Six Signs to Watch Out for when Your Child is with Older Children
How do you know your young child is being negatively influenced by older children? Article explains.
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Dads Are (Harried) Parents, Too!

My husband thought he was immune to the apparent "Lost-Mind-Syndrome" that had afflicted me during our childrens' toddler years. What, you haven't heard of "Lost-Mind-Syndrome"? Okay, so maybe it's nothing more than being scatter-brained from having ten thousand things to do each and every day! But read on to see that even the most practical-minded man is no match for the beleaguered mind-weariness of parenting!

I think it was during our toddler invasion years (we had three at home) when I realized that losing one's mind--particularly a portion of the memory feature--was an unavoidable by-product of parenting. Why didn't the baby books warn that lost car keys, lost eye glasses, lost bottles and pacifiers--things that turn routine days into triathlons--would become par for the course? There is probably a specialized branch of the government mothers should work for. Who else can conduct a frantic search for vital home security items in less than a minute--and still make it to the pediatrician's office on time?

My husband has hinted that "lost-mind-syndrome" (or, LMS, as we affectionately call it) after parenthood can only happen if one is prone to it in the first place. In other words, that I was really just plain nuts and parenting was bringing it out. Ha! Little did he know that his day would come!

I admit that I had been displaying grave signs of the malady: There was the time we were traveling with two friends when we had to stop so Mike (my husband) could check the engine. Climbing back into the driver’s seat he complained that he'd gotten some antifreeze on his bare arm. Instantly a wayward maternal instinct leapt up in me like an alarm and I blurted, “Don’t lick your arm!” To peals of laughter from the backseat, my husband thanked me profusely for reminding him not to lick his arm since, of course, he was in a terrible habit of doing so.

Another time we were visiting friends and I spotted a pretty lamp, which our hostess explained was a "touch-lamp," the kind you simply have to touch to turn on. They were NEW at the time, and, impressed, I gushed, “Oh, so it’s good for blind people!” For the split-second the thought was in my head until I spoke it aloud, it actually had made sense. Acute LMS in action.

Fortunately lots of parents display symptoms of the syndrome, so I never feel alone. For instance, at the supermarket you can always spot the harried parents at the checkout: they are the ones rocking the shopping cart back and forth. No matter that baby is home—they don’t even know they’re doing it.

Or the 19 mothers in the department store who turn their heads simultaneously when a young child cries "Mommy!" The brain affected by LMS always thinks, "that could be my child!" So what if we left the kids home with Dad? Reality has nothing to do with it. Yup, and friends tell me I am not the only one who has offered a visitor a nicely warmed bottle of milk instead of the tea they were expecting. And I've actually seen other people begin to chop meat into teensy, tiny little pieces--for their spouse.

Often, when bottles or Binky's were missing, my husband would shake his head. "Didn't we just buy a few?" he'd say. I could answer that yes, we had, without even thinking about it--we were ALWAYS just buying a few.

One evening I had just finished bathing our two older kids. As I walked past the den Mike spotted me and asked, worried, “Is the (baby) gate on the stairs closed? Make sure it’s closed!” I saw that Matthew, our youngest at 16 months, was safe for the moment, but I checked the gate anyway. It was closed.

When I passed Mike again shortly afterwards, he fretted, “Did you leave the bathroom door open? Matthew could be getting into the bathroom!” He was worried that I had left water in the tub, and that Matt might be at risk. I had not left water in the tub and stopped in my tracks, suprised to see Mike getting even more indignant. I hadn't even answered the question when he demanded, “Where is Matthew, anyway? WHERE IS HE?!”

I gazed at my husband, shaking my head softly. In a gentle voice I broke the news to him: ”Honey, you’re feeding him.” I felt sorry for the guy as he looked down at Matthew on his lap, sucking quietly from a bottle, and it hit him: He, too, had lost his mind!

Ah, isn’t marriage and parenting great? Give the dad in your house an extra big hug this Father's Day. He deserves it!


Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Romance as well as articles on Regency Life, Homeschooling, and Self-Improvement. She publishes a monthly eZine "Upon My Word!" which you can receive for FREE by signing up at http://www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com Ms. Burkard was raised in NYC and now lives in Ohio with her husband and five children.

The Trouble With Parents

Like most parents, my partner and I work hard to develop our children into healthy, well adjusted people. We want them to have the skills to persue whatever objectives they choose for themselves in this world.

None of us are perfect parents and we all learn from the past. The purpose of this article is to pass on one of our experiences. It had a profound effect on the way we approach the parenting game.

A few years ago, our two children were aged two and four. Over a period of weeks one of our boys had become increasingly naughty. His behaviour was rubbing off on his brother. Mum and dad had explored the usual discipline options but nothing seemed to work.

Eventually, as my partner and I discussed the boys behaviour, we decided that there must be a trigger. If we could find it, we thought we could perhaps effect a change for the better.

We wound back the clock to the time when the behaviour change emerged, then looked at what we had all been doing at around that time.

As it turned out, the onset corresponded with a time when my job was being restructured and my partner was as worried as I about the outcome. We were both focussed on ourselves and quite naturally were exhibiting signs of stress.

The result of this pressure, was that we had very little time for our children and they were not getting the attention they needed from us.

We decided to try an experiment. We set aside all our other priorities for the weekend and spend time with boys. Nothing special, just being with them and giving them quality time.

Their behaviours changed almost instantly. And it was a change for the better.

This small experience had a profound effect on the way we approach parenting. We learned that the behaviours of our children are significantly affected by our own behaviours.

We are now a lot more careful about the amount of time we spend with our boys. When there is a behavioural change from them, we look to ourselves first then check the external influences before we choose a course of action.

Parenting is a wonderful journey, full of twists turns and surprises. I hope that by sharing this small part of our life it will help you in yours.


Brian Pratt is a 47 year old New Zealander. He owns a Plug-In Profit Site at http://www.bestrealincome.com. If you are looking for a home business be sure to check out his site. You can contact Brian at brian@bestrealincome.com

Symptoms of Autism - List of the Top Behaviors Parents Need to Watch For in Babies & Young Children

Autism affects many families in America and can affect a toddler in many different ways. It can hinder a babies development socially as well as his or her fine motor and communication skills. Autism is not the childhood illness it once was, where many autistic children were hidden away and not understood. There are many clinical and research studies being analyzed to help health care providers, educators and parents come up with better solutions to treat and manage it. Everyone agrees that acknowledging the signs of autism and getting early preventative care is necessary for a child's development. More and more health care providers and researchers believe that autistic traits can be seen in babes. When these symptoms become evident, is when early intervention should begin to help reduce the impact that the disorder can have on a child's growth progress. That is why it is so important for parents to be on the forefront of recognizing the signs and symptoms of autism.

Symptoms of autism are normally seen in a kid when he or she is between a year and half to 3 years old. Other, more benign symptoms may even be noticeable amid the first few months of a child's life. Parents need to be their child's cheerleader in this instance, and always monitor their developmental growth as the reach certain age related milestones. If a parent or a health care provider can distinctly see symptoms of autism in a child on or before their first birthday, then the child can get early treatment to minimize the devastating affects of this disorder.

Early onset symptoms are often not noticed simply because there is not a noticeable progression of abnormal behavior, but a lack of a child reaching those age appropriate developmental milestones. Babies who display autistic symptoms will not purposefully grab for toys nor will they try to get someone's attention. Parent's can often think that their baby is just really well behaved and since the infant does not interact as much as other babies do that he or she is not needy. But this can be an initial warning sign that a child is autistic. And while it is certainly true that a baby who does not cry often or is withdrawn from life is easier to handle, parents should be aware that something is organically wrong with their child if they do not need attention.

Parents need to be aware that autism can be controlled if caught early, but what exactly should they search for?

If you feel your baby is not attaining their developmental milestones, then here are some red flag signs that you may need to have your child analyzed. They include:

1. If a baby does not look you in the eye, does not look intently at toys, or will not search with their eyes when their name is called can be an early warning sign of autism.
2. A baby who shows no facial emotions, such as grimacing or exuberance or anger or fear.
3. A baby who doesn't mimic your actions, whether it's smiling, scowling or waving your hand.
4. A baby who will not try to create consonant sounds, or imitate the sounds you make when you talk to him or her.
5. A baby who is not energized by the objects he or she looks at.

Red flag warning traits for kids are:

1. The toddler has a uneasy time attempting to communicate to you about his or her wants and needs.
2. The kid no longer attempts to talk or interact with you.
3. The child is having trouble learning the finer points of speech skills.

Now, most parents will be concerned if they think that their toddler starts to have any of these warning symptoms. It's just natural. If you have witnessed that your baby or child is exhibiting any of these warning symptoms then it is a best bet for you to call for an appointment with your pediatrician or family physician. In fact, even if your child is hitting their developmental milestones, it is still a good idea to have them analyzed. Your child could be a highly functioning autistic for their age, but may face challenges as they get older because of the social situations they find themselves in.

FREE just released ebook "Study on Major Biomedical Treatments for Autism" available at Autism Treatments resource website.
Free resources at autism symptoms & treatments

Children’s Summer Camps - Frequently Asked Questions

Summer camp programs can be a wonderful experience for all children if you chose the right camp for them. If you follow certain guidelines, you can help your child have the best experience possible. These steps involve ‘choosing the right type of camp’, checking out the ‘facilities and staff’, and preparing your child for the upcoming children’s summer camp.

The idea of a youth summer camp can induce strong emotions on the part of parents and children. These sensations run the gamut from ‘excitement and fun’ to ‘fear and anxiety’. In many social circles it is a status symbol or a family tradition. The correct reason for providing the camp experience is if it is ‘in the best interest of the child’.

Deciding to camp or not to camp—How does a parent determine what is ‘in the best interest of the child?’ Some questions parents should ask themselves are: -

Are the summer camp activities being used to solve a childcare problem?

Is this an opportunity for my child to learn, grow and experience life in a unique way?

Is my child a risk taker?

Does my child enjoy new experiences even before I am ready to provide them?

Has my child enjoyed overnight experiences with family or friends?

Does my child have friends who attend camp?

Will camp provide prospects for my child to enjoy ‘favorite activities’?

What will be the expenditure for a moderate or super ‘kids summer camp’? Can I bear the burden?

If you answered ‘yes’ to questions two through eight you have it made. If you answered ‘yes’ to question one only, the odds of success are slim. If you answered ‘yes’ to at least four of questions two through eight, the odds are optimal for a successful traditional summer camp experience.

Selecting the right camp to support the interests of your child should be your main aim. Your child wants to camp, but you may have concerns. Be careful not to convey your concerns.

We offer the leading summer camp program source. Check it out only on the youth summer camps planet. All about summer camps on http://www.leandernet.com

Summer Safety Tips For Children

Summer is a fun time, but it’s also a time when a lot of accidents happen. Here are some ways to keep your children safe this summer.

Water safety.
If you have a pool or plan to be around the water at all, then make sure you’ve got all security devices in place. All gates must be locked, and alarms installed, especially if you have non-swimming children at home.

Some general simple rules for children around any body of water are:

1. No running or horseplay near the pool.

2. Kids only swim with an adult watching them.

3. Make sure your children are taking swim lessons that teach, not only the basic strokes, but also survival strokes and basic water safety as well. All American Red Cross certified programs incorporate water safety into their swim lessons.

4. Of course, if lightening is possible, leave the water until the weather risk passes.

5. If your children are swimming in the ocean, follow the flag warnings and be cautious of the tides.

Sun safety.
No matter how old we are or how careful we are, that sun will surprise us and we’ll suffer a burn.

Some simple rules to keep your children safe in the sun are:

1. Always apply sun screen – even if it’s a cloudy day.

2. Have your kids wear a t-shirt and hat if they have fair skin.

3. Make sure you have water proof sunblock on your kids if they’re in the water.

4. Apply sunscreen often, especially if your kids have fair skin or are playing in water.

5. Provide your children with plenty of water, juice, or popsicles. Keep them hydrated to help prevent heat stroke.

Bicycle safety.

Some simple rules to keep your children safe on their bikes are:

1. A helmet is a must. Ask any nurse in any Emergency Room and you’ll find out why.

2. If you’ve got a child who daydreams, wear a whistle around your neck when you go on a bike ride together. If you see him or her being unsafe, you can blow the whistle. This is much more effective than trying to yell.

3. Look for bike paths in the woods. These allow your child to ride freely without the hazards of traffic. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it.

So many life-changing accidents are preventable. Make it a safe -- and a fun summer!

Nicole Dean invites you to http://www.ShowKidstheFun.com -- a free website filled with activities to make memories with your children and http://www.ShowMomtheMoney.com -- a fun and informative resource for moms who want to make money from home.

Tips For Air Travel With Your Toddlers

It can be very difficult to travel by airplane with young kids. When you travel by car you can stop every few hours and let your toddler get a little exercise. When on an airplane, however, you are confined to a small space for the duration of the flight. This can be very stressful and difficult on a long flight and if your toddler is cranky, the flight can seem even longer. The following tips might help to make your flight more enjoyable for your toddler, you and the other passengers.

1. Consider purchasing a seat for your toddler. Although you are allowed to fly with your child in your lap, this may not be the most comfortable for you or your child. This will allow you a little more mobility and will make your child more comfortable.

2. Bring games and toys that will keep your toddler entertained. Include a portable DVD player so your child can watch their favorite movies during the long flight. This will help keep your toddler occupied.

3. Food on airplanes is usually limited. Bring along some nutritious snacks for your child to keep them from getting hungry. Include some milk, natural juices, fruit, cheese and crackers. Don’t give your child sugary snacks like sodas and candy. Excessive sugar can make your toddler feel over stimulated.

4. Make sure you have spare diapers and a change of clothes for your child. Remember to bring along zip bags for soiled diapers and dirty clothes. Your fellow passengers will appreciate your containing any offensive odors.

Your child may begin to annoy passengers if he does not behave well on the trip. There is the possibility that you might be seated near someone who loves children and may even try to assist you in finding ways to entertain your child. But then there’s the likelihood that someone will be seated near you who is easily annoyed by children and not at all tolerant. Whatever the case, you want to be polite to your neighbor. Acknowledge your child’s behavior and assure them that you are doing everything possible to control your child.

Flying with your toddler can be stressful, but good preparation such as bringing along necessities for entertainment and nutrition can help to calm your child and make the flight more enjoyable for you, your child and your fellow passengers.

Abby Johnson is a staff writer at Travel Gazette and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Lifestyle Gazette.

What to Expect With a Newborn

Caring for a newborn can be an overwhelming task, even if the baby is not your first. The task is best approached with common sense, but common sense is most useful when rooted in experience. Fortunately, even if you are having your first child, there is plenty of experience to draw on - people have been having babies for as long as there have been people.

A newborn baby can bring about a whirlwind of activity, and be a source of excitement. Baby can also bring stress as well as tire you out. Adjusting to life with a newborn can be a major change, and round the clock care for a newborn baby can turn your life upside down. Your newborn will bring a lot of joy to your life, though. Enjoy it, and cope with the rest as it comes.

One thing you need to be sure to do is take care of yourself. You must resist the urge to over-indulge in caffeine. Drink lots of water, eat healthy foods, get fresh air, and if you can, get regular exercise. Also, for your sanity, do something you enjoy every day. You may need to have a little time to yourself to keep you balanced. It is important to take good care of yourself. This will give you the energy to take good care of your newborn baby.

Sleep is at a premium when you have a newborn baby, but get it when you can. If you can, sleep when your baby sleeps, and work out a coordinated schedule with your partner so both of you can rest and still take care of the baby.

No doubt your friends and especially your relatives are eager to spend as much time as possible admiring your new baby. It may make sense for you to establish visiting hours to help you maintain a schedule that works for you and your newborn. Let your visitors know what time is best, and make sure anyone who is not feeling well visits when they are healthy. After all, you don’t want anyone to pass a cold onto your new, vulnerable baby. Now is not the time for social graces; don’t be afraid to be direct. You can also take advantage of the interest in your baby and have friends and family help with household chores so you can get some rest every now and then.

It’s never too early to establish a routine, but you have to let your baby set the pace. Make sure you set aside plenty of time for nursing sessions, naps and crying spells. Don’t schedule too many activities; most of your time is now baby time. Give yourself extra time to pack and get items together when you do have to go somewhere.

Be prepared to have a roller coaster of emotions. You will of course admire your new baby and adore him or her, but there will be times when you grieve for your fatally wounded independence, and worry about your ability to care for a newborn. These may be seconds apart. It’s all part of the process. You will be back to your normal self shortly. It is always OK to ask for help if you need it, and your newborn will thrive as you do.

Maria Cummings is a devoted parent, wife and expert author on family matters and parenting. She is devoted to helping children's organizations and activities. Maria is also the Sales Manager for BustlingBaby.com which offers a variety of baby mobility products, from convertible car seats to lightweight strollers

What Does Your Newborn See In His First Few Days

A young baby is aware of a lot more then we used to think in the past. In fact some of the capabilities of very young children are astonishing. In the “Good Old Days” people thought that a newborn was almost blind. They thought a baby couldn't focus and was more or less colorblind. Meaning that a newborn is only aware of a fuzzy colorless world. We know now that this is not the case.

A newborn is not that little being focused only on himself and his own needs, like hunger, thirst, and other discomfort. From day 1 a newborn is fairly alert, interested and aware of what is happening in his surroundings. He is capable of experiencing and very interested about what is going on is his world. Contrary to old beliefs a baby is able to focus on objects and people that are about 10 inches away. Things that are closer of further away are out of focus, if this were different our newborn would be highly intimidated by the multitude of stimuli. If a child can see color from the moment its born is still unknown, but chances are that he can. And if not he or she will learn in a very short while.

A natural preference for faces

So your baby sees the same things you see, but of course has no idea about its meaning. That's something he has to learn. Still very young children have a clear cut preference for certain objects. He or she will stare (or gaze if you will) to more complicated and will show more interest to moving then to static objects. This is one of the reasons your face is so enormously interesting to him. The eye contact that he is capable of during the first few days is very important for the development of his social skills.

Your baby is programmed so to speak to find your face attractive and inviting. As his interest in your face grows, his interest in the rest of the human species will grow with it.

It takes about 8 months before your baby is really capable of recognizing your face, at that point he or she will temporarily be scared by unfamiliar faces.

Linfa, mother of two is an inspired author of http://www.baby-strollers-guide.com/ and http://www.baby-product-guides.com/

What To Do If Your Newborn Has Jaundice?

Don't panic if your doctor tells you that your newborn baby has jaundice. Jaundice in a newborn baby is a common condition.

Most newborns have normal physiological jaundice and in very rare cases is the jaundice due to serious liver disorders.

Why my baby?

The blood cells in your baby's body are broken up into a yellow pigment called bilirubin. The level of bilirubin needs to be kept normal by the liver and kidneys by excreting it in the baby's poop. But the liver of a newborn baby is not very mature. So bilirubin levels rise in the blood causing yellow pigmentation of the skin.

More than 90% of newborn babies are affected by normal physiological jaundice. So relax. This type of jaundice is seen usually on second or third day of the baby's life and disappears by the 7th or 10th day.

How to tell if your baby has jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin and the white of the eye is the key symptom of jaundice. Your baby may also be sleepier than usual. This could be normal physiological jaundice especially when it appears 3-4 days after birth.

Monitor your baby after 1 or 2 days of his birth. You can diagnose jaundice in the newborn baby by doing a very simple test. Press your fingertip against your baby's forehead or nose tip. If it appears white, you have nothing to worry about. If a yellowish color appears, it is time to call your doctor. A blood test might be needed to confirm that there are no specific causes for the jaundice.

More on jaundice in the newborn

Normal physiological jaundice does not affect baby's general health.

Breast milk can also produce jaundice in a few babies. However, the pros of breastfeeding outweigh the condition and you will probably be advised continue breastfeeding.

Premature babies are more prone to developing jaundice. Blood group incompatibility between you and your child can also produce jaundice.

When jaundice is a cause for alarm

If jaundice appears within 24 hours of birth and persists for more than 14 days, it could be pathological jaundice due to a liver condition. Other pointers include baby's refusal to feed, dark yellow urine, pale or clay colored poop and a weak and irritable baby. Call your doctor immediately if you detect any of these warning signs.

How your baby will be treated

Normal physiological jaundice in your newborn does not require any special treatment. Adequate fluid intake is essential. Breast feed your baby at least 8-12 times a day.

A mini sunbath might be recommended. You may be asked to put your baby's crib near the window that gets the maximum sunlight. Make sure you protect baby's eyes and limit exposure to direct sunlight. Follow the instructions from your caregiver.

In case of severe jaundice, phototherapy or bililight therapy will be used. Your baby will be exposed to artificial light, which can decrease the bilirubin levels.

Most newborn babies have jaundice. In some, it so mild that it goes unnoticed and in some babies it may worsen to produce symptoms.

Detecting the symptoms early does help. So do keep a close watch on baby (as if you need telling). If your newborn is diagnosed with jaundice, you now know what to do.

This article has been provided by ParentingSurvivalGuide.com. Please visit our web site at http://www.ParentingSurvivalGuide.com to discover more articles.

Are You Looking to Create the Next Great Genius?

Here are some ideas to get you on your way to helping your baby's mental and physical capabilities!

1. Read to your baby.

2. Massage your baby each night before he or she goes to bed.

3. Play classical music.

4. Spend time singing to your baby.

5. Look your baby in the eye and just talk to him or her about anything fun, positive!

6. Allow your baby to spend time exploring his or her toys and environment uninterrupted.

7. Play videos that show and tell what basic objects are. You may want to create your own video pointing out household items.

8. Take your baby to the park and allow he or she to observe his or her surroundings.

9. Bring your baby around other adults and children to enhance social skills.

10. Put money aside for programs such as this GeniusMaker