Parenting Blog

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Toddlers

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.
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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.
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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

Encouraging Toddlers to Go to School

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One of the major challenges a parent faces is encouraging a toddler to go to school. Remember this will be the first time your child will be separated from you for several hours hence, you have to prepare him or her for that by showing a good example.

Many parents have the jitters when their kid enters preschool. They have a lot of questions and apprehensions. But instead of entertaining these emotions, it’s best to focus on the positive. Develop an enthusiasm as you prepare your kid and his school supplies. This will help him or her develop a positive disposition and self confidence.

Talk to your child constantly about what school is all about and the other kids he or she will be meeting there. Be sure to inform your kid that a teacher or his second mother will be there to help them learn many things and that they need not be afraid if mom is not in the classroom.

Teach your child his full name so he or she learns how to say it when asked by the teacher. The kid may not be able to read yet but if you start putting labels in some of his stuff at home, he will slowly recognize it.
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Our Little Goth

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Baby Dracula
Our 2 year old boy is a mini goth. The strange thing is that our son looks absolutely angelic with a mop of light brown curls, milky skin, rosy round cheeks and a rosebud mouth – so it’s become somewhat of an ironic family joke.

His first word was “mask” – referring to the small collection of Balinese and Sri Lankan masks in my husband’s office, which I think terrified and fascinated him all at once. He’d always point at them and want to be carried up for a closer view, only to cling to us in terror (mock?) after he got a good look. Not one for Sesame Street, Barney or Thomas (unlike his 2 elder siblings) His went straight from Baby Einstein to Nightmare Before Christmas. Corpse Bride, Coraline…he just loves Tim Burton’s works, and can you guess what his all-time favorite song is? Not “The Wheels on the Bus” or “If You’re Happy and You Know it”…..but “Monster Mash”. Click here for his favourite version: Monster Mash. In fact, if he sees me on my laptop, he’ll crawl on my lap and say “watch Monster Mash” until I stop whatever I’m doing and log on to YouTube.

So you can imagine that Halloween came early to our house this year. The sheer delight on his face was precious as we unpacked our boxes of Halloween decorations and he pretty much took charge (directing his 8 and 5 year old siblings of course) of placing every pumpkin, ghoul or ghost in choice locations in and outside the house. “Its Halloween! Its Halloween!” he says excitedly every morning when he comes out of his bedroom and looks at our spider-webbed stairway and tall witch on the landing.

He’s also quite firmly told me that his costume is NOT going to be the Cat and the Hat his elder siblings both wore at his age. “I be Dracula, Mom”. Oh, and he has also demanded for his choice of Halloween cake several times a day, telling both me and his Daddy ” I want Dracula Cake”. It’s hard to say no with that angelic little face and his naturally affectionate disposition. So tonight, as I tucked him into bed (Jack Skellington stuffed toy in his arms), I just couldn’t resist but whisper that Mommy would indeed get him that Dracula cake for Halloween. Help!

Photo via nicandres

The Best Toys for a Toddler – Part 2

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Sorting and Nesting Toys: Toddlers love to sort, stack, unsort, unstack, and basically reorganize their lives. Sorting and nesting toys are great fun for those who are trying out their early problem-solving skills.

Climbing Gym: A tiny gym can give your toddler a safe place to climb, hide, slide, and practice all her emerging motor skills – over and over again. But these sets can also be pricey and are quickly outgrown.

Balls: Any ball that’s easy to grasp will be a hit with this group – underinflated beach balls, vinyl balls, cloth balls. Stay away from foam balls that could end up as a mouthful. This is the age at which you can introduce your child to “catch.” Start slowly – she’ll begin to get the back-and-forth rhythm with some practice.

Washable Crayons and Paper: Let the scribbling begin! Hand your toddler no more than a couple of crayons at a time – you don’t want to overwhelm her – and tape the paper to the floor so she can make her mark without dragging the paper along with her.

Ride-On Vehicles: This mode of self-locomotion may be even more popular than walking. Many small ride-on toys have models with handles for an adult to push when the child gets tired. Avoid the electronic versions – they’re expensive and take away from the fun of getting around under your own power.

Tool Bench or Toy Kitchen: Junior fix-it kids or aspiring chefs will get hours of play out of plastic or wooden models scaled to their size. Sets like these give a child a chance to emulate the things he sees adults doing, and they’ll continue to hold his interest for several months as his play gets more sophisticated.

Picture Books: Your toddler will enjoy more advanced picture books showing familiar objects and activities. She may also start to take pride in her own library and the chance to pick out a favorite for you to read.

The Best Toys for a Toddler – Part 1

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Chances are your toddler is really taking off these days – and as you chase his little body down the street, you may miss the days before he learned to use her legs so well. “Active” is an apt way to describe him now, and him likes any toy or game that allows him to throw his whole self into it – balls, swings, and tiny climbing sets, to name a few.

His hands are becoming more coordinated, too, and he can now use toy sorters more efficiently, build even greater block towers, and scribble a drawing. His play involves lots of experimentation, like “What happens if I drop this ball?” or “What happens if pull this lever?” He’s very interested in the consequences of her actions, and because his memory isn’t well developed she won’t tire of repetition. Toddlers also like to try out what they see adults doing, so look for toys that imitate daily life.

Large Building Bricks: These light cardboard bricks are big enough to stack up into a fort or wall, or any other way your toddler wants. But the most satisfying part of the process continues to be the finale – when the walls come tumbling down.

Push and Pull Toys: Heavily weighted push toys can give your beginner something to lean into as she motors around your home. Wagons can be ideal. Pull toys are for slightly advanced walkers who can look behind them as they move forward. Give them something to look at: Pull toys that flap, bobble, squeak, or in any other way make a scene are favorites.