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Protecting Our Daughters From The Wrong Role Models.

Editor — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:14:47 +0000

In a world where Jamie Lynne Spears is pregnant at 16, and Lindsay Lohan has just come out of rehab, it is hard to find people to look up to. Gone are the days where icons such as Mary Tyler Moore and Marie Osmond were positive role models for young girls. We have now reached an era where Britney Spears is continually showing her private area, and as mothers it may be hard to find a way to counteract these negative images. Here are a few ideas to aid in assisting your child in finding her way through this media madness:

Always be honest with your child. It is almost impossible to avoid the constant media attention to all the negative behaviors around, so explain to your child what they are seeing. Let them know that these “icons” are regular people who make mistakes. Explain to your child that these behaviors are inappropriate and unacceptable. Remember, if you try to avoid it, they will hear about it somewhere else and then might idolize or emulate that behavior. Things that are kept secretive and that parents don’t want to talk about are always more intriguing to children.
Always watch who and what your children are interested in. Make time to listen to music, peruse the internet and watch her favorite shows. Sure “Hannah Montana” is not on the most fun list for an adult to watch, but by keeping in tune with what your daughter is interested you are able to provide feedback about the “stars” they idolize, making her realize that they are just real people. This will hopefully make her realize that celebrities are not role models.
Provide positive role models for your daughter. Tell your daughter interesting things family members have accomplished. If your daughter enjoys sports, then go to the library and look up famous athletes together. If your daughter enjoys music and singing, introduce her to different eras or rock and roll or pioneer female musicians. By reading about different celebrities you are making them real. You can show your daughter that women can be strong and accomplish their goals. Do some research, whether it is family or past related and it will help you daughter realize there is more to life than just the celebrities of the day.

Above all remember that whether she admits it or not, you are your daughter’s ultimate role model. She will always look to you for guidance on how to live your life. As long as you communicate with her and are honest, your daughter will idolize you. So in a world where we must contend with Vanessa Hudgens being nude and Paris Hilton making sex tapes remember, all hopes are not lost. be real, be honest, and keep the lines of communication open. Your daughter will thank you for it !

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Stay Away from the Sandbox & Petting Zoo!

Editor — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:01:20 +0000

Children often become ill after using the sandbox at the park! Squirrels and various other animals that may have disease often use these convenient dry places to release feces and urine. When your child touches this sand these germs are then transferred to your child resulting in a wide range of aliments from a simple cold to something more such as a bacterial infection. Sandboxes at the park can also carry illness from other children, and as the sand is often not changed your child can pick up common childhood illnesses leaving you to wonder where they would have picked it up…

Likewise, the petting zoo also causes illness, especially to allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Pet dander runs rampant on those cute woolly sheep and “harmless” donkeys. Children can breathe in the germ infested fur and have allergy and asthma flare ups. Also hundreds of children could be petting these animals every day. Those germs can remain in the fur and if your child’s hands are not satisfied (because believe the the animals fur is not sanitized at any point) your child has now inherited any illness just one of those children can have!. If you are looking for fun fall activities try pumpkin or apple picking! Go looking for fall leaves on a nature walk! Stay germ free!

Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote cast)

Is This Day Care or Nursery Program Right for My Child?

Editor — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:02:55 +0000

So you have found this program that you think you want your child to be a part of but have this nagging feeling of is this program right for him? The best way to ensure this is to observe your child and ask the following questions: Does my child like large groups of children when we go to playgroups or birthday parties, or does he do better in smaller intimate play groups?

Is my child artistic? Does this program do a lot of art? Does my child love to read? Does this program have a lot of story time? Does my child love to build, or work with trains? You get the point, think of your child’s interest and match it to what the program offers. A child who loves art and creativity may not do as well in a school that focuses mostly on academic skills.

Is my child extremely focused or does he have an extremely short attention span. You may want to look at programs that offer different choices all day or a program that is extremely structured. The important thing here is to find a school that seems like the best fit for your child and also makes you feel comfortable. Remember when your child starts school they are in school for a large quantity of time. You need to feel at ease when sending your child to school and finding the best fit will ensure this. Lastly remember, the first school you pick may not be the best fit. Don’t beat yourself up over this. It may take a few tries. Ultimately though when you do find that right school both you and your child will benefit.

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How to Keep Your Pre-Schooler Safe:

Editor — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:59:39 +0000

In this day and age when sending your child to school there are a few simple steps that you as a parent can do to help ensure the safety of your child: Ask if there are back round checks performed for each staff member and how often medicals are required.

Find out when the Board of Health last visited the site and find out if any violations were found, and how they were rectified.

Do a few informal observations when you are dropping off and picking up your child. Observe how teachers are reacting to other children whose parents are not present. This can often be a clear indicator of how your child is treated when you are not there.

Teach your child about his private areas and explain to him who is allowed to touch these areas (namely him only). Also explain to him what he should do if someone tries to touch him in an uncomfortable way (scream as loud as he can and tell parent and other teachers).

Turn your phone number into a song (i.e. to the tune of “Skip to My Loo”) as a way to teach it to your child. Also teach your child his first and last name, his parents names, and his street address. All preschoolers can learn these basic things as soon as they can talk.Teach your child who a police officer and fireman are and let him meet one at the local stations so he knows who to turn to if he gets lost and is not afraid of them.

Teach your child not to take anything from anyone they don’t know and explain to them why. While this may seem early to teach your child to be afraid of strangers, in the long run it will protect them and give you piece of mind.

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How to Detect a Bad Preschool or Child Care Facility

Editor — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:49:33 +0000

There are a few telltale signs to detect if a preschool is terrible from the first time you set foot in the door. Here are a few preliminary tips that will help you avoid those horrendous schools without investing too much time and energy:

When entering a school to find out information, always walk in during class times and unannounced. When parents call in teachers know to expect some one and often act on their best behavior. Also Directors will ensure that all their best people are present, and that they are fully staffed during scheduled tour dates. The class will always look extremely clean on a tour date and will not gibe a realistic picture of the classroom environment. Even if the school doesn’t allow you to tour right at that moment walking in and being observant for even a few seconds will give you a lasting impression.

When entering the school see how far you can walk without someone noticing you are there. If you can make it into the classroom area or anywhere where children are present, run for the door. Any establishment that allows you to walk near a child is not safe and should be brought to the attention to the board of health.

Look up standard regulations for your state from the Dept. of Health. This will give you an idea of what to look for when approaching a classroom. Check what the state stays the teacher to child ratio should be and find a school that at least meets that ratio or is better than the state reg. Also every Dept of Health site has the basic requirements for Health and safety in the preschool or nursery school environment. Lastly and most importantly the Dept of Health will let you know of any violations the school has received and why.

If you are unable to get in touch with the Dept of Health you should look in the school for the approved license from the Dept some where posted in the center. If their is none than this is not an approved center by the state and you should run for the door ! Also the school must disclose any violations they have received so don’t be afraid to ask!

Find out the hiring policy. Make sure that the employees are screened and fingerprinted. You never know how is being hired and you want to ensure that no staff ember has a criminal past. Also, all employees must have current medical forms on file. Make sure that each staff member is required to have a yearly medical as it is necessary to protect the health of the children. Lastly find out the turn over rate. If a significant amount of teachers are constantly leaving chances are the environment is unstable and faculty is unhappy.

Ultimately, it will take a very long time to find a school you will be happy with but with these few simple tips you may be able to cut some of the time and frustration! Good Luck

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