MUM-e-Mail

- a newsletter to enthuse, educate, and entertain
mothers of pre-schoolers and their supporters

October 2005

 

Mothering Maxim – Security

Security for children and knowing they are loved – begins with Mum at home with lots of hugs.

 

Mum Moment - Summer Safety Tips

Before summer comes, here's some reminders of Safety Tips for pre-schoolers.

Spending time outside is one of the simple pleasures of summer. However, more time outdoors means more chances for childhood injury. Use these tips to keep your pre-schooler safe and healthy this season.

©        Protect your child's tender skin with t-shirts and sunhats. Use sunscreen and reapply regularly and put up a UV-protective shade cloth or sun umbrella over the children's sunny playing spot.

©        Always be on guard when your child is around contained water sources. Even an inch of water can be deadly! When outdoors, never leave a child unsupervised around a kiddie pool, swimming pool, hot tub, fountain, or even a bucket. Empty all containers after use, including the wading pool, and put up or deflate as appropriate.

©        Help prevent insect stings by applying repellent to children’s clothing instead of their skin. If your child has an allergic reaction to a sting or bite, see your doctor for immediate treatment. For routine stings, remove a stinger by scraping horizontally across the surface of the skin with a fingernail. Wash with soap and water, and apply a cold compress.

©        If you have a fence, be sure the latch is high enough that your child cannot open it herself. Check all play equipment and garden structures for splinters, loose screws, popped nails, and sharp edges. Keep your sandbox covered so that local wildlife will not use it as a toilet.

©        Look for poisonous plants around your child’s play area and remove them. Ask a local garden centre for a list.

You’re not being overly protective, Mum. You’re just being safe.

- MOPS Int’l

From A Mother’s Heart

Prevention is better than cure, but the trick is getting the balance between protecting children from possible danger and allowing children to be safe and freely explore their part of the universe.

 

Mum's Mail*

“I really enjoy getting the MUM-e-Mail and it often comes at a very fitting time. Right now I am in the middle of getting ready to teach my first PET (Parent Effectiveness Training) course and wonder if I could have permission to quote from the latest one. I am inspired by the way you have spoken about mother's needs and have included asking others to help. It is so important to look after ourselves, and no parenting course in the world would be complete without emphasising this…. Thank you for the affirming work that you do.” Nicki Debreczeni (Australia) 

 

Keep on keeping on keeping your family safe and secure,

Yours faithfully,

 

Johanna Whittaker

mumemail@...  - *letters*, feedback, questions, mother’s tips*, ideas welcome

on behalf of MOPS (NZ) Inc. www.MOPSNZ.bravehost.com
© 2005 by MOPS New Zealand Inc and MOPS International.