Real Life Solutions

Back-to-school safety: Follow these tips to keep your child safe and healthy

(ARA) - The back to school season can be both an exciting and anxious time. As a parent, you can teach your child a few lessons, and take a few precautions yourself, to put your mind at ease when children leave home to go back to the classroom.

From the lunch container you buy to teaching your child about playground safety, you can do a lot to prevent your child from falling ill or getting hurt.

“Parents need not worry about sending their children back to school. By doing a few little things to ensure your child’s safety, you’ll put your worries to rest and allow yourself to have a fun and stress-free start to the school year,” says Dorothy Drago, child product safety expert and author of “From Crib to Kindergarten: The Essential Child Safety Guide.”

Back To School Safety Tips

Drago offers the following tips to consider as your child goes back to school:

* Food safety: When packing a lunch for your child, make sure you keep items that need to be cold (like cheese or yogurt) at the proper temperature by storing them in an insulated container. Products that keep foods and beverages at the proper temperature for longer, like the Thermos FUNtainer series that includes both insulated beverage bottles and food jars, inhibit the growth of potentially dangerous bacteria.

* Transportation safety: Make sure to check with the school on approved walking or biking routes. Many schools are making efforts to communicate with parents about this issue to encourage active lifestyles, while also keeping kids safe. If you are buying a new bike helmet for your child before school, make sure it fits correctly and refer to the helmet wearing instructions to ensure the safest ride. If you bike with your kids, wear a helmet to set a good example. Also, remember that safely crossing the street is not always such an easy task for children. Find out if the school has crossing guards on your child’s route to school.

* Product safety: Make sure any products, from art supplies to lunch boxes, are certified under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). “Independent testing results like the CPSIA-required compliance certificates are a smart and easy way for parents to validate that the products they purchase meet current safety regulations and standards,” says Drago. This information should be available on the product’s packaging or detailed on the company’s website. For example, Thermos, the leading manufacturer of lunch storage products, makes it easier for parents to find this CPSIA certification information for their products. By visiting www.thermos.com/cpsia/ parents can view the results of these critical compliance tests.

* Playground safety: Playgrounds are fun areas for kids of all ages but they can be dangerous. Take a look at how much protective surfacing is under equipment. There should be at least nine inches of mulch, and it should be replenished or re-spread as needed to ensure that the depth is maintained. Encourage kids to play with the existing play structures and to never add jump ropes or other toys because they may introduce a strangulation risk.

With these safety issues talked about and taken care of, nothing should stand in the way of a great start to the school year for you and your child.

Summer Fun and Learning Can Co-Exist

Learning never ceases during the course of our lifetime.  So too, kids need to be motivated to learn as much as they can, even during summer recess.  Summer fun and learning can co-exist.  Here are some examples of how this can be achieved.

Word games, such as Scrabble, come in small sizes, which are suitable for beach and road trips.  Kids love it!  It stimulates their vocabulary and engages them in friendly competition.  It also enhances their math skills, as they have to add the points every round.  Boggle is another portable word game that kids love.  They can manipulate the letters, make words, and add up points.  This is a great game to take on a camping trip or to the beach.

There are board games that allow the kids to work on words and sentences.  There are computer games, which involve critical thinking.  These games can be competitive, and reinforce group work, and cooperative learning, as well.  Using these types of games keeps the stimulation of the kid’s minds at work.  It’s critical to keep the thought processes flowing, so they are prepared for the following school year.  In playing these games, they can also be taught to accept defeat gracefully.

Another board game, which involves critical thinking, is checkers.  The entire family can challenge each other.  This promotes social stimulation.  Suduko is a game involving math and numbers.  They have a kid’s version, which can be utilized on a rainy day or when there is some down time.

The advantage of utilizing and playing these games is learning, even though the kids do not realize it.  In this way, while they are having fun over the summer, they are actually preparing for the fall term.  Learning not only stimulates their minds, but also reinforces the skills they are taught throughout the school year.  In addition, there are some great sites for computer savvy kids you might want to look at.  They are funbrain.com, math.com, and abcteach.com.

Summer fun and learning can co-exist by utilizing these games and word play.  Without realizing it, your kids will be ready for the next phase in their school career, because time was taken to teach and have fun at the same time.

Fireworks safety tips are an important part of any 4th of July celebration. Some cities have their own regulations about individuals firing them off, so fireworks safety may not be as much of a concern. If your city doesn’t have these restrictions, you‘ll want to know how to have a safe 4th of July fireworks display at home.

To begin with, you’ll want to find out your city’s laws about using fireworks and gain some information on fireworkes safety tips from the city. Some places only place restrictions on personal fireworks displays if there is a fire hazard concern. Other areas will limit the areas where fireworks can be used. Checking with your city will ensure you know their requirements, restrictions and avoid any possible fines for using fireworks if they’re not allowed.

It is also important for all children to understand that they should not handle fireworks of any kind. They can be so dangerous if not handled properly. Even those fireworks which seem harmless, like snakes or sparklers, can cause serious injuries. Fireworks should only be handled by adults and preferably only those who know how to use them safely.

Some adults enjoy drinking alcohol while celebrating on the Fourth of July. However, alcohol and fireworks simply don’t mix. If the person who is planning the fireworks is drinking, it would be best to allow someone who hasn’t been drinking set off the fireworks.

Be sure to have a water hose, water bucket or a fire extinguisher nearby when using fireworks. One person responsible for acting as a ‘fireman’ would also be a good idea. This way you’ll be able to extinguish any flames or fireworks and be ready for emergencies.

Stay away from the fireworks. With the possibility of catching on fire when lighting fireworks, you’ll want to light and run, so to speak. Don’t look into the fireworks tube to see what happens. Holding lit fireworks is also not recommended.

Even though professional fireworks often have multiple fireworks going off at the same time, it would be best for individuals to light only one at a time.

Rather than using grass or gravel, you’ll want to use fireworks on a hard surface which is flat and level. A sidewalk or paved driveway would be the best choice. Barring that being available, you may want to place a sheet of plywood down to use the fireworks on. The more stable the surface, the safer the experience will be.

Speaking about the surface used when shooting off fireworks, you’ll also want the area to be as open as possible. There shouldn’t be any trees or other obstructions in the way. The audience is also best kept as far away as possible. Never use glass or metal containers to hold fireworks when they’re being lit.

There are other fireworks safety tips  to be aware of, but they should be provided in every package of fireworks sold to the general public. Take the time to read the instructions and fireworks safety standards the manufacturers provide. And don’t forget to use them once they’ve been read.

By using some or hopefully all of these fireworks safety tips, you should have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.

As you may know my oldest daughter, Shayna, lives in Tallahassee, Florida while I am in Washington, DC. Shayna is the mother of my 1st grandson, Kevin and he is now two years old. While I don’t see him nearly as much as I’d like to, we stay in touch via webcams and telephone calls.

One of the greatest joys of being in a child’s life for me was not just playing with them and watching them grow, but reading to them and with them. I love reading books to children and watching their eyes light up with wonder as the stories unfold. Technology has now made it so that you can actually share a book with someone, read to or with them when they are miles and miles away!

Readeo was founded in 2009 by CEO Coby Neuenschwander while living in Chicago with his son Oliver. Because of the distance between Oliver and his grandparents, they were having trouble establishing a meaningful relationship. Visits only happened a couple of times per year, phone calls were inadequate, and video chat alone didn’t hold Oliver’s attention. Reading together became the vehicle for establishing and strengthening the relationship between grandparent and grandchild. So he developed a product to make this possible.

Readeo allows two people who are separated geographically to share books together in real time while connected in a BookChat (in which they can see each other via a video connection). On the screen, they see the same digitized picture book and turn the pages together. Many people that are in the military use this so it isn’t just for us Grandparents :-).

They offer a large variety of books that you can choose from and the books are perfect for child of all ages and even toddlers. My Grandson Kevin really enjoys the ‘Does a Chimp Wear Clothes’ story and I love watching the expression on his face as I read it to him.

If you know me, then you know that I love a good bargain. Readeo is actually totally free for a 2 week trial (that’s what sold me on the program). The sign up process was really easy for me and my daughter and after our trial was over my daughter actually purchased the program for me (as a gift!). I thought it was a beautiful gift idea and my grandson and I use it often and have certain nights of the week that Nana (that me) reads him his bedtime story.

Stop on by the Readeo site and just take a look for yourself at how cool it is. Just imagine being able to read a story to a loved one that is miles away or having a loved one read a story to your child when they are out of town. I do know that as Kevin grows older he will be able to remember the bedtime stories that I read to him even though I wasn’t physically there to tuck him in.

For singles, creating a budget is relatively easy. They tend to have a good handle on how much money they have coming in, and when tracking expenses, they only have their own to think about. But creating a family budget is a whole new ball game.

Most families have multiple sources of income. And when there are multiple spenders, that makes things much more confusing. This is one of the main reasons that families lack a formal budget. But having a budget and sticking to it can greatly improve a family’s financial outlook.

Making a family budget may be tricky, but it can be done. Here’s how.

1. Take inventory of all income. If a certain source of income fluctuates from month to month, use the lowest amount or average it out.

2. Keep track of all expenses for a month or so. Keep all of your receipts, and ask all family members to turn theirs in to you each day.

3. Add up your monthly expenses. Be sure to include bills, debt payments, groceries, and everyday expenses such as lunch money and transportation costs.

4. Get the family together and discuss ways you can trim the budget. Getting input from other family members will help you determine which expenses are necessary and which ones could be cut down or eliminated. Maybe you or your spouse could start taking lunch to work instead of eating out, or maybe the kids can drop an extracurricular activity.

5. In addition to individual expenses, discuss how you can cut down on the electric bill, groceries and other necessary family expenses. Consider such things as carpooling or taking public transportation, buying more generic foods and adjusting the thermostat.

6. Estimate how much you can save on regular expenses, and cut the completely unnecessary items out of the budget. Then refigure it and see where you stand.

7. If you end up with a surplus, allocate a portion of it to savings. If you’re in the red, go back and rework the budget until you have more income than expenses.

Being Realistic

One reason that family budgets often fail is because they’re just not realistic. It’s great to cut down on expenses, but sometimes we tend to go too far. For example, cutting entertainment out of the budget completely might look good on paper, but we all need a little diversion every now and then.

Instead of cutting such things out of the budget completely, consider finding ways to lower the cost. Going back to the entertainment example, maybe you’ve been going to dinner and a movie as a family twice a month. But eating in and renting a new release would be much cheaper, and you would still get to spend quality time together.

Individual expenses can also be tricky. This can be resolved by allocating a certain amount for each family member to spend each week. If someone spends his entire amount before the week is up, reevaluate his expenses and adjust if necessary.

Creating a family budget can help keep spending under control, leaving more money to pay down debts and save for future goals. But in order to succeed, close monitoring is essential. Your efforts will be rewarded, however, with less financial stress and more money in the long run.

Click Here For Your Copy Of Budget Living and Discover How to Live on a Budget & Save More Money Than You Ever Thought Possible - Without Giving Up All the Things That You Love!

Five ways to boost your parenting confidence before the baby arrives

(ARA) - Becoming a new parent can be a scary process. There is so much to learn and no easy way to practice until your new bundle of joy arrives. Luckily, there are easy ways that you can prepare yourself - and your home - to give you peace of mind and be able to enjoy the time with your new baby.

Become well read

Whether you choose lighthearted, comical selections, such as Jenny McCarthy’s “Belly Laughs,” or more informative choices, such as “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” there is a wealth of books to get you educated, ready and even entertained. So, kick up your (swollen) feet and start reading.

Seek out similar situations

Whether you are having your first child, or wondering what life will be like having your second, third or more, seek out other parents who share a similar lifestyle. Talking with others to get their opinions on how to cope with siblings, working and other common life situations will help give you insight and better prepare you for life’s new addition.

Create a “home safe home”

All parents want to keep their kids safe from any potential dangers, so updating your home with a variety of home safety products - for both your new arrival and yourself - is a good idea. While the standard items such as socket plugs and baby gates are must-haves, many parents don’t think of bath safety. And, according to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause (66 percent) of all nonfatal home injuries - with the bathroom being a main culprit due to water and slick surfaces.

Getting into and out of the tub and shower can be difficult for little ones. And, as your “baby bump” continues to grow, the shift in your center of gravity can make you more susceptible to slips and falls. Permanent grab bars, such as SecureMount Grab Bars from Home Care by Moen, are an ideal solution, offering an easy, secure install in a variety of styles and finishes to beautifully coordinate with the rest of the bathroom. Or, for an even easier (and more temporary) installation, try a new Suction Balance Assist Bar, which attaches to any smooth, flat surface using high-strength suction cups. And, once you are in safely, consider adding a tub and shower seat to ensure that your bath time is accident free.

Stock up on essentials

Believe it or not, you’ll probably go through more than 70 diapers and 200 wipes per week. And, once your bundle of joy arrives, you’ll want to focus your attention on her (or sleep) - not on shopping - so stock up now. In addition to diapering essentials, be sure to supply your medicine cabinet with infant acetaminophen, gas drops, diaper rash cream and a thermometer. And, it’s not a bad idea to fill your freezer full of pre-made dinners so you don’t have to worry about cooking in those first few hectic weeks when you’re still recuperating.

Take a class

Ask your doctor about classes or support groups in your area. Most hospitals offer a variety of classes to help you with everything from childbirth and infant care to even more specific topics, like introducing the baby to siblings or pets. These classes will not only provide you with a wealth of information - but can be a great way to meet others going through the same life experiences.

With a bit of preparation, you’ll soon be breathing easier and feel much more prepared when your bundle of joy arrives. For more information on shower safety products from Home Care by Moen, visit www.moen.com/homecare.

Children can feel and express anger at a very young age. As they grow older, their understanding towards people and things around them starts to advance. Therefore, their way of expressing anger will also change, eventually.

As they grow up, situations that will cause them to become angry will increase. By now, they tend to understand more about their surroundings and had been in a lot of situations that would probably make them angry.

All these are part of their development process.

The family plays a very important role in the emotional growth of the children, which has a direct influence on how they feel and the way they express their anger. Research shows that most children tend to imitate the behavior of their parents, whether directly or indirectly.

So please, do not do things that you would not want your children to follow, in front of them. The surrounding at home is also very important as it plays a key role in the emotional development of the children.

I will share with you 5 very simple, yet proven to be effective ways that you can handle your children when they are in anger.

They are also found inside Child Anger Management - Helping Young Children with Anger, Effectively.

As a responsible parent, try to change the environment at home to prevent experiences or situations that will lead to unnecessary stress, anger or frustration between you and your children.

Do not take their anger personally. This will have direct influence on them. The angrier you are, the more anger they might have inside them too. Take a break before everything goes out of hand.

Try to direct their attention away from the current situation. Try to distract them from the situation, and get a break to cool things off before it gets worse.

It is very important that we as parents do not give in when our children is having their tantrums. If we do, they will think that by acting in that way, they can get what they want from us.

Do not lecture or hit your children when they are in anger, or for no particular reasons. It will only make things worse. Keep it for another day. Try to have a slow conversation with them to cool them down.

I hope these few tips help.

Claim you free report, “11 Child Anger Management Tips You Can Use Today!”

Air purifier: The EPA says levels of indoor air pollution can be between two to five times higher than outdoor air. Poor indoor air quality can negatively impact many people’s health. In fact, some cold-like symptoms, including sneezing, sore throats and running noses can be triggered by indoor allergens such as dust, mold spores and pet dander which are commonly found in indoor air. One way to improve indoor air quality can be to use air purifiers. One such air purifier is the Honeywell HEPAClean UV Tower Air Purifier which is a new model that combines three air cleaning technologies: carbon zeolite pre-filter which can reduce common household odors, ultraviolet light which can reduce viruses, bacteria, fungi and mold spores and HEPAClean filters which can remove up to 99 percent of allergens from the air passing through the filter.

Thermometer: Fever is often one of the first signs of the flu, and also a sign when you’re most contagious. When temperature-taking, reach for technology that is accurate and trusted. The Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer is used by more pediatricians and moms in the U.S. than any other brand. This advanced thermometer is proven to be more accurate than rectal and temple measurements and features patented technology, such as its pre-warmed tip and positioning guidance system that ensures accuracy every time.

Humidifier: Keeping the air a little moister can relieve your children’s congestion and coughs, and help them sleep better. A humidifier adds essential moisture to any room, providing temporary relief from dry eyes, dry nose, flakey skin, and chapped lips. When selecting a model right for you, it’s important to look for new humidifier technologies like the ultraviolet light chamber in the Vicks GermFree Humidifier that kills up to 99.9 percent of mold and bacteria in the water.

Hygrometer: Keeping the humidity level at a good balance in your house is important for relieving chest congestion, soothing parched skin and even reducing static electricity in the air. If you think your home humidity levels might not be up to par, a hygrometer is a handy device available at most drug stores. Hygrometers provide a digital readout of the relative humidity in your home, and are compact and low-cost. New research indicates the flu will have less of a chance of surviving on surfaces and in the air if you use your hygrometer and humidifier together to keep humidity at the ideal 40 to 60 percent level.

With just a few handy gadgets, you can ensure a healthier living space for yourself and your family.

Rediscovering the joys of shared meals

(ARA) - Having a family meal isn’t easily accomplished these days. Busy schedules, long work hours and even technology make it feel easier to simply grab a meal and go, rather than take the time to sit everyone down together around the table.

But American families really do miss coming together around the table. In fact, 93 percent of Americans acknowledge dinner time as the best way to connect as a family, according to a study conducted by Barilla. The obstacles barring the way for family dinner are work schedules, children’s schedules and picky eaters in the house. However, the benefits of overcoming these obstacles can be lasting for families. In fact, according to the study, Americans who eat with others more frequently are more satisfied with every aspect of their own lives, including their relationships, their physical and mental health and their level of achievement in life.

In addition, the study shows:
* Sharing meals ranks No. 1 above all other activities (including family vacations, playing together and attending religious services) in helping Americans connect with their families and their kids.
* Nearly six in 10 families agree that they don’t have as many opportunities to connect with their family or friends as they’d like.
* Americans who eat with others frequently report lower levels of overweight children.

“Family meals are more than feeding events; they are precious opportunities for family connection in a hurry-up world,” says Dr. William Doherty, a professor with the University of Minnesota Department of Family and Social Science and an expert on family time and family rituals. “Children grow up healthier, smarter and better adjusted when their parents take the lead in having regular dinner times.”

The importance of sharing dinner is not lost on chef Mario Batali or music star Martina McBride, who are working together with Barilla to spread the word about how families can ‘Share the Table’ and create lasting memories.

“Dinner is a time where everyone can come together, cook together and share together in a truly unguarded atmosphere,” says Batali, James Beard award-winning chef, restaurateur and author of “Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes to Cook at Home.” “I encourage all families to learn how getting their entire family involved in preparing and enjoying dinner can make a positive difference in their lives.”

A mother of three and one of country music’s top female vocalists, McBride understands the challenges of work/life balance and family dinners. “With my busy schedule, I have to be creative about making time for the family to dine together,” she says. “Now I keep a few staples on hand in the pantry and fridge so we can create a quick dinner together, even after a late day of work and school. And, I’m promising to help my daughters develop a healthy relationship with food that will stick with them forever.”

Martina’s tips for creating the best family dinner experience include:
* Once in a while, make everyday dinners seem fancier with candles, a linen tablecloth and your fine china. This will add an element of fun and something to get excited about.
* Carry on your favorite dinnertime traditions from your childhood and tell your children about family meals from when you were a kid.
* Plan ahead so you can fit dinners into busy schedules. Put the dates and times on your calendar and don’t budge.

Families can discover many ways to fill their meals with boisterous conversation, meaningful interactions and flavorful food at www.sharethetable.com. For every family who joins in the movement to create meaningful family dinner time by registering on the Web site, Barilla will donate $1 to Meals on Wheels Association of America, up to $150,000, to support home-delivered and congregate meal programs. Share the Table families can gain access to more than 700 Barilla recipes - including exclusive Mario Batali recipes - get tips from family experts, design custom weekly dinner plans and dining placemats and share their own dinnertime stories and pictures with others.

If you’re looking for some good meal ideas to serve at your next family dinner, Batali shares his favorite recipe.

Ziti with Spicy Pesto “Pantesco” and Pecorino Cheese
Serves four to six people

Ingredients:
1 box Barilla Ziti
1/2 cup mint leaves, packed
1/2 cup basil leaves, packed
1 cup parsley, packed
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
4 medium fresh plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
1 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese

Directions:
Bring 6 quarts of water to boil and add 2 tablespoons salt. Place mint, basil, parsley, garlic, capers, tomatoes, black pepper, red pepper and half the olive oil in a blender. Process in short bursts until roughly chopped. Turn blender on full and drizzle in remaining oil and process until smooth, about one minute. Remove pesto and place in a large serving bowl.

Cook ziti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add pesto and toss like a salad to coat. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve.

Dinner Time Does Not Have to Be Stressful.

There’s only so much you can do to find information about your ancestors from using old family records, newspapers, and such. Sometimes you have to search elsewhere, particularly if you’ve run into a road block. Finding information on your family ancestors online is one way to get past those road blocks and get back on track.

Obviously you’ll need to have a starting place when you’re searching for your family online. You may have a list of names, birth and death dates, and places of birth or death. These are a great place to begin, no matter how you go about finding your ancestors.

Obituaries are printed for everyone who passes away. If your loved one passed away after 1962, you can search the Social Security Death Index to determine exact date of death. The index will provide the person’s birth date, death date, and the place they last resided. You may also want to try Genealogy Bank which has obituaries from over 1100 newspapers dating as far back at 1977.

If you already have some information about family members from the past, you may want to search for them on other online websites. Some genealogy websites are free to access and those might be the best place to start looking if you’re new to genealogy. After you’ve learned more about your family you may want to sign up for a subscription on the membership-based genealogy sites.

Free genealogy websites you may want to check out when finding information on your family ancestors include:

* Rootsweb.com
* MyHeritage.com
* FamilySearch.org
* EllisIsland.org
* CyndisList.com
* USGenWeb.com

Each of these websites will provide you with search functions as well as give you information on the best methods to search for your family online. Many genealogy websites also have forums where people can ask for information from people around the world.

The better-known genealogy websites require paid membership. These include Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, WorldVitalRecords.com, and OneGreatFamily.com. These paid websites can be as little as $3.33 per month or as much as $24.95 per month depending upon if you choose to access to files in the United States or worldwide. Normally you will be billed annually for your membership.

If you’re not sure a paid membership site is right for you, most of them have trial memberships between one and two weeks. That will give you ample time to do some searching, find information that will be helpful in locating your family members, and let you know if there is a need to sign up.

As with any attempt at finding information on your family ancestors online, be sure to spell their name correctly. If you’re having problems finding them, you may want to consider that the surname (last name) may have changed over time. Try variations of spellings to ensure you find the people you’re looking for.