Giraffe Websites

I purchased the Bugaboo Bee, the babynest, the footmuff, pram clips, cup holder, the parasol and the matching change bag. The Bugaboo pushchair arrived with an instruction manual and a great DVD. After working out how to unfold it, and clicking in the front wheels we were ready to go. Unfolding takes about 5 secs once you get the hang of it, and even I (not the biggest of people) can carry it one handed down to the car.

The shopping basket is roomy, however slightly hard to access while the pushchair is in ‘lie flat, facing you’ mode. However, when it is facing outward it’s much easier to slip things in.

With all the bits it cost just over £600 if I remember correctly, but they are not essential to the pushchair. Pram blankets could replace th £60 babynest, and the parasol is a not essential as the canopy keeps her well shaded.

All in all very pleased with it as a pram for a baby - although very pricey if I could choose again I’d pick the Bee.

With so many varieties of double pushchairs available in the market today, transporting twins is no longer a major issue for parents. Taking your babies out with you on your daily walk, or a shopping trip or even on a vacation is much easier when you have a double pushchair, which can carry both the babies together.

Double pushchairs come in two main designs- twin and tandem. You can find various specifications in both from leading manufacturers. Latest models come in trendy, sleek and stylish designs with top-notch safety features. Investing in one of these will offer you the advantage of being able to keep a watch on your babies easily. Imagine the ease of manoeuvring a single device as compared to moving two separate prams or pushchairs around. These double versions come with all the features that can be found on single baby carriers.

However some important factors need to be considered before you go ahead and purchase a double pushchair. Safety of your babies should be of paramount importance. Make a thorough check of the safety mechanisms on the double pushchair that you intend to buy. You can see if there are adequate numbers of harnesses, latches and locking mechanisms to prevent excited babies from falling out of the chair. Check if there is enough room for both babies to be comfortable when placed in the pushchair. Getting a pushchair that can be folded and stowed away easily will let you travel hassle free with your babies. Test out your chosen pushchair by moving it around and carrying it before you buy it. Remember that you need to be able to handle it easily on your own.

Once you have considered and checked all these essential features and requirements, you can go ahead and make your purchase.

Perambulator, the ancestor of pushchairs and strollers, did not have as many features as the present-day carriages do. With improvement in designs and pushchair technology, parents have become very selective regarding the pushchairs they purchase for their babies. They look for everything including safety, comfort, style and ease. The manufacturers have also started making pushchairs, which can conform to all these needs. Further, they try incorporating some unique features in every pushchair brand to attract more buyers.

As a result, there are many types of pushchairs and strollers available in the market, which can suit all your needs in terms of usefulness and style.

There are Two-in-one and Three-in-one pushchairs for parents who have twins or triplets or kids close in age. There are Tandem pushchairs in which children sit one after another, and Double, Twin or Triple pushchairs in which the children sit side-by-side. However, due to their provisions for more than one child, these pushchairs tend to become heavy.

However, Strollers are very light in weight, easy to fold and portable. They are built for one child and are a good companion while travelling.

The Travel system pushchair is a good option as it is multifunctional and can be used in many ways. It can be converted into a car seat, a carrycot, a reclining pushchair or a pram. It is also very cheap due to the multiple uses it can be put to. It can be used till the baby reaches the age of three and thus is sufficient for the entire childhood of the baby.

Graduation Tassel

A graduation tassel is typically worn on the side of the mortarboard and forms an important part of the graduation regalia. It serves as a symbolic indication of the persons academic accomplishments. In many academic institutions, there is a long-held culture of the graduates moving the tassels from the right side to the left as a sign showing that their status has changed. Graduating is a memorable occasion that is seen as a rite of passage and promotion from one academic level to another. The positioning of the tassels goes on to mark this passage. This however is a tradition that has been adopted by some academic institutions.

In addition, the graduation tassel
is kept as a souvenir or reminder of the ceremony. Some people hang their tassels on the wall or place them in a frame. The tassels can be customized according to the institution’s colors. They are available in different colors. One can also find a graduation tassel with different color combinations. Such color combinations may be used to distinguish students with higher ranks or those who hold more awards. The gold tassels that have a metallic appearance are reserved for students who wear doctoral gowns and caps.

GraduationSource, a leader in graduation regalia products since 1960.

On June 4, 2008, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation awarded the Bradley Prize to four outstanding and highly respected individuals for their contributions and achievements related to the foundation’s mission of strengthening American democracy and a dynamic defense of American institutions and ideas.

One of the awardees was Robert L. Woodson, Sr., founder and president of Washington, D.C.’s Center for Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE). Woodson’s group’s mission is to carry out neighborhood-oriented initiatives intended to reduce crime and violence, restore and revitalize families, and establish economic enterprise and employment opportunities. Like the Bradley brothers, Woodson exhibits an attitude that’s deeply committed to improving the conditions of America’s inner city youths and neighborhoods. CNE’s initiatives include a Violence Free Zone that uses volunteers who help change the futures of young boys and girls by directing them towards activities that will transform them into useful community contributors.

It is through people like Woodson that the foundation’s ideals of American democracy are carried out. It has often been said that change begins in the family. CNE’s neighborhood-based projects involve the family, thereby encouraging them to take on the initiative of rebuilding their lives for a better future.

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation’s Bradley Prize is a testament to the brother’s commitment to America. It serves as an inspiration for the young and adult, companies and organizations, to come up with worthwhile endeavors that will contribute to the general betterment of America.

Forbes profiled Feed the Children in its list of top charities.

Feed the Children and the Music Evangelism Foundation team up to fight hunger.

Feed the Children Mobilizes Emergency Caravan Across the United States to Help Cities Affected by Economic Crisis.

Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question: “When should my child start wearing shoes?”

There is no clear consensus. Some parents buy shoes as soon as their baby pulls herself into a first tentative stand; others wait as long as possible, preferring not to constrict their children’s feet.

“As a general rule, kids will need shoes when they are ready to start walking around outdoors,” says Peggy Wells, who is both a mother and president of Pip Squeakers, a children’s shoe company. “You will want something that protects your baby’s feet but still allows for some flexibility,” she explains.

For parents contemplating purchasing their baby’s first shoes, here are some suggestions for things to consider from the experts at parentsplace.com and pipsqueakers.com:

* Make sure you get the proper fit. Shoes that are too tight or too loose could be painful or cause blisters, and may even hamper walking. Have your pediatrician measure your child’s feet, during the regular check-ups. This will provide you with an accurate measurement when you refer to a shoe company’s sizing chart.

* Avoid stiff, high-top leather shoes; there is no evidence that they help babies walk. Instead, look for something soft and flexible that allows your baby to use the movement of his feet to maintain balance and to walk. They should be made from canvas or some other breathable material, and have flat, flexible, non-slip soles.

* Get shoes your child likes. Pip Squeakers shoes make a pleasing “squeak” that children enjoy. “It encourages them to move, walk and explore their surroundings,” says Wells, who adds that children enjoy creating the amusing sounds with each step. An added benefit is safety: the sound allows parents to more easily track the movements of their toddler and keep them within a close radius.

* Safe closures. Make sure that your baby’s shoes fasten well. Double-knot laces so that they are less likely to come undone and make sure buckle straps are secure without being too tight. Velcro fasteners are the easiest option.

* It is normal to have a slight discrepancy in foot size between the two feet; you want to make sure to go with the shoe size that fits the larger foot. Allow about one-half inch of space at the end of the longest toe to the end of the shoe. The toes should be able to wiggle freely, and the heel should not slip with normal walking.

* Get the shoe that is most comfortable for your child, even if it is not the same size that the measurement device indicates. Be aware that sizing differs with each shoe company, so refer to their respective sizing charts. It is advisable to inspect the shoe fit every couple of weeks, to insure the continuing comfort of your child’s feet.

Because of their unique ability to make sounds, Pip Squeakers shoes may be of interest to parents of children with disabilities who may have vision or mobility problems.

Tricia O’Connell is a special needs teacher, and is now in her 20th year of teaching. She is also the co-founder of Pip Squeakers. For more information on children’s shoes and Pip Squeakers, visit http://www.pipsqueakers.com or call (866) 722-4535.

Having children is a mind-boggling responsibility. Each child has unique challenges and blessings. Each situation has potential for travesty or truth. Each parent has opportunity to nettle or nurture. However, we aren’t expected to parent alone. God will guide us and lead us as we care for his lambs.

So, what are some tips that we can use so that we can raise up our children in a godly manner. First of all, we need to uplift our children in prayer. Prayer is our channel of communication to God. Without communication,we can’t follow His direction. Second, we can model godly behavior. Children model what they see. If you have ever heard your child play house, you’ll think that you were the one playing by the words that are said. Children are great mimickers. Third, we need to live up to the baptismal vows for our children. We promised to raise them up to know the Lord. We need to do that to the best of our ability. We need to be there to get them to Sunday School, church, bible class and whatever else is available to teach and nurture our kids.

Our children are not our own, but as long as we are here on this earth, we have a responsibility to raise children to know and love the Lord. In Mark, it is stated that Jesus told his disciples to “Let the children come unto me.” Jesus valued children and knew their potential to further the kingdom. We, as parents, are key players in the future of God’s kingdom, beginning with raising godly kids.

The school holidays are a great time for the kids, all those weeks of fun and games, no school, getting up late……but not for their parents! Summer vacation time can be just as much like hard work as the rest of the year. Trying to keep the kids entertained for six whole weeks can seem like a daunting task, so here are ten top tips to help you survive the summer holidays.

1. A little planning goes along way. You don’t have to time everything to the minute, but a plan of the next week’s events will at least mean you make sure you have the food for the picnic on the right day.

2. Don’t over-schedule your children’s time. Remember they need to rest, relax and recuperate so that they are ready to go back to school in September.

3. If you need to buy any items of school uniform, stationary, books or sports equipment, get it done in the first two weeks. If you don’t there will be nothing left in your child’s size and you won’t have enough time to sew in the name tapes.

4. Try to balance each week’s activities - too many long, exciting days at theme parks in one week will leave everyone exhausted and the poor parents penniless. Alternate trips to big attractions with quiet days at home or free activities such as walks in the park, the countryside or go to a play area if the kids are younger.

5. Try not to sign them up to too many camps and holiday clubs. They actually want and need to spend time with you.

6. Involve the children in your routine and remember that your life has to go on. The shopping still has to be done; the laundry will not hop in the washing machine then hang itself out to dry. It is easy to spend so much time amusing the children that you end up trying to do the housework in the evening. Schedule your work as well.

7. Even lazy days at home benefit from a little planning. You may want to involve the kids in cooking or a big art and craft session, but if things finish sooner than you hoped it helps to have a surprise DVD or a new game stashed away - rent them or swap with a friend to keep it affordable.

8. Stay safe - stock up on sunscreen, insect repellent, band aids and prescription drugs.

9. Do the boring stuff like taking the kids to the dentist or the optician. So much easier than trying to book an appointment after school.

10. Late nights and long lie-ins may be a big part of the summer break, but start to get them and you back into a routine a week before they return to school. It will make it much easier for you all when the new term begins.

Good luck for the summer, and do have fun!

Jacqui O’Brien is the editor of eParenting.co.uk, the online parenting magazine with fun and advice for parents, webguides, information, kids shopping, free printable colouring pictures and free educational software to download. Visit eParenting at http://www.eparenting.co.uk