Yucky- Conjunctivitis or Pinkeye in kids, more kids get it than you think!

Conjunctivitis or pinkeye is a common problem in school going kids. The eyes become red, itchy, and swollen. There can also be a discharge of gooey liquid from the eye which can be of the color white, clear, green or yellow. Conjunctivitis is also known as pinkeye because the eye’s white part turns pink or red. When the child experiences itchiness and redness in the eyes, he/she should inform the elders as soon as possible, as pinkeye is very contagious and spreads very easily.

It is possible that only one eye can get affected by conjunctivitis, while the other eye dose not. In usual cases, both the eyes get infected. Conjunctivitis doesn’t hurt usually, but the eyes sure do itch badly. There can be a sensation similar to an eyelash or tiny particle getting in the eye, which can be very annoying. The infection lasts for about a week and usually goes away by itself. But if the itching is very troublesome, it should be treated with medicine. Some children can have conjunctivitis accompanied with ear infections, as the bacteria responsible for causing pinkeye is also responsible for causing ear infection.

Conjunctivitis is caused by virus or bacteria. Viruses which cause conjunctivitis are also responsible for cold. Bacteria which cause conjunctivitis also cause ear infection. Conjunctivitis spreads by touching. If a person touches the hand of the infected person, who has recently touched his eyes, also gets the infection. And since infected children deal with their parents and children, they also pose the risk of getting the infection. The prevention in this case is to wash hands often with warm water and disinfecting soap. Conjunctivitis when caused by bacteria & virus, and is contagious is known as infectious conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can also be caused due to allergies or because of entry of irritating foreign body into the eyes. Conjunctivitis caused by this medium is not contagious.

A doctor should be approached upon if the itchiness is very irritating. The doctor will check the eyes for redness and liquid discharge. The doctor would ask about the encounter with any friend or known person who seemed to have pinkeye or whether the conjunctivitis was caused because of some allergy or entry of foreign object into the eye. The doctor can also check the ears for the possibility of ear infection. If the pinkeye is caused because of bacterial infection, the doctor will recommend antibiotic eye ointment or drops. Usually infants are given eye ointment, whereas children and adults are given eye drops. The parents should put the drops or ointment into the child’s eyes four to five times a day for nearly seven days or so. The dosage and timings should be maintained to get rid of the infection completely.

If the conjunctivitis is caused due to virus, there is nothing much the antibiotics can do. And if the pinkeye is caused by allergies or any foreign object, the doctor can recommend special eye drops to deal with the allergy symptoms. Warm water can also be splashed on the eyes to ease the itching. A cool or warm washcloth can be used to clean the discharge. Parents can clean the eyes carefully with cotton balls and warm water and remove the crusty stuff which is formed at the ends of the eyes. The towels and washcloths used for cleaning should head straight to the laundry so that the infection doesn’t spread to other family members.

Awesome Advice For Raising Awesome Children - 3

Parenting is one of the most difficult and rewarding jobs anyone will ever have. A little patience and persistence will pay off. When you set rules, make sure they are age appropriate and easily understood. Punishment should be consistent, practical and explained to children. It's imperative to be a parent to your child. They already have plenty of friends. Read on for more tips.

Don't do everything for your kids. Teach them how to do things for themselves. Teach them how to cook, set the table, or do other chores. Not only will you lighten your own load, but you'll teach them valuable skills that they'll need when it's time for them to raise their own families.

It is important to realize that children learn through the games that they play early in life. Simple counting games and shape recognitions can help them learn. There are many games that are available on the market, but if you do not have the money to buy them, you can definitely make some great games yourself using materials you have at home.

When your child is working on homework, make sure to provide a distraction-free environment. Minimize noise and talk around their area, and turn off the TV. If they're on the computer, make sure they're only using programs directly related to the assignment. Distractions make it difficult to focus on the work and turn a quick assignment into a long ordeal.

Whether you are a set of parents living in the same home or separate homes, you are going to need to work together as a team when it comes to everything about your child. Learn to disagree in a civil manner, and find ways to resolve any differences quietly and in the best interest of your child.

Children know more than what you're willing to tell them, so try to save that "You're too young to understand" stuff for only the most serious topics. You don't want to patronize your children in any way. If they are able to understand something, it doesn't hurt you at all to explain it to them.

Never underestimate the power of touch when it comes to comforting your child. Hugs, kisses, pats on the back, or touching their hands all let them know that you love them and care. Make sure that your child gets some physical contact from you every day, because it helps them thrive.

Kids are picky and getting them to eat healthy can be a challenge! Start while they're young! Feed your toddlers fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods. If they do not know about the things that are bad for them they will never want them! Keep sweets for special occasions only.

Putting in the extra work when your children are young will make it easier for you to parent them when they are older. Setting reasonable rules and being consistent in their enforcement are important factors in discipline. Your children should know that you love them and are always on their side.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner - Air Travel Tips for Parents of Young Children

Are you the parent of an infant, toddler, or preschooler?  If you are, are you also in the process of planning a trip that requires air travel?  If you are, you may be dreading your upcoming flight.  After all, complications are all that many parents can think of.  With that said, there are a number of ways that you can make flying with your young children not only easy, but fun as well.

For children under two years of age, you will first want to examine the pros and cons of getting them their own seat.  Many airlines allow children under two to sit on the lap of an adult.  Getting an extra seat for a child under two will cost money, but you may be able to get a small discount when contacting the airline in question.  On the other hand, you will be able to have your own seat, which will be nice.  Most car seats can fit into airline seats.  Speaking of which, if you need to bring a car seat or a stroller, it will need to be scanned by airport security.

As for strollers, they are a good idea, even for children who can walk.  Most parents of toddlers are urged to give them a close look.  Most airlines will require you to handover your stroller before boarding a plane.  Once you arrive at your destination, your stroller should be waiting for you at the gate.  Using a stroller makes it easy for you to move around the airport and quickly.  This is ideal if you must hurry, like if you have short layovers.

Also, be sure to bring some formula, juice, and snacks for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  Although you will find some restrictions, most airport security officers will allow a child’s drink to pass through, as long as it is a small quantity only.  As for older children, like toddlers and preschoolers, you should be able to buy juice, water, and snacks at an airport store past security checkpoints.  Doing so is nice, as they are no security concerns about doing so.

It is also important to bring a bag for your child.  This bag should be filled with items that interest them.  Depending on the age of your child, great items include books, stickers, coloring books and few crayons, small toys, and flash cards.  These items will have to be scanned through airport security, so try to leave anything, namely toys, at home that may cause complications or delays.

Speaking of airport security, it is important to talk about the screening process and prepare your child for it.  For many toddlers and preschoolers, the whole ordeal can seem a little bit overwhelming and scary.  Your child will likely have to walk through the metal detectors themselves.  If you are traveling with another adult, have one go through first, so that your child can walk towards a familiar face.  You may even want to arrive at the airport early.  This gives and your child the opportunity to watch others go through the screening process first.

As for the flight itself, toddlers and preschoolers may love having a window seat.  If someone in your traveling party is assigned a window seat, try to let your toddler or preschool sit there instead.  As for the bag full of goodies you brought, refrain from giving everything to your child all at once.  This is likely to reduce boredom.  For children who may have their own seats, portable DVD players and laptop computers are advised.  They are a great way to keep a fussy child occupied.  If using a laptop computer, be sure not to choose a movie that will exceed the laptop’s battery life, as this may result in a very unhappy child.

The above mentioned tips are just a few of the many that can help you, as a parent, when traveling by air with young children.  For addition tips, just use your best judgment.  As a parent, you should know what will help to keep your child interested and happy.

Am I the only one that can't get kids to bed? Children and Insomnia

Children of all ages can experience insomnia too; it is not just partial to adults. Often when children experience insomnia it can be for some of the very same reasons that adults experience it, a change in schedule as maybe they are going back to school after summer vacation, too much sugar or caffeine, family or school related stress, or a lack of routine. A lack of routine is a result of parents not establishing a regular routine and defining a specific bedtime.

While insomnia is not a disease but a condition it can have a detrimental effect on children as they are tired and grumpy during the day, often hard for teachers to manage, and this can lead to behavior problems too. If this is something that happens every night then it could be the temperament of the child could be the primary reason. If children know that they can get away with it, they will fight sleep for hours to prove a point.

However, if your child has insomnia that is accompanied with nervousness, irritability, intensity, high strung, excitable, and easily angered then it might be that your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). There is a direct relationship between ADHD and insomnia in children. Monitor your child and see if they are extremely difficult to wake in the morning and it is nearly impossible to turn off their motor at night as this too is associated with ADHD.

Children who have insomnia may actually display signs that are very similar to that of ADHD because they are lacking sleep and their systems are out of whack. Children are really supposed to get 9-11 hours of sleep per night, although studies have displayed that is rarely the case. Parents need to remember that children who are exhausted can actually still appear to have so much energy but what that really is, is their body's way of dealing with the tiredness. In the meantime they will become ornery and misbehaved but it is how they are coping with their lack of sleep and you certainly can not expect a good performance academically either.

Some facts about children and sleep are that sleep in one of the most important factors in a child's development because while a child is sleeping is when he body produces more of the hormones that cause children to grow. Children between the ages of one and five require 10-12 hours of sleep per night and school age children require about 10 hours of sleep per night.

So if you have a child that has a difficult time either falling asleep or staying asleep then here are some handy tips to start off with, do not turn on any lights and speak to the child in a very soft voice, and never let a child sleep in bed with you because in no time it will become a repetitive habit. Later that will complicate any insomnia that your child may suffer from so it is important to keep a routine.

Awesome Advice For Raising Awesome Children-2

Each child is unique, much like a snowflake. Children have their own likes and dislikes, temper or calmness, and you need to adjust your parenting style to work with their listening style. Here are some ideas given to us by parents who have raised their children and survived.

To get out the door on time in the morning, set an "alarm " - something fun and friendly, not jarring, to go off a few minutes before you need to be out the door. This will remind your kids how much time they have and to finish up what they are doing so they will be ready to go.

Take advantage of carpools when sending your children to school. A carpool allows you to not have to shuttle your children back and forth to school every day. It also gives your children some extra socialization time with the neighbors. You save time, and save on gas as well.

Establishing a list of "House Rules" gives your child a sense of security, because your child will know exactly what behaviors are expected. Put your rules in writing and discuss them with your child to make sure your child understands what they mean. Set a good example by following the rules yourself.

If you make a statement, follow through with it. If you say the same things over and over to your child without imposing a consequence, he is never going to listen to you. However, if you truly mean what you say and you follow through with your words, your child will learn to listen to you the first time you say something.

One of the most important things to remember when raising a child is to stay calm. No matter how angry or upset you get, you need to take a deep breath and calm down before you react. If you react while you're upset or angry, you're liable to make rash decisions that you'll regret.

If you are bringing home a newborn, wash your hands often. Ask everyone else who holds the baby to do the same. Newborn babies have not yet developed their immune system. They can easily catch many illnesses because of their weakened state. You can help by making sure that those who handle them are as germ free as possible.

One of the best solutions to taming an unruly teenager is to go to counseling with them. Counselors are trained to deal with bad behavior, so they are the best one to go to in order to get advice on what you can do to improve your teenager's behavioral issues.

One of the best ways to discipline a child is by putting them in time-out. Stopping them in their tracks and putting them in a spot like a corner will teach them that they cannot do certain things. Before actually putting them in time-out, give them a warning. Then, if they continue to do this behavior, follow through with your threat.

Your children are precious, but aren't really like a snowflake. They won't melt if you do the wrong thing, so feel free to experiment with your parenting style until you find something that works. Kids are amazingly resilient, so supply lots of hugs and kisses when things do go wrong and everything will be okay in the end!

Awesome Advice For Raising Awesome Children

No one ever said that being a parent was easy. Certainly not other parents. If you need a little advice, some tips, ideas or suggestions on how to handle your kids of any age you came to the right place. Keep reading for ideas on how you can be a better parent.

Make sure you monitor the computer activity of your teenager. Thousands of teenagers chat with people online and they can get themselves in a questionable situation. This could be prevented if more parents followed their child's computer activity, and stopped them from using the computer if they are chatting with strangers.

Do double duty by preparing your children's lunches while making dinner. Chop some extra veggies to throw in their lunch boxes as you are prepping for a stir-fry. As you clean up the leftovers after dinner, pack a serving into their lunches as well. Toss in an apple and a juice box and you'll be all set for the next day.

When birthdays or other gift giving holidays come around, instead of taking your child shopping, help them make a present. Not only will your child get to be creative and give a unique gift, but you'll get to spend quality time together. This is especially good if the present is for the child's other parent or another relative.

Don't force your child to study only one subject at a time. Studies show that humans learn better if they study two or more subjects at a time. This gives the brain a short period of rest to absorb material, and our brains also learn more effectively when subjects are integrated.

To improve your parenting skills, choose your fights wisely, and fight fair. Children need to feel that they have control over certain aspects their lives, and you can allow them that control by leaving some room for flexibility in household rules. If there is a rule that must be followed, explain the reasoning behind it to your child, rather than simply demanding that it be observed.

A great parenting tip is to make sure your child goes to bed and wakes up on time. Making sure they go to bed and wake up on time is very important because it determines how successful they'll be in school and in their other activities. This is an important tip that all parents should consider.

The most important thing to remember while disciplining your children is consistency. Parenting during the terrible-two's can be challenging, for both little one and adult. At this stage children like to push the limits of what is and is not allowed. Make sure that you set clear boundaries and are consistent with your time-outs so children know what is expected of them.

Being a parent has its fair share of rewards. When you see your child make the right choice or take someone else's feelings into consideration above their own, you beam with pride. Take the time to use some of these suggestions and have an easier time raising your little ones into amazing adults.

A Tad Bit Too Shy: When Parents Needs to Help Emotionally Withdrawn Children

Parents may not be fully aware of what is happening to their children's and their everyday activities. After coming home from work, parents usually do some household chores and prepare themselves for dinner, while their kids do their homework after arriving from school. Conversations would usually begin at dinner time, asking them questions about how their day at school was. Kids may share their quirky experiences to their parents, but teenagers would seldom do the same.

Adolescents would rather keep the details to themselves, and just share random events from their school.  Many parents may be unaware but high school life may be found by their children to be quite a challenge.  Peer acceptance is critical for most teenagers.  In campus, they have opportunities to build new friendships.  For some teens, school is also about facing up to the difficulties of bullying. Other students from school or even their so called “friends” could tease and bully them by saying negative things about them in front of many people. Sadly, this scenario is considered as normal for people their age.  At this stage, your children may be emotionally sensitive and choose to remain secretive about the  issues and situations that they face in school.

In case one of your children is having difficulty sharing stories, opening up, or is showing symptoms of  depression --- that child may be having problems with self-esteem. It is not uncommon for teenagers to experience a form of inferiority complex since the adolescent years are really about establishing self-identity and building their own sense of self-worth. They may also have feelings of resentment, alienation, and unhappiness.  These are only some of the reasons why children hesitate to share their experiences to their parents and other adults.

For parents who think that their children might be suffering from an inferiority complex, it is best to see and know the signs that your child may be experiencing. Your child knows what they are capable of, as well as their shortcomings. Bullying tends to point such negativity into the young adult, and perceives any form of criticism as a personal attack. Feeling bad about themselves, they usually have trouble feeling good with anyone else. They look hard for possible flaws and shortcomings of other people to try to convince themselves that they are not so bad after all.  Response to flattery can come in two ways: desperate in fishing for compliments, while others may refuse to listen to anything positive since it would be in contrast with their own feelings. Another sign is how they project their weaknesses unto others in order to lessen the pain of feeling inferior. If blaming is carried to the extreme, they might think that others are actively seeking to ruin them. People who feel inferior likes to win games, but tend to avoid such situations because deep down, they believe they cannot win. They have beliefs that they themselves are not as interesting as others, and would think that other people would feel the same way about them. These are the most common signs of having inferiority complex, and parents should really take the time to help their children deal with it.  Guiding children and teenagers in terms of their  emotional and psychological growth is critical to the quality of their life.

In order to overcome such inferiority complex, these young adults should develop a strong sense of determination to change their present mentality. Initially, they would require a little initiative, be daring and should give up their inhibition. Parents should remind them that they do not need to be afraid of any body. Try to develop their positive thinking and make them express their views, in case they do not like anything. Always remember that everyone is unique in this world, and individuality is best in leading a good and happy life.

Are You Letting Your Children Manipulate You?

Rachael is the young mother of Nathan, who just turned two. Rachael is a stay-at-home mother who works part-time at home and has the help of a housekeeper five days a week. Rachael consulted with me because of her problems with Nathan.

“When Nathan is with David (her husband), he’s fine. He adores David and listens well to him. When he’s with Amalia (her housekeeper), he’s fine. He loves her and plays calmly with her. But when he’s with me, he’s impossible. He throws temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way. He goes to sleep easily at night for David but not for me. I want so much to be a good mother and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I never get angry with him but sometimes I feel like throwing him across the room! I need help!”

“Rachael, when you are with Nathan, what do you think is more important to you – to get him to love you or to be loving to yourself?”

Rachael replied instantly. “To get him to love me. I never think about loving myself. I just want him to love me. If he loves me, then I know that I’m a good mother.”

“And what does it say about you if you are a good mother?”

“It means that I’m okay,”

“So you have handed to Nathan the job of defining your worth. He has to love you for you to be okay. What do you think is most important to David?”

“Oh, David takes good care of himself. He really doesn’t seem concerned about whether or not Nathan loves him. He’s very loving to Nathan, but if David wants to eat dinner when Nathan want to play with him, he just eat dinner and Nathan seems to accept it. If I want to have my breakfast when Nathan wants to play, Nathan has a tantrum.”

“Rachael, Nathan has learned that he can manipulate you because you are so concerned with how he feels about you. As long as his loving you is more important to you than taking loving care of yourself, he will be able to manipulate you. This is not good for him or for you. It is too big a burden on him to have the responsibility of defining your worth. As long as your worth is attached to being a good mother, Nathan will be able to manipulate you.”

“I can see that. Amalia is like David. If she has work to do, she just expects Nathan to play by himself, and he does. She loves him, but she is firm about what she needs to do. I can see that I give in all the time because I don’t want him to be upset with me. What can I do now to change this?”

“First of all, you need to consciously detach your worth from being a good mother. You need to do some inner work on defining your worth separately from being a mother. Your sense of worth needs to be attached to who you are – your kindness, compassion, empathy, warmth, aliveness. You need to take responsibility for defining your own worth rather than making Nathan, David, or anyone else responsible.

“Second, you need to care about taking care of yourself as much as you care about taking care of Nathan. Nathan is a brat with you because you don’t care about yourself when you are with him, so he has learned to not care about you. You are teaching him not to care about you when you do not care about yourself.”

“Okay, I think I get this. I’m really going to try to do it differently.”

Next week when we spoke in our phone session, Rachael reported that things had already dramatically changed. Nathan was listening to her, going right to sleep when she put him down, and seemed happier in general. His tantrums had not yet completely stopped, but they were far fewer. Rachael, too, felt happier because she was finally taking care of herself and her own needs. For the first time since giving birth to Nathan, she was having some time to herself.

As Fall has set in - an indoor garden for children

If you have young children around an indoor garden is the perfect project to teach them
about nature.  It is also an avenue to teach children about the responsibility needed to care
for something on an ongoing basis.  Simple is best, even for older children – as they
prove themselves and their garden thrives they can expand the plants that they grow.

To enrich the learning opportunity purchase clear containers to grow the plants in.  If you
can not find a traditional pot that is clear make sure the container you use either has a
drainage hole in the bottom or layer gravel on the bottom before adding the soil.  Once
the plant starts to grow more the roots will become visible in the pot.

Children will love to grow their own vegetables and maybe even eat them once they are
ready.  Buy each child a large container that is theirs to take care of and let them pick the
type of vegetable they want to grow.  The easiest vegetables to grow indoors are carrots,
tomatoes, and radishes.  There are a wide variety of tomatoes that you can grow from
beefsteak to cherry tomato.

The next time you eat an orange, save the seeds.  Children can plant the seeds in small
containers about 1 inch down into the soil.  By giving the plant watered and in the
sunlight, in two to three weeks they will have their own citrus tree growing.  They can
choose to keep it indoors or plant it outside in the summer when the small plant has
become bigger and stronger.  Try the same with other fruit seeds too from watermelon to
apple seeds.

Getting children to help with your houseplants is a good idea too.  Children love to help
out with adult chores and it gives you a break at the same time.

Interesting reminder of why people teach and helpful points.

It's Time to plan ahead for Halloween -The Top 10 Halloween Party Requirments you Forgot

Planning a Halloween party can be a very fun thing to do.  Whether you will be hosting adults, children, or a mix of both, Halloween parties are fun and exciting to have and to attend.

To help plan your Halloween party, and have it be the event of the year, here are some ideas to get you started in your planning:

Halloween Party Reminder #1 – The first thing you need to do is to decide on a budget for your party and if you will be having adults, children, or both in attendance.  Once you have made these decisions then it is time to start planning your event. Send invites to the parents - I speak for us all it is confusing coming from you child!

Halloween Party Reminder  #2 – Food and drinks are always a big part of any Halloween party.  Here you can be very creative with items such as “scabs” other wise known as dried cranberries.  Items such as bleeding cupcakes or things which look like eyeballs are generally a hit.  Or you can go with a more traditional fare of cookies and candy.

Halloween Party Reminder #3 – For beverages for your party you can make a great slimy punch out of lemonade, sugar, meringue powder, and seltzer water.  To this add some green food coloring and stir.  The mix will be slimy and frothy.

Halloween Party Reminder  #4 – Always a fun idea at Halloween parties is the addition of dry ice to beverages.  This will make them send off fog and is always a hit with both adults and children.
You may need to call a few places to find dry ice but it is worth it. Order you dry ice at least a week in advance or you will be out of luck.

Halloween Party Reminder #5 – Decoration for Halloween is fun.  You can make tombstones in the yard with simple Styrofoam cutouts and even hang lights and ghosts in your trees.  Inside your home you can decorate with spider webs and other spooky items which you can purchase at any local store during the Halloween season.

Halloween Party Reminder #6 – For a Halloween party you want your home to be dimly lit but not too dark so that people are tripping over things.  Also a fog machine or cauldrons with dry ice in them can give a great effect. Once again right now is the time to hunt for the good stuff at a good price - this includes the candy!

Halloween Party Reminder #7 – Music is always nice for a Halloween party, Pandora is the only way to fly here.  However, rather than have it playing in the room your guests will be in, try setting your tunes in a near-by room so that people can still talk and enjoy themselves.  If you have a adult party use scarier music than if you are hosting children.

Halloween Party Reminder  #8 - Playing games is always a hit at any party.  A fun game for adults is charades using scary movies and themes.  For children, bobbing for apples can be fun if the weather and space allow for it.  Also, contests for the best costume always go over well.  (Let your guests know this on your invitations.

Halloween Party Reminder #9 – If you want to amaze your friends, you can write secret messages on your drinking glasses.  To do this, take a mixture of dish soap and water and write messages with it, using your finger, on the outside of some drinking glasses.  Once you are finished place them in the freezer to frost over.  As your guests drink, and the glasses warm, your messages will come into view.  This is always something people will be amazed at and talk about for a long time to come.

Halloween Party Reminder #10 – One of the best things you can do while you are planning any party, especially one for Halloween, is to go online and search for creative ideas.  You will find a wealth of creativity to help you make the most of your party experience. Order it early and stick it in a closet for a few weeks.

Planning ahead right now can save you a huge headache and make for an awesome kids party.

You Will Surprised What People Will Buy - Selling Children's Items On Ebay

I am still the biggest fan of trading clothes with other families you know that have children a little older (bigger) and younger (smaller) than your own to supplement the play-day clothes. But if you cannot find good trading families or someone in need check out E-Bay.

Selling for a profit on eBay is easy when you have kids. People are earning hundreds of dollars a month by selling kid related items. Here are some general ideas to help you get started.

Kids Items You Can Sell

Clothes, toys and videos are good money makers on eBay.

Go to eBay and look up a "lot" of size six girl's cloths. You will find they are expensive! The average price for a lot of 20 good conditioned clothes is about $35.00.

When your kids grow out of their seasonal clothes do not throw them out. Bundle them into different lots by category. For example bundle girls dresses separate from girls play clothes, but only do that if you have at least six of each different type.

Lots of any item sell better than single items unless the item is unique or high priced. For example, a hand embroidered dress that you paid a lot for would sell better by itself instead of bundled with other basic dresses.

The next item to lookup on eBay is toys. Most toys in good condition will sell for a lot of money. One idea that works well is to buy hot items in October at Wal-Mart or Toys-R-Us and sell them on eBay. Busy people are willing to pay extra for the convenience of getting the items delivered to their home.
For example, last year a Mega Power Ranger came out in stores around October and sold at Wal-Mart for about $45.00. The same item sold on eBay for up to $65.00 plus shipping. The Yellow Power Ranger is yet another example where the store price was about $6.00, while the same item was selling on eBay for about $20.00.

Have your children ever received duplicate birthday or Christmas presents? You can sell those on eBay also. Look at the eBay listings for items of interest to see if selling on eBay is worth more than returning the item to the store.

Kid's videos and DVDs are also good money-makers. Bundle about three of these together, and you can usually make about $7.00-$12.00 per bundle. Bundle more and the money goes up. Disney movies in hard cases can go for a higher amount. This also works for other types of movies as well.

Save those McDonalds toys. Some Kids Meals toys sell high. Take the new Star Wars toys from Burger King...very collectible. You will find them selling on eBay from $1.00 to $5.00, not including shipping.

Ebay has a whole section devoted to dolls and bears. If your daughter doesn't want her collectible dolls anymore sell them on eBay.

Baby Items You Can Sell

Used baby items are very profitable. Baby items cost a lot of money, especially in their first year. Any "gently" used items are generally good sellers on eBay.

If you have baby coupons that you will never use, sell them on eBay! Left over diapers and formula sell well also. A lot of 35 used cloth diapers usually sells for around $38.00 plus shipping. Four Fuzzi Bunz diapers (cloth diapers with hemp inserts) can sell for as much as $40.00.

There you have it. Plenty of ideas for selling those leftover kids items on eBay...and you can even make a nice profit while you are at it!

Using Children to Stop Smoking Successfully

If you have attempted to quit smoking you no doubt realize just how easy it was to get started smoking compared to actually quitting.  Maybe the reason you are trying to quit is to set a good example for your children.  This is one reason why many parents find themselves struggling to quit.  They do not want their children to grow up thinking that it is okay to smoke, and it is necessary that they quit in order to set a great example.  If you find yourself in this position, there are several things you can do to help make the situation much better.

One such idea that you can use would be to actually invite your children to watch the struggle.  This means asking your child to be your help and strength when you are tempted to smoke.  Simply talking to them about your struggles to quit can be a great way to show how difficult it really is, while at the same time getting your issues out in the open.  Many times talking about problems can make them seem much smaller.  This is a great way to help fight the urges of cigarettes as well, after all many parents who have open and honest relationships with their children are able to talk about a lot of issues.  Use this opportunity to talk about things that are important, and encourage the extra support that you receive at the same time.

If you are focusing more on your child when you have an urge to smoke, and less on where exactly your pack of cigarettes is located it will be easier to reduce urges.  You should encourage your child to help you find out remedies to your urges.  For example, going with you to the store to pick out suitable candy to chew on when you get an urge, or even going with you to the store to purchase the stop smoking aid of your choice.

Allowing them to be a part of your decisions can help them to see the exact struggles that you are going through.  If you merely hide your problems behind a closed door, your children may grow up thinking that it is actually easy to smoke.  This could even lead them to being tempted to smoke.  However, just because you are trying to have an open relationship with your child does not mean that you should actually smoke around them.  The harm that second hand smoke can cause should be enough to keep you from lighting up around you; however, you could ask your child to help you maintain a smoking log.

Of course, each family has different ideas about what is acceptable to talk about, and even comfort levels.  If you feel that you are pushing the borders of what you are comfortable with you can always adjust this.  However, using your children to help encourage you to quit is great.  After all, kids are notorious for picking on people and pointing out flaws.  If you allow your child to help you with your smoking urges you may find that you really do not want to smoke anymore at all if your children are busy picking on you the entire time.  No matter what works best for you and your particular situation you need to grasp at any opportunity to encourage a bond and crush the urge to smoke.  Your child will be very proud of you after you have quit, and you will certainly have a much increased self-confidence.

Are the Flintstones out of style?- Children’s Vitamins

Many parents are concerned that their children do not consume the proper foods they need to stay strong and healthy. The truth is children can be picky eaters. Some children will go through stages where they will refuse to eat anything other than a favorite food, while other children will try new foods, but do not take to them.

Children’s vitamins are available to parents who want to ensure their children are receiving the necessary nutrients he or she needs to grow strong and healthy. Even parents who have children who eat well are supplementing their children’s diet with vitamins. The fact is the earth’s soil is rapidly being depleted of nutrients, and the rigors of food processing also leaves many foods deficient in vitamins and minerals.

Children’s vitamins are packaged in such a way that they are attractive to children. Most children’s vitamins come in colorful and fun shapes. Many manufacturers of children’s vitamins are packaging their vitamins in lollipop, gum ball and gummy bear varieties. Because these vitamins resemble candy, it is important that you keep them away from a child’s reach and that you monitor their intake. If you find your child has taken extra vitamins, you should consult their pediatrician or your local poison control center.

There are instances when a pediatrician will prescribe vitamins for a child. If a child has a vitamin deficiency, does not have access to fluoridated water, or has anemia or other illness or disease, vitamin supplements may be prescribed for a child. However, in general, many pediatricians believe that children do not need vitamin supplements if they are being fed properly. They feel that children can receive all the vitamins and minerals they need if they eat according to the Food Pyramid. Consult with your child’s pediatrician before starting them on a vitamin.

Vitamins are supplements and not replacements. Children’s vitamin supplements should never be looked upon as a replacement for healthy eating. Encourage your child to eat the foods they need, and do things to make nutrition fun and flavorful for them. For instance, letting children add grated cheese to their vegetables will make some children more interested in eating them. Allowing a child to drink calcium fortified orange juice over milk works well for a child who does not like milk. Let your child participate in making a vegetable pizza, or let them pick out fruit at a market and place it in their own special area at home. All of these tips can go a long way in helping a picky eaters overcome their fears so they consume the vitamins they need. Ask your doctor, chances are they have an opinion on the issue of vitamin supplements.

School and Bedtime Don't Mi -Successfully Get Your Children To Bed

Do you ever get the response " the show is almost over or the Kid's pull a Houdini and reappear just as you thought you had them in bed?

Many parents find trying to get their child to bed at night to be one big struggle. The child may play up, whinge and even cry. When in bed, the child may then repeatedly keep getting out of bed and coming downstairs. This article gives advice on how to successfully get your child into bed at night, without all of this fuss.

Some children even though they know that they are tired, do not want to miss out on any of the action or excitement. They want to spend as much time with mom and dad as possible. They can even see the fact that they have to go to bed before their parents as unjust and even cruel. These types of children will want to disrupt and even avoid going to bed at all cost.

I myself have two young children and have been through this experience myself. My daughter especially needs her sleep and can be very moody in the mornings, if she has not had a particular amount of hours of it. As a parent it can become very frustrating as well as upsetting when you see your child crying because they do not want to go to bed. Comments like, please dad just one more program on the television, were far too regular, and at times I felt like backing down.

I have now learnt via reading many books on parenting, how to best deal with this situation. Each child now has a set time when they have to be in bed by. This is a time that they have both agreed to!

They get changed into their pajamas around half an hour before this time, and then can either spend that period of time playing with their toys or watching the television. If they want to play, we ensure that the games are relaxing ones and not too energetic.

If there is a program that is on later than their agreed bedtimes, I agree to video it for them, this way they know that they are not missing out etc.

I have agreed that I will read them a story at bedtime. This is something they both love and helps them to wind down and relax. They are also given a drink to go to bed with, therefore there is no need for them to keep coming downstairs. This drink is always a juice and should not be fizzy.

I have explained to each child the importance of sleep and that it should be something to enjoy and not to see as some sort of punishment. I have even gone as far as saying that I would love to go to bed at the time that they do, unfortunately their mother does not allow it.

I have tried to make their bedrooms their own little palace. A place that they want to spend time, a place which they find fun, relaxing and comfortable.

My son likes to hear music and therefore we play a tape of his favourite songs in his room. The volume is set quite low and this certainly helps him to get to sleep quite quickly.

These tips have helped to make our childrens bedtimes a pleasant experience, where it once was quite fraught. The children themselves are now into a routine, a routine they are happy with. I hope this advice proves useful to you as well. Good luck.

How To Motivate Your Children- couple weeks in school now

There is no manual or guide that can tell you the proper way to be a parent, because every child is different and should be treated as such. Although that is true, there are some great tips you can employ to make parenting a much easier job than it has been.

A key parenting tip is to become active in your child's school environment and activities. Becoming acquainted with the instructional staff and their curriculum goals can greatly help your child fulfill their true potential. This will enable you to work alongside your son or daughter and assist them when needed.

Know your child's friends. Your child is learning a lot from their friends. They are also spending a significant amount of time engaging in the same activities that their friends are. If you know their friends, you are more likely to know your child. Stay informed and be involved.

A great parenting tip is to be aware of how your actions can influence your child. If you curse a lot at home, don't be surprised if your child gets suspended or sent home from school for bad behavior. Always try to set a good example for your child.

One of the most important tips that can be offered when it comes to parenting is to be consistent. Never say you are going to do something then not carry through with it. This will lead your children to believe that you are not serious which could be very harmful when it comes to serious matters.

Drugs and drinking are two of the greatest fears for their teenagers. Sometimes they even overreach stress and emotional stability. Parents should look to keep their kids aware of the dangers, because there certainly are dangers for people who are easily influenced or swayed. That being said, parents should take precautionary measures of talking to their kids in depth, that is, to explain the problems rather than instituting baseless restrictions.

Getting involved at your child's school is a great way to improve your child's performance in school. Volunteering at school can send your child a positive message about how much you care about their education. It will also give you a first hand look into your child's environment away from home.

Although it is a widely debated topic, it is highly recommended that your child get all necessary vaccinations. Some of the diseases that your child can get if they do not get vaccinated could make them sick or worse, even kill them. This holds especially true for children who go to school, where diseases are spread more rapidly.

Stand your ground when it comes to your child's bedtime. If it's past their bedtime and they're begging you for just one more TV show or book, stand your ground. An hour less sleep per night reduces a child's ability to function the next day, affecting their concentration at school. Teenagers need eight to nine hours of sleep per night, whereas younger school-age children should get a minimum of ten to twelve hours.

While this is all great advice, some of these methods may not work with your children. That does not mean to give up. It just means that you should switch gears and try to find the methods that will help you to be the best parent your child could possibly have.

Children in need - and back to school

We all have our pet charities that we love, and we find time to give them what we can in the way of help and donations. One popular type of charity is one that helps children in need. Children are innocent, and often born into situations that are not the best, but their parents do what they can. This means that the kindness of strangers can mean the difference between starving and having a good meal, or may mean that Christmas is a happy time instead of filled with disappointment.

Most are touched by children in need because they know the child did nothing to get themselves into their predicament. They can’t help how they were born, or who they were born to. Not all parents are bad, some just have bad luck, and they do the best they can with what they have. Sometimes, that is just not enough. Children in need are always grateful, and perhaps that is why so many support those causes as well. Most communities have many programs for children, and they make up the majority of charities that most give to each year.

One popular charity for kids in need is Toys For Tots. Each year, stores and volunteers collect unopened toys to give to children in need in the immediate area. I always try to buy some stuff to throw in the box. No child should be without presents during the holidays, and this is one that always touches me. It might not be as important as putting food on the table, but giving a child joy is something that should be special to everyone. They are always so grateful, even when they have little to be grateful for.

When checking out other charities for children in need, do a little research. If it is a well known charity, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Your money, however, is best spent going to a charity that does not take a lot off the top for administrative purposes. Some money has to go to this, but it should not be a lot of it. If you aren’t happy with the percentages, you are free to give your money to someone else. There are plenty of children in need out there, and plenty of charities that will help them. You can feel free to find the right one so you know the money is going where it should be going.

It is still summer hot -Children Hydrating While Playing In Sun

Children can get dehydrated very easily under normal circumstances but children hydrating while playing in sun and heat is especially important.

Having a readily accessible source of water for your kids to drink whenever they pass by is essential. Kids do not want to have to work at doing what is best for them, they are only interested in having fun especially if a pool and friends are involved.

Even if you have water readily available they may not even think about taking a drink unless you prompt them to. So, when your kids are playing outside make sure they take a drink at least every 30 minutes or so so they stay hydrated.

Sometimes if it is especially hot and they are outside, water may not be enough. Essential electrolytes are lost in sweat and need to be replaced. A nice low sugar sports drink is the best way to accomplish this. They taste good and are good for you and your children hydrating while playing in sun.

If for some reason they do not like the sports drinks then juices with no added sugar will also do nicely to keep them from becoming dehydrated.

I know that it can be hard sometimes to get your kids to stop doing something they love to do like playing in the pool on a hot summer day but you should also encourage them to take a break from being in full sun and find some nice shade where they can rest their little bodies.

A good way to do this is to plan out a picnic lunch and when they time comes find a nice shady spot to get them out of the sun. Encourage them to lie down after they eat and just rest.

If they are young enough or have played hard enough you might just get lucky and they will find they need a nap after lunch.

Have healthy food prepared for them and include some fruits that are high in water content like watermelon or grapes. Things that are easy for them to eat and will help with their hydration as well.

The heat of the day will drain them and they should either go inside and rest or enjoy some indoor activities or play in the shade for a while during the hours of 10am to 4pm. These are the hours when the sun is at it's peak and your children should be protected.

Do not forget to put sun screen on them at least thirty minutes before they go outside and then reapply it every two hours. Swimming and sweating deplete the effectiveness of the sun screen over time so reapplying every two hours they are outside is a must.

Parenting can be tough and getting your children to do what is best for them can be a challenge but if you carefully explain to them why they need to take frequent drinks then you should really not have a problem with your children hydrating while playing in sun this summer.

Back to school and the dreaded Head Lice

Children are especially susceptible to head lice for a few different reasons. Children tend to have closer physical contact with other children, more so than adults have with each other; in addition, they also have a habit of sharing personal items with each other, such as brushes and hats.
Aside from these reasons, children also congregate in large groups, such as in childcare centers, schools and playgrounds. As a result of these factors, head lice tends to spread more readily among children. Children at a typical public school come from all different backgrounds and areas of the country, head lice is very common so do not freak out out if this happens!

Head lice cannot fly or jump, but they do cling to the hair and other items, attaching themselves to humans as soon as they come in contact. Some of the most common means in which head lice spread, is through personal clothing items, such as hats, shirts, coats, scarves, etc. They may also spread when someone shares items such as brushes and hair accessories.

Another means in which a child can catch head lice is by using pillows, blankets and bed linen that an infested person has used. Couches and chairs are addition culprits in spreading lice. Head lice can live off of the human host for at least three days.
To determine if your child has head lice, you have to use a comb to part the hair and examine the hair shafts and scalp with a magnifying glass while under a bright light.
Head lice move very quickly, sometimes making detection very difficult, because of this you should always look for the little brown or tan lice eggs that will be attached to the shaft of the hair; usually near the scalp.
Examine the scalp closely, as well as the area behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. These areas may contain more lice, than the top of the head. Because head lice is so common there are many combing services in most cities to remove the lice as soon as the are noticed. Check on the internet you will find a head lice combing near you which greatly reduces the use of harsh shampoo.

Though frequently scratching the scalp may be a sign that your child has head lice, itching does not always begin right away. It may take a few weeks before the infestation is bad enough to cause your child’s head to begin itching, depending on how sensitive they are to the lice.
If your child has head lice they may develop small, red bumps on the scalp due to scratching. If the scalp lacerations become infect they may be crusted over or oozing a clear or yellowish liquid. It is a good idea to contact your child’s doctor if it appears that your child has red bumps or sores on the scalp.
Because some of these symptoms of head lice may not be obvious right away, it is important that you examine your child for head lice on a frequent basis, especially during the school year, or if they go to a daycare.