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8 Tips to help you survive the holidays

Posted on November 6, 2014

Don’t let the holidays get to you. Juggling shopping, cooking, family, guests, holiday parties and more can be draining and exhausting.

Barb Schmidt , author of THE PRACTICE: Simple Tools for Managing Stress, Finding Inner Peace and Uncovering Happiness and founder of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, offers these 8 tips to help you get through it.

1. Meditate. No matter how busy you are, spend 5 minutes first thing every morning sitting quietly with yourself, letting the thoughts in your mind come and go by focusing on the breath. This gives your mind a chance to find your heart. Then, when you enter into your day, you are connected within, ready to face the tasks of the day with your mind, body, and heart in alignment. You are complete.

2. Practice Focused Attention. Throughout the day, focus your attention and be in the moment. When your mind starts to wander to the past or future, bring it back to the moment—to your intention to experience the spirit of the season. The holidays are here to remind us to honor, be present, and celebrate who we are as individuals, as families, and as part of our communities. So remember: when your head starts spinning and your heart starts racing, gently bring your attention back to the spirit of this beautiful holiday season.

3. Be Mindful. Getting the house ready for guests might sound like a chore, but when you approach it as a mindful activity, it can be just as rewarding as when your guests come through your door. As you clean, cook, decorate, and make other preparations, focus on the selfless generosity of your actions and the wonderful opportunity you have to care for your home, yourself, and those you love.

4. Express Gratitude. If you get overwhelmed by the thought of finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, remember that your presence is much more valuable than the presents you give. Create a thoughtful list of those you purchase gifts for and jot down a few notes about how each person on your list has touched your life in a positive way. Then, along with whatever gift you give, include a note expressing your gratitude for his or her special place in your heart.

5. Find the Humor. Shakespeare said all the world’s a stage, so keep this in mind as you get in full swing with the hustle and bustle of the season. Seek out opportunities to be entertained by your fellow players on whatever stage you are on: whether in the grocery store, in long lines at the mall, following services, at the dinner table, or at the office party. Seize opportunities to laugh with others and imbue your experiences with a delightful sense of levity. Really lighten up!

6. Look for the Middle Ground. When some families get together, even for joyful occasions, disagreements have a tendency to erupt. Anticipating unrest can certainly be a big producer of stressful feelings! If this describes your family, set the intention to remain neutral at the family gathering and keep your “buttons” in the off position. While this might feel like a tall order, know that a daily meditation practice can help you accomplish this.

7. Focus on Abundance. Especially around holiday time, it might feel like you are squeezing the very last cent out of your budget. Aside from taking actual steps to balance your budget, worrying about your finances at the expense of your peace of mind will not bring you into an easy, joyful mood, and honestly will not help your finances. Worry never helps! When you find yourself stressing over your expenses, refocus your attention instead on what is abundant in your life, such as the love of family and friends, the comforts of home, enough food to eat, and whatever else makes your life possible.

8. Let Go of Expectations. We often think that if we do and prepare everything just so, the celebratory gatherings will go according to our expectations. But let’s revisit Shakespeare here for a moment. He said, “Expectation is the root of all heartache.” And how right he is! If anything goes wrong when our expectations are high, we can be negatively affected. So the lesson here is to approach the upcoming days without expectations. While you may still prefer things go your way, this slight change in vocabulary can be the difference between a humorous chuckle and tears.

Godspeed!

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Election Day: Why you should take your kid to the polls

Posted on November 4, 2014

Today is midterm elections in the United States.

All eligible and registered voters should vote and parents should, if feasible, take their kids along to the ballot box.

Many schools are off today as their buildings are used as polling places so there is nothing stopping you from schlepping them along if you are off too.

It sends a signal to your offsprings the importance of civic participation.

It also let’s them know the power of democracy and of exercising approval or disapproval of the way your city, town, village, state or country is run.

Let them wear your “I Voted” sticker to school the next day. It could spark a conversation with their teacher or other kids about the process. They can share what it was like to go vote.

Let your child be an advocate for being a good civic citizen and ambassador for democracy.

All of it helps them realize the world and their place in it is larger than the personal issues they deal with at home and at school.

It’s all a part of growing good and conscientious children.

Go vote and take your babies!!

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Parents donate and sell back excess Halloween candy for the Troops

Posted on November 4, 2014

Each year, Americans spend an estimated $2.5 billion dollars on Halloween treats and every year, some parents who do not allow their kids to eat too much candy end up saving their stash for months.

An alternative to storing the candy until it comes too stale then throwing it all away is to donate some of it to the Halloween Candy Buy back program. The program was founded by dentist Chris Kammer in Wisconsin. Kammer’s office.

He used to offer $1 a pound to buy back candy collected by the young trick-or-treaters in his practice. Kammer would then donate the candy to the troops overseas who rarely get a chance to get their hands on sweet treats from back home.

The effort has expanded and this year, over 2,500 dentists and orthodontists have signed up to participate.

To find a local place to sell back your candy, simply plug in your zip code and find the local participating dentist nearby.

The collected candy get added to Operation Gratitude care packages.

Good stuff! Sad kids but sad less hyperactive kids with less cavities!

Find a local participating dentist or orthodontist office HERE!

h/t NPR

photo: courtesy NPR, Dr. Curtis Chan of Del Mar, Cali

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Study: Babies respond more to moms than dads, but you can fix that dads

Posted on November 3, 2014

New research indicates that babies learn language more from their moms than their dads, and that moms react and respond more to a baby’s cues than dads.

A report in the journal Pediatrics analyzed a group of 33 babies monitored with a small recording device called LENA attached to a vest researchers wore on them just after they were born, while in the hospital and again at 44 weeks and 7-months old. With over 3,000 hours of recordings, the researchers found that “when babies made sounds, moms were more likely to respond to them verbally than fathers were — “Oooo, sweetie pie, you’re talking this morning, ” Time summarized.

The report also discovered that mothers responded 88% to 94% of the time to the babies vocalizations, while dads responded only 27% to 33% of the time.

As a result, and perhaps because the babies were used to hearing their mom talk to them more, both boys and girls were also more likely to respond to their mothers’ or female voices than they were to male voices.

Dang dads, even strange random women beat your voice!

But you dads can change all that, the study suggest, by simply talking to your babies more and perhaps doing so in a higher pitched sing song-y way that moms do and pairing your talking with eye contacts as moms tend to do.

Give it a try and report back, kay?

Good luck!

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10 Apps to Keep your Kid busy in a pinch

Posted on November 2, 2014

While Apple’s powerful iPhone device is so popular that it’s almost ubiquitous, it’s still a bit on the pricey side for most parents to present as a gift to their children. However, the vast number of kid-friendly apps that are available in the App Store can come in quite handy when you’re in the checkout line or in a waiting room. For parents that own iPhone devices and are amenable to the idea of letting their children play with them from time to time may find that these apps compiled by National Nannies are perfect for keeping their little ones entertained.

Speech with Milo: Interactive Storybook – In addition to being a fun and entertaining interactive storybook, the $1.00 Speech With Milo app is also an effective speech therapy tool created by a licensed speech-language pathologist. If your child needs a bit of help in the language department, this app may be just what you’re looking for.
Peek-a-Zoo – by Duck Duck Moose – This $0.99 app was selected by Apple as a New & Noteworthy App, and reached the number-one spot on the Top Paid Book App list. Peek-a-Zoo focuses on social and emotional cues, helping kids learn to recognize not only animals by name, but also emotions, actions and activities.
Toca Hair Salon 2 – Toca Boca is a celebrated name in children’s apps, providing some of the best and brightest iPhone programming for the smaller set. Kids can operate their own hair salon with Toca Hair Salon, coloring, cutting and styling the characters’ hair however they like. There are also plenty of accessories like glasses and hats to further decorate their virtual clients!
Cars in Sandbox: Construction – There’s something about construction vehicles that seems to fascinate most little ones. This $2.99 app capitalizes on that adoration, allowing kids to explore and learn about heavy machinery through top-notch animations, video and sound effects. Kids learn what each vehicle is used for and how each helps to build the world we live in, all while developing fine motor skills and gaining a sense of accomplishment from the gold star awards at the end of each round.
Dot Collector – Great for infants and young toddlers, this $0.99 app is easy to understand and engaging, helping kids develop their fine motor skills while learning color recognition. Kids simply tap dots and drag them to a hole, where they disappear and are replaced by more dots. Straightforward and engaging, this app is one of a relatively small number that cater to kids so young.
Pepi Bath – This is a $1.99 role-playing game that helps kids learn about hygiene and self-care while they guide Pepi through a clean-up routine. You can select Pepi’s gender at the beginning of each game, play with sprayers and toys or simply pop bubbles, making this app versatile and engaging.
Feel Electric! – Recommended as a 2012 Parents’ Choice and hosted by members of the Electric Company cast, this free app includes three vocabulary-based games, a glossary of 50 emotions and 10 story makers to help kids accurately communicate and explore what they’re feeling.
Lumi’s Book of Eyes – Written by an ophthalmologist, the $0.99 Lumi’s Book of Eyes app is an interactive storybook following Lumi as he travels the world and learns about how eyes work along the way. Recommended for kids’ ages four and up, Lumi’s Book of Eyes can also be a great conversation-starter before your child’s first eye exam or before getting glasses.
Toca Kitchen – A Gold Winner of the 2012 Parents’ Choice Awards, this $1.99 app was developed by the renowned Toca Boca game studio. Kids can pick any ingredient they like and prepare it to their own specifications, without rigid rules or boundaries. Toca Boca games don’t have high scores or time limits, allowing kids to play them however they want.
Helicopter Taxi – Winner of the Children’s Technology Review – Editor’s Choice Award, Helicopter Taxi lets kids fly their very own helicopter from the safety of the ground. The app even uses your iPhone’s camera to create an ultra-realistic and exciting experience for kids.

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13 Creative Halloween 2014 Baby Costumes

Posted on November 1, 2014

Baked Potato Costume – @katelin_cruse

This Halloween, a lot of people took off on the baby dressed as a Subway sub and dressed their babies as an assortment of wraps including Chipotle Burritos, wrap sandwhiches and baked potatoes like above.

Here are the 13 of the most creative baby and toddler costumes we spotted in social media from Halloween 2014

Baby Burrito – @TazSAngels_

Chipotle Burrito

Baby Lightening Bug – @meghannbuchannan

Edward Scissorhands – @roughlovn

Pera the Jack Skelington – @roughlovn

Another Pera the Jack Skelington – @dtamdogan

Baby Duck Dynasty – @Katelin_Cruse

Baby “Fear and Loathing in Vegas” character – @Katelin_Cruse

Ruth Baby Ginsburg – Buzzfeed

Willy Wonka Oompa Loompa – @mommababy99

A Baby Turning Up

A Screen Saver

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3 safety & security tips for moms

Posted on October 25, 2014

With all the recent stories of abductions, women, including moms, need to read up on ways to stay safe and secure when out and about.

Self-defense expert Jarrett Arthur offers these three tips for mothers who are particularly susceptible to be victims of crimes because they’re always distracted.

1) Be aware of your surroundings and limit distractions. Generally speaking, violent criminals look for easy targets. When walking from point A to point B, being on your phone, listening to music with your earphones, sending texts or emails, rummaging through your purse or bag, or simply not being present in the moment (read: thinking about that incident at work, or your ever growing to do list) signals to a bad guy that you might be an ideal victim.

2) Reduce the time it takes you to transition into/out of cars and homes. The entering or exiting of vehicles, buildings, and homes is often one of the prime times a violent criminal looks to make a move. Pay extra attention to your surroundings (including behind you) and potential hiding places, close and lock doors immediately, and limit the time it takes you to fully get in or get out of your home or car. Sitting in your car with the driver side door open while you gather or organize your belongings is aparticularly dangerous habit to engage in.

3) Use verbal and body language boundary setting if you’re being threatened. You might not have the option to use verbal and body language boundary setting techniques to deescalate a potentially dangerous encounter, but if the incident hasn’t immediately started with a physical assault you could have the opportunity to establish your boundaries using a tall, confident body posture, eye contact, keeping your hand up in front of you in a “stop” signal, and in a clear, loud voice state the actions you want this person to follow, “Stop! Back up! Don’t come closer!”

Good luck and stay safe!

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Why ‘Walmart Moms’ don’t care about politics

Posted on October 23, 2014

America is in the “crapper”, according to a woman who was part of a recent focus group to gauge how so-called “Walmart moms” are feeling in the run-up to the midterm elections.

Held in Charlotte and in New Orleans on Monday, the focus groups revealed women who are fed-up, afraid (of Ebola more than the Islamic State) and detached.

They are almost numb to the news because “too much is going on.”

And, rather than follow it all like we political reporters do (and often think voters do too), these women have largely tuned out.

At least one mom prefers to watch “Doc McStuffins” — she’s a Disney character who fixes broken toys in her playhouse clinic — with her kids. (Editor’s note: The Fix family loves some “Doc McStuffins”.)

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How to encourage your child to learn a second language

Posted on October 23, 2014

Guest post

Children in high-achieving countries around the world spend an average of 200 days in the classroom each year. In the U.S., the average is 180. And while time at school isn’t the only factor at play here, it undoubtedly has a role.

The good news is that as parents, we easily make up for that lost time and help our children be more academically competitive – not by taking weeks off of work, but by encouraging our kids to learn in fun 15-minute intervals. Best of all, those snippets of learning can take place during what we normally consider as “wasted time” – in line at a store, in the car, or waiting for a sibling’s soccer practice to end – those times when boredom and whininghave a way of putting everyone on edge.

With the digital devices we carry with us all the time, we can provide our kids with hours and even days of extra learning and skill-building. Researchers on mobile learning have found that small increments of academic practice or game-playing is beneficial to students by ensuring that “only a few points are made at a time. This leads to enhanced retention, probably as a result of minimizing cognitive overload.”

To encourage our own kids to take advantage of lost time, we instituted the following deal: “15 for 30 up to two.” If they read or play an educational game for 15 minutes, they can earn 30 minutes of their favorite electronics up to a maximum of two hours a day. “Despite their repute as mind-numbing toys, digital games have been shown to help children gain content and vital 21st century skills, from literacy to complex problem solving.

Educational digital games offer a promising and untapped opportunity to leverage children’s enthusiasm and help transform teaching and learning in America.” Fifteen minutes worked well to get them in the habit of filling lost time with productive play.

To get ideas for what would be most valuable, we talked with our kids’ teachers to find out what they were studying in the classroom that year and then searched for tools, apps, and games that reinforced those concepts. For example, when my son had to learn the U.S. states and their capitals, we found an app that not only helped him memorize the information, but also showed the shape of the state and where it was located so he learned a little geography.

Younger children learning Spanish and working on their reading skills can subscribe to the Wonderful World of Maggie McNair to have six to nine pages pushed to their parents phone a couple of times a week. These humorous bilingual stories not only teach a second language, but also help kids learn good habits and fun science facts.

With mobile learning tools in your pocket you never have to worry about leaving the book at home. When done well, kids get so engaged with the games and devices that they easily go beyond the 15-minute challenge, making it easy for you to help them achieve another 20 days of learning in a year.

Cindy Davis is chief marketing officer for Muuzii, a pioneer in real-time language translation technology and services. www.muuzii.com

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10 alternatives to use when you run out of diapers in public

Posted on October 22, 2014

It’s happened to me once during an overseas flight with baby: we ran out of diapers and the airline didn’t have any spare. Yikes. We had to improvise and it worked until the flight landed.

Here are 10 alternatives to a diaper that mom and dad or caregiver can resort to in the rare but common chance that they’d be without a diaper in public.

Listed below are ten alternatives to baby diapers in a pinch.

Here are 10 alternatives to a diaper that mom and dad or caregiver can resort to in the rare but common chance that they’d be without a diaper in public.

Listed below are ten alternatives to baby diapers in a pinch.

Burp Rag

I’ve used cloth diapers as burp rags, so why not the other way around? Usually they are thick and will do the trick for a short amount of time at least. If you usually use cloth diapers and have a liner, then it should work a little better.

Wipes

If you have the kind of wipes that need to be wetted prior to use or if you have any wipes that have dried out, they can be used in a pinch while you pick up some more. I would not advise using wipes that are wet, as this could cause a rash.

Receiving Blanket

I wouldn’t suggest using your favorite one, just in case, but if you are out and about and have no other options then this will work. Most people have a receiving blanket in their diaper bag for infants, and it is large enough that you can fold it a few times for added layers or tie it around them.

Maxi Pad.

This may be a little embarrassing if others see you use one; however, it is also very effective. Maxi pads are made to be absorbent and can hold enough to give you the time needed to get some real diapers. Make sure you have it secured into a diaper bottom or onesie, so it doesn’t slip.

Cheese Cloth

I would recommend folding this one as many times as you can and place it in a diaper bottom or onesie, the same as you would for a maxi pad. Since cheese cloth is made to have liquid wrung through it, you want to make sure you have as many layers as possible, and don’t rely on it lasting a long time.

Dishtowel

Again, I wouldn’t use your favorite one, but at least this one will be more absorbent and may buy you some additional time.

Wash Cloth

Depending on the size of your washcloths, you may want to use more than one, and either fold them or wrap them around and tie at the waist.

Pillow Case

Go for cotton and not silk or satin for best results. Bunch it together and tie or pin it up like a cloth diaper.

Napkins

I would suggest cloth, and not paper, but again stay away from your favorites. You can couple a few together for added protection and pin up the same as a cloth diaper.

Paper Towels

Notice the plural on towels as one will not cut it. I would use about four or five and fold up to insert the same as the maxi pad listed above.

Good luck!

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parenting advice

I’ve used cloth diapers as burp rags, so why not the other way around? Usually they are thick and will do the trick for a short amount of time at least. If you usually use cloth diapers and have a liner, then it should work a little better.

If you have the kind of wipes that need to be wetted prior to use or if you have any wipes that have dried out, they can be used in a pinch while you pick up some more. I would not advise using wipes that are wet, as this could cause a rash.

Maxi Pad.

This may be a little embarrassing if others see you use one; however, it is also very effective. Maxi pads are made to be absorbent and can hold enough to give you the time needed to get some real diapers. Make sure you have it secured into a diaper bottom or onesie, so it doesn’t slip.

Again, I wouldn’t use your favorite one, but at least this one will be more absorbent and may buy you some additional time.

Depending on the size of your washcloths, you may want to use more than one, and either fold them or wrap them around and tie at the waist.

Go for cotton and not silk or satin for best results. Bunch it together and tie or pin it up like a cloth diaper.

I would suggest cloth, and not paper, but again stay away from your favorites. You can couple a few together for added protection and pin up the same as a cloth diaper.

Notice the plural on towels as one will not cut it. I would use about four or five and fold up to insert the same as the maxi pad listed above.

Good luck!