Children’s artwork is a bittersweet thing. It’s beautiful and can represent a glimpse into the world as seen through a child’s eyes. It can also be a great indicator of your child’s development. However, artwork can add up. Before you know it, artwork can over whelm your counters, refrigerator, and walls. By implementing the following steps you will make sure your memories are kept in tact, and decrease the clutter. 

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Bonnie Joy Dewkett, CPO® (Certified Professional Organizer® Board of Certification for Professional Organizers~Director of Communications) is a nationally recognized organizing expert, author, motivational speaker, and internet radio personality in the United States of America. She began organizing as a child, and she has been organizing ever since. Her company, The Joyful Organizer®, creates and implements organizational systems for the home and office. These changes allow her Customers to create calm from chaos at work and at home. Bonnie is passionate about helping her clients meet their organizational goals, and loves to see the positive impact that getting organized has on their lives.

Her diverse background gives her the ability to assist her clients with everything from the unique needs of organizing children’s rooms; to the organizational challenges ofmoving an entire family across the country. Working in special education in Maine, Bonnie helped her students exceed their educational goals by creating individualized programs that used their strengths to overcome their unique set of challenges. As a relocation consultant at Cartus, she managed the logistics of the moving process for hundreds of families that were being transferred through their employer.

Recognizing a gap in the information about moving and relocation, she authored The Joyful Organizer’s Guide to a Joyful Move—a comprehensive resource for families that are preparing to move. It helps them reduce stress by keeping them organized throughout their move. It is available on her website http://move.thejoyfulorganizer.com, and Amazon.com.  Her most recent book, 50 Tips to Get You Organized- In Ten Minutes or Less!, is available in print or Kindle formats on Amazon.com.

She has gained a worldwide audience through her radio show, The Joy of Organizing.  With over a quarter of a million downloads, her show is the most listened to show on the BlogTalkRadio Woman’s Business Network, formerly the Diva Toolbox Radio Network.  Airing weekly, the show provides practical organizing tips and tricks for busy families. She has interviewed many of the country’s top organizing experts, including Oprah’s PeterWalsh, JulieMorgenstern, DIY’s Karl Champley, Barbara Hemphill, and Barry Izsak.

Bonnie’s organizing advice has been featured in many local newspapers, and nationally in Better Homes and Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens’ Secrets of Getting Organized, Parents, and Woman’s Day magazines. Bonnie has achieved the prestigious designation of Certified Professional Organizer, CPO®, from The Board of Certification for Professional Organizers. Making her one of only six in the State of Connecticut, and less than twenty-five in all of New England.

Bonnie received a B.S. in Resource and Agribusiness Management from The University of Maine in 2001. She completed work on her M.B.A. in May 2011, graduating summa cum laude from Nichols College.

 
You can keep in touch with Bonnie through:

The Joyful Organizer®, LLC
bonnie@thejoyfulorganizer.com
http://www.thejoyfulorganizer.com
http://thejoyfulorganizer.com/blog

Looking for free organizing tips?  Subscribe to The Joy of Organizing Radio Show on iTunes!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-organizing-blog-talk/id352871697

http://www.facebook.com/thejoyfulorganizer
http://www.facebook.com/thejoyoforganizing
http://www.twitter.com/thejoyfulorg
http://www.linkedin.com/in/thejoyfulorganizer
https://pinterest.com/BonnieJDewkett/

Childhood allergy is an exaggerated reaction by the immune system in response to certain foreign substances. These foreign objects may or may not be harmful, thus that’s why it’s classified as only an exaggerated response. 

In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system produces antibodies called immunoglobulin, which cause the mast cells and allergy cells to release chemicals, including histamine resulting in allergic reactions. 

With most people, allergies appear during infancy and childhood. Some allergies can be outgrown while some last a lifetime. It is best to consult with an allergy specialist early on so that the source can be easily avoided and the symptoms treated. When avoidance measures fail to produce results, there are also numerous medications and other measures that can help in treating your child’s symptoms. 

There are numerous causes of children’s allergies. Here are some of the common allergens that can trigger allergy symptoms: 

● Pollen - these are fine, reproductive pollen found in plants that travels easily through the air. Several examples include tree pollen such as oak, elm and birch. Pollens from Bermuda grass and orchard grass can also cause allergies. 

● Mold spores - These pesky allergy-producers are found almost everywhere, such as in soil, vegetation, attics, basements and carpets. Mold spores also travel by air, so it is one of the most prevalent causes of allergies. 

● Dust mites - These tiny creatures can also cause allergies. They are commonly found in bed linens and sofas. Dust mite allergies usually peak in July and August, when the dust mite population is high due to a warmer climate. 

● Pet dander - These allergens are the dead skin that warm-blooded animals, such as dogs and cats, shed. Pet dander can be found everywhere because it can be carried through people’s clothing. 

● Food - There are numerous foods that can cause allergies. Most common are peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish and milk or dairy products. 

Symptoms 

Children’s allergy symptoms occur when their immune system overreacts to certain foreign objects. If the allergen was acquired through the air, the reaction will most likely affect the nose, eyes and lungs. If it was eaten, it may affect the mouth and the digestive system. Some also cause skin rashes and asthma symptoms. Effects usually vary depending on what type of allergens trigger the allergy. 

● Food allergy - symptoms include rashes, hives, diarrhea, swelling in the throat and mouth, and difficulty breathing. 

● Drug allergy - skin rashes, itchy skin, anaphylaxis, and wheezing or other breathing problems 

● Mold allergy - sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, swollen eyelids and trouble breathing 

● Pet allergy - wheezing, sneezing, runny nose and other breathing problems 

● Dust allergy - runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. 

There are numerous medications to help alleviate the symptoms of childhood allergies. Here are several that have been found effective. Take note that all prescribed and over-the-counter medications should only be used as directed by a prescription, package labeling or your child’s pediatrician. 

● Oral Antihistamines - This is the most common class of medication for children with allergies. Prescription medicines such as cetirizine, fexofenadine, and desloratadine can be given to children as young as six months of age. Loratadine, which can be bought over-the-counter, can be administered to children as young as two. These medications are relatively inexpensive and easy for children to take. It usually treats symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchiness, particularly in the eyes, nose and ears. 

● Topical Nasal Steroids - This type of medication is found to be most effective in nasal allergies and non-allergic rhinitis. Topical nasal steroids can be easily found and available by prescription. These are excellent in controlling sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy nose, runny nose and post-nasal drip. Side effects are usually mild and limited to nosebleeds and nasal irritation. 

● Over-the-Counter Nasal Spray - Oxymetazoline and phenylephrine are cromolyn nasal sprays that can be administered to children as young as two, and they work by preventing symptoms before exposure, but not too effective when used during the outbreak of these symptoms. Topical decongestants with phenylephrine can be given to children down as early as six months old. It is crucial that these medications be used sparingly and during short periods -- three days a month is suggested. 

● Oral Decongestants - Oral decongestants are useful medications in the treatment of nasal congestion in children. This class of medication includes pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. They work well for occasional and as-needed use since side effects such as insomnia, headaches and rapid heart rate can be experienced with long-term use. 

● Leukotriene Blockers - Montelukast was originally developed for asthma, but has been subsequently approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis for children as young as six months old. It is found beneficial for children with mild asthma and allergies. It must be taken daily, and it takes a few days before effects can be seen. Mild side effects include fatigue, abdominal pains and headaches. 

● Allergy Shots - Allergy shots or immunotherapy are particularly helpful when it comes to childhood allergies. This is not typically considered for children under five years of age due to maturity and cooperativeness of the child, however, several studies have shown that allergy shots can help in asthma prevention up to three years after immunization. 

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 David Novak is a international syndicated newspaper columnist, appearing in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV around the world. His byline has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Readers Digest and GQ, among others, and he has appeared on The CBS Morning Show, Paul Harvey and The Today Show. David is a specialist at health, wellness, diet and exercise, and he is a regular contributing editor for Healthline. For more information, visit http://www.healthline.com/.

As challenging as it is to be around a hyperactive child, it is essential that you know and understand what they are going through as well as how you can help in keeping them calm. A parent may have to speak to a hyperactive child about his/her behavior several times in an hour with no avail. 

There are several factors, however, that cause a hyperactive child’s behavior, such as emotional or relationship issues, diet and other environmental factors. Focusing on overcoming these factors can result in a keeping those afflicted more controlled and calm. There are a number of tips to help parents in settling down their hyperactive child. These quick tips have been found to produce incredible results in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). 

Hyperactive children are found to be very responsive to their surroundings, and a messy house or tense environment could trigger their hyperactivity. Try to keep your house as quiet and relaxing as possible, as well as instructing older siblings at home to participate in keeping the younger ones calm. Avoiding shouting or arguing can drastically decrease agitation. You should also try to keep your house in order. Messy environments can promote irritation among hyperactive children. You should also dim the light in the evening for a more tranquil effect. Scented candles can also help in creating a calm and serene atmosphere. 

An enjoyable soothing warm bubble bath is also effective in calming hyperactive children. You can add fragrances, such as vanilla and lavender, which have been shown to produce relaxation. If your child seems uninterested in taking a bath, you can coax them by offering toys and bath activities that may interest them. Many parents have found great success in making their child sleepy and calm after a warm bath before going to bed. 

It is also important to teach your child the process of self-regulation. Deep breathing exercises, yoga and meditation can help your child achieve inner tranquility, which slows down their thoughts and their bodies. You can also consult a professional to assist you in teaching your child different methods of relaxation. 

Hyperactive children respond well to gentle massages. Based on studies by the Touch Research Institute, the children who receive massages twice a week are more productive and less hyperactive than those who don’t. It also shows that massage really helps in easing the tension and promotes relaxation. Massage therapy aligns the body and mind resulting in calmness, allowing hyperactive children to focus better and to perform at their best. You can try this technique by gently massaging your child’s temples or back, and then working up to a full massage by a therapist. 

Hyperactive children have more pent up energy to get rid off than other children, thus it is crucial for them to have more physical exercise. Examples of great exercises for hyperactive kids are swimming, bicycling and skating. Any other activity that could allow them to play hard for a couple of hours will have a tremendous effect on calming them down for the duration of the day. 

All children excel in an environment with routine, structure and consistency. This is highly essential for hyperactive children, since this type of environment makes them feel secure in their surroundings. Children with ADHD are also found to flourish in a structured environment wherein they know what to expect. Make plans early for your child, and give them fair warning of new agenda plans. Also, try to make the transition from one activity to another as smooth as possible. This consistent, non-abrupt routine will ease the severity of hyperactive outbreaks. 

Hyperactivity is usually triggered when children are bored, thus having a recreational box at the ready is sometimes necessary. Create a box of activities that can get your child’s attention. Make sure to have enough variety so that they won’t get bored easily with the contents. Fill it with coloring books, paint sets, crossword puzzles, jewelry making kits, modeling clay, dress-up clothes and other things that might interest them. You can also switch items once in a while maintain their interest. 

Diet 

Certain foods can affect your child’s behavior. That’s why it's essential that you know what foods to avoid and what foods are best for your child who is hyperactive. Try to switch out processed foods for natural foods since food additives and colors as well as artificial sweeteners found in processed foods are known to make the nervous system overactive. Additionally, try to choose foods that are calming such as vegetables, nuts and seeds that have calcium and magnesium. These minerals have been proven to have calming effects. 

You can also incorporate foods such as low-fat yogurt, reduced-fat cheese, whole grain crackers and healthy cereals in your child’s diet. To satisfy their sweet tooth, you could consider fruits such as berries, peaches and oranges. You can also give them dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate since it’s healthier, and it decreases cortisol levels that trigger anxiety and nervousness. 

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David Novak’s syndicated column has appeared around the world, including several national publications like Reader’s Digest, Newsweek and USA Today. He’s has appeared on The CBS Morning Show and The Today Show. David is a specialist at health, wellness, diet and exercise, and he is a regular contributing editor for Healthline. For more information, visit http://www.healthline.com/. 

I've been teaching for 14 years now and as I look back, I realized that a teacher's subject designation is simply a decorative post that was assigned to him/her due to his/her academic specialization. Teachers in general are simply people with excess awareness of their humanity that they simply want to share it with others. A teacher is an individual that has the capacity to make people dream, cooperate, aspire, succeed, and most of all fail. You might be wondering why I gave so much emphasis on failing? 

Failure is a powerful tool that enables a teacher to create a "TEACHABLE MOMENT". A fragment of time where a person is stripped of his defenses and biases and is simply "intellectually and emotionally naked". Most parents will definitely disagree with me but I am also a parent. When a person fails he is simply put on state of confusion where his self image that was built on his early successes are simply shattered. Most parents tend to abhor failure because they want their kids to develop their full potential and unparalleled self-confidence. Traits that are perceived to be necessary to gain success later on in life. 

My son is quite competitive and if I might add quite gifted intellectually which tends to make him over confident to the point that he neglects strengthening his fundamental skills in school. As he grows up, he continued to develop his own identity based on how people see him parallel to the things he can do best. Success in his endeavors gave him self fulfillment but most of his learnings and realizations were from failures. It enabled him to know himself more and it gave me the window to challenge him more to be better than who he is now. Personally, watching my son fail is very painful but it is necessary. Because it made him more resourceful and it allowed him to see his limits and is simply forced to overcome them. Allowing him to look for more options and in cases where options are very limited, made him think out of the box. But there is a catch, in those moments of confusion we as parents should be the very people that would make him realize his life lessons and be the guide to them. 

Next time your kid comes home defeated, smile for there will be a day that he will come out a better person - stronger in all aspects. 

According to my husband, "Photographs are moments frozen in time." They bring back fond memories of the past. Organizing and keeping them properly will make them last for a long time and very pleasing to the eyes of those who will browse through. 

Here is a helpful article on how to organize your photos. 

Its that time of year again. The kids are back in school and you are getting back to your daily routine. As summer vacations come to an end, now is the perfect time to make sure your photos end up in scrapbooks instead of shoe boxes. We take photographs to remember the moments with our friends and family. For many, these photos end up stashed away, never to be looked at again. Here are some solutions for getting your photos in order, out of the shoeboxes, and into albums. 

Start with your most recent summer or vacation photos. When you come home from vacation, decide what you want to have printed. Many people who utilize digital photography still insist on printing all of their photos. Print only the ones that you will put into an album.

 

Having your photos printed right away gives you the luxury of remembering the order in which events occurred. Most people want to show off their photos when they return home, not six months down the road. 

Once you have selected your vacation photos and had them printed, make an appointment with yourself to put them into an album, or a scrapbook. Try to do this within one month of returning from your vacation. After all, you want to show them off right away don’t you? 

While still on vacation, write down your daily itinerary. (If you have already returned home, write down what you can remember.) At dinner each night, have your family write down their favorite moments, rides, or meals. Use these cards to help you create albums and scrapbooks. Make sure to pack index cards and pens when you go on vacation! 

If you are ready to organize all of your photos, start by gathering them from all over your home. Next, discard any unwanted duplicates, blinking photos, or just plain bad shots. If you don’t want to show it off, is it worth keeping? 

Then organize the remaining photos by year, child, or event. Set aside the photos you want to put into albums or scrapbooks, and purchase plastic photo storage boxes for the rest. Clearly label the contents of each box. 

Some direct marketing scrapbook companies offer photo-sorting classes. Consider hosting one for your friends. This will help everyone get organized! 

To ensure that scrapbooking is as easy on you as possible, keep a stockpile of materials (stickers, pages, adhesives, etc) on hand. This way when you have ten minutes you can scrapbook instead of having to take a trip out for supplies. 

If you want to learn to scrapbook, fall and winter is a perfect time. When purchasing scrapbook materials look for acid and lignin free products. Products specifically designed for scrapbooking will help preserve your photos’ longevity. You no longer have to seek out a specialty scrapbook store to buy products. Scrapbooking materials are carried by large craft stores and superstores. There are also many direct marketing products available. 

Digital photography is the easiest medium to store and organize. When you return home from a vacation (or at the end of the summer), upload your photos from your camera or memory card to your computer. Use only software program to organize all of your photos. Create clearly labeled folders to seperate the photos. For example, 4th of July, 2007, Maine. Once all the photos are safely stored on your computer, make sure you back them up via DVD, or an external hard drive. Take the time to delete any photos that you don’t want to keep so they don’t take up unnecessary space on your computer. 

Organizing your photos can be so simple by just following the tips above. If you have other helpful tips on how to do it, just leave a comment so that others can learn from you too! Thanks! 

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ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

Bonnie Joy Dewkett, CPO® (Certified Professional Organizer® Board of Certification for Professional Organizers~Director of Communications) is a nationally recognized organizing expert, author, motivational speaker, and internet radio personality in the United States of America. She began organizing as a child, and she has been organizing ever since. Her company, The Joyful Organizer®, creates and implements organizational systems for the home and office. These changes allow her Customers to create calm from chaos at work and at home. Bonnie is passionate about helping her clients meet their organizational goals, and loves to see the positive impact that getting organized has on their lives. 

Her diverse background gives her the ability to assist her clients with everything from the unique needs of organizing children’s rooms; to the organizational challenges ofmoving an entire family across the country. Working in special education in Maine, Bonnie helped her students exceed their educational goals by creating individualized programs that used their strengths to overcome their unique set of challenges. As a relocation consultant at Cartus, she managed the logistics of the moving process for hundreds of families that were being transferred through their employer. 

Recognizing a gap in the information about moving and relocation, she authored The Joyful Organizer’s Guide to a Joyful Move—a comprehensive resource for families that are preparing to move. It helps them reduce stress by keeping them organized throughout their move. It is available on her website http://move.thejoyfulorganizer.com, and Amazon.com. Her most recent book, 50 Tips to Get You Organized- In Ten Minutes or Less!, is available in print or Kindle formats on Amazon.com. 

She has gained a worldwide audience through her radio show, The Joy of Organizing. With over a quarter of a million downloads, her show is the most listened to show on the BlogTalkRadio Woman’s Business Network, formerly the Diva Toolbox Radio Network. Airing weekly, the show provides practical organizing tips and tricks for busy families. She has interviewed many of the country’s top organizing experts, including Oprah’s PeterWalsh, JulieMorgenstern, DIY’s Karl Champley, Barbara Hemphill, and Barry Izsak. 

Bonnie’s organizing advice has been featured in many local newspapers, and nationally in Better Homes and Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens’ Secrets of Getting Organized, Parents, and Woman’s Day magazines. Bonnie has achieved the prestigious designation of Certified Professional Organizer, CPO®, from The Board of Certification for Professional Organizers. Making her one of only six in the State of Connecticut, and less than twenty-five in all of New England. 

Bonnie received a B.S. in Resource and Agribusiness Management from The University of Maine in 2001. She completed work on her M.B.A. in May 2011, graduating summa cum laude from Nichols College. 

You can keep in touch with Bonnie through: 

The Joyful Organizer®, LLC

bonnie@thejoyfulorganizer.com

http://www.thejoyfulorganizer.com

http://thejoyfulorganizer.com/blog

Looking for free organizing tips? Subscribe to The Joy of Organizing Radio Show on iTunes!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-organizing-blog-talk/id352871697

http://www.facebook.com/thejoyfulorganizer

http://www.facebook.com/thejoyoforganizing

http://www.twitter.com/thejoyfulorg

http://www.linkedin.com/in/thejoyfulorganizer

https://pinterest.com/BonnieJDewkett/