some paper, or your computer, and feel the stress ease away.

Meditate

Meditation has long been used to combat stress. It also helps with physical pain and enables you to feel more peaceful. Spending fifteen minutes in meditation can calm the mind and help you re-focus when you have to return to your normal day.

Take a bubble bath

Women have this relaxation technique mastered, but the benefit of bubble baths isn’t only for women. If you’re overtired and stressed, time in bubbles can do wonders to restore peace to your mind and reduce the effects of stress on your body.

Get plenty of rest

If you’re not sleeping well, it’s not unusual to feel stressed. Lack of sleep can also lead to a short temper, lack of concentration, and physical tiredness. Sleeping will help reduce stress, and re-charge your mind and body for what the day holds in store.

Life can be stressful, but there’s no reason you can’t use these ten tips to turn down the pressure. You can use them individually or in combination for added stress-reducing benefits.

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Creating nutritious meals day in and day out may be tiresome. If you start with a menu plan, you can make weekly meals your family will love. Here are some things to consider about creating menu plans:

* A menu plan allows you to create a focused grocery shopping list. Knowing what you need for each meal keeps you from racing through the grocery store trying to find something for dinner.

* A menu plan also allows you to save time in the kitchen. By knowing what you need, you know you have everything in place before beginning to make the meal.

* You can make a menu plan for one week, two weeks, or more. Keep each week’s menu plan and you can take notes on them about which ones the family liked, which ones they’d rather never eat again, and changes to side dishes that might be better.

* Putting together a meal plan can be a great way to feed your family a meal they’ll love as well as end your family’s hectic day on a peaceful note.

Now you know how making a menu plan can save you time and money in the kitchen. If you’ve never made a menu plan before, you may like to learn. Here are some easy steps you may want to follow when making your first one; you may want your family’s help.

1. Make a list of all the main dishes your family enjoys; don’t forget anything. It won’t matter how neat the list is, it’s just to get the ideas down on paper.

2. Try to write down the amount of time needed to prepare each dish. You may want to mark dishes that take considerably longer than 30 minutes to prepare, not counting cooking time, so you can save those for days you have more time.

3. Put each main dish into categories such as Mexican, Italian, Sandwiches, Soups and Salads, or Casseroles.

4. Decide which day you’ll do your shopping. Many people do all of their grocery shopping on Saturday. You may want to have leftovers on Friday night to make shopping day easier.

5. Check your calendar and look to see if there are any really busy days. Plan on having soup and salads on that night.

6. Fill in the rest of the calendar with a category. Determine which category of food you’ll have each night and then plan on having that category of dish every week on the same day.

7. After you have your categories planned, now it’s time to look through your cupboards to see which ingredients you already have and which ingredients you need to purchase. You can create your focused shopping list based on the ingredients you need for the meals on your meal plan.

8. Be flexible. Plans change, people stop over, or meetings are called. By having a meal plan, you can choose to switch meals from one day to another and still know you have everything you need.

Menu planning can make meal time much easier for your family. Look at these suggestions and use those you find helpful. Then get out some paper, a pen, and your calendar and make your own meal plan – a great way to save time and money in the kitchen.

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Read a book

How long has it been since you’ve curled up with a good book? Set aside time each day to do just that. Maybe you can’t physically get comfy in your favorite chair, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take time to read. If your children have you taxiing them all over the place, take along a book to read while you wait for them. You may actually be able to finish that book you started before your children were born.

Hire a babysitter and hit the town

Take some time out for you and your partner. Keep a list of trusted babysitters handy for those times you’re not busy. Call one of them up and ask them to keep the kids while you and your partner go out on the town.

Find a nice, quiet restaurant and promise not to talk about the children. While you’re at it, why not take in a movie you’d both like to see? Your children are already being cared for; you may as well take advantage of the time without them to truly enjoy yourselves.

Exercise together

Physical exercise has been shown to reduce stress and it’s also good for the body. The great thing is that exercising also releases endorphins which help you relax and feel good, sometimes for hours after you’ve finished exercising. Another benefit of exercising together is that you can encourage each other when the going gets tough.

Take a mental vacation

Children daydream regularly, but it seems parents have forgotten this important activity. Take time to sit together and daydream. Talk about where you’d like to travel and about things you’d like to do while you’re there. Visualize your destination and let your minds wander. Before long you’ll feel relaxed and ready to tackle the rest of your day.

Listen to music

It’s been said that “music soothes the savage beast;” it might be just the thing you need to help you relax, as well. Choose your favorite soft music. Maybe you like instrumental or nature sounds. These can be very relaxing when used during your mental vacation.

Busy parents are often found running their children from one activity to another as well as spending a good portion of their day at work. They may not have the luxury of taking time for themselves, but it’s important they do. Use one or more of these five relaxing ideas for busy parents to find ways to refresh and refocus on each other.

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Travelling doesn’t necessarily have to be too troublesome. You can stuff your clothes, your wallet, your traveller’s pillow, that ever-dependable traveller’s guide book with a bonus map and whatever else you need into that good ol’ backpack and you’re good to go!

Well… that’s until the little buddy came along.

Travelling with a baby is a totally different story. There are tons of preparations to make: the list of things to pack, the actual packing, the mode of transportation and the place to stay in. Even the type of vacation you ought to go for should be planned out carefully as it should not just be enjoyable but safe for your baby, as well.

Although there are lots of parenting sites with online communities of parents and experts who can help you with the different aspects of taking care of your baby, BabySafeTravel.com specializes in answering your concerns regarding vacationing with your child—from travelling gears to safety in transportation and accommodation.  

Parents can book their trips through babysafetravel.com. The hotels are reviewed by other parents all around the world and are under a certification program that guarantees that the management will baby-proof the hotel room you’ll be checking into to ensure your child’s safety throughout your stay.

 A section of the site is allotted to blogs wherein you can pick up fun family vacation ideas and baby travel tips to make your vacation as safe as it is exciting and enjoyable for you and your baby. Parents can win exciting prizes by sharing photos of their kids and sharing their travelling stories, too.

BabySafeTravel.com also has an online boutique that specializes in baby travel gears like baby car seats, cute luggages that double as toys and stroller bags among many others. Other categories include:

·         Bath Gear

·         Sleep Gear, Seasonal

·         Diaper Bags

·         Travel Gear

·         Strollers

·         Baby Carriers Feeding Time

·         Safety.

If you have your own travelling kit, it’s just fair for your little traveller to have his/her very own baby travel gear, too. The comfort of your child will leave you with fewer worries and will make the experience convenient for you, too.

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Maclaren is one of the most trusted brands in the market when it comes to baby buggies as their designs provide a comfortable fusion of durability, convenience and class. They have several lines of Maclaren Prams, Maclaren Pushchairs and strollers to fit the different stages of your child’s buggy years.

As for those who are still confused with the difference among prams, pushchairs and strollers, prams are usually made to carry babies from 0-3 months. Pushchairs are usually for babies below 1-2 years of age, depending upon the size of the child, while strollers are for toddlers who can already fully support their backs. The good news is that most strollers nowadays have chairs with adjustable reclining angles to accommodate babies from birth to toddler hood.

Maclaren strollers offer several designs that your child can use throughout his/her buggy years. The designs are perfect for parents living in the city who need a stroller that is durable enough to withstand the constant folding and stuffing into the back of the car and the busy pushing crowd in the malls while still maintaining class and elegance.

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Household planners can be made from nearly anything, but three-ring binders seem to work best for many families. Purchasing a binder with a clear pocket on the front and back will allow you or your children to create a colorful or pretty cover for it. Choose a 1-inch, 2-inch, or 3-inch binder to meet your family’s needs.

After creating the binder itself, you’ll want to have the following items on hand to fill the household planner:

* 8 1/2” x 11” calendar (purchased or one you print for yourself)
* 3-hole punched dividers with pockets
* 3-hole punched dividers with tabs
* 3-hole punch

Decide which categories you’ll need in your household planner. Common categories include calendar, finance, contacts, school, medical, manuals, planning, insurance, automobile, warranties, favorite recipes, and take out menus, among others. Use the categories that will work best for your family and make a tabbed divider for each category.

Print off blank contact pages which include name, address, telephone, and cell phone numbers. There are many sources online which offer this type of file to print out for free. You can also find blank calendars to print off to include in your home planner.

Find papers that have accumulated in your family – notes from school, old calendars, take-out menus, etc. – and determine which category they’ll fit into. Three-hole punch them and place them behind the tab they belong to. Smaller items that can’t be punched can be placed in the dividers with pockets to keep them from being lost.

After you’ve found papers with important dates on them, transfer those dates to the calendar you have or have printed out. You may want to color code your family so you can see at a glance which person in the family has activities on a particular date. Don’t forget to write down standing dates such as birthdays and anniversaries so you can plan for them.

Not sure if you’ve paid a bill for the month? Having a schedule of all bills owed, when they’re due, and when they’re paid behind the finance tab can make that problem a thing of the past. The household planner is also a good place to put all bills as they come in so they’ll be available when it comes time to pay them.

Meal planning is another task that can be made easier by having the household planner. You can create monthly meal plans and store them in the planner. Don’t forget to include a blank shopping list in a sheet protector which can be written on with a marker or India crayon and reused each shopping trip.

When you figure out how to create your own household planner, you may find actually putting it together can be fun. Be creative and make your planner something you and your whole family can use. Of course, after your planner is made and you’ve used it for a while, you may wonder why you didn’t put one together sooner.

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With much consideration to your child’s safety, here is one of the possible concerns. Suffocation hazards may cause your child’s safety at risk.

You may be sleeping with your child in your home. It may feel easier sometimes but it may be dangerous at the same time. Considering the pillows and blankets that could possibly cause accidents, be sure not to put those things within your child’s reach. Or you may just put your child in his own crib near your bed. Those things may cause suffocation or shortness of breathing if those things will accidentally cover your child’s mouth. He may be too small and too weak to move them out of the way (especially if your the one weighing it down).

If you decide to put your child on the crib, ensure that it is empty. No toys or big pillows should be present on the crib. If your child has chills at night, put her in a sleeping sack instead of blankets. He may get tangled up and not be strong enough to untangle himself. It is also strongly encouraged that you put your child to sleep on her back.

Have your child put into safety at all times. Be sure to know and to monitor such kinds of possible suffocation hazards as those things put a great risk for your child’s safety.

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Without patience, for sure, you may just end up compromising your child’s safety.

There is a condition that may possibly happen if you are one type of a person who is likely to cause some abuse. It is called the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Also called as Battered Baby Syndrome, it is one of the leading causes of mortality in infants. It is a form of child abuse that occurs when an abuser violently shakes an infant or small child, creating a whiplash-type motion that causes brain injuries.  Actually, it can be 100% prevented.

A newborn’s neck muscles are not yet strong. Therefore, they are extremely vulnerable to mishandling. Every parent or caretaker should know that an ultimately safe infant care must be given to a newborn.

A shaken baby is likely to develop swelling of the brain that can cause head and even brain trauma. This sad consequence can lead to serious health problems later in life. Worst to know, almost half of these kinds of situations end in death.

So if you are likely to be on the verge of almost getting to your limits, do not touch your baby when you are angry or upset. Be on a time-out. Walk away and compose yourself first before going back to your baby to comfort him. But if you are close to your breaking point, switch off with your spouse or any other person with you in your house. If you are by yourself, secure him down into safety. You may walk into another room to gain your composure before returning.

You do not want for sure that your baby will be put into abuse. If you will be in your baby’s shoes, you may not want to be innocently traumatized as well. Violent shaking is NEVER an accepted behavior to express any of your deepest anger or frustrations.

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Children’s eyes are more susceptible to any eye damages caused by too much exposure to the sun. Their lenses do not block as much UV rays as adults do.

Children’s sunglasses don’t have to be expensive. The sunglasses should have 100% UVA and UVB protection created by chemicals in the lenses. Stick to the recommended UV protection not by the darkness of the lenses. The lenses should be dark brown or black. No any other color is recommended.

Just as how you protect your children’s skin from UV rays, eye protection should be taken seriously. Make sure the sunglasses fit properly and are comfortable. Buying the proper sunglasses won’t do any good if your children won’t wear them. If your children do not like wearing their sunglasses (even with straps), insist that a wide-brimmed hat that shades their face can go with their sunglasses.

Children’s sunglasses should be made of polycarbonate to protect against possible shattering. Polycarbonate lenses are used in quality sunglasses that incorporate filters to block ultra-violet (UV) rays and near-UV rays. The main advantage of polycarbonate is the unbeatable strength, durability and distortion-free combined with light weight. While a glass-made sunglasses is not recommended because it puts a risk for potential eye injury if in case it breaks. Ensure as well that you check the sunglasses for bubbles or distortions that could cause squinting, blinking, headaches and dizziness.

Be an example to your children. Wear sunglasses as well when outdoors. Make this a part of your child care responsibility. Encourage your children to wear the sunglasses because the more time the eyes are exposed to harmful UV rays, the more likely to suffer vision problems in the future.

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Let us take a closer look on this condition. “Common colds” is a generic term for the medical condition called Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). Colds are caused by a virus. The treatment involves more than just taking a few antibiotics.

Babies contract a lot more colds than adults. Their immune systems are still immature that make the catching of a cold fairly easy. According to some proven studies, an average baby will have 6-8 colds a year. Newborns under 4 weeks very rarely get colds because their bodies have a rich content of antibodies to fight any disease. While those infants exposed to toddlers or older children can have as many as 10 or more colds a year.

Setting all the alerts on to prevent colds, your child care responsibility is take some preventive measures against this condition.

The virus is spread to infants mostly by touching. It also can be spread through droplets after sneezing. An effective universal prevention is still more on hand-washing frequently. Carrying an alcohol-based antibacterial wash in your diaper bag is also a helpful idea to stop visiting viruses. Even baby wipes can be used to help keep you and your baby’s hands as virus-free as possible.

Disinfect as well your baby’s things as frequently as possible. Maintaining cleanliness will not promote any harboring of the viruses that cause colds.

Limiting contact with other sick adults and children is also a common-sense solution to avoiding a baby cold. Also, less sneezing directly to the face of your baby will help in the prevention. This applies with the proper prevention in adults.

Breastfeeding (even for just a few months) is also a great way to help prevent a baby cold. Your breastmilk gives antibodies to your baby, and protects him as he builds up his own.

Just like the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, the best treatment for a cold is actually preventing it.

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There are recommended positions that will help your baby be burped in a comfortable way. The burping positions depend on you and your baby.

Over the Shoulder Position

*You can also lay your baby over your shoulder (with a supporting cloth or bib), so your collar bone presses against her tummy. That pressure is vital to getting a good burp. Be sure that your baby is leaning comfortably against your chest and sitting on your arm.

Over the Lap Position

*You can place a burp cloth on your thigh while you lay your baby on top so her mouth is over the cloth and your knee is applying the vital pressure on her stomach.

Over the Hand Position

If you think this works for your baby, you can sit your newborn on your lap with the palm of your left hand against his tummy and his chin resting in the “V” between your thumb and index finger (if you’re right handed). Then, lean him forward slightly, so that most of his weight is resting against your palm (providing that vital pressure). If he is less than three months old, make sure you are supporting his neck.

Whichever position works, gently rub and pat your baby’s back until gas is released. Have your burp cloth readily draped over for possible spit ups.

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It is a need because during feeding, air can be swallowed and accumulate in your baby’s stomach. The formation of air bubbles will possibly lead to discomfort to your baby. Too much air in the stomach can lead to uneasiness, colic, and later on, spitting up of the milk.

Proper burping technique helps prevent your baby’s discomfort. If your baby is on bottle feeding, you can choose to burp after every few ounces. While for breast feeding babies, every 10-15 minutes is recommended.

Breastfed and Bottlefed babies are recommended to be fed in a more upright position of 45 degrees. Avoid frequent feedings with short intervals because it will contribute to less swallowing of air. If your baby is bottle fed, it is not a good idea to let your baby drink milk while straight on her back. Not only will it increase gas, choking is at an increased risk to happen.

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Much of the time you will spend with your little baby will involve this act.

Before you actually begin ripping diapers open, it’s a good idea to set up the diaper changing station. Having it ready for each change will prevent the temptation to move away from the baby to reach what you need.

Your changing station should include:

* a diaper changing table
* a good diaper pail
* clean diapers (cloth or disposable)
* diaper ointment (or other remedy) for diaper rash
* a washcloth or wipes
* Antibacterial wash
* clean water

Have your baby be in some form of distraction while you do the cleaning. Eliminate that by offering a small container of toys to hear at diaper changes. Have a lot of toys to give your baby every time  you lay him down for a diaper change. You

Healthy babies should have light to dark-yellow urine. The darker the color, the less liquid the baby is getting. So, lighter is better.

Occasionally you may see what looks like a pink stain on the diaper. This is usually not blood, but highly concentrated urine interacting with the gel used in disposable diapers, producing a pinkish color.

Monitor the times, frequency of changing the diapers and the consistency of the urine and stools of your baby. If your  doesn’t wet 4 diapers a day, contact your doctor and report the changes.

* If your baby urinates less than 3 times in a 24 hour period, it is a possible sign of dehydration.
* If he is urinating more than every half hour, it may cause dehydration.
* If the urine drastically changes color, there might be an underlying problem that needs immediate preventive action.

Monitor as well if there are any rashes formed in your baby’s skin. Presence of rashes may indicate that your baby is allergic to the diapers. Report the rashes to your pediatrician and immediately change the brand of the diapers to a new one.

Use these diaper changes to build and to promote loving bonds between you and your baby.

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