I'm writing this article during a time when the price of a barrel of oil is at an all time high and the cost of gassing up our cars is astronomical.
On a recent news program (which I normally don't watch - but they got me with the promo for this story) they did a story on how to get more miles out of a tank of gas. It's called "hypermiling." Since the price of gas keeps going higher, I decided it would be worthwhile to hear what they had to say. I'd like to share the tips with you and my view of why this topic relates to parenting.
First the tips:
1. Stay at the speed limit. So many of us are always rushing to get wherever it is we need to be - running one child from dance to the softball game, picking up the other child at karate, that we often exceed the speed limit. If you stay at or below the speed limit you will be driving more safely and get more mileage out of your gas tank.
2. Let momentum take to you to the stop sign or stop light instead of the accelerator. When approaching a stop sign or a stop light, take your foot off the accelerator and allow the car to slow down by itself. We use up much more gas when we continue to accelerate until we then have to really put on the brakes to stop.
3. Use the cruise control. By using the cruise control, you will stay at a steady speed (hopefully at or below the speed limit - see 1) and use less gas. Alternatively, you can put the car in neutral (when I have my child in the car it is too easy to forget that I have the car in neutral - I did try the cruise control and it worked great).
4. Use air conditioning sparingly. When on the highway you want to keep the windows closed and use the a/c on low - when the windows are open at high speeds you create drag on the car which causes you to use more gas. But when you're driving around town (which we do a lot as parents - see 1), it's more economical to turn the a/c off and open the windows.
5. Take the extra junk out of your trunk. Carrying around extra stuff in the trunk makes the car heavier and uses more gas.
So how does this relate to parenting? I think one of the important jobs we have as parents is modeling the kind of behavior we want to see in our kids. As you adjust your driving to use these tips, you can explain to your kids that rather than be wasteful to save a couple of minutes, you want to be economical and not waste gas and money. You can also get the kids to help you clean out the trunk and put things away, a great lesson in responsibility and teamwork.
It's also good to slow down the pace at which we live (and drive). Our children are always rushing - rushing to get to the bus in the morning, rushing through dinner to get to softball practice or dance - even during the school day they are rushing to get from one school activity or class to another. The pace at which we live puts additional stress on our kids and ourselves. Slowing down to save gas and money could be the start of learning how to slow down in other aspects of our lives.
I also liked how watching my speed and using the cruise control caused me to be more mindful of what I was doing - I was really living in the moment paying attention to the new way I was driving. Being mindful and living in the moment is a great concept for kids as they always want to grow up too fast!
As they say, slow down and smell the roses (I would've said coffee, but that will just get you all revved up again!).
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Haynes Miller teaches all her parenting secrets in "Platinum Parenting," a seven week parenting makeover which transforms parenting stress into parenting joy. Platinum Parenting, because children are our most precious resource.
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Babies possess the most delicate of body systems. Whenever infants are inflicted with illnesses, administering prescription medicine may pose a risk for serious complications. Mulling over the remedy to administer is necessary, especially when the infant is experiencing colic-a condition that is marked with uncontrollable crying over unidentifiable triggers.
Nonetheless, the manifest of infant colic may be digestive or perhaps nervine in nature but then that will prove to be difficult to determine. Fortunately, there are herbal remedies that may be administered to provide a natural and safe therapeutic healing for sensitive conditions such as infant colic. Parents can be assured that the use of these herbal remedies will cure their baby's illness without compromising the chemistry of sensitive and underdeveloped bodily systems.
The Chamomile has been used in alternative circles to soothe infants' experiencing colic. The resolve of nervous system and digestive disorders comes natural with the medicinal compounds at work in its extracts. The herb contains the active compounds alpha-bisabolol and matricin that produce an anti-inflammatory action relevant in easing body pains. Chamomile, in this case, becomes a likely alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs that may compromise the infant's sensitive systemic health. Meanwhile, the antispasmodic and carminative properties of the herb are attributive of its ability to soothe digestive problems. The administration of potent drugs to treat infant colic has been faced with much skepticism in the mainstream, particularly on its safety profile in the context of digestion. To this end, the mild and natural formulation of the Chamomile is an acceptable option for treatment given that bodily systems as sensitive as babies have been observed to positively react to the remedy if administered within the recommended doses. All in all, Chamomile is a natural and gentle herbal remedy that promotes systemic relief in troubled infants.
Another proven safe and effective remedy for infant colic is Magnesium Phosphate. This cell salt is an essential component of most bodily systems, including the brain, nerves, teeth and bones. Since it is a naturally-occurring component of the body-even in babies, administering the cell salt as a homeopathic remedy helps address underlying systemic problems and likewise enhances the functioning of bodily organs. Moreover, Magnesium Phosphate can actually calm muscle and nervous system maladies in babies. It also induces restful sleep among insomnia sufferers and babies constantly waking up at night. The cell salt also exhibits analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory activity without compromising the overall systemic balance of infants.
The active compounds of the mentioned natural remedies have been integrated as primary or support ingredient in the manufacture of herbal supplements such as iBaba that have been formulated to effectively treat infant colic while consequently approved for use by the FDA. If you are looking for a safe and effective treatment to solve your baby's health problems, always trust nature's way of healing!
Bruce Maul is a partner in Gold Flax Seed, Inc. which provides only top quality Flax Seed, Herbal Remedies and other health related products. Learn more about Herbal Remedies by visiting http://www.myherbalremedystore.com
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Bowls, bibs and burp cloths are baby's meal time accessories and they make cute, affordable gifts that new parents and babies will love! For special occasions or just for everyday use, these adorable meal time baby gifts are perfect for newborns and toddlers alike. They're gifts that can grow with the little one through every feeding milestone. Check out these unique mealtime gifts:
Designer Bib in a Bottle - This is a self-contained baby gift that's nice, practical and perfect in every way. The Designer Bib in a Bottle is sure to make an impression at the baby shower! Offering two essentials all wrapped up in one, this bib in a bottle set is an unforgettable gift that will definitely get a lot of use. Whether you're shopping for a girl or boy, you'll find exactly what you're looking for among an intriguing and varied collection of designer fabric choices.
Keepsake Baby Bear Cup - A traditional keepsake with a functional upgrade, this cup is designed for practical use and nursery display. A wonderful baby shower gift, this sweet sippy cup is adorned with a teddy bear, perfect for a baby boy or girl. Silver-plated for elegance and durability, this heirloom cup is a wonderful way for relatives to welcome a new addition to the family. Designed to last a lifetime, this adorable toddler cup is a fun gift with classic charm!
Ice Cream Bowl and Cake Plate Set - A wonderful gift set for a shower or birthday party, this darling ceramic meal time set is available in sweet shades of Pink and Blue. Complete with a bowl, plate and cup, this adorable set will be cherished by parents and baby alike. This unique meal time gift set celebrates your little one's birthday with a bowl featuring an ice cream sundae design, a plate with a cake design, and a cute cup. Sure to garner praises, this gift set is as practical as it is pretty, a great way to honor a birthday girl or birthday boy.
Personalized Burp Cloth Set - A baby must-have with a gazillion uses, it combines precious style with absolute practicality to become the perfect gift for your little one. New parents can never have too many burp cloths, and these super-soft velour burp pads, in charming colors are too cute for words! This personalized burp cloth set is a memorable and affordable baby shower gift!
Personalized Three Piece Baby's First Dining Set - This classic silver meal time set features a beautiful polished shine and a modern design! This gorgeous personalized dining set is sure to become an heirloom that parents and baby will love. The set includes a cup, fork and spoon. It can also be personalized by engraving baby's name on the cup, creating a truly unique gift.
The author is an independent writer and has written articles about gifts for new baby. She believes that baby accessories make great baby gifts.
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