Get The Kids Out Into The (Cold) Fresh Air!

Many parents think that they should keep their little ones indoors during cold winter months.  However, it is not the cold weather that makes people sick more often during the winter.  Not directly anyway.  What increases the amount of sickness during winter months is the fact that people spend more time together indoors, thereby spreading their germs to each other more often.  So bundle up those little ones and get them out for some fresh air each day!  Bonus:  Being in the sun each day will also alleviate "cabin fever" & the "winter blues" - the restlessness & depression that children and adults can experience after being cooped up inside for the winter.

Know Your Local Hospitals

As my family found out the hard way last year, not all hospital emergency rooms are equipped for or capable of handling pediatric emergencies.  For example, our two year old was sent home with a broken elbow because the emergency room doctor was afraid to properly examine her and the radiologist could not properly read her x-ray; broken and fractured bones are sometimes harder to read on children.  Know ahead of time which hospitals in your area have a Pediatric Emergency Room, and have the phone number and driving directions in your home and in your car, so that you know exactly where to go in an emergency. 
As I also recently discovered when I scalded myself with burning hot oil following a Christmas night deep fryer explosion, it is a good idea to know which hospitals in your area have burn units, as the last thing you want to do when you are in pain is waste time trying to figure out where to go.

Morning Rush

Set your alarm clock for 15 minutes earlier than you need to get up to get the kids off to school.  That way you don't have to jump out of bed the second your eyes open.  Rather, you can relax for a few minutes before you wake up.  This will help to put you in a better mood and make the morning go more smoothly.

IN CASE THEY GET LOST

Starting at 2 years old, start teaching your kid their full name, phone number and address.  Repeat it several times a day, turn it into a song or a rhyme, and quiz them at dinnertime!  Heaven forbid they get separated from you at a store, amusement park, etc., an adult will be able to help them to get back to you.

INEXPENSIVE WAY TO CREAT THEME ROOM

Do your kids want a "theme" in their bedroom, such as Diego, Mario, Cinderella, etc?  The specialty furniture, lamps and curtains can cost a fortune - especially the theme beds.  Try this trick instead: buy inexpensive white furniture, and decorate it with wall cling art in the theme of your child's choice.  You can find virtually any themed cling art online for a relatively cheap price.  Add matching clings to the walls.  The clings stick for as long as you want them to, and when your child changes their mind, simply peel off and replace with a new theme.

As for the curtains, go to JoAnns Fabrics and pick out a fabric with your child's theme.  If no one in your circle of friends or family sews, ask the salespeople to direct you to someone who can inexpensively turn the fabric into curtains, pillows, pillow cases, etc. 

Add a matching bedspread and/or stuffed animal, and voila, you have your child's dream room for at a cost that is not a nightmare!

GET INVOLVED AT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL

Studies show that the children of parents who are involved at school perform better academically.  So volunteer your time - attend open parent organization meetings, volunteer for lunch duty, be homeroom mom or dad, or just be an extra helper at class parties and on class trips.  Another benefit will be that the teachers and staff will get to know you, which will result in a better relationship between them and your child.

GETTING PICKY EATER TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGGIES

Is your child a picky eater who refuses to eat fruit and vegetables? Try these tricks for disguising them!

Veggie Tricks:
-turn spinach into spinach dip on crackers, celery & carrots;
-turn broccoli into broccoli cakes; and
-turn mashed potatoes into potato pancakes.

Fruit Tricks:
-spread a little peanut butter on apple slices (if doc has given you green light for peanut butter);
-spread cream cheese on celery;
-give them a little salad dressing to dip carrots into; and
-squirt a little whipped cream on strawberries, blueberries, banana slices, etc. 

The minimal calorie and sugar increase will be far outweighed by the healthy benefits of the fruit, and will get your little one used to eating healthy. Also, describing the above as "treats" makes the kids more eager to try them!  Good luck!

School Morning Tip

Winter is fast approaching.  If you don't want to spend another one furiously scrambling each morning before school to locate and match gloves, hats, scarves, etc., try this tip:  Give each child their own large ziplock or shoebox full of their winter accessories, and keep it in their own space in the closet.  As soon as they come home from school, have them put their accessories right back inside.  Anything that promotes peace and calmness in the morning and gets the kids out the door on time is worth a try, right?!

DELAYING VACCINATIONS

These days, taking your child to the doctor could mean having them get hit with 3 or more vaccines at a time.  With all of the debates and studies surrounding the safety of vaccines, many parents feel uneasy with vaccinations to begin with, and worry about overwhelming their children's little immune systems with multiple vaccines at once.  Add to the mix that many kids often feel lousy and/or feverish after their shots, and you have some very scared parents. 

If you are not one of the anti-vaccine parents that refuse vaccinations altogether, but still feel uneasy, don't be afraid to discuss spreading the vaccines out over a longer time period with your doctor.  Many doctors are agreeable to letting you fall a little bit behind the recommended schedule in order to have your child receive fewer vaccines at one time.  Your doctor can also advise you as to which vaccines are important to get now, and which may be delayed.  If your doctor is inflexible, it may be time to consult another pediatrician - one who is willing to work with the parents' concerns for their child's welfare.

WARM BATHTIME TRICK

Want to keep your little ones, especially newborns, warm during bathtime in the cold winter months?  Buy a small, "cool touch" (so the kids can't get burned) space heater.  You can pick one up for under $30 at most local stores and online.  Place it well away from water to prevent electric shock (i.e. not on the ledge of the tub, sink basin or where it can fall into the toilet) and turn it on a few minutes before bathtime.  The kids will stay warm while bathing, drying off and changing into their warm pjs.  Now that I think of it, I might just try this one for myself!

QUICK & CHEAP MAKEUP REMOVER

Want a quick way to take off your makeup, and don't want to pay an arm and a leg for makeup remover pads?  Grab a babywipe!  Just make sure it is "sensitive" and "alcohol free".  See this clip for a demonstration of how good it works:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfjWX-BL0uI

STROLLER RECALL

Recall Alert: BOB Jogging Strollers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 411,700 BOB single and double strollers on October 11, 2011. The backing patch on the stroller canopy’s embroidered logo can detach, which can pose a choking hazard to babies and young children. There have been six reports of children putting the patch in their mouths, including two incidents where gagging and choking were reported. In all of the incidents, the patches were removed from the children without injury. This recall involves all BOB strollers manufactured between November 1998 and November 2010 -- they have the BOB, Ironman or Stroller Strides brand name on the canopy. Strollers manufactured after October 2006 have a white label with the manufacturing date on it. Strollers with no date listed are also included in this recall. These strollers have been sold at REI, Babies “R” Us, other children’s products and sporting goods stores and on Amazon.com from November 1998 to October 2011 for $280 to $600. If you have one of these strollers, immediately stop using it until you remove the backing patch from the logo. You can contact BOB Trailers for removal instructions or more information at (855) 242-2245 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (855) 242-2245      end_of_the_skype_highlighting between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday, or you can visit the company’s website at BOBNotices.com.

Weight Loss Trick

Want to lose 3 pounds this year without even trying?  Try this simple trick.  Downsize your morning latte 5 x week - switch from large to medium and save calories a day = 40 calories day = 10400 calories year = 3 pounds, without so much as looking at a treadmill!  Thanks to Dr. Melina Jampolis for the great tip!

Get Rid Of Ants

Having a problem with ants?  Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the ground.   The next time you look, the ants will be gone!

Dude, Where's My Car?

Have trouble finding your car when you go to the mall?  Take a snapshot of where you parked with your cell phone.  Include the aisle/floor number, landmarks, and a shot of the portion of the mall directly across from your car, so you know where to turn when you exit the mall.  Also take a snapshot of the department you enter through - i.e. shoes, lingerie, etc.  You will never wander around a parking lot pushing your panic button again!

Puffy Eye Cure

Waking up with puffy eyes?  Eyes puffy from allergies or crying?  Pop 2 spoons into the freezer for at least 10 minutes, then hold the backs to your eyes.  The puffiness should disappear within minutes!

HANDmade Wipee Warmer

Don't have a wipee warmer for cold little heinies on winter mornings??  No problem.  Crunch the wipee into the palm of your hand and close your hand into a tight fist while you are undressing your little one and getting a diaper ready.  Abot 20-30 seconds is all it takes to get the chill out and warm the wipee with your body heat!

Erase School Blues

Are you having a hard time getting your little one to go to school in the morning?  Is he/she crying and begging to stay home?  Ask the teacher for the names and phone numbers of some of the kids that she thinks will get along well with your child, then call the parents and start setting up play dates.  Try to plan some activities for the kids to do on the playdates that will be fun and really help them to interact with one another.  That way, your child can anticipate seeing a buddy when he/she goes to school.

Cough Remedy

Do you have a child over the age of two who can't stop coughing?  Rub a generous layer of Vicks VapoRub all over the bottom of their feet and cover them with socks.  It is an old wives' tale, but it works!  Within 5 minutes your child will feel calmer and the coughing will completely subside.  WARNING:  DO NOT USE ON CHILDREN UNDER 2 YRS OLD -  Vicks VapoRub can cause respiratory distress at that age.  Good luck!

Stranger Danger

Stranger Danger Tip:  Teach your kids that when a stranger is trying to pull them out of a store, into a car, or otherwise abduct them, not only must they scream for help, but more importantly, they must scream the words "This is a stranger!  This is NOT my parent!"  If they do not, bystanders may ignore the child's cries for help, thinking that it is just another kid throwing a temper tantrum and giving their parent a hard time.

Pacifier/Bottle Trick

Having trouble getting your baby to drink from a bottle or suck on a pacifier? Try this little trick: wet the rim of the nipple with water, then dab a few crystals of sugar on it. The baby will go for the sweet taste and simultaneously learn how to latch on and suck! Good luck!