Search Results for: blog keep an eye out for possible problems

Being Frugal Is A Way Of Life – New FL Blogger Intro

Finally, I’m writing my Frugal Living introduction post. Better late than never, I always say. I wanted to say hello to my fellow FL living blogger Mary Ann Romans, and all of Families.com new bloggers. Since starting with this website about a month ago I’ve been having a lot of fun writing in my various topics. Being able to share and learn is a wonderful thing. As the title of my blog today states, being frugal truly is a way of life, not just one area of it. Many times someone may start out counting pennies in the area of … Continue reading →

Ask a Pets Blogger: Helping Pets with Flaky Skin

My cat has terrible dandruff… at least I think it’s dandruff! She’s always got flakes on her skin and in her coat. What can I do to clear this up? This is a conversation I get to have often at the cats-only boarding facility where I work. As part of our check-in process, we give each cat a quick brushing with a very fine-toothed comb. Our goal is to check for fleas, but we often end up talking to owners about skin and coat care… and dandruff. Dry skin can be a seasonal problem, especially in the winter months when … Continue reading →

Keep an Eye Out For Possible Problems

I have written about how I am NOT on board with the general mythology and theories that children who are raised by single parents have more problems than children who are not. This said, I do think that we can be diligent and not bury our heads in the sand. We can still keep an eye out for possible problems and try to catch them before they become huge. I think it takes some care and balance to stay alert, without jumping to conclusions and assuming that every normal developmental shift or evolution is a potential “child of a broken … Continue reading →

Multi-Generational Restaurant Outings

I don’t know if there is anything that strikes fear and trepidation in the hearts of parents of young children more than the restaurant outing. Going out as a family to the local Denny’s is challenging enough, but the multi-generational dining experience–the one at the trendy bistro for grandma’s birthday, or the Easter brunch–can force a parent into experimental relaxation techniques weeks before (and after) the big event. I remember when my own children were young, it seemed no matter how carefully I tried to prepare for these events–and to prepare my children–it was just a recipe for disaster. One … Continue reading →

Visual Dysfunction: More than Meets the Eye

I know what you’re thinking: My child can see perfectly. I can skip this blog. But there’s more to vision than just seeing. Children with sensory integration dysfunction often have problems processing visual information, even though they can “see.” (If you have concerns about your child’s basic ability to see properly, click here.) I often notice that my son Kyle will put objects close to his eyes when he’s playing or thinking. Kyle has normal vision but I believe he is under-sensitive to visual stimuli. That means he craves visual input, and so he watches video clips repeatedly, creates movement … Continue reading →

Teen Sleep Deprivation Study

I remember when I was a teen, it seemed like I never needed to sleep. Now, if I don’t get 8 hours a night, I am a total grump. But, a recent study showed that sleep deprivation in teens can be potentially dangerous. Lela R. McKnight-Eily of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was the lead author of the study recently published in Prevention Magazine. She and other researchers looked at data from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Study. That study collected info on teens in grades 9 through 12 from every state and the District of Columbia and … Continue reading →

When Your Intentions Are Misunderstood

Have your intentions ever been misunderstood? You think you are going about something the right way and suddenly it comes back to slap you in your face. Well that is what happened to me this week. But I have to first preface this with a little background. I have the most amazing children, I really do. I am so proud of them and I feel so blessed that despite them being 17, almost 14 and 12, I have had minimal problems with them. However there is always that one child that if anything, keeps life interesting. For our family it … Continue reading →

Mold Eradication

My college roommate lives in a charming house in the southeastern part of Wisconsin. She and her husband bought it for practically nothing and renovated the heck out of it. The reason the fixer-upper was such a steal was that it had a major mold problem. Personally, I wouldn’t have gone near the place in its original condition, but they saw a gem amongst the rubble. Still, mold is nothing to sneeze at. Or is it? According to doctors, mold exposure can lead to sinus problems, eye irritation, and wheezing. That’s why it is so important to eradicate mold from … Continue reading →

The Effects of Off Gassing on Our Children

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When Maggie was born, I knew little about off gassing. I knew it existed, I knew it caused problems, but I wasn’t overly concerned. Then she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and protecting her lungs became our number one priority. That is when my husband and I began to pay much closer attention to the products in our home. We rid our house of chemical cleaners and bleach and we keep the windows open as often as possible. We also used no VOC paints and run air purifiers throughout our home. Off gassing has become a serious threat to our … Continue reading →

Ptosis

A condition of the upper eyelid that can occur at birth, due to surgery of the eye, disease or injury is known as ptosis. The most pronounced symptom of ptosis is droopiness of the eye. This can manifest itself in one or both of the eyes. Other symptoms include inability to close the eye shut, problems with blinking, straining and fatigue of the eye or eyes, crossed eyes, double vision, and/or irritation. Ptosis is caused by a nerve or a weakness in the muscle that keeps your eyelids open (levator muscle). If it is due to a birth defect, a … Continue reading →