Sun SafetyWritten by Kathy Alexander
The sun is an important part of our lives. Exposure to sun allows our bodies to produce Vitamin D which is needed to help absorb calcium for strong healthy bones. Generally, we get 50-80% of our sun exposure by time we reach age 18, therefore, it is important that parents teach children how to stay in sun safely.Try to avoid prolonged periods in sun when its at its highest in sky. This is time sun can do most damage to your skin. In United States, that is generally between 10am and 4pm. If you are out during this period, make sure you are protected with sunscreen. Even kids playing in backyard need sunscreen. Most damage is done during incidental exposure and not while at pool or beach. Pay attention to UV Index and follow precautions as advised depending on level. Information about UV Index levels and precautions can be found at http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uviscale.html, Environmental Protection Agencies website. Even on cloudy overcast days, use sunscreen. The UV rays of sun are harmful rays, and they can penetrate clouds. Many times worst damage is done on these days because heat of sun doesn’t warm your skin, or a cool breeze may also keep skin feeling cool, and you do not realize damage until it is too late! Covering up with clothing is a good way to protect your skin. Put your hand under fabric, if you can see your hand, it will NOT provide adequate protection. You should not be able to see your hand for fabric to block harmful UV rays. Sunscreen should not be applied to babies under age of 6 months. Make sure if they have to be in sun, they are covered with appropriate clothing and wearing wide brimmed hats or under adequate shade to also protect their faces. Pay most attention to Sun Protection Factor (SPF) when purchasing sunscreen. Children 6 months and older should wear at least a SPF of 15. The SPF tells you amount of protection. If a child can stay in sun for 20 minutes before burning, a SPF of 15 gives them 15 times protection.
| | Considering Daycare? Consider the Pros and Cons.Written by Eln Albert
When you’re a parent it’s a difficult decision to know whether to send your child to daycare or not. We have provided many of pros and cons of sending your child to daycare for your consideration. In our opinion, nothing replaces day-to-day interaction that you can provide with your child. We also believe that some interaction with other children either through occasional daycare, part-time, or through play-groups and other educational learning programs are invaluable. We also recognize that Mom or Dad also needs to have a break and occasional daycare can provide that for them. What we don’t believe in is a baby or toddler being in someone else’s care for eight hours or more a day everyday! That’s not fair to your child. So with all that in mind, please consider pros and cons listed below. And may you make right decision for your children and yourself. UPSIDE of Daycare: ·Always more than one person available to watch, care for, supervise, and feed your child ·Interaction with other children ·Develop social skills at an early age ·Kid’s days are pretty much scheduled, routine, and consistent ·Daycare centers don't call in sick ·Kids receive a lot of mental stimulation ·Your house stays neater (although my son can make a mess in minutes) ·The kids enjoy change of scenery and toys ·Cost is less than for a nanny ·English-as-second-language kids have more exposure to English DOWNSIDES of Daycare: ·Nighttime baths vs. possibly every other day ·Laying out their clothes ·Packing nutritious lunches vs. fast food snacks ·Morning rush to get out of house on time ·Allow extra time to make stop and drop-off ·Your child screaming, “Mommy don’t go!!” ·The guilt and bad feelings because you’re leaving them behind ·Less one-on-one attention from caregivers ·Potential personality conflicts at center between parents and staff ·Potential personality conflicts between children ·Ethics taught are centers or caregiver ·Values taught are centers or caregiver ·Possibly no ethics or values taught at all ·Political influences are those at center/school ·Less bonding between parent and child ·Child learns early on that you won’t be there for them when they need you ·You don’t get to see and experience all “firsts” that your child goes through ·You can NEVER recapture those things you miss ·When your child has a boo-boo you’re not there to make it better ·When your child is excited about what she/he has learned, you’re not there at moment they want to share it with you ·When they’re not feeling well you leave them to someone else to care for them ·When they’re sick no one will baby them like you will ·More exposure to health issues: ringworm, lice, and colds/flues ·You’re not there to kiss away their tears ·You’re not there to waylay their fears ·You’re not there to set their wild ideas back on track ·No opportunity to have a spontaneous day ·No time to do “nothing at all” together ·To experience joy of holding and watching your child sleep for hours (hopefully) ·You’re not there to teach them to climb a tree ·To explore bugs and insects ·To plant a seed and watch it grow ·Playing “what do you see in clouds” ·Less time to go to beach, woods, hiking, swimming, biking, skating, etc. ·No time to just “play” ·To be your kid’s playmate ·To experience getting to be a kid all over again with your child ·Seeing and experiencing life through eyes of your child ·No time to make pancakes in morning ·No time to bake real cookies ·Not there to put a band aid on invisible oweee ·Not get to see your child’s imagination develop ·Not get to see their personal development as much as you could ·Don’t get to see them beaming with pride at their BIG accomplishments ·Infants and toddlers spending 6-8-10 hours a day away from Mom or Dad ·The cost of daycare is an added expense: financial and emotional
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