A traditional three wheel jogger stroller may be a bad decision for you and your family!

Parents with young children are more and more committed to staying fit. They want to be with their kids as they go inline skating, or enter a 10 kilometer running race, or join a moms and tots walking club. Many of these folks have went out and bought a jogging stroller to help them stay healthy and fit.

If you are an every-day runner, or if you run through rough terrain then a traditional 3 wheel jogging stroller is best for you. A jogging stroller is very lightweight and it has 3 sixteen inch wheels (two in the back and one in the front). The back wheels make it so that the stroller pushes easily and at the same time they provide a smooth ride for your kids. The front wheel is fixed in place which means that when you run, walk, inline skate, or whatever the stroller will roll straight-ahead. When you need to make a turn with the stroller the runner tilts it back a little bit onto the back wheels and then makes the turn.

Now don’t get me wrong the fixed front wheel is ideal for jogging, because it provides the stability and straight tracking that you need.

There are many moms and dads who want to use their stroller for running or jogging or in-line skating or powerwalking, but they also want to use to go to the store, or use it on a day at the zoo.

The fixed wheel is great for jogging but it becomes a nuisance when out shopping because the stroller has to be tilted back onto its rear wheels to make a turn. And it is not the easiest to manoeuvre down the aisles of a department store.

There is now a new style of jogging stroller on the market - one that can be effectively used for exercising (jogging/running, inline skating, power-walking, and so on) and can also be used for other practical purposes - going to the store, walking through the neighbourhood, etc.

This new-style stroller has a front wheel that (with a push of a button) can either be locked in place or can swivel. The 12? front wheel when locked in place makes the stroller great for running since the stroller will roll straight. Putting the front wheel in swivel (unlocked) position makes it super for navigating through a busy mall or an outing at a park. The strollers have large rear wheels (usually 16? diameter) which mean that the ride for your passenger will be very smooth. Listed below are some of the features of a swivel wheel jogger stroller…

* Super for running, jogging, speed-walking or even inline skating on smooth surfaces

* It’s like having two strollers in one. Use it for exercising with the front wheel locked in the straight position and use it for going to the mall (with the front wheel in the swivel position).

* Made of lightweight material which means they are made for smooth rolling and easy pushing. You won’t be straining yourself to put the stroller into and out of the trunk of your car.

* Made of long-lasting, rust-resistant aluminum frame.

* Passenger comfort. The two rear wheels are built similar to bicycle tires (spoked wheels with air-filled tires) making the ride for your child very smooth.

* Secure. Safety is always top-of-the-mind. The new style strollers are equipped with a 5 point harness that is easy to use and will keep your baby safe and secure in the stroller.

* Protect your child from the sun. Many of these “hybrid” strollers have a very flexible sun cover that can be positioned so that your child will be blocked from the harmful rays of the sun no matter which direction the stroller is moving.

* Simple to collapse. Many of the new style strollers have a one push ‘trigger’ that will allow the user to quickly fold the stroller into a smaller space for storage.

* Flexible-height adjusting handle bar. If your partner is 6 foot 5, and you are five foot 2 you’ll want a stroller that has handle bars that can move up and down with the touch of a lever. Many of the ‘hybrid’ strollers now have flex-height handle bars.

* Within your budget. A top-quality stroller (with a 20 year warranty) with a swivel front wheel (that can be locked straight) can be purchased on the internet for under $280.

Source: Parenting

Our primary job as an effective parent is to make sure our kids are able to function successfully on their own when they leave the house. Every decision we make should be made with that goal in mind. This knowledge and single-minded focus should help us to navigate the waters of parenting much easier, because we have a definite destination in mind.

Sounds hard? It is really easier than you would think. There are 2 areas where children need direction; problem solving and accountability. Children who are being ornery and basically disrespectful, are telling you that don’t know how to solve a problem. The easier part of effective parenting - go through the actions to identify and solve the problem. Then be sure to add the piece of accountability for the decisions they make, good and bad.

1. Problem solving is a process. Problem solving is difficult, otherwise we wouldn’t have any problems. Many kids with abusive behaviors don’t have the patience for the problem solving process. Parents need to understand the importance of problem solving in the learning process and not do it for the child. The time to start is when they’re young, because the problems are more easily solved then, even though the child may feel like they’re monumental. As they get older, they will be more able to solve the bigger problems if they’ve had experience with the smaller ones when they were young.

2. Coach them forward. All good coaches know that they can get the best out of their players if they stick to business and not to emotion. This too is our goal as effective parents. Being patient as we encourage them through this learning process will pay off in spades for them as adults.

3. Do as I do, not as I say. What? Yep that is how it really works. Your actions and words of course need to match. But if they don’t, they are going to copy what you do. Calmly handling life’s curveballs as their little eyes observe is your best teaching technique. Also let them start fending for themselves as soon as possible. Pushing the elevator button may seem like kids play, and looking at the directory to find the floor you need first, empowers them with life skills.

4. Provide strategic help and solutions. Only give them things they can handle. Offer supportive assistance along the way, don’t criticize them, and most importantly of all, don’t do it for them. As tempting as this may be, you need to let them succeed or fail on their own. We all know it’s easier to load the dishwasher or make the kids bed than to try to get them to do it, but what does that teach them?

5. Encourage exploration and experimentation. As they get to be a teen, you need to let them try out their own ideas for problem-solving and encourage and praise their resourcefulness.

6. Keep setbacks and failures in perspective. This is life in a nutshell. Both experiences provide fertile ground for ongoing training. Look at these as opportunities that they are and you win. Calm and steady as you go and they win too.

Parenting is a daunting task, especially when it comes to teenagers. Hopefully, these tips will help you to have the most effective parenting skills possible.

Source: Parenting

During these times many families are finding their incomes cut in half with spouses being laid off, companies closing, and the economy the way it is. They ask themselves how do we live going to one income? The first thing they need to do is make a plan!

Stress comes when your income reduces and the expenses increase. With gas and food on the increase and pay remaining the same, we have to think about how to cut corners. There are a lot of people are looking for a way to make quick money.

Well there are simple things every family can do to help them get through rough times. From organizations that help families in need, to lifestyle changes, finding new employment, legitimate work at home employment, bartering, and more. Many church organizations have charities set up to help those in need from providing a weeks worth of groceries for $30 to helping find government agencies that can give food and rental assistance.

Apply early for your unemployment benefits! If you have worked, you have paid into unemployment for those times when you are without work. There are also insurance coverage available for those times when you lose your job until you find a new one. Contact your local department of labor for more information.

Review your expenses and begin to cancel all unnecessary expenses. Lower trips driving your car and going out to dinner. You don’t need cable or trips to the massage parlor or the salon or car wash. You can cut your own grass.

You can earn money at home working on the internet. There are many contract positions out there. Check them out carefully. There is a lot you can do without investing any money. Be sure it is not a scam though.

Think about how long it will be to get a job. think about what kind of a job do you want? Update your resume.Be sure to make a plan and follow it through. Who do you know that you can get a small loan from?

You can barter or trade your services.If you need more informatio, search the internet to learn more about how to do this. Sometimes you can get things done with out using money. There are a lot of people doing this.

Source: Parenting

Source: parenting

Choosing a baby name for your child is almost like choosing his identity. Ever heard about the association of a person’s name with his personality? That’s how our names really work. A name molds a person’s identity like a cookie-cutter. So, better get that best baby name for your son or daughter. Read on for some tips on how to provide that best baby name for your little angel.

1. Stop it already with the dictates of your family’s tradition. Choosing the right baby name does not have to always rely on what your elderly relatives deem to be the best baby name. It is your baby’s name, not theirs. So, better act like it. Once your baby is born he will be stuck with that baby name for life. That means it’s not wise to just settle for any baby name that will suit your grandma’s or auntie’s taste.

2. Take a look of a picture of his future. You don’t want your baby to be always called with a monicker that will forever ridicule him or will allow his playmates to make a big laughingstock out of him, right? Research about the meaning of the baby name you are eyeing to give to your baby. Don’t consider Beelzebub as a prospective baby name just because you heard it from a TV show and you find it cute. Don’t use Rodelfa just because a certain Mexican TV show’s hunky lead actor is called Rodolfo. Just plainly saying yes to your gutfeel, thinking of the people that pops into your head upon hearing somebody spout a certain name, trying to follow a fad by naming your baby a certain celebrity’s (sometimes notorious) or NOT THINKING AT ALL in giving your precious one his or her baby name are huge no-nos!

3. Consider reading the initials of the baby name you are planning to give your baby. Make sure they don’t stand for anything funny, disturbing or something utterly stupid. Christine Sue Irving? What will happen on the next episode? Alvin Stephen Stuart? He’ll surely remember not to get near any hole. Fran Ursula Catherine Klein? Uh-oh! See? Can you imagine the sickening situation you may put your child into when he or she grows up?

4. Go check your family tree once and for all. Some can’t still get away from some traditions regarding baby name decisions, especially when they have a special bond with a certain family member that they want that person’s name to be a part of their baby’s name. If your planning to still follow the tradition of putting a part of your elder relatives names on your baby’s name, you have to know whether anybody else in your family use that name too. You don’t want to confuse people when they’re calling a name that’s owned by two. Ask around.

5. Don’t go for the overkill. Being too creative on thinking of a baby name can backfire, I’m telling you. Examples are too unique spellings. It will be hard for the kid to keep on spelling his or her name to people who only know the common spelling of such name.

6. Decide with your partner in coming up with the best baby name for your sweet baby. It wouldn’t be nice to be always blamed when people ask who chose that awful baby name, right. Okay, kidding aside. Sharing on this kind of decision-making is a good way of furthering your bond as a couple, not to mention the possibility of coming up with a better baby name. Remember that the ‘two heads are better than one’ thought also applies to dealing with the troubles of finding the most suitable baby name for your baby.

Sound, appeasing relatives and friends and avoiding embarrassing initials and discovery of disgusting meanings are some of the major concerns that should be considered in your quest for the perfect baby name. You might find them a bit taxing. But in the long run, you’ll see that doing your homework will make your baby thank you when the right time comes. Happy baby naming!

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is an internet marketing advisor and co founder of Free Affiliate Programs

For more information and resource links on baby care visit: Baby Centre

Source: Infants and Toddlers

If there’s one thing that every parent has had to learn the hard way, through experience, it is this - that parents are always wrong. Whatever we choose to do as parents, a friends’ parents are doing differently, or whatever we think is good advice to follow today, was scrapped by everyone else yesterday. Being a parent is hard work, and after all those childhood years resenting our own parents and vowing that we would do things so much better if only given the chance, we are now well aware that we are the very parents that we vowed we’d try not to be as children. It might well be the case that we’re not making the same mistakes as our parents, but we’re excellent at making whole rafts of new ones to make life interesting for ourselves and our children.

One aspect in particular which has worried parents today, and which was not an issue back in the days when we were children, is the advent and proliferation of computers and other technologies which allow our children to meet, interact and communicate online with people from all over the world, and to spend hours glued to a screen focussing entirely on moving bunches of pixels from one place to another in a desperate attempt to do strange things like finish the ‘Quest of The j’Graa Goblet’ or seek out Lord Krakticka to pwn him with the rest of the guildies. If this means nothing to you, then join the club - it’s a big club, with a growing number of members.

Parents aren’t idiots - we’re most of us quite capable of working a computer, typing up a letter, creating a graph and sending off some emails, but computers seem to have a whole other world built in to them that leaves many of our generation reeling at the prospect. For those of us who shred our telephone and gas bills before binning them, and always ask to see the identity card of the man standing at our doorstep wanting to read our meter, the idea of happily posting your most intimate details on a worldwide system for the entire world to see and do what they like with is awful. Whilst having friends all over the world sounds appealing, having friends we have never met and are never likely to challenges our understanding of what friends are. Just because you hang out in Doom Forest killing dwarves from the opposite faction each evening doesn’t, in our traditional book, constitute a friendship.

Naturally, with so many news stories about the terrible things that happen as a result of the internet, with people masquerading as children in an attempt to lure them into meeting up in the real world, and then never seen again. If you have considered the idea of simply binning the computer and saving a lot of trouble, you certainly wouldn’t be the first parent, or the only one to have such concerns.

Of course, the truth is that computers, and the internet, are no more dangerous than any other aspect of our lives. Yes, we could easily get knocked down and killed crossing the road, a tree might fall over and crush us, or we might go on holiday and get killed by a falling coconut, but we stand more chance of being killed in any of these ways than of any harm coming to us using a computer or the internet. It’s simply a matter of common sense. After all, crossing the road is a fairly straightforward and relatively safe procedure, but lying down in the middle of the motorway is clearly being ludicrously cavalier with our safety. Similarly, using the internet safely is fine, but there are stupid things that we, or our children, can do which we need to be aware of.

What are the dangers or risks involved in using the internet, or computers, and exactly what can we as parents do to try to ensure that our children can enjoy using this amazing resource, whilst at the same time staying as safe as possible? The key to safety is understanding - whatever it is you’re doing. Whether it’s driving on the motorway, parachuting or flying to the moon, the more you understand the risks, the less risk you’ll be taking. By understanding what it is that your children are doing, and knowing what they mean by avatars, profiles, chat rooms, messenger programs and online games, you will be able to share your child’s experiences much more, and help them to use the internet more safely. The more we can work with our children to encourage them to use the technology in a positive way, but understanding the dangers and risks, the more chance we have of helping to ensure their safety, enabling them to decide themselves on the level of risk.

We are familiar with teaching our children about the dangers of the streets, and they are well aware of the risks associated with strangers. They know not to open the door to strangers, not to talk to strangers, not to accept lifts from strangers, and to simply run away and report anything suspicious. But on the internet, strangers can have names, faces, profiles, histories, and the advantage of distance. The problem is, of course, that our children don’t see a stranger, when they are looking at a profile of someone they’re enjoying chatting to. The fact that the photo of a child their own age, with a name, a school, hobbies and family, could all be fictitious is ignored. It is so easy for people to hide behind fake profiles, and thereby lull children into revealing just enough information to identify them.

A cursory look through the internet, or the shelves of your local computer retailer, you’ll see hundreds of so-called solutions. These typically lock down your computer, creating barriers and firewall, monitoring the use of the computer, logging and recording everything that takes place, and generally creating a regime of fear on the computer. But since this only generates either resentment, or curiosity within our children, the best solution really is to communicate with them. We taught them about the dangers of strangers, crossing the road, and real life - why not extend those skills to the virtual world? By having the computer somewhere visible, rather than hidden away in their bedroom, you will have a chance to see what they’re doing, talk to them about it, ask questions, and help to inform them so that they can make the decisions about the risks they take themselves. We can’t lock our children away in a safe room somewhere - but we can help to arm them with the tools they need to stay safe in the 21st century.

Source: Children

There are plenty of baby products on the market, many full of chemicals and artificial colors and perfumes to make them look and smell better. These chemicals tend to be harsh on delicate skin and parents in the know usually prefer organic baby skin care products such as organic baby balms.

Organic baby balms should be completely made of natural ingredients that are chemical free. Each ingredient has a specific purpose and it’s a good idea to understand which ingredient does what for your baby’s skin so you can choose the perfect organic baby balm for his or her skin.

Organic Baby Balm Ingredients

Beeswax: This ingredient is one of the most commonly used in baby balms. It’s a natural ingredient that smells heavenly and also works to seal and protect delicate skin. When used with moisturizing ingredients, it helps to seal them in, maximizing the moisturizing potential of any baby balm.

Calendula: This Mediterranean flower is a very useful natural ingredient. Used on its own, it can eliminate pain and when used in organic baby balms, calendula reduces inflammation and promotes healing. It also reduces the itching of insect bites.

Chamomile: A natural antiseptic, chamomile is soothing and great for use on sensitive skin. It boosts natural cell regeneration and helps reduce rashes and swelling. This herb is particularly useful in baby skin care products meant to treat diaper rashes.

Coconut Oil: An amazing oil that originates from the meat of the coconut, this natural ingredient has anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties that make it a very useful ingredient in organic baby balms.

Lavender: This aromatic herb is well known for its soporific effect on people and a little of its essence added to an organic baby balm will help calm and soothe a fussy baby and promote sleep.

Olive Oil: This natural moisturizer is just as healthy when applied to the skin as it is ingested. Rich in Vitamin E, olive oil helps promote healing and minimizes scarring. It is also excellent for treating skin problems like eczema and dandruff.

Shea Butter: An organic, heavy duty moisturizer, shea butter is also useful for protecting little faces from the wind and sun. It also promotes healing of small cuts and rashes, such as diaper rashes and can be used to prevent and treat blemishes and scars. Shea butter is also used to help reverse skin damage caused by harsh chemicals and can really soothe tender baby skin.

Zinc Oxide: One of the most common ingredients in diaper rash cream, zinc oxide eases inflammation and works as a natural astringent on the skin. It’s gentle healing action is very useful for rashes and sores. It is also a natural sun block.

Organic baby balms are the natural way to treat your baby’s skin. Not all of the above ingredients will be used in every balm, as each is specifically formulated to serve a purpose. For example, a healing balm might contain olive oil, zinc oxide and calendula, while a moisturizing balm would be more likely to have beeswax and shea butter in it.

The simpler organic baby skin products are, the less likely your child will have a reaction to any of the ingredients. Most baby balms have just 4-6 ingredients and all are recognizable, as opposed to chemical laden versions.

Look for an organic baby balm that has the ingredients needed for your baby’s particular skin type. Each ingredient will do a specific job and combined, they are dynamite for treating dry infant skin.

Providing a variety of natural baby skin care products made from pure, gentle, organic plant oils and extracts. Our organic baby skincare products soothe and calm the delicate skin of babies and children.

Source: Infants and Toddlers

By the time you finish reading this, you will be on your way to organizing and planning birthday parties for preschoolers.

Preschool age children are limited in what activities they can do. Harder games can be too much for them to understand. They also have shorter attention spans then older children, which is an important thing to keep in mind.

So what should you do? Well, I suggest that if you are planning a party for preschoolers, you should keep them busy. Always make sure that they have something to do.

It can help to always have some back up activities in case an activity does not work out. A good back up is a coloring table or a movie. These things are usually always a hit with preschoolers and can serve to occupy them if needed.

Another thing to take note of is that you should set up the activities even before the party starts. You should make sure that you have enough supplies of everything because the last thing you want is preschoolers fighting.

Now that you have understood that these preschoolers may not understand complex instructions, what you can do is that you should plan out good activities for them. What are good activities? Good activities would allow the preschoolers to be independent and have minimum parental involvement.

So, what activities can be considered good activities? I suggest that you have activities like bubble blowing, face painting, bean bag toss game and also water balloons. There are several party games which you can use but you should change some of the rules as some of them are quite difficult for preschoolers to understand.

You want to keep the activities flowing. You never want a time when everyone is just standing around. Preschoolers are not very patient and they like to stay busy, so if you are not keeping them busy they will definitely find something to keep themselves busy and that could spell trouble.

if you think that a big group is difficult to handle, you can consider breaking them up into groups. by doing this, it will reduce waiting time and also keep them busy. The backup activity can be used during intervals.

If you are intending to include bubble blowing or even water balloons in as one of your activities, you need to make sure that everyone has the same amount of supplies.

Some activities can be very messy, especially bubble blowing and water bombs. Well, if you are thinking of including these activities, you need to make sure that you inform their parents so that they will bring a new set of clothes.

Now that you know this, you should take into consideration that these kids like to act like their grownups. They want to be independent but you have to make sure that what they are doing is within their capability.

Source: Recreation-and-Sports

The spring rains have finally come to northwest Ohio. After all the snow and rain we had in February and March, it was hard to believe that it was actually getting a little too dry. But now everything is greening up like it’s supposed to.

Hope we haven’t put some kind of jinx on ourselves by wishing for rain–next thing you know, we’ll be backing out of our driveway in a boat. Be careful what you pray for…

Some of our newsletter readers have asked: How do you teach older children when you have one or more toddlers demanding your attention?

This is obviously something that adds to the stress of a home schooling day (as if there wasn’t enough stress already from trying to squeeze everything into your daily schedule).

Here are a few simple tips that can help make life easier:

1. If you can, have one of the older children play with the toddler
while you teach the first child, then switch and let that child play
with the toddler while you teach the second.

2. Have someone (maybe Grandma or a friend) watch the toddler
while you teach.

3. Enlist the father of these children to teach some of the subjects
and/or play with the toddler.

4. Do a fun activity with the toddler before starting class.

5. Don’t try to have a solid block of “school” that lasts four or
more hours. Divide up the time. Do an hour in the morning, maybe
two in the afternoon (during naptime) and finish in the evening.

6. Don’t think you have to do every subject every day. For example,
you can double up on science on Monday & Tuesday, then do history
Wednesday & Thursday and review Friday. Enjoy and take advantage of
the fact that your home “school” does not have to resemble public
school.

7. Use curriculum or an online academy that allows the older
students to work independently.

8. Have special toys and books your toddler can play with only
during class time. Make sure these are quiet toys

9. Don’t allow yourself to become agitated by interruptions (we
know, this is easier said than done). They are going to happen.
Pray BEFORE they happen.

10. Take one day at a time. It can seem so overwhelming if you think
about how many weeks and months of teaching there are ahead.

Source: homeschooling with toddlers