New Year's Resolutions

Have you set your New Year's Resolutions yet? The holidays are over, kids are back to school and it's time for a "do over". That's what the new year brings us, a chance to start fresh and resolve to do things differently. Whether it be that you want to lose weight, begin an exercise routine, organize your home, live more frugally, or just get a grasp on your budget, now's the time to start!

Here are some of our favorite articles that will help kick start your New Year's Resolutions!

Break Free From Your Sugar Habit
Food Combining
The Key to Serving Sizes
The Scale Is Not Your Friend
Exercises to Get You and Your Kids Awake in the Morning
Get Fit on a Shoestring Budget
The Benefits of Exercise: Weight Control and Beyond
The Key to Losing Fat May Not Be Aerobics Alone
30 Healthier Snack Ideas for Kids
5 Exercises Kids Should Never Do

30 Quick Cleaning Tips for a Tidier Home
Decluttering Your Home Office
How to Streamline Your Morning Routine
10-Hours (or 10-Days) To A Spotless and Organized Kitchen
An Organized Pantry
Developing a Price Book
Organized Dinner Planning and Grocery Shopping
13 Tips To Help Get Your Kids Organized

10 Steps to Improve Your Financial Situation
After Bankruptcy Blues
Budgeting for the New Year
Five Money Issues Couples Must Never Fight Over

You can find a large selection of helpful articles in the following categories on our website.

Finance
Frugal Living
Organizing
Cleaning
Fitness
Dieting

When School-age Children Are Sick

It never fails. One of your children gets sick when your spouse is away on business and you have a full schedule. To complicate matters, it can be difficult deciding when to keep a child home and when to forge ahead business as usual.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the typical child has 6 to 12 illnesses a year ranging from mild to severe. Illness can occur throughout the year, but tends to cluster in the winter due to flu season. These illnesses can seem to spread like wild fire affecting other students, teachers, and family members. Sometimes even minor illnesses require the child to stay home just to prevent the further spread of a contagious disease.

In addition to consulting your pediatrician and school nurse, these tips can help you decide whether to keep your child at home for some of the most common sick symptoms:

Click here to read this article

Dog Bites: Prevention is Key

Summer is the time when most dog bites occur, and children under age 15 are the most likely victims. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400,000 children each year seek medical attention for dog bites. American Humane urges parents and dog owners to learn how they can help keep their neighborhood children safe.

"Any breed of dog may bite. And even family pets, not just dogs that are unknown to a child, have the potential to bite," said Dr. Bill Torgerson, DVM, vice president of Animal Protection Services for American Humane. "Relationships between kids and animals can be so positive and meaningful - on both sides - it would be tragic to discourage that because of fear. At the same time, the worst thing that could happen is for a child to get hurt."

According to American Humane, adults - both dog owners and parents - play the most important role in keeping children safe and ensuring that the interaction is positive for both the children and the dogs.

To prevent dog bites, adults should teach children:

• Never to approach an unknown dog or a dog who is alone without its owner, and always ask the owner's permission before petting it.
  
• Never approach an injured animal - go find an adult who can get it the help it needs.
  
• Never approach a dog that is eating, sleeping or has something it likes - like a bone or toy - because it may feel the need to guard it.
  
• Don't poke, hit, pull, pinch or tease a dog - the dog may not realize you're just playing.
  
• Don't chase or run from a dog.
  

"Adults need to realize that children must be supervised whenever they are playing with any dog because children often don't realize what their actions say in 'dog language.' Babies and young children should never be left unattended with a dog, not even the family pet," Torgerson said.

Read more of this article: Dog Bites: Prevention is Key

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Pet Adoption Guidelines: Choosing a Pet
First Aid for Cat & Dog Injuries
The Family Dog & Your New Baby
Puppy Love

Fun at the Beach Survival Kit

If you live near a beach, whether it be the ocean or a lake, it's a great way to enjoy time with your kids and keep away the boredom bug. If you don't live near the water, but are planning a vacation to the beach, here's a list of items that are a must have!

Sunscreen
This is probably the most important item in your beach bag. Make sure that you have sufficient sunscreen protection for yourself and your children. The sun's ultraviolet rays are at their strongest during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., so limit your time in the sun during those hours. Choose a sunscreen lotion that is at the very least 15 SPF, more appropriate for children is an SPF of 30 or more. Be sure to adequately apply the sunscreen to all exposed skin, including ears, nose, and neck. Speak to your doctor about sunscreen and babies under 6 months of age. Don't forget your lips! Bring along sun protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more. An Aloe based after sun lotion is a great way to soothe your skin after a day in the sun, apply after your day at the beach.

Protective Barriers
Sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays, sun hats with brims, and beach umbrellas are all wonderful items to have along for added protection. Babies under 6 months old should wear protective clothing, a brimmed sun hat, and if possible, baby sunglasses that protect from harmful UV rays. Babies should not spend a lot of time in the sun, but when they are, keep them protected! A frist aid kit with band aids, an antibiotic cream, and other essentials is an excellent idea as well.

Chairs & Blanket
There are chairs made specifically for the beach, they sit low to the ground and fold up neatly, often they include a handy shoulder strap. Don't count on the beach having chairs for its guests! A blanket is another nice thing to bring along. Not only is it comfortable to sit on, but it's a welcome comfort from the hot sand on bare feet.

Read the rest of this article and get our checklist for your Fun at the Beach Survival Kit!

More You Might Like:
Summer Photo Tips: Photography on the Beach
Make a Summer Beach Plaque
Coloring Pages : Fun Time : Beach
Summer Safety and Sanity for Families on the Go
More Leisure Time

A Chronically Stuffy Nose May be a Sign of Allergies

A stuffy nose is very common in young children. The most usual reason for this is that the nasal passages are quite small in children, and it doesn't take very much to block them.

However, in situations where this is recurrent, like in your daughter, one has to consider allergies. Allergens (something that causes an allergy) such as dust mites, cat or other animal dander, can irritate the nose resulting in chronic nasal congestion, and sometimes a chronically runny nose. This is referred to as "allergic rhinitis". Typically, the symptoms are worse during the winter months when everyone tends to spend more time indoors. Additionally, there is usually a history of allergies in the family.

To read the entire article visit A Chronically Stuffy Nose May be a Sign of Allergies on FamilyCorner.com