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Parenting today · may 2012
ISSUE NO. 1
ON THE COVER: ABIOLA LYNCH-PHILLIPS COVER PHOTO BY INSIGHT DIGITAL
Contents 4
6
Bringing Home Baby
10
Play A Useful Learning Tool
12
Bullying – Equipping Young Ones For The Challenge
14
Travelling With Children
16
Doctor Q&A
18
Evening The Odds For Children
22
Creating A Saving Habit
24
Cyber Safety And Your Child
26
Summer Crafting
28
Kids In The Kitchen
32
Full Service Facility All For Baby
Parenting today · may 2012
MAY 2012
BABY TODAY
BRINGING HOME BABY Story by Aprille Thomas
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hen Maria found out that she was going to be a mother it was one of the most exciting occasions in her life. She was so excited that she did about five pregnancy tests to be sure. She enjoyed every bit of the journey, including getting to see and hear her baby’s heartbeat, and she counted down the days until she was going to finally be able to see her new baby. She endured the morning sickness and hormonal changes, all the while excited for the new addition to her family. Maria got loads of advice from friends and family, some of which left her quite anxious. It was then a pleasant and much needed surprise when the doctor told her that she was having a girl (which she really wanted) and she thoughtfully chose the name Arielle Anayah, meaning lioness of God / God has answered. A week before she was due to deliver, Maria found herself having contractions and her husband took her to the hospital where they discovered that she was in labour. She was shocked because she hadn’t experienced any of the telltale signs that she had been warned about. The experience was over in a flash however, because within an hour of the time that she arrived at the hospital, she gave birth to her first child. There’s nothing more joyous than preparing for the birth of your little one. There’s the shopping for teeny tiny ‘onesies’, painting the nursery, throwing a
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Parenting today · may 2012
shower, and of course packing the bag for the big day. But in all of the excitement and preparations, soon-to-be parents might not have time to think about the tremendous task ahead: bringing home their new bundle of joy. Dirty diapers, crying and breastfeeding are just some of the tasks that await you, but rather than dreading the daunting duties of parenthood, read through our compiled list of tips and tricks to help you adjust to your new life.
Heading home: The first 24 hours Before you even leave the hospital, be sure to ask as many questions as possible. The nurse will go through a crash course with you but there’s nothing wrong with making sure that you are completely comfortable with everything from holding to feeding and bathing your new baby. You should also arrange with your doctor to have your baby’s first check-up before you leave the hospital. When you’re finally leaving, pay special attention to making sure that the ride home is both comfortable and safe. Infant seats are safe for babies up to between 22 and 35 pounds and should be used. If you hold your baby in your arms and you’re involved in an accident, there’s nothing securing them.
Any new parent will be anxious about a crying baby because you will want to know what’s wrong. You should know that it is normal for a baby to cry . . .
Kids in the
7
Make sure that when you get home, your house is calm and empty because you will be tired and want some time to relax. Keep visitors to a minimum . . . Make sure that when you get home, your house is calm and empty because you will be tired and want some time to relax. Keep visitors to a minimum; if anything, have your husband, mother, or close friend make contact with other friends and family to give them updates. When you finally do allow visitors, there’s nothing wrong with asking people to wash their hands before holding the baby and don’t be shy about asking sick visitors to come back when they are well. Any new parent will be anxious about a crying baby because you will want to know what’s wrong. You should know that it is normal for a baby to cry for one to five hours within a 24-hour period and they may not always be calmed. This will decrease within the first few weeks. You should, however, be concerned and call the doctor if your baby experiences any of the following:
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• • •
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Rectal temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher (in babies younger than two months) Symptoms of dehydration (crying without tears, sunken eyes, a depression in the soft spot on baby’s head, no wet diapers in six to eight hours) A soft spot that bulges when your baby’s quiet and upright A baby that is difficult to rouse Rapid or laboured breathing (call an ambulance if your baby has breathing difficulty and begins turning bluish around the lips or mouth) Repeated forceful vomiting or an inability to keep fluids down Bloody vomit or stool More than eight diarrhoea stools in eight hours
Parenting today · may 2012
BABY TODAY
Back to basics: Eat, poop, sleep, and repeat After mummy and baby are home and settled, and the shock of having an addition to the family wears off, parents might find that they need to establish a routine with their new baby to help their home life run smoothly.
Lunchtime!
8
Initially you may worry about how often you should be nursing your baby; you may ask if you are nursing too much or too little. All babies will be different but on average a baby will need to breastfeed eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period You can ensure that your baby is getting enough at each feeding by paying attention to some simple signs. Is your baby latching properly? When your baby is breastfeeding, the full breast should be in the baby’s mouth so that you are feeling a strong pull or tug. You may need to tickle your baby to get them to open their mouth wide enough to take in your breast. If your nipple becomes sore or cracked from the feedings, it is an indicator that your baby isn’t latching properly. Not all babies will automatically know how to latch and you should talk to a pediatrician or lactation consultant about different positions you can try to make sure that your baby is benefitting enough from feedings. You can also experiment with pumping milk, especially if you won’t be at home for a while or if you want to take a break and let someone else take over the feeding. Keep in mind that your baby isn’t the only one who needs a balanced diet. Make sure that you’re also getting enough nutrients that you can in turn pass on to your baby. Talk to your doctor about the foods that you should be eating and those that you should be avoiding.
Diapers, diapers and more diapers After all that feeding, your baby will definitely leave a surprise for you in their diaper. On the first day you can expect one pee and one poop, which will be black and sticky. The second day will be two pees and two poops, brown in colour. The third day you will witness three pees and two poops, green in colour. Three to four yellow poops and four pees will be the order of the fourth day. From there these excrements should increase steadily until day seven, and from then on your baby should be having six or more wet diapers and three to four dirty diapers a day. With your baby’s numerous diaper changes, you will soon
Parenting today · may 2012
master the art of it, but we have some tips to fast track your success. Firstly, you need to master the ‘one-handed ankle grab’, this will help to keep your baby’s feet out of the dirty diaper that you’re trying to change, which can be a very messy situation. It is also nice if you can have someone there to distract the baby when you change the diapers. Remember to keep boys uncovered for as little time as you can, otherwise you might discover that your little tiger is quite the straight shooter. The one thing you should be weary of however, is the diaper blowout. You could be at the supermarket, out shopping or even in the middle of a moving church service when it happens. To be prepared, you should make sure that you always have a change of clothes for your little one. And don’t be upset about the ruined clothes, they probably wouldn’t fit your baby in two weeks anyway. You should also make sure that your baby’s diapers are fitting well, especially around the legs, as this will lessen the impact of the damage. Lastly, you can actually monitor your baby’s movements and eventually you might be able to predict the ‘big poop’.
Bedtime! A long day of feeding and diaper changes, laughing and screaming, will definitely wear both you and your little one out. You should try to establish a bedtime routine as early as possible. Also, your baby needs to learn to fall asleep in the midst of natural sounds, so don’t have everyone tip toe around the house when it’s time for bed. As much as each baby differs in shape, colour and size, they will also adopt varying sleep patterns. Some may be early risers, ‘cat-nappers’, or nocturnal. You can always switch up your routine and environment to accommodate your baby. This can range from keeping them more active during the day, to letting them fall asleep by themselves or putting darker curtains in their room. Just remember not to beat yourself up. Your situation will get easier as you get to know your little one better and the two of you start to bond.
Parenting today 路 may 2012
Play: a useful learning tool
PLAY TODAY
Submitted by the Foundation for the Development of Caribbean Children
• • • • • • • • •
approach tasks readily and willingly open and responsive to the learning within the play activity willing to ‘try’, and feel that they can ‘have a go’ without fear of failure learn easily from their peers, working as an effective group establish constructive and positive relationships with those involved explore and find out at a level that suits them can negotiate their own response to the learning situation within the play activity sustain high levels of focus and interest are able to offer their own input into the activity, feeling involved and listened to
One of the greatest attributes of play is the opportunities it affords for learning to live with not knowing: we all learn more effectively through trial and error, and play is a non-threatening way to cope with new learning and still retain self-esteem and self-image. To support children’s learning and development through play the following conditions are vital: • • • • •
adult involvement allowing children to share the initiative about what is to be learnt enabling children to take risks, be creative and playful in their ideas organizing the physical setting to maximize learning and development opportunities developing effective systems for observation and record keeping, and using these to inform the planning of subsequent activities
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The role of the adult in supporting children’s learning and development through the use of play is one of proactivity and interaction. Adults have the power to make a major difference to children’s lives and their development by what they offer children and by how they behave towards them. Adults can offer support, sometimes described as ‘scaffolding’, for the child’s learning and development. The adult provides a structure or series of steps for the child to explore a new experience successfully and add to his/her initial learning. The key for the adult is to know how to provide steps which are small enough for the child to gain success, but challenging enough to motivate and take the child’s learning forward. It is through interaction with adults that Parenting today · may 2012
children’s development and learning is extended. If a child is left to explore something new on his/ her own, the child’s play is at the stage of the child’s actual level of development. However, if an adult skillfully interacts with the child’s play (and uses the five stages of supporting children’s play outlined above), the child will be involved in more complex play, extending the child’s development and learning within the play activity. Emerging evidence on the neurophysiological development of the brain also indicates the importance of children making connections between areas of learning and experience through their play activities; through their exploration and experimentation, through their collaborative and reciprocal relationships.
Skillful adults involved in the children’s play use a range of features that influence the brain’s growth and development including positive emotional support, stimulation of all the senses, presenting novel challenges, encouraging social interaction and an active style of learning. A considerable body of neuro-biological evidence supports the importance of enriched, stimulating childhood environments. On the contrary, impoverished and stressful early environments can be damaging to brain development. Play is therefore essential. Skillful adult involvement within children’s play supports and extends children’s learning and development. Children’s work IS their play, and it is vital that adults support and extend children’s play experiences effectively.
Photos compliments Foundation for the Development of Caribbean Children
The relationship between play and learning seems obvious to many practitioners and parents, yet there are still prejudices surrounding the importance of children’s play, where some people believe that children need to ‘work’ not play, and that playing serves no useful purpose in a learning and development environment. This is surprising considering that play, with its high levels of motivation and potential enjoyment, empowers children (as well as people of all ages) as follows:
Parenting today 路 may 2012
HOT TOPIC TODAY
BULLYinG – EQUIPPING YOUNG ONES FOR THE CHALLENGE Story by Cheryl Harewood
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ullying has become a much discussed topic these days. Seemingly, many young children and even younger adults face this dangerous practice which often involves physical violence. Any form of bullying that includes physical or emotional abuse can create feelings of fear, depression and intimidation. And, the victim of bullying usually needs support from peers and persons in authority to fight back non-violently against a bully. Sadly, and even in recent times, bullying has resulted in death – with some persons even taking their own lives as a way to escape being bullied. Statistics and research have shown that if peers or responsible adults intervene on a victim’s behalf, a bully will stop bullying his or her victim within seconds. Parents can therefore play a major role in keeping bullies away from their children by taking action before the bullying starts. If as a parent you are aware of bullying at your child’s school for instance, don’t wait until your child becomes a victim. Take action. In most cases, children won’t confide in an adult, as fear and embarrassment prevent them from doing so. Bear in mind that your child cannot handle bullying alone and requires your help, as well as the school’s, to stop a school bully proactively.
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Parenting today · may 2012
Here are some tips to share with your child to help in the fight against bullying: •
They should learn how to distract the bully with a funny joke or a clever comment. For example, if the bully starts to make fun of your child’s clothes or hair, tell him or her to laugh it off or try to think of something witty to toss back to the bully. Since most bullying takes place in plain sight of others and the bully usually has “a team of supporters” with him or her, those around may laugh at the child’s cleverness and cause the bully to back down.
•
Explain to your child that reacting and fighting back may cause the school bully to become more aggressive. Give him or her alternatives to fighting and help your child to role-play how he might talk to a school bully. Teach your child to walk away from the bully whenever possible. They should not give the bully the time and opportunity to mistreat them. If they walk away, the bully is
•
Help your child to develop self-confidence. Children who have strong social skills are less likely to become victims of bullying. Enroll your child in activities that boost his or her self-esteem . . .
As a parent, one of the challenges of bullying is identifying when your child has been bullied and determining the best response. Children who are being bullied hardly ever talk about it.
•
•
likely to leave them alone or shift his or her attention elsewhere. Tell your child never to provoke the bully on purpose or seek in any way to start a fight. Your child should also be taught to seek the support of friends in a bullying situation, and to stay surrounded by a group of people who will support and defend him or her, if a bully bothers them. If peers and witnesses rise to a bullying situation and defend the victim, a bully will usually back down. Help your child to develop selfconfidence. Children who have strong social skills are less likely to become victims of bullying. Enroll your child in activities that boost his or her self-esteem and where children with similar interests surround him or her.
•
Get help from an adult or other people in positions of authority. Either the victim or witnesses to the bullying behaviour should find someone in authority who, will step in and stop the bullying. • If bullying is taking place at your child’s school and the school is unable to help, speak to the police; even if you have to do so right there from the school. Call each time the bullying takes place and file an official complaint if you have to. As a parent, one of the challenges of bullying is identifying when your child has been bullied and determining the best response. Children who are being bullied hardly ever talk about it. That’s why you, as a parent, must bring the subject to the fore. It is also important to be alert to
13
signals that something is wrong. If your child is not sleeping, not eating, or eating too much, there’s something going on. That’s the view of Stan Davis, author of two anti-bullying books. He says these signs are indications to increase the amount of time you’re spending with your child and encourage good, open discussion. Cyber bullying (such as harassing text messaging) and Internet (email) bullying are also prevalent these days. Your child may not openly speak to you about these forms of bullying for fear that you will take away his or her cell phone, or stop the prolong use of surfing the Internet. Ask questions, and your child will open up to you. The bottom line is that you must take action, and if the bullying is taking place at school, involve the school very early. That’s your right! Parenting today · may 2012
TRAVEL TODAY
Story by Lyle Jones
TRAVELling with children ravelling these days, with all the restrictions, can provide its fair share of challenges, and when you add children to the mix, especially babies and toddlers, the stress factor is multiplied. The key to enjoying a trip with the little ones (minus the stress) is intelligent planning. To help you along the way here are a few tips compiled with a little help from some friends.
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On the plane •
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•
Take all essential items in carry-on luggage. Take enough food, diapers, medicine, and other items to last through possible flight delays. Putting your child’s essentials in checked luggage may present problems if your checked bags are lost or delayed. Holding on to your child’s essentials is especially important if he or she is on a special diet or medication. Seat your child away from an aisle. Small children enjoy reaching out and exploring, but if they are on the aisle they could get hurt if their arms get bumped by a person or serving cart passing by. Candy stops the ear pop. During take-off and landing the pressure changes in the plane. These sudden changes can cause painful discomfort to children’s sensitive ears. Giving them something to suck on helps their ears to “pop” with relief— a pacifier or bottle for an infant or candy for a child is recommended.
At your destination • • • •
•
Choose appropriate accommodation, such as selfcontained apartments with two or more bedrooms. Hire baby furniture items, such as pram, stroller, cot and high chair, rather than lug your own. Make sure you have an adequate supply of disposable nappies and wipes. Pace yourself. If it’s your first trip with your children, plan for a slower pace than usual. If you want to see more than one place, be realistic about what you can cover with little ones in tow. The less you feel you have to pack in, the more enjoyable and stress-free the holiday will be. Remember that children have short attention spans and get tired quickly so you have to ensure there will
Parenting today · may 2012
•
be enough family events and child-oriented activities to keep them amused. When visiting attractions with older children, balance your activities. Set aside the morning session for the adults and the post lunch session for the children.
Avoid mealtime maladies • •
•
• • •
Try to keep a little bit of familiar mealtime routine, such as having breakfast in the usual way. Don’t assume you’ll always find something they’ll like on a restaurant menu. Carry plenty of their favourite snacks and drinks when touring around. Avoid risky foods such as seafood, undercooked meats, peeled and raw fruits and vegetables, and unpasteurized dairy products. If you are unsure of the water supply, only drink bottled water, carbonated soft drinks or bottled fruit juices. Use bottled water when teeth brushing. Avoid eating foods from street vendors.
For general health •
See your doctor about vaccinations beforehand, if appropriate. • Make sure your child doesn’t put their unwashed hands into their mouth. • Wash your child’s hands frequently. • Pack sunscreen, hats and insect repellent. • Be particularly vigilant about the potential dangers of unfamiliar places, such as unfenced swimming pools or balconies. • Take all sterilizing equipment with you if your child is bottle-fed. Enjoy your trip!
HEALTH TODAY
WHAT'S UP DOC?
Q
CAN YOU TELL ME how I would know if my 18-monthold has allergies?
A
Allergies could come from food, the environment or medication. Your child is more likely to have allergies if you and/ or the mother are allergic. A child is more likely to be allergic if not breast-fed. If he or she reacts after taking a particular food, after being exposed to some substance or being prescribed medication, then he or she could be allergic. The symptoms could be itching of the skin, a rash or wheals all over the body and/or swelling of the eyes – or more serious, like having diffi culty breathing, talking or maybe just vomiting and diarrhoea. Take him/her to a doctor, paediatrician or allergist for an opinion.
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Q
A
Q
A
Is there any medication my son can take on a short-term basis to help him not to wet his bed? Generally he does it no more than once every month, and that is when he drinks after 9 p.m., then does not get up. But as he is going away to a camp and his father and I are not going to be there to wake him up, I would like to get something that would stop him from embarrassing himself in front of his friends. His doctor can prescribe a drug called Imipramine that may help. There is no guarantee that it will work so quickly. He should not drink after 9 p.m. to avoid embarrassment. Let’s hope that he gets over this bedwetting, medically known as enuresis. My eight-month-old always has wax in his ears. Where does it come from, and how can I get rid of it since you’re not supposed to use cotton swabs. Wax is normally produced in the ears of all persons. Some persons produce more wax than others. Wax
Parenting today · may 2012
can be related to sweating profusely in the ear canals. This much thicker oily secretion normally flows to the aperture of the ear canal and can be wiped off with your towel when bathing. You should not push cotton swabs or anything else in the ears. If at eight months old your child produces excess wax, then wax softening drops can be inserted into his ears daily.
Q
I HAVE a four-month-old baby whom I feed from a bottle as I have gone back to work and have little time to breast-feed except on mornings and at night. The problem is that she gets hiccups lasting for about 15 minutes after each feeding. I know this is not normal and am very worried about it. What could be causing this, and what can I do about this problem?
A
Hiccups in anyone are considered a distressing problem, far less in a four-month-old baby. Your baby may have reacted to the change from breast- feeding and the decreased frequency now being experienced by bottle feeding. You should get advice from the nurse at the polyclinic, a paediatrician or your family doctor as to which infant formula (baby milk) to use, how often to feed her, and the need to burp her after feeding. Failing this, get her reassessed by a health professional.
Q
My daughter is now nine years old and speaks as if she tongue-tied. What can I do to help normalize her speech? Would she need an operation, or is there any other method we can use to help her?
A
She should be referred to an ENT specialist and speech therapist for an assessment and further as may be needed. There is no operation that she must have unless a specific cause is found.
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Parenting today · may 2012
FOCUS TODAY
EVENING the ODDS
FOR CHILDREN Education the first step against child sexual abuse
Story by Cheryl Harewood
18 ith child sexual abuse becoming a very serious issue these days, parents must take time to sit their children down and speak to them about the facts of life and child sexual abuse issues. They must be taught the difference between a good touch and a bad touch. They must be taught that if anyone (regardless of the relation) sexually abuses them, they should report the matter to a responsible adult, or even the police. This is their right. They must also be taught not to be afraid and to report all cases immediately. In 2010, Government embarked on a National Child Abuse Protocol For the Prevention, Reporting and Management of Child Abuse in Barbados. This protocol, the product of a research initiative funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to enhance the status of child protection in Barbados, is a resource document intended to assist professionals with the prevention, reporting and management of child abuse under the coordination of the mandated child protection agency; in this case, the Child Care Board. From a few heard of cases back in the 1970s, the prevalence of child sexual abuse has ballooned
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Parenting today · may 2012
There have been many therapies and treatments intended to help victims of child sexual abuse. But those alone do not actually provide the initiative of stopping the crime for good. far
into millions of cases being reported throughout the world today. This number does not even include those victims who have elected to keep quiet. Although it seems like the problem isn’t that prevalent in Barbados, bearing in mind that many cases are never officially reported, authorities will tell you there is still reason to be alarmed at the numbers reported. There have been many therapies and treatments intended to help victims of child sexual abuse. But those alone do not actually provide the initiative of stopping the crime for good. What is needed therefore are prevention methods — things that should be done before the onset of a potential sexual abuse case. Prevention means getting ready in order to face off with an offender. There are a number of measures that can be employed to prevent the sexual abuse of children. The modern approach is through information drives and campaigns intended to inform and teach parents, caretakers, and other concerned persons how to
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Parenting today · may 2012
FOCUS TODAY
There have been many therapies and treatments intended to help victims of child sexual abuse. But those alone do not actually provide the initiative of stopping the crime for good. 20
create an environment for their children that is free and safe from any kind of harm or threat posed by sex offenders. Targeting parents and caretakers can be helpful, but it actually does not give any substantial help and knowledge to the potential victims — the children. No matter how extensive the training and information parents and caretakers get from prevention campaigns, there is no guarantee that they can relay that information and knowledge to their children. Thus, the best way to prevent child sexual abuse is still the education of children. Prevention programmes and community and school-based campaigns centred on children and minors include different types of techniques and methods that are aimed at directly teaching them on how to respond, react, and take action whenever there is a sign of imminent sexual abuse. Since young children are not intellectually developed enough to understand complex terms and ideas, creative and simplified approaches to communicating messages that they can fully grasp and understand must be used when educating them about sexual abuse. For instance, different materials can be used in order to deliver the message such as images, video recordings, animation, and of course, open discussion. Each age level has a corresponding array of information to be fed. For instance, children below three years old cannot be taught about knowing the boundaries of touching. At such a young age, what they need to know first are the Parenting today · may 2012
names of each of their body parts. When they grow older, say, five to eight years old, you can start telling them about the kind of touch that is allowed and what is not. Educating children is vital if you want your child to be safe from sexual abuse. It is not enough though that you leave their safety and protection in their own hands. You must also equip yourself with the right preventive and precautionary measures in order to deal with the potential and looming harm directed to them. In churches across the world and society at large, there is a growing problem of youth falling prey to sexual predators. Child sexual abuse also takes place in schools and even the presumed safety of homes. Parents, “aunties,” big brothers and sisters, teachers and caregivers — all those concerned, must be willing to ask questions and listen to the pleas of young children. Wherever possible, they must also educate them on child sexual abuse. We can all play our part to reduce the number of young victims, who are often scarred for life, and live in fear of their very lives when they seek to expose their abusers.
Educating children is vital if you want your child to be safe from sexual abuse. It is not enough though that you leave their safety and protection in their own hands.
Parenting today 路 may 2012
FINANCE TODAY
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CREATING a saving habit Story by Dawn Morgan Photograpy by Insight Digital
he piggy bank, or whatever shape it comes in, is a most enjoyable way to start toddlers on the path of savings. It’s just a plaything to them at that stage, but if they continue to follow the wisdom of saving as they grow up, it will prove to be a valuable life habit. This first savings “toy” gives the opportunity to teach about putting in money, but not buying anything until the next birthday or whenever. It is the focus of donations from visiting relatives and friends and brings shrieks of joy as people add coins and even bills to it. Shaking it is great fun!
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Parenting today · may 2012
Keep repeating to the child “when the piggy’s tummy is full, we can count the money and buy something for you!” As the child gets a bit older, he/she can have a savings account at a credit union or bank, to become a more formal saver. This provides the opportunity to learn about interest and longer term savings. Children can also be urged to make decisions about what part of birthday and Christmas presents to save or to spend. The same thinking applies as they grow older and perhaps earn a bit of cash for doing extra chores for the family or neighbours.
Parenting today 路 may 2012
TECHNOLOGY TODAY
cyber safety and your child Story by Aprille Thomas
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hen I was growing up I was taught how to use the telephone; about suitable salutations, making phone calls at respectful hours, and other telephone etiquette. I wasn’t allowed to send a letter until I was comfortable with the correct format. I was also taught the appropriate manner of which I should greet people in public, or when I entered a building. It therefore seems like a shame that children are now being given so many communication devices and not being taught how to use them. It is understood that parents today didn’t have their own experiences from which they could draw advice to pass on to their children. However, the onus still falls on the parents to ensure that their children are using these devices properly. The world of technology, computers and the Internet may be a completely foreign aspect to some, but you should be involved and knowledgeable about where your children are spending their time. You don’t need to become a technology buff overnight, but we have some tips and pointers that can get you started. The first thing that you need to do is talk to your children about the importance of practising cyber safety. The Internet is like a country with a population of about seven billion, all of whom may have access to your child’s information if they aren’t careful. You need to explain to your children the dangers that are posed to them if they aren’t careful. Then you need to implement boundaries and enforce rules so that you can take control of the situation.
Parenting today · may 2012
Taking charge Today, teachers are asking for children to type assignments and search for information online, so it’s understandable that you may want your child to have Internet access. However, it is not necessary for them to have their own private computers. A shared family computer can be placed in an area of the house that is open and accessible to all. This way you can keep an eye on what your children are doing. In the Control Panel section of personal computers, there’s an option for you to set up parental controls for different users. There you will find options for restricting certain types of websites, games and programmes that your children can access, as well as the opportunity for you to set the hours and days that they can use the Internet. But you shouldn’t set up these restrictions without first explaining to your children that some websites aren’t child friendly, just like how not all movies are child friendly. If your children are of a certain age, they might be interested in chat rooms and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Talk to your children about the chat rooms they are using, and ask
. . . be conscious of the fact that Internet access is no longer limited to computers and laptops. Most small devices such as tablets, gaming consoles and cell phones can also connect your children to the outside world.
them hem wh who ho tthey hey are connecti connecting ting wit with ith h on a reg regular ular l b basis. asiis Find out if it’s an add-only chat room like MSN Messenger, or if it’s an open chat room where anyone can find and contact them. Make sure that your children understand that people can lie about their age, sex and location on the Internet and that sometimes it’s impossible to find out who the person on the other side really is. For social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, make sure that you and your children are familiar with the security settings. There are options for you to lock your profiles so that only people you allow can access it. On Facebook you can customize almost every aspect of your profile, from picture albums to notes and posts. Again, make sure that your child understands that anyone can use a fake name and picture to create a profile and pose as someone else. They should only add people that they know personally and keep their personal information limited, if they release any at all. Lastly, be conscious of the fact that Internet access is no longer limited to computers and laptops. Most small devices such as tablets, gaming consoles and cell phones can also connect your children to the outside world. You should make a conscious decision whether or not your children are ready for such responsibilities. For example, you may want your children to have cell phones in the case of an emergency, but is it necessary for them to have an expensive cell phone with Internet access? You might also be putting your children at risk, because people with cell phones have recently been the targets of robberies and attacks. The most important factor, however, is that you know your children. No two children are the same and their levels of maturity, with respect to cyber safety, can differ. I therefore can’t say that there’s a specific age when your child should be allowed to do certain things. You need to spend time talking to your children so that you can be up-to-date with what they’re doing on the Internet. A simple question might give you enough information to alert you about a problem. Getting on top of your children’s Internet activities might be all that you have to do to prevent something unfortunate from happening, before it’s too late. Parenting today · may 2012
CRAFT TODAY
summer crafting Story by Aprille Thomas
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ummertime is around the corner and pretty soon homes across Barbados will be filled with highly energized children that can get bored very quickly. Rather than keeping
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them occupied with movies and video games, you can switch things up and entertain them with arts and crafts. It will get their creativity flowing and give you an opportunity to spend time with them.
Beach Hands
Wonder Wand
Children love trips to the beach, and in Barbados it is the one activity you don’t have to drive far to reach. But why not get a memoir of your beach trip? Next time you’re heading out to the sandy shores, pack some plaster of paris and a chopstick. 1. First, have your child collect some beach treasures such as small rocks and sea shells. 2. Have your child press their hand into damp, hard-packed sand, making a two-inch-deep impression. Then fill in the handprint with treasures, making sure not to press them too deeply in the sand. 3. Add 1 cup of water to the bag of plaster of paris. Seal the bag and knead it to combine the two. Carefully pour the wet plaster into the palm of the handprint, covering the inlaid items. 4. Use a chopstick to push the plaster into the fingers and thumb, as it probably won’t flow that far on its own. Add more plaster to the palm as needed. 5. Set the chopstick in place with two inches of one end submerged in the plaster. 6. Let the plaster set until it’s hard, at least 30 minutes. To remove the hand, carefully dig out the sand from around the plaster, and then slowly lift the hand up by the chopstick handle. Wrap your project in a towel to transport it.
Children love to pretend that they’re kings and queens, in charge of their magic kingdoms. But how can you rule without a wand? On your next beach trip, take along some cardboard, scissors, tacky glue and a thin dowel.
You will need: • • • •
Beach treasures, such as shells, rocks, and sea glass (no seaweed) 1 1/2 cups plaster of paris in a quart-size resealable bag Water (salt water or fresh water) Chopstick
Parenting today · may 2012
1.
Cut a starfish shape from corrugated cardboard
2.
Coat the star with an even layer of tacky glue, and then sprinkle it with a layer of sand. Adhere shells with more glue and let it dry.
3.
Dab glue onto the end of a thin dowel (about an eighth-inch wide) and insert it into a channel in the cardboard. Tada!
You will need: • • • • •
Corrugated cardboard Scissors Tacky glue Sand and shells Thin dowel
Parenting today 路 may 2012
NUTRITION TODAY
Story by Dawn Morgan Photograpy by Insight Digital
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M
Kids in the kitchen
aking their own pizzas is a totally fun experience for children as well as parents, and all it takes it a bit of preparation. It gets them into life skills such as washing hands before fixing food, and brings the thrill of making something tasty for themselves. Of course, you don’t want young children using sharp knives or putting things in a hot oven themselves. So you need to do any cutting yourself and place the cut veggies in small bowls. Go for the simplest way to organize the pizza line. Buy a pack of pita breads, minis or regular size. Ketchup makes a good tomato sauce that is easy for them to squirt direct from the bottle or spread with the back of a little spoon on the pita. You can buy grated cheese if you do not wish to do the work yourself. Garnish choices should be their own and you can provide little bowls with green peas, corn, cut carrots, cut sausages,
Parenting today · may 2012
mushrooms (if they like them), sweet peppers, and onions (if they like them). A bit of dried parsley adds the final touch and you could also consider a dash of pizza spice but this may be too strong a taste for young children. Bake for three to five minutes in a pre-heated oven to melt cheese, cool a bit after removing, and letting everyone bite into their very own home-made pizza! While preparing the garnishes, remember to prepare your mind not to make a fuss about them being messy, as that is part of the fun for them. Wearing aprons and even head wraps or hats can add to their pride, or wrap a dishcloth around their waists — like some professional chefs and cooks do. Can you imagine how they will brag to their friends that they can make pizza? If you have a sturdy small stool, placing it in front of the kitchen sink will facilitate the young ones to stand on it to wash their hands.
Parenting today 路 may 2012
HUMOUR TODAY
Tickling hum ur K ids say the ‘darndest’ things. Whether or not someone is listening or watching, kids will say and do things that force you to laugh, no matter what mood you’re in. Feel free to share your stories with us.
1 Greasy lunch Every time I show my son a dog, he says ‘cat’, regardless of what I say. He also likes to eat Vaseline, I don’t know why. Kaden, 1 year
2 The budding professional My god-daughter always takes up my work bag and tells me it’s time for work (obviously not in those exact words). She also loves to use my BlackBerry. Aniyah, 2 years
30 3 Revenge plotting I had to punish my son and the next day I overheard him talking to himself. He said “Burglar come through the door for mummy, the police will come and lock you in a box and you’ll can’t find me anywhereeee because you give trouble to me!” Jaden, 2 years
4 The watchman If I put on my sister’s shoes, my nephew runs to me, takes them off, starts hitting me and says, “Mummy shoes!” Kai, 2 years
5 A way with words I had to get my hair done once and I asked my cousin how it looked. Because she had been told recently about not being rude and saying certain things, she went to the bedroom for the mirror and said, “Here, look at how you look for yourself.” Krisanne, 6 years Parenting today · may 2012
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Devoted to giving tender loving care
Mum Debbie-Ann Nurse cradles her healthy and alert baby girl, Azriel, while the caring hands of nurse/ midwife Jeannette Gittens assists her. Proud dad Anthony Nurse was present and said: “We now have three children and the second was also born at BayView. We are very pleased with the services here.”
Full service facility all for baby HIEF OF STAFF at BayView Hospital, Paediatrician Dr Ranita Jhagroo clearly shows her love for her job when asked what inspired her area of speciality. Her face lights up and she flashes a warm smile, saying: “I love children. I love being part of some deliveries and that wonderful bonding experience between mothers and newborns, and then caring for the babies and children afterwards. “We also have fathers present and giving the mothers support in about 90 per cent of the cases and this is very good.” She assures the public: “BayView Hospital is a fullservice institution and when you have your baby here, you will have optimum services for deliveries, including three theatres if C-sections are necessary. The delivery room is like a comfortable bedroom and those having normal deliveries can stay in them for the entire labour and delivery. For an additional fee, dads who wish to sleep in can have a cot. “Our midwives are all trained and experienced, and spend time caring for mums and babies in gentle and loving ways. We add all the little touches. For example, mums wipe a small washcloth on their face and neck to put into the incubator with baby, if the infant has to spend time in the Nursery, so that mummy’s familiar scent can help calm baby. Mums are also involved in
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Parenting today · may 2012
Dr Ranita Jhagroo, Paediatrician and Chief of Staff
diaper changing, feeding, cuddling, and so on, even with babies in the incubator, to ensure bonding.” Once complications are expected during deliveries, although the obstetrician and midwives will be in attendance, the patient’s paediatrician can be present. Babies who are premature, or born with jaundice, breathing problems or infection can be placed in the high-tech incubators where they receive the special care necessary to make them as strong and healthy as possible before going home. BayView permits siblings to visit, and Dr Jhagroo notes: “If there are other children who come to visit, seeing the newborn helps them to accept him or her as a welcome part of the family, and hopefully encourages them into a mentality of caring for the baby, and softening or losing their feeling of seeing him or her as too much competition for the parents’ attention.” In addition to doing deliveries and C-sections, babies and children can be seen by paediatricians at BayView and be hospitalized if necessary, for a wide range of illness, most commonly if suffering from gastro, infections, pneumonia, or have surgeries for orthopaedic conditions (such as broken bones) or tonsillectomies. So the hospital caters to treatments for patients from before birth and all through the stages of childhood development and adulthood.
REGISTERED NURSE/MIDWIFE Jeannette Gittens is Ward Supervisor at BayView Hospital. A highly trained and experienced nurse/midwife qualified in the UK, where she worked as a nurse practitioner, Nurse Gittens heads a team of midwives at the hospital who are all devoted to giving tender, loving care to expectant and delivering mothers. She notes: “I also give Lamaze classes, in six-week sessions, for mumsto-be who like the preparation for delivery, including the special breathing techniques. It is lots of fun, and a good experience for the dads-to-be or other family member or close friend who comes along with them. “During the labour, the midwives pay a lot of attention to mothers, and we welcome having the father present, if both he and the mum wish that. We may also have a granny or sister present, but we don’t want too many relatives at that time, as the focus is on the mother and having a calm, safe, healthy birthing. We have a very family-oriented approach.” The delivery itself may be personalized to suit individual mothers as to their wishes about medications or nonmedication. In any event, says Nurse Gittens: “The bonding experience is prioritized, with the newborn being placed on the mother’s chest right away and staying in the room with her. “We also show parents how to breastfeed and bathe baby and pay a lot of attention to mother and child. In most cases of normal birth mum can go home in two or three days, and when C-sections are performed about five days. We are also available after discharge if parents wish to call us to ask any questions.” She stresses: “We provide full and comprehensive services at BayView Hospital and can handle normal delivers as well as any problems or complications. Visiting hours are designed to facilitate family and close friends from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.”