Natural Remedies For Common Summer Troubles

Here are just the tips you need to take care of the family's aches and pains this summer. Enjoy!

Be Prepared for the Holiday Weekend!

Here are some pointers for  basic first aid! Rather be safe than sorry,enjoy the holiday, hoist your American flags and say thank you to a veteran.

Safe Boating Week May 21-27

If you have a boat or you will be going out on the water with relatives or friends this summer, read these safety tips.

May 2011 Book and Activity

Since the nice weather is finally here in most parts of the country, it's time to get outside and enjoy it! There is no better time to teach the kids about nature and their surroundings. This month I would like to recommend the book "Fun With Nature"- a take-along guide, published by NorthWood Press, Minnesota. There are 6 chapters in this book, each written by a different author. Illustrations are by Linda Garrow. It covers the topics of Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies, Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards, Frogs, Toads and Turtles, Tracks, Scats and Signs, Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks, and finally Trees, Leaves and Bark. It is a wonderful reference book, specifically written for adults who needs accurate information to answer kid's questions.

Activity:Scavenger Hunt  NOTE: CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER TAKE A NATURE WALK WITHOUT AN ADULT!

When you get this book, choose the next good weather day to go exploring. You can use, your backyard, neighborhood, park, pond, stream or woods. Decide before you go on what things you will look for, based on the child's interest and age. Use some blank paper to create a journal. A good list might be:
a feather
a leaf
3 different plants
a rock with more than one color
moss
an animal sighting
a stick shaped like the letter Y
a seed
hearing a bird's song
something you think is interesting

The items can be brought home for further study or left in place. Each should be drawn or written about in the journal (children can dictate to the adult). Make sure to include date and location where the items were found. Change your list every time you go and try to take a few walks during the summer to see how things change. Get out and enjoy!

Do You Use Clip On Chairs For Your Kids?

Read this newly released product warning if you do!

Ready To Get Outside For a Bybicle Ride?

May is National Bike Safety month. SafeKids USA has some good advice on how to have fun while being safe.

Which Breakfast Cereals Are the Best?

Well if you are like me, shopping for healthy food items can be difficult with all the fancy advertising and misleading catch words. I was particularly interested in this article about healthy breakfast cereals for kids. Using the helpful guidelines in this article can make your choices much easier.

Product Recalls For April 2011

Here is the newest list of children's products that have been recalled for safety issues. Check it out to make sure they are not in use in your home.

Helping Children Through Tough Times

Here is a link to a wonderful short video from the American Academy of Pediatrics on helping children cope with difficult times. It's a must see!

Mother's Day Keepsake Album

Here is a quick project that requires a few supplies but creates a wonderful gift for a Mom, Godmother, or Grandma.
You will need:  a few storage size zipper style plastic bags
                       card stock, any color
                       ribbon, twine, or yarn
                       a hole punch
                       glue
                       old greeting cards,calendars or magazines
                       markers

To begin, choose any number of plastic bags, depending on how many "pages" you want in the album.  Line them up and punch two holes in the sealed end (bottom) of the bag at each end. The bags will be put into the album with the zipper side on the right. Refer to the first photo. I am pointing to where I punched the holes.

Line up the bags so that the holes are in the same place for each bag.


Next,  choose 2 pieces of card stock. Cut them to 71/2 " by 9 1/2 ". You can use markers to decorate the front cover, or you can recycle pictures from old calendars or the fronts of used greeting cards. You can also make a montage of several pictures. Make your decisions based on your Mom's favorite things and colors.
Punch matching holes in the front and back card stock covers. Line up the bags with the bad name/logo/label on the back so that the top of each "page" will be clear. Starting with the back cover, lay each bag with the opening to the right. Top with the front cover. Poke ribbon or twine from the back through the holes toward the front and tie with a knot or bow. Place you name and the date on the front or back cover

Now Mom can put special keepsakes into each bag and zipper it shut. Ideas would be notes, letters, postcards, recipes, garden notes/seed variety packets, business cards, photos or any thing else she would like to keep organized.
Top it all off with a big hug and kiss! Happy Mother's Day to all.

7 Mistakes Parents Make When Feeding Their Kids

Acording to Joy Bauer, there are seven common mistakes that many parents make when it comes to feeding their young children. I have to admit that I was guilty of some of these when my children were young. Follow this link to read the entire list and the healthier alternatives.