Simple Tips To Keep in Touch With Your Child While You Work

Here are tips on how to stay connected with your little one while you work:

• GIVE HIM A CALL. Set aside a regular time to get in touch with your child throughout the day so he has something to look forward to. Your coffee break and lunch break can be opportunities for you to make that call. You might want to synchronize your clock with your child when he is most alert, his caregiver can let your child know when you are about to call. Even if your toddler may not be able to speak to you yet, just hearing your voice will reassure him.

• LEAVE YOUR PHOTO. Let your child keep a small picture of you which he can hold on to when he suddenly feels your absence. Seeing your face can be a source of comfort for him.

• RECORD YOUR VOICE. Sing his favorite song, rhyme, or say a few encouraging words for your child like, "Mommy will be home soon!" "Mommy misses you!" and digitally record it for your child to listen to whenever he misses you. Ask his caregiver to play the recording at certain hours of the day like before he takes a nap (a lullaby); when he takes a bath (a bath song); when he's playing; or just because!

• MAKE LOVE NOTES. Surprise your preschooler by sticking a short note inside his lunchbox to remind him how much you love him and wish him a fun filled day at school.

Simple Tips To Care For Your Child's Sore Throat

S0re throats can be caused by low humidity in your home, not enough fluids, seasonal dryness, smoke and allergies. Sore throats can also be caused by viral or bacteria infections, including strep throat.

Here are some simple tips for caring a child's sore throat:

• Have your child gargle with warm salt water every couple of hours. Use 1/4 teaspoon of table salt in an 8 ounce glass of water. This will help lessen the irritation that is causing his throat to feel sore.

• Have him suck on ice pops or other frozen desserts. They will feel good on his throat and help him get enough liquids. Older children can also suck on throat lozenges (cough drops), hard candy or ice and gargle with salt water.

• Give him a lot of liquids, up to 8 to 10 glasses each day. Juice and water are best. Warm liquids are soothing to the back of the throat.

• Give him paracetamol for fever or other aches. Do not give aspirin to children because it may increase their risk of Reye's syndrome.

• Let him rest. It will help his body get rid of the virus or bacteria that is causing the infection

What to Do When Your Child has Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is when the tonsils become infected and swollen. The tonsils, those fleshy lumps at the back of the throat on each side of your mouth, help babies build up immunity to germs, however after the child's first year of life they become unnecessary.

If you think your child has tonsillitis here are the things you should do:

• Bring your child to the doctor. Although most cases of tonsillitis are caused by a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics, it is important that the child with a sore throat visit the doctor. Why? To make sure that if the tonsillitis is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus, he gets treated properly. Untreated tonsillitis caused by this germ can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease or inflammation of the kidneys.

• Rest. Both children and adults with tonsillitis need rest to recover.

• Relieve pain and fever. Tonsillitis is one of the infections that cause intense pain and very high fever. Giving over the counter painkillers or anti fever medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help make your child comfortable.

• Fluid up. A child with tonsillitis needs to drink lots of fluids, even if drinking hurts. Do not worry if your child has not eaten much a few days, as long as he is drinking. Offer cold drinks or ice cubes to suck on. Jelly and ice cream may be given, contrary to popular belief too avoid sweet treats. Children should be brought to the doctor if they have not managed to drink anything for about 15 hours.

• Gargle. A gargle every few hours with warm salt water (one level tablespoon salt to one cup water) can relieve sore throat, remove secretions and promote healing.

• Consider surgery. Some people who have frequent bouts of tonsillitis will require an operation to remove the tonsils. Ask your doctor if he thinks that a tonsillectomy is in order.