We are very glad to inform you of a new partnership with Peridot Promotions Limited; organisers of the 2012 Children’s Day Trade Fair and Exhibition.

This is a once-in-a-long time kind of event specifically packaged to be an opportunity for businesses to promote, sell, launch, try new products and services, network and exchange information.

For whom: individuals, business owners, childrens entertainment owners, NGOs, financial institutions, health institutions, stationery and toys, after school services etc.

This fair is open for all to participate, brand, visit and take advantage of discounted products and services showcased so come with your precious children to have unlimited fun.

No gate fee entrance onto the fair grounds is free!!! But that’s not all… LagosMums members who would like to participate in the trade fair/exhibition have a special discount.

To book a stand costs N40,000 for 4 days, as  registered LagosMum you pay just N40,000 N33,000 for the same package. Plus, it would be interesting to note a lucky  participant (that gets a stand) stands the chance of winning a spa treatment voucher! Talk about business and pleasure in a mix.

Day 1 May 24th: Opening ceremony, Trade fair and exhibition
Day 2 May 25th: Trade fair and exhibition
Day 3 May 26th : Trade Fair and exhibition
Day 4 May 27th : Children’s Day Party, Trade fair and exhibition, closing ceremony

As she wiped away her daughter’s tears, Ms. Sherrill noticed that Morgan had a broken tooth and a cut mouth, damage from the hard plastic bottle she had been drinking from. Morgan didn’t suffer any long-term harm, but it was then that Ms. Sherrill decided to begin transitioning her daughter from bottles to normal cups.

“I never would have thought that a child could get hurt from a bottle,” said Ms. Sherrill. “It’s something comforting to them. That’s not one of the first things you think about when you’re giving a kid a bottle.”

Most parents don’t think of a child’s bottle as a potential hazard. But two new studies in the journal Pediatrics highlight several under-recognized causes of injury in young children: bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups, which cause thousands of injuries to the mouth and teeth every year, often when toddlers topple over while holding them in their mouths, and button batteries, those flat silver discs used in toys, watches, remote control devices and other home electronics that can cause serious harm when swallowed.

The report on injuries involving bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups, the first nationwide look at such injuries, found that in the 20-year period from 1991 through 2010, more than 45,000 children under the age of 3 — an average of about 2,270 children a year — were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups.

While almost all children use a pacifier or bottle at some point, health authorities have long encouraged parents to wean them off around the time they are learning to walk. The American Academy of Pediatrics, for example, recommends that children stop using pacifiers by about 6 months and transition from bottles to lidless cups by 12 months — yet most parents ignore these guidelines. Studies show that nearly half of 1- and 2-year-olds continue to use bottles, and more than three quarters of children 1 to 2 drink from sippy cups.

In the new study, a majority of the injuries involved 1-year-olds. Bottles were the most common culprit, accounting for about 66 percent of cases, followed by pacifiers, at 20 percent, and sippy cups, at 14 percent. Injuries tended to occur at home and result in cuts to the mouth and face, usually when children were running or walking.

“We think 1-year-old children are just learning to walk and run and are pretty unsteady on their feet and may be more likely to experience a fall,” said Dr. Keim.

She added that in her estimation, if the guidelines for stopping bottle and pacifier use had been followed, “about 80 percent of the children in the study would not have been using the product at the time they were injured.”

Dr. Keim said that teaching children to use regular cups was important not because there is anything about the design of a normal cup that makes it safer, but that parents are simply more likely to make their children sit or stay in one spot while drinking from a lidless cup to prevent spills.

“It’s the combination of being seated while drinking that I think would reduce the risk of injury,” she said.

The second study, warning parents to be on the lookout for button batteries, concerns raised in earlier reports, noted that in the last two decades, about 66,000 children and teenagers were taken to emergency rooms in the United States for battery-related injuries. While none of the cases — many involving children under 5 — were fatal, lithium-cell batteries that are swallowed can set off a chemical reaction inside the body that can lead to severe tissue damage in just two hours.

RuffntumbleHello LagosMums.....LagosMums is bringing another giveaway to our members.

So we have something special…#drum roll#… a gift card from popular kiddies stores Ruff ‘N’ Tumble worth N10,000! One lucky Loyal LagosMums would be presented with this gift card and if you are sure that one is you…

Simply answer the following simple questions.

1. When did LagosMums have her first Meet ‘N’ Greet (specific date)?
2. How many members do we have on LagosMums website presently?
3. Mention 5 LagosMums members you know (real names)?

The person who answers all the questions correctly first, or the most correct answers first gets the Gift card!

Now send your answers to contactus@lagosmums.com and stand a chance to win our gift….

May the most loyal Mum win!

Yes o! Africholidays is here again with a special summer 2012 travel to Dubai. This all in one package takes care of everything from flight arrangements to visas and hotel reservations. Here’s the catch, with as low as N218,ooo, you can get yourself a trip to enjoy the exotic Dubai…

For more information, contact:

clothes & toys

It’s our very first Children’s Day Charity Initiative, you can’t afford to miss out! This is a good time to put a smile on other children’s faces.

Extend a Loving-LagosMums Hand to Children who are disadvantaged and need to be shown some love.

To participate in the Donation Drive: Kindly follow the following steps

• Donate non-perishable food items
• Donate new or gently-used clothes, storybooks, shoes, toys, school bags, etc
• Make a cash donation (cheques should be written out to “Bethesda Child Support”)

Drop-off Points

A) Bethesda Child Support Agency: – Block 17, Flat 1, Agege Lane, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

B) This Present House (The Dome): – Freedom Way, End of Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki.

C) Freedom Foundation Office: – 24 Henry Adefowope Street, Awuse Estate, Opebi (please ask for Ugochi)

For further enquiry please contact either Mayowa: 0705-805-1910 | Ijeoma: 0803-353-6487 | Yetunde: 0803-978-6069 or email contactus@lagosmums.com

Note: If you wish to donate clothing items, kindly ensure that they are clean and in good condition. We would not accept torn or worn out clothes. All other items such as books and toys should also be in good condition.

BellaNaija is our partner on this Drive!

___ Diapers: Take more than you think you’ll need, as many as one for every hour of your outing. Better safe than sorry!

___ Small box or travel pack of wipes: These aren’t just for baby, but for your hands, too.

___ A tube of barrier cream or diaper-rash cream

___ Several cloth diapers or burp clothes for burping, spit-up, and other messes

___ An extra shirt, pants, and pair of socks for baby

___ An extra shirt for you

___ Baby sunblock

___ Baby’s bottle, if she uses one — to keep things sanitary, you might put the nipple in a plastic bag

___ At least one toy

___ A favorite comfort object

___ If baby is on solids, a container of baby food and a baby spoon, or else a container of snacks, such as cereal or crackers

___ A bib

___ Two extra pacifiers (if baby uses them) stored in a clean plastic bag

___ A cell phone for emergencies

___ An index card with your name, address, and phone number, should the bag get lost

___ An index card with the pediatrician’s number, a neighbor’s number, and a number where your spouse or one of baby’s grandparents (or relative)  can be reached

___ A changing pad — many diaper bags come with one

___ A few large plastic bags for sealing and tossing dirty diapers, or taking home soiled clothes

___ Water and a snack for you

And yes, it all fits inside!

“A look

As parents, we are mirrors to our children. By observing us they learn how to interact with others, accomplish goals, and get along in the world. We are the examples, and what many do not realize is that our non-verbal messages and actions are stronger than our verbal ones. Ever wonder how you always knew what mummy meant when she let you take sweets from a visiting Aunt/Uncle but gave you a look that screamed out, “Eat that sweet and you are finished!”

Asides form the obvious fact that non-verbal communication is a universal phenomenon, our culture in this part of the world givse the entire idea a whole new definition. As children, we either had to learn our mothers’ special communication techniques or face the dire consequences… Today, we have mothers being extra lenient with children, pampering them and indulging in their ‘little’ excesses but where does NVC4K come in? Do you ever hear a friend say, “My mother would just give me that look, and I would feel bad about myself”? Someone else might say, “I walk into a room, see his face, and my whole mood lifts.” These folks are describing non-verbal communication.

If someone says they love you, but has a look of indifference, or looks lacking in spark or emotion, we tend not to believe it. If someone hugs us, but is afraid of touch and uncomfortable, we feel it. If someone says that they like our clothes but looks distracted, we tend not to give it credit. If we are told that we are important, but a parent is always on the phone, or distracted when listening to us, we do not believe that we matter. If someone talks to us while watching TV, or reading, with no eye contact we feel ignored and unimportant.

The same goes for the kids.

One look can send them scrambling for cover because if looks could actually kill, they would be dead the minute they looked into your eyes. We parents tend to speak a lot without opening our mouths, which we do either consciously or sub-consciously. With our ‘looks’, we send strong messages of the emotions running through us at that time and children easily cash in on this. Anger, disgust, joy, love and many others are signals we send to our kids which go a long way to shape their perception about life and most important of all, themselves. So many kids out there want love and approval so much they land in the wrong place for lack of getting it where it matters the most, at home. A simple look can either condemn or praise and individual and most often than not, a look says it all.

Non-verbal communication consists of expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, and actions. If one looks angry or disappointed, communicates in a nasty tone, or looks all around while talking, this non-verbal communication sends negative messages to the recipient. Note that if non-verbal communication is constantly negative and disconnecting, the unconscious will pick up a value of the self that is low and inaccurate. One might not even know why he or she has such low thoughts about the self.How can you promote healthy self-esteem through non-verbal communication?

1. Listen to your children when they speak. Give them your full attention and eye contact. Let them know that it is important to hear their point of view.

2. Do not be afraid to nurture a child. Touch their hand or back, have an upbeat voice and smile. Mirror their movements as they talk. If they use their hands to talk, they are showing you their communication style. If you use your hands to speak back to them, they will relate to you more. You will establish a good rapport with them.

3. One way to establish rapport is to find out your children’s representational system. Some people are visual, oratory, kinesthetic, or olfactory. Speak in your child’s system. For example if your child says, “I can’t picture myself in that class,” he or she is visual. If he says, “I hear what you’re saying and that rings a bell for me,” he or she is auditory. If smells attract your child, like the smell of cookies, or gum brings warm memories, he or she is olfactory. If touch resonates, use touch and body language more frequently.

4. Remember to smile, connect, and learn how to be relaxed as a parent so your child can learn the same.

5. Tell children stories with lots of expression. It will captivate them.

6. Act curious in your expressions with kids. Let your curiosity and questions show how interested you are in them.

7. Avoid too serious a look or tone. Lightness and easygoing behavior always fares better.

8. When your children talk to you, pay attention to them. Do not be on the phone, writing, or doing ten things at once. Value their presence.

“A look is worth a thousand words. Choose wisely.” Remember that words are redundant. The expression and body language tell the story.

27th of May is a special day to celebrateChildren in Nigeria, but are we talking about our own biological children? We are talking about ALL children. We have decided to put a smile on the faces of the children at Bethesda.  We are asking LagosMums and other interested participants to remember those  children who are largely disadvantaged and need people  to help add value to their lives and put a smile on their faces.

It is against this back drop that we present Donation Drive, an initiative to collect materials ranging from clothes, shoes, books, toys, food items e.t.c for children in poor communities under the Bethesda Child Support Agency.

Bethesda Child Agency is a non-profit organization committed to pioneering social reformation through poverty alleviation and wealth creation. The primary focus of the organization, which was established by Freedom Foundation in 2001, is to mobilize efforts of government, private sector and other developmental agencies towards securing educational opportunities for children in disadvantaged families.

To know about the children’s Day programme, click here. These helpless children need all your love.

To participate in the Donation Drive: Kindly follow the following steps

• Sign up as a volunteer indicating what you would be donating by sending an email to contactus@lagosmums.com
• Donate non-perishable food items.
• Donate new or gently-used clothes, storybooks, shoes, toys, school bags, etc
• Make a cash donation (cheques should be written out to “Bethesda Child Support”)

Drop-off Points

A) Bethesda Child Support Agency: – Block 17, Flat 1, Agege Lane, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

B) This Present House (The Dome): – Freedom Way, End of Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki.

C) Freedom Foundation Office: – 24 Henry Adefowope Street, Awuse Estate, Opebi (please ask for Ugochi)

For further enquiry please contact either Mayowa: 0705-805-1910 | Ijeoma: 0803-353-6487 | Yetunde: 0803-978-6069 or email contactus@lagosmums.com

Note: If you wish to donate clothing items, kindly ensure that they are clean and in good condition. We would not accept torn or worn out clothes. All other items such as books and toys should also be in good condition.

If you wish to get even more involved and would like to serve as a Mentor or would like to be part of the distribution of the items to the children do please let us know! drop us an email on contactus@lagosmums.com

The first step is to record your measurements and note them somewhere safe, then have a plan of action and goals. Share your goals on the site, with your workout partner, friends, forum so that you are accountable!

An example of Adura’s goals/plan of action are :

1. I’m cutting out chocolate for the entire month of May. Although I only eat 70% (or more) chocolate, I usually finish a big bar over 2 days(weekend, when I do have it).
2. I’ll have 2 strength based sessions per week:
   - Fitter London’s Kettlebells for Strength and Bodyweight Conditioning on Tuesdays @ 7am
   and
   - Fitter London’s Kettlebells for Strength, Size and a Sixpack on Saturdays @ 11.30am.
   (All Fitter London classes can be found here: www.fitterlondon.co.uk/classes/)
   You should know how passionate I am about strength training so please read this post: I Love Strength Training.
3. I teach 3 spin classes a week so those will be my cardio/endurance workouts.
4. I’m cutting out plantain chips for the entire month of May. Trust me, they’re a real weakness of mine. Especially when I’m in a hurry, I just grab a pack and inhale it in 2 minutes flat!
5. As always, I’m going to eat a lot of protein (More of fish, seafood. And chicken, eggs too) and vegetables. I’m also limiting my carbohydrates to sweet potatoes, beans and plantain. I’m not a fan of brown rice, I’d have added that to the list.
6. No ice-cream, absolutely NO ice-cream. This is a major weakness of mine.

To help you with the fitness plan, the first step is to Set your goals for May (tomorrow is May 1st so get going)

Check back here or at Adura’s blog for updates on exercise, workouts and diet tips.

• Exercise: I’ll post some workouts for home and gym workouts, diet. Aim for at least 2 days per week.
• Diet: My advice would be to cut out all pastries, cakes, pizzas, deep fried foods, high-sugar foods, etc. Also reduce your carbohydrate portions and replace with vegetables (they are carbs too) and protein. It’s only one month in your long life and will fly by.
• Frequency of meals: Eat at least three times a day and make sure you never get to a point where you’re ravenous. If you don’t like breakfast, no need to force yourself to eat an actual meal. Try something as little as a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit.
• Snacking: Do this only when you feel peckish, sometimes I snack for the sake of it and it’s unnecessary. Snack on fruit (1 portion eg 1 apple, a handful of berries, 1 slice of pineapple, etc).

Goodluck!

My Goals (YWee) are

1) Cutting out all cake for the month of May….

2) Going to work out at least 3 days a week of at least 1 hour – Will visit the gym use the treadmill and do strength exercise

3) Daily skipping for at least 10 minutes every morning (this is a big deal for me as I do Z-E-R-O exercising)

4) Carbohydrate once a day and no eating past 7 pm. Increase fruit, vegetables and protein intake!

5) Lose 14lbs!

Shrek and Fiona

Children’s parties in Lagos have taken on  a new dimension, you can’t go to a party nowadays where they don’t have the bouncy castles, the soft play area, the train tracks, the entertainer, face painters, cotton candy, popcorn, kiddie menu versus the adult menu, cake and cupcakes etc. It almost seems like a cloning exercise now where the parties have the same theme and you even start to recognize the same entertainers and the same games.

You tell your child you are going to a party and she immediately says we are going to the bouncy castle? It is not considered a real party for your child if there is no bouncy castle. At this party I went to recently there were the general expected items such as the bouncy castles. What was different was the inappropriately behaved Mascot characters! There was A Shrek and Fiona, never mind that the costumes were not padded appropriately so the costumes tended to “hang” off the body of those wearing them (why is that by the way that the Mascots here look hungry?)

I did notice very quickly that the Fiona was very jovial; I am pretty confident it was a he because of  the body stature under the un-padded costume, he appeared very happy and would dance at every opportunity that he got. What was shocking though was the randy nature of Fiona’s dancing, it started off with him kinda staring down different mummies at the party and he would kind of shimmy and stand and stare at a mummy and would do a dance, kind of touching himself, several times he would touch and appear to pump up his fake breasts and caress them at any random opportunity. He got up close to one of the adults at the event and dipped down low to dance with the adult. He later would just every now and then kind of shimmy across to my side of the table which was close to the center of the games and activities and look on suggestively (all within the constraints of Fiona’s head) do a quick dance and move on. At a point I wondered if he was “high”

By the end of the party I felt “violated” somehow, felt we had a sick person under this mask who was acting out impure thoughts. I was watching out to ensure he didn’t touch any child or get close to any of the kids, i think if he did i would have flown there and caused a scene. To top it off later on in the day, where he had steadily gotten bolder, he and the “Shrek” got close and basically did a grind dance, at this point I thought come on!!

As I spoke to a few mums later at the party…All I said was “hmmm this Fiona” and they immediately responded “Are you noticed too? This is a rather randy Fiona o” another mum mentioned “I wonder what is wrong with this Fiona, doesn’t “it” know children are around”

When I relayed the story to my husband later, he asked such a simple question…Why didn’t you say something either directly to the Fiona or to the mum of the child having the party to call them to order. I actually felt surprisingly dumb after he asked such a simple and basic question and I dare say I do wonder why none of us said anything? Perhaps it’s because we are also guilty of dancing inappropriately? Were we scared to speak up? Are we used to inappropriateness nowadays? Are we guilty of ignoring too much? Indifferent? Think everything is cute and “L-O-L”?

I know I plan to get the name of the entertainment company and report the behavior to their “owner” and to be sure I don’t use them for my childs’ party.

But seriously as Parents we must speak up, we must be responsible for everything that our children see and are exposed to that are within our control.

A Children’s party is supposed to be one of the innocent places we should be able to go…please we can’t allow Mascots, people shielded by their mask to be inappropriate in front of children. For all we know this person under the mask has some nasty thoughts and intentions…. At the next party you see this happen please speak up! I know I will!