Sunday, July 13, 2008

The ADDEdge Family Focus Issue 5: Are you perfect?

Well, as I think about our children and their challenges I am immediately brought to the thought of self-esteem. Why is our children's self esteem so low? Why does it seem that we struggle daily to convince them they are good people? And why does it seem that other times we spend the same amount of time trying to convince ourselves of the same thing?

One theory is our concept of perfection. It is believed, in fact proven, that part of the reason for a person's poor self-esteem is due to our concept of perfection and our belief that we are not.

We spend so much time measuring ourselves against our idea of perfection that it is no wonder we have a low self image. I do not know of anyone who is perfect. In fact, the thought of that is somewhat alarming. Can you imagine attaining perfection? Having nothing further to work for in life? Knowing you will never be better or smarter or healthier than you are right now?

Once we are able to let go of our idea of attaining perfection and embrace the thought of being constantly changing individual, we will surely feel better about ourselves! The amazing thing is that we can coach our children in this same technique!

One of the best things my mother ever taught me is that being perfect would not only be boring, but it would be a lot of pressure too! I grew up being grateful and relieved knowing that perfection was to be strived for, but never truly achieved. She had me fully convinced (and she was right) that being perfect would be boring!

The most amazing thing is that she convinced me of that without ever telling me that! She would ask questions like "Don't you think it would be boring to have nothing to work for?" or "Wouldn't you hate knowing what your grade was before you ever got a paper back?" Her gentle suggestions were enough to allow me to come up with my own opinions.

She allowed me to be able to judge myself against what was right and wrong, not against my idea of being perfect. I encourage you to do that with your children, and yourself.

If we can eliminate this idea of perfection, we will think more highly of our kids, and in turn allow them to think more highly of themselves.

So, over the next week I encourage you to try to drop the thought of reaching perfection, and keep in mind that you are the perfect you! No one is better at being you than you are! You have achieved your own perfection, and the great thing is that by defining perfection this way, you will continually be able to strive for improvement.

If you would like to comment on this topic, please visit

TheADDEdge blog and post your thoughts!

Until next time...

~Stay Strong

Tracy Hoobyar is a personal trainer for academic, personal and professional excellence for people with ADHD, and those who love them. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology and working with children as a substitute teacher and volunteer, she learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through her training in NLP, Psychology, and her experiences working with all these children, she has finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. She blogs about various parenting issues affecting all those concerned and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Learn more by visiting www.ADDvantageForLife.com

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

“Green” up your Sunscreens and Bug-Repellants

It’s almost summer! That means it’s time for splashing around in the pool and escaping the heat by heading to the cool mountains for some outdoor fun. The products we use to protect us from the sun and from the pesky outdoor pests that we encounter during our summer activities can have less than desirable ingredients and chemicals listed on their labels. In order to avoid harmful substances that are absorbed into our skin, what should we look for to know we are using safe products for ourselves and our children?

Protection from the sun is important, but so is knowing what types of things to avoid in commercial sunscreens. Remember, our skin is our largest organ and anything absorbed into the skin can be transported to other organs in our body in about 7 seconds. In recognition of that fact, try to avoid the following common sunscreen ingredients:

PABA: Many people are very sensitive to this ingredient and can end up with red, itchy skin.

Benzophenone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate): These chemicals have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests. Oxybenzone is a derivative of benzophenone and it is linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. According to the CDC 97% of Americans are contaminated with this widely-used sunscreen ingredient.

Parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-): Parabens are common in sunscreens so avoiding them may prove difficult. They are preservatives that have estrogenic qualities. They have produced abnormal hormonal effects following on laboratory rodents, particularly male, resulting in decreased testosterone levels and other abnormalities. They have also been found to accumulate in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer.

Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone): While on the surface of the skin these chemicals appear to prevent UV damage but when absorbed into the skin they can actually damage DNA. There is evidence that the sun’s light may cause these chemicals to become reactive and cause free-radical damage.

Safe sunscreen components include any zinc oxide or titanium dioxide products that scatter, rather than absorb the sun’s rays. In addition, you can use protective sun clothing to keep your skin shielded when you are planning to be outside. Hats, sunglasses and UVA/UVB repellant swimwear are widely available and provide the safest protection for kids and adults alike.

To combat those pesky mosquitoes and other biting insects, we need to once again, examine what it is that we are using on our skin. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests the use of “non-chemical” methods to deter biting insects before any consideration of chemical insect repellents.

Most bug sprays and repellents contain DEET. DEET is a pesticide that is considered HIGHLY toxic. Experts report that up to 56% of DEET applied to the skin penetrates the skin and about 17% is absorbed into the blood stream.

One of the major adverse effects of DEET exposure to children is seizures and brain damage. As parents, it is wise to utilize caution, care and knowledge in your approach to protecting your children from dangerous insect bites.

Consider using barriers like window screens and netting to shield your children and protect their skin with long-sleeve shirts, long pants and socks. Other commercial products with safe and effective ingredients are:

MiEnviron Certified Organic Personal Bug Spray

SmartShield

California Baby SPF 30 + Bug Repellent

Now that warmer weather is here, families can spend time together enjoying being outside. If we can do a little bit of label reading before purchasing some of the summer necessities, it will be a safer and “greener” season for everyone!

Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Summer Ready Feet, Only 3 steps away with bluebasins bath & body’s Perfect Pedicure Routine

Our feet take a lot of abuse during a normal day and should not be neglected however many people do. This neglect can have an adverse effect on our bodies causing back, knee, heel and of course foot pain, just to name a few.

They are one of the most important parts of your body carrying you around and, in relation to that same body, are relatively small. On average, these tiny pedometers can count between 2000 and 6000 steps a day, so if you want them to keep on counting, start by taking great care of them now...naturally.

As the temperature rises, the layers start peeling off not only on the body but also on the feet. No longer are the thermal socks, stockings or boots needed because it’s finally time to wear our summer sandals. But are your feet summer sandal ready? Were you taking care of them all winter long even though they were covered. By the looks of it quite a few of you were not. So with the official summer season upon us, you can get your feet summer sandal ready with our Perfect Pedicure Routine created by bluebasins bath & body.

Our newly created foot care system is designed to naturally have your feet feeling and looking great. “We realize that a lot of people do not take great care of their feet either because they have no time, do not know how, or where to start, that’s why we’ve created this simple system to start the user on a path to having great feet,” says Makeda Paul, owner, “besides, it’s summer and you’ll want to show them off with pride.”

bluebasins has created a three to five step (depending on what you are trying to achieve) foot care system. The products created are all 100% natural, handmade with essential oils and/or herbs. The entire systems is designed to have your feet looking and feeling great.

Here’s the Perfect Pedicure Routine which is recommended once a week:

If wearing nail polish, remove before beginning routine.

Step 1: Begin by starting with the Peppermint & Tea Tree Liquid Foot Soap. Fill a basin with a gallon of warm water. Soak your feet for 10 - 15 minutes. Use a pumice stone on soles of feet during the soak. At the end of the 15 minutes wash feet in the basin with our Peppermint & Tea Tree Liquid Foot Soap. Empty the basin.

This foot soap uses the germ killing properties of Tea Tree essential oil, an excellent combatant against athlete’s foot or smelly foot syndrome.

Step 2: Fill the basin again with warm water and pour in 1/4 - 1/2 cup of our Revitalizing Herbal Foot Fizz, soak for 10 min and relax. Pat dry.

Designed for tired and achy feet, it contains the invigorating essential oils and herbs of peppermint, tea tree and crushed mint leaves. Packed with herbs that help cool, soothe and relax tired feet, it is the best way to rejuvenate them. The minerals in this fizz will have your feet cool, relaxed and refreshed.

Step 3: After your feet are patted dry, apply our Warming Ginger Foot Mask with hands. Rub the foot mask on feet and leave on for 10 - 20 min. Rinse off. Pat dry again.

This clay-based foot mask will have you feet feeling recharged and refreshed. It will revive your feet while making your skin, soft and smooth.

Note: The following two steps are optional depending on what you are trying to accomplish with your foot care.

Step 4: Once feet are dry, massage feet with our Peppermint & Tea Tree Foot Butter - to keep feet soft and wonderful. To keep feet soft use foot salve at night and cover with socks. This can also be used as a daily moisturizer for your feet.

Our creamy and thick foot butter will have your feet looking beautiful, soft and supple all day long. Great for those with dry cracked heals. Best used after a shower or anytime in the day to keep dry heal syndrome away.

Step 5: If your foot care system is to aid in smelly feet syndrome then our Cooling Foot Powder is for you. Once feet are dried after the Warming Ginger Foot Mask, this cooling powder with it wonderful herbs can be sprinkled on feet to keep them dry, not sweaty.

“When you are finished with our Perfect Pedicure Routine, take a wonderful bare foot walk around your home to give your feet a great stretch,” concludes Paul. So even though your feet are abused throughout the day take great care of them at home to avoid seeing the foot doctor.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.bluebasins.com/.

bluebasins bath & body products show consumers an alternative natural way to take care of their skin.

Makeda Paul is the owner of bluebasins bath & body, Canada's premier line of all natural skin care products. An Aromatologist by trade, she developed all of bluebasins’ products using only the best ingredients suited for your skin, and is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute's blog. Her products take care of you and your baby's skin the way nature intended, naturally. Begin now with bluebasins bath & body at www.bluebasins.com

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The ADDEdge Family Focus Issue 4

Good Day! Hope all is going well and you've been able to implement the tips from the last three newsletters to make a difference in your life. This week's newsletter will have a slightly different format, designed to share more information in an easier way for you to take advantage of it. Please let me know what you think of the new design.

TheADDEdge.com Tip #4
People, children or adults, with ADHD are perfectionists. Now, this fact came as a HUGE surprise to me, one that I argued with and refused to believe for quite a while, until I talked with my daughters. You see, I watch this beautiful, strong, intelligent child scraping by in school and life and figure she simply doesn't care. It never occurred to me that she did care, and it was simply easier to swallow that she didn't do well because she didn't try, rather than she wasn't able.

Oh man! Now that made sense. How many of us, when we think back, remember trying to act cool when we goofed? Well, it's kind of the same response, just more intense (not surprising when dealing with ADHD).

So, this tip actually relates back to tip #2 to some extent. If you remember that was to give yourself a break. So this week, give your kids a break. Now this DOESN'T mean to let them off the hook and have no rules. In fact, as we'll discuss in a later issue, rules are important. What it does mean is to remember they want to do well. But more than that, they don't want to fail!

I'll tell you what. This piece of information has made an enormous difference for me. It has helped me to be less frustrated and more sympathetic to my kids. It has helped make sense of their behaviors that before this made me scratch my head in confusion. And, most importantly, it has made the number of arguments in this household far less frequent.

So, that is this week's tip, Give Your Kids A Break. Just try to remember where they are coming from, don't lower your expectations, just lower your frustration level when the expectations aren't met. Your kids are already feeling bad enough about letting you down, another topic we'll tackle later on.

Until next week, take care and stay calm!

Recommendation of the week
For a ton of great product ideas, visit
http://www.theadhdmall.com/. There you will find products to help you with anything ADHD related, from organizational tools for you to toys for the kids to help entertain, educate and occupy them. Visit them today for additional ideas and helps around the house!

Organizing Tip Of The Week
Today, take 5 minutes and get rid of all shower items you haven't used in more than a month. We all tend to get stuff, open it once and forget about it or decide we don't like it. Somehow though we forget to discard it. Now is the time. Simply complete the task of getting rid of any shower items you don't use. You can move them into the guest bath (you never know what your surprise guest will have forgotten to bring) or transfer partially used bottles into travel containers. Barring that you can donate unused items and throw away already opened containers. However you decide to clear the shower clutter, just don't stop until you've completed this one task, then enjoy a calm and clutter free shower!

e-Class Beginning Soon
There is a new, FREE eClass currently being offered ($47 value). Simply visit the site,
http://www.theaddedge.com/free_eclass.htm and sign up! You will get fantastic information, learn a lot, and gain a greater understanding for ADHD. Don't miss this opportunity!

Parenting Tip of the Week
Ask kids to clip and organize coupons for grocery shopping. This will allow them an outlet for organizing, one that doesn't have a lot of consequences like school, and help them understand the cost of living. This is a great activity that works for any age group and will allow you something to teach your kids but give them some control too. You may be surprised at the coupons they cut out!


Tracy Hoobyar is a personal trainer for academic, personal and professional excellence for people with ADHD, and those who love them. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology and working with children as a substitute teacher and volunteer, she learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through her training in NLP, Psychology, and her experiences working with all these children, she has finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. She blogs about various parenting issues affecting all those concerned and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Learn more by visiting www.ADDvantageForLife.com

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

To Fathers with Love

In June of each year, we celebrate the wonderful Fathers and father figures in our lives! The modern celebration of Father’s Day has ancient roots, dating all the way back to the Babylonian period of history.

The earliest record of Father's Day was found in the ruins of ancient Babylon. A young boy named Elmesu carved a Father's Day message on a card made out of clay nearly 4,000 years ago. He wished his Babylonian father good health and a long life. The tradition was passed down from generation to generation and is currently celebrated in several countries throughout the world. In many countries, where the Catholic Church has had an important influence on the culture, Father's Day is celebrated on St. Joseph's Day (March 19) but in others, the date varies with the calendar year.

In the United States, we typically purchase greeting cards or small gifts for our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, etc. In other countries around the globe, they have unique and different ways to celebrate the Father’s Day tradition.

1. The UK and Australia: Breakfast meetings for fathers and families are held along with public games and activities that strengthen the father-family bond. These events include picnics with sports or games, fishing contests and hiking or running races.

2. Canada: Different colored roses are worn by families signifying the well-being of their fathers. A white Rose is worn if the father has passed away and a red Rose signifies father or grandfather in good health and vitality.

3. South Africa: Social and cultural societies host large community Father’s Day celebrations to stress the role of fathers in building a stronger society and in nurturing their children. They read stories and poems that have strong male characters.

4. Ireland: Families make donations in the name of their father or perform acts of community service that pay tribute to the important men in their lives.

This year in June, we can all look into some different ways to express thanks and gratitude for the fathers and father-figures in our lives. Whether we spend time strengthening our relationship by participating in an outdoor activity, performing some community service together or just sitting down to a meal together, we can all look to different cultures around the world to see that celebrating fathers is not just something we do here at home. It is an ancient and wonderful tradition that can be expanded upon to create some wonderful new memories and traditions of our own.


Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

10 Great Gifts for Father’s Day

By: Cynthia Marcano for Simply Sinful Baskets

Ok, so Father’s Day is approaching and you’d rather go to the dentist than buy another tie. Save the appointment for wisdom teeth trouble and make shopping a little easier. Here are 10 gift ideas for Father’s day that are sure to bring a SINCERE smile to his face.

10. Father of the Year Plaque – Show your appreciation for that special Father with a trophy or plaque that honors him as a Father.

9. Magazine Subscription - This is the gift that keeps on giving year round. Popular subscriptions are Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal and Muscle & Fitness. There are others that I would rather not mention, but I am sure would get a positive reaction, if you know what I mean.

8. Sports Tickets - Because Father’s Day is during the summer, baseball would be the sporting event to get tickets for. Other options are wrestling events or golf tournaments.

7. Golf Getaway - Speaking of golf, a golf getaway is a really nice gift and a great way for busy dad to unwind.

6. Gift Basket - You are probably thinking "Gift Basket?!" Yup, I said gift basket. You can find any themed gift basket nowadays including golf, fishing, football, baseball and movie lovers.

5. Clothing - I gave my father-in-law a T-shirt with his only granddaughter’s picture on it and he has it folded in a drawer so that he can’t ruin it. Saying he worships it, is an understatement. If he isn’t the sentimental type, golf shirts and shorts work too.

4. Watch – They seem to be a necessity that men don’t splurge on. If he is wearing a watch with a plastic wristband, you need to read no further. Go shopping right away.

3. Barbeque Supplies - The weather is warm and there is a good chance you are having a BBQ to celebrate Father’s Day. Start the BBQ off right with new cooking tools for the BBQ cook.

2. Tools - This is a pretty obvious choice but a great gift nonetheless. Especially if you married someone like Tim Taylor – The Tool Man.

1. A day to watch sports, pig out and do whatever it is, he likes to do. Consider this his special day. Things like breakfast in bed, renting his favorite movie (you know the one with all the guns, violence and macho stuff) and cooking his favorite dinner could be just what the father asked for.

If you are tired of buying ties for Father’s Day, then you have come to the right place. Read about great gift suggestions any father would love.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website,
www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Diversity in Youth Sports

For some parents across the country, weekends are measured in soccer game start times, baseball innings and tournament scores. Researchers estimate that over 14 million children play one type of organized sport and several of those youngsters play multiple sports depending on the season. Sports are important for teaching good sportsmanship, goal-setting, teamwork, and for encouraging children to have an active lifestyle. Aside from these obvious advantages, organized sports can also play a much larger and culturally significant role as well.

Sports combine athletic as well as social skills and mix them up into an organized framework. Children are often required to put aside their own desires and ego for the sake of their team. They spend time learning from and befriending teammates who often are more like brothers and sisters than mere friends. Team uniforms are worn to signify solidarity and equality; everyone’s uniform looks the same. Children learn to play, strategize and communicate with people from all walks of life; those of different religions, race, ethnicity, gender and culture and work toward a common goal - winning. They are often exposed at an early age to those that are different from themselves but possess equal or greater skills and they come to realize that everyone is different, but differences can be strengths as well. Consider the following sports when looking for a diverse team activity for your child:


1. Baseball
Baseball not only requires good communication from all team members; pitcher and catcher, outfielder to infielder and between the out and in-fielders themselves, it also encourages children to assist struggling teammates who are not performing well. By succeeding individually, children help contribute to a winning team environment and each child knows that even though he or she may not have their best game that day, one of their teammates will pick up the slack.
Major League Baseball also has many international stars and role-models that children of different ethnicities and nationalities can look up to and admire. There are players from Japan, Korea, Canada, the US, Australia, Mexico, Cuba and several other countries around the globe. MLB has training centers in a number of Central and South American countries and are constantly providing instruction and education for their players. The teams play exhibition games overseas and have created a World Baseball Classic which features international teams competing against each other for the title.


2. Basketball
Basketball requires communication as well. While on the court, players make each other aware of their positions as well as the position of the defenders. It also encourages and rewards players for unselfish play in passing the ball to others to score. It necessitates an understanding between all players and the coach when plays are created in practice or called out during the game. Basketball is a game of camaraderie and the more time a team spends together practicing, the better they know where teammates will be during any given play in the game.


Recently, the National Basketball Association has seen an influx of international players as well. There are players from all different walks of life and several different age groups, as the NBA allows high school players to participate. Basketball is a very popular international Olympic sport and thousands of fans from every different country come out to support their team during the trials and 2 week events.


3. Football
In football, we truly see the uniform disguising all differences. The helmets children wear to protect themselves also offers a mask to hide skin color, gender differences and cultural distinctions as well. Everyone looks the same on the football field; there is no one better than another; the great equalizer. This helps children to be judged more on their ability to play, rather than what they look like or where they come from. Football, like Baseball and Basketball requires communication skills between teammates as well as a desire to unselfishly sacrifice oneself for another teammate.

4. Other Sports Programs

There are a number of other special sports programs in communities across the country that focus on helping children with disabilities participate and establish relationships. Special baseball fields, basketball courts and tennis facilities allow children in wheelchairs, walkers and on crutches to play sports alongside of their peers. Mixed leagues provide children without physical disabilities the chance to participate and learn about children that are different from themselves.

Although many people may consider sports divisive and ego-driven with all players performing for themselves, parents can use sports as an opportunity to teach children about the satisfaction that comes from being part of a team. Children can learn life lessons as they play; leadership, teamwork, social skills and they can also learn that people that look, speak or play differently from themselves are people that they want to get to know and become friends with. Children are open to learning about others and accepting those who are different. We as parents need to be conscious of what we are teaching and the opportunities that we provide to them for doing just that.



Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

The ADDEdge Family Focus Issue 3

Welcome to another week of The ADDEdge Family Focus. So far we've talked about some of the thought processes you can work on to make a distinct and noticeable difference very quickly. Today let's discuss something concrete that will continue to help you make changes in your household or with the children and families you are helping.

Tip #3

These kids/adults are visual people and learners. They process information in their heads a little differently than society expects them to, therefore they're "different". Reality is these kids learn and function as well as anyone else, but things need to be structured to meet their needs, rather than expecting them to bend to meet society's.

So how do you do that? With the right instruction set it's fairly simple. Adjust things so that the information they need to use and learn is set up in a visual way. Here is one of the most useful things I found to do in our household.

We wrote lists in color. We asked/insisted that my daughters' teachers give them their assignments for chunks of time rather than daily. My youngest daughter got her assignments weekly, that was 5 days worth, and my oldest got them at least bi-weekly.

We then took those assignment lists and wrote them on a big white board, checking it off every day. Each child got a different color. They had to read me their own upcoming assignments thereby getting the information into their verbal memory also. I wrote them down on the board while they watched, this helped my own ADD by not making me jsut sit there. It also helped the kids as they watched their assignments get written in color.

What I noticed is that this helped them remember the work without looking at the board! The information being in colors actually helped them access the information in their brains. I would watch them as I asked what they had due the next day and they would ALWAYS look up to remember. They were picturing the board in their heads!

Well, that is this week's topic. These kids are visual. They are great and exciting, and they are visual. Next week we will continue talking about concrete things that you can do bring out the best in your kids!



Tracy Hoobyar is a personal trainer for academic, personal and professional excellence for people with ADHD, and those who love them. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology and working with children as a substitute teacher and volunteer, she learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through her training in NLP, Psychology, and her experiences working with all these children, she has finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. She blogs about various parenting issues affecting all those concerned and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Learn more by visiting www.ADDvantageForLife.com

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

General Safety Tips For Baby Furniture

Different kinds of baby furniture have different sets of safety rules or tips. There are however, a couple of tips that you should remember with all baby furniture.

Placement of Furniture
The place where you position your baby furniture can matter when it comes to your baby's safety. Cribs for example should never be placed beside a low window or beside a heavy piece of furniture. A baby that is already on the standing phase might fall off from a window or might get crushed under a piece of furniture that might accidentally topple. Another example would be high chairs which should not be placed beside walls or counters since a baby could use these to kick off from and topple a high chair.

Furniture Knobs and Latches
A good baby furniture must be child-proof. Simple leg latches and strap locks of high chairs for example may be operated by a toddler or an older baby which may cause the straps to loosen or the high chair to collapse. Cribs too with side knobs may be tinkered with by a curious baby and cause a crib to collapse.

Age of Baby
The best and safest baby furniture will also depend on the baby's weight and age. Most baby furniture pieces contain age and weight requirements. If you are unsure then simply use your common sense. Some changing tables and strollers will not be able to hold the weight of babies nearing the toddler stage.You might also want to use baby furniture brackets when your baby starts to stand up and walk around. Brackets installed behind a piece of furniture and attached to the wall can help support furniture that could topple over a curious baby who attempts to scale cabinets and drawers.

Labels
Labels of furniture pieces are important. Although furniture sold in stores are supposed to be compliant with government safety standards, you should always make sure that your baby's furniture carriers the right label that says so. Warning labels are also another thing to look at. Warning labels will tell you how exactly should pieces of furniture be used and what you should not do with it.

Recalls
Every now and then, check for model recalls. Although most baby furniture in the market are believed to be safe at the time that they are released to consumers, some product flaws are only discovered weeks or months after the release. Always have an ear and eye out for product recalls that may include your furniture model.

Specific Use
All pieces of baby furniture have been carefully designed with babies' safety in mind. You should always remember though that even the safest piece of furniture is intended for use with adult supervision. Never get tempted to let a piece of furniture baby sit your baby for you. Always keep an eye on your baby whether he is on a crib, playpen, high chair or just crawling on the rug on his own.

About the Author
Is your
baby furniture safe enough for baby? Read the best baby safety tips from experienced moms!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Teaching Your Child about Tolerance and Diversity

In a world where there are so many cultures and ethnicities represented in our society we must learn how we can teach our children about the many types of people who make up our world.

Do you remember who taught you about how people were different from you? Or did you have to figure it out on your own as you encountered them as you grew up? Whichever the case, we hope that you will teach your child about the diversity in our world so that they can learn to be tolerant of others and live peacefully with them in society.

Here are some ways to make sure that your child understands the diversity among us and has tolerance for others:

1. Books, movies, and toys that encourage and promote diversity.

The use of books, movies, toys and other items in your home that teach about other cultures and ethnicities can help your child to embrace the differences that are among us. Exposure to differences starting at a young age helps a child to develop accepting attitudes of other cultures.

2. Teach your child about other cultural traditions.

While you are celebrating Christmas, another family might be choosing to celebrate Hanukkah. Why not invite that family to share in some of your activities and ask if you might share in some of theirs, allowing both sets of children to learn about the differences & similarities in the traditions.

3. Teach your child what is considered tolerable.

Remember that sometimes a concept such as tolerance can be confusing for a child. They might mistake it for allowing others to bully them. This should not be the case. Make sure that they understand tolerance does not mean allowing malice or meanness to take place, but only allowing participation and sharing of their culture with others.

4. Talk openly and answer questions.

Have a policy or agreement with your child that it is okay to ask questions. Allow them to ask you about things that they are unsure about, reminding them to do this in private rather than in the grocery store in front of the lady who is dressed differently because of her culture. Remind them to respect others while they are in their presence and afterwards, but encourage them to talk openly about any questions that they might have in private between the two of you. Later you might research more about the culture of the person that they were wondering about.


These are just a few ways that you can help your child to begin to understand and tolerate the various people that we encounter everyday and our many differences.



Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The ADDEdge Parenting Weekly Issue 2

Welcome to week two of TheADDEdge parenting weekly blog update. I hope you've been able to take some time and implement what we talked about last week. It can be so tough to parent an ADHD child, and even more challenging if you have more than one child with ADD/ADHD.

So, knowing you probably have about 4 minutes to read this before someone screams and needs you, I'll get right to it.

Tip #2
Give yourself a break. This is a very important part of the process. It seems that through the traditional routes of parenting children with ADD or ADHD we are conditioned to believe that things would be better if we would only do something differently. If we would only be more stern, or more lenient, try different medication, or no medication, spend more quality time with them, or stop catering to them.



Tracy Hoobyar is a personal trainer for academic, personal and professional excellence for people with ADHD, and those who love them. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology and working with children as a substitute teacher and volunteer, she learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through her training in NLP, Psychology, and her experiences working with all these children, she has finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. She blogs about various parenting issues affecting all those concerned and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Learn more by visiting www.ADDvantageForLife.com

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Helping Your Children Embrace Diversity

Do your kids understand and embrace the ethnic diversity of those around them? Or, have they not been exposed to other races, cultures and ethnicities enough to even know that there are differences? Today’s culture lends itself to be a little more open about such differences, and this is a positive turn in our society.

Flip on the television and even on the preschool channel, there are a variety of culturally diverse shows including Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street, Go Diego Go, Little Bill and even Pinky Dinky Do, whose main character has pink hair.

Allowing your child to watch this variety of shows will show them at an early age that there are many different types of people in our world today. Pointing out the differences but realizing that these differences do not make one group of people better than or worse than another group of people will help your child to understand and embrace all cultures.

There are movies out there that can show your children a wide variety of cultural areas and allow them exposure to the different cultures that make up the world. You can also purchase dolls and clothing that are culturally diverse teaching your children even more about the many cultures that come together in our society.

The United States is becoming more and more of a “melting pot” as so many of us were taught in history class years ago - today it is becoming a reality. We want our children to embrace this concept of cultural diversity and be tolerant of people who are different from them.

Pop culture joining the ranks can only help us to teach more effectively. Allow your children to play with culturally diverse toys so that they can learn to be tolerant and loving to other cultures. Teach them about their own culture, helping them to understand why culture is important to everyone.

Be tolerant and embrace the cultures who are different from you and your family. Children will almost always copy what parents do, so, how you act towards other ethnicities gives them the framework for their own ideas and beliefs. Begin with yourself, and then teach your children, soon the world will be made up of one big happy diverse family if we can all work together to encourage tolerance and diversity.


Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Simple Steps to Calm Your Fussy Baby

It’s everyone's fear - the fussy baby who requires constant attention. You can't put him down, talk on the phone, or cook dinner. Often times these babies don't nap or sleep for long stretches of time, making it even more taxing on you. Here are some tips to help you distract and entertain your fussy baby and preserve some sanity.

Learn your baby’s sleep cues and do everything you can to maximize his sleep – both naps and nighttime. Some amount of fussiness may be due to your baby being overtired.

Increase physical contact. Carry or wear your baby often. Fussy babies need this close proximity to mama and the sense of safety that it brings. For whatever reason they seem to need more help to regulate their temperament, control their emotions and settle themselves.

Change the location. Either leave the house or just step out the door. The change in air flow, temperature, light and sounds is often enough to distract a baby and help them calm down. This one can be a real benefit for your sanity as well.

Change the view. Look out a window or look in a mirror. Let your baby get close enough to touch his reflection. Wave and make faces. Play peek-a-boo by stepping out of sight from the mirror, then slowly stepping back over to the mirror so your reflections return.

Offer your baby varying textures to feel. Pat the Bunny is a great book of textures that my first son loved to gnaw on. Sadly, it didn’t last long so making your own collection of household items is a cheaper alternative. A soft Minkee ™ blanket, a scrap of fake fur, a piece of sand paper, a soft hairbrush, a wooden spoon or smooth textured a coffee mug are good choices. Just be sure to hold them so your baby doesn’t drop them on his face or put them in his mouth – especially the sandpaper.

Sensory experiences are the very best fussy busters, even as children age. Unfortunately at such a young age your options are limited. The sound and sight of running water can be enough. If your baby is sitting up by himself place a small amount of water on a cookie sheet then place that on a towel on the kitchen floor and let him splash in the water. If he’s not sitting up by himself you can turn on the faucet to a trickle then hold him close enough to put his hand in it and splash around. You can also take him in the bath or shower. Another sensory experience is to put your baby in his high chair and then put several spoons full of yogurt on the tray. Let him finger paint with it. Just be prepared for an involved clean-up when he’s done.

Sometimes music, especially if it’s familiar to him, can be a great fussy buster. Try various styles of music. Babies are individuals with their own preferences for things and can already have some pretty strong opinions!

Move gently while holding your baby. Dance, sway, bounce, or rock. You can also try putting him in a swing, stroller or take a drive in the car.

Fussy babies are often the highly intelligent ones who love buttons. Try holding your older baby close to the light switch and show him how to flip it. Babies also love buttons to push. Bebe Sounds makes a great fussy buster called the Baby Buzz’r that has a baby-safe mirror, soft ears to chew, and fun buttons for your baby to push which make it play music (but not too loudly), vibrate, and light up (but not too brightly). What I love about it is that it’s not over stimulating with super bright lights and way-too-loud sounds like other battery-operated baby toys.

Try visual stimulation. With a quick trip to the fabric store you can find fleece or cotton in bright primary colors or black and white, bold patterns. Cotton fabrics need the edges finished with a straight stitch to keep them from unraveling but fleece can simply be cut and used. These are great for playing peek-a-boo with your baby.

This last trick for babies about 6 months and up should be reserved only for special occasions since it needs to be used infrequently to keep it effective. Create a fussy basket for times when you need to cook dinner and make phone calls. Include things like a soft hair brush, fake fur scraps, a baby-proof mirror, a teething toy, a drinking water bottle filled with beans or brightly colored beads and the lid sealed with a glue gun, a baby food jar with water, a teaspoon of corn syrup and glitter and the lid sealed shut with a glue gun, cold & warm items, bright colored nesting bowls, a television remote with battery door taped shut so the batteries can’t come out, a disconnected keyboard with lots of buttons to push, a rubber spatula, a wooden spoon, a metal bowl or a metal pan lid. Leave the items in the basket or box so your baby can discover them one by one while taking them out.

Remember that fussiness won’t last forever and those same traits that make him fussy – persistence, intelligence and sensitivity will make him a great person.

About the Author

Annette lives in Seattle with her husband Jared, sons Max and Lander, and their faithful flat-coated retriever. She is now a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) and founder of Moms in Clogs, makers of Pollywog brand products. Unable to find products beneficial for infant reflux, she designed the patented Pollywog nursing wedge and changing station incliner. Her website,
www.PollywogBaby.com, provides practical advice, home remedies and support to help manage infant reflux and colic.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Encouraging your Child to Read

How many times do you grab a good book, pull your child or children into your lap or snuggle on the couch and read to them? So many of us are guilty of never finding the time, when reading is such an important skill for children to learn. We as parents have the greatest influence over whether or not they begin to learn or choose to learn to read. We can encourage them to learn to read by making books and reading an important part of their life from day one.

"Reading aloud with children is known to be the single most important activity for building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read."
— Marilyn Jager Adams

Reading offers so many valuable things to children. Here are just a few:

1. Reading is entertaining

Do you think they always had cable television wired to most every house in America, well of course not? Great literature was a popular concept many years ago, much more so than it is today and reading was a favorite past time of almost everyone. Why not make that the case for your child by starting them out reading at an early age and continuing to encourage them to read over the span of their childhood.

2. Reading encourages learning
Reading to your child encourages them to want to learn and gives them the opportunity to have their curiosity stirred by new ideas and concepts, such as how people live differently in different places, how things are made, or where things came from. We can use reading to teach about cultures, traditions and the similarities we all share. So many questions can be formed in the mind of a child as you read to them, thus encouraging them to dig in and find out more!

3. Reading increases your child’s vocabulary
If you want to ensure that your child begins to talk at the right age, learns to say your name, the names of their family members and even things out in the world, you can help them to do so by reading to them. Reading to a child begins teaching them and exposing them to a wide vocabulary, even as a baby. Many doctors encourage women to even read to their babies while they are still in their womb.

4. Reading gives your child knowledge
Knowledge about the world, people, themselves, everything you can think of. Thousands of ideas, topics, themes and concepts can be found in written form in books, on billboards, or even on the side of your morning cereal box. Knowledge is all around us and we consume it by reading it. Encouraging your child to read allows them to soak up all this knowledge.

Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com/ that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

A Tribute to all Mothers

This is a tribute for the mothers who sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing a crying baby.

For all the mothers who ran carpools, made cookies, and sewed Halloween costumes;


For the mothers whose priceless art collections were left hanging on their refrigerator doors.

This is for every mother whose head turned automatically when a little voice called “Mom?” in a crowd;

Even though they knew their own children were at home—or even away at college.

This is for the mothers whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman’s child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love - - sometimes totally unappreciated!

What make a good mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Knowledge?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt—all at the same time? Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache she felt when she watched her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? Or is it the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal, and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation; and mature mothers learning to let go; for working mothers and stay-at-home mothers; single mothers and married mothers; and those mothers who are experiencing it all over again with their grandchildren.

Please take the time to give tribute to a mother on Mother’s Day. This is for all of them.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

The ADDEdge Parenting Weekly Issue 1

Welcome to the ADDEDGE weekly blog update. You can look forward to receiving helpful, practical advice that you can implement immediately to begin to change the way you and your ADD child/teenager interact. So, rather than waste your time with a lot of fluff, let's get right into it.

Tip #1
Understand that ADD/ADHD is not a choice. It is not their way of being defiant. It is not them expressing their independence. It is a real, valid, scientifically documented difference in learning styles. Notice I do not call it a disorder or deficit? That is because it is not. It is a gift. If people with different learning styles were all labeled with a disorder, imagine how much we would be spending nationally on an annual basis to support and teach these kids. ADD/ADHD is a defferent way of learning and thinking. The first thing you can do as a parent is accept that it is not a choice, believe that it is not a disability, release any guilt you may have about your role, however large or small, in your child's ADD/ADHD. You also have to acknowledge that learning some different ways of dealing with your child can make your days (and nights) so much calmer and more productive. I promise you, the time you spend learning different ways of coping with an ADD/ADHD child will c ome back to you ten-fold in the quality of your relationships.

That is the tip for this week. It is not a small task, changing your thought process regarding ADD/ADHD. So many of us have been conditioned to believe that ADD/ADHD is a challenging disorder that must take a lot of patience, arguements with the teachers, constant struggles with our children, and any number of co-morbid disorders, it is hard to look at it as a gift. But it is. If positioned correctly, you will see enormous changes in your child/ren, however to start the change you must believe. So, this week I want you to work on your belief set. Figure out what you tell yourself about ADD/ADHD and parenting a child with this learning style. Once you figure out what you believe about it, you will have an easier time changing that, and re-framing it to the gift that it is.

Please feel free to email me with the beliefs that you come to realize you hold around ADD/ADHD. I am sure you are not the only one with your particular belief set, and others may benefit from knowing they are not alone in it either.

So, until next week, take care and stay strong!

Tracy Hoobyar is a personal trainer for academic, personal and professional excellence for people with ADHD, and those who love them. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology and working with children as a substitute teacher and volunteer, she learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through her training in NLP, Psychology, and her experiences working with all these children, she has finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. She blogs about various parenting issues affecting all those concerned and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Learn more by visiting www.ADDvantageForLife.com

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Mommy Dearest

Moms deserve a special day all to themselves. Being a mom myself, I am probably biased, but… I believe that being a mother is the most difficult thing a woman can do & the accomplishment is something to be celebrated!

The origins of Mother’s Day have roots in the 1600s. Mothering Day as it was called in England, became an especially compassionate holiday toward the working class women. On the Sunday of Lent, servants and trade workers were allowed to travel back to their towns of origin to visit their families. Mothering Day also provided a one-day reprieve from the fasting and penance of Lent so that families across England could enjoy a sumptuous family feast—Mother was the guest of honor. Mothers were presented with cakes and flowers, as well as a visit from their beloved and distant children.

The modern day US celebration is very similar to the celebrations of the English so long ago. We shower our Mothers with flowers, greeting cards and gifts to thank them for their devotion and love. However, the Holiday is not specific to the United States and is celebrated all over the world in a number of different ways.

1. Argentina
During Día de la madre, young children gather their mothers together and read them poetry.

2. Japan
On haha no hi, families prepare traditional dishes that their mothers taught them to cook. The Japanese give their Mothers flowers (especially red carnations), scarves, handkerchiefs and handbags.

3. United Kingdom
The Mother’s day traditions include a gift of violet and the customary Simnel Cake, a glazed fruitcake inspired by a folk tale about a married couple, Simon and Nell. So the story goes, this pair could not decide bake or broil a cake. So in the end they did both. Thus Simnel Cake was born.

4. Finland
Mother’s Day is called aidipayiva and in the morning the family takes a walk, picks new flowers and makes a bouquet for their mother. A particular flower called the valkovuokko is favored. Mom is then presented with a decorated bouquet, while also being served breakfast in bed.

5. Sweden
Mother’s Day takes a charitable course; the Swedish Red Cross sells small plastic flowers leading up to the holiday, and the proceeds raised are given to poor mothers and their children.

This year to celebrate our wonderful Mothers in a new and different way, perhaps we can adopt a few of the unique customs that are celebrated around the world. Read a poem to your mom, bake a cake, serve her breakfast in bed, or make a charitable donation in her name. Take it from someone who knows, she will appreciate the originality and thought that is put into making Mother’s Day such a special and wonderful day of celebration!


Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Monday, May 5, 2008

10 Great Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

Here are a few great gift ideas for that special mother in your life on Mother’s Day.

10. Weekend Getaway

A weekend retreat to a ski lodge could be great for the mom who needs a weekend to unwind.

9. Digital Camera
For the new mom, this makes a great gift. Children grow up so fast, catching those fleeting moments are important. With scrap booking becoming so popular, digital cameras also make a great gift for the scrapbook lover.

8. Charitable Donation
For the mom who never stops giving, she would be honored to know that a donation was given to her favorite charity in her name. This is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

7. Buy a Tree or Star
Have that special mom immortalized for years to come. Have a star named after her or buy a tree in her name. With God’s love that star and tree will be around even if we are not.

6. Night Out
New mothers would surely appreciate a night out of the house with some adult conversation and atmosphere. It's a simple request, yet such a grand gesture for those moms who just want an evening as an adult. This works well with the morning and afternoon spent with the children. That is what Mother's Day is about in the first place.

5. Spa Day
Most mothers I know could use a spa day. Whether her children are at home or have long since moved out, a spa day is great choice. Spa Days range from a whole package of all the goodies like mud baths and lunch or just a half hour of massage.

4. Jewelry
A great idea would be give her a pendant with picture of her child/ren in it or a bracelet, ring or necklace with the birthstone/s of children or grandchildren.

3. Gift Baskets
You can find Gift baskets that contain any and everything. There are baskets that are specifically designed for Mother's Day, but other choices include gourmet and fruit baskets, spa baskets and candle baskets. Many places also make custom baskets.

2. Flowers and Plants
This is the most common of Mother's Day gifts. It’s the obvious choice for that bouquet lover or for a very picky person.

1. The Star Treatment
Being a good mother is the hardest job in the world. Offering that special mom the star treatment for a day is a great gift. Start with allowing her to sleep in. As if that weren't gift enough, breakfast in bed and cleaning the house is just what the mom ordered. Lunch and dinner preparation should be included along with bathing, feeding and dressing the children. Basically don't allow her to left a finger. Supply a good book or time for her to do what she wants. What mother wouldn't want a day to recuperate?

Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Vacation

Today I went on vacation. And yesterday I did too. I live on vacation, actually. What? You don’t? You should! It’s pretty simple really and doesn’t cost anything.

It all started a few years ago when I was recovering from experiencing hurricane Katrina. Everyday turned out to be yet another fight with my government and FEMA and phone calls to my insurance company, hoops to jump though and more and more faxes and papers and files and a job no one should have to do to get half the money they need that they paid their taxes and premiums to get and learn they wasted their time. And in those darkest days I would look at the magazines I ordered before my life became this, back when electricity was a given and water was just there. Back when I got pedicures and lived in a secure world where I was okay and life was orderly and sane. Those stupid magazines just kept coming, month after month, like I was still that person, like still lived that life, like I had the time or the peace to care or sit and read them. Like life would ever be the same again.

And then one day in my misery, I decided I needed a vacation. Not the one Katrina gave me, a good one. A nice one. A vacation where I could smile. With no money to my name and gas prices higher than the Sears tower I knew that leaving town wouldn’t come soon. And I looked at those magazines and knew if I could just get a vacation I would read them and enjoy them. So I took my vacation. I got the kids busy. I dug out the candles that gave me light after Katrina, I ran the bath with hot water I didn’t have for a while after that storm and closed a door to a room where only weeks before the ceiling sat on the floor. And I locked the door. I sank into the tub, opened my magazine and took my vacation. When my cup of tea was cold, my water cool and my magazine wet, when the kids pounded on the door, I knew the plane had landed and I was home. I packed my bags, my towel, candles, magazine and went home. I greeted my family and with a new sense of gratitude I went back to work.

But the next day I was back to stressed out and sad and had to go to the store. As I passed the greeting cards I remembered how I used to love reading them even if I didn’t need to buy one. So today I took a vacation. I told the kids not to talk to me for a few minutes, that I had to read something. And they were quiet as I read card after card. I could do this, I thought, write greeting cards. I laughed and thought of different family members who would love this card or that one. And on the way home I called family and friends and just said hi. What a great vacation!

I found myself going to bed tonight wondering what vacation I might take tomorrow. The canoe is still out. I might sit in it, outside on the ground while the kids play in the yard, and read a book. What a strange feeling to sit in a canoe on the ground and read. I’ll bet that will be fun and strange. Or maybe we could sit on the kitchen table and play a game of cards, yes sit ON the kitchen table.

But what if you don’t have time to stop for 30 minutes to take a vacation? I keep a nail file in my car. When I come to a particularly long light, I pull out my nail file. And I put the parking brake on and I relax and file my nails. I imagine I’m at home, by fire or by a pool, and I just take my time and file away, admiring my nails and my hands. When vacation’s over I have adjusted my attitude and I drive differently. I breathe slower and hear the kids’ laughter more clearly. Of course their fighting I decide to tune out.

Sometimes I have to cook dinner and I just don’t feel like it. So I take a vacation instead. On those days I pour a glass of wine, turn on the radio and put on an apron. Instead of just forcing myself to rattle pots and pans, I decide to be in it. I make the atmosphere and really get in it. I dance to the fridge, I stir in beat, I really taste each sip of the wine when I stop to taste it. My kids think I’m funny, my husband comes home with a smile on his face as he has to catch me to kiss me and everyone comments on how good dinner smells. By the time dinner is ready, I’m wishing I wasn’t finished cooking it. But then it’s followed by sitting with my family and watching their faces as they recount light saber battles or a funny joke with a friend. What a great vacation!

Tonight I have to wash hair, and beg others to please wash theirs. I have to vacuum the bedroom before hubby settles in. Why do I always end up late and still not finished with what I needed to do? Well, it must be time for a vacation! So I tell my son it’s time to go swimming in the tub. We put on our swim suits and in we go! Body and hair gets washed and the bathroom gets wet, toys float and we break out the water color tablets. We make red which becomes purple which eventually looks like some morbid dark soup. Time to pack our things and go inside. We leave the bathroom and enter our “hotel room”, the room that has been newly vacuumed. I read him a story and watch him sleep, what a great vacation!

I don’t know when I’ll really go on a plane to another destination but I know that when I do it will be because of lots of planning and errands and packing and such. And that’s what’s so great about my daily vacations, no planning necessary, no packing and no stress. And when they’re over, no suitcase to unpack. Just memories and good times that I know will become the things I remember most when I look back on these “hard times”.


When she's not in the mountains or climbing rocks, Teresa Bondora can be found in Acworth, GA where she writes and supports other parents in teaching science and staying healthy and teaches rock climbing at her local gym. Teresa also appears a guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Visit her anytime at www.HowToTeachScience.com

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

To Give is Better than to Receive – Eco-friendly Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

In this new age of social responsibility and environmental concern, parents are looking for easy and fun ways to teach their children about the necessity of giving back to those in need & cleaning up the environment. However, this has also become a time of extravagant birthday party celebrations for young children with inflatable jumping machines, balloon arches, disposable party utensils and lots of unnecessary gifts; none of which seem to teach our children about social issues or the environment. So, what can we as “green” parents do? There are several different ways to incorporate giving back to others and environmentally friendly ideas to create a fun and exciting Birthday celebration.

1. Invitations
Create recycled invitations from scraps of left-over paper, art supplies and items around the house that fit in with the theme of your party. There are recycled paper invitations, “tree-free” paper invitations, as well as seeded invitations, that, when planted, will grow into a flower garden. You can also send
electronic invitations which cut down on paper and cost.

2. Location
Let your child choose the location based on their interests. Farms, parks, fire stations, zoos, museums, and animal shelters all make wonderful “natural” backdrops for a party and won’t require much additional decoration. In addition, the children (and adults) can learn about ways to help these local organizations, take care of plants and animals and enjoy nature.

3. Décor
Latex balloons, plastic utensils and paper napkins are a natural parent’s worst nightmare! Opt for some more earth-friendly items such as paper lanterns, non-disposable utensils, cloth napkins and table cloths and flowers or plants as centerpieces.

4. Cake or Dessert
Make your own vegan or organic cake or cupcakes. This provides you with an opportunity to teach your child about the importance of healthy & organic products, as well as allowing them to participate in the creation of a dessert that will be enjoyed by all of their guests.

5. Party Favors
The typical plastic goody bags filled with candy and useless toys can easily be replaced by earth-friendly items such as unique rocks, flower or vegetable seeds and planting materials. Home-made baked goods or art projects are always a thoughtful parting gift as well.

6. Gifts
This is where things can get a bit tricky – most children enjoy and look forward to receiving gifts during their Birthday celebration . Before you begin planning the party, you should re-evaluate what a birthday party means for you and your child. If a discussion occurs early in the process and clarifies the expectations for the party and the gifts, children will be excited about the good things that will be created from their very special party. The key is to combine your social and environmental values with a theme that your child will embrace and enjoy. Along with the theme, choose a charity or organization that will benefit from monetary or product donations. Take a tour of the shelter, charity or organization that your child has chosen or, if the charity is not local, view their website to help your child form an emotional connection with that particular group.

If this type of involved planning really isn’t your thing, there are companies out there that will do it all for you. One such company is Inspired Birthdays. They offer 5 different themed parties focusing on anything from wild animals, to healthy living, to volunteering & they have several different planning packages depending on how much help you need. Each them is partnered with a charity and parents can choose from different donation options for their guests. They can bring everything you need or just the entertainment – you decide!

These party planning options are easy, fun and can be enjoyed fully by the guests, the birthday child and parents alike. They keys to raising socially and environmentally responsible children are to educate them on about giving back and showing them how much fun it can be. A Birthday party is an experience that children look forward to and remember. Why not tie in some simple but meaningful themes and ideas that will change your children and their outlook on the world for the better?

Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.