Ghostwriting for the E-book entitled: Mindfulness Techniques for Kids

Here is the final draft of this e-book before submission to the author, followed by its publication on The Amazon.

MINDFULNESS TECHNIQUES FOR KIDS

Table of Contents                                                                                                       i

Introduction                                                                                                                1

Chapter I                                 First things first (from conception to birth)                1-3

Chapter II                               The Active Toddler                                                    3-8

Chapter III                              The Pre-school and School Age Challenges               8-9

Chapter IV                              The Pre-teens and Teenage Discoveries                      9-10

Conclusion                                                                                                                  11

Description                                                                                                                  11

INTRODUCTION

Children are blessings from God. The moment parents procreate and become productive and successful, a new life is about to come into this world. A lifelong been expected not only by the

couple themselves but also by the whole family. There is no greater joy except for the idea that a

new member of the family is about to come and join them in sharing the love for each other. It is the

most precious gift that a couple could have from our Dear Creator.

 Life will be more colorful and inspiring for the would-be parents and of course, greater dreams are aspired and hoped. There will be a lot of reasons to strive and persevere, making sure that nothing

will be missed or left out for the welfare of the child. As a new chapter on the life of the

couple unfolds, a brighter future also lies straight ahead.

CHAPTER I

FIRST THINGS FIRST – From Conception to Birth

                                                       (0-1 year old)

The first-trimester pregnancy is considered as the most critical stage for the mother and the child.

Both of them, especially the mother should be given all the necessary care, love, and understanding. Aside from that, all the needs are to be met especially on the aspect of proper nutrition. Remember that whatever the mother takes in her mouth will be solely for the child nonetheless

.

Regular or periodical check-ups are required so as to monitor the health of both the mother and the offspring. Pre-natal appointments to the obstetrician-gynecologist are strictly followed in order to ensure their well-being. Important medicines and vitamins and minerals are taken also to serve as health and strength boosters. An ultrasound is also required in order to determine the position of the baby in the mother’s womb before the actual delivery. Prior to the expected date of delivery, the mother should be recommended to be in the hospital in cases of advance delivery. Doctors and nurses are aware that when the amniotic fluid bursts from the mother ’s vagina, she is ready to give birth. They will just wait, just in case, for the right “cm” on the patient’s entry point. When this is met, the mother is brought to the delivery room for the real thing

.

Every doctor, nurse or medical staff and practitioners knows how important it is to do their best.

A new life is about to come and that life is in their hands. When a loud cry echoes, everybody heaves

a sigh and a lot of smiles and giggles could be ringing from everybody’s ear. The baby

should then be brought to the mother for his most important meal.: the precious breastmilk. It is understood that at this point, the newborn must be clad in a clean and comfortable dress.

Similarly, all the necessary baby accessories are ready to be used anytime they are needed.

Diapers, for instance, must be according to the baby’s weight and size for extra comfort and to prevent rashes on the crotch which may cause reddening of the skin because of irritation. In cases where this situation cannot be prevented, it is recommended that a small amount of petroleum

jelly be applied on the affected area.

Aside from the fact that the baby’s skin is very delicate, it is also very sensitive to mosquito and insect bites. To avoid this problem, every parent should and must place the baby safely and possibly away from crawling insects or flying mosquitoes. This is done by placing a mosquito net

on the crib and or installing a well-ventilated protective cover on where the baby sleeps.

The room should also be well lighted so that the baby can be monitored from time to time.

On the other hand, another significant point to remember is the proper feeding of the new-born.

There are a lot of ways in breastfeeding the baby and mothers know it best to hold the little angel close to the chest so he can suck the mother’s milk to the fullest. In cases where the baby is bottle-fed, a lot of things are to be noted. First, the infant formula milk should be recommended by

a pediatrician to ensure that it will be well-taken by the baby. This is because if it’s not right,

it could result in flatulence or stomach disorders leading to a loose bowel movement. Upon preparation, the right amount of warm water should be measured including the number of scoops of milk per age bracket indicated on the feeding table chart should be strictly followed. Improper handling of feeding bottles, paraphernalia and accessories may cause the fast spread of germs or bacteria, so it is suggested that before they are used to feed the infant, it should be washed and rinsed thoroughly with the proper detergent, stored to dry and well-sterilized or sanitized. This will prevent direct or indirect contamination, thereby ensuring the safety and quality of food for infants

.

The person assigned to prepare the baby food should also wash his hands thoroughly with soap and water and use alcohol or other sanitizers in order to stop cross contamination. Moreover, it is also

very important to prepare the necessary medicines for the baby in case of sudden fever,

common cough or colds and of flatulence resulting from improper handling and preparation of milk. Aside from minding the baby’s feeding safety, it is also best to be meticulous on the environment

where the baby is taken cared of.

Normally, the newborn will not be comfortable if the room is not well-lighted and well-

ventilated. It was mentioned earlier that the baby should be closely monitored from time to time.

A baby crying would mean that he is feeling hot or cold, she is hungry, he needs to be changed clothes

or diapers and finally if she is not feeling well. 

                                                                       

CHAPTER II

THE ACTIVE TODDLER

(From 1-3 years old)

The safety of our children is one of our main concerns. Aside from providing them with what they need, parents should also be responsible for protecting them from harm or danger, whether physical or emotional in nature. The task may require not only quality time but also the ability to foresee possibilities arising from what they do or even from what they see and hear. As a familiar maxim suggest, prevention is better than cure. Why allow or tolerate something if it places someone’s

life in jeopardy?

This is what parents overlook or do not comprehend. Rearing a child is not just a simple task, it should be a way of life. Majority of seasoned parents just rely on the idea that whatevemakes the

e children happy, then they should go for it. The bottom line is they are very lenient if it comes

to something that would put a smile on an innocent’s face, thereby, not considering the

consequences that come with it. Therefore, the kind of happiness that it may bring might be

something fleeting and transitory. In short, temporary and is changing face from time to time.

One can never guess the next thing to happen, except if, a parent not only looks at the child but

also where he is at the moment. Several factors may include time, environment, weather and the

possible hazards surrounding your child. Toddlers in particular, between one to three years old,

absolutely know nothing about what they are doing. At this stage, the parent should always keep

the baby in sight or as far as possible, be very near the child in order to keep a watch especially

on what he is picking up and what he puts inside his mouth.

Naturally, advanced children would use their intelligence to hide it from you in any means

possible  because they don’t like the idea of someone grabbing it away. If and when a parent may

be successful in avoiding what is about to happen, the consequence could be a disaster. Either the

child would resort to long term wailing or the inevitable mood swing and sudden temper

tantrums.

Luckily, there are also intelligent ways of deviating and getting back the mood of tots.

A parent could just give the child something new to get his attention or at least point on

something interesting that will spark his interest in order to calm him down. Unfortunately, these

strategies are not an assurance or a guarantee because the baby’s prior memory is still vivid and

there is a big possibility that he may recall what have had taken place. The idea may seem tiring

or exhausting but reality tells us that toddlers are prone to choking hazards.

Toy manufacturers in particular labels the packaging with safety precautionary measures just like

indicating the recommended age of children who are allowed to play with a specific toy and a

foregoing warning that small parts are inside the package and should be opened and assembled

with close parental supervision.

Despite some precautionary measures, kids are still prone to accidents because parents either

ignore vital information or are less educated in understanding the significance of such warnings.

From these points of view, we can say that safety measures are futile without the awareness and

cooperation of parents. In addition, parents should be educated by all means in minding

techniques for kids.

One simple idea is double checking the area where the child is usually playing. This can be done

in many ways. By removing hazards around the child i.e. checking for sharp objects that may

cause injuries. Scissors, cutters, knives and the like should be kept in a container and should be

placed beyond the reach of the child.

Another idea is safekeeping poisonous items, especially in liquid form, that are easy to open and

will probably be orally taken by innocents ----unintentionally. Moreover, flammable and

combustible chemicals or materials should not be placed anywhere because in case a child learns

to light a match, the outcome would be totally devastating. History has taught us the grueling

experience of children who suffered from first or third degree burns because of ignorance and

negligence. Are we going to allow these things to happen to our children? The answer is very

obvious --- no! never, not a chance!.

The awareness and vigilance should start when the child learns or starts to visualize objects

around him. Who would not be tempted if you see or witness such colorful objects? Even adults

are naturally enticed with things that are new to them, isn’t it? How much more with kids?

Again, there is no point of argument and it will not help at all.

Likewise, if babies would start crawling and reaching for objects, another difficult challenge is

about to unfold. Parents’ proximity or nearness to the child is a must especially so when the child

starts to walk on his own and learns to climb on collapsible chairs or small tables. The

probability of tripping or falling could be from seventy five to ninety five percent. At this stage,

a parent should be a hero in his own right, who is possessed with good reflexes, ready to assist or

save a falling child at play by catching or gripping him safely without causing pain or injury.

Imagine a child using his knees in order to climb up a stair. Motor coordination between the

hands and the legs may be considered starting to progress but balancing the weight of his body

cannot be assured as a hundred percent ready. No matter how tiring the idea as it may seem,

keeping the back of our kids is the safest way possible that we can protect them. We should be

there when they need us the most. Always remember that our joy as parents doesn’t come in

handy.

Commitment, dedication and sacrifice are fundamentals of coming up with what it is that

we want to be successful. A sacrifice that would put us even in a situation that is beyond our

comfort zone. We may feel the cold water of a swimming pool, but since there is a priceless joy

of children wanting to wade in the water, we act as lifeguards for them to have fun or enjoy

learning how to swim. Take note that drowning is one of the many causes of death among

children. The idea of marking a pool with the specific depth does not guarantee the safety of

children. Even inflatable kiddie pools are dangerous if the child is left alone with other kids.

Again and again, parents should mind their kids even in outdoor activities. One  wise parent

should realize that if minor accidents do happen inside your very own houses, how much more

outside your abode? There is a big space out there and the perils of the earth might bring forth

unfortunate events.

The same is true with having pets at home ---- particularly dogs and cats. It

may seem very funny for a toddler or a kid to watch animals play to and fro but they are surely

not contented just watching them. The temptation or desire to touch or to come in close contact

with the pet is at stake specially in situations where the innocent already knows how to feed the

animals. Feeding the pets with the child’s bare hand may unintentionally be a case of animal bite.

Rabies is fatal to children and a single bite from a rabid animal may cause their demise. To prevent

this from taking place, dogs and cats should be placed separately outside the house,

whether it may be a cage, a house or a pen. This is because animals or even lovely pets are

unpredictable. A wise parent should think twice that animals may change their mood especially when

hungry, hurt or at some point, giving birth or not feeling well.

This is what we call parenting beyond bounds and boundaries because even the house can be dangerous to your child. Consider for example the tips and edges of furnitures, electrical equipments

and outlets, the ceiling and the floor, the walls and almost all of the house interior.

All of these may harm your children.

A concrete example is when a kid walks or runs everywhere. Certain obstacles may inflict pain

or injury to your child. The toddler could run into different directions and possibly could bump

into one of the edges of your table or cabinet. If there is only a small room in your house, try

facing the tips of tables on the wall or better yet, place functional cushions or upholstery on the

identified dangerous points.

This task may incur additional household expenses, but the question is: Are you going to put

more weight on your material investments over the safety and security of your own children?

You surely know the answer to this vital question. In the same manner, preventing electrocution

is also very important. Electrical outlets should be installed away from the sight and reach of

children. Placing it on a desired height is recommended. Latest models now have protective

shields or cover, preventing a curious child from inserting metallic objects into the entry of a

direct current.

 It’s also the job of family members to create awareness among themselves by turning off

appliances that are not in use or leaving gadgets charged for a longer period of time. The risk of

explosion or fire is at hand when this is ignored. As we all know, electrical shock could also

cause fatal results specially on very young children. You cannot afford looking at a paralyzed or impaired child because of such mishaps.

Mishaps can also happen with slippery floor tiles, poorly installed ceilings and also with exposed

walls. Using substandard materials and hiring unskilled workers will lead you to such

unfortunate events to your life and to your children. Make sure that next time you plan in

improving your house or adding a useful extension, you use standard construction materials and

hire people with unquestionable skill and work performance. What you see is always what you

get. If  you truly love your kids, take care of them.

                                                           

CHAPTER III

THE PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHALLENGES

From 4-12 years old

It is said that education is a weapon. Parents wants a bright future for their children and they

want their children to use this weapon to become successful in their future job. It may sound

fantastic but it’s not an easy journey. It’s a journey that begins with a single step of knowing and

learning how to listen, speak, read and write. The home is the first school and the parents are the

first teachers but the child should at least experience a moment of separation from his parents.

This is now the time that the child should be guided by his parents in order to face the world for

the first time on his own. Parents should open the eyes of their child to what is reality. The

reality of meeting new friends and new faces to give him a whole bunch of either good or bad

experience.

When the child is already in pre-school, a lot of things should be done regularly. The necessity of

teaching him to wake up early for school is not easy for him but later, he will be able to adjust to

this daily routine. In addition, as part of teaching him correct hygiene, he should have at least

learned his lessons on toilet training and the brushing of his teeth. On the part of the mother, a lot

of responsibilities are carried on her shoulder. She needs to prepare the food for the family, do

the laundry, especially the uniform of the kids, clean the house and so much more.

The father on the other hand is the breadwinner of the family. He needs to have a good job in

order to support his family. Being the head of the family, he needs to be strong and determined to

give whatever is best that he can do to protect his children and because the mother is busy at

home with the household chores, he is not exempted from fetching the children in school on

school days.

This is basically a part of giving them safety and protection. While they are still very young, they

need to familiarize the things that they do especially on crossing the street and how they will go

about it. Parents should at least take an extra effort of answering all possible questions that they

ask especially on simple traffic signs and symbols. If parents teach children safety and protection

at an early age, they will always remember it and apply it on their lives.

In addition, many parents do not want their children to keep on asking questions. What could

probably their reason? Are they somehow preoccupied with something else? This is not a good

sign of minding your kids. As a parent, you should always be there to assist your son or daughter

in their lessons and assignments. There may be times that your child contradicts your explanation

on a certain topic. This is but a normal  reaction from your learner. Maybe what you are teaching

is actually different from that of the subject teacher. You should not discourage yourself or your

child if he gets low grades.

You have a very important role of allowing your son or daughter to improve in many ways even

though he or she is still in the pre-school or elementary level of education. You should spend

time in doing his assignments or projects in school and teaching him about what you know in a

specific topic of interest.

CHAPTER IV

THE PRE-TEENS AND TEENAGE YEARS DISCOVERIES

From 13- 17 years old

There are more challenges that will come your way as your child grows up. Aside from guiding

him with proper values, he or she needs to understand the physical changes in his or her body.

This is a very critical period in the life of your little lady or gentlemen and you need to teach him

to open the communication lines especially on relationship and sexual issues. You need to act

now as his bestfriend  so as not to promote fear of being rejected or being a subject of ridicule

from among his or her companions in school. He or she needs to know certain limitations so that 

he may well be informed about what to do and what not to do.

Vigilant or watchful parents are aware of the rampant trends of premarital sex and abortion

among teenagers. Again, the maxim prevention is better than cure applies to every aspect of this

discussion. Parents should spare time in talking to their children about what they feel about

certain things. A concrete example is having a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Teens should

comprehend or understand that this is normal for their age.

They have to know that infatuation or liking someone may develop and will probably lead to

more of an intimate physical contact. This is the point where parents come in, telling their teens

that love and marriage is not a priority at the moment and they have to wait for the right time and the right person as well.

In addition, parents should paint their children a picture of what will happen if they don’t listen

to their advice. A point of comparison could help. Parents can either use the idea of telling their

teens to have good study habits in school in order to gain a degree in any course and become

successful in any career or decide on entering into a relationship, get pregnant, have a baby and

experience physical, emotional and or financial difficulties.

Listening to this parental perspective allows teens to realize what will be best for them. They can

now make a choice and at the very least, feel that they are being cared and loved. They will

never listen again to bad influence because at home, they are happy and very contented.

CONCLUSION

It is said that the difficult part of doing something very important is at the beginning. Patience is

indeed a virtue because if parents easily give up on their children, they will never grow as what

they expect them to be. It is very hard to meet the lines between what is ideal and what is real.

It’s very heart-warming to hear that a father or a mother does everything for their children and in

return, the children obey their parents at all times, that is why they became successful in life and

they live as a happy and contented family.

On the other side of the story, it is also heart-breaking that there also live a drunkard father and a

gambling mother. They just go in different directions, ignoring and neglecting their children at

home, leaving them without food and decent clothing,in an ugly and a dilapidated shanty. The

eldest daughter became a prostitute…the second child became a criminal… and the youngest

daughter was raped while asleep. They all lived a miserable and an unfortunate life ---- if you

could even call it, a life?

Our decisions could either make us happy or turn us into sad individuals.  We owe a lot from our

parents, do we? Whatever we do to our children today will matter what takes place tomorrow

and in the near future. Let us not allow the second story to dominate our lives because we all

deserve to be happy and contented. We have a choice to make and that choice is minding our

children, the next generation of would-be mothers and fathers, with all the love and support that

we could give, so that whatever we do to them today, they will also emulate to their future

children. Making this world a better place to live.

DESCRIPTION OF THIS E- BOOK:

This e-book is based primarily on the experience and background of the author. It is an account of events from the start of life leading to the pre-adulthood stage. This e-book aims to help parents understand

the value of having children and the responsibilities or obligations attached to it.

This was made possible because the author carefully elaborated not only the definition from the

title but also utilized actual and factual events in real life, making it  as comprehensive and as

understandable as it can be.

Every reader of this e-book will encounter a few figurative languages and idiomatic expressions as

a point of analysis. Majority of the terms are not highly technical because the author wants

every parent from all walks of life to appreciate it with high hopes that it can and will be used

and applied in  the actual and tiring- but-rewarding parenting world.