It is easy to feel isolated, but if we are able to identify a support system, then we can feel more secure.

Get a large piece of paper.  Draw 3 sets of circles as if you are drawing a bulls eye.

Email me if you would like an example.  I would be happy to show you my Map of Support System as an example.

The smallest circle represents all of the people in your support network that know everything about you: the good, the bad and the ugly so to speak.

The middle circle is reserved for people who have been in your life, know much of your story but when it comes to those vulnerable topics, you are hands off with them.

The largest circle of all are the people who are in your life, co-workers, babysitters, etc. who know you as an individual but know nothing personal about your personal life.  These are the people you might not share exciting news with because you aren't really sure if they would be interested.

Make sense?

Try it and examine if people who are in the middle and largest circle could move into your support network a little closer if you would let them.  The more healthy people you surround yourself with, the better you will be as an individual because you will be filled with their love.  Let me know how it goes for you.

Heat Stress and Stroke
     Watch for signs of thirst, cramping, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, headaches or fever.

     Stay hydrated by drinking more fluids than you ordinarily would on a cooler day (fluids without sugar).

     TIP:  If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
 
     Move to a shady area, loosen clothing, & fan the person in order to bring their body temperature down.

Sunburns and Other Burns
     Be careful in playing on metal playground equipment.

     Apply proper sun lotion of 15 spf or higher to prevent sunburns.

     Apply cool compress on sunburns, take cool baths, and wear eye gear to protect your eyes.

Water Safety
     Children who do not know how to swim should ALWAYS wear a life vest in pools, rivers and lakes.

     Children should ALWAYS wear a life vest in rivers and lakes regardless of knowing how to swim.  

      Place a fence around a pool at your residence, and know which of their friends have pools
      (know how they plan to keep children safe).

Other Summer Safety Tips
     Use insect repellants if exposure to bugs is likely.

     Have your kids wear head gear when riding bikes, scooters or skateboards.

     NEVER leave animals or children in a hot car or unattended.
 
     Ensure that your pets have adequate water to drink as well.

     It is important not to leave children home alone until they are old enough to care for their basic
     needs, and know how to respond in emergencies.

     Talk with your kids to ensure that they are comfortable with being home on their own.  

When my teenager was about four years old, I was working nights as a nursing assistant, going to school during the daytime and sleeping only when he napped or on my days off.  I am sure we have all had those stories in our earlier days as a new adult.  On days when I was seriously tired from sleep deprivation, I found that the person who suffered the most was my son.  All he wanted was attention but my cup had already spilled over.

As I sit reading a textbook for a class, my son continued to say, "mom, look at this" or "mom, see what I am doing".  My response would be to nod, to mumble things like "uh huh", "yeah" or "good job".  At some point in my act of numbness, his voice rang through to me saying, "Mom, when I say something to you, you don't look at me when I say it".  He stopped me in my tracks and forever changed the way that I parented moving forward. 

Children know what they need.  Usually they can find ways to express it appropriately...but not always.  My son then and the man he is today has always spoke up for what he needed in our relationship.  This doesn't mean that my job is to give him everything he wants and sometimes not everything he thinks he needs.  What it does mean is learning to be intentional with the interactions we have with our children so that one day, they learn to do this in their own lives.  Whew!  This is no easy job as a parent, however, the rewards will come back tenfold when you see them flourish because you learned to communicate with them effectively.

Find ways to be intentional in your children's lives and in your own life.  See what comes of it.

1.  See a movie at a drive in:  Pile all the kids, family and friends into the cars to see a double feature on the outdoor big screen.
2.  Play tag on the beach or in a park. 
3.  Play minature golf.
4.  Ride a roller coaster twice.
5.  Camp out under the stars.  If you have a truck, put fluffy blankets in it with pillows and count the stars.
6.  Have a lemonade stand.
7.  Go to an outdoor concert or a baseball game at night.
8.  Go hiking or ride bikes.  Pack a lunch.
9.  Walk around barefoot all day!
10.  Make summer treats together as a family.  Share with family, friends and neighbors.

Birth to 6 months
Sleeping Time:  average time ranges from 10-16 hours with several naps throughout the day.
Feeding:  average feeding time are between 7-8 feedings a day for a 24 hour period.
Senses:  Can begin tracking moving objects, begin developing ability to see things from a distance, and hear sounds and respond well to the human voice.  Newborns can innately hear their mother's voice and will mo
Physical Development:  Begin to lift head and move range of motion in neck to 45 degree angles.  Infants will develop the ability to role over in this stage.
Cognitive Development:  Infants to six months communicate through crying when needing something.  This will become less as they develop ability to make cooing sounds, gurgling sounds, etc.