Sleeping Tips for Children

Now that the clocks have been set back, it is a great time to focus on your child’s sleeping habits.

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is especially to growing children; quality sleep can help children to better focus on learning new skills and maintaining a stable mood.

Sleep experts suggest that primary school aged children should get 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night. According to a new study, twenty-seven minutes is how much extra sleep children this age need per night to be brighter and more productive the following day.1 Experts also say that pre-school aged children should sleep about 11 to 13 hours a night.

With help from BootsWebMD.com, you can find out more about helping your kids wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next day. Try some of these methods which may help you to look forward to silent nights this winter:

·         A good sleeping environment - Ideally the bedroom should be dark, quiet, comfortable and tidy to encourage relaxation.
·         Get the temperature right - Did you know there is an ideal temperature to encourage sleep? This should be neither too hot nor too cold – between 18 and 24°C is about right.
·         No more naps - Napping during the day may create difficulty in night-time sleeping.
·         Start the bedtime routine earlier – Telling young kids that bedtime is earlier is a hard sell so start getting them ready around 30 minutes earlier. This includes brushing teeth and reading a book to or with your child.
·         Identify and address key stressors - For example, additional homework, problems with friends, or a move to a new house or school, can all cause night-time anxiety.
·         Keep a sleep diary – If you are worried about your child’s sleep, starting a sleep diary can help you keep track of any challenges and will also help your GP should you seek medical advice.

You can also find a children’s sleep disorder guide, sleep slide shows and useful facts and information on healthy sleeping and developing positive bedtime routines on BootsWebMD.com.

Mother Instinct - Elephant Giving Birth

The video below is amazing, it shows real mothering instinct. The elephant mummy has a baby but when the baby drops on the floor and the sack bursts he is not breathing yet.

It is truly amazing what the mother does.

Please watch this video first before showing it to young children as it does contain graphic images of an elephant giving birth.

It is massively educational and I did watch this with my 7 and 4 year old but it is for you as a parent to decide if your children are old enough to watch it!



On another note, I can't believe people actually murder these beautiful animals for their tusks, they are clearly very smart and certainly smarter than some humans!

M x

Got teenage kids? Show them this...

We all know how much kids obsess over their looks, some girls actually go on to have serious health problems such as anorexia and boys have unrealistic expectations and that can lead to bullying and other demeaning behaviour towards girls.

The majority of victims here are girls BUT more and more boys suffer too.

The media presents unattainable images of models and actors but refrains from mentioning that they have been airbrushed, elongated, tucked in and even plumped up!

So yes, do promote healthy eating and exercise to your kids and teenagers... but do show them this so they can see what REALLY happens behind those photos of 'perfect' models.

Like this they can see what is natural & healthy VS so called perfect & fake!

M x

The 'Beauty' of Photoshop...

Muppet Show - Manah Manah

This always makes me smile! My kids love it... Enjoy! x

HashTags with Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Fallon

 Ok Hashtags. I use them, you use them, everyone uses them.

But please do keep them to twitter and don't go overboard people! hahaha

Here's a funny video illustrating exactly that over use and how annoying it is...

I found it hilarious! Enjoy

M x

PLEASE NOTE video below is not for younger audiences as naughty word is used at the end!

Sex Trafficking... do you want happy endings?

A tough life, even after being rescued it is still a long road to 'freedom'...



Visit Love146.org for more information and how you can help.

M x

Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs) Explained...

A 3 minute explanation about GMOs.

8 Years Old and Married - The Secret World of Child Brides

The secret world of child brides, happens in many countries and cultures.
It's terrible and the true, this is outright criminal and barbaric but still happening in this day and age.

An eight year old is raped in 'marriage', a 14 year old is pregnant and scared she will die at birth...

Watch the short video for an insight.
(Please do not watch this with young children nearby, there is nothing graphic but sex is mentioned and the video is not appropriate for young ears.)

Stephanie Sinclair's investigation compiled over 8 yrs for the National Geographic.



HOW TO HELP!
National Geographic has compiled a list of organizations that encourage families to delay marriage and give girls an opportunity to reach their full potential.

M x

Emma Stone & Andrew Garfield: Celebrities doing it in style

You think I am thinking about fashion? No this is waaaay better.

Celebrities get 'papped' doing absolutely anything and nothing, glad to see this couple, Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, using their 'powers' to do some good instead of just showing off the latest fashion!

Their sign, written on what looks like paper bags from a restaurant, otherwise known as 'doggy bags' says: "We just found out that there are paparazzi outside the restaurant we were eating in. So...why not take this opportunity to bring attention to organizations that need and deserve it? www.wwo.org www.gildasclubnyc.org. Have a great day!"

Now that is something! The websites they are directing us to are...

Worldwide Orphans Program http://www.wwo.org/  - To transform the lives of orphaned children to help them become healthy, independent, productive members of their communities and the world.

Gilda's Club New York City http://www.gildasclubnyc.org/ - Support for people living with Cancer

Now that is publicity with a good heart!

M x          

Another Meerkat!

Yes it's true, we got yet another meerkat, it's a fluffy plush one and as much as my loving husband wants the real thing, he's not getting it, so he gets excited about the stuffed one.

It all started when he was a child and living in South Africa, his mum rescued a poor little mite from a family that was going to cook him for dinner. Yes, meerkat for dinner, you heard it right.

Terrible. So the result was a little meerkat running around in my parent in law's house, he became part of the family, bit the granny because she was mean to him, but was like a furry little brother to my husband... they watched out for each other, played together, etc.

So now my husband, all grown up, has a bit of an obsession with meerkats and has managed to pass on the obsession to us... I mean what is there not to love?!

We watched Meerkat Manor as a family and love the funny and cute Compare the Meerkat adverts!
When we went on a Zoo visit a few years ago I couldn't resist and bought a meerkat plush toy for my husband (yes, yes, I know he's a grown man but it's the thought that counts hey?!)

So naturally when we go looking for insurance, the advert stuck in our brains and we also tried their website amongst others and bam! It was the cheapest quote and we got yet another (our second) Compare the Market meerkat toy!!

I know we get excited easily, but this meerkat not only makes my husband happy, because as soon as it arrives we send it to South Africa as a gift to my mother in law and she loves them!

Plus it's pretty cool the video they do for you... I mean who wouldn't like to see their name in fireworks?! (On the website it showed th video below with 'Congratulations Emile')

 

If you want your own don't forget to check out comparethemarket.com to see if you can save money on your insurance. This is not a sponsored post, it was just so much fun I wanted to share!

Monica x

DON'T LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE IN THE CAR

Recently I saw a campaign that RSPCA did about leaving dogs in the car in this heat, well, I was gob smacked when I saw this and the statistics behind it.

It's terrible, I don't know how anybody could do this with their right mind, let alone a mother...

Please share and raise awareness.



Monica x

Fun Mini Pizzas - Kids Cooking

These mini pizzas are great fun to make with the kids and super quick.

The children will love it!

Cheerios - Apparently controversial. WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!

 Now these kids have better heads than most adults!
I got shown this video and when the adult asks the kids... how is the advert controversial... I was like WHAAAAAAAAT?!

WARNING - Advert is controversial to people with a small brain.

Glee Star Found Dead... Cory Monteith " Finn Hudson" gone forever

Image Courtesy of thetvaddict.com

 This morning I came across this very sad news, "Finn" gone forever.

One of the main characters of the musical tv series Glee which is watched by most of the world, including me was found dead in a hotel room in Canada on Saturday.

He was 31 years old and apparently died alone in his bedroom, he had previously struggled with drug abuse and he had voluntarily been in rehab just in April. A post mortem examination will take place tomorrow as to try and ascertain cause of death.

I am saddened by these news and my thoughts go out to his mother and family. I can only imagine the pain and suffering they must be going through.

I know Glee will certainly not be the same for all devoted viewers and fans, beloved "Finn" will no longer be there.

I tried to find a picture that would portray his 'true' nature instead of an image from Glee, a picture that his family would be proud of and happy to see. I know that after my grandfather passed away I only wanted to see photos with his biggest smile, and still after a whole year it is still all very fresh in my mind.

REST IN PEACE CORY, everyone loved you.

Monica x

For full story http://news.sky.com/story/1115515/cory-monteith-glee-star-found-dead-in-hotel

Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Uplifting you will agree!
M x

Cricut Mini Review

Father's Day Card made with the Cricut Mini

We got a Cricut Mini a short while ago, my mum has one of these cutting machines (it's not a Cricut) so I was very excited to get to 'play' around with my very own one.

I installed it into my mac and following the instructions that came with the Cricut it was simple and quick.

We have been very busy at MFB headquarters, so as Father's Day was around the corner we decided to make a card for my dad. We logged in to the Cricut Craft Room and found an awesome Father's Card, centred it on the page on the screen & voila... told the machine to cut it!

Mega simple, amazing, never thought it would be that easy.

After that it was just taking it off the cutting mat (comes with the machine) very carefully and folding it neatly with a ruler.

A very simple but impressive card that took only a few minutes to make! My dad loved it.

I have lots to discover on this machine, tons of designs available and I already have quite a few ideas of things that I want to make. I am really excited.

So far I haven't encountered any difficulties, I will show you what I make next with it as I got myself some really pretty papers to try out some stuff.

Cricut Mini

If you want to find out more about Cricut do visit their website uk.cricut.com, they also have a 'Project Centre' which gives you lots of ideas of things to make... I've already spent ages on it looking at all the awesome things you can make!

M x

Abortion - At 19 Weeks... Is it a baby?

A very delicate topic, with very delicate images.

At 19 weeks a baby is already a baby, I am 'pro-life' and I have always been.
I think only in extreme situations, where there is a serious problem where the mother may loose her life at birth for example, it is only then that termination should be considered, but even then it is obviously a serious matter.

So please take care, if you don't want a baby. If you do fall pregnant by accident and really don't want the baby then give birth and give it for adoption, there are many couples that can't have a baby and would love the child like their own and give it everything.

So don't refer to the child in your tummy as a foetus and think it's ok to murder it, it really is not ok. To me it's murder, full stop.

I know someone that had a couple of abortions, because her partner didn't want kids.
Sadly her husband died and she was left with no children and lives in her home all alone. Now almost 80 years old and with a very bad heart, she feels alone and like nobody cares for her.
She regrets her decision forever. It's very sad.

Let that not be you, if you are thinking of an abortion, please don't. I beg you reconsider.

You see, even at just 19 weeks, although too little to survive outside the mother's miraculous body... A BABY is still a BABY.

Walter at 19 weeks - Lexi & Joshua's beautiful baby

Read Lexi's account of her experience meeting her baby boy here, hopefully this will give you a different perspective.

Even if this post changes just one decision and saves just one life, it's all worth it.

M x

Dear 16-year-old Me

FOR TOOLS & INFORMATION: http://dcmf.ca/tools

Melanoma destroys lives, make sure you know how to check yourself and take care.

M x

Win a £10 My Funny Bunny Voucher!

We are feeling generous so we thought we would reward our fans and customers with a Give Away!

To enter just 'Like' facebook page and enter on the form here: 

https://www.facebook.com/myfunnybunny.co.uk/app_152045414852131

Good Luck!

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UK Air Pollution...Makes you want to move

Pollution in London

"When Justin Bieber collapsed last week at the O2 arena in London and was taken to a private clinic feeling "short of breath" and needing oxygen, the rumours started flying that he had had an asthma attack. They were denied by his management, but it would have been understandable if he had. Most of last week, London's air was heavily polluted, with many of the capital's pollution monitors recording "high" nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels as an acute photochemical smog of fumes and microscopic particles (PM) of acids, chemicals, metals and dust drifted in from the continent, mixed with London diesel exhaust and then became trapped in the still, dry air."

Read full article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/19/uk-air-pollution-health-crisis

When you read the above it's easy to see why 5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children (1 in 11) and 4.3 million adults (1 in 12).

The last couple of years my children have suffered from allergic asthma but this last year the situation has become much worse, with several other allergies creeping up... prawn, lactose, milk, soya... etc!

On one of our recent visits to our family doctor, he mentioned that there was a lot of children with asthma around were we live because there are a few factories and places like that. 
I thought, wow, I have been living here for 7 years and didn't know that we were in such a high air pollution area!

That brought me to research on air pollution, I was particularly looking for a map that would show me the levels of air pollution around the UK.

The UK has some of the highest rates in Europe and on average 3 people a day die from asthma. (Source Asthma.org.uk)

This is a disgrace, considering we are one of the most developed countries in the world, you would expect people to be smarter about the environment.

"Air pollution, especially from diesel engines, is a "neglected, hidden killer" and children and old people are especially at risk, says Mudway. "There's strong evidence that if you live near main roads you will have smaller lungs," he says. "They will not reach capacity and will be stunted. When, or if, people move to a cleaner environment they still do not recover the function they lost. We have good evidence that every child born in Tower Hamlets will have a reduction in the volume of their lungs by the age of eight. The point is, people die of lung disease later on. You store up a problem that will affect you later," he says.
He lists some of the effects of polluted air. In the short term, it leads to irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, nausea, bronchitis and pneumonia. Over a longer period it can result in heart attacks and lung diseases, cancers, even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, and kidneys."

Asthma caused by Air Pollution

So yes, it's affecting people left, right and centre but people don't think of all the pollution as the cause. Most of the time they just take care of the symptoms.

I have noticed that since we have moved to my current address I have had a heck of a lot of headaches, I'm not one to have headaches at all, so I found this strange but as everyone else I just treat the headaches. Now after reading the above excerpt, I realise that may be very well a result of the pollution of where I live as I have a dual carriage way just in front of my house. 

I would love to move somewhere else, somewhere in England that it's still accessible to London but there is less pollution. I have a lot to research, but initially I was thinking of Kent. It's nothing for tomorrow but I don't intend to live where I live for the rest of my days that is for sure.

Hopefully that will help my children's allergies but in fantasy land now.... I would love to move to Australia and I was really happy to see it 3rd best country on this list of 'Countries Ranked by Air Pollution' (which is compiled from World Health Organization's Research).

We all wish the best for our children, so we think of the visible dangers around them. I think it is now time to think about the invisible ones!

I have found a cool little website 'Clean Air Kids' that has this article http://www.clean-air-kids.org.uk/doingyourbit.html for the kids, and there are also fun games, etc.

For the adults there are lots of useful tips on the EPA website here http://www.epa.gov/airquality/peg_caa/reduce.html.

Take care,
Monica x