10 Signs Your Child May Need Eyeglasses

Adults know when they’re having trouble with their vision, but young children may not realize that anything is wrong. They may think that the poor quality of their sight is normal, or they may be too young to communicate that there’s a problem. That’s why it’s important for parents to pay close attention to tell-tale signs that their child is having trouble seeing so the problem can be corrected quickly. Early detection is crucial, so here are 10 signs that your child may need glasses.

1. Squinting – The most common sign of vision problems is squinting. Anyone who has trouble seeing will squint to try to focus better. If you notice your child squinting a lot, you may want to make an appointment with the eye doctor.
2. Rubbing eyes – Another tell-tale sign to watch for is excessive eye rubbing. Most children will rub their eyes when they’re tired, but if this begins to happen frequently, then it could be an indication of a bigger problem. Two potential reasons a child may frequently rub his eyes are a subconscious reaction to blurry vision or it could just be allergies.
3. Tilting head – Children with double vision may tilt their head to see more clearly. This could be caused by a muscle imbalance in their eyes that can be corrected with eyeglasses.
4. Headaches or dizziness – Constant eye strain from poor vision can cause headaches and dizziness. If your child complains of frequent headaches in the forehead area or is irritable after reading or watching TV, he may need to see an optometrist.
5. Sits close to TV – Does your child constantly insist on sitting in front of the television? This could be a sign of nearsightedness that can be easily corrected with eyeglasses. Nearsightedness is identified when there is a problem with seeing things in a distance, so kids will sit closer to compensate.
6. Closing one eye – Another clue to vision trouble is closing or covering one eye when reading or watching TV. This could mean there is a problem with one eye, so a child will close it to see more clearly. Because this could be a serious condition, it should get immediate attention.
7. Holds books close – Most children should be able to read books at a comfortable distance, so holding books up to their face is a sign they may need eyeglasses. If your child is a bookworm with her nose continually in a book, she may need a visit to the eye doctor.
8. Problems in school – Quite often children who are having problems in school are facing these issues because of undiagnosed eye trouble. If they’re having trouble seeing the blackboard or reading they can become disinterested or even disruptive. Be sure to have your child’s vision checked if he is suddenly having trouble with school.
9. Lazy eye – When kids have a weakness in one eye it will show up when they’re tired. A droopy eyelid or one eye drifting out of alignment is a sign of a lazy eye that can often be corrected with eyeglasses.
10. Finger reading – Some kids will use a finger to follow the words when they read. This isn’t a clear sign they need glasses, but if it persists, there could be a problem. They may need the finger to keep their place when reading if they have astigmatism or amblyopia.

Many vision problems are hereditary, so if parents need glasses, chances are the kids may be prone to the same fate. Nobody wants their kids to have to wear eyeglasses, but left unchecked, vision problems will only worsen over time. It’s much better to have an eye doctor give a clean bill of health than to let your child suffer with poor vision. Merely asking your child if they can see alright won’t work if they don’t know what clear vision is like. Routine vision screenings at school don’t always catch less common eye problems, so a visit to the optometrist may be necessary. Wearing glasses is no fun, but not being able to see clearly is worse. Watch for these signs to make sure your child doesn’t have a vision problem that’s left uncorrected.

This post was proposed to me for publication by Kathleen Crislip. If you want to learn more about this subject please go to the site linked below:

http://www.nannycare.org/blog/10-signs-your-child-may-need-eyeglasses/ 

10 Tips for Picking the Perfect Teacher Gift

Teachers are such an integral and important aspect of kids’ lives that, as parents, you may want to thank them for their hard work and dedication to teaching and serving your children.  Several times a year occasions arise where you may want to give your child’s teacher a gift to express your appreciation.  While the teachers won’t tell you that they didn’t like your gift or that they tossed it out, you do want to make sure that you are giving gifts that truly reflect your appreciation, as well as the teacher’s interests and tastes.

1. Find something she likes.  Be observant when you meet with your teacher for a conference.  Look around the room.  Do you see a lot of monkeys?  She might really like monkeys.  Do you see her always walking around drinking Mountain Dew or a mocha latte?  Ask your child about her teacher’s favorite things. The answers provide hints to choosing the perfect teacher gift.
2. Try to always give consumables.  Chocolate is most always an appreciated gift. Gift cards are too. Things that can be eaten or used tend to make great gifts.  Figuring out where to buy the gift card is the tricky part.  Shoot for teacher stores, coffee places – unless you know for a fact she doesn’t like coffee, book stores, and retail centers that are close by the school. You can also opt for a pre-paid VISA gift card.
3. Personalize the gifts for her.  Give her thank you cards with her initial on them or better yet, “From the Desk of”… with the teacher’s name. Teachers use thank you cards all the time.  Bake for her or buy her candy and put it in a cute jar with a ribbon.
4. Bring her flowers or a plant.  Your child could bring her a single flower just to brighten her day or a complete bouquet in a school-themed vase.
5. Give her a magazine that she may like.  If you know she does scrapbooking, then give her a scrapbooking magazine.  If she loves to run in marathons then give her a magazine about running.  Ask your child what hobbies the teacher talks about to get an idea of her interests.
6. Give her things for her classroom.  A bouquet of pencils or a jar full of glue sticks can be practical and appreciated.  Be clever and turn the jar full of glue sticks into a vase and turn candy bars into “flowers” by taping them to a skewer and sticking them into the jar.  Add a ribbon around the jar and your gift is ready to give.  It’s both festive and consumable.
7. Bring her lunch.  For this gift, you can just tell her you’d like to treat her to lunch and ask her what she would like.  You can go pick it up and bring it back to the school during her lunch hour.
8. Bring her some of her favorite soda. Teachers can usually have drinks in their classroom so that would be a nice treat for her in the middle of a busy day.  She’s talking a lot to the kids and probably gets thirsty.
9. Get the kids involved.  Have each child put their thumbprint on a big popcorn bowl and paint around each print and turn it into a piece of popped popcorn.  Add the child’s name next to it so that the teacher has a memory of all of the kids in her class that year. This is something that is fun and useful.
10. Let your child draw the teacher a picture or write her a note.  Kids can be so sweet and having the present come from the child is many times more special than anything that you can buy at the store.  Take a picture of the teacher with your child and frame it for a fun gift to give later in the year.

P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Hannah Anderson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information: 
 http://www.fulltimenanny.com/blog/10-tips-for-picking-the-perfect-teacher-gift/

Let them walk!

Let them walk! They are marching for freedom.
Let them walk! They are not hiding anymore!
When people go out their homes,
 it means they need to go
and show they are alive!
We need to be poor together
or to be rich together!
You, one per cent, you can't stop them anymore!
Richness is to be shared
while you keep the other nintynine per cent
out of goods.
You priests of the profit,
criminals of finance,
stolers of money,
cheaters of ever,
trappers of men!
Stop your police
and let them walk!

5 Popular Playdough Recipes

Playdough is a hallmark of childhood, largley because it’s so fun for kids to mush and squish around.  The possibilities of what you can create with Playdough are endless, and kids have a blast rolling it around, squishing it up, and imprinting different toys into it. However it can also be tempting for little kids to eat due to its squishy consistency, which can make parents wary of buying it for their children. When you make your own Playdough, however, you know what is in it and the ingredients it’s comprised of and can rest assured that it won’t poison your child if they happen to put some in their mouth.  There are many different recipes for Playdough, and each makes a different type of dough.  Check out these 5 popular Playdough recipes and have hours of fun with your kids.

1. Make dough with a more rubbery feel.  Mix together 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of corn starch, and 1 ½ cups of water with a fork in a saucepan.  Boil this mixture over medium heat until the mixture thickens.  Dump the mixture onto some wax paper or a plate and allow it to cool until you can handle it.  Next, press and knead the dough until you like the texture.  At this stage you can add a fragrance if you’d like, but keep in mind that if it smells good enough to eat it might entice your little ones to do just that.  To color the dough add some food coloring and knead it until you are happy with the color.
2. Make all natural Playdough using plant juice for coloring.  Take 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of salt, 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of oil, and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar and add it to a saucepan.  Make sure that you add the water slowly while mixing.  Cook the mixture over medium heat until you reach your desired consistency.  Dump out the dough mixture onto some waxed paper and allow it to cool until you can touch it.  Now knead the dough until the texture is smooth.  Divide the dough into 3 equal parts.  Add a few drops of beet juice for pink dough, a few drops of carrot juice for orange dough, and a few drops of spinach juice for green dough.
3. Make nutty dough for those that love peanuts.  No need to cook this dough.  Just mix together 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of powdered milk, 1 cup of honey and 1 cup of oatmeal.  Press the dough together with your hands.  The kids can help mix up this one because it won’t be hot.  Be careful not to allow kids younger than 12 months old to play with this dough, as it does contain honey.  This dough is edible.  
4. Make brightly colored, fruity dough.  This recipe contains alum which most people may not have at home.  Plan on making several batches of this Playdough in different flavors.  Start by boiling 2 cups of water, and then add 1 packet of flavored drink mix to the boiling water.  In the bowl of a stand mixer add 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of corn oil, ½ cup of salt, and 1 tablespoon of alum.  Add the flavored hot water to the bowl and with the dough hook on, knead the dough until you get a smooth dough-like consistency.  Depending on the humidity you may have to add up to an additional cup of flour to get the right consistency.  If it seems sticky start adding flour a spoonful at a time and allow it to mix thoroughly before adding the next spoonful.  This recipe makes really soft Playdough that will keep for a long time in a zippered storage bag.
5. Make Playdough in a bag with the kids.  Start by giving the child a gallon-sized zippered storage bag.  In it place 4 tablespoons of oil and food coloring.  Gently mix those two ingredients.  Next, add 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water.  Zip up the bag and smash the bag around until the dough is combined.  If the dough seems too sticky add some more flour a ¼ cup at a time.  If the dough seems too dry add a little bit more water.  Once the dough has been thoroughly mixed the kids can pull it out of the bag and mix and match it with their friends.  The dough will stay pliable for several weeks if kept in an air tight container.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Meghan Welker.  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:
 http://www.babysitting.net/blog/5-popular-playdough-recipes/

10 things to do during a heat wave

What's good for kids it's good also for elderly. It's really funny how a man, getting older, returns a sort of a child.

I'm sorry, but I'm going out of tune. 

As matter of fact I wanted to underline that sometimes  you go to visit a blog which is meant to be devoted to children's matters, and though you are not properly a kid, nevertheless you can find some useful advices even for your self.

That's what happened to me reading an article by Debbie Denard at nanny.net.blog ( please see the link below).

It's a blog devoted to matters about childcare, but reading the interesting article above mentioned, on how to behave during a heat wave, you'll find interesting advices yet you are an adult.

If you don't believe me just take a free look and make sure by yourself.

http://www.nanny.net/blog/10-things-to-do-during-a-heat-wave/

9 Preventable Childhood Injuries

Whenever I hear that a child has fallen out of a window or drowned in a hot tub, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions: sorrow for the family who lost their child in such a tragic way and anger because a child’s death could have been prevented.

According to WakeMed Health & Hospitals, preventable injuries are the number one killer of children ages 14 and under in the United States. The North Carolina based healthcare system asserts that “90% of these injuries could be prevented if families took the simple steps necessary to protect their children.”
The Center for Disease Control reports that over 12,000 children died during the period of 2000-2006 as a result of an unintentional injury.  Parents and nannies must work together to create a safe environment for children to explore and interact with their world. While all safety risks can’t be eliminated, they can certainly be minimized to reduce the likelihood of a child becoming victim to a preventable injury.
Whether you are a parent or a nanny, it’s vital that you are familiar with preventable injuries and take steps to protect the children in your care.
Preventable injuries include:
Crib Suffocation – Infants can become suffocated by crib bumpers, soft bedding, loose blankets, and cuddly toys.  Removing bumpers, using a sleep sack, and putting the baby to bed with nothing else in the crib can help prevent suffocation.
Window Falls – Children can climb onto windowsills and fall out of open windows. Keeping windows closed and locked when not being used for ventilation, installing window guards with a quick release system, removing furniture to discourage climbing to look out of the window, and supervising children when in rooms and areas with windows can help to prevent window falls.
Drowning Deaths – From a few inches of water in a bathtub, to kiddie pools, to in ground swimming pools and large bodies of water, always practice touch supervision when children are in and around water. Never assume someone else is watching your child. Always stay within an arm’s reach to prevent drowning.
Heatstroke – Especially in young athletes, the risk of heatstroke is a real concern. Keeping children hydrated, having planned water breaks, reducing activity when the heat index is high, and cooling overheated children down quickly can help prevent heatstroke in children.
Hyperthermia – As of August 2012, 15 children have already died from hyperthermia as a result of being left in a vehicle, according to the San Francisco University the Department of Geo Sciences website. Preventing deaths from vehicle related hyperthermia is easy: never leave a child in a motor vehicle unattended. Parents and nannies should commit to always checking the backseat before leaving the vehicle.
Burns – “Keep your pot handles turned in” is more than just a catchy public service announcement tune; it’s a way to prevent accidental burns. Keeping hot liquids out of the reach of children, setting your water thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and keeping kids away from cooking surfaces and grills can help prevent accidental burns.
Crashes – It’s estimated that 80%-90% or more of car seats are installed wrong or are used incorrectly. A correctly installed and used car seat can help prevent injury or death to children who are in a motor vehicle accident. Always have a certified passenger safety technician check your seat installation to be sure it is being installed and used correctly.
Poisoning – Access to harmful medications and chemicals can be prevented. You should always store medications and chemicals out of sight and out of the reach of children. Store medications in locked boxes and store cleaning supplies in locked cabinets. Many women carry around medication with them. Be sure to keep the pocketbooks of visitors out of reach to children to prevent accidental access.
Lawn Mower Accidents – Many dads consider having junior help mow the lawn a real bonding experience. According to the Children’s Trust of South Carolina, there are 68,000 injuries related to lawn mowers each year. From driving the ride-on mower to helping push the foot propelled mower, each year children die and suffer serious injuries that result in amputation as a result of helping to mow the lawn.
Parents and nannies should work together and be proactive in preventing unintentional injuries. Take regular assessment of the places the child spends the most time and ensure that the appropriate measures have been taken to create an age-appropriate area that promotes free exploration while minimizing the risk of preventable injuries.
Don’t let a child you love become a statistic. While not every serious injury can be prevented, many of them can.
 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Nancy Parker,  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.enannysource.com/blog/index.php/2012/08/07/9-preventable-childhood-injuries/

5 Ways Nannies Can Help Divorced Parents

For divorced parents with shared custody, coordinating childcare can become a real dilemma. Where there was once two parents jointly juggling the family, work, and home related responsibilities, after parents divorce each parent is often left to fend for themselves and, as a result, childcare arrangements can become a mere afterthought.
When children of divorced parents need full-time childcare, hiring a nanny can be a feasible childcare choice. In addition to providing personalized and customized childcare, nannies can help divorced parent’s co-parent successfully.
Here are 5 ways how:
Nannies can provide consistency of care. Children whose parents share custody often live between houses, traveling from one parent’s home to the other quite often. In the midst of the transition and ongoing changes nannies can provide consistent care. Nannies can help ensure the children’s schedules and routines are followed in both homes and help parents avoid logistical nightmares of tag teaming drop-offs and pick-ups from daycare. Children feel safe and secure when there is routine and structure in their lives and a nanny can bring those feelings to light by providing consistent, high quality childcare.
Nannies can provide a sense of stability. As everything around a child is changing, a nanny can be a source of stability in a child’s life. When parents are going through a divorce the bond a child has with her nanny may be the most stable and stress-free relationship she has. Nannies can help children cope with divorce by being a safe, secure, familiar, and constant force in their lives. Children thrive when they feel safe and secure.
Nannies can advocate for the children. Nannies can help ensure that the child’s needs are being met first and foremost, regardless of which home she is at. Keeping both parents abreast of any changes in behavior, demeanor, or physical, social, intellectual, and emotional needs can ensure that the child’s needs are clearly articulated. Nannies can also alert the parents if the child seems stressed or displays signs that he is having difficulty coping with the divorce. When a child’s needs are met by both parents, it will reinforce that he is loved.
Nannies can reassure children that it’s not their fault. During a divorce children may bear the unearned burden of responsibility for their parent’s breakup. Having a nanny to reinforce that the child is loved by both parents can help lift this unnecessary and painful emotional burden.
Nannies can facilitate communication. During and after a divorce the emotions are often too raw for parents to have successful and meaningful communication.  While a nanny shouldn’t be in the position of being the go between for non-child centered communication, having a nanny to help facilitate communication regarding the child can ensure a smooth transmission of information. Having a nanny who is able to communicate information about the children to both parents, to transport the children to and from each parent’s home, and to put the children’s schedule into a useable form for all parties to refer to can help ensure important messages are delivered timely and accurately.         
If you’re a divorced parent considering hiring a nanny, it’s important that you select a nanny who is a solid communicator. Having a detailed work agreement and custody schedule that your nanny clearly understands is also vital to setting your nanny up for success.  While turning to your nanny as a confidant can be tempting, resist the urge to blur professional lines. Treating your nanny as a valued professional rather than a friend will empower her to do her job well and to always put the child’s best interests first.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Sandra McAubre,  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

http://www.hireananny.com/blog/5-ways-nannies-can-help-divorced-parents/

10 Ways to Care for Your Garden in a Hot, Dry Summer

During the summer it’s not unusual for the temperature to reach above 100 degrees in many parts of the country, even in the shade, which is a cause of concern for anyone who is trying to nurture a garden. Trying to combat an untimely death to plants and flowers that you have lovingly cultivated and nurtured can be like fighting an uphill battle in the never-ending heat waves that plague summer months. However your plants don’t have to disappear once the summertime hits and, armed with a few helpful tips and tricks, your garden can thrive despite record-breaking temperatures and the relentless rays of the sun.

1. Choosing plants that thrive in your normal weather pattern and the area of the country you live in is the first step to having a healthy garden.
2. You can’t always forecast when the summer will be unseasonably hot and dry, however keeping up with the weather forecasts from your weather stations will help in making decisions to keep your garden growing during a dry spell.
3. One water-saving method is to use mulch.  How much mulch you need will depend on the size of your garden, but mulch is known to help retain the moisture from rain or from your own watering system.
4. Never water during the heat of the day.  The sun has a way of evaporating the water faster than the plants can receive nourishment from the water. Try to water early in the morning or later at night when the sun isn’t out to ensure your plants get the most water possible.
5. Use a watering spike – this is simply a sprinkler nozzle on a large plastic reticulation sprinkler extension with a connector to the hose
6. In times of heat shock, a seaweed extract based liquid fertilizer treatment often reduces heat stress and it may help protect the plant in future. You can read more about that here.
7. Using a water wand will aid in watering plants without force.  Spraying too hard may harm the plants during drought.
8. Conserving water should be a way of life, and knowing to use our supply correctly will also aid in keeping plants healthy.  For instance, use the wand on the hose to water the roots.  The roots actually give the growth above it a drink from its supply.
9. A soaker hose laid around the plant on the ground will also soak the plants and use less water
10. Understanding that there is no life form that can live without water, we must plan our gardens knowing we have a good water supply close by.  Some plants we can over water, while others need more TLC where a drink of water is concerned.

Hopefully, despite the long, hot summer days, by using these tips you have success when harvest time comes. By carefully paying attention the temperatures and providing your plants with plenty of water and love, your garden should survive the hottest part of the year.
 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Sheryl Owen ,  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:


 http://www.changeofaddress.org/blog/2012/10-ways-to-care-for-your-garden-in-a-hot-dry-summer/

About Different Types of Infant Formula

While breastmilk is the most nutritious and healthy choice that parents can make for their new baby’s diet, there are times when breastfeeding simply isn’t feasible. When medical conditions, personal choice or other circumstances require that your infant be fed formula, the vast array of options on the market can be staggering. Commercially available infant formula comes in several forms, and contents vary based on the specific requirements of an infant with special dietary needs.

Preparations

There are three common infant formula preparations commercially available today: powder, liquid concentrate and ready-to-use. Powder formula is often chosen due to its relatively low price and is favored by earth-conscious new parents due to the fact that powdered formula cans take up less room in transit, and in the garbage. It does, however, require a bit more time and concentration to prepare, which might be less than ideal for 2 A.M. feedings. Powdered infant formulas are designed for parents and caregivers to mix only the amount needed for a specific feeding, which help sin reducing waste. Cans generally have a one-month shelf life after they’ve been opened.

Liquid concentrate infant formula is more expensive than the powdered variety, but almost always cheaper than its ready-to-use counterparts. Preparation typically requires parents or caregivers only to mix equal parts of the concentrate and water, which makes the process a bit less labor-intensive than preparing a powdered formula variety. Like ready-to-use products, liquid concentrate formula is commercially sterile when it arrives in your home.

Ready-to-use or ready-to-feed formulas are generally the most expensive commercial option, but they require no mixing or measuring. Parents or caregivers that are concerned about access to safe, clean water to mix a powdered or concentrated formula can opt for ready-to-use because it eliminates such worries. Containers of ready-to-use formula require more space for storage, as well as more room in landfills if consumers don’t have access to recycling programs. Furthermore, the formula only has a shelf-life of 48 hours after opening, and may be more likely to stain than other feeding options.

Types of Available Formula

In addition to the three main forms that infant formula is available in, there are a variety of options regarding nutritional content and allergens. Parents should speak with their pediatrician before switching an infant’s formula, but should also have a basic idea of the different options on the market.

The most common type of commercially available infant formula is cow’s milk based, though the proteins are altered in order to make it easier for babies to digest. As a general rule, babies tend to thrive on a diet of cow’s milk based formula; carbohydrates, protein and fat levels are balanced almost perfectly for the majority of tiny tummies.

Some infants may have difficulty digesting cow’s milk formulas, or parents that are hesitant to place their new baby on a diet that contains animal proteins. In such cases, soy-based formula may be the best option. Lactose intolerant babies also do better with soy-based formula, which is also often suggested to the parents of colicky babies. Evidence supporting claims that soy-based formula improves symptoms of colic is largely anecdotal, however. Roughly half of babies that have milk allergies are also allergic to soy, so be prepared for the chance that a switch to soy-based formula makes no discernible difference.

Babies that have a number of allergies or aren’t able to absorb the nutrients in formula well may benefit from being switched to an extensively hydrolyzed formula, in which the proteins have been broken down into smaller parts. These formulas may also be suggested by your pediatrician if your child is suffering from eczema or other irritating skin conditions.

Low-birth weight and premature babies require specialized formulas that are higher in protein and calories than other varieties, containing medium-chain triglycerides that are more easily absorbed than other fats. Formulas thickened with rice starch are generally suggested for babies with reflux problems, which often aid in the prevention of reflux symptoms.

While the advertising budgets of nationally recognized infant formula brands may help to boost their visibility, they do not contribute to improving the quality or nutritive value of the formulas themselves. Because infant formula is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, generic brands are held to the same standards as their designer counterparts; more often than not, parents shelling out extra money for name-brand formula are only paying for that name. Comparing the ingredients and nutrition information on the labels, parents can make an informed and frugal decision about the formula to feed their brand new bundle of joy.

 P.S. This post was created and proposed to me for publication by Kaitlyn Johnson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.newborncare.com/blog/about-different-types-of-infant-formula/

Mind the Black Car!

A recent research, done in Australia, shows the black cars are most likely to be involved in car crash.
But is not a matter of superstiction, or just of misfortune.
It deals with a fact that black colour is less visible on the roads than the white one and the rest of bright colours, like yellow, orange etc.
On the other hand, say the australian reaserchers, if everyone had to buy a white coloured car, the contrast which make them more visible on the roads would vanish.
So, the best thing, is to pay attention and drive without assuming first any drink or any drug.
Also turning on the lights would be a good signal to keep accidents away.

To know more go to the link below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1288457/Black-cars-likely-involved-accidents.html