Parenting - Parenting Healthy

This post is sponsored by College Prep Science.

If the education you are providing for your child is missing a Christian base, this is for you. If you need another point of view to understand science topics or ACT prep, this is for you. If you are a Homeschool Mom or Dad looking for tools, this is for you.

Greg Landry is a homeschool science pioneer and offers online classes (for science leaning students and “non-science” students, science labs, ACT prep, a podcast for homeschool moms, and homeschool student-produced print publications.

Greg says he is first and foremost grateful. “The Lord has made me very aware of my need for a grateful heart. I’m grateful for a God who knows me and loves me (with all of my faults), for my family, for the thousands of homeschooling families I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past 20 years, for the magnificence of His Creation, and for the trials in my life (James 1:2-4 ) that shape and mold me, humble me, produce perseverance, and mature me in my faith.”

Greg is a husband to his bride of 30+ years, a homeschool dad, and a former college professor. He and his wife homeschooled their two daughters. Both of them have graduated from college, and Greg says, “most importantly, both of them love Jesus. For that, we are very grateful.” He grew up in French / Acadian South Louisiana (three of his grandparents were French speakers) and he loves the South Louisiana culture. At age 18 was invited to tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization. He played baseball and football in college and holds a master of science degree from LSU (Louisiana State University).

He has a heart for students and a passion for science… but more specifically a passion for teaching students to see God’s hand in every aspect of His creation that surrounds us. His goal is to help them see that God’s creation didn’t just happen by chance – it wasn’t an accident, a fluke of nature.

Greg has spent the past 20+ years teaching science. He taught at a university, taught thousands of homeschooled students, has mentored students planning to pursue science / pre-med degrees, has designed and directed a university anatomy and physiology/biology cadaver lab, has published and presented scientific research, has academically counseled hundreds of college pre-professional (pre-med, pre-dental, pre-physical therapy, etc.) sophomores and juniors, has designed science labs for homeschooled students, and has written science lab manuals.

Ten years ago he originated the “pre” classes (Pre-Biology, Pre-Anatomy & Physiology, Pre-Chemistry, and Pre-Physics) as a means of minimizing the intimidation of high school level science and preparing middle school age students for specific high school level classes. As one homeschool mom described it, “Greg has a unique ability to pull out the most important information and present it in a way that’s interesting and easy to understand.”

The thrust of Greg Landry homeschool science is to give homeschooled students access to Christian Worldview science that is focused on scientific inquiry, critical thinking, process reasoning, data collection, and the graphical and written representation of research. Greg says, “we want to prepare competent, confident students for their remaining high school years, their college years, and life.

Greg and his wife live near Nashville, TN. His desire is to follow the Lord’s leading in teaching students to illuminate the incredible creation the Lord has put all around us. It reveals His glory! Homeschool dad, scientist, and former college professor, Greg Landry, offers live, online homeschool science classes, Homeschool ACT Prep Bootcamp, the Homeschool Mom’s Science Podcast, in-person two-day science lab intensives nationwide, freebies for homeschool moms, and student-produced homeschool print publications.

Infant Toddler Products, Parenting

Choosing The Right Diaper for Your Baby

January 10, 2020February 5, 2020 Nancy Baker

Nine months of pregnancy, and now the baby is here! One thing that newborns do for sure is to bring change. Your whole daily routine from the minute your little bundle of joy is placed in your arms has to be adjusted.

All though you have prepared your baby’s comfort and arrival for months, bought clothes that fit, got the baby’s room ready, the most crucial thing you have to do actually choose the right diapers. Newborn babies are guaranteed to use diapers all day and night.

The choice of diapers for both the size and age of your baby is very essential. In addition to proper ventilation and absorption, choosing diapers that will fit your baby’s body is very important. Choosing diapers that are either too small or too tight will result in an uncomfortable baby.

If you choose large diapers, then you will have to deal with the problem of leakage. Here are some tips to make choosing the right diaper easy:

Choosing Diapers for Newborns

Compared to toddlers, newborns make less mess because all they are having is breast milk. As the baby grows, so does his or her frequency of urinating and poo because they start to take more fluids.

By day five, diaper change frequency ranges from 2-4; after five days, diaper change for newborns ranges between 7-10 diapers daily. With newborns, you’ll change diapers every 2-3 hours, hence absorbency isn’t a severe issue.

We recommend choosing diapers manufactured and shaped exclusively for newborns. Such diapers have a “U” hole carefully cut on the diaper front to make room for the newborn’s umbilical cord stump.

Choosing Diapers for Six-Month Old Babies

When the baby turns six months, they are ready to start eating solid food. This means – more messy diapers. Hence, at this age, you have to carefully chose the right diaper.

For your six-month baby, choose well-fitting leak-proof diapers. At this age, babies also start to sleep longer at night. Longer sleep translated to wetter diapers. Hence, make sure the diapers you select are designed for overweight use at night. This will also give your baby uninterrupted sleep.

Choosing Diapers for 1-2-Year-Old Babies

During this age-group, babies are very active, so you need to choose diapers with plenty of stretches. The amount of urine and quantity of stool will increase, and so will infection build-up that eventually causes bacteria.

To avoid nappy rashes, you will have to change the diaper more. We don’t recommend living a diaper on your baby on for even a minute after he soils himself. Babies are pretty uncomfortable in soiled diapers.

We recommend using cloth diaper inserts with reusable liners in between the time to make the diaper expense relatively cheaper and comfortable for your baby because then you have to change him every time he passes urine.

Choosing Diapers For 2 Years and Above Babies

At this age, the baby is ready for potty training, so we recommend that you switch them from diapers to pant diapers.

Pant diapers are easy for toddlers to pull down when they need to go to the toilet. They are also easy to teach your kids how to remove their underwear when they need to use the bathroom. They also help hold the stool and pee when they accidentally go to the toilet. Hence switching from diaper to training pants will be more comfortable.

When Should You Stop Diaper Use for Babies?

In actuality, babies grow and mature differently; hence there is no so-called right time to stop using diapers for your baby. Until your child is ready, you have to keep using diapers.

Although we recommend stopping diaper use habit as early as you possibly can, never pressure your baby to have to do so because it could backfire on you. The best time to consider stopping diaper use is after his third birthday.

It is also not an overnight process for your kid to just say ‘bye’ to diapers. Stopping diaper use is a gradual process that requires reducing usage a step at a time, first during the daytime, and eventually in the night after practical potty training.

In terms of convenience, there is no doubt that disposable diapers are more convenient. Diapers come in handy when you are going for an outing with your baby and during the night. They are also essential when your pain just had painful shots or ill.Visit childmode for more information.

Infant Toddler Products, Kids, Parenting

How to Entertain Toddlers – A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

January 9, 2020February 5, 2020 Alvina Emmy

There are hundreds of things that you can provide to entertain toddlers in your care. But as a busy parent, you will fall short of ideas!

It happened with me. Time will fly and your toddler will quickly grow before you know. So, you need to provide a constructive set of entertainment sources that will help their mental development as well as physical fitness.

I talked with many parents about the sort of activities that they do to amuse their children. And.. believe me there is a lot of scope for creativity and idea generation here.

I got 10 entertainment ideas for toddlers and they are simple and inexpensive to pursue.

1. Books and Colors— Learn While Having Fun

Start with simple board books filled with colors and cartoons. You can guide them through the story and explain what’s going on.

For better engagement, a sketch book will work great. Just give your toddlers some nontoxic markers and let him fill in the colors. Don’t worry if it gets messy.

2. Introduce Them to Water Sports

Water games are most toddler’s favorite. There is something about water that toddlers find fascinating.

As a kid, my parents used to put me in a large plastic pool with all sorts of plastic toys. Among all the fun experiences I had in my childhood, this one was the most memorable.

You can also buy a sprinkler toy and your kid’s summer will be the best he will ever experience.

3. Take to the Beach or Make a Sandbox

Like water, sand is also a fun element. The patterns that your children can make on it fascinates them. Have a beach nearby? Take him there and encourage him to make shapes and different objects with sand.

Alternatively, you can make a sandbox from plastic and leave it in the backyard. The evening will become super enjoyable.

4. Break Toys and Fix Them

Breaking toys were my kid’s favorite activity. Though I don’t encourage it, kids are often curious about what’s inside their toys.

So, set aside some old or already broken toys and let them break and play. You can also encourage them to fix the toy after breaking with simple tools and drivers. Just make sure to supervise.

5. Give a Ride on a Wagon

Wagons have been a great toddler entertainment gear for generations. The feeling of riding on their own vehicle with wheels makes them excited.

Get a push wagon for toddlers that will add a different level of fun into your family. My kids used to go crazy when they knew it was time for a wagon ride.

6. Help Them to Climb

Before your child learns to walk, he will learn to crawl and climb. It’s a natural urge and you should make ways for them to climb, instead of suppressing it.

The local park can be suitable place for climbing with lots of blocks. You can also create stairs from wooden stuff inside your home. Just make sure to cover it with soft material.

Or… You can build some like this at home:

7. Let Them Make Their Own World Inside a Tent

You can get a nice cozy tent for your toddler. My kids spent most of their time inside their little tent. A lamp, toys and some pillows and you can’t believe how much your kid is going to appreciate this. It will become his own small private space that will make him feel like an individual.

8. Play Simple Games That Stimulates Them

Play games with your toddler. It can be anything— hide & seek, solving puzzles, racing with them, etc. Doing so will stimulate your baby’s mind and also keep him physically active. The relationship between you and the child will also become stronger.

9. Sing Songs Together

Try singing nursery rhymes like “Hush little baby,” and “rock a bye baby” to your little one. Sometimes it can help him to calm down. And before you know it, he will be singing with you one day. As a mother, this was my favorite activity and probably most mother’s.

10. Go on a Field Trip

Even if you are super busy, make a routine and go on field trips with your child. It will change their mood and expose them to new stimuli.

You can visit the nearby park, zoo, museum, pet stores and amusement parks. If you can’t go on field trips often, make sure he gets enough stuff at home to keep him busy.

Final Words…

These ideas will give you a head start and you can get creative and find more ways to entertain your kids. The more diversified experience your kids have in their childhood, the faster they will cope up with the environment. Whatever they do, make sure there is someone there to keep an eye on them.

Parenting, Tips and Tricks

Sadly, Sex Trafficking is an American Epidemic – How to Talk to Your Teens

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 Erin Sluka

I hate to even say those 2 words – Sex Trafficking or Child Abuse. 2 of the worst topics we have to discuss as a family, but how do we have that conversation? What age should we start making our children aware of this horrible epidemic?

I have found these 5 tips for parents about opening the dialogue with young children and pre-teens about child abuse and sex traffic recruitment prevention. We must talk about it because communication is the most powerful safety tool we have as parents!

The tips are excerpted from Selah Freedom’s Prevention Program that equips parents, youth and those who work with them, with the tools they need to avoid being manipulated by a trafficker and successfully prevents girls from being commercially sold.

Tip #1: Conversation Starters

For younger children, talk about safe vs. unsafe touch. Encourage your child to use their voice. Have your child identify their trust triangle (3 safe adults they can talk to). Explain the difference between secrets vs. surprises

Talk about safe screens. Create a safety plan on what they can do if they don’t feel safe. If you suspect child abuse or trafficking, notify authorities immediately and keep our child safe by letting police handle it

Ask your pre-teen, “what qualities do you want in a relationship?” “How would you know you are unsafe online or in a relationship?” “How would you respond to an unsafe conversation or person that made you feel uncomfortable?”

Tip #2: Communication

Ask your child what they know about this topic and discuss the facts and myths. Identify safety measures that your family can put in place and role-play different scenarios. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of humor and assure your child that it is ok to have this conversation.

Listen to your child speak without interrupting, judging or criticizing.

Tip #3: Education

Check out “SelahFreedom.com/Prevention” with your child for Safety Tips; Videos/Documentaries/Helpful Links. Give youth access to resources and safe contacts. Stay in the loop and check out new apps as youth are using them. Remember to use parental controls on your children’s cell phones to prevent internet solicitation & pornography.

Tip #4: Spotting The Signs

Sexual knowledge and experience beyond their years. Hyper-awareness of genital area, touching, discussing, etc. with themselves or other children/teens. History of emotional, physical and sexual abuse in families
Fear/hesitance of adult (s) or being alone with a particular person

Tip #5: Keep Up the Dialogue

It’s not “one and done” …. keep the conversation going with your kids each year as they are growing up and maturing.

For more resources that will help parents teach their children and teens about the signs of child abuse and sex trafficking recruitment and prevention, visit:

SEX, LIES & MEDIA: Through our cutting-edge, multi-media Sex, Lies & Media presentation, we will educate parents and students on the online recruitment tactics of predators and equip them with practical ways to discuss this issue, protect themselves online, and be a part of the solution. This presentation can take 1-2 hours and may be presented specifically to teens or to parents/adults working with teens.

Category: Parenting

Greg Landry Homeschool Science