Family Events

When we think of shoes, we think of a matching pair. But there a many reasons why people need single shoes, or shoes that don't match. Sometimes it is as simple as feet that are two different sizes. Other times, the situation is more serious. People with foot deformities, for example, not only need shoes that don't match – they often need shoes that can help correct their deformity. Clubfoot, which is a birth defect, is the perfect example of a problem that can be improved with the right pair of shoes.

If you are a person in need of specialty footwear, you have probably experienced a variety of problems when shopping for shoes in a retail store. Even though retail stores often have a variety of sizes and styles for the conventional consumer, they often fail miserably when it comes to showcasing brands and types of shoes that the specialty footwear consumer demands. Some retail shoe stores fail to carry any type of specialty shoes at all.

Amputation comes in different forms for different reasons. Disease and injury are the main reasons for having a limb amputated. Examples of this are advanced stages of cancer in a limb, extra digits (fingers or toes), severe injury, bone infection and more. To focus on the lower extremities we look at the legs, ankles, feet and toes.

Foot-problems are not the first symptom we usually associate with Diabetes. We think of low blood sugar or problems with circulation and weight. But in fact, foot problems in diabetics can indicate that something serious is going on. Mild discomfort can escalate quickly and evolve into a critical medical condition. Poor circulation in the feet can cause numbness and result in a diabetic being unaware of a foot injury and allowing it to worsen.

With winter quickly approaching, the clear days that are perfect for picnics are almost over. Having a picnic with your family can be some of the most fun you'll ever have. However, the most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything. Make yourself a list of all of the things you might need for a fantastic picnic. Then, as you pack, check off the items that you actually need. Save the list for the next picnic of camping trip. When you return, add the items that you wished you had taken.

A baby's christening or baptism is a very special occasion. It is the very first step in their spiritual life so there should be as many keepsakes of the day as possible. Since the baby won't have any first-hand memories of this special day, it's up to the parents, godparents and family members to create lasting memories for them.

There are always the popular items that make treasured keepsakes, but there are many other ideas that might get overlooked. For instance, are the invitations just for inviting guests to the celebration and providing all the important details?

In years passed, Mother's Day was always a major day for our family. As a child, treating Mum to breakfast in bed, a few homemade or school fete gifts and lunch in a nearby park seemed the best way to provide Mum with a quiet day and some relief from five, noisy children.

As you can imagine though, with five grown up children, it hasn't been easy to keep up with that tradition. Many of us have moved away and visiting both Mum and Mum-in-law on Mother's Day has become impractical, especially after our own children have come along.

I was asked recently "HELP. My mother is planning a family get together for her birthday. We all get on individually but when we are together, by the end of the night there are generally fallouts and I am anticipating another disaster. Mum will be offended if I don't go. Can you help me manage this situation so that she is not offended and I can perhaps feel less tense about going?"

Sound familiar? Yes.

Dora the Explorer has proven to be a phenomenon of mass proportion among young children. As with most things popular with children, Dora makes a great theme for a birthday party. Of course, planning and throwing a party is no small task, and a Dora the Explorer party is certainly no exception to that rule. However, the process can be made quite a bit easier (not to mention a good deal cheaper) with a bit of planning and creativity. The end result will be a Dora the Explorer party that your child and all of their young friends will remember for years to come.

As adults it is perfectly normal and expected that we use a pillow when we sleep. In fact, sleeping without a pillow can be quite painful and leave us waking up with a stiff neck or perhaps even stopping us getting to sleep in the first place.

It is therefore no surprise that many parents wonder whether their child would also be more comfortable if given a baby pillow.

The answer to the question though, is dependent on the age of your child, and also where they are sleeping.......

If your child is younger than two years old, a pillow is definitely not recommended.