Find info on your childrens health

The Childrens Health Blog

Subscribe to Find info on your childrens health

There are three skills that are very important for our little ones to learn early in their lives.

1) Children need to be able to fall asleep on their own. Infants and toddlers who are always rocked to sleep, or breastfed or bottle fed to sleep, learn to depend upon others for falling asleep and do not develop their own falling asleep mechanism. This can cause much distress for parents who go through the nightly nightmare of trying to get their infant or toddler to sleep. Instead of always picking up and rocking a crying little one, which only reinforces the childs dependency on you putting him or her to sleep, try patting the child and then leaving for a few minutes. If you keep coming in, patting your child and reassuring him or her that you are here, eventually your child will stop depending upon you to rock, hold or feed him or her to sleep.

2) Children need to learn very young to play by themselves and amuse themselves. It is not healthy for children to be constantly dependent upon others, or upon the TV, to amuse them. I work with many adults who never learned to play by themselves. These adults feel lost when they are alone, having no idea what to do with themselves. Instead of turning to creative or learning opportunities, they may participate in addictions such as eating, drinking, drugs, TV, work, spending, and so on. When children learn to play by themselves at a young age, they tend to be more self-sufficient and creative as adult.

3) Children need to learn how to self-nurture. This means that they need to learn how to take some responsibility for their own feelings. Infants often self-soothe with their blanket, thumb, or pacifier. But as they grow older, they need to learn other ways of self-nurturing because they will not be taking their blanket or pacifier to school.

Even children as young as 2 1/2 years old can learn to attend to their own feelings. You can help your young children start to take responsibility for their feelings by giving them a doll or stuffed animal that represents their emotions. You can tell them that the doll or stuffed animal is the baby inside them that has a lot of different emotions. When they are feeling sad or angry, they can learn to talk to the baby inside and find out what that baby needs from them or from you. As they get older, they can learn to connect their thoughts with their feelings. They can learn that if they judge themselves by telling themselves that they are bad or stupid or ugly, they will feel very badly.

It is vitally important for all of us to connect our thoughts with our feelings. Most of us grew up believing that others caused all our good and painful feelings. If someone yelled at us or told us we were bad or stupid or ugly, we certainly felt badly, and if someone approved of us, we felt good. So we learned to believe that all our feelings are being caused by others. It is important for children to learn that their feelings are also affected by what they tell themselves and how they treat themselves. For example, if an older brother tells his younger brother that he is stupid, the younger child might start to tell himself he is stupid, without realizing that he is causing himself to feel very badly. By talking with his baby, he might realize he is treating himself in a way that is hurting him.
He also might also be able to understand that his brother is not telling him the truth. The way he can learn to realize this is by learning to access his Source of Love and Truth.

Small children can easily learn to open to a powerful Source of Love and Truth. You can ask them to imagine a wonderful friend, a guardian angel, or a fairy godmother. It is very easy for most children to imagine a wonderful being who is here to love them and guide them. They can be encouraged to ask questions of this loving being, such as Is it true that I am stupid? They can learn to bring through true and loving statements to themselves when they open to learning with their spiritual Guidance.

These skills, learned early in life, will do much to foster personal responsibility in our children.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Oct
24

Quiet Time For Parents

Posted by admin

OK, so that title sounds like a pipe dream for a lot of parents. You’re probably busy taking care of your children all day, and if they’re too small for school you don’t get that break. But there are still ways to get some quiet time.

One way is to have your spouse take the kids for a day. If your spouse works outside the home while you stay home with the kids, that doesn’t mean you deserve a seven day workweek every week. Come to an agreement about when you can have time for yourself. The amount and frequency will of necessity depend on the hours your spouse works. If your spouse or significant other is working two jobs to keep you home with the kids, you can’t expect him to give up his one day off too often so you can go relax. Keep it fair to both of you.

If that simply cannot work for you, no matter the reason, try making arrangements with a friend. Trade babysitting in the middle of the day if you’re both at home. The kids will get to play with each other, and you’ll get a break without spending money on a sitter. Make sure you do the same for your friend. You may also be able to make arrangements with family members.

Another option is to take time after the kids are all in bed and asleep. Even a half hour soaking in a bubble bath can work wonders for frayed nerves. Set up your bath in whatever way you find to be most relaxing – candles, music, books, etc.

Sometimes, of course, the need for time for yourself will hit in the middle of the day when no one is available to help. What you do then will depend on the age of your children.

If you have an infant, there just isn’t too much you can do. If they’ve been crying enough to get to you, you may have to walk out of the room for a few minutes, but make sure the room is a safe one first and do not go far. Take a few deep breaths and relax.

If you find that isn’t working, it may be time for a change of scenery with your infant. Go for a walk, sit in the back yard, just get out of the house for a while. You may not even have to drive to find a better place to enjoy your infant. Just remember, they are infants for a short time only, and while it may be dragging now, it will later seem to have flown by. Enjoy it as best you can.

As children become toddlers, it becomes more difficult in some ways to get quiet time when you just need a break. You have to create a much safer area for them to play and ensure they stay there. For some children, their bedroom is simply ideal for this situation. A childproofed bedroom with some special toys can keep a toddler busy for some time.

Older children, can, of course, be sent outside to play when you need a break, weather permitting. It’s not only a good breather for you as a parent, it gets them away from the TV and video games and into some exercise. How much you need to supervise them will of course depend on their ages and your comfort level.

It may not take a huge break from your children to make you feel much better and more relaxed. If the stress of parenting is getting to you, take some time for yourself, get relaxed and think about why you are getting stressed. You might just come up with a solution for your family.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Trying to teach your child not to interrupt can sometimes be an exercise in frustration.
Telling them there’s a time to interrupt (in case of a fire) and a time to not interrupt (boredom) isn’t enough. But putting these principles into practice is easier said than done, especially for a very verbal or high-energy kid. That’s why now is a good time to revisit some basic lessons about good manners and teaching your child to wait their turn to speak.

First of all, set a reasonable expectation. School-aged children have a difficult time holding their thoughts for more than a few minutes. Indicate to her as best as you can that you’ll be with them as soon as possible and then stay true to your word.

Develop some ideas for them to occupy themselves with while you’re on the phone or otherwise unavailable. Keep a box full of puzzles, crayons, colorful markers or other quiet toys nearby that they can only use when you have to make a call. Set snacks and drinks on an accessible level so they don’t have to interrupt you for help.

When you need to make a call or have an important conversation with a visitor, head off trouble by saying you’re about to phone someone or have a conversation and estimate how long you expect to talk. Ask them if they need anything before you make your call or have your conversation with your company. Then do your best to adhere to that time schedule, and excuse yourself from the conversation long enough to check on them. Let them know you’ll be a bit longer if that’s the case and see if they need anything before returning to your conversation.

Reading is a great tool to teach manners. Find several books on the subject then read them together. Discuss afterwards what your child learned from the story and how they’ll handle a similar situation in their life the next time it occurs.

And as always, children learn what they live. Your child is very unlikely to learn not to interrupt if they hears you, your spouse, or their siblings constantly interrupting each other. Your actions have a strong influence on your child, so be a good example and ask permission to speak before speaking, and apologize when you inadvertently interrupt.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Finding Reasonably Priced Clothing For Your Baby: Visiting Overstock Sites On The Net

If you have spent any time in the brick and mortar world shopping around for clothing for your baby, you may feel discouraged. The costs associated with clothing for babies is running higher each and every month. Nevertheless, you obviously do need to find appropriate clothing for your little one.

If you have found yourself frustrated with shopping for baby clothes in the brick and mortar world, you might want to spend some time on the Internet and the World Wide Web. In regard to seeking baby clothes on the Internet you will want to pay a visit to one or another of the overstock sites that are in operation on the World Wide Web at this point in time. These sites can offer you a number of benefits in your own search for baby clothing.

Of course, one of the most significant benefits to be had by shopping for clothes for your baby at an overstock site is found in price. Generally speaking, you can save a good deal of money when shopping for baby clothes at an overstock site on the Internet. Indeed, many parents maintain that they have saved hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars by shopping for baby clothes at overstock sites on the Net over time.

In addition to price, another of the benefits to be found by shopping for baby clothes at an Internet based overstock website merchant is convenience. By shopping at these types of websites, you can make your purchases of baby clothes any time of the day or night. If you are like most parents, you simply do not have time to run out and shop around in the brick and mortar world looking for reasonably priced clothes for your baby. By using an overstock site on the Net, you need only spend a few minutes to find what you are looking for in the way of baby clothes.

Another benefit to be had by shopping at an overstock site for baby clothes is selection. In this day and age, the selection to be had at one or another of these Internet website that specialize in overstocked products is significant. Long gone are the days when an overstock site had only a measly selection.

Again, as you look for the perfect outfits for your baby, take the time to surf by and visit one or another of the overstock sites in operation on the World Wide Web.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Don’t Forget To Plan Some Baby Shower Games When You Plan Or Host A Baby Shower

Sometimes baby showers are hosted before the baby is born and sometimes after. Either way most baby showers have at least one thing in common, baby shower games.

When you host a baby shower it is fun to have games to play as entertainment as well as to break the ice. You may have guests that don’t know each other as well as several different age generations in attendance.

I like to have different types of games when I host a baby shower so the same guest isn’t always the winner. I also like to find games that require little preparation or expense. Here are a few free baby shower games you are free to use when you plan or host a baby shower.

1. One game you might want to play is to see who can name the most nursery rhymes. Give your guests a few minutes to write them down and see who thought of the most. Beforehand you can prepare a list to compare to if you want. Plus if your baby shower guests appear stumped you can name a few to get them started on the right track.

2. A word scramble is also a good type of game to have. You can scramble up some baby words and print them out on a piece of paper and let the guest unscramble them. You could also give your baby shower guests a blank sheet of paper and have them write a phrase such as Jill’s new baby, or the new baby’s full name and have them see how many words they can find in the letters.

3. If you want to liven things up a bit give every guest a piece of paper with a baby related word on it and tell them not to show it to anyone. When everyone has arrived explain to them that every time they hear their word they should cough and say excuse me within 5 seconds. The other guests then can each make one guess as to the word. You can give prizes to whoever guesses the most right as well as to whoever stumps the other shower guests the longest.

Basically just try to find a variety of baby shower games that everyone will enjoy playing and have a great time celebrating the blessing of a new baby.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

So youre having a baby. First off, congratulations! However, having said that, there are a few things you need to know things that people are unlikely to tell you about, but which might worry you if you dont know about them in advance.

You should know that when your baby is born, there is a high probability that it will look very strange indeed. Babies can often be born blue or grey, and may have a deformed head from having to fit through such a small gap. They are generally bloody and bruised, and may be covered in body hair, especially if they were born prematurely. All this adds up to a very startling sight if you werent expecting it.

You shouldnt worry, though, as the baby will return to normal quite quickly the skin will go the right colour after a few minutes, when the baby starts to breathe, and any head injuries and odd hair should clear up after a few days. Just realise that it will take a few weeks before your baby starts to look like the cute little thing you were expecting.

Of course, the next thing you need to know is just what you should do with the baby after that. The most important thing is to breastfeed the baby. Baby formula is like junk food for babies, and you should avoid it at all costs it lacks most of the natural nutrients the baby needs, and will instead fill your baby with whatever chemicals you have in your water supply. Babies can see, hear and smell, although not very well, and the most important thing is for the baby to be near its mother the sight of her, the sound of her voice and the smell and taste of her milk will soothe it better than any toy or gadget ever could.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Mar
01

Is Your Child Ready For Preschool?

Posted by admin

Many parents enroll their children in preschool programs without considering whether or not their child is really ready for preschool. Many parents are eager to give their child a head start in the race to educational success so children are starting preschool at younger ages. However, enrolling your child too early in preschool can cause long-term problems with your child’s education rather than giving the head start you intended.

How can you judge whether or not your child is ready for preschool? Take a look at three key areas: physical development, social development, and emotional development.

You should also look at the program itself. For example, some programs are specifically geared to a young age group and are less about formal education and more about play and social experience. Some programs have very limited time periods (only a few hours a week) and are intended to introduce young children very gently to the educational experience. However, the standard preschool program is generally geared toward children ages 3 and 4 in preparation for kindergarten. Just because your child falls within the correct age group does not mean your child is ready for preschool. Forcing a child who is not ready physically, socially, or emotionally into a formal school setting could set the child up for failure, which could then result in a life-long problem with school.

Physically your child should be able to attend to most personal hygiene issues independently or under supervision. This means the child should be potty trained as well as able to clean up afterward (including unfastening and fastening clothing). Your child should also be able to feed herself with little or no supervision.

The child should also be able to focus on a task, such as coloring, as well as listen attentively, to a story or conversation, for longer than a few minutes.

Another important physical development issue is whether or not your child is able to maintain the school schedule. Will the snack and meal breaks meet your child’s nutritional needs? Will he be able to stay awake until it is time to leave or take a nap?

Preschool is often a time and place when children learn a great deal about friendship and social interactions, but if a child isn’t ready for this level of social activity it can be tough on the child, class, and family. Children should have some experience playing with their peers, learning to share and take turns, and working out their differences before attending preschool. Children should also have some experience taking direction from adults who are not their primary caregivers. For example, a child who has only been in the care of a select few relatives may have difficulty adjusting to the care of a strange new adult.

Emotional development is another key consideration when determining if a child is ready for preschool. Is your child ready for the separation from home and parent or previous day care provider? How does your child adjust to new places and people?

If you think your child is not ready in one or more of these important areas then you should put off starting preschool. It may be that in a few months time your child will have leaped past those hurdles and be ready to start. You can also work with your child on the areas you feel need work, such as personal care or social interaction. Many programs also allow you to ease your child into the program with only a few hours a week gradually stepping up to full participation.

Remember, young children grow and develop at a tremendous pace so simply giving your child some time to grow into a program is much better than forcing the issue. In later years your child won’t feel the impact of those “missed” months on their education but a positive preschool experience will have a lasting effect on self esteem and learning.

Starting your child’s preschool experience when they are ready, willing, and able is the best way to set your child on the road to educational success.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Being an at home parent may be the best job youll ever get, but its HARD. Youre on call 24/7, and when you go on vacation, you still have the same responsibilities. And if you have a home business or work at home job, life can be even more challenging.

The first step to coping with burnout is preventing it in the first place. Dont overfill your schedule with activities for the kids or yourself. Take a little time for yourself every day. You dont need to be alone, but you do need to relax a little. Whether this may be during the kids naps or when theyre in school, even taking just a few minutes for you can really help. Then you can take advantage of the time to get things done with a clear head.

Make sure your expectations and those of your family are realistic. If youre running a home business or have a work at home job, you cant be expected to keep as perfect a house as a mother who does not. Pick a day to do the laundry, the vacuuming and other housework that doesnt need to be done on a daily basis and leave it until then unless the urgent need arises, of course.

When you get angry, dont consider yourself an imperfect or bad parent. We all get angry sometimes. What is more important is how you react to the anger.

Make sure you get enough sleep. The more tired you are, the more stress you are going to feel, and the harder it will be to cope with it. If necessary, take a nap at the same time as the kids do, so theyre not getting into trouble for lack of supervision.

Plan fun activities once in a while to relieve stress. Depending on your needs and the needs of your family, this can be alone or with the entire family. Go to the beach, a park, zoo, mall, wherever it is you can relax and just have fun.

Consider planning or even cooking meals and snacks in advance. Its easy to give your children healthy snacks if you have sliced vegetables and/or fruits ready to go in the fridge. A few minutes work early in the week can save you time. Meals may also be prepared in advance and frozen for those nights when youre simply too tired to cook. Plan your meals for leftovers that will freeze well, and say goodbye to expensive frozen dinners from the grocery store.

If writing out your schedule helps you, then keep a written schedule. If it makes you feel overwhelmed, then dont. Just because your best friend says it keeps her on schedule to have a calendar with everything she needs to do on it doesnt mean the same will work for you.

Finally, dont let other parents make you feel you owe them favors just because youre at home and have time. Youre doing a full time job taking care of your family, not just loafing. Your schedule may be just as full as theirs, if not more so.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Parenting does not constantly have to be a demanding job. There are ways to take care of your kids after consistently getting warn out. Here is a list of approachs that a person can use to help administer their daily problems and anxieties while pleasing the kids.

Share the tasks of being a parent with your better half. Do not try to do everything all at once. If you and your better half can learn to work as one then parenting will not be as difficult. Your stress will come down when you share the tasks in looking after the kids.

Many times we get dumbfounded with many irregular tasks that we face. When this occurs, a person should be obliged to stop what they are doing and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the dilemma. A person could take a walk, read a book, or watch some TV to get their mind off of their dilemmas. This will help you to refocus on your situation.

Do not put off tomorrow what you can do today. Concerns have a habit to build up if you keep adjourning them. Do what you can do today. If you have to help your kids with a college activity, then try to get going today instead of dawdling till the end of the week. When the end of the week comes, you will feel exeptional that you got going in this differentiating task.

Learn to pace yourself. Don’t do too much seeing as you will get burned out. Parenting is hard work! A person can only do so much in a individual day. Stay disciplined and don’t do everything all at once. This will help you to administer your stress.

Take a day to relax. Having the day off to go to the beach or to go to the shopping mall will help you to relax. Let your guardian or better half take care of the kids for part of the day.

Being a parent does not have to be that difficult. Finding ways to cope with your stresses will help you to enjoy parenting and enticing of the kids. If you have commotion doing this, then seek the welfare of an expert.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Jan
02

Do Not Let Parenting Stress You Out

Posted by admin

Parenting does not always have to be a stressful job. There are ways to take care of your kids without always getting stressed out. Here is a list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their daily stresses and anxieties while taking care of the kids.

Share the responsibilities of being a parent with your spouse. Do not try to do everything all at once. If you and your spouse can learn to work together then parenting will not be as stressful. Your stress will decrease when you share the responsibilities in taking care of the kids.

Many times we get overwhelmed with many different tasks that we face. When this happens, a person should stop what they are doing and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, read a book, or watch some television to get their mind off of their problems. This will help you to refocus on your present situation.

Do not put off tomorrow what you can do today. Things have a tendency to build up if you keep putting them off. Do what you can do today. If you have to help your kids with a school project, then try to get started today instead of waiting till the end of the week. When the end of the week comes, you will feel better that you got started in this particular task.

Learn to pace yourself. Dont do too much because you will get burned out. A person can only do so much in a particular day. Stay organized and dont do everything all at once. This will help you to manage your stress

Take a day to relax. Taking the day off to go to the beach or to go shopping will help you to relax. Let your babysitter or spouse take care of the kids for part of the day.

Being a parent does not have to be that stressful. Finding ways to cope with your stresses will help you to enjoy taking care of the kids. If you have trouble doing this, then seek the services of a professional.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts