Massage - the perfect gift for the whole family on Mothers Day (or any day)

A good therapeutic massage is better than having sex ... seriously, you get touched in places that you cannot reach yourself (unless you're a contortionist). If you haven't had a massage - splash out and experience it for yourself. Tell yourself that you have earned it and that with all the demands on a modern dad (or mom) you deserve a little treat. Try out relaxation, deep tissue, Thai or Swedish massages to experience the bliss of therapeutic massages.

Once you have done that and you know what it feels like to have a massage you can give massages to your kids, babies or your partner. Even if when you're not professionally trained it's still likely to be highly enjoyable for the recipient in your family. What you lack in skill you can make up in enthusiasm and devotion to looking after your family.

Teething in pictures

If you have ever wondered what it looks like when baby teeth first emerge - have a look at the following sequence of images that show how baby teeth come out. For a description of the teething sequence by month (after a birth) - check out our article on the baby teeth eruption sequence.

Stage 1 - you will notice a swelling of the gums at certain areas of the mouth (usually at the front where the lower or upper incisors will appear). The actual teeth are not visible yet but you might see the hint of an opening in the gum.



Stage 2 - you will notice an opening in the gum and a tiny showing of the tip of the teeth. It is quite common for two teeth to emerge at the same time or shortly after one another.

All you need to know about the umbilical cord

The following are the top 5 questions and answers dads have about umbilical cords:

1. What happens when the umbilical cord gets wrapped around the baby's neck during birth?
Having the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's head, neck or limbs is not uncommon during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes these conditions are detected during regular check ups and your midwife or health care professional decides what to do about the situation. Drastic interventions are rare if the baby's vitals are fine - medical staff might suggest exercises to encourage the baby to shift position.

What to do when your child has headlice

It seems inevitable that at some point in your life as a parent you have to deal with headlice (one way or another). Most likely someone at preschool, kindergarten or school has them and you get a letter to say "check your child". Or perhaps you discovered your little one scratching their head a lot or noticed some strange skin irritation around the neck or behind the ears. Either way - it helps to familiarize yourself with this pest.

Headlice are tiny insects that crawl from head to head and may be passed on through shared objects such as hairbrushes, towels and hats.

Detecting headlice - what to look for:

• Check your child's head and look for small light or dark brown insects without wings (check the entire head but especially the back of the head and at the sides and around the ears).
  
• Also look for tiny whitish eggs (nits) like grains of salt attached to hair shafts.

50 questions about pregnancy and food answered

The following is a list of common questions we get asked about what foods pregnant women can eat (obviously lots of dads are really worried about making sure their pregnant ladies are well catered for – and so they should :-) ).

1. Can pregnant women eat mushrooms?
   Yes certain mushrooms are absolutely fine to eat and many have healthy nutrients for pregnant women – more on mushrooms and pregnancy
   
2. What fruits can pregnant women eat?
   Almost all fruits and vegetables are good for pregnant women (and plenty of them) – check out the list of foods pregnant women can eat.
   
3. What foods pregnant women should not eat? What foods should pregnant women avoid?
   Any food that is not fresh and has been sitting on food counters for a while (e.g. pre-prepared sandwiches), any raw meats and fish and any foods with lots of stimulants (energy drinks, coffee, tea, etc) or alcohol.
   
4. Can pregnant women eat banana? Should pregnant women eat bananas?
   Absolutely – bananas are a rich source of Vitamin B and fibre. Check out the list of foods pregnant women can eat.
   
5. Can pregnant women eat lamb?
   Yes – as long as it is fresh and cooked well.
   
6. Can pregnant women eat grapefruit?
   Yes – grapefruit are a rich source of Vitamin C and fibre. Check out the list of foods pregnant women can eat.
   
7. Can pregnant women eat strawberries
   For sure – again another fruit packed with healthy ingredients.
   
8. Can pregnant women eat pineapple? What are the benefits of pineapple for pregnant women?
   Woman can eat pineapple during pregnancy no problem – other than the usual benefits of eating fresh fruit (i.e. vitamins) we are not aware of any specific benefits of eating pineapple during pregnancy. Some people mention laxative effects of pineapple (anecdotal information – not research based).
   
9. Asparagus and pregnancy? Can pregnant women eat asparagus?
   Yes – asparagus is fine to eat during pregnancy. As a green vegetable it has a lot of minerals and antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory and detoxing properties.
   
10. Are sunflower seeds safe to eat during pregnancy?
    Yes as long as they are fresh and have not been sitting in a bag for years.

Some thoughts about ADD

One in 20 grade-schoolers is taking drugs for Attention Deficit Disorder - or ADD. Now, some of these children may really need medication, but experts recommend that you examine your child's lifestyle before you medicate. Is his diet full of sugar, caffeine and processed food? Is he getting enough exercise? Is he getting too much stimulation from video games and TV?

But, more importantly, does your family life have structure? Is he getting enough attention from you? Often kids will act out to get noticed.

So, why not take a one-on-one weekend trip with him, and use that time to really observe and talk about his behavior. And talk about your relationship. For you may find that this is where the real attention deficit has been.

Here are some tips on parenting an ADD child:

1. Be consistent in rules and discipline.
   
2. Keep your own voice quiet and slow. Anger is normal. Anger can be controlled. Anger does not mean you do not love your child.
   
3. Try to keep your emotions cool by bracing for expected turmoil. Recognize and respond to any positive behavior, however small. If you search for good things, you will find them.
   
4. Avoid a ceaselessly negative approach: "Stop." "Don't." "No."
   
5. Separate behavior, which you may not like, from the child's person (e.g., "I like you. I don't like your tracking mud through the house.").
   
6. Establish a clear routine. Construct a timetable for waking, eating, play, television, study, chores and bedtime. Follow it flexibly when he disrupts it. Slowly your structure will reassure him until he develops his own.
   
7. Demonstrate new or difficult tasks, using action accompanied by short, clear, quiet explanations. Repeat the demonstration until learned, using audiovisual-sensory perceptions to reinforce the learning. The memory traces of a hyperactive child take longer to form. Be patient and repeat.
   
8. Designate a separate room or a part of a room that is his special area. Avoid brilliant colors or complex patterns in decor. Simplicity, solid colors, minimal clutter and a worktable facing a blank wall away from distractions help concentration. A hyperactive child cannot filter overstimulation.
   
9. Do one thing at a time: Give him one toy from a closed box; clear the table of everything else when coloring; turn off the radio/television when he is doing homework. Multiple stimuli prevent his concentration from focusing on his primary task.
   
10. Give him responsibility, which is essential for growth. The task should be within his capacity, although the assignment may need much supervision. Acceptance and recognition of his efforts (even when imperfect) should not be forgotten.
    
11. Read his pre-explosive warning signals. Quietly intervene to avoid explosions by distracting him or discussing the conflict calmly. Removal from the battle zone to the sanctuary of his room for a few minutes can help.
    
12. Restrict playmates to one or two at a time because he is so excitable. Your home is more suitable so you can provide structure and supervision. Explain your rules to the playmate and briefly tell the other parent your reasons.
    
13. Do not pity, tease, be frightened by or overindulge your child. He has a special condition of the nervous system that is manageable.
    
14. Know the name and dose of his medication. Give it regularly. Watch and remember the effects to report back to your physician.
    
15. Openly discuss with your physician any fears you have about the use of medications.
    
16. Lock up all medications to avoid accidental misuse.
    
17. Always supervise the taking of medication, even if it is routine over a long period of years. Responsibility remains with the parents! One day's supply at a time can be put in a regular place and checked routinely as he becomes older and more self-reliant.
    
18. Share your successful tips with his teacher. The outlined ways to help your hyperactive child are as important to him as diet and insulin are to a diabetic child.

Huddle up and ask your wife tonight: Do you think our child has ADD? Do you think it's a lifestyle or medical issue?

Posted with permission from www.allprodad.com

10 tips you must know to stay fit during pregnancy

Stay fit during pregnancy (yes pregnant mums, you too! :-) ).
Exercising in pregnancy is great for you and your baby, as long as you are sensible and follow some guidelines. Not only does exercising release endorphins which will make you feel great, it is also great to prepare your body for labour and birth. Many studies have shown that mothers who are fit generally have a far easier labour and delivery than mothers who are unfit. It doesn’t have to be a lot of exercise, but every little bit helps. Below are some tips for exercising while pregnant. Please note though, that for both yours and your baby’s safety, you should always consult your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC),or the medical professional overseeing your pregnancy if you are not in New Zealand, about what exercise is appropriate for you to do while pregnant.

Child car seat safety

The loss of a child is the single thing that scares parents the most. We often obsess over ways to keep our children safe. We buy plastic doodads to plug into electrical sockets to keep little fingers away, we put poisons and chemicals out of reach and special childproof locks on cabinets, and, of course, we put our children in child safety car seats. What we often fail to do, however, is get expert help with car seat installation. Studies from the Center for Disease Control have shown that motor vehicle injuries are the greatest public health problem for children. When correctly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death by more than 70 percent for infants and more than 43 percent for children aged 1 to 4!

Improving car seat safety

Sequence of how baby teeth come out

Now that your little one is pushing out his or her first teeth are you wondering in what sequence baby teeth usually appear? Well - as it turns out the good people of the "Journal of American Dental Association" already did some research back in 1974 to answer exactly that question. The results of the research have led to an averaged out "eruption sequence" (i.e. the order in which teeth appear) for baby teeth.

[image by sedron.com]

Eruption Sequence of baby teeth (also called "Deciduous Teeth" or "Primary Teeth") in months after birth:

Kids and smoking

We generally post inspirational articles and posts on this site and we believe it is more important to focus on positive parenting stories than harping on about all the things that have gone wrong in this world. However every now and then we come across something that is so grotesque that we just have to share it as an example of something we'd hope to never ever see again. This is the most shocking case of parenting I have ever seen in my life.

-Stef