The WM Parenting Connection

Well, maybe not everything. Or let me rephrase that, “In puppy class I learned the importance of consistency.”

When I graduated college I got the puppy I had been dreaming about forever, a Great Pyrenees. These dogs are HUGE, he weighs about 100 lbs and you don’t even want to know how much it costs to feed him. When our puppy, Zeus, was still relatively small we enrolled in puppy classes at a local boarding facility. The teacher’s favorite principal was “if you’re going to tell him to do something and not follow up with it, how is he ever going to know you’re serious? If you allow him to get away with not coming when you call, then when he’s in the middle of the road, won’t listen, and gets hit by a car, you really have yourself to blame. He didn’t know any
better.” I won’t elaborate on the time Zeus and I spent in “time out” in that class- because my 80 lb "puppy" wouldn’t sit and I wasn’t strong enough to make him- but in the end he did learn to
obey, kind of.

It may sound funny, but the same concept applies with my kids. If I tell my daughter to leave something alone, and then don’t react when she completely ignores me, how is she going to know any better when I say not to touch the hot stove and she does it anyway? When I yell “don’t run into the road, there’s a car coming?” My son’s pediatrician even solidified this concept at our last well child visit. He said -your baby is going to test you 10 times, if you are firm the first nine, and then let him get away with it the last time, you wasted the first nine times.

Some days I feel like there’s permanent butt prints on the time-out chair and they are testing me on every little thing, but I know that this is part of my job as a parent. Someday the fact that they listen could save us a lot of pain and frustration.

So thank you Zeus, for teaching me parenting skills, my kids really appreciate you being the guinea pig.

Everything I Need To Know About Parenting I Learned in Puppy Class

by Richard Keane

Deciding to get braces for your child can be difficult for all parents. Many ask about the common ways to determine when their child may need braces, how prepared the children should be to take care of them and how parents are going to afford the dental procedure itself. These are highly debilitating questions and can raise concern. However, the best way to ensure your child's teeth are taken care of properly is to send them to the dentist periodically and receive routine check-ups. These check-ups will determine whether your child will need braces as they continue to maintain good oral health.

Why Braces?

If your child is not receiving habitual check-ups, then you may be able to decide whether they need braces by viewing their teeth. Teeth can become crowded, crooked, overlapped and show signs of malocclusion suggesting immediate assistance. Problems such as malocclusion will show distinct symptoms because the lower and upper jaw will not be similar sizes. Thus, it results in over and under bites, which can be very painful for children. Your child will also need braces if they are continuously sucking their thumbs, as this often leads to crookedness of the teeth.



What if my child doesn’t get braces?



Braces are not only about improving the aesthetics of the smile but can also impact on the functionality of the mouth. If teeth are askew and the bottom and top arch of teeth are not meeting properly, this can lead to difficult speaking and eating. Gaps in teeth due to tooth irregularity can also lead to build up of bacteria and possible infection, which can have serious implications on both your child’s oral and general health.

Orthodontist

If you are still unsure arrange an appointment with an orthodontist. They will be able to verify the problem and create a treatment plan that will execute preventative tactics properly. Preventative treatment plans can occur for ages 5 and up. This is due to the fact that permanent teeth are going to be arriving shortly! These professionals are more than qualified to administer exams and evaluate the child's mouth. Be prepared to have your child undergo x-ray examinations and impression testing. Specific questions will be asked to ensure proper execution of treatment.

Braces and Affordability

Braces are simple and metallic and small objects that are pressed against the teeth. They place pressure on the teeth to align them into the proper formation. There are several braces that parents can choose for their children. There are ceramic, metal, plastic, clear and lingual braces available. It is important to acknowledge your child's opinion while choosing. Children should also get to choose which method they prefer over the other, especially since the procedure involves them – however, of course, cost will play a part.

Many children may be self-conscious while undergoing this form of dental treatment. Take this into consideration and choose lingual or clear braces. This will ensure they are not teased or feel so alienated. However, discuss with them your ability to pay for pricey treatments. These forms of treatment tend to be highly expensive.


If your child does not seem concerned with what others think and perceive the braces as cool, great! This will allow you to make cost-effective decisions without damaging egos or self-esteem! Braces can be afforded through various dental plans and programs.

Caring for Braces

Whether a child is prepared to handle the responsibilities of caring for braces or not they will have to. In most cases a specific flosser will be given to the child. This flosser will easily remove residue of food and other debris that can get caught in braces. Refrain from specific foods that are sticky because brackets may be damaged.

There are several mouth care requirements that should be taken into consideration. Speak to your orthodontist to find out what will work for your child. For more information contact your local orthodontist for assistance.



Authors Bio

Richard is a freelance writer who has done his time good and proper when it comes to dental braces. He hopes you take your child’s health into account when it comes to braces, as problems like tooth decay and gum disease are nothing to be snorted at. Visit him @thefreshhealth on Twitter for more tips.

Guest Post: Why Your Child May Need Braces

There are thousands upon thousands of children looking for a family to adopt them. Each adoption story is unique from one another, and each story can offer hope and inspiration to a family looking to adopt. Author Lepolia West's adoption story isn't any different, with the exception he became the first man in Illinois to adopt an abandoned infant as a bachelor, sharing his adopt struggle and eventual success in the true story, “Officer...why don’t you adopt him?”

At the time of the adoption, Lepolia West was serving the Chicago police department when an abandoned infant became in need of a home. Everyone told him he couldn’t be the one to adopt the child as he was unwed and had chosen a dangerous career, but that didn’t stop his desire or battle to adopt the young boy.

With the odds against him, Lepolia West set forth on his journey to bring the baby home to call his own, even after he was told it would never happen. The numerous obstacles set before him eventually landed in the public‘s eye, and the story was brought into the light, being featured in many well known magazines and newspaper, including the Wall Street Journal and Redbook Magazine. It even caught the attention of the Hollywood producer, Joyce Selznick who began developing the story into a feature film or/and a television series. However, a short time later Joyce Selznick passed away, and the development of the book reached a stand still.

Even with film development at a stand still, the message of the book is not and remains as powerful as ever. “Officer...why don’t you adopt him?” is an influential story, full of suspense and passion for those looking to adopt a child or for those who love children in general.

Author Lepolia West followed his potential in life to become the father the abandoned infant needed and deserved, even with the odds against him. This true adoption story is unlike any other and offers hope for other families looking to adopt.

To learn more about Author Lepolia West or to purchase his book, visit www.officerleewest.com

Inspirational Adoption Story: Officer...why don’t you adopt him?

From One Mother to Another – Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew!

Sometimes I wonder if I did my daughter a disservice, having
my kids only 22 months apart. She had to grow up so quickly when my son was
born. All of the sudden she was potty trained, self entertaining, “mommy’s
feeding the baby right this second, can you wait just a minute?” She loves her
little brother, but there are days where I miss just mommy/daughter time.
Now that little brother is mobile we have had to put away
all the little toys because he is constantly eating EVERYTHING. She has to keep
her flashcards and books up so he won’t get a hold of them. I get the “Mama!
Baby G is bugging me!” at least daily.
Then on the flip side of that, my son absolutely adores his
big sister. He looks at her like she walks on water. Naptimes really solidify
the bond they have. When I say it is time for the little guy’s nap, big sister
comes running in saying “no sleeping, I want to play with him.” Then if I can
manage to get them both to nap simultaneously (Mommytime: peace, quiet, cram as
much work into two hours as possible), I wake the baby up first and we both go
in to wake up big sister together. Today he started making these adorable
little cooing noises and trying to give her kisses. My eyes might have teared
up a little.
It’s moments like this that I realize I’ve given her a
friend for life. I’ve given both of them a buddy, someone to share inside jokes
with, a partner in crime, not just someone to wreck their toys and fight with,
but someone to fight for and what I hope is a sibling love that will last
forever. I know that my siblings and I still fight like crazy, but I would go
to the ends of the earth for them.
That’s worth the craziness of “2 under 2” and four years of
life revolving around babies. For the rest of their life they will have someone
to share Christmas morning with, even if it’s just a phone-call to say “I love
you sis.”
Merry Christmas to all my crazy siblings, especially my
little brother who’s deployed for the holidays this year- I love you all.

Sibling Rivalry: Friends or Foes?

          What an understatement!  I don’t think I can think straight even after eight years of being a mom.  And am I getting stupider?  I sure am; and I’ve heard the more kids you have, the dumber you feel.  I’m lucky I haven’t forgotten my name yet.  It’s like I’m going in circles saying the same things over and over again.  I just want to record my voice and hit play every time I have to repeat myself 37 times.  Well if you’re new to this “mothering” thing and worried whether this is going to happen to you, you can stop worrying.  It’s inevitable.  It will happen to you, but now you know that ALL mothers understand.  As my sister-in-law once said, even if the boat is sinking; it is nice to know we are all going down together!

From One Mother to Another - Déjà Vu All Over Again

Image via Wikipedia

Building My “village”

From One Mother to Another - Is That HMO, PPO or UFO?

From One Mother to Another - Common Sense Goes Right Out the Window When You Have a Baby

One of my favorite parts of your book, How to Win at the Sport of Business, that completely broke my heart was when your ex-secretary robbed your first company of over $83,000, leaving you only $2000 after a year of work. If there are moms out there that have lost everything, what advice do you have for them to pick themselves back up?

Keep working. Don’t feel sorry for yourself because it won’t do any good.

There are many young moms who are just beginning their lives and can relate to you when you said you were sharing a small apartment with 6 people and sleeping on the floor. How can someone keep their eye on the prize when they’re living on Ramen noodles?

Who cares how you are living today? I loved every minute of living in that dump. The low rent and utilities and eating Mac n’ Cheese all the time allowed me to afford the startup of my business. Instead of paying myself much, I could put it in to my business.

There are many mommies out there that dream of creating their own business but haven't a clue where to start. What advice do you have for them?

Find something you love to do, can do on your own and doesn’t require any more capital than you can afford to lose personally. The most valuable asset you have is your time, talents and ability to communicate. Focus on those strengths and what you can do rather than what you can’t do.

You were offered many opportunities to publish your book traditionally by the major publishing houses but you were quoted as saying that you didn’t like the financial risk model that most publishing deals would offer you. Why?
Time is the most valuable asset I have. The amount of time required to give the publishers a chance to make their money back wasn’t worth the money to me. My preference was to put out an eBook on my own terms and see how it did and what I could learn. Based on this education, I will be a lot smarter about what I do next.

You have a fanbase of millions. And you have encouraged them to email you their thoughts on your book. What kind of feedback have you been receiving?

100% positive. I’ve been shocked by how quickly people have bought the book and read it.

Where can we get a copy of your eBook, How to Win at the Sport of Business?

Anywhere eBooks are sold: Amazon, BN.com, and sites that support independent bookstores too.

Now here's your chance to win!!
Mark will give away 2 free Landmark Movie tickets if you check out HDNet Movies Kid Scene and tell us your best reason for wanting to take your children to the movies! Don't forget to tell us what movie you can't wait to see with your kids!!

Special Interview-- Plus, Your Chance to Win!!

By Claire Hegarty

I am guilty of it yet again!  After writing this piece over at my blog http://fortysomethingfirsttimeyogini.blogspot.com/2011/11/recording-moments-without-living-them.html I find myself still doing it!

I spent a lot of time last week taking photos of things.  Things like my son at play, my son with his friends,  my son in town.  Okay, Okay.  I spent a lot of time last week taking photos of my son!  My husband thinks I will make him overconfident because I photograph him so much and my mother thinks he will be annoyed with me when he is older.  She can picture me regaling all and sundry, including girlfriends (or boyfriends) with photos and videos of his childhood, in full digital technicolour!

I have to admit this visualisation makes me laugh.  It makes me laugh all the more because it is so probably true!

There aren't many photos of myself or my siblings when we were children as my parents couldn't really afford a camera until we were older. That's why I want to record every moment of my son's childhood that I can.  I know he will not be a child for long.  I need to be careful though that I don't spent so much time recording moments with him, that I do not get to live them.......................

Recording Moments without living Them......

You love to take your kids to new places, but you really don’t have the money. Where can you take them that are fun for them and free for you? Well, here are five great ideas for fun day trips with your child. They’ll love the adventure and you’ll love the price.

1. Pet stores/aquarium stores - It’s the zoo but free and indoors! Little kids love animals. What better place to see them up close and personal, without wearing yourself out? Oftentimes a pet store is even better than the zoo. The small cages mean your child won’t have to work to see the animals, and the wide assortment of pets (most of them small enough not to be scary) allow kids to enjoy themselves without getting overcome. For older kids, try taking them to an exotic animal pet store. I have seen stores with iguanas, sugar gliders (sort of a cross between chipmunks and flying squirrels), lemurs, and hedgehogs. Watch out for the snakes and bugs. Then you have the fish. Places like Aquarium World have a giant fish tank, just like one you would pay to see in an aquarium but for free. The goldfish ponds are fun for younger children, and some stores even let kids feed the fish. The variety of brightly colored, fast moving fish will mesmerize your children. Personally, I liked the sea horses best- underwater horses- but my brother loved the baby sharks. Even eels don’t look as creepy under the sparkling blue water.

2. Ikea- I know what you’re thinking. Why Ikea? It’s just fun. Not only do they have a play-land for kids (free babysitting!) but it’s just pleasurable to go through the huge store with a little kid. They see things you’d have overlooked. The multi-colored kitchenware are a huge (and useful) hit, the numerous and sundry stuffed animals, and the clunky wooden toys. The displays of children’s rooms are a load of fun. It’s like going to a sleepover, but in five or six different houses. Your child will love ‘napping’ in the child-sized beds, ‘cooking’ with the miniature stoves, turning on and off the child-safe lights (ladybugs and stars), crawling under the giant leaf canopy, and some stores have a little tunnel and slide combo that both your child and her stuffed animal friends will enjoy. Plus, most of the toys and things they can actually pick up and beg you to buy are under ten dollars.

3. Jewelry stores- A store like Claire’s, or any other low-end jewelry store, are best. Girls love jewelry, and little girls love shiny things the most. What better place to take your little princess? Claire’s has little-kid-friendly jewelry like Dora the Explorer, Strawberry Shortcake, and Hello Kitty. Tiny purses and tiaras, feathered boas and headbands; Claire’s is a dress-up wonderland.
4. Garden centers- Sounds strange, but flowers can be fun. Customarily garden centers are bursting with beauty and color in spring and summer. Show your kids where oranges come from, show them a grape vine, and don’t forget to take time to smell the roses. Little kids love smelling things! It’s also a great way to get your child to eat their vegetables. You’d be surprised what a picky eater will eat if they watered and took care of it for weeks.

5. Sports stores/outdoors stores- Got a kid that’s always on the move? Try a sports store. Some of the big chain stores have batting cages, mini-golf courses, even skiing! They can check out all the different kinds of balls, try on the roller skates, and drool over the mountain bikes. Outdoors stores can also be really interesting. Places like Bass Pro Shop, Outdoor World, REI, and Gander Mountain all have exciting displays. Have fun ‘camping’ indoors, check out the fishing rods, and climb a mountain. Some stores even have indoor lakes for little kids to fish in. The climbing walls and fake boulders are fun for energetic older kids. All the fun of a camping trip without the work.

There are many more places you can take your child, but these five ideas should get you on the right path. Remember that children are simple. They are entertained by almost anything if their parents make it exciting. Remember to have fun and stay relaxed and you’ll both have a blast.

Author Bio
Nancy Parker was a professional nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com

Guest Post: 5 Fun, Free Places to take Your Kids

by Evan Fischer

New parents worry about everything from diaper rash to the slightest fever. And while babies are certainly prone to certain ailments due to the fact that they’re still developing, most of the fears that plague first-time parents will prove to be the products of nothing more than a heightened sense of responsibility. But when something is truly wrong with your child, you need to know early so that you can get the proper treatment to ensure that the condition goes no further. This is true for issues as simple as colds (which can turn into bronchitis or pneumonia if untreated) or as serious as autism (for which early detection plays a major role in halting advancement). And when it comes to your child’s primary sense, you want to err on the side of caution. So here are just a few indicators that it’s time to check your child’s vision.

1. Lazy eye. The technical term for this condition is amblyopia and it is the most common form of vision problems in children. It is caused by a weakness in one eye relating to an underdeveloped pathway between the brain and the eye. Luckily, it can be easy to identify thanks to the signature laziness in the eye (which generally causes it to turn inward or outward). You may also be able to tell if one eye wanders or if both eyes don’t track together. In some cases, the only indication is a loss of vision on one side, which you should be able to spot eventually. But early treatment is key to vision correction, so don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you think your child is exhibiting symptoms.

2. Cataracts. This may sound odd, but some infants are actually born with cataracts while other children develop them in the first few years of life. The condition could be hereditary or there might be other causes, but you need to get them treated as soon as possible. Contrary to popular belief, eye surgery for children is relatively safe and you need to have cataracts treated immediately so that your child’s vision can develop normally.

3. Vision that isn’t developing. Nervous parents may wonder why their baby seems unable to focus on them during the first few months of life. The truth is that most babies don’t have fully developed vision until they’re six to eight months old (generally speaking – remember that all babies develop differently). But if your child is getting close to the year mark and he still can’t focus, there is almost certainly a problem that needs attention.

4. Clumsiness. Sometime kids are just clumsy; they’re learning how to operate their bodies and they need some practice. This is especially true of toddlers, who are going to be a little shaky on their legs for a while. But if your child is constantly bumping into things, you may want to take him for a vision test just to be sure.

5. Problems at school. Poor grades and disruptions in class may just be indicators of a hyper child, or your kid could have a learning disorder. But if these theories don’t hold water, perhaps the trouble is that he can’t see what’s on the blackboard and he’s getting frustrated. And eye exam will give you a quick answer. Perhaps a child that already wears glasses is taking them off at school because of the way they look. In this case, ask your ophthalmologist about the possibility of contact lenses. Acuvue has a wide variety and it’s easy to find rebates online. Surprisingly, kids of all ages can be good candidates for contacts, so there’s no reason not to help your child feel great and look good (pardon the pun) at the same time.

About the Author:
Evan Fischer is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California

Guest Post: How to Tell if Your Child Might Have Vision Problems