Lizelle Green – Emirate Gate

9 Ways to Respond When Co-workers Call Your Maternity Leave “VACATION”

20 Things you’ll most definitely need for your next “meternity” leave

Are you a mom who took maternity leave? It was the best vacation ever, right? Didn’t you just laze the days away on your unstained sofa, snuggled up with a good book and a glass of Cabernet while your precious one slept peacefully all night and day long? Didn’t you emerge from your two or … Read more about 9 Ways to Respond When Co-workers Call Your Maternity Leave “VACATION”

Which Childcare Is the Best Match for Your Child?

by Lizelle Green

When I was diagnosed with multiple severe food allergies as a teenager, I didn’t know anybody else like me. Times were different then. You could send a kid to school with a peanut butter sandwich without fear that a child nearby might have a severe reaction and require emergency care. These days, awareness about allergies has vastly improved, but that doesn’t mean every parent of a child with a serious allergy automatically knows exactly how their child is feeling. So as a mom with severe allergies, I’d like to offer other parents five things kids with food allergies wish their parents knew … 1. We don’t want to be the focus of your conversations. As a mom, I often hear parents talking about their kid’s medical issues as if the child wasn’t even in the room. Parents assume that because they, themselves, are comfortable talking about it, that their child is okay with a conversation centered around their condition. But they might not be. Of course, parents need to advocate for their kid’s health and safety. But if it’s a conversation you don’t need to have at that time, simply don’t. Just let the person know you’ll talk with them about it later, and change the subject. Even better, ask your child how they’d like you to handle it. Simply say, “Sometimes other people are curious about your allergies. What would you like me to say when they ask?” Offer a range of possibilities, but state that you will always need to make sure they are safe. Beyond that, your child can and should dictate how much you talk about them. 2. We don’t want to have food placed in front of us that we cannot eat. When I was first diagnosed, my very well-intentioned mother bought me a regular ice cream cake for my birthday so I could blow out some candles. Back then, access to allergen-free food was extremely limited, and there were no cake mixes or cupcakes we could buy that were safe. She did the best she could, but I remember crying over being able to see and smell the cake, but not eat it. Empower your child to decide for themselves how to solve a problem related to their allergy. If something isn’t available for them, ask what a good substitute might be, or how they would like to see the challenge resolved. Just please don’t put tempting foods in front of them and ask them to resist. 3. Emphasize your child’s abilities over their disabilities. No doubt about it, some severe allergies can be disabling. But your child needs you to see past your fears and concerns so you can truly appreciate the child standing in front of you. This doesn’t mean pretending your kid isn’t allergic, but it means keeping conversations (both with your kids and with others) focused around what your child has accomplished. When people ask how your child is, mention how hard he’s working in his gymnastics class, or that she just earned a new belt in karate. Talk about what good friends your kid has, or how she’s learning multiplication in school. Praise your children regularly for being so awesome at all the things they work hard at, and make sure they know that you see them for who they really are. The allergies make them unique, but their accomplishments and personality are what make them special. 4. Don’t make your child relive trauma. Parents of kids with food allergies have often had their fair share of scary situations: you know what it’s like to watch your child struggle to breathe or to rush them to the emergency room for dehydration. But our kids are not the people with whom we should process our trauma. There are great support groups both online and off for parents who need to talk, and of course you can rely upon your own therapist or group of friends, too. Your child may need some emotional support for the scary experiences they’ve had, and they need you to be the strong one with warm arms and an ear to listen. But if your kid thinks you’re too upset to talk about it or that the conversation is going to become about your experiences instead of their feelings, they might just keep it locked inside. 5. Have treats at the ready. You probably already know this, but no kid wants to sit by and watch others enjoy a treat they can’t have. Prep your kid’s teacher with a box of sweet treats and salty snacks that are allergy-friendly. Ask the teacher to offer your child their special treat in a low-key way so your kid doesn’t feel like the odd one out. And as often as possible, try to give your child a similar treat when you know special occasions are happening. Send an email to parents in your child’s class asking for a heads up before birthdays so you can plan accordingly. A special cupcake at a child’s birthday party or a yummy assortment of candies that are allergy-friendly during Halloween can not only help keep your child safe, but also make them feel like part of the gang.

Learning about your child’s temperament can help you decide. As parents, we want the best care possible for our children. This can make choosing appropriate childcare for your son or daughter time consuming, but rest assured—if you do your homework, you’re likely to find a suitable setting for your little one. Parents often look for a … Read more about Which Childcare Is the Best Match for Your Child?

How to Choose a Pediatrician

by Lizelle Green

Are you looking for the perfect doctor for your child but don’t know where to start? Learn how to interview candidates and communicate effectively with your child’s physician. Every parent dreams of the perfect doctor for their child—someone willing to answer every question with patience and grace while simultaneously providing gentle, friendly, and even fun healthcare. Trying to … Read more about How to Choose a Pediatrician

Secrets to Breast Pump Success – What no one tells you about being a pump mom

by Lizelle Green

The conventional wisdom about how to pump enough breast milk doesn’t work for everyone. Three thousand ounces of milk later, one working mother shares the advice no one gave her. Hear her breast pump success. If women logged hours on a breast pump the way pilots log hours in airplanes, I’d be doing long-haul flights … Read more about Secrets to Breast Pump Success – What no one tells you about being a pump mom

How to Choose a Childbirth Education Class

by Lizelle Green

Calming a Fussy Baby - Techniques to Calm Fussy Baby- How to Handle a Fussy Baby

While all childbirth classes aim to educate participants, their philosophies vary considerably. Familiarizing yourself with available options can help you pinpoint the class that’s right for you. The only thing more overwhelming than naming your baby and finding the perfect stroller is choosing a childbirth education course. While all classes aim to educate participants about … Read more about How to Choose a Childbirth Education Class

Pregnancy Weight Gain Facts – How do all those pounds add up?

by Lizelle Green

The Skinny Pregnancy: When Putting on Weight Is Easier Said than Done

Are you curious about what’s considered normal when it comes to pregnancy weight gain? Find out how much to gain and when, and what you’ll need to consider if you’re already under- or overweight. Your body undergoes dramatic changes during pregnancy. Organs shift, the baby grows, and weight is gained. Today, most doctors suggest that healthy … Read more about Pregnancy Weight Gain Facts – How do all those pounds add up?

7 Ways to Nurture Yourself during Pregnancy

by Lizelle Green

Your life during pregnancy is like nothing you’ve experienced. Enjoy this special time and try these tips to ensure you take care of both yourself and your unborn child. This is a time to snuggle up with baby books, try out different baby names, and meet with other pregnant friends to compare notes. It is … Read more about 7 Ways to Nurture Yourself during Pregnancy

How to Find a Maternity Swimsuit That Fits and Flatters

by Lizelle Green

Maternity swimsuits have come a long way. Today you can find suits that are both fashionable and comfortable for your expanding waistline. Maternity swimsuits used to be hard to find—and worse, most designs were outdated and dull. Not anymore! With an influx of celebrities touting their rounded tummies, showing off your bump has become fashionable, … Read more about How to Find a Maternity Swimsuit That Fits and Flatters

Pamper Yourself: 10 Things to Do before Baby Arrives

by Lizelle Green

Pamper yourself: diy tips for a spa day at home

Pretty soon you’ll be a busy new parent, so now is the time to pamper yourself. Here are some tips on making time for yourself before the big event. When you’re pregnant, it’s only natural that your waking moments (and maybe your dreams, too!) are consumed by thoughts of your baby. In fact, one might … Read more about Pamper Yourself: 10 Things to Do before Baby Arrives

Eating Right with the New Food Pyramid

by Lizelle Green

The food pyramid has a new look! Find out more about how you can tailor the pyramid to incorporate healthier eating habits into each of your family member’s lives, including yourself. The US Department of Agriculture released its own sequel: the new federal government food pyramid, called “MyPyramid.” This updated eating guidelines system was designed … Read more about Eating Right with the New Food Pyramid