Pregnancy and Parenting Advice, Tips and Anything Goes Discussions

Up for Discussion: When Your 4 1/2 Year Old Wants a "Bubba"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 12:12:00 +0000

Dear parents,

It's hard enough trying to be a parent. Deciding when it's time to take away things like pacifiers, "bubbas", or if to take them away at all.

I am divorced from the other parent of my children, and we co-parent with minimal contact. There's a reason, hell, hundreds for our divorce, and to remain civil our contact is controlled and limited.

My 4 1/2 year old has been struggling with transitions. When I go to pick her up at the ex's, she has a hard time. Now this hard time isn't huge, some tears, some, "I don't want to go". Two minutes in the car and she is laughing, asking about the cat and ready to go to her other home.

The real problem is that my ex gets very upset when this happens. Despite my raising our two children, being the stay at home parent for seven years, they believe that they are the better, more suitable parent to raise the children. This aside, it is clear (by the tears in her eyes), that the transition is more about the ex not being able to let go than it is for the 4 year old.

Our messages on a court ordered website are kept to a minimum, at least by me. I don't want to communicate unless it is an emergency. I get threatened that the children will remain in her care if the transition doesn't go well. I get threatened that DCF will be called if I don't do things her way. She is a tyrant, used to getting her own way.

I receive a lengthy message on transitions, how it hurts our 4 1/2 year old so much, that she has "been talking to her to determine what would work best." Now I'm all for transitioning this child more smoothly. I'm not a monster. But the advice I was given?

"She wants a bubba (sippy cup of milk or juice) when you come. She said that will help her."

Now we worked so hard to get this child off of sippy cups. Up until six months ago, she was begging for them twice a night, not sleeping well, and wetting through her diapers. Six months ago. NO. MORE. BUBBAS.

She now sleeps through the night. Doesn't wet the bed. Doesn't wear a diaper. She drinks perfectly fine out of a cup.

The ex watches me carefully. When I show up at her house without this magical bubba in my hands, I will receive a giant tirade on our court ordered forum within minutes. I am sure of it. A message that I don't care for our child's well-being, that I don't comfort her, that I'm not fit to be a parent.

So, dear parents, what are your thoughts on transitions? On bubbas? On working with a psychotic ex?

All opinions are welcome.

You Know You're a New Parent When........

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 14:05:00 +0000

1. You choose a shirt for yourself that smells the least from all of the spit up. You don't care.

2. You are in the grocery store. You have no idea why. You sit down in the middle of an aisle, realize how comfortable the floor feels and you take a nap.

3. You cry when your baby gets shots.

4. The smell of baby poop doesn't bother you at all but you can smell a cigarette burning a mile away.

5. You wonder who was the bastard that invented the diaper genie (the bag broke when emptying), the stroller you can't unfold, and the car seat with ten million buckles and straps.

6. Duct tape would solve many of your problems.

7. You begin turning on Sesame Street, even when you're home alone.

8. You can pee, brush your teeth, shower and feed the baby, all at the same time.

9. You removed Tinder, Spotify, and SnapChat from your phone to make room for BabySignNow, IsthisPoopNormal? and BabyRattle.

10. Your van smells like a french fry. All. The. Time.

11. You traded in your Jeep for the damn van. You still wave at other Jeeps using the Jeep wave.

12. You start wondering what is actually in those little baby food jars.

13. You realize that the new baby smell is actually pee, poop, stale milk, all covered up with baby powder.

14. You use wipies for everything. You call them wipies, and not wipes.

15. You can't remember the last time you slept all night, but it doesn't matter because you have to think hard when someone asks you your date of birth, too.

16. You begin hating your spouse.

17. You are horrified you hate your spouse and you begin loving them again. You hate them again when the baby is crying and it's "your turn" to go.

18. You wonder how you and your siblings ever made it to adulthood. You have moments of silence for what your mom and dad went through.

19. You now understand when your parents said, "You just wait."

20. The desire to bite butts, toes, fingers and cheeks becomes completely normal.

Funny Kids: Parents Staying Amused With Memes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:48:00 +0000

What Your Little Girls Will Learn From the 2016 Presidential Election

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 20:22:00 +0000

Love her or hate her, Hillary Clinton is poised to become the Democratic Party's Presumptive Nominee for President in 2016. Change is hard, and if Hillary is to win the race, this is going to require a major shift in how America thinks as a whole.

Is America going to be more afraid of a electing a woman than they are to elect Donald Trump?

We certainly hope not. With so much at stake, our little girls need to see that the glass ceiling isn't just cracked....

The glass ceiling is shattered.

Our daughters will learn that a woman can be anything she wants to be. She can even run for President of the United States.

Our daughters will also learn that when you are a strong, competent woman, the only way to try and take you down is to call you a liar. To throw insults at you that are equal to those taunts on the elementary school playground.

Our daughters will learn that there are bullies everywhere. That even a woman running for President of the United States has to face bullies. To be successful when dealing with bullies, she must stay strong. She must stay on point. She must focus on what matters.

Our daughters will learn that there are opportunities for her everywhere, even if she has to continue to fight for what is rightfully hers.

Our daughters will grow up in a world where the fight for women's equality has taken a giant leap forward.

The fight is far from over. It's time for all of us to take a good hard look at both candidates and consider what the message is we are sending to our young daughters and sons. Are we going to create a generation that believes in continued bullying to get what you want, or are we going to let our little girls know, they are equal?

Did You REALLY Need to Share That?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 00:49:00 +0000

Being on social media has many perks. You can share pics of your kids on graduation, at a dance recital, or even doing something as simple as playing in the park. But if you are like me, then some items pop up in your new feed and you wonder....

Did you REALLY need to share that?

It's not that we don't want to see pictures of your pets, or your kids, or of you doing things that are fun. But there is sharing, and then there is sharing every single part of your day. From the moment you wake up, to the moment your kids are tucked in to bed at night, stop it.

Please. Just stop. We are trying really hard to like you. We enjoy some of your posts, but if we have to see one more picture of your breakfast, we just might block your news feed.

I'm sure you have examples that are are even better than mine, but after seven years on Facebook, here are some of my favorite posts that I thought, seriously?

1. "My husband is so stupid! Maybe he will finally understand when I leave his sorry ass!"

2. "Today my ten year old son woke up with a hard on. He asked me what it was. LOL!"

3. "R.I.P. Uncle. I hope you felt at peace ignoring your family all of these years!"

4. "I'm not sure, should we buy the beach house this year?"

5. "I don't mean to brag......"

While it's fun to share stories about your life on social media, sometimes you have to take a step back and ask, "Do people really need to know this about me?"

A Trip Around the Frog Pond: Fun Things to Do With Your Children Now that Summer Is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 23:01:00 +0000

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have fun with your children this summer. Take some time out of your busy schedule to simply take a walk in nature. Children love to be outside, but they also love to spend time with you.

Take the time to enjoy the simple things in life with your children. These will be the things they remember. They will remember the walk in the woods. They will remember frogs, or trying to catch them.

They will remember jars of fire flies.

There's so much pressure to try and do all kinds of activities with your children, that we often lose sight of the things they really love.

As the summer months begin, take a deep breath. Inhale the beauty that is around you Remember that a simple ice cream cone shared with your children can be just as exciting as an expensive day trip.

Keep it simple.

Parenting Styles - Which Are You?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 14:52:00 +0000

What is Your Parenting Style?

ICourtney Rodrigue Hubscher

n our respective roles as counselors for both children and parents in private practice, we have found that a parent's style of parenting strongly contributes to their child's well-being, resiliency and over-all behavior. A style of parenting that provides love and support coupled with discipline and structure has been shown to be a reliable indicator of raising children that are happy and confident. In addition, we have found that a parent's approach to discipline, level of warmth and nurturing, communication, level of control over the children, and the parent's expectations with respect to maturity level are contributing factors in their child's behavior and functioning.

In a series of studies conducted in the 1960s, clinical and developmental psychologist, Diana Baumrind, identified the four basic parental behavior components of responsiveness, unresponsiveness, demanding and undemanding, which she combined to create three principal parenting styles. Maccoby & Martin later identified a fourth parenting style, which is distinguished by neglectful or uninvolved parenting. In our private practice, we commonly see parents who parent using these four primary parenting styles. We ask you to ask yourself: "Which parenting style are you?"

Authoritarian.

The authoritarian parent imposes many rules and expects the child to obey without question. Misconduct is not condoned and punishment is frequently used to reinforce rules and manage the child's behavior. The authoritarian parent has high expectations and requires the child to live up to high standards. The authoritarian parent exhibits the parental behavior components of little warmth and high control. A child being raised by an authoritarian parent may appear to be very well behaved, however, this may not actually be the case, as studies have found that children raised by authoritarian parents may only be less inclined to admit their transgressions and misconduct to authority figures. Our child counselor has repeatedly found that children raised by authoritarian parents had more difficulties feeling socially accepted by their peers, were less resourceful, had lower self esteem and were less self-reliant. One can therefore assume that even though the child may appear to be well-behaved on the surface, he may be troubled on a deeper, emotional level.

Permissive.

The permissive parent makes very few demands on the child, imposes few rules and permits the child to regulate his own activities. Following externally defined standards of behavior is not mandated and expectations are low for a child raised by a permissive parent. The permissive parenting style is nonpunitive and extremely accepting; the child is often treated as an equal. Components of caring and warmth coupled with low control make up parental behavior.

A child being raised by a permissive parent has likely been indulged and is typically irresponsible and has poor self-discipline. Our child counselor has found that behaviorally inhibited children who were being raised by permissive parents are also more likely to develop depression and anxiety.

Authoritative.

The authoritative parent has clear expectations of behavior and conduct. The child's activities are directed in a reasonable, logical manner that allows for verbal give-and-take and reasonable discussions. When necessary, the authoritative parent exerts firm control, but this is accomplished through healthy communication, not in a rigid, disciplinarian manner. The parent encourages the child's autonomy and recognizes the child's own interests. The authoritative parenting style is rational and affirmative and combines the parental behavior components of control with warmth and responsiveness.
We have found that a child being raised by authoritative parents will likely be well adjusted. We can assume that he does well in school, that he is self-reliant and responsible and that he has a friendly, open disposition. This is the ideal parenting-style because it is well-balanced.

Neglectful/Uninvolved.

The neglectful or uninvolved parent meets the child's physical requirements but is otherwise disengaged, disconnected and emotionally distant. The unresponsive, neglectful parent places few demands on the child and exhibits very little warmth and responsiveness. A child being raised by a neglectful parent typically fares worse than children raised by parents who parent with the other three parenting styles. Typically children raised by these types of parents will function poorly in nearly all aspects of life; interestingly most juvenile offenders have been raised by uninvolved or neglectful parents. In addition, a child raised by a neglectful parent will likely have poor cognition, social and emotional skills and may struggle to form healthy attachments later in life.

Counselors for both parents and children in our private practice have found that parental responsiveness as well as parental demandingness are integral factors of good child-rearing. Clear, appropriate demands and expectations balanced with warm emotional responsiveness as well as an awareness of the child's autonomy, are considered to be reliable predictors of well-being, achievement, competence, resiliency and self-reliance in most children. Warm emotional responsiveness along with clear, age-appropriate expectations help to form a balanced platform for successful child-rearing. For these reasons, authoritative parenting offers the leadership and guiding principles children need. When parents provide achievable benchmarks with support, fair consequences for misbehaviors, and instructive guidance with clear expectations, children thrive and are more likely to internalize the behaviors their parent's desire.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8282347

A Kid with Good Self Esteem

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 21:21:00 +0000

Which Educational Toys are Right For My Baby?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:07:00 +0000

By Jonathan Ledger

Babies by their nature learn each second of the day after they are born. The topic of educational toys and babies is therefore a subject that ought to be taken seriously to ensure the correct development of your newly born. With this in mind we need to understand the type of toys that can help the baby's development.

Buying a newborn baby a new toy can be fun for the baby and parents too. All department stores have educational toys for all ages with some sitting out for you to play with before buying. Check them out and look for the right one to teach your baby new skills from the beginning of their life.

Babies need to learn new touches, sounds, and words the day they are born. Education toys for newborns will help them to recognize these things as they play with them.

Language developments begin at birth and your baby learns by hearing sounds. Buying the child toys that talk and play music will increase their language skills as they grow. Hearing is critical to a baby's health and if you notice something is not right you should consult your doctor.

Other types of toys to consider are dolls or soft animal toys. Infants learn to cuddle, coo, touching and can teeth on them too. Look around to find the right one. The toys are available for boys or girls so they will both enjoy this new learning experience.

The different types available will teach your baby to understand and feel texture so a wide variety would be advisable although you need to be aware that the doll doesn't have any harmful parts that may come off like buttons. Animal toys such as frogs that sing for example will teach baby new touches and sounds as they begin their journey ahead in time.

Videos are now also being made for the newborn up. Check the age ranges on these because they come in different age groups. These videos teach the baby new sounds and this develops the infants senses by recognising the sounds with what they see.

Other examples of educational toys include musical teething rings which teach your new baby different textures, music sounds and some come with a mirror. Mirrors teach them to know who they are and see their own expressions. The easy grip made just for the baby in mind is great to teach them how to hold things.

Crib mobiles are neat and come in many different shapes playing music to your baby while sleeping. Crib mobiles teach the baby movement by turning sounds from the music, and the colours and shapes keeping their attention. Learning is the key for your newborn.

Bath toys are available that make sounds and can be played with the water with support. The toys that are musical attach over the tub or sink and the baby learns to reach for them. Toys that are made for the water are sponge that you can wash them with teaching again the different texture.

Be sure when buying your new baby toys that they are childproof before letting them play with it. Buy according to the age group on the box to stay in their field of growth and knowledge giving them room to advance with. Teaching is easy because your newborn starts learning the day they are born and you want that to stay with them all through their lives.

Brought to you by Jonathan Ledger of Shop Now UK and providing you with the latest in shopping ideas, money saving offers and voucher codes, uploaded as and when they are available posted on the ShopNow Uk Baby Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Ledger

Funny things Kids Say

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Austin's teacher asked, "what's another way to say 'not trying you best'". Austin raises his hand and says, "halffast"? She turned red and said, "no Austin + we don't use that language in school!! Who taught you that??". Austin: "My Dad". Teacher, "ah ha!", turning around so students wouldn't see her laughing. (This is the clean, censored version, although Austin really thought the term was "half fast").

Straight from a Facebook Status from my cousin.

Feeding a Toddler Vegetables

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:20:00 +0000

My daughter used to be a great eater. I could put any fruit or vegetable in front of my daughter and she would eat it. I didn't realize how lucky I was until she decided that vegetables were no longer worth eating and she spit out every vegetable that I fed her.

What happened to my healthy eating toddler?

Broccoli, carrots, green beans, vegetables my toddler used to love now ended up on the floor during meal times. I learned that I'd have to put on my supermom cape and figure out how to trick my toddler into eating her vegetables. Afterall, I'm smarter than the average two year old.

The blender must have been invented by a mother trying to get her children to eat their vegetables. Forget chopping up a carrot nice and small, blend the carrots so that they are not recognizable and THEN add them to the spaghetti sauce. Even small bits of carrots might be picked out by a wary toddler, but carrots run through the blender will be masked by the sauce.

I admit, I've resorted to ketchup on many occasions now, just to get my toddler to eat some of her vegetables. I figure, if the USDA can call ketchup a vegetable, I can use it to mask the flavor of foods my daughter refuses to eat. She loves ketchup and so when she won't eat, I let her dip foods in it. So my toddler eats pancakes with ketchup, I just have to deal with it.

Other vegetables that mix well in sauces are broccoli and cauliflower if they are steamed first and then blended.

If your toddler is willing to drink a fruit smoothie, I suggest adding some raw romaine lettuce into the mix. Although this does not sound appealing, try this recipe for your toddler:

1/2 cup banilla yogurt

10 strawberries

20 blueberries

1 cup shredded romaine lettuce

1 cup water

Mix in a blender until smooth. If the color is undesireable (looks too green or brown), add in a few more strawberries and/or decrease the amount of lettuce. The banilla yogurt gives the smoothie a sweet flavor and the lettuce adds a serving (or two) of raw vegetables into your toddler's diet without their knowledge.

Play around with the smoothie recipe to get your toddler to consider it a treat. I like to use a little bit of flavored seltzer water to give the smoothie a flavor boost and some carbonation. To make the smoothie for your toddler more substantial, add more yogurt or half of a banana.

A Few Toddler Food Ideas for the Picky Eater

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Written by Author Kate Etterman

Toddlers have all different personalities and those personalities can carry over into food consumption. Some toddlers will eat anything with very little encouragement required, while others will be reluctant to try to new foods regardless of how much encouragement you give. That is just the way it goes, but there are some things you can do about it. If you have a picky eater on your hands, the best thing you can do is not push too hard, otherwise your toddler may resist even further and you might wind up with a toddler who will not want to try new foods for an even longer period of time. That said, what can you do? One thing you can do is try to find healthy foods that the kids enjoys. Many times that easier said than done. Here are some that have known to work.

1. String cheese. String cheese is generally made up of mozzarella cheese and is packaged into strips. The strip of cheese can be broken down further by peeling off a piece of the strip. The pieces of cheese you pull off look like a string, hence the name. Many toddlers have been known to enjoy eating string cheese, even the picky eaters. It has something to do with the fact that you can pull the strips of cheese off. The same kids may not eat regular mozzarella cut into pieces.

2. Another healthy food that some picky eaters enjoy is yogurt. The major yogurt manufactures have picked up on this and are now packaging yogurt in kids packaging. You can find Scooby Doo yogurt in most groceries stores with flavors such as "rawberry".

3. One more somewhat healthy food is soup. It is debatable if one would classify soup as incredibly healthy or even a food for that matter, but it is better than cookies and crackers. Picky eaters have been known to like various types of soups. Give it a try next time your picky eater is having a difficult time finding something to eat. You might be surprised.

In conclusion, the hope of this article is to provide a brief overview of some of the foods you can try if you have a picket eater on your hands. Some would argue over the health benefits of these foods, but rest assured that these foods are much more healthy for your toddler than chicken nuggets and french fries. Our society is so short on time that many toddlers are feasting on fast food diets that is contributing to the health epidemic our society is experiencing with diabetes. Any attempts to avoid the chicken nuggets and fries diet is going to be better for your kid over the long term.

Kate Etterman has been writing articles for nearly 3 years. She absolutely loves kids and thinks parents should do as much as possible to ensure the success of our kids in all facets. You may also check out her new website at http://www.bedtent.org which has excellent information on the various options and styles so that you can find the best Bed Tent for your kids.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Etterman

Organic Baby Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:14:00 +0000

Author Tess M. Enver

The market for organic baby gifts is huge. Not so long ago, organic gifts were seen as something only "hippies" would seek out. Now, with so many people trying to live a greener lifestyle, natural baby products are readily available most places you find anything baby related. But, shopping for babies is so much fun, you may want to buy it all! Each thing you see is cuter than the last. How do you decide what to purchase? First, choose what kind of gift you are looking for. This will at least narrow your selections.

Diapering is a great gift arena. This is one thing you KNOW the baby is going to need - every day. Receiving gifts of diapers can save the parents a lot of money, which is always appreciated. The days of boring cloth diapers and safety pins are long gone. Many choices exist for these great organic baby gifts. You can choose to buy the organic cotton inserts or the fashionable outer diapers, available in great prints, colors, and styles - even tie dyed! You can even choose to purchase a great starter diaper kit which includes everything the new parents will need to get going with green diapering. Diapers may not be the most glamorous of the organic gifts, but definitely one of the most appreciated.

Cloth baby wipes are another great idea. Again, this is something you know the parents will need to use many times a day. By giving cloth wipes, you are helping to save on the massive waste of disposable baby wipes. These organic gifts are great for baby's skin, too. They absorb wetness well enough to eliminate the need for talcum powder, can be washed & dried, and, with water added to them, can completely make wet wipes unnecessary. You can find them in great colors and bundles, making them an appealing gift.

The baby can be covered head to toe in organic cotton baby clothes. Many companies are now making organic clothing, which is great because availability has been greatly increased. You can find such clothes from big box stores to trendy baby boutiques. Organic cotton socks to hats, organic bibs to receiving blankets, sleep sacks, pants... you name it, you can find it - in most any price range. Gift sets are a great way to go, too. They will offer multiple pieces that coordinate together to provide multiple looks for the baby. So, if you're looking for that amazing, adorable outfit, no problem. Clothes are always a great gift.

Perhaps the most fun category to consider when shopping for natural baby products is TOYS! The world is wide open here. You can find toys that encourage motor skills, kitchen sets, walkers, ride ons, workbenches, even playhouses with eco-friendly themes! Many of the natural wood toys are made from rubber wood and feature biodegradable fabrics and water-based, non toxic paints.

With the availability of organic gifts, you should be able to find what you are looking for. Whether you choose a gift of practicality or whimsy, enjoy the experience. Your gift will certainly be appreciated.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tess_M_Enver

Earning Money While Being a Stay at Home Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:43:00 +0000

Earning money while being a stay at home mom can be difficult, but with some hard work and attention to the right markets, you can earn more than pocket change.

I am a writer at Constant-Content. This is my affiliate link.

http://www.constant-content.com/?aref=14518

If you sign up using my affiliate link, I net 5% of your sales. Regardless of how you sign up, you will net 66% of your asking price. My 5% comes from the pockets of Constant-Content. If you don't like the idea of signing up under my link, going to http://www.constant-content.com/ will get you there.

Writing content for the internet is tricky. Content can be easily stolen if not protected by programs such as copysentry. Buyers will want to pay writers way below minimum wages for well written content and desperate writers often agree to write 500 word articles for $1. Constant-content uses an editor and all work that you submit will be critiqued before it is put up for sale.

With Constant-content, there is no need to work for pennies (like most of us bloggers do as a hobby) or to market your content. Constant-content has a ready supply of buyers looking for content on any subject and you, the writer have control over your content and pricing.

I have sold real estate articles that took me about 30 minutes to write for anywhere from 20-40 dollars. Not bad for a stay at home mom trying to make a few extra dollars to spend on my little girl.

I've written for helium.com net profit after 25 months: $25.06, 81 articles submitted.

I've written for today.com as a blogger until they stopped paying per post and stopped giving out monetary monthly awards. (Now they pay 1/2 of all adsense clicks). It was once a profitable writing gig, but today is now just another content aggregator.

I've stuck with constant-content and the more I put into the site the more I get. No rating other writer's work, no need to promote, just writing and collecting the money.

There are no upfront costs with becoming a Constant-content writer. Why not give it a try?

http://www.constant-content.com/?aref=14518

Teething Baby: When Teething Turns Your Baby into a Monster

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:47:00 +0000

I have the sweetest, even tempered baby around. She is always smiling, happy and ready to play. Except when she is teething.

I thought she was teething before. HA! I was wrong. Those little whimpers of a few months ago were just pre-teething and nothing compared to the wails and screams that come out a day or two before a tooth pops out of the surface of her tiny gums.

I talked to my sister about teething and my daughter's new screaming behavior. She asked, "does she act like her head is about to spin? Is she inconsolable? Does she only want you and then when you come she cries anyway?" I answered yes to all three.

"Of course, she's teething. Hang in there."

Great. Hang in there and listen to her screeches? There has to relief for teething although I feel powerless to provide any of this relief as she cries for hours.

Our pediatrician recommends tylenol for teething pain. This seems comparable to putting a bandaid on a severed limb. Baby orajel works for a few minutes, but if she keeps crying and drooling, the orajel will quickly wash out of mouth.

What I have found that helps the most right now is frozen blueberries. I'm not telling you all to start feeding your children frozen blueberries when they are teething, especially if they have not yet mastered solid foods, but what I am saying is that for my daughter, frozen blueberries have made the difference from hysterical crying to happy baby in the time it takes for her to eat a handful of these tiny frozen delights.

What I've noticed is also helpful are crunchy cereal puffs made by gerber graduates. These little puffs melt in her mouth, but not before she is able to crunch to her heart's (and gums) content.

So what if my daughter smells like a box of Booberry Cereal?

The Proof is in the Poop

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:45:00 +0000

Just when you get used to your baby and their interesting poop, the adventures of solid food begins.

Just when you thought baby poop could not get any more disturbing, the pea poop happens. I never imagined that strained peas could come out looking exactly as they did going in and I have to say that after that giant poop that blew out the diaper and down the leg, I haven't had the nerve to feed my baby peas again.

So far, the worst foods I have discovered that create some of the messiest baby poop include watery fruits such as peaches and grapes. Digestion brings on a whole new meaning when you discuss baby poop, as any first time mother will tell you. Sometimes grapes just don't digest. I'm just saying.

My daughter is now up to eating almost anything, as long as it is cut up small enough for her. She can eat lentils (pretty normal poop creator), hamburger (very bad idea), pasta, and most fruits and vegetables. We have yet to try cow's milk, but I'm sure that this will bring on a whole new set of poops to witness.

I am waiting for the day that my daughter is potty trained. Don't get me wrong, I love her and I don't want to rush her growing up, but I will be very happy when I no longer have to see every little thing that comes out of her hiney. Really, poop should remain where it belongs, in a diaper or the toilet bowl.

Organizing Time for You and Your Children

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Article Written by Author Kristi Hall.

The phone is ringing, the food on the stove is burning, your child is crying and you wonder how you can get through the day. Being creative and organizing your time will help relieve your stress. By relieving your stress your child/children will benefit.

First of all, you need to prioritize. Your child is always a priority, but you need to be able to take care of other household responsibility. By finding something to occupy your childs/childrens time will help you accomplish your task. If you're working in the kitchen, sit your child at the table with a toy, puzzle, game or coloring book. Explain to your child/children that you need to accomplish your task and when you are finished you will be able to spend fun time with them your done. You may need to set a timer to help your child/children understand time. This is also an opportunity to teach your child time. If your child/children are old enough to help out in the kitchen, then this is a great time to teach them how to cook. Your grade school child/children will be learning fractions and measuring, this will help them with practical learning. Smaller child/children can help set the table. Children love to help and feel needed. Dinner preparation will become a family bonding time, leaving more time for fun time.

Always remember that the phone is not a priority. Because we are living in a time that we are blessed with answering machines, we do not need to rush to the phone. We can always return a phone call. Although, it is necessary, your child/children learn to not interrupt while you are on the phone. Therefore teaching your child/children phone courtesy is prudent.

Dinnertime should be family time. You need to take the time to sit done and make yourself available to listen to your child/children's day. Even two-year-old children have things to share and you build self-confidence. When a child is given undivided attention from a parent, they do not feel as needy and act out less to gain a parents attention. Remember a child will do whatever it needs to do, good/bad or ugly, to gain the attention of their parent. So, giving positive attention will avoid a lot of conflicts.

Parents need to set reasonable bedtimes. Children requires approximately 10-12 hours of sleep. This also gives parents time to spend with their spouse, finish household chores or prepare for the next day. Getting plenty of sleep yourself will also help you handle stress and be refreshed for energetic children.

Remember, setting healthy boundaries, consistency, incorporating housework with children and listening to your child when they want to share their heart will make your day go so much more smoothly and will make happy children.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristi_Hall

Teaching Your Child to Respect Adults

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Article written by Author Kristi Hall.

I am sure many of you have been exposed to a child who simply does not respect adults through their actions or words. Children learn these behaviors when they are toddlers. The first thing any parent needs to do is to teach the child to respect their parents. "No" is one of the first words a child learns, because a parent is usually telling them "no". They are mimicking your words, no rebelling against you at this age. There is a big difference. I'm not suggesting you stop telling your child "no", what I am suggesting is how you tell your child "no". When we are raising our children we need to choose our words carefully, it will effect they way they see themselves and others around them. Children need boundaries as we all do, teaching these boundaries through love, will help develop a healthy sense of respect for themselves and others.

As your baby starts to crawl and walk they discover many things that are interesting to pick up and touch. Not all of these things are appropriate for them handle. For example, if your child is reaching for a breakable item, most people will shout, yell or firmly say "NO". This tone of voice and volume is what stops the child from picking up or touching this item. Sometimes, it will cause the child to cry, bringing guilt to the parent for using such harsh tones and volume of voice, therefore, comforting the child and bringing confusion to the child's mind. First to shout "NO", then you give comfort. Another way to handle this situation is, say to the child "this is not for baby (or use child's name), in a calm voice. While removing the item for the reach of the child or removing the child from the dangerous area. Distract the child with another toy or object that is appropriate for him/her to have at this time. Now life would be so perfect if it was that easy, most children will return to the object in question and continue to touch the object in question. At this time, a firm "no" is appropriate. Do not feel guilty as the child begins to cry, as you are only looking out for his/her safety and setting boundaries of your parental wisdom. Remember a child left unattended for a few seconds or minutes will usually find something interesting to catch their attention.

If your child is past this stage and already in the toddler stage of saying "no" to mommy and daddy, you will need to change this habit quickly. It's not so cute when your high school child tells you "no" when you ask them to do something. Whenever your child does something you think is cute and you laugh at them, they will continue this behavior knowing they got a positive response from you. Picture this same action from a 10 year old or older, it may not be so cute. At that time you punish them for a behavior they were once receiving positive feedback. This is confusing and hurtful to a child. Be consistent with praise and discipline on their behavior. When a child says "no" out of rebellion, this is not acceptable behavior. You will need to nip it in the bud. Start by speaking lovingly to the child explaining they may not say "no" to you. You will need to decide with your spouse an appropriate discipline for this action. At this time, you will explain to your child if they say "no", this discipline will take place. Mind you, you will need to communicate this so that they understand. Always ask your child to repeat to you what you just informed them. This is to verify they understood what you are asking of them and it also reinforces it in their mind. Most children at this time will test the boundaries and see if you will follow through with your actions. You need to be consistent on your discipline. Teaching your child is THE most important job you have, being consistent is the key to this. If you are busy washing dishes, making the bed or cleaning house, you will need to stop what you are doing and take care of this issue. Your words, tone of voice and actions are all under a microscope with this child. They will mimic your voice, tone, words and actions.

So far I have discussed a child learning to talk with disrespect. I also want to focus on children interrupting. As I pointed out earlier your child and his/her upbringing is the most important job you have. I also need to emphasize that there are times your child will need to learn not to interrupt you and other adults. This is a social skill they will need later in life. No one likes to be interrupted. Teaching your child they have to wait until it is their turn to speak is a valuable lesson. How you teach your child to behave will make the difference for them later in life. A rude and misbehaving child is not one other people will want to be around. If you have friends avoiding playmate times with you or your child is having difficulty making friends you may need to reevaluate how you have taught your child to behave. It is never too late to teach your child respectful behavior. Remember you cannot be a hypocrite you must respect to get respect.

http://www.ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kristi_Hall

Taking baby on an outing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:34:00 +0000

There are a number of things to remember when you take your baby out, even if it is a simple trip to the store. First, there's the bottle (if you formula feed), the diapers, the change of clothes, and the carseat. You might consider an extra shirt for yourself just in case your baby decides to use you as a human burpcloth.

Next, you have to pack your patience. Whatever it is you plan to do, give yourself double the time it usually takes you. Even little 8 pound bundles of joy can be overwhelming to take out into the world if you feel rushed.

Babies don't always adhere to your schedule and it will be easier on you if you only plan one or two stops on your outing. Of course you'd love to run around all afternoon, frantically getting errands done, but after that fourth or fifth trip out of the car your baby will probably rebel against you.

If it is time for your baby to nap, at least find a quiet place where they can rest or go for a drive. Having your baby in the middle of the grocery store during nap time will ensure that you buy nothing on your list and frantically throw items into your cart while trying to get the baby to stop crying.

Having a new baby is hard work and if you are taking your baby out, know that you will need extra time and patience for the outing to work out for both of you.

A Drooling Baby is a Messy Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:28:00 +0000

Just when you thought your baby couldn't get any messier, they start to drool. I don't mean a little bit of drool, I mean a soak your shirt type of drool that leaves you soaked and needing to go change before going to work.

If your baby has reached around 3 months old and has started to drool like a faucet, rest assured that this is normal and will end eventually. Excessive drooling is a sign that the teething process is starting.

It's simple really. Your baby is drooling and is much more difficult to console. They may be cranky, whiny and "just not themselves". Try feeling in their mouth for potential teeth, especially in the lower front of the mouth where the first teeth tend to erupt from the gums.

If you rub your baby's gums lightly, they may feel some relief. Teething rings and cool rags work in a pinch to give your baby something to chew on to relieve sore gums. If your baby continues to screech and cry, it's time to call the Pediatrician for further advice. Some may tell you to try some tylenol for the pain while others may suggest other solutions.

If your baby is excessively drooling, consider this another milestone in their developmental stages and remember to keep a burp rag close by at all times.

When a baby has a cold

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:01:00 +0000

The first time your baby has a cold can be unnerving. Listening to your child's small cough during the night and watching snot run down their face can make any parent feel helpless.

What can you do to alleviate cold symptoms in your baby?

Well, first off, you can't give your baby any decongestants or cough medicine. Tylenol can be used, but you should ask your pediatrician first about the proper dosage. Unfortunately, babies are just too small for most medications.

Congestion can be helped naturally by either raising your baby's head as they sleep, or by running a hot shower with the bathroom door closed and letting your baby inhale the steam. A warm bath might help as well. You might find that your baby spends the night in your arms as you sleep in a chair sitting up and if this works, why not?

As a parent, you want to fix things. If your baby has a cold, make sure that they are getting hydrated and are not spitting up too much formula. "Baby" your baby even more than usual. Use tylenol, but only as directed by your pediatrician. Check for a fever if you think your baby might have one and call your doctor if their temperature is elevated.

Yo Mama

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:21:00 +0000

How to get your baby to sleep through the night

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:19:00 +0000

If I had the answer to this question: How do you get your baby to sleep through the night? I'd be a much happier person right now. I love being a parent, but the four am feedings can go. I'm asking all of you parents out there:

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR BABY TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT?

I was told by a great aunt to flip her over three times and face her to the moon as she sleeps. Nope, didn't work, but I tried it. What can I say? I'm desperate.

I was told to give her rice cereal (at the age of 1 month) because it will "fill her belly". THIS is not a good idea because babies can't digest rice cereal until they are at least five months old. I skipped this one.

I've been told to get the baby out in the sunshine and keep her busy during the day. I do. I could detonate a bomb under my baby during the middle of the day and if she is sleeping, she won't stir.

It's amazing how loud we can be during the day and the baby continues to sleep right through it all. I would be concerned that there was something wrong with the baby's hearing except for at night, if you click a light switch, she is up. She amazingly hears every tiny noise in the middle of the night and anything can wake her up.

Go figure. I have a night owl on my hands and I'd rather sleep at night than feed a baby 3 or 4 times. Call me crazy. Am I thrilled that I have a new baby? Of course, but I wouldn't mind a few hours of sleep in a row.

Little People Big World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Instead of picking on the Gosselin family drama going on in the news, I decided that today I'd discuss the Roloff family from TLC's show Little People Big World. I like this show as well because I find it intriguing how two little people are able to raise healthy, moderately productive children, three of which are average height.

I am not saying that little people are less capable of parenting or that there is some innate flaw in their abilities, but what is interesting is the level of respect both Amy and Matt Roloff are able to command of their children despite being much smaller in stature and less physically capable by the time their children were teens.

The Roloff family has taken their differences and created a show that teaches us all that it take time, persistance and hard work to raise children in the world today. Neither parent wants out of the relationship, out of the family, or out of the spotlight but instead the Roloffs are able to show us a piece of their lives without showing us too much dirt or drama as with the Gosselins.

Amy and Matt Roloff are two very different people from each other. They have different ways they parent, they have different working styles on how they like to get things accomplished, but what they have in common are morals and values that they want to teach their children.

I think we can learn from the Roloff family that you can take your uniqueness and make it work for you. That when you make the best of a situation, sometimes everything just works out. If nothing else, wear red and you will feel better. Just ask Matt.

John and Kate Plus Eight Premier Season 5

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:09:00 +0000

I watched the season premier of John and Kate plus eight. I'll admit, I'm intrigued by their apparent falling apart when the Gosselins seemed like such a perfect family before.

Is this a parenting blog? Yes. Should it focus on the Gosselins? Probably not, and it won't forever, but really, isn't the show about parenting, family life and at this point, what NOT to do?

John Gosselin was a mess during the season 5 premier. He didn't help out for the five year olds birthday party, sat there like a bit of a lump and said to one of the little kids, "you miss daddy, right?" According to Kate Gosselin, he "needed the weekend off" and wasn't there to help get everything ready for the party.

Kate Gosselin is angry and it is still my opinion that she has a right to be. They have eight children and having eight children is hard work. John Gosselin doesn't seem to understand that he chose this life and now that it is too hard, breaking under the pressure isn't going to help anyone.

Is Kate Gosselin tough? Yes. Would I have married Kate Gosselin? No. But John Gosselin did marry Kate and he no longer wants a reality tv show, eight children and all the fame. He didn't get to go out in his twenties and wants to "live". He's not a child. John Gosselin is acting like a severely depressed, irresponsible father who just wants out. Maybe the Gosselin family will be better off without him.

I still hope that the Gosselins figure out how to reconcile their relationship, for the sake of both of them and their children. They worked so hard to get to where they are today and while Kate Gosselin is ready to dig in and work for what is theirs, John Gosselin is ready to throw it all away. No wonder Kate Gosselin is frustrated, who wouldn't be?