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Friday, November 30, 2012

Holidays With Children

Holidays With Children

Holidays with children can often by difficult to plan. You want to find that perfect vacation location for your kids that is kid friendly and fun for the entire family. When trying to find this perfect location for your holidays with children, then you need to keep several things in mind.

Holidays with children can often by difficult to plan. You want to find that perfect vacation location for your kids that is kid friendly and fun for the entire family. When trying to find this perfect location for your holidays with children, then you need to keep several things in mind.

1. Kids would list the most wanted vacation location as Walt Disney World. This resort has something for everyone, no matter what age. Your children can enjoy the many kid friendly activities, restaurants, and experiences ad they spend time with Mickey Mouse, the Princesses, and other characters. There are four different theme parks that your family can choose from and two water parks, so that you can find the right activities for your family. You will be amazed at how much there is to do at this resort. The only problem will be fitting everything in!

2. If your holidays with children are much more fun when relaxing on the beach, then you will want to consider the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. This beautiful resort has many different activities for every age of child. It is the ultimate in kid friendly with the many different pools, snorkeling, golfing, and other activities. They even have a camp for children that are younger than 12 years old that can allow them to learn more about sea life through activities and visits to the aquarium on site. For you parents, there are many activities as well, including a comedy club, dance clubs and shopping. No matter what age your family is, there are sure to be activities that everyone will enjoy.

3. If snow is more your family’s desired vacation spot, then you will want to think about a vacation to Snowbird Resort in Utah. As far as your kids, they can ski free at the resort, but there are other activities that you can do, too. Families can take part in activities like luging, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, snowboarding, and more. You will never run out of snow-oriented activities. Kid friendly ski camps and schools are available for your kids and there is childcare if you want to slip off to the spa or fitness club.

4. If you and your family enjoy adventure, then you will want to think about visiting the Treesort that is located in Takilma, Oregon. This is a wonderful trip for those Swiss Family Robinson lovers, because it features 18 different tree houses for you and your family to spend the night in. There are also platforms, forts, wooden swings, and swinging bridges for your family’s fun and enjoyment. There is also a 160-foot zip line, a fresh water swimming pool, and lots of scenery to enjoy.

5. If you prefer to take your kids on a trip where they can learn as well, then you will want to try out Williamsburg, Virginia. Kingsmill Resort has many kid friendly activities that you can enjoy, from golf and tennis to a marine and more. There is even a Kids Camp that will allow your children to swim in a kid friendly environment and they can spend time in the game room. Busch Gardens is not very far away and you can visit Williamsburg, too. For the perfect mix of knowledge and fun, Williamsburg has it all.

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Entertainment For Children

Times are definitely a changing!

One cannot argue this for nothing. Just take a look at our youth. Sure, you can rant on all day about how everything is the same as it was back in the 50s, but no one is going to take you seriously. Well, except maybe other folks from that era. In reality things have changed. Were crack dealers pushing their dope outside of your school back in the 50s? I seriously doubt it. Did you know any unfortunate students afflicted with the AIDS virus back then? Don't think so. Like I said, times are different now. I can tell this clear as day when I spot some of the current entertainment for children. Do you have any idea what your children are getting into?

There is good entertainment for children and of course there is bad entertainment for children. This is no big surprise. With all of the film, television, and video games out there now days, there's bound to be some of everything. In my house we take full advantage of the good stuff. My seven year old daughter loves to watch cartoons and Goosebumps. This is totally fine with me. I prefer it over some of the foul media concocted these days. Then there is reading of course. This is always a great entertainment for children if you can get them into it. The trick is finding books they like to read. Let them pick them out by themselves. As long as they're geared toward their age group, it shouldn't be a problem. Again, my daughter loves Goosebumps and other fun stuff like Juniby Jones. I am thankful that she enjoys such simple entertainment for children. There is no real violence or profanity involved.

The poor aspect of entertainment for children is video games. I have to say this hands-down. Now, I do realize that there are some children's video games, and I think these are fine. However, there are also far too many of the "adult video games," and kids everywhere are getting their hands on them. Some of these video games are ridiculously foul with horrific violence, strong language, and abuse. Did you know that some literally have prostitutes and you can beat them? That is unreal and absurd. This is not the right entertainment for children and it never will be. Do you want your second grader playing these?

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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Help Your Child Avoid Smoking

Help Your Child Avoid Smoking

What would you do if your son or daughter decided to start smoking?
Maybe your child already smokes. Perhaps you're a smoker and hope your child won't pick up your unhealthy habit. Maybe there is no history of smoking in your family, but you fear that your child's friends might serve as a bad influence.

Every day in the U.S., 1,500 kids become regular smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result. Many young people are driven to smoking through peer pressure or because they watch their parents and role models smoke.

For parents who want to quit smoking to set an example for their children, or for anyone who wants to kick the habit, one company has a unique approach that it says helps smokers quit gradually.
Safer Smokes Inc. (www.bravosmokes.com) has created Bravo, a smoking cessation product made with lettuce leaves. It has all the characteristics of a tobacco cigarette with three key differences: no nicotine, no tobacco and none of the dangerous carcinogens derived from the additives found in commercial tobacco cigarettes.

With Bravo, smokers still get the experience of smoking a cigarette but without most of the harmful effects of tobacco cigarettes. People who use Bravo are able to eventually cleanse their bodies of nicotine.
Tobacco use is the nation's leading preventable cause of death, killing more than 400,000 people and costing more than $180 billion in health care bills and lost productivity each year. Nearly 90 percent of all smokers start the habit by age 18.

Clinical studies have evidenced the relative safety of the Bravo product when compared to tobacco cigarettes.

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Baby Gates Help to Child Proof Your Home

Baby Gates Help to Child Proof Your Home

When it comes to child-proofing your home, one of the first things you will consider is the baby safety gate. Neglecting to add baby gates to your home can mean risking your baby's safety when wandering around the home. It only takes a second of distraction and your child could be in a dangerous situation. Many parents are multi-tasking during their day and it is impossible to keep an eye on your child's actions every minute of the day. This is why a baby gate is so critical in a home no matter what the size. A small apartment can be just as dangerous as a four bedroom home when it comes to a wandering toddler. The basic areas a baby gate is used for include blocking stairways and hallways.

There are several types of baby gates to choose from. Now a days, manufacturers have made them easy to install and easy to open and close. This is important as most baby gates are blocking a high traffic area in which adults and older children must constantly use. Beware of old baby gates of the past that are made of flimsy material and have the accordion like open and close functionality. These types of old baby gates are not safe at all as a small child could get their head caught in between the slots. While these types of gates are no longer sold, you may still find them lying around at garage sales or passed down from family or friends. Newer model baby gates are much sturdier and open and close easily for adults to pass through.

If you are using a baby gate in a high traffic area like a hall way, a flexible gate that is retractable is suitable for this type of area. You want to be sure that it isn't easily movable by your child (of course), yet not a hassle to open and close for older people in the household. The last thing you want is for older children and adults to be climbing over the gate as this can lead to injury if someone trips and falls. If you are using a gate to block your baby from stairs, a wall mounted version is a better choice. These models are screwed into the walls or banisters and typically open like a door. Because these models are screwed into the walls, it makes it especially difficult for a young child to manipulate the gate, yet easy for older kids and adults to unlock and walk through. Don't worry if the area you wish to mount the gate is not an exact fit as baby gate mounting kits are almost always available for hard to fit areas.

It is not uncommon to have multiple baby gates mounted around the house. All stairs should have a baby gate and any doorways that lead to high risk areas of the home such as a pool area. While they may be an annoyance for some family members, it is better to be safe than sorry. Remember, baby safety gates are temporary solutions until your babies are old enough to wander without much supervision.

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Friday, November 23, 2012

Bringing Up Bright And Happy Children With Autism

Bringing Up Bright And Happy Children With Autism

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that parenting a child is the most difficult task they’ve ever encountered. They’ll also tell you it’s the most rewarding. Parenting a child with autism, however, can be a little more stressful. It can also be just as rewarding. The key to bringing up bright and happy children with Autism is to love and nurture them, as you would any child.

Once your child has been diagnosed with autism, you may at first go through a typical sort of panic mode. One of the first things you may want to do is set up counseling for yourself to help you deal with any negative feelings you are having about your child. This can help you in this overwhelming time. You may also want to do some research on your own regarding Autism, as it will help you to understand what you may expect with your child.

When you start researching, you’ll, of course, want to start with your child’s pediatrician. They can certainly help to point you in the right direction. There also may be support groups in your area and you’ll find that parents of children with autism can help you deal with this initial period, as well as being a great source for information.

When you are choosing a program for your child with autism, you’ll want to seek the advice from professionals, such as your pediatrician and other autism professionals. Research the program to make sure it will deal with all aspects of autism, as well as make sure they are qualified to assist your child.
Once you’ve come to terms with your child being diagnosed with autism, there are certain things you’ll need to take care of in the home. You want to bring your autistic child up in a home that is safe, as well as comfortable for your child. One of the first things you should do is a safety check. For example, if you worry because your child likes to sneak outside, you may want to install security locks on the doors. Make sure, however, the child can get out in case of an emergency. You may also want to consider fencing in the yard where your child can play safely.

Some autistic children are very sensitive to touch and even bathing them becomes a struggle. You want your child to be clean however, you also want them to be happy. If this means foregoing a daily bath for one every other day, then by all means, do it. You can also help them to overcome their sensitivity to water by scheduling regular playtimes in water, such as playing with lawn sprinklers and squirt guns. You can make it a fun time and they may come to enjoy bathing.

Most importantly, provide your child with activities at home, as well as outside the home. They may not want to participate in all of them, but it is important for your child to be treated as if they are included. Don’t leave your child home when going out for dinner. Take your autistic child with you and just make sure you go to a family type restaurant so if your child does misbehave in public, it is not such a big deal. Provide your child with an environment filled with different colors and textures. This will help to keep their attention on certain activities and if you provide them with the opportunity for social interaction, this can certainly help them in the long run.

Most importantly, however, provide your child with love. Even if your autistic child does not like to be touched, there are other things you can do to let them know you love them. Talking with your child, even when you don’t feel they are listening is important to their development. Tell them how much you love them, whether they respond in turn or not. A child that is loved will feel this love, even if they have autism.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Find Animal Dolls For Your Child

Find Animal Dolls For Your Child

Doll is seen as the most favourite toys for children. Both classic and electronic dolls have their own pro and cons. Particularly for animal dolls that has variety of all kind of animal. We have to admit that animal is the first thing that children will knoe for the first stage of learning. A lot of practice and lesson, start from using animal as a symbol like A B C, which always represent in the type of animal. Therefore, children will have first impression and appreciation of animal at the first stage of learning. According to this reason, it is will be very common that they will looking for animal toys and animal dolls have become to their favorite type. However, some children has very much appreciation of animal dolls and they start to collect them as a hobby so we can imagine that they will enjoy of having al kind of them in the collection.
Collecting Animal Dolls Is A Great Hobby

The animal dolls are the dolls, which resembles the structure of the animals. The animals with the specific breeds are inherited in the dolls and it provides an attractive look to the animal dolls. The materials like artificial fur and other synthetic materials make the doll to be realistic. The passion of collecting the dolls will make the children to collect their favorite dolls in the market. The collection of the dolls makes the child to have the pleasure and improves the habit of collecting new things everyday in life.
Types Of Dolls

The dolls that are given to a child at the early stage makes the child to be happy and it takes care of the doll with great efforts. It treats the doll as the pet and provides fun in playing with the doll. The animal dolls make the child to look it as a virtual animal where the child cannot fear about the animals. They can care the animal doll and can start collecting their favorite animal dolls in the market. The other dolls are decorative dolls, baby dolls, and fashion dolls. The collection of dolls differs from each individual and they even learn the method of creating new dolls. However, we may not have no idea that what kind of dolls that will be created and developed in the future, so just to make sure that they will get the most of their favorite.
Collecting The Doll As A Hobby

An independent research reveals that the collection of dolls is considered as the second biggest hobby in the United States. The collection of dolls depends upon the individual and should be collected according to the personal taste. With the advent of the Internet, an individual can purchase a variety of dolls in the Internet and can purchase it from the home. The doll collection is a great hobby for the children and it continues till in the adult stage. It makes the individual to leave from the adult stage and provides the chance of enjoying the childhood again.

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Helping Your Child Stop Smoking

Helping Your Child Stop Smoking

You need to find solutions to teen-age problems, very fast. This generation is in a hurry. They have no time to pause and ponder. Being young, impressionable minds, they are easily carried away. They want quick rewards, efforts or no efforts. For every question, the youngsters have a counter-question. As a matter of course, this generation picks up bad habits. Smoking is one such serious habit, which needs to be checked well in time.

To help your child stop smoking is your parental responsibility. Do not show any latitude on this count.
Teenage smoking has been increasing at a phenomenal rate for the last few decades. The reasons may be many, but if the elder members in a family smoke, you can hardly do anything morally about smoking.
This negative tendency is also given additional fillip by advertisements in TV, newspapers, and calculated encouragement by the tobacco manufacturers. This habit has assumed alarming proportions in the college-going youngsters.

The father and mother alone can not help the teenage child. His social environment also compulsively influences him. So, they need to be provided with helpful resources for identifying remedy for their compulsive smoking addiction.

Educating the teenagers on compulsive smoking addiction, should be a part of the school syllabus. There are many stop smoking centers, run by private individuals or voluntary organizations. Provide your son with their telephone number, and if necessary take them along you, a couple of times.

There is another danger about smoking. Smoking is just the first step of the ladder of a series of destructive habits. The child, after taking course to smoking, may indulge in self-destructive behavior and neglect studies.
Notice these early warnings and your child's changed behavior, to take corrective measures immediately.
The future of the family depends upon the children. It is your duty to give them good education and a solid foundation as for their moral and ethical values.

Children generally take to habits like smoking because of a lack of communication between the members of the family and the children. You will be the party to their moral doom, and ethical disaster unless you do something tangible, well in time.

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Saturday, November 17, 2012

Child Safety And Child Protection Easy Steps You Can Take Part 3 Of 3

Child Safety And Child Protection: Easy Steps You Can Take Part 3 Of 3

Unfortunately the reality is, you can't always be with your child. Occasionally your child is left in the care and supervision of other adults. As horrible as it is to imagine, the fact is, most child abductions occur by close family friends and/or other adults that the child is already familiar with. However, here are a few things you can teach your child that will empower them with the awareness they need to help keep them safe...even when you can't be there.

Let's begin...
There are "flags" that you can teach your child to be aware of, that seem to occur on a consistent bases with child abductions. One of those "flags" is that predators or would be predators often will test their potential victims. They will try and see how a child will react to seeming innocent situations. They often do this by seeing if the child can "keep a secret."

Your child should know to ALWAYS tell you if someone has asked them or wants them to keep a "secret"
That no one should ever, ever touch or attempt to touch them in ANY part of their body covered by a bathing suit. And that they should never touch anyone in these areas either. Explain to them that the body is special and private.

To ask anyone who drives him anywhere, not to leave him alone in the car-but if he is alone in a car, to put up the windows, leaving a "finger" space between the window glass and the rim, and to lock the doors and stay near the car horn. If a stranger approaches the car, he should blow the horn until help arrives.
That she has the right to say NO to anyone who tries to take her somewhere, touches her, or makes her feel uncomfortable in any way.

If anyone tries to take them away to yell, "This is NOT my parent!" And keep yelling, even kicking and screaming. But ALWAYS use the words "This is not my parent!"

To never accept a ride with anyone else than who you allowed them to go with in the first place. Occasionally, abductors or child abduction schemes will involve a "hand off" of the child, after the child has been allowed to go with someone who is close and familiar to the family.

Your child should always ask permission to leave the yard or to go to a neighbors house. Older children should phone home to tell you where they are, especially if they change locations.
Your child should NEVER hitch hike! If your child calls and needs you pick them up, or needs a ride to go to another location. Stop what your doing and take them! They could have made a worse decision. They could be avoiding getting in a car with a drunk driver, or avoiding one of the dangers you taught them about. Give them the ride, it's easier than dealing with the stress and emotional drain of having a missing child. Or even worse yet, identifying your childs body.

Teach your child to be home before dark. They may give you a hard time, but they will surely thank you later in life. And if they find themselves "late," to stay away from dark or abandoned places.
And finally, teach your child to To avoid adults who are waiting around a playground – particularly an adult who wants to play with them and their friends.

I hope you have found this 3 part series "Child Safety and Child Protection: Easy Steps You Can Take" usefull. The information you have been provided was compiled by multiple missing child agencies from all over the United States. These are the investigators on the front lines of the more than 1.4 Million missing child cases that are reported every single year.

Use the information I have provided for you and don't take your childs' safety lightly. Practice these child safety and child protection techniques. It's important we all do our part to keeping the children of the world safe, and out of danger, today, tomarrow, and everyday for the rest of their lives.
Have An Incredible and Very Safe Day!

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Friday, November 16, 2012

How Common Is Your Child s Cold

How Common Is Your Child's Cold?

The telltale sniffles. Ear infections. Sore throats. Picking up an ailment at school is practically a rite of passage for children nowadays. But it's important that you don't simply brush off these recurring illnesses as normal childhood health problems. A serious underlying disease might be to blame.
Primary Immunodeficiency, or PI, is a genetic defect that can compromise a child's immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to certain infectious illnesses. There are more than 100 types of PI; each has somewhat different symptoms, depending on which parts of the immune system are affected. Some deficiencies are deadly, while others are mild.

In children with PI, usual childhood illnesses occur frequently and can drag on and become chronic despite the use of antibiotics. If a child suffers from eight or more ear infections or two or more serious sinus infections within a year, he or she could have an underlying PI. Other warning signs are failure to gain weight or grow normally and a family history of PI.

While there are more than 1 million children and young adults in the United States affected by PI, experts estimate that 50 percent to 70 percent of those with the disease go undiagnosed. Without diagnosis and treatment, constant infections can significantly weaken your child's immune system.
Parents should know that a simple and inexpensive blood test could identify the disorder in more than 95 percent of cases. Once diagnosed, there are several treatment options that can provide a better quality of life or, in some cases, a cure.

The Jeffrey Modell Foundation, a nonprofit research foundation devoted to the study of PI, is making a profound difference in many lives by raising awareness of the disease.

In January 2005, as a result of a national public awareness and physician education campaign, 34 Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Referral Centers throughout the United States reported promising figures. They calculated an increase of 52 percent in the number of newly diagnosed patients and a 45 percent increase in the number of patients receiving treatment.

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Dieting for Children

Dieting for Children

It is difficult in the world we live in to watch as so many children are literally overburdening their bodies at such young ages by being overweight. These children simply cannot run, jump, and play with the other children because their bodies simply will not allow them to do so. For these children, dieting is almost a necessity despite our best efforts to insulate them from the self-esteem issues that often accompany obesity.
If you have a child that is well outside the normal weight range for his or her age you are the one who must make the efforts and take the necessary steps to insure they shed those pounds in order to live a life that is as close to normal as possible. The first thing you need to do however is consult with your child's doctor about the best possible course of action that will also safeguard the health of your child.

Put quite frankly however, if you do not take the efforts to assist your child in shedding those pounds you are placing the health of your child at risk. We do not let our children play in the street, we don't let them run with knives, why on earth would we allow them to commit suicide by Twinkie? If you have a child that is overweight, the following tips should help you and them with their dieting.

First of all, do not make food a punishment or a reward. Food is part of the problem with your children and you do not need to use it against them. Instead, introduce them to healthy alternatives. Do not keep the junk in the house and do not let them purchase lunch at school. Pack their lunches for school so that you know what they are eating. If you don't give them junk food they cannot have it when at home and you can work to insure that they can't get their hands on junk food when they leave the house.
Incorporate healthy snacks into your families eating plan rather than junk food. Fresh fruit, cut up vegetables, nuts, and frozen yogurt are good healthy snacks for your kids. When in doubt consult the food pyramid but watch calories in the process. You want your children to eat a well balanced diet while eliminating junk food and sweets for the best result.

Cut out the juices and pop. This may be a huge ordeal in your house but the greatest gift you can offer your child is a deep and abiding appreciation for water. Water works to make their bellies feel full and keeps them hydrated for the added activities you should be introducing into their routines.
Have them take dance, take up a sport, or simply get out and run around the yard. The worst thing you can do is to allow your children to become comatose television, computer, or video game zombies. Get them out and get them active. This helps in two ways. First of all, they aren't eating if they are outside playing and having a good time. Second, they are burning calories as they play which is a huge bonus in the dieting process for your children.

As your child begins to take off the weight you should begin to notice a very profound difference in not only the way he or she carries his or herself but also in his or her interactions with others. Your child will experience restored and renewed self-confidence as the pounds come off and the teasing at school stops.
If you are at a complete loss as to how to help your child take the weight off there are camps that are designed specifically to deal with weight issues and building self-esteem in children ages 7-19. One of these camps may be just the answer you are looking for. Another thing to consider is to lead by example. If you don't eat the junk food, if you are active, and if you do not engage in emotional overeating your child will not be learning those behaviors from you or having them reinforced by you.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Child Safety How To Use Code Words Effectively

Child Safety - How To Use "Code Words" Effectively

Did you know that there is a 1 in 42 chance that YOUR child will become lost, missing, or abducted? In other words...those are not odds in your favor! To many people have become very complacent about child safety. They seem to have a "It couldn't happen to my child" attitude. You can believe that if you ask any of the parents of missing children, they thought the same thing. And you can also bet, their attitude has changed significantly.

What can you do, right now, that will dramatically put those odds back in your control? Start using "code words" in your family, today.

Here are the most important basics of using code words. Let's begin...

Who uses the code word? Other than his/her parents, there should be only one or two relatives or very close, trusted family friends that a child should be taught are "special" enough to trust to pick him/her up from school or some other activity away from home.
When do you use the code word? If you are not able to pick up your child at an agreed upon time, and there is no way for you to contact your child, you should contact the "special person" to pick up your child. In the rare event that you cannot pick up your child, and you cannot reach the "special person", the family code word MUST be used.

What should I use for the family "code word?" The family code word is a pre-determined word that should be very easy for your child to remember, but one that would be very difficult for someone else to guess. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! I will repeat this: The code word must be simple for your child to remember, yet very difficult for someone to guess. Some suggestions I recommend to use would be names of animals, such as, crocodile, giraffe, baboon, goldfish. DO NOT USE names that are common around your house. Such as, never use the name of your child's favorite animal or pet.
Never choose a "code word" that is from things that are common to your family or house. Be creative, and make this a fun activity with your children. And be very specific. Don't just decide on "bear" for your code word, how about using a "purple bear." Remember, child safety should be fun. You don't want to frighten your children.

How does my child use the code word system? If anyone other than yourself, your spouse, or the "special person" say's they are there to pick up your child on your authority, your child should know to ask that person, "What's the code word?" You should teach your child to disbelieve anyone who tries to pick them up if they do not know the code word.

Do I continue to use the same code word, always? Definately not! After an emergency situation arises where the code word must be used, the family needs to pick a new code word. Emphasize to the children that they should no longer respond to the old one. Be sure to review the new code word often enough to help al family members to remember it.

let me conclude this article on child safety by telling you that code words work. They have saved the lives of many children. This simple, yet highly effective tool is widely used by many families. There have been many, many police reports of children using the code word tool successfuly.
Remember to keep it fun, because keeping it fun, is keeping your children safe!
Until next time...
Spend some time with the kids, and have an incredible day!

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Saturday, November 10, 2012

Golf- Teaching Your Child How To Play

Golf - Teaching Your Child How To Play

More children are learning to play golf today than ever before. A big reason for this is Tiger Woods. He has taken the sport and popularized it among children of all ages. What used to be a boring game for kids to play has suddenly become increasingly popular.

Children are now discovering what many adults already know: golf is a lot of fun! While your children may love hitting golf balls with one of your old golf clubs, how do you begin to develop their skills? Here are a few tips to help you give your children a good head start in the golfing world.

One of the first things you may want to do is enroll them into a golf class. Many of your local golf courses have classes just for children. There is no need to go out and buy a new set of golf clubs for your child. The class will provide the equipment necessary. This will not only save you some money right now, but it will give you time to find out if your child truly enjoys the game of golf or not. You don't want to go out and spend a few hundred dollars only to find out your child doesn't really like golf after all.

The next tip is one that is very important for both you and your child. Be patient. It is so easy to want to see your child start hitting long drives and sinking 30 foot putts. In order for them to want to continue learning the game of golf they need your support. Let your child progress at their rate. The golf classes will help them develop immensely.

When you are on the practice range with them be sure you encourage them, even when they are spraying the ball all over the range. They will pick up the finer points of the game later as they grow older.
When your child has taken some classes and they show a genuine interest in the game of golf, buy them their own set of golf clubs. Be sure you have your child fitted properly. Of course, since they will be growing in height and weight, understand that the clubs you buy today may be too small within a year or two at the most. You can get children's golf clubs at an inexpensive price.

Use the time that you spend golfing with your children as a bonding time. Enjoy yourselves and the time you're out on the course. You can even use this time to develop a good communication with your child. Talk about other things than golf. You'll be surprised at how the golf course can help you and your children bond together. It will spill over into other areas of your lives as well.
Your child may never grow up to be the next Tiger Woods, or Michelle Wie, but they can grow up loving the game of golf. More importantly, they can grow up enjoying the time spent together with you out on the golf course.

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Friday, November 9, 2012

Does your child need children's vitamins

Does your child need children's vitamins?

This question has been has been tormenting parents all over the world. Yet, there are no easy answers to it. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)says that "a diet based on the Food Guide Pyramid provides adequate amounts of all the vitamins a child needs." But then, there are a lot of other factors that decide whether your child is getting adequate amounts of vitamins, such as the child's eating habits, composition and quality of the diets, etc.

One important thing to note here is that the quality of most foods available now has declined. The only good ones available now are organically grown food. Just look at these figures: the amount of calcium in broccoli has fallen by a whopping 50 per cent, the iron content in watercress is down by a steep 88 per cent, the vitamin C in cauliflower has fallen by a huge 40 per cent... You may not be giving your child the usual fare of refined food spiked with sugar and fat and carbohydrates. Yet, there is no guarantee that he or she is getting her required daily dose of children's vitamins.

Still experts disagree much on this subject of children's vitamins. The AAP advises giving your child a vitamin supplement only if your pediatrician recommends it. That is because most of the daily foods are fortified. However, the AAP acknowledges that a daily dose of children's vitamins won't hurt your child unless it exceeds the recommended daily allowance for any vitamin or mineral. Also, such a daily dose of children's vitamins help fill in any gaps in a child's nutrition, and also helps children who are sensitive to certain foods. What is to be borne in mind here is that children's vitamins cannot replace good food. They can only supplement your child's food. If your child is not eating well, you should not only give him children's vitamin supplements but also take steps to improve his eating habits and his diet.

Oh yes, there is one more reason why you should be giving your children a proper diet. Recent research says diet and behavior are interlinked. The Appleton Central Alternative High School replaced vending machines with water coolers and started offering fresh vegetables, fruits, whole-grain bread and a salad bar in place of the hamburgers and french fries. The result: No longer does a police officer patrol the school's hallways, there is no vandalism, there is no litter.

Go for food-based children's vitamins
Now comes the important question. What kind of children's vitamin should you give your child? You should start with a food-based vitamin. No questions about that. Synthetic vitamins are out. Scientists and doctors now prefer to use natural vitamins. This is where glyconutritionals come in. They are foods and nutritional supplements that provide saccharides along with other glycoforms essential to the body. Glyconutritional blends are made from fruits and vegetables and contain the essential vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients, and provide support for the body's immune system.

The saccharides in glyconutritionals are necessary for proper 'cell-to-cell' communication and helps keep the body's glands and organs functioning well. They also help the immune system and the endocrine system in top order, and the body in optimal health.
Worried about how you will make your child swallow all those pills? Well, children's vitamins and nutritional supplements now come as delicious, multicolored, flavored, chewable tablets. Your children will eat them up just as they eat up the junk foods and candies!

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

High Blood Pressure in Children

High Blood Pressure in Children

Hypertension is not only a condition for adults but it can also affect children, kids and even infants. When you see high blood pressure in children, the basic cause is either heart or Kidney. But it has been seen that children do have high blood pressure even though they have no heart or kidney problem but there's a family history of high blood pressure and an unhealthy lifestyle - a bad diet, excess weight, stress, and insufficient physical activity.

Though it is estimated that 4.5% of kids have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is very common among adults but it is also increasing in children these days, a trend that researchers link to the increase in childhood obesity.

The only way to know whether your kid has hypertension is to get it checked regularly. Doctors usually start measuring blood pressure during routine check-ups when a child is about 3 years old.If it remains untreated, high blood pressure can eventually lead to damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. But if it's caught early, monitored, and treated, a child with high blood pressure can have an active, normal life.

Long-Term Complications of High Blood Pressure When a kid has high blood pressure, the heart and arteries have a much heavier workload. Heart has to work against great force, The heart must pump harder and the arteries are under greater strain as they carry blood. If high blood pressure continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may no longer work as well as they should. Having high blood pressure puts a child at a higher risk for stroke TIA, CVA, heart attack, kidney failure, loss of vision, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Though child may not show symptoms of high blood pressure, it still affects the body and puts the child at risk for those long-term health problems. In rare cases, severe hypertension can cause headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, heart palpitations, visual changes and nausea. If your child has severe high blood pressure and experiences any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

When you go to a doctor with your children, It's not unusual for a first blood pressure reading to be high because the child is nervous, so the doctor will likely take three or four readings - and use an average to determine whether your child has high blood pressure or is at risk for developing hypertension.
Causes of High Blood Pressure The causes of high blood pressure differ, depending on the age of the child. The younger the child, the more likely the high blood pressure is due to some other condition. High blood pressure among infants most commonly occurs in premature babies. Some newborns have high blood pressure because of problems with the heart, or vascular system, kidneys and lungs. Often, these problems are due to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, an immaturity of the lungs in premature babies, or problems of vessels like coarctation of the aorta, a narrowing of part of the major blood vessel that transports blood away from the heart to the body parts. Among school-age kids and teens, hypertension is usually linked to obesity. Over weight is very common among school age children these days. In some cases it's due to a problem with the kidneys, although other conditions - like abnormalities in the blood vessels and hormonal disorders - can also be responsible. Some medications (such as steroids or oral contraceptives) can lead to high blood pressure, as can over consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs.
Diagnosing Hypertension in Children As high blood pressure usually doesn't produce any symptoms, diagnosing the condition in children can be difficult. The only reliable way to find out if your kid has high blood pressure is to have it regularly measured at routine check ups. So it's important not to miss those appointments, particularly if your child is obese or if there's a family history of hypertension. There is also a new test called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in which a child wears a blood pressure cuff all day. Some consider it more accurate than blood pressure tests in the doctor's office because the child is less likely to be affected by any stress from visiting the doctor and blood pressure is monitored over a considerable period.

Treating High Blood Pressure If an underlying illness is causing hypertension, treating that illness may be enough to get the blood pressure back to normal levels. For example treating coarctation of aorta can significantly improve blood pressure. If there's no underlying illness, your child's doctor will try to control Blood pressure with natural measures and he may recommend weight loss, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, decreased salt intake, increased exercise, and even relaxation techniques. Kids with hypertension should also quit or never start smoking, which can worsen the long-term associated heart problems as smoking is one of major risk factor for heart attack. Most doctors prefer not to prescribe medication for children with mild hypertension. However, in cases in which lifestyle changes do not improve the condition, then doctor may give medication .

Doing Exercise and participation in organized sports is encouraged for all children whose hypertension is not severe or is well-controlled. In fact, staying fit is the key to both weight and blood pressure control. If your kid is overweight, an ongoing weight-loss program monitored by your child's doctor and a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day may play very important role in controlling blood pressure. Kids who have severe hypertension should not, however, participate in weight- and power-lifting, bodybuilding, or strength training until their blood pressure is under control and a doctor OKs it.
Remember, earlier you get high blood pressure, earlier you will face its complications. So try to control your blood pressure with in normal limits to stay healthy and enjoy normal life.

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Saturday, November 3, 2012

Help For Children with A.D.D. & A.D.H.D.

Help For Children with A.D.D. & A.D.H.D.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are fast growing disorders in the US that currently affects 10 to 15% of all school children. This figure is expected to double in the next 5 years. It is very sad to see so many young children on Ritalin in spite of the very serious long term possible side effects. There are many other drugs being prescribed to young children for hyperactivity and depression such as Dexadrine, Cylert, Desoxyn, Adderal and Mellaril. The possible side effects on some of these are frightening. One might get immediate results with taking these, but not without a price that will eventually have to be paid.

A growing number of parents and holistic doctors are turning to a more natural approach which include; special diet, supplements, herbs, homeopathics, counseling and of course the love and encouragement of their family, friends and teachers. They believe that medications merely mask the symptoms and do not address the true cause of the problem.

Many doctors, scientist and nutritionists believe that ADD and ADHD is a biologically based brain disorder rooted in a complex combination of nutritional deficiency, allergy and immune disorders that are compromised even more by vaccines, high sugar and refined carbohydrate diets, food additives such as artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners and preservatives and caffeine. Environmental toxins are also culprits such as exposure to chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, toxic cleaning products, smoke etc.

Dr. Lendon H. Smith, a pediatrician, has been an advocate for children’s health and nutrition issues for over 30 years. He has authored and co-authored 15 books that warn how sugar, white flour, additives and junk food contribute to sickness, obesity, allergies, hyperactivity and learning disabilities. He is very well known and has appeared numerous times on the Phil Donahue Show and the Tonight Show. Dr Smith believes that mineral deficiencies play a major roll in ADD and ADHD, especially calcium and magnesium. Our top soil has become mineral deficient since composting is practically obsolete except with some organic farmers. Other supplements that are essential to those with ADD and ADHD are essential fatty acids which can be found in flax seed oil, borage oil and cold fish oils. These oils aid transmission of nerve impulses that are needed for normal brain function. An amino acid called gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) calms the body and has successfully been used (by young and old) in place of tranquilizers. Taurine is necessary for proper brain function and is being given to those with seizures and hyperactivity. Another amino acid, Tyrosine is known to naturally mimic the effects of Ritalin. Vitamin-B complex is helpful in relaxing the nervous system and improving mental function and concentration. Choline and Phosphatidyl Serine have been known to improve memory and focus. There are various supplements available in liquid and capsule form that contains many of the above mentioned nutrients. They are also suitable for adults for many children do not grow out of this condition and carry it over in their adult lives.

In addition to using supplements, it is important to cut out the heavily processed sugary and high carbohydrate foods and beverages that are loaded with petroleum based colors and preservatives. Forget about fried foods which are all that is available on children’s menus…oh, except for the pizza and spaghetti. It is also important to completely eliminate artificial sweeteners, even the one that starts out as sugar.
How can our children focus and be well behaved while eating nutritionally depleted foods? The kids of today hardly have a chance to grow up healthy. Their immune systems are already shot, for most kids catch everything that comes along. If one is truly healthy, child or adult, they should be able to be in a room with sick people and never get sick.

Let’s choose to eat what our creator put here for us and enjoy a greater quality of life.
This article, provided by Mike Comeau, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure disease. Always consult your doctor when seeking medical advice.

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Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas For Children

Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas For Children

You can find a large variety of Halloween costumes available at stores in your neighborhood. However, when you consider the cost and lack of originality, homemade costumes are a more fun and oftentimes more cost-effective option. Plus, if you involve your children in creating the homemade costumes, the results will be worth more than any store-bought costume in any store.

Here are some inexpensive, homemade Halloween costume ideas that will cost little money and show lots of imagination.

Scarecrow: An over-sized flannel shirt, some straw, and faded jeans with patches will make a great scarecrow. Stuff the jeans and shirt with plastic grocery bags and leave a little straw hanging out of the shirt and jeans. A little makeup will complete your scarecrow costume.

Ghost: Ghosts are an old stand-by that never goes out of style. Use an old white sheet with holes cut for the eyes and sew a simple treat bag out of a scrap of material or a worn out pillow case. You can dress your ghost up a bit by making lips out of red lipstick and a few false eyelashes. Or you could color a beard and moustache with markers. You may want to create a colorful ghost by using a sheet covered with polka dots or one that is brightly colored.

Clown: You can create a great clown with sweat clothes that are a bit to large decorated with fabric paint or markers. Sew on some pom poms, use an inexpensive wig with a large, colorful hat, and you could even stuff the clothing with tissue (although the tissue will be a problem if the need for a restroom break arises).
Hippy: You can become a hippy from the 1960s with a tie-dye shirt and faded jeans with holes in the knees. Combine this with a headband, a ponytail wig, and a jacket or vest covered in fringe and you will have the most authentic looking hippy costume of all time.

Nerd: Halloween is the time to dress like something completely out of character. You can dress your child as a typical nerd, complete with white shirt, pocket protectors, pants that are too short, horn-rimmed glasses, while socks and black dress shoes. Don't forget to tape one corner of the glasses for a true nerd appearance. Make sure you use plenty of hair gel to slick back the hair and a few overly large fake teeth will be a great addition.

Soda Can: Find an inexpensive plastic barrel and cut a hole in the bottom. Paint the entire barrel the colors and design of your favorite brand of soda in a can. With holes for arms and your head, a simple barrel can transform your child into a soda can.

Your child can be the hit of your block or at the neighborhood Halloween party if you use a little imagination and create special homemade costumes out of inexpensive, household items.
Like the commercials say "The memory of your child in a costume you made together"... priceless.

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