Every Christmas celebration includes Family, Friends, Pictures with Santa, Christmas Dinner, Beautiful Decorations, Presents to unwrap and lots of pictures with Family and Friends. The mere mention of Christmas takes us all back to Christmases past and inevitably we bring out our photo albums and scrapbooks where our most treasured Christmas memories are archived. What an exciting time for Baby and so much fun for Mom and Grandma.

Babys First Christmas Outfit.

The first thing Baby will need is a super cute outfit for all those photos. You don’t need to spend a fortune there are many very cute, good quality ones on the market. There are beautiful, frilly dresses for little girls that you can accessorize with a bow for her hair, lacy tights and pretty matching shoes. For little boys there are cute suits with bow ties, suspenders, socks, a jacket and sometimes a matching vest and of course little shoes like Daddy has. There are also little Santa outfits for Babies and Toddlers. These are very cute red and white plush outfits that should include a little Santa Hat.

Babys First Christmas Bib.

To protect the new outfit during Babys First Christmas Dinner there are many different styles of Baby Bibs. There are handmade Bibs from wash clothes or small hand towels, ones with plastic or vinyl on the back, ones you can have monogrammed and there are the very stylish and elaborately decorated ones.

Babys First Christmas Presents.

Now for the really fun part of the day, capturing the joy and surprise as your baby looks at the fully decorated and lit up Christmas tree. Equally fun is watching him or her open their first Christmas Present. It is so fun to see how each child reacts. Some decide its more fun to play with the box than the actual toys.

Another part of this is the Christmas Stocking. There are so many to choose from now. They have very beautiful satin, crocheted, felt and plush stockings for Babys. In designs from whimsical to the absolutely gorgeous.

Babys First Christmas Traditions.

The most memorable part of all the Christmas Celebrations we enjoy are the traditions we make within our own families. Most family traditions I know of are not costly or elaborate but focus on bringing the family together. One of the most popular traditions of this kind is Christmas Reading. Many families choose a story such as ‘A Christmas Carol’ and read it on Christmas Eve. Another variation of this tradition is to let each family member pick their favorite Christmas story and read them over the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Another popular tradition that children love is to leave a plate of cookies and milk for Santa Claus. Beside this they can put an old key with the poem about Santas Magic Key, for people with no chimney.

Babys First Memory Book.

To preserve all the memories you will make during your Babys First Christmas you will need a scrapbook. There are ones that come with all the paper, photo sleeves and decorative accessories so that you just add the pictures and mementos and write your recollections and you are done. Just be sure to put the names of all the friends and relatives.

Deby has been a writer for Christmas Decorations and Gifts for several years. View our Christmas Decorations Ideas. We have a great selection of Unique Baby Gifts.

No one really knows when Baby Showers actually came to be popular. It is speculated that something similar took place in Egyptian and Roman times but not proven. We do know that our early ancestors lived very rural lives without the modern conveniences that we have. Travel was a big ordeal and going anywhere was a major event. If you consider that a horse drawn wagon or carriage could only travel about 15 miles per day then you would plan on spending at least one night once you reached your destination. Being gone for long lengths of time was also difficult because most people grew their own crops and raised animals for food which required lots of attention. Without a shopping center close by people learned to be creative. Nearly everything was hand made. Even most farming tools were forged by a local black smith.

All of this meant that families and friends would get together only for very special occasions and the birth of a baby was very special. The gifts that would be given were hand made clothes, blankets, shoes and even furniture.

From the fifties on life has become less rural and more modern technological advances have made life much easier. We enjoy many more conveniences than were available to our grandparents and great grandparents. We have cars and planes that make it possible for us to travel hundreds of miles in one day. Through modern medical advances the sex of a baby can be determined before he or she is even born. This has made it possible to have a Baby Shower early so that everything can be in place when mom and dad bring the new baby home. We now have shopping centers close by that enable us to purchase all the things necessary for mom, dad and baby to be happy and comfortable. Baby Showers today provide a very fun way for family and friends to show their love and support for each other.

Baby Trivia.

Who was the first Gerber Baby? Ann Turner was chosen as the first Gerber Baby in 1928.

How many bones does a baby have? 176 true bones, even though at birth the skull is three bones that are not fused.

What determines a babys eye color? Eye color is determined by a pigment in the iris called melanin. Light colored eyes have less melanin and dark eyes have more. By the time the baby is one year old his or her eyes should be the color they will remain for the rest of his or her life.

How many times will you change your babys diapers in the first two years? On average, parents change 5000 to 7000 diapers in the first two years.

In the first two years, the average baby will require between 5000 to 7000 diaper changes.

How much will you spend on Baby in the first year? Not including medical costs, parents will spend on average of about $7000 in the first year of Babys life.

How often is a baby born in the world? About every three to seven seconds a baby is born.

Deby has been a writer for Christmas Decorations and Gifts for several years. View our Christmas Decorations Ideas. We have a great selection of Unique Baby Gifts.

The first page of the policy is usually a statement of the actual insuring agreement between the company and the insured. The name of the beneficiary frequently is stated on the first page and the policy declares that the provisions attached are all part of the contract. The amount of the premium to be paid each quarter or each year may be stated on the front page as well. The page concludes with the signatures of the officials of the company who are authorized to sign contracts and insurance papers. These officials usually are the president, the secretary, and the registrar. Following this summary of the contract come the general provisions of the policy. Some terms that follow include circumstances including suicide, incontestability, correction of age, delay clause, deduction of indebtedness, assignments, and so on. There is much to read and much to consider. While many of these conditions and terms seem similar, it is crucial to be completely informed of each policy. Ultimately, you want to choose the best life insurance policy for you.

When it comes to life insurance, the annuity is the true insurance. It is insurance against living too long, in another words, against outliving one’s ability to provide an income for him/herself. Basically, an annuity is a periodic payment made by the company in return for its having received a sum of money, the premium, from the annuitant or from another who paid the premium on behalf of the annuitant.

There are, in general, three methods of buying an annuity; by the single-premium method, by the annual-premium method, or by the use of the proceeds of a life insurance policy. Situations in which a person has accumulated significant funds to buy an annuity with a single lump sum occur less frequently than those in which a person early in life embarks upon a systematic method of buying an annuity through annual payments to a life insurance company. One of the very important settlement options offered by most life insurance contracts is the life income. This often provides the best solution to the problem of life-long support of the beneficiary. In regard to the start date of benefits beginning, annuities may be immediate or deferred.

All in all, in consideration of the amount of time you have to put into reading all of the fine print, and how many different policies you may have to go through to find the right one, it tends to get overwhelming. Sometimes it is better to go with an easier option, such as online life insurance quotes without medical exams. Some insurance companies nowadays are even letting you qualify and sign up within minutes, provided you have sufficient credit. Whatever your choice, make sure you are comfortable with it, as this is no joking matter; it’s about your life, and the protection of your loved ones.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in topics such as travel, leisure, life insurance, home improvement, finance, and education. One of the websites she works with offers free life insurance quotes at http://www.equote.com.

By: Molly Ridenhour, Pure and Honest Kids

Is Babywearing For You?

Babywearing is one of the oldest and most widely accepted parental practices in the world. Many highly acclaimed pediatricians have identified that babywearing is a good practice for little ones and provides benefits that unslinged babies do not receive.

For instance, a team off pediatricians in 1986 from Montreal concluded that babies who are carried in slings cry at least 40 percent less than those babies who are unslinged. To most moms, that’s reason enough to purchase a baby sling! The study also showed that babywearing helped reduce colic in infants as well.

Research also shows that babies worn in slings show more alertness, both visual and auditory, and absorb information much quicker. Because your baby is close to you when worn in a sling, he or she is not scared by loud noises, thus allowing them to absorb more sights and sounds around them. Babywearing also helps promote speech development, as babies are exposed to more conversations and sounds when held closely to their parents.

Another reason to consider babywearing is that your sweet little baby spent the first nine months of his or her life in your womb, and a baby sling closely mimics the feeling of being inside mom’s tummy. Your baby will feel safe and secure in your baby carrier, and it will promote a bond between parent and baby.

Lastly, using a baby sling or carrier can simply make life easier for you and your baby. It is a convenient way to breastfeed while caring for an older child, working or getting chores done around the house. It also is a great way to snuggle babies that liked to be held frequently, but it frees your hands to complete other tasks.

Choosing the Right Sling or Carrier:

At Pure and Honest Kids, we offer two wonderful slings and carriers for our customers.

Polkadot Papoose

The Polkadot Papoose is truly a baby sling for a modern mom. It is equally stylish and practical. It was designed by a freelance babywear designer with a vision for a product that would capture the hearts of sensible-yet-fashionable moms everywhere.

With a Polkadot Papoose, you take your measurements to be sure of a perfect fit. The folks at Polkadot Papoose know the importance of a correct fitting sling, and they want to make sure they get it right. To determine the correct size, measure from your shoulder to the opposite hipbone with a soft tape measure. Here’s a helpful tip- your sling measurement will usually correspond to your t-shirt size. Then simply order your size accordingly.

The Polkadot Papoose is 100 percent cotton, reversible and hand crafted. It comes with a binkie pocket, so you’ll always be sure to have that all important binkie readily available!

The Polkadot Papoose offers a wide variety of designer fabrics to suit almost any taste. At Pure and Honest Kids, we offer the following patterns: Elisa, Melanie, Sayuri, and Scarlett.

Another great feature about the Polkadot Papoose slings? A portion of every sale is

donated to Project Rescue, a charity which fights human trafficking and child exploitation in urban centers around the world.

The Polkadot Papoose is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $64.00.

PortaMee Baby Carrier

Another great carrier offered at Pure and Honest Kids is the PortaMee Carrier. Chic and easy to use, this awesome baby carrier is essential for active parents and busy caregivers. PortaMee is the exclusive baby carrier with ergonomic lumbar support to reduce back fatigue and discomfort. The side carrier allows caregivers the ability to maintain eye contact with your child, which will increase bonding.

The baby carrier by PortaMee is hands-free, stylish and constructed with fine fabrics with pockets for just about everything - your mobile devices, wallet, diapers and insulated detachable bottle holder. Leave your diaper bag at home when carrying your baby in a PortaMee Carrier and be truly hands free!

The carrier not only looks stylish, but it is very comfortable to wear and is well constructed. With a gel padded adjustable shoulder strap and waist straps, toy hook, and so much more, this baby carrier ultimately considers you and your child’s comfort and safety first.

This carrier is designed for babies that can hold their head up unassisted and weigh between 15 - 35 lbs. While most carriers and slings are made for newborn babies only, the PortaMee Carrier is the next step. There is enough lumbar support in the PortaMee Carrier to hold your sweet toddlers, too. Also important to note, if you purchase a PortaMee Infant Headrest, also available at Pure and Honest Kids, babies as small as eight pounds (six weeks or older) can be carried in the PortaMee Carrier.

The PortaMee is made of a high quality nylon rainwear for the exterior and a soft micro-suede for the interior. Pure and Honest Kids offers the black carrier, as well as the brown and pink combination carrier.

The PortaMee Carrier is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $175.00.

Molly Ridenhour is a proud co-owner of Pure and Honest Kids, a children’s and baby e-boutique. Pure and Honest Kids is proud to offer only the finest selection of Baby Slings childrens clothing, complete with exceptional service! Visit us today on the web for the best selection of Baby Slings.

1. Kojo the Croc Zoobie Pet

Your boy or girl will love Kojo the Croc Zoobie Pet. Fun and innovative, Zoobie Pets are both loveable and practical. This award winning toy transforms from a plush stuffed animal to a soft pillow to a warm blanket. All your child’s favorite lovies are rolled up into one cute, cuddly creature! Kojo is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $30.00. Other Zoobie Pets are also available at Pure and Honest Kids.

2. Fruit Rattles from Yellow Label Kids

Who knew fruit could be so fun? Your child will adore playing with this set of five rattles from Yellow Label Kids. This toy set is great for babies who love bright colors and rattle sounds. This toy has longevity, as older children enjoy playing with the fruit in their kitchens and pretend grocery stores. A special bonus to purchasing this toy is all Yellow Label Kids products are 100 percent made by hand, and the company supports Fair Trade, which ensures artisans who create the products are paid living wages. The fruit rattles are available at Pure and Honest Kids for $45.00, along with many other Yellow Label Kids toys.

3. Doodlebugz Crayon Apron and Crayon Belt

Keep your crayons close by with a Doodlebugz Crayon Apron or Crayon Belt! Both the belt and apron comes with a pad of paper, perfectly sized for small hands, and 10 washable crayons. With an adjustable hook and loop closure in the back, the apron and belt from Doodlebugz grows with your child. The Doodlebugz Crayon Apron and Belt are both available at Pure and Honest Kids for $16.00.

4. Penelope Peapod (and all her accessories!)

Penelope Peapod is sure to become your child’s best friend! Starting with a stylish basket handbag, a quick transformation unveils a doll inside! The basket turns into a bassinet for Penelope to lay her pretty head! This toy is sure to provide hours of fun. Because it is a small, self-contained toy, this is a perfect quiet, outing toy for church, events and car trips. Penelope Peapod also has many accessories you can purchase, too, to make the pretend play even more fun, including extra outfits, rocking cradle, changing table and high chair. Penelope Peapod is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $39.98. All accessories are sold separately.

5. Antique Pedal Car, Fire Truck and Plane

These antique pedal cars are one-of-a-kind and are truly a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation! These full-size, high quality, antique pedal cars (and also available in fire trucks and planes) feature high traction rubber tires, non-slip pedals, sealed ball bearing drive, three position adjustable pedal assembly and all metal construction. The cars are finished with automotive powder coat lead-free paint. Your child will love to pedal around the neighborhood in these very cute cars. Prices range from $189.00 for the pedal car, $249.00 for the fire truck and $439.00 for the plane. All are available at Pure and Honest Kids. These toys are best suited for children ages 3-6.

Molly Ridenhour is a proud co-owner of Pure and Honest Kids, a children’s and baby e-boutique. Pure and Honest Kids is proud to offer only the finest selection of Kids Toys, complete with exceptional service! Visit us today on the web for the best selection of Kids Toys.

6. Round-a-Bout Tree Swing

Summertime is calling you with these Round-a-Bout Tree Swings! With bright color schemes, these fun, old fashioned tree swings are sure to bring outdoor family fun for all ages to your backyard. Not only does the swing promote fitness and fun, but it brings functional yard art to your outdoor living space. No matter where you hang this swing, it is sure to bring smiles to your children’s faces and tons of family fun to the great outdoors. Round-a-Bout Swings are available at Pure and Honest Kids for $49.98.

7. Mickey Walker with Blocks

This is the ultimate push (or pull) toy! The Mickey Walker, from PastelToys, is sure to become your little one’s favorite toy. After tiring from pushing this fun, pastel painted walker around, there is more fun to come with the classic blocks inside the cart! With 14 blocks in varying sizes and colors, your child will love to build his or her masterpiece! This toy is lead free and safe for use by children. The best part? This toy was made by the residents of Kishorit, a non-profit village and home for adults with special needs. Buying one of these toys helps the residents to be self-sustaining, all while enhancing their self-esteem and improving their life and work skills. This toy is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $75.00. Pure and Honest Kids also carries many other wonderful PastelToys as well.

8. ABC Floor Puzzle

What a way to learn your ABC’s! This great big floor puzzle (measures 2X3 feet) comes to life through Clare Beaton’s illustrations, which are guaranteed to ignite your child’s imagination! This puzzle, with its 24 jumbo pieces, helps to develop fine motor skills. It also promotes letter recognition and association of letters with specific objects. Your child will definitely have fun while learning with this colorful puzzle! It is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $15.00. Suited for children ages 3 and up.

9. Chalk Talk Chalkboard Placemat

Doodle at home or on the go with this Chalk Talk Chalkboard Placemat. It is the perfect accessory to take in the car or to restaurants. It comes with everything you need to keep your child happy and busy! It includes chalk, a sponge and an eraser. The Chalkboard Placemat rolls up nice and neat and will fit in your purse or diaper bag. Purchase this fabulous toy at Pure and Honest Kids for $10.00.

10. Lion Pull Toy

This is a great toy for little ones! This soft and cuddly plush lion on wooden wheels will roll around the house wherever your child goes! The bright and colorful lion pull toy is an updated classic! It is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $14.00.

Toys bring a great joy to children, and are educational and fun! Check out these toys and many more at Pure and Honest Kids.

Molly Ridenhour is a proud co-owner of Pure and Honest Kids, a children’s and baby e-boutique. Pure and Honest Kids is proud to offer only the finest selection of Kids Toys, complete with exceptional service! Visit us today on the web for the best selection of Kids Toys.

What is Organic Baby Bedding?

So, you may be wondering what exactly organic baby bedding is. Well, it is simply bedding that comes from only organic things. The bedding is made up from products that are from trees or other organic sources and there are no pesticides or chemicals used on the bedding. Even the dyes that are used are organic and chemical free as well. You’ll find that usually this type of bedding is made from organic cotton, and if wool is used, it is dust mite resistant and antimicrobial as well.

The Benefits of Organic Baby Bedding

If you take a look at organic baby bedding, you’ll find that there are many benefits to using it for your baby. Here are just a few great benefits that you can enjoy when you choose baby bedding that is organic for your new baby.

- Reduce Skin Problems - One great benefit of going with organic baby bedding is that it can help to reduce skin problems. Many babies often deal with skin problems that are caused by allergens, but you’ll often find that going with organic bedding for your baby can help to reduce allergens and reduce these common skin problems.

- Chewing Babies - As you know, babies love to chew, and of course you’ll want to be careful about what your babies put into their mouths. Since a baby spends quite a bit of time in their crib, they often end up putting their bedding in their mouths. When you go with organic baby bedding, you’ll be able to relax, knowing that it’s not going to hurt your baby if he or she decides to chew on it.

Excellent Choices for New Moms

There are many excellent choices for new moms when it comes to organic baby bedding. Of course your choices may depend on whether you are going to have a girl or a boy. If you’re having a girl, you may want to go with something from the Precious Pink Collection. It is a simple collection done in pinks and flowers that looks adorable in any baby girl room. You’ll find throws, crib skirts, crib bumpers, and fitted crib sheets as well in this collection. Of course if you are having a boy, the Little Boy Blue Collection will be a better choice.

Great Organic Gift Ideas for Baby Showers

Attending a baby shower where you know that the mom-to-be enjoys going organic? If so, organic baby bedding may make the perfect gift. If you are not sure whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, something from the Flower World Collection is an excellent idea. Whether you purchase the entire set or just the throw or fitted crib sheets, no doubt you’re gift will be greatly appreciated. The White Wonderland collection and the Whispering Meadow Collection are also great options that work for both boys and girls, so you are sure to be safe when you use these collections for a baby shower gift. Or you can choose the Baby Gift Set, or Hooded Towel Set.

Find all these in our What

While you cannot predict what type of fire you will experience, it’s always better to minimize hazards by conscientiously following some easy steps to prevent home fires resulting from the three leading causes – cooking, cooling and heating equipment, and electrical wiring.

Steps to prevent cooking fire

As home fires are mostly caused by cooking equipment, prevention should focus on this aspect by strictly following these safety practices:

• Do not disable your smoke alarm. Position it someplace where its sound won’t be a constant nuisance of false alarms, but where it can still adequately detect small fires occurring in the kitchen.

• Do not forget to watch the food being cooked as most of the fires originating from the kitchen are due to unattended cooking.

• Set a timer so you will not forget that you’re cooking something should you need to leave the kitchen.

• If you have kids, keep them away from any appliance when you’re cooking. Restrict them from playing in the kitchen especially near the stove.

• Avoid wearing loose fitting sleeves or clothing while cooking as these can easily catch flame.

• Avoid storing any items behind the stove so you won’t have to reach over it should you need to get anything.

• Keep pot and pan handles directed inward to avoid accidentally pulling or knocking them off the stove.

Preventing fires from cooling and heating equipment

The next most common origin of residential fire is caused by heating and cooling equipment. Home heating equipment pertains to central heating units, space heaters that can be moved or firmly stationed, fireplaces, and heat conduction systems.

Below are useful steps to follow in preventing fires from this type of equipment:

• Have your heating, cooling and water devices checked yearly by a qualified technician to ensure that they are functioning well.

• Ensure that your fireplace chimney is regularly checked and cleaned. Have it swept at least once a year.

• Never leave a portable heating device on unattended or while you are asleep. These air heating devices are designed only as temporary adjunctive heaters and should be operated only when someone can attend to them.

Use only portable heating devices that have been sealed by a nationally accredited testing group. These devices have undergone sufficient testing in terms of safety requirements, and their manufacturers have provided vital use and care details to their users.

Preventing fires due to electrical wiring and lighting

Faulty wiring and lighting comprise the third leading cause of home fires. Many of these electrical fires are due to faulty outlets and old wiring that are malfunctioning. Other fire causes include frayed appliance cords and busted safety plugs.

To prevent fires resulting from electrical cords and lighting, you should:

• Discard any cracked or stiff electrical cords. Old, overused and flexed cord insulation is usually damaged.

• Check for tattered or loose wires in electrical cords as these can cause fires. Have these cords replaced right away.

• Avoid using extension cords for long periods. Be sure to install additional outlets when needed.

•Keep flammable items away from light bulbs (particularly halogen types) as these can get extremely hot and set nearby combustibles on fire.

• Never cover a lampshade with a piece of clothing or towels. Lamps without cover should not be used in cases where they might fall down onto a bed or sofa.

• Check for the right wattage specified for a certain fixture and use it only. High wattage bulbs can lead to the overheating of the fixture which can trigger a fire.

Visit Residential Fire Sprinklers .com - Your Source for Home Fire Protection. In 2008 Ryan retired from the senior management team of an industry leading fire protection company in North America to focus on improving home fire protection. Visit the Home Fire Protection Blog for the latest discussion and information on home fire protection.

With summer’s arrival, Robert Walsh Kids Clothing has added a new page to their site, titled “Best Brand Name Baby Strollers”, to encourage family outdoor activity. This page focuses on baby strollers, diaper bags, child car seats and other unique baby gear that will give mom and dad a chance to spend some quality time outdoors with their infant and toddler.

Whether you are a family with a recent addition, a family expecting or looking for the perfect baby shower gift for dad and mom, be sure to visit Robert Walsh Kids Clothing to discover top quality products that will provide you and your baby with the best of care in the early stages of life.

These popular brand name strollers and baby gear, Avent, Britax , Bugaboo, Fleurville, Maclaren, Peg Perego, Quinny, Recaro, SKIP HOP and Tike Tech, to name a few, are available at the best discount prices, often with savings up to 30% off.

Every parent takes pride and joy in their baby and wants to show him or her off to the world. They also want to give their infant the best of everything, including these popular brand name strollers. Putting the new infant in one of these strollers accomplishes these two goals. It’s a Win-Win situation…a cute little baby in a good looking top of the line stroller will bring many compliments and put a smile on the proud parent’s face.

Their “Best Brand Name Baby Strollers” Page offers more than the expected single or twin jogging strollers. You are able to find twin and triplet strollers, famous brand trendy baby carriages, umbrella strollers, along with the following unique baby gear: trendy discount designer diaper bags, baby nursery bedding, top of the line infant child car seats, baby swings, baby high chairs, walkers for toddlers, bicycle trailers and many more. All these products are manufactured with your baby’s safety and comfort as the #1 priority.

Robert Walsh Kids Clothing also announces a new look to their website Robert Walsh Kids Clothing. The screen, brighter and wider, will help their visitors to browse the pages more comfortably than the previous one. The navigation bar, located at the top of the page, is more visitor friendly.

Just as parents take pride in showing off their baby, Robert Walsh Kids Clothing takes pride in showing off their website. They want their visitors to know they care about them, and the visitors will enjoy the view…layout, content, and pictures. They also want to assure the visitor that they are buying the best products available for their child. They search out the best products, based on quality workmanship and safety features. They choose well established reliable merchants, who can give great service to the customer, while at the same time provide savings and guarantee fast delivery.

Robert Walsh Kids Clothing is very excited about these changes and recent additions to their website. They continue to offer their customers the BEST….best products, best prices and best savings.

Robert A. Walsh,owner of http://www.robertwalshkidsclothing.com,offers visitors a one stop shopping trip for quality baby,toddler & kids clothing, educational kids toys, preteen,teen and family jeans and womens plus size clothing. FREE NEWSLETTER & “100 FREE TIPS TO GO TO COLLEGE CHEAP” available.

But the truth is spring isn’t all chirping birds and roses. And some kids have a tougher time than we think adjusting to the changes. Here are just a few things you may notice your child experiencing once spring has sprung.

Allergies

When your child starts sniffling, sneezing or complains of itchy eyes, it’s likely he or she is experiencing springtime allergies. While a cold will bring many of the same symptoms, allergies tend to be worse in the morning, don’t come with a fever, and produce only clear mucus. Fortunately, many great allergy medications are available both by prescription and over-the-counter. Contact your pediatrician to find out which one is best for your child. Unfortunately, however, even medicine doesn’t completely eliminate all of the effects. Be prepared for decreased energy and increased crankiness at least for a few weeks until the allergen culprits diminish.

Fears

It’s true that April flowers bring May showers – and storms. A major fear for many children is stormy weather, particularly thunder storms that sometimes bring with it tornado watches and warnings. It might be a good idea to keep the television remote nearby to quickly change channels if the weatherman is about to bring a potentially frightening report. And when you know bad weather is on the way, maybe suggest playing a couple of games in the basement to preoccupy him or her while also hanging out in a safe place.

Hyper Activity

Even those who aren’t challenged with A.D.D. experience springtime hyper activity. Being cooped up all winter does strange things to a kid – mainly makes him or her even more prone to excited craziness as they realize they’re now able to run around the yard in tennis shoes instead of clomping around in snow boots. And no more coat? What freedom! That alone is enough to prompt a child to be louder, have more energy, and start break dancing in the driveway.

Lack of Focus

Teachers report a slight drop in grades during the last marking period of school, which isn’t surprising. Do you remember sitting in that classroom, staring out the window at sunshine you haven’t seen in months, trying to concentrate on what your teacher was saying? Virtually impossible! For kids in school, waiting for the end-of-the-day bell to ring during spring months is utter torture. Of course, we should encourage and get after our children when they are distracted and lose focus. But we also need to cut them a little slack.

Even as your kids (and you) adjust to the changes that come with spring, enjoy every moment. It won’t be long and you’ll be pulling out those winter coats again.

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