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Addressing dressing can be particularly tough for Moms and adolescent daughters. What your teen wants (and will tell you everyone is wearing) may not be what you know is appropriate, or even up to school dress code. So, how do you avoid the great clothing wars?
Here are some quick tips for helping your daughter look and be her best:
Remember, clothing is an important part of a kid’s identity. Teen girls both want and need to discover who they are. Remind your daughter that modesty is never out of style for women with confidence and self-respect. To quote Wendy Shalit, author of A Return to Modesty, “Modesty is usually a reflection of self-worth, of having such a high opinion of yourself that you don’t need to boast or put your body on display for all to see…
www.parenting.org
You’re a stay-at-home mom who recently decided to reenter the workforce. While your world is turning upside down with change, your child’s reality is changing, too - quite dramatically! You may find that your son or daughter experiences separation anxiety upon facing your new schedule. But there is help. There are several things you can do to make the transition easier for your child, as well as your own state of mind:
While the transition from stay-at-home mom to leaving-home mom will still be difficult, these tips may help the process become one of closeness, caring and growth.
www.parenting.com
"If you hit your little sister one more time, I will slap you!"
Okay. You said it. Now what? If you follow through on the threat, you engage in exactly the same behavior you're trying to stop, and you will hurt your child.
What can you do if your toddler can't seem to stop hitting, jabbing, pushing or poking a younger sibling?
Monitoring whereaboutsA baby should never be left alone in any area where other young children - or pets - have unrestricted access to him or her.
Many parents choose to wear a sling that holds the baby close to them. The sling gives parents the freedom to move their arms and perform multiple tasks while still holding the baby. It also makes it difficult for a toddler to reach up and poke or prod.
Teaching appropriate touchHelp your child understand that babies need to be handled with care. You can teach your toddler gentle touch using a "pretend baby," such as a doll.
Teaching your toddler how to act around the baby may take several weeks. It is not a "one-and-done" learning experience. Use the doll to demonstrate good touching and playing behaviors. Practice with your toddler. When he or she consistently displays good behavior with the doll, reward your toddler with more supervised time with the baby.
Catch 'em being good"Baby bucks" can be a reward system for your toddler's good behavior. Each buck a child earns for good behavior can be turned in for a reward or treat, such as watching a video, getting a special snack, reading an extra bedtime story or spending more time with you and the baby.
The rewards should be directly linked to your toddler's behavior with the baby. Rewards and consequences (for bad behavior) should be significant and important to your child. As your toddler's behavior improves, you can reduce the rewards and focus on other behaviors he or she struggles with.
www.parenting.org
We cannot always protect our children from every possible threat, but we can help them feel more secure. One way to do this is by making a Ready-Steady Emergency Kit.
The purpose of the kit is to help children develop a sense of control and confidence in their world. Giving children a sense of security reduces their anxiety and can help them cope when the unexpected happens.
Preparing an emergency kit should be a family activity. A fun way to get everyone involved is by turning it into a game such as a treasure hunt. Here are a few ideas for getting started:
Once you've assembled the kit, hold a family meeting. This is when you should discuss a plan of action in case of an emergency. For example, go over what to do in the event of a house fire. Show your children multiple ways of exiting the home. Agree on a meeting place outside if everyone has to flee the house. This safe place could be a neighbor's home or the front yard.
You may need to make a chart for young children to help them understand where to go and how to know whether they should stay in the house or evacuate.
At the family meeting, tell your children what to do in case there are no adults around. Have a list of emergency phone numbers that include relatives and trusted friends. Be sure to include 911.
Talking to your children about what to do in an emergency is a good start. Practicing what to do is even better.
Emergency drillsOnce every month or so, practice your emergency plan. Use different sounds to alert the family about the type of emergency that's occurring. For example, a whistle means fire drill and a drum means tornado or weather-related drill.
Watch how your family responds. After the drill, have a family meeting to discuss how everyone remembered and performed the family's emergency action plan.
www.parenting.org
Pampers Kandoo Flushable Wipes & Foam Soap
Learning to wash hands and wipe properly are important parts of potty training. Kandoo products from Pampers help toddlers clean themselves better and faster, and the kid-friendly packaging means less waste. Kandoo flushable wipes pop up one at a time and are moistened to help kids get the job done right. Kandoo foam soap comes in a wide-bodied container that's easy for little hands to hold, and the big pump top dispenses just the right amount of foam for washing.
On-The-Go Travel Potty Chair
Toddlers usually get the urge to use the potty at inconvenient times, when a clean toilet isn't available. A travel potty chair allows toddlers to use the toilet whenever and wherever they feel the need, and can minimize the disruption to potty training that travel often brings. This travel potty chair folds for easier travel and has disposable, diaper-like absorbent liners that are easy to tie up and throw away when your child is finished using the chair. This is an inexpensive potty chair that many parents may find useful when they get the call from the back seat that it's time to go.
PODS Underwear Inserts
For toddlers who are ready to make the jump from diapers to underwear, PODS underwear inserts may be a great addition to your potty training product lineup. These adjustable inserts fit into a child's underwear and allow the child to feel any toilet accidents that may happen, yet they still absorb the mess. This product bridges a gap between diapers and just plain underwear. Toddlers in diapers can't feel potty accidents when they happen, while toddlers in underwear feel the accident and then need to be cleaned up by a parent. PODS can help toddlers realize how uncomfortable toilet training accidents are, with less mess for mom or dad.
Tinkle Toonz Musical Potty
Sometimes a little fun is all toddlers need to click with potty training. A musical potty is sure to elicit a few giggles and some additional interest in using the toilet. First manufactured in 1986, the Tinkle Toonz potty is said to work so well, the company even offers a money-back guarantee. The moisture-activated sensor in the bottom of this toddler potty plays many favorite children's songs as a reward for using the potty properly.
Corolle Emma & Paul Potty Training Dolls
Examples are a great way to reinforce potty training concepts for toddlers. What better example than a doll that drinks water and then uses the potty, just like your toddler? The Emma (girl) and Paul (boy) potty training dolls from Corolle are anatomically correct and come with a refillable water bottle and a doll-sized potty chair. Toddlers will enjoy playing with these dolls both on and off the potty!
Some students breeze through school. They find classes interesting, challenging and stimulating. They like to read independently and are often found scouring the shelves of libraries for new and exciting things to learn. They come home from school each day and sit down to do their homework without being asked. If they come across a word they don't understand, they find a dictionary and look up the word. If your child is one of these students, count your lucky stars because you are very lucky indeed! For a lot of parents, helping their children succeed in school can be a challenge. Many parents report that their child does one or more of the following:
Many of the problems that kids experience at school are related to their behavior rather than their academic abilities. For example, many children who do poorly in a course often don't do homework, prepare for tests or attend class regularly. They may be disruptive or inattentive in class, thereby missing much of the information that the other students are learning. More often than not, the most academically successful students are also the ones who behave well in class. Students who have positive social skills have a better chance of doing well academically.
There are several things parents can do at home to improve their children's school behavior and academic performance. Over the next few months, we will explore different strategies you can use to help your child be as successful as possible during the school year.
Abuse of dangerous drugs by children is widespread-not just marijuana, heroin and cocaine, but also alcohol, tobacco, anabolic steroids, and a variety of inhalants and stimulants, both over-the-counter and prescription.
Kids are offered drugs at an alarmingly early age. That's why it is imperative that you talk to your children about the dangers of drugs while they're still young. If your child is offered drugs, how do you think he or she would respond? Have you taught your child what to do in that type of situation?
Saying "No" is a skill you need to teach your child. The following five steps demonstrate how you can teach your child to refrain from possessing contraband or drugs. Tell your son or daughter the following:
The best course of action is prevention. Teaching your children that they have the power to say "No" is the first step. You must also be willing to talk often to your children about the dangers of drugs, keeping the communication lines open. Effective communication means that you're an active listener. Your children should know that they can talk to you about any subject, no matter how sensitive.
www.parenting.org
One of the most powerful teaching tools parents have is modeling the behavior they want children to learn. In character education, that means "walking the talk," or being the person of high integrity you're helping children to become.
You may be a good role model now, but remember, you don't have to be sick to get better. Everything you do, and don't do, sends a message to children about your values. Be sure your messages are about doing the right thing, even when it is hard to do. When you slip (and all of us do), act the way you want your children to behave when they make a mistake - be accountable, apologize sincerely and work to do better.
The following "Parents' Pledges" were developed by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition to help parents focus on specific behaviors they can model as part of their teaching. Perhaps they will be a source of inspiration for you.
A Parent's Pledge: Trustworthiness
I will be as honest as I want my children to be.
I won't lie to my children or in front of them.
I will not treat honesty as a rule of convenience by excusing acts of dishonesty or deception as exceptions.
I will avoid hypocrisy like preaching against smoking, drinking or drugs while doing those activities.
I will demonstrate consistently the strength of my moral convictions by paying whatever price necessary to do what I think is right, risking loss of money, approval and even employment.
I will treat my word as my bond in all cases.
I will avoid legalistic escape hatches in dealing with my children, honoring the spirit as well as the letter of my promises.
A Parent's Pledge: Respect
I will listen with respect and treat my children's views seriously.
I will avoid selfish and petty behavior and power plays, especially where my children are concerned.
I will exercise self-restraint and maintain the kind of self-discipline I expect from my children with respect to violence, yelling or other displays of temper.
I will use only the kind of language I want my children to use.
A Parent's Pledge: Responsibility
I will demonstrate a willingness to admit when I am wrong and to take my medicine, and expect the same from my children.
I will avoid shifting the blame and making excuses regarding my own shortcomings or mistakes, and expect the same from my children.
I will assign reasonable age-appropriate responsibilities to my children and see that there are meaningful consequences if they fail to perform their duties.
I will insist that my children keep their commitments at home, at school and in extracurricular activities.
A Parent's Pledge: Fairness
I will not resort to arbitrary power to get my way when I have taught that general rules of fairness are applicable.
I will treat all my children equally and fairly.
I will be open and reasonable to discussion and criticism.
A Parent's Pledge: Caring
I will remember that my children are stakeholders in everything I do.
I will demonstrate compassion and respect for others, especially my children.
I will be visibly charitable and involve my children in choosing charities to support.
I will not discount, belittle or trivialize my children's feelings and fears.
A Parent's Pledge: Citizenship
I will obey the law in all matters.
I will vote in all elections and perform other civic duties such as jury duty, testifying as a witness and reporting crimes as the opportunities arise.
I will conserve energy and avoid littering or other forms of pollution.Teach your child self-respect
Confident children are less likely to become victims. Teach your child how to use "self talk," which is a silent pep talk one can use when feeling picked on. The child should select something good about him- or herself and think about that during difficult moments.
Encourage friendships
There is strength in numbers. Encourage your child to walk down the hall, into the lunchroom, or out to recess with others. Bullies will quickly target a child who is alone. Your child should stay near others even if they are not close friends. Better yet, your child should make close friends and the children should protect one another.
Teach your child effective skills for making friends
Skills for making friends include how to share, compromise, change the topic to avoid conflict, apologize when appropriate, and use a diplomatic approach.
Build social skills
Problem-solve difficult social situations and practice diplomatic responses during the dinner hour. Something that has been practiced is easier to use when a difficult moment arises. Social skill groups are available in many schools today and books for both parents and children can be found in local libraries, and bookstores.
Stress the importance of body language
A submissive or victim stance may attract bullies. Your child should not have an intimidated, slouched appearance. Encourage your child to stand up straight and hold his or her head high. If a bully approaches, your child shouldn't freeze. It is best to walk away and join a group of children.
Do not encourage physically attacking the bully
Bullies are usually stronger or have better social-networking skills than their victims. More often than not, attacking bullies will provoke them to take revenge.
Let the school know your safety worries
Talk to the principal and teachers about your concerns.
Teach your child protective strategies
The following six strategies can help your child with bullies: Help, Assert yourself, Humor, Avoid, Self talk, Own it. These six strategies are easily remembered by children with the phrase "HA HA SO." Children are encouraged to imagine an invisible shield that drops over them with the letters HA HA SO on the shield. They can use these protective strategies and one or more can be chosen during a bullying situation.
H - Help. Get help. Find a friend or adult you can count on.
A - Assert yourself. Use an "I" statement to protect yourself. Say something like, "I like being different" or "I am sorry you don't want to get to know me better before you call me that."
H - Humor. Use humor. Do or say something funny or even something just plain outrageous to throw the bully off balance. For example, if called a "chicken," start walking like a chicken and flapping your arms.
A - Avoid. Stay away from bullies. If you notice a bully and can take another path across the playground, do that.
S - Self talk. Give yourself a silent pep talk, reminding yourself of positive things. For example, you might think of something like, "I may not be good at track, but I'm proud of how I play the clarinet."
O -Own it. If the put-down is about clothing or something you can change, just agree with the bully. Say something like, "Yeah, I don't like this sweater either. It sure is ugly, but I wore it because my aunt made it and she is visiting this week." (Caution your child not to use this technique for something inherent to the child, such as skin color or ethnic group.) If the put-down is about something you can't or don't want to change, hold your head high, own who you are with pride, and tell the other child you like being who you are.
www.parenting.org
As parents, we want our children to be honest, decent, caring individuals. Simply hoping our children will naturally acquire these skills is not enough. They must see what it means to be honest, courteous and generous. Afterall, children learn what they live.
You are the best person in your child's life to teach values and model positive behavior. Here are a few everyday situations that provide opportunities to shape your child's character.
* Household chores - If you ask your child to perform certain household duties such as taking out the trash or cleaning his or her bedroom, show your child how to do it (the behavioral steps) and clearly explain your expectations. When children know how to complete a task and take care of their personal belongings, they learn what it means to act responsibly.
* Nightly homework - Study time at home should be part of your child's weekly routine. Set clear expectations for completing homework (assignments must be done before watching TV or playing a game). When children do what they are supposed to do, even when they don't feel like doing it, they develop character.
* Meal time - Sitting around the dining table should involve much more than breaking bread. Whether you're reminiscing about your youth or your child is discussing the events of the day, family "table talk" is for sharing and relationship building. You'll be surprised at how many of the stories serve as metaphors about values, discipline and character. Point those lessons out to your children so they can relate true-life events to those abstract ideals.
As you see, the everyday moments of life offer opportunities for us to teach children positive values. However, all the teaching in the world can be undone if our kids watch us behave in ways that contradict everything we've said. If you want your children to learn honesty and sincerity, then be truthful and act kindly.
Source: Parenting
** This is an interesting article because it is all about how to teach your children a proper VALUES. It is necessary nowadays to teach our children about this so that they will be knowledgeable in all things. They must know the household chores so that they can help us in cleaning the house. We must also teach them that they have to study because it is their responsibility as a student. As a parents, we must teach them so that they will know how to apply Values in their lives. **
Home video games are extremely popular in this country. Over one third of American homes have computerized game systems connected to the television. With hundreds of selections available, video games are currently the most popular toy in our country. Portable video games are the latest option. Every day the number of 6- to 16-year-olds playing video games increases.
Video Games Versus Television
Compared to watching television, video games are a better form of entertainment because they are interactive. Your child's mind has to be turned on and working. The following are some potential benefits of playing video games.
Disadvantages of Video Games
The drawbacks of playing video games are similar to those of watching TV:
You need to be concerned if your child's grades fall, if he doesn't do his homework, if he doesn't get enough sleep, if he doesn't play outdoors, if he becomes a loner, or if he seems preoccupied with aggressive behavior as seen in a video game.
Take A Stand on Video Games
Don't expect your child to set his own limits on the amount of time he spends with this bewitching form of entertainment. You are responsible for your child's well-being and must set appropriate limits for him. If the rules are broken, deny your child access to the game for a day or more. Insist that homework and chores be completed before your child can play video games. Game time can even be used as an incentive for finishing these tasks properly.
Don't be surprised if your child is teary on the first days when you leave the day care provider. For the first week, your child may talk about not wanting to return. Remain firm in your decision and your child will gradually adapt to the change. Some children take as long as one or two months to adapt fully.
If your child becomes sick during the working day and you think he needs to see a physician, try to arrange for a late-afternoon appointment by calling before p.m.
Children with a sore throat, moderate cough, runny nose, or cold symptoms (but without a fever or breathing difficulties) can usually stay in or return to day care. The decision should be based mainly on how well your child feels. Children with fevers (over 100 degrees F, or 37.8 degrees C), chickenpox, vomiting, or diarrhea cannot stay in a regular day care setting. Children with a strep throat or an eye infection can usually return after 24 hours on an antibiotic. Many child care centers have their own rules about when a sick child must stay at home. You should become familiar with these rules.
The Decision to Work
The question of returning to work versus staying at home has no easy or correct answer. The decision is one that each mother must make based on her particular circumstances. Children can do well either way. The family's needs and financial security are the real considerations.
www.parenting.org
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Does your son need a strong ACT or SAT score to complement his high school grades? Does your daughter want to attend a selective college that requires her to excel in the classroom? Does your teen struggle to keep up with and understand assignments? Regardless of your teen's circumstance, a qualified tutor or academic coach can offer valuable experience and one-on-one attention. For a struggling student, an academic tutor can find where the problem began and begin to work from there. Some tutors specialize in test preparation and can help students perform better on exams such as the SAT and ACT. Here are a few considerations to remember if you're thinking about hiring a tutor…
A tutor, of course, cannot replace the love and attention that your teen needs from you. You should be actively involved in your teen's academic efforts. Continue to check homework assignments, review progress reports and attend parent-teacher conferences. Provide encouragement, and reward your teen for his or her effort.
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At one time or another, most teens find themselves in a bad friendship. Maybe the actions or words of a so-called friend make your teen uncomfortable or embarrassed. If you’re concerned your child may get involved in a bad relationship, share with him or her some of the warning signs.
Here are things your teen should watch out for:
The following books, from Girls and Boys Town, were written specifically for teens. They offer solid advice on everything from friendships to dating relationships.
Boundaries: A Guide for Teens… Invites young people to examine their lives and relationships, and has a journal format that encourages teens to jot down their thoughts and feelings.
A Good Friend… Offers easy-to-follow “people” skills, including how to get along with others, as well as concrete steps for overcoming shyness. Excellent for pre-teens.
What’s Right for Me… Includes stories of teens caught up in relationships that have spun out of control and practical strategies for getting help and avoiding unhealthy “friendships.”
Q Is it okay to travel by plane with a 2-week-old baby? I have to go out of state with my newborn, and I'm concerned about any risk this might pose to her. It will be a short flight — about 1 ½ hours long. Any advice?
A Generally, pediatricians advise mothers not to travel with a newborn during the first month. The main reasons for this precaution are that mom needs the postpartum rest and baby needs a stable environment to adjust to life after birth. However, it sounds as if you do need to travel, and your 2-week-old should certainly not be separated from you just yet. Assuming your baby is full-term and healthy, follow these tips for safe and comfortable travel:
Book the best seat. When making reservations, request an aisle seat as close to the front of the plane as possible. Aisle seats give you better mobility in case you have to get up and walk around to soothe your baby, and quicker access to your seat when boarding and de-planing. Tell the agent that you are traveling with a newborn, and request that, if possible, the seat next to you be left empty. Unless the flight is sold out, airlines will usually accommodate this request. If you are unable to pre-book a desirable seat, upon check-in ask the agent at the gate if a more suitable seat is available. Some parents have told me they prefer seats in the back rows, especially during long flights, since they have easier access to the bathrooms in the rear of the plane. On a flight that’s only an hour and a half long, however, easy bathroom access need not be a major concern. And, in my experience as a frequent flier, I have found that the noise level is highest toward the rear of some planes, a concern for sensitive little ears.
Wear your baby. Get your daughter used to a sling-type baby carrier, the most versatile carrier for traveling with a tiny baby. Slings enable you to carry baby in a variety of comfortable positions and to nurse discreetly. Also, sling carriers allow newborns to be covered up, which discourages strangers from bending over and touching them. Just before you board the plane, put your baby in the carrier and pace a while to lull her to sleep. Newborns are often easier to travel with than older babies because they sleep a lot. Chances are your daughter will sleep through the entire flight.
Pre-feed. Just before you board the plane, feed your baby, and be sure to burp her well. In some aircraft, the lower atmospheric pressure at cruising altitudes can expand the air in the intestines. Eating and sucking can add more air to already bloated intestines, causing colicky, abdominal pain. If you do need to feed your baby during the flight, offer smaller, more frequent feedings, and burp well.
Let sleeping babies lie. You may have heard that it's best to awaken and feed your baby upon takeoff and landing in order to relax her ears. The theory behind this advice is that changes in cabin pressure can cause unequal pressure on the eardrum, producing pain. If your baby's eustachian tubes are popped open, as they are during feeding or crying (or, in adults, yawning and chewing), the pressure will be equalized and the eardrums will relax. Also, there is a belief that eustachian tubes may not normally adjust to changing pressure during sleep. In reality, ear pain is seldom a problem upon takeoff, though it may be a problem upon landing. In any case, seasoned travelers with infants have found that it's usually best to let a baby sleep during takeoff and landing rather than upsetting her by waking her.
"Hose the nose." Tiny air passages and dry cabin air are not a comfortable mix. Take along some over-the-counter saltwater nasal spray for your baby. A couple times during the flight, gently spritz a spray into each nostril.
How can I help my child calm those first-day nerves?
All kids have to go to school eventually, and though it might seem as hard for you as for your child, it won't take long for you both to adjust. To smooth the transition:
1. Get phone numbers for a few kids who'll be in your child's class — a strategic playdate before or in the first week of school can help her feel less alone in the classroom.
2. Never underestimate the power of a lunchtime note with a lipstick kiss or a little drawing.
3. There are a slew of smart, funny books that'll help demystify the whole thing. Two of our faves: Mouse's First Day of School (Simon & Schuster) and First Day Jitters (Charlesbridge Publishing).
I want my daughter goes to school when she is ready. Maybe if she is 4 years old she can go to school. She is 2 years and a half now and so maybe after 2 years she can go to school. But it depends upon her because I don't want to force her. I'm teaching her right now about counting numbers, the alphabet and identifying objects. She can easily understand and familiarize those objects.
How to teach simple body mechanics
As kids become more aware of their bodies — from hearing strange grumblings in their tummies to seeing blood from a cut — their fascination grows. And by 4, most are good at imagining things they can't see, so they're able to grasp that there's a whole world going on inside them, says Vir- ginia Shiller, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist with the Yale Child Study Center, in New Haven, CT. Try these hands-on anatomy lessons at home:
Listen to the beat. Place your child's hand over her heart, so she can feel it working. Then, have her run around outside for a few minutes and put her hand on her chest again so she can feel how much faster her heart beats when she's active.
Breathe deeply. Together, lie on your backs and place stuffed animals on your bellies. Watch them rise and fall with your breaths.
Bone up. Sit on the floor, curve your back, and hug your knees to your chest. Have your child feel the small bones in your spine and compare them with the long bones in your arms and legs. Help her feel her ribs curving around her chest.
Loosen up. Have her hold one end of a large rubber band while you pull the other end to explain that muscles stretch. Then, you can both reach for your toes and feel your muscles work.
It won't do your unborn baby any good if you are stressed out and worried all the time.
Pregnancy is a time of great expectations, but also of great emotional changes. Dramatic changes in one's body, hormonal fluctuations, changes in roles and routines are all a normal part of pregnancy, but are also causes added stress. Too much stress can affect the mother's health: she may eat less or eat the wrong kinds of food, not get enough rest and sleep, and have a more difficult labor. The mother's stress affects the body too-- via stress hormones that the mother's body releases in her bloodstream, which can enter the prenatal environment of the baby. Studies have shown that babies who are born to stressed-out moms grow up to be more prone to depression, aggression and other bahavioral problems.
Here are ways to stay positive and happy while carrying that precious bundle under your heart.
Setting limits for trendy tweens
Is your tween constantly clamoring for a Bratz doll, or a Nano, or whatever hot, new thing all her friends have (or so she says)? Don't despair: An obsession with trends isn't all bad. "It helps tweens identify with their peer group, which is part of a healthy separation from their parents," says Susan Bartell, a psychologist based in Port Washington, NY.
But setting limits is important, too. To do that:
Let her fund 'em. Have your child save her allowance or do extra chores to earn money for things she really wants, or at least ask her to chip in. She'll be choosier about what she buys if she's using her own cash.
Say no — and explain why. Veto anything your child wants to buy if you think it's inappropriate (say, low-rise jeans), even if she's saved for it. Just explain your rationale so she knows you're taking her seriously. If you're curbing your spending because you're trying to save for college or mortgage payments, let her know that, too.
Be a good example. If you buy yourself the hippest items the minute they hit the stores, it'll be hard to teach your child not to do the same. Moms with less willpower might show their kids a once-trendy, now-tacky purchase they've made (that Juicy Couture sweat suit?) as a cautionary tale.
www.parenting.com
If you hear an echo after everything you say, it's probably not sleep deprivation taking its toll — it's your toddler.
At around age 2, when kids talk, but not in sentences, they'll often repeat a word or phrase you've just used. You say, "Let's go outside," and your little echo says, "Outside!"
Kids do this in order to connect and learn, says Stefanie Powers, a child-development specialist at Zero to Three, in Washington, DC. Echoing helps them build vocabulary, figure out how to jump from single words to sentences, and get a handle on how and when we talk to each other.
The echoing will fade in six months to a year as your child's command of language grows.
In the meantime:
Use precise words. Expand your child's vocabulary by saying "What a sunny day" instead of just "What a nice day."
Point to objects you name. This reinforces the connection between words and meanings.
Expand on the echo. If you ask, "Do you want more juice?" and he says, "More juice," say, "Okay, let's have more apple juice."
Because echoing can be a symptom of autism, talk to your pediatrician if your child doesn't seem to be trying to communicate with you.
www.parenting.com
The giddy feeling kids get around age 8 or so — for anyone from a peer to a pop star — is actually an important milestone: It shows they're learning about types of love that go beyond the emotions they have for family, says Glenn Joseph Kashurba, M.D., a Somerset, PA–based adolescent psychiatrist. They may seem intense, but crushes are usually innocent and fleeting. To help your child (and you) navigate puppy love:
Stay cool. Let her explain what "dating" and "boyfriend" mean to her. You may find that what she's thinking is less serious than what you're imagining.
Don't badger. Your child may not want to talk about the object of her affection, and that's okay. If she does share details, listen without lecturing. She may not confide in you again if you criticize her or poke fun!
Set limits on dates. You might say, "It's great that you and Jimmy get along, but you're too young to hang out alone. Why don't I take a group of you to the movies?"
Try a little empathy. Share a story about crushes you had and tell her that whatever happens, from first date to heartache, she'll live to tell the tale.
Your pregnancy sex questions answered.
There is a lot of information available about sex before pregnancy (that is, having sex in order to conceive) and sex when the baby is already there.
However, very few literature deal with the topic of sex during pregnancy, most likely because our culture seems to dictate that sex should be the last thing on any expectant mother's mind. But on the contrary, it is pregnant women (probably more than anyone else) who are most in need of their partner's love and affection during this delicate stage in their lives.
Apart from some exceptions, rest assured you and your partner can still have (and enjoy) sex even while you are expecting. Of course, it is expected that there will be adjustments along the way. Note that we say "adjustments," not "sacrifices," because while things may not be the same as they were before you get pregnant, it does not mean they are any worse.
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding sex during pregnancy, as answered by OB-Gynecologist.
Q: Is it safe to have sexual intercourse during pregnancy?
A: Yes. Unless your OB-Gynecologist says otherwise, it is safe to make love as often as you want until before the last four weeks or so of pregnancy.
Q: When is sexual intercourse not safe?
A: Sex should be avoided when you have:
When should my child move to a bed?
“Generally a child transitions to a bed when parents need the crib for a sibling or when the child can climb out of the crib,” says Lynn Wegner, M.D., chairwoman of the Section of Development and Behavior for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP suggests children who are 35 inches tall move to a bed.
What kind of bed should my child use?
“Young children should have a firmly supportive sleeping surface; the size of the mattress doesn’t really matter, “ says Wegner. “It could rest on the floor if you’re concerned about the child rolling out of the bed.” You can also use detachable soft-sided bed rails until you’re sure your child won’t fall. Safety experts recommend that children younger than 6 years avoid sleeping on the top bunk of a bunk bed.
How can I ensure my child’s safety?
“ The floor around the bed should be completely free of toys and other objects,” Wegner says. Childproofing is key. The AAP says you shouldn’t put the bed under a window even if have a window guards. A safety gate at the bedroom door may head off wandering.
How can I help my child adjust?
Talk about your plans with your child first. If a new sibling will need the crib, Wegner suggests you make the move several weeks before the baby comes home. Be tolerant if the child needs more attention or ritual in the nightly routine—an extra bedtime story, for instance—or wakes up during the night. “This should only be a temporary situation,” she says. A child who gets out of bed may have to be firmly (and consistently) returned.
Keeping your preschooler out of your bed
Many kids make a beeline for Mom and Dad's bed when they get scared or lonely at night. Trouble is, it's hard to return them to their own rooms. The good news: Preschoolers are capable of reason. A five-step action plan for talking your child back into her bed:
1. Pick a night to start (try a weekend, which is more flexible). Tell your child during the day that she's to stay in her bed that night; explain that kids her age sleep in their own room. To give her incentive, make a chart and promise her a sticker for each night she does.
2. Follow your normal nightly ritual (or create one). Give your child a bath, read together, and tuck her in — routines make kids feel safe and secure. As you tuck her in, remind her to stay put, and say how proud of her you'll be when she does.
3. Give her something of yours to sleep with, like a pillow or clothing item.
4. Hold firm. If she comes into your room (and she probably will), gently guide her back to bed. If she really seems upset, stand in her doorway for a few minutes before returning to your room. You may have to do this several times. Keep your eyes on the prize!
5. Celebrate. In the morning, make a big deal out of her sleeping alone. Then, repeat: A few nights of this should do the trick.
Q I'm still breastfeeding my 15-month-old, and I'd like to continue for a little while longer. The problem is, she's started biting me while nursing! It's making what was once a great mother-daughter experience pretty unpleasant. Any suggestions on how to deter my daughter from her newfound bad habit?
A During teething time, babies will gnaw on anything -- including a mother’s nipples! Don’t let this annoying habit lead you to wean your baby sooner than she is ready. According to many studies, the longer a baby is breastfed, the smarter and healthier she will be. The following tips will help discourage your baby's inclination to nibble — and lessen the pain when she does — so you both can extend, and enjoy, your nursing relationship.
Say "ouch!" When it hurts, say so. Your reaction may take your baby by surprise, causing her to promptly stop biting. When used on a younger baby — say, 9 months — an exaggerated startle response can lead to the baby weaning prematurely. At 15 months, however, your baby is probably old enough to understand your emotional reaction without being driven to stop nursing.
Try a counterintuitive trick. When your baby bites, the natural reaction is to pull her away from the nipple. Instead, pull her more tightly against your breast. This buries her nose temporarily in the breast, causing her to open her mouth to breathe. When she releases the biting pressure, immediately resume your normal nursing. Eventually, she'll associate biting with this unpleasant buried-in-the-breast experience.
Protect your nipple. Keep a finger near the corner of her mouth while your baby nurses. Instead of yanking and yelling when she clamps down, work your index finger between your baby's gums and gently pry her jaws apart. Hook the end of your finger around the nipple to protect it as you withdraw it from baby's mouth.
Go with knuckle-gnawing. As soon as she starts biting, immediately stop nursing and let her gnaw on your knuckle instead. This nipple-saving trick works especially well if your baby is experiencing gum pain during teething.
Use the pull off and put down technique. When she bites, immediately pry her off the breast and put her down. Don't do this in a punitive way, but rather matter-of-factly. You want her to make the connection: biting while nursing equals an end to nursing for now.
Try the jaw pull-down. As soon as she starts biting, take your index finger of your free hand, place it just below her lower lip, and gently press down on her chin. This will greatly lessen the biting pressure.
Source: Parenting
Kyla is riding on a animal-go-round in the mall.
TO BECOME A TUTOR
- is like taking care of another child as an extension
- is like studying again
- is like having long patience to your students
- is like creating unique style of teaching for them to understand
- is like having time and effort for them to understand their lesson
- is like a teacher..must know their lessons well..has responsibility..
Tutor really helps the children who needs attention to their academic activities..
This picture taken during the Dedication of my child Kyla, September 2005. She was with her Uncle Bogy, my brother. The reception was at Dencias. I invited 30 people only including her god father and god mother. She was still 6 months old here. Her face is so round. I have a baby picture look like her. She looks like me!
I want my child to smell good every time we go to the malls, church and anywhere. I use JOHNSON's baby cologne because the fragrant is good. I want her smell like a baby. My hubby always kiss her and will smell her. She knows that if we use cologne we will going somewhere. She is so smart.
Mix ingredients together. Freeze in small paper cups. Serve partially defrosted. Children love this nutritious treat!
Source: The Labor of Love
* It sounds easy to prepare for my daughter Kyla. I will try serving this Frozen Fruit so that she can taste other fruits like strawberries, pineapple and oranges. She only eat bananas and apple. I tease here she is like a monkey because she eat bananas a lot. Amazingly, she can eat 3 pieces of bananas a day.:> *
The Vitamin C in fresh fruits has greater bioavailability than the Vitamin C that is added to fortified juices. Give your baby fresh fruits to help meet Vitamin C requirements; juices should never be considered an appropriate source of or a supplement for, fresh Vitamin C!
* If you decide to offer fruit juice as a "drink" try waiting until baby is at least 8 months old!
**Offering juice as a constipation remedy is acceptable as young as 4 months old with the consult of your pediatrician**
* Giving your baby water as a first "beverage" instead of juice will be healthier in the long run!
* Always dilute any juice that is offered to babies and toddlers. We recommend diluting 75% water to 25% juice. Keep diluting for as long as possible!
* Juice should never ever be offered in a baby bottle! Juice in a bottle is a major cause of dental problems. Also, never allow your baby or toddler to drink from a sippy cup of juice throughout the day!
Sources: Wholesome Baby Food
When I saw this picture on the net. I remember my child because I train her in using potty when she was 1 year. I bought her a little potty and it really helps her to avoid bed wetting. After that I never put her a diaper on the evening because she will wake up in midnight to urinate. She will say I want to "Popo" on my potty. I'm so happy because she can easily caught up what I wanted her to do. It's for her own good.
I use PAMPERS diaper for my daughter when she was a baby. I like it because it fits her and no leaking at all. I let her use a diaper in the evening only to prevent her from having UTI- Urinary Tract Infection because she is a girl. I let her use clothes diaper in the morning. I also put her a diaper when we will be going on the mall or anywhere.
I like this photo. My friend Cherry made this.
They were Dianne, Love-Love and Gio. They were brothers and sisters. They are close to my hubby because their mom was a co-worker of my hubby last 4 years ago. They were close to each other. Sometimes Dianne and Love-Love will take care of my daughter when I am in a choir practice. My daughter is close to them. They are God-fearing child and so loving to their parents.
This picture taken almost 2 years ago. My hubby wants to have a baby boy and so all of the little boys in our church were close to him. They are Carlo and Jun-Jun. If you see them now they are grown up kid. Carlo is tall and big. Jun-Jun is still small in height but he goes to school now. You cannot imagine that really years come and by. You cannot notice it. As I have observed the children now were smart. Their generation were advanced in thinking.
When I first saw youI remember this action song entitled "With Christ in my Vessel" is a really a joyous song to all of not only to the children. The lyrics goes like this..
With Christ in my vessel 
I use Johnson's Baby Powder for my daughter Kyla. I like it because of it's unique fragrance and it softens your skin. Kyla sometimes put a powder on her face and she may look like a white lady. She said I'm beautiful mom and so I told her to come and see yourself on the mirror. She hurriedly went into the mirror and she laugh at herself. She wants to do everything she see on us. She is a keen observer child, so smart baby!
My one studs came here in my mother's house to ask help from me because he has a project that need to be pass tomorrow. I help him by searching on the net.
He plays with my daughter Kyla. My child entertain her and so they play and laugh. They chased each other. They are having fun. He has no younger sister but he has a younger brother. His mother told me that he wants a little sister. They are planning to have a baby this year but her husband died last year. He has a cancer. My poor studs loose their father at younger age. This month is the 1st year Death Anniversary of their father. I pity on them but I know God has a purpose why this things happen to them.
I found this video on youtube.com. The little girl has tantrums. I thank God my daughter is not like that. She will cry when sometimes she is sleepy or not in the mood but I can control her. She will listen to me when I said stop crying and I'll ask her what she wants.
Every time I went to the mall I usually looked for Kyla's shoes. There's so many beautiful shoes to choose on the mall with different designs of shoes. Some are cheap and some are expensive depending on the brand. But I am not brand conscious. I choose shoes that are durable and can be use long lasting even if it is expensive. We must be wise in choosing our shoes.
To become a parents is like a teacher because it’s your responsibilities to teach them what is right and wrong.
To become a parents is to be a bestfriend of your child for them to become comfortable to share their secrets and for them to trust you.
To become a parents is a punisher because you are obliged to punish them if they commit mistakes for them to learn from their mistakes. But after that we must talk and expalin to them why we punish them.
P - Prepare yourself to be a good example to them.
A - Allow them to experience something new in their life and from that experience they learned.
R - Replace love to their mistakes because they are human,can commit sin.
E - Endulge them to serve God for them to be godly and god-fearing child.
N - Never say “YES” to their wants so that they will not be spoiled.
T - Tell them the truth in every question they ask.
OK, the older kids are back in school and you’re at home alone with your toddler, who is demanding your 100-percent attention and entertainment.
Oh the ecstasy! Finally you and your youngest child get some time alone.
Oh the agony! What are you going to do all day with this nonstop bundle of energy?!
Here are some tips for keeping both of you happy. Along the way, you may even do something more constructive than screaming and pulling out your hair. Namely, helping your toddler develop all those social, emotional and cognitive skills that you somehow had all the time in the world for with your oldest, but never seem to get around to doing with your younger one. Spending the day with your toddler might also give you greater appreciation for your older children for all the time they spent entertaining their younger siblings. Maybe they weren’t actually fighting and fussing all the time!
1. Younger siblings have a built-up need to be in charge. So play games that let them have a turn being the boss, such as “Follow the Leader” or “Simon Says.” Finally, they get a chance to be the boss of the blocks, and a chance to show off to you what they can build on their own. Best of all, they can knock down their block tower on their own timetable, without any “help” from an older sibling.
2. It’s a challenge to find games and activities suitable for different-aged kids. Older ones complain that toddler games are too babyish, and toddlers struggle to keep up in the big-kid games. So here’s your chance to play games that are too babyish for the older kids, but just right for your toddler. For example, spend time looking in a mirror together – add some face paint to your toddler’s cheek and notice how he or she plays with the concept of “who’s that in the mirror – is that me or another child?” Does she touch her own cheek or the cheek of the toddler in the mirror?
3. Sing and dance around the house to your favorite music. Freeze dancing is especially fun – every time you dance by the stereo, pause the music and freeze like a statue. Soon your toddler will try to freeze also. Anything with frequent stops and starts is great for building up a child’s patience and frustration tolerance. “Ring Around the Rosie” and “
4. Young children still like to help around the house; it makes them feel big, even after older kids “catch on” that you’re making them do housework! So let them help you sweep, dust, cook and straighten up. Don’t worry about their end results, just focus on having fun together.
5. Bring out the thick crayons and fingerpaints. Encourage any scribbles your toddler makes – remember that scribbling is the first step to drawing, just like babbling is the first step to speaking. Speaking of first steps, you can also encourage your toddler’s earliest efforts at fantasy play. If she offers you a block, pretend it is a cookie and take a “bite.” If she signals that she is hungry, try offering her a pretend snack first. (Of course, if she really wants to eat and not play make-believe, get out the real snacks!)
6. Set a timer for 15 minutes and play a game that your toddler loves, but you dread playing. For some parents that means joining their son in a rousing game of flinging action figures down the stairs. For me, it meant dressing up dolls; I hated that dress-up game! It was so boring – not to mention sexist. How could my daughter want to spend her days playing such a dull game? I fought against playing it, but then one time I decided to set a timer and – for 15 minutes – be extra enthusiastic about dressing up Ariel the Little Mermaid. My daughter and I had a great time! All it took was my being enthusiastic instead of dreading it, and that let her relax and make the game more creative.
7. Some toddlers really miss their older siblings when they head off to school or preschool. You can work together on a Welcome Home banner, a drawing and note to send to school with them the next day, or a special obstacle course to challenge them when they get home.
8. “Hide and Seek” is a game that has very different rules for toddlers and for older kids, so it’s fun to play when the big kids are off at school. For toddlers, of course, you make it much easier for them to find you, and you don’t tease them when they think they are hiding by closing their eyes, or when they announce where they are as soon as you start looking.
9. Games and activities that involve knowledge or surprises are great to do with toddlers after the big kids go to school – since it’s just too tempting for older ones to give away the surprises or the answers. Some examples are simple counting games, naming the parts of the body, guessing games and simple science experiments. (What will happen when we put this water in the freezer? … When we leave this ice on the counter? … When we let the bread dough sit for a few hours?) Without an older sibling spoiling the surprise, you’ll give your toddler the gift of a sense of wonder and discovery.
10. Rough and tumble play can be unsafe with kids of different ages and sizes, if the older ones don’t hold back their strength. When you are one-on-one with the smaller one, you can make sure that this type of active play is safe and fun. My favorite game is to have a toddler try hard to push me over, and then I fly over because they are “so strong.” Another favorite is the sock game, where you get on the floor with socks on your feet (no shoes), and each person tries to get the other person’s socks off while keeping their own on. As with all kinds of playful wrestling and active play, make sure that you let the child build confidence by not overpowering them.
Once you’re done playing all these exciting games, don’t forget the downtime. Second (or third) kids don’t get talked to, read to or sung to as much as their oldest siblings, so now is a good time to catch up with those quiet ways of bonding.
www.parenthood.com
Squash & Rice "Soup"
1 cup cooked mashed butternut squash (works well with pumpkin too!)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cooked brown rice
dollop whole milk yogurt <optional>
Mash squash with the water in a food processor or blender and slowly mix in the brown rice.
Process to a conistency that your baby enjoys and can handle then stir in the yogurt
Source: Wholesome Baby Food
I introduced CERELAC to my baby when she was 3 months old. She love the taste. She can eat more. She enjoy eating it because it has different flavors to taste. She is chubby when she is a baby because she eat a lot. :>
Not everyone welcome’s the stork’s arrival with open arms. Young siblings are often apprehensive about a new baby joining the family fold and worry that they’ll go from being the star of the show to playing second fiddle. Signs that your child is jealous (or even resentful) of the new baby include: • Thumb-sucking • Avoiding contact with the baby • Verbal rejection • Regression in toilet training • Food spills • Wanting the baby’s bottle • Playing alone • Resisting bedtime • Temper tantrums • Hitting • Biting • Abuse of pets Source: Parenthood
• Clinging
Fortunately, there is much you can do to help prepare your older child for the arrival of a new baby
This day we sleep at my mother's house because it rains. My daughter wants to go home and I said to her it's raining we can't go home. She reply "Mama, we will use the umbrella". She reasons out! She is a big girl because she can understand what she says. I just said "Okay, later we will go home if the rain will stop, better sleep there". She sleep..:)
I am surfing on the net to find a dress for my daughter Kyla. I want to find one for her to use on her birthday. She will be celebrating her 3rd birthday next year on March 20..I want her to dress like a princess. I found this dress.
I like it! Maybe I will copy this design or maybe I'll find one at the malls. It's simple but nice and elegant to look..
Parents and educators want children to. . . Working together, parents and educators can do a lot to facilitate the development of these important life skills. Teaching Strategies is committed to providing quality tools to help you meet the needs of children and families. We understand how critical the first three years of a child's life are to ensuring healthy development. Research shows that programs succeed when they partner with families. Source: Teaching Strategies
Umbilical cord stump
After your baby is born, his umbilical cord will be clamped and cut close to the body in a painless procedure, leaving an umbilical stump. The stump should be kept as clean and dry as possible for the 10 to 21 days it generally takes to dry up and fall off, leaving a slightly raw belly button that may take a few more days to fully heal. (When the stump falls off, you may detect a little blood on the diaper, which is normal.)
Fold your baby's diaper below the stump so it's exposed to the air and not to urine. Avoid tub baths until the stump falls off. In warm weather it's best to dress a newborn in just a diaper and loose T-shirt to let air circulate and aid the drying process. Avoid bodysuit-style undershirts until the stump falls off.
As for the time-honored practice of swabbing the stump with rubbing alcohol, the waters have become murky. For at-home care, healthcare practitioners have long recommended cleaning off the base of the stump with a cotton swab or gauze pad dipped in a little bit of rubbing alcohol once or twice a day. Many doctors still support that practice, but others now suggest that it's more effective to let the cord dry naturally.
If you're not sure what to do, talk to your child's pediatrician (not a bad question to ask at the initial interview). Symptoms of infection (though rare) include swelling or redness, pus at the base of the stump, and fever.
Source: Baby Center
Cradle cap
It's not pretty to look at, but cradle cap is a harmless scalp condition common in newborns. Your baby may have a mild case of flaky, dry skin that looks like dandruff, or a more severe case marked by thick, oily, yellowish, scaling, or crusting patches.
Cradle cap can appear anytime between two weeks and three months after birth and usually clears up on its own after several months. It's usually not problem after about 6 or 7 months of age.
Cradle cap results when oil-producing sebaceous glands produce too much oil, which turns into oily patches and then dries and flakes off. Many experts think the extra hormones that a mother produces and passes to her child during childbirth cause the oil glands to act up. When the hormones in your baby's body level out after the early months, the condition will go away.
The best way to remove the scales is to rub mild vegetable or olive oil into your baby's scalp a couple of times a week, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then gently comb out the flakes. Then wash your child's hair with a gentle baby shampoo.
Some doctors recommend leaving baby shampoo on your child's head for about 20 minutes (or as long as your baby can stand it) and then massaging the scalp with a soft toothbrush. Cradle cap will eventually go away on its own, but consult a pediatrician if the condition persists, gets worse, or spreads. She may prescribe a medicated shampoo or cortisone cream.
Source: Baby Center
He's probably just getting the hang of feeding. And he's not alone: About 40 percent of young babies spit up regularly. The peak age for spitting up is 4 months.
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