Myth 1: Head lice jump from one head to another

Reality: Head lice can only be passed by direct head to head contact when they walk from one head to another — they cannot jump or fly!

Myth 2: “Head lice can be caught by sharing things like hairbrushes, towels or bedding

Reality: Head lice only survive on heads, dying quickly away from their heat and food source. Any lice found on hairbrushes, towels etc. will be either dead or dying and so unable to infest a new host.

Myth 3: Lice like to live in clean hair

Reality: This myth started out as “lice only live in dirty hair” but has changed over the years. Lice have no preference whether hair is clean or dirty as long as they can get to their dinner.

Myth 4: Pets can carry head lice

Reality: Head lice are a purely human parasite. They cannot infect cats, dogs, or other pets

Myth 5: Head lice can swim

Reality: In water’ lice close down their bodily functions and cling on tight. They would die eventually but people couldn’t stay underwater for long enough for this to happen.

Myth 6: The best way to prevent your child from getting lice is to shave their head

Reality: Lice live close to the scalp and are very small which means they can live on even the shortest hair. In fact, lice will find it easier to move from one closely cropped head to another as they have less distance to travel up the hair shaft. Never shave your child’s hair as a way of dealing with head lice; it only makes the child feel ashamed and you guilty.

Myth 7: Break their leg, they can’t lay eggs

Reality: It takes a lot of force to remove a leg from a louse and more importantly, it makes no difference to the female’s ability to lay eggs. What you need to do is remove them from the head. Therefore, a better phrase would be ‘”off the head, as good as dead”.

Myth 8: Only children get head lice

Reality: Head lice live just as well on adult heads as on children’s, so they can be easily spread between people of all ages.

Myth 9: “If one child in a school has them, there’s going to be an epidemic!

Reality: Head lice can only be passed from direct head to head contact –which is why they usually spread between good friends and family. If a child has head lice there’s no reason for them to be kept away from school for fear of starting an epidemic. Parents should simply tell their child not to ‘bump heads’ with their friends until their treatment is over.

Myth 10: Schools still check children for head lice so parents don’t have to

Reality: “There are no more ‘nit nurses’ in schools. But parents and carers really are the best people to check their family’s hair for lice - once a week is ideal and the whole family should be checked, including adults.

Parents getting tough

When questioned, three-quarters of parents said they wanted tougher penalties for those parents or
guardians who take little or no action to combat head lice.

A quarter of those polled by leading head lice treatment Hedrin would welcome the introduction of fines for parents who don’t check their child’s hair regularly. Over a third (35%) would like children with head lice to be excluded from school until they have gone, whilst 18% feel the child should be allowed to continue at school but be kept in quarantine until the head lice have been dealt with.

In addition, one in five believe that parents who don’t deal with their child’s head lice should be named and shamed by the school, whilst 8% would like to take the dramatic step of naming and shaming them in the local media.

I understand parents’ frustration and desire to apportion blame, but quarantining children, and naming and shaming parents, is not the way to go about it. That simply increases the risk of bullying, teasing, and exclusion. Education is a far better method of proactively controlling the situation.

We have all heard it more than once; children are like sponges. They absorb every word and every action, even when you think they’re not looking. A child’s brain develops more in the first few years of life than at any other time. From the minute they are born, babies are aware of their surroundings and interested in exploring the world around them. Scientists have proven that from the first days of life, a baby’s brain is in constant motion and they are always actively learning. They are busy observing and gathering knowledge about their surroundings.

As a way to measure the progress of a child’s development, paediatricians refer to a guide to help check a child’s progress. Developmental milestones are tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. Although, every child develops at a different speed and even children that are developing normally may reach a particular milestone at a different time. These milestones include: imagination, education, language, dexterity, locomotion, social, and emotional. For example, some basic milestones that a 3 month old is accomplishing can include:

Emotional ~ learns trust and enjoys being cuddled
Social ~ enjoys playing and attention and smiles and recognizes parents
Locomotion ~ maintains head upright during tummy time
Dexterity ~ plays with fingers and extends arms toward objects
Language ~ turns head in the direction of someone speaking and babbles whether alone or with others
Education ~ recognizes parents voice and maintains interest in something for about a minute
Imagination ~ smiles at self in mirror

One great way to further the development of these milestones is with the use of developmental toys. Developmental toys make playtime not only fun but help your child learn and develop important skills at the same time. These toys are made for babies and children of all ages and play an important role in a child’s learning process. It can be something as simple as a brightly colored stuffed toy for a baby or a logical thinking game for a child. Of course loving and nurturing a child is always the number one priority of any good parent. There is a world of opportunity out there and developing necessary skills is the building blocks of a bright future.

For more information about developmental toys and great places to buy them, visit my blog at http://babybraintoys.blogspot.com/

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Nearly half of all parents can’t remember ever being taught the right way to sneeze and cough, even though over three-quarters know how to brush their teeth properly, and three in five remember being shown how to tie their shoelaces.

Kleenex’s Sneezesafe campaign, though ultimately in place to sell more of Kimberly-Clark’s tissues, has some useful tips for ensuring that the family minimises the disruption and misery colds cause in the wintertime:

1. Use a tissue to blow your nose and to cover coughs and sneezes
2. Throw used tissues in the bin as soon as possible
3. Wash your hands as soon as you can

It’s clear that kids pick up on what their parents do: 52% of parents don’t wash their hands after they cough, 77% of their children don’t; 46% of parents sneeze into their hands, 65% of their children do.

The campaign is aimed at four to six year-olds, and their parents. Hopefully lessons learnt now will stand them in good stead for the future.

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing to do. It is one of the most important things that you can do to give your child the very best start in life and it is likely to be the first most important decision a mother and family will make about their baby’s health and upbringing.

We may all possibly be aware of the major benefits to mother and baby that breastfeeding confers.

But it does take commitment from both mother and family.

Possibly one of the biggest issues is that breastfed babies often spend more time ‘at the breast’ than formula fed children do whilst being fed; this is purely because bottle-feeding is functional (the activity only provides food). Breastfeeding however provides food and nurturing. It is common for the baby to snuggle up to mother and fall asleep whilst feeding in this comfortable, secure environment (this intimacy leads to bonding which is a very important aspect of breastfeeding). For this reason I personally thought for the first six months that our new baby did not have a face! I only ever saw the back of his head! This leads on to more practical matters such as making sure mother and baby are comfortable for these periods and as happy and secure as you can make them both. Although this can mean a lot of ‘nurse-maiding’ it is wise for dads to remember that they are part of a team giving baby the best food, on tap, when he or she needs it. It comes out of the breast ‘ready to serve’ and is tailored to the baby’s age and nutritional needs. There are also no bottles to worry about, no formulas to mix, you don’t have to worry about sterilising everything, getting the temperature right, and, baby’s poo even smells better!!

Breastfeeding is not just the best source of food but also a good source of comfort and security. Mother’s bonding with her child can start here, if it has not already happened during pregnancy; breastfeeding is the most natural way of bonding. The eye-to-eye and skin-to-skin contact that breastfeeding requires strengthens the attachment and bonding between mother and child. Breastfeeding helps mother to get to know and understand her baby. It is an important step in building a trusting relationship that extends well beyond baby years; it is not just the best source of food for a growing baby but the ultimate in terms of safety and security. There are some emotional adjustments to be made. Family members may become jealous of the intimacy and attachments that occur between mother and baby through breastfeeding. From a father’s perspective, one sometimes has to wrestle with one’s feelings for baby, as this new-comer muscles in on what was your sole territory. But this time is very important for mother and baby, and it is often easy to forget that a family’s job is to care for and support mother as well as baby. The help required from family members is very important but the most important is the care and support from dad. He can provide physical and emotional reassurance, he can head off discouragement and negative criticisms from other family members, and he can make mother comfortable whilst breastfeeding with such simple things as providing food and drinks, or even helping with the household chores or with other siblings.

Sleeping can also be an awkward time. If you do not want to sleep with baby in the bed, the cot should be placed in close proximity so that mother can virtually ‘do it in her sleep’. But here breastfeeding can be a major benefit to other family members because they may not be woken in the middle of the night. Mother simply attaches the baby and satisfaction is guaranteed!

There are other lifestyle modifications that are required for breastfeeding:

• Having the right clothing to allow easy access for baby
• Being willing to stop your routine for unplanned feeds
• Continuing with a cessation of drinking and smoking
• Watching what drugs or medications are taken

There are many other reasons that breastfeeding should be the first choice food for babies.

Just remember breastfeeding can be good for baby, mother and family - breast milk is perfectly formulated to meet your baby’s nutritional needs and…

It’s what breasts were designed for!

Breast really is best.

For more extensive information on breastfeeding its benefits and practical implications visit breastfeeding at From Little Acorns Academy

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Learning to spell words correctly is an important skill that will help students throughout their life. It helps with both reading and writing which are essential skills for success in today’s world. This is why the weekly spelling test is such a staple at schools throughout the United States. Knowing it is important is no consolation to those many students who struggle to learn spelling words each week or worse fail those spelling tests. What can parents do to help their children better prepare for those spelling tests? There are three simple strategies to helping children master their weekly spelling words — read, say, and write.

Most children receive their spelling words on Monday so the work should begin Monday afternoon or evening. Today you will set the foundation for the week’s work. Have the child read the list through and study each word. Then have the child say each word and spell it for you from the written list. Finally, have the child write each word three times. Now put the list away for the day.

When children struggle with spelling it often helps for you to show the child the patterns that can be found in the word list and carefully go over the words that break that pattern. Show the child how to sound out a word and give them clues that will help them remember. Demonstrate how acrobat can be broken into ac-ro-bat, for example.

On Tuesday you will likely want to repeat the same activities unless you feel the child is comfortable with the words and then you can skip ahead to the next day’s activities. The intent of these first two days is simply to familiarize the child with the words without placing any pressure on her.

Wednesday it is time to see how well the child knows the words. Give the child a written spelling test and then check the words. Have the child write each word that is missed three times. Then give the child an oral spelling test on the words that were missed. If the child stumbles on any of the words then spell the word with the child. Now put the list away for the day.

Thursday can be easy or challenging depending on the words that week and the child’s success with them. If the child is still struggling with several words then simply repeat the Wednesday activities. Try to do so as early as possible to give you time to work with the child on a couple words throughout the evening. Remember to emphasize the patterns and clues that you discussed earlier in the week.

Friday is the big day and the moment of truth to see if all your child’s hard work has paid off. Try to allow extra time before school to go over the words again. If the child’s confidence is low then do not test, simply spell the words out loud with the child. If you drive your child to school this is a great activity for the car.

Find more free parenting tips at http://officialfamily.info

View more articles from Deanna Mascle

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While I haven’t read the book, Marie Claire magazine suggests that the main thrust of the book is that “women should make certain changes in themselves, to avoid their partner’s eyes from wandering”.

Neuman, a psychotherapist, has based his book on the responses of 25,500 men, some who have remained faithful, and some who have not.

Ninety percent of husbands who had cheated on their wife said that they were significantly dissatisfied with their marriage.

Rather simplistically, Neuman suggests, “Men will eventually find their way into the arms of another if they are not getting enough sex at home.”

Unsurprisingly, the book’s content has riled many women. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s annoyed some men, too.

Who should take responsibility for marriage?

The man?

The woman?

Or should both partners take an equal share of responsibility in maintaining and nurturing their relationship?

Neuman’s soundbite — that men will stray if they don’t get enough sex at home — may well be a gross oversimplification of what’s written in his book, but there’s no doubt that he’s said it.

This assumes that sex — or a lack of it — is the only thing that will make or break a marriage.

It also suggests that Neuman believes men should be entitled to as much sex as they want with their partner (and even this may still not be enough for some), while the woman should simply roll over and take it (if you’ll excuse the phraseology) — regardless of her feelings.

What rot.

A healthy relationship is built on love, communication, trust, and compromise.

These elements not only maintain super-relationships, but help to rescue those that are in danger of going off course before they smash into the rocks and end in unfaithfulness and potential separation.

I wonder if Neuman — or, perhaps, a female equivalent (if there is such a person) — would blame the man if a woman strays?

Stereotypically, the reasoning would be far less to do with sex — the physical act, at least — and far more to do with a lack of attention, disinterest, lack of romance, feelings of being unappreciated, and so on.

Yet, to varying degrees, any number of “issues” can affect a relationship. If left unchecked, it can lead to unfaithfulness, even without any other person becoming involved.

Sex is important in a marriage relationship, and can maintain a strong bond, but it can’t do that in isolation, and isn’t a miracle cure for a decaying relationship.

I’m sure Neuman’s book has much more to say on the subject, but I’ve a horrible feeling all that’s picked up on is that men are portrayed as sex-starved animals who’ll simply go wherever they can be physically fulfilled, while women are their slaves who should be grateful they’ve been picked, and should do all they can to hold on to them.

In the real world, not all men are like that, and many couples take a holistic approach to their relationships.

In fairness, Neuman doesn’t write rubbish, and I believe he is for marriage (great marriages in fact). However, something in “Why Men Stray…” doesn’t sit quite right.

OK, over to you. What do you think? Have you read Neuman’s book? What did you think, honestly? Leave a comment below.

It will offer families the opportunity to take part together, with the added bonus that children can run for free when taking part with their family.

Ben Leach, Director, The Fix UK, said, “The latest government obesity figures prove grim reading. People in Britain are getting fatter and in particular this is affecting our children. Obesity brings with it a host of health related problems that cost the NHS an estimated £2bn every year, and brings with it misery to families. If our children are becoming obese before adulthood, for health and longevity this is surely a ticking time bomb. We are trying to put the onus back on the parents to help take responsibility for their children’s physical fitness.”

For entry details see The Fix UK

In addition, two out of five mums didn’t know that there are a huge range of groups and classes available.

“Many new mums feel isolated and need to meet other mums who are going through similar experiences, but it can be difficult to know where to meet them,” said Sam Willoughby, founder of What’s on for Little Ones. “Taking part in local activities gives mums the chance to meet other parents, share tips and advice, and make lasting friendships. Plus, babies and children have the chance to have fun, meet other children and learn new skills too.” The site offers a completely free to search and doesn’t even ask parents to register. All the information is quickly available, dates, times and everything else parents need to know including links to websites and contact information plus a map of how to get there! The information is up to date as the people running the classes and activities for children can update their details whenever they need to.”

WhatsOn4LittleOnes.co.uk

A new study by pensions company AEGON suggests that retirement is almost a second adolescence for some, with people now looking towards a world trip or a new career when their current working lifestyle ends.

Over 2,000 people between the ages of 50 and 65 were surveyed to gauge their attitudes towards retirement and to see what sort of financial provision they have in place.

The survey reveals that 56% expect to carry on working in some capacity after they reach retirement age (which will no doubt please the Government) and, for most, not because they have to.

More than one in ten said ‘love of the job’ made them want to stay in the work force, while 14% argued that they were simply ‘too young’ to retire. Interestingly, 12% said they would like to try out a completely different career in their retirement.

Those who don’t want to continue working are looking to far-flung destinations, with over a fifth of people taking a holiday trip of a lifetime, including long-haul touring, travelling around Europe, or action and adventure holidays.

Celebrities like Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, and Madonna are setting the standard for those at retirement age.

Financially speaking, 42% of those surveyed thought that they’d be better off than their parents, and 32% better off than their children.

However, over half admitted that they could have been better prepared for retirement had they thought about planning for it sooner.

Rachel Vahey, Head of Pensions Development at AEGON, commented, “Retirement isn’t the abrupt cliff edge it once was and, for many of today’s “baby boomers, retirement age marks a new and exciting chapter of their lives. But if you want to make adventurous life choices and have a more flexible approach to retirement, it requires careful planning. Younger generations should take note and make sure that they have enough income to enjoy their second adolescence.”

Enter Pickle & Boo’s exclusive breastfeeding bracelets, which not only subtly remind mums which breast is next, but add a touch of glamour too. Just what’s needed when a lot of other things involve sick, poo, and nappy changes.

These ten bracelets are made with Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, and Pickle & Boo’s signature “This Side Next” engraved sterling silver heart tag.

Threaded onto a strong stretch cord to make it easy to switch the bracelet from wrist to wrist, they are generously strung
(8.5 inches approx) to be worn slightly loose for comfort. The bracelets are elegant and discreet — chicly designed and genuinely functional — yet virtually unrecognisable as obvious ‘nursing jewellery’.

1. Smokey Sparkle: a sophisticated combination of sparkling smokey topaz Swarovski crystals and gleaming olive freshwater pearls
2. Light Sapphire: beautiful light sapphire blue and aquamarine Swarovski crystals, combined with pale blue Swarovski pearls
3. Black Diamond: understatedly glamorous combination of black diamond Swarovski crystals and silver grey freshwater pearls
4. Maybe Baby: palest blue and rose pink Swarovski pearls and crystals, entwined with sterling silver dazzle dust beads and heart charms
5. Glamour Puss: dazzlingly pretty peacock green freshwater stick pearls with topaz and palest green Swarovski crystals
6. Fabulous Fuschia: (pictured) bright fuschia Swarovski crystals, complimented by rose and ivory Swarovski pearls
7. Lovely Lavender: gorgeous lavender and tanzanite Swarovski crystals, accented with creamy Swarovski pearls
8. Linen Glow: a sophisticated and classic combination of ivory fresh water pearls, sparkling Swarovski crystals and sterling silver rondelles
9. Palest Jade: washed green Swarovski crystals and creamy Swarovski pearls
10. Vintage Rose: attractive vintage rose Swarovski crystals and pale pink Swarovski pearls

Joanne Pibworth, founder of Pickle & Boo said, “We know that breastfeeding a new baby can be very demanding both physically and mentally, so it’s easy to lose track of which side you fed from last. Our bracelets are designed to keep life simple for new mums — just switch the breastfeeding bracelet to your other wrist after each feed and you’ll never need to wrack your tired brain again!””

The bracelets are packaged in a shimmering lavender organza bag concealed within an ivory gift box complete with tissue, ribbons and an explanatory notelet, making them the perfect gift for a new mum.

Available from PickleAndBoo.co.uk