Your Diaper Bag Can Reveal A lot About Your Personality; Here’s How

Posted on July 14, 2016

Diaper bags have come a long way and are considered more than just functional totes to store bottles, a changing pad and other bibs. Diaper bags are also stylish and can be an extension of mom (or dad’s) personality. For a few years, starting in 2009, we did a biennial run down of the most expensive diaper bags, but nowadays, you don’t have to pay a lot of money for a fab diaper bag. You can get chic and trendy bags at lower price points, and a variety of styles.

Want to now what you diaper bag says about you? Kristi Valentini at Mode gives us a quick rundown:

photo: Petunia

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Parenting

Here is Your Family Biking 101 Guide

Posted on July 13, 2016

Biking can be a family activity. Not only is it a great way to get around by cutting down the cost of gas, car maintenance and other expenses, biking is also a wonderful form of exercise.

Unfortunately many new parents hang up their helmets because biking with young kids can feel overwhelming. But with the right setup and a little know how, biking can be an enjoyable and safe way for parents to shuttle kids to run errands and go to parks, preschool, and school.

The folks at Fix put together a great summation of how to have a safe biking experience with baby and asked us to share it with you:

Introducing Baby to Bicycle

What’s the best age to take your tyke biking for the first time? Opinions vary, but the majority of safety experts recommend a new parent wait until a child turns one, can sit unassisted, and can safely wear a helmet. They point out that there’s little research on how the bumps and vibration inherent to cycling affect the newborn brain and neck muscles.

Lawmakers generally agree. While laws vary from state to state, New York state expressly outlaws cycling with a baby under one. A number of other states and some cities require riders and passengers under the age of 16 to wear a helmet. Helmets do not fit and are not recommended for babies who can’t hold their heads up. Thus newborns are effectively forbidden from bicycling, even when buckled into a car seat in a carrying device.

Once a child turns one, parents have all sorts of options to hit bike paths with kids. (read more of the article here and check out the infographic below)

Source: Fix.com Blog

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Officials Remove Underweight Baby Fed a Vegan Diet From Parents

Posted on July 12, 2016

A 14-month old baby has been taken away from his parents after he arrived in the hospital severely malnourished from being kept on a vegan diet, the New Zealand Herald reports.

The baby, whose name has not been released, was brought to a hospital in Milan, Italy, on July 2 by his grandparents. Tests revealed that the baby was extremely underweight and had critically low calcium levels. He was also suffering from a congenital heart condition, which required immediate surgery. While the heart condition was caused by a cardiac abnormality, as opposed to the diet directly, doctors said that the low levels of calcium certainly aggravated the serious medical issue.

“It is not a problem to choose different or unusual kinds of nutrition and we certainly do not want to enter into a discussion of the merits of the decision,” Luca Bernardo, the director of Pediatrics at the hospital, said. “But since birth, the baby should have had support in this case with calcium and iron.”

Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Director Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, says a vegan diet should never be considered safe for babies. “While veganism can be achieved in a healthful way for adults, children require key nutrients for proper growth and brain development, including essential fatty acids, iron, calcium, and protein — all of which are difficult to meet in adequate amounts on this type of restrictive diet,” she told GoodHousekeeping.com.

The baby, who is now recovering in the hospital, was taken away from the parents after the hospital called social services to report the case. A children’s court will decide whether or not his grandparents should be given full custody. Reports say this is the fourth case of a child being hospitalized in Italy, where veganism is on the rise, due to a vegan diet in the last 18 months.

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Unlikely Trend: Modest Swimsuits Are In Demand

Posted on July 11, 2016

The trend toward more modest fashion coverage among the teen set is gaining momentum.

Recently, a 15-year old started a campaign on change.org pleading retailers to offer more modest fashions. And retailers are listening because both teens themselves and their parents are driving the market toward more modest options.

This change also applies to the swim suit industry with more labels now offering full coverage swim suits. They are in demand for several reasons:

As swim wear become more and more provocative, conservative parents want more options.
Many women are not comfortable having their body exposed in swimwear and prefer more material.
People of certain religions and sects like Muslim women and Orthodox Jews cannot have their body exposed in public.
Fair skinned people who sunburn easily and those with medical conditions that require limited sun exposure also need swimwear.

HydroChic is one such brand, founded by two women Sara Wolf and Daniella Teutsch who had challenge finding age-appropriate swimwear for pre-teens that’s fashionable but not skimpy. The New Rochelle, NY-based company offers more modest styling options for young girls, as well as missy & plus sized women. It also provides coverage, sun protection and chlorine resistance for young kids and ‘tweens’, as it does for the grown-up set.

“The vibrant, young swimwear line champions affordable fashion swimwear for the style-savvy girl who wants more coverage, either for greater sun protection, modesty or just personal taste,” co-founder Sara Wolf says.

The line has extra features including hidden zipper pockets and lightweight, fade resistant fabrics for young swimmers. Prices start at $78 for a two-piece set.

HydroChic is available at select stores throughout the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Israel, and online.

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Parenting

Having a Baby on a Budget Baby: A DIY Nursery Guide

Posted on July 11, 2016

If you have a baby on the way, chances are you’re looking forward to decorating the nursery. Decorating a nursery can be exciting time and important preparation process for both mom and dad. Unless you plan in advance and set a budget, furnishing the nursery can quickly become an expensive project. Using these tips, you can have a stylish and functional Nursery without spending a fortune, cast a glance over baby nursery ideas below and please leave your valuable feedback in the comment section below.

When you should decorate on a budget You may wish to decorate your Nursery with low funds for a variety of reasons but some of the most common ones are:

• Low on funds Being low on funds can quickly put a damper on your decorating process but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a nursery that is the Envy of the neighborhood

• Unexpected emergency bills Nothing is more stressful then an unexpected bill, except maybe when the emergency bill comes and you just found out the great news (you’re pregnant)!

• Buying brand new items can quickly wrack up quite the bill If you go out and purchase all the things you’ll need for a nursery plus some, you may spend the equivalent of a down payment for a brand new car.

The basic nursery setup Every Nursery should have these basics, and then some- but only if you can afford it. A well-equipped Nursery will have the following:

Crib We don’t recommend making your own crib specifically because crib manufacturers go through great lengths to ensure the safety of a crib. In addition to being a resting place for your, having a proper crib or sleeping arrangement for your child, can drastically lower the chances of your child succumbing to SIDS.
Mattress pad Mattress pads not only ensure that your infant will be comfortable and safe, it also saves you from having to do additional laundry for when the diaper leaks.
Sheets/fitted sheet Avoid purchasing a crib bedding set for your kiddo. Wait till they’re older (toddlers) when they can safely be trusted with a bedding set. Infants may roll over onto their stomach or suffocate with the extra bedding material. Play it safe and stick to a fitted sheet and maybe a crib skirting set.
Changing table Unless you enjoy bending over while trying to wrestle your child as you change his or her diaper, install a changing table as soon as possible. Not only will it make diaper changing easier, but it will also keep the supplies all in one central area so you no longer have to tear the house apart looking for the wipes.
Glider and ottoman-Rather than remove your child from the quietness of their own room, consider purchasing an ottoman and glider for those late-night feedings.
Diaper pail You don’t have to rush out and buy the Diaper Genie. Instead you can repurpose a cute trash can, or even make your own little diaper pail.
Mobile– Not only will a mobile provide entertainment for your growing child, it could also be handmade if you’re feeling crafty

Inspirational ideas Once you’ve acquired the basics for a well-equipped nursery you may want to look at creating your own furniture or nursery items using the following for inspiration:

Handmade rug A handmade rug can quickly inject personality into any room if you’re not sure the sex of your child just yet consider picking neutral colors

Nursery wall art– fabric squares and canvasses making your own wall art it’s as simple as picking up some fabric scraps at your local craft store and some canvases simply glue or so the fabric around the campuses and you have a cute but stylish wall decoration that didn’t cost a fortune

Storage boxes using recycled boxes and fabric material If you already have little ones running around chances are you have plenty of diaper boxes sitting around as well turn those diaper boxes into storage containers by wrapping them in burlap or a fabric of your choice you can add a ribbon 4 a bow for even more fun

Cute entertainment center as a clothes armoire Not all of us can afford a walk in closet filled with baby clothes but the next best thing is an armoire but you made personally by repurposing an entertainment center

photo: DIY

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Parenting

How to Help Children of Police Officers Cope During Turbulent Times

Posted on July 8, 2016

Children of police officers know all too well the danger their parent faces on a daily basis. Children see news reports and social media postings about officers killed in the line of duty. They also hear negative comments about police officers in the news, in school, or in public that can leave them confused and scared.

Children often feel disconnected from a significant part of their parent’s life because there are so many things about an officer’s day that he or she cannot and should not share with children or other family members. It is important for officers to address issues in the news and talk to their children about the job to help alleviate their fears.

It is also important to talk to kids about the reality of the work schedule. Officers often miss holidays and special occasions because of their jobs. In reality, officers sometimes go many days without seeing their children due to shift work and overtime hours. Children need to understand the work schedule so they know what to expect and understand when their parent cannot attend some of their events.

Managing Stress

As hard as officers work to protect their families from the horrors of their job, the stress that they feel can be sensed by their children. Children may not know the specifics of why their parent is stressed, but they see the concern in their face and hear it in their voice.

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Parenting

17 Tips For Talking To Children About Tragedy on TV

Posted on July 8, 2016

With recent tragedies in the news, many children, including those challenged with special needs, are exposed to trauma through the media and in conversations.

The Episcopal Center for Children (ECC), a nonprofit school serving children with special needs ages 5-14 in the Washington, DC area, offers some advice on how to talk with your child about tragedy.

“Children hear information from other children and from the activities around them. Your child will pick up information very quickly after a traumatic event happens,” said Dodd White, president and CEO of ECC. “It’s important for parents and guardians to set a tone of openness and support with their children, and to re-assure children that they are safe.”

Dodd and the staff at ECC offer the following tips and advice:

1. Use age appropriate language. Talk with your child about the tragedy in a way that is appropriate for his or her age. Elementary schoolers may have questions about their own safety and security. Older children may want more information about the cause of the tragedy or want to talk about how it could be prevented.

2. Share what is appropriate for your child. Be mindful about the personality of your child. Your child may be a 6-year-old who laughs at monsters in movies and can handle the truth about bad guys being a reality of life. Or your child may be a 10-year-old who cannot handle scary movies, and gets emotional when people are hurt. When answering your child’s questions about tragic news events, let the unique personality of your child be your guide.

3. Let your child know it is ok to talk to you about the tragedy. Spend time talking with your child. Let them know that they are welcome to ask questions and express their concerns and feelings. You might not know all the answers and it is OK to say that. At the same time, don’t push them to talk if they don’t want to. Let them know you are available when they are ready.

4. Be calm. Your child will look to you for cues about how to react. It’s OK for children to see adults sad or crying, but consider excusing yourself if you are experiencing intense emotions.

5. Reassure your child about his or her own safety. Point out factors that ensure your child’s immediate safety and the safety of the community. Review your family’s plans for responding to a crisis. Assure your child that he or she is safe and loved.

6. Limit media exposure. Constant exposure to coverage of a tragedy can heighten anxiety. Do not allow young children to repeatedly see or hear news coverage of a tragedy. Even if a young child is engrossed in play, he or she is likely aware of what you are watching on television – and can become confused or upset. Older children might want to learn more about a tragedy by reading or watching TV. However, avoid repetitive loops of news information once you have the facts.

7. Avoid placing blame. Be careful not to blame a cultural, racial or ethnic group, or people who have mental illnesses.

8. Maintain your family routines. Continue your family’s usual routines for waking up, dinnertime, and bedtime. The familiarity of these routines will help your child.

9. Promote self-care. Encourage your child to drink enough water, eat regularly, rest, and exercise. And follow this advice for yourself too!

10. Spend extra time together. Spend a little more time reading to your child. Take a few extra moments when tucking him or her in at night. If your child is having trouble sleeping, allow him or her to sleep with a light on or to sleep in your room for a short time. Extra hugs and cuddles are good too. All of these actions can improve your child’s sense of security.

11. Watch for signs of stress and anxiety in your child. Look for hyperactivity, irritability, regression, stomach aches/headaches, and separation anxiety. Take steps to relieve stress and anxiety.

12. Get physical. Exercise can relieve stress and help you and your child get a better perspective.

13. Pay close attention to your child if he or she has emotional problems, learning challenges, is going through major changes at home, or has experienced trauma in the past. Children can merge a new trauma and it can heighten their anxieties. If your child has suffered a loss, is facing special challenges, or been exposed to other trauma, he or she may be at greater risk of a severe reaction to a new tragic event. Watch your child closely for any changes in mood or behavior.

14. Do not dismiss or minimize your child’s feelings. Your child might worry that someone will come and hurt him or her. Rather than saying she’s being silly or that such things will never happen, help your child put things in perspective. Say how rare such things would be, and explain how unlikely they are. Address each concern. Point out that many children and parents out there have the same worries and we can instead focus on the definite “will happens” (fun things to do at home and at school and with friends and family) rather than on the very unlikely “might happens.”

15. Encourage the expression of feelings. Explain that it’s OK to be upset. Let your child write about or draw what he or she is feeling. Physical activity might serve as an outlet for feelings or frustration. If your child is acting out, explain that there are other ways of coping.

16. Do something for those affected by the tragedy. Focusing on what can be done to help others, can help children feel less anxious and more secure. Consider ways that you and your child can help victims and their families. You might take your child to your place of worship, light a memorial candle, or write thank-you notes to first responders.

17. Get help if needed. If your child is still exhibiting signs of anxiety after a week or two. Seek out a school counselor, therapist, a member of the clergy, or any other spiritual leader or mental health professional.

Tips adapted from the Mayo Clinic, SpecialNeeds.com, and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

About the Episcopal Center for Children

The Episcopal Center for Children (Center) is a nonprofit, nondenominational school and treatment program for children contending with emotional challenges from the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Accredited by the Joint Commission, the Center serves children who are 5-14 years old in grades K-8. The goal of the Center’s treatment, therapeutic milieu, and individualized special education program is to empower each child to function productively within his or

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Fourth of July: Life Saving Pool Safety Tips to Avoid Drowning

Posted on July 1, 2016

It’s July 4th weekend which means thousands of families will be heading to the beach and possibly their local pools for some splashing about and fun in the sun. Also, as the summer rolls on, it remains imperative for parents to be vigilante and alert to keep their children safe. Lifeguards have a tough job to watch all the people within their vision and may not be able to recognize when your child is in danger rights away. Also, some home owners also have pools and must be reminded of safety tips.

In 1987, Life Saver Pool Fence coined the phrase “layers of protection” to describe the most effective way to prevent drownings. Almost 30 years later, everyone (including the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance) recommends layers of protection.

Five key layers of protection are:

1. Parent supervision

Nothing beats parent supervision. Proactive parent supervision is your most important tool in drowning prevention. When using the pool, active supervision means sitting close to the pool with your full attention on the child/children — no reading, no texting, just watching the pool. At parties/events, we recommend designating a person as a Water Watcher (we offer lanyards and whistles to give to the person to denote them), and change shifts every 15 minutes. Most drownings occur, though, when the child was thought to be in the house, nowhere near the pool area. In 67% of fatal drowning cases, a parent was responsible for supervising the child. So, supervision can and does fail, and that’s why you need additional layers of protection.

2. High locks on all doors and windows.

Locks out of the reach of children should be installed, and used, on every door and window that leads to the pool area. Lots of drownings happen because a parent didn’t know that the child had figured out the door knob, so don’t rely on the door being shut. Also, close up and doggy/pet doors that access the pool. Lots of children who drown got to the pool via a doggy door.

3. Pool Safety Fence

Pool fencing is the only layer of protection that physically isolates the backyard from the pool. Fences should be at least 4′ tall and have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Mesh pool safety fence, like Life Saver Pool Fence, has proven to be an effective layer of protection for over 45 years. It’s very transparent, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to remove when entertaining only adults.

4. Alarms

Drowning is silent. Alarms break that silence. There are door/window alarms, alarms that sit in the pool, and our favorite, the Safety Turtle which is worn on the child. If the child falls into the pool, an alarm inside that house goes off.

5. Swimming Lessons

All children should receive swimming lessons as early as their parents and pediatricians feel comfortable. Swimming lessons can begin earlier than one might think, some organizations training even infants to roll over and float, and to swim to the edge of the pool in the event that they fall in.

5.5 CPR

And if all of the other layers of protection fail, parents should be trained in CPR. Knowledge of CPR can make the difference between life, permanent disability, and death.

Have fun and Stay safe! Here is an Infographic with more tips:

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8 Solo/Single Parenting Money Saving Tips

Posted on June 30, 2016

When you’re on your own and don’t have two steady income coming in, you’ll have to pinch your pennies and watch your pennies.

It doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and do some cool things. You’ve just got to be strategic and plan around limited resources.

Here are 8 solid and basic tips for single parents, courtesy of Larry Mathis, author of Mom Was Right.

1.Track your expenses – This is key! You need to know where your money is going. Carry a note pad with you and write down every expense and then categorize them, i.e. eating out, school lunches, groceries, gas, etc. Another option is to get receipt and then take a picture of the receipt rather than writing them down. Be sure to write down everything, even if its just a pack of gum!

Use grocery coupons. Then take your coupon savings and our the money in a savings account!

3. Get rid of cable TV!There’s nothing on anyway.

Shop at thrift stores, especially for clothes and furniture. You will be amazed at what some people will throw away! You can also find great deals three on dishes and other household items.
Take your lunch to work. It’s easy to spend $5 – $8 eating fast food. $5.00 is over $100 per two weeks.

6. Pay with cash rather than credit or debit cards. Cash is much harder to let go of.

7. Save you pocket change. At then end of the day put you loose change in a jar. At the end of every onto put it in a savings account.

8. Like to read? Libraries still provide free books! Use a libraries rather than paying for books!

Good luck, parents!

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Parenting

A Real Life Look at How Incarceration Impacts Parenting

Posted on June 29, 2016

There have been efforts in the last few years of the current administration to release people imprisoned for life for minor drug offenses. In recent times, more people are accepting that drug addiction is indeed a health crisis, despite the fact that drug addicts voluntarily enter the path that leads to their addiction. Irrespective of how they get here, many laws and policies are moving towards getting people clean and sober for the benefit of their children as well.

We see more empathy towards drug addicts.

Equally, people incarcerated for selling drugs for life too are deserving of second chances for the benefit of their children as well. This is true, especially when their crimes are non-violent and a life sentence is entirely too harsh a consequence for drug selling, many agree.

This excerpt from a column that senior White House official Valerie Jarrett penned in Medium provides a snapshot look into the life of one daughter who is missing the benefit of growing up with a father. Please Read:

In 1996, when Daryl Atkinson was 25 years old, he was sentenced to 10 years at a state prison for a first-time nonviolent drug offense. Daryl ended up serving 40 months due to good behavior, but for Daryl, those months were critical for building his relationship with his daughter — and he missed out on them completely.
“When I was sentenced, my daughter was just two years old. Where I was incarcerated, the setting where we would get to meet with visitors wasn’t at all conducive to building a parent-child relationship. The meeting room was cold and sterile, not at all fit for doing the things that fathers do with their babies, like playing with toys or reading to them.”
“And even when I was released, it took about a year for me to get back on my feet. I faced a number of consequences from my incarceration that set me back — including not being eligible for federal student aid. By the time I felt I had some stability, I had missed out on some key years in developing my relationship with my daughter.”
After being released, Daryl was determined to turn his life around. He obtained a degree in Political Science, and went on to obtain his law degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Daryl now serves as the Second Chance Fellow at the Department of Justice, where he specializes on reentry reform issues, including policies that help facilitate the parent-child relationship of currently and formerly incarcerated parents.
“The reality is that a parent’s incarceration has an incredible impact on the life outcomes for their child. Not only are children of incarcerated parents affected by the day-to-day issues that come from being more likely to live in an disadvantaged community with less access to resources but there’s also the potential for juvenile justice and delinquency issues that come from lacking strong parental bonds.”
Today, Daryl is a father of two daughters, and he never forgets what his second chance means for his daughters.
“I now have a daughter who’s 4 years old. Being at home with her every day gives me a chance to appreciate the experiences that I missed out on while I was incarcerated with my first daughter. It grounds me to think of the profound impact that my incarceration experience must have had on her. Her dad just wasn’t around. I think about that every day.”
There are 2.2 million people behind bars in America today — and more than 5 million children have a parent who is currently incarcerated or has been incarcerated in the past.
Mass incarceration doesn’t impact just the people behind bars — it has consequences for both families and communities.
A parent with a criminal record can face a tough time securing a job, putting strain on a family’s ability to provide basic necessities to children. The stress of incarceration on a family can have further negative impacts on children — and some studies have shown that children of parents who have been incarcerated are more likely to enter the criminal justice system themselves.
President Obama knows that supporting individuals who have paid their debt to society is good for families and it’s good for our economy.
This is why President Obama has worked to reduce the barriers that people with criminal records face when they reintegrate into society. He’s announced new grants to help returning citizens take advantage of their second chance through education, job training, housing, legal help, and children’s services. He’s taken action to “ban the box” so that applicants with criminal records can have a shot at the majority of federal jobs.
Following President Obama’s lead are a number of employers, educators, and advocacy groups across the country that have stepped up to highlight challenges that incarcerated parents and their families face. For example, Google recently launched the #LoveLetters effort, an awareness campaign that highlights the impacts on children of incarcerated parents. There are also efforts founded and run by children of incarcerated individuals such as POPS the Club and ScholarChips aimed at providing peer-to-peer support and resources.

We support these efforts wholeheartedly.

Irrespective of where one falls on the political spectrum, not too many can fault efforts to re-connect children with their dads. The evidence about the impact of paternal absenteeism is in and the outcome grim. Let’s support active parenting from all angles and all sources, shall we?

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