Parents Handbook

By METRO SERVICESSaving enough money for a

child’s college education is a concern so great many parents began planning even before their first child was born. The escalating costs of a college education make such concerns wholly understandable.

According to the College Board, a nonprofit aiming to connect students to college success and opportunity, a year of tuition and room and board at a private four-year college in 2010 increased by nearly five percent to $26,273. Public insti-tutions, where room and board and tuition cost nearly $7,000 in 2010, increased by nearly six percent.

Those numbers figure to increase dramatically for chil-dren born in 2010. While it’s impossible to predict exactly what a college education will cost for a child entering school in 2028, the College Board’s 2008 “Trends in College Pricing” report estimated the cost of tuition and room and board at a private four year uni-versity to be roughly $85,000 in 2028, a cost that escalates to nearly $100,000 by the time the student reaches his or her senior year.

Such statistics can be scary, particularly in the current eco-nomic climate in which many families find themselves strug-gling to get by. However, there are ways to save for college that can make the aforementioned figures and predictions far less daunting.

S Start now. As previously mentioned, many expecting parents started saving for col-lege even before their first child was born. Such savings don’t need to be too complex. For instance, assuming an eight percent annual return, parents who simply put $100 month into a savings account for 18 years will earn $48,000 by the time those 18 years are up.

S Consider stocks when building a college savings port-folio. It might seem as though the cost of college is rising fast-

er than inflation. This is actu-ally true. As a result, portfolios that rely on stocks can be an investor’s ideal way to build the most savings long term. As a child’s first day of college draws closer, shelter any returns with less risky propositions such as bonds.

S Seek professional assis-tance. Television advertise-

ments have increasingly noted the ease with which investors can handle their own portfo-lios. While portfolios might be more accessible than they once were, for many people the investment game is still as confusing as ever. A mutual fund is managed by a profes-sional in accordance with the fund’s investment objective.

This allows investors to choose a fund that matches their own goals and objectives while affording them the freedom from watching the markets daily and worrying with each and every dip in the market.

S Open a 529 savings plan. A 529 plan is designed to encourage saving for the future higher education expenses of a

designated beneficiary. Certain qualified withdrawals are now free of federal tax, and many plans allow account holders to save in excess of $200,000 per beneficiary. No income or age restrictions apply, so a 529 can start regardless of how much parents earn or how old their beneficiary is.

S Don’t forget to save for

retirement. As daunting as the cost of a college education 18 years from now might seem, tomorrow’s college students will have far more resources for paying for that education than retirees will have for getting by in their golden years. When saving for the future, parents must remember to save for their own future as well.

College SavingS

PAGE F2 PARENTS HANDBOOK S Sunday, Mar. 27 S GIllETTE NEwS RECORD S Gillette, WyoMinG

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Ways to finance your child’s future

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Parents who start saving early can ensure there’s enough left in the piggy bank when the time comes to send their kids off to college.

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By METRO SERVICESChildren are many things:

adventurous, loveable, curi-ous. They’re also quite messy.

Many a homeowner who is also a parent has dreamed about an immaculate house – one where there are no dishes piled in the sink and no little fingerprints all over the door to the patio. However, keep-ing a tidy home with young children around can seem like a pipe dream. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

First, parents have to real-ize that a “clean” house where children reside will be much different from a clean house where there are no children. There’s no way children will be sterile, spotless individu-als. Being a child comes with its share of messes. But one can strive to have a neat house that will be acceptable should company drop by.

Get everyone in the household involved.

Oftentimes, one parent

takes on the bulk of the clean-ing duties. This can quickly become overwhelming when cleaning up after a family of four. Instead, everyone in the house should have their own responsibilities tailored to their specific ages. A kinder-gartener can tidy up his room and bring dirty clothes to the laundry hamper. Older chil-dren can take out the trash and help load the dishwasher. Even toddlers can be taught to put toys back into a toy chest or bin after use. With everyone pitching in, the tasks will seem less monumental.

Organization is the key. A home can quickly become

cluttered when there are kids residing inside. That’s because well-meaning relatives tend to over-gift grandchildren and nieces and nephews with the latest and greatest toys. Having nowhere to store these toys can contribute to messes. Designate specific areas for children’s toys, be it in the

child’s own bedroom or in a playroom. Purchase bins and other storage devices to house toys and label them. Routinely go through toys with your chil-dren to find out which items are seldom used and may be given away or thrown out.

Establish a “no shoes” rule indoors.

Who hasn’t had their freshly cleaned kitchen floor or living room carpet muddied up by a child who tracks dirt inside from the yard? Put benches or mats by every door and establish the rule that every-one must remove their shoes before walking inside. This can dramatically cut down on stains and sloppy messes.

There’s no shame in shortcuts.

If company is coming over and there’s limited time to clean, keep a few baskets on hand for a quick clean-up. Toss items that are misplaced inside the baskets and store in

a closet; items can be returned to their correct rooms later. Dust and vacuum the rooms that will be occupied, and pay close attention to the guest bathroom. Just don’t forget to take the time to straighten up thoroughly when time allows.

Institute rainy day cleaning day.

When the weather is unco-operative, this is the perfect time for everyone to tackle individual messes in the house. Perhaps Mom can gain control over the laundry situ-ation. Dad can organize the mail drawer or home-office area. The children can put away toys and straighten up their rooms. Setting aside a day once in a while to do in-depth cleaning with few distractions can tame clutter quickly.

Remember to pick battles wisely so that time isn’t spent getting angry about clutter but rather enjoying time together

Five ways to keep your house clean –yes, even with kids around

think Stock photo

Cookie crumbs, fingerprints and toys, toys, toys. Keeping a house clean with kids can be a challenge.

By METRO SERVICESYou’d be hard-pressed to

find a parent who isn’t look-ing for more storage space for children’s toys. As the latest toys and accessories hit store shelves, kids covet these items and want to make them their own. This can lead to overcrowding in children’s rooms and family areas.

A solution to the toys chil-dren are bound to collect is an attractive and functional storage area. A toy chest can offer just what the average homeowner is looking for. Plus, building a toy chest can be a project that the avid do-it-yourselfer can tackle, perhaps with children serving as pint-sized helpers.

Toy chests can be made in a variety of sizes depending on the available space. All that’s needed are a few sup-plies:

S plywood sheetsS strap hinges or metal hingesS corner bracesS screwsS power drillS circular saw or hand sawS sanderS paint or stainIf you don’t have a saw

handy, many times home improvement stores can cut wood to specific measure-ments.

Figure out the dimensions to the toy chest. Mark out the sides, bottom, front and lid of the toy chest and cut to size.

It may be safer to have two small lids that close toward the center of the chest instead of one larger lid that

can slam down on children’s fingers unless safety hinges are used. As an added safety precaution, be sure the front face of the toy chest is sized smaller than the other panels so that the lid does not meet the panel. This allows room for small fingers, and ensures that they cannot get trapped beneath the lid.

The bottom of the toy chest should also be smaller than the total dimension so that the side and front panels will overlap and the bottom will fit inside.

Use the corner brackets and screws to secure each panel together. Once the chest is secure, attach the lid with the hinges of choice.

This is a basic toy chest design. The chest can also be customized with paint or by routering a decoration right into the wood. Also, handles can be made out of rope and secured to the chest sides by drilling small holes and inserting the rope, then knot-ting the ends.

If intricate designs or paint-ing will be done to the toy chest, it may be easier to dec-orate the individual pieces prior to assembly. This allows the application of paint, stencils, stain or clear-coating before hardware is attached. It’s easier to maneuver indi-vidual pieces rather than the completed chest.

Involve children in the design of the toy chest. Gear it to the theme of the bed-room. If it will be in a family area, design it to match the room’s other furniture.

Build your childa toybox to helptheir room stay neat

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tweenS & teenS


By METRO SERVICESWith school, sports, friends

and hobbies, today’s tweens lead busy and active lives, and sometimes they don’t take the time – or know – to practice good hygiene. While discussing proper hygiene with your tween can be difficult, it is possible to address the topic without mak-ing him or her feel uncomfort-able or self-conscious. One approach parents can take is to appeal to your tweens’ grow-ing maturity by making it clear that these self-care tasks are their responsibility. Giving your tween the respect and encour-agement to make their own choices in these transitional years can help them develop healthy habits for life.

To help empower your tween to take better care of their hygiene, parents can follow these tips:

Make it Fun: The tween years are all about finding a unique sense of style. This also applies to cosmetics and accessories. Allow your tween to choose their shampoos, soaps and oral care products. This will encour-age them to take interest in their hygiene without you hav-

ing to ask. Brace Face: Tooth brush-

ing can be a struggle at this age. Your child may go in the bathroom for 30 seconds and declare that he or she has brushed. Kids should know that good oral care is just as important as taking a shower, especially if your child has braces. Make the process a little easier and ensure they are brushing for the proper amount of time by keeping a two minute timer in the bathroom. By sup-plying your tween with prod-ucts in the flavors (e.g. not-too-spicy, not-too-sweet) and cool designs they will like, such as the Crest Pro-Health For Me Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste, they might even forget they are doing something healthy and those two minutes will fly!

“Oral health is an important issue particularly for kids in their adolescent years. Tooth decay is still recognized as the most common chronic dis-ease affecting children in the United States. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 51 million hours of school are lost each year due to dental-related illness1,” says Dr.

Jennifer Salzer, orthodontist, dentist and mother of a tween. “Not only can poor oral hygiene affect the health and well-being of a child, it also plays a role in self-esteem.”

Under Armor: Puberty is the first time adolescents have to deal with body odor. Help your tween understand how to control odors by explaining the difference between deodorant, which controls bacteria while adding fragrance, and antiper-spirant, which stops or limits sweating. Remind your tween that both deodorant and anti-perspirant will help if they put it on before they start sweating, not after.

Skincare 101: Changing hor-mones typically bring about oilier skin, especially on the nose and forehead. Teach your tween to wash their face once or twice a day with a cleanser and discourage them from pick-ing, as this causes inflammation and scarring.

Lead by Example: Whether they admit it or not, your tween notices your habits. Set an example by showing that a healthy hygiene routine is important to you too.

Help your tweens brush up on their hygiene


To prevent dental problems, your child may need a reminder on how to properly brush.

By METRO SERVICESArguably no parent in the

history of the world has looked forward to the day their teenag-er gets his or her driver’s license. Though getting a license is a milestone for kids, it’s also the cause of heartache for parents who understandably worry about their teenager hitting the open road. While there’s no way to keep kids from growing up, there are steps parents can take to make a teen’s transition to fully licensed driver a little easier.

S Institute a no cell phone policy when driving. This is a

relatively new, yet major con-cern for parents of teen driv-ers. Most of today’s teens have their own cell phones, and par-ents could very well be help-less when it comes to keeping kids from talking or texting on their cell phones while driv-ing. That said, a no-cell-phone-while-driving policy should be instituted and thoughtfully dis-cussed with teenagers. Make it known that should an accident occur because of cell phone use while driving, both the car privileges and the phone will be taken away.

S when applying for colleg-

es, consider the school’s fresh-man driving policy. A child’s first year away at college is enough to make any parent lose sleep, but sending kids off to college with a car for their first year only adds to the sleepless nights. When kids are apply-ing to colleges, look for schools that don’t allow freshmen to have cars. Many schools don’t, so this should not be a problem. If a child chooses a school that does allow freshmen to have a car, let kids know you would be more comfortable if the car stayed home, at least for the first semester while kids learn

to adjust to their new surround-ings.

S If possible, wait an extra year. If your teenager is the rare breed who isn’t especially excited about getting a driver’s license, let it slide. Studies show 16-year-old drivers are far more likely to get in accidents than their 17-year-old counterparts.

S limit passengers. Teenage drivers are more likely to get in an accident with each passen-ger who comes along for the ride. One study indicates teen drivers with one fellow teen-ager in the car are 40 percent more likely to get in an accident

than they would be if they were driving alone. Those percentag-es increase with each additional teenage passenger, so parents should institute a reasonable policy that limits the number of passengers that a teen can take on when driving.

S Make sure teens are driving safe vehicles. While it might be nice to give your teen the flashy sports car for his or her birthday, doing so is a big mistake. A teenager’s first car should be the kind of vehicle that discourages irresponsible driving. The vehicle should also be fully equipped with all

the necessary safety features, including airbags and anti-lock brakes.

S Stress the importance of seatbelts. A significant percent-age of teenagers killed in auto accidents weren’t wearing their seatbelts at the time of death. All drivers should wear seat-belts, and parents should set a positive example by wearing their seatbelts whenever rid-ing in a car. To encourage teens wear their seatbelts when driv-ing, institute a policy wherein they lose their vehicle privileges should they be caught driving without a seatbelt.

Feel confident that your teen driver is safe by implementing a few rules

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Meal tiMe


By METRO SERVICESToday’s families are busier

and more budget conscious than ever. Each family member has a host of activities filling the calendar and responsibili-ties that make it challenging to find quality time together. And with everyone working harder to make ends meet, the most significant “connecting time” can get shoved out of family life – dinnertime! Only one in five American families regular-ly sit down to dinner together.

However, planning a weekly dinner menu, shopping for groceries on a budget and pre-paring meals at home are very difficult to accomplish amid busy workloads. Oftentimes, families resort to grabbing a meal on the go or fast food in a pinch. However, these strategies aren’t healthy nor cost-conscious, and they do not promote quality time as a family. It takes intentional planning and preparation to ensure that dinner is shared as a family on a regular basis.

There are ways to make meal planning and dining at home as a family possible and easy. Here are a few ideas:

Get the stress off of your plate and healthy food on it.

Since planning and shop-ping for regular family dinners can be so stressful, most fami-lies just need a practical tool that is convenient and easy-to-use. A very easy and organized system that is helping families to solve the dinner dilemma is E-Mealz.com. E-Mealz pro-vides a variety of easy weekly meal plans, complete with delicious dinner recipes and a corresponding grocery list that you just print and go!

Have a plan before heading out.

It does wonders to have it off your mind and on a piece of paper. Shopping with a list in hand – and sticking to it – drastically reduces the number of trips to the store, saves time shopping and limits impulse buys. Going to the grocery

store without a list is money down the drain. The number one way to save money on your grocery bill is to have a plan, period!

View dinnertime as more than just eating.

Breakfast may be the most important meal in terms of nutritional value and jump starting the day, but dinner could be the most important for an entirely different rea-son: strengthening your family. Mealtime gives family mem-bers a chance to converse, con-nect, and relate to each other – face-to-face and side-by-side around the dinner table. Recent research at Columbia University reveals that the number of family dinners a teen has in a typical week is a powerful indicator of sub-stance abuse risk. Teens who have fewer than three family dinners in a typical week are more than twice as likely to do poorly in school. Furthermore, Columbia University has con-sistently found that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are

to smoke, drink or use drugs.

Savor good food while you savor your most important relationships.

Jane DeLaney, founder and President of E-Mealz.com, says, “Instead of crowd-ing your full plate, we think that families should simplify. Making time for a shared meal around the dinner table means more time together ... more enjoying, more embrac-ing, more capturing moments, more memories, more eternal perspective, more reflection and prayer. It means more of all the things that truly mat-ter.” To make dinner at home an intentional part of your parenting has a positive and permanent impact on your children. DeLaney says that the goal of E-Mealz is not only a budget-based grocery buying and meal planning resource, but making dinner a regu-lar part of family life to help strengthen families all around the nation.

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Parenting success starts at the table

think Stock photo

Make time for your family every day by sharing at least one meal together.

Infants are commonly intro-duced to solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age. When preparing for the addition of solid foods to a child’s eating schedule, parents may want to consider the health and envi-ronmental benefits of making their own baby food.

Commercially made baby foods are relatively safe, con-venient and inexpensive. However, homemade baby foods are even more cost-effec-tive and allow parents to regu-late the ingredients put into the foods.

Individuals concerned about pesticides and other food addi-tives should consider organic foods when making baby foods. These foods are grown and har-vested under stringent guide-lines.

Preparing homemade baby foods requires a few materials:

* a food grinder, food mill, or food processor* storage containers* fresh foods

Most baby foods are prepared by cooking the food until soft, allowing it to cool and then grinding the food down to a pal-atable texture depending upon the child’s age. Steaming retains the most nutrients in foods. Parents can also bake, boil or microwave foods. Some fruits, such as bananas, do not need to be cooked before use. Also, use caution with nitrate-high foods, such as carrots, beets, and green beans. These foods should be made in small batches and used quickly. Nitrates can build up in the foods when stored. Freezing foods that are potentially high in nitrates can alleviate this situ-ation.

Young infants should be introduced to one food every 2 to 3 days to check for allergic reactions and tolerance. Once parents have determine which foods a child can tolerate, they can then begin to experiment with food blends the children may enjoy.

As a child grows, parents can

vary the texture of foods, par-ticularly when children begin to grow teeth. Eventually a child will want to self-feed finger foods and then parents can sim-ply use foods that come right off of the dinner table.

Homemade baby food can be inexpensive. That’s because parents can buy ingredients in bulk and store leftovers for later usage. Also, there are no costs of packaging when making homemade baby food, benefit-ting the environment by creat-ing less waste and using less energy.

Supporters of homemade baby food say there is another advantage apart from the cost and environmental factors. Some say children who eat the same foods their parents are eating may be less picky eaters as they approach the toddler years.

Parents looking to experi-ment with homemade baby foods can find recipes both online and in books

Homemade baby food is goodfor your infant and the planet

think Stock photo

Parents concerned about commercial baby food ingredients can feed their children home-made baby food using organic ingredients.

FaMily adviCe


By METRO SERVICES Soaring unemployment

numbers, rising prices on necessities and stricter rules regarding qualifying for a home mortgage have become the norm.

As a side-effect, many adult children are finding difficulty making ends meet. The solu-tion for many is to ask Mom or Dad if they can move back home.

Young adults and even established families are find-ing that the economic crunch is taking its toll on their ability to make it on their own. The scarcity of jobs and high fore-closure rates is leading a num-ber of adult-age children to solicit their parents for a place to stay. While the situation is often billed to be temporary, the economic downturn might linger longer than expected.

Recent census figures indi-cate that more than 80 million parents who generally would be empty nesters actually have at least one grown child liv-ing at home. Whether this is a result of the economic down-turn, adult children caring for aging parents or another financial situation, the rates are growing.

What’s happening is that individuals who grew accus-tomed to their independent lifestyles are forced once again to make compromises living under the same roof.

The results can be tenu-ous. However, there are steps to take to help the situation work.

S There has to be a legiti-mate need for children to move back home. It can’t sim-ply be a whim or lack of ambi-tion.

S Parents should see a real need to help their child or children.

S The situation should be presented as a temporary one, with a firm deadline. Children are expected to find new living arrangements as soon as pos-sible.

S The children contribute to the household in a tangi-ble method. This can involve

financial contributions, house-work, caring for parents or a combination of factors.

S It is important for the child to have a good relation-ship with Mom. Studies indi-cate that a happier household is indicative of mother and child cohabitating well. The relationship with the father isn’t as important, behavior experts say.

S The parents’ relation-ship should be strong and established. Newlyweds wel-coming an adult child (who will be a stepchild to one par-ent) could face tension.

S Set ground rules for the house. Remember, the child is living under his or her parents’

roof. Parents’ rules apply.S Give each other the

space needed. Three or more adults living in a space can eat away at nerves, especially if everyone has their idea of how things should be done. Respect others’ privacy and spend time alone when pos-sible.

S Parents should not feel obligated to care for their adult children’s kids if they are mov-ing in as well. Don’t take over responsibility or diminish your child’s authority over his or her own progeny.

S Do not sacrifice your own financial future to help your children. Decide how much you can afford.

The empty nest can become full again


Many empty nesters are finding their adult children need to move back home for one reason or another.

By METRO SERVICES In January, 3-year-old Jaden

Bolli, of Maple Shade, N.J. dialed 9-1-1 when his grand-mother collapsed at home. The toddler had learned how to call emergency services just days before from his mother. The boy told the dispatcher that it was his grandmother’s blood sugar. However, she really had suffered a stroke. Paramedics arrived in time and were able to help the woman. Bolli saved his grandma’s life.

A parent never knows when an emergency will strike. His or her only hope may be the fast-

thinking action of a young child who has called for help.

Many parents wonder when the right time is for teaching youngsters about 9-1-1 or call-ing for emergency services. It doesn’t have to be based on age but rather maturity level. A mature 3-year-old may be able to grasp the concept and learn how to use the phone. However, parents may have to wait a little longer for a less mature child.

Some adults are apprehensive about teaching the 9-1-1 lesson because they fear a child may dial the number by accident or

even on purpose when there is no emergency. Many a police offi-cer has responded to a call only to find that a child has made the call. Some areas will give individuals a warning. Others may issue a fine if 9-1-1 is dialed too many times without an emergency. This can be a deter-rent to teaching about calling the police. However, when done the right way, many children can grasp the difference between using 9-1-1 in the wrong and right way.

Explain the purpose of 9-1-1.

It is a method of contacting the police, fire department or a m b u l a n c e w h e n

there is an emergency only. An emergency is when Mom, Dad or someone else in the house is hurt and can’t get up; there is a fire; or the police are needed, like if there is a burglar or a bad fight.

Stress that 9-1-1 is only for emergencies.

Indicate that the adults in the house will dial the phone whenever possible if there is an emergency. The child is learn-ing only in case Mom or Dad can’t get to the phone.

Discuss the buttons on the phone.

Show the child how to push them in the right order.

Teach children their name and address.

Now may be the time to also teach the child his or her full name and address. This is something many kindergartners are urged to know.

Roll-play with the child. Go over instances that are

emergencies and non-emer-gencies so he or she will under-stand the differences between both and when 9-1-1 may be needed.

Again, stress the importance that 9-1-1 should not be dialed just for fun. Mommy is not sick if she simply has a headache!

With time, children can grasp the concept of 9-1-1 and be a lifesaver at a time when an adult cannot reach the phone.

Teaching children about 9-1-1


Even young children need to know how to properly use 9-1-1.

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viSion health


By METRO SERVICES Be it testing at school or at

the doctor’s office, kid’s vision is routinely under review. But those routine eye exams might not reveal the whole truth.

A condition that often goes undetected, convergence insufficiency is not regularly screened for in pediatric eye tests, school screenings or basic eye exams. In fact, a person can even pass the 20/20 eye chart test and still have con-vergence insufficiency. Parents concerned about convergence insufficiency can learn about the condition and request that their children be tested for con-vergence insufficiency.

what is Convergence Insufficiency?

According to the Archives of Ophthalmology, Convergence Insufficiency is a binocular vision disorder in which the eyes have a strong tendency to drift outward when reading or doing close work. As the eyes drift, a person is likely to have double vision. To prevent double vision, the person then exerts extra effort to make the eyes turn back in, or converge. That extra effort often results in several frustrating symptoms.

When a person is dealing with CI, it’s common to cover or close one eye while reading. This is an attempt to relieve the

blurring or double vision that occurs. A person who falls ill, does not get enough sleep or has prolonged close work will exhibit worsening symptoms.

A person with CI will also avoid certain behaviors while suppressing one eye. This is a way parents can begin to rec-ognize CI in children, as kids might avoid tasks that require depth perception, such as games involving smaller balls traveling through the air, handi-crafts, and activities that rely heavily on hand-eye coordina-tion. Frequent head tilting and poor posture while doing activi-ties that require near vision might also act as indicators.

How is CI Detected and Diagnosed?

A basic eye exam or screen-ing with the 20/20 eye chart is not adequate for detecting CI. Rather, a comprehensive vision evaluation by an eye doctor who tests binocular vision is necessary. Students who read or do lots of desk work are especially in need of such an exam.

Teenagers and young adults are typically those who seek diagnosis. Oftentimes symp-toms gradually worsen among teenagers and young adults, who complain about worsen-ing eyestrain and blurred vision even after brief periods of read-

ing and double vision.

How is CI Treated?Treatment for CI is catego-

rized as active or passive.S Active treatment Research by the National

Eye Institute has proven that the most effective treatment for CI is supervised vision therapy in a clinical office with home reinforcement exercises. These reinforcement exercises are often done for 15 minutes a day, four to five days per week. Research indicated that chil-dren responded quickly and positively to active treatment, with 75 percent achieving full correction or marked improve-

ment within 12 weeks of begin-ning treatment.

S Passive treatmentPrismatic, or prism, eyeglass-

es can be prescribed to decrease some symptoms. However, these glasses are not a cure, and patients typically must continue to wear the lenses and even need stronger lenses as time goes on. While passive treat-ment can help address the situ-ation, research has indicated active vision therapy to be the most effective means of treat-ment.

Online:www.nei.nih.gov

What are the symptoms of CI?

When doing close work such as reading, using the computer, doing crafts or playing handheld video games, a person is likely to show or complain of the following symptoms:

* eyestrain

* headaches

* blurred vision

* inability to concentrate

* short attention span

* squinting an eye

* rubbing an eye

* covering an eye

* difficulties remembering readings

* words appearing to move, jump, swim or float

* problems with motion sickness

What to look for if you suspect your child is having vision trouble


Children who squint or struggle when reading could be suf-fering from an often undiagnosed condition know as conver-gence insufficiency.

SIDS Safe Sleep ListSudden infant death

Syndrome (SidS) is the unex-plained, sudden death of an infant that claims more than 2,000 infants per year. Most cases of SidS take place when a baby is sleeping. new information surfaced in early 2010 linking SidS to low sero-tonin levels.

research published in the “Journal of the american Medical association” stated that serotonin levels were 26 percent lower in the SidS cases examined. Serotonin is a hormone found in the body, in both the digestive tract and central nervous system. it is purported to help the brainstem regulate mood, memory, breathing, tempera-ture, sleeping, waking, and other automatic functions. Serotonin may help babies respond to high carbon monoxide levels that form when sleeping, particularly

if the infant is face-down, so that children can move their heads to get fresh air.

according to the study, autopsies performed on 35 infants who died of SidS compared chemicals in their brainstems with those found in seven babies who died unexpectedly of known causes and five infants who died from other chronic problems related to a lack of oxygen, the study says. Serotonin levels were lower in the SidS children. as a result, doctors hope to be able to screen for serotonin abnormalities in the future, being able to isolate infants who may be at a higher risk for SidS.

in the interim, parents and caregivers should follow these guidelines for giving infants the best chances against SidS.

* always place baby on his or her back for sleep, both during the day and at night.

S Place baby on a firm sleeping surface with a tight-fitting sheet.

S Prohibit smoking around the baby.

* do not co-sleep with the baby. Keep the crib nearby for easy access.

* Consider using a pacifier while the baby sleeps.

*Keep the child cool with light clothing, and make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature.

* remove bumpers, blankets and stuffed animals from the crib. – METRO SERVICES

SidS Prevention


7-12 grade soccer, track, tennis and golf (9-12) are currently in season. Contact respective

schools for information.

Student-athletes need to be aware that academic eligibility is periodically checked and enforced.

To participate in CCSD sports, students must turn a physical into their school dated June 1 or after

of the current school year.

All fall sports begin August 15th, except 9-12 football - which begins August 8th.

By METRO SERVICESFans, in addition to air con-

ditioners, are a common fea-ture in homes come the warm weather. However, recent research indicates that a fan can also play a role in protect-ing an infant’s health.

Parents have been well schooled in the ways to pre-vent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Infant deaths due to SIDS have been cut in half since the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) introduced its “Back to Sleep” campaign in 1994. Regardless, one infant in every 2,000 live births suc-cumbs to SIDSeach year in the U.S., leaving research-ers and medical experts -- as well as parents -- looking for further ways to safeguard chil-dren.

Experts hypothesize that a component of SIDS deaths is air that is laden with car-

bon dioxide. Placing the child on his or her back ensures that there is less chance of rebreathing the exhaled air. Now studies indicate that par-ents may want to go one step further.

Researchers at Kaiser Permanente examined wheth-er the use of a fan in the room where a baby sleeps can help reduce the incidence of SIDS. They questioned mothers of 185 babies in California who died of SIDS and the moth-ers of 312 randomly selected “control” infants matched by county, race, ethnicity, and age to the first group. Kaiser researchers found that infants who slept in rooms ventilat-ed by fans had a 72 percent lower risk of SIDS compared to infants who slept in bed-rooms without fans. Fans seemed to be very effective even for infants in high-risk environments, such as those still sleeping on their stom-

achs or in overheated rooms (cool, comfortable rooms are also recommended to prevent SIDS). The theory is that fans add extra ventilation that can sweep away stale, expelled air. Ceiling fans may be the best option for circulating the air.

While the research seems promising, SIDSexperts agree that the fan technique should not be used in lieu of other time-tested strategies for pre-venting SIDS. A smoke-free environment, a cool room, a bare crib, and a supine posi-tion for baby are essential. It’s also recommended that baby sleep in his or her mother’s room until the infant is out of the peak risk zone of 2 to 4 months of age.

Parents to babies born dur-ing the summer should be especially mindful of keep-ing the sleeping environment cool, which can be a chal-lenge. Don’t be afraid to use the air conditioning.

Ceiling fans may be one ofthe keys to preventing SIDS


Apart from the other time-tested methods for preventing SIDS, parents may want to try circulating the air of baby’s room with a ceiling fan, according to new research.

nutrition



Avoiding sugary snacks in one way parents can ensure their children stay at a healthy weight.

By METRO SERVICESObesity is now among one

of the most widespread medi-cal problems for children and adolescents. The American Obesity Association reports that about 15 percent of ado-lescents (aged 12 to 19 years) and children (aged 6 to 11 years) are obese in the United States. Doctors say that obe-sity among children is one of the country’s greatest health challenges.

Many health care provid-ers define obesity in a child as weighing 20 percent or more over the healthy range. The percentage of body weight that is fat is also a good indi-cator of obesity. Boys over 25 percent fat and girls over 32 percent fat are considered obese.

Childhood obesity puts youngsters at risk of being overweight adults. It also presents risk factors for other serious health concerns, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Overweight children can also experience psycho-logical side effects. Bullying and teasing by peers may lead to poor self worth and even depression.

Some experts believe that breastfeeding and delaying solid foods for infants can help prevent obesity. Teaching children how to eat healthful-ly as they age is another way to promote healthy weight.

Here are some additional suggestions:

S limit the time spent watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet to no more than 7 hours per week.

S Encourage physi -cal activity, such as sports leagues or simply playing outdoors with neighborhood friends.

S Set a good example by limiting the fattening foods you eat. Make healthy meals a family affair.

S Many people overlook the extra caloric intake of

sodas and other soft drinks, not to mention the amount of sugar in these drinks. Serve water whenever possible.

S Have children avoid snacking or eating while watching television. They may eat subconsciously while distracted by the show -- and consequently eat much more than is recommended.

S Exercise as a family. Get outside and take walks, ride bicycles or swim. If exer-cise is done together, it’s more likely to be continued.

S According to statistics, only one-third of students have regular physical activ-

ity at school. Speak to school officials about having more physical fitness incorporated into students’ schedules.

S Pack your child’s lunch so he is less likely to rely on processed or fast foods.

S Regular health checkups can determine if your child is in a healthy weight range.

Doctors have the equip-ment to most accurately mea-sure body mass index (BMI). You can also roughly calcu-late it at home: Multiply the child’s weight in pounds by 705. Then divide by the child’s height in inches. Divide this by the height in inches again.

How parents can tackle the issue of tubby tots By METRO SERVICES

With childhood obesity epi-demics on the rise, many par-ents and healthcare providers are concerned about the dietary habits of children. However, many parents to toddlers or even school-aged children may wonder if their children are eat-ing enough.

Children often go through periods of finicky eating or dis-interest in food. It is not uncom-mon to have a child who eats a wide variety of foods when he is younger only to dislike the same foods a year or two later.

Most doctors say that if a child is growing and active, chances are that he is healthy and getting enough food. If the opposite is true, there may be some cause for concern. Parents should consult the child’s pedi-atrician if eating habits seem to be compromising their child’s growth or energy levels.

There are estimates that a young child should eat about a tablespoon of food for each year of the child’s age. Therefore, a 3-year-old should be getting at least 3 tablespoons of food. If the child is interested in more food, certainly offer it. If he pushes food away after eating, don’t force more on him. Most children should have 3 meals and 2 snacks per day. Toddlers may not eat enough in one meal to remain full until the next meal. Small, healthy snacks of vegetables, whole-grain crack-ers or low-fat dairy products can help take the edge off of hunger.

Health experts say that it can take several introductions to a new food before the child becomes accustomed to its taste and texture. It may be a good idea to offer a variety of new foods together with something

he already enjoys eating. It’s also common for kids to

only eat one type of food over and over again. Don’t worry that the child is not getting enough nutrition. Chances are he will grow out of this stage and soon enjoy a variety of foods.

Threats or punishments to eat will only serve to cause a poor relationship with food, advise childhood experts. Also, don’t bribe a child to eat with the reward of a snack or dessert later on. This sets a poor exam-ple of eating and could lead to behavioral problems.

Many children develop fin-icky eating habits. However, as long as a youngster is grow-ing regularly and has plenty of energy for daily activities, there’s a good chance that the foods being eaten are not inter-fering with health.

Is your child eating enough? You don’t necessarily need to worry about your picky eater

FAMILY MEDICAL CARE

Breck McCarty, M.D., Craig McCarty, M.D., Garry G. Becker, M.D., Laura A. Anders, M.D., Timothy P. Hallinan, M.D., Kelly McMillin, M.D.

Family Medical Care is a group of family physicians ready to care for your whole family...obstetric care, newborn all the way through elderly care.

Dr. Craig McCarty is accepting patients on a case by case basis for Suboxone treatment.

Dr Kelly McMillin has recently join our staff. She is accepting new patients for family and obstetrical care. She is able to see you with little or no waiting

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

For appointmentscall 682-3333

709 West Eighth Street, Suite 4Gillette, WY 82716

Get the best care... personalized care... from a family doctor who

KNOWS you and your family.

■ ■ ■■ ■ ■

How to cook up a mess with kids S Baking and basic food assembly is the easiest way to

branch into messy culinary play. Cut up fruits and vegeta-bles to make fun faces, or simply mix together homemade dough to play with and shape. (See recipes.)

S age is just a number! allow even the youngest chef to help by pouring ingredients like flour, sugar and eggs into a bowl.

S Start simple. no-bake cookies, smoothies and sand-wiches are a great start. if using a cookbook, start with one that has pictures for each instruction.

S Pour on the praise! no matter the outcome, always encourage their effort. remember, practice makes perfect.

S Spills happen. take it in stride and simply use the opportunity to teach clean-up. Clean applicable surfaces with Clorox Clean-up Cleaner with Bleach, especially after using eggs or raw meat.

■ ■ ■■ ■ ■

learning & develoPMent


By FAMIlY SERVICES

I t seems as if parents spend a lot of time trying to get their kids to clean up — or, better yet, to not make a mess in the first place. But guess what? Getting

messy can actually be good for kids.Clinical research shows that creative, messy activities like

cooking and baking engage all of a child’s senses, helping them explore new ideas and teaching them how to solve problems. It also provides valuable time together, as well as an opportunity to teach basic math skills, cleaning habits and nutrition.

“To unlock a child’s fullest potential, cooking activities, even as simple as pouring and mixing, are recommended at least three to four times a week,” said Karen Deerwester, child development expert and founder of Family Time, Inc.

According to Deerwester, children shape their own learning by transforming unpredictable, messy experiences into creative, purposeful action. “These mess-to-morsel experiences teach children a critical life skill called execu-tive function,” she said, “which is a child’s ability to self-manage behavior and negotiate age-appropriate challenges and obstacles. Furthermore, these types of activities teach kids to take risks, learn from mistakes and create out-of-the-box solutions.”

Children learn through play, so Deerwester encourages parents to cook up a mess with their children on a regular basis. These tips and ideas will help you create a powerful — and fun — learning experience for your child.

For more information and ideas for messy play activities, visit www.facebook.com/clorox.

Family Features photo

Creative messy cooking is good for kids

Get started on some creative kitchen play with these homemade play doughs and fun toast art.

love ToastToast is for more than just eating. White bread is an excellent canvas for

making meal time extra special. Simply paint bread with milk mixed with food coloring and then toast. For some extra fun, cut toast into a special shape using a seasonal cookie cutter. For a fruity flavor twist, create paint out of water and flavored powdered gelatin mix.

Best Play DOugH ever

2 cups flour 1 cup salt 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 2 tablespoons oil 1 teaspoon food coloring 2 cups water

Mix ingredients in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring con stantly until dough leaves sides of the pan. Remove from pan. When cool to the touch, knead for a few minutes. Play dough can be stored in the refrigerator for weeks in an airtight container.

eDIBle Peanut Butter Play DOugH*

1 cup peanut butter 1 cup powdered milk 1/4 cup honey

Optional texture items: raisins, coconut, crushed graham crackers

Mix the first three ingredients in a large bowl until smooth. Add optional texture items.

* Not for children with peanut allergies.

CHOCOlate Play DOugH

1 1/4 cup flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1/2 cup salt 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 cup boiling water

Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, and cream of tartar. Add cooking oil and boiling water. Stir quickly and mix well. Cook over low heat until dough forms a ball. When cool, knead with hands. Refrigerate and store in an air tight container. Smells great, but is not really sweet enough to eat.

Say yes to mess!Family Features photo

Children love to get their hands dirty, so let them dig in and they will be learning and having fun at the same time!

Show me the dough!

Parents Handbook

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