By Kelly K. Damron 

Your doctor just told you he recommends bed rest because you are experiencing preterm labor or another pregnancy complication. It could be that you are having contractions and you need to reduce your activity. Or it could be that your cervix has shortened too much. There could be any number of reasons why you now find yourself on bed rest to wait out the remainder of your pregnancy. 

In some respects you might be thankful for the forced reduction in activity. At first you’re grateful for a few days to rest and catch-up on some reading. But then what? How are you going to occupy yourself for the next week or the next four months?  

If you work outside of the home, it’s probable that your co-workers or your boss will consider your bed rest an inconvenience and voice their jealousy that you “get” to sit around and enjoy your days. Your partner might make jokes too and feel burdened by his increased responsibilities. It will be important for you to communicate to the people in your life how difficult it is to be on bed rest.  

What follows are ten tips for surviving your bed rest. Some are most useful if you are at home while on bed rest; some are most helpful if you will be in the hospital during this time. Several of the tips apply no matter where your bed rest takes place.  

If you are on bed rest at home:  

Establish a routine. Days can seem like they will never end if you don’t have anything to do. Plan your daily activities to help break time into increments, and give yourself tasks to accomplish. For example, schedule the timing of your meals similar to a typical pre-bed rest day; this will help you to feel “normal.” 

Prepare for the delivery of your baby. You might not be able to paint the nursery or assemble the new crib, but there are other things you can do to prepare for the arrival of your little one. Have your partner wash the baby items; you can then fold the blankets and clothes. You’ll feel productive and it will help you bond with your baby. Also, instead of going to the mall, you could do your shopping online. 

If you are on bed rest in the hospital: 

Utilize hospital activities. If you are hospitalized for preterm labor, chances are you’ll be on a muscle relaxer, such as magnesium sulfate, so reading and activities that require good vision won’t be feasible. Even movies will be hard to watch. Instead, ask the hospital what types of activities they can bring to you. Many offer pet therapy, massage, music therapy, and much more. Utilize their offerings, assuming you are up for visitors.  

Ask questions. When you are in the hospital, the risk of your baby being born too soon is a probability. Take this time to ask the doctors and nurses questions. If you don’t know the questions to ask, let them know that and ask them to help you understand any information they can share. 

Ask for wheelchair privileges. Sometimes you might be allowed the opportunity to leave your room for a short wheelchair ride. Use this time to sit outside if the weather is nice, or ride by the hospital garden.  

No matter where your bed rest takes place: 

Minimize your TV & movies. Even though there is not much to do while lying in your bed or on the couch, your days will be long and boring if all you do is watch television or movies.   

Read a book (assuming you’re not on magnesium sulfate). Read about breastfeeding or what to expect when your bundle of joy arrives. You’ll have time to read the book thoroughly and you’ll feel more comfortable about what to expect.  

Get rest. Even though you’re on bed rest, it’s likely that you are not taking naps or getting enough rest. This is especially true if you are hospitalized as someone will be in your room every four or six hours. Consider keeping a sleep schedule or posting a do not disturb sign on your door. 

Seek support. Most of your friends and family have day jobs so they don’t have time to stop by or phone you during your waking hours. You may feel very lonely, but remember that even if your friends are busy at work, they are still thinking about you. Better BedRest, Inc. is an advocacy, public awareness, and volunteer-driven non-profit whose purpose is to provide support, resources, and information to pregnant women who are prescribed bed rest by their physicians or midwives. Consider contacting them for someone to talk to you on a regular basis who can answer some of your questions or help reduce your anxiety. Visit their website at www.betterbedrest.org.  

Have date nights. If you are in the hospital you would probably enjoy some food not cooked in massive quantities, and if you are at home your partner could use a break from cooking and cleaning. Allow yourselves one or two nights per week where you order out and spend time enjoying each other and a good meal.  

Bed rest is often misunderstood, as most people think it would be wonderful to sit around and do nothing. What they don’t realize is that it quickly becomes monotonous and hard on your body to remain inactive. Finding little activities and establishing a routine can make the days bearable while you await the light at the end of the tunnel – the birth of your child(ren)!  

Kelly K. Damron is the author of Tiny Toes: A Couple’s Journey Through Infertility, Prematurity, and Depression. Damron is the mother of twin girls conceived via IVF and born 10 weeks premature. She is an advocate for the infertile and prematurity communities. Read her blog at http://www.twinpeas.com/wordpress or purchase a copy of her book at http://www.twinpeas.com.

Image courtesy Jyn Meyer

July 3rd, 2009 | Tags: bed rest, bedrest, Kelly Damron, pregnancy | Category: Seeds | Leave a comment

By Nova Ordner  

It seems so many of us are more worried and concerned about how to plan for the future in the current state of the economy.   This isn’t really a new concept, though; planning for the future has been an issue every generation has dealt with, regardless of the economy of that era. 

While planning for our financial future is an important issue to address, we also need to take the time to enjoy today.   If today were all we had, the future wouldn’t seem so overbearingly important.  However, it isn’t prudent to skip out on financial planning altogether since, more than likely, there will be a tomorrow. 

So how do you find the happy balance?  Bruce Sellers is a personal finance expert and founder of Moolala, a company designed to inspire people to get a handle on their money so they can live the life they want.  He shares the concept that money has to do with “context.”  By context, Bruce states “people need to get clear on what money is for.” 

Money is for survival and retirement; but money is also for adventure, fun, leisure, and opportunity.  After all, what good is stressing to save for the future and your child’s college if it’s making your family’s life bland and miserable in the present? 

Bruce suggests sitting down with your spouse and/or the family and discussing what money means to each member.  For the parents, money might mean the opportunity to travel or that their children can attend college.  To children, money might be the ability to do fun activities such as gymnastics or karate classes.  It might also mean a new video game or a trip to Disney Land. 

Once the family establishes what money means to them, it is easier to pursue the avenues necessary to obtain those things.  While parents might have savings plans, IRAs or 401Ks, they can still balance the money left in hand to pursue their family goals to enjoy in the present. 

When the family thinks about their short-term goals, it is easier to accept ideas such as “left-over night,” because it is no longer a sacrifice, but a means to getting what they want.  This idea sets us up to think “out of the box” when it comes to our money. 

Bethany and Scott Palmer are married with two young sons.  They lead the team at Envoy Financial, a financial firm consulting with 12,000 clients nationwide, and they are also the authors of First Comes Love, Then Comes Money: A Couples Guide to Financial Communication (HarperOne).  They share that financial communication has EVERYTHING to do with enjoying the present and planning for the future. 

They stress that couples and families need to communicate well about money, learn to enjoy the money they have, and learn how to give more.  All of these actions will have a direct impact on future fulfillment.  Financial communication also keeps a couple on-target together and less likely to fall to financial infidelity. 

A great resource to help you get your budget back on track, particularly if you have a load of debt staring you back in the face, is to read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  Ramsey is a best-selling author and also hosts his radio program The Dave Ramsey Show, heard across more than 230 radio stations throughout the U.S.  In addition, he hosts Ramsey’s Financial Peace University seminars across the nation. 

Basically, it all boils down to this:  We all need retirement; we all want to be prepared and/or insured for future medical issues; and we all want to provide opportunities to our children to enable them to have a better life than we do.  And hopefully, we are financially stable enough to have some type of savings plan for these future goals. 

Where we need to make the biggest effort is with the money that funds our monthly necessities and expenses.  As a family we need to communicate and decide “what money means to us” over and beyond housing, food, necessary clothing and medical expenses. 

How are we spending those extra pennies, nickels and dimes?  Decide as a family how to distribute the money to get the biggest bang for your buck.  Do the children want to participate in a weekly extracurricular activity?  How can they help obtain their share of the money, if possible?  Does the family want to take a vacation together?  Make it a family goal to cut back and incorporate ways to save any money not used for monthly necessities. 

Some additional tips to keep in mind: 

Live off the money you have.  It might seem harsh, but if you haven’t saved the cash, don’t purchase the item on credit.  Using credit cards can quickly leave you drowning in insurmountable debt. 

Use the envelope system.  Designate one envelope for budgeted expenses such as rent or house payment, utilities, another envelope for insurance and/or medical visits, an envelope for food, an envelope for clothing, and an envelope for “extras.”  The last envelope is where you put the money (in cash) for extras like eating out, entertainment, renting movies, and other non-pertinent expenses.   

It is from the “extras” envelope that the family can discuss how and on what to spend those funds.  This is your “enjoy today” money while the rest is put to work providing housing, necessities and funding for the future. 

Identify “necessities.”  So many things fall into necessities that when we really think it through, they aren’t necessities at all.  Just simple (and sometimes expensive) pleasures we’ve become accustomed to thinking we need. 

Pick up a side job or a hobby, and add that money to your “fun money.”  This could be numerous things:  cleaning homes on the side, running errands for an elderly or disabled neighbor, crafting and selling at craft shows, an eBay or Etsy shop. 

In today’s economic world, most of us are trying to squeeze dimes out of nickels.  Just remember to spend a few of those dimes enjoying life as a family in the present.  It sure makes the regular “tightening of the belt” a little more bearable. 

Nova Ordner, a/k/a Farmer’s Wife, formerly owned and ran a Litigation Record Procurement Company for 12 years.  Currently she is a Household Manager, mother of two children and wife to a farmer. Nova is a coupon/savings fanatic who enjoys spending those saved nickels and dimes on every day fun!  Nova is also proud to be a Team Writer for Root & Sprout.  She’s an optimist who sees life from the greener side.  She’s a Glass Half Full Gal.

July 2nd, 2009 | Tags: budgeting, financial planning, money, Nova Ordner | Category: Moms & Dads | Comments (1)

Readers of the Root & Sprout parenting resource website believe the relationship between parent and child is one that grows through mutual love and respect. With gentle, hands-on parenting, we can give our children the foundational roots to help them sprout.

Root & Sprout publishes 1 to 2 new articles daily on topics of interest to parents that span pregnancy through the teen years. And because all article topics are selected and written by the Root & Sprout audience, readers get the information that matters most to them presented in a friendly and informative format.

Additionally, Root & Sprout has its very own social-networking site called Grow Together. At Grow Together, members create profiles, write blog posts, and participate in groups and discussions. Grow Together also offers the opportunity for some members to write and contribute the articles that appear on Root & Sprout each day. Grow Together is a close-knit “family” where members can congregate in a caring and non-judgmental space.

Root & Sprout receives approximately 7500 unique visitors each month and over 35,000 page views. Root & Sprout also publishes a bi-weekly newsletter that reaches over 120 inboxes. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, simply send your request to newsletter@RootandSprout.com.

Even though Root & Sprout has continued to experience steady growth, I believe in the importance of offering affordable ad plans to fellow entrepreneurs and creative hobbyists. With plans ranging in price from $5 to $75, there is truly an option for everyone. All ad revenue goes directly to supporting the continuation of Root & Sprout and, most importantly, to compensating those who write the Root & Sprout articles. For those readers who believe in what Root & Sprout stands for and who would like to support the site financially, but who have no need for the ad plans, your donations are most welcome. To date, Root & Sprout has received $125 from generous donors. Thank you!

I am always open to questions and polite opinions, so feel free to contact me!

Lis Garrett, Editor

Twitter: @LisGarrett (1100+ followers)

LisGarrett@RootandSprout.com

July 1st, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Reviewed by Lis Garrett

My older sister began learning the Spanish language when she was in middle school, and she continued to study it throughout high school and college. We hosted many foreign exchange students from Spanish-speaking countries, and she visited her new friends in their native homes, as well.

Needless to say, my sister’s choice of music was diverse, and I quickly got used to listening to songs I couldn’t even understand. But what’s great about music is that you don’t have to understand the words to enjoy it. As far as I’m concerned, as long as the music has a catchy beat and a pleasing mixture of sounds, it’s good.

Putumayo Kids Presents European Playground is a 15-track musical CD filled with kid-friendly songs from European countries such as Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and more. The CD comes with a booklet that introduces briefly in English, Spanish, French, and German each song and its country-of-origin.

I listened to the CD while I was cleaning house, as I was working in my office, and as I was driving in the car with my kids. And no matter when or where I happened to be listening to it, I found myself inadvertently nodding my head, tapping my foot, and wiggling my body. And because my kids couldn’t understand the lyrics at all, they really got in touch with the music itself and danced according to how it made them feel. They jumped, twirled, ran round, and swayed to the rhythm of the music. All in all, we really enjoyed it!

Click here to sample each track, download the lyrics, and watch Herbie Treehead’s “Change Song” – totally quirky and wonderful!

Lis Garrett is the creator of Root & Sprout and lives in upstate New York with her husband and their three children.

June 30th, 2009 | Tags: European Playground, Herbie Treehead, Lis Garrett, music, Putumayo Kids, Reviews | Category: Reviews | Leave a comment

Reviewed by Lis Garrett

Because my son, Jacob, is ADHD and has sensory sensitivities, I gravitate toward anything that might be able to provide me with answers about his conditions. Most of his sensory issues revolve around food, and I’ve often felt that some of what’s ‘wrong’ with him can be traced back to what he puts in his mouth.

When Jacob was younger, there was some speculation that he might reside somewhere on the autism spectrum, specifically with regards to Asperger’s syndrome. Numerous pediatric and psychological evaluations later, however, and it was determined that, although Jacob did (and still does) exhibit some autistic tendencies, he could not be diagnosed as such.

With such a smart, high-functioning (albeit quirky and emotionally/socially immature) child, getting any sort of professional help beyond our pediatrician has been difficult. Unfortunately, Jacob is one of those kids who tend to fall through the cracks; because there are other children ‘worse off’ than Jacob, he is always the last to receive any sort of attention and special services. Like any parent of a special needs child, I’ve learned to be a vocal, and sometimes pushy, advocate for my son.

I recently read a book called Healing and Preventing Autism: A Complete Guide, co-written by Jenny McCarthy and Jerry Kartzinel, M.D. I had real reservations about reading the book to begin with, as I am conflicted by the debate about whether or not childhood immunizations cause or contribute to autism. But I was pleasantly surprised the book neither concentrates fully on autism, nor does it try to persuade one to blame immunizations absolutely.

In summation, the book talks about autism and a range of other psychological and behavioral disorders, as well as the possible causes and treatment options for them. It is laid out in an easy-to-read dialogue between Jenny McCarthy and Dr. Kartzinel. And although I personally found Ms. McCarthy’s ‘voice’ to be a little hard to stomach at times, I appreciated how easy to understand she made some difficult, health-related concepts. I especially liked how she and Dr. Kartzinel dissected the role of diet and environmental toxins, and how they might be making some kids sick.

Throughout the book, both Ms. McCarthy and Dr. Kartzinel emphasize that because not all kids are alike, not all kids will benefit from the treatments discussed. They are also frank about the lack of support from mainstream physicians and the unwillingness for insurance companies to compensate financially for alternative treatments, two things, of which, I’ve had personal experience.

When I told my son’s pediatrician I was reading this book, she shook her head and rolled her eyes. And because I respect our pediatrician of the past eight years, the woman who has been by our side and lobbied for us in trying to find answers about our son, I can’t totally discount her feelings. What I can say is there is no harm in reading the book and questioning some of what the authors purport about these illnesses, as well as their causes and treatments.

There was only one part of the book that ruffled my feathers, and that was the suggestion that parents who place their children on stimulant medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, want nothing more than a quick fix for their problem children. The decision to place our son on 5 mg of Adderall was not an easy one for my husband or me to make, and it was done so only after other medication-free options didn’t seem to help. But in conjunction with a low dosage of medication, Jacob is now apt to respond to behavior modification techniques.

I think the book provides concerned parents with points they might want to discuss with their healthcare providers, but I wouldn’t necessarily tout it as ‘A Complete Guide’ to autism. The bottom line is that I trust my son’s pediatrician, as well as the other doctors who’ve evaluated and treated him, more than I do a celebrity spokesperson.

Lis Garrett is the creator of Root & Sprout. She lives in upstate New York with her husband and their three children.

June 29th, 2009 | Tags: ADHD, autism, autism spectrum disorders, book reviews, books, Healing and Preventing Autism, Jenny McCarthy, Jerry Kartzinel, Lis Garrett, Reviews | Category: Reviews | Comments (3)

It’s Hip Hop, Baby! was developed by Candi Carter, an Emmy Award-winning television producer, who was struggling to help her speech-delayed son learn and communicate.  She turned to the one thing that’s always inspired and motivated her — hip hop music.  Carter started by singing in the kitchen, tapping out rhythms and beats with spoons and spatulas.  It helped her son follow instructions and learn words faster.  Carter quickly saw that by incorporating music, rhythm and beats into learning, her son learned much faster and thus, It’s Hip Hop, Baby! DVD series was born.

It’s Hip Hop, Baby! DVDs are new, innovative videos that have educational content set to music and energizing dance numbers, which enables children to learn and hit developmental milestones much faster.  “It’s Hip Hop, Baby!” includes original songs, as well as the traditional toddler classics we all know and love, just spiced up with fresh beats and rhythms.

It’s Hip Hop, Baby! motivates children with a fun, positive message set to a trendy, dance-worthy beat.  It promotes the joys of learning ABCs, animals, body parts, colors, nutrition and numbers through captivating musical performances that sound like today’s hottest hip hop tracks.  The DVDs feature real children, not actors, showing child-friendly movements that develop listening skills and the ability to follow simple directions.

Up for giveaway is a DVD copy of It’s Hip Hop Baby: Rockin’ Dance Party and a CD copy of It’s Hip Hop Baby: Fruit. To enter to win, please leave a comment on this post now through July 5^th. One winner will be chosen randomly and notified on July 6^th. This contest is open to those with a US mailing address. Please note that these two items have been opened and played for a review. However, they are in ‘like new’ condition. 

June 29th, 2009 | Tags: Giveaways, It's Hip Hop Baby, kids, music, music for kids | Category: Giveaways | Comments (2)

By Bill Endres

As families look for ways to help cut back on expenses, parents may reconsider sending their kids to costly sleep-away camps. But before parents cut out summer camp completely, they should consider more affordable options, such as summer day camps.

With a variety of day camps available, it’s important to choose the most appropriate program for your child. For example, some day camps may focus on one central activity or theme, such as equestrian, the arts or sports, while others may provide a balanced group of activities.

Also, it’s important for parents to remember the ‘old-fashioned’ outdoor, group activities that are so vital to a child’s development. Children who are enrolled in summer camp programs are given a variety of opportunities to grow and learn in a supportive and encouraging environment - something that is too important to eliminate from a child’s life.

Additionally, well-balanced camp programs can help keep children motivated and learning while school is out of session, which will also make for a smoother transition come September. For younger children, parents should consider a program that enhances a child’s creative skills through activities such as singing, dancing and art. And for older children, they should look for programs that encourage leadership and decision-making skills.

When choosing among summer day camps, parents should look for a well-rounded program that provides the following benefits:

• Builds self-esteem and social skills

• Allows children to grow independent and show more leadership qualities

• Motivates children to become more adventurous and willing to try new things

• Keeps children active and physically fit

• Teaches children to have respect for themselves, their teachers and peers

• Encourages children to participate in activities that promote teamwork

• Raises children’s environmental awareness and helps them develop an appreciation and interest in nature

• Provides continuous learning throughout the summer and helps prepare children for child care or school in the fall and more importantly, their future

Bill Endres is chief operating officer of Kiddie Academy, a national child care education franchiser whose summer day camp program, “Camp Adventure,” serves children ages one through 12. For more information about “Camp Adventure,” please visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

June 28th, 2009 | Tags: Bill Endres, Kiddie Academy, summer camp | Category: Moms & Dads | Leave a comment

Reviewed by Haley Montgomery

Joyous Child Joyous Parent, by Connie Allen, centers on ways to develop a more joyful, productive and fulfilling relationship with your children. While acknowledging the difficult stages most parents encounter when raising kids, the book offers sixy simple suggestions for how to create and maintain a nurturing and joyful parent-child relationship. This concise primer can easily be read in one sitting and lends itself to reading again and again for inspiration. Ms. Allen even provides a simple process for implementing the principles introduced in the book.

Joyous Child Joyous Parent first outlines Ms. Allen’s top ten tips for creating a more joyful relationship with your child. My favorites included “be authentically yourself,” “listen to your child,” and enjoy your child “as fully as you can every moment.”  The remaining fifty tips are divided into the broad categories of “nurture your child” and “nurture yourself.”

For me, Joyous Child Joyous Parent offered great reminders of some of the basic needs of children and how small actions can powerfully meet those needs. It was also a good reminder that parenting is not just about disciplining and instructing, but about building a relationship.

As the mother of preschoolers, however, I was concerned that a few of the tips in the book gave my children a little too much credit for being able to make their own decisions and absorb feedback from the “process of life” as #35 advised. However, once my children grow and receive the necessary foundation of training and good decision-making skills, the book highlights the importance of allowing them opportunities to test what I’ve taught them.

With words like “holistic,” “beingness,” and “emotional wholeness,” some parts of the book were hard to grasp on the practical level, and I would like to have read more specific ideas for how to implement some of Ms. Allen’s ideas. However, the sections dealing with communication, in particular, rang very true with my experience and offered some good ideas for improving how parents speak and listen to children.

For more information about Connie Allen and Joyous Child Joyous Parent, visit her website at www.JoyWithChildren.com.

June 27th, 2009 | Tags: books, childhood obesity, Haley Montgomer, Joyous Child Joyous Parent, parenting, positive parenting, Reviews | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (1)

By Diane Lang

It’s so important for parents to live a positive lifestyle, as kids learn through observation and imitation. This means kids learn and act according to your behaviors and imitate you. You are their role model.

A lot of our personality traits are learned, which is good news. This means your children can learn positive personality traits such as respect for themselves and others, patience, kindness and caring.

The best way to teach our kids to be positive and happy is to live that way, too. If your children see you happy and treating others with respect and kindness, they will follow suit.

The questions you see below will help you become aware of your daily actions. Ask these questions daily for at least a week to learn about yourself and your actions. Keep a journal. Learn what changes you need to make to have a happy home.

Remember, Happy Parents = Happy Children!

1.     How many negative statements did I say today? EX: I can’t wear these pants; I look fat.

2.     How many curse words did I use today?

3.     How many negative actions did I do today? Example: How many times did I roll my eyes when my daughter/son keeps asking why? Kids watch non-verbal behaviors. As parents, we need to watch what we say, as well as how we act.

4.     How many times did I give off an attitude?

5.     How many times did I not explain what was wrong with my child’s behavior. Did I not explain why they were punished? Did I use terms such as: Because I said so, Because I’m the adult, Because I’m mom/dad, I don’t have to explain, etc. Remember, if a child doesn’t know what they did wrong, they will keep repeating it.

6.     Did I show love today? How did I act towards my spouse today? Did I give a hug, a kiss, hold my child’s hand, said I love you? Parents, are you treating each other with respect? Children are visual learners. Parents, if you’re not loving and kind to each other, the children will see this and imitate this.

7.     Are your behaviors consistent? Consistency, routine and schedules are the best ways to help prevent discipline issues. As parents, we need to learn to do what we say. Example: If I say “no snacks before dinner” then I must follow the rule for it to stick and have any meaning.

8.     Watch your environment. Are you bringing negative/toxic people into your household?

Diane Lang is the author of Baby Steps the path from Motherhood to Career. Diane is an educator, therapist and speaker. Lang presents her workshops in the NY Metro area. Please visit her website for more information: www.dlcounseling.com or e-mail her at Lifeline36@aol.com  

June 26th, 2009 | Tags: Diane Lang, parenting, positive parenting | Category: Moms & Dads | Leave a comment