1. When the place they are visiting is so far from civilization that there are no cell sites and signal or, at least, a clinic for emergencies, turning down your teenager is understandable, especially if the venue is notorious for accidents, kidnappings, and violence.

2. When she is the only girl in the group, especially when there is alcohol, peer pressure, and no supervision. If your child is one of the boys, firmly insist on an all boys’ out-of-town trip instead.

3. When the crowd is of “questionable character.” No matter how good your child is, if he’s in the company of troublemakers, he could either be tempted or get into trouble simply because he happened to be with them. If you know someone in the group is into drugs, addicted to drinking, has a violent nature, or has done some stealing in the past — or when you simply don’t trust anyone in the gang — saying no is okay.

4. Don’t let your teenager go if the trip involves very dangerous activities you know your child can’t handle, especially if it may compound an existing medical condition. Your child may assure you he’ll behave, but you never know. Kids tend to think they’re invincible.

5. When your teenager’s answers are inconsistent, your child is mostly likely not telling the truth. Lying could also mean he or she doesn’t want you to know something you should.

6. When your teenager has had a track record of breaking rules or reckless behavior (e.g., ignoring curfew or getting in trouble at school). He needs to show that he can be trusted with greater freedom. If he regularly misbehaves, try to find out what’s bugging him.

2. Choose those with pictures of dishes in the menu. Then let the kids choose what they want. It can be a fun process and gives kids a sense of independence. If they can’t choose, go for appetizers first, which can be served fast and ease hunger pangs easily.

3. Bring one or two toys with you. It will come in handy also once your child starts to show signs of boredom, usually after a meal.

4. Order familiar food when out of town. It may be exciting  to try new food for you, but it usually is the opposite for your toddler. Make sure there are other options like fries or spaghetti.

5. Practice table manners at home. It helps to avoid embarrassing dining moments especially if you’re dining out with other people. Teach them how sit at the table properly, to eat using the right utensils, to avoid throwing food or playing under tables.

Here are some things that you can bring when you go to a restaurant with your kid:

• Play Dough. This is small enough to pack into a handbag and provides hours and hours of imaginative fun for little hands. Really keeps them quietly entertained during long trips.
• Plastic Ball. They can kick it around, shoot, and dribble. An instant game can be created to delight them and is a great way for them to expel their energy.
• Personal Blanket. This serves as comfort during a long trip and when in an unfamiliar hotel room. It can also be used as a tent, camouflage, etc.
• Favorite Books. Adam likes Green Eggs and Ham while Nathan likes Elmo. Seeing these familiar books immediately brings a smile and a shriek from these two active boys, but also allows them to settle down after a long exciting day as they get ready to be read to.
• Deet-free mosquito repellant. This formula makes it really sake for young kids.
• Wet Ones and Hand Sanitizers. Offers instant clean-up for dirty little hands.

Parents with a special child undergo the grieving process of denial, anger/blaming, bargaining, guilt/depression, and acceptance. Facing the problem in itself is an important, complex journey that begins when the parents react to the doctor’s news. But remember that in dealing with a problem involving special kids, it is important to view the issue as temporary and has some solution; and that any obstacle can be faced as a team, as a family.

Parents and relatives can join support groups. The idea is that you will always have someone who will be able to help you out. There are support groups for people with depression, so that parents of special children can compare notes or gather more information should they see that their teenager is exhibiting signs of the malady or just has a case of the blues.

You can also use technology to find out more about your special child’s condition. The Internet is a great tool in finding out about problems such as Learning Disorder, Autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Childhood Bipolar Disorder and other special concerns. In fact, this is advisable so you’ll be able to ask knowledgeable questions to your doctor. Some patients who have consulted doctors bring printouts from the Internet of what they have already found out about their special child’s problems.

One way that will help immeasurable in identifying, treating and managing special children, is finding the right people who can help the parents and the special child with the best competence and care that they deserve. Research as well as recommendations can help you find the right people to do the job.

Research and consultations are doubly important because they will help you determine the true condition of your special child. For instance, there have been several childhood or teenage behaviors brought to our professional attention by concerned parents that did not turn out to be cases of Learning disability, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), or any clinically diagnosable condition.

It is important for parents to acknowledge the challenges involved in the unique case of their special child, and to gather as much information about the situation. It is also vital for the parents to be reassured of the presence of competent professionals willing to help, and a society that is beginning to grow in awareness and acceptance of special children.

This means that with the proper care and nurturing, many special kids develop better coping resources to enable them to adapt to their condition and life’s stresses, and maximize their strengths and potentials to even outgrow their label.

Bottles that beat colic

Babies get gassy when they swallow air with milk. Avent is the only bottle that has been clinically proven to prevent gassiness. The patented nipple has a one-way air sucking rhythm, making it easier for him to properly “latch”. Better fit means less air gets trapped. The skirt around nipple also pushes air into the bottle, away from baby’s mouth and tummy. Avent’s three times more expensive than most bottles, an the cost of replacing nipples can really start to hurt when baby starts biting them. But some moms swear by the bottle’s durability. It won’t crack. You’ll use them forever. Cheaper bottles are frequently replaced that you’d actually have had spent more in the long run. It’s better to make use of that money on custom baby shoes.

Point-and-click thermometers

An old-fashioned rectal thermometer still takes the most accurate reading, but if you feel squeamish or want something faster and easier to use, go digital. The Terraillon MultiThermo is a 3-in-1 Infrared Thermometer that checks for fevers in just seconds, and you get an accuracy of 0.1 degrees. Just drag it across the forehead if your child’s below 1 (ear thermometers are not recommended for babies). It also doubles as a room thermometer and comes with its own stand. the probe is washable and doesn’t need a protective cover.

Eistein in your crib

The award-winning and frequently given as newborn baby gifts, the “Baby Einstein” series which was developed by mom Julie Aigner Clark, uses images and music specially chosen for the developmental needs of your child. Baby Mozart and Baby Beethoven (appropriate for newborns) focuses on simple patterns and movement; for toddlers, you have animals (Baby Noah), then colors (Baby Van Gogh). Instead of cartoons, the video makes use of actual toys, nature scenes, and puppets. The videos are also designed for interactive play. Watch with your child, and reinforce the “lessons” with Baby Einstein flash cards and books.

Push button for bedtime

Vtech Soothe & Surprise Nature Light lulls baby to sleep with comforting sounds and twinkling lights. It also projects 3D moving patterns onto the ceiling to keep baby entertained as she falls asleep. If she wakes up, a sound sensor activates the soothing sounds to make her sleeping again.

What to do during a tantrum:

• Don’t hit, bite, or yell in return (even if it’s to “teach him how it feels like”), or he’ll think that behavior’s okay.
• Stay calm and keep your voice firm. Since he’s upset and isn’t actually listening to you at this point, you shouldn’t lecture or talk or explain why what he’s doing is wrong. Keep it short: say “No hitting” or “No biting”.
• If that doesn’t work, get up and walk away. Tantrums are no fun if there’s no audience.
• He’s agitated and doesn’t know how to calm himself down. Bring him to a quiet corner, or at least remove him from whatever has upset him in the first place (e.g., the DVD player he’s halfway through breaking). Yelling will only upset him further (remember how your reaction to being shouted at is to shout even louder) so keep your voice low and calm.
• Give him the words for what he feels. “Zach is tired.” or “Zach is mad.” (Tip: Barney videos are pretty good at teaching EQ, like identifying feelings and considering how other people feel.)
• Give him another option. Right now all he knows is what he wants and how he didn’t get it — lead him to another activity.

How to head off a tantrum:

Toddlers tend to scream, hit and bite when they’re cranky, overwhelmed, or overstimulated. Here are some signs that you need to calm him down fast:

• He’s rubbing his eyes or ears. Could be that he’s sleepy, or has a headache. Go to a quieter place.
• He’s jumping faster from one activity to another, or asks for something that he rejects as soon as he gives it. He’s overwhelmed already, so much so that he can’t even identify what’s bothering him. Cut down the number of choices and lead him to something he can focus on.
• He doesn’t want to be touched or cuddled. Something tells him he needs “quiet time” or “space” but doesn’t know how to ask for it. Lead him to a quiet corner and hand a bottle of milk or comfort toy.
• Know your child’s temperament. Toddlers who repeatedly hit, bite or scream may have a low sensory threshold (they’re easily upset by loud noises, overwhelmed by large crowds, or startle or wake up when there are bright lights or sudden movement) or tend to high strung (their mood swings shift rapidly,, and are very intense and emotional). In this case, don’t ask for trouble by bringing them into situations that are just begging for a meltdown, like very play groups or crowded malls, at least not for long lengths of time.

Parenthood can be a tough job. Just how tough? Try taking your kids to the doctor’s for their shots. You remember how it was before — the needles hurt, and you hated your parents and that mean doctor for making you go through the pain. And here you are now, subjecting your own two-year-old to the same pain.

How does immunization work? A vaccine subjects the body to tolerable amounts of disease-causing agents or antigens. The body then goes into defense mode and releases antibodies to fight the antigen. Thus the body becomes immune to the disease.

The Usual Suspects:

Here’s a rundown of the most common diseases that all kids are prone to. Consult your pediatrician as to when would be the best time for your kids to get immunized for them.

Chicken pox occurs 12 to 16 days after exposure and lasts 8 to 14 days. Symptoms: fever, body weaknesses, sore throat, a mild dry cough, paleness and difficulty in breathing. The membranes of the throat, tonsils, palate, and nose appear grayish.

Measles have an incubation period of 10 to 14 days and lasts five days. Symptons: fever, a runny nose, red watery eyes, dry cough, small white milky spots in the mouth. On the last couple of days, the red rash behind the ears or around the hairline spreads gradually to the rest of the body.

Meningitis appears the first week after exposure. Symptoms: sudden fever, headache and vomiting. Reddish spots sometimes show up on the eyelids, body and extremities.

Mumps appear on the third week after exposure and last about a week. Symptoms: pain in the cheeks (made worse by chewing), swelling and moderate body weakness.

Poliomyelitis is a slow process. It strikes any age, though most commonly in children between one and five years of age. Symptoms: fever, pain, swelling (frequently under the jaw and skin), increase irritability and muscle tenderness.

Whooping cough will run its course for two weeks. Symptoms: severe cough (increasing in severity and frequency) which may make the child red in the face and also cause vomiting. Coughing spells are marked by a respiratory whoop at the end.

Typhoid fever appears a week or two after exposure and lasts two weeks. Symptoms: fever, diarrhea, vomiting, thirst, prostration, stupor, delirium, and a low pulse rate.

Rubella (German measles) lasts only two to four days. Symptoms: a rash, weakness, slight swelling of the nasopharynx as well as slight reddish spots in the pharynx.

Hemorrhagic (H) fever lasts seven days. Symptoms: high fever, a generalized rash, abdominal pain and headache. Later, expect flushed skin, nose bleeding, bloody stool and vomiting of blood.

He may look like Mr. Potatohead with all his wrinkles and blotches, but when a new mom gazes at her newborn baby for the first time, it will be love at first sight.

There are a lot of things you will notice about your baby than just checking to make sure he has all fingers and toes!

Birth marks

At birth, it is normal for a baby to appear bluish, as oxygen from the lungs has yet to reach his bloodstream. He may also have patches of dry skin or still be covered with vernix — the greasy, white substance that protected his body from the amniotic fluid inside the womb.

In the first few weeks, you may also notice minor blemishes on your baby’s skin. These are usually harmless and require no immediate treatment. Most of them will disappear in a few month’s time. Some common blemishes that may appear:

• Milia, which are tiny white spots on the baby’s face (like whiteheads), cause by blocked oil glands.
• Stork marks or bites, which are red in color and can be found on the neck, nose or eyelids.
• Strawberry marks, are raised red marks, which may grow rapidly in the first few weeks but should disappear by your baby’s sixth month or so.
• Nettle rash, usually disappears in a month’s time, and is characterized by a raised white center surrounded by an inflamed red area.
• Port wine stains, which are reddish purplish marks on the face and neck, however, are permanent and will require treatment when the child is older.

It is also normal for babies to have discharges at this early age. This is due to an increase in female hormones from the placenta and affects both baby boys and girls. Possible symptoms could be enlarged genitals, swollen breasts, a milky discharge from the breasts, or a vaginal discharge for baby girls. These to will disappear in a few weeks time.

Senses and sensibilities

A newborn baby will be able to focus on items 20-30 centimeters away (i.e., from the breast to your face) and distinguish shape and color, although not very clearly.

His hearing, however, is a good as an adult’s. He will prefer rhythmic noises, as well as the familiar sound of his mother’s voice and heartbeat. He will, however, have a low hearing threshold so although he may sleep happily through a constant loud sound like a blaring television or radio, he will be startled by a sudden noise.

A newborn baby will also be sensitive to taste and smell, and can detect sweet, sour, bitter, and salty tastes. Mother Nature made sure babies are born with a number of reflexes essential for survival. Examples are the rooting reflex or automatic searching for his mother’s nipple, and the grasping relfex, which is demonstrated in a very strong grip.

All babies are also born with ability to suck, swallow and gag as they can feed as soon as they are born. Hiccups and snuffles are also normal as your baby learns to breathe through his nose. And because he is sensitive to bright light, which also stimulates the nerves on the nose, you will find him sneezing a lot too. This is perfectly normal and healthy as sneezing clears the nasal passage and prevents dust from getting into your baby’s lungs.

On Child Care

As always keep children, especially preschoolers, where you can see or hear them. If you have an infant, make sure you have him safe in his crib, far from your preschooler’s reach.

Keep your kids busy while you take your bath or are cooking. Drawing, reading, coloring books or a video can do the trick.

On Cleaning

Don’t always expect the house to be spic and span. The goal is a semblance of neatness and cleanliness. Train the kids to fix their beds, pick up their toys, and pack away their own things.

If you have a big house, consider getting someone — perhaps one of your mom’s helpers on loan — to come in once a week to do a thorough cleaning.

Have the laundry done by someone else (or use a laundry service).

Have a place where the little ones can make a mess. If you allow them to play with clay or paint in the living room, don’t get angry when the rug gets soiled.

Don’t clean the bathrooms daily. A once-a-week thorough cleaning — with twice-a-week touch-ups of toilet bowls and sinks — will suffice. Your teenage children can alternate cleaning schedules with you.

If your kids are all under six, have them use just one bathroom — the easiest to clean in the house — since they will use it frequently during the day.

Impose house rules that will facilitate things for you — like, leave muddy shoes or slippers outside the front door, eating and drinking allowed only in the kitchen and the dining area, and so on.

On Meals

Have set menus good for a month, which you can rotate weekly. This will make marketing easier. Have a couple of favorite recipes at hand for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

Choose recipes that are realistically possible for you to cook, time-wise. Look for flavorful dishes that are easy to prepare.

Make a mental note of what you regularly buy in the supermarket and how quickly you run out of them, so you’ll know how many and how often you have to purchase them.

If worse comes to worst, you can always order for delivery or eat out. This is, of course, a last resort and shouldn’t be done often (because if cost cutting is one of the reasons you did away with having helpers, well, eating out defeats the purpose).