Parent's Planet

Areas in Atlanta Area for Young Parents

Though you may hear from some people that a certain part of Atlanta, or any city for that matter, is the best part of the city for young families, you will hear a direct opposite from other people. Choosing the best place to live in a city is very subjective, but there are some things to keep in mind when moving to Atlanta.

There are many options for Atlanta apartments. You will quickly find that they are all over the city. One thing that many families do is choose an apartment that is close the parents’ jobs. The closer you are to work, the easier time you will have getting there. You will probably also end up saving money on gas.

Many young families also try to find a home near some attractions. Even having a local park nearby can increase interest for those with small children. The kids will want to do something, and if you can just run down the street to the park, you’re set.

A large number of parents choose their new home because of school district boundaries. If you have looked into the schools in Atlanta, and you have chosen one you want your children going to, you will most likely want to choose a home in the school’s district.

Finding the perfect place is something that is different for everyone. Finding a family friendly neighborhood is as easy as thinking about which aspects are most important to you and going from there.

Filed Under: Family, Parenting Tagged With: Atlanta, Family, School district

What ‘Type’ of a Parent are you?

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Every parent his or her own way to dealing with their kids. Whether it is motivating them or disciplining them, how you tackle situations with your kids will differ greatly from how other parents go about it. Based on how parents handle scenarios related to their kids, they can be classified into certain ‘Types’. Here is a look at the different types of parents:

Diplomatic Parents: This is often known as one the most effective methods of parenting. Diplomatic parents (often also known as democratic parents)give their kids the freedom to make their own decisions. The idea here is to give children a sense of responsibility as well as make them feel that their parents have confidence in them. It is generally noticed that the children of democratic parents have high maturity levels and are better capable of problem solving at an emotional level. Such parents deal with their kids as they would with a grown up. Even when kids make a mistake, they choose to reason with them instead of reprimanding them.
Authoritarian Parents: Such parents are the military leaders if the parenting world! They have a strict set of rules that their kids are expected to follow at all times. They govern everything that their kids do, their food habits, the friends they make, how they spend their time at home, how long they get to stay out and so on. These parents aren’t too forgiving of their children’s mistakes and use punishments for disciplining. Although this might sound like an overly tough attitude (especially when compared to democratic parents), it can be a very effective method if done properly.

Filed Under: Family, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Family, Home, Parent

Taking Time to Find the Right Pediatrician

Finding a great pediatrician is paramount in the health of your child right from the start. The best time to start searching for your pediatrician is while you are pregnant. This will give you time to research the options and do a bit of homework on the topic.

Plenty of Options Available to You

You can find a lot of great choices for a pediatrician from your friends and family. You may even consider your own pediatrician from your childhood if he or she is still practicing. Asking the important questions when you are doing your research will go a long way to helping you find just the right fit for you and your children. You will also want to confirm that the pediatrician you are considering has been accepted by your insurance company and that you will be covered if you take your children there. Take some time to do the basic research on the pediatricians in your area and use Canada 411 to do your search.

You may find that meeting with the pediatrician is truly the only way to decide if he is the best person to be managing your child’s healthcare. You can schedule an initial meeting or interview with the pediatrician to confirm whether he is right for your family. This may be a charged visit, however many pediatricians will set aside a few minutes to speak with you no charge if you explain you are looking for the right pediatrician for your family. You should also be sure to ask if the pediatrician you are considering is accepting new patients before you list them on your health plan.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, Parenting Tagged With: Canada, Child, Pediatrics

Parenting tips

When it comes to parenting no one ever told you it was going to be an easy ride. Parents aren’t given a parenting manual, they just learn on a trial and error basis. What used to work for you when you were a child, might not work with your own children. The following are some tips for being effective with discipling your children.

if you want to get through to your children and refrain from spanking the key is consistency. If you say that you are going to do something if the child misbehaves and you don’t act on that, they child will then get the picture that they can most likely get away with the behavior, and the next time they do it, your threats won’t mean anything.

If your child misbehaves consider taking away what they love the most. This could range from anything to a particular privlege, a toy, an electronic devise ect.

Make sure to set guidelines. Write out your household rules. Explain them to your child, and also explain to your children what will happen should they choose to misbehave and not follow the household rules. It is imparitive to make sure that you are consistent and that you follow through with what you say you will do. Speak on your childs level and make sure that they know that if they misbehave that the same discipline will happen each time. If they can predict the consequences for their misbehavior then more likely then not you will find that the children will behave.

Filed Under: Family, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Family, Parent

Top 3 Reasons to Refinance Your Car Loan

Refinancing a car loan is a good way to save money in uncertain economic times. If you’re uncertain about refinancing a car loan, there are several good reasons that could change your mind.

If you or your spouse have recently been laid off or demoted, money is probably tight. Refinancing your car and extending the time of the loan can free up money every month, helping you keep up on other bills. This could be a way for parents who just brought a child into the world to maximize the money available for their baby.

Many people buy cars when they are young and have either poor credit or very little credit history. Banks often give higher interest rates to people in this situation. If you’re locked into a car loan with a high interest rate, refinancing may get you a lower rate. Doing this will save you money every month. Additionally, having a lower interest rate means that you’ll pay less interest over the life of the loan.

While some people with no credit take a higher interest rate, others may have a cosigner on their car loans. If you have a cosigner, but time has elapsed since initially agreeing to the loan, you may be able to find a more competitive interest rate. Paying on time raises your credit score and makes you eligible for a loan with a lower interest rate and no cosigner. Looking up car refinance loans in this situation not only saves you money, it takes a burden off of your cosigner.

Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: Credit history, Interest rate, Loan

New Mother, Newborn: Tips for Parenting

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There’s no force in this world more natural than motherhood. This is the expectation all women share, with knowledge meant to be gleaned through pregnancy and efforts meant to be easy.

The truth, however, is far less simple.

New parents may instead falter. Their children can prove to be enigmatic: with every desire misunderstood and every need mistaken. And this can lead to anxiety — which can greatly impact attempts at mothering.

It’s imperative therefore that first-time parents remember these suggestions:

Understand Limitations

Perfection isn’t easily won. It’s gained instead through time (earned with years, not instinct). It’s vital then that all new mothers recognize their limitations. Never assume that experience isn’t needed. Choose instead to remember that each day will offer new lessons and new understandings.

Seek Support

Help is an unfortunate word: this is the belief of many first-time mothers. No aid should be needed; no support should be sought. Their children should be reliant only on them. This is the natural order of parenthood. That order must be forgotten, however. Ask for assistance. Allow those with practical knowledge to provide suggestions. Learn from their mistakes. Accept their advice.

Defy Shame

Uncertainty is too common. Inadequacy is all too familiar. Mothers may find themselves struggling to blend the obligations of their past lives with their new ones. Every gesture may seem to fail. Every attempt can seem strained. And this can summon feelings of shame and anger. Do not accept them. Remember instead to remain calm. Don’t become overwhelmed. Voice all concerns and receive help for them — rather than burying them all.

Use these suggestions to battle worries and gain balance.

Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: childsupport, Home, Mother, Parent

Learning to Love Reading with 10 Titles for Kids

Children with extra pressures and anxieties might find reading difficult or unproductive. It’s possible that the content of the books they’ve read thus far don’t speak to them, or they provide additional tension in their lives. The following 10 books contain subject matter that is peaceful and relatable. The books vary in reading level and subject matter, but all of them are sure to interest young children and produce in them a desire to learn and read more.

All-of-a-Kind Family
The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
Betsy-Tracy
The Cobble Street Cousins
One Morning in Maine
Cheaper by the Dozen
The Penderwicks
Little House on the Prairie
Homer Price
The Great Brain

The titles above will hopefully provide a spark in children and lead them to love reading. Children and families living in poverty have lower levels of literacy for various reasons. It’s tough for children to find time to read when they have to deal with the stresses of their lives. They might have to take care of their little sister or brother when they get home from school, or they might live in a district with low-funded schools that can’t provide every student with books.

Luckily, there are a number of charities that raise money for families in need. Kars 4 Kids, for example, accepts donations of cars and uses the proceeds of the car sales to benefit underprivileged children. If charities such as Kars4kids can continue to assist families, perhaps the rates of literacy will increase.

Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: Book, childrens literature, Readability

Keeping Your Sanity While Raising Your Children

Have you ever wondered how parents keep their sanity while raising their children? How did your parents do it? Nowadays there are so many things we have to worry about that your parents did not have to consider when raising you. There are environmental dangers, social dangers, technology dangers, etc. How do we sort it all out, deal with the day-to-day problems of raising children, and manage it all without losing it? Well, we love our children and it is our job to “keep it together.” It isn’t always easy, but it is worth it.

As far as the dangers in the world, there is nothing we can really do to change the fact that those dangers are there; but, we can do whatever possible to protect our children from them. Do your research. Learn about the dangers, how to avoid them, and how to protect your children before they even reach the age that it is an issue. Set very firm boundaries for your children and stick to them. Teach your children your expectations, values, and goals for them. Trust your children.

Keeping your sanity also has a lot to do with how you manage contention, arguments, and defiance. These attributes begin in your child at a very young age. The level of defiance with change over time, which means the way you deal with your child’s behavior will also change. Talk to other parents and get ideas from them about how they have managed the difficulties you may be dealing with. Take a deep breath and try to focus on the issue at hand. When all else fails… take a hot bath, read a good book, recharge yourself, and try again tomorrow!

Filed Under: Budgeting, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Health, Parent

Fetal Development in the Third Trimester

You have made it this far in your pregnancy and you are nearing the end. Your baby has gone from a single egg and sperm to a fully developed little person! As you enter your third trimester there are still many changes going on with your body and your baby’s body. There is a lot of growing and development that still needs to take place before your baby is ready to be born.

As you enter the seventh month of your pregnancy you will notice that your baby is probably pretty active now. You can feel his movements most of the day and night. The movements are obvious enough now that other people may even be able to see the baby’s movements. He can open and shut his eyes and can even cry. The baby may even develop hiccups. His bones are fully developed at this point and he will continue to increase in body fat and size.

In the eighth month there is not a lot of new development. Your baby will continue to grow and increase his body fat and size. He will be maturing during this time in preparation for life in the outside world. Your baby may spend most of his time sleeping now.

You finally made it! You are in the last month of your pregnancy. In the ninth month the baby is preparing for the birthing process. He will be moving around to position his head in the downward position in preparation for entering the birth canal. Although he may spend a lot of time resting and sleeping, you will most likely notice a lot of active times as well.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Parenting Tagged With: Dwarfism, Infant, Pregnancy

Fetal Development in the Second Trimester

During the fourth, fifth, and sixth months of your pregnancy you will be noticing many more obvious physical changes in your own body. However, the changes going on in your baby’s body are even more amazing!

In the fourth month your baby’s teeth and hair will begin to develop. You will most likely feel your baby’s movements for the first time. Your baby has now developed intestines and his digestive system is beginning to develop. By the end of the fourth month your doctor will most likely be able to determine gender on an ultrasound.

You have now reached your fifth month, which means you are over halfway there! Your baby will start developing fine hairs on his body, which are called lanugo. These fine hairs cover the entire body. During this month other hair grows such as eyelashes and eyebrows. Your baby now has footprints and fingerprints of his very own. His suck and swallow reflexes have developed, and in fact you may even see him sucking his thumb on your ultrasound. At this point, the baby’s ears have developed and he may be able to hear you.

During your sixth month of pregnancy the baby’s immune system is developing and he begins to develop his own antibodies. The lungs are now developing. The baby will have developed the ability to grip. If you have further ultrasounds you will be able to see that your baby is continuing to grow and fill out now. He is beginning to look more like a little person.

Filed Under: Child Development Tagged With: Infant, Pregnancy, Ultrasound