HOME AND FAMILY

In not being present, in pretending I can hold two or more attentions simultaneously, I betray eternity's moment for the temporary release I feel I could have by looking at a little machine at the end of my arm.

Whether it is an important e-mail I've been waiting for, or some form of message from a friend, or an acquaintance, or even a prospect, I really do need to admit that there is always a buzz to receiving mail.

I think the earliest I can recall feeling excited about mail was when I received a postcard or a letter or even a package in brown paper wrapped with string through the mail as a pre-schooler. (There is something about a package wrapped in brown paper and string that takes me all the way back into the 70s.)

The issue is partly about accessibility, about us being too accessible, but it is also partly about craving information. We are all vulnerable to this new addiction - the fear of missing out, or FOMO.

The timing of this article is poignant given that it is Father's Day in Australia. The Fathering Project have elevated the role of Dad significantly over recent years. And it is normal for dads to expect to be celebrated on this one special day of the year.

But what if as fathers we took some time to reflect on the interruptions our devices create?

Let's just be honest.

Could we be as bold to think about some structure of discipline that would restore our control over the machine rather than relinquish our control to it?

I have done like many people have over the years and deleted apps on my phone. But there are still the text messages and e-mails that I like to answer in a timely fashion.

I have needed to be reminded occasionally to stop looking at my phone during family times, and I guess for me I have come to accept how quickly I replace my precious family time with superfluities. It's fortunate that my wife can be direct with me. But it saddens me just how many precious family moments I've missed with my children. I doubt whether they would have even noticed, because it's not that big a problem, but that's just the problem; we continue to allow the technology to interfere with and at times ambush our lives. And some of the time it can be completely necessary.

So here is a message to dads: are you able to be fully present with your children for the precious moments you have them?

It seems that childhood never ends for parents, but like anyone with adult children would tell us, once that time has gone it is gone. I think I still grieve my three adult daughters having grown up. I'm so glad they're adults now, but as parents, if we're truthful, we always miss them. Yet I'm so proud they have their own lives. And I still have a five-year-old who is such a gift to us.

I think for me being a good dad is about refocusing daily and finding ways of just being present.

Fatherhood is for today. We cannot afford not to make the most of every moment, but inevitably we will waste many of them. Let's make the most of as many of those moments we might otherwise waste.

Note: being a Dad I won't speak for Mums.

Today's children are immersed in technology that parents could only have dreamed of at their age. This will only accelerate as advancements in computer entertainment leap frog into more complex and fast paced gaming experiences.

How can this fact be used by fathers to help their children? Step up and be the parent. A father should make it clear that in order to have the privilege of playing video games or using the computer, chores and homework must be completed AND checked. Too often, or in many cases, most often, a child will come home from school, go straight to the computer and begin playing immediately.

By enforcing a chore/homework rule (along with a time limit for electronic entertainment), a father can not only ensure the chores get done and homework completed (both of which help children when they are out on their own), but also instills a sense of responsibility. Authority is also established, which is critical to maintain as a parent. Too many parents hand their authority over to their children and then complain at how smart-mouthed and disrespectful they are. Children need and want (whether they admit it or not) boundaries that are enforced by their parents. They understand on a basic level that these boundaries are expressions of love. If you didn't care as a father, you wouldn't bother.

Another related issue is the distracted parent. A father who is too busy to discipline or even set boundaries sends a message that he simply does not care. This is very likely not to be the case, but it is what is projected nonetheless.

Staying with the electronic theme, a couple times a week, make it a point to rally the family around the childrens' favorite games and spend an hour playing THEIR games. My children like multiplayer games and we networked out household computers so that we all can play. Even if you don't have multiple computers, children love it when they can show you their accomplishments. Take an interest in their achievements and make sure you ask questions. This does not involve loads of time, just an hour here and there.

Lastly, fathers and discipline go together. Discipline does not always mean corporal punishment. The father who steps in and metes out discipline in a constructive manner is more likely to have a household that is less chaotic and less disrespectful. In fact, all disrespect should be dealt with. If not, your authority as a parent is chipped away at every time you let it slide. One of the most effective tools that will hit home with your child is to take away the electronic entertainment. Remember, these items are not rights they are privileges.

A father who steps up and gets involved with have a positive impact on his children as they grow up and move out.

If you are planning to go for IVF treatment for having your biological child we will want to share few things with you. First of all the process of In vitro fertilization is a very complicated one and you being the candidate need to be very patient and calm while undergoing the treatment process. If you make you feel stressed then that will not help you get the desired outcome. Secondly, the success rate of an IVF cycle cannot be guaranteed by anyone, not even by the biggest IVF experts of the industry. Be prepared to face whatever the outcome is.

There are some clear-cut factors which you need to take care of choosing the Right IVF Doctors for Treatment:

• This process needs the effort of different types of specialists. So while selecting the IVF center you need to check the clinic is having a specialist in gynecology, embryology, endocrinology, urology, surgery and even for psychology.

• For quality IVF treatment one needs to get a certain examination done by a geneticist. Doctor will be responsible to check genetic disorders if any in the prospective patient. So the presence of this specialist is also a must in the clinic.

• There will always be the need of a reproductive surgeon as all IVF cases are not same. Some of the candidates may need some surgical modification of conditions which leads to the creation of obstruction for the fallopian tubes, endometriosis lining and some disorders of the urinary tract. It is not always the women who are having the problem of infertility as it may arise because of problems in a male partner too. An urologist can check the reason for the male urinary tract disorder and decide the treatment which can resolve the problem.

• Coming to the importance of the embryologist in IVF treatment. This specialist is responsible for matching the collected eggs and sperm of the partners under strict laboratory condition to develop a healthy embryo. If the number of the healthy embryo is more than 2 in case of a candidate then 2 will be used in the first cycle and rest will be frizzed carefully so that it can be used for the second cycle if needed.

• Each of the specialists who will be the part of the treatment needs to be MD in their field and need to have required amount of experience in the industry

• The clinic needs to have good reputation and success rate for In vitro fertilization cases. We understand that 100% cannot be successful but minimum 85% cases need to be successful to enlist the agency in the list of notable IVF centers.

You can decide your own set of parameters for deciding the right clinic for you. But we will insist that you include the above points in your search. It is an expensive medical process and so you need to plan for the fund. There may be variation in the cost when compared to the patients of the same clinic. The reason can be some extra medications or extra service required by the patient.

Whether you wake up with nausea or cravings, a healthy breakfast is very important if you are pregnant. These easy-to-use and largely pre-cooked breakfast options are filled with essential nutrients to keep you healthy, support your baby's growth and start the day as best as possible. Pregnancy Breakfast ideas will lead you on the way of getting better nutrition.

Breakfast with salmon and cream
Smoked salmon is not a good choice for pregnant women because of the risk of listeriosis. But that's not a reason to miss omega-3 fatty acids in salmon. These healthy fats are important for the development of your brain! Choose a variety of baked fish and enjoy them with cream cheese in your favorite bagel. Look for mini-bagels that are actually much closer to the size of the good portion than the huge coffee variant. If you can find a variety of whole grains, you will receive another nutritional bonus for you and your baby.

Breakfast with apples
Are your morning's crazy? It's still not an excuse to skip breakfast, especially with this simple option. Prepare this oatmeal the day before and enjoy by preparing your meals or parking at your desk. Just mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1/2 cup of milk in a mason jar, sprinkle with a tablespoon of chopped walnuts and rub in the middle of an apple. Shake and let stand overnight in the refrigerator, and ready: Breakfast is served!

Breakfast smoothie
How about a glass of super foods in the morning? This shake is full of vitamin C that comes from fruits and protein, calcium come from the yogurt. And you probably know how important it is to have enough folic acid in during the. So to properly arrange the requirement amount of folic acid you have to follow pregnancy breakfast ideas. Leafy vegetables such as spinach will serve the purpose. Chia seeds are an important plant source of omega-3s; the beneficial fatty acids that scientists believe are needed. To make this super-loaded smoothie, mix 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup yogurt, a kiwi, a handful of spinach and a tablespoon of chia seeds.

Egg, cheese breakfast
If you're having trouble getting enough vegetables during the day, try starting the day with a full serving. This burrito is also a source of protein. Eggs, beans, and cheese help you get the extra 25 grams of protein you need now. To prepare, sprinkle two scrambled eggs, two tablespoons boiled beans (canned), two tablespoons grated shredded cheese, such as cheddar cheese, and a medium-sized tomato cut into a tortilla. Season with salt and pepper and roll, fold up and down.

Breakfast with eggs and avocado
Start the day with a useful dose of chorine from eggs, a superstar nutrient for expectant moms. It helps to improve the function of your brain (so you will never forget breakfast again) and discusses the development of your baby's brain, especially during the last trimester. And your belly will thank you for the fiber of all toasts and avocados.

Boiled egg and avocado with toast
Start the day with a useful dose of choline from eggs, a superstar nutrient for expectant moms. Recent research shows: In the morning we can't get required nutrition, so get in the breakfast an egg yolk contains about a quarter of the hill you need each day. It helps to improve the function of your brain (so you will never forget breakfast again) and discusses the development of your baby's brain, especially during the last trimester. And your belly will thank you for the fiber of all toasts and avocados.

Weight Gain Breakfast for Mom
During pregnancy you and your baby's need more calories, that's mean pregnant women need gain weight following the standard roles. Most new mothers want to lose weight, but breastfeeding mothers may have difficulty keeping their weight. During breastfeeding, your energy requirement is even higher than during pregnancy due to burns and a lot of calories. If you are breastfeeding and want to gain weight or gain weight, make sure you have enough food to meet your baby's needs. The Ideal pregnancy breakfast ideas will increase your weight level rapidly.

To have a good pregnancy we not only have to look at physical health. Being healthy is fundamental in these moments, but also be mentally calm, prepared and happy. That is why we are going to give ten keys to a healthy and happy pregnancy, in which the mind and body combine in harmony to welcome a new member into our lives.

Eat and drink healthy during pregnancy

The diet has to be varied and balanced. The important thing is to take foods rich in nutrients and vitamins such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and iodine, but not in fats. The diet must be varied based on vegetables, fruits, cereals, dairy products, and legumes, without forgetting the daily contribution of meat and fish proteins.

A healthy diet includes maintaining correct hydration. Drinking enough water and milk to give us calcium is essential. We can also take juices, better natural and not sugary. Of course, let's forget about alcoholic beverages and coffee.

Take the recommended vitamin supplements

To complement a healthy diet the doctor will recommend certain vitamin supplements that include folic acid, along with other vitamin and mineral supplements also beneficial for pregnancy care, such as iron, iodine, calcium... In this way we help the fetus to develop properly, avoiding deficiencies that they could cause complications for both the baby and the mother.

Perform exercise during pregnancy

For our well-being and an ideal weight gain, it is fundamental to perform physical exercise appropriate to our state. Whether swimming, yoga, walking, the Pilates method...

By performing a moderate and constant exercise we will improve our cardiovascular and muscular condition and favor postural correction. All this will provide the pregnant woman with a better general physical condition and will allow her to face the work of pregnancy and childbirth with fewer risks.

Go to medical visits

Regularly visit the gynecologist to do the corresponding tests and obtain adequate prenatal care. This way we will monitor both the health of the baby and ours, having the possibility of consulting the specialist all our doubts and fears, as well as talking about our delivery plan. The prenatal tests will give us peace of mind, they will help us to "get closer" to the baby and with the ultrasound, we will have their first images for the memory.

Wear appropriate clothes

We must wear comfortable clothing (including shoes), appropriate to the increase in weight and volume we experience. This will help the blood circulate better, our movements are correct and not forced and the skin stays healthy. It's not about being dressed like bags of potatoes, since fortunately being pregnant is no longer at odds with going fashion, and many stores sell beautiful pre-mama clothes. The heels can wait but feel comfortable and beautiful with a nice "wrap" favors a psychic well-being important at this time.

Pampering our mind during pregnancy

If we dedicate time to take care of our body, we must also save time for our relaxation and the care of our mind. Not only is the body more vulnerable during pregnancy. Finding our tranquility and doing relaxation exercises at home will help us feel better. We do not have to park the activities that we like going to the movies, reading, going out to the country, crafts...

Take care of our skin

During pregnancy, it is essential to apply sunscreen creams to prevent skin spots and burns. Due to the action of hormones, the skin of the pregnant woman suffers alterations such as hyperpigmentation. Also, antistrictive creams are important, which prevent the appearance of these scars with the stretching of our skin, with special attention during the final months, when the skin stretches at a very fast rate.

Hydrating the whole body after a bath or shower gives us a moment of relaxation. Gentle massage after exercise helps us feel better. Of course, external hydration must be complemented with internal hydration, drinking plenty of fluids, as we have already mentioned in the section on nutrition. Everything combined will increase our well-being by feeling more careful and beautiful.

A good rest during pregnancy

Sleeping and resting what the body asks of us is very important. Fatigue and sleep can accompany us from the first moment as one of the first symptoms of pregnancy and hopefully will disappear. But it is more than likely that we will feel very tired and sleepy again in the final phase of pregnancy. It is what the body needs, and we must listen to it, resting as much as possible, without forgetting that moderate exercise will make us rest and sleep better.

Childbirth classes

Attending childbirth classes can be very beneficial for both our physical and mental health. Relating to other pregnant women and sharing experiences opens our mind to discover that we are not the only ones who have doubts or fears.

They also help us to acquire knowledge and awareness about the changes in our body, knowing concepts about the phases of childbirth, baby hygiene or breastfeeding will help us feel more prepared for the changes that lie ahead. Through knowledge, an important self-confidence is generated thanks to security, and being a father begins to live already. As much as possible, it is good to share these classes accompanied by the couple.

Communicate with the baby

Talking to the baby, communicating with him, playing music, will make him feel closer, preparing us for the moment in which he really reaches our arms. Know how your evolution is going on month by month, how it is growing in our womb, write a letter, keep a diary of our pregnancy, respond to your kicks...

All these simple activities will achieve that the life that is gestated in our womb will fill more life to us. The possible discomforts of our pregnancy are forgotten in these moments of communication.

Do not forget, to have a healthy pregnancy requires a happy pregnancy. We have to take care of mind and body in this delicate stage of our life, full of emotions and sometimes contradictory sensations. I hope that these tips to achieve a healthy and happy pregnancy encourage you to face this stage of your lives with an optimistic and full of vitality.

This is the most terrifying thing I have had to go through in all my 7 months of motherhood. It shook me!

I had just finished bathing for my 5 month old - at the time- and I dropped him to get something, he wasn't rolling over yet so I assumed that a few seconds won't hurt the next thing I knew, I heard a cry, turned and saw my naked baby on the floor - that image is etched in my memory.

I lifted him quickly and he stopped crying but I couldn't stop crying- That ugly-face-sobbing kind of cry. It was very terrifying. My husband, heard me cry and came into the room, I told him why I was crying, he took the baby and prayed for him while I picked up my phone to check Google.

I read that I should check his use of the hands and legs, if his pupil is the same size, if he is not sleepy or vomiting. I checked and checked again, he appeared fine and was laughing already but I was convinced that I had ruined him by making him fall, for the next couple of days, every thing he did - like twitch or spit up - I attributed it to the fall in my mind. I was drowning in guilt and ashamed of myself for letting my baby fall off the bed. Then I spoke to my Mum and Sister.

My Mum told me to check his head and make sure he is not crying when I touch any part of his head and if he is fine, I should just let it go and not beat myself up over it.

My sister told me of her experience and said "Don't worry, there will be more falls" and further told me not to feel guilty about it anymore. I kinda let it go after about a week. It wasn't very easy though.

Here's a few things I learnt from that experience.

* If your child is not rolling over yet, just assume he/she is and put a pillow around them if you will look away for even a second.
* One second is enough for a child to do something swiftly, it's so shocking. You'd wonder how they get the speed.
* Always have an eye on your baby.
* Let there be a padding on the sides of you bed in case your baby does fall. A rug or foot mat, anything so he/she doesn't land on the bare floor.

and if your baby eventually falls down...

If your baby is physically alright, STOP WORRYING! YOU ARE NOT A BAD MOM!