Are you prepared?

As much as we try not to think of all the things that could go wrong in and around the home, the fact remains, they can. The question is...How prepared are you?

Have you done a CPR course? What is CPR? CPR stands for - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure which is attempted in an effort to return life to a person in cardiac arrest.
There are a number of places in and around the country that offer these courses both for you as the parent as well as your caregiver, domestic helper etc.
If I can give you some advise - book yourself on a course. You will not be sorry. Besides - it gives you peace of mind in knowing what to do in any given situation. Most CPR courses usually include general care i.e. cuts, sprains, nosebleeds etc.

My next question to you is...do you have a well kept and up to date First Aid Kit? Do you know where it is? Does it include burn shields, cream for cuts, bites, bleeds? Moms and dads I strongly suggest you make a plan to either get a First Aid Kit or make sure that your kit is well stocked and up to date. i.e. you don't want items in there that have dates that have already expired.

There is nothing worse than having a situation and you have nothing for it. This includes gastro, vomiting, hydration etc.

Where can you get a kit? Most pharmacies stock rather comprehensive kits.

Then for some additional info - why not visit the website where we give you hints and tips on insect bites and stings, cuts, grazes, nose bleeds, foreigh bodies in the eyes and soo much more.

Let's be well organised and prepared mom's and dad's!

Till next time!

Smoking...

Hi all

Here's hoping that the start of your day has been a good one?! Monday's are often dreaded I know, by most. For me, I always like to think of it as a fresh new week - a fresh new start.
"Fresh" being the key word here! So on this note, I would like to bring to your attention something that really got me worked up this past week and most definitely had nothing to do with the word "FRESH"...

What would normally take me half an hour from point A to point B, instead took me over 2 hours last week. So you can imagine how the "red mist" was rising within me. I think the real irtritation that actually sent me over the edge was not so much the bumper to bumper traffic caused by traffic lights not working, burt rather the sight of a young mom, all smartly dressed in her formal work attire, with what looked like 3 children no older than about 7 sitting in the back seat (so one good point for her - they were in the back seast and looked to have their seat belts on). To my shock, horror, she was puffing away on a cigarette.

Now, understanding one's frustration of sitting in traffic and the craving for nicotine to try and calm yourself(I myself was a smoker - so I can relate), BUT the fact that you have 3 little "healthy" bodies in the car, most certainly does NOT SIT RIGHT with me. Second hand smoke has been proven to be unbelievably harmful to one, especially when these little one's are kids. Secondly it simply LOOKS DISGUSTING!

Come on moms - think about what you are doing to your little ones. Besides poluting their lungs, you then drop them off at school, creche, daycare etc. with them smelling of smoke, you definitely do not look to be the responsible parent here...

If you are going to smoke - by all means do, just take into account what you are doing to your little ones!

So please - I urge you all....think FRESH! think HEALTHY! You can make a difference to your OWN CHILDS HEALTH!

Getting organised

If you're anything like me, I always like to start a new year by being organised.

Whether this be a tidy desk, an organised and up to date year planner / calendar and or diary (with all birthday's / holidays and special occassions marked), or simply making sure cupboards are neat and tidy.

Once these items are diaried, sorted and up to date, I feel like I can begin the new year - a great sense of achievement (even if small).

One area that I never quite seem to get on top of is all the "glorious artwork" created by my little ones (from daycare / aftercare/ school etc). I simply never have the heart to want to get rid of them. Besides, could you image the heartache I would cause if they saw me throwing anything of theirs away.

So on this note, you can simply imagine my shock and horror when doing my annual tidy up and planning for the new year. Not only was there glitter, beans, sand etc. all over the place, but I was greeted with a whole stack of fishmoths that had taken very lovingly to my kiddies beautiful artwork.

I then get to thinking of the huge mound of artwork I will be housing in a couple more years if based on the current status....plus the delightful (I think not) nest of fishmoths I would be breeding.

There is light at the end of the tunnel... Thank goodness for teachers and their great ideas - as mine simply gave me the wonderful idea of taking pictures of each and every piece of artwork. How simple and yet soo effective! Plus I can make this fun by including the kids - they can help take the picture, plus they then get to throw the "originals" away.

Let me tell you - I now have happy kiddies (we still have all their artwork, but the difference is that it is safely stored away - available to them at any time). At the end of the year we shall take all their artwork and create our own Photobook. For more info on how to do this visit www.picassophotobooks.co.za

We then end up with their own book of art. Plus I no longer have piles and piles of art with shelves covered in seeds / glitter / grass / wool and other exciting items they get to use to decorate their creations. And the cherry on top...NO FISHMOTHS!

So thanks "Teacher Natalie" - another brilliant idea!

New Beginnings

Wishing all our Babeeze Members a very happy New Year!

Whether you are expecting a new baby, have just been blessed with your new bundle or are enjoying the daily treats of having a toddler - may the year ahead be filled with special memories that you cherish in years to come.

My "tip" for the year....
Be sure to take lots of photo's - whether of your little cherubs, family holidays, or simply the beauty that surrounds you with each new day. Then at the end of the year - make yourself a photobook! That way you can capture all those special memories and not keep them stashed on a hard drive / disc or on your computer - where nobody sees them or they get lost or stollen.

It's lot's of fun making a photobook plus you have a point of reference to show friends and family.

Till next time...

Lynne