Do You Need a Baby Planner?

Do you Need a Baby Planner?

Whether you are having a baby or adopting a baby, it can be labor intensive.  There are so many things to consider: how to select a pediatrician, what the best products are to buy, what your baby will need, when and how to plan a baby shower, where to add your name and select items for a baby registry, and it goes on and on....

When your baby is born, you will promptly need more resources, and definitely more help. And somewhere along the way, your tired eyes just may meet your partner's eye and you'll somehow muster energy for love and excitement about realizing a shared dream: starting your own family!

The days of having to do everything yourself, are over! Relinquish some of the control over "managing the baby needs" so you can be in this very special moment in time of "bonding with your baby." Hire baby planners. They are all over the world so the chance that they are close to you is greater than you think. Let them research and outsource some of your baby work. Let's face it. Most of us have so little time these days that we rarely get to just stop to smell the roses and so our homelike starts to look more like "the war of the Roses."

Baby planners are everywhere around the globe! A quick search in google will tell you where to find one in your area.

When a baby is born, the world stops for a moment to sigh.  A new life begins and a new chance to realize the wonder and miracle of life.  Allow yourself the time and energy that raising a family deserves and leave many of the little troublesome details to someone else.  You can plan to do that.  Now there is a great plan you can live with!

How to Deal with LIFE Challenges

One thing is for sure!  You "live" your whole life long.  But how you live is entirely up to you.  Many people don’t see it that way.  But do you?  Do you realize that you keep communicating and developing throughout your lifetime?  Well today, I will look deeper into the philosophy of live, love, laugh and see how three simple words can change your life!    How do you incorporate each of these things in your life and which area is lacking most?

What life issue do you find yourself bumping up against the most?  In a survey, the top five issues that people said they are dealing with the most were:

1)    Money   2)  Jobs   3) Relationships  4) Parenting issues  And  5)  Health  Some others were the end of the world, and what people think of you.

 HERE ARE:

The Top 5 Ways To Appreciate Your Life  EVEN WITH ITS CHALLENGES!

1.    FOCUS on the idea that things can always get better – You may be having a rough time in your life right now, but you need to sit down and think about the fact that you’ve had many other amazing times in your life.  

2.    Get a pet or play with a puppy. Pets give love unconditionally.  Puppies are full of life and wonder.  They will literally make you laugh just watching them!  When you are down, they will literally cheer you up and love you through anything.  Having a pet can get you through some very rough times because no matter what, they’re always there for you. Dogs are called “a mans best friend” for a reason. Having a pet is like having a permanent emotional support system on call.

3.    Watch or play with a baby – When you look at a baby, especially one that’s laughing or smiling, you can’t help but feel happy. The innocence of a baby, their energy and vibrance can fill an entire room.  Babies represent hope and you can attach to hope always.

4.    Appreciate your life MORE. -  Even though you don’t have everything you need and things have happened that make you unhappy, appreciate the things you do have.  Don’t dwell on the negative things, give gratitude for the simple things.

5.    Volunteer to  help someone less fortunate.  -  Nothing puts things in perspective more like taking a walk with the guy who has no shoes.  Like that old adage says, I used to think my shoes were old and dirty, uncomfortable and too small until I talked to the guy who had no shoes.  Put yourself to work helping someone who is less fortunate than you so that you     can recognize that no matter how terrible things are today, someone, somewhere is worse off.  If you use what you do have to help them, you will feel more fulfilled.  

WANT TO CONQUER THESE FEELINGS? 

Here is your homework:  For the next five days, utilize each of the top five strategies.  Then, incorporate them into every day for a month.  What you will find is that at the end of that month, your life would have already changed for the better … and guess what?  You’ll appreciate it!

My thoughts about HomeStart Learning Solutions

School is back in session all over the world for our kids, but it's also in session for you!  Here are some  "Coach Lynn's training tips for parents" that may help you survive your kids in school.  When your young child starts school, you shouldn't just think about their homework and their play dates or social interactions.  Think about whether your little brainiac will truly be adequately prepared for a life of learning.  Pay attention there will be a test afterwards!!!!

On my last show, I spoke with Marilyn Kravitz, the Program Curriculum Director for one of our new sponsors- HomeStart Learning Solutions.  It is a wonderful concept.  Marilyn and her sister Estelle started HomeStart.  Both women worked as teachers in the New York Public School system cumulatively for over 60 plus years.  Their nephew saw all of the wonderful curriculum they had developed and urged them to start the company.  Specifically,  the HomeStart program allows a parent every month to download curriculum that is appropriate for 4-7 year olds and work on it with their child. (I find you have to supplement your child's learning experience at home all the way up to college).

There are so many reasons why you should supplement your child's learning experience, especially in their formative years.  You can do this by introducing them to cultural events and activities, supporting hands-on learning like puzzles, recipes and cooking, and for those who really love a challenge - the Rubik's cube!  In the event that parents are too busy to try to keep up with their child every step of the way, this program has these extra added benefits:

* The two women who developed HomeStart and the curriculum, have cumulatively 60 plus years of teaching 4-7 year olds.  
* The program works by subscription (3 month, 6 month and annual) and is affordable.
*  It "tracks" the academic year, tracks the curriculum, and provides classroom-tested and "fun-to-do" activities.
*  There is a monthly parent guide, that even gives instruction to the parent on HOW to use it and work with your child!

At the risk of seeming like a commercial, I just want to emphasize that I believe that parents should take an active role in their child's education.  Studies prove that children who work along with their parents on child-centered educational activities from age 2 are better prepared for a successful school experience.
There is nothing available on the web geared towards parents taking an active role in their kids education from 4-7. You can go to bookstores and find workbooks, computer software and complete homeschool curriculum.  But this program can be utilized to ACCENTUATE any school your child may be enrolled in.  The educators who developed this unique program wanted something for parents who felt hopeless or helpless to help them accelerate the learning process.  HomeStart is different from so many other programs because it covers the basics with 16 downloadable activities you can do with your child during the month.  You can choose any or all of the 16.  I wish someone would develop a program for mom's of high school teenagers that teaches text language, social nuances and how to do CHEMISTRY PROBLEMS ---- again!

My hats, yes I said hats, salute Marilyn Kravetz and Estelle Feldman for starting HomeStart Learning Solutions.  I think we should send it as a gift to every 4-7 year old we know.  They have developed curriculum for children for decades. Even though the curriculum is for kids to work at home,  it is important that parents be interactive in being a part of their child's educational experience!