Children (22)

PARKER, CO (8/15/18) – The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) invites riders, runners and walkers of all levels to join the celebration and be part of the movement to fight diabetes by taking part in the new Tour de Cure®, a fitness and community event happening on September 8, 2018 at Salisbury Equestrian Park & Sports Complex to help raise funds to support the ADA’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Every 21 seconds, someone in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes. In addition, nearly half of all American adults have either diabetes or prediabetes, which puts them at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes are at significant risk for serious complications including kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness and lower-limb amputations. As the ADA’s premier fundraising event and one of the nation’s largest series of diabetes fundraising events, Tour de Cure brings together volunteers and participants invested in stemming the diabetes epidemic and funding research to find a cure.

“Tour de Cure is more than just a ride, walk or run– it is a celebration of the ADA’s mission and a chance to raise critical funds to help fight diabetes. Every mile covered and every dollar raised brings us that much more support in fighting this disease that affects 401,000 people in our community,” said Dave Samson, Area Executive Director (CO, MT, UT, WY). “The prevalence of diabetes is growing each year, and action is absolutely necessary.”

 

Funds raised at Tour de Cure Colorado help the ADA support people through its youth and family initiatives, including multiple camps for children living with type 1 diabetes and those at-risk for type 2 diabetes. Camp fosters fun, independence, self-confidence and expands children’s knowledge of diabetes while making friends who understand what it’s like living with diabetes and creating experiences that last a lifetime. In 2017, 1,120 campers, families and volunteers participated in an ADA Camp program in Colorado. In addition, Tour de Cure helps drive discovery by providing crucial diabetes research funding, and allows the ADA to raise its voice to fight for the rights of all people affected by diabetes.

 

In addition to the traditional cycling ride, this year’s Tour de Cure event also features a 5k run as well as a 5k walk. The event provides a unique opportunity for businesses, clubs, friends and families to come together with the vision of a life free of diabetes and all of its burdens. Men, women, and children of all ages from around the region will form teams and gather at one of 6 routes to participate in the event.

 

Tour de Cure is designed for participants of all fitness levels, with 12-mile routes for the occasional cyclist to 100-mile century rides for experienced cyclists, and a 5k that you can walk or run.  Routes feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey and volunteers to cheer riders along the way. Participants who have diabetes get VIP treatment. More than 65,000 cyclists and volunteers from across the country participate in TDC events each year.

 

Sponsored nationally by Eli Lilly and Company, Primal Wear Inc., Performance Bicycle and Culligan Water, and locally by presenting sponsor Primal Wear Inc., Town of Parker, United Healthcare, Parker Adventist Hospital, Amazing Moves Moving and Storage and CBS Denver, Tour de Cure features a variety of routes.  Whether short or long, each route is fully supported with rest stops, SAG vehicles and more. This year, there are four cycling routes (100 Mile Century Ride, 63 mile, 32 mile, and 12 mile), as well as a 5K Timed Run and 5K Walk. To register to ride, run, walk or volunteer and for more information go to www.diabetes.org/coloradotourdecure.

 

About the American Diabetes Association

Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (Association) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Association drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the Association supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

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Direction of your gaze

I love spring! Don’t you! I love to watch the early spring flowers pop out of the ground and see the flowering trees burst forth with their blooms. I’m in awe of the great variety of colors and flowers we see. After staring at the dark clouds and snow of winter, I usually feel they are long overdue.

In working with sexually exploited kids, you hear so many horror stories and they are so easy to focus on. We can look at all the darkness around us and get discouraged. Yet, this is when we need to look at the light that we know is just around the corner and see the happy faces of the kids that we have helped.

I have a quote I look at often and it says “The direction of your gaze determines the quality of you days.” To me, this indicates that I can determine where I place my gaze. What do I focus my attention on? What do I listen to? What do I fill my heart with? We have so many choices each day in these areas. This is the focus that moves me and Blossom Care Network onward to find the solutions we believe will make a difference, even if it is only one person. Maybe that person will be the U.S. President someday (although I don’t know if I would wish that on anyone).

We hope you direct your gaze toward these children and become committed to their restoration. You are their hope for the future. Thanks to those who have thrilled us by giving your time and money! To donate visit our website at 

To donate or volunteer please visit our website at blossomcarenetwork.org.

Rosanne Sharratt
Founder
Blossom Care Network
1600 Downing St., Suite 240
Denver CO 80218

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The Colorado Angels Pageant is a pageant specifically for individuals with special needs, both male and female, ages birth to 30.  The 2nd annual pageant will be held Saturday, August 2, 2014.  Anyone with a medically diagnosed physical or intellectual impairment is invited to participate.  Registration is free.  Hair, makeup, wardrobe, and professional photography will also be provided free of charge. 

 

This is not your typical pageant, it is a non-competitive pageant.  Everyone is a winner.  All participants will receive a crown, sash, t-shirt, and gift bag.  This pageant is about making everyone who participates feel beautiful both inside and out.  The pageant is being coordinated by Richelle Lanphear and Vanessa Schwartz.  The pageant is of personal interest to both ladies as they each have daughters with special needs. Richelle says: “The goal of this pageant is to give special needs children and adults a place to be treated like royalty. We want them to feel like the stars of the show, and for the audience to see their unique beauty shining through.” She adds: “People that are ‘differently abled’ have a lot to teach the world. This is one opportunity for them to do that, and for their families and friends to celebrate them.”

 

This event is free to the public, and everyone is invited. There is no charge to participate. The registration deadline is July 1st, but late registrations will be accepted as space allows. To learn more about the pageant --  register, sponsor/donate, or volunteer, please visit www.coloradoangelspageant.org or call Richelle at 970-396-9445 or email at coloradoangels@edgeofcrazy.com

 

Event details:

Colorado Angels Pageant

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Mountain View High School, Loveland, Colorado

 31040787673?profile=original

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Research has shown that life changes, such as the transitions to middle school, high school or college, can serve as triggers that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder. For this reason, Eating Recovery Center, an international center providing comprehensive treatment for anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS and binge eating disorder, encourages parents of children and adolescents making these life transitions to be vigilant for early signs of eating disorders.

 

“Children and adolescents who are high-achieving, perfectionists and who have highly sensitive temperaments are generally at a higher risk than other children for developing an eating disorder,” said Julie Holland, MHS, certified eating disorders specialist and chief marketing officer of Eating Recovery Center. “For these individuals, unhealthy coping mechanisms may be utilized to manage the stressors associated with significant life changes.”

 

A 2012 study from the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that significant transitional events, as well as a lack of support following traumatic life events, could serve as eating disorder triggers. Researchers identified school transitions as one of the six main factors that triggered eating disorders among the individuals who participated in the study.

 

School transition experiences such as adapting to a new environment, meeting increased academic demands, struggling with social pressures and grappling with the physiological changes that occur during adolescence can create a perfect storm in which an individual with a highly sensitive temperament or a genetic predisposition for an eating disorder may turn to disordered eating behaviors as an anxiety management tool or coping mechanism.

 

To help parents manage their children’s transitions to new school environments, Eating Recovery Center highlights five back to school tips to help parents promote healthy attitudes about food and body shape and size.

1.     Look for discreet warning signs. Although weight loss can be an indicator of disordered eating, it may not be immediately apparent. A child may be displaying signs of an eating disorder if his or her schoolwork and grades begin to suffer, if he or she becomes socially withdrawn and increasingly anxious, tired and lethargic. Parents should also be aware if their child begins wearing roomier or layered clothing, even on warm days.

 

2.     Avoid comments about your child’s body shape or size. When shopping for new school clothes avoid commenting on your child’s weight or body size and instead focus on his or her preferences regarding color, style, etc. 

 

3.     Have an honest conversation about peer pressure and the dangers of replacing food calories with alcohol calories if your son or daughter is getting ready to make the move to college. Discuss the physical consequences of disordered eating and drinking behaviors, such as liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption or the significant internal damage poor nutrition can cause.

 

4.     Remind your teenage athlete not to overdo his or her training in an effort to make a high school sports team. Watch for signs of over-exercise, such as sports preparation when he or she is injured or sick, or exercise that significantly interferes with daily activities and schoolwork.

 

5.     Be a positive body role model. When helping an adolescent recover from the body-focused bullying that can sometimes accompany going back to school, a parent who has positive body image will have far more credibility than one who consistently criticizes his or her own looks.

 

“It is important to remember that what triggers an eating disorder may not be what perpetuates it,” said Holland. “Though school transition pressures may have precipitated an eating disorder, the factors that enable its continuation are often complex. Early intervention and treatment from qualified eating disorders professionals are essential to maximize opportunities for lasting recovery.”

 

To help parents learn more about helping their children more effectively deal with pressures that could lead to the development of an eating disorder, Eating Recovery Center has launched a free Community Education Series for parents. In the first seminar in this series, “Helping Your Kids Deal Effectively with Back to School Stressors: Opportunities for Parents,” parents will learn about being a healthy role model, communicating effectively and identifying steps to intervene when they are concerned about their child’s eating behaviors. The inaugural seminar is Thursday, September 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Eating Recovery Center’s Partial Hospitalization Program for Children and Adolescents, 100 Spruce Street, Suite 200, Denver, Colo. 80230. To RSVP for the event, please contact Emili Coringrato by Tuesday, September 4, at ecoringrato@EatingRecoveryCenter.com or 720.258.4014.

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Parent's Night Out


Define Defense will be doing a Parent's Night Out on Wednesday April 18th from 4.30-7pm. 

You can leave your children (5-15 years old) with us and we'll do some techniques and drills, board games and watch a movie on a big screen. This event will be completely free so register or contact us asap to reserve your spots! 

There will be 3 adults present to make sure everything runs smooth, your child has a great time and most importantly, is safe. 

Every child needs to have a waiver (contact us) signed by at least one parent. What to bring: comfortable workout clothes!

You can register 
here or send us a message! Deadline: April 11th.

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The Peably Stories Continue.

 

I wanted to let everyone know about the next Peably stories and coloring pictures that are free for you on my website:

http://sammyandrobert.tripod.com

Sunday, 1/30/11, you will be able to read the story: Grandpa Tells Bub & Sis About Groundhog Day.

Sunday, 2/6/11, you will be able to read the Peably Valentine story.

Sunday, 2/13/11, instead of a Peably story, I will be putting up a very special Valentine story for you all to read. A Valentine gift from me.

Also, starting 1/30/11, instead of regular coloring pictures, I will be putting up Valentines that can be printed, colored, and given to someone. Different Valentines put up for 3 weeks in a row. These Valentines happen to go along with the story I will be putting up for you on 2/13/11.  

Remember my quote: “Words can change a life. Make a good change. Read a child a book.” Happy Reading, Darcie Mae sammyandrobertbooks@yahoo.com

 

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Childhood Obesity: Your Kids Are What They Eat



It’s no secret that childhood obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent and, as you may know, childhood obesity has serious health consequences, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, liver problems, bone and joint problems, and psychological consequences.

Many experts blame this epidemic on the “Western diet,” which means a diet high in refined carbohydrates (white flour), refined sugars (white sugar), and processed food. As you plan for family meals and teach your kids about healthy choices, there are a few important ways you can help ensure your kids make healthy food decisions and get the nutrition they need.

Eat 5+ fruits and vegetables a day. You’ve heard the rule before. Multiple studies show that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits reduces the risk of dying from a significant number of “Western” diseases. In countries where people eat a pound or more of fruits and vegetables per day, cancer rates are half of what they are in the United States. Ideally, only two of five servings will be fruit, and the rest vegetables. Serve vegetables and fruits with meals and also as snacks. Frozen vegetables and fruits are nearly as good as fresh, since they retain most of the nutrients through the freezing process.

Canned fruits and veggies (without added sauces, salt, or sugar) can also work. When it comes to fruits, however, keep in mind that fruit juices do NOT have the same beneficial effects as intact fruit because juice has concentrated calories similar to soda beverages, and also lacks the fiber and other nutrients that whole fruit provides.

Pay attention to portion sizes. A great resource for determining age-appropriate serving sizes is the USDA’s food pyramid, which gives serving sizes for specific foods and beverages based on age, height, weight and activity level.

Although portion control is important, try not to be overly restrictive of your child’s food intake during mealtime. A parent’s responsibility is to provide a well-balanced, nutritious meal. Kids are remarkably good at self-regulating the quantity of food they eat. Allowing kids to eat as much (healthy) food as they choose has been shown to reduce unhealthy snacking between meals. However, if your meal consists of lean meat, vegetables and mashed potatoes, your child should be encouraged to go back for second servings of the meat or vegetables first!

Eat (real) food. It sounds simple, but it can be hard to know what is truly “healthy” for your kids now that every packaged food is making some sort of health claim. This is part of the reason we encourage you to break out of the packages, and eat foods that are just that – FOOD. No chemicals, no preservatives, no dyes, no added hormones, no unpronounceable words, none of the ingredients that are increasingly blamed for our malfunctioning bodies.

Examples of real food are fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, milk, meat, beans, rice and other grains. Milk does not mean chocolate milk or strawberry milk, but regular white milk. Meat does not mean breaded and fried nuggets, but baked, roasted, or grilled meats. A good rule of thumb used by author Michael Pollan in his book In Defense of Food is “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” Squishy squeeze yogurts, cheese that comes out of a squirt can – chances are your great-grandmother would be baffled by these foods. Another great rule of thumb is to shop the perimeter of the grocery store, where a large percentage of items you’ll find are real food.

Taking an active role now can help avoid childhood obesity. Today’s society makes it difficult to change our eating habits, but it can be done. Don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician if you have questions about the types of food you and your children should be eating.

For more information on childhood obesity, helping your children make better food choices, or to find a pediatrician, visit http://www.rosepediatrics.com
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There are readers of the Peably stories from your area. You should let them know that this Sunday, Story 50 goes up and is a very special story. It is like a fill in the blank. You must think back about the other 49 Peably stories and see what you have learned about them. I do give the answers, but readers, try to fill in the blanks first. It's all free. Have fun with it. There are almost 14 peably stories still up on my website. Going over those again but give you all the information you need to fill in the blanks. I would like to hear how people do. Website with stories: http://sammyandrobert.tripod.com Email: sammyandrobertbooks@yahoo.com Darcie Mae
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International au pairs support American military families

Celebrating Military Appreciation Month

 

 

Erie, Colorado May 2, 2011 -- The tradition of honoring our military on Memorial Day is a great example of American culture for au pairs who are experiencing life in the U.S. for the first time. These young people from overseas will attend parades, wave flags, listen to tributes and taps, and kick off summer with their host families. However, for some au pairs, supporting our military goes far beyond Memorial Day.  

 

Simone Staudenmann from Switzerland is an au pair for the Liebold family which consists of mom Marian, infant twins, and LCDR Wayne Liebold, a deployed career Naval officer. Simone takes photos of developmental milestones of the children and posts them online so LCDR Liebold can see the twins sitting up, crawling, standing and walking. She also regularly shows them pictures of their father and helps them connect via Skype. “This way we can talk for a few minutes, even though I’m on the other side of the world. I can see them clapping, and playing and I know that they are happy and also that they haven’t forgotten me,” says Liebold.

 

Simone’s efforts are a tremendous help for a busy working mom and a priceless benefit for a deployed father. LCDR Leibold says, “Because of our au pair, I am able to do my job better. I know my family does not just have great childcare, but a family member who willingly has taken on the challenges of joining a military family with intuition, grace and an understanding of our needs and the needs of our children.” 

 

For military families, childcare is especially critical to their stability at home and their ability to focus and have peace of mind on the job. Unfortunately, according to a recent study by The Pew Center titled “On the Home Front”, military families struggle with childcare due to relocation, deployment, and non-traditional work hours. They are also affected by wait lists at military Child Development Centers (CDCs) or do not live on or near official installations that provide childcare.

 

The au pair option is an attractive alternative for military families for many reasons.  Kimberly Mowat, a local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair who works with families in the Erie, Colorado area, shares how the program benefits parents in the armed services.

 

10 Ways an Au Pair Childcare Can Help Military Families

 

Quality childcare

All au pairs are carefully screened and trained and families receive attentive year-round support from local childcare coordinators. Cultural Care Au Pair goes above and beyond the strict guidelines that regulate the au pair program set by the U.S. Department of State.

 

Extra pair of hands

An au pair can provide extra help in the home in addition to childcare. Assistance with light household duties, homework help, and driving to children’s activities is particularly helpful following a spouse’s deployment.

 

Flexible scheduling

The flexibility of the au pair program allows families with unpredictable work schedules and non-traditional hours to set a schedule that works for them.

 

Assistance with moving 

Having an extra set of hands gives parents additional time, energy and freedom for packing, organizing and all the logistics involved in getting ready for a move.

 

Help settling in

When everything else is changing – home, school, friends, job – having consistent childcare can make the transition to a new place smoother for everyone.

 

Staying connected

An au pair can help children stay connected with deployed parents through daily activities such as letter or email writing, craft projects, and video conferencing.

 

Peace of mind

Knowing that their children are being cared for at home by a trained, experienced au pair allows military personnel to concentrate at work and focus on the job at hand.

 

No waiting list

Like many day care centers, military Child Development Centers (CDCs) often have long waiting lists. Families can apply for an au pair and welcome a child care provider into their home in eight weeks and sometimes even sooner.

 

Network with other military families

Cultural Care Au Pair is proud to serve more military families than any other au pair program. Interested parents can be connected with other military families who have welcomed an au pair into their home.

 

Military discount

In honor of Military Appreciation Month and in celebration of Memorial Day, military families who apply in May are eligible for a $75 application fee and a $650 program fee discount. To learn more about au pair childcare and other seasonal discounts especially for families of those serving in the military, visit www.culturalcare.com/military.

 

Families interested in learning more about au pair childcare can call Kimberly Mowat at 303-396-7328 or visit www.kmowat.aupairnews.com for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program.

 

# # #

 

About Cultural Care Au Pair

Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural childcare in the United States. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 85,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes. A U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with their own extensive network of recruitment, screening and orientation offices worldwide and more than 600 local coordinators across the U.S. For more information about hosting an au pair, visit www.culturalcare.com or call 800-333-6056.

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Although the breastfeeding-versus-formula debate will probably continue as long as there are new moms, the good news is, your newborn will do well with either formula or breast milk. There are pros and cons with either choice, so you should decide which option works best for you and your baby based on your life circumstances and personal preferences.

Breastfeeding Newborn Babies
Breastfeeding may provide emotional or physical comfort to both mother and baby, and many women choose breastfeeding for this reason. If you choose to breastfeed, estimate the amount of milk your baby is taking in and make sure your baby is taking vitamin D supplements to help his or her body absorb calcium and develop strong bones (check with your pediatrician for information about dosage and recommended brands). Additionally, be careful when taking medications yourself that may be passed through breast milk.

Formula-Feeding Newborn Babies
Formula-feeding newborn babies may be the best option for moms who are working or who have difficulty with breastfeeding. If this is your choice, you’ll want to use a standard iron-supplemented formula.

Feeding Schedule Newborn Babies
Most babies feed eight to 12 times a day or about every two to three hours. As your baby gets older, he or she will gradually take in more milk in less time per feeding and will be happy with fewer feedings. Don’t worry too much about how much or how often your baby eats; your baby will usually know how much to eat. When your baby stops feeding, he or she may be full or just taking a break. Try burping your baby or waiting a few minutes before offering breast or bottle again.

If you’re concerned about whether your baby is getting sufficient food, check for signs of hunger: moving, stretching, sucking and lip movements, fussing and/or crying. Also, note if your baby looks content, alert and is gaining weight – about four to seven ounces per week for the first month. Your pediatrician will weigh your baby regularly at your well-baby checkups, so make sure to keep your appointments.

Feeding and Bonding with Newborn Babies
Whether you choose breast milk or formula, your baby will be getting the food and nutrition he or she needs, so enjoy feeding time. Although feeding is a nutritional activity, feeding is also a time to bond with your baby. Don’t be afraid to hold your baby close during feedings or look at and talk to your baby. If you’re giving your baby a bottle, don’t prop it in your baby’s mouth and leave to do something else. This could lead to choking or tooth decay. But even worse, it could lead to a missed opportunity to relax, bond with and enjoy your baby!

For more information on feeding your baby, or to find a pediatrician, visit www.rosepediatrics.com.

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Getting Your Baby To Sleep: Five Sleep Myths



Getting your baby to sleep through the night is by far one of the toughest jobs as a new parent. Sleeping through the night is not only an important milestone, it’s an essential part of your child’s physical and emotional development. Here, we “put to rest” some of the most popular myths about getting your baby to sleep.

Sleep Myth 1: Your child needs to sleep on your schedule.

No matter how well intentioned, trying to force a baby to adapt to your schedule will prove frustrating and pointless. According to the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Mark Weissbluth (Ballantine, 2005), a schedule is important, but that schedule is not necessarily the parents’ schedule. This book presents a more scientific approach to helping your baby develop consistent sleep habits.

Sleep Myth 2: Your friend’s baby is sleeping through the night, so your baby should be too.

All babies are different, just as all definitions of “sleeping through the night” may vary - is your friend’s baby sleeping 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., or is your friend simply trying to prove that her baby is better than everyone else’s? If your child does not have any medical problems, sleeping through the night will most likely come anywhere from 4 to 6 months (formula-fed infants) or 4 to 9 months (breastfed infants).

Sleep Myth 3: Letting a baby “cry it out” will hurt them emotionally. 

Depending on the age of your baby, letting your baby “cry it out” may be the best thing for your child. Although younger babies need to be held and fed during the night, if you’re getting up with a healthy 9-month-old, you’re spoiling your child. Getting up with a youngster at this age may be well-intentioned on your part, but a 9-month-old who is free of medical problems does not need to get up to eat. The older your baby gets, the harder it will be to let them cry. This could potentially spill over into other behaviors because you’re teaching your toddler that screaming gets them attention.

Sleep Myth 4: There’s nothing wrong with your child sleeping with you all night.

Although this depends on the age of the child, in some studies, newborns who are breastfed actually benefit from sleeping with mom. Both mom and baby get better sleep. However, kids who are older (1 and up) and are sleeping in a “family bed” situation have been found to develop attachment disorders and often are not well-adjusted. Moreover, this sleeping arrangement can have serious negative impacts on your relationship with your spouse, the health of which is critical to the long-term well-being of your child.

Sleep Myth 5: Parents shouldn’t leave kids with a babysitter if they aren’t sleeping through the night.


As parents, you need time alone to remain a good team. You and your spouse will be sleep deprived, pooped on, covered in food stains, and you need time with each other to remember why you did this in the first place. Find experienced babysitters who you can trust (and don’t hesitate to take advantage of family members who volunteer for babysitting duty).

As with so many aspects of parenting, when it’s your child, every situation is different. For more information on getting your baby to sleep or to find a pediatrician, visit http://www.rosepediatrics.com.





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Knee Pain in Kids



One of the most complex parts of your body, knees play an important role in allowing you to move. They allow your legs to bend, swivel, straighten and move in many different directions. In order to deliver that great flexibility, knees are made up of lots of moving parts – parts that can be injured and cause pain. In fact, knee pain is very common in children, especially among adolescents who are active and/or participate in sports. So, what should you do if your child experiences knee pain?

First Response: Think R.I.C.E.
Thankfully, most injuries are minor and heal with time. If your child hurts his or her knee, you can take immediate action to help the knee heal faster. For most injures, including knee injuries in children, follow the R.I.C.E. plan until your child can visit his or her pediatrician.

Rest. Rest the knee, often for several days, to avoid further injury and help support the healing process.

Ice. Ice the knee with an ice bag (a bag of frozen peas works well, too) for 15 minutes several times a day for the first 48 hours. This helps to lessen the pain and swelling.

Compression. Bandage the knee to provide compression, which will give support and decrease swelling.

Elevation. Prop the knee up on some pillows or blankets to reduce swelling.

Most knee injuries are sprains, strains or tears and will begin to heal after one or two days of R.I.C.E. If needed, ibuprofen can be taken for pain control.

Second Response: See a Pediatrician
If pain and swelling persist, you should have your pediatrician take a look at your child’s knee. Here’s what to expect during your visit:

1. The history. Your pediatrician will ask several questions about your child’s knee pain to get a good “story” about the pain. He or she will ask questions such as: When did it start hurting? Where does it hurt? What kind of pain? Does anything make it better or worse? Did you hear any pops when you first injured your knee?

2. The exam. Next, your doctor will examine the injured knee. Your child will be asked to stand, sit, lie down and maybe even walk or jump so the doctor can look at the knee in many different positions. In addition, your pediatrician will want to see how the knee is bending but also will look at the outside of the knee for puffiness, redness and warmth to the touch.

3. Imaging. After “getting the story” and examining your child’s knee, your pediatrician will decide if pictures need to be taken of the knee. Sometimes your pediatrician may order an x-ray to look at the bones and/or a CT or MRI to get a better look at other parts of the knee such as cartilage and ligaments.

4. Treatment plan. Once your pediatrician has all the information he or she needs, he or she will determine a diagnosis and treatment plan for your child’s knee pain. Once your child’s knee has healed, your pediatrician may order exercises and physical therapy as part of the rehabilitation program. If there is a serious injury, your pediatrician may refer your child to a specialist or orthopedic surgeon.

For more information on knee pain in children, tips to prevent knee injuries, or to find a pediatrician, visit www.RosePediatrics.com.

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Throughout childhood, kids need a number of vaccinations, also called immunizations, to build up the body’s defenses against dangerous infections and diseases. These immunizations, some of which are a single shot, and others a series of shots over several days, months or years, help keep your child healthy.

Immunizations work by safely introducing a child’s body to the killed or weakened part of a germ that is responsible for infection. The body reacts to the germ by making antibodies – the body’s defenders against disease and illness. By immunizing your child at the recommended times, you give his or her immune system a chance to make antibodies. If the actual disease germs ever attack your child’s body, the antibodies will attack and eliminate the germs. Children who aren’t immunized do not have the antibodies necessary to fight many serious, and even fatal, diseases.

Recommended immunizations for children ages 0 through 6 include:
• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
• Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Pneumococcal5
• Inactivated Poliovirus
• Influenza
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Varicella
• Hepatitis A
• Meningococcal

Contact a pediatrician to determine which immunizations your child should receive at different stages of childhood.

Like any medicine, vaccinations can occasionally cause mild reactions. These reactions can include pain, redness and swelling where the shot was given. Infants can be fussy for 24 to 48 hours after a shot and may also sometimes experience a low-grade fever. These are common and expected side effects and not cause for concern. If your child experiences high fever, swelling of the throat, behavior changes, dizziness, wheezing, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, hives or a fast heart rate, call your pediatrician immediately for an evaluation of your child’s health.

Vaccines are generally quite safe and the protection provided by vaccines far outweighs the very small risk of serious problems. In regard to vaccinations and autism, there is no medical evidence that vaccines cause autism. Dr. Andrew Wakefield first promoted this controversial connection in 1998, but he has since admitted that he fabricated the findings he said proved a link between vaccinations and autism.

For more information on vaccinations and your child’s health, or to find a pediatrician, visit http://www.rosepediatrics.com.

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On children's book author, Darcie Mae's, website - http://sammyandrobert.tripod.com - is a new page titled: The Peablys. The Peablys is a series of children's stories about little people that live in the woods of Maine. The first story in the series will be put up on: Sunday - August 1, 2010. A new story will go up each following Sunday. Read along and follow Bub & Sis Peably as they grow up. The stories follow seasons, holidays, and you'll even learn a little French.


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Children’s Book: Full Color

3 More Fun Sammy & Robert Adventures:

Sammy & Robert See Amphibians, Reptiles,

Some Birds, And Some Insects Out Exploring A While

By: Darcie Mae

8 ½ x 11in. - 44 pages

ISBN# 978-1-4512-8648-9

Publish America: www.publishamerica.com

Author’s website: http://sammyandrobert.tripod.com

This is the 4th book in the Sammy & Robert series of fun, rhyming, and educational children's stories. In this book there are 3 full length stories.
The first story is entitled: Sammy & Robert See Amphibians & Reptiles. In this story the two squirrels are out exploring and come across a place where some amphibians and reptiles are kept. They go in, see, and learn about a few of each. A frog, salamander, alligator, and some snakes are a few.
The second story is entitled: Sammy & Robert See A Bird Sanctuary. In this story Sammy & Robert are exploring one day and come across a bird sanctuary. They go in, see, and learn about an albatross, eagle, owl, and peacock to name just a few.
The third story is entitled: Sammy & Robert Learn About Some Insects. In this story Sammy, the big gray squirrel, and Robert, the small red one, walk around one day finding and learning about some insects and bugs. An ant, beetle, bee, fly, and mosquito are a few. The time of year is fall, the weather is getting colder, and food is harder to find. By the end of the story Sammy is starting to think it is time to go home, and get Robert home- who depends on him for food and warmth at night.

Look not only for Darcie Mae’s Sammy & Robert children’s books, but her Mother Mouse books as well.

Mother Mouse ISBN# 978-0-9817521-8-1

3 stories that teach manners, measurements, & shapes.

Mother Mouse: Book 2 ISBN# 978-0-9822560-7-7

2 stories that teach opposites & ways of transportation.

Mother Mouse Tells Mice Kids A Thanksgiving Story ISBN#978-1-936046-30-0

Teaches to be thankful for what you have and to share with those in need.

Sammy & Robert (Book 1) ISBN# 1-60474-811-7

1 story that teaches you can be different, how this should not matter, and

though different you still can be best friends.

Sammy & Robert’s Animal Adventures (Book 2) ISBN# 1-60703-987-7

2 stories. One teaches about farm animals, & the other about a zoo with mammals and about herbivores, carnivores, & omnivores.

Sammy & Robert Discover The Ocean (Book 3) ISBN# 978-1-61546-827-0

3 stories. In the first they visit a beach, the second they go out on the ocean in a boat, and in the third they snorkel and learn about crustaceans & mollusks.

Books are available on the web at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, wholesalers, and on many other websites. You can also have your favorite book store order the books for you.

Email the author at : sammyandrobertbooks@yahoo.com

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Have you ever wanted to learn how to make that cracking sound with the bull whip just like Indiana Jones, or how plucking the strings on a guitar makes music? Join us this Saturday, December19th at 9:30 AM when CU Wizard, Professor Steve Pollock will present "Bangs and Whispers: The Physics of Sound and Music"The FREE show will take place on the CU campus in Duane Physics G1B30.For more information visit the CU Wizards Web site <http://www.colorado.edu/physics/Web/wizards/cuwizards.html>.Here by popular demand, I am pleased to announce that CU Wizards is now on Facebook! Please show the CU Wizards your support by visiting the Wizards public Facebook page and/or adding us as your friend (you must be a Facebook member to request CU Wizards to be your friend).The link to our page is: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?ref=name&id=100000534094977 or you can search Facebook for Cu Wizards.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Next show:-Professor Kristi Anseth presents "Chemistry to Heal the Body" on January 16, 2010 @9:30AM in Cristol Chemistry 140See you there!
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CU Wizards - H20! November 14, 2009

It's time for another exciting episode of the CU Wizard's show!Did you know that almost 90 percent of an iceberg lies submerged underwater, or that water expands as it freezes? Well, you can find out the "whys" and "hows" of all sorts of cool factoids like these at the December, 8th, CU Wizards show.Please join us as CU Wizard Casey Hynes presents "H2O!" and reveals some of the amazing properties of one of life's most important necessities - water.Professor Casey Hynes presents:H2O!When: 9:30 A.M. Saturday, November 14, 2009!Where: CU Boulder, Cristol Chemistry 140For more information visit:http://www.colorado.edu/physics/Web/wizards/cuwizards.html
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Please mark your calendars, Susan Frontczak will continue the series of free CU Wizards shows with /How Math Can Save Your Life!When: Saturday October 24, 2009 from 9:30 am-10:30 amWhere: The University of Colorado, Boulder - Cristol Chemistry 142Cost: FREE!CU Wizards is held one Saturday of each month during the academic year and covers a wide range of topics. The shows feature demonstrations and experiments and are geared toward science enthusiasts and children in grades five to nine. Each show lasts about an hour.DECEMBER DATE CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT:Our December Wizards show has been rescheduled from December 12, 2009 to *December 19, 2009*. It will still begin at 9:30 AM and remains in Duane Physics G1B30. Please make a note of this change and our apologies for the inconvenience.For more information about the CU Wizards program, including scheduling and parking information, please check out our Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/physics/Web/wizards/cuwizards.htmlFor more information about the show, feel free to contact Erin Costello at 303-492-5011 or via email at djnadmin@jila.colorado.eduHope to see you at the show!
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Mary Sue & Cari Release New Kid's CD

Please join Mary Sue Rogers and Cari Minor this Friday morning, July 31st at the Chautauqua Community House to celebrate the release of their third kid's CD "Mary Sue And Cari's Marvelous Adventures". Get ready to set sail on a pirate ship, fly like a fairy, do the hippo stomp and take part in other interactive songs on this amazing adventure with two of Boulder's talented & creative singer/songwriters. Showtimes @ 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM $5.00/Cover
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With exploration and discovery, this preview for our summer camp is full of children making artistic decisions. Children will have fun making joyful music on a variety of musical instruments. Group activities include singing, movement and drama. Every week of the summer camp has a new theme, new songs, new activities, new plays, and so much more. This sneak preview will be a great way to get your feet wet. So whether you just come for the sneak preview or all summer, a fun and joyful time of learning will be had by all.Please register at www.parlando.org.Ages 3.5-7 years.
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