(PRNewswire/MS) — Children between 2 and 5 years old experience developmental changes that affect their eating habits, and by anticipating and appropriately reacting to these changes, families can help turn their preschoolers into healthy eaters for life.

According to Monica Montes, a Los Angeles-area registered dietitian and co-founder of N.E.W. Health Consultants, Inc, eating habits form as early as age 3, making the preschool years an important developmental window. At the same time, parents may face difficult changes in their children’s food preferences.

“Feeding obstacles often start as children reach 2 years old and continue for several years,” said Montes. “Children may eat less, demand foods they see on television, refuse foods or beverages they once enjoyed and start using utensils or sippy cups.”
Montes offers the following tips so that families — parents, grandparents and others present at mealtimes — can prepare for these changes and respond appropriately.

• Gradually introduce new foods one at a time, realizing that it can take up to 15 tries before the child accepts it.

• Try to add just one new food to a meal with three or so healthy foods your child already enjoys.

• Be sure to include new foods on your own plate.

• Offer nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups, including low-fat milk, vegetables, whole-grains and fruits.

• Trust your preschooler’s stomach; they will naturally regulate the amount they eat.

• Eat meals together as a family to model healthy habits.

To help families, Meals Matter, www.mealsmatter.org, a nutrition Web site developed by registered dietitians at Dairy Council of California, offers an informational series in English and Spanish specifically for families with preschool-aged children, including:

• A chart of common eating patterns and nutritional needs at different stages of growth;

• Downloadable tip sheets with tools for fostering healthy eating habits; and

• Nutritious, kid-friendly recipes, such as Mexican Tostadas and Dunkin’ Vegetables.

“There are many things that families can do to help children develop good eating habits, but being prepared and staying patient is key,” said Montes. “By staying positive, being consistent and providing a comfortable and calm environment for your child to eat, you will be on your way to raising a healthy eater.”

Meals Matter provides busy families with nutrition information, delicious recipes and a variety of interactive meal-planning tools.

Dairy Council of California develops nutrition education programs that promote making healthy choices from all the food groups and regular physical activity. For more information, please visit www.mealsmatter.org or www.dairycouncilofca.org. Healthy Eating Made Easier. TF087107

(MS) — Having trouble finishing a thought because you are constantly being interrupted? Has your 3-year-old taken a shine to art — coloring your new sofa with permanent marker? Is the infant announcing that she needs to be changed ... again? Maybe hubby informed you that he has to work late and won’t be home for dinner? In T-minus two minutes you’re about to launch into a fit of epic proportions.

Despite how those sitcoms from the 1950s and 60s present the picture, motherhood isn’t all happy bake sales and bridge clubs. Sometimes it seems like there’s no getting ahead or making progress. Throw in work pressures or feelings of inadequacy if you’ve chosen the stay-at-home-mother route instead of a career and things may seem overwhelming.

That’s just how Tate feels in “The Book of Mom” (Nautilus Press), by Taylor G. Wilshire. Tate’s a stay-at-home mom who left the fast-paced business world when she became a mother. Things were rosy when the kids were first born, but over time Tate starts to feel like she’s losing a bit of herself — turning into an automatron mother instead of being the unique woman she used to be. Through love and support, and a little therapy and self-help, Tate learns to find balance and happiness once again.

If you think you’re on a collision course for a mommy meltdown, there are ways to put out the fire. Consider these strategies pulled from the pages of “The Book of Mom.”

• You’re #1: Few people pay attention to the safety drill when you board an airplane. But the flight attendants instruct you in the event of an emergency to place the oxygen mask over your face first before you assist your children. Why? Because without a healthy, conscious you, what good would you be to the others? The same concept applies at home. You need to put your wellbeing first. Allow adequate time to de-stress so you can be a better parent. Learn from Tate, set aside quiet time for meditation, reading, journaling, or simply taking a stroll to “cool down.”

• Telepathy doesn’t work; speak up when you need help: Don’t expect those around you to be mind readers. If you are feeling completely overwhelmed or just need a helping hand, ask for it. Your husband may want to lend assistance, but doesn’t want to step on your toes. Let him and others know what they can do. Asking for help does not signal weakness. It actually indicates a strong woman who knows her limits and when she can use some help.

• Neutralize stressful situations: Whenever possible, make attempts to avoid potential meltdown triggers. For example, when shopping or traveling with a young child, schedule it during times when he or she is well fed and content. Kids of all ages tend to be cranky when tired, so implement strict bed times so ample rest is achieved. If a stressful situation does rear its ugly head, simply removing yourself for a few moments can allow your head to clear and allow you to handle the situation.

There are many other lessons to help you as a mother within the “The Book of Mom.” Look for it at your favorite online book seller. Learn more about the book and author at www.bookofmom.net. EL086917

(MS) — No parent wants to think about a child being hurt in any way. But despite a 45 percent drop in the accidental injury death rate of children ages 14 and under since 1987, accidental injury remains the number one killer of kids ages one to 14 in the United States.

Three of the leading causes of accidental injury death to children one to 14 are motor vehicle collisions, drowning, and fire/burns. Safe Kids USA has come up with the following suggestions to help parents identify and avoid the top risks to their children’s safety:

Child Passenger Safety – Motor vehicle collisions can cause serious injuries including damage to the head, spine and internal organs. Make sure your child is riding safely in the car by checking the car or booster seat instructions to ensure it has been installed properly. Make sure your child is using the right restraint for his or her height, weight and age. Most children will not be the right size to be in a seat belt by itself until between ages 8-12. Also make sure children always ride in a back seat of the car on all rides.

Drowning Prevention – For children ages one to four, drowning is one of the leading causes of injury-related death, and occurs most commonly in swimming pools.

Actively supervise children when they are in or near water and stay right beside children until they can swim, even if they are just playing near water. Install four-sided fencing at home swimming pools with a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Fire/Burn: To help prevent burns, Safe Kids USA urges caregivers to:

• Set water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Consider putting an anti-scald device (about $30) on each water tap and shower head, and check the temperature of a baby’s bathwater before putting the baby in.

• Prevent spills. If possible, cook on a back burner. Don’t let pot handles stick out where they can snag loose clothing, and avoid wearing long sleeves or baggy clothes in the kitchen. Don’t place containers of hot food or liquid near the edge of a counter, and don’t pick up anything hot while holding a baby.

• Keep electrical cords out of reach — especially extension cords and cords connected to heating appliances. Make sure electrical cords can’t be pulled or snagged into a bathtub or sink. Don’t leave a hot iron sitting on an ironing board unattended.

These tips have been developed as part of Safe Kids Week 2008, celebrating 20 years of preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Week runs from April 26-May 4 and is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. To learn more, visit www.usa.safekids.org. EL086980

Safe Kids USA Parent Safety Habit Checklist
What You Can Do To Keep Kids Safer

(MS) — Despite a 45 percent drop in the accidental injury death rate of children ages 14 and under since 1987, accidental injury remains the number one killer of kids ages one to 14 in the United States.

Safe Kids USA has developed the checklist below that – based on the top injury risks to children – can have a major impact on keeping kids safe. Go through the list and learn what additional actions you can take to protect the children in your life. EL086978

The Safe Kids USA Parent Safety Habit Checklist has been developed as part of Safe Kids Week 2008, celebrating 20 years of preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Week runs from April 26- May 4, and is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. To learn more, visit www.usa.safekids.org.

(MS) — This year marks the 20th anniversary of Safe Kids Worldwide, and the question remains: Have injury prevention efforts made a difference in the lives of American children? The answer is a resounding “YES.” Over the past 20 years, the accidental injury death rate among kids under 14 has fallen by 45 percent.

“We have thousands of reasons to celebrate this year – one for every single American child that was saved from a serious or fatal injury,” said Martin R. Eichelberger, M.D., founder and director of Safe Kids Worldwide. “The major drop in injury rates is proof that the care that American parents take with their most beloved possessions has paid off.”

Yet despite this great news, accidental injury remains the leading cause of death for children ages one to 14. In 2005, approximately 4,000 children in this age range died and another 6 million were hospitalized because of accidental injuries.

Some of these kinds of injuries — severe fire or scald burns often involving repeated skin grafts, head and brain injuries, as well as internal organ damage — can last a lifetime. But far too few parents understand the real dangers.

A recent Safe Kids USA report shows that only 58 percent of parents with children 14 and under list accidental injury as a major concern for their children. They are showing even less concern than 20 years ago as seen by the seven percentage point drop since 1987 in the number of parents listing accidental injury as a major concern.

“Safe Kids USA is calling on the federal government to create a national strategy to reduce the number of preventable injuries to our children,” added Dr. Eichelberger. “From Capitol Hill all the way to local communities, we need to act together to make our neighborhoods and homes safer places for children to live and play.”

Safe Kids Week 2008, celebrating 20 years of preventing accidental injuries, runs from April 26-May 4 and is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. To learn more, visit www.usa.safekids.org. EL086979

(MS) — Have you stared slack-jawed at the television screen as yet another school shooting incident plays out before you? Violence in schools and school shootings both in the U.S. and around the world seem to be increasing in frequency. Over the course of one week in February 2008, there were four shootings in the U.S.

Understandably, many students and parents are scared about what can occur at schools — places that are supposed to be safe havens for learning. This makes talking about these events even more important.
One of the best things parents can do for their adolescent children in the wake of a school shooting is to talk honestly about what occurred and how you feel about the situation. Then it’s your turn to sit back and listen to what your child has to say. Creating an open forum for discussion can go a long way toward making the family feel better by getting questions answered and learning what everyone would do if the situation occurred too close to home.

Open up the discussion to how your child feels at school, and what his or her thoughts are about the propensity for violence to occur there. Does he or she feel safe? Have there been any incidents to worry about? By nature, teens are often reluctant to open up about their emotions. But by simply making your availability to listen known, you may be surprised by a candid conversation with your son or daughter.

It’s important to stress to your child that if he or she knows anyone who repeatedly threatens violence at school to speak up about it. In these situations maintaining the violent student’s privacy should not be paramount. An adult or authority figure should be notified to potentially head off a life-or-death situation. By having a voice, your son or daughter is actually helping troubled kids get necessary assistance. FP085806

(MS) — As millions of Americans learned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, disaster can strike at any time. Regardless of where you live, nowhere is safe from a potential emergency that could, like Katrina did for so many citizens of New Orleans, destroy everything you’ve worked for. Government reports indicate that half of all New Orleans residents who were affected by Katrina have been displaced, leaving behind what little they had left, if anything, in the hopes of starting all over again elsewhere.

While uprooting your family after losing all you have is a frightening thought to homeowners across the country, it’s entirely within the realm of possibility should another natural disaster occur. If Katrina taught the country anything, that lesson is the need for better planning, both by local, state and federal government and by individuals themselves. Many victims of Katrina were completely unaware such a disaster could occur, and that lack of awareness was exhibited by the frantic efforts to exit the city once it was known that the devastating hurricane was headed for the coast. For families across the country, it’s wise to prepare in advance for natural disasters so, in the unfortunate instance one does occur, you can protect you and your family all the better.

What Could Happen?

Geography dictates what natural disasters you might be susceptible to. For example, families in landlocked states such as Nebraska really don’t need to worry about hurricanes, while families living in coastal areas do. Request information from your local government on what disasters are most likely to occur in your region.

Another step to take is to learn what the warning signals are, how they sound and what you should do if they are sounded. Teach kids each of those things as well.

One of the more heartbreaking results of Hurricane Katrina was the legions of family pets left behind. Shelters overflowed in the months after with cats and dogs whose owners simply could not take them along as they exited the city of New Orleans. When researching your community’s plans in the case of natural disasters, ask about what to do with your pets. Some shelters do not allow pets, while some do. You’ll want to know which shelter does if you plan on taking the family pet along should you need to evacuate.

How to Plan

Creating a plan involves the whole family. First and foremost, settle on a place to meet should a natural disaster occur. The best place to meet is home (or outside the home in case of a fire). However, as many victims of the recent San Diego wildfires can attest, sometimes neighborhoods are blocked off. That’s why you should pick a secondary meeting place outside the neighborhood to be safe. Make it a place that has a phone (i.e., grocery store, church, etc.) instead of a park or other open air space where you can’t get in touch with relatives or children who might be scared if they show up and you’re not there.

Another important part of the plan is to have a friend or relative who lives outside of your area as a contact. This is a person you can call and relay information to, and who can then pass that on to other friends and family. It’s important to choose an out-of-area friend or relative because local phone service is often disabled in the case of a natural disaster, and your distant relatives will want to know your situation.

Make Lists

Keep a list around the house of emergency numbers, such as the fire department, local police, ambulance, etc. Make sure children know how to dial such numbers, and if they have cell phones, program the numbers into their list of contacts.

Also, keep a list and a stock of emergency supplies, and regularly restock anything that might have expiration dates. Emergency supplies include a fire extinguisher, water, nonperishable goods, batteries, flashlights, candles, and any other items that could come in handy should you lose power for an extended period of time.

Another important list is that of your insurance policies, which should include account numbers, the amount of coverage you carry and contact information. After discovering what disasters are most likely to occur in your region, consult these policies to determine if you have adequate coverage. If not, update the coverage as soon as possible.

Practice the Plan

After you’ve determined an emergency plan, practice it with the family. Kids especially will need to know how to get home and, since kids might be left home alone when an emergency unexpectedly occurs, how to get out of the house should it be necessary. Test smoke detectors and recharge fire extinguishers in accordance with the product guidelines. FP085817

(MS) — Rainy days cooped up inside may seem like they’d be the pits, but they actually can offer prime opportunities for the entire family to get together and participate in some fun activities.

1. Get creative in the kitchen: With a recipe for salt dough (following) you can create all sorts of molded items, from animals to buildings to imaginative super heroes.

Salt Dough
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
11⁄2 cups hot water (from tap)
Mix the salt and flour together, then gradually add the water until the dough becomes elastic. If your mixture turns out too sticky, simply add more flour. If it turns out too crumbly, simply add more water. Knead the dough until it’s a good consistency.

2. Family karaoke: Pop in some favorite CDs and sing along. Allow each member of the family to choose songs and then set them on random play so everyone’s tastes are represented.

3. Craft central: Take out that box of scrapbooking supplies, old construction paper, swatches of fabric, and more, and use your imaginations to make just about anything you can think of. Need a starting off point? Think of a theme, such as the beachside, and create around that.

4. Go play in the rain: If the weather is on the warm side and the rain is on the light side, gather up your rain boots and jackets and have fun dashing through the showers.

5. All-day movie fest: What better time to enjoy hours upon hours of favorite movies than when the weather is gloomy? Pop a bag of popcorn and gather other treats and sit down to enjoy family-friendly flicks.

6. Sort through the clutter: This sounds like a chore, but it can be wrapped in fun. Sort through old toys and clothing and reminisce about when they were last used. Make a pile of stuff to be donated to needy children and you’ll get a double dose of smiles.

7. Have an indoor picnic: Who says you can’t picnic in the rain? Just move the party inside. Spread a vinyl-backed tablecloth on the floor of the living room and then serve finger foods and sandwiches. Kids’ juice boxes make a mess-free option for beverages.

There are plenty of opportunities for rainy-day fun! FP085832

(MS) — According to the United States Census Bureau (USCB), “Mr. Mom” is more than just a movie starring Michael Keaton, it is a reflection of growing societal trends. While tradition suggests men go off to work while women stay at home to take care of the family, the days when that was the widespread practice are disappearing. 2006 USCB data revealed that 143,000 men across the country were “stay-at-home” dads that year. To qualify, fathers had to have at least one child under the age of 15 and had to be out of the labor force for more than one year while their wives worked outside of the home. The more than 140,000 men who qualified for the “stay-at-home” dad category cared for 245,000 children under the age of 15. In another sign of changing times, 32 percent of fathers who were the primary caregiver of their preschool-aged children regularly worked evening or night shifts so that their spouses could work during the day, indicating that the days of the one income household are also a thing of the past. MT085785

(MS) — A new mother may find that sleep is the thing she most desires after her child is born. However, the mother of multiples may be looking for something entirely different … information. Multiples bring many things to the family, such as joy, mystery and confusion. Experts agree that they have unique needs from singletons.

There are many guides to raising babies on the market, but the great number of them are geared to parents of singletons, so the information doesn’t exactly meet the needs of parents of twins, triplets, and so on. Parents of single babies do not realize that every activity must be broken down incrementally for parents of multiples. It is impossible for one person to carry a double stroller, shopping bags, and two growing kids. A simple trip to and from the grocery store can turn into an adventure. Parents of multiples can attest that strategies must be set up so an activity, such as giving the children a bath, doesn’t turn into a fiasco. Some might say that having multiples requires parents to be expert event planners and organizational gurus.

Special Needs

Multiples have special emotional needs that may not be an issue for a single baby, or even siblings in a family. For example, many multiples operate as a unit, and it can be difficult for caregivers, family, teachers, or even parents to treat them separately and foster each child’s individuality. And there’s no escaping the comparisons among multiples: Who is smarter? Who is more athletic? Who did this or that before the other? It’s important for parents to spend time individually with multiples and tune into the unique needs each child has. Doing so helps foster individuality and may help keep multiples from making comparisons as they get older.

“Some twins feel like they need to compare themselves to each other, but we’re not that way,” says Ashley Olsen, one half of the famous Olsen sisters. “That’s because of my parents, though, and having six kids in the family.”

Things to Consider With Multiples

Finances: Multiple babies use two to three times the amount of supplies as single babies. That can be a large financial burden for parents. Consider shopping in bulk for reduced prices, or scouring garage sales or swaps with other parents of multiples. Research state assistance programs. Many manufacturers and stores also offer a discount program for parents of multiples. It may just require a quick call and proof supplied by the children’s birth certificates. Go online and find multiples/twins forums where you can get other ideas from savvy parents.

Patience: More than any other thing, patience is something parents of multiples need in droves. But just as with single babies, much of the more trying tasks dissipate as your children get older, making it much easier to manage with multiples. The early years when the children are heavily dependent upon their parents will be the most difficult.
Personalities: Remember that multiples have unique personalities that must be appreciated. It’s remarkable how babies born at the same time — or even from the same egg — can grow up with completely different personalities.

Make time for yourself: Parents of multiples may be more susceptible to the perils of parenthood — constantly putting the children first and not making time for adult activities. Parents must remember to consider their own well being so that they will be happy and healthy and better able to be good parents to their kids.

Remember, multiples offer twice (or thrice) the love, they make each other laugh, they work out their problems, they often comfort each other when one is feeling sad. There is an instant support group present and a best friend for life. FP085762

(MS) — “Eat your vegetables!” is a plea often heard around family dinner tables. Why is it that many young children don’t seem to like vegetables? Are kids just born that way? “It turns out that taste preferences are, in fact, developed prenatally,” says Jane Kostelc, early childhood specialist at Parents as Teachers National Center. Research conducted by Leann Birch, Ph.D., at Pennsylvania State University shows that unborn babies may detect taste differences as early as the 13th week of pregnancy.

Prenatal Influences

The taste of amniotic fluid changes with the foods the mother eats. Pregnant women who eat a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, expose their children to different tastes. Dr. Birch notes that babies’ gulp rate of amniotic fluid increases when sweetness is present. “So even unborn babies like dessert!” says Kostelc.

Breast milk is another way nursing babies are exposed to a variety of different tastes. The taste of formula is consistent from bottle to bottle, but the taste of breast milk changes based on what the nursing mom eats. Eating a wide variety of vegetables gives a nursing baby a sample of what’s to come once he gets those teeth.

Toddler Experimentation

According to Kostelc, early exposure is an important factor in encouraging children to develop a taste for vegetables. Toddlers typically become more selective about the foods they will accept. Give your baby a wide variety of steamed vegetables cut in small pieces as soon as she can safely eat them.

Some nutritionists recommend exposing your child to as many as 200 different foods by the age of 2 years. “The more opportunity your toddler has to experiment with different tastes, the more willing she will be to accept variety,” says Kostelc. “Your child may narrow her food choices in the preschool years, but she is more likely to eat a variety of vegetables later on if she has been exposed to them early.”

Texture Counts, Too

As your child is able to eat solid foods safely, present him with a variety of textures. Cooked green beans are crunchy and mashed sweet potatoes are smooth. Expose your child to both. Part of the reason children reject vegetables, says Kostelc, is that they don’t like the feel of them in their mouths. Don’t fall into the habit of giving your child only foods with smooth, slippery textures.

Does your child have to eat a heaping helping of steamed spinach to be exposed to it? Experts say no! A child may have to taste a new food 15 to 25 times before he is ready to eat a few bites. Don’t worry about counting and don’t be concerned with rejection; just keep putting those lima beans on the plate and cheerfully encouraging your child to take a taste. Smelling and touching foods also count as exposures. Let your curious toddler touch and smoosh his zucchini. Some just may wind up in his mouth!

It Starts With YOU!

You are the most important model for your child’s good eating habits. Fill your plate with a variety of nutritious foods, including vegetables. “Let your child see that you enjoy — or are willing to taste — vegetables and other nutritious foods,” advises Kostelc. “Young children often want a taste of what you are eating. Encourage them to taste the vegetables on your plate. Good nutrition is something you want to share.” FP085773

The early childhood
experts at Parents as Teachers
National Center offer the
following tips for getting your young child
eating healthy right from the start:

• Start early to offer steamed vegetables.

• Introduce your child to at least 200 different foods before
age 2.

• Expect to offer
a vegetable
15-25 times before your
child tastes it.

• Let kids smell, touch, and taste veggies.

• Eat vegetables with your child.

(MS) — Families across the country understand the need for stretching a dollar from time to time. With costs of fuel, daycare and education continually on the rise, families more than ever are looking for ways to save money on monthly bills and expenses.

While some costs are inevitable, there are ways families can save some money here and there without negatively affecting the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to. One such way is at the local grocery store, where a more careful approach to shopping can pay off in the long run.

Shop sales: Many stores operate by placing items on sale once in a two- to three-month period. This includes entrée items families eat every week such as chicken and beef. Because such items can be frozen, it’s possible to stockpile these foods to take advantage of the limited times they’re on sale. This is especially easy in homes that have a separate freezer. But entrées that can be frozen aren’t the only items that can be stockpiled. Other foods with distant expiration dates can be stockpiled without running the risk of illness.

Choose store brands: Store brand items are often significantly less expensive than brand names. In many cases, the cheaper store brand items provide the same taste and nutritive value as brand names. Such items can cost up to 50 percent less than their brand name counterparts.

Join the club: Many grocery store and supermarket chains offer discount clubs to their customers. For the price of simply signing up (which is often free), customers are then privy to sales that can really add up. For many people, these savings clubs have replaced the painstaking process of clipping coupons. Some stores even allow customers to combine club savings with coupons, potentially cutting the grocery bill even more for those willing to do a little more work.

Make a list: Going to the grocery store with a list greatly reduces the likelihood of making impulse buys. If shoppers go to the store with a set list in mind, they’re less likely to buy unnecessary items, as they’ll be more concerned with finding items on their list.

Expand shopping horizons: Not all items need to be purchased at the grocery store or supermarket. For example, personal care items, such as lotions, shampoos, soap, etc., are often less expensive at drugstores or mass merchandisers (such as Wal-Mart, Target) than they are at grocery stores. Many drug chains now also offer similar savings club cards like their grocery counterparts, increasing the likelihood for even more savings.

Join a warehouse club: Warehouse clubs can be great ways to save on a host of items, including things that go beyond the grocery store. Though warehouse clubs typically charge a membership fee, many families find these membership fees end up paying for themselves. Buying certain items in bulk isn’t necessary or even prudent for small families. However, some household items, such as toilet paper or paper towels, that families big and small all use can be offered at significant discounts when compared to what the items would cost when not bought in bulk. In addition to groceries, warehouse clubs often offer significant discounts on appliances and electronics, again making the membership fees worthwhile. FP085777

(MS) — Does your child run and hide at the sight of vegetables? Are sugary snacks a replacement for fresh fruit? Many parents wrestle with a child who comes up with his own idea of the perfect food pyramid — one where four to six servings of chicken fingers and mac and cheese are supposed to be enjoyed daily.

Getting your son or daughter to eat what you believe is a balanced and healthy meal can be quite a challenge. But don’t yet wave the white flag of surrender. By incorporating healthy ingredients into foods they love, you can “fool” kids into eating some of the most nutritious foods available. Sure it’s a sneaky maneuver, but a parent has to do what a parent has to do.

You may know that richly colored foods are generally high in vitamins and minerals. That’s why families are often instructed to eat a “rainbow” of foods — and not the artificially colored types, either. Carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, blueberries, dark leafy greens, and other foods provide a bounty of healthful nutrition. So how do you get these ingredients into foods you normally serve? It’s time to fire up that food processor.

By making a puree of fruits and veggies and adding it to batters or sauces, you can boost the nutritional value of many different foods — even sweets. Enhance brownies with a puree of apples, blueberries and spinach. Make a batch of muffins or waffles with some hidden sweet potatoes or carrots. Bake a zucchini bread or pie. Add a touch of fruit and vegetables into sauces or soups where their raw flavor may be masked. Do a half-half mixture of soy and cow’s milk in macaroni and cheese to get a protein boost. Why not add mashed cauliflower to mashed potatoes? The kids will never know. Once you think of all the possibilities you may wonder why you haven’t tried this sooner.

This dietary subterfuge is an effective way to get kids to eat fruits and vegetables, but it doesn’t replace proper coaching and lessons in choosing balanced foods. Children still need to be taught how to make wise food choices, and how they can still enjoy junk foods in moderation.

A great way to inspire children to eat more fruits and vegetables is to make these foods fun. Smoothies — where yogurt, fresh fruit/vegetables and juice are mixed — create a frothy and delicious meal-on-the-go. Let children customize their ingredients and play with flavor possibilities.

Another idea is to experiment with food texture. A child may shy away from a raw carrot because of it’s crunchy texture. But once the carrot is cooked, and drizzled with a bit of maple syrup, for example, it may take on an entirely different appeal. Fruits and veggies can also be used as condiments. Encourage dipping of tortilla chips into vegetable-rich salsa. Ham chunks can be dunked into apple sauce, and chicken can be topped with pineapple.

With a little ingenuity and menu planning, it is possible to get your kids to enjoy a greater number of fruits and veggies. FP085779

(MS) — In addition to dietary guidelines and the host of other concerns that need to be addressed on a daily basis, parents also need to make changes around their home when a new baby arrives. A seemingly safe environment for adults can be anything but when an infant is brought into the equation. Safeguarding a home in preparation for the family’s newest member should be of utmost importance to expecting parents.

Install safety gates. Safety gates are an effective way of keeping children out of unsafe areas. Because falls are one of the leading causes of hospital stays for children, gates should be installed at the top and bottom of all staircases to keep kids from wandering up and down the stairs. In addition, gates should be installed in the doorways of any rooms parents want to keep children out of, such as the kitchen. As infants grow into toddlers, gates should be adjusted to a child’s height to make sure he or she can’t climb over and get into trouble.

Beware of small items. Small items can easily find their way into a child’s mouth, creating an instant choking hazard. Essentially anything that can fit in a child’s mouth is a potential hazard. This includes the following items:
• snacks, nuts, or candies left out for guests
• dry dog food
• scattered pieces of toys

It’s also important to keep remote controls or anything battery operated out of reach of children. Kids can easily remove the batteries from such devices and subsequently choke on the batteries. As an added precaution, tape battery chambers shut on all such devices after putting in new batteries.

Lock all cabinets, both high and low. The average home contains more than 200 poisons. These can be cleaning items, actual poisons for critters, and a number of other items that are an afterthought in homes without children. Even toothpaste in high quantities can be toxic to children. To prevent a child from gaining access to these common household items, secure all cabinets, including those in the kitchen, pantry, and above and below the sink. Most kids have an exploratory nature, so just because a cabinet is high off the ground doesn’t mean a resourceful and inquisitive child won’t be able to access it.

Lock all medicines away. Medications can be very dangerous to children, as most look just like candy to kids. An adult dosage of medication can be lethal if ingested by a child, so keep all medicines locked away in a safe place. This includes vitamins, too, as even something that seems otherwise harmless can lodge in a child’s throat and cause choking.

Be extra careful in the bathroom. It takes mere inches of water to drown a child. Parents should always be present when a young child is bathing or in the vicinity of a bathroom. Kids are curious and are inclined to turn the faucets in the bathtub, which could result in burning. Because a child’s skin takes one-quarter the time to burn as that of an adult, even leaving for a moment can prove disastrous. Children may also fall into a toilet and get injured or drown. If you must leave the bathroom, take your child with you. FP085783

(MS) — The parenting books and television experts tell us that becoming a mother is one of the most wonderful things a woman can experience. And for most it truly is. But a strange phenomenon happens to many mothers — a sort of metamorphosis that can eventually tarnish the happy glow of motherhood.

With each passing year another layer of a woman’s former identity can peel away as she begins to evolve from woman to mother. It may start out as something small, like subtle wardrobe changes for “comfort” or skipping events that were once pastimes in lieu of kid-oriented events. No big deal, right? But eventually the transformation crescendos and an identity detachment can occur.

But there are ways to meld mom and woman and allow them to cohabitate peacefully, all the while making for a stronger, happier family. Take for example the story of Tate in “The Book of Mom” (Nautilus Press), by Taylor G. Wilshire. Tate’s a stay-at-home mom who left the fast-paced business world when she became a mother. While the mom persona works for her for a number of years, soon she starts to question her identity and the woman she’s become. Through friendships and a little therapy, and some soul-searching, Tate gets back on the path to becoming a unique and remarkable woman — both in and outside of her role as mom.

For mothers who are facing the same questions and dilemmas as Tate, don’t feel guilty as you’re far from alone. Follow these tips for changing your attitude and outlook and make for a well-rounded family life.

• Schedule time for you: It’s unhealthy to always put the needs of your children first, which can lead to resentment and an emotional breakdown. Tailor time solely for yourself. Good ways to unwind and enjoy some “you” moments include meditation, yoga, affirmation walks, or simply jotting down words of gratitude or feelings in a your-eyes-only journal. Just as you’d mark the calendar for an after-school sports practice or a relative’s birthday, add an “appointment” for you alone.

• Embrace the present: As overachievers most mothers want to take on the world, constantly multitasking and thinking ahead to the long list of to-dos to come. But in multitasking you’re really not getting more done in a quality way. Amid the chores and other responsibilities, it’s easy to lose sight of the present moment — especially those moments shared with the kids. Too soon missed opportunites occur and you’re left with should’ves and could’ves instead of solid mother-child experiences. Live in the moment, the now. The rest will work itself out.

• Marriage evolution: After kids, marriage does change. But your husband and you must change along with it. The time that you once devoted singuarly to sharing time together must now be subdivided among familial responsibilities and the needs of your children. Expecting things to be what they were is impractical. Your spouse is also affected by the children, which you must expect. He may be drawn more to the kids’ wants, work responsibilites, and the demands of keeping the family company. It’s easy to feel underappreciated, unsexy or just as another fixture in the home. Communication remains one of the best ways to resolve these feelings. Tell the man in your life what you need from him, where you could use more support. Then be appreciative of what he offers.

These are just a few lessons that can be excerpted from “The Book of Mom,” which can help you feel more connected and in control of your well being as a mother and woman. Look for the book at your favorite online book seller. Learn more about the book and author at www.bookofmom.net. FP085807

(MS) — A chubby thigh, a dimpled cheek, that powdery baby aroma — there’s so much families love about new babies. From the moment a couple says, “We’re expecting,” the baby frenzy begins with friends and relatives awaiting the latest scoop, the smallest update. Hollywood paparazzi have nothing on a doting grandmother or an adoring aunt anxious for the first glimpse of that pint-sized pixie. And as baby grows, so does the interest in new pictures and information.

New parents routinely turn to online resources for sharing because of the convenience and ease of use they provide. A site leading the way is Our365.com. This number one provider of newborn portraits in the U.S. offers families an interactive and “one-stop-shopping” Web site to share photos, news, get tips, and create baby-related gifts.

Time spent with a child offers magical moments that you’ll want to remember forever. These are also months and years of your life when you may be full of love, but short on time. Luckily there are fast and easy ways parents, grandparents, or anyone in your virtual community can enjoy and share the adventure that is new life.

Create a Keepsake

Want to remember what you were feeling the moment your pregnancy test came back positive? Of course you want to recall the first time you laid eyes on that amazing life growing within you. Having a baby involves a roller coaster of emotions and memories on which parents certainly want to reflect. But just as the pangs of labor pains become a distant memory a year or two after a baby arrives (trust, us, they will), so can those little details you were determined to remember. A journal can keep track of those special snapshots in time. Plus, it is easier than you’d think.

Create a digital chronicle of your pregnancy and time spent as a new family. With online templates and drag-and-drop page layout features offered by services like Our365.com, anyone can design and share an online digital scrapbook. Keep track of all of those “firsts”: first smile, first laugh, first haircut. Attach your favorite pictures and include other special items, such as sonogram shots or progress reports.

Meet Our New Arrival

As soon as baby arrives, loved ones are anxious to hear all about it, and to see a picture of that cute little bundle. Enlist the help of a friend to do the honors of sharing the big news with well-wishers when you only have eyes for that special someone. Again, turning to online timesavers can help simplify the process. At Our365.com a designated “announcer” can log into your account and send out a “Baby Bugle,” heralding that your precious girl or boy has arrived. Loved ones can view password-protected newborn pictures by searching by name, hospital, or state where the baby was born. When you’re getting settled at home, send more pictures at the click of a button — easy to juggle between sterilizing bottles or folding Onesies.

Wow ... How Time Flies

Babies transform into toddlers to older children in a flash. Photo documentation and picture sharing remains one of the best ways to preserve the memories of all your times together.

Uploading to an online photo database is a real timesaver, not only because loved ones can view images directly, but because you can create slideshows with personalized captions, as well as order gifts made with your favorite pics. With images organized online there’s no more hunting through boxes upon boxes of prints. That saves precious time!

A high-capacity photo vault offers the opportunity to upload numerous photos to Our365.com so you won’t have to pick and choose among favorite photos to share. Then simply reach out to your virtual community so others can contribute to these family albums with their own content and commentary. Grandparents can add a photo comparing Mom’s baby picture to her newborn’s. Do they share the same eyes? Dimples? Also on the site are resources, such as parenting advice, baby horoscopes, gift ideas, and so much more. You can even search Baby Namescape to find that the most popular girl’s name in Montana is “Madison,” while also blogging about the best diaper brands and uploading the latest pics from a day at the park with your baby. And having only one password to remember is a boon to any busy person.

Enjoy life with your children and share moments with friends and family far and near 365 days a year. Learn more about the services available in one convenient place at www.our365.com. FP085811

(MS) — One of the least selfish acts a person can commit is adopting a child. As adoption professionals can attest, too many children given up for adoption wait far too long to find a home they can thrive in.

For couples who cannot have a child of their own, adoption could be their only option. For others, adoption is a way to expand their family beyond bloodlines and open their home to a child who might not otherwise get the chance. Regardless of a couple’s reason for looking to adopt, there are several things to consider before beginning the process.

Lifestyle

A couple’s lifestyle is paramount when deciding on whether or not to adopt a child. Children up for adoption have more than likely experienced enough turmoil already, regardless of their age, so adoption candidates need to live a stable lifestyle conducive to raising a child.

Lifestyle is defined by many things that go beyond a couple’s schedule. For example, how structured is life and how does a couple handle routine and situations where that routine is interrupted? What are your hobbies? Couples should think about how their pastimes could be impacted by a child.

In addition, lifestyle pertains to how a person lives at home. Is the home a mess, or more on the neat side? Those used to living in a disorderly environment need to recognize such an environment will have to change once a child is brought into the mix.
Another important thing to consider is personal health. Couples that take their own health seriously are more likely to be able to keep up with an active youngster and handle the rigors of caring for an infant.

All things considered, a couple won’t be ruled out by lifestyle alone, but it is one factor to consider in the adoption process.

Personal Views

For couples considering adoption, it’s best to discuss personal views on children before beginning the adoption process. This includes views on education, spirituality and raising a family. Adoption agencies are less likely to embrace a couple that undervalues education or exhibits indifference on issues such as spirituality.

All families are different, and it’s inevitable that an adult will bring their experiences growing up into their own family. Couples should discuss their childhoods with each other, and things they both liked and disliked about the way they were raised. Social service professionals often note that adults who came from dysfunctional families often overcompensate for mistakes they feel their parents or guardians made. For example, adults who felt they were neglected as youths might be overprotective of their own children. Couples considering adoption should discuss these issues with each other to ensure they don’t pass on problems of their own to their children.

Finances

Children are a very big financial commitment, and couples looking to adopt often find this out at the very beginning of the adoption process. That’s because adoption fees can be very high. Different agencies have different fees and, depending on where a child is adopted from, fees can add up. An international adoption, for instance, can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $40,000, while an infant adoption in the United States can cost between $5,000 to $30,000. The U.S. federal government provides tax credits for adoption, but fees are still a big commitment for many couples. Some employers offer adoption benefits, and some adoptions can be subsidized. All of these issues should be researched before applying to adopt.

Aside from adoption fees, prospective parents should know that monthly budgets will need to be altered to accommodate the costs associated with raising a child. This should also be a topic of discussion for couples before beginning the adoption process. Each prospective parent might have different ideas as to what should be provided to a child financially and materially. Parents should agree as best they can on ways to approach this before bringing a child home.

While there is no way to guarantee a successful adoption, discussing key issues before beginning the process can be a good way of improving how both a couple looks to an adoption agency and how well a child will adapt to their home should they be approved for adoption. FP085816

(MS) — There is a perception in the country that if given the choice to work or not to work, women would certainly choose being productive career women over the stay-at-home mother. After all, women fought for the right to be equal to our male counterparts in the workforce, and nothing — including having a baby — is going to divert them from that goal, right?

While there are certainly large numbers of women who derive great satisfaction from their jobs, a growing number of working moms are there out of necessity not choice. If finances weren’t an issue, more would choose to be full-time moms, or at worst, work part-time.

According to Pew Research Center, working full time has lost it’s appeal for many women. Among working mothers with minor children (ages 17 and under), just 21 percent say full-time work is the ideal situation for them, down from the 32 percent who said this back in 1997, according to the company’s recent survey. Six in 10 (up from 48% in 1997) of today’s working mothers say part-time work would be their ideal, and another one in five (19%) say she would prefer not working at all outside the home.

Can a One-Income Family Survive Today?

Based on research and women’s desire not to be full-time workers, it would seem more would be turning in resignation papers with the choice to be stay-at-home moms. But many couples, frankly, are afraid of whether they can afford it.

In a world with escalating costs for everything from food to fuel to schooling, the ability to downsize to a one-income household seems like a fantasy. Still, some parents do manage to make it work. According to 2003 U.S. Census data, of 23 million married couples with children less than age 15, about 5.5 million parents (overwhelmingly the moms) opted to stay at home to care for the kids.

A lot of families enlist the sink-or-swim mentality when moving to a one-income family. The mom quits her job and then they tighten their financial belt and hope for the best. But financial advisors say this could be foolish, and some advanced number crunching should be done instead. A good rule of thumb is that your total debt, including mortgage, insurance, car payments and credit card debt, shouldn’t equal more than 36 percent of the primary breadwinner’s gross annual income, say experts.

If you think you’re ready to try downsizing to one income, try the following a few month’s prior:

1. Track your expenses for two to three months. Write down how much money you spend on every little purchase. Stick to using cash or debit cards, as those on one income will have little freedom to use credit cards.

2. Try living on one income three months before you quit. Adjust your budget a few times to where it becomes comfortable. Save as much of the “extra” money as possible for an emergency fund.

3. Have a financial planner assess how much your taxes will change if you cut back to one income. It could be a considerable amount and help make the decision to quit easier.

4. Realize you are going to have to give up on some luxuries. Going out to dinner or on a shopping spree on a whim will not be possible. And having enough money for emergency repairs to appliances, or on hand should the working spouse be unable to work as well for a little could put a strain on the family. FP085823

(MS) — Conventional wisdom has seemingly always suggested some jobs are for women, while others are for men. As society has evolved, however, and more and more women began entering the workplace, many of the workplace barriers, keeping both men and women from pursuing certain professions, began to crumble, placing a greater emphasis on one’s qualifications for a job than one’s gender.

While much has been made of the numerous instances in which women advanced up the ladder in the “boys’ club” environment of many of the world’s largest corporations, women aren’t the only ones breaking down barriers. Men, too, have begun pursuing careers that, just a decade or two earlier, were unofficially considered jobs strictly for the fairer sex. The following careers are beginning to appeal to more and more men, while some are looking to increase that appeal to draw more men into their ranks.

• Teacher: While nearly everyone who grew up in the United States can likely recall having a male teacher or two, males are far less common in the profession than females. The National Education Association reports that only 25 percent of its nearly 3 million teachers are males. In addition, men who are teachers seem to be more drawn to secondary education, as less than 10 percent of the male teachers throughout the country are elementary school teachers. Because of the different points of view and experience men and women each bring to the workplace, lots of school districts are seeking to add men to their staffs, making this one of the better traditionally female fields for men to become involved in.

• Medical Assistant: Many jobs as medical assistants do not require a four-year degree. Schooling and certification is typically involved, but a job as a medical assistant can be one of the more lucrative careers available to persons without a four-year degree. That could be one reason more and more males are seeking to become medical assistants. Rather than work long hours outdoors for relatively low pay, many men who have not graduated from college have begun migrating toward careers as medical assistants, which often pay substantially more and are far less taxing on the body than jobs as laborers.

• Nurse: Nursing is perhaps the field most instantly associated with women. That’s an unfortunate stereotype, as the small number of men who currently work as nurses admit they find the work fulfilling and rewarding. In a 2006 survey of male nurses, 82 percent of respondents indicated they would recommend the job to other men. That’s good news for men considering entering the nursing field. Also good news is that opportunities for male nurses certainly appear to be there, as currently only 5 percent of nurses throughout the country are male.

• Librarian: Librarian is another career most would assume is nearly all women. While the vast majority of librarians are women, the numbers are slightly more favorable for men in this field than that of nursing. The American Library Association reports that of its more than 100,000 credentialed librarians, just under 20 percent are male. Becoming a librarian almost always requires a college degree, and could be the perfect field for men looking to help kids cultivate a love of reading and research. MT0085793

(PRNewswire/MS) — There is no job more satisfying, demanding, and redeeming than that of mother. Life presents all types of mothers who may differ by circumstance, but ultimately share a collective goal: to provide the best life possible for their children.
History is peppered with stories of women who have persevered for the sake of their families, not for fanfare. What many do not know is that every day remarkable women take on the challenges of life alone — raising their children and making history — as single mothers.

“If you are a single mother, you’re not alone,” says author Janine Turner. “History provides the warmth and comfort of women who have done it successfully before you.”
Turner is perhaps best known as an accomplished actress who has starred in hit television series, such as “Northern Exposure” and “Strong Medicine,” as well as box-office and television movies.

Turner is also a director, singer, and now an author. Her book Holding Her Head High: 12 Single Mothers Who Championed Their Children and Changed History (Thomas Nelson Publishers), chronicles the lives of 12 women in history and brings to light how they advocated for their children to make a difference.

Take, for example, Abigail Adams, whose husband John became the second U.S. president. She helped change the course of history by helping to birth democracy with her valiant wartime single motherhood during the American Revolution. Adams had to clothe, feed, educate and nurture her children as she managed the family farm and her husband’s business.

Adams endured bitter winters and wartime fears and famine. Her devotion helped shape the character of her son — John Quincy — who would go on to further the family’s political legacy by becoming the sixth U.S. president.

Turner, herself a single mother, pored through thousands of historical documents to bring alive the stories of women she says not only provided strength and inspiration, but changed the course of history as well.

Stories span generations and pinpoint women from the Roman Empire, such as Christian pioneer and saint Helena Augusta, to medieval times when Christine de Pizan became the first female professional writer. She may have been the antecedent, of sorts, for Elizabeth Timothy, the first female editor in colonial America.

“These women turned tribulations into triumphs, championed their children and changed history,” offers Turner. “I find their voices to be amazingly modern, no matter the era.”

Find Holding Her Head High: 12 Single Mothers Who Championed Their Children and Changed History at your local bookseller or by visiting www.thomasnelson.com. WT085781

(MS) — When a woman becomes pregnant, she will soon share in a miraculous event — bringing into the world a loving child to care for and adore. There are many things she gains upon becoming a mother, including the devotion of her child. But during the journey of motherhood a woman may actually lose something inadvertently: her self-identity.

Through the years a woman shapes who she is and her identity evolves. Even after she begins dating or gets married her identity remains virtually intact — she is still known as Susan, Beth, or Maria. However, once baby arrives, she is known as “Mom” and sometimes pieces of the woman she used to be get pushed aside in order to fulfill a role as mother. Even the strongest of women stress over living up to the ideals placed on a mom, balancing the mundane chores of life, and trying to eke out some “me” time in the mix.

“The Book of Mom,” by Taylor G. Wilshire addresses just these issues, posing the question, “is there room for Me in Mommy? With humor and raw honesty, Wilshire uses the experiences of her main character Tate, a stay-at-home-mom, to search for the answer to this question in a story that is both entertaining and enlightening. Women everywhere can use strategies explored in the book to turn around their lives and work through feelings in a productive way. Here are some examples:

• Put yourself first: As a mother, aren’t you supposed to step aside and make your child the top priority in life now? Not necessarily, especially when doing just that can do more harm than good. But by caring for yourself first, and ensuring you’re in a healthy frame of mind, you’ll be a much better parent to your child. If you are stressed out every minute of the day because you don’t have any time for yourself, how will this affect your child? Take a cue from Tate; set aside a special place just for you or schedule time where you can be alone and simply do the things you enjoy, such as curling up with a good book — and don’t feel guilty about it, either.

• Hire a support staff: Not in the literal sense, of course, unless hiring outside child care fits with your lifestyle and budget. We’re talking about leaning on those people whom you trust, such as friends and family. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek out advice, especially from mothers who have been there, done that. Or, you can turn to a professional therapist to help you work through some of the more troublesome issues. Asking for help will not make you less of a woman or mother. In the book, Tate turns frequently to her best friend who helps put out emotional fires and set Tate back on course. She also speaks with a therapist who helps find strategies for her marriage, her children and herself, so she can find balance, quiet and so much more.

• Learn to say no: There comes a time when you have to set limits. You simply cannot be Superwoman, Supermom, or Superwife 24/7. Pick your battles and set priorities that will provide the most benefit to your family — and most importantly, yourself.

• Listen to your intuition: There are plenty of guides out there telling you how to raise your child, what milestones the family should be meeting and other such “helpful” information that can actually have a reverse effect on you, making you feel more overwhelmed than ever. Trust your gut in most situations, it tends to steer you in the right direction. Don’t let well-meaning family members or friends tell you how things “have” to be done. And don’t feel compelled to compare your situation or your child’s development to others. Things have a way of all evening out and working out in the end
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Explore the many other self-help tools available in the entertaining story of Tate “The Book of Mom.”Look for it at your favorite online book seller. Learn more about the book and author at www.bookofmom.net. TF084617

(MS) — Welcoming a baby into the world can be one of the most awe-inspiring and joyous times for a woman. If you feel you are emotionally and mentally ready for pregnancy, now is the time to prepare your body for the adventure ahead.

You can increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and infant by taking precautionary steps before getting pregnant. Once you’ve made the decision that now is the time to begin trying for a child, take some time to make healthy lifestyle changes to benefit you and baby.

Boost Fitness

With a pregnancy the body goes through many miraculous changes. To help compensate for the extra weight you will carry and the other changes that are in store, gradually build up your stamina and fitness level. This will help you cope with the strain a pregnancy can put on your body. Once the baby is born, being in shape will help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight faster and ensure you have the energy to care for your new child.

Visit the Doctor

Now is the time to schedule a visit with your Ob/Gyn to talk about your baby plans. He or she can update your family history and do any precautionary screenings, such as tests for infections, diseases, or discover genetic abnormalities that could affect the baby. Your doctor can also do a Pap test now, because doctors usually refrain from doing the test once a woman is pregnant. Use this time to discuss any worries or concerns with your doctor and to find out his or her suggestions for preparing for the pregnancy.

Healthy Eating

There are studies that indicate a link to diet and the chances for conception. It is important that both you and your partner consume a healthy diet, low in fats and sodium while trying for a baby. Eating well also ensures the body has a good balance of vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe folic acid, or tell you to consume more dark leafy green vegetables and enriched cereals to acquire this important nutrient. Folic acid is a B group vitamin vital for healthy cell development. Studies indicate that folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects and reduces the chances for miscarriage. Few women get enough folic acid through their normal diet so it is recommended that anyone planning a pregnancy should take folic acid supplements for three months prior to conception as well as during the early stages of pregnancy. Apart from enriched grains and vegetables, folic acid can be found in chicken liver, beef liver, lentils, wheat germ, pears, asparagus, papaya, broccoli, cantaloupe, eggs, and canned salmon.

Quit Smoking/Reduce Drinking

Couples looking to get pregnant should quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption — both of which can reduce fertility levels. Research indicates that smoking reduces fertility levels by up to 30 percent in women and smokers are likely to take much longer to conceive than non-smokers. Sometimes a woman is pregnant for several weeks before she realizes, making it important to drink in moderation so that the fetus is not harmed. The same can be said for watching other potential dangers, such as over-the-counter and prescription medications. If you have concerns about what may be harmful to a fetus in the early weeks, talk to your doctor.

Rest Up

The next nine to 10 months will be a roller coaster of emotions and activity. Your body will be pushed like it has never been pushed before. Take every opportunity to get adequate sleep and rest so that your body can fully devote its attention to the baby growing within. Lack of sleep can have detrimental health effects, such as diminished concentration levels, poor mood/irritability, depression, lethargy, and more. Don’t ignore your body’s signals that it needs rest, regardless of what chores or work need to get done. TF084677

(MS) — Keeping up with a kid is no easy feat. Most parents know that a child is a bundle of energy with an attention span that lasts mere minutes — if you’re lucky! So when it comes to teaching children the lessons of being an independent person — such as personal grooming habits — there are distinct challenges. But with a little patience and a dash of fun, no task is insurmountable.

More Cavities in Young Kids Means Better Brushing Needed

There is growing evidence that children’s dental health is an area on which most families need to focus more attention. Dentists say they are treating more and more young patients who have cavities in their primary teeth. A new Center for Disease Control and Prevention study reports that almost a third of all kids between 2 and 5 have cavities in their baby teeth. Experts attribute the trend to several factors, including an upsurge in sugared snacks, juice and soda consumption, the rising use of bottled, non-fluoridated water, and the fact that children simply don’t spend enough time brushing teeth.

Many people are under the assumption that oral hygiene is not something that really needs to be worried about in young kids. After all, baby teeth will eventually fall out and new teeth will grow in their place. But this is far from the case. The American Dental Association (ADA) says that cavities in baby teeth can cause a number of problems, including tooth loss, ear and speech problems, crooked permanent teeth, severe pain, poor self-image, and tooth decay. That’s why the ADA recommends starting children’s dental care when they are still babies. A dentist’s visit should occur by age 1. Brushing should begin at age 2 and be supervised until a child is 6 or 7.

Beating Brushing Blues

The recommended brushing time to get teeth clean is a minute for the top arch of teeth and a minute for the bottom. So how does a parent get their child to cooperate? Make it fun, says Dr. Fresh, the maker of the FireFly®, a bright and sparkly children’s toothbrush that lights up and flashes.

The FireFly toothbrush was developed when Dr. Fresh (yes, he is a real person) could not get his young daughter to brush for long enough. To inspire “psychological compliance,” he basically took the LCD light out of a pair of fancy sneakers and put it in the bottom of a regular toothbrush. With more research and development, he created the FireFly, which uses the same “blinking technology” in a durable, ergonomically-designed toothbrush for kids.

“Most of us underestimate how long a minute really is,” says Dr. Fresh. And a minute can seem interminable for an active child looking to move on to his or her next activity.
The FireFly, which blinks for 60 seconds, is a way to instill the one-minute each arch brushing routine. Have children press the button to start the LCD light housed safely in the handle of the toothbrush. Once the light stops blinking, it’s time to move onto the other row of teeth. Push the button again to activate the light.

Other Dental Tips

But oral care doesn’t end with brushing alone. Dr. Fresh offers additional advice.

• Forgetting floss? Children should also floss regularly — as early as when they have two front teeth erupted, say experts. Flossing is really important for molars because they are generally closer to each other than the front teeth. Again, until they reach the age of 6, you will have to help them. Gently lift the floss up between teeth towards the gum and all the way through to the inside of the mouth. Don’t saw — that can damage fragile young gum tissue.

• Time for a change: Everyone — adults and children — should replace a toothbrush after three months of use. If a child has recently had a virus or infection (like strep throat), change the toothbrush immediately after he or she gets better to avoid re-infection.

• Fun flavor: There are a variety of toothpaste flavors available to appeal to kids who don’t enjoy the plain minty variety most adults use. And with cartoon characters adorning the packaging, your child may be racing to add a dab of paste to his or her FireFly and get brushing.

The best way to impart lessons of oral care is to show by example. Make it fun and educational for children and they’ll be more inclined to follow along.

For more information on the FireFly tootbrush and other Dr. Fresh fun products, visit www.drfresh.com. TF084721

(MS) — When you’re facing down a 3-year-old who has not yet caught on to potty training, you may feel like yours is the only child in the world who hasn’t mastered this stage of development. But rest assured that you are not the only parent with these concerns.

Diaper company market research indicates that toddlers are being trained later than in the past. There may be a number of factors contributing to this. Parents are more informed than ever, with instant access to information on popular parenting topics through Web sites. They may realize they don’t need to be so regimented with the potty training process. Plus, the media is focusing on common family topics, like potty training, more so now than in the past. Also, many households today are two-income households. It stands that Mom or Dad cannot stay at home all day to have a potty training boot camp. So the process just takes a little longer.

While many toddlers are trained by age 3, there are plenty of others who are still in diapers past their third birthdays. It’s important to realize, “children learn to use the toilet the same way they learn to walk and talk: by imitating their caregivers — and when the appropriate nerves and muscles are mature enough to be coordinated,” according to Dr. Bill Sears, M.D. and wife Martha Sears, R.N., renowned for pediatric medicine, parents to eight children, and pediatric development experts. “For these reasons, the time of training will vary from home to home and child to child.”

Dos and Don’ts of Potty Training

There are a number of techniques that work for some, but not others. Remember, there are no hard-fast rules for toilet training, but there are suggestions that can make the process go more smoothly.
Don’t expect potty training to be an overnight process. It can take weeks to months for a child to be dry consistently out of diapers. If rushed, there is the propensity for accidents or regression as the child ages.
Do show a lot of support for your child. Positive reinforcement is the way to go. Give lots of praise when your child meets a milestone, whether just sitting on a potty chair or actually going in said chair.

Don’t yell or embarrass a child for accidents. You wouldn’t chastise a child for falling down while learning to walk, so you shouldn’t reprimand him or her for having an accident. Children all have different levels of emotional and physical readiness when it comes to potty training. He or she may be resisting for reasons unknown to you.

Do involve your child in the process of picking out a potty chair or seat adapter, and underwear. A child may be more inclined to use and grow excited about toilet training when involved in decision making.
Don’t compare your child to that of a friend or relative. And don’t feel pressured by family to push your child to learn potty training. Do it according to what feels comfortable for your child and you.
Do know that there is someone, somewhere who has experienced the same hurdles as you have in your potty training regimen. Potty training early is not a sign that one parent is better than another.
Relax, your child will learn to potty train soon. Every child does. TF083544