It's great for children to have manners especially when it comes to starting school or day care for the first time. It is pretty easy to teach your child manners you just need to know how. Here are some tips
Act and observe - Your child is always watching you and observing you, if you use your manners they will catch on at a young age. Most kids who observe manners being used will say their first "thank you" between the ages 1 & 2.
Repeat yourself - When your child asks for something tell them to say " can I have it please? " and repeat it until they get it right, " can.....I.....have....it....please? " Do this every day for a week and they will catch on. Same goes for the thank yous. When they say can I have it please, give them what they are asking for and tell them to say thank you.
Practice in public - When you bring your child out to eat remind them to say please and thank you. Show them the menu and ask them what they would like to eat. When the waitress/waiter comes to take your order tell your child to say what they want and remind them to use their manners. Tell your child, when the waitress/waiter brings the food, to say thank you.
Excuse me - In a crowded place such as a shopping mall it is hard to get around on the sale days, when your child is standing and can't get through some people, tell them to say excuse me. Tell your child that when people are in the way or do not see you, say excuse me and they should politely move out of the way for you to get through. Another way to teach excuse me is, when your child farts, burps or sneezes, tell them to say excuse me.
Remember that all kids are different, some learn quick and some take their time. If you teach them, they will learn...eventually.
Your baby is cranky, tired, crying, irritable, in pain, can't eat, won't drink, having a hard time sleeping, he/she has a fever, his/her gums are swollen, he/she has diarrhea and a diaper rash to top it off. The cause...teeth! There are many ways you can help your little one ease the pain of teething. Here are some tips
For the pain
Cold & Hard - Frozen wet wash cloths, icy water, teething rings, frozen vegetables, unopened freezes, rice rusks, your little one will most of the time find something to chew on such as a toy.
Cuddles & Snuggles - When nothing else works and your child is refusing everything sometimes all he/she needs is to snuggle and be cuddled. Rocking your cranky baby can help them fall asleep. Sing a song, try to distract them, get their favorite teddy bear or blanket.
Orajel - There is baby Orajel available at every pharmacy, they have
*Orajel nighttime formula which does help a lot at bed time because there is added pain reliever in it.
*Orajel smart dose, it's quick and easy, no need to unscrew a cap and try to squeeze what's left in the tube. Orajel smart dose is a pre-measured pump so there's no need to worry about what exactly a "pea sized" amount is, it gives you the perfect amount of gel every time.
*Orajel teething swabs are great for the molars, they are also great if your little one tends to bite whenever you try to put Orajel in their mouth.
*Orajel cooling cucumber gel provides the quick pain relief medicine combined with cucumber extract to help cool and soothe painful, swollen, irritated gums. You can put this product in the refrigerator for an extra cooling feeling.
*Orajel Naturals Gel is made with Eugenol, it is dye free, alcohol free and benzocaine free. It is safe and effective. Eugenol comes from the clove plant. All natural.
Baby Tylenol - This is good for when your baby is in pain and nothing is helping, it is also good for when baby has a fever.
For the rashes - If your child has a diaper rash along with diarrhea be sure to say goodbye to the baby wipes for a little bit until the rash is gone, instead use a warm wet baby wash cloth. After each diaper change use a hair dryer on the coolest setting and far from your babys body, wave the hair dryer around your babys bottom area until it is completely dried. Do not let your child sit in a soiled diaper, as soon as you notice it...change it. Avoid giving your child apple juice prune juice etc. as this can cause diarrhea. It is a good idea to let your little one go nude for a few hours a day when he/she has a diaper rash.
To avoid a facial rash around your little ones mouth, use a wash cloth and always wipe away the drool.
There is no magical age when babies will get their first tooth, if your child has not yet started teething, be prepared because it is coming with a bang! Be sure to have all the items you need, teething rings, Orajel, Tylenol, rocking chair, ice etc.
Summer is coming to an end, it seems like just yesterday you got that letter in the mail from the local school telling you & your child that they are going to start school in September. It may only be a few hours a day but for us moms this is the hardest time ever & questions are rising in our minds. Is he/she ready? Will he/she cry? What should my child know entering preschool? Should he/she take a bus or should I bring him/her? In the end it all works out and your child will be fine, here are some tips to help ready your child for preschool
Bring out the pencils & paper -Help your little one learn how to write his/her name, draw shapes, write numbers etc. Get your little one to use different colors for different shapes. Teach him/her about all the different colors and where the colors are, blue sky, yellow sun, green grass etc.
Give a little space - It's time for your little one to start being a bit more independent, teach your child how to put his/her own shoes on, how to get dressed by themselves and how to wipe after using the bathroom. Give your child age appropriate chores such as helping put the clothes in the dryer, helping find matching socks, help putting the laundry away, clean up toys, etc. Put their juice boxes on a lower shelf in the fridge so when they are thirsty they can get their own drink. Teach your child how to punch the straw through the juice box.
Get flash cards - Flash cards is a good idea to help your little one learn and remember. Start using flash cards when your child is young, a great age to start is around 1-2 years old. The earlier the better.
Start a good-bye ritual - If your child has fears of being away from you then it's a good idea to start a good bye ritual. Although most children go into their first day of school without any crying and screaming there are those few who have a big attachment to mommy. Plan a few grocery shopping trips and get a family member to baby sit your child, keep reminding your child that you have a shopping trip coming up and that they will stay with the family member. Bring your child to the baby sitters house, at the door tell your child that you are going to buy some things and that you will be back for him/her in a little bit. If they start crying give them a big hug and remind them that you will be back. Get the baby sitter to find a distraction for your child such as a pet, a toy, a movie, a snack etc. Say good-bye and walk back to your car. In about 10 minutes call the baby sitter and find out what's going on, if your child is still crying suggest something that can calm him/her down or ask them to pass the phone to your child. Remind your child that it's okay and you will be back to pick him/her up. Tell them to be very well behaved for the baby sitter. Say " It's okay, mommy will be back in a little bit, be good and stop crying, I love you, Bye bye "
Practice listening skills - A great way to practice listening skills is to read a book to your child and when you are finished ask them about it. The best way to do this is to point while reading, point at each character as you say their name and point at the picture of what they are doing as you read that part. Make it fun, add funny voices and sounds.
Read to your child every day - This plays a big role in helping your child learn how to read and how to practice listening and patience skills.
Praise your child - Praising your child in everything they do right is a great way to encourage them to continue trying. If they make a mistake correct them and remind them that mistakes are made everyday and that it's okay. If they are having difficulty doing something encourage them to keep trying and be sure to help them.
Practice patience - Patience is a great skill to have in life, a great way to teach this is when you are talking remind your child to let you finish before they jump in. Another great way is when your child asks your for something tell them to wait a few minutes. If you are busy remind them that you are doing something and you will get what they want soon. Use specific times such as " when I'm finished with the dishes, when I'm finished folding the laundry " etc.
Schedule play dates - If you have a shy child play dates are a great way to get them involved in activities with other kids. It will help build their confidence and teach them social skills as well. If the children get into an argument over a toy let them solve the problem, if it gets physical step in and remind them that this behavior is unacceptable.
Visit the school first - Usually when a child is about to start preschool the teacher will invite you and your child in to see the class room. This is a really great way to get your child into wanting to go to school.
Involve your child - When shopping for school clothes and things involve your child, let them pick out a few outfits and let them choose which back pack they would like. Make it a fun day and be sure to go out to dinner when shopping is finished. At dinner talk to your child about school and ask them if they think they are ready. Tell them that they will make lots of friends and they will learn how to sing, color, cut paper etc.
Let them pick - The night before his/her first day of school let them choose the outfit they want to wear, this will give them a sense of independence.
Your little one is growing up, cherish these times you have together and remember to always take pictures. Hug your child every day and tell them how much you love them. The first day of school is stressful for you and your child, reassurance is what your child needs right now. If they start crying when it's time for you to leave the school, give them a small piece of you, a hair clip, a coin, etc. By the end of the day they will be fine, after the day is over ask them how it went. What did they do? did they sing? draw? etc. Make a routine such as, school, home, snacks, TV, supper, bath time, snacks, brush teeth, pick out school clothes, bed time stories, bed. Routines help a lot when a child begins preschool.
