Celebrate a REAL Memorial Day with your children
Have fun as a family and truly celebrate Memorial Day!
Memorial Day Weekend… cookouts, family gatherings, opening day of the pool and some great sales at the mall. For most of us, those activities are what Memorial Day is all about. In recent years, many of us know soldiers that have risked his or her life to protect our nation and our freedom; sadly, we may know a soldier that has given us the greatest sacrifice, his or her life. Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971 to remember our fallen soldiers and honor soldiers serving today; but it has been celebrated in some way since the end of the Civil War.
My nephew enlisted in the armed forces last year, which has given me a real opportunity to think personally about the sacrifices our soldiers make for each of us. We want our children to realize the importance of their freedom and to honor those serving to protect it. So, how can we include the true meaning of Memorial Day into our fun summer weekend? Here are a few simple suggestions:
1. Talk about family members or friends who have served in the military. Most all of us know someone who has served, and the personal connection and stories makes it real for our children. Memorial Day can also be a time to remember family and friends that have passed away. Focus on the happy times and memories you had with those special people. Death is a part of life, and focusing on the happy memories we hold of our loved ones is a great teaching moment for children.
2. Fly the American flag. Honor our country by flying our colors. Teach your child how to fly a flag properly. www.usflag.org
3. Pause as a family for the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 pm. Say a simple prayer or offer a simple gesture of respect for our armed forces. This simple action will direct your family’s thoughts to the reason for their family celebration and fun!
4. Head to the Memorial Day Parade. What is more fun than a parade? Stand and honor our soldiers and flag as they march by and enjoy the bands, floats, patriotic music, candy and clowns. Don’t forget the sunscreen and water especially this year!
5. Send a letter or a care package to a soldier serving overseas! Find out how by visiting www.usocare.org or www.kidz4troops.org What a great way to brighten the day of a soldier and get your child involved!
6. Send a card of thanks to veterans in the nearest veteran’s hospital or home. Cards are so appreciated by our veterans that may be lonely in our hospitals. This website gives you and your child cards that can be decorated for every holiday of the year. They will distribute them to veteran’s hospitals around the country. www.patriotichelpinghands.com
7. Bake cookies and make cards for families that have a loved one serving. Thank them for their sacrifice too!
8. Visit a local war memorial. This is a great time to talk to your children about the sacrifice many men and women have made. Participate in the Memorial Day Remembrance celebrations held at these war memorials.
9. Sing a patriotic song. Teach your children the words to our National Anthem! Maybe you need a refresher course too! Each one of us should be able to sing that anthem with pride!
So this weekend enjoy your family, friends, good food, and the pool, but help your children to develop a sense of patriotism and gratitude for the sacrifices of the many men and women that have fought for our great country. Make it a true Memorial Day, filled with great memories and meaning.
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Summer heat and heat rash!
It has been hot…do you see little red bumps on your child in areas that often are moist with perspiration? This just may be heat rash. These little red bumps may be seen on the back of the neck, chest, and maybe even in folds on arms and legs. Wash the area with cool water and dry well, keep the area dry. Dress your child in cool breathable clothing, think cotton! Let the area be open to air (nothing cuter than a half-naked baby!) 
Keep your baby as cool as possible. Air conditioning and/or a fan to keep air moving will help. No lotion will help the heat rash…keeping the skin cool, clean, and dry is your best cure!
Remember, daily bathing is not a necessity until your little one is down in the dirt and crawling all over. Bathing just two to three times a week is fine as long as you are keeping your baby’s bottom clean and dry along with other little skin folds and rolls. Concentrate on bottom, arm pits, hands, and rolls, wherever they are!
Clean, cool, and dry will keep your baby fresh and hopefully heat rash free!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Baby Sign…why?
Signing with your child opens up his world to communication!
Picture this: your sweet 1 year old child is lying on the floor screaming. You ask what this sweet child wants, and the screaming escalates. You then run around the room holding items up…”Do you want your milk?” “Oh I bet you want your paci!” “You want to read your book?”….and the game continues. Waiting for your child to be able to express a want or need can feel like an eternity, especially when you have a 1 year old lying on the floor in a meltdown. It is a frustrating experience for you and your child when your child is not able to communicate a need or something he or she is excited about. In recent years many parents have begun signing with their children. Some ask, “Is this just another passing fad or another attempt to make our children “super kids”?” Others ask, “Won’t this delay verbal speech?”
The fact is, parents have used “sign language” for years with their babies. Babies need to express needs and parents want desperately to find out what their child wants or needs. So, often we will see gestures, whines, and partial syllables that mean something to a parent.
We know that children develop the fine motor muscles in their hands before they develop those needed for speech. Most babies develop their own “signs” to communicate. Games like “Patty Cake”, “How Big is Baby?”, “Waving bye-bye” and other finger plays show that babies can communicate before they are actually verbal. Children follow directions and understand verbal commands before they are able to verbally communicate also. So, it seems natural that American Sign Language (ASL) could allow a child to express needs, emotions, fears and memories without using words.
Imagine the decrease in frustration, the increase in interaction, and how much fun it would be if your child could express wants, needs, and excitement to you about all the new discoveries in his toddler life. Often children that have signed also develop verbal speech earlier. Kids that sign understand that a symbol, the sign, actually means something, a gesture connects to an item. These connections help link words to things too, and even the written word to the verbal word. It is all about connections or links.
So besides decreasing your child’s frustration and helping your sanity….here are a few more advantages to Baby Sign:
- A child who signs can communicate needs at an early age.
- A child who signs learns the art of conversation.
- A child who signs will have an understanding of language at an early age.
- A child who signs may learn to speak verbally at an earlier age.
- A child who signs may have an above average ability to learn a second language. Learning ASL develops that portion of the brain that learns language!
- A child who signs may have an increased love of books. Think about the interactive reading that can occur with both of you signing as you read!
- A child who signs often will be more expressive later using gestures.
- A child who signs feel empowered!
- A parent who signs will have a lower frustration level.
- A parent who signs may have an increase in bonding because of better communication.
- A parent who signs may experience a higher level of satisfaction in parenting.
So there are many reasons to start signing with your child. If your child is between 6 months and 36 months, it is the perfect time to introduce the concept. There are few things more exciting for a parent and a child than the realization that a child has linked a sign or a word to a meaning and can communicate. Warm up those hands, take a look at the “how to” posted yesterday!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Baby Sign…How do you start?
Teach your child sign…help him express his feelings! The “I love you” sign can be used as a special sign for many years to come!
How do you start?
1. Choose a sign.
- Most parents choose a sign that involves eating such as milk, eat, more and all done. This will let your child ask for things that he or she may need. Many times these are called “power” words. Once your child is able to sign these words, they have a little control or power.
- You may also want to choose a few signs that may be exciting to your child. Words like Mommy, Daddy, and Dog or other words that excite your child will keep your child’s interest.
- You will want to choose about three signs that you will work on with your child. Show the sign before, during and after the activity and every time you do the activity.
- There are a few websites that have pictures and directions for some of the most common signs a parent may use. A great site is http://www.babysignlanguage.com This site has a video showing each sign.
2. Be consistent.
- Use the sign every time you do the activity. Consistency is the key. If you are giving your baby milk, sign and say “milk” give your baby a bottle or nurse and sign and say “milk” several times while your baby is eating.
- Work the signing into everyday life. Don’t just sign at home–sign when you are out and about and encourage anyone who is with your child consistently to use the signs too.
3. Use your chosen signs until your baby begins to sign back to you.
- When your baby connects with a sign, then you may choose another sign and start the process over. Do not drop the signs your baby has learned. The more signs your baby learns, the easier it will be for him to pick up new ones. As soon as your baby links the sign to the word, the flood gates tend to open! Suddenly your child will begin to pick up on new signs readily.
4. Expect your child to recognize a sign before he can actually sign it back to you.
- This is just like the spoken word. A child will understand a sign or a word before he or she is able to sign the word or speak it. Don’t give up, keep signing. You will start to see your child get excited when you sign “milk”, “eat”, or “book” as your child understands what the sign means.
5. Expect that your child may start out using the same sign for several things.
- This is like verbal expression when a child uses the word Ma Ma for every female adult. Do not become frustrated. Continue to be consistent in the signing and your child will “get it”.
6. Expect a signing increase when a child realizes that a sign will get him something…the sign is a link!
- Your child will start to soak up signs like a sponge–just as he will when he becomes verbal. It is so exciting to see your child get excited about communicating.
7. Be happy, sign with enthusiasm.
- An excited parent who signs will make a child want to sign.
- Read books and sign as you read. Show your child the sign for animals, cars, trucks, whatever you are reading about! Pick out signs that your child is interested in!
- Be expressive. Use your face, body and hands when you sign. Make it fun and interesting. Make good eye contact with your child when you sign.
- Play games to encourage signing. Blow bubbles outside and then stop, push your child in a swing and then stop, and then sign the word “more”. Sign when you play!
8. Be open to interpretation.
- Your child will not make a sign correctly the first time–just like learning to talk.
- Reinforce any sign your child attempts, as your child develops better fine motor skills, the signing will become more clear.
9. Praise.
- Be excited when your baby signs words! Give lots of positive reinforcement for any attempt!
12. Be patient.
- Babies can take weeks or even months before they make their first sign.
- The perfect time to start is about age 6 months, many babies will attempt their first sign at about 9 to 10 months.
- It is never too late to start signing. Children that are very frustrated because of a lack of communication between 16 and 30 months will pick up sign language quickly.
- Be prepared to be excited and surprised at how your baby can develop signs to communicate.
Children often will lose the sign as the verbal word is developed; but you can keep the signs by continuing to use them with the word . Use of signs is a great way to get messages to your child when you are not in speaking distance or are in a crowd. How nice it is to sign the word “potty” without having to yell it across the room! How sweet it is to have my kids sign “I love you” out the car window as they drive off!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
A grocery store with no carts! Try the Farmer’s Market with your kids!
Trying something new is only one of the benefits of taking your child to the local Farmer’s Market!
Looking for something to do this coming weekend? One of my favorite Saturday activities will begin again this week. The local Farmer’s Market will open and I will be there with my cup of coffee in hand exploring the spring vegetables, tasting some great food, looking for my favorite homemade pasta, and probably picking up some baked goods. They have to be healthier there right? Going to the market just makes me feel healthier!
The Farmer’s Market is a great place to introduce your children to fresh fruits and vegetables and local eating. Developing healthy eating habits for your children is much easier when they are exposed to new and different fruits and vegetables and can actually talk with the people who grow them! There is something about the bright colored booths and the baskets of produce that just makes kids want to try something new. Striking up a conversation about the produce with the farmers and asking questions about their farm helps kids to understand what farm fresh is, especially for those of us that really are “city folk”. You would be surprised how many children really do not know what a fresh peach looks like, or that carrots actually grow in the ground and don’t come out of a bag all washed and trimmed!
Kids are so much more likely to try those sugar snap peas, the tender new asparagus, or radishes if they learn a bit about them, shop with you at the Farmer’s Market, take them home and help prepare them and then try them together!
Activities for kids at the Farmer’s Market
- Create a little hunt….ask your children to find a purple vegetable, a vegetable that grows in the ground, a fruit or vegetable that they have never tried. Make it fun! Talk about the different fruits and vegetables that you see and how they are grown.
- Purchase one new fruit or vegetable. Take it home and prepare it for dinner that night. Your child is much more likely to try that veggie after helping to pick it out at the market and learning a bit about it than just plopping those vegetables down and saying “Eat your veges!”
- Give your older children a little money and let them buy a food of their choice. Nothing is more fun than picking out your own treat….
- Help your child make a list of questions to ask the farmers. What kind of chores would a child do on a farm? Do they have animals? How long does it take to grow the fruit or vegetable you are buying? Introducing your child to local farmers brings a connection to where their food comes from….and it isn’t the frozen food section at the grocery!
- Many Farmer’s Markets have kids’ activities, music, and food items that groups are cooking. Plan to have breakfast or lunch there.
There are many local Farmer’s Markets in the area.
http://aroundindy.com/farmersmarkets.php This website will help you find one that is closest to you in the Indianapolis area. http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets will help your find a market if you live outside of the Indianapolis area.
So, what will I be shopping for when I head to the Farmer’s Market this next week?
- My favorite spring vegetable is asparagus. It contains a mere 44 calories per cup and is full of Vitamin K and Vitamin A. It even packs 4 grams of protein. I love to roast it in the oven with a little olive oil and seasoning.
- My newest favorite spring vegetable is brussel sprouts! Cut them in half, toss them in a little olive oil salt and pepper, and roast them in the oven at about 400 for 30 minutes. (sprinkle a little bacon bits on them too before roasting, not real healthy but real good!)
- I will look for sugar snap peas. Kids love these and they are one of the earliest spring vegetables. Let your little one eat them raw. They are a great source of Vitamin C and are an easy snack.
- Leafy lettuce just tastes better when bought in season and fresh. All lettuce except the traditional iceberg head lettuce is full of antioxidants and is a good source of Vitamin A.
- Spring is the perfect time of year to find fresh spinach. It is a cool weather vegetable and I think tastes so much better when it young and tender. Besides it is Popeye’s favorite!
- Scallions or young green onions. Add a little flavor to your life!
- Radishes are great on salads and I love them with just a little salt.
- Rhubarb and strawberries are my favorite spring fruits. I guess rhubarb is a fruit?! Rhubarb is tart and wonderful in a crunch or this muffin recipe courtesy of my sister, and of course strawberries are wonderful any way you like!
Rhubarb Muffins
1 ½ cups flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Combine thoroughly
1 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup oil
1 beaten egg
2 tsp vanilla
In a separate bowl, mix. Stir in dry ingredients until moistened.
1 ½ cups diced rhubarb
½ cup nuts toasted and chopped (optional)
Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full
¼ cup sugar
1 T butter melted
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp flour
Combine and sprinkle on top of batter. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Taken from the Simply in Season Lind and Hockman-Wert
Head to your nearest market, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy the sights and tastes of spring. Connect with your community and go home with some tasty and healthy food for the week ahead. Farmer’s Markets are a wonderful experience for you and your kids and you will be encouraging healthier, seasonal eating for your family!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Swimmer’s ear…no fun in the summer!
It is swim season and with swimming comes fun but sometimes kids will develop swimmer’s ear….not so fun. We had a few family vacations with a trip to the urgent care for one of the kids with swimmer’s ear!
Swimmer’s ear or otitis externa (big word for infection of the external ear) is an infection in the ear canal. This is different from otitis media or what most parents think of with an ear infection. When the ears have moisture in them, then bacteria is more likely to grow. Sometimes swimmer’s ear occurs more frequently after swimming in lake water that is not chlorinated, but it can happen with pool water or from aggressively cleaning ears with cotton swabs too. (Remember these are a no no!) The ear canal is usually a little acidic with a protective coating of ear wax which helps prevent infection. If water sits in the ear too long and removes the protective wax coating, or the ear canal skin is damaged from cotton swabs or fingers then bacteria can infect the ear canal. The bacteria will cause the ear canal to become red, painful, and swollen.
Kids who have swimmer’s ear usually complain of itching and eventually pain when touching or pulling on the ear. Sometimes kids will complain that their ear is plugged. When the ear canal swells, hearing is decreased. There can be yellow drainage from the ear and occasionally fever. The real clue is the painful outer ear. Trust me, it is painful!
Swimmer’s ear must be treated by a health care provider, it will not go away on its own. There are over the counter drops marketed, but these are for prevention of swimmer’s ear, not to cure it. Your child’s health care provider will most likely provide ear drops for the infection and inflammation. You can also give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You should keep your child’s ear dry until the pain goes away….so no swimming!
You can try to prevent swimmer’s ear by using over the counter drops or by making your own. A few drops of 70 percent alcohol in your child’s ears or a mixture of ½ white vinegar and ½ rubbing alcohol in your child’s ears after swimming will help keep ears dry and prevent swimmer’s ear. Make sure that you dry your child’s ears well with a towel after swimming too…but no cotton tipped applicators to clean or dry ears!
Swimmer’s ear is usually not serious, but it can certainly ruin swimming fun for a week! Try an ounce of prevention with the alcohol and vinegar drops, and hopefully your child can continue to have fun in the water all summer long! Do you have plans for the pool or beach this summer?
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Amber beads….effective or risky for teething pain?
There are many testimonials that amber beads help with teething discomfort…but no real scientific evidence. In my opinion the risk outweighs the potential benefit. What are your thoughts?
There is nothing worse than seeing your child uncomfortable and not being able to soothe him. Often parents complain of sleepless nights and fussy days when their child is teething. Although some children navigate the teething experience with little difficulty, some children seem to be uncomfortable, fussy and have trouble sleeping. That being said, sometimes we parents blame teething for a multitude of issues…some of which, like fevers, really aren’t related to teething at all! But, we always want to blame something (or someone) for a sleepless night with a fussy baby!
Every parent wants to “do” something when their child seems uncomfortable; we want to simply make it better. So, when something comes along that has testimonials saying that it would prevent teething pain and discomfort, why wouldn’t we try it out??
Over the last few years I have seen many babies and toddlers wearing amber bead necklaces or bracelets. These beads have become quite popular with parents seeking help through the teething experience or in an attempt to prevent teething discomfort. They are advertised as a “natural homeopathic” treatment to prevent teething discomfort. The theory behind the beads is that the succinic acid that is contained in amber beads is released from the warmth of a child’s skin. This is absorbed by the baby resulting in a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory response. Sounds impressive doesn’t it? A very good pediatrician friend of mine who is concerned about the increase in the use of amber beads sent me some information and a very good review of evidence. The problem is the “evidence” really is non-existent. There is no scientific study that shows us amber beads work. Yes, there are many testimonials, but no proof.
So what is the harm of using them if there is no actual proof? Your child’s safety! We talk often about protecting your child from choking and strangulation hazards. Ties have been removed from hoods and all children’s clothing, we talk about the risk of cords on blinds, small parts from toys, child proofing your home as best you can, and then someone tells us that small amber beads worn around the neck will help with teething pain and those are considered an OK option. Doesn’t make much sense. Remember, with medicine, we always look at the benefit of a treatment outweighing the risk, and the evidence to prove that…I don’t see that in this case.
Teething pain can be relieved with parents rubbing those sore little gums with their clean finger, providing cold wash cloths and teethers or frozen fruit in a mesh bag for little ones to chew on, extra TLC and even some acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies 6 months and older) for the occasional teething pain. In my opinion the risk of strangulation, choking, and the simple fact that something touted for the treatment of teething has no proven benefit only potential risk is not worth it. Remember, teething is temporary, and this too shall pass, another parenting milestone with your child! Sleepless nights help us appreciate the nights that we sleep, right??
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Swim Season is here…keep your child safe!
We have spent many summer days at the pool or beach! It is a part of summer and kids!
Memorial Day Weekend is fast approaching. That means the beaches and pools will be open! Summer water fun can be wonderful for children; most of us have great memories of the lazy days of summer spent at the pool or beach. As a parent, those lazy days have a new meaning. No longer will you be sitting in a beach chair with a book. When there is water and children, there must be close supervision. Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in children, and most drownings occur when there has been less than 5 minutes of unsupervised play around the water. What can we do to make our children’s pool and beach time fun and safe?
Water Safety
- A child can drown in just a couple of inches of water. All water must be supervised, even blow up backyard pools.
- If you have a pool, provide layers of protection for your child. Think about fencing your pool, locking a gate, locking the backdoor from the house, an alarm, and/or a protective pool cover that will bear a child’s weight.
- Inflatable above ground pools should have the ladder removed when not in use.
- Empty small child pools after use and turn the pool over. Remember it only takes a few inches of water to be dangerous.
- Hot tubs and decorative water features in yards are a danger too!
- Keep toys away from the pool when it is not supervised; toys tempt children into the water.
- Always provide “touch supervision” for your child. Your child should not be farther than arm’s length away from you in the water.
- Always “pass the baton” of supervision. Do not assume that other adults, and that includes even other family members, are watching your child if you leave the pool or beach area.
- If a child is missing, always check the pool first. Seconds matter in drowning.
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool and a phone with emergency numbers programmed in it.
- Do not rely on floatation devices like “floaties” or “water wings” as your child’ supervision.
- If your child has had swim lessons, do not rely on those lessons as your child’s supervision…”touch supervision” by an adult is a must!
- Only swim in designated swimming areas on a beach with lifeguards.
- Teach children to enter lakes and oceans feet first.
- Take a CPR course! There are many parent focused courses in the community. Contact local hospitals and the Red Cross for classes.
Swimming Lessons
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children age 4 and older take swimming lessons.
- Children between the age of 1 and 4 can take swim lessons, but children at this age usually are not coordinated enough to swim well.
- Babies younger than 1 can also enjoy the water with an adult. Be sure that the water is warm enough and your baby is protected from the sun. A child that shivers is too cold!
- There should be no classes that force a child to go under the water before the age of 4. Many children will swallow or “inhale” water and there is a risk of “water intoxication” in a very young child.
- Most children will be able to swim well if they have taken lessons by about age 5.
- Swimming lessons do not “drown proof” your child or replace adult supervision near the water!
Prevention of Illness
- Remember swim diapers are not leak proof. They are mainly for the purpose of stopping bowel movements from entering the water. Urine and stool does seep from the diaper. Always change the diaper when your child has a bowel movement.
- Do not let children swim with diarrhea.
- Never change a diaper poolside. Always use the locker room changing area. Wash your hands well after a diaper change.
- Take young children to the bathroom frequently to prevent pee in the pool!
- Do not let your child drink pool or lake water.
- No swimming with contagious illnesses like pink eye.
So, put on that swim suit ( Ugh!), slather on the sun screen, find a sun hat and sun glasses, and pack up the pool and/or beach essentials and head to your “swimming hole”. Kids love it, and what is summer without water! Be safe! Share your experiences at your favorite “swimming hole”!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Protecting your child from bug bites
Protection from ticks and mosquitoes is important for your child!
Today is beautiful, and I hope most of you have your children outside at some point! Children both love and NEED to be outdoors. Outside activity is an important part of a healthy child’s life, and it helps children get good and tired too! I know one of the biggest reasons I encouraged outdoor play was that it provided me with a good long nap from my children in the afternoon. A method to my parenting madness!
With spring and summer upon us, the pesty bugs will soon be too! Not only are these insects just plain annoying, they can carry dangerous diseases to your children. Most children have mild reactions to bug bites, but some children (are they just sweeter?) really seem to attract those insects and those bites result in large red welts that make them miserable. West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are the diseases that could result from insect bites too. So, if we want our children outside and we don’t have a protective “bee suit” in the house…what are we to do?
The use of insect repellents are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control. Although most of us hate to put chemicals on our children, DEET used correctly is one of the best protectors for your child. The amount of DEET in insect repellents varies from less than 10% to more than 30%. Studies show us that the higher concentrations of DEET protect for longer periods of time, but not more effectively. So a repellant with 10% DEET will protect for about 2 hours, 24% about 5 hours, and over 30% there is very little increase in protection. The AAP recommends using a concentration of DEET between 10 and 30 percent. Most of our children will not be outside in an area with biting insects more than 2 hours at a time…so 10% DEET should be enough the majority of the time.
How to use insect repellent safely:
- Always read the label.
- Do not use DEET on children under 2 months of age.
- Do not use a concentration of DEET greater than 30%, usually 10% will be adequate.
- Only apply the repellent to the outside of your child’s clothing and on exposed skin.
- Use a small amount just to cover the area, thicker layers are not more effective.
- Do not spray repellents on your child’s face. Put the repellent on your hands and rub on your child’s face being careful around eyes, and mouth.
- Do not put repellent on your child’s hands. Do not apply to open areas like cuts.
- Spray repellents in open areas, do not breathe them in.
- Wash your child with soap and water to remove the repellent when he comes inside. Wash your child’s clothes before he wears them again.
- Do not use sunscreen/insect repellent combinations. You will need to reapply the sunscreen and the repellent should not be reapplied.
- Cover your child’s exposed skin with long pants and sleeves if you know he will be in an area with a lot of biting insects. This will decrease the skin area that will need repellent.
- Try to avoid dusk, the “buggiest” time of day!
- Remember DEET is NOT effective on stinging insects like bees and wasps.
Repellents that do NOT work
- Wristbands with chemical repellents
- Dryer sheets pinned to your child
- Garlic (would keep other people away! )
- Ultrasonic devices that give off sound waves
- Bug zappers (may actually increase insects in the area)
Other repellents:
- Permethrin is a chemical repellent. It is effective and should be applied to clothing only, not on skin. Use in concentrations of between 5 and 10 percent. This repellent will kill ticks on contact. Great for spraying on tents and sleeping bags.
- Picaridin is as effective as DEET and some studies show it may be less likely to cause skin irritation in children. It has been used in Europe for many years, more recently here in the U. S.
- 2% soy bean oil and lemon eucalyptus has been shown recently to be as effective as 10% DEET. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is not approved for use in children under the age of 3.
- Cedar, and Citronella essential oils are less effective and give very short term protection.
So the bottom line is, insect repellents are a better alternative that the potential complications from a disease carrying insect. West Nile or Lyme Disease can be serious. Be smart and use repellents safely. Protect your child with clothing and by avoiding the time of day/night and areas where insect bites would be more common. Check your child for ticks daily and remove any tick with a tweezers and clean with soap and water. Lastly, put this at the bottom of your worry list….outdoor fun is essential for children. Protect them with common sense and enjoy the outdoors…don’t let the bugs scare you off!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
When Mom ain’t happy….then no one is happy!
When Mom ain’t happy…no one is happy. We have all heard that saying and in actuality it has a lot of truth to it. If Moms are unhappy, then their families suffer. Moms that are stressed have less patience with their spouses and children and have less fun and engagement with their family. Families benefit when Mom feels good! So lose the guilt and do something for yourself….after all you are helping your family!
How do we do it?
1. Balance
A Mom who is out of balance probably has too much on her plate. There must be a balance between kids, work, and the home. Everyone needs 15 minutes a day of time alone. I am an early riser and that is my time for a few minutes of reflection before my day begins. Find out when you can fit those 15 minutes in your day to balance yourself. Then during that time, reflect on your day and decide your priorities and put some perspective to those priorities. Always ask yourself, “Is this a have to…and what would happen if I didn’t?” Suddenly your life will become a little more balanced by embracing what is most important during this particular season of your life. Remember, there is a time for everything in life. You can have it all, just not all at once!
2. Delegation without guilt.
Ask for help and then allow your kids and your spouse to help without guilt. Build chores into your child’s daily life, giving responsibility helps your child build self-confidence. Ask for help from your spouse and be happy with the help you receive! Remember you must ask not just wish for help! Give Dad a job to own, and let him do it his way! Moms who are “gatekeepers” for their baby discourage Dads from parenting. You don’t have to do it all….if you try everyone will be unhappy!
3. Carve out time creatively.
Moms can actually carve time out for themselves right in the middle of caring for their kids! You need to learn to be ready to grab those minutes here and there throughout the day. Bring that magazine or book and read it in carpool, or waiting for a sports practice to be over. Play a book on tape or music that YOU enjoy when you are running errands with the kids in the car. Build some exercise into your day when you take the kids to the park. Soak those feet in the tub while your kids play in the tub and give yourself an at home pedicure. Find ways to take care of yourself while still caring for your kids! It is important for your children to see that you value yourself, that builds their respect for you. Don’t give up who you are when you become a Mom! You can still keep your interests, a Mom is a big part of who you are, but not the ONLY part of who you are!
4. Plan a monthly date with your spouse and a date for you alone.
Reconnect with your spouse at least once a month on a “grown up” date. Keep it simple and keep it cheap but it must be time away without kids. The rule is: No talking about the kids, just talking with each other. This will allow you to connect with each other! Set a date once a month for you too…this can be a Saturday of shopping, time for a haircut, nails, a walk in the park, time to take a class whatever you alone would like to do. Get both of these dates on the calendar…make it a standing date. Treat it just like an appointment, no cancellation allowed! You must refill yourself in order to give of yourself!
Remember…if Mom ain’t happy….then no one is! Give your kids a gift; take care of yourself so you can take care of them. Keep the family happy! Happy Mother’s Day to all of you great Moms!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
