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The Perfect Pet-a RAT! Yes, REALLY! July 17, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Pets, active kids, summer fun.
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A domesticated rat can make a perfect pet.  They have been given many bad raps but in actuality they are very affectionate, clean and intelligent.  Rats love to be cuddled and held and can even be trained to come on command.  They are also very easy to care for.  I’m serious about this so read on to see some suggestions if your child is asking for a pet.

Cage-you will need a 2ftx2ftx2ft wire cage or larger.   A wire cage is preferable to a aquarium because it is healthier for your pet. Rats are crafty so be sure your cage has a good latch that they can’t learn to open.
 
Bedding-shredded recycled paper is good and also a product called Care Fresh which can be found at local pet stores.  Do not use pine or cedar because it will make them sick!
 
Diet-it is fun to feed your rat because it will enjoy small amounts of fresh fruits and veggies everyday. Try things like grapes, strawberries, apples, carrots, an occassional peanut or unsweetened whole grain cereal.  Rats like people food so even a little cooked pasta or cheese might make them happy.  The main diet should consist of  a quality pellet especially formulated for rodents.   
 
Water-fresh water in a bottle every day is absolutely necessary.  All rodents drink a lot of water.
 
General Care-your rat should be played with at least 1 hour a day or more.  The cage should be cleaned twice a week or more often if necessary.  Hold your rat supporting their bottom and their back and let them cuddle with you or ride on your shoulder.  Like all rodents, rats need to gnaw to wear down their teeth so a couple wood blocks or sticks are good in the cage.
 
Toys-rats are good problem solvers so the trickier the toy the better.  They like boxes, ropes and swings, tunnels, platforms and may play with a little ball with you. 
 
A pair of females can be put together at anytime but a pair of boys fight.  Spaed females can live with males but don’t keep a male and a female together unless you want a million babies a year!  Harmful food include corn, candy, sugar drinks, onions, sticky food or junk food.  They are also natural chewers so watch when you have them out of the cage because they will chew on electrics cords.
 
Rats are very curious and like to explore their surroundings.  Your rat should go to the vet if you ever think he/she is not acting like themselves.  Simple items like large cardboard paper towel tubes or a small cardboard box makes a wonderful toy for them to chew on.  Be sure to rotate the toys so your rat doesn’t get bored.  With good care a rat will live 2-4 years.
This was one of the pets we had when we were raising our daughter and after I got use to the idea it turned out to be one of our favorites.  We still talk about that rat and all the fun the entire family had with her. 
 

Protect Your Little Ones from Mosquitos July 17, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Infants- Sleeping and Napping, Nursery, Toddlers, active kids, babies, health, safety, summer fun.
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Mosquitos are an unpleasant nuisance and can ruin an enjoyable summer evening but they also carry West Nile which could be deadly especially to am infant.   An ounce of prevention is much better than a infant howling with itchy red welts.        Understanding what attracts mosquitoes is as important as understanding what repels them.  Mosquitos like humidity such as perspiration and moist plants, dark clothing, carbon dioxide, floral scents, still air, early mornings or evenings and lactic acid which is released after exercising or eating salty or high-potassium foods.  People who eat garlic are often not bothered by insects as much.  Avoid taking your infant out at night and dump all old standing water such as rain barrels and items that have accumulated water. 

You might want to try several of the suggestions below.

 -  Dress your infant or small child in long sleeves and long pants-even if it’s really hot you can easily choose a light fabric which will help cover their bare legs and arms. Mosquitos are attracted to bright colors.
 
- If you have mosquitos in your house your children and infants should wear loose long-sleeved pajamas and sleep under a light sheet.
 
- A moving fan may prevent mosquitoes from landing near a crib but be sure it is not within reach of the baby or small child.
 
- Children should never use a DEET concentration over 10% since beyond this concentration they can get systemic absorption and be more susceptible to the effect of DEET.   Read labels carefully! There are repellents made specifically for infants for purchase in drug stores.
 
-  Lemon eucalyptus mosquito repellent smells nice and has no DEET but you should check the label for suggestions for infants and toddlers.  Organic eucalyptus and lemon balm oils are also both natural and effect.  Two ounces of chopped garlic mixed into a cup of warm water makes a fairly reliable organic spray but it does smell bad. Soybean oil has also been known to be effective. Many parents say that Avon Skin-so-Soft can repel the majority of mosquitoes. Mosquitos may land but not bite.
- Use insect screen with fine mesh on windows and doors in the house and tents.  Use a mosquito net over beds if mosquitos cannot be kept out but be sure the net is secure so that a baby cannot get tangled in it.  A small net is great for a stroller when you have outside events-just drape over stroller and tuck in the edges.  Some strollers even come with a bug net.

 -  Never allow children to apply their own mosquito repellent since they may inadvertently apply too much.

 -  Apply insect repellent to children’s clothing too.
 
-  Plant marigolds around your patio area and places where children play.  Marigolds are a natural insect repellent.  Lemon grass is also a natural repellent.  These plants help but do not completely repel pesky mosquitoes.  Light citronella candles on your porch or patio too in the evenings when the family is out. Citronella candles reduced mosquito bites by 42% and citronella incense reduced bites by 24%.
 
-  Make sure to trim your child’s nails.  If the child has a bite it will keep  it from becoming infected if he or she does scratch.  Cold vinegar helps relieve the itch and sting.
 
 -  Check on the label to see if the makers of the repellent say that it is safe for young children.  If they do not say it is safe, avoid using it on babies and toddlers. Make sure that the bug repellant is DEET free!  DEET has been shown to be harmful to young children. 
 

Summer Vacation is Half Over:( July 9, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in active kids, education, games, summer fun, technology.
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Summer vacation is half over and the natives might be getting a little restless.  I was shocked to see Back to School items in the stores already and the latest Lands End catalog is showing new packs, book bags and cool weather outfits for kids. 

Here’s a couple ideas if your child is complaining of boredom:

At Fun Brain Kid Center you child will find all sorts of activities and games that target science, music, geography, art and technology.  The games in each category are ranked by age appropriatness.

Gamequaruim offers dozens of free online videos.  There is everything from Berenstain Bears and Curious George to videos on the presidents and black history.  You can learn sign language or take a tour of the human body.

If the computer isn’t an option your child can read, read, read!  It doesn’t matter what they read really-the sports page, nonfiction on butterflies, a cookbook or a challenging novel.  The American Library Assoication has a list of suggested titles for 8-11 year olds and a list for 12-14 year olds.  Reading fills your brain with facts and expands your vocabulary AND there are so many good books!

Nurturing and Building Your Child’s Self-Esteem July 9, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Discipline, Parenting Teens, self-esteem.
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We all know these things but sometimes it just helps to reread them or think about them in a little different matter.  Raising kids takes a lot of rethinking and analyzing what you are doing-both good and bad.  Providing for a child’s physical needs (food, shelter, clothing) is fairly straightforward but trying to provide for their emotional needs can be lots trickier.  Here’s a few general guidelines for nurturing your child so that they grow into a happy emotionally healthy adult.

Listen to your child-provide comfort and assurance and encourage questions.  Be willing to talk about any subject.
 
Look at the example you are setting-could your own problem-solving and coping skills use some work?
 
Respect your child’s feelings-encourage your child to express his or her feelings.  Let them know that everyone experiences pain, anger, anxiety, sadness and fear. Try to figure out where the source of the feelings are coming from.
 
Promote mutual respect and trust-even if you are angry keep your voice level low.  Try to keep communication channels open.
 
Foster your child’s talents and accept their limitations.  Set goals on your child’s abilities and interests and not on someone else’s expectations.  It’s hard but don’t compare your child to other children or siblings.  
 
Spend time with your child regularly.
 
Help your child become independent and deal with life’s ups and downs.  Show confidence in your child’s ability to handle problems and tack new experiences. 
 
Be aware of the different stages of development so you don’t expect too much or too little from your child.
 
Always discipline constructively, fairly and consistently.  Use discipline as a form of teaching and not physical punishment.  Look for positive behaviors and show approval for those.  We all learn best by our mistakes.  Set limits before problems arise.
 
Love unconditionally.  Teach high moral standards and the value of cooperation, patience and apologies.  Teach forgiveness and consideration of others.
 
Do not expect to be perfect; parenting is a difficult job.
 

Baby Bottoms July 7, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in New Moms, Toddlers, babies, health.
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As the weather heats up, so does diaper rash and yeast infections.

Infants are more vulnerable to diaper rash in the summer.  Heat, humidity and perspiration all can aggravate sensitive bottoms. 

Diaper rash is a red, spotty inflamed rash.  To prevent it change your child’s diapers frequently and let baby go diaper-free for 15 or 20 minutes.  A brief sun bath in a sunbeam can also help.  If its too late to prevent it use a squirt bottle with water to cleanse the area and avoid scented baby wipes.  Be gentle and apply a diaper ointment that contains zinc oxide.  This type of product soothes the skin and protects it from getting too moist.  A very light dusting of unscented talc or even corn starch is also good after the ointment is applied.  If the rash does not go away, talk to your doctor or if the rash includes blisters or pus-filled bumps you child might have a yeast infection or even a staph infection.

Candida (yeast infection) normally lives on our skins and usually does not cause a problem.  But in the hot months of summer, children in diapers are targets for yeast infections.  This rash is also red and usually bumpy.  It can itch, burn and ooze a clear liquid.  A child on antibiotics may also be more susceptible because these medications kill the good bacteria that keeps yeast in check.  The rash is usually found in the skin folds of the diaper area and baby girls are slightly more likely to have a yeast infection.  For treatment you can try an over-the-counter antifungal treatment such as Lamisil or Lotrimin AF but a call to your pediatrician is best.