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April 2002

Here is what you’ll see in this issue of MyBabyConnection.com Newsletter

1. Article: “Limiting Sun Exposure to Your Baby” by Beth Weinhouse
2. Advertisement: MyCuteChild.com
3. Inspirational Story :”A Path of Simplicity” by Edel Jarboe
4. Advertisement: Accuterm Life Insurance
5. FYI: Next Drawing in June 2002 – Tell Your Friends!


Limiting Sun Exposure
By Beth Weinhouse for Your Baby Today

When the days grow longer and the sun warmer, most families can't wait
to take to the outdoors. But when there's an infant in the family, being
outside requires special precautions. In fact, most pediatricians advise
keeping infants out of direct sunlight entirely. Infant skin is thinner
and more delicate than adults', or even than older children's. And
because the skin's sun protection mechanism isn't fully developed yet,
newborn and infant skin burns more easily. Even babies with darker skin
need to be protected. While keeping a baby indoors all summer may be the
ideal from a medical point of view, it certainly isn't practical. Few
babies spend an entire summer cooped up indoors. So if you plan to be
outside with your baby this summer, learn how to protect the littlest
family members so they can have safe fun in the sun, too. Dermatologists
caution that the damage from the sun is cumulative, and most people
receive up to 80 percent of their lifetime exposure to the sun before
age eighteen. Beginning a sun protection program early will help protect
babies from sunburn now... and from skin cancer later. Minimizing Sun
Exposure · When possible, try to avoid being outdoors in direct sunlight
between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Plan
walks for the early morning or late afternoon. · Buy a carriage/stroller
with a canopy top that can be adjusted to protect your child from the
sun, no matter which direction the rays are coming from. · Have window
shades in the back seat of your car to provide shade for your baby while
you're driving. · Keep a sun shade/umbrella in the trunk of your car to
be used at the beach, park, in a friend's backyard, etc. · Check your
baby frequently to make sure he's out of direct sunlight. The angle of
the sun shifts over the course of a day, so even the most carefully
positioned umbrella or stroller shade will have to be constantly
adjusted. Dressing the Part Even shade is not total protection from the
sun, since the sun's rays can be reflected off many surfaces, such as
sun, sand, and concrete. Dressing babies properly will help protect them
even when they're not exposed to direct sunlight. · Choose clothes that
cover the arms and legs. Loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibers
(such as cotton) will help keep your baby cooler. · Tightly woven
fabrics are more protective than loose weaves. · Sunglasses don't just
look cool; they also help protect babies' eyes. Find infant shades that
say on the label that they block at least 99 percent of the sun's rays.
· ALWAYS put a hat on a baby who's going to be outdoors in the summer
sun. The hat should cover the top of the head (i.e., no headband
visors), and should have a wide brim in front to shade the face. Hats
with soft cloth neck flaps are ideal. For information on choosing and
applying sunblock for your baby, be sure to read our "Sunblock Savvy"
article, launching next week on Your Baby Today. Beth Weinhouse is a
frequent contributor to Your Baby Today. She specializes in women's and
children's health issues and lives in Oxford, Mississippi with her
husband and 6-year-old son.


© Studio One Networks
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A Path of Simplicity
By Edel Jarboe

I didn't start out trying to simplify my life. The decision to start my
own business felt like I was grabbing a lifeline.
I was suffocating in my accounting job. I was always tired and I was
constantly complaining that I wasn't happy. I assumed it was the stress
of my job that was making me miserable. However, when I quit my job and
went back to school, I was surprised to find that I was still unhappy. I
was pursuing a worthwhile goal but my heart wasn't in it. What was going
on? If my job wasn't the source of my unhappiness, then what was?
It took a single question to help me turn my life around. One day when
nothing seemed to be going right, I asked myself, "what would it take
for me to be happy? Not just for tomorrow or a year from now, but for
years to come?" After much soul searching, the answer was "being my own
boss." Moreover, when I examined this statement, I realized that I meant
more than just the way that I earned a living. Being my own boss meant
being conscious of the choices I was making and being in charge of the
quality of my life. I realized that I didn't just want to be a writer. I
wanted to be the author of my own life. Most importantly, I also
realized that I wasn't powerless. I had always had the power to create
the life I wanted. Somewhere along the way, I had forgotten what was
important to me and my happiness.
Knowing what you want makes life a lot simpler. I stopped thinking in
terms of what was and started thinking instead of what could be. I knew
that I wanted to write, but what did I want to write about? I examined
my alternatives and decided that what would be most fulfilling to me
would be to help others find their path a.k.a. self help. Once I was
committed to this course of action, I started working on creating my own
online magazine geared towards helping women take control of their
lives.
About a month after I started my business, I was talking to a friend who
remarked upon my change in outlook and on how relaxed and happy I was.
The words "life is simpler when you know what you want" fell out of my
mouth. Quite by accident, I had hit upon the very cornerstone of simpler
living: living a life of choice and of quality. I also realized that I
had inadvertently simplified my life. In the months since I had
committed to being my own boss, I had been taking better care of myself
and making time for the things that were important to me. I was
healthier, happier, and I felt more balanced. I wasn't stressed out
anymore and I felt that I could handle anything that came my way. I felt
like I was doing what I was meant to do. I was fulfilled.
Twelve Practical Ways I Have Simplified My Life
1. I switched to a no fuss hair style and I wear less makeup. If
anything, my skin and hair are healthier than ever.
2. I have made peace with the past by forgiving those who have hurt me.
You can't move forward if you are always looking back.
3. Having a home-based business eliminates the stress of commuting and I
am saving gas and money.
4. I have scaled down my wardrobe to my four favorite colors which makes
shopping a lot easier.
5. I exercise 4-5 times a week. I have more energy, a more positive
outlook on life, and I love the long walks with my husband.
6. I now use email to communicate with family and friends who aren't
near by.
7. I watch only 1 to 1 1/2 hours of television a day during the week.
This gives me more time to read and work on other projects. In fact,
Sunday evening is our designated reading night. It helps us relax before
the start of each week.
8. I have eliminated coffee, soda, and chocolate (well, almost) from my
diet. I no longer suffer from their side effects of fatigue,
irritability, and that "hyped up" feeling.
9. I delegate and delete tasks more often. I realize that I don't have
to do everything. I no longer feel the need to be in absolute control.
10. I have learned to be more flexible and more open to different ideas.
My way is not the only way.
11. I use master lists for meal planning, grocery shopping, chores,
birthdays, and holidays.
12. I plan my goals. Instead of just saying that I want to publish a
book in 6 months, I sit down and map out exactly what will need to
happen and when. I also check back to see how I am doing.
How Can You Simplify Your Life?
1. Find your heart and follow it. This works best if you can state your
purpose in one to three sentences. . For example, "I express myself
fully by ___________". (This is also known as a personal mission
statement.) Take time alone and make a list of what is important to you.
Brainstorm. Look for connections between concepts and values that
resonate deeply within you. Do not censure yourself. Let your heart flow
freely and let it guide you to your true Purpose.
2. Examine all your options. Don't get locked into thinking that there
is only one way to create the life you want. Be willing to change your
focus.
3. Create a plan for your happiness. Be committed and be focused on
living out your own personal mission statement.
4. Act on your plan. Make time for what is important to you. Look for
ways to streamline your life so that you can enjoy your life more fully
each and every day.

Edel Jarboe is the founder of Self Help for Her.com, an online self-help
magazine helping you create a better life. She also publishes a free
weekly newsletter, which features advice on goal setting, stress
management, coping with difficult people, and overcoming obstacles:
Subscribe here and receive a FREE stress report.

___________________________________________________________



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For Your Information:

JUNE 2002 will be the next drawing for the:
v FREE DIAPERS
v FREE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM from MyLittleSteps.com
v CUSTOM BABY BLANKET embroidered with MyMiracleBaby (value is $60)

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If you have any questions concerning this newsletter or above articles,
you can e-mail me at newsl-@mybabyconnection.com


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author to reprint any of the above information.



Michelle Floyd
www.MyBabyConnection.com
Connecting YOU to the Best Baby Sites on the web!

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