September 2009 Archives
Jodi Skulley-September 30, 2009-
In the almost 15 months that our son, Jack, has been in our lives, we've taken more pictures than we know what to do with. Luckily, my husband has a knack for photography, and so we've gotten some fantastic photos (such as this one from our recent trip to the beach ... I couldn't resist), but there are plenty of not-so-great photos too!
Trying to snap frame-worthy photos of a baby often results in disappointment, frustration, and ultimately a costly trip to the local portrait studio. (Trust me ... we've been there!) That is one of the reasons I was so excited to get my hands on a new how-to DVD called How to Photograph Your Baby.
In this DVD, Nick Kelsh, renowned photographer and author of eight photography books, including the best-selling book How to Photograph Your Baby, introduces easy steps that will have parents creating beautifully composed baby pictures in just a few minutes. The DVD explores common photography mistakes and offers simple, fun, and effective ways to improve results with a few quick tips.
Nick offers three main tips for getting great photos of your baby.
Tip #1: Get Closer to Your Baby
Don't be shy when photographing your baby. Get closer and avoid all the background clutter that distracts viewers from the most important element in the photo — your baby. "Parents who take pictures of their babies never see all the background objects that often ruin the picture. All they see is their beautiful child. Don't be afraid to get closer to your baby and try to be as conscious about the things you don't want in the picture as much as what you do want."
Tip #2: Natural Light Is Key
Using flash in dark environments or for taking snapshots at parties is fine but turn the flash off when photographing your baby. Instead Kelsh suggests using natural light to create a softer, more attractive
photograph. "Move your baby closer to any light source — a sunbeam coming through a window, under a skylight, even peering out an open door," says Kelsh. "You will immediately see a drastic improvement in the quality of light and, if you follow the "get closer' tip, your baby will appreciate you turning the flash off too."
Tip #3: Take Lots of Pictures
If you're thinking, you're probably not shooting photos — so just keep your finger on the shutter. One of the great advantages to digital photography is that there is no added cost to taking lots of photos versus just a few. The more photos you snap, the greater the odds for an album filled with priceless images. "Many people don't realize how many thousands of photos professional photographers take just to get the few really good ones we see in Sports Illustrated, Time magazine, and even our favorite daily newspapers," explains Kelsh. "Don't be afraid to keep shooting, because it's your best guarantee for that one perfect picture."
If you've ever been frustrated when trying to get a good picture of your baby, check out this DVD. It also includes tips on capturing your child's personality as well as how to file and display your favorite photos.
For preview clips from the DVD and to order, visit www.howtophotographyourbaby.com.
Do you have any other tips and tricks for photographing your baby? Share them with us and other ParentLife readers by leaving a comment.
Jodi Skulley-September 29, 2009-
The month of September is quickly drawing to a close, but we couldn't let it get by without bringing your attention to the problem of childhood obesity. September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month – a perfect opportunity to evaluate your child's diet, exercise, and medical conditions that may cause weight gain and health issues. Childhood is the ideal time to instill healthy, positive habits that will last a lifetime.
Dr. Anatoly Belilovsky, a renowned New York pediatrician with more than 20 years experience advising parents on child weight issues, offers some fun ways that your family can stay active on the weekends — an important victory in the battle of childhood obesity.
Hiking is great. Hikes ending in a picnic are better. You can set the place, but not the time, for the picnic, this way there will be less tendency to slack off. (If you know where the food is, you will go there faster. If you know when, you may be tempted to whine away the time). Many areas have bike trails and urban hiking works just as well as the country variety.- Pick-up soccer games need only two participants, one ball, and something to mark off a goal on the ground. You can play in an 8-by-12-foot space and have a blast doing it. There a plenty of games to keep everyone occupied in a park.
- Visit local museums, botanical gardens, or fairs. Tap into resources and events happening in the area.
- Go on a GPS scavenger hunt. Walk the path alone with "reward" items (obviously something of no value to a casual passersby -- like a note of congratulations, or a certificate redeemable only from you). Mark GPS waypoints wherever you drop them. Give the GPS unit to the kids and have them find the items. Remember the GPS is only accurate to about 20 feet! No GPS? Take photos at waypoints with your phone and send them to your kids' phones, see if they can figure out the locations!
- Go on a foxhunt. Put an old remote control into a recess so it is not easily visible. Put a rock on the buttons so it is constantly transmitting (it will put out a flashing infrared signal). Most cameras will see the infrared easily -- have the kids find the remote! This one works best indoors or outdoors in dim light.
What are some fun ways that your family stays active? Share your suggestions with us?
William Summey-September 28, 2009-
Tooth decay is considered the most common chronic childhood disease—five times more common than asthma—according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The department also reports that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness. Fortunately, good oral health habits can keep tooth decay at bay.
To help teach students and parents this important lesson, Trident has partnered with Smiles Across America (SAA), a program that links schools and dental care providers to help fight untreated oral disease. The company’s support has enabled SAA to double the number of children it cares for and expand services for more children in underserved communities. The following are some great oral care tips for both parents and children to practice.
• Brush twice a day, after breakfast and before bedtime, to remove food particles and plaque. Plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.
• Use a soft toothbrush so you don’t scratch teeth or gums.
• Brush both the teeth and gums, especially the areas where teeth and gums meet, and the chewing surfaces of teeth.
• Always brush after eating candy and other sugary or starchy snacks, and after drinking sugary sodas and juices.
• Adults should supervise tooth brushing, giving a second brushing after kids have brushed to make sure teeth are clean.
• Floss every day to remove food and plaque from between teeth and under gums. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar—a hard, yellow buildup.
• Visit the dentist every six months to one year for cleanings and checkups, beginning at age 1, when baby teeth are coming in.
Have you been able to establish a good oral care routine with your family?
William Summey-September 24, 2009-
I tend to be very laid back about things that come along in life with our kids, but there have been moments in my life as a parent that have caused worry and fear. I remember that feeling being separated from my family on a business trip on September 11, 2001. I was uncertain and fearful about what would happen next. It made me realize that uncertainty for the future can be worse for a parent. The question nags until it develops into fear: Will it happen again?
I had a similar experience when my son had two seizures last month. I was fairly cool and collected during those moments, focused on caring for my son. But the feeling afterwards, night after night, sometimes lying in bed right beside him. Will it happen again?There are so many moments in life that can cause fear. Will my child get the flu that is going around? Will we be able to pay for college? Will he be safe?
It is in those moments that God wants us to place our trust in Him, to give our children to His care. It is easier to say than do for sure! But in God is the only place of perfect peace.
I was so glad to be able to go back and read Rebecca Powell's article "By Fear of Faith?" in our August issue of ParentLife. When the article was published, I may easily have thought, This article isn't for me. But how quickly one life event can change everything! Then the process begins of turning those fears over to God.
If you ever discover there is a past article that you would like to read again, e-mail us, and we will be happy to send you a copy of a past article.
Are there times when you are afraid for your children? How have you been able to turn them over to God?
William Summey-September 23, 2009-
Looking for a great goodie bag gift for your child's party? Or a fun activity that also is eco-friendly? Check out the small Calafant kits that let kids build and decorate their own toy — dinosaurs, houses, race cars, steamers, fire trucks, and more. Each toy is easy to build and comes with 6 high-quality markers. It's a wonderful party activity, and children get to play with their very own toy at the party and take it home.
All Calafant toys are made from recycled cardboard, and they are, of course, biodegradable. Parents can choose either just one style depending on the theme of the party (i.e. for a dinosaur party, every child gets a dinosaur) or mix and match nine different styles. Visit www.creativetoyshop.com/small.html to see these eco-friendly treasures. These sell for $6.99 for one toy or $53 for the party pack including 9 toys. Available at www.creativetoyshop.com and select retailers listed on the Web site. All toys are lead-free, non-toxic and safe for play.
Do you have some great toys that you would recommend? Share with us and other parents by posting!
William Summey-September 22, 2009-
Spend a whole day at a museum for free, courtesy of Smithsonian magazine. Smithsonian magazine invites Smithsonian readers and Smithsonianmag.com visitors on a free journey to celebrate culture, learning, and knowledge at Museum Day 2009. Smithsonian has designated Saturday, September 26, its fifth annual Museum Day, when participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide open their doors free of charge to emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities.
“Museum Day represents Smithsonian Media’s commitment to making knowledge and culture accessible to everyone, whether they’re able to travel to the nation’s capital or not,” said Kerry Bianchi, Group Publisher, Smithsonian Media. “In light of the economy, when many families are looking for ways to still have fun and pursue their passions, Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day is a welcome treat this year. With more than 750 museums throughout the country already registered to offer Smithsonian’s free admission policy, this year’s Museum Day is poised to be the largest to date.”
Museum Day’s supporting sponsor is CITGO. Attendees must present the Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download your Museum Day Admission Card, or find it in the September issue of Smithsonian. Each card provides museum access for two people, and one admission card is permitted per household. Listings and links to participating museums’ and sponsors’ sites), can also be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.
Will you try to take advantage of free museum day this Saturday?
William Summey-September 21, 2009-
Each month in ParentLife, Christian counselor Dr. Linda Mintle answers your questions about parenting. We have an extra question this month and wanted to get it to you on the blog.
Q: My 5-year-old son tried to kiss a girl in kindergarten. The teacher called me and told me he chases a girl at recess and tries to kiss her. Apparently the little girl runs away and giggles. The teacher is new and young and wanted me to know. The teacher says he is doing well in class, and we don’t have problems with him at home. He does see my husband kiss me when he comes home from work. How should I handle this and why is he doing this at such a young age? Apparently this isn’t the first girl he’s tried to kiss either!
A: Do not panic! This is the age in which your child is learning about what it means to be male. He does this primarily through identification with Dad and watching and imitating others. Developmentally, he is learning basic gender identity. He has seen your husband kiss you and watched people in movies and TV do the same. Your son is curious and experimenting with what he has seen. It is normal to try and copy this behavior. In a few years, he will think kissing is gross! So talk to your son and tell him that kissing his classmates is inappropriate. Do not punish him but tell him to stop. He can chase the little girl he likes but not kiss her. Suggest that he play tag instead. Most important is your attitude toward this behavior. Be careful not to shame your son or make this into a big deal. How you feel about his sexual development and how you respond to normal development is important.
Post your questions for Dr. Mintle, and we will send them to her to be answered in a future issue of ParentLife!
Jodi Skulley-September 18, 2009-
In our September 2009 issue, we recommended Safe Volume Headphones by iHearSafe. We have just been informed that these headphones are no longer being sold due to a voluntary recall. For all of the recall details, please visit www.ihearsafe.com and click on "Recall Information." We apologize for the inconvenience!
For more details about the recall, please view the following press release.
iHearSafePressRelease.doc
William Summey-September 17, 2009-
Do you have a child with ADD or learning disabilities? For encouragement and support, ParentLife recommends you check out ADDitude magazine.
We are thankful for ADDitude contributing to our September 2009 issue with the great article about social skills for children with ADD and how role-play can dramatically impact kids with ADD for the positive.
Check out ADDitude at www.additudemag.com.
Are there other special needs topics you would like to see covered in ParentLife? Let us know as we plan future issues!
Jodi Skulley-September 25, 2009-
Three-year-old David shows off his "I'm-too-cool-for-you" shades!
Thanks to Laura F. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-September 18, 2009-
Eight-month-old Libbie exhibits the proper way to eat a book.
Thanks to Jessie W. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-September 16, 2009-
If you haven't seen our feature article on Mike Berenstain in the September 2009 issue of ParentLife, be sure to check it out! Mike Berenstain is helping carry on the legacy his parents, Stan and Jan Berenstain, started over 40 years ago with the Berenstain Bears® book series. (Did you know that the characters in the books are based on members of the Berenstain family?)
Many of us have fond memories of growing up reading Berenstain books or reading them to our children. And even though Stan died in 2005, today's children can still experience the thrill of reading new Berenstain Bears books. Mike is actually doing most of the writing, while Mike and his mom share the illustrating. These days, the Berenstain Bears books are taking on even more value-based themes in their new series — Living Lights (published by Zonderkidz™). We listed several books in the new series in our September article, but since that time, there are even more great Living Lights books to choose from.
The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors (May 2009)
The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game (May 2009)
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks (August 2009)
The Berenstain Bears Faithful Friends (August 2009)
The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree (October 2009)
And be on the lookout for even more coming out in February 2010! For more information, visit www.zonderkidz.com. Stop by the official Berenstain Bears Web site too — www.berenstainbears.com.
Have you read any of the new Berenstain Bears Living Lights books? What did you think? We'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions!
Jodi Skulley-September 15, 2009-
There's still plenty of time to enter our September giveaway.
This month our giveaway is both for parents and children's ministers who read ParentLife and visit our blog!
We are giving away four copies of LifeWay Kids' new leadership book Kids Ministry 101 — answering all of your questions about children's ministry in the church.
We are also giving away some of the best new titles from B&H Fiction, including LeAnna Ellis' new book Ruby's Slippers.
Everyone* who posts a comment on our blog during the month of September will be entered to win one of these new titles!
*LifeWay employees are not eligible for this giveaway. Multiple comments do not increase chances of winning.
Jodi Skulley-September 14, 2009-
Did you know that yesterday (September 13th) was Grandparent's Day? Did you do anything special to celebrate your grandparents and your child's grandparents? Maybe you sent them an e-card or digital pictures over e-mail. Or maybe your parents are some of the millions of Americans over 72 who still do not use e-mail. Since they are not online, these older family members are often left "out of the loop" of normal, everyday family conversation.
Sunnygram is an e-mail service that will help you bring these family members back into the loop. With Sunnygram, you assign an email address to Grandma (such as Grandma@sunnygram.com), and friends and family can easily send messages and digital pictures that are compiled weekly into a bright and cheery newsletter sent through the mail. Check out a sample here: http://www.sunnygram.com/materials.php.The newsletter is customized to each recipient, and there are special designs for holidays, including Grandparent's Day. Sunnygrams are available in large print (18-pt) at no extra charge (regular print is 14-pt) and are printed using color laser printers for easy readability and crisp pictures.
Subscription to the service is only $9.95 per month (with no other fees). Visit www.sunnygram.com for a free trial!
A Sunnygram subscription might make a great belated Grandparent's Day gift. Or maybe this is just a great reminder to keep in touch with those you love and to show the grandparents in your life some extra love!
Jodi Skulley-September 11, 2009-
19-month-old Peyton enjoys Labor Day on the boat with her grandmother.
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-September 10, 2009-
I am extremely blessed to have this job as Content Editor of ParentLife. It is a great benefit to my parenting. Every day I get to read and research about how to be a better parent. (But trust me ... that doesn't mean I know what I'm doing all the time!)
Every now and then there is an article our team works on that hits closer to home than others for me. Jennifer Holt's "Dispelling the Myths: Raising an Only Child" in the September 2009 issue is definitely one of those articles. Jennifer discusses and dispels four assumptions people generally have about only children (such as — Only children are bossy and spoiled).
My husband and I currently are in the midst of the only-child debate. We have one little boy, 14-month-old Jack. We've always talked about wanting to have two children, but the end of my pregnancy and Jack's delivery involved several complications that could recur with another pregnancy. All of this makes us wonder if we are willing to take the risk of having another baby. So when we come across parents that have raised only children, we have lots of questions for them. Is it hard to entertain an only child to keep him from getting bored? Will he be spoiled rotten and therefore grow up being self-centered? Will it be hard to teach him how to interact with other children?Of course, the answer to these questions is different for every family and every child. There are many factors that influence the way a child grows up — the temperament/personality of the child, the parenting style of the parents, and many other factors that cannot be controlled or predicted. That is why the most important thing we must do is to pray and seek God's will for our family, whether that means have an only child or going on to have a house full of children.
What about you? Are you raising an only child? If so, what are some of the unexpected benefits and disadvantages you have faced? Tell us about them and be sure not to miss Jennifer's September 09 article!
William Summey-September 9, 2009-
Have you seen these statistics?
A middle-income family who had a baby in 2008 will spend about $221,190 to raise the baby through childhood, adolescence, and to her 18th birthday. In fact, it will cost $291,570 when you adjust for expected inflation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates. The costs include food, shelter, and other necessities. 
The report puts the average annual cost for a child these days in two-parent family between $11,610 and $13,480, depending on age. Figures in the report, which the USDA has issued annually since 1960, are used to set child-support and foster care payments.
Families that earn less than $56,000 a year will spend about $160,000 through the high school years. Higher income families tend to spend more. Housing costs are the biggest expense, averaging $69,660 or 32 percent of the total cost over 17 years. Food and child care or education each averaged 16 percent of the total expenditure.
College educations are not included in the figures. The USDA plans to update its online calculator of the cost of raising a child, which can be individualized with factors such as being a single parent or where you live.
Are you surprised by these statistics? Do you think these numbers impact families and how many children they decide to have?
Jodi Skulley-September 8, 2009-
Keeping children safe is one of our top priorities. One child-safety area many parents often overlook are the danger of window blind cords. If not kept out of a child's reach, window cords can pose a strangulation hazard.
Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced several recalls related to several different brands of Roman Shades. Many of the shades were sold exclusively at Target, Pottery Barn Kids, and IKEA. For more information about these recalls and others, visit www.Recalls.gov.
William Summey-September 3, 2009-
If you have been a reader of ParentLife, you know that we are fans of Upward sports. My family knows Upward from experience after my oldest son, Jonathan, played basketball for three years, and I helped coach. If you missed the article we posted on Upward yesterday, be sure to check it out.I was also interested to hear the announcement that Upward is partnering together with JellyTelly, a new online children's network launched by VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer, offering 24-hour access to high-quality Christian programming to children ages 5-11. In the new partnership, each child who enrolls in Upward receives a special code to unlock a learning video with a sport specific scripture at www.teamupward.com. The videos, which have been created by VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer's JellyFish Labs, are specifically produced for Upward to echo each of these values emphasized by Upward.
"Upward already has a wonderful ministry to a huge audience of kids," says Phil Vischer. "It's a privilege to help them reach a new generation of web-savvy kids in a way that can build their spiritual, moral AND physical health." JellyTelly plans on creating approximately 80 videos over the course of one year as part of this partnership.
"We have been so pleased with the partnership with Phil Vischer and JellyTelly. Through the course of the next twelve months, over half a million children and their parents will be impacted by the clever and humorous approach to teaching sports and reinforcing the messages from Upward coaches," says Caz McCazlin, President of Upward Unlimited. "In this day and age, the ability to consistently impact and influence children where they are is a rare talent. We see the JellyTelly partnership as a way to successfully use the internet to reach these children."
To learn more about Upward, visit www.upward.org. For more information about JellyTelly, visit www.JellyTelly.com.Post a comment and let us know what you think of JellyTelly! You will be entered in our monthly giveaway drawing.
Jodi Skulley-September 4, 2009-
Check out the sweet smile of 13-month-old Eli!
Thanks to Jimmy H. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
William Summey-September 1, 2009-
In September we are making sure our giveaway is both for parents and children's ministers who read ParentLife and visit our blog!
We are giving away four copies of LifeWay Kids new leadership book Kids Ministry 101 — answering all of your questions about children's ministry in the church.
We are also giving away some of the best new titles from B&H Fiction, including LeAnna Ellis' new book Ruby's Slippers.
Everyone* who posts a comment on our blog during the month of September will be entered to win one of these new titles!
Are you a fan of B&H Fiction? Let us know what titles you have read and enjoyed!
*LifeWay employees are not eligible for this giveaway. Multiple comments do not increase chances of winning.
Jodi Skulley-September 2, 2009-
Our September 2009 issue of ParentLife initially included an article featuring Upward™ Sports. However, due to a need to create advertising space, we had to pull the article at the last minute. In the process of trying to meet the fast-approaching deadline, we failed to remove the mention of the Upward Sports article on the cover and the Table of Contents. We apologize for the confusion this created!
We are thrilled to be publishing the article on the blog today!
If you combine the ever-growing obesity crisis among children in the United States and the win-at-all-costs mentality that most children are exposed to, it is easy to lose hope in a child’s desire to participate in sports. However, there is an option that keeps kids active through instructional practices and games that ultimately can improve a child’s overall physical health. This same opportunity provides a fun, positive atmosphere for children to grow in a sport they love while also learning about Jesus Christ. Specifically designed for K5 through 6th grade boys and girls, Upward sports leagues provide children in this country, and around the world, with this unique sports experience.
Intense Competition
Everyone agrees that sports and physical activity are good for children. However, instead of being an enjoyable, healthy activity, organized sports can become a dreaded, stress-filled experience for children. This can be the result of an overemphasis on winning, age-inappropriate expectations, excessive criticism, inappropriate use of discipline, rejection, disapproval of skill level and performance, lack of support for effort and achievement, and use of coarse language. Unfortunately, these conditions are too common in many of today’s children’s sports leagues.
A Different Program
Upward™ Unlimited is an international nonprofit children’s sports organization designed to give children and their families a positive sports experience. To fulfill their mission, Upward partners with evangelical churches across the country. By working with and training local churches, over half a million children will participate in Upward this year.
Giving children the opportunity to learn and grow through participating in games they love is one of the most rewarding aspects of conducting a league. Unlike traditional sports programs, Upward programs are structured so children participate in practices and games without league standings. Characteristics such as sportsmanship, kindness, and character are valued as winning qualities. Coaches primarily focus on ministering to children and their families instead of game strategy. Teams are arranged in a substitution system where all players are allowed equal playing time and equal opportunity for improvement. In Upward Basketball, churches are trained to give every child a chance to play at least half of the game and an opportunity to be in the starting lineup. In Upward Cheerleading, squads do not use negative language in the cheers but cheer for both teams.
To further the “Every Child Is a Winner” philosophy, Upward coaches encourage each player with a game-day star award following each game that builds self-esteem and team spirit. Additionally, instead of focusing on a win/lose strategy, importance is shifted to the attitudes and efforts of each child on the team.
Upward also operates on a one practice, one game a week agenda in an effort to maximize the family schedule, allowing participants to spend more time tending to other family activities. When a new league is formed, Upward provides coaches and volunteers with skills, drills, and practice outlines. Coaches also are prepared with guides containing a Scripture learning verse and devotions for practices and games. In addition, the referee will lead all sports teams in prayer in the center of the field or court at the beginning of each game.
For a pdf of the full version of this article, click here: UpwardArticle.pdf
Has your child participated in Upward Sports? Tell us and other ParentLife readers about it by leaving us a comment.
