How to Teach Your Kids to Be More Independent

As a parent, one of your primary responsibilities is to nurture your child and help them to grow. It is important to make sure that your kids grow up to be strong and independent, while still having a good relationship with you as their parents. If you help your kids to learn to be independent while they’re young, they’ll be more motivated in their schooling and work, and they’ll be more successful adults. Here are a few ways in which you can encourage your kids to be more independent now. 

Encourage Their Curiosity

One great way to help your kids to be independent is to encourage their curiosity from a young age. This doesn’t mean you have to totally abandon your kids and leave them to discover things alone, it means that you can encourage curiosity as you spend time with them. For example, you can help your kids to play games or participate in activities that engage their minds and help them to think about different outcomes. If your kids are too scared to ever do anything without you, they won’t ever be curious enough to learn on their own. 

Teach Them Important Life Skills

Another important way to teach your kids to be more independent is by teaching them important life skills. Every parent wants their child to grow up to be smart and successful. By helping your kids to learn important life skills, you’ll be putting them on a path to success. For example, swimming lessons can teach your kids crucial skills that will help them in the water. Learning to enjoy reading can teach your kids to be analytical thinkers and can prepare them to be more successful in their schooling. If your child feels that they have the important life skills necessary to tackle tasks that come at them, they’ll be more independent. 

Give Them Experiences

Finally, in order to help your kids to be truly independent, you need to give them experiences that will help them to put their curiosity and life skills into practice. Encourage them to have experiences that push them to become better and smarter. For example, you could sign up your child to have music lessons or to be on a sports team. This would teach them to apply the skills that they’ve learned and will give them the opportunity to find their talents and passions. 

As you are trying to figure out how to help your child to become more independent, keep in mind the suggestions that have been made in this article. Make sure to personalize your plan for each child, as everyone has their own specific challenges and strengths. Helping your children to become more independent, strong, and creative will bless them for the rest of their lives.

Read this next: How to Get Your Child to Adopt Healthy Habits

Things You Can Do to Help Your Child Maintain a Healthy Weight

Your child’s health is one of the most important things as you help raise them into an adult who can take care of themselves. One thing you can do to help them stay healthy throughout their life is to help them develop healthy habits that in turn lead them to maintain a healthy weight. Staying at a healthy weight can feel complicated, but as you teach your child to make healthy decisions, you can help them to maintain a healthy body.

Teach Them to Listen to Their Bodies

One thing you can do that will point them in the direction of always maintaining a healthy weight is simply teaching them to listen to their own bodies. Their body will send them signals about when they are hungry or full and when they have energy to get out. When they are confident in their ability to listen to their body and do what they need to do to keep it feeling satisfied, they will be better at making the right decisions for what their body needs.

Help Them Enjoy Physical Activity

If you can help your child to love a physical activity, it will be much easier to help them stay active. Let your child try a variety of sports and other physical activities until they find something they really enjoy. Some kids will prefer sports like basketball or football while others will like dance, martial arts, or swimming. Swimming lessons teach vital safety skills that can help children stay safe when they're playing in the water.

Teach Them to Have a Healthy Relationship with Food

The last thing you want to do as you work to help your child maintain a healthy weight is to make them feel nervous or scared about eating food. Instead you want to teach them that food is fuel that helps them to do the things they need to do each day. Teach them about moderation in the foods they eat and try to help them understand what benefits different foods bring to their bodies. When they have a healthy relationship with food, they will be much more thoughtful about how they fuel their body.

As your child learns more about their body and what it takes to keep it healthy, they can develop great habits. Those habits will inform the way they eat, the way they exercise and the way they feel. Do what you can to encourage them to feel comfortable and happy with the body they have.

Check out this article on how to help your baby build more confidence!

Creating Better Cell Phone Images

     Composition and the skills related to creating compelling composition in photographs are something photographers spend a lifetime honing and improving. It is composition that plays a large part in setting one’s own style or signature ‘look’ in photographs and makes an image go from a snapshot to a thought provoking experience. You can spend years journaling, reading and studying composition. But, overall, a photograph with good composition has four basic elements all working together:

·         A clearly defined subject and background

·         Balance

·         A point of view

·         Simplicity

     To begin, let’s look an amateur photo I took some years ago in Paris. At the time, I thought I was taking a great image. But when we evaluate it according to the standards of composition, it turns out to be nothing more than a mediocre snapshot. Why is this? First, there is no clear subject and background. One could argue that the trees are the subject, or that the building is the subject. Is it the red or green parts of the building? For the viewer, the question arises, “What am I supposed to be looking at?” And if this happens, your image has failed. Second, the image is not balanced. It is just one big blob of “stuff” going on. There is virtually no negative space, and no breathing room for the eyes. It’s busy and unfocused. Third, while this image has a point of view (that if a tourist looking upward from the street), it is not an unusual or compelling point of view. It is that which any of us see most of the time on any given day. Had I climbed to the rooftop across the street, or climbed one of the trees and taken a photograph, the point of view would at least be different. Finally, as we have said, this image is not simple. It’s crazy busy.

     With a poorly composed photograph as a backdrop, let’s look at a much better one.  And as we go through it, I will bring in a couple of other elements that you can be thinking about as you start to intentionally compose your own images. Looking at this image there is no question that the crow is the subject. So, immediate, this second image is a million times better than the first. Just this simple “detail” is powerful.

     An additional element that adds interest to the subject is that the crow is at one side of the image. In this image, the eye travels from the crow, over to the tree and back again.  the eye travels around the image in a natural way. In the Paris image, the eye does not “travel” at all. Instead it rests in one spot, unsure what to do or what to look at.

     The crow mage is balanced in at least 2 ways (1) by the use of lines and (2) by another object the tree, to the left. And of you look carefully, you will notice that some vignetting has either been applied around the edges in post-production, or as a result of the lens (some lenses have a bit of a fall off that can be a good thing).

     The point of view of this image is subtlety different. It is not from the bird’s perspective. But it is not from your average adult’s perspective either. It looks like the photographer either knelt down or placed the camera on a tripod about 3-4 feet high. The result is a point of view that is one not commonly seen. This makes the viewer spend more ‘time’ on the image and make the photograph more interesting. The other strong element in this image is that it has a clear foreground, middle ground (the tree trunk)  and background (the other trees and buildings).

     The simplicity of this image is obvious. A bird on a fence.  With not much else going on, it allows the mind of the view to begin to create a story for the image. Why is the crow there? What is it doing? And so on.  The gap between the bird and the tree trunk  is essentially good use of negative space. Negative space is one of those “issues” in photography. Some say to not have too much, others have mostly negative space in their images. But an image, like the Paris one above, with no negative space is unlikely to work.

     Making images that contain strong compositional elements is mostly a matter of awareness. Take your time and try to address these 4 basics, and you will see a major improvement in your images.

What If You Didn't Have Kids? What Would Your Life Look Like?

I am one of the few women in Los Angeles who chose not to have kids. I am now 50-ish. For me, it was an easy choice; at the time anyway. I had a career as a special education teacher and I saw first hand how hard it is to have kids; how hard it is to be a parent. It scared me. And I honestly did not think I could do a good job teaching a child all those things you have to. Since I have a unique life, in many ways, I thought I would share with you what it’s like. I think you will see that as parents, you actually got the better end of the stick. In my view anyway.

D.I.N.K. (Double Income No Kids)

Yep. I am part one of a Dink lifestyle. I own a maternity, newborn and child photography business that is successful. All that money I earn is mine. All of it. There is no tuition, no kids’ clothes, no summer camp fees, no club sports, no candy sales, no Scouts, none of it. Of course, the business has expenses, (you would be stunned at how expensive it is to run a small solopreneur business), and then basic living expenses. But after that, I am able to be as irresponsible as I want to be. There is no one depending on me to save money for college, or for a rainy day. Spontaneous trips to Vegas, weekends at Santa Anita, a quick flight to Chicago to see the Cubs, it’s all there.

So far this all sounds spectacular right? It’s like being a college student with a never ending expense account from your parents. I will admit, that at first, in my 20s and even into my 30s, it was great. In fact, it was amazing. Especially when a large portion of your peers are not married yet with kids. But it gets tiresome. And after a while sporting events are not that amazing anymore, and quick weekend jaunts take their toll. They also lose their sense of taboo. You start to realize that every thing you do is all about, well, you. It’s a bit selfish. How many images can you post on social media of you gallivanting hither and yon while everyone else you knew in college became adults and has responsibilities? Whether that is good or bad, I’m not sure. But there it is.

Tenured College Dorm Life

While I did grow up enough to have a career and do all those responsible things, I never did grow up in other ways. Take domestic stuff, for example. I think most people, when they have kids, they try to keep a relatively organized house. They cook balanced meals. They clean, do laundry, take care of the yard. They do all these things with some kind of order and regularity. For me, that never happened. Now it could be, that even if I had had kids, I would still be a terrible homemaker. But I think that not being a parent allows you to live in utter disorganization. I think this promotes bad habits and fosters selfishness.

They only thing that has changed for me since college, is that I can’t take my laundry to mom’s house anymore. So what happens is, I pay to have other people do the things I probably should be doing….cleaning, cooking, yard work, basic upkeep on the property etc. I can’t be sure, but I do not think I would have developed such laziness with kids. Having kids keeps you sharper, more alert and self-sufficient; as I see things, anyway.

The-Who-Will-Take-Care-Of-Me-When-I’m-Old Question

There is an urban myth that says most people have kids so they will have someone to care for them as they age. As a newborn photographer, I see new moms all the time. I don’t see aging by themselves as their motivation for having kids. But still, it is a question most of us have to face. And since I am farther along the path than most of you reading this, I can tell you: Don’t worry about it. If your kids care for you when you are old, great. But if they can’t or won’t, it’s OK. There are competent professionals all over the place who will step in when the time comes. So the fact that I did not have kids does not make aging or getting older any harder. So I would say that on the aging issue, it’s a draw. Kids or not, getting old is tough.

The Mother-Child Relationship

Here is where not having kids loses big-time. There is one relationship that is so critical, so meaningful, so profound, and so important. It is the subject of countless paintings, books and photographs; and that is the mother-child connection. It is so raw and inspiring that my studio offers an entire portrait package just for Mother-Child. Not having kids means you miss this. It means you miss the single most awe inspiring interaction on earth. You miss the basic “why” of the human condition. You miss all those times your child calls for you, and not dad. You miss the way your child holds your hand, or sits in your lap. You miss how they look at you when they see you are proud of them. You miss how safe they feel with you after a bad day. You miss the most basic life event. You could say, you miss Life altogether. (That may be too dramatic, but you get the idea). Of course, there are lots of elements to Life, but having kids is a big one. Not having kids takes you out of a major experience.

I don’t think there are too many moms out there who regret having kids. I really don’t. But you may wonder what it may have been like if you did not have them. And I can tell you, it has some advantages. It does. But at the end of the day, the most fundamental thing is not on your Life’s resume. To my mind, you are definitely at an advantage as a parent.

Katie is a maternity, newborn and child photographer in Los Angeles, 91042

Early Childhood Skills That Can Give Parents Peace of Mind

Children in their early years are hard to keep track of and keep safe, and that’s on a good day. You may lose track of them or be out of diapers. That’s why you should teach them these important skills to give yourself a peace of mind.

Potty Training

While the time it takes to teach your child to use a toilet can vary per child, PennState Extension explains that there are signs to look out for indicating when a child is ready. Some of these include staying dry for at least two hours throughout the day, and being aware of when they are urinating or having a bowel movement. The peace of mind from potty training is worth the trouble, as children left in diapers too long can develop rashes that pain them for days afterward. You won’t have to worry about carrying around diapers anymore, either. Instead, you’ll maybe need to bring an extra pair of underwear or a roll of toilet paper.

Swimming Skills

If your child falls into a body of water, you will feel much less panic if you’ve already taught them to swim. Children who know how to swim can keep themselves afloat while you try to reach them. They can also have fun with older children because they’ll know how to move in the water. According to SwimJim, children don’t automatically know how to swim, so it’s important they learn skills in a class setting. Your child’s teacher can give you guidance on the proper swimming techniques they should learn. If your child is afraid of getting into the water, a swimming class can encourage them to be less afraid. Your child can also make new friends.

Being Lost

Many children in their early childhood get lost and, according to Kid Pillar, 500,000 children go missing every year. However, you can still teach your child how to be safe if and when they get lost. First, teach them to freeze and not start looking for you. Practice with them beforehand on calling for you by your real name and, if needed, how to identify safe people to ask for help. If they’re old enough, you can help them memorize your phone number, or otherwise put your number on their person. With these measures you’ll feel much more at peace taking your child out in public if you know, should you be separated, they have the skills to stay safe until you find them.

Children’s brains are constantly growing and developing. Even if you don’t think your child is teachable yet in some areas, you should start early in helping them learn valuable skills. Their brains can retain more information than you think!

Read this next: Childhood Habits You Should Help Your Child Break

Three Things Moms Need To Know About Studio Newborn Photography

Your little one is on the way. It is an exciting time and there is no doubt that you are going to want professional photos. Newborn photography is a very different experience than things like headshots, weddings or graduation photos. Knowing what to expect will help you plan and enjoy the results of your baby’s first photo session.

Newborn Sessions Take Time

Everything that has to do with a newborn happens in a suspended time portal. Few things happen quickly. There are three main things that take a lot of time during the session.

First, is feeding. Most photographers have mom feed the baby right when she gets to the studio. The reason for eating immediately before photos is that it encourages the baby to sleep deeply. This will give the photographer about an hour ot do to pose and take photos before the baby has to be fed again.

Second, is posing. Nearly all poses require that the baby is asleep. Newborns have certain behaviors the photographer has to take in to account while posing. Because of this, the photographer often has to stop and soothe along the way and slowly place the baby into those adorable poses. Poses are completed in stages so that the baby feels safe and secure the whole time. It can take up to 15 minutes or more to get the baby styled. And that is just for one shot!

The third thing that adds time to newborn sessions is waking up too early. It is not uncommon for a baby to be 90% wrapped and posed only to wake up and need soothing . Then, the whole posing process begins again. Patience is something you have to have at your session. Each of these things, feeding, posing, and soothing back to sleep can take time.

Expect Fewer Images

Not only does it take a lot of time to wrap and/or pose newborns for the actual photo, it also takes time processing the images afer the session. Believe it or not, newborn skin requires a lot of retouching. You may not think so, but it’s true. Your photographer will spend upwards of 10 to 15 minutes per image to retouch so your baby looks fantastic.

Because of this and other concerns, most newborn sessions have about 10 to 25 images in their gallery. While you may be used to wedding photographers who show you hundreds of images, or a holiday mini session where you get 50 images in 20 minutes, this is generally not the case with newborn portraits. The number of images depends on many things such as how well mom and the baby are prepared for the session, the demeanor of the baby the day photos are made and the types of images you want. For example, if you want family, sibling, and baby-alone images, that is a lot to accomplish in a 2 or 3 hour session. Add in a baby who decides to cluster feed that day and images can be even harder to get.

Honor What Your Baby Is Able To Do

Every newborn session is different simply because each baby is unique. This obvious statement is sometimes cast aside by overly enthusiastic moms who have high expectations for portraits. While it is fun to go on Pinterest and look at newborn photos you may want for your new baby, keep in mind that not every baby can do every pose. Some babies simply do not like to be in certain positions. Other babies do not like certain textures. Your newborn definitely follows developmental patterns and newborn photography pays close attention to how the baby is reacting during the session.

Yes, I know that camping theme with the baby adorably leaning over a bucket is to die for. But it is good to have reasonable expectations and to rejoice in the images your baby completes. Newborns already have a personality. They have preferences. Let the images they make accentuate who they are at this time. When you look back in 15 years, you will recognize attributes that showed themselves in a teeny way during your son’s or daughter’s first photo shoot.

Studio newborn sessions have the advantave of showcasing features of your baby that more casual photo shoots can miss. But they do require pre-planning, good preparation, and patience. Following these recommendations will help you get the best images from your session.

Talk to an expert about planning your perfect newborn session.

How to Create Lasting Memories With Your Kids in the Outdoors

Your child’s growing-up years will be a kaleidoscope filled with more precious moments than they can possibly remember every detail of. However, some memories are so impactful in a child’s life that they will be treasured forever. For whatever reason, times spent together in the outdoors are more indelible than most. Here are some ways to create cherished memories that will last you and your child a lifetime.

Go to the Beach

The magic of the beach is that it is for everyone. Even people who wouldn’t consider themselves the outdoorsy type love the beach. There is something about the deep blue of the skies, the timelessness of the sand, and the constant gentle motion of the ocean that create the perfect ambiance for mindfulness. 

It is in these mindful moments together that perfect moments turn into lasting memories. The most important thing is to engage with your kids. Don’t hand them a bucket, tell them to go play, and then turn to your novel. Build sand castles, splash in the waves, and look for shells together.

Take Them Camping

Camping never fails to deliver lasting memories. Either everything goes wrong and you can laugh about how miserable it was, or it is perfect and brings back nostalgic feelings every time you think about it. 

Camping also provides an excellent opportunity to teach your kids vital skills such as fire making, first aid, and orienteering. It’s also a great time to teach important life skills, such as courtesy and respect. You can teach your kids to be responsible campers by cleaning trash and extinguishing your fires. 

Play With Them in the Backyard

You might think that lasting memories are only made during major events such as family vacations or trips. However, a kid doesn’t need a special destination to form happy memories with you. In fact, some of the best memories can happen in your own backyard. All it takes is a willingness to let go of your everyday stressors and truly connect with your kids. Think about your own magical moments with your parents. Chances are they happened when you were doing something simple together, like playing tag, throwing a ball, or jumping on the trampoline. 

There are ample studies which show that spending more time outdoors is good for both your physical and emotional health. It is also the perfect setting for making lasting memories with your kids. Your kids will be all grown up before you know it, so take every opportunity to spend focused time with them in the great outdoors!

Check out this article on ingredients to avoid in your child’s food!

How to Manage Pain During Pregnancy

Normally, when you get a headache or injury you can pop a few pain pills and hardly miss a beat. However, when you are pregnant, everything you do can impact that precious, growing baby. While mothers are famous for being self-sacrificing and willing to do anything to keep from harming their baby, you shouldn’t have to suffer through severe pain during your pregnancy. Luckily, there are safe ways to combat your pain during pregnancy.

Take Safe Pain Medication

Most doctors would agree that some over-the-counter pain medications can be taken safely during pregnancy. While you should never take any medication without getting the green light from your doctor, acetaminophen is generally considered safe. Your doctor might also approve ibuprofen or naproxen during the first half of your pregnancy. 

However, they are generally not recommended after 20 weeks because of the risk of hemorrhaging during delivery and causing kidney problems for the baby. Bottom line: always ask your doctor before taking any medication!

Try Drug-Free Remedies

Of course, pregnancy is the perfect time to try out holistic pain relief techniques. Massage therapy, hot or cold compresses, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and acupressure are all safe options to try. 

Additionally, going to a chiropractor can help you ease pain during pregnancy without drugs. Chiropractic spinal manipulation can effectively treat lower back pain, a common complaint during pregnancy.

Treat the Cause, Not the Symptom

When you are pregnant it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to your body’s cues. One of the dangers of having such convenient pain remedies available is that we can easily pop a pill and ignore the underlying causes. However, when you take the time to listen to your body and find out what it’s trying to tell you, you can usually treat the cause of your pain rather than the symptom. Maybe you are overworking yourself and need to take it easy. Maybe your headaches are caused by mild dehydration. Maybe you need to tweak your sleeping position or go to bed earlier. Maybe you need to wear more comfortable shoes for now. Treating the underlying cause is always more effective and less risky than turning to a quick fix like pain meds. 

Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you should have to live with pain. First, try to diagnose the cause of your pain and address that first. If that doesn’t work, talk to your doctor for some suggestions. No one should suffer needlessly when there are plenty of safe remedies available. 

Have Your Newborn Photos Taken By a Professional: Check This Out!

How to Ensure Healthy Childhood Development

Parenting is something that thousands of experts have spoken about for centuries. Everyone does it differently–and it also doesn’t help that every child is different.

As intimidating as it may be, there are certain things you can do in order to ensure that your child is getting the minimum for their healthy development. 

Take Your Child to the Doctor

Physical health is the most basic and primary priority. There may be some things you can take care of as a parent–a simple abrasion on your child’s arm, a sunburn, a cold–but you should know when it’s best to take them to the doctor. Pediatricians will have the expertise and experience to be able to help your child whenever something more extreme happens. 

Regular appointments will mean that some problems can be caught early on before they become serious. This is why it’s so important to have check-ups even when nothing is obviously wrong. 

Pay Attention to Behavior

It’s important to be familiar with the stages of childhood development so that you can be prepared. It also means that you will know what to interpret as normal or as abnormal. This should be done on both a physical and an emotional level. For example, thumb sucking at a young age is perfectly normal, but it can lead to dental issues long-term. 

Prepare beforehand how to talk to your child about puberty and the changes that occur in the body (not to mention emotionally). Know how to respond to behavior that you feel is inappropriate. Healthy discipline that teaches your child about responsibility without abuse is critical.

Basic Needs

A child needs to be comfortable to develop in a healthy way. That means that food, water, shelter, clothes, exercise, education, and a clean environment are priorities that shouldn't be compromised in any way. One of the most important needs that a child has is their emotional need for love and support. Communicate with your child. Generational trauma occurs when one parent’s unhealthy style of parenting is unconsciously repeated by their child, and so on–so put in the emotional work to deconstruct your own past difficulties and trauma. The last thing you want to do is unconsciously raise your child in a way that will cause them pain. 

A child is not only a responsibility. It is another human being who will grow based on your actions as a parent. It is your responsibility, in turn, to educate yourself before and during your child’s life in order to give them the life that they deserve. 

Have Your Family Portrait Taken By Professionals. Check This Out

How to Make Sure Your Baby’s Teeth Come in Properly

The part of infancy where a baby begins teething can be hard for everyone. Babies will start to feel and express a lot more discomfort. Breastfeeding mamas might find the process painful. But you’re going to want to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible so your child can have the little pearly whites they deserve. 

Start Brushing Their Teeth

Good brushing habits are the foundation for anyone’s good dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing are the keys to avoiding as many dental problems as possible as a teenager and an adult. That’s why it’s so important to develop the habit as early on as possible.

Not only will this help your toddler adjust to the brushing process itself, but it will also help keep their baby teeth healthy. Baby teeth are a kind of trial run to help you understand just how well your child can maintain their teeth on their own. I know from being a teacher that kids can get in to dental health problems early in life. You definitely don’t want this if you can avoid it.

Get Them to Break Harmful Habits

Lots of babies develop small habits and tics to help them deal with the stresses of life. Often, those habits will be something of an oral fixation. It’s very common for babies to try and put anything and everything they can reach into their mouths. Grinding or gritting the teeth and jaw as well as sucking their thumb are also common possibilities. 

Kids a year or older should stop sucking their thumbs to prevent teeth development issues. If you are worried about helping them overcome these habits, try talking to their pediatrician about what can be done. You can also learn more about potential baby teeth concerns here

Regular Pediatric Appointments

It’s so important to have the input of a professional during your child’s developmental stages. Regular medical checkups are a must, even if nothing is obviously wrong. That’s the only way you’ll be able to catch problems early–before they grow into something more serious and expensive. Pediatric dentists should also be consulted if necessary. Remember: small problems aren’t the end of the world, but if you let them fester, they can become truly bothersome. Serious problems might even alter how your child lives their day-to-day life.

Teeth aren’t an easy thing to take care of. Building up habits takes years, and most kids don’t want to go through that kind of effort. Little children can be notoriously resistant to parental attempts to help them brush their teeth. The important thing is that you keep trying, and that you keep making sure that they get the help they need.

Have your kids photo taken by a professional: Check it out here!

What to Put Away in Your Home to Keep Your Child Out of Danger

As a parent, it is your responsibility to keep your child safe from harm. This means taking precautions to ensure that they are not in danger when they are at home. There are many things you can do to make your home safe for your child, and one of the most important is to put away dangerous items. 

Be sure to look out for these three things you should put away to keep your child out of danger!

Small Objects

One hidden danger in many homes is the presence of small objects. Young children are curious and adventurous, and they may put anything they can find into their mouths. As a result, small objects such as beads, coins, and buttons can pose a serious choking hazard. In addition, small objects can also be swallowed and cause internal blockages. 

To protect your child from these dangers, it is important to keep small objects out of reach. One way to do this is to empty your pockets before entering the house and to store small items in containers with tight-fitting lids. By taking these simple steps, you can help to keep your child safe from the dangers of small objects.

Cords

Cords are one of the many dangers that can be found in the home. They are often left out in the open, and children can easily grab onto them and pull them down. This can cause serious injury or even death. The best way to keep your child safe is to put away cords. 

You should shorten or secure blind cords so your child doesn’t grab onto them. you should also unplug appliances when they’re not in use, and put away any cords that are not in use. By taking these simple precautions, you can help keep your child safe from harm.

Cemical

Children are naturally curious creatures, and they often put things in their mouths without knowing any better. As a result, it's important to keep dangerous chemicals out of reach, to protect them from harm. One way to do this is to store all chemicals in a locked cupboard or cabinet. This will help to prevent your child from being able to access them, even if they're curious. Another way to keep your child safe is to use child-resistant packaging. This type of packaging is designed to be difficult for children to open, so it can help to deter them from getting into dangerous chemicals. Finally, always be sure to read labels carefully and follow the instructions when using any type of chemical product. By taking these precautions, you can help to keep your child safe from harm.

Kids will be kids, and that means they are going to explore their world without consideration for their safety. While your home is usually a safe place to be, there are some things to store away to keep your kids safe. If you put these three items away you can keep your children safe at home.

Have Your Kid’s Portrait Taken By a Professional. Check This Out.

Tips for Dealing With Your First Pregnancy

As a newly pregnant mother, it may seem like there is an endless list of things you need to do. Not only is your body changing, but you may also have to change your diet, feel more exhausted than ever, or be dealing with morning sickness. 

While every pregnancy is different, there are a few things you should make sure to focus on to make this a good experience.

Find a Support System

Having a solid support system is crucial for having a good experience with your pregnancy. Obviously, the first person in your support system should be your partner, but it shouldn’t end there. If you are lucky enough to have family nearby, reach out to them for help. If you live further away, they can still provide support through phone calls, and keeping up to date with you. 

You and your partner should also make sure you find an OBGYN that you are comfortable with. You will have a lot of doctor visits over the next several months, so having a doctor you like and that you trust is crucial to make this a good experience. Many women also consider using a midwife or a doula. If you are feeling a little isolated, try reaching out to local moms. Your fellow mothers and expectant mothers will truly understand what you are going through and they can support you better than almost anyone else.

Manage Your Stress

New experiences and unexpected changes can be a large source of stress, and pregnancy is filled with both of those. While some stress is to be expected, too much stress can be unhealthy while pregnant. It is important to keep on top of how you are feeling and find healthy ways to cope. 

Light exercise during pregnancy can take some stress off. Many pregnant women enjoy walking or yoga specifically designed for pregnancy. You could also look into getting a prenatal massage. Being honest with your partner and support system about how you feel will also allow them to help you deal with any overwhelming feelings. Above all, remember that this is new for you, and it is okay to feel unsure at times.

Document The Experience

While you may not feel super glamorous while dealing with morning sickness, it is important to recognize the good moments of pregnancy. Many women will document the growth of their bump through regular mirror selfies. There are also plenty of options to track your pregnancy and the growth of your child. Some women prefer physical books that they can write the details down in, while others use pregnancy tracker apps that share fun details, such as the size of the baby. 

When you are far enough along to feel the baby kick, think about taking a video of the flutters. Maternity shoots with your partner are also a great way to commemorate the experience. Don’t forget, you are starting your family and these are memories you will want to share with your child someday.

Your first pregnancy is an exciting new experience that you get to embark on. While it may seem never ending at the moment, remember to cherish this stage of your life. It may be hard, but you can do it, and at the end of your pregnancy, you will have your beautiful baby to love and adore.
Have a lasting memory of your family here. Glendale/Los Angeles Photographer

Issues to Deal With After Giving Birth

The moment you hold your newborn for the first time, your heart will be filled with a joy you've never experienced. But, your body has just been through an extremely stressful ordeal, and it will take some time before you're feeling your best. Meanwhile, you will have some issues to deal with.

Postpartum Depression

It's completely normal to feel emotional after giving birth. You're entering a new phase of your life, and your hormones are out of balance. You may find that you're crying more than usual or easily irritated by small, unimportant matters. You may feel overwhelmed or anxious sometimes.

However, for about 15 percent of new moms, the feelings are more severe and unrelenting. 

These women are experiencing postpartum depression. Symptoms include sadness, low self-esteem, guilt, lack of enjoyment, and changes in eating and sleeping. See your doctor if you suspect you might have postpartum depression.

Body Confidence Issues

Your body has just carried another human being for nine months. It's not going to snap back immediately, and you shouldn't compare yourself to body images you see in the media. Give yourself time to recover, and pamper yourself if you can.

Eating regular, healthy meals and exercising will help you lose the "baby weight" and rebuild your self-confidence. Topical creams and laser treatments can help get rid of stretch marks. If you're nursing, invest in a good bra to give you the support you need. A new haircut or manicure can also help you feel better.

Sleep Problems

Sleep problems after childbirth are so common, there's a name for it: postpartum insomnia. The combination of hormone imbalance, new emotions, and constantly nursing and tending to a baby can cause you to have problems falling asleep and sleeping through the night.

It will take a few weeks, but you can get into a healthy sleep routine. Try to avoid caffeine, and set aside some time in your busy schedule for relaxation or meditation. Keep your bedroom dimly lit and quiet at night, even if you're getting up to feed the baby. Your body will get back into a regular sleep rhythm soon.

Knowing how your body and your emotions might react after childbirth can prepare you for any issues that may come up. Every new mom is different, but all of them will struggle with something. Be kind to yourself and anticipate the disruptions.

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How to Feel More Confident About Your Children’s Diet

It can be difficult to know what to feed your child. The internet is full of misinformation that thrives off of reactionary articles that get attention for being extreme – not for being accurate. 

Not to mention the difficulties that come with navigating the modern food industry.

Follow Their Pediatrician’s Advice

Doctors are going to understand the modern landscape of children’s health better than you will. They also will know how to tell the difference between misinformation and scientifically viable data. They will be able to tell you what is best for your child. 

They will also be able to diagnose any potential problems that your child has, as well as prescribe or suggest proper treatments. Ultimately, it is always in your best interest to trust your doctor. Make sure that your child follows the instructions that their doctor gives them.

Look at the Ingredients

Companies are legally required to be honest about what their products contain. You should always check the ingredients to make sure that it doesn’t contain inordinate amounts of unhealthy fats, sugars, or sweeteners. Be on the lookout for corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup especially. 

Learn how much a gram is – since many companies actually put the amount of sugar in grams so that consumers won’t know how much sugar is in their product. Also make sure to check the serving size, since oftentimes the company will be telling you nutrition facts about a fraction of the entire package. Even granola bars often contain a lot of added sugars.

A Healthy Balance

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do is make sure that your child gets a healthy balance of proper nutrients from a variety of sources. Carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, and fresh ingredients need to all be present. That’s not always easy with a picky eater – but don’t be afraid to try new things! Fresh produce is absolutely essential for a growing child. And beyond their diet… you need to make sure that they are getting enough outside activity and exercise. Only then will your child have the proper healthy balance that they need.

Avoid forcing kids to finish everything on their plate. Let your child to tell you when they are full and finished eating. They will naturally regulate the amount they eat.

Be sure to have new foods at the ready. It may take up to 10 or15 times of offering a food before your child will want to eat it.  Introduce new foods one at a time and be sure to offer it with foods that your child already enjoys.

Research and education are very important when it comes to preparing and helping your children to eat healthy. Make sure you know what ingredients you’re looking at. Don’t hesitate to search for an ingredient that you aren’t familiar with. Provide the balance that they need, and you’ll both be happy with how they grow.

Changes You Should Make When You Get Pregnant

Life is full of changes. Few changes can impact your life the way getting pregnant can. After all, your body is growing a whole new person. It’s only natural for that to impact most, if not all aspects of your life. As such, there are a few changes that you may need to make when you’re pregnant.

Start Exercising

Exercising while you’re pregnant can be highly beneficial, physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you’re not usually very active, find some healthy exercises to do while you’re pregnant that you enjoy. Swimming, yoga, pilates, low-impact aerobics, and walking can all be great forms of exercise when you’re pregnant. If you’re already active, you can always change the activities you’re doing if that’s what you feel is best or if that’s what your doctor recommends. However, there’s a good chance that you’ll be given the okay to continue exercising as you have been.

Adjust Your Diet

You may need to make some adjustments to your diet when you’re pregnant. Eating a nutritious, balanced diet is more important than ever. Remember, your body will be using the nutrients you eat to help build your baby. Your body will need more calcium, folic acid (also known as folate or vitamin B9), iron, and protein. As such, when you’re pregnant, fresh fruits and vegetables become even more important. You may find it helpful to take a multivitamin to make sure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need. Try to limit your intake of caffeine and low mercury fish, and avoid alcohol, high mercury fish, unpasteurized foods, and raw meats.

Pay Extra Attention to Oral Health

You’re probably already doing a good job taking care of your teeth. Give your mouth a little extra attention while you’re pregnant though. The mouth carries a lot of bacteria, and your body may not react the same while you’re pregnant because of all the changes it’s undergoing. Practice good oral hygiene and see your dentist for regular exams and cleanings to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.

Being pregnant means experiencing changes on a seemingly constant basis. Some of those changes are things that happen simply because you’re pregnant, while others will be changes that you make for the benefit of both you and your baby. If you’re ever unsure about what sorts of changes you should make while pregnant, talk to your doctor about what they recommend for you.

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How Families Can Prepare Financially for Their First Child

Starting a family is a serious commitment. Not only is it a serious emotional task that you need to undertake, but you also need to prepare financially. Here are the initial steps you can take to ensure that you have the essentials for your children.

Build Up Savings

A robust savings account is a must-have. In fact, that’s a good standard for life, not just for children; a savings account can make the difference between survival and disaster during an emergency. Savings are necessary for retirement, for children’s education, and for making sure you have a safety net in case you were to lose your job. Ideally, you would have started saving as soon as you became employed. If that’s not the case, try to save as much as you can for months or years before you have your first child. Do what you can to have those safety nets already in place. Thus, you will be able to afford the most important insurances and other essentials in your time of need.

Get Life Insurance

In the case of a tragic accident leading to the death of a parent, life insurance guarantees a significant payout that helps support the family during the grieving process. Not only does it help support, but it can actually be lifesaving – especially if the deceased parent in question was the primary breadwinner. It’s important to have life insurance the instant you have a child. You don’t want an unthinkable accident to leave your child struggling for basic necessities. Consider getting a more inclusive insurance plan as well; it’s just as important for a stay-at-home parent to have life insurance as a working spouse.

Calculate and Budget

Budgeting is critical not only for parenthood but for being financially autonomous in general. By planning and budgeting your future baby’s immediate costs, you will be able to see more clearly how they will factor into the coming months and years. Do adequate research to get a realistic estimation of the costs of birth, as well as the initial first few years of infancy. Will the costs be crippling enough to cause a serious financial problem? If so, you may want to consider saving for a bit longer.

The most important thing you can do is ensure that your child will have the basic necessities of life. Nutritious food, clean water, shelter, a healthy environment, and unconditional love are what they will need the most. Make sure that you have the finances to provide that – and you will be okay.

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How to Keep Your Home Healthy and Clean

It is important to make sure that your home is a clean and healthy environment. This will help you to be healthier and more comfortable as you’re spending time at home. This is especially important if you have babies or young children, since even minor problems can cause them to become sick. Here are a few tips that will help you to keep your home healthy and clean.

Maintain a Cleaning Schedule

First of all, it is important to maintain a cleaning schedule. Set a schedule for all of the weekly cleaning that you need to get done. For example, you’ll want to clean your bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, and living spaces. You’ll want to vacuum, disinfect, clean, and more. You can split up tasks to make sure that something gets done every day rather than trying to get it all done on the weekend. Try to share the load with some of your family members if that will help you to get all of the necessary cleaning done each week.

Don’t Wear Shoes in the House

Another tip that can help you to keep your home healthy and clean is to avoid wearing shoes inside your house. Removing your shoes at the door can help prevent damage to your carpet. Having a clean carpet can be especially helpful when you have small children crawling around a lot. It can also help you to avoid tracking allergens and bacteria that might be present in different outdoor areas.

Do Yearly Cleaning Maintenance

There are certain cleaning tasks that are more in-depth that you’ll want to take care of yearly. These maintenance tasks will help you to keep your house clean even though they will take a little bit more work. For example, you should have your air conditioning ducts and vents cleaned regularly to get rid of any dust or debris that might be stuck inside. If these ducts aren’t cleaned, your AC units could be blowing a lot of dirty air into your house. You can also always hire a professional for extra help and experience.

So, if you’re trying to make sure that your home is a healthy and safe environment, remember this article. Make sure that you maintain a cleaning schedule, don’t wear shoes in the house, and do yearly cleaning maintenance. This will help your home to be a healthy environment for all of your family members living at home.

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How to Stay Comfortable During a Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a challenging time for many women. You are dealing with all sorts of new and uncomfortable changes in your body, not to mention the added stress of preparing for a baby. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make the experience more comfortable. Here are a few tips on how to stay comfortable during pregnancy.

Stay Moving

One of the best ways to stay comfortable during pregnancy is to keep moving. This doesn't mean that you need to go out and run a marathon, but even moderate exercise can help to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and ease back pain. Taking a brisk walk around the block or doing some gentle stretching each day can make a big difference. Additionally, staying active can help to prevent constipation, a common problem during pregnancy. Of course, it's important to listen to your body and not overdo it. If you're feeling tired or uncomfortable, take a break and rest. But if you can keep moving, you're likely to feel better throughout your pregnancy.

Manage Pain

One of the most common discomforts during pregnancy is back pain. This can be caused by the added weight of the baby and changing center of gravity. Luckily, some things can be done to help manage this pain. First, it is important to maintain good posture and alignment. This can be difficult as the belly grows, but it is important to try to avoid rounding the back or hunching over. Additionally, sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can help take some of the pressure off your back. A chiropractor can help correct pains in pregnancy. By following these tips, you can help keep yourself comfortable during pregnancy.

Eat Healthy

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. However, it can also be a challenging time, both physically and emotionally. One way to help keep your body comfortable during pregnancy is to eat healthy. This means making sure to get enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also means limiting unhealthy foods such as processed meats, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of caffeine. Eating healthy will not only help your body feel better, but it will also give you the energy you need to care for your new baby. So make sure to take care of yourself by eating right during pregnancy. 

Following these tips can help make pregnancy more comfortable by managing pain, eating healthy, and staying active. Listening to your body is key in making sure you don't overdo it and cause unnecessary discomfort. With a little care, you can enjoy this amazing time in your life.

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Ingredients to Watch for in What Your Children Consume

Kids love junk food – that’s just a fact. And they’re not the only ones! As a parent, you need to watch and make sure that your kids are getting the nutrients they need. But you should also make sure that they avoid other substances that can be harmful in high amounts.

Food Dyes

Food dyes are found in many, many foods – even those you may not have expected. This is especially true in America, where even groceries tend to be highly processed. The foods marketed for kids tend to have brighter and more whimsical colors. The problem with certain food dyes is that some evidence suggests they can be bad if ingested consistently and in high amounts. They are, after all, constructed from petroleum – and some even contain benzene, which is a carcinogen. Official scientific results may be inconclusive but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Added Sugar

This one is another ingredient that turns up far more than you would expect in your groceries. Again, this is especially true for kids’ food, since kids are naturally going to gravitate toward eating more sugar. You’ll come to see this everywhere: cereal, puddings, desserts, deli meats, white bread, fruit juices, and more. Fruit juice usually has added sugar and can be acidic on teeth – so that’s one option you want to look out for. It can be sometimes more expensive to get the healthier option. It can also be harder to convince your kid to eat it. Remember, sugar in its entirety is not bad. But added sugar and other artificial sweeteners should generally be avoided.

Sodium

There’s nothing kids love more than a tasty, salty snack! Chips, pretzels, cheesy crackers, goldfish, Chex mix – the list goes on and on – are beloved by kids everywhere, and for good reason. The problem comes when nothing is eaten in moderation. Many products of this kind contain abnormally high amounts of sodium. When eaten frequently over the course of years, sodium can contribute to heart disease and other health problems. Try and find tasty alternatives like nuts or low-sodium versions of the treats they know and love.

It always pays to read the label. Learn how to recognize both beneficial and problematic notes on a food’s packaging. Additives legally have to be cited. As you make sure your child gets the best diet they deserve, you will ensure a happy future.

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How to Take Care of Your Health When You’re Pregnant

Pregnancy can be a scary process, no doubt. It’s very likely you’ve heard stories of complications that can be a bit intimidating. But if you are familiar with your medical needs, and you remain vigilant through all nine months, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Exercise

Some people might tell you this or that about what you can or can’t do during pregnancy. The only people you should really trust to give such advice are your physicians. In reality, most common exercises are fine for a pregnant individual to do. The principal caveat is that you need to be careful not to push yourself too hard. Walking, swimming, cycling (safely indoors on a stationary bike), and such activities are the easiest and safest options. By getting some blood flow to your body and brain, you keep yourself and your baby in tip-top shape.

Eat Healthy

Eating healthy is critical during pregnancy for the health of your baby. Why? Your body and the baby are inextricably connected, and everything you consume will affect the fetus. While there’s nothing wrong with following your cravings (since that is your body indicating what it needs), you do need to be careful to avoid excessively eating processed junk foods or fast foods. Avoid drugs of any kind – alcohol, cigarettes, even caffeine – as much as possible. Instead, ingest hearty, nutrition-rich foods that can supply both you and the baby with what you need. Avoid raw, undercooked, underbaked, or unpasteurized foods.

Regular Doctor Visits

Your doctor is going to be able to meaningfully help you in a way that no one else can. Doctors have the experience, expertise, skill, and tools to adjust their instructions and recommended habits according to your needs. Going to the doctor regularly ensures that complications that can arise in the pregnancy can be caught early on and treated. It means that the health of both the mother and the baby will be carefully monitored, and that help can be given to address any potential problems. This is the risk of doing a natural birth alone and without a doctor – complications can be dangerous for both mother and child when left untreated.

Careful maintenance is the key. Put in the effort daily to do and consume things that will keep your health and the health of the baby solidly in the safe zone. Pregnancy health can be tricky, yes, but it is always worth it in the end.

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