Archives for Positive Parenting Tips

Toy Wooden Horses Come To Life

One of my favorite books when I was very small was a book about a toy wooden horse who came alive. I remember opening the book, feeling the pages in my hands. It was so familiar and to this day the image of the painted horse stays in my mind over fifty years later.  The book itself was probably passed down to me, I was the youngest in the family and the recipient of many books, which turned out were not to be mine but to revert to the original owners.

Upon finding this out in my mid-twenties when I was ready to take some books for my own children, I was told, “Oh no, those are D’s or P’s, they were never yours.”

Toy Wooden Horses Come To Life continued »

Top Detox Diets for Pregnant Women

Even for those who may already consume a healthy diet, becoming pregnant requires that some changes will need to be made to your eating habits. This is in large part due to the fact that additional nutrients are necessary for both the changes taking place in your own body as well as for the growing baby.

Some adjustments may include the avoidance of some types of foods altogether, although these eating-related revisions will not require that you adhere to a stringent regimen. In fact, unlike some of the fad diets of the past, your eating over the next nine months will primarily consist simply of making better overall food choices.

Top Detox Diets for Pregnant Women continued »

Disability and Your Child: How To Encourage Physical Activity

Living with physical disability can be challenging in all kinds of ways, but perhaps one of the most disheartening things new parents in particular can think is that their child will never be able to enjoy physical activity. This is simply not the case and physical handicaps are no barrier to a child enjoying all the benefits that healthy exercise and outdoor play can bring.

The importance of exercise for everyone has been emphasised in recent years as the problems associated with obesity and poor mental health become ever more widespread. Being physically disabled does not mean that a child cannot be affected by this kind of problem and being active is a natural and fun way of keeping issues such as this at bay. Disability and Your Child: How To Encourage Physical Activity continued »

Cell Phones Kill [infographic]

Cell Phones Kill
Created by: OnlineMastersDegree.com

How To Choose a Jogging Stroller

1. Ignore brands and the price tags altogether.

What matters is a material and construction. Three large fixed wheels, a simple but sturdy construction (one piece aluminum frame, less plastic joints) and quality (thick, waterproof) fabrics.

How To Choose a Jogging Stroller continued »

How To Pick a Gift For a Stepchild

Choosing a gift for a stepchild is always difficult. You don’t want to appear to want to ‘buy’ their affection, but you don’t want to hold back in case you look like you’re penny-pinching (or, worse, that you don’t like them.) Christmas and birthdays are a nightmare for any parent, let alone a step-parent, so this handy guide will make sure that whatever the occasion, any gift you come bearing will be gratefully (and graciously) received.

Make sure you don’t overstep the mark. Yes, they might have dropped the occasional hint about owning an entire box set of something semi-suitable, or heading to Vegas for a no-expenses-spared weekend, but it’s not your job to spoil them. If they choose to confide in you that they’re after an expensive gift, such as a laptop, you’re better off telling your partner, who can then discuss it with them. Resist the urge to play ‘Good Cop’ and splash the cash – they won’t respect you for it in the long run, and you’ll be expected to always produce lavish gifts.

How To Pick a Gift For a Stepchild continued »

The Advantages of Summer Camp

Camp is one of those words that is closely related to summer as are the words fun, vacation, and swimming. Summer camp for many is synonymous with the full summer experience. As we get older and become adults, we long for the days of summer camp and the relationships developed and the fun had at summer camp. Whether you attended a summer day camp or an overnight summer camp, the camp experience will give you memories that last a lifetime.

Why Summer Camp is Good for Kids

The Advantages of Summer Camp continued »

3 Great & Affordable Summer Activities for Kids

A pair of working parents, hectic school and activity schedules and a chronic shortage of cash are challenges that most families face these days. Fortunately, the beautiful weather and lazy days of summer make it especially easy to dedicate time to togetherness. Try these affordable ideas to keep bored kids busy while making memories that last a lifetime.

Nature Explorers

3 Great & Affordable Summer Activities for Kids continued »

3 Tips to Preventing Obesity in Kids

Whether we would like to admit it or not, obesity rates among Americans today stands at a whopping 33%. Furthermore, two out of every three Americans are overweight. These rates have been climbing up steadily over the last several years, and are showing no signs of slowing down.

Parents are making progressively more unhealthy food choices, and the results are showing through these mouth-opening statistics. How are these parents supposed to teach healthy eating habits to their children under such circumstances? Your child will often mimic your habits. If you eat healthy, your child is likely to eat healthy as well, because for the most part, you feed him/her. Similarly, if you have bad eating habits, your child will pick up the same habits at a very young age. Therefore, to put a stop to obesity in children, parents must take proactive actions and serve as leading role models to their kids. Below are few tips that can help you (as a parent), avoid uncontrollable weight gain in your young children. 3 Tips to Preventing Obesity in Kids continued »

Are You a Procrastinator When it Comes to Procreation?

The down economy is causing some people to delay having kids because they are not financially stable. However, many people are still pushing through the down economy and continuing with their plan to have children. Even if you are financially stable, you may want to consider a few things concerning your budget before you make the decision to have a child.

How much will your child really cost you?

Are You a Procrastinator When it Comes to Procreation? continued »

Take The Kids Out To The Ballpark Tips

Remember when your Dad took you to the ballpark for the first time? How in awe you were at the size of the stadium, the smell of the hot dogs, and the volume of the crowd? How you had to adjust to not hearing an announcer tell you what was happening? Seeing your favorite team pull off a dramatic victory and never again falling out of love with baseball?Citizens Bank Park

Baseball is no less exciting for kids today than it was when I was a lad; in fact, even in these days of 24 hour news cycles and five hour cross country flights it may be even more exciting. The ballparks are prettier, the food tastier, and the crowds louder. And today parents still share with their kids something that few experiences could match during their own childhood.

Take The Kids Out To The Ballpark Tips continued »

Start an Online Store in 5 Easy Steps

The recession is easing in countries across the globe, and governments are already championing entrepreneurship as the way to drive economic growth in the future. By encouraging unemployed or redundant individuals who have leadership skills to establish their own business, national leaders are attempting to empower their citizens as the employers of tomorrow. Starting an online fashion store is the perfect place to start as an aspiring entrepreneur, so long as you bear several key points in mind.

Establish Yourself with the Correct Equipment

Start an Online Store in 5 Easy Steps continued »

Silence A Snorer!

A common scenario played out in many households across the country each night is disrupted sleep patterns due to snoring. Unfortunately, snoring not only disrupts the sleep of the person who snores but also of those around them and in particular the person who may share a bed with them.

Snoring has been found to be more common in men than women and can get worse with age. Sleep deprivation caused by snoring can leave individuals tired and irritable and can cause difficulties with concentration and be responsible for a lack of energy during the day. Silence A Snorer! continued »

4 Ways to Make The Kitchen Your Classroom

The kitchen is the most popular classroom in our house. Far more interesting than sitting and working from textbooks, it offers the chance for fun hands-on learning. Every recipe is a cross-curriculum adventure.

Take, for example, our recent preparation of chicken in paprika sauce. In one recipe, we covered a day’s schoolwork.

4 Ways to Make The Kitchen Your Classroom continued »

April Fools Pranks to Play on Your Significant Other

Whether it’s the prank of all pranks, or a cute and funny trick you play on your better half, taking part in some April Fools Day shenanigans is a great way to reacquaint your partner with your playful side.  A couple harmless escapades can be exactly what you need to create those memorable laughs that help keep your relationship strong.  If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, Cupid is here to help.  Here are five tricks that are sure to get a rise out of your mate:

1. Bogus Lottery Ticket

April Fools Pranks to Play on Your Significant Other continued »