When Should Your Child Stay Home from School Due to a Cold?

-When is it appropriate for parents to let their child stay home from school?

Going to school can be very stressful for children. When children aren't feeling well, the stress of the school day can be too much. When children are ill, they are more tired, cranky and tend not to eat or drink. This sets them up to get further dehydrated and ill. To keep an illness from progressing, a day at home may be the first step. At home, caregivers can encourage a child to eat nourishing food like chicken soup, drink hydrating fluids such as water and rest.

-Is it better for your child to stay home so you don't get other children sick?

Keeping your child home from school is important for both your child's health as well as the health of their classmates and teachers. Children will exchange germs and get ill more frequently compared to adults. Many of the viruses that cause colds are airborne. Teach your children to sneeze into the crook of their arms and to cover their mouths when coughing. Then encourage them to wash their hands after coughing, blowing their noses and before eating. Also coughing onto toys can contaminate them and make others fall sick. Make sure your teacher is aware of your child's illness so hygiene precautions can be implemented at school.

-What signs or symptoms should a child have in order to be absent?

Some general rules of thumb to skip school include a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, a severe cough, and nausea, vomiting and wheezing. These same symptoms also merit calling your pediatrician and arranging for a trip to their office. Other important signs of illness are rash and general malaise.

-Which cold remedy works the best?

Most physicians and the FDA no longer recommend cough and cold medicines for childen especially younger than age 2. For children older than 2, be wary of overdosing a child but using more than one remedy with the same ingredient. Children's Tylenol, Advil or Motrin can help with headache and low-grade fever. Always follow the directions on the label and from yur physician. Cold-EEZE zinc lozenges or oral spray are an effective way to decrease the duration of a cold. Studies from Dartmouth and the Cleveland Clinic have shown a decrease by 42% of a cold's duration. Zinc gluconate works best when started on the first day of symptoms so always keep some handy. Clean humidifiers also go a long way in keeping your child comfortable with their nasal symptoms. Keep you child well-hydrated. Unfortunately, the studies have fallen short in proving the efficacy of Vitamin C.

-Is there a way parents can prevent their children from getting sick?

Teaching your child good hygiene is the best prevention for staying healthy. Washing hands before eating or touching the eyes, nose and mouth is essential. A well-balanced diet, good hydration and rest are also important.

About the Author:
Dr. Yael Halaas, ear, nose and throat doctor. She’s been featured on round up/lifestyle and breaking news segments on The Doctors, FOX News and ABC New York.

’Tis the Season for Teachable Moments: Nine Ways to Help Your Kids (Politely!) Connect and Communicate This Holiday Season

Just like adults, kids are required to navigate a variety of social settings throughout the holidays. Maribeth Kuzmeski shares expert advice on how to help your kids behave appropriately and engage meaningfully with everyone from the grocery store clerk to Grandma and Grandpa.

“Aww, man! I wanted a new game for my Xbox, not another sweater.” Or, “…click…click…” (That’s the sound of a teenager texting instead of answering Aunt Debbie’s question.) If you’re a parent, you’ve been there at one point or another, and you know that a child’s social missteps—even if they aren’t purposeful or malicious—can be mortifying.

According to Maribeth Kuzmeski, the holiday season is when parents tend to notice most acutely which of their kids’ habits could use improvement—after all, friends and family are there to witness what you see as an embarrassing display that reflects poorly on your parenting skills.

“As a parent myself, I know that in the everyday hurry and worry of life, it’s easy to let your kids’ smaller foibles go uncorrected,” admits Kuzmeski, author of the new book The Engaging Child: Raising Children to Speak, Write, and Have Relationship Skills Beyond Technology (Red Zone Publishing, 2012, ISBN: 978-0-9717780-3-0, $18.95). “And once you’re in the midst of the packed holiday social season, it’s too late to correct behaviors you previously overlooked. The good news is, there’s no better time than now to take advantage of teachable moments, before all of those parties and gatherings begin.”

Giving parents the tools they’ll need to help their children develop a strong ability to connect with others is the focus of Kuzmeski’s latest book. It’s packed full of strategies and techniques that will teach kids to engage others meaningfully and productively, a skill that—according to research—plays a huge role in driving personal and professional success. As an added bonus, the last two chapters of the book are written by Kuzmeski’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Lizzie. They are meant to be read by Lizzie’s fellow teens and tweens in order to provide a peer’s perspective on the elements of building and maintaining real relationships in a wired and fast-paced world.

“My experience as a professional and as a parent has convinced me that one of the most valuable gifts you can give your kids is to teach them how to effectively engage with others in a variety of settings,” Kuzmeski confirms. “And the holiday season provides a wealth of opportunities to demonstrate and practice those skills.”

Kuzmeski recommends taking stock of all of the parties, pageants, and social settings you’ll be attending with your kids in the upcoming weeks, and deciding beforehand what habits and skills you’d like them to demonstrate.

“Don’t assume that your child ‘would never’ act in a certain way, or even that he or she ‘knows better’ than to engage in a particular behavior,” she advises. “Remember, kids don’t always know intuitively when they need to be on their best behavior, and they can’t ‘fake it’ as easily as adults can. The truth is, young people aren’t as disengaged and rude as we assume them to be—they just don’t always know the proper way to act. So start having these discussions now, not when you’re parking at Grandma’s house. And always, always be sure to model appropriate behaviors yourself!”

The more you practice good connecting skills with your children, the more they’ll become ingrained as habits. Here are nine holiday situations that Kuzmeski recommends using to instill productive communicating skills in your kids:

Teach them that sometimes it’s cool to unplug. One of the biggest complaints that adults have with “young people today” is that they’re always “plugged in.” To some extent, that’s true—email, social networking, text messaging, mp3 players, and more have radically changed the way this generation communicates and spends its free time. Now, technology isn’t bad in and of itself, but we all know that it can lead to disengaged and even rude behavior—especially at holiday gatherings. You’ll probably meet with some resistance, but it’s important to teach your kids when they need to step away from the keyboard, and why face-to-face interactions are the most rewarding of all.

“Place a basket at the door during any family event and collect all electronic devices before the mingling starts,” Kuzmeski suggests. “Include a note on the basket that reads, ‘So you can enjoy the friends and family you’re with.’ Explain to your kids how important it is to engage fully with people you love, especially if you don’t see certain individuals during the rest of the year. Point out that if they stay distracted by text messages and Facebook friends, they’ll miss out on fun and memories with cousins, grandparents, and siblings. Plus, kids need to understand that not giving others your attention is just plain rude…and that it won’t be allowed in your family.”

Arm them with ice breakers. For youngsters who spend most of their days “LOLing,” “BRBing,” and “TTYLing,” having a good old-fashioned verbal conversation might be unfamiliar, if not downright intimidating. Especially if your child isn’t a natural chatterbox, it might be helpful to give him a few ideas of how he can strike up a discussion with people he doesn’t see every day.

“Even before the days of smartphones and Facebook, it was completely normal for youngsters to feel reluctant to approach older adults,” Kuzmeski points out. “You’ll be doing your kids a big favor if you arm them with icebreakers that they can use to proactively connect. Before holiday events, discuss what some good topics of discussion might be and help them to make a list of strategies for drumming up conversation. They’ll also be able to power through any awkward lulls in conversation that might otherwise discourage them from taking the connecting initiative in the future.” NOTE to EDITOR: See attached tipsheet.

Explain the importance of expressing gratitude. We live in a “me, me, me” society, and even more than adults, kids tend not to think far beyond their own emotions and experiences. (Don’t blame them; much of it is biological.) During the holidays, that selfish hardwiring tends to manifest itself in a cursory “Thanks for my present!” before the child in question runs off to play with her new loot or rip open the next package. This year’s gift-swapping is a good opportunity for your kids to learn how to express gratitude in a much more meaningful way.

“Explain to your children before the first round of presents is handed out why it’s important to show gratitude,” Kuzmeski says. “Make sure they understand that each present represents the fact that another person cares about them and spent time and money to make them happy. Then, talk about meaningful ways to show gratitude. Perhaps it’s setting aside a few minutes after gift giving to say thanks privately to the gift giver. For example, your daughter might say, ‘I really appreciate the new coat, Grandma. I’ve been eyeing it forever and I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally have it!’ You might also suggest that your children keep a small pad and pen so that they can jot down what they received, and from whom. Later, set aside some time to sit down and write thoughtful thank-you notes together.”

Make sure they mind their manners. During a typical weekday dinner on almost any given day of the year, you might decide to let a muttered, “Eeew, this is gross,” pass without comment. After all, you’re tired from a long day at work and you really don’t have the desire or the energy to disrupt the meal with a lecture. However, the same under-the-breath comment at your mother-in-law’s Christmas extravaganza is the last thing you want to hear from your son. (And that’s only one of many potentially embarrassing situations that might crop up.) Therefore, take advantage of every opportunity to reinforce politeness and to explain why various behaviors aren’t appropriate.

“There are plenty of opportunities over the holidays for kids to practice their manners,” Kuzmeski points out. “Now, and as you start to attend various festive events, be alert for opportunities to remind your children what the appropriate thing to do is, and to help them exercise those ideals while they are still in the moment. For example, if your child cuts in line out of excitement while waiting to see Santa, reinforce that he needs to wait his turn, and explain to him that jumping ahead of others is disrespectful to them. Also, try not to ‘let things slide just this once.’”

Empower them while you’re traveling. Plenty of families pack up and hit the road to visit family during the holiday season. You may be tempted to handle everything on your own for the sake of convenience, but Kuzmeski asserts that this is a wonderful opportunity to empower your children by allowing them to navigate “adult” situations.

“Capitalize on all of the teachable moments that arise as you travel with your family,” she reiterates. “For example, let your daughter interact with the hotel receptionist and take care of all check-in aspects except the payment. If you need extra towels in your room, let your child call down to the front desk to request them. You could even let her call the airline’s automated number to double-check a flight time and status. When you accustom your children to these tasks early on, they’ll be much less timid and uncertain as they venture out on their own in the years to come.”

Help them to host an event. For most of us, the holiday calendar will be peppered with social events. Your family might even be hosting your own festive get-together. If that’s the case, teach your child the value of being a host and “working” his own party. If you’re throwing a neighborhood gathering, for example, go with your child as he travels from door to door personally inviting each family on your street. Assuming your guests live farther away, sit with him as he phones those to whom he’s closest and asks them to attend your soiree.

“Once the big event is here, have your child greet all of his friends when they arrive,” Kuzmeski instructs. “Then, ask him to keep an eye open to make sure that everyone feels welcome and included—while enjoying himself, of course! You can also help him to direct the flow of the party. (‘Now we’re going to play pin the tail on Rudolph!’ Or, ‘If you need more sprinkles for decorating your gingerbread man, just let me know!’) Lastly, teach him to thank all of the guests for attending as they leave. The fact is, many people don’t learn these skills until they’re adults, so you’ll be giving your child a major leg up.”

Help them connect at the cash register. ’Tis the season for shopping, and the fact is, if you want good service, you must first be a good customer. Learning the value of connecting with the people you do business with—from clients and vendors right down to the lady who checks you out at the grocery store—can mean better experiences for you and for them. While your kids won’t be pitching their company’s product or trying to compromise with a contractor for years to come, they can definitely start learning the skills that will help them do so.

“The next time you and your kids head out to the market or to the mall, help them figure out how to engage with store employees,” Kuzmeski recommends. “Suggest that they thank an employee who showed you where to find an item, let a manager know about a great service experience, or ask the cashier, for once, how his or her day is going.”

Make sure they deliver teacher gifts. It may seem silly to adults who have been conducting their own affairs for years, but personally delivering a gift to an authority figure—particularly a teacher—can be difficult for kids to do. Often, it’s a brand-new way in which to interact with this respected adult, and many children simply aren’t sure how to proceed.

“Instead of having your child leave a gift anonymously on her teacher’s desk, or even handing it over and racing away in embarrassment, coach her on how to deliver a gift in a meaningful way,” Kuzmeski says. “Don’t assume your child can wing it—create a script she can use to tell her teacher how much she appreciates her. She might even mention what she has enjoyed learning about the most. Also, tell your child to include her best wishes for a happy holiday season!”

Remind them to stay on their best behavior—especially in the presence of adults. As most parents are acutely aware, there are more than enough opportunities over the holidays for kids to be under the watchful eyes of adults who don’t normally see them. For better or for worse, it can feel like your success as a parent is up for debate. Yes, you’ll want your kids to behave for your own sake…but it’s also important to teach them that appropriate behavior, as well as right and wrong, don’t change from situation to situation.

“From parties to play dates to family gatherings, explain to your kids that even though they may not be directly interacting with an adult, that adult might still be observing and evaluating their behavior,” Kuzmeski says. “Tell tweens and teens especially that you never know which adult (whether it’s a friend’s parent, a coach, a teacher, etc.) might give you (or turn you down for) your first job or write a college recommendation for you. This concept will also hold true later in life—after all, an uncouth joke in the break room that’s overheard by your boss can have serious ramifications.”

“Ultimately, remember that there is no such thing as a perfectly behaved child,” concludes Kuzmeski. “You’ll probably hit some rough patches as you navigate the holiday season, but if you’re proactive about teaching your child to connect, they will be the exception rather than the rule. And remember, by helping them to grow into connectors, you’ll be giving them—and yourself—a truly invaluable gift this holiday season.”

4th Annual Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest

In addition to companionship, affection, love and company, a top benefit of owning pets includes teaching children responsibility. According to APPA’s 2011 / 2012 National Pet Owners Survey, 58 percent of small animal owners rank teaching children responsibilities as a key benefit in owning pets, followed by 44 percent of equine owners and 43 percent of reptile owners, reinforcing the idea that pet ownership is, in fact, a great teaching tool for children.

“It’s refreshing to see children not only helping to care for their pets, but learning valuable life lessons and responsibilities from them as well,” said Bob Vetere, president of APPA. “There are so many joys and benefits pets of all types bring to our lives, and they truly help instill responsibility among children from ensuring they have plenty of food and water to helping them receive daily exercise and play.”

Celebrating the joys and benefits pets bring to the lives of children specifically, APPA is currently accepting poems for its 4th Annual Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest.

“Every submission we receive for our Children’s Poetry Contest is the child’s expression of just how much their pet means to them and the happiness these companions bring to their lives,” said Vetere.

Students in grades 3rd-8th are invited to write a unique poem about a pet, what they love about them, the joys they bring, and then post it online at www.PetsAddLife.org or mail their final poem and submission form to: Pets Add Life, 661 Sierra Rose Dr., Reno, NV 89511. Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2012 at 5:00pm EST.

One student from each grade level (six total) nationwide will win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a “by-line” in a nationally circulated publication. In addition, the six winning students’ classrooms will each win a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet related education.

To learn more about the Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest, and see current submissions, visit www.petsaddlife.org.

The Votes Are In: Children Pick Top Holiday Toys, Goddard Schools Announce Top 10 Toys of 2011 that Encourage Playful Learning

Are you shopping for a preschool-aged child this holiday season? Look no further! Children and educators from select Goddard Schools – leaders in early childhood education – have announced their top toy picks for infants through children six years old for the 2011 holiday shopping season. The Goddard School® Toy Test is the only national toy test designed exclusively for children in the preschool age range.

After a national call for submissions, Goddard educators and children evaluated entrants based on a number of criteria, including:

• Interactive, child-initiated play focus
• Creative, social or engaging
• Appropriate for infants through children six years of age

“Our play-based FLEX™ Learning Program focuses on the value of playful learning,” said Lisa Fisher, Communications Director at Goddard Systems, Inc. “We feel that our Top 10 Toys list will serve as a great resource for parents, grandparents and other family members as they enter the gift-giving season.”

Top 10 Preschooler-Approved Toys (in alphabetical order):

· Animal Sounds Hay Ride (Learning Curve)

· Bristle Block® Stackadoos® (B. Toys by Battat)

· Citiblocs Camouflage 100 Piece Set (CitiBlocs)

· Citiblocs Little Builders Rattle Blocs (CitiBlocs)

· Count Your Chickens!™ board game (Peaceable Kingdom)

· Elemenosqueeze (B. Toys by Battat)

· Hoot Owl Hoot! ™ board game (Peaceable Kingdom)

· Little Shopper Playset (Earlyears)

· Sassy® Sensory Ball Set (Sassy)

· Soft Chime Garden (Lamaze)

For more information on the Top 10 Preschooler-Approved Toys, visit www.goddardschools.com/toys.

ABOUT GODDARD SCHOOL

Recently named No. 1 Childcare Franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine, for the tenth consecutive year (January 2011) and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales), by Franchise Times, for the fourth consecutive year (October 2010); Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) is expanding The Goddard School® network throughout the United States. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI currently licenses 370+ franchised schools with more than 45,000 students in 34 states. With a successful system in place and dedicated franchisees, GSI is the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare and a premier childcare provider in the United States.

Teen Tresses: Tips from the Hair Doctors at Philip Kingsley

As children start entering their teen years, their bodies go through a variety of changes, thanks to hormones and added stresses that come into play. These hormones can cause changes in hair texture. Philip Kingsley Trichologist, Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips offers advice to teens about hair care during these challenging years. By following Elizabeth’s “Teen Hair 101”, adolescents can achieve healthy and beautiful hair.

Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips Teen Hair 101

Puberty Scalp Changes:

• At puberty, the sebaceous glands enlarge, resulting in an increased production of sebum, the oily substance that lubricates every hair as it emerges from the scalp
• An excess of this can lead to greasy hair, which sometimes can have an unpleasant odor
• The solution is frequent washing, which encourages the scalp to lessen the amount of grease produced

Dandruff

• Certain yeasts can cause dandruff; medicated shampoo should be used to reduce the population of these yeasts on the scalp
• Stress can also increase dandruff; daily washing is the best to optimize the health of the hair and scalp

Diet

• Diet has an important influence on the hair, so teenagers should eat a balanced diet, with an emphasis on freshly prepared foods
• A good intake of protein is important for the body to be able to produce strong hair
• Hairs are made of a type of protein called Keratin
• It is particularly important once girls start menstruating that they have a good intake of iron rich foods, as maintaining adequate iron is vital for optimum hair growth

Hair Processing

• Hair straightening and curling irons have become extremely popular with young girls, but they can be quite damaging to the hair
• Protective serums may protect the hair, but it is best not to use the hair straightener or curling iron every day

Hair Coloring

• It is always best to have hair colored professionally in a salon, rather than attempting to color the hair at home
• After care is important to counteract the dying effect that all color products ha on the hair
• Regular use of an intensive hair conditioning treatment will help to maintain the moisture and hydrate the dry hair

New- Time and Money Saver

Launching this month - Build A Menu (www.BuildAMenu.com) is an online menu planning service that prepares weekly meal plans based on grocery store sales. The site does the work for you! Choose from weekly recipes and put together weekly menus using the Build A Menu calculator which gives a running total of your expected grocery costs – making it easy to control how much the family will spend on food each week! Just pick the store you want to shop, choose your meals and print your well organized grocery shopping list and chosen recipes.

Gadgets That Make Holiday Travel a Breeze

Talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous. But a mid-transit chat pales in comparison to the distraction of driving with one (or two!) children wailing in the backseat. Nothing increases adrenaline and quick recall of four-letter words quite like crying kids.

As parents, we can mentally cope with crying kids to and from the grocery store. But long-distance trips need more finesse. Careful preparation and a few necessities can prevent a few glitches and keep your travel going smoothly. As you prepare for holiday travels, make the most of your trip with these handy gadgets.

1. Snack Container
A signature trademark of a kid-friendly car is a Hansel and Gretel-worthy crumb collection on every surface. If you can overlook this completely annoying parenthood perk, I applaud you; otherwise invest in some creative cups. Munchkin offers an ingenious design with handles and no spill rubber top--two for under $7. Sporting a similar design but with an attachable rope (and additional solid top) is the Spill-Proof Snack Buddy Cup from One Step Ahead.

2. Window Shade
Getting on the road is tough enough; stopping to shade a sunset shouldn't be on your list of priorities. Grab a light-cutting window shade to curb the brightness. Measure your windows and buy the widest shade possible, making sure you have enough visibility in your back and rear passenger windows. Check out your options at Great Baby Products for window shade reviews.

3. Lacing Toys
Kids above age 3 (who don't suffer from motion sickness) will work on lacing boards for hours. Growing Tree Toys has a fantastic range of simple lacing activities, like necklaces and ABCs, to complex connect-a-dot boards. Bring a bucket to set in your child's lap so that she can contain the blocks without dropping them on the floor.

4. Finger Puppets
For the dramatic types in your crew, a set of finger puppets can be a space-saving lifesaver. My favorite are high-quality puppets that tell a familiar story, like Thumbelina or the Frog Prince from puppet master Folkmanis, but folks on a budget can definitely afford IKEA's popular set of circus characters or animals for just $4.99.

5. Favorite Music
Not your favorite music, mind you. Junior may not appreciate the vocal stylings of Rihanna for hours on end (and, honestly, you shouldn't either). Enjoy some traditional Disney favorites and throw in some award-winning movement songs from Hap Palmer and Joe Scruggs to keep the mood kid-friendly. Bring on talk radio when it's time for a snooze.

6. Bubbles
So what if you have to clean up the residue later! Bubbles are total fun for all ages, especially when the road seems never-ending. Unless you have an older child, mom or dad needs to commandeer the liquid and blow them toward the back. The best bubbles on the market, hands down, come from Gymboree. These bubbles float forever and the solution never dries out.

7. Barf Bag
Close to 30% of people are susceptible to motion sickness, and kids are no exception. The barfies can strike at any time--there's no guarantee that your child will or won't get sick on a road trip. Prepare for the worst by investing in a few leak-proof barf bags with fun pictures printed on the outside and show your child how to "cough" into it if his tummy starts to hurt. And bring an extra couple of towels just in case.

8. Neck Pillow
This is a tricky one. Your younger child may or may not like the feeling of something so close to her neck. Try it on short stroller trips ahead of time to practice. If your kiddo will wear it, she'll be far more comfortable during naps. Pillow companions like the Dora neck pillow attach to the straps of your car seat or stroller, making it a bit more accessible.

9. Small Baking Sheets
This ingenious idea from Family Fun keeps the ever-present I-dropped-it-on-the-floor wail at bay. Use a conventional (but smaller) lipped baking sheet as a drawing, magnetic and keep-it-all-in-one place surface. Glue one or two layers of foam shelf paper on the bottom to make it less likely to fall and affix white contact paper to the top for the drawing surface. Turn it into multiple activities by attaching magnets to buttons for checkers or bingo games. Older travelers might prefer a more sophisticated travel kit like this one from Martha Stewart.

10. iPad
No, I'm not a fan of hours of screen time for little eyes, but during a road trip this godsend is a total catchall. From apps for all ages to music and movies, the iPad is the perfect device for tiny travelers. Purchasing gift cards at a discount from sites like GiftCardGranny can help you pay for the pricey device at such retailers as Target and Walmart, who are currently offering deals on iPad 2 bundles. Then, let your kiddos learn letters with Starfall or everything nursery-rhyme cooky from Duck Duck Moose. When all else fails, strap it to the seat and watch a movie. 


About the Author:

Ashley Grimaldo comes from a long line of penny pinchers and enjoys blogging on money-saving tips and advice for frugal-minded parents. She lives with her husband and three children in Bryan, Texas. Ashley has been featured among such media outlets as Redbook, The Chicago Tribune, Time.com, and CBS News-Houston.

Mom Social Group Registration Now Open!

Small fry society (sfs), a social activity program for Tampa Bay area mothers and babies under three years old is set to launch its second term on November 16th.  Members will once again come together at various locations for weekly one and a half hour distinctively themed “socials” to include breakfast/lunch. The term includes one Girls’ Night Out, a moms-only event featuring entertainment, light bites, cocktails and giveaways.  The Girls’ Night Out is open to moms and moms-to-be not already members of sfs and it provides a taste of the events, people and giveaways involved in the program. Over 50 people attended the October 25 Girls’ Night Out hosted by Neiman Marcus featuring cuisine by Datz, Mommy Juice Wines, Shutterbooth photos.  Diapers, wipes, formula and other donations were also collected at the event for local non-profit Alpha House.

Like the previous term, socials will include something for everyone, from food to fitness to photos to fabulous freebies and more.  There are a few distinct changes to the upcoming sessions.  The term now includes weekday and weekend socials to accommodate working mothers.  There are also two packages now available to suit busy schedules—three socials plus Girls’ Night Out or the full program which includes six socials plus Girls’ Night Out.  The socials are all hands-on and allow the women and babies to connect with each other, the community and the businesses participating in the program in a unique way—interactive, in an intimate setting, amongst old and new friends.

Small fry society continues to provide promotional opportunities to support local businesses’ marketing efforts to the growing family demographic. 

Registration for smallfry society’s second term is now open. For more information and to register for the programs, please visit www.smallfrysociety.com.

Annual Head Start Awareness Month

On Wednesday, October 19, Hillsborough County kicked off the Annual Head Start Awareness Month at a celebration at the County Center. October has been designated as Head Start Awareness Month. This year’s theme, Young Minds Need a Head Start, emphasizes the program’s focus on child development and early learning. Head Start/Early Head Start is a child and family development program for low-income, working parents of children ages zero through four.

Members of the public joined with dignitaries, elected officials, agency partners and parents to honor local Head Start trailblazers including Jan Platt, Ann Porter, Doris Reddick, Delia Sanchez and Claudia Silas. Evangeline Best gave the keynote address. Head Start children led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance via a prerecorded segment.

Lakeshore Learning Materials generously donated lunch for all attendees.

Every year around the December holidays, Head Start/Early Head Start reaches out to local businesses and the community for donations to help provide every enrolled child with a gift for the winter holiday. Please consider donating new, unwrapped gifts for needy babies and children (six weeks to five years old). Your charitable contribution to this annual holiday appeal can make such a difference. For more information about this program, please contact Laura Rice at 813/272-5140 ext 3106.

Hillsborough County’s Head Start/Early Head Start Program, a division of the Department of Family and Aging Services, is a four-time nationally recognized Program of Excellence by the National Head Start Association and is a three-time federally reviewed Gold Seal Program. For more information on programs and services offered call 813/272-5140 or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/headstart.

Caption for baby bonnets photo: The Expectant Parent Program offers free child care, training, nutritional and support services, health and early intervention services as well as parent activities for First Time and Teen Moms. For more information, please contact Monica Wiggins at 813/272-5140 ext. 3193.

Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine Announces Discount Program for Readers and Follows.

After years of positive feedback from our readers on the great products we feature in the pages of our monthly print magazine, we are happy to announce a special new program that will allow you to enjoy the products and services you see at a special Tampa Bay Parenting discount!!  We are working directly with the companies to secure discount codes and special offers.  All items will be announced here on our blog throughout the month so be sure to check back often.

It is our way of saying Thank You for your continued Support! Enjoy!

Our very FIRST company to be featured is Mine for Nine, who is offering a 10% discount. This company has been personally reviewed by one of our Social Moms Rachel, please see her post below about her experience, and we feel confident you will love their concept as well. Enjoy and be sure to share you experiences with us on this blog or Facebook.

About Mine for Nine

There's a smart, new way to shop for stylish, make-you-feel-good maternity clothes. It's called Mine for Nine, and it's one of those revolutions that your best friend and sister will say "I wish they had that when I was pregnant.” MINE offers pregnant women an alternative to purchasing an expensive maternity wardrobe or supplements the one they already have. Find the perfect business suit for that important business meeting or a spectacular evening gown for the black tie affair you were just invited to. And when you're done, no need to store clothes you may or may not wear again -- just ship them back.

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Valid September 1st through September 30th

Mine for Nine Maternity Clothing

I am on my third pregnancy in 5 years. For my first pregnancy, I refused to buy many clothes and instead borrowed from friends and family. The result was not pretty. I wore clothes years out of date that didn’t fit correctly. For my second pregnancy, I decided to purchase clothes on the cheap from Target and other big box stores. The result was better, but I didn’t find many clothes that I could wear out on date night or with my friends at a price that I was willing to pay for only a few months of wear. Which brings us to pregnancy number 3. Since this is my last pregnancy, at least the last planned one, I wanted to go out with a bang, but who has the money to spend on clothing that a couple of months from now will be passed on to another pregnant woman?
In stepped Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine and Mine For Nine with a unique opportunity. I was given $200 to try out a company that allows you to borrow designer maternity clothes at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them. Instead of wearing jeans and a maternity top every day, I borrowed cute tops and skirts to boost my self esteem at a time when I don’t look my best. I am not one of those beautiful pregnant women out there. I get big everywhere! Fortunately, I discovered styles from Mine for Nine that helped minimize the negatives of my growing body and maximize the positives. Every month I have the option of shipping back the items I have or borrowing them for another month. I found a skirt that I have kept for three months, which is still much less expensive than purchasing it.
The process is very simple and if you have any problems Mine for Nine has phenomenal customer service. The two times that I contacted customer service for help I received a phone call within an hour from the owner/creator of the site, Marisa. The first step is to visit the site http://minefornine.com and pick out the items you would like to borrow. You may also buy items, but they are pretty pricey, so I stuck with the borrowing option. You pick the size that you think would fit you the best based on the sizing suggestions. While pregnant I am pretty hard on clothing, because all food seems to fall on my enormous belly, so for people like me there is optional cleaning insurance for $5 per item. If you are a reasonably neat person, there is no need to purchase insurance and you just have to ship the clothing back without any obvious stains. Mine for Nine will dry clean the clothing for the next borrower. The second step is to put in your credit card information and then the package with your clothing should arrive within the week. Also, there is a special gift for each mom included with her first order. The hand knitted blue cap that I received is precious and endeared me even more to the company.
When your clothing arrives, if it doesn’t fit correctly you can return it as long as you make sure to keep the security tag attached, contact the company within 3 days and put the clothing in the mail within 7 days. I didn’t have to return any of the items because they didn’t fit, but it was very reassuring to have the option. If you love the clothing you just need to take good care of it and ship it back by the date you are given using the label included in the package. I wrote the date the clothing needed to be postmarked by on my calendar, but most people would appreciate an email reminder, which is not provided.
If you want to get through nine months of pregnancy without committing to a size for the entire time, spend a fortune on clothing or get bored with wearing the same clothing day in and day out Mine for Nine is the company for you!

Why Shouldn’t I Spank My Child?

Abuse Survivor Offers Tips For Alternative Punishments

Esther Joseph doesn’t need to read studies or statistics to understand the problems of child abuse. She survived it.

Joseph, an advocate against corporal punishment in the home, spent her childhood alternately suffering physical abuse from her mother and emotional abuse from her father. But she doesn’t consider herself a victim.

“I’m a survivor of child abuse,” said Joseph, author of Memories of Hell, Visions of Heaven—A Story of Survival Transformation and Hope(www.unityinherited.com). “In overcoming the damage of an upbringing riddled with violence, I was adamant that I would not grow up to be an abuser, as well. I know the dangers of striking a child to discipline them and then explaining that you’re doing it for their own good and because you love them. All that does is teach the child that violence is an acceptable part of love, and as they grow up, they accept violence in their adult relationships because they’ve been taught that it’s completely normal.”

Joseph believes that discipline is important, but that it can be delivered without making violence an acceptable part of life.

“No matter how out of control a child may be considered, a beating is never an effective way to get their attention, obedience or respect,” she added. “Parents must understand that there are other disciplinary measures, less violent and degrading methods that will garner the results they seek, while raising children to become emotional health and fulfilled adults.”

Joseph offered a few simple tips for alternative means of helping children behave. They include:

• Be a Good Example – Parents must live by example, allowing their actions and not just their words to exemplify the kind of person they would like their child to become.

• Be One Step Ahead – Don’t wait until your child has done something “wrong” to have a talk with them. Parents can circumvent many foreseeable challenges by addressing them before they become an issue.

• Be Creative – One type of punishment does not work for every child. Parents must figure out and utilize a form of reprimand that would work best for their child’s particular temperament.

“Every spanking, no matter how mild, has an impact,” Joseph said. “Parents should be aware that a spanked child becomes a emotionally crippled adult who goes out into the world and plays this handicap onto others, perpetuating the idea that abusive relationships are just a normal part of life. Now, I understand that people justify it by thinking, ‘I was spanked as a child and I turned out okay,’ but that equation doesn’t work for everyone. When we begin to justify violence as a part of our children’s lives, it becomes a slippery slope when we try to determine how much is too much? A spanking every once in a while? Using a belt or a hairbrush instead of a hand if a child is really misbehaving? At what point do you say it’s too much? The bottom line is that once is too much, because it makes a second, third and 20^thtime that much easier to rationalize. But for those who have been abused, no matter their pasts, it does not define them nor does it determine their future. Everyone can break the bonds of their past experiences and find their way to the life and future they crave.”

About Esther Joseph

Esther Joseph was born and raised on the tiny Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. She moved to the U.S. at the age of 16 with her mother and two older bothers. She holds a Master’s Degree in international affairs from New York University. Her goal is to help others still in the grips of abuse and violence to break the cycle and find a way to a place of healing.

Money Doesn't Grow on Trees

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” This saying may seem obvious, although today’s youth seem to think the opposite. Who can blame them though – unlike the baby boomers the new generation of youth have grown up in a time of economic prosperity and are used to being coddled by their parents. In 2011 alone, over 85 percent of college graduates will be moving back home (Huffington Post).

Recently, the recent economic situation has shown us that anything can happen at any given moment and we (and our children) need to be prepared. Though it may not be possible to teach a pre-schooler the complexities behind 401Ks and credit cards, it is possible to start teaching children the importance of money at an early age. Chicago Healers Practitioner Julie Murphy Casserly (CLU, ChFC, CFP) stresses the importance of instilling good money habits in children as early as possible and offers easy conversation topics to address the issue at every age.

· Pre-School
Yes, money patterns begin to formulate during the pre-school years. You can start talking to your child about money when they are 2 or 3 by explaining that everything costs money – from the food they eat, the clothes they wear, to the house they live in. These talks need to go beyond the necessities too. Explain that new toys, accessories or video games are things your family can live without. Introduce new toys to them a few at a time, rather than showering them with an over-abundance of playthings. This will help them get used to the fact that they don’t need a heap of toys to be happy.

· School-Aged
By the time your child is 6 or 7 years old you can start teaching them about prioritizing their money. For example, when you are at the toy store, instead of letting them pick anything off the shelf, try giving your child five dollars and letting them choose something that fits within this price tag. For parents who buy their children anything and everything, the child will expect this treatment later on in life, giving them a sense of entitlement. Ask yourself, is this the reality I want for my child 15 years from now?

This is also the point in time to show your child that money is the result of hard work. Work out a plan with a family friend or neighbor where your child will do housework or yard work for $5-$10 cash. Then give them the power to choose how they want to spend or save their hard-earned money.

· High School
At this time, it is critical to create a financial collaboration with your son or daughter. Encourage them to get a part-time job to help pay for their car insurance, their gas or portions of the monthly car payment. Children should be held accountable for sharing some of these costs with their parents. Once they get that paycheck, establish guidelines on how it should be dispersed — 1/3 goes towards that car payment, 1/3 goes towards their future college fund and 1/3 can be spent on whatever they choose.

During this age, it’s also important to highlight the importance of living a quality of life, rather than the quality of things that you own. Help your children understand that material things like a brand new car when they turn 16, are often a source of immediate happiness, but sooner or later, this happiness fades and they will be left searching for deeper self-fulfillment.

· College
Your child is an adult now. Have an adult conversation with them about their finances and make sure they understand how credit works. Tell them about your experiences with credit card use – the good, bad and the ugly. Once kids are on their own, temptations will always arise and children in this age bracket will more than likely consider opening a credit card to fund some of these temptations. Explain how credit cards can bring a false sense of financial reality. They make us less conscious of where our money is flowing and how much we are spending. Talk about how the constant struggle to earn cash to pay off debt can take a physical and emotional toll.

Why Are Women Given Anti-Depressants To Relieve PMS?
Six Natural Nutrients That Can Reduce PMS Symptoms
Nearly 10 years ago, the FDA approved the anti-depressant prescription drug Zoloft for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and one expert believes that’s 10 years too long, especially when natural alternatives have been proven to reduce PMS symptoms without drugs.

“It seems almost alien to me why someone would take a drug to relieve PMS when the drug’s list of potential side effects – drowsiness, nausea, headache, loss of appetite, anxiety, panic attacks, hostility, aggressiveness, restlessness and depression – are almost an identical match for the symptoms of the ailment they’re trying to relieve,” said Michael Mooney, Director of Research and Education at natural health company SuperNutrition Life Extension Research (www.supernutritionusa.com).

“There is a solid base of research that has shown that women can reduce PMS without taking a prescription drug. In fact, there are six simple, safe nutrients the body uses all the time that have been shown to reduce PMS discomfort – but they need to be taken in adequate potencies. These nutrients don’t have a list of side effects that sound worse than the PMS itself.”

Mooney cited six natural nutrients that have been shown to relieve PMS:

• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) – According to a study of 630 women published in the British Journal of Clinical Practice, 100 mg to 150 mg of supplemental vitamin B6 reduced PMS in about 66 percent of the women, while 160 mg to 200 mg of vitamin B6 reduced PMS in about 79 percent of the women.

• Vitamin D – The Archives of Internal Medicine published a study in 2005 which concluded that women with a higher median vitamin D intake of 706 IU per day had significantly less (or no) PMS than subjects who got a median of the least amount of vitamin D, 112 IU per day. So it’s not just about getting some vitamin D, but rather getting a potent dose.

• Chaste tree berry (Vitex) – This extract has been shown to reduce PMS, based on a randomized placebo-controlled 3-month study of premenstrual syndrome in 170 women (average age 36) which was published in the British Medical Journal. The results showed that 20 mg of chaste berry extract reduced PMS about 28% better than placebo. The women noted significant reductions in irritability, mood disturbances, anger, headache, and breast fullness compared to the placebo group.

• Calcium carbonate – The Journal of General Internal Medicine published the results of a study that concluded that calcium carbonate could reduce pain and water retention before and during a woman’s cycle. This randomized placebo-controlled study of 78 women showed a 58 percent better reduction in PMS with 1,000 mg of calcium carbonate than with placebo during the luteal and menstrual phases of the reproductive cycle.

•Magnesium – Two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies published in the Journal of Women’s Health showed that magnesium at 360 mg per day reduced headaches and pain, and at 200 mg reduced weight gain, fluid retention, swelling of extremities, breast tenderness and abdominal bloating.

• Vitamin E – The Journal of Reproductive Medicine published a study that showed vitamin E reduced 15 categories of PMS symptoms. This randomized, placebo-controlled study confirmed a previous study that showed all major categories of PMS symptoms are improved with a daily supplementation of 400 IU of vitamin E." In all 15 categories of symptoms, vitamin E supplemented women reported 27-42 percent reduction in severity.

“The effects of these nutrients start the first month and generally reach maximum PMS reduction levels by month three,” Mooney added. “Women deserve to share the fruits of modern nutritional science and be informed that they can reduce their PMS discomfort without relying on drugs with all their dangerous side effects, but instead, by using nutrients that are natural to the body in the proven effective potencies.”

www.tbparenting.com

Motherhood THE MUSICAL
by Ellie Hirsch for Tampa Bay Parenting

I sat down in the Jaeb Theater along with my girlfriends (whom are all mothers) with drinks in hand and cell phones on vibrate. We were ready to laugh and enjoy our kidless night out. Luckily, motherhood THE MUSICAL, written by Sue Fabisch, was everything we expected it to be…funny, entertaining, relevant and witty. The show centers around Amy, played by Juliana Black, a naïve first time pregnant mother who is excited about her future adventure with her soon to be born baby. Her friends, Tasha, Barb and Brooke, bring her back to reality and tell us the truth about motherhood from their different perspectives and life experiences.

Each woman represents a different type of mother, which makes the show very relatable to the audience. Tasha, played by Jayne Trinette, plays the divorced mother, dealing with sharing her children with her recent ex-husband. Her voice is truly amazing and my friends and I said she reminded us of Sherri Shepherd from The View. Tasha delivered her lines with oomph and gusto, and her expressions left us laughing out loud. The audience thanked her with a standing ovation and we all agreed she had done her job that night. Barb, played by Angela Bond, is a stay at home mother who is not shy about sharing how her kids drive her nuts and how motherhood has made her bitter. In the end, we find out that Barb really does love her children and cannot imagine doing anything else. Brooke, played by Becca McCoy is a hard working mother who juggles her job, her children and sex with her husband. She is a refreshing and realistic character whom the audience bonded with and related to very well. Juliana Black brings a fresh glow to her character, Amy, who like most of us moms, cannot wait to finally meet the little person living inside of us for nine months. Juliana truly shined in her dual role as the nosy, medaling mother of her younger self.

I discovered that there is a little bit of myself in Amy, Barb, Brooke and Tasha, similar to how I feel about the gals of Sex and the City. Sue Fabisch chose smart characters that every woman in the audience could relate to and share similar memories with. The musical performances left me laughing out loud and wondering if the songs were about my personal experiences as a mother. From boobs to sex to controlling bodily functions, the writing is hilarious and the cast delivered a wonderful performance. The characters didn’t spend too much time bashing the husbands but just enough to let us women in the audience know that while we love ‘em, sometimes they are like additional children. The show is the perfect length, the set is simple and not distracting, and the writing, while a bit predictable, is extremely clever. motherhood THE MUSICAL is the perfect girls’ night out and I recommend it for all moms who are looking to unwind and share some laughs. This show reminds us that we are never alone in this crazy world of motherhood and no matter how difficult, embarrassing or challenging we find parenting to be, someone else is experiencing it as well.

Motherhood the Musical, runs through July 10th at the Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center.  www.strazcenter.org

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Ellie Hirsch enjoys raising her two little boys and strives to master motherhood every day. Head to http://www.mommymasters.blogspot.com for great articles and monthly parentings tips, and check out http://www.facebook.com/mommymasters to participate in fun discussions, ask for parenting advice and read updates on Ellie’s children’s music, coming soon.