The trying and terrific toddler years are upon you! Your baby is growing up and there are so many 'milestones to celebrate'. Parents often wonder and worry about if their child is on track with his growth and development. What should an 18-month-old be able to do, and how can you foster his development? Parents may have great intentions of getting their children involved in chores around the house, but life can frequently get in the way of even the best of intentions. Here are a few … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving, putting back the ‘Thanks’ into this Holiday
In the United States, fall marks a trifecta of holidays that snowball, picking up speed as they carry us,—often chaotically—from October through the New Year. The party starts with the distinctly non-religious (some would say pagan) celebration of Halloween; progresses to the spiritually inclusive embracing of gratitude that is Thanksgiving; and culminates in various religious observances ranging from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanza. Sadly, long before we reach Thanksgiving Day, we are already … [Read more...]
Fatherhood, 10 Sports Every Dad Should Teach Their Son
10 Sports Every Dad Should Teach Their Son Learning to play a sport can teach kids tons of valuable life lessons that they’ll carry with them long after that last whistle blows. Dads who are looking for a way to bond with their sons while passing on some of their hard-earned wisdom might find that spending some time teaching kids the ins and outs of these 10 sports is just the thing to kill both of those proverbial birds with one stone. Golf – Playing a good game of golf requires … [Read more...]
Child Caregivers: 5 Job Tools Nannies May Want to Get for Themselves
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...]
UNFPA: Trends in Maternal Mortality
Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2010 New maternal mortality estimates confirm that the number of women dying in pregnancy and childbirth is declining. Along with other indicators, this joint U.N. report validates the fact that we are making progress in saving mothers’ lives, even if progress is slower than what is called for by the Millennium Development Goals. Rapid progress in some countries demonstrates that when governments take a strategic approach to the safe motherhood … [Read more...]
Parenting – How to host a kid-friendly ‘Afternoon Tea’
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...]
“10 iPhone Apps for Keeping Track of Homework”
The importance of academic success in relation to your child’s future is undeniable. His grades will affect the universities he’s accepted to after high school, which will almost certainly have a bearing on his professional life as an adult. If your child is fortunate enough to be a student who also owns an iPhone, there are a plethora of time management, homework tracking and assistance apps available to him through the App Store. These 10 are among the most useful for managing … [Read more...]
Childcare, Five Significant and Common Car seat Mistakes
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...]
Solitude is to be Embraced, not Feared – WOMEN in RECOVERY
Loneliness is marked by a sense of isolation. Solitude, on the other hand, is a state of being alone without being lonely and can lead to self-awareness. Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation, i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders, neurological disorders or circumstances of employment or situation. Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one may work, think or rest without … [Read more...]
ZAMBIA, actions to meet the Millennium Development Goals
Identifying good practices that lead to greater equity in reproductive health The UN agencies known as the H4+ support priority countries that take concerted actions to meet the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health. UNFPA has identified Zambia as one such country. The following feature shows some of the "Good Practices" the country has undertaken to expand access to reproductive health. When Mabvuto Zulu returned to Zambia after studying medicine in Cuba, he worked … [Read more...]