Archive April 2009
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Natural Parenting Resources
There are several books out there that can give you the help you need without having to call your doctor every time you have a question. This article talks about four books that can be great resources or parents from when their children's are babies until the preschool age. One of the books "Naturally Healthy Babies and Children" by Aviva Romm has recommendations for alternative therapies like herbal remedies and dietary changes. It's always a good idea to keep a good arsenal of helpful material to have on hand for questions and concerns about your children.
Keep Your Kids Safe at the Pool
With the sunny hot weather upon us it's important to take the safety of your kids into account when you're at the pool. Children can drown in a matter of seconds. Never leave a child alone near the water. Those that own pools should have some sort of barrier or fence to keep children from falling in. It's a good idea to become CPR certified in case of an accident. Enroll your child in a swimming class so they become familiar with being in the water. For those children under 4 consider a water survival class.
Natural Energy Boosters
Do you ever find that 3pm will roll around and you are feeling ready for a nap? Here are a few things to give you an energy boost. Take ten minutes to walk, dance or whatever to get you moving. Do some stretching to wake your muscles up! Take some down time for some breathing, it will relieve stress and clear your mind. Avoid foods that can make you crash, eat foods that include protein and non-starchy vegetables. Just a few of these simple things can help you stay alert and keep your energy through the day.
Moving Your Child into a Big Kid Bed
If you have a toddler you may be wondering when it's the right time to move him/her into their own bed. Or a new baby may be on the way and you'll be using the crib for the baby. If you are potty training they will need to be able to get out of bed on their own to go. If they are climbing out of the crib it's definitely time to move onto using a bed. You may find that one with rails will help them from rolling off, or simply put the mattress on the floor. It can be a challenge to keep them in their bed when it's time to sleep. Establish a routine so they get used to the idea that they need to stay in their bed for night time.
Gender Stereotyping Children
Many people wonder if it's ok when their boys play with dolls or want to wear girl's clothes. Or if it's ok that their girls get messy and are loud. It's important to be open minded about what they play with. If you react in a way that shames them they could develop a complex about who they are. This is not an indication of their sexual preference but only that they are using their imagination in their play. People may comment about it, but trust and value your own judgment about it and know that if your child is happy, playful and comfortable with other children, you're doing a good job and they will be just fine.
Healthy Living on a Budget
Everyone should be able to afford to be healthy and well. All it takes is a little bit of know-how and making smart choices. Here are a few tips to get you start living a healthy lifestyle. Produce can be expensive but it's so healthy for you and vital to your well-being. Frozen produce has about the same nutrients as fresh produce, because they freeze it at it's peak ripeness. You don't need the gym to get some exercise, go for a run or walk. Get together with friends to play sports. Get a water filter for your home instead of buying bottled water, you'll save money and the environment. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, the standard is 7-8 hours a night. These are just a few things you can do to stay healthy while not breaking the bank.
The White House Goes Organic
It's been in the news that the Obama family will plant an organic garden at the White House. Michelle Obama is very focused on this project, wanting to educate children about eating healthy and the importance of buying local. Obesity and diabetes have become a major concern in this country and she wants to be a force to educate families. She also points out how fun and exciting it can be to grow your own food and then enjoy the fruits of your labor. The garden will include 55 varieties of vegetables and they will use ladybugs and praying mantises to help control bugs. What a cool thing for the administration to do!