Okay, let’s share some of the things that, as a parent, you can’t live without.  It can be for any age child, from birth to college-age.  Think outside the box.  It doesn’t have to be an object. 

As a parent, one of the tools I need (and at times have to remind myself to use) is PATIENCE.
Other things:
Snacks and water on hand at all times!
An extra pacifier
I’ll add more as we go.

Add yours in the comments section.  You may inspire others! 

Posted by Sara Diamond

I found this recall that breastfeeding moms may need to know about.

FDA informed consumers not to use or purchase Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises, Inc., because the product contains potentially harmful ingredients that may cause respiratory distress or vomiting and diarrhea in infants. The product is promoted to nursing mothers to help soothe and heal dry or cracked nipples. Potentially harmful ingredients in the product are chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol. Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the central nervous system and cause slow or shallow breathing in infants. Phenoxyenthanol, a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications, can also depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants. Mothers and caregivers should seek immediate medical attention if their child shows signs and symptoms of a decrease in appetite, difficulty in awakening, limpness of extremities or a decrease in an infant’s strength of grip and a change in skin color.

Read the entire 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary, including a link to the FDA News Release regarding this issue at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Bliss

Posted by Sara Diamond

I hope everyone had a fun Memorial Day weekend.  We did a lot of outside activities, but did not get to visit a war/veterans memorial.  My husband came down with a nasty stomach bug, and we had to head home early and cancel our plans.  I’m praying it doesn’t spread to the kids, or me!

How did you celebrate the weekend?  Did you go to the lake?  Boone Lake is REALLY low this year.  I hope we get some rain.  Not during the day, though.  Wouldn’t it be nice if it could rain at night, while everyone is sleeping (or at work, for you 3rd shifters out there!), then turn nice and sunny during the day?  That way, everyone gets what they want!

Posted by Sara Diamond

I wanted you to see a story we did about exposing children to illness early could help them fight more serious diseases when they get older.  We’ve talked about our kids getting sick at daycare and preschool.  Let me know what you think about this article!

Sickness while young can prevent serious disease later
Manuel Gallegus
CBS News

Sounds strange but researchers now think the common cold and other viruses may actually save young kids from a potentially deadly disease.

Daycare may protect children from a form of cancer.

According to a recent study kids in daycare could have a 30 percent lower risk of developing childhood leukemia. 

Dr. Adrienne Morgan, of Children with Leukemia Charity says, “Send your children to daycare, let them eat dirt, let them have lots of early infections.  It’s good for them.”

Another doctor, Saint Luke’s Kenneth Gottesman explains why it’s good for kids.  He says the theory goes like this:  Unlike stay at home kids, young children in daycare are exposed to plenty of colds and other illnesses, including pathogens, germs, viruses and bacteria.  So, their immune system is challenged at a very early age.

“That might help the body produce certain antibodies,” Gottesman says.

And that might protect against childhood leukemia, which usually strikes between the ages of two and five.

Childhood leukemia only affects a small percentage of kids so doctors say parents shouldn’t purposely expose their children to illness.  But going to daycare or hanging out at the playground on a regular basis should do the trick.

Gottesman adds, “I think these exposures are part of growing up and in general they’re minor, mild illnesses.”

And early exposure may benefit kids by helping their general immunity by exposing them to illnesses before they begin school.

In other words, getting sick now may keep them from getting sick later.

What do you think?  Post your comments!

Posted by Sara Diamond

If you’ve forgotten, Mother’s Day is Sunday.  In honor of all of the great Moms out there, I’ve copied and pasted a poem that I received via e-mail.  I’m not sure if its origin, but I thought it was great!  Don’t forget to call the moms in your life and let them know how special they are!

Before I was a Mom:

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom:

I had never been puked on. Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom:
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late h ours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom:

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom:
I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom:

I had never r gotten up in the middle of the night every
10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Posted by Sara Diamond