Tips on Choosing a Baby Name

Before choosing a name for your baby, there are several things that you need to consider. First of all you should consider the child's ancestry.

Usually it is nice to give your baby a first or a middle name that refers somehow to a relative your family tree. In some cultures, this is considered to bring you good fortune as it is thought that the guardian spirit of that relative will always be watching over your child.  Also it is a way of “branding” a child so that he or she always feels like a cherished member of your tribe.  

Before you give your child a name, be sure to look up it’s meaning to make sure that it does not have unflattering connotations. For instance, the name Luxton, might sound very elegant and mean “elegance” in English, but if your child is Jewish, the name will translate to mean “limp noodle.”  This rule especially applies to names that sound exotic and Far Eastern.  The name Kali might sound pretty for a little girl, but it means “Goddess of Death” in India.   Does the name sound right when you call it?  Realize that during the first w years you will be often calling out this child’s name as in  “Aberdeen, don’t stick your finger in the light socket!” 

Make sure that it is a name that you and others can pronounce easily. Does the name have an attractive casual short form?  The best names are ones that can be shortened so that the child can have an affectionate nickname.  The more versatile the name the better, especially if the child doesn’t like his or her full name when he or she grows up. An example of a good versatile name is Delilah, which can be shortened to Dee, Del, Lily or Lilah. 

Will children make fun of the name?  To you the name Dorcas has great ancestral significance as well as refers to a great Sea Goddess. To your child it is a curse as her dignified moniker is shortened and she is called “Dork” throughout her child hood years. Is the name really difficult to spell?  You can save your child a lot of grief later in life if you avoid names that don’t sound like they are spelt. A classic example is “Siobhan”, pronounced “Shove-on”.  You might also want to avoid names that are pronounced the same but have several spellings, (such as Sharmain or Sharmaine or Charmain or Charmaign or Charmaine) as these can get misspelled on government and insurance forms. Now that you know the ground rules when it comes to naming your child, you are ready to choose a name. The rest of the course is really just a matter of your good taste!

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Should You Get Your Kids A Kitten?

Although cats are adaptable and friendly creatures they do not make good pets for certain types of people or for people with certain health problems.

 For instance, don't get a cat or kitten if you are pregnant. The cat's exposed feces can cause a potentially fatal blood disease called toxemia.  

Another related health problem that cats can cause for both pregnant and ailing individuals (people with diseases and compromised immune systems) is caused by cat hair and dander. Kittens are not suitable companions for pregnant women, as being exposed their feces can cause a potentially fatally blood disease called toxemia in both mother and child.Cat hair and cat dander (skin flakes) in the air overstimulate the immune system and create respiratory problems not only for a mother and child but also for elderly individuals and those with diseases that cause the immune system to be overly stimulated such as AIDS. 

Cats are also not recommended as pets for people who suffer from respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma or emphysema.  Cat dander and cat hair is inhaled, irritating the human’s airways even further. People who have allergies to cats should also avoid owning a cat. If you are not sure if you have an allergy to cat hair, do both the cat and yourself a favor and get yourself tested before you got to the shelter or a pet store. Too many animals end up in shelters or humane societies simply because an inconsiderate potential pet owner did not take the time and expense to find out if they were allergic to the animal before taking it home. 

Kittens are not recommended as pets in households with infants or toddlers.  The old wives' tale where a cat will kill a baby by 'stealing its breath' has its roots in some truth. A cat will seek out a place of warmth and infants make good space heaters. It is quite easy for a large cat with even the snuggliest of intentions to accidentally smother a small infant.  

Don't own a cat if you can’t afford it. Many selfish people think that nature takes its course or that a cat can just eat scraps from your plate. This is not true. A kitten is certainly less expensive to take care of than a puppy, but within the first year you can expect to spend an absolute minimum of $640 on a new cat.  This includes such expenses as a litter box, food, a collar, a carrier, toys, spaying, neutering and vaccination. If you do not have at least that amount in your bank account, then you cannot afford to own a cat. You should also not own a kitten if you or a member of your family suffers from schizophrenia, manic depression, alcoholism, and addiction. Unfortunately, one of the main traits of these diseases is irresponsibility. Like children, kittens need routine, responsible care and consistency in order to be happy and healthy. If you are a collector of fine art or rare furniture get a gold fish instead.  Kittens are naturally destructive at first and owning one will merely frustrate and anger you.

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