Showing posts with label motherhood. Show all posts

MOTHERHOOD: The Surprising Treatment That Cures Swollen, Itchy Mosquito Bites

Wow, this article truly a surprises for me. If you have this product sitting on your cupboard, take it out and keep it in your purse as it will be handy anytime, now that it's rainy season when mosquitos are having a feast.

This article was originally posted on Yahoo!

Not too long ago, my boyfriend and I went to the Dominican Republic to visit his family. I was prepared for the humidity, the fast-paced Spanish, and the endless servings of plantains, but I wasn’t ready for the hordes of mosquitoes. “They bite foreigners more than natives,” my boyfriend warned, and he was right. After just one evening (despite sleeping under a netted canopy!), my legs were covered in huge, blotchy marks that were nearly impossible to resist itching.

After seeing all my bites, my boyfriend’s mother passed me a tub of Vicks VapoRub ($5), swearing it would cure them. I was pretty apprehensive. I seem to be particularly sensitive to mosquitoes, because each of my bites turns into a quarter-sized welt that mars my skin for over a week. But I tried out the remedy on a few spots, mostly out of respect to my potential mother-in-law. To my great surprise, not only was the itching quickly soothed, but each bump faded in a few short days! Turns out the product is used for many ailments in DR, including headaches, fevers, toenail fungus, and more. (It reminded me a lot of Windex in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.)

According to NYC dermatologist Dr. Neal Schultz, host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz, there’s some solid science behind this homeopathic remedy. “Three of the ingredients (menthol, camphor, and thymol) are topical analgesics,” he explained. “They create a cooling sensation and stop the itching.”

The VapoRub was also responsible for flatting each bite, thanks to the formula’s nutmeg oil. This essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as pain-relieving and redness-reducing benefits. (That’s why it makes such a good at-home acne treatment.) Finally, the cedarleaf oil in Vicks acts as a natural mosquito repellent! Sometimes moms really do know best — I’ll never go on another tropical vacation without stashing a jar in my suitcase.

How to Create an Emergency Evacuation Kit...Just in Case

This article was originally posted in Yahoo!

From hurricanes to earthquakes and wildfires, natural disasters can be frightening. While these emergencies come in many forms and may require anything from a brief absence to permanent evacuation, there’s one thing you can do to ensure your safety — prepare.

If you’re forced to leave your home, you may have less than a minute to get out. Having an emergency evacuation kit packed and ready to go could mean the difference between your wellbeing and hardship.

“You can’t control disasters, but you can control how prepared you are for them,” said Rafael Lemaitre, director of public affairs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The outlook for the coming Atlantic hurricane season, for example, looks to be quieter than normal, but all it takes is one to affect you and your community. It only takes one disaster to change your entire life, so it makes sense to prepare.”

What you’ll need

Beyond stocking up on nonperishable food, water, flashlights and clothing, you need to collect important documents to include in your evacuation kit. Your kit should include:

Cash: In small bills. If the power is out, you won’t be able to make withdrawals from an ATM.
Identification: Copies of your driver’s licenses, Social Security card, birth certificate and marriage records.
Insurance: Copies of home, auto and health policy information.
Banking: Savings and checking account numbers.
First-aid kit: The American Red Cross recommends bandages in various sizes, gauze pads, adhesive cloth tape, antiseptic wipe packets, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone ointment, an oral thermometer, non-latex gloves, scissors, tweezers and aspirin.
Medication: Keep at least a seven-day supply of essential medications in your evacuation kit and determine how often you should replace stored medication. Have extra copies of prescriptions or leave a copy of your prescriptions on hold with a national pharmacy chain or with a relative who lives some distance away.
Legal: Copies of wills or power-of-attorney documents.
Contact information: Doctors, family members, friends and work contacts, among others.
Connectivity: An extra cellphone charger or portable charging unit for your phone. Solar and wind-up chargers are available, while others use small batteries.
Navigation: A map of your city or region that includes street names and public transportation information. Disasters often force detours and changing traffic patterns; a map will help keep you from getting lost.

Pulling it all together

Use a large water-resistant backpack or duffel bag to hold your emergency kit. Look for bags with padded shoulder straps and waist straps to help distribute weight and make it easier to carry long distances. Experts suggest keeping documents inside a waterproof container in your evacuation backpack or duffle.

Store your emergency supplies in a safe place where you can grab them easily.

“Studies have proven that the more prepared people are, the less anxious they are and the more quickly they recover from disaster,” said FEMA’s Lemaitre. “It only takes a few minutes a couple times a year to make sure your family’s evacuation kit is up to date, but it’s an important investment to make for you, your family and your children.”

RECIPE: Halloween Cakes

Before we do shopping spree for Christmas, let's plan for Halloween first. My son reminds every now and then that he wants to be Spiderman on Halloween so that made me look for homemade ideas for his much anticipated costume.

Then I found these wonderful DIY cakes for Halloween that excites me to share with his friends. What do you think?

MOTHERHOOD: When a Woman Left Me a Note About My Son in the Doctors’ Waiting Room

My heart melt when I read this article. My boy has special needs too and we are lucky that we live in a country where people are considerate with PWA(People With Disability). These people makes our burden lighter. Their little caring gestures makes our lives better and easier, if only they know it. I am hoping that there are more people that are compassionate rather than judgemental.

Originally posted on Yahoo!

PHOTO: John Howard/ Getty Images

I’ve learned a lot having a child with special needs. I have learned a lot about his many diagnoses — Phelan-McDermid syndrome and autism among them. I have also learned a lot about myself and other people. Sometimes my son’s presence brings out the good in other people and, unfortunately, sometimes the bad.

As he was growing up, we heard it all: “Why does he walk funny?” and “You need to teach him some manners.” But two negative moments in particular stick in my mind.

When he was young, he had to wear glasses since he was diagnosed with myopia along with optic nerve hypoplasia. He also couldn’t sit up until he was 18 months old because his hypotonia or low muscle tone, so he would lie in the baby carriage while we made our way out and about.

Most of our outings in his first few months were to doctors or specialists to get tests, scans and bloodwork – you name it, he endured it! So it was nice for us to get out to the shops one day. I was looking at some books and turned back to the baby carriage to find a lady, pointing and laughing at my son and his glasses and gesturing her husband to come and look. Yes a grown woman did this! As I was only just starting my journey of motherhood — with the extra bonus of having a very special little boy with a disability — I was mortified. I rushed back to the car and came home in tears.

On another trip out, another grown woman walked past us, looked at my son in his glasses and remarked to her companion, “Did you see him? How ridiculous!” Again, she was referring to his glasses.

As we’ve gone along our journey together, I’ve learned to shrug it off. Of course, this is easier to do on some days than others. Maybe some people need to keep this old adage in mind: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

On the flip side, we also come across some lovely people in our travels.

We were waiting in the doctors’ waiting room at the end of the school holidays. My son can sometimes get in other people’s space, and I was in no mood to deal with people today. To minimize this, we went to the children’s area. He could also get a good view of the parking lot from there, since he loved watching cars and waving at people as they were coming and going.

He’s nonverbal so he makes his happy noises when he’s excited. We were in the play area by ourselves. There were big windows between us and the other patients, so he didn’t seem to be bothering anyone. We got a few quizzical looks and a few smiles.

When we finally got in to see the doctor, my son was as uncooperative as ever. I don’t blame him after years of being poked and prodded by every sort of medical specialist you can imagine!

Then we came out and to the reception desk to sort out our payment. The receptionist said, “Another patient gave me this to give to you. I’m not sure what it is.” I was a little worried as she handed me a folded note.

I wanted to give you a huge hug – you looked like you needed one.

Your son is a lovely young boy and I hope he brings lots of love + sunshine to your life.

Keep smiling –

an ASD Mum xx

“Is it OK?” asked the receptionist. “Yes, it is a lovely note,” I replied. I paid and went out to my car. I sat for a moment and read the note again with tears running down my face. It was the little lift I needed. And yes, he does bring lots of love and sunshine to my life! It was a beautiful gesture from someone who has been there.

Thank you “ASD Mum” for taking a little time out from your day and doing this small gesture to make another mom feel better.

Special needs moms really do have each others backs!

By Jodie Wedmore

MOTHERHOOD: Your Body After a Night of Not-Enough Sleep

Who can relate? And I raised my hand - ME! ME! ME!

Funny indeed.

RECIPE: 9 Delicious Desserts That Require Just 2 Ingredients

Oh My Goodness! This article by Julia Millay Walsh made me drool and want to run to the nearest bakeshop. These are simply mouth watering, sugar and calorie overloading recipes.

Link: https://www.yahoo.com/food/9-delicious-desserts-that-require-just-2-126441131679.html

When you’ve already slaved away for hours—or days!—making an assortment of appetizers, starters, mains, and sides for your dinner party—not to mention setting a beautiful table—who wants to deal with making dessert? Granted, desserts are fun to make, but we don’t blame if you want to select something a little more low-maintenance. Take your final course a step above ice cream from the carton and consider one of these two-ingredient desserts. Not only are they incredibly easy to make, they’re also affordable and impressive. Your guests won’t believe how little effort these took (that is, if you decide to share that information).

Nutella Mousse

Have you tried any of it at home? Let me know your cooking experience by leaving comment below:)

MOTHERHOOD: Bestselling Book Promises Kids Will Fall Asleep at Bedtime

Reading has a calming effect to many, that is why when we read we get sleepy.
It's good to practice children reading at least 20 minutes a day. Studies have shown that reading helps children academically. Reading to them before they sleep is a special time between you and your child. So grab any book tonight and read to them.

Link: https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/best-selling-book-promises-kids-will-fall-asleep-126940733592.html

A book called The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep claims to help children have a restful and long sleep. (Photo: Getty Images)

Good news for parents of children who either refuse to go to bed or have sleeping issues: A book called The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep promises to change that.

While the book was published in April 2014, it’s recently skyrocketed in popularity, topping the Amazon bestseller list — a first for a self-published book — and even outselling Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman and Paula Hawkins’s The Girl on the Train. And its Facebook page has 20,000 likes and rave reviews from parents who bought the book. According to Amazon, Roger’s story is “a quick and guaranteed way to help your child relax in the evening or during a nap.”

The 26-page book, written by Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin, a Swedish psychologist and linguist, uses psychological tricks and positive-reinforcement methods to soothe children to sleep. The premise is simple: Roger the Rabbit is so tired but he can’t fall asleep, so he and Mommy Rabbit visit “Uncle Yawn.” On their way, they bump into Sleepy Snail and Heavy-Eyed Owl, both of whom offer advice on how to catch some z’s. After Uncle Yawn sprinkles magical sleeping powder on Roger, he’s able to make it home and fall asleep in his bed.

Kids are encouraged to yawn throughout the story and emphasize key phrases to help them drift off, and parents can insert their child’s name into the story to immerse them.

How legit is the book as a sleep aid? Very, if you take these ominous warnings seriously: “Even if this book is harmless to use, the author and the publisher take no responsibility for the outcome,” and parents are discouraged from reading the book “close to someone driving any type of vehicle.”

The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep (Photo: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform)

“It’s the verbal equivalent of rocking your child to sleep,” Ehrlin, of Jonkoping University in Sweden, told the U.K.’s Daily Express. “[It helps] the child focus on relaxation and become part of the story.”

And parents on Amazon agree. While the book only has 14 reader reviews, it’s acquired 4.4 stars. “Both of us were asleep before the book was over. [Definitely] becoming part of our bedtime routine!” one parent wrote after reading the story to her “night owl” son. Wrote another, “Our 9 month old daughter has been wild at bedtime, and we’ve tried so many methods of calming her, but this has been the first thing to get her into sleep mode in under 20 minutes.”

Even a person named Jacob, who gave the book only 1 star, could hardly critique its effectiveness, although he did have a valid concern. “Bought the audio book so I could have my son listen to it in the car,” he wrote. “But I ended up falling asleep at the wheel and crashed my car. This book ended up costing me $3,000 for all the damages to my car, and ended up putting my son’s and my life in danger. I definitely do not recommend this product, and warn people not to listen to it in their car.”

Roger’s exhaustive search for sleep is reminiscent of the 1947 classic Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. Unlike the fantastical nature of The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep, Goodnight Moon used a style of writing called the “here and now” to make bedtime tempting to children. According to a story published by Mental Floss, back then, narratives that focused on children’s daily routines were unexplored territory, which contributed to the book’s success. The modern bedtime story has evolved to books such as the 2011 bestseller Go the F*** to Sleep by Adam Mansbach, dubbed a “children’s book for adults.”

As the mother of a 13-month-old boy who isn’t sleep-trained, I’ve ordered The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep, and I’m eager to embark on Roger’s adventure — even if I don’t stay awake to finish the story.

MOTHERHOOD: Mom’s Striking Photo 3 Days After Giving Birth Sparks Honest Confessions

(Photo: Yahoo!)

This photo has gone viral and reached 15,000 times share. This is a photo of a new mom experiencing post-partum on the 3rd day after giving birth.

She is Danielle Haines and she gave birth to her lovely son in November 2014. At first, the photo looks disturbing and very unhappy until you read the caption on her Facebook stating "This is a picture of me 3 days postpartum. I was so raw and so open, I was a f***ing mess. I loved my baby, I missed his daddy (he went back to work that day), I was mad at my mom, my heart hurt for my brother because my mom left us and now I had a little boy that looked like him, my nipples were cracked and bleeding, my milk was almost in, my baby was getting really hungry, I was feeling sad that people kill babies, like on purpose, I had not slept since I went into labor, I didn’t know how to put my boobs away, my vagina was sore from sitting on it while nursing constantly, I was kinda [losing] my mind.”

Being pregnant is hard enough, more so if it's the first time. You are on a whirlwind romance with hormones. Giving birth, nursing a child and feeling alone are tremendously nightmare. The photo may be distress but if we will look at it on a different perspective, it is moving. This photo shows that post-partum depression is happening and it is real. This represents how vulnerable a mother could get most especially if no one is beside her to go through all that is happening. Giving birth is a happy occasion but when you are lonely and feel alone, it can be a disaster.

So for all the moms-to-be and moms in the same situation, fellow mom here behind you and supporting you all the way. You can do it:)

Her story was originally posted in Yahoo Parenting!

RECIPE: No Bake Desserts

This list of desserts seems like never-ending. Diet starts tomorrow.

These shortlisted recipes originally came from Marth Stewart's website.

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake

Frozen Chocolate-Mousse Trifles

Sauteed Peaches

Cannoli Cones

Mango-Lime Ricotta Parfaits

Chocolate-Candy Icebox Bars

Chocolate-Covered Bananas

Waffle-and-Strawberry Trifle

Chocolate-Mint Icebox Cake

Tangy Raspberry Fool

Chocolate-Banana Pudding

Peanut Butter Tart

No-Bake Chocolate-Crust Cheesecake

Peach Melba Spoom

Black-and-White Ice Cream Tart

Coconut Bonbons

Chocolate, Banana, and Graham Cracker Icebox Cake

No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake

No-Bake Fudge Brownies

Marshmallow Cookie Sandwiches

No-Bake Espresso Cremes Brulees

Chocolate-Ricotta Icebox Cake

Berries with Buttermilk and Honey

Peanut-Butter Chocolate Parfaits

Frozen Mocha Toffee-Crunch Terrine

No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Chocolate Peanut-Butter Icebox Cake

Minted-Chocolate Cookies

Crispy Chocolate-Marshmallow Treats

Frozen Peanut Butter, Chocolate, and Banana Loaf

Slow-Cooker Triple Chocolate Brownies

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Semifreddo

Puffed-Rice Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Crunchy Chocolate Treats

Enter your email address for free subscription to Motherhood, Marriage and Me: