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When your child’s feeling sad, angry or depressed, communicate openly, honestly and patiently with them. Listen to them without judging or criticizing. They may not fully understand why they feel the way they do, so the opportunity to communicate with you about it may be what’s needed to help them sort through a difficult situation. Suggest positive behaviors and options as solutions, and make sure to leave that door of communication open so they know the next time they feel badly, they can come to you for help and know that you won’t judge or punish them for how they’re feeling.

Start helping your child build positive self esteem and self value, then you should show them your positive sense of self and strong self esteem. Do things like attending a rally for the tea party movement. Be positive when you speak about yourself and highlight your strengths. This will teach your child that it’s okay to share their talents, skills and abilities.

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There are two ways that you feed any baby, though you may think much harder about what you want to do if you have a premature baby. Preemies are harder to feed at first, and some may never breastfeed no matter how hard you try. That does not mean they can not get milk from mom though, as breast pumps can often be a mother’s best friend after the birth of a premature baby. Rely on the best breast pumping equipment, and don’t forget to try Dr. Brown’s bottles.

Breast pumping for NICU moms is something that many find themselves doing when their baby is born too soon. Some of these babies must be fed by a feeding tube and are too small to attempt to latch onto the breast. Therefore, the second best option would be to pump breast milk so baby gets all the benefits of breast milk. If a baby is in the NICU for too long, they may never latch on, but mom can still pump to feed her baby.

Whether feeding pumped breast milk or formula, moms of preemies should consider bottles like Dr. Browns bottles. These were recommended to me time and time again as they have a natural flow system that works more like the breast than any other bottle, and they cut way down on how much air your baby gets. These are great for feeding pumped milk and can be used for juice and cow’s milk later on down the line. If you are looking for feeding options and you are breast pumping for preemies, consider Dr. Browns bottles before you make your final choice. As the mom of a happy and healthy preemie, I am glad that I did!

Filed under: Babies, Health, Parenting
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Your baby depends on you for everything. Not only do you keep them fed and changed, you also keep them safe. Our world is such that we need help with moving our precious children from one spot to another. If we had eight arms and boundless energy, we could always carry them, but that is just not the case. Luckily for parents, there are great ways to take baby along for the ride. The concern that parents have is how to keep them safe while going from point A to point B. Baby backpack carriers and baby strollers are just two of the more common ways to get this done.

There are very few parents that do not have baby strollers to move around. They are used for going out shopping, for going for walks, or when your baby needs a place to rest while away from home. Strollers have been around for a long time, and have changed in many ways. As parents, you want the most out of stroller while still keeping your baby safe and secure.

Baby backpack carriers have been around for a long time as well, but they are more popular now then ever. These allow baby to be as close to mom or dad as possible while still allowing parents to have their hands free. These are great when a stroller just won’t do, and when parents want a smaller load when going out. You can still keep baby right next to you while you choose your groceries, or if you want to take walk where strollers would never go safely or easily.

Both choices are great for travel too. You don’t have to choose between the two – you can have both. The choise is more about the one that works best for your particular situation, and which ones are still deemed safe. Baby products are recalled all the time, so learn more about safe baby strollers and the most secure baby backpack carriers on the market before you buy. Nothing beats safety and security when it comes to your kids.

Filed under: Babies, Parenting, Travel
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My mother retired last year from her job after twenty five years of service. She tells me all of the time that she is going to enjoy every minute of her retirement, and that is exactly what she is doing.

She is on the go so much that I can barely keep up with her. She called me a couple of days ago to see if I knew where she could get a really cute womans costume for a Halloween party that she was attending. I told her about a website online that I usually get my costumes from every year.

No for me, I’m more of a Princess Leia costume kind of girl. But for mom?? She really wanted a real Womans costume, not some little girl, size-nothing costume! That’s why I sent her to WomansCostume.org where they have both! Get something real, something substantial for the “real woman”, or if they want, get something slinky, something sexy. To each his own, as I always say!

Filed under: Costumes, Family, Halloween, Parenting
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I tend to go all out for Halloween, because it is my daughter’s favorite holiday. She definitely takes after me, because it was also my favorite holiday when I was growing up. I want to make sure that she celebrates it safely.

With everything going on these days, I just don’t feel it is as safe for my children as it was when I was trick or treating back in . . . well let’s just say it was a long time ago.

So now to save a lot of trouble and time, I buy my kids costumes online. Then to make sure they are safe, I throw a big Halloween party for all of the kids on the block at our house every year.

My daughter has decided this year that she wants a Star Wars Princess costume.

She saw one on a website online, and she immediately knew that was the costume that she wanted. Her little friend saw the Star Wars child costume for Queen Amidala costume and just went wild!

Now I know my children are safe, but they are still having the times of their lives having a costume party with all of their friends and seeing all of the different costumes that everyone is wearing.

Filed under: Costumes, Family, Halloween, Kids, Parenting
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Can elephants fly? Well, if you’re Dumbo you can! This Disney icon, almost 70 years old, is an emblem of wish fulfillment and the spunky American Dream. Against all odds, taunted and teased, with roadblocks on every path, Dumbo yet succeeds. It’s all about the classic rags to riches story, the underdog whose dreams literally soar.

Bill Tytla was the main animator for Dumbo, and based the animal’s child-like expressions from his two-year old son, Peter. As the mother of two little girls, I know first-hand the honesty of expressions and emotion. Everything they do is real, from the heart, and with no insincerity.

Watching Dumbo for the first time in years, I notice that the little elephant’s expressions are the exact same as I’ve seen in my kids – hope, joy, sadness, the sense of wonder when exploring new things. This is definitely the mark of a true artist. I almost feel that Disney was the same way, back then – the company, though their movies, seemed just as childlike, full of wonder as they charted new ground with animation and story techniques.

Children mimic these characters (I know I did!) and will often have a tickle trunk with some of their favorite toddler animal costumes. I remember receiving a Dumbo elephant costume after watching the movie for the first time and pretending I could fly with big ears!

In the movie, Dumbo doesn’t realize he is the object of ridicule and laughter, though he quickly realizes something is amiss. When his mother is ripped away from him, he is left alone, mistreated and with no “warm trunk” to curl up to. All he has is a mouse to help him through. Taking a leap of faith (and a magic feather), he realizes he can fly, and his source of embarassment, his ears, turn him into a majestic star.

As an adult, we often lose sight of our dreams as a child, or inadvertedly stiffle them our own children with our own cynisism of the world. Disney may not be the childlike business it once was, but they do understand how children see the world, and how the American Dream works – it often starts as a tragedy a kid can not quite understand – the loss of a parent, poverty, bullying and ridicule. But through hard work, perserverience and a little bit of magic (like a feather), anybody, elephant or human, can rise to overcome all.

Filed under: Costumes, Family, Kids, Movies, Parenting
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All parents know that choosing the right school for your little one is crucial. St. Elizabeth’s Pre-Primary holds a high reputation as one of Westville’s favored Pre-Schools. St. Lizzies is an Independent Christian School in Westville accommodating children from 3 – 6 years. The location of the school is ideal, conveniently situated behind the St Elizabeth’s Anglican Church in Salisbury Avenue, (off the M13).
Free Choice Time “Play is the serious business of childhood” We make sure our children have the best and most fun play times: Our daily activities revolve around the following areas:
Garden Activities – sand play, water play, sensopathic activities, mud, clay modelling, wood work, climbing apparatus. Here a child builds a healthy body while climbing, running, jumping and balancing.
The activities provide opportunity for – pleasure and delight; the development of skills; social contacts; the release of emotions; constructive, imaginative and creative play. This area is under supervision of two teachers.
Creative Area Activities – painting, drawing, cutting and painting, anti-waste constructions, special activities and dough modelling. Here a child satisfies his needs to experiment and create.
The activities provide opportunity for: Use of colour and development of form; control of fine muscles and co-ordination; learning through senses and the development of skills.
The activities provide opportunity for; the acquisition of skills; developing powers of thinking and reasoning; eye-hand co-ordination; to share and take turns; concentration and perseverance and language development. We at St. Lizzies – a preferred Westville Pre-School we children learn about life with tons of laughter.

Filed under: Education, General, Kids, Parenting, Schools
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St Elizabeth’s one of the Westville Primary Schools is a beautiful school offering everything for your child to learn and have fun. St. Lizzies offers an after care facility until 17h00 daily, as well as extra mural activities such as gymnastics, ballet, judo, arts and crafts and playball. Those working mom’s can relax and know that their little one is safe. St Elzabeth’s Pre Primary School is an Independent Christian School in Westville catering for children aged from three years until they are six.
Often you hear of “Teacher Directed Time” well during these times the child participates in group activities together with children of a similar age. The activities have been planned by the group teacher and are age related so that the children will progress to more advanced Rings and stories as they mature.
Activities are related to the current theme e.g. Animal Homes/The Builder. Each theme lasts two weeks. Each group goes on one outing during the second and third term to venues such as the local library, Mini Town etc. The children are also involved in a Life Skills programme which promotes the building of a positive self concept; developement of problem-solving skills; effective communication and management of conflict situations.
The pre-school children in the Grade R (Reception) class participate in a School Readiness Programme as set out in the Education Department syllabus which encourages the children to work in small groups, make decisions, complete set tasks, carry out instructions, explore pre-maths concepts, improve concentration and refine small muscle control – all of which are pre-requisites for Grade 1. Audiblox exercises, Matal activities and simple science experiments are also included in this programme.
Come and see for yourself why St. Lizzies is one of the preferred Westville Primary Schools. Call for an appointment to visit the school.

Filed under: Education, General, Kids, Parenting, Schools
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Oh the many things you can do with this Cat in the Hat Halloween Hat! One fish two fish red fish blue fish, dress with the hat of all hats and have fun with everyone.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own.
And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” These are just a few of the many sayings the Cat in the Hat can say at your next costume party or just out one night for fun, put this Cat Hat Costume on and become the curiously chaotic critter that just makes one mess after another. Everyone will be wanting to wear it and have fun with you!

On our site you will find places to go to enhance your costume with more sayings and quotes that the fisty Cat in the Hat Character would say. So study up and have fun with it! Complete Cat in the Hat costumes and other characters found in the book and movie available too!

Filed under: Costumes, Family, Halloween, Kids, Parenting
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Its goign to be a long ghostly Halloween this year, especially with all the marketing towards new movies, we have toy story and the famous iron man. iron man is sure to be huge. kids tugging at the shirt tales of us parents begging for the latest costume to hit the market. i have a way to put the brakes on this Halloween.

I refuse to be taken advantage of fiancially. This year I am goign to buy the kids their favorite costume Ahead of time. I found an awesome website for the coolest costumes i have every seen, from my favorite movie of all time. the nightmare before christmas. my son wants me to get him a Jack Skellington costume and my daughter wants me to get here a sally costume and Im going to get the extremely cool deluxe Nightmare before Christmas Jack Skellington Mask.

Its going to be an awesome Halloween this year and i can rest a little easier now. this website has the best jack and sally tutorial make up videos on the net. a definite plus for pushed to the limit parents. happy Halloween. Paul

Filed under: Candy, Costumes, Halloween, Parenting, holidays
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Just what do I mean by that? Many times the kids get on their costumes and go on their way to go from house to house in the neighborhood. Of course they’re instructed where they can go and how far they can go. If we know all the neighbors we let them go by themselves or sometimes we walk along with them and stay out on the street. We go home and go through all the candy, making sure it doesn’t look suspicious, then tell them how much they can eat and how much to put up for some other time.

Of course some neighborhoods have block parties or house parties and the adults sit around and talk while the kids are off together with one or two of the assigned parents who conduct a few games. Again, we all go home, sort through the candy and try to get the kids to go to bed.

Or, as so many more adults are dressing up for Halloween, we end up taking the kids over to grandma’s while we go to our own party.

Any of this sound familiar? It’s not really anybody’s fault. The way of “doing” Halloween has changed over the years and most of us are still adjusting.

What many families are starting to do is to make Halloween a family event again. When adults and all the kids dress up in costume, especially in costumes that match a theme, there is a feeling of being connected starting right away when everyone is getting ready and dressing up in their costumes. I’ll bet you can even get dad to participate if he can be a superhero.

If the kids are going door to door, how much more fun to go to the door with them and be dressed up in matching costumes. Fun for the kids, fun for the parents, and fun for the people answering the door. Of course you really should make it clear you aren’t there for candy. (Don’t take your purse or briefcase up to the door with you.)

If your neighborhood is having a party, your family will be the center of attention and it’s bound to create an atmosphere of everyone participating together, instead of kids on one end, parents on the other.

There are so many costumes these days that come in all sizes for all members of the family, like Toy Story 3 Costumes. There even Toy Story costumes for infants, as there are for most themed costumes.

Your kids will have some really great memories and I’ll bet when they grow up they’ll talk about their great Halloween’s with their families.

Filed under: Costumes, Family, Halloween, Kids, Parenting
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Its goign to be a long ghostly halloween this year, especially with all the marketing towards new movies, we have toy story and the famous iron man. iron man is sure to be huge. kids tugging at the shirt tales of us parents begging for the latest costume to hit the market. i have a way to put the brakes on this Halloween.

I refuse to be taken advantage of fiancially. This year I am goign to buy the kids their favorite costume Ahead of time. I found an awesome website for the coolest costumes i have every seen, from my favorite movie of all time. the nightmare before christmas. my son wants me to get him a Jack Skellington costume and my daughter wants me to get here a sally costume also available from http://jackskellingtoncostume.com

Its going to be an awesome Halloween this year and i can rest a little easier now. this website has the best jack and sally tutorial make up videos on the net. a definite plus for pushed to the limit parents. happy Halloween. Paul

Filed under: Candy, Costumes, Halloween, Parenting, holidays
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Most parents would acknowledge that they are responsible for the care and up keep of their children from birth up and until the child is a least eighteen. Generally, by the time a child reaches eighteen a child will be mature enough to look after themselves. Often times though, parents will divorce which will leave one parent with the child raising duties often with no financial assistance. Children can be expensive. There are numerous expenses such as vaccinations and other medical bills, clothing especially as they grow so quickly, education costs for fees books and supplies, class trips and things like prom and home coming, then you also need to factor in the need for somewhere larger to live as the size of the family grows. These examples are just a few of the different ways being a parent can drain your bank account very quickly. This is why it is particularly important the children always have the financial support of both parents Therefore, when parents break up, it’s usually up to one parent, the one who doesn’t have full custody, to pay child support until that child reaches adulthood.

There are some parents however who just wont take responsibility and they never pay child support. The fact is though, they helped to create the child and in the eyes of the law they are legally obligated to care for that child. It is the view of the family law that a parent will have to pay towards the care of a child if the do not have the custodial care of that child. And, if necessary the courts will get involved if a parent is unwilling to pay their share of child support.

When a court makes an order for a parent to make monthly child support payments there maybe severe legal penalties if they fail to do so. Normally however, it is usual, only when someone is extremely behind on their payments that they will be brought before the courts. The court will take the view that the parent who is behind mus bring all their payments up to date. This can be very expensive and it’s not the kind of money people usually have laying around. If there was access to that kind of money it would be reasonable to think they’d have paid the child support in the first instance.

If, even after the court has made an order for the to pay the outstanding child support, they still fail to make payments the court can make an order that their salary be garnished. when this happens the required child support payments are taken from their pay check just like a normal deduction for tax. The money that is deducted is then forwarded to the parent with custody. Because of this it is really important that both parents stick to upholding their obligations to their children to make sure that the courts are not required to get involved.

Child support is for the children’s benefit and a legal requirement. The best outcomes are where there is some kind mutually agreed arrangement in place rather than one enforced by the courts. If the child support can be set up amicably, it’s usually much better for the child the money is intended to support.

Filed under: Kids, Marriage, Parenting, Relationships
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Most parents would acknowledge that they are responsible for the care and up keep of their children from birth up and until the child is a least eighteen. Generally, by the time a child reaches eighteen a child will be mature enough to look after themselves. Often times though, parents will divorce which will leave one parent with the child raising duties often with no financial assistance. Children can be expensive. There are numerous expenses such as vaccinations and other medical bills, clothing especially as they grow so quickly, education costs for fees books and supplies, class trips and things like prom and home coming, then you also need to factor in the need for somewhere larger to live as the size of the family grows. These examples are just a few of the different ways being a parent can drain your bank account very quickly. This is why it is particularly important the children always have the financial support of both parents Therefore, when parents break up, it’s usually up to one parent, the one who doesn’t have full custody, to pay child support until that child reaches adulthood.

There are some parents however who just wont take responsibility and they never pay child support. The fact is though, they helped to create the child and in the eyes of the law they are legally obligated to care for that child. It is the view of the family law that a parent will have to pay towards the care of a child if the do not have the custodial care of that child. And, if necessary the courts will get involved if a parent is unwilling to pay their share of child support.

When a court makes an order for a parent to make monthly child support payments there maybe severe legal penalties if they fail to do so. Normally however, it is usual, only when someone is extremely behind on their payments that they will be brought before the courts. The court will take the view that the parent who is behind mus bring all their payments up to date. This can be very expensive and it’s not the kind of money people usually have laying around. If there was access to that kind of money it would be reasonable to think they’d have paid the child support in the first instance.

If, even after the court has made an order for the to pay the outstanding child support, they still fail to make payments the court can make an order that their salary be garnished. when this happens the required child support payments are taken from their pay check just like a normal deduction for tax. The money that is deducted is then forwarded to the parent with custody. Because of this it is really important that both parents stick to upholding their obligations to their children to make sure that the courts are not required to get involved.

Child support is for the children’s benefit and a legal requirement. The best outcomes are where there is some kind mutually agreed arrangement in place rather than one enforced by the courts. If the child support can be set up amicably, it’s usually much better for the child the money is intended to support.

Filed under: Kids, Marriage, Parenting, Relationships
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Cooking meals for kids can be challenging specially nowadays when youngsters just love to pick those colorful breakfast cereals because of their favorite characters on the package. A few also combine toys and games in their fast food meals to have the focus of children. Some shape their chow into alphabets or animals to steal their interest.The food which captivates their creativity usually wins the heart and bellies of the kids.

Recall when we were youngsters when we simply loved to go with our parents do stuff. This may also be utilized to grab their attention to take healthy and balanced meals. We can involve them in making their food so it would be much more exciting for them. Below are great tips for your food session with the youngsters:

• Work with basic ingredients that children can handle like eggs, flour, milk and fresh fruits.
• It should be very simple to prepare so they can help.
• Allow them to have risk-free duties like mixing up veggies, washing fruits or measuring the water. Leave the slicing and cooking part for adults.
• It ought to be fast to put together so that they shouldn’t get fatigued and lose their eagerness.

It is easy to produce these FUN meals for kids we just have to think like youngsters again! We need to know how to catch the imagination of our energy loaded little tots. You can even use food as a incentive for playing games, by doing this they’ll think that eating vegetables is a prize for a job well done. After awhile you don’t have to force them to have their celery or their broccoli, it would just come naturally. If we put a little effort into cooking our kid’s meals we could incorporate nutritious food in their diet quickly.

Filed under: Cooking, Food, Health, Kids, Parenting
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Choosing nice infant clothing could be a huge headache to all would be mothers. What is the size of the clothing that I should pick? What are the colors? What about the design? To some, this is a learning experience but to others, it is just a pain in the ass to come up with a plan. You can read more about choosing the right infant clothing here.

Filed under: Babies, Family, General, Kids, Parenting
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Children form an integral part of a family. After all, aren’t they the reason why people get married in the first place? However, if you have been a parent long enough, you will know that parenting is probably one of the toughest commitments in the world because they have to find ways to deal with child discipline. Disciplining a child is definitely not an easy task. If you yell at them, they become more rebellious. If you are too soft, they will think that you are such a pushover.

Filed under: Family, General, Kids, Parenting, Teens
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Keeping babies safe is a full time job. Just when you think you figured out everything they can get into, they try something you never thought of. That is where baby safety products come in. These items can help keep your baby safe and help you keep your sanity.

For example, if you have glass table tops or perhaps other sharp corners made of stone, you may want corner protectors on coffee tables and other low surfaces. You may even want these on wooden tables as well. These are going to keep your children from gashing their heads open if they fall on the corners while learning to balance and walk, though they will still get hurt if they hit them just right. These can keep the sharp corners from cutting the skin open, which is always a bonus. These baby safety products are relatively inexpensive.

I have a new article about products to keep your baby safe at my website.

For more articles on family care stop by and see what is new.

Filed under: Babies, Family, Kids, Parenting
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Perna Perna North Coast offers superb holiday accommodation. Enjoy the long, golden beaches which are punctuated with rock pools and the swimming is excellent. Perna Perna Umhloti a short drive to the popular Umhlanga Rocks where you will find Gateway Theatre of Shopping, with many attractions such as the Barnyard Theatre, restaurants, shops and hotels.

Perna Perna Umdloti offers self-catering apartments for up to six people.
The apartments are serviced daily with the exception of Sundays and religious holidays, linen and towels (except for beach towels) are provided, undercover parking is available, Babysitting can be arranged for a fee and sport and leisure facilities are available.

If you are staying at Perna Perna St Lucia you have to visit The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park (also known as the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park) is a World Heritage Site. It includes Lake St Lucia, St Lucia Marine Reserve, Maputaland Marine Reserve, Coastal Forest Reserve and Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. Birdlife is prolific and with over 500 species in the area, a bird-watcher’s dream.

South Africa has a huge selection of fantasic holiday venues, why not book your next holiday at one of the Perna Perna resorts. Perna Perna North Coast offers a superb holiday adventure at a low price!

Filed under: Family, General, Parenting, Travel, holidays
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One thing that some parents worry about is newborn baby constipation. Someone is going to tell you one thing and your doctor may tell you another. It can be very confusing to know what is okay and when to call in to the doctor
Read more Tips for newborn baby constipation here

Filed under: Babies, Family, Health, Medical, Parenting
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