Parenting Blog

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Toddlers

5 Tips For Making It Through Potty Training

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There is no strict age for when you should begin potty training your toddler. However, most experts recommend starting at about age two. Although it’s something that can prove to be challenging, it doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. Teaching your child to use the potty can be a fun and rewarding experience for all of you. IT’s all a matter of knowing the right tricks to get through to the other side.

Before you know it, you’ll be diaper free, and your little one will be using the potty in no time. Here are some of the best tips to get you through the experience. [Read more…] about 5 Tips For Making It Through Potty Training

Originally posted on July 7, 2018 @ 12:57 pm

Creating A Family-Friendly Home

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woman preparing nursery

Whether you already have children, have some coming to visit, or you have a new baby on the way, you need to make sure that you have a family friendly home that is safe for little ones and young ones. There are many things that go into having a safe home, and you also want it to be a home where little ones can feel comfortable as well (a home with no toys is going to quickly bore a child of nearly any age).

You may think that a safe home is just about making sure that little hands can’t get pinched in cupboards, but there is much more to it than that. Here are a few things to consider in creating your family friendly home atmosphere.

Window Safety

One of the important things needed in a safe home for children is the security of the home. There have been too many cases (one is too many) of children found wandering the streets on their own at ages like five or seven. They opened the door and left while a parent or sitter was napping.

Ensure doors and even windows are secured so that little ones stay in the home and stay safe. That could mean adding new types of locks to your doors, and it could also mean investing in some new windows that can make them safer in more ways than one. You don’t want little ones falling out them or getting their fingers slammed in them either.

Babies, Toddlers, Teens, Oh My!

Babies need safe beds, safe bedding, and safe toys. Since they won’t be doing much moving around on their own in the beginning they don’t need as many safety precautions around the home as toddlers do. Toddlers, and babies that are crawling and starting to walk, risk bumps and bruises.

Make sure large furniture is secured so it doesn’t fall on little climbers. Have cupboards child proofed, as well as toilet lids, and make sure to have bumper guards on tables. Teens are better at safety, but you should consider keeping prescription drugs and alcohol locked up.

Your Entertainment Room

Having a family friendly home is about more than just safety. You also want everyone to feel comfortable in your home. Kids want to feel like they are a part of the family, and they want to have kid’s things to entertain themselves with.

You also want to have some stuff that will let your family bond with each other, from movies that are family friendly to board games that everyone can play. It even helps to let your kids, when they’re old enough, have some say in decorating their own room.

Give your home a safe atmosphere that also lets the whole family feel like they can have fun and be comfortable.

Originally posted on October 30, 2016 @ 2:02 am

How I Got My 3-Year-Old to Love Veggies

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banh miI grew up liking veggies, simply because my mom started with me and my sister at an early age. I think my tastebuds – not to mention my brain – got used to the idea that veggies were the normal food, as opposed to hotdogs and meat. Now that I have three sons, I have had different experiences with each one.

The eldest is a special child – in all senses of the word – and he will eat anything! In fact, because of his condition, my problem is to make sure he does not eat everything that he sees at the table.

The second is three years old, and for the longest time, he only wanted to eat hotdogs. He also loves noodles, but when he sees any signs of vegetables, he would pick them out and put them aside. [Read more…] about How I Got My 3-Year-Old to Love Veggies

Originally posted on May 2, 2014 @ 7:46 am

How to Create the Ideal Bedroom for Children

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Kids will spend a considerable amount of time in their bedrooms so it is important that their rooms are designed in such a way that will prove to be beneficial for them. Aside from motivating them to clean up after themselves, their bedrooms are the best places for them to learn and recuperate. However, some parents are unsure of how to design their child’s bedroom so without further ado, here are some tips for creating your child’s ideal bedroom.

Colors

Colors play a large part in how a room turns out so make sure you pick the right one. Hues of blue are said to promote relaxation so you may use sky blue or lavender for your child’s bedroom. You must choose a color that is soft enough for a child but isn’t too reminiscent of infancy. After all, your kids will grow up faster than you think. You may use prints to give the room some depth, but keep the color scheme in mind at all times. You don’t have to stick to one color for the entire room and you’re free to mix and match what you think works or what your child might want. The same goes for window treatments. If you’re going to use curtains or blinds, make sure the colors are at least complementary. You could even opt to use window film if you don’t want to use traditional window treatments but make sure that the film you choose keeps heat out.

Toys & Decoration

Don’t skimp on the toys. You can use toys as accent pieces or décor and help your child’s bedroom look cheerful while helping them develop their minds. Have toys all over the room in an organized fashion and don’t forget to include some educational toys along with the trucks and dolls. Doing so could even assist with making your child associate learning with leisure.

Furniture

If your child is of an age where he or she has strong opinions regarding what they like, try to choose the furniture yourself. That car bed might seem like a good idea now but your son won’t think so in a few years when he gets older and taller. Well-picked furniture can also be reused around the house when your child moves out or goes away to college. You don’t have to get boring pieces but make sure they’re not cartoon-themed, either.

Fabrics

Use appropriate fabrics for the bedding and curtains. This isn’t limited to color and pattern but texture as well. Mix and match however you see fit and since they’re temporary, you can give in to your child’s requests for matching Spiderman or Sesame Street bedding and curtains.

The ceiling

Use the ceiling to your advantage. Create a galaxy or have someone paint it to give your child something nice to look at before going to sleep. If you’re lucky, they’ll put themselves to bed before you do.

 

With a nice compromise between you and your little one, you can give them the bedroom they’ve always dreamed of.

 

Tammie Braunson is a professional blogger that shares the latest on architectural decorative glass. She writes for Imaging Sciences, a top company for producing architectural decorative glass panels. 

Image source 1 & 2

Originally posted on March 11, 2014 @ 8:32 am

Effective Ways to Make Your Kids Behave in Public

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One of the real major challenges parents face is how to make their kids behave in public. Each kid is different and while some are good children, there are others who can test a parent’s patience such as when they throw tantrums or become very restless. When your situation is the latter, it can be difficult to make your child behave when you’re out in public.

well behaved kids

So is there really a formula to do this? Unfortunately, there’s no standard formula but some parents have certain techniques that successfully helped them in raising well behaved kids.

You’re probably heard the advice of “avoid labeling your kid” many times. This is very important in raising kids particularly in helping them develop self confidence and a decent behavior. So if you get enraged and are tempted to speak unpleasant words including those that can label your kid’s negative behavior, take a deep breath and instead, assure yourself that you have good kids.

You can actually share stories with your kids about how people think they are good, friendly and well behaved kids. From here, you can follow up by telling them about your expectations for them to behave wherever you may be going. [Read more…] about Effective Ways to Make Your Kids Behave in Public

Originally posted on April 26, 2013 @ 4:40 am

Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Safe for Toddlers

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Having toddlers at home can be a tough job for moms and dads. Parents need to be on their toes at all times and keep an eye on their little ones who may be exploring around the house without their knowledge.
safety at home
Reports say that injuries incurred at home are one of the major reasons kids aged 3 and below visit the hospital emergency room (ER). Also, death resulting from unintentional injuries at home affects almost 70 percent of kids aged 4 and under.

Constant supervision is key to avoiding kid-related injuries in the home. Making sure that certain areas of the house are free from hazards is very important.

Living Room and Bedrooms

In the living room and bedrooms, cover edges of tables with plastic corners. You may also use a foam rubber secured with a rubber band.
[Read more…] about Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Safe for Toddlers

Originally posted on January 22, 2013 @ 6:17 am

Tips to Make Potty Training a Fun Experience

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Admit it or not, many parents find potty training their kids quite a challenge. It can take years for some. Yes, it can get frustrating but with a little more patience and encouragement to your child, you’ll succeed in that aspect sooner than later.

Here are some fun ways you can do to ensure that your toddler gradually pees and poos on his own with no pressures from you.

The sticker chart may be ideal for girls. You can create a monthly chart sort of like a calendar and design it with your child’s favorite colors and cartoon characters. Then create or buy attractive stickers that she can put on the chart for every successful trip to the bathroom to pee or poo. This can make girls look forward to getting that sticker every time.

The coloring book is another incentive. Kids love to color so make sure you get a new coloring book with his favorite characters plus crayons. You can then encourage your child to color one page after every trip to the bathroom. That should give him or her the excitement every day.

You may also use books that can be read only inside the toilet. Make your child read his favorite book and then when he’s ready or when you see the signs, just take off the diaper and let him or her sit on the toilet bowl or his own toilet seat if you have one.

Another trick that works is to use a dye to the toilet water. Use the red or blue food coloring and let your child know that the color changes to green or orange when he or she pees or poos there. This will get the kid motivated to use the toilet seat.

Photo via parentdish.com

Originally posted on November 3, 2012 @ 5:20 am

More Fun Tips to Potty Train Your Toddler

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Parents should not overlook the value of rewarding a child if you’d like your kid to successfully learn to pee or poo by himself. Don’t consider it a burden but instead, have fun on your own so your child won’t feel the pressure.

So what incentives can you give your child? Sweets should not be forgotten. How about giving your kid a bite sized chocolate or some M&M’s when he or she gets out of the bathroom? Other rewards that you can give although not on a daily basis can be a trip to the park or a lollipop.

Using the doll that drinks and wets can be effective as well. The idea is to let your little girl take care of the doll and let her see how it pees after drinking. You can teach your child the importance of using the toilet seat or potty chair to urinate or to poo.

If you have a daughter, you can also make her excited to potty train every day by letting her decorate her own toilet seat. The stickers are the easiest art tools you can use because your child can easily stick her favorites on the different parts of her potty seat.
[Read more…] about More Fun Tips to Potty Train Your Toddler

Originally posted on November 12, 2012 @ 5:00 am

Workout Routines Ideal for Moms

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Are you a full-time mom raising a toddler or growing kid? Do you sometimes feel overworked? Do you also feel the need to exercise at least a few times each week?

Well, you’re not alone. Indeed parenting is such a tough job more so if you’re just starting a family. Any hands-on mom or dad can attest to this.

mom with carrier

Parenting requires not just a sound mind but most especially a fit body. It is only when you’re physically and emotionally healthy that you are able to take on the great responsibilities of raising a child into a useful and independent individual.

If you feel that you lack some exercise, take heart because unaware to you, there are already various daily chores that you do that help work out your body. Know what they are and what you can do more to allow you to do a little exercise.
[Read more…] about Workout Routines Ideal for Moms

Originally posted on January 31, 2013 @ 2:30 am