Tots and TV

When your toddler starts to throw a tantrum, sometimes the easiest thing to do is turn on his favorite TV show and let him calm down. This simple solution, however, could be doing some serious harm.
A new study finds that using the TV to calm down your child could actually have the opposite effect. The study, which observed more than 7,400 children born in 2001, required caregivers to assess a child's media exposure and self-regulating behaviors at 9 months old and 2 years old. Those with fussy tendencies — struggling to pay attention, sleep, or keep calm — had nine more minutes of media exposure a day than the more laid-back toddlers. Researchers also noted that this extra exposure, although small, could have a huge impact on children's futures.

 

"The more media children are exposed to, the more they start to expect it and prefer it to other activities," Dr. Jenny Radesky, the study's lead author, tells Today.com. She also noted that while children seem to be at peace in front of the TV, their cool composure could be a result of overstimulation and being "stunned into silence." In order to keep kids calm and engaged in the outside world, Radseky suggests keeping screen time to a minimum.


"When media is used as the primary way to calm kids down, that can be a problem," she says, "because kids won't learn how to do it themselves."

"Dad, did my hair!"

check out this link for some funny hairdos done by Dads.....

Should it stay or should it go?

 Spring is here!! Finally!  But now is the time to clear out the cobwebs and dust the shelves but have you ever wondered what you need to throw out?  Check out the top 15 things to throw out now - you might be surprised

 

 

1. Old Spice Jars

Wondering why your chili has lost its kick? Your spices could the be culprit. Anything on the spice rack over two years old should be tossed immediately, and while some chefs will replace their spices every six months, we say a year and a half to two years is fine. But honestly, for the sake of your dinner guests, don't use out-of-date spices!


2.  Expired Medication
This is a serious one! You should always keep an eye on your medication's expiry dates before taking them, and do a proper cleaning once or twice a year to double check dates and restock.


3.   Old Pillows

If you can't recall the last time you bought new pillows, it's probably time to buy new pillows. Regular washing will help keep your pillows clean and extend their life, but it's best for your health to replace them every two to three years.


 

4.  Old Cell Phones

It's not like you'll ever take your clunky old cell phone for a spin, right? So why let it gather dust in a drawer? Look up your closest donation centre and give that old gadget the boot.


 5.   Wire Hangers

You're doing your wardrobe a disservice by storing it on wire hangers. They don't hold up, and can even damage clothing. Return your wire hangers to your dry cleaner and invest in a set of wood or velvet-wrapped hangers.


6.   Invitations and Thank You Cards
Recieve the card. Read the card. Appreciate the card. Toss the card.

Saving every single letter that arrives in your mailbox, no matter how beautiful it is, is silly. Would you really risk treading into hoarder territory for the sake of embossed cardstock?


7.   Tea Towels

Tea towels and dish cloths should be washed weekly and tossed yearly. Trust us. The bacteria they pick up around dirty dishes and food is nothing you want lingering around for too long.


8.  Old Party Decor
You bought paper hats a few years back for a party and figured you'd save them for the next party. But there never was a next party. We know it feels wasteful, but you can't store decor in the off chance that five years from now you'll use it. That's prime storage you're wasting!


9.   Expired Food
Keep an eye on your pantry cupboard and clear out expired items or anything that's been sitting around that you'll never eat (donate these items to your local food bank!).


10.  Clear Out Clothing

Get serious with your closet and toss anything you haven't worn in the last year, including items you never got around to altering, shoes that are a major pain and "wishful thinking" items that are way too small.

 


11. Contact Lens Cases

Contact lens cases should be run through the dishwasher regularly and replaced every six months (or with each new bottle of solution). If you could see the bacteria growing in these cases, you'd think twice about putting your contacts in each morning.


12.  Paperwork

Set yourself up with a proper system for filing paperwork and toss anything over two years old that you won't need in the future.


13. Empty Your Junk Drawer

If you threw out everything in your junk drawer, would you miss it? Could you even name what was in it? Clear out that junk, buy yourself a divider and start organizing that horrid drawer!


14.   Stacks of Magazines
How often do you leaf through old magazines? If you answered "Never" you shouldn't be holding onto the pile next to your bed. Tear out pages featuring anything you really love, and recycle everything else.

 


15.   Old Books
If you haven't felt compelled to pick up that half finished book, or peruse the pages of the book given to you by your aunt, chances are you never will. Donate those books and free up valuable shelf space in your home, stat!