Parenting & Pregnancy

As is the case with many parents today, you and your spouse may feel as if you are spinning constantly. Between work and home you may collapse at the end of each and every day exhausted. Because of this situation, you may be wondering whether a live in nanny might be a spot on decision for you. Through this blog post you are provided with some questions to ask yourself as you debate whether or not a live in nanny might be the best choice for you.
 

Of course, the most elementary of questions that you must ask of yourself is whether or not you truly can afford a nanny living in. The fact is that in this day and age many a young family simply stretches the budget way too far. Adding a nanny into the mix, adding a full time staff member that you have to pay for, can result in bringing the budget to the brink of catastrophe.
 

The next issue that you will want to contend with in contemplating bringing a nanny on board as a live in is whether or not you really want another person in your home. One must never underestimate the significance of the step of bringing another soul into your residence, particularly one that is brought along to work.
 

Beyond these considerations, you also need to seriously address the fact of whether you really need a nanny as a live in at all. In this day an age there are many families that can do very well with nursery services and so forth – families that simply do not need a live in nanny in reality. However, because the Williams in the flat down the hall have a nanny, you might think you are in need of one as well. In the end, however, nanny competition does not serve you or your children well.
 

If you do elect to move on towards bringing a live in nanny into your home, you particularly must be thorough in the screening processes. Not only are you hiring a person to watch over and care for your children, you are opening your home to a person who for all practical purposes is a stranger to you. In short, you can never be to careful in this regard when it comes to checking out thoroughly the background and the history of this person.
 

You love being a parent.
 

However, even though you love being a parent … you need a break from time to time. The reality is that you need a break from your kids, even if it is not a very long one.
 

In this regard, if you want to take a break from your children and really have a moment away, you need to closely consider taking a break by reading. Unfortunately, in this day and age, an ever decreasing number of people pick up a book to read with anything close to regularity. In the end, there are many important benefits that you can derive from taking a break from the children and reading.
 

The immediate benefit that you get from reading is that you really can take a break from everyday life. The act of reading takes you to another place – again, if even for just a short period of time. When reading, all of the concerns and problems of day to day life … vanish. (Of course, once you start reading it can be difficult in many instances to set a book down. However, what you need to keep in mind is that you will have the chance again to pick up the book and pick up where you left off.)
 

Another benefit of taking a break from your day to day responsibilities, including the demands of your children, by reading is that you can learn something in the process. In man instances even reading a work of fiction gives you the chance to learn something new and different.
 

Yet another of the very significant benefits that you can realize through reading actually is one that accrues directly to your children. When kids see someone they love and respect read … they will want to read more themselves. Indeed, children who have parents that read nearly always perform better in school and end up happier and better adjusted as they get older. One simply cannot underestimate the power of the book, even in this high tech age.
 

With this in mind, the next time you need a bit of time to yourself, pick up a book. By doing so you will open a whole new vista for your life. You will be a better person because of the time you spenty reading. And, your children will be better for it as well as they likely will follow suit and join you in reading with regularity.
 

Monitoring Your Baby’s Nanny: What You Really Must Do …
 

One of the more important steps that you can take when it comes to caring for and tending to your baby is hiring a nanny. Therefore, because of this fact, it is crucial that you take certain definitive steps to monitor your baby’s nanny thoroughly and consistently.
 

At the outset, when you bring a new nanny into your life and into the life of your baby, you should not leave the new hire unsupervised with your baby during the initial period. This does not mean that you must hover over the nanny during the entire time she is on duty. However, it does mean that during the initial period following the hiring you must not leave your baby alone with the nanny entirely. In other words, you will not necessarily want to leave the house for an extended period and leave the nanny behind alone with the baby.
 

Of course, if you are a working parent, this can be a challenge. Therefore, you may want to block out some time away from work – perhaps a week’s time – to tend to the orientation of the nanny into the family and to follow through on your own observation of the nanny.
 

In addition to the preliminary period of the nanny’s employ and the steps you need to take during that time, you will also want to make sure that you maintain a constant dialogue with the nanny over time. The reality is that you oftentimes can pick up on troubles if you are in an ongoing state of communication with a nanny, if you have established a closer relationship with her individually.
 

Moreover, you will always want to closely watch your baby or child (or children) when in the care of a nanny. A parent that stays well connected to his or her children can more readily detect changes in behaviours – no matter how slight – which may signal some sort of problem or issue with the nanny.
 

An ever increasing number of parents are taking the step of having a so-called “nanny-cam” installed. Actually, these parents tend to be having a set of nanny-cams installed throughout the residence to best track the nanny and to record (literally) what she does or does not due when on duty. This might seem like a rather drastic step. However, nanny-cams have become very affordable products and when it comes to protecting your children … the nanny-cam can be a solid investment.
 

Tags: nanny, hiring a nanny, nanny-cams, baby’s nanny, baby nany, babies nanny

Avoiding Getting Blinkered: Consider Different Points of View on Raising Your Baby
 

If you are like more than a few parents, you likely have spent at least some time considering different books and DVDs designed to provide you with parenting information. If that is the case, do not make the same mistake that many people have made in this day and age. Specifically, just because you read it in a book or watch and hear it on a DVD does not mean that it is gospel truth.
 

By way of the information presented to you in this blog post, you are provided with elementary advice about how you can make the best use of information that is contained in books and on DVDs. By reviewing these materials, you will become a wiser consumer of the various types of advice that you can receive from books and DVDs about raising and rearing your children in the 21st century.
 

The fact is that there absolutely is nothing wrong with reading parenting books and viewing parenting DVDs. However, you would be best served by not wedding yourself to closely to one source of information.
 

When all is said and done, when parenting books and DVDs are closely considered, in many instances there are helpful tips, pointers and suggestions that can be gleaned from a number of different products of this nature. In other words, you really should took an approach that involves you contemplating what is offered in these books and DVDs, consider whether it makes sense generally and consider whether it fits into your own accepted concept of what will make you a good parent.
 

The fact is that very few people are devoid of their own innate parenting skills and abilities. Moreover, most people certainly are intelligent enough to foster their own ideas and thoughts pertaining to parenting. In the end, by using books and DVDs the result should not be merely to mimic the behaviour described in these products. Rather, books and DVDs should inspire you to be more thoughtful and proactive when it comes to the parenting of your children … today and in the future.
 

Parenting books and parenting DVDs are two of the many tools that you will want to consider utilizing as you work at your parenting skills, as you strive to improve the relationship that you have with your children.
 

Understanding Your Maternity Rights
 

The government of the United Kingdom has taken some significantly proactive steps when it comes to the maternity rights of mothers. As a matter of public policy, the government recognizes the importance of a mother being able to spend quality time with her baby during the early months of that child’s life. Therefore, if you are expecting a baby, it is important for you to know what your maternity rights are.
 

During your pregnancy, there are a variety of different laws that do protect your rights at work. These laws are designed to ensure that you have the ability to take off work to obtain appropriate medical care and attention during the course of your pregnancy and so forth.
 

As of 2007, a mum has the ability to take 39 weeks of work with pay following the birth of a baby. At the conclusion of this time period a mum has the right to go back to work at the same or comparable position.
 

Moreover, if a mother so desires, she can take additional time of 13 more weeks off for maternity leave without jeopardizing her job. However, this additional time will be without pay. If you desire to take this additional time, you must notify your employer in advance of the the expiration of the 39 weeks of leave with pay that you initially were entitled to following the birth of your baby.
 

Taking 39 or 52 weeks off following the birth of your baby presupposes that you worked up until the time that you gave birth. Many women are able to do so which gives them the chance to spend as much time with their babies as possible.
 

Some women cannot continue working until the end – or don’t want to do so. Therefore, if you so desire, you can begin your maternity leave at 11 weeks before you due date. Of course, it is also possible that you have a job that really doesn’t allow you to work effectively during the latter part of your pregnancy. In any event, you are protected.
 

If you are self employed, you may qualify for maternity leave which is paid directly to you by the government. You will need to make sure that you make appropriate application for these benefits in a timely manner.
 

By knowing your rights, you will be in the best position to be prepared for your new baby and to spend quality time with your baby after he or she joins you in the world.
 

Tags: maternity, maternity rights, maternity leave

Planning a party for Your children: Saving Money on Party Favors
 

In this day and age having a party for your kids can end up being a very expensive proposition. The costs of food, beverages and decorations can be amazing. Add to that party favors, little treats that the guests can take home with them, you very well can break the bank in the process of throwing a little do.
 

The fact is that there are some steps that you can take in order to save money on party favors. Through this article you are provided an overview of some of these steps.
 

First, in the brick and mortar world think about going to a party supply store. At such a shop you are likely to find a nice selection of smaller and affordable items that will make perfect party favors. Of course, while you are at the shop you can pick up some other necessary party supplies as well.
 

Second, the typical discount retail store likely will also have a selection of items that will lend themselves to becoming idyllic party favors. At many of these stores you will be able to find perfect party favors for a small price.
 

Third, as with so many things in this day and age, the Internet is a perfect resource when it comes to favors for a party for your kids. For example, there actually are specific sites that have been set up specifically to sell favors for celebrations and perfect party favors.
 

Fourth, the overstock sites on the Net are also interesting choices when it comes to your search for party favors. What you will find is that these sites have many different items available for sale at good prices. Many of these items really are not intended to be party favors as such. However, because you can buy them affordable prices, party favors they can become.
 

Fifth, and finally, you might even want to consider a sort of craft project with your own child or children. In other words, you can visit a craft supply store and get the materials you need to make your own party favors. This can be a wonderful project for you and your children. As an alternative (and depending upon the age of your children and their guests) the arts and craft project itself can be a part of the party. In other words, the guests will make their own party favors.
 

Tags: party, parties, party favors, children parties, children party, children’s party, perfect party favors, perfect party favors

Children today are eating more and more junk food and we are slowly getting into a diet crisis, so what are the facts?

The National Diet and Nutrition Survey found that:
 

The Chief Medical Officer has compared the crisis in children’s diets to a health ‘time bomb’ which must be defused.
 

Children’s dietary health, in particular childhood obesity, is widely recognised as one of our most pressing public health problems.  The recent Foresight Report on Obesity makes grave predictions for the future state of the nation’s health unless we act now. Without action, 55% of boys, and 70% of girls, could be overweight or obese by 2050 and obesity will cost the country £45 billion a year.
 

Above is shocking, but why are our children always choosing junk food?
 

Children are constantly bombarded with junk food marketing.  £480m is spent each year advertising products high in fat, salt and sugar on television alone. 
 

Junk food marketing contradicts all the messages about healthy eating children receive, undermining their ability to choose better food and their parents’ efforts to feed them healthily. 
 

Research by the Food Standard’s Agency, and others, has shown that junk food advertising directly and indirectly influences children’s food preferences, purchasing behavior and consumption.
 

So what can we do to help stop this?
 

A series of surveys have demonstrated that the majority of parents are in favour of a protecting their children from junk food advertising.  A recent British Heart Foundation survey found that 68% of parents were in favour of pre-9pm junk food advertising restrictions, with only 7% against.
 

Which? found in 2006 that 79% of parents believe unhealthy foods should not be advertised during the times children are most likely to be watching television.
 

Ofcom found in 2004 that 81% of parents and carers wanted some form of regulation of the advertising of junk food products, while just 11% wanted no change at all.  48% supported a ban on junk food advertising before 9pm (24 percent opposed); 57% supported a ban on junk food advertising during children’s airtime; 24% supported a total ban on junk food advertising.
 

For more advice or to support the fight against junk foods visit - sustain 
 

Tags: obesity, child obesity, junk food, diet crisis, junk food crisis, unhealthy foods, junk food advertising,

Children who attend daycare or playgroups cut their risk of the most common type of childhood leukaemia by around 30%, a study estimates.

Researchers reviewed 14 studies involving nearly 20,000 children, of which 6,000 developed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
 

It is thought early infections may help the body fight off the disease.
 

The University of California, Berkeley study will be presented to a leukaemia conference in London.
 

This is the kind of research that brings us a step closer to understanding the causes of this complex disease and how we can prevent it Edward Copisarow Children with Leukaemia

Leukaemia is the most common cancer found in children in the industrialised world, affecting about one in 2,000 youngsters.
 

ALL accounts for more than 80% of leukaemia cases among children, and most often occurs in those aged between two and five.
 

Scientists believe that for most types of childhood leukaemia to develop, there must first be a genetic mutation in the womb, followed by a second trigger - such as an infection - during childhood.
 

However, it is also thought that contracting some childhood infections - which are often readily spread in environments such as playgroups where children are in close contact with each other - may prime the immune system against leukaemia.
 

Conversely, if the immune system is not challenged in early life, this is thought to raise the risk of an inappropriate response to subsequent infections, making the development of leukaemia more likely.
 

Source BBC NEWS
 

Pregnancy cravings
 

Pregnancy cravings are much more common among modern women than previous generations, a survey suggests.

Three-quarters of those surveyed experienced a craving, compared to just 30% five decades ago.
 

It found a third of cravings were not for food, but items such as coal, soap, toothpaste and sponges. Ice and chocolate were also popular.
 

The poll of 2,231 pregnant women was carried out by the social network website gurgle.com.
 

UNUSUAL CRAVINGS Ice: 22% Coal: 17% Toothpaste: 9% Sponges: 8% Mud 7% Chalk: 6% Laundry soap: 5% Matches: 3% Rubber: 1% Percentages of women reporting unusual cravings, around 31% of total

Chocolate was the most common food craving, followed by ice cream, sweets, spicy food, pickled onions, tropical fruit, curry, doughnuts, marmite, peanut butter, potatoes and nuts.
 

Mothers-to-be reported cravings for odd combinations of food, the most common being pickles and peanut butter, followed by marmite and ice cream.
 

Other combinations mentioned included tuna and banana, and fried eggs with mint sauce.
 
 

Women reported that cravings mostly struck in the afternoon (40%) or in the evening (38%), with only 8% sneaking off for midnight snacks.
 

Tags: pregnant craving, pregnant cravings, pregnancy cravings, cravings, craving, pregnant women

A 73-year-old Austrian man has confessed to imprisoning his daughter in a cellar for 24 years and fathering her seven children, police have said.

Police said Josef Fritzl also confessed to burning the body of a baby that died after birth at the house in Amstetten, in the province of Lower Austria.
 

Authorities are caring for the woman, now 42, and her six surviving children. Police have released photos of the man’s basement which show a concealed network of tiny windowless chambers.
 

The woman, Elisabeth, disappeared aged 18 on 28 August 1984 when, according to her testimony, her father lured her into the cellar, drugging and handcuffing her before locking her up.
 

She is reported to have been made to write a letter which made it look as if she had run away.
 

The head of the criminal affairs bureau in Lower Austria, Franz Polzer, said Mr Fritzl had admitted sexually abusing his daughter repeatedly during the time he imprisoned her.

Mr Polzer said Mr Fritzl had told investigators Elisabeth had given birth to seven children, including twins in 1996, but one died shortly after being born and that he had thrown the body into an incinerator in the building.
 

The surviving children are now aged between five and 19 years
 

The cellar rooms, covering an area of approximately 60 sq m (650 sq ft), were equipped for sleeping and cooking, and with sanitary facilities.
 

A reinforced concrete door was built into the wall that separated the “dungeon” from the house and electronically locked - the code known only to the suspect, who provided his captives with food and necessities, police said.
 

Elisabeth had not been seen in public since August 1984

Three of the children were kept in the cellar with their mother and had never seen daylight, police told a news conference.
 

The other three children were adopted or fostered by the suspect, after he forced Elisabeth to write a letter saying she could not look after the baby, according to police.
 

His wife, Rosemarie, with whom he had seven of their own children, appears to have been unaware of the alleged crimes.
 

The case came to light when the eldest of the children in the cellar, 19-year-old Kerstin, was seriously ill and had to be taken to hospital.
 

A television appeal by medical staff for the patient’s mother was seen by Elisabeth on a TV set in the cellar and she urged her father to let her go to hospital.
 

Police arrested Mr Fritzl shortly afterwards and took all the children into care.
 

“If you look at him today, you would hardly believe he was capable of doing these things. This man led a double life for 24 years,” said Mr Polzer.
 

He said it was incredible that it had been kept secret for all that time.
 

Both the father and Elisabeth say no one else had access to the cellar, according to police, who are appealing to anyone with information about Mr Fritzl to contact them.
 

Source BBC News