Single dad

8 Top Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Fri, 09 May 2008 04:54:40 +0000

If you and your spouse have been trying for a baby, you may wonder about the earliest signals that will announce a pregnancy. While some women experience early symptoms that indicate pregnancy, others suspect it only when they realize that they have missed their periods.

For those impatient aspiring dads who can't wait longer to find out, here are the eight top early pregnancy symptoms that they should look out for:

Darkening of the nipples

Darkening of the nipples, or more precisely the skin around the nipples (called areola), could be one of the early pregnancy symptoms. However, it could also be a sign of hormonal imbalance, so hold on before you jump to the wrong conclusions.

Odd food cravings

A sudden and inexplicable craving for certain foods is another potential, though not always reliable, sign of pregnancy. So if you find your spouse midnight snacking on a chili cheeseburger for the nth time this week, you have good reason to keep your fingers crossed.

Headache or dizzy spells

Pregnancy will cause hormonal changes in your spouse's body that may lead to headaches. A sudden onset of headaches, especially if she never had them before, could be an early pregnancy symptom. Bouts of dizziness, due to a drop in her blood pressure, may be another early sign that she is expecting.

Urge to urinate

During pregnancy, your spouse's body will release the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that induces increased urination. Her frequent bathroom visits may actually be something to be happy about.

Cranky moods

Frequent mood swings and crankiness are yet another early pregnancy symptom, as you will soon find out. While this may not be the happiest part of the pregnancy where you are concerned, at least you can blame it on those raging hormones.

Swollen breasts

If your spouse complains that her breasts seem sore or tender when touched, that's another sign that you may soon become a dad.

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting, starting few weeks after conception or even earlier, may be one of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy. The popular term 'morning sickness' is a misnomer though, as the symptoms are felt pretty much throughout the day.

Missed periods

A missed period, especially if your spouse is generally regular with them, may be a very likely indication of pregnancy. However, only a pregnancy test will confirm this for sure.

Making Predictions are Fun during Reading Aloud with Kids

Wed, 07 May 2008 23:02:16 +0000

A special type of question are prediction questions that ask children to make an informed guess about what will happen next in a story. Prediction questions develop children's logical thinking skills. The key is this: Do not only ask for a prediction, also ask for the reasoning behind the prediction. The principle we must bear in mind is: the quality of a prediction is determined not by what actually happens next in the book but by the quality of the reasoning behind the prediction.

After all, books are just creations of authors' imaginations. There is no right or wrong way for a story to proceed. Clues that children can use as a basis for their predictions include:

• The title of the book. If the book's title is Kayla & the Magical Tree, it would be logical to guess that at some point something magical will occur.

• The author. Certain authors have different styles. For instance, if other books by an author are fantasies with all sorts of out-of-this-world events, children's predictions can include actions that could not take place in the real world. In contrast, if another author’s other books contain only realistic actions, predictions of fantastic events are less reasonable.

• The type of story. We know that certain types of stories follow certain patterns. In mysteries, the detectives collect clues and then usually solve the mystery at the end of the book.

• Knowledge of similar books. Children can recognize similarities between different books. For example, Asian countries have many stories about the mousedeer, a small creature who outwits larger adversaries. Thus, if children have already been exposed to one or two other mousedeer stories, when they see one that begins with a mousedeer being hunted by a crocodile, they might surmise that the mousedeer will find some way to outthink the crocodile.

• Real world knowledge. This is often the best source of clues. In a book about elephants, children can use their knowledge about these animals to make reasonable predictions.

• Previous parts of the book. Children need to use information from earlier parts of a story to predict what will happen in later parts. Many children's books, known as predictable books, make this easier by repeating certain patterns many times.

In addition to developing children's skills at logical thinking, prediction has other advantages. First, it encourages children to listen carefully. Second, prediction heightens children's interest in the book, because after making their prediction, they are keen to find out what the authors decided to have happen next in their book.

No Reservations About Mother's Day

Tue, 06 May 2008 23:57:53 +0000

What could be better than flowers and a brunch in your honor on Mother's Day?

Children and spouses have been doing it for many decades. Sending the flowers, calling long distance (the biggest day for phone calls of the year) and booking over-priced brunches to celebrate mom or spouse for all she does. And yet, somehow it always rings a bit hollow, like we're pre-programmed to do one or all three things on cue. We're like Pavlovian dogs hearing the "incoming message" bell to prod our actions. In an over-stressed, over-scheduled world, Mother's Day has become a "to-do list" holiday. We order the flowers, pick up mom, eat, thank, kiss, drive home, and check it off the list.

But it doesn't have to be that way. I'm lucky enough to share my house and kids with a woman who speaks her mind. She's never content with the status quo. She lets me know that a $9.99 bouquet of Roses from the Safeway doesn't actually say much more than, "Yes, I was at the grocery store and thought of you while in the produce section." It's not that she's ungrateful for little thoughts like that; she doesn't even treat mom's day that seriously, but like most women, she knows when she's being put on.

So, like many modern families, we spend more prep time for Hallmark holidays thinking about what the honoree really would enjoy rather than what we are told we should do. In some cases, this is a brunch in a fancy hotel at the top of California Street where we can fritter away our children's education fund in an over-eating frenzy accompanied to the sound of a harp. My mom likes that, but she doesn't get to San Francisco that often.

For my wife though, who loves the outdoors, almost anything we can do that involves hills, muddy shoes, and the complaints of small children asking "how much further?" is fine for her. No extra expense, no flowers, just a bit of dedicated time sharing the outdoors with the family. We'll head to Crissy Field and fly kites, or into the Marin Headlands to walk along the cliffs, or into Golden Gate Park to walk the Labyrinth. There are hundreds of places to go that will entertain the kids while satisfying her need to get some time outdoors.

We're not afraid to break out of the conventions of the traditional Mother's Day. On the plus side, that means that not getting a reservation doesn't mean I don't treasure her as a mom or partner. Not buying flowers doesn't mean I forgot the simplest of symbols. I can literally wait until right up to Mother's Day morning when we are setting the tray of burnt toast and orange juice in front of her in bed to give her what she wants most, a little time with the family doing something she particularly loves.

My advice on Mom's day: forget the card and the lines at restaurants. Do everything from scratch this year. Have the kids make their own cards and make breakfast at home, followed by something mom likes to do, whether it's a museum, flower show, ball game, or afternoon at home in front of an old movie.

And that goes for Dad's day as well. But remember, mom, if you're thinking of golf, you need to know one thing: Mother's Day is the best day in the year to get any tee time you want, but just try to schedule a golf outing on Father's Day.

Ovulation Calculator - Determines Your Spouse's Fertility

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:09:54 +0000

Ovulation Calculator - Determines Your Spouse's Fertility
If you and your spouse are planning to have a baby, an ovulation calculator is an excellent tool to help you increase your chances of a successful conception.

What is an ovulation calculator?

An ovulation calculator is simply a system to help you calculate the days during which your spouse is most likely to be ready for conception.

How does the ovulation calculator do this?

The ovulation calculator determines the date of your spouse's ovulation, or the process by which her ovaries release the ovum (egg).

Ovulation determines your spouse's fertility, or her readiness to conceive. By calculating the day when ovulation takes place, the ovulation calculator predicts the optimum period during which sexual intercourse will lead to a successful conception.

How does the ovulation calculator work?

To understand how the ovulation calculator works, it is important to know about ovulation and how it affects conception.

Ovulation depends on your spouse's menstrual cycle, or the period between the first days of two consecutive periods. Though this differs for individuals, in most women the menstrual cycle is around 28 days. Typically, ovulation occurs somewhere around the middle of the menstrual cycle. Going by this, if your spouse's menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, ovulation in her case will occur around 14 days from the first day of her period.

In practice however, this may not be that precise. In many women, menstruation is irregular, or varies from the average 28-day cycle. Even so, most women with a 28- to 32-day cycle will ovulate between days 11 to 21 of their menstrual cycles.

Conception occurs when the ovum, or egg, released by your spouse during ovulation, is fertilized by your sperm. While generally sperms remain alive for about 72 hours after intercourse, the ovum may survive for only about 24 hours. The chances of conception are highest if you have sexual intercourse with your spouse in the period comprising about five days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and a day after.

The ovulation calculator thus helps you calculate the period when intercourse with your spouse is most likely to make her pregnant.

Are there other ways to track ovulation?

Apart from an ovulation calculator, you can tell when your spouse is ovulating by changes in her:

• Cervical mucus: The amount of mucus increases and becomes more slippery during ovulation.

• Basal body temperature: Just before ovulation, your spouse will experience a sudden drop in her basal body temperature (measured immediately after she awakens). The subsequent rise in temperature will indicate ovulation, and will last until the end of the menstrual cycle.

Five Places to Order a Mother's Day Gift Basket

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:21:00 +0000

Mother's Day is just around the corner. This is an occasion for your kids to express their love for their mom. However, they are not going to do it by themselves - they'll need a little help from your end.

A Mother's Day gift basket, though conventional, is still a popular gift option. While you can easily make one up by putting together some goodies such as perfumes, candies and flowers, you may find it easier to order one from an online store.

Here are five good places to order a Mother's Day gift basket:

Amazon.com: Search for "Mother's Day Gift Baskets" and you'll get a range of choice products - from the classic Renewal Spa Lavender Bath and Body Gift Basket Set to the Beautiful Flower Bouquet Chocolate Gift Tote Gift Basket.

Flowerswhisper.com: Say it with flowers - after all, no woman can really resist them. Mom will not only get the message - that she is loved and appreciated - loud and clear, she will remember the gesture long after. Visit Flowerswhisper.com and select one of their special flower gift baskets for Mother's Day.

Gourmetgiftbaskets.com: Mother's Day is the one day mom deserves to be pampered. Gift her the lavish Breakfast in Bed basket from gourmetgiftbaskets.com.

Lowcarbchocolates.com: You know women. While they love to indulge the sweet tooth, they are always concerned about their expanding waistlines. The chocolate gift basket from Lowcarbchocolates.com will allow her to celebrate Mother's Day without the fear of putting on a couple of extra pounds.

Giftbasketscity.com: You know what your wife would like to receive for Mother's day - or at least you think you do. Help the kids select an appropriate gift basket from Giftbasketscity.com. Their collection includes baskets with chocolates and candies, spa products, candles, and keepsakes.

In the United States, Mother's Day celebration is on the second Sunday of May each year. This year it's May 11- so you better red letter that date into your planner.

Top 4 Myths About Baby Acne

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:21:35 +0000

Baby acne, also known as neonatal acne or acne neonatorum, is a common condition seen in newborn babies. Almost 20 percent of newborns suffer from it.

baby acne is characterized by the appearance of pimples or red bumps on the baby's scalp, forehead, and especially the cheeks. A rough skin, along with pustules, whiteheads, and blackheads is also a common indication of baby acne.

Myth 1: Baby acne is the same as infantile acne or teenage acne.

This is not true. Baby acne is not the same as infantile acne, which affects older infants over three months old. It also has no connection with the acne that teenagers and adults suffer from.

Myth 2: Baby acne can occur at anytime during childhood.

Actually, baby acne usually affects babies three to four weeks after birth. Sometimes however, babies even exhibit signs of baby acne right from the time they are born. The symptoms may appear and recede intermittently as the baby reaches around four to six months of age.

Myth 3: Baby acne is the result of poor hygiene and nursing.

On the contrary, baby acne is believed to be caused by hormones released by the mother during pregnancy. Absorbed through the placenta, these hormones play an important role in the development of the fetus during the later stages of pregnancy. These hormones stimulate the oil glands present in the baby's skin and are thought to cause baby acne.

The symptoms may, however, get aggravated when the baby's skin reacts to irritants, such as detergent left behind in clothing or bedding, for instance. Increase in the flow of blood to the skin, brought about when the baby is hot or active, can also intensify symptoms of baby acne.

Myth 4: Baby acne is a serious condition that needs treatment.

This is just not true. Baby acne is harmless and does not really require treatment. The symptoms generally disappear on their own in a few weeks. Also, the application of creams or lotions - a common practice amongst parents - may actually worsen the symptoms, and should therefore be avoided. Gently washing the face daily, using water and baby soap, may help alleviate the symptoms of baby acne.

How 50 Year Old Dads Think Different Fatherhood Prospect

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:10:19 +0000

For most men, the prospect of fatherhood jolts them out of their Carefree Romeo days. While some dads may not receive the impact during pregnancy, their world goes topsy - turvy the moment they find themselves holding the newborn. The transformation does not end there. The journey to parenthood after that continues to have a greater impact upon men's sense of purpose and meaning in life than any other transition that they face. The impact is greater on younger dads because they are still kids themselves. They are faced with this challenge when they still in the process of building their own sense of identity. Fatherhood also comes to them at a time when they are at a crucial stage of building their career and finances.

Fatherhood, therefore, leads younger dads to end up thinking about their lost sense of independence. They now feel fenced in by the responsibility of fatherhood. Secondly, because they may not have yet built a strong financial base, they are faced with the prospect of making ends meet with the increased expenses.

Older dads tend to worry before childbirth, fearing complications like autism, which are more likely for older dads. However, once the child is born and the baby is normal, older dads are better prepared to take on the role of a dad. They are at a stage when they have mastered the skills of interdependence, and therefore have no fear of losing their independence. Older dads also tend to be better off financially, having concentrated on their career in their younger days. Their focus, therefore, is usually on how they can be great dads to their kids.

Researchers have found that older dads are more involved in child rearing compared to younger dads. This provides a great advantage to kids. It has been found that children of involved dads mostly do well in life. Such kids usually have greater self-esteem, more confidence, greater sense of security, better ability to handle stress, and the ability to empathize. Older dads are also more nurturing, warmer, and more generous with affection. Some of their gentleness may be do to a drop in testosterone levels, but regardless, they are mellower, more relaxed, and appear to be much calmer in their parenting. Researchers have also found that older dads are three times more willing and more likely to share in the daily child rearing tasks, including diaper changes, feeding the toddler, and putting the kids to bed.

Getting Children to Comment and Question During Read Aloud

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:48:33 +0000

Remember that 'Reading aloud is a journey, not a race'. To make this journey longer, more valuable and more enjoyable, we adults should not be the only ones talking just because we are the only ones reading aloud. The key point is: Being active can increase children's understanding, enjoyment and learning.

Children's Comments

Dads should welcome children's comments and ideas at any time during a read aloud session, not only at the end of a book. Sometimes, these comments seem completely unrelated to the book. This shows that every reader reacts differently to the same book. Children's reactions provide a wonderful window onto their minds.

When children make comments, dads may want to put the book aside for a bit and journey down this new path where the children have pointed. Then, they can return to the book with phrases such as:

a. Let's see what happens next

b. On the next page, …

c. Now …

d. Getting back to the story, …

e. OK, let's continue

Dads can also use gestures, such as putting a finger across their lips, looking down at the book, or point to where in the book they are going to begin to read again.

Children's questions

Dads want to encourage children to ask questions and to welcome their questions when they are asked. Children's questions can be on something that they do not understand, or questions can be on something the children want to know more about. Sometimes, the questions will have nothing to do with the book. Those are okay too, sometimes. Children's questions tell us a good deal about what they know and how they view the world.

Of course, dads will not always be able to answer children's questions. No worries. It is fine to admit that they do not know. This provides us an opportunity to talk about how to find out. For instance, dads and the children can go to the library to look for answers in encyclopedias or in other books, or look at online resources. In this way, children's questions become great motivators for additional reading and for teaching information search skills.

Naming Children after Presidents

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:11:53 +0000

Parents looking for a name for their newborn baby draw inspiration from various sources. This includes political figures, such as presidents or presidential candidates. In fact, new presidents often spawn naming trends and many past presidents' names have been on the popularity lists of the time. At various points in history, scores of parents have chosen to name their children Abraham, Andrew, Dwight, Franklin, and Woodrow.

Today, parents are somewhat more cautious now about naming children after presidents. Nevertheless, presidential names remain more popular than ever before. (In comparison, however, instances of children named after vice presidents seem to be rarer - for instance, there are not too many Hannibels or Spiros around.)

What, one wonders, is the attraction of naming babies after presidents? Is it about political affiliation or inclination? Yes, but only to a certain extent. Actually what is attractive about a new presidential name is that it soon becomes a household name. Most Americans choose presidential names because they represent America and its essential spirit.

We adore them, criticize them, and follow details of their personal lives with interest. And some of us go a step further and even name our children after them.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Introduction and Symptoms

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:16:40 +0000

PCOS is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, women with PCOS have these characteristics:

• high levels of male hormones, also called androgens

• an irregular or no menstrual cycle

• may or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age.

What are the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

These are some of the symptoms of PCOS listed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:

• infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding

• infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating

• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes

• acne, oily skin, or dandruff

• pelvic pain

• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist

• type 2 diabetes

• high cholesterol

• high blood pressure

• male-pattern baldness or thinning hair

• patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs

• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area

• sleep apnea - excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep

Ask Questions, but Don't Make Reading Aloud Into a Test

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:08:42 +0000

Dads should ask lots of questions, but stay away from too many teacher-type questions that make read aloud time into a test.

Here are some questions they might ask:

• What is your opinion?

• What would you do in this situation?

• How are you similar to or different from ______ (a character in the book)?

• What did you learn from this part of the book?

• What else would you like to read on this same topic? (for non-fiction)

• Has anything like that ever happened to you?

• Have you ever seen something like that?

• What does this remind you of?

• How did you feel when we read about _________ (a particular event or piece of information in the book)?

• What do you think about this character?

• Are you enjoying the book?

• Who else might like to read this book?

• Why? Asking 'Why?' is an all-purpose way to encourage question to think.

Please notice how these questions differ from the types of questions that often appear on tests. Those test questions ask children to supply information that is in the book. For example, in Hazel's Puppy, the story tells us that the puppy is black. A test type of question would be "What color is the puppy?" We are not asking the question because we want to know what color the puppy is. We read it in the book. We are asking the color of the dog to test if children understand and remember what is in the book.

As children's reading ability improves, they may want to read aloud with us, starting off with just saying a word or two that they recognize. Read aloud time can be a special time in dad's relationship with their kids.

Are these test-type questions the kind that people ask each other in normal conversation? Of course, they are NOT.

Adopting an Older Child

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:11:05 +0000

Adoption is increasingly becoming an option for many parents. While it is a popular choice for single parents and same-sex couples who want to raise children, many opposite-sex couples are also making an active choice for adoption of older children.

Bringing home an older adopted child for the first time requires care. The first few weeks, especially, are crucial. Your approach during this time will significantly impact the relationship your adopted child will share with his or her new family. Here are some tips to help you:

• Prepare your children in advance: If you already have children, it is important that you talk to them about the new arrival in advance. Prepare them on how they should interact with the adopted child.

• Distribute chores and duties: Participating in household chores and duties will help your adopted child integrate with your family. It will also help prevent any resentment in your children.

• Adapt to your adopted child's needs: Many older children who have been placed in foster care may have a history of neglect or abuse and may be averse to display of intimacy or touch. It is important that you respond sensitively to your adopted child's needs by finding other ways to interact.

• Help your adopted child explain himself to peers: Adopted children are often at a loss to explain their relationship with their foster family to friends and peers. Telling the truth may attract unnecessary attention or even teasing or bullying. Help your adopted child know exactly how much of the truth to reveal.

• Assert your role as parent: Establish your role as the parent right from day one. While this may seem difficult, it is important that you combine love with firmness and lay down rules for your child to follow. This is especially important with older kids.

Your parenting styles are likely to impact the way your child grows up. Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, setting clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.

The Technical Side of Book Creation

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:29:57 +0000

Once the book is written and the illustrations are done, dads need to publish the book so that it can go on the shelf along with the other books in children's home library. Perhaps, children can even have a special place on the shelf for the books they wrote themselves.

There are many ways to make self-created books, ranging from the cheap and easy to the expensive and time-consuming. Some printing shops will be happy to help us, but why not save money by doing everything ourselves with the children?

Here are some areas to consider:

• Photos: These can be used instead of or in addition to drawings.

• Collage: Another alternative to drawing is to cut out pictures and make a collage.

• Paper: Thicker paper will last longer and colored paper will add variety.

• Printing: Computers offer a wide range of fonts, font sizes and colors, not to mention graphics that come with basic computer software or can be downloaded from the Internet. In addition, dads can print the words on computer, leave space for drawing, and then children can add drawings or other graphics, such as cutouts from magazines, by hand.

• Covers: These should be especially strong and durable. For example, dads can reuse cardboard. In addition, they can use thick plastic for the cover.

• Binding: Many easy ideas can work as below:

a. The simplest thing to do is to make a book by folding a piece of paper.

b. Equally easy is to put several pieces of paper together and use staples along the left side of the paper.

c. Bookshops and stationery shops offer folders and files.

d. Another popular idea is to punch holes along the left side of the paper, thread colorful yarn through the holes and then tie the pieces of yarn. Metal rings can also be placed through the holes.

The Meaning of Mother's Day

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:55:03 +0000

Whoever said Mother's Day was important only for the mom did not really get the point here. True, Mother's Day celebrates that glorious ideal of love and sacrifice called motherhood. However, someone is going to have to explain the significance of this day to the kids, and enroll their efforts into making this a day for mom to remember. Who else will do this, if not you, the dad?

Moms have been celebrated throughout time of course, and in recorded events in Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. The origins of a specific Mother's Day go all the way back to the 16th century and the practice of visiting one's "mother church" once a year.

On that day, dark ages moms would be reunited with their children at church. In the United States, a mother and social activist, Julia Ward Howe worked to create a Mother's Day for Peace day during the Civil War in an attempt to organize mothers against war.

It was not until 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day to honor mothers whose sons had died in war. In some parts of the country, it is traditional to wait until Mothers Day to plant tomatoes.

Since then, Mother's Day has gone on to become the most popular day of the year to dine out in a restaurant and to make long distance phone calls and May is the biggest month for florists. Mother's Day is celebrated around the world, though the actual date changes depending on the country.

Mothers Day reminds dads that parenthood cannot be taken for granted and that life gives us an opportunity to celebrate it everyday and make it extraordinary.

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Here are five good places to order a Mother's Day gift basket.

Guard Your Child Against the Risk of Teenage Pregnancy

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:14:47 +0000

The teenage years can be particularly trying for parents, as children become aware of their sexuality for the first time in their lives. Raging hormones and a newfound sense of independence may induce teens to act in ways that are irresponsible. The worst repercussion of this could be a teenage pregnancy.

Here are some facts about teenage pregnancy:

    * There are estimated to be around 750,000 teenage pregnancies in the U.S. per year.

    * Teenage pregnancy rates in the U.S. are amongst the highest in the developed world—higher than in other countries such as Great Britain, France, or Germany.

    * A study estimates that up to 31% of teenage girls become pregnant before they reach the age of 20.

Teenage pregnancies harm the mother in the following ways:

    * Teenage mothers suffer from poor weight gain, hypertension, anemia, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Guilt, anxiety, and depression also commonly affect them.

    * Most teenage mothers often drop out of school or college early.

    * Studies show a strong link between teenage pregnancy, single parenthood, and poverty.

Babies born from teenage pregnancies are at risk for the following reasons:

    * Babies born to teenage mothers invariably have low birth weights and suffer health problems.

    * Studies show that babies of teen mothers receive less care and medical treatment.

    * Babies of teen parents also suffer from inadequate parenting.
      Studies show that children of teen mothers generally do badly in school.

As a dad, there are things you can do to guard against teenage pregnancy:

    * Talk. Uncomfortable as it may initially be, talk to your teen about safe sex.

    * Teach. Help your child to develop a healthy attitude toward sex.

    * Supervise. Always allow your child to have healthy interactions with the opposite sex. At the same time, experts recommend that you discourage single dating, or 'going steady', until your child is at least 16 years old.

    * Protect. Ensure that your teen stays away from drugs or alcohol.

    * Encourage. Cultivate frankness in your children and encourage them to talk with you about all their problems.

Children Making Their Own Books

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:31:55 +0000

Many dads may wonder how children can write their own books, when even very few adults write books. There are several ways to make this task easy. The first trick is to use books that dads have already read to the children and to use these books as models. They are not selling these books; they are just for their own use. Therefore, there are no copyright worries.

Starting from other books

There are several different ways for children to start with other books and create their own books:

• The words in the new child-create book are exactly the same, but the children add their own illustrations.

• Children change the characters in the book by substituting their own names and the names of other people, fellow animals and places in their lives. For example, in the story Hazel's Puppy, children can substitute their own name instead of Hazel.

• The format is the same, but the topic is different. For example, the children use the format found in a series of books about classes children take and use that format to write a book about a class that they are taking. Thus, instead of My Violin Class, children write My Gymnastics Class or My Calligraphy Class. Or, even easier would be if children are taking a class just like one in the series, children can change that book to tell about their specific class. For instance, children who go to piano class can rewrite My Piano Class to show what happens in their class.

• Children can write a new section for a book they already know. For instance, Kayla & the Magical Tree is more than 100 pages long. Writing a new version of that book would be a very big job. However, more manageable would be to write a new chapter. In the book, Kayla is a girl who meets many strange and marvelous creatures, such as boulders with eyes and a big mouth. The children could invent a new creature and write about Kayla's adventure with that creature.

• Similarly, children can change the ending or any other part of a book. They might change that part because they do not like it or because they want to add more to it. Children could even write a sequel. For example, Hazel's Puppy ends when the puppy comes home to Hazel’s house. The book does not tell us about any of the adventures that the puppy and Hazel enjoy. Ah! A great chance to write a new book: The Adventures of the Puppy and Hazel.

It is not difficult for children to make their own books, with a bit of help from dads. But first, let us look at why it is a good idea for children to add to their own home libraries by creating some books of their own.

Pregnancy Complications - Premature Labor

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:14:59 +0000

Premature or preterm labor is when a woman goes into labor before the 37 th week of pregnancy, or three weeks before her due date. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the earlier pre-term labor is spotted and treated, the better chance of stopping it. When symptoms go untreated, the cervix may open and cause an early birth of the baby.

Premature babies need intensive care in the hospital to help with breathing, feeding, and regulation of body temperature. Any woman can have pre-term labor, but some women have a higher risk. Problems with the uterus or placenta and a history of pre-term birth with another pregnancy increase the risk of preterm labor. Dehydration also boosts the chances of pre-term labor.

So make sure your spouse drinks plenty of water especially in warm weather and after exercise to keep from becoming dehydrated. Call your doctor right away if your spouse displays any of these signs of premature labor:

* Contractions - She may or may not feel pain, but her abdomen or stomach will get very hard (feel like it is tightening) and then relax, on and off.
* Menstrual-like cramping - she may or may not be uncomfortable with these cramps that feel like menstrual cramps.
* Gas-type pains - Sharp pains in her stomach, diarrhea or nausea may be a sign of trouble.
* Low pelvic pressure - She may feel like the baby is putting a lot of pressure down very low inside.
* Low backache - She may have a very strong ache in her lower back or could just feel a dull ache in that area.
* Blood from her vagina - Light spotting or a significant amount of blood should be reported to the doctor right away. Blood can be red or brown in color.

Increased discharge from her vagina - Much more discharge than what she is used to during her pregnancy can be a sign of preterm labor. A sudden gush of a lot of water, or a small trickle that is continuous should also be reported to the doctor. Discharge can be watery, pinkish, or brownish in color.

Teaching About Language Through Reading Aloud

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:27:02 +0000

When dads read aloud to them, children are learning many different things. They are learning about the world, they are learning to love books and reading, and they are learning about language. This learning about language occurs mainly as children hear, see and understand the language as it is used. This is a kind of subconscious learning that takes place naturally. Dads do not need to do anything special. They just have a good time on the read aloud journey that we and the children have embarked on.

No need to push the teaching, it happens naturally

However, in addition to this subconscious, natural language learning that goes on during reading aloud, dads can also promote conscious language learning by calling children's attention to specific language features in the book or whatever that they are reading aloud. Before explaining some ways to do this teaching, let us emphasize caution. Do not overdo the teaching. Keep reading aloud enjoyable. Please.

What to teach

What dads teach will depend on the reading level of the children they are reading to. Also, in addition to their ideas about language points to raise, dads should respond to children’s questions about language. Here are some language features they can teach while reading aloud:

* Individual letters, spelling and phonics

* If the book has rhymes, dads can talk about rhyming and encourage children to make up more rhymes of their own

* Punctuation, such as after they have read aloud a question, dads can talk about question marks and why they are used instead of full stops

* The parts of a book, for example, stories normally begin with a setting that tells readers about who is involved and where and when the story takes place, followed by some kind of conflict that confronts the main character(s), and finally a resolution of some kind to the conflict

* Grammar, for example, noticing why past tense is used in some places while present tense is used in other places in the book or in other book

* Vocabulary, for example, in Hazel's Puppy, a page at the end of the book lists six words and definitions which dads could highlight while reading.

Children Reading Aloud With Us

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:29:23 +0000

As children's reading ability improves, they may want to read aloud with us, starting off with just saying a word or two that they recognize. Even children who cannot read at all can sometimes read along, either because you have read them the book so many times that they have memorized many of the sentences or because in a predictable book, certain phrases or sentences are repeated many times.

With picture books, another way to involve children in reading along is to use the pictures. For example, the sentence "Look at those puppets" appears accompanied by pictures of hand puppets in the book My Speech & Drama Class. Instead of reading the entire sentence, we can read only, "Look at those _______" and encourage children to use the drawings to fill in "puppets". Or, children can just name what they see in the pictures.

Later, children can use picture books to create their own stories. If those stories are different from what is in the book – a little or a lot different – that is okay. Also, when we are not reading to them, children may take books and 'read' them on their own, without us around. This reading play is an early stage in developing a silent reading habit. As children's reading ability improves, they can read the words they know and leave the other words to us.

When George's niece Crystal learned how to read, she still wanted him to read to her, and refused his invitations to take turns reading aloud, even when they were reading a book that was within her ability range. Instead, she read along silently as George read aloud, quickly pointing out any errors he made. However, Crystal's Elementary 1 teacher reported seeing Crystal reading aloud to her classmates!

Older children may enjoy round-robin reading aloud. For example, when one of George's nephews, Hank, was 9-years-old, they would take turns reading from books that Hank choose. The read aloud fiesta became multi-generational when Hank's grandmother joined in.

Protect Your Baby's Future Teeth

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:15:28 +0000

Even when your baby is only two months old, you should keep her gums healthy and clean. Gently wipe her gums with a wet, clean, soft cloth every day. The most important thing to remember is never to put your baby to bed with a bottle. In addition, never prop up the bottle at any time.

Any kind of drink except water can cause a baby's teeth to decay, even breast milk and infant formula. Other liquids that cause tooth decay are powdered fruit drinks, soda and juice. Any drink that contains sugar can cause tooth decay when your baby gets older. A two-month-old baby should drink only breast milk, formula or water.

Here are some tips to follow to protect your baby's teeth:

• Always hold your baby during feedings. Do not prop up the bottle or leave a bottle in your baby's bed.

• If your baby needs a pacifier at bedtime, make sure it is clean and dry.

• Do not dip the pacifier in honey or sweet liquids. Your baby might like the sweet taste, but these liquids will cause tooth decay when her teeth come in. Germs in honey can also make a baby sick.

• Help prevent the spread of germs to your baby. You and your family should have regular dental checkups to help keep your own teeth and gums healthy. Clean the nipples of your baby's pacifiers and bottles by washing with soap and rinsing carefully and thoroughly with clean water. Do not lick your baby's pacifier or bottle nipples to "clean" them.

How To Clean Your Baby's Teeth

At 10 months of age, babies are too young to clean their own teeth. But you can start now to make teeth cleaning a lifelong daily habit. Your baby learns most from watching you. Set a good example by brushing your own teeth after every meal. Let your baby see you doing it. Then clean your baby's teeth by using a wet, clean, soft washcloth to remove germs. Do this after every meal. Save toothpaste until your baby is older.

Make teeth cleaning fun. Make a puppet from an old, clean white sock. Draw eyes and mouth on the bottom near the toe. Pull the sock over your hand. Pretend to clean the puppet's teeth. Let your baby try. Alternatively, use a stuffed animal.

Sing a song while cleaning. Make up your own words. Or sing these words to the tune of "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." This is the way we clean our teeth, clean our teeth, clean our teeth. This is the way we clean our teeth so early in the morning. (This is the way we clean our teeth before we go to bed.)

Use teeth cleaning for learning. Point to your teeth and say, "Teeth." Ask, "Where are your teeth?" Talk about cleaning. Use words like brush, clean, tongue, top, bottom, back, front. Your baby will need to know these words when she starts cleaning her own teeth.

Make teeth cleaning a pleasant experience. That way your baby will want to try it on her own.

White spots on your baby's teeth could be a sign of decay. If you see white spots, call your dentist.