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Diagnosis Down Syndrome - How to Handle the News That Your Baby Has DS

If you are interested in reading about the condition known as Down syndrome, by now, you have probably read the definitions and history of Langdon Down's identification of the syndrome. You have probably read medial articles that explain the symptoms of Down syndrome, both physical and mental. You understand that the genetic condition causes significant developmental delays. You have probably seen pictures of both adults and children with DS.

But no investigation into the topic of Down syndrome is complete without delving into the actual lives of people and families who have been involved with a person who has Down syndrome, or meeting a few people who have the condition themselves. Viewing such folks on television does not count.

If you have a new baby who has been diagnosed with Downs, or have had prenatal testing that indicates that your child has Downs syndrome, do yourself a favor and find out what the condition means in the real world. When you find out what it is really like to live with a child or an adult who has Down syndrome, you will be better able to cope with the reality of the situation.

Clinical and educational information is all well and good, but does not thoroughly inform you.

First, read up on the subject. Read articles written by the parents of children with Down syndrome. Then, contact local organizations that can put you in touch with families affected by Down syndrome. Talk to the parents of children with this developmental disability. It may be very helpful to you to meet a person who actually has Downs syndrome.

Forty years ago, a family who had a new baby or young child with Downs was routinely encouraged to place the child in an institution. Today, prospective parents who receive the diagnosis through prenatal tests are often encouraged to abort the child. Both instances can be viewed as equally inhumane, in that the personhood of the child is not considered.

As medical technology has advanced, and society has advanced toward a more considerate appreciate and acceptance of differences and disabilities, the prospect of aborting a child with Down syndrome seems backward thinking and inhumane.

If you are pregnant and your doctor has suggested prenatal testing, go for it. Even if you are staunchly pro-life, the knowledge that you gain is valuable. Imagine, not having the tests, and suddenly being confronted with such a frightening diagnosis for you new baby. Chances are you would be shocked and confused.

But, if you are prepared ahead of time, you can research al the aspects of Downs syndrome so that you can greet your new baby without prejudice, without worry, or the feat that can be devastating without preparation.
Any child should be welcomed into the world with acceptance and joy. A new baby deserves unconditional love and should not be introduced to the world by anxious, fearful parents.

In this life, we are all flawed. A child with Down syndrome is first a child, everything else is secondary.

In any event, information will make life easier for you and your child.

http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Ways-A-Baby-With-Down-Syndrome-Will-Improve-Your-Life is an article by a mother who had a child with Down syndrome 37 years ago. She tells how her life has benefited from living with her daughter and relates the positive aspects of dealing with a child with a developmental disability.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Down-Syndrome---Strategies-for-Raising-a-Child-With-Down-Syndrome is an article that suggests ways to help your child with Downs syndrome lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

Teaching Children About God Through Christian Meditation

As Christian adults we may have come to embrace the practice of Christian meditation into our daily lives but lets not forget the impact this practice can have on children of all ages.

Christian meditation and learning to be still before God can teach children patience, how to experience God, how to quiet their minds, and how to control the types of thoughts they think. It can empower them to take more control over their lives by teaching them that their thoughts become their realities and if they want to attract good and positive outcomes it begins with what is going on in their heads.

Through Christian meditation, as well as positive scripture affirmations, we can teach our children about God's love, power, and purpose in for their lives. We can also build up and keep their self esteem high when they hear messages like, I am important to God, I am created in God's image, I have a purpose in life, or With faith and patience I can do anything.

My grandson is only 2 years old but each time he sleeps or naps at my house I play the Christian meditation Cd titled Bedtime Blessings and Affirmations for Young Children. He may only be 2 years old but if he listens to these regularly each time he falls off to sleep before long they will be subplanted in his mind and he will hear them over and over while he sits in school or when he is facing a difficult task.

Studies show that it is the first 4-5 years of a child's life that shapes his development and outlook of the world around him. I can attest to this as a teacher but even on a more personal level. At about 1 years old I purchased the Your Baby Can Read for my grandson. Everyday we played the fun and interactive videos. Sometimes he would look at the video, sometimes he wouldn't. Now my grandson Tyler is 26 months old and he can read dozens of words off flash cards, yet he can barely talk.

Tyler is so excited about reading. He loves playing with his flash cards and telling everyone the words. By the time he is in school he will be reading real books. I can't be more overjoyed and I expect him to excel in school.

Now just imagine the word of God and positive spiritual messages being played over and over our children's minds. Just like Your Baby Can Read, these messages will also be subplanted, take root, and grow.

But in additional to hearing positive messages, I believe that teaching our children to be still before God will have a profound effect on their relationship with Christ if we teach them to get quiet before God and to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. I want to reinforce to my grandson that God spirit lives in Him and if he follows the still small voice God, He will lead him through life, navigate through problems, and find his purpose.

I believe it is so important for us to help children find God within themselves so they don't look for answers and direction from the world.

Rhonda Jones is the author of 22 Christian meditation and affirmation CDs. Get FREE Christian Meditation Abundantly Blessed at The Christian Meditator.
Learn more about teaching your baby or toddler to read at Your Baby Can Read.

Children and Sleeping Problems - How to Find Out Why it is Happening

Children are precious little creatures that are even more precious while they are sleeping. So, when they are not getting the sleep they need, it can be a different story. Infants, toddlers, and middle-aged children need sleep in order to be able to achieve their learning potentials and have the energy that normal children their ages should have during the day.

Signs of Sleeping Problems

  • Your child is still tired in the morning after getting out of bed
  • Your child falls asleep during cars rides
  • He/she takes extra naps or lengths of his/her naps are extended
  • May be overly tired and staying up later than usual
  • Eating habits change (assuming they aren't growing or going through an eating phase)
  • Your child wakes many times during the night

What To Do:

If you notice your child may be having sleeping problems, check with their doctor and give them all the details about the situation.

Check on your child at night. Your child may be having breathing problems. Night terrors are also common in children and may cause them to lose sleep, or decrease the quality of sleep they are getting.

Practice quiet time at night before they go to bed. Children that are hyped up before bedtime tend to have a harder time falling asleep. It is the same concept with adults that lead busy lives who need to unwind before entering their "sleep mode". Taking baths, reading stories, and giving massages can help to calm your children down after a long day of excitement. Staying away from treats and sugars at least a couple hours before bedtime is a good idea also.

Your children may not know how much you have helped them, but it will surely show through their energy, attitudes, and schoolwork.


By Pat Gustafson

How to Make Your Home Safe For Babies

The first year of your baby can be an exciting time for you and your little one. It is during this time of his/her life that you get to witness their first smile, first laugh, and in most cases, first steps. Most of the special "first" moments of your child's life happen throughout the first year. However, if you are not careful, you might also witness their first accident.

I'm not writing to scare you; I'm just making you aware of the possibilities if you don't pay utmost vigilance when dealing with your child and his/her safety. And really, accidents happen. Accidents happen to us as adults and it can definitely happen to our babies.

So in this article, I'll share with you simple things you can follow to keep your baby away from danger and the likelihood of accidents in your own home.

Install smoke alarms in your child's bedroom. I doubt that your baby would start creating fire in his/her crib but you'll never know if fire hazards around him/her (i.e. electronic appliances) can malfunction and create havoc.
Keep plants out of reach of your baby. Not only that it might be poisonous to your baby but it can be a choking hazard. Better be safe than sorry right?
If you have firearms, lock them up tightly and put ammunition's in a separate location. Ammunition's can go off if the conditions are right. This is a general safety tip as much as it is for your baby.
Matches, cigarettes, and other flammable substances should be out of your baby's reach or placed in a childproof container.
Practice a rule that no person can handle your baby while handling something or just finished handling something hot (like a cup of tea or hot towel).
Be mindful of the things you put in the table. Children tend to pull tablecloth so either make the tablecloth high enough to be beyond the reach of children or just keep them away from it entirely.
The kitchen should be a no-access zone for children. There are just too many things that can happen in there.
Electronics outlets, especially the open ones (unused ones), should be completely covered and secured to avoid electrocution.
Electronic cords should be secured and well-maintained. Children might chew on them.
Door stops and safety knobs for the doors that should be off-limits to children.

So here are some simple tips for making your home safe for your children. Follow them and you can rest easy that your child won't run into the risk of having his/her first accident.

About The Author

Iska L is has been writing articles about child care and parenting for quite some time now. Do visit her latest website over at http://www.babyeducationaltoysguide.com/ which helps parents find the best baby educational toys for your baby's optimal development.



baby star

How to Raise Self Confident Children

In most of my articles I mentioned that lack of self confidence is usually rooted to early childhood. Children are born without any idea about themselves or their own worth and that's why the data they collect at this early stage shapes their self worth to a great extent.

If a child was raised believing that he is worthy and if he was encouraged to develop his skills and abilities he would become a confident adult while if he was neglected, abused or taught to fear life he will lack self confidence as an adult.

In this article I will tell you about the right things you should do in order to build self confidence in children.

How to raise self confident children:

Since I always deal with clients who want to become confident and who always tell me about the root causes for their lack of self confidence I came to realize that there is a list of common incorrect actions that parents do which prevents children from becoming confident. Here they are:

  • Lying to the child: Not only lying to the child will let him develop fear of trusting people but it will also let him question his own worth. After all, from the child's point of view, why would someone tell him something else other the truth if he was really worthy?
  • Treating the child as a child: The child doesn't know that he is a child. Treating him as a child will let him believe that he is worthless. For example not taking his opinion, interrupting him while taking and giving him false promises are all examples of ways of treatment that can reduce a child's Self confidence. In order for your child to develop self confidence treat him as a small man and not a child
  • Scolding him in front of people: I really wonder why we do things to children that we would never do to adults. If you scold your child in front of people this will let him experience shame and self doubts which will be transformed into lack of self confidence over time
  • Comparing the child to other children: One of the biggest mistakes parents make when raising children is comparing them to each other. "Can't you be a good boy like Sam?" This kind of treatment makes the child become aware of his flaws and may result in letting him feel inferior as a grown up. Each child is unique and he must understand this fact in order to become a confident adult
  • Over protection: Over protecting a child wont do any good in protecting him as a grown up but instead the child will learn that the outer world is unsafe and will never develop confidence in his abilities
  • Calling him dumb or using other names: If you kept telling a child that he is dumb or stupid he might believe your suggestions and grow up feeling inferior. In addition, the child will learn that doing mistakes is shameful and will strive for perfectionism as an adult, but because no one can be perfect the child will face lots of disappointments and end up lacking confidence
  • Ignoring the child: Ignoring the child won't only let him feel distant from you but it will let him believe that he is not worth being taken care of and so his self confidence will become very low
  • Not encouraging him to take risks: Self confidence is all about trusting one's abilities but if a child never had a chance to try his abilities then he will never succeed in building self confidence.
  • Compliment his achievements: The child needs to be complimented in order to learn how to think highly of himself and to build self confidence
  • Being overly critical: If you kept criticizing your child all the time he will learn how to criticize himself in the form of self talk and he will keep putting himself down until he will lose his self confidence.

Want to have a solid self confidence? Checkout http://www.buildsolidconfidence.com


By Mohamed Farouk

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