Parenthood HQ

Spitting Up - And Other Joys Of Motherhood
 by: Sarah Veda

If you have a newborn, he or she is going to spit up. Some babies do it more than others, but they all do it. There are several reasons why, and some things you can do to minimize spitting up.

Newborns spit up more than older babies, in part because their esophagus is not mature yet, and in part because they tend to have a lot of mucous to clear, and when they clear it, the milk comes up, too. Most babies stop spitting up entirely by the time they are six months old, but there are those who continue until about one year old.

Teens and Sleep Needs
 by: Marie Zenack

Sleep is nature’s way of renewing and maintaining balance-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Teenagers need about 9.5 hours of sleep each night. It is thought that sleep requirements increase for teens because the hormones that are essential for maturing bodies are released mainly during sleep. Yet studies show that most teenagers only get about 7.4 hours of sleep a night. This is not enough for a teen to be healthy.

Lack of sleep leaves us confused and undirected, open to the chaotic influences of others who are also sleep-deprived. Deep and regular sleep keeps us in close contact with our own inner knowing and moves us steadily toward the accomplishment of our own goals.

First Menstruation Ritual
 by: Marie Zenack

A menarche (first menstruation) ritual can make this time easier and more meaningful for both the young woman beginning menstruation, and her mother. Such a ritual comforts the young woman and lets her know that her feelings are natural and have been shared by women throughout time. It focuses the attention of the community on the young women’s needs at this time in her life. And it instructs the young woman about what her family and society expect of her now that she is entering womanhood.

Skin Care and pH
 by: Marie Zenack

Whatever we use to wash our bodies should have a ph of 5.5, which is close to the pH of our skin. Alkaline products (above pH 5.5) strip the protective coating from the skin. This invisible coating is made of oil and sweat. The loss of its protective coating can cause the skin to go wild in the production of oil, furiously trying to replace the protective layer that was lost. This excess oil can clog the pores and actually cause skin blemishes.

It is most unfortunate that many wonderful parents feel that they lack competence in dealing with their autistic child. It can be strange and depressing to feel like your normal maternal or fatherly instincts can be wrong when it comes with interacting with your own child.

But parents usually go too far in the opposite direction and stop having any natural parent child interaction worrying that if they resort to normal parental behavior and maybe just fool around and talk nonsensically with their child, they will lose precious moments of intervention time.

Have A Holiday Tea Party This Year!
 by: Annette Yen

Teatime! It’s as if it’s just part of being a girl … hats, little teacups, beads and bracelets. Girls of all ages love a fabulous tea party!

There are so many great reasons to join up with our friends across the Atlantic and begin the tradition of afternoon tea EVERY day, but especially at the holidays, creating the tradition of a special holiday tea will provide a fabulous memory for our girls that will last a lifetime! Some of the benefits of planning a holiday tea:

The American College of Obstetics and Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines are often misquoted or quoted with outdated information. In fact, two of the myths listed in this article were just printed in a current (Spring 2005), large national publication catering to expectant mothers. The latest and correct information on exercise during pregnancy needs to be widely distributed. Hopefully, this article will help to remedy some of the misinformation.

MYTH:

1. You can’t workout during pregnancy if you were not previously engaged in an exercise program prior to becoming pregnant.

ACTUAL: The 1994 ACOG Guidelines for exercise during pregnancy stated:

Children and Learning
 by: DeAnne Joy

How would you like a way to help your child to feel more successful at home, at school, with friends?

How would you like to feel less stress in your life and have a better relationship with your child?

What if your child knew simple, effective strategies that will enable him to learn easily and quickly?

How to Help Struggling Students go from Sinking to SOARING!
 by: DeAnne Joy

Experts estimate that 6 to 10 percent of the school-aged population in the United States is learning disabled and approximately 3 to 10 percent of the population as a whole is diagnosed with ADD. This growing problem impacts many areas of society and there is a growing need for effective solutions.

Your Baby Nursery
 by: Roy Thomsitt

Where you live will probably dictate whether a baby nursery is the norm; and your budget and living accommodation will influence whether you are able to follow that norm or tradition and supply your new baby with their own separate nursery.

A baby nursery, or separate bedroom for a new born, is not the usual practice in many countries. My children by my first marriage were brought up in England, where a baby, on being taken home from hospital, will go home to a separate bedroom or nursery. My young daughter, Saffron, was born here in the Philippines where the tradition is for babies to sleep with the parents.