Hmmm … Matthew has just started school (Early Learning Centre) about a week ago and he seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit. At least he doesn’t cry himself to sleep like when he was in childcare. Or kicks up a big fuss in the morning. He also didn’t cry when we sent him to school on the first day which was quite a big surprise for us and for his teachers. This was because he made quite a big fuss when he went in a couple of times for orientation in the previous term.
So, that’s a little update from our family.
Well, besides parents sending their children to formal school like we have done for Matthew, there seems to be an increasing number of parents in South Australia who have decided to [homeschool](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_school) their children. An [AdelaideNow news report](http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25825345-2682,00.html) states that “more than 830 children stayed at home” for their studies. As for us, we haven’t ever thought of homeschooling Matthew as we prefer him to go to school and mix with other children. But I’m aware that homeschooled kids have combined activities (social and sports) as well through homeschooling support groups. So what do you think about homeschooling?
***Do note that homeschooling might not be legal in where you live. So, do check with your respective education departments for more information.***
In health news, children who take plenty of dairy foods are expected to live longer, a study highlighted in [BBC News | Health](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8170002.stm). Although the report didn’t say by how much longer, but it does say that taking milk and cheese (with its high dairy and calcium) helps to protect against stroke and other causes of death. So, ensure your children take lots of dairy products. Matthew has at least a bottle of milk in the morning and 2-3 slices of cheese. Hopefully, that is enough dairy and calcium intake for him so that he can live a longer life. 
And now for a good cause! **Sara Wilson** from [The Fresh Air Fund](http://freshair-press.com/) has been sending me emails with regards to putting up information about the Fresh Air Fund, which I haven’t done. So, if you are in the United States and Canada, do click on the link and see if you are able to assist by hosting “The Fresh Air Fund” children in August or by donating. Help to change some children’s life.
Tagged as:
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Education,
elc,
family,
health,
homeschool,
homeschooling,
milk,
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south australia,
the fresh air fund
Having neglected Blogging Parent for quite some time, I guess now is the time to start blogging here again.
The [first one](1) is about the effects of the parents’ eating habits directing affecting the child’s habits. The children’s food habits tended to echo the parents’. This has implications on how obesity prevention programs are run to maybe including the whole family in it. In addition, they found that it is much easier to change the dietary habits from a much younger age than when the child is older.
The [second report](2) also has to do with obesity though this time is when the mummy is pregnant. Mummies-to-be who are overweight has double the chances of having babies with abnormalities such as [spina bifida](3). Other abnormalities include heart defects, cleft lips, and other neural tube defects. It must also be noted that obese mummies-to-be increases their own risks of other health problems. So, be very careful with your weight as it affects you and your baby.
The [third report](4) is about the linkage between family stress and a child becoming obese.Some stress factors could be a family accident or illness, death, divorce, unemployment or exposure to violence. It could even be worrying about the child’s health and development. So, if you are facing high stress, do seek support from family and friends to help reduce the stress levels. (via [Inside Motherhood](5)).
And finally, [never leave your child in a parked car](6), particularly in summer. This is because temperatures within the car can reach fatal levels within eight minutes to the dangerous level of 40 degrees Celsius. Anyway, besides the heat, it is simply not safe to leave your child in the car as someone might just break in and drive the car away with your child in it. Has happened a couple of times across Australia, but thankfully none of the children were harmed. Why take that risk?!
[1]: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25008512-2682,00.html
[2]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7879498.stm
[3]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spina_bifida
[4]: http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNewsMolt/idUKTRE50K56H20090121
[5]: http://www.insidemotherhood.com/2009/01/27/study-stressful-home-environment-can-make-children-obese/
[6]: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25016914-29277,00.html
Tagged as:
Child Health,
eating habits,
obesity,
Parenting
Sorry that I have been away from this blog for quite some time. Was a little busy with moving the whole family Down Under to Adelaide. We have finally settled in nicely and I guess it’s time to revive this blog.
So, to start of, here’s some quick links that I’ve accumulated over the past month:
- [Why parents are unsure how to control their children](http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24538924-2682,00.html)
We are facing some of these same issues that is highlighted in this news article. But we will try our best to ensure that Matthew has a healthy and acive lifestyle as well as strong family relationships.
- [Light drinking ‘no risk to baby’](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7699579.stm)
Well, I still believe that once you are pregnant, there are just some things you’ll need to give up. And one of them is alcohol.
- [Cut caffeine, pregnant women told](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7705319.stm)
Well, I guess the researchers needed to add in other caffeinated drinks, such as Coca Cola, into their study. The study shows that the caffeine results in babies with low birth weight. And children born with low birth weights have a higher incidence of health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
- [Lungs ‘boosted’ by breastfeeding](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7715261.stm)
Guess this gives even more impetus to promote breastfeeding.
- [Stress hits even before pregnancy](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7767316.stm)
So, even stress before pregnancy can be a big cause of preterm delivery. Guess for anyone who is trying to be pregnancy, it’s good to manage your stress levels way before you become pregnant.
