Find info on your childrens health

It’s a disturbing reality that some gunmen, criminals and sexual predators have been able to slip into U.S. schools. Consequently, parents, as well as school and community leaders, are demanding action to prevent further tragic results.

Schools, in concert with police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, are focusing on communication as one of their top priorities. Knowing what is happening in routine and emergency situations, and understanding the best course of action to take, are deemed essential in keeping students, faculty and staff out of harm’s way.

Several school systems around the country are taking a proactive step by implementing a new, state-of-the-art alert service called the Immediate Response Information System. This high-speed notification and response service, also referred to as IRIS, sends emergency messages electronically to thousands of individuals in seconds.

A uniform message goes out from a single designated staff member using any phone or

Internet-connected computer. IRIS then transmits voice and text alerts to home or cell phones, e-mail accounts, digital pagers, PDAs, fax machines and other frequently used electronic methods. IRIS continues to redial busy lines or phones that don’t answer until it makes live contact.

Equally effective in non-emergency situations, IRIS can be used to send routine announcements, such as severe weather alerts and testing schedules.

IRIS can be implemented without adding hardware, software or costly outlays for system installation.

TechRadium Inc., the developer of IRIS, is introducing the service to school systems and commercial property owners in several states. For example, the Houston Independent School District, one of the nation’s largest school systems, placed IRIS into operation last year. And Florida Gov. Jeb Bush recently instructed the state’s Office of Safe and Healthy Schools to recommend IRIS to school districts seeking to upgrade their communication systems.

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New Internet Filter and Kid Safe Web browser keeps Internet safe for kids.

Finally there is a solution for parents and grandparents who want to allow their children the freedom to surf the Internet without the fear that they may stumble across the wrong things online. Childrens Educational Network has designed a very unique, free Internet filter and parental control multiple themed Kid Safe Browser which is the gateway to what they call TUKI.

Most everyone with children has either experienced first hand or knows someone with children who have stumbled across negative content (either innocently or intentionally). The Kid Safe Browser is designed to give parents the ability to have a say as to what their kids are looking at. Parents are given the tools to either delete or add (pre-approve) websites that they deem appropriate or inappropriate.

TUKI is the acronym for The Ultimate Kids Internet (www.TUKI.com) and this is the membership portion of the their service which offers many premium features. The one very important and meaningful benefit for you and your family is the educational aspect of the Kid Safe Browser. Management of the Company are committed to not only protecting children with technology but also offering educational messaging to teach children the ins and outs of being a responsible, safe web surfer.

This educational messaging is a real powerful feature that we found with TUKI and could not find any other Internet filter or parental control software that also offered an educational aspect.

The Kid Safe Browser gives access to thousands of pre-approved (by teachers and parents) websites that can be surfed (NASA, Nickelodeon, Disney etc.). If a child tries to go to a website that has not been pre-approved the browser displays a message that reads: This website is not in the Approved List.

Parents can then decide whether or not that site is acceptable for their child to visit and choose to add it if meets their approval. There is also a Internet Protection Lockdown feature that prevents the user from exiting the Kid Safe Browser and entering another browser (AOL, Netscape, IE etc.) that allows access to potentially controversial websites.

Yet, another concern for Parents is that they might receive unsolicited (spam) email. As part of the TUKI membership kids are issued a spam free and safe email account. Again, parents are given the keys to their childrens email box so to speak. Parents pre-approve who the child can send and receive email from. Parents can also add key words (to an already existent Ban List that a child cannot send out via email & chat. For instance, a child would be prevented from giving out private information such as a home address, home phone number, school name or sports team or any other bit of information that a parent might feel would compromise their privacy or safety.

Other features of the TUKI membership are Chore Reminders and Encouraging Words. Since each browser has its own (themed) animated talking Internet Guide, (The Noahs Net Browser has Noah The Mindstein Browser has Professor Mindstein) Parents can dictate some of the things that the Internet Guide will pop up and say; Mandy did you feed Fido today? Billy, Your Mommy loves you so much!

For the most part, the Kid Safe Browser is pretty easy to use. Mostly, your kids will love the talking animated characters; the many games included with the software, and homework sites that make keeping with their schoolwork easier. Meanwhile, you will love the fact that you can sleep at night knowing youve taken action in preventing your child form being exposed to sites and sounds that he or she shouldnt.

As a child advocate I recommend everyone to take action and get this new free Internet filter and parental controlled Kid Safe Browser. To get your own Kid Safe Browser visit http://www.tuki.com and download your very own Kid Safe Browser.

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Cheap Baby Shower Gifts: Thoughtful Ideas That Won’t Break The Bank

Here is a great list of cheap baby shower gift ideas that won’t break the bank. Enjoy!

1.Books. Buy baby board books online for less than $5 a pop (shipping included). Get discounted rates when buying on a bundle.

2.Baby Clothes. Any new Mom will appreciate a set of clothes as a baby shower gift. However, if you plan ahead, you can give the Mom-to-be toddler clothes instead of infant sets. Shell surely appreciate the vision. Another tip is to buy off-season, while the clothes are on clearance. You can surely fit more than a piece for under $10.

3. Engraved Charms. If a silver or gold bracelet is out of your budget, why not give a personalized jewelry charm? Choose from several shapes, with heart as being the most popular. It can be used as a pendant or bracelet charm. Have the babys name and birth date engraved at the back of the charm.

4. Basket of Goodies. In dollar stores, purchase an inexpensive woven basket and decorate it with leftover holiday ribbons. Line the basket with pastel confetti and fill the basket with goodies, like purse versions of lotion, cologne, powder, diaper pins, wet tissues, anything that the baby needs. Some of these miniature items are grocery give-aways, so the over-all price comes really low.

5. Painted Pots. Paint clean clay pots with pastel colors and use stencils to place simple designs. Give a set of three to give the Mom-to-be a handy desktop storage for cotton balls, Qtips, diaper pins, etc.

6. Hand or footprint kit. These are kits that have materials to imprint the babys hands or feet onto framed shadowboxes. Most kits are at $10.

7. Framed Cross-Stitch. For a personal touch, buy cross-stitch materials and sew the babys name and birth date on a rectangle piece of cloth. Have it framed for a lasting gift. If you are short of time, give her a short and sweet note written on a copy of the pattern to say, gift is work-in-progress, will be done in time for his/ her birth.

8. Plant a Tree. Various government-sponsored companies are promoting tree planting and this is definitely a great gift for a baby shower. Most tree planting gifts come with a certificate complete with the babys name and a personalized dedication. Some companies offer a dollar for every tree, so your $10 can buy 10 trees. Now thats a guarantee of fresh air for the babys future.

9. Baby Website. For the tech savvy Mom-to-be, create a free website for the future newborn. This gift will last until the baby grows up and can personally edit his or her website. If you know that the parents already have a web host, why not pay for the domain registration of the babys name so for the next five years, the future new born will have his or her own e-niche.

10. Pamper Mom, Too! Who says baby shower gifts are only for babies? Be creative by giving the Mom-to-be a gift, instead of the baby. After all, the occasion is, in fact, a celebration of her strength and dedication in carrying another life for nine months. Dollar stores frequently offer pampering gift baskets or customize your own, similar to the basket of goodies described above.

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Diapering a baby is a necessity but to look at it as a daily chore would probably rob one of the magic between guardian and child at changing time. It is indeed a special time for parent and child. The parent feels the intimate act of diapering is an exhibition of love and affection. To a child, diaper changing time brings love, reassurance and security.

With the right sequence of diapering, the baby enjoys and experiences the basics of health and safety. The parents also get in the right rhythm with the baby. Generally, it helps in the child’s growth, as slowly and steadily a child learns to be independent.

Diapering should be a teaching tool which can be used successfully to help children learn to be hygienic. It can also be the first step to toilet training. Moreover, with the passing of time, children often learn to be more responsible doing the diaper-changing themselves without the intervention of their parents.

In a word, diaper changing helps children be conscious about their bodies. Parents should encourage their children to actively take part in diaper changing making it a fun-time to enjoy.

One should be cautious about diapers as they need to be spotlessly clean and dry. The diapering surface may be a little elevated, but you need to be careful not to leave the child alone on it. Talcum powders, as a rule, should be avoided. Unknown ingredients in them may cause undesirable irritation on the tender skin of a baby. Always wash hands and make sure you clean the baby’s genital areas well when changing diapers.

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Severe weather, natural disasters, outbreaks of contagious illnesses, power failures or other unforeseen circumstances can cause a school to close for the day, open late or close early.

For parents rushing to get up and out in the morning, it becomes a hassle to have to wait by the TV or radio to see if reporters announce a delay or closing at their children’s school.

Those days may be coming to an end, thanks to an innovative new emergency alert system that quickly informs parents of school schedule changes.

School systems across the U.S. are adopting the Immediate Response Information System, or IRIS. Developed by TechRadium Inc., IRIS is a high-speed notification system that sends messages electronically to thousands of people at a time.

To operate IRIS, a designated staff member uses an Internet-connected computer or a phone to send the message, which is then transmitted to phones, e-mail accounts, pagers, PDAs and fax machines.

To ensure that the message was received, IRIS confirms completion and redials all missed contacts. Messages can be sent in one of 10 languages.

IRIS is valuable in sending emergency messages as well as routine school announcements. It requires no hardware, software or system installation for setup, making it a cost-effective way for parents and other community members to stay connected with their local schools.

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With so many celebrities having babies these days, it is high time we acknowledged the new Hollywood royalty. It seems like every supermarket tabloid out there is absolutely obsessed with the private lives of our beloved celebrities. We would not go as far to say that we are obsessed, but we certainly do not lack interest in the lives of our favorite celebrities.

We are absolutely in love with Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. They have to be one of the sweetest couples in the entertainment industry. It seems like yesterday that their first daughter, Apple, was born. Just this past week, they gave birth to their first son, Moses. At the time this writing we were unable to locate any photos, but it is safe to assume that Moses will be one of the most genetically gifted children in Hollywood.

As you are all likely aware, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are expecting their first child. There has been a lot of talk in the press about them as of late. In particular, there has been a firestorm of controversy surrounding the role of Scientology in the birth of their first child. Tom is a devout adherent of the Scientology movement, and it has been said that they have some controversial ideas about things. We are unsure what constitutes a Scientologically sound childbirth, but we wish Tom and Katie the best of luck!

If you are avid reader of any celebrity gossip rags, you are likely aware that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner recently had a baby girl named Violet. While they are not our favorite celebrity couple, we absolutely love the name they chose. It is a timeless, classically beautiful name. While I am certain that there are some superhero jokes in here somewhere, we will refrain at this time. Congratulations Ben and Jennifer on the happy, healthy arrival of baby Violet!

While we are confident that you are as sick of hearing about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as we are, it does deserve mentioning that they are expecting their own child. Even though they have a couple of adopted children, they are finally expecting one of their own. Pregnancy really seems to suit Angelina, and Brad truly seems in his element toting babies about town. Baby is due sometime in early May. Best wishes to the most popular celebrity couple in America.

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When children are literally up to their gills with the learning and sport activities in school, it may seem superfluous to enroll them for after school activities. In spite of this, after school programs are sprouting up in large numbers and most of these are booked full. This shows that there is a real need for after school activities.

The unavailability of parental supervision is the leading cause for the surge in after school programs. It is seen that many children spend about 20-25 hours a week unsupervised and alone at home. And as the saying goes, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop”. Children who are left alone to contend with too much free time invariably fall into the wrong company. Drug abuse, alcohol, tobacco and crime come knocking at their doors sooner rather than later. Parents enroll children to various after school programs to keep them occupied in a productive manner. This way, the kids are free to enjoy themselves in a supervised activity.

Crime is considered to be at its peak during the after school hours, between 3- 4 p.m. During such a time, children need protection. Getting the children together under one roof and encouraging them to participate in a group activity is protection enough. It diverts the children from ennui too.

Obesity is a matter of growing concern in this country. It is noticed that more and more children are becoming couch potatoes. After school, many of them relax on the sofa with packets of chips, cool drinks or chocolates while they watch T.V. 30 % of the kids below the age of 19 are considered overweight, and about 15% of these are obese. An after school program ensures that the child shakes off his lethargy and keeps himself busy. This also helps to reduce the child’s fascination for T.V and computer games.

After school activities that promote social awareness develop the individual’s sense of social responsibility. It is seen that these sorts of programs not only keep kids out of trouble, but also help to produce responsible citizens. To that extent, they are valuable building blocks in a child’s personality.

Times are changing and parents want their children to excel in academics as well as in other activities. This may be a reflection of the parent’s unfulfilled desire to excel – a remnant from his own childhood. Whatever the reason, parents today encourage their children to enroll themselves in various programs and develop the various facets of their individuality. Children too seem to be comfortable learning many things at the same time, and gain satisfaction from this.

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Smart parents know to do their homework today when it comes to home safety and security during the school year, especially if kids are coming home to an empty house.

“With more kids today ‘home alone,’ there really are some golden rules parents should follow to make the home a safe and secure place,” said Bob Stuber, nationally acclaimed security expert, whose work with kids and safety issues has landed him on countless national TV shows, including “Oprah,” “The View” and ABC’s “Primetime.”

Bob Stuber’s Home Safety

And Security Tips For

After-School Safety

• Motion Lights: Install motion detectors that activate lighting for the garage, patio, walkway or backyard. At certain times of the year, days are shorter and in some areas it can be dark when kids get home from school.

• Automatic Timer Lights and/or Remote-Controlled Lighting: Install automatic light timers on lamps inside the home and set them to activate prior to your child’s arrival. For a high-tech twist: Chamberlain’s Remote Light Control can be programmed to work with the garage door opener remote control and can activate a light or appliance, such as a TV or radio, as your child approaches the house.

• Safe Escape: Designate a “safe place” in your home where your child can go in case of bad weather or a home break-in. This can be a closet, bathroom or any other space that will provide protection away from windows, debris or the view of people.

• Garage Door Monitor: A common security breach is leaving the garage door open-a virtual invitation to thieves, since many people don’t lock the door between the garage and the home. “Think of a garage door monitor as a baby monitor for the garage,” said Stuber. Chamberlain’s Garage Door Monitor can be placed on a kitchen counter and will display a flashing red light if the garage door is open.

• Calling Parents After School: Teach your child to phone a parent or responsible adult as soon as he or she arrives home.

• Garage Door Opener Battery Backup System: Install a garage door opener with a battery backup system, such as the professionally installed LiftMaster EverCharge Battery Backup, or Chamberlain’s Whisper Drive Plus, available at home-improvement stores. Each will provide power to the garage door opener, keypad and remote controls for up to two days during a power outage.

• Wireless Keypad Entry: Children can drop or lose things, such as keys, at any time. A keypad that operates the garage door opener eliminates the need for your child to carry keys.

• Morning Lock Check: Every morning before your family leaves the house, all the doors and windows should be checked to make sure they are closed and locked. It’s very common for someone to open a door or window and forget to close and lock it. This is one of the first places a criminal checks to get into a house.

• In Case of Emergency: Teach your child to call 911 first and the neighbors on both sides and even across the street next. While the police or fire department is on the way, the neighbors can respond in seconds.

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Our children are the most important people in our lives. When we have to work, and cannot care for them ourselves, we need to be able to trust the people we hire to take care of our precious ones. This is when you need to find the best nanny agencies. Many people struggle with the thought of a stranger taking care of their children. Parents put an ad in the paper, or ask friends for advice. But what about nanny agencies?

Parents interview the prospective nanny, and ask all of the right questions, but there is still the nagging feeling that they may not be totally honest. There is no way of knowing for sure. That is when a nanny agencies can be of assistance. Nanny agencies can offer more of a thorough screening process than event the most diligent parent can.

These nanny agencies are temp-to-hire agencies specially developed for nannies. Each applicant is screened; every aspect of his or her life is an open book. Nanny agencies do an extensive criminal background check complete with fingerprints, the employment history and check all references very carefully to rule out any possible threat to a child. Even though the agency screens each applicant, it is in the best interest of your child or children to check out the references for your self. Ask for prior clients and meet face to face with them. Write down all of the questions you want to ask. Often, when you have an actual face-to-face meeting, you are nervous and forget what you wanted to ask. When a parent decides to hire nanny agencies, there are a few things they need to take into consideration.

First of all ask questions. These people will be taking care of your children, ask as many question as it takes until you feel comfortable with the prospective nanny agency.

One of the first questions that should be asked is how long the nanny agency has been in business. It is not necessarily a bad thing to be a new agency, but with an established agency references can be furnished and the nanny agency itself will have some type of reputation. Ask what the placement success rate is. Experts estimate that placing six to eight nannies per month is a good ratio, as long as it is not the same nanny being placed.

The question of the rates and fees of the nanny agencies is important. No one wants to think that they cannot afford the best for their children, but in todays economy, it is impossible not to take this into consideration. It is counter productive to hire a nanny one month, and not be able to pay for it the next.

The advantages to using nanny agencies are many. But there are also disadvantages. One such disadvantage is the monthly payments. These payments can sometimes be thousands of dollars. If a nanny agency claims have low rates, be very wary. An excellent agency that has an excellent reputation can and does charge a very high fee. You are paying for the expertise of the nannies that are within the agency.

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New parents are full of concerns about what regular household activities may pose a threat or present problems for their newest family member. At some point the question about the best ways to wash baby clothing will arise. Parents typically ask whether there is a certain type off detergent that they should use, whether it is safe to wash baby clothes with the rest of the family’s clothing and what special steps should be taken with cloth diapers if they are being used.

Detergent

This is a valid concern. It is not atypical for certain detergents to irritate the skin of adults and older children, so it is certainly feasible that a baby’s tender and sensitive skin can be easily irritated by harsh detergents. There are several detergents on the market that are supposedly intended for baby’s clothing, but there is not much difference between them and other mild detergents. The best choice for parents to make in this area is to purchase mild detergent that is free from added colors and fragrances and wash the clothing in that. If the baby does develop a rash or seems to be experiencing skin discomfort of any kind, the first thing to do is consult the family pediatrician. The doctor may simply recommend that a different detergent be used, but will also be able to determine if there is a more serious problem.

Washing Baby Clothes with Family Clothes

Some parents feel that the baby’s clothing needs to be washed separately from that of the rest of the family. The rationale for this is that the other family members’ clothing could somehow taint or contaminate the baby’s. There is no reason to worry about this and it is perfectly safe to wash baby’s clothes and bedding along with everyone else’s. The exception to this rule is cloth diapers. If parents are using cloth diapers and washing them at home rather than using a diaper service, they must be washed apart from everything else.

Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers are fading into memory, replaced by the more convenient disposable brands that are on the market. For families that choose to use these, however, there are some special considerations. The most sanitary way to utilize reusable cloth diapers is to contract a diaper service. This will take away the hassle of washing the diapers at home and ensure that the replacement diapers are sterile. For families that choose to wash at home, the previous paragraph details that they should be kept separate from all other laundry. Storing the diapers until wash time must be done as sanitarily as possible. This means rinsing the cloth diaper in the toilet to remove solid wastes, then storing it in a pail until it is time to be washed. The pail should be covered to prevent odor and lined with a disposable or washable liner. The pail, lid, and liner should be cleaned whenever the diapers are and the soiled diapers should be washed at least twice weekly.

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