WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOM

•Hear

little vegetable is an antibacterial, antiinflammatory and natural blood thinner. Healthy wins again.

••••Watercress

Don’t you wish you could read one health article for women that didn’t mention menopausal bloating? Well, you’re simply out of luck… unless you add watercress to your diet. It works!

•••••Chocolate

Enough with the vegetables already! Let’s get to the good stuff… Research has shown that chocolate helps lower cholesterol, thereby improving cardiovascular health. Dig in! In moderation.

No matter what your child’s age, learn to search for hidden messages in their words. Many times, what a child lacks in eloquence, he or she makes up for in simple honesty. Seek out the truth, and learn to hear instead of just listen.

••Talk

Initiate conversations with your children on topics that are important to today’s younger generation. For instance, if your child is being bullied or knows another child who is being bullied, an impromptu conversation while watching television or riding to the grocery store could lead to a discovery that might change a life.

•••See

Mom’s need X-ray vision. Look beyond the surface and carefully interpret the actions of your children. Sudden changes in attitude or bouts of unusual behavior could be an indicator that something is wrong at school or in your child’s private life. A mother’s love has keen eyes.

••••Know

Know your children. By carefully watching their body language and facial expressions when they are young, you have a distinct advantage as they age, allowing you, many times, to easily discern when they are being honest or if they are suffering emotionally.

•••••Parent

Some parents try to be a “friend” to their children, but parenting must always come first. As an adult, you are your child’s role model, and you are the one making and enforcing the rules. Parent-love makes tough, fair decisions that cannot be hindered by the emotional need to be your child’s friend.