Infant Sleeping With Parents? New Mothers, Wake Up!
By The Schoolmarm | November 19, 2008
Many new mothers will be too busy to read this blog, so will you be a good friend and pass on this reminder to them? It could save lives.
It is easy to become sleep deprived when you have an infant in the house. Night feedings and/or a wailing baby can make life miserable for a few weeks or months. Many women in this condition probably should not even drive, they are in such a fuzzy state of being. Sometimes all that sustains them is the knowledge that it won't last forever, even if it feels like it will.
During this incredibly trying time, parents are often tempted to put the baby in bed with them, where it is easier to soothe the infant back to sleep. Most parents have gotten away with it at least a few times in the child's early life. They had no thought of the peril they were presenting to their little love. They never considered that they could become so deep in sleep that they might roll over and smother the life away from their baby.
Heartbreakingly, it has happened three times in Riverside, CA this month alone.
Please warn new mothers of this danger. I pray it will be enough to ensure, in the middle of the night, that they return the baby to the safety of the crib.
Topics: safety | No Comments »
Having Fun With Funology
By Arlene Richards | November 17, 2008
Does your child ever complain about being bored? Or, is your child the inquisitive one…always asking question after question. Funology.com has loads of exciting activities for kids of all ages, specifically designed to enhance the learning experiences of young, inquisitive minds.
For example:
With Jokes & Riddles your child will have to put on his or her thinking cap, as well as think "out of the box" in order to figure out the answer.
Question: Do you know why the cow went in the spaceship?
Answer: It wanted to see the mooooooon!
Boredom Busters will perk up that little one who is constantly saying, "I'm bored. I don't have anything to do!" You'll find lots of easy, educational, and stimulating ideas to break the doldrums kids seem to be constantly complaining about.
Games are a must for children. Funology.com has tapped into the science of having fun through games by creating: Indoor Games, Outdoor Games, Secret Codes, and Games for Holidays and Seasons. You'll find the whole family will want to get involved in a wide variety games.
Magic Tricks are sure to capture any child's interest. Here is a number trick that will amaze your friends. 1) Have a friend think of a number in his/her head. That number will be called the "mystery number". Your friend should always end up with the number 4.
Yummy Recipes… Who knew veggies could taste so good? Try making ants on a log. You will need the following ingredients: Celery, Peanut Butter and Raisins. Directions: 1) Have a grown-up wash and cut the celery into 4 inch pieces. 2) Have a grown-up use a butter knife to spread on the peanut butter. 3) Have a child add the ants (raisins). Wham! A fun, easy project and a healthy treat for the family.
So as you can see, Funology.com has designed various educational and meaningful activities for kids, making it a site you and your little one must visit.
Have Fun!
The Bing Note Team
Topics: tuesday treats | No Comments »
Teach Kids To Help Around the House
By The Schoolmarm | November 16, 2008
photo credit: Mega Hammond
Are your kids helpful around the house? Did I hear a groan?
We often expect kids to help but don't give them appropriate instruction on how to do what we want them to do. Agreeably, teaching them to be more responsible is work for you, and for a while it may appear to be more trouble than worth, but that's part of the teaching/learning process. Hang in there and help them set up good habits around the house.
- Put it in writing. If they are old enough to read, write a short list of the chores you want them to do. Don't expect them to remember three or four things that you have yelled to them from the other room.
- For your pre-readers, tell them one thing at a time, repeat the directions if necessary.
- Set reasonable time limits in which to get the chores done, as per age and ability.
- Demonstrate: If you want the trash bags put into the cans a certain way, them show them exactly how to do it. Don't assume that they have been paying attention to the way you have done it all their lives. Trust me, they haven't noticed nor do they care.
- When they say they are finished with the task, ask them, "How do you think you did?" Don't be harsh if you disagree with their self-evaluation.
- Be generous and fair with your appraisal of their accomplishments. Through praise, a chart or some small reward, let them know when they have done a good job of following directions.
- Keep it as much fun as possible. Don't get all uptight and agitated. Naturally, they will make mistakes, goof-off, maybe even whine a few minutes, you know, just like the rest of us do!
- So, remind yourself that it is a good thing you are doing, a good thing you are doing, a good thing you are doing . . .
Topics: parenting | No Comments »