JournalJune 15, 2002
Guide to Child CareJune 15, 2002 Breast feedingFirst, if you breastfeed it should be your child.Second, have a beer weekly (seriously!) and eat non-fat yogurt, plain, daily. Drink 2 Cups of tea during each breast-feeding session. Be careful not to spill hot tea on the baby as this will cause colicky behavior such as screaming. The beer has two functions. It causes the milk to come in (especially good for the first two weeks). And second, it will help you relax (especially good for first two babies). Never, ever let the baby at the breast for more than five minutes at a time. This is a good idea when playing with your mate as his/her saliva is just as hazardous to your health. Saliva dissolves skin. Breastfeeding is supposed to result in a higher IQ for the infant. No word on if this works for adult males. Observation would say that it has the opposite effect. DisciplineSome children like to be spanked. Watch for signs of that because you don't want to "reward" them for bad behavior. Find alternatives.Sending a child to their room doesn't count if child has a TV, CD player, PlayStationII, a computer or other distracting toys. Best to keep these in a playroom or the family room. Bedroom should contain a dresser, closet and a bed. It should be reflection not distraction that you are seeking. Be sure child has no access to crayons and that the wallpaper or paint is washable. Grounding a child from going to the movies doesn't work if you own 1,000 or more DVDs and video tapes unless you can control their access to them. For example, limit DVD and tape player to the family room and make the family room off-limits. Of course, you will have to send them to their room if you want to watch a movie. Note that the PlayStationII does play DVDs. Going to bed without supper or dessert is not the end of the world nor will it hurt the child. With today's childhood obesity, it will probably help. Be sure child has no stash of Mars Bars or other calorie-containing items under the bed. Provide water. Bread is optional. If a child destroys the plaster (throwing things, like a brick), teach them to spackle the plaster and do touch-up painting. This is a useful skill for any child. If a child writes on the walls with other than washable crayons, introduce them to paint removers, bleach, and other cleaners to remove the crayon. Then teach touch-up painting. Clean up with turpentine. Do this outdoors. If turpentine is not needed, clean up with hose on a somewhat high jet setting. Cold and hard. Effective. Hose can be used to wash off turpentine as well. To avoid wall damage, provide tub crayons to the child. Have them wipe down the walls before leaving the tub. Teaches them to clean the bathroom. Or part of it. Also a required skill for adulthood. Refer to the section on "Fire" for handling the pyromaniac in the family. Basically, encourage them to light the candles, start the barbecue, lay the fire in the fireplace. Time and place training. Reduces need to play with matches. The MoviesTry going to the movies. If child disturbs the theater, refrain from going again for one year and try again. Remind child why they haven't been going to the movies. Repeat until child gets it or attains adulthood, whichever comes first. Why BlockBuster exists.When going to the theater with young children, do not buy the snack package for kids. Get one large tub or sack of popcorn and some empty cups (or bring your own). Do the same with drinks. If they spill, they lose it. Teaches sense of balance and concept of sharing. Children who are being noisy do not get anything. Teaches quiet. I miss drive-ins. ReadingRead a book to your children every night starting at 3 months. Repeat until they ask you to stop. This occurs around puberty. Be sure to turn TV set off when reading.FoodDo not feed children candy, chocolate, soda, chips, salty crackers, cookies, cake, too much lunchmeat, French fries or high-fat foods. Keep carrot sticks, celery, apples, oranges, bananas, grapes (not for small children unless cut up) on hand at all time. Forbidden foods should not be "treats" or "rewards". They can be used when traveling or at outdoor events where children can run it off.Food When TravelingDo not feed a child a Burger King hamburger with fries and a Coke while driving on a winding road. This holds for any fried, high-fat food combined with any soda. When driving on a winding road for more than 15 minutes, pull over on occasion and allow children to walk about a bit. Avoid the desire to leave children at the side of the road. However, note that this desire is perfectly normal, especially on long road trips. Fire, Candles and MatchesFire is nice but not a sound idea around small children. For larger children, starting a fire in the barbecue or outdoor fireplace will reduce their need to play with matches.Candles are a nice touch on the table, as long as there is at least one overhead light bulb so you can identify the food that you are eating. Glade now had room freshener candles. These are good for teenager's rooms, near the cat pan, and near the kitchen. Other scented candles can be used for homes with older children. Light several at a time. In all cases, hide the matches. Avoid placing too many candles too close to the flowers on the counter as this will cause the flowers to wilt and might even start a fire. Avoid lighting too many candles, especially when wearing a long sleeved blouse. Avoid long sleeve blouses if you have a gas stove. Avoid laying a dishtowel down on any stove. That's what the handle bar across the front is for. |
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