About Me

Australia
I'm a Mum who has struggled with weight since having my daughter 24 years ago. Forever trying to find that one thing that helps to make weight loss easier.
Mind Power Series

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Childhood Obesity. One Contributor is Soft Drink

How often do you buy soft drink for your family?
Once a week or is it on supply every day.

The consumption of sugary drinks increases with age and the largest contributor for children of 2-18 years is soft drinks, followed by cordials, fruit juices, fruit drinks and sports drinks.(Health N.S.W gov).

The size of cans has increased over time starting at 200mls fifty years ago, then moving to a 325ml can and now a 600ml.
So what happens to us consumers, we, of course go for the largest size even though we don't need it. This is what the marketers want us to do, buy the super size so they make more money. But because of this, our health and our children's is being damaged before our eyes.

One can of soft drink contains approximately 65 pounds of sugar. This is equivalent to 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar. (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Imagine eating this by the spoonful, you wouldn't, you couldn't. But some how we have no qualms about drinking this amount everyday, sometimes twice or more.

Try this at home with your children-
Pour a can of soft drink into a glass, now place 12 teaspoons of sugar in another glass next to it.
Take a look at how much sugar that is. Way too much for any person, let alone a child.

If they continue to drink excessive amounts of soft drink the likeliness of having health problems will increase drastically. The chances of getting diabetes later in life is of major concern.

Lets be good role models for our children and set by example.
If you must have some sort of soft drink in the house, go for the sugar free types.
When out shopping try to buy water as a thirst quencher on a hot day and encourage your children that water is much healther for their bodies.
A happy and healthier family all round.





Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Aunty To The Rescue

I have to tell you what a great morning I have had.
I was invited to my little niece's(4yrs) kindergarten for grandparents day. Yes, I know, I was second in line.
Both her grandparents are a way on holidays, so I got to fill in, under sufferance. (Not Likely)

It was great. I arrived to pick her up and here she was standing at the door waiting with her bag. How does that make me feel - extremely happy.

When we arrived at kinder, she showed me a picture that she had drawn of myself. Absolutely beautiful. She had drawn glasses on me and I don't even wear them but apart from that it was a very good likeness.

We played with some playdough and read stories, used hammers and tacks to put shapes on to some corkboard.
We had to sit on the mat and sing songs and dance a little. She had made a small present for me and it is proudly now sitting on my fridge.

It was a joy to see all the children beaming when they had to introduce their grandparents or special friend.
The love that shown in their eyes and in their grandparents was truely unforgettable.

If you ever get the chance to spend time with your grandchildren or any other child, take it because they can grow up so quickly.

As we get older time becomes precious.

Friday, June 11, 2010

2009 Popular Baby Names


Baby Cartoon
Originally uploaded by Ian Kershaw
Whats in a name?

A hell of a lot, it can be one of the most difficult decisions that new parents have to make.

This child that they have created and brought into this crazy world needs a name that belongs to them, an identity which will be with them for the rest of their lives.

All through their school years, which is one of the hardest times for a child, when growing up.

As parents we think, What about when they get their university degree? How will it sound behind Dr or Prime Minister, President or Professor.

We parents contemplate on this for many months before our baby is born and some couples still do not make their decision until after the child arrives.

Many parents will choose a name because of its meaning, others will just go for the sound of it and how it fits with their surname. Everybody has their own ideas on how to go about picking a name.

So I thought that I would find out what the 10 most popular names for 2009 were. (Babycentre.com.au)

Girls                Boys

Isabella          Jack
Olivia             Lachlan
Lily                Cooper
Chloe            William
Emily             Joshua
Charlotte       Thomas
Ella               Oliver
Ava              Riley
Amelia          Noah
Sophie          Max

Some of the most unusal names that are out there are:-

Girls - Lululu, Kirraley, Blooper, L'annie, Keanah, Janae, Jypsie, Nikala, Ameeka, Zipper, Silvanna.

Boys - Gideionn, Xorne, Junmal, Dridge, Rockett, Hetcher, Clicker, Wyl, Ashur, Zarson.

These are just a few that I found, I have trouble saying most of these. If you like unique names then these are probably something that you would go for. I honestly don't mind a few of them.

According to a site Babynames.com.au some names that have stood the test of time are:-

Girls:- Julia, Grace, Alice, Charlotte, Rachel,
Sarah, Maria, Emma, Rebecca, Olivia, Lydia.

Boys:- Andrew, David, Edward, Jesse, James,
Nicholas, Patrick, Matthew, Thomas, William, Daniel.

If you can't decide on a name for the new bundle of joy that has entered your life, perhaps you just might see something here that grabs you. Just remember, what ever you choose, your child's personality will grow and you will see as they grow the name will suit them.

Good luck.





Wednesday, June 2, 2010

How Do You Know When To Take Your Child To A Funeral?

I have just had a very tramatic week. My grandmother past away last Friday, after suffering much pain in her life, it has finally now stopped and she can rest in peace.
She was a terrific woman who lost her husband at age 56yrs and  had to struggle through life courageously without the love of her life.
I am so glad that she was my nan, she was so loving, generous and caring.
Nan, I will love you forever and never forget you.

A funeral can be a very distressing experience for an adult, let alone a child, so should a child be taken to a funeral?
To me, it is up to the individual person to decide. If you believe that your child is very mature and able to understand what is happening then it will not harm them to experience sadness. I do believe though that a child should experience death with a pet first, go through the burial with them and help them through the grieving process this way first. (each to their own).

My little nephew, who is 10 years, was very upset throughout the service, but he is very mature and I believe that he will cope okay. My neice (12yrs) was upset, but seemed to handle the situation a lot better. Better than myself I thought.

It is a very hard decision to make. As a parent, you know your child better than anybody else. You will know if your child is ready for this emotional rollercoaster, if your unsure, ask if they would like to go, give them the opportunity to accept or decline.