Posts

Under normal circumstances, waiting is a necessary evil, and adding in a pandemic can compound the difficulties exponentially. Some organizations have been able to transfer their mandated trainings online, but this does not eliminate the canceled and postponed home visits that are required to place children in permanent homes. Denise Wise-David, program manager for JFS’s Connecting Hearts says, “We call and check in with people to see how they are doing with the process....

There are two basic kinds of storage you’ll need to homeschool. One type is for the materials that you are using in the current school year; I call this “active storage” because you are actively using it. The other type I call “archival storage” because you use it to archive the materials that you aren’t currently using. Creating and Maintaining “Active Storage” Your active storage areas should include the following:...

Damian is a very popular name in England and Ireland. It’s even more popular in these countries than in Greece where it originated. The name was particularly popular amongst early Christians across Europe. This is because of Saint Damian who was martyred alongside his brother Cosmas in the 4th century. They are currently the patron saints of physicians. Damian is also a popular name in literary works and other works of art....

Money can’t buy happiness. Explain that having money doesn’t solve a person’s problems. You need only look at those well-paid athletes and movie stars who are in the headlines for taking drugs, getting divorced, parenting illegitimate children, and having trouble with the law to see that this adage holds true. Self-worth isn’t (or shouldn’t be) measured in dollars and cents. Explain that money can bring security and creature comforts, but it doesn’t mean that the person who has the money is valued in that way....

Dictionary Pen and paper What’s in a name? A great opportunity for learning new words—with the help of a dictionary. During breakfast, snack time, or any time you and your child want to expand your vocabularies and have some fun, pull out a dictionary. Then ask your child to select five words or so (adjust the amount according to your child’s age and the amount of time you have for the activity) that begin with each letter in his or her name....

Researchers found that toddlers with high screen use had a harder time avoiding distractions while trying to complete a task on a screen, compared to young kids with low screen usage. However, they also found that the kids used to more screen time had faster response times when it came to noticing flashy objects that showed up on the tablet. Lead author Ana Portugal, PhD, says “Mobile touchscreen media is an integral part of family life, but it is also something that parents worry a lot about, even though there is a lack of empirical evidence to support any fears or hype....

Of course, there’s the possibility that you’ve managed to get through life so far without checking and savings accounts. If that’s the case, it’s time to get them established. If you already have accounts, it’s time to take a good look at them to see if you’re getting the best deal that you can. Checking Accounts The concept of a checking account is simple. You keep money in an account and write checks (or use a debit card) from that account instead of paying with cash....

Handprint Shamrock This craft requires little time, which is a total win in my book; especially since my son’s attention span can be fleeting. What you need: Paper shamrocks that are large enough for handprints. You may even want room to do a few handprints within the shamrock. Finger paint, gold glitter or decorations like rainbow and leprechaun stickers. Scissors, and paper if you decide to print out your own shamrocks....

There are some who say that eating human placenta can help with health concerns, both pregnancy-related and otherwise. The placenta is high in progesterone and has a small amount of oxytocin (the “feel good” hormone). Some midwives and doctors use placenta medicinally after a woman gives birth to help with issues from postpartum depression to postpartum hemorrhage; placenta supposedly helps stem bleeding after birth and causes the uterus to clean itself out....

How Do Dizygotic Twins Form? Dizygotic twins form from two separate eggs fertilized by two separate sperm. (Di=2, zygotic=zygote) In most cases, a woman only releases a single egg, or ovum, from her ovaries during an ovulation cycle. But sometimes, for various reasons, multiple eggs are released in a cycle. If sexual intercourse or insemination occurs and the eggs are fertilized, multiples can result. Dizygotic twins occur when two eggs are fertilized by two sperm, implant in the uterus, and develop into two fetuses....

Fall is a magical time of the year! The trees change and glow with bright, fiery colors, there are trips to pumpkin patches and apple picking farms, and a crisp, cool air descends upon us, reminding us of fuzzy socks and warm apple cider. There is no better way for parents looking to infuse a little extra fall fun into their activities than combining art with nature. Children love to play and explore with natural materials, and through that play, they can learn more about the world and plants surrounding them....

Ages:5 and up Materials:Common household objects This won’t be the first – or the last – time that a group of authors got together to create a literary work. It works like this. Each member of the family goes to a different room in the house and collects a bag full of items – a toy, a book, a shoe, a hat, etc. (You can specify the number of items to be collected....

Start by compiling a list of possibilities: places you pass on your route to work or your child’s school; clubs to which friends or acquaintances belong; places you’ve seen advertised. Then use the criteria below to zero in on the family-friendly gym that’s right for you. Workouts You Want for Yourself First and foremost, what kind of exercise do you already enjoy or know you want to try? Is a pool a must-have or a nice perk?...

Daycare centers specialize in the care of infants through pre-schoolers. Some daycare facilities also offer before- and after-school care for school-age children. Some daycares have formal schedules, similar to a preschool when children become toddler age. Many daycare centers are national or regional chains, and some are privately owned. Daycares may also be in-home, run by a single person. Your family’s needs might be practical, philosophical, or anything in between....

Special items for kids that you need to pack in your first aid kit include:

What Kids Should Learn in Health Children continue to learn about their bodies – for example, “What happens when I lose my teeth?” They also participate in and enjoy a variety of physical activities; learn how to describe pain and symptoms of illness; continue to gain understanding of nutrition and the importance of promoting health; learn about drugs and their effects; learn something about the sources of food; examine safety rules – for the playground, automobiles, and the street as well as fire safety rules – and learn something about the purpose of each rule; meet professional health workers; study growth and development by graphing their own growth and by observing the growth of plants and animals; observe babies and young children; meet with older people....