« Back to Mom e-news Index
« Subscribe to Mom e-news |
|
|
|
 |
The Value of New Mom Gatherings
By Candy Casey, RN, MS, President & CEO |
You’ve just given birth to your first child and are filled with questions. How can you find other mothers you can learn from and network with? Moms’ groups to the rescue!
How popular are such support groups for new mothers? According to a recent survey*, 37% of new moms belong to such a group. And over half of those said the new moms group they attend has ten or more members.
|
The benefits of joining a support group for new mothers can be significant. Among the most important benefits is for mothers to learn they are not alone, and ... Read More.
For more educational articles, tips and insights on a wide variety of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting topics, visit the Columbia Center website.
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
Healthcare Savings as Your Family Grows
By Teri Hecker, Benefits Specialist — Columbia St. Mary’s
After bringing your newborn home from Columbia Center, it can seem like everything changes — from sleep time to family finances. The good news is that there are financial options that can save new parents money on healthcare expenses.
FSAs
Many parents overlook the tax break that Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) provide. FSAs allow parents to put aside up to $5,000 of pre-tax money that then can be used to pay for qualifying expenses. The Healthcare FSA is for medical, dental, vision and prescription out-of-pocket costs. The Dependent Day Care FSA is for day care or eldercare costs. (Maximum FSA contribution levels vary between employers.) You cannot transfer money between accounts, so plan carefully.
Most medium and large employers offer FSAs, but unfortunately if your employer doesn’t offer one, you cannot contribute to an FSA on your own. FSA contributions typically are set up as automatic payroll deductions.
One disadvantage of FSAs is that they follow a “use it or lose it” approach. In other words, any money you contribute to an FSA but do not spend by the end of the year is forfeited.
Be aware that if you use an FSA, you will no longer qualify for the childcare credit on your Federal Income Tax return. Since the maximum value for the Federal childcare credit is only $480 for one child (or $960 for two or more children), however, most parents find it easy to choose an FSA over the childcare credit.
HSAs
If you are a member of a “high-deductible health plan” (a plan that requires you to pay a certain amount of money up front before benefits kick in, such as many PPO plans), you may qualify for Health Savings Account (HSA)...
Read More. |
iPad Love for Little Ones
Reviewed by Ann Grauer, CD(DONA), IBCLC
Have you ever seen a 2 year old with their parent's iPad? They can make it do many more things than the parent ever could! So, let's talk about two books available on iPad just for them. (And maybe you, the parent, will have more fun than you could have imagined.)
The popular children's book I Love You Through and Through ($4.99) is a sweet read and allows the child to be a participant in the story. By tilting the pad, your little one can make the waves roll, trees sway and cars move!
Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit ($4.99) tells Peter's story with the lovely illustrations, but your child can touch the screen to make characters giggle, jump and more! There are pull-out tabs and interactive text, too!
Both of these books, as well as many others for the little ones, are available in the iTunes store.
|
|
NEW FAMILY ROOM
UNSCRIPTED CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR PHYSICIANS |
|
Columbia Center physicians, educators and staff are recording videos of their unscripted conversations with parents-to-be. Learn how they chose their professions, parenting tips and techniques from their experiences raising their own children, and what they love about Columbia Center.
Check back frequently as additional videos are being added every week.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Join Us For Moms' Group
Columbia Center now offers three weekly Moms' Groups. Moms' Group meets at Columbia Center on Wednesdays at 10:00 am and Fridays at 1:30 pm. In addition, there is also a Germantown Moms' Group every Tuesday from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm at the Columbia St. Mary's Germantown clinic, N112 W15415 Mequon Road, Germantown.
Parents of new babies gather to share the joys, challenges and treasured moments of early parenthood. All moms with new babies and infants up to one year of age are welcome to attend. You do not have to be "on time" nor do you have to stay the entire time. Feeding, snuggling and baby care during class is welcome and encouraged. Moms' Group is free and there is no registration required. |
 |
| 13125 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon, WI 53097 262.243.7408 © 2011 Columbia Center |
