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Teaching Your Kids Proper Dental Care

The habits you teach your kids as a young age will shape their entire future.  This is especially true with dental care.  Having all your teeth at a more advanced age depends on the habits you have practiced your entire life.  While it may seem strange to be thinking about your young ones being elderly people, that is kind of the goal, is it not?  And having teeth versus having dentures or missing teeth come down to what you are teaching them now.

Based on multiple dental sources, we have assembled this guide to helping parents teach their kids the best dental habits that will serve them well their whole life.

The at-home basics are as follows:

  1. Brush twice a day – morning and night. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and appropriate toothpaste for the age of your child.  Also, get a mini hour glass that times 3 minutes so they can time their brushing.  Kids love to do this and even when they are much older they may still keep using the timer.  You can buy these on Amazon or your dentist may have them.
  2. Floss once per day – If you buy the floss on small plastic holders it is much easier to do. This is probably the most under-taught habit as many adults do not fail to brush but skip flossing frequently.
  3. Use mouth rinse – There are kid appropriate rinses (read labels) which get them into the habit of using this as well. The American Dental Association does not recommend kids under 6 use mouthwash unless directed to by your dentist. The reason is they may swallow the liquid which is not good for them.
  4. Limit sugary snacks and hard, tacky candies which can stick to the teeth.

Finding a local area Dentist

If your kids are doing a good job of taking care of their teeth should find going to the dentist enjoyable.  Any cleaning should be minor and hearing praise for what a good job they are doing never gets old.  If you are going twice a year as recommended, it is unlikely there will be a sudden issue.

Often schools will have programs and there may be low cost or free dental services to help people who may not be able to afford normal costs for seeing a dentist.  Search free “city” dentist or low cost “city” dentist to find some of these resources if you need services.

If you have not been seeing a dentist regularly it is a good idea to talk to friends for referrals.  Pricing and service vary greatly and going to any random dentist could be pricey.

Suzuki Music Instruction

If you have children and you are interested in having them learn music, the best way to be successful is to take it seriously, at a young age, with Suzuki.

The disadvantage is that it costs more and requires more parental involvement, but for people that are serious about music development, this program also has a high degree of success and a much higher level of mastery than traditional musical instruction.

How To Keep Germs Away This Flu Season

During a school flu outbreak, it is very likely your child will come home sick and will get the other members of your home sick as well. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/everyday_preventive.pdf offers some guidelines to help you deal with a flu outbreak at school or at work, and here are 7 concise easy steps to follow if you are home with a sick child or spouse.

  1. Wash your hands and your children’s hands with soap and water every time you enter your home. Keeping germs away from the outside world is a good tip for anyone dealing with small and school age children.
  2. Change linens and bathroom towels daily when you are sick. Contaminating each other by using the same towels or sharing a pillow will ensure that everyone gets sick, and stay sick for a longer period of time.
  3. Disinfecting kitchen and bathroom counters thorough out the day will ensure that you’ll encounter less germs going forward.
  4. Believe it or not, feeding your children chicken noodle soup will get them through their illness a bit faster
  5. Covering their mouths on their sleeves instead of their hands should decrease the number of germs they spread around the home.
  6. Cleaning door knobs around the home will greatly decrease the germs that get passed around.
  7. A diet full of fruits and vegetables can do a lot of good to your child. The old saying of “An apple a day will keep the doctor away” hasn’t survived this long for no reason.

Whether you are in a warm climate or cold, this is great advice.

For more about flu outbreaks and what to do about them, check the CDC for more information.

Tis the Season to Be Stressed

There are a lot of articles written and advice given during the holidays about how to handle stress.  Google “holiday stress” and there’re thousands of pages of information. While the holidays can be a difficult time stressful situations occur throughout the year and it’s important to develop a long term plan for dealing with them.

The best strategies to use while the stressful situation is occurring are ones which can be done anywhere at any time.  They’re simple, immediately applicable and unobtrusive.

The best way to handle stressful times is to find out what works for you, practice it and do it consistently.  People are unique and different things work for different people. There’s no one size fits all strategy.  In some combination use the following ideas to craft an individualized plan.

* Breathe – Inhale for a count of 5.  Hold for a count of 5.  Exhale for a count of 5. Hold for a count of 5. Repeat 5 times.

* Physical activity – Do something physical, it’s a great way to relieve tension.  Bathrooms are great places to do toe touches, jumping jacks or run in place.

*Affirmations – Create a few short, positive sentences you can keep repeating to yourself.

* Quiet Time – Take a 10 – 15 minute time out.  You can find quiet places once you start looking for them.

* Gratitude List – Make a mental list of the things you’re grateful for right at that moment.  Don’t complicate it, look for small things.  Gratitude lists don’t have to be full of big life affirming issues, being grateful for a comfortable pair of shoes is good too.

Remember, the idea is to find the right combination of techniques which work for you.  You’re trying to establish a strategy for a lifetime, so be patient and give them a fair trial over a reasonable period of time. If none of them work there’s always the Internet.

– – Article contributed by Nicole Abbott – writer, educator and psycho-therapist.

Better Parenting for Great Results

Let’s forget that your kids are your “kids” for a moment. Instead, what if they are long term projects that combine some art, a pinch of science and lots of planning and effort from you? What you would get is a sensible method of raising excellent humans. This is not to say you should not have a strong connection as well, but those emotions should be one of several driving forces to carry out a terrific long term job bringing them up.

The most difficult part of this is letting go of the ego a bit. You need to commit to getting better and being in charge of the outcomes, even if they are not always what you want.

Nobody will argue that a first time mother or father is likely to make some goof ups but with each child, a parent becomes much better at managing situations and focusing on things that are definitely more crucial. Yet, the first kids often turn out fine anyway, because humans are adaptive and resilient.

Tips For Better Parenting

Sign up for an online group of parents focused on high achievement kids. This will be parents who are serious and trying to enhance outcomes from an early age. You can learn a whole lot and draw motivation from groups like this.

Get instruction on what is possible. For example, AllProParent.com offers free training on the way to go to college or university ahead of time and complete a full bachelor’s degree at no cost. In addition, it has got the step by step system to how top level athletes are created.

Never get stressed about a single day. You will have great days and terrible days. Take a low stress day and return the following day much better than even. One day relaxing is just not going to undo your efforts.

Remember to have a real reason, not just “because I said so” – “Because I said so” is what people with no parenting plan say. It really is grasping at straws and using the excuse that you must demand respect without earning it. Earned respect is far more powerful.

Whether you use on-line groups, on-line parent education, YouTube or local in person organizations, make sure you keep learning and getting better. And have a genuine approach and end result you are trying for, as exceptional is less common by accident.

The best advice is to begin early and keep driving towards your objectives in a calm, constant and intentional way. When your children grow up in this way, they are used to it and they expect to have nothing less than excellence from themselves, and your job is much easier.

Holiday Gifts That Keep Your Loved Ones Warm

Winter is here. For most of us, this means that the busiest time of the year has come. After they have consumed all their Thanksgiving turkey and polished off their great grandmother’s famous pie, most people face the month-long preparation for Christmas and New Year. For me, it signals the beginning of holiday decorations, the endless hunt for the perfect gift for my friends and the seemingly growing list of nieces and nephews, followed by the gift-wrapping sessions, which I actually enjoy.

Having done this for many years, I can say that I’m quite knowledgeable when it comes to brainstorming and ultimately choosing the ideal gift for a loved one. I’m saying that on the premise that I have not received complaints so far in that department, but still, I have been able to shop (and make) holiday gifts for the people closest to me without having to argue with another shopper on who should get the last toy truck available, so I feel that I can at least share with you some ideas when it comes to these things. In this article, I shall list three holiday gift ideas that keep your loved ones warm and comfy during the holidays.

  1. Hot cocoa mix in a jar – This one is pretty simple, yet the thought counts. And yes, I do mean it counts. Afterall, there’s nothing like the all chocolaty goodness of hot cocoa to melt the chill in your bones this season. Look for a hot cocoa mix recipe as well as a cute printable gift tag online, find a jar to put the mix into and get a cherry red (or whatever color you prefer) ribbon. Adding chocolate chips with your marshmallows is absolutely decadent. To keep it pretty, layer the milk, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, marshmallows and chocolate chips carefully – it’s really nice to look at inside a clear jar. Close the lid well, tie the ribbon, attach the gift tag and you have a sweet and thoughtful gift for your friends.
  2. Sweaters and scarves – Okay, I will admit this is kind of old as far as gift ideas are concerned and I certainly don’t want to you, dear readers, to end up like Molly Weasley who could only afford to gift sweaters, but I still find a certain warmth when I open the box and see a lovely scarf or sweater inside. It is classic and rather timeless and I have to admit, it’s still a favorite of mine.
  3. Quilts / Quilted blanket – When I think of quilted blankets, my mind immediately thinks of the patchwork quilts that I have adored when I was a child. There is something so adorable and homey about patchwork quilts that it brings back a much simpler time. However, you can always spice up your patchwork quilt by using band shirts of your loved ones favorite bands or just like Bella Swan’s mom in Twilight, use the shirts from the places you have visited with that person. You have to admit, the memories that one blanket can bring you are priceless.

There you have it dear readers – three gift ideas that literally keep your loved ones warm during the season. Whether you choose to stick with the classics when you give a scarf or you prefer to give a laptop or tablet, do remember that the real meaning of giving is more than just in its price tag, but your willingness and desire to provide some cheer into your loved ones this holiday season.

Winter Depression – How To Pep Yourself Up

During the spring and summer months, do you feel happier than usual?  Do you feel like there are more possibilities? Do you feel like life doesn’t suck as much? The abundance of natural sunlight during the spring and summer months is wonderful for our body and spirit.

But, as the fall and winter months approach,  do you feel sad  or more gloomier than usual with no apparent reason to the mood change? Then, according to the Mayo Clinic, you may be suffering from Seasonal affective disorder (SAD.)

Fall  and Winter SAD it’s a condition that comes as the chilly weather approaches and natural sunlight becomes more scarce. Some of the symptoms associated with this condition are:

  1. Irritability
  2. Tiredness
  3. weight gain
  4. appetite changes and
  5. Oversleeping

Although these are some of the symptoms also associated with major depression, SAD

symptoms can come and go as the seasons change, so it’s easier for people to note the changes and seek medical advise if necessary.  Spring and Summer SAD is also a condition and should be treated accordingly.

All of us have good and bad days. Those are some of the free perks we get by living life. Major depression though, is a serious illness than should be treated seriously and promptly. It is a serious illness that can be fatal if leave unattended. 

Now,  if you have notice mood changes or your doctor has diagnosed you with SAD, what can  you do to combat it?

 There are very simple, economical ways to keep yourself upbeat.

  1. Exercise regularly and get outside.  
  2. Go for a long walk by yourself or with your dog 
  3. Read a book outside. 10 minutes of sunlight can uplift your mood for the day
  4. Spend some time in your garden. Planting a mum or two for your garden can help you with your moods and your home’s curb appeal.
  5. Take a hobby 
  6. Eat healthy foods

Keeping active during the winter months is hard for people living in the North, but it does not necessarily mean it’s impossible. There are groups of joggers that run all year long.  They jog when raining, snowing or in windy conditions.  The only time they don’t jog is when there’s lighting or thunder.  In the United States, there are many trails, parks and neighborhoods where a walk is just a few steps away. Take advantage of them, and live a healthier life!

Traps to Waste Money

There are a lot of ways people waste money and we are going to cover some common traps people fall into.

One of the first things you want to consider is your impulse buying.  One very wealthy person I was listening to on a podcast said he has a rule that anything that is over $50 and not immediately necessary he waits 30 days before buying.  The reason is that if you give it a little time, you may realize you can live without the item and even if you have the money to buy it, maybe you do not want to add clutter to your home.

But some of the real culprits are in those monthly bills.

  1. Paid TV is a big one.  With approximately 1/3 of paid cable subscribers cutting out TV, you have to ask yourself what you are still doing paying for it.  More and more you can simple stream the channels you want and reduce your payments big time.
  2. Cell phone bills are also something that should be reviewed every year or each time your contract is up.  Moving to a lower cost carrier will often cut your monthly fee and the difference in service is often negligible.
  3. Gas for the car is another area where yo can use something like the Gas Buddy app and save a few dollars each time you fill up by choosing the best prices close to you.  This adds up over the course of a year to being potentially hundreds of dollars.
  4. Gas for your home – if you are not shopping for lower priced utility providers you are spending too much.  This is a must.
  5. Credit Cards – While it is best not to have credit card debt, it is also not a good idea to pay high interest on the debt if you have it.  Shop around for a favorable balance transfer and then work like crazy to pay it off before the better offer expires.
  6. Eating out – while we love to eat out, it is also possible to look up a fancy recipe on YouTube and cook a great meal at home for a fraction of the price.  Better yet, have a pot luck with friends and you will all have a good time with little cost and more fun.

These are just some of the money traps you may be falling into and wasting your hard earned cash where you do not need to.

Lawn Cleanup Tips

What you do to clean up your lawn in the fall depends on a few factors.

  1. Do you have a large or small yard?
  2. Do you have many or a few trees?
  3. Do you have kids that like to help?
  4. Does your city provide curb side leaf pickup?

There are a variety of techniques to clean the yard.  In Kent, where I like, we have trees that keep their leaves until Spring in some cases.

That means we are picking up leaves throughout the Fall, Winter (if warmer) and Spring.  Because of this I like to pick them up in batches and not try to do the entire lawn at once.

30 Years ago you saw people raking and bagging the leaves.  Now the manual way to get it done is to rake leaves onto a tarp and drag the tarp to the front of the house and dump them along the curb and they will get cleaned up by your city in many cases.

Other options include leaf blowers.  Electric leaf blowers are inexpensive, but will only work well for modest amounts of leaves that are dry.  A gas leaf blower will be able to handle more leaves and damp leaves much better.  Make sure you wear ear plugs to protect your hearing.

Another option is simply to mow the leaves if they are few and scattered.  Mulching them into the yard with your lawnmower set low is good if there are not too many.

Lastly, hire a company to come and clean your yard.  If you are older or too busy, having a landscape company come and use blowers to clean your yard well will save you the hassle and difficulty.

Remember, just like shoveling snow, raking leaves is not an activity your body is most likely used to and it can be dangerous if you push too hard or try to do too much.  You will likely be sore for days and you could hurt your back or suffer other injuries, so make a smart choice to remove your leaves and cleaning your yard.

 

Raising High Acheivement Kids – Interview with All Pro Parent

All Pro Parent is a community of parents serious about raising high achievement kids.  Starting early and following a steady plan, parents can expect their kids to grow up better in both academics, athletics and having a variety of added skills that give the kids an advantage.  This can often result in free college and better jobs, as well as a higher probability of becoming a pro athlete.  The below interview is with Ron McDaniel, founder of All Pro Parent.

Why did you start AllProParent.com?

I found myself always talking to other parents about how we managed to have kids who were very good athletes as well as high achievers in academics.  And we did so much better with the second child that I wanted to help people avoid all the trial and error and start out with a ton of knowledge from the beginning.  There is a huge learning curve raising kids, and the more you know and the earlier you start, the better your results will be. 

What makes you qualified to run All Pro Parent?

As I mentioned, we are very active with your kids and did a combination of home schooling and public school.  The result with our youngest is she got into college at 13 and started taking classes full time at 14.  She is also still planning to be a professional athlete and that seems on course based on our plan of finishing college at 18 and going on the WTA tennis tour.

Why Did You Name Your Site “All Pro Parent?”

The name is a play on the idea of raising pro athlete kids (aka high performers.) Unless a kid has ridiculous levels of natural talent, the reality is it takes an All Pro Parent to raise a high achiever kid.  Especially if you want academics and athletics.

What kinds of things do members of All Pro Parent have access to?

One of the most important things to me is to make it free to anyone who wants to go down this path.  But of course, we need to have revenue to fund development of content.  So, we are using a freemium model where anyone can say they need free access and join without a cost.  However, people who are willing to pay .63¢ per day ($19 per month) get access to all the archives, while the free accounts only have access to the base training and new stuff for a short period of time.  I think it is the best way for us to have a model that can help everyone but still be a real business with resources.

What kind of outcomes can people expect?

I would love to see people go all in and do an incredible level of development with their kids.  The outcome can be fantastic.  However, many people have both parents working or limited time for other reasons, and it is hard.  Here is a better way of thinking about it.  If you start at birth and until the age of 14 you do 30 extra academic minutes with them 150 days out of the year (3 or 4 days a week) then at 14 they will be at least a grade level above where they are supposed to be.  That could be worth many thousands of dollars in free college and scholarships and can get them into better schools.

Likewise, 3 hours of athletic development per week from age 3 to 14 results in 1,716 hours of built up training and athletic practice.  Compare that to someone who decides to go out for a sport in High School but has not been preparing, and the difference is embarrassing. 

It is this steadiness over time that we stress.  There is a buildup of knowledge and ability, which also compounds and adds things like confidence, assertiveness and mastery.  Parents will get out of it what they put into it, but it does not have to be too much in any given week.  Parents succeed when they play the long game.

What if a kid is not athletic or is of average intelligence?

Our program is about maximizing talent over time.  No one can promise a specific outcome but by doing more over a long period of time you can feel confident that you will get better results.  Someone who is not physically gifted athletically can still play high level high school sports, and benefit from competition, physical fitness and a team environment.  Average academic ability can turn into top 10% when you apply extra effort from a young age.  Being in the 10% instead of 50% might not get you into Harvard or Yale, but there are still many more opportunities of better schools, scholarships and job opportunities.

In the long run, we want people to have a strong family work ethic towards being better.  It pays off.  Being part of a community where other parents have the same attitude and goals helps keep people on track.

How do people find out more about AllProParent.com?

Just visit www.AllProParent.com and sign up for the free email.  Then join the members area for more training as well as the Facebook group to interact with me and other parents.  Anyone who is not afraid of doing some extra to produce high achieving kids is welcome.