Parenting Information
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Non-Violent Educational Toys

The key to choosing the right toy for your child is in developing on their strengths and learning style. When choosing the proper educational toys for our child's development, some of the first questions we need to ask is, Are they non-violent? and, Do they send the proper message? Unfortunately . . .

Thrifty (but Unique) Holiday Gift Ideas for Young Children

It’s December, and as the holiday season drew closer, you found your preschooler saying this to you, “Mom, I want this and that toy …My friend is going to get those from his mom. ” When you went and checked the price online, you were shocked with the price. You couldn’t believe that a child toy. . .

Learning To Understand And Live With ADHD

Helpful Hints On How To Manage Your Childs ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can afflict children. People suffering from ADHD have symptoms such as: 1) They have a low level of concentration and a very poor attention span. 2) Their memorizing powers are low . . .

Pieces of Time and Pivotal Moments

Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal moments. Sometimes these moments have immediate impact. Other times, they are slow to manifest and reveal their importance. But if you listen closely to the soft whispers of life, they will guide you on an unexpected journey filled with . . .

Family Life or How to Buy: Chair for a New Baby

Even if your baby is just weeks old now, you'll soon see how amazingly quickly she develops. Most expected parents want to buy their new baby the world.But you don't need to spend a lot of money.Before you blow the budget check out online sources for reviews and recommendation and then selectivel. . .

Parenting Strategy, One of the Worst Ever!

Some parents rush to serve every squeak and squawk from their kids. "I can't let my child feel pain!" said one dad. Parents, if you are giving way too much, find out why your parenting strategy may be one of the worst strategies ever. I remember counseling with a teenager and her mom. The young g. . .

When Parents Disagree

Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting would be easier if you didn't have to make family decisions? Having a partner that is not in agreement with your parenting ideas or discipline approaches is more than just frustrating. It can be a cause of division in even the best of rela. . .

Pay Attention! It's Your Most Important Job

Anyone can become a parent; there are no tests or interviews to pass. Children can become parents, mentally disabled people – it’s even possible to become a parent while in a coma! When my mother, who is a truly great parent still, became a mom the first time, she was 19 and had very little exp. . .

Stop Lying NOW

Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying to you, even though he or she is normally a “good” child? Sometimes the lies are even about things that don’t really matter or your child continues to lie in the face of overwhelming proof to the contrary?It is my firm belief that we will not. . .

Fun In The Kitchen - Age-Appropriate Activities Your Children Can Do

1 Year Olds grab the rolling pin and let your toddler roll it across the floor wooden spoons are great for increasing your 1 year olds hand coordination (and they make great sounds too!) let your toddler play with the lids from your pots. It's like they have started their own little band!2 Year. . .

Bath Time Fun

Bath time can be fun or it can be a real hassle if your child is afraid or don’t like it. So we as mothers try to make it a fun time for our little ones! Then the problem will be getting them out!Color ItBubble bath can be irritating to little ones causing urinary track infections, yeast infectio. . .

How To Purchase A Mural Online For Your Child

So you are thinking of having a mural installed or painted in your child's room? What a perfect addition to your little one's room. A mural is a beautiful gift to give to any child. I have a mural in each of my 3 children's bedrooms and I can't tell you how much joy it has brought to them over th. . .

Validating vs. Indulging Children’s Feelings

I grew up at a time when children’s feelings were not important. I was supposed to go along with the program without complaint, regardless of how I felt. If I was upset about something, my mother generally responded with, “Don’t be ridiculous,” while my father just ignored me. Many of my counseli. . .

What To Do When Your Baby Won’t Wear Clothes!

A lot of time and energy goes into clothing your baby during the first year. From the color debate, to the rapid speed at which most infants outgrow their clothing, new parents have their plates full with keeping their babies clean, comfortable and clothed. So what do you do when all of a sudden,. . .

Modern Baby Swimwear

Are you ready for some summer fun with your baby? Doctors and health professionals agree that there is no reason that even newborns as young as one month old can’t go in the pool (the old school thought that parents should wait until babies have at least had their two-month immunizations no longe. . .

Parenting - The Irrational Vocation

There are some grounds to assume that a cognitive dissonance is involved in feeling that children are more a satisfaction than a nuisance. Why do people bother with parenting? It is time consuming, exhausting, strains otherwise pleasurable and tranquil relationships to their limits. Still, humani. . .

A Minute Can Turn into Hours for the Child of a Work-at-Home Mom

In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But in reality, it's difficult to balance the needs of your family with the needs of your clients.Phones, fax machines and e-mails have no common courtesy, nor does your client really care about your personal situation. You are simply a means to a. . .

Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, How Educational Are They?

Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much of this terminology is sales promotion and jargon, and how much is fact?As an educator for many years, I can say with authority, that there is educational value in all types of jigsaw puzzles. The skills acquired and practiced. . .

What Can We Do To Reduce Bullying?

(NC)-According to Family Services Canada, approximately 12% of children are bullies. Additional research confirms that bullying occurs frequently: once every seven minutes on the playground and once every twenty-five minutes in class (Craig and Pepler, 1997).To reduce and prevent bullying, it is . . .

Concerta: Benefits and Side Effects

A number of ADHD medications are hitting the market, joining the old Ritalin standby. Concerta, in its relatively short existence, has already grabbed a sizeable portion of the ADHD medication market share. Although Concerta offers a number of advantages over the older ADHD medications, it also h. . .

How To Deal With Toddler Temper Tantrums

It's one of the few things your child can do that will make your cringe. A high-pitched, eardrum shattering, teeth grinding scream that goes on and on and on. Sometimes to the accompaniment of heels beating on the floor, or fists on the wall. You may have to duck as the toys start flying, beca. . .

Awesome Dad's Top Ten Ways To Be The Foundation of Your Family

Part of the responsibility of being a father is to establish a strong foundation for the family. Just like a building foundation, much of this work goes unseen and rarely gets acknowledged, yet the strength and integrity of the entire structure relies on it. The following intentions, although not. . .

Special Occasion Baby Wear

Finding special suits for baptisms, christenings, and other ceremoniesReligious ceremonies, celebrations, and occasions are a big part of a newborn baby’s life in many families. Naming ceremonies, christenings, baptisms, and dedications ceremonies carry a degree of importance in the lives of foll. . .

How To Stop Bullying

(NC)—According to Family Services Canada, approximately 12% of children are bullies. Additional research confirms that bullying occurs frequently: once every seven minutes on the playground and once every twenty-five minutes in class (Craig and Pepler, 1997).To prevent bullying, it is important t. . .

Celebrating Fathers

On Father's Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives. Not just our dads and the fathers to our children, but all the men who have made a positive impact on a child’s life.A number of recently published studies call attention to the effects of good fathering. Men who play an active role in their ch. . .

Baby Clothes By Disney

Disney and children go together like milk and crackers. Its just a given that in almost any American household where children reside there is something in the home that was made by, produced by, licensed by, or endorsed by Disney.Because of this natural affinity that Disney and kids seem to have,. . .

The 5 B's of Effective Parenting

I hear the questions again and again: “How do I get my child to … …quit whining?” …do their homework?” …clean their room?” …do the dishes?”And I hear all kinds of answers for each situation. Here is my proposal, rather than handle each situation as an isolated event, let’s look at them in lig. . .

Someone Stole My Book

At a recent library presentation, a woman stole our book. Not the copyright, not the story, but a single copy of our children's book. Another person might view this as a compliment. The book has enough value for someone to steal it, but I disagree. I don't believe it's a compliment, nor do I view. . .

Road Trip with Kids

Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of nuisance for a child when in a restaurant - how much more in the narrow cage of a car on a hour-long ride. You have barely left your home when the notorious "Are-we-there-already" starts, sometimes replaced by the equally infamous "How. . .

Are You Chasing Dollars or Your Kids?

Striking a perfect balance between work and home today can be difficult task for most of us. However, do you ever wonder if your spending too much time chasing money and not enough with your children? Everything in moderation right? Haven’t we been told this countless times and yet still we tend . . .

Children and Night Terrors

Q. "My 7-year old son wakes up periodically in the middle of the night. We find him sitting bolt upright, staring straight ahead, and screaming at the top of his lungs. He sounds like he's being viciously attacked. This goes on for a while, during which we try to console him. He goes back to slee. . .

Children’s Birthday Party Planning: When and When Not to Have a Big Party

Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only because this birthday is more for the parents than for the child. At age 1, a child doesn’t understand the concept of “Birthday Party.” He or she is getting a lot of attention---which is all a 1-year-old wants or understands anyway. You sho. . .

Common Household Products That Can Poison Your Children

In the United States alone, someone is poisoned every few seconds. 40% of these cases involve children under the age of 3. 50% of these cases involve children under the age of 6. For this reason, it is important to lock up household chemicals in a high cabinet that is out of the reach of children. . .

Creating a Peaceful Sleeping Environment for Children -- Key to Parents' Sanity

(ARA) - Is daylight-saving time wreaking havoc in your home? Is it difficult to get your infant to sleep in? Do your kids keep informing you "It can't be bed time, the sun is still out"? How about when the summer ends and it is time to get your children back onto a school schedule? Let's face i. . .

How To Potty Train In Two Days

Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you will find dozens of books on the subject. Search the Net and there are thousands of websites with information on how to do it stress free. There are even people who are capitalizing on a parent's frustration with potty training by offering to d. . .

The Most Powerful Question a Parent Can Ask…

The question I have for you drives right to the heart of the matter. It could alter that tired, haggard feeling you have at the end of a day or weekend. It could alter the life of your children for the better and the life of their future partner. More than that, it could even alter your community. . .

Learning Through Senses – The Key To A Child's Development

(NC)—The first few years of a child's life are full of new and exciting experiences that are absorbed like a sponge through the five senses: touch, taste, smell, sight and sound. From birth, newborns are bombarded with a busy world that they must learn to master. It is the senses that pave the wa. . .

Picky Eater Coping Needs To Be a Family Affair

Why does it seem that the pickiest of eaters always try to pass themselves off as the latest upcoming culinary critic? It is especially annoying when you have spent a couple of hours on a special Sunday dinner, only to have your six-year-old son tromp the kitchen loudly declaring... "Something . . .

Marriages May End But Families Are Forever

It was at that time when our marriage was falling apart and we completely hated each other when we needed to work constructively as parents, as our child’s world was crumbling too.I have been divorced for over five years now and have a beautiful eleven year old daughter. My ex-husband has re marr. . .

Family Night on a Budget!

When you and your family are on a tight budget, sometimes one of the first things to be cut out is money for entertainment. When our 3 children were small, my husband and I always tried to find fun things to do as a family that didn't make a huge dent in our budget. One thing we recommend is sett. . .

Start Growing Healthy Children Before Getting Pregnant

When I was in my early 20’s, I read Adele Davis’s book, “Let’s Eat Right To Keep fit.” I learned from her that “you are what you eat.” I also learned that our babies are what we eat while we are pregnant, and then are what they eat once they are born. If you nurse your babies, then they continue . . .

10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids -- And Bigger Kids Too!

Crafting with young children really isn't about creating something in particular. Most young children don't have the foresight to see what a project is going to be. For young children it's more important that they have the opportunity to play and experiment with art. Kids need to use as many of t. . .

Profile of Encouraged Children

Walk through any mall and you will see discouraged families. The parents look weary because the children are controlling them. How did this happen? With both parents working and returning home tired, sometimes it’s just easier to give in to the demands of the children. Eventually the pattern is s. . .

5 Steps to Organized Writing

After your children are writing sentences, teach them about paragraphs. Paragraphs are the key to organized writing. Each paragraph should contain one main idea or thought, and a topic sentence that sums up that thought in a nutshell. The paragraph should also contain supporting sentences that ex. . .

Guilt Free Parenting

I don’t know about you, but I do guilt very well. At times, it seems like I can feel guilty for almost anything. Also, as a parent I mess up routinely. I can be short with my temper and my words are not always pleasant. Also, there seems to be a new parenting article out daily that tells you ho. . .

Cleaning a Child's Bedroom - 15 Minutes a Day

Here is a simple plan to help your child/teen keep their rooms clean. Don't worry if the room is a disaster. Just set the timer for 15 minutes each day and get started. Continue clearing clutter each day until you find the tops of the dressers and the floor. By the end of the week, you will be am. . .

Tips for Keeping Packed Lunches Fun and Interesting

• Let the child choose his or her own lunch box or reusable lunch bag. Encourage the child to add decorations, too.• Children like finger foods. Cut chicken, cheese, or meat into bite-sized pieces for easier handling.• Sandwiches don’t have to be boring. Use a variety of breads and fillings. . . .

Mommy & Baby: Feeding Philosophies

This should be easy, right? Your baby is hungry, and you feed him. What’s the big deal? The big deal is that there are so many philosophies that are thrown at moms regarding this topic. See if any of these sound familiar: Demand-feeding Hyper-scheduling Cry feeding Demand schedule Self-regulating. . .

Preparing Your Child for the Three R's

There is little doubt that reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic are crucial elements in the education of any child. A child's ability to later cope in the adult world, to have a career, to take charge of his financial affairs and to live independently depends to a large extent on his mastery of these . . .

Teaching Children Good Manners

Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that my children knew how to behave in nice restaurants because they had been exposed to the atmosphere at an early age. My idea of well behaved might be different from yours, however, I think there are certain basics that are important and universal.When m. . .

Parenting Predicaments

Predicament:My son is 4 1/2 years old. His younger brother is 2 1/2. From the time his brother was born, until now, he has been loving, giving, and caring. Like all siblings sharing has not always come as easy. In the last few weeks he has made comments that I pay more attention to his brother. I. . .

Amusing Facts About Babies

* Men are officially the best at changing baby! Research shows that the average time taken by a woman to change baby is 2 minutes and 5 seconds, whereas the average man takes 1 minute and 36 seconds! Expert in male and female behaviour Corinne Sweet says 'Changing baby is essentially a mechanical. . .

Baby Car Seats Safety - Frequently Asked Questions

In this article you will be provided with information about baby car seats and keeping your baby safe while in the car. There are tips for buying new and used baby car seats. Answers to some of the most asked questions about car seats are provided as well.Q. What is the best baby car seat?The bes. . .

The Importance of Teaching Children to Love Reading

Alot of children today are not developing a love of reading that will help them be successful adults. As parents, our fundamental duty is to prepare our children for adulthood. We give them our love and our time, and by doing this we are preparing them to face the world. Teaching them to read . . .

So, The Thing Is... We Reap What We Sow

So, the thing is… we reap what we sow.A few weeks ago, my daughters and I planted some seeds. It was a fun project to do together because it involved digging in the dirt and talking about how plants grow, plus the sun was warm on our faces. It was a perfect day. I wouldn’t have been very surp. . .

Keeping Your New Baby Safe

After all the baby furniture is purchased, you'll have to start thinking of baby safety supplies. Once your baby becomes mobile (and that's in a few short months), battening down the hatches is extremely important. If you have stairs or open doorways leading to areas that you don't want your baby. . .

Grandparents! Help Your Grandkids Do Math!

This may come as a surprise. But despite all the advances in education, many kids still struggle in the math class. Math is an important subject, yet many kids just don't "get it". Teachers can only devote a limited amount of personal attention to each student. And parents are so busy with their . . .

Get Down (On The Floor!) And Play With Your Children

When was the last time you and your kids rolled around on the floor together laughing yourselves silly? If you're like me, it may have been a while! Sometimes I get caught up in household chores, give errands a priority or answer the phone when I know I should let it ring, instead of making time . . .

How To Help Your Child Learn

Just as every snowflake is unique, so is every child. The way that your child learns depends a number of different factors, which combined together, create his unique learning style. By helping your child discover how he learns the best, you will set him up for life time success in learning, and . . .

Is Your Child Ready For an Allowance?

Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but they sure think there is a never-ending supply of it. They see you at the grocery store pushing a cart overflowing with the week's groceries; you hand the cashier a piece of plastic and suddenly it's all yours. People come to the door . . .

How to Pick the Best Name for Your Baby

Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy and delivery books and going to childbirth classes. Yet surprisingly, many decide their child’s given name within a matter of minutes, often spending more time selecting the right car seat or stroller.What should parents-. . .

Going Out to a Restaurant with Kids

Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating and embarrasing. Not only that you have to desperately try and keep your wiggling toddler seated and silent, you also have to manage the disapproving looks from other (non-parent) guests.The root problem here is again boredom. So before you . . .

Rainy Day Fun - Crafts For Kids

Rainy days can be so boring for a child…and just as hard on moms. So we give some ideas to brighten your day and chase their rainy day blues away!Shadow puppetsIn a room that is fairly dark set up a flash light so it is facing a wall. Have the children make hand shadows…If they get really good at. . .

Mommy...Daddy...is there really a Santa Claus?

Is there really a Santa Claus? Any parent who hasn't been faced with this question most likely will at some point. But how do you answer this? No one wants to crush a child's dreams of Santa and holiday magic.Some kids, like me, are crushed at school when they hear from a classmate that they foun. . .

Baby Cribs - Safety Is Key

You have just learned that you are expecting a baby. Even if you have other children, you must take a look at cribs. Is the crib you already have an antique? You should look carefully at your second hand crib whether it is an antique or not.The safety of your new baby makes this necessary. The sc. . .

His Toy, Her Toy

I remember when my daughter was born. Visions of her and I dressed in pinks and purples sitting in her lacy pink room playing dolls danced threw my head. A year later my son was born ;My husbands vision of sports and trucks revved around like mad men threw his manly mind.Those dreams were simply . . .

The First Pair Of Baby Shoes

NEVER JUDGE A BABY UNTIL YOU’VE WOBBLED A MILE IN HER WEEBOK’SAny parent will tell you that there is nothing quite like watching as your child takes her first steps. When little Tom or Katie start to teeter around upright for the first time there are a few messages that should flash through your . . .

Oh Baby! Choosing the Right Baby Name

Naming a baby is no easy task. However, the following tips will help you give your baby his or her very first gift.1. Religion: For some parents, religion plays a major role in choosing a baby name. Roman Catholics traditionally choose saints' names. Jews traditionally choose Old Testament names.. . .

Dyslexia: Is the Shoe Perhaps on the Wrong Foot?

Reading is the most important skill that a child must acquire at school, because one must learn to read to be able to read to learn. The implication of this is that the child who is a poor reader will usually also be a poor learner.Unfortunately poor reading skills, and therefore poor learning sk. . .

Parenting Success

At a Women’s Bar Association lunch one of the attorneys ordered a diet soda and then explained to the rest of us that her children were doing a “healthy living” program so she stopped buying diet soda to drink at home. She said having this diet soda was a real treat for her. She then confided in . . .

The "B" Word

Former students would probably attest to the fact that few things tried my patience as much as did the statement, “This is boring!” As I reflect back on my many years in the classroom, I can’t help but feel a tad bit sorry for the first kid who made the mistake of uttering those words each year. . . .

A Shift in Focus

It’s a pretty well established fact that our genetics combined with the influences of our family and environment provide the foundation for how we think and act in our adult years. I call it programming. Not necessarily in a bad sense – it frequently works to our advantage too. It’s just the w. . .

The Importance of Mothers

Moms, did you ever question your value as a role model, caretaker, administer of hugs and Band-Aids? I think we all have in today's climate of "do more, get more, have more." Many of us work to bring home a paycheck and others work for our sanity. Have you ever wondered if your children were bett. . .

The Pregnancy Glow and Other Myths of Motherhood

It happened during the ninth month of my first pregnancy. I was going through a department store check-out lane where a teenage girl was ringing up my purchases. She looked shyly at my burgeoning belly with an expression that could only be described as reverent. With eyes full of dreams of future. . .

Is Change Really About Behaviors in Public Schools?

Much is written about behaviors in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. The question is to ask is it really the behaviors that need to be changed? Are not behaviors the desired end result? Doesn’t our society long for young people whom demonstrate the behaviors of respect as wel. . .

Do your kids have a “Safety Telephone Number”? If not, you should get one for FREE!

What is a “Safety Number”? A Safety Number is a toll free number (i.e. an 800, 877, 888, 866 number) that parents can obtain so children can call home for FREE from any telephone in the United States. If your child needs to get a hold of you because they are lost, scared, hurt, or in trouble, . . .

Help! My Child Lies

Childhood Lies Unfortunately, even though adults hate lying, they often set up their children to do just that. Here's a look at how: Greg's mother just found out that Greg was throwing rocks at somebody: "Hi Greg, what have you been doing today?" [Why would I tell you if you don't know for sure?]. . .

Plane Trip with Kids

Though you can cover even very long distances by car if you have the guts to, as soon as it comes to crossing water, you'll have to stick to a plane. The equation is the same as usual: limited space + long time of inactivity = whiny, annoying children.The big difference towards a car is that when. . .

Is Mothering Wearing You Out?

I always wanted to have children and I was completely thrilled when I had my first child. Nothing, however, prepares a mother for what it’s like to be responsible for a child 24/7.Before my son was born, I had time – time to read, to be creative, to spend time with friends, to take long baths, to. . .

How to Choose a Changing Table

As a prospective parent, you may wonder how hard it could possibly be when it comes to learning how to choose a changing table. But you'd be surprised at the little details that can make your life easier when you have them, and a nightmare when you don't.The first consideration should be how long. . .