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Fairs, Zoos, and Parks—Summer Germs

With all the outdoor play and adventure, summer presents some health hazards unique to the season. Bug bites and bee stings are one reality we have to contend with—but so are all the germ and illness possibilities of outdoor events like fairs, festivals, zoos and parks. Germs and viruses live longer in warm conditions. Add this to the fact that children may be spending more time in outdoor locations where they are away from soap and water for long stretches and you’ve got a recipe for all sorts of “creeping crud”—as my mother used to call it. Any place where … Continue reading →

Tip of the Day- Put away Your Antibacterial Soap

Ok, some of you are going to think I’m really off the wall with this one. Here it goes anyway. Do you remember that scene at the end of War of the Worlds (sorry I never could get through the book so I don’t know if it’s there as well) where the heroes are pontificating on the reasons why the robot monsters are suddenly imploding. The only line I remember from the whole movie is: “We’ve earned the right to be here.” I’m probably quoting it wrong. I didn’t like the movie much. Here’s the deal though, they were right. … Continue reading →

Shameless Savings

I love to shop.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to support this passion.  Consequently, I’m often put in a situation that’s all too familiar to parents:  kicking pride to the curb. Admit it; you’ve done some pretty gross things since becoming a parent.  Goodness knows I have learned to exercise an immeasurable amount of humility since giving birth.  For example, I never thought I would willingly stretch out my hands to catch another person’s vomit.  Ditto for plucking poop out of the tub with my bare hands.  I also never imagined I’d allow my shirt to be used as … Continue reading →

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

The other day, I visited my best friend in the hospital. She had surgery for ruptured discs and although the operation went well, I still wanted to stop by and see her. We visited during my lunch hour then I left to go back to work. Once I got in the car, I realized I hadn’t washed my hands. I am probably not as fanatical about washing my hands as I probably should be, but for some reason, I always feel incredibly germy after leaving the hospital. I was afraid I’d stick my fingers in my mouth unconsciously, so I … Continue reading →

Living with Dogs Might Improve Baby Health

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a real reason to keep our dogs around our babies? Some people are terrified of the idea, thinking that it’s dangerous to let dogs around small children. At first it’s best never to leave dogs alone with babies, to make sure the animals know to be gentle around them. However, we pet owners know that some dogs are great with babies. There have already been some studies about how being around dogs in the first year of infancy can help reduce the chances of a child later developing allergies to dogs, but what about … Continue reading →

When A Bargain Is Not A Bargain

I love getting a bargain. My house is mostly decorated in early yard sale, late thrift store. I’m seldom opposed to buying or receiving something used. I like the character that comes with an older table or dresser. Chairs that are a different style and can be painted to fit in with my eclectic decorating style are always a favorite. As are little odds and ends that you can’t find anywhere else. No matter how much I love a bargain there are some things I will not buy used, it’s not worth the risk. When it comes to children’s safety, … Continue reading →

Stretching Your Vacation Dollar

I’m glad we did the bulk of our summer traveling at the beginning of the season because with the price of gas hovering dangerously close to $4 per gallon, the only adventure we can afford now is a campout in the backyard. Exorbitant gas prices are not the only money trap associated with family travel. Hotel room sticker shock is another common problem frugal families face when planning a getaway. Fortunately, there are ways you can stretch your vacation dollar when booking a hotel room: Timing is Key: Hotel rates fluctuate according to availability. For example, if a property is … Continue reading →

Summer Bummer: Poo in the Pool

One of the highlights of my family’s summer has been the near daily trips we’ve taken to our neighborhood swimming pool. Given that the summer of 2012 has been the hottest on record, I can’t tell you how grateful I am to live near this watery oasis of fun, especially since I parent a fish. Of course, I’m not the only mom who has made the pool a home away from home with her kids. In fact, with the record breaking heat wave we’ve endured this summer our pool has been packed to capacity on several occasions. The swarms of … Continue reading →

Paid Sick Leave Mandate Could Affect Health Insurance

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Some state and local governments are creating laws that require businesses to give their employees a certain number of paid sick days. This is one way to help prevent the spread of germs and illness. However, in some cases, this could result in businesses dropping health insurance coverage. I work from home. I make my living doing freelance writing. This means that I don’t have to worry about whether or not a sick co-worker is going to give me her cold. It also means that I have the ability to fit my work around when I am sick. One disadvantage, … Continue reading →

Cleaning after Illness Has Hit Your Home

Although it is the last thing on earth we like to think about when we have just come out of a bout of sickness, cleaning is important. I have been on a cleaning rampage since the stomach flu hit my family big time. It’s important to clean however, because there may be bacteria and germs left over. The last thing I want is to recover, only to get sick again. Although there are lots of areas to clean after your family has been sick, I am going to focus on a couple of them. First, wash all of your bedding. … Continue reading →