Partly Cloudy (New Soundtrack)

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Choose a Healthy Lifestyle

Your livelihood will depend on your health status from the moment you move out and support yourself and your family. Your family’s health will affect your financial well-being also.  If you are ill and miss work or are unproductive, that will affect your paycheck in a big way. If your child is ill you might miss work or lose sleep caring for the child and that may affect your paycheck too.

So, what healthy choices can you make for yourself and family?

ü Get enough rest, at least 7 hours per night

ü Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days per week

ü Eat fresh produce ( fruits and vegetables)

ü Limit red meat

ü Increase fish

ü Include a Meatless Meal once per week

ü Meditate, do yoga, read, listen to music

ü Avoid fatty foods

ü Avoid processed foods

ü Avoid sweets

ü Get flu vaccines

ü Keep immunizations current for self and family

ü Drink plenty of water everyday

ü Have a healthy attitude

ü Avoid smoking or second-hand smoke

ü Clean with green products

ü Avoid drugs and alcohol

ü Have a hobby or play sports

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Banking Services

Financial Institutions offer several services to help you manage your money.

Savings account- this is a safe short-term investment to earn interest. The federal government backs these accounts with the FDIC, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Market Money Accounts – a higher rate of interest
CD or Certificate of Deposit – The bank holds your money for a set period of time and you will be penalized if you withdraw before maturity.
Checking accounts – a place to hold your money and is available to you at any time. It usually doesn’t earn interest but will be charged fees for this account. The bank tracks your deposits and withdrawals but you must also keep accurate records so you know exactly how much you have available.
ATM- you have 24-7 access to your money through the ATM at your bank or a machine at another location. There are fees involved and maximum amounts of transactions
Online Banking – you can deposit and manage your money online. Most bills can be paid online as well
Mortgages – to buy a house
Loans – to purchase big ticket items
Safe Deposit Box – to secure papers and property
Debit Card – to use instead of cash or credit

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Moving Out

Do you want to move out because you feel mature and ready or are you trying to avoid rules and restrictions from parents?

Ask yourself these questions:

ü Do you have a job?

ü Can you hold down a job?

ü Where do you want to live?

ü How much income do you have?

ü What expenses do you currently owe?

ü What’s your credit rating?

ü Do you have a bank account?

ü Do you have transportation?

ü Will you have a roommate?

ü How much money do you have saved?

ü Do you own household items?

ü Do you know how to plan and prepare meals?

ü How will you do your laundry?

ü Who will care for your child?

ü Can you get yourself up each morning?

ü Can you do household chores on your own?

ü Do you mind being alone?

ü Do you have reliable child care?

ü Would you understand the lease agreement?

ü Could you take care of yourself if sick?

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Pack Your Bags

You should have your bag packed when you’re in your 8^th month of pregnancy. Some

things you’ll need during labor and other items after you have your baby. 

• Picture ID
• Insurance card
• Birth plan
• Bathrobe
• Book or magazine
• Phone & charger
• Comfort Items (favorite pillow, blanket, music)
• Cosmetics, hair items
• Toiletries- deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush
• Comfortable clothes to wear home

Don’t Bring

• Jewelry
• Money
• Medication
• Vitamins

For Your Baby

• Going-home outfit
• Car seat

For Your Coach

• Camera, memory card & charger
• Cell phone & charger
• Comfortable shoes and clothes
• Snacks
• Cash for vending machines and parking lot. 

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Minor Discomforts and Remedies

Pregnancy is a joyful experience that can also bring some minor discomforts.Here are the reasons you may feel the way you do and suggested remedies.

You might  have morning sickness from an increase of pregnancy hormones, dehydration, and an empty stomach.

*Eat crackers 15 minutes before getting out of bed, sip water during the night.

You might have a backache because your spine is supporting the weight of the uterus.

*Have good posture, take a walk, apply a heating pad, wear low heels.

You might have breast tenderness because the milk glands are enlarging.

*Wear a larger, cotton bra with firm support both day and night.

You will have to urinate frequently because the uterus is pressing on your bladder.

*Avoid wearing tight clothing and empty your bladder as needed.

You might get sharp abdominal pain when the ligaments around the uterus are stretched.

*Slowly bend toward the cramp or take a warm bath.

You might have nasal stuffiness because hormones that increase mucus production and membranes in the lining of your nose will swell.

*Use saline solution, apply a warm, wet cloth to your face, use a humidifier.

Your gums might bleed from increased blood circulation and the pregnancy hormones.

*Use a soft toothbrush, be sure to floss and get dental check-ups

You might be more prone to getting headaches caused by tension or congestion.

*Rest in a darkened room, do relaxation exercises for your neck and shoulder area.

You might get heartburn caused by progesterone relaxing all the soft tissues in your esophagus allowing acidic fluids to rise from your stomach to your throat.

*Eat smaller meals, avoid spicy, fatty sugary foods, don't lay down after eating.

You might have sleeping difficulties from uncomfortable positions.

*Drink warm milk before bed, take a warm bath or shower, use a pillow between your legs and tucked under your abdomen.

You might have dizziness which is caused when progesterone dilates your blood vessels, making blood pool in your legs and decreasing your blood pressure.

*Move around often when standing, try laying on your left side and eat every 2 hours.

You might be constipated or get hemorrhoids because your bowels will function more slowly.
*Increase fiber in your diet, drink prune juice, walk, drink warm liquids in the morning.

Dehydration will cause low blood volume and increase the level of oxytocin which triggers premature labor.

*Make sure you are always drinking liquid throughout the day and night. If you are dehydrated go straight to the hospital!

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Old Wives Tales

Tales, in general, have been passed down from generation to generation before information was recorded, published and read. Old wives tales explained things that people didn’t understand. Here are some examples:

• Pregnant women should not take baths.
• Pregnant women shouldn’t lift her hands over her head.
• Heartburn means the baby has lots of hair.
• More babies are born during a full moon.
• If you sleep too much labor will be harder.
• A woman will lose a tooth for every baby she has.If a pregnant woman drinks too much coffee the baby will have a brownish birthmark.
• Pregnant women should eat for two.

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Fine Motor Development

Fine motor skills involve the control of muscles in the hands, fingers, feet and toes. Also the muscles of the tongue and lips that help children speak and sing. Improving fine motor skills will lead to self-care.

•tying shoes 

•zipping and unzipping

•buckling and unbuckling

•playing games that require precise hand and finger control

•pinching objects between fingers

•using locks and keys

•manipulating buttons and snaps

•putting small objects together

•doing puzzles

Small finger muscles can be challenged with nesting toys, puzzles

Smaller blocks to stack and arrange

Arranging and gluing  beads, pasta, cereal and string

Encourage children to turn the pages of books and to point to things on pages.

Dexterity means having the ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Discussion: Can you think of some occupations that require precise manual dexterity?

•Musical Instrument Builders Repairers and Tuners

•Structural Iron and Steel Workers

•Upholders

•Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

•Surgeons

•Dentists

•Pilots

•Nurses

•Hairdressers, barbers

•Make-up Artists

•Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

•Automotive Mechanics and Service Technicians

•Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters

•Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

•Sewers

•Craft Artists

•Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

•Aircraft Mechanics and Services Technicians

•Plastics Molder

•Landscaping, horticulturist

•Drywall Installer

•Culinary Arts, Baker, Chef

•Glass Cutter

•Sign Maker

•Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

•Wood Patternmakers

•Machinist

•Medical Lab Techs

•Electricians

•Jewelers

•Brick masons and Block masons

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Quench Your Thirst

Hydration is important for flushing waste products from your body, and aiding the liver and kidney function in both you and your baby.

You will need 8 to 12 eight ounce glasses of fluid. Fill a pitcher or large sports bottle and drink in small amounts throughout the day.

Avoid caffeinated and sweet beverages which can actually cause dehydration.

Dehydration can

• make you feel queasy
• cause fatigue
• cause toxemia
• lead to miscarriage
• cause preterm labor
• can be life threatening to baby and mother

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Have a Ball

A colorful ball has lasting play value:

Newborn – visual interaction

4 months – reaches

8 month – crawls to ball

1-2 yr old – practices releasing

2-3 yr old – kicks

3-4 yr old – throws

4-5 yr old – bounces

5 years old – tosses & catches

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Invest in Your Future

Think of the people you know who have retired. Are they living on a lower fixed income? Social security and pension plans alone are not enough to live on. You haven’t even started your career yet but when you do you’ll need to start planning for retirement! 

According to www.schwabplann.com , for every 5 years you put off investing for retirement you will have to double your monthly investing amount to achieve the retirement income needed to sustain independence as a retiree. 

Not only are you trying to figure out how much income you need to support yourself and your family over the next 45 – 50 years, but you’re estimating how much you’ll need to maintain a particular retirement lifestyle. Do you plan on staying in your home, having the mortgage paid off, and living a modest lifestyle? Or do you plan on traveling, golfing, and living in a retirement community?

Most expenses will decrease like taxes, savings expenses, shelter, education, apparel, and transportation. However, there will be cost increases for health care, utilities, and entertainment. Most financial planners estimate a replacement wage ratio of 70% - 80%.

The banking institutions do not pay a very high-interest rate so you will need to seek long-term investments like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Also, take advantage of workplace retirement plans and IRAs.

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The More You Know

Every woman has a unique childbirth experience so keep that in mind when stories are

shared. Try not to let these conversations scare you.

Remember, the more you know, the more confident you will feel during childbirth.  Begin researching all aspects of childbirth.

Register early for childbirth classes so you have plenty of time to learn everything before the big day.

Some of the topics that you need to know:

• False labor vs true labor
• The process of labor and delivery
• The role of your delivery coach
• Comfort techniques
• Medications available
• Medical procedures

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House Hunting

Figure out your housing budget. The best rule of thumb is 30% of your net income (take home pay).

Consider the following when choosing a location: distance to work, school districts, safe neighborhood.

• Always ask friends and family if they know of any available places.
• Check Craig’s List or Padmapper.com for apartment locator.
• Take time to check each potential apartment. Do the faucets work? Do the windows lock? Is it clean and odor free? Does it come with appliances?
• You will complete a rental application and must have proof of employment and photo ID. You will also need to know your bank account information, previous addresses, and references.
• The landlord will do a credit check to verify employment, credit history, credit score and criminal background.
• The Lease Agreement is a legal contract which outlines the rules and expectations that the landlord and tenant promise to follow.
• Security deposit is required and will be used if you damage the unit or move leave while owing rent.
• Public Housing Programs are available and include Metropolitan Housing Authority and other low-income housing organizations.

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Healthy Weight Gain

Gaining just the right amount of weight depends on many factors. You can put your baby at risk if you gain too little or too much weight.

As a teenager your body is still growing so it’s vital that you are eating enough calories and nutrients for your development as well as your baby’s. During pregnancy women generally only need an additional 300 calories added to their daily intake.

Talk to your health care provider about how much weight gain is appropriate for you. It will be based on your overall health and your pre-pregnancy weight.

If you’re rapidly gaining weight talk to your health care provider. Gaining more than 2 pounds per week could be a  sign of preeclampsia.

The weight you gain is not all baby. The weight is distributed all over your body. Your breast gain 2 lbs, maternal fat stores 7 lbs, extra blood and body fluid 8 lbs, placenta, amniotic fluid and uterus weighs 5.5 lbs and finally, the baby averages 7.5 lbs.

Baby needs calories and nutrients to build heart, lungs, brain and skeleton.

You are not eating for two, but you are sharing what you normally eat with your baby.

• Make time for breakfast
• Avoid snacks with no nutrients; soda, coffee, chips, cakes and cookies.
• Avoid fruit juice loaded with sugar. Eat fresh fruit instead.
• Eat smaller portions several times per day.

Good choices at fast food restaurants include:

• Grilled chicken, not fried
• Baked potato, not French fries
• Salad or fruit, not cookies
• Milk or low fat yogurt, not milk shakes

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Bond With Your Baby

Interacting with your baby will directly affect his growth and development. It will release

endorphins in you that will make you feel happy and calm.

• Begin talking to your baby
• Read to your baby
• Ask him how he’s doing today.
• Stroke and pat your tummy.
• Play with him by poking your tummy
• Sing to him
• Listen to soft music
• Dance with him
• Tell him you love him and you can’t wait to hold him.

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Get Politically Active

You have wanted to grow up and move out for so long. There are probably many things you planned on doing with your home and life on your own. But one of the things most young people don’t think about doing once they turn 18 is getting involved in politics. It’s not only your right, but it’s your responsibility to know what’s happening and who is making the decisions.

• How are the taxes used?
• Who is running the city where you live?
• How are the schools funded?
• How high are tax rates for the lower and middle class?
• Do the politicians work on issues that make the world a better place for your children? 
• Or are they unproductive and stagnant?

Find something you care about and then voice your opinion. Write letters to the decision makers, lobby, petition and most importantly vote! You can make a difference! What are some current issues people are talking about in your state?

• Same-sex marriage
• legalization of marijuana
• tax policies 
• voting rights of all people
• water shortage in California
• transportation funds to fix our broken infrastructure
• Medicaid budgets that threaten the Affordable Care Act
• carbon emissions and climate change

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Importance of Play

Play influences every aspect of your child's development

Creativity and imagination grow, along with learning that life is full of opportunities and possibilities when your child creates and pretends.

Physical skills develop as your child learns to reach, crawl, walk, run, climb, jump, throw, catch and balance. Fine motor skills develop as your child handles playthings.

Mental skills sharpen through play that encourages problem-solving and shows cause and effect. Your child learns about shapes, colors, sizes and other concepts through play.

Social skills, like learning to follow directions and rules, cooperate, take turns, and share, build during play.

Emotional skills form through your child’s experience of pleasure, bonding with others and working through feelings during role-playing. Goals achieved through play, increase your child’s self-esteem.

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Bathing Your Baby

Your baby will get a sponge bath until the umbilical cord falls off in the first 2-3 weeks. Caution: Never place a cotton swab inside a baby’s ears or nose. Use a new cotton ball dipped in warm water, no soap, for each part: Eyes - wipe from inner eye to outer. Ears - Clean behind and around the outer ears. Nose – wipe around each nostril. Neck - Wipe gently under baby’s chin and folds of the neck.

Supplies needed:

• Baby tub
• Baby soap
• Tearless shampoo
• Soft washcloths
• Two large soft towels
• Baby clothes & diaper
• Lotion and diaper cream

Getting ready:

• The room should be warm, no breeze
• Have all above supplies on hand
• Check with water temperature

Bathing baby

1.    Undress baby and wrap in large towel

2.   Wet and wring out washcloth. Wipe baby’s eyes and face.

3.   Fold washcloth over your finger and gently wash the outside and behind babies ears. NEVER PUT ANYTHING IN BABY’S EARS

4.   Unwrap baby and lower into the tub.

5.   Enjoy this time with your baby; talk, sing and gently play.

6.   Do not let baby become chilled

Never leave your baby alone - EVER!

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Feeding Your Family

Feeding your family is more than purchasing food. There is so much that goes into planning meals and preparing things your family likes to eat. You have the responsibility to instill healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.   

• Plan a menu around the items you have in your freezer and pantry
• Check weekly specials and coupons in newspapers & online.
• Utilize discount grocery stores with lower prices
• Buy in bulk if possible
• Make a grocery list, grouped by type of product in the store (produce, deli, meat, dairy, frozen, canned).
• avoid packaged and processed foods to make meals healthier
• Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables when possible.
• Homemade meals costs less than eating out
• Ask your relatives for family recipes
• Try new recipes in cookbooks and online
• Use the slow-cooker to have a meal ready when you get home from work
• Involve your children in meal planning and preparation
• Try making freezer meals during the weekend

It’s important for families to spend time around the table

and catch up with everyone’s day.

All devices should be put away and television turned off.

Always ask, “What was the best part of your day?”

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Dangers of Toys

Nothing is more tempting to a one-year-old than a four-year

old’s toys!

According to the CDC, choking rates are highest for babies under one-year-old and is the leading cause of injury and death among children. Between 1990 and 2011, at least 231 children died after choking or asphyxiating on a toy or toy part. The Consumer Product Safety Commission designed this simple device to test the safety of toys or other articles for children under age (available in some toy stores). Any object that fits entirely within the cylinder is small enough to be a choking hazard.

There are so many toys available and many more being developed every year so it’s important for parents to follow some simple tips:

Fabric toys should be labeled flame resistant

Stuffed toys should be washable

Painted toys should be lead-free

Art supplies should be nontoxic

Avoid older toys and hand-me-downs

Keep an older child’s toys away from infants/toddlers

Make sure toys are sturdy

Broken toys can have sharp or jagged edges

Avoid toys with long strings or cords

Avoid cheap toys that may break

Avoid toys with small pieces

Heavy toys can injury your child or another

Avoid flammable objects

Keep small household items out of reach

Wooden toys might have splinters

Metal toys can have sharp edges

Has no places where fingers can get pinched

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