Top Baby Names

Are Babies Born Smart? Can Early Intervention Help?

2006-02-21T12:31:00.000-06:00

What does the future hold for your child? Will your precious angel have it better than you did? What can you do to help make sure your child gets a good headstart?

Parents always hope for the best future for their children. They try to get into the best schools, invest their money in numerous musical and art lessons and start reading to their infants before birth. Can any of this help your child become a successful adult?

* How the Brain Works

Scientists now recognize that brain connections - called synapses - are the building blocks for functions such as handling incoming information, expressing emotions and learning language. Connections are built both by genetics and environmental stimuli.

These paths lay down an internal 'wiring' system that will affect your child's future abilities for learning and interacting.

'Nation' magazine reports that brain connections are being wired at an extraordinarily rapid rate in the early years. How can this possibly affect your children?

One thing people talk about often is how amazingly easy it seems to be for young children to pick up a second language.

* Children Need Stimulation

The broader range of activities and experiences a child has will increase the connections made. Clearly, the fact that the greatest growth in connections is made when young indicates that providing this stimulation early on will affect your child's abilities later on.

There are a lot of things you can do, but first and foremost is spending quality time with your child.

Does this mean that parents with little money are not capable of raising intelligent, well-balanced children? Does it mean that all children with access to specialized education will do better?

* Children Learn From Play

Educators believe that unstructured play is crucial to brain development. When parent's guide every activity or bombard their children with planned activities and lessons while leaving out free play, they do not allow the creativity necessary for social, mental and emotional skills.

Let your child's imagination run wild, it can really help them a lot, and it can be fun for everyone involved. Those special moments are fond memories you will often reach back to as the years pass.

* Parents Who Care

Although many would agree that children are strongly affected by their peer group, it is actually parents who develop a child to become caring, self-assured and well-balanced. Parent's should never discount the benefits they are providing for their children by being attentive and responsive to their children.

Children's development also requires emotional connections with parents and others. When babies are not held, touched and played with they actually form fewer connections in their brain.

This also applies to caregivers, babysitters and daycare providers too. Be careful in your selections and keep your child's needs in mind.

* Nature or Nurture

As many experts would acknowledge, brain development can be influenced for good or bad by the upbringing of our children. However, genetics also play a role that cannot be discounted. While saying this, there are examples of individuals who appeared to be born with a genetic disadvantage to their peers and yet surpassed them due to the excellent parenting that was given to them.

So, what can you do to determine how your children will turn out? Focusing on parental care and attention is always the best recommendation, and the least expensive. You cannot guarantee how your children will fare, but they will always be more successful with a supportive and loving family than without.

With care and love, you can put your child on the path to becoming a well-rounded adult. With fun and imagination, you can help your child open up opportunities in all areas of life as they grow older.

Children learn really quick when they are little, not just the good things, but the 'bad' things too, so you have a great opportunity to put your little one on the right path.

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Find out exactly why your child is crying or what is on your angel's mind. Babies can learn to communicate clearly as early as 7 or 8 months of age, well before learning how to speak. Read all about it here...

An Important Question To Consider: "Should I Stay Home With My Baby?"

2006-02-21T12:03:00.000-06:00

There are so many things to consider and keep in mind when it comes to your kids and especially when your new baby comes home.

One of the most important is the careful consideration you have to go through to figure out if you should stay home with your child, or return to the workforce and rely on others to take care of your infant.

You didn't plan on making this decision. You thought going back to work would be fine, but now that your baby has arrived you may be facing one of the most difficult decisions a mother or can make: "Should I stay home with my baby?"

One of downsides of a society that has encouraged women to focus on career and put off having children until they're established is that many women are not prepared for the gut-wrenching desire to stay home and raise their children full time.

You probably remember the days where most families were single-income households, but those days are long gone. Today, some families are working so hard that both parents may be holding down two jobs just to make ends meet.

Don't ask your mother, more than likely she was home with you at least while you were an infant. Your grandmother may never have worked outside the home after children were born, if ever. You must make this decision, and it can be harder than you think - especially if the plan was for you to return to work right away. Here are some of the common concerns and questions you need to consider when deciding if you can stay home with your baby:

"Can We Afford It?"

Probably the most immediate concern is, can you afford to stay home? If you are already counting pennies during your weeks away from work this can be an extremely difficult area to navigate. However, if you feel passionate about staying home consider where you might cut back on living expenses; can you downsize your home or car? Get rid of cell phone payments or reign in your spending habits?

Also consider the cost of daycare, which is usually higher for infants than older children. Take the cost of daycare combined with work related expenses (lunches, clothing, gas, etc.) and subtract it from your monthly income. You may be surprised with how little you actually bring home at the end of the day.

"Will I Ruin My Career?"

No one can give you a guarantee here. It isn't great for a career to go on hiatus for a lengthy period of time, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.

Depending on your career path you may try to upgrade your education prior to returning to the workforce. Perhaps you could even become a contractor or freelancer when you decide to go back. If you don't want to get too far away, try finding part time employment in your field as a compromise.

Something else to consider is the possibility of working from home. More and more companies are offering positions that allow you to stay at home, if not all the time, at least for some of the time. Another thing you could take a closer look at is the possibility of starting your own home-based business or even an online business venture.
You will have to carefully consider how much time you can spend on your business, because let's face it, a new baby does require quite a bit of time and attention and let's be honest, you don't really want to miss the funny faces, the cute sounds and cuddly moments either.

"What if My Partner Doesn't Agree?"

If money gets tight because of your decision and you don't have the support of your partner your relationship is sure to feel the added stress. Combine that with the stress of a new baby and your emotions and esteem are sure to take a blow.

Try at all costs to come to an agreement with your partner. Show the cost comparison of working with staying home. Offer solutions such as taking part time work or work you can do from home. Be realistic about what you can handle. If you must return to work, consider it temporary until you can make arrangements everyone can live with, it will be worth it.

The most important thing in all of this is to openly discuss your options together. You are a team and together you can overcome any problems, provided you talk about it.

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For more information on working from home, check out our the information I posted for Moms at http://topbabynames.blogspot.com/2005/10/for-moms-who-want-to-earn-from-home.html
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Useful tips to keep you from worrying when eating out with your kids

2006-01-24T21:01:00.000-06:00

Sanity Tips for Eating Out With the Kids

By Marion Winik

http://www.clubmom.com

Believe me when I tell you that the young gentlemen of my household, ages 12 and 9, are not cosmopolitan or gourmands. The best thing you could ever pack in their lunch boxes is a nice cold package of Lunchables, and they love beef jerky, french fries, and pizza. But - here's the surprise - they also sometimes get a yen for sushi, tofu, fried calamari, artichokes, Mexican food, or dim sum. They love to eat out, and they love to eat well.

I'm afraid I can't attribute their tastes to any exceptional quality of their attitudes or palates. I guess it's simply a result of continued exposure to these foods and environments. According to Isobel Contento, a professor of nutrition education at Columbia University's Teachers College in New York City, "Continued exposure to new foods is extremely important. Research suggests that children sometimes need to be exposed to food ten to fifteen times before they develop a liking to the food."

Research by Contento and many of her colleagues supports my hunch: Any kid can learn to dine out and enjoy a broader range of foods, if given the chance. Unfortunately, resisting the temptation to feed kids only "kid food" ordered from "kid menus" at "kid-friendly" restaurants is no piece of Tastycake. But if you don't, you wind up with kids whose narrow palates and general cluelessness about restaurant behavior are the self-fulfilling prophecies of Ronald, Wendy, and the Colonel.

I love going out to eat, but I don't love anything that comes in a nugget or is served in molded plastic. My solution is this: While we do consume our share of burgers and pizza, our family also patronizes real restaurants. If you're ready to try something a little more civilized and adventurous than another trip to KFC, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Tasting Tips for Kids

The journey of a thousand meals begins with a single bite - or something like that. Here are some clues to guiding that first morsel safely into the hangar.

Don't make a huge deal out of the new food in question. Start simply - just let your kids see the grown-ups eating and enjoying it.
While you don't want to flat-out lie, remember the old "tastes like chicken" ploy. You might say in your most casual tone, "Want a bite?" Then, when you're asked what it is, say, "It's like steak" (in other words, it's venison). Or try, "Taste a bite and see if you can guess."
Never eschew bribes: "A quarter for the first person who can guess what it is." "Taste it and you can pick the dessert."
If they absolutely hate it, do not make them eat it. If they're not sure, you might suggest a second taste, perhaps with soy sauce, pepper, or lemon to personalize the flavor.

Rules for Restaurants

Want to get your kids through an eating-out experience without a meltdown? Here are a few guidelines to make it more fun for everyone.

Do keep paper and crayons or pens in your purse at all times. This way, the gimmick of kid-friendly restaurants is yours anywhere. Older kids can play hangman and "dots."
Don't make a federal case about dressing up. Most restaurants these days don't mind casual clothes, and by choosing one with a relaxed dress code, you'll eliminate one area of dissent.
Don't let kids have too much sugary soda before the food arrives.
Don't let the waitperson serve meals to the kids first. If you do, the timing will get screwed up: They'll lose patience before you've finished your main course.
Don't bring other kids who have more limited palates than your own do. You don't want to get an "ew" thing going.
Do allow a field trip or two to the bathroom or the lobby. Accompany your kids the first time to demonstrate acceptable behavior.
Don't let your child order some expensive item she's never had before without having her first try an appetizer or tasting portion.

Marion Winik is a writer and a commentator on NPR. Her latest book is The Lunch-Box Chronicles (Vintage).

Things you shouldn't do during your pregnancy

2006-01-23T20:55:00.000-06:00

There are always a lot of different things to consider when you are expecting a child, and sometimes it's all too easy to miss something pretty important.

Here is an article courtesy of our friends over at ClubMom that can help you make sure you have all aspects covered.

Pregnancy No-Nos

By Leah Hennen

http://www.clubmom.com

When I was expecting my first child, threats to my baby's health seemed to lurk everywhere. I knew, of course, that alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs of any kind were off-limits. But what about those lattes I'd chugged before I knew I was pregnant? Did I need to get rid of my beloved cats? What sort of environmental hazards was I unwittingly exposing my fetus to? Nine months of caffeine withdrawal, cat avoidance, and breath-holding-around-noxious-odors later, my strapping baby boy arrived.

Unlike me, you don't have to be paranoid when you're pregnant. "You can't put yourself in a glass bottle during pregnancy—all you can do is avoid known risks," says Dr. Robert Resnik, a professor of reproductive medicine at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. Since some women, such as those with high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, need to take extra precautions, talk to your doctor about special circumstances that relate to you. Also steer clear of the following:

Too Much Caffeine

For java junkies like me, the research on caffeine during pregnancy has been maddeningly contradictory. Some studies point to problems such as miscarriage and low birth weight, while others show no such relationship. The latest consensus is that only excessive amounts of caffeine (more than 300 milligrams a day) are likely to cause these problems, says Dr. Kathleen Bradley, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UCLA School of Medicine. The caffeine content of different brews varies, but you should be able to stay under the 300-milligram mark by limiting your daily quaffing to one or two 5-ounce cups of coffee or tea or a few 12-ounce cans of soda. (Since even non-colas can pack quite a caffeine punch, check the label before you imbibe.) And while chocolate does contain caffeine, it typically has much less—1 to 35 milligrams per one ounce—than coffee.

Cat Litter

Cat feces may play host to a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. The symptoms (fever, fatigue, and sore throat) are similar to those of a garden-variety flu, but the results (miscarriage, preterm labor, or serious health problems in the newborn) can be devastating. Even so, having a baby on board doesn't mean you need to send your puss packing, says Marion McCartney, a certified nurse-midwife and the director of professional services at the American College of Nurse-Midwives in Washington, D.C. It simply means you should put your mate on litter-box duty for the nine-month duration. It's also a good idea to wash your hands after heavy petting sessions with the cat and after handling raw meat. Don't feed yourself or the cat undercooked meat (which can harbor the parasite). Wear gloves when you're gardening and avoid children's sandboxes. (Roaming cats may use these as litter boxes.)

Certain Foods

Beware, foodies: Uncooked, soft cheeses (such as feta, Camembert, Brie, and blue-veined varieties), unpasteurized milk and the foods made from it, and raw or undercooked meats, fish, and poultry may contain listeria bacteria. During pregnancy, listeriosis (symptoms include fever, chills, diarrhea, and nausea) can cause miscarriage, preterm labor, or stillbirth. Some seafood may also contain high levels of mercury, PCBs, and other toxins. If these foods are consumed during pregnancy, the baby is put at risk for developmental delays. (Your local health department may be able to tell you which fish to avoid.) Experts recommend that expecting mothers limit their servings of shark and swordfish—which contain higher levels of mercury than other fish—to one three-ounce serving a month. Finally, lab tests have linked heavy consumption of saccharine to cancer. Though you're not likely to swill enough of the artificial sweetener to equal several times your body weight, you may still want to forgo those little pink packets for now. Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) appears to be a safe sugar substitute.

Herbal Remedies

You know that many prescription drugs are off-limits during pregnancy, but the natural remedies you can pick up at health-food stores are okay, aren't they? Guess again: Herbal remedies can have a potent effect on your body—and your baby's—cautions McCartney. Don't take anything without running it by your health-care provider first. She'll most likely tell you not to use any during your first trimester. Throughout your pregnancy, steer clear of goldenseal, mugwort, and pennyroyal, all of which have been associated with uterine contractions (which could possibly lead to miscarriage or preterm labor); Asian ginseng (which interferes with metabolism); and feverfew (though popular for migraine headaches, it has unpredictable effects on pregnant women). It's also wise to avoid herbal teas that purport to have medicinal benefits.

Home Hazards

If you haven't been gripped by that famous pregnancy cleaning-and-nesting frenzy, chances are you will be soon. Safety tips for those 3 a.m. floor-scrubbing and nursery-decorating sessions: Read labels carefully. Wear gloves and work in well-ventilated areas. And avoid aerosols (which disperse more chemicals into the air than pump bottles do), oven cleaners, paint fumes, solvents, and furniture strippers. Although frequent, heavy exposure to chemicals in the workplace (home workshops count, too) has been linked to birth defects, Bradley explains, home use of most products is more likely to make you feel faint or nauseous—not a great proposition when you're nine months pregnant and perched high on a ladder or wedged behind the toilet.

Overheating

Soaking in the hot tub or relaxing in a sauna may seem like the perfect way to pamper your pregnant body, but raising your core temperature—especially during the first trimester—may boost the odds of birth defects. It's safe to soak in a lukewarm bath, though. Just make sure that the temperature is not above 100 degrees and that you get out after about ten minutes, Resnik advises. Sustained exercise in very hot, humid weather can also raise your core temperature. When you do exercise, be sure to drink liquids before, during, and after, and if you find that you're heating up, take a five- or ten-minute breather.

Lead

Lead exposure has been linked to miscarriage, preterm labor, low birth weight, and mental and behavioral problems in children. Residue from the toxic metal can lurk in places you might not suspect: houses built before 1978 (the year lead paint was banned), tap water, even calcium supplements. A few precautions will reduce the amount of lead you come into contact with: Call in a lead-abatement specialist if you live in an older home with chipping or peeling paint. (Whatever you do, don't try to sand or scrape it off yourself.) Filtering your water may help, or have your tap water tested. (Call the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 for a testing lab in your area.) Finally, if you take a calcium supplement, ask your doctor to recommend one that's low in lead, such as Tums 500 Calcium Supplement.

Oral Sex

Don't worry, you needn't swear off oral gratification entirely. (After all, when you hit that physically awkward last trimester, there may not be much else you can do between the sheets.) But when he's pleasuring you, your mate should be careful not to blow air into your vagina, if that's something that's part of his, uh, repertoire. Why? Your blood vessels are dilated during pregnancy, and, though the chances of this happening are very rare, a fatal air bubble could potentially enter your bloodstream, McCartney explains.

Certain Over-the-Counter Drugs

Your back is aching, your heart is burning, and your stomach is roiling—do you have to forgo all pharmaceutical relief? Not necessarily, says Bradley. But since even benign-seeming remedies, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain cold preparations, can cause problems for your baby, don't pop any pill without your doctor's approval. If one medication is off-limits, she can suggest an alternative. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), for instance, is fine.

Secondhand Smoke

You may have given up cigarettes, but if your mate's still puffing away, your baby's getting hefty doses of the 43 cancer-causing chemicals in cigarette smoke. In fact, exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy raises the risk of low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, and other health problems. So ask your partner to quit or to cut down—if not for his own health, then for yours and your baby's. And tell anyone who lights up around you to kindly take it outside.

Stress

Every time you look down, your growing belly reminds you of just how much your life will change once your baby is born. Exciting, yes. Stressful? You bet. Even so, try to take it easy. Stress causes the release of hormones that reduce blood flow to the placenta and triggers contractions, and it has been linked to miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight, Bradley explains. If you hold a high-pressure job, do what you can to scale back. If you're feeling the heat in your personal life, practice relaxation techniques, surround yourself with supportive people, and seek counseling if need be.

Vitamin A

As is the case with its chemical relative Accutane (a prescription acne drug), high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can cause heart and facial defects, says Resnik. How much is too much? Some studies have indicated that problems can occur when pregnant women take more than 10,000 international units (IU) a day, while others list 25,000 IUs and even 50,000 IUs as the threshold. You get a fair amount of vitamin A from the food you eat, and though the dose in your prenatal vitamin should be fine, your doctor can tell you whether it's an excessive amount.

Leah Hennen is a writer and editor in San Francisco and the mother of two, ages four and one.

Stretch Mark Prevention for the Human Body

2006-01-21T09:34:00.000-06:00

(by Xavier Nelson)

Many women tend to be concerned about stretchmarks during and after their pregnancy, but luckily, there are a few things you can do to help your body during this time.

The human body is a complex system. Most of the time the body functions without much intervention from its owner. It does, however, require the correct ingredients to function correctly. When there is a problem it is often indicated externally - this is the case with stretchmarks.

There is very little that you can do to prevent stretchmarks that result from your genetic makeup. However, stretch mark prevention is possible when its cause is related to hormonal inbalance. The following are some easy tips for stretch mark prevention.

Do not gain or lose weight rapidly. If your body changes its physical composition too quickly, all the processes may not function properly. In relation to stretchmarks this means collagen and elastin may not be produced fast enough. These elements are essential for keeping your skin flexible and smooth.

Keep your body hydrated. You have undoubtedly heard it before, but there is never too much information on the benefit of drinking water. Water helps to prevent stretch marks by helping the body stay moisturized. There are constant debates over the amount of water an individual should consume. The best indicator is your urine. Urine that is close to colorless is an indication that you are well hydrated. You should drink many glasses of water per day. Also, try to ensure that it is pure water as some flavored waters have additives and colorings that take away from the quality of the water.

This is a very important point, to keep in mind, not just for your body, but for your baby too.

Exercise. Daily exercise is just as important as staying hydrated. The two work together to keep your body free of toxins. Exercise will also keep your body well toned and keep excess fat at bay. Strength training is a good method for toning, but a daily walk is all that is necessary for many people to stay in good health.

Moisturize your skin. Applying a moisturizer helps to keep your skin supple and smooth. You want to use products with natural ingredients. Stretch mark prevention oil is available from many retailers - try and get recommendations from friends before buying. Pregnant women are susceptible to strechmarks and a moisturizer with natural ingredients assures the mother that no harm will come to her baby as a result of using the product. Many mothers recommend using a natural product such as cocoa butter.

When you take care of your body it will take care of you. As long as you nourish your body and keep it healthy you should be able to minimize stretchmarks, even from pregnancy and childbirth.

With a little time, some effort, and the love of your family, you will see that stretchmarks are nothing to worry about.

Enjoy life with your family.

Want a $1000 Baby Gift Card FREE?

2006-01-21T09:28:00.000-06:00

I have managed to come across a site that allows you to get a $1000 gift card for your baby at no cost.
There is a program to participate in, but most of these programs are generally painless and easy.
And hey, a thousand dollars worth of goodies for your little one from these stores will go a long way to help your budget.

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Notice: To claim your reward you must participate in our program and meet all of the offer eligibility requirements as outlined in the Terms & Conditions (you may view our Terms & Conditions on the RewardsGateway.com site) before you can receive your FREE reward. Eligibility requirements include signing up for at least two Silver, Gold and Platinum offers.Copyright (c) 2004-2005 RewardsGateway.com - RewardsGateway.com is an independent rewards program and is not affiliated with any of the listed products or retailers. Trademarks, service marks, logos, and/or domain names (including, without limitation, the individual names of products and retailers) are the property of their respective owners, who have no association with or make any endorsement of the products or services provided by RewardsGateway.com. This is a Rewards Gateway e-mail message. If you prefer not to receive e-mails from Rewards Gateway in the future, please send an e-mail to: Unsub@RewardsGateway.com or write to us at:22647 Ventura Blvd Suite 258 Woodland Hills, CA 91364

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Here are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2005

2006-01-19T07:06:00.000-06:00

Every year Baby Zone compiles a list of the top baby names as they see it and it's always an interesting read.
We're pleased to announce BabyZone’s 100 most popular names of 2005! Are you looking for the trendiest moniker of the year? Or are you hoping to find something obscure or unique? No matter your preference, our list can help.

The BabyZone Most Popular Baby Names of 2005 list is compiled from over 500,000 entries by BabyZone members in their baby baskets, birth announcements, and baby books. The list is a representation of international naming queries and should not be confused with the United States Social Security Administration’s annual most popular baby name data (which will not be published until spring of 2006). Rather, this list offers an array of trends and tendencies—an insight into what is to come and what you might consider in your quest for the perfect baby name

Read the rest of the story and check out the awesome list of Top Baby Names at Most Popular Baby Names of 2005

What You Need to Know When Considering a Home Birth

2006-01-19T06:59:00.000-06:00

Are you contemplating a home birth? Perhaps like many women in North America you are seeking to avoid invasive medical treatments and desire a relaxed, warm environment to welcome your child into.

If this is the first home birth you are considering it is wise to ask questions regarding the safety of the home birth experience. What should you consider before deciding and what steps should you take to ensure the health of yourself and your infant?

IS HOME BIRTH AS SAFE AS HOSPITAL DELIVERY?

The answer, according to a study performed by Kenneth Johnson of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Betty-Anne Daviss of the Safe Motherhood/Newborn Initiative, is that home births can be a safe option for low risk pregnancies.

The research conducted on 5418 women in the US and Canada showed that home births resulted in lower medical intervention than similar low risk births in hospitals. That means less epidurals, episiotomies, forceps deliveries, vacuum extractions, and caesarean sections than those given to women with low risk pregnancies who delivered in the hospital.

During the study only 12% of the women were transferred to hospital during labor or postpartum. All of the women in the study planned a home birth before labor and were attended to by a certified midwife.

Despite the lack of medical intervention, the health of the mother and infant was similar to the health of mother and baby who delivered in the hospital. If you are considering a home birth it is essential to have a registered nurse-midwife or doctor who is experienced in home birth deliveries to be present.

Still, professionals disagree on the safety of home births in America and despite the rising costs of doctors and hospital births, many feel that a birth belongs in the hospital rather than the home.

WHO MIGHT CONSIDER A HOME BIRTH?

Home births are only recommended as an option for low risk pregnancies. Traditionally, births were always made at home, among family and friends, but industrialization has changed the way many look at birth. Instead of considering a birth to be a medical emergency, it should be recognized as a natural process. When a woman with a low risk pregnancy arranges for professional midwife or physician care, a home birth can be considered a safe and natural process.

However, high risk pregnancies and lack of professional assistance will greatly increase the risk to both mother and child in a home birth. If you have complications with your pregnancy, including a previous caesarean, high blood pressure, diabetes or multiple gestation, a home birth should not be attempted.

Giving birth at home is an experience that women throughout the world and throughout history have shared. If you are interested in a home birth contact a midwife or speak to your obstetrician about your options.

12 COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS

2006-01-13T10:27:00.000-06:00

by Xavier Nelson

In a child’s education an important factor is the parents’ expertise for this “job”. No one is born holding all the knowledge, but we can learn and understand some things from books or advice from qualified persons.

Amongst the commandments a parent should strictly follow are the following:

1. Do not underestimate your child – he can understand more than you think he does and if you make him believe you think poorly of him this might affect his development.

2. Don’t use threat – a child loves a challenge and once threatened he might probably go on and do what he wasn’t suppose to just to see if he can escape the punishment.

3. Do not bribe your child – if you are trying to get him to learn for money for example, he will fail to understand the importance of learning, all he will get from this is the importance of money.

4. Do not make a small child promise something – small children can’t hold promises so don’t force them to lie and then punish them because they did that.

5. Do not keep them under a short leash – to grow up normally children need some space, some freedom.

6. Do not use big words or too many words when you are talking to your child – keep your ideas simple and concise so he can understand every thing you have to say.

7. Do not expect an immediate and blind obedience – it is not recommended, the child has to be learned to think for his own not to follow orders.

8. Do not indulge him too mush – he can develop compartmental disorders.

9. Do not compromise when it comes to the rules of a game – the trick for a game to become educative is too have its initial rules respected.

10. Don’t impose rules that don’t go with the age of your child.

11. Do not try to inflict quilt – quilt is not an appropriate feeling for children, especially if they are little.

12. Don’t give your child orders that you don’t take seriously – your child will try to please you and giving him an order is drastic, and it becomes cruel if that order is a joke.

All these “commandments” are addressed first to the parent. But they are to be referred to by teachers and educators as well. Along with the parents, they will settle upon an attitude and strategy for the education and growth of the child, so that they can give him all the things he needs to properly develop emotional and physically.

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Xavier Nelson is an Entrepreneurial Consultant, specializing in helping
others achieve the success they desire in their home-based business at http://www.businessinformationconnection.com . At home he likes to spend as much time as possible with his wife, their 4 boys and baby twins, a challenge and an immense joy at the same time. For more parenting tips and advice visit the tool box at http://bicxn.rehuxley.hop.clickbank.net today!
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Could you use $1,000 towards diapers, baby food, clothes or baby furniture?

2005-12-20T16:26:00.000-06:00

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Signs of Postpartum Depression (Bigger than the Baby Blues)

2005-11-17T16:55:00.000-06:00

There's a lot of fun and joy surrounding your new baby coming home, but in some cases it can also turn into problems.

One such issue is Postpartum Depression and can be a big challenge for you and your family.

The joy of bringing a child into the world, a baby to love and cherish, may be the plan but to 50-80% of new mothers suffering from a form of depression known as the Baby Blues that dream is not the reality.

While not serious, the baby blues can leave a new mother despondent, tired, and subject to emotional swings and loss of appetite. The effects of giving birth, hormone changes and the lifestyle changes of having a newborn (not sleeping, being indoors a lot, responsibilities of caring for a baby) can lead to a bout of the baby blues. Baby blues are usually short lived and go away without treatment.

What is of more concern are the less frequent cases where baby blues develop into something longer lived and more severe: postpartum depression.

While Brooke Shields (along with the help of Oprah Winfrey) has put a famous face on this dreadful disorder, thousands of women who face the pain and anxiety of postpartum depression fight a private battle of wills between their knowledge of what motherhood should be and their detached feelings, hopelessness and even suicide.

What causes postpartum (also known as postnatal) depression and what are the signs?

No precise cause has been found that causes a happy, healthy woman to loose her sense of self, desire and joy for life when she should be enjoying the experience of motherhood.

While many women suffer side effects from the temporary drain of estrogen hormones soon after birth the effect of this estrogen loss may go even further in women diagnosed with postpartum depression.

Other factors, such as financial stress, relationship and communication problems or a history of depression in the family may contribute to postpartum depression.

Identifying postpartum depression is crucial since it IS treatable. Often it will become the responsibility of the partner or other friends and family to watch new mothers for signs of depression. Postpartum depression can occur anytime after birth - even up to a year after.

The National Women's Health Information center lists these signs to watch for in mothers who may be suffering more than the baby blues:

Feeling restless or irritable

Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed

Crying a lot

Having no energy or motivation

Eating too little or too much

Sleeping too little or too much

Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions

Feeling worthless and guilty

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities

Withdrawal from friends and family

Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing)

After pregnancy, signs of depression may also include being afraid of hurting the baby or oneself and not having any interest in the baby.

It is very important for mothers to have a strong support system in place since the demands of caring for an infant, especially when other children are present, can lead to stress and burnout. All most mothers need is loving care and someone to talk to. For those suffering with depression, it is even more crucial.

All the best to your family,
Xavier

For Moms Who Want to Earn From Home

2005-10-28T07:12:00.000-05:00

My wife works from home, of course now that our twins have been born, there is a lot
more work that happens just on that end alone.
My wife works even harder now than she did before than when she was in an office from
9 to 5.
Luckily, since I have been working on the internet myself for quite some time, I was
able to make up the difference of her income when she decided she wanted to be at
home with the babies.

She also has started a sideline business from home, and so can you. Just because you
are at home doesn't mean you cannot earn an income, or better yet, make a serious
living.

Become a Successful Internet Mom...(or Dad) Working From Home

Let us show YOU how...

Earn serious money, while keeping your family as Priority #1 Have the best of both worlds!

What if...

You could start your own business, and you didn't have to sell products, have home parties or chase your friends and family?

-You could work your business on a part time basis in the comfort or your own home?

-There was NO financial risk?

-There was NO large investment

Join a growing group of individuals who are working from home and LOVING IT!

Enter To Win A Trip To Las Vegas - Mom's Night Out

2005-10-11T17:13:00.000-05:00

Don't miss this chance to enter to win the ultimate Mom's Night Out with 3 of your friends heading to Las Vegas.

Check out all the details and enter today, hey, you deserve it.

== Mom's Night Out presented by ClubMom ==

Mom, You Deserve a Night Out
ClubMom Wants to Send You and 3 Friends to Las Vegas

Grand Prize:
- 2-night hotel accommodations for 4
- 4 roundtrip airline tickets
- $500 in cash

Plus, 100 1st Prize Winners will get 2 movie tickets!

Join ClubMom & Get 10 Entries to Win!

Prizes sponsored by Clubmom + Regal Entertainment Group

Booster Seat Basics

2005-10-05T17:09:00.000-05:00

By Jayne O'Donnell

http://www.clubmom.com

I know, I know. Getting a 6-year-old who has been riding in the car like a "big girl" to go back to a child seat would be no easy task. But now there's considerable evidence that keeping older kids in booster seats until they reach small-adult size reduces injuries and saves lives.

Still, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says fewer than 7 percent of the 20 million U.S. children ages 4 to 8 are riding in booster seats. That's a frightening statistic when you consider that more than 500 children in this age group are killed in car accidents each year, and thousands more are injured. Safety experts say many of the deaths and injuries could be prevented by the proper use of booster seats.

Understanding the Necessity
When children wear adult safety belts too soon, their internal organs can be injured if the belts ride up and slice into their stomachs in a crash. If shoulder belts are put behind their backs, their torsos can jackknife forward, increasing the chance of head and abdominal injuries. More than 80 percent of 4- to 8-year-old passengers in 30,000 car crashes studied by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance were improperly restrained in adult-size safety belts. And the results were often tragic.

Autumn Alexander Skeen lost her 4-year-old son in a crash when an adult seat belt failed to keep him inside the car. Skeen is now a spokeswoman for Ford Motor Company's educational campaign promoting booster-seat use. "No parent should ever know the pain of losing a child, especially if death or injury is easily preventable," Skeen says.

A Simple Solution
Booster seats raise children up off the seat to position them in adult belts properly. These special seats are recommended for kids who weigh 40 to 80 pounds and are intended for use in the back seat of vehicles that have three-point lap/shoulder belts. (Remember, children younger than 13 should never ride up front in a car that has front air bags.) Children can usually safely use adult belts in the back seat once they reach a height of four feet nine inches and weigh 80 pounds.

Booster seats are available at many major department stores and at Web sites and superstores that carry children's products. Your vehicle's manufacturer or your insurance company may also be able to make suggestions about where to buy a booster seat in your neighborhood. Some insurance and car companies even have special programs that offer the seats for free or at a discount.

ClubMom's AutoPro, Jayne O'Donnell, is a Washington, D.C.-based reporter (and new mom!) whose automotive expertise and investigative reporting skills have helped break some of the biggest auto-safety stories of the past several years.

Waterbirth - The Gentle Option

2005-10-05T17:07:00.000-05:00

In today's society which is very heavily dependent on medical help and intervention, it's no wonder many soon to be mothers are afraid to look at alternative birthing options, such as waterbirth. Additionally, people tend to look at you strange if you have an opinion that varies too far from the norm, particularly when talking about alternative health care. Unfortunately, moms-to-be are overlooking what may be one of their most helpful and nurturing supporters when they don't pursue the waterbirth option.

Waterbirth is typically practiced by an experienced midwife, who, over time, gets plenty of practical, hands on birthing experience with many women. Midwives have the skills to make you feel comfortable and to help you with some minor medical situations. And if they aren't comfortable helping you, they usually are very quick to refer you to a local hospital or doctor. In some complex situations, like giving birth to twins, midwives don't do the delivery without a doctor.

Throughout the whole birthing process, waterbirth is very gentle on the mother's body, as well as the baby's. The warm water tends to help moms calm down and relax. And water supports the mom's weight and provides a lack of gravity which helps mom feel more at ease. The large tub and freedom of movement helps the mother change positions quickly to allow faster descent of the baby. In many instances, waterbirth can lower the need for drugs both for pain control and for labor stimulation.

Babies who have just spent the last nine months in water, can be perfectly at ease in their new out of body environment. It is recommended that once the baby is born, you bring it to the surface quickly. Many babies don't actually begin to breathe until they feel their bodies in an air environment.

Typically, you will have check-ups throughout your pregnancy. Sometimes the midwife will come to your home making it very convenient for you. You can also get the midwife's contact information, so they can be reached quickly, especially in emergency situations.

If you are opposed to waterbirth, then so be it. Otherwise, if you've ever felt a lack of care, attention, or time from your medical or hospital support, then you really should consider the waterbirth option. It is a very safe and nurturing option. Many times the empowerment and strength you feel from a natural, safe waterbirth will greatly enhance your birthing experience. You may never want to try birthing any other way!

How to Child Proof Your Home in One Day

2005-09-17T18:31:00.000-05:00

Parents and caregivers want to provide a safe place for their children to live and play but too often child proofing these areas gets put off. The good news is that child proofing is not difficult and can easily be completed in one day.

On your first visit to the store you will likely be overwhelmed by all of the products on the market designed to child proof or baby proof your home. Is every corner and crevice a danger? You can't child proof the world, but as you continue to teach your children about safety you may find it useful to reduce the risk of injury in the home where the child is spending most of the time.

Some child proofing requires no devices, just common sense. Other areas definitely require the use of a child proofing device. Not all children are the same. If you feel a certain product would help protect your child from a situation they are more likely to get into, you may consider adding that to your arsenal as well.

Here are some basic steps for child proofing your home.

Move Cleaners, Medicine and Other Poisons

You need to move any poisonous substance out of the reach of your children. A common mistake? Keeping cleaners under the kitchen sink or bath products on the ledge of the tub. While you might think that child resistant caps will protect your children, you should be aware that the requirements for a child resistant package may mean that at least 80-85% of children couldn't open them. That means your child might. All poisons and medicines should be stored in a high cupboard or locked area.

Block Stairways

Not surprisingly falls are one of the biggest causes of injury to young children. Stairways are particularly dangerous and should always be properly gated. Never use pressure mounted gates at the tops of stairs since your child may be able to put enough pressure on them to give way.

Despite having a gate it is important for parents to keep a close eye on children around staircases.

Keep Windows Safe

Lock windows or use guards to prevent them from opening too far. Screens will not keep your child from falling out of a window.

Make sure that blind cords are out of reach and the beds, cribs and other furniture are moved away from windows where a child could climb up and reach. You'd be surprised what they are capable of.

Outlets, Drawers and Cupboards

There is a huge assortment of products aimed at protecting your children's fingers from being caught in door hinges, slammed in drawers or by closing cupboard doors. Test out several products in a children's store that demonstrates how different products are used. The main purpose should be to prevent an accident but if you find the products difficult to use you may end up not using them at all.

Small Toys and Other Choking Hazards

Another major cause of hospital visits for small children is choking. Small toys, batteries, buttons, coins and other objects go straight into the mouths of babies and toddlers (and even some preschoolers). Prevention is the key. If you have older children they should be taught to keep small toys out of the reach of younger children. Keep a keen eye for objects on the floor where your baby is present.

Monitor New Dangers

You will need to be constantly aware of what your child can get access to. As you child grows and develops they may suddenly be capable of reaching or pulling down items you didn't think of.

Don't forget that most child proofing devices you can buy are temporary solutions to prevent the most disastrous accidents. Your children should also be taught how to behave and where to be especially careful. After all, your children will likely be in many homes that are not child proofed like yours and their safety will depend on understanding what's not safe.

All the best,
Xavier

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information for new and expectant parents as well
as tons of information for your whole family.
Visit http://topbabynames.blogspot.com today.

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We are launching a help site for victims, your help is needed too.

2005-08-31T12:14:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a slightly different version of the newsletter.

Let me cut it straight down to the chase.

I have quite a few colleagues with friends and family in Louisianna and the areas that have been hit during this catastrophic storm and all of our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has been affected by this disaster.

I have launched a site today where you can find out more about how you can help as well as receive some excellent products at http://www.jointventureinfo.com/katrinarelieffundraiser/ .

There are a total of 12 products available and of great value to anyone, not just internet marketers at a price that is affordable by anyone.

Before I tell you more, let me state very plainly that I am going to give 100% of all profits to the American Red Cross, the only fees I am pulling out of it are the fees charged by PayPal, nothing else.

All of it goes to the Relief Effort to aid survivors!

Please tell all your friends, family and colleagues about this and don't forget to visit the site yourself as well. There are a lot of goodies waiting for you and there are also other ways you can help listed.

http://www.jointventureinfo.com/katrinarelieffundraiser/

Thank you in advance for all your help and for helping to spread the word about this fundraiser. We can make a difference!

Regards,

Xavier
http://www.jointventureinfo.com/katrinarelieffundraiser/

Baby's First Days at Home

2005-08-30T21:24:00.000-05:00

This is an article we have posted at our Family Life Center, which is a site filled with tons of great informative articles all about your family, your children and life in general. You can see all these articles at http://www.jointventureinfo.com/asb/familylife anytime you'd like.

In this article by Timothy Robinson the very first days of your baby's homecoming are explored:

The moment that you have waited for has finally arrived: the day you bring your newborn baby home from the hospital. Like all other expectant parents you will have spent the last nine months preparing for this day. You will have a baby room full of everything a newborn could possibly want. You will have read book after book on a wide magnitude of baby topics from what to name your baby to when you can expect those first words. You will have walked and paced the length of baby’s room, imagining your little bundle sleeping peacefully in her crib. Now the moment has arrived. In the crib lies your sleeping baby and the most exciting adventure of life is about to begin.

The first few days home from the hospital are just as important to you as they are to your baby. As new parents you will have gone through an exciting birth that will have left you breathless and exhilarated.

During your first days at home it may be wise to limit the amount of visitors that you welcome into your home. You need time to recuperate and settle into the routine that a sleeping, feeding, and often crying baby brings into your life.

As a new mother you will need to pay particular attention to the way that you are feeling so that those “baby blues” don’t creep up and surprise you unexpectedly. It is normal to feel a bit out of sorts and sad for the first couple of weeks after giving birth. Your body is going through some major physical changes after the birth of your baby. Your hormones will be changing and you likely will be feeling a lack of sleep. You should be patient with yourself, understand that all these feelings are normal, and that in a couple of weeks things will feel better for you.

If you find that you are feeling more and more depressed, and find it difficult to care for yourself and your family, you should consult your doctor so that he/she can determine if you are suffering from a condition called postpartum depression.
While not serious, postpartum depression can leave a new mother despondent, tired, and subject to emotional swings and loss of appetite. The effects of giving birth, hormone changes and the lifestyle changes of having a newborn (not sleeping, being indoors a lot, responsibilities of caring for a baby) can lead to a bout of the baby blues. Baby blues are usually short lived and go away without treatment.

During the first few days at home your family will be adjusting to the additional member of your family. If you have other children at home you may be dealing with feelings of jealousy as the new baby takes center stage. Make sure that you include your other children in the day-to-day activities that are part of the new baby’s routine. Let older children help with diaper changing, feeding, and just sitting and holding the new baby if they are old enough to do so.

This is your time to adjust to the changes in your life and settle into a comfortable routine...at least for the moment!

Tim Robinson's report, "Baby's First Year: What Every New Parent Needs To Know" will make sure you have everything you need to know to provide for your child. Just visit for a sneak peak at what the guide will share with you.

2005-08-29T10:55:00.000-05:00

For Immediate Release:

ClubMom affiliates with Nelson Global Enterprises (N.G.E.)

New York, – ClubMom, Inc. (www.clubmom.com), the free national membership organization for moms, today announced that they are affiliating with Nelson Global Enterprises (N.G.E.), located in the Houston area.

ClubMom Chief Marketing Officer, Alexandra Aleskovsky said, "We're excited about affiliating with Nelson Global Enterprises (N.G.E.). Moms have the toughest and most important job in the world, and ClubMom wants to reward, celebrate, and recognize the Moms of the Houston area for everything they do."

Xavier Nelson, the proprietor of Nelson Global Enterprises (N.G.E.) added, "I am proud to represent ClubMom and I look forward to helping the Moms of Houston and the surrounding areas to join ClubMom for free."

By bringing together millions of moms, ClubMom can get special rewards, savings, and status for its members from America's best companies. All because companies that partner with ClubMom recognize ClubMom members as CEO of the household and want moms to choose their products.

Also, ClubMom enables Moms to find tips & time-savers to help them cut through the clutter and juggle all their different roles. ClubMom's recipes, tools, and advice are created by members and experts, with some input from the companies that know Moms best.

Moms can also have their say on the issues that matter most to them, in ClubMom's Mom Opinion & Research Center, as well as meeting other moms who share their interests in ClubMom's message boards, and connecting with other Moms who live near them through ClubMom online and at local member events such as the ClubMom Day of Indulgence.

Moms of Houston can join for free at http://topbabynames.blogspot.com/.

About ClubMom

ClubMom ® (created and administered by CMI Marketing, Inc.) is a FREE national membership organization, with more than a million members, that recognizes rewards and celebrates moms for what they do every day, by offering rewards and savings from America's best companies, ways to save time, meet other moms, and get mom's voice heard.

ClubMom was established by Meredith Vieira, moderator of the popular daytime talk show "The View," actor and social activist Andrew Shue, entrepreneur and ClubMom Chief Executive Officer, Michael Sanchez, among others. Investors include Highland Capital Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Board members include Shelly Lazarus, Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, and Sara Levinson, President of the Women's Group at Rodale Publishing, and former President of NFL Properties and MTV-Music Group.

ClubMom Contact

Chris Cooper

ClubMom, Inc.

847-420-1691

affiliates@clubmom.com

For information on Nelson Global Enterprises (N.G.E.), contact Xavier Nelson at 8326183260 or webmaster@jointventureinfo.com.

My Favorite Mom-to-Be Look

2005-08-29T09:55:00.000-05:00

My Favorite Mom-to-Be Look

By Julie Weingarden

http://www.clubmomlinks.com/e.asp?e=12&id=6600

Pregnancy doesn't have to mean hiding under shapeless shirts and leggings or tent dresses; the trick is to find a look that spells confidence and comfort. Here, four women share their favorite apparel picks.

Name: Sandy Frinton

Age: 32

Hometown: Poughkeepsie, New York

How far along: 28 weeks

Favorite look: Jeans

I'm a preppy, classic dresser, and I typically wear clothes from the Gap, Eddie Bauer, and L.L. Bean. My husband likes me to wear the kinds of things I always wear. He doesn't like "pregnancy clothes." I don't think he's used to my new body.

My favorite maternity clothes are my husband's old Levi's jeans from college. I found a bunch of them when we were cleaning one day. They're in all different sizes so I can grow into some of them. His big jeans were a great find because I'm still too small for maternity jeans. His Levi's are baggy, long, and so comfortable. You can't beat the fact that they were free. I don't want to invest money in clothes until I'm skinny again.

People say that I look cute in his jeans and I like that I don't look as big to the outside world as I really am. I top the jeans with his old oxford shirts—white, pink, yellow, and pinstriped. I just throw them in the washer and dryer and roll up the sleeves. With his clothes, I'm sporting bigger sizes, but I feel confident knowing I've kept my style.

Name: Jill Holder

Age: 33

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

How far along: 36 weeks

Favorite look: Power suit

I'm very short, so I'm conscious about looking round and stocky. I like to wear clothes that give me a shape. Most maternity clothes are "tenty," like smocks and baby doll dresses. I just can't do the look where clothes balloon out over the belly.

So my best find has been the business suit I bought for less than $50. It's charcoal gray and has pants, a skirt, and a jacket with a zipper down the front and two pockets on each breast. The jacket also has a clip so I can taper it in the back. I like that I can switch off between the skirt and the pants. Everything is made out of cotton jersey, so it's comfortable and machine washable.

I spice up the suit with a pair of black leather mules. It's easy to forget I'm pregnant because I look so chic in the outfit. I can walk into a meeting and be taken seriously. One guy at work didn't even know I was pregnant. When I wear bulky maternity clothes, people just look at my belly. When I wear my suit, people look at my face.

Name: Angie Tucker

Age: 29

Hometown: Garden Grove, California

How far along: 26 weeks

Favorite look: Stretchy separates

It's difficult to find stylish clothes that I'd wear if I weren't pregnant. It's bad enough that you gain weight, yet don't look pregnant until the fifth or sixth month—the last thing you want to do is wear dorky clothes.

I'm normally thin and big-busted with an hourglass shape. I like to dress sexy and wear fitted fashions, and pregnancy is no exception. My favorite look is a long, black stretch polyester-blend skirt with a black short-sleeve top. The top was $14 and the skirt was $20. The shirt is stretchy and snug. It shows off my belly and has a scoop neck that looks great, especially when I wear a little choker necklace. The skirt has a drawstring waist so I can roll over the top to make it shorter if I want. I wear black slides to show my toes. I get a lot of compliments when I wear my sexy outfit. It's nice to know I can be pregnant and keep my personal style

Name: Jadie Gamble

Age: 38

Hometown: Atlanta

How far along: 31 weeks

Favorite look: Bathing suit

I'm kind of chubby, and I got bigger sooner than other women. When I was six months pregnant, I probably looked like I was at eight months. I'm really big now and people ask me if I'm having twins. But I'm not worried about the weight gain—I think I look pretty good all around. In fact, I like showing off my pregnancy.

I bought a great black one-piece swimsuit with spaghetti straps for $35. It has a skirt that makes my thighs look nice, and its scoop neck shows off my cleavage. The other day I felt so good in it, I pranced around the pool.

I actually feel more confident in a bathing suit when I'm pregnant than I do when I'm not expecting. In a bathing suit, people definitely can see that I'm pregnant. My husband likes when I show some skin, too. He says I look like a really cute pregnant chick.

Julie Weingarden is a writer based in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Tough Time Deciding on a Name for Your Baby?

2005-08-29T06:01:00.000-05:00

by Xavier Nelson

The conversation went something like this:

“Hey honey, when we get pregnant, how about if we name our baby Jack, if it’s a boy?” The husband responded, that no, he indeed did NOT like that name. As time went by, they acquired a cat. They were having a hard time finding a name for the male feline. Finally the husband just said, “You like the name Jack so well, let’s give that name to the cat. Because I am NOT having a son named Jack.”

So the couple went happily on their way, enjoying the newlywed life and their new cat, Jack.

After a bit of time passed, the happy couple learned they were expecting a bundle of joy to be born later that year. They began the overwhelming task of deciding on names. It’d be easy if the baby was a girl. They agreed upon a girl’s name long before they were ever married.

They poured over baby naming books; they shared ideas; they made lists; they tried coming up with a boy’s name using this method; then they tried that method. Still nothing. They could not agree on a boy’s name.

Thanks to modern technology the couple learned that they were having a baby girl. Their naming problem was solved! They proceeded with the remainder of the pregnancy preparing for the baby girl who already had a name. They even called the baby by her name as the husband read to the pregnant belly.

But then yet another ultrasound revealed that the little girl they had come to know and love was actually a little boy!

The baby was scheduled to make HIS delivery into the world in relatively short time. The parents frantically went back to the tireless task of finding a boy’s name they could both agree upon.

One night the husband announced that he liked the name Jack for his son! (This is a true story ladies … can you even imagine how you’d feel if your husband announced this grand revelation?)

To the wife’s dismay she reminded her husband that he was the one who did not like that name; in fact went as far as to declare he would NOT have a son named Jack. She then jogged his memory that they had a cat named Jack. Jack the cat even responded to his name.

You may have guessed the rest of the story. The cat now has a new name. It is rather original. The feline is now known as Kitty Cat (K.C. for short). And they have a beautiful son named Jack.

What’s the moral of the story? If you are having a hard time coming up with a perfect name, you just might try the name you’ve given to the family pet!

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For a variety of useful and free information and other stuff for new and expecting parents stop by my blog at http://topbabynames.blogspot.com today.
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Unusual Baby Boy Names - Finding Exotic and Unique Baby Names

2005-08-28T11:16:00.000-05:00

By David Buster

Unusual baby boy names and finding exotic and unique baby names can be loads of fun! Rather than giving your baby boy a name like Jacob, John or Harry -- you'd prefer him have one of the more exotic and unique baby names.

There are several ways to find unusual baby boy names. Here are some suggestions:

1. Start with the most popular names being given to baby boys. For parents living in the USA, you can easily find this kind of information by visiting the Social Security Administration's website (click on the link at the bottom of this page to go to the direct link to the SSA baby names search). See which names that are popular are also unusual baby boy names. You can view the most popular names for the past year, boy names given since the year 2000 or by decade in the previous century. It may surprise you how many exotic and unique baby names you can find this way.

2. Look at your own family names and see if using any name combinations create unusual baby names you like. Ask other family members for their suggestions, even invite your friends to give you their opinions. Does a relative have names you like? Do be careful if the names are already used. Ask other family members to be sure your favorite unusual baby names are not given to relatives. It can become confusing in families when two people have the same names.

3. Consider the unusual baby boy names used in the classics. Literary classics are a great source of exotic and unique baby names. Be careful when considering modern names used by this year's top male movie stars. Will that popular actor still be in the headlines 3, 5, 10 or more years from now? By using the classics for possible names, you know that these names have withstood the test of time.

4. Visit your local library or bookstore and browse the pregnancy and parenting sections. You will likely find several books in various price ranges that provide you with many unusual baby boy names to consider.

5. Search for exotic and unique baby names online. There are many baby websites with listings and resources for baby names.

Remember, your child's names will be used their entire life, so think how their names will sound and feel once they are grown. Don't let the joy of their infancy cause you to give them a name that they won't be proud of once they are older. Stay away from funny names. Choose his name carefully, a name that will have meaning and significance to you and your child.

Have fun and enjoy viewing and choosing your child's names. Provide them with unusual baby boy names that will add to their success and happiness in life. Take your time and find names you truly love. You will find at some point, there is no doubt about what your new baby boy names will be. When it happens -- congratulations! Enjoy and celebrate the moment. You'll know it was worth every minute spent looking for unusual baby boy names for that unique and very special person.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

See the Top 100 Baby Names and access the Social Security baby names listings. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and the webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website for nursery ideas, decorating ideas in kids bedrooms, playroom design ideas, playroom storage ideas and more.

Top List of Baby Girls Names - Choosing Perfect Baby Names for Girls

2005-08-28T11:14:00.000-05:00

By Olinda Rola

The list of baby girls names that are the most popular can help you when considering which names are the best baby names for girls. Choosing her name is fun for the parents, family and friends, and her name will be something she will live with the rest of her life. Keep these tips in mind when looking at the list of baby girls names and selecting baby names for girls:

1. Select names based on their meanings -- a positive meaning adds to the enjoyment of her name both now and later in life.

2. Decide if you prefer popular names or unique names. The list of baby girls names below are the most popular names in the USA since the year 2000. If you choose a unique name, be careful. Constantly having her name mispelled or mispronounced can be frustrating for her and everyone else.

3. Practice saying names for baby girls aloud. How do they sound? Say the entire name -- first, middle and last. Do they rhyme? If your last name is complicated, a simpler first name may work best. If your last name is simple, try simple first names and try first names that are more complicated.

4. Do the baby names for girls initials you are considering form any kind of word? The list of baby girls names that are most popular only provide the first name. Add your last name and middle names you are considering. If a word is formed, is it OK? For example, you will not want to create a name combination that results in initials such as BAD, NOT, WUS, FAT and so on.

5. Are there common nicknames that are associated with the names? Are the nicknames acceptable to you? Will the nicknames be acceptable to her?

Looking at the list of baby girls names that are the most popular is a fun and practical way to see what girls names are frequently used. Here is the top list of baby girls names given to girls in the USA since the year 2000.

1. Emily
2. Madison
3. Hannah
4. Emma
5. Ashley
6. Alexis
7. Samantha
8. Sarah
9. Abigail
10. Olivia
11. Elizabeth
12. Alyssa
13. Jessica
14. Grace
15. Lauren
16. Taylor
17. Kayla
18. Brianna
19. Isabella
20. Anna
21. Victoria
22. Sydney
23. Megan
24. Rachel
25. Jasmine

When selecting baby names for girls, remember that your girl's name will always be part of her identity. Stay away from funny names -- your child or her friends may not think it is funny. Have fun with the list of baby girls names. Choose her name carefully, a name that will have genuine meaning to you and your child. She and others will be using and living with her names for her lifetime. And since you know she's going to be a star, help her on that journey by giving her the perfect girls names that she truly deserves.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and the webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website to see the Top 100 Baby Name List and to learn more about decorating ideas for kids bedrooms, toy chests, nursery bedding, playroom design ideas and more.

Baby Names - Choosing Trendy or Traditional

2005-08-28T11:07:00.000-05:00

By Barbara Freedman-De Vito

Lists of baby names are always fun to look at, whether
you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy or
baby girl, wondering about the popularity of your own first
name, or just curious about what baby names are currently
hot.

What I find particularly interesting is tracking the popularity
of baby names over the decades. In looking through U.S.
government baby name lists from 1880 to the present,
some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to
baby names for girls.

For example, in Victorian times Biblical names, such as
Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There
were also many baby names that sounded very
old-fashioned to me, as a kid growing up in the 1960s,
including names like Martha, Alice, Bertha and Minnie.

From the 1920s to the 1950s certain baby names rose in
popularity. For example, I went to school with many Susans,
Debbies, Patricias, and Lindas. All of these baby names
have since waned, to be replaced, by the 1980s, with fancier
names such as Jennifer, Jessica and Nicole. When I was a
children's librarian in the 1980s my preschool storyhours
were populated with little girls named Lauren and Jenny,
and little boys named Alex and Matthew.

More recently there's been a lot of renewed interest in
more "old-fashioned" baby names like Hannah, Abigail and
Ethan, plus many Biblical names such as Sarah, Rachel,
Joshua, Jacob, and Samuel. There's also been a surge in
nontraditional baby names including Madison, Ashley and
Brianna for baby girls, and Brandon and Logan for baby
boys.

It's interesting to consider the whys and wherefores of
such developments. Sometimes, I suspect, the popularity of
a specific actor or fictional character might result in many
babies with a particular name. For example, were some of
the Lauras born in the 1970s and 1980s given a name
suggested by older brothers and sisters who were growing
up watching "Little House on the Prairie ?" Were some
attributable to the super popular Laura of "General Hospital"
fame ?

Today Madison is a very highly ranked baby name for girls
(ranking number 3 in 2003) but, when the film "Splash"
came out in 1984, Tom Hanks' character told Daryl
Hannah's character that Madison was not a bona fide first
name.

While baby girls' names seem quite subject to the whims
of fashion and the top ten lists can change radically over
time, I've noticed that, in general, the top baby names for
boys remain far more stable. Names like John, William and
James are perennials, perhaps because baby boys are
often named for their fathers, perpetuating the popularity of
certain baby names from generation to generation. The
"Junior" factor aside, baby boys are also less apt to be given
fanciful names.

A comparison of the changing fortunes of my own first
name, Barbara, with those of my husband's name, Robert,
gives a good illustration of the difference in stability between
baby girl names and baby boy names over time.

My name grew in popularity in the 1930s, '40s and '50s,
peaking at the number 2 position in baby name popularity,
which it tenaciously held from 1937 to 1944. When I
attended grad school, of a class of approximately forty
students, there were no less than three baby boomers
named Barbara. Should I thank the actress Barbara
Stanwyck for this ? Alas, my first name later suffered a slow,
steady decline and placed at a pitiful number 628 position
on the baby names popularity list for the U.S. in 2003.

Robert, on the other hand, has survived the vicissitudes of
baby name popularity. It held a coveted spot on the top ten
most popular baby names list every year from 1896 to the
late 1980s, often peaking at number 1 between the 1920s
and the 1950s. It has gradually slipped since the 1990s, but
still managed to hold the respectable slot of number 35 in
2003.

When naming a baby there are, of course, many other
points to consider besides how popular or unique a name
is. Here are some helpful tips that you can use with your
other children to get them involved in choosing a name for
the new baby and to make the process fun:

1. Baby names need to go nicely with the sound of your last
name. Also, pick a first name and a middle name that go
together well. (So maybe not something like Erasmus
Beelzebub Smith !)

2. When your family finds a name you all like, look at the
initials to be sure that you don't give the new baby a name
with initials that will make people laugh. (So maybe not
Pamela Iris Green, which equals P.I.G. !)

3. You might not want a baby name that is so unusual that
the other kids will make fun of your little brother or sister as
he or she grows up. (So maybe not Rosebud or Molasses !)

4. You also might not want a baby name that is so trendy
that it will sound funny by the time the baby is ten years old.
(So maybe not Sunshine !)

5. You probably shouldn't pick a name that's really cute for
an adorable little baby but will sound silly when the baby
grows up. (So maybe not Dimples !)

6. Avoid baby names that might produce insulting
nicknames when people shorten them. (So maybe not
Smellonius, or Smelly for short !)

7. You and your family might not want a name that is so hard
to spell or to pronounce that people will always get it wrong
and your poor little brother or sister will have to go through
life correcting people. (So maybe not something like
Incandescence, or is it Incandessints ? )

8. You and your family might want to pick baby names in
honor of favorite relatives or ancestors, or special names
that show your family's ethnic roots. You might even find a
special name from a book or movie that you love. (Like Harry
?)

9. You might want to look through books of baby names and
pick one that has a special meaning that you like - maybe
something that means "sweet" or "kind" or "brave." (So
maybe not wimp !)

10. You might want to think about names that will go nicely
with your name and your other brothers' and sisters' names,
so that if mom or dad are calling you all for dinner or signing
a birthday card to grandma it won't sound too crazy.
(So maybe not "Happy Birthday, Grandma ! Love, Joey,
Cindy and Dweevo !")

There are hundreds of names waiting for you out there, so
good luck on your search for the perfect name !

Barbara Freedman-De Vito, professional storyteller, teacher
and artist, has a website with baby clothes, children's
clothing and gift items decorated with her colorful and
amusing artwork for kids. Visit Baby Bird Productions
Children's Clothing and Baby Clothes at
http://www.childrensclothingbabyclothes.com