How to encourage your baby to enjoy swimming...

• swimming is one of the best and healthiest form of exercise for adults and even kids. Even newborn are natural lovers  of water as the keep floating around in their mother's womb for nine good months ( funny ??).

Here are some procedures to develop the taste and love for swimming in your baby.

1) make your baby learn to relax and have fun with water. Take baths and showers with her and let her splash the water,watch and observe toys that float.

2)Trickle water over his forehead slowly so that he can feel comfortable with the feel of the running water.

3)Snuggle your baby to your chest as you recline in the tub and you may even nurse the baby to help relax while almost floating. Most importantly, be sure the water is not soapy to avoid hurting his eyes.

4) Help your baby to trust and feel safe in the water by exposing him to water for short but frequent periods of time.

5) When your baby feels comfortable in shower and tub, you can then take him to the pool.

6) Make sure that the pool has a lukewarm water before you immerse baby in so that he does not get cold.

7) Importantly, check for the concentration of the chlorine in the pool so as to avoid hurting the baby's eyes, skin and breathing ways
.
8) Pools with ozone filters are clean and baby friendly.

9) Do not take the baby to the pool immediately after feeding.

10) Make sure that he is wearing a swimming diaper to avoid soiling the pool.

11) Most babies love bouyancy of water and freedom of movement, so hold him securely on your arms and let him move in the water.

12) You can enroll your child for a swimming classes with a qualified instructor.

successful disciplinary strategies for your child

successful disciplinary strategies for your child

Why is discipline such a big dilemma? Because it feels like a tightrope act. On one side there's the peril of permissiveness — no one wants to raise a brat. On the other side there's the fear of over-control — who wants to be the hardliner raising cowed, sullen kids?

What we need is a comfortable middle ground to ensure that our little ones grow up to be respectful, caring, and well behaved.

To set the stage for successful discipline, here are the bottom-line rules many experts agree on:

1. We're all in this together: Right from the start, teach your kids that your family is a mutual support system, meaning that everyone pitches in. Even a baby can learn to "help" you lift her by reaching out her arms, says Madelyn Swift, founder and director of Childright and author of Discipline for Life, Getting It Right With Children .

2. Respect is mutual: One of the most common complaints parents and kids have about each other is "You're not listening." Set a good example early on: When your child tries to tell you something, stop what you're doing, focus your
attention, and listen. Later you can require the same courtesy from her.

3. Consistency is king: One good way to raise a child with emotional strength is to be consistent and unwavering about rules and chores, says Harvard professor Dan Kindlon, author of Too Much of a Good Thing . Even if you pick just one chore to insist on, your child will be better off, Kindlon says. "Being firm and consistent teaches your child that you care enough about him to expect responsible behavior."

4. Life's not always fair: We're so afraid of disappointing or upsetting our kids — too afraid, say some discipline pros. "If a child never experiences the pain of frustration — of having to share a toy or wait their turn in line — or if they're never sad or disappointed, they won't develop psychological skills
that are crucial for their future happiness," says Kindlon.

5.Build the Bond
A close relationship with their mothers can help keep boys from acting out, according to a 2010 study. A warm, attached relationship with mom seems important in preventing behavoiral problems in sons, even more so than in girls, the research found. The findings, published in the journal Child Development, highlight the need for “secure attachment” between kids and their parents, a style in which kids can go to mom and dad as a comforting “secure base” before venturing into the wider world.

The mommy bond may also make for better romance later in life, as another study reported in 2010 showed that a close relationship with one’s mother in early adolescence (by age 14) was associated with better-quality romantic relationships as young adults

Signs that your baby loves you..... a must read for parents

7 Signs that your baby loves you http://blisfulkids.blogspot.com/2013/10/7-signs-that-your-baby-love-you.html

7 Signs that your baby loves you

7 Signs that your baby loves you
 by Evonne Lack

She stares into your eyes
Newborns love to look at faces, and yours is her favorite. That soulful gaze is a hardwired survival instinct designed to attract love and attention from
a caregiver, says neuroscientist Lise Eliot. But it's also the beginning of her love for you – she's realizing just how important you are in her life.

 He recognizes your smell:
Given the choice between a dozen fragrant roses and your sweaty, milk-stained T-shirt, your baby will go for the shirt every time. "Even a 1-week-
old will turn his head toward a breast pad soaked with his mother's milk," says Eliot. To your newborn, nothing smells sweeter than you.

She smiles at you:
The first time your baby gives you a true, fabulous grin is a magical moment. It's her way of saying "I
love you."

He talks to you:
Your baby's very earliest coos will be directed at you or another trusted caregiver, says Eliot – he
won't start by talking to himself. He'll use this early language (called protoconversation) to engage with you, so answer back! You're both laying the groundwork for real conversation later.

She wants you around:
About halfway through your baby's first year, you'll notice that she's not happy with your absence . She may scrunch up her face or cry when you step
out of the room, and she'll smile upon your return – a sign of her growing attachment.

He shares your interests: 
Whether it's a display of holiday lights or the dirty laundry, if you scrutinize it, your baby will do the same. Called mutual attention, this behavior can
start when your baby is just a few months old, but it's more pronounced at 9 to 12 months. "It's a sign that your child is engaged with you and values what you're paying attention to," says pediatrician Harvey Karp .

She uses you as a shield:
Don't be surprised if your baby buries her head in your chest when someone new appears on the scene. " Stranger anxiety " is a normal phase, and
turning to you for protection means your baby loves you  and trusts you to keep her safe.

Benefits of video gaming for children

Benefits of video gaming for children
If you are a parent and you have a son and a daughter then you are bound to experience a few arguments now and again. However, there are ways in which you can improve your children’s relationship and ensure that they get on well with one and other. The best thing to do is to try and find a hobby which they both enjoy and thus that they can enjoy together. A good example of this is video game.
Most children nowadays like to play video games and thus this is a great thing which your son and daughter can enjoy together. So, why is encouraging your children to play video games together such a good idea?

Enjoyment breeds a happy relationship
Your children will enjoy playing their games together and thus it will put them in a jovial mood. When you spend time with someone and you are doing something that you love, this improves your relationship. When your children have
been smiling, laughing and spending a good time together, it will be hard for them to have any hostility afterwards.

It will give them something to talk about
As your children will be enjoying a hobby together it will give them something to talk about. This is something which will never get boring or become old news. After all, there is a wealth of games available on the internet and thus they will have something new to play with and something new to talk about each and every day. Thus, one day they may talk
about Lazy Town, the next day they may enjoy discussing Ben 10, and the day after they may switch their attention to Scooby Doo, and so on and so forth.

They learn to share and this breeds respect.
When playing games together your son and daughter will learn how to share and how to think of each other. This is something which will have a knock on effect on their everyday lives and they will become more respectful of one another.

They will view each other as not only siblings but as friends
You spend fun times with your friends. After all, that’s what friends are for – you have fun together, you laugh, and you play games etc. What are brothers and sisters for? Well, when you are young you simply think that they are there to annoy you! As your children will be spending fun times together playing video games, they will thus begin to view
each other as friends and thus they will think twice before an argument breaks out or a nasty word is said.

Raising Godly Children: Fear of the Lord: The Fundamental for the Family

Raising Godly Children: Fear of the Lord: The Fundamental for the Family

Improving your child's intelligence

Until the age of six,your child's brain is very receptive to eternal stimuli. Here, I shall be giving you some ways on how to improve your child's intelligence..

PRENATAL STIMULI
This can be achieved or stimulated by gentle rubbing of the mother's stomach and also listening to a relaxing music.

BASIC NEEDS
You should ensure that your child is in good health, as well as a balanced meal, and above all, the child must feel loved and treasured by you.

 VISUAL MEMORY
Try and buy lots of colourful toys for your child. This will help to stimulate his visual memory.

AUDITIVE MEMORY
Let your child play musical games as well as listen to soft music and children music. This stimulates their hearing.

SENSE OF TOUCH
Massages and also giving your child a safety feeling helps in the stimulation of his sense of touch. This can also be achieved by encourging him to touch different surfaces, be it rough, smooth, etc.

LANGUAGE IMPROVEMNT
From an early age, the child should be introduce to reading. This can be achieved by  reading for him even if you think he doesn't understand. This will help in improving his language skills and his ability to proccess information.