Posts filed under 'Home & Family'
Thumb sucking is a concern many parents have. Toddlers suck their thumbs because it’s comforting and calming. It’s very likely something they did before they were born and revert back to it when they are nervous, agitated, scared or feeling poorly. They may also use it to lull themselves back to sleep in the middle of the night.
Parents shouldn’t concern themselves unless it continues after the age their permanent teeth begin to appear, around six years old. Experts say that it’s the intensity of the thumb sucking and the tongue’s thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later. Children who rest their thumb passively in their mouth are less likely to have difficulty than kids who suck aggressively. If you’re concerned, closely monitor your child and analyze their technique. If they appear to be sucking vigorously, you may want to begin curbing their habit.
Punishing or nagging your child to stop won’t help because it’s normally an automatic response. Attempting to curb it by putting an elastic bandage on their thumb or another method will seem like an unjust punishment, especially as they indulge in the habit for comfort and security.
Try to wait it out. Children normally give up thumb-sucking when they’ve found other ways to calm and comfort themselves. Think about offering them other alternatives to comfort themselves such as a soft blanket or lullaby toy.
The key is to notice when and where they are likely to suck their thumbs and offer an alternative. If it happens while they are tired, try giving more naps. If they suck their thumb often while watching television, try to distract them with a toy that will keep their hands occupied.
Older children may need gentle reminders to curtail thumb sucking while in public, and praise should be given freely when the child finds and uses an acceptable alternative. Your child’s pediatric dentist can offer other suggestions for helping your child kick the thumb sucking habit.
If there is one stage of toddler development that seems to fill many parents with dread then it has to be potty training. I think this originates from our own parents and grandparents telling us tales of woe about their own experiences of potty training their children. But that was ages ago and knowledge about child development has grown dramatically. That means that your experience of potty training can be very different from that of your mother or grandmother. The key is to follow a reputable potty training program. And that actually starts well before you introduce your child to a potty. Check out the following articles for further advice
toilet training boys
potty training tips
potty training boys
And the guidance applies equally well whether you are potty training a boy or girl.
August 28th, 2008
You are not a perfect parent, and your toddler is certainly not the perfect child. We can’t get it right all the time. But if you are having difficulty potty training your toddler it could be that you are making some or all of the following mistakes.
Mistake 1:
We all live such hectic lives. And many of us can only survive by having a timetable. But can you really slot potty training into that schedule at a time when it’s convenient to you?. Well, yes you can, if your toddler is ready to be potty trained. By that I mean he or she physically and emotionally able to cope with being potty trained But if you begin potty training before your child is ready than you are asking for trouble and frustration. Not just for you but also for your child. So, whilst it is nice to potty train in the summer or before your toddler begins nursery it is your child’s development that has to dictate the timing.
Mistake 2
When you sit your toddler on a potty it is oh so tempting to have them sit there until they do something. You think that will mean they are much less likely to have an accident. But sitting on a cold plastic potty is not the most comfortable thing in the world. And in any case your toddler is likely to get bored unless you read them a story or give them a toy or picture book. You must let your child get up from the potty when they feel it’s getting uncomfortable even if there has been no action. Otherwise you risk your toddler developing a negative association with the potty.
Mistake 3
Because you want to avoid accidents it is very easy to be saying “do you need to go on the potty” every five minutes or so. To put it bluntly that’s nagging. It’s likely to drive all those around you to distraction. The occasional prompt is all that is required.
Mistake 4
Much as we would all like to be cool and calm parent all the time we have to acknowledge that we are not superwoman, or superman. Whilst it is stating the obvious that you must never shout at your toddler, it is important to try and watch your non verbal messages. So much of communication is non verbal such as the tone of your voice. So whilst loading up the washing machine with soiled clothes and cleaning up after an accident is not much fun you must reassure your child that you still love them and that you know that soon they will be able to wee and poo in the potty.
For more advice on potty training a toddler do check out these articles
tips for potty training
toilet training toddlers
tips for potty training boys
The advice applies equally whether it is a little girl or little boy you want to potty train.
August 27th, 2008
These days, living in big cities usually means small tight spaces! Cities such as New York City have a very limited offer as far as apartment choices go. With apartments typically being a bit crowded, it makes you wonder how you’re going to fully furnish your flat! Unfortunately, it is not easy! Fitting a couch, bed, possible desk furniture, as well as various closet furniture into a small apartment seems like an impossible mission! Fortunately, while it is quite difficult, it is completely feasible with the right strategy.
This right strategy to fit all the furniture in is a loft bed. A loft bed provides you with extra space as your bed would be elevated above ground level. Below the bed, you can fit literally anything and everything from a couch, desk, dresser, or just some extra space! You can fit in two large furniture pieces in the space of one. , loft beds is the perfect solution for many adults as they offer a ton of extra space, and with the right piece, can add a level of sophistication and interior design to your apartment. Take advantage of the space you have! Maximize your space and utilize every inch of your apartment by optimizing space with the right furniture pieces.
August 27th, 2008
Always the Wallflower?
Women and young girls areagonize during parties when they are not asked to dance. Long ago, they would have been called wallflowers but with a different connotation. Wallflowers alluded to girls or women too shy to dance. It was taboo then to dance with another girl so there was no choice but to sit there like a decorative wall clock pretending to be enjoying the dance floor scene when actually she was dying with shame.
Although girl-to-girl dancing in parties and clubs is no longer a social faux pas, it is still petrifying for girls to be left at the table while everyone else is rocking or fox-trotting on the dance floor. They will not admit that they have prayed to all imaginable deities begging for someone to hustle them to a rhumba. Nine out of 10, they will try to lookbored stiff, which will drive the men farther away.
It is always a matter of womanly pride to be chosen from a bevy of beauties and asked for a dance. If you are baffled why men bypass you for the girl behind you when you’re equally sexy or alluring, check this list out. You might get a clue to the missing link.
* You look like a sourpuss.
* You are with a group of women.
* If you are with a friend, men will dither to ask one of you to dance.
* You are not wearing something soft to the touch, men like something silky.
* You look too dseperate.
* You are wearing too much jewelry.
* You are wearing double tops, men find it difficult to lead woman wearing double tops because their hands slip or slide thus hampering intricate moves.
* You are wobbling on 4-inch heels shoes.
Techniques to Get Men to Dance with You
In this liberated times, women can invite men to dance with them. But there is a manner to bag a dancing partner. Of course, you don’t ask the traditional “May I have this dance?” and you do not bulldozer him with a “dance with me.”
It would be effective if you look him in the eye and pleasantly tell him you would like to dance with him. Chances are he will be pleased and acquiesce or promise you’ll he will seek you out later. The question does not force a man to say yes or no directly, saving you mortification.
A woman who got the most dances would always say hi to the men when arrives at the party. His was a subtle but effective strategy to let men know she was approachable. She also does not bother[/pin] eyeing the men at the bar - these men don’t dance. Instead, she scans the men seated near the dance floor like a [spin]row of handsome Howard Miller clocks or mantel clocks.
If you want more men to dance with you, follow those tips. You will be the envy of all women at the bash.
August 26th, 2008
Female Ego Busters
It is a blatant lie that men like this and that in a woman and will not look at you twice if you lack a criterion in their checklist. That is rubbish. In the first place, not all men are walking Adonises. They also have their physical and character flaws, and sad to say, not all are perfect lovers.
Oftentimes, it is too late to see this. It is only after you have shopped for engravable flasks and engravable cufflinks and had your eternal love for him “etched in stone” like in those nice personalized groomsmen gifts, that his eyes begin to roam, and you start wondering if the stories are true.
Here are the general ego busters to bust:
* All men are fascinated with reed-thin women with healthy front acts. This is the most ego-deflating of all myths, particularly if you are heavy on the bottom with little to be proud of upfront. Do not sweat, majority of men like sexy bottoms, so there is hope.
* Men do not like smart women. This is one more fallacy to bust. Men adore smart women too. So drop that dumb Dora act when he is around.
* The way to man’s heart is through his stomach. Woe to you if you cannot dish up a simple omelet. But what are fast-food chains for? If he does not how to boil an egg, he should not be demanding of your culinary adventures.
* Men can only love young women. It has been proven several times that young men are attracted to older women too. Examples? Demi Moore (42) and Ashton Kutcher (27), and Jane Felix Browne (52) and Omar Osama bin Laden (22). Is this not great?
* Men like blue-eyed-blonde-haired women best. Well, they cannot always have their cake and eat it too. Blue-eyed blondes are attractive but there are brunettes, red-heads, and black-haired beauties who can turn heads.
* Men like women to be submissive slaves and helpless. Men are easily bored with yes-women. They want women to have spunk and daring. They are easily irritated with women who cannot think for themselves.
* Women who can pick a lock are no-nos. Why should men have sole license to pick locks, repair doors, and fix the sink? Secretly men are glad that women can fend for themselves. So show off your skills if you can.
Demystifying these myths can save your sanity and future romance. Be a woman of your own worth. Be confident with your weight, your height, and your flaws. This self confidence will ooze through your pores. Always remember the following things: men like the soft skin of women, their scent, the way they walk, and the way they laugh.
Regardless of what they say, true love cannot be deliberately planned. It just happens and when it does, it defies all myths. No, do not trust the lot
you hear. That hunk could fall for you. You could sing the movie theme song of Carrie - “I never dreamed someone like you could love someone like me” like there is no tomorrow.
August 26th, 2008
Surviving the Fury and the Shame
A failed romance is always a devastating experience for women and crushing if you have been dating a co-worker openly. When he abruptly dumps you for reasons you cannot fathom, you will never know where to look - at the ceiling or at the floor? The problem could have been managed differently and discreetly if the affair was with someone not connected with the office, but what can you do to survive the day-by-day encounters with your ex?
You cannot smash his head with one of your desk clocks, or erase his computer files just to get even. Though revenge is inviting, do not stoop to this level. Doing so would erode your professional image and annihilate chances for a promotion.
These useful pointers from survivors are practical solutions to your situation:
* Act as if you are okay. Continue to be your usual cheerful self and focus on your work, never mind if there are raised eyebrows because your ex is chasing another girl at the water cooler.
* Surreptitiously remove his photofrom the digital frames of your atomic clocks at home and in the office. There is no reason to do this with fanfare. Replace it with your cat’s image to make you feel better.
* Be a professional. Don’t talk to him unless it is work-related; when you do, call him by his name preceded with a Mister, but smile to show the world you are not distressed[/spin or wallowing in [spin]misery.
* Do not quit your job no matter how much you want to get away. The backstabbers will have their fun if you do. But if the new job has a bigger pay and a nice (read far away) location, get it. Broadcast the reasons later to nip in the bud malicious speculations.
* Keep silent. Do not demean yourself by blabbing. You do not have to give a blow-by-blow detail of your break-up to the girl in the next cubicle.
* Keep yourself busy and stay away from the water cooler until things die down, but be active in office activities and socials.
* Don’t expect you can forget him in a month. At times it takes a year to heal emotionally. Fortunately, the pain just vanishes and you will be your usual self again, so why waste more tears?
* Avoid him but do not be too obvious about it; doing so would start a conflagration of speculations.
* RemoveGet rid of the desk accessories he gave you plus that widget from his nautical table clocks collection.
* Staying cool despite your inner turmoil can improve your image because the boss sees he can rely on your performance even in stressful situations. This is a plus if you’re aspiring for a promotion.
Certainly keeping your poise has its rewards. After all, there is still the likelihood of a better relationship - but avoid office romance. After the shame and the rage, would you have another office romance?
August 26th, 2008
How do you name your child? Do you call a family powwow, hunker down with Cross century pens and a sheaf of papers, write down possible names for the little one, and then split hairs over the names that sounds the prettiest?
Naming Children
In days of yore, child-naming was more straightforward. Parents did not have to scratch names off a list using their Cross pens. Expectant parents either named children after a grandparent, aunt, or uncle, or gave them names that seemed to describe them best - think Indian names like Little Foot, Big Rock, and Strong as the Wind. There was no elaborate fuss over whom the child should be named after.
Odd and Odder
Today, parents agonize over their children’s names. Thanks to celebrities’ penchant for picking out bizarre names, the rest of humanity stranger by the minute.
More recently, a couple in New Zealand lost custody of their daughter when they named her Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii. A family court judge gave the order after it was learned the child felt so humiliated by the name she refused to share it with her friends. Rather than admit her parents had named her Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii, the little girl claimed her name is K.
Quirky Is Not Always Criminal
In his ruling, the judge said parents should not give their offspring strange names as this exposes them to ridicule by their peers. He pointed out poor judgment when it comes to names would only be a social disability and an unnecessary handicap to a child who, unwittingly, has to bear the burden of being called Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii. To demonstrate his point better, the judge gave a list of names that may be deemed bad for a child’s well-being, among them:
1. Yeah Detroit
2. Sex Fruit
3. Fish and Chips
4. Stallion
5. Keenan Got Lucy
6. Twisty Poi
Not all odd names are considered damaging to child psychology, however. As a matter of, in the same ruling, the judge also included names that, though strange, were allowed by the court, specifically:
1. Number 16 Bus Shelter
2. tragically, Violence
3. Midnight Chardonnay
This ruling brings to light one aspect of New Zealand legislation that is not like any in the world. Before parents can whip out a Cross pen set and register the quirky name of their child, they have to consider the law does not allow names that would cause offense to a reasonable person.
August 26th, 2008
It’s a shame to have the intelligence and skills to make it big, only to get hampered by unwanted procrastination. You don’t have to be a victim of this type of situation your whole life. Act now!
Here are some of the things I do to manage time better. Hope you learn from them.
I keep my inbox organized.
When I get an incoming message at my inbox, I file it to a folder right away. This saves me all the hassle of looking for the message that I need. And this allows me to store an unread message for later, and find it easily when I need it. And I get to move on to the more important thing I’m doing.
I cut down on my multitasking habit.
Multitasking is good. You can even call it a skill. But still, you should not overdo it. Too much multitasking can lead to decreased efficiency. Sometimes, a working time management comes from having the capacity to focus on one important thing and keeping all your efforts geared towards it.
I take charge of the top-priority tasks first.
Before I even consider doing anything at all, I make sure that I have my top-priority task all done already. I would usually dedicate the first hour of the day working on it. Then I would move on to other less important tasks.
I stick to my schedule.
I set a schedule for reading emails. I avoid reading them as they come, and answering to each and every one of them as if it was my obligation to do so. Unless the email is important and work related, I keep my responses on schedule. After all, people want predictable responses, not necessarily immediate ones.
And I avoid searching through too many sites. I keep my wanderings on schedule as they tend to eat up my valuable time.
I always keep track of time.
And what better way to manage time than to keep track of it? And keep track I do. Anybody should know it; by the way I have all sorts of collectible mantel clocks and unique wall clocks at home. You’d actually think I have a whole collection of them. But why, I even have world time clocks for my overseas travel.
Okay, so here’s the confession. Everything mentioned here are on my wish list. I’m still struggling against procrastination. Well, at least I’m working on it.
August 23rd, 2008
If you’re looking for all inclusive vacations Mexico might be the place you want to look into first. It won’t matter whether you go to the eastern or the western side of Mexico, or even whether you go to the interior of Mexico without once visiting its beaches. All that really matters is that you want to go on a vacation and an all inclusive vacations Mexico package is just what you’ve been looking for.
The next thing that you need to do is to get through to your friends and tell them the great news, hoping that they also have the time to go on an all inclusive vacations Mexico package tour. You’re in luck and everybody decides they have the time to take the all inclusive vacations Mexico package tour and everyone decides to book now.
It’s early days yet but you go to your travel agent’s and book ahead. There’s no point in leaving it till the last minute and being unable to get the Mexico vacations package you want. So book early but make sure not to get for some of the unbelievably great bargains they might be handing this early on in the season.
When you’re buying your all inclusive vacations Mexico package there are a few things that you’ll want to check out like whether you’re going to be going on your vacation in the height of hurricane season, and whether that will affect your vacation. You’ll also want to check up on the more mundane things like whether your all inclusive vacations Mexico package is really all inclusive, or whether it’s only so much hot air.
If it really is all inclusive then you have nothing to worry about when you get to your Mexican destination you should generally be met at the airport and taken directly to your hotel. Your meals should be included in the price tag as should a few a sundry extras that the hotel is willing to throw in, and you should also have a ride back to the airport as well.
Check whether these are included in your all inclusive vacations Mexico package first before you purchase your vacations package and everything should go smoothly from there on out. If these things aren’t there then you should ideally go look at a different vacations package, one that will give you everything you’ll need.
Now all that remains is to pack your bags and make sure that you have your plane tickets ready and of course the various information and documentation for your all inclusive vacations Mexico is waiting to greet you with.
August 23rd, 2008
Most children love all things Halloween. As adults, we assume it’s because Halloween means candy and children generally love candy. But many children love more than just the abundance of candy at Halloween time. They really get into the ghoulish aspect of the holiday and delight in the displays of goopy brains and squishy body parts.
A game that’s always popular is to take a cardboard box and paint it black, both the inside and outside. Carve a small hole in the top, really just large enough for the children to get their hands into, and fill the box with a variety of items. They can be related to Halloween (like a small pumpkin) or not (wrapped Tootsie rolls or a tiny toy Hummer car). Have the children guess what’s inside the box and award the box itself to the child who guesses the most number of items correctly. To make this goopy and silly, be sure to include some items that might feel like body parts or brain matter.
Children love creating silly fictional stories, often with absurd plotlines. Halloween is the optimum time to let them run wild with their imaginations. Have them spend a bit of time writing out the scariest story they can think of. Some children might need some direction not to make it ridiculously grotesque, so use caution with these children in your clarification of this task. Once the stories are written, have the children hand them in and then have a guest reader for each one of them. Each child will come to the front of the class and read the story with as much dramatization as they can muster. Once the story is read, everyone has to guess who wrote the story. The writer should play along, otherwise everyone will know it was their story! The winner is the child who wrote a story so intriguing and unusual that nobody knew it was his or hers!
This, and any other Halloween activity is even more fun if the children have a scary face painting design painted on ther faces. Learning how to face paint ais not as difficult as you might think. Discover more
Face painting designs
Face paintings
face painting ideas
Kids love the word find games when you give them a word or words relating to a holiday or something else and have them find words within those words. In this case, give them Halloween-related words and ask them to find as many scary words as they can. For example, you might give them the word “Halloween” and see how many scary words they can make from the letters. Or you could give them a series of words and let them rearrange the letters in all of the words to create scary words, or even create a story from the scary words. Put a time limit on this game and award a prize for the child who creates the most words in the least amount of time.
August 23rd, 2008
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