Stay Safe when the Lights go Off

No matter where you live, weather just happens. Heavy rains that keep the kids inside for hours at a time turns the home into a jail of frustrated and bored kids. If the heavy rains trigger floods or power outages, the anxiety level is raised even more.

Thunderstorms, blizzards, tornados and earthquakes, gales and hurricanes are all conditions that can raise havoc in any area of the country. As mom’s anxiety level rises, so does that of the kids. All mom can do is make sure that emergency supplies have been put aside in case the worse happens and concentrate on making her family feel safe.

Power outages accompany many extreme weather occurrences. Sometimes they just happen on their own. If you experience a power failure, you still have to keep the kids warm and fed. Don’t forget it’s up to you to keep them safe.

Power Generators

Portable power generators are kept by many families who experience frequent outages. They have their dangers as well as their benefits.

The exhaust fumes of a power generator can become deadly if inhaled. They have high levels of carbon monoxide. Even if your basement, shed, garage or crawlspace is ventilated, don’t be tempted to use them in those areas.

The portable generator should be placed outside in dry areas, well away from windows, vents or doors that would let the carbon monoxide enter the home and quickly overwhelm the occupants.

Remember than generators sold for home use are generally not weatherproofed. If they are used on wet conditions they can cause shock or electrocution. Wait until the rain stops before you use an unprotected generator.

If the generator is in use and you or the kids start to feel dizzy, weak or sick, get out side to fresh air right away. Carbon monoxide acts quickly and people can be incapacitated almost immediately.

Make sure that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are installed in the home and that they have batteries and are working.

For the families who don’t have a power generator and are using charcoal grills to prepare meals, please remember that burning charcoal also produces deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Keep the grill outside. Never take the chance of using them inside of the home or other enclosed space.

Organize all those Art Masterpieces

As the school year winds down the teachers will be returning the projects they've made in class throughout the year. You know that art projects will soon be making their way from the classroom to the home. Although some of these beautiful examples of artistic talent will immediately gain prominent display on the refrigerator or family communications cork board, there are just too many pieces of creativity to be displayed.

Packing them away in boxes just invites damage, a thought the proud parent of an artist can't bear to contemplate.

Idea

Save the cardboard tubes from paper towel, aluminum foil and plastic wraps used in the kitchen. Roll up the childhood memory and tuck it in the tube. Label the tube with the child’s name, date and the subject matter and the treasured can be stored without worry of accidental damage. Decorating the tubes can be a fun rainy day activity for the kids.

Sooner or later the accumulation of drawings makes it necessary to be a bit more discriminatory when determining what to choose to save and take up valuable household storage. Even the artwork that is not chosen to be vaulted away forever can be given new life.

Idea

Consider giving the drawings another use as wrapping paper for small gifts.Not only will the kids get a lesson in recycling,  grandmothers and other close relatives may find just as much enjoyment from the artful wrapping as they do of the gift inside.

And, speaking of school art projects, many art programs are always in need of material remnants, buttons, scraps of wrapping paper and ribbon for art projects. Before tossing the scraps that have accumulated in your work basket, speak to the kindergarten teacher to see if there is a use for them at the local school. If not, contact activity directors at nursing centers and senior groups.

Like everything else, even school art projects fit into the category of use it up, then find another use for it.

Natural Ways to Ease Colic Pain

I usually don't like to recommend herbal remedies for children. It has nothing to do with the safety of the herb. I hesitate because I don't want my suggestion of a remedy to cause a parent to diagnose the condition and possibly mask symptoms that prevent the child from receiving professional care. 

I only offer the following information because Pediatrics reviewed 15 clinical trials on infantile colic and recently released the results of the study. They have determined what we already knew. Herbs can help ease the symptoms of colic.

Fennel extract seems to be the most effective herbal remedy for the baby showing symptoms of colic. Fennel seeds are a natural aid to digestion. They help to expel gas as they relax the muscle lining of the digestive tract.

German chamomile and lemon balm also showed effectiveness is the clinical trials. These herbs are often recommended for teas to give a calming effect to the drinker.

A tea made with a combination of fennel, balm mint, licorice and chamomile was also studied for their effects on infants and found effective.

After a sleepless night spent trying to sooth a crying baby, both mom and her child could benefit from the soothing tea. Mom can brew a double batch and enjoy her cup, diluting some and letting it cool before letting the baby join her relaxing tea moment.

There were no recommendations made during the study of the strength of the concoction for the colicky infant. Like all herbal remedies, introduce the new herbal remedy in small doses to make sure that the substance is well tolerated.

Let the herbal tea cool before giving it the baby.

Herbal remedies are never meant to substitute for medical care or treatments that are suggested by your health team. They are offered as a temporary way to ease the occasional problem. If the problem persists, call the doctor.

All written content ©2011 Patrice Campbell unless otherwise noted.

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

The kids are bored. It’s too hot to play outside. They want a snack. They’re not interested in anything you have in the cupboard. They want cookies, but the cookie jar is empty.

You just want to put your feet up and relax in front of the fan because the sun is blazing through the window and there is no breeze outside. It’s summer and it’s just too hot. But, you’re a mom who knows her kids are uncomfortable.

Wouldn’t it be great if you and your family could gather in the kitchen and make a great treat without turning on the oven?

Sounds like a great day for some no bake cookies. How about a nutritious cookie that only has 4 ingredients that you more than likely already have in your cupboard?

·         ½ cup of peanut butter
·         ¼ cup of honey
·         ½ teaspoon of vanilla
·         2 to 3 cups of crispy rice cereal

Mix the first 3 ingredients together in a bowl. Slowly mix in the crispy cereal until the mixture is stiff enough to roll into a ball and hold its shape.

Send the kids upstairs to wash their hands while you lay wax paper on the table. Let them roll the mixture into balls and place them on the wax paper.

Place the cookies in the refrigerator while you clean up the dishes and the kids wash their hands again. By the time everything is nice and tidy, the no bake peanut butter cookies will be ready for everyone to enjoy.

TIP: It’s a lot easier to roll the balls with moist hands. Explain the difference between dripping wet hands and moist hands.

Rummage and Repurpose

Just because a piece of furniture is sold for a certain purpose doesn’t mean you have to use it that way. One of the best deals I ever found was a layette constructed of wood.  It stood out from the other items at a garage sale I just happened to drive by. Always on the lookout for a bargain, I pulled over.

The beautiful piece didn’t have a pad, and as the woman who was holding the rummage sale came over the first thing she did was apologize and offer me a discount. I didn’t show my surprise, and I was surprised. I thought it was a dresser and was looking for something for my bedroom. The piece was priced at $50.00.

I commented that it seemed like an unusual size and wondered if a replacement pad would be easy to find. The woman said that she had never found a replacement pad for it, and that was why she was selling it. She also pointed out a scratch on the side that I hadn’t noticed and offered it to me for $25. I smiled and accepted.

I used the layette for several years in my bedroom. It had 3 rows of nice sized drawers. I especially liked the 4-1/2 inch lip on the back and sides. They kept all of the odds and ends that end up on the top of a bedroom dresser from falling down behind the piece.

Repurpose

A few years later I found another great deal on a chest of drawers at a rummage sale and the layette was transferred to my entry way. I hung a mirror over it, placed a colorful bowl on it to hold my car keys, and it was a convenient place to drop my mail and purse when I came home. The drawers offered me additional storage space in an area that would otherwise be wasted.

From the entry, the piece was moved to the dining area to serve as a side board. I installed a shelf above it and filled it with greenery, candlesticks and at one time it even showed off pieces of my salt and pepper shaker collections.

Repurpose Again

I don’t have the piece anymore. I gave it to a friend when I moved. She had just decided to provide day care for her new grandbaby while mom went back to work. The layette is back to serving its original purpose. By the way, she had no problem finding a replacement mat for the piece.

Herbal Tea for Colic? Science Says Yes

I usually don't like to recommend herbal remedies for children. It has nothing to do with the safety of the herb. I hesitate because I don't want my suggestion of a remedy to cause a parent to diagnose the condition and possibly mask symptoms that prevent the child from receiving professional care. 

I only offer the following information because Pediatrics reviewed 15 clinical trials on infantile colic and recently released the results of the study. They have determined what we already knew. Herbs can help ease the symptoms of colic.

Fennel extract seems to be the most effective herbal remedy for the baby showing symptoms of colic. Fennel seeds are a natural aid to digestion. They help to expel gas as they relax the muscle lining of the digestive tract.

German chamomile and lemon balm also showed effectiveness is the clinical trials. These herbs are often recommended for teas to give a calming effect to the drinker.

A tea made with a combination of fennel, balm mint, licorice and chamomile was also studied for their effects on infants and found effective.

After a sleepless night spent trying to sooth a crying baby, both mom and her child could benefit from the soothing tea. Mom can brew a double batch and enjoy her cup, diluting some and letting it cool before letting the baby join her relaxing tea moment.

There were no recommendations made during the study of the strength of the concoction for the colicky infant. Like all herbal remedies, introduce the new herbal remedy in small doses to make sure that the substance is well tolerated.

Let the herbal tea cool before giving it the baby.

Herbal remedies are never meant to substitute for medical care or treatments that are suggested by your health team. They are offered as a temporary way to ease the occasional problem. If the problem persists, call the doctor.

Whim or Interest? Committing to an Activity

I like to encourage kids and adults to try out new things. You never know what you have a knack for until you’ve actually tried it and worked on it long enough to see if you can be successful with it. No one is an expert at something on the first attempt, after all.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve joined a gym. The first few weeks I looked forward to the new experience and took a bit of pride in my goal of losing weight and becoming fit. Then, the trips to the gym suddenly got inconvenient. There was always something else I had to do. Soon, the gym bag was in the back of the closet.

This has happened with book clubs, ceramic classes, and even continuous learning classes. But, I told myself, I’m a big girl and can make my own decision on what is a right fit for me and my schedule.

As a mom, I tend to look at the situation a bit differently when a child decides that they want to drop out of an activity. I think that kids should finish what they start. I feel that it helps with their self discipline. It’s one of those parenting “Do as I say, not as I do” type of things.

Now that I thing about it, I’m not being fair at all. How successful can I be at encouraging someone to try something new if I attach a rule that they have to stick it out even if they don’t like it?

Kids often come up with ideas for new things they want to try all on their own. Most of them cost the parents a lot of money and time spent driving them to the activity. Many times the child wants to try the activity because they saw it on the TV, heard about it at school, or several of their friends are involved.

If you face the same dilemma, talk it over with your child. Listen as they explain their reason for wanting to join the activity. Discuss the schedule and cost with the child. Explain that if they add the new activity to their schedule, it may cause a conflict with other things. If you both agree that the new experience is worth trying, define a trial period. Let the child know that you expect him to commit to the new activity until the end of the trial and at that time you will discuss it again to see if they should continue with the activity.

If the child wants to quit the activity before the end of the trial period, try to find out why? Is it just that he doesn’t feel successful? Is there a personality conflict with other members or leaders of the group? Did he just get tired of it?

Sometime there is a good reason for kids to drop an activity. Sometimes the only reason is that they’ve found something else they want to try. But as a mom you know you can’t keep investing time on money on a passing whim. Use your own judgment as to whether you’ll allow the child to drop out before the trial period ends.

You’re the mom, he’s your child. You are the best person to make the decision.