Seal your Bags and Make them Air-tight with the cap of a used bottle

STEP 1:
Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in photo

STEP 2:
Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top – to seal

The bottle is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak, the secret lies with the top and screw!

Organic Food

There has been much media debate around the promotion of heavily processed foods to children, part of a long standing concern about the quality of food on offer. While some say the jury is still out on issues such as pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables, it is worth noting that only 30 additives are allowed in organic food, compared to over 300 in non-organic. Specifically, organic food bans the use of tartrazine (linked to hyperactivity in children) and GM ingredients.

The Soil Association reports that sales in organic food grew by 10% last year overall and purchases from farm shops and box schemes by a whopping 16%.

Cloth Nappies

Modern cloth nappies bear no resemblance to the old-fashioned terry squares you probably wore as a child. They are cheaper and more hygienic to use than their disposable counterparts and parents are fast cottoning on to this. Ten years ago, only 2% of parents used cloth nappies; that figure has now grown to over 15% and is rising steadily. Conventional disposable nappies can contain up to 200 chemicals and some estimates say they will take over 200 years to decompose.

The alternative is to use cloth nappies, which are now available in a wide range of shapes and sizes and can be just as easy to use as disposables. You can choose from so soft organic terry or a natural eco-look or funky fleece prints or even retro patterns to really make a statement. They can be flat, shaped or stuffed, depending upon your child’s personal needs and you will find other “clothies” are more than happy to help you decide which nappy is right for you.

They could help you save money as well; the Women’s Environmental Network estimate that savings will be around R5000 for the first child and more for subsequent children, even taking into account the cost of home laundering.

Chemical Free Toiletries

Your skin will absorb around 60% of products applied to it and Green People estimates that the average woman will absorb about 2kg of chemicals through toiletries and cosmetics over one year, up to 75,000 different chemicals! We all know how sensitive a baby’s skin is and rates of eczema are rising fast with almost a third of babies now suffering from it.

Many people believe that the chemicals in the lotions and potions that we use are to blame. Even some so called “natural” products contain a range of chemicals that are believed to cause or exacerbate skin conditions or be carcinogenic, even if they are originally plant derived. Worryingly, a product needs to contain only 1% natural ingredients to be legally labelled “natural”.

Natural, organic and chemical free toiletries are no longer the preserve of the health food shop but are widely available. The Soil Association estimate that there will be a 20% increase in the number of licensed organic manufacturers this year, reflecting the huge surge in demand, especially amongst families with young children.

Fair trade

When you are buying clothes or toys for your baby, international trade may seem like a remote issue but by choosing carefully, you could make all the difference to someone else’s life. Farmers in the developing world are ill-equipped to cope with dramatic changes in commodity prices, which are caused by factors outside the control of the individuals most concerned.

The growth in organic cotton

Most people assume that as cotton is a natural product, it is produced naturally, unfortunately, this is not the case. Around 150 grams of hazardous chemical pesticides will be used to grow enough cotton to make one t-shirt. The cotton farming industry accounts for about 1/4 of the world’s insecticide use as well as huge amounts of fertilisers that can end up in the water system and food chain.

The World Health Organisation estimates that 20,000 people die every year in developing countries as a result of poisoning from pesticides used on non-organic cotton. Worryingly, much of the world’s cotton production comes from genetically modified crops: over 2/3rds of China’s cotton crop is GM.

Luckily, more and more organic textiles are now available and there has been an 80% increase in the worldwide production of organic cotton in the last 2 years. You can now buy organic clothes, bedding, towels, sheepskins and nappies from a range of suppliers.

And for the Daddies

The Ecologist Magazine recently studied the contents of a can of shaving gel and found it to contain “several skin irritants, four potential carcinogens, three central nervous system poisons and two reproductive toxins” – and all this before breakfast!

With thanks to EParenting

Why are Children Impacted by Divorce?

Some fathers and mothers see divorce as “their” issue. “We just can’t get along anymore” or “She has been unfaithful.” In fact, the marital relationship has far reaching ramifications for children, extended to families, friends and others. The following are some perspectives on the view of children in a divorcing family:

• Fear of Change:
  The children in a divorcing family know that nothing will ever be the same again, and their previously secure world is in a state of change. Many things will change, not just that mother or dad will not be around. They may lost contact with extended family on one side or the other. Their bedtime, mealtime and after school routines may change. It is a state of upheaval.
• Fear of Being Abandoned:
  When mom and dad are at odds and are either separated or considering separation, children have a realistic fear that if they lose one parent, they may lose the other. The concept of being alone in the world is a very frightening thing for a child.
• Losing Attachment:
  Children who have a natural attachment for their parents also fear losing other secure relationships like friends, pets, siblings, neighbors, and so on. Sometimes children are simply attached to their surroundings, and moving into new surroundings can cause an understandable negative reaction.
• Coping with Parental Tension:
  Even though many divorces follow years of tension between husband and wife, the tension level typically increases during and shortly after a divorce. And parents who try to turn their children against the other spouse create an absolutely impossible situation for that child.

What to tell your kids

When it comes to telling your kids about your divorce, many parents freeze up. Make the conversation a little easier on both yourself and your children by preparing significantly before you sit down to talk. If you can anticipate tough questions, deal with your own anxieties ahead of time, and plan carefully what you’ll be telling them, you will be better equipped to help your children handle the news.

• Tell the truth:
  Your kids are entitled to know why you are getting a divorce, but long-winded reasons may only confuse them. Pick something simple and honest, like “We can’t get along anymore.”
• Say “I love you.”
  However simple it may sound, letting your children know that your love for them hasn’t changed is a powerful message. Tell them you’ll still be caring for them in every way, from fixing their breakfast to helping with homework.
• Address changes:
  Preempt your kids’ questions about changes in their lives by acknowledging that some things will be different now, and other things won’t. Let them know that you can together deal with each detail as you go.
• Present a united front:
  As much as you can, try to agree in advance on an explanation for your separation or divorce—and stick to it.
• Plan your conversations:
  Make plans to talk with your children before any changes in the living arrangements occur. And plan to talk when your spouse is present, if possible.
• Show restraint:
  Be respectful of your spouse when giving the reasons for the separation.
  
  
• Set the record straight:
  Repeat why you decided to get a divorce. Sometimes hearing the real reason for your decision can help.
• Be patient:
  Kids may seem to “get it” one day and be unsure the next. Treat your child’s confusion or misunderstandings with patience.
• Reassure:
  As often as you need to, remind your children that both parents will continue to love them and that they are not responsible for the divorce.
• Listen:
  Encourage your child to share their feelings and really listen to them. They may be feeling sadness, loss or frustration about things you may not have expected.
• Help them find words for their feelings:
  It’s normal for children to have difficulty expressing their feelings. You can help them by noticing their moods and encouraging them to talk.
• Let them be honest:
  Children might be reluctant to share their true feelings for fear of hurting you. Let them know that whatever they say is okay. If they aren’t able to share it, they will have a harder time working through it.
• Acknowledge their feelings:
  You may not be able to fix their problems or change their sadness to happiness, but it is important for you to acknowledge their feelings. You can also inspire trust by showing that you understand.

What I need from my mom and dad: A child’s list of wants

• I need both of you to stay involved in my life. Please write letters, make phone calls, and ask me lots of questions. When you don’t stay involved, I feel like I’m not important and that you don’t really love me.
• Please stop fighting and work hard to get along with each other. Try to agree on matters related to me. When you fight about me, I think that I did something wrong and I feel guilty.
• I want to love you both and enjoy the time that I spend with each of you. Please support me and the time that I spend with each of you. If you act jealous or upset, I feel like I need to take sides and love one parent more than the other.
• Please communicate directly with my other parent so that I don’t have to send messages back and forth.
• When talking about my other parent, please say only nice things, or don’t say anything at all. When you say mean, unkind things about my other parent, I feel like you are expecting me to take your side.
• Please remember that I want both of you to be a part of my life. I count on my mom and dad to raise me, to teach me what is important, and to help me when I have problems.

Although there’s no secret recipe to balancing work and motherhood, there are thousands of women out there who have learned to do it successfully, women who’ve taken on this challenge before us and have come out on top

1. Get–and stay–organized

Your work time is precious and not as dependable as it would be if you worked in a traditional workplace. You can’t afford to waste time looking for files, sorting through junk mail or even finding a pen. Keep everything clean and organized from the start. Have supplies available and in a place where you know you can immediately put your hands on them.

2. Have a plan

Some mompreneurs use paper organizers and some use tech gadgets, but all of them use some sort of planner to balance their work life with their family life. (Personally, I love the “Chaos Companion” organizer by Mommy Hulabaloo. It’s a complete mom-inspired day planner.) Ideally, you should keep both personal and work appointments on the same calendar so you don’t overbook or double up. And while it doesn’t always work, you need to set aside hours for when you’re going to get your work done. If you just wait for it to happen, it never will. Of course, you’ll have to be flexible as your child-care provider will inevitably cancel, your kids will get sick and your spouse may occasionally need to work late.

3. Work with your family, not against them

When your children are little, make sure your office is kid-proof. Get covers for your computer and child-safe drawers on your filing cabinet, and keep your paperwork out of reach if you don’t want your reports and invoices covered in crayon. Some women I’ve spoken with set up a child’s office space within their office so that crayons, paper and activities are available to keep their kids busy. As your children get older, find ways to get them involved in your work. When they’re old enough, let them stamp envelopes, fold fliers or shred paper. Just never let them answer the phone!

4. Think nap to nap, not 9 to 5

Break out of the 9-to-5 office hours’ tradition. Your hours as a mompreneur might start before your family wakes up, continue during nap times and go on into the wee hours of the night. Prioritize appointments that need to be accomplished in person during the traditional day time hours. But understand that e-mail, filing, reading, and a lot of your other office tasks can be done at any hour of the day or night.

5. Stay ahead of the game

By the time evening hits, yes, you’re exhausted. But take a few minutes to set out school clothes, set up the coffeepot, prepare lunches and clear your desk. You’ll be so grateful to have a less chaotic morning if you do all this the night before. You might also want to consider getting up a little before your family does so you can exercise, take a shower or get some work done.

6. Suzy Homemaker who?

You don’t have to be Suzy Homemaker to be a good mom. Let go of your need to be Martha Stewart. Your priorities are your family and then your work. You don’t have to be the mom that bakes the school brownies from scratch or hand-makes the costume for the school play. Choose your priorities–your kids will care more that you’re there!

7. Schedule a mommy day

Every Tuesday used to be so stressful for me because I didn’t have a nanny or my husband to help out at all. I prayed for long naps and few interruptions. Needless to say, most of the time, it didn’t happen. So I finally decided to make Tuesdays a “mommy day.” I worked more on Monday night and Wednesday to make sure I could have Tuesdays to myself. Now when I get work done on that day, it’s an extra perk and not a source of distress.

8. Stay focused, and don’t get sidetracked

One of the hardest things for work-at-home moms is getting sidetracked by children, laundry, dishes…well, you name it. Make a list each month of what you intend to get done. Then break the list down week by week, then day by day. If you stay focused, you can stay committed to getting things done.

9. Get help from your partner, then thank him for it

It’s very difficult to succeed without help, so communicate with your partner about how he can help you–you both need to remember you’re juggling two full-time jobs. Figure out how to parent and chore-share so you’re both on the same page. Then tell your spouse how grateful you are for all his help.

10. Take care of you

How can you work out when you don’t have enough time with your kids? How can you take a bubble bath when you’re behind on a report? Realize now that there will never be enough time in the day to get everything done. Your in-box will still be full when you die, so learn to accept that fact now. It may seem like a cliché, but in this case, it’s the truth: You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of your family, your business and your home. Just mark it in your calendar!

With thanks to Lisa Druxman: Mompreneur
Lisa Druxman is Entrepreneur.com’s “Mompreneur” columnist and the founder and CEO of fitness franchise, Stroller Strides. Druxman is also a nationally recognized speaker and author, and is considered an expert in the field of fitness, particularly pre- and postnatal fitness

We have been alerted that women and children from the age of about 5 to 15 years are targets.

Please ensure that you educate your children of the dangers we faced with.

A child’s perception of stranger can change depending on what the person looks like, says, or does.

Ensure your child understands the concept of “stranger”.

These are some of the ways parents can educate their children:

• Don’t hesitate to explain to children the dangers that exist. Awareness can help protect them.

• Teach your child tools they can use to draw attention and/or escape if someone grabs them. These include screaming, punching, scratching and biting.

• Educate your child on the danger of abductions in a language they can understand.

• Never leave your child unattended in a public place and always ensure that you can see them. If they need to go to the bathroom, always go with them.

• Listen closely when your child talks about their friends and other people with whom they spend time when you are not around. If you feel uncomfortable with what you have heard, ask questions and get more clarity.

• Teach your child that there can never be any secrets from you and if anyone, including family, asks your child to keep a secret he or she must tell you.

• Make sure your children memorise their full names and address, including city and phone number with area code.

• Using a play phone, teach children when and how to dial 1011.

• Teach your children to go to a shop assistant, security officer or police officer if they ever get lost in a mall or on the street.

• Have your children check in with you when they arrive home. Set rules for having friends over when you’re not there and for your children going to friends’ homes when no adults are there.

• Explain how important it is not to let anyone into the house without your permission.

• At school, encourage them to stick with their friends rather than walking or playing alone. – Monica Laganparsad

With thanks from The Times

While pregnant

Most children, especially older siblings, should be told about the coming of the new baby and that it is growing inside once you begin to show. This will help to get him involved in the whole process and ease the transition of having a sibling at home to share your attention.

He may also feel more involved if he is allowed to help in the preparations for the baby, including decorating the nursery or helping to pick out clothing and toys and other newborn supplies.

To minimize the jealously that a sibling may feel towards a new baby, try to not make too many other changes in your children’s routine close to the delivery. If you are going to move your child out of a crib and into a bed, into another room, or into a new day care, it would be better to do it well before the new baby is born. Your child may otherwise feel displaced by the baby and feel resentment towards him. Also, don’t try and teach your child new skills, such as potty training, close to the delivery date, and expect regression of already mastered skills.

Continue to talk about the pregnancy as it progresses and prepare for your children for the delivery. Consider allowing him to visit the hospital or attend sibling classes if they are available.

While in hospital

Call your other children frequently while you are in the hospital and if possible, allow them to visit you once the baby is born, or if that is not possible, send them a picture.

When you come home

When you finally do come home, try and have someone else carry the baby inside or at least hand him to someone else, and then spend some time with your other children. You may also consider buying a special gift that you can give to your children from the baby.

Continue to spend special time with your other children and remind visitors to pay attention to siblings and not just to the new baby and include the siblings in pictures and other activities.

The new baby’s first months

Your other children may feel neglected as the new baby demands a lot of your time. You can help this by spending time alone with your other children each day, allowing them to help with simple tasks such as getting a new diaper or toy, and encouraging them to touch and play with the new baby.

You should also accept any regression in your children’s behaviors and supervise all contact so that he can’t harm the baby.

INTIMATE TOUCHING:

Many children fondle their genitals and some even fondle those of their peers. This is quite normal and nothing overtly sexual is going on. It’s part of their ongoing exploration of the human body. But if it does ever become inappropriate, the best thing to do is distract the child. Telling him to stop isn’t usually helpful as this makes the behaviour more powerful than it originally was. But if one child isn’t enjoying the attention of another, it must be stopped.

PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS:

Toddlers can do aggressive things to themselves. Breath holding, practised by a fifth of children, is the most recognized. Others include hair pulling and biting. You can check with your GP if you’re really worried, but generally it’s all a part of the power struggle.

These behaviours are best ignored. If ignoring them doesn’t work, parents should try distraction. If that doesn’t work and your child’s repeatedly self-harming in certain situations, when they’re alone or when there’s actual pain inflicted, seek advice from your health visitor or GP.

VIOLENCE FOR FUN:

Head banging is common in toddlers as well as babies.
Toddlers don’t do it in a masochistic way – it’s probably done for the enjoyment of stimulation and noise, and the reaction it gets. While it’s nothing problematic, if you see it coming, divert his attention.

SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR:

Some contrary habits are symptomatic of development, so should actually be reassuring. Strange forms of language practice are one example, and includes:
*Babbling by a child who’s able to talk intelligibly. This shows he’s experimenting with phonetics.
*Talking in funny voices. This shows a grasp of social dialogue.
*Suddenly addressing members of the family in different ways. This is experimentation with expected social norms.

ROUTINE OR OBSESSION?
Children need and like routine. It gives children a necessary sense of control over their lives, especially at unsettling times, such as starting school. So if your toddler always wants to wear the same T-shirt on a Saturday or insists on counting out raisins before he eats them, let him.

But don’t indulge this for too long hoping it’ll pass. It could develop into an obsession. Every child has to grow up in a world where things are changing, so they need to be adaptable.
If you’re concerned about obsessive routines, problems with communication or intense attachment to possessions, go to www.autism.org.uk

SOCIAL PHOBIA:

Most toddlers are shy to some degree. It’s especially prevalent at the age of three to four years. They may be reserved even with other children or refuse to make eye contact with adults.

You only need to be concerned if there’s a sudden change in their behaviour. For example, if they suddenly throw tantrums at nursery or hurt family members or friends. Then you need to be on the alert for a contributing factor such as bullying or loneliness.

If you notice any changes in your child’s social behaviour, speak to his carer.

DOES YOUR TODDLER HAVE A LEARNING DIFFICULTY?
You may want to get a professional opinion if your toddler suffers more than one of the following:

• Difficulty with rhymes and odd-one-out games
• Difficulty playing Simon Says. This may show sequencing or auditory processing problems
• Doesn’t favour a hand for writing or a foot for kicking. Uncertain handedness is often a symptom of learning difficulties

With thanks to Madeforums Network