Business, economic development - the unofficial Chamber of Commerce

Purchasing a crib is a critical decision for new parents. A baby crib is the focal point of the nursery, but more importantly it must be a safe place for the baby to rest while mom and dad are not in the room. Think about it! Your infant will spend most of her time away from caregivers in the crib. So selecting the safest crib for your newborn is of utmost importance; it will become the centerpiece of a warm, inviting nursery as well as the safest place when not in mommy’s arms.



The first choice you’ll need to make is which style baby crib you would like for the décor of your baby’s nursery. There are a variety of styles of cribs available nowadays.
The first and most common is the standard crib. When selecting the standard baby crib you need to be mindful of the two types of models.


Standard baby cribs either have a single drop side or a double drop side where both sides drop down. It depends on your needs and where you would like to position the baby crib in your nursery.


The standard baby crib will provide the classic baby nursery look; however it will not provide the longevity on the next option, the convertible baby crib.


Convertible cribs convert to a toddler bed from standard crib. These cribs even have the possibility to change from a toddler bed into a day or full sized bed. This long lasting feature offered by convertible cribs makes them a very attractive choice for new parents. Although they are a more costly item when new baby expenses are all ready piling up the convertible baby crib can ideally save you money in the long run.


Next in line would be canopy cribs have four posts on the corners of the bed. These posts hold up a usually metal frame on which you can place fabric canopies. Parents who buy canopy cribs want a more elegant & sophisticated design for their nursery. Round cribs are gaining popularity. Round cribs come with a canopy frame and they add a touch of class to your baby’s nursery. Round Cribs usually have large double wheel casters which make the round crib easy to move when you need to move to another area.

Let’s say you have guests and you want to have them sleep in peace and quiet, you can roll the baby in his/her round crib in your bedroom. Round Crib locks into place when you have found the perfect spot for it. Round baby cribs give the look and feel of a canopy yet round baby cribs add mobility for the parents.

For the traveling parents, a portable crib is an option. Portable Cribs give parents the flexibility of taking their child anywhere to get a good night sleep. The portable crib goes anywhere and everywhere you go. Bring the comforts of home when you travel - whether on vacation or just visiting Grandpa. The portable crib folds compactly to easily carry with you. Some portable cribs, convert into a comfortable crib mattress when your child outgrows the bassinet. Parents who travel often may consider the standard baby crib for home and opt for a portable crib when out and about.


Once you have decided the type of baby crib you’d like begin to shop around. For starters, research the names of reputable furniture stores and crib manufacturer.

Your shopping experience for baby cribs is one that is propelled by finding the best for baby. This isn’t a time to bargain hunt. Locate a store or showroom browse around and inspect the construction of the available cribs. Any crib worth considering should be made with a sturdy construction. The frame of the baby crib must be solid and secure. If possible check to see if the crib is stable in all positions as most baby cribs on the market today convert and adjust to grow along with the child. Inquire about when and where the baby crib was manufactured. If interested, learn the type of wood from which the baby crib is constructed. Be sure to verify that the baby crib comes complete with instruction and warranty.

When your choice is finalized and the crib arrives in your home there are a variety of safety matters that need to be put in place. The first begins with assembly. Be sure to follow all instructions. Test again to ensure that the crib is sturdy and secure as it was in the furniture store where you purchased it. If you opted for a crib with movable parts be sure all sides or rails lock into place. Nothing could be worse than the thought of the baby injuring himself while holding onto ill-assembled crib rails. When placing the mattress inside the frame of the baby crib make sure they are right against all of the sides of the crib sets. You would not want your child’s foot to get lodged between the crib and mattress. Over time any mattress that appears worn or ill-fitted to the crib frame should be replaced immediately.

Before long, the time will come when you can adorn your crib with the bedding. Some safety rules will apply here as well. You should always take off any jewelry, pillows or stuffed animals from the baby when you place them into the baby cribs. This will keep the baby safe from any choking or suffocation hazard. Do not place the crib sets close to windows, lamps, electrical plugs or curtains. Soft pillows, mattresses, comforters, stuffed toys and bumper pads are not be used in cribs sets. When babies play with toys in the crib they should be supervised. As your child grows it is important to reassess the safety of the baby crib.

For example, when the baby can sit up, make sure you move the mattress down to the lowest point. As your bundle of joy starts teething you may need to affix a plastic guard to the bed rail as many growing youngster develop the habit of gnawing on the crib frame. Some baby cribs are designed with non-toxic finishes. Selecting and using a baby crib for your infant is challenging task, but one that will provide safety and design to your baby’s nursery.

About the Author

Michelle W is the web production manager for Babyage.com which is one of the top online retailers of Baby Furniture on the web with over 100 Cribs alone! Visit the largest assortment of infant Cribs on the web at BabyAge.com

Child Car Seat Safety:

We know you love your children, but so many people do not follow these simple car seat safety principles. By following these easy steps you can ensure your child is completely safe in your car.
Just to get one thing straight, there is no one best child car safety seat. The best car safety seat is determined by various factors that you as the parent need to take into consideration. The seat needs to fit your child’s height and weight, as well as be able to fit properly in your car.

Another common misconception is price. More expensive, does not always mean better quality or the seat is better safety wise.

The first step of proper car seat safety is of course determined by the age of your child. Any child that is under the age of twelve should be kept in the back seat of a vehicle. This is especially true if your car has passenger side air bags.

Infants should be in a rear facing car seat until they are at least one year old and twenty pounds. After they are twenty pounds they can be placed in a front facing car safety seat until they are around forty pounds or they have reached the maximum height recommended for the specific car safety seat in question.

Once a child reaches forty pounds, they should be placed on a belt positioning booster seat. The vehicle’s normal seat belt should not be used until they are around eighty pounds or 4ft 9 inches tall.

As always read your car’s owners manual as well and any manuals with the car safety seat.

Additional Car Safety Tips:

Most accidents that occur over a parent/child incident occur when a parent is trying to turn around and discipline their child. Think about it, you are taking you eyes as well as you mind off of the primary task at hand (driving) and exclusively focusing on your child who should be, and usually is behind you in the back seat of the vehicle.

To prevent this the best thing to do if you must discipline your child is to find a place to pull over and do so then, when you are not moving.

Child Safety is our primary concern, check out these FREE child safety related resources at Child Safety Booster Seats

“I WON’T DO IT!” “YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!”

Whether parent or teacher, we have all “been there” and “done that” with a child exhibiting refusal behaviors. Before “losing your cool” and your power as well, interventions and strategies are provided for use to help deescalate this classic power struggle.

-Avoid placing yourself in a stand-off situation with the child.

-Don’t “mark a line in the sand” unless prepared to follow through with the consequences on your own. Creating a demand situation….”You will sit in your seat or I will call someone to seat you”….will cause the authority figure to lose his/her power. This is a main goal of oppositional children…personal control over their environment.

-Under a demand situation, especially with authority figures, an oppositional child will be more likely to escalate to extreme opposition. Stop talking. Give the child a chance to detach from the situation with some power. Problem-solving the situation when both parties are calm will prove more productive.

-Phrase requests which are more likely to bring an oppositional response with a negative statement…”I don’t expect you would want to….” Or “You probably wouldn’t want to…..”

-Create a situation where it is more worth the child’s while to be part of.

-Use distraction.

-Give choices which give the student some control.

-Give the student a specific leadership role during stressful transitions, such as day care dismissal. Monitoring younger children for appropriate dismissal behavior, such as sitting quietly, would be an example of a specific leadership role.

These children can be extremely challenging. Should a pattern of continuing emotionality become evident, additional advice from professionals, such as the child’s pediatrician or a school guidance counselor, would be recommended in order to develop a positive behavior support system to help ensure behavioral success.

Sheree S. Marty has worked with elementary school children as a school counselor for the past nine years. A physical education teacher for thirteen years, Ms. Marty earned her Master degree in Counseling in 2000. Ms. Marty is the author and owner of “Chinese Jump Rope”, a childrens games book and website. For more information, visit http://chinesejumprope.tripod.com

Parents are often advised to put their child in time-out as a form of discipline. While this sure beats the old-fashioned method of spanking as a behavior management tool, it still presents a few problems. Not the least of which is … who’s gonna make him go?

If he refuses, and you pick him up or drag him over there, haven’t you just resorted to controlling your child using physical force? And how much different is that, truly, from spanking?

I have a proposition for you. Instead of giving your child a time-out, take one yourself! After all, YOU are the only person whose body you can easily move. And your attention is the ultimate goal of most misbehaviors.

Imagine this scenario:

Junior konks Baby over the head with a toy.

Giving him a time-out might look like this:

MOM: Junior, go take a time-out for that.
JUNIOR: No! No! I won’t go!!
MOM: Oh yes you will!

And she picks him up and spends the next 10 minutes trying to make him stay on his time-out chair in the corner, while Baby sits alone on the floor, watching.

Clever Junior just scored himself 10 minutes of his mother’s undivided attention. Sure, she might be yelling and angry, but she’s ALL HIS, and the intensity of her attempts to control him only make her more interesting. This is why you sometimes see a child smirk while being disciplined.

Now try this on for size:

Junior konks Baby over the head with a toy.

Mama, her voice filled with loving concern, scoops up Baby into her arms and says, “Oh my goodness, Baby! I can see it is not safe for you here. Let’s go play in your room for a while.”

And whisks herself and Baby off to have loads of fun in his room, while leaving the instigator alone with his toys. (Of course, she must still keep an eye on Junior, so she can’t go too far away.)

This time it didn’t work out so well for Junior, did it? He learned that if he wants attention and company, and of course he does, then he better not hit Baby. And Mama never had to say a word to him.

Your attention is THE most powerful reinforcer in your child’s world. Use it wisely! Lavish it on him when he behaves in appropriate or kind ways. And turn it to something else when he does not.

Think of your attention as a watering can - sprinkle generously on behaviors and attitudes that you want to thrive, and avoid watering the weeds. Instead of yelling or giving negative attention, which is still attention, turn your focus away from your child and on to something else until he is behaving appropriately again. If other kids are impacted by his behavior, take them with you. There is always something around at any given point in time that could benefit from your attention … a sink full of dishes, the laundry, phone calls, or a good book.

The inappropriate behavior will wither away in the drought, and sprouting in its place will be attempts to gain your attention through positive means, like apologizing or making amends. When this happens, water those gestures generously with praise, smiles, eye contact, and hugs.

This means the end of lectures, yelling, fighting, and arguing with your children. Say goodbye to that sinking feeling of helplessness when you feel out of control. You ALWAYS have control of your own attention! Harness it consciously, and it will serve you well.

Besides, disciplining in this way is so much more fun for a parent than yelling! And kids shouldn’t be the only ones in the family who get to have fun. You know the old saying … the family that plays together, stays together!

Copyright 2005 karen alonge

Karen Alonge is an intuitive life coach and parenting mentor with 20 years of experience helping families with all types of challenges. She offers consultations by phone, email, and IM. Clients often notice dramatic changes in their daily experience after only one session. Please visit www.karenalonge.com for more information.

The teenage years are a test, for parents and for teachers, but most of all, for the teens themselves. Teens are constantly being tested on life decisions, and they need a lot of guidance at a time of life when they least want to hear it. But much of the time teens are amazingly wise about the issues we worry they will not be able to handle. The trick is to guide them, while allowing them to hold on to that independence they so value.

You can guide your teens by coaching them to arrive at the smart and sensible answers they already know, and just have to discover within themselves.

Here are nine questions you can pose to your kids to develop the process of thinking through their life issues. These questions work in just about any situation, such as peer pressure, school achievement, and dilemmas that come with hard to make choices.

Pick one or two. Don’t overload. Sometimes one key question opens the gateway for your teen to reach that “Aha!” moment and do the right thing for his or her life.

Questions for your teen to reflect on:

1. Can you give your full commitment to this plan?

2. Where would you like this decision to take you?

3. What will you do when there are temptations to do something different from what you have planned?

4. What will it feel like to meet this goal?

5. How can you keep remembering that there is a better way to think about some things? […when you feel yourself slipping.]

6. What will happen when / if you don’t follow through? How will you help yourself make a correction?

7. What can you tell yourself if your resolve begins to weaken and you need a confidence boost?

Final Tip: Sometimes teens need a mentor or an adult they respect, who is not their parent. It does not diminish your role as a parent. What is happening when your teens seem to respect the opinion of others though you would have said the very same thing? They are working on the normal adolescent process of growing away from you. The behavior of teens can be very confusing. Remember your teen is exploring how to be with and without you as an integral part of his or her life. If your child does work with a mentor type person, it is a good idea for you to know who the supporting adult is, but once you have trust in that person, stepping aside may be a great gift to your teen.
If you do decide to encourage your teen to find a mentor, here’s the question to plant:

8. Who is a person you feel comfortable going to, to talk things over when you need a sounding board?

Parents, don’t expect feedback, but welcome it. You will get your best feedback in the results you see.

Ellen Mossman-Glazer M.Ed. is a Life Skills Coach and Behavioral Specialist, specializing in Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties. Over her 20 years in special education classrooms and treatment settings, Ellen has seen the struggle that children and adults have when they feel they don’t fit in. She now works in private practice with people across the USA and Canada, by phone, teleconference groups and email, helping parents, educators, caregivers and their challenging loved ones, to find their own specific steps and tools to thrive. Ellen is the author of two on line e-zines, Emotion Matters: Tools and Tips for Working with Feelings and Social Skills: The Micro Steps. Subscribe for free and see more about Ellen at http://artofbehaviorchange.com.
You can take a free mini assessment which Ellen will reply to with your first action step.

“There is nothing new under the sun,” states Ecclesiastes 1:9. This is certainly true of the nature-nurture debate, the modern name for the ageless argument about the importance of learning in the development of the child. While one side argues that the development of the child is mainly a process of maturation, with learning playing no more than a supportive role, the other side maintains that learning determines the entire course of a child’s future.

The wise king Solomon certainly supported the nurture assumption when he stated in Proverbs 22:6, “Train the child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” The famous French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, on the other hand, posited a natural development of the child. In fact, he wanted the child to be protected from the influences of society so that he can grow up as Nature intended him to be.

A thorough study of feral children, and children who were raised or kept in extreme isolation, makes it difficult NOT to support the nurture assumption.

FERAL CHILDREN AND WHAT WE LEARN FROM THEM

Probably the best-known story of feral children is that of the two girls, Amala and Kamala, who were raised by a she-wolf. In 1920 the reverend J. A. L. Singh saw a mother wolf and cubs, two of which had long, matted hair and looked human. After considerable preparation and difficulties, the two human creatures were captured. They turned out to be two girls whose ages were assessed by Singh at about eight years and one and a half years respectively.

The creatures were taken to an orphanage in Mindapore, India, where the Reverend and his wife were stationed. Singh described them as “wolfish” in appearance and behavior. They walked on all fours and had calluses on their knees and palms from doing so. They were fond of raw meat and stole it when the occasion presented itself. They licked all liquids with their tongues and ate their food in a crouched position. Their tongues permanently hung out of their thick, red lips, and they panted just like wolves. They never slept after midnight and prowled and howled at night. They could move very fast, just like squirrels, and it was difficult to overtake them. They shunned human society altogether. If approached, they made faces and sometimes bared their teeth. Their hearing was very acute and they could smell meat at a great distance. Furthermore, while they could not see well during the day, they could orientate themselves very well at night. In September 1921 both girls became ill, and Amala, the younger, died.

There are many other stories of feral children in the literature, amongst others the story of a boy who lived in Syria, who ate grass and could leap like an antelope, as well as of a girl, who lived in the forests in Indonesia for six years after she had fallen into a river. She walked like an ape and her teeth were as sharp as a razor.

These stories do far more than just to confirm the important role of education. They actually show that a human being not only can but MUST be educated to become a human being at all. A bear does not have to learn to be a bear; he simply is one. A duck needs no lessons in duckmanship. And an ant leads a perfectly satisfactory life without any instruction from other ants. Even when isolated from birth, animals usually retain clearly recognizable instincts. A cat that is raised among dogs, will still behave like a cat. He won’t try to bite the postman. There are only a few exceptions, such as the lion cub, which would not be able to hunt the wildebeest when raised in isolation.

Man, however, enters this world very poorly equipped. The knowledge a child needs to become fully human is not dormant. Everything the child eventually knows, or can do, must be learned. This of course excludes natural body functions, such as breathing, as well as the reflexes, for example the involuntary closing of the eye when an object approaches it. Everything else, however, must be learned.

A child must LEARN to walk erect, to talk, to eat with a knife and fork, to catch a ball, to ride a bicycle, to swim, et cetera. The mastery of these skills does not fall from the sky. A child must also learn to sustain his attention, to listen when spoken to, to follow through on instructions, to control his behavior and to sit still and remain in his seat when the situation so requires. These abilities, which play a determining role in school success, also do not happen automatically. The same applies to qualities such as friendliness, thankfulness, honesty, truthfulness, unselfishness and respect for authority. All these skills and qualities - and many more - must be learned for the child to eventually lead a happy and successful adult life.

PARENTS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT EDUCATORS

The road to adulthood can be compared to a traveler who wants to travel from one place to another, but does not know the way. He therefore needs directions. If he receives the wrong directions, he will never reach his destination. A child who enters this world is in exactly the same situation. He also has a destination - he must become a grown-up man or a grown-up woman - but he has no idea how to get there. Consequently, he needs to be directed by grown-up persons, who have already traveled along this route, and who therefore can lead him to adulthood.

The problem is that most people have come to identify the term “education” and “learning” only with schools and schooling. The school has grown from the modest institution it was in the nineteenth century to one that is blamed for all the ills of society and is seen as potentially capable of curing them. The school’s functions and influence have been extended - some would say over-extended - and therefore the school is exceedingly vulnerable to criticism. It is, however, very important to note that the whole of education does not take place in the school. The school is especially responsible for the FORMAL aspects of education, namely subject instruction, in order to provide society with an able workforce. The parents, on the other hand, are the PRIMARY educators of their child. And, as the primary educators of their child, THEY have the greatest responsibly to direct their child to adulthood.

Being a parent is a tremendous privilege. But it is also a tremendous responsibility. Therefore parents must make sure that they are properly equipped for the task at hand because, as the late violin teacher Shinichi Suzuki so rightly stated, “The destiny of children lies in the hands of their parents.”

About The Author

Susan du Plessis is the co-author of “The Myth of ADHD and Other Learning Disabilities; Parenting without Ritalin,” and the author or co-author of four other books on learning and learning disabilities. She has been involved in helping children reach their full potential for 15 years. She holds BD and BA Hons (psychology). Visit her website at http://www.audiblox2000.com

The birth of a baby calls for a birth announcement that is as special as the new bundle of joy. Birth announcements are normally sent to family and friends within a few weeks of the baby’s birth. The most popular birth announcements which are custom printed with your baby’s photo and information can be purchased at numerous stores all over the web. While these announcements are quite beautiful and are the most common way to spread the news about a birth, you can your baby apart from the crowd by introducing the newborn baby with something unique and different. Here are some great fun and unique ideas that we’ve found. Most of these items can be purchased on the web or made by you (but with a new baby, it is usually hard enough to find time to just take a shower).

1) Candy Wrapper Announcements from http://www.candywrapperstore.com/

This announcement is as sweet as the new little sweetie that you’ve added to your family. Birth announcement candy wrappers can normally be personalized with the Baby’s Name, Birth date, Length, Weight, Birthplace, Parents Names and Sibling Names. Some companies will also personalize the wrapper with your baby’s picture for that extra special “sweet” touch. These baby birth announcements are usually printed out by the company on glossy paper and then mailed directly to you. Normally, you will supply the candy bar so you can pick your favorite flavor such as Hershey’s Chocolate with Almonds, Ghirardelli Mint Chocolate, etc. and then wrap each bar in the personalized candy wrapper birth announcement. You can hand these out to friends and family or throw them in the mail for a fun and sweet surprise.

2) Baby Food Jar Announcements from http:www.welcomebaby.com/

You can purchase sets of self-adhesive labels that can be attached to baby food jars or other small jars filled with treats like M&M’s, Skittles, Chocolate Mints, etc. The company will print your child’s photo (which you supply electronically via e-mail) on the label along with other birth information that you would like to include. These newborn birth announcements are absolutely unique and adorable!

3) Photo Cookie Announcements from http://www.cookiegiftbaskets.com/

You can buy sets of fresh-baked gourmet cookies that have your baby’s photo and birth information on the cookie. Each cookie is individually wrapped in cellophane with a bow. What a sweet way to announce the stork’s recent delivery!

4) Beer Bottle Announcements from http://www.storkgrams.com/

The perfect announcement choice for those of you who want your friends and family to toast the new arrival. You can choose from several designs of self-adhesive labels that will be custom printed with your baby’s birth information. The labels will be sent to you so that you can adhere them to the beer bottles (or any bottle for that matter).

5) Birth Announcement Photo Magnets from http://www.magnetqueen.com/

Photo magnets are the perfect birth keepsake for friends and family. Your baby’s birth will be remembered for years to come as these adorable magnets are hanging on the refrigerator or other metal surface. The baby birth magnets are available in various sizes and you can also purchase envelopes for mailing them out to friends and family. You simply supply the photo and birth information so that they can custom print the magnets for you. Spread the word of the new arrival in a way that will stick (literally)!

Visit Baby Gifts and Gift Baskets for all of your Baby Gift giving needs. Featuring a huge selection of gift baskets, blankets, personalized items, Gund® bears and more, http://www.baby-gifts-gift-baskets.com makes buying your next baby gift easier than ever.

Abstinence Rings

“What purpose does abstinence jewelry serve?” I hear this question all the time. For all of you who still don’t understand the importance of abstinence jewelry, read on!

Will an abstinence ring alone keep you abstinent? No, of course not. But abstinence jewelry serves incredibly useful functions. Most importantly, your abstinence ring or other piece of visible jewelry serves as a physical reminder of your promise to be abstinent. Staying abstinent is a choice that empowers every area of your life. So whenever you glance down and see your ring throughout your day, you will be reminded that you decided to pledge abstinence. Your abstinence jewelry gives you recurring reinforcement.

Why abstinence rings and jewelry?

Because you wear them! They are visible to you at any given moment. Each time you happen to see it is another opportunity to renew and revitalize your decision. Really, there are many physical objects will achieve this for you, but jewelry is a great choice. Pick out a ring that is special to you. Make it meaningful, and don’t choose a ring that you aren’t going to want to wear.

Abstinence is a personal choice that commands a sense of pride. You don’t have to tell the world about your decision, if you don’t want to. But by wearing an abstinence ring, bracelet or necklace, it shows that you respect yourself. You are not ashamed that you, personally, have value. And ultimately, making life choices that bring you pride is the best way to maintain your convictions. So your decision lasts.
Choosing abstinence, you will be faced with countless distractions to knock you off course. But just remember, we develop the capacity to truly love another soul by first directing that love on ourselves.

If you display your abstinence ring with pride…

1. You become proud of your abstinence pledge.
2. You are constantly reminded of the value of your decision.
3. Your conviction to remain abstinent takes root inside you.
4. Your capacity for love grows larger, and you are rewarded with health, happiness, & purity.

The Pro Abstinence Journal is collective diary where teens can express their views in an open abstinence forum along with other issues surrounding abstinence education. Read what people are saying, or speak up and share your own views. Visit us at http://proabstinence.com

Selecting a present for a new mom or dad can be a challenging task. Baby showers are a great way to help support a new mother with her new baby. New mothers can sign up at a gift registry to avoid duplicate gifts and to indicate her gift preferences. Here are some good gift ideas for baby showers:

1) Diapers - Diapers are a popular gift for baby showers. Every new mother will need plenty of diapers for her new baby and this is a very safe gift to get if you do not have any other ideas or don’t know what other people are getting.

2) Personalized Blanket - A personalized blanket is a nice gift for a new baby. Having the name on the blanket gives it a personal touch and makes it a great keepsake even after the baby outgrows it.

3) Stuffed Animals - A new baby needs plenty of toys to stay entertained. Stuffed animals are always a favorite among newborns. A teddy bear is the most traditional gift, but other stuffed animals are also acceptable gifts.

4) Baby Gift Baskets - Baby gift baskets can contain a wide variety of baby supplies in them, including baby wipes, diapers, clothes, and just about anything else that can fit. Gift baskets can also be taylored to the new mother as a token of appreciation. Such gifts can include gourmet foods, candles, and other decorative keepsakes.

5) Baby Clothes - A new baby can never have too many clothes. Clothes can come in a variety of styles and may include hats, booties, and other accessories.

6) Baby Accessories - New babies require many accessories. Baby bibs are popular as well as blankies. Other ideas include baby bottles, pacifiers, and high chairs.

7) Shirts for Mom and Dad - T-shirts can be a nice gift for new moms and dads. Some common sayings on these shirts are “New Mommy” or “New Daddy”. Some shirts also say “Mom to Be” or “Dad to Be” - a way to let everyone know that a new child is on the way.

Keepsakes - Various keepsakes will also make nice presents at a baby shower. Baby picture frames can hold pictures of the new baby or family for years to come. Other keepsakes include figurines and decorative candles.

About the Author - Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more related articles, go to Baby Shower Ideas (http://www.101babyshowerideas.com).

Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits above remain in tact and the hyperlinks stay active.

1. They can make mistakes under your guidance

2. They will learn how to save for the future

3. They will learn that money doesn’t “grow on trees”

4. They will appreciate what they have

5. They will learn to make choices and set priorities

6. They may stop nagging you for money

7. There will be less friction in your household

8. They will learn healthy financial behaviors

9. They will learn your values

10. You can teach them that it isn’t all “about the money”

11. They will learn how to spend wisely

12. They will be prepared to enter the grown-up world.

13. Allowances will teach your children to be resourceful, independent and unique.

14. An allowance is a “tool to empower your children to avoid commercialism’s clutches.”

15. You can teach them to avoid the pitfalls of debt

16. You can help them improve their communication skills around money.

17. An allowance now could help them avoid future “marital money chaos”

18. They’ll learn the difference between quantity and quality.

19. They’ll learn how it feels to make a poor choice and have to live with it.

20. They’ll learn how to resist impulses (sometimes, maybe!)

21. They’ll learn to appreciate and take care of their things.

For help in designing an Allowance system that works for your family, please contact Cindy at 541-387-2995 or by e-mail.

(c) Phelps Creek Financial Coaching - All Rights Reserved

Cindy S. Morus (www.phelps-creek.com) is a Certified Financial Recovery Counselor specializing in showing women and their families how to achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. She is also a Certified Credit Report Reviewer and Get Clients NOW! licensee. Contact her at 541-387-2995 or cmorus@phelps-creek.com She is also the publisher and editor of “Financial Fitness”, an internet gazette dedicated to helping people improve their financial fitness no matter what decisions were made in the past.

Attention Ezine editors/Site owners: Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or website as long as you leave all links in place, do not alter the content and include our resource box as listed above. If you do use the material please send us a note (cmorus@phelps-creek.com) so we can take a look. Thanks.