A Clever Spell

The market is filled with many different convertible car seats. There are many safety seat reviews available that can help, but there is such a variety of diverse rules and regulations that buying one for your daughter can actually be daunting. First of many steps in using those safety seat ratings and finding the best convertible or non-convertible car seats is to become familiar with the various styles. Graco, Cosco, Disney - brands like these manufacture top quality chairs aimed at children of up to 20 pounds or 12 months. Since the majority - not, we should stress, all - of these are rear facing only, you’ll need to choose which will be best for you and be careful when buying that what you choose fits the way you want it to. Not only that, you’ll discover the best baby safety seats are designed as reliable baby carriers, eliminating the need to wake your child when moving him to or from the car. A convertible car seat will last for longer before you need to replace it. Seats like these will keep your kids safe from their first trip to the point when they grow too big for car chairs, although these seats cost more than others. If you’re leaning toward a convertible chair but also want a baby carrier, you’ve often got a difficult choice ahead of you.

We do suggest you go to this reliable web site for Safety 1st lightweight baby strollers reviews suggestions…

Comprehension of the features inherent to any given model can be drawn from published reviews and comparisons, helping you identify the best for your family. Choose your safety chair confidently, secure in the knowledge most available reviews are independent third-party.

After growing larger than about twenty pounds, your baby still needs a car seat until around eighty pounds; and that’s why you need a booster seat. Whether it’s the five-point harness, or employment of the car’s safety belt: booster seats fasten in two possible ways and either may give your little one greater comfort, so it’s smart to check how it feels before purchase. Most booster seats offer what may appear to be minor additions in terms of inbuilt toys, but upon seeing how much of your toddler’s time is taken up with them you’ll soon realize how big an advantage they can be. We can’t deny that you’re faced with a serious choice, because it’s so important to find a product that suits the needs of the moment, and your finances are hardly minor concerns. Begin by looking at booster seat reviews and ratings to discover the very best.

Three-wheeler pushchairs are a good option for parents who need to take their babies out frequently when they are on the move. Easy to handle, quickly manoeuvrable and compact in size, 3 wheeler pushchairs come in many designs which may confuse the prospective buyer. With myriad features and attachments, how does one choose the 3 wheeler (or any pushchair, for that matter) which will fit his/ her requirements perfectly? Here are some factors which need to be considered before you look for the ideal pushchair.

To begin with, identify the kind of terrain that the pushchair will be used on. You might be taking it along on a business trip, or on an adventure holiday, or for day-to-day errands. For use in the city, normal air tyres will do well. However, for use on rough terrain, you may need to learn how to fix a puncture. In this case, go for soft tyre options which will make you baby’s ride smoother and jerk free. Also look for good suspensions on all wheels.

Next, determine the purpose of the pushchair. Will it be used to take baby along on your shopping expedition, or while jogging? Look at the catalogue to see if you can find a model specially designed for your specific use, or ask your friends about it.

The final check, which is also very crucial, is that the 3 wheeler must comfortably fit into all doorways. The 3-wheel design incorporates broader back wheels to give better balance. Make sure that this design does not hinder your movements or activities.

Big Foot Relay. Have the children add 2 shoeboxes with them. Magnetic Tape the lids onto the corners, then cut a one-inch-wide and four-inch long slit in each top. Get the contestants slip their feet into the slits in the boxes and race.

Frisbee Tower. Buy a bundle of mini Frisbees and aim them in a pile in the center of the yard. Have the guests carve up the Frisbees among themselves. The first player begins the action by putting one of his or her Frisbees on the ground. Each of the following players places his or her Frisbee on top of the first Frisbee, and the activity continues until someone causes the growing tower to topple.

Cross Step. Draw a ten-by-ten grid on the sidewalk or patio with chalk. Have each player stand on a different square. One at a time, each player must move to a new square after crossing out the square she or he was formerly standing in. The trick is that players cannot step into a square that is occupied or crossed out. If a player cannot move to a new square, he or she is out. The game continues until one player is left.

Kill the Cockroach. Divide the players into 2 teams. Line them up, one in front of the other and set an odd object in front of the first players in line. They must kick the object across the yard and the across the end line to win a point for their team. Kick things like a pillow, empty can, a sock, and so on.

Youve more than likely already noticed that theres a vast selection of baby pushchairs, strollers, and prams, if youre currently in a situation of deciding between them. When you are in the market for a baby pushchair be prepared for the overwhelming array of choices to have to decide from.

If you are expecting a child then things can be exceptionally harder simply by virtue of your inexperience alone.

Although it is very obvious, most parents rush to buy a pushchair and later realise that they should have gone in for a pram. The important consideration is how old your baby is.

A pram is generally a better alternative to a a stroller, as new-borns will need to lie down. Additionally, what is your primary desire for purchasing a push chair or pram? Will your pram be used for day to day use or less often, like a holiday. Owning more than one stroller is probably your best option. One stroller should be used for daily task while the other a more light weight style should be used for trips.

Before shopping you have to learn the price difference between the brands because your budget plays an vital role in purchasing the product. For more information about prams and pushchairs and the difference a good designer can make check out our website.

You can find a large selection of well-made, affordable pushchairs, but there are also some that can break your bank - especially if you consider a designer brand. A quality pushchair is a wise investment that should last a long time. Take your time and look around before you buy.

You will be noticed using your pushchair, so you should find one you are comfortable being seen in. Perhaps the best part is that there are a vast amount of different types available including: all terrain vehicles, and contemporary three and four wheelers.

graduation tam

One of the key features of graduation ceremonies is the academic regalia that are worn by graduates and faculty members. Topping the list of graduation accessories is the graduation tam. Most faculty members opt to wear the graduation tam
as opposed to the more common mortarboards. The tams are available in varied styles that are categorized according to the number of sides each tam has. The number of sides or corners may be four, six or eight, depending on individual or institutional requirements. The color that is preferred for college tams is black. The fabric used to make these tams is velvet. The colors of tams can correspond with the colors of the graduation gowns.

Six and eight-sided tams are the most commonly sought after. The choice of tam is sometimes determined by the body structure of individuals. Just like with any other fashion accessory, some people want to ensure that the graduation tam suits them. The eight-sided tam is ideal for slender individuals while the four-sided tam is appropriate fir fuller figures. Scholars are advised to select or order for tams that fit securely but not too tight. An ill fitting tam can cause undue discomfort during the ceremony.

GraduationSource, a leader in graduation regalia products since 1960.

Yet again we are faced with the prospect of having another tragedy like the Columbine High school massacre. Police in the small town of Riverton Kansas arrested five male students just hours before they intended to carry out their plan to shoot and kill students and teachers.

Shocking? Yes. Was it totally unexpected? No, or at least it shouldn’t be. Once Columbine occurred we should have all been prepared for a copy cat incident or several attempts at the repetition of the same horror. We should all stay prepared for more of the same.

Why are our teens becoming increasingly violent and committing such unspeakable acts? The Sheriff of Riverton stated that all of the boys played violent video games. Could that be the reason? Is it too much media? Is it too many violent movies or not enough parental supervision? Yes; to all of the above.

The human brain has matured and will mature in the same way it has for hundreds and hundreds of years. It has a certain pattern it follows. Until our educational system and parents understand how the brain works and begins to reform the way we teach our kids and what we teach our kids, we can expect more violence.

The human brain is the ultimate PC. It is a huge and fascinating computer whose potential we can not begin to calculate. It is a sponge for information that it sorts and stores for future use. It has audio and video input capabilities courtesy of the eyes and ears as its tools and it has the ability to input tactile information.

But the brain also has the ability to fear and love and hate. It has emotion and this makes it the most dangerous computer in world. The computer of the brain is not limited to just logical and calculated out put. It can respond or react to any given situation at any given time.

Any information that goes into the brain is stored, much like a computer, in files in your mind. The brain does this so we will have experiential information to draw upon when we need it. Once we have touched the burner of a stove and learned that it is hot and can hurt use, we don’t need to keep touching that stove over and over again because the brain has that “touch the stove” file to open up when we even glance at the stove. Under the stove file, it also has the sub files of how turn the stove on, how we cook with it and so on.

Imagine what files open up for a teen that wants to solve a problem. For example, let’s say we have a teen that plays violent video games and watches way too much TV or horror movies. All of that information is stored away in the brain. The brain makes no judgment on the quality of information it stores. It neither labels it good information or bad information. That task is left to the kind of education about morals and character that is also being filed as he or she learns it; IF he or she has been exposed to that information.

Now lets say that same teen has a problem at school, he is being picked on by some of his classmates. To a teen, this bullying is perceived as an attack. How can he deal with the problem and eliminate the bullying? He reaches into the brain for solutions and the “stop the attack” files open up. Inside this file is experiential information. Among those files may be “tell a teacher or parent”. Another file may recommend avoiding the attacker. Another file may suggest quitting school as a solution.

But imagine files opening that contain the violent solutions they have seen on TV news, video games and violent movies. The solutions range from shooting the attacker to stabbing to bombing and so on. Whatever that child has seen or heard is filed away somewhere in the brain and when called upon to provide a solution to the bully problem, again the brain makes no distinction whether the information is good or bad, it just presents the possibilities.

Let’s add that to the fact that along about the age of 11 or 12 years old, the frontal cortex of the brain “falls asleep.” This is the area of the brain that is responsible for connecting the dots between risk and consequence. It is the brakes of the mental process. It is part of impulse control and keeps our reactions in check. Because this part of the brain is sleeping, as parents and educators, we have to “teach” and “connect the dots” for our teens about risk and consequence and impulse control until that function wakes up again around the ages of 21 or 22. So when you ask yourself, “What is my kid thinking”, chances are they are not; at least not the way you and I think.

In light of all this new information on brain maturation that the scientific community is giving us right now, this begs the question of who is teaching our teens the life skills and the tools they need to help them make the right decisions about their actions and choices. Who is teaching them what a boundary is and how that is used in your life? Has anyone explained what the different between responding to a problem and reacting to a problem?

Have you ever said to your teen, “If you drive drunk with your best friend in the car and have a bad accident, you may have to live with the fact that you have injured or killed your best friend? If not, let me tell you that you have to make that direct a connection between driving drunk and the consequences of that choice for your teen. They simply are not able to make those connections without prompting from parents and teachers unless they have experienced it or seen another of their peers experience it.

Bottom line here is that although we are teaching our children to learn, we are not teaching them how to think. We are not giving them the life skills they need, which should be taught in school, nor are we giving them any tools to help them deal with their problems on any kind of mature and satisfactory level.

Until we “get it” that what goes in the brain has the potential to come out of the brain and that “crap in” means “crap out”, then expect more of the same type of violence that we have been seeing over and over in our teen population. Until we begin to teach them how to make good choices we will continue to see any kind of choice being made. Until educators connect brain maturation studies to when and what we are teaching in school, then you can have the greatest education in the world and still not be able to handle life and its frustrations.

And yes….. We will continue to see the horror that was Columbine acted out again and again. At the end of the day, we as parents and teachers are dropping the ball in a major way when it comes to helping our teens cope with life and choose the better solutions. If no life skills education or character education is going into the brain to be filed away that can help them control themselves and their environments, then the information that may stop all this senseless violence is not available to our children. Can we stand to be accountable for that?

Jeanne Webster CPC is a professional life skills coach that niches in teen, parent/teen and young adult issues. She is a columnist, speaker and author of the two time national award winning book, “If You Could Be Anything, What Would You Be”? For more on brain maturation, visit her website at http://www.youcouldbeanything.com for a free copy of The Brain Pain Report.

Do you know what these famous people have in common?

• Alexander Graham Bell

• George Patton

• Albert Einstein

• Benjamin Franklin

• Winston Churchill

• Agatha Christie

• George Bernard Shaw

• Will Rogers

If you guessed that they were all homeschoolers, you’d be correct. This is a very short list of famous and successful people who were educated at home. If you would like to expand this list, do a search on the Internet for ?famous homeschoolers.? There are many websites that list these people and some provide detailed biographies. There is even a book called, aptly, ?Famous Homeschoolers,? by Nancy and Malcolm Plant. (http://www.fun-books.com/specials.htm)

The point here is to get into the mindset that people can be educated and become successful adults without attending public school. And because I can almost ?hear? what you are thinking, no, it is not necessary to have a high school diploma to go to college.

So what is homeschooling? In the broadest sense, homeschooling is educating your children at home. You, as parent, become teacher. Parents homeschool for more reasons than you can imagine. Some want to avoid having their children exposed to violence and peer pressure. Some homeschool so that they can make sure their children’s education adheres to their religious beliefs. Some live a different lifestyle?perhaps they travel a lot?and want their children’s schooling to be flexible enough to fit around that life style. And some, like me, simply enjoy being with their children. They don’t want the public school to interrupt and weaken the parent/child bond that they have been working hard to create for the first five years of their child’s life.

Just as there are many reasons to homeschool, there are many methods of homeschooling. All the way from ?un-schooling? (learning by doing, learning from life, not using textbook type materials) to ?school at home? (using textbooks at desks set up in a schoolroom at home) and everything in between. It’s very easy to find hundreds of homeschool Websites by using a search engine, but just to get you started, try:

Jon’s Homeschool Resource Page http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/

When I decided to write this article, I thought hard about what I could offer that wasn’t being displayed on thousands of Websites on the Internet. I realized that the only thing I have to offer anyone interested in homeschooling is?my experience. So everything in the article below comes from my fifteen years of experience homeschooling my four youngest children. I hope it is of some use to you.

Deciding to homeschool your child may be one of the most important decisions you ever make as a parent, and it will take a lot of thought and soul searching. To the newcomer, it may seem impossible, overwhelming and very, very lonely. But like most huge obstacles, once it’s broken down into smaller pieces, it becomes manageable. We’ll take it one step at a time, in small enough chunks to get a hold of. So, if you’re game, roll up your sleeves and let’s get to work figuring out if homeschooling is for you and your child.

First things first. Organization is the key. Get a three-ring binder (homeschooling parent’s LOVE three-ring binders) and put a label on the front. (If you’ve made the transition to digital record keeping, you can just start a folder on the computer. But it’s not as much fun.) Label it something serious, like ? My Homeschooling Plans? or ?Homeschooling Thoughts.? Put some paper in the binder, find a really comfortable ink pen, and sit down somewhere quiet.

Ready? Good. Now, let’s get started.

What are your reasons for considering homeschooling? Even if you haven’t actually made the decision to homeschool, the fact that you are here reading this article says you are curious. Perhaps you honestly don’t know the answer yet?and that’s ok. The remainder of this article is going to try to help you start to find those answers.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but each state has it’s own set of laws that must be followed. Compulsory (how I hate that word) education here in Washington State starts at the age of 8. Even though I had been homeschooling him from birth, to stay legal once my son reached 8-years old, I was required to become ?certified.? That meant I either had to have two years of college education, or take a ?certification class.? I met this requirement by taking an independent correspondence class, during which I was asked to put on paper my goals, philosophies and reasons for wanting to homeschool. I’d like to help you do the same right now.

Start a page–either the ?tree? kind or a file on the computer?and title it ?My Educational Beliefs.? List what personal beliefs you have about education?especially the education of your own children. Get as detailed as you can here–the value is in the thinking process behind the list. Take your time, I’m in no hurry.

As an example to get you started, I’m going to share with you what I wrote on my list nine years ago.

My Educational Beliefs

1. I believe my child’s attitude about learning should be:

One of continual curiosity and seeking of knowledge.

2. I believe my child’s learning should lead towards a lifestyle that is:

Rural, physically active, creative.

3. I believe these basic values should be part of my child’s learning:

• Respect for others

• Loyalty to family and friends

• Honesty

• Generosity

4. I believe children learn best:

Through hands-on learning experience, reading, workbooks.

5. I believe a teacher should:

• Provide side-by-side assistance and direction.

• Interact with the child.

• Provide the structure within which the child may explore, experiment, study and achieve.

• Provide a good example of excitement in learning.

6. Other beliefs:

I believe my child should grow up to be self-reliant and occupationally secure in a field of high interest to them.

Now, that wasn’t too bad, was it? Don’t give up on this until you have at least something written down, but don’t agonize over it either. You can come back to it later if need be. Next, start a paper or file titled ?Life Goals For My Child.?

I want you to write down what kind of person you envision your child being as an adult. What are your hopes and dreams for him/her? What educational gifts do you hope to be able to help them find that will serve them their entire lives?

I’ll share mine from 9 years ago, just to get you started.

?Life Goals for My Child?

7. Be literate.

8. Be self-reliant.

9. Compete well in their chosen field of occupation.

10. Appreciate art, music, and literature.

11. Be creative.

12. Be inventive and resourceful.

13. Be healthy, mentally and physically.

14. Co-operate with others.

15. Maintain a strong sense of self-worth.

16. Maintain a life-long curiosity, seeking knowledge as a way of life.

17. Look to the future with a sense of excitement and adventure.

For the last exercise, start a third paper titled: Why We (I) Am Going To Homeschool Our (My) Child? (Yes, single parents can successfully homeschool their children.) You may not have all the answers for this one yet either, but just get something down. All of these ideas and beliefs can start getting mixed in with other people’s opinions once we start educating ourselves in depth about homeschooling, and you’ll be glad you have these lists tucked away.

Okay, here’s my old list:

Why We Are Going To Homeschool Our Children

Our family consists of myself, my husband, a 21-year-old daughter, a 19-year-old daughter, an 8-year-old son, a 7-year-old daughter, a 4- year old daughter, and an unborn son due in 6 months. My two oldest daughters (from my first marriage) were in the public school system for the whole of their educational years. It is largely a dissatisfaction with the public schools and all it’s attendant problems (academic, social, and moral) that has caused us to make the decision to homeschool our youngest children. We decided, even before our 8-year-old son (the oldest of the younger set) was born, that somehow we would find an alternative to the public schools.

We want to homeschool for some additional reasons. We want added closeness with our children. We want more independence, greater control over our family’s moral and philosophical values, and better awareness of our children’s interests.

We dislike the thought of any government agency–no matter how well meaning–directing the raising of our children.

We intend to homeschool because we do not want our children’s academic, social, and moral education taken out of our hands.

We believe these areas of a child’s education are a parent’s responsibility, right, and pleasure.

I’d like you to spend some time going over these lists until you feel they accurately reflect your feelings about homeschooling your children. When I did these exercises, I had only a vague idea about why I wanted to homeschool and what kind of education I wanted to help my children acquire. These simple exercises helped me to ?solidify? my ideas and provided the basis for our future homeschooling methods. I hope they help you to do the same. Keep these lists in a safe place and add to them as you explore the possibility of homeschooling your child.

About The Author

Anita York has been homeschooling her four youngest children for the past 15 years. In addition, she teaches other homeschoolers at two resource centers, and is a contracted Senior Editor, Editor, Copyeditor and Manuscript Screener for three publishers.

Her book “You CAN Homeschool Your Child” is available from One-At-A-Time Enterprises, the business she started with her homeschoolers. Available at: http://www.L7S.net/Item.php?ID=YC000.

Her home business, EagleMountain Reading, Writing, and Research Services http://www.L7s.net/eaglemountain provides a variety of services geared towards helping beginning as well as established authors with various aspects of the writing process.

support@L7S.net

For today’s mother, methods for natural birth include so much more than Lamaze class! The Lamaze method of natural child birth is probably the most recognized name in methods for giving birth, but mothers-to-be wishing to prepare for a natural birth have so many programs to choose from. To find a great child birth class or teacher, you may have to look beyond the standard hospital class.

The secret to a satisfying and pleasant natural childbirth experience is preparation. When giving birth, many mothers seek drug relief for childbirth pain because they believe that natural birth means painful birth. What some women fail to realize and what most doctors won’t tell their patients is that when giving birth, women can reduce and control the discomforts of labor with natural techniques and methods that don’t involve drugs which may interfere with the natural process of labor and lead to multiple interventions. A childbirth class taught by an independent instructor is the best place to learn about the natural process of birth and the techniques and methods that will empower you in your journey through pregnancy and childbirth.

Second to Lamaze, the Bradley Method is probably the most recognized name in natural child birth. The Bradley Method is known as “husband coached childbirth”. It is likely that you can find a Bradley certified instructor in your area. Birthing From Within is a best selling book on natural childbirth that emphasizes self-knowledge, information and personal preparation rather than a specific method for natural childbirth. Birthing From Within classes are quickly gaining in popularity. Independent childbirth educators are certified by a variety of excellent organizations including Birth Works, ALACE, CAPPA, DONA and ICEA. Many childbirth educators are also doulas and are certified by the same organizations.

Another alternative in childbirth education is to use a self study program. Many parents-to-be like the camaraderie and shared experience of going through a class with other couples, but self study is a valid option for many. Using hypnosis for childbirth is a natural method that lends itself well to self study. Hynobabies, HypBirth and HypnoBirthing all offer self study programs. Mothers can also find hypnotherapists and/or doulas in their area who are certified in various childbirth hypnosis methods.

Any article on natural child birth would be incomplete without mentioning water birth. Water, sometimes referred to as “nature’s epidural” is a wonderful way to relieve the discomforts of labor. Many women labor and birth their babies under water. If water birth is an idea that appeals to you, find a doula or midwife who is comfortable and familiar with water birth. Waterbirth International is the best source for information and waterbirthing supplies.

Natural childbirth is a wonderful, safe and satisfying experience for mothers, babies and families. With adequate preparation and supportive labor assistance you will go through childbirth armed with knowledge and empowered to make the right choices for your birth, no matter what the circumstances. Most women who prepare for a natural childbirth, even if it becomes prudent to utilize certain medial interventions, are happy with their decision to be informed and educated about this most life transforming and life fulfilling event that we call birth.

Danielle Goodnight is the mother of three boys. She has experienced childbirth differently every time, from the standard obstetrician attended medical model of birth, to a c-section, to a home birth with a midwife. She shares her natural mothering and attachment parenting experiences at http://www.mommythink.com/, a website for mamas with sharp minds, independent spirits and loving hearts.

You need to go back to work and would like to bring on a combination of breast and bottle. But you have heard that this could lead to ‘nipple confusion’. Do you need a lactation consultant? Perhaps you need a primer on nipple confusion.

What is nipple confusion all about?

Babies who are fed both by the breast and the bottle can sometimes have problems in recognizing the difference between the two nipples.

Sucking milk from the breast is quite different from sucking from a bottle in terms of technique. Add to that the ease with which milk flows from a bottle and you get a puzzled baby.

To suck or not to suck, that is the question

Most babies get confused if they haven’t yet adapted to the breastfeeding technique. Yes, not all babies are born with an inbuilt manual on breastfeeding.

When you start feeding baby, brush your nipple against the corner of baby’s mouth several times. This stimulates baby’s rooting reflex and baby will turn towards nipple and start suckling.

It is very easy to give up in frustration and opt for the passive bottle-feeding method. But try to stick on and your efforts will be rewarded soon. Breastfeeding creates a bond between you and baby.

Signs your baby is confused

If your baby fusses and balks at the breast, refuses to latch on, and yet seems quite comfortable with the bottle, this could be a sign of nipple confusion. Some babies are so used to the breast that they reject the bottle. Sometimes you can’t decide which is worse.

Slow and steady…

To avoid nipple confusion, wait until the baby is becomes a breastfeeding pro and then introduce her to the bottle at least a fortnight in advance of your return to work. Starting too early could lead to nipple confusion while waiting too long to start could result in her rejecting the bottle.

While a baby needs to be hungry enough to want to suck at an artificial nipple, you need to see that she is not so hungry that she turns irritable and fussy.

Start with a little milk in the bottle and gradually increase the amount. Or try breast milk in the bottle.

Involving someone else

Another thing that could work is letting someone other than you do the bottle-feeding. Let someone else in the family try bottle feeding baby and cuddle him while he is being fed, so that the baby gets a sense of warmth and security. Dads can help too! This could be dad’s perfect opportunity to bond with baby.

Each baby is different in his or her own way; some may take to interchangeable feeding right from their birth, while others may drive you nuts trying to introduce the bottle. You really cannot predict which baby will have nipple confusion, but its best to wait until baby is at least 3 or 4 weeks old, before you feed him formula from a bottle.

* About the author *

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