While the tradition of choosing godparents for a new baby is typically affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith, there are some parents who are of different religions or no religion at all that are eager to confer the honor upon someone close to them. Choosing godparents for your child can be a difficult task, especially if you are worried about offending members of your family by passing them over. There are a few ways that you can manage the situation with as much grace as possible, … [Read more...]
MADAGASCAR: Traditional midwives back in fashion
December 13, 2012 by
BETRAKA, December 2012 (IRIN) - Madagascar’s traditional midwives, or ‘matronnes’, are often thought to undermine safe childbirth practices, delivering babies in unsanitary environments and without provisions to manage complications. Yet they are now being recruited to a campaign to get women to deliver in clinics or hospitals, part of a move to lower maternal and newborn death rates. “We have more work than ever,” said matronnes Bertine, 52, and Marnette, 51. The women, who are cousins, … [Read more...]
NEW PARENTS, 10 Things to Look For During Your Nanny’s Trial Period
December 13, 2012 by
Many families who engage a private in-home childcare provider opt to include a probationary “trial period” in their written nanny contract in order to ensure that she’ll be a good fit with the household and can perform her duties as agreed upon. If you’ve decided to take this approach to the hiring process, there are several things you should consider at the end of this trial period before making a decision regarding the continuation of the contract. Some factors will be specific to your … [Read more...]
Justice for victims of war-time sexual violence
December 11, 2012 by
December 2012 – A United Nations senior official and an independent human rights expert today joined their voices in calling for States to ensure the right to truth and justice for victims of war-time sexual violence, as well as accountability for perpetrators. “Truth, justice and accountability are key in upholding the human rights of women and their right to a life free from violence, particularly in countries in post-conflict situations,” the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Help a New Nursing Mom Return to Work, Marcia Hall
December 7, 2012 by
It can be very difficult for a new mom to return to work when her maternity leave is over, and there is a great mix of emotions that accompany this transition. On one hand, she might be enthusiastic about returning to a job that she loves and excited to be able to get out of the house again. On the other hand, however, she almost always feels guilty about leaving her child with anyone, even if it is someone that she trusts emphatically. There is a maternal instinct that kicks in and … [Read more...]
LOVE, 10 of the things that most moms hold on to
November 23, 2012 by
Even the most dedicated de-clutterers have a box or a container stashed somewhere that’s housing mementos and keepsakes from their children’s early years that they aren’t yet ready to part with. While some may keep more than others, there are a few items that are universally kept instead of discarded. Here are 10 of the things that most moms hold on to as their children get older. Artwork – It’s hard to throw away those masterpieces created by earnest little hands; some moms hold on to … [Read more...]
Child Caregivers: 5 Job Tools Nannies May Want to Get for Themselves
November 12, 2012 by
After years of experience, a nanny may develop a favorite brand of bottles or model of car seat that she feels is superior to others she’s tried. But since a nanny works in her employer’s home, she’s typically limited to using the items and gear that the parents have already selected. While many nanny employers are open and appreciate the suggestions of their nannies when it comes to purchasing items, gear and supplies, often times a nanny enters the picture too late, after all the shopping has … [Read more...]
Children Sleeping in Car – 10 Tips How to Keep them Awake!
November 8, 2012 by
Keeping your small child on a reliable sleep schedule is challenging enough without any additional complicating factors thrown into the mix. While some parents swear by the power of a long drive to send a child straight to dreamland, others refuse to let their children sleep in the car because they don’t transition well from the car to their bed. A short spin can lull a toddler into sleeping for a few minutes, but also result in him refusing to nap later in the day, or completely not sleep … [Read more...]
UGANDA: Family planning pledges need on-the-ground action
October 4, 2012 by
KAMPALA, October 2012 (IRIN) - Family planning advocates in Uganda have scored some major financial and policy wins this year, but experts remain concerned that inadequate political commitment and poor health services will continue to impede women’s and girls’ access to contraceptives. At a global family planning summit in July, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni announced that his government would increase its annual expenditure on family planning supplies from US$3.3million to $5million for … [Read more...]
Parenting – How to host a kid-friendly ‘Afternoon Tea’
October 4, 2012 by
While the concept afternoon tea originated in France, contrary to what most people believe, the English made taking an afternoon tea fashionable. The English usually take their afternoon tea between 4 and 5 o’clock in the afternoon, whereas Americanized versions of afternoon tea tend to be held between 3 and 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Children may not care for tea, most enjoy the pomp and ceremony that comes with a traditional high tea experience. Here’s how to host a kid-friendly … [Read more...]
Childcare, Five Significant and Common Car seat Mistakes
September 27, 2012 by
In September 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the findings of its National Child Restraint Use Special Study, a national survey of child restraint system use in children from birth to age 8. The study revealed five significant and common car seat mistakes. These included: 1. Using the wrong harness slot. When it comes to car seat harnesses, best practice dictates that in rear-facing seats the slots at or below the child’s shoulders should be used. For … [Read more...]
Ethiopian Fistula Surgeons Train Physicians in Mozambique, Women’s Maternal Health
September 18, 2012 by
BEIRA, Mozambique — Following a successful fistula repair surgery, 25-year-old Esther Joakim Chimoio envisions a better life. Although her husband abandoned her because of her condition, she now has ambitious plans that will allow her to take care of her children on her own. "I want to go back and start my own banana and orange business to support my children. Before I was working in the fields for a woman in my area due to my limited strength because of fistula," she says, beaming. Esther … [Read more...]
