30 October 2013

Make Homework Easier with these 8 Great Tips for Parents


Homework


For parents homework and getting children to do homework can be quite a task, especially after a long day in school. Many of us often find the day dwindling away and the homework still on the agenda. So, we’ve compiled a number of tips to help parents motivate and encourage children to take responsibility for homework and study.

Expectations


Children need to be given expectations  and if you let them know you believe that they should get good grades at school, then this can be a motivation. Children with higher expectations of them tend to do better. Of course, even with high expectations children struggle and need help from you or a tutor.

Time


Encouraging children to do their homework each day at the same time will help you create a regular agenda and so this will get them into the habit of doing their work. Ensure to push the fact that homework is more important than anything else and that it’s best to get it done after school rather than have to hold off.

Rewards


Children should be given rewards if they show and absolute dedication to doing their homework. This will motivate and also show that you appreciate what they’re doing. Good grades and good school reports should also be rewarded and discussed.

Checks


Checking homework is a sure fire way to prevent them from skipping out on vital bits of their homework. You should check their work to ensure it is not only done but to a good standard. If you have enough time help them and if they’re struggling with a subject, get a tutor for them – this can also help significantly.

Track


Tracking that their homework has been turned in is also important. Some times children just don’t turn home work in and this is often down to them not having enough confidence in their abilities. Check to ensure that they pass their homework on to the teacher.

Excellent Grades


Sometimes your children will surpass even themselves and in such a case then you should encourage them by rewarding them with kind words or even a surprise now and again. This can be a great way to show them you appreciate their efforts and their homework assignments.

Discuss Needs


Talk to the child about how they feel school is going and how they find certain subjects. Some children will find that they enjoy particular subjects more and find some subjects hard. This can be a call for help and in such a case perhaps you will need to help them with study, or even maybe get an online tutor to help out and hone their skills and understanding. Always ensure that kids feel they are welcome to come talk to you about school.

Meetings


Attend all the parent teacher meetings there are and ensure kids know that. Keeping in touch with the school ensures children are focused and will be less likely to slack off and not do their work. This can be a significant motivation for children and teens.

Following these tips to encourage homework and effort at school will ensure children don’t fall behind and don’t slack at any stage of the year. It’s a great way to encourage children to get top grades and keep focused.




Cormac Reynolds has written about education and children for a number of years

26 October 2013

#BugOut on the Science Behind Insects with Orkin

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Orkin Ecologist for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
4930637503_d21eab3a25

Insects can be scary, but the best way to get past your fears is to educate yourself on the science behind them.  That's where Orkin comes in!  The scientists at Orkin have been studying bugs of all kinds for over 100 years and they know that every creature has a place on this planet, whether it's good or bad.  In studying bugs Orkin has found a fascination that they want to share with everyone in hopes that it will peak an interest in learning all about these creepy critters.  They created "The Ecologist" site to share information on a variety of different bugs that both the novice and experienced bug enthusiasts will enjoy!

Have you ever experienced a bug out moment?  When you think of the world’s scariest bugs which ones come to mind?  My least favorite bug out moments are the ones involving spiders!  Above is a picture of a brown recluse which is a spider found in my neck of the woods that I am truthfully very afraid of!  My worst bug out moment actually involved this particular kind of spider.  I had just moved into my first apartment and I was settling into bed for my first night in my new place.  All of a sudden I see a spider dart across the floor!  Then I notice another one.  Upon closer inspection they were brown recluse spiders and these spiders were fast!  Apparently my new apartment was infested with them and I had just moved into their domain.  I had to treat my apartment the next day to get rid of them but I have had a deep fear of this spider ever since!

Do you have a fear of spiders?  Maybe another insect bug out story to share?  Comment below!


You can follow Orkin on Facebook and Pinterest!


Visit Sponsor's Site

24 October 2013

It's Christmas Giveaway Event - Blogger Sign Ups



It’s Christmas Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media


Grand Prize: $500 Sears Gift Card
Event dates: 11/11 - 12/2
Open to US
Referral prize: $50 Amazon E-Code or Paypal Cash

Bloggers: Sign Up HERE

* Please mention Textbook Mommy referred you! *

Five Proven Methods for Teaching Your Child How to Read




While learning to read is a complex skill to master, it does not have to be a difficult skill to teach. Here are five distinct methods you can use to teach your child to read.

1. Phonics


The English language is made up of only 26 letters and 44 sounds, called phonemes. The phonics method has children memorize the phoneme each letter or letter combination, or digraph, makes in order to sound out words. In order to teach your child to read with phonics, you would help your child memorize what sound each letter makes, and then help your child blend those letter sounds together to sound out words.

One great advantage of the phonics approach is that it allows children to easily decipher a multitude of words after they have learned their letter sounds. Phonics is great for small words such as cat, dog and car. The biggest drawback of phonics, however, is that not all words in the English language follow phonics rules. Phonics will not help children read words such as gnat and knight. It can also be a slow process that interferes with fluency and comprehension.

2. Sight Words


With the sight word, or whole language, method, children learn to read words as units, instead of sounding out individual letters. This method usually uses flash cards and rote memorization. Back in 1948, Edward William Dolch created a list of 220 words he felt were necessary for students to read immediately upon sight. This list of Dolch words is still widely used today.

The sight word method is great for words that children use frequently and need to read quickly, such as and, the and is. It is also great for words that are irregular or words that are featured frequently in a particular book, such as “hippopotamus” in a book about zoo animals. One main drawback of the sight word method, however, is that it does not help children decipher new words they have not seen before.

3. Environmental Print


If you want your child to be able to read useful words that he or she sees every day, teach your child to read environmental print, words your child sees in his or her environment. Because your child sees these words every day, they hold a special significance and your child can pick them up more easily. Environmental print includes useful words and phrases such as McDonalds, stop, Kix and elementary school.

A few advantages of teaching reading using environmental print are that the words are extremely useful and accessible, and the method is relatively informal. On the other hand, environmental print only contains a very small portion of the English language, it is almost always only nouns and it will not help children learn other necessary reading skills such as fluency and comprehension.

4. Basals


If you are looking for a more structured way to teach your child to read, you may want to invest in a basal. Basals are the large reading textbooks most school teachers use in the classroom. They contain a collection of stories all written specifically for a certain reading ability and to emphasize certain reading skills and concepts. Basals usually come with a student edition, a teacher’s guide and a workbook to reinforce concepts.

One advantage of basals is that they present students with a range of story types and subjects that are all on the same reading level. Basals also come with additional material that can be helpful as well. One drawback of basals, however, is that the material is somewhat contrived with a limited vocabulary to meet a certain reading level. The quality of the stories in basals may be diminished as well.

5. Trade Books


Trade books are books published by book companies for the general public, such as those found in libraries and books stores. Reading trade books with your child is a great way to teach your child to read because trade books are highly enjoyable and expose children to a vast variety of words, concepts and ideas. Books that have won the prestigious Newbery Award or that have been named Newbery Honor Books are sure to be of an exceptional quality.

The advantages of trade books include: they are readily available, they are interesting and engaging and they are not limited in terms of vocabulary, difficulty or content. One disadvantage of using trade books is that it is easy to miss particular skills and vocabulary if parents and children simply select books that they like or at random instead of choosing them according to a specific program.

In reality, there is no one method that is best for teaching your child how to read. The best reading program will draw on the strengths of each of these methods so students learn all the words and reading skills they need in the way that teaches them best.




Racheal Tighe, an Australian primary school teacher has a passion for helping teach your child to read through Little Learning Planet. Find Racheal on Google+!

19 October 2013

Celebrate National Popcorn Month with JOLLY TIME! - (Plus a Giveaway)


October is National Popcorn Month, which means it's time to get out the JOLLY TIME and enjoy a tasty treat!  The good news is you don't have to feel guilty about indulging a little more than extra for this special month, because JOLLY TIME has you covered with their special line of Smart Balance popcorn.  Made with 100% whole grain kernels and zero grams of trans fat, you can feel good about this heart healthy snack the whole family can enjoy!  


Don't forget that Halloween is also a great time to think outside the box when it comes to handing out treats for all the trick or treaters that stop by!  JOLLY TIME offers the perfect solution with their Blast O Butter mini bags.  Surprise them with this tasty alternative to candy in a perfect miniature bag they can take home to enjoy!  You can find Blast O Butter mini bags at your local supermarket or they are available for purchase by the case on the JOLLY TIME website here.

Did you know that the JOLLY TIME website has some great recipes you can access?  If you've never had a chance to browse their recipe section before I recommend you head on over and do that asap because there are some amazing and tasty recipes that are a must try!  One recipe that is perfect for fall is their Caramel Popcorn Apples.


Caramel Popcorn Apples

  • 6 cups popped JOLLY TIME Blast O Butter or Butter Licious Microwave Pop Corn
  • 2 cups crisp rice cereal
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried apples
  • 1 package (14 oz.) caramels, about 48, unwrapped
  • 2 Tbsp. water
  • 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • Wooden sticks
Directions:
Place popped popcorn, rice cereal and apples in large bowl. In medium saucepan over low heat, heat caramels, water and butter until caramels are melted, stirring frequently. Stir in cinnamon. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and toss to coat well. Let cool about 5 minutes. With slightly dampened hands shape into 8 balls around wooden sticks. Place on lightly-buttered wax paper to set. Wrap in plastic wrap; tie with a ribbon. Microwave caramels, water and butter in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 2-1/2 to 3 minutes or until smooth, stirring every minute.

Yields: 8 popcorn balls


I was recently sent some products for review from JOLLY TIME, including their Blast O Butter mini bags and Smart Balance Butter Light popcorn.  The Blast O Butter mini bags turned out to be a perfect treat for my four daughters, as each box comes with four mini bags that pop up into individual serving sizes that work great for portion control or even snacking on the go!  We had a fun movie night where I made these mini bags for them and they all agreed that it was nice having their own bags, and they of course love the taste of JOLLY TIME popcorn, a favorite at our house!

The Smart Balance Butter Light popcorn is a favorite that I enjoy, and is one I have actually purchased in the past before.  I like to occasionally have popcorn for a snack, but I don't like a lot of butter, calories,or fat with my popcorn.  JOLLY TIME's Smart Balance line is a great way to snack healthier without sacrificing on taste.  I've even had my husband try some without telling him it was light butter and he had no idea.  He was actually surprised to find out when I showed him the box!  I would recommend JOLLY TIME, and especially their Smart Balance line of popcorn to anyone looking for a tasty snack to celebrate National Popcorn Month, Halloween, or any special occasion throughout the year!

Be sure to follow JOLLY TIME on Twitter @jollytimepops and like them on Facebook here!


Giveaway Time!

(1) Lucky reader of Textbook Mommy is going to win 2 free product coupons for JOLLY TIME popcorn:

1 coupon for JOLLY TIME Smart Balance Microwave Popcorn
1 coupon for JOLLY TIME Microwave Popcorn, any flavor

Details: Open to U.S. residents, 18 years of age and older.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or an alternate winner will be selected.  Entry is via Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!


*Disclosure:  I was provided product samples in exchange for this review.  All personal opinions stated in this review are 100% my own and are not a result of any outside influence.





18 October 2013

Vtech Switch & Go Dino Giveaway

vtech

Hosted By: Simply Southern Couponers

Sponsored By: Vtech

Vtech has been around for other 30 years developing high quality and educational toys for kids. Their award winning products, which include the Switch & Go Dino's, Innotab 2, Innotab 2S and Innotab 3, have helped them to become the world leader of age appropriate electronics.

1379175_10202068155855859_2034328543_n

SkySlicer the Allosaurus is from the line of Switch & Go Dino's. He is perfect for ages 3 to 8 years old and is a transforming toys that transforms from a dinosaur to a vehicle. He has a LCD screen which shows customizable eyes and pilot animations. He also has buttons that when pressed tells you cool dinosaur facts and realistic sound effects. You can check out Simply Southern Couponers full review here.

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

Event Details:
October 18th - October 29th
Open to U.S. residents only, must be 18+ to participate.
Prize: One lucky winner will receive a Vtech SkySlicer the Allosaurus (RV $15.99)
To enter complete the Entry form below.
A special thanks to our sponsor and a great group of blogger friends for helping us with this event. Stop by and follow them on their social media pages.
Good Luck and thanks for entering!!!

Disclosure: Textbook Mommy did not receive compensation for promoting this event and is not responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google or any other social network. The sponsor (Vtech) is responsible for prize fulfillment. Please contact Jennifer atsimplysoutherncouponers@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Chuggington StackTrack & DVD Giveaway

tomy
Sponsored By: Tomy 

Tomy is a toy company that fulfills children and parents dreams worldwide with popular toys. Some of their brands include; John Deere, Lamaze, Chuggington, Tomica, Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train and a few more. Here is an amazing giveaway that has not one but two prizes up for grabs for one lucky person. Will that person be you? With Christmas just a little over two months away what better way to have your little one wake up on Christmas morning to Chuggington riding the rails? 

Ichuggington DVDtomy track

Simply Southern Couponers has teamed up with an amazing Sponsor to bring you this giveaway. To see more about Tomy read Simply Southern Couponers full review here. We're giving one lucky viewer a chance to win their very own Chuggington StackTrack & Chug Patrol: Ready to Rescue DVD. To enter continue to read the event details below.

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

Event Details:
Starts October 18th at 9pm EST and Ends October 31st at 11:59pm EST.
Open to US residents only. Must be 18+ to enter.
Prize: One lucky viewer will win a Chuggington StackTrack & Chug Patrol: Ready to Rescue DVD. (RV$54.97)

To enter complete the Entry Form below. All winning entries will be verified.
A big thanks to our sponsor, co hosts and blogger friends for helping us with this event. Be sure to stop by and follow them on their social pages.
Good Luck & thanks for entering!!!

Disclosure: Textbook Mommy did not receive any compensation for promoting this event. This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google or any other social network. The Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment. Please contact Jennifer at simplysoutherncouponers@gmail.com if you have any questions.

17 October 2013

Accessorizing is Key to a Perfect Costume




Vampire teeth and fake blood, glittery face paint and fancy masks. All these things are filling the stores as Halloween creeps closer and closer. You may or may not be dressing up this year but chances are it’s all your children can talk about. They discuss with their friends what they want to be, they beg you to take them to the crowded Halloween store before it shuts down, and they try to sneak pieces of Halloween candy without you noticing. Halloween is a fun celebration to kick of the holiday season. It helps everyone keep in mind the fun side of life and get in touch with their creative sides. Between the decorating, the parties, and the costumes, October is a busy month, and when the day finally comes you want to make sure your little ones are looking perfect when they hit the streets with their empty bags, anticipation of the nights haul emanating from their little bodies as they squeal with excitement. You may not look forward to the weeks of candy eating ahead of you but it’s what your kids live for. And you want to make them happy, of course, so when they come to you with their idea of a perfect costume you bend over backwards to make that dream a reality.

You probably begin by looking at Wal-Mart or K-Mart or whichever convenient store is closest to you that carries Halloween costumes. And this is a great way to begin your costume creation project. After you decide that none of those costumes is good enough for your little one you decide to search for some affordable and simple DIY Costume guides online and slowly a vision began to form in your head. Now you have a good idea of what you need and just want to find that final touch to make your little girl or boy’s costume as perfect as it can possibly be. Perfection is all in the finishing touches after all. Here are a few ideas to help make your witch or vampire or fairy look even cuter on Halloween night.

Halloween is a time to let loose and have some fun. This means you don’t always have to be conventional in your costume construction. If you are looking for a way to spruce up a witch or a zombie or even a princess, then color is the answer. It’s dark when children are out trick or treating, and just like in theater, bold is okay. Bright is okay. If you have a little girl who wants to be witch, consider getting brightly colored tights or fancy children’s socks to bring some life to her attire.

You don’t have to go out and buy expensive costume make up to make your little vampire or look real. You can take that costume to the next level using the makeup you wear every day. Google some pictures and get to work. Practice makes perfect so try the makeup out a few times to find the perfect blend of colors before your child’s final debut. If you need to make some fake blood, you don’t have to spend the extra money on that. You can use lipstick to draw dripping blood or make some out of common household items like corn starch, syrup and food coloring.

There are many ways to get creative and make your child’s costume something extraordinary and unique when Halloween finally arrives. By adding little things here and there you will be able to bump that costume up to the next level so your child can feel good about his or her Halloween adventure, and you can do most of it without breaking the bank.

Need even more ideas? Check out this step-by-step guide to being your favorite superhero this Halloween! Best part? You may even find most of the items around the house!





Courtesy of: We Love Colors

Top 5 Gift Suggestions for College Grads



 Graduating is a Big Deal!


Graduating from college is a huge milestone. A recent study notes that only 54% of college freshmen manage to graduate in six years or less. Some are met with financial problems and leave the academic setting to begin earning money as an adult. Others, met with the whirlwind of classes, exams, note taking, and high expectations decide that a degree is not necessary to their intended career path. For still others, the social atmosphere of college life is so exciting that focusing on studies is put on the back burner until they are no longer eligible to remain in school. If your child is in the group of students who has managed to graduate with a degree, you may be wondering what an appropriate gift is for such a great achievement. Here are five gift ideas that are sure to make any recent graduate smile.

A Down payment


With a degree in hand, your child will be moving into the world of working adults. For most, this will necessitate a change in location. Careers do not lend themselves well to fraternity houses, or to student apartments. This may be an ideal time to help your child invest in a living space. Some may argue that at this age, your child cannot possibly know what type of housing they will want for years to come, but economists agree that an apartment, townhome, or starter home is a great investment for those recently out of college. Owning one's own abode gives a sense of responsibility and stability, as well as the ability to build equity.

Business Clothing


The attire needed for college is often much different than what is needed to begin one's career.  While a college student may own one nice suit for mock interviews or dinner events, the clothing needed for a career can be overwhelming. From slacks to button down shirts, from skirts to vests and sweaters, hundreds, even thousands of dollars may be spent in attempting to put together a wardrobe that will carry your child through each working week. By purchasing the needed clothing, you will also be giving your child a vote of confidence, helping them know that you are behind them in their new business ventures.

A Vacation


Four to six years of college life can put a mental strain on even the best scholars. What better way to pat them on the back and tell them you are proud of your efforts than to send them on a much needed vacation. Some graduates dream of a European tour, while others look forward to a cruise to an exotic warm location while indulging in much needed relaxation. It is a good idea to work closely with your child to make sure that schedules and ideas mesh well so that irritations do not arise over miscommunications.

A Vehicle


College vehicles are often described lovingly as rattletraps, junkers, or duct tape on wheels. Because students are generally busy with work, study and school, they often make do with an older model car from high school, or something inexpensive to get by. Upon graduation, however, many parents decide to purchase a vehicle that will help their child make the transition into adulthood. A Scion TC is a great option with its reasonable price, edgy appearance and small footprint. By purchasing an automobile that your graduate will be proud to own, like a Scion, you will be encouraging them to maintain it well and to take pride in new ownership.

A Monetary Gift


It is sometimes difficult to determine which gift would be the most beneficial as your child transitions from college to career and adulthood. Parents know that this time of change and uncertainty may sometimes come with unexpected bills and needs. By presenting your child with a monetary gift upon graduation, you will enable them to use the money as needed while settling into their new role in life.
No matter what type of gifts loving parents choose to provide for their recent college graduates, being able to provide something that will help them settle into their new roles as adults will make most parents smile. By talking to your student, you will be able to determine which type of gift would most fully benefit them.




Related news: 2014 Scion tC with updated styling

Spook-Tacular DVD Giveaway



What do you love the most about Halloween?  Picking out the perfect costume?  Treating yourself to some delicious candy?  How about the pumpkin carving?  Whether you're the type that loves a good scare, or someone that prefers to stay in and stay warm inside, Warner Bros. has a great line up of Spook-Tacular movies to get you in the Halloween mood!  With classics like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to newer titles such as Adventure Time - Jake the Dad, there's is something for everyone to enjoy!  Before heading out to go trick or treating consider gathering the family together to enjoy a Spook-Tacular good movie together!

Use the blog app above to take the Which Spooky Family Are You? quiz.  Is your family all about the pumpkin carving, the candy, or the costumes?  Take this fun quiz to find out!  You can also use the blog app to access the Spook-Tacular Story Time PDF.  Print out a copy for everyone to sit around and have fun crafting their own spooky story!  You can also click on the image below to download and print easily.




Giveaway Time!


Prize: (1) Lucky reader is going to win one of the following Spook-Tacular DVDs (prize will be randomly selected by sponsor):
• Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Run for your Rife!
• Regular Show – Fright Pack (V4)
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Deluxe Edition
• Tom and Jerry: Tricks and Treats
• Bugs Bunny’s Howl-oween
• Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King
• Tom and Jerry: Halloween Hijinks
• Sesame Street: Elmo Says Boo!
• Adventure Time – Jake the Dad (V5)
Message From Sponsor:

Each household is only eligible to win 1 WB Spook-Tacular Family Movie [CHOSEN AT RANDOM] via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Details: Open to residents of the U.S., 18 years of age and older. No P.O. Boxes.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or an alternate winner will be selected.  Entry is via Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!

*Disclosure: This post was done on behalf of Warner Bros.  I received no form of compensation for this post.  All personal opinions in this post are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.  Textbook Mommy is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
 

What Should You Pack For Your Hospital Trip When Expecting

You know that the more information you have about pregnancy, the easier it will be to keep yourself on the right track for the better health of you and your baby. There is no mystery about using common sense and practical ideas to make this happen. Try some of these tips to start off right.

You can indulge your cravings if your diet is generally healthy and balanced. The cravings may be a signal of your body's need for specific nutrients found in the foods which are triggering the cravings. While you still need to moderate your intake, it is a good time to enjoy indulging your cravings as you need to increase your caloric intake while you providing nutrients for both yourself and your baby.  You need to know about tracking your cycles when you are attempting to get pregnant. Knowing your cycles helps you know the perfect times for attempting to get pregnant. It will also be good at determining when you conceived, so your due date will be more accurate.

Baby accessories, furniture, strollers and shoes

Avoid any chemicals that could harm your baby. Many cleaning products have a strong smell and can be found in your home, your work and anywhere else you go. When you breath in these fumes, they can harm your child. Use products that are only made out of natural ingredients.  If you are seeing a doctor for anything, you need to tell them that you are pregnant. Some of the tests that they perform at the doctors office can be harmful to a pregnant women, and they will skip these for you. Even if there is only a small chance you could be pregnant, you need to speak up.

A good thing to do when pregnant is to see your practitioner on a regular basis. This will not only help you in knowing about the things that pregnant people should know but it also will help you in knowing how to have a healthy pregnancy. This act can help in having a very smooth pregnancy.  One of the best things that women can do in order to achieve a healthy pregnancy is to exercise. This will not only help you to stay in shape during pregnancy, but it also lowers the risk of miscarriage. It has been proven that exercise reduces labor complications and length.  Take a pregnancy class after you learn the happy news. Being able to obtain advice in a class can help you relax a bit since you'll better know what to expect. Take the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have.

Before attempting to become pregnant, make sure you make an appointment to have a full check-up with your doctor. They can ensure that you are generally well enough to cope with the rigors of pregnancy along with providing advice on what types of vitamins and foods you should be consuming before conception is achieved.  Keep a food diary and make note of everything you eat during the day. This will help you to see whether you are lacking in any important areas of your diet. It can also help you to speak with your doctor about your diet too.

Feelings of depression or anxiety are quite common during pregnancy. With hormones rising and falling all the time, stress from the pregnancy, as well as, other issues that come up, it is no wonder that we can sometimes feel blue. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor, if you think that it's not getting better with time.  When you are pregnant it may be beneficial to find a support group. Being a pregnant woman is certainly not easy. Between the emotions, and the physical sicknesses that accompany it , it can be quite a trying time. Find friends, and others that have been through it that can help support you till delivery day.

Strollers and Car Seats

As you are preparing your home for the comfort of your new baby, don't forget his safety too! Research safety ratings as well as product reviews on baby gear such as cribs, strollers, car seats and all items your baby will use. After all, if you don't do it, who will?

As you are preparing your home for the comfort of your new baby, don't forget his safety too! Research safety ratings as well as product reviews on baby gear such as cribs, strollers, car seats and all items your baby will use. After all, if you don't do it, who will?  As you can see from the practical ideas and common sense advice in the article above, there is no mystery about what you can do right now to make your pregnancy the very best time for you and your baby. They will keep you on track so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying these exciting nine months.


You'll find just what you need for your baby or young child at Whims-N-Doodles. Contact us for our special offers!

We proudly serve Syracuse, Rome, Oneida, Utica, Rochester, Watertown, Binghamton, Cortland, and Albany, NY.

16 October 2013

Vtech InnoTab 3S Giveaway

Welcome to the Vtech's InnoTab Giveaway
BeFunky_BeFunky_myawesomebaby.jpg
This giveaway is brought to you by Empowered Mommy and friends!

Vtech's Innotab is a perfect technology gift for own child, niece/nephew or grandchildren! I was in love with this electronic toy ever since I laid eyes on it! Empowered Mommy and friends teamed together to giveaway one of these tabs to one of their reader!

What is Vtech's Innotab? 
It is tablet that offers a wealth of fun, age-appropriate learning games for kids, plus new ways to play and learn. Kids and parents can exchange and share their text messages, photos and more over a kid-safe Wi-Fi connection using VTech Kid Connect. Children can browse kid-safe and parent approved websites to find even more learning fun right from the InnoTab 3S.

What does this tablet include?

Exchange and Share with Smart phones
InnoTab 3S connects kids to their parents and friends anywhere (available with Wi-Fi connection). With VTech Kid Connect Basic (included) you can wirelessly exchange text and fun stickers between the InnoTab 3S and smart phones. Kids can also connect with friends and siblings safely with tablet-to-tablet communication between two InnoTab 3S tablets no matter where they are- anytime, anywhere.
Browse the web
Make A Wish
Deluxe Apps Package
Movie Maker
Rotating Camera and Video Recorder
Wonder Cam
Magic Beanstalk Game
& MUCH MORE!!!
Learning is even more fun with InnoTab 3S, fun that never stops!
This giveaway is open to US/CAN. Entrants must be 18+ to enter the giveaway.
Giveaway dates: October 17, 2013 to November 17, 2013
Enter via rafflecopter widget below. Allow the widget to fully load and claim as many entries as you can to maximize your chances to win!

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

 
Disclosure: This blog is not responsible for the shipment of the prize. This giveaway is not at all endorsed or sponsored by Facebook, Twitter and/or Vtech. This is a self sponsored giveaway brought to you by Empowered Mommy and friends. Once the giveaway is over, the winner will be announced via random.org and will be contacted by Empowered Mommy via. For questions, please email Empowered Mommy. 

14 October 2013

Five Reasons Why College Students Are Commonly Admitted to the ER


Many college students utilize health centers on campus to meet routine health needs.  However, the best health insurance is often needed to address emergency medical attention among college students.  According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Americans ages 18-25 are at higher risk for being involved in car accidents and experiencing alcohol poisoning than other age groups.  In addition, college students are not exempt from emergency medical scenarios commonly experienced by almost all ages, such as broken limbs, head trauma, or appendicitis. 

1.Medical Emergencies due to Violent Crime

People often do not associate college campuses with violent crime.  Despite security measures taken by most major campuses, violent crime does occur on campus and in the surrounding areas such as off-campus parking structures.  USnews.com recently published an article about taking the amount of violent crime on campus into account before attending any given university.  The Clery Act of 1982 requires all institutions of higher education that participate in federal financial aid programs to disclose all violent crimes that happen on and near campus.  Victims of violent crime often need extensive emergency medical attention after sustaining injuries.

2.Heart Palpitations, Hypertension, and Panic Attacks 
Many college students can find balancing school, work, and everyday activities to be overwhelming to the point where students may suffer from stress-related medical ailments that prompt them to seek emergency medical attention.  Numerous people that experience a full-blown panic attack for the first time mistake it for a heart attack and seek emergency help.  Extreme hyperventilation can result in confusion and eventual loss of consciousness, which can also lead others to call emergency medical personnel.  Due to the prevalence of fatal heart disease, many hospitals will administer an emergency EKG to rule out the possibility of a life-threatening pulmonary embolism during a panic attack or severe heart palpitations. 

3.Medical Emergencies Related to Alcohol and Parties
There have been numerous high-profile stories in the news about college students that die due to excessive alcohol consumption and subsequent failure to seek necessary emergency medical attention for alcohol poisoning.  In addition to direct alcohol poisoning, many students are admitted to the emergency room after unknowingly consuming an unknown substance (e.g. a powerful sedative) that was put in a drink by a person with malicious intent.  Emergency room staff often has to take measures to ensure the safety of the patient suffering from alcohol poisoning or poisoning from an unknown substance by keeping the patient in the hospital for observation overnight.

4.Car Accidents

In addition to fatalities, auto accidents are responsible for numerous injuries of varying degrees.  Medical consequences from involvement in auto accidents can range from a few minor injuries that do not require professional medical attention to extensive brain trauma or even death.  According to Forbes.com, auto accidents are the primary cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 34.  Victims involved in auto accidents may require ongoing medical attention by specialists such as orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and occupational therapists in addition to initial emergency medical attention.

5.Common Medical Emergencies

College students are not exempt from common, potentially life-threatening medical emergencies such as appendicitis, concussions, and serious infections.  Getting the best health insurance is necessary to be prepared for all medical emergencies that can have serious consequences if left unaddressed for two or three days.  The conditions listed above can often be effectively treated if promptly diagnosed, but they can be debilitating or fatal if left untreated over a long weekend.

How to Protect Students with the Best Insurance

One of the best ways to protect yourself or a loved one from medical emergencies that happen to healthy students is to invest in the best health insurance.  Victims of significant medical ailments, accidents, or crime should take appropriate measures to ensure that they are not faced with a significant financial burden after experiencing a traumatic event in the emergency room.  College students can address routine medical issues at on-campus health centers.  For life-saving emergency medical emergencies, students often need extra support.  After graduation, few students should have to repay thousands in medical expenses in addition to thousands in student loans.  Unfortunately, bad things happen to good people. Be prepared with the best medical insurance for students.

ShareThis