:Forest Folk

I don’t believe that ANY “physical” maneuvers or “techniques” are really worth teaching children. An EIGHT year old vs. a GROWN adult who is most likely a violent psychopath with a HISTORY of violent criminal behavior?
I can’t see it.

Instead, emphasize the following:

1. RUNNING at the FIRST sign of trouble. IMMEDIATELY and in a “zig zag” pattern and using the environment as a “hedge”.

2. SCREAMING as LOUDLY and HYSTERICALLY as possible.

3. Wriggle, twist, turn, jump……ANYTHING to make the potential victim HARD to hold and control……….THEN 1 & 2!

4. RUN towards any source of HELP and SAFETY.

5. ONLY two potential “physical” maneuvers even worth considering - jabbing, clawing and scratching at the eyes with either one or both hands in a CONTINUOUS VIOLENT manner and BITING. ANYTHING carried: Knapsack, book bag, school books should be TOSSED at the LEGS! Anything to make the skel trip, maneuver to dodge, stumble ANYTHING that will SLOW him DOWN!

7. Carrying a HI decibel safety whistle(FOX is a good one) on a WRIST strap NOT around the neck AND a small hi powered LED light also on the wrist.

8. EMPHASIZE ESCAPE! If dragged to a vehicle(almost always the perp’s MO) seize the KEYS(from the ignition) at the first opportunity and TOSS THEM, either out a window or into the back seat(the farthest, longest, hardest place for the perp to attempt to retrieve them).

9. If forced into a trunk, pull, yank, kick or BATTER out a tail light and shove anything through the hole that will ATTRACT someone’s ATTENTION!

10. NEVER, EVER, EVER GO ANYWHERE WITH A STRANGER!!!!!!!!
Fight, scream, run ON THE SPOT! This goes for ANY abduction!
NEVER GO WITH YOUR ABDUCTOR! NEVER!

11. Awareness. But DON’T use “scare” tactics with a kid.

12. TIME is of the ESSENCE! Increase the TIME that the perp is in PUBLIC VIEW and you’ll go a LONG way in FORCING him to abandon the attack and FLEE. DRAW ATTENTION in ANY WAY possible to the scene IMMEDIATELY! NEVER give in a GO with an abductor. WHENEVER POSSIBLE MARK HIM! Try to remember EVERYTHING about the assailant, his vehicle, etc.

13. DO EVERYTHING to make oneself a HARD TARGET! Attackers what VICTIMS that are easily dominated, controlled and done so in as SHORT an amount of time as possible. MORE TIME. MORE EXPOSURE, MORE CHANCE OF GETTING CAUGHT!

14. Once again, DISTANCE as far and fast as possible is YOUR ALLY!

Hope this helps!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. He is continually improving himself through his studies. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. Below is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder)Tekkenryu jujutsu

Ryokudan (6th degree)Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle

Godan (5th degree)Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)

Sandan (3rd degree)Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada

Nidan (2nd degree)Judo under Masafumi Suzuki

Shodan (1st degree)Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree)Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree)Daitoryu Aikijujutsu

Instructors Certificate-Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

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Are you or your teenager considering a body piercing? Is it difficult to see eye-to-eye on this subject, or are you just not sure what the real risks of body piercing are? Sometimes it’s hard to separate the facts from the myths surrounding body modification. When that happens, it can make it even harder for parents and teenagers to come to an agreement on whether a body piercing is an acceptable form of self-expression.

First, you should understand that the risks of body piercing are very real. There are genuine problems that can and do arise, and these shouldn’t be ignored. On the other hand, by taking certain precautions and taking proper care of your piercings, you can minimize your chance of having a problem and greatly increase the chances that you will be one of the millions of people who will end up with a healthy, normal piercing.

What are the health risks of body piercing?

• Infection. Without proper care, infection can lead to scarring and even blood poisoning. Infections of piercings are unattractive and can be very dangerous.
  
• Allergic Reaction. Some people are sensitive to certain metals and only discover this when they are pierced and have a severe reaction to the jewelry. The rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing can lead to shock and hospitalization.
  
• Nerve Damage. If a piercing isn’t placed carefully, it can be pushed through a nerve, severing it and making the surrounding area permanently deadened to any feeling.
  
• Excessive Bleeding. This is just what it sounds like. If you get pierced and happen to hit a large blood vessel, you could have difficulty stopping the bleeding and may end up in the emergency room getting it cauterized. Not pretty.
  
• Risk of Cross-Contamination. You may become cross-contaminated by Hepatitis, the HIV virus, or another blood-borne pathogen is you are pierced by improperly sterilized needles.
  
• Keloids. These are toughened knots of scar tissue that look like cysts at the base of a piercing that sometimes form for no reason at the site of a piercing.
  
• Can’t donate blood. Is it important for you to be a blood donor? Is there someone in your family who is ill and may need blood donations in the near future? Don’t get pierced. You cannot donate blood for one year after getting pierced — no exceptions.
  
• Dental Risks. There are several problems that can arise from oral piercings, including chipped teeth, worn tooth enamel, damage to the gums and jaw line from wear, and even aspiration (inhaling) of a loose piece of jewelry into the lungs. Infection and swelling of the tongue is also a possibility, and is very unpleasant.

Are there other body piercing risks?

It depends on what you consider a risk. There are certainly things you should consider that you could call potential drawbacks to getting pierced. Among these are:

• Pain. How much of a weenie are you? If you can’t tolerate pain, you may be risking suffering more than you like for your vanity. Some piercings hardly hurt at all, others can be pretty rough for a few weeks.
  
• Cost. Do you have the money to pay not only for the piercing and jewelry, but for the aftercare products, such as Provon® or Satin® and H2Ocean®?
  
• Commitment. You are putting yourself at risk if you can’t clean your piercing every day, twice a day. Period. End of discussion. And you have to do your sea salt soaks or H2Ocean® treatments without fail.
  
• Judgment of Others. Let’s get real. You may not want to hear this one, but face it; others may judge you based on your piercings, so really think this one through. Will it bother you if others stare as though they are afraid of you? Do you want to have to explain yourself or remove your piercing for job interviews? Will you feel badly if your piercing upsets your grandparents or family friends?

Okay, we’ve looked at the risks of body piercing, and you (or your teenager) are still certain that a piercing is a “must have.” How do you prevent all of those scary possibilities we mentioned in our list of health risks? By doing your homework! A good piercing with a low risk of infection or other complications is the result of choosing a good, professional piercer and having the piercing done in the proper environment.

What should you look for in a piercing parlor that will reduce the risks of body piercing?

First impressions count! When you walk in the door, scan the waiting area. Is it clean, neat and professional looking? If the front of the shop isn’t clean, it’s a sure thing that they can’t keep the back area clean. If you first impression makes you wary, turn around and walk out the door.

Credentials

Check to make sure they are licensed by the local board of health to operate as a piercing studio, and make sure their license hasn’t expired. Also look for membership in a recognized group such as the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), which sets high standards for membership and requires extensive training. An APP certification will indicate that the piercers have taken classes and been through a rigorous apprenticeship program.

Helpful, Knowledgeable Staff

Ask questions, and lots of them. If the employees don’t know the answers and are more like sales clerks pushing jewelry than anything, you should be wary. They may have a high turn-over of staff for some reason; this is also a red flag. If, however, they can answer your piercing questions and give you good, clear advice, then they have been well-trained by someone with experience.

The one exception may be if the studio is very large and they have a few sales people who only work the front counters. If this is the case and you begin asking questions, they should answer honestly that they are salespeople, and be willing to refer you to a piercer or apprentice who can discuss your concerns with you. There should always be a piercer on location at the studio or parlor when it is open — always.

Printed information

Ask to see the aftercare information they provide to individuals getting pierced. If you hear, “Oh, your piercer will explain all that to you,” insist on seeing the printed version before getting pierced. If they don’t have printed, step-by-step instructions, walk away. It is too easy to forget what you need to do, forget the name of the product you should be using, etc. if you don’t have printed instructions. If they aren’t willing to spend the money to print the instructions for their clients, who knows where else they might be cutting corners!

Read through the aftercare instructions and see if they are current with the prevailing standards. A good way to evaluate this is by checking them against what you see on sites such as BME, Tribalectic and APP. If the piercing literature still recommends using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, for instance, to clean your piercing, then the studio is not keeping up with the current research in body piercing care and may cause you unnecessary suffering and longer healing times.

The rules are there for a reason

If you’re a teenager and they don’t ask for I.D. or tell you to come back with a parent or guardian, do not thank your lucky stars. Leave! The law says your parent has to be present, and any studio that bends or breaks the rules on one issue will do the same on others.

In other words, if they are willing to “ignore” one rule to grab your money, they will ignore others to turn a higher profit. They may decide that the expense of an autoclave is unnecessary, or that reusing piercing needles is a great way to save some money. You are a minor and have little or no protection without your parents present, and they know this — that’s why they do it — to take advantage of you, pure and simple. If you are going to get pierced, make sure you take a parent or guardian with you for your own safety. If they’ve been cool enough to get this far with you, they’ll survive going to a piercing parlor, trust me.

The rest of the place

We’ve made it past the waiting room and decided that the piercing parlor seems okay so far; they have current credentials and health certificates, their aftercare instructions look good, and they had Dad sign a consent form. Are we ready to go? Not yet. You still need to check a few more things. Don’t be afraid to interrogate them about the piercing room and the sterilization process itself. These are two of the most important things to consider.

Ask these questions before ever getting pierced:

• Do you sterilize your tools in an autoclave? May I see your most recent spore test results? If they don’t do spore testing at least once a month, don’t get pierced there. Spore testing is the only way to know if an autoclave is effectively sterilizing the equipment, and autoclave sterilization is the only method approved by the Association of Professional Piercers.
  
• How long have you been piercing, and how did you learn? Body piercing is complex, and any piercer who is a professional will gladly explain where he learned and from whom. It takes quite a while to learn what types of jewelry and needles are best for each piercing and to learn how to place the piercings optimally. If a piercer seems defensive or less than forthcoming, be hesitant to let him touch you with a needle.
  
• May I see the room where you’ll be doing the piercing, and can I watch you set up? Check out the area where the piercings are done. Do they wipe down the area before and after every piercing? Do they maintain a clean, dust free environment at all times? When setting up, make sure that the sterilized instruments are put on a tray and not touched except with washed, gloved hands. Make sure the piercer uses gloves for the entire piercing and changes them frequently.
  
• What type of piercing needles do you use? There is only one correct answer: Single-use, pre-sterilized, disposable needles. These should not be opened except in your presence at the time of the piercing. If they use a piercing gun for any piercing, leave immediately. No body piercing should ever be done with a piercing gun, which causes bruising, trauma and excessive tearing and bleeding.

“I’ve chosen the parlor and piercer and I got a really cool body piercing. Now what?”

AFTERCARE!!! There is nothing as crucial to addressing the risks of body piercing as properly following the guidelines for piercing aftercare. Since you’ve chosen a reliable, professional piercer, you will have a set of aftercare instructions that will tell you what to do to properly care for your piercings.

Do not skip a day because you are too tired, too busy, or because you “forget.” Aftercare is literally preventative care — you are taking care of your piercing in order to prevent an infection and to enable the wound to heal properly. While following your aftercare instructions, watch for signs of trouble so that you can address them early on before they turn into real problems.

Signs of a potential problem that you should bring to the attention of your parents (if you are a minor) or your piercer are:

• Discharge that is green or yellow from the piercing
  
• Splitting, oozing or cracking and bleeding of a piercing more than a week old
  
• Swelling and redness after the first few days
  
• Pain and redness or red streaks radiating out from the piercing
  
• Migration (movement of the piercing) up through the layers of skin
  
• Difficulty breathing and swelling of the tongue within hours of a piercing, especially an oral piercing
  
• A rash or hives soon after a piercing
  
• A lump or bump forming at the base of the piercing

In some cases, you will need to see a doctor; in others your piercer will be able to advise you on the proper steps to alleviate the situation. The important thing is to catch any small problems before they turn into big ones. If you follow your aftercare instructions and monitor your piercing carefully, you can minimize the risks of body piercing so that you can enjoy your new body piercing completely!

This article “What are the Real Risks of Body Piercing?” reprinted with permission.
Copyright © 2004 Evaluseek Publishing.

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About the Author:
Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her work because it gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world every day. Right now, she knows a little bit about almost everything, and a lot about body jewelry, wholesale body jewelry, and toe rings. She has two dogs who are spoiled and one teenager who is not.

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Is it possible that it’s already been a year since your baby arrived? Your knees and your back don’t lie - your baby is almost one year old. And you, naturally, want to throw a big celebration to commemorate the day. But first birthday parties are notorious for producing more tears than smiles, and no one likes a crabby birthday boy (or girl). So here are five ideas for throwing a tear-less first birthday party that everyone will enjoy.

1) Think Photo Op.

A baby’s first birthday is essentially an extended photo opportunity. The pivotal event is the moment when the baby stares at the becandled cake, just before plunging his or her hand into it. The rest of the party is just filler. So plan a brief (one hour - tops) celebration with as few distractions as possible.

2) Minimize extra kids.

If your baby has cousins close by that he or she already knows well, by all means include them. But a first birthday party is not an occasion to introduce your baby to bunches of new people. Grandparents or close friends, other family members and maybe a neighbor or two - keeping the guest list short will minimize the stress on the baby and on you. And where kids are concerned, remember that the noise level will affect everyone, so go shorter rather than longer on the invitation list.

3)Visuals are key.

Back to the photo op - a happy baby, smiling delightedly at her cake, dressed for posterity, surrounded by happy guests and balloons, is the ideal takeaway from this celebration. So set up the party to go the right way by scheduling it when baby will be well rested, and jumping into cake-cutting mode when baby is relaxed and happy - schedule be danged. Great pictures are your reward for letting baby take the lead.

4) Gifts after cake, if at all.

Bright colors and noisy wrapping are so exciting for your child that he or she can come undone. Save the gift-opening for after the cake event, if you have gifts at all. Lots of parents skip the gifts altogether at a first birthday party, as they notice how overwhelmed with plastic toys they are, even BEFORE the big day.

5) Celebrate generations.

Like all family celebrations, a first birthday party is an observation of time passing. Take special photos of your baby with the oldest family members and friends in attendance, as well as photos with older cousins or friends, and a group shot with the whole party in the frame. And don’t forget your animals!

You’ll notice that a successful first birthday party has none of the elements we associate with older kids’ parties - leave out the games, prizes, entertainment, pinatas and crafts. Most parents overdo it, thinking that complexity in a child’s party equals fun. Oftentimes, it’s just the opposite - the simpler, the better. And when the baby gets droopy, don’t try to keep her up. After all, it’s her birthday - if she’s sleepy, let her sleep.

You can sleep well, too, knowing that you’ve celebrated a tear-free birthday party and will have lovely memories to cherish. See how easy that was?

Liz Ryan is a workplace expert and mother of five children, and the leader of the online network WorldWIT (http://www.worldwit.org). She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

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One thing you can count on during the first days of school is the inevitable question of “What did you do over the summer?” Here are a few creative ways to describe your summer experiences for the first edition of Show and Tell.

1. Flip Books

Create a moving picture of your summer fun with a flip book. Start out with a Post-It pad or a pocket-sized spiral notebook. Draw the first picture on the last sheet of paper and work your way to the first page by changing the picture little by little. For instance, if you learned how to surf over the summer, you might start with a picture of you lying on a surfboard in calm waters. The next picture could show the waters growing a little choppier. The following drawings could be of you slowly turning, then standing on the board as the wave grows larger, and so on.

2. Summer Collage

Illustrate your summer happenings with one of my favorite forms: collages. Simply use glue to cover a poster board or even several small postcard-sized papers with magazine cutouts, sections of road maps, photographs, movie and concert ticket stubs, restaurant menus, train schedules, and any other mementos from your summer.

3. Map It

Instead of just telling the class where you went and what you did, pinpoint our summer destinations and activities on a map. If you stayed close to home, use a local road map. If you were able to travel to several cities and states, use a countrywide map. Glue magazine cutouts of activities, or actual photos of your fun onto the map. For example, if you went to a dude ranch in Dallas, glue a picture of a horse onto the map in Dallas. If you visited Mount Rushmore, glue a photo of your family onto the map in South Dakota. The same goes for rock climbing, swimming, snorkeling, and anything else you had a chance to enjoy over the summer months.

4. Seashell Memories

Capture every fun moment of summer vacation on seashells. If you didn’t get a chance to go to the beach, don’t worry-most craft and hobby stores sell bags of seashells. Use acrylic paint and a clean paintbrush to paint pictures inside the shells. My son’s summer shells feature an octopus in the ocean (from snorkeling-we didn’t actually see an octopus, but he wishes he had), a colorful clown from a friend’s birthday party, an airplane in the clouds, and the night sky filled with stars and a bright crescent moon.

Deborah Shelton is a mother, freelance writer, and author of “The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little Ones.” Visit Deborah’s website for more family-friendly ideas: http://www.fiveminuteparent.com

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When you’re responsible for throwing a baby shower, one of the most important things to remember are the baby shower invitations! The first thing you need to think about is the theme of your baby shower. All the invitations need to reflect this theme. Is it going to be a boy or a girl, or is it a surprise? Is the nursery going to be decorated with ducks or bears? What colors should be incorporated? All of these are very important questions that you need to ask yourself when planning for a baby shower.

The mother’s personal preferences should also be taken into account. Does she like bold and bright colors, or is she into subdued pastels? If you’re unsure, ask those that know her best. After all, the shower is about the mother and her child, and the baby shower invitations are likely to appear in the baby’s scrapbook - an eternal memento of the baby’s first party.

Once the theme has been planned, it’s time to prepare the baby shower invitations. Will you make your own or order printed invitations? Whatever you decide, remember that baby shower invitations need to be sent out weeks in advance and should list all the important information, such as time, date, location, and RSVP information. Are men allowed at the event? You need to make sure this is noted on the baby shower invitations if they are. Also be sure to include any locations where mother and baby may be registered.

Creating baby shower invitations yourself is always an option, but for truly special baby shower invitations that will be treasured, hiring an expert or a printing company may be the best way to go.

Whatever you decide, you should make a special keepsake for the new mom with these baby shower invitations. One of the most creative ways to give the mother a special gift would be to make a small display box with the invitation displayed along with little baby-related trinkets such as a rattle and diaper pins. This will help get the mother-to-be started on saving all the precious memories that are soon to come with the arrival of her child.

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Once a child reaches their toddler years, ages 1 to 3, feeding can become a challenge. Developmental changes are occurring at this age. Toddlers are trying to gain independence and control and meals are part of that pattern. Keep in mind that good sense as well as planning will make this transition a smooth one.

Toddlers are making the change from the diet they had as an infant to one more like your own. Now is the time to introduce new flavors and textures as taste preferences are established at this age. Make choices that are packed with nutrients and limit sweets and empty calories.

Toddlers will explore with self-feeding, first with fingers then utensils. Offer your child plenty of opportunity to experiment. Help out when your child becomes frustrated, but once skills are mastered, step away and let them take over.

To build strong bones, milk is an important part of the diet. It provides Vitamin D and calcium. Before age 2, a child should drink whole milk to gain the benefits they need. After age 2, you may begin to switch to lower fat milk. Around 12 to 18 months, it is a good idea to transition to a cup. Gradually cut out bottles, don’t do it all at once.

Watch closely for iron deficiencies after your child reaches 1 year. Iron deficiency can affect mental, physical and behavioral development. To help prevent this, limit milk intake to 16 to 24 full ounces per day, increase iron-rich foods and continue serving iron-rich cereal.

To ensure optimum nutrition, you should avoid large amounts of sweet desserts, soft drinks, sugar-coated cereals, candy and chips. These item shave little, if any, nutritional value. Also be wary of foods that present a choking hazard such as peanuts, whole grapes, popcorn, tough meats and hard candy.

There are also steps which will help mealtime be an enjoyable time for you and your toddler. It needn’t become a war zone. Don’t battle your child over food and meals. Be flexible when it comes to your child’s acceptance of certain foods. Do not use dessert as a reward. This only sets up a child for unhealthy eating habits later. Ensure the food is easy for your toddler to eat. Cut into bite sized pieces, make sure some foods are soft and moist, use child-sized feeding utensils. Seat your child in a secure chair. At first, avoid foods that are difficult to chew slowly adding them in as your child is ready. And always supervise your child while they are eating!

Knowledge and common sense go a long way in making this transformation easier on you and your toddler. Make mealtimes enjoyable. Use them as quality time.

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There are many themes you can choose from when planning a baby’s nursery. Probably one of the most popular and beloved themes for a baby’s room is Winnie the Pooh. A Winnie the Pooh nursery theme is a great choice for many reasons. First, it works great for a boy or a girl. If you don’t know your baby’s gender or if you are planning to have more children, a Winnie the Pooh baby nursery is the perfect fit. Another reason a Winnie the Pooh room is a good option is that due to the popularity of it, you will have no trouble looking a wide selection of Pooh baby bedding and other Pooh themed nursery items such as art work, rugs, hampers, and lamps. You will even have your choice of regular Pooh or Classic Pooh.

Here are some ideas for decorating a Winnie the Pooh themed baby nursery:

Find a Pooh baby bedding set that you like and buy all the coordinating items that you would like to use. Items that you can usually find to match you nursery bedding include window valances, a hamper, table lamp, and crib mobile.

Decide how you would like to prepare the walls in your Pooh nursery. You could simply paint them white or a color that compliments your Pooh bedding. Another option is to use a Winnie the Pooh wallpaper and/or a wall paper border on the walls. Stenciling Pooh and his friends on the wall is another cute option. For something really dramatic, you could hire an artist to paint a mural of the 100 acre woods on one wall of the nursery. This is an expensive option, so if you have a tight budget for planning you baby’s room, you will want to consider other options such as purchasing Winnie the Pooh wall stickers to accent the walls.

Finish up the room by adding the little touches that make it cozy. A nice Winnie the Pooh rug will warm up the floor. Décor for the wall can include Winnie the Pooh art work or wall hangings. The baby quilt from the Pooh bedding set could be hung on the wall as a wall hanging since it is too bulky to use for a newborn baby. You may want to add some Winnie the Pooh touches to the nursery furniture as well. Pooh knobs could be added to the dresser and Pooh could be added to the ends of the crib by stenciling, painting, or applying decals of Pooh to it.

When planning your Winnie the Pooh nursery, keep an eye out for items you can use. Pooh merchandise is available all over the place so you may find things you can use in your room in the most unexpected places. Also don’t feel that you have to use only Pooh décor in the room. Non-Pooh items may also fit nicely and compliment your rooms décor. Just use your imagination to be creative and you will be able to create a wonderful room for your new baby.

Rebecca Johnson is owner of several websites including Decorating-Your-Baby-Nursery.com which provides advice for decorating a baby nursery and Find-A-Great-Gift-Idea.com which offers gift ideas for many occasions and recipients including baby gifts ideas.

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Custom baby bedding is the ultimate luxury for you and your baby. When planning your nursery, you may have a non-standard crib size or unique wallpaper or wall finish that might make it difficult to find ready-made bedding. It’s worth investigating custom baby bedding either locally or on the Internet. You might just find that the cost of a custom set is lower than you think - often lower than high-end designer sets. Here are some things to know about designing your own baby bedding.

When designing custom baby bedding, the baby’s safety and comfort should be the first consideration. Fabric should be 100% cotton, colorfast, durable and, most importantly, washable time after time. Stain resistance is a nice feature to have. Avoid things like applique or fringe that might come off and cause choking if ingested by the baby. Although fabrics like chenille might seem attractive, they should be avoided in favor of simpler, smoother fabrics.

When shopping for custom baby bedding, know your source. Be sure to get cost estimates from several designers, and be sure to ask lots of questions. If you have your own fabric, be sure the designer will allow you to use it, and reduce their price accordingly. Don’t compromise your baby’s safety by placing too much emphasis on style. Pillows, for example, aren’t appropriate in a young baby’s crib. Crib bumpers are somewhat controversial - some people think that, although they protect the baby from the hard sides of the crib, they present some danger of suffocation like pillows do.

So do your homework, choose a reputable designer and keep an eye on costs. Your custom baby bedding may take 4-6 weeks to complete, but it will be exactly what you want in terms of fabric, color and concept.

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Almost all households have plants indoors. Plants can be very beneficial to our health, but they can be extremely harmful to our children. A lot of plants are toxic. Find out which ones.

Having plants in the house can be beneficial to our health. They act as natural filter for toxins, carbon dioxide and purify our air. Keep in mind if you have children some of these plants are poisonous. After reading about the various poisonous plants you can decide if having them inside the house and out of reach is okay.

An Aloe Vera plant can be poisonous if the latex is ingested. The latex in it can cause purging of the large intestine. Aloe plants can be beneficial in treating burns and other minor dermatitis. If the aloe plant is going to be used make sure you cut away the skin and inner layer that produces yellow juice. Only use the gel.

Amaryllis is a bulb plant that many people use because of its wonderful winter bloom. The irritant in this plant can cause diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. The irritant is located in the bulb and a large quantity is needed to cause a reaction. Another plant whose bulb is poisonous is the Cyclamen. The bulbs are found underground and taste very bitter so it is unlikely that your child will eat them.

All parts of the Flamingo Lily are poisonous. This is a blooming plant. Although it is poisonous when ingested, ingestion does not typically occur because chewing on any part of this plant will cause painful irritation of the mouth and throat. You will know if a child has chewed on this plant if they have difficulty swallowing and they have blisters around the mouth. Another plant that may cause similar symptoms is the plant called Angel Wings. Dieffenbachia or Dumb Cane can also cause irritations of the mouth but they also can cause speech impediments that can last for several days. Similar symptoms are caused by consuming this plant, Swiss-cheese Plant or Split-leaf Philodendron.

The beautiful Kaffir Lily is poisonous. A large amount has to be consumed to see any symptoms which include diarrhea, paralysis, vomiting and collapse. It is only the roots that are poisonous. So your child would have to chow through a lot of Kaffir Lily roots to show any of these symptoms. Chewing on the bark of a Croton will cause mouth irritations. The bark, roots and leaves are poisonous.

Angel’s Trumpet has been known to affect cattle who have consumed it. It is a nicknamed “loco weed” because of that effect. Sometimes it is also called the Thorn Apple. All parts of this plant are poisonous. It will causes spastic movement, drowsiness, even a coma, hallucinations and elevated temperature.

A favorite Christmastime plant can be toxic. It is the Poinsettia. The Latex, leaves and stems are considered poisonous. It used to be classified as extremely toxic but has since been downgraded. Reactions in humans include nausea and vomiting.

English ivies are grown indoors and outdoors. The leaves are poisonous. If ingested symptoms could include breathing difficulty, convulsions, vomiting, paralysis and a coma. The berries that it produces are very bitter so it is unlikely that children will consume them. Similar symptoms can develop if the leaves and buds of a Hydrangea are consumed.

The Devil’s Backbone, sometimes called Mother-of-Thousands, is a plant to be very careful with. The adult plant has plantlets that grow along the leaf edges and can easily come off. Children can knock these off and have ready access to them. The poison has been known to be fatal to mice.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas have a low toxicity but it would be best to keep your children away from them. A Jerusalem-Cherry is a nursery plant that is brought home by consumers. The fruit and the leaves are poisonous. The name can be enticing enough for children to attempt consuming the leaves. It will cause abdominal pains and vomiting.

So keep all this information in mind when choosing plants. Some of these plants have low toxicity and may be used in the home with a close eye on your children.

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Do you remember playing with toy planes as a child? How if you used your imagination, rather than running, you were flying right alongside your toy airplane. This is a great way to share a piece of your childhood with your children. If you enjoyed this activity as a child, why wouldn’t you want to share this with your children?

Often as parents, we are afraid our children won’t like the same things we did, because there are more technologically advanced things on the market today, and yet our children will get all kinds of toys with bells and whistles at Christmas time and still have more fun playing with the wrapping paper and boxes than the gifts filling them. Think about this when you wonder about your cherished memories being too lame or old fashioned. After all, how long have cardboard boxes been around?

I always make a point of showing my children the things that had a large impact on my childhood. Whether they enjoy them or not is entirely up to your child, but you can build memories simply through the act of sharing those things. We live in a world where time is such a precious commodity, how could you possibly better spend your time, than sharing fond memories of your childhood with your children, especially the memories of good clean fun.

Toy planes today are far more sophisticated than they were when we were children and yet the old-fashioned wood and rubber band airplanes still exist. And the most amazing thing is that both of them are good sellers even after all these years the traditional toy plane is popular among children and parents as a bonding experience. Toy planes represent freedom, wings, what more beautiful thing can you give a child to play with?

John Gibb is the owner of toy planes guide, For more information on toy planes please check out www.toy-planes-data.info

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