MOMS Club® of Southeastern Lower Bucks County Pennsylvania

Reading the Future

2011-09-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while I was driving our family to a birthday party, my husband put the car seat all the way back (my 6 year old was sitting right behind him). My son proceeded to exclaim about how shiny my husband's bald spot was.

After I asked him to gaze into the shiny "crystal ball" and tell our fortunes, he quickly responded,

"Daddy's future is that his bald spot will be getting much bigger!"

PLanning for Retirement/Aging Care

2011-08-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

From My Recent Experience...

Ladies! This is really important, you'll thank me later. Have a sit down discussion as soon as you can with your own parents and your husband's about what their plans or wishes are about retirement, assisted living, nursing care, wills, living wills, etc.

As some of you know I spent my summer with my uncle who was recently hospitalized back in June. I have spent countless hours searching out sub acute care facilities, assisted living facilities, continuing care facilities, getting POA (power of attorney), documents notarized, chasing rehab therapists and giving lessons to social workers, dealing with ridiculous bankers. Leaving my job (again, countless hours without pay) to go after somebody to get them to do their job in caring for my uncle. I should've billed them!

DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR NOW and get with those loved ones who are just around the corner from retirement themselves or recently retired and talk about the future. It would be much easier to have a plan of action now instead of waiting until something happens and you are thrown in the midst of the chaotic whirlwind of getting your loved one the best care affordable and trying to figure out what to do and how to do it (while at the same time running your own life and caring for your own family and personal issues).

It's a lot, trust me, but if you start talking about it now, thinking about what options might be affordable to your loved ones, you'll be much more prepared later. You should also start planning for your own retirement/aging care so as to not lay a burden on your kids. At least consider the costs and maybe meet with your bank's financial planner and see what types of free advice you can get.

There is also something called Long Term Care Insurance http://www.longtermcareinsurance.org/

* The average Ancient Greek lived until age 18. The median life span of a Puritan was 33. The average American life expectancy is now about 75 years for men, 84 for women. Over half of Americans will spend part of these these extended years in long term care situations.

* In 1994, 7.3 million Americans needed long term care (LTC) services at an average cost of nearly $43,800 per year. By 2000, this number rose to 9 million Americans at nearly $55,750 per year. It's currently near $75,000 per year. By 2030 those needing LTC will skyrocket to 23+ million Americans, with projected, individual long term care costs reaching $300,000 annually per individual!

Check it out, make a plan, COMMUNICATE with your loved ones!

2010-10-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

Stocking Your Medicine/First-Aid Kit For Infants and Toddlers

With little ones in the house it is important to have a completely stocked medicine/first-aid kit. A metal safety box is a good place to store medicines and first-aid equipment and supplies. Items in a first-aid kit can be dangerous if left where a child can get to them, so keep the box out of the reach of children. Make sure the box is portable and locked at all times. The box should have a key lock or a combination lock. Choose a special place in the house where you can access the key (or a written note of the combination) quickly. Be sure to let your child-care provider know where the key or combination is located. On the inside lid of the medicine/first-aid kit, post the name and phone number of your family doctor or pediatrician, along with the number of your local hospital, poison control center, police, fire department, and two neighbors.

If your child has a medical problem such as specific allergies or some other life-threatening condition, always carry his medication with you and keep another prescription in your first-aid kit. If your child takes medicine regularly, or if he is sick and needs medication and a caregiver has to administer it, be sure the time, dosage, and method of administering the medication is written down and thoroughly explained. Have your caregiver keep a record of any medications given while you are at home or away. That way, you’ll know what medications your child received, and the time they were administered.

Before you give your child any medication, unless the medication has been recently prescribed, always check with your pediatrician. The dosage will vary depending on your child’s age and weight. These medications include over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol, decongestants, antihistamines, cough syrups, and suppositories. Be sure to check the expiration date on medications in your first-aid kit frequently. Replace them as needed.

The following products should be in your medicine/first-aid kit. You can find all the products on this list online, or at your local pharmacy or grocery store.

Medicines, Rehydration Fluids and Poison Antidotes

Fever Reducers

A fever reducer is used to relieve pain and reduce fever caused by teething, illness or immunization reactions. Ask your pediatrician before giving any fever reducer.

Infant Tylenol
Pediacare Infant’s Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever

Decongestant

Decongestants help dry up stuffy, runny noses

To be prescribed by your pediatrician

Antihistamine

An antihistamine can relieve itching and swelling from bug bites or allergic reactions.

To be prescribed by your pediatrician

Cough Suppressant

A cough suppressant can help calm a persistent, nagging cough.

To be prescribed by your pediatrician

Saline Eye Drops

Saline eye drops are used to wash foreign bodies out of the eye.

Hypo Tears Lubricant Eye Drops

Infant Saline Nose Drops

Infant saline nose drops are made up of a simple saline solution to help unclog stuffy noses.

Little Noses Saline Spray/Drops, Non-Medicated
Ayr Baby’s Saline Nose Spray, Drops

Gas Drops

Gas Drops include simethicone for fast acting relief from gas in baby’s tummy. Gas drops work gently to break down gas bubbles in minutes. All gas drops listed below are dye, alcohol, saccharin, artificial colors and flavors free.

Mylicon Gas Relief Drops for Infants, Dye
Little Tummies Gas Relief Drops for Newborns, Infants and Children
Gripe Water for Colic

Pedialyte Rehydration Fluids

Pedialyte rehydration fluids are used to treat dehydration caused by vomiting and infant diarrhea. Pedialyte Oral Electrolyte Maintenance Solution comes in liquid form for babies, and popsicle form for older children.

Pedialyte Oral Electrolyte Maintenance Solution
Gerber LiquiLytes Oral Electrolyte Maintenance Solution

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is used in cases of accidental poisoning when you do not want to induce vomiting. Activated charcoal helps to neutralize poisons. Always check with your pediatrician and poison control center before you administer this.

To be prescribed by your pediatrician

Lotions, Ointments and Soaps

Mild Soap

Babies have sensitive skin. Keep a mild soap in the first-aid kit to wash off the many cuts and scrapes your child will encounter as she grows up.

Baby Soap Bar by Johnson’s Baby
Ivory Soap

Antibacterial Ointments

Treat cuts or scrapes with antibacterial ointment, which reduces the possibility of infection.

Neosporin First-Aid Antibiotic Ointment
Polysporin First-Aid Antibiotic Ointment

Topical Calamine Lotion or Hydrocortisone Cream (1 percent)

These creams are used for insect bites and itchy rashes.

Aveeno Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream, 1% Hydrocortisone
Calamine Lotion

Hydrogen Peroxide

Cleans cuts and scrapes with hydrogen peroxide to decrease the chance of infection.

Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

Rubbing Alcohol

Use rubbing alcohol for cleaning thermometers, tweezers, and other instruments.

Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 70%
Rite Aid Isopropyl Alcohol 70% Wipes

Child-Safe Insect Repellent

Keep bugs and insects from biting your baby by applying an insect repellent.

Baby Bug Block by Little Forest

Baby Bug Block uses an effective blend of ingredients that ward off insects without the use of chemical agents that may be harmful to baby’s skin. With Little Forest your baby will enjoy safe, natural, and effective protection against insect bites.

Natural Bug Blend Bug Repellent Spray by California Baby

This nontoxic, DEET free, nonchemical, hypoallergenic formula repels bugs while it soothes existing bites and hydrates the skin.

Other Necessities for First-Aid Kit

Thermometer

The only way to tell if your child has a fever is by taking his temperature.

8-Second Thermometer by Safety 1^st

American Red Cross Digital Thermometer by The First Years

Calibrated Medicine Dispenser

A medicine dispenser is used for measuring and administering the proper dose of medications

Medicine Dropper by Safety 1^st
Soft Tip Medicine Dispenser by The First Years

Tweezer

Tweezers are needed to remove splinters and ticks.

Clear View Tweezers and Nail Clipper by Safety First
Regular Standard Tweezers of your choice

Assortment of Adhesive Bandage Strips

Have bandages in various sizes and shapes handy for all emergencies. Get the less sticky kind.

Children’s Adhesive Bandages. Assorted Sizes by Band-Aid, or brand of your choice

Gauze Rolls

To protect open wounds, use gauze rolls ½ to 2 inches wide.

Extra Absorbent Rolled Gauze by Johnson & Johnson – www.amazon.com

Gauze Pads

Gauze pads are used for wounds that are too big for Band-Aids

Sterile Gauze Pads, Extra Absorbent 2x2 Inch
Sterile Gauze Pads 4x4 Inch

Adhesive Tape

Adhesive tape is used to hold gauze pads in place.

First-Aid Hurt-Free Tape by Johnson & Johnson

Sterile Cotton Balls

Use sterile cotton balls to clean wounds or apply lotions, creams, or ointments.

Any brand of cotton balls will do

Cotton Swabs

Use cotton swabs to apply some medications.

Cotton Swabs by Johnson & Johnson
Cotton Swabs by Q-Tip

First-Aid Cold Packs

Cold packs are used to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Prince Lionheart Hot and Cold Gel Pack

Soft hug First-Aid Cool Pack by J. L. Childress

Sharp Scissors

You’ll need a pair of sharp scissors for cutting gauze or adhesive tape.

Package of Tongue Depressors

Keep tongue depressors handy in case you need to make splints for certain injuries. Always consult your doctor before you apply a splint.

Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries

You can use the flashlight to check ears, nose, and throat for redness or inflammation. You can also use it to check pupils for signs of a concussion, or to see in general when the lights go out.

Heating Pad or Hot-Water Bottle

Some injuries require the use of heat to relieve pain and relax sore muscles. A heating pad or hot-water bottle is great for a colicky tummy. Always consul your pediatrician before you use these items.

CPR Chart

Even if you have taken a CPR course, the procedure is easy to forget in an emergency situation. Have the chart handy as a good reminder of the steps to follow in case you need to administer CPR.

First-Aid Manual

The Americana Red Cross’s First-Aid and Safety Handbook gives detailed advice for handling both minor and major emergencies.

About the Author: Elaine Farber is a Newborn Specialist/Consultant and author of Baby Lists: What to Do and What to Get to Prepare for Baby. Elaine has over thirty five years experience caring for single and multiple birth babies. Visit Elaine’s website at www.babylistsbook.com where you will find many helpful articles and lists of products for infants and toddlers.

Free Event: Halloween Party/Open House

2010-09-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

FREE EVENT!!!

Sponsored by:

MOMS Club of Southeastern Lower Bucks County

Our Chapter boundaries include Bristol, Fairless Hills, Fallsington,

Levittown, Morrisville, and Tullytown.

You’re invited…

To our Halloween Party

Open House!!

WHEN: Monday, October 18th from 10:30am – 1:00pm

WHERE: Emmaus Road Lutheran Church Community Room

520 Hood Blvd. (adjacent to Pennsbury H.S.) in Fairless Hills

Looking for other stay-at-home moms to hang out with?
Come to our free open to the public Halloween party!
Bring your children in costume – we’ll have kid’s games, a costume parade
and lot’s of food and treats!

*Please Bring One Thanksgiving Related Canned/Food Item
to Donate to a Local Charity*

For Security purposes, a Valid Photo ID will be required to participate

Come check us out – we’re a local non-profit organization
who offers support to stay-at-home moms and their children.

Each month we have a calendar full of activities for kids and moms too!

For more information email: momsclubofslbc@yahoo.com

Award Winning Toys for Infants and Toddlers

2010-07-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

Award Winning Toys for Infants and Toddlers

Is your baby or toddler having a birthday, do you need a gift for a niece, nephew or a friend’s baby or toddler. With all the toys out there sometimes it’s hard to know which toys are the most age appropriate and safest toys to buy for our children.

Toys play an important part in baby’s and toddler’s development. They help build hand-eye coordination, stimulate senses, develop motor skills and creativity.

The best toys for infants are toys that attract attention. Toys that have bright colors, patterns, different textures, play music and have dancing lights, fascinate young babies. Babies love to put things in their mouth. Soft pliable toys make it easy for them to do just that.

Toddlers want to explore everything and imitate adults. They are developing motor skills and speaking functions. Playtime is not only for amusement, but every moment your child is learning something new. This is the age when you can introduce numbering and the alphabet.

The best toys for toddlers will have buttons to push, songs to listen to and sing along with, wheels to pull and push, blocks to build with or shapes to sort. Toys that let your child use his or her imagination enhance physical development and coordination.

Elaine Farber, author of Baby Lists, has put together four great lists of award winning toys for infants, toddler boys, toddler girls and toys for either a boy or a girl. You can share the lists with family and friends that don’t know what to get their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews for birthdays or other special occasions. You’ll find a picture and description of each toy on each of the lists and a link to the website where you can find each toy. Just click on the link and it will take you directly to the website where you can buy the toy.

To access the award winning lists of toys for infants, toddler boys, toddler girls or unisex toys go to www.babylistsbook.com

About the Author: Elaine Farber is a Newborn Specialist/Consultant and author of Baby Lists: What to Do and What to Get to Prepare for Baby. Elaine has over thirty five years experience caring for single and multiple birth babies. Visit Elaine’s website at www.babylistsbook.com where you will find many helpful articles and lists of products for babies and toddlers.

EAT LOCAL - SUPPORT BUCKS COUNTY FARMS

2010-06-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

from the buckscountyalive.com website

EAT LOCAL - SUPPORT BUCKS COUNTY FARMS

Bucks County has more than 70 locations (see the map) where you can buy food directly from the folks who grow it. With farmers markets, farm stores and community supported agriculture, the people of Bucks County are supporting their local farmers. In fact, Bucks County ranks 20th out of 3,000 counties throughout the nation in food sales from the farmer directly to the consumer. As always, your ideas and suggestions are welcomed. If you would rather not receive future newsletters from us, please click here.

BUCKS COUNTY FARMS

In addition to fruits and vegetables, you may be surprised to learn that Bucks County Farms produce eggs, artisan cheeses, butter, milk, chickens, turkey, beef, lamb, processed meats, maple syrup, honey, lavender and much more. Farm fresh food is truly bountiful in Bucks County. BucksCountyAlive.com makes it easier to eat local by providing you with comprehensive lists of farm locations throughout our county.

FARM STORES

Most farms have stands or stores on their property where they sell food directly to the consumer. To magnify the farm experience, you can spend a little time picking your own fruits and vegetables. You can't get any fresher than that!

FIND A FARM STAND OR STORE >

FARMERS MARKETS

Farmers Markets are places where you buy the products from many local farms in one convenient location. There are at least nine markets scattered throughout the county, so one is sure to be near where you live.

FIND A FARMERS MARKET >

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)

With a CSA, a farmer offers the public a certain number of "shares" consisting of vegetables, fruits, and other farm products. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a portion of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. You can learn more about CSAs and find some wonderful recipes by visiting Blooming Glen Farm's Food Blog.

FIND A LOCAL CSA >

GROW IT YOURSELF

	Gardening Know How: Vegetable Gardening for Beginners	Growing Great Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits & Berries
	The Essential Garden Guide	Organic Gardening
For local gardening information, click here.

Looking for Personal Fulfillment?

2010-03-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Are you a mother who misses the challenge or self satisfaction you used to get when you were in the workplace? If you do and would like to feel what that's like again, you might want to become a member our MOMS Club and run for a position on our Executive Board! Board positions in our chapter are President, Administrative Vice President, Membership Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. That would look nice on your resume when it's time to go back to work, now wouldn't it?

You can also be a chairmom or a coordinator. There are so many choices!

Think about it! MOMS Club is not only great for our children - it's great for us too!

Would you like to advertise in our member newsletter?

2010-03-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

Advertising
Are you interested in advertising in MOMS Club of Southeastern Lower Bucks County Newsletter or know someone who might be? For more information on advertising, please contact the executive board at momsclubofslbc@yahoo.com

"Placement of an advertisement is not a MOMS Club endorsement of the product or service."