Monday, September 20, 2010

Going Back-To-Work and Breastfeeding

Now is the time of year when a lot of moms go back-to-work. But what if you are breastfeeding? American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommends to breastfeed for at least a year, but many moms have difficulty reaching this goal once they return to work. Is there a way to successfully continue the positive breastfeeding relationship and work?

American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommends is 1 full year of breastfeeding.

32% new mothers give up breastfeeding within 7 weeks of returning to work.

Successful Return to Work --
Make a Transition Plan
Talk to your employer in advance
Remind yoru employer of the benefits to them
Nursing mom is happier
Less sick days for the baby
Lower health care costs overall
Begin to pump and freeze 2 weeks prior to returning to work
Get a fast, portable breast pump
Stick to your routine for your pumping schedule

*Non Breastfed Babies have
2033 more physician visits
212 more days in the hospital
609 more prescriptions

*According to a study by the Department of Pediatrics and Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center at the University of Arizona


If this topic is of interest to you, the September issue of FAMILY Magazine has a article concerning freezing and thawing breast milk. Here is a link to the complete text. There are also several other articles concerning breastfeeding that are linked to this article.

Information on healthcare reform concerning employed breastfeeding moms:

Monday, September 13, 2010

Developing Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships

Having a good relationship with your child’s teacher will help ensure his success. Why is this important and what can parents do to develop this relationship?



Why is it important to have a positive relationship with the teacher?

It shows your child you care about their education

A prior relationships is helpful if there are problems in the future

Conversations are easier with the teacher





Ideas on how to build a positive relationship with your child’s teacher:



Meet the teacher as soon as possible

Don’t wait until there is a problem to meet your child’s teacher. And, try to meet her with an open mind.



Volunteer in the classroom.

Offer to decorate a bulletin board each month, Xerox worksheets or do other time consuming jobs that takes the teacher away from the students. At the same time, you will get to watch your child interact with other children and meet his friends.



Share your talents.

If you play an instrument, have traveled to another country or exciting place, or have an interesting job or hobby, offer to share it with the class. Children like to learn about new things and are usually very welcoming. Leave lots of time for questions and stories.



Help out with field trips.

If you can’t volunteer in the classroom because of your schedule, try to clean a day to accompany your child on a field trip. If you can’t do that perhaps you can prepare and keep track of permission slips or provide snacks.



Keep in touch.

Keep the teacher informed of any changes or stressful events that affect your child’s performance. Things such as a grandparent’s visit, death or injury of a pet, new sibling or death of a family member can affect a child’s school performance.







What can Dad’s do?



Read to the class once a month.

Eat with your child in the cafeteria once a month.

Attend parent-teacher conferences, concerts and open houses.

Volunteer for special projects or field trips.

The relationship you build with your child’s teacher will be rewarding to you and will benefit your child. It will boost their performance and your teacher will appreciate your involvement. The investment you make in this relationship now will be a positive force for the new school term.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Looking for fun Fall festivals?

September ushers in the beginning of the Fall season. With Labor Day meaning the end of the summer for kids and parents alike, we look ahead to great festivals that are coming up this month.

Today Liz McConville, Resource Editor for FAMILY Magazine was on WUSA9 News Now with Peggy Fox discussing family-friendly events for September.

From September 19th through September 24th, George Mason University is presenting the 2010 Fall for the Book Festival. The festival is a week-long, multiple-venue, regional festival that brings together people of all ages and interests. Some of the events include readings, book sales, meeting authors and much more. Events take place at George Mason University’s Fairfax, Virginia Campus and at locations throughout Northern Virginia. Washington DC and Maryland. All events are free and open to the public, however the events featuring Greg Mortenson and Kathryn Stockett need advance reservations. For more information, please visit www.fallforthebook.org.

Young children can celebrate the wonders of Fall at McLean Community Center’s Harvest Happenings. Performances feature Kidsinger Jim and Rocknoceros. The event will be held on September 25th from 11 AM-2 PM. Activities include amusement and carnival games, arts and crafts projects, face painting, temporary tattoos, a moon bounce, prizes and much more. Kids can purchase small pumpkins to decorate. There will also be free popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones for attendants, as well as The Tender Rib selling their entrees. Admission is $5 per person but free for children 2 and under. For more information, go to www.mcleancenter.org.