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parenting advice

Cinco de Mayo: 10 websites with party decoration and recipe ideas

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It’s that time again! Cinco de Mayo is around the corner and many in the US and worldwide have adopted this Mexican liberation holiday as an excuse to get together with friends and nosh on Mexican drinks and dishes at Cinco de Mayo parties and casual get-togethers. Hey! Any excuse for a margarita! Even if you are preggers and have to settle for a virgin one.
Here are 10 websites with Cinco de Mayo recipes and party ideas if you are thinking of hosting something this year or have already been planning a gathering and need additional inspiration and ideas.

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Youth Sports Safety Month: 6 Kids’ Sports Safety Tips

April is Youth Sports Safety Month. Sports can have a tremendously positive impact on kids’

lives.  A positive experience in sports

can benefit a child not only physically, but socially and emotionally.  Sadly our current youth sports system is

leading to a number of preventable injuries. 

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 3.5 million children under 14

receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year.  When it comes to high school athletes, they

are clocking in 2 million injuries a year.
Keep your young athlete safe, healthy and happy with these top six youth sports safety tips tips from the experts at personal coaching company, CoachUp
1. Health, Sleep and Nutrition.  Set your child up for a long, healthy career

in sports by making sure they are eating a balanced diet and are sleeping

regularly.  Always have your child’s

annual physical up-to-date and be diligent with following up on their doctor’s

orders, especially for children with conditions like diabetes.  Never hesitate to bring your child to their

doctor if they are experience pain or feeling ill.
2. Concussion and TBI Awareness.  Make sure both you and your athlete are aware

of the symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, as well as, the long term impacts

of such an injury.  When in doubt, refer

to the guidelines outlined by the CDC and remember to bring your child to a

medical professional immediately if you suspect your child might have sustained

a TBI.
3. Hydration and Heat Related Illness Awareness. Your child

should always be properly hydrated before participating in any physical

activity. Especially if your child’s sport is rigorous or performed in elevated

temperatures, both you and your athlete should be aware of the symptoms of heat

related illnesses such heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
4. Strength, Conditioning and Flexibility Programs.  Particularly for middle to high school

athletes, a well-rounded training program is vital for preventing common

overuse injuries. Your athlete should be diligent about following the strength

and conditioning, and flexibility programs their coach prescribes. Your athlete

might need some extra support with regard accommodations for existing

conditions or injuries or just reviewing proper form, so consider enlisting the

help for a private to work more closely with your child.
5. Sports Performance Stress Management.  As your athlete begins to compete they will

become introduced to the stresses of sports performance.  You can help your athlete by making your home

a stress-free environment and offering your emotional support.  If you think your child is becoming unhealthy

stressed, address the problem with their coach to determine the next best steps

to reduce their anxiety.
6. Rest. Never underestimate the power of rest, whether

that  is a nap, a day off from practice

or a short term break from the sport. Burnout is a very common problem with

young athletes so it  is important to

foster a nurturing relationship with your athlete so they feel comfortable

approaching you if they need a break.

Following these tips will help ensure that your athlete will

have a long-lasting career and positive experience in sports for years to come.

6 ways to budget for having children

There’s an old adage that says if you wait to have children until you can afford them, you’ll never have them. While it’s true that raising kids in today’s world costs a pretty penny, it’s also true that making some budget cuts and reallocating funds can make it possible to survive without breaking the bank. If you’re thinking about making your first addition to the family or have recently learned about a surprise bundle of joy, here are a few tips that can help you save money on the earliest baby expenses.

1. Take Your Income Changes into Consideration
Before you can make a budget for your household that includes room for a new addition, you’ll have to figure out exactly what you’re working with as far as money goes. If one parent will be staying home after the birth of a child, Mom will be losing a bit of her earning power during maternity leave or someone will be taking on a second job, you’ll need to factor those things into your new budget. The first step to making your new budget baby-friendly is to determine where you stand and how the changes that a baby will bring to your lifestyle will affect your income after she’s born.
2. Consider the Basics
You can’t leave the hospital with your new baby unless you have a suitable car seat installed, and you can’t keep her warm if you don’t have clothes. You may be surprised to realize just how many of the other “must-have” baby items can wait for a while, or even be skipped altogether. When every penny counts, you may find that it’s more cost-effective and convenient to keep Baby in her own bassinet in the master bedroom for a few months before springing for an expensive, full-sized crib. Opting for cloth diapers over those of the disposable variety may also save you a bit of money in the long run, especially if you wash them yourself rather than sending them out to a diaper service. Formula can be expensive, but breastfeeding is essentially free. Look at all of the “essential” basics with a critical eye, determining what can be safely purchased more frugally.
3. Work Out a Childcare Plan
In some cases, forgoing daycare in favor of having one parent stay home with a new baby can be less damaging to the family budget than having two working parents. Other times, a private nanny is more cost-effective than center-based care. In order to determine what the best course of action is for your family so that you can budget accordingly, you’ll need to take a critical look at your finances and the costs of each option.


4. Explore Your Health Insurance Options
According to CostHelper.com, a birth in a hospital setting can cost the average uninsured family between $5,000 and $20,000. One of the most important steps that a couple considering the addition of their first baby to the family can take is the acquisition of quality healthcare coverage. If you’re still in the family planning stages, it’s wise to start shopping for the best coverage now.


5. Remember the Unseen Expenses
You know that you’ll need diapers, clothes and plenty of gear to navigate modern parenthood, but you may not be taking the less obvious expenses into consideration. Obtaining or increasing the pay-out levels of parental life insurance policies and the legal expenses associated with estate planning and will creation can be expenses that add up quickly, too.
6. Eliminate Non-Essential Spending
Cash-strapped young couples that are starting their family may be surprised by how much money they can save by cutting out the non-essential spending on small items each day. Try dropping an expensive coffee habit, packing a lunch instead of buying it and dropping some little luxury items from the monthly budget. Those “little things” can add up in a big way over time and can help you save up more money for the expansion of your family.
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Mother’s Day: 24 Websites with DIY Gift Ideas for Mom

Mother’s Day is around the corner. If you are thinking of ideas including some DIY and homemade gift ideas, you might want to check out one of these 24 sites via AuPairJobs.com for suggestions. Good luck!


Wearable Art
Mom would be proud to

wear a butterfly ring that her child made her or maybe a funky necklace with

interchangeable felt roses to match every outfit.  Grab the kids and a few

craft supplies and make some wearable art for mom.  Your daughter may want

to make one for herself too so that she can match her mom.  These six blog

posts will show you how to do these and more.
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DEMO! 3D Fabric Butterfly Ring
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Recycled Scraps
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Interchangeable Felt Necklace
Eco-Friendly
Is mom into being green

and recycling?  Maybe you should create an eco-friendly Mother’s Day

present for her?  How about stopping by the thrift store and picking up a

candle stick and an old plate to make her a pedestal cake stand?  Grab the

spray paint and give it a good coat of mom’s favorite color and you are home

free.  Maybe that project is a little too involved; you could always

create a room air freshener using stuff you already have around the

house.  Find instructions for these and other eco-friendly gift ideas in

these six blog articles.
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Repurposed Candlesticks
·        

Wheel of

Affection
·        

Plantable Seeded Paper Flowers
No Crafting Involved
Some dads aren’t that

crafty and that is okay.  You can still help your child come up with a

heartfelt gift for mom.  Print out some Mother’s Day coupons using free

printables or a geometric word art piece with words to describe mom put into a

frame.  These ideas still make gifts that mom will be excited to receive

and you didn’t even have to break out the glue.  Take a look at these six

blogs for more, non-crafty gift ideas.
·        

15 Dessert Recipes in a Jar
Homemade with Love
Most kids love to craft

so it’s a no brainer to let them make something for mom for Mother’s Day. 

Check out these six blog entries for simple crafting ideas that kids can do

with a little help from dad or other adult.  Make a photo collage for mom

using pictures of the kids.  Moms love to look at pictures of their

babies.  No matter how big or small the gift is mom will love it because

the kids made it especially for her.

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10 Easter Activities and Projects

Easter brings images of bunnies, jelly beans, crosses and spring to mind! Most families do the traditional Easter basket, egg hunt and church routine, but this Easter shake things up a bit by thinking outside of the box and incorporating a few more meaningful activities into your Easter traditions.
  1.     Natural egg dyes – Did you know that you can dye your eggs without chemicals? Annie’s Eats provides a list of different colors that you can easily create at home by using food to provide the color. You can find recipes for grey-blue, blue, yellow, pink and lavender.
  2.     Egg dying techniques – Why not make egg dying an artistic process? Spoonful has various techniques to use for your egg dying experience, including using tin foil, string, bubble wrap, thumbprints and tissue paper.
  3.     Easter egg hunts – Egg hunts are a traditional Easter activity for most Christian families. A lot of towns or churches will host an egg hunt, but if they don’t you should consider arranging one for your neighborhood or family! You can use real eggs (make sure they are hard-boiled first!) or use plastic eggs filled with various items, such as money, candy or other small trinkets.
  4.     Tissue paper egg art – Egg art is an easy way to decorate your house for Easter. This simple project requires some poster board, tissue paper, a pencil and a bit of glue. Have your child cut out an egg shape from poster board, draw a design on the egg with pencil, and then, using small squares of tissue paper, the eraser end of the pencil and a bit of glue, fill in the spaces with the tissue paper to create your Easter egg!
  5.     Stained glass crosses – You can easily create a stained glass cross to hang in your window with your child using tissue paper and clear contact paper. Cut the tissue paper into small shapes (have your child help, if it’s age appropriate) and cut out a sheet of contact paper. Draw a cross on the non-sticky side of the contact paper, remove the paper, and have your child fill in the cross with the tissue paper shapes. Once they are done, place another sheet of contact paper over the tissue paper and then cut inside the lines of the cross you drew on the first sheet of contact paper. Hang your creation in the window for the entire family to enjoy!
  6.     The jelly bean story – The jelly bean story is a great way to represent what Jesus gave his people and why Easter is celebrated. There is a short story to print out to go along with the project and each jelly bean color represents different things, such as the sun, grace or sorrow.
  7.     Envelope bunnies – Envelope bunnies are a great way to welcome guests to your home during the Easter season. Have your children help create them and then fill them with treats!
  8.     Egg chickens – Egg chickens are a cute way to spruce up a hard-boiled egg for a centerpiece at your table! You can create other animals too, so let your imaginations go wild!
  9.     Egg relay races – If you live in a climate that makes it possible to head outside on Easter day, consider doing some active outdoor activities with the kids. Who doesn’t love an egg relay race? You can place the eggs (hard-boiled!) on spoons and run with them (if they fall, you have to stop and pick it up). You can also pass off the egg to each other or pass the eggs down the line using only your elbows! The possibilities are endless, and the entire family can get involved!
  10.     Egg bocce ball – Use your leftover hard-boiled eggs to play a game of egg bocce ball. You’ll need one white egg (the pallino) and each player will need two of the same colors of eggs to play. Roll the pallino in the grass and have players take turns trying to roll their eggs as close to the pallino as possible. The closest egg wins!

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5 Tips to Keep Kids Brushing Daily

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease.
While many parents are aware that proper and frequent brushing is one of the most important steps in protecting their tot’s pearly whites, getting kids into the bathroom to brush – without kicking and screaming – can sometimes be a challenge.
The makers of Coral Kids Toothpaste, a fluoride-free formula made with EcoSafe™ ionic calcium from above-sea coral, knows that yummy toothpaste may not be the only trick parents need up their sleeves to sustain little ones’ interest in clean teeth. The makers share some of its favorite tips for getting kids keen on the teeth brushing routine: 
1.       Pick the perfect toothbrush. Take your little one shopping to select a special toothbrush. Favorite animated characters, spinning heads and flashing lights are just some of the enticing possibilities that may pique their interest. Letting them choose will boost their “big kid” confidence and make them more vested in brushing.
2.       Offer toothpaste that tastes like a treat. Appeal to small senses with a healthy toothpaste that tastes extra special, like Coral Kids’ in Xylitol-sweetened, safe-to-swallow berry bubblegum. But beware bells and whistles created with harmful chemicals, such as artificial colors and sweeteners, which may entice but can also lead to serious health concerns.
3.       Bring fun into the bathroom. Brushing should be taken seriously, but it doesn’t have to be serious. Encourage kids to make big, circular brush strokes like train wheels; create as many “mouth bubbles” as they can; or pretend they need to clean their “big dinosaur teeth.” When brushing is playful, there’s less pressure.
4.       Find a kid-friendly dentist. Make first trips to the dentist fun by choosing a provider who caters to children with music, puppets, toys and more. If the experience is positive, they’ll be more prone to want to impress the dentist (and possibly get a special treat) with their good at-home brushing habits.
5.       Set a good example. Show your kids that brushing is an easy, everyday routine by modeling frequent and scheduled brushings, such as right after breakfast, before bed or following a sweet treat. It can even be a family affair! When little ones see brushing as a simple daily habit instead of a chore, there will be less protest.

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Top 12 Family Vacation Attractions and Destinations

If you’re planning for Spring or Summer vacation, consider one of the top twelve vacation attractions that are part of Family Fun magazine’s Travel Awards.  In a survey of over 2,000 respondents in four regions of the US – West, Midwest, South and Northeast, a few spots stood out among of the over 400 in six categories. 
Among the top destinations by Type (Family Museums, Historic Sites, Kid-Friendly Cities, National Parks and Preservations, Zoos and Aquariums, Theme Parks) were:
  
1.     Magic Kingdom Park, Orlando, FL

2.     Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL

3.     Orlando, FL

4.     The Strong, Rochester, NY

5.     Mount Rushmore National Memorial, SD

6.     Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC & TN

7.     Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, NE

8.     Toledo Zoo, Toledo, OH

9.     Yellowstone National Park, WY, MT, & ID

10.  National Mall & Memorial Parks, Washington, DC

11.  San Antonio, TX

12.  Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL

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How one parent used her kid’s superhero to prevent bullying

guest post by Danita Dawson
As a parent in the age of video games, You Tube, and cyberbullying, I often wonder, almost to the point of obsession, about ways to impact my child’s development.  I believe that superior parenting has always included a touch of creativity but with Generation X, Y, Z (or whatever they’re calling the current generation nowadays), creativity is the cornerstone of even remedial parenting.  
To reach your children on the most basic of issues requires ingenuity, but it almost takes pure wizardry when it comes to lofty, esoteric issues like character, empathy and spirituality. Until Oprah comes up with Super Sick Sunday for kids, we as parents need to find ways to encourage soulful growth within our children. I have found such a tactic. 
I have developed a very close relationship with the superheroes in my son’s life.  By getting to know the ones he relates to the most, I am able to use their personas to teach him life lessons.   
When my son was younger, he didn’t fit in.  He generally was gentle and compassionate which probably came off as soft to other boys his age, and it didn’t help that he wasn’t into sports when most of the boys around our neighborhood were. Sometimes, he was bullied or just felt left out.  Things got even worse once he starting middle school.  He often begged me to drive him to school because of the school-bus fighting he often witnessed. 
However, one day he did a rap about his favorite element for a science project.  Once he performed it for the class and half the school, he became Mr. Popularity overnight. All of a sudden he was a 6th grader that 8th graders wanted to know.
Now, needless to say, I was concerned when he didn’t fit in and was getting bullied, but I became even more concerned now that he had become Mr. Popularity.  I didn’t want him to turn into the child that bullied less popular children, or teased them and made them feel left out like others often had done him. 
Therefore, I turned to his favorite superhero, Spiderman, for help. 
It wasn’t enough to make sure he didn’t abuse others. I wanted to teach him to discourage others from doing so as well, now that he had this newfound popularity.  So, I borrowed Spiderman’s motto, “With great power comes great responsibility”.      I used this to teach him that as one of the popular kids (that used to be bullied) he had the responsibility to encourage kids to treat others well.  
Usually when teaching my son, I never really know if he’s quietly listening to me or quietly ignoring me, and this time was no different since I got no immediate response.  I even forgot we had this talk until the day he told me that on the way home a school-bus fight broke out and he stopped it.  
Instead of cheering it on or taking pictures like many children in today’s media-crazed world, he got between the two boys and stopped them from fighting.  I was astounded!
Just a few months before he was cowering; now he was intervening.  

After that, I knew that at least in part, I had Spiderman to thank because while I’ll admit my son was naturally a peacekeeper before this incident, Spiderman helped that part of his nature flourish in what seemed to be overnight.
Since then superheroes have become one of my best teaching tools.  It has even helped me have a new outlook on issues.  Once, my son and I were having a conversation about one of his other favorites, Batman.  
He was trying to get me to understand the reason that Batman wasn’t as nice as the other superheroes and didn’t always get along with them.  He empathetically explained that, “Batman was messed up because he saw his parents die in front of him and he never got over it”. 
I was so touched by this gentle and forgiving view of my eleven-year-old son that I decided to use it to remind myself along with him that when difficult people come into our lives such as bullies or mean coworkers, we should view them in the same non-judgmental way he views Batman, by looking beyond their actions and trying to understand their pain, and it actually works.
So, get to know the superheroes in your child’s life.  It will give you insight into your child’s psyche. Then, you can develop methods to encourage his strengths and to overcome his weaknesses.  And you may learn a few things to help yourself along the way.
Danita Dawson is a loving parent with a creative look on life and parenting. 

Is the “Common Core” curriculum ruining your child’s life? (INFOGRAPHIC)

To better enable American kids to compete globally with other “First World” nations that have been surpassing the US in reading, math, science and other subjects, a curriculum change called “Common Core State Standards” became popular. The new paradigm focuses on training children to be critical thinkers, analytic and objective. 
Further, some in the business community complained that the caliber of students graduating from various US high schools lacked essential skills to be competent workers. Common Core proponents want close to standardization of the curriculum in all states so that all children learned the same level or way, irrespective if they were from a wealthy district in Connecticut or a poor one in Alabama. The initiative was backed by the business industry and many jurisdictions began implementing the changes. Some states adopted it and others didn’t. 
It faced a swift backlash from parents who complained that the curriculum put too much pressure on children, taught them how to take a test rather than to learn and enjoy the learning experience, and was uneccessary. Many felt that state and local differences exist for a reason and schooling should remain a local issue. 
Supporters maintain that states are free to opt in or out, and that the challenging coursework creates smarter and more equipped children. They also state the program is flexible and can accommodate teachers and local schools’ styles and preferences. 
The folks at BestGraduateSchools.com created an infographic which presents Common Core from the position of those who are against the curriculum. Take a look and share your thoughts.

Common Core


Source: BestMastersinEducation.com



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