St. John’s Children’s Hospital and Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine are offering free monthly seminars on pediatric health topics to the community. Each month during the school year, St. John’s Children’s and SIU will present an “After School with the Doctor” seminar at Prairie Heart Institute’s Dove Conference Center, 619 E. Mason.

SIU physicians will present information and answer questions from parents on a different topic each month. Free on-site babysitting services will be offered to parents who want to bring children ages 1 – 12. Parents are also welcome to bring infants with them to the seminar.

The first seminar will be held Thursday, March 25 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and feature Dr. Gayle Woodson, Professor and Chair, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at SIU School of Medicine.

Dr. Woodson will be presenting: “Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Issues: Tubes, Tonsils & Sinus Issues."

Parents interested in attending are asked to register online at www.siumed.edu/surgery or by calling 217-545-7133.

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Unscheduled downtime during the summer is important to enjoy as well so be sure to map out a couple of free weeks where your kids can learn how to be "bored."   But for those kids who are passionate about different activities, be sure to check out our 2010 Summer Camp Directory resources

Our 2010 Summer Camp Directory is being updated weekly.  Bookmark this site and check back regularly for the most recent listing of available camps and summer activities.

Spring is on the way (despite the forecast for snow this weekend!) and summer isn't too far behind.  Enjoy!

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Week One: we focused on Indoor Activities to survive the next month or so of mixed weather!

Week Two: we focused on Spring Cleaning!

Learn about the tip: F.A.S.T.

For example:   A = Anything you haven't used in a year … it's time for it to go!

Be ruthless…declutter, reduce, recycle, donate and clear it out!

Send us YOUR Sanity Saving tips.  Time savers, organizing tips, anything to streamline the hectic pace of parenthood!

All entries will be entered into our weekly T-Shirt drawing courtesy of Security Bank and Premiere Physical Therapy.

Congrats to Kelly Jackson and Barbara Gold our first two weeks of winners.

Enjoy these tips!  LISTEN here Sanity Savers 3-11-10

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"Ladies, would you like to win a Family Fun Night package, including a $45 Bella Milano Gift Card and $30 movie money? Guys, would you like to surprise your partner with a free night for two at the Crowne Plaza? Do you live outside of the Springfield, Illinois, area?  How about a free Couple Checkup with two sessions of free consultation about your relationship?

Research indicates that couples often wait six years after experiencing difficulties before seeking outside help. This can impact overall life satisfaction and often stresses everyone out including, and especially, your kids.

In an effort to provide a user friendly alternative that will encourage couples to seek help and develop relationship skills earlier in their relationships, ConnectEdPAIRS in interested in your opinions about E-therapy for couples and families. Complete this survey by March 30th, and be entered to win the above prizes. The lucky winner will be notified by April 6th."

Take Survey Now!

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But if you are like me, as the kids grew older, you assume the risk is reduced.  They are old enough to know what does and doesn't go in their mouths, right?   This is an important wake-up call for parents about the dangers of poisonous substances in and around our homes.

Did you know?

• Poisoning surpassed firearms in 2005 to become the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in the US behind motor vehicle accidents

• In 2009, approximately 52% of all “exposure” calls to the IPC (almost 45,000 calls) involved children ages 5 and under.  Nationally, over 4 million calls are received by poison centers for information and treatment advice on potentially harmful substances

In celebration of Illinois Poison Prevention Month (March) and National Poison Prevention Week (March 14-20), the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is holding a Facebook Fan Drive.   To help in the effort, Savvy Daddy and others are donating $1 for every new fan (from Illinois) in the month of March.

Become a fan here.

Click here for two interesting articles from the Illinois Poison Center Blog:  Top Five Things You Didn't Think Could Be Poisonous to Children and A Day In the Life of the Illinois Poison Center.   You'll be amazed at the service this organization provides to families who are facing a crisis involving harmful substances.  Also, if you are interested in learning more about Poison Prevention Education Resource Center, check out their website here.

Remember: If you shouldn't have taken it, eaten it, touched it or let it bite you, call the experts who can help 1-800-222-1222. Be safe!

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Through unique words and eclectic characters, he certainly had a story to tell in a way that no one before him had told it before.

My favorite book from our Seuss stash is still "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"  I loved it as a child, and now I cherish the times my daughters pull it off the shelf at story time.  Now, that I have reached the "middle-age" of life experience, books like this have a fresh perspective that is unexpected and refreshing.

Watching the little yellow guy stand before the open roads, deciding which path to take, which to avoid, and which balloons to take a ride…you can't help but revisit the journeys you have taken that have led you to where you are today.

The waiting times, the lurches and the slumps,  the alone times and the bumps, the confused and indecisive times … and the clear times when it all seems to fall into place.

As Dr. Seuss so eloquently says, "You'll get mixed up of course, as you already know …. So be sure when you step.  Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. "  Indeed it is, Dr. Seuss!

What a gift it is to be a parent and to share our life experiences and in return watch our children live, learn and create their own path.   "Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest…"  Thanks, Dr. Seuss.  We all need this inspiration from time to time!

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Last August at "Arts in the Park," area kids helped create this colorful mural by adding their own handprints.  The mural is now on display in the lobby at St. John's Children's Hospital.

If you haven't stopped by our Kids' Health Check master resource yet, courtesy of SJCH, please be sure to check out informative articles on everything from children's runny noses to headaches to allergies and more.

Have health related topics you'd like information on?  Email us, and we'll inquire of SJCH and eventually post the answer.

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Each year in May, Springfield Moms premium sponsor Security Bank partners with Springfield Business Journal for a program recognizing local women for their achievements.

"Women of Influence" honors local women for their contributions to the Springfield area community. The recipients are profiled in the May issue of the Business Journal and recognized at a special ceremony and reception on May 18th.

These women are significant for their valuable contributions in making Springfield a great community. Those who have been selected as "Women of Influence" have a wide variety of backgrounds, including both the private and public sectors. Many are recognizable names in the community, thanks to their involvement and commitment to making Springfield a better place to work and live.

Deadline for nominations is Thursday, April 8th.  Security Bank Women of Influence Nomination Form

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This is a great time of year to review where you've been the past few months and where you're headed the rest of the year.   I challenged a work colleague recently to block a full work day for creating her business plan.   This means setting aside a full 8-hour day where you can focus on the big picture.  You  list all you need to accomplish, all you want to accomplish and then prioritize that list into a manageable one…with deadlines.   I choose to make lists for work, personal and family.

Have I blocked out this day yet?  Well, actually yes…and then life took over. That day became just like any other; filled with emails, phone calls, work, more work, bills, kids and cleaning.

So, I decided I WILL block out this day again and escape to a hotel to actually accomplish it!  I will not be accessible by phone that day (except for family).   Sometimes it's essential to break from our normal routine to clear our heads so we can make important plans.

Whatever your Spring Fever Change is (work, personal, home, kids) take the time to make it happen!  I'm always inspired by the positive articles we receive from Joe Thiel, owner of Springfield Moms sponsor Fitness Together and Health Coach Joe.  Joe makes no excuses and always has great tips that we can apply to our lives.

This article here is a personal favorite:  Finding the Courage to Change

Enjoy!

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Send us your favorite time saver, organizing tips, get away retreats or anything you do as a parent to save your sanity.

All entries will be in our drawing to win a Do You Kasasa? T-shirt from Security Bank or Premiere Physical Therapy Sponsor T-Shirt Every Friday.

We can't wait to hear from you.  Email us here.

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