When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor night and day, rocking and swaddling, singing and even crying...anything to make my new little miracle stop her endless crying. Well, everyone told me she just had colic and that it would pass. And, alas, pass it did, however I wish that I would have known then what I know now.
There are many theories about the causes of colic. Many believe that it is breastfeeding that causes it. "Either you are eating something that is not suited to her little tummy or you must be feeding her too much.." they will tell you. Well, maybe. Others believe that bottlefed babies are allergic to the formula. "Switch his formula and he will be just fine..." they will tell you. Well, yes that could be it too. Some will say it is gas or an immature nervous system. Maybe. And the list goes on and on.
However, I believe that the answer to solving colic problems is simple. Babies simply "come out" too early and therefore miss out on their "fourth trimester" in the womb. This new world needs a lot of getting used to, and some transitional coping methods are in order. Below are some sure fire ways to soothe a colicky baby and restore them to their comfortable, womb-like environment. Well, they will think so anyway.
1. Swaddle her. Babies up to four months old feel safe and secure when bundled and will calm down. This imitates her cozy womb environment and soothes her cries with a sense of familiarity.
2. Carry him in a sling or carrier close to your body and walk around. The motion will imitate the movements he felt while he was being carried in your womb.
3. Play "white noise" such as the dishwasher, washing machine or even the vacuum cleaner to imitate the sounds she heard while safe and snug in your tummy.
4. If all else fails, go for a car ride. The motion will imitate the frequent movement he felt while in your womb and may calm him, and you, down.
Some of these things will work all of the time and all of these things will work some of the time, but just keep in mind that this will all pass. Enjoy these precious days with your little one because soon you will have to potty train them and you will think back to the good old days...when all you had to worry about was a little colic!

About The Author

This article may be reprinted as long as a link to http://www.TheMommySite.com is included with it.
Monica Faircloth is a full time mommmy and the owner of http://www.TheMommySite.com a resource for all mommies.

Have you seen the Campbell soup commercial about the two brothers playing a video game. The one where their mom calls them to eat. One video game monster says to the other, "Dont worry. Theyll be back. They need us." Then the monster whispers, "I hear footsteps," obviously convinced it was the kids coming to finish their game. As the mom turns off the video game, you hear "Oh no! Its the mom!"
Most find this commercial amusing, maybe enough to write "Campbells soup" on their grocery list. Seeing nothing odd about it. After all, kids playing video games are commonplace scenes in our society.
Now consider this next scene: children, maybe your younger brothers or sisters, are playing in the school yard. They are running around, waving sticks in the air. Summoning spirits by screaming, "Spirits enter me." Across the nation, this scene too is commonplace.
Why would kids do that Where were they taught this
According to Berit Kjos website http://www.crossroad.to, government schools from the Pacific to the Atlantic are teaching students pagan formulas for invoking "angelic" or "demonic" spirits through multi-cultural education, popular books, movies and television shows. But video and role-playing games, such as Pokemon, have only attributed to the problem.
Since the release of the Pokemon trading cards, children have been stabbed and beat up by classmates, demanding Pokemon cards. Young adults have stolen money from their mothers purses and others have broken into houses. All to collect the Pokemon trading cards.

I had been fighting with the software program that I used to build my website. The software program had a bug in it and would occasionally anger the main brains of my computer. Without warning, my computer would lock the program shut and forbid me to enter the websites file. I never knew from day to day which time I saved the file and closed it would be the last time Id be able to open it. It didnt happen very often, but when it happened, it was like the file no longer existed. My computer had put an invisible prison wall around it and I was no longer allowed to enter in and work within the file. I would have to recreate the website from scratch every time this happened.
The final straw was when I had gone in to do a major overhaul on the site and couldnt open the file. I spent two days completely rebuilding the site from scratch. I uploaded the new file onto the web. I was really proud of my new and improved website. Id barely slept the night before because of all the work involved. I was dead tired at 7 oclock that night as I sent out a newsletter inviting my readers to go check it out and give me some feedback as to what they thought of all the changes Id just made.
Thats when I found out that one of the main links was leading people into the wrong page. The result was that nobody could get to the newsletters. They would not be able to sign up anymore. Okay, thats not a big deal. I just had to open the file, redirect the link, reload the site unto the web, and go to bed. It should only take about 15 minutes. With any luck, I would be in bed by 8 oclock! The site slammed shut again! I had only finished rebuilding it an hour or so earlier! I was going to have to rebuild the site from scratch right then so that when my readers woke up the next morning they could see the site working properly. Any random web traveler stumbling upon my site would not be able to sign up for my newsletters. I couldnt tell you if I was more angry or exhausted as I began from scratch yet again.
When my thirteen year old daughter was getting ready to go to bed a few hours later, she asked me how much longer Id be up working. I told her the truth; it was going to be the wee hours of the morning before I would be finished. She completely understood my commitment to Tomorrows Edge and knew that I would forgo yet another night of sleep to get it up and running correctly. True to her nature, she was outraged at the unfairness of the situation.
She volunteered to stay up with me as a show of her love and support. I told her there was really nothing she could do to help me, and that it would mean more to me if she would get a good nights sleep and then agree to baby-sit her little brother in the morning. I would really need to sleep in and it would mean so much more to me if she would get up with my two year old and keep him out of my room so that I could sleep. She insisted that she would do both.
She went and gathered up a bunch of her art supplies and hung out with me until I finished. She even went a step further and ran me a nice hot bath as I was finishing up the last touches on the site. She hung out with me as I soaked in the tub talking with me about everything and nothing. Then she tucked me into bed and turned out the lights. She was so proud of me for completely rebuilding the site and not screaming and crying or giving up and quitting. That little show of support meant so much to me that I almost cried as I fell asleep.
What a wonderful thing we can learn from her. How many times do we simply let someone struggle alone because we have no idea how to help them I cant begin to tell you how much it meant to me to have her simple companionship. It was during those hours between 1 and 3 am when I could barely see straight that having her there just to keep me awake meant so much to me. No, she didnt lift a finger. No, she didnt bail me out. No, she didnt fix it. She simply said, "You will not go through this alone. I will be here to cheer you on." Her presence made an ugly exhausting nightmare into a beautiful example of the power of love. I felt so good by the time I melted into my pillows that I had no anger or resentment over the event. She made it all okay just by caring enough to show up.
Its easy to help our loved ones when we know what to do. Roll up your sleeves, dive in, and get to work! But what about those times when were at a complete loss for words What about when we dont have the tools or resources to help them What about when their problem or challenge is completely over our head and beyond our area of expertise What then Typically, we stumble over some sort of an apology mixed in with excusing ourselves from the problem. We wish them well and say a little prayer on their behalf. Next time, consider simply being fully present so they are not completely alone in their struggle. Seems stupid and small, but its not. Its wonderful and huge.
By the way, the next morning, the software locked up again. I finally invested in an upgrade!
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrows Edge

About The Author

Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to life in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. Go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net to read more of her articles and to get a free preview of one of her books.
Skye@TomorrowsEdge.net

Learning is a wonderful thing. My mother always told me that children are like spongesyou can teach them just about anything, and they usually remember it. Here are a few books your children can absorb.
THE ABCS OF FOOD: A Study of Food as History, Story, Tradition and Nutrition by Louise Ulmer and Richard S. Calhoun published by eBooks on the Net http://www.ebooksonthe.net is a delightful book where readers can search from A to Z for all kinds of foods and spices. This book is a dictionary/encyclopedia/guide, and it is fabulous. Readers can also find out how to pronounce, collect information on, and make specific foods. This book will keep you busy for days, weeks, even months. Teri Sloats FROM ONE TO ONE HUNDRED published by Scott Foresman Publishers is a wonderful book, designed to help children count to 100. There are more than 2,500 eye-appealing objects arranged so each page drips with fun characters and brilliant color.
More wonderful books my children and I have recently read include ON BEYOND A MILLION: An Amazing Math Journey by David M. Schwartz. Children will be proud of themselves when they realize just how high they learn to count. This book was designed almost as a comic strip stylebook because of the text set in balloons. Readers can easily learn the English number system taught to them by multiples of tenpublished by Random House: Dragonfly Books. MY SPIRITUAL ALPHABET BOOK by Holly Bea and published by HJ Kramer: Starseed Press was a treat to read. The bubbly illustrations and vivid text will fill kids with laughter. Not only will the children reading this story, learn the alphabetthey will also learn the changing of the seasons and the importance of Gods gifts.
For a fun book your children will just love. Try FROM LETTER TO LETTER by Teri Sloat. Each page is a different letter of the alphabet. Children will enjoy searching the pages for items that begin with a specific letter. Along the bottom of the page, Teri Sloat includes the whole word, giving the reader an extra method of learning that specific letter. Those interested can find this book at your local bookstore or through Puffin Unicorn Books or online at Sloats webpage http://www.terisloat.com.
As an adult, I know that my mother was right, and I, too, tell my children the same exact thing. In Illumination Arts April release, INSIDE OUT, a little girl named Karly learns the same thing from a spirit who comes in the form of an invisible friend. This book with dazzling illustrations by Roberta Collier-Morales was a pleasure to read. Get your copy from Illumination Arts.com.
In case you didnt knowpaper format isnt the only way to find high-quality books from talented authors. Books on CD, as download or on diskette, known as eBooks or electronic books, are a growing popular form of book readingespecially for childrens books. Why Because publishers are now able to add movement animation and sound clips to their books. Children dont only read eBooksthey interact with them.
Remember, just because some books are electronic e-book books, doesnt mean they arent fantastic! Open up an electronic book today and get to know some talented new authors.
Off the Top of my Headtalented childrens authors to check out:
Daisy Dexter Dobbs, http://daisydexdobbs.home.attbi.com
Moses Cramden, http://beam.to/2084
Dorothy Thompson, http://www.thewriterslife.homestead.com/theworksofdorothythompson.html
JV Harlee, http://www.geocities.com/ladyjiraff/jvharlee.html
Valerie Hardin, http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/4266

About The Author

Jennifer LB Leese is a 34-year-old mother of three from Maryland. She is a published author of several childrens fiction books, one young adult fantasy book, and a paranormal romance novel. Leese also freelances childrens non-fiction books for book distribution and packaging companies.
She reviews childrens books for several online magazines, including her own Its Only Ink! Childrens Book Reviews, as well as for Fiction Forum, Preschool Entertainment, Gotta Write Network, The Best Reviews, and Midwest Book Review. Jennifer is also a freelance copyeditor for Writers Exchange E-Publishing, as well as for individual authors and publishers. Leeses experience comes from the above as well as from her published books and articles, and from her professional book reviews and columns.
As half of JV Harlee, Leese writes gothic, fantasy novels for teenagers with published author Valerie Hardin. Their first book is "Gargoyle Tears".
Leese lives in Maryland with her three children, Nicholas, Cameron, and Jordan. She volunteers regularly at her childrens school where she heads the Bester Elementary PTA as Vice President. Married fourteen years to the love of her life, Jennifer knew she would marry Thom the moment she laid eyes on him.
jenniferlbleese@msn.com

About a year ago, I was talking to a friend of mine on the telephone. He had just experienced a big success in his career and wanted to brag. We had a great time cheering and laughing over his big moment. Then as we were wrapping up our phone call, he apologized for gloating to me. I blew it off telling him, "Dont apologize! Real friends are people that you can cry with during the bad times and gloat with during the good times. Everyone else expects you to be politically correct in your behaviors." Whats the point of having friends if you cant be yourself around them
A friend is someone to cry with during the bad times. Everyone knows how great it is to have a friend during your time of need to cry on their shoulder. In reality, people dont like it if you cry on their shoulder for very long. So the sign of a real friend is that you can cry on their shoulder until youre done crying. And if youre crying too long, your friend will make you snap out of it. They help you to pull yourself back together rather than just give a superficial "There there dearie" and then going on about their lives. Youll be able to tell real quick who your real friends are during the crisis and uglier times of your life. Theyre the only ones still hanging around.
A friend is some to gloat with during the good times. Were all raised that its distasteful to brag and to come across as egotistical. The result is that most of us are afraid to say much of anything positive about ourselves. Youre allowed to celebrate a job promotion, a marriage, or the birth of a child, but its supposed to be done with class and style. A real friend is someone that you can call up and spend twenty minutes telling them what an awesome job you just did on a project at work and how you feel so incredibly proud of yourself and they are going to be happy for you. They are not going to chastise you for being arrogant. When you have some serious politics going on at work and you pull of a brilliant career move, your friend is going to cheer with you and laugh along with you as you succeed.
A friend is someone to rage with when life is really unfair. Thats not to say theyre going to help you plot your exs murder or anything like that, but when youre really ticked off and need to vent, theyll be there for you. You can safely tell your real friends just how angry you are and theyll help you find ways to dissipate the anger and to eventually let it go. Humor is a wonderful way that friends have of helping us to let go of our anger. Rather then help you plot the murder, they can throw out a few wonderfully witty comments about your ex and get you laughing again. Know matter what it is that youre upset about, your real friends will be there for you.
A friend is someone to dream with while plotting your goals. Real friends make awesome cheerleaders. They believe in you and in your ability to achieve your goals. Everyone else may be politely disinterested in what youre planning to do with your life, but your real friends will be thrilled to hear about what youre doing. Theyll help you to brainstorm ideas and will pitch in to help you make your dreams come true whenever possible.
A friend is someone to pray with for support. Weve all seen the research and the studies show that the power of prayer is magical no matter who or what it is that you think youre praying to. The studies also show that whenever two or more people get together to pray, that they power becomes increasingly strong. From my own experience I would like to point out that when you have a real friend pray with you instead of a well meaning acquaintance, that the increased power is so much greater. Yes the stranger helps, but nothing beats the power of a friends prayers.
A friend is someone that you can laugh with until you make that funny snorting sound. Only with my dearest friends have I laughed so hard that tears poured down my face. I have shared funny stories with my friends that Id never share with coworkers and such. Part of it is because with real friends there is a trust level and you know that you have similar views about whats humor and whats not. So, you can share jokes that otherwise might not be appropriate to tell the church ladies after service. Real friends laugh together.
My daughter wanted me to add this last one. A friend is someone to burp and fart with because they dont care if you are a real person. She has determined that the reason her best friend has trouble getting along with the other girls at school is because her friend doesnt realize that you cant do that sort of thing in front of people that are only polite superficial surface level friends. My daughter says that because theyre best friends its okay if one of them burps or farts in the presence of the other, but they cant do it in front of anyone else. I suppose she makes a valid point.
Im not saying you should be a completely trashy mess of bad manners and selfishness around your friends, but at least know that with real friends you can be yourself and they arent going to turn their back on you. If you have to walk on eggshells, be on your best manners, or monitor your every word and action, then youre probably not with a real friend. A real friend is one of lifes greatest blessings, dont forget to give thanks.
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrows Edge

About The Author

Skye Thomas is the CEO of Tomorrows Edge, an Internet leader in inspiring leaps of faith. She became a writer in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, soulmates, and parenting. Her books, articles, and astrological forecasts have inspired people of all ages and faiths to recommit themselves to the pursuit of happiness. To read more of her articles and to sign up to receive her free weekly newsletter, go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net. To download free previews of her books, go to www.SkyeThomas.com.
Skye@TomorrowsEdge.net

As a young girl, while growing up in Junior High, if you show that you are too eager to be with boys, or even a certain boy, you will, sooner or later, be seen as "desperate". Come High School, reputation becomes more important to girls than looks. Imagine if you have a bad hair day, your next day you can still shine. But if you get a bad rep one day, your entire year can suffer. At least thats the case in High School in Junior High your bad rep is forgotten the moment someone else becomes news.
Boys, by their very nature, are, and will always be, desperate creatures. This is a given. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the girl to make sure that this evolutionary process is maintained. That is, they cannot let show that they are "eager" to be with this boy, then that boy. And if a boy is able to come between to girl friends, theyve turned the tables. This is not good for either girl. Only the most charming boys can pull this off, but it can be done. And these are the guys that youll want to be with the most! Be very careful girls, because this can be the "life or death" of your reputation in High School and yes, it begins in Junior High.
So, girls, in keeping with the tradition, and for the future of all girls, never let a guy see your eagerness to be with him. "Hard To Get" works like a charm, and is the single biggest advantage of girls over boys and even women over men. Never let a guy come between you and your friends. Never, ever, let a guy feel as though they have the control over you; or, as sure as the sun came up this morning, they will take that control, and never give it back. Keep them guessing. Keep them eager to want you. Keep "them" desperate!
The way to accomplish this is by never letting a guy get the "Hard To Get" advantage over you. You must make him feel like youre self-sufficient and that you can live without him, while at the same time showing little signs here and there that you are interested. A boyfriend/girlfriend relationship will last much longer if you dont blurt out, "YES!" when he asks you to the next dance and yes, he must ask "you" or asks if he can sit with you during lunch. Think about it for a second, and then calmly reply, "Sure. That sounds good." There are thousands of proven ways to make them want to be with you even more.
Remember, if youd like to guarantee yourself a great reputation in High School, you have to show restraint in Junior High. Never let them see you sweat : And never, ever let them see your desperation, no matter how desperate you really are! The girls that the important boys want most in High School are the girls that have restraint and dignity. Boys do not. These are the girls the geeks stay away from because they think, "Shed never like me." Theyre the girls the jocks say, Ill take her, and her, and her ... Theyre the girls that the intelligent, good looking boy knows, to get with her, he must also spend time with, and like to be with, her one or two not-so-good-looking friends.
The most important thing to remember, above all, is that a great looking guy wont necessarily take out the trash, show respect for you by opening the door for you, or get up in the middle of the night to feed the baby. So while youre gawking at that "Ashton Kutcher" look-alike, take a step back and see if hes also got some "Mekhi Phifer" in him. Great looks are second to reputation in High School. And while immaturity will show your age, itll end up leaving you with only the geeks to choose from. Being mature makes for an awesome and long-lasting reputation with the guy who will take the time to make it past the "Hard To Get" routine. Itll get you that guy of your dreams!

About The Author

Keith D Commiskey is the husband to a great wife, and step-dad to one great daughter turning teen. Keith does graphics and web design by day; and is a father, husband and entrepreneur by night. He established himself as a web and database developer beginning in 1995, and has layered those talents on top of his graphics and computer animation experience which he began 1991. Hi is the sole creator and owner of two sites with creative thoughts that just wont stop: http://www.giftsforyou.biz and http://www.kdcinfo.com

A certain educator was once asked at what point should a parent begin to prepare for child raising.
"How old are you" the educator inquired.
"Twenty-three."
"You should begin twenty-three years ago."
What is the message The single most important thing a parent can do to educate a child is to provide the child with a good role model. A parent has to work a whole lifetime becoming the type of person that he wants his child to become.
The most important people in the world in the childs eyes are his parents. They are his first and most important teachers. The behavior of a childs parents leaves a permanent impression in the childs subconscious mind. Why is this so The reason is that the most reliable source of priorities and values in a childs eyes is his parents. Children have an innate trust in their parents. They feel that everything their parents say and do is the true and proper way to behave.
We all wish our children would do what we say and not what we do. However, this is not how the mind of a child works. The intellect of a child is undeveloped. As a result, children function an emotional level, absorbing more from what they see and hear around them than from what they are taught.
What is the take home message The main thing for you to realize is that you have far more influence on your child than you probably realize. Your child is going to pattern himself after you. That is how nature set it up. Your job as a parent is to be the best role model that you can be. True, it is hard, but that is the way it is.
The following is a story I heard recently that brings out the extent to which your child learns from your actions.
A certain kindergarten teacher once warned a group of parents to be careful how they behave in front of their children.
"By the way your children play in school," she said. "I know which of you treat each other respectfully. I know which of you use foul language at home. I know everything about how you behave in your home by the way your child plays, talks, and behaves."
Remember, you might think that everything that goes on in your home behind closed doors is hidden from the world, but it is not. Your child sees everything. Your child is going to take your behavior and broadcast it to the world. Make sure that what he is transmitting is something that you want the world to see.
Anthony Kane, MD
ADD ADHD Advances

http://addadhdadvances.com

About The Author
Anthony Kane, MD is a physician, an international lecturer, and director of special education. He is the author of a book, numerous articles, and a number of online programs dealing with ADHD addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html treatment, ODD, parenting issues addadhdadvances.com/betterbehavior.html, and education. You may visit his website at http://addadhdadvances.com. To sign up for the free ADD ADHD Advances online journal send a blank email to: subscribe@addadhdadvances.comsubject=subscribeartcity
akane@addadhdadvances.com

"Boys will be boys" and "Girls just do that" is what we hear from so many people. As a kid myself, I remember getting teased and no one came to help or told me what to do. And, you know what It hurt me then as much as it hurts kids today. As a school counselor for 10 years, I have developed and tested various techniques for helping students in dealing with bullying. These programs will help the bullies too!
One of the most effective programs I have developed is a staff to student mentor program. This is a school-based program with the professional staff as mentors to students during the school day. Mentors are teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors. The program takes place in school only and mentors do not transport, visit or meet their mentee outside of the school setting.
Parents are involved through phone calls, notes home and conferences with the mentor/staff member. The effectiveness of this program has been astounding. Students have an opportunity to form a healthy relationship with a professional adult who can assist them on a regular basis and support them in dealing with bullies among other things. Through the confidence and skills the student

Whining about bullying and how rotten the bullies were and the poor students that they bullied used to be one of my regular activities. "We have to do something to help these kids" both the bullies and their victims," I would whine. But for years, I just talked to these kids and sent them on their way. After I got sick and tired of being sick and tired of talking about this - I did do something! I started a mentor program for these students!
Behavior referrals, grades, social problems, and poor achievement were our starting criteria for being in the program. Almost every staff member in the building had 2-3 mentees - everyone from the administration, teachers, and counselors to the educational assistants, cafeteria workers and custodians. Over 150 students were in that mentor program which began in 1998.
Each mentor was given a mentor folder with a permission slip, a brochure about the program, a profile sheet, and tips on being a mentor, a pencil and a "Welcome Back to School"card. The profile sheet identified their mentees, homeroom teacher, grade, birthday, and area of concern. Also included in the packet was a birthday card and pencil for the mentor to give their mentees.
Giving gifts was left of to the discretion of the mentor. Some mentees came to expect gifts and the purpose of the mentor relationship was diminished. The kids came to expect them and thought that they were

Congratulations on your move toward a college degree. And congratulations on seeking support for writing your admissions essay/personal statement. The squeaky motor gets the oil, so you will be slick and running sleekly in a just a few days