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Archive for the ‘toddlers’ Category
Potty Training Tips
We’re living in an era with technology that makes learning things easy peasey! We know each child is different, but hopefully some of this advice will help the Mom’s, Dad’s and Grandparents out there that are in the midst of potty training. Here we go…
Preparation
- Get a potty chair. Many children feel more secure starting with one that sits on the floor rather than one that sit on top of the toilet. It’s less scary, and it gives them the security and balance that comes with being able to put their feet securely on the floor.
- Put the potty chair in a place that’s convenient to where your child spends most of his time. It doesn’t have to be in the bathroom; you could keep it in a corner of your playroom. Ease of access is important in the beginning.
- Let your child explore the potty chair and become familiar with it. Let him know that it’s special and it’s just for him.
Learning
- Have your child practice sitting on the potty with her clothes on once or twice a day. Let her get up whenever she wants. Your
goal is to help her become comfortable with it. - Praise your child for each step, even the small ones and the ones that aren’t completely successful. Stay upbeat. Remember that this is her accomplishment, not yours.
- Once she’s comfortable sitting on the potty with her clothes on, have her practice sitting on it with her clothes off. This helps her get familiar with the concept of removing her clothes before going to the bathroom. It also lets her feel what the seat is like next to her skin.
- After a few days, when your child has a bowel movement in her diaper, have her watch you dump it into the potty so that she can see where it should go. Explain to her that this is where urine and stool belong. (Children this age are also mastering the idea that certain things go in certain places.)
- Look for signs that your child needs to urinate or move her bowels. Some children will tell you in so many words. Others will grimace or grunt or get into a particular position. When that happens, ask her if she needs to go.
- Let your child see you sitting on the toilet. Let her sit on her potty chair at the same time, if it’s in the bathroom. It’s easier for boys if they first learn to urinate while sitting down. If they begin by standing up, sometimes they’ll resist sitting down to have a bowel movement; it’s too confusing.
- Have her practice washing her hands with soap and water every time she gets off the potty, even if she doesn’t do anything.
- Keep your child in easy to remove clothing, such as pants that she can simply pull down without having to unbutton anything, or a dress or skirt. That increases the likelihood of success. Alternatively, begin by letting her run around the house for a few days without any pants on. Offer to remind her every hour to try using the potty. This will help her learn to interpret the signals her body is giving to her.
- Share what you’re doing and how you’re doing it with the other caregivers in your child’s life, such as babysitters and grandparents. That way your child will have consistent expectations and support, which will make things easier.
- Never leave your child in wet or soiled diapers as a way of “training” her. That only makes matters worse.
Reinforcement
- Give your child lots of praise at each stage of learning. It’s also a good idea to praise him whenever he tells you he has to use the potty, even if you’ve just asked him the question.
- Expect him to make mistakes, especially in the beginning. Don’t get angry; that will just make things take longer. If he resists trying something new, it probably means he’s not ready yet. Simply back off and try again in a few days or even weeks.
- Once your child has been successful for a few days, start making the switch to underwear. Some children feel more secure in diapers or training pants; others can’t wait for “big boy” or “big girl” underwear. Let your child’s reaction guide you in how quickly you make the change.
- Remember that some young children are frightened by the sound and actions of a flushing toilet. If he’s bothered by it, don’t force him to flush; do it after he leaves the room. That fear usually goes away in a few months.
Be consistent with preparation, learning and reinforcement, and you will be surprised how soon you will get rid of those diapers for good!
Article, Information and image courtesy of Pampers.com
If you are potty training, don’t forget Dapper Snappers…
Read these reviews: 
5.0 out of 5 stars - Great for toilet training toddlers!
By emee10
“This product is great for a toddler whose toilet training. Unlike a belt, there is no fussing with getting a belt undone to use the potty. It’s easy to pull the pants up and down with the dapper snapper in place. It works like a belt to keep the pants in place. This product has worked great for us and I’ll definitely buy more and recommend to friends!”
5 out of 5 stars - I found this really helpful!
By Allia V. Noel
“I am glad I ordered this snapper for my daughter. She just started school and I wanted to make sure she could go to the bathroom quickly and easily. This helped her do that without the added frustration of another thing to undo when you are desperate to go to the loo.”
5 out of 5 stars - Works Great!!
By Jessica Marose
“I love the dapper snapper! My daughter has a tiny waste (almost 6 years old and still in 4T clothes); usually the adjustable elastic band that is sewn inside pants isn’t enough or is too stretched out to help hold her pants up. The dapper snapper only fits onto the back of the pants, which is perfect so kids have no trouble unbuttoning their pants when going to the bathroom (a regular belt would take too long when it’s a potty emergency). My daughter also absolutely loves this item, it works so well and she finally no longer has to keep pulling her pants up.”
To get your Dapper Snappers - CLICK HERE!
Breaking The Binky Habit!
Binkies, a.k.a. pacifiers, Nee-nees, nummy, paci, fussifier and about a thousand other names it goes by…is probably your babies first “habit”, if you will. But seriously, the Binky does serve a purpose, especially shortly after birth. Babies are born with an innate need to suck. Binkies have lots of positives…but there comes a time when it’s important to break the Binky habit and for some…it’s a rough road.
Courtesy Ben_Kerckx
When to Stop
Here is where opinions diverge. Marolyn Morford, PhD, a developmental psychologist in State College, Pennsylvania, recommends discontinuing the pacifier by a year. “At that age, a child’s developmental needs do not include sucking,” she says. Dr. Breach allows more latitude: “It’s okay to make pacifiers the last thing to go. Once a baby is weaned and potty trained, then focus on stopping the pacifier.”
It’s a tolerant attitude echoed by Dr. Dowell: “Ultimately, children develop higher level strategies to manage their distress — usually beginning at around age 2,” he says. “They phase out their pacifiers as they develop skills to replace them.” Most kids willingly surrender their binkies by age 3 or 4.
How to Stop: The Three-Day Plan
Your child can be binky-free in just three days, says Mark L. Brenner, author of Pacifiers, Blankets, Bottles & Thumbs: What Every Parent Should Know About Stopping and Starting (Fireside). Here’s how to do it.
Day 1: In the morning and at bedtime, tell your child that you can see she wants to do lots of things that make her older. Tell her that’s a good idea, and that in three days it will be time for her to say goodbye to her pacifiers. Tell her you know she can do it and that you’ll work together on it. Keep the talk to 30 seconds and don’t sound as if you’re asking permission. If your child responds, reflect back her feelings — “I know you don’t want to” — then move on. Don’t worry that your child will become anxious if given advance warning. “That’s a myth,” says Brenner. “Like adults, children like to prepare themselves physically, psychologically, and emotionally for change.”
Day 2: Repeat the same 30-second talk twice daily, only replace “in three days” with “tomorrow.” Don’t try to sell her on the idea. Keep your tone and manner matter-of-fact.
Day 3: Remind your child that it’s day three and time to gather up his pacifiers. Act as if you’re going on a scavenger hunt and ask your child if he’d like to help. Even if he refuses and protests, proceed to collect his pacifiers, place them in a plastic bag, and put them on the front step for “pick-up by the recycling truck.” Explain that the pacifiers will be made into new tires or toys. “Children recognize that recycling is purposeful and intelligent, and will be far less upset than if you throw their treasured pacifiers in the trash,” says Brenner. Which is not to say your toddler won’t have a meltdown. Be empathetic, but firm, Brenner says, adding that most children get over losing their pacifiers within 48 hours.
The Gradual Approach
Start by removing the pacifier in “zero-distress” situations, like when your child is home, happy, and playing. Once she’s used to not having her pacifier at home, eliminate its outdoor use. You don’t need to offer an explanation. “We sometimes over-talk to our kids,” Dr. Dowell says. “All you need to say is: The pacifier doesn’t leave the house.”
From here, it’s usually a painless leap to: “The pacifier stays in the crib.” Convincing your child to make the final break, however, may be more challenging. Some parents use the “Binky Fairy” or Santa to help smooth the transition. “Near the holidays, you might tell your child that Santa collects all the pacifiers for new babies and brings toys for all the big girls and boys,” suggests Ivy Faske, MD, a pediatrician in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Or you could tell your child that the dentist or doctor collects pacifiers for new babies, and that if she donates hers, she’ll get a special toy.
Don’t be surprised, however, if the child who traded her pacifiers for a Dora doll suddenly wails for her Binky. “You have to be willing to put up with a few really bad nights,” says Faske. “But most kids soon find other sources of comfort.”
courtesy of Dirk (Beeki®) Schumacher
Weathering the Storm
Whatever method you choose, brace yourself for one to five nights of crying, and whatever you do, don’t give in. “If you give a child back the pacifier after he’s cried, screamed, and kicked for 45 minutes, you’ll only solidify that such carrying on will get him the pacifier — and everything else he wants,” says Glinder. If you’re tempted to cave, remember: Children (and parents) have endured this rite of passage for millennia. “We all get rid of our pacifiers eventually,” he says.
Marguerite Lamb is a writer and mother of two in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
Originally published in American Baby magazine, August 2005.
Also courtesy of www.parents.com images courtesy of Pixabay
Toddler Sleep Tips
My kids aren’t toddlers anymore but I know very well how important a good night’s sleep is, not just for your child but for you as well. I hope these tips help all of you groggy Mom’s and Dad’s out there get a better night of sleep for your child and you…
1. Waking up bright and early: “A reasonable wake-up time for a child is anywhere from 5:30-7 a.m., but some children are up before that time wide awake or their wake up time is too early for mom and dad,” says Jenn Kelner, a Certified Child Sleep Consultant who runs a business called BabyZzz.
Solution: “Room darkening shades to block out morning light, white-noise machines to block out morning street noise, a timed light 
or child alarm clock that changes color when it’s time to get up, and an earlier bedtime. It’s counter-intuitive, but the earlier a child goes to bed, the later they will sleep in.” Amen. I saw it with my own kids. Now sleep mom and dad!
2. Giving up the nap when they still need it: If your child misses a nap because of older siblings’ activities or for some other reason, it actually becomes HARDER for them to nap. Over time, this overtiredness has a cumulative effect, which may cause the child to refuse to nap altogether.
Solution: “Start an earlier bedtime to help make up that sleep deficit and make it easier to nap,” says Kelner. “Get the child outdoors in the morning for fresh air and exercise, very soothing routine before naptime, and leave the child for 60 minutes to give them the opportunity to fall asleep without stimulation. Once the nap has been re-established, bedtime can be moved a little later.”
3. Difficulties in falling asleep: “Many children have difficultly falling asleep on their own if they are used to being rocked to sleep, or if they have been falling asleep next to their parents,” Kelner says.
Solution: Make sure the bedtime routine gets the child nice and drowsy. Turn off all electronics 60 minutes before bedtime. Leave the room slowly if they need you. For instance: Day 1-3, sit by the child’s bed or crib until they fall asleep. Day 4-6, move the chair to the middle of the room. Day 7-9, move the chair to the doorway. Day 10-12, move the chair outside the doorway.
4. Getting up in the middle of the night: Waking during the night is normal, but it becomes a problem when the child cannot return to sleep unassisted, Kelner says. It’s especially hard if the child calls out for mom and dad and everyone is losing sleep.
Solution: “Have a consistent soothing routine in place to get the child nice and drowsy. Ensure the child is getting enough sleep, as over-tiredness leads to frequent night waking,” says Kelner. “Make sure the child is able to self-soothe, and implement some sleep training/coaching if necessary.”
5. Asking for mom and dad 15 times after “good night”: We all know that kid (or have that kid) who wants one more kiss, one more hug, one more snack, one more AGH! This is a classic tactic that delays bedtime, which makes the child overtired, which then makes it more difficult for the child to fall asleep the next night.
Solution: “During your soothing routine, set a kitchen timer for 15 minutes, and explain that once the timer goes off, it’s time to say a final goodnight,” says Kelner. “Ensure that before the timer goes off, you anticipate what that child may ask for — so get them a drink, take them to the bathroom, and give the child lots of hugs. If the child is still requesting extra attention, start some sleep rules with consequences, or simply ignore their requests.”
6. Inability to self-soothe: Some children have more trouble than others soothing themselves into sleep when they are upset and especially when they wake up in the middle of the night alone.
Solution: “Giving your child a special transitional object, such as a teddy bear or ‘lovie’ to snuggle and go to bed with during the bedtime routine can help them learn to use this object to help themselves get back to sleep when they wake in the middle of the night,” says Jennifer Metter of Jenni June Certified Sleep Consulting in Los Angeles.
7. You are co-sleeping without wanting to: This is me. My kids always end up in bed with us and neither my husband nor I can remember how they got there.
Solution: “Using an uneventful quick and silent return to the bed without payoff can help eliminate this behavior. Sleep consultants call this, ‘The silent return’. Consistency is key here,” says Metter. “It requires a bit of work and perfect consistency from parent for successful results, but uneventfully and silently returning your child to their bed the moment you notice they are out of it will help teach them to remain there until it is time to wake for the day. Children won’t continually do what doesn’t work for them.”
Good luck and Good night!
Image and information courtesy of thestir.cafemom.com
Swimming & Water Safety for the Upcoming Months
With Summer just about a month away and temperatures already spiking, I thought I’d address the safety issues for parents so we all hopefully have an incident-free Summer. Pools, water parks, hot tubs/spas, splash pads, and water playgrounds are great places to have fun, be active, or just relax. Having fun while you swim this summer means knowing how to stay healthy and safe while enjoying the water!
Swimming is one of the most popular sports activities in the United States. And just 2.5 hours of water-based (or other forms of) physical activity per week has health benefits, we each need to do our part to minimize the risk of illness and injury.
Make a Healthy Splash: Share the Fun, Not the Germs 
Swimmers, parents of young swimmers, aquatics and beach staff, residential pool owners, and public health officials can minimize the risk of recreational water illnesses (RWIs).
Prevent Illness
RWIs can be caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs/spas, water playgrounds, lakes, rivers, or oceans. RWIs can be a wide variety of infections, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections.
Most outbreaks linked to the water we swim, relax, and play in are outbreaks of diarrhea. These outbreaks are caused by germs like Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus, and E. coli O157:H7.
These germs—sometimes millions at a time—can spread when someone who is sick has diarrhea in the water. Other people can get sick if they swallow the germy water—even just a mouthful.
Pool chemicals, like chlorine or bromine, are added to the water to kill germs. But they don’t work right away. If used properly, they can kill most germs within a few minutes. However, some germs, like Crypto can live in properly treated pool water for several days.
The job of pool chemicals is to kill germs. But when pee, poop, sweat, and dirt rinse off our bodies and into the water, the chemicals break down these other things instead of killing germs. This uses up the chemicals’ power, which means there’s less to kill germs.
Remember, we share the water—and the germs in it—with everyone. To help protect yourself, your family, and your friends from germs, follow these easy and effective steps each time you get in the water:
Keep the pee, poop, sweat, and germs out of the water!
- Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.
- Shower before you get in the water.
- Don’t pee or poop in the water.
- Don’t swallow the water.
Every hour—everyone out!
- Take kids on bathroom breaks.
- Check diapers, and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area—not poolside—to keep germs away from the pool.
- Reapply sunscreen.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
Check the free chlorine level and pH before getting into the water.
- Pools: Proper free chlorine level (1–3 mg/L or parts per million [ppm]) and pH (7.2–7.8) levels maximize germ-killing power.
- Hot tubs/spas: Proper disinfectant level (chlorine [2–4 parts per million or ppm] or bromine [4–6 ppm]) and pH (7.2–7.8) maximize germ-killing power.
- Most superstores, hardware stores, and pool-supply stores sell pool test strips.
FREE Healthy and Safe Swimming Resources
- CDC Healthy Swimming brochures (available in English or en Español)
- CDC Pool Chemical Safety posters (each available in English and en Español)
- Water Quality & Health Council (WQHC)’s Healthy Pools page.
Remember: Think Healthy. Swim Healthy. Be Healthy!
References
Image and Information courtesy of www.cdc.gov/
Five FUN Outdoor Activities For Toddlers & Kids
As you know Spring has Sprung and Summer is just around the corner, us Mom’s (and Dad’s) need to keep the little ones busy. Here’s some creative and fun ideas that promise to do just that!
1. Stone Faces - Use this FREE printable to turn a collection of stones into funny stone faces. These face part stones are quick and easy to make and once made you can get creative making all kinds of funny stone faces. Toddlers and Preschoolers will love making these silly faces on stones, you can place them by your walkway, in your garden or give as gifts. Click image for step by step instructions and printable.
2. Make your own chalk paint for awesome outdoor fun! This is super easy to make, with very little ingredients. Your children and toddlers will have a blast expressing their creativity outdoors (or indoors if you’re brave). It’s also safe, nontoxic and the best part…it will wash off with a hose or the next rainy day! Click the image for step by step instructions.
3. Make Enormous Bubbles - Oh my! Science does not get much cooler than this, you have to see the size of these bubbles! You might enjoy this even more than the kids will. This is a very simple and fast mix, in no time at all you will be creating the most amazing bubbles. Click the image for instructions.
4. Alphabet Bug Spray - All you need for this fun project is a spray bottle and chalk! Draw on the sidewalk or driveway, a bug with a letter inside of it and well, it’s super easy and kids seem to love it and they forget they are learning. For game instructions click the image.
5. Magic Sidewalk squirt paint - You don’t need to purchase much for this one either. The clear plastic squirt bottles are about $1 each. The kids will love this and beg for a refill when their bottles are finally emptied. What a fun way to spend some outdoor time! Click the image for full instructions.
Kid Friendly - Easy Crock Pot Recipe
Slow Cooker Bacon-Wrapped Apple Barbecue Chicken (YUM)
This recipe speaks to me on so many levels! It has your protein, your fruit and the ever important BACON! I know this will be devoured in my house. Okay, no more drooling back to the belt factory!
With only a few ingredients and even fewer steps, this just might be the easiest slow-cooker recipe ever!
Ingredients: 
- 3-4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1-2 apples, peeled and grated
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 6-8 slices of bacon
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce, grated apple, and lemon juice.
2. Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around each chicken breast half.
3. Place wrapped chicken in a greased 4-5 quart slow cooker and top with BBQ sauce mixture.
4. Set to low and cook for 8 hours.
Enjoy!
Recipe and photo courtesy of MomsWhoThink
Ten Parent Hacks That We ALL Need!
Who doesn’t need and want to make life just a little bit easier? I know I do, even the smallest of tasks can become daunting with the monotony of the day-to-day chores and hectic schedules. So…with that being said, let’s take a look!
1. Put a “safety spot” sticker on your car to ensure an older child doesn’t wander off
while you load or unload the car.
parkingpalmagnet.com
You can improvise your own with a large, round sticker, or purchase the Parking Pal magnet here.
2. If your kids are always using new cups, give them their own designated cups with magnets to stick to the fridge.
adventuresinpinteresting2012.blogspot.com
Not only does this mean less dishwashing, but cups can be kept at kid-height instead of up-high cupboards.
3. Helichrysum is the essential oil you need for accident-prone kids.
sarahtitus.com
It’s used by dentists to stop bleeding instantly. Read more about it here.
4. A plastic cup will keep little hands safe when handling sparklers on the Fourth of July.
love2dreamdoyou.blogspot.com
5. A crib sheet will keep an outdoor baby from getting bitten up by mosquitoes.
littlebabywatson.com
Sometimes you want to keep baby outside with you while working in the yard. A crib sheet provides shade and protection from bugs.
6. Use a glue gun to prevent shoes from slipping.
Facebook: CentralCoastTeachingTots
7. Add Jell-O to your popsicles so they don’t melt into a drippy mess.
forfood.rezimo.com
Get the recipe for this slow-melt popsicle recipe here.
8. Another use for your glue gun: Plug up those holes in your bath toys so they don’t get all moldy.
welovebeingmoms.blogspot.com
9. The “You Shall Not Pass” sign provides a visual limit to how much toilet paper your child can take.
amandathevirtuouswife.com
10. And finally… this solution will SAVE YOUR LIFE (and your beds) during the potty-training phase.
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed
A serious time and sleep saver during a challenging time.
Here’s a bonus hack …or harmless plug - Dapper Snappers…Did you know we made a BuzzFeed list? Click here!
List Courtesy of BuzzFeed. Images credited in captions.
Five Awesome Apps For Toddlers
Some of these apps are really awesome! I only wish they were around when my kids were toddlers. These apps are not meant to be baby sitters, but definitely they help out when us Mama’s have our hands full (most of the time). These apps help with your toddlers eye-hand coordination, and some are learning apps as well! Okay back to making toddler belts for me!
Baby’s Musical Hands - A wonderful first app for toddlers who are developing hand-eye coordination and learning about cause and effect. There are no buttons, distracting menus, instructions, or commercial tie-ins — kids simply tap anywhere on the screen to receive instant audio and visual feedback. As kids get more coordinated they can press specific colored squares to hear different sounds, too.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Bubl Ice Cream - is a toddler-friendly exploration app. There’s no right or wrong way to play; kids simply tap or drag ice cream onto cones, bowls, or glasses and add toppings. The interface is kid-friendly with only one back button that could take a random tapper back to the home screen. Visual prompts plus whistles and cries of “Woo hoo!” get kids’ attention to encourage them to tap and play.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Busy Shapes - an exploring-to-learn activity for toddlers based on Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Piaget believed that the youngest children, in the stage of development he called “sensorimotor,” learn about their world by exploring and manipulating it. Busy Shapes gives kids a digital playground to explore and has lots of features in place to make it easy for the youngest users to play without crashing or accidentally swiping out of the app. It uses artificial intelligence to automatically adjust to keep kids challenged. Parents can set up different accounts for several kids (up to 40) and review how long kids played and the concepts they explored. Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Moo, Baa, La La La! - an interactive version of the classic board book by Sandra Boynton. Like the book that inspired it, the app is aimed at toddlers. They can read the book with or without narration, and can hear individual words spoken aloud when they are tapped. There are lots of interactive hotspots for kids to find as they explore the pages, and tilting the device also creates some small movements on the page.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Fire phone, Kindle Fire
Nighty Night HD - a short, nearly wordless interactive book about going to bed. Kids get to tap the rooms of the house (or barn) that still have lights on, and then, once they’ve entered that room, they get to turn off the light and put the animals to sleep. There’s not much of a story and the few words are only spoken, not written, so parents shouldn’t expect this to be a reading app. It does however, have nice cause-and-effect lessons for toddlers (and will be just plain fun for preschoolers and kindergartners) and is accompanied by soothing going-to-sleep music. Devices: iPad
Images courtesy of individual apps and information courtesy of Common Sense Media.
An Easy Recipe For All Busy Moms (with picky eaters)
As a mama with no extra time away from the toddler belt factory, I need an easy and fast recipe for dinner. I just have to try this!
Root beer Pulled Pork…just the name makes my mouth water. Add these simple ingredients to your crock pot in the morning and 8 hours later…viola! You may want to add some honey or buttery buns to the grocery list. Yum!
Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
- 1 (4 pound) pork shoulder roast
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle root beer
- 1 tsp liquid smoke flavoring (or to taste)
- 4 cloves garlic
Prep time - 15 minutes
Cook time - 8 hours
Directions:
- Place pork roast in a slow cooker and pour root beer, liquid smoke, and garlic over the top.
- Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours. Remove pork to a bowl. Strain liquid through a fine-mesh strainer, discard liquid, and add garlic to pork. Shred pork using two forks.
For extra easy clean-up try using a liner in your slow cooker.
*Image and recipe are courtesy AllRecipes.com