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The Baby Shower: Trends and Traditions

no@spam.com (Michiel Van Kets) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:26:59 MDT

Ever wondered what the term “baby shower” means? Firstly, let’s establish it isn’t a device for cleaning babies. That said, its origins are not really known but its current, popular usage, is by the Americans, to describe a particular “rite of passage”.

5 Things to do with Grandparents on a Rainy Day

no@spam.com (Florence Jenkins) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:28:13 MST

Hanging out with grandparents can be fun and enlightening. They are a link to the past and can teach us to appreciate our present.

How To Say No When Your Kid Wants A Toy

no@spam.com (Lisa Austen) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:00:59 MST

For most parents, saying no to their children is hard. Parents may feel that they are being mean, unfair, or that they are denying their children life’s pleasures by not letting them have their every heart’s desire. Often times, parents take the saying, “Ask and you shall receive,” a bit too literally.

Parents of Driving Teens, It’s 5:30 And Your Kid’s Been Out of School For 2 Hours…

no@spam.com (ryan day) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:39:27 MST

Sometimes parents need modern technology to help them keep their kids safe. Read more…

Choosing Children’s Books

no@spam.com (Michiel Van Kets) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:22:31 MST

Are you browsing for books for you children? Children of different age groups will be attracted to different kind of books from picture story books to bedtime story to comics.

Advantages of Cloth Diapering

no@spam.com (Heather Ledeboer) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:54:03 MST

Welcome to the wonderful world of easy-to-use modern cloth diapers. Look at the many advantages cloth diapers have to offer:

USE CLOTH DIAPERS AND SAVE OVER $1000! On average, you will spend $2000 on disposable diapers per child. Compare that to an average of $700 (that includes laundering expenses) for your first child's diapering years using cloth diapers. A second and third child will cost much less, as many of the diapers can be re-used. Depending on the diaper system you use you can spend a little less or more than the above mentioned amount for your first child.

USE CLOTH DIAPERS AND REDUCE DIAPER RASH! Diaper rash is seldom a problem when using cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are more breathable and cloth diapered babies are changed more often, as the diaper starts feeling damp after (on average) 4 hours. Disposable diapers mask the wetness, therefore child care providers and parents have no indication of how long the child has been wearing a wet or poopy diaper. This, together with the fact that disposable diapers become much hotter, allows more rapid bacterial growth which can cause diaper rash. If your baby has sensitive skin the reaction to the chemicals in disposable diapers may also contribute to diaper rash.

CLOTH DIAPERS ARE FAST AND EASY TO USE - UNIQUE FASTENER/LINER SYSTEM! The new styles of cloth diapers now available are as easy to use as a disposable. The added effort of doing two additional loads of laundry per week is worth the many benefits for your child, your pocketbook and the environment.

CLOTH DIAPERS ARE COOL & COMFORTABLE FOR BABY! Cloth diapers are soft and comfortable made of natural, chemical free, very absorbent fibers. Most diapers are made of cotton. Sometimes hemp is used. Unlike disposable diapers, cloth diapers stay cool even on the hottest summer day.

POTTY TRAINING IS EASIER WITH CLOTH DIAPERS! On average cloth diapered children potty train 6 months earlier than children wearing disposable diapers. Cloth diapers do not mask the sensation of wetness.

CLOTH DIAPERING FITS ANY LIFESTYLE! Cloth diapering easily adapts to fit even the busiest lifestyle or any full time daycare situation.

CLOTH DIAPERS ARE THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE - SAFER FOR NEW DELICATE SKIN! Cloth diapers don't contain any of the harmful chemicals that disposables are loaded with. See "how dangerous are disposable diapers".

How Dangerous Are Disposables?

Your child will spend the first 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years of his or her life in diapers. Disposable diapers are an easy way of diapering, but are the possible health hazards these diapers pose worth the simplicity?

MALE INFERTILITY Disposable diapers could be the cause of the sharp rise in male infertility over the past 25 years. It is thought that disposable diapers heat up boys testicles to such a degree that it stop them from developing normal.

SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, which is linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome and can therefore no longer be used in tampons, is the super absorbent gel in disposable diapers. You can find the little "gel balls" on the skin of your baby's bottom. It is interesting to note that employees in factories manufacturing sodium polyacrylate suffer from female organ problems, slow healing wounds, fatigue and weight loss.

TBT (TRIBULYTIN) In May 2000 Greenpeace found TBT in Pampers® Baby Dry in Germany. TBT is one of the most toxic substances ever made. It harms the immune system and impairs the hormonal system. There is speculation that it could cause boys to become sterile.

DIOXIN Traces of the carcinogen Dioxin have been found in disposable diapers. Dioxin causes liver disease, immune system suppression and genetic damage. It is a byproduct of bleaching with chlorine gas and is banned in most countries. Unfortunately, the USA still allows it.

ASTHMA In 1998 a study showed that childhood respiratory problems, including asthma, might be linked to inhaling the mixture of chemicals emitted from disposable diapers.

UTI INFECTIONS IN BABY GIRLS also seem on the rise with an increased use of disposable diapers.

BABIES POORLY DEVELOPED OUTER SKIN LAYER ABSORBS ABOUT 48 CHEMICALS if you use disposable diapers & wipes and standard baby products. This can be greatly reduced by using cloth diapers and natural baby products.

Every child adds a minimum of 6500 disposable diapers (30% of which is non biodegradable) to our landfills. Included in the soiled diapers are many of pounds of raw fecal matter. Viruses found in the feces can pose a threat to our water supplies and wild life, by seeping through cracks that sometimes develop in landfills.

The manufacturing of disposable diapers poses another threat to our environment, requiring large quantities of wood pulp (trees) and dangerous complex chemical substances, which leave behind many harmful byproducts.

Compare all that to the resources used to make and clean three to five dozen cloth diapers with no raw fecal matter!)

Babywearing - One Moms Experience With Being Hands Free and Heart Full

no@spam.com (Heather Ledeboer) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:17:09 MST

When I became a mom, something magical happened. An inner strength and desire to protect, love and nurture rose up within me. Desires, dreams and fears awakened in my heart that once lay dormant. I felt fit for the task and excited for the adventure of motherhood that stretched out ahead me. When my relatives went home and my husband returned to work I believe I handled the change exceptionally well. That is until our fridge containing a few leftovers and several bottles of breast milk finally forced us to venture out of the house to the grocery store. Until this point, I really felt that I was pulling off my new mommy role quite well. However, I had no idea that my little 5 pound 10 oz hunk of love could require so much extra effort for something as simple as a run to the store. Between loading and unloading the car seat, diaper bag, stroller, and to-do list I felt as though I may as well have been charting territory in a foreign land. After I returned home from that first adventure, I boldly decided that running errands alone with my baby was just too much work. The thought of pulling my Cadillac stroller and heavy car seat in and out of my car for another excursion was simply more than I could bear. Later that week, a lady at church breezed past my son and I, holding her new baby in a sling. Both she and her baby looked happy, content and close. In that moment, I knew I had to have one. I had just discovered my ticket to freedom.

Love At First Sight

I loved my first baby carrier so much that I started buying and trying other types of carriers to see how they compared. Each one seemed to offer something slightly unique and different that I loved. I was amazed at how many types, styles and variations were available. It was like a secret world opening up for me. I started learning that babywearing offered many benefits to the child including crying less, learning more, and increased IQ! I found out that babies that are “worn” also have been shown to exhibit reduced colic and spit-up with increased cardiac output and improved circulation. Not to mention the benefits for me! I could nurse with the carrier, shop without a bulky stroller and I was hands free and able to get things done around the house!

Taking it to the next level

As my collection of baby carriers grew, so did my knowledge of how to use them and the pros and cons of each style. If my son was just fussy and needing to be close on and off throughout the day or if I was making a quick run into the store I loved my pouch style slings such as the New Native Baby Carrier or The Peanut Shell. The simple tube design was quick to slip on over my arm and head to my shoulder. The way it hung on my body looked much like sash. I loved how easy it was to wear it like this throughout the day. It did not feel bulky or in the way and whenever I wanted to wear my son, I could slip him into the pouch in a matter of seconds--it was so easy to use. For days when I really needed to get work done around the house or for longer shopping trips, I often reached for my wrap style carriers. Wrap carriers, such as a Moby wrap or Moby D, are a specially designed strip of fabric. The long, (often stretchy) fabric is cleverly wrapped around your torso, over your shoulders, around your torso again and then secured at your waist with a knot or a d-ring. I found the wrap carriers to have a slight initial learning curve.

However, the clearly marked instructions quickly eased my mind and after my first few attempts I was a believer. Because their straps go over both shoulders and securely wrapped around me and my baby, he felt very close. I felt very comfortable, secure and ready to move. For long durations of wear, the wrap carriers became my staple. Finally, if I was visiting friends or family that wanted to share in the fun of baby wearing, I brought along my adjustable slings such as a Maya Wrap or Rockin Baby Sling. These adjustable carriers were very similar to the pouch style in the way that they hung from one shoulder to the opposite hip like a sash. However, they had an extra tail of fabric looped though a d-ring positioned by your shoulder. Although I did not enjoy the extra bulk created by this fabric tail when I was using the sling alone, it certainly allowed for an easy, adjustable, customized fit for all body types when I was sharing it with others. These adjustable carriers (as well as the wrap carriers) are also an economical choice for parents to share with each other rather than buying two separate sizes since they are a one size fits all option.

They each have a place in my heart

All of the carriers could be used from birth to 35 pounds and each offered a variety of carrying positions. So when I need a carrier, my question was not necessarily which carrier to use, but rather what need to fill. Each carrier was my favorite in its own special way. I feel that other moms can benefit from my experience when looking for their own ideal baby carrier. After all, just as no two mamas are alike, neither are their preferences for baby carriers. I compiled a sling comparison chart comparing a wide variety of baby carriers side by side under factors such as “reduces back strain”, “easy on, easy off”, and “discreet nursing”. Thankfully, with the myriad of choices available, and the right kind of helpful information, any mom is bound to find the baby carrier that is perfect for times when the arms give out but her heart just won't let go. Equipped with the right carrier, she can join me and venture out of her home to chart new territory in a foreign land with her hands free to record her findings for future generations.

Advantages of Cloth Diapering

no@spam.com (Heather Ledeboer) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:50:58 MST

Welcome to the wonderful world of easy-to-use modern cloth diapers. Look at the many advantages cloth diapers have to offer:

Camps: What’s New for Summer 2008

no@spam.com (Lisa Mullen) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:50:38 MST

Summer camps can help children develop new interests, open their minds, choose a new direction, and make lifelong friends. With over 11,000 camps in the United States to choose from, how does a parent decide which is the right program for their child? Tips on Trips and Camps, a free camp advisory service, says that the summer camp industry has changed dramatically in the past few years and parents should learn about the different options in order to make a wise choice.

Trends in Teen Summer Programs

no@spam.com (Lisa Mullen) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:45:18 MST

The teen summer program industry has become much more competitive over the past 15 years, says Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service. Programs have begun to differentiate themselves by offering special programs for “tweens”, community service camp options, career-oriented internships, academic study programs, language programs combined with other interests, and gap year programming.