A good foundation - having a substance-free pregnancy and home

Having a substance-free pregnancy and home, a continuation of the discussion started in the previous blog:

http://thegodfreymethod.com/blog/catching-humpty-dumpty-good-foundation

     One of the songs from the *Safety Kids® CDs tells kids to let their genes make them all they can possibly be. Isn’t that what we want for our children, the fullest possible expression of their genes at their optimum capabilities?

 

External forces like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, can stunt the physical expression of the genes, stopping them from manifesting their best promise.

Wise parents will take preventative measures as soon as they become pregnant, if not before.

 

     Helping a child develop to be his or her best self begins long before birth by giving the healthiest environment feasible.

 

At or before conception, if possible, moms and dads should stop smoking and drinking.

 

It goes without saying that they should not take any illegal drugs nor most over-the-counter medications and prescriptions (without doctor’s approval).

 

      Many articles have been written on the subject of how tobacco and alcohol affect fetuses extremely negatively. One quick reference is: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-smoking-during-pregnancy-affects-you-and-your-baby_1405720.bc?page=1

 

      Why include dads in the abstinence goal? Several reasons. It is harder for mom to quit if dad continues.

 

The environment of the home needs to be free of substances when the baby arrives. What dad does can affect his genes and whether he is passing healthy ones to the child (consider that before conception).

 

Dad will have more empathy for mom’s struggle and better able to sympathize and help.

 

      Did you also know that caffeine: 

• Is very bad for babies and pregnancies? Children should never drink caffeine, either. 

 

• A little-known truth is that children’s livers don’t metabolize caffeine the same as adults, and it stays in them as a toxin for much longer.

 

• It can cause miscarriages and premature labor in the mothers.

 

• It can cause ADHD and other problems in the child.

 

• For some people it causes panic attacks and depression, too, according to the research of E.A. Helwick, III.

 

• So get off the caffeine, especially if you’re pregnant.

      Good nutrition with plenty of protein during pregnancy is a must for healthy infant development.

 

Iron is also a must.

 

Did you know that a fetus stores up enough iron in his liver to last for the first year of life? If mother is anemic, he can’t do that.

 

This is necessary because breast milk doesn’t have iron in it, so creation planned for babies to store up iron ahead of time during gestation.

 

And breast milk is the best infant nutrition after birth. You’ll see why in the next section.

 

      The best experience would be for mom and dad to remain substance-free after the baby’s birth.

 

If not, though, smoking should NEVER be done inside the home or vehicle.

 

Second-hand smoke robs a child’s growing body of needful oxygen, and puts toxins in her system.

 

New studies are also showing the negative effects of third-hand smoke, now. Third-hand smoke is the toxic substance that covers the surfaces of everything in your home and/or car long after the smoke is gone.

 

And it affects your family and pets.

 

      Remember that example is the best teacher and that your child watches everything you do. If you want her to be a healthy adult, show her the way.

 

      Dr. Jeffrey Fine and his wife have a new book out called, The Art of Conscious Parenting, which includes pregnancy and delivery ideas. Check out his website at www.newparent.com Take what you like and leave the rest.

 

      *Brite Music® CDs and follow-along books, especially the Standing Tall® series and Safety Kids® series. http://www.britemusic.com

 

(Since children remember things better when they are put to music, this is a good way to facilitate your child’s character development.)

 

     Without these preventatives, the cracks in your child may be a weakened immune system, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder or children of rage, lack of imagination, lower IQ, slower learning capacity, poor decision-making skills, and/or physical health issues. You are the key. It’s not rocket surgery!

 

http://thegodfreymethod.com/blog/give-your-child-good-foundation-substance-free-pregnancy-and-home

16 Time bombs set to go off in your child unless you prevent them now

Catching Humpty Dumpty – A Good Foundation
Sixteen time-bombs that may be set to go off in your child unless you do something to prevent them now.

                In a solid rocket motor, the difference between a launch and a detonation can be one little crack. A rocket motor is not like a car motor. It doesn’t have a bunch of moving metal parts. In fact, it’s more like a big rubber eraser with a bunch of small particles in it. When cast and cured correctly, it burns from one end to the other (after ignition), which causes a controlled thrust powerful enough to lift huge shuttles and satellites into space. It’s also the same stuff that propels tactical missiles to their destinations.

                One little crack in the solid, rubbery fuel will cause an over-pressure so quickly that the burn becomes an instantaneous explosion- a detonation. Rocket scientists and engineers are very careful to make sure that a solid rocket motor (SRM) has no gaps, de-bonds, or cracks anywhere inside. They also protect an SRM during transport from manufacture in say, Utah, to NASA in Florida, to make sure that nothing impacts the SRM, and that it doesn’t get dropped or bumped at any time in the loading and unloading. One little crack in the solid fuel can mean the difference between celebrating an astronaut in space and attending his/her funeral.

                So what does that have to do with raising children? One little crack in the foundation of a child’s beginnings can change his/her future forever. Most of these are preventable or treatable if caught early, and children are resilient, thank goodness. It’s also similar to getting off-track like this ( < ). See how at the beginning of the crack the lines are close together near the point? But the further it grows, the wider the gap between the lines, or the more off-track we are. What might seem like a small thing in the beginning may have lasting effects later.

                What do dyslexia, speech problems, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, a weak immune system, malnutrition, children of rage, low self-esteem, insecurity, childhood depression, low self-confidence, lack of imagination, lower IQ, slower learning capacity, poor decision-making skills, lack of social skills, and the downward educational trend have in common? Most may be preventable or curable when caught early. You, mom and dad, are the key.

                Let’s discuss how each of the building blocks (substance-free pregnancy and home, breast-feeding and nutrition, affection and family environment, brain stimulation, early phonics, early math, service projects) can prevent or treat the cracks in your child’s life: What would you be willing to do to prevent your child from having dyslexia? What would you be willing to do to help her be gifted? Academically talented?

                Even though there may be a genetic (or biological) link to some learning disabilities, certain environmental factors can trigger problems or worsen them. Others can prevent or improve them. And even though there may be a genetic link to intelligence, certain environmental factors can stunt it, while others can enhance it. There are many things a parent can do to help give her child the best possible cognitive abilities.

                Ideally, preventing learning disabilities in your child begins before her conception. We all know the drill of being drug and alcohol free, not smoking, eating nutritionally, taking prenatal vitamins and iron, etc., but they work. They make sure that your baby gets enough oxygen and nutrition without any detrimental substances to stunt development. We also know that making sure the baby has enough oxygen during delivery is essential to mental health. We'll discuss them more in-depth next week.

http://thegodfreymethod.com/blog/catching-humpty-dumpty-good-foundation