Articles written by Pat Merewether in Parenting & Pregnancy

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About me - Pat Merewether

Thank you for visiting my Helium page. My passion for writing started when I was in high school and won a nationally run essay contest for my school. The writing came through in letter writing (Back when people still wrote letters). Shortly after my husband

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Parenting & Pregnancy > Grandparenting Grandparents: Tips for surviving grandchildren's tantrums: 1 of 13
Being a Grandparent has it's own challenges, and dealing with temper tantrums is one of them. You're not the parent, so shouldn't take over, but you are a person with feelings. If a parent is present, then it's best to let them handle it. In most case there isn't a lot you can do, as once a child is in 'tantrum' mode, it's a... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Grandparenting Family tree: True stories about gardening with my parents (or grandparents): 11 of 135
My Dad made certain that our little yard in a post-WWII neighborhood near Detroit had the greenest lawn and the most beautiful roses. I was about seven-years-old when he gave me a Popsicle stick and an old soup can with turpentine in the bottom. I was pleased to become part of his gardening routine. My task was to knock the ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Grandparenting How grandparents can ensure the well-being of grandchildren: 2 of 13
Grandparents offer another layer of support for their grandchildren. I'm sure this is what Hillary Clinton mean when she said that it takes a village to raise a child. Being a grandparent offers a wonderful opportunity to give a child an even better chance at enjoying a healthy, happy life. A feeling of well-being is the bes... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Common Baby Ailments Tips for eating out when your child has food allergies: 3 of 12
Eating away from home can be worrisome and a risky business if your child has allergies. Here are a few tips for making eating out a more pleasant and safe experience. Medic Alert Bracelet: The first thing you should do when you learn that your child has allergies is to purchase a medic alert bracelet or pendent and make sur... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Pregnancy Documenting your pregnancy: The rise of the pregnancy portrait: 2 of 8
I recently saw a photo of a woman's pregnant belly with the outline of her baby's tiny foot pressing against her from the inside, what an amazing capture. I'm sure she and her family will treasure it forever. A combined written and photo, or even video, journal is a wonderful way to chronicle your pregnancy. Digital cameras ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Grandparenting Gift ideas for grandparents: Bath oils and body lotions: 2 of 7
Most grandparents have more stuff than they know what to do with, so bath oils and lotions are a great idea because they are gifts that will be used up quickly and not take up a lot of space. Fragrence: Consider your grandparent's fragrance preferences. The scent of lavender or ginger make me nauseas - and believe me, my fam... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges Are you really ready to move out of your parents' house?: 13 of 40
Moving out of your parent's home is a huge step toward starting your own life. How do you know you're ready for this? Hopefully you're at least eighteen years old, preferably several years older than that. Of course moving out to go to college is the first step, but you still usually know that's temporary and you can 'go hom... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Grandparenting How to avoid spoiling and indulging your grandchildren: 3 of 9
At first the idea of avoiding spoiling or indulging a grandchild' seems like an oxymoron. Sort of like "Jumbo shrimp' or pretty ugly'. Most of us love to do a bit of spoiling or indulging grandkids, but we have to set limits in order for the relationship remain healthy. My granddaughter and I go shopping for clothes twice a ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges Curfews: Setting and sticking to them: 5 of 14
I worked for a child psychiatrist for several years and the kids who came to her office were quite often not 'sick' but instead were confused and angry. Their parents wanted to be their friend, not their parent, and this caused many problems. Once this was discussed and the child realized that the parents were in charge and ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting (Other) Grandparents' testimonies: How I earned my grandchildren's respect: 3 of 8
One day my mother, daughter and I were sitting around the table discussing a family problem and my Mom shared one of her favorite truisms, "Hope springs eternal!" My grandson asked, "Who's Hope? Is she my aunt?" This is how confusing relationships is for kids, and all of us at times. It also made us very aware that he was li... More..