The fact is, most people are spending more than ninety percent of their lives inside, so it only makes sense that we are able to enjoy a fresh and clean home. We want it to be free from offensive odors and bacteria. We want it to be free from all the latest germs and bugs going around. We are overwhlemed with products being marketed to basically create a germ free environment, practically emulating a hospital surgical floor. While it may feel fresh and clean, it could be one of many toxic homes today plastered in chemical residues.

To start, what do we really know about the safety of the products we are using in our homes? How many times have you used a spray cleaner, or a disinfecting wipe to clean a countertop or end table in your home? Then moments later, you place your beautiful innocent little baby near that surface, they touch it, then they put their tiny hands into their mouths. Maybe you have even cleaned your baby’s crib with a home cleaning product, and then put your bundle to sleep in it. Most of us take these tasks for granted, and never consider what our kids could possibly be breathing in or being exposed to while they are playing and sleeping. Toxic homes can be a result of good parents, who unfortunately are just not provided with the real information you need to protect your family.

The number one reason for hospitization for kids is respiratory illnesses. Asthma in children has increaed four hundred percent in the last two decades. Cancer is only surpassed by injuries and accidents as the leading cause of death for children ages five to nine. Truth is, we just don’t know what the long term health risks are associated with chemical cleaning products. I am not suggesting that all of these problems are a direct result of chemical cleaners, because there are no proven studies to date. What I am stating is that logic tells me, since we are spending most of our time inside our home, it would be wise to question if how we are cleaning is nurturing our kids health or creating toxic homes.

If you are concerned about the epidemic of toxic homes, there are solutions to this problem. First, you need to educate yourself about the products you are using in your home, and ask yourself, is this something you would want to directly eat or inhale? If the answer is no, then you may not want to use that product, because your kids will be directly exposed through the air and through hand to mouth contact. Next, look for alternatives by researching home made natural methods to clean. You can also find companies that provide healthy environmental products than can accomplish what you desire, through different methods. For example, I sanitize my home with the use of an air purifier that cleans surfaces. The reality is, we do have plenty of choices open to us, if we take the time to become educated, and not let our child’s health and safety be swayed by smart marketing ploys. Avoid the toxic homes problem by gaining the knowledge you need to truly protect your family and provide a safe environment.

It starts with defiance, continues with a scream and then somewhere in the middle of all the chaos you end up with a pint-sized sprinter running through your home. In a day or two, you’ll think this is all comical; however, at the moment, it’s become extremely difficult to find a way to develop a consistent bedtime routine for your kids.
There are three things to remember here: you’re the parent, your child’s safety, health and well-being depend on a consistent bedtime routine, and a consistent routine is important for you as well.
Being a parent is a tough enough job within itself. Children have an energy that parents just don’t seem to have or have a hard time keeping up with. The truth is, parents have all the power and when it comes to making a bedtime routine for your children. As a parent, you must enforce the rules and once you’ve come up with a routine. The best place to begin is to create a general time frame and certain things that need to be done at that time. Let’s say that bedtime is at 9:00 pm and your child must first brush their teeth, bathe, have dinner, and get dressed. It’s also a good idea to create a quiet time hour just before bedtime where your child will be in their room quietly.
Your child’s safety is important when establishing a routine at night also. As an example, if your child’s bedroom is upstairs and yours is down, you don’t want your child tripping down the stairs in the middle of the night from lack of sleep. Your child’s health and well-being are also important when creating a bedtime routine. Without the proper amount of sleep, a child can fall asleep at a moment’s notice, even during school or other important activities. Your child’s personal hygiene is also an essential point.
A consistent bedtime routine is important for you as a parent because without the proper amount of sleep for yourself, it will be even more difficult to keep up with your child. The best thing you can do for you and your child is to establish a routine quickly, write it down on paper and begin to enforce it as soon as you can. Children respond better to positive enforcement. Developing a chart with stickers for every bedtime element completed will help you keep track of what things you need to work on throughout the week. Repetition is the key when trying to teach your child the importance of a consistent bedtime routine.
Above all else, it’s difficult for children to fall into a routine as quickly as you would like them to, so be patient. It shouldn’t be too difficult considering you’re a parent.

You might think that your yard is the safest place for your kids to play. To the contrary, though, there are a lot of potential hazards right in your front or back yard. You will want to check a handful of things before letting your kids play outside.
Outdoor play has been considered a thing of the past. Many kids take outdoor play for granted and opt instead to play with video games or use the Internet for social networking. Then there’s always the television, which can be a big source of entertainment and distraction to children. However, outdoor play greatly helps improve children’s health. It also fosters camaraderie among kids.
Before you let your children play out in the yard, take care of a few things.
Check the lawn for any debris, including broken glass, animal droppings, broken twigs, and fallen branches. These can be hazardous to your kids.Check for poisonous plants. Small kids might become interested in picking up berries or mushrooms from the ground or from plants. These might be dangerous or even fatal if swallowed.  Also check for other potentially dangerous plants, like poison ivy or poison oak. If you’re unsure, consult with a botany reference book or the Internet for pictures of these irritation-causing plants.If you are playing with a toddler or infant on your yard, it’s probably best if you bring along a picnic blanket, so he won’t grab and eat things from the ground.Lock away the lawnmower, as it has sharp edges. Don’t let your kids play in the yard when someone is mowing the lawn. Mowers can throw about stones, twigs and sticks. If you have a drivable lawnmower, don’t let your kids ride with you. They might fall off and hurt themselves on the blades.
Install a fence gate with child-proof locks, so your kids cannot just exit the lawn into the street.When you are barbecuing or grilling outdoors, keep kids away from the grill.Fence off the swimming pool, and install a pool alarm, so you get alerted when someone (possibly your child) enters the pool area.Keep trash cans away from kids’ reach. Children are often curious and inquisitive. They will grab just about anything, including trash from inside garbage pails or bins they can reach.Ask family members who are driving to honk their horn and to check if the road is clear before driving up the driveway or garage. Small kids might be difficult to see from inside a vehicle.
You might not be able to predict all potential dangers or hazards. You should, however, be watchful at all times. Keep a close eye on your child, so he does not get himself into trouble. Don’t sweat the small stuff like cobwebs and dirt, though. These are part of a garden or yard environment. You should be mindful of health and safety, though.
Let your kids play and explore in the outdoors, but keep them in a safe environment. Outdoor play is healthy, but not without its risks and potential dangers.