Playing Trash: A Fun Kids Card Game

  We have a new Kids Game at our house that we LOOOOVE to play! Aunt Kasey taught it to the kids and we’ve been playing it ever since.  It’s fun to watch Ty and Avery, 6 and 4, playing it and having fun during quiet time!  This game is great to teach them counting, as the cards are placed in numerical order each round!!!!

Avery and I were both not feeling well one weekend, so we played while we rested, and she totally kicked my booty!  It reminded me I wanted to teach it to you! 

I am going to try my best to explain it with some help from this site……

Playing Trash

2 players use 1 deck of playing cards

3 players or more use 2 decks of playing cards

Leave all cards in deck:
A-10 are in play
Kings and Jokers are Wild Cards

1) Dealing:

  Shuffle, then deal each player 10 cards face down, no looking!

Like this:

The remaining deck is placed in the middle.

  The point of the game is to line up your cards from Ace through 10 before you opponents do.

2) Playing:

  The first player draws a card from the center deck.  If it’s an Ace through a 10, place that card in its correct location.  For all remaining turns, each player chooses from the deck or the discard pile.

Example: In this photo, I drew a 2, so I am flipping up the card in the 2 position…..

Whatever card you flip, may also be played!  I just flipped a 3 that I can use as well in the 3 position… 

Wild Cards, King & Joker, may be played anywhere in your hand at any time.

  You keep flipping cards like this until you get a number you cannot use, then discard and your turn is over.

Example: Under the 3 position was an 8 I didn’t need because it was already filled with a flipped 8, so I discarded it and my turn was over. 

  Avery could choose to grab the 8 from the discard pile, OR draw a fresh card from the stack.

  If you draw a card that can replace one of your Wild Cards, do so and use the Wild Card again in another spot!

Example:  Here I drew a 5 from the draw pile  It can replace my Wild Card King, and he will go down on 8’s position.  Because of this, I will have finished this round successfully.

3) Winning A Round:

When a player has assembled all cards Ace through 10 in front of him, he wins that Round.

Remember, you can win with Wild Cards in place too! Like this:

Remember, Wilds are Joker and King!

After the Round winner flips his last card, each player has ONE last chance to draw a card and use it.  They may also flip over all remaining cards, per the chance that they actually can use those cards and finish their Ace-10, Wild cards and all.
{Sometimes it really does happen!}

4)  Round 2 & Winning the Whole Game: 

The deck is reshuffled and dealt again, only now, ALL of the previous round winners who completed Ace through 10, only get NINE cards.  They will spend the next round assembling Ace through Nine. 

  If you didn’t win the round, you once again have to try to do Ace through 10 until you complete it.

  This continues Ace-8, Ace-7, Ace-6 on and on, until one player gets down to one card in front of him and draws an Ace. That player wins the entire game!

Have fun, it’s such a great game to play with your kids! And such a nice change from Candyland or Shoots & Ladders….

Just sayin!  :)

~T

 

Cleaning House {with LOTS of Help}

  I was just thinking a few Saturdays ago, as I cleaned house with 4 REALLY great helpers, how difficult it was.  I also thought how much easier it would be for me to do the cleaning while they were all at school, allllllll by myself.  It would be faster, and sometimes, when I know we have a busy weekend, I will do just that. 

HOWEVER, 99 times out of 100, we do it…..  

ALLLLL of us.

  Do you know how hard it is, to find jobs for 4 really great helpers?

It’s all I can do sometimes to keep everyone going, but we do it faithfully.  Know why?

  Because as the mom, it is my job to bring up my children to know how to work.  To feel the sense of accomplishment for a job well done.  To create a daily habit of bed making, room tiding, to make a habit of weekly cleaning.
To teach them how to vacuum correctly, wash windows, dust and mop.  Even scrub toilets.

 

If I don’t take the time to train them, who will?

  I like Big Picture Parenting. Or Intentional Parenting.  I spend a lot of my time thinking ahead of how such and such will affect my children in the future. That is why I stand by my conviction, that my children age 2-9, can absolutely carry part of the load of household chores. 

  Most of the time, they love to help!  And, sometimes we even FIGHT over whose turn it is to vacuum. 

And if we aren’t careful, someone gets his toe pinched when he tries to release the vacuum tab all by himself.  Hmm, guess that’s why Mommy said WAIT?

Other chores we do together:

Laundry

Sorting and starting loads. Folding and Putting away.

Sometimes its just the little 2, sometimes they are all home.  Whoever is home, is the helper.

  When the laundry is sorted, they can go play.  Once I have finished all the loads, folded and placed the items neatly in each persons basket, the children then come to help sort and fold socks.  Then EVERYONE helps put their own basket of clothes away.  Eventually, I will make them help fold clothes too, but for now, this works.

Daily Chores include:

Unloading the Dishwasher

{this is for whomever is home that morning}

  We start our dishwasher helpers a little before they turn two.  They can easily help with silverware sorting. 

  Destiny came up with a great job rotation: bottom rack person goes to top, top rack person goes to silverware, silverware person goes to bottom.  They all have a job that way!  Paxton always does what we call “easy silverware”.  That means when the utensil rack is empty except for basic dinnerware, it’s HIS turn to help. He does such a good job sorting 2 sizes of forks, 2 sizes of spoons, butter knives and kids silverware, that I no longer even have to stand around and help him.

You will find this to be true with a lot of jobs, train now, and suddenly in the future, they can do it on their own while you help another child.

Gathering Eggs

  Everyone takes turns with this chore.  It’s easy and fun!  While they are outside getting eggs, they must check the chickens water bowl.  Then, when they come back in the garage, they are to sort the eggs and put them in cartons. 

Setting & Clearing the Table

Everyone has to take a turn setting the table and filling ice waters with me. This is a great opportunity to teach them to set a tidy table, with silverware where they belong etc.  They also must clear their own plate when lunch or dinner is done, and wipe down their area of the table, catching the crumbs in their hands and throwing them away. NOT on mom’s clean floor!

  The bigger kids can rinse their own plates and load the dishwasher.  As long as the little two bring over their dinner plates, I don’t mind doing the rinsing and loading.  Again, this can all be changed as they get older, I am happy with the level of help they can complete easily for now.

   Here are some keys to this process:

We remind them to work as if working for the Lord in whatever task they have to do!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord….” Colossians 3:23

  Once the chores are done, it’s Play TIME! I want them to go have fun and be kids.  To know how good it feels to have worked together to complete our tasks.

Here are some age appropriate chores from a previous blog post on Chores, we start ours earlier than this age bracket, but I think it will give you a general idea:

Ages 2 to 5
Work alongside your children to help them perform simple chores like putting dirty clothes in the hamper, sorting laundry into color-coded piles, making their beds and feeding pets.

Ages 6 to 8
Children can dust and vacuum, put away their clothes, empty wastebaskets, set and clear the table, care for pets and help with some yard work.

Ages 9 to 12
Kids can unpack groceries, load and unload the dishwasher, mop the floor, fold laundry, wash the car, and help prepare simple meals.

  Most child-development experts agree that children shouldn’t be paid for household chores, which are part of contributing to family life.

Here are some tips for a positive chore experience at your house from Dr. Dobson:

Give kids ownership:  Have a family meeting and enlist the help of your children in selecting the chores they want to do.  Also have them participate in selecting the consequences for chores not performed in a timely manner.  Let kids know expectations ahead of time.

Use “shaping” to teach tasks:  First, let children watch you perform a chore as you talk through it step by step.  The next time, let children perform one part of the chore.  Each time, give kids a little more responsibility until they’re ready to tackle the chores alone.

Use language cues to spur self-reflection and responsible behavior:  Say “I see books on the floor” rather than giving a direct command.  That helps kids make decisions and reduces any defiance.

Offers encouragement:  Always thank children for their contributions and offer genuine praise for their efforts.  Instead of saying, “Your room looks good,” say, “Thank you for working so hard to put your clothes and toys in their proper place.”

  The key here is not to expect perfection! When Destiny was a little girl, I had to learn not to go tidy her bed after she made it.  Wrinkled or not, she had done her best and worked SO hard on it!  By fixing it in front of her, I was showing her that her best wasn’t good enough.

  I thank God that He allowed me to see her crest-fallen face and slumped shoulders once, early on, so He could open my eyes to what this was saying to her.

Doing chores is not always welcomed, but if you face it with a smile on your face and a cheerful heart, your children will soon learn to work hard, so they can play hard later.  They will learn the value of chores and responsibility!

On days they DO NOT want to help or have a bad attitude about it, we remind them of this verse taken from Philippians 2:14-15:

“Do everything without arguing or complaining, so that you might become a child of God…..”

Now those are some good words to chore by!

~T

 

The Yell Jar

 Before we get to today’s scheduled post, I just feel like I need to take a moment and acknowledge the loss of lives yesterday at the Boston Marathon; some meeting death, others facing a life very much unlike the one they had previous to the race.  Lost limbs, lost love ones, lost hope….all things that require a time of mourning.

  It is my utmost prayer, that on their knees in their agony, they find Jesus.  That they feel His gentle touch as He gathers them in His arms of love.  The world we live in, is a dark, scary, sinful place….but friends, we always have hope in Jesus.  In His promise of eternal life after death, in one day coming back and rescuing the lost, taking His children home to be with Him in Paradise.  Oh, how glorious that day will be…….until then, do not lose heart, for He has overcome the world!

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Now, on to today’s previously scheduled post:

 

Notice something new in my kitchen?

  Ok, ok, you are right.  That Kraft Cheese Box didn’t used to be there.  A new antique find from a friend, but nope….that’s not it.    It’s higher up on the shelf…..

You found it!

  So at our house, we work a lot on FIRST time obedience.  There are seasons of life we all do better about this.  Lately, I have been losing my cool with the kids. 

“I told you to do the DISHWASHER! WHY IS NO ONE OUT HERE DOING IT!?!?!?!?!??!”

  My point could be gotten across just as sweetly, had I walked into the playroom and reminded them to come do it.  This action would be followed up, by giving them all a strike on the Strike Board, because SLOW obedience is the same as NO obedience.

  Dale reads through the board at the end of the day and we talk about the choices that were made, and we discipline accordingly if someone got 3 strikes, or reward accordingly for 3 stars that are a sign of GOOD behavior. 

As you can see, Tylan had slow obedience this morning when I asked him to go get his shoes on and make his bed before school. 

  Anyhow, back to the topic at hand, yelling. 

  Honestly, I get lazy at times, and its easier to holler across the house, or get their attention by yelling my instructions again, LOUDLY this time!

Dale found himself doing the same thing, sooo, he came up with “The Yell Jar”.  Whoever yells, puts a dollar in the jar.

  HOWEVER, we have kids that forget to use inside voices, and they yell sometimes too, so at that point, THEY put a dollar in.  

The only rule is, NO making someone yell by provoking!!!!!  The provoker gets the dollar charge if this occurs.

  So far, so good!  Except if you look closely at that photo, you will notice that $2 of those $3 in there, are from me. 

{SIGH}

  What can I say, I am a work in progress!

KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDS!!!!!
IT IS TIME TO Cleannn…..

OH, er, um, I meant…….

Oh children, it’s time to clean up, please!!  :)

~T

 Someone asked a good question: What happens when the yell jar is full?
Dale says the answer is: Go out for ice cream and celebrate that we don’t holler anymore!!!!!

Keeping Lunch Fun

  It’s been one week since the Media Detox post, so, how’d it go?  Did you notice a change in your home and how your kids played together? I think a reset is good for all of us once in a while.  I’d love to hear from you, or just leave a comment about how it went!!!  So on to today’s post…..

  I feed 3 of my 4 kiddos lunch at home every day.  It’s pretty easy to get into a rut, so I did an experiment this month and it was a SMASHING success!

{Pax CLEARLY was not impressed with me snapping his picture mid-apple bite}

  We typically have sandwiches or supper leftovers for lunch, with some fun ones thrown in to the mix.  I will be sharing those with you today as well as the results of my mini-experiment!

  The experiment was, if I take the same lunch items, but change-up shape and size, would it be more fun again?

The answer was a resounding YES! 

For our sandwich days, meat and cheese or PB&J I changed bread shapes:

Flat bread

Whole wheat hoagie buns, mini whole wheat cocktail buns and the flat sandwich bread circles.

   I also changed veggies, rotating between celery, snow peas and broccoli.  Carrots are always a staple at our house, so I rotated between big ones peeled, regular baby carrots and petite carrots.  {Don’t forget those wafer chip carrots, too! Not pictured}

 

  Sometimes veggies are served with ranch, sometimes not, because I want them to learn to eat them both ways.

  They were so excited for lunch again, you’d have thought I was coming up with a whole new menu!!!!!!  Who knew it would be that simple?

Here are some of our more “fun” lunches:

Mini Pizzas with a small salad

Pita bread dipped in Hummus, with carrots and grapes

Cheese Roll Ups with cherry tomatoes

Bean Burritos with chips and guacamole

Tuna Bunwiches with carrots and chips

Egg Salad Sandwiches or served on Whole Wheat Ritz Crackers with cheese cubes, raw veggies and apple

  Lots more ideas for simple and unique lunches on this blog post!

More lunch ideas coming tomorrow,

Hugs, T

 

What Are We Feeding Our Kids?

  Bet you thought I was going to talk about all the gross stuff hidden in “kid” foods like hot dogs, mac and cheese and freezer pizza, right?

  Nope, I am talking about feeding their Brains!  Hungry for tactile, hands on, run around outside and play, kitchen table turned tent, kind of stuff.

  Today I am asking you to watch this week at how often your children’s brain “consume” fast food, sugar and junk.

  Lets say playing Xbox, PSIII or even Wii, is like eating McDonald’s cheeseburger and fries.  Once in a while is ok, for a special treat, right?!  But if you eat this McDonald’s meal every day, your health is going to go downhill. 

credit

  I know its “In” to let kids play video games because it keeps them quiet and with Wii, they can at least enjoy it while being active, right?

   For us, we have decided no video games at all for now. {This can be re-addressed later as they get older.} The decision comes much easier now that Dale put away his video games and quit Xbox Live. 

  What about TV time? Regular shows like PBS’s line up of Daniel Tigers Neighborhood, Sesame Street, Super Why.  I am not including cable shows, because we don’t have cable. {From what I hear, we aren’t missing much but sassy, too big for their britches, wanna-be-teenage 9 year-olds, on the kids channels now!}  

  If Xbox is fast food, then those PBS shows, are little Lollipops or a candy treat. They are sweet, they are sugary, and they keep our kids quiet right?! How bad can they be?

Pretty bad if ingested every day, all day long.

  As a mom of young children, its important to me, to really limit Tv time, because I want them to play and use their imaginations.  The rule at our house is school kids don’t get TV time during the school week, and the little ones at home get an hour total, spent usually between 9-10am.  {That way Mommy can prep supper, or even get a shower!} That hour of media time can also be spent on an educational lap top or computer game, their choice.

   I used to set a timer, but I am better now at watching that it doesn’t go over an hour.  And, all the kids know when the words come up at the end of a show, the tv goes off.  If it doesn’t, then they are grounded the next day from any media time!!!! 

  Setting a timer will train your brain too, what an hour feels like, so all of a sudden 2 hours hasn’t passed you by.  Also, the kids quickly learned that if you ask for laptop time the last 15 minutes of Sesame Street, mom will say no.

“Sorry Pax, One or the other, not both!” 

  We try to take it a step further, and promote TV time to be educational, or about Jesus, that way they are still learning during that hour.  But, I sure don’t mind when they want to watch a fun longer movie once in a while. Just not every day, or even every week!  {When we are all sick, there is grace for this hour time to be longer, as we all rest and try to heal! But, they also love to listen to Adventure in Odyssey Cd’s…..that has been the BEST investment ever!}

 In the evening, Dale helps promote this by keeping the TV off until the children are all in bed. I am so blessed that sometimes, he doesn’t even turn it on at all! {Unless of course, there is some AMAZING football game he has to catch the end of.} He finds too, that the kids don’t play as well when it’s on.

    So, let’s go back to TV time during the day when we are home with the children……

  I know, I know, we SAHM’s can all get LOTS done while our kids do these activities, because they are so darn quiet!  But, just like sucking on a sweet little sucker every day, eventually there is a cavity, or problem.

Did you know?  {source for the following info}

The average American child watches about 4 hours of television a day [Source: AAP], while 20 percent of children under 2 have televisions in their rooms.   

Did you know…….

 That more and more parents are allowing their tiny babies to watch videos on their phones. Some will even lay them in front of the TV, thinking it is harmless, when in fact, the flashing screen and loud sounds can actually disrupt important brain connections that need to be made in those early on months and even up to the first two years….. 

 Among babies 3 months old and younger, 40% watch TV, with the percentage increasing significantly for children age 2 and younger. 

A study in 2003 found that children 6 months to 6 years old spend an average of two hours a day dealing with “screen media” like televisions, computers and video games. 

The study also revealed a correlation between time spent watching television and difficulty reading.

Researchers contend that even {Baby Einstein Videos} don’t provide this stimulation…they don’t provide the benefits they claim, and they may even do harm.  

   

To determine how programs like “Baby Einstein” affected development, they focused on vocabulary:

  On average, for every hour a day a child {8 months to 16 months} watched these programs he or she knew six to eight fewer words compared to children of the same age that didn’t watch…….

  One of the researchers involved with the “Baby Einstein” study said that he would prefer that parents watch television with their children, if they allow their children to watch TV at all. That way at least the parents would be engaging with their children and helping them to understand unfamiliar concepts on the screen. The creators of the “Baby Einstein” series offer the same advice! 

  Babies of today are also missing out on the stimuli that comes from seeing Mommy face to face during play time, and lying in her arms instead of the car seat when out together.
The quiet, non flashing, non-noisy toys of yesteryear, are being passed by in stores to pick up the lights, sounds and “entertain me” toys of today.  All the lights and noise can actually over-stimulate our babies and just like watching TV, it can cause them to miss out on some very important development and brain connections.  

Baby Pax, looking at a book

A child’s brain is very sensitive before age 2. It’s still developing neural connections and growing in size. Because of this sensitivity, it’s important for babies to have a lot of interactive stimulation to learn and develop.

  Is it any wonder that after all the tv and playtime with flashing, noisy toys, these children are less likely to want to sit in school and color a picture?

Why would they? It doesn’t sing, dance, do flips or flash lights at them!

There are many, many good sources on the web for good ol’ fashioned wooden toys, or soft board books to start giving your baby to play with.  And maybe, just maybe, when the batteries run out on your Lights and Sounds baby toy, leave it that way.

So how about a Media Detox for our kiddos this week?  

What?!

You mean no computer, no iPad, Tablet, Laptop or TV time for SEVEN WHOLE DAYS?  

Are you crazy!?!?!?!

Maybe.  :)  

  We all know the kids will whine and be BORED at first, you will be irritated and wonder why the heck you are even trying this, but just wait……

With a detox, you always feel worse before you feel better, right!?  

  I bet, by the end of a week, or maybe two weeks for those die-hard media fans, your children will be playing so nicely together!

  They might even disappear under a kitchen table tent, out into the backyard, or into a play room-turned castle for hours, as they travel to far away lands!!! All without needing media to occupy their thoughts!

  I bet you will be surprised how the tone of your home feels different, too!  

  Next, I want to encourage you to replace 20 minutes of that normal slot of media time, reading out loud to your kids. 

  This can also be done at the table while they eat lunch, right before they go down for afternoon naps, or even save it for before bed. 

Set that time aside and watch it grow into a special family tradition.    

And, in the long run? Reading will make them better students, too! 

Additional Info:

• Today, kids under 2 spend more than twice as much time watching videos, as they do being read to.
• In 2/3 of households, TVs are on during meals. 

• In 75% of households, TVs are on when no one is watching them.

• More than 70% of kids have TVs in their bedrooms 

• Only 1/3 of households have media-consumption rules

  “No surprise, more media is consumed in households in which TVs are always on, where there are no media consumption rules, and where kids have TVs in their bedrooms.  And, no surprise, kids who consume the most media get the worst grades. (but is this cause or effect?)”

  

 Here’s to “Feeding” our precious bundles of joy some good wholesome “Food” this week….
Happy Detox!

Hugs, T

 “You’ll see your true self when you look for your reflection in the eyes of souls, not the glare of screens.” Ann Voskamp

{Source for parts of this post}

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Want to read more?  

Additional Info & Stats

More reading statistics here:  “Mommy, Reading Makes My Brain Strong!”

Telephone Etiquette

  So way back in the olden days, when I was a little girl, I used to LOOOOVE to answer the phone.  “Hello Bontrager residence, Tonya speaking!” 

{Gotta love an 80’s perm, Avery just asked me why “Destiny” is wearing a wig?}

Anyhow, I guess I sound just like my mom, because I had to add “Tonya speaking”, or even as a second grader, these people would launch into a looooong story about what they needed before I could even sputter out the words,

“WAIT, you want my mom, hold on I will get her for you!”

  My parents talked to us about do’s and do not’s of phone etiquette.  And look, we even had this cute little book all about it. My mom just recently passed it on to my kiddos.  This book covers basics like don’t tell  people if you are home alone, use good manners, take messages for your mom etc.

   In addition to all these rules, we had a house rule that we didn’t answer the phone during supper.  This was back in the 1980’s, and guess what, we didn’t even have an answering machine to record that missed call. OR caller ID to know who we missed! 

{gasp} 

                                 HOW DID WE STAND IT?!?!?!?!?

Unheard of now, right?  Funny how things change. 

  But I love what that taught me….family supper is more important than that phone call, and that person would call back later.  We have chosen to keep this rule at our house, and very very rarely, do we answer during a meal.

  Now days it seems everyone can be reached anytime via home phone, cell phone or messaging.  If we can’t get them one way, we try the other two.  I think with the good of that instant gratification, comes some bad……

  It’s like we think we owe those people an immediate hello, even if we are in the middle of a bedtime story, or family time. 

Honestly?  We don’t!

If family comes first, then it’s ok to let it go to voice mail, and call them back after the kids are in bed!  If you are reading a book, and you are at a good part, fine! Don’t answer! You can call back later.  Be empowered, you control the phone, it doesn’t control your life!

  I think in this day and age, of constant access to various forms of communication, we need some written rules about it.  So I decided to write Telephone Etiquette 101.

Rule #1:  No Being On Your Phone At The Park.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  I am TOTALLY teasing. 

That was in honor of all of those people who misunderstood the point of Dear Mom On the iPhone!  :)  If you go to the park to have a break from your kids, be my guest!  But please, don’t forget to put it down and go running up to them for a surprise “YOUR IT!” attack, with a fun game of tag ensuing now and then, either.

iPhone, Texting and Cell Phone Etiquette 101

1)  Have “Phone Free Zones” In Your Home.
  Like at the dinner table, or your bedroom.  Have those places be ‘sacred’. A place where you connect with your family and spouse, not the world, or the world-wide web.

  If that doesn’t appeal to you, then choose “Phone Free Times” like no phones during family game night, during your bedtime routine with the kids, or devotions with your spouse.  The phone needs to be out of arms reach, preferably in another room, so that text or call will not be begging for your attention.

  I have heard a lot of people say when they enter the house, they and their children with cell phones, are expected to park them on a docking station in the mud room until the next morning.  No phones in the evening and no phones up in bedrooms!  LOVE that idea!

2) Have “Phone Free Zones” Outside Your Home
  Like date night.  Or a ball game.

   Give your spouse 100% of your attention, or root on your child and his team with your whole heart.  Be there.  Be ALL there, not surfing the web, or scrolling through Facebook!  Put your phone on silent and give the ones you love your full attention. 

   What about when we see people’s play by plays of their date night on Facebook, plus lots of other comments along the way on other’s posts?  Facebook is so distracting!  Try to just put the phone away, and enjoy your spouse!  Face to face, eye to eye grown up time.  Holding hands and having fun!!!!!  You can post your great time later, after you get home!  {If you still want to.}

3) Little Pitchers Have Big Ears
  WAAAY too many grown up conversations happen with little ears in the backseat of the car listening.  Be aware of your surroundings, both in the car, at the store, and in your home.  Your children are listening, heck, grown up people are listening!  Just because you can bring your cell phone into a vehicle, restaurant or store, does not mean your personal life needs to come, too.  Go excuse yourself, or wait for another time to have your conversation.

3) Speaker Phone Is For When You Are Alone
I know there is fear in getting brain damage by being on your cell too much, but people, making us all listen to BOTH SIDES of your LOUD conversation on speaker phone, is NOT the answer. 

4) Get Off the Phone
  I love to talk to my kids about their day, or what we are seeing as we drive.  There is nothing better than talking to your captive audience, your kids!  You will be SHOCKED how much they have to say, when there is nowhere to run off to.  Smile at them in the rear view mirror and ask about their days. Make this a special tradition at the end of a school day. You will open up lines of communication for years to come.

  I try not to make this a habit, but there are some days that I have several phone calls to be made, so the obvious choice is while in the car, or waiting in car pick up lines, which I do multiple times a day!!!  The kids get to listen to an Adventure in Odyssey CD, and I get 14 calls made for the upcoming Bake Sale. It’s a win-win.
HOWEVER, when I enter the school, I want to do better about being off my phone. I want to show respect to the teachers and parents that I am coming in contact with.  And, if they need to talk to me about my student, I will be available.

This also applies when checking out at a store. You may be the only ‘Jesus’ that clerk comes in contact with that day. Your “Good Afternoon, How are you doing today?” might be the nicest words they hear all day.  If we are to be Jesus’ hands and feet, then we better not always be on our phones!

5) Leave It In The Car
I know there are people on call, or times when a babysitter is at home with little ones, or a loved one is dying, or you are waiting for word on some big deal at work, I get it. But be FREE.  Don’t be chained to your phone any longer.  Sometimes, it really is ok, to just leave it in the car.  You might be surprised how much you enjoy that freedom.

6) Multi-Tasking Is Disrespectful
  Texting is quiet, I get that. But it is very disrespectful to look down during a face to face conversation, to answer a text.  Have you ever watched that other person, the one that was visiting with you and sharing their heart?  Their words slow down, their eyes dart back and forth between you and your phone.  They aren’t saying it, but they are waiting for your full attention before continuing.  It is very accepted by culture today, but I say it feels disrespectful!

  If this was “real life” and 2 people were trying to talk to you at once, would you not tell one of them to hold on a minute?  You sure wouldn’t carry on two conversations at once!  Oh, it happens in real life sometimes, but it’s awkward and un-productive for everyone! 

7) Some Conversations Are Better Spoken
  Save texting for those quick, “I am going to be late,” “I miss you,” “Praying for you today,” messages.
If you have 7 paragraphs to say, then use your phone the “old school way” and actually call your friend.  Real time talking with real-time emotion.

8) Talk To Your Kids About The Power They Have At Their Fingertips
If you decide to get your teen or preteen a Smart Phone, then please have some rules in place. Be ready to take the phone away when those rules are broken.
Talk to them about the beauty of real voices with real emotions on the other end of the phone line. Teach them not to send sexy pictures or inappropriate words just because they are hiding behind a screen. And please, don’t allow your child free rein to the web without some sort of filter or rule system in place. We want our children to succeed and grow up to respectable adults. Filling their mind with garbage at an early age, will only create them heartache in the long run.

9) The Movie Theatre Is Dark, But Your Phone Screen IS NOT
Listen, you probably just paid around $20 to get you and your date into the movies. I know it seems dark and private and un-disruptive to quickly check your emails, but guess what?  Even though the theater is dark, your phone screen is NOT.
Watch the movie!  Shut your phone off and be present.  If you can’t go two hours without doing a “drive by” on your phone, Facebook or Email, it’s time for a phone DETOX.

10)  If Your Hand Maintains Cell Phone Shape After You Set It Down, You Have A Serious Problem.  I don’t have anything else to say about this.  Besides, I needed a number 10.  :)

Have some more iPhone, Texting or Cell Phone “rules”?  Feel free to add them in the comments section.

Hugs, T

More about this subject here.

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Dear Mom On The iPhone,

Don’t miss yesterday’s post: Dear Dad On The Recliner,

Dear Mom On the iPhone,

I see you over there on the bench, messing on your iPhone.  It feels good to relax a little while your kids have fun in the sunshine, doesn’t it?  You are doing a great job with your kids, you work hard, you teach them manners, have them do their chores.

But Momma, let me tell you what you don’t see right now…..

Your little girl is spinning round and round, making her dress twirl.  She is such a little beauty queen already, the sun shining behind her hair.  She keeps glancing your way to see if you are watching her. 

You aren’t.

Your little boy keeps shouting, “Mom, MOM watch this!”  I see you acknowledge him, barely glancing his way. 

He sees that too.  His shoulders slump, but only for a moment, as he finds the next cool thing to do.

Now you are pushing your baby in the swing.  She loves it!  Cooing and smiling with every push.  You don’t see her though, do you?  Your head is bent, your eyes on your phone as you absently push her swing. 

Talk to her.  Tell her about the clouds, Mommy.  The Creator who made them. Tickle her tummy when she comes near you and enjoy that baby belly laugh that leaves far too quickly.

Put your eyes back on your prize…Your kids.

Show them that they are the priority. Wherever you are, be ALL there.  I am not saying it’s not ok to check in on your phone, but it’s a time-sucker: User Beware!

Play time at the park will be over before you know it.

The childhood of your children will be gone before you know it.

They won’t always want to come to the park with you, Mommy.  They won’t always spin and twirl to make their new dress swish, they won’t always call out, “WATCH ME!”

There will come a point when they stop trying, stop calling your name, stop bothering to interrupt your phone time. 

Because they know…

  You’ve shown them, all these moments, that the phone is more important than they are.  They see you looking at it at while waiting to pick up brother from school, during playtime, at the dinner table, at bedtime…..

I know that’s not true, Mommy.

I know your heart says differently.

But your kids can’t hear your words, Mommy. Your actions are screaming way too loudly.  

  May our eyes rest upon those we love, first and foremost, and may everything else fall away in the wonderful, noisy, sticky-fingered glory of it all.

~T

Note from Tonya:

This blog post is written for me, too!  It could just as easily say Dear Mommy on the Computer, because I also struggle to find balance between needing a break, and knowing when its time to walk away from the computer to be Mommy again. So, I try to limit it to nap time and after the children are in bed. I am just asking for us to be aware of how this media time can overflow into our face to face time with our family and those around us.
More here and here:

Re: Dear Mom On The iPhone
&
Phone Etiquette 101

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Dear Dad in the Recliner,

Dear Dad in the Recliner,

Long day, huh?

I bet it feels good to put your feet up.

Where is your wife?

Oh, she is tucking the children in bed.

Can I ask you something?

Why aren’t you in there?

They need you, Daddy.

They find comfort in your big rough hand, smoothing their bangs off their foreheads.  They love hearing your rumbly voice read them a Bible Story and a Bedtime Story. They love to hear you pray for them, and their lives and futures.

Your wife is filled with love for you, as she looks around at her little family, all together at the close of the day.  Her heart swells as you kiss the children good night.  She feels loved and understood when you participate in the bedtime routine.

I know you are tired, Daddy.  We all are this time of the night.

Go.

Go be their daddy for just a few more minutes.

As soon as they are tucked in bed, as soon as you have hugged and kissed them each twice, as soon as you have gotten them ANOTHER drink of water, after you have rubbed backs and heard precious prayers…THEN, Daddy.  Then, you can go pop up the recliner, and flip on the TV, or open up the newspaper.

You work hard, you deserve to relax at the end of your day, I whole heartedly agree.  But, please, don’t ever forget, your children will only seek you out for a short amount of years.

Then, you’ll spend the rest of their lives seeking them out, and guess what?

They won’t need you anymore.

Not in the same way they need you now, Daddy.

You’re a good Dad.

Lead your family, Daddy.  Lead them straight to Jesus, be a Holy example for those little eyes to see.  They want to be just like you, so make sure you are just like HIM.

~T

This song is AMAZING!  Lead Me, by Sanctus Real

A note to Dale:

  Sweetie, I just want to say thank you for being a part of the bedtime routine from the get go. Our children don’t know it any other way!  Thank you for coming home ready to play, wrestle and read books without any required “quiet time” before you can be Daddy.

 I love you and I am proud to share my life with you….

xo  ~T

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Natural Remedies from A Naturally Minded Momma

From the 4 little Ferguson’s blog archives:  All opinions and advice given in this blog are STRICTLY the opinion of Mommy of 4, Tonya Ferguson. Obviously you need to do what you feel is best and safest for your child based on your intimate knowledge of their “normal” behavior.

Before I start, let me just say, I had a nasty comment yesterday that really hurt my feelings.  I want you to know, I share these things with you, because its something that I am passionate about.  It’s part of the way we chose to live.  I am not saying its perfect for everyone, I am not saying its the ONLY way to do it, and I sure am not saying it’s a way to GUARANTEE your child’s health through cold and flu season.  This is my blog.  Can’t I share what I am passionate about without judgement or rude comments?

Ok, off my soap box and on to your previously scheduled post:

Don’t you just love cold and flu season? Ugh.

Poor sick snotty coughing babies need extra TLC, but where do your turn? Rush to your nearest dr. at the first sniffle?

Go scan the shelves at Wal-Mart for SOMETHING safe for younger children to take?

Or turn to some natural remedies?

I am into Natural Remedies, BIG TIME! Over the 9 years of being a naturally minded Mommy, I have come to acquire an arsenal of favorites for each and every bug that ails us.  I will go through those today and show you my favorite ways to fight or treat these childhood illnesses.

#1: The dreaded cough. You know the one that keeps everyone up allll night long. After they pulled cough syrups off the shelf, we mom’s had to find another method of treatment. Here are our favorites:

~Vicks Vaporub on the feet (Put on socks) and chest.

Here is an article about it, it really works!

VICKS VAPORUB…

When we had a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can ‘taste’ it. Some of us have used Vicks Vaporub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I’ve never heard of this. And don’t laugh, it works 100% of the time although the scientists at the Canada Research council (who discovered it) aren’t sure why. To stop night-time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. I heard the head of the Canada Research Council describe these findings on the part of their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children as compared to alternative therapies like acupressure. Just happened to tune in A.M.Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs so, I listened. It was a surprise finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly. Polly tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes and believe me, this was a deep, (incredibly annoying!) every few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough-free for hours every night that she used it.”

We choose to use Baby Vicks for our youngest children. Its my understanding that they can get too much menthol, so we are cautious. It works great too!

In addition to Vicks, we….

~Do a Humidifier in the coughing child’s room. Sunbeam Humidifier is our favorite filter-less brand so far!

~Prop the head of their bed or crib up with 2 books under the legs.  This promotes drainage and can help eliminate the tickly cough.

~ Give them Buckwheat Honey.

Buckwheat honey, is a robust, dark honey made from the nectar of blossoming buckwheat grain. It made the pediatrician “handbook” and was recommended to us by our doctor one winter for 9 month old Avery when she got whooping-cough.  Worked like a charm and we have used it for coughs ever since.  It is thicker than regular honey and quiets for hours naturally!!!!

Here is a great article all about it.

# 2  For very Severe Coughs, like the year our kids passed our whooping-cough, there is a home remedy that dates back to my Great Grandmothers day.  It involves a white onion.

Take your WHITE onion with skin on and bake in a 350* oven for an hour or until soft.  Cut a wedge out of the onion and carefully peel off petals. Careful, it will be very hot.  When you can handle them, test them on your inner wrist.  You want them warm, not hot, but not cold.  It will lose effectiveness if it is cold.

Lay baby on an ace bandage or sock and work quickly to apply the still warm onion petals across babies chest.  Secure snugly with sock or ace bandage and pin, dress child for bed as usual.

You will not BELIEVE how well this works to quiet a serious cough.  Plus, the onion naturally boosts the immune system, win-win!  No, warm onions do not stink, they smell sweet.  Yes, you may use the onion again the next night. NOT the ones on baby’s chest, toss those. Just put remaining onion in Tupperware to store.  Each evening, reheat the onion in the oven again until it is all used up.

We LOVE this method and swear by it!  We went from up all night with a different coughing child, to total peaceful slumber. AMAZING!

~Hyland’s Cough Syrup
For ages 2 and up.

You can buy the Night Time one Here and Day Time Here.
You can also find this at Wal-Mart. Alternate this with Buckwheat honey for a cough free day!

Speaking of Hyland’s, they offer a variety of homeopathics, which we LOVE!

We have a homeopathic for just about anything that could come up and love them.  It makes me happy that when I got to my medicine cabinet, these safe, natural remedies line the shelf.

My favorites are Bronchial Cough, Cough Tablets , Sinus, Sore Throat and Calms Forte 4 Kids when the children have trouble sleeping. And Bumps-N-Bruises with Arnica for falling down or night terrors.  {some of these not pictured}

#3  Ear Infections  We have kicked 9 out of 10 ear infections with this box of goodness.

Hylands Homeopathic, Earache Tablets {click name to purchase this product}

If the infection is bacterial, 3 days of this will usually kick it.  If it’s a chronic infection, then this will not work.  Most infections are bacterial, unless of course your child struggles with this due to other circumstances.

I can tell by the 3rd dose of these Earache homeopathics, that it cuts the pain, because my happy smiling baby comes back. I finish out the box as directed, because I want to for sure kick the infection, but there is NO QUESTION when it starts to work!

We once went to a Well-baby check up, just as we finished day 3 of this homeopathic.  The dr. looked in her ears and said he could tell she was just getting over an ear infection by what he saw.  No intervention was necessary, no strong prescription, because it was clearing up “on its own”.  This was proof to me that it does work and works well!  A 3 day natural treatment rather than a 10 day SUPER strong antibiotic??? Sign me up!

If you DO need to fill the prescription and do these STRONG antibiotics for ear infections, I highly recommend you follow-up with a month or more of Bifidophilus.  Or stronger and better YET, Probiotic Eleven! Get a high quality brand like Nature Sunshine, and keep it in your fridge.  This will help rebuild the immune system, which will have been knocked by the antibiotic, it will replace healthy bacteria inside the intestines, which is crucial, it will help prevent secondary infections.  Plus, it’s just an over all great immune booster!!!!

  #4  Sore throat  We go straight for our bottle of Ultimate Echinacea.  (Again my favorite brand is Nature Sunshine) It naturally numbs the throat.  Just tip your head back and drip down both sides of throat, hold then swallow.  I do this at the first sign of a sore throat and can kick it by the next morning.  You won’t believe how it takes the sharp pain away from your sore throat!!!!

We also like ALJ Liquid  for allergies or drying up snot, Lobelia Essence, which is used on the OUTSIDE of a sore throat, or dripped into the ears to treat fullness or pain.  I also keep VS-C on hand for anything viral or a cold.

#5  Snotty nose; green or clear:  1/4 tsp SEA salt {not iodized}, in 1/2 cup warm as you can stand water, sniffed up the nose.

I have my big kids do “1-2-3 sniff” as I squeeze a little eye dropper, probably 5 times in each side.  For the babies, I just lay them down and carefully put a 2 or 3 droppers full in each nose hole. I do this at the first sniffle or first green booger and can kick it in no time!!!

Snotty kids get this about 3 times a day, sometimes more depending on the severity of the sniffling.

Day 1, I hear less sniffing, by day 2, it is no longer green, by day 3, it is almost always gone, or at very least, back to clear in color.

Salt is a natural pain-killer and will dry up the snot.  It will also help with sinus pressure and pain.  DO NOT USE IODIZED SALT, it will burn like when you jump in the pool without your nose plugged!  GET SEA SALT, it’s better for you anyways!

#6  The Runs:  We choose to treat this with the BRAT diet.  Bananas, Rice (brown is healthiest), Applesauce, Toast. (we do whole wheat)  The child with the runs gets this breakfast, lunch, snack and supper for a day or two, or until symptoms subside.  Also during this time, we eliminate all dairy, which really makes things worse in this particular case, as well as any and all sugars.  We do no soda, no juice, just water!

#7  Infection of any kind: we have our pill swallowers swallow a single Garlic Oil pill several times a day until they kick the infection.  I just have my kids open wide and stick out their tounges flat, I toss it down their throats and hand them a drink. Easy Smeasy and cheap too, only $5!
For babies, simply puncture the capsule and squeeze a teeny bit of oil on the arch of each foot. {save the remaining capsule for the next day or treatment} Cover with socks you never plan to use for anything but this purpose.  In no time you will smell the garlic on their breath and know its being absorbed and used in their little bodies.  Garlic is an AMAZING immune booster!

#8  Influenza:  No, we do not do flu shots for a VARIETY of reasons.  I do my research at www.mercola.com and it told me all I needed to know about this subject.  Last year, when everyone passed around Influenza, even the people that got the shot, we heard about this product from my BESTEST BEST Friend:

The Homeopathic: Oscillococcinum!

Oscillococcinum has been shown in clinical trials to help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu-like symptoms. Temporarily relieves flu-like symptoms such as feeling run down, headache, body aches, chills and fever. Click on name to purchase.

 It works rapidly, with 63 percent of patients showing “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” at 48 hours. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the recovery rate within 48 hours of treatment was significantly greater in the group that received the active drug than in the placebo group.

Unlike other flu medicines, Oscillococcinum has no known side effects such as drowsiness, and has no known or reported drug interactions. Oscillococcinum can be purchased at pharmacies, natural food stores and supermarkets.

Oscillo works best when taken early, so it’s helpful to keep it on hand. Take Oscillo at the first signs of flu-like symptoms.

Worked like a CHARM!  I plan to always have this in my medicine cabinet.  Every mom I talked to last winter could not believe the difference in how their children acted after taking this homeopathic!

#9 Fever:  Mommy’s seem to fear fever, but you don’t have to, because it’s a GOOD THING! I means their little immune systems are working to fight the bug!  If a fever is under 102* we do not give Tylenol or Ibuprofen. (there are obviously exceptions to this, like if they seem to be restless or in extreme pain)

We chose this based on what our doctor explained to us about not hindering what the body is trying to do by suppressing the fever.  Of course if it gets over 102* or they seem to have trouble sleeping because of it, we will give a fever reducer, but it is a LAST resort, not something I hand out at every head bump, sleepless night, or low-grade fever.

If you are concerned your child is getting dehydrated remember this, the pores of your child’s skin will “drink” water too.  A cool damp cloth on the forehead, or soaking in a warm bath will usually produce a potty diaper in no time.

Another thing we like to do in their warm bath, is open up ginger pills or dump in some white vinegar, both will naturally start the detox process and the vinegar naturally cools a fever.  (Never put a fevered child into a cold bath, always do a regular warm one.)  Our baby or child leave the tub hydrated and with a fever 2 degrees less than they entered it, and usually within the hour, have a potty diaper, or use the restroom.

Obviously if their fever is dangerously high, you need to seek medical help, but for normal low-grade and regular fevers, this has worked wonders for our poor hot babies.

Again, your judgment of your own child’s need for medical treatment always rules. These are simply my opinion and favorites for our kids.

Tired of waiting in a waiting room with a shivering fevered kid????  Then this winter, try some of these natural remedies!  They really work!

Hugs, hot tea & Sickie Soup,

~ T

Sniffles & Coughs & Pukes, Oh My!

It’s that time of year again, the kids are passing around all kinds of yuck at school and bringing it home to your non-school kiddos.  Today I’d like to dig into the archives and share 7 Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids.

Tomorrow,  I’ll share some of our favorite natural remedies.  We haven’t been to the doctor since Paxton was a baby, and that was for his well baby check up.  When we get sick, I have an arsenal of natural favorites!

Healthy Habit #7:  Staying Hydrated!  Have Water out and available for your kids at all times.  We have each child’s glass of water on the table and within reach all day long.  We also allow them to have a water bottle in their rooms.  We do not offer juice except on special occasions, as it turns into sugar in the body.

Now, after school, they can have an Emergen-C if they choose.  It has 78 minerals, 24 vitamins and a TON of Vitamin C.  It tastes like juice and is fizzy at first.  They love it!  You can get this at Wal-Mart in the pharmacy section in a variety of flavors.

* A reader was kind enough to inform me that they DO have a childrens version of this with only 250 mg of Vitamin C. {the adult version has 1000 mg} Too much of  a good thing is still TOO MUCH, so do only 1/4 of a regular packet for your children, or check for the children’s version!!!!!!  Thank you,  Katy! :) 

#6 Humidifier: we have this going non stop.  Dry air makes for tickly throats and irritated nasal cavities.  It also can dehydrate little ones and make it hard to go to the bathroom.  This in itself can cause them to be more apt to get sick because they are not releasing toxins as they should by using the restroom.

I would highly recommend getting a nice humidifier with no filter.  No filter means no extra place for bacteria to grow, and no more cost to run it other than the water to fill it!

See that red pan on top of the fire-box? It is filled with water and a few drops of essential oils.

These oils should kill bacteria in the air and help promote good health in our home. Even with the humidifier going in the living room, this pan of water gets filled every day because of how fast the water evaporates.

This should give you an idea of how dry your home is when the heater runs!!  Remember, a dehydrated body is more susceptible to illness.

Thieves and Thyme from Young Living.

Thyme Oil is a medicinal herb with anti fungal and anti bacterial properties.

Natural antibiotic
Thyme oil could work as an antibiotic. It could be used for treating infections of the respiratory tract, intestines and urinary tract.

Cures coughs and colds
Coughs and colds could be healed with thyme oil. This natural antibiotic could kill bacteria associated with infections of the respiratory tract. Moreover, thyme oil could be used as an expectorant.

More here.

Thieves Oil is a blend of five essential oils that are scientifically documented to be highly anti-infectious, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic. Thieves’ essential oil is a safe and natural way to care for your family’s health. With the concern over swine flu-H1N1 and other infectious disease, this potent oil blend is a powerful way to support your family’s health and wellness.  Research shows that Young Livings Thieves Oil effectively interrupts the life cycle of bacteria and also interferes with the ability of viruses to replicate. Studies also confirmed that most viruses and bacteria cannot live in the presence of many essential oils.

More info here.

#5 Bifidophilus and Probiotic: these pills are great for boosting the immune and helping fight infection by putting healthy bacteria back into the intestines.

  I was just reading in Parenting magazine, that recent studies suggest that taking a probiotic supplement can dramatically reduce the odds of kids getting a fever, cough or runny nose during cold and flu season. And if they DO get sick, kids taking the probiotics tend to get better two or three days faster!!!!

We keep these on hand and in the fridge at all times.  It’s great because you can open these capsules and put them directly in your child’s mouth, or we have put it on a spoonful of food before too. It tastes sweet and they don’t mind a bit!  We do a whole capsule for the big kids, half of a capsule for the little kids.  These can be used weekly like a multi-vitamin, or anytime they spike a fever or seem to be coming down with something, we start giving one of these for the next few days till it passes!

Antibiotics are being OVER-prescribed, and DO NOT work on viruses like colds and the flu bug.  Just keep your kids home and help their bodies fight the virus.   Antibiotics are for bacterial infections like strep and pneumonia.   If you end up having to do an antibiotic, due to another illness, here is what you do:

 Keep in mind, that Antibiotics kill both good AND bad in the body, which means your child’s immune is now down, making them susceptible to the next bug going around.    As soon as they are done with their antibiotic, get them on Probiotics for the next 3 weeks.  Take 1-3 capsules, depending on your child’s age, and divide them out during the day.  This will put healthy bacteria and antibodies back into the body to combat the antibiotic.

Healthy Habit #4: Getting plenty of Sleep!

We tell our kiddos that your fighters fight hardest when you are asleep.  We want those fighters to beat up those bad germs, so its important to get plenty of sleep.  We work hard to stick with afternoon rest/nap time, as well as shooting for their 7:30 bedtime each evening.

#3 Silver Shield Spray: This stuff is AMAAAZING!  I first understood the benefits of this on our annual trip to Florida.  I heard Silver Shield from Nature Sunshine could be sprayed in the mouth, on hands and up the nose and it would help prevent bacteria and germs from entering the body for 4-5 hours.  Every time we flew on the airplane and breathed in that nasty recycled air, SOMEONE got sick.  Every single time.  It is no fun to have a sick kid on vacation.  So I tried it, spraying all of us: nose, mouth, hands every 4 hours and guess what? For the first time we got to Florida 100% healthy. Praise the Lord!

Silver needs to live in a dark, cool place.  It’d be best if I could’ve bought a dark glass spray bottle for it. (on the To Buy list)

Silver Aqua sol technology, the basis of Nature Sunshine’s NEW Silver Shield TM, kills bacteria, viruses, mold, and other pathogens on contact! It usually takes 2-6 minutes for silver to destroy 99.9% of these pathogens. Tasteless, it is safe to take Nature’s Sunshine colloidal silver, Silver Shield TM, every day, either for prevention or to treat an infection of some sort.

• Preventative dose drink 1 teaspoon per day and allow its broad spectrum activity to kill bacteria, viruses, and yeast in your body.
• If you are getting sick or going to be exposed to illness, are traveling, or under stress take 1 teaspoon 2 times/day
• For serious illness take 3-4 teaspoons daily

• A first of daily defense, providing prevention before you need a cure!
• Helps wounds heal in half the time, with half the scar, half the cost, and ten times the benefit!
• Kills bacteria in the body but protects probiotics!
• Kills candida without harming the good flora!
• Changes the way we treat pneumonia, tuberculosis, staph and strep infections!
• Completely non-toxic and safe at recommended levels!

1) Fine mist spray bottle: use for mouth, skin or most any other body surface. The silver is most effective when it is in direct contact with the pathogen for 2-6 minutes. Most adults have had success using the following amounts:

• Mouth 4 pumps
• Throat (for gargling) 6 pumps, or swish 1 teaspoon of colloidal silver in mouth for 2-6 minutes before swallowing
• Voice Spray 1-4 pumps, 1-10 times per day
• Skin as needed to moisten (for acne, ulcers, wounds, burns, etc.)
• Replacement for antibacterial hand gel. Kills both bad and good bacteria. Spritz both hands and have protection for the next 4 hours.
• Diaper Rash —improvement seen in 3 hours when the silver is sprayed directly on the rash.
• Disinfect – spritz on door knobs, faucet handles, sink knobs, hotel rooms, airplane seats/trays, etc.
• Purse Bottoms are the second most germ-laden location! Spritz and wipe off the bottom regularly.

Healthy Habit #2: Limiting sugar intake.  This means, NO CANDY! My kids rarely get dessert, and if they do it’s an inch by inch teeny-tiny square, but for sure not in the form of Candy if I have any say in it! 

Too Much Sugar

Every 7 Tablespoons of sugar consumed has the potential to knock your bodies germ killing capabilities by up to 40%!!!!!!!!!!!!  Sugar sweetened foods can knock the immune system down for hours.

“That means after ingestion, the noticeable immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts to decrease the immunity function in as short as 30 minutes and its effects can last up to 5 hours.” Source.

So, every time our kids eat sugar within 30 minutes it knocks their immune for up to 5 hours????  Ummmmm, no thanks!!!!!!

And my #1 favorite Healthy Habit for Healthy Kids is……

 

HAND WASHING!

  I am super OCD about Hand Washing, but I think it’s the number one tool in a Mommy Tool belt for prevention!  For adults too!!!!!

As SOON as we walk in the door from church, the grocery store, a friend’s house or even just playing outside…..we ALL stop in the laundry room, hang up our coats, then line up at the sink to wash.

The kiddos must use warm water and make lots of bubbles on their hands, and they MUST sing Happy Birthday TWICE while washing so they know how long to scrub.   I like to avoid Anti-bacterial Soap whenever possible.  You don’t want to strip the skin of some of its natural healthy bacteria, necessary to live!

  We are actually doing way more harm than good by coating our lives with antibacterial sprays, lotions, soaps and gels. In doing this so much, we are creating superbugs that will adapt and become immune to our products…which in turn could make us all very, very sick. Also, all these antibacterial products end up in septic tanks and sewage treatment plants, where they kill off the good microbes needed to digest our waste. We need germs in order to survive as a species! So next time you reach for the antibacterial stuff at the store, think twice – and realize that regular old soap cleans just as well without doing anything harmful to our germs or our environment.

More here.

Hope this helps! Come back tomorrow for some favorite natural remedies!

~T