Car Safety 101

Accidents – Parents should walk their child through all of the steps that they need to follow to be prepared for an accident including:
1. Taking down the license plate number and contact information of the other driver.
2. Have a cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene, video and call for emergency assistance if needed.
3. Keep a “cool head” during the accident just in case the other driver isn’t able to be rational or level headed.
4. Pull over to the shoulder of the road to stay out of the way of other drivers.
5. Ask for the help of more than one witness if needed.

It Pays Off

Starting a child early when it comes to car safety will pay off later on. If a child is ready and prepared to sit behind the wheel of a vehicle they will be better able to handle themselves and less inclined to get into an accident like their peers.

IBS Global Statistics
Irritable Bowel Syndrome does affect men and women across the globe. There is however a predominance of the disease among women. Global statistics show that 10-20% of the world’s population show symptoms associated with IBS. Mild symptoms affect approximately 70% of people diagnosed with IBS. The population suffering with more moderate symptoms affect approximately 25% of people diagnosed with the disorder and the remaining 5% of the people diagnosed with IBS report their symptoms are more severe.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The above symptoms are usually caused by a combination of abnormal function of the nerves and muscles in the bowel area. It has been noted that stress can be a significant mitigating issue and a trigger for those who suffer from this. For young teenage children, girls who are starting to menstruate may also find the symptoms are more exacerbated during this time due to increased swelling in the abdominal area.

Treatment Options
In milder cases of IBS, patients may be counseled on better eating habits and a healthier lifestyle. Children today need to add more fiber to their diet on a consistent basis. Many Processed foods do not offer the positive health benefits of fiber on a regular basis. This is why it is often recommended that for both children and adults suffering from IBS, that they work on putting together a healthy well balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and natural fiber. Help from their doctor or a digestive specialist or a dietitian can aid in children in designing a diet to aid the digestive process. With a proper diet and reducing stress factors the symptoms can ease significantly. Medication may be successful for patients suffering from more severe cases of IBS. Often alosetron for IBS is used to help alleviate symptoms. Children and their parents should working closely with a specialist doctor to give the best chance of finding the right solution for treating symptoms and keeping the disease from progressing to a more problematic state.

How to Plant a Garden your Kids Will Love

To get your children interested in gardening and ecology get them involved in every part of the development of your garden by asking them where they would like to plant the garden on your property and what types of plants they would like to grow in the garden. If a child feels like they are a part of the development process they will take an active interest in the garden and grow excited once they start seeing things grow.

Encourage your Children to Explore the Soil

Once your garden is started and your plants start to grow it’s important to encourage your children to spend time in the garden exploring the soil and seeing the wide varieties of insect life that abound above and below the soil. For best results with identifying the insects that you will find in the soil it’s best to invest in an insect book, that way you can take the learning process even further by identifying the insects that you and your child will find together.

Reward Children for Working in the Garden

Over time many children may lose interest in working in the garden and turn their attention back to other things like video games, surfing the internet or listening to music. To avoid this problem it’s important to reward children for their continued dedication to working in the garden like watering every day, planting new flowers, weeding, fertilizing etc.

The more rewards a child receives the more motivated they will become to work harder in the garden. As time goes by less rewards will be needed to keep them working in the garden and they will want to keep going out there on their own.

Even if you don’t have a yard, using grow lights can help you grow a garden indoors.

It’s All about the Parents First

First of all, you have to deal with your own grief. How you handle that grief will be an example for your child of how to handle their own. If it’s a grandparent of the child that means that you will be dealing with either the death of a parent or a parent in law. I’ve been there and I know how hard it is. Ultimately, in helping yourself deal with a death you will be helping your child as well. Keeping things on an emotionally healthy level may require talking about the loss that everyone has suffered. Don’t mix words with the child either. Most kids can sense nonsense when they hear it. Remember too, that not dealing with this loss will be extremely unhealthy for the mental well being of the child later in life. Not dealing with death when it occurs is opening a dangerous door that can be unlocked by another death far in the future.

Talk, Talk, Talk

Probably the most important thing to remember is that there’s no limit on the time that should be spent on discussing the death and what it means to not only the entire family but specifically to the child and to you. Answer their questions honestly and let them talk as much as they want to, even though that may be hard on you.

Many parents actually help themselves while helping their children maintain a healthy mental status after a death in the family. Zippy is a good way to make it easier on your children.

This article has great ideas and recommendations for affordable activates that your kids can do this summer that will keep them busy and building memories that will last for years to come.

In Door Activities

Bowling – This sport still remains one of the most popular sports in the world because it’s easy to learn and all of the equipment is already at the alley, such as bowling balls. Parents should schedule a trip to their local bowling alley with their kids at least once this summer and even consider enrolling their kids into a youth bowling league so they can experience the fun of bowling in a league with their peers.

Laser Tag – Back in the early 90’s Laser Tag was one of the most popular indoor activities for kids and adults alike and over twenty years later this hasn’t changed. This indoor activity continues to remain popular with kids and adults of all ages.

Family Entertainment Centers – Just about every major city in the United States has a family entertainment center like Boomers or a Family Fun Center. These destinations are great for families because they contain many activities like miniature golf, arcades, batting cages and many more fun things that guarantee that every person in your family will have something for them to enjoy.

Outdoor Activities

AmeriCorps – If your child is between the ages of fifteen and eighteen years of age and loves the outdoors they might be interested in joining AmeriCorps where they will gain the opportunity to work outdoors, camp and improve the environment.

Volunteer – One of the best things that any parent can encourage their child to do is volunteer at a local homeless shelter in their area, soup kitchen, hospital or police station. Volunteering helps children to gain real life experience helping others and the opportunity to build a reference for their resume.

Sports – Many cities have youth leagues for children of all ages so if your child loves sports like baseball, football, basketball or even swimming what better way to encourage their love of sports of enrolling them in a summer league?

Are You Ready For the Added Responsibility?

Having a pet is a very big responsibility, not far off from having a new baby. They are likely to make change sin your life, and you should be prepared for them. There is constant care involved, and you will have to take time out of your day to clean up after your pet and make sure it gets proper exercise. Unlike a child, a pet cannot tell you when it needs something, so you will have to be on top of everything, especially keeping it fed. Pets also need babysitters, so if you are not home often, then it may not be the right time for your family to adopt a pet.

Are You Ready for the Costs?

Having a pet is like tacking another member to your family. There is the constant cost of food, and certain pet foods can be pricey. There are also the initial veterinary costs, for vaccinations and exams. Then there are regular checkups for your pet, and if your pet happens to get sick, then there are expensive treatments and medications that need to be bought. But the basic, upfront costs can add up on their own, such as cages, bedding, food, feeding dishes, toys, and other pet supplies.

There are many things to consider when adopting a pet, because even though a pet can be a joy to have around, it is also a big decision.

Children Fear the Unknown

First, of all keep in mind that children fear the unknown and because they have never gone through the trauma of a fire, they will be anxious and fearful. One of the best things to say to a child after such an experience is, “I understand why you feel frightened. I, too, feel frightened but we will get through this together.” They must know that it’s alright to be afraid and that it helps to share their feelings of fear and to always ask for help.

Be a Good Model

Then, be a good model on how to handle the situation. If they see that you are positive and doing your best to handle the situation, then they will model your behavior. And, when it comes time to go to bed, your child may feel anxiety about going to sleep. The fire has stirred anxiety and fear inside of them and they may need you to tell them a story and to keep a night light on for awhile. They will be fearful for several months or longer, so do what you can to calm their fears.

In addition, let the child replay the event—like in a play or maybe they would like to make up a story about what happened. Most children want to overcome and conquer such a fear and by acting out the experience, they can get rid of the fear. Make sure to take time to listen to what they have to say. Listening to their fears and concerns can help a child cope with the traumatic event. Keep reassuring them that their memories of the fire won’t hurt them and that it will not happen again. Keep a normal routine and play games and read stories to them that they like and enjoy.

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Age Makes a Big Difference

A very young child is not going to see divorce the same way that a teenager will, so keep that in mind when you’re talking to your child about the divorce. You have to talk on a level that the child will understand. Children are not stupid, so don’t talk down to them. At the same time, they don’t have the life experience to really understand the things that adults understand. Finding that balance of knowledge is important.

Keep Things as Amicable as Possible

Even if you and your spouse can’t wait to get away from each other, try to be polite for the sake of the children. It can be rough, but fighting in front of them is only going to make things worse. Instead, be civil – even if it’s difficult – and don’t spend a lot of time together if you can’t tolerate each other’s company. The kinder you are to one another and the happier you appear to your children, the easier it will be on them.

There are studies that basically say that children can’t handle divorce. That’s simply not the case. Of course it’s difficult for them, but they’re very resilient and they can handle much more than you might think. Just treat them well and be honest with them (based on age), and your children will be a lot more likely to come through your divorce well.

Arlingtontexasattorney.com can give you the legal support you need in this trying time.

Here are a few answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me.  He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men’s bones.  Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We’re related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people’s mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background.  Like is he a crook?  Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year?  Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world.  And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.

Who’s the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn’t want to be boss, but she has to because dad’s such a goof ball..
2. Mom..  You can tell by room inspection.  She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What’s the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power ’cause that’s who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don’t do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long..

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she’s already perfect.  Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet.  You know, her hair.  I’d diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean.  I’d get rid of that.
2. I’d make my mom smarter.  Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

A Land Unaltered By Time

Those trips are still expensive, though, and many vacationers believe that if you’ve taken one cruise, you’ve taken them all. For the vacationer who wants to stay inland, and wishes to experience the kind of beauty that only nature can truly deliver, their best bet might be to take one of the many Canadian Rockies tours through Vancouver. The city of Vancouver itself is a spectacle to behold, as the entire world saw in the 2010 Winter Olympics. The 2,300 km route along Hoodapus Pass will show you just how amazing British Columbia truly is.

Much to Do, More to See

A weeklong trip through the Canadian Rockies lets you experience the kind of unspoiled scenery that many people believe no longer exists in nature. Lakes, waterfall, rivers and mountain ranges are all part of the Banff and Jasper National Parks as you trek along the Columbia Icefields parkway. Hiking down into the Maligne Canyon will take you back a thousand years. Staring into the eyes of the wolves at the nearby sanctuary will take you back even further than that.

Your stay in Banff will allow you to explore the nightclubs and shopping centers, and its famous hot springs. Hostel beds are available at each nightly stop (the tour itself generally does not include overnight accommodations). Hoodapus pass will leave you well grounded in nature, and will give you an idea just what kind of beauty is at stake in the world’s conservation efforts. It is truly a rewarding, and touching, experience.