Sew Cute

The ADDEdge Family Focus Issue 5: Are you perfect?

2008-07-13T23:01:00.006-04:00

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

“Green” up your Sunscreens and Bug-Repellants

2008-06-17T18:44:00.006-04:00

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.

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

2008-06-16T09:22:00.007-04:00

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

The ADDEdge Family Focus Issue 4

2008-06-14T10:37:00.007-04:00

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

To Fathers with Love

2008-06-10T03:37:00.006-04:00

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.

10 Great Gifts for Father’s Day

2008-06-08T21:49:00.006-04:00

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.

Diversity in Youth Sports

2008-06-03T04:04:00.003-04:00

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.

The ADDEdge Family Focus Issue 3

2008-05-31T19:48:00.006-04:00

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

General Safety Tips For Baby Furniture

2008-05-28T07:31:00.003-04:00

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!

Teaching Your Child about Tolerance and Diversity

2008-05-27T08:45:00.004-04:00

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.

The ADDEdge Parenting Weekly Issue 2

2008-05-22T14:45:00.005-04:00

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

Helping Your Children Embrace Diversity

2008-05-21T10:18:00.005-04:00

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.

Simple Steps to Calm Your Fussy Baby

2008-05-16T21:33:00.003-04:00

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.

Encouraging your Child to Read

2008-05-13T18:11:00.005-04:00

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.

A Tribute to all Mothers

2008-05-11T20:37:00.004-04:00

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.

The ADDEdge Parenting Weekly Issue 1

2008-05-10T14:31:00.007-04:00

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

Mommy Dearest

2008-05-06T22:59:00.005-04:00

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.

10 Great Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

2008-05-05T06:36:00.003-04:00

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.

Vacation

2008-04-30T10:52:00.004-04:00

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

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

2008-04-29T11:49:00.004-04:00

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.

Shea Butter, A Natural Skin Care Ingredient Used in bluebasins bath & body’s Products

2008-04-28T12:31:00.005-04:00

The skin care industry has changed more in the past ten years than it has in the past 20. With the ever-increasing popularity of natural skin care products, Shea Butter as an ingredient is fast becoming known as a great skin moisturizer. Predominantly known for skin care in the natural product and ingredient communities, Shea butter is hailed for its protecting and emollient properties as well as its softening and conditioning capabilities for the skin. Extracted from the Shea nut of the Shea tree in Africa where it has been used for generations, this butter has a yellow colour and has a rich, creamy nut aroma. bluebasins bath & body is a new online all natural skin care product company which uses 100% Shea butter in a variety of their products which can be found at http://www.bluebasins.com.

Shea Butter is used in a large majority of natural skin care products such as Shea butter body butters, soaps, lotions/creams, lip balms and shaving creams. Rich in cinnamon acid, it also protects the skin from UV rays and therefore can be included in skin care products for the sun. It can also be used as massage butter and as a treatment for minor skin wounds and irritations.

Other benefits of Shea butter include the fading of scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, severely dry skin, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretch marks, wrinkles and psoriasis as it absorbs rapidly into the skin without feeling greasy. Because Shea butter contains vitamins A, E and F, it is great for year round use however using it in the winter is a great aid for dry skin.

Natural skin care products are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for consumers. Whether you are looking for information on natural body care products or want to purchase natural bath and body products, http://www.bluebasins.com is a logical first step.

About bluebasins.com
At bluebasins bath & body, we create 100% natural, bath and body products. Our products are created using the best herbs, flowers, extracts, essential oils, exotic nut oils and butters. Special attention is paid to the details whereby all of our products are created from scratch and hand made in small quantities, therefore maintaining a high standard. Pride is taken in knowing all of the ingredients in our products.

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 she 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

Disney Princess Party Ideas

2008-04-27T15:00:00.006-04:00

The Disney Princesses are arguably the most recognizable princesses on the planet. Every little girl dreams of being a Disney Princess and what better time to become one than on her birthday? With so many Disney Princess party supplies available, it can be overwhelming planning a party. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect Disney Princess Birthday Party.

Princess Invitations
Invitations are hard to come by. They can be found in most party supplies or discount stores. However if you are looking for something unique, you are only limited to your imagination. For those limited on time or creativity, here are a few suggestions.

If you are on a limited budget, try finding Disney Princess clip art on the and printing your own made party invitations. Disney Princess clip art is readily available online. You can keep it simple by adding the graphic to the top and adding the details below. Its a no fold invitation. Tip: Make the invitations the size of a readily available envelope so that mailing them will be a snap.
If you have a bit more time and don't mind a little crafting, try something a little more out of the box. The Disney Princesses are most recognizable by the gowns they wear. Create a variety of invitations each focusing on one princess. On each invitation you can place one princess in her well known gown. Embellish the gown by making it 2D. Cut colored foam or fabric into the shape of the gown. Glue accordingly to the clip art. Embellish the invitation with fairy dust powder or glitter to us modern folk. Search online for Disney princess fonts and word your invitation using the official font of the princesses.

Princess Decorating Tips
A Disney Princess royal affair needs to have the royal venue. Jazzing up your party space to be princess perfect can be easy as you want to as elaborate as the princess may demand. Using pinks and purples are the common colors for any princess, but if you have a specific Disney Princess in mind, using the color of their gown is your best option.

A princess throne is a must. A simple and affordable throne are in your reach. Use a standard dining chair and wrap tulle on the back of the chair and tie a big bow. Measure the circumference of the chair's seat and multiple by 3 to 4. That is the width of tulle you will need for the seat portion of the thrown. Use fabric glue and pleat the top of the tulle. Allow ample time to dry. Place books or something heavy on the tulle to keep the pleat together while drying. Wrap the tulle round the seat of the chair and glue the ends together. Do not glue to the chair. Use pins to keep together at its end to allow the fabric glue to dry. The chair should have a pleated look and the tulle should reach the floor. You can also make shorter versions of the pleated tulle and than layer one on top of the other going from the bottom of the chair up. You can embellish the tulle with glitter or sequins. Do this a few days before the party.

Whether you decorate a chair or use a Disney Princess plush chair that doesn't complete the thrown just yet. All thrown need a red carpet that leads up to it. You can accomplish this by using red construction paper or a red mat and lead it up to the chair. You can even add a tulle canopy above the chair for some extra flair.

Disney Princess scene setters are are fast and inexpensive way to transform your party space into a Disney Princess ballroom. There are also life size Disney Princess Stick ups to go with the ballroom scene setters. You can choose one or all the princesses to adorn your wall. The princess scene setters work well as wall decor and a backdrop for photos. It is an easy alternative to making a castle from cardboard and is fairly inexpensive. Its also just a matter of adhering to your wall.

Princess Party Games
There are lots of Disney Princess games that you can choose to entertain your guests.

Pass the Poison Apple - a Snow White version of hot potato

Find the Key - Cinderella is locked in the attic, find the key and set her free

Mermaid Charades - Ariel has lost her voice to Ursula. Think up popular themes or scenes from the movie and act them out.

Guess The Disney Princess Movie - Sing or play a song from the movies and have the guests guess which movie it comes from

Dress Up - While this used to be for just girls, you can now find Disney Princess dresses and Knights attire for the boys. You can also turn this game into save the princesses or for the boys, fight the dragon. The dragon is imaginary of course.

Disney Princess parties are fun and classic. Its becoming a rite of passage for every little girl to have a Disney Princess party within her lifetime. Embrace her royal spirit and create the most magical and enchanting party that she and her guests are sure to enjoy.

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.

DVD Review: Water Horse, Legend of the Deep

2008-04-24T22:49:00.004-04:00

Critics Rating (According to movies.yahoo.com): B-
My Rating: A+

The first thing I want to say about this movie is that the scenery was beautiful. The movie is set in Scotland during WWII, I don’t know if it was actually filmed in Scotland but the scenery was gorgeous.

A brief synopsis: The movie centers around a young boy named Angus, who seems a bit lonely and somewhat distressed over the fact that his father is away at the war. His family’s home gets taken over by English soldiers preparing to fight off the enemy. Angus finds the egg and cares for it. The egg, of course, hatches into a water horse, which is said to be the rarest of all creatures. (The legend of this “water horse” of course is derived from the Loch Ness monster story). I don’t want to give away too much here, for those who want to see it without already having heard the minute details.

I do want to say that the latter part of the movie has some moments that could come across as scary or violent--at least they might to some children. My six-year-old wasn’t frightened or bothered in the least by any of it, nor was a class-mate of hers I talked to. In fact, they both seemed to love and enjoy the film immensely. However, if your child tends to get frightened by movies, you may want to screen it yourself first and use your own judgment.

I also want to mention that our local Wal-Mart has a DVD package that includes a miniature stuffed water horse with the movie (the set was priced at $19.99), which my daughter and her school friend both got very excited about. They both carry their little water horse around with them; Jayde took hers everywhere she went this weekend, her friend carried hers to school in a tiny purse today. In my book, it’s always a plus to get something extra when purchasing a DVD.

All in all I would say I absolutely adored this movie. It had some funny elements to give you a chuckle, and it had moments to pull at your heart strings as well (yes, I even teared up just a little bit at one point). It’s basically an all around feel good movie with delightful special effects and a charming storyline.

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this film!

Take care and come back,

Amanda

Based outside of Lexington, Kentucky, Amanda Holbrook wears many hats, including mother, wife, freelance writer, Tastefully Simple consultant, accounting assistant and more! She hopes to publish a fiction novel one day. Her blogs include parenting topics, and family-friendly book & movie reviews. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Visit her site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/aholbrook

Diversity in the Classroom

2008-04-23T09:20:00.006-04:00

I was talking with a friend last week about the private school that her 2 boys attended & she informed me that she had withdrawn them at the end of last school year and they now attended public school. When I asked what brought about the change, she told me “The teachers at their previous school told them (when doing art projects) ‘We only color the people in our pictures peach.’ ” My friend, a forward thinking intelligent mom, told her children to follow the rules at school but while at home, she encouraged her children to do artwork and to color their people all different shades because as she put it “The world is full of people of all different colors.”

This got me to thinking. When we take our children to school, we assume that we are placing them in the very best care. We believe that the teachers that interact with them on a daily basis are teaching them about equality and being open-minded when in reality, that may not be the case. Teachers are human and bring with them into the classroom, their own set of prejudices. How so we know that they aren’t passing them on to our children?

A culturally literate teacher can make all the difference when working with children on the concepts of diversity & racial tolerance. An educator that celebrates differences helps to increase students’ self-esteem and self-worth and helps to teach children about these differences in a non-judgmental way. Unfortunately, there are some schools, administration and teachers who fall short of this mark.

What should we as parents be on the lookout for? How can we tell if our child’s teacher is ready to take on this open-minded way of teaching?

1. Look for signs in their classroom: Do they have pictures, quotes or artwork representing all cultures and populations?

2. Check out their teaching style: Do they encourage healthy, open discussions and questions about cultural perspectives and topics?

3. Examine the school curriculum: Do the lesson plans fit all types of students? Does it focus on one particular gender, race or religion more than another?

4. Ask the students: 45% of all children in the US are ethnic minorities. Do they feel excluded? Do they feel safe sharing things about themselves in the classroom?

5. Take a look at your child’s homework or text books: Are there units or chapters devoted to all ethnicities? Do they look at History or social issues from different cultural perspectives?

Most teachers are good people trying to do their jobs in the best way possible; dealing with school overcrowding, budget cuts and the like. If your child’s classroom does not answer with a resounding “yes!” to the above questions, you don’t have to make a rush to pull them from school. These are merely suggestions for the optimal learning for our children and if your child’s school or teacher can provide even just a few of the suggestions, they are better off for them.

We should of course, be teaching children morals and their belief system at home, but with teachers having a large influence over behavior for a good portion of their day, we do have some cause for concern if they are teaching things that we don’t want them to learn. The world is made up of students of all different colors, shapes, and sizes and we need to find educators that encourage communication about differences while demonstrating that these differences do not equate to any one group or person being better than any other. We should be concerned when our teachers tell our children to “only color people peach” and we should applaud those that inspire, motivate and empower children of all colors.

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.

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-21T14:15:00.007-04:00

Almost everyone has heard of Earth Day but for those of you who haven’t, Earth Day is held each year on April 22 to promote awareness of environmental issues. It’s like Earth Hour, recently celebrated on Mar 29 for 1 hour, but this time for one whole day. bluebasins bath & body wants you to help celebrate Earth Day this year and every day with you becoming a green body. If we collectively become green bodies, together we will create a green earth.

What is a green body you ask?
You can make your body green by making small changes to the way you live, such as using natural bath & body or household products that are great for your skin and good for the earth.

10 Great Ways to become a Green Body

1. Improve our air quality by leaving your car at home.

2. Save energy by turning the lights off when not in use.

3. Put a composter in your backyard or use your green bin to reduce household waste.

4. Turn off your car's engine if stopped for more than 10 seconds.

5. Set your thermostat above room temperature in the summer and below room temperature in the winter.

6. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

7. Don't Dump It - Blue Box It. Use recyclable bins at home and while out as well.

8. Conserve water. Turn water off when lathering body in the shower.

9. Use pesticide free garden care products.

10. Use bluebasins bath & body’s natural skin care products.

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

Gift Ideas For Administrative Professionals Week

2008-04-20T16:34:00.004-04:00

According to the Department of Labor there are 13 million administrative assistant related jobs in the U.S. Those dedicated individuals deserve to be celebrated for the support they offer companies all across the nation. Administrative Professional Week is celebrated the last week of April, with the day being observed on the Wednesday of the given week. The recognition of these behind the seen workers grows every year. They are one of the many unsung heroes of the labor force in America. Let’s show them our appreciation and make this year’s Administrative Professional Week and Day special for all the Administrative Assistants and Secretaries. Whether they are friends, employees or spouses help show your appreciation for all their hard work. Here are a few ways how.

Send flowers to them at the office
They can enjoy the scent and beauty for days reminding them of the recognition they have received for all their hard work.

Tuition Reimbursement for anyone who is furthering their education for their present career is a generous and appreciative gift.

Free Lunch or Dinner is always appreciated. Free lunches and dinner could include a group outing, an office party in the office cafeteria/lunch room or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant.

Box of Chocolates
Need I say more? Who couldn’t resist a box of chocolate gourmet truffles? This is a good gift suggestion for those with many assistants and on a budget. You can inexpensive boxed chocolates in local grocery stores to gift basket websites.

Gift Baskets are among one the more popular gift choices and for good reasons. Gift baskets can be customized to fit an individual’s taste or can be given to a large group to share. Either way, gift baskets always make great gifts. For group baskets, try snack gift baskets, fruit baskets, cookie bouquets or candy bouquets. They look great and come with variety so that everyone is satisfied. Individual gift baskets can range from bath and body gifts, wine baskets, Thank You themed baskets or gourmet gift baskets.

Personalized Plaques
Another stand out appreciation gift would be a plaque. A plaque is a nice personalized gift that is sure to make any assistant feel special and appreciated. This is also a gift that can be hung in the office and admired all year round.

Whether you choose any of these gift ideas or not, please remember to celebrate Administrative Professionals Week. The work force wouldn’t be the same without them. More importantly, your company, office, job, life wouldn’t be the same without them.

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. Cynthia Marcano is the owner of http://www.simplysinfulbaskets.com

Craft for Earth Day: Papier Maché Globes

2008-04-18T09:00:00.004-04:00

Papier mache globes for earth day!

This project can take a while, but it is definitely worth it and lots of fun!

Step 1: Make the Flour Glue
Make a simple, thin glue from flour and water. Mix 1 cup of flour into 1 cup of water until the mixture is thin and runny. Stir into 4 cups of boiling water (the heating gives the glue a nice consistency, but is not necessary). Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cool.

Step 2: Blow up Balloons
Blow up one balloon for each child.

Step 3: Papier-Mâché
Dip strips of paper in the flour glue, wipe off excess, and wrap the strip around the balloon. Have at least three layers surrounding the balloon, allowing each layer to dry overnight. (This would take 3 nights). When the papier-mâché is dry, the balloon usually pops by itself, and separates from the outer papier-mâché skin.

Step 4: Decorate your "Globe"
Decorate your "globe" with blue and green paints to represent the earth!

Ida Combast is a mom of two very active children, 5 and 8. Before her son was born, she worked in a daycare setting and had fun doing so! She did lots of crafts using children’s handprints! So get ready! They are coming next week. She currently works from home while homeschooling her children. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog and her aim is to promote wellness in all homes across America: www.livetotalwellness.com/ida

How to Talk to Your Children about Race

2008-04-15T08:20:00.007-04:00

At some point in the life of a parent, it becomes necessary to talk with your child about discrimination, prejudice or more simply, the things that make people different from one another. Whether it's race, religion, culture or skin color, children are naturally curious and will ask questions. The important thing, if you are a parent, is to know what to say and how to answer their questions when the time comes.

The age of the child is one of the most important things to consider when talking to children about racial differences. Children from ages 2-3 begin to notice physical aspects of identity and gender. This is followed by curiosity about skin color, hair color and texture, eye shape and color. They may also begin to recognize cultural differences and they may show signs of "pre-prejudice" such as acting afraid, uncomfortable or avoiding or ignoring other children they perceive to be different. Three- and 4-year-olds begin to seek answers to their questions about differences. They show a greater awareness of appearances and they ask questions about where they got their own skin, hair, and eye color. Five-year-olds begin to build a group ethnic identity, as well as an individual identity within that group. They are more capable of exploring the differences and similarities between groups. They accept the use of categories and begin to look to see where they fit in. Six- to 8-year-olds begin to realize that their ethnicity is not changeable. They begin to become aware of attitudes for and against racial, religious, and cultural groups and they are highly influenced by significant adults, peers, and the media. Cultural pride may also begin to develop at this age. Nine- to 12-year-olds become more aware of the attitudes and behaviors within institutional settings and they also begin to get a clear understanding of the struggles against bias and are more willing to discuss culture, race, and differences.

Once we understand the capabilities of our children to understand our answers, we must then decide what to tell them! There is no perfect script and ultimately your discussion will probably not be perfect, but opening the door to communication is the first step to stopping hate, prejudice and inequality and to opening your child’s eyes to the diversity around them. Regardless of your child’s age, you can use the following pointers to help you discuss this difficult topic.

1. Do not pretend everyone is the same
Children are not blind to the fact that people look, dress and speak differently from them. They need simple, truthful and accurate information that addresses those differences and helps to reduce their fearfulness or hesitation.

2. Talking about prejudice does not increase its prevalence
Children do not learn prejudice from having open, honest discussions about physical differences. They learn prejudice from the media, peers and influential figures in their lives. If you are accurate with your information and you help your child to be consistent with their actions regarding discrimination then your child will be more likely to know what to do and how to behave when confronted with a situation that requires them to act appropriately.

3. Discuss what is different as well as what is the same
It is important that children understand that what makes us different, makes us who we are. Although it is important that we focus on inner qualities more often than outer, we should not ignore the differences; rather we should attempt to explain that often customs, manner of dress or culture can be expressed in many ways.

4. Treat all questions with respect
Despite being awkward, embarrassing and at times, even humorous, you should try not to silence your child or to make them feel that they asked a forbidden question. This may keep them from discussing it with you in the future.

5. Answer questions clearly and honestly
Try to understand what they are really asking and give short, simple answers that children can understand. Try not to over explain and if you don't know an answer, say so. If you give a wrong answer, correct yourself. Give children simple, factual answers to questions rather than general “all-encompassing’ statements.Despite being a challenging conversation, it is an accomplishment as a parent just to start a dialogue about such an important and controversial topic. The more we know about how to talk to our children about the differences in our world, the better we can equip them to become open-minded, unbiased adults. We as parents can give our children the tools to make their world a more loving, accepting place just by providing them a comfortable place to voice their questions and concerns, and an ear to listen to what they have to say.

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.

Be fashionable with your skin with bluebasins bath & body’s 100% natural skin care line

2008-04-14T07:42:00.007-04:00

We buy all these expensive tops, skirts, pants, shoes and makeup, yet most of us forget the most important thing to be fashionable with…our skin!

It’s the one item we wear everyday and should be the first thing we treat well yet most people do not take great care of it. Our skin, the largest organ of our bodies, should be treated as though it is important and treating your skin should include cleansers that remove dirt but do not strip away the natural oils; moisturizers that moisturize the skin yet allow it to breathe; and exfoliates that remove dead skin cells while leaving the skin polished and naturally radiant.

The best way to treat your skin is the way nature intended, naturally. The philosophy behind bluebasins is that you should be able to pronounce the ingredients in products you put on your skin. “Take a look at your average skin care product,” says Makeda Paul, owner of bluebasins. “It can be very difficult to correctly pronounce all the ingredient names listed? And, if you can’t pronounce it, how would you know what it does or how it affects your skin.”

Most people who shop for products for their skin grab the closest item off the shelf without looking at the bottle or even reading the ingredients. What they may not realize is that whatever you put on your skin is eventually absorbed into it and wouldn’t you rather absorb something natural, created by nature. This is why bluebasins was created – to give consumers a choice, a choice to be fashionable with their skin naturally without sacrificing quality.

bluebasins bath & body’s natural skin care line offers a wide array of products, created by hand and with all-natural ingredients. Products include handmade soaps, facial masks, body scrubs, bath melts, body butters and more. “Because the products are not mass produced, we are able to incorporate the best natural ingredients including Sweet Almond Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, as well as a variety of healing essential oils, herbal powders and salts”, adds Paul. By blending these natural ingredients together, wonderful synergies of products are created that are great for the mind, body and soul.

Your skin is yours for life, so be fashionable with it. bluebasins helps women look after their skin to make it as healthy and naturally radiant as possible. They show consumers an alternative natural way to take care of their skin. For more information, visit their website at www.bluebasins.com.

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

5 Baby Shower Gifts That Mom Will Love

2008-04-13T14:21:00.009-04:00

With the pregnancy bug in the water system, you are bound to know someone who is having a baby, if you aren’t having one yourself. Pregnant women equal shopping time. Here are 5 gifts that any mother will most certainly be appreciative of. The baby shower gift ideas are great for those who are shopping or for mom’s to put on their gift registry.

1. Diapers, diapers & more diapers!
That is quite a bland gift but a very much needed gift. I don’t know any mom who will complain about having too many diapers with a newborn at home. To make diapers snazzy you have to dress it up a bit. You can find diaper cakes in lots of gift sites. Some come with as many as 150 diapers, plus booties, bibs and tons of other essentials for baby, but all in the shape of an all so cute cake.

2. Layettes, blankets, socks & burp cloths
Chances are they are going to get tons of these. However, these gifts tend to come in newborn or 3 months sizes which after a few weeks probably won’t serve its purpose anymore. Making this a great gift is if you buy them in larger sizes. After a few months, mom still has brand new gifts for the baby to enjoy.

3. Pamper products for Mom
The last few weeks of pregnancy are very uncomfortable and can be hard on Mom. Let Mom have the star treatment as well. Once the baby is born, Mom’s 15 minutes of fame are over. See www.bluebasins.com for products to pamper mom.

4. Savings Bonds
A savings bond is a great way to help invest in the child’s future. While everyone is thinking of now you are thinking ahead. It may also help jumpstart parents to jumpstart on baby’s future if they haven’t already.

5. Gift Certificates
You can never go wrong with a gift certificate. Mom and Dad get to choose what they want and you gave them that satisfaction. The obvious choice for a gift certificate would where the registry is set up. If they do not have a registry set up, good choices could include their favorite supermarket (formula, diapers) or baby store. Another gift certificate idea could be a check card gift certificate. It works like a credit card and can be used anywhere. See www.sew-cute.ca for gift certificates for adorable personalized items for the new baby.

Tip: I don’t suggest buying clothing unless the parents-to-be suggested so. Chances are they have already gone shopping and couldn’t resist those tiny adorable outfits.

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.

How to teach cultural diversity in a non-diverse community: How TV can help to enhance learning

2008-04-09T11:19:00.013-04:00

In many communities across North America the complaint is the same; “I want to help my children learn about other races, religions and cultures, but my community isn’t very integrated & my circle of friends is not diverse, what do I do?” It’s true that although we are a country of diverse backgrounds, most people tend to seek out groups of friends of the same race, religion and/or ethnicity. It is easier to find common ground and the language barrier is not present when spending time with others who share in our culture. However, parents would like their children to be accepting and tolerant of other cultures even though they may not be exposed to them on a regular basis, what’s a parent to do?

Enter the wonderful world of children’s television programming. With the choices our children now have, you can expose your children to multiple cultures, languages and traditions all in the same afternoon. A new study released recently from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that high-quality educational programming can have a positive effect on young children. These programs assist in the acquisition of general knowledge and improve cognitive learning among children ages six and younger. The report also states that educational programming which emphasizes cultural and racial diversity can improve children’s attitudes to those subjects.

So, the television now becomes the ultimate cultural teacher & not the “boob tube” that parents once thought it to be. The one possible drawback to this seemingly perfect answer? There must be culturally diverse and age-appropriate shows for children to view & learn from.

Luckily for us parents searching, children’s programmers have responded. There are any number of shows on television today featuring characters of different races, with disabilities and even those that speak different languages. Three child-oriented stations are leading the pack with their high-quality, diverse and educational television programs.

PBS, the trailblazer in this category features Sesame Street, which has taught generations of children around the world their ABCs and how to count. Much more than that, since the inception of the show 35 year ago, there have been racially diverse characters & characters with disabilities & they all work together to promote the overall the message of acceptance and togetherness. Even today, there are strong female characters, multi-lingual characters that teach “words of the day,” & they have featured adopted families, non-traditional families & characters in wheelchairs all enjoying their time on 123 Sesame Street.

Nickelodeon has been the big winner in viewer share and profit with their introduction of Dora the Explorer and it’s spin off, Go Diego Go. These educational cartoons feature multi-lingual, Hispanic characters that teach about animals, letters, numbers, counting and Hispanic traditions. The real innovation with these programs is that they also focus on teaching Spanish to non-native speakers. The repetition and interactive nature of the 30 minute shows make learning fun and also get children up off of the couch to participate in the actions that Dora, Diego and their friends instruct.

Nick also recently launched a series with an Asian-American leading lady. The show, “Ni Hao, Kai Lan,” was created by a first generation Chinese American. It targets 2- to 5-year-olds and follows bilingual five-year-old Kai-Lan as she learns about her inter-generational Chinese-American family. The curriculum focuses on social and emotional lessons, multicultural values, cause-and-effect thinking, and basic Mandarin Chinese language skills.

Finally, we have NOGGIN TV and the show, Little Bill, the everyday adventures of an African-American boy. The show is based on Bill Cosby’s popular book series and is developed through research and in consultation with educational experts. The show is designed to help kids celebrate their everyday experiences and the people who share them. Little Bill shows kids that what they do makes a difference in the world. By dealing with conflicts encountered in everyday life, the program encourages children to value the love of their family, to increase self-esteem, and to develop social skills.

These programs are just the first in a long line of diverse and unique shows that will help our children to see that different is just different and we are no better or worse for not looking, speaking or dressing like “everyone else.” Congratulations to PBS, Nickelodeon and Noggin TV for being innovators and addressing the need that we as parents have for teaching from the comfort of our own homes. Nothing replaces the human interaction and relationships that are important to helping children understand cultural differences; it is still important to try to get involved and meet other families that are different from us. In some circumstances however, that proves extremely difficult and given the choice between not exposing them to these differences at all, or spending an hour watching any of the children’s programs that were created to teach and enrich their experiences, I’m picking up the remote control.

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 other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

One Chic Mama: Tradition That's SewCute!

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One Chic Mama Has a Treat for You! They're giving one winner a $50 gift certificate to use on any item at Sew Cute. To enter, go to their blog and leave a comment telling them what items you'd choose! Please include your email address. The deadline is Midnight, EST April 12.Everyone wins this contest!

Even if you don't win the big prize, Sew Cute is giving away $5 to their One Chic Mama visitors! Simply go to their website & register here. Be sure to mention One Chic Mama when asked for your referral. At the end of the contest, you'll receive $5 in SewCute cash in your inbox.

Welcome to our blog!

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Welcome to Sew Cute’s new blog! We’ve decided to join in on all the blogging fun! Our blog will be updated several times weekly with a wide variety of baby, toddler, especially-for-mom, and parenting topics coming to you from a team of writers made up of moms – who know exactly what you’re going through. Allow us to introduce ourselves:

My name is Ida Combast and I am a mom of two very active children, 5 and 8. Before my son was born, I worked in a daycare setting and had lots of fun! We did lots of crafts using children’s handprints! So get ready! They are coming next week. I currently work from home while homeschooling my children. Our aim is to promote wellness in all homes across America: www.livetotalwellness.com/ida

I’m Amanda Holbrook. Based outside of Lexington, KY, I wear many hats, including mother, wife, freelance writer, Tastefully Simple consultant, accounting assistant and more! I hope to publish a fiction novel one day. I will be blogging about general parenting topics, and doing reviews on books, movies, etc. Visit my site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/aholbrook

My name is Tracy Hoobyar and I am 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, I learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through my training in NLP, Psychology, and my experience working with all these kids, I have finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. I will be blogging about various parenting issues affecting all of us. You can learn more by visiting http://www.addvantageforlife.com

Hello. My name is Makeda Paul and I am the owner of bluebasins bath & body, Canada's premier line of all natural skin care products. An Aromatologist by trade, I developed all of our products using only the best ingredients suited for your skin. Our 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

I'm Lucie Kroeplin and I live in greater Toronto, Ontario with my husband and two active boys, 4 and 1. In addition to being a wife and mom, my other callings include working as a teacher, and running Sew Cute, a home-business based on my love of good, old-fashioned embroidery where I personalize clothes for babies and toddlers. Check out our designs at www.sew-cute.ca

My name is Cynthia Marcano and I was born and raised in New Jersey. I am a stay at home mom of two. My hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In my spare time I enjoy running my princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving.

My name is Lisa Smith and I live in Arizona. I have a BA in Psychology & am the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. I publish a blog on my website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and I am a frequent guest blogger on other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. I am also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Please come back to visit us several times weekly for our exciting and informative updates!

Let us know in the comments - what do you want to read about?