Good morning!  My name’s Kathy and I’ll be taking over this blog from Brian.  It’s great to be here, because I really love to talk about kids,families, parenting, and all of that stuff. 

I am married and the mother of 3 kids, two girls and a boy.  One of my kids is adopted and one’s almost a teenager (their ages are 5, 11, and 12).  I also teach college and write. 

If there’s something you’d like to learn more about, you can mention it in the comments, or you can email me at kidsyap@yahoo.com.  I’ll do what I can do find out more about it. 

In the meantime, it’s still the beginning of January, so Happy New Year to all of you.  Has anyone made any resolutions concerning their kids, parenting, or family lives?  Two of mine are to make one of the major repairs our old house needs–which means either new windows, new carpet, or remodelling the downstairs bathroom–and taking a family vacation.  We didn’t take one in 2008, but we were actually able to go to Branson for a few days in 2007.  That was a lot of fun.  This year, we’re thinking maybe St. Louis, but I guess we’ll have to see. 

We just want our kids to have good memories, you know?  So, family-oriented resolutions, anyone?

2010 is fast approaching and we all need to prepare for another year of big challenges. It’s important that parents will help their kids to be motivated for the upcoming year. They can help their kids to make their new years resolution and encourage them to follow it through out the whole year. Here are few new year’s resolutions that your child can use for her checklist:

1. I will brush my teeth everyday
2. I will clean up my room
3. I will drink my vitamins
4. I will sleep early
5. I will wash my hands before and after I eat.

Remember that you don’t make a long list for your child so that she would be able to do it easily. It is good to give her rewards, possibly every month so that they’ll be motivated to do what’s on the list. Be reminded that if your little one wasn’t able to follow her list, please don’t get mad and just keep on reminding your child that it’s her responsibility to follow what’s on her list.

For the parents, don’t forget to set a good example to your child. If you want her to brush her teeth everyday, you have to do it first. The more consistent you are, the more willingly she will follow.

This 2010, make a difference in the life of your child by showing her your support and love. Make an effort to reach out to her by giving your simple hugs and kisses. Make time for her because it’s an oppurtunity for you to make  great bond. Never forget to teach your child how to be thankful for the another year that God has given your family. Happy New Year to all the parents out there!

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Helping others this holiday season

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 7,000 people reported injuries from fireworks in 2008.  Considering that’s almost twice the size of my whole town, that seems like a pretty impressive number to me.  Of those 7,000, 7 died.

The CPSC emphasizes that these are not the big, professionally done blow-outs that mark Independence Day, New Year, and other big holidays and special occasions.  Those are done by…well, professionals, who pretty much know what they’re doing.

No, those injuries are being caused by the amateurs, the ones lighting off explosives on their back patio and putting sparklers out with their fingertips.  however, even if so many of those injuries are caused by carelessness, they still hurt.  So, the CPSC has come up with some guidelines to help you–and your kids, especially–have a safe and fun Indepenence Day.

• Check to see if fireworks are even legal in your area.  They never were where I grew up, but where I live now, they are.  It took me about five years to figure that out, though.

• Children must always be supervised when fireworks are involved!  And never let children light the fuses of fireworks themselves.  Those things move fast!

• Read the directions and follow all the warnings!  Believe it or not, you can do this wrong.

• Be sure other people are out of range before you light one.  That’s fire coming out of that tube.

• Light your fireworks on a smooth, flat surface, away from overhands, dry leaves and flammable materials.  It doesn’t seem like people should have to be told this, but at least 7,000 of them do.

• If a firework fizzles or duds, don’t try to relight it.  It might blow up in your face.

• Keep a bucket of water close by in case something catches on fire or someone gets burned.  It will also help you make sure your site is secured before you go in.

• Be aware that sparklers can catch clothes on fire!  They seem harmless, but they must be watched carefully!

Keep these safety tips, use some common sense, and make this a holiday to remember for the right reasons. 

Some people actually plan their pregnancies–unlike most people in my family.  And really, that’s the best way to go, to choose the next major turn your life will take, rather than have it thrust upon you because you had too many margaritas on New Year’s Eve. 

There are a lot of things to think about if you’re considering getting pregnant.  For this post, I’ll concentrate on getting your body ready, but in the next few posts we’ll talk about your couple-relationship, your finances, and your job.

First, begin taking a multivitamin.  You want your daily recommended allowance of everything, but it’s important that you have plenty of folic acid and calcium.  Folic acid is important in the first trimester for the fetus’ normal neurological development, and calcium is important because the baby’s skeletal development draws calcium from the mother’s system.  If the mother doesn’t get enough calcium, it will be drawn from her bones and teeth.

Next, check with your ob/gyn.  Tell her that you’re thinking about getting pregnant sometime in the next year (or whatever time period you’ve determined).  Follow her advice and counsel.  Get any info you need about your birthing options; that’s not a decision you and your partner will make overnight, so the earlier you know what is available to you, the better.  Ask about any difficulties she might anticipate with conception or carrying.

Get in shape.  If you have a fitness discipline, keep it up.  If you don’t, it’s time to start one.  Try to shed those few extra pounds, and build up your heart, lung, and muscle strength.  Your exercising will be limited during pregnancy, and you’ll be gaining weight at the same time, so you want to do whatever you can now.

Start getting more aware of your body.  Pay attention to your cycle.  Chart your period and when you ovulate.  Notice how you feel during those times.  Discuss these things with your partner, so that you get more comfortable talking about the intimate details of your body together.  If you’re having trouble conceiving, this awareness will serve you well.  When you do conceive, if you know your own body well, you’ll know it verysoon after.

Kegels, Kegels, Kegels.  These are simple exercises you can do anywhere to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles; these are the muscles that support the uterus.  This will strengthen the muscles you’ll use during pregnancy and childbirth, but will also serve you well in other areas.  All you do is squeeze your vaginal mucles together as though you were starting and stopping the flow of urine.  The stronger you can make these muscles, the easier your birthing experience will go, and the sooner everything will be back in nice, tight shape afterward.

Practice.  Making babies is fun!  It also helps build intimacy between you and your partner.  You probably better start working on it now, so when the time comes, you’ll be ready to go. 

Have fun!