BumpNews

Family Spring Cleaning Tips

Posted on March 15, 2015

Spring cleaning season is just around the corner and families will be clearing out the dust and clutter that accumulated this winter. But part of that cleaning involves chemicals, mold and mildew, all which may contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Broan-NuTone offers the following tips from home-improvement expert Danny Lipford on how to breathe easy and have a healthier spring clean out.

Watch your chemical count!

§ When you use household cleaners be mindful of the harmful chemicals that circulate into the air you breathe. To be safe, open a window during and after the use of these products.

Keep humidity levels (and potential mold and mildew!) in check particularly in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture builds up throughout the year.

§ Easily test the effectiveness of your fan by holding a piece of tissue paper near the fan – if the fan is removing air properly the paper will be drawn against the grill and remain there as long as the fan is on

Clear the kitchen air after cooking and cleaning.

§ The kitchen is a key source of indoor air pollution especially with a gas stove, so make sure to use a range hood to remove the pollutants created from cooking and preparing meals.

Keep dust and debris at bay.

§ Dust is basically shed skin cells and pet dander. Dust mites feed on those particles and tend thrive in bedrooms on linens and blankets. Wash linens often in very hot water and replace pillows regularly, or cover existing pillows with antiallergenic covers.

Happy Cleaning!

0 comments

BumpNews

Pi Day is coming: 100 Pie recipes for families

Posted on March 12, 2015

March 14, Saturday is Pi Day and for the first time it is actually the first 5 numbers that represent the numerical value of pi, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter: 3.14.15.

(if you use the American way of writing dates).

Pi day is also an annual opportunity for math geeks, including nerdy parents all around, to make and eat pie with their family and friends!

We found from recipe curators over at our partners at Foodie over 100 pie recipes – from sweet, to pizza to fruit – for every taste and palette to consider making this Saturday!

Good luck!

0 comments

BumpNews

I call BS on new study suggesting doting parents create narcissistic adults

Posted on March 10, 2015

So, this morning, I have seen many summaries, reports and reiterations of this new study which says helicopter parents layering too much praise on their children will lead to the unleashing of a new generation of narcissistic adults

“The Ohio State University suggests that constant – and perhaps undue – praise for our kids’ tiniest accomplishments, or non-accomplishments, may have the unintended side-effect of creating an over-inflated ego,” Forbes online summarizes.

In other words, telling Johnny too much that he is special is turning him into an egotistical monster that cannot be tolerated when he grows up.

So, the message is to tell your kid he or she is NOT that special after all?

You can read more about the study here but I’m calling BS on this one.

I do NOT think we have a culture where parents are affirming their children and praising and uplifting their children’s natural abilities enough. Rather, it is my opinion from casual observance of parents in my circle and from studying interactions among parents I see everyday that the opposite is occurring.

I see parents comparing their children to other children, demanding more and more from them or not demanding enough and/or simply just accepting their child as they are, faults and all and going with the flow, but not necessarily telling them they are better than other children.

I also note that this generation has pressures that are different that perhaps is the true contributor to narcissism in some youth today.

To me, there seems to be a concerted effort to pinpoint where all the cocky narcissism is coming from in young people in Generation Y and Z today and this study wants us to believe it came from parents.

I think it comes from our social media culture that enables children to be elevated to celebrity status among their friends and followers nationwide, and gives them them the similar type of ego boost that celebrities get from their hero-worshiping fans. Just my thoughts.

Nice try though. What do you think?

0 comments

Review: Kwena’s crocodile oil is great cure all for a pregnant belly,babies and entire family

Posted on March 9, 2015

I believe in the power of a massage. For babies, a gentle massage after a shower is great for several reasons: 1. It feels good and can calm a baby; 2. It reinforces a bond through the touching aspect of a massage connects the parent with the baby and works on strengthening connections; and 3. It lifts and enhances mood through the aromatherapy aspect of the massage if it is done with a fragrant emolient infused with calming scents like lavender, jasmine, mint, lemon or chamomile.

There are various products out there but I recommend going with an all natural balm with minimum chemicals.

I was sent all the way from the Nile in South Africa a few vials of some wonderful crocodile oil in a salve made by Kwena.

Used by the ancient Egyptians, crocodile oil is extracted from the fatty tissues of crocodiles and has been used as a preventative and treatment for a number of human ailments.

The mixture of the oil with grapeseed oil, beeswax and tea tree oil is the perfect blend and texture for moisturizing hands and other body parts. It was mildly fragrant but not too overwhelming and the absence of excess chemicals means it likely wouldn’t irritate baby’s skin.

The moisturizer was not sticky but silky to the touch and could easily be incorporated into a daily moisturizing routine by a pregnant woman who is fighting stretch marks or trying to prevent new ones form forming in her second pregnancy.

It is said this ancient oil can heal several other skin conditions including burns, cuts, sores, sunburn, lacerations and lesions, ulcers, blisters, irritated skin, diaper rash, insect bites, razor burns, sports injuries, sore muscles, arthritis, sprains, stiffness, joint pain, gout and can help with rapid healing of viral and fungal infections like ring worm and athletes foot, warts, dandruff, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema!

Phew!

The name Kwena is Sotho-Tswana for crocodile in Southern Africa. No testing is done on animals and the oil comes from crocodiles farmed for other purposes.

Kerns sells their salve for $32 a 30 ml vial and all orders over $55 are free an shipped internationally.

And it only takes a little bit to do the trick which is good given it’s a bit costly. You can certainly nurse it. I did with my one 15 ml sample jar which is lasting me several weeks and I still have plenty left over. Good stuff. Highly recommend!

If you can afford to get your hands on this exotic and rare find, you should.

Repost

0 comments

BumpNews

Dad blogger starts petition to turn ‘Amazon Mom’ to ‘Amazon Family’

Posted on March 9, 2015

After dad blogger Oren Miller of A Blogger and a Father passed away this past weekend, the lung cancer victim’s dad blogger pal Daniel Pelfrey took up on of Miller’s causes.

Pelfrey launched a petition to get Amazon.com’s Amazon Mom discount site to become Amazon Family.

Pelfrey, who cares for he and his wife Laura’s 5 children full time while she works, created a Change.Org petition urging the company to change the name.

“Why are you choosing Amazon Mom instead of Amazon Family,” Daniel states in his petition addressing Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos. “It’s a small change, but it is, I think a significant one that Amazon could make to be inclusive to all families.”

Currently, Pelfrey has gotten about 6,000 out the targeted 10,000 signatures.

“To only act as if moms are the caregivers always struck me as odd,” Daniel told USA Today.

0 comments

BumpNews

How to wean a baby from the pacifier

Posted on March 8, 2015

Despite its diminutive size, the pacifier has been the subject of some pretty big debate; some parents and caregivers theorize that pacifier use, even during infancy, can negatively affect the formation of teeth and mouth shape, while proponents hold steady on their value as a soothing device. The American Academy of Pediatrics has even weighed in, stating that their research indicates a marked decrease in the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome among infants that sleep with a pacifier.

Whether a pacifier was introduced to your child solely as a comfort object or as a means of reducing SIDS risk, there comes a time when weaning can no longer be delayed. The process of breaking a child from his “binky,” however, can be fraught with hysterics and sleep deprivation for both parents and children alike. While the task of weaning is rarely an easy one to accomplish, these hints can help to soothe the worst of Baby’s anxiety.

Make the Cut – Cutting the rubber tip off of your child’s pacifier alters the way that it feels and reduces its appeal dramatically for most children; while they may feel a bit of confusion about the changes in their prized paci, learning to self-soothe without it is much easier when the pacifier no longer offers the same level of comfort. Be sure to get rid of all the pacifiers except his favorite, and cut the tip off completely to prevent any risk of choking. Explaining to your puzzled little one that his pacifier is “broken” may help him to understand that it can’t be fixed, and is no longer of much value. If you choose this method, don’t attempt to take the mutilated pacifier away; he’ll most likely tire of it on his own and lose interest without a tantrum.

Bring in a Substitute – Substituting one comfort object for another isn’t always a great idea because it can cause a child to simply transfer his feelings of dependency to the new object when the anxiety of losing his pacifier sets in. Rather than designate one object as special, alternate blankets and other soothing objects that can ease his transition without keeping one particular item in circulation for too long. When bringing a specific object to bed is no longer part of his bedtime routine, eliminating comfort items altogether can be easier.

Step Up the Soothing and Comforting Routine – If your little one has used a pacifier since the day he came home from the hospital, the transition to binky-free life is bound to be a confusing and scary one for him. The sheer anxiety that accompanies an abrupt shift in the structure of his everyday life can greatly contribute to his difficulty sleeping and irritability during the weaning period, so be sure to allot extra time for comforting words and plenty of cuddling and soothing before bed.

One Day at a Time – For some kids weaning comes easily and is done over the course of a day or two. The majority of children, however, react with a mixture of anger, confusion, and something akin to grief. Realizing that Rome wasn’t built in a day and that your child probably won’t be weaned from his pacifier in one is the best approach; be prepared to gradually break him of the pacifier habit, rather than throwing them all away in a grand gesture and forbidding them re-entry to the home.

Rewards and Praise – By the time that pacifier weaning becomes a serious issue for most parents, their children are edging into toddlerhood, and thus are capable of understanding verbal praise, rewards for good behavior, and that these things happen as a result of following instructions “like a big kid.” Every time that your child naps without his paci or completes other tasks, be sure to praise him effusively and let him know that you’re proud of his efforts.

Patience is a Virtue – If your child is firmly attached to his pacifier as a comfort object, even the best method of weaning will just reduce his anxiety, rather than eliminating it altogether. Realistically, he will almost certainly cry and become angry until he understands that his distress doesn’t deliver his pacifier back and he learns to self-soothe without it. Keeping a firm grip on your patience and working with him through the process to minimize his stress is the most effective way of weaning; unreasonable and unrealistic expectations will only come back to haunt you both.

0 comments

BumpNews

VIRAL: Dad has hilarious interview with his new baby (VIDEO)

Posted on March 5, 2015

If you’re snowed in like I am and looking for a little light humor to perk up your day, check out this hilarious viral video of vlogger La Guardia Cross of “New Father Chronicles“ YouTube channel who sat with his then 6-week old baby Amalah for a formal interview.

Her responses (which daddy inserted and superbly edited for maximum comedic effect) are precious and perfect!

Cross posts new videos each Wednesday on “Music, Art and the Misadventures of a New Dad”.

Enjoy!

0 comments

BumpNews

35 Dr. Seuss Quotes for Adults! – Happy Belated Birthday, Doc!

Posted on March 5, 2015

Bellyitch Rewind

Monday was the anniversary of the birthday of that great children’s book author Dr. Seuss (real name Theodor Seuss Geisel) who was born on March 2, 1904. He wrote over 60 books before his death on September 24, 1991.

Many of the author’s quotes from his various stories are actually beneficial for adults as well. Here are 35 of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes that I rely on to motivate me and get me through life and various bumps in the road. They uplift and inspire and great to know and share! Enjoy!

1. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” ― Dr. Seuss

2. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

3. “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” ― Dr. Seuss

4. “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ― Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!

5. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

6. “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” ― Dr. Seuss, Horton Hears a Who!

7. “I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” ― Dr. Seuss

8. “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” ― Dr. Seuss

9. “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” ― Dr. Seuss

10. “You’re off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So… get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

11. “If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.”― Dr. Seuss

12. “Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”― Dr. Seuss

13. “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

14. “Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.”― Dr. Seuss

15. “If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.” ― Dr. Seuss

16. “All alone! Whether you like it or not, alone is something you’ll be quite a lot!”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and The Lorax

17. “Only you can control your future.” ― Dr. Seuss

18. “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

19. “They say I’m old-fashioned, and live in the past, but sometimes I think progress progresses too fast!” ― Dr. Seuss

20. “I’m glad we had the times together just to laugh and sing a song, seems like we just got started and then before you know it, the times we had together were gone.”

― Dr. Seuss

21. “You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.” ― Dr. Seuss

22. “Be awesome! Be a book nut!”― Dr. Seuss

23. “Remember me and smile, for it’s better to forget than to remember me and cry.” ― Dr. Seuss

24. “Think and wonder, wonder and think.” ― Dr. Seuss

25. “You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

26. “So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.” ― Dr. Seuss

27. “I know, up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here at the bottom we, too, should have rights.” ― Dr. Seuss, Yertle the Turtle and Gertrude McFuzz

28. “Oh the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

29. “Oh, the things you can find if you don’t stay behind!” ― Dr. Seuss

30. “When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.” ― Dr. Seuss

31. “You are you. Now, isn’t that pleasant?” – Dr. Seuss

32. “Today is your day, your mountain is waiting. So get on your way.” ― Dr. Seuss

33. “Everything stinks till it’s finished.” ― Dr. Seuss

34. “It is better to know how to learn than to know.” ― Dr. Seuss

35. “Sometimes you will never know the value of something,until it becomes a memory.” ― Dr. Seuss

0 comments

BumpNews

Why you should sterilize newborn’s bottles & brand new clothes before use

Posted on March 4, 2015

Folks who are having their first baby are bombarded with advice and tips. They read and everyone tells them that they should wash the baby’s clothes before wearing it on him. Few may wonder if it is just a right of passage or if there is reason behind the advice. For several reasons it is a good idea, including (1) the fact that many hands touch children’s clothes in stores before they are bought and (2) there are many allergens, agents and other chemicals that are used at manufacturing, shipping and packaging plants that transport clothes. It is so easy and very common for a baby to develop a rash on account of having their sensitive skin exposed to un-pre-washed clothes.

Dreft and Ivory Snow make mild detergent that is great for washing clothes of babies, and especially those with allergies or prone to break outs, or with extra sensitive skin.

Similarly, it is so easy to want to cut corners and save time and skip sterilizing the baby’s bottles ever so often after a use or two. Little babies immune systems aren’t developed enough to fight off the friendly bacteria that grows inside moist bottles after time. Case in point, my nephew (again, my infant example for everything these days) caught an awful cold. Of course, her mom blames me and my kids who came to visit that weekend, but that I am defending the kiddies on this one and pointing the finger at lax bottle sterilizing.

The absolute best and my favorite tool for quick easy sterilizing is Phillips Avent Express Microwave Sterilizer. The product is marketed with the Avent bottles, but the contraption itself can be used with any brand bottles, but especially the shorter smaller bottles.It retails for about $50.00 and is a MUST ADD baby registry item, if you ask me. You load up the washed bottles, add water and pop it in the microwave for several minutes. Voila! instant sterilization.

Dreft HE Liquid Laundry Detergent – 170 oz. – 110 loads – Baby Month (Google Affiliate Ad)

Now, if you are one of those folks concerned over the latent or unknown future effects of microwaves on plastics, you may want to stay away from this product made of sturdy plastics. I swear by it and used it for all three children.

Share

|

0 comments

BumpNews

50 Things Moms should Teach Their Sons

Posted on March 2, 2015

Bellyitch Rewind

Following up on our post today about things to teach your daughter, and in light of what I’ve seen in social media and on blogs with many moms to sons expressing concern about what to say to their boys to make sure they grow to see a nice long old age, here are 50 things I came up with that moms (and dads) should teach their sons from childhood, adolescence, college years and beyond.

1. Don’t hit girls, even your sister. Even if she hits you first, your punch will more likely than not have a much stronger impact than hers. Besides, the cops usually side with the girl and you will go to jail.

2. Play to win.

3. It’s important you tried your best, but always aim to win.

4. Work hard. It really pays. We’re not just making that up. Laziness gets you nowhere.

5. Study hard, even when your friends are goofing off. You’ll be glad you did.

6. Don’t take shortcuts.

7. Pay attention to math. You’ll need it to learn to balance your checkbook and not get shortchanged on a bill or later in life.

8. Pay your bills on time and your balance every month.

9. Don’t put something on credit you can’t afford to pay at the end of the month. With interest rates, you’ll end up forking up $200 to pay off a $10 pizza over the course of 10 years.

10. Fix up your bed as soon as you wake up. It’s a good habit to develop for when you get married or have roommates later.

11. Nothing comes easy. Even the overnight success stories you hear about took a long time to get there.

12. There are no shortcuts in life. In fact, trying to take them only makes the road longer.

13. Treat a girl like how you’d treat your mom, with respect.

14. Stand for something. Be principled.

15. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet. Anyone can update Wikepedia. Never rely on it.

16. Always think about your future when you make decisions in the present.

17. Stick by your argument, but know when to concede a point.

18. Don’t call people names, in person, or online. It’s a coward move. Use your intellect instead when debating.

19. Be empathetic to others. You won’t understand everyone’s struggles but try not to devalue or second guess theirs.

20. Don’t share a photo of a girl she sends you with your friends, and even your closest friends, and especially if it is nude or partially nude Sexting can land you in jail.

21. No means no.

22. The best looking girl in school isn’t necessarily the best girl in school.

23. Treat your friends well. Be loyal.

24. Don’t gossip. The only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead.

25. Don’t look up to athletes and singers as role models. They get paid to do what they do. Find role models in teachers, family members and men doing good by their family and community.

26. When you go off to college, drink in moderation. Sloppy drunk can get you arrested, killed or in jail. I want you around long after college and have no plans of outliving you.

27. What you choose to wear can and will matter. You may be judged by others, police, employers etc by your clothes. Dress appropriately for the situation.

28. If you are ever pulled over, keep your hands on the wheel and don’t make any sudden movements so you’re not mistaken for going for a weapon. When you reach for your registration in the glove compartment box, ask the officer permission to do so first.

29. The kitchen is not just for girls. Learn your way around it.

30. Shower every day. And don’t put back on dirty clothes from your hamper afterwards. It defeats the purpose.

31. Never leave the house without combing or brushing your hair. You’ll turn the girls off.

32. Brush your teeth daily. Plaque is not cute.

33. Avoid congregating or loitering with your friends in too large groups at the malls or public places. You might get mistaken for being in a gang.

34. When a fight breaks out, go the other way. You can watch the replay on YouTube or World Star Hip Hop later.

35. Trim you nails weekly. Long nails on a dude are not attractive.

36. Use deodorant daily.

37. Learn how to change a tire, check your oil pressure in the car, know the guages on the dashboard and how to handle a car emergency.

38. Figure out how to use basic tools like a wrench, screwdriver etc.

39. Always use condoms. Ignore the girl who says she’s on the pill.

40. Don’t do drugs. Here’s a long list of folks who drugs have messed up who had perfectly good lives before.

41. If you do things the first time as you are told, you will waste a lot less time.

42. Everybody is insecure. Even the popular kids. They just hide it better.

43. Learn to enjoy reading. You’ll be doing a lot of it at school and even after you graduated college.

44. Your first love won’t be your last.

45. Friends change. People grow up and grow apart. It’s part of life.

46. Don’t feel pressured to stay in a car of someone driving recklessly. Teens die every year in car crashes. You don’t want to be one of them. I don’t want you to be one of them.

47. You should always get dropped off at the safest public area and call home for a ride.

48. Not everyone will like you. That is life. There are 7 billion people in the world. You’ll find others who will.

49. It’s okay to cry. You’ll feel better after you do.

50. Eating healthy and daily exercise will keep you looking young when your friends start showing their age.

Unofficial #1 rule. Your mom is number one and make sure all the ladies in your life know that. (wink)

0 comments

parenting tips