Parenting Archive

My thoughts on parenthood, and what it's like to be a mom in the Philippines.

5 Benefits to Using the Right Car Seat

Do you and your family like to take road trips? Well, having a baby along for your adventures will make road trips – and driving, in general – very different. Going on a long drive while baby is on board can be quite exhausting and nerve-wracking for a lot of people. Using a car seat will help alleviate the stress and let you enjoy your next family drive.

As a parent, one of your top priorities is keeping you child safe in the car. One of the reasons for this is because studies shows that car accidents are still one of the biggest causes of injury in children. This has led to the increased use of car seats to protect small children who cannot use conventional seatbelts yet.

Nevertheless, despite their importance, many parents do not use the right car seat for their children. The reasons for this point to behavior are much too complex to analyze here. However, the result of this is likely to increase the risk of danger to your child on a drive. With that in mind, here are 5 compelling reasons why you should use the right car seat:

1. It’s the Law
Laws about car seats vary from one state to another. However, you must ensure that you are complying with the laws of any and all of the states you will be passing through on your drive. For instance, some states do not require your child to use a car seat past a certain age or weight while others do. However, it is important to note that car seats are generally required by law, regardless of what state you live in or drive through.

2. A Basic Safety Requirement
Apart from legal implications, using a car seat is a necessary part of ensuring your baby’s trip while traveling. Think about it: it’s a universal requirement that everyone should use a seat belt while they are in a moving vehicle. Well, babies and small children cannot safely use traditional seatbelts until they are at least a few years older. In the meantime, it only makes sense to use car seats and provide your kids with adequate protection during any drive.

3. Protection against Serious Injury
Recent studies found that more than 90 percent of all car seat installations require some kind of adjustment in order to ensure your child’s safety. It’s undeniable that the hassle of selecting, buying, and setting up car seats can be draining. However, it only makes sense for you to endure some discomfort if it will afford your children maximum protection in case of an accident.
Also, keep in mind that babies and small children are much more susceptible to spinal injuries. Using the right car seat is the best way to avoid such devastating, life-changing injuries if you are ever involved in a collision.

4. Keep them Comfortable
Car seats are usually made to certain specifications, especially focusing on the age and weight of the child. So it only makes sense that using the wrong one will be very uncomfortable for baby, leaving them feeling cranky or – at worst – in pain. Installing old or used car seats might save you some money, but they will cause you more problems down the road.

5. Ensures your Convenience
Whether you are doing a quick run to the grocery store or going on a vacation, using the right car seat will soon prove to be very convenient for you. After all, trying to keep your family organized while worrying about holding your baby or keeping them safe would be quite challenging and time consuming. Cut yourself some slack and use the right car seat to keep your kids safe and comfortable, while ensuring your convenience and peace of mind too.

Best Tasting Paracetamol For Kids

More often than not, ang hirap painumin ng bata ng gamot, specially medicine for fever. Gaano ba kasama ang lasa ng paracetamol? I have no idea until we tried a few paracetamol brands and we discovered which one is the Best Tasting Paracetamol For Kids.

Also must read: Fun Time with Kinder Joy

Best Tasting Paracetamol For Kids

You have to watch the video to believe!

Kaya naman pala when we give a certain brand to our kids, ayaw inumin! Jusmeeee!

But even with the Best Tasting Paracetamol For Kids, mahirap pa din painumin ng gamot ang baby! Here are some tips:

Tried and Tested Tips Para Madali Mapainom ng Gamot Ang Baby

Use a syringe instead of spoon or measuring cup. Fastest to put the tip of the syringe inside their mouth and fastest to dispense the meds too! Ito talaga ang pinaka effective ever.

Keep the meds cold. Advice sa amin ng pedia yan. Mas masarap daw ang gamot pag malamig siya. So every after intake, ilagay sa ref ang gamot. Of course shake well bago magpainom.

Don’t let the kid rest. This is quite controversial but so far effective ito. Pag sumuka ang bata, sabi nila, let them rest muna and then try again. HINDI EFFECTIVE! Pag nagsuka, painumin nyo ulit agad, they just need to know na importante yun at kahit anong gawin nila, umiyak man sila or sumuka, they need to take the meds. After 2 trials, magpapakabait na yan sa medicine.

Be kind to yourself. Wag ka mainis because it is not your fault. Huwag mo na sisihin ang sarili kung bakit nagkasakit ang bata at umabot kayo sa ganyang situation. Focus on giving the meds. Relaks ka lang, makakaraos ka din.

Effective lahat yan ha and when it comes to a time na malaki na ang baby at hindi na kailangan ang syringe, lagi nyo pasobrahan ang gamot sa medicine cup para hindi man maubos, nakuha nila yung dosage na need nila. Sa experience kase namin kapag sakto lang, kailangan mo pa pilitin para ubusin yung natira, ending nasusuka na sila.

Now that you know what is the Best Tasting Paracetamol For Kids, ano na papainom nyo sa mga anak ninyo?

Spending More Time with Your Family to Relieve Stress

Work can sometimes be overwhelming. You feel stressed out with unending demands of your boss, tons of paper works and reports to do, not to mention lots of office drama with your work colleagues. All of those are the usual reasons why you feel problematic and stressed out. And needless to say, stress can be harmful for your mind and body. As much as possible, you should do something about it.

Spending time with your family and loved ones is an instant stress-reliever. Being surrounded by people you love can immediately boost your confidence, lighten up your mood and just makes you feel happy. It is advisable that you spend more time with them to balance out stress that is caused by your work.

Here are some simple but enjoyable things to do with your family:

Travel

Travelling with your kids and significant other is definitely something that you can remember for the rest of your life. It is advisable that you take a vacation to travel at least once or twice a year. This could be a great reward for yourself and for the kids as well. You can go abroad and visit new places that you’ve always wanted to visit. There is something about travelling that bonds people together.

Play sports

Another great bonding activity for the family is playing sports. You can play basketball, badminton, tennis, bowling or other sports that you like. Having an active lifestyle is also good to release negative emotions and stress. So forget about paper works during weekend, instead, go out and play with your kids and family. It is best to get yourself a Harvey Norman Fitbit since you are planning to get more active.

Eat

Eating is fun but it is a lot more enjoyable when you are eating and sharing with your loved ones. You can cook your own meals which is another great bonding activity or you can go out and try out new restaurants near you. Treat your little ones to some ice cream or pancakes on a Sunday or you can also organise a BBQ party at home and invite some extended family members and friends over. Good food, great company and nice laughs will surely give you strength to face a brand new week in the office.

Watch movies

Are you not in the mood to go out of the house? No problem because there’s Netflix while enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows and passing around some chips and popcorn. It is totally good enough to forget stress. You do not need to go out because having the kids and the entire family around is more than enough.

It is important to find balance between your work and family. You should try your best to spend more time with your family during weekend and holidays wherein there’s no work. And be sure not to entertain emails and phone calls from office when you are supposedly on a vacation. Spending time with your family is definitely good for your mind and body. And your kids will surely love that you’re hanging out with them.