Knowing The Pro's and Con's of your Thermometer

There's no single way to take your child's temperature, but some methods are more precise than others.

METHOD:

Rectal

ACCURACY:

The Highest

PRO:

It's the best choice for kids up to age three or whenever an exact reading is critical.

CON:

Older kids don't like it.

TIP:

Have you child lie across your lap or in his back with his legs up

METHOD:

Oral

ACCURACY:

Good

PRO:

Most kids four and older can use them correctly, and there's no need to remove their clothing

CON:

The reading can be thrown off if your child doesn't keep the thermometer under her tongue until it beeps.

TIP:

If she's just had a hot or cold drink wait 15 minutes.

METHOD:

Armpit

ACCURACY:

Adequate

PRO:

It's very easy to use.

CON:

If the room is chilly, you may get false or low reading.

TIP:

Many doctors recommend adding 0.5 degree Celsius to the reading for greater accuracy.

METHOD:

Ear

ACCURACY:

Varies

PRO:

It's fast and convenient

CON:

Doctors say the tip is difficult to insert properly, especially for kids under one.

TIP:

For a more precise result, pull child's ear slightly up and back before inserting.

METHOD:

Forehead

ACCURACY:

Varies

PRO:

Temporal artery models record the temperature in seconds and are comfortable for kids.

CON:

It's the most costly type of thermometer.

TIP:

It must be slid midway between the eyebrows and upper hairline for an accurate reading.

8 Ways to Educate your Child about Mobile Phone Safety

Mobile phones make it easy for people to send and receive content. Even the unwanted and inappropriate ones. Your child is not an exception. Sexual offenders typically use the mobile phone as bait, as means of connecting with their would be victim. Much like Internet safety, supervision and regulation are the best ways you can protect your child from falling prey to abusers. Some steps you can take:

1. Program only your number and numbers of other people who have a legitimate reason for calling your child (such as caregivers or classmates). Teach your child to never answer calls from other numbers.

2. Some phones can be programmed so that they do not receive calls from unprogrammed numbers.

3. If your child receives a text message from an unknown number or person, your child should never answer and should show this to you.

4. Give your child the cellphone only if you will be apart, and make sure it is turned off when she is in class or it is time to do homework. You may also want to establish a phone curfew, by asking them to surrender their phones to you at a certain time of the night.

5. Set budget caps for load. She can only use a certain amount from her allowance or she cannot spend more than a certain amount in a week or month.

6. Ask from time to time who calls or texts her.

7. Even if your child is older (say, in high school), she should never entertain texts or calls from people claiming to be girls or boys her age who wants to be friends.

8. Even if the text message is from someone they know, if the content make them uncomfortable, they should tell you right away. Emphasize that you will not blame her or get mad.

FaceBook Safety for You and your Kids

Here are some safety measure to follow when using Social Networking Sites especially the most popular of all FaceBook.

• Avoid being too specific with the information you post or share online (do not give details of your whereabouts, do not post your birthday or contact numbers, etc).

• Avoid posting solo pictures of you child. If possible, post only group photos.

• Avoid directly tagging your child's face online. Randomly tag something else to shroud your child's face from stranger's online. People who know you child will already recognize him.

• Need to discuss something sensitive? Avoid posting a message on someone;s wall. Use private messaging instead.

• Set your privacy settings so that only those close to you or the people you know can view your profile pictures, activity stream, and wall posting.

• Avoid being too 'real time' when it comes to posting items on your profile. Try to delay them for at least an hour to avoid being pinpointed.