Toilet / Potty Training Guide

June 29, 2008

Toilet or potty training can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating time for parents and toddlers. This guide offers a common sense guide to preparing for toilet training and navigating to success.

Toilet or potty training can be a frustrating time for parents and toddlers. My wife and I are getting to the end of toilet training with our son, but I wish we had prepared a bit earlier to make the process easier for all of us.

Most children learn to control their bladders and later their bowels, between two to three years of age. Girls often before boys. Most parents, (well at least my wife and I!) only really start to think about toilet training when their child reaches around two.

But there’s a lot of preparation that can be done before this age to make a child feel comfortable and acclimatized to he idea of going to the toilet before the experience begins.

Discuss with your child when they need to go to the toilet. “Are you doing a wee? Are you doing a poo?” Teach them through encouragement to tell you when they are emptying their bladders or moving their bowels.

Nappy time is ideal for these discussions. “You’ve done a poo. Soon you will do to the toilet to wee and poo like a big boy/girl.” Talk about it weeks or months before putting them on the toilet.

Read stories and watch children’s programs or DVD’s about toilet training (such as Elmo’s Potty Time). Let them watch adults or older siblings when they go to the toilet and see that it is a natural and regular occurrence.

Let them flush the toilet and buy a special seat and foot stool for the toilet and sink so they feel safe and are able to easily wash their hands afterwards.

Around the the age of two, your child should be well prepared and able to sit on the toilet at every nappy change. At first it’s usually quite easy to get them to sit, as they enjoy the thrill of being a big boy or girl. After the excitement wears off it can be hard to encourage them to stay seated.

Praise them for sitting on the toilet, regardless of their success. Give them a clap, a cheer a high five, stamp or sticker everytime they sit on the toilet, no matter how briefly. Then put them back in a nappy (reuse the same nappy if dry), then follow the toileting routine of using a small amount of paper, flushing the toilet and washing hands.

Praise them in front of others about how grown up they are for sitting on the toilet. They love that! Our son loved to show visitors how he could sit on the toilet all by himself.

To encourage success while they’re on the toilet, they’ll need to spend some time there at first. It’s a good idea to keep a little basket of books in the bathroom so you can sit and read to them while they’re sitting there. That first wee in the toilet is a big deal to parent and child!

Put them on the toilet at normal “go” times, such as after waking up, after meals, before a bath and before bed.

After sufficient preparation (weeks or months depending on the child), they will start to show signs of toilet readiness. Sometimes with words, other times through actions such as tugging at nappies or stamping of feet. Now is the time for training pants.

To begin with, take them to the toilet every hour. Don’t give them the option by asking them, just tell them, “It’s toilet time,” and take them by the hand.

Sooner or later most two year olds begin to object when they realise they have to stop playing for a little while to go to the toilet. At this time, don’t let them leave the toilet until they’ve sat down and “performed”. They know what to do by now. Encourage them by saying things like “As soon as you’ve wee’d we can go and draw, play with your favourite toy etc.”

Be positive and praise small successes. Accidents happen. Don’t scold them. Talk to them and say “Whoops, you peed on the floor. We pee in the toilet don’t we? Next time we’ll make it to the toilet.” You can also encourage them to tell you when they need to go. After accidents complete the usual toilet routine – sit on the toilet, paper, flush and wash hands. If they don’t go through the routine they’ll soon see the advantages of peeing in their pants.

Once your child is in pants during the day, don’t go back to nappies except for sleep periods. It is too confusing for children to work out when they’re in a nappy and when they’re in pants. After an accident, it’s back into pants. Sorry!

Of course there are times when pants aren’t convenient. Huggies “pull ups” are great for going out when toilet training. Don’t use them like a nappy. But they offer peace of mind in case children don’t make it to the toilet in time.

To limit accidents while out:

take your child to the toilet before every outing

take your child to the toilet between shops

take a potty with you in the car for emergencies

take spare clothes with you.

The hourly routine must still be maintained while you’re out.

Most children will wet the bed at night long after they’re dry during the day. Keep them in nappies at night and take them to the toilet as soon as they wake up.

Consistency between home and day care or other carers is very important. Remember to be positive and delight in your child’s every success. Best of luck and I hope this guide will help you through this sometimes challenging process!

This article was compiled with the help of our local childcare centre – The Village Early Learning Centre.

Darren Johnson is the parent of a toddler and co-owner of Little Pixie Gifts, specialist provider of high quality gourmet gift baskets, Christmas Hampers and unique baby gifts, delivered Australia wide.

See How Easily You Can Stop Baby Gas Pain With Gripe Water

June 29, 2008

Is your baby gassy?

If your baby relentlessly seems to be bothered by painful gas due to colic, as a parent, you may be extremely upset and frustrated when all your attempts to calm her come to no avail. You want to bring your baby that much-needed relief from the pain, but you don’t know where to start? Have you ever thought of gripe water?

Truthfully, all babies have gas to some degree. However, some babies seem to have more trouble than others expelling the gas. The gas bubbles build up creating the spasms that cause your baby such discomfort.

It is often rather difficult to track down the reason for your baby’s excessive gas. There actually could be a multitude of reasons. One culprit could be too many air bubbles (possibly through an unsuccessful breastfeeding latch or maybe a bad nipple design on a bottle). Or as with colicky babies, too much crying causes baby to swallow air which causes gas.

Another culprit could be either the nursing mom’s or the baby’s diet. Often times, baby’s have a difficult time digesting the same proteins some adults do (lactose intolerant). Or, if mom is nursing and is eating hard-to-digest foods like broccoli, beans or garlic, this will cause gas in an infant, just as it will in an adult.

Yet another culprit could be your baby’s immature digestive system. There is a theory that your baby’s digestive system is still growing and this is the cause of the pain and spasms.

Whatever the reason, you can do some things to ease your baby’s gas pain right away. Try to burp your baby regularly, try infant massage, change your diet if breastfeeding, try a different formula if bottle-fed or utilize baby leg exercises to expel the gas.

However, if none of these techniques seem to work, you do have another option. Try gripe water. So what exactly is gripe water?

Gripe water is a homeopathic remedy in use for over 100 years. It is wildly popular in Europe and is often given as a gift at baby showers! You can choose from several different types and brands of gripe water; but watch out. Some common formulations in the marketplace are not 100% safe and effective and may produce some side-effects.

What you want to give your baby is an all-natural, FDA-regulated, allergen-free, homeopathic gripe water that gently soothes your baby’s gas pain with no side-effects. Try to stay away from the gripe waters that contain sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Baking soda has known side effects in infants that include a slowed growth weight, slowed learning ability, and decreased alertness.

Also, definitely stay away from the gripe waters that contain alcohol (for obvious reasons). Most brands are alcohol-free now, but double-check to make sure.

One brand that meets all these criteria is Colic Calm. Colic Calm is sold on the internet and works wonders in relieving baby gas pain. The relief is fast and effective. So, your baby need not suffer from gas any longer.

Cherie Stirewalt is a colic baby survivor and enlightens parents about colic remedies. Watch a video of Colic Calm in action at Gripe Water Review.

Super Moms Secrets to Potty Training

June 28, 2008

While there’s probably not a parent alive that looks forward to potty training, remembering that the other side of this training means no more diaper changing can motivate anyone to take it on! Of course there’s more to it than just tossing out the diapers; potty training means teaching your child independence and self-reliance and is the first step toward taking care of himself or herself. But of course you want to make sure you handle this transition properly; having your child feel as if he or she is doing something wrong or is disappointing you when they don’t immediately respond to potty training is not going to accomplish anything and will just increase frustration and tension between the two of you.

Keep in mind that potty training usually starts around the time a child is able to stay dry through the night. If they wake up with a dry diaper this signals the fact that their bladder is developed enough to control; trying to force potty training before that and the child may not physically be able to control their bladder or bowels. For most children this is somewhere between 18 and 36 months but of course will vary for each child. Never go by an older child’s schedule or what someone else you know is doing with their own child.

You also need to make sure your child can handle all the physical requirements of potty training. Can he handle removing his pants, opening the lid and climbing on the toilet, and so on? Children of smaller size may not be able to handle these things quite yet, so you might want to wait another few months until they can. Work with him when it comes dressing and undressing before you’re even ready for potty training so that he doesn’t need to learn everything all at once.

When you are ready for potty training make sure you don’t start this during any other stressful times in the child’s life. If you’ve just moved, gained or lost a pet, or for any other reason have stress in the home, put this off until the stress is subsided. Remember that children get overwhelmed much easier than adults and so can’t quite handle so many things all at once. Put off potty training until a child doesn’t feel stressed and upset and nervous about anything else.

Talk to your child about potty training and that this is what the bathroom is for and that it’s time for him to start using it like a big boy. Be very careful to put him on the toilet and hold him safely; remember that this is a big and scary bit of equipment for him and no doubt he’s afraid of falling in! Anticipate when he will need to use the bathroom so that he can connect the toilet with potty training. Purchase some “big kid” undies and have your child wear them; make sure he understands you don’t want him to get them wet so he needs to tell you when he’s ready to go. Make this a positive time and give the child a positive reaction when he approaches you. Make sure you never act as if being ready to use the potty is a bad thing or an emergency; this will just give the child more stress and fear.

A reward sticker program is used by many parents when potty training. Every time your child uses the toilet successfully, he gets a sticker on a chart. After so many stickers he gets a reward. The reward should be small and a non-food item; you don’t want to have the child associate unhealthy foods with rewards and of course they need to earn their stickers as well. Usually rewards should come every couple of days. A new ball or other small toy can suffice.

Remember that you’ll have setbacks with potty training just as you do any other type of training for your child, so take things in stride and just keep encouraging him.

Married with two children: Jeremiah (4) and Noah (2) Former Kindergarten Teacher Current Home Maker/Entrepreneur http://www.supermomssecrets.com

The Benefits of an Air Purifier in a Child’s Room

June 28, 2008

“We have a ten month old daughter who has slept very well from an early age,” says P. Cade McDonald, founder and CEO of achooallergy.com. “One of the factors I attribute to this is the air purifier we placed in her room.”

Air purifiers not only eliminate allergens, odors, and toxic chemicals, but they also produce white noise (because of their internal fans). This white noise drowns out other disturbing background noises and creates a calming, soothing environment.

“Not to mention, the changing table across the room brings up bad memories for me,” says McDonald. “I recall the unpleasant smells from friends and other family members’ nurseries. Yuck! Not in our nursery. We have chemical free odor control, which is pleasant for everyone, and the white noise helps the little one sleep.”

Many companies sell white noise generators to help people to fall aseep and to stay asleep. Air purifiers offer white noise as a bonus feature.

McDonald remembers, “When I was a little boy, over thirty years ago, I don’t think they made sleep machines. My sleep machine was the bathroom fan across the hall from my room. I still remember when I was five or six years old, I’d remind my parents to turn the bathroom fan back on when they walked by and accidentally turned it off. To this day, I sleep much better and wake up better rested when I have white noise in the background. My wife and I have an air purifier in our bedroom too.”

“Having a baby that sleeps through the night is an incredible positive for us. We’re lucky, but we are also prepared and we know the benefits of white noise and air purification.”

Since children’s lungs are smaller and they take more breaths throughout the day, they are more susceptible to the health risks associated with indoor air pollution. Air pollution can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. It can also interfere with the development of the immune system. Moreover, exposure to toxic chemicals in the air can affect the development of the respiratory, nervous, and endocrine systems and increase the risk of cancer later in life.

“Since my allergies are so horrible, we know that our kids are at-risk because it’s a genetic condition,” explains McDonald. “So we do everything we can to create a healthy home environment. All of our mattresses and pillows are covered with Allergy Armor bedding. We vacuum frequently with a Miele vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter, and we have HEPA air purifiers in all bedrooms and a couple of other rooms throughout the house.”

HEPA air purifiers, like the Austin Air Baby’s Breath air purifiers (made especially for nurseries and children’s rooms), remove 99.97% of airborne pollutants. They’re easy to clean and maintain; the HEPA filter needs to be replaced once every five years. Austin Air Baby’s Breath air purifiers also contain an activated carbon filter to trap odors and chemical fumes.

To learn more and browse top brands, visit http://www.achooallergy.com/airpurifiers.asp

Scott Smith is an expert on indoor air quality and air purifiers at achooallergy.com.

Are You Enmeshed With Your Children?

June 28, 2008

The Encarta World English Dictionary defines “enmesh” as “to entangle somebody or something in something from which it is difficult to be extricated or separated.”

Are you entangled with your children in a way that is limiting both you and your children?

Parents may enmesh with children when they want control over their children and they want their children to take responsibility for them. By over-involving themselves in their children’s lives, they hope to tie their children to them in such a way that their children feel guilty over their parent’s pain and responsible for it.

There are various ways a parent may enmesh with his or her children:

* When parents don’t have a strong sense of their own identity, they may over identify with their children. This means that they are over-invested in their children’s performance, such as their children’s grades, sports, or talents. We’ve all seen the enmeshed father at his children’s sports events, yelling at the coach or at the child, or the enmeshed mother of a child who is on stage, screen, or doing commercials. The parent who screams at a teacher for their child’s bad grade is another example of an enmeshed parent. The parent who insists that their child goes to med school when the child really wants to be an artist is another example. Rather than supporting the child in following his or her heart, the parent threatens a withdrawal of approval to control the child.

* When a parent is devoted to being a victim and not taking responsibility for their own feelings, they may cry, yell, blame, and in various other ways “pull” on their children to make the parent happy. * A parent who sits in a chair with a miserable look or walks away crying pathetically is pulling on his or her child to connect with them and fill their emptiness. Since they are taking no responsibility for themselves, they are a bottomless pit, and nothing the child does really helps. Eventually the child may shut down to the parent, distancing themselves because they don’t want to be controlled and they don’t want responsibility for their parent’s feelings. The parent ends up getting the opposite of what he or she wants.

* A parent can also make a child responsible for his or her physical health. “If you do that, you will give me a heart attack,” is the kind of guilt-inducing statement that this parent may make.

* Some parents get their sense of identity by being right. They not only believe they are right, but they believe they have the right to impose their views onto their children. Rather than supporting their children in being true to themselves, they make their “love” dependent upon their children following their religion, their politics, their sports, their interests, or their values.

* Some parents use money and things to gain the control they want. By threatening to withdraw financial support, they attempt to force their children into becoming what they want them to be. They want to be able to brag about their children as their way of enhancing their own diminished sense of self.

* Finally, a parent may be enmeshed with their children because they are taking responsibility for their children’s feelings. Rather than taking care of themselves and role-modeling personal responsibility for their own feelings, they are over-involved with making sure their children are happy - trying to take away every sadness, every hurt, or every moment of boredom.

Enmeshed, over-involved parents often want to blame their partner or someone else when their children don’t perform to expectations, or their children pull away, or rebel with drugs, alcohol, or an eating disorder. This parent wants to deny the fact that he or she has been a poor role model for taking personal responsibility for his or her own feelings and wellbeing.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?” and

Discover Horse Clicker Training

June 26, 2008

Clicker training is a slang name which originally came from the scientific term operant conditioning. Formerly used to train aquatic mammals, it has become progressively more distinguished in training horses using positive reinforcement.

Using the concept of operant conditioning in psychology, an animal learns a particular behavior or a task when positive reinforcement follows the action that the trainer wants the animal to repeat. Eventually, the undesirable behavior or actions done by the animal aren’t rewarded and ignored. Hence, giving rewards for getting things right make horses more eager and quick to learn.

Clicker training is a great tool to embrace other training methods. All you need to be started is a clicker, some treats, and a container for the rewards. Once you have got them, your horse is now on its way to obedience. There are no set rules to pursue when using the clicker training but the following will guide you to use this method to your advantage.

The sound of the ‘click.’ is very important

Your horse has to know that the sound ‘click’ means a reward is coming. First try to click your clicker for a few times and reward it with a treat every time it hears the sound. After about 10-15 minutes, you must repeat the sequence of clicking followed by treating. Some horses may need more sessions, but there are horses that easily get accustomed to the clicker training after three sequences.

Don’t push your horse too hard.

It is going to be more effective to train your horse for more than 10-15 minutes. However it is important for you to know that every horse differs in its readiness and ability to learn new tricks. Try to do short sessions broken into several days than having a long one in a day. When it is tired, you can’t expect much.

Using a target is compulsory

Use a target for it to aim. Let this be the first task that it needs to accomplish when applying positive reinforcement. For example you can hang a plastic bottle and ask it to bump it using its head and reward it every time it does the right thing.

Nothing is more important than the right timing in clicker training. If the horse successfully bumps the target, click each time and then give it the reward it deserved. You have to repeat this process until the behavior is reinforced.

Go on to the next step

After it has learned to bump the target, move on to the next level. Then, guide your horse to pursue the target then head bob it before you give it a reward. This is some sort like a revision to test your previous training and will tell whether you have properly conditioned your horse to respond to the ‘click.’ Each session should be conducted in short periods and you have to be patient. Not all horses will learn in the same manner, you need to remember that.

Once you have completed this basic clicker training for your horse, you can proceed to a more advance training. The advantage is that you can employ this method to compliment your other trainings. This will make your teaching easier and your horse to learn.

Buying horse food on the net is easy now but before you do that, make sure you read Heidi Edris’ excellent free report on What_Is_Basic_Horse_Food This article is available as a

Puppies! Open Your Eyes (Just Another Day In The Life Of A Dog Lover)

June 25, 2008

You know it is really hard when you are waiting for something to happen. You tend to check things more often thinking that it will happen sooner. Like putting a pot on the stove to boil, we all know that a watched pot never boils, and yet we keep watching. That is how I feel now. Waiting for these beautiful babies eyes to open and see the world.

I have had pups open their eyes as early as 9 days and as late as 17 days, so it is always a waiting and guessing game with pups I guess. They seem to really come alive once those eyes open. They really have to see every part of their pen, checking out every fold and crease in blankets, and toys are sooo much fun. I wait soo impatiently for their eyes to open so I can begin their training on how to stand and where to put their feet when standing for shows.

If someone had only told me the sorrows of breeding when I got started, I think I would have run the other direction as fast as I could. There are so many heart breaks that just seem to keep coming. And you can’t seem to throw enough money at a problem to make it go away. But there will always be the sweetest times that could only be experienced by someone with a love of their breed that cannot be changed. When that pup takes his first steady steps out of his nest into that big world, and you run over to make sure he doesn’t fall, your heart just kind of grows with the knowledge that this tiny life was the product of many hours of research, pain, tears, and work. Without you this pup may not have ever come into the world.

This is probably going to be the longest wait ever for me as this is a very important litter in my lines.

Sometimes I sit back and think about everything that a breeder does in a day and think to myself, how do I find the time??? There is sooooo much that has to be done every day, that you sometimes loose track of how important the little things are, like taking that 5 minutes that turned into 15 playing in the puppy pens with them.

I did just that today. I let my outside life go a bit and sat in the pens just spending time with the new pups, two of them have opened their eyes, so they are beginning to track you and engage. When you spend time with the pups, time just seems to fly by, like you just sat down, and it has been an hour. I am very lucky to be able to work from home and not get fired over such things. I just don’t know how they do it, the breeders that go off to work and don’t have the time to just stop and smell the puppy breath.

Breeding is a passion for me and I want nothing more than to take the time to memorize pedigrees and to know the medical history of as many of the dogs in them as possible. I got really lucky and have stumbled my way upon a few really great breeders that have been there for me when I almost fell on my face a time or two (ok, ok or more than that). I have also had the opportunity to have a few dogs from the Davishall line that I have added to my lines. I also have made a great friend in Wade Davis and I am working hand in hand with him to build my version of the perfect Chihuahua.

I guess that today was just another day in the life of a dog lover…

Written by Palo Verde on Purebred Network. If you like purebred dogs, or purebred puppies or want to surf our network, we would love for you to join us! Dog breeders you can also showcase your dogs here for free!

How to Find the Right Dog For You

June 25, 2008

Choosing a Dog.

Dogs are cute cuddly and make great companions. Before you buy a dog make sure you choose the one that’s right for you, your lifestyle and your living space. Evaluate your lifestyle and family circumstances. Do you have small children? Are you active? What are your family hobbies and activities? Does anyone in your family have allergies?

Make a list of the qualities you want or need in a dog. Do you need a lap dog, guard dog, small or toy size or can you and your home accommodate a large dog? Do you want a dog with long fur that sheds and needs special grooming?

No dog is totally non allergic but some cause fewer allergies than others. Typically breeds that do not shed as much or that require frequent bathing are less allergic. Also, small dog breeds because they produce less saliva. Poodles and Poodle mixes are least allergic.

Once you have completed your list, go to the library or the AKC web site and check out information on all the different breeds of dogs until you find one that fits your family.

Purchase your dog from a responsible, ethical breeder who produces high quality, healthy dogs with stable temperament. The AKC has breeder referral contacts for each recognized breed.

Dog Breeds.

There are many breeds of dogs and they mainly fit into these AKC acknowledged groups;

The first is called the Sporting Group. These dogs are active, alert, likeable and make well rounded companions. They do require regular invigorating exercise. They include the Cocker Spaniel, Irish Setter and the Vizsla.

The second group are Hounds. These dogs are mostly used for hunting because of their scenting powers and stamina. Beware though because instead of barking some hounds produce a deep baying sound. Hounds include the Basset Hound, Beagle and Blood Hound.

Third are Working Dogs. They have mostly been bred to guard, pull sleds or rescue. They are quick to learn, intelligent, capable and make solid companions. Their size and strength can make them unsuitable for children. These dogs must be properly trained. They include the Boxer, Great Dane and Rottweiler.

Fourth are Terriers. They are feisty, energetic and range in size from very small to medium sized. Most were bred to hunt. They can have wiry coats that require special grooming. They also require owners with determination to match their lively spirits. This group includes breeds such as the Cairn Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer.

Fifth is the Toy Group. They are diminutive in size but very expressive. They are very popular for people with small living spaces. It is easier to control and care for smaller dogs, though they can have long coats that need special care. They include the Chihuahua, Pug and Pomeranian.

Sixth is the Non Sporting Group. This is a diverse group of sturdy dogs with different personalities, sizes, coats and appearances. It includes breeds such as the Dalmatian, Bull Dog and Chow.

Seventh is the Herding Group. This is the newest class and is composed of dogs that used to belong to the Working Group. They share the ability to control the movement of other animals. They are intelligent, make excellent companions and respond well to training. It includes breeds like the Collie, German Shepherd and Old English Sheep Dog.

Deby has been a writer for Christmas Decorations and Gifts for several years. View our Christmas Decorations Ideas. We have a great selection of Dog Ornaments.

Siberian Huskies

June 25, 2008

Siberian Huskies are beautiful dogs that have been bred over the years for the specific task of pulling sleds over long distances in the snow. These dogs are known for their thick fur coats and friendly demeanor. Huskies can now be found in homes all over the world and are known as great family dogs. When considering whether or not to bring a Siberian Husky into your home, it is important to keep in mind that the characteristics that have been bred into these dogs for so many generations can create special challenges if you are not prepared for them. Some of these characteristics and suggestions for dealing with them appear below.

1.Siberian Huskies are working dogs and were bred to endure a very high level of physical activity. It is important to understand that your new Husky will need to engage in vigorous exercise for at least 30 minutes a day every day. You should be prepared for at least one brisk walk per day so that your Husky has an outlet for its high level of energy. Another option is to put your Husky on a treadmill if you are not able to walk him every day. Huskies are extremely smart dogs and most learn to use a treadmill very quickly. Be sure to never leave your dog on a treadmill unsupervised. If your Husky does not get the exercise that it needs, it’s likely that he will start engaging in destructive behavior. It’s not that he is trying to punish you – it’s just that he was bred to run the Iditarod and you are not providing him with an appropriate outlet for all that energy.

2.Siberian Huskies are not good watchdogs. In general Huskies are very friendly dogs and are rarely aggressive toward people. Your Husky will probably not alert you to an intruder in your home. In fact he might not even wake up. If he does wake up to someone taking your valuables, he is more likely to greet the thief with a wagging tail that to chase him away or bite him. The only thing a Husky can use to frighten an intruder is his intimidating appearance. Because of their fierce appearance and similarity to wolves, many people make the mistake of assuming that Huskies are dangerous. Hopefully, any would-be burglar will think the same of yours.

3.Huskies are not big barkers. In general, Huskies are pretty quiet dogs. They don’t usually bark at doorbells or other dogs. They have, however, been known to howl, especially if you have more than one. A Husky’s howl can be very haunting and can also be very annoying to your neighbors. Huskies are also known for “talking” to their owners. This “talking” takes the form of a very unusual sound, somewhere between a howl and a moan. It is a very funny noise and specific to this breed of dog. You may find yourself having extended conversations with your Husky in your own special language.

4.Huskies have a lot of fur. I mean a LOT of FUR. Because they were bred to live in far northern regions, Huskies have a very thick coat of fur as well as a very thick undercoat. This enables them to live in frigid temperatures and survive outside in ice and snow. It also means that they need regular grooming. Huskies go through a regular shedding cycle twice a year. This is known as “blowing their coat.” If you have a Husky, you know why. Because of the thickness and quantity of fur, you must be prepared to brush your Husky daily. It is not advisable to clip or shave Huskies, so you will need to brush yours regularly to get rid of loose fur and to keep him comfortable in warmer weather.

Varied writing projects are a challenge that is very rewarding. When not writing, Jeffrey Dorrian is a handmade soap maker at thesoapguy.com. Once you have tried handmade soap you will never return to commercial soap.

Child Abuse and Hidden Spy Cams: How to Avert One by Using the Other

June 24, 2008

Around 11,000 babies are born daily in the United States. Each and every one of them is at risk of child abuse. Lest you think that your child will not be one of them, remember that child abuse also happens outside the protective shelter of your home. It can happen in schools, in malls, in day care centers, in offices, and even in a venue as sacred as a church itself.

Child Abuse Defined

To make any allegations of child abuse stick, the age of the abused must be firmly established to be less than 18 years. Usually, the age is usually determined at the time of the commission of the crime, even if the abused is of age at the time of trial. If your hidden spy cams have dates features, then you can better establish date of commission of the crime and the exact age of the child.

That being said, child abuse is the commission of physical, sexual, and psychological maltreatment of a child by an adult. It is also the omission of acts to look after the welfare of a child. In both cases, the child is exposed to actual and possible physical and emotional harm.

Perpetrators (or Perverts)

Generally speaking, parents, nannies and babysitters, teachers, and anybody living and working around or with children can be child abusers. This is not to say that you must adopt a suspicious attitude towards everybody living and working around your child.

It is thus advisable to position hidden spy cams in areas where possible and suspected child abuse can happen in the home - the child’s bedroom, general living areas, and kitchen. Ask your lawyer for legal privacy issues first.

You can adopt a proactive approach to your child’s protection in places outside the home, especially in school. You can inquire from the school administrator regarding the presence of hidden spy cams in strategic places. Often, the presence of spy cams deters malicious intent.

You have to ask, however, if these hidden spy cams do not intrude upon your child’s privacy. Admittedly, balancing child protection and respect for child privacy can be a hard act, but the benefits will be well worth it.

Negative Effects

Victims of child abuse can emerge from the horrible experience either as better persons or as bitter individuals, depending on the help you can give them and their resilience.

Unless you talk to the victims themselves, you cannot differentiate victims from non-victims simply because most of them do not exhibit outward behavioral signs. Small children simply do not have the language capacity to fully describe their experiences, while older children can be very reluctant about discussing them. This makes the installation of hidden spy cams more than necessary around your children.

Thus, the negative effects are usually emotional and psychological in nature. Usually, victims are prone to anxiety, depression, limbic irritability, and dissociation. Indeed, physical scars can be surgically removed and can fade, but emotional scars can be harder to detect and to treat.

Prevention Strategies

Aside from installing hidden spy cams to monitor your child, especially in the home, you can take many approaches to preventing child abuse. You can actively participate in community programs that seek child abuse prevention, ask your school to implement a skills-based curriculum that will educate your children about child abuse and how they can avoid it, and allow yourself and your nannies a break from stress.

Indeed, child abuse is a horrible crime upon humanity. It takes each and every one of us to pour our talents and our souls into protecting the future of our species.

Install a home spy camera to monitor your child and caregivers. Though spy cams pose privacy issues, oftentimes the benefits outweigh the costs. Ask your lawyer about the legalities of installing hidden spy cams. But first, visit Video-Surveillance-Guide.com now!

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