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Please browse our collection of articles related to Parenting, Health and Wellness.

The Importance of Support Resouces For Parents

By: Nicole Phillips, RN, BS

As a registered nurse, specializing in newborn, infant and pediatric care, I often find parents who despite their joyful welcome to pregnancy and parenting, there is an equal feeling of fear and apprehension. Beginning with childbirth and continuing through high school graduation and beyond, parents face the challenge of making the right decisions as their children move through the stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. In today's society of mass communications and technology, information is easily accessible via the radio, television, journal publications and the Internet. Researching options in childbirth education, the latest in infant care and treatment, solutions to sleep disorders or the latest trend in disciplining your toddler can bring forward a wide variety of information, opinions, and alternative solutions. Parents often feel intimidated and confused as opposed to feeling confident they have secured valuable information and resources to assist them in their decision making process.

Parents and those who are expecting, often turn to familiarity when seeking the right personal options. One might turn to a family member or friend, or perhaps their physician, clergy or co-worker in search of reassurance and validation. Regardless of the connections you make, it is imperative to surround yourself with strong resources and a good support system. Attending classes on childbirth education, parenting principles, or classes that build confidence and skill such as infant massage or infant/child CPR is essential in overcoming the anxiety we all face when making decisions that impact the life of a child. Surrounding yourself with factual information, building upon your current knowledge base and maximizing your personal strengths and skill sets contribute to the power of positive parenting.

Building a network of peers is another great way to overcome the trials that all families face in a world of abundant choices. Networking opportunities such as Mom's Groups, interactive music, art and language classes, and organized physical activities such as tumbling, dance and theater are great ways to meet other parents who are standing at the same crossroad, and who are experiencing similar challenges in a specific stage of growth and development. Reaching out in your community and joining organizations in your area will maximize your support systems and will hopefully spark the beginning of some lasting friendships for both you and your child.

When it comes to family planning, childbirth options, and parenting there are no right or wrong answers, or one perfect equation that will equal success for everyone. Each family must embrace what is best for their personal situation, and offer guidance and support to the next generation. As long as a child feels love, acceptance and validation as a unique individual, parenting does allow for a margin of error and a forgiving heart. Seeking out educational opportunities and building a social network of peers are essential tasks in achieving intellectual and emotional support. Through education, peer support and networking, parents can not only minimize personal fears and anxieties but will maximize confidence and success through preparation and planning.

Preventing Seasonal Illness

By: Nicole Phillips, RN, BS

As we step into Fall and Winter slowly approaches, we find our families at risk for catching the common cold or flu. Staying indoors and keeping close quarters with friends and family contribute to our risk of catching a cold or seasonal bug. Moms can take matters into their own hands by following some basic steps to prevention, helping to keep a healthy home and a happy family.

Wash your hands. Hand washing is the number one method of preventing illness. Clean your hands frequently and teach your children the importance of proper hand washing. Simply washing with warm water and ordinary soap for 10 seconds is one of the simplest and most effective ways to avoid catching a cold or the flu. Use antibacterial alcohol-based foams and gels when you don't have access to soap and water.

Disinfect your home regularly. Spray the surfaces of your home with a mild antibacterial cleaner or a mild solution of 2 to 5 percent bleach in water to kill viruses and bacteria. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone in your family has a common cold. Limit passing toys back and forth and be sure to wash children's toys after play.

Always sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, and then wash your hands carefully. Teach children to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don't have a tissue. That way they cover their mouth without using their hands.

Sharing is Off-Limits. Don't share drinking glasses, utensils or snacks with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick and be sure to label the cup or glass with the name of the person with the cold. Teach children to ask before helping themselves to a glass that is within their reach to make sure it is safe for drinking.

Eat a well-balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals obtain from fresh foods are essential to building a healthy immune system, and it provides sources of energy and nutrition for optimal growth and development. As the holidays approach, busy lives can often take time away from healthy meal planning. Plan meals in advance and try to encourage healthy snacks in between meals. Multivitamins can also help ensure that your family will receive an adequate dose of minerals and vitamins.

Get plenty of rest. On average, humans require seven to eight hours of sleep every night and children usually require 4-6 hours more depending on their age and sleep cycle. Lack of sleep can lower the immune system's ability to react when needed. Without sufficient sleep, it is difficult for your immune system to keep up with its nightly repair work, and creates an opening for opportunistic diseases and common cold and flu illness.

Time Management Tips for Busy Moms

By Nicole Phillips, RN, BS

As summer fades and a new school year arrives, families pick up the pace in their day to day routines. Dates on calendars fill up quickly, multi-tasking the carpool crew with errands, scouts and soccer creates challenges for most. Babymoon Moms know that organization is key to staying ahead of your event calendar, therefore we are sharing some insight on Mommy Time Management and have selected a few ?must have? items for all of our busy moms.

Get Organized with a Family Planner: Weekly Family Pad

Now you can take your momAgenda on the road and leave this handy pad at home with the kids or the babysitter! Use it just like your momAgenda... with space for mom and up to four children, it makes planning multiple schedules a breeze. Just put it on the fridge or on the counter and rest assured that your whole family will be on the same page! With a pretty blue border, it will look great in any kitchen or family room.

Plan Ahead for Mealtimes

An informed shopper is a savvy shopper, so prepare before you shop. Plan ahead for mealtimes using the Weekly Menu Pad. Never forget that crucial cooking ingredient again! Meal planning is a breeze with our weekly menu pad, which lets you note each meal alongside a corresponding grocery column. Minimize shopping trips and frantic last-minute searches while planning healthier meals with this helpful pad. A menu plan saves money and time by reducing trips to the supermarket, and reducing impulse spending. Careful menu planning allows for use of leftovers efficiently and cuts food waste. A menu plan improves nutrition by allowing moms an opportunity to compare meals from one day to the next. Balancing meals with grains, vegetables, fruits and starches will help moms feel good about what?s being placed on the dinner table despite hectic schedules.

The Toddler Bistro Box was conceived in response to moms who were finding it difficult to come up with ideas of how and what to feed their toddlers. The Toddler Bistro Box covers from 1-3 years, and includes the latest on food and environmental safety, easy recipes, shopping tips, nutrient and supplement needs, toddler personality tendencies, and creative activities. The recipe card format allows parents easy access to information they need as well as the ability to take cards with them to the store. Fun, playful artwork is inviting and inspires tired minds with innovative, healthy feeding ideas. The Toddler Bistro Box supports parents in their efforts to grow healthy, happy toddlers!

Prepare for the Day to Come

Minimize morning madness by preparing the night before. Set out children?s clothing, from socks and shoes to hair bows. Prep your kitchen for breakfast and place all school items in your child?s backpack to make sure his day gets off to a good start. If Mommy is stressed over time crunches and schedule changes, your child is sure to take this tension to school with them each morning.

Get your To Do List organized the evening before. From people to call, errands to run, plans to make and more, this four-pronged desk pad makes it simple to organize your thoughts into manageable segments. Plus, how good does it feel to check off things from your to do list!

Set Aside Time for Each Member of your Family

Even if it is only 10 minutes a day, schedule one on one time with each member of your family to discuss the day's events or to gather information to plan for the next day. Looking for an activity to do with your toddler while your child heads off to first grade? Our music and art classes are perfect for fostering education and sharing creative energy with your toddler. Music education builds success in learning and intelligence, language development, motor/physical skills, math and literacy, school, society, and life!