College Loan Consolidation - Tips and Advice For Parents

I am reading about articles about college loan consolidation on ezine articles submission. One of my attractive is student college loan consolidation i hope this College Loan Consolidation - Tips and Advice For Parents articles was interesting and hope give you the way to check, compare, find out your student load rates.

When you choose to consolidate college loans, it's important to note the type of loans you wish to combine. Many financial companies advise against consolidating federal and private together. Federal loans typically have a fixed interest rate and better benefits as opposed to private loans, whose interest rates are determined by your credit score. Some lending companies may also offer a separate program to consolidate federal student loans and also for private student loan consolidation.
Take note that consolidating student loans is a method of refinancing. This means that a company will pay off your outstanding loans with a consolidation student loan, creating a single payment. It's important to factor this amount into your budget to ensure that you can comfortably make the payment on time.
You should consider consolidation if your still owe a large amount of money on your student loans and your loans were taken out through multiple lenders. If your loans are still under grace period, you should wait until after it expires, as consolidation loans typically do not have a grace period and payment starts immediately. It's also not recommended to consolidate loans taken out by your spouse into one loan either, as both parties will be responsible for paying the loan no matter what happens to the relationship. So avoid including your spouse's obligations when considering refinancing.
Cosigning is another aspect you should also take into consideration with your education loan consolidation. Some lending companies do not require a cosigner based on your income and credit background. However, if your concerned your credit isn't up to par, you may need to find a credit-worthy cosigner to avoid paying a higher interest rate. Companies vary with their cosigning practices. Some lenders may release a cosigner after a period of time contingent on terms of the loan. For example, if you make the first 48 payments of your consolidation loan in a timely manner, the cosigner will be released. Check with the lender to verify their policy and practice.
Student loan refinancing is a serious matter. You can only consolidate them once unless you return to school and acquire additional student loans. Careful research of refinancing companies is essential in determining the right consolidation loan that fits your needs and budget.

Sally Mason is a contributing author to http://www.collegeloanconsolidation.net Further information on private student loan consolidation and other topics can be found there.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sally_Mason

Parent Mag School Loans - Tips on How to Get the Best Deal

Sometimes you may not have the necessary funds when you want to go to school. This can be disheartening but you should not give up since there are school loans available. They are designed to help you when you need support for your education. However in as much as they help you get through school, it is important to understand that once you are done with your studies you have to plan your finances and repay your debt. You have to do this so that you can avoid amassing debt which may cause you stress in the future.

When you decide to borrow money for your education, it is important that you have an estimate of how much you will need. You have to include all hidden costs and necessity costs and ensure that the money you are looking for is adequate for until you finish college. Once you have this information, you can then start looking for the loan that will suit your needs. It is also possible to calculate the loan repayments by using a calculator.

You can calculate your monthly repayments based on an estimated starting salary. Always remember after you have compared all the costs, you should only borrow what you need. You can also consider student employment as an alternative for borrowing. It is important when you are filling out the application form that you do it carefully and accurately.

Look for the best terms in the school loans so that you can get the low interest rates. This will help you have less to repay in student loan debt. You should also not commit yourself to immediate repayment when it comes to these types of loans. This is because there are factors like joblessness or financial crisis that can cause you to face hardships in repayments.

Mercy Maranga writes content on Finance and Finance Management. Visit her site here for more information on Loans and how to effectively manage them. Cash Loans

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mercy_Maranga

School Loans - Tips on How to Get the Best Deal

Sometimes you may not have the necessary funds when you want to go to school. This can be disheartening but you should not give up since there are school loans available. They are designed to help you when you need support for your education. However in as much as they help you get through school, it is important to understand that once you are done with your studies you have to plan your finances and repay your debt. You have to do this so that you can avoid amassing debt which may cause you stress in the future.

When you decide to borrow money for your education, it is important that you have an estimate of how much you will need. You have to include all hidden costs and necessity costs and ensure that the money you are looking for is adequate for until you finish college. Once you have this information, you can then start looking for the loan that will suit your needs. It is also possible to calculate the loan repayments by using a calculator.

You can calculate your monthly repayments based on an estimated starting salary. Always remember after you have compared all the costs, you should only borrow what you need. You can also consider student employment as an alternative for borrowing. It is important when you are filling out the application form that you do it carefully and accurately.

Look for the best terms in the school loans so that you can get the low interest rates. This will help you have less to repay in student loan debt. You should also not commit yourself to immediate repayment when it comes to these types of loans. This is because there are factors like joblessness or financial crisis that can cause you to face hardships in repayments.

Mercy Maranga writes content on Finance and Finance Management. Visit her site here for more information on Loans and how to effectively manage them. Cash Loans

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mercy_Maranga

Answer financial planning for parent mag

Hope you are satisfied with the answers selected in financial planning. This is not the right answer but for me it is the best at least you can prepare your financial planning so that you no need work very hard tomorrow.

• Give 5 points if you answer is "A" 
• give 3 points if you answer is "B"
• and give 1 points if you answer is "C"

Sum all of your marks

1. If you have 40- 50 marks, you are in a very strong financial position.
2. If you have 20- 39 marks, you are in a state of readiness to manage your finances properly, but need a strong planning and discipline.
3. less than or equal 20 now you must think the best way to manage your finances and planning. Now you need to make drastic changes to the financial position you are in a comfortable
   

questions about financial planning for parents http://parent-mag.blogspot.com/2009/10/test-your-financial-position-to-create.html

rules HOW TO CREATE A BUDGET

 Rules from
fill in every space-related and total income, you create a budget and actual expenditure Then, about the balance that you have. And compare with your budget plan before this. Are the total negative or positive. Do estimates each month. Maybe end of this year you could spend a little more preparation for children.

INCOME
CATEGORY	During	Budget	Differences	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4

Parenting from Perfect to Great: Five Ways to Avoid the Perfect Parent Trap

Parent Mag

I recently took my daughter to see Cheaper by the Dozen 2 with Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt. If you are unfamiliar with this series, the story is about the Bakers –- a family of 12 children –- and the challenges the parents (Martin and Hunt) face in trying to raise 12 kids while dealing with the challenges of everyday life (if you can even imagine!!).
At the end of the movie, Steve Martin’s character comes to a realization about parenting and makes the comment: “It’s impossible to be a perfect parent, but there are a million ways to be a great parent.” I loved that comment as it reminded me how important it is not to get caught up in trying to be the “perfect parent.” Here are some insights on what I call “the perfect parent trap” as well as some ideas on a more positive and realistic approach to parenting.
I don’t think any parent intentionally sets out to be “the perfect parent,” but I think many of us stumble into the perfect parent trap when we unknowingly set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. Unrealistic parental expectations most often come from two sources: 1) our own hopes and dreams for our children and 2) cultural messages about child-rearing. Let’s take a closer look at these…
1) As parents, we all have hopes and dreams for our children –- we want them to be happy, successful, and have a good life. I mean, how can we look into those little faces and not want those things? Our hopes and dreams lead us to focus on doing what’s *best* for our children. Although the intention here is a good one, the expectation is unrealistic as it is impossible to know or even measure what is “best.” And if you can’t identify or measure something, how can you ever live up to it?
2) There are tons of books and expert opinions available that offer advice on proper child-rearing techniques –- boost your child’s self-esteem, validate her efforts, be authoritative, not authoritarian, etc, etc. The message we receive is that there are certain things we *should* be doing to shape successful children. The danger here is that anytime you feel like you *should* be doing something, you’re indirectly telling yourself that what you’re currently doing is not good enough.
The perfect parent trap gets set when we get caught up on one or both of these expectations. We tell ourselves: “If I do all the right things, I’ll have the right kids.”
Unfortunately, focusing on doing what’s best, what’s right and what we should be doing does not leave any room for mistakes. As a result, we end up blaming ourselves and beating ourselves up for things that don’t turn out the way we think they should.
When my daughter was born I remember reading about so many things that I should and shouldn’t be doing that I often found myself questioning what I was doing – Am I reading to her enough? Am I stimulating her enough? Should I be giving her more time on the floor each day? Should I be feeding her more? Should I, shouldn’t I…? You can drive yourself mad when you constantly strive to do what’s best.
When we try too hard to do what’s right and what’s *best* with our children, we lose sight of what’s really important. We don’t connect with them as deeply, we don’t see or hear what they really need, and we end up acting out of fear of failure rather than unconditional love.
The reality is that parenting is challenging and child-rearing very often does not go the way we think it *should*. I have found (and continue to remind myself) that the key is to focus on all of the things that are working –- the successes you do have as a parent, the special moments with your children, and the fact that you have everything you need to be a great parent. Most importantly, if you strive to make choices that are motivated by love rather than perfection, there’s room for mistakes.
Here are five ways you can avoid the perfect parent trap and move yourself from perfect to great:
1) Give yourself a pat on the back for something everyday. No matter how terrible your day has been, take time everyday to give yourself praise for something, e.g., teaching your child something new, effectively dealing with a temper tantrum, preparing your family a nutritious meal, or simply for making it through the day. Focusing on the things you’re doing well is an important step towards being a great parent.
2) Pay attention to your goals and expectations. When you catch yourself trying to do what’s best or what you should, ask yourself: “Are my expectations realistic?” “Am I acting out of love or fear of doing the wrong thing?” Shifting your focus to a more realistic and positive expectation will alleviate a lot of stress and pressure from both you and your children.
3) Limit your exposure to experts. By all means seek to learn and educate yourself as a parent, but avoid over-relying on expert information. The more you rely on expert information to make decisions, the more you will *should* yourself and be less likely to make decisions that make the most sense for you and your family. Learn to make decisions based on your own values and guiding principles.
4) Connect with your children. More than anything, children want and need your connection. Spend quality time with your children and listen to what they want so that your goals and expectations are in sync with their needs. You may be surprised to learn that what you think is *best* for them is not actually what they need.
5) Enjoy the moments. One of my favorite sayings is “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away.” Take the time to set apart the special moments you have with your children –- these are the little things that really matter.
Copyright 2006. DreamKids. All rights reserved.

Dr. Kelly Pryde is the President and Founder of DreamKids -- a company dedicated to celebrating, inspiring and developing the potential of children from birth and up. A consultant, teacher and mother of two, Kelly holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with expertise in child development and learning. To learn more about celebrating and developing your child's potential, visit http://www.dreamkids.ca

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kelly_Pryde

Financial Planning For Singles Parent Mag

Parent Mag found articles about Financial Planning For Singles where this is a good articles. This is what was single parent often forget because busy with daily activities until forgot the child future. This articles sound way is .....

Financial planning often gets a bad rap. Part of the problem is self-inflicted, since some industry participants would rather sell you a product than address your financial concerns. The process of planning is important, though, whether done with a professional or on your own. After all, you wouldn’t leave on a long trip without looking at a map – a poor analogy for some of us men, but you get the idea.
So where should you start? That really depends on you and your situation. Since everyone has different goals, needs, risk tolerances, and concerns, everyone needs a unique plan. But in general, planning needs to take into account at least three major areas – insurance, investments, and estate planning. While you can fill a library with all the necessary information to properly address these issues, below are a few single-specific tips to help you get started.
Insurance
Insurance is confusing. It comes in all shapes and sizes and covers everything from your car to your health. You can even buy insurance that covers you against alien abductions. And like many areas of planning, insurance can be especially complicated for singles, depending on your situation.
· Life Insurance. For some singles, this may not seem like a pressing issue. But for singles with dependents, it’s crucial. Stick with a term-life policy – more expensive whole-life and universal-life policies are rarely worth the extra cost. You should generally buy enough insurance to equal eight to ten times your annual salary, though you may need more if you have several dependents or unique expenses, such as for a special needs child. And since you may not have a second income to rely on if you can’t work, disability insurance is also a good idea.
· Health Insurance. Most of us count health insurance as one of our primary employee benefits. For married employees, the benefit is even greater, since this insurance is usually also available to the employee’s spouse. For unmarried couples, though, it’s a whole different story. While some companies provide medical and dental benefits to domestic partners, it’s far from the norm. And even when these benefits are provided, they are usually taxed as income at their fair market value. While an exception exists, it requires the partner to qualify as the employee’s dependent and have an annual income of less than $3,100 – which makes it useless for many partners.
Investments
Successful investing is a difficult and time-consuming process. I’ll touch on specifics in later issues, but if you’re trying to put together an investment plan on your own, keep these issues in mind.
· Be patient. There aren’t any magic systems that will help you consistently beat the markets. And if there were, could you really buy them for $299 on the Internet? Investing is not a get-rich-quick scheme, it’s a long-term process that takes patience, discipline and experience.
· Diversify, but in moderation. Most people own several hundred stocks and bonds, either directly or through mutual funds. There just aren’t hundreds of great investments out there. You’re much better off keeping your portfolio at a manageable level of a two dozen high-quality stocks and a few exchange traded funds or mutual funds with strong track records and low expenses.
· Selling matters. Most people focus on buying stocks. That’s important, but even more critical is when you sell stocks. Manage your risk by selling losing stocks when they fall 10% below your purchase price. Also, if you have a winning investment, take some profits along the way – there are more than a few people who wish they’d done so back in March 2000.
· Mutual funds aren’t always the answer. Many people rely on mutual funds as the cornerstone of their investment portfolio. This can be a problem, since the vast majority of mutual funds consistently underperform the markets. Not only that, mutual funds are extremely expensive and include hidden fees that don’t show up in their disclosed expense ratios. These hidden fees can cost you thousands of dollars and take a huge bite out of your returns. Mixing in individual stocks and exchange-traded funds can help improve your returns and keep your costs in check.
· Develop your own approach. For example, my investing style is probably best described as opportunistic – I wait patiently in conservative investments until compelling opportunities arise and then deploy capital accordingly. While it fits my personality and has worked well for my clients, it isn’t right for everyone. Some people want more risk, some want less, and others just don’t have the time to spend researching and monitoring their investments. Find a strategy that fits your unique risk tolerances, goals, and preferences, and then stick with it.
Estate Planning
Retirement planning for singles can be tricky. For example, most qualified retirement plans, such as employer-run 401(k) plans, are geared toward married couples and often don’t provide for lifetime distributions to unmarried beneficiaries. This can cause major tax headaches for the beneficiary. Here are some other issues to consider
· Make sure you have a will. This may seem obvious, but an amazing number of people simply ignore this basic planning step. Probate laws are complicated, time-consuming, and don’t always end up transferring your assets where you’d like. And if you’re a single parent, make sure the will names a guardian for your children.
· Designate beneficiaries for your IRA accounts. Because IRA’s don’t pass through your will, you need to execute a separate beneficiary designation to make sure your IRA passes to your intended beneficiary.
· Execute a durable power of attorney. This power of attorney should not only cover your business affairs, but also your health care decisions. You hope you’ll never need these documents, but if you do, you’ll be glad you thought ahead and made the necessary arrangements.

David A. Twibell, J.D., is Executive Vice President of Colorado Capital Bank in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he directs the bank’s portfolio management and wealth advisory practice. He can be reached at (719) 482-7015 or dtwibell@coloradocapitalbank.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Twibell

For me when i read and  fully observed i was create a simple table to basic financial planning especially for single parent like parent mag or not.

10 Ways to Soothe Your Fussy Baby

•  Feed and Burp your Baby. Babies cry when they are hungry, or they may have swallowed a bubble of air with resulting gas pains. Make sure you always burp your baby after they eat.
• Try a Pacifier. Babies have a strong desire to suck, which is a soothing mechanism. Some babies prefer to suck their own thumb (my younger daughter), some will prefer a pacifier (my older daughter) and then there will be babies who prefer neither. Let them choose-they seem to have a natural instinct on which one to use.
• Soothing Sounds. Sometimes soft lullabies will help, but some babies need monotonous sounds, like "white noise". I am sure you have heard of parents running the clothes dryer, vacuum, or taking their baby for a car ride. We were fortunate-all we ever needed were the lullabies.
• Swaddle your Baby. Many babies feel comforted when they are wrapped up snug & tight in a blanket. Babies have been used to little room in the mothers' womb. Being out in the open world can be a little frightening at times. There is a particular way to swaddle your baby so they feel as snug as a bug in a rug!
• Look for Clothing Discomfort. Make sure their clothes are not too tight or that the baby is caught in a string of fabric. You never know, it could be some little thing like this.
• Check for Diaper Trouble. Wet diapers can be cold and diaper rash can occur. Babies can also cry just before a bowel movement. Isn't that amazing?  I always dabbed a little diaper rash ointment on after every diaper change-not a lot-but just enough and my daughters never got the rash. Look in my store for some great Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention products.
• Get Some Fresh Air. Changing a babys' environment may help a fussy baby go back to sleep.  They could be bored also, and want a change of scenery.
• Provide Movement. Babies love to be held in your arms and swayed back and forth. I did so much swaying that now, every time I pick up someone elses' baby, I automatically start to sway! All the "swayers" are usually Moms! Babies also like to be rocked in a rocking chair. The movements should be steady and rhythmic.
• Try a Baby Sling. This is called "wearing your baby". Babies love to be held and to be close to their parents. This helps you bond to your baby. When they are nestled up near you in a sling, they will be comforted by your heartbeat. Dads: you can wear a Baby Sling also! This isn't just for Moms!  In my store, you can find a great selection of Baby Slings.
• Relax! Getting tense and nervous yourself can make matters worse, especially when you are tired and grumpy. Take a nice walk by yourself, try a bubble bath, or get some exercise and you will feel refreshed.

I hope my 10 ideas to Soothe your Baby will help. I know a lot of them are pretty obvious, but it is always re-assuring to know that we all go through it. Before you know it, they will be toddlers and you will have to deal with a whole new set of behaviors!

Lori J Walker writes articles relating to Babies and Decorating the Nursery.
Her store http://www.BabysNursery-BeddingandMore.com has an abundant supply of Baby Nursery Bedding, Wall Decor, and Coordinating Nursery Room Accessories.
If you are looking for Baby Shower Gifts, Baby Slings, Organic Blankets, Unique Baby Gifts or Baby Keepsakes, http://www.BestBabyThings.com carry beautiful quality items at today's affordable prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lori_J_Walker

Test your financial position to create financial planning

 Are you a lot of money or bilionare or you're just a dwarf in the world today so test yourself with Paren-mag today. This is the simple step you must ask yourself.
10 simple question

1. Percentage of income used as savings?
a. 10 percent
b. Less than 10 percent
c. Not save.

2. How often you make a budget?
a. Almost every month.
b. Sometimes, if the thought.
c. Never.

3. When you shop using a credit card, how amaun you use to pay for them?
a. As soon as possible before entering the new moon.
b. One to two months.
c. Easier to just leave the letter and the bank received.

4 In 6 months during this, how many times you pay the outstanding bills?
a. No
b. One to five times
c. Mostly

5. How you choose to purchase goods.
a. Make plans in advance with lists of items needed.
b. Planning has made a tape when the time came to buy the budget must be Ian.
c. Without planning. Purchases made spontaneously.

6.  Which sources you use if you need money for expenses such as repairing a fairly large house?
a. Savings.
b. Loan dare any bank.
c. No direct or Iainnya said, could not afford.

7. If you stopped work or major loss of income, how long you can survive the financial?
a. Three months and Iebih.
b One to two months.
c. Less than 1 month.

8. Are you planning for retirement?
a. Planning is done successfully.
b. Still in the planning.
c. Never thought.

9. Are you willing to spend in case of any emergency?
a. Yes. No matter the time.
b. See first the amount must be expended.
c. Could not.

10. How much income at this time. Including income and assets, insurance, unit trusts and so forth.

a. Source 3 and above.

b. one and two sources.

c. Nothing

to check how good or bad parent your financial planning click
http://parent-mag.blogspot.com/2009/10/financial-planning.html

Parent should know magazine and about breast self-examination

parent-mag
Cancer is not easily treated, but not impossible to wipe until thoroughly, especially if you are still in early stages.

Therefore, early detection of cancer is necessary. We can do it yourself at home through a breast self-examination (check your own breasts) once a month.
But do not do when you're period, wait a few days after completion.
It's easy:

There are a step to check breast self examination if i have a picture to show later i will do later

1. Standing erect in front of the mirror with her hands hanging loose. Note the size, shape and color of the breasts.

Does the shape and size of symmetrical right and left?
Whether it bigger / louder?
Is the nipple straight forward? Or change direction?
Are nipples interested in?
Does nipple / skin blisters there?
Does the skin look red? Blue? Blackish?
Is his skin was thickened with dilated pores (orange peel)?
Is the surface smooth skin, does not look any wrinkles / basin?

2. Massage

With both hands, gently massage the breast from the edge to the nipple, for to know the presence or absence of liquid coming out of the nipple (should not exist, unless you're breastfeeding).

3. Grope

Lie on the bed to check her breasts one by one.
Use the fourth finger of his right hand clenched each other to feel the breast. Palpation performed with a circular motion (like making small circles), starting from the edge of the breast to the nipple. After that slide the little finger's position to the next, and do it again from the edge of the circular movements until the nipple breasts.

If the breast self-examination you find a defect (eg bumps, no matter how small), immediately consult a physician. Do not be afraid and do not delay. (Excerpted from rumahkanker.com/)

Babies' Development Stages

Parentmag
By Dianne Hermance
eHow Contributing Writer

http://www.ehow.com/about_5485004_babies-development-stages.html

You have just brought your little bundle of joy home from the hospital and now you are wondering
what to expect in the coming months. Your expectations are that your child will attain certain
milestones by a specific age. The reality is all babies develop at different rates--some will walk or
crawl before others. It is important that parents are aware of the different development stages to
make sure their baby is progressing normally. These stages are guidelines and parents should not
be overly concerned if their child takes longer than average to develop.

1 Month
In the first two weeks of age, the baby's eye site is developing. She can only see objects or faces that are close by. Your baby will become more alert and can start following movement with his eyes. By four weeks, your baby has completely developed hearing. Most babies begin to smile and coo within the first month.

2 to 3 Months
Physical development is important in a baby's life and the neck muscles, arms and legs are getting increasingly stronger. The baby may try to push himself up, when placed on his stomach; readying himself for crawling in the coming months.
The arm and leg movement is becoming more fluid and your baby will be able to reach for toys.
Babies begin to smile much more in this month and develop new sounds such as gurgling, squealing and regular laughter. Your baby may now begin to recognize familiar voices and faces.

4 to 6 months
Babies begin grasping toys and objects this month. With this accomplishment, your baby may start to put objects in her mouth. Now the baby babble is starting to sound more like recognizable sounds such as "gaga." Your baby may even begin to crawl or start rolling over, and now it is important to baby proof the house.
A baby can start eating solid foods specialized for infants and most babies start by eating rice cereal and vegetables. Consult your pediatrician on a specific diet.
Most babies sleep through the night at this age, which is a relief for most parents.

7 to 9 months
During seven to nine months, babies begin to string words together. You may see your baby begin to crawl more and start to pull himself up into a standing position by using furniture.Babies start banging objects together, making a lot of noise. Your little one can now grab objects with the thumb and index
finger--the pincer grasp---which allows for self-feeding.

10 to 12 months
Babies can now understand more words like their own name and "no," and can utter recognizable words.
Once a baby can stand while holding onto something, she will try to stand alone. After she has mastered this skill, most babies begin walking by 1 year old. Do not worry if your baby has not started walking yet, since all babies develop differently.

Cancer types-Early symptoms CANCER from parent magazine

(1) cervical cancer - any abnormal discharge or bleeding I, pain after bersenggama and down weight.

(2) Breast cancer - swelling or lump in the breast, out liquids bleeding from the nipples, the lymphatic glands in the armpit, the skin wrinkles in breast.

(3) colon cancer - changes in bowel habits, lost weight, pain in the stomach and intestinal bleeding occurs during bowel.

(4) Lung cancer - coughing continued strong, bloody cough, breathing termengah-mengah, chest pain and weight loss.

(5) stomach cancer - weight loss, vomiting, bleeding, digestive system I do not regularly, eat a little faster even full.

(6) spleen cancer - abdominal pain, loss of appetite, decreased and bad a weight, skin and eyes become yellow and the abdomen swells.

(7) ovarian cancer - irregular menstruation, plants hard in the abdomen, pain during bersenggama, I excessive hair growth hair, the voice becomes depth.

(8) Cancer of the brain - headache, vomiting, visual disturbances, weakness or paralysis, dizziness / faint, pelupa, changes in personality.

(9) prostate cancer - pain while urinating difficult and prolonged.

(10) Blood Cancer (leukimia)-tired, pale, prone to easy bruising and
infection (infection).

(11) Cancer throat - guttural / husky, no tumor in the throat, difficulty
swallowing and swollen glands in the neck.

Asia Pacific youths need to talk about sex - survey

Parent-mag
SINGAPORE, Sept 30 - Young people in the Asia Pacific region need to get over taboos on talking about sex, with a survey showing most don't know much about contraception while a third do not discuss it with their partner.

The survey of more than 1,200 people teenagers and twenty-somethings in six countries across the region showed nearly two-thirds -- or 64 percent -- were unfamiliar with the types of contraception available, or confused by the choice, putting them at risk of unplanned pregnancies and diseases such as HIV.

This is higher than the global average, where only half of the respondents to the "Talking Sex and Contraception" survey, funded by pharmaceutical firm Bayer Schering Pharma , said they were unaware about their contraceptive choices.

"There's still a huge taboo factor in Asia when it comes to sex," Denise Keller, a TV presenter well known across Asia, told reporters during an event to promote safe sex.

"We have to understand that kids have raging hormones and you can't just say no, don't do it. We need to talk more about it, or else we'll have many more unwanted pregnancies and all sorts of diseases."

The survey, which involved 15- to 21-year-olds, showed that while the majority of youth felt their partner was the person they could talk to about contraception, nearly 40 percent didn't do so before having sex for the first time because if felt "awkward".

The average age youth in Asia Pacific were having sex was 17 years, and nearly half of those have already had unprotected sex, the survey showed, while over a third believed clinically unreliable contraceptive methods, such as withdrawal, were effective in protecting them.

"The results of the survey are alarming," said Ary Laufer, regional director of international reproductive health organisation Marie Stopes.

"Many young people are not talking about sex and contraception, and they lack the knowledge to make informed decisions. Breaking the silence is critical," he said, adding that Asia Pacific youth were more likely than their counterparts in other regions to have unprotected sex.

The online survey was conducted among 603 males and 606 females across Australia, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand

 more

Checklist: Baby Registry Cleaner

Parentmag

Checklist: Registry 101
1	Diapers: Whether you're going the re-usable or disposable route, you'll need plenty on hand.
2	Burp cloths (fabric diapers can also double as burp cloths)
3	Disposable wipes. Always have a few packets on hand -- this is not an item you want to run out of
4	Diaper rash cream
5	Diaper pail: Choose one that you can operate with one hand, one that uses regular garbage bags, and has an odor control system.
6	Diaper bag: Make sure it hangs well from your stroller handlebars.
7	Baby monitor
8	1 or 2 pacifiers, if you want to use them. Be sure to get ones labeled "newborn."
9	Portable crib, commonly known as a Pack 'n Play, for when you visit the grandparents
10	Co-sleeper. It's so nice to just reach over to nurse your baby at night. But you can easily substitute the portable crib if it's easier.
11	6 bottles, including nipples: Make sure you buy nipples for newborns.
12	Bottle brush
13	Breast pump: Go for the fancy automatic double pump if you're going back to work
14	Breastfeeding pillow
15	Nursing pads
16	Lanolin lotion for sore nipples
17	Breast milk freezer bags or storage cups
18	Thermometer. The rectal kind. Don't be freaked out -- once you do it, it's a piece of cake.
19	Nasal bulb syringe for clearing stuffy noses
20	Baby nail clipper
21	Alcohol swabs and bandages
22	Infant bath tub or seat with a newborn "sling"
23	Baby shampoo and cleanser
24	Baby lotion
25	2 to 3 hooded towels that let you swaddle baby post-bath
26	Crib
27	Changing table with pad (you can also covert an existing dresser by topping with a pad)
28	Rocking chair
29	ExerSaucer. You won't use it for a few months, but once your baby hits 4 or 5 months, it will blow his little mind.
30	Swing or bouncy seat. The movement makes almost all babies very, very sleepy
32	Activity mat (also called the baby gym)
33	Mobile for the crib: Think music, lights and movement. We like ones you can turn off remotely
34	Mobile for the changing table: Distract your baby from the fact that his bum is cold.
35	Crib bumper
36	2 to 3 fitted crib sheets
37	2 waterproof mattress pads
38	2 or 3 changing pad covers
39	A rear-facing infant car seat with base. If you have two cars, you'll need a second base.
40	Baby carrier and/or sling
41	Stroller: Baby won't sit up for a few months, so you'll need a Snap 'n Go, a travel system or a model in which baby can fully recline.
42	A "take-me-home" outfit. Look for a set that's cute for photos, but practical (something warm for winter or light for summer).
43	6 to 8 onesies, half short sleeve and half long sleeve. Choose kimono styles that don't pull over baby's head to cut down on screams.
44	5 pairs of pants
45	6 to 8 sleepers (aka coveralls) with built-in footies, or rompers if it's spring or summer
46	5 to 6 sleeping gowns, which snap5 to 6 sleeping gowns, which snap, zip, or cinch closed at the bottom, making late-night diaper changes a breeze.
47	At least 3 sleeping gowns should have built-in mittens to cover fast-growing baby fingernails and avoid scratches on smooth baby skin.
48	1 to 3 sweater cardigans or zip hoodies, depending on the season
49	1 snowsuit or winter bunting (for winter babies)
50	1 to 2 pairs of mittens if they aren't included in the snowsuit (for winter babies)
51	8 pairs of booties or socks
52	4 to 6 hats, including at least one sun hat
53	4 to 6 receiving blankets. One should be soft and thick enough to be a blankie contender; two should be thin enough for your diaper bag.
54	4 to 6 bibs. At least two should be waterproof. Once baby starts solids, you'll need something you can just hose off.
55	Velcro swaddle. This crucial miracle item may be the key to peace in your household.
56	Velcro swaddle. This crucial miracle item may be the key to peace in your household.
57	Sleep sac, for when baby outgrows the swaddle or sleep gowns, but is still too young for a blanket in the crib.

Educational Animal Magazine For Kids!

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With all the information available today parents are having a hard time what to give to their children to teach them how to read. There are books, toys, games and a lot more out there but not all of them are catered to kids and are not created solely to make them better at reading.
Now as a parent you would want to give your kids reading materials that they are interested in, if they are not interested in them they will not even bother looking at them. We all know that the one thing that interest kids are animals. They are naturally curious about them and would like to learn more about animals. Remember the first time you brought to the zoo and the sparkle in their eyes when they saw all the animals, you cant even stop them will all the questions they have about the different animals they saw.
It would be really nice if you can use that interest about animals to teach them how to read better and give them more information about wildlife and the environment. You can provide your kids with books about different animals but because a book does not have a lot of pictures in them your kids will probably get bored with it easily. And children are also sometimes are intimidated by books. Kids learn better and faster if they have a lot of visual stimulation. Kids need to associate words with images so they can process the information better.
Now this is where alternative reading materials come into place like magazines. Magazines do not intimidate kids, in fact kids are drawn to magazines because they are easier to read and has more pictures in them. Now try to make you kids choose between a book and a magazine I bet they will choose the magazine.

Now there is a magazine that teaches kids about animals and is specifically made to improve our children's reading skills. The magazine I am referring to is Zoobooks Magazine. Zoobooks uses visual word, pictures and activities that involve interactions to encourage our children to read. To see more about the magazine please go to my site for more exciting info Magazines for Kids!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Richards

10 Reasons to Have a Magazine Subscription

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If you're a regular reader of a magazine, then you'll probably already know the benefits of a magazine subscription. If you're not a regular reader, then perhaps you soon will be.
1. Having a subscription to your favourite magazine will save you money. If you buy every edition of the magazine anyway, why not subscribe and get each edition cheaper? Depending on the magazine, the subscription price per edition may be as little as half the price the magazine is in the shops.
2. Being a subscriber will ensure that you get your copy, often before it is available in the shops. You don't need to remember to purchase whilst doing the weekly shopping, or go into town especially to buy it.
3. Some magazines have tempting offers to get you to subscribe. These could be a vastly reduced price for the first 3 editions. The idea is that you will enjoy the magazine so much you will continue to subscribe. Again, if you buy the magazine anyway, why not take advantage of this offer?
4. Some magazines have additional subscriber only content in the magazine or online. Depending on the type of magazine, it could be additional, longer or in depth articles, features, reviews, interviews and more.
5. A magazine subscription makes a nice gift either for a spouse, child or parent. This gift will last all year long, and will be different every month.
6. A lot of magazines tempt their readers to subscribe with a free gift with a subscription. The gift could be something you would have bought anyway, and so you will be saving even more money!
7. Magazines keep you informed of a subject area you are interested in. perhaps you like to play guitar, restore cars, keep up to date with technology, or films, or maybe you prefer to read about recipes, celebrities or gardening. By subscribing, you will have the latest news and information about your interest, before anybody else.
8. A magazine subscription can help you improve your hobby, knowledge, or even your work. If you play an musical instrument, a dedicated magazine will often provide music for you to learn; a technology or science magazine can help with schoolwork. You might need to keep abreast of developments in your industry for work. Why not subscribe to the trade magazines, and be one step ahead of the competition?
9. If you, or somebody you know, regularly travel by bus or train, a magazine subscription can mean that you always have something to read with you.
10. One of the best things a about a magazine subscription is that you often don't have to pay for a whole year in advance. Many magazines will let you pay quarterly, and you still get the same cost savings, free gift and subscriber only content. You can often subscribe online too.
Now you know why you need a magazine subscription, isn't it time you subscribed today?

Looking for great gift for yourself or someone else? Why not take out a Magazine Subscription from a Family Magazine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_James

10 Tips To Keep Your Little Ones Safer At Home

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We all know there is nothing more important than our children's safety and wellbeing. Our children are precious and the last thing we want is anything to happen to them. But on an average day in Australia 5,000 children seriously injure themselves in the home, school and at play. Whilst it is impossible to make your home completely safe and injury free, there are steps we can take to lessen the risk and make our homes a safer place. All of us should know what to do in the case of an emergency and if a little one has an accident and hurts themselves. After all, it could be life threatening and you may have to save your child's life...
So what should we do? Here are 10 tips to help keep our little ones safe:
- Get down to your child's level and look around the home and yard from their perspective and remove any unsafe or hazardous situations.
- Ensure pools and spas are fully fenced and with well maintained, self closing gates.
- Regulate your hot water to a delivery temperature of 50 degrees to prevent burns and scalds.
- Fit child resistant catches and locking mechanisms to cupboards and drawers where dangers such as medicines, cleaning products, matches, sharp objects and potential choking hazards are stored.
- Set rules and always supervise your child.
- Make sure play areas are fenced off from the street and driveway and play equipment is well maintained and complies with Australian standards.
- Smoke alarms are installed and checked at least twice a year and a fire blanket / fire extinguisher is located near the kitchen.
- Children are always properly restrained in an appropriate and approved child restraint in the car, pram and high chair.
- Arrange for a consultant to conduct a home safety audit and provide suggestions and recommendations to reduce the likelihood of an accident or injury occurring in your home.
- Learn what to do in case of an emergency, accident or injury before it happens by attending a First Aid course specifically tailored for children.

For further information about how to organise a 4 hour First Aid for Kids awareness session in the comfort of your home go to http://www.parentsfirstaid.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susie_Ivison

How To Survive As A Working Parent

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Basic Tips
1. Communicate with your babysitter, nannies or au pair, mother's help to keep up-to–date.
Make as much time as possible to talk to your child care provider. If you can keep the lines of communication open beyond the rush, you'll have a much better feeling about your child's development and well being.

2. Don't get wound up by small issues.
If your child only wants to eat burgers every day, let him eat them. He will outgrow this phase. Providing the child is not harming itself (getting over-weight etc.) or someone else by the behaviour just let it go.

3. Be flexible and open to new ideas and options
If you have an early morning meeting and it takes your child an hour to decide what to wear in the morning, consider letting them sleep in their clothes. They will think it's fun and you'll be at work on time.

4. Be honest and up front with your child about going to work and leaving them with the babysitter, nannies or au pair, mother's help
Explain that you have to work, encourage the child to ask questions of the carer. Be enthusiastic about the carer as your attitude will shape your child's expectations and experiences. Remember research proves that children benefit from trusting relationships with more than one caregiver. The research has shown that babies with more than one attachment are less distressed when mother leaves for work, they are more playful and content in the presence of other adults, and are less distracted at the birth of a sibling.

5. Don't panic or feel guilty when your child cries when you leave Young children don't understand what "I'll be back later" means. As your child grows older, she will begin to understand that you'll return for her at the end of the day. With older children, reassure them that you'll return. Never sneak away. You're trying to build your child's trust, not break it down. Remember that childcare can be great for your child, as your child will benefit from personal attention, interactions with other children and age-appropriate educational programs that will be great preparation for school.
Research shows that children who receive good quality childcare tend to be ahead of other children both intellectually and developmentally. Research also shows that children in childcare show the same degree of attachment to their mothers and the same amount of security as children with mothers who stay home. Remember if working makes you happy, you're children will be happier. Working mothers who like their jobs have better personal adjustments, are happier, and are less depressed than full-time mothers, even those who prefer being at home. Depressed mothers naturally have depressing effects on their children.

6. Accept help
When your relative or neighbour offers to baby-sit the children or pick them up from school or childcare, let them. They wouldn't offer if they didn't mean it.

7. Keep duplicates of "vital stuff"
Extra blankets, nappies, clothes, and dummies will come in handy in a panic.

8. Get organized
Plan ahead, menus for the week so you can cook extra so there are leftovers, pack the baby's bag the night before. Generally working parents are organised. For example, working mothers spend the same amount of time in direct interaction with their children as full-time mothers. Employed mothers spend as much time reading to and playing with their children as those at home, although they do not spend as much time simply in the same room.

9. Abandon the idea of the perfect home
Perfectly clean house, nutritionally balanced meals, clean well-dressed children, and a fantastic career is an impossible standard that will cause you unnecessary strain. Give yourself a break and concentrate on what's important. Get in a cleaner, mother's help to help you with the laundry, house-cleaning, and household work. It will be money well spent. Fast food and ready meals are not poisonous.

10. Occasionally pamper yourself with me time
Consider lighting some candles or josh sticks, put in some bath oil and grab your favourite magazine. As most kids hate the bathroom you should be undisturbed.

11. Plan time without the kids.
Eat some chocolates, read the newspaper or a book, go to a movie, visit a new restaurant, or go to a museum and relieve some stress. Escape.

12. Go on a course.
There are many courses to assist with everything from cookery, through home economics to child psychology


How To Choose Quality Child Care

1. Is the carer trained and/or experienced?

2. Have you spoken in person or got reports on at least one (preferably two) parents who've used the carer and said good things about her or him?

3. Does the carer respond to your child as an individual and communicate well with you? Are you and your child happy and appreciated?

4. Is she or he willing to help you continue your child's routine with things such as sleep, food or any special needs?

5. Is she willing to fit in with your ideas on discipline, toilet teaching, sweets and other issues?

6. Does she or he obviously like children and enjoy caring for them?

Copyright Amie Porter

LondonRate.com is endeavouring to build an online emporium of staff service providers with online comparisons, bookings and ratings. Everything is designed to provide you with the best service, tailored exactly to your needs. Visit http://www.londonrate.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amie_Porter