SHE: October is National ....

Hey Y'all,

You may know that October is....  well, my favorite month. It is my birthday, our wedding anniversary and my hubby's birthday. So yes, there are a lot of celebrations.  It is also the official kick off to fall festivals and the beginning of a such a beautiful time of year. I love the colors and the air and really all things fall.  But October is the month we recognize several special events.

Did you know it is:
 National Orthodontic Health Month ? It is recommended that children have their 1st evaluation with an orthodontist ( not their general dentist- a specialist trained to recognize and treat dental problems that may affect the growth and development of the face and jaws) by age 7.   Evaluations can inform you of potential issues with growth and eruption that can be corrected early to prevent more serious complications down the road. * Most orthodontists provide complimentary evaluations too, so there is really no reason not to have an evaluation.

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 National Pastor Appreciation? Be sure you let your Pastor and his family know how much you appreciate all the sacrifices that they make to be the leader of your church family. A card or gift card to their favorite restaurant would be a nice gesture to encourage them.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? This is such an important reminder to take care of yourself. We spend so much of our day caring for the ones we love that we often push our needs to the back burner.  Breast cancer affects the whole family, not only the one with the disease. It takes 20 minutes out of your day. The process has become much quicker and I dare say a little less uncomfortable.  The new technology provides your doctor with such clear images, making early detection easier.  Earlier detection increases your chances for survival. And the ones you love and take such good care of will be thankful!  So go get that mammogram!!

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These are a few of the October awareness campaigns that I would like to encourage you to  recognize.   Now I am off to enjoy a fall festival and maybe a funnel cake....

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xoxo,
Amy

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SHE: Says Good Bye to Summer

Hey Y’all,

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August 1^st… “Back to school” is just around the corner.  Parents and kiddos usually have different feelings about these 3 little words. But by this time, most are starting to yearn for a familiar routine. Because I was a “working mom” (like there is any other kind!) we worked best with a routine and honestly I still do.   I know, I know… routine is boring. But it makes your life so much easier.

Schools will begin in about 2 weeks here in town. So now is a good time to start making small adjustments to your daily activities to help you and the kiddos be a little less traumatized by the start of school and early morning wake ups.  Here a few suggestions to implement now:

·         Be sure all the summer to do’s were accomplished: physicals, dental visits (orthodontic consults- should happen by age 7J ), summer reading….

·         Go through clothes to determine what will work for back to school and what has been outgrown; remove the outgrown to avoid a morning of “Nothing to wear” frustrations.

·         Start moving bedtime up a little each day working your way to school time bedtime; wake up a little earlier too (staying up all night and sleeping all day – although fun, can really mess with your internal clock).

·         Organize your activities: get everything on the Family calendar- sports, dance, PTA, date night, field trips.  (If you are local, join us for a fun Planning 101 class to make sure your planner is the envy of your friends)

·         Meal planning is so helpful, but it will be a huge help during those first few days of back to school.  Plan lunch and dinner options that are family favorites and ideally can be prepped in advance.

·         Shop for back to school supplies; Take advantage of sales and if possible I recommend buying a few extra supplies at the low prices to keep on hand for mid school year.

·         Start discussions about the new school year; quite often the thought of school brings out a little anxiety in everyone.  Try to alleviate them as best you can. Focusing on the positives is always a good idea. 

Once school starts, make sure everyone is involved. Each night I try to make sure to have everything ready for the next day. This means all shoes and socks, jackets and backpacks are accounted for before bedtime.  I recommend a designated area for items.  Making a habit of putting things in the same location lessens the chance of not being able to find it when it is time to run out the door.

I hope you enjoy the last few days of your summertime. Make some more sweet memories and get prepared for the next chapter of fun.  

Xoxo,

Amy

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SHE loves to smile

Hey Y’all,

 Although February is a short month, it is jam packed with holidays and celebrations. Ground Hog Day, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day you probably knew.  But do you know it is also Children’s Dental Health month?  There is nothing sweeter than a baby's smile. 

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A smile breaks the ice, welcomes you home and says so much about you, so it is important to keep those pearly whites healthy. Some simple ways to help you be sure they are:

1) Brush using a soft toothbrush and a small amount of an ADA approved  toothpaste at least twice a day.  Don’t forget to floss daily today.   Mommas - brush for your little ones at night ~ encourage them to learn to brush, but really until they are older they just can’t get them clean enough. Let them handle the morning and you get them at night (hopefully your nights are a little less rushed.) You may find an electric toothbrush encourages longer brushing.

      2) Avoid sugary snacks and drinks between meals. This means “sports drinks” too. They are extremely acidic and can lead to enamel erosion and decay.  Encourage your children (and yourself) to  sip on water between meals.  Sipping all day causes tooth decay.

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      3) See your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and check-up. Little ones should visit the dentist  by age 3 and an orthodontist by age 7.  Orthodontics (braces ) aren’t for children only.  Having your teeth and jaws aligned can improve your dental health by making it easier to keep your teeth clean and  a having a smile 

      you are proud of can really boost your self-confidence. Most orthodontists offer  complimentary (FREE) initial exams. 

You dental health is important for your physical health too.  I bet you didn’t know gum disease can 

complicate heart issues and diabetes.  No insurance? Check your local community college, many offer reduced fees for routine checkups if they have an accredited dental program. If your smile isn’t what you want it to be, ask your dentist or dental hygienist how you can improve it.  Check the links added  above for more dental information.  Hope these tips can give you a reason to smile ~  Let me know if you have any questions. I will be glad to try to help point you in the right direction. 

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xoxo, 

Amy 

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