Moms Archives
Jodi Skulley-October 12, 2009-
Have you been seeing pink this October? That's because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It is the second leading cause of death in women, after lung cancer. Chances are ... you or someone you love has been impacted by breast cancer in some way. Amy Heeg is a woman who has been directly impacted by breast cancer, but she is a survivor!. Here is her story.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36. Until then, my biggest fears were my teenage son driving and how I would be turning 40 soon. Now turning 40 is a blessing.
It was July 2007, and I was still nursing my youngest when I noticed that my milk supply was decreasing on one side and there was a lump. The doctor didn't think there was anything to worry about, but just to be sure, he recommended an ultrasound.
He wasn't worried because I was 36 years old, didn't smoke or drink, led an active lifestyle, had nursed all of my children, and there was no history of breast cancer in my family. I got several ultrasounds and then a mammogram. Finally, the doctor said I needed to have a biopsy. The lump in my throat got bigger.
My mass was estimated to be about 4 cm in size, so the only real option was a mastectomy. On September 12, 2007— amidst tears of fear and amazing peace that only God could have provided me, I was rolled into surgery. A few weeks later I was officially given the news that the cancer had moved into my bones, with possible spots in my liver and ovaries. I was officially stage IV, with a husband, four children, and an entire life to fight for.
I’m 38 now, and my motivation is simple. I want to live. I want to see my children graduate, and get their first job. I want to see them get married and meet my grandchildren. I want to grow old with my husband.
I want women to understand that breast cancer is not an older women’s disease. Forty is not the magic number.
People continue to ask me where I find my strength, and my answer is God and my family and friends. I will walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day and will continue to walk until a cure is found or I cease to breathe.
Amy Heeg — Howell, Michigan
Want to know more about breast cancer prevention and detection? Don't miss the article "Breast Cancer Awareness" in the October 2009 issue of ParentLife or visit www.cancer.org.
And don't forget! Early detection is so important! Be sure to see your doctor at the first sign or feeling that something might be wrong.
William Summey-June 30, 2009-
Have you seen "Mom's Life" writer Rebecca Ingram Powell's newly redesigned site? It premiered earlier this month and is a great resource for Moms.
Check out this link and other ParentLife writers like Dr. Mom and Dr. Mintle in the "Sites" index.
Tell us about other great sites you like to visit for parenting advice and godly encouragement!
Jodi Skulley-May 19, 2009-
Do you have a little one on the way? Maybe it's time to rejuvenate your marriage and enjoy some much-needed relaxation on a babymoon!
Across the country, bed-and-breakfast inns offer delightful babymoon lodgings. Discover your ideal destination with this sampler:
Begin your parenting adventure where Lewis and Clark ended their trek to the Pacific — Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula. Wander the oceanfront boardwalk, breathe salt air, watch ocean mammals, and dine on fresh seafood. For attractions and accommodations, visit www.funbeach.com.
Or prepare for the arrival of your little prince or princess with a babymoon at Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Savor time roaming the lush grounds or enhance your visit with a Navigator’s marriage or parenting conference offered on-site. Visit www.gleneyrie.org for details.
For a last urban outing sans baby gear, think San Antonio, Texas. The King William Historic District and nearby Riverwalk boast galleries, boutiques, museums, and charming B&Bs. Just for fun, attend a professional sporting event, or visit Sea World®. Find lodging, attractions, even day spas, at www.sanantonio.com.
If nature soothes your soul, consider an Ozark babymoon. Stay in a cottage, cabin, or a tree house! Walk the woods, relax by the lake, or pause to pray at the Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Branson, Missouri is the place for family-friendly entertainment. Learn more at www.eurekasprings.org and www.explorebranson.com.
Visit Virginia for a romantic babymoon. Balance pampering with local sightseeing. Explore Crabtree Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stroll Colonial Williamsburg gardens. Tour an antebellum home. Make a splash at Virginia Beach.
To locate bed and breakfast babymoons in your area, visit www.bnbfinder.com/babymoon.
There are several options for keeping babymoon costs down.
- Consider off-season or midweek B&B specials.
- Many state and national parks rent cozy cabins for very reasonable rates.
- House-sit for vacationing friends; then splurge on day spa treatments.
Future grandparents: A babymoon makes a much-appreciated gift for expectant parents.
Save more on your babymoon. Check out special bed and breakfast offers at www.stashtea.com and www.iloveinns.com.
For great tips on planning a babymoon, be sure read Suzanne's article "Babymoon" in the May 2009 issue of ParentLife.
Do you have a babymoon planned? Or have you been on a babymoon in the past? Tell us about your babymoon!
William Summey-May 12, 2009-
The term Sandwich Generation is used to describe those parents who have children still at home but also are taking care of their own parents. They are literally sandwiched between caring for two different generations.
If you are looking for ways to help care for your parents, check out the resource GeriCareFinder.com. GeriCareFinder.com brings together all types of senior care into one Web site. You can search through thousands of care providers, advisory resources, and product or service companies to help seniors, all within any US zip code. The extensive online support tools include a care needs assessment, financial calculators, definitions, articles, FAQs, helpful hints, and checklists — all on one helpful site.
GeriCareFinder.com is the official website of GeriCareFinder, Inc., which was founded by Lysa and Ron Kustek. While learning how to arrange care for an elderly friend during her illness, Lysa and Ron were overwhelmed, uneducated about the health care industry, and found the internet was of little help when trying to find the best care. GeriCareFinder.com is the answer for those with similar care questions.
How do sandwich generation parents balance caring for both generations? Read Kathryn Slattery's article on the sandwich generation "Squeezed in the Middle" in the May 2009 ParentLife for a new perspective for sandwich generation parents.
Are you caring for two generations? Tell us how you are balancing it all!
Jodi Skulley-May 11, 2009-
As a mother, I know it is very hard to find time to exercise and stay in shape. So why not include baby in your fitness routine? Exercising with your baby can be fun for both of you. Check out Stroller Strides® — the total fitness program for moms with their babies.
And now might be the perfect time to give Stroller Strides a try! In honor of Pregnancy Awareness Month and moms and moms-to-be everywhere, Stroller Strides will be offering both its traditional postnatal exercise classes and new prenatal Fit4Baby classes absolutely free at its more than 800 locations across the country, May 10-16! The classes are not only a fun and effective way to get fit, but also inspire lasting and supportive friendships.
For the free class pass, visit www.pregnancyawarenessmonth.com and click on the "Stroller Strides/Fit4Baby" banner to print the coupon. (Good for first-time clients only.)
To find a Stroller Strides/Fit4Baby location near you, visit www.strollerstrides.com.
How do you find time to stay in shape as a parent?
William Summey-May 7, 2009-
Every year it seems I hear that more phone calls are made on Mother's Day than any other holiday of the year. People are clamoring to get in touch with Mom and check in on Mother's Day! And no wonder, considering how special Moms are!
At ParentLife, we think of Moms in every issue we produce. In the May 2009 issue of ParentLife, we feature the article "Mentors for Moms" about how Moms receive so many benefits from having a godly mentor. The author, Linda Anderson, is the founder of the Mom to Mom ministry and curriculum to help encourage Moms and provide mentoring. Check out the Mom to Mom curriculum here.
Together with my children, I look forward to celebrating my wife on Mother's Day and making sure she has a special day. I also plan to call my Mom and telling her thank you for being such a great Mom.
How do you plan to celebrate Mom this Mother's Day?
Jodi Skulley-May 5, 2009-
I am so excited! This Sunday, I will celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mother. Not only do I get to show my mother (and mother-in-law) my gratitude and love, but I also will be honored as a mother. My little boy, Jack, is a gift from God, and I do not remember what life was like without him. He has changed my world!
Being a mother has had some unexpected effects on my personality. Suddenly, I have a newfound confidence. Don't get me wrong. After almost 10 months of parenting, I am still very insecure in my parenting skills. Every day I wonder if I am doing things right and whether or not I am the best mother I can be. But other insecurities in my have been drastically reduced.
Those that know me well know that I tend to get stuck in a rut easily. I order the same food from the same restaurants. I fix my hair the same way every day and do not branch out much when it comes to fashion. I tend to worry a lot about what others think about my appearance and my personality. But for some strange reason, since Jack has been around, I am much more willing to try new things and I worry much less about what other people think. I find myself looking for restaurants I have never been to and ordering new things at my favorite restaurants. I am ready for a brave new hairstyle and to shop for a new wardrobe.
Some of this confidence definitely comes from God. The end of my pregnancy and Jack's delivery were anything but easy. In fact, some complications made them downright scary, but God carried us through. My faith and trust in God have been deepend, making me more confident.
I also think the confidence comes from my new identity as a mother. I feel important and needed more then I ever have in my life. I have a stronger, more clear-cut purpose. I realize that so many of the things I worried about in the past were insignificant and silly. Now, I have something more important to focus on — my family.
What about you? How has parenthood changed you? Have you discovered any unexpected benefits of motherhood?
Jodi Skulley-March 25, 2009-
For most first-time mothers, the prospect of caring for a newborn produces serious apprehension. For unwed teenage mothers, that sense of anxiety is multiplied exponentially. To alleviate some of that stress, The Kentucky chapter of the
Baptist Nursing Fellowship (KyBNF) developed an innovative program called
Baby Boot Camp based on the devotional book of the same title by
Rebecca Ingram Powell.
During the five-hour seminar, young mothers learn the fundamentals of infant care. Most of the participants have no idea how to care for a baby, so the first component of the program is baby basics. Under the tutelage of a professional nurse, students use lifelike dolls to learn how to hold, feed, burp, bathe, and diaper their own bundles of joy.
The second component of the program focuses on wellness. "We teach them that in order for them to be totally well, they have to be mentally well, spiritually well, and they have to be physically well. In order to take care of themselves and their babies, they have to be happy in life," says BNF President, Jessica Childers.
At the end of the day the new mother's get a big surprise ... a baby shower! Each of the girls is sent home with a laundry basket overflowing with donated baby supplies. The baskets are so heavy that the girls need help carrying them out. For many of them, the generosity of strangers is overwhelming.
The Baby Boot Camp program has been a wild success. To date the KyBNF has held a dozen camps and has reached more than 100 girls and their families. In response, they have just written a "How To" guide for use by other state organizations that are interested in adopting their ministry.
Amy Hammond Hagberg is an author, speaker, radio host, wife, and mother. Amy's award-winning work has been featured in publications all around the world. Learn more at www.amyhagberg.com.
Baby Boot Camp is a very special ministry to parents in need. What ministries are you involved in or know of that relate to parenting?
Jodi Skulley-March 6, 2009-
Did you know that every child learns differently? How does your child learn best?
There are eight primary ways that children learn. To find out how your child learns, check out the article
"How Am I Smart?" (
HowAmISmart.pdf) by
Dr. Kathy Koch from the September 2009 issue of
ParentLife.
Which of these eight learning styles describes your child? Let us know.
Jodi Skulley-March 5, 2009-
Do you ever have "one of those days"? Yesterday was one of those days for me. I'm still new to the whole working mom routine, and balancing work and home is a daily challenge. Well ... yesterday was a test of my balancing skills. I won't go into all of the details of our crazy day, but I'll try to give you the short version.
My 8-month-old, Jack, woke up with a fever which meant an afternoon visit to the pediatrician's office. Making it to the pediatrican's office meant I had to reschedule a meeting, leave work early enough to dash home and get the stroller that I had forgotten that morning, and then pick up Jack.
Once at the pediatrician's office we waited almost an hour and a half to see the doctor. (
Ever tried entertaining a sick, tired 8-month-old for that long in a strange, germ-filled place? It's hard work!! I'd love some pointers!) Jack was diagnosed with ear infections in both ears. (
Poor guy!) So there was a prescription to fill and evening child-care arrangments to be made since he couldn't go to the church nursery and we had Wednesday-night responsibilities. Jack and I both ate dinner on-the-go and made it home just in time to get things ready for the evening for Ma (Jack's grandmother and one of our favorite babysitters). After church, there were bottles to wash, a diaper bag to be packed, and other preparations to be made for the next day.
By the time I was able to get to bed last night I was completely exhausted, but I couldn't help thinking about all of the things I didn't get done at work and all of the chores that seemed to be piling up!
Luckily, not every day is quite this hectic.
However, balancing work and family is never easy. It is so hard to find time to do some of the things I know I should be doing -- spending more time with God, exercising, spending one-on-one time with my husband, or just doing something fun for myself.
So here are a couple of questions for all of you working moms out there.
How do you make time for God, your spouse, and yourself in your busy schedule?
What encouragment and/or practical pointers can you offer to other working moms?
William Summey-March 4, 2009-
This time of year always makes me think of
Upward™ Basketball. I have helped coach Upward three years and love this organization for its sports philosophy and emphasis on teaching kids about Jesus. I thought you would enjoy these words from Upward's founder and president,
Caz McCaslin.
What we do: Specifically designed for K5 through 6th grade boys and girls, Upward sport leagues provide a fun, positive atmosphere for children to grow in a sport they love while also learning about Jesus Christ. Who we are: 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. How we operate: 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. What we emphasize: 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. 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.
Upward offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, and several camp options so
find a church near you who offers one of our sports leagues.
Have you participated in an Upward league? Tell us about your experience!
William Summey-February 25, 2009-
Has your child had a big project due at school and needed your help? How much should you step in? Do you find that the majority of school projects reflect Mom's or Dad's work more than the student's?
Ouch! The truth hurts.
Why is it that we sometimes step over the boundary line and do things on our child's behalf? This tendency doesn't happen overnight. Parents often are caught in a pattern of doing things for their kids, rather than stopping to teach or coach them how to do things for themselves. The following are three guidelines for fighting this trend.
Step back. It is OK for kids to make mistakes. We sometimes forget that trial and error can be the best part of learning. We would rather step in and make things right. Or we are living vicariously through our children and take things personally when our children make mistakes.
Build in time for interruptions and teachable moments. Kids learn by asking questions, hands-on experimenting, and connecting new things with what they already know. We are sometimes too busy for our child's questions or to stop and teach a life skill. We have to fight packing our schedules so full that there is no time left for life's interruptions. Unfortunately, all too quickly the question "Dad, will you help me?" turns to "I can't do this! You'll have to do it."
Place the journey together higher than the finished product. Too many times, we focus on the end product. We want our child to make the perfect project or we must have the clothes folded a certain way or we are not happy. Resist the urge to refold those clothes or make the project the way you would have done it. Life is a journey together, so enjoy the time along the way!
Have you ever had trouble with this "doing too much" boundary? How do you discern where to draw the line?
Jodi Skulley-February 24, 2009-
It's hard to believe, but the
ParentLife team is already starting to make plans for 2010 and we need your help! We want to make sure the topics we cover are practical and helpful to your everyday life. So tell us ...
What parenting questions do you have (or hear your friends asking) related to this specific stage of parenting? Leave us a comment and let us know. Or e-mail your ideas to
parentlife@lifeway.com.
(Please include in your comment or e-mail the ages of your child/children.) We want to use this information to plan the topics we will cover in our "Growth Spurts" section in 2010.
William Summey-February 19, 2009-
My baby boy turned 5 on Tuesday! I can't believe it. It seems like it was just yesterday when
Christopher made his entrance into the world. But he was destined not to be a baby for long. Almost from the beginning he wanted to be like his big brother. Christopher walked and talked earlier, liked the shows and games his brother watched, and wanted to play sports with his bro -- no matter that Christopher is five years younger. How quickly this time has passed!
We thought about the reality of these changes as we completed an "All About Me" poster for Christopher's preschool to display on his birthday. We spent a day perusing every photo we had of Christopher to pick out our favorites
(this is one of our favs of the boys). Then came the whittling down process. We chose photos representing every year of his life and included every family member: aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, and first cousins. Sound tiring? It was! But afterwards, we looked with amazement at how blessed we are as a family.
Of course, we celebrated Christopher's birthday in many traditional ways -- delivering cupcakes and treats to his school and opening presents between slices of pizza and video games at
Chuck E. Cheese's. We certainly made several more great family moments! But it is hard to top a poster overflowing with five years of memories. It will become a keepsake for our family, reminding us of how God has been good to us!
What about you? Share with us some of your favorite ways to celebrate birthdays and capture memories of years gone by.
Jodi Skulley-February 17, 2009-
As a parent,
you have the primary responsibility for the spiritual development of your child. But God wants your child to know and love Him even more than you want it. Pray that the Holy Spirit will work through you as you teach biblical truths in all that you say and do.
The
Levels of Biblical Learning is an instrument you can use to reference what children from birth through sixth grade can understand and develop in their spiritual growth. It provides a chart cross-referenced by age groups and spiritual development concepts. There are 10 content areas:
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Bible, Creation, Family, Self, Church, Salvation, and
Community and World. The changes in concept areas coincide with changes in a child's level of understanding and vocabulary.
The
Levels of Biblical Learning chart is available online for free.
Using the Levels of Biblical Learning- Read the listings in each content area matching the age of your child.
- Note the knowledge and skills your child already has firmly in place.
- Mark the statements you believe your child is in the process of making his own.
- Flag one or two statements in each content area that you feel are important for your child to know.
- Determine ways to encourage your child in the areas where you feel he already is making progress and in the areas you flagged as important.
Be on the lookout for a brand new line of resources based on the Levels of Biblical Learning coming out this summer. Puzzles, bookmarks, stickers, craft packs, and more are categorized by each of the Levels of Biblical Learning concept areas.
What are some ways that you are building your child's spiritual foundation?
Jodi Skulley--
I like to consider myself to be a laidback person, but those closest to me know I'm not. However, I've shocked myself (and many of those around me) by being a more relaxed mom than I thought I could ever be. I'd say my parenting style is fairly relaxed ... except when it comes to one topic in particular --
schedules.
A few months into
Jack's life, I become obsessed with his daily schedule. I wanted everything to be exactly the same every single day. I felt he should eat and sleep at the same times every day. It's not that I wanted to set the schedule and control every minute of his life. I was fine with letting him set the schedule. But I couldn't understand it when he didn't fall into a recognizable pattern every day. I just assumed that I must be doing something wrong.
I've read it a million times, but for some reason, it did not sink in --
Every baby is different. Some babies just don't fall into a perfect pattern like others. After a couple of exhausting months of worrying, I finally gave up. I decided to completely follow Jack's lead on a day-by-day basis. I can't tell you what a difference it made in both Jack and me! After letting go, I felt as if a burden had been lifted off my shoulders. I was able to spend less time worrying and more time enjoying every moment with Jack.
And would you believe, not long after I quit obsessing, Jack fell into a basic pattern. It's not exactly the same every day, but it's close. It would seem that my unnecessary anxiety was affecting his behavior.
What about you? Does your young child follow a schedule every day or is every day different? Are there things you find yourself worrying about unnecessarily?
William Summey-February 12, 2009-
One of my favorite parts of
Valentine's Day is helping the boys pick out their Valentine cards for school. They are not that much different than the cards I picked out as a young boy, except for the characters on the front of the cards (although I think
Scooby-Doo® has remained popular across all these years). And this year? My sons both picked out
NASCAR® cards to give to their friends!
Although Valentine's Day is about more than giving chocolate and flowers, these tokens of love still remind us of the source of unconditional love -- God. Perhaps our greatest task in parenting is to show our children unconditional love on a regular basis. If you are like me, when I am tired, frustrated, or angry, I realize that I can only love my children unconditionally with God's help. So as you open your cards and eat candy hearts, remember to give thanks to God for sending Jesus -- His greatest gift of love!
What do you plan to do this year with your kids on Valentine's Day? What are your Valentine's Day traditions?
Jodi Skulley-February 10, 2009-
Does your family feel as if they always are rushing from activity to activity? Running should be part of the fun, not the way you get there. Consider these 7 family friendly principles for prioritizing your s
chedule.
- Family Mealtimes. How often do you choose fast food because you have not planned ahead? Plan ahead which evenings will be restaurant or drive-through evenings and which will be cook-at-home nights. Stick to the plan.
- Downtime. Without downtime, you will burn out quickly. God did not create people (including children) to be on the go nonstop. Plan time to be at home without structured activities or responsibilities. Refresh, recharge, and get reacquainted with those you love.
- Church Activities. Stay involved in worship and Sunday School. Pray about which other church activities will best help your family grow in their relationship to Christ.
- School and Community Activities. Consider a reasonable amount of involvement for community and school activities. Many parents of young children find that one extracurricular activity at a time per child is a good limit.
- Family Outings. Plan time for short outings (one or two hours or a whole day).
- Special Occasions. Strive to keep special occasions special. You may have wonderful memories of homemade cakes and elaborate meals. Continue the tradition with your own family.
- Chores. The laundry, dishes, and yard work can be part of a schedule. If there is a planned time to do the laundry, then it is more likely to get done. If not, it becomes an emergency operation in an already-too-packed schedule.
Carol Moore is a teacher and freelance writer. In addition to parenting articles, she writes devotionals, curriculum, and children's fiction. Moore and her family attend the First Baptist Church of O'Fallon, Illinois.
How does your family manage to have fun amidst a busy schedule? Share your tips with other ParentLife readers by leaving a comment.
Jodi Skulley-February 5, 2009-
Who doesn't love a child in footy pajamas? There is just something irresistible about them!
Before my son, Jack, was born, I couldn't wait to put him in cute pajamas. (See Jack to the right, exhausted after playing all day in his footy pajamas!) It didn't take long after he was born, however, to realize just how frustrating footy pajamas can be! I
almost never get footy pajamas snapped correctly the first time. It usually takes me at least two tries to get the snaps together right, especially if Jack is having a wiggly day (which is most days).
Who's with me?After over 6 months of footy-pajama frustration, I have learned a couple of things.
- First of all, I have learned to slow down. As I'm putting Jack in his pajamas, I tell myself, "Just take one snap at a time, and it should come out right." Sometimes I try to do too many things at one time and work myself into an exhausted mess. These are the days I am learning to stop, take a deep breath, and refocus. It may be a silly analogy, but I have to tell myself to take things one "snap" at a time.
- Secondly, I have learned that some everyday tasks just take more tries than others. As a parent, I certainly am not going to do everything right on the first try. It might take me several tries to figure out the best way to bathe a wiggly baby, establish a bedtime routine that works, or discover ways to make reading books a daily event. Thank goodness for second (... and third ... and fourth) chances!
Do you ever have days like this? What everyday things (like footy pajamas) have you found inspiration in?The funny thing is, my frustration does not keep me from putting Jack in footy pajamas. In fact, he spends most of his time in them!
Jodi Skulley-February 3, 2009-
It's February and Valentine's Day is just around the corner. What better time than Valentine's Day to think about heart health? Do you need to make any lifestyle changes?
Check out this article by Travis Walters, M.D.
Did you know that the number-one killer of American women is not cancer like many women think? It is actually heart disease!
Why Heart Health Is ImportantAs
parents take care of their newborns, most quickly realize that if they
are not healthy themselves, their babies cannot receive the best care.
If mothers are not physically, mentally, and emotionally energized,
care and decision-making for their newborn will suffer. But it does
not
stop there. As children grow, they require guidance to help equip them
for the "real world." This necessitates parents with healthy
lifestyles. Kids learn from parents every day and emulate the actions
they see.
Take StockWhat can you do to improve your influence on your child? You can make some important lifestyle choices.
- Control your blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure is considered 140/90 mmHg and above.
- Control blood cholesterol. Have your total cholesterol checked at least once every five years, along with a lipoprotein profile which shows a more specific breakdown of your total cholesterol.
- Stop smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Control diabetes. Aiming for a hemoglobin A1C less than 7 percent reduces the risks from diabetes.
- Sustain a healthy weight. Target a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9.
- Exercise regularly. Strive for at least 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, four to six days per week.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Keep fat calories to less than 30 percent of your total calories and avoid saturated fats. A diet that contains a healthy balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, poultry, and lean meat is best.
By making these changes, you not only will improve your own health, but you also will become a healthy role model for your child.
Recommended ResourceThe
American Heart Association's Food Certification Program helps you easily and reliably find heart-healthy foods that are certified by the
AHA.
Travis Walters, M.D., is a pediatrician at Green Hills Pediatric Associates in Nashville, Tennessee. Travis and his wife, Rebecca, have two children, Olivia and Caroline, and are expecting their third in June. **This article was originally scheduled to run in our February 2009 issue of
ParentLife. If you would like to see more information, this pdf (
HeartHealth.pdf) provides the article in its entirety.**
Jodi Skulley-January 27, 2009-
Was one of your New Year's resolutions to keep your house cleaner or less cluttered? Maybe we can help!
ParentLife writer Amber Peacock gave us the following tips for controlling clutter.
Avoiding and dealing with clutter is a challenge for most families. Try these great ideas for controlling clutter.
- Before birthdays and holidays, make room for new things by getting rid of a few old things.
- For birthdays and holidays, consider giving more experiences and less stuff. Passes to local children's museums and parks are terrific gifts. Family friendly concerts, gift certificates to a skating rink, or passes to play miniature golf make memories instead of messes.
- Instead of waiting for spring cleaning to sort through stuff, make decluttering a regular routine. Designate a box for donations and keep it in a convenient spot (like your child's closet). Toss in outgrown clothes as you fold laundry instead of stuffing items back into dresser drawers. When the box is full, drop it off at a local charity.
Convenient Charity Drop-off Centers
Amber Peacock has masters' degrees in Human Development/Family Studies and Education but learned how less can be more on the job as a stay-at-home mom of Seth (11), Melody (9), and Cara (5). She is the pastor's wife at Broadus Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Leave us a comment and share some ways that your family controls clutter in your house.
Jodi Skulley-January 20, 2009-
Hi. May name is Jodi, and I am the editor of ParentLife magazine. I have worked on ParentLife for over five years and have loved every minute of it. I initially started out as the copy editor. As copy editor, I was responsible for correcting grammar and spelling, verifying all facts and statistics, and handling various administrative details. After a few years of being copy editor, I became editor. Now, as editor, I am responsible for leading out in the planning of upcoming issues; finding writers to write articles; and reading articles for stucture, content, and grammar. I feel so blessed to be able to work on such a great product that ministers to parents, and I have learned so much along the way.
I have actually been very surprised at how much I love working in the publishing business. In high school and college, English was always one of my least favorite subjects. If you would have told me six or seven years ago that my career would involve using grammar skills on a daily basis, I would have laughed. But through tiny nudges in the right direction, God led me to where I am today. He opened every door and gave me a love for what I do.
Over the past year, working on ParentLife has taken on new meaning. Why you ask? Because I am now a parent myself. My husband, Jason, and I had our first baby in July of 2008. His name is Jack and he has definitely rocked our world. I love being a mommy but need all of the help and encouragement I can get. That is why ParentLife articles have taken on new meaning to me -- I often can apply them to my everyday life. I am reading articles with a brand-new mind-set. I hope I am able to evaluate better what topics and products might be helpful to you and what is not. I feel more in touch with your everyday needs.
I hope and pray that each issue of ParentLife helps you in some aspect of your parenting journey. I would love to know what you would like to see more of. Leave me a comment and let me know what topics you would like to read about in ParentLife, what types of products you would like to see, or just general feedback about how we are doing. Tell me about yourself and your family. We love to know who is reading our magazine. Can't wait to hear from you!
William Summey-January 19, 2009-
ParentLife Online is here! We are excited for the opportunity to communicate with you online. ParentLife Online will be updated daily during the week with commentary from the ParentLife staff, content that goes deeper into topics appearing in our print magazine, product reviews, and helpful links to parenting sites and the latest parenting information.
We also want to hear from you! Respond to our posts, send us ideas for articles, and submit your writing and queries to be considered for ParentLife.
Meet the Editor in Chief
Hi there! I am William Summey, the editor in chief of ParentLife. I have been working on ParentLife for 7 years, initially as editor and now as editor in chief (EIC). As an EIC, I help edit the magazine but function as team leader, helping everyone do their jobs as best they can.
I have been married to my wife, Christy, for 15 years. We have two boys, Jonathan (10) and Christopher (4).
One of my passions is to help encourage parents in their parenting journey. One of the best ways to encourage others is by being open and honest about parenting struggles and challenges. By building community, we are all stronger. I hope that our blog can be a small piece of that community for you!
What are the parenting issues you feel most strongly about? I would love to hear from you!
