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Controlling Eczema On The Scalp: How To Help The Rash Subside

Scalp eczema not only has itching and dryness but there can be some swelling and even cracking of the skin in certain people.

Like other forms of eczema, there can be some scales as well as blisters and cracks. This is not easy for parents to see when a son or daughter has this problem. Plus kids have a hard time not picking at flaking skin or scratching something that is itchy.

Kids can care a lot about what others think so try to help your child be at ease and not feel uncomfortable. Let him or her know that it takes longer to heal when things are picked at and that they should do things to take their minds off of it.

Also other kids probably will only notice if they are picking and scratching at their scalp so remind them of that as well.
Use antihistamines to help them deal with the itchy sensations as those are hard to ignore and it takes tremendous self-discipline to resist the urge to scratch the areas.

There are some ways to help combat eczema, though for some people it is a chronic condition that cycles and flares up from time to time. Don't let this stop your energy in pursuing a solution to the problem, but just expect it for a while.

First of all, check the ingredients of your shampoo products as well as gels and styling items. It is best to use natural products and avoid ones with perfumes, alcohol and other ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Try to avoid rubbing anything into the scalp that you are not sure about. Don't use hot water but make sure the water is only warm. This is a habit that isn't easy to change. There are products made with aloe vera that can be used to style the hair.

If your skin is itching, use an oil such as coconut, flax seed or almond oil. Eczema skin requires hydration and we tend
to dry our scalp out by frequent showers as well as sitting in the sun. Avoid the sun and use a spf of 25 or higher in that area. Internally eat foods that will give you foods with omega 3 oils as well as vitamins a, d and e .

Don't use anything abrasive in the scalp area and try to take off wool caps in the home and non-cotton coverings.

By: Jill Cohen
Learn more about How to Get Rid of Eczema and cure an Itchy Skin Rash using natural methods.

Toddler Separation Anxiety: How To Calm Your Child's Fears

The crying toddler at the door screaming, and trying to run out if anyone opens it is an all too familiar thing at any child care center. Toddler separation anxiety can be stressful and challenging for both the parent and child. Parents often feel guilt, worry, and anxiety when they can't calm their child and get them to stop crying. Although it is hard to leave your devastated child , there are some things that you can do to help calm your child's fears and help them work through their anxieties. This article is going to talk about some things a parent can do to help soothe their child when they are worried about separation from their loved ones.

The very first thing I always tell parents not to do is leave with out saying good-bye. I have seen many parents try the sneak off when they aren't looking method. Although this is easier for the parent, since they don't have to leave when their child is crying, it is not better for the toddler. The toddler will still start to cry when they notice the parent is absent. They will look around for them and wonder where they went and when they will return. In the end, this will cause more toddler separation anxiety because the young child doesn't know when their parent will be there and when they won't. They might cling to a parent that does this because they are afraid to turn their backs. When you are dealing with toddler separation anxiety it is important that your child understands that you are leaving and will be back. They need to feel safe and secure and have an understanding of what is happening.

Another very important thing, is setting up a routine. Like I mentioned before, the child who is dealing with toddler separation anxiety needs to have an understanding of what is happening. Set up a drop off and pick up routine. That way your toddler will know when you are leaving and when you will return. It is also something special you can give them when they are away. I have seen parents who use separation books, like “The Kissing Hand” that tell a story about separation, and they use the same techniques that the mom in the book use. Children do well relating to story book characters. I have also seen kids who enjoy watching their parents car leave and return. They like going to the window and waving good-bye before they start playing. Set up a routine and stick with it. Toddler separation anxiety is scary for a child and having a routine will help transition them through their day.

Toddler separation anxiety can come from the parent too. This means the parent can be causing the child some of the fear and anxiety by the way they are acting. It is important to be reassuring and calm when your child is suffering from toddler separation anxiety. Let your child know what is going to happen and then do it. If the parent goes back and forth or stays with a child for too long, it can make the whole process harder. Your child will feed off of your emotions. If you are calm cool and collected, it will teach them to be the same.

To sum it up, toddler separation anxiety can cause a lot of emotion from both parent and child, but it is a very important milestone in child development. By following the tips I have given you can help your child transition through the fear and anxiety. The screaming child who is suffering from toddler separation anxiety will soon be the independent two year old that can't wait to play with their friends.

By: Jennie Berendson
For more information on child separation anxiety go to separation anxiety Jennie has been an early child educator for over 10 years.

Parenting Teens: How To Connect With Your Teen (or Tween) And Guide Them - Even When You’re Screamin’ Busy!

Even with the busiest of schedules, here’s how us parents (or grandparents) can know tap into the ideal times to connect with your teenager (or tweener), deal with teen issues or teen problems, and teach them. And, we can do all of this even with the busiest of lives and schedules. This is a different, but very effective way of thinking about “quality time.” It’s like practical quality time.

What I’m about to help you understand about parenting teens has been one of the best ways to make the most of those fleeting moments with our teens. It’s how to recognize and capitalize on the opportunities to instill those things you know they need in order to grow into responsible adults.

We all battle with busy schedules … running here and there … a million things to do … work, gym, meetings, laundry, phone calls, pick up this, drop off that. Even our kids get over-scheduled with school, sports, social outings, projects, etc. It feels like we need to be everywhere and do everything all at one time. How can we make time for the one things that is probably our biggest priority – our children – without losing the pace that we must run to make life happen?

The answer is to make the most of what I call “Teaching Moments” with your kids.

A teaching moment is just that … a moment … or two … where you find yourself in the perfect situation with your child to say something that will deeply impact them because the lesson is “organic” or “occurs naturally.” Keep reading as I’ll explain both later in this article.

So take, for example, the other night, when I walked out of my son’s baseball practice and smelled marijuana. Most of us parents would do one of two things at that point:

1. Ignore it
Brush it off for any number of reasons (not enough time right then to discuss, the child is too young, it’s too deep of a subject for where we are, etc.)

2. Make the most of the teaching moment
Take a few moments – maybe 5 minutes - and ask our child if (s)he smells it too … and there creates the perfect opportunity for a teaching moment because it is unfolding as you both experience it together.

This space for a teaching moment is incredibly powerful because the lesson isn’t another dreaded lecture coming from you, or another family meeting or planned happening. In other words, it comes up organically!

I recognized a possibly teaching moment immediately that night my son and I smelled marijuana! I knew this was the perfect teaching environment to slip in a little lesson about drugs, to see where they’re at with their knowledge or experience with drugs, and to ask and answer questions about drugs.

These “organic” teaching moments provide a richer learning experience that they can relate to because they’re feeling and experiencing it. These moments have more potential to open up a free flow of back and forth discussion and questions. What could be better!

My son and I had to walk from the baseball field to the car ANYWAY – what’s different is something happened in the environment and I capitalized on the moment to talk about it all the way to the car! We had to walk to the car regardless. But now he learned a little something about drugs from me in the meantime or was able to say what was on his mind with fewer barriers to entry to the topic.

A teenager is less likely to think of what you say to him or her at this time (your lesson) as another lecture or demand because you didn’t cause it. You both just happened to be somewhere and something came up; or something happened. You’ve got to look for these moments because they create the perfect, non-threatening environment where you can more easily and naturally talk about marijuana (or whatever).

What you say will be more effective because you did not force the issue and you’re both on a sort of level playing field where you’re experiencing something together. In this environment, what you say or ask will be more welcomed because the exchange of conversation between you is merely observing an event, what someone else said or did, or other happening that could spur any number of subjects to talk about – and teaching moments.

These are ideal connecting and teaching moments because the conversations and lessons tale place in the very moment they happen. The key is to talk or ask a question or two right then and there – as something is happening.

A teaching moment could come up at any time … on the way to the store with the kids in the car, when the news is on, when you’re walking to and from places with your kids, waiting for their doctor or dentist appointment with them, etc. You just have to be on the lookout for these moments and then not waste them!

Don’t worry that there may be times when you’re lesson doesn’t go through. Just keep trying! Since these moments do not originate from you, they are less threatening. Eventually, some or all of your teaching moments will make a dent.

Try this because believe me, it works. If it doesn’t at first, try it at another time. I can almost guarantee you that at one time or another, your child will let go and jump in with you. And then you can do your job as a parent and guide them into the adult you want them to grow into – one teaching moment at a time.

By: Paul L Hagen
To learn more, go to www.itsabouttime.com

How To Stop Your Toddler From Hitting Without Hitting Back!

If your toddler is hitting you or other people and you just don't know how to stop it – then I have you good tips for you! Many parents hit back and it's not the method I recommend you no matter what – he is only a child, not a criminal! Don't even think about spanking him – it will only add fuel to the fire!

First of all you have to understand that your toddler is hitting you or others not because he wishes to hurt someone, but because that it's probably the only way for him to make social contacts with people! Since he still probably can't talk then the best way for him to get attention is with physical contact!

Most of the times this simple method will work – just gram his little hands and don't him move for 10-20 seconds! Look him in the eyes and tell him that hitting is unacceptable for you! Most parents who use this method still do one mistake – they are not consistent! One time they will do it, another time they will scream at the child, third time they will ignore – you must repeat it time after time until your child learns!

You can also teach him other methods of communication. Tell him that if he wants something he can touch you gently. When he does it give him some sort of prize – ice cream, candy or a strong hug and kiss! That way he'll understand, after few times, what works better for him and use the gentle way to get attention!

One more thing – it's very important not to overreact. Since you do understand the real reason behind the hitting then you don't have to get angry! I hope I helped you, good luck!

First of all you have to understand that your toddler is hitting you or others not because he wishes to hurt someone, but because that it's probably the only way for him to make social contacts with people! Since he still probably can't talk then the best way for him to get attention is with physical contact!

Most of the times this simple method will work – just gram his little hands and don't him move for 10-20 seconds! Look him in the eyes and tell him that hitting is unacceptable for you! Most parents who use this method still do one mistake – they are not consistent! One time they will do it, another time they will scream at the child, third time they will ignore – you must repeat it time after time until your child learns!

You can also teach him other methods of communication. Tell him that if he wants something he can touch you gently. When he does it give him some sort of prize – ice cream, candy or a strong hug and kiss! That way he'll understand, after few times, what works better for him and use the gentle way to get attention!

One more thing – it's very important not to overreact. Since you do understand the real reason behind the hitting then you don't have to get angry! I hope I helped you, good luck!

By: Jackie Jhonson
Is your child hitting you or other children? Are you looking for a way to stop it? Discover now the best method to stop your toddler from hitting quickly and easily!

Parenting Tip Toddler Discipline - Fussy Eaters

Your toddler could be a fussy eater and refuse to try a new food. More or less half of all toddlers fit this attitude, so it’s no wonder that food matters are source of worries for parents. Setting up healthy patterns of eating is very important to avoid problems like eating disorders and obesity later in life. Different strategies could help your child take a wider choice of foods. It can be necessary to give a food to your toddler as many as ten different times before they want to eat it. The problem is that lots of parents get discouraged and give up before the 4th or 5th try.

Here are tips you can do to get your toddler eat their foods.

1. Make the food you serve look interesting.

Try to make foods fun by including some differently colored foods on his plate. Colorful foods like raisins, carrot sticks, apples, cheese sticks, grapes, and crackers can all be fun and healthy foods for your toddler. Let them put in their minds that eating good food is important so they will grow strong and big, and how these foods will help them play longer and run faster.

2. Be a good role model.

If you are a fussy eater then your child can be a fussy eater as well. Children learn behaviors from their parents. If you limit yourself to narrow food choices, your child can mimic your actions and behaviors. Do not limit his/her food selection to only those foods you want. Your child’s tastes are different with yours, and maybe you are just giving them foods they don’t like. Try to be a good example and consider a variety of foods in front of him/her. It could motivate him/her to do the same.

3. Prepare the meal with your child.

Your child will be more likely to eat food he has helped to make.

4. Encourage self-feeding from a young age.

If your child is actively involved in eating rather than just sitting and receiving food from you, you can encourage your child to take an interest in the food being offered.

5. Find alternative food your child will eat from each food group.

If he/she does not like milk, try giving cheese or yogurt.

6. Ensure that your expectations are attainable.

Your child is not like you and you cannot expect him/her to eat like you.

7. Serve child size food.

Your child can ask for a second round! Generally give 3 small meals each day with a snack between those meals.

Try not to worry much, and keep in mind that unless a child is sick, they’ll eat. Children are good at judging their fullness and hunger signals. Stay relaxed during meal time and offer him/her a wide selection of foods, and most of all, remember to show a good example by trying a wide selection of foods yourself. You might find out you and your toddler share a new discovered favorite food!

By: Lara Nadezda

Teens And Cell Phone Activity - How To Trace It

If your teenagers are like most, they probably have their own cell phones. While giving your kid, 'tween', or teen is generally seen as a good idea nowadays, there are some obvious downsides to kids and teenagers having their own cell phones -- namely, it gives them a way to communicate with people, and sometimes access the internet, without your oversight. Fortunately, however, there are ways for you to keep tabs on your teens' cell phone activity if you feel you need to -- through cell phone forensics.

Cell phones, and the freedoms they give teenagers

Cell phones nowadays are not just portable mobile devices; most modern cell phones provide all-in-one phone, text, chat, video, photo, and internet browsing capabilities. With a relatively modern cell phone -- prepaid or otherwise -- your teen can be calling, texting, or chatting with anybody in the world, regardless of whether you approve of their activities or not. Unfortunately, unless you're controlling every facet of your teens' cell phone functionality and usage, there's a chance that this unfettered freedom could lead to unwanted problems in the near future or later on down the road.

Keeping tabs on your teens' cell phone activity with modern technology

For most parents, it should be relatively easy to find out the call history on your kids' cell phone. After all, the cell phone bill is probably in a parent's name, thus at least some of the cell phone activity will show up on the cell phone bill. However, when you need to find out details -- such as deleted text messages, deleted emails, and maybe websites being visited, or photos being stored -- a simple cell phone bill simply won't do. In cases like these, you'll need the help of a cell phone forensics investigator.

Cell phone forensics are based an older technology that has been adapted to work with today's digital devices. Not too long ago, recovering deleted files and 'hidden' information was reserved for computer hard drives, and it wasn't affordable for the average consumer. However, now these technologies -- which can be used to find information on basic cell phones to today's most complex mobile computing devices -- are more affordable, and quite frankly -- more in need than ever before.

Information available through cell phone forensics

Regardless of how your teen might try to hide it, there is a wealth of information available by a forensic scan of your teens' cell phone:

* Deleted SMS / text messages
* Deleted emails
* Deleted video / photos
* Detailed caller ID history
* etc.

If you implicitly trust your teenager, maybe there's no need to scan their cell phone for activities that you might not approve of. However, as you're reading this article -- you apparently think otherwise. If you want to know what your teenager has been up to on their cell phone, there's no better method available than through cell phone forensics services. Not only will you know what they're up to today, you'll also know what it is that they deleted yesterday as well.

By: Rick D. James
Cell phone forensics investigations are an affordable way to help protect your kids from today's dangerous situations. Visit our online investigation website or review EmailRevealer.com's popular services.

How To Get A Toddler Into The Bath Without A Tantrum

While some parents are lucky to have toddlers who take to water like a duck, for others, bath time often spells crying fits, temper tantrums and a traumatic time for all. Even if you are a parent with a child who loves playing in the bath, often the process of getting your autonomous child into the bath can present a challenge. Toddlers are learning lots of new things everyday and are often in a world of their own. Getting them to take a bath right this instant isn't quite as simple as saying, "Hayley, come take your bath now."

Until your toddler can respond to such requests willingly, here are some creative ways to get your toddler to take a bath. It might be worth noting that not all methods work all the time and sometimes a combination of approaches and some modifications are necessary. With a little trial and error, they should at least help to minimise the number of times that taking a bath ends up becoming a battle of wills.

1. Creative Suggestions
It's all in the marketing... Even little children respond well to creative marketing. Sometimes the way you phrase "bath time" can make all the difference between a toddler rushing to take a bath and one who steadfastly refuses to be "told what to do".

Here is an example: A toddler who enjoys Thomas and Friends might respond more eagerly to the phrase "let's go to the wash down so we can be a clean and shiny engine like James". Just in case you aren't familiar with Thomas and Friends, James is one of the engines who loves going to the wash down (the place where all the engines are cleaned), and he is also very proud of being shiny and clean.

Alternatively, rather than say "take a bath", you can talk about "playing with water" or even "playing with bubbles" because both suggest engaging in a fun activity that appeals to some toddlers.
2. Let's Play with Bubbles
All children love bubbles. Sometimes the mere suggestion of playing with bubbles is enough to bring a toddler running. If you can, try to entice your toddler with a bubble bath first. If that doesn't work, you will still have the leeway to increase the ante with more bubble fun.
For instance those bubble solutions where you can blow bubbles with a special looped stick might just do the trick.

Alternatively, you can invest in a bubble gun that shoots high speed bubbles with a minimum of effort on your part. Your toddler, who hasn't quite learned how to blow bubbles will also find the bubble gun more interesting since it is easier for a child to press a trigger than to learn how to blow bubbles. The ability to make their own bubbles can be more appealing to toddlers who enjoy exerting their independence.

3. Bath Toys and Water Games
Special bath toys like rubber ducks or boats can add an extra dimension of fun to bath time. These days, there are a myriad of bath toys you can purchase to engage little ones in the bath. You can also buy bath books and interesting, colour-changing toys.
Returning to our earlier example with Thomas and Friends and the trains, one example of a water game would be to get your toddler to "take his engines to the wash down for cleaning". While your toddler is busy cleaning his engines, you can bathe him.

Alternatively, there are plenty of water durable objects around the house that you can introduce into the bath. A fun and educational activity is to offer your child cups and small bowls in the bath to practice pouring water from one receptacle to another. This serves to fulfill your toddler's desire to learn how to pour liquids in a suitable environment that doesn't require you to clean up after.

Another activity that some toddlers might enjoy is getting into the bath with a t-shirt on and later "washing" the shirt in the bath. One mother whose daughter hated bath time found that the only way she could get her daughter into the bath was to put her in fully clothed and slowly remove her clothes after she was in the bath.

4. Pictures in the Bath
Sticking plastic stickers onto the walls of the shower cubicle or onto the bath tiles, especially of characters that your child likes, can also be another way to entice your toddler to take a bath more willingly. If you don't have or can't get stickers, you can laminate pictures cut out from magazines, toy catalogues, CD covers, etc. Tell your toddler to "wash" his friends to keep him occupied while you get busy with soaping and rinsing your toddler.

5. Sweet Rewards
Rewards usually work better with older toddlers that understand the nature of a reward. Some effective rewards are stickers, small toys, and sweet treats, especially the normally forbidden ones. Sometimes the promise of being able to do a special activity after the bath can be quite effective, too. For instance, "After your bath, you can watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."
Initially, when you are introducing the concept of a reward, you might have to offer a treat as a "taste test" then promise another one after the bath. When you toddler gets a hang of the idea, you can reserve all treats for after the bath.

6. Giving Options
Sometimes the objection to taking a bath is not necessarily the activity itself but the feeling of being imposed upon. This is especially important to a toddler who is learning to express autonomy over self. By offering an option and letting your toddler make a choice, you can still achieve an amicable end result.

Here is an example of offering an option for taking a bath: "Do you want to take a bath with the yellow bubbles or the blue bubbles?"

Sometimes negative options can work more effectively than offering a reward. For instance, "Do you want to take a bath now and watch Mickey Mouse after, or do you want to play for another ten minutes and have lights out after your bath?" Most toddlers don't like the thought of having to go to sleep and will try to avoid it almost as much - if not more so - than taking a bath.

7. Cleaning Up After Getting Dirty
Some toddlers have a natural predisposition to dislike getting dirty, although that fact itself may not stop them from engaging in fun activities that require them to get dirty. Allowing them to engage in these activities prior to bath time can be extremely effective in getting them to hop straight into the bath right after. For instance, finger painting is a fun and dirty activity that most toddlers enjoy, and washing up afterward usually brings a cooperative toddler to the bath, especially one that doesn't like to stay dirty.

With toddlers who dislike getting dirty, sometimes merely taking them to the mirror and pointing out food stains on their mouths or t-shirts can work as well.

Summary
There are many other ways to be creative about bath time and get a toddler's full cooperation. These suggestions and ideas might even help you think of other, more creative ways that suit your toddler's interests and temperament.

Although there may be times when it seems nothing you do can convince your willful toddler to take a bath without a tantrum, using tactics like these will help to prevent the majority of meltdowns.

Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious at figur8.net/baby and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.

How To Handle Your Toddler's Tantrums In The Best Way?

Most of the parents have absolutely no idea how to handle their toddler's tantrums, so their natural reaction is just ask the child to calm down, yell at him or any other way they think will make him stop screaming and crying on the floor! Well, it can work from time to time but in the long run it's just not really effective. This way your child will not stop until he is old enough. So I want to share few tips with you about what is the right thing to do as a parent when you see another tantrum! Let's start!

Distraction works excellent in these cases. When your child wants something and you can't give it to him from some reason – he throws a temper tantrum again! Well, you can always get his attention with something else he also likes and it's available right now! Important to say that it doesn't work with every kid…

If it's at home then the best method is just to let your child calm down because he probably will after 5 or 10 minutes! Just ignore him and let it pass on its own! This will teach him than he doesn't get any attention that way. After it passes don't punish the child – just treat him a little coldly for a few minutes so he will feel the consequences a little!

It's very important to stay calm during it and not to show any emotional reaction! It will take some time until it will stop completely, but just be a little patient! I hope I helped you and good luck!

By: Jackie Jhonson
Don't know how to handle your toddler's tantrums? Are sick of feeling embarrassed every time it happens and people look at you? Click here to discover the best method to stop toddler's tantrums once for all!

My Baby Won’t Sleep At Night, Top Tips To Help Babies Sleep

All the experts tell you that your baby should start sleeping through the night at about 3 months. But my baby won’t sleep at night, I hear you say. Babies are curious little creatures. They are like little sponges learning and observing all the time. As they get used to a routine, and things become more familiar, your baby could soon start to associate sleep time with time that mommy isn’t there. It’s called separation anxiety and it’s a normal part of development for many babies. But it can be especially trying for parents, as babies can be particularly strong-willed, especially about bedtime! The last thing you want is for baby to wake up regularly at night crying for you so often that it becomes routine.

You may be introducing some new baby foods around now, and this can help your baby feel sleepy as their bodies adjust to digesting food instead of just milk. Remember to introduce new patterns gently and slowly. If the baby isn’t going to sleep or keeps waking up and crying for you, then it’s time to teach yourself baby sleep techniques that you can use to break this habit and help baby sleep at night again. This also results in more sleep for you too!

Don’t change your nighttime sleep routine for your baby. You can still start out with a warm bath, a good feed, and a bedtime story. Rocking and snuggling, singing or reading – these are all important bonding times for mother and baby, and can help baby sleep at night. If baby doesn’t fall asleep right away, try putting her in her crib with the rocker or glider right next to the crib, singing or reading to her. You can sit by the crib and rub or pat her back.

In a week or two, move your chair a short distance away from the crib, so the baby can still see you, but you are starting to edge towards the door. You should continue to talk or read or sing. If she cries for more than 10 or 15 minutes, then get up and comfort her, but put her back down in the crib and go back to your chair.

In another week or two, move your chair even closer towards the door. Even these small changes could be upsetting for your baby, so be patient and be prepared to take a small step back towards the crib for a day or two before edging towards the door again. This is a time that can be spent productively. You can fold her laundry and put it away, sort out bath towels, or pair the families socks together, talking to her all the time, so she’s aware of your presence, but your attention isn’t focused totally on her. This way she can get used to the idea of separation gradually.

If you find these tips helpful, and they work for you, then great! Well done you! But if you find this advice is not working, or just seems to be taking too long to accomplish, then there are many more techniques you can learn for making baby sleep through the night.

By: Sophie Bright

If you find your baby still wakes at night, teach yourself baby sleep techniques that worked for me on my son. Click Here! Or read more of my tips here: Sleep Routines For Babies Wishing you a good night's sleep, Sophie x

10 Cheap Family Activities For Every Parent

If you're looking for family activities to do with your children, and don't want them to cost a fortune, then why not consider some of these exciting things you can do.

1. Just spending time with your children playing board games, or dressing up, or reading with them, will be very rewarding. Perhaps you don't get the chance to spend as much time with your children as you'd like to, so why not do something they like doing?

2. Going for walks can be great exercise for all the family, as well as fun and educational. Why not go to the countryside and see what wildlife you can see, or find out more about the area where you live, or put on your wellies and go out in the rain, and jump in some puddles or find some mud to play in!

3. Maybe your children love going to the park, so why not take them more often? You could take a football or a frisby, as well as playing on the slide and swings. Letting your children run around with others their age is a great way for them to make new friends, and also to let off steam.

4. Your children might benefit from going to museums and art galleries, especially if they're studying something specific in history or art at school. You could help them learn more about a certain period of time, or artist, and help them with their schoolwork at the same time. You might enjoy visiting a museum or gallery you haven't been to in a while too.

5. Are your children too young to appreciate your favourite sports? Why not see if they'd like to go to a football or rugby match, or maybe they've been inspired by watching tennis or motor racing on TV.

6. Does your gym have children's classes? Remember that if you don't take your health seriously, and watch what you eat, you can't be surprised if you're children are unhealthy. Instead of watching TV, or spending time on the computer, why not suggest going for a bike ride, or swimming?

7. Getting your children interested in cooking from an early age, can promote healthy eating, and ensure that they understand the importance of eating good quality fresh produce, and get their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If you eat a lot of fast food, or unhealthy snacks, your children are likely to want to as well.

8. Don't forget to encourage your children to spend time with their friends. Maybe your children could invite a couple of friends round for tea, or to play. Why not see if you can become friendly with their parents, and they might repay the favour?

9. An afternoon doing arts and crafts is a great way to spend time with your children. Why not encourage them to be creative and artistic? Perhaps they'll enjoy colouring pictures, or making collages, or following instructions to make a model, or create something useful and practical.

10. Gardening can be fun for all the family, so if you've got green fingers, why not let your children help you with your gardening ideas and plans? They could have their own area of the garden, or plant pots, and grow their own seeds, and see how they do.

Now you know what sort of things you can doe with your children, and that they don't have to be expensive, what other family activities can you think of?

Discover a wide range of Family Activities you can do with your children, and amazing seasonal Gardening Ideas to make the most of your garden. If you're a parent, then you'll love Candis magazine. Find out more at Candis.co.uk today, and subscribe online. You'll be glad you did.

Parenting Solutions - 3 Easy Steps in Dealing With an Oppositional Child

Are you a parent with a defiant child? Are you pulling your hair out from opposition caused by your child? If you are a parent who is tired of being tired, screaming at your kids, putting them in time-out, etc., then this article may be just what you are looking for.

Households that are confusing (overactive) cause more confusion. Young children do not know how to react to parents who come home from work tired and in need of peace and quiet - or how to deal with a household of siblings who also want and need attention. Therefore, negative attention, to a young child, is better than none at all.

Understanding your child's need for attention is the first step a parent must consider. It is perfectly natural for a child to make demands. From the confines of the crib, a child learns to cry for attention. We have all heard about the "terrible twos". This often is the result of a toddler being curious and wanting to explore. The parent tells him "No", but it's not satisfactory to him. His curiosity is overwhelming and he just has to know what is behind the closed cabinet.

Likewise, the curious and defiant child wants to 'do it his way' and make the rules that pertain to him. "I don't want to go to bed" or "I don't want to eat this food" is a sign of independence at a very early age. So, how does a parent cope with such a strong willed and stubborn kid?

The first step is to keep calm. Raising one's voice is frightening and overbearing to a young child who will then cry and become obstinate. This, in turn, causes the parent to react negatively with words or actions. The cycle is repeated until one or the other gives in and/or collapses from exhaustion.

The second step for a parent is to remain consistent in his or her expectations of their child. Children will never learn what is expected of them if the parent does not show consistency in that regard. I think back to my own childhood and sitting in school. My teachers expected certain things from their students; and they made it abundantly clear on the first day of class what those expectations were.

The third step is for parents to send a clear message to the child in language they can understand. Be firm, but friendly. Have your child repeat what the message is. Have them explain it back to you in their own words. Never argue with a defiant child. It will do no one any good; not you, not your child. Years ago there was an old saying, "Children should be seen and not heard." Although I do not adhere to that advice, I do have a tidbit of other advice for you:

Pretend to be invisible to your defiant child. Pretend to be deaf. Sooner or later, he will get the message that his defiance brings no self-satisfying results. In the meantime, right now, go give him or her a big hug and let them know you love them. They are but little just once.

Gail Gupton is a grandmother of twelve. She has developed a quick, easy, and humane way to change Out-Of-Control children to kids who behave properly, guaranteed. If you have a child who back-talks, who's sarcastic, unruly, disrespectful, or disobedient, help is available at http://www.TheBehaviorSolution.com.

Parenting Tips For When Kids Talk Back

Many mental health specialists and those that specialize in child care will attest to the fact that when kids talk back it is a type of behavior is considered to be "learned". This is, in many cases, an outright disrespect for authority and should be dealt with accordingly. Here, I will provide some helpful information and insight on this topic, as well as some basic techniques to cope when kids talk back.

Problems in Stopping the Back Talk

Every single day, there are adults everywhere who are at their ends wit when it comes to trying to stop kids from talking back. If you face this challenge, it is essential to know and understand that it is not appropriate to give into this type of behavior. It is considered to be highly disrespectful and disrespect should not be tolerated in children. If it is tolerated, the child will grow to develop many different types of emotional and behavioral problems. If you are having problem in stopping the back talk, it is important to evaluate your response to this behavior, as well as the responses of others. It is then that you can develop a plan to put a stop to this type of verbal disrespect.

Common Reasons for Talking Back

There are many different reasons why a child may talk back. The following list details some of the reasons why this may occur:

1. If a child is talking back, it is important to observe the behavior of the adults in the home. It is a known fact that many children model themselves after the adults that they come in contact with on a daily basis. Do the adults in the home exhibit a smartallic conversational tone? Do these individuals become loud and obnoxious? If this is occurring in the home, it is quite possible that the child is not the one to blame, but the adults in the home are. Appropriate behavior modification should be implemented in order to adjust to that which is acceptable.

2. If the parents and other adults around the child who is talking back often "gives in" to the behavior of the child, the kid will use this to their advantage. They will gain a certain level of control by back talking and being quite obnoxious about it. Children should grow to learn that "no" is no, and that they will not always get their way.

3. Many children who do not feel as if they get any attention from their parents may begin to talk back to adults in order to acquire attention - even if it is negative. To a child, negative attention is better than no attention at all.

How to Handle Back Talk

There are many ways that you can handle back talk if you are on the receiving end as an adult. The following details some of the methods that have been found to be effective in this type of situation:

1. If a child starts to back talk you, you should hold them accountable immediately and then follow up on this accountability by informing that their actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Stop the behavior in its tracks and make sure they take you seriously when you do this. This means backing up what you say, when you say it.

2. Many children will talk back to an adult to simply get an argument going. If your child does this, you hold them accountable, and they continue to engage in the behavior, simply ignore them. When they see that their ability to control and manipulate you just is not working, then eventually the behavior will die out completely.

3. If your child back talks and you observe them being respectful in conversation later, you must ensure that you point this out and encourage them to act in this manner more often. Eventually, they will come to a point where they want to please you.

Conclusion

When kids talk back, it is a complicated experience. However, it is a behavior that can be modified. By understanding what causes it, and how you can correct it, you can easily bring about a positive change when it comes to the overall behavior of your child.

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Mr. Heath is a writer and the chief editor at More4kids.info, a website devoted to parenting and families. Copyright 2009 More4kids Inc.

Potty Training - The #1 Reason Why it May Take Longer

Sometimes our greatest helper is our greatest hindrance. In the case of potty training I am referring to a product that was introduced to the market 11 years ago: Pull-Ups training pants. In 1989 the product was well received by parents and was the first product of its kind. Today, many parents continue to use Pull-Ups as well as many other brands of disposable training pants as a logical step in the potty training process.

Though pull-ups are widely used, I believe they are actually the number one hindrance to the transition from diapers to the potty. They make potty training only seemingly easier, and in reality it makes the process more difficult and prolonged.

The Case For Pull-Ups

1. Convenience

It cannot be disputed that pull-ups are convenient. When out shopping or running errands with your child it's nice to know that you will not have an emergency clothes changing session in the bathroom because of an "accident." At night time you can sleep peacefully knowing that if your child wets the bed, the bed is not really getting wet (hence no middle of the night sheet changing), just the pull-up. Pull-ups reduce the mess, save time and seem to make day-to-day life less stressful.

2. Connection

Training pants helps children learn the action of pulling down and up when they need to go. They become aware that in order to become a big girl or boy I must pull down these pants and use the potty and pull them back up when I'm finished. They also help kids learn how to dress themselves as they pull-up their training pants to put them. Children learn through repetition and by going through the pull-up and down process they connect it with using the bathroom.

3. Confidence

Pull-up pants make toddlers feel like big kids. Instead of lying down for a changing like a baby, the child has pants that come off and on just like mommy, daddy, big brother or sister. They even come decorated with all sorts of characters and designs just like real underwear. Training pants allow the child to use the bathroom without assistance from the parent or caregiver which makes them feel more independent and confident.

The Case Against Pull-Ups

1. Inconvenience

You are probably wondering why I listed inconvenience as the #1 con since I wrote, "It cannot be disputed that Pull-Ups are convenient." only two paragraphs ago! The twist comes in that pull-ups are convenient, actually too convenient, which yields no inconvenience for the child. What does this mean, and why would I want my child to be inconvenienced? Well, what happens when a child touches a hot stove? Their hand gets burned and they learn not to touch it again. When a child has an accident in a pull-up they do not feel the inconvenience of being wet or dirty because it has the same absorbent material as a diaper. Since there is no discomfort felt the basic physical motivation for learning how to use the potty is taken away. There is a consequence for every action and using pull-ups does not teach the REAL significance of soiling your pants- discomfort, smelling, embarrassment and inconvenience. The convenience is a benefit primarily for the parent when potty training should be about the child.

2. Confusion

Oftentimes parents use a combination of pull-ups and real underwear when potty-training. They may use underwear at home and pull-ups when they go out, at night or other combinations. This can confuse the child and leave them wondering when will I get wet, and when do I stay dry? They may wonder why it's not such big deal when they pee pee or poo in the pull-up but there is more chastisement if they go in their underwear. Besides repetition children learn best with consistency. If they consistently feel wet or dirty when they have an accident and you react in the same way each time, they will make the connection faster and it will stick.

3. False-Confidence

Blatantly stated training pants teach kids how to change their own diapers. You can dress it up all you want but it's just a diaper without the fasteners. Mommy, daddy big sister or brother (assuming they are potty-trained!) do not use pull-ups guys. The time will come when the child soils those undies when they are not in your care (daycare, babysitter, school etc.) and the caregiver may not be so forgiving. They may not feel like a big kid, get teased and in turn lose their confidence. Not to say that you cannot give your child his confidence back but why sugar coat it to begin with? People don't like cleaning up kids who have accidents (a reason for using pull-ups) and having someone cleaning up after you is a strike against your feeling of independence. Be realistic with your child and let them know that in order to be considered an official big kid they must wear underwear and use the potty all the time. Accidents happen, it's OK, and you will soon master it!

All in all, the benefits of pull-ups are superficial. Now, it's not to say that if you use training pants your child will never use the potty because if this were true Pull-Ups would be off the market. This article stresses that pull-ups are a hindrance to potty training and can make the process longer and more confusing. If you are having trouble potty training your toddler try taking away the pull-ups. Yes, it will be more inconvenient on your part, but your child will soon grasp the full relevance of potty training, which in turn makes the process easier and faster.

Visit YoungMommie to read more articles on parenting including how to properly use pull-ups.

Rachael is the founder of YoungMommie a social networking site designed specifically for young moms in their teens and twenties. Visit the site to get more great articles, participate in juicy parenting forums, connect with young moms in your area and so much more

3 Ways Babies Can Teach Us How to Beat Fatigue

We've all experienced it at some point. Some days, exhaustion can feel like a way of life. Sometimes new parents have it the hardest. Middle of the night feedings disrupting your sleep, which interrupts a regular exercise routine, which compounds with an unpredictable diet. But for new parents and non-parents alike there are things we can all learn from the techniques of a baby's simple and natural way of living that will help us combat our own fatigue.

Here are 3 simple things you can do to easily beat fatigue:

1. Keep a Regular Schedule

Now of course I'm not suggesting you nap throughout the day like a baby, but with a consistent nightly sleeping schedule, your body's natural circadian rhythm is easily maintained. The circadian rhythm is a term that describes the natural sleep/wake/eating schedule that we all have and are supposed to follow. It's a complex system that is regulated by your exposure to light (or lack thereof) as well as a number of hormones, including melatonin and cortisol. These two hormones have a direct effect on core body temperature and blood sugar regulation, respectively.

The circadian rhythm is much like the sun which predictably rises and sets each day. Your body mimics this predictability to live effectively and efficiently. However, with our brilliant intellect and ingenuity, we've invented ways to live outside of this natural cycle. We have lights during darkness and food at our disposal any time of the day or night. Unfortunately, these wonderful conveniences make it easier to stray from a regular eating and sleeping pattern. Then, as a result of poor sleep and fluctuations to normal blood sugar levels the circadian rhythm is disrupted and fatigue begins to set in. Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep and do your best to go to bed at the same time every night. With this consistency, your body is able to maintain a normal circadian rhythm that will ultimately help you combat fatigue during waking hours.

2. The Most Important Meal

New babies can enjoy nature's perfect baby food: breast milk. Cleverly designed to contain the proper amounts of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in a great package which makes it available for easy feedings, breast milk provides all the nutrition babies need for at least the first six months of life. There is ample literature to suggest that feeding babies every 3-4 hours allows them to be more relaxed and easy going because they consciously know that food will be coming, plus their digestive systems will not be overtaxed with too frequent or too spread out of feedings.

Finding this proper nutritional balance for children and adults is also critical for good health. As with babies, you should eat smaller meals every 3-4 hours throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar and prevent tiredness.

And, when it comes to preventing fatigue during the day, breakfast truly is the most important meal. Our normal metabolic functions slow down throughout the night so we don't get hungry as we sleep. We wake each morning having not eaten anything for 8-12 hours, depending on what time we had dinner the night before. A healthy breakfast helps balance cortisol and therefore prevents you from a mid-morning energy crash from dropping blood sugar levels. A study published earlier this year demonstrated the cognitive benefit that test subjects had when they consumed at least a 450-calorie breakfast of both protein and fiber. Another group of scientists studied over 200 medical students and monitored their performance after skipping breakfast. Not surprisingly, those students who skipped breakfast had an overall increase in fatigue.

3. Belly Breathing

With the rhythmic movement of their little bellies and the innocent, gentle noises they make, there are few things in this world more peaceful than watching a baby sleep. Babies naturally take deep breaths that originate from their bellies, with both inhaling and exhaling taking on a slow and relaxed state. We average about 15,500 breaths a day and for every single one of them, we don't even have to think about it! It's a natural action. But unfortunately, as we move out of childhood and into adulthood, life gets busier and our breathing becomes more hurried and shallow, coming less from the muscles designed to facilitate breathing (i.e., the diaphragm) and causing an increase in accessory muscle tension. Because the lower third portion of your lungs has the most efficient oxygen exchange sites, this type of shallow breathing prevents you from getting all the necessary oxygen your body needs, causing fatigue.

It's important to get as much oxygen to those lower lungs as possible! A famous study done in the early 1980's demonstrated that adults who spent as little as 10 minutes a day focusing on their breathing had better energy and greater work performance. You can do that. Just take 10 minutes each day and focus on improving your belly breathing. Sit in a comfortable location, with your spine straight and shoulders back, breathe in deep through your nose for a count of seven seconds. Allow your belly to expand outwards as you inhale. Then hold your breath for a count of four seconds. Finally, exhale for a count of nine seconds, this time moving your belly inward. The exhale is a little longer than the inhale, which is done on purpose. When you move to the next inhale cycle, you'll notice some reflexive support from all the muscles that are necessary for proper belly breathing.

In summary:

*Get 7-9 hours of sleep and go to bed at the same time each night
*Eat a healthy breakfast of protein and fiber
*Spend 10 minutes a day belly breathing

Follow these simple steps, and you'll be as happy as a baby and smiling at the world with plenty of energy!

Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following information along with the article: Phil Wazny, NMD is a naturopathic physician at Integrative Health Care, a "Results Based Natural Medicine" Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. He created several dynamic programs designed to help patients gain strength while reducing their rate of debilitating conditions like cancer and heart disease. His areas of specialty are permanent weight loss, natural pediatrics, allergy solutions, hormone balancing and pain relief with prolotherapy and PRP therapy. He can be reached at http://www.integrativehealthcare.com and 480-657-0003.

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