Posted by TinyTotties on September 02 2011
A sunburn is more than just uncomfortable. It can lead to an increased risk for skin cancer. Skin cancer isn’t the only medical problem that the sun can cause. It can also lead to eye damage and other medical problems. Children have very delicate skin and eyes, so protecting them from damaging UV rays is important all year round.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are one of the best ways to protect your child’s developing eyes from UV rays. Your child’s eyes are still developing which means that sun damage in their early years can actually cause more long term problems than the level of sun exposure later in life. When choosing sunglasses for your child make sure to find a pair that offer 100% UV protection since plain shaded lenses aren’t enough to protect your child’s eyes.
Sunscreen
The sun can easily damage your child’s delicate skin so sunscreen should be a must most days. Make sure that your child wears sunscreen whenever they will be in the sun for long periods of time. During the middle of the day the sun’s rays are more powerful which makes sunscreen even more important. Make sure that you put sunscreen around your child’s eyes since this can help to limit sun exposure to their delicate eye tissue as well. Remember that a plain white T-shirt offers little sun protection, approx SPF 15, so it might be a good idea to put a layer of sunscreen on first.
Pay Attention to the Weather
Remember that the sun’s rays may be stronger on a cloudy or overcast day than on a sunny day. Also snow on the ground can reflect UV rays and result in sun damage. Even if it looks cloudy outside, play it safe and put on sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses, especially if you will be in the snow or on the water.
Set a Good Example
Your children will learn their sun safety practices from you, so make sure that you are setting a good example. Avoid tanning beds and sunburns. If you wear sunscreen like you should it will be easier to remember to put it on your children.
Posted by Vered on December 20 2010
It’s been a rough 3 years for all of us. The Great Recession has been tough on everyone. But ‘tis the season to be jolly, and give thanks, and so we have decided to look at all the things we are grateful for this season, as we spend much valued time with family and friends.
1. Family. We are grateful for our loving, supportive family.
2. Friends. We are so lucky to be surrounded by friends with whom we can share a laugh, have a talk, and know they will always be there for us.
3. Roof over our heads. Every night as I climb into bed, I say a silent than you for something I would otherwise take for granted – a roof over my head, a warm bed, and my family close to me.
4. Food on the table. This should be something that we all take for granted, but even in the United States, this is not always the case. Anyone who has plenty of food, and access to healthy, nutritious food, should consider themselves very lucky. In fact, each time I enter a supermarket and see all the abundance surrounding me, I am reminded of how lucky I am.
5. Clean water. Something that in many developing countries around the world people cannot take for granted.
6. Modern medicine. Yes, the US health system is far from being perfect. But most of us are still in a far better place than previous generations when it comes to access to high quality healthcare and to routine preventative care. We are definitely at a much better place compared with developing countries.
7. Technology. Technology is amazing. It has improved our lives so much, and we do tend to take it for granted. But sometimes I look around me, at all the appliances and gadgets and tools that make my life so easy compared with previous generations, and I am so grateful!
8. Art. Music, plays, books, paintings, movies. Whatever genre of art moves you, remember to be grateful for this beauty and for the escape it allows you from your day-to-day struggles and worries.
9. Freedom. Each and every one of us living in the free world should be grateful for our personal freedoms. In many countries around the world, people do not enjoy the freedoms we enjoy.
10. Life’s little pleasures! Sleeping in on the weekend, a warm bath, a frothy cup of fragrant coffee, freshly baked holiday cookies, reading a good book, and getting cozy in our flannel pajamas in front of the fireplace.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Posted by Vered on December 08 2010
A frugal holiday season does not mean a boring holiday season! Here are ten fun, frugal things you can do with your kids this holiday season:
1. Bake cookies together. Is there anything more fun than baking and decorating holiday cookies?
2. Decorate the house. Getting that magical box from the attic or the garage, opening it and going through those treasured family decorations… it’s a magical experience.
3. Write thoughtful, hand-written holiday cards to family and friends.
4. Play outside in the cold, then come back inside for a hot cup of cocoa.
5. Go to the local library together for story time and to pick books.
6. Declare a movie night. Rent a DVD, pop some popcorn, dim the lights and watch a movie together.
7. Roast chestnuts. It takes time and patience – cutting them, roasting, peeling – but it’s a fun winter activity and the rich creaminess of the nuts is well worth it.
8. Pick a worthy charity for your annual giving and send them a check or donate online. Your kids will love getting involved in picking a charity and may even be inspired to make their own donation from their own allowance, if they get one.
9. Curl together in front of the fireplace and read books or play board games. It’s almost a lost art, isn’t it? We’re so used to entertaining ourselves with screens (TV, computers, smart phones, video games). But taking an hour or so to relax, slow down the crazy pace a little and avoid any type of screen can feel great – for kids AND for grownups.
10. Have an indoor picnic. It can be such a fun lunch – but it only works if you take it seriously. Pack everything as if you were heading outside for a real picnic, complete with sandwiches and something to drink, then spread a blanket on the floor and have your picnic inside!
Posted by Vered on December 01 2010
It’s been a long recession, and it’s not completely over yet. We’re all trying to save, and of course the holiday season isn’t traditionally the best time to save. But with a whopping 83 percent of shoppers expecting to spend the same or less on holiday gifts this year compared to 2009, it looks like we have become truly serious about watching our spending.
Here are a few easy tips for saving this holiday season:
1. Buy on sale. Whether you shop for food, for gifts or for everyday items, buy as much as you can on sale. When shopping online, see if you can get free shipping (Tiny Totties, for example, offers free shipping on US orders over $99). Also check to see if you can use any coupons, whether you find them in your Sunday paper or print them online.
2. Limit gift giving. Many families are only giving to children these days, and even there you can agree to limit to kids until the age of, say, 12.
3. Give practical gifts. If the adults in your family exchange gifts, it’s very thoughtful to find practical gifts. Expectant parents will appreciate many of the items featured in our Baby Gear section.
4. Limit partying. Holiday parties and get-togethers are fun, but they can also be costly, especially when you need to hire a babysitter and bring a hostess gift. Try to limit the number of events you’re attending and only go to the most important ones.
5. Focus on the holiday spirit. Holidays are not just about exchanging gifts. The recession has forced many of us to become better at managing our money and to focus on the spiritual rather than on the material. This can actually be a good thing. This year, focus on spending quality time with family and friends, on sharing meals, stories and jokes. It’s the best kind of sharing!.