A lot of us moms always wonder if we spend enough bonding time with our little ones. The truth is, there is not enough time in a day to spend time with our little ones. If you are feeling this way here are some things you can do to make more bonding time
Read books - Reading books is a great way to have quiet one on one bonding time with your child. Make it fun, make funny voices for each character. The best way to do this is to do it at bedtime, lay in the bed with your child and read.
Play time - Goofing around and playing with the kids is a good stress relief. Roll around on the floor with them, build forts, get mega blocks and build castles for magical princesses. Play dress up, play tea party, play barbies, play house. There are so many things you can do when it comes to play time all you have to do is think like a child.
Snuggle time - Having snuggle time after a long day of playing and fun is a good way to wind down. Snuggle time falls under a lot of categories on this list, reading a book and snuggling at bedtime, watching a movie and snuggling before bedtime etc.
Movie time - Watching a movie with your little one is a good way to spend quiet quality time together. Make some popcorn, juice or milk, little ones love movie time.
Go for a walk - Going for a walk is always fun, especially if it's going to the store for some occasional junk food! On the way to the store with your child ask them what they would like to get, chips, candy, gum, juice etc. On the way back ask them if they are happy, tell them you love them etc.
Play in the snow! - Alright moms we all knew how much fun it was when we were small to play in the snow, get yourself a snow suit this winter and join your babies in the snow. They will absolutely love it! Grab some spray bottles and food coloring from your local grocery store and make some colored water, let your little ones spray away at the snow. Be sure to join in on the fun with them, just because you're mom does not mean you can't jump in and have fun with them.
Hot chocolate - After having fun in the snow come inside get into some dry clothes, put a blanket in the dryer for 5 minutes. Sit your little ones on the couch start a DVD and make some hot chocolate, put some marshmallows in a bowl so that your little ones can put them into their cup by themselves. Grab the blanket out of the dryer and everybody cover up with your hot chocolate and enjoy the movie.
Crafts - Kids love crafts! Coloring, cutting, painting, gluing, glittering etc. They love it all, a great thing about crafts is that you can do them anytime. A lot of moms don't like to do crafts due to the mess and expense, the truth is that your local dollar store has everything you need. Who cares about the mess?! Doing crafts is not just creating things, is creating memories for your little ones! Be sure to take lots of pictures. Crafts are also good for making gifts for other people for any occasion.
Go to the park - Kids love parks, there are a lot of things to do at the park, you can push them on the swings, catch them on the slide, run around with them. When going out to the park it's a good idea to have a picnic, pack up a blanket and a basket of food, when the kids are done playing you could have snacks and drinks.
Go swimming - Swimming is a good exercise especially for kids, most kids love being in water. Swimming is a good family bonding sport. Your local pool/recreation center is a great place to go, they have pool toys etc. Local pools are also great for swimming in the winter time, they provide showers, locker rooms, you can bring along a hair dryer and dry your little ones hair before leaving to ensure they do not catch a cold.
Go skating - It's great for little ones to learn how to skate when they are young, it's good exercise and fun for the whole family. Make it a weekend thing, or a reward for good behavior.
Out for dinner - Going out to dinner for two is a good way to have a nice chat with your child. If you have more than 1 child you can bring them all to dinner or you can schedule a day for each child.
For older children - For older and more mature children you can get into TV shows with them. There are multiple TV shows on every night. Get some snacks ready with some drinks, maybe some homemade pizza.
No matter what a child will always know mom loves him/her.
Your little ones face is red, she/he is straining and grunting, then they start to scream and cry in pain. Yes your little one is constipated. There are many reasons a child can get constipated such as, not enough fiber in their diet, too much dairy in their diet, if they are too busy playing sometimes they just hold it until it "goes away". It's very hard to see a child uncomfortable and in pain, luckily there are ways to avoid it and make it better. Here are some tips
Add more fiber - Adding fiber to your childs diet is a good start on avoiding and soothing constipation. Some great high fibrous foods are raspberries, apricots, pears, strawberries, apples, beans, bread, bran cereal, broccoli, oatmeal, dried fruits such as figs and prunes, peas, potatoes with skin and many many more foods are great for adding fiber to your little ones diet. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements.
Add more water - Drinking a lot of water during the day and avoiding dehydration is a good way to avoid constipation or soothe it.
Warm bath - If your child is severely constipated to the point that they are walking funny and scared to poop, try a warm bath, make it a little warmer than usual but not too warm. The warm water relaxes your childs abdominal muscles and intestines, getting things moving along very quickly. Let them sit and play if they can as long as they wish. Usually it takes between 5-20 minutes to work, this method works best when your child is scared to push the poop out because of the pain, the warm water relaxes the muscles in your little ones tummy, pretty much making it hard to stop the poop from coming out.
Apple juice, prune juice - Giving your child fruit juices can get things moving along, do not give them too much as this will cause diarrhea.
Too much milk - When some kids drink too much milk they tend to get constipated. Try rotating the drinks, give milk for breakfast, juice for lunch, water for snacks, milk for supper and milk for bedtime snacks. Always offer water and juice for when your little ones are thirsty.
Tummy massage - Giving your baby a tummy massage can help relax muscles and loosen things up.
If all else fails talk to your Doctor about it, he/she may be able to prescribe a suppository to help move things along. Be careful with the suppositories and be sure to try everything listed above before you ask about them. If you use them too much your little one will become dependent on them.
There are a lot of mothers out here who are uninformed about the importance of car seat safety, there are a lot of mothers out here who do not know how to properly install a car seat and there are a lot of mothers who do not know how to properly strap their children into a car seat. Here are some very important tips to keep your child safe in their car seat during every ride
Straps - The straps on your little ones car seat should always be tight enough that you cannot pinch the fabric. Loose straps are not good when traveling, your child could possibly slide out of the seat during an accident and they can climb out of the car seat while you are driving causing a distraction for the driver therefor possibly causing an accident. Make sure the straps are not twisted as well.
Winter safety - Winter time means puffy jackets, hats, mitts, boots etc. If your little one is going to be mostly in the car for example, going to the grocery store or the mall or a long trip, they will not need a big puffy winter jacket. There are jackets you can buy that have a liner inside of them that is removable, they also have winter jackets that are not puffy. It is extremely dangerous to strap your child into their car seat while wearing a puffy jacket. If you do have to put one on them it is best to unzip the jacket and pull it out of the straps as much as possible, strap your child in and make sure the straps are tight enough so that you cannot pinch the fabric. Always put the chest clip up to the childs armpit. When you are done strapping your child in pull the jacket to the front and zip it up, when you are finished the straps should be inside of your childs jacket. This is the safest way to strap your child in. If you do not believe us try it for yourself. Strap your child in with a puffy jacket on, make sure it's tight so that you cannot pinch the fabric. Now remove the jacket completely and strap your child in, pinch the fabric, do you understand what we mean now? Very dangerous.
Chest clip - A lot of mothers think that the top clip of the car seat is actually a belly clip, well it's not. The clip is a chest clip, this clip should be level with your childs armpit. As you can see when the clip is on the childs belly, they can slide their arms out or they can lean forward without effort. When the chest clip is at armpit level your child cannot slide their arms out and they cannot lean forward. This is the safest way for your child to be in the car seat.
Properly installing - Properly installing the car seat into the vehicle is very important. All car seats come with installation instructions, it is very important to follow these instructions and install your childs car seat correctly. If you are not sure how to do this you can contact your local police and fire department, they can show you how to install your childs car seat.
Expiration dates - Always follow expiration dates. If your childs car seat is expired, time to buy a new one.
Extended rear facing - Rear facing is the safest way for your child to be in the vehicle. Just because your little one has hit their first birthday, does not mean they have to be forward facing in the car. When a child is rear facing in an accident their head does not jerk forward, when a child is forward facing in a car during an accident their head jerks forward.
Follow weight & height regulations - All car seats have certain weight and height limits, it's best to buy a car seat with the maximum available height and weight.
Second hand - It is not recommended that you buy a used car seat as it may have been in an accident. If you are to buy or receive a second hand car seat be sure to ask questions such as : What is the expiration date? how old is it? was it in an accident? how long did you use it? what is the maximum height and weight?. It is a good idea to only buy or receive used car seats from friends or family, this way you are sure the seat has not been in an accident.
There are many different ways to wean your baby off the bottle. Some moms like to do it cold turkey, some like to do it slowly. I say it is better to start early. Here are some tips and a good schedule.
Introduce the sippy - Introducing the sippy cup early will help when you want to wean baby off the bottle. Starting at 6 months of age is a good idea.
Start slowly - Starting slowly is best, offer the sippy cup during the day at least once a day.
Get the right cup - Getting a good cup is important, be sure to get the right cup for their age. It should be a spill proof cup. Bring your little one with you when you are looking for a cup, let them pick one out for themselves if they are old enough.
Here is a good schedule to start.
Week one - Breakfast bottle - snack sippy cup - lunch bottle - snack sippy cup - supper bottle - snack sippy cup. In between meals and snacks offer the sippy cup.
Week two - Breakfast sippy cup - snack sippy cup - lunch bottle - snack sippy cup - supper bottle - snack sippy cup. In between meals and snacks offer the sippy cup.
Week three - Breakfast sippy cup - snack sippy cup - lunch sippy cup - snack sippy cup - supper bottle - snack sippy cup. In between meals and snacks offer the sippy cup.
Week four - Breakfast sippy cup - snack sippy cup - lunch sippy cup - snack sippy cup - supper sippy cup - snack sippy cup. BYE BYE BOTTLES!
When trying to take the bottle away all at once the #1 thing that makes most moms give up is the crying. Your little one cries for the bottle, do not give in! If you give in and they see that their crying is making them get what the want, they will use this against you. If your little one is crying to much, be sure to keep all bottles out of sight and comfort your child. Some children can go from bottle to sippy cup overnight, but most do have trouble coping with the switch. Taking the bottle away slowly is the best way to ensure it goes smoothly.
Your little one just hit their first birthday! Time to stop spending so much money on formula and start spending more money on cows milk. There are some babies who can make the switch overnight, but there are a lot of babies who need time. Sometimes switching too early will cause constipation, although your doctor may tell you that you are able to switch at 9 months it is up to you to decide what is best for your child. There is a reason it is best to wait until 1 year of age, babies digestive systems are not ready to handle the proteins in cows milk. Your child needs the fat that is in 3.25% milk for brain development, so be sure to always give him/her 3.25% milk. Here is the best and easiest scheduled way to introduce cows milk to your little one.
Week one - Mix 7 ounces of formula with 1 ounce of cows milk.
Week two - Mix 6 ounces of formula with 2 ounces of cows milk.
Week three - Mix 5 ounces of formula with 3 ounces of cows milk.
Week four - Mix 4 ounces of formula with 4 ounces of cows milk.
Week five - Mix 3 ounces of formula with 5 ounces of cows milk.
Week six - Mix 2 ounces of formula with 6 ounces of cows milk.
Week seven - Mix 1 ounce of formula with 7 ounces of cows milk.
Week eight - Say bye bye to the formula and give 8 ounces of cows milk.
If you notice your little one is getting constipated try not giving so many milk bottles in a day. A 1 to 2 year old should drink 16 to 24 ounces of milk a day. If more than that it is possible for constipation to set in. Some babies can handle more, some not so much.
Your little one also needs water, be sure to offer a few bottles of water during the day. Juice is not necessary but it is a nice treat every once in a while, be sure to only offer pasteurized 100% real fruit juice. Always dilute your childs juice 2 ounces of juice 2 ounces of water. Do not give your little one too much juice as this will cause diarrhea and possibly a rash. Now is a good time to say bye bye to the bottle and introduce the sippy cup.
Back pain...every pregnant woman has it. It's caused mostly by your growing belly, the extra weight forces you to change your posture causing your center of gravity to shift forward causing major lower back pain, as much as it hurts you can help make it a little bit better. For some women the pain will be only in the last few months of pregnancy, for the unlucky ones they will have it throughout the pregnancy and afterwards as well. Here are some tips to help ease the pain
Warm bath - Taking a long warm bath helps relax your muscles and bones, easing the pain while relaxing your entire body. Be sure that the water is not too hot as that can possibly bring on contractions.
Body pillow - Using a maternity pillow at night is a great way to help ease the pain, keep your legs bent and sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs.
Massage - Getting a massage is very helpful when it comes to back pain, this method relaxes your body and takes away the stress of pregnancy.
No heavy lifting - It is extremely important that you do not lift anything heavy during pregnancy, this can cause major back pain and strains.
Good fitting shoes - Wearing good fitting comfortable shoes is a good way to ease and avoid back pain. Especially if you do a lot of walking.
Swimming - Swimming is a great exercise to help ease and avoid back pain, swimming strengthens your lower back muscles. It also takes the weight of the baby off of you for a short amount of time, easing the stress of all the extra weight on your body.
Rest - Taking a break, laying down a few times a day between each chore or walk is a great way to help your body rest.
Pelvic tilts - Doing pelvic tilts will help ease some back pain, there are different ways to do this exercise. 1. Lay on the floor on your back with your legs bent. Make sure there are no gaps between your back and the floor. Place your hands down on the floor on your sides for extra support. Lift your bottom up slowly as high as you can (not extremely high, between 2-5 inches off the floor) and lower back down. 2. Go on all fours with your hands at shoulder level. Make your back as straight as possible while looking at the floor under you. Allow your baby to drop towards the floor, lift your tailbone upwards and try to look up as high as you can. Now pull your baby up towards you, drop your tailbone towards the floor and try to look at your stomach. Exhale as you look up, and inhale as you look down.
Hot & Cold - Using warmth and cold does help a lot when it comes to body aches and back pain. Try using a hot pack or a cold pack, whichever suits your pain best.
Tylenol - Tylenol is safe during pregnancy and it can reduce your back pain a lot.
If all of these remedies fail be sure to contact your doctor about it, it may be something a lot worse. It is always better to be safe than sorry, it is a good idea to always to go the emergency room instead of waiting for the doctor for more serious problems. They will fax the results and diagnosis to his/her office.
Yes Halloween is around the corner! I bet every single mom out here cannot wait to bring their little princesses, pumpkins, vampires, witches, pirates, clowns, angels, fairies etc. out for candy. There are many things us as moms need to think about before bringing our children out trick or treating.
Weather - Halloween is almost always cold for children, if we're lucky it will be a nice night this year. It's a good idea to think of costumes that can cover layers of clothes, if it does end up being cold that night simply add the layers on. Sweaters, long johns, high socks, ear muffs etc. If you decide to walk with your little ones, try using a wagon and bring along a blanket to cover up between houses. Gloves are great idea also, there are many costumes that will work very well with gloves. For moms who have babies 6 months and under it is a good idea to put them in a Moby wrap/kangaroo wrap to keep them warm. There are many ideas out there for babies face paint for Halloween. This way you can keep them covered up and close to you, but still have them look cute for Halloween.
Costumes - Picking a costume is a tough trip, a few things to think about are is it good material? Will it be loose enough to fit a few layers of clothing underneath? Are the weapons rubber and bendable? Is it too long that my child will trip while walking? Using face paint is better than using a mask, a mask can be very hard to breathe in and very hard to see out of. Be sure to get reflective stickers and place them on your childs back and front, if you cannot find reflective stickers try finding a blinking light source.
Decorations - Decorating your house is fun, especially if you are decorating with your little ones. There are some precautions you should be taking while decorating. Try not to hang any decorations above heaters, decorations are known to fall when nobody is looking and this will cause a fire. If you do hang decorations above a heater make sure they are hung up very well and do a test to see if it is easy for them to fall. Anything small such as tiny spiders for spider webs should be tangled into the web so they do not fall to the floor where a little one can easily pick it up and put it in their mouth. Candles are not the greatest idea, especially in the window sill because they can cause fires. Always keep an eye on the little ones while decorating, all it takes is 1 second for anything to happen.
Carving pumpkins - Little ones should never carve the pumpkin, instead let them draw the face of the pumpkin. It is a good idea to get each child a pumpkin, that way they can draw their own face on their own pumpkin and there will be minimum fighting. Drawing a face on a few pumpkins yourself is a good idea instead of carving because the pumpkins will last longer. However, if you do carve the pumpkins it is a good idea to put them outside at night time or in the freezer this way they will last longer.
Trick or treat! - While trick or treating young ones get distracted by candy, it is a good idea to start reminding them that they need to look both ways before crossing the street. Always accompany your children while trick or treating, you may think your small town is safe but there are a lot of predators out there just waiting for the perfect opportunity to grab a child. It is a horrible thought but it's definitely one you need to think about. For older children who can go out trick or treating alone, remind them about all the dangers that are out there. You should set some rules come Halloween night such as 1. Never go into anybody house unless you know them very well or you are in a big group. 2. Never walk alone at night. 3. Always have your cell phone ready and have your local police department on speed dial. 4. Always tell mom where you are and where you are going. 5. Only go to houses where the lights are on inside and outside. 6. Never cross between parked cars. *If your older child is staying home to pass out candy and watch scary movies also set some rules such as 1. Make sure all windows and doors are always locked. 2. Make sure you have a friend over or a few friends. 3. Look out the windows to see who is knocking before opening the door. 4. Have your local police department on speed dial.
Checking out the candy - Remind your children to bring all of their candy home so you can inspect them. You can give your children a pocket full of candy from home for them to eat while trick of treating. Look for candy that is already opened or half opened and throw them away. Look for puncture holes in the rest of the candy, apples and other fruit and throw them away. Throw away home made treats such as cookies, muffins etc. unless you know the person who baked them.
Halloween is a great time to start family traditions, get all dressed up, go out trick or treating, carve pumpkins and tons more of great fun. I hope everyone has a great and safe night. Happy Halloween!!!
There is nothing worse than your child waking up in the middle of the night with a fever, cough, sore throat etc. It's a good idea to keep yourself prepared. Here is a list of thing you should put into your medical cupboard
Cough syrup
Vicks baby vapor rub
Johnsons vapor bath
Baby Tylenol
Childrens Tylenol
Tempra
A suction bulb
Finger nail clippers
Tweazers
Adult tylenol
Peroxide
Rubbing alcohol
Band aids
Gauze
Medical tape
Cough drops
Tums
Q-tips
Needles
Cotton balls
Nasal drops/spray
Childrens gravol
Pepto-bismol
Scissors
Medical gloves
Ice cold pack
You can have a lot more but this is just the basics.
Is your little one up at 2AM coughing and coughing? Are they complaining about a sore throat? Losing their voice? Have a fever? Yes...it's that time of year when our warm weather leaves us and the cold comes in without warning. It's so very hard when your child has a cold, but there are ways to avoid a cold and soothe one. Here are some tips
Keep them warm - It's time to bring out the hats, gloves, winter jackets, scarves, boots and long johns! Winter may not be here yet but it is getting very cold outside. The best way to avoid a cold is to bundle up nice and warm.
Stock up the medical cupboard - Buy everything you are going to need such as cough medicine, vapor rub etc.
Clean everything - Toys, door knobs, toilet, bathtub, absolutely everything.
Wash your hands - Get your kids to wash their hands and you wash your hands before and after every meal. After sneezing or coughing into your hand, as soon as you wake up and every other time you feel the need to get them clean and germ free.
Tissues - Always have a box of tissues ready, using toilet paper to wipe a boogery nose will cause pain and redness.
Vapor bath - Johnson's vapor bath is a great product for when little ones are sick, it helps them breathe better and also helps clear up a stuffed nose.
Vapor rub - Vapor rub is great for night time and day time, it helps your child breathe with ease and helps stop a chest cough. They have Vicks baby rub available at most drug stores.
Let them rest - Rest is a very big factor when it comes to getting better, if you have a child that goes to school and they wake up one morning not able to talk, complaining of a sore throat, let them stay at home for the day. Put some cartoons on and cuddle up with them on the couch under a nice warm blanket.
Fluids - Fluids are important to avoid getting dehydrated, water, ginger ale, Pedialyte, popsicles and juice are good options to ensure your child does not get dehydrated.
Fever - Treat your childs fever, or don't. Some moms ride the fever out, but if your child is in pain you can give them Tylenol. Fever is a sign that your childs body is fighting infection.
Stuffy plugged noses - Nothing is worse than a stuffy nose, your child breathes heavy from the mouth and it's very uncomfortable. Using nasal drops is a good idea, lay your child on his/her back and put a few drops in each nostril, have your child blow their nose. If your child is too young to blow their nose you can get a suction bulb and suck the mucus out.
Honey - Using honey instead of cough syrup for children 1 and over is a great way to soothe a sore throat and a nighttime cough. Children 2-5 years old can have half a teaspoon, children 6-12 can have 1 teaspoon and children 12-18 can have 2 teaspoons.
The hot shower trick - Steam is a great way to help soothe a dry cough and a stuffed up nose. Turn the shower on extremely hot, leave the bathroom and close the door. Let the shower run for about 5-10 minutes, bring your child in the bathroom and stay in their for about 10-15 minutes. Do this about 3-5 times a day and once before bedtime.
Vicks on the feet - Some mothers swear that this home remedy works. If your child is coughing a lot especially at night rub some Vicks vapor rub on the bottom of their feet and put clean dry socks on. Some little ones have very sensitive feet which makes this remedy work best.
Usually during winter it seems like your little one has one cold after the other, it will pass, the best you can do is use the tips listed above to help your child feel comfortable. Sometimes all they need is some TLC from moms or dad.
Diaper rash is caused by many different things such as your babys urine, new foods, chemicals, sensitive skin etc. When your little one has a diaper rash it is painful, you may notice your child crying and sometimes even screaming when they urinate. There are ways to avoid diaper rash and there are ways to treat it effectively, here are some tips
Change frequently - Some diaper rashes are caused by baby sitting in a soiled wet diaper, it's a good idea to change your babys diaper before it starts sagging down. Change your babys diaper after every meal and every time your baby takes a poop. Avoid letting your child sit in a soiled diaper for long.
Say bye bye baby wipes - When your little one has a rash sometimes the baby wipes will irritate it even more and your baby will cry when you try to wipe him/her with a baby wipe, indicating that it is a very uncomfortable and painful feeling. It is better to use a warm wet baby wash cloth, this way the baby gets clean by pure and natural water. Be sure to wipe gently and if baby still cries try patting instead of wiping.
Test diaper brands - Sometimes babies can be allergic to a certain brand of diapers. It's a good idea to test different brands to find the perfect one to suit your babys needs. Some diapers have perfumes which can irritate babys sensitive skin.
Use the hair dryer - After you wipe baby with the warm wet wash cloth use a hair dryer on the coolest setting, point it to your babys rash far enough away to not burn your baby if your hair dryer does not have the coolest setting. Do this every time you change your baby for about a minute, it will completely dry your babys bottom area. Bacteria and yeast love warm moist areas to grow so be sure to always keep your babys bottom nice and dry. The rash should clear up between 1-4 days using this method.
Say no to petroleum jelly - Using petroleum jelly on your babys rash is not a good idea, bacteria and yeast thrive on warm moist areas. Using vaseline and other jellies will only keep your babys bottom moist.
Let them go free - Letting your little one run around naked for a few hours a day is a good idea to avoid the diaper rubbing on the rash, it also avoids getting a rash on their legs where the diaper rubs also. Another good thing about letting your child run around naked is that they stay dry, when they do urinate you see right when they do it and you're able to clean them up instead of your little one sitting in a wet diaper which does not help when there is a rash involved.
Make sure the diaper is the right size - Sometimes if the diaper is too small on baby it can cause irritation on his/her skin. Also when the baby pees or poops the mess stays pushed on babys skin which will cause a rash.
Vaccines and medication - Some vaccines can cause rashes. Every time your baby goes for vaccinations be sure to ask the doctor what are all the after effects. Some antibiotics can cause rashes, if mom is on certain antibiotics while breastfeeding sometimes baby will get a rash.
Powder and cornstarch - NO! Do not use talcum powder because it is very dangerous if baby inhales it. Cornstarch can make a diaper rash caused by a yeast infection worse.
Diaper rashes are not fun for baby or for mom, seeing our little ones in so much pain is hard for us. Using the methods above will help get rid of the rash and help avoid getting another one. A happy bottom means a happy baby!
There is nothing more terrifying than the thought of your child wondering off with a stranger, there are ways to avoid it. It's good to start early, as early as you possibly can. Here are some tips
Keep them close - When going on a shopping trip or crowded place, keep your child very close. Either in a shopping cart or holding their hand.
Never take your eyes off them - When going to the park or on play dates, keep your eyes on your child. It takes only a split second for something bad to happen.
Start a safety group - Get together with other mothers and form a safety group. This group will be the group you can go to the park with or restaurants. When at the park make a plan, all mothers should keep an eye on the children and keep an eye on the surrounding people. If one of the mothers notices something out of the ordinary such as a strange person standing by the fence just watching, somebody trying to hide in bushes or behind a tree, if there is somebody sitting in a truck, van, car just watching, be sure to notify the police. It is a good idea to include your husbands or boyfriends on these outings, that way if you moms do notice something out of the ordinary, you will have men close by to check out the situation.
Teach your child about stranger danger - All kids should know about stranger danger, it's a good idea to start as early as your child can understand. Tell them that not all people can be trusted, and be sure to tell them to never walk away with a stranger. Teach them that they should never get into a car with somebody they do not know. Teach them that they should never get into a car with somebody they do know unless you say that it is okay. Be sure to teach them that if a stranger offers them candy or gifts, they should run to the closest person or house and scream at the top of their lungs.
Teach your child what to do if she/he is getting abducted - Teach your child, that if somebody does grab them and tries to drag them away, kick, scream, bite, scratch, hit, scream for help etc. Everyday go over key things they need to memorize such as his/her full name, your full name, their fathers full name, your phone number, your address, a close relatives full name, phone number & address. Teach them that if they do see people after being abducted, they should try to signal that they need help. Teach them to try to get away as much as possible such as going to a restroom, once they are in the rest room tell them that they should try to leave some evidence that they need help such as writing the following " My name is _______ I'm __ years old I've been abducted. My mom is ____________ her phone number is ______________ please help me " tell them to include where they might be headed if the abductor has said anything about it, tell them to include if they know who abducted them. Teach them that they need to do this as quickly as possible. If they use a restroom inside of a restaurant, tell them to find the closest person to them such as a waitress/waiter and tell them what is going on.
Cell phones - Every child should have a cell phone when they are old enough to understand that the cell phone is for emergencies. They have certain cell phones that do not have numbers but are programmed to call certain numbers such as 911, home, moms cell etc. With Telus Mobility, they have the kid find feature, very inexpensive, and does come in handy when you need it. What it is, is a program on the Telus Mobility web site that allows you to track your childs exact location. For 5 dollars extra a month you can use it as many times as you would like. I'm sure other cell phone providers have the same. These programs do come in handy when your child is late for curfew or when your child says they are going out with friends.
Dangers of being out at night alone - It's extremely important to teach your child the dangers of being outside at night alone, remind them to always stay with friends and if it's time to go home either ask for a ride from a parent or call home and ask you to go pick them up. Tell them about all of the things that may happen if they are to go outside alone at night such as being abducted, getting beat up, sexually assaulted etc. If they are out walking home with a friend and if they notice that they are being followed, they should run to the closest house and yell for help.
Old enough or not? - Never leave young children home alone, before you leave a child home alone you should be sure that they are mature enough. All kids have different maturity levels, some are higher than others. Before you leave a child home alone teach them the following : Never open the door for strangers. Always keep the doors and windows locked. Never tell anybody that you are alone in the house. Always leave the lights on inside and outside (if it's dark outside). Close all of the curtains when it's dark outside. Do not trust anybody, make sure they know that anybody could be a predator and that there are people out there that will impersonate people such as cops, mail man, plumber, cable man etc.
Lost in the mall etc. - Teach your child that if they are to get separated from you they should find a cashier and tell them " My name is __________ I lost my mommy her name is ____________. Please help me ".
Online safety - There are many ways predators find their prey, including online. Chances are these predators are already trying to make their way into your home onto your computer screen. There are many ways you can avoid this. Keep all computers in a family room such as the living room, kitchen, etc. Never let a child have a computer in their room with an internet connection. Always monitor a child while they are on the computer and try to learn all of the "online slang". Limit computer time to an hour at a time. Turn off all computers before you go to bed and be sure to put passwords on them, this way your child cannot sneak onto the computer when the rest of the family is asleep.
Never leave them - Never leave your children in a car alone, even if it's only for a few seconds, those few seconds is all it takes for an abductor to snatch them away. When you have your child/children in the car and you need to gas up always go to a gas station that has service, never use self serve pumps when your children are in the car.
Double check - Make sure all windows and doors of your home are locked, even in the day time and when you are inside. At bedtime double check all of the doors and windows, make sure they are all locked. If possible, get an alert system installed in your home and never leave a garage door opened.
Avoid names on items - Avoid writing your childs name on clothing and other items, a child is more likely to walk off with somebody who knows their name.
Teaching teen girls - Teaching your teen girls that dressing in sexy clothing will attract the wrong kind of attention especially in older men, is a great way to avoid abduction. Tell them that they should never flirt with strangers or older guys because this could be very dangerous. Be sure to check your teens school bag before school to make sure they are not hiding any clothing that may be too tight and too short. Always check their closet and dressers to make sure they do not own anything that may be too revealing and always try to involve yourself in your teens shopping trips to be sure they are not buying any clothing of that kind. Teach your teen girls that they do not need make up to look beautiful, wearing make up will only make them look older and this is very dangerous for an under age girl.
Custody - If you and the father of your child or children are separated you must get your custody papers in order. Go to court and be sure you have full custody of your child/children. This way if the father was abusive, aggressive etc, he will not be able to run away with the kids and get away with it. Always know where the father lives and where he moves to. This way if he is to kidnap your children the police will know the first place to look and who to talk to. Make sure you have a photo of the father to give to the police and make sure you know the description of his vehicle. If this kind of situation is to happen any information you give the police will be helpful.
Keep up to date photos - Taking photos at least once every 6 months is a good idea. Having recent photos of your child is the best to give to police if an abduction does happen. Try to remember what your child is wearing everyday. If your child has a cell phone be sure that the GPS is always turned on.
When we hear of child abductions we think, that will never happen to me, but anything can happen. It's better to be safe than to lose your child. This is something we as moms do not like to think about but we have to think about it, we have to come together and keep our children safe. This is our JOB. Let's not have another childs face on a missing poster. Let's not have another childs face in the news papers. Let's not have another childs face on the local news channels. LET'S STAND TOGETHER AND TAKE THE STEPS NEEDED TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.
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.
All children will catch a fear of the bathtub between the age 1 & 3. This fear comes out overnight, 1 day the child is fine in the tub and the next day they are screaming and crying. They are still too young to tell us why they are scared of the bathtub, is it the water? is it the drain? is it the fear of splashing? Only your child knows what the problem is and until you figure out what it is bath time is going to be a hassle for the both of you. Here are some tips that may help
Bring back the baby tub - If your child was fine in the baby tub then let's try bringing it back into the picture. Put some water in the baby tub on the floor, let your child sit in it and play for a few minutes. If he/she is fine with that then put the baby tub in the big tub and let her/him sit in it and play again. Remind your child that everything will be fine. You can buy a inflatable duck tub that kids absolutely love. What you can do is let your child play with the duck tub outside of the bathtub, then tell your child it's time to take a bath in the big tub and after you are done washing him/her then he/she can bring the duck tub inside the big tub just like her/his very own boat. Make sure you fill the duck tub with water so that when your child is in it, it will not tip over causing an even bigger reason to be scared of the bathtub.
Avoid all splashing - Splashing will only make things worse. Splashing could be the reason your child is scared of the tub, all it takes is one splash of water in the eyes and that's it, peaceful bath time is over for what seems like forever. If your child loves to splash that's fine, but do not join in on his/her fun because one big splash may result in tears and screams.
Buy new toys - It's a good idea to try to get your childs mind off of his/her fears. Buying new toys can help and there is a big variety of bath time toys available on the market. Foam toys are a big favorite in most kids because they stick to the sides of the tub. Also try some bath time crayons or some Crayola color dots.
Bubbles - All kids are fans of bubbles. This can help get your little one back into the big kid tub.
Avoid accidents - Avoid getting soap in your childs eyes, kids have a very good memory when it comes to things like this. Kids mostly get scared of laying down in the bath tub, most of the time the cause of this is a one time splash of water on his/her face, try not to get water on your little ones face and if this accident does happen be sure to wipe the water off right away.
Drain - Fill the tub before your child gets in the bathroom and drain the tub after your child gets out of the bathroom. Kids do not know that they can't fit in the drain and most of them see it like this " When mommy pulls the plug all the water goes down the hole so I'm going down the hole too ."
Talk - Talking to your child may help distract him/her while you lay them down to wash their hair. Remind them that you are there and the water can not hurt them. Be sure to hold your hand under your childs neck so that they feel secure and they know that you are holding them.
Slipping & falling - If your little one is afraid of slipping and falling then you should buy a non-slip bath mat, bath mats come in various types and colors. Some are shaped like frogs, some have your childs favorite cartoon characters on them. If you are having trouble finding a non-slip bath mat and need help please contact us on our Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/tipsfrommoms we will be sure to direct you to the perfect bath mat for your child on Amazon.
A lot of parents think that something went terribly wrong somewhere in bath time but truth is all toddlers have fears of the bathtub, nobody did anything wrong it's just a thing that toddlers go through. There is no reason to blame yourself or anybody else, although it may be hard to listen to your child scream and cry at bath time and you think you have done something wrong, you haven't done anything wrong at all. The best thing you can do is try everything I have noted above and keep your patience. Do not get frustrated at your little one it's not his/her fault. It's not any ones fault, this is just a phase and it will pass but until it does, try to help your little one overcome his/her fears.
There's no magical age when a child learns to read, all kids are different but one thing we do know is that a child cannot learn unless a child is taught. Here are some tips to help your child learn to read
Bedtime stories - Start reading your child bedtime stories at a young age.
Read to & with your child - Reading books to your child for about 30 minutes a day is the best way to help them learn. Read to your child everyday at the same time, make sure the house is calm and quiet and avoid any distractions.
Ask questions - Ask your child questions about the book after reading it.
Get them to read to you - Read the same book everyday until your child knows what it is about, teach them to read each page, help them sound out the words. After you've taught them the book and the sounds of each word, ask them to read the book to you. Reassure them that if they need help they should ask you and you will help them.
Visit your local library - Visiting your local library every week is a good idea. Let your child get his/her own library card and let them pick out which books they would like to read that week.
Talk to your child - Talk to your child as soon as they are born, this will help them later on when they learn to read and write. Do not use "baby talk" try to talk to your child normally so they will pick up on words easily.
Make reading fun - When you read with your child do funny voices and other noises. Get into character, your child will love it and it will make learning how to read fun. It will most certainly grasp their attention and they will focus more instead of getting distracted by little things.
Point & read - Point to words as you read them and point to words as your child reads them. This will help your child see the word and hear it at the same time.
Subscribe - Subscribe to a kids magazine for your child. They will definitely love getting their own mail and it will get them excited about reading and learning. We will post a few magazine subscriptions on this page, if you do not see a magazine you may like feel free to visit our fan page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tipsfrommoms and tell us what your child is interested in. We will definitely check around for a magazine that is perfect for your child.
Remember, all kids are different in so many ways. Be patient and have fun with it, getting frustrated and showing your frustrations will only slow your child down.
Potty training most of the time is a long difficult process. Some kids start early, some kids start late, some kids catch on right away, some kids take what seems like forever. It's a good idea to make sure your child is potty trained before they start preschool. Here are some tips for potty training
Start at the right time - Introducing the potty at an early age ( around 1 years old ) is a good idea, sit your child on the potty, she may go she may not, if she does go on the potty praise her. Sometimes this age is still too young to potty train everyday.
Use a sticker chart - Make a chart ( below click to enlarge 5 week potty training chart example ). Decorate it with your child, put stickers and pictures. Every time your child uses the potty, give him/her a sticker to put on that day. If they go #2 in the potty give them a bigger sticker that they can put on that day. If they pull down their pull ups or whatever they are wearing by themselves to go potty give them 2 stickers to put on that day. Be sure to praise them when they've done good.
Be patient - Patience is key in potty training. Your child is going to have accidents it's unavoidable, the best thing you can do is tell your child that it's okay and that it's an accident. There is no point in getting angry with your child, every child will have accidents during this time. If you teach them they will learn. Be patient with yourself and your child, if you can't have patience your child will take longer to succeed.
Let them pick - Go to the mall and check out the kids isles and let your child pick out a potty. Remind them that this is their potty, just like mommies big people potty.
Make a shopping trip - Go shopping for big kid underwear and let your child pick out his/her own underwear. Remind them that it's not a diaper, tell them that it's time for big kid underwear and no more diapers. If they refuse, try a different day. It's a good idea to plan the trip around your childs schedule, make sure she/he is not hungry or tired to avoid a cranky meltdown.
Nighttime potty training - Some kids can hold the need for the bathroom all night, some can't. Nighttime potty training will be harder than day time potty training. It's a good idea to bring the potty to the bedroom at nighttime that way accidents can be avoided. If your child does wake up wet remind them that the potty is right beside their bed and they can ask for help if they need it. Do not get frustrated as this will only slow your child down.
Remember that all kids are different, the have different personalities and they develop differently. Some might do it early, some might wait until the age of 3. Eventually your child will be potty trained and the diaper changes will be done. Yes the cost of diapers will soon be over!
Your feet hurt, your back hurts, your bones hurt, you can't sleep, you have to pee every 10 minutes, your ribs are sore and the list goes on, your between 38 and 41 weeks, you want this baby out now! Here are some tips for naturally inducing labor.
Eat spicy food - There is not medical answer that says spicy food induces labor but it can't hurt to try? Well...maybe it can give you heartburn!
Go for a long walk - Gravity is an incredible thing, walking helps guide your baby down onto the cervix, with babys head pressing down on the cervix, this will release Oxytocin hopefully bringing on contractions. Try not to wear yourself out.
Have sex - Semen helps ripen (soften) the cervix. The movement might bring on contractions. After your partner reaches orgasm try to hold the semen in as long as you can, the longer the semen stays on the cervix the softer it will make it and the faster it will dilate.
Nipple stimulation - Gently rubbing or rolling your nipples for a few hours releases Oxytocin ( Natural Pitocin ) a hormone which induces contractions. This will only work if your body is ready to go into labor. Only do one breast at a time to avoid hyper-stimulation. Hyper-stimulation is when your uterus and baby don't get enough rest in between contractions and therefor your baby might go into distress. The best way to do this is : stimulate your nipple until you start having contractions, then stop and go for a nice 10 minute walk. If you do need to, stimulate the other breast to make the contractions stronger. DO NOT stimulate without breaks in between.
Castor oil - This has a laxative effect. Giving you cramps, and for most women it stimulates the uterus to contract. Bringing on strong contractions. The best way to do this is to mix 4 ounces of castor oil with orange juice and drink. It may make you nauseous and it will give you diarrhea. It is best to drink lots of fluids while having diarrhea to avoid dehydration. This should kick start labor.
Swing on a park swing - They say that this helps baby move into a good position for delivery and also puts babys head down on your cervix. This is also a good way to relax and relieve stress.
Talk to your baby - Sometimes just talking to your baby can help kick start labor, let your baby know that it's okay and that everybody can not wait to meet him/her.
Acupressure - Find someone who knows how to do it and someone who is experienced. Ask somebody to teach you how to do it.
Birthing ball - Sitting and bouncing on the birthing ball is more comfortable than sitting on a hard chair. Sitting on the birthing ball does allow your pelvis to open up real wide and allows more room for baby to move down into the birth canal, kind of like doing a squat.
Bumpy car ride - There is no guarantee that this will work but it is worth a try.
Chinese food - Some women say that this is the only thing that has worked for them. It's worth a try. Besides...who doesn't like Chinese food?
Dancing - The movement of dancing can move things along, It does help baby move down, it might work it might not.
Galloping - This has put some women in labor.
Kneeling on all fours - Swaying side to side and back and forth while on all fours can help baby turn if she/he is not in the right position for delivery.
Licorice - Real black licorice will give you diarrhea and could start contractions. It's a good idea to drink lots of fluids if you get diarrhea.
Massage - Relaxing massage can help relieve stress.
Oregano & Basil -Throw some in while you're cooking. It's worth a shot.
Orgasm - Having an orgasm causes the uterus to contract. During an orgasm Oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is a hormone which triggers labor contractions.
Squats - Gravity helps move baby down into the birth canal and doing squats helps open up your pelvis very wide.
Stretch and sweep the membranes - This is done by a doctor or a doula, the aim is to help induce labor by separating the membranes or sac from the lower part of the uterus.
Swimming - Swimming is very relaxing, the water and the movement can help.
Warm bath - A lot of women say that taking a nice warm bath has started their labor. Warm water has a way of relaxing your muscles.
There is no guarantee that any of these tips will work for you, and sometimes baby just isn't ready to come out. It's frustrating but one thing is for sure, that baby will be out sooner or later.
Having another baby is a wonderful thing for parents, but it may not be so wonderful for your other child or children if they do not know what to expect. If you do not prepare them for the new baby that is coming the following things may happen, jealousy, sadness, anger, they may try to hit the baby when nobody is looking, they may start acting like a baby again, they will act out for attention and many other things. Here are some tips for helping your children get ready and understand that there is a new baby coming
Start early - As soon as you find out you are pregnant the very first person or people you should tell are your children, even if they do not understand yet, they will get it eventually with a little help.
Tell them, show them - Telling them your having a new baby is not enough to help them understand, you have to show them your belly as it grows.
Pictures - Before your first ultrasound comes bring out the ultrasound pictures of your children, show them that the picture is of them when they used to live in your belly. If possible, make copies and give a copy of the picture to your child, at your ultrasound appointment bring your child with you and remind them to bring their picture. When you see the baby on the screen show your child and explain that in his picture he was in mommies belly just like the new baby is in mommies belly right now.
Kisses and hugs - As your belly grows, let your child hug your belly and kiss your belly.
Ask questions - When your child is touching your belly ask questions such as " Is it a boy or a girl? " " Do you love the baby? " " Is it your brother or sister? " " Can you feel baby moving in there? " " Where is the baby? " It helps them know that there is a little person in there that they love and want.
Play house - Get a doll that is just like a newborn baby and show it to your child. Get the smallest onesie you can and get your child to help you dress the baby or even diaper the baby. If you have set up the crib, swing or other baby items tell your child to put the doll in it. Give the doll a name, if you've picked a baby name already use that name. Show your child how to feed the baby and burp the baby. Call the doll little sister or little brother if you know the gender of your baby. Get a small play stroller and put the doll in it and go for a walk.
Heartbeat - Bring your children to the doctors appointment so that they can hear the babys heartbeat.
Books - Read books about new babies and show pictures of other pregnant women.
Visit - With friends or relatives who have babies. Hold the baby and ask your child "Where is mommies baby?" then point to your belly. Let your child touch the baby and remind him/her that they have to be nice and gentle with the baby.
Be sure you spend lots of time with your children before and after the new baby comes. Make special time just for you and your child such as, movie time, snuggle time, bedtime stories, mealtime, etc. The reason most kids become jealous of a new baby is the fact that some parents do not make enough time for them. The best way to avoid it is to just make time! I know, harder then it sounds, but it is possible.
If you have 1 child or 10 children it's very hard to keep your house as clean as you would like it, even having a newborn makes it hard to keep your house spotless. With all the feedings and diaper changes and let's not forget the sleepless nights. Here are some tips to keeping your house clean
Clean whenever you get the chance - When the kids are napping and at bedtime is the best time to get a quick load of laundry in and do the dishes.
Ask for help - From your hubby, your toddler, your mother, anybody who is around really. Especially if you just had a baby and you're tired all the time.
Never leave dishes in the sink - They pile up as fast as you use them. Ask your hubby and kids to use one cup only, there is no point of using a cup for juice, then using a different cup for water later on. Rinse the cup out and use it again!
Make the beds in the morning - It's a good idea to start teaching your toddler how to help make the bed.
Change the trash every day - At night before going to bed be sure to take the trash out and put a new clean bag, the smells that 2 day old trash can leave in a house are disgusting and if you don't notice the smell...your company will!
Keep laundry going in rotation - Load up the washer, when it's finished put it in the dryer, load up the washer again, when the dryer is done put those clothes in a laundry basket and load up the dryer again, then put the dry clothes away. Keep it going like that and you'll never have a gigantic pile of dirty laundry in the bathroom again.
Teach your kids - To put their toys away, put their clothes away in their dressers, put their dirty clothes in the hamper, make sure they take their shoes off at the door and put their jackets away.
Sign up for paper-free bills - And pay your bills online! It's get rid of the paper pile up and clutter! Get rid of junk mail for good! Plus it saves a tree, no brainer!
If you have older children - Give them their own laundry basket and tell them that it's their responsibility to bring it to you when their basket is full, this is a lot easier than sorting through which clothes belong to who. Or you could teach them how to do their own laundry.
Get them to clean - Their rooms before they can go outside and play, before they can turn on their TV and game consoles and before they can invite their friends over to play.
Do a clean sweep - On birthdays and Christmas help your kids go through all of their toys and pick some that you can donate to charities, if they get mad remind them that they have to make room for all the new things they will have to put in their toy box.
Clean before bedtime - Sweep the floors and pick up whatever things were left on the floor and couches. Waking up to a clean house means waking up happy. Waking up knowing you have to clean something causes stress and waking up stressed causes a cranky mama!
Keeping a house clean is hard work, but you don't have to do it alone. Get your kids involved, it teaches them responsibility and giving them an allowance wouldn't hurt. Giving an allowance motivates kids to help out, it's amazing what kids will do for a few dollars a day. See it like this.....A few dollars a day VS. you being exhausted way before bedtime...it's your choice. Happy cleaning!
